Interview: CD PROJEKT Red’s John Mamais talks Cyberpunk 2077’s creation, VR, DLC, Nintendo Switch, and more

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

I recently sat down with CD PROJEKT Red’s John Mamais to talk about the studio’s highly-anticipated Cyberpunk 2077 video game which is due out later this year on Xbox One, PC, and PS4.

We talked about the creation of the futuristic world in which the game is set, cyberpunk inspirations, possible third-person perspectives, immersive sound design, censorship issues in Australia, and the potential (or lack thereof) for a Cyberpunk 2077 release on Nintendo Switch and a VR version.

When did development on Cyberpunk 2077 start exactly? It’s been planned for a while now.

We had a team going when we were working on The Witcher 3 actually. We built two teams to do the two games in parallel then we cannibalised the second team to come back and work on Witcher 3 before putting everyone on this project.

So Cyberpunk 2077 has been in development for a while then?

Yeah, for a little while. In pre-production. We had about 75 guys working on it at that time.

Was it always planned to come out this year? Because the original roleplaying game, which it’s based on, is called Cyberpunk 2020 and now the video game is coming out in 2020… Is that a coincidence?

No, I think we wanted to get the game out earlier in 2019 actually. But it kind of makes sense that it’s 2020, right? [laughs]

Yeah. [laughs]

But, yeah. The original intention was to get it out earlier.

It’s funny because I’ve seen people saying on Twitter and elsewhere that the release date was very carefully planned because of the year 2020.

Speaking of the source material, is there much from the original roleplaying game that fans can expect to find in the Cyberpunk 2077 video game?

Yeah, a lot of the lore is going into it. Johnny Silverman comes from that. And Night City. And the factions, districts, the names of items, and the corporation names. Also the skill system, in a way, and the class system. All that stuff.

Has the interpretation of the technology changed in this world since the creation of the roleplaying game?

We had to bring it forward, you know? The way I think about it is that you go back to 1990 and think of what the technology would be like in 2077. It’s kind of like a splinter reality from 1990.

Kind of like The Jetsons I guess. How that was a vision of the future as seen from that time.

The Jetsons got it wrong I suppose. [laughs] Or maybe we’re still going to look like The Jetsons one day.

I hope so. I want those houses on the stilts. [laughs]

Rosie and the robotic dog… That stuffs kind of coming true isn’t it?

And treadmills? [laughs]

[laughs]

The original video that you guys released had this very attractive woman with knives coming out of her forearms.

Yeah that was more like a teaser to show what we think this game should look like but we hadn’t locked in everything yet.

I remember thinking that, after watching that video, that Cyberpunk 2077 would then be a kind of Tomb Raider game but with a hot woman with cybernetic implants taking out baddies but it’s actually pretty different.

But those mantis blades are still in it, right? So some things have carried over.

Was that the original vision for what the game was going to be or more of a proof of concept?

I think that was actually the original vision at that point but it has evolved from that a lot. It’s changed a lot from that.

Interesting. How would you say Cyberpunk 2077 is going to differ from The Witcher? Obviously, it’s cyberpunk and not fantasy but, for those that are coming into this who have played The Witcher video games…

It kind of feels similar I think because, at its heart, it’s still a RPG, right? But the main difference will be the combat element.

Which looks really cool from the footage I’ve seen.

Yeah, it looks good in that demo that we showed. Also the camera perspective changes, which is controversial, having the first-person instead of the third-person camera.

I was wondering about that because I’m one of those people who rarely plays first-person video games because, within minutes, I’ll get violent motion sickness.

There’s stuff planned so you’ll be able to change your depth of field, reduce the head-bobbing effect, and some other stuff that we want to do to make sure that people don’t get sick.

I noticed in the demo that there’s a shot where the main protagonist is riding a motorcycle and then he stops and the camera shifts to a third-person perspective. Any chance of this meaning a third-person option might be available?

Yeah, in the vehicles you can but just in the vehicles.

The character customization is something that also sets Cyberpunk 2077 apart from The Witcher video games as you can fully create a character from scratch. What I find interesting about the approach that you’ve taken is that the game won’t have a gender option but players will be able to craft a body using male and female attributes.

Yeah, you choose a body type, not necessarily a boy or girl.

Yeah, it’s really cyberpunk. Actually building a person. How wild can the customization get? Can you make hilariously disfigured characters?

No, there are limits to it because it needs to fit the skeletal rig.

How do the cutscenes work with the custom characters? I’m guessing with them all being in first-person, there’s not too many challenges.

Yeah, I don’t think there are any third-person cutscenes in the game as far as I know. There might be some at the beginning and at the end but I’m not sure on that.

The cutscene system is a very ground-breaking RMD thing for us to get it very seamless. So that you stay in the game.

Right.

For example, narrative sequences are happening in front of you and you have some control over the character so you don’t feel like you’re watching a movie.

Tell me about the non-fatal gameplay option that’s been showcased recently. Players can truly explore the entire Cyberpunk 2077 world and storyline without killing anyone?

Yeah but you have to hurt them though, right? You can knock them out.

I was wondering about that in the boss fight I saw where there was definitely a lot of shooting but still the option to leave the opponents breathing.

We’re balancing it specifically so that you can get through it without killing anyone. There’s a non-lethal route.

Is it harder if you’re not killing anyone?

Yeah. It takes a lot longer to play too.

It’s like real life, I guess, in that regard.

The easiest way [to play the game] is to just gun right through it.

How open is Cyberpunk 2077 in terms of gameplay and experience? It looks so immersive. I just want to set up a coffee shop or something in it.

We don’t have any simulator stuff or gameplay. In Witcher 3, we did the open-world elements very late in the development process when we only had two or three people working on it or something. Now there’s, like, 15 people doing these open-world quests.

There’s a couple of layers. There’s a passive layer, which is the vendors, then there’s the STSs, which are the street stories. I think there’s around 75 street stories. Then there’s minor activities as well.

The street stories are like little quests. There’s story but there’s not, like, advanced cinematic storytelling sequences so much. They’re a way to explore the world and level-up your character.

Are these randomly generated or is it possible to work through and complete them all?

They’re all custom done. There’s nothing like that that’s automatically generated. There are set templates that the guys can use but each one is customized to make them feel unique. The world’s going to be filled with that stuff. It should feel really good.

Do you know what the estimated gameplay length is to complete the whole game?

We’re not sure… yet. We’re still finishing the game now and there are different ways to play through it. There’s different character builds and it’s very non-linear. Because you can play through it in so many different ways, it’s a little but risky to state the length of time. How do you figure that out? Especially when there’s open-world and all of the other content.

When you finish the campaign, is that Game Over or do you still get access to the open-world?

Oh, I don’t know the answer to that. That’s a good question.

So, cyberspace.

We’re not talking too much about cyberspace just yet.

I guess that’s something we’ll hear more about closer to release?

That’s something you’ll hear more about on release. [laughs]

Have you had any issues with Australian censorship at all?

That was the big question for me when I came here. We have a big list of things that could be bad for us in Australia. The two big things are sexualized violence and drugs with rewards but you can’t really do cyberpunk without drugs, right?

Yeah and the steroids, I think they were called Juice in the demo, are pretty prominent in the game too.

It’s to do with how you interpret that I think.

Just call them vitamins. [laughs]

We’re not going to water it down but I don’t think there are any situations where you can take any real street-named drug and get a reward from it. And there definitely aren’t going to be any tasteless sexualized violence either.

In the real-world, there’s lots of sexualized violence, right? It happens. So it might exist in this world but the player will never be involved with something like that.

The restrictions are pretty controversial but I guess these were bound to happen with video games becoming more realistic and movie-like. Movies cover these sort of themes and it makes sense that video games would also cover them.

Yeah, we’re trying to make it more mature, right? It’s an art form, or we want it to be an art form, and we want to talk about difficult subjects like that but, yeah, we won’t. We’re not going to make a game where the player can do those kinds of things. It would be awful and tasteless.

I think everyone has faith in you guys to be tasteful, we just don’t want the game to be banned.

I don’t think that’s going to happen. I think we’re going to be okay here.

A Cyberpunk 2077 multiplayer mode has been teased recently. Is it still planned to be its own release well after the launch of the main game?

We’re not mixing the two things. Totally focusing on single-player.

Any chance you can tell us what kind of multiplayer mode it will be?

No.

No?

No. That’s going to be talked about a year from now or something. I wish I could say more.

Are you guys planning much in the way of additional content post-launch?

We are. Yeah. There’ll be stuff that comes out after. The Witcher model kind of worked for us.

Kind of like the DLC story packs?

I’m not allowed to say what it will be but it’ll probably be something like The Witcher. I wish I could talk about it more because, for us, it’s very interesting. But we can’t.

Any plans for Cyberpunk 2077 on Nintendo Switch?

Not as far as I know. Not yet. I don’t know if Cyberpunk 2077 would work on the Nintendo Switch. It might be too heavy for it. But then, we did put Witcher 3 on it and we thought that would be too heavy too but somehow we pulled it off.

One of the first thoughts I had after seeing the initial E3 presentation was how much Cyberpunk 2077 looks like it would be suited for VR. Have you guys thought about bringing the game to VR platforms in the future?

We tried. We were thinking about VR but, yeah, we’re not doing anything with VR. We got the VR dev kits but…

Wasn’t a good fit?

Some things would work in VR but, I think, it’s not really viable yet. You’re not making a lot of money in VR yet. It’s very experimental and niche, yeah. I would like to. I like VR but we’re not doing anything with it yet.

Cyberpunk 2077 will run in 4K Ultra HD when played on an Xbox One X console. Has there been any discussion about improvements for when the game’s played on the upcoming Xbox Series X?

Most AAA developers have that stuff [Xbox Series X dev tools] but we’re not focusing on that yet. We’re focusing on current gen.

Cyberpunk 2077 has had a heavy association with Microsoft and Xbox since its proper reveal at E3. How has it been for CD PROJEKT Red collaborating with Microsoft?

We’ve had a long relationship with Microsoft. We had the Witcher 3 announcement at E3 at the Microsoft conference, so I think, given that existing relationship, it’s been easier for us to move forward with those guys.

After Witcher 3, we got more famous in a way. More reputable as a game developer. People knew who we were so it was easier for us to work with Microsoft who helped us establish certain conditions for how we would present the game at these conferences.

Any cool merchandise you’re planning to release to tie-into the game?

You know, we have a shop! Have you seen it?

Yeah, it looks awesome. Some of the stuff you guys are putting out is fantastic. I have to say, I love the look of the samurai jackets with the lights in the collar. If you guys were planning to actually make those and sell them for real, I’d buy one immediately.

I don’t know if they’re going to do the jackets or not but there’s a lot of stuff they’re planning to do.

What’s your favorite bit of Cyberpunk 2077 merch that you’ve seen?

I like the collector’s edition with the [statue of] the guy on the bike. I love that sort of thing.

Cyberpunk 2077 collector's edition on Xbox One

Most people are aware that Cyberpunk 2077 is based on a roleplaying game but cyberpunk in general is also an incredibly popular film genre. What cyberpunk movies do you think fans should check out to get them hyped for the launch of the Cyberpunk 2077 game?

