Microsoft to provide AccountGuard malware detector free to healthcare and humanitarian organizations

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

To protect healthcare providers and front line workers in the fight against COVID-19, Microsoft announced today that they are making their AccountGuard threat notification service available to healthcare providers and humanitarian organizations worldwide at no cost.   Organizations can begin signing up today using the links below.

Health organizations can sign up here

Humanitarian organizations can sign up here

Today’s announcement was a direct result of recent news reports that showed criminal and nation-state actors targeting organizations such as Paris’ hospital system, medical clinics in Texas and even international entities like the World Health Organization.  In the past year, the Microsoft Threat Intelligence Center, or MSTIC, has also tracked five separate nation-state activity groups that have attempted nearly nine hundred times to target or compromise hundreds of accounts belonging to employees of nine prominent human rights organizations around the world.

AccountGuard works by monitoring nation-state threat actors who are targeting enterprise email boxes and personal email boxes of employees or volunteers being monitored.  When an activity is seen, Microsoft’s team will notify the users, so they can proactively work to protect themselves.  The AccountGuard team also helps organizations to harden their defenses against all forms of cyberattacks.  Today, organizations that include Freedom House, Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International and Physicians for Humans Rights are already using AccountGuard through an initial pilot program.

Microsoft AccountGuard has a proven track record having been used previously to protect high-profile political campaigns, members of the US Congress and just last year AccountGuard was used to prevent election meddling in Europe in 14 different countries.  Today supports close to 100,000 email accounts across 29 different countries.

AccountGuard will be available to all healthcare and humanitarian organizations until the COVID-19 pandemic ends.

Microsoft makes core GitHub features free for everyone, reduces paid Team plan prices

Posted on by davew

Microsoft is offering access to core GitHub features for free and reducing the prices of paid Team plan prices. The announcement is detailed in a post on the GitHub Blog.

“Until now, if your organization wanted to use GitHub for private development, you had to subscribe to one of our paid plans. But every developer on earth should have access to GitHub. Price shouldn’t be a barrier. This means teams can now manage their work together in one place: CI/CD, project management, code review, packages, and more. We want everyone to be able to ship great software on the platform developers love. Teams who need advanced features (like code owners), enterprise features (like SAML), or personalized support can upgrade to one of our paid plans.”

In addition, GitHub is reducing the price of their paid Team Plan to $4 per user/month, down from $9 per user/month. Existing Team plan subscribers will also see the discount attached to their monthly statements. If you prepaid for yearly GitHub plan, you will see a prorated refund in the next 30 days. The new monthly prices of the GitHub Team plans are reflected below.

More information about how these Team plan changes affect you and your company are available on GitHub’s FAQ page. Unlike some offers announced during the coronavirus crisis, this change is permanent. but this is a good reason to try GitHub now.

What are your thoughts on GitHub’s recent subscription price change? Let us know in the comments.

Nvidia is bringing ray tracing support to new Minecraft for Windows 10 beta this week

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

It’s been almost a year since Minecraft developer Mojang announced that the game would get ray-tracing support on Windows 10, but Nvidia is finally ready to deliver. With a new beta of Minecraft for Windows 10 that will be available on Thursday, April 16, players will Nvidia GeForce RTX GPUs will be able to experience Minecraft with fully path-traced rendering, thanks to Nvidia’s DLSS 2.0 real-time rendering technique.

Nvidia has teamed up with Minecraft creators to deliver 6 free RTX Creators worlds that will be available in the Minecraft Marketplace. “The results of Minecraft with ray tracing are astounding – realistic hard and soft shadows are seen everywhere; global illumination realistically lights the world, with that light filling interiors through windows and gaps in the terrain; illuminated blocks and other light sources cast pixel-perfect lighting; reflections are seen on all reflective surfaces and blocks, with a level of fidelity far surpassing that of screen space reflections; light reflects, refracts and scatters through water, ice, stained glass, and other transparencies; and atmospheric effects occur naturally, resulting in high-quality volumetric fog, and pixel-perfect god rays,” Nvidia explained today.

Minecraft’s clearly dated graphics didn’t prevent it to become one of the most popular video games ever released, but ray-tracing really turn the sandbox game into something different. You can see how this Minecraft with RTX beta looks in the video below:

If you have a GeForce GTX GPU, Nvidia says that players will have the best experience by installing new Minecraft with RTX Game Ready Driver that will be available tomorrow through the GeForce experience app. As for the beta, you’ll be able to install it through the Xbox Insider Hub app on Windows 10. Be aware that you’ll need to own Minecraft for Windows 10 to sign up.

Minecraft for Windows
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Minecraft for Windows
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Bots, analytics, project management, and lots more: How to add apps to Microsoft Teams

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Apps in Microsoft Teams can significantly boost your experience. They plug into the sidebar, chats, channels, and can help you do more in Teams. There’s even a catalog of nearly 200 applications you can choose from if your IT admin or Team owner has allowed it. So, if you have the valid permissions to add one, you might be wondering how apps work in Teams. In our latest guide, we’ll take a look at just that.

Adding apps from the left side of Teams

The most common way to add an app to Teams is from the left side of Teams. You’ll see an Apps button. Be sure to click it, and you’ll see a list of apps and services that plug into Teams. Once you click it you can use the search bar at the top of the screen to find a specific app that you are looking for.

Once you found your app, click it and then click the Add button. You’ll see a description telling you where the app works in Teams, be it in tabs, bots, or with messages. If the specific app supports it, you’ll then see an icon appear for the app at the side of Teams. If you no longer want to use the app from the sidebar, simply right-click it, and then select uninstall. 

Adding apps to a tab to a chat or channel

Not all apps support appearing on the left side of Teams, so sometimes apps will only appear as a tab in a chat or a channel. Tab apps allow you to share content and work collaboratively, right from inside your Teams experience.

To add apps to a tab in channel or chat, you’ll want to go to the channel, group chat, or one-on-one conversation where you want the app and then and click Add a tab. It appears as a “+” button. From there, you can select the app that you want. There are many you can choose from, such as YouTube, Planner, PowerPoint, and much more. Once you click the tab, you can choose the option to post to the channel about this tab if you want others to know you added the app.

Adding apps as connectors

Another type of app in Teams is known as a connector. This type of app inserts notifications into a channel in Microsoft Teams. You can add one by going to the channel where you want to add it, choosing … More Options, and then Connectors. From here, you’ll see a list of apps and the ability to configure notifications if one has already been added. You’ll also be able to add new ones by clicking Add. 

Adding apps to the messaging area

Finally, there are messaging area apps in Teams. These types of Teams apps are sometimes known as bots, and let you insert content directly into your Teams messages. You can add one by selecting “…” beneath the message box, and then choose an app. You also can add apps this way by typing out in the box and then choosing Get bots. 

Check out our picks for the best apps!

Now that you know how to add apps to Teams, you might be wondering which ones are best to use. We’ve previously covered that, and our picks include WIkipedia, Trello, Microsoft Flow, and much more. We’ve also given a comparison to Teams apps against Slacks apps, if you’re more familiar with Slack. Keep it tuned to OnMSFT for all the latest on Teams, and be sure to drop us a comment below.

Fix Origin client loading issues for good

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

Some users reported experiencing a peculiar issue with Origin. Upon opening the app, they get to a blank page, Origin not being able to load properly. Apparently, this issue could be caused by corrupted Origin files, app privilege, or internet connection issues.

One user provided his concerns with the Origin client on the dedicated subreddit.

Hi guys, I’m at my wit’s end here. I’ve been trying to install the origin launcher onto my computer in order to play apex legends, and I can’t get it to open no matter what I try. I’ve googled and done everything I could, and it seems like the solutions being provided only worked for some people.

Fortunately, we have a few solutions worth trying, meant to fix this annoying issue.

How do I make Origin client load UI?

1. Run Origin as administrator

  1. Right-click on the Origin desktop shortcut and open Properties.
  2. Select the Compatibility tab.
  3. Check the Run this program as an administrator and confirm changes.Run as admin origin client not loading

2. Verify your internet connection

  • Open your internet browser to see if web page loading performs fast, without interruptions.
  • If you notice abnormal internet activity, hard reset your router/modem.
  • If hard resetting your router/modem doesn’t make any difference, contact your internet provider and let them know about this issue.
  • Always have your PC connected to the internet through a wired connection. Wifi connections tend to be less reliable.

Can’t add friends on Origin client? We’ve got the right fix for you

3. Clear the Origin cache

  1. First, you need to close the Origin app, go to the Task Manager in order to make sure that the process isn’t running in the background.
  2. Press the Windows logo key + R on your keyboard > type %ProgramData%/Origin in the Run box and hit Enter.programdata run origin client not loading
  3. In the window that pops up, delete all the folders except for the folder named LocalContent.
  4. Press the Windows logo key + R on your keyboard > type %AppData% in the Run box and hit Enter.app data origin client not loading
  5. Roaming folder will open, there you need to delete the Origin folder.
  6. Click App Data in the address bar.
  7. Access the Local folder and delete the Origin folder located there
  8. Restart your PC and see if it fixed the issue

4. Reinstall Origin

  1. Navigate to Control Panel > Uninstall a program and uninstall Origin.
  2. Navigate to Program Files and AppData and clear all the remnants of Origin. Avoid deleting folders with games, or else you would need to redownload them.
  3. Reboot your PC.
  4. Navigate to the official EA Origin website, here, and download the latest iteration of the desktop client.download origin client origin client not loading
  5. Install Origin.

Hopefully, at least one of our solutions helped you fix the Origin loading issue.

Our readers also complained about Igoproxy.exe error when opening Origin, but the highlighted guide will help you with that issue.

If you found this article helpful, leave a comment in the comment section below.

Origin won’t start games on Windows 10/11

Posted on by Vladimir Popescu

If you found yourself in a situation in which you wanted to play on your PC, and Origin games are not launching? Unfortunately, you are not the only one experiencing this issue.

A large number of users have complained that they can’t get access to their beloved games on the Origin platform. Seeing that none of your Origin games can be launched has caused (and is still causing) a lot of stress and worry to Origin users. Some other users complained the Origin is installed, but it won’t open.

It seems that the issue can be caused by a variety of reasons. In some cases, the games stopped launching after an update to the Origin platform. In other cases, it can be caused by incompatible software running at the same time in the background, or because of a DNS cache error. Lastly, the game client might still be open but has become unresponsive.

For these reasons, in today’s fix article we will explore some of the best troubleshooting steps for this issue. Please follow the methods closely to avoid any other issues.

What to do if none of my Origin games will launch?

1. Clear your PCs DNS cache

  1. Press Win+R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Inside the Run window -> type the following command:  -> ipconfig /flushdns -> press Enter.run window with command - Origin won't start game;none of my origin games will launch
  3. A command box will appear on the screen for less than a second, and the DNS cache will be cleared.
  4. Try to see if this method allows you to run your Origin games.

Can’t add friends on the Origin client? Here’s how you can fix that

2. Reset the Hosts file on Windows 10

keyboard - Origin won't start game/none of my origin games will launch
Every Windows installation contains a Hosts file that helps redirect websites to specific IP addresses.

In the case that this file becomes corrupt, or contains incorrect information, it can cause your Internet not to work or can create problems with applications like Origin.

We already wrote a comprehensive guide on how to reset the Hosts file easily, so be sure to check it out.

3. Disable all Origin in-game overlays

Origin webpage - Origin won't start game/none of my origin games will launch
The in-game overlays that you use with Origin might be causing the issue with the Origin games not launching. Beyond this, using in-game overlays can dramatically affect your framerate.

Here’s how to disable them:

  1. Open Origin.
  2. Select the option Application Settings from the top menu.
  3. Click on Origin In-game.
  4. Disable all in-game overlays found in the list and restart your Origin app.

4. Clear the Origin cache

  1. Press Win+R keys -> type %ProgramData%/Origin -> click Ok.Run command - origin won't start game/none of my origin games will launch
  2. Delete all the files and folders in that location but do not delete the LocalContent folder.
  3. Press Win+R keys again -> type %AppData% -> hit Enter.
  4. Inside the Roaming folder -> delete the Origin folder.
  5. Click AppData in the address bar -> open Local folder -> delete the Origin folder in there.
  6. Restart your PC and log into Origin again.

Note: To complete this method, you will need to make sure that all instances of Origin are closed. To make sure that Origin will be able to open, it is recommended that you search for Origin.exe and OriginWebHelperService.exe inside Task Manager, and press End task for each of them.

5. Uninstall and re-install Origin

  1. Press Win+X keys -> select Apps and Features.win+x menu apps and features - origin won't start game/none of my origin games will launch
  2. Search for Origin -> select Uninstall.
  3. Download the latest Origin software and re-install it by following the on-screen instructions.

