However, as is applicable to just about anything, the VMware isn’t immune to errors, and a common one is that of VMware not working on Windows 10.
However, the same can also be rectified easily and effectively. Hang on!.
Easy fix when VMware is not working on Windows 10
1. Disable Hyper-V listing
Launch Task Manager. You can do this by typing Task Manager in the Cortana search box and selecting from the results shown. Alternately, right click on the taskbar. From the shortcut menu that shows, select Task Manager.
In the Task Manager window that opens, select the Services
Under Services, locate Hyper-V listing, if it’s there.
Once you have found Hyper-V listing, see if its Status is shown to be as Running.
If its running, right click on the same and select Stop.
Close Task Manager.
2. Stop Hyper-V services
Open the Services The simplest way to do that is to type Services in the Cortana search box and selecting from the search result shown.
In the Services window, there likely are several listings for Hyper-V.
Check if their Status is shown as Stopped.
If not, right click on each and select Stop.
3. Stop Hypervisor
Launch PowerShell. Again, this can be done by typing PowerShell in the Cortana box and selecting from the results. Or, right click on Start and select PowerShell(Admin) from the menu that opens up.
In the PowerShell window, type the following command: bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype off
Press Enter.
Reboot your PC.
Just in case Hypervisor is needed for any other application, you can always re-enable the same. For re-enabling Hypervisor, launch PowerShell
In the PowerShell window, type the following command: bcdedit /set hypervisorlaunchtype auto
Press Enter.
Reboot your PC.
4. Turn off Memory Integrity
Launch Windows Security. The shortcut to this should already be in the Taskbar or you can just type Windows Security in the Cortana box and select from the results shows.
In Windows Security, choose Device Security from the options on the left.
Under Device Security, click on Core isolation details under Core isolation.
You should get to see the Memory integrity toggle switch. Ensure it is turned off.
If the option is grayed out, you will have to make necessary modifications in the registry to turn it off.
Launch Registry Editor by typing regedit in the Cortana Search box and selecting from the search results shown.
From the options on the left, select: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\ControlDevice\GuardScenarios\Hypervisor\EnforcedCodeIntegrity
Change value of Enabled REG_DWORD to 0 if it is set to 1, which should be the case if Memory integrity is set to On. Close Registry Editor.
The above steps should be all you need to do if VMware is not working on Windows 10.
Meanwhile, here are some additional resources for your reading.
Windows 10 is known for a variety of things, both good and bad, but depending on who you ask, the cons more than outweigh the pros.
For example, Windows 10 isn’t in a very good spot when it comes to privacy. The telemetry services that it uses have always been the source of scandal when it comes to user privacy.
Users want more control over what data Microsoft collects
The efforts of privacy watchdogs have started paying off, as they continuously rally against Microsoft in an effort to make them surrender more control over to users when it comes to what data they can offer.
One good example is that of the Bayerischen Landesamts für Datenschutzaufsicht. This German watchdog regulates data protection in the country and found a way to disable the telemetry completely on Windows 10.
The only catch is that it needs to be done in version 1909. Additionally, the method only works on the Enterprise and Education editions of the OS.
You can finally disable Windows 10’s telemetry
Tests done by the agency showed that Windows 10‘s telemetry could be completely disabled. The only catch is that this cannot be done using Windows 10‘s native tools.
However, some control can be gained over the telemetry if users make use of third party applications. These apps give you several options that would technically make it possible to reduce the data collection to a minimum level.
Additionally, certain PowerShell commands can also be used to block telemetry data.
Microsoft defends the telemetry feature stating that it is necessary to run in the background. Its main purpose is to gather information on bugs and crashes.
More so, they stated that the feature is crucial for allowing Microsoft to further refine and improve Windows 10. As for the safety of their data, Microsoft claims that they gather no personal information. Finally, they said that all the data collected is safely transferred to their servers.
Do you think Microsoft’stelemetry is good or is it something that needs disabling as soon as possible? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
There’s no reason to deny that PowerShell is much more powerful than the Command Prompt, so what can you do when it’s not working properly? If you also run into an annoying problem and don’t know what to do, this is the guide for you.
