Page 1047 • Windows Report

System reboot fails after DISM? Fix it with these steps

Posted on May 11, 2020October 4, 2023 by Vlad Turiceanu

While a DISM scan is easy to perform, users have sometimes complained about a reboot failure. A reboot might be required after a DISM scan to enable all the changes. An error at this very last step of the recovery process is rare but possible.

Normally, the system will reboot by itself as the logical final step of the recovery process.

What can I do if the system reboot fails after DISM?

1. Unplug other drives and devices

First of all, before performing the DISM scan, unplug all other external hard drives and devices. They might interfere with the entire repair and restoration process. Then, repeat the scan and see if it works all the way through.

2. Check for updates

Open the Start menu, click on the Settings app, and then select Update & Security.
Click Check for updates.

Usually, Windows is updated automatically. But if any updates are missing, this action should solve the problem. Wait for the process to finish and try to run the scan again.

Your Check for updates button is missing in Windows 10? Check this quick guide

3. Check your antivirus

While we advise for the use of a reliable antivirus program, some of its features might interfere with a system repair process. What you need to do in this case is to detect the critical feature(s) and disable it/them.

If you can’t find such a feature, you can also disable the antivirus altogether while performing again the DISM scan.

4. Disable proxy server

Open the Settings app and go to the Network & Internet option.
Open the Proxy menu.
Disable all settings in the right pane and click Save.

Proxy servers are commonly used to protect Internet connections and provide an increased level of security and privacy while browsing.

On the other hand, a proxy is also known to get in the way of many processes, which is why we made the above recommendation. Perform the DISM scan again and see if your device reboots normally.

Note: If you can’t open Settings on your Windows 10 PC, follow this thorough article and get rid of the problem quickly.

5. Check DISM file for corrupt components

1. Search for Command Prompt in the search bar and open it.
2. Click on Run as an administrator in the right panel.
3. Type DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth.
4. Hit Enter and wait for the results.

If the check-up finds something faulty, you will have to recover the DISM.exe file from a Windows 10 ISO file.

Note: If DISM failed on your Windows 10 PC, don’t worry, we’ve got the perfect guide for you.

If you can’t run Command Prompt as admin, take a look at this handy guide to fix the issue.

6. Run the DISM scan from a Windows ISO file

Many systems errors can be solved while working offline. The solution would be to run the DISM scan from the ISO file. This is done by copying the Install.wim file on your hard drive. While you’re doing this, pay attention to a few details:

1. 1. After the file is copied to your hard drive, disable the Read-only option by right-clicking on the file
    - Select Properties then uncheck the Read-only option and click OK.
  2. Open Command Prompt and run the following command:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /source:WIM:X:SourcesInstall.wim:1 /LimitAccess

Here, pay attention to the capital letter for the Install.wim file. Additionally, you have to replace the X with the letter that matches the drive where you installed the file. Try to perform the DISM scan again and it will hopefully be a successful one.

If you have any other questions or suggestions, don’t hesitate to reach for the comments section below.

[wl_navigator]

FIX: DISM error 2 in Windows 10/11 PC

Posted on May 8, 2020October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

The DISM or Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool, also known as the System Update Readiness tool, helps fix some Windows corruption errors that may cause updates and service packs not to install, like if a file is damaged.

This tool can be used to service a Windows image or prepare a WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment) and/or WinPE (Windows Preinstallation Environment) image, but, it can also be used to service .wim (Windows image) or .vhd/.vhdx (virtual hard disk).

Whenever you try to use the DISM command line and get the DISM error 2 displayed as a message, you may not know the first thing to do in such a case, but there are solutions you can try as outlined below, to fix the error.

How to fix DISM error 2

Temporarily disable or uninstall your antivirus
Check your DISM version
Refresh the DISM tool
Reset your PC with Keep my files option
Use Disk Cleanup tool

1. Temporarily disable or uninstall your antivirus

Sometimes your security software can get in the way of some of the processes on your computer, so in the case of a DISM error 2 issues, you can temporarily disable the antivirus, or uninstall it, and if the issue persists, you can unmount the image and check the result again.

Remember to reinstall or enable your antivirus once you’re done.

2. Check your DISM version

Ensure you’re using the correct version of DISM that is installed with the Windows ADK. Also, do not mount images to protected folders like the UserDocuments folder.

If DISM processes are interrupted, temporarily disconnect from the network, and consider running commands from WinPE instead.

3. Refresh the DISM tool

Right click Start and then select Command Prompt (Admin)

Type this command: exe/image:C /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions. This will revert pending tasks, and this includes any Windows updates that are pending
Boot your computer and then run in recovery command prompt
Execute this command: exe /online/Cleanup-Image /StartComponentCleanup. This cleans up the component store and helps everything to run properly again

Restart and then run an SFC scan in Safe Mode by doing the following:

Click Start and then go to the search field box and type CMD
Go to Command Prompt on the search results
Right click and select Run as Administrator

Type sfc/scannow

Press Enter
Restart your computer and then run this command: dism.exe /online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

If this doesn’t help, try the next solution.

4. Reset your PC with Keep my files option

If you’ve tried the system restore and it doesn’t work, reset your PC with Keep my files option.

Performing a reset allows you to choose which files you want to keep, or remove, and then reinstalls Windows, so follow the steps below:

Click Start
Click Settings

Click Update & Security

Click Recovery on the left pane

Click Reset this PC

Click Get started

Select Keep my files option

Note: all your personal files will be deleted and settings reset. Any apps you installed will be removed, and only pre-installed apps that came with your PC will be reinstalled.

5. Use Disk Cleanup tool

Since DISM tool won’t work or brings up DISM error 2, and Disk Cleanup can’t release much space, use the Disk Defragmenter to rearrange fragmented data on the system by doing the following:

Log in as Administrator
Click Start and select File Explorer
Expand This PC
Right click on Local Disk (C:) and click Properties
Go to Tools tab

Under Optimize and defragment drive, select Optimize

Click Apply and then press enter or click OK

Have you managed to fix DISM error 2 on your computer using any of these solutions? Let us know by leaving a comment in the section below.

Download LibreOffice: Latest Version for Windows 10/11

Posted on May 8, 2020October 4, 2023 by Radu Tyrsina

If you don’t have the popular Microsoft Office suite of products installed on your Windows device, you are probably looking for alternatives. Besides such cloud products as Google Docs, LibreOffice is one of the best solutions at your disposal.

The best part of using LibreOffice is the fact that it is available absolutely for free. And the software suite has kept getting better and better with every release.

If interested, you can also have a look and download the latest version of the OpenOffice desktop app for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 systems.

Right now, you may also get LibreOffice from Microsoft Store, but it is not free. The sum goes to supporting partners for publishing in the store, and a part is a donation to the foundation behind LibreOffice. You can still download the standalone version for free.

We were pleasantly surprised by its features. Not only is LibreOffice free, but also open-source, so all bright minds can contribute to its improvement.

Here’s why LibreOffice on Windows is great

The most recent version of LibreOffice (you can snag the download link at the end of the article) brings many new features that are mainly aimed at those using the service for the first time – yours indeed is also included.

First, LibreOffice significantly improves Microsoft Office’s native OpenXML and .docs format. It also includes new improvements for importing and exporting Microsoft’s legacy RTF files. There’s also the ability to import filters for AbiWord documents and Apple Keynote presentations.

Windows business users now get a simplified custom install dialog and can centrally manage and lock down program configuration with Group Policy Objects via Active Directory.

Calc, the LibreOffice alternative to Excel, has also seen essential improvements in speed. Also, the user interface now seems cleaner and easier to work with. Sadly, not even Android or iOS cloud apps don’t exist as of now.

Trust me, if you haven’t used LibreOffice yet, then you are missing out big time. Of all the free alternatives available to Microsoft Office and Apple’s iWork, we dare say that this one is the best.

What is the latest LibreOffice Version?

The latest version is LibreOffice 7.5.5, but the developers are preparing to launch the 7.6 iteration of the software.

Here are the most important improvements for this version:

Added PDF export.
Titles and tags were added.
The page number from the status bar now uses a range when the view spans several pages.
You can highlight the elements on a page by hovering over their name in the Navigator sidebar deck.
Great improvements in spell-checking in several languages

Read the full release notes for LibreOffice 7.5.5 to learn more about the many improvements introduced in this version.

⇒ Get LibreOffice

Go ahead and check out the official page on LibreOffice’s website for the detailed release notes since there are quite plenty.

You might also like to check our list of the best ODC to DOC converters.

What do you think about LibreOffice? Let us know about your experience in the comments section below.

Error 1500 Another installation is in progress [FIX]

Posted on May 8, 2020October 4, 2023 by Matthew Adams

When a software installation has hung, you might get the following error message when installing a program: Error 1500. Another installation is in progress. You must complete that installation before continuing this one.

This is due either to a couple of MSI installers running at the same time or an In-progress key left from an earlier installation. These are a few ways you can fix error 1500 in Windows 10.

How can I fix Windows 10 error 1500?

Close Background Software Processes
Remove the Installation Reference with the Registry Editor
Stop and Restart Windows Installer
Run the System File Checker Tool in Windows
Run the Windows Update and Windows Store App troubleshooters
Manually reset the Windows Updates Components

1. Close Background Software Processes

Firstly, you could try closing the background installer process with Task Manager. So right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager to open its window below.

Click the Process tab at the top of the Task Manager window if it isn’t already selected.
Next, find msiexec.exe, installer.exe, and setup.exe listed under Background processes.
Select those processes and click their End task buttons.
In addition, you might also be able to find and close those processes from Task Manager’s Details tab.
Then open the software setup again to add the program to Windows.

2. Remove the Installation Reference with the Registry Editor

Did the first fix work? If not, you can try a fix that will delete an active installation status registry reference. This is how you can fix error 1500 with the Registry Editor.

First, press the Win key + R hotkey to open Run; and then you can input Regedit to open the Registry Editor window below.

Next, go to the following registry subkey: HKEY_Local_MachineSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsInstallerInProgress.
Select the InProgress subkey and double-click its (Default) string. Erase that value’s contents and press OK.
Now you can close the Registry Editor and open the software’s installer again.

3. Stop and Restart Windows Installer

Stopping and restarting the Windows Installer, an essential component for adding various programs to Windowscould also do the trick. To do that, first, enter services into the Cortana search box and select Services.
Now scroll to Windows Installer and double-click it to open the window below.

Click the Startup type drop-down menu and select Disabled from that menu. Alternatively, you can press the Stop button.
Next, press the Apply and OK buttons to confirm the new setting.
Now you should restart Windows 10.
After restarting Windows, open the Services and Windows Installer Properties windows again.
Press the Start button on the Windows Installer Properties window. Or you can select Manuel from the Startup type drop-down menu.
Press the Apply > OK buttons to close the Windows Installer Properties window.

4. Run the System File Checker Tool in Windows

The System File Checker, otherwise sfc /scannow, tool might also fix files pertaining to error 1,500. To run a system file check, press the Win key + X keyboard shortcut and select Command Prompt (Admin) from the menu. Enter sfc /scannow into the Command Prompt window and press Return.

That will start a System File Checker scan in the Command Prompt, which might take a while.

5. Run the Windows Update and Windows Store App troubleshooters

If this error occurs when you try to install apps from the Microsoft Store, try running Windows 10‘s built-in troubleshooter. Go to Start > type settings > double-click on the first result.

Now, navigate to Update & Security and select Troubleshoot. Scroll down to Windows Store Apps and run the troubleshooter.

Follow the on-screen instructions to fix this problem. Go back to Troubleshoot and this time run the Windows Update Troubleshooter and then restart your computer.

6. Manually reset the Windows Updates Components

If the problem persists, try resetting the Windows Update Components. This solution will fix corrupted or missing Windows Update files. Here are the steps to follow:

Launch Command Prompt as administrator
Type the following commands and hit Enter after each one to stop all the Windows Update Components:
- net stop wuauserv
- net stop cryptSvc
- net stop bits
- net stop msiserver
Now, rename the SoftwareDistribution folder by entering the following commands:
- ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
- ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old
Restart the Update Components that you previously stopped at step 2. To do this, enter the following commands:
- net start wuauserv
- net start cryptSvc
- net start bits
- net start msiserver
Close Command Prompt, restart your computer and check if the error persists.

Those are a few of the best fixes for error 1500. They’ll probably fix it, but you could also try a clean boot and reregistering the MSI via Command Prompt.

How do I force stop installation?

Look for any msiexec.exe processes in Task Manager, and end it. After that, you can try to run another install.

Why does Windows Installer keep popping up?

If the Windows Installer pops up, this might be caused by Windows configuration problems, by the Windows Update prompting you to install updates or, unfortunately, by virus or malware.

[wl_navigator]

Installation Failed in the Second Boot Phase: 5 Fixes to Use

Posted on May 8, 2020October 22, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

The installation failed in the second boot phase usually happens if an upgrade is unsuccessful, so it is helpful to understand at what point the error occurred during the upgrade.

This article reviews all the essential elements and recommends the best solutions for this OS installation error.

Note that some error codes during the upgrade phase take the form of 0xC1900101 (result code), with an extend code of 0x4000D. These are not the same as the second boot phase error.

Why does Installation failed in the second boot phase message appear?