If Origin is not opening in Windows 10, your best bet is to reinstall the program by following the steps above.

Conclusion

Please feel free to let us know if this guide helped you solved your problem by using the comment section below.

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Microsoft’s Surface Go 2 may have been confirmed by FCC filing

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

If the ongoing coronavirus outbreak could well change the near-term plans of PC and phone manufacturers, Microsoft is apparently still committed to its planned products and releases. Indeed, it seems like the Redmond giant is ramping up to announce its upcoming products, one of them being Surface Go 2.

We reported about the leaked Surface Go 2 specifications a couple of weeks ago, and now a new FCC filing for a “portable computing device” spotted by Windows Latest seems to have confirmed the device’s upcoming launch.

For those curious to know the design changes, the report says that the Surface Go 2 should be similar to the first iteration, like all other second-gen Surface products. Microsoft is probably going to follow its tradition of bringing major changes in the third iteration, as we noticed in Surface Laptop 3, Surface 3, and Surface Pro 3.

As for the specifications, the base model is expected to pack an Intel Pentium Gold 4425Y, which is a minor improvement as compared to the original model with the Pentium Gold 4415Y processor. Besides the base model, Microsoft reportedly plans to deliver a higher-end version with a Core M processor, as well.

It likely won’t be long before Microsoft makes its Surface Go 2 official. The company is also expected to announce a new Surface Book 3 very soon, which should once again feature more powerful specs compared to what we’ve seen in the Surface Pro 7 and Surface Laptop 3 last year.

Cannot uninstall Join.me? Complete guide to remove the app

Posted on by Matthew Adams

Join.me is a pretty good video conferencing app, but some users might still need to uninstall it. However, sometimes Windows 10 might not uninstall that software when users try to remove it. If you cannot uninstall Join.me the usual way via Programs and Features, check out some of these potential resolutions for removing it.

What can I do if Join.me will not uninstall?

1. Check that Join.me isn’t still running

  1. Even if Join.me’s window isn’t open, the program might still be running in the background.
    • To terminate all Join.me processes, right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager.
  2. Select the Processes tab in Task Manager.
  3. Then have a look for any Join.me processes under Background processes.
    Task Manager window cannot uninstall join.me
  4. Right-click any process that pertains to Join.me and select End task.
  5. When you’re sure Join.me is no longer running, try uninstalling the software again.

2. Uninstall Join.me in Safe Mode

  1. Alternatively, try uninstalling Join.me in Windows 10’s Safe Mode.
    • To do that, click the Power button on the Start menu.
  2. Click the Restart option while pressing the Shift key.
  3. Thereafter, Windows should restart at a Choose an option menu.
    • Select the Troubleshoot option there.Choose an option menu How do I start my HP laptop in recovery mode
  4. Select Advanced options and Startup Settings.
    • Some users might also need to select See more recovery options before Startup Settings.
  5. Select the Restart option.
  6. After the restart, press the 4 key to select Enable Safe Mode.
  7. Thereafter, uninstall Join.me from Safe Mode.

3. Check out the Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter

  1. Microsoft has a Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter for Windows that might fix Join.me not uninstalling.
  2. Open the folder the troubleshooter downloaded to.
  3. Then click MicrosoftProgram_Install_and_Uninstall.meta.diagcab to open the troubleshooter’s window.Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter cannot uninstall join.me
  4. Click the Next button.
  5. Select the Uninstalling option to open a list of installed software.
    A software list within the Program Install troubleshooter cannot uninstall join.me
  6. Select Join.me on the software list.
  7. Then click Next to go through the troubleshooter.

4. Remove Join.me with third-party uninstaller

If you can’t find Join.me listed in Programs and Features, try uninstalling it with a third-party uninstaller utility. Those utilities more fully remove software than the Windows uninstaller.

Revo Uninstaller, Wise Program Uninstaller, and Ashampoo Uninstaller are three of the best software uninstallers for Windows. Try uninstalling Join.me with one of those freeware software uninstallers.

Revo Uninstaller Pro cannot uninstall join.me

5. Remove Join.me with System Restore

  1. If Join.me was installed relatively recently, you might be able to remove it by restoring Windows to a restore point.
    • Press the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to launch Run.
  2. Input rstrui in the text box and click OK to open System Restore.
  3. Click the Next to open the restore points list.System Restore window cannot uninstall join.me
  4. Select a restore point that predates the date you installed Join.me.
  5. Click Scan for affected programs to check if the restore point will remove Join.me.
  6. Press the Next button, and click the Finish option.

6. Delete Join.me’s registry key

  1. You can also delete Join.me’s registry key when standard uninstall methods don’t remove the software.
  2. Enter regedit in Run’s Open box, and click the OK button.
  3. Then open this registry key path:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SOFTWARE > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Uninstall.
  4. You can identify all software registry keys there by looking at their DisplayName strings.
  5. Right-click the registry key for Join.me and select Delete.
    Registry Editor cannot uninstall join.me
  6. Restart Windows after deleting the Join.me registry key.

FIX: Microphone not working in Google Hangouts

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

Regardless of whether you are talking about work of personal reasons, being able to send messages to others and make calls can be extremely useful. However, most tool s of this kind usually involve a lengthy login process and a client that needs to be installed.

However, that is not the case with Google Hangouts, a communications tool created by Google which is accessible as a web service. Unfortunately, things don’t go too smoothly with this tool, since a handful of users have reported having issues with the audio during calls.

Since Google Hangouts is quite popular, we’ve decided to write an article on the matter, so that you can finally enjoy voice calls the proper way.

What can I do if my Google Hangouts audio is not working?

1. Troubleshoot your hardware

  • Make sure that your microphone and speakers are plugged into your PC and that they are turned on
    • This is also a good chance to check whether your mic is not actually muted
  • If your mic is connected via USB, check if you need to install software or drivers from the device manufacturer.
  • make sure that no other program is currently using your microphone
  • Look in the Google Hangoutsvideo call window and make sure you’ve turned on the microphone for use

3. Perform a PC reboot or simply restart the call

  1. Exit your current audio or video call
  2. Close and then relaunch your browser
  3. Go back to a Google Hangouts window and try to call the person again
  4. If that doesn’t work, simply restart your PC

Note: The only web browser that fully supports Google services is Google Chrome. Firefox, Opera, Internet Explorer, and Microsoft Edge also offer to support to google services, but they are limited.

2. Make sure that your Hangouts settings are set properly

  1. Open your browser and launch Google Hangouts in a new tab
  2. At the top of your video call window, choose Settings 
  3. Ensure that the correct device is selected for each settings
    • You can change it using by using the Down arrow
  4. Go to Microphone
  5. To test your microphone, speak out loud and ask if the other person can hear you

Tired of using Hangouts? Check out these great alternatives!

4. Make sure that the other person is not the one with video issues

If none of the steps mentioned above worked, then make sure that the person that you are trying to call doesn’t actually have speaker issues. Advise them to troubleshoot their speaker settings and adjust their volume.

By following these guides, you should be able to fix all audio issues with your mics on Google hangouts.

Lets us know which of the solutions mentioned above helped you by leaving us a message in the comments section below.

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How to configure Windows Live Mail for Outlook?

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Desktop email clients are always useful if you want to quickly check your email. Speaking of which, one of the most used desktop clients was Outlook Express and Windows Live Mail.

The development of Outlook Express is permanently canceled, and there’s no way to install it on any modern Windows operating system.

Fortunately, you can still install Windows Live Mail on Windows 10, and today we’re going to show you how to configure Windows Live Mail for Outlook.

Outlook Express was a default email client on older versions of Windows, and as such, it has gained tremendous popularity.

As previously mentioned, Outlook Express was scrapped by Microsoft and it was replaced by Windows Live Mail.

Many users were pleased with Windows Live Mail and accepted it as an Outlook Express successor.

With Windows Live Mail being such a popular email client on the Windows platform, we decided to make a small guide on how to configure it to work with Outlook.

How can I configure Windows Live Mail to work with Outlook on Windows 10?

First thing you’ll notice when you open Windows Live Mail is the account creation screen.

Windows Live Mail works with many popular webmail services such as Gmail, Yahoo, and Outlook, and the account creation process is straightforward.

All that you need to do is to enter your email and password and Windows Live Mail should automatically configure it. If you wish, you can also manually configure your email account.

The account creation process is straightforward for certain webmail services such as Gmail, and it doesn’t require any additional configuration.

Unfortunately, account creation process got a bit more complex while trying to use Outlook account with Windows Live Mail, but we managed to fix that by following these steps:

  1. While connecting an Outlook account, enter your username and password, check Manually configure server settings option and click Next.
  2. Set Server type to IMAP, change the Server address to imap-mail.outlook.com, set port to 993 and check Requires a secure connection (SSL) option.
  3. Set Server address to smtp.live.com for Outgoing server information and check to Require a secure connection (SSL).
  4. Enter your Outlook email address as your login username and click Next.
    windows-live-outlook
  5. Your email should be successfully created and you’ll be able to send and receive new emails.

If the steps above seem familiar to you, it’s because the same configuration process is used for Outlook 2007 versions older than 12.0.6680.5000.

Of course, if you use Outlook 2007 version 12.0.6680.5000 or newer, there’s no need to manually enter this data.

As you can see, Windows Live Mail runs perfectly on Windows 10, although you might run into certain account creation issues, you can easily fix them by setting the server information manually.

It’s worth mentioning that Windows Live Mail isn’t being developed anymore, and the last update for it was released in 2012.

If you’re ready to move away from Windows Live Mail, follow this step-by-step guide to transfer your data to Outlook.

Although Windows Live Mail is a great email client, you might want to use a client that is being updated more frequently.

Even though Windows Live Mail worked great with Outlook in the past, reports were stating that Windows Live Mail won’t be able to synchronize with Outlook anymore.

So users considered an alternative email client.

Microsoft ended support for Windows Live Essentials, a suite of freeware applications, that includes Windows Live Mail. Therefore, it is no longer available to download from Microsoft.

OE Classic is an amazing Windows Live Mail alternative, so if you’re looking for a simple email client for Windows 10, you might want to try OE Classic.

Also, you can try the best Windows 10 email clients and apps to use from our list.

  • Is Windows Live Mail and Outlook the same?
Not at all! Live Mail is free, light, and a basic email client. Keep in mind that it’s also not developed anymore. Its last update was in 2012. Outlook is a more professional e-mail client with advanced features and it’s not free.
  • Is Windows Live Mail still available?
Yes, Windows Live Mail 2012 is still available although it is not updated anymore. You don’t have any support for it anymore so it’s also not very secure. Microsoft moved everything to the more advanced Outlook e-mail client.

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How to fix OneDrive error code 36 in 7 easy steps

Posted on by Aleksandar Ognjanovic

OneDrive slowly but steadily becomes the best solution in the cloud business.

However, like everything concerning Microsoft, this cloud-based platform for both business and standard use, has a lot of downsides.

Frequent errors can completely spoil the impression of overall usability and cast a dark cloud on end-user experience. And one of those errors goes by code 36.

This error, seemingly, disturbs the deletion of the whole folders, asking users to delete the in-folder content file at the time.

Now, we all know that this can be an issue, especially if you have thousands of files in the folder.

Fortunately, we provided some solutions below.

In case you’re unable to delete the folder on your own and the error 36 appears frequently, make sure to check them out in order as they appear on the list.

How can I fix OneDrive error 36 in Windows 10?

  1. Update OneDrive
  2. Unlink account and link it again
  3. Run Troubleshooter
  4. Clear browser cache
  5. Delete 0-byte files
  6. Reinstall OneDrive
  7. Create a brand new account and transfer your files

1. Update OneDrive

Since there are multiple ways to access OneDrive on your PC, we’ll need to cover them all.

In case you’re using an OneDrive app for Windows 10, we recommend updating as the first steps towards the resolution.

Namely, the occurrence of the major issue is centered around Windows 10 updates.

Microsoft changes a lot of minor things with OneDrive and there’s a chance that the integration of their native cloud service with the system is falling short.

Luckily, after some time, they tend to provide the patch which resolves the issues at hand.

If you’re not sure how to update OneDrive Store app or built-in OneDrive desktop client, follow the steps we provided below:

UWP OneDrive for Windows 10

  1. Open Microsoft Store, click 3-dot menu and select Downloads and updates.onedrive error code 36
  2. Click on Get updates and wait until every app is updated.onedrive error code 36
  3. Restart your PC and try again.