That’s a really good question. I’ve watched all of the Ghost in the Shell stuff. I wouldn’t say the latest Ghost in the Shell is a good representation of cyberpunk but it’s still cool. Akira is interesting to watch but it’s more psionics.

True. It’s more supernatural almost.

We don’t get into supernatural too much but with the motorcycle in Tokyo, the feeling’s there. Blade Runner is kind of a reference but that’s dark and gloomy and wet and doesn’t really fit so much. I think Ghost in the Shell is the best reference as it’s that kind of technology. All of those cybernetics and all that.

Anything you want gamers to know about Cyberpunk 2077 that’s being overlooked?

There is some stuff that hasn’t been talked about such as the way that it’s been lit. Our director keeps talking about the real-time global illumination system which we haven’t really seen in its full beauty yet. No one in the public has seen how it’s finally going to look. It’s going to look more breathtaking than we’ve seen so far.

Also, the sound. The acoustic system that one of our sound programmers came up with is going to sound really realistic because of the way they’re using the geometry. It creates this reverb effect so that changes as the space changes. If I were a rich gamer, I’d definitely go out and buy a Dolby Atmos system to listen to this game. It’s going to be very immersive, deep, and beautiful-sounding.

And with the 4K and the lighting, better get a good TV as well, right? It’s going to look and sound great.

It definitely looks impressive so far.

Thank you.

Thank you for taking the time to talk about Cyberpunk 2077. It’s been a pleasure.

Cyberpunk 2077 is due out on Microsoft’s family of Xbox One consoles on September 17th later this year. Digital pre-orders are already live in the Microsoft Store and the physical release and the limited Collector’s Edition are up on Amazon.

A Cyberpunk 2077 hardcover artbook featuring designs from the video game has also been announced as have several official Cyberpunk 2077 Funko Pop models. Want to find out more about the Cyberpunk 2077 presentation with Keanu Reeves at E3? Check out our interview with Microsoft’s Chris Charla.

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KB4494174 firmware secures Windows 10 PCs

Posted on by Don Sharpe

The Microarchitectural Data Sampling (MDS) vulnerability in Intel CPUs does not seem to go away. Both Microsoft and Intel have been releasing regular OS and firmware updates to fix the problem that exposes on-premises and cloud-based Windows 10 machines to cyber attacks.

The KB4494174 security update includes Intel firmware

You may refer to this guide for a list of Intel processors compatible with the microcode update. Targeted operating systems are Windows 10, version 1809 and Windows Server 2019.

The security update supports these Windows CPUs: Denverton, Sandy Bridge, Sandy Bridge E, EP, Valley View, and Whiskey Lake U. It is critical to install the latest fix now, even if you have downloaded an Intel microcode update before to fix this problem.

To download the KB4494174 fix for your specific OS, you can go to the Microsoft Update Catalog.

The MDS hacking threat

According to a Microsoft security advisory last year, MDS vulnerabilities may let an attacker access sensitive information in a Windows 10, Intel PC without authorization. Organizations that share computing resources in the cloud, such as, to enhance collaboration, are particularly susceptible to this cyber threat.

These vulnerabilities are known as:

CVE-2018-12126 – Microarchitectural Store Buffer Data Sampling (MSBDS)

CVE-2018-12130 – Microarchitectural Fill Buffer Data Sampling (MFBDS)

CVE-2018-12127 – Microarchitectural Load Port Data Sampling (MLPDS)

CVE-2019-11091 – Microarchitectural Data Sampling Uncacheable Memory (MDSUM)

Unprotected offline or standalone PCs are not free of the hacking risk either. That’s because a malicious local actor with access to them can exploit MDS weaknesses and access privileged files. Hackers can also use specially designed system requests to breach on-premises IT infrastructure this way.

While Microsoft and Intel have known about the MDS threat for a while, no customers had reported such an attack by the time the security advisory went online. If the corporations are responding by issuing regular firmware and OS updates, it’s because they’ve assessed the threat to be real.

When a security researcher pointed out a Windows 10 task scheduler vulnerability in 2018, Microsoft moved swiftly to address the issue.

There is no telling when Intel will come up with a processor design that fixes the MDS problem once and for all. Meanwhile, Windows 10 users on vulnerable devices have to keep installing the latest OS and microcode updates to keep their information systems safe.

 

 

 

Your TLS Security Settings Aren’t Set to The Defaults [Fix]

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

While browsing the web, you can get Your TLS security settings aren’t set to the defaults, which could also be causing this error.

This can cause various issues, so it’s important to fix it as soon as possible, and one what to do it is to enable TLS 1.2.

Since this can affect the privacy and integrity of your data, we’ve created this step-by-step guide to help you set the settings to how they should be.

How do I change my TLS security settings to defaults?

  1. Press Windows key + S and type internet options. Select Internet Options from the menu.
  2. Next, click on Reset.
  3. Lastly, click on Reset again to confirm.

How to fix your TLS security settings aren’t set to the defaults error?

1. Enable TLS the regular way

  1. Launch Internet Explorer.
  2. Click the Tools button.
  3. Click Internet Option.
  4. Go to the Advanced tab.

  5. Under Security section and check Use TLS 1.0, TLS 1.1, and TLS 1.2.

2. Enable TLS 1.1 and 1.2 manually

  1. Launch Internet Explorer.
  2. Open the Tools menu.
  3. Choose Internet Options
  4. Select the Advanced tab.
  5. Scroll down to the Security section
  6. Click on Use TLS 1.1 and Use TLS 1.2
  7. Unselect the checkbox Use SSL 3.0.
    tls settings ie
  8. Click Apply
  9. Click OK

By following these steps, you should enable the settings for security protocols and trusted sites. Of course, this is just one small step that you need to take to improve the security of your PC.

We hope this guide helped you fix the Your TLS security settings aren’t set to the defaults which could also be causing this error for good.

To learn more, we have a great guide on how to enable TLS 1.0 and 1.1 on Windows, so don’t miss it.

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

Windows Server stuck in boot loop? Use these fixes

Posted on by Ivan Jenic

Windows Server comes across as a fairly robust platform to host other programs or sites. That said, it isn’t entirely immune to errors as well, and a quite common error to be faced here is when the Windows Server is stuck in an endless boot loop.

Then again, getting around the issue isn’t too big of a deal either as there sure are ways to tackle the situation and setting things right again when Windows fails to boot completely.

Fix Windows Server reboot loop

1. Re-seat your memory

Windows Server does not boot? Re-seat the memory.

  1. Open the cabinet to reveal the internals of your PC.
  2. Locate where the memory cards are installed on the motherboard.
  3. Unhook each of the memory card and pluck it out from the slot.
  4. Re-insert it again and try restarting your PC.
  5. A corrupted or damaged memory is also often the reason for the server refusing to boot.
  6. In the latter case, there obviously is no other option but to replace the memory.

2. Check the motherboard

Issues with any component on the motherboard could be a reason Windows Server is not booting

  1. When the server is not getting past the POST (Power On Self Test) state during booting (the visual cue to this is there is just the black screen that gets loaded and nothing happens beyond it), that is the biggest sign of things being wrong with the hardware and not the Windows OS.
  2. And the worst-case scenario here is that the entire motherboard might have become dysfunctional.
  3. You might look for signs such as bulging capacitors which might have busted out.
  4. Similarly, failure of other components installed on the motherboard can also be the reason the server does not boot.
  5. You can also track the diagnostic LED on your motherboard if it comes with any such feature. Match those with the company manual to find out what might have gone wrong.
  6. Pursue the same with the company officials to rectify errors, if any.
  7. Anything getting loose on the motherboard also leads to the server not booting correctly. Check for such instances and remedy the same.

3. Remove USB devices

Windows Server is not booting? Remove any USB device attached to the PC and try again.

  1. Some systems have been found to encounter booting issues when there is a USB drive attached to the PC.
  2. Try removing other USB devices and see if this works. This way, single out the USB device that might be preventing the PC from booting.
  3. Update the driver for the particular USB device and see if this works.
  4. If the USB drive is used to boot your PC, you might have to make necessary changes to ensure the HDD is above the USB drive in the device boot priority order in BIOS.

This should be all you need to deal with the situation when the Windows server does not boot up properly.

Meanwhile, here are some additional resources that might be of interest to you.

Check Your DNS Over HTTPS Settings in Opera [How to]

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

DNS over HTTPS can be useful in protecting your online privacy, and in today’s guide, we’re going to show you how to check your DNS over HTTPS settings in Opera.

How do I check my DNS over HTTPS settings on Opera?

Use Opera settings

  1. Open the Opera menu and select Settings.
    opera settings menu
  2. Click on Advanced.
    opera advanced settings
  3. Locate Use DNS-over-HTTPS instead of the system’s DNS settings and enable it.
    use dns over https disable
  4. Select the DNS you want to use.

Should I choose DNS over HTTPS?

DNS over HTTPS encrypts your requests, making them private, so it’s good if you’re concerned about your privacy.

However, this feature can make it harder for administrators to block malicious traffic, so if you’re a part of the organization, you should better check with your network administrator.

To make sure you’re completely anonymous, you should use a VPN along with this feature. Speaking of which, many are wondering if Opera VPN can be tracked, and we have an article that answers this question.

If Opera is not connecting to the Internet after enabling this feature, perhaps it’s best to disable it or configure it properly.

What are your opinions about the DNS over HTTPS feature? Let us know in the comments section below.

Fix: Windows Live Mail email links aren’t working

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

Microsoft stopped supporting Windows Live Mail in November 2014. However, if you have it installed, it should continue to do its job. The truth is that not everything has run very smoothly for the last years and it’s terrible to find that your Live Mail email links are not currently working.

If you’re trying to use your Windows Live Mail client and suddenly no email links are working, then you’ve got an annoying problem on your hands. Besides the final box that asks you to kill the page or wait for it to respond, opening any of the links makes the browser’s page load indefinitely.

Waiting for a couple of minutes or even more doesn’t change the situation. That’s why the only logical next step is to take the matter into your own hands. So, don’t hesitate to go through the following steps in order to make email links work again.

What can I do if Windows Live Mail email links are not working?

1. Change default programs associations

default programs associations
  1. Click on the Start button and type Default Programs in the search.
  2. Right-click on the taskbar start button to get a pop-out menu.
  3. Choose and click on Control Panel.
  4. The control panel items box should pop up next, with titles in alphabetical order.
  5. Look for Default Programs. After finding it, click it.
  6. Select Set your default programs on the next screen.
  7. Then, choose your Internet browser.
  8. Select set this program as default, then click OK.
  9. Return to Default Programs.
  10. Choose the option that says Set program access and computer defaults at the bottom.
  11. Hit Continue if you get a User Account Control prompt.
  12. Select the Custom option.
  13. Click on the double arrow to the right of Custom> Choose a default web browser.
  14. Select your default browser.
  15. Tick the box next to Enable access to this program.
  16. Then, choose a default e-mail program.
  17. Set Use my current e-mail program.
  18. Don’t forget to also tick the box next to Enable access to this program.
  19. Confirm by finally clicking OK.

Errors in program associations could stop Live Mail email links from working. Feel free to change the default program associations by following the procedure detailed above.

You can’t open Control Panel? Take a look at this step-by-step guide to find a solution.

