New Outlook Spaces feature will help Office 365 users organize their mails, meetings, and documents

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Outlook is a pretty versatile email and calendar app, but Microsoft is looking to make it more useful. Spotted by WalkingCat, Microsoft is working on a new “Outlook Spaces” experience for Outlook on the Web, which will help you organize your emails, meetings, and documents into one clean space.

This new experience is still a work-in-progress and is not yet easily accessible. Although Microsoft has yet to announce it, you can enable it in an Office 365 Outlook mailbox with a workaround, as noted by WalkingCat. It appears to be only available for Office 365 users, though, and doesn’t apply to those with Office 365 Personal or Home subscriptions.

Once enabled, Outlook Spaces can bring together most content from an Outlook mailbox into an area known as a “project space.” For instance, if you were getting ready for a big event at work, you can take a specific email that you were looking for and drag it into, and create a dedicated space for it. You can then add items relating to the event in the space, such as a checklist, notes, links, images, online events, and more. There even is an ability to insert word documents, notes, and deadlines. You even can input specific search terms to have the space organized around whatever you’re looking for.

Microsoft also promises that A.I. will be used in upcoming releases to help in discovering and grouping items into spaces. It’s not yet clear when this feature will roll out, but now that we’ve seen it in the light of day, it may be coming soon. We’ll stay on top of the news and will keep you updated.

Want to redeem codes on Arc? Here’s how to do it

Posted on by Vladimir Popescu

If you find that you are not sure about how to redeem codes on the Arc game platform, your search is now over.

Being able to redeem the codes that the developer’s release can get you some really awesome perks. For this reason, it is very important to know how to do this.

Arc codes are unique sequences of numbers and letters that allow you to get access to cool in-game items. These codes are released on special occasions like game anniversaries and real-world holidays.

Beyond this, Arc codes allow you to gather even gold, which can be used in the Even Boutique to buy exclusive items.

In today’s how-to article, we will discuss how you can get access to these codes, and how to use them to get all the benefits. Read on to find out more.

Here’s how to redeem your codes on Arc

Where to find the Arc codes?

In order for you to be able to redeem the codes released by Arc on special occasions, you will first need to be able to have access to them.

The developers of Arc will use different mediums to release the codes. Here are some of them:

Checking out all of these locations will surely keep you up to date regarding all the active and inactive Arc codes.

Is your Arc Launcher not updating? Troubleshoot it fast.

How to use Arc codes?

Enter the codes into the Arc client:

  1. Open up your Arc client.
  2. Click on the Arc logo -> copy-paste/type the code -> press Enter.
  3. This will activate the code for your account.

Use the website to redeem codes:

Note: Please make sure that you’re logged into the right account before performing this step, as some codes can only be used once.

  1. Visit the official page for redeeming codes.
  2. Enter the code inside the box.
  3. Press Enter to activate it and get access to cool items.

Conclusion

In today’s guide, we talked about the best methods to find the Arc codes, and also how to use them efficiently.

If you follow the steps presented to you in this list, you will never miss any codes released by the Arc developers, and you will surely get access to some awesome in-game items.

Please feel free to let us know if you found this guide helpful. You can contact us by simply leaving a comment in the section found below this article.

READ ALSO:

Nikon Camera is Not Reading SD Card: How to Fix it

Posted on by Tashreef Shareef

Nikon cameras use SD cards to read and write clicked pictures. But, sometimes, things don’t pan out as you want them to. Several users have reported their Nikon camera is not reading the SD card.

Nikon camera‘s issue with the SD card seems to be a common affair, and it affects the ability to store and transfer pictures. Fret not! The problem is easily fixable. Keep reading to find out.

What can I do if my Nikon camera is not reading the SD card?

Before we proceed, here are a few quick things to check:

  • Take the memory card out of the camera. Reinsert the SD card and make sure you are inserting it correctly. You should hear a click sound when the SD card is inserted.
  • Check if the company approves the SD card you are using.
  • Take out the memory card and check if the memory card’s contact pins are clean. Use a soft dry cloth to clean any dust, then reinsert the card and check for any improvements.

If none work, move to the fixes listed next.

1. Check and reformat the card

Tip icon Tip
Before formatting the card, check if it works fine using a computer. Insert the card into a card reader of your laptop or external card reader and check if it is detected. And create a backup of the data in the card to your computer.

1.1 On the PC

  1. Right-click on the SD card and select Format.format sd card
  2. For the File system, select FAT, and click the Start button.
  3. Once the format is complete, eject the SD card.
  4. Insert it into your Nikon camera and check if the camera can read the SD card.

Alternatively, you can use a software to format the SD card effectively and get rid of the problem!

1.2 Using the Nikon camera

  1. With the SD card inserted, press the Menu button.
  2. Scroll down and select the Setup Menu.
  3. Select the Format memory card option.
  4. Click Yes to confirm the action.
  5. Once the card is formatted, check if the camera can read the SD card.

2. Update the camera’s firmware

2.1 Get the firmware

  1. To check the currently installed firmware, go to Menu, choose Setup, and tap on Firmware Version.
  2. Go to the Nikon support page.
  3. Select your camera model from the options.
  4. Go to Firmware, and click on View download page.firmware
  5. Accept the license terms, and click on Download to get the firmware.update firmware to fix nikon camera not reading sd card

2.2 Install the firmware

  1. Make sure the camera‘s battery is fully charged.
  2. Extract the downloaded firmware and move the firmware files to your SD card (Not the folder, but only the files inside the folder).
  3. Eject the memory card and insert it into your camera.
  4. Go to Menu, choose Setup Menu, and then tap on Firmware version.
  5. Tap on Update and press OK.
  6. Select Yes and then select OK.
  7. Wait for the process to complete. Once the update is complete, you should see the Update completed. Turn camera off message on the screen.
  8. Finally, restart the camera.

That’s it! If formatting the SD card didn’t work, updating the camera’s firmware should get things up and running when your Nikon camera is not reading the SD card.

Before you leave, find out how to create blurred background photos with a Nikon camera.

Tell us which fix worked for you in the comments section below.

Uninstall-package Not Working: How to Force it

Posted on by Vlad Turiceanu

In Windows, there are multiple ways to remove apps. And speaking of which, many reported that uninstall-package is not working in PowerShell.

This command allows you to remove even system apps, and if it’s not working you won’t be able to debloat Windows or uninstall apps that are giving you trouble.

Luckily, there are few fixes that can help with this issue.

How do I force uninstall a program in PowerShell?

  1. Start PowerShell as admin.
  2. Run the command: Get-AppxPackage
  3. Type the command and press Enter: Remove-AppxPackage <App Name>

What can I do if uninstall-package is not working in PowerShell?

1. Use the cmdlet called Uninstall-Package

  1. Open PowerShell as administrator.
  2. You have to get a list of the applications that are installed on the computer via the following command: Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Select-Object -Property Nameall apps listed in PowerShell
  3. Then, map a variable to the application in question: $MyApp = Get-WmiObject -Class Win32_Product | Where-Object{$_.Name -eq "Free Tools"}
  4. At this point, uninstalling by calling the Uninstall method usually works like a breeze: $MyApp.Uninstall()

If this doesn’t happen and you cannot find the app listed, use the Get-Package cmdlet instead. If you want to find the application named Camera, for example, enter this command: Get-Package -Provider Programs -IncludeWindowsInstaller -Name "Camera".

PowerShell will now be able to locate it. You can further use the cmdlet called Uninstall-Package. Broken down simply, you can get away with specifying the -Name parameter, followed by the package name most of the time.

2. Alternative PowerShell command to uninstall apps

Note icon NOTE
This is an advanced solution, and it requires a basic knowledge of PowerShell in order to be used properly.
  1. Start PowerShell as administrator.
  2. Run the following commands:
    $uninstall32 = gci "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall" | foreach { gp $_.PSPath } | ? { $_ -match "SOFTWARE NAME" } | select UninstallString
    $uninstall64 = gci "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall" | foreach { gp $_.PSPath } | ? { $_ -match "SOFTWARE NAME" } | select UninstallString
    if ($uninstall64) {
    $uninstall64 = $uninstall64.UninstallString -Replace "msiexec.exe","" -Replace "/I","" -Replace "/X",""
    $uninstall64 = $uninstall64.Trim()
    Write "Uninstalling..."
    start-process "msiexec.exe" -arg "/X $uninstall64 /qb" -Wait}
    if ($uninstall32) {
    $uninstall32 = $uninstall32.UninstallString -Replace "msiexec.exe","" -Replace "/I","" -Replace "/X",""
    $uninstall32 = $uninstall32.Trim()
    Write "Uninstalling..."
    start-process "msiexec.exe" -arg "/X $uninstall32 /qb" -Wait}
  3. Close PowerShell.

Alternatively, you can create a PowerShell script using the same commands to automate the process.

Is Windows PowerShell unable to uninstall a certain program? We get your frustration, but let us offer this bit of wisdom. Some built-in apps are really integrated into the operating system and removing them will most likely cause more harm than good.

Your attempts eventually lead to getting the same message that reads This app is part of Windows and cannot be uninstalled on a per-user basis.

There’s no question you could find some shady ways to remove them, but sometimes applications leave unwanted traces behind.

In case you have further issues, check our guide on what to do if PowerShell is not working anymore.

That said, if you finally succeed after reading this, please comment below. We’re eager to hear your opinion.

Windows 10 news recap: Facebook app to be killed off, video shows Windows 10X running on a MacBook, 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.

The official Windows 10 Facebook app is being killed off later this month

Later this month, Facebook will be killing off its Windows 10 app. It recommends that users use the Facebook website instead.

Windows 10 Facebook app

That didn’t take long: video shows Windows 10X running on a MacBook

Windows 10X emulator was released this week, and already someone has managed to get the operating system to run on a MacBook, despite Microsoft insisting its only for dual-screen devices.

Windows 10 users are complaining about missing desktop files after installing this month’s Patch Tuesday

The latest Patch Tuesday update has been met with some complaints as users are complaining that some desktop files have gone missing.