Pre-installed OneDrive for Windows 10

  1. Enable Hidden folders.
  2. Navigate to CUsers:Your username: AppDataLocalMicrosoftOneDrive.
  3. Run OneDriveStandaloneUpdater.exe and wait until everything is updated.onedrive error code 36

2. Unlink account and link it again

The conundrums which are closely connected to OneDrive credentials never stop to amaze. Especially for Bussines users who have a hard time with various permissions.

Luckily, if the problem isn’t beyond the simple bug, you can simply address it by unlinking your account and linking it again on the troubled system.

This operation on its own is rather simple and it shouldn’t take you too much time to perform it.

On the other hand, the best results come when you completely switch your synchronizing physical drive’s location.

And that can profess as a problem, especially if you have a limited data plan, a lot of files and slow bandwidth to start with.

If you’re not sure how to unlink your account and link it again, follow these instructions:

  1. Right-click on the OneDrive icon in the notification area and open Settings.
  2. Select the Account tab.
  3. Click on the Unlink this PC button.onedrive error code 36
  4. Sign in with your credentials.onedrive error code 36
  5. Select the location of the OneDrive folder.

3. Run Troubleshooter

Now, we all approve the addition of unified troubleshooter to Windows 10, but it, seemingly, isn’t too much of a help.

Concerning OneDrive, Microsoft provides the downloadable troubleshooter which should address minor issues, restart the related services, and provide you with a better insight into the core of the problem.

As we already said, this troubleshooter comes from Microsoft and not from a third-party source, so you can run it safely on your Windows 10.

Here’s how to run Troubleshooter and try fixing the error ’36’ on OneDrive for Windows 10:

  1. Download the OneDrive Troubleshooting tool here.
  2. Run the tool and choose Next.onedrive error code 36
  3. Wait for the troubleshooter to finish and restart your PC.
  4. Try deleting the file again.

4. Clear browser cache

If you’re accessing and using OneDrive through the browser instead of OneDrive desktop client and OneDrive UWP app, we recommend cleaning the cache.

Users which run into this error were unable to delete certain folders and the issue can be invoked by the pre-stored data on your browser.

The cache which resides in your browser will, quite often, slow down page loading speeds and affect the OneDrive‘s web-based interface.

Because of that, we recommend clearing your browser’s cache as soon as possible and look for changes.

Since Google Chrome is the most-used browser on the Windows platform, and Edge is, well, a native browser recommended for OneDrive use, we’ll show you how to do it on both of them below.

Just don’t forget to backup your passwords.

Chrome

  1. Open Chrome and press Ctrl + Shift + Delete to access the Clear browsing data menu.
  2. Check everything.
  3. Click on the Clear Data buttononedrive error code 36

Edge

  1. Open Edge.
  2. Open 3-dots menu and then click on the Clear browsing data button.onedrive error code 36
  3. Clear everything and restart Edge.
  4. Try logging in OneDrive again.

5. Delete 0-byte files

The mere presence of 0-byte files will cause a lot of problems during the synchronization and, especially, when it comes to manipulating files and folders.

They tend to appear from time to time, as the pieces of the configuration files for certain applications or meta-data storages.

And they can, in an unwanted scenario, corrupt the OneDrive folder. They’ll render it either inaccessible or hard to delete.

For that reason, we recommend searching for these files and removing them accordingly. If you’re unable to locate them on your own, these steps should come in handy:

  1. Open your OneDrive folder on local PC storage.
  2. Press F3 to instantly access the Search bar.
  3. Type the following line in the search bar:
    size: 0onedrive error code 36
  4. Delete all 0-byte files and try removing the folder in OneDrive again.

6. Reinstall OneDrive

Besides the unlinking and updating, respectively, you can also try and reinstall OneDrive for Windows 10.

As we already mentioned before, there are two applications you can use on Windows 10 and regarding OneDrive.

The first one comes from Microsoft Store and it’s your standard UWP application. It’s fairly limited and it lacks the inclusivity a desktop client version offers.

The second is a desktop client version which comes pre-installed with Windows 10.

Nowadays, you can remove both of them without issues and install them again.

Below, you can find the reinstallation procedure for both of them, so make sure to follow the steps.

Hopefully, this should resolve any integration-related issues a.k.a error 36, and let you delete a whole folder without issues.

Desktop client OneDrive for Windows 10

  1. Navigate to Control Panel > Uninstall a program, and uninstall OneDrive.
  2. Go to official site and download OneDrive desktop client installation.
  3. Install OneDrive and log in with your credentials.

UWP OneDrive

  1. Search for white-cloud-icon OneDrive in the Start Menu, right-click on it and uninstall it.onedrive error code 36
  2. Open Store and search for OneDrive.onedrive error code 36
  3. Install the app again and sign in with your credentials.
  4. Try deleting the error-inflicting folder again.

7. Create a brand new account and transfer your files

Finally, this workaround isn’t exactly in the ‘solutions’ category. However, if you’re determined to continue using OneDrive in a seamless manner, this might be the only way.

The data migration from one to another account can be performed in various ways, but we recommend creation of a new account and transferring all the files to a different physical location.

This should invoke the synchronization sequence.

That should do it. Have in mind that this article mostly tackles the error 36 for standard users and not the Business ones.

If you’re a premium user of OneDrive for Bussines, we recommend addressing the problem to Microsoft support.

In case any alternative solution comes to your mind or you have any questions, make sure to tell us in the comments section below.

  • How do I fix OneDrive error 0x8004deb2?

First, try to modify Windows 10 Credential settings. If that doesn’t work, read this complete guide to fix the problem.

  • How do I clean up my OneDrive?

 Search for big files and old files that you already backed up and delete them. If that sounds complicated, our expert guide will make things easier.

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FIX: Dropbox there was an error downloading your file

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Dropbox is one of the most popular tools when it comes to sharing and storing files.

However, this app is affected by many errors. You can check out our comprehensive guide to solve many issues with Dropbox reported by users.

Also, many users encountered this problem regardless of the computer, browser, or the type of Internet connection used.

Many people use Dropbox to share files with their peers. So, it is safe to say that you can’t use Dropbox without the download feature.

Luckily, there are solutions available to fix this issue.

Today we will show you what to do if you encounter there was an error downloading your file error message in Dropbox.

What to do if Dropbox won’t let you download files?

1. Try using a different web browser

The first thing you should try is using a different browser to download files from Dropbox. You can use any browser you want, but we recommend the Opera One browser.

This modern-looking browser is the right choice, in case you have a problem with file transferring services. You have multiple integrated tools like a VPN or messaging apps.

More importantly, you can share files easily with the Flow feature, the shared storage tool that permits you to transfer files between your devices at any time. Plus, it comes with built-in AI.

⇒ Get Opera One

2. Try incognito mode

Some users reported that going in private/incognito mode solved the problem for them.

For Google Chrome, go to the three vertical dots from the upper-right corner of the window. Then, select New incognito window.

new incognito window There was an error downloading your file in Dropbox

Alternatively, you can press CTRL + SHIFT + N on your keyboard and a new incognito page will open automatically.

3. Clear your cache

Clearing your temporary Internet files is always a great idea. Doing this, your browser will run better, and you will avoid errors such as this one.

  1. Click on the three vertical dots from the upper-right corner of your window.
  2. Select More tools.
  3. Click on Clear browsing data.clear browsing data There was an error downloading your file in Dropbox
  4. Choose a relevant time range or select All time to clear everything.
  5. Select the checkboxes next to Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data.
  6. Click on Clear data.chrome clear browsing data There was an error downloading your file in Dropbox

4. Check the name of the files or folders

If Dropbox won’t let you download, make sure there aren’t certain characters in your file name, such as punctuation signs.

Conclusion

So, this problem can be solved in no time with our solutions. Make sure your browser runs smoothly by clearing the cache.

You can also go in incognito or private mode. Moreover, check the file name to see if there are no special characters such as comas, hashtags etc.

Did our solutions work for you? Did you find other methods to fix this issue? Do let us know in the comments section below!

Game Benchmark Software: 5 Best Tools to Use in 2026

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

We all love playing games, and the industry has evolved to keep up with our demand. In the 70’s there were only 2D text-style games and the computers were often big and hard to use. The industry has changed a lot since then. In the 21st century, we play incredibly immersive games with photo realistic 3D graphics, that we couldn’t even imagine a decade ago.

The market produces constant upgrades to any piece of hardware your PC might contain. We are also exposed to variety of games with different hardware specifications so it can become frustrating to check which games you can run smoothly on your PC.

In this article, we will explore some of the best options of game benchmarking software on the market. You will find out what benchmarking software is right for your needs with the option to even avoid downloading any software.

Some of the options in this list can directly compare your hardware specifications to any game you would like to test, with just a few clicks.

What are the top 5 gaming benchmark tools in 2020?

PCMark 10

3D Mark is a complete tool that allows you to easily benchmark your PC and mobile devices in one app. PCMark 10 is the latest version of the 3D Mark series and features a comprehensive set of tests that cover a wide variety of tasks.

The tool comes designed for home use with the free Basic Edition and Advanced Edition and for business use with the Professional Edition.

Best features of PCMark 10 Basic Edition include:

  • Automatically scans your hardware & recommends the best benchmark for your system
  • Ability to invidually update benchmark tests
  • Custom settings – rendering resolution and quality
  • Fast and efficient
  • Multi-level reporting – low,mid and high-level test groups
  • PCMark 10 Express test

The features in the Advanced edition of PCMark 10 are the same as the features of the Basic edition but also include:

  • PCMark 10 Extended test
  • Hardware monitoring
  • Custom benchmark settings
  • Compare results side-by-side
  • Ability to save results offline

PCMark 10 Professional Edition has all the features included in the 2 previous versions presented, and adds other very useful features :

  • Private, offline results option
  • Command line automation
  • Export results as PDF and XML
  • Licensed for commercial use
  • Compatible with Testdriver
  • Priority support by email and phone

⇒ Download PCMark 10

— RELATED: 5 best PC benchmarking software for Windows 10

UNIGINE 2

UNIGINE can be effectively used to determine the stability of a GPU under extreme conditions and also has the ability to check the cooling system’s potential under maximum heat output.

“UNIGINE benchmarks provide completely unbiased results and can generate true in-game rendering workloads across all PC platforms. This program also offers you a walk-through mode for the users with little to no experience.”

This benchmark app is very powerful and can test for performance and stability data on video card, power supply and cooling system. All these options come with interactive experience in a beautiful, detailed virtual environment.

The UNIGINE benchmarks for testing your video gaming capabilities have different themes – Superposition, Valley, Heaven, Tropics, and Sanctuary.

Some of the best features of UNIGINE Benchmarks include:

  • 64-bit coordinates precision – real-world scale of virtual scenes
  • Connect to Oculus Rift/HTC Vive, monitor walls, etc.
  • Visual realism – nearly photorealistic
  • Professional input and output
  • Outstanding performance
  • Great technical support

⇒ Download UNIGINE 2

— RELATED: The best gaming mouse pads to enhance your gaming experience

UserBenchmark

User Benchmark

UserBenchmark is a lightweight option for benchmarking your PC because it works without installation.

After downloading the EXE file, run it, and simply click Run. The tools will analyze your computer’s configuration and the results will be displayed in a new window.

This benchmark software gives you scores for Gaming, Desktop and Workstation performance and also an overall percentile score and a component-specific percentile score. This percentile score comes from a comparison with only computer s with the same components as yours.

UserBenchmark tests CPU, GPU, SSD, HDD, RAM, and USB.

⇒ Try UserBenchmark

— RELATED: 6 best antivirus with gaming mode to stay protected while gaming

Catzilla

catzilla benchmarking

Catzilla is a powerful tool that allows you to test your computer’s performance in 4K resolution.
After you run the tests, Catzilla gives you specific results in forms of a score but also in a graphic form. This shows you how strong your computer is and if you can run a game.

Catzilla also allows you to test your computer by answering the question: ‘Will this game run on my PC?’

To test your computer for its performance in relation to a game, you can easily select the game from the list and run the test. Catzilla compares your hardware capabilities with the minimum and recommended specifications of any game you want to test and gives you the results in seconds.

If the results for the game you tested are not confirming you can play a game, then Catzilla searches in database for the best recommendation of hardware change, based on which it is easiest to replace.

This will allow you to know which hardware component it is recommended to change and it even gives you a preview of the score results after the upgrade would be applied.

⇒ Download Catzilla

— RELATED: 5 best emulators for PUBG Mobile on PC for a new gaming experience

CanYouRunIt

canyourunit -benchmarks

CanYouRunIt is actually an online data-base benchmarking software that you can use to easily find out if you can run a game on your PC.

