BlackBerry Link, previously known as BlackBerry Desktop Manager, or BlackBerry Desktop Software, is software used on desktop computers so as to communicate seamlessly with BlackBerry 10 devices.
BlackBerry Link is easy to set up and use, but when it’s not working on your Windows 10 computer, it may be more of a drag than its usual hassle-free nature.
If you’re experiencing BlackBerry Link issues, you’re in the right place.
Prior to using any of the solutions below, please check on the following issues which may hinge upon the effectiveness of the solutions:
What is the version of BlackBerry Link software on your computer?
How is your BlackBerry device connected to your PC – via USB cable, or Bluetooth?
What status does your device show in the Device Manager on your computer? Is there a yellow triangle next to it? This may indicate a problem.
Here are solutions to fix the BlackBerry Link when it isn’t working on Windows 10.
How to fix BlackBerry Link on Windows 10
1. Rename the iTunes file
In case you updated iTunes and then tried to use BlackBerry Link but it opens with the error: BlackBerry Link has stopped working, rename the iTunesPrefs.xml file, and then re-launch BlackBerry Link.
Here’s how to rename iTunesPrefs.xml file:
Turn on Show Hidden Files and Folders
Navigate to C:Users<userid>AppDataRoamingApple ComputeriTunes
Rename the iTunesPrefs.xml file to old
Once completed, turn off Show hidden files and folders.
Note: renaming the file may affect the iTunes application’s functionality such as iTunes sync, which won’t be available within BlackBerry Link.
2. Install the latest version of BlackBerry Link software on your computer
Here’s how to uninstall and then re-install the latest version of BlackBerry Link:
Right click Start
Select Run
Type appwiz.cpl
Press Enter
In Programs and Features, select BlackBerry Link (or BlackBerry Desktop Software)
Click Change/Remove
On the Install Shield Wizard, select Remove
Click Next
Under Uninstall Options, select Remove all user settings for BlackBerry Link
Click on Ok
Click Finish
Restart your computer
Download and install the latest version of BlackBerry Link after you restart your computer.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete installation, then check whether the BlackBerry Link works.
3. Check your device’s status on Device Manager
Here’s how to do this:
Right click Start
Select Device Manager
Go to the USB device you are experiencing issues with
Right click on it
Select Properties
Click General tab
Check Device Status box to see if it has detected problems with your device
In addition, to handle your drivers more efficiently and install or update old drivers from your PC, you have dedicated driver update software that can perform the job automatically in no time.
Sometimes this error can be generated in Device Manager due to one of these reasons:
Device Manager can’t start the BlackBerry device
One of the drivers needed by your device doesn’t start
Device Manager has less sufficient information to recognize the error from the device’s driver
If you’re experiencing problems with BlackBerry Link, then run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter to resolve the issue. This checks for commonly occurring issues and ensures any new device or hardware is correctly installed on your computer.
Here’s how to go about it:
Right click Start
Select Control Panel
Go to View by option on the top right corner
Click the drop down arrow and select Large icons
Click Troubleshooting
Click View all option on the left pane
Click Hardware and Devices
Click Next
Follow the instructions to run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter. The troubleshooter will begin detecting any issues, and you can use the troubleshooting report’s suggestions to resolve the issue.
5. Remove Kaspersky program
Sometimes the BlackBerry Link may not work owing to Kaspersky 2014 blocking access to your BlackBerry device. In this case, remove Kaspersky 2014, then upgrade to Kaspersky 2015.
6. Upgrade Microsoft.NET framework
If you upgraded to BlackBerry 10 OS version, and the BlackBerry Link is not working, your PC and device may no longer connect to each other.
This indicates a problem with the current version of the Microsoft.NET framework that causes BlackBerry Link not to work when the program’s regional settings are set to some languages.
The solution here is to upgrade the Microsoft.NET framework to version 4.5 or a later version.
Did any of these solutions work for you? Let us know in the comments section below.
Backgroundtransferhost.exe is a service process that syncs Windows settings across devices that share the same Windows account. The service can download and upload quite a bit of data. So, some users prefer to turn off backgroundtransferhost.exe’s syncing as it can hog system resources. One user stated in a Microsoft forum post:
Every time I turn on the PC or wake it up from the standby a file called Backgroundtransferhost.exe starts to download a large file. I have a slow internet connection (512 Kb/s) and with this speed sometimes it takes up to 15 minutes to finish… What is that and how to stop it?
How Can Users Reduce Backgroundtransferhost.exe’s System Resource Utilization?
1. Turn Off Sync Settings
Turning the Sync settings option off is one way to deactivate Backgroundtransferhost.exe. Open the search utility by pressing the Windows key + S hotkey.
Enter ‘sync settings’ in the search box.
Click Sync your settings to open the window in the snapshot directly below.
Then turn off the Sync settings option.
2. Block Backgroundtransferhost.exe With the Firewall
Users can also try blocking Backgroundtransferhost.exe syncing with the Windows Defender Firewall. To do that, open Windows 10’s search utility.
Enter the keyword ‘firewall’ in the text box to search for Windows Defender Firewall. Click Windows Defender Firewall to open its Control Panel applet.
Click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall on the left of the window.
Press the Change settings button.
Click Allow another app to open the window shown directly below.
Then click the Browse button.
Select Backgroundtransferhost.exe in the Windows > System32 folder, and click the Open button.
Press the Add button.
Then deselect the left checkbox for Backgroundtransferhost.exe in the Allowed apps and features list.
Press the OK button.
3. Turn Off the Time Broker Service
Users have also confirmed that turning the Time Broker service off, via the registry, can drastically reduce Backgroundtransferhost.exe’s system resource utilization. Open the Registry Editor by pressing the Windows key + R, entering regedit in Run, and clicking OK.
Select the TimeBrokerSvc key, and double-click the Start DWORD to open the window shown below.
Select the Hexadecimal option if it’s not selected.
Enter ‘4’ in the Value data box.
Click the OK button.
Then restart Windows.
So, that’s how users can turn off Backgroundtransferhost.exe’s syncing or the Time Broker service to reduce Backgroundtransferhost’s system resource utilization. Note that uninstalling antivirus utilities might also reduce Backgroundftransferhost’s system resource utilization.
Following Microsoft’s latest FY20 Q3 earnings report yesterday, among the questions asked by investors interested future outcomes for the company was one that addressed the 300 million pound elephant in the room that’s manifested itself as a competitor productivity communications service, Zoom and how Microsoft plans to combat its goliath like mindshare.
While the question was expertly fielded by the combo of CEO Satya Nadella and CIO Amy Hood who tag-teamed an answer about commitment to Teams and its relative explosive growth of 70% year over year, the mindshare reference to Zoom’s market presence does highlight yet another misconception perpetrated by Zoom’s less than scrupulous tactics.
Shortly before Microsoft got on the mic today to announce that its latest productivity communications platform Teams racked up 75 million daily active users, would-be competitor Zoom held a victory lap for roughly a month with a rather impressive 300 million daily active user count.
While Microsoft’s 70 percent spike month over a month may seem modest in the shadow of Zoom’s 300 million claims, it seems Zoom may have mistakenly misrepresented their initial user accolades. Senior editor at The Verge Tom Warren shines some light on a quiet edit made to the Zoom blog just a few days ago, deleting the “more than 300 million daily users” claim and updated the reference to read “300 million daily Zoom meeting participants.” While it’s a subtle semantic correction, the distinction is quite vast.
Zoom has been lying about its daily active users. The company said it had "more than 300 million daily users," earlier this month, and it has quietly deleted the references. It's 300 million meeting participants, and Microsoft is now at 200 million https://t.co/PTcZT5pgLr
Daily users and daily meetings are counted differently and most communication services draw a line between the two as they often represent the number of individuals participating in usage of the service versus the number of times the platform is pinged by an individual. 300 million meetings a day isn’t anything to scoff at but it is a bit different than confirming 75 million distinct users a day.
As of now, Zoom is keeping its daily user numbers close to the vest as it presumably attempts to leverage every new opportunity its COVID-19 related mind share has brought it. In the same vein, Microsoft is pushing Teams as the face of its productivity communications tool and leveraging its relative growth, and a 70 percent spike over the past three months is a good indicator that its gambit is paying dividends for investors.
Microsoft is continuing to refresh, refine, and update its products at a rapid pace. Today, Microsoft announced that Visual Studio Online would now be known as Visual Studio Codespaces, and the company will also be dropping the price of the service by up to 50% along with new options to run Codespaces inside lower-performing virtual machines.
The new rebranding is set to begin in the next few weeks and will include a new tagline saying that “Codespaces are simply the most productive place to code.” According to Microsoft’s blog, many developers and users of Visual Studio Online indicated that the service was much more than simply an editor in the browser, and the changes announced today were a direct result of that feedback. “One of the most consistent things we’ve heard is that the ability to create cloud-hosted dev environments is having a positive impact in more ways than we had thought,” the company said today
Lower Pricing
Starting on May 19th, Microsoft will lower the price of Codespaces Azure Compute resources with new pricing tiers that provide more resource flexibility to run smaller Codespaces:
Basic (2 cores, 4 GB of RAM) instance type for those who want to try remote development for the first time. Basic instances will be reduced from $.24 per hour to $.08 per hour.
Standard (4 cores, 8 GB of RAM) Linux instance type will be reduced from $.45 per hour to $.17 per hour.
Premium (8 cores, 16 GB of RAM) will go from $.87 to $.34. Codespaces may also incur a storage charge of $.0088 per hour for the 64 GB SSD storage, which can be billed down to the second.
Remote Development
Over the past month, Microsoft has been working to make remote development even better for its users. In addition to today’s news that gives users more flexibility in picking their sizes, Microsoft has also made significant improvements related to their self-hosted environment capabilities. Anyone can now register any machine to Visual Studio Codespaces and either connect to it using Visual Studio Code or Microsoft’s browser-based editor.
Another new remote feature Microsoft recently added was a new “bring-you-own” Dockerfiles or images to Codespace. A user can configure Codespace to point to an image from a registry like Docker Hub or placing a custom Dockerfile in a local repo.
Following the official announcement yesterday, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla got its first cinematic trailer today, which includes an Xbox logo right at the beginning of the video. Ubisoft may well have a marketing deal with Xbox for this game, which will likely be showcased during the May 7 Inside Xbox episode that will focus on next-gen games reveals. A reply from the official Ubisoft Twitter account to today’s Inside Xbox announcement suggests that it will be the case.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla will apparently expand the RPG mechanics introduced in Assassin’s Creed Origins and Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, with the ability to choose a man or woman character, get some romance possibilities, and forge political alliances. It’s been confirmed today that the game will be released on Xbox One and Xbox Series X in Holiday 2020, but Reddit user jnborwn925 also saw today on the game’s Best Buy listing today that it will support Smart Delivery.
With Smart Delivery, Microsoft is allowing developers of cross-gen games like Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla to deliver the right version of that game on whatever Xbox console you’re playing on. In other words, you’ll only need to buy the game once and your console, whether it’s an Xbox One or an Xbox Series X, will download the version of the game that’s optimized for your hardware.
It’s nice to see that Ubisoft and CD Projekt Red are on the same page, though Ubisoft is a much bigger developer and it’s not clear yet if all upcoming Ubisoft games will support Smart Delivery. It also remains to be seen if other big publishers such as EA, Activision, or Rockstar Games will also support Microsoft’s gamer-friendly initiative.
The month of April is coming to a close, which means it is now time to take a look back at everything that was new in Teams for the fourth month of the year. From background blur, features for video chats, new IT admin options, and more, here’s a look at everything that was added to Teams recently.
As always, we will be starting with the stuff you care about most: meetings and calling. On this front, Microsoft added a lot of features that helps Teams better compete with Zoom. These include an increase in the number of simultaneous videos in Teams, a Raise Hands features background effects, and more.
First off, Microsoft increased the number of simultaneous videos in Teams meetings. It went up from 4 to 9, allowing users to get a better view of who is in the meeting stage. In addition, Microsoft also announced a new raise hands feature, which allows meeting attendees to identify that they’d like to speak. This feature will be rolling out early next week.
Moving on, Teams also picked up a background effects feature, which lets you customize your video backgrounds with pre-selected images. As a result, it also became possible to “unofficially” set your own custom background, too. As for the mobile apps, Teams on iOS finally picked up the option to blur backgrounds, and live captions during meetings became available for iOS and Android versions of the Teams app.
The rest of the new features for calling in Teams includes a new ability to end the meeting for all participants. This ties in with a new option that lets meeting attendees share system audio in Team events, and record 1:1 chats. Microsoft also temporarily raised default limits until July 1, 2020 for live events hosted in Teams, Stream, and Yammer. This is designed to support organizations impacted by the Coronavirus.
Looking at just the new chat features, Microsoft finally introduced a long-promised new Yammer app for Microsoft Teams. This new app allows users to enjoy the Yammer experience right inside Teams, and stay connected with what’s happening across their organization. Finally, there are some new badges for the praise feature in Teams. Courage, Oprimisigm, and Inclusive, these badges are themed for those who really are making a difference in these challenging times.
Although the bulk of the features this month were for end-users, IT Admins also got some new stuff to play with. For one, a new Meetings dashboard in the Microsoft Teams admin center was introduced. This dashboard provides insights about usage, user feedback, health, meeting details, devices, and more from one central hub. Microsoft says this feature will be coming soon.
Other features wrapping up the month include the ability to Improve voice quality with local media optimization for direct routing, and more ways for admins to control profile picture settings on Teams. Smaller features include batch policy assignment and some more ways to control meetings, such as lobby settings. There also was the introduction of new analytics and reports experience for the admin center. Microsoft says this will provide administrators insights into the usage of Teams apps in their environment allowing them to manage risk and make informed decisions.
Xbox fans, it’s time to mark your calendars: Microsoft has just announced that it will finally showcase Xbox Series X games on the next Inside Xbox livestream scheduled on Thursday, May 7 at 8AM PT. The brief announcement teased a “first Look next-gen gameplay from our global developers partners, and it will be interesting to see if some new third-party games will be revealed during the show.
You want to see games for the Xbox Series X? We want to show you games for the Xbox Series X.