Trying to run PowerShell gives you this error instead: PowerShell is not recognized as an internal or external command. Or maybe you are seeing one of the simplest yet widely spread PowerShell errors: Term not recognized.
In one case or another, we’ve got solutions for you. Check them out one by one in the lines below.
What can I do when PowerShell is not recognized?
1. Make a few changes to the path environment variable
Experienced users brag about solving the problem by easily adding this to their path environment variable: %SYSTEMROOT%System32WindowsPowerShellv1.0
Try the same too in case of missing an environment variable. If it makes no difference, you could also change your script to this: %SYSTEMROOT%System32WindowsPowerShellv1.0powershell.exe
2. Change COMMAND constant
On the other hand, if you cannot resolve the issues with the previous two quick fixes, this should be your next obvious step.
Find your way to the win32.js at say/platform/win32.js. While there, change the COMMAND constant from powershell to start /b powershell.
3. Evoke the 64-bit version from Visual Studio when PowerShell commands are not recognized
If you’re dealing with PowerShell commands not recognized when called from Visual Studio 2017, start from here: Visual Studio 2017 is 32-bit, therefore it evokes the 32-bit version of PowerShell.
Starting PowerShell manually on 64-bit Windows means using the 64-bit version of PowerShell, so that’s the root of the problem itself.
In this case, evoke specifically the 64-bit version from Visual Studio by using this syntax: %WINDIR%SysNativeWindowsPowerShellv1.0PowerShell.exe
4. Check spelling when getting the Term not recognized error
When the error you are seeing states that a term is not recognized as the name of a cmdlet, function, script file, or operable program, things are a lot easier.
All you need to do is further check the name’s spelling. If a path was included, then make sure the path is correct and try again.
Moreover, adding PowerShell to the path seems to fix the issue. However, there’s a downside to take into consideration. Not everyone is interested in adding PowerShell to the path; you might look for a way to install and use the package.
Since Microsoft’s Edge browser made the switch to the Chromium open source project, the company has been making various contributions that should eventually benefit all Chromium-based web browsers. Recently, we wrote about Microsoft proposing a change to bring Title Bar customization options for Progressive Web Apps, but Windows Latest has since noticed another interesting proposition from Microsoft aiming to make PWAs behave more like native apps.
In an explainer document on GitHub, the Microsoft Edge team revealed its plan to allow PWAs to be registered as handlers for URL protocols, so that clicking on links such as mailto:// , ms-word:// or web+music:// from the web or an app would open registered PWAs that have been installed on a PC.Here are three use cases detailed by the Edge team:
Cross app integration. A user opens a document using a PWA. The document contains a link to a presentation (ms-powerpoint://deck2378465). When the user clicks on it, the presentation PWA automatically opens in the correct scope and shows the slide deck.
In a native chat app, the user receives a link to some magnet:// URL. When she clicks the link, an installed torrent PWA is launched.
A user has installed a PWA for a music app. When a friend shares a link to a song and she clicks on it (web+music://songid=1234&time=0:13) the PWA will automatically launch instead of opening a new tab in the browser.
Replacing websites or desktop apps by PWAs is definitely something only power users would do, but as the Edge team explained, this proposition is all about making PWAs a “more engaging native-like experience.” It certainly could have its merits, especially since the new Chromium-based Edge now makes it pretty easy to install PWAs from the web. And truth be told, some PWAs like Outlook.com or Spotify are now just as good or better than their desktop counterparts.
It remains to be seen if this proposition from the Microsoft Edge team ends up in Chromium, but after Microsoft abandoned its plan to bring PWAs to the Windows 10 Microsoft Store, the new Edge seems to be an interesting new gateway to bring more “apps” to Windows.
Let us explore in the guide the Windows Watchdog.sys crash.
Even though the transition to Windows 10 from previous iterations is relatively seamless, specific issues can force you to reconsider the upgrade.
Especially if the error at hand is a critical system error that results in BSoD (Blue Screen of Death).