CanYouRunIt works by just installing a plugin on your PC. After the initial installation, the plug-in runs automatically when you test a game on their site.

⇒ Try CanYouRunIt

Conclusion

In this article, we listed 5 of the best software options that allows you to easily benchmark your PC no matter its hardware configuration.

There are people who don’t want to download anything. Others prefer a powerful benchmarking tool installed on their PCs. The options presented in this article cover both categories and allow you to have an optimum gaming experience on any PC.

Let us know what tool you chose from this list in the comment section below.

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This Diablo 3 skill calculator helps to achieve higher GRs

Posted on by John Nedelcu

Whilst seasoned Diablo players have a clear plan of their character progression, you might find yourself disheartened by the prospect. This is where a Diablo 3 skill calculator can help.

While eagerly awaiting the release of Diablo 4, new players wanting to take part in the adventures of Sanctuary look towards Diablo 3 to immerse themselves in the rich lore and fast-paced gameplay that Blizzard has created.

Before the release of Diablo 3, Blizzard put out a Diablo 3 skill calculator on the official website, but in the years since, several such build planners have cropped up, offering more information and a comprehensive database of items.

How can I use the Diablo 3 skills calculator?

1. Official Diablo 3 calculator

Diablo 3 skills overview

  1. Go to the Diablo 3 Game Guides page (EU Link | US Link)
  2. Select Skill Calculator from the Tools section
  3. Select your desired class
  4. Browse through the skills
  5. Save your build

Note: if you do not log in to your account, you can still save build but they will be kept as cookies and if you clear your browser’s cookies, you will lose the saved builds.

You can save up to 15 builds on this Diablo 3 skill calculator, and because it is linked to your battle.net account, you will be able to come back and revisit them.

Additionally, any in-game characters you’ve created will be available to view on your profile page.

This tool was created prior to the release of Diablo 3, but it has been updated to skill changes and new class introductions.

Whilst it does not calculate player stats or take items into account, it is a good resource for new players to familiarise themselves with Diablo 3 classes and their abilities.

2. D3Planner

diablo 3 skill calculator

  1. Go to the Diablo 3 Planner
  2. Select the Class you play as
  3. Click on each item and select the desired item from the dropdown list
  4. Add your Skills and Paragon points
  5. Check the stats on the right-hand side

D3Planner also allows players to import their in-game characters and go into the finest details of their builds by simulating what effect changing stats, items or sockets would have on their DPS.

This Diablo 3 skill calculator is one of the best tools you can use to build and test your character.

This is especially important when you find a much-needed item and you want to see what effect changing its stats would have.

As you know, once you have committed to changing a stat, this cannot be undone and by using a tool such as this, you can see the different effects without committing to the change.

Want to get more power out of your legendary item in Diablo 3? This is how you augment it for more damage

3. Diablo 3 Misc Calculators

diablo 3 skills and items

As you will progress through your Diablo 3 journey and your knowledge of the intricacies of your character, you will start to look at minute details to give you that extra edge when pushing the greater rifts.

There are many Diablo 3 calculators which can help you on this journey. Here are a few that we recommend to new players:

  1. Paragon Calculator
  2. XP time calculator
  3. Legendary Gem upgrade success rate
  4. Vitality vs % Life
  5.  Critical Hit Chance vs Damage

We highly recommend the D3 Resource repository where you can find information on all aspects of the game. This fan-made website can be an invaluable resource when starting out in the world of Diablo.

As a new player, Diablo 3 could be a daunting title, but with the help of these skill calculators and other tools, you will manage to find your way through the trials that the world presents.

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Best 3D Camera Tracking Software

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

We live in a time when everything from Hollywood blockbusters to common commercials makes use of 3D elements, so certain special effects have become quite common and mandatory to pull off.

One good example is 3D camera tracking, and if you want to use this special effect in your videos, then you need to know which software can pull it off the fastest, easiest, and in the best manner possible.

To that extent, we will be looking over several software tools that have proven their efficiency when it comes to 3D camera tracking.

The entries were selected base don their toolset, how easy they are to use, how much do they cost, and other important criteria.

What is the best software for 3D camera tracking?

Adobe After Effects

Topping out our list is a software tool that you may not have even known that it had 3D camera tracking included in the feature list: Adobe After Effects.

This program is part of the Adobe Suite, and it is one of the best that you can buy on the market today. It has tones of features that include titles, transitions, and multiple-layer 3D embedding and tracking.

More so, any of you that are familiar with any of the other Adobe products, such as Photoshop or Illustrator are will quickly get accustomed to the look and feel of After Effects.

You can get it as part of the general subscription of the Adobe services, or you can subscribe to it separately.

Here are some of Adobe After Effects’ main features:

  • Full compatibility with other Adobe products
  • The  Internet is full of useful guides for After Effects
  • Professional-level toolset
  • Can easily handle tasks such as 3D camera tracking
  • Features plug-in support

⇒ Download Adobe After Effects

Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe Premiere Pro along with adobe After Effects can be considered a 2-package deal when it comes to editing videos.

While After effects mainly focuses on post-processing and the addition of special effects to already existing videos, Adobe Premiere Pro deals mainly with creating and edit videos from the bottom up.

As such, a complete video editor’s digital library would usually consist of both programs, used in a sequence.

However, despite the differences between the two, Adobe Premiere Pro is also perfectly capable of handly certain special effects, of which we can also mention 3D camera tracking.

The program does a solid job at it, albeit the steps you need to take are a bit more complicated since this wasn’t the focus and intended design of the program.

Here are some of Adobe Premiere Pro’s main features:

  • Full compatibility with other Adobe products
  • Works well with Adobe After Effects
  • 360 VR and 4K support
  • 3D camera tracking is possible
  • The price tag

⇒ Download Adobe Premiere Pro

SynthEyes

Unlike the previous two entries on our list that are well-rounded programs in themselves, SynthEyes was specially created with 3D special effects in mind.

One of the main features of this program is stabilizing 360-degree shots and adding any 3D animation that you may want in your live-action videos.

More so, you can also manage green screen effects using this tool, making it a great overall package when it comes to videos featuring special effects and fictitious settings.

Here are some of SynthEyes’s main features:

  • Has geometric hierarchy tracking
  • Features 360 VR stabilization
  • Comes in various license types
  • Compatible with Python
  • Supports stereo 360VR

⇒ Download SynthEyes

3DEqualizer

Adding 3D effects to a regular 2D video may seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re a beginner. However, that is no longer the case, since video editing software now also caters to non-professionals as well.

One great example is 3DEqualizer, a video editing tool that focuses on simplicity above all else.

Their 3D motion tracking is some of the best on the market, and it is mainly aimed at studios and those who want to be sure that they get top-end effects.

The program has been around for some time already, but it is continuously updated, allowing it to stay competitive even 2 decades after it first appeared.

Here are some of 3DEqualizer’s main features:

  • Deep Python Integration
  • High-speed optimization
  • Lens distortion
  • Unique solvers
  • One of the best 3D tracking algorithms on the market

⇒ Download 3DEqualizer

Boujou

Affordability is another aspect that you should consider when buying any type of software. As such, this last entry is here not necessarily because it is cheap, but because it offers an incredible number of tools given the low price.

Another highlight of this tool is that is is also perfectly equipped to put your computer effects directly into your high-speed, real-life footage.

It does it with incredible accuracy and seamless integration using frame-by-frame exploration and a fully functional graph editor.

The program is constantly updated to stay competitive, and if you’re looking for a budget-friendly alternative, go ahead and try Boujou. In fact, you can even take advantage of their free trial before making a purchase.

Here are some of Boujou’s main features:

  • Comes with a free trial
  • Extremely affordable
  • Can insert 3D effects into videos in real-time
  • Frequently updated
  • Offers seamless integration of VFX

⇒ Download Boujou

Movies nowadays can no longer survive with at least a few 3D special effects, and implementing them has become easier and easier.

However, the end goal is to make a movie that looks believable, so a good software tool that will handle this aspect is a must.

That being said, feel free to look over our top 5 picks, and make sure you find the one that suits you best.

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Fix Outlook Error Too Many Recipients on Windows 10/11

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Are you getting an Outlook error that says there are too many recipients? Well, the first thing to know about this error is that it happens when a distribution list is too big, and people who regularly use distribution lists to manage and/or send emails are prone to receiving this error.

The error, which is displayed as Error 550 Too many invalid recipients occurs when you attempt to send a message to multiple users or email addresses, that are no longer valid, from Outlook, and eventually, the message doesn’t get to the intended recipients.

But what really is the maximum number of recipients you can send messages to at a go using Outlook? First of all, the Outlook error too many recipients message isn’t generated by Outlook itself, but comes from your internet service provider (ISP), or your corporate mail administrator in the form of a send/receive error.

This is because Outlook doesn’t have a limit on the number of addresses you can send to in one single message or email.

However, your ISP or corporate mail admin can set limits or a combination of limits on the number of emails you can send in an hour or day and the number of recipients for a single email in a bid to protect the mail server from abuse or excessive use.

But this is something you’d then have to check with your ISP or corporate mail admin to avoid getting the error in future messages.

One of the easiest ways of dealing with this error is by first creating a distribution list that has an optimum number of email addresses, though you can find out from your mail admin or ISP about the limits on the number of emails you can send. In this way, you can avoid receiving the Outlook error too many recipients next time you send multiple emails.

Otherwise, you can try some of the solutions listed below if the error persists.

Fix: Outlook error too many recipients

1. Make a new profile and account on Outlook

  • Open Control panel
  • Select Mail
  • Delete the Outlook profileshow outlook mail profile
  • Restart your computer and open Outlook again
  • Make a new profile and a new account
  • If the account is an Exchange, connect to the exchange server
  • If it isn’t Exchange, use the manual account setup to connect the PST file, otherwise back up the PST file first

Note: Making a new profile should not damage the PST file.

If creating a new Outlook profile or account doesn’t fix the Outlook error too many recipients, make a new test Windows User Profile (account) by logging into the new Windows account, set up Outlook and test it again.

2. Check with your ISP

If you get Outlook error too many recipients, there could be an email reputation issue and your ISP probably doesn’t want to admit it.

In this case, check your ISP’s domain reputation, block reputation, and your assigned address reputation from sites like spamhaus.org, spamcop.net, abuseat.org, or barracudacentral.org.

If this turns out to be the probable cause of the error, then it may be affecting many other customers of the same ISP. You can also get the manager’s outgoing mail routing through smtp2go.com.

3. Work with or around the email limitations

To do this, there are several methods that come in handy including:

  • Using a Mail Merge in Outlook
  • Use a Mail merge add-in to break mail merge into batches below the email limitation
  • Consider using a third party app or service for mass mailings or distribution lists
  • Get an upgrade on your subscription from your ISP and ask about possibilities that such an upgrade comes with, look out for email allowances or limitations
  • Check with your corporate mail administrator for a specific mail address you can use to send out large distribution lists or mailings, and/or remove the limits on your account temporarily. You can also schedule the list to go out or run later in the night
  • Verify your account through SMS to allow you to temporarily go beyond the set limit on sending emails or messages

Did any of these solutions help? Let us know in the comments section below.

How to fix printer error 1203 for good

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

If you’re using a Dell printer and you’ve come across error 1203, it more often than not signifies a cartridge error.

Now, some of these errors come when we really aren’t anticipating them, in any case, who reads printer manuals?  That’s what we’re here for – to simplify the stuff in the manuals and make it easier to use.

Anyways, error 1203 on your Dell printer simply means you need to replace your ink cartridge as soon as possible.

You also need to check whether the cartridges you’ve been using, or are using, are genuine Dell ink cartridges, or cut-rate ink cartridges.

Error 1203 also means that your Dell printer’s ink cartridges overflow, whether they’re brand new or not, either after you’ve done several prints, or just after you refilled the cartridges.

In both cases, you need to check and see whether the ink is smeared on the copper contacts of your printer’s holder.

You can easily do this by opening your printer while it’s off, then the holder with the contact panel slides across where you can see everything clearly.

Here are some solutions that can help you fix it.

Fix error 1203 on Dell printers and other printer models

1. Clean the copper contacts on the printer’s holder

Before you run a print job, do the following:

  • Take a lint free cloth, pour a few drops of water to dampen it,
  • Clean off the copper contacts on the printer’s holder.
  • Check if the printer works again.
  • Make sure you align the ink cartridges a few times, then run the cleaned up cartridges.
  • Print a test page to see how the print job looks

Note: make sure you don’t leave any debris of the lint-free cloth on the contact panel of your printer.

2. Replace your ink cartridge

If your ink cartridges are brand new, you can go back to where you purchased them then ask for a refund, or a replacement.