Check out First Look next-gen gameplay from our global developers partners within #InsideXbox on Thursday, May 7 at 8am PT. pic.twitter.com/xVdgIeRBJX
So far, we’ve heard about a couple of upcoming cross-gen titles that will be ship on both Xbox One and Xbox Series X, and the list includes the first-party game Halo: Infinite, CD Projekt Red’s Cyberpunk 2077, and Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Valhalla. These three games will also support Smart Delivery, meaning that you’ll only need to buy them once and your Xbox One or Xbox Series X console will download the version of the game optimized for your console.
With 12 teraflops of computing power, support for 120 FPS, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and other technologies like variable rate shading, the Xbox Series X is expected to deliver a true generational leap. However, it’s really up to game developers to make good use of this new powerful hardware, and we’ll soon have a better idea of what to expect of next-gen Xbox games.
It’s worth noting that Sony has yet to announce a similar event for PlayStation 5 games, so Microsoft is once again the company that’s moving faster. The Redmond giant was the first to announce its new console during the Game Awards Ceremony in December, and it was also first to reveal the full specs of the Xbox Series X in March. Let’s hope that the games we’ll see next week will not disappoint.
It’s been a couple of weeks since Microsoft released a minor update for PowerToys with some bug fixes for Windows 10 users, but a new version is finally available. The latest update packs a highly anticipated automatic update option, as well as important updates to FancyZone.
Dropbox is a pretty solid service that rarely causes problems to users. However, there might be some situations when the service will give you headaches anyway.
One of the most annoying problems not just with Dropbox, but with basically any cloud-storage service, is when the Desktop client stops syncing.
Various factors can cause Dropbox‘s sync to stop working. This is a serious problem that needs to be addressed as soon as possible and we’ve prepared a few solutions that might help.
What to do if Dropbox for Windows 10 is not syncing
Having an antivirus program installed on your computer is beneficial in terms of security, but it can be harmful to other aspects of your computer. It’s known that antiviruses often conflict with various Windows features and third programs and Dropbox is on the list, as well.
The first thing you should do is pause your antivirus for some time and see if Dropbox is able to sync. If you notice that syncing works without problems when the antivirus is turned off, either uninstall the antivirus (and switch to Windows Defender, which is something Microsoft would love you to do) or whitelist Dropbox in the antivirus.
Also keep in mind that that some system optimization software, like TuneUp, can delete Dropbox while optimizing Windows. In that case, reach to TuneUp support for help and further instructions.
On the other hand, if you determine that neither the antivirus or optimization programs are responsible for the syncing problem, move on to the next solution.
Solution 2 – Unlink Dropbox
It may happen that your Dropbox settings are corrupted. One of the most effective ways of dealing with this issue is unlinking your computer from your Dropbox account and linking it again. That way, the settings will reset and the problem can be solved.
Here’s what you need to do to unlink and link accounts:
Click your name at the top of any page to open the account menu.
Click Settings.
Select the Security tab.
In the Devices section, click the X beside the name of your computer to unlink it.
To link your computer back to your Dropbox account, just sign in with the Desktop client. It should do all the work for you on the first sign in.
If unlinking/linking your computer doesn’t get the job done, try some other solutions listed below.
Solution 3 – Make sure you’re properly connected to the internet
Obviously, the sync can’t function well if you’re not properly connected to the internet. So, just in case, make sure everything’s fine with your internet connection. In case you notice any problems, try solving them by using workarounds from this article, and then try to sync Dropbox again.
Solution 4 – Delete Dropbox cache
Just like it’s the case with antivirus programs, the piled up cache can cause problems with your Dropbox client. So, if none of the solutions from above worked well for you, try clearing the cache. In case you don’t know how to do that, follow these instructions:
Open the file Explorer.
Go to your Dropbox folder, and go to the cache folder (you can also access the folder by entering %HOMEPATH%Dropbox.dropbox.cache in Search).
Select all by pressing Ctrl+A.
Press Delete and confirm, to remove everything from the folder.
Now, try to sync your files with Dropbox again. Does this resolve the issue?
Solution 5 – Modify the Dropbox location (for advanced users)
In case none of the settings from above worked for you, try a more advanced solution. You’ll have to can remove your settings by hand using an administrative account. This should reset Dropbox and resolve the syncing problem. If you’re not sure what you’re doing, ask someone else for help in order to avoid doing even more damage.
Here’s exactly what you need to do:
Quit Dropbox. To do so, click on the Dropbox icon in the system tray, then the gear icon in the notifications panel, and select Exit Dropbox from the menu.
Now, right-click the Start Menu, and select Command Prompt (Admin)
Copy and paste the following lines into the command prompt, one at a time, and press Enter after each one:
If the location of Dropbox folder is not C:UsersYourUserDropbox path, modify the first command to point to it. Example: icacls “D:Dropbox” /grant “%USERNAME%”:(F) /T
Now, restart Dropbox, and see if anything changed
Solution 6 – Try installing Dropbox from the Windows Store
You probably prefer the regular, win32 version of Dropbox, but there’s also a UWP version, and it’s quite good. Additionally, UWP apps (should) work better in Windows 10, so you really have nothing to lose.
Just head over to the Microsoft Store, download and install the UWP version of Dropbox, and see if you have more luck with this app.
Solution 7 – Check your firewall and add Dropbox to the exception list
Since Dropbox is not a first-party program, there’s a chance Windows Firewall will block it. If that’s the case, you don’t really need to fully disable the Firewall to make Dropbox working. You can just add it to the exceptions list. Here’s how:
Go to Search, type firewall, and open Windows Defender Firewall.
Go to Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
Scroll down through the list of apps, and find Dropbox.
Make sure to check both Private and Public.
Save the changes and restart your computer.
Solution 8 – Disable your antivirus/Add Dropbox to the exception list
The same thing applies to your antivirus solution. If Dropbox still keeps closing, maybe your antivirus simply blocks it. To prevent that, go to your antivirus’ settings, and add Dropbox to the list of exceptions.
Solution 9 – Run the App Troubleshooter
If you’re having problems with the UWP version of the app, you should run the built-in app troubleshooter to potentially resolve the problems. Here’s how to run Windows 10’s App Troubleshooter:
Go to Settings.
Navigate to Updates & Security > Troubleshoot.
Click Windows Store Apps and choose Run the troubleshooter.
Wait for the troubleshooter to finish the process.
Restart your PC.
Solution 10 – Uninstall the latest update
As we said above, you never know with Windows updates. So, it’s also possible for a Windows update to disrupt your system, and break some apps or programs. If installing the latest updates didn’t get the job done (or even made the problem worse), let’s flip the philosophy and uninstall the latest Windows update. Here’s how:
Go to Settings > Updates & Security > Windows Update
Go to Update history > Uninstall updates.
Now, find the latest update installed on your computer (you can sort updates by date), right-click it, and go to Uninstall
Restart your computer
We hope at least one of these solutions helped you to address your issues with Dropbox syncing. If you have any comments, questions, or know some solutions we didn’t list here, make sure to let us know in the comments below.
If 2017’s Sonic Mania was a love letter to fans of old-school Sonic games, another cult-classic franchise from the Sega Megadrive era is coming back to life today with Streets of Rage 4. The new side-scrolling beat ’em up game is out on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Windows today, and Xbox Game Pass subscribers can play it for free on launch day.
If an official announcement is likely imminent, a Microsoft France employee in charge of communications for Xbox teased the game’s arrival on Xbox Game Pass yesterday, and we can confirm that the game is already available to download from the Microsoft Store. The game supports Xbox Play Anywhere and Xbox Live Cloud saves, so you can play it on both Xbox One and PC
There aren’t many games like Streets of Rage these days, and most reviews have been highlighting the addictive gameplay, extensive roster of characters, and excellent soundtrack. Streets of Rage 4 supports 4-players local multiplayer, as well as two-players online co-op.
The addition of Street of Rage 4 is definitely a nice surprise for Xbox Game Pass subscribers ahead of the arrival of Red Dead Redemption 2 in the catalog on May 7. If you have yet to subscribe to Xbox Game Pass, we remind you that you can get one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for just $1.
While Microsoft remains committed to delivering the best video conferencing experience during these unprecedented times, this week the software giant has expanded its Teams devices ecosystem with a series of new Microsoft Teams certified devices. The latest additions include speakerphone, headsets, cameras, phones, and Teams rooms accessories that work seamlessly with Microsoft Teams.
One of the key highlights of this range is the Lenovo ThinkSmart View Teams phone, which is much more than a “phone” with its built-in screen. The ThinkSmart View features a high-quality speaker and microphone, along with a wide 8″ HD display. Apparently, this device has the capability to transform your personal or common area space into a conference room to streamline the calling and meeting experience. Microsoft’s blog post highlights its capabilities as follows:
ThinkSmart View reduces downtime in meetings with one-touch join, supports face to face interaction in portrait or landscape layout, and assures conversation privacy with a camera shutter and a microphone mute switch.
Microsoft launched its device Certification Program earlier this year, with the intent to offer a high-quality experience with third party devices when used with Microsoft teams. All these devices have been designed to ensure that they are easy to set up and use to meet your growing video conferencing needs.
During Microsoft’s FY2020 Q3 earning calls yesterday, CEO Satya Nadella announced that Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s gaming subscription service had crossed more than 10 million subscribers. Even though the software giant previously mentioned that it had “millions” of Xbox Game Pass subscribers, yesterday was actually the first time that the company shared some actual numbers.
Xbox Game Pass for Console launched almost three years ago in June 2017, and what has often been described as a “Netflix for video games” is having real momentum. In a blog post on Xbox Wire today, Xbox head Phil Spencer shared some interesting facts about how Xbox Game Pass subscribers have been engaging with games and other gamers on Xbox Live since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic
“We’re still early on this journey, and in the last two months we’ve seen how important gaming can be to our community. Since March, Xbox Game Pass members have added over 23 million friends on Xbox Live, which is a 70% growth in friendship rate. Game Pass members are also playing twice as much and engaging in more multiplayer gaming, which has increased by 130%,” Spencer said.
If Microsoft already said that Xbox Game Pass members play more games than the rest of Xbox One owners, the Netflix comparison could become finally true once the subscription service integrates with Project xCloud, Microsoft’s cloud gaming platform currently in public preview. After an integration of Xbox Game Pass with Project xCloud was first teased at X019 back in November, Phil Spencer reiterated today that “Later this year our cloud game streaming technology, Project xCloud, will come to Game Pass—so you and your friends can stream and play the games you love together on your devices.”
It’s still not exactly clear if all Xbox Game Pass games will be playable on mobile devices and Windows 10 PCs via Project xCloud. Moreover, Microsoft still isn’t saying if this will all be free for Xbox Game Pass members, or if the premium Xbox Game Pass Ultimate tier will be required for Project xCloud.
You may have recently encountered the We’ve got an update for you message. This prompt, unique to Windows 10, is a grain of sand in the desert of recent changes that Microsoft is trying on the Windows platform.
This, in no subtle way, tells you there is a significant update for Windows, and you should install it as soon as possible.
What does We’ve got an update for you prompt mean?
Microsoft changed its release strategy for its flagship product – the Windows Operating System.
They moved further away from the traditional model of big numbered releases every few years to smaller updates less than a year apart.
This is where this prompt comes in. It is Microsoft’s way of grabbing your attention and telling you that you should update your Windows.
It is a small part of their overall strategy of keeping all Windows users up-to-date. Another, perhaps more obvious, change was making it much harder for users to disable Windows updates.
How can I remove the We’ve got an update for you prompt?
You can circumvent the prompt and stop it from appearing in a few ways. Those usually involve preventing Windows from downloading updates automatically.
It should be noted that this includes significant risks; you shouldn’t do it without the proper knowledge of the downfalls.
You can also check our guide on how to block Windows 10 Creators Update from installing.
In this article, we not only looked at the new prompt in Windows 10, but we also looked at the underlying reasons behind Microsoft showing us that prompt.
We hope it was informative. Please tell us your stories with this prompt in the comment section, and has it caused you any nuisance?
There is a wide range of BSoD errors available, and what is common for all these errors is that they crash Windows 10 and restart your computer in order to prevent damage.
These types of errors can be troublesome, therefore today we’re going to show you how to fix the PROCESS HAS LOCKED PAGES error.
How can I fix PROCESS HAS LOCKED PAGES BSoD error?
Solution 1 – Make sure that Windows 10 and its drivers are up to date
Windows 10 isn’t a perfect operating system, and with certain hardware and software, some issues can appear. Fortunately, Microsoft usually fixes these issues through Windows updates.
These updates bring improved security as well as new features, but most importantly, these updates fix many hardware and software issues that can cause BSoD errors such as PROCESS HAS LOCKED PAGES.
If you wish your computer to be error-free and stable, be sure to update Windows 10 frequently.
Although Windows updates can fix many problems, it’s also important that you keep your drivers up to date.
If a certain driver is out of date or corrupted, Windows 10 won’t be able to use that device, and you’ll get a BSoD error.
Since drivers can be a cause for BSoD errors, we urge you to update your drivers as often as you can.
Updating drivers on Windows 10 is simple, and you can do it directly from Device Manager. To update your drivers, do the following:
Press Windows Key + X to open Power User Menu. Select Device Manager from the list.
When Device Manager opens, find the driver you want to update, right-click it and choose Update Driver Software.
Select Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows 10 will now download and find the best driver for your device.
Repeat this step for all drivers that you want to update.
Update drivers automatically
Searching for drivers on your own can be time-consuming. So, we advise you to use a tool that will do this for you automatically.
Using an automatic driver updater will certainly save you from the hassle of searching for drivers manually, and it will always keep your system up to date with the latest drivers.
Fortect Driver Updaterwill help you update drivers automatically and prevent PC damage caused by installing the wrong driver version. It stays up to date with the most recent changes, preventing the system from triggering latency, system failures, and BSoD issues.
It really keeps your system running smoothly by installing or updating its necessary drivers. Fortect Driver Updater scans the computer, creates a status report, does the update, and the system returns to its original state.
After several tests, our team concluded that this is the best-automatized solution.
Solution 2 – Run the BSOD Troubleshooter
If updating your drivers didn’t get the job done, we’re going to try Windows 10’s built-in troubleshooting tool.
This tool can be used for resolving all sorts of problems inside the system, including BSOD errors.
Here’s how to run Windows 10’s troubleshooting tool:
Open the Settings app.
Head over to Update & Security section.
Select Troubleshoot from the menu on the left.
Select BSOD from the right pane and click Run the troubleshooter.
Follow further instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.
What is IO operation?