Windows10-Desktop

Surface Book 3 and Surface Go 2 details leaked, along with news of springtime hardware event

Reports suggest that Microsoft is planning a Spring announcement event in New York to announce new Surface devices and discuss other Surface products. At the same time, details of a Surface Book 3 and Surface Go 2 have leaked. You can see the details here.

Surface Laptop 3

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

How to improve your Google Stadia Bandwidth

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

Google Stadia is a cloud gaming service that is operated by Google. Because it is a cloud gaming service, you don’t need any additional hardware to play any of the games in the library.

Your only requirement in order to use the service is to have a stable Internet connection. However, you also need to use the Google Chrome web browser on desktop computers or have a Pixel smartphone, Chrome OS tablet, and Chromecast if you want to stream the service.

Since the second requirement is a must, your only variable in terms of what performance you will get remains your Internet connection.

Normally, if you are playing single-player games over Stadia, latency wouldn’t be that much of an issue. However, Stadia’s library also includes multi-player games, and any type of latency in these titles can mean the difference between winning or losing.

As such, connectivity may be a priority for some Google Stadia users. That is why we created this guide, to show you what you can do in order to maximize your connectivity.

How do I maximize my Google Stadia connectivity?

1. Choose Ethernet over Wi-Fiinternet connection

No matter how good your Internet subscription plan is, there is always a major difference in terms of performance between an Ethernet connection and a Wi-Fi connection.

This is because Ethernet connections don’t suffer from any issue that may affect connectivity, such as the distance between devices, or interferences with other electronics.

Additionally, and the old router has decreased performance, while a cable will either deliver the same top-notch speed or not work at all.

Slow Wi-Fi signal on your laptop? Try the solutions in the article for a fast fix.

2. Stick with the 5GHz connection

If an Ethernet cable is not an option, but your router supports both a 2.4 GHz and a 5 GHz connection, always go for the 5 GHz one. Since not many household devices currently support 5 GHz connectivity, there is little chance that this channel will be occupied too much.

As such, always make sure that your Google Stadia Console is connected to the 5 GHz band.

3. Choose the Official Stadia Controllerstadia controller

As of now, the Stadia Controller is the only controller that is supported. While a mouse and keyboard input is possible, it was revealed that even they have more latency than the controller.

This is because unlike the other peripherals that could connect to a console that uses either a USB cable or Bluetooth, the Stadia Controller connects directly to the same Wi-Fi as the console.

4. Use the Nest Router’s Gaming modenest router

Google released a new line of specialized router called Nest, and they also include a built-in gaming mode called Gaming preferred mode. This is a very simple setting that simply sets the Google Stadia console as a priority over other devices in terms of connectivity.

Thus, even if the channel has many devices on it, the Stadia console will still get the best connection.

Looking for a good gaming router? Check out this article for our top picks.

5. Manually set the Stadia console as a router priority

Not everyone can afford a Nest router, but that doesn’t mean that you have anything to worry about. Many other budget-friendly routers have a built-in priority setting inside.

Choosing this setting varies from one device to another, so make sure you check up on your device’s specifications to see if it has anything similar, and how to access it.

6. Enhance Wi-Fi signal with mesh systemsmesh router

Since we already mentioned that Wi-Fi signals vary based on distance and obstacles, a good idea is to have a mesh Wi-Fi system spread throughout the house in order to provide a stable connection everywhere.

7. Lower the video qualitystadia video quality

In normal gaming, lowering the video quality means the game will look bad because of bad textures, lack of shadows and bad lighting. However, In Google Stadia this simply means that the streaming quality is lowered.

Thus, instead of streaming 4K gaming at the cost of around 20 GB/h, you will only be streaming at 720p for only 4.5 GB/h. This setting is also extremely useful if you have a limited monthly data plan.

Need to make sure you don’t use up all your data plan? Check out this article for the best monitors.

8. Activate your Smart TV’s Game Mode

If you choose Chromecast to use Google Stadia via a Smart TV, try activating the device’s Game Mode. This will reduce image enhancement in order to provide a better and smoother framerate.

Note: Not all TVs have this option, so check up on your device’s specs to see whether this is a good option or not.

Closing thoughts

By following these steps, you should be able to get a better connection to your Google Stadia console. While some of these solutions do involve a bit of an investment, it is definitely worth it if you truly value a high-quality gaming experience.

How do you improve your connectivity to Google Stadia? Let us know by leaving a message in the comments section below.

RELATED ARTICLES YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

FIX: NETLOGON folder doesn’t replicate

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

One of the best ways an IT Administrator can organize your company’s users, computers and more is through the use of an Active Directory. It organizes your company’s complete hierarchy from which computers belong on which network.

This ranges from meaningless things such as what your profile picture looks like to more complex matters such as which users have access to a certain file.

However, things don’t always go as planned with Active Directories, as some users have reported having issues with certain folder replications:

In my company’s AD, we have three DC’s (two in 2008R2 standard, one in 2012R2 standard core).
I’ve found that NETLOGON folder content is not replicated correctly across them

Thankfully enough, users went into further details as to how the issue manifested itself, and a solution was quickly figured out. If you too are having similar issues, continue reading the article below for a step-by-step guide on how to fix the issue.

How do I make the NETLOGON folder replicate properly?

You first have to identify which folder has the latest contents, or which folder which has scripts that run without issues.

You then take that Domain Components and declare it as Master while the other Domain Components are declared as Slaves, and then you just program a replication from Master to Slave.

1. Perform a non-authoritative synchronization

adsiedit.msc

  1. Download and install the ADSIEDIT.msc tool
  2. In the ADSIEDIT.MSC tool modify the following distinguished name (DN) value and attribute on each of the domain controllers that you want to make non-authoritative:
    • CN=SYSVOL Subscription
    • CN=Domain System Volume
    • CN=DFSR-LocalSettings
    • CN=<the server name>
    • OU=Domain Controllers
    • DC=<domain>
    • msDFSR-Enabled=FALSE

1.1 Force Active Directory replication throughout the domain.

  1. Run the following command from an elevated command prompt on the same servers that you set as non-authoritative:
    • DFSRDIAG POLLAD
  2. You will see Event ID 4114 in the DFSR event log indicating SYSVOL is no longer being replicated.
  3. On the same DN from Step 1, set:
    • msDFSR-Enabled=TRUE

1.2 Force Active Directory replication throughout the domain.

  1. Run the following command from an elevated command prompt on the same servers that you set as non-authoritative:
    • DFSRDIAG POLLAD

You will see Event ID 4614 and 4604 in the DFSR event log indicating SYSVOL has been initialized. That domain controller has now done a “D2” of SYSVOL.

Don’t have Active Directory on Windows Server? Check out this detailed guide for more information.

2. Perform an authoritative synchronization

  1. In the ADSIEDIT.MSC tool, modify the following DN and two attributes on the domain controller you want to make authoritative:
    • CN=SYSVOL Subscription
    • CN=Domain System Volume
    • CN=DFSR-LocalSettings
    • CN=<the server name>
    • OU=Domain Controllers
    • DC=<domain>
    • msDFSR-Enabled=FALSE
    • msDFSR-options=1
  2. Modify the following DN and single attribute on all other domain controllers in that domain:
    • CN=SYSVOL Subscription
    • CN=Domain System Volume
    • CN=DFSR-LocalSettings
    • CN=<each other server name>
    • OU=Domain Controllers,DC=<domain>
    • msDFSR-Enabled=FALSE

2.1 Force Active Directory replication throughout the domain and validate its success on all DCs

  1. Start the DFSR service set as authoritative
  2. You will see Event ID 4114 in the DFSR event log indicating SYSVOL is no longer being replicated
  3. On the same DN from Step 1, set:
    • msDFSR-Enabled=TRUE

2.2 Force Active Directory replication throughout the domain and validate its success on all DCs

  1. Run the following command from an elevated command prompt on the same server that you set as authoritative:
    • DFSRDIAG POLLAD
  2. You will see Event ID 4602 in the DFSR event log indicating SYSVOL has been initialized.
    • That domain controller has now done a “D4” of SYSVOL.
  3. Start the DFSR service on the other non-authoritative DCs.
  4. You will see Event ID 4114 in the DFSR event log indicating SYSVOL is no longer being replicated on each of them
  5. Modify the following DN and single attribute on all other domain controllers in that domain:
    • CN=SYSVOL Subscription
    • CN=Domain System Volume
    • CN=DFSR-LocalSettings
    • CN=<each other server name>
    • OU=Domain Controllers,DC=<domain>
    • msDFSR-Enabled=TRUE
  6. Run the following command from an elevated command prompt on all non-authoritative DCs:
    • DFSRDIAG POLLAD

Conclusion

By following these steps you should be able to now make all folders withing the Active Directory’s Domain Components replicate themselves properly without any further issues.

Note: This guide is targeted towards those that have experience modifying Active Directory settings. If you are unsure how to follow these steps, better leave it to the experts.

If you have any further questions or know of a solution we may have missed out on, leave us a message in the comments section below.

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Microsoft Edge Canary is getting the long-awaited extension syncing feature

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft launched its Edge browser on January 15 to much fanfare, but it was still missing features like history syncing. Well, as the upcoming versions of the browser are still being beta tested, some users in the Canary channel can now enjoy the long-awaited extension syncing feature (via Windows Central.)

As reported by a user in the Microsoft Tech Community, this extension sync feature is now rolling out in version 82.0.424.0 of Edge Canary. The feature is apparently not available for everyone yet, though, as we’re not seeing it on our end. However, if available, you should get a pop-up “Sync Updates” image similar to the one below, telling you that you can now sync your extensions across your signed-in devices.

This extension sync feature will likely be appreciated for those who are using Microsoft Edge on multiple devices. It eliminates the need to manually downloaded extensions one by one every time you clean-install Edge on a new device.