In this case, we’ll try to focus on the watchdog.sys error in Windows 10 that seems to bother a lot of folks recently.
Since it’s related to GPU/Display drivers, predominantly Nvidia graphics, our main concern goes to false generic drivers provided by Windows updates.
What is a watchdog error?
A watchdog error is a type of error that occurs when a system’s watchdog timer detects that the system is not responding or functioning correctly.
A watchdog timer is a hardware or software component that monitors the system’s activity and triggers a reset or shutdown if the system fails to respond within a specific time frame.
Here are some possible causes of a watchdog error:
Overheating – When a system overheats, it can become unresponsive or crash, triggering a watchdog error. A malfunctioning cooling system, a blocked air vent, or excessive dust buildup can cause this.
Hardware failure – A malfunctioning or defective hardware component, such as a hard drive, RAM module, or motherboard, can cause a system to freeze or crash, triggering a watchdog error.
Driver issues – Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause a system to malfunction or crash, triggering a watchdog error. This can be caused by incompatible software updates or malware.
Software conflicts- When two or more software programs conflict, they can cause a system to freeze or crash, triggering a watchdog error.
Power supply issues – A failing or inadequate power supply can cause a system to behave erratically or crash, triggering a watchdog error.
BIOS settings – Incorrect or incompatible settings can cause a system to malfunction or crash, triggering a watchdog error.
Malware infection – Malware such as viruses or trojans can cause a system to malfunction or crash, triggering a watchdog error. This can be caused by browsing unsecured websites or downloading untrusted software.
Overclocking – Overclocking hardware components such as the CPU or GPU beyond their recommended specifications can cause instability in the system.
How can I fix watchdog.sys on BSOD on Windows 10?
1. Reinstall GPU drivers
Press Windows + X, and select Device Manager.
Right-click on your driver and select Uninstall device.
Confirm your choice.
Restart the computer.
The driver updating process can be automated with the help of specialized software such as Fortect Driver Updater. This tool allows you to scan and update all your drivers, and you can set up automatic scans so that you will be notified when your drivers are going out of date.
Amid possible troubleshooting steps regarding software, we strongly encourage you to check the hardware, too.
Even though system errors are rarely provoked by constant overheating, high working temperatures are something you can’t neglect.
The easiest way to determine whether your GPU is suffering from hellish temperatures is to install third-party software like SpeedFan.
Besides the monitoring, this nifty and free application can regulate the speed of cooling fans.
Download and install SpeedFan, check the temperature, and optimize the cooling intensity to reduce the heating.
In addition, if you’re up to the task, you can unplug the graphics card from the motherboard and power supply and clean it thoroughly.
This process should help you fix the watchdog driver blue screen error on your Windows 10. However, you can also try the following options.
3. Reset BIOS settings
Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Select the Update & security section.
Click Recovery on the left pane then hit Restart now.
Select Troubleshoot.
Click on Advanced Options.
Choose UEFI Firmware Settings and then Restart.
Your PC should boot into BIOS Settings now.
Reset the configuration and save changes.
If you’re unable to reset BIOS settings for some unknown reason, you can also change something and change it back. But unfortunately, even the slightest change will force the firmware to rebuild from scratch.
This seems to be a rare but occurring issue for users with an older motherboard that upgraded to Windows 10.
Specific BIOS/UEFI settings might work like a charm on Windows 7, but, on the other hand, they can wreak havoc on Windows 10.
Especially regarding an already-mentioned collision between old motherboard sound drivers and GPU drivers.
So, you’ll need to reset the BIOS settings and let the BIOS rebuild from scratch.
These actions should help you fix the watchdog.sys error that causes the blue screen of death on your Windows 10.
Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Select the Update & security section.
Click Recovery on the left pane, then hit Restart now.
Select Troubleshoot.
Click on Advanced Options.
Select Startup Settings and then Restart.
Press F4 to boot in safe mode.
Press Windows + X, and select Device Manager.
Navigate to Sound, video, and game controllers.
Right-click on the Nvidia High Definition Audio Controler and uninstall it.
Restart your PC but don’t let it perform the updating process.