Solution 3 – Run the SFC scan
The next troubleshooter in line is the SFC scan. This tool checks for corrupt system files, and repairs them, if possible. So if a corrupt system file is the cause of the PROCESS HAS LOCKED PAGES error, this tool will likely resolve it.
Here’s how to run the SFC scan in Windows 10:
Go to Search, type cmd, and open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Enter the following line and press Enter:sfc/scannow
Wait for the scan to complete.
If the solution is found, it will be applied automatically.
Restart your computer.
Solution 4 – Run DISM
And the third troubleshooter we’re going to try here is DISM. This tool re-deploys the system image, and resolves potential issues along the way. So, it’s possible that running DISM will also resolve the PROCESS HAS LOCKED PAGES error.
We’ll walk you through both standard and the procedure that utilizes the installation media below:
Standard way
Right-click Start and open Command Prompt (Admin).
Paste the following command and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Wait until the scan is finished.
Restart your computer and try updating again.
With the Windows installation media
Insert your Windows installation media.
Right-click the Start menu and, from the menu, choose the Command Prompt (Admin).
In the command line, type the following commands and press Enter after each:
Make sure to change an X value with the letter of the mounted drive with Windows 10 installation.
After the procedure is finished, restart your computer.
Solution 5 – Check the hard drive
If there’s a problem with your hard drive, BSOD issues are quite possible. To check if that’s the case, run the chkdsk command. This command will scan all your partitions for potential problems. If the solution is available, this tool will also apply it.
Here’s how to run the chkdsk command in Windows 10:
Enter the Advanced Startup (Restart your computer while holding the Shift key).
Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options.
Select Command Prompt from the list of options.
When Command Prompt appears, enter the following lines and press Enter after each line in order to run it:
bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd
bootrec.exe /fixmbr
bootrec.exe /fixboot
Some users are also suggesting that you need to run additional chkdsk commands as well. To perform these commands, you need to know drive letters for all your hard drive partitions. In Command Prompt you should enter the following (but remember to use the letters that match your hard drive partitions on your PC):
chkdsk /r c:
chkdsk /r d:
This is just our example, so keep in mind that you have to perform chkdsk command for every hard drive partition that you have.
Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.
Although updating drivers from Device Manager is simple, some users claim that this method isn’t always reliable. According to them, Device Manager doesn’t always download the latest drivers, therefore it’s better to download drivers manually.
In order to do that, you just have to visit your hardware manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your device.
Solution 6 – Delete the problematic software
Often certain software can cause PROCESS HAS LOCKED PAGES error and in order to fix this issue, it’s advised that you find and uninstall the problematic software.
According to users, the common cause for this problem can be tools such as IOBit Password Folder, so if you’re using the aforementioned tool, be sure to remove it.
Users also reported that this error can be caused by USB Disk Security antivirus, so you might have to remove this tool in order to fix this problem.
It’s worth mentioning that almost any third-party antivirus software can cause this problem, so be sure to completely remove any installed antivirus programs that you have. To completely remove an antivirus program, you need to use the dedicated uninstaller tool.
Many security companies have these tools on their website, so be sure to download one for your antivirus software.
Solution 7 – Install the older version of the drivers
Although using the latest drivers is always recommended, sometimes the latest drivers might have certain issues that can cause BSoD errors such as PROCESS HAS LOCKED PAGES to appear.
Blackmagic Intensity Pro owners reported that they had certain problems with latest drivers, and in order to fix the Blue Screen of Death errors, they had to uninstall the latest driver and switch to the older version. To uninstall a certain driver, do the following:
Press Windows Key + X and select Device Manager from the list.
Locate the problematic driver, right click it and choose Uninstall from the menu.
If available, check Delete driver software for this device and click OK.
After the driver is deleted, restart your computer.
When you restart your PC, Windows 10 will automatically install the default driver. If the default driver works and the system is stable, you can continue using it. You can update the driver if you wish, but be sure not to download and install the same problematic version.
Solution 8 – Downgrade your BIOS
Updating BIOS is always useful since it allows you to use new features and new hardware with your motherboard, but according to the users, there might be some problems after updating BIOS.
According to them, the PROCESS HAS LOCKED PAGES error started appearing after the BIOS update, and the only solution was to downgrade BIOS to the older version.
Downgrading BIOS is an advanced procedure that can cause permanent damage to your PC if you’re not careful, therefore use extra caution if you decide to perform it. In addition, be sure to thoroughly check your motherboard manual for detailed instructions.
Solution 9 – Delete Cubase Application Data
Few users reported PROCESS HAS LOCKED PAGES BSoD error while launching Cubase, and in order to fix this error, it’s required that you delete all the files from the Cubase Application Data folder. To do that, just do the following:
Go to Cubase installation directory and locate Cubase Application Data folder.
Open the folder and delete all files from it.
Repeat the steps for all previous versions of Cubase that you have installed.
Bear in mind to perform these steps only for older versions of Cubase that you don’t plan to use anymore.
Solution 10 – Reset Windows 10
If the PROCESS HAS LOCKED PAGES error is caused by software, you can fix the problem by performing Windows 10 reset. Bear in mind that you need to create a backup for your files because Windows 10 reset will delete all files and folders from your C drive.
In order to perform Windows 10 reset you might also need Windows 10 installation media, so use Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB flash drive. To reset Windows 10, do the following.
Restart your computer while it boots in order to start Automatic Repair.
Select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
Select Remove everything > Only the drive where Windows is installed > Just remove my files. Click the Reset button.
Follow the instructions and wait for reset to complete.
If the BSoD error appears even after Windows 10 reset, it means that the error is caused by faulty or incompatible hardware, so be sure to check your hardware and replace any faulty hardware components.
PROCESS HAS LOCKED PAGES BSoD error can be a major hindrance, but we hope that you managed to solve it by using one of our solutions. Share your thoughts in the comments below!
During Microsoft’s FY20 Q3 earnings call earlier today, the company’s CEO, Satya Nadella, revealed that the number of active Xbox Live users has grown to nearly 90 million worldwide.
Microsoft ceased reporting on specific Xbox Live numbers back in 2019, instead opting for reporting on growth percentages which can sometimes be misleading. The reveal of an actual number suggests a growing confidence in the growth of the company’s gaming platform which is a good sign with the Xbox Series X console launching later this year.
Most of the growth appears to have happened over the past year though as in the FY19 Q4 report, the last time numbers were reported, Xbox Live was said to have 65 million active users.
Xbox Game Pass numbers were also published in the FY20 Q3 report with the video game subscription service now sporting over 10 million individual subscribers across the Console, PC, and Ultimate variants. This is the first time Xbox Game Pass subscriber numbers have been released which also suggests strong confidence in this relatively new initiative as well.
Specific numbers weren’t released for the Project xCloud game streaming service, which is understandable as it’s still in testing, but there are apparently hundreds of thousands of users already using it.
Overall, Xbox content and services revenue is said to have increased 2% this past quarter.
Some users have reported that they are getting problems with running Subst.exe in Windows 10. Here’s how the complaint sounds like:
I have a batch file that I’ve been using since windows xp, all the way up through windows 8.1 beta. Since I installed the full 8.1 this week, the batch file quit working: SUBST.EXE L: c:developmentclientname
I tried right/click run as administrator, and it sorta works…interestingly…with MSAccess XP. But MSOffice 2010 products don’t recognize the drive letter in the File Open dialog box, and Windows Explorer doesn’t display the L: drive.
However, if I go to a command prompt and type L: and press enter, it recognizes and goes to the L: drive…. I tried running the command line directly from command prompt (admin) and same results…
How can I fix subst.exe batch file stopped working in Windows 10?
The thread is still open on the Microsoft community forums and we’re keeping a keen eye on it, in the eventuality that a working solution will be provided.
Meanwhile, here are some solution suggestions that may help you fix the problem.
1. Run SFC scan
Those who are affected by this should try first a System File Check just to make sure all system files are in place.
If this doesn’t work, then you can go ahead and from an admin command prompt, type sfc /scannow to start. After that, just follow the instructions and restart.
2. Stop switching between MSAccess XP and MSAccess 2010
For some, the issue has been generated by the fact that users switch often between MSAccess XP and MSAccess 2010, so if you’re doing the same thing, stop.
3. Disable your antivirus/firewall
Sometimes, your antivirus software may block .exe files from running on your computer. You can turn off your antivirus tool, as well as your firewall , and check if the Subst.exe file now works.
Don’t forget to enable your antivirus and firewall protection after you completed the tests.
4. Create a new user account
Other users suggested that creating a new user account may fix this problem. While this solution works only in rare cases, do give it a try as it may help you fix the problem.
To learn more about hidden files, we also have a guide that explains what is NcsiUwpApp, so you might want to visit it.
So, just in case you know additional working fixes, do let us know and we’ll inform those affected.
Nowadays you don’t really need a cutting-edge camera to take stunning shots, your trustworthy, daily companion also known as the smartphone should suffice considering the fulminant enhancements they received in the past few years.
However, you will need solid photo editing software if you want to perfect your pics and really make them shine before sharing them with the entire world.
Since we’re talking about crisp, pro-looking photography, you might have thought of introducing layers to your editing skills in order to really take your artwork above and beyond.
Using layers in digital image editing is great for complex, composite pictures because they allow you to separate the different elements that compose the big picture and edit them individually without altering other layers.
Above all things, layering is about control allowing you to use special effects on one element, and let’s say, vector graphics on the other without them interfering (unless you want them to in which case you can go for a transparent layer).
If you’re looking for the best photo editing software that can handle all the layers, you don’t want to miss our amazing guide below.
Powerful and complex, Adobe Photoshop is unmatched in photo editing, prevailing as the tool of choice for composite pictures with masks and layers.
With the very best imaging and graphic design software, the number of extra layers, layer effects, and layer sets you can add to an image is limited only by your imagination…. or your RAM capacity.
You work with layers in the Photoshop Layers panel and the organization facilities are remarkable: you can use groups to arrange your layers in a logical order, you can nest groups within other groups and even use groups to apply attributes and masks to multiple layers simultaneously.
Let’s quickly go through itskey features:
Photoshop layers for non-destructive editing
Video layers (use video layers to add a video to an image, then mask the layer, apply layer effects, paint on individual frames, etc.)
Convert a background into a Photoshop layer or convert a Photoshop layer into a background
Duplicate a Photoshop layer or group within an image
Create a new document from a Photoshop layer or group
Smart Object layer (scale, skew, or reshape a Smart Object without directly editing image pixels)
Create HDR photos from your RAW images, adjust color and tone, eliminate imperfections, and correct perspective with Corel PHOTO-PAINT’s layer-based photo editing tools.
Integrated into CorelDRAW Graphics Suite, your all-in-one photo editing and graphic design suite, PHOTO-PAINT offers professional editing tools to retouch and enhance your photos to perfection.
Using complex layers and masks, you can modify any element of a composite picture without affecting other objects. It’s that simple!
Let’s quickly go through itskey features:
Work with Objects (edit independently layered elements without affecting other objects or the background of an image)
Use Clip masks (edit the properties of a group of objects without modifying the objects within it by creating a clip mask)
Non-destructive effects (apply, modify and experiment with effects on an object, all without altering it)
Capture One is a powerful and intuitive photo editing software with an opulent range of incorporated layers, perfectly crafted to adjust and create wonderfully intricated composite images.
Apply up to 16 layers and control the impact of your local adjustments with the highest precision.
The tool guarantees the sharpest image quality thanks to its custom color and lens profiles, compatible with all major cameras, and cutting-edge noise reduction for high ISO shots.
Let’s quickly go through itskey features:
Powerful editing tools including masking, layer, and color tools
Full creative control with numerous adjustment options
Smart interface (fully customizable workspace and keyboard shortcuts for an efficient workflow)
Organization tools (Sessions and Catalogs to organize files based on themes or projects)
GIMP is a free open-source image editor with a predilection for facilitating composite images creation through its enhanced layers feature.
You can use layer masks to adjust the opacity of a layer and use layers to isolate specific tones in your images.
Besides the complex editing tools, you can easily integrate third-party extensions with the GIMP app for a custom-tailored experience and enhanced productivity.
Let’s quickly go through itskey features:
High-quality image results (powerful retouching and restoring tools)
PicMonkey is a great photo editing and design tool with a high focus on layers usage.
Photos, graphics, text, and background color can be easily edited thanks to its enhanced layers feature called the Layers palette.
Anything from grouping and ungrouping layers, applying effects to grouped layers, duplicating a layer or group of layers to reordering, flattening, and deleting layers can be achieved directly from the aforementioned palette.
Let’s quickly go through itskey features:
Powerful design tools (versatile text tools, vector graphics, and effects)
1000+ templates to choose from
Photo Editing tools (stunning filters and effects)
That concludes our list of best image editors with layers, conceived to help you elevate your artwork and create slick photography with gorgeous depth and a larger-than-life gradient appearance.
Then again, get more revolutionary and inspirational ideas for tools that can ease up your tasks from our Design Software page.
Are you ready to take your photo editing skills to the next step? Let us know in the comments section below.
Wouldn’t it be marvelous to have the ability to turn a boring, still pic into a professional animation? Well, the latest advancements in technology have already made it possible.
Introducing the picture animation software that can do just that, bring your pics of choice to life. Alongside memes (and yes, there are specialized tools you can use to create your own memes), GIFs – which are nothing more and nothing less than animated pictures – have taken the online world.
If you aspire to create your own GIFs, or perhaps top-notch expert level animations integrated into VR or gaming starting from a pic, then you will definitely be interested in our guide containing the very best recommendations for picture animation software.
Top 5 picture animation software to bring your pics to life
Covering everything from photo editing to animation, Adobe Photoshop is the world’s best imaging and graphic design software.
If you own a DSLR or even a smartphone (and who doesn’t these days?), you can create an animated GIF from a series of photos. Simply convert layers into animation frames, then set the animation to loop and voila, export your animated pic.
You can even craft 3D animations in Photoshop and thanks to its versatile structure, you can start on your iPad and finish on your desktop or the other way round.
Making animated photos is just one click away with FilmoraPro. All you need to do is upload your pic of choice and let the editor work its magic.
Combining pro-level tools such as Control Settings and features like Auto-Correction you can adjust your image quality to perfection and you can even add keyframes for more controls.
Let’s quickly go through its key features:
Apply preset motions or customize your own animations with keyframes.
