How to Migrate a Profile From Windows 7 to Windows 10

With Windows 7 no longer receiving any more support, users are now forced to upgrade to Windows 10 or pay for Windows 7 Extended Support.

If you choose the latter, then your biggest concern is probably migrating your user profile from a Windows 7 PC to the Windows 10 one.

Thankfully enough, there are plenty of methods on how to migrate your user profile from one PC to another. That is why we’ve decided to compile a list of the most efficient methods of transferring user profiles from Windows 7 PCs to Windows 10 PCs.

How to migrate profiles from Windows 7 to Windows 10?

1. Manually copy the user profile

  1. Go to My computer
  2. Navigate to C:\Windows\System32
  3. Select the MIGWIZ  folder
  4. Right-click it and select Copy
  5. Paste it on an external drive such as a USB stick
Migwiz

There may be cases where the copying process will fail due to the profile being temporary. In order to fix this issue, you will need to modify certain registries

  1. Press Start
  2. In the search box type in regedit
  3. In the Registry Editor, go to this line:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\Current Version\Profile List
  4. If you find any duplicates of your profiles, rename them
  5. Launch Windows Easy Transfer
    • You will be asked What do you want to use to transfer items to your new computer?
  6. Select An external hard disk or USB Flash drive
  7. Select This is my old computer
  8. The next window will present you with a Windows Easy Transfer key. Write it down
transfer key

Now that you have copied the profile on the USB stick, it is time to transfer it to the new Windows 10 PC

  1. Insert the USB drive in the Windows 10 PC and copy the MIGWIZ  folder on the hard drive
  2. Launch migwiz.exe
  3. Click Next
  4. Select This is my new PC
  5. Click Next
  6. Select My old computer is running Windows 7
  7. Insert the Windows Easy Transfer key 
  8. Finish the setup
enter key

2. Use a third-party migration tool

If the above-mentioned steps seem too complicated for you, you could always opt for a simpler alternative. One such alternative is using a third-party tool that is specially created for efficient and lossless data migration between PCs.

The perfect example of this is Laplink PCmover, an easy-to-use software solution made to facilitate the migration of data between Windows 7 and Windows 10 PCs.

Safety first
laplink pc mover express product box

Migrating from an OS to another is a big risk unless you have the right tool to do it. PCmover Express will move from without any data loss:

  • All your user profiles
  • OS settings
  • Personal data
  • Installed apps and software

For more information about this tool, check out this detailed guide.

Another reliable option is User Profile Wizard, a free utility designed to migrate Windows user profiles quickly while preserving settings, permissions, and data integrity.

By following these steps, you should be able to efficiently transfer user profiles between a Windows 7 PC and a Windows 10 PC.

What method do you prefer when transferring profiles between Windows 7 and Windows 10 PCs? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Raspberry Pi Astronomy Software: 4 Best Picks

Astronomy software solutions pave the way to observe sky charts and can be installed on almost any device, including Raspberry Pi. With the help of these programs, anyone can visualize astronomy objects, such as stars, planets, comets, asteroids, and constellations. Meanwhile, Raspberry Pi quickly became a favorite among computer fans, thanks to its affordable price, lightweight package, minimal power consumption, zero noise, and the fact that it’s completely customizable. Therefore, we prepared this article for enthusiasts looking for astronomy software for Raspberry Pi. We selected the 4 best tools that we think you would love to engage for stargazing activities.

What are the best astronomy software tools for Raspberry Pi?

Stellarium

Stellarium main window

Stellarium is an astronomy software solution that can be installed on Raspberry Pi. It’s free and open-source, giving you the possibility to observe the sky from Earth during the day or at night.

The tool simulates stargazing with binoculars, a telescope, or without any proper equipment. It provides a 3D environment where you can explore the Milky Way, stars, deep-sky objects, constellations, and nebulae in a full Messier catalog.

There’s also an extra catalog available, which unlocks more than 1 million deep-sky objects and 177 million stars. Stellarium is complete with all sorts of effects, such as star twinkling and atmosphere settings for day cycles.

You can investigate the satellites of planets, track comet tails, and view equatorial and azimuthal grids. It’s also possible to control time and use fisheye projection for planetarium domes.

Thanks to the fact that Stellarium supports plugins, you can add more functions to the tool. For example, it’s possible to configure telescope settings, load new constellation images, and simulate ocular mode.

Pros:

  • Free and open-source
  • Includes day and night cycles
  • Simulates stargazing, telescope view, and much more
  • Allows you to monitor satellites

Cons:

  • You may need a tutorial to use it properly

Get it now

KStars

KStars

KStars is another free and open-source astronomy software tool that works well with Raspberry Pi. It simulates the night sky, as seen from Earth. And you can control time, which means that you can toggle day and night mode for stargazing.

With the help of this application, you can explore 8 planets, the sun and moon, up to 100 million stars, and about 13,000 deep-sky objects. It also displays comets, satellites, asteroids, and supernovae.

KStars comes with an educational feature that allows you to adjust the simulation speed to inspect astronomical events which took place over great lengths of time. It can predict conjunctions, too.

Moreover, you can use an observation planner, track objects, and consult a sky calendar. Coordinates can be changed manually. It’s possible to make various calculations, like equinoxes and solstices, coordinates, and eclipses in our solar system.

For additional images and data, you can access some Internet resources within the program. Favorite sky images can be saved to file. You can also select a sky object from a database or point it out on the map to prepare it for high-quality printing.

Pros:

  • Free and open-source
  • Holds data on up to one million stars
  • Can be used to access the Internet for extra resources

Cons:

  • May be a bit too simplistic for some

Get it now

Celestia

Celestia

Celestia is a favorite choice among the community when it comes to astronomy software, and it can be installed on Raspberry Pi, too. It facilitates a 3D space simulation environment, where you can freely roam the universe using keyboard controls.

Using Celestia is almost like playing a sandbox space game. It’s incredibly entertaining and you don’t have to be an astronomer to enjoy it. You can also capture videos and screenshots.

There are various navigation tools put at your disposal, allowing you to take over time settings, track celestial objects, choose what labels you want to display on the screen or switch to a different perspective.

The application comes with a rich database of stars, planets, constellations, asteroids, moons, comets, galaxies, nebulae, and spacecrafts. We recommend running the demo at startup. It includes an interactive tour with subtitles.

Thanks to the fact that Celestia is open source and supports scripts, you can download other tours made by the Celestia community and load them into your desktop program.

Pros:

  • Free 3D roaming and keyboard control
  • You can download scripted tours of the galaxies

Cons:

  • Not for beginners

Get it now

Cartes du Ciel (Sky Charts)

Cartes du Ciel

Cartes du Ciel is an open-source and feature-rich astronomy software solution that can be integrated with Raspberry Pi. It provides a sky chart with stars, nebulae, planets, asteroids, and comets.

The standard catalog of the tool includes a little over 9,000 stars and 10,600 deep-sky objects, but you can download more catalogs if you want to add more items.

Because Cartes du Ciel was designed as an optimal solution that works even with weaker hardware configurations, it doesn’t have resource-demanding features by default, making it ideal for Raspberry Pi setup.

For example, celestial objects are not accompanied by pictures but only text information. However, you can download and use pictures instead of symbols.

You can search for objects, change the field of vision, adjust the deep sky filter, switch to a different coordinate system, customize solar system options, capture and save screenshots to file, as well as print images.

Furthermore, Cartes du Ciel has a special feature dedicated to telescopes. You can connect a telescope through INDI, ASCOM or manual mount drivers, configure telescope settings, enable slewing and tracking, or synchronize data.

Pros:

  • Open-source
  • Includes a little over 9,000 stars and 10,600 deep-sky objects

Cons:

  • Celestial objects come with next, but no pictures

Get it now

Conclusion on astronomy software for Raspberry Pi

The popularity of Raspberry Pi can’t be argued, thanks to its numerous benefits. However, it’s impossible to overlook its drawbacks: ARM architecture and non-upgradable RAM.

Therefore, it can be tricky to find software solutions that are not only compatible with Raspberry Pi but also work well, without OpenGL errors or delays.

When it comes to astronomy software, though, we think that you should give a shot to Stellarium, KStars, Celestia, or Cartes du Ciel, depending on your Raspberry Pi configuration.

Best speaker simulation software for Windows 10/11

Speaker simulation software tools give you the possibility to use accurate measurements and design a home theater system or any other kind of venue for hosting audio systems. Such applications have features to help you mimic the real-life audio environment, set the room dimensions, add multiple speakers of different makes and models, and run various simulations to test the sound quality. In this article, we are showing you the 5 best speaker simulation software tools that we could find. Some are free to use while others are just free to try, so you might as well take advantage as much as you can.

What are the best speaker simulation software utilities?

EASE Focus 3

The main window of EASE Focus 3

Designed as a free speaker simulation software tool, EASE Focus 3 primarily focuses on testing acoustics. It features 3D modeling functions for several kinds of speakers, including conventional, digitally steered columns, line arrays, and sub-arrays.

The program is wrapped in a simple interface, where you can begin a project by adding the sound source. When adding the audience zone, you can select its shape, even if we are talking about a stadium with curved and inclined seating.

You can explore multiple sound sources and tinker with various attributes like frequency, bandwidth, temperature, air pressure, and humidity. The distribution graph is displayed on the bottom part of the window, together with other view modes.

The sound coverage is immediately computed by EASE Focus 3 so that you can find out the frequency response. Because the software product is backed by several major speaker makers, it’s possible to simulate devices from multiple manufacturers within the same project.

Pros:

  • It is free
  • Lets you test out various sound settings
  • It features 3D modeling functions for several kinds of speakers

Cons:

  • Not as feature-packed as the other alternatives

Get it now

Y-S3 Yamaha Sound System Simulator

The main window of Y-S3 Yamaha Sound System Simulator

Yamaha Sound System Simulator is a free-to-use software utility that can help you determine the best position of speakers in any kind of venue by simulating multiple aspects.

To get started with Y-S3 Yamaha Sound System Simulator, you must set up the venue shape, size, number of floors, along with the listener’s ear height above the floor.

The properties of the speakers must be added in the following steps, including position and angle. Based on these settings, the tool generates the 3D coverage area of the venue with the speaker placement and gives you the possibility to make further adjustments, like changing the array data.

For instance, you can get a clear idea of how many points are necessary to put together a design system by determining the sound pressure distribution affected by speaker interference, the frequency response, and the floor sound pressure levels after modifying the system gain.

Pros:

  • It is free
  • Lets you calibrate the software to the exact needs of the room

Cons:

  • Not beginner-friendly

Get it now

SpeakerSim

The main window of SpeakerSim

SpeakerSim is a plugin that can be integrated with any VST or AAX host to simulate different kinds of speakers. It’s specially designed for audio processing in TV and movie post-production, music production, and for generally checking audio mixes within distinct environments.

The plugin is presented in a stylish dark-themed interface, where you can experiment with over 18 speaker simulations, such as headphones, computers, car speakers, cellphones, answering machines, radio, toys, or jukeboxes.

You can take advantage of a Lo-fi distortion tool, intelligent Limiter, a 3-band equalizer with low shelf, mid and high shelf, along with LowPass and HighPass filters.

It’s also possible to create transition effects and use SpeakerSim with many kinds of tracks, including synths, vocals, basses, and acoustic elements.

Pros:

  • Comes with a free demo
  • Can simulate a wide variety of speakers
  • Advanced sound filters

Cons:

  • The price tag

Get it now

VituixCAD

virtuixcad

VituixCAD is a free Windows application that takes a more complex approach toward speaker simulation software solutions. It can be used with active and passive loudspeakers that have any number of separate frequency bands and drivers.

When starting a project, you can add driver types, the nominal sound pressure level and other properties, set the frequency response, polarity, delay, and smoothing if required, as well as insert the impedance response and make adjustments (if any).

It’s also necessary to estimate the axial and power response, along with the axial responses of each driver. Then, you can draw the crossover, enter filter blocks and manually adjust their settings.

To get it right, it’s advisable to keep tweaking the circuit properties until your project hits the target values you previously estimated for the directivity index and axial, power, polar and impedance response.