Download the Show or Hide Updates Troubleshooter.
Then, run the Show or Hide Updates Troubleshooter for Windows 10.
Block all updates related to Audio Drivers, and you should be in the clear.
With that, we can conclude this article. Unfortunately, this is a rare but resilient error that is occasionally hard to resolve.
Hopefully, with the provided solutions, you can restore the full functionality to Windows 10. However, if you have any further questions or an alternative solution, feel free to tell us in the comments below. We look forward to hearing from you.
Finally, as we already stated above, this problem predominately occurs with Nvidia graphics due to the incompatibility of Nvidia sound drivers and motherboard generic sound drivers.
To address this, you’ll need to eliminate the Nvidia High Definition sound driver and use the generic sound drivers exclusively.
That’s easier said than done because Windows 10 will still install missing drivers, nonetheless. So, that’s a reason to use the Show or Hide Updates Tool and prevent further updates.
As you can see, there are various ways to fix the watchdog.sys error, and in this article, we offer the best and easiest solutions to solve this issue yourself.
Microsoft is starting the week on a bad note this morning as Microsoft Teams, the company’s communication hub for Office 365 went down earlier today. We’ve been unable to access the app for 30 minutes now, and Microsoft has just acknowledged the issue on Twitter. The good news is that the rest of the Office 365 apps seem to be working as usual, for now at least.
We're investigating an issue where users may be unable to access Microsoft Teams. We're reviewing systems data to determine the cause of the issue. More information can be found in the Admin center under TM202916
“We’re reviewing systems data to determine the cause of the issue,” the company explained. The company should share more details soon on the Office 365 portal (restricted to Office 365 admins), but we also invite you to follow the Microsoft 365 Status Twitter account for upcoming public announcements.
It’s been quite some time since Microsoft Teams was affected by an outage, but Microsoft will hopefully be quick to fix the issue. The app crossed 20 million daily active users back in November, and it’s already being used by many Fortune 500 companies. Obviously, Microsoft employees also use Teams to communicate internally, so that’s another reason to get it back up and running asap.
Update 7:36AM PDT: As Teams is still now, the company has now explained that the issue is due to an authentication certificate that has expired. “We’re developing a fix to apply a new certificate to the service which will remediate impact,” Microsoft said.
We've determined that an authentication certificate has expired causing, users to have issues using the service. We're developing a fix to apply a new certificate to the service which will remediate impact. Further updates can be found under TM202916 in the admin center.
Update 8:25 AM PDT: After 2 hours of service interruption, Microsoft Teams is now getting back up after Microsoft deployed the updated certificate. “Affected users should start to see recovering in the next hour,” the company noted on the Microsoft 365 portal.
We've initiated the deployment of the updated certificate and are monitoring service health as the fix progresses. Additional information can be found under TM202916 in the admin center.
Office 365 is the cloud-based version of the Microsoft Office Suite and offers all the tools an organization may ever need to manage itself efficiently.
What makes Office 365 so great is that it is constantly updated with new features that make it even greater. One such feature is Office 365 Video.
Office 365 Video is a great place to view and share videos among members of your organization. It works as a video streaming service for your organization that’s available with SharePoint Online in Office 365.
However, some users have reported having problems accessing Office 365 Video:
Unable to open the video on the home page of the portal. Getting the Below Error Message. All the users are getting the below error message except admins (tenant/site collection). ” Office 365 Video isn’t available, your organization has turned Office 365 Video off for you. “
This is an issue that is frequently met by organizations that use Office 365. That is why we have created this step-by-step guide so that you and your workgroup can use Office 365 Video efficiently.
How do I enable Office 365 Video?
One thing you must remember is that this issue can only be fixed by your Office 365 administrator. He must add the affected users to the Viewers group for the SharePoint Online hub site collection. To do this, follow these steps:
As an administrator, go to the Office 365 Video Home page
Look at your browser address bar and delete everything after this string:
Enter the name of the user or group that you want to add in the Invite people dialog box
Additionally, you can simply select the Everyone except external users group, which will make it part of the Viewers group. There are cases where the Everyone except external users group may not be available if you removed this group from your organization.