There are different stages of the OS upgrade process. Users have pointed out that the major triggers are as follows:

Bad installation files – These are files missing some essential elements or have been corrupted before use.
Hard drive issues – The most common hard drive issues that will trigger this problem are bad sectors or insufficient space
Hardware failures – You will experience failure if you have a faulty hard drive or memory module, often triggering the installation failed in the second boot phase error.
Driver-related issues – Drivers are an essential link between software and hardware. You may expect errors if they are bad, corrupt, or incompatible.
Viruses – You may expect a few complications, especially on systems without an antivirus, including this installation error.

That said, we will now cover the best solution on Windows 10.

How can I fix Installation failed in the second boot phase error?

Before going into any of our recommended solutions, there are a few preliminary steps you should try:

Detach peripherals – Remove external hardware, such as docks and USB devices.
Create space – Make sure you delete all unnecessary files from your storage

1. Run hard drive scans

1.1 How to run the chkdsk scan

Press Windows + R, type CMD and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
Type the command below and hit Enter (make sure to use the drive alphabet in place of C):
chkdsk C: /f
Wait for the command to complete.

1.2 How to run a health check and SFC

Press Windows + R, type CMD and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
Type the command below and hit Enter.
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
When it executes, run the script below:
sfc /scannow

2. Update Windows

Press Windows + I to open the system Settings.
Click on Update & Security.
Select Windows update from the left pane and choose Check for updates.

An update is an important step before an upgrade. It guarantees all essential files, so you do not have errors during the process.

3. Update drivers

Since there may be many drivers to update, we suggest you perform this process automatically. The best solution is Fortect Driver Updater. You can fix driver issues with a few clicks and get the latest updates.

You usually must go to the manufacturer’s website and download drivers. This process is stressful because you must do this for every driver you need, one at a time. The software saves you time. It also ensures you do not download the wrong drivers.

⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

4. Perform a System Reset

Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
Click Update & Security.
Click Recovery on the left pane.
Select Reset this PC.
Click Get Started and choose an option to Keep my files, or Remove everything.

5. Upgrade using Windows 10 ISO file

Download the official ISO media for Windows 10 from Microsoft.
Right-click Start and select Command Prompt (Admin).
Stop BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer, and Windows Update Services by typing these commands. Press Enter after each one:
net stop wuauserv
net stop cryptSvc
net stop bits
net stop msiserver
Rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 using the following commands. Remember to hit Enter after each command.
ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
Restart the BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer, and Windows Update Services by running the following commands:
net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver
Exit the Command Prompt and restart your computer.

After doing all this, uninstall your security software and activate Microsoft Defender (Microsoft’s default virus protection) so that your computer is not vulnerable to attacks from the internet.

That is as much as we will cover in its guide. You would find success using any of these solutions. Since we have not written them in any particular order, we encourage you to try what seems the most appropriate.

Let us know which solutions worked for you by commenting in the section below.

How to fix Outlook error 0x8004010f in Windows 10/11

Posted on May 8, 2020February 26, 2024 by Matthew Adams

Some Outlook 2010/2013 users might encounter an 0x8004010 error. The full error message states, 0x8004010F: Outlook data file cannot be accessed.

This is one of the more prevalent Outlook error messages that might pop up when users try to send emails with the software. Consequently, users can’t send or receive emails when that error arises.

How can I fix error 0x8004010f?

1. Set up a new Outlook profile

The 0x8004010f error is usually due to corrupted Outlook user profiles, and users can fix it by setting up new Outlook profiles based on default data files. To do that in Windows 10, open Run with the Windows key + R hotkey.
Input Control Panel in Run, and click the OK button.
Click the Control Panel > button to select All Control Panel Items.
Then click Mail, and press the Show Profiles button on the Mail window that opens.
Click the Properties button, and select the Data Files option.
Note down the name of the default data file on the Data Files tab, and click the Close button.
Next, open the Mail Setup window from the Control Panel again.
Click Show Profiles, and then press the Add button, which will open a New Account window.
Select the Manual setup or additional server types option, and click the Next button.
Select the POP or IMAP (or Internet E-mail) option, and press the Next button.
Then enter the required email account details in POP and IMAP Account settings.
Select the Existing Outlook Data File option, and click the Browse button. Select the Outlook data file previously noted from the Data Files tab.
Press the Next button, and click Close > Finish.
To turn the new profile into the default one, open Mail from the Control Panel again.
Select the Show Profiles option.
Select the Always use this profile option. Then select the new profile on the drop-down menu under that option.
Click the OK button to exit Mail.

2. Disable Antivirus Utilities

Antivirus utilities might also conflict with Outlook to trigger error 0x8004010f. To disable antivirus software, remove them from the system startup by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting Task Manager.
Select the Start-up tab in the image directly below.
Select the antivirus software, and click the Disable button.
Then restart Windows, and try to send an email with Outlook after restarting.

3. Turn Off Windows Defender Firewall

To ensure Windows Defender Firewall is not blocking Outlook in any way, press the Windows key + S hotkey.
Then enter ‘firewall’ in the search box, and select to open Windows Defender Firewall.
Click Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off on the left side of the Control Panel window.
Click both Turn off Windows Defender Firewall radio buttons to disable WDF.
Click the OK button to exit the window.

That’s how users can fix error 0x8004010f more specifically for Outlook 2010/2013. Then users can send and receive messages with Outlook once again.

How do I repair Outlook?

You can repair Outlook or any other program using Control Panel. If you still have problems with the software, read our Outlook troubleshooting section.

GIMP for Windows 10/11 [Review & Dowload Link]

Posted on May 8, 2020October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

When thinking of photo editing software, there are only a few names that really come in mind. For me, there is Photoshop, ACDSee , and, of course, GIMP.

Although all of them work pretty well, each of us has his own preference, and for those of you who like to use GIMP for image editing, you will be thrilled to know that it is compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8.

The latest version of GIMP is fully compatible with Microsoft’s new operating system, and it has also received many improvements from the last version, which had some issues.

Also, as in terms of features, it is comparable with Adobe’s Photoshop, but it is much more resource-friendly, which makes for a great Windows 8, Windows 10 program.

GIMP for Windows 10, Windows 8 – A quick walkthrough

Keep in mind that unlike other photo editing apps like Fotor for Windows 10, Windows 8, or Fresh Paint, Gimp for Windows 10 Windows 8 is not an app, but a full Desktop program.

This is the same one that is compatible with Windows XP and Windows 7, so if you were looking for a dedicated app, then you will be disappointed as there is no official app at the time of this writing. H

owever, there is a GIMP Guide app available on the Microsoft Store, for those interested in learning how to use GIMP .

Moving on to the actual program, GIMP for Windows 10, Windows 8 is exactly the same as the versions for the old Windows operating systems.

Also, for those who are just starting to use GIMP, you will probably have to watch a few tutorials before you start working.

You might be interested in our article about 9 best image optimization software for PC

After installing GIMP on Windows 10, Windows 8, you will notice that it starts in multiple window format, which allows the user to move each element on the screen and place them where ever they want. While this feature is great for multiple monitor setups, I don’t think it is ideal for a single monitor.

Luckily, this can be easily changed under Windows -> Single-Window Mode.

The tools are pretty similar to Photoshop, allowing users of GIMP to create or edit photos very quickly and efficiently.

Also, a difference I noticed when using GIMP on Windows 10, Windows 8 is the overall smoothness and speed with which images open and tools work.

One of my favorite tools that GIMP for Windows 10, Windows 8 provides is the angle measurement feature, perfect for those who do precision work.

GIMP also supports hundreds of plug-ins and scripts that give you access to an even bigger list of image editing options. You can add new brushes to the tool, as well as new gradients, colors, patterns and splashes. You can check out the full list of supported plug-ins in the GIMP Plugin Registry.

Perhaps some of the most popular GIMP plug-ins are Layer Effects and Layer via Copy/Cut.

These two tools bring a useful feature from Photoshop into GIMP, allowing designers who work with layers to copy, cut, and paste areas from one layer or a group of layers.

You can also create new layers using the areas you previously selected.

Overall, GIMP for Windows 10, Windows 8 offers all the goodies that users are familiar with, but with the added bonus of Windows 8 support and the speed that it has.

Now you know that GIMP runs on Windows 10, Windows 8 without a hitch, which means that you can start editing photos just like before.

Download Gimp for Windows (latest version)

How to recover deleted audio files on your Windows PC

Posted on May 8, 2020October 4, 2023 by Ivan Jenic

Music induces joy and its wonders into our life; whether music, podcast, audio learning materials, or audio file. Are you wondering how to recover deleted audio files that you have accidentally or intentionally removed from your PC? Do not worry, this post is meant for you.

Sometimes audio files are lost, corrupted, or deleted due to reasons associated with file transfer, virus corruption, accidental deletion, or any other reasons. However, what this means is that we lost our valued audio files in mp3, wav, aiff, wma, or other formats.

Meanwhile, we understand how important it is to recover deleted audio files on your Windows PC, especially when you do not have a backup for your files. So, we have come up with methods that you can use to recover deleted audio files on your Windows PC.

Restore from Recycle Bin
Use Recovery Software

How to recover deleted audio files

1. Restore from Recycle Bin

Recycle Bin is a Windows tool found on every Windows Operating System which keeps deleted items. However, it is easy to restore deleted files most especially deleted audio files if the Recycle Bin is not cleared up.

You can recover deleted audio files on your Windows PC, all you have to do is to access the Recycle Bin and restore the deleted audio file from there. Here’s how to do this:

Double-click on the Recycle Bin icon on the Desktop
Locate and select the audio file(s) you want to recover.
Right-click on the selected audio file(s), and then select “Restore”
Wait for the restoration process to be complete.
Exit the Recycle Bin after you have finished restoring the audio files

It is recommended that you note the original location of the audio files so as to know where they will end up after you restore them. But, if you do not know its original location, after restoration, you can search for it by typing the audio file name in the Windows search bar.

However, if you do not see the audio files in the Recycle Bin, that means it has been permanently deleted; you need recovery tools to recover permanently deleted audio files.

2. Use recovery tools

Recovery tools are computer programs that are used to recover permanently deleted files on your Windows PC. We have free and premium recovery tools, which you can use to recover deleted audio files on your Windows PC.

For best results, we recommend using Stellar Data Recovery Professional edition. It can easily identify any audio file type (including other types of files as well) from HDD, SSD, and even USB sticks. It is also amazing that you can use it to recover files from a malfunctioning hard-drive or a lost partition. Must try.

You can also use Recuva, a recovery tool developed by Piriform which is easy to use. The free software has simplified GUI wizard, which makes it easy to search for common file types most especially audio files. However, you can run the program from your Windows PC and from an external storage device e.g. USB drive.

You can also use Recuva to scan your corrupt or formatted hard drive so as to recover deleted audio files. Recuva is compatible with Windows OS (Windows 10, Windows 8 (including Windows 8.1), Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and even Windows Server versions).

Meanwhile, you can download Recuva’s free version at Piriform Download Center. Although, Recuva’s Pro version with extended capabilities is available at a price of $19.95.

Other recovery tools which we recommend for recovering deleted audio files include:

In conclusion, it is advisable that you regularly back up your audio files on an external storage device or upload online on file-sharing tools for Windows.

Some of the recovery tools we mentioned are simple to use and free; others offer extended capabilities at a premium price.

However, you can recover deleted audio files on your PC; by either restoring from Recycle Bin or using data recovery tools.

Do you have any questions? Feel free to ask us by commenting below.

[wl_navigator]

Display not compatible with Windows 10 upgrade [FIXED]

Posted on May 8, 2020October 4, 2023 by Ivan Jenic

With Windows 10 Creators Update, Microsoft tries to cover some missing features while maintaining the overall usability of their latest OS.

The release name is enough to conclude in which direction the company wants to move with the Creators Update.

But, besides that fresh and charming bundle of features, Creators Update has a lot of issues. Even though the release hit the general rollout a week ago, users around the world have already experienced a lot of issues.

Besides standard problems within the system, some users reported an issue that is quite specific and decisive when it comes to the Creators Update installation.

Namely, some of the users received an error that informs them that their display isn’t compatible with the update. Because of that, they were unable to download and install the Creators Update.

Luckily, there are some workarounds you can try out before giving up. So, if you started on the wrong foot with the Creators Update, the list of the solutions below should help you to overcome this issue.

How can I fix Display not compatible update error?

Update GPU drivers

When it comes to main troublemakers in the Windows 10 department, drivers sit undisputed at the throne. Namely, major reasons for the update issues are related to malfunctioning/inadequate drivers.

And you can bet your life that drivers managed to somehow wrap around this Creators Update issue, as well.

What you need to do is to check GPU drivers or alternative Display adapters within Device Manager and take necessary measures. Follow these instructions to troubleshoot your drivers:

Right-click the Start menu and choose the Device Manager from the list.
Move on to Display Adapters.
Under Display Adapters, right-click on your GPU and choose Update driver.
If the updates are available, wait for the completion, restart the PC and check for updates.

Additionally, if the problem is persistent, you should use the manual approach instead of auto-update trough Windows Update. On some occasions, the generic drivers provided by Microsoft won’t suit the system needs.

Moreover, with the official drivers, you can obtain additional software for better control over your GPU. And this is how.

Download appropriate drivers from one of those links depending on your GPU manufacturer:
- AMD
- Nvidia
- Intel
Install drivers and restart the PC.
Try updating to Creators Update again.