Pros:

  • It is free

Cons:

  • Not for beginners

Get it now

WinSpeakerz

The main window of WinSpeakerz

The last item on our list, WinSpeakerz is a Windows software product that you can use to design and evaluate various kinds of loudspeaker systems. It comes with many advanced options and configuration settings.

To get started, you can import a bass speaker from the driver database into the workbench and set the audience area. 18 variations are available for closed, vented and bandpass boxes, so there are plenty of options worth exploring.

After settling on the box type, it’s time to specify different audio levels, make adjustments, and run the analysis. For example, you can instruct WinSpeakerz to calculate the system’s response on the workbench and simulate various responses like frequency, excursion, phase, group delay, and impedance.

Since you can save up to 10 system memories into the same project file, it means that you can load up to 10 systems on the screen at once, in order to compare them. A detailed report of the system currently loaded in the workbench can be printed for closer inspection.

Pros:

  • A great speaker evaluation tool
  • Can save up to 10 systems in its memory

Cons:

  • The free demo is pretty limited

Get it now

Conclusion

Taking everything into account, do not hesitate to take advantage and try out the five-speaker simulation software tools designed to help you design the perfect home audio systems or other types of venues.

Hands-on with the new Gmail and Google Drive integration in Outlook.com

After developing a new web browser based on Google’s open-source Chromium engine, Microsoft is now also playing nicer with Google’s own emailing and storage services. In the months following limited testing of new Gmail and Google Drive integration on Outlook.com, Microsoft is now rolling out the feature in beta to a larger group of Outlook.com users.

Along with Tom Warren from The Verge, we’re now seeing the new Google integrations on our end. However, it is noteworthy that this feature isn’t standard: It will only show up of you’re an Outlook.com Premium member, either paid or as included free as part of Office 365.

Once the Gmail and Google Drive integration is available for you, you’ll notice a pop-up message in your Outlook.com inbox, which looks like the one in the featured image above. You’ll also see a new Add Account icon in the sidebar, similar to the one in the Outlook app on mobile. Alternatively, you can check to see if you have the feature by clicking the bullhorn-shaped Announcements icon and then Try it on the top left corner of the screen, which is right next to your profile icon.

If you choose to add your Gmail inbox to Outlook.com, you’ll be prompted to grant Microsoft permissions to access your Google Account. That includes reading mail, seeing and editing Google Drive files, seeing your contacts and calendars, and your other personal information. Once you proceed, all your Gmail messages will now appear in your Outlook.com inbox.

As this is still a beta, the experience is still a bit messy. We weren’t easily able to sort between our Outlook.com inbox or the Gmail inbox. We actually needed to head back to the announcements icon and click Try it to see Gmail in the Outlook experience. Despite the sidebar and account toggle appearing in the original set-up and notification prompt, it doesn’t seem to persist in the Outlook.com UI once Gmail integration is actually enabled — at least on our end.

Google Calendar in Outlook is really convenient

One of the best parts of this new experience is the Google Calendar integration. As I am sporting an Android phone, it is great to see the same calendar meetings and appointments that I made on the Google Calendar app from my Pixel 3XL Android Phone, right on Outlook.com.

Now, when I create a calendar meeting on my phone, I don’t need to go back into Gmail.com to check on it, get reminders, or add more details.  Rather, I can just open Outook.com, toggle my Google account with Try it from the top bar, click the Calendar icon, and all the information I need is there. I often add reminders to watch my TV shows on my phone through Google Calendar, and it is great seeing these on my desktop now too.

This also can be useful for folks who have multiple calendars too, as there are the same toggle options from Google Calendar in the left bar to create more calendars, and switch between them. I prefer the more flat-looking and business look of Outlook.com when compared to the rounded and colorful Google Calendar, so there is that, too.

Google Drive Integration is great for sharing files

It’s also nice to see Google Drive integration, which lets you easily share files in Outlook.com that are stored in Google’s online cloud storage service. It’s a nice option if you’re emailing someone who doesn’t want to deal with OneDrive or prefers Google’s cloud storage service instead.

This is available by toggling over to Gmail in Outlook.com via the Try it at the top bar. Once you do that, you can access Google Drive by choosing the Browse cloud locations option. You’ll then see a pop-up option to choose Google Drive. A list of your recent files show up, and you can click the one you want to share. You also can use the search box to pick a file not listed. A recent attachment option is also available. And, if you want to use OneDrive in Gmail, you can do that too, by clicking add an account. 

Once you choose your file, you can choose an option to either share as a Google Drive link or Attach as a copy. You also can remember your choice and choose it as a default option. This is quite nifty, as the process of picking files is exactly the same as it is when choosing files via OneDrive with a Outlook.com or Microsoft email account.

A useful addition for those invested in both Google’s and Microsoft’s ecosystem

At the end of the day, it is indeed quite convenient to have access to Gmail directly from within Outlook.com, as it moves the experience closer to what you get with the dedicated Outlook app. You’re able to access your emails, calendar, and even send Google Drive files without having to open Google’s own websites, and it is great for those who prefer the user experience out Outlook.com. The experience still has quite a ways to go, but I am glad to see the new Microsoft in action and playing nice with Google services. That will be especially important with the Android-powered Surface Duo coming up later this year.

Microsoft news recap: GTA V arrives on Xbox Game Pass, Google may have blocked Stadia on Microsoft Edge, and more

Microsoft news recap is a weekly feature highlighting the top Microsoft news stories of the past week. Sit back, grab some coffee, and enjoy the read!

Grand Theft Auto V is the first new Xbox Game Pass title of 2020

Taking some by surprise, it has been announced that Grand Theft Auto V is the first game to be added to Xbox Game Pass in 2020.

Grand Theft Auto V

Google has apparently blocked its Stadia cloud gaming service on the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge

Google’s subscription-based, cloud gaming service Stadia apparently doesn’t work on Microsoft’s new Chromium-based Edge browser because Google has blocked it.

Microsoft Outlook takes aim at Google’s Gmail and hits the 100 million install mark on the Google Play Store

Another of Microsoft’s apps on Android has reached a new milestone, with Outlook crossing the 100 million install mark via the Google Play Store.

Outlook for Android Update Featured

New Microsoft Edge icon appears on latest Android beta

The latest update to the Microsoft Edge beta app on Android has delivered a new icon for the web browser.

That’s it for this week. We’ll be back next week with more Microsoft news.

Upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 using SCCM

Windows 7 has reached the end of its life, and due to security concerns, everyone is urged to upgrade to Windows 10 immediately.

The problem is that this isn’t easy when you have multiple PCs that need upgrading, such as the case of IT admins in big companies. That is why using software solutions such as the SCCM (System center configuration manager) is advised.

It allows users to manage a large number of Windows-based computers, as it includes remote control properties, patch management, operating system deployment, network protection, and other various services.

In the case at hand, the SCCM can be used to upgrade multiple Windows 7 PCs to WIndows 10 at once, without going through each PC one by one.

How do I upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 with SCCM?

The first step is to set up the SCCVM sequence, which you can do by following these steps:

1. Set up the SCCM sequence

  1. Launch the SCCM Console
  2. Go to Software Library
  3. Select Operating Systems
  4. Select Task Sequences
  5. Right-click Task Sequences
  6. Select Upgrade an operating system from upgrade packageSCCM
  7. Go to the Task Sequence Information tab
  8. Enter a Task Sequence Name and Description
  9. Go to the Upgrade the Windows Operating System tabsccm 2
  10. Use the Browse button to select your upgrade package
  11. Go to the Include Updates tab
  12. Select one of the following Software Update tasks:
    • All Software Updates
      • This will install the updates regardless of whether there is a deadline set
    • Mandatory Software Updates
      • This will only install updates from deployments that have a scheduled deadline
    • Do not install any software updates
      • This will not install any software update during the Task Sequencesccm 3
  13. Go to the Install Applications tab
  14. Select any application you want to add to your upgrade process
  15. Go to the Summary tab
  16. Review your choices and click Next
  17. In the Completion tab, click Close

2. Deploy the SCCM sequence

  1. Go to Software Library
  2. Choose Operating Systems
  3. Select Task Sequences
  4. Right-click Task Sequences and then select Deploy
  5. In the General pane, select a collection
  6. In the Deployment Settings tab, select the Purpose of the deployment:
    • Available
      • This will prompt the user to install at the desired time
    • Required
      • This will force the deployment at the deadline (see Scheduling)deployment sccm
  7. In the Scheduling tab, enter the date and time
  8. In the User Experience pane, select whatever options suit you better
  9. Check Create a deployment alert when the threshold is higher than the following check-box in the Alerts tab if you want to create a failure alert
  10. In the Distribution pane, select your Deployment options

3. Begin the upgrade process

  1. Log into a Windows 7 PC
  2. Open the Configuration Manager Icon
  3. Go to the Actions tab
  4. Select Machine Policy Retrieval & Evaluation Cyclesccm 5
  5. Open the new Software Center from the Windows 7 Start Menu
    • Here you will see the SCCM sequence you created earlier
  6. Click it, and select Install
  7. In case a warning will appear, disregard it and select Install Operating System
  8. Let the upgrade unfold

sccm6

By following these steps, you should be able to efficiently upgrade a Windows 7 PC to Windows 10 by using an SCCM sequence.

Do you think that this is an efficient method of upgrading Windows 7 PCs? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Windows 7 to Windows 10 Transfers via Ethernet Cable

Despite being at the end of its life, Windows 7 is still popular among users and companies. That is precisely why plenty there are many cases where the two Operating Systems may even coexist.

Of course, in order to do so, data transfer between Windows 7 PCs and Windows 10 PCs needs to be possible.

Fortunately enough, pretty much every option you can think of that involves data transfer exists. This includes sending and receiving files via a cable.

In order to proceed, you will need the following:

  • A Windows 7 PC or Laptop
  • A Windows 10 PC or Laptop
  • An Ethernet cable (the better the cable, the faster the transfer speeds will be)

How do I transfer files between PCs using an ethernet cable?

Once you’ve connected the two PCs via the Ethernet crossover cable, you will need to configure the subnet masks and select what folders that can be shared.

1. Configure the Windows 7 PC

  1. Go to the Windows 7 PC
  2. Press Start
  3. Go to the Control Panel
  4. Go to Network and Sharing Center
  5. Select Change adapter settings
  6. Look for Local Area Connection
  7. Right-click it and select Properties
  8. In the Networking tab, expand Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/PV4)
  9. Click Properties
  10. Click Use the following IP Address and enter an IP address
  11. Add a subnet mask
Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/PV4)

2. Define what files can be shared

  1. Select a folder you want to share
  2. Right-click it and select Properties
  3. Go to the Sharing tab
  4. Select Advanced Sharing
  5. Check the box next to Share this folder
  6. Give the folder whatever control options you want
  7. Select Apply
share folder

3. Configure the Windows 10 PC

  1. Go to the Windows 10 PC
  2. Press Start
  3. Go to Settings
  4. Go to Network & Internet
  5. Choose Ethernet
  6. Select Change adapter optionschange adapter settings
  7. Look for Local Area Connection
  8. Right-click it and select Properties
  9. In the Networking tab, expand Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/PV4)
  10. Click Properties
  11. Click Use the following IP Address and enter the same IP address as the Windows 7 PC
  12. Add a subnet mask
  13. Press OK

Once you’ve set up the Windows 10 PC as well, you can visit the Network window from File Explorer, and the connection with the Windows 7 PC should appear there.

Double-click it, and all the files and folders that were shared will be at your disposal.

Did you think sharing data via the ethernet cable is efficient? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Windows 7 vs Windows 10 on Old PCs: What to Expect

Windows users are probably already aware that Windows 7 is at the end of its life. Thus, they are forced to either get Extended Support for Business or upgrade to Windows 10.

However, a newer OS means that many users are concerned about their hardware. While Windows 10 has been around for some time now, those that have very old PCs or laptops are wondering whether or not they can handle Windows 10.

In theory, a newer OS always comes with higher system requirements, which leads some to eventually change the hardware for the sake of the software.

However, this doesn’t seem to be the case with Windows 10, as you will see in the article below.

What OS is better for my low-end PC?

First of all, you need to define what exactly “low-end” PC means. If you are talking about a PC that is more than 10 years old, more or less from the Windows XP era, then staying with Windows 7 is your best bet.