Users of Edge in the Canary and Dev channel can also look forward to performance improvements too, thanks to new toolchain optimizations. Measuring Speedometer 2.0 in ten consecutive runs on Microsoft Edge 79, Microsoft claims Microsoft Edge build 81.0.389.0 on 64-bit Windows 10 measured an up to 13% performance improvement when compared to Microsoft Edge 79.

Xbox Elite Series 2 controller becomes fifth best-selling gaming accessory in the US

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft’s new Xbox Elite Series 2 controller is a hit in the US according to new data from The NPD Group (via VentureBeat). Video Games Industry Analyst Mat Piscatella revealed today that the premium controller was the best-selling video game accessory in the US for the third month in a row. This a bit surprising considering the Nintendo Switch remains the best-selling console in the country, so you would think it would have the best selling accessories.

According to The NPD Group, the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller has already become the fifth-best selling accessory in the US after just 3 months in the market, with the Xbox 360 Kinect with Kinect Adventures remaining #1. At $180, the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller a bit more expensive than the first Xbox Elite controller, but there was clearly a demand for a revision. The latest iteration brought a refined designed with more customization options, Bluetooth support, as well as a built-in battery that can be recharged via a new USB-C port.

With Microsoft announcing last year that all existing Xbox accessories will continue to work on the next-gen Xbox Series X, the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller should continue to sell well in the coming months. Back in December, Microsoft did reveal that the next-gen Xbox will come with a slightly redesigned controller with a dedicated Sharing button, but the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller should remain great value thanks to its superior build quality and interchangeable components.

Microsoft unveils last Windows Terminal preview before v1 release

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Ever since its unveiling at Build 2019, Microsoft has been on a journey to perfect the new Windows Terminal command-line app based on feedback from the community. It’s gone through many preview updates, and on February 13, Microsoft announced the last Windows Terminal preview before the v1 release.

With this release, there are quite a few tweaks that developers are likely to enjoy. To begin, the wt execution alias now supports command line arguments. According to Microsoft, this means developers can “launch Terminal with new tabs and panes split just how you like, with the profiles you like, starting in the directories you like.” In addition, this release makes it so that the Windows Terminal will now detect any version of PowerShell and automatically create a profile for you. Finally, there is a new global setting that will allow you to hide the “Close All Tabs” confirmation dialog.

Along with the above new features, this release also has some other improvements. Developers can now navigate word-by-word using Narrator, and can also drag and drop a file into the Terminal to have the file path printed. Other bug fixes and improvements are seen below.

  • Ctrl+Ins and Shift+Ins are bound by default to copy and paste respectively
  • You can now hold Shift and click to expand your selection
  • VS Code keys used for key bindings are now supported
  • Terminal won’t crash when Narrator is running
  • Terminal won’t crash when you provide an invalid background image or icon path
  • Our popup dialogs all now have rounded buttons
  • The search box now works properly in high contrast
  • Some ligatures will render more correctly

The news about this preview means that Microsoft is close to its original promise of launching the Windows Terminal application around the first half of 2020. The company originally mentioned that it might come around February or March, and that timing is now here.

As Sony waits for Microsoft to announce Xbox Series X pricing, cost of PlayStation 5 rises due to “scarce components”

Posted on by Kareem Anderson

As fun as it might be for fans to pitch conspiracy theories about how Microsoft and Sony are in a game of cat-and-mouse regarding next-gen console pricing, the reality may be a bit blander.

According to a report from Bloomberg Technology, the recent rumors about Sony waiting until Microsoft announces its Xbox Series X pricing may have little to do with nefarious one-upmanship and more do to with the company struggling to source parts at a reasonable price.

Scarce components have pushed the manufacturing costs for Sony Corp.’s next PlayStation to around $450 per unit, forcing a difficult price-setting decision in its battle with Microsoft Corp., according to people with knowledge of the matter.

Sony’s biggest pricing issues comes as the company attempts to procure a sustainable supply of memory for the console, specifically NAND and DRAM components. Unfortunately, for console makers, not only are high-end laptops encroaching on memory demand, but companies such as Samsung are putting in massive orders of RAM requests for their flagship phones.

Individuals familiar with the matter have voiced dueling opinions on whether or not Sony should attempt to undercut Microsoft again this console generation. Game staff within Sony have pitched the position that “it should sell the new console at a loss if necessary to match Microsoft’s price,” meanwhile other Sony executives would “prefer to make money,” as it did the last generation, right off the bat.

While component sourcing and price management isn’t unique to Sony this time around, there are some things the company is splurging on that may have its PS5 production in a bit more of a bind than Microsoft’s Xbox Series X. This time around Sony is opting for a more elaborate cooling system that is “unusually” pricer at a few dollars per unit rather than the under one dollar price from prior productions. Sony is also looking to release a follow up to its PlayStation VR which may also eat into component pricing with both products being in the market at roughly the same time.

Regardless of the component issue, Sony is scheduled to release some sort of guidance on its games division to board members sometime around the end of April, which will presumably include revenue based on pricing and sunk-costs calculations. On the other side of the globe, Microsoft is expected to do an official unveiling of the Xbox Series X at E3 2020 in June and fans should expect to see prices listed during the event.

With two months between Sony’s gaming guidance and Microsoft’s expected price reveal, the PlayStation team will have its work cut out for itself as it attempts to balance the bill of materials alongside the number of units produced, all while trying to be competitive with whatever price Microsoft throws against the wall.

Microsoft’s new strategy to accelerate business in India: A separate business unit withing large IT companies

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft is working on a strategy to create a separate business unit within large IT companies in India to accelerate its India business, Economic Times reports.

Called the ITeS 360 solution, the business unit helps in selling the entire stack of Microsoft offerings ranging from AI solutions to business applications to Indian multi-national corporations spread across the globe. The resident business unit leader will ensure that the local Microsoft office in that particular location works with the organization in rolling out the solution.

Microsoft India president Anant Maheshwari told ET that this was part of the ‘One Microsoft’ strategy, which was a brainchild of Satya Nadella. This is a major overhaul in terms of strategy, under which the local Microsoft official would only be concerned with sales at the India operations.

See also: Satya Nadella will be visiting India later this month for the company’s Future Decoded summit

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and HCL Technologies, two of the top IT companies in India, have already partnered with Microsoft on this initiative.

“(The Indian) IT (industry) is today roughly a $180 billion industry. There is a significant value that they can provide in driving cloud solutions as part of this $180 billion. That’s what they’re doing when they go and drive digital transformation in different parts of the world. They need cloud solutions and Microsoft is able to provide them with not just cloud solutions, but also with very significant value adds like data, artificial intelligence, modern workplace solutions like business applications, etc.”

– Anant Maheshwari, President, Microsoft India

Microsoft Azure is on a high growth clip in the country, has and Maheshwari claims that it has nearly “doubled” in 2019, and Microsoft is the number one cloud player in the country. The company is now moving forward to deploying new business models in India like ITeS 360.

How To: All The Keys Steps to Edit My AOL Profile

Posted on by Vlad Turiceanu

Your AOL account is an important tool when it comes to work and career, and you want to have the best looking profile possible. Incase you’re wondering on the steps to edit my AOL profile, we have listed them. You can easily change your AOL profile if you need an update, or if you realized you made a mistake.

Steps in editing my AOL profile

It is actually quite easy to change your profile in AOL. Let us look at the steps to do so. But first, you need to log in to your account in AOL.

Go to settings

Once you are logged in, click on the “Options” button that is found at the upper right corner of your screen. And then choose the option “Mail Settings”.

Edit aol profile

 

Change your personal information

Under the Mail Settings you will find three options, and the first one is “Personal Info”. In this page you can change your nickname, first name, last name, and gender. And you do have an option not to disclose your gender, though you absolutely need to fill in your name information.

Modify your account security

After you have modified your personal information, you can proceed to the next tab which is “Account Security”. In this page you can change your password to something more secure and hard to guess by other people. You also have the option to update your phone number, and you have the view of your email address. In here you can change your verification process and have the option to allow or not allow apps that offer low security in logging in.

edit aol profile

Save your profile changes

Now that you are done updating your personal information and security options, you must save your changes. Simply click on the save button and wait for the saving to complete, and then you’re good to go.

 

Changing my AOL profile picture

If updating your information isn’t enough, you can change your photo before you close the mail settings.

Photo requirements

Before you upload a new photo, you need to know the photo requirements first. AOL does not accept all kinds of photo. You can only upload the photo in the following image requirements:

  • 5MB max image file size
  • File format of .jpg, .jpeg, or .png
  • 192 x 192 min image resolution size

edit aol profile

Click on your photo section

A key part of editing my AOL profile is changing the photo. To change your photo,

  1. Click on mail settings
  2. Go to the personal information section. You will find a camera image circle if there is no photo yet. Or you can see your own image if you have uploaded a photo already.
  3. Click on that photo option
  4. Upload your new photo.

Just make sure that you follow the exact requirements for an image before you upload. Choose a recent photo of yours, though you can also upload an image of a landscape, animal, or anything else you like. But refrain from using another person’s photo.

 

Once you have uploaded your new photo on your AOL profile, you can edit the image by simply rotating it or cropping it to your liking.

And then the last step is to save your changes. Log out of your account, and log back in to check if the new changes took effect.

Edit AOL profile

Note: It is possible that you will be prompted to key in the answer to your Account Security Question. This could happen once you try to change your profile name, or change your profile photo.

The Division 2: Warlords of New York Edition is now live on Microsoft’s Xbox One consoles

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

The special Warlords of New York Edition of The Division 2 is now available on Microsoft’s family of Xbox One consoles.

This new edition contains the full base game of The Division 2 and also comes with the new Warlords of New York expansion which will unlock on March 3rd. The Warlords of New York content expands the main game significantly with new story content, missions, weapons, and more.

Those who buy the Warlords of New York Edition of The Division 2 before April 3rd will also receive a level 40 weapon and a special outfit.