2. Disable antivirus/firewall functions

disable antivirus protection

The next troubleshooting path to follow is a classic one. The firewall you’re using could be blocking a port used by the email client.

This is usually caused by 3rd party antivirus suites and firewalls, while the Windows built-in firewall is configured to allow the port through if not configured manually to block it.

That’s why you should temporarily deactivate antivirus/firewall functions.

3. Run a repair of Windows Essentials

try to repair Essentials
  1. Type Control in the Windows Search bar.
  2. Open Control Panel.
  3. From the Category view, select Uninstall a program.
  4. Double-click on Windows Essentials.
  5. Click Uninstall/Change from the top bar.
  6. Click on the Repair all Windows Essential programs and wait for the procedure to end.
  7. Finally, restart your PC and confirm any changes related to the issue.

If none of the previous methods have resolved the problem for you, we recommend trying to repair Windows Live Mail. You could also use the executable responsible for the uninstall procedure (wlarp.exe).

Make sure not to choose t Remove one or more Windows Essentials programs.

If you need more info on how to uninstall programs and apps on Windows 10, check out this detailed article.

When confronted with Windows Live Mail email links that are not working, follow each potential fix described above.

For any other questions or suggestions, don’t hesitate to reach in the comments section below.

Windows Live Mail Inbox Disappeared? Follow These Steps

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

While working with Windows Live Mail, users often face issues, and the problems became more frequent after it was discontinued, though you can still use Windows Live Mail. A common problem that seems to affect several users is when the Windows Live Mail inbox is missing.

This makes the situation complicated as you no longer have access to your Inbox emails while all other folders remain intact. Losing emails is one of the dreaded nightmares, so we have compiled a list of solutions that should work for you.

Why is Windows Live Mail not showing emails?

Here are a few reasons your Windows Live Mail emails are missing:

  • Issues with the server: Sometimes, it could be a temporary issue with the server of your email service provider. So check that first using the dedicated status page or a service like Downdetector.
  • Database compacted on shutdown: The email client is, by default, configured to compact the database every 100 shutdowns, which could be why the Windows Live Mail account disappeared.
  • User inadvertently deleted the email: Many times, users inadvertently delete the emails or the account, but a warning is usually displayed in such cases.

What can I do if Windows Live Mail inbox is missing?

Before we start with the complex changes, here are a few quick things you can try:

  • Restart the computer and the router.
  • Wait for a few hours and verify whether the emails in Windows Live Mail reappear since it could be a server-related issue.
  • Check the Deleted items folder in Windows Live Mail.

If none work, move to the solutions listed next.

1. Help IMAP client to configure itself

  1. Go to Accounts, and click on Properties.properties
  2. Head to the IMAP tab, and leave the Root folder path empty.
  3. Confirm when seeing a popup window regarding resetting the folders list.
  4. Your Inbox should next appear.
  5. Then, in the Special folder section, add INBOX. to the start of each path (e.g. INBOX.Sent, INBOX.Drafts).
  6. Click on the checkbox beside Check for new messages in all folders and Store special folders on IMAP server.

Users often describe how entering Inbox as the root folder path works. When prompted to refresh the folder list, it seems to update successfully. The so-called success is for a short while. Right-click your account and select Download all folders.

You’ll see once more that Inbox is nowhere to be found. Chances are your IMAP client is no longer able to configure itself accordingly. Explicitly naming the paths INBOX.foldername solves the problem when Windows Live Mail is missing inbox.

2. Enable Compact View to restore Inbox

  1. Open Windows Live Mail, click on View in the taskbar, and select Compact View.compact view to fix windows live mail inbox missing
  2. Now, click on the green plus sign.plus
  3. Tick the checkbox for Inbox and click OK.view to fix windows live mail inbox missing
  4. Now, disable Compact View by again clicking on the icon.compact view

When the Windows Live Mail inbox is missing even after performing the procedure above, using the Compact View feature might help. This offers access to a list of all Windows Live Mail email folders on your computer, so choose the missing Inbox and restore it.

3. Use the import feature from the default directory

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type %appdata%, and hit Enter.appdata
  2. Now, check the following paths for the Inbox folder:AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows Live Mailappdata to fix windows live mail inbox missing
  3. When you see Inbox in one of those directories, copy the data stored there to a new folder on the desktop, which will act as the backup
  4. Now, open Windows Live Mail, click the File menu, and then choose Import messages.import messages to fix windows live mail inbox missing
  5. Choose Windows Live Mail, and click Next.windows live mail
  6. Click Browse.browse
  7. Navigate to the desktop, select the folder you created earlier, and click OK.select backup to fix windows live mail inbox missing
  8. Click Next to proceed.next
  9. When you are done, you can safely click Finish.

When Windows Live Mail inbox is missing, it’s likely that the folder is stored in AppData and can always be imported to the email client. The process, though a bit complex, has worked for a lot of users.

4. Re-add the account

  1. Open Windows Live Mail, right-click on your email address and choose Remove account.remove account to fix windows live mail inbox missing
  2. Click Yes in the confirmation prompt.yes
  3. Add the same account to Windows Live Mail again.login
  4. Right-click on the email address, and this time choose Download all folders.download all folders to fix windows live mail inbox missing

If the previous solutions didn’t work, re-adding the problematic email address should work when the Windows Live Mail inbox is missing.

Also, if you are looking for an alternative, check our curated list of the best email clients for Windows.

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

Microsoft’s may have canceled or delayed its Surface hub 2X according to new report

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft may have cancelled or delayed the release of its Surface Hub 2X digital whiteboard according to a new report from Brad Sams on Petri.com. The news follows the release of the Surface Hub 2S last year, which succeeded to the original Surface Hub released in 2015.

Microsoft unveiled the Surface Hub 2 back in May 2018, but we later learned that Microsoft was working on two different devices, the Surface Hub 2S shipping in 2019 and the Surface Hub 2X expected for 2020. The company also revealed that Surface Hub 2S would use a cartridge system that would allow companies to upgrade it to Surface Hub 2X in 2020.

According to Sams, “people familiar with the company’s plans have indicated that Microsoft has cancelled or significantly delayed the Surface Hub 2X and that it will not be shipping as previously announced.” Sams also noted that Microsoft removed the Surface Hub 2 video from YouTube and other information related to Surface 2X from its website.

“One potential reason cited by those familiar with the company’s plans for the cancellation is that the development of WCOS, Windows Core OS, is not going as smoothly as expected which is causing delays for some implementations,” Sams said today. Back in December, Zac Bowden from Windows Central reported that Surface Hub 2X may actually ship with Windows 10X, the new OS that Microsoft is developing for Surface Neo and other dual-screen PCs. However, Sams didn’t confirm this today.

Microsoft never went into details about what operating system Surface Hub 2X would be running. The Surface Hub 2S, which shipped last year, still runs the Windows 10 Teams OS that shipped on the original Surface Hub. In the original Surface Hub 2 video, Microsoft showed the Surface Hub 2X OS (presumably powered by Windows Core OS) which brought support for new features including display rotation and the ability to combine four different Surface Hub 2X displays together. Last year, The Verge’s Tom Warren also reported that Microsoft was exploring bringing support for Win32 apps on the Surface Hub 2X.

Microsoft provided the following statement to Brad Sams, which doesn’t clarify if Surface Hub 2X is still being actively developed:

We have an ongoing dialogue with our customers on Hub and are working to align the roadmap to best meet their needs. The top two priorities for Hub in 2020 are deploying the 85” device and rolling out an OS update that includes many top features customers have been requesting since Surface Hub 2S launched, including improving IT integration, deployment and management capabilities at no cost for all version 1 Hubs and Hub 2S devices. We’ll have more to share in the coming months.”

If Sams’ sources are correct and complications with Windows Core OS forced Microsoft to change its plans for Windows 10X, that wouldn’t be completely surprising. HoloLens 2, the first Microsoft device powered by Windows Core OS only started shipping back in November, nine months after Microsoft revealed it at Mobile World Congress. Windows 10X, which is also based on Windows Core OS, is still far from being ready and we didn’t see any Windows 10X PCs at CES earlier this month, except for a prototype from Lenovo.

Windows Core OS definitely seems to be a huge undertaking, and even though the Surface Hub 2X demos we saw in 2018 looked very promising, it may have been too early for Microsoft to talk about Surface 2X and show these new features.

Microsoft is sunsetting its Ad Monetization platform for UWP apps on June 1st

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

In what will surely feed the ongoing “UWP is dead” narrative, Microsoft has quietly announced its plan to shut down its Ad Monetization platform for UWP apps on June 1, 2020. The announcement was made yesterday on the Windows Dev Center (via MSPoweruser), and a Microsoft moderator explained that this decision was made primarily because it is no longer viable for us to continue operating the product at the current levels.”

Microsoft’s Ad Monetization platform managed to get various ad network partners on board including AppNexus or Oath (now Verizon Media), but the company notes that “(c)ertain underperforming Ad networks will be shut down between now and June 1, 2020.” Microsoft now recommends UWP developers to move on to other ad platforms, but the process may well be too much of a hassle for most developers. The Microsoft Ad Monetization platform also had the advantage of offering dedicated APIs for running ad campaigns on the Microsoft Store.

While Microsoft taking away app monetization options for app developers is certainly bad news, it doesn’t mean that UWP developers can no longer make money on the Microsoft Store. Indeed, ads are just one way to monetize free apps, but there are other solutions like subscriptions or in-app purchases. On Twitter, the developer of the third-party Spotify client Spotimo claimed that ads represent just 10% of app revenue for developers, the rest being in-app purchases.

Still, the upcoming shutdown of the Microsoft Ad Monetization platform for UWP isn’t the only bad news that developers will have to deal with. Earlier this month, we learned the Microsoft had quietly removed its pledge to share 95% of app revenue on the Microsoft Store. A recent report from ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley also revealed that Microsoft was planning to shut down its Microsoft Store for business. Foley’s sources also said that Microsoft officials have been debating internally about a new “concerted strategy” for the company’s digital storefront, and that the future of the Microsoft Store on Windows 10 was “uncertain.”

Even though the writing seems to be on the wall, UWP apps still allow developers to create apps that can run on Windows 10 PCs, Xbox One consoles, Surface Hub devices, or HoloLens headsets. UWP apps should also play a big role on dual-screen devices running Windows 10X, though it’s hard to imagine many developers starting to build UWP apps for this new platform. We’ll see what happens, but for now, it’s still too early to say that UWP apps are dead.

Windows 10 Microsoft To Do app updates with improvements and new announcements

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

The Microsoft To Do app updated on Windows 10 devices with a variety of changes and fixes today. This latest update brings the productivity app to Version 2.10.2001.28002 and fixes a bug that was affecting printing, improves accessibility, and added new announcements for certain functions.

Here’s the full release notes:

In this update we worked on a few small fixes such as fixing an issue with printing when your list was off screen and making sure you can add tasks to your new list as soon as you create it.

We also made lots of accessibility fixes:

  • We added announcements for actions such as list deletion, list group creation and list emoji change.
  • We fixed some dark mode contrast issues.
  • We improved the announcements of search results.

Microsoft To Do is a free task management app that’s also available on iOS and Android devices in addition to the web.