By following these steps, all users that you’ve added should now be able to use Office 365 Video, but keep in mind that Microsoft announced that Office 365 Video will soon be replaced by Microsoft Stream.
Did you find this guide to be useful? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
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If you’ve ever worked with programs like Typinator, Tableau, or (especially) MapInfo, you may have come across a file with the .tab extension. Because it’s fairly uncommon to come across these file types, users may be doubtful of how safe they are.
Through this guide, you’ll learn exactly what .tab files are and how to open them.
What are .tab files?
TAB files are essentially tab-delimited text or data files. This means they contain tab-separated values. For software developers and app writers, they can be an easy way to store input received from the front end without using a database. The tab spaces act as column separators.
This means that it is an easy and quick way to create tabulated data. As a matter of fact, you can create your own .tab file through the use of Notepad. After adding your tab-separated figures in Notepad, save your file with a .tab extension instead of a .txt.
A reason as to why they may be unpopular or rare is that they become a little harder to maintain and organize when you’re working with large chunks of information. Nevertheless, applications like MapInfo use .tab files to store graphical information system (GIS) data.
Now the question is if you encounter a TAB file, how do you open it?
How do I open a .tab file?
1. Using Notepad
Since you’re able to create .tab files using Notepad, you should be able to open them too. Run Notepad – the easiest way to do this for any version of Windows is by opening a run dialog (win+R), typing in “notepad” into the Run dialog, and then clicking on okay.
Once you have Notepad open, click on the File menu item near the top left corner and then select open.
Make sure that “All Files (.)” is selected under the file-type dropdown menu and then use the Open dialog to navigate to your .tab file. Once you’ve found it, select it and then click on the button marked “Open“.
2. Using Microsoft Excel
As previously stated, working with .tab files with large data sets can be a bit tricky. While Notepad is serviceable for smaller files, you need something a little more powerful for larger files.
Run MicrosoftExcel – any version of Excel post-2000 should do.
Click on File (FILE), select Open, click on Computer and then the Browse button (FILE > Open > Computer > Browse).
Make sure you have the All Files option selected from the filetype dropdown menu, then navigate to where your .tab file is stored, select it and then click on open. This will bring up the Text Import Wizard.
On the first screen of the Text Import Wizard, make sure the radio button marked ‘Delimited‘ is selected. If your data has headers, ensure that the ‘My data has headers’ checkbox is ticked. Once you are certain that all the settings on this screen are correct, click on the Next button.
On the next screen, ensure that the only delimiter selected from the ‘Delimiters‘ panel is Tab and then click on next.
The next step allows you to set the data format for each of your columns. Use the Data preview panel to select which column you’d like to format and then select the data format type from the Column data format panel. Alternatively, you can leave all columns set to General. You can also choose which columns you’d like to skip. Once you’re satisfied with the settings on this screen, you can click on the button marked ‘Finish‘.
If you’re the curious type, then the above steps should allow you to see what type of data a program is saving into a .tab file. Hopefully, you’ve also been inspired to create tab-delimited files of your own.
Before you go, you might be interested to learn more about AADL3inscription2024.dz, so don’t miss our guide on it.
If you have any other questions or suggestions, don’t hesitate to reach for the comments section below.
Most browser-based malware detectors may not always deal with the cryptojacking threat that Windows 10 PC users continue to face while surfing the web. Microsoft is trying to solve that problem with Edge, the chromium-based browser it launched recently.
Edge to detect and stop stealth crypto miners
Microsoft Edge users will soon be able to navigate the web without the risk of unintentionally downloading crypto miners. This feature targets the “less reputable” sources that infect sites or online ads with crypto-mining code, which executes stealthily after loading in the victim’s browser.
Eric Lawrence, principal program manager, Microsoft, said in a Tweet that the upcoming feature would be more advanced than SmartScreen and Safe Browsing, both of which are malware-blockers. He was responding to an earlier Tweet by Amitai Rotten, who had announced the existence of the anti-crapware tool in a beta version of Edge.