New players uninterested in the New York content may want to check out the vanilla version of The Division 2 which is now selling for a ridiculous $2.99 on Xbox One for the next 10 days. That’s a whopping 95% off. Note that The Division 2: Warlords of New York Edition is also selling with its own discount right now with 45% off its usual price those who think they may want the content in the future should at least consider buying this new version.

Got some extra cash lying around? There’s an Ultimate Edition of The Division 2: Warlords of New York Edition with even more content that’s also available to buy today.

Here’s the rundown of all of its content:

  • The base game
  • The Warlords of New York expansion
  • A level 30 boost, allowing you to jump right into the Warlords of New York campaign
  • The instant unlock of all 6 endgame specializations
  • 8 exclusive Classified assignments missions
  • The Battleworn secret service pack
  • The First Responder pack
  • The Elite Agent pack
  • 1 exclusive emote
  • 1 exclusive outfit

Are you a fan of The Division 2? Which version will you buy? Let us know in the comments below and then follow us on Pinterest and Twitter for more Xbox gaming news.

The Division 2 - Warlords of New York Edition
The Division 2 - Warlords of New York Edition
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The Division 2 - Warlords of New York - Ultimate Edition
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Tom Clancy's The Division® 2
Tom Clancy's The Division® 2
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Will Windows 10X containers end update errors?

Posted on by Don Sharpe

During the latest Microsoft 365 Developer Day, a lot came out about how the company’s futuristic operating system will function on dual-screen devices. It emerged that Windows 10X updates will be superfast, taking less than 90 seconds to complete.

How Microsoft pulls it off

Windows 10X sports a superior architecture that facilitates a smooth and quick upgrade process. Windows 10 updates, which are way too slow, are delivered differently.

According to Microsoft, separation makes a critical difference here. That is why its upcoming OS puts apps, drivers, and system files in separate containers. As such, Windows 10X has a high level of autonomy that shields its files and data from external interference.

Similarly, the OS hosts the Win32 container, which also has a reasonable level of independence. Since the “OS within an OS” has its own kernel, it can “run things” internally without outside interference, except for when capturing/outputting data or accessing system hardware resources.

Separating apps and data from the host OS allows upgrades to take place in the background and rebooting your device completes the shift to the latest version of Windows 10X. Microsoft describes this new update delivery system as “non-intrusive.”

So, are Windows update mishaps coming to an end at last?

Traditional Windows updates do take time to complete, and yes, 90 seconds for Windows 10X is a massive, welcome improvement. But download time is not the real reason why you may sometimes hesitate to get the latest Windows 10 enhancements even when they are meant to address a mission-critical issue.

Lately, it appears that each Windows 10 update that Microsoft delivers leaves behind a trail of user complaints, from unexpected reboots to missing OS features/functions. Could containerization solve such problems in Windows 10X or even in Windows 10?

It depends. For starters, Microsoft only promised that Windows 10X updates would be fast. It did not guarantee that such OS changes will always be perfect.

Secondly, is a flawed delivery system causing some Windows updates to fail, or are the updates themselves inherently defective?

Putting apps in a separate partition or container from system files changes the way Microsoft delivers OS updates. But a superior delivery technique will certainly not fix an update whose code is intrinsically flawed.

FIX: User Profile Not in Registry

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

Several users have been reporting that they are encountering errors when trying to load their profiles. More precisely, they are getting an error message stating that:

The User Profile Service failed the login. User profile cannot be loaded

When trying to figure out what the problem is exactly, many of them eventually realize that their user profile isn’t even listed in the Registry Editor.

Thankfully enough, there are a few things you can do about this issue. That is why we have taken all possible solutions and listed them in a step-by-step guide for you to read.

What can I do if my user profile not showing in the registry?

1. Fix the corrupted user profiles

There are plenty of ways one can follow in order to fix a corrupt user profile in Windows 10, some of which even involve modifying some system registries.

Additionally, you can also consider creating a new one altogether. If you want an in-depth guide on how to fix corrupted user profiles or how you can create new ones, check out this article.

2. Replace the corrupted user profile with a good one

  1. Login Windows 10 using an Admin Account
  2. Navigate to the Users folder in the C: drive
  3. Press the View tab, and make sure you have enabled viewing hidden files and folders
  4. Locate the folder named Default, and rename it to Default.old
    • Note: Don’t delete this folder as it will act as a backup in case things go wrong
  5. Create another folder with the name Default
  6. Inside the new folder, create sub-folders with the exact same names as the ones that are in Default.old
  7. Copy NTUSER.DAT file from your admin account and paste it inside the new Default folderntuser.dat

3. Install the latest Windows 10 updates

  1. Press Start.
  2. Click on Settings.
  3. Select Update & Security.
  4. Select Check for Updates.

If all of the solutions listed above fail, your best bet is to perform a hard reset on Windows 10. Admittedly, this is a very destructive course of action, but it will guarantee you will no longer have any user profile errors.

Which one of these solutions helped you best solve this problem? Let us know by leaving us a message in the comments section below.

User Profile or Private Key Not Accessible [Fix]

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

A Secure Sockets Layer, also known as an SSL,  is a standard security technology for establishing an encrypted link between a server and a client. Manipulating isn’t all that easy, and it can usually result in error messages if not done right.

One good example is when you try to import a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) private key certificate file into the local computer personal certificate store.

The message which appears is, An internal error occurred. Either the user profile is not accessible or the private key that you are importing might require a cryptographic service provider that is not installed on your system.

Luckily enough, there are solutions to these problems, and we have listed them in a step-by-step manner below.

Why are the user profile and private key not accessible?

According to Microsoft, there are three main causes for why this error occurs:

  • Missing permissions: You have insufficient permissions to access the following folders:DriveLetter:\Documents Settings\All Users\Application Data\Microsoft\Crypto\RSA\MachineKeys
  • Another key exists: A third-party registry subkey exists that prevents IIS from accessing the cryptographic service provider
  • Remote access: You are logged on to the computer remotely through a Terminal Services session, and the user profile is not stored locally on the server with Terminal Services enabled.

As you can imagine, knowing what causes the issue makes it easy to figure out the logical fixes.

What can I do if the user profile or private key is not accessible?

1. Reset permissions for the MachineKeys folder

  1. Right-click the MachineKeys folder
  2. Go to the Security tab, and click on Advanced.advanced
  3. Select the Replace all child object permission entries with inheritable permission entries for this object checkbox, and click on OK to save the changes.replace to fix an internal error occurred. either the user profile is not accessible or the private key

Once done, verify whether the Either the user profile is not accessible or the private key Internal Error is fixed.

2. Delete the third-party registry subkey

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type regedit, and then hit Enter.
  2. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
  3. Go to the following path using the navigation pane: HKEY_USERS\Default\Software\Microsoft\Cryptography\Providerspath
  4. If you find the Type 001 key, select it, and then hit Delete.

3. Store the user profile for the Terminal Services session locally

If this seems to be the case, ask your IT administrator to move the user profile to the server that has Terminal Services enabled.

Alternatively, you can also use roaming profiles. This will fix things when you get the An internal error occurred. Either the user profile is not accessible or the private key message.

By following these steps, you should now be able to import an SSL private key certificate file into the local computer personal certificate store without any more error messages.

Before you leave, find out how to create self-signed certificates in Windows.

If you’re aware of a solution we may have missed out on, share it in the comments section below so that other users can also try it.

How to Bring an Off-screen Application to Screen in Windows 10

Posted on by Vladimir Popescu

In case you found yourself wondering how to bring up an off-screen application back to the viewable screen on Windows 10, you found the perfect article.

This issue can be extremely frustrating, especially if you’re working with a large number of windows and applications at the same time and some get stuck off-screen.

Even though this might seem like an unsolvable problem, in today’s article we will discuss what are the best options to apply in this situation. Read on to find out more details.

How do I get access to a window that is off-screen?

1. Change the resolution

  1. Start the application that is off-screen.
  2. Right-click an empty space on your desktop and choose Display Settings.
  3. Choose the Advanced display settings option.
  4. Modify the resolution temporarily to another value and click Apply.
  5. See if you can access the off-screen application and move it to the center of the screen. (if you still can’t do this, change the resolution until you find one that shows your off-screen app).
  6. Change the resolution of your Windows 10 PC back to the default setting and click Ok to apply it.

2. Use the Windows key on your keyboard

  1. Open the problematic application.
  2. Select it from your taskbar.
  3. Press the Windows logo key on your keyboard and press the Left Arrow or Right Arrowkeys until the app comes into view.

3. Use the Shift key

  1. Open the application that starts off-screen.
  2. Press the Shift key on your keyboard, then right-click the problem application from your taskbar and choose Move.
  3. Use your mouse or the arrow keys to move the selected window into view.

4. Use the Cascade Windows option

  1. Right-click an empty space on your taskbar.
  2. Select Cascade windows.cascade windows taskbar

5. Maximize the off-screen app

  1. Open the affected application.
  2. Hold the Shift key and right-click the app from your taskbar.
  3. Choose Maximize from the pop-up menu.

How to prevent this issue from happening recurrently?

Most applications that have this issue will most likely be set to the default position on your screen if it has been closed and re-opened, or, in some extreme cases, uninstalled and re-installed.

If the application with this issue reacts the same way every time you open it, you might want to modify the properties of this app to prevent this from happening.

To do so, you can follow these steps:

  1. Right-click the icon of the problematic app.
  2. Choose Properties.
  3. Select the Shortcut tab.
  4. Under the Run section, click the drop-down menu and choose Maximized.skype shortcut maximized settings
  5. Click Ok.

This will make your off-screen app always start in full-screen mode, thus enabling you to minimize and move on your screen as you desire.

One of the methods presented above has surely managed to help you sort out the annoying off-screen application issue.

If you feel that you have other suggestions for tackling this problem, you can let us know by using the comment section below.

How to Fix Dual Monitor Not Keeping Settings in Windows 10 & 11

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

If your second monitor keeps disconnecting, resets after a reboot, or won’t turn on at all, you’re likely dealing with a common issue affecting many Windows users.