Ease In/Ease Out Options (change the speed and duration of animations to create fluid motions)
Animaker is an online animation maker that brings studio quality presentations at consumers’ level, regardless of their previous experience with animation.
The tool provides premade templates to help you kick-start your composition, but you can also upload your own image and start fresh. Simply import your pic and start transforming it with stunning effects, good music, and text editing, then download your animation and share it with the world instantly.
Maya is a 3D computer animation software that is generally reserved for professionals.
Boasting complex tools and features, it enables you to create hyperrealistic effects that dazzle when it comes to animations. Ready-to-use graphs and speed enhancements turn your fast scenes faster.
Let’s quickly go through its key features:
Keyframe and nonlinear animation
Time and graph editors (create time-warping effects)
Blender is an open-source 3D creation suite that was meant for animation (among other things, of course).
With an easy-to-use and flexible interface, you can start creating complex animations from pictures in no time. Adjust anything from layout, colors or size and make the tool as complex or as straightforward as you want it to be by installing add-ons via Blender’s Python API.
Let’s quickly go through its key features:
Curve editor and custom shapes for fast input
Customize the interface layout and colors (create your own tools and add-ons)
Microsoft just posted its FY20 Q3 earnings and despite a global pandemic, the company seems to be firing on all cylinders in almost every business sector the tech giant operates in.
According to Microsoft’s official earnings press release, the company generated $35.0 billion in revenue for the quarter, posting a 15% increase year over year for the same period.
Microsoft’s increased revenue haul is reflected in the company’s $10.8 billion net income return that also tops last year’s return for the same three months earnings, by 22%.
While the COVID-19 pandemic only accounts for a small time in for Microsoft’s total quarterly revenue, executive vice president and CIO Amy Hood does credit the extraneous situations brought on by the global virus, throughout its filings in various business sectors.
“In this dynamic environment, our sales teams and partners executed a solid third quarter, with Commercial Cloud revenue-generating $13.3 billion, up 39% year over year. We remain committed to balancing operational discipline with continued investments in key strategic areas to drive future growth.”
Office Commercial Products
Revenue in Productivity and Business Processes was $11.7 billion and increased 15% (up 16% in constant currency), with the following business highlights:
Office Commercial products and cloud services revenue increased 13% (up 15% in constant currency) driven by Office 365 Commercial revenue growth of 25% (up 27% in constant currency)
Office Consumer products and cloud services revenue increased 15% (up 17% in constant currency) with continued growth in Office 365 Consumer subscribers to 39.6 million
LinkedIn revenue increased 21% (up 22% in constant currency)
Dynamics products and cloud services revenue increased 17% (up 20% in constant currency) driven by Dynamics 365 revenue growth of 47% (up 49% in constant currency)
Intelligent Cloud
Revenue in Intelligent Cloud was $12.3 billion and increased 27% (up 29% in constant currency), with the following business highlights:
Server products and cloud services revenue increased 30% (up 32% in constant currency) driven by Azure revenue growth of 59% (up 61% in constant currency)
Enterprise Services revenue increased 6% (up 7% in constant currency)
More Personal Computing
Revenue in More Personal Computing was $11.0 billion and increased 3% (up 4% in constant currency), with the following business highlights:
Windows OEM revenue was relatively unchanged year over year
Windows Commercial products and cloud services revenue increased 17% (up 18% in constant currency)
Surface revenue increased 1% (up 2% in constant currency)
In summation, Microsoft was able to return roughly $9.9 billion to shareholders highlighting a 33% increase from 2019 despite the early signs of a potential global recession emerging at the tail end of its earnings quarter. The company qualifies COVID-19 related disruptions as having “minimal impact” on its bottom line.
Looking beyond the numbers, Microsoft’s Q3 earnings represent a company running lean with significant cloud gains and minimal expenditures, however, it should be noted that its relatively flat Surface hardware numbers and lowered Windows licensing gains highlight a trend that may eventually begin to drag on the company’s next reported earnings.
Lowered LinkedIn traffic, minimal Windows licenses and, supply chain issues for partnered OEM PC efforts could also be an issue for Microsoft as world economies shift in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Music enthusiasts need their instruments to be in tune whenever they want to play their instruments. Speaking about tuning an instrument, usually, stringed instruments are the ones that go out of tune the most.
When your guitar goes out of tune, the best and easiest way to tune it these days is by using a guitar tuning tool. The Internet is filled with such guitar tuning programs, and we gathered five of the best ones to help you decide easier. Check out their set of features and see which ones are appropriate for your needs.
5 of the best guitar tuning tools to use for perfect sound
PitchPerfect Guitar Tuner
PitchPerfect Guitar Tuner is one of the best free guitar tuning tools that can eliminate the need to tune your guitar conventionally. It automatically detects the notes that you are playing. The software is accurate, and it comes with an easy to use interface.
Take a look at the most important features that are included in this software:
You can tune your strings easily and quickly to any note you want.
The program includes more than 50 alternative tunings.
This software is ideal for guitar players and other musicians as well, and it is able to improve the quality of your guitar’s sound significantly.
Using PitchPerfect Guitar Tuner, you will not encounter any of the constraints that usually come with conventional tuning patterns.
This tool has an accurate pitch detection.
The interface is intuitive, and it makes the program easy to use even for beginners.
You can tune your guitar through any available sound input device such as a microphone or line in.
This is an excellent tool for checking fret board intonation.
PitchPerfect Guitar Tuner is compatible with Windows 10, XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 8.1.
This is a hands-free tuning toll for guitar and more acoustic instruments. It is designed for both beginners and more advanced professionals, and it comes with a robust set of features.
Check out the most impressive ones:
This tool is free, and it does not come with any ads and spammy promotions.
It is straightforward to use, and both beginners and pros will benefit from this guitar tuning tool.
The unique features that are included in this software help you work out the chords to new tunes.
You can visualize the pitch and consistency of the human voice, guitar, and other instruments.
You will be able to select from a list of instrument tunings.
You also have the ability to create and manage your own tuning using the built-in tuning editor.
You can check out more features that are included in this guitar tuning software and download PitchLab Guitar Tuner from the official website.
APTuner
APTuner is an advanced tuner for your computer, tablet or phone and it will help you accurately tune your guitar. It comes with unparalleled accuracy and a user-friendly and intuitive interface.
Check out more features that are included in this software:
APTuner is built around a note detector spanning 8 octaves even for low piano notes.
The analysis algorithm eliminates most octave or fifth errors that you often see with other tuning programs.
The new version of the program comes with a true 8-octave strobe display, and every audio sample will be fed through the GPU in order to calculate the real stroboscopic effect.
The Performance Analyzer feature provides you an in-depth analysis of your playing ability.
The Performance Analyzer is ideal for scales, ear-training, and also getting a better awareness of the tonal quality.
With ApTuner, you will be able to watch the loudness of each note against its pitch.
It comes with adjustable A4 frequency.
You will be able to transpose the concert pitch to your instrument.
You can check out the complete set of features that are included in APTuner and download the version for Windows from the official website.
LINGOT is another guitar tuner that’s worth taking into consideration. It was initially conceived to tune electric guitars, and now it can be used to tune even more instruments as well.
Check out the most impressive features that are included in this program:
The software is accurate, effortless to use and also easily configurable.
It looks like an analog tuner, and it has a gauge indicating the relative shift to a particular note that is automatically found as the closest note to the estimated frequency.
All you have to do is download the program and run it.
Playing the guitar will result in a visible response on the frequency spectrum plot.
You have to connect the input to the sound card and configure the mixer correctly.
It is a great idea to set the input volume in such a way that your signal is strong enough, but the background noise doesn’t cross the dashed line on frequency plot.
The most effective way to tune an out-of-tune guitar is by looking at the frequency display.
The frequency display will tell you exactly how far the sound is from the target frequency.
There are some circumstances in which the software may not show the fundamental frequency. When you are tuning a guitar that is only a little out-of-tune, the easiest way to do this is to look at the needle and try to position it in the center. The program is easy to use for both beginners and more advanced enthusiasts as well.
Download LINGOT from the official website and start tuning your guitar effortlessly right away.
oTuner is an open source chromatic tuner for your guitar, and it’s compatible with Windows and Windows Mobile. The program is free of charge, and it can be used to tune guitars, bass guitars and more instruments.
Check out the best features that are included in this software below:
It displays the name of the note that is played, and it accurately indicates whether the pitch is sharp, flat or exact.
The software works flawlessly with guitars, bass, piano, and violins as well.
oTuner uses KissFFT’s Fast Fourier Transform / Tartini Analysis Engine to update UI 43 times per second.
The software uses averaging and filtering in order to avoid the unpleasant flickering on the tuning indicator.
It displays the octave within which the note seems to fail.
The reference pitch can be set between A=430Hz to A=450Hz.
All you have to do is download the executable file onto your device running Windows and double-click on it in order to run. To use the software as a Chromatic Guitar Tuner, you have to make sure that the string that you are trying to tune is within the correct octave.
After that, all you have to do is to hit the string and read the tuner output. Electric guitars will probably need to be amplified. You can currently download oTuner from the official website.
These are some of the best five guitar tuning tools that you can use right now to tune your out-of-tune guitar and even more instruments successfully. Check out the programs’ sets of features and choose the software that seems to work best for your tuning needs.
These programs are suited for both beginner musicians and the most advanced music enthusiasts as well.
The Coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdowns forced millions of people to work from home and they are currently relying on video conferencing tools such as Zoom, Slack, and Microsoft Teams. More specifically, the education sector is using these platforms to host online classes. On the other hand, thousands of businesses and govt organizations now use these collaboration tools to conduct virtual meetings.
With more than 5,000 members in an org-wide team, it can be sometimes difficult to make conference calls with your team, especially when you have to deal with the background noise. There could be someone who would be simply typing meeting notes on their PC, an annoying sibling shouting in the background or a student who keeps asking questions in the middle of a presentation.
It is one of the reasons why the ability to mute everyone in a meeting is now one of the popular requests from Microsoft Teams users. If you’re on the same boat, you are in luck. This week, Microsoft has announced that it will soon be delivering a feature which would allow the meeting organizers to “Mute all participants” during Microsoft Teams meetings. On the Microsoft Teams UserVoice forum, Microsoft detailed that the company has increased the priority for this feature, it is now timed for release within a quarter.
Based on your feedback, we have increased the priority for this feature. The feature team is working on this and are planning to release this quarter. Stay tuned for updates. Thanks.
Over two months in the making now, this is a major change from before, where you could only mute individual meeting participants in Teams meetings. However, Microsoft is yet to update the Microsoft 365 Roadmap to show that it is in development. But it is interesting to see that Microsoft is working pretty hard to rapidly improve Microsoft Teams, as a real-time noise suppression capability is also coming very soon. According to The Verge, the software giant has been reassigning engineers to quickly roll out Microsoft Teams’ features, which were initially planned for later this year.
Do you think that the Mute All feature for Teams would be helpful in remote meetings? Sound off in the comments section below.
One of the most common ways of buying an Office 365 or Microsoft 365 consumer subscription is through an online retailer. When purchased through Amazon, B&H, or other stores, you’ll get emailed a code that you can redeem online at Microsoft to activate your subscription on your account. Other in-person retailers might also include a code on a piece of paper or a box.
Here’s a look at how you can redeem it:
Step 1: Sign in or create a Microsoft Account
Before doing anything, you’ll want to make sure you’ve signed in with a Microsoft Account that you’ll be using your subscription with. You can do this by clicking the blue Sign In button on this page.
If you don’t have one, you can sign up by clicking the Create a Microsoft Account link. It’s free, and you will need it to use Microsoft 365. You don’t need to add a credit card as part of the signup, however. You also can use your existing email, or create a new one, too.
Step 2: Visit Office.com/Setup and follow the instructions
Next up, you’ll want to visit the Microsoft Office setup website. This is accessed at Office.com/Setup. Once there, select the Microsoft Account you want to use your subscription code with.
When you see your account, click the blue Next button. You’ll then want to enter your product key. This key can be found at the back of a card or box, or on a receipt. It’s a 25-digit code.
Step 3: Click Next to let Microsoft check your product key
Third, you’ll want to let Microsoft check your product key. Enter it in, and then select your country and language, and then click Next. This will take a few seconds, and you should see that your product key will eventually be confirmed. The name of your subscription will appear, and you’ll want to confirm it by clicking Next.
Once you click Next, you’ll be taken to a page where you’ll see the name of your subscription once more, and when it will expire. You’ll also see an option to add a credit or debit card and turn on recurring billing if you want. In some cases, turning on the yearly or monthly recurring billing will get you one month free.
This is completely optional, though, and you can turn it off with the green Recurring billing switch. You’ll want to then confirm the subscription, by clicking Confirm. You can then download your Office apps, in the final step.
Enjoy your subscription!
Once you’ve pressed the Confirm button, you’ll be free to enjoy your subscription. You’ll get access to 1TB of storage on OneDrive, calls on Skype, and so much more. We’ve previously explained some of the benefits of a Microsoft 365 subscription, so be sure to give it a read. We also invite you to check out our separate guide that covers how to redeem a gift card or code for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and Microsoft 365.
Google, which is also competing with Zoom, Microsoft Teams and others in the video conferencing space must certainly be feeling the heat. Indeed, the company announced this morning that Meet, its premium video conferencing app, would become free to use for everyone with a Google account.
“Since January, we’ve seen Meet’s peak daily usage grow by 30x. As of this month, Meet is hosting 3 billion minutes of video meetings and adding roughly 3 million new users every day. And as of last week, Meet’s daily meeting participants surpassed 100 million,“ said Javier Soltero, the former Outlook and Cortana boss who is now the head of Google’s G Suite.
Google Meet is currently available on the web, iOS and Android, and Soltero emphasized that the app respects your privacy. “Your Meet data is not used for advertising, and we don’t sell your data to third parties,” the exec said.
This free version of Google Meet will support up to 100 participants, matching what Zoom currently offers with its free tier. However, Google will beat Zoom’s 40 mins limit on group meetings by imposing no duration limit until September 30th, when meetings will be limited to 60 minutes.
Google will start opening up Meet to all users starting next week, and you can already sign up with your Google account to be notified when the app is available for you. In case you missed it, Facebook also announced its new Messenger Rooms last week which will support real-time video chat with up to 50 people, so it’s clear that the biggest tech companies won’t allow Zoom to keep dominating the videoconferencing space.