However, if your PC or laptop is new enough to meet Windows 10’s system requirements, then the best bet is Windows 10.

Tests revealed that the two Operating Systems behave more or less the same. The only exceptions were the loading, booting, and shutdown times, where Windows 10 proved to be faster.

On the flip side, you need to understand that if your hardware is too old, the drivers that come with it may not be compatible with Windows 10.

Older hardware sometimes works better with legacy programs, so downloading older releases can help you maintain stability on a slow PC. You can use trusted sources such as old version software archives when newer builds feel too heavy or incompatible.

If that is the case, Windows 10 will simply replace the missing drivers with generic ones developed by Microsoft. While they may not be the best choice out there, they are better than having no drivers at all.

More so, take into consideration that Windows 10 has been proven to handle updates much more efficiently and faster. If that doesn’t convince you, keep in mind that even with Extended Support you will still have to upgrade to Windows 10 at some point.

Technology is evolving, and we as users need to evolve alongside it. This includes upgrading our hardware and software.

However, if circumstances force you to remain with older hardware for longer periods of time, going from Windows 7 to Windows 10 is a safe bet. Speaking of safe, the improved security features alone should be enough of an incentive to upgrade.

Do you prefer Windows 7 or Windows 10 or your older hardware? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Windows 7 vs Windows 10 sound quality

Windows 7 has reached the end of its life, and as such, everyone is advised to move on to the next better OS: Windows 10.

It goes without saying that such a migration is for the better since Windows 10 has better security features, better support, and more.

Of course, if you want to stay with Windows 7, you could always opt for the Windows 7 Extended Support, although you should know that this too can only be done for an extra 2 years.

Audiophiles, however, might be interested in knowing that there are differences between how the two OSes handle sound, and how one may provide overall better sound quality than the other.

Thus, if you too are interested in pristine sound quality and clarity, you should continue reading the article below.

How does Windows 10 affect sound quality?

In theory, audio quality should not change if the only thing you do is switch the Operating System. As such, Windows 7 or Windows 10 per se will not affect the audio experience.

Windows 10 makes listening to music easier and better

One thing you should remember is that Windows 10 does come with a set of changes that indirectly affect the way you will listen to music. These include:

  • Improved audio stack performance
  • An Opt-in dedicated audio core
    • This allows you to move audio processing to a dedicated processor core
  • WASAPI enhancements
  • AudioGraph, which is a new API, built on WASAPI, offers ‘higher-level constructs’ for working with audio
  • New Codecs, namely FLAC and ALAC
  • Web Audio, which is included in Microsoft Edge
  • Bluetooth MIDI
  • Lower audio latency
  • Audio aggregation and routing
  • MIDI routing

These are just one of the many improvements that affect your audio experience more or less directly.

Additionally, because of the universal app development changes, more users can now develop more and better apps, for all devices that support Windows 10.

Why Windows 7 may seem the better option

If you just upgraded from Windows 7 to Windows 10 and the audio seems inferior, it may be due to the driver. Those of you that have older PCs may have been using drivers that were optimized for WIndows 7.

However, not all developers bothered making further optimizations for the newer OS. As such, you may end up using the generic audio drivers provided by Microsoft.

Conclusion

As you can see for yourself, there are differences in audio quality and response rate between Windows 7 and Windows 10. However, these are extremely subtle and hard to notice.

In fact, the only ones that can truly tell the difference are those that work in audio player development or those that have home recording studios.

For the rest of the consumers, a 128 kbps song will still sound like a 128kbps sound regardless of the OS.

Do you think Windows 10 is superior as far as audio goes? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Best astronomy chart software tools for Windows 10/11

Astronomy chart software programs are incredibly attractive for people of all ages, because you don’t have to be an astronomer to understand the appeal of celestial objects and visualizing astronomy elements, in general.

Therefore, we have selected the 4 best astronomy chart software tools that you can use to immerse yourself in outer space, freely roam the universe, discover planets and stars that you never heard about, and ultimately gain new knowledge on astronomy.

What are the best astronomy chart software tools that I can get?

Celestia

Celestia main window

Celestia is a free and open-source 3D space simulator. It gives you the possibility to freely explore planets, stars, moons, galaxies, asteroids, comets, spacecrafts, constellations, and nebulae. The software tool can also display astronomy charts.

Navigating space in 3D in Celestia feels like playing an open-world game, especially since you use mouse and keyboard controls to move, change the camera orientation, orbit around objects, look behind, track objects, control time, toggle labels, and perform additional actions.

To get a better idea of the program, you can run a demo that takes you on a tour to Earth, the moon and sun, Jupiter, and a star system. We suggest switching to fullscreen mode first.

And, if your hardware supports it, turn on anti-aliasing, maximize the texture resolution, and increase the ambient light to obtain the best graphical conditions.

You can take screenshots and record videos, get more information on solar systems and stars, find eclipses in the universe, select the type of celestial bodies to render, as well as increase or decrease the number of visible stars with the press of a key.

Celestia also lets you add bookmarks to later review your favorite parts from outer space.

And, if you’re interested in more interactive tours like the demo integrated in the program, you can find other scripts online made by the Celestia community, complete with subtitles.

The only thing missing is an audio feature, which would’ve worked great with deep space music or educational voice recordings.

Pros:

  • Easy on your PC’s resources
  • Free and open-source
  • Key-board controlled exploration

Cons:

  • Not as many features as a premium product

Get it now

Stellarium

Stellarium main window

Stellarium is another free and open-source Windows application that provides you with a 3D planetarium for your PC. It can also be used as an astronomy chart software solution.

The program takes a unique approach, allowing you to watch the sky from Earth in 3D and in full screen, as if you were using a telescope or binoculars, or just observing with the naked eye.

It has more than 600,000 stars, 80,000 deep-sky objects, and 20 constellations registered in its standard catalog, together with nebulae images. But you can access over 177 million stars and 1 million deep-sky objects in an extra catalog.

A search tool is put at your disposal to help you easily identify celestial objects. You can also change coordinates, switch to a different location and time zone, and perform various astronomical calculations.

Stellarium shows a realistic representation of the Milky Way, sunrise and sunset, the planets with their corresponding satellites, comet tails, star twinkling, equatorial and azimuthal grids, eclipses, and various 3D sceneries.

It can also simulate novae and supernovae, as well as show you the sky at day or during the night, thanks to atmosphere settings. And, if you are interested in extra functionality, you can take advantage of the application’s plugin system.

For instance, you can add ocular simulation, telescope configuration, new solar system objects, landscapes, artificial satellites, and constellation images.

Pros:

  • Free and open source
  • Detailed space charts
  • Simulates day and night cycles
  • The UI is almost non-existent

Cons:

  • May need a tutorial on how to use properly

Get it now

SpaceEngine

SpaceEngine

SpaceEngine has more in common with Celestia than Stellarium, but it takes everything to a whole new level. It’s a 3D space simulator that’s more a game than a program. And it includes astronomy chart software solutions, too.

Featuring an interactive 3D planetarium, SpaceEngine is science-based and goes to great lengths to accurately portray the entire universe. The most interesting aspect is that it uses procedural generation for rendering the uncharted areas of the universe.

You can freely roam orbital landscapes, planets and moons, the deep space, photo-realistic celestial objects, and even spaceships. The scenery is actually breathtaking.

And you can also apply mods, such as galaxies and nebulae, HD close-up textures of planets, spaceship models, or custom-made solar systems. It’s even possible to build your own star or planet.

Using exploration tools, you can get complete information on celestial bodies and surroundings, navigate a map of stars, find out the composition of each planet, and get an overview of the planets, sorted by size.

The newest edition of SpaceEngine has VR support and must be purchased through Steam. However, you can download and install older versions for free.

Pros:

  • Offers VR support
  • Feels like a game
  • Mod compatibility

Cons:

  • Not for those seeking professional tools

Get it now

Solar System Scope

Solar System Scope

Solar System Scope isn’t as feature-rich as other astronomy chart software solutions on this list. But it’s still entertaining. It facilitates a 3D simulated environment of the solar system and night sky, complete with celestial bodies.

You can freely roam our solar system and get technical information about any planet or star, including composition, distance, galaxy, and structure, along with convective and radiative zone.

When exploring the encyclopedia of a body, you can switch to night sky mode to see where you would have to look to locate the body and how it is positioned compared to known planets.

A simple catalog is put at your disposal for exploring the solar system, night sky, planets, stars, Messier objects, and nearby star systems. Sound effects and background music are included, but you can turn them off.

As far as viewing options are concerned, you can control what you wish to display in the map when it comes to stars and their names, Messier objects and their names, star position lines, scale grid, as well as distance names and lines.

The online version of Solar System Scope is free to use. There’s an offline mode, too, which comes with a free demo. The main difference is that the offline version has superior graphics.

You can also download new high-resolution textures for free, which are based on NASA elevation and imagery data.

Pros:

  • Great 3D design and navigation
  • Great for calculating the trajectory of celestial objects
  • The online version is Free
  • Comes with an offline mode

Cons:

  • The downloadable client is not free

Get it now

Conclusion on astronomy chart software

With Celestia and SpaceEngine, you feel that you joined a sandbox video game, where you can freely roam the universe.

Stellarium gives an accurate representation of the sky as seen from Earth, while Solar System Scope focuses on objects from our own solar system and the neighborhood, too.

Whether you need to work on an important astronomy project for school or just take a break and lose yourself in outer space, you can look into the astronomy chart software tools on this list.

Silhouette Software for PC: Best to Use in 2026

Silhouette software solutions simplify your job when it comes to designing and printing various materials that can be used with die-cutting machines, such as paper, vinyl, or metal.

There are many types of electronic die-cutting machines available, but perhaps the most popular one is Silhouette. With a stylish look, it plugs into your computer and awaits your command to print stunning designs. And all you have to do is come up with the artwork, whether you create it yourself or get inspired by others.

That is why we’ve decided to compile a list of the best Silhouette software tools that you can buy right now.

What are the top 4 Silhouette software for Windows 10?

Silhouette Studio Basic Edition

The main window of Silhouette Studio Basic Edition

The prime choice of users is Silhouette Studio Basic Edition, a free-to-use software application that features standard functions for design and text, enabling you to create printing tasks for Silhouette die-cutting machines.

Wrapped in a rather intuitive interface, it gives you the possibility to work with move, rotate, scale, align and replicate tools, along with weld, crop, divide and subtract utilities. These are pretty basic functions found in photo editing software.

Thanks to PixScan technology, you can cut around any printed picture with precision, or place the cut lines on the right spots of your material using a scanner, in order to import the image into Silhouette Studio and continue designing it.

Pros:

  • Come with a wide variety of tools
  • Free of charge
  • Unlimited use

Cons:

  • Contains only the basic toolset

⇒ Get it now

Silhouette Studio Designer Edition

The main window of Silhouette Studio Designer Edition

In addition to including all features of the free version, the Designer Edition of Silhouette Studio permits die-cutting machine enthusiasts to import artwork from SVG format.

For example, you can use Adobe Illustrator to create stunning designs for Silhouette machines. After saving it as an SVG file, you can then import it into Silhouette Studio Designer Edition and pick up where you left off.

Pros:

  • Plenty of online tutorials are provided on how to use it
  • Can manage formats and layers
  • More tools than the basic edition

Cons:

  • Not very beginner-friendly

⇒ Get it now

Silhouette Studio Designer Edition Plus

The main window of Silhouette Studio Designer Edition

As you can imagine, Silhouette Studio Designer Edition Plus contains all features available in Silhouette Studio Designer and makes room for new ones.

More specifically, you are free to import embroidery artwork from PES, EXP, JEF, DST or XXX files. A more enhanced version of the Rhinestone feature can be used here so that you can create and print more elaborate designs.

Pros:

  • Supports a wide variety of file formats
  • Can be used to create elaborate designs

Cons:

  • The price tag

⇒ Get it now

Silhouette Studio Business Edition

The main window of Silhouette Studio Business Edition

Silhouette Studio Business Edition is the richest version out of the four. Suffice it to say, it supports new features aside from the previously mentioned options and configuration settings.