If the ink cartridges are old, try purchasing a new Dell Series 5-ink cartridge. These ink cartridges have a sensor in them that cannot be reset, therefore, even if you do a refill, the print job will not give the same output.

Usually, the error 1203 shows you which ink cartridge is causing the error.

The sensor in the cartridges reports the ink levels once they reach a certain level, so if you refill such a cartridge, you may get a print job done, but the cartridge’s sensor will still report low ink.

The only way around this is to replace it with a new, genuine Dell Series 5 ink cartridge.

Another reason not to refill ink cartridges is because it may lead to print quality issues, and eventually your printer experiences hardware problems.

3. Contact Dell Support

In case the error 1203 message persists, kindly get in touch with Dell’s Customer Support team with specifics on your issue and they’ll be glad to assist you.

We sure hope one of these solutions helped you. Let us know your experience in the comments section.

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Microsoft Edge 81 comes to the stable channel

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

If you’re sporting the new Microsoft Edge on your computer, it’s time for an update. Indeed, as spotted by Neowin, Microsoft has just pushed out the version 81 update to the Edge Stable channel, which is the regular non-insider version of the browser.

This release has already been tested for many weeks now in the Beta channel, and delivers the long awaited Collections Feature. It also comes with Dev Tools localization and some under the hood options for developers. As usual, you can find the update by heading to the Settings menu, clicking About Microsoft Edge, let the browser download the data, and then restart the browser.

If you’re looking for some newer features, you might want to check out the other versions of the browser via the Edge Insider program. Just keep in mind that there won’t be a version 82 update to Edge, due to the Coronavirus situation. Some new features that you can look forward to in the upcoming release include extension syncing, the ability to add all tabs to a collection, and much more.

Microsoft ups Teams meeting view from 4 to 9 participants, promises more to come

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft took to Twitter this afternoon to announce a major change to its Microsoft Teams service. The company detailed that it is increasing the number of participants viewed simultaneously on the meeting stage to 9.

Over four years in the making now, this is a major change from before, where you would only see active video from the last four people that have spoken in the chat. According to Microsoft, the feature will be rolling out soon, though no exact time frame has been given. The company finally responded in the Teams UserVoice, indicating that they are “continuing work to increase this limit even further.”

Reaction to this change has been a bit mixed in the community. Considering Zoom lets you see up to 49 participants on a single screen, users seem to think that the change doesn’t go far enough to help teachers or organizations with larger team sizes. However, Microsoft did say they are continuing work to increase the limit, so there is hope on the road ahead.

FIX: Street Fighter V not launching

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

Street Fighter 5 is a fluid, reliable game, but sometimes players can’t launch it. When they hit the play button, nothing happens, an error message appears on the screen, or the loading process suddenly stops.

Here’s how one gamer describes this issue:

Downloaded game, downloaded update. Game will not launch when I hit play. My frame turns green for maybe 2 seconds, then absolutely nothing happens. The game will not even launch. No error. No nothing. It just won’t even start.

If you can’t launch Street Fighter 5, follow the troubleshooting steps listed in this article to solve the problem.

How to fix Street Fighter V launch issues

  1. Add Street Fighter V to your antivirus’ exceptions list
  2. Install the latest Windows and driver updates
  3. Restart your PC, run both Steam and SFV as an Administrator 
  4. Verify the integrity of the game cache
  5. Perform a clean boot
  6. Disable  IPv6
  7. Unplug all the peripherals

1. Add Street Fighter V to your antivirus’ exceptions list

One of the reasons why you can’t launch Street Fighter 5 is because the game conflicts with your antivirus and security programs. Many players confirm that adding ST5 to your antivirus’ exceptions list fixes this problem.

It appears that Windows Defender, Security Essentials, AVG and Avast Antivirus often have false positives on the external SFV launcher.

2. Install the latest Windows and driver updates

Make sure that your computer has all the necessary resources to properly run this game. Install the latest OS updates available, as well as the latest graphics driver updates.

3. Restart your PC, run both Steam and SFV as an Administrator

This might help, as well. The first thing you should do is reboot your PC. After that, right-click on both Steam‘s and SFV’s shortcuts respectively, and open Properties. In the Compatibilty tab, check the “Run this program as an administrator” box and confirm changes.

4. Verify the integrity of the game cache

For a step-by-step guide, check out the steps we provided below:

  1. Open Steam.
  2. Right-click on the Street Fighter 5 in the Library and open Properties.
  3. Choose Local files.
  4. Click Verify the integrity of the game cache.

5. Perform a clean boot

  1. Type System Configuration in the search box > hit Enter
  2. On the Services tab >  select the Hide all Microsoft services check box > click Disable all.
  3. On the Startup tab > click on Open Task Manager.
  4. On the Startup tab in Task Manager > select all items > click Disable.
  5. Close the Task Manager.
  6. On the Startup tab of the System Configuration dialog box >click OK > restart your computer.

6. Disable  IPv6

You can use this workaround to fix both ST5 launch issues, as well as random crashes:

  1. Go to Start > type “View network connections” > select the first result
  2. Right-click your Ethernet adapters > go to Properties > Disable IPv6

7.  Unplug all the peripherals

Unplug all the peripherals from your computer, launch ST5 and then plug them back in. This helped some users as there’s seemingly an issue with

We hope that the solutions listed above helped you to fix Street Fighter 5’s launch issues. If you’ve come across other workarounds to fix this problem, you can list the troubleshooting steps in the comment section below.

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Fix: Steam game already running error

Posted on by Ivan Jenic

If you’re bothered with the Steam is already running or Failed to start game (app already running) error when running the Steam desktop client, don’t panic. We have a few solutions for you in the tutorial below.

As we all know, Valve hit the jackpot with Steam. Nowadays, their own game development falls behind digital distribution as that seems to be a more profitable service. So, while the gaming community awaits for Half-life 3, Steam game base is getting larger.

Even though the Steam client receives frequent updates and fixes, some of the issues keep popping up. One of the notable issues is ‘game is already running’. According to some users, their client seems active and thus preventing them from starting the game. So, if this is your problem as well, we’ve prepared some troubleshooting for this annoyance.

How to solve ‘Steam game already running’ issue

  1. Kill the process in the Task Manager
  2. Disable possible compatibility modes
  3. Disable known interfering applications
  4. Re-update Steam
  5. Reinstall Steam

Solution 1 – Kill the process in the Task Manager

According to some reports, Steam.exe seems to be working, but the client interface just doesn’t show up. In this case, you should try stopping the process and retry. You can do this by following these steps:

  1. Right-click Taskbar and select Task Manager.
  2. Find Steam Client Bootstrapper and stop it.
  3. Exit Task Manager and restart the Steam client.

If the client user interface is not visible, then the problem requires other solutions, which you can find below.

If the game is already running, you need to follow the same steps as above. This time, instead of searching for Steam client in the list of processes you will look for something similar to the name of the game (or that has a similar icon with the game). You will end that process, wait a few seconds and then try launching the game again.

Having problems with Task Manager? We’ve got the guide for you.

Solution 2 – Disable possible compatibility modes

The solution for some other Steam-related problems is changing the compatibility mode for the client. However, this medicine does have some counter-effects, as it may cause even more problems. It can cause the client malfunction, especially on x64 systems. So, it’s better to revert it to the original settings, and here’s how to do that:

  1. Go to the Steam folder (default location is: C:Program FilesSteam).
  2. Find the Steam application file.
  3. Right-click and open Properties.
  4. Open Compatibility tab.
  5. Uncheck all boxes except Run as administrator.steam compatibility modes
  6. Save and restart the Steam client.

Solution 3 – Disable known interfering applications

As the Steam tech support stated, there are some background applications that occasionally interfere with Steam. According to them, those applications can slow down or even prevent Steam from working. Since we are into the saying ‘better safe than sorry’, here is the list of apps you should stop while running the Steam client:

  • Anti-Virus Applications
  • Anti-Spyware Applications
  • Firewall/Security Applications
  • Torrent and Download Applications
  • VoIP Applications
  • Peer 2 Peer Applications

Try disabling their respective processes to prevent possible conflicts with Steam. If the problem persists, move on to the next solution.

Solution 4 – Re-update Steam

In some occasions, Steam files get corrupted or incomplete. Most of the time, the problem lies in some malware infections. Those things can ruin your life for sure! However, once you’ve scanned your PC and the malicious software is out, you should re-update your Steam client. To do so, follow these instructions:

  1. Exit Steam completely.
  2. Go to the Steam client installation location. The default location should be C:Program FilesSteam.
  3. Find ClientRegistry.blob and back it up. Just copy and paste on your desktop.
  4. Delete all files in a folder except Steam.exe and steamapps folder (we don’t want to delete all games, do we?)
  5. Start Steam and let it update.

On the next start, Steam client will update and possibly fix the issues. If the problem remains unresolved, we give you a final you can try to deal with this problem.

Solution 5 – Reinstall Steam

Yes, reinstall. If none of the solutions from above helped, the re-installation should work it out. Since the program is not as large as you think, the whole process is fast and as easy. Albeit, the re-installation procedure requires you to delete some associated files and, possibly, some registry entries. You can also use a third-party uninstaller, just don’t forget to backup your games as those will be deleted, too.

Do as follows:

  1. Exit Steam
  2. Move the Steamapps folder out of C:Program FilesSteam (or custom location) to keep game installations.delete steam associated files after uninstall
  3. Click the Control Panel.
  4. Open the Add or Remove Programs.
  5. Select Steam from the list and click the Change/Remove button.
  6. Select the Automatic option and click Next.
  7. Click Finish to uninstall Steam.
  8. Restart your PC and download client installer from the official site.
  9. Install Steam.

These were our possible solutions for this issue. You should start from top to bottom and try them out. Hopefully, they’ll help.

If you are having some other workarounds or ideas, please share them with us in the comments.

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HP error 75: Quick solutions to fix it when it pops up

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Are you trying to copy or print using your HP printer and you get a HP error 75? Here’s how you can fix this in no time.

How to fix HP error 75

Solution 1: Check the power cable

HP recommends that the printer should be plugged in directly to a wall outlet, not a surge protector or battery backup, which may not allow sufficient voltage to get through to the printer.

Sometimes HP error 75 may occur during the printing or copying process, when the level of current passing through to your printer, if using a UPS, surge protector, or power strip, fluctuates slightly causing inadequate power supply to the printer.

When there’s inadequate power supply, you can get symptoms such as:

  • Inexplicable or false error messages for instance the HP error 75
  • The printer won’t ‘wake up’ from sleep mode
  • Incorrect printouts
  • Slower printing (than normal)
  • Printer control panel display goes blank or shows jumbled characters
  • Monitor shuts off or loses power
  • Paper jam from halfway done print job

These and many other symptoms can be very frustrating.

Connecting or plugging directly to a power outlet on your wall ensures that a consistent level of power is supplied to a printer, which prevents any printing problems.

It is also important when you are experiencing wireless connectivity, sleep mode, and other power problems with your printer.

If you need a new power cable, here are some suggestions:

Solution 2: Perform a Hard Reset

Although this may not be a guaranteed solution to solve all your printer issues, it can solve a few and is often a good first aid step.

Here’s how to do a hard reset:

  • Unplug all cables and memory card from the printer
  • Unplug power cord from the back of the printer while it is still turned on
  • Unplug the other end of the power cord from the power outlet. If there’s a power module on the cord, disconnect one end, then reconnect it
  • After about a minute or so, plug the power cord into the power outlet on the wall (don’t plug it to a surge protector or battery backup – see solution1)
  • Plug the cord to the back of the printer (it should automatically turn on or power back up – if not, turn it on with the power button)
  • Try making a photocopy before connecting other cables to the printer
  • Connect all other cables to the printer

Once you complete the hard reset process, update your printer’s firmware. For Windows operating system users, you can get updates from the following sources:

  • 123.hp.com, which provides guided driver download and installation for Windows users. It installs the full feature print driver for most HP printers released in 2013 or later on.
  • HP software and driver downloads, which provides any available, full feature (to get most of all supported printer features), and basic drivers (for basic printer functionality), plus added printing software, and driver updates for Windows computers
  • HP support assistant, which is a support app for Windows 7 or later for HP printers and computers, and notifies you when the updated printer software is available

While you’re at it, you can check for updates that include performance enhancements, bug fixes, and the latest features for your HP printer.

Did this resolve your issue? Let us know in the comments section below.

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How to augment ancient items in Diablo 3

Posted on by John Nedelcu

With new players joining the eternal battle of Diablo 3 every season, some might be put off by the learning curve that Diablo has. One of the most frequent questions asked is about Kanai’s Cube, and specifically how to augment ancient items.