We all encountered a computer error at least once, and while many computer errors are relatively harmless, BSoD errors are not.
In Windows 10 and in all other versions of Windows, BSoD errors will usually restart your PC in order to prevent damage, and that can disrupt your work and cause you to lose important data.
As you can see, BSoD errors can be problematic, therefore today we’re going to show you how to fix NO MORE IRP STACK LOCATIONS error.
How can I fix NO MORE IRP STACK LOCATIONS BSoD in Windows 10?
How to fix NO MORE IRP STACK LOCATIONS error in Windows 10
Solution 1 – Run the BSOD Troubleshooter
If updating your drivers didn’t get the job done, let’s seek help from some troubleshooting tools. The first troubleshooter we’re going to try here is Windows 10’s built-in troubleshooter.
Here’s how to run the BSOD troubleshooter in Windows 10:
Open the Settings app and go to Update & Security section.
Select Troubleshoot from the menu on the left.
Select BSOD from the right pane and click Run the troubleshooter.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the troubleshooter.
Solution 2 – Keep your Windows 10 and drivers updated
In order to avoid BSoD errors, it’s important that you keep Windows 10 up to date with the latest patches.
Microsoft is constantly working on improving Windows 10, and many of these patches offer new features and security updates.
In addition, many patches are fixing issues with incompatible hardware and software.
And since many BSoD errors are caused by hardware or software incompatibility, you can see why it is crucial to use Windows Update regularly.
Bear in mind that updating Windows 10 regularly isn’t enough to prevent BSoD errors, and in addition to downloading updates, it’s also important to keep your drivers up to date as well.
Downloading the latest drivers is relatively simple, and you need to do is to go to your hardware manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your hardware.
In addition, you can also use Device Manager to download all the necessary files. To do that follow these steps:
Press Windows Key + X to open Power User Menu. Select Device Manager from the list.
Once Device Manager opens, locate the driver you wish to update, right-click it and choose Update Driver Software.
Select Search automatically for updated driver software and wait for Windows 10 to download the driver.
Repeat this process for all the devices you want to update.
Update drivers automatically
Searching for drivers on your own can be time-consuming. So, we advise you to use a tool that will do this for you automatically.
Using an automatic driver updater will certainly save you from the hassle of searching for drivers manually, and it will always keep your system up to date with the latest drivers.
A dedicated third-party tool will help you update drivers automatically and prevent PC damage caused by installing the wrong driver versions.
After several tests, our team concluded that this is the best-automatized solution.
Solution 3 – Run the SFC scan
The next troubleshooting tool we’re going to try is the SFC scan. This is a command-line tool that scans your system for broken files and resolves them (if possible).
Here’s how to run the SFC scan in Windows 10:
Right-click on the Start Menu button, and open Command Prompt (Admin).
Enter the following line and press Enter:sfc/scannow
Wait until the process is done (it may take a while).
If the solution is found, it will automatically be applied.
Now, close the Command Prompt and restart your computer.
Solution 4 – Run DISM
DISM is the third command-line troubleshooter we’re going to try here.
Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM), as its name, says, re-deploys the system image all over again, which might be helpful when resolving issues like NO MORE IRP STACK LOCATIONS.
We’ll walk you through both standard and the procedure that utilizes the installation media below:
Standard way
Right-click Start and open Command Prompt (Admin).
Paste the following command and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Wait until the scan is finished.
Restart your computer and try updating again.
With the Windows installation media
Insert your Windows installation media.
Right-click the Start menu and, from the menu, choose the Command Prompt (Admin).
In the command line, type the following commands and press Enter after each:
Make sure to change an X value with the letter of the mounted drive with Windows 10 installation.
After the procedure is finished, restart your computer.
Solution 5 – Check the hard drive
If there’s something wrong with your hard drive, BSOD issues are quite possible. So, go and run a command that will test the state of your hard drive, and provide a solution (if possible).
Here’s how to run the chkdsk command in Windows 10:
Enter the Advanced Startup (Restart your computer while holding the Shift key).
Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options.
Select Command Prompt from the list of options.
When Command Prompt appears, enter the following lines and press Enter after each line in order to run it:
bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd
bootrec.exe /fixmbr
bootrec.exe /fixboot
Some users are also suggesting that you need to run additional chkdsk commands as well. To perform these commands, you need to know drive letters for all your hard drive partitions. In Command Prompt you should enter the following (but remember to use the letters that match your hard drive partitions on your PC):
chkdsk /r c:
chkdsk /r d:
This is just our example, so keep in mind that you have to perform chkdsk command for every hard drive partition that you have.
Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.
Solution 6 – Uninstall your antivirus software
It’s not uncommon for antivirus software to cause a BSoD error such as NO MORE IRP STACK LOCATIONS.
Many users confirmed that after uninstalling their antivirus software the BSoD error was completely resolved.
According to users, Total Defense, Avast, Kaspersky, and Norton can cause this error to appear, and in order to fix this problem, you’ll have to remove the aforementioned software.
Bear in mind that antivirus software sometimes leaves certain registry entries and files behind, and even those files can cause BSoD errors to manifest.
In order to completely remove antivirus software, it’s recommended to use the dedicated uninstaller tools.
Many security companies offer dedicated uninstallers for their software, and you can download these tools for free.
Few users complained that they are unable to access Windows 10 at all due to NO MORE IRP STACK LOCATIONS error.
And if you can’t access Windows 10, you’ll have to remove your antivirus by using Safe Mode. To access Safe Mode, follow these steps:
Restart your computer a few times while it boots to start the Automatic Repair process.
Few users reported that NO MORE IRP STACK LOCATIONS error was caused due to audio drivers, and in order to fix this error, users had to remove and reinstall the audio driver.
To uninstall an audio driver you need to do the following:
Start Device Manager. You can do that by pressing Windows Key + X and choosing Device Manager from the list.
Once the Device Manager starts, locate your audio driver and right click it and choose Uninstall from the menu. If available, check Delete the driver software for this device and click OK.
After the driver is uninstalled, restart your computer.
If the PC is stable and BSoD error is fixed you can continue using the default driver, or you can try and download the latest audio driver for your device.
Solution 8 – Check your hardware
If the problem still persists, you might want to check your hardware. The most common cause of BSoD error is your RAM memory, and you can test it by using MemTest86+.
Keep in mind that in order to get accurate results you need to keep the testing process running for a couple of hours.
If your RAM is working properly, the problem might be caused by your hard drive, motherboard, or any other hardware component.
In addition to checking hardware, we strongly advise you to check if your hardware is properly connected and to make sure that there are no loose contacts.
If your computer is filled with dust, it’s also a good idea to clean it by using a pressurized can of air.
Solution 9 – Reset Windows 10
If the NO MORE IRP STACK LOCATIONS error is caused by a software problem, resetting Windows 10 will probably fix it.
Keep in mind that resetting Windows 10 will delete all files and folders from your C drive, so make sure that you create a backup. To perform a Windows 10 reset, do the following:
Restart your computer few times while Windows 10 boots. This will start Automatic Repair.
Choose Troubleshoot > Reset this PC > Remove everything > Only the drive where Windows is installed.
Follow the instructions in order to complete the reset process.
If the problem still persists even after you performed Windows 10 reset, the error is most likely caused by faulty hardware or hardware incompatibility.
NO MORE IRP STACK LOCATIONS error can cause you a fair amount of problems, but this error can be usually solved by removing your antivirus software.
If that solution doesn’t work for you, feel free to try any other solution from this article.
There’s something a bit exceptional about the video games industry this year: first of all, Microsoft and Sony are expected to launch their next-gen consoles this holiday season, assuming the ongoing coronavirus outbreak doesn’t cause any delays. This global crisis is also affecting game developers, with several high-profile games being pushed back to later this year.
In the meantime, though, we’ve already seen the release of three remakes of classic games from the ’90s: Resident Evil 3 (which we’ve reviewed earlier this month), Final Fantasy VII (a timed exclusive on PlayStation 4), and Trials of Mana. The latter may not have received the same amount of hype as the two other games, but the original game was actually never released outside of Japan.
Trials of Mana is the sequel to Secret of Mana, a classic action-RPG game released on the Super Famicom back in 1993. The original Trials of Mana game (named Seiken Densetsu 3 in Japan) hit the Nintendo console in 1995 in Japan, but we had to wait until the release of the Seiken Densetsu Collection on Nintendo Switch in 2017 for it to be finally available in the US and Europe.
This 2020 Trials of Mana remake was released on April 24 on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and Steam, and we’ve reviewed the PC version. Yes, the game hasn’t been released on Xbox One, just like the previous Secret of Mana remake did two years ago. This probably tells something about Microsoft’s struggles with Japanese developers and publishers, even though the Xbox One uses the same familiar x64 architecture as the PlayStation 4 or Windows PCs.
A great sequel to Secret of Mana
If you owned a Super Famicom in the 90’s, you’ve probably heard about Secret of Mana, which was just as influential as games like The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past or Chrono Trigger. Secret of Mana combined a memorable story you could play with 2 other friends, accessible combat, and a great soundtrack.
Trials of Mana hit the Super Famicom two years later in 1995, and it was one of the prettiest games to hit the 16-bit console at a time when the Sony PlayStation and Sega Saturn had just kickstarted the 32-bit consoles era. Even though Trials of Mana was never released in the US, the game was translated in English by fans and many Secret of Mana nostalgics had the chance to discover it through Super Famicom emulators on PC.
In this comparison video, it's easy to see that #TrialsofMana is a HD remake which hasn't forgotten its eye-catching 2D roots!
If Trials of Mana didn’t reach the same level of recognition as Secret of Mana due to its limited release, it was a superior game thanks to an improved combat system, more challenging boss fights, and a more engaging story which actually isn’t a direct sequel to Secret of Mana. In Trials of Mana, you could choose three characters in a pool of six, and there were three different endgames depending on your choice of the main character.
Trials of Mana was also one of the first J-RPG to introduce a day and night cycle, and there was also an interesting class system that allowed your character to changes classes and gain new abilities after earning enough experience. If the open world wasn’t really huge, it did keep familiar things from Secret of Mana such as cannon travel, as well as the draconic creatures you can use as a means of transportation.
This 2020 Trials of Mana remake drops the top-down perspective of the original game in favor of a much more immersive 3D world built with the Unreal Engine 4. The real-time combat system has also been completely redesigned, though we regret that it’s no longer possible to play the game in co-op with a friend.
Despite the move to 3D, this Trials of Mana remake stays true to the original game, and the improvements to the combat system are very welcome. Importantly, the game is very accessible, and you don’t need to have played previous games in the Mana series to enjoy this Trials of Mana remake.
Six different characters with interwoven stories
Trials of Mana’s story is set in a fictional heroic-fantasy world where Mana, a powerful but fading energy source is being coveted by different evil factions. At the beginning of the game, you’ll be chosen by a Faerie from the Sanctuary of Mana as a host, and this Faerie will guide you throughout your heroic journey.
Your main mission in the beginning of the game will be to open a portal to the aforementioned Sanctuary to find the Sword of Mana, the embodiment of the ancient power of mana. As the one who holds the Mana Sword gains awesome power, you’ll have to retrieve it before other evil factions in the game get to it first.
What’s interesting about Trials Mana is that your choice of main character will determine your primary antagonist, so you’re invited to play the game with at least three different characters to experience three different paths and endings. This a great way to improve replayability, especially since all six characters have different fighting styles and abilities.
During my playthrough, I chose the swordsman Duran as my main character, which shares his main antagonist with the magician Angela. There’s a unique prologue for every character, and when you’ll meet your two other companions, you’ll be able to either see a cutscene explaining their background, or experience their full prologue by yourself.
In Duran’s prologue, his hometown of Valsena is being attacked by troops from Altena, the Kingdom of Magic where Angela, my second magician character is coming from. After being humiliated in combat by Altena’s mysterious Crimson Wizard, Duran swears to not come back to his hometown until he has defeated the Crimson Wizard and become the best swordsman in the world.
Angela, my magician companion character also had some grudge against the Crimson Wizard, who serves as a chief adviser for her mom, the queen of Altena. Because Angela showed no natural ability to use magic, the Crimson Wizard convinced the queen to sacrifice her daughter’s life in exchange for more magic power.
We’re not far from Games of Thrones levels of drama here, and the interwoven destinies of all the different characters make for a pretty good story. And again, you’ll be able to discover two other main antagonists and storylines if you chose a main character that isn’t Duran or Angela.
An accessible combat system
Trials of Mana uses a real-time combat system that is pretty easy to master. You have one button for light attacks and another one for heavy attacks, which you can hold to do a charge attack. There’s also a limited but useful combo system to deal more damages to enemies, and I actually wish that that combo system offered a bit more depth. Unfortunately, you’ll quickly end up doing the same combo over and over again, and this can make combat a bit repetitive.
Fortunately, you can mix up regular attacks with Class Strikes, which are powerful range attacks you can use once you’ve dealt a certain amount of damage to enemies. Some characters including Angela can also unlock long-range magic attacks, which can be pretty effective at the cost of magic points. The familiar ring menu from the original Secret of Mana and Trials of Mana is still there, letting you pause the action to use magic attacks and healing items.
Each character has different strengths and weaknesses, so a swordsman like Duran is more powerful and resilient than the magician Angela, but the latter has better magic defense and can unlock some powerful spells. It’s important to choose your different characters carefully, though can switch between them at any time. It’s also worth noting that the game is best played with a controller, but mouse and keyboard controls are also supported on PC.
Some familiar and new RPG mechanisms
During your journey, you’ll meet 8 elemental spirits that will allow your characters to access new moves and magic. Those are unlocked by spending Training Points in different stats including Strength Stamina, Spirit, Intelligence, and Luck.
You’ll get more Training Points every time your characters gain a new level, and you can also use these points to unlock special abilities, which are a new addition in this Trials of Mana remake. From stat boosts to increased chances of critical hits, these abilities are pretty varied, and you can also learn chain abilities that will apply to all your characters.
You can only equip a limited number of passive abilities, and this number will increase once you switch to a higher class. You can do that first when reaching level 18, and a second time after reaching level 38.
When switching classes, you’ll be able to choose a “Light” or “Dark” path that will give your character different new abilities. Anyway, switching classes provides a new combo, a new “Class Strike” long-range attack, 2 new ability slots, and new magic spells to unlock with Training points.