Uninstall secondary, mirror drivers

Most of the time, the remote assistance/access tools install additional drivers on your system. Those mirror drivers enable others to access your PC and make changes with your permission. However, those are the best-known culprits for the update error we are addressing today.

So, your best bet to resolve this issue is to get rid of the remote access programs like Team Viewer temporarily, and then clean up the drivers.

Upgrade with the Media Creation T00l

Besides the standard over-the-air update, you can use an alternative way to upgrade to Creators Update. This way is indeed a bit lengthier but you’ll be able to overcome the display compatibility bug and get the latest update.

We’re talking about the Media Creation tool that is easily obtainable from this link. Once you get it, the rest is quite simple and won’t be hard to follow. This is how to perform an update over Media Creation Tool:

Download the Media Creation Tool from this link.
Launch the Media Creation Tool.
Accept the Terms of Agreement.
Choose Upgrade This PC Now and click Next.
After the process is finished, your PC should be updated.

That should do it. In case you have any questions or additional solutions, feel free to share them with us and our readers in the comments section below.

[wl_navigator]

How to Download f.lux on Windows [Microsoft Store]

Posted on May 8, 2020October 4, 2023 by Radu Tyrsina

Windows offers many built-in tools and settings to personalize the user experience. But for features, users rely on third-party apps, given the advanced functioning and simpler UI. And that’s the reason f.lux became a popular download choice in Windows.

The app, though, has an alternative built-in setting in Windows, i.e., Night Light, which remains a favorite amongst users. The app, f.lux, is quick to download, set up, and use. It works on all iterations of the OS, including Windows 7, Windows 10, and Windows 11.

What is F Lux software used for?

In case you don’t know, F.lux is an app that helps you protect your eyes when using a computing device by warming up the display and eliminating blue light, the type of light responsible for strained eyes and other issues with sleep and vision.

It is indeed helpful for the eyes, especially if you’re the type who uses a computer for 5-6 hours daily.

F.lux released its app in the Microsoft Store a while back. Meanwhile, Windows got itself updated with Night Light. Users have a choice.

The easiest one is to use the already built-in Night light settings from Windows. Installing F.lux, however, offers a bit more options and functionality.

How do I download f.lux in Windows?

Open any browser, go to the official page of f.lux on Microsoft Store, and click on Get in Store app.
Click Open Microsoft Store in the prompt that appears.
Click the Get button to download the app.

While it hasn’t been updated in a while, the app still works as intended. If you configure and use f.lux, make sure to disable Night Light. They don’t work together well!

Besides, you can download f.lux from the official website as well though we recommend the Microsoft Store since it will list out any compatibility issues or similar problems.

And once you have downloaded f.lux in Windows 10, all that’s left is to set the time and colors. The app will do the rest!

Before you leave, find out the best Windows apps you must download today for a better OS experience.

For any queries or to share your feedback on f.lux, drop a comment below.

The device is unreachable: error 0x80070141 [FIXED]

Posted on May 8, 2020October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

System errors, such as ERROR_DEVICE_UNREACHABLE, can affect almost any PC. This error usually appears when trying to transfer files from smartphone to your PC.

You can easily recognize this error by its The device is unreachable error message, and today we’re going to show you how to fix it on Windows 10.

How can I fix ERROR_DEVICE_UNREACHABLE error?

Solution 1 – Check your phone settings

According to users, this error message appears when trying to connect your iPhone with a Windows 10 PC.

To fix this problem, users are suggesting checking your phone settings. To do that, navigate to Settings > Photos & Camera section and enable Photo Sharing feature on your phone.

Some users are also recommending turning on both My Photo Stream and iCloud Photo Sharing features in the Photos & Camera section.

After doing that, you should be able to transfer files from your iPhone without any problems.

If you’re looking for an alternative solution to transfer files between your iPhone and the PC, check out this list with the best software that will certainly help you transfer data fast and securely.

Solution 2 – Connect your phone to a USB 2.0 port

If you’re getting The device is unreachable error message while trying to transfer files from your phone, you might want to try using USB 2.0 port instead.

Some older phones might not be fully compatible with USB 3.0, and if that’s the case, you’ll have to transfer your files using USB 2.0 port.

Keep in mind that USB 2.0 is significantly slower, but at least you should be able to transfer your files without any errors. Users reported this problem with iPhone 5S, but it can also appear with any other smartphone.

If your USB 3.0 isn’t working properly or is not recognized by your Windows 10 PC, check out this guide to fix it.

Solution 3 – Copy the files directly to your PC

Users reported this error while trying to copy files from their phone to a NAS drive. As a potential workaround, users are suggesting to copy your files directly to your PC and then move them to NAS.

This process can take longer because you have to move your files twice, but it’s a decent workaround so be sure to try it out.

Solution 4 – Rename files or directories

According to users, they experienced this error while trying to access files using Calibre app. It seems that the problem is the long file path, and you can fix it by changing the file path or renaming the file you’re trying to access.

Windows has a certain limitation in terms of file path length, and if you’re exceeding this limitation you’ll encounter this and many other errors.

To fix the problem, rename your files or move them to a different directory and try to access them again.

Solution 5 – Try a different USB cable

If you’re experiencing this problem, we advise you to try a different USB cable. Sometimes your cable might be damaged and that can cause this and other errors to appear.

To check if your cable is the problem, we strongly recommend you to try using a different cable. In some cases certain devices work best with their default USB cable, so try using the original cable and check if the problem still appears.

If that doesn’t work, you might want to consider purchasing a new USB cable.

Solution 6 – Set your phone to work as a Media Device

Users reported this error message while trying to transfer files from their Android devices. According to them, the issue occurs because their device is set to connect to a PC as a camera.

To fix the problem, you need to navigate to Settings section on your phone and look for Storage option. From there you can choose Connect as a Media Device option for your device.

Keep in mind that these options might be available only if your device is connected to a PC, so be sure to connect it beforehand.

Solution 7 – Reinstall your device

According to users, this error occurs when trying to transfer files from iPhone to Windows 10. As a workaround, users are suggesting reinstalling your device. To do that, follow these simple steps:

Make sure that your phone is connected to your PC.
Press Windows Key + X and choose Device Manager from the menu.
When Device Manager opens, click on Scan for hardware changes icon. You might have to repeat this step a few times before your iPhone is listed in Device Manager. In addition, you might want to try uninstalling your iPhone from Device Manager and scanning for hardware changes.
Optional: Make sure that iTunes is updated to the latest version.
Restart your PC and reconnect your phone.
Make sure to set this PC as trusted device once you connect your phone.

Now you should be able to transfer files without any problems. If this error appears again, you might want to try reconnecting your iPhone to your PC.

If that doesn’t work, you should try repeating this solution. As you can see, this is a temporary solution, so you might have to repeat it if the error occurs again.

Solution 8 – Use PhotoSync app

If you’re constantly getting this error message while trying to transfer files from your phone, you might want to try using the PhotoSync app. This is a simple application that allows you to transfer files from your phone to PC by using a Wi-Fi connection.

Keep in mind that this is just a workaround and that transferring files via Wi-Fi is significantly slower than transferring them over a USB connection.

Solution 9 – Try connecting your phone to a different USB port

Users reported this error message while transferring files from their iPhones. According to users, one potential workaround requires you to disconnect your iPhone and connect it to a different USB port.

To do that, disconnect another USB device and connect your iPhone to its port. After doing that, the issue should be resolved. This is an unusual solution, but it works according to users, so be sure to try it out.

We have to mention that this is just a workaround, so you’ll have to repeat it if the error occurs again.

Solution 10 – Copy files one by one

According to users, this problem only appears when trying to copy multiple files at once. However, you should be able to avoid this error by copying files one by one.

This is just a workaround and it’s useful if you want to copy just a couple of files. However, if you need to copy dozens of files, you might want to consider using a different solution.

If copy-paste doesn’t work on your Windows 10 PC, you may want to take a look at this article that will help you solve the problem.

The device is unreachable error can prevent you from transferring files from your smartphone to a PC. This isn’t a serious error, and you should be able to fix it by using one of our solutions.

If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below.

Windows 10/11 is no longer supported on this PC [FIXED]

Posted on May 8, 2020October 4, 2023 by Ivan Jenic

Windows 10 Creators Update has the potential to become the most controversial and revolutionary update for Windows 10 so far.

Even before the update was officially released, it was clear that Microsoft plans to shift the course and motivate its users to consider changes in their hardware department.

In order to keep up with the latest trends.

First, it’s clear that the Creators Update is aimed at touch-enabled devices, with all the new 3D and design features.

Therefore, it also promotes Microsoft’s touchscreen devices like the Surface Book or Surface Pro 4 to users of regular PCs and laptops. But that’s a discussion for another time.

What we’re going to talk about here is the issue that still prevents the Creators Update from installing on some computers. Almost four months after its official release.

That problem is the error message Windows 10 is no longer supported on this PC. Uninstall this app now because it isn’t compatible with Windows 10.

This issue hit the Windows 10 world by storm these days, as everyone seems to be talking about it lately.

If you’re unfortunate enough to be affected by this problem, keep reading this article to find out what’s going on. If you’re not affected by this problem, keep reading this article to find out what’s going on.

What does it mean?

Long story short, the Creators Update doesn’t support Intel Clover Trail processors. So, if your computer is powered by one of the processors from this series, unfortunately, you won’t be getting new updates for Windows 10.

The error message is a bit confusing. It tells you to uninstall this app, but there’s no app at all. It’s the hardware problem solely, as Microsoft already cut support for Clover Trail-based computers.

Although everyone is shocked by this error code, it should come as no surprise, as Microsoft announced that the Creators Update won’t support processors from this series earlier this year.

It just seems that nobody actually paid attention to the statement, until now.

Here’s the complete list of now-unsupported Intel Clover Trail processors:

Atom Z2760
Atom Z2520
Atom Z2560
Atom Z2580

However, Microsoft isn’t the only side to blame in this dispute. Namely, all of the above-mentioned processors are already on Intel’s End of Interactive Support list.

This means the manufacturer won’t be releasing any driver or firmware updates for these CPUs in the future.

Windows 10 processor — image source: ZDNet

Microsoft’s philosophy here is obvious. The company simply doesn’t want its latest software to run on hardware unsupported by manufacturers.

Redmond even promised it will try to find a solution that satisfies everyone, by working with Intel on potential updates.

But as we lack more details on this matter, it all seems unlikely now.

Will you keep getting security updates?

It had been previously known that Microsoft will support Windows 10 version 1607 (Anniversary Update) until the first quarter of 2018. That implemented a sort of panic into heads of users of income devices.

However, Microsoft recently announced it will extend support for Windows 10 version 1607 until 2023.

That means you’ll be able to receive all security patches and updates, just like users of other Windows 10 versions. You just won’t be receiving any new features for the system, that will come with the future major updates.

If you ask me, that’s enough time for you to upgrade your configuration or get a new computer.

Whether you like it or not, using an Intel Clover Trail computer in 2023 will probably be impossible, because all the apps, programs, and services will probably require a stronger configuration.

What can you do about it?

The most straightforward answer would be to upgrade your configuration or get a new one. As I already mentioned above, you have no other choice. And if you don’t feel like upgrading now, you have three more years to do so. First of all, security will become an issue.

We live in a dangerous era for our online security, and the last thing you want is having a completely unprotected computer. And another problem is, of course, possible incompatibility with apps and services.

Unfortunately, there’s no way to install Windows 10 Creators Update on Intel Clover Trail-powered computers right now. Once again, Microsoft said it will look for the compatibility solution, but we can confirm none of that right now.

So, if that does happen, and Microsoft and Intel find a way to deliver you the Creators Update, you should get it through Windows Update automatically. At the end of the day, all you really can do is wait.

Will the problem affect computers in the future?

All of this gives us a strong reason to believe that the same scenario will repeat with other hardware in the future.

We already know that Microsoft isn’t a fan of old hardware, so as soon as a manufacturer stops supporting a certain piece of hardware, we should expect Microsoft to react quickly, and remove Windows 10 support for computers powered by that hardware.

Perhaps the best way to track if your hardware is still eligible for future Windows 10 major updates is to be on the lookout for how long will a manufacturer support your current CPU.

What do you think about Microsoft’s strategy of not supporting older hardware? Is your computer at risk of not receiving future updates? Let us know in the comments below.

When did Windows 11 come out?

It didn’t and we still don’t have any information on when a new Windows OS will be launched. Until then, Microsoft has promised major updates every 6 months.

Can you install Windows 10 on old computer?

It doesn’t really matter how old is your computer as long as it has the minimum requirements to run Windows 10. If you’re looking for a new computer but you’re low on budget, look at our list with cheapest Windows 10 laptops.

[wl_navigator]

Microsoft video shows you everything that’s new with Surface Book 3

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft Mechanics released a new video this week showing you everything you wanted to know about Surface Book 3, and it shows you that this is one powerful machine. Available for preorder now, the new Surface Book 3 is designed to give users the most power in any Surface device along with the flexibility and versatility that comes along with the Book 3’s unique detachable design.

The video wants you to know that this machine is for professionals. It’s fast, powerful and in its most powerful configurations can support complex 3D designs, produce graphical content with real-time ray tracing and advanced shading, and even run GPU-intensive machine learning and AI workloads locally on the device. Surface Book 3 has options for discreet GPUs with Nvidia GeForce or more powerful Nvidia Quadro GPUs for businesses that require specific certifications for professional-grade apps.