The business version is dedicated to helping you put together large-scale projects at the highest possible quality. The goal is to reduce the time it normally takes you to cut huge chunks of material that will be used with the Silhouette die-cutting machine.

For instance, the software solution gives you the possibility to import AI, CDR and EPS files that you have created using tools like Adobe Illustrator or CorelDraw.

Pros:

  • The most tools of all Silhouette editions
  • Can be used for large-scale projects

Cons:

  • The premium price tag

⇒ Get it now

Closing thoughts on Silhouette software

Die-cutting machines are incredibly useful for creating and personalizing objects made of various fabrics. And the beauty of Silhouette software solutions is that they can help you turn your dreams into reality.

DiRT Rally 2.0 is free to play this weekend with Xbox Live Gold

Microsoft is kicking off the new year with its first Free Play Days in 2020. This weekend,  the company is offering DiRT Rally 2.0 to Xbox One owners subscribed to Xbox Live Gold, or those that get Gold benefits though Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

DiRT Rally 2.0 was released not even a year ago, so the free trial period this weekend could give many gamers the opportunity to try something somewhat new. The game features more than 50 cars that can be raced in six real life rally locations—the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Spain, and Poland—all with realistic driving physics.

If you decide you’d like to own the game after the trial period which ends on Sunday, it’s also receiving a steep discount for a limited time. Those in the U.S. can get it for up to 70% off, for instance, which brings the Standard Edition and Digital Deluxe Edition to $18 and $24, respectively.

DiRT Rally 2.0
DiRT Rally 2.0
Developer:
Codemasters
Price:
Free

Those with Game Pass can also continue playing past the trial period this weekend, as the title joined the subscription’s free games catalog in September for both console and for those on PC, as well.

If you’re new to Xbox Live Gold or Game Pass, it might be worth noting that Game Pass Ultimate, the subscription that combines both for consoles and PC, is on sale for three months for $1 for new members. It’s definitely worth it if you’re into free games each month.

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate

Will you be racing in DiRT Rally this weekend? Share your thought about the game in the comments area below.

Want to get the most out of Microsoft Teams meetings? Here’s how to multitask and take Meeting Notes

During a meeting in Microsoft Teams, you might want to take notes. For some people, that might mean opening-up another program like Microsoft Word or even the Sticky notes app in Windows 10. But, did you know that Teams has a meeting notes feature to help you capture and share your thoughts during your important calls? In our latest Microsoft Teams guide, we’ll show you how you can use the feature to your advantage and perhaps even multitask.

Important notes on Notes

Before getting into the experience of taking notes in Teams, there are some important points to note. Currently, only people from within your organization will be able to start or access meeting notes. That means guests won’t have the feature. It’s also important to note that there is a 20 person limit for notes access. If your meeting has more than 20 people, only the first 20 will be able to access your notes. You also need to know that only people who have been previously invited to join a meeting before notes are created will have access to notes. If you joined later, you won’t have access.

Taking Notes before the meeting

In Teams, you can take notes before the meeting, during the meeting, and after the meeting. In this step, we’ll explain how you can take notes before the meeting.

You’ll want to go to the Calendar section in Teams, and then select your meeting from the list. Next, click Chat with participants, and select the Meeting Notes tab. You can then select Start taking meeting notes. If you want, you can also add to the agenda @mention people, or assign action items. However, please be aware that you’ll only see pre-meeting notes if you’re in a meeting that doesn’t take place in a channel.

Taking notes during the meeting

Once you’re in a meeting, you can get to your notes by selecting More Options at the bottom of the screen and choosing Show meeting notes in the meeting controls. You might also notice an option to Start taking meeting notes if you haven’t already.

Once you select that option, you’ll be able to start typing notes. You can use controls at the top of the panel to format and layout your text. You can also add new notes by choosing to Add a new section here. If you want, you even can get someone’s attention by assigning an action item.

Image via Microsoft

Seeing notes after the meeting

Once a meeting is complete, you can access notes in a few ways. If you want to access notes from a channel meeting, all you need to do is to head to where the meeting occurred and find it. You can then select show notes in fullscreen. For finding notes in a private meeting, you can go to Chat and find the meeting, and select Show notes in fullscreen. Notes will show up in a Wiki tab, and you can read, edit, or add more notes.

Meeting Notes are just the beginning

Taking notes during meetings is just the beginning of what you can accomplish. You also can schedule meetings, use keyboard shortcuts, blur your background, and much more. We’ve got a guide which explains how to get the most out of meetings. We’ve also previously given a look at where Teams is heading into the future and explained some incoming features which will help boost your experience.

Are you using Teams? Share your tips and tricks or frustrations in the comments below.

How to upgrade a domain-joined PC from Windows 7 to 10

Since the support for Windows 7 has ended, there are two courses of action that you can take:

However, those of you that have your PCs joined in a domain may not receive the upgrade notifications as everybody else.

While this doesn’t mean that you can’t upgrade, you won’t be reminded to do it as soon as possible.

Keep in mind that no support means that your windows 7 PCs will no longer receive any more security updates. This translates into an increased risk from cyberattacks, which can be especially devastating to joined-domain PCs.

Thankfully enough, the upgrade process is fairly simple, especially since all you need is Microsoft’s provided Media Creation Tool. additionally, you’ll need to have a valid Windows 10 license for each of the domain-joined PCs that you own.

How do I upgrade my domain-joined PCs to Windows 10?

As such, if you want to upgrade your domain-joined PCs to Windows 10, simply follow these steps:

  1. Visit the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool website
  2. Press Download now
  3. Once the setup has been downloaded, launch it
  4. Select Upgrade this PC nowmedia creation tool
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions
  6. Input the Windows 10 license key when prompted
  7. Finish the installation
  8. Reboot the PC

Repeat the process with each PC until all the PCs in your domain have been upgraded.

Keep in mind that you need to create a backup of all of your data on each PC before proceeding with the upgrade since there is no guarantee that there won’t be any data loss.

Additionally, if you are upgrading an OEM Windows 7, make sure you know you know the license key before the upgrade, or else you won’t be able to activate your version of Windows 10 Pro.

If you want to learn how you can migrate from Windows 7 to Windows 10 without any data loss, check out this in-depth guide.

Admittedly, the entire process can take a lot of time, depending on how new the PCs are, and how many of them there are. Other than that, there should be no inconveniences, neither from a functionality or from a performance point of view.

Do you know of any other way of upgrading your domain-joined PCs? Let us know in the comment section below.

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How to Upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10 on Bootcamp

For those of you that are more Mac users than Windows users, Apple has been able to support Windows 10 on Bootcamp for some time now.

Now that Windows 7 is no longer officially supported, you’ll probably need to learn how to upgrade to Windows 10.

Of course, those of you that have purchased the Windows 7 Extended Support can postpone this for another 2 years. However, the vast majority of you will probably choose to upgrade to windows 10.

Thus, we’ve created this guide on how you can upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 in Bootcamp on a Mac.

How do I upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 on Bootcamp?

Before proceeding with the upgrade, you need to make sure you have all the necessary items and made all the preparations:

  • A Mac PC
  • Windows 7 Service Pack 1
  • A 64-bit edition of Windows
    • Keep in mind that Bootcamp only allows the installation of 64-bit editions of Windows
  • A valid Windows 10 license key

The final step that you need to take before actually upgrading your Windows is to make sure that your version of Mac is updated to the latest version.

In order to do this, follow these steps:

  1. Boot your Mac into the OS X system
  2. Log in
  3. Open the App Store app
  4. Go to the Updates tab
  5. Install any available updatesUpdate Mac
  6. Boot into Windows
  7. Launch the Apple Software Update application
  8. Install any available updates from hereUpdate windows from Mac

Once you’ve made these preparations, you can proceed with the actual upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10.

Simply follow these steps:

  1. Download the Windows 10 Media Creation tool
  2. Launch the executable
  3. Select Upgrade this PCmedia creation tool
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions as if it were a regular Windows PC
  5. Once the upgrade process is finished, run the Apple Software Update application again and install any available updates

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully upgrade your Bootcamp Windows 7 to Windows 10 efficiently.

Also, remember that this process will register your Mac hardware to Microsoft and that any future installs of Windows 10 on that PC will be made much easier.

Remember that since Windows 7 is no longer supported, you won’t be able to benefit from new security updates. This makes upgrading extremely important and should be mandatory to those that want to keep their data safe.

Did you find this article useful? Let us know in the comment section below.

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How do I backup Windows 7 before upgrading to Windows 10/11?

Windows 7 is nearing the end of support, and more and more users are preparing to migrate to the more advanced Windows 10. The problem is that when it comes to migrating to a new OS, you may want to take all of your files and folders along with you.

These include user profiles, documents, games, pictures, etc. Thankfully enough, there are plenty of ways you can backup your Windows 7 PC and prepare for migration towards Windows 10.

That is why we’ve compiled this step-by-step guide that will run you through all the methods so that you can backup all of your data and prepare for the new OS.

How do I backup Windows 7 documents?

1. Use Windows 7’s Backup and Restore feature

The default method of performing a Windows 7 backup is through the Windows Backup and Restore feature. However, keep in mind that you will need 3 items before proceeding with these steps:

  • Your Windows 7 PC
  • An external storage device
  • The PC you will install Windows 10 on

If you do have these items, then you can proceed with the Backup and Restore procedure.

1. Create a Windows 7 Backup

  1. Press Start 
  2. Go to the Control Panel
  3. Select System and Security
  4. Choose Backup and Restore
  5. Select Set up backup
  6. Connect your external storage device to the Windows 7 PC
  7. Under Backup Destination, select your external storage device
  8. Click Next
  9. Select Let me choose
  10. Click Next
    • Normally, all files under Documents, Music, Pictures, and Videos will be backed up.
    • You can choose to add other files to the list as well during this stage.
  11. Unselect Include a system image of drives
  12. Click Next
  13. Choose Change schedule
  14. Unselect Run backup on a schedule
  15. Click OK
  16. Select Save settings
  17. Run backup

windows 7 backup

2. Restore files on a Windows 10 PC

  • Connect the external storage device where you backed up your files to your Windows 10 PC
  • Press Start
  • Go to Settings
  • Select Update & Security
  • Select Backup
  • Go to Backup and Restore (Windows 7)
  • Choose Select another backup to restore files from
  • Select the backup created from your Windows 7 PC
  • Click Next 
  • Choose Select all files from this backup
  • Click Next
  • Select Restore to start restoring files to the Windows 10 PC

windows 10 backup

This is the default method used to backup and restore data from a Windows 7 PC  to a Windows 10 PC while using Windows’s proprietary backup tools.

However, if you find these steps to be too complicated or too redundant you can always choose third-party backup tools that can do the work for you.

2. Use a third-party backup tool

There are plenty of backup-tools out there that can finish the job fast and quicker than Windows 7‘s Back and Restore feature. These tools will either finish the job faster, require fewer steps, or a combination of both.

While each of these tools has different steps to follow, suffice it to say they are simple enough that they do not require their own guides.

Here are a few examples of good third-party backup tools that can prepare your Windows 7 PC for a Windows 10 upgrade:

By using any of the methods listed above, you will be able to successfully backup all of your personal files and documents and migrate them for your Windows 7 PC to your Windows 10 PC.

What method do you prefer when backing up your Windows 7 PC? Let us know in the comment section below.

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How to upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10 in Parallels

Windows 7 users are most likely aware that their OS is at the end of its life, and that they will need to upgrade sooner or later to Windows 10.

The same thing can also be said about their Windows 7 virtual machines that they are running on their Mac in Parallels, which will also need an upgrade soon enough.

While not many users need virtual machines, those that do will definitely benefit from knowing how to upgrade.

That is precisely why we’ve decided to compile a step-by-step guide on how to upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10 in Parallels Desktop for Mac.

How do I upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10 in Parallels?