This class system can really change your character’s abilities: With Duran, the Light path gives him a healing spell and the ability to equip a shield, while the Dark path improves his attack power and unlocks spells to add elemental damage to your attacks. In case you’d like to try a different class path, this remake introduces a new Goddess Scales item you can use to revert back to a previous class.
A game that still shows its age
Overall, Square Enix did a really good job at giving a fresh coat of paint to a cult-classic title, but RPG games have evolved quite a lot since Trials of Mana was released in the mid-nineties. There’s no denying that the game’s open world is pretty small by 2020’s standards, with redundant NPCs offering no real dialogue options.
Trials of Mana is also really linear, and the game’s various dungeons are pretty straightforward. There are no complex puzzles to solve except for some switches to activate to unlock some doors. This remake also added a new minimap with checkpoints, though you can turn it off in settings if you want fewer indications.
In general, I found that Trials of Mana is also a bit too easy, even if you chose the hard difficulty like I did. I probably died two or three times during my playthrough, and overall this remake felt much easier than the original Super Famicom game. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but those of you looking for a challenge may be disappointed.
I won’t spoil anything about the endgame, but this remake brings a new chapter you’ll have to complete to unlock the New Game+ mode. This new chapter also introduces a fourth class change for your characters, which was a nice surprise.
A J-RPG for everyone?
J-RPGs can be a tough sell for the occidental audience. From convoluted storylines to unappealing characters with sometimes gravity-defying haircuts, there’s no denying that franchises like Final Fantasy or Kingdom Hearts are not for everyone. That’s probably why Square Enix didn’t release this Trials of Mana remake on Xbox One, even though the Japanese company has been an early supporter of Microsoft’s initiatives such as Xbox Game Pass.
Overall, I think Trials of Mana is highly recommended if you kept great memories of Secret of Mana on the Super Famicom. If you did play the original Trials of Mana game that did not ship outside Japan until 2017, I think you’ll also enjoy this 3D remake. For everyone else, this is a solid RPG with an interesting story, likeable characters, and pretty good combat. If the latter can become a bit repetitive, this is compensated by the variety of characters, and I can’t wait to start a second playthrough with different heroes.
I had high expectations for this remake, and I think Square Enix did a pretty solid job overall. I hope to see Trials of Mana join Final Fantasy XV and other Square Enix games in Xbox Game Pass for PC, but in the meantime, you can purchase the game on Steam for $49.99. A free demo is also available, and your save file will carry over if you decide to buy the full game.
Microsoft has released a Bing-powered COVID-19 tracking app on the Microsoft Store, offering both global and local COVID-19 information. The free Coronavirus tracker can be installed on Windows 10 devices running version 10586.0 or higher and comes with support for more than 30 different languages.
Unlike other US-centric COVID-19 trackers, the Windows 10 app provides location-based coronavirus news to keep you updated with the current situation in your specific area. Moreover, its real-time statistics and news and videos make it easier for you to keep an eye on the global and local stats, without being overwhelmed with too much information.
While a separate graphs tab offers additional options, allowing you to dig deep into the Total confirmed, Active, Recovered and Fatal cases in your selected region. In addition, this section features a dedicated graph to provide more insights about new cases as well.
At the time of publication, the US has around 1,035,045 confirmed and 118,228 recovered cases, while around 59 thousand cases fall into the fatal category, which is an alarming situation. If you are interested, feel free to download the Windows 10 COVID 19 tracker app on your PC and see how many coronavirus cases are near you.
Many Blue Screen of Death errors are caused by hardware and software issues.
For example, if certain hardware or software isn’t fully compatible with Windows 10, that can cause BSoD error such as KERNEL_STACK_INPAGE_ERROR to appear.
The easiest way to prevent these errors from appearing is to use Windows Update and download the latest patches.
Many of these patches improve system security, but at the same time, they also fix many hardware and software issues, therefore, be sure to download them as often as you can.
2. Update your drivers
In order for Windows 10 to recognize and use certain hardware, it’s important that you keep your drivers up to date.
Updating drivers make sure that Windows 10 can successfully recognize and use certain hardware.
And if the driver is outdated, corrupted, or just not compatible with Windows 10, you’ll get a KERNEL_STACK_INPAGE_ERROR BSoD error and your computer will restart.
To prevent these types of problems, it’s crucial to keep all drivers up to date, and you can do that right from the Device Manager by following these steps:
Press Windows Key + X to open Power User Menu. Select Device Manager from the list.
Once Device Manager starts, locate the device you want to update, right click it and choose Update Driver Software from the menu.
Now select Search automatically for updated driver software and let Windows 10 find and install the best driver for your device.
Repeat these steps for all devices that you want to update.
Updating your drivers via Device Manager is simple and straightforward, but it might not be the best solution.
According to users, sometimes Device Manager cannot find and download the latest drivers, therefore if you want to use the latest drivers, you might have to download them manually.
Downloading drivers manually is fairly simple, and in order to do that, you just need to visit your hardware manufacturer’s website, locate your device and download the latest drivers for it.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to find and download drivers for all major hardware components.
2.1 Update drivers automatically
Searching for drivers on your own can be time-consuming. So, we advise you to use a tool that will do this for you automatically.
Advanced software will help you update drivers automatically and prevent PC damage caused by installing the wrong driver versions.
Plus, managing your drivers with dedicated tools involves optimizing your PC performance with improved functionality of your devices.
In case you want a reliable service that prevents you from system malfunctions or crash errors, the software below is exactly what you need.
If updating your system and drivers didn’t resolve the problem, let’s try Windows 10‘s built-in troubleshooting tool.
This tool can help with resolving all sorts of issues, including the BSOD problems, like the KERNEL_STACK_INPAGE_ERROR error.
Here’s how to run the BSOD troubleshooter in Windows 10:
Open the Settings app and go to Update & Security section.
Select Troubleshoot from the menu on the left.
Select BSOD from the right pane and click Run the troubleshooter.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the troubleshooter.
4. Run the SFC scan
The next troubleshooting tool we’re going to try is the SFC scan. This tool scans your computer through the Command Prompt, in search of potential problems.
If the solution is possible, the SFC scan will automatically resolve it.
Here’s how to run the SFC scan in Windows 10:
Right-click on the Start Menu button, and open Command Prompt (Admin).
Enter the following line and press Enter:sfc/scannow
Wait until the process is done (it may take a while).
If the solution is found, it will automatically be applied.
Now, close the Command Prompt and restart your computer.
5. Run DISM
Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool is another command-line troubleshooter.
But unlike the previous two, this one completely re-deploys the system image, which can lead to resolving various problems. Including the KERNEL_STACK_INPAGE_ERROR error (hopefully).
We’ll walk you through both standard and the procedure that utilizes the installation media below:
Standard way
Right-click Start and open Command Prompt (Admin).
Paste the following command and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Wait until the scan is finished.
Restart your computer and try updating again.
With the Windows installation media
Insert your Windows installation media.
Right-click the Start menu and, from the menu, choose the Command Prompt (Admin).
In the command line, type the following commands and press Enter after each:
Make sure to change an X value with the letter of the mounted drive with Windows 10 installation.
After the procedure is finished, restart your computer.
6. Check the hard drive
BSOD issues are quite common when there’s something wrong with your hard drive. So, we’re going to check your hard drive for potential problems.
To do that, you need to run the chkdsk command, which will scan all your partitions, and resolve potential problems, if possible.
Here’s how to check the hard drive in Windows 10:
Enter the Advanced Startup (Restart your computer while holding the Shift key).
Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options.
Select Command Prompt from the list of options.
When Command Prompt appears, enter the following lines and press Enter after each line in order to run it:
bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd
bootrec.exe /fixmbr
bootrec.exe /fixboot
Some users are also suggesting that you need to run additional chkdsk commands as well. To perform these commands, you need to know drive letters for all your hard drive partitions. In Command Prompt you should enter the following (but remember to use the letters that match your hard drive partitions on your PC):
chkdsk /r c:
chkdsk /r d:
This is just our example, so keep in mind that you have to perform chkdsk command for every hard drive partition that you have.
Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.
7. Check/Uninstall your antivirus
Certain software can also be the cause for KERNEL_STACK_INPAGE_ERROR BSoDerror.
Sometimes your antivirus software can cause this problem, so in order to fix it, it’s advised that you completely remove your antivirus.
In order to completely remove an antivirus program, it’s recommended that you use a dedicated removal tool.
According to users, the KERNEL_STACK_INPAGE_ERROR BSoD error can be caused if your hard drive mode isn’t properly set.
Users reported that switching their hard drive mode from AHCI to ATA fixed this error for them, so you might want to try that.
To switch your hard drive mode, you need to enter BIOS and change this setting.
For detailed instructions on how to do that, we strongly advise you to check your motherboard manual for detailed instructions.
9. Check your hardware
Several users reported that the KERNEL_STACK_INPAGE_ERROR error was caused by a hardware problem, mostly related to the hard drive.
To fix this problem, be sure to check if your SATA port is working properly.
Users reported that after connecting their hard drives to a different SATA port on their motherboard, the error was completely resolved.
In addition, be sure to check for any loose connections.
Apparently, this error can be caused if the power cable isn’t properly connected to your hard drive, therefore you need to check if the power cable is firmly connected to your hard drive.
In addition to the power cable, sometimes a faulty SATA cable can cause this error, and users reported that the issue was fixed after replacing the SATA cable.
It’s worth mentioning that almost any other hardware component can cause this error, so make sure that you check your RAM first since it’s the common culprit for these types of errors.
To check your RAM, you need to test RAM modules one by one until you find the one that is faulty.
In addition, you can also use MemTest86+ to perform a detailed scan of your RAM. If your RAM is working properly, be sure to check all other hardware components.
KERNEL_STACK_INPAGE_ERROR is often caused by a minor hardware problem, such as a loose cable, but before you start checking your hardware, be sure to try a few other solutions from this article.
Minecraft is a great and addictive game that is highly appreciated by worldwide users, whether we are talking about portable and touch-based handsets or even desktop devices. Unfortunately, many users reported Minecraft errors under Windows 10, especially of Nvidia graphic cards and especially after updating the Windows OS.
As you can already tell, we are facing some graphic card incompatibility as the Nvidia drivers can’t properly communicate with the Windows system.
But, don’t worry as you can still play Minecraft on your Windows-based device as we are here to help you out. Of course, this is not the only Nvidia graphic card incompatibility reported by Windows 10 users as some customers also complained about some HDMI issues.
Anyway, if you want to fix the Minecraft problems and get back on track, then don’t hesitate and apply the guidelines below. This troubleshooting solution can be applied within a few minutes and can be easily completed even by a newbie so you have nothing to worry about.
How do I fix Minecraft errors in Windows 10?
1. Update Minecraft
First of all, on your device install the Java package. Minecraft Java edition requires at least Java version 8. You should make sure you don’t have multiple Java versions installed on Windows 10 – download Java from here. Select the Online Installation option so that you will automatically load the correct version for your system.
Now, if the “bad video card drivers” alert is being displayed, just go to your Start Screen and follow the rest of the steps below.
Press “Wind + X” dedicated keyboard keys and run Device Manager.
From there head towards “Graphics Drivers” and uninstall your display drivers.
Then go to your manufactures official website (for example Acer, HP, Dell, and so on) – not on the Nvidia/AMD web page.
Download from there the drivers indicated by your manufacturer and in the end, install these drivers even in Compatibility mode for Windows 7.
In the end, run Minecraft one more as you are done.
Regardless of the issue you’re currently facing, the very first thing you should have in mind when dealing with that particular problem is keeping your game updated. Because installing the latest possible version of Minecraft may solve a lot of problems.
For downloading all the outdated drivers on your PC, we suggest you use a professional driver updater tool that safely install and upgrade all the drivers you need in seconds. A dedicated tool will keep you away from any risk of malfunctions.
Good job! Now you know how to update and make Minecraft work on Windows 10.
2. Can’t load a mod in Minecraft
If you like to experiment with Minecraft mods, but can’t install your favorite mod or mods won’t load, just change the approach.
You’ve probably been installing mods the old-fashioned way (putting files into Minecraft by yourself), which is prone to errors and issues. Instead, you should use a handy little program called Forge.
Forge basically doesn’t all the work for you. You just need to put the mod you want to install into Forge, and it will automatically implement it in the game. Saving you a lot of time and effort. You can download Forge for free from this link.
In case you need additional explaining, just watch the tutorial on how to use Forge to install Minecraft mods below:
3. Can’t play the game on LAN
Go to Search, type firewall, and open Windows Defender Firewall
Click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall from the left pane
Select Minecraft/Minecraft for Windows 10 and make sure both Private and Public are checked
Restart your computer
If you’re still unable to play the game through LAN, make sure everything’s alright with your internet connection. In case you find out that something’s wrong, check out this article to solve the internet connection issues in Windows 10.
4. Minecraft is lagging
If you notice that your in-game performance is not great, and the game could run smoother, take these into account:
4.1 Meet the system requirements
If your computer doesn’t meet the minimum system requirements, you’re lucky to even launch the game. So, if you don’t have a computer powerful enough to play Minecraft, consider upgrading your hardware.
Minecraft system requirements:
CPU: Intel Pentium D or AMD Athlon 64 (K8) 2.6 GHz.
RAM: 2GB.
GPU (Integrated): Intel HD Graphics or AMD (formerly ATI) Radeon HD Graphics with OpenGL 2.1.
GPU (Discrete): Nvidia GeForce 9600 GT or AMD Radeon HD 2400 with OpenGL 3.1.
HDD: At least 200MB for Game Core and Other Files.
Java 6 Release 45.
4.2 Allocate more RAM to Minecraft
Minecraft launcher now allows you to allocate more RAM memory to the game, if you’re not satisfied with the performance. Here’s how to do that:
Open Minecraft Launcher
Go to Launch options, select your profile, and activate Advanced settings
Activate “JVM Arguments” and add the following command: -Xmx2048M -Xms2048M
Save these settings, and you’ll always start the game with 2GB of RAM. If you want to allocate more ram, simply replace 2048M with the amount of RAM you want to allocte.
4.3 Update Java
As Minecraft is powered by Java, you’ll need its latest version to run the game smoothly. You can download the latest version of Java from here.
Check out our article about fixing Minecraft crashes for more detailed info.
6. Saves disappear from the World List
If your saved worlds disappear from the World List, do the following:
Close Minecraft.