Like most laptops being released today, the new Surface Book 3 uses Intel’s newest 10th generation Core i5 or Core i7 processors along with options to choose up to a whopping 32 gigabytes of RAM. Of course, processors and RAM aren’t the only hardware changes as the Surface Book 3. The Book 3 now includes a new USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 port and an updated Surface port that supports 120-watt power delivery. With the new Surface port, users can now connect 2x4K displays using the new Surface Dock. You also get faster SSD drives, a new TPM 2.0 security chip for enterprise security, as well as Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.

Whether you choose the 13-inch or 15-inch model, both sizes include the Surface Book’s familiar hinge and detachable display that now uses an improved detachable mechanism that is up to 2 times faster compared to previous models. The video does point out that the detachable tablet also includes Intel’s Iris Plus graphics and houses a color-calibrated 3000 by 2000 pixel display for the 13-inch model and 3240 by 2160 pixel resolution for the 15-inch model.

The new Surface Book 3 wasn’t the only new Surface device unveiled this week. Be sure to check out our post about the Surface Go 2 and let us know if you consider either one of these devices.

FIX: Sling TV error 8-4612 & error 5-419

Posted on May 7, 2020October 4, 2023 by Loredana Harsana

Sling TV is an obvious choice when you put a high price on channel flexibility and reliable streams. However, Sling TV errors such as 8-4612 and 5-419 are nothing out of the ordinary.

They can make you question your decision to replace your cable subscription with this video streaming service.

Many users complain about the fact that they cannot connect to Sling over Wi-Fi. The Sling TV error 8-4612 that they are seeing often points to an Internet issue.

Others get a 5-419 error instead and no channel will load. One case or another, don’t let these problems pile up and change your otherwise pleasant Sling TV experience.

Here are the suggested steps you should follow in order to solve Sling TV 8-4612 and 5-419 errors.

How can I fix Sling TV error 8-4612 & error 5-419?

1. Make sure that Sling TV is not down

Don’t imagine the worst when a simple Sling outage may lead to 8-4612 and 5-419 errors. Verify if that’s your case too.

2. Restart Sling TV

Play by the book and continue with an easy troubleshooting tip that works most of the time. Even if Sling is not down, occasional streaming issues do happen.

All you need to do is to close out of the Sling app and then relaunch it. This should make any temporary streaming hiccups go away.

3. Force stop Sling TV app processes

Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc keyboard shortcut to open the Task Manager.
A list of all running applications and background processes on your system are found in the Processes tab. While there, select the Sling TV app process.
Click on End Task next.
Relaunch the app and see if the error is still there or if you can go back to your action and adventure plans.

The above steps may be applied on your Windows 10 PC. However, the procedure slightly varies if you are enjoying Android TV.

You basically need to open Settings, select Apps, then the Sling TV app. Press the Force Stop button, then launch the app back.

When it comes to Apple TV, press the Home button on your remote. Scroll through the app and swipe up when you see Sling TV.

Finally, return to the home screen and relaunch the app.

Can’t open Task Manager? Don’t worry, we’ve got the right solution for you.

4. Check your Internet connection when getting Sling TV error 8-4612

If available, try using a wired Internet connection and see if things are any better. Anyway, if only wireless is available, try connecting to a different Wi-Fi network.

The Internet speed is also essential if you want to properly enjoy that great selection of Sling TV channels. You need to get streams of over 1.0 Mbps, so a quick test will give you the answers you’re looking for.

You should better use the best tools to test Internet speed if you want accurate results.

5. Reload channels when getting Sling TV error 5-419

Check if you get the Sling TV error 5-419 on every single channel. If not, a trick that has been confirmed to work is to remove the channels in question, reboot your Internet router and reload the channels.

Are things any better now? If you know any other solutions, feel free to share them with us in the comments area below.

[wl_navigator]

Inside Xbox recap: Did Microsoft over-promise and under deliver?

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft just wrapped up its much-anticipated Inside Xbox livestream, which was a bit shorter than an hour. Overall, Microsoft showed a lot of unannounced games shipping on Xbox Series X, but Xbox fans looking to see real gameplay footage may have been a bit disappointed, to say the least.

Indeed, most of what we’ve seen during today’s livestream was cinematic trailers, not live demos of Xbox Series X games. Microsoft’s promise of first “Xbox Series X gameplay reveal” was a bit ambiguous, but Xbox fans probably expected more than cutscenes captured in-engine.

The Game Awards creator Geoff Keighley took the temperature with a Twitter poll, and as of this writing 44.6% of respondents gave the show a “D or Lower” grade. Twitter user Arun-1910 seems to have captured the global sentiment: “A lot of what was shown didn’t look next gen or was just cinematics/cutscenes.”

It was awful. A lot of what was shown didn't look next gen or was just cinematics/cutscenes. What the hell was that Assassin's Creed "Gameplay". It was cinematics/cutscenes or CGI.

— BROWN SUGAR XOXO (@Arun_1910) May 7, 2020

Well, to be fair, the livestream started really well with a trailer for Bright Memory Infinite, a brand new futuristic FPS from FYQD-Studio in China. This is definitely the type of photorealistic graphics we expect from next-gen games, and this title in particular looks like Titanfall 2 on steroids.

This is one of the few “real” gameplay trailers we saw today, and you can watch it below:

Microsoft also showed today an interesting trailer for the upcoming racing Dirt 5, which also had some extra time at the end of the stream with an interview with Development Director Robert Karp. Dirt 5 will feature various environments with changing weather, which are visible in the trailer below. Again, this is a cinematic trailer captured in-engine, with no real gameplay footage.

Interestingly, Dirt 5 will support four-player split-screen, something that has become really rare on console games. Moreover, the game’s Development Director mentioned that the Xbox Series X version of the game will allow players to choose between 4K/60FPS or 120FPS at a probably lower resolution.

Second Extinction is another impressive-looking game that was announced today. The 3 player co-op FPS will let you fight off mutated dinosaurs, and the trailer was one of the few featuring real gameplay footage

Ubisoft’s much-anticipated Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla also had its “World premiere of gameplay debut” today, but again, what we got was a cinematic trailer with “footage representative of expected Xbox Series X gameplay.” It was pretty disappointing, and you can watch it for yourself below:

Microsoft showed many other games today, but some of them didn’t really look like next-gen games, such as the top-down Action RPG The Ascent. We understand that Microsoft didn’t want to focus exclusively on AAA developers today, but gamers were probably expecting the contrary: ambitious, photorealistic games that really show what next-gen consoles can deliver.

Microsoft highlighted today that the biggest developers are already working on Xbox Series X games, and we should expect “hundreds” of new titles optimized for the new console in 2021

When you're throwing a next-gen party and EVERYONE is coming. ???? pic.twitter.com/Ygm6bYrUFM

— Stein (@steinekin) May 7, 2020

We have no doubt that Xbox Series X games are going to look better than ever, but overall, it seems that Microsoft probably over-promised and under-delivered today. There was a segment about Madden NFL 21 with no gameplay footage, and gamers were probably expecting to see previously-announced games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Watch Dogs: Legion today, but that didn’t happen. But again, what was really disappointing is the lack of more real Xbox Series X gameplay footage, despite Microsoft teasing it repeatedly ahead of the event.

Unfortunately, Microsoft set today a pretty low-bar for all the upcoming digital events planned for this spring and summer, and it will be interesting to see if Sony does thing differently with its PlayStation 5 reveal. We hope the Xbox 20/20 July update that will focus on Xbox Game Studios titles will be more interesting, but Microsoft really needs to listen to Xbox fans: less trailers, more live gameplay, please?

4 best preamplifier software plugins

Posted on May 7, 2020October 4, 2023 by Madalina Dinita

The best preamplifier software solutions help individuals boost the low level signals of a device to the baseline level of your recording equipment. For example, you can amplify the gain of your microphone signal.

However, you shouldn’t confuse preamplifier software with hardware. A software solution isn’t as powerful as physical gear, so you shouldn’t expect great results using this method. Nevertheless, you can experiment with some interesting dedicated plugins.

Before proceeding, you should know that a preamplifier (preamp, the hardware term) is a type of amplifier that increases the volume of very weak signals before applying gain.

It’s useful for producing a powerful output signal with high gain from low noise and distortion, which can be further processed or forwarded to an amplifier and loudspeaker. For example, you can amplify your voice.

In this article, we listed 4 preamplifier software tools that you can experiment with on your Windows PC to get the best possible sound out of your microphone.

What are the best preamplifier software plugins to grab?

Waves Scheps 73

Waves Scheps 73 is a preamplifier software plugin for microphones, which can be used for recording, mixing or mastering music. With mono and stereo preamp components as well as a three-band equalizer, it was modeled after the classic 1073 preamp and its original specifications.

To be more precise, it comes with a fixed high-frequency band of 12kHz and a high-pass filter of 18dB/octave. Furthermore, you can toggle low and mid-range bands with cut and boost controls.

A mid-range band of 10kHz was identified in the 1073 preamp’s design, but it could only be used on the channel strip of the 1078 successor until it was successfully integrated into this plugin.

Get Waves Scheps 73

To resemble the original preamp, Waves Scheps 73 features authentic saturation and harmonic distortion, ranging from pleasant warmth to heavy drive.

And, to closely examine the audio processing source, you can take advantage of an advanced monitor for the left, right, mono, and stereo channels.

Plus, you can apply various equalization settings to the middle and side stereo content. It’s all thanks to Waves MS Matrix, a plugin that can create MS output from left-right input, or the other way around.

Neve Preamp

Neve Preamp is also a preamplifier software plugin modeled after the original 1073 preamp, simulating its characteristics and equalization settings. It’s available for all users who wish to record, mix or master a clean and warm sound through an UA Audio Interface.

Delivered in a simple graphical interface with two knobs, the plugin gives you the possibility to control the preamp through a red knob and the output through a grey one. To toggle microphone and line input mode, you just have to flip a switch.

Get Neve Preamp

Recordings can be made with low DSP usage, which means that you can create classic Neve consoles from any DAWs. The plugin may also be used by those who own UAD-2 hardware and wish to mix music and customize equalization options for tone shaping.

Neve Preamp promises to bring the original sound, grit, and behavior of the 1073 preamplifier. It emphasizes your music with saturation and elaborate non-linear circuit behaviors, whether you’re processing acoustic guitar, vocals, drums, bass, or synths.

IK Multimedia EQ73

The 1073 preamp was so popular and heavily used throughout music recording history, that it was incorporated into many preamplifier software plugins, including IK Multimedia EQ73. It faithfully reproduces the sound, clarity and warmth of the classical 1073 preamp.

The plugin proposes a DAW software solution by emulating all the 1073’s original features, including equalization curves, tone shaping, saturation, grit, distortion, circuit designs, gain stages, preamp behavior, as well as interaction between the preamplifer and equalizer.

Get IK Multimedia EQ73

The equalizer of the IK Multimedia EQ73 comes with three bands to breathe life into any type of tracks, like high-end air or low-end punch. It works with any audio source and type, such as guitars, vocals, snares, overheads, kicks, and bass.

The plugin supports up to 192kHz sampling rates, full-latency compensation, and high-quality oversampling. It’s compatible with the T-RackS CS standalone software program and can be integrated with a VST 2, VST 3 or AAC host.

Acustica Audio GOLD3

Acustica Audio GOLD3 is a preamplifier software suite with rich features. It comes with 6 distinct equalizers, 7 preamplifiers, 2 compressors, and enhanced routing control. The components of the package can be used as separate plugin processors.

The standalone module with preamps is called GOLD3 PRE and includes a total of 52 preamplifiers.

Based on a wide range of rare preamplifier hardware equipment, the preamp plugins enrich your sound with vintage warmth brought by the harmonic distortion and frequency/phase response of the associated circuits.

Get Acustica Audio GOLD3

The first audio processing task of GOLD3 PRE involves the input preamp. There are three mutually exclusive preamplifiers available for the line, mic and bus, along with an option to switch it off.

This processing stage is followed by output preamps and controls. Each plugin included in the Acustica Audio GOLD3 package has a zero latency version (called “ZL”) which can be enabled during tracking.

Conclusion on the best preamplifier software

Although the power of a piece of equipment can’t be matched by a software solution, you can experiment with the preamplifier software plugins on the list to find the vintage and warm sound you’re looking for.

Therefore, you should check out the plugins on this list when it comes to Waves Scheps 73, Neve Preamp, IK Multimedia EQ73, and Acustica Audio GOLD3.

[wl_navigator]

How to sign up and preview Microsoft’s new Family Safety App on iOS and Android

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Radu Tyrsina

In this article

Toggle

When Microsoft introduced the rebranded Microsoft 365 subscriptions a few months ago, it also announced a new app known as Family Safety. Designed to help parents and adults track their children and keep them safe, the company promised a preview would be coming soon. Now, that time is approaching so here’s how you can sign up and preview the app once it becomes available.

What are some features of Family Safety?

Before getting into anything, we’ll just explain some things the app can do for you once you successfully sign up for the preview. The biggest feature of the app is content filters, you’ll be able to create a safe space for your kids to explore online, and set web and search filters on Microsoft Edge. You’ll also have the chance to set screen time limits on apps and games. There’s even activity reporting, as well as location awareness to help you track the location of where your family members are heading.