  1. Create a snapshot of your VM
    • This step is only needed if you’ve done any work on a Windows 7 VM and need to save it for the upgrade
    • You can back up the entire virtual machine by copying its .pvm file somewhere on your hard drive
  2. Update your Windows 7 VM until it is the latest version
  3. Download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool
  4. Run it and download the ISO into your PC
  5. Connect the ISO to your VM
    1. If you’re in Window view mode:
      1. In the Mac menu bar click on Devices
      2. Select CD/DVD 1
      3. Choose Connect ImageWindow Mode
    2. If you’re in Coherence view mode:
      1. Click on Parallels menu icon
      2. Go to Devices
      3. Select CD/DVD 1
      4. Choose Connect Image…Coherence Mode
  6. Open File Explorer
  7. Go to This PC
  8. Run Setup from the mounted image
  9. Follow the on-screen instructions
  10. Restart the VM

By following these steps, you will be able to successfully upgrade Windows 7 to Windows 10 in Parallels Desktop for Mac.

Keep in mind that in order to prepare for these steps, your PC should have enough processing power to run the two operating systems in parallel.

Additionally, make sure you have at least 10 GB of hard disk space for the upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10. If you do meet these criteria, then the upgrade process should go flawlessly.

Do you use Parallels to run a Windows VM on a Mac too? Tell us what other articles you might be interested in reading in the comment section below.

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Best speaker calibration software for Windows 10/11

Speaker calibration software tools are practical for audio engineers and other types of users who wish to improve the sound of their loudspeakers. Audio fidelity can be maximized by eliminating unwanted noise and correcting the balance. The way it works is that the program sends test tones to your loudspeakers and performs an analysis of the results using your computer’s microphone. The acoustics of your room are equally important, especially when it comes to music production. Unfortunately, Windows has basic options and configuration settings dedicated to speaker and room calibration. However, you can explore and take a look at the best speaker calibration software tools we handpicked for you.

What are the best speaker calibration software tools?

Sonarworks Reference

The main window of Sonarworks Reference

Sonarworks Reference is an intuitive software application designed to correct the sound of your speakers and headphones by adjusting the bass, middle, and high levels. Its goal is to obtain a more neutral sound by measuring your room’s acoustics.

Wrapped in a sophisticated-looking graphical interface, the program guides you every step of the way, starting with checking the compatibility of your microphone. To measure the room’s acoustics, you must have an omnidirectional condenser measurement microphone.

It evaluates speaker size and position in the room, noise floor, along with the speaker and room frequency response. All this info is used to build your calibration profile that will be later used in Reference.

When it comes to audio enhancement features, you can check out the initial frequency response of the perceived acoustic power, the actual frequency response, and the current correction of the signal frequency response.

The frequency response curves can be viewed in a color-coded chart. Additional options are available for changing the signal phase response, limiting the correction curve, and viewing the target frequency response. During this time, you can toggle the left and right channels.

Pros:

  • Intuitive interface
  • Efficiently measures a room’s acoustics
  • Efficient color chart display

Cons:

  • Cannot be used without a condenser microphone installed

Get it now

Waves TRACT System Calibration

The main window of Waves TRACT System Calibration

Waves TRACT System Calibration is a plugin that integrates with the Smaart audio software suite. It’s made for specialists who need to automatically repair speaker equalization issues to create a perfectly balanced system for audio mixing.

According to the developer, the program can be used live or in the studio and can operate with any well-known DAW software tool. If it’s not used with Smaart, then Waves TRACT System Calibration can be turned into a top-quality equalization tool with 8 bands.

Using information acquired from Smaart, Waves TRACT System Calibration is able to determine the corrective FIR equalization curve as well as time alignment corrections. Up to 8 system measurement snapshots can be captured and merged, in order to set the baseline for EQ adjustments.

Moreover, there are 4 standard reference curves supplied by the plugin, but it’s possible to create and save custom presets. Multiple IIR filter shapes can be explored and applied.

Pros:

  • Made for specialists
  • Can be used as a top-tier equalizer

Cons:

  • Actually a plugin than a standalone program

Get it now

Dirac Live

The main window of Dirac Live

Dirac Live is an advanced audio processing tool that can be used to calibrate speakers and correct room acoustics. It supports ARCAM, StormAudio, miniDSP, Lexicon, NAD, and AudioControl devices.

Available in a stylish and clear-cut interface, Dirac Live includes an enhanced phase correction feature that fixes frequency timing problems and delivers superior audio fidelity results.

With the aid of a microphone, the speaker calibration software solution is granted access to measure the audio system and spatial conditions, in order to put together an acoustic profile and automatically identify any sound-related shortcomings.

After the analysis is over, Dirac Live removes the sound coloration by fixing the timing and tweaking the amplitude levels. As a result, your speakers will deliver clearer sound and deeper bass that’s not altered by the room’s reflections.

Pros:

  • Efficiently calibrates to room acoustics
  • Creates and saves room profiles

Cons:

  • Fewer tools than the other entries on the list

Get it now

Closing thoughts on speaker calibration software

Instead of figuring out what’s wrong with your loudspeakers and constantly changing their position in the room to get better sound quality results, you can just resort to a specialized tool that can do all of this on your behalf.

All aspects considered, speaker calibration software solutions are a huge ally for audio engineers and enthusiasts alike.

Fix: Windows 7 to Windows 10/11 upgrade black screen

Since support for Windows 7 has ended, many users are now forced to upgrade to the next best alternative: Windows 10. There are many advantages to Windows 10, and unless you’ve bought Extended Support, you’ll need to learn how to upgrade from one to another eventually.

However, some users have been reporting problems with the upgrade process. It would seem that they re getting a black screen when trying to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10.

[…] I upgraded my Windows 7 netbook to Windows 10, but sadly, it did not work, only a black screen keeps on appearing whenever I restart it. […]

There are many reasons why this black screen may occur, that is why we’ve compiled a list of solutions that address each of these problems.

How can I get rid of the black screen issue?

1. Check the registry

  1. Boot the PC in Safe Mode
  2. Press Start
  3. Select Run
  4. Type in regedit.exe and select OK
  5. Go to the following registry key:
    • HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindows NTCurrentVersionWinlogon
  6. Select the key and click on Shell
  7. If the shell value is not explorer.exe, double-click Shell
  8. Go to Value data, type in explorer.exe, and press OK
  9. Restart your PC

regedit


Do modifying registries seem too difficult? Why not use these tools that make it all easier!


2. Check your video drivers

When you upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10, the driver for your display adapter may no longer be supported by the newer OS. This is especially the case if you have an older PC.

More so, it can simply be a case of your driver being outdated. Since you cannot update the driver without actually seeing the screen, your only option is to try booting your PC in Safe Mode with Networking or low resolution. You can then proceed to update the driver from there.

  1. Turn off your PC 3 times in a row while booting
    • The PC should go to the Recovery Environment because of the failed boot attempts
  2. Select Troubleshoot
  3. Select Startup Settings
  4. Restart
  5. When it restarts, choose Safe Mode with networking or try Low-Resolution Video
  6. Open the Device manager once you’ve booted
  7. Select the Display adapter
    • If you have multiple display adapters, try disabling them one at a time, and look to see if that fixes the problem
    • If you only have one display adapter, uninstall the display driver and then reboot
    • Go to the manufacturer’s website, get the latest driver, and follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

3. Issues with the peripherals

peripherals

If you upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 and you get a black screen but can still see the cursor, remove all peripherals from the PC.

If the screen remains black and you can see the cursor, repeat the steps written in the previous solution.

If that works, plug them back in one at a time, and then proceed to update all peripheral drivers if available.

4. Issues with the driver for your display adapter

When upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10, your pc may change where it sends the signal from the display adapter. These include changes such as from HDMI to DVI, or DisplayPort to VGA.

Thus, if you have a desktop PC and have multiple ports, try them all or use adapters to see if that fixes the issue.

By following these steps, you should be able to get rid of any black screen issues when upgrading from Windows 7 to Windows 10.

Did you too encounter a similar problem? tell us about it in the comment section below.

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Windows Server Showing the SMB File Not Found Error

If you keep seeing the SMB file not found error message on your Windows server, you are not the only one experiencing this issue.

A good number of people have discussed this issue on a wide range of computer-related forums, and we took the time to research some of the best answers given by people and compiled them into a very useful troubleshooter article.

Server Message Block, or SMB for short, is a protocol used for network communication that allows your PC to share access to a variety of files, serial ports, printers, or even the network itself.

Because the error message mentioned above involves your server not being able to find the SMB file, this can cause a lot of issues with your shared network and can stop you from accessing important information. 

For this reason, in today’s guide, we will look at some of the best troubleshooting steps that you can try to get your system up and running once again. If you would like to know more, please read on.

How to fix the SMB file not found error on my server?

1. Check your network configuration

It is recommended that you check your network configuration for any issues that could be causing the server not to work properly.

For example, if you’re using a 2012 R2 server, this problem could be caused by transferring data over SMB by using certain network adapters with RDMA capability. It is known that the RDMA connections can failback to TCP.

2. Patch your server with the latest updates

Depending on the exact server version that you’re using, the exact steps that you need to follow to get the latest updates will vary.

Having the latest updates is extremely important, especially if you’re using your server to manage a big network with a large number of nodes and connections.

3. Turn on the Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA)

RDMA is a type of memory access that enables your computer to access others by the use of the network they are both connected on, and beyond this performs all the operations without the usage of the operating system.

Enabling this option will allow your server to perform networking tasks with great speeds, and is extremely useful in big networks.

Please make sure to follow the steps presented here carefully to avoid causing any issues:

RDMA on the network adapter

    1. Press Win+X on your keyboard -> choose PowerShell (Admin).
    2. Inside the command prompt -> type or copy/paste the following command: PS C:\> Enable-NetAdapterRdma -Name "MyAdapter"
    3. Press Enter to run the command.
    4. The network automatically restarts after the process is completed.

RDMA on all RDMA-capable adapters

  1. Press Win+X to launch the Start sub-menu.
  2. Select PowerShell (Admin) from the list to run it.
  3. Inside the command prompt -> copy-paste this command: PS C:\> Enable-NetAdapterRdma -Name "*"
  4. Press Enter to start the process.

4. Reboot the server

Even if this method might seem to simple, some users have had success by simply rebooting the server. This method seems to work as the server re-configures the settings and setup, allowing you to avoid any unnecessary error messages.

If all the above-mentioned methods have failed to solve your problem, please follow the next method.

5. Re-install the server

This method will probably seem exaggerated in intensity, but considering none of the above-mentioned solutions worked in your case, it is now recommended that you re-install the entire server.

It is recommended that you keep the same GPOs, same OU, and also the same configuration.

Users have had success doing this, even though it is a time-consuming process. Waiting for a while beats not being able to use your server tho, so this is a viable solution.

In today’s fix guide we discussed the best troubleshooting steps if you find that your Windows server shows you an error saying that the SMB file can’t be found.

Please make sure to follow the steps we presented in the order that they were written. This allows you to make sure that you’re not jumping over a possible solution.

Please feel free to let us know if this guide managed to help you better understand the situation and ultimately fix it. You can do so by leaving a comment in the section found below this article.

If you use QuickBooks, upgrade to Windows 10 now

As you already know, support for Windows 7 has ended, and that means that users will no longer be receiving security updates to their OS. Because of this, It is a good idea to update to Windows 10 as soon as possible or get the windows 7 Extended Support.

Staying with an older OS is generally a bad idea, since the reduced level of security makes you extra vulnerable, especially when your PC contains sensitive data.

One good example is not upgrading when using accounting software since it usually contains data that can be easily exploitable, such as Social Security number and bank account information.

For example, there are plenty of things that you should remember if you have Windows 7 installed, and are using a program like Quickbooks.

What happens to QuickBooks if I stick to Windows 7?

1. If you don’t upgrade to Windows 10

Regardless of the version of QuickBooks that you have, the main idea is that Windows 7 will no longer be receiving security updates. Thus, this change also impacts QuickBooks Desktop Plus products

If you do decide to stay with Windows 7, you will need to use an older version of QuickBooks Desktop. However, you will still be at risk of exposing your sensitive data, and that of your customers and employees.

To be perfectly clear, you can use any version of QuickBooks Desktop version 2019 and earlier.

2. If you buy the Windows 7 Extended Support

Normally, those of you that are using the Windows 7 Extended Support feature will continue to receive security updates from Microsoft.

This means that despite having Windows 7, you will be able to use all of the newer QuickBooks Desktop versions.