Whether your dual monitors are not keeping settings, or your second monitor suddenly stopped working, this guide will walk you through the most effective solutions.

What can I do when dual monitors are not keeping settings?

Table of contents

1. Power cycle the entire setup

On occasions when you experience various problems, it becomes necessary to power cycle your equipment before it will function properly again. This may sound like a strangely simple solution, but you’ll be surprised to see that it solves a lot of issues.

Therefore, you need to shut down your computer and take out the main power supply for it and the two monitors. Also, try plugging out all the connectors between your computer and the monitors.

Once you’ve done that, wait a few minutes for any residual power to drain from your devices. Next, you will need to connect them back and power the setup on.

2. Update your graphics driver

  1. Boot into Safe Mode
    • Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and hit Enter.
    • In the Boot tab, check Safe boot, then restart your PC.
    • Alternatively, hold Shift and click Restart from the Start menu to enter Advanced Startup and select Safe Mode from there.
  2. Uninstall the Current Graphics Driver
    • Open the Start menu, search for Device Manager, and launch it.
    • Expand the Display adapters section.
    • Right-click your GPU and select Uninstall device.
    • Confirm your action when prompted.
  3. Restart Your PC
    • After uninstalling, reboot your system normally.
    • Windows will attempt to reinstall a basic version of the driver automatically.
    • You can also go to the GPU manufacturer’s website to download and install the latest version manually.

While Windows 11 can detect and install basic display drivers, it’s not always reliable in delivering the latest or most compatible version. For full functionality and bug fixes, a manual update is often necessary.

If you want a faster, safer alternative that prevents mistakes and ensures your GPU always runs on the latest version, consider using Fortect Driver Updater.

  • It scans your entire system for outdated or incompatible drivers.
  • Automatically downloads and installs the correct drivers, including those for display adapters.
  • Helps avoid problems caused by installing the wrong driver version.

3. Run the Hardware and Device Troubleshooter utility

Hardware and Device Troubleshooter
  1. Go to the Start screen and select Control panel.
  2. Select the option of Troubleshooting from the control panel.
  3. Now on the left side of the window, select the View all option to list all the troubleshooting packs available on your computer.
  4. Click on Hardware and Devices from the list of options available.
  5. Select Next to run the troubleshooter.
  6. If any issues are found, you will be prompted to apply this fix.
  7. When finished, the items able to be fixed and those that could not be fixed will be listed. You may click to Explore additional options to continue troubleshooting any issues with items not fixed.

Does the Troubleshooter stop before completing the process? Fix it with the help of this complete guide.

If none of the methods has resolved your issue, we recommend using the Hardware and Device Troubleshooter. This is a utility present in the Windows operating system. It detects problems with your existing hardware and tries to resolve it after following a series of steps.

Do you know any other insights on solving this? Just leave a message in the comments section below to share them with other users so they can also try them.

That didn’t take long: video shows Windows 10X running on a MacBook

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

From the start, Microsoft has insisted that Windows 10X is for dual-screen devices only. Recently, though, with the release of the Windows 10X emulator, one person has managed to use the tool and get the upcoming operating system on an Apple MacBook (via Windows Central.)

The roughly 22-second long clip from Twitter user @imbushuo shows that Windows 10X runs fairly smoothly on the MacBook. We’re able to see the user play an instance of YouTube, showing that the audio works just fine. The user also shows us the Windows 10X Start Menu in action, as well as the trackpad in action to split and span apps across the screen.

It’s not clear how this person managed to get Windows 10X running on his MacBook, but it’s likely to be a very technical and complicated process. It’s not uncommon, though, as, in a separate tweet, another Twitter user showed off Windows 10X running in full-screen on the Lenovo ThinkPad T480s.

Windows 10 users are complaining about missing desktop files after installing this month’s Patch Tuesday

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Earlier this week, Microsoft released its usual Patch Tuesday updates, providing users with the usual performance and security improvements. However, it seems the patches for the November 2019 and May 2019 updates of Windows 10 also come with some potentially critical issues.

One issue reportedly causes desktop files to disappear, and settings such as the Start Menu layout and desktop wallpaper to reset to default. In a posting on the Microsoft Forums on the latest cumulative update for Windows 10, the first comment reads:

Hello. Sorry to post a random question here, but a bit new at this.  Just installed the latest Feb 2020 Windows 10 updates.  Upon completion it appears to have reset the display to default windows system.  That is, all custom icons missing, background returned to windows logo, would not recognise my logon, set a temp logon.

The issue, according to BleepingComputer, seems to be from an bug in the update process. During the update, it appears that the system loads a temporary profile during the process. The problem, however, is that the user’s profile fails to load correctly after the process completes. Luckily, this means that the data hasn’t gone anywhere, just hidden somewhere else on the device.

Users have also reported issues causing them to get locked out of their PCs after installing the latest patches. Wccftech notes that these reports seem to be mostly coming from devices running on AMD chipsets. Other reports suggest the antivirus AVIRA as the potential cause.

Some users seem to be able to fix issues by performing a few restarts of their systems. However others report them to be more persistent, with the only possible solution being to uninstall the update manually.

Are you seeing issues on your machines with any the latest February patches? If so, feel free to leave a comment below and let us know which device and Windows 10 version you’re running.

Microsoft has quietly re-shot sequences from its failed Surface Duo demo

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

If you followed the Microsoft 365 Developer Day two days ago, you may know that some demos didn’t go as smoothly as expected for the company. Kevin Gallo, Vice President of the Windows Developer Platform at Microsoft did some live demos showing Android apps running on the company’s dual-screen Surface Duo, but software quirks forced Gallo to switch to a backup device at some point.

Gallo first encountered an issue when he tried to span the Google Maps across two screens. After he failed to that, the Surface Duo prototype apparently became unresponsive, and at that point, Gallo switched to the backup device. Spanning the Google Maps across the two screens finally worked on this second Duo, but the Google Maps app once again became unresponsive after Gallo dragged it to the right screen. He then went on to demo a new app called Xamarin TV on the left screen, but Gallo once again failed to span this app across the two screens.

Gallo deserves credit for keeping its cool during these failed demos, but the footage really wasn’t a good look for Microsoft’s first Android phone. The software giant was apparently well aware of this, and that’s why the company has quietly reshot this Surface Duo segment with Gallo to give us a flawless demo of Android apps on Surface Duo.

The new footage was first spotted by Zac Bowden from Windows Central, quickly followed by a side-by-side video from Rafael Rivera that gives us a much better before/after perspective. Everything works as expected on the new footage, except for some weird flashing animations that sometimes show up after Gallo swipes on the screen. You may also notice that on the reshot segment, Gallo apparently uses an older version of the Google Maps app which doesn’t have the new app icon that Google started rolling out a couple of days ago.

It’s not the first time that a live demo of a new Surface device from Microsoft fails. Back in 2012, the former president of the Windows Division Steven Sinofsky went through a similarly embarrassing situation when he demoed the first Surface device ever, the Surface RT. After the tablet in his hands became unresponsive, Sinofsky was also forced to switch to backup device, which fortunately worked as expected. Sinofsky did leave the company a couple of months later, and we all know that Microsoft’s Windows RT effort didn’t really resonate with consumers.

Things should hopefully be different for Surface Duo, which Microsoft has announced a year before launch. The dual-screen devices also leverages the most popular mobile platform worldwide with Android, so Surface Duo should be spared from the app gap that killed Windows RT and Windows Phone. Microsoft is obviously doing some work to customize Android for Surface Duo, and that’s probably not as easy at it seems. The animations on the reshot Developer Day segment still look a bit rough around the edges, but we expect the company to polish things up before its Build developer conference in May.

 

How to find the loading time of Windows 10 startup programs

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

An abundance of startup programs is a common cause of long login delays on Windows systems. Windows includes a few background apps, such as OneDrive, while many third-party programs add their own utilities. If it takes a while for your PC to become usable, checking the loading time of startup programs is a good place to start.

Launch Task Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc) and click the “Startup” tab at the top of the screen. This displays a list of all the programs which run automatically after you login. Many of these programs will run in the background, so you may not necessarily recognise them.

Checking startup app CPU time in Windows 10

A high-level indication of the startup slowdown each app causes is shown in the “Startup impact” column. A “High” startup impact suggests the app could be significantly increasing the login time of your desktop session.

To get more detailed information, right-click the column headings and then select the “CPU at startup” metric. This will show the total CPU time consumed by the app as it starts up. A high figure here (typically anything above 1,000ms) indicates the app might be running an intensive process upon login.

Checking startup app CPU time in Windows 10

Another useful metric to check is the “Disk I/O at startup”. This is particularly relevant to older devices with a spinning magnetic hard drive. If a program – or several programs – demand high disk usage at startup, it can quickly become a bottleneck which prevents more important programs from loading.

You can disable slow-running apps which don’t need to run on startup. Once you’ve found a suspect, click it in the list and then press the “Disable” button at the bottom of the Task Manager window. Combined with other metrics, such as the last BIOS time of your device, startup app CPU times are a good way of understanding what’s contributing to slow boots.

GitHub releases new “gh” command line tool in beta

Posted on by Kip Kniskern

GitHub, which Microsoft acquired back in June 2018, has become one of the most popular ways for developers to collaborate on, share, and version control the software they’re working on, as well as using it to distribute code once it’s done. However, up until now, GitHub users had to use a graphical interface to get things done in GitHub, either to submit pull requests, or to track, view or create issues. Now however, with the help of a new command line tool released in beta this week, developers have a new way of working with their code in GitHub.

The new command line tool (or “CLI,” command line interface), “gh” allows developers to stay in their work flow interacting with GitHub right from the terminal. This beta version starts with issues and pull requests, “because developers use them every day.” With the tool, devs can filter lists, view details, create issues or pull requests, and view status. It also allows users to easily check out pull requests:

One of the maintainers reviewed your pull request and requested changes. You probably switched branches since then, so use gh to checkout the pull request branch. We never remember the right commands either!

Make the changes, push them, and soon enough the pull request is merged—congratulations!