Do you use To Do? Let us know what you think of this update in the comments below and then follow us on Pinterest and Facebook for more Microsoft app news.

Microsoft To Do: Lists, Tasks & Reminders
Microsoft To Do: Lists, Tasks & Reminders
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Microsoft To Do: Lists, Tasks & Reminders
Developer:
Microsoft Corporation
Price:
Free

New Xbox bug bounty program will provide up to $20,000 rewards per vulnerability

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Earlier today, Microsoft announced the Xbox Bounty program which, like most similar bounty systems, will reward those who discover security vulnerabilities on the platform with cash prizes ranging from $500 up to $20,000.

“The Xbox bounty program invites gamers, security researchers, and technologists around the world to help identify security vulnerabilities in the Xbox network and services, and share them with the Microsoft Xbox team through Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure (CVD),” Microsoft’s Chloé Brown said in an official blog post. “Eligible submissions with a clear and concise proof of concept (POC) are eligible for awards up to US$20,000.”

An official website has been set up which, while basic in appearance, does show who can submit vulnerabilities, how much each sort of discovery can earn, and how to get in contact with Microsoft to participate.

Bounty programs such as this one are fairly common in the tech-oriented companies as they allow organizations to significantly expand their testing and increase their odds of discovering major vulnerabilities before they’re made public. They also provide an incentive for those that do discover major flaws to privately report them to a company instead of taking to social media and online forums to let the entire world know of their discovery and take advantage of it.

Are you thinking of participating in this program? Let us know in the comments below and then follow us on Pinterest and Twitter for more Xbox gaming news.

Fix: Your security settings could not be detected in Dell

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

Dell is probably one of the biggest names in the PC industry. It produces PCs that are great for pretty much any environment, from servers to elegant business laptops and powerful gaming rigs.

However, Dell machines also come with some of their own software, and it doesn’t always comply with the OS you have installed, resulting in errors.

One good example is a frequent error message that plenty of users have reported getting when updating or installing the BIOS on their PCs, which states that:

Your security settings could not be detected.  Try restarting your system and running the update again.

Several devices have been known to cause issues when updating or installing the BIOS.

Here’s a list of these devices, and their affected BIOS versions:

Dell ModelBIOS version
Latitude 72751.1.29
Latitude 5175/51791.0.22
Latitude 73701.11.4
Latitude E7270/E74701.14.3
Latitude E5270/E5470/E55701.13.3
Precision 35101.13.3
Precision 7510/77101.11.4

This error message prevents users from updating or even installing their BIOS, meaning that it basically nullifies the use of the PC.

Given the seriousness of the issue, we’ve decided to create this step-by-step guide that will show you how to bypass it with no further problems.

How do I fix the security settings issues on my Dell?

1. Perform your BIOS update from outside of Windowsdell bios usb stick

Required materials:

  • Blank USB thumb drive
  • Rufus
    • Other options include HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool, MSI DOS Tool, UNetbootin, etc
  • Updated BIOS + update utility
  • Working Dell PC
  • Internet Connection to download BIOS update from manufacturer’s company website

Once you have all the materials, proceed with the following steps:

1.1 Check your current BIOS version

  1. Press Windows + R
  2. Type in msinfo32 and press Enter
  3. View the version from the BIOS Version/Date tabdell check bios version

1.2 Update your Bios

  1. Download the appropriate version from the motherboard manufacturer’s website
  2. Copy the update on the USB flash drive, and plug it in the PC
  3. Restart the PC, and open the BIOS when it boots
  4. Go to the Bios Update tab, select your USB flash drive as the source
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions
  6. Restart your PC

Looking to get a new Dell device? Check out this article with our top picks.

2. Suspend Bitlocker while performing the BIOS update

  1. Press Start
  2. Go to Control Panel
  3. Go to System and Security
  4. Select BitLocker Drive Encryption
  5. Select Suspend Protectionsuspend bitlocker bios update dell
  6. Perform the BIOS update
  7. Restart the PC
  8. Once the update is complete and the PC has rebooted, enable Bitlocker again

By following these steps, you should now be able to update or install your BIOS on a Dell PC without any further issues.

If you know of any other way to solve this problem, share it in the comments section below so that other users can benefit from it as well.

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Make Windows 10/11’s touchscreen faster with this free tool

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

As touchscreen devices are becoming more and more a part of our life, it is only natural that we look for a way to improve their functionality even further.

That is precisely how an app like Stardock TouchTasks comes into the picture, as it promises to improve productivity when working with touchscreen devices.

How does TouchTasks work?

TouchTasks improves touchscreen functionality by adding zones to the border of the screen that users may interact with. It does this by adding zones in the left, top and right borders which will act as tack launchers. This is somewhat similar to other apps Stardock is known for among PC users.

The app is fairly easy-to-use and features an extensive tutorial system. Additionally, you can go back to the tutorial at any time in case you missed anything.

The added zones will already have default functionalities attributed to them, but they can be changed at any time. Gaining access to a zone’s functionality is done by simply tapping the area, and then selecting from the menu that appears.

One thing you should remember is that a zone’s functionality and size may be changed, but not it’s positioning. This means that if you frequently work with a program that has UI elements placed where the zones are as well, miss-tapping can happen.

Final thoughts

TouchTasks is quite handy, and it greatly increases the workflow of an individual using a touchscreen device.

As far as prices are concerned, those of you interested in trying the program should know that a free 30-day trial is provided.

However, please remember that you need to verify your email before you can use the program.

What are your thoughts regarding Stardock’s TouchTasks? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

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Fix: Group policy security settings could not be determined

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

When part of a corporate environment, managing all PCs in order to be updated, synced and at the same standards can be hard. That is why administrators usually opt for Group Policies, which are basically network-wide standards that apply to all PCs.

In simple terms, it is a simple (relatively) set of commands that apply to all PCs that belong to a particular network. One of the best uses for Group Policies is when you use them for mass updating all PCs, or when performing a mass-migration from one OS to another.

However, Group Policies may not always work as smoothly as you may want them to be. For example, some users have reported that they are encountering an error message stating that:

The group policy security settings that apply to this machine could not be determined

Since this is a problem that can be quite damaging if left unattended, we’ve decided to create this step-by-step guide that will show you how to reset your Group Policies to a functioning state.

How do I restore my Group Policy settings to a working state?

1. Use the Registry Editor

  1. Press Start
  2. Type in Registry Editorregistry editor group policy
  3. Launch it with administrator permissions
  4. Go to the following line:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlMSV1_0
  5. Delete all keys located there except the ones labeled  (Default) and Auth2
  6. Close Registry Editor
  7. Restart your PC

Can’t access the Registry Editor? Check out this article for more information on the matter.

2. Keep Windows 10 updated

Most of the time, this issue can be fixed by updating your PC to the latest version, including cumulative updates. This is because Group-policy-related issues are the first to be fixed when a new update is launched.

For more information on how to keep your Windows 10 computer updated, check out this in-depth guide.

By following these methods, your PC’s settings should now work with the Group Policies that are applied throughout your network. This means your PC will follow the same parameters as everybody else’s and no more errors should appear.

If you know of any other way to solve this problem, share it in the comments section below so that other users can try it, as well.

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Printer Making Loud Clicking Noise? 3 Ways to Fix it

Posted on by Ivan Jenic

Printers often make a loud clicking noise, which naturally is the early sign of something not quite good with the device.

This, again, may affect the quality of prints, though not always the case. Still, experts advise to get it fixed before things take a turn for the worse. Fortunately, it isn’t too big of a deal to remedy things when a Canon or Epson printer is making a clicking noise!

Why is my printer making a clicking noise?

Here are the reasons your printer is making clicking, even when not in use:

  • Connection issues: When the various components inside the printer are improperly connected, it may lead to noise.
  • Malfunctioning components: A damaged component or one worn out after excessive use may cause a clicking noise, which is a sign that the printer must be checked.
  • Paper not placed properly: If the paper is not correctly positioned and is brushing against the stack at the rear end, you may face the problem.

What can I do if the printer is making clicking noise?

Tip icon Tip
When executing the solutions listed here, we recommend that you practice extreme caution. If unsure of the components and connections, it’s best that you seek professional help.

1. Check if the drum or toner is the culprit

  1. Power the printer off. For an added precaution, disconnect the power chord from the rear of the printer.
  2. Open the front cover to access the drum and toner unit. Remove both.
  3. Connect the power cord and power on the printer again.

If there is no clicking noise this time, the drum and toners are at fault. Replace both. However, if the noise persists even with the drum and toner unit removed, there is something else that is causing the noise.

2. Check for obstruction in the paper feed and clean the rollers

Clean the inside of your printer if your printer is making clicking noise

Remove the paper feed and check if there is anything that is obstructing the free flow of the papers, including papers that might have got curled up. If possible, clean the area with a lint-free cloth to remove dust or other foreign particles.

You will also do good to clean the rollers with a lint-free cloth or a swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Be gentle with the rollers, as those are extremely delicate and can easily get damaged.

Also, make sure you are using the right quality and size of paper, as mentioned in the manual The paper feed tray, too, should be properly inserted. It shouldn’t be too tight or too loose. Once done, verify whether the loud clicking noise from the printer is fixed.

3. Reset your printer

  1. While the printer is turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.
  2. Disconnect from the wall outlet as well.
  3. Wait for at least 15 seconds.
  4. Reconnect the power chord to the wall outlet and then to the rear of the printer.
  5. Turn the printer on.
  6. See if the clicking noise is gone.

This should be all you need to do to deal with printers making a loud clicking noise. However, if all the steps mentioned above fail to address the issue effectively, it’s best that get in touch with the company’s support division for repair.

Do check the best printer management software to effectively and seamlessly use the device.

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

Windows Live Mail spam filter not working? Here’s what to do

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

For a very long time, Windows Live Mail has been the go-to email client for Microsoft Windows users. However, no application is entirely stable, as you’ve seen in the past few years. At times, Windows Live Mail’s spam filter might be the one not working.

You’ve probably faced certain problems while using the Windows Live Mail application and there’s nothing out of the ordinary in this error. However, you do know your filtering options and they used to work great.

When receiving unsolicited junk emails in your Inbox that’s clearly not the case any longer. So, to help you out, we are going to discuss some reliable ways to deal with this Windows Live Mail error.

What can I do when Live Mail’s Spam filter is not working?

1. Remember the basics

junk emails

As a quick recap, carefully read the lines below:

  • Don’t hesitate to remove your email address from mailing lists that aren’t on your safe senders list.
    • Clicking Unsubscribe is time-consuming but beneficial per long term.
  • When an email appears to come from a company, it never hurts to contact customer service via phone or web browser to confirm it’s indeed legitimate.
  • Scammers often use a technique called spoofing to disguise their real email address.
    • When dealing with this case, right-click on the email, and select the Junk email submenu, then click Mark as junk.
  • Give a try to one of those latest email scanning software programs to further filter your emails.

Looking for the best antivirus with antispam functions? Here’s a list with our top picks.

2. Look for a secondary spam folder

look for spam folder

If you added your email account as IMAP or Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, you may have another spam folder in addition to Windows Live Mail’s own junk email folder.

Try finding it in the folder tree (left pane) and see if it’s active or not.