However, keep in mind that the program’s notification system cannot distinguish between those that have bought the Extended Support and those who haven’t.

Thus, you will receive the occasional notification prompting you to upgrade your OS, despite being covered.


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3. If you do upgrade to Windows 10

if you do decide to upgrade to Windows 10, you should make sure you backup your data, or use an efficient migration tool, so that you won’t have any compatibility issues after the upgrade.

Additionally, you should check to see if your PC meets the system requirements for Windows 10. If it does, it will be able to run the latest versions of QuickBooks without any issues.

Conclusion

Working with sensitive data such as bank information or credit card numbers is extremely important. As such, the computers running accounting software should always be covered from a security point of view.

As such, if you want to continue using QuickBooks efficiently, either buy the Windows 7 Extended Support or upgrade to Windows 10 for maximum protection.

Do you work with accounting software as well? Tell us what you prefer to do as far as the OS is concerned in the comment section below.

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What you need to know about Windows 7’s EOS countdown clock

As you may already know, Windows 7 is at the end of its life, and will no longer be receiving any updates from Microsoft.

Of course, those of you that still use the OS and plan on using it for the foreseeable future can always opt to get the Extended Support.

However, as you may already know the Extended Support is not without its cons, especially the financial ones, so not everyone will be able to get it.

That is why it is important to remind everyone how much longer will their Windows 7 be valid and secure. Thus, many websites have been created to act as simple countdowns until the last day of Windows 7.

Why are these Windows 7 end support countdown clocks useful?

While many of you may now about the impending end of Windows 7, fewer are aware of what the end of support actually means for the OS.

First of all Windows 7 will no longer be receiving any security updates, which will make it a prime target for hackers, spammers and more of the such. Additionally, Windows 7 will no longer be getting any improvements.

This means that if you want any new features, you’ll need to opt to user-created content that is not always all that reliable and secure.

But more importantly, the countdown clock is most useful for those that do plan on upgrading to Windows 10 but need to know how much time they have at their disposal in order to make all the necessary arrangements.

Admittedly, they could have upgraded at any time since Windows 10‘s release, but now at least they will be reminded just how little time is left.

What can I do until the last day of Windows 7?

You can use the time in several useful ways, such as:

While nothing more but a simple timer, the Windows 7 end support countdown clock serves as a good reminder for those with a tight schedule.

Thus, if you plan of staying safe from cyber threats, check out this website as a quick reminder to how much time you have left:

Do you think that the Windows 7 end support countdown clock is useful? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Fix: Windows 7 to Windows 10/11 Sharing Problems

Despite no longer receiving support from Microsoft, unless you’ve bought Extended Support, Windows 7 is still holding strong on the market.

However, mixed work environments do exist, where some users have Windows 7, while others use Windows 10. That being said, file sharing between the two systems is something that occurs commonly.

Unfortunately, some users have been reporting having issues sharing between the two operating systems:

I have 3 computers networked, 2 are desktops with windows 7 pro (updated) and then a laptop with window 10 pro (1803). […] Now I can access the 2 desktops (windows 7 pro) from the Laptop (windows 10 pro) but neither of the desktops can access the laptop.

Since this problem is one that seems to be very common, we’ve compiled a list of methods you could make file sharing between Windows 7 and Windows 10 easier.

How do I fix Windows 7 to Windows 10 sharing problems?

1. Set your Network Profile to Private

File sharing between two PCs that are in the same network is only possible if you’ve set your PC Network Profile to Private. That being said, follow these steps to switch your Network Profile from Public to Private:

  1. Press Start
  2. Click on Settings
  3. Choose Network & Internet
  4. Select Ethernet or Wi-Fi
  5. Go to the Network Profile section
  6. Select the Private option

2. Adjust your Firewall settings

It is common for the Windows Firewall to sometimes block access to shared folders. Thus try disabling it for a set amount of time and see if you can share anything.

  1. Press Start
  2. Type in Windows Security
  3. Choose the first result
  4. Select Firewall & Network Protection
  5. Choose Private Network Option
  6. Slide the Windows Defender Firewall toggle to Off
Windows Defender Firewall

Try sharing a file. If it works then it means that the Firewall was to blame all along, and you’ll need to open a specific network port:

  1. Slide the Windows Defender Firewall toggle
  2. Press Start
  3. Type in Windows Security
  4. Choose the first result
  5. Select Firewall & Network Protection
  6. Select Allow app through Firewall
  7. Go to the Allowed app section
  8. Click the Change Settings option
  9. Choose File and Printer Sharing
  10. Check the box marked Private Network Option
  11. Click OK
Allow app through Firewall

By following these steps, other networks will now be able to access your shared files and folders even when the Windows Defender Firewall is turned on.

Did these solutions help you overcome the file-sharing issue between Windows 7 and Windows 10? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Windows 7’s Favorites vs Windows 10’s Quick Access

As you may know, Windows 7 is no longer receiving any security updates from Microsoft.  Because of this you either have to upgrade to Windows 10 or keep Windows 7 by getting the Extended Support for business.

There are many reasons why you should upgrade to Windows 10, some of which are the improvements to the various features of the Windows 7 counterparts.

One good example is the difference between Windows 7‘s Favorites vs Windows 10‘s Quick Access feature

Favorites vs Quick Access: Which is better?

From a functionality standpoint, the two features are pretty much the same. However, everything else about them is different from then on out.

1. Visual differences

Despite serving a similar role, the two features look and act a bit differently. as far as looks are concerned, the first thing you’ll notice is that:

  • Favorites list folders only in list form
  • Quick Access features a pin icon next to some folders listed underneath it.

The second difference can be seen from the moment you actually access the features:

  • Favorites list the same folders that are listed underneath it
  • Quick Access lists folders as well but also recent files

2. Content differences

The Favorites list remains the same most of the time. Quick Access changes based on your PC habits, and you can even see changes from one hour to another.

However, if you want a folder or file to be accessible all the time, you can also pin it to always stay on display, even if you don’t use it for a while.

3. Functionality differences

Not only is Quick Access more dynamic based on user habits, but it is also much easier to customize. For example, you can remove items from the Quick Access list by simply right-clicking them and clicking Remove from Quick Access from the context menu.

Adding items to the list is even easier. You can simply do it by dragging and dropping them onto the list, and you can even reposition them using the same method.

4. Make Quick Access behave like Favorites

Another neat Quick Access features is the ability to make it behave exactly like Favorites. To do this, all you need to do is click on File in the File Explorer, and select Change Folder and Search Options.

There you will find several options that change the way Quick Access acts. If you want to have the exact same functionality of windows 7‘s Favorites, simply do the following:

  • Disable Show recently used files in Quick Access
    • This will remove the file listing when you click on it in File Explorer.
  • Disable Show recently used folders in Quick Access
    • This will remove the dynamic component of the feature

Quick Access favorites

Conclusion

As you can see, Windows 10‘s Quick Access feature is much more flexible than Windows 7‘s Favorites. However, if you prefer the latter, you can always make Quick Access act the part.

This is just one of the many reasons why you should upgrade to Windows 10 as soon as possible.

Do you know of any noticeable differences between Favorites and Quick Access that we have missed? Let us know in the comment section below.

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This fan-made Windows 10 20H1 concept completely reimagines the look of the Windows operating system

Microsoft is always improving on Windows 10 with twice a year updates, but over the past few releases, the operating system has not seen many major visual changes. Asides from touches in the user interface like a brightness slider, a new light theme, and many other subtle under the hood bug fixes, Windows 10 has kept the same clean look. One Windows 10 fan, though, has a new vision for the operating system, and it is just downright gorgeous-looking (via Reddit.)

While it is obviously easier to mock up a concept in photoshop than it is to re-code an entire operating system and put this vision to action, the concept image from Reddit user u/MrZombieKiller is still quite interesting. In the concept, we get a peek at a custom version of a revamped Start Menu that we know is coming in Windows 10X. It features some of the redesigned static Windows 10 icons, as well as a Search Bar and area for recommended documents. Even the Start button has been tweaked in the concept and it now sports the multi-colored Microsoft Logo.

In other areas, the Start Menu in this concept no longer has any user information, links to documents, a profile icon, or the option to power off the PC. Instead, this has all been moved to the Action Center with what appears to be a “lever” which could let users pull it up when needed. The Action Center icon itself also is tweaked in this concept and is now summoned by the user’s profile picture. Accordingly, other elements from the system tray have been removed, and pushed up into the Action Center “lever.” Notifications in the Action Center, though, largely remain the same, and we still have the “toast” tiles” which have been Windows 10’s hallmark feature.

This concept might offer up a brave vision for what one fan’s version of Windows 10 20H1 will look like, but it is obviously just a concept and will never come to life. Microsoft is still beta testing the Windows 10 20H1 update, and we do know that with Windows Insider builds becoming smaller in scope, it is almost close to being final. This all means a major UI change like this is never likely to happen, but there could be hope. Microsoft has changed the way the Windows Insider program — and the Fast Ring — works, so new features and Windows Shell elements could be coming plenty in the future.

Best Bridge Design Software in 2026 [Out of 15 Tested]

Bridge engineering software solutions are oriented toward professionals and students looking for powerful civil engineering tools to help them analyze, design, and generate bridge models. With the aid of these programs, engineers can turn their dreams into reality, in order to deliver fully functional bridge structures that have a unique design and pass all safety tests. In this article, we handpicked the 4 best bridge engineering software tools, which are suitable for both beginner and advanced users.

What are the best bridge engineering software solutions?

MIDAS Civil

Midas Civil

MIDAS Civil is an elaborate bridge engineering software solution wrapped in a user-friendly graphical interface. It has modeling and analysis features that give you the possibility to create large-scale structure designs from start to finish.

As far as modeling tools are concerned, MIDAS Civil has a cable-stayed bridge wizard that allows you to quickly produce complete bridge models, set up the construction stage models, and analyze alternatives.

Additional wizards can be used to evaluate 2D Transverse, rail track, and suspension bridge models. The whole procedure needed for analysis and design can be automatically generated by MIDAS Civil, based on standard data input.

  • Download Midas Civil (free trial)

When it comes to analysis, you can experiment with tools for measuring composite girder bridges, integral and pre-stressed concrete box-girder bridges, as well as specific stages in the construction project.

The post-processor found in MIDAS Civil takes into account specific design standards to auto-generate load combinations. And it can show animated output such as static or dynamic analysis results. Reports and tables can be created, too, which can be further imported into Microsoft Excel or Word.

CSiBridge

CSiBridge

CSiBridge contains engineering tools for modeling, analyzing, and designing bridges. It’s powered by the same team behind SAP2000, the comprehensive software solution dedicated to all-purpose structural analysis and design.

CSiBridge provides a unified graphical interface for modeling, design, analysis, load rating, scheduling, and reporting tasks. It includes several templates to help you get started with bridge structures.

Model properties can be edited in a table view to swiftly make model adjustments, as well as to import and export tables to Microsoft Access and Excel.

Based on this data, the bridge engineering software solution generates shell, spine or solid object models. Any changes made to the model properties are automatically updated in the designs.

Furthermore, bridge engineers can tinker with familiar substructure elements, such as bents, bearings, post-tensioning, layout lines, and abutments.

Additional components include foundation springs, restrainers, parametric variations, lanes, joints, frames, tendons, cables, links, and hinges. You can also define vehicle loads and classes, parametric loading, and load patterns.

The most recent enhancement of CSiBridge is a Bridge Modeler component, which allows you to define the parameters for girder-type bridge systems. It can create multiple pairs of braces, necessary for cross-frames made of steel.

Autodesk Structural Bridge Design

Autodesk Structural Bridge Design

Structural Bridge Design from developer Autodesk presents an integrated bridge engineering software solution. It’s not as complex as Midas Civil or CSiBridge, but it’s designed for small to medium-sized bridges.

Students and educators can get it free for 3 years. The program features tools to help you design bridge models, analyze variables, and check the code.

It’s possible to define the geometrical properties and materials used to calculate all the necessary parameters for bridge sections or girder components.

Thanks to a built-in workflow, you can load and analyze the bridge conditions, as well as make sure that the code is compliant with AASHTO, EUROCODES, and other standards. Moreover, the properties of every bridge section can be calculated, such as the shear and torsion.