Wait, what is this new setting in Edge? Is Edge trying to save me from downloading potentially unwanted apps, such as toolbar/adware? Why, yes it is! What used to be a enterprise Windows Defender Antivirus feature is making its way to consumers. Now in beta. pic.twitter.com/D4lYLKqAWL
According to Lawrence, Google Safe Browsing (available on Chrome) doesn’t do a great job handling unwanted applications that do not necessarily harm your PC. Edge’s SmartScreen has the same limitation.
The anticipated crapware blocker for Edge will still be able to prevent other unwanted apps from downloading automatically on your PC. These include annoying adware and toolbars that deploy on your browser without your permission.
The upcoming feature is optional, though, meaning that you may turn it off/on as you wish. Based on the screenshot Rotten posted on Tweeter, you can activate the anti-crapware utility on Edge by going to the browser’s privacy and services settings and activating the “Block potentially unwanted apps” option.
Earlier this month, Microsoft announced design improvements it was considering for Edge to enhance the user experience. But browser security was not among the issues the company said it was looking at then.
While the ability of Edge to detect and thwart crypto miners is welcome, users should still watch out for non-browser-based ways to infect a Windows 10 PC with such code.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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?
Press Windows key + S and type internet options. Select Internet Options from the menu.
Next, click on Reset.
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
Launch Internet Explorer.
Click the Tools button.
Click Internet Option.
Go to the Advanced tab.
Under Security section and check Use TLS 1.0, TLS 1.1, and TLS 1.2.
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.
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
Open the cabinet to reveal the internals of your PC.
Locate where the memory cards are installed on the motherboard.
Unhook each of the memory card and pluck it out from the slot.
Re-insert it again and try restarting your PC.
A corrupted or damaged memory is also often the reason for the server refusing to boot.
In the latter case, there obviously is no other option but to replace the memory.
2. Check the motherboard
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.
And the worst-case scenario here is that the entire motherboard might have become dysfunctional.
You might look for signs such as bulging capacitors which might have busted out.
Similarly, failure of other components installed on the motherboard can also be the reason the server does not boot.
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.
Pursue the same with the company officials to rectify errors, if any.
Anything getting loose on the motherboard also leads to the server not booting correctly. Check for such instances and remedy the same.
Some systems have been found to encounter booting issues when there is a USB drive attached to the PC.
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.
Update the driver for the particular USB device and see if this works.
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.
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
Open the Opera menu and select Settings.
Click on Advanced.
Locate Use DNS-over-HTTPS instead of the system’s DNS settings and enable it.
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.
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
Click on the Start button and type Default Programs in the search.
Right-click on the taskbar start button to get a pop-out menu.
Choose and click on Control Panel.
The control panel items box should pop up next, with titles in alphabetical order.
Look for Default Programs. After finding it, click it.
Select Set your default programs on the next screen.
Then, choose your Internet browser.
Select set this program as default, then click OK.
Return to Default Programs.
Choose the option that says Set program access and computer defaults at the bottom.
Hit Continue if you get a User Account Control prompt.
Select the Custom option.
Click on the double arrow to the right of Custom> Choose a default web browser.
Select your default browser.
Tick the box next to Enable access to this program.
Then, choose a default e-mail program.
Set Use my current e-mail program.
Don’t forget to also tick the box next to Enable access to this program.
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
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
Type Control in the Windows Search bar.
Open Control Panel.
From the Category view, select Uninstall a program.
Double-click on Windows Essentials.
Click Uninstall/Change from the top bar.
Click on the Repair all Windows Essential programs and wait for the procedure to end.
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.
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
Go to Accounts, and click on Properties.
Head to the IMAP tab, and leave the Root folder path empty.
Confirm when seeing a popup window regarding resetting the folders list.
Your Inbox should next appear.
Then, in the Special folder section, add INBOX. to the start of each path (e.g. INBOX.Sent, INBOX.Drafts).
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
Open Windows Live Mail, click on View in the taskbar, and select Compact View.
Now, click on the green plus sign.
Tick the checkbox for Inbox and click OK.