Go to Minecraft save folder. You can access this folder by entering the following command into Search: %appdata%.minecraftsaves
Open the save file that Minecraft doesn’t recognize.
Find the file called level.dat and rename it to corrupt.dat
Now, rename the file level.dat_old to level.dat.
7. Missing files error: org.lwjgl.LWJGLException
Type Firewall in the Windows Search bar and open Windows Defender Firewall.
Click on Turn Windows Firewall on or off in the left pane.
Disable Firewall for both Private and Public networks and confirm changes.
Try running Windows Store apps again and look for the error.
This error code appears when the Minecraft launcher fails to launch the game. The solution for this issue is disabling your antivirus program or Windows Firewall.
It’s also recommended to reinstall Minecraft upon disabling Firewall. Once this issue is resolved, we recommend turning your security solutions back on.
8. Server download doesn’t open
If you’re unable to run server downloads in Minecraft, there are a few things you can try:
Update Java
Edit the EULA.text
Download from official servers
Run a Minecraft Server Batch File
Run the Minecraft Server.exe Version as an Administrator
In case you’re not sure how to do some of these, we have a full guide about fixing this issue. So, you’ll find detailed explanations there.
9. Bad login error
Bad login error occurs when you fail to connect to Minecraft multiplayer. In that case, try some of the following workarounds:
Check that your network connection is enabled
Check if any programs are blocking outgoing connections.
Disable Windows Defender Firewall
Restart your modem/router.
10. Can’t chat in Minecraft
If you’re unable to chat inside the game, you need to change the Chat settings to Show. If you’re not sure how to do that, check out our complete guide about changing chat settings in Minecraft.
11. Service unavailable: Error 503
If you receive this error, there’s a chance Mojang‘s servers are down. Check the server status here. If the servers are down, the only thing you can really do is wait for them to get back online.
If not, try disabling your antivirus or Windows Firewall. Also, make sure your computer is able to receive signal from the following adresses:
minecraft.net
account.mojang.com
authserver.mojang.com
sessionserver.mojang.com
skins.minecraft.net
textures.minecraft.net
That’s about it, we certainly hope this article helped you resolve that Minecraft error that has been bothering you lately.
In our latest article we wrote about Bad video card drivers error in Minecraft, so don’t miss it for more solutions. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, just let us know in the comments below.
Blue Screen of Death errors will crash Windows 10 and give you an error message such as SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED before your computer restarts.
These types of errors can be caused by faulty hardware, and since these errors can be rather problematic, today we’re going to show you how to fix SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED error.
How can I fix SESSION3 INITIALIZATION FAILED BSoD error?
Fix – SESSION3 INITIALIZATION FAILED Windows 10 error
1. Update Windows 10
Updating Windows 10 is crucial if you want to keep your system error-free and stable.
Certain hardware or software might have issues with Windows 10, and that can cause BSoD errors such as SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED to appear.
By using Windows Update you’ll download the latest security improvements as well as many bug fixes.
These bug fixes are designed to fix incompatibility issues with certain hardware or software, therefore it’s crucial to download Windows updates in order to prevent BSoD errors from appearing.
2. Update your drivers
Drivers are a crucial part of every operating system since they allow Windows to recognize and utilize your hardware.
If a certain driver is corrupted or incompatible with Windows 10 that can cause a BSoD error such as SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED.
In order to fix these errors, it’s advised to update your drivers, and you can do that right from Device Manager by following these steps:
Press Windows Key + X and select Device Manager from the menu.
When Device Manager opens, locate the driver you wish to update, right-click it and choose Update Driver Software.
Select Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows 10 will now download and install the best driver for your device.
Repeat these steps for all drivers that you want to update.
Some users say that it’s better to download the drivers manually since Device Manager won’t always find the latest drivers for your hardware.
To download drivers manually, you just have to visit your hardware manufacturer’s website, find your device, and download the latest drivers for it.
Be sure to download and update drivers for all major hardware components.
Update drivers automatically
Searching for drivers on your own can be time-consuming. So, we advise you to use a tool that will do this for you automatically.
Advanced softwares will help you update drivers automatically and prevent PC damage caused by installing the wrong driver versions.
3. Run chkdsk scan
Sometimes BSoD errors like SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED can appear due to corrupted files on your hard drive.
And in order to fix this problem, you’ll need to check your hard drive by using chkdsk command. To do that, follow these steps:
Press Windows Key + X to open Power User Menu and select Command Prompt (Admin).
When Command Prompt starts, enter chkdsk /f /r C: and press Enter to run it. Bear in mind that you’ll have to perform this scan for all hard drive partitions that you have, so be sure to replace C with the letter that matches your hard drive partition.
It’s worth mentioning that you won’t be able to scan C drive right from Windows 10, so be sure to restart your computer when the Command Prompt tells you to.
When your computer starts again, the chkdsk will automatically scan your C drive for errors.
If you cannot access Windows 10 due to SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED error, you can perform the chkdsk scan by following these steps:
Restart your computer while it boots. You’ll have to restart it several times before you can start Automatic Repair.
When Command Prompt starts enter chkdsk /f /r C: to perform a scan. Repeat this step for all hard drive partitions and be sure to replace C with the appropriate letter.
4. Run the BSOD Troubleshooter
If none of the previous solutions resolved the issues, let’s try with Windows 10‘s built-in troubleshooter.
This tool can address various system issues, including the BSOD problems.
Here’s how to run Windows 10‘s built-in troubleshooter:
Open the Settings app and go to Update & Security section.
Select Troubleshoot from the menu on the left.
Select BSOD from the right pane and click Run the troubleshooter.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the troubleshooter.
5. Run the SFC scan
The next thing we’re going to try is running the SFC scan. The System File Checker is a command-line tool that scans all the system files for potential issues.
So, if a corrupt system file is the cause of the SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED error, the SFC scan will likely resolve it.
Here’s how to run the SFC scan in Windows 10:
Go to Search, type cmd, and open the Command Prompt as Administrator.
Enter the following line and press Enter:sfc/scannow
Wait for the scan to complete (it will take a while)
The tool will automatically resolve the problem, if possible.
Now, close the Command Prompt and restart your computer.
6. Run DISM
The third troubleshooting tool we’re going to use here is DISM.
Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM), as its name says, re-deploys the system image all over again, and resolves potential issues along the way.
So, it’s also possible it will resolve the SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED error.
We’ll walk you through both standard and the procedure that utilizes the installation media below:
Standard way
Right-click Start and open Command Prompt (Admin).
Paste the following command and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Wait until the scan is finished.
Restart your computer and try updating again.
With the Windows installation media
Insert your Windows installation media.
Right-click the Start menu and, from the menu, choose the Command Prompt (Admin).
In the command line, type the following commands and press Enter after each:
Make sure to change an X value with the letter of the mounted drive with Windows 10 installation.
After the procedure is finished, restart your computer.
7. Replace smss.exe
According to users, corrupt smss.exe file can sometimes cause SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED BSoD error, and in order to fix it, you need to replace that file. To do that, follow these steps:
Restart your computer few times while it boots. This should start Automatic Repair.
Users reported SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED error while trying to install Windows 10 from a DVD, and according to them, the problem was damaged DVD disc.
If you’re installing Windows 10 from a DVD, be sure that your DVD doesn’t have any scratches on it.
Instead of using DVD, it’s always better to use a USB flash drive to install Windows 10. You can easily create bootable USB drive with Windows 10 on it by using Media Creation Tool.
Bear in mind that you can get the same error even if you’re using a USB flash drive to install Windows 10.
Apparently corrupt ISO image can create this problem, so be sure that you don’t interrupt Windows 10 ISO download.
9. Check your DVD drive
If you’re installing Windows 10 from a DVD, be sure that your DVD drive is working correctly.
Users reported that faulty DVD drive can prevent installation process and give you SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED BSoD, so be sure that your DVD drive isn’t faulty.
In case your DVD drive is broken, you can always install Windows 10 from a USB flash drive.
10. Check for hardware problems
SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED BSoD error can be caused by a faulty hardware, most notably RAM, so be sure that your RAM is working properly.
To check your RAM you can use tools such as MemTest86+.
In addition to RAM, almost any other hardware component can cause this error, so be sure to check other major components such as your motherboard, hard drive, graphic card, etc.
SESSION3_INITIALIZATION_FAILED error can be caused by corrupted files or hardware problems, but you can easily fix this error by using one of our solutions.
Can a PC run without RAM?
The short answer is NO. It is not possible for a computer to run without RAM. Read more about Random Access Memory.
Fix – SYMBOLIC_INITIALIZATION_FAILED Windows 10 error
Solution 1 – Make sure Windows 10 and your drivers are up to date
Windows 10 might be a great operating system, but it’s certainly not perfect.
In some cases, Windows 10 can have compatibility issues with certain hardware or software, and in order to fix those issues, it’s important to download updates on a regular basis.
Many of these hardware and software issues can be the cause for BSoD error, therefore it’s crucial to run Windows Update to download and install the latest updates.
Downloading updates is rather important for system stability and safety, but it’s also important that you download the latest drivers for your hardware.
In some cases outdated or incompatible drivers can cause BSoD errors to appear, therefore it’s crucial to keep your drivers up to date.
Updating drivers is relatively simple, and in order to do it, you just need to download them online and install them.
You can find the latest drivers available on your hardware manufacturer’s website. Alternatively, you can also install the drivers from CD that you got alongside your hardware.
Bear in mind that drivers on that CD might not be the latest, but they might work better than default Windows 10 drivers.
Update drivers automatically
Searching for drivers on your own can be time-consuming. So, we advise you to use a tool that will do this for you automatically.
Using an automatic driver updater will certainly save you from the hassle of searching for drivers manually, and it will always keep your system up to date with the latest drivers.
Also, it will help you update drivers automatically and prevent PC damage caused by installing the wrong driver versions.
After several tests, our team concluded that this is the best-automatized solution:
Solution 2 – Run the BSOD Troubleshooter
The next thing we’re going to try here is Windows 10’s built-in troubleshooting tool.
This tool is designed to deal with all kinds of system issues, so it might be helpful with the SYMBOLIC_INITIALIZATION_FAILED error, as well.
Here’s how to run Windows 10’s troubleshooting tool:
Open Settings app.
Go to the Update & Security section, and select Troubleshoot from the menu on the left.
Select BSOD from the right pane and click Run the troubleshooter.
Follow the further instructions on the screen to complete the troubleshooter.
Solution 3 – Run the SFC scan
The next troubleshooting tool we’re going to try is the System File Checker. This tool scans your computer for potential issues and resolves them automatically (if possible).
So, if the SYMBOLIC_INITIALIZATION_FAILED error is caused by a corrupt system file, the SFC scan will deal with it.
Here’s how to run the SFC scanner in Windows 10:
Right-click on the Start Menu button, and open Command Prompt (Admin).
Enter the following line and press Enter:sfc/scannow
Wait until the process is done (it may take a while).
If the solution is found, it will automatically be applied.
Now, close the Command Prompt and restart your computer.
Solution 4 – Run DISM
And the third troubleshooting tool we’re going to use while trying to resolve the SYMBOLIC_INITIALIZATION_FAILED error is DISM.
Deployment Image and Servicing (DISM), as its name says, re-deploys the system image, so it’s possible it will also resolve some potential issues along the way.
We’ll walk you through both standard and the procedure that utilizes the installation media below:
Standard way
Right-click Start and open Command Prompt (Admin).
Paste the following command and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Wait until the scan is finished.
Restart your computer and try updating again.
With the Windows installation media
Insert your Windows installation media.
Right-click the Start menu and, from the menu, choose the Command Prompt (Admin).
In the command line, type the following commands and press Enter after each:
Make sure to change an X value with the letter of the mounted drive with Windows 10 installation.
After the procedure is finished, restart your computer.
Solution 5 – Check the hard drive
If there’s a problem with your hard drive, BSOD issues are quite possible. To check if that’s the case, run the chkdsk command.
This command will scan all your partitions for potential problems. If the solution is available, this tool will also apply it.
Here’s how to run the chkdsk command in Windows 10:
Enter the Advanced Startup (Restart your computer while holding the Shift key).
Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options.
Select Command Prompt from the list of options.
When Command Prompt appears, enter the following lines and press Enter after each line in order to run it:
bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd
bootrec.exe /fixmbr
bootrec.exe /fixboot
Some users are also suggesting that you need to run additional chkdsk commands as well. To perform these commands, you need to know drive letters for all your hard drive partitions. In Command Prompt you should enter the following (but remember to use the letters that match your hard drive partitions on your PC):
chkdsk /r c:
chkdsk /r d:
This is just our example, so keep in mind that you have to perform chkdsk command for every hard drive partition that you have.
Restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.
In some cases, SYMBOLIC_INITIALIZATION_FAILED error can be caused by certain outdated or incompatible software, and the only solution is to find the problematic software and uninstall it.
It’s worth mentioning that recently installed or updated applications can also cause BSoD error, therefore if you installed any applications before the error started appearing, be sure to remove them.
Another common cause of BSoD errors is antivirus software. Windows 10 comes with its own Windows Defender antivirus, but many users tend to install third-party solutions instead.
Third-party antivirus software can sometimes cause BSoD errors to appear, therefore it’s important to remove any installed antivirus software.
To completely remove certain antivirus software it’s recommended to use a special uninstaller tool.
Many antivirus companies offer these tools for their software, so be sure to download them.
Solution 7 – Reset Windows 10
If the SYMBOLIC_INITIALIZATION_FAILED error is caused by software, you can fix that by performing Windows 10 reset.
Resetting Windows 10 will delete all files and folders from your C drive, so be sure to create a backup. After you created a backup, you can reset Windows 10 by following these steps:
Restart your computer few times while it boots. This should start the Automatic Repair process.
Choose Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
Select Remove everything > Only the drive where Windows is installed > Just remove my files. Click the Reset button.
This should start the reset process. Follow the instructions to complete Windows 10 reset.
After the reset process is completed, all your files from C drive will be deleted and you’ll have a clean installation of Windows 10.
If the problem was caused by a problematic software or a driver, it should be fixed after Windows 10 reset. If the problem still exists, it’s most likely a hardware issue.
Solution 8 – Check your hardware
If the SYMBOLIC_INITIALIZATION_FAILED error still appears even after you reset Windows 10, it’s most likely that certain hardware is causing this problem.