Kanai’s Cube is an artefact that players can find in the world of Sanctuary which allows them to transform items, extract powers and convert materials.

How do I augment ancient items in Diablo 3?

1. Find Kanai’s Cube

diablo 3 kanai's cube location

 

  1. Start a game in adventure mode
  2. Open the Map (M) or step on a waypoint
  3. Go to Act III > The Ruins of Sescheron
  4. Navigate to the Inner Sanctum
  5. Once you find the chamber containing the Cube, interact with it
  6. When you teleport back to town, you will find the cube next to Zoltun Kulle

To start augmenting your gear, the first thing you need is the device which allows you to augment ancient items.

The Cube is a powerful artefact created by Zoltun Kulle and used by the Horadrim. As its corruptive powers became apparent, the Horadrim hid the Cube on Mount Arreat, entrusted to the Barbarians living there.

In its place, they created a less powerful artefact, called the Horadric Cube, which The Adventurer used in Diablo 2.

2. Gather the required materials to augment ancient items

kanai's cube recipe augmentation

  1. Augment ancient and primal ancient weapons: Item to augment + Legendary Gem level 30 (minimum) + 3 x Flawless Royal gems
  2. Augment ancient and primal ancient rings or amulet: Item to augment + Legendary Gem level 40 (minimum) + 3 x Flawless Royal gems
  3. Augment ancient and primal ancient armour: Item to augment + Legendary Gem level 50 (minimum) + 3 x Flawless Royal gems

The three Flawless Royal Gems will determine the primary stat applied by Cladesann’s Despair:

  1. Flawless Royal Ruby will apply strength
  2. Flawless Royal Topaz will apply intelligence
  3. Flawless Royal Emerald will apply dexterity
  4. Flawless Royal Amethyst will apply vitality

Augmenting an ancient item will apply the main stat in addition to what the item being augmented already has.

Keep in mind that the gems will be consumed on each augment, so you will need a new legendary gem and 3 flawless royal gems for each subsequent augment you do.

Beware of the hidden cost of augmenting ancient items in Diablo 3. Whilst you will not need gold for the augmentation itself, you need to upgrade the gems to the top tier. This cost can add up when you’re just starting.

Want to play Diablo 3 but blattle.net isn’t launching? Fix it using this simple guide.

3. Use the recipe to augment your items

augment ancient items diablo 3

  1. Click on Kanai’s Cube
  2. Click on the book icon
  3. Use the arrow buttons to scroll to page 10
  4. Place the materials in the Cube
  5. Click on Transmute 

The item will be returned to your inventory and you will see an extra stat appear in the description. Keep in mind that if you re-augment an ancient item, it will replace the previous augmentation.

4. Augment ancient items when needed

primal ancient augmentation diablo 3

Once you gain access to item augmentation, you will be tempted to augment often. You can do your first round of augments when you have the legendary gems available, afterwards, you will want to do it every 10-15 levels of the legendary gems.

Naturally, this pace will slow down as you go past legendary gem level 60, and from here you can do it every 5 levels or so, depending on how many mats you have available.

The legendary gem you use for augmentations does not impact the final result. The only thing to take into account is the level of the legendary gem used, as each level will add 5 points to the main stat added to the final item.

Diablo is a game that has become synonymous with the ARPG genre. It is a series that is still thriving, with new players joining the eternal conflict regularly.

If you’ve just started playing Diablo 3 and you need some help getting around, sound off in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to help you out.

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Windows 10 news recap: Xbox Game Bar to get a widget store, Your People app gets a new icon, and more

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Welcome back to our Windows 10 news recap, where we go over the top stories of the past week in the world of Microsoft’s flagship operating system.

Xbox Game Bar for Windows 10 is becoming much more versatile with new widgets from Razer, XSplit, and Intel

The Xbox Game Bar on Windows 10 is set to become more versatile due to a new ‘widget store’ which will allow users to add new widgets to the bar. Companies such as Razer, XSplit, and Intel will have widgets available.

Windows 10 People app gets a new Fluent Design icon

The People app on Windows 10 has received a new icon with the Fluent Design treatment.

Windows 10 Your Phone app gets subtle design changes with latest Insider update

The Your Phone app on Windows 10 is receiving some slight design changes, available for Windows Insiders initially. You can find the full details of the design changes here.

That’s it for this week. We will be back next week with more Windows 10 news.

How to fix 7 common Imperator: Rome bugs on PC

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

Imperator: Rome is a great strategy game that all the history buffs out there will love.

With instances of bugs being reported on the game, we’ve gathered up some tips and tricks, that will keep the conquest going for a long time. We came, we saw, we fixed.

How can I fix these Imperator: Rome issues?

  1. Black screen
  2. Save game issues
  3. Connection errors
  4. Game crashes
  5. Game freezing u
  6. Audio issues
  7. Validation errors

1. Fix Black screen issues

In order to ensure that this works, first, you’ll need to try running the game in Windowed Mode or lowering your resolution to 1080p.

If this didn’t work, click on Verify or Repair Imperator in your Steam client.

Or alternatively, simply uninstall and reinstall the game in case you have corrupted files in your Steam directory.

2. Fix savegame issues

More or less, this issue can be traced to faulty game files, maybe some got corrupted at some point. But we’ve got a solution for this, simply follow these steps:

  1. Start your Steam client.
  2. In the Library section, right-click on the Imperator game and click on Properties from the menu.
  3. Now select the Local files tab and click on the Verify integrity of game files.
  4. After this is done, try running the game again.

3. Fix connection issues

Simply add your game to an exception list for both your antivirus or Windows Firewall. The same solution for the game glitching out works for this as well, you can reproduce the same steps to verify your game files.

4.Game crashing fix

To prevent Imperator from crashing we first suggest that you right-click on your game shortcut or exe. file and run the game in Windows Compatibility Mode.


Secondly, if that didn’t work, open your Nvidia Control Panel and Select Manage 3D Settings and select Imperator from the Program Settings and next you’re going to set the Power Management to Prefer Maximum Power.

5. Game freezing up

You should try running the game in Windowed Mode, as a first solution. Or alternatively, repair and verify your files can do the trick. But if that doesn’t work you should uninstall and reinstall your game.

6. Fix sound issues

For this fix, you’re going to right-click on the speaker icon on the bottom right corner of your screen or toolbar for hidden icons and click on Sounds.

Now head on over to the Playback section and disable all the sound devices except the internal speaker or the speaker you wish you want to use.

Also, keep in mind that changing your audio from surround sound to stereo can do the trick too.

7. Validation fix

Navigate to your Steam directory, and locate where the game is installed. Now you’re gonna look for masterservers.vdf files in your Steam or game directory and delete all of them.

Sometimes there are duplicates in different directories and that is why the validation process isn’t working out for you. After you have deleted them proceed to Verify or Repair your game.

Tips for smooth Imperator: Rome gaming sessions on PC

Always whitelist your game through the Windows Firewall, or any antivirus software that might be preventing the game from going into split screen mode.

Keep your graphic drivers up-to-date, and any essential components on your machine.

Whenever you have a freshly launched game, it’s best to run the game on recommended settings until future patches are released.

Always remember the minimum requirements when running a game, these are specs for Imperator:Rome:

  • Operating System: Windows 7 / 8 /10
  • Architecture: 64 bit
  • System Memory: 4GB
  • Processor: Intel iCore i3-2105 or AMD FX-8120
  • Graphics Card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 570 or equivalent AMD Graphics Card

Recommended:

  • OS: Windows 10 Home 64 bit
  • Processor: Intel iCore i5- 3570K or AMD Ryzen 3 2200G
  • Memory: 6 GB RAM
  • Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 660 or AMD Radeon R9 380

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Posted in Fix

Fix Star Wars: The Old Republic issues on Windows 10/11

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Star Wars games were always popular among gamers, but even Star Wars games have their issues. Speaking of Star Wars games and issues, today we’ll fix Star Wars: The Old Republic issues on Windows 10.

Star Wars: The Old Republic is a popular massive multiplayer online game from EA, but the game has issues, and players have reported various problems, such as being unable to launch the game, black screen issues and other similar problems.

Fix Star Wars: The Old Republic Problems On PC

Solution 1 – End bitraider processes using Task Manager

Players are complaining that they are getting This application has encountered an unspecified error. Please try this patch again message when they try to start the game. According to them, the launcher starts and tries to download the patch but it gets interrupted by the error message.

In order to fix this issue go the following:

  1. Start Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
  2. When Task Manager starts go to the Processes tab.
  3. Find brw.exe and brstvc.exe processes and stop them.
  4. Try downloading the game again.

Solution 2 – Delete the client_settings.ini

There’s a strange issue with Windows 10 and Star Wars: The Old Republic that causes the change of your display resolution to 800×600. There’s no crash, no error message, but the game changes your display resolution.

During this time the game will run in the background, but you won’t be able to switch to it. After closing the game using the Task Manager, the resolution will go back to the original value. This is unusual problem, but there’s a way to fix that.

  1. Go to App data folder. To access it, press Windows Key + R and type %appdata%. Click OK or press Enter.
  2. Now locate Star Wars: The Old Republic folder and find client_settings.ini file.
  3. Delete that file and try running the game again.

Solution 3 – Make sure that your drivers are up to date

If you’re experiencing black screen issues you need to make sure that your graphic drivers are up to date. In addition, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to update your DirectX, .NET Framework, and Visual C++.

You can update the GPU drivers by going into the Device Manager from Display Drivers. As for the DirectX, .Net Framework, and Visual C++, you’ll have to go to their official websites and download the latest versions by yourself.

If you want to prevent the risk of downloading and installing the wrong driver versions, we suggest you do it using a dedicated driver updater tool that automatically updates your graphic card drivers. You just have to choose the right drivers and this tool will safely update it in seconds!

Solution 4 – Change your display resolution

If your resolution changes every time you start the game, you can try lowering your display resolution to match it. For example, if your resolution changes to 800×600 when you start Star Wars: The Old Republic try changing your resolution manually to 800×600 before starting the game.

Change Display resolution and Text size in Windows 10

When you start the game go to game options and change the resolution from 800×600 to the one that you usually use on your desktop. After doing that, exit the game and change your display resolution to the original value. Now when you start the game there won’t be any resolution changes.

Solution 5 – Use FixLauncher.exe

If you think that your launcher is corrupted, it’s always good to run FixLauncher.exe in order to fix it.

To access FixLauncher.exe just go to the C:Program Files (x86)Electronic ArtsBioWareStar Wars – The Old Republic and run FixLauncher.exe from there.

Solution 6 – Run Star Wars: The Old Republic as administrator

  1. Go to the game’s installation directory. By default, it should be 
    C:Program Files (x86)Electronic ArtsBioWareStar Wars - The Old Republic
  2. Find launcher.exe and right-click it.
  3. Choose Properties and go to the Compatibility tab.
  4. Check Run this Program as an administrator.
  5. Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
  6. Try running the game again.

Solution 7 – Check your computer’s time and date

date and time options pc

If you’re receiving The login Service is unavailable error message, make sure that you check your computer’s time and date. If your time and date isn’t correct, enter the correct time and date and try running the game again.

Solution 8 – Make sure that your firewall or antivirus isn’t blocking launcher.exe and swtor.exe

Sometimes antivirus software or firewall can block certain programs, so make sure that launcher.exe and swtor.exe aren’t blocked by your antivirus or firewall software.

Solution 9 – Download swtor_setup.exe

  1. Download swtor_setup.exe from here.
  2. Launch the file and it will redownload launcher files.
  3. After the download is complete try running the game again.

Solution 10 – Switch to windowed mode

When you start the game make sure that you press Alt + Enter to switch between fullscreen and windowed mode.

If the keyboard combination isn’t working for you you might have to change game configuration files. To do that follow these instructions:

  1. Press Windows Key + R.
  2. Enter %localappdata%swtorswtorsettings and press OK to open that location.
  3. Open the client_settings.ini and change the values to:
    • Fullscreen = false
    • D3DFullScreen = false
    • RefreshRate = 60
  4. Save the changes and try running the game again.

Solution 11- Use game optimization software

If you’re having FPS issues, lags, and slowdowns while playing, we recommend you use a dedicated game optimization tool that will focus your computer resources and processes on the game without overclocking your hardware.

This kind of tool also provides real-time system health and performance information like the CPU and GPU temperature and clock-speed.

⇒ Get Game Fire

Solution 12 – Delete the Patch folder

If you’re getting the error message saying Logging service unavailable try deleting the Patch folder.