You can learn more about the GitHub CLI beta here.

Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 19564 has an upcoming update

Posted on by Don Sharpe

Microsoft keeps adding features and tools to Windows 10, from utilities like PowerToys to Edge, its newly launched Chromium-based browser.

The company does well to continue improving the reviewer experience for the select few who get to sample these OS enhancements before anybody else.

If you are in the Fast ring, you can install the Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 19564.1000 that Microsoft released earlier today.

Build 19564.1000 introduces a set of features, and it fixes a couple of bugs. Microsoft said that, after installing this build, you may later update it via Windows Update.

After installing Build 19564.1000, Windows Insiders will be offered Build 19564.1005 (KB4541095) as a Cumulative Update via Windows Update.

The cumulative update for this build does not include any coding enhancements because its only purpose is to help Microsoft test its “service pipeline.” As such, it does not add features or change the way you use existing Windows 10 applications or utilities.

Build 19564 includes the following enhancements:

GPU control

As a Fast ring Windows insider, you now have more control over how your apps utilize your system’s graphics processing power. This build features a pre-populated app list with default graphics settings for each application.

Microsoft said that the system employs a “best-effort” approach to determine which app gets what GPU preference by default.

Better GPU control comes in handy for PC users who regularly use a mix of graphics-intensive applications, such as 3D modeling and rendering software, and apps that do not stretch their machine’s GPU capabilities.

If you do not like the GPU preferences assigned to your apps by default, you can change them at any time at the “Graphics settings” page via Settings > System > Display. The default preference for each item in the pre-populated list is “Let Windows decide.” Choose “Options” to customize it.

You may even add an app that is not in the pre-populated list by clicking the drop-down under “Choose an app to set preference.”

Search box

The search box lets you find apps in the list. The update also introduces an app filter.

Fixes

One of the fixes available with this update involves restoring East Asian IMEs to the language/keyboard switcher. The IMEs disappeared after users upgraded from 20H1 Build 19041 or lower versions to Windows Insider Preview Build 19536 or later updates.

Robocopy Not Copying Files: How to Fix it

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

Those who are more versed in command line-based programs know what Robocopy is. For those that don’t, it is a command-line directory and/or file replication command. But for many, Robocopy is not copying files.

Robocopy is noted for capabilities above and beyond the built-in Windows copy and Xcopy commands. It replaced the latter in Windows.

Because of simplicity, an issue with command-line-based tools often arises when users don’t apply them properly. Keep reading to find out how to use Robocopy in Windows!

What can I do if Robocopy is not copying files?

robocopy

Interestingly enough, a quick solution when Robocopy is not copying files is actually a workaround. Instead of using Robocopy, it is best to use Xcopy instead:

Thus, instead of this command line: robocopy "K:\Some Folder" "H:\Files\1" /e /w:0 /r:2 /MIR

The user should instead use this one while replacing the drive and folder path:xcopy "K:\Some Folder" "H:\Files\1" /c /s /e /ycopybug

How do I copy files with Robocopy?

You must use the right command when using Robocopy. Incorrectly specifying the folder path or the drive can lead to issues. For instance, here’s a command that a user ran:robocopy D:\ W:\Backup /e /mir /np /tee /log+:backup_log.txt

When instead, it should be (Folder_1 is the name of the folder on D: that requires backing up):robocopy D:\Folder_1 W:\Backup /e /mir /np /tee /log+:backup_log.txt

For those that have more folders that need backing up, then you need to specify each folder, for example:robocopy D:\Folder_1 W:\Backup /e /mir /np /tee /log+:backup_log.txt robocopy D:\Folder_2 W:\Backup /e /mir /np /tee /log+:backup_log.txt

Using the correct command lines, and the right program for any given task, you should be able to fix things when Robocopy is not copying files.

Before you leave, do check some quick tips to speed up file transfer in Windows.

If the problem is still there, you might want to use other commands from our copy vs xcopy vs robocopy article.

If you’re aware of another way to solve this problem, share it in the comments section below so that other users can try it.

Host files aren’t working? Check out these procedures

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Chances are you are trying to bind certain name strings to specific IP addresses to override other name resolution methods. However, the browser cannot find the host file or the recently made changes simply refuse to take effect. How do you get the hosts files to work properly again?

All changes to hosts should take effect immediately. You shouldn’t think of rebooting your browser, your PC or performing any extra steps. However, unexpected issues do arise from time to time.

So, if you’re not entirely sure how you can solve this problem, we’re going to help you out. Just as always, there are several ways to tackle the issue effectively. Let’s get started.

What can I do when Hosts files aren’t working?

1. Basic troubleshooting steps

hosts file troubleshooting

  • Make sure your hosts file is named correctly. Double-check that it is hosts and not host or anything related.
  • The same goes for the extensions chapter. It should have no extension (hosts, not hosts.txt). If you have configured Windows to hide known extensions, uncheck the option.
  • Other users running into the same issue confirmed the error was related to the line endings. Therefore, changing the line endings to Windows format could make a difference. Usually, it’s the white space that messes with things since it’s so difficult to notice.

2. Drop the old data and ping localhost

how to ping localhost
If the changes are done correctly, you should see the results immediately. In spite of that, do keep in mind that Windows caches name resolution data. Therefore, the old records may still be used for a while.

Your next step should be to fire up a command prompt and type: ipconfig /flushdns to drop the old data. Try to ping localhost and see if it uses the correct IP (it should match what you put in the hosts file).

If it does, your hosts file is fine and the issue is elsewhere. If not, then you know for sure that the file is bad. Pay attention to where it goes. It might try ipv6, so the hosts file itself is broken. Remove everything from it and leave only your entry.

If you’re having trouble accessing Command Prompt as an admin, then you better take a closer look at this guide.

You can’t flush the DNS resolver cache? Check out this guide and learn how to do it.

3. Recreate the file with default permissions

recreate file

  1. Create a new text file on your desktop.
  2. Copy and paste the contents of your current hosts file into the new file in Notepad.
  3. Save it.
  4. Then, rename it to hosts.
  5. Copy the file to your %SystemRoot%System32driversetc. directory, and overwrite the old file.

If Windows continues to ignore the host file, recreate it with default permissions.

4. Add exceptions to proxy/disable the automatic configuration script

Use automatic configuration script

  1. Follow this path Internet Explorer > Internet Options > Connections.
  2. Alternatively, press Windows key and type Configure proxy server.
  3. Click LAN settings.
  4. If everything is blank and Automatically detect settings is checked, then you aren’t using a proxy.
  5. If you do use one, you could add exceptions by returning into Connections > LAN settings.
  6. Click Proxy Server / Advanced next.
  7. You may now add your exceptions to the Exceptions text box.

If you have a proxy configured, the automatic proxy server configuration scripts can override the hosts file. One solution here is to configure it not to do this.

If you’d want, you can also disable the automatic configuration script. Just make sure to uncheck Use automatic configuration script.

Proxy server issues are pretty annoying. Make them a thing of the past with the help of this guide.

5. Check DNS address

check DNS address

  1. Enter into Network connections properties.
  2. Go to TCP/IP settings.
  3. Change the first DNS server to 127.0.0.1 (localhost).
  4. Make sure the second remains your actual DNS IP.

You could also try doing a few changes in the DNS address department. They aren’t a must but may help if something is badly configured.

6. Create a new hosts file

open Notepad

  1. Open Windows Explorer as Administrator.
  2. Delete the hosts file.
  3. Open Notepad as Administrator too.
  4. Then, create a new hosts file.

Are you still experiencing the same problem? In that case, another effective solution is to create a new hosts file. Start from scratch, then add entries.

It comes a time when you try to migrate your website from one host to another. You clearly want to make sure the website is working properly before changing the domain’s settings, yet those hosts files don’t work.

Although there is no quick fix to this problem, you can try out the above suggestions. Moreover, you can share your views, feedback, and other queries related to hosts files in the comments area below.

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KB4532693 reported issues: PC freezes, update loops, and more

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

Microsoft just released the second round of major updates for the year 2020. These updates brought together an entire host of fixes and new features for Windows 10, as well as one final free update for Windows 7.

This round of updates was especially notable from a security standpoint, mainly because it brought fixes to over 99 CVEs that were found for both Adobe and Microsoft services.

However, where Microsoft fixed one issue it seems to have spawned another, as many users have been reporting a variety of problems after installing the latest updates.

KB4532693 is the one with the most problems, and it comes for those running Windows 10 version 1903 and 1909. Some of these issues are quite serious, so we will list them below.

Common issues brought by the February Patch Tuesday updates

1. KB4532693 disables CPU TPM and Bitlocker

Windows 10 version 1903 users have reported that after installing KB4532693 and KB4537759 that the TPM of their Intel CPU is no longer working, and this causes their Bitlocker to be disabled on their system drive:

in the device manager i get this error about the tpm device : This device cannot start. (Code 10)
{Operation Failed} The requested operation was unsuccessful.

2. KB4532693 is causing an install loop for Dell XPS 13 7390

Dell XPS 13 7390 users reported that their laptops are now stuck in an install loop when trying to install KB4532693 for Windows 10 version 1909.

3. KB4532693 is causing an install loop for Asus Maximus Hero VII

Some users that have Asus Maximus Hero VII motherboards have reported having issues with installing KB4532693 as it triggers an install loop.

problems with kb4532693,as its is configured to 30 5 an now back to finish,it only has an endless loup

4. KB4532693 terminates background applications

Users have posted on social media that KB4532693 is terminating their background applications out of the blue:

anyone else having weird problems with @microsoft windows 10 update – KB4532693 – seem to have instances when background applications suddenly stop/terminate for now reason, including Skype ?

This doesn’t seem to be a random fluke since later posts revealed that they were able to reproduce the issue on a second device.

Hoping @microsoft KB4532693 update can be removed – two laptops updated and having near identical problems – apps/background tasks suddenly ceasing/terminating for no logged or apparent reason.. including important ones like anti-virus software.