3. Try to repair the installation

Repair option

The quickest remedy now is the Repair option that waits to be used. With all programs closed, just type wlarp into the start search box and press Enter.

Select Repair on the next page. When it’s finished, reboot the computer for the changes to take place and launch Windows Live Mail.

4. Customize your spam filters

customize spam filters

Click on the dropdown arrow of the Junk / Not junk button, then choose Safety options from the menu. The general Options tab keeps tabs on your junk filter.

By default, Windows Live Mail has it set to:

  • Low
    • This lets you move the most obvious junk email to the Junk Email folder

For a much higher level of protection, you could go for:

  • Safe List Only
    • Only mail from people or domains on your Safe Senders List will be delivered to your inbox.

Receiving countless junk emails every day is no joy, but you know how to stop that now. Windows Live Mail has these adaptive spam filters built right in.

This means that your junk filter gets better with time at recognizing what you see as junk emails.

If you have any other suggestions that can help with Windows Live Mail’s spam filter issue, share them with the other users in the comment section below.

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Samsung’s Qualcomm-powered Galaxy Book S Windows 10 laptop to launch on February 13

Posted on by davew

Samsung’s Windows 10 Galaxy Book S, powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8cx processor, is set to launch on February 13, 2020. For those that pre-order the Galaxy Book S before then, Samsung will give out $100 gift cards for purchase towards Samsung PCs, tablets, and accessories. As noted in a post by The Verge, the Windows 10 ARM-based Galaxy Book S was “unveiled at Samsung’s Galaxy Note 10 event last summer, but missed its original September [2019] launch window.”

Microsoft, Samsung, Windows 10
Samsung Galaxy Book S

The Samsung Galaxy Book S starts at $999.99 for the base model and is similar to the Surface Pro X, another Windows 10 on ARM-based PC. The Samsung Galaxy Book S has a supposed 23-hour battery life, and Samsung claims that the battery is based on the device’s onboard LTE being switched on the whole time. It is unlikely that the Galaxy Book S will be able to provide as much battery life as compared to what the Surface Pro X offers.

The Samsung Galaxy Book S will also be available for purchase through the Microsoft Store starting on February 13, but pre-orders of the device are being handled through Samsung directly.

Preorder the Samsung Galaxy Book S, starting at $999.99.

Printer is Leaving Black Streaks: How to Fix it

Posted on by Ivan Jenic

The Printer leaving black lines or streaks on paper is a fairly common problem. It’s something that you are likely to come across even the best printers, be it any make or type, including laser or inkjet printers.

That said, resolving the issue is quite easy and can be done in just a few minutes. Keep reading to find out all about the problem and the solutions that worked for others!

What causes black lines on paper when printing?

Here are the primary reasons you find the printer printing black lines:

  • Dirt accumulation: Dirt or dust accumulation on the rollers or the transfer belt is a common aspect that triggers the issue.
  • Excess toner powder: When there’s excess toner powder, there’s a chance that you will find black lines on printer paper.
  • Using improper printing material: Experts recommend using only official printing material and components (when repairing printers) since their cheaper counterparts aren’t as effective.

What can I do when the printer leaves black streaks?

1. Clean the rollers

Tip icon Tip
You need to be extremely gentle with the rollers and transfer belt, as any damage to either will only aggravate the problem. Preferably, wear gloves so as not to end up damaging either.

Made of soft rubber material, rollers act to move the paper inside the printer for the print to take place. However, any dust particles here can be enough for black lines to appear on the prints. So, the thing to do here is to clean the rollers gently using a lint-free cloth.

You can also use a soft brush moistened with some isopropyl alcohol for the cleaning act, especially if it’s hard to reach with your hands. Also, clean the transfer belt as well if your printer has one. You might also have to replace the roller if cleaning the same does not solve the issue.

2. Clean cartridge nozzles

  1. Launch the printer app and select Maintenance.maintenance
  2. Under Maintenance, look for anything like Device Servicing that allows you to deal with the ink cartridges.
  3. Once you are through the same, select Clean Ink Cartridges.
  4. Follow the on-screen instruction to complete the process.

If needed, you might have to opt for a more thorough cleaning (if such an option is available) or perform the cleaning act several times to fix things when the printer is leaving black streaks.

3. Replace the drum

This is more applicable to laser printers, where the drum is used to sort the print onto the paper. However, even a speck of dust on the drum can be enough to cause black lines as the print misses out on the portion where the dust is.

Replace the drum if you are able to, or replace the toner if the drum is part of it, as is sometimes the case. Unfortunately, this isn’t quite a simple job, and you should seek expert help if you can’t manage it on your own.

4. Clean or replace the fuser

A damaged fuser is also another reason for lines to appear on prints. So, the best option here is to go for a complete replacement of the fuser.

Cleaning the printer fuser can help if your printer is making black lines on paper

Again, seek professional help if needed. Both the drum and fuser or replaceable units are replaced during maintenance operations.

5. Extract, clean, and reinsert the cartridges

Sometimes, faulty installation of the cartridges or those with blocked print heads (especially in inkjet printers than lasers) can be the culprit too.

In that case, remove the cartridge and clean the print head using cotton buds moistened with isopropyl alcohol (or any light cleaning agent).

Take care to clean only the portion from where the ink is ejected and not the entire cartridge, especially the region where the circuit is located.

If everything else fails and the printer is still leaving black streaks, or things turn for the worse, seek professional help immediately.

Before you leave, check the most reliable printer management software to seamlessly configure and access the device.

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

Surface Pro Making Weird Noise? 3 Ways to Fix it

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

Microsoft’s line of Surface laptops is trendy among users. Not only are they powerful and boast great functionality and design, but they are also optimized for the Windows OS. But for some users, Surface Pro was making a weird noise.

Surface laptops aren’t exactly cheap to buy or have spare parts replaced, so a buzzing sound means that maybe something is straining it too much. The problem seems to appear on all models. Keep reading to find the solutions!

What can I do if Surface Pro is making a weird noise?

Before we proceed, here are a few quick tricks to try:

  • Make sure they are no loose components inside the laptop’s body. Gently shaking it will make this evident.
  • If the fan makes a noise, clear any dust accumulation using a can of compressed air.
  • Ensure all the connections are in order and verify whether Surface Pro still makes a buzzing sound.

If none work, head to the fixes listed next.

1. Change your laptops performance mode

Tip icon Tip
This solution is more of a workaround since it will lead to your laptop discharging faster, so make sure you weigh in the pros and cons.
  1. Click on the battery icon on your Taskbar
  2. Move the slider to the far right, at Best performancesurface 3 best performance

Strangely enough, fan sounds are usually heard when the CPU is under strain, so the fan has to rotate faster to compensate for the heat. However, this buzzing sound that has been reported is more persistent when the laptop is idle or using little resources.

Also, if the problem is somewhat eliminated, you can manually control the fan in Windows and set it to run at the optimal speed.

2. Get a replacement

Microsoft’s return policy is very flexible, and you can always ask for a replacement, especially if the device is under warranty. All you have to do is contact Microsoft Support and share the problem.

However, if this is a general hardware flaw, the new item will most likely have the same issue as the old one.

If you are still keen on getting a Surface laptop, check the best deals on Surface laptops and get one today!

3. Get a different device

If the problem persists even with the new laptop, you may request a refund and use the money to buy another laptop.

Here are some good Surface laptop alternatives, depending on what you want:

That’s all for now! There aren’t many solutions to it when your Surface Pro is making a weird noise. And you should let experts handle the problem.

If you know another way to solve this problem, share it in the comments section below so that other users can also try it.

FIX: VMware is not incompatible with Credential Guard

Posted on by Ivan Jenic

A common error with VMware workstations is when you try to power on the virtual machine on a Windows 10 device though you are greeted with the dreaded Blue Screen of Death when Credential Guard or Device Guard is enabled.

This no doubt makes for a frustrating scenario though the good thing here is that the issue can be remedied easily and effectively. And the easiest and most obvious solution here is to disable Windows Defender Credential Guard.

What to do if VMware is not compatible with Credential Guard

1. Turn of Windows Defender Credential Guard using Group Policy

  1. Launch Group Policy Management Console. Just type Group Policy in the Cortana search box and select Group Policy editor from the search result.
  2. In the Group Policy Editor window, select Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Guard from the options on the left.
  3. You will get to see the Turn On Virtualization Based Security option on the right panel. Double click on it.
  4. This will launch the Turn On Virtualization Based SecurityDisable Turn On Virtualization Based Security if VMware reports incompatibility with credential guard
  5. Click on the Disable option to disable the setting.

Disabling the setting will help if VMware is found incompatible with credential guard

  1. Click on Apply > OK.
  2. Close the Group Policy window as well.

2. Delete Registry setting

Making suitable changes in the Registry will help if VMware is found incompatible with Credential Guard

  1. Open Registry Editor. (Type regedit in the Cortana search box.)
  2. Delete the following registry settings.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsDeviceGuardEnableVirtualizationBasedSecurity

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwarePoliciesMicrosoftWindowsDeviceGuardRequirePlatformSecurityFeatures

The usual precautions to be adopted when tinkering with Registry settings are applicable here. It is strongly recommended to back up the Registry before making any changes to it.

3. Delete the Windows Defender Credential Guard EFI variables using bcdedit

VMware not compatible with credential guard? Delete Windows Defender Credential Guard EFI variables using bcdedit

  1. It is an easy process where you just have to type the following commands from an elevated command prompt and press Enter.
  • mountvol X: /s
  • copy %WINDIR%System32SecConfig.efi X:EFIMicrosoftBootSecConfig.efi /Y
  • bcdedit /create {0cb3b571-2f2e-4343-a879-d86a476d7215} /d “DebugTool” /application osloader
  • bcdedit /set {0cb3b571-2f2e-4343-a879-d86a476d7215} path “EFIMicrosoftBootSecConfig.efi”
  • bcdedit /set {bootmgr} bootsequence {0cb3b571-2f2e-4343-a879-d86a476d7215}
  • bcdedit /set {0cb3b571-2f2e-4343-a879-d86a476d7215} loadoptions DISABLE-LSA-ISO
  • bcdedit /set {0cb3b571-2f2e-4343-a879-d86a476d7215} device partition=X:
  • mountvol X: /d
  1. Restart the PC.
  2. There will be a prompt where you will be asked to confirm to disable Windows Defender Credential Guard. Consent to it.

4. Disable Hyper-V

One option when faced with the VMware not compatible with credential guard issue is disabling Hyper-V

  1. You are also likely to get the VMware not compatible with Credential Guard error when Hyper-V is enabled.
  2. To disable Hyper-V, use the following command:
  • bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off
  1. Restart your PC for the command to take effect.
  2. Also, just in case you need to start Hyper-V again, use the following command.
  • bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto
  1. Again, restart the PC.

The above steps should sort things out when VMware is found incompatible with Credential guard.

You will also get more info on this on Microsoft’s official webpage.

Meanwhile, here are some related posts you might want to browse:

Fix: Outlook security settings not configured

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

Those of you that work in an office environment most probably have access to an entire host of products that ease your work.

For example, having a subscription to the Microsoft Office suite can be very beneficial, since it comes with pretty much all the tools you may ever need.

This includes access to a personal information manager and email client named Microsoft Outlook.