Now, disable Compact View by again clicking on the icon.
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
Press Windows + R to open Run, type %appdata%, and hit Enter.
Now, check the following paths for the Inbox folder:AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows Live MailAppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows Live Mail
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
Now, open Windows Live Mail, click the File menu, and then choose Import messages.
Choose Windows Live Mail, and click Next.
Click Browse.
Navigate to the desktop, select the folder you created earlier, and click OK.
Click Next to proceed.
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.
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.
imagine if your tablet display just rotated like the Surface Hub 2. This is Windows Core OS in action pic.twitter.com/d4ZDwIg0Gf
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.
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.
After checking with community members, monetization is usually around 90% IAP and 10% ads
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.
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.
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.
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 Model
BIOS version
Latitude 7275
1.1.29
Latitude 5175/5179
1.0.22
Latitude 7370
1.11.4
Latitude E7270/E7470
1.14.3
Latitude E5270/E5470/E5570
1.13.3
Precision 3510
1.13.3
Precision 7510/7710
1.11.4
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 Windows
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
Press Windows + R
Type in msinfo32 and press Enter
View the version from the BIOS Version/Date tab
1.2 Update your Bios
Download the appropriate version from the motherboard manufacturer’s website
Copy the update on the USB flash drive, and plug it in the PC
Restart the PC, and open the BIOS when it boots
Go to the Bios Update tab, select your USB flash drive as the source
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.
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?
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.
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
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
Power the printer off. For an added precaution, disconnect the power chord from the rear of the printer.
Open the front cover to access the drum and toner unit. Remove both.
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
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.
While the printer is turned on, disconnect the power cord from the rear of the printer.
Disconnect from the wall outlet as well.
Wait for at least 15 seconds.
Reconnect the power chord to the wall outlet and then to the rear of the printer.
Turn the printer on.
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.
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
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.
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
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
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.
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.”
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.
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
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
Launch the printer app and select Maintenance.
Under Maintenance, look for anything like Device Servicing that allows you to deal with the ink cartridges.
Once you are through the same, select Clean Ink Cartridges.
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.
Again, seek professional help if needed. Both the drum and fuser or replaceable units are replaced during maintenance operations.
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
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.
Click on the battery icon on your Taskbar
Move the slider to the far right, at 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.
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.
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
Launch Group Policy Management Console. Just type Group Policy in the Cortana search box and select Group Policy editor from the search result.
In the Group Policy Editor window, select Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Device Guard from the options on the left.
You will get to see the Turn On Virtualization Based Security option on the right panel. Double click on it.
This will launch the Turn On Virtualization Based Security
Click on the Disable option to disable the setting.
Click on Apply > OK.
Close the Group Policy window as well.
2. Delete Registry setting
Open Registry Editor. (Type regedit in the Cortana search box.)
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
It is an easy process where you just have to type the following commands from an elevated command prompt and press Enter.
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
Log in to Windows using an account with administrator permissions
Only administrators can change this setting
Open Outlook
ClickFile
Go to Options
In the Outlook Options window, click Trust Center
ClickTrust Center Settings
In the Trust Center window, click Programmatic Access
Select the optionNever warn me about suspicious activity (not recommended)
This will disable the warning messages
ClickOKtwice
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.
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:
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
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:
Go to System Preferences > Disk Utility.
Check if the external hard drive is listed in the sidebar.
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:
While your MacBook is on, press and hold the following keys:
Option, Command, P, and R.
Hold these four keys pressed for at least 20 seconds.
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:
Shut down your MacBook.
Press and hold left Control, left Option (Alt) and right Shift.
Hold these three buttons for 7 seconds.
While keeping three buttons pressed, press and hold the Power button as well.
Hold all four buttons pressed for 7 seconds.
Release the buttons and press the Power button to boot your MacBook.
If you don’t have T2 chip do the following:
Turn off your MacBook.
Press and hold left Shift, left Control and left Option (Alt).
While holding these keys, press and hold the Power button as well.
Keep all four keys pressed for 10 seconds.
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.
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.
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:
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)
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.
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