When it comes to the project stage, you can pick the right type of analysis from grillage, line beam, and finite element. Calculation reports are automatically compiled and produced by Structural Bridge Design.

LARSA 4D Bridge Series

LARSA 4D Bridge Series

LARSA 4D Bridge Series is a software suite specially made for bridge analysis and design. It can be used in modeling advanced bridges supported by cables, steel girder, concrete segments, and precast elements.

The entire package relies on a state-of-the-art analysis engine, a graphical user interface for data processing, together with numerous design functions.

For example, you can take advantage of a finite library of elastic and non-linear elements, such as multi-node super cables, non-linear grounded spring, friction pendulum, or beam with inelastic connection.

As far as analysis goes, you can choose between standard and advanced mode. The standard analysis type covers linear static, basic moving load, and staged construction, among others. Meanwhile, the advanced analysis type supports moment curvature, non-linear time history, along with non-linear pushover, progressive collapse and buckling.

The LARSA 4D Bridge Series can run integrity checks to identify typical bridge modeling errors and suggest solutions. You can generate graphs and project reports, use spreadsheets, and extend the software functionality with the help of macros.

Conclusion on bridge engineering software

Whether you’re a professional looking for a reliable software program or just someone passionate about bridge engineering designs, you can turn to the comprehensive applications on this list.

Wrapped in intuitive graphical interfaces, Midas Civil, CSiBridge, Autodesk Structural Bridge Design, and LARSA 4D Bridge Series come with the necessary design, analysis, and reporting tools to help you breathe life into your bridge modeling projects.

Salesforce cannot login in Windows 10? Try these solutions

Trying to login to your Salesforce account but it’s not working? This is a common issue and can occur due to several reasons. Many users have reported similar sign in  issues.

The Salesforce admin for your organization sets the password policies. These policies determine how many times you can attempt to login and other properties. If you are troubled by Salesforce sign-in related issues, here is how to fix them in Windows 10.

What can I do if Salesforce won’t login in Windows 10?

1. Check your security programs

Salesforce sign in not working

  1. If you are using Salesforce desktop client, it is possible that a third-party security program like your antivirus software is blocking the connection.
  2. To find the issue, try to disable all the active firewalls on your system and try again.

Disable Windows Firewall

Salesforce sign in not working

 

  1. Click on Start and select Settings.
  2. Click on Update and Security.
  3. Select Windows Security from the left pane.
  4. Click on Firewall and Network Protection option.
  5. Click on the currently active network.
  6. Toggle the switch to turn of Windows Firewall.
  7. Launch Salesforce client and try to sign in to the program.

If you are able to sign in, you may have to add Salesforce client to the whitelist.


You want to check if your firewall is blocking some features? Follow the simple steps from this guide to find out.


Disable third-party software

Salesforce sign in not working

  1. If you are using a third-party antivirus program, you may have to disable the firewall provided by the security program.
  2. Launch your antivirus program and locate the firewall option.
  3. Disable the firewall protection temporarily.
  4. Launch Salesforce and check for any improvements.
  5. If required, add Salesforce client to your antivirus programs’ white list.

Looking for the best antivirus program to secure your business? Check out our top recommendations.


2. Other troubleshooting tips

  1. If you’re locked out due to repeated login attempts, wait until the lockout period expires and try again. You can also contact your Salesforce admin to resolve the issue.
  2. Make sure the login credentials are correct. According to Salesforce, many issues occur due to incorrect spacing in the password and username.
  3. Contact your admin in case the password has expired. Your admin may set the password to expire for security reasons.
  4. Make sure you are using the Salesforce client inside the trusted UP range. If you are using a new device or after a fresh installation, make sure you verify your identity.
  5. When you try to access the service using a new device, you may require a new security token. You can get the security token by resetting it.
  6. Once the security token is reset, you can update your token in Salesforce Outlook client.
  7. If you get Use Custom Domain message, then make sure you are using the domain name provided by your administrator.
  8. Make sure you grant login access to your administrator get your issue resolved.

Many of the Salesforce login issues occur due to security programs blocking the connection or due to incorrect login credentials. In any case, you should contact the Salesforce when the issue is not resolved.

Follow the steps in this article and let us know which fix helped you resolve the issue in the comments. Also, leave there any other questions or suggestions that you may have and we’ll be sure to check them out.

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Hands-on with the new and improved “Control Center” in Microsoft Edge Beta on Android

With every beta release, Microsoft’s Edge browser on iOS and Android is improving. Over the past few months we’ve seen the addition of a shopping experience, instant translations, picture in picture mode, support for NewsGuard, and even Windows Timeline.

In the latest grab at making the mobile browser more modern, Microsoft is introducing somewhat of a new “Control Center” element. This experience essentially combines multiple settings menus in one simple hub and allows you to customize controls for the browser to your own liking. We’ll be taking a look at it in this post.

The changes, and accessing the “Control Center”

To access this new Control Center, you’ll want to make sure you’re enrolled to test out the beta version of Edge on Android. You can enroll by visiting the Google Play Store listing and choosing the Join the Beta option. You’ll then need to update the app to the latest version, which is currently at 44.11.24.4109.

Once you’re on this version, you should have a new UI by default, which was previously only in A/B testing for some users. You’ll notice that things have changed a bit. The search box is now more rounded, and the continue on PC button is gone from the middle of the bar on the bottom. Instead, it has been replaced with a new ellipsis button, which has now gives you access to the new “Control Center”

You’ll also see that the profile icon has moved to the left side of the screen and is no longer buried under a menu. On the beta version, you’ll also see the addition of a share button, to help make sharing webpages easy. We’ve included a visual look at some of these changes below.

A look at the “Control Center”

Much like Google’s Android 10 mobile operating system, the new “Control Center” on Edge Beta on Android is a bit reliant on gestures. As pointed out by our friend Rich at Windows Observer, once you summon the settings menu by tapping on the ellipsis (the …) in the bottom of the screen you’ll have this new “Control Center.” There are then some gesture-based controls here that you can leverage. You’ll notice a little bar atop the new “control center.”  You can then “pull” it up with your finger to see additional options and customization.

You currently can’t change the top row of buttons for Favorites, History, Downloads, Shopping, or Settings, but the others can be changed. You can do this by clicking the Change Menu option on the bottom right corner of the screen. Once clicked, you can drag around your shortcuts and icons, so you can access them by just swiping up on the “control center” rather than navigating a bunch of menus. Your options include find on page, voice search, desktop site, download page, print, add to screen, image search, read aloud, continue on PC, and exit browser. You can tweak these to your own liking.

A step towards a modern Edge browser

These changes are a bit small, but they help make the Edge mobile browser a bit more reliable. Accessing quick settings and functions of the mobile browser is now easier, and everything you need is front and center, rather than hidden in multiple menus. This is a bit similar to the experience in Windows 10, where one settings button lets you search for all the functions you need. It’s great to see these improvements, and you can expect them to roll out to the standard version of Edge on Android once beta testing is complete. Are you on Android and using the Edge beta? Let us know what you think of these changes in the comments below.

Microsoft Outlook takes aim at Google’s Gmail and hits the 100 million install mark on the Google Play Store

With Windows Phone now being dead, former users and even fanboys have had to turn to either iOS and Android for the best Microsoft to Windows 10 synergies. That often means installing Microsoft apps like Your Phone, Microsoft Launcher, and more. Well, one of those apps has just hit a milestone as the Microsoft Outlook app has just reached the 100 million install mark on the Google Play Store.

As MSPoweruser points out, this is quite a significant moment. Since Gmail is included on most Android phones by default, the milestone suggests a large group of users could prefer Outlook over Google’s solution. In fact, when compared to Gmail over the past few years, Microsoft has continuously improved on the app. Some new features include dark mode support, suggested replies, and even a completely new search experience and navigation bar.

Still, while 100 million seems like a big number, it is still a far cry from some of Microsoft’s other Android apps. Swiftkey, a very popular third-party keyboard on Android, recently hit the 500 million install mark. Skype, meanwhile, hit the 1 billion download club in October of 2017, at the time joining both WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.

Other Microsoft on Android milestones include Microsoft Launcher hitting 10 million downloads, and Edge hitting the 1 million download mark. Clearly, Microsoft is having much success on Android, and with the release of the Android-powered Surface Duo on the horizon, things can only get better from here on out.

Give your computer a refresh this New Years with these new free Windows 10 themes

Free Windows 10 themes are often added to the Microsoft Store on a fairly regular basis and this month is no exception with a variety of new free themes now available for anyone to download and use.

Among the new themes are one featuring New Years photography from around the world, another focusing on relaxation, and another designed to inspire wanderlust. There’s also a rather impressive theme boasting high quality images of architecture, and two more based on travel and building imagery.

You can claim any or all of these via the links below.

Do you use themes on your Windows 10 laptop or computer? Let us know why or why not in the comments below and then follow us on Pinterest for more Windows 10 content.


Take a Moment PREMIUM
Take a Moment PREMIUM


What Next PREMIUM
What Next PREMIUM
Price:
Free


Staircases PREMIUM
Staircases PREMIUM
Price:
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Street Views PREMIUM
Street Views PREMIUM

Windows 10 news recap: Electron-based Facebook Messenger starts rolling out, Feature Experience updates could be split, and more

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

New Electron-based Facebook Messenger app starts rolling out on Windows 10 Microsoft Store

Facebook looks to be updating its Messenger app on Windows 10. Users of the Beta version of the app are reportedly receiving an update that adds several new features to the app, but more importantly, it makes the app Electron-based.

Windows 10 could soon split Feature Experience updates, delivered via an app, from the core OS

Windows 10 engineers could be putting in place the building blocks for making Windows 10 more modular, allowing shell feature updates to be done independently of the core OS, allowing more updates to be pushed out.

https://twitter.com/h0x0d/status/1208314988646977541

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

How to transfer Windows 7 games to Windows 10

With the end of support that has come to Windows 7, many users, especially gamers, have been wondering what will happen to their precious game collection.

These include the games that they bought, such as Steam titles or Origin titles, as well as the default games that came with Windows 7. These include Spider Solitaire, Chess Titans, Mahjong Titans, and Purble Place.

As far as Windows 7-specific games go, many users have been asking on official forums whether the transfer is possible:

Does anyone know how to import the games (solitaire, spider, hearts, free-cell) from Windows 7 to Windows 10? The ones that come with Windows 10 are so lame.

Unfortunately, there is no official way of transferring these titles to your Windows 10 PC, as stated by Microsoft:

Please be informed that there is no way to run Windows 7 games in Windows 10. If you want, you can do a rollback to Windows 7 for the games.

The good news is that there are a few workarounds that you can use in order to get these Windows 7 games on your Windows 10 PC. Since this is a problem you will be facing eventually once you too make the transition, we’ve compiled a guide on how to efficiently transfer your games from Windows 7 to Windows 10.

How do I get my games from Windows 7 to Windows 10?

1. Windows 7-specific games

As mentioned, there are only workarounds to get these games onto your Windows 10 PC. One of these involves simply installing the custom game setup files.

All you need to do is follow these steps:

  1. Download the custom game setup files
  2. Launch the setup file once it has finished downloading
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions

The games should now be installed and you should be able to play them as you would on a Windows 7 PC

2. Games that you have bought

When it comes to the games that you own, transferring them from Windows 7 to Windows 10 can be a bit trickier. It cannot be done directly and it involves the use of third-party tools.

One such third-party tool is Laplink PCmover, which not only lets you transfer all of your games from one PC to another without the need to reinstall, it lets you transfer all of your programs, user settings, and profiles.

The program is extremely easy to use, and if you want more details about it, check out this in-depth guide.

Conclusion

By following any of the two mentioned methods, you should be able to transfer your gaming library from a Windows 7 PC to a Windows 10 PC without any issues.

That being said, you should be able to continue gaming without ever having to feel like you’ve changed the OS at all.

Did you find this article useful? Let us know in the comment section below.

Enable and use Microsoft Edge Collections feature

The Collections feature is a special option in Microsoft Edge, so we bet that you’re eager to find out how to enable and use it. Collections is there to let you store websites, images, and other webpage content for later reference.