Step 1: Create a family group

Before you’re able to sign up for downloading the app, you’ll have to create a family group under a Microsoft Account. You can do that by clicking here, and selecting Create a family group. Once you do that, they’ll be a couple of prompts to follow, where you can input the phone numbers and emails of anyone you want to join the group. This process shouldn’t take long, and the person who you’re sending the invite to the family group will need to have a Microsoft Account. If they don’t have one, you can create one for them here.

Step 2: Fill out a preview form

Family group created, you can now sign up for the preview of the Family Safety app. To do this, you’ll want to click this link here. You should only fill out the form once. Acknowledge that you created a family group, and then provide your family and device information such as email, and type of phone and the number of members you want to use the app. When done, you’ll have to click Submit. Microsoft will then reserve a spot for you and the members of your family, so make sure you got the emails correct.

Step 3: Wait!

With the form filled out, you’ll have to wait a bit for Microsoft to email you with the invite and links to download the app. The company says that there are a few restrictions, so not everyone might get an invite. The preview is currently limited to 10,000 users on iOS and 10,000 users on Android. It also isn’t available in China, Japan, countries and regions with right to left written languages, and U.S. embargoed countries and territories. If you and your family get selected, each member of the family will get an email with instructions to download the preview. Invites are sent on a rolling basis, so not everyone might get their invites right away.

Send feedback when you download

If you get selected and are able to download the app, it’s important that you give your feedback to Microsoft. As part of previewing the app, the company requests that you give your feedback on how it is working for you. If you encounter a bug or other issue, you can shake your device, or tap Menu, and then Help & Feedback.

CCleaner Problems With Windows 10: Best Ways to Fix Them

Posted on May 7, 2020October 4, 2023 by Madalina Dinita

CCleaner is one of the most popular tools for cleaning and optimizing your Windows computer. Unfortunately, quite a number of users are facing some CCleaner problems with Windows 10.

In this article, we’ll list the most common CCleaner issues you may encounter on your PC, as well as the corresponding workarounds to help you get the tool up and running again.

Is CCleaner OK for Windows 10?

Inevitably, a lot of dead weight accumulates on your computer: temporary files, broken shortcuts, corrupt files, and other problems.

Hence, it would be best to have a top PC cleaner in CCleaner to keep your Windows 10 device clean and prevent technical issues. This not only prevents problems but also creates valuable spaces for other activities.

How can I fix CCleaner problems with Windows 10?

1. CCleaner not opening

1.1. Disable antivirus and firewall

Press the Windows key, type windows defender, and select the Windows Defender Firewall option.
Find and click Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off on the left pane.
In the Customize Settings window, select the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) radio buttons for both the Private and Public network settings.
Click OK to disable Windows Firewall.
Next, press the Windows key, type virus, and select Virus & threat protection.
Click the Manage settings link.
Finally, toggle the switch under Real-time protection backward to disable it.

If CCleaner is not opening on your computer, disable your antivirus and firewall. If you have a third-party antivirus, you can turn it off by right-clicking the icon on the taskbar and selecting Disable.

1.2. Remove CCleaner entries from your registry

Press the Windows key + R, type regedit, and click OK.
Navigate to the path below in the left pane: HKEY_LOCALMACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\
Now, right-click the CCleaner key and select Delete.

Sometimes, you might be dealing with the CCleaner not opening problems on your Windows 10 PC because of leftover CCleaner files in your registry.

2. CCleaner will not uninstall

2.1. End CCleaner process Task Manager

Press the Windows key + X and select Task Manager.
Right-click all CCleaner processes.
Now, select End task.
Finally, try uninstalling the app again.

2.2. Use its uninstaller.exe

Press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
Navigate to either C:\Programs files or C:\Program files(x86).
Now, open the CCleaner installation folder and locate uninstall.exe or uninst000.exe.
Finally, run the file and follow the instructions.

Some users have been having problems trying to uninstall the CCleaner on Windows 10. With the two solutions above, you can remove the app easily.

3. CCleaner is not responding

3.1. Run the app as an admin

Right-click the CCleaner icon.
Select the Run as administrator.
Finally, check if the app works well.

3.2. Disable antivirus temporarily

Another solution, if you are dealing with CCleaner not responding problems, is to disable your antivirus and firewall temporarily. We have shown how to do this in solution 1.

4. CCleaner is not working

Right-click the CCleaner icon and select Properties.
Click the Security tab at the top.
Now, click the Edit button.
Check the box before Full Control under the Allow section.
Finally, click the OK button.

In some cases, CCleaner might not work correctly if it does not have the necessary permissions. The solution is to grant it complete control and restart the app.

If this does not work, you can temporarily disable your antivirus and firewall.

5. CCleaner keeps starting with Windows

5.1. Disable from within the app

Launch CCleaner and click Options in the left pane.
Now, select Settings.
Finally, uncheck the box for Run CCleaner when computer starts.

CCleaner has a built-in option that allows it to start with your PC. It would be best if you disabled this option to stop it from doing so.

5.2. Stop it from Settings

Press the Windows key + I and select the Apps option.
Click Startup in the left pane.
Now, toggle the switch for CCleaner backward to disable it.

If CCleaner keeps starting with Windows 10, it is because it is part of your startup apps. The solution to this is to remove it from there.

That’s for the common CCleaner problems on Windows 10 and their fixes. Most of these solutions work interchangeably for other issues. So, you can always try them.

Similarly, if CCleaner won’t install on your PC, check our detailed guide to fix it quickly.

Feel free to let us know the solution that helped you solve the problem in the comments below.

Windows Media Player cannot find the file [TECHNICIAN FIX]

Posted on May 7, 2020October 4, 2023 by Madalina Dinita

Windows Media Player cannot find the file is an error message that some Windows 10 users reported encountering.

Apparently, this error message pops up, especially while trying to burn a CD, although it might happen when users try and play a media file.

After inserting a CD into the CD-ROM, Windows Media Player does not allow the user to go through with the process.

Here’s how one user described the error on the Microsoft Answers forum.

When I insert a CD into my drive I get the following message: Windows Media Player cannot find the file. If you are trying to play, burn, or sync an item that is in your library, the item might point to a file that has been moved, renamed, or deleted.

In order to fix this issue, you should follow the steps we provided below.

Why Windows Media Player can’t find the file when burning music?

1. Perform a file format check

Open the Control Panel > select View by Large Icons.
Click Administrative Tools.PC soft
Open Services.
Find Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service, right-click on it and select Stop.
Open the following location C:Users your username AppDataLocalMicrosoftMedia Player.
Find these files: CurrentDatabase_***.wmdb and LocalMLS_*.wmdb and delete them.
Go back to the Services window > right click on Windows Media Player Network Sharing Service and select Start.
Open the Windows Media Player and see if this made any change.

Looking for the best free software to burn your music files and finally ditch WMP? Here are the best options.

2. Check the music location

Press the Organize button located in the top left corner and select Options.
Open the Rip Music tab > under the Rip music to this location section you will find where your ripped music is stored.
If there is no valid location to rip the music, click Change, and select a valid location.

If this doesn’t work you’ll need to include a folder manually. To do so, follow these steps:

Open This PC.
In the left pane, right-click Music > select Proprieties.
Open the Location tab > click Move.
Select the folder where you store your music and then apply changes.
Open Windows Media Player and see if you can now rip your CD.

We hope that you found our quick guide on fixing the Windows Media Player error helpful. If you liked this article, leave a comment in the comment section below.

Why my Windows Media Player is not working properly?

Try to close the process from Task Manager and open the program again.

How do I fix corrupted files?

If you have reasons to believe that you have corrupted files, you will need to run an SFC scan. If you don’t know how to do that, read our System File Checker guide.

[wl_navigator]

FIX: Hulu keeps buffering, freezing and crashing

Posted on May 7, 2020October 23, 2024 by Matthew Adams

Hulu is one of the best alternatives to Netflix for online movies. Yet, like any streaming service, Hulu’s video playback can buff (or freeze) intermittently for some users.

Videos can become unwatchable when they keep on buffering with regularity. If you need to fix Hulu video buffering, check out some of these potential resolutions for Hulu buffering.

This is how you can fix Hulu video buffering in Windows

1. Power cycle the router

First, try power cycling your router when a Hulu video buffs. Turn off your desktop or laptop. Power off and unplug the router. Wait a few minutes before plugging the router back in and turning it on.

Then turn on your Windows PC again.

2. Clear brower cache data

Corrupted browser data can generate Hulu playback issues within browser software.

To clear Chrome’s cache data, click the Customize and control Google Chrome button.
Press the Ctrl + Shift + Del keyboard shortcut to open the Clear browsing data options shown directly below.
Select All time on the Time range drop-down menu.
Click the Cached images and files option there to select it.
Select the Cookies and other site data option.
Click the Clear data button.

3. Reinstall the Hulu app

If you’re utilizing the Hulu UWP app, trying reinstalling it to ensure its update.

Click Windows 10’s Type here to search button to open that utility.
Input apps in the search box.
Select Apps & features to open Settings as in the shot directly below.
Select the Hulu app listed there, and click the Uninstall button for it.
Restart Windows before you reinstall Hulu.
Then click Get on the Hulu’s MS Store page to install the latest version of that app.

4. Disable VPN

VPN connections can generate laggy video playback.

To disable VPN, right-click the Start button and select Run (or press the Windows key + R hotkey).
Type ncpa.cpl in the Open box, and click the OK option.
Next, right-click your VPN connection to select Disable.

5. Give your internet connection a boost

Hulu buffering can often be due to a slow internet connection. To check your net speed, open the fast.com page. That page will tell you what your connection’s speed is as in the snapshot below.

The minimum recommended internet speed for Hulu is 3.0 Mbps and 8.0 Mbps for its live streams. If your net speed is below 3.0 Mbps, try to give it a boost.

To do that, turn off any other devices you might have connected to internet, such as mobiles and consoles. Close superfluous background software in Windows with Task Manager.

If you have an Ethernet cable, connect your PC to router with that cable for an Ethernet connection.

6. Update Windows and browser software

Keep your system and browser software as update as possible to ensure compatibility with the latest Hulu services.

To check for Chrome updates, click the Customize and control Google Chrome button in that browser.
Click the Help submenu.
Select the About Google Chrome to check for updates. The browser will automatically update if it’s not the latest version.
Then restart Google Chrome after the update.
To update Windows 10 to the latest build, open the search utility.
Input the keyword updates in the Type here to search box.
Click Check for updates to open the Settings tab as shown directly below.
You can click Check for updates to download any available patch updates.
If there’s a new build update available, click Download and install to upgrade to the latest Windows 10 version.

Those are some of the ways you can feasibly fix, or at least reduce, Hulu video buffering. Then Hulu video playback will be somewhat smoother with less buffering.

However, the best way to eradicate Hulu buffering is to invest in high-speed Wi-Fi if your current connection isn’t a fast one. This can save you from this and other connection errors.

Hence, if Hulu still does not respond, we suggest checking out the Disney+ streaming platform, which provides high-quality videos on a wide range of TV shows, originals, movies from Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, Disney, National Geographic.

The streaming platform will automatically adapt to the device in use and the internet connection speed, delivering the best way to enjoy watching beyond failures.

⇒Get Disney+ now

[wl_navigator]

Error 0x800710d2 on Windows 10/11: Here’s how to fix it

Posted on May 7, 2020October 4, 2023 by Madalina Dinita

Errors in Windows 10 aren’t uncommon. Occasional system crashes, BSoDs, system slowdowns, and update problems are only a few among the many problems a Windows 10 user may have to deal with.

In this long list of Windows 10 problems, one of the less common problems is the error code 0x800710d2.

You may come across error code 0x800710d2 if you’re using a PIN password to log into your Windows account. Normally, this error shows up when trying to boot the system or wake it up from Sleep mode.

But it may also show up when trying to do something else, such as trying to create a provisioning package. The reason this error shows up is because of failure in the transmission of resource data.

The natural solution here, or so it would seem, would be to remove the PIN code and use regular passwords instead. However, there are many benefits to using PIN codes.

Not only are PIN codes easier to remember and log in with (because they are only 4 digits long), supplementing your Windows account password with a PIN code is also considered to be a great security measure to prevent unauthorized access to your account.

The solution? Restart the system, login with your password, and reset the PIN code. That’s the short version. Here’s a detailed step by step guide on how to do that:

Press the Windows key and in the search bar, type Control Panel. Select and open Control Panel,
Navigate to Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings,
Look for Put the computer to sleep option and expand the drop-down menu on its right,
Select Never and hit Save changes to confirm the change.

Normally, disabling the sleep mode will help resolve the issue altogether. But it is wise to reset the PIN code too.

Press the Windows key and in the search bar, type Settings. Select and open Settings,
Navigate to Settings > Accounts > Sign-in options,
Look for the PIN tab and select Remove to remove the current PIN password,
You will have to confirm this decision by entering your regular password in the confirmation window. Once you’re done, hit OK to finish the process.
To add a new PIN code, click on the Add button in the PIN section,
Enter a new PIN code (twice) and press OK to set it up,
Once you’re through, your PIN password will have been reset.

What is my windows pin?

On the log screen in Windows, click your username and hit the I forgot my password text under the field. If you use a PIN to sign in, you can reset your PIN instead.

[wl_navigator]

Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath (with RoboCop!) is now live on Microsoft’s Xbox One consoles

Posted on May 7, 2020 by Radu Tyrsina

The first-ever major expansion for a Mortal Kombat video game, Aftermath, is now live for Mortal Kombat 11 owners on Xbox One.