5. KB4524244 locks up PCs and fails to install

KB4524244 is a security update that applies along with the other updates, and it is currently available to all versions of Windows 10, from 1607 to 1909.

However, some users reported that trying to install this security update always fails, and it also leads to a PC freeze.

If you’re in the same boat and you’re looking to fix the issue, Microsoft representatives responded to this issue with a variety of suggestions, ranging from running the Windows Update Troubleshooter to stopping the Windows Update services altogether.

If the Troubleshooter stops before completing the process, fix it with the help of this complete guide.

6. The updates moved all user files in another folder

Probably the most bizarre bug of them all, users reported  that after installing the update they found all of their files moved in another folder:

When I closed doen my PC last night it started doing updates and was taking a long time so I left it and went to bed. This morning I logged on – no problems but I then realised (can’t remember how) that my files had all moved on to another folder in the c drive ending in .000.

7. The update may be hiding or deleting files

Users reported that ever since they installed KB4532693, they are either getting hidden or missing files:

In other words, all their files are gone with no way to restore them unless they had a restore point, which may unfortunately also be one of the files that disappeared.

These are the most important issues regarding KB4532693 reported by users so far. As you can tell, all of them break PC functionality in a severe way. That being the case, we should expect yet another out-of-schedule mini-patch in the near future.

Worst-case scenario is that Microsoft might leave the issues unresolved. If that is the case, users will have to wait until March 10 for the next Patch Tuesday updates.

What’s your opinion of the bugs reported for the February Patch Tuesday updates? Let us know if you encountered any other issues in the comments section below.

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Microsoft updates Calendar with Windows 10 Insider build 19564 – available for all Insiders

Posted on by Kip Kniskern

Microsoft just released the latest 20H2 update for Fast Ring Insiders, coming in at version 19564. Along with an update to Graphics settings and the usual changes and fixes, the company also announced some changes to the Windows Calendar app, now available to all Insiders. Here’s what’s new:

  1. New themes: choose from over 30 different themes!
  2. Improved month view: Month view now includes an agenda pane that lets you see your day’s events at a glance.
  3. Simplified event creation: We’ve made it even easier to add an event to your calendar.
  4. Redesigned account navigation: We’ve collapsed the account navigation pane, leaving more space for your day’s events.       All of your syncing calendar accounts are now represented as clickable icons on the left.

In order to get the new version, once you’re on an Insider Ring (doesn’t have to be the latest update), just turn on the “Try the preview” toggle and you’ll be able to check out the latest look.

What do you think of the improvements to Calendar? Let us know in the comments below.

Twitter client Tweeten 5 is now available on Windows with ARM64 support

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Tweeten, a popular Twitter client for Windows, macOS, and the web is getting a major update today. Tweeten 5, now available on the Windows 10 Microsoft Store, brings support for the ARM64 architecture, meaning that it will now perform much better on Windows 10 on ARM PCs like Microsoft’s Surface Pro X.

Tweeten 5 still looks like an enhanced version of Twitter’s own Tweetdeck app, but this latest version introduces a couple of new features and improvements, including the ability to choose a default download folder and restore default settings within the app. The GIF and video download experience should also be more reliable in this release.

If Tweeten 5 and its new ARM64 version are available on the Windows 10 Microsoft Store starting today, a standalone Windows version will also be available in the coming months. A macOS version is also coming at a later date, and developer Mehedi Hassan is asking users to “stay tuned” for a Linux release. You can read more about Tweeten 5 in the official blog post.

Tweeten
Tweeten
Download
QR-Code

Tweeten
Developer:
Mehedi Hassan
Price:
Free

Microsoft’s busiest acquisition year will be under review following new FTC orders

Posted on by Kareem Anderson

Despite some very vocal protests from startups and even those in governing bodies regarding the monolithic nature at which the top five tech companies based in North America consume acquisitions, the US Federal Trade Commission has remained relatively hands-off about large technology purchases over the years.

However, that will seemingly change soon, as the FTC has just issued “Special Orders” calling for the examination of “Past Acquisitions by Large Technology Companies,” and its purview includes businesses such as Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google Inc, and Microsoft.

As harrowing as it might seem for companies in the middle of mergers, the reality is that the new commission doesn’t seem to have any specific law enforcing jurisdiction, and most likely will not be overturning any current deals.

The FTC is looking into prior acquisitions that were not reported to antitrust agencies, in specific, deals that may fall under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.

The orders require Alphabet Inc. (including Google), Amazon.com, Inc., Apple Inc., Facebook, Inc., and Microsoft Corp. to provide information and documents on the terms, scope, structure, and purpose of transactions that each company consummated between Jan. 1, 2010 and Dec. 31, 2019.

The Commission issued these orders under Section 6(b) of the FTC Act, which authorizes the Commission to conduct wide-ranging studies that do not have a specific law enforcement purpose. The orders will help the FTC deepen its understanding of large technology firms’ acquisition activity, including how these firms report their transactions to the federal antitrust agencies, and whether large tech companies are making potentially anticompetitive acquisitions of nascent or potential competitors that fall below HSR filing thresholds and therefore do not need to be reported to the antitrust agencies.

Interestingly enough, the FTC’s new orders seem to focus specifically on unreported acquisitions between Jan. 1, 2010 and Dec. 31, 2019, to which companies such as Apple Google and Microsoft wade through several a year.

2019 was one of Microsoft’s busiest acquisition years to-date, the company spent $9.1 billion over the course of 20 acquisitions, many of which were lower profile purchases that will seemingly be reviewed under new FTC orders.

In a mad dash of low-key purchasing, Microsoft managed to snatch up IoT mincontroller Express Logic, education stack BrightBytes, and AI powered botmaker XOXCO to list a few.

Coincidently, or perhaps placating to current and future protestors, the FTC issued the orders the same day the long-awaited $26.5 billion dollar Sprint and T-Mobile merger was announced clearing both its own and Department of Justice hurdles yesterday.

5 best battery operated security camera [SD card, Monitor]

Posted on by Claudiu Andone

Security cameras can get you out of a lot of trouble and can provide you with the peace of mind that you diserve. There are a lot of features to consider when buying a security camera but the most important is the fact that it’s battery operated.

That saves you the hassle of laying out a cable to where you want to install the camera and a potential perpetrator will not be able to disconnect it.

That being said, let’s take a look at the best battery operated security cameras.

What is the best battery-powered security camera?

Battery operated indoor security camera with memory card: Hiseeu C10

  • Night vision
  • 1080p video with motion detection
  • 2-way audio
  • 6000 mAh battery for 120 days autonomy
  • Not compatible with all SD card brands
Check price

If you want a small security camera that will not bother you with any cables, Hiseeu C10 might be the one you’re looking for. It’s as big as an ostrich egg and can be placed on a wall with the supplied stand or it can sit on a table.

The 6000 mAh battery inside will power the camera for about half a year and after that you can just recharge it with the USB cable like any other mobile device. It detects motion at up to 10 meters and 130 degrees and it has either cloud or SD card storage.

It works better inside but you can also place it outside and it connect to your home Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n network.

Battery powered security camera with SIM card: Reolink Go

  • PIR motion sensor
  • 3G/4G LTE ready
  • Cloud/ SD card storage
  • Up to 33 feet night vision
  • 7800 mAh high capacity rechargeable battery
  • Only T-mobile Prepaid Card recommended
Check price

The Reolink Go outdoor security camera can be carried literally everywhere with you.

If the majority of the battery-operated security cameras still depend on the Wi-Fi signal, this one can connect using a 3G or 4G SIM card so you can even set it outside your tent while camping in the wild to capture the wildlife that paid you a visit the night before.

The 7800 mAh can power the camera a long time so you don’t need to worry about that but you will need an SD card to start using the camera.

Battery operated wireless security camera with monitor: Tonton Wireless

  • 2 cameras and monitor kit
  • PIR Sensor
  • Rechargeable battery
  • 32GB SD card preinstalled
  • 7-inch IPS touchscreen monitor
  • You might need to use higher capacity SD cards
Check price

If you want to install more than one camera at your home, you can consider the Tonton Wireless kit. It comes with two completely wireless, battery operated 2 MP cameras and a wireless 7-inch monitor where you will be able to see all the action.

The cameras come with PIR sensors, night vision and even come preinstalled with 32 GB SD cards so the only thing left to do is just to place the cameras and the monitor strategically.

Battery powered security camera with night vision: Heimvision HMD2

  • 1080P video with 2-way audio
  • Night vision
  • Magnetic base
  • IP65 weatherproof
  • Quick and easy setup
  • Doesn't work with Alexa
Check price

What is small, battery-powered, and can detect bodies in the night from up to 32 feet? Heimvision HMD2 is the answer to the riddle and it actually has a smart PIR sensor that can detect the difference between people and animals so it doesn’t trigger recording for any wondering racoon or squirrel.

The camera is extremely easy to install and it has a magnetic stand so you can change its position or location easily whenever you find a better spot.

Solar powered security camera: ieGeek Wireless

  • 1080P recording
  • Human motion detection
  • 15000 mAh rechargeable batteries
  • 4dbi antenna
  • IP65 waterproof
  • The angle of vision could be better
Check price

Let’s say that if you have a wall overlooking the sun at all times, you will never ever run out of power for the ieGeek Wireless security camera. Not only that it has 15000 mAh rechargeable batteries that will hold for up to a full year, but it also comes with a solar panel to recharge them.

Otherwise, the ieGeek comes with Full HD recording, night vision, 2-way audio, and real-time motion alert. The cable between the camera and the solar panel is 3 m long so it will give you a bit of flexibility in positioning them.

This was our selection with the best battery-powered security cameras. We tried to cover all the possible features that you might request from such a camera but if you have any other suggestions, don’t hesitate to write us in a comment below.

5 best cameras for amateur photographers

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

Any high-end smartphone on today’s market incorporates a performant camera, that can be considered good for amateurs.

However, it has limitations in design and settings, factors that can drive you to buy a dedicated camera.