  1. Make sure that your game or launcher isn’t running.
  2. Go to the game installation directory. By default, it should be: 
    C:Program Files (x86)Electronic ArtsBioWareStar Wars - The Old Republic
  3. If you see Patch folder make sure that you delete it.

Solution 13 – Flush the DNS cache

Flushing the DNS cache sometimes helps with Logging service unavailable errors, so it’s worth trying.

  1. Run Command Prompt as administrator. To do that type Command Prompt in the Search bar and right click Command Prompt from the list of results. Choose Run as administrator.
  2. When Command Prompt opens type the following and press Enter to run it:
    • ipconfig /flushdns
flushdns command

Solution 14 – Restart your computer and your router

If you are unable to retrieve patch data restart your computer and try running the game again. If the problem persists after the restart, try restarting your modem.

In addition, if you’re using VPN or proxy make sure that your game is allowed to communicate through the VPN.

We hope that our solutions were helpful to you, and if you need more information regarding Star Wars games, you can check what to do to fix Star Wars Battlefront 2 in Windows 10 and how to fix Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic issues on Windows 10.

FIX: Microsoft Solitaire Collection error 404017

Posted on by Aleksandar Ognjanovic

There’s a lot of good things going for the Microsoft Solitaire Collection. The recently-revamped game set of various games was mostly welcomed by avid solitaire players around the world.

However, even this graphically simple game somehow has more than a few issues. Some of them are self-explanatory while the error 404017 is quite peculiar.

Some players see this error prompt whenever they start the game and, well, nothing happens. They close it and play without problems. Now, even though error 404017 can’t be related to a problem, it sure is an error. And we have a few ways to get rid of it.

How to fix error 404017 in Microsoft Solitaire Collection

  1. Reset Store
  2. Run app troubleshooter
  3. Reset the MSC to factory settings and update it
  4. Run SFC and DISM
  5. Update Windows
  6. Reinstall the game

Solution 1 – Reset Store

Let’s start by resetting the store cache. Due to the mysterious nature of the error at hand, we can’t be sure whether this is an isolated Microsoft Solitare Collection error or it has something to do with the Store itself.

The most common way to address Microsoft Store stalling or misbehaving is by resetting it. This is an essential system application and it can’t be reinstalled, but a reset should be a good start.

Here’s how to reset the store with the WSReset command:

  1. In the Windows Search bar, type wsreset.
  2. Click on wsreset to execute the command.wsreset
  3. Open Microsoft Solitaire Collection and look for improvements.

Solution 2 – Run app troubleshooter

The next thing we can do is run the dedicated built-in troubleshooter. There’s a whole menu of tools for Windows 10 designated to troubleshoot a variety of system issues.

In this case, we’ll be looking for the Store Apps troubleshooter. If it doesn’t relieve you of the error 404017, it should at least give you a hint on what went wrong.

You can run the built-in Store apps troubleshooter by following these steps:

  1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
  2. Choose Update & Security.
  3. Select Troubleshoot from the left pane.
  4. Expand the “Windows Store Apps” troubleshooter.
  5. Click Run the troubleshooter.windows store apps troubleshooter

Solution 3 – Reset the MSC to factory settings and update it

Now, even though Store can’t be reinstalled or thoroughly meddled with, you can most certainly tweak Microsoft Solitaire Collection. The one action we usually recommend if one or another UWP app has issues is to do a factory reset.

You don’t need to worry about your score (in-game progress) as it’s saved in the cloud and thus safe from deletion.

Here’s how to reset Microsoft Solitaire Collection to factory settings:

  1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
  2. Choose Apps.
  3. Expand the Microsoft Solitaire Collection app and open Advanced options.advanced options msc
  4. Scroll down and click Reset.

After you’ve done that, we suggest checking for updates. In order for the Collection to work in a seamless manner, make sure it’s up to date. You can update the app by accessing the Microsoft Store.

Once there, open Downloads & Updates from the 3-dot menu. The only remaining thing is to click Get updates.

Solution 4 – Run SFC and DISM

If the error 404017 persists, it’s maybe time to get big guns into play. Besides the Store and apps falling within its ecosystem, there are still some interfering factors.

For example, if certain system files get corrupted, it can affect the Store. Theoretically, that’s quite a rare occurrence, but knowing Windows 10, running SFC and DISM is well-advised.

They work the best when running together, one after another. The first utility we’ll need to use is the System File Checker. After that, if no error is found, run the Deployment Image Servicing and Management tool.

Here’s how to run both tools via the Command Prompt:

  1. In the Windows Search bar, type cmd.
  2. Right-click the Command Prompt and run it as an administrator.
  3. In the command line, type the following command and press Enter:
    • sfc /scannowsfc
  4. After it’s done, in the same window, type the following commands and press Enter after each:
    • DISM /online /Cleanup-Image / ScanHealth
    • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  5. Reboot your PC when everything ends.

As an alternative, you will most likely resolve Solitaire errors with a practical repairing service that automatically detects damaged system files on your PC.

Solution 5 – Update Windows

Mandatory Windows 10 updates are known for causing all kinds of issues, as Microsoft likes to fix what is not broken and make you accept it whether you like it or not. Thankfully, not every update is like that.

The error at hand emerged for some users just after an update, but we might expect that a next update resolves it. Therefore, we suggest checking for the update manually and hoping for the best.

Here’s how to check for updates in Windows 10:

  1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
  2. Choose Update & Security.
  3. Click on the Check for updates button on the right.check for updates win 10

Solution 6 – Reinstall the game

Finally, if none of the previous steps helped you address the error 404017, we suggest reinstalling the game as the last resort. Microsoft Store apps, like their older siblings – win32 applications, can get buggy and a reinstall is due.

In this case, we can’t say with certainty whether reinstallation brings more success than the previous solutions, but it’s worth giving it a try.

Follow these steps to reinstall Microsoft Solitaire Collection:

  1. In the Windows Search bar, search for Microsoft Solitaire Collection.
  2. Right-click on it and uninstall it.uninstall microsoft solitaire collection
  3. Reboot your PC.
  4. Open Microsoft Store, look for the Microsoft Solitaire Collection and install it on your PC.
  5. Sign in with your Microsoft account.

With that said, we come to a conclusion. If you’re still having a hard time with this or any other error in Microsoft Solitaire Collection, contacting Microsoft is the next obvious step. Also, tell us if we helped you or not in the comments section below.

  1. Beginner, L1-4
  2. Recruit, L5-9
  3. Enthusiast, L10-14
  4. Apprentice, L15-19
  5. Graduate, L20-24
  6. Aficionado, L25-29
  7. Talented, L30-34
  8. Skilled, L35-39
  9. Seasoned, L40-44
  10. Specialist, L45-49
  11. Expert, L50-54
  12. Veteran, L55-59
  13. Pro, L60-64
  14. Card Shark, L65-69
  15. Genius, L70-74
  16. Master, L75-79
  17. Superstar, L80-84
  18. Ace, L85-89
  19. Champion, L90-94
  20. Legend, L95-99
  21. Grandmaster, L100

Discord mutes out Microsoft Teams by bringing background noise supression to calls first

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft recently announced that its Teams service would be getting real-time noise suppression for video calls, but now Discord now has a response, too. In a blog post today, Discord detailed a similar feature for voice chats on its platform.

Rolling out today, and coming to 100% of desktop users, Discord said its new noise suppression feature is currently still in beta, and it’s available as a toggle switch in settings. Additional controls for the feature on Discord can also be found under App Settings, Voice and Video, Advanced, and Noise Suppression. The company also plans to bring it to iOS and Android users at some point.

Overall, what Discord announced today works similar to Microsoft’s upcoming solution for Teams, though it’s worth noting that Discord has teamed up with Krisp.ai to bring background suppression to the app. Anyway, it’s quite surprising to see Discord ship first a much-anticipated Teams feature, especially since Microsoft has yet to give a timeframe for its background noise suppression feature to Teams users.

According to Discord, the new tech is smart enough to remove background noises happening around you every day. That can be a vacuum cleaner, a door slam, a ruffle of a bag of chips, or more. Much like Microsoft, Discord also claims that user video or audio is not shared outside of the platform. “Krisp runs on your device to cancel out noise — no data is ever sent to their servers under any circumstances,” Discord said.

As more people head to online collaboration services due to the Coronavirus pandemic, this is yet another interesting move from Discord. While Slack and Zoom have been seen as Microsoft Teams and Slack’s main competitors, Discord recently has stepped up to the plate. The company says that it has seen a 50 percent growth in daily voice users in the United States. The platform also recently pushed out an appeal to student and education audiences.

Resident Evil 3 patch improves performance on Xbox One X at the cost of native 4K

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Capcom has just released a patch for the Xbox One version of Resident Evil 3, which was released worldwide a week ago. This new patch addresses the performance issues that Xbox One X have been encountering, and we noted in our own review that the game didn’t run as flawlessly as the Resident Evil 2 remake from last year.

The Xbox One X was the only console to run Resident Evil 3 in native 4K, but this ambitious choice by Capcom caused this version to often miss its 60 FPS target. Well, this new patch has now dropped the resolution to 1600p on Xbox One X, which is the same resolution that Capcom chose last year for the Resident Evil 2 remake. The resolution change was noticed by NXGamer today (via Twisted Voxel), a YouTuber known for his deep technical analysis of video games.

Even though Capcom’s RE Engine can deliver some amazingly detailed graphics in Resident Evil 3 and other games like Devil May Cry 5, we’ll have to wait for Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 to see 4K/60FPS becoming a standard on consoles. Still, the Xbox One X has now replaced the PlayStation 4 Pro as the best console to play Resident Evil 3, as seen in this freshly-published comparison video from VG Tech:

Resident Evil 3 was one of the most-anticipated remakes to hit consoles and PC this year, and it’s a great follow-up to 2019’s Resident Evil 2 remake. The $59.99 survival-horror adventure also comes with the multiplayer game Resident Evil: Resistance, which is an interesting take on the 4 vs. 1 experience previously seen in Dead by Daylight.

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How to fix Windows Modules Installer Service issues

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

The Windows Modules Installer Service is an essential Windows Update system process that looks for updates and installs them on your computer. In other words, the service enables users to install, modify and remove Windows updates and optional components.

If this service is disabled, you may encounter various issues and errors when trying to install or uninstall Windows updates.

Under the Task Manager, you may find various Windows Modules Installer Service processes, such as TiWorker.exe. If you select the Details tab, you should find it there. You can also go to Start and type services.msc. Then scroll down and locate the Windows Module Installer.

WMI’s main process is TrustedInstaller.exe. The process is usually located at C:Windowsservicing, as you can see in the screenshot below, and it runs under Local System Account.

trustedinstaller windows 10

Its startup state is normally set to Manual.

Sometimes, the Windows Modules Installer Service is missing or fails to work. So, where can you download the Windows Modules Installer Service from in order to fix this issue? This is actually quite a common question among Windows 10 users.

Unfortunately, since the Windows Modules Installer Service is a system process, you cannot download it as a package. In case it fails to work properly or is missing altogether, you can use the solutions listed below to fix the problem.

How to repair Windows Modules Installer Service

1. Make sure that the service is running

  1. Go to Start > type services.msc > locate the service > right-click on it > go to Properties
  2. Check if the service status is ‘Stopped’windows module installer stopped
  3. If this is the case, right-click again on WMI > select Start.
start windows module installer

See our guide on Windows Installer Service missing for installer engine errors and quick Windows 11 fixes. You can also review the steps for restoring installer related services in this guide on how to enable Windows Installer Service, which offers additional fixes when core components stop working.

2. Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

Windows 10 also features a built-in troubleshooter that you can use to fix technical issues affecting the system, including update install/removal issues.

Go to Start > Update & Security > Troubleshoot > Run the Windows Update Troubleshooter

windows update troubleshooter

3. Scan your system for malware, viruses and the like

If you computer is infected with malware or other cyber threats, this may explain why you’re experiencing WMI issues. Running a full-system scan should help you fix the problem.

If Windows Defender is your antivirus of choice, launch it and go to Virus & Threat protection. Click on Advanced scan and select Full system scan.

scan computer for virus

We also recommend you to install an anti-malware tool compatible with your antivirus for an extra layer of protection.

4. Run SFC scan

System file corruption issues may also trigger Windows Modules Installer problem. The quickest way to fix the problem is to run a System File Checker scan.

Launch Command Prompt as administrator > enter the command sfc /scannow > hit Enter.

SFC scan

There you go, we hope that this article answered your question as to where you can download the Windows Modules Installer Service. As you can see, you can’t actually download it as this is a system service that’s included in the OS install package.

Before you go, don’t forget to check our guide on Windows Modules Installer Worker High CPU problems.