This downloadable content (DLC) contains a new story, three skin packs, and three new characters including Sheeva, Fujin and the classic RoboCop voiced by the actor who played him in the original film, Peter Weller.

Those who already own the main game can buy the Aftermath content by itself while a new Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath Kollection is also now available for those wanting to buy the main game, the Aftermath DLC, and the other previously released DLC all in one package.

Are you excited for this Aftermath content? Let us know what excites you the most in the comments below and then follow us on Pinterest and Twitter for more Xbox gaming content.

Download
QR-Code

Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath

Developer:
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Price:
Free

Download
QR-Code

Mortal Kombat 11: Aftermath Kollection

Developer:
Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

Price:
Free

How to Retrieve Files From a Damaged Windows Laptop

Posted on May 7, 2020October 4, 2023 by Ivan Jenic

Let’s assume that your laptop broke down, but you want to recover your personal files from it. In this tutorial we will show you how to recover your files from a broken laptop, assuming that your hard drive is still working.

You can use this guide to recover your files if your laptop won’t turn on, or if your display is damaged, but we have to mention that this guide won’t help you recover your files if your hard drive isn’t working. Before we start, you’ll need an external USB enclosure for 2.5″ hard drives.

How to recover files from a broken laptop

Install Stellar Data Recovery Professional
Remove your hard drive
Buy an external USB enclosure
Install your HDD
Connect your HDD to a functional PC
FIX: Access is denied to external hard drive

STEP 1: Install Stellar Data Recovery Professional

Stellar Data Recovery software is a great tool that help you restore photos, videos and files that you accidentally deleted. It can even help you restore files from a lost Windows partition!

If your laptop can still be turned on and used, it’s the fastest way. Install the software, choose the location and then move all your recovered files on an external drive.

If that laptop is unusable, download and install this software on a different device, follow the next steps in this article to connect your old drive to your new device and run Stellar Data Recovery on the old drive to recover anything that you need.

It runs on Windows 10 as well as older versions of Windows and has very little system requirements (minim 2GB RAM, 250MB of disk space and a Pentium process are listed).

This means you can use almost any device, new or old, to recover data from the broken laptop.

Of course, you can use the software for even more things such as: recover emails from .PST files (Microsoft Outlook), recover files from other media such as SSD, USB sticks, CD/DVD or other optical media.

Download Stellar Data Recovery Professional here

STEP 2: Remove your hard drive

Firstly, you’ll need to remove the hard drive from the laptop. If the hard drive has mounting brackets or caddy you’ll have to separate them from the hard drive. As for the hard drive type, most laptops use 2.5” hard drives, and they can be IDE or SATA hard drives. We’ll show you the difference between the two in the following pictures.

2.5″ IDE HARD DRIVE

The IDE hard drive connector has two rows of pins.

2.5″ SATA HARD DRIVE

The SATA hard drive has two flat connectors. One of these connectors is used for data and one for power.

We also have to mention that same type of connectors are used in 3.5″ SATA desktop hard drives which means that you can connect a 2.5″ hard drive from your laptop directly to a desktop PC using same cables.

RELATED: How to fix corrupt files after using file recovery options

STEP 3: Buy an external USB enclosure

If you don’t have external USB enclosure for 2.5″ hard drive, you’ll have to purchase one, just keep in mind that your purchase IDE or SATA enclosure depending on the type of your hard drive, since IDE enclosures aren’t compatible with SATA hard drives and vice versa.

We recommend NexStar brand but any other brand should work too. For IDE hard drives you can use NexStar 2.5″ IDE HDD enclosure. For SATA hard drives you can use NexStar 2.5″ SATA HDD enclosure.

STEP 4: Install your HDD

Install your IDE or SATA hard drive into the enclosure.

STEP 5: Connect your HDD to a functional PC

Now you can connect your hard drive enclosure with a working PC via USB. After connecting hard drive enclosure with your PC, it should be detected by the computer automatically and the external hard drive will appear in My Computer/This PC.

Now you can access it, and save any files you need from your laptop. We have to mention that Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 keep user files in different locations, so here are few tips how to find them.

In Windows XP, you’ll find user files using the following path:

```
C:Documents and SettingsUser Account
```

In Windows Vista and Windows 7 you’ll find user files using the following path:

```
C:UsersUser Account
```

Remember, C: is the main system drive, but the external hard drive will have a different letter, but the path to user files will remain the same.

Sometimes, you may also need a file recovery program as you may not have access to all the files stored on the hard drive. If you’re in this situation, remember our recommendation in Step 1. You can also check out this list of the best file recovery software to use on your computer. Obviously, if you can immediately access all the files and folders once you’ve connected the HDD to a functional computer, then you don’t need to install any file recovery software.

Damaged USB flash drive? Our guide help you recover files from it.

FIX: Access is denied to external hard drive

While accessing user files you can get Access is Denied error message, this happens because your user account on the broken laptop was protected by a password, but there’s a way to fix that.

In order to get access to user files on the external hard drive you’ll have to take ownership over the user folder. In order to take ownership over Users folder (if you had Windows Vista or Windows 7 installed) or Documents and Settings folder (if you have Windows XP installed) you’ll need to follow these steps.

Top 10 tools to recover your lost Windows 10 password

Solution: Replace the owner of the files

STEP 1

Find the files located on the external hard drive and right click on the Users folder (if you have Windows Vista or Windows 7 installed) or right click on Documents and Settings folder (if you had Windows XP installed) and after that click on Properties.
Head over to the Security tab in User Properties windows.
Now click on Advanced button.

STEP 2

Click on Owner tab in Advanced Security Settings for Users window.
Now click on Edit button.

STEP 3

Left click on Administrators group.
Check the Replace owner on subcontainers and objects box.
Click OK button.

STEP 4

When Windows Security pops up, click Yes. We have to warn you that the process of taking ownership might take a while. This depends on how many files you have in Users or Documents and Settings folder, so you might have to wait for a bit. After this process is done, you should be able access to all of your files.

0xc004f014 Windows Activation Error: 4 Fixes You Can Use

Posted on May 7, 2020October 4, 2023 by Madalina Dinita

Upgrading from a regular Windows OS version to a Pro version can sometimes be tricky. Although the upgrade process is straightforward, various errors could occur when users want to switch to Windows 10 Pro. The 0xc004f014 Windows activation error is one such example.

If you have encountered this error, this article is for you. We explore causes as well as some of the best solutions.

What is 0xc004f014?

This error code shows a problem activating a licensed version of the operating system. Users have observed that a range of factors may trigger the error. Some of these causes include the following:

Bad product key – The product key you use for activation may be invalid, and it will trigger the error.
Hardware changes – If there are changes to specific hardware components, like the motherboard, you may experience an activation error.
Network issues – A bad connection is also a factor, as it can prevent the activation from completing.
Firewall software – These are essential tools since they keep your computer safe. However, they may block out legitimate and essential processes.
Date and time settings – These are connected to your computer’s ability to communicate with a network. When they are off, users may get an activation error.

Since we now have a grip on possible triggers, let us explore your best solutions.

How do I fix error code 0xc004f014?

Before going into the solutions, you should take the following actions:

Verify the product key – Since the wrong key can trigger this problem, double-check that you have inputted the correct one.
Check your connection – You may have to switch to a different network connection, which may save you any further troubleshooting.

1. Activate Windows with a phone call

Press the Win key + R to open the Run window.
Type in slui 4 and press Enter.
The window will open, asking you to choose the region you’re residing in.
Windows will now make an automated call.
During the call, you’ll need to read your Installation ID. Once you read it, you’ll be provided with a Confirmation ID.
After that, you’ll have to read the Confirmation ID out loud to ensure you got everything right.
Click the Activation button, and follow further instructions o finish the activation process.
End the call and restart your computer.

Windows 10 users can activate the OS using a free call regardless of the location. This is a great way to solve this and similar Windows update errors.

2. Use the default product key

Press Windows + R, type notepad, and hit Enter.
Paste the generic registration key for Windows 10 Pro shown below and your new Windows 10 Pro registration key. Then save the file on your desktop.
VK7JG-NPHTM-C97JM-9MPGT-3V66T
Type network on Windows search, and click Network and Sharing Center.
Click Change adapter settings.
Disable all network devices on your computer by right-clicking them and selecting Disable.
Reboot your computer.
Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
Navigate to Updates & Security.
Click Activation in the left pane, and select Change product key.
Open the text file you saved on your desktop, and copy the generic registration key and paste it in the box, then click on the Next or Start Upgrade button, then Activate.
Wait for the upgrade process to complete. Your computer will reboot several times during the process.
Re-enable the network connections you disabled in step 5, by right-clicking them and selecting Enable.
Return to your Setting’s Activation window from step 9.
This time, your Windows Edition should be Windows 10 Pro. Open the text file with the product keys, and copy your new Windows 10 Pro registration Key.
Click on the Change Product Key button.
Paste your new Windows 10 Pro registration Key into the textbox and click Next.
After a minute or two, a message will appear informing you that your copy of Windows 10 Pro is legitimate.

3. Use Windows Activation troubleshooter

Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
Navigate to Updates & Security.
Click Activation in the left pane, and if your copy of Windows is not activated correctly, you’ll see the Troubleshoot button. Click it.
The troubleshooting wizard will now scan your computer for possible problems. If it finds the solution, follow further instructions to activate Windows.

One great thing about Windows 10 is its built-in troubleshooter for almost any problem. And the 0xc004f014 activation error is not an exception. So, if the previous solutions failed, try the troubleshooter.

4. Change the product key

4.1 Using the Settings app

Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
Navigate to Updates & Security.
Click Activation in the left pane, and select Change product key.
Input a different product key.
Restart your computer and retry the process.

You can also use the Command Prompt to activate Windows 10. Below are the steps.

4.2 Using the Command Prompt

Press Windows + R, type cmd, and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
Change the product key by running the script below (replace new product key with the actual product key).
slmgr.vbs /ipk <new product key>
Enter the script below and hit Enter to activate the key.
slmgr.vbs /ato

There you go. Regardless of the activation error causes, we hope at least one of these solutions helped you resolve the 0xc004f014 problem.

If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, just let us know in the comments below.

Best AI Software for PC Available for Anyone in 2026

Posted on May 6, 2020March 1, 2024 by Radu Tyrsina

There is all sorts of AI software for PC, and finding the right tool might not be as simple as you think.

Luckily, this guide should help you find the right application for your needs, so keep on reading.

Top 5 free AI software to build smart applications

Braina – Best overall

Braina is an artificial intelligence software solution that can perform loads of tasks on Windows 10. It’s also an incredible virtual assistant that can help you accomplish various operations quickly and easier.

Braina, aka Brain Artificial, is a human language interface, automation, and voice recognition software that flawlessly works on computers running Windows.

This software lets you interact with your Windows 10 PC using voice commands. You can also convert speech to text in more than 100 languages.

Find out more about this free AI software solution by reading our Braina review.

Here are the key features of Braina:

Voice controlled.
Designed to help users with their tasks.
Can be accessed from anywhere on the same Wi-Fi network.
Outstanding speech recognition.
Can work with other apps, websites, and more.

Braina has a free version called Braina Lite.

⇒ Get Braina Lite

H2O.ai – Great for machine learning

H2O.ai was named a leader among the 16 vendors that are included in Gartner’s 2018 Magic Quadrant for Data Science and Machine Learning Platforms, and this is excellent.

H2O.ai is an amazing platform for enterprises that packs many extremely useful features and functionalities. It also offers a free AI software solution to test its functionality.

Here are the H2O.ai key features:

About to create and train machine-learning models.
Can design and deploy AI apps.
Executives can analyze data sets and extract insights.
Doesn’t require any extensive knowledge.

H2O.ai has a free trial.

⇒ Get H2O.ai

Inbenta – Offers powerful search

Inbenta is a conversational platform that is able to deliver incredible and real results. It offers a free AI software solution and has industry-leading self-service rates of more than 90%.

The AI and lateral language processing aims to boost customer happiness at all times. Every brand means a lot to its customers; the best AI software is aware of this and acts in consequence.

Here are the key features of Inbenta:

InbentaBot customer agent that is 24/7 available.
Supports more than 25 languages.
Powerful search technology that can read between the lines.
Highly conversational skills.
Seamless integration.

Inbenta has a free trial.

⇒ Get Inbenta

NVIVO – Offers better information organization

NVIVO is another excellent artificial intelligence software product. It targets qualitative data analysis but also offers a free AI software solution.

Whether you are working in a team or individually, you’re new to research or have lots of years of expertise behind you, you will definitely find an NVIVO option that will suit your needs and skills as well.

Here are the key features of NVIVO:

Storing information.
Fast and easy to use.
Smarter insights.

NVIVO has a free trial.

⇒ Get NVIVO

Apache PredictionIO – Completely open-source

Apache PredictionIO is a bit different compared to the other artificial intelligence software tools on this list. It’s a free AI software solution and an open-source Machine Learning Server.

It means you can download, modify, and implement the Apache PredictionIO code into your products and services at zero cost.

It’s built on top of a fantastic open-source stack for developers and data scientists to create the most predictive engines for machine learning tasks.

Here are the key features of Apache PredictionIO:

Quickly build and deploy an engine as a web service.
Respond to queries in real time.
Evaluate and tune more engine variants systematically.
Unify data from more platforms in real-time for predictive analytics.
Speed up the machine learning modeling with processes.