Before getting one you should take into consideration some important features a camera should have.

An easy-to-use camera includes automatic modes so you won’t lose yourself through the settings. It also has to be compact and small, so you can take it with you wherever you go.

Look for a camera with at least 3X optical zoom and 24 Megapixels resolution.

The higher the zoom, the greater the versatility of the camera, and you will be able to capture objects at a greater distance.

What are the best cameras for amateurs?

Canon EOS Rebel T6 Kit

  • 1080/30p video capture
  • Continuously shooting at 3 fps for photographing moving subjects
  • ISO 100-6400, expandable to 12800 for low and difficult lighting conditions
  • Fixed LCD display
Check price

Canon EOS Rebel T6 Kit is a complete set that contains everything that you need to start as an amateur photographer.

The Canon EOS Rebel T6 is an entry-level DSLR with 18MP APS-C sensor that also features a DIGIC 4+ image processor. Combined, these two technologies gives you rich image quality with reduced noise.

Even more, the built-in Wi-Fi with NFC ensures that you have the ability to share images from your camera to a linked mobile device for instant online posting.

Canon EOS Rebel T6 Kit is a complete set that contains everything that you need to start as an amateur photographer.

The Canon EOS Rebel T6 is an entry-level DSLR with 18MP APS-C sensor that also features a DIGIC 4+ image processor. Combined, these two technologies gives you rich image quality with reduced noise.

Even more, the built-in Wi-Fi with NFC ensures that you have the ability to share images from your camera to a linked mobile device for instant online posting.

Canon EOS Rebel T6 is best for those looking for a smooth upgrade from a smartphone shooting to a digital camera.

Canon EOS Rebel T7i

  • ISO range of 100 to 25600 offers good shooting even in low light
  • Built-in Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth
  • 45-point all cross-type AF for accurate results
  • Does not have 4K video capabilities
Check price

A little more pricey than the previous model, EOS REBEL T7i  is one of the best cameras you can buy from Canon.

It comes with a 24.2 Megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor and the newer DIGIC 7 image processor that guarantee more detailed and colorful photos.

Rebel T7i has a high-speed continuous shooting rate of up to 6 fps making the shooting speed double compared with the Rebel T6 model. Furthermore, the 3.0-inch vari-angle touchscreen lets you capture the shot with ease.

If you don’t have a limited budget and want to invest from start in a quality camera, Canon EOS Rebel T7i is the right choice.

Nikon D5300

  • 5 frames per second continuous shooting
  • Compact and sleek design
  • Good battery life
  • The display is not touch-enabled
Check price

Nikon is another well-known brand when speaking about good quality cameras. The Nikon D5300 model is one of the best entry-level camera you can buy.

It comes with a built-in GPS feature that helps track your photos easily, create travel journals, and share your location when posting photos on Facebook.

The quality of the image is given by the new 24.2-megapixel image sensor, which is a recent design innovation allowing the camera to capture the purest, most lifelike images possible. 

Nikon D5300 is quite a functional and convenient device capable of delivering beautiful shots.

Nikon D3500

  • 24.7 Megapixels Resolution
  • Compact, comfortable design
  • Shooting speed of 5 fps
  • Only Bluetooth connectivity
Check price

Nikon D3500 is another great solution if you are a new photographer and don’t want to spend a lot of money on a dedicated camera.

The APS-C CMOS image sensor, which is 15X larger than those used in cell phones, creates sharper and clearer photos. You can make 1080 full HD videos by using this camera with monaural sound at the touch of a button.

It is also equipped with Guide Mode. If you want to learn while you shoot, turn on Guide Mode, and follow the simple on-screen guidance. This feature essentially teaches you the basics of photography, such as shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation along the way.

Nikon D3500 provides decent image quality, is quite easy to handle, and helps you learn the basics of photography.

Sony Alpha A6000

  • APS-C format with high resolution – 24 megapixels
  • Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
  • ISO range 100 – 25000 for low light photos
  • The LCD display is not touch-enabled
Check price

We may not think of Sony as a camera manufacturer, but we know from the Xperia phones series that it creates performant and quality products. Sony Alpha A6000 model is proof of this.

Alpha A6000 has a modern and stylish appearance combined with good ergonomics and high-quality performance. It is about half the size and weight of a typical DSLR camera, yet it has the same size APS-C image sensor as most of them.

Besides the design, it is one of the fastest on the market. It can shoot 11 photos in one second. The interchangeable lenses and E-mount system make the camera more versatile than almost any other camera.

Sony Alpha A600 is an affordable compact camera with great performance, for both amateur and advanced photographers.

There are plenty of cameras on the internet and choosing one can be a stressful task for an amateur. Any camera from the above list is a good option to start with.

If you keep in mind the most important features listed in this guide, you will be able to make the best decision.

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Samsung announces secretive new gaming partnership with Xbox and teases game streaming service

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Earlier today during Samsung’s Unpacked 2020 event (via CNET), the company’s director of strategy, David Park, enthused the continuing relationship between Samsung and Microsoft and teased a new, untitled, cloud-base streaming service that he described as being “premium.”

It’s unclear if this just Microsoft’s Project xCloud streaming service, which is currently being tested on Android devices, or something separate but a Microsoft spokesperson did tell CNET in an email that, “Working with partners like Samsung is an important step in our Project xCloud journey and will help make game streaming more accessible for gamers” and to stay tuned for more information before the end of the year.

In addition to Android smartphones and tablets, Samsung is also a maker of computers and smart televisions so it would make sense for Microsoft to approach them in regards to adding support for their Xbox video game streaming service.

While this is purely speculation at this point, it would be pretty incredible to see Xbox game streaming launch with new Samsung TVs later in the year.

In other Android/Xbox cross-platform news, it was also announced today that the Xbox-powered Windows 10 video game, Forza Street, would be coming to Android devices soon.

Do you think this streaming service is Project xCloud or something more? Share your speculation in the comments below and then follow us on Pinterest and Twitter for more Xbox news.

Latest Patch Tuesday updates fix an astonishing 99 CVEs

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

Microsoft just released the second major round of updates for the year 2020, and they bring improvement and fixes for several features, including:

99 different CVEs were fixed by this latest update

Adobe products

The Adobe release for February includes five bulletins addressing a total of 42 CVEs in Framemaker, Experience Manager, Adobe Digital Editions, Flash, and Acrobat and Reader. It is worth mentioning that Framemaker alone needed fixes for 21 Critical-rated bugs.

Acrobat and Reader was second place with 17 CVEs associated with it, most of which were Use-After-Free (UAF) bugs. Third place was Adobe Digital Editions with 2 CVEs, and Flash Player with only one CVE.

Microsoft patches

The February security release consists of security updates that fixed 99 different CVEs for the following software:

  • Microsoft Windows
  • Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool
  • Microsoft Edge (EdgeHTML-based)
  • Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based)
  • ChakraCorepatch
  • Internet Explorer
  • Microsoft Exchange Server
  • Microsoft SQL Server
  • Windows Surface Hub
  • Microsoft Office and Microsoft Office Services and Web Apps

12 of these CVEs were listed as Critical, and the other 87 were classified as Important in severity.

Which were some of the most severe CVEs?

Some of the most important CVEs, out of which some were also exploited to a certain degree, are the following:

CVE-2020-0674

  • Scripting Engine Memory Corruption Vulnerability

CVE-2020-0688

  • Microsoft Exchange Memory Corruption Vulnerability

CVE-2020-0729

  • LNK Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

CVE-2020-0689

  • Microsoft Secure Boot Security Feature Bypass Vulnerability

CVE-2020-0662

  • Windows Remote Code Execution Vulnerability

These are the most important CVEs covered by Microsoft during the February 2020 round of Patch Tuesday Updates. For the next set of updates, users will have to wait until March 10.

How do I get the latest updates?

The updates are available via all known sources, which include:

  • Windows Update
  • Microsoft Update
  • Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)
  • Direct downloads on the Microsoft Update Catalog website

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

Editor’s Note: If you want to know everything there is to know on Patch Tuesday, check out this in-depth guide.

Download Windows 7’s last free security updates

Posted on by Vlad Turiceanu

Microsoft started the year strong with the January 2020 Patch Tuesday updates. Besides the usual cumulative updates, that was also the last set of security updates for Windows 7, or so we thought.

On January 14, 2020, Windows 7 reached its end of support. Now, with the February 2020 Patch Tuesday updates, Microsoft released a new post-EOS update in the form of KB4537813 , which is a security-only update, and KB4537820 (monthly rollup).

KB4537813 comes with security improvements

This is a welcomed and unexpected turn of events that helps Windows 7 users keep their PCs running safely a little more than they initially thought.

While KB4537820 includes improvements and fixes that were part of KB4534310 released last month, KB4537813 comes as a standalone security update and it’s free for all Windows 7 users.

The full list of quality improvements and key changes include:

  • Security updates to Microsoft Graphics Component, Windows Input and Composition, Windows Media, Windows Shell, Windows Fundamentals, Windows Cryptography, Windows Hyper-V, Windows Core Networking, Windows Peripherals, Windows Network Security and Containers, Windows Storage and Filesystems, and Windows Server.

Of course, there are also some known issues:

  • After installing this update and restarting your device, you might receive the error, “Failure to configure Windows updates. Reverting Changes. Do not turn off your computer”, and the update might show as Failed in Update History.

This issue can appear on PCs running an unsupported ESU version or on PCs that don’t have an ESU MAK add-on key installed and activated.

To get past the problem, Microsoft recommends following all the prerequisites before updating and also make sure that your key is activated.

Download KB4537813 to improve Windows 7’s security

KB4537813 can be installed automatically through Windows Update by going into Settings > Update & Security. If you want to install the update manually, you can do so by downloading it from the Microsoft Update Catalog down below.

As a reminder, customers who have purchased the Extended Security Update (ESU) for on-premises versions can follow the procedures from KB4522133 to continue receiving updates after ESU.

What’s your take on this post-ESU security update for Windows 7? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below and we’ll continue the talk.

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