However, keep in mind that managing work environments is made easier when using Group Policies, since these are policies applied from a singular administrator account, and applies to all PCs in a workspace.

However, one thing you must know about using Outlook is that its Security Mode must be configured to use Group Policy settings. Additionally, security settings need to be configured anyway for the general health and safety of your PC.

How do I configure Outlook security settings?

1. Make Outlook security settings compliant with Group Policies

  1. Press Start
  2. Type in Registry Editor, and open it
  3. Go to the following key:
    • HKCU\Software\Policies\MicrosoftOffice\16.0\outlook\security
  4. Change the value of AdminSecurityMode’s REG_DWORD to 2

Having trouble accessing the Registry Editor? Check out this in-depth article for more information on the matter.

2. Configure Outlook security settings for personal use

2.1 Set Outlook as an Internet Zone

  1. Launch Outlook
  2. Go to Tools
  3. Select Options
  4. Go to the Security tab
  5. Under Secure content, choose Internet
  6. Click OK

2.2 Customize Zone Settings

  1. Launch Outlook
  2. Go to Tools
  3. Select Options
  4. Go to the Security tab
  5. Under Secure content, choose Zone Settings…
  6. Press OK
  7. Choose Custom level
  8. Select Enable
    • You can also choose Prompt for all Active X, Java, and Scripting optionsactivex java
  9. Press OK

Note: Solutions 2.1 and 2.2 help with seeing Active X content directly into the email

Got tired of Outlook? Check out this article for some great alternatives

2.3 Disable program access warnings

  1. Log in to Windows using an account with administrator permissions
    • Only administrators can change this setting
  2. Open Outlook
  3. Click File
  4. Go to Options
  5. In the Outlook Options window, click Trust Center
  6. Click Trust Center Settings
  7. In the Trust Center window, click Programmatic Access
  8. Select the option Never warn me about suspicious activity (not recommended) programmatic access
    • This will disable the warning messages
  9. Click OK twice

By following this step, you can disable the displaying of warnings stating that a program is trying to access email address information or send messages on your behalf.

These are the most common security settings and scenarios you may ever meet when using Outlook. By following these steps, you should no longer encounter any of these issues.

If you’re aware of any other Outlook security settings that may need solving, share it in the comments section below and we will discuss it in the future.

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Microsoft releases KB4534321 outside the update schedule

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

Microsoft releaser a new cumulative update called KB4534321 that is aimed specifically towards Windows 10 version 1809.

It stands out because it was released outside of the normal release schedule, and it brings plenty of fixes and improvements to the Windows 10 October Update.

What stands out most are the fixes and improvements to Microsoft’s Mixed Reality, the fixes to a long-standing issue where the Windows Out Of Box Experience (OOBE) would go in a restart loop, and more.

Most important changes in KB4534321

  • Updates an issue with Windows Mixed Reality that occurs after upgrading to a new version of Microsoft Edge
  • Updates an issue that causes a device to repeatedly go into the Windows Out Of Box Experience (OOBE) restart loop in certain situations.
  • Fixes an issue that causes the touch keyboard to close when you select any key
  • Updates an issue that prevents users from reducing the size of a window in some cases.
  • Updates an issue that changes the user-customized order of tiles in the Start menu even though the layout is locked or partially locked.
  • Fixes an issue that causes the Settings page to close unexpectedly
  • Updates an issue that might prevent a user’s settings from syncing across devices

For the full list of improvements and fixes, check out this link.

As far as issues go, there are only two noticeable issues identified by Microsoft:

  • Renaming files or folders that are on a Cluster Shared Volume can cause errors
  • After installing KB4493509, devices with some Asian language packs installed may get error messages

Get KB4534321 now

Unless Microsoft plans on releasing more updates that are out of the normal release schedule, this will most likely be the last update users will be receiving until February.

As such, if you want to get the latest fixes and test out the latest features, get the update now.

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

Have any other questions or suggestions regarding the latest Cumulative Update? Don’t hesitate to leave us a message in 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.

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FIX: MacBook not connecting to external hard drive

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

External hard drives are great if you need extra space or a reliable backup solution, but many users reported that their MacBook is not connecting to an external hard drive. This can be a big problem for some, so today we’re going to show you how to fix this issue.

What to do if the MacBook isn’t connecting to an external hard drive

1. Try using a USB hub or a power adapter

If your MacBook can’t connect to an external hard drive, it might not have sufficient power. To fix this, try connecting your hard drives to a powered USB or Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) hub. Alternatively, try connecting your external device to its power adapter.

2. Check the cables and the connection

Sometimes these types of problems can occur if you have issues with your cables. To fix this, be sure to inspect both power and data cables and ensure that they aren’t damaged. If this is the case, you may need to buy a new one.

In addition, you can try connecting your external hard drive directly to your Mac instead of a hub.

3. Make sure your device is formatted properly

external hard drive macbook not connecting to external hard drive

If you’re using your external hard drive with both Windows and Mac, it’s rather likely that it’s not formatted properly. Mac doesn’t work with the NTFS file system, so be sure to check your external drive on another system.

If it’s formatted using an NTFS file system, you’ll have to format it again, but this time use exFAT, FAT or Mac OS Extended file system. For the best compatibility with Windows, using exFAT is recommended.

4. Make sure that the external hard drive is mounted

If your external hard drive isn’t recognized, try mounting it manually. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Go to System Preferences > Disk Utility.
  2. Check if the external hard drive is listed in the sidebar.
  3. Highlight your hard drive and select Mount.

Your drive should now become available in Finder.

5. Reset NVRAM and SMC

One method that can help you is resetting NVRAM and SMC. To reset NVRAM do the following:

  1. While your MacBook is on, press and hold the following keys:
  2. Option, Command, P, and R.
  3. Hold these four keys pressed for at least 20 seconds.
  4. Your MacBook should play startup chime. Once you hear it again, release the keys.

To reset SMC do on models with the T2 chip, do the following:

  1. Shut down your MacBook.
  2. Press and hold left Control, left Option (Alt) and right Shift.
  3. Hold these three buttons for 7 seconds.
  4. While keeping three buttons pressed, press and hold the Power button as well.
  5. Hold all four buttons pressed for 7 seconds.
  6. Release the buttons and press the Power button to boot your MacBook.

If you don’t have T2 chip do the following:

  1. Turn off your MacBook.
  2. Press and hold left Shift, left Control and left Option (Alt).
  3. While holding these keys, press and hold the Power button as well.
  4. Keep all four keys pressed for 10 seconds.
  5. Now release the keys and boot your MacBook.

There you go, several quick and easy solutions that should help you if your MacBook won’t connect to an external hard drive.

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Outlook mailboxes disappear after installing KB4532695

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

Microsoft released the second round of updates of the year 2020 just two weeks after Patch Tuesday.

This cumulative update is called KB4532695 is available for Windows 10 version 1903 and Windows 10 version 1909.

This cumulative update is mostly composed of fixes, the most noticeable one being the File Explorer issue that has been plaguing users for almost 4 months now.

KB4532695 affects the use of Outlook’s mailboxes

Unfortunately, this cumulative update is not without its flaws. Just a day after hitting live, users have been reporting on official forums that the cumulative update makes their Outlook mailboxes disappear from Mail:

After applying the “January 28, 2020-KB4534132 Cumulative Update for .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8 for Windows 10 Version 1903 and Windows Server 1903 RTM and Windows 10, version 1909 and Windows Server, version 1909″ update, all four of the outlook.com mailboxes have disappeared from Mail, and only the gmail mailboxes remain.  This is grossly unacceptable behavior.  Running the “January 28, 2020—KB4532695 (OS Builds 18362.628 and 18363.628)” update leaves the mailboxes still missing.

Curiously enough, nothing in the KB4532695’s changelog seems to indicate any change, improvement or bugfix related to Outlook, Mail, or mailboxes in general.

What makes this issue all the more confusing is that if users within Mail‘s settings, they will see that all of the mailboxes are still registered there.

Admittedly, since the mailboxes still show up as registered, it might be simply a visual bug.

Whichever the case, Microsoft will not release any new updates until the February Patch Tuesday updates. This means that if you too encounter this issue, might as well uninstall the cumulative update.

What’s your take on Microsoft’s latest cumulative update issue? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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KB4532695 fixes the File Explorer Search issue in Windows 10

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

Microsoft just released the second set of cumulative updates for January, and they include many new fixes, including the long-awaited fix for the File Explorer search issue.

This update fixes a problem that has been persisting for almost 4 months, which many users have been expecting to arrive with the first set of Patch Tuesday updates for the year 2020.

Another noticeable fix will thrill gamers since it fixes an issue that caused multiplayer PC games to drop the invitation to play the game in multiplayer mode

KB4532695 is available for Windows 10 version 1903 and Windows 10 version 1909. Builds increase to version 18362.628 and 18363.628 respectively.

KB4532695 Changelog

These are the key changes that come with KB4532695 :

Updates for Windows 10 version 1903

  • Improves the accuracy of Windows Hello face authentication
  • Updates an issue that changes the user-customized order of tiles in the Start menu even though the layout is locked or partially locked
  • Updates an issue that causes a grey box to appear when you search within Control Panel and File Explorer
  • Fixes an issue that causes the touch keyboard to close when you select any key
  • Updates an issue that, in certain cases, causes multiplayer PC games to drop the invitation to play the game in multiplayer mode
  • Updates an issue that sometimes causes an error when you unplug a USB type C hub flash drive
  • Fixes an issue that displays incorrect indicators for offline and online files

Updates for Windows 10 version 1909

Due to the nature of Windows 10 version 1909, it comes with all of the above-mentioned fixes, plus the following:

  • Updates an issue that prevents File Explorer’s Search Bar from pasting clipboard content using the right mouse button (right-click)
  • Updates an issue that prevents File Explorer’s Search Bar from receiving user input

As you may have noticed, this is just a small generic update that deals with bugfixes more than anything else.

Whichever the case, this will probably be the last set of updates that Windows 10 users will be receiving until the 11th of February, during the next round of Patch Tuesday 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

Have any other questions or suggestions regarding the latest Cumulative Update? Don’t hesitate to reach for the comments section below.

Before you go, be sure to check our guide on how to search for special characters in Windows Explorer.

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

Microsoft post FY20 Q2 earnings with Personal Computing sector beating cloud revenue for the quarter

Posted on by Kareem Anderson

Microsoft just posted its FY20 Q2 earnings and the company, by most accounts, exceeded expectations on a myriad of fronts.

We mentioned earlier today, that the street expectations had the company posting an ESP of $1.32, but Microsoft managed to rouse a $1.51 for the quarter as well beating expected revenue gains of $35.6 billion, hauling in $36.9 billion for its Q1.

According to Microsoft’s press release for its earnings, the company “returned $7.9 billion to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases in the first quarter of the fiscal year 2020, an increase of 28% compared to the first quarter of the fiscal year 2019.”