Apache PredictionIO is free and open-source.

⇒ Get Apache PredictionIO

These were our top 5 free AI software solutions you can use to build your own artificial intelligence applications. They come packed with sophisticated and unique features.

Before making your final decision, we recommend visiting these tools’ official websites to learn as much about them as possible.

This way, you will make a well-informed decision based on your AI-related needs and skills. And since AI software tools go hand in hand with other tools, we’d like to shift your attention toward SciSpace Copilot, which is also an AI-powered tool that helps simplify scientific content.

Before you leave, don’t miss our guide on the best open-source AI content generators and best AI websites for more information.

If you have any other suggestions or questions, please leave them in the comments section below.

Face Recognition Software for Windows 10: Best for 2026

Posted on May 6, 2020January 8, 2024 by Madalina Dinita

Using facial recognition software tools, you can access your Windows 10 PC quickly and securely, without typing your username and password. All you need to do is look at your webcam and the tool will unlock your session.

Microsoft has an excellent built-in tool for this, but Windows Hello doesn’t always work. If you’re looking for an alternative, you’ve come to the right place.

In this article, we’re going to list the 5 best face recognition software for Windows 10 (free download), including their key features to help you decide which tool to install.

What’s the best face recognition software for Windows 10?

1. KeyLemon

KeyLemon is a desktop app that allows to unlock your Windows session using your camera. This software is highly accurate and secure. The spoofing detection feature prevents intruders from tricking the system by using a photo of the legitimate user.

The photo face recognition software for Windows 10 also lets users add strong additional challenge-responses with limited time to be performed. These include eye blink, head movement and a combination of eye blink and head movement challenges.

KeyLemon stores and encrypts your biometric model on the local system. The software keeps your personal data confidential and does not send it to a server.

Unfortunately, the face recognition photo software is no longer supported, but you can still download KeyLemon and use it with its limitations.

If you want to sing in to Windows 10 without a password, check out this guide.

2. TrueKey

True Key is a powerful and versatile tool that uses your face or fingerprint to sign you in without having to type any passwords.

Multi-factor authentication is a standard requirement with the True Key app. In other words, you’ll need to pass through at least two authentication levels before being signed in.

Of course, you can add more authentication factors to make your profile safer.

Fingerprint recognition doesn’t work on Windows 10? Don’t worry, we’ve got the right solution for you.

You can also opt to use only one authentication factor on the devices you trust. If you want to quickly access your PC, you can enable only face recognition.

You can also use this free face recognition software as a password manager. True Key auto-saves and enters your passwords, allowing you to quickly access the pages that you’re interested in.

Rest assured, your passwords are always safe with True Key thanks to the strongest encryption algorithms that it uses.

The True Key free version syncs across all your devices and lets you store 15 passwords for free. If you need more space, you can upgrade to the Premium version for $19.99/ year.

3. Rohos Face Logon

Rohos Face Logon uses any Windows-compatible camera to log you in. There is no need to press any keys or perform additional authentication steps. Once the software has recognized your face, it automatically unlocks the desktop.

This tool also allows you to combine both face recognition and a USB stick for login. The multi-user support feature lets you register the faces of several users for any user account.

If you want to block facial recognition on Windows 10, follow the steps from this simple guide.

Rohos Face Logon is eco-friendly and one of the best face recognition software solutions for Windows 10. It immediately stops the camera when there is no one in front of it.

Unlike the other face recognition tools listed above, Rohos Face Logon is compatible with all popular Windows versions, including Windows XP.

You can download Rohos Face Logon for free and test it for 15 days. After the trial period expires, you can purchase the tool for $10.00.

4. Blink!

Luxand’s Blink! allows you to log into your Microsoft account in the blink of an eye. The tool supports multiple computer users and automatically adjusts for varying lighting conditions.

If you recently changed your look, the smart identification algorithms can quickly adjust to the changes. Blink! will recognize you and let you login even with a grown beard, heavy makeup or glasses.

Blink! is compatible with Windows Vista and Windows 7 only. It does not support Windows 10.

You can download Blink! from Luxand’s official website.

Editor’s Note: If you’re interested in other face recognition tools, check out our wide collection of guides.

5. AMD Face Login

AMD makes it easier for you to access your PC thanks to AMD Face Login. It’s among the best face recognition software for Windows 10.

You can also use this software on select AMD A-Series processor-based systems to log on to your favorite sites using facial recognition algorithms.

AMD Face Login features a series of options that allow you to enhance login security. For example, by setting the accuracy level to high, you have to blink to log in. Naturally, intruders won’t be aware of this detail and they won’t be able to login.

The face-out feature automatically puts your PC to sleep or lock the screen when you leave your computer.

You can download AMD Face Login right away. It’s compatible with Windows 10, 8 and 7.

Conclusion

This brings us to the end of our list. The facial recognition software solutions above are perfect for Windows. You can unlock your PC using your facial signature instead of a password, which automatically increases your computer security and privacy.

Some of them also support extra features such as password managers. Forget about typing long passwords and install the face recognition tool that best suits your needs.

And, if you can’t log in Windows 10, check out our quick fixes.

If you have any more questions, feel free to drop them in the comments section below.

How to create a scheduled or instant meeting in Microsoft Teams

Posted on May 6, 2020September 10, 2025 by davew

In this article

Toggle

Creating a meeting with Microsoft Teams is a good way to stay in contact with your coworkers on projects while you work from home, or whenever you’re working remotely. Assuming you or your organization is a Microsoft 365 customer, you are already taking advantage of all of the app integration Microsoft provides. Here’s how to create a meeting in Microsoft Teams.

Create a meeting

Here are three ways to create a meeting in Microsoft Teams.

Choose the Calendar icon underneath the Teams chat box to create a meeting with your coworkers in Teams. If the Calendar icon is missing, check with your organization’s IT administrator.
Choose Calendar on the left side of the Microsoft Teams desktop app and choose New meeting in the upper right corner.
Choose a range of time in the Calendar.

Once you do any of the three above-mentioned options, a calendar form will pop open to edit the meeting information. Use the Scheduling Assistant to help schedule a meeting time that works for everyone, provided that their work schedules and existing meetings are already set up within the Microsoft Teams Calendar. Once you are finished filling out the time, optional attendees, locations (physical or virtual meeting rooms with locations already set up in Teams), and meeting details, click Save. Teams will send a Microsoft Teams meeting notification or email a link to all meeting attendees.

If you add a Teams channel to your meeting, you will need to send a link to the meeting if there are people invited to your meeting from outside your organization. Choose Send when finished. Teams will automatically send an invite to all the invited attendees via a notification in Microsoft Teams or via email if they are outside your organization.

Invite people from outside your organization

Microsoft Teams also allows users to invite people to their Teams meetings from outside their organization. In order to invite someone from outside your organization, you will need to know their full email address and once you’ve created a Teams meeting link, you can share it with them.

Choose Add required attendees. If anyone is an optional attendee, choose Add Optional attendees instead.

Type the person’s full email address (i.e [email protected]). Select Invite (email address). The email address you provide will receive an email with an invite link to the Teams meeting.

Schedule a meeting from Outlook

When installed, Microsoft Teams can install an Outlook add-in with your permission. The Outlook add-in allows you to create new Teams meetings directly from Outlook. This way, you don’t need to switch between Outlook and Microsoft Teams, users can view, accept, reject, or join meetings, from within either app.

Create an instant meeting

If you want to set up a quick meeting at the last minute, you can create a quick meeting in Teams. This is for instances where you are in the Calendar or in a Teams channel and want to meet with a coworker for a quick 10-minute meeting to exchange ideas or give a quick update on your progress for a project.

Within the Calendar

When you are in the Teams Calendar, instead of choosing New meeting, choose Meet now.

From there, you will be able to add a meeting title, choose whether you want to use video or not, and pick your preferred audio source. Once you are ready to start the meeting, choose Join now.

In the upper right corner a box marked People will open up to allow you to invite someone to your instant meeting. Just start typing the name of the person or people that you want to invite to your instant meeting. They will receive a call in Microsoft Teams to join your meeting.
If you choose, you can also copy the join info link to your clipboard and send the invite link in an email if the person or people are outside your organization. If your email recipients do not have Microsoft Teams, they can join the instant meeting just by using their internet browser.

This is a great option to use if you do not have meeting the scheduling capability in Outlook or Teams. Meet now works just like scheduled meetings in the Teams Calendar. Everyone in the Meet now meeting can access everything that is shared in the meeting, including the meeting chat, the recording, and any files or documents that are shared in the meeting.

In a Teams channel

If you are in a Teams channel and want to start an instant meeting, go to the Posts tab and go where you type new messages in the channel and choose the Meet now icon.

Once you choose the Meet now icon, an instant meeting will open right in the comment thread.

You can use the Meet now button to start an instant meeting to get clarification on an issue that cannot be resolved via messaging. Just reply to any comment thread in your Teams channel and choose Meet now to continue the conversation. Once you choose Meet now everyone in the comment thread will be invited to the instant meeting.

Do you have any issues creating a meeting in Microsoft Teams? Let us know in the comments.

Want step-by-step instructions on scheduling directly from Outlook? Check out this guide on how to schedule a Microsoft Teams meeting in Outlook.

Microsoft to open new data center region in New Zealand

Posted on May 6, 2020 by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft today announced its plans to build its first data centre region in New Zealand which will accelerate digital transformation opportunities across the country. The construction of a new data centre will provide New Zealand customers local access to Microsoft 365, Power Platform, Dynamics 365, and Microsoft Azure. In addition, the Redmond giant also aims to launch educational skilling programs to train the people of New Zealand.

With this announcement, the company reiterated its commitment towards privacy, noting that customer data remains stored locally in New Zealand. The press release also mentions that Microsoft has been collaborating with The Collaborative Studio and Massey University to launch an educational program called i4 Accelerator. Notably, the program offers targeted workplace-based training to address the shortage of skills in primary industries including technology and manufacturing in the region.

“Technology is driving transformation in agrifood and fibre at an incredible speed, so it’s vital we move quickly to ensure the education system meets the requirements of what businesses need to be innovative. It’s especially important for the agrifood and fibre sector to remain competitive for years to come and capitalise on brighter thinking and bigger ideas,” said Anne Taylor, Microsoft education lead today.

It is noteworthy that, Microsoft seeks approval from the Overseas Investment Office to proceed with this plan. However, if the OIO gives the green light, it would be a notable addition to Microsoft’s existing 54 Azure regions across the globe. In case you missed, Microsoft has also announced a $1 billion digital transformation plan for Poland yesterday which includes the contribution of a new data centre in the country.

DayZ, Final Fantasy IX, and Fractured Minds are coming to Xbox Game Pass in May

Posted on May 6, 2020 by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft already announced that Red Dead Redemption 2 will join Xbox Game Pass for Console tomorrow, May 7, but three new Xbox One games will also be added to the catalog in May. Good news for fans of survival adventures, the open-world multiplayer game DayZ, which was released on Xbox One a year ago, will be playable starting tomorrow along with Red Dead Redemption 2.

Two more games will be available on Xbox Game Pass next week, starting with Final Fantasy IX on May 14. This one is actually an Xbox Play Anywhere game, so you’ll be able to play it on both Xbox One and Windows 10. Fractured Minds, an immersive puzzle game with RPG elements will also follow on May 19.

Microsoft also announced some new bonus perks for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members in May: Subscribers in the US and UK can get six months of Spotify Premium for free, while subscribers in France, Germany, Australia, Mexico and Brazil can get 3 free months of Spotify Premium. This offer is only available for new Spotify Premium members, the Xbox team said today.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks can be redeemed in the Xbox Game Pass mobile app or the Xbox beta app for Windows 10. As a reminder, those of you who never subscribed to Xbox Game Pass can still get their first month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for just $1.

Microsoft announces Surface Dock 2 and other new accessories

Posted on May 6, 2020 by Radu Tyrsina

If a series of rumors of leaks have been suggesting the imminent launch of new Surface products this spring, and the company has finally delivered this morning. Indeed, the Surface Book 3 and Surface Go 2 are now official, along with the Surface Earbuds and a new version of the Surface Headphones. But there are also a couple of new accessories including a new version of the Surface Dock, which hasn’t been updated since 2015.

Details about the Surface Dock 2 actually leaked last month, but today’s press release pretty much confirms what we knew. The new Dock keeps the proprietary Surface Connect port to provide compatibility with existing Surface devices, though Microsoft says the new accessory provides faster charging and higher data transfer rates than its predecessor.

To make it more versatile, Microsoft included four USB-C ports on the Surface Dock 2, though the two USB Type-A ports, audio jack, and Ethernet port are still there. Moreover, the new peripheral has been designed to sit behind your device and seems like a more compact docking solution than the older dock.

The Surface Dock 2 will be available to pre-order in select markets today, and it will be priced at $259.99. Microsoft also other accessories today including a $99.99 USB-C Travel Hub, along with two new keyboard and mouse bundles: the $89.99 Microsoft Ergonomic Desktop and the $59.99 Microsoft Bluetooth Desktop. The USB-C Travel Hub can be seen below, and it includes various ports including one USB-C port, one USB-A port, 1 HDMI port, 1 VGA port, 1 Ethernet port, and a headphone jack.

“We hope these new products will not only help people be more productive from wherever they are currently working and learning, but also help people find moments of focus and relaxation,” Microsoft said today.