Xbox beta app for Windows 10 gets significant performance improvements with 2004 update

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Last week, Windows Insiders received a new version of the Xbox beta app for Windows 10 that introduced some welcome under the hood changes. Indeed, the app ditched the Electron framework in favour of Facebook’s React Native, bringing some significant performance improvements along the way.

This new React Native revamp of the Xbox beta app is now available for non-Insiders with version 2004.2000.36.0. After installing this update, you’ll notice that the app now uses much less memory and CPU, making it just as efficient as an app like Steam. Previously, the Xbox beta app could use close to 50% of your CPU during game downloads, meaning it was often better to just close it when playing games.

We’ve also noticed some minor design changes with this update, including a slightly slimmer top navigation bar. The taskbar icon also changed from a white Xbox logo to the same logo above a green square. The Xbox beta app could still do a better job at displaying content by wasting less space, but this is a solid update overall.

It’s now been almost a year since this new Xbox app has been beta. Microsoft launched it along with Xbox Game Pass for PC back in June 2019, and the subscription service remains great value for PC gamers. In case you missed it, Football Manager 2020, Stranger Things 3: The Game and more are joining the catalog this month.

Fix: Netflix error code ui-800-3 on Xbox One

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Millions of users use Netflix every day, but Xbox One users reported certain issues with Netflix app. According to them, they are getting Netflix error code ui-800-3, so let’s see how to fix this error.

How do I fix Netflix error code ui-800-3 on Xbox One?

Solution 1 – Try logging out of Netflix app

According to users, one potential solution is to log out of Netflix app and sign in again. To do that follow these steps:

  1. Start Netflix application on Xbox One.
  2. When the app opens, locate the Menu Row or press the B button on your Xbox One controller.
  3. Select Settings from the menu.
  4. Select Log Out.
  5. Log in to Netflix again.

After logging back in check if error code ui-800-3 appears again. If the problem persists, move on to the next solution.

Solution 2 – Reinstall the Netflix application

Few users claim that you can fix Netflix error code ui-800-3 on Xbox One simply by reinstalling the Netflix application. To do that, first you need to uninstall Netflix by following these steps:

  1. From your Xbox Dashboard select My Games & Apps.
  2. Select Apps from the menu on the left.
  3. Highlight Netflix app and press the Menu button on your controller.
  4. Select Manage App button.
  5. Choose Uninstall All and select Uninstall All again to confirm.

After uninstalling the Netflix app, you need to install it again by following these steps:

  1. From the Home screen navigate to the Store.
  2. In the Apps section select Netflix.
  3. Select Install and wait for Netflix to install.

After the application is installed, run it and check if the error appears again.

Solution 3 – Check your DNS settings

Sometimes your DNS settings can interfere with Netflix app and cause Netflix error code ui-800-3 to appear. To fix this issue you need to check your DNS settings. To do that, follow these simple instructions:

  1. Press the Menu button on your controller and select Settings. Alternatively you can select Settings from the Home screen.
  2. Select Network and go to Advanced settings.
  3. Open DNS settings and select Automatic.
  4. Press the B button to save changes.

After setting the DNS settings to automatic, start Netflix again and check if the problem is resolved.

Solution 4 – Reset Netflix

Users reported that they managed to fix this problem by resetting Netflix. To do that, wait for the error message to appear and select Reset Netflix option. After Netflix resets, start it again and the problem should be completely fixed.

Solution 5 – Reinstall Netflix, turn on Power Saving Mode and turn off your console

Few users claim that they fixed this error simply by reinstalling the Netflix application and by turning on Power Saving Mode. After you uninstall Netflix app, change console settings from Instant On to Power Saving Mode. Now you need to hold the power button down until the white light turns orange. Unplug the console from your TV and wait for few minutes. After that, connect your console, turn it on and install the Netflix application again. We’re not sure if this solution works, but you can still try it.

Netflix error code ui-800-3 on Xbox One can cause a lot of problems, but you should be able to fix it simply by resetting the Netflix app. If that doesn’t work, feel free to try any other solution from this article.

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Posted in Fix

The Windows 20H1 evolution continues as build 19041.173 goes live

Posted on by Don Sharpe

Windows Insider Preview build 19041.173 is now live in the Slow ring. The release is an update to build 20H1, which has undergone significant improvements since it hit the Fast ring last year.

Cumulative update KB4552455 fixes multiple bugs, although it does not add new features to build 20H1.

Issues fixed

Microsoft said that this CU includes solutions that came with build 19041.172. Extra fixes include:

App compatibility

The update minimizes app compatibility problems with build 20H1. According to Microsoft, outdated versions of certain Windows 10 applications would fail to launch in some cases.

Resource allocation

The update solves a resource allocation glitch during device initialization. The problem would cause the failure of certain mass storage devices that connect to Windows 10 PCs via USB.

Mute button

Some insiders reported the malfunction of the mute button on specific devices with the Your Phone app. Update KB4552455 fixes this volume control problem.

Other issues the update addresses are:

  • We have fixed an issue that causes a fault in the input-output memory management unit (IOMMU) and a DRIVER_VERIFIER_DMA_VIOLATION (e6) error. This issue occurs after resuming from hibernate on systems that have Kernel Direct Memory Access (DMA) Protection and Dynamic Root of Trust Measurement (DRTM) enabled.
  • We have updated the Country and Operator Settings Asset (COSA) to increase the coverage for automatic cellular provisioning on devices with mobile broadband.

Persistent screen reader issues

There is one issue that build 19041.172 does not fix, though. It has everything to do with the incompatibility of certain screen-reading apps and the new Microsoft Edge.

As such, Narrator and NVDA users are still unable to access some content when browsing the web via the Chromium-based browser. These apps work well with the old Edge, however.

Windows 10 20H1 gets closer to general availability

Microsoft may release Windows 10 20H1 to general availability any time in April or even May. Also known as the Windows 10 April 2020 Update, the OS sports a bunch of new features and improvements.

This build has a much-advanced Windows Search experience based on what Fast ring insiders have sampled so far. Virtual assistant, Cortana, also gets some substantial enhancements in this version of Windows 10.

Build 20H1 constitutes a major Windows 10 upgrade that many users cannot wait to download. Hopefully, the current COVID-19 crisis will not significantly delay the release of the OS.

“You won’t have to wait much longer” for exciting Xbox Game Studios news, insider says

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

As we get closer and closer to the next-gen Xbox console, we’re all waiting for Microsoft to share more details about upcoming Xbox Game Studios titles. @Shijobi602, a self-proclaimed communications guy at Wushu Studios with more than 50K Twitter followers, teased some exciting news in a post on Resetera yesterday (via Windows Central).

“You won’t have to wait too much longer, really. I’m incredibly excited about what’s coming from Xbox…gorgeous fantasy worlds, reboots, big sci-fi,” the post reads.

Xbox Game Studios

While many would suggest that the insider’s details are just rumors, it might be safe to assume that his game studio is likely connected to upcoming Xbox game projects. Moreover, Xbox head Phil Spencer revealed in an interview with IGN last week that “he believed Xbox had made the decisions in their approach to the next generation console and that he feels very good about the overall package.” So far, the best glimpse we have seen into the next generation titles was our look at Hellblade II, a game that was previously announced at the Game Awards 2019, which showed up some very impressive video rendered on the upcoming Xbox Series X.

You can keep up with the latest updates over at the Inside Xbox live streams and of course, we will share news on the upcoming digital events. What game are you looking forward to? Let us know in the comments below.

New report reveals Microsoft Azure was struggling with reliability and capacity before coronavirus outbreak

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is often lauded for transforming the Redmond giant into a trillion-dollar company after making a big bet on cloud services year ago. With Azure, Microsoft is indeed the second biggest cloud provided after Amazon’s AWS, and Azure has also become one of Microsoft’s fastest-growing businesses in recent years.

The recent coronavirus outbreak revealed that cloud computing is now more important than ever, with lots of employees around the world being forced to work from home. This has put a huge pressure on the most popular Internet services including YouTube and Netflix, but Microsoft also had to implement some restrictions for its Office 365 services, including Microsoft Teams, to cope with higher usage.

“As demand continues to grow, if we are faced with any capacity constraints in any region during this time, we have established clear criteria for the priority of new cloud capacity. Top priority will be going to first responders, health and emergency management services, critical government infrastructure organizational use, and ensuring remote workers stay up and running with the core functionality of Teams. We will also consider adjusting free offers, as necessary, to ensure support of existing customers,” the company explained on March 21 on the Azure blog.

If this reassuring message suggested that Azure customers had no reasons to worry, a new report from The Information reveals today that Azure has actually been under some pressure before the coronavirus outbreak. Big Azure customers including Adobe Systems have been encountering performance issues, while others like Walmart and Chevron also had issues when accessing Azure services, the report reveals.

“It doesn’t appear that the issues big Azure customers have faced are bad enough that they have stopped using the service completely, at least not yet. Microsoft has broad, multiyear corporate alliances with some of those customers, including Adobe, Chevron and Walmart, that would be hard to walk away from. However, those companies could shift some of their computing chores to other cloud providers, making it harder for Azure to pick up additional business down the line,” the report reads.

Interestingly, GitLab, a competitor to the now Microsoft-owned GitHub also decided to move a “ significant portion” of its cloud business from Azure to Google’s cloud. “We had very long boot times that did hinder us in critical situations,” said Brandon Jung, Vice President of alliances at GitLab to the Information, adding that Microsoft’s acquisition of GitHub didn’t lead to its cloud deal with Google.

The report also reveals something interesting about the Azure infrastructure: Currently, Microsoft has more cloud regions than Amazon’s AWS, but compared to its competitors, Microsoft’s datacenters could be spread too thin. “Microsoft is trying to have the most regions possible but there is little evidence that each Azure region is materially more than a single data center,” said Corey Quinn, a cloud economist at The Duckbill Group to The Information.

Another issue with Azure could be an excess of large customers compared to the amount of SMBs. This is a problem that Amazon apparently doesn’t have with AWS according to a person doing business with the Azure team.

AWS, too, has big customers, but also has a wide mix of medium and small businesses, said the person who does business with the Azure team. The diversity in its customer base, along with the larger overall cloud capacity at AWS, lessens the risk that a single customer can suck up all of the computing resources in a specific data center, the person said.

Microsoft said on its Azure blog last month that it was “expediting the addition of significant new capacity that will be available in the weeks ahead.” Lastly, a Microsoft spokesperson gave a reassuring statement to The Information. “Microsoft is committed to our customers and to delivering cloud services built on security, privacy, compliance, and transparency. We have a strong sustained track record to meet customer demand at global scale. This requires careful demand planning and flexibility, which is what we are doing today. We are working closely with existing and new customers to help them best manage their infrastructure needs,” the spokesperson said.

The success of Microsoft Azure took many by surprise in recent years, and Microsoft was indeed one of the very few companies with the resources and scale to challenge Amazon Web Services. However, AWS remains far ahead of Azure. If the cloud remains a big priority for Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Google may reportedly have second thoughts about its own cloud business. Back in December, a previous report from The Information revealed that Google was considering giving up on competing with AWS and Azure if it didn’t reach a top two position by 2023.

Latest Windows 10 Insider build hides new revamped media control and “What’s new” section in Settings

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft rolled out Windows 10 Preview Build 19603 to Fast Ring Insiders yesterday, which comes with a bunch of new features and enhancements, including the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) integration with File Explorer. However, besides all the features listed in the changelog, this new preview build packs two hidden features as well.

In a recent development, Twitter user @Albacore discovered that the Redmond giant is experimenting with a revamped version of the Windows 10 volume flyout with media controls, with the pop up now making much better use of Microsoft’s Fluent Design guidelines.

Windows 10 volume flyout media controls

In addition to the new media controls, @Albacore spotted in the latest Inisider build another hidden feature in the Windows 10 Settings panel. As you can see in the screenshot below, a new “What’s New” section provides useful information about new Windows 10 features that non-power users may ignore. A visible “Give feedback” would also make it easy for Windows users to submit feedback about individual features.

Windows 10 Whats New Section

Again, the aforementioned features are not currently activated and they may well never ship to the public. Brandon LeBlanc from the Windows Insider team stated on Twitter that the media controls feature in the volume flyout “isn’t available yet to Insiders and is hidden in code as it’s currently a design investigation we’re doing.” As for the “What’s New” section, LeBlanc said in a separate tweet that “We didn’t note this in our flight blog post because it’s hidden in code and not enabled for Insiders yet or ready to be used.”

What do you think about these hidden experimental features? Let us know in the comments if you’d like Microsoft to make them available in a future flight.