Office Commercial Products

Revenue in Productivity and Business Processes was $11.8 billion and increased 17% (up 19% in constant currency), with the following business highlights:

  • Office Commercial products and cloud services revenue increased 16% (up 18% in constant currency) driven by Office 365 Commercial revenue growth of 27% (up 30% in constant currency)
  • Office Consumer products and cloud services revenue increased 19% (up 20% in constant currency) with continued growth in Office 365 Consumer subscribers to 37.2 million
  • LinkedIn revenue increased 24% (up 26% in constant currency)
  • Dynamics products and cloud services revenue increased 12% (up 15% in constant currency) driven by Dynamics 365 revenue growth of 42% (up 45% in constant currency)

Intelligent Cloud

Revenue in Intelligent Cloud was $11.9 billion and increased 27% (up 28% in constant currency), with the following business highlights:

  • Server products and cloud services revenue increased 30% (up 32% in constant currency) driven by Azure revenue growth of 62% (up 64% in constant currency)
  • Enterprise Services revenue increased 6% (up 7% in constant currency)

More Personal Computing

Revenue in More Personal Computing was $13.2 billion and increased 2% (up 3% in constant currency), with the following business highlights:

  • Windows OEM revenue increased 18% (up 18% in constant currency)
  • Windows Commercial products and cloud services revenue increased 25% (up 27% in constant currency)
  • Surface revenue increased 6% (up 8% in constant currency)
  • Search advertising revenue excluding traffic acquisition costs increased 6% (up 7% in constant currency)
  • Xbox content and services revenue decreased 11% (down 9% in constant currency)

Breaking down the numbers we see that of the $36.9 billion revenue total, Microsoft’s Windows division was able to contribute a bit more significantly this quarter than in prior, thanks to a strong PC market and its self-imposed end-of-life cycle for Windows 7.

The numbers coming out of the Surface division were also very strong and are cresting at a $2 billion business, marking an almost first for the flagship hardware line.

As expected, Microsoft’s Xbox gaming business slumped for the quarter with no new exclusives or accessories to drive console purchases.

The market for additional Game Pass subscriptions is meeting saturation levels. However, Microsoft credits the game Fortnite with its lackluster performance in the three month period.

The famed battle royale shooter performed exceptionally well the prior year and artificially raised Microsoft’s content and services numbers due to the amount of loot purchased through its marketplace for the game.

On the whole, Microsoft had one of its best quarters to date and the company is poised to make similar gains in the coming ones.

It’ll be interesting to see how Microsoft’s 2020 investments in xCloud, the untested market of dual-screen hardware in the Neo and Duo, as well as its cloud initiatives such as partnerships with Salesforce and the Department of Defense, effect its YoY.

Windows Live Mail is not deleting messages? Follow these steps

Posted on by Vlad Turiceanu

We understand that sometimes you are encountering issues with Windows Live Mail. That’s a pretty neat email client, but it is not without its faults – one of them is precisely the fact that messages are prone to stay longer than you’d want them to.

Long story short, you can’t delete messages from Deleted, Sent, Junk or any other folder. You can’t delete a single email message, nor a group of highlighted messages. You simply can’t delete anything.

Here are a few easy steps that you can perform to fix this glitch.

What can I do if Windows Live Mail is not deleting messages?

1. Confirm and delete superfluous folders

superfluous folders

In case of having more than one email account in Windows Live Mail, first, sign in to each account. Then, expand all your folders in the folder pane.

In case of also seeing superfluous folders called Sent items, Junk email or Deleted items in addition to the regular ones called Sent, Junk and Deleted, things are about to get a lot easier for you.

Remember that you need to be signed on to Windows Live Mail with IMAP and simply delete those extra files. Everything should start working normally again.

2. Repair all Windows Essential programs

select Repair

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. Click Control Panel. You’ll find this option on the right side of the Start window.
  3. From the Category view, select the Uninstall a program option.
  4. Locate the Windows Live Essentials program. It is normally placed in the list of programs, in the middle of this window.
  5. The Uninstall or repair Windows Essentials programs pop-up will give you two choices. Select Repair all Windows essentials programs this time.
  6. Wait for the procedure to end, then restart your computer for the changes to take place.

If you are still getting this error, then don’t hesitate to use the Repair utility for Windows Live Mail. Follow the instructions above to the letter if using a Windows 10 PC.

You can’t open Control Panel? Take a look at this step-by-step guide to find a solution.

3. Remove and install Windows Live Mail back

Remove one or more Windows Live programs

  1. In the Windows Search bar, type Control and open Control Panel.
  2. Click Uninstall a program found below the Programs icon.
  3. Up next, locate Windows Essentials.
  4. Click Windows Live Essentials. Doing so will select it.
  5. Click Uninstall/Change.
  6. This will invoke a pop-up window.
  7. Click Remove one or more Windows Live programs.
  8. Then, click the Mail checkbox.
  9. Click Uninstall and it will begin removing the Windows Live Mail program from your computer.
  10. Don’t forget the important part of reinstalling it.

If you need additional info on how to uninstall programs and apps in Windows 10, take a look at this detailed guide.

The messages error you are dealing with can also be fixed by completely uninstalling Windows Live Mail, then installing it back.

Some users have reported success by also removing and then reinstalling all their email accounts one by one. What about you? Share your experience with tackling this issue in the comments section below.

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How to Fix HP Printer Error 0xb39ff018 in Just a Few Steps

Posted on by Matthew Adams

Some HP printer users have posted on the HP forum about a 0xb39ff018 error. When that error arises, the printer stops printing and a 0xb39ff018 error code pops up. There isn’t an error message alongside the code to provide any clues for potential resolutions.

Despite that, here are a few solutions for fixing HP printer error 0xb39ff018.

How can I fix HP printer error 0xb39ff018?

1. Run the Printer troubleshooter

  1. The Printer troubleshooter might come in handy for fixing the 0xb39ff018 error. To open that troubleshooter in Windows 10, click the Type here to search button.
  2. Enter troubleshoot in the search utility.
  3. Click Troubleshoot settings to open the window shown directly below.The Troubleshoot tab printer error 0xb39ff018
  4. Click Printer and its Run the troubleshooter button.
  5. Then select the printer error 0xb39ff018 arises for.Printer troubleshooter printer error 0xb39ff018
  6. Click the Next button to go through the troubleshooter.

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

2. Remove ink cartridges and reset printer

  1. Removing the cartridges and resetting the printer might resolve error 0xb39ff018 as the issue can be due to cartridges. Remove the cartridges from your HP printer.
  2. Remove the USB power cable from the printer (with the printer turned on).
  3. Then unplug the USB power cable.printer and USB cable printer error 0xb39ff018
  4. After a few minutes, plug the USB cable back into printer and wall outlet
  5. Turn your HP printer back on.
  6. Open the ink cartridge access door to reinsert your ink cartridges.
  7. Then close the access door for ink cartridges.
  8. If any alignment page or print calibration prompt appears, do as instructed.

3. Check out HP Print and Scan Doctor

  1. The HP Print and Scan Doctor can also be an invaluable troubleshooting tool for HP printer error codes.
  2. Click HPPSdr to open the installer for HP Print and Scan Doctor.
  3. Make sure your HP printer is on. Then open the HP Print and Scan Doctor window.
  4. Click the Start button on the HP Print and Scan Doctor window.
    HP Print and Scan Doctor printer error 0xb39ff018
  5. Select the printer that you need to fix error 0xb39ff018 for.
  6. Press the Next button.
  7. Click the Fix Printing button.Fix Scanning button printer error 0xb39ff018
  8. Thereafter, go through any troubleshooting guidelines for issues detected.

There aren’t many confirmed fixes for error 0xb39ff018. However, the resolutions above are worth a shot. If the error persists, consider returning the printer to HP for repairs, which will be a freely available service if the printer is still within its warranty period.

If you have any other questions or suggestions, leave them in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to check them out.

Windows Live Mail is not displaying properly? Try these fixes

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Windows Live Mail was one of the most widely used desktop email clients, but some users have forgotten about it. The ones that haven’t are struggling, more often than not, with different errors and bugs. One of the most common issues is that Live Mail isn’t displaying properly.

The error could be encountered in various forms. Windows Live Mail sometimes shows that you have new emails and clicking on any of them should normally reveal the message in the preview window. Instead, it shows nothing.

Other users describe how the Windows Live Mail message body is not showing any text either. Does any of these ring any bells?

After rigorous investigations, we managed to identify a collection of methods that have helped Windows Live Mail users in a similar situation to solve this particular problem. Let’s take a closer look.

What can I do when Live Mail is not displaying properly?

1. Empty the temporary files folder

empty the temporary files folder

One really easy way to make Windows Live Mail display properly again is to empty the temporary files folder. These files are stored in what’s called the Windows Temp folder.

As a general rule, try finding it at %userprofile%AppDataLocalTemp. Delete all files in it via the Delete button from the Home menu, then restart Windows Live Mail.

Can’t get rid of the temporary files? After following these easy steps, you’ll delete them like a pro.

2. Switch antivirus protection to Off in Windows Security

switch antivirus protection to Off

Your error could also be caused by the antivirus program installed on the system. Therefore, disabling it might help you isolate the issue. Follow this path Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Manage settings.

Switch Real-time protection to Off. Scheduled scans will continue to run and don’t worry. It’s only a temporary action.

If you’re having trouble opening the Setting app, take a look at this article to solve the issue.

3. Make changes into Program Directory to fix Live Mail display anomalies

fix Live Mail

If the middle window has a bunch of strange sideways markings which go along the bottom of the very same window, then you could try this instead.

Copy d3d10level9.dll from Windows 10 Version 1709 into the Program Directory of Windows Live Mail on your current Windows 10 version. Follow this path C:Program FilesWindows LiveMail to get there.

4. Enable HTML content when Windows Live Mail is not displaying images

Block images and other external content in HTML email

When emails that contain images or photographs only show text and no images, you’re advised to open Windows Live Mail. Then, follow this path Options > Safety Options > Security.

Under the Download Images heading, untick the checkbox next to Block images and other external content in HTML email. Don’t do anything about the checkmark from the box below Show images and external content sent from email addresses in my safe sender’s list.

You could also go to Tools > Options> Read to make sure Read all messages in plain text are not checked either.

5. Uninstall and reinstall the account

Uninstall Windows Live Mail

Your last resort is to Uninstall and reinstall Windows Live Mail. For that, find your way into Control Panel > Programs and Features > right-click on Windows Live Mail. Select Uninstall > Remove one or more Windows Live programs.

Once it is uninstalled, now install the same. Then, restart the computer and check if Windows Live Mail is displaying properly again.

After following all the steps described in this guide, your Windows Live Mail should start working as expected again.

Don’t forget to leave any other questions or suggestions that you may have in the comments section below.

Microsoft revises Compliance Score tool to include CCPA, other new privacy laws

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Ever since the European Union passed the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR for short, Microsoft has not only worked to improve data transparency for itself, but is also helping its business customers to better comply with data privacy laws. Among those was the company’s Compliance Score tool, which allows Microsoft 365 customers to see and overview of their overall compliance to privacy laws and helps them to determine which actions to take to help them comply.

Microsoft has just announced new assessment options to help keep users up to date on the various privacy laws, including the new California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) as well as Brazil’s upcoming Lei Geral de Proteção de Datos (LGPD) in August. The company has also added other assessment options including those from the International Organization for Standardization to help businesses maintain a Privacy Information Management System (PIMS), as well as those from the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) to help users follow standards to safeguard their confidential data with SOC 1 Type 2 and SOC 2 Type 2.