Windows And Office Genuine ISO Verifier: How to Use it

Posted on May 6, 2020October 4, 2023 by Radu Tyrsina

Windows and Office Genuine ISO Verifier is a lightweight tool that helps you determine whether you have genuine Microsoft Office and Windows ISO files.

This is especially important if you got these files from third-party sources and not directly from Microsoft. To avoid these types of problems, be sure to check our guide on how to download Windows ISO properly.

In case you want to verify your ISO file, keep on reading.

How do I know if my Windows ISO is genuine?

When downloading the ISO, notice the MD5 hash on the download page.
Once the download is finished, start PowerShell as admin by pressing Windows key + X and choosing PowerShell (Admin).
Next, locate the download directory. You can do that with cd ~/Downloads
Lastly, run: Get-FileHash Win10_2004_English_x64.iso | Format-List
If the value matches the one from step 1, your ISO is genuine.

Alternatively, you can use the software mentioned in this guide.

How can I use Windows and Office Genuine ISO Verifier?

The installation and interface of the tool is as straightforward as it comes in a portable package. You can set up the program up quickly by decompressing the archive in the target location on your hard disk.

Its user-friendly interface won’t give you a hard time when navigating the application, either.

The tool’s UI consists of a single window with intuitive fields for quick access. Once you specify the input file, the program does the rest of the task without your intervention.

Windows and Office Genuine ISO Verifier also supports various versions and languages of Office and Windows.

The tool’s major selling factor is its ability to recognize various hashes associated with Windows and Office. It is able to compare file SHA-1 even to Office 95 and Windows XP.

The tool is most helpful if you want to reinstall Windows or Office on your PC with no legal complications. If you are unsure whether your file is genuine, then the Windows and Office Genuine ISO Verifier provides the answer.

Are you currently using the Windows and Office Genuine ISO Verifier to check whether your Microsoft files are legitimate? What is your experience so far? Let us know.

EventID 10016 error in Windows 10/11 [FULL FIX]

Posted on May 6, 2020October 4, 2023 by Madalina Dinita

Many Windows 10 users complain that after each boot, the Event Log displays intriguing application-specific permission errors.

These errors started to appears soon after users upgraded to the Anniversary Update.

Since there is very little information available as to why Windows 10 displays this type of errors, many users quickly rolled back to their previous OS.

Those who haven’t, are still struggling to understand why this error appears and how to fix it.

Windows 10 users report that this error also appears when they install the latest OS updates. Fortunately, we’ve found a possible solution to remove this error once and for all.

Windows 10 EventID 10016 error

After the anniversary updates, I’m getting the same error as everyone else. Microsoft, this is inexcusable given the new Windows 10 update strategy that you have implemented.

The application-specific permission settings do not grant Local Activation permission for the COM Server application with CLSID
{8D8F4F83-3594-4F07-8369-FC3C3CAE4919}
and APPID
{F72671A9-012C-4725-9D2F-2A4D32D65169}
to the user NT AUTHORITYSYSTEM SID (S-1-5-18) from address LocalHost (Using LRPC) running in the application container Unavailable SID (Unavailable). This security permission can be modified using the Component Services administrative tool.

How can I fix EventID 10016 error?

1. Go to Regedit > search for {F72671A9-012C-4725-9D2F-2A4D32D65169}
2. Right-click > Permissions and Advanced.
3. On the top line, click Change and add Users in the white box > tick the little box underneath > click OK
4. Back in the permissions window, tick ‘Full Control‘ for Administrators and Users.
5. Go to Component services >the box shouldn’t be greyed out.
6. You’ll see 3 tables: Launch and Activation Permissions, Access Permissions, Configuration
7. Go to Launch and Activation Permissions > Click Customize > add System if it’s not there.
8. Tick all 4 boxes > click OK.
9. In regedit, restore CLSID permissions back to SYSTEM and APPID permissions back to TRUSTED INSTALLER, which should be NT SERVICEtrustedinstaller.
10. Reboot your computer and the EventID 10016 error should be gone.

Windows 10/11 privacy issues: What you need to know?

Posted on May 6, 2020October 4, 2023 by Ivan Jenic

We live in the age when our privacy is more vulnerable than ever and we’re in constant fear if somebody is watching what we are doing on the internet.

Prior to that, we’re becoming more and more skeptical of the new products that big companies are offering to us, and we try to find ways in how to increase privacy on windows 10

Does Windows 10 attend to your personal privacy or it has privacy policy issues?

When Microsoft released Windows 10 Technical Preview this fall, they also presented the new Privacy Policy to go along with the operating system.

The new Privacy Policy states that Microsoft will use certain methods to collect information about software performance and bugs, in order to make the final release of Windows 10 as reliable as possible.

When you acquire, install and use the Program, Microsoft collects information about you, your devices, applications and networks, and your use of those devices, applications, and networks, the privacy policy stated.

Examples of data we collect include your name, email address, preferences and interests; browsing, search and file history; phone call and SMS data; device configuration and sensor data; and application usage.

Microsoft provided four examples, one of which clearly states that when entering text into any application, Microsoft may collect those typed characters. Why? So that the company can fine-tune the spell check and autocomplete features.

Again, the Technical Preview is not ideal on machines used for everyday purposes unless users don’t care about this character collection.

But this Privacy Statement and Microsoft’s method of collecting personal information have disturbed a lot of users. People just don’t want to share their personal information and what they do and where they go on the internet with Microsoft.

And reactions from them are mixed. Some of them accept Microsoft’s method of collecting data by saying that the purpose of the preview is to collect as much data as possible in order to make a good and stable operating system.

While others often don’t refrain from curses when reporting about their disagreement with Microsoft.

But at least, Microsoft was fair for saying all of that in the Privacy Statement, so you cannot say that you haven’t been warned and that Microsoft is spying on you against your will, because it is completely up to you whether you’ll use Technical Preview and expose your personal info to Microsoft, or not.

But Microsoft is aware that people don’t like its way, so they don’t recommend you to install Windows 10 Technical Preview on computers that you use every day.

What can you do for minimizing the impact of collecting your personal data?

In case you are one of the persons who are highly concerned about their personal data, you can always stay anonymous while surfing the internet. You can use a proxy server or a good VPN.

If you suppose that Microsoft already collected some of your personal data, you can avoid anyone uses it against your digital profile.

From all VPN services out there that can hide your computer’s IP, keep you safe from attacks and hackers and keep your data secured and encrypted, Cyberghost is the best in terms of quality-price.

Available at $2.75 per month, you have plenty of great features in it and keeps your digital traces anonymous.

Get now Cyberghost (currently 77% sale)

[wl_navigator]

Download Skype for Desktop in Windows 10/11

Posted on May 6, 2020October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

If you have been let down or you are annoyed by the functionality of the touch version of Skype for Windows 10.

Or you just want to use it on a non-touch device, then feel free to download the desktop version of Skype for Windows 10.

Skype has become one of the most used IM clients of all and its name is synonymous with video calls. M

any Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 users out there that used to use Skype to keep in touch with their friends want to know how to download and install Skype as a desktop app.

While Microsoft was kind enough to provide us with a Skype app for Windows 10, Windows 8 that replaced Windows Live Manager, many users don’t seem to like it (yours truly included).

They prefer the desktop alternative, as it has a very simple user interface and we are all accustomed to it. So, for those who want to download Skype for Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 8.1, here’s how you do it.

How do I download and install Skype for Windows 10, 8, 8.1?

If you are using a Windows 8 or Windows 8.1, Windows 10 computer, you noticed that on the Skype website the download button will forward you to the Microsoft Store to download the app.

However, if you look closely, there is a link to the desktop version also. If you follow that link, you will see the Skype desktop installer page.

Once you’ve downloaded the SkypeSetup.exe file to your drive, you can proceed to the classic install of Skype.

After the wizard finishes, you will have the desktop version of Skype installed on your Windows 10 computer.

If you already upgraded to Windows 10, Skype is already installed on your computer. The app comes as a built-in app and you can use it without any problems.

And this is how to get the Skype desktop app on any Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, Windows 10 computer. The confusion surrounding this must have started with the forward from the Skype website to the Windows Store.

If so, check the link located below the Windows 8, Windows 10 download button on the website, and it will let you download the desktop app.

I personally find that Skype for desktop is easier to use than the specially designed app for Windows 8, Windows 10 touch screen devices.

Therefore, if you don’t have a touch screen machine, it’s better to use Skype for desktop in Windows 10, Windows 8.

If you’re planning to use Skype for business purposes, you can then download and install Skype for Business.

As its name suggests, this version of Skype brings a series of dedicated features and options that focus on collaboration. For example, you can quickly join meetings by using a simple meeting link.

With one click, anyone can join your online meeting, from any device. You can choose to meet right away, or schedule from Outlook for later. The meeting URL is personalized just for you.

Should you encounter any bugs during the download process, let us know in the comments below and we’ll try to find a solution as quickly as possible.

How to set up a flowchart with the LibreOffice Draw

Posted on May 6, 2020October 4, 2023 by Matthew Adams

Flowcharts are diagrams that system designers and software developers design IT systems and programs with. There are numerous diagram software applications you can set up flowcharts with.

The open-source LibreOffice Draw is one diagramming application that you can utilize for flowcharts.

It includes all the basic, and some more advanced, options and tools you’ll need to set up diagrams for system design or software algorithms.

This is how you can set up a flowchart with Draw.

1. Download the LibreOffice Draw flowchart designer tool

If you don’t already have the LibreOffice suite installed, you can save its wizard from this webpage. Select either Windows X86 (32-bit platform) or Windows X86_64 (64-bit platform) from the drop-down menu.

Press the Download button to save LibreOffice’s installer. Open LibreOffice’s Installation Wizard window to add the suite to Windows. Then open Draw’s window.

2. Adding Shapes to Flowchart Diagrams

First, add some shapes to the flowchart. Draw’s toolbar includes a Flowcharts button you can press to select shapes more specifically for flowchart diagrams.

Press that button’s small arrow to expand its list of shapes as shown directly below.

Now select the first flowchart shape to add to the diagram from there. Hold the left mouse button and drag the cursor on the diagram sheet to expand the shape.

Then you can resize the shape by selecting it and dragging its border points.

To alter shapes’ colors, select Color from the Area/Styling drop-down menu. Then select a color from the adjacent drop-down menu.

Alternatively, you can add a gradient effect to the shape by selecting Gradient from the Area Style drop-down menu as shown in the snapshot directly below.

Shadow is another shape formatting option that adds flat shadows to the symbols. Select a shape to add the shadow to. Then press the Shadow button to add a shadow effect to the symbol as below.

3. Connecting Flowchart Symbols

When you’ve added and positioned more flowchart symbols on the diagram, you’ll need to connect them with arrows. Although you can add them with the Lines and Arrow option, it’s better to press the Connector button.

This will ensure that the arrows connect to the shapes. When you press Connector, you’ll see four connection points on the flowchart’s shapes as in the snapshot directly below.

Click the small arrow beside the Connector button, and select the Straight Connector ends with arrow option.

Then hover the cursor over a connector point on one shape, hold the left mouse button and drag the cursor to a connector point on the second shape.

That will connect your flowchart’s shapes with straight-line arrows as shown in the shot directly below. As you’ve added connector lines to the diagram, the arrows will move if you alter the shapes’ positions.

You can choose alternative arrow styles by selecting an arrow on the diagram and then clicking the small arrow on the Arrow Styles button.

That will open the drop-down menu below from which you can choose alternative arrowheads. Select an arrowhead listed there to alter the selected arrow.

To select an alternative color for an arrow, first, click an arrow on the diagram. Click the small arrow on the Line Color button to open the palette below.

Then you can choose another arrow color from the palette.

4. Adding Text to Flowchart Diagrams

Finally, you’ll need to add some text to each shape within the diagram. Press the T (Text) button to open the text toolbar.
Then hold the left mouse button and drag the cursor to expand a text box.
Enter something in the text box, and then resize and drag the box onto a shape in your flowchart.

Then you can format the text entered by selecting the Bold, Italic, Shadow, Font Color or Underline options on the toolbar. Click the Font Size drop-down menu to adjust the font’s dimensions, and you can choose alternative fonts from the Font Name drop-down menu.

5. Add 3D to Flowchart Symbols

To give your flowchart a little more visual impact, you can convert the 2D symbols to 3D shapes. Then you can rotate the shapes and add extra 3D effects to them. This is how you can add 3D shapes to flowchart diagrams in Draw.

First, right-click a shape on the diagram and select Convert > To 3D from the context menu. That will convert the selected shape to 3D as below.

To rotate the symbol, position the cursor in the center of the shape and left-click. The cursor will then become a curved arrow.
Now hold the left mouse button with the cursor within the shape to rotate it.

To add further 3D effects, right-click the flowchart symbol and select 3-D Effects from the menu. That will open the window shown in the snapshot directly below.

There you can select to add shading, geometry, illumination , and material effects to the 3D symbol. For example, click the Shading button, select the 3-D Shadowing on/off option and press the Assign button to add a 3D shadow effect to the shape as in the shot below.

So you can set up flowcharts with Draw’s Text Box, Flowcharts, and Connector tools and add some groovy effects to them with the application’s 3D options. The application probably has most of the tools and options you’ll need for flowcharts.

However, you can also set up flowcharts with the diagram software included in this software guide.