Even more, you can rearrange items, add notes, or highlight specific content. The bottom line is that you may use this to ease work on a research document, without having to copy-paste between Word and the browser since Collections can be exported to both Excel and Word.

The feature is now available in the Edge Insider Canary and Dev channels. Just get ready to enable it manually, using the steps detailed below.

How can I enable and use Microsoft Edge Collections feature?

1. Enable Microsoft Edge Collections feature

  1. Open Microsoft Edge from Start Menu. open Microsoft Edge
  2. Click on the Start button.
  3. Then, click the Microsoft Edge tile shown at the right panel of the Start Menu. Microsoft Edge tile
  4. Type the following path in the address bar: edge://flags#edge-collections.
  5. Use the drop-down menu on the right and select the Enabled option.select Enabled
  6. Restart the browser to apply the changes.
  7. When Edge is relaunched, you’ll notice the new icon next to the address bar.

Concerned about your browser’s aesthetics now? Check out the best Microsoft Edge themes to make your worries go away.


2. Use Microsoft Edge Collections feature

Microsoft Edge Collections feature

  1. Open Microsoft Edge.
  2. Click the Collemictions button next to the address bar.
  3. Up next, select Start new collection.
  4. Type a meaningful name.
  5. Press Enter.
  6. Start visiting websites that you want to collect.
  7. Feel free to add any desired web page to your collection by selecting Add current page at the top of the pane. Add current page
  8. You can also add text to the collection. Just highlight it on the page and drag it into the collections pane.
  9. This procedure works for images as well.
  10. If you happen to like a link, drag and drop it to add it to your list.
  11. When you add content to Collections, Microsoft Edge creates a visual card for a quick recognition of the content. Revisit content by clicking on the visual card in the Collections pane.
  12. After completing the steps, you can also move your content around. Just click an item and drag and drop it in the position you prefer.
  13. To add your own notes directly to a collection, select the Add note icon from the top of the Collections pane.
  14. If you want to remove content, hover over the item, select the box that appears in the upper-right corner, and finally select the Delete icon.
  15. Click the Share button in the top-right of the pane if you wish to export everything to an Excel spreadsheet or Word. Share button

Is this feature making you think of the old Internet Explorer-powered Linked Notes feature from OneNote desktop apps? Back in the good old days, this feature also automatically linked passages of text to webpages in the browser.

While still in development, Collections looks promising. Whatever you are doing on the web, it tries to help.

If you’re planning a trip, it will help you gather and pull together trip information. If you’re organizing your weekly shopping list, then use it to collect and compare desired items.

No other browser provides a similar built-in experience for now, so why not giving it a try?

READ ALSO:

How to Migrate from Gmail to Office 365

Gmail remains a reliable e-mail platform, but you may later decide to migrate from Gmail to Office 365. Making such a choice shouldn’t be permanent, right?

This migration guide will help you import your mailboxes and their associated data from Gmail to Office 365, but keep something important in mind. Users tend to say that such manual procedures are time-consuming and look for solutions to automatically move their data to Office 365.

It’s up to you to decide whether to migrate fast or simply for free. You know which method works for you. This article discusses the manual process of transferring your data from Gmail to Office 365, which involves a few major steps.

Read them below and discover everything you need to know to complete the migration.

How can I migrate from Gmail to Office 365?

1. Sign-up for the Office 365 business plan

  1. To sign up for an Office 365 business plan, go to the Office Products site.
    Office 365 business plan
  2. Choose the plan you want to sign up for. Multiple choices are available for you: Office 365 Business Premium, Office 365 Business Essentials, Office 365 Business, or Office 365 Education. We’re recommending to go with Business Essential and you may later add other things on top of it.
  3. Follow the steps to sign up for an Office 365 business plan.

Note: The first account that you create will be an admin account.

2. Domain Verification

  1. Sign in to Office 365 portal.
    Office 365 portal
  2. From here, click on the Admin tile from the home page.
  3. You are now directed to the Admin center. This will say Your office 365 setup is incomplete.
  4. Click on Go to setup from here.

3. Create and add Users to Office 365

  1. Now, from the Admin center, click on Users.
  2. Click Active Users > More button.
  3. Hit the Import Multiple Users option.Import Multiple Users option
  4. For Single User entry, click on Add a user.
  5. If you just have only few users, feel free to enter the values manually.
  6. Create an excel sheet and use Import Multiple Users in case of having to add multiple users.
  7. The fields of the file should include the following: User Name, First Name, Last Name, Display Name, Job Title, Department, Office Number, Office Phone, Mobile Phone, Fax, Address, City, State or Province, ZIP or Postal Code, Country or Region.
  8. After compiling the excel sheet with, click on Browse from the Create and upload file screen.
  9. Click on Verify.
  10. Click on Next when getting the confirmation message: Your files look good. Your files look good

4. Create Migration Endpoints with Gmail IMAP

  1. Click on Admin centers > Exchange.
  2. From the Exchange Admin center, click on Recipients from the left panel.
  3. Up next, click on the migration link located on the top bar.
  4. From here, click Migration endpoints.Migration endpoints
  5. Click New +.
  6. Select IMAP on the next page.
  7. On the IMAP migration configuration page, enter the following details:
    MAP server: imap.gmail.com
    Settings: default
  8. Click Next.
  9. The Enter general information page should now open.
  10. Once you’ve created a migration endpoint, it should look like this: Migration endpoint final look

Note: Migration endpoint is a terminology that encompasses the settings used to connect to Gmail and migrate emails from Gmail to Office 365.

5. Migrate Mailboxes by creating Migration Batch

  1. From Exchange Admin center, navigate to Recipients > Migration.
  2. Click on the first “+” icon.
  3. Then, click on Migrate to Exchange Online. Click Migrate to Exchange Online
  4. Select IMAP migration > Next.
  5. Click on Browse.
  6. Select Users screen.
  7. Just select the file you created in the previous steps with the username and password for the Gmail account that you’d like to migrate.
  8. Click on Next.
  9. After validation, Office 365 displays the Gmail mailboxes.
  10. Now, you need to click on Next.
  11. On Set the migration endpoint screen, select the migration endpoint.
  12. Click on Next once again.
  13. On the IMAP migration configuration window, continue with the default values, then click Next.
  14. After that, on the Move configuration page, type the name of the migration batch in the box.
  15. On the Start the batch page, click on New.
  16. This will create this migration batch and start migrating the email automatically.
  17. While the emails are getting migrated, you may click on View details. This will display how many emails have been migrated for every single mailbox.

6. Point your MX record to Office 365

  1. Go to the Admin Center.
  2. Here, click on Settings on the left panel.
  3. Click on Domains.
  4. Click Select your domain name.
  5. This will say: Setup in progress. You might also see this line here: Setup completed.
  6. Click on the default domain name. It should now display the Setup your online services screen.
  7. To pass this, you have two options: Add records for me and I’ll manage my own DNS records.
  8. Click on the second option. This lets you insert a list of DNS entries (MX record values).Required DNS settings
  9. For every domain, the MX record value will be different.

Email systems normally employ a DNS or MX record to look for the exact email delivery address. To complete the procedure, you have to point your MX record in DNS from Gmail to Office 365.

Matter resolved now. Once you update your DNS with the appropriate values, you’ll receive the new emails to your Office 365.

If you are planning a Gmail to Office 365 migration, things no longer need to be confusing. On the other hand, migration from Hotmail to Outlook is seamless, and it takes just a couple of moments.

We’ve walked you through the steps you need to follow. Undoubtedly, there might be a few hiccups along the way, yet we’re here to answer any questions.

Hands-on with Microsoft Forms, the Microsoft answer to Survey Monkey and Google Forms

If you’ve ever had a situation where you need to run an internal poll or questionnaire amongst coworkers, then you’ve likely turned to tools like Google Forms or Survey Monkey. Well, as covered as part of most Office 365 subscriptions, Microsoft also has a tool known as Forms which can help you do the same.

As the name suggests, Forms is a simple to use lightweight tool that can help you quickly create forms, collect responses in real-time, and view charts to help you visualize your data. Best of all, it works from any web browser, and there’s no need to install a dedicated app. As we continue to dive into each of the Office 365 apps or services, we’ll now be taking a closer look at Microsoft Forms.

Creating forms

Once you open the Forms experience from the Office 365 launcher, you’ll notice two options. You can create either a new form or a new quiz. You can then enter in a name for your new form or quiz, or choose an optional subtitle. Next, there are options to choose to add Choices, Text, Ratings, or Date questions. If you choose a choice option, you’ll need to enter the text you want to display for each question.

When creating a quiz specifically, you have options to assign each quiz a certain amount of points. You also can add options for multiple answers, or switch the question to required. And, if you want to spice up the look of the quiz, you can click the Theme option, and choose one of the preset options.

In some cases, Microsoft Forms is smart enough to know what you’re writing about and will suggest some templates for you when creating forms. For further customization when you’re filling out a form, you can choose a theme to make the form look a bit more stylish. There are a few preset options to choose from, be it balloons, office, or art. Once you’re finished, you can click the Preview button to have a peek at what the form or quiz will look like.

Sending forms

Once you finish creating a form or a quiz, you can select the Share button on the top of the screen. From there, there are a few options. You can choose if you want only people in your organization to respond, or if you want to allow anyone with the link to response. There are also options where you can share a QR code for the person to scan, so they can visit the form. And, there’s even an embed code, which will let you embed it in a blog or website. For simplicity’s sake, you also can invite others to the form via email.

If you want, you also can share the form as a template, so anyone with the link can duplicate it. And, if you’re really up for collaboration, there’s an option to share a link that will let others edit the form too.

Viewing Results

After a form is shared, you’ll be able to view the results. To do this, head back to the main Microsoft Forms dashboard. You’ll be able to click the form, and then click the Responses tab along the top. If you click, you’ll be able to see individual details for each responder, such as the time it took for them to finish the form, and which option was selected. If you really love numbers, you also can click the option to open in Excel, which will give you a deeper dive into the data.

Try out Microsoft Forms Pro!

Much like free solutions from Survey Monkey and Google Forms, Microsoft Forms is a bit limited in scope. Microsoft, however, does offer a premium version of the service known as Microsoft Forms Pro. This service is more designed for the enterprise and can help you act on customer and employee feedback. It has features like an ability to automatically send surveys, identify sentiment, and Develop customized, on-brand surveys with your company’s look and feel using AI-assisted suggested questions. Is Microsoft Forms something you’ll be interested in? Let us know in the comments below!

 

How to migrate from OneDrive to SharePoint

When it comes to cloud storage, there are plenty of options for users to choose from nowadays.

These services are getting better and better as time passes, but in the end, only a few seem to remain effective and trustworthy.

One such service is Microsoft’s OneDrive, which offers great cloud storage services at some of the lowest prices. Of course, OneDrive has a business variant called OneDrive for Business that caters more to organizations than towards individuals.

However, those of you that want to migrate from OneDrive for Business can always opt to move towards SharePoint.

How do I migrate from OneDrive to SharePoint?

Before you start this process, you should remember that this can only be done through the OneDrive website, and not the desktop client.

  1. Go to OneDrive’s website
  2. Log into your account
  3. Select the files and folders that you want to move
  4. Select Move toOneDrive Move to
    • A Choose a destination submenu will appear
  5. Select the location you want the data moved to
    • If you’re on a SharePoint site, you’ll see your current library, your OneDrive, and other sites
  6. Choose the SharePoint folder where you need moving and select Move here

OneDrive Move here


Not a big fan of OneDrive? Check out these other cloud storage services!


You should keep note that you can only move up to 500 MB of data in a single copy session. If you don’t want to waste time copying data over and over, you can use the File Explorer.

Another thing worth remembering is that there may be situations when you don’t see the Move to command. If that is the case, then you’re probably using classic OneDrive for Business or an on-premises instance of OneDrive for Business.

Additionally, you can only move the latest version of a file, as the older version already present in SharePoint will be overwritten during the copying process.

Finally, if you don’t see any other sites listed when trying to choose a destination, then your organization doesn’t allow moving across sites.

Do you think SharePoint is an efficient alternative to OneDrive? Let us know what your opinion is in the comments section below.

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