Microsoft has also extended the public preview of its Compliance Score to all business users on Microsoft 365 and Office 365, and those just getting started can check out its technical documentation to help them get started.

What do you think of these new assessment options in the Compliance Score tool? Feel free to leave your comments below.

Windows 7 will continue to be supported by most popular antivirus solutions

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Just barely over two weeks ago, Microsoft discontinued support for the Windows 7 operating system. For those still using devices running the ten-year-old operating system (time flies, doesn’t it?), this means Microsoft will no longer provide security updates, critical patches to vulnerabilities, or fixes for potential bugs.

For some businesses, this isn’t as much of a problem. That’s because the company is offering Extended Security Updates for enterprises that can’t feasibly upgrade their large-scale computer networks to a newer operating system without critical risks. Consumers and some smaller-sized businesses, on the other hand, will need to fend for themselves.

Luckily, many anti-malware companies have committed to providing continued support for customers still running Windows 7 (via ZDNet). Companies such as BitDefender, NortonLifeLock, and many other have committed to providing updates for the next two years at the very least, according to German antivirus testing lab AV-TEST. Even McAfee will continue providing support until at least December 2021.

The continued support from anti-malware companies is important given Windows 7’s continued strong marketshare, which still greatly surpasses that of the still-supported Windows 8.1 operating system according to StatCounter.

Of course, even with continued anti-malware support from big-name companies, that still doesn’t make the older machines nearly as secure if they were running a newer version of desktop OS, such as Windows 10. Those vulnerabilities will remain there going forward, and new exploits are discovered all the time. That’s why Microsoft still advices users to switch to a newer OS with more modern features and continued security patches.

Still, for those who find that upgrading is much easier said than done, using anti-malware applications is still far better than leaving a machine completely exposed.

How to tether your Windows 10 PC to your phone

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Stuck with patchy public internet, or no Wi-Fi at all? If your mobile plan supports tethering, there’s no reason why you can’t still work while on the go. In this guide, we’ll show you how to connect your PC to your phone, giving you 4G/5G internet on a Windows 10 device without its own SIM. If instead, you need to share your PC’s internet connection with other devices by using it as a mobile hotspot, check out this guide.

The steps you’ll need to follow depend on which phone platform you use. We’ll cover iOS in the section immediately below. If you use Android, skip down the page to find the relevant steps.

Enabling tethering on iOS

On iPhone, open the Settings app and tap “Personal Hotspot” to start configuring your Wi-Fi access point. Tap the “Personal Hotspot” toggle button to turn on your hotspot.

Enabling Wi-Fi hotspot in iOS

You can change your hotspot’s password by tapping the “Wi-Fi Password” field. iOS defaults to using a strong password so you won’t necessarily need to change this. Tap the blue “Save” button at the top of the password settings screen to save your changes.

Enabling tethering on Android

On an Android device, open the Settings app and head to the “Network & internet” category. The screens you see may look slightly different depending on your Android version and device manufacturer. If you don’t see the same screens at all, you should refer to your manufacturer’s documentation.

From the “Network & internet” page, tap the “Hotspot & tethering” button to view the mobile hotspot settings. Next, press the “Wi-Fi hotspot” button to customise the hotspot’s settings.

Enabling Wi-Fi hotspot in Android

Tap the toggle button at the top of the page to turn your hotspot on. Use the settings on the page to rename your Wi-Fi hotspot (its SSID) or change the password.

Connecting to your hotspot

Now you’re ready to switch back to your Windows 10 PC. Make sure your Wi-Fi is turned on (you can check by opening Action Centre with Win+A and looking for the “Wi-Fi” settings tile).

Screenshot of Windows 10's networking menu

Next, open the Wi-Fi networks list by clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the system tray. After a few moments, you should see your phone’s hotspot appear in the list. Android devices will appear as the name you set on the hotspot settings page; iOS devices show up as their device name.

Tap the Wi-Fi hotspot to connect to it like any other. You’ll need to supply the password you set on your phone. You should now be able to browse the web on your PC, using your phone’s 4G. Just remember to stay within your data plan and turn your hotspot off (on your phone) once you’re done browsing.

Google’s new business messaging app sounds a lot like Slack and Microsoft Teams

Posted on by Kareem Anderson

Seems Google is tooling around with its communications paradigm and looking to consolidate various online properties with a unifying messaging app or service.

The Information is reporting that Google is already in production with an internal beta app that’s serving as a sort of mesh service that enables its enterprise users the ability to surface functions and data from some of its stand-alone services such as Google Drive, Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Hangouts.

The details of the app are sparse for the moment, but it seems there is already a dedicated mobile app in use, however, a web-based component has yet to surface.

From the sounds of it, Google is looking to wedge itself in between Microsoft and Slack in an ongoing enterprise messaging showdown with its new makeshift offering. The Information reports a similar assessment that concludes, “the move could help it compete more effectively with application suites from Microsoft and others, according to two people who have used the application and three people briefed about it.”

While there is little known about Google’s new messaging application, the company has telegraphed some of its intentions towards a move such as this, dating as far back as January of 2019.

Last year, Google sent out messages to its G Suite customers letting them know that “Classic Hangouts” would go the way of the Dodo by 2020 and replaced with an updated Hangouts Chat and Hangout Meet applications.

In late 2019, it was rumored that Google might have been considering a purchase of Salesforce to boosts its position among Cloud service providers in a coordinated effort to more thoroughly compete in the enterprise space. However, Google’s new messaging efforts could put a wrinkle in the theorized acquisition talks as Salesforce recently partnered with Microsoft on the use of Slack in certain parts of its marketing cloud already.

Even if Google manages to not bungle this app as it has with its other previous messaging services the company is still light on integrated workplace tools as well as support for 3rd party data integration and a more robust productivity suite when compared to competitors Microsoft or Slack.

Download AMD Radeon Software to control GPU through a new UI

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

If you have any type of AMD Radeon hardware, and you use Microsoft Windows 10, you’ll now be glad that AMD Radeon Software is now available through the Microsoft Store.

This doesn’t mean that the software is no longer available through AMD’s website. Instead, the goal was to make the program far more accessible.

What does the AMD Radeon Software do?

The Microsoft Store version of the AMD Radeon Software is in no way any different from the version you could download from AMD’s website.

As such, it can be used to fine-tune your GPU settings and to perform driver updates. This comes as a welcome surprise, especially since the app support a wide variety of AMD PC GPUs.

These include the RX 5700, which was one of the company’s first GPUs based on the 7nm Navi architecture. If you are the proud owner of a Surface Laptop 3, then you should know that it is also powered by an AMD chip.

Having the AMD Radeon Software while using an AMD GPU means that you can now adjust the video settings of your games just the way you want them to.

How do I get the AMD Radeon Software?

As mentioned above, the AMD Radeon Software is now also available in the Microsoft Store. This means that it can be installed just like any other Microsoft Store app.

All you need to do is visit the Microsoft Store website and press the Get button. Afterward, all you have to do is access it from the Start menu, and use it as you please.

Remember that the AMD Radeon Software can only be used if you have an AMD GPU, and will fail to launch otherwise.

Fix: New Folders in Outlook Aren’t Arranged Alphabetically

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

We live in a time when there is always something to do, meetings to plan, and people to meet. That is why having some sort of calendar or assistant is necessary, even for the most mundane tasks.

One good program to start off with is Microsoft Outlook, one of the world’s most popular personal information managers.

Of course, many users may know it for its ability to act as an email client. However, its toolset shows that it is mainly there to help you organize better.

The problem is that organizing means order, and some users are having issues with how Outlook orders things.

It seems that for some users, whenever they create a new folder in Outlook, it will not be arranged in alphabetical order among the others. Instead, it will be simply added at the bottom of the list.

Before Outlook.com was upgraded earlier this year to allow special characters in the names of custom folders, all such folders were automatically sorted alphabetically in the Folders pane. now, however, whenever I create a new customer folder, regardless of which other folder I create it in, it is simply added – and permanently remains – below all the other (already existing) folders where it is created.

While this bug does not break folder functionality, it can be a bit bothersome.

Whichever the case, we’ve created this step-by-step article that will show you how to get your Outlook folders arranged alphabetically again.

How do I arrange Outlook folders alphabetically again?

1. The desktop client

  1. Launch Microsoft Outlook
  2. Go to the Folder tab
  3. Click on Show All folders A-Z to turn this on
    • This will lock your folders in alphabetical orderoutlook a-z

If you prefer to arrange them in a certain order, do the following:

  1. Go to the Folder tab
  2. Click on Show All folders A-Z to turn this off
  3. Right-click on a folder from your folder list
  4. Select Move Up or Move Down from the Context Menu

2. The Outlook web client

If you are experiencing this issue on the Outlook web client that you access via a browser, simply log out and log back in again. Your folders should now be arranged alphabetically by default.

By following these steps, your folders on both the desktop and web client version of Outlook should now be arranged alphabetically.

You may also learn how to color code emails in Outlook and arrange them a lot better for later usage.

If you know any other way that can solve this minor issue, share it in the comments section below so that other users can try it, as well.

Fix: New folder don’t appear in Adobe Lightroom

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

If you’re looking to edit images or create digital art from scratch, then Adobe’s family of products may be among the first things that may come to mind. One of the components of this software family is Adobe Lightroom and millions of subscribers use it around the world.

Unfortunately, Adobe Lightroom is still software and, as we all know, software can still be prone to bugs and issues.

One good example is an issue users have been reporting on official forums, where newly-created files and folders don’t appear in Lightroom CC.

expand all lightroom

Clean install of L CC onto win 10 PC. Not all the folders in my files show up in the folders area on the left hand side. If I try to import them LR says they have been imported. Result is that I can’t work on many of my images in LR CC. Any suggestions?

Since the program cannot show users newly-created or imported files and folders, it limits much of the functionality. That is why we’ve created this step-by-step guide that will show you precisely what you need to do to see the folders again.

How can I make new folders appear in Lightroom CC again?

1. Turn off filters

  1. Launch Lightroom CC
  2. Look on the left hand side of the Library Module under Catalog
  3. Click on All Photographs
  4. Turn off filters
    • Press Ctrl–L once or twice
  5. Select Photo
  6. Go to Stacking
  7. Select Expand All Stacks
  8. Search for one of the missing folder’s name using the Lightroom Filter Bar

Looking for an alternative for Lightroom? Check out this article for our top picks.

2. Make sure files are in the right location

Lightroom has a history of having issues moving files. That is why the best thing to do is to move files outside of Lightroom, using the traditional Copy and Paste combination.

Additionally, whether the newly created folders are on a removable hard drive or not. If they are, make sure the external hard drive is properly connected to the PC.

3. Make sure the folders are accessible

Folders that don’t have read and write permissions granted to them will not appear in Lightroom. You can change this by right-clicking the folder and disabling the box labeled Read-only.

Additionally, make sure that the folders are not hidden since these too are inaccessible by Lightroom.

By following the above-mentioned steps, you should be able to view any folder in Lightroom CC, regardless of whether it is new, old, native or imported.

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, as well.

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If folders still do not appear in Lightroom CC after these steps, try the broader fixes in our Lightroom not working troubleshooting guide.