If you installed any new hardware recently be sure to remove or replace it because it might not be compatible with your PC.
If the problem still persists, you should check if your hardware is working properly.
The most common cause for BSoD errors is faulty RAM and users reported that the SYMBOLIC_INITIALIZATION_FAILED error was fixed after finding and replacing the faulty RAM module.
To find a faulty RAM module you need to power down and unplug your computer case, open it, and remove all but one RAM modules.
Now turn on your PC and test it for a while to see if it works. In addition, you can also download MemTest86+, put it on a USB flash drive, and boot your PC from it.
Bear in mind you need to run MemTest86 for a couple of hours in order to perform a thorough scan.
If your RAM is working properly, you need to check other hardware components such as hard drive, motherboard, graphic card, etc.
Finding the faulty hardware on your own can be tricky, so it might be best that you contact an expert.
SYMBOLIC_INITIALIZATION_FAILED BSoD error can be problematic, but users confirmed that in most cases the cause of this error is a faulty memory module.
Before you replace your RAM, be sure to try other solutions from this article as well.
What is the reason for blue screen error?
Blue screens are generated usually by problems with your computer’s hardware or issues or with their drivers. Read more about what can cause a Blue Screen of Death.
Most error messages give away some hints on the cause of the issue, but not the Dropbox error 400. This is a pretty generic error code that pops up when signing in, exporting a file, or synchronizing Dropbox with another service.
How do I fix the Dropbox error 400?
1. Rename the file to fix Dropbox error 400 on uploads
Another variation of the error shows when you attempt to upload files to Dropbox.
Error on upload: The operation couldn’t be completed. (dropbox.com error 400)
If you get this Dropbox error 400 message, simply rename the file you want to upload. Renaming the file to a shorter name fixes the problem.
2. Reinstall Dropbox
If you are getting the Dropbox error 400 on the desktop Dropbox application, use this solution.
Press the Windows key and R to open the Run accessory.
From the dialog box, enter appwiz.cpl and click OK.
From the list of applications, find and right-click on Dropbox.
Next, hit Uninstall.
Follow through the uninstall wizard and restart your PC on completion.
When the system comes back on, hit the Windows key and E to open File Explorer.
Next, go to the folder path bar, enter %LOCALAPPDATA% and press Enter.
Locate the Dropbox folder and delete it.
Now, just like you did in step 5, navigate to %APPDATA%, %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%, and %PROGRAMFILES%.
Delete the Dropbox folders in each of the above locations.
Finally, download the Dropbox application from dropbox.com and install it.
3. Unlink Dropbox
Visit dropbox.com and sign in to your account.
Next, click on your picture at the top right-hand corner of the page and select Settings from the resulting dropdown.
In the Dropbox settings page, switch to the Security tab.
Here, you will find the web browsers and devices linked to your Dropbox account.
Click on the X beside the web browser or device that’s returning the Dropbox error 400 to unlink it.
Go back to the client you got the error on (the one you unlinked) and sign in to your Dropbox account to re-link it.
4. Update your drivers
Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager.
Here is a list of devices currently installed on your computer.
Expand a device category to reveal the device(s) under it.
Next, right-click on a device and hit Update driver.
Follow through with your desired options and update the driver.
Repeat steps 3 and 4 until you update all the drivers on the list.
If you can, restart your computer after each driver update.
However, rebooting the machine after concluding all the updates works also.
5. Perform a system restore
Press the Windows key and search for system restore on the Start menu.
From the results, select Recovery.
Next, choose the Open system restore setting.
This launches the System Restore utility.
On the System Restore wizard, click Next and then select a restore point that occurred before you started getting the Dropbox error 400.
On completion of the System Restore, restart your machine and recreate the error.
Follow the solutions closely to fix the Dropbox error 400. Bearing in mind that there are many causes of the error, you may try a few before fixing the issue.
If none of these solutions work, let’s talk about it in the comments.
Dropbox Smart Sync not working means that you won’t be able to make files available online-only. The service is available to Dropbox Business teams, Dropbox Plus, and Professional users.
If you fall under any of the above categories but Dropbox Smart Sync is not showing up, you can fix it with the tested methods on this page.
How to repair Dropbox Smart Sync that is not working
1. Disable your antivirus
The operations of antivirus or other security software can be why Dropbox Smart Sync is not working. Your antivirus might have mistakenly identified the process as malicious and blocked it.
The fastest way to check if the Dropbox Smart Sync problem is from your antivirus is to disable the antivirus and retry.
2. Whitelist Dropbox from Windows Defender Firewall
Press the Windows key + I combination to open Windows Settings.
Next, in the box that says Find a setting, type in firewall.
After typing firewall, you will see results appearing under the search box.
From there, click on Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall.
The next screen lists all the allowed apps and features.
Click on the Allow another app button at the bottom of the list.
On the popup that shows, hit the Add another app button below the list.
Next, click Browse on the popup.
This opens an instance of File Explorer.
Click on the address bar and type in
C:Program Files (x86)DropboxClient
. Press Enter to go to this path.
Double-click on Dropbox.exe or select it and hit Open.
The Dropbox application will now appear in the Add an app dialog box.
Click on it and hit Add.
Dropbox will now show up on the Allowed apps and features list.
Finally, mark the checkbox to the left of Dropbox.
To the right, mark the respective boxes to allow on private or public networks.
After that, click OK at the bottom of the page to save and whitelist Dropbox from Windows Defender Firewall.
3. Re-install the Dropbox app as an Administrator
Using the Windows key + R combination, open the Run dialog box.
Here, type appwiz.cpl and hit Enter.
You will see a list of applications here.
Locate Dropbox, right-click on it, and click Uninstall.
Complete the uninstallation process and reboot your machine.
After the restart, press the Windows key + E combination to open Find Explorer.
In File Explorer, click on the address bar and type %LOCALAPPDATA%. Hit Enter after typing this.
Next, delete the Dropbox folder.
Go to %APPDATA%, %PROGRAMFILES(x86)%, and%PROGRAMFILES%.
Delete the Dropboxfolders in the above directories.
Now, download the Dropbox installer from dropbox.com.
Go to the downloaded file, right-click it, and select Run as Administrator.
Finish the installation of Dropbox.
4. Check users’ Smart Sync and privileges
If you could access Smart Sync, confirm that you have Dropbox installed as an Administrator on the computers on which you intend to use the feature.
Administrators of Dropbox Business teams can also verify the members who installed the application with elevated privileges. Note that to do this, you must first deactivate Smart Sync.
Note, for the last solution, that some users may not be able to install the Dropbox application as Administrators without the help of a professional IT department or team.
Dropbox is one of the best cloud storage services on the market, but some users reported issues with it. According to them, it seems that their account was disabled for some reason.
This can be a big problem, especially if you use Dropbox for storing important documents and files, and in today’s article, we’ll show you how you can fix this issue.
What do I do if my Dropbox account is disabled?
1. Why would my Dropbox account be disabled?
Your account can get disabled for two reasons, inactivity, and violation of Terms of Service.
If your account is inactive for 12 months, it will become disabled. After an additional 90 days, files from your Dropbox will be deleted.
In order to prevent this from happening, you need to have some activity on your account once in 12 months, such as uploading, downloading, or editing files or folders.
As for Terms of Service violations, this can happen if you upload copyrighted content or any other type of content that violates the Terms of Service.
2. Contact Dropbox support
If your account is disabled, there’s not much you can do on your own. The first thing you should do is to try and log in to your account, but if that’s impossible, you should contact Dropbox support.
Keep in mind that you might not be able to recover your files since they will get deleted due to inactivity or Terms of Service violations.
Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do from your side if your Dropbox account is disabled, so it would be best to contact Dropbox support as soon as possible. If you found this guide useful, let us know in the comments section below.
You aren’t the only one who has a frequent recurrence of the AcroExch error when trying to insert a PDF into Word documents or opening an Excel document which have multiple objects in it. You may feel that odds are not in your favor when getting the same error message.
This message states: The program used to create this object is AcroExch. That program is not installed on your computer. To edit this object, you must install a program that can open the object.
As unpleasant as it may sound, there’s always a solution to this problem. Waste no more time as here you may find a couple of tips to help you resolve the annoying AcroExch error.
What can I do if getting the AcroExch error?
1. Download and install the right Acrobat Reader file
This is the PDF productivity solution that you’ve used for years to edit and convert PDF documents on both Mac and Windows platforms, so giving up on it that easily isn’t really an option.
Moreover, Acrobat Reader is the only PDF viewer that can open and interact with all types of PDF content.
Before trying out any sort of fixes, let us tell you that the quickest solution resides in grabbing the latest Acrobat Reader version that no longer has this error.
In fact, downloading and installing the most recent version is our top recommendation since it also gives you that peace of mind that no such errors will reappear. That’s what you’re hoping to get, right?
2. Close the PDF document you are trying to attach
There are times when little things make the difference. In our case, several users described a handy tip that worked for them like a breeze.
They used to get the same AcroExch error you are currently experiencing when the PDF document they were trying to attach was still opened.
Therefore, simply closing it solved the problem and attaching it to the document become instantly possible.
3. Disable Protected Mode in Adobe Reader
When using Adobe Reader and encountering this error, here’s another workaround you may apply. Under Privacy, you need to untick the option saying Enable protected mode at startup.
Adobe Reader’s Protected Mode will be turned off. However, do note that the AcroExch error isn’t always related to a Protected Mode problem and the tip can’t be applied if the error happens to show up in Adobe Acrobat Professional.
4. Use a different insertion method
Have you tried to insert the PDF into the Word document using Insert -> Object -> Create From File? Other users did the same and simply choosing a different insertion method worked for them.
You may as well try to follow this path Insert -> Object -> Create New and confirm that it worked.
As you can see, here we’ve compiled a list of solutions for the AcroExch error. Try them out and let us know if they’ve been helpful.
As always, if you have any other questions, leave them in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to check them out.
We share with you the enthusiasm for getting the Adobe Acrobat Pro DC activation code right away. After all, that’s a highly professional PDF tool that you may enjoy on the desktop, mobile apps, and the web as well.
If your Acrobat Pro DC trial is about to expire or you’re determined to purchase Adobe Acrobat Pro DC with no trial at all, then there’s no reason for us to remind you what it has to offer.
You’ve literally enjoyed the greatest PDF ecosystem of the moment and you’ve already decided what’s best for yourself. Therefore, let us guide you towards achieving your goal in no time.
How can I get Adobe Acrobat Pro DC activation code?
The monthly subscription is available for Windows and Mac OS at 29,74 €. Choose this one if it meets your interests.
On the other hand, if you’re sure you have a need for the latest features per long term, the 17,84 € a month option with an annual commitment may sound more appealing to you.
Enter your email (this applies to both new and existing users).
Read and accept the Terms of Use.
Click Continue to payment.
Finally, in the tools pane on the right, don’t forget to click the Activate button.
You may continue using some of the Pro features you appreciate in a more affordable Acrobat Standard version as well. The Acrobat Standard DC version clearly allows users to reliably create PDFs, edit, and sign them.
However, this means getting back to a few compromises in terms of some advanced editing features.
This includes forgetting all about the joys of exporting, organizing, and even combining files right from your tablet or mobile phone.
Can you continue working with no option to compare two versions of a PDF to review all differences and mobile editing features? You know the answer better than us this time.
Long story short, after your Acrobat DC trial expires, the Trial Expired message with a Buy Now link should pop up at the bottom of the right pane.
There’s no problem if you’ve missed it. The Adobe Acrobat Pro DC activation code is still waiting for you. The same goes for those willing to purchase Adobe Acrobat Pro DC with no trial in advance.
Just follow the steps detailed above and you’ll have this fantastic feature-rich tool on your hands in no time.
Don’t hesitate to let us know how the procedure of getting the Acrobat Pro DC activation code went for you. You may use the comments section below in that regard.
Last September, Microsoft announced the dates for Build, its annual developer conference, scheduling it for May 19-21. Well that was a very very long time ago. Since then, like nearly all in person events slated for the first half of this year, Microsoft announced in March that the conference would become a digital event, and the company has since announced the cancellation of all in person conferences and events through next July.
In announcing the in-person cancellation, Microsoft never said it was changing the dates of the event, but it didn’t say it wasn’t, only advising developers and enthusiasts to “stay tuned for more details to come.” In light of the massive effort it will take to switch this or any event to online only, it certainly wouldn’t have been surprising if the dates were to change.
Join us for virtual booth sessions to ask questions, talk about Build content, and chat with the Windows Insider team. Mark your calendar and follow our Mixer channel now!
Session 1: Tuesday, May 19 – 2 to 4 AM GMT (7pm-9pm PDT)
Session 2: Wednesday, May 20 – 5 to 7 PM GMT (10am-12pm PDT)
As part of the virtual //Build conference, we’ll be hosting two “booth sessions” for current Windows Insiders and non-insiders alike to visit us, ask questions, and enjoy good conversation. There aren’t specific technical topics planned as we have during our regular webcasts, but we’ll be listening for your suggestions, feedback, and questions about the program all the same.
Come join us!
For many developers and onlookers, Build 2020 will be much like recent versions, as Microsoft has done a great job of bringing not only the keynotes but many of the developer sessions online, either live, or shortly after. For the some 1,600 to 2,000 of us who have come to celebrate the annual gathering as another rite of spring, this will indeed be a different and unique Build.
So in these uncertain times, it’s good to know that we can actually do a bit of planning ahead. We’ll be (virtually) at Build 2020, as we have been for years, bringing you all the latest in Microsoft news and information.
![Fix: Blackberry Link not working [Windows 10, Mac]](https://windowsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/fix-Blackberry-Link-not-working-on-Windows-10.jpg)
![BackgroundTransferHost.exe [Windows process explained]](https://windowsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/How-To.jpg)
![PROCESS HAS LOCKED PAGES error in Windows 10/11 [FULL FIX]](https://windowsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/PROCESS-HAS-LOCKED-PAGES-error-in-Windows-10.jpg)
![5 Best Layered Image Editors [Online + Desktop]](https://windowsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Best-image-editor-with-layers_cover-image.jpg)
![How to Animate a Picture on a Computer [Best Tools for 2026]](https://windowsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Best-picture-animation-software-cover-image.jpg)
![5 best guitar tuning software [FRESH LIST]](https://windowsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/guitar-tuning-software.png)
