Windows 10’s May 2019 Update overhauled the Quick Actions area of the Action Centre notification interface. It’s now quicker and easier to customise your Quick Actions, as you no longer have to visit the Settings app. The Quick Actions themselves have also been updated, with the maligned brightness button replaced by a slider.
To customise your Quick Actions, open Action Centre by clicking its icon on the bottom-right of the taskbar (you can also press Win+A). Right-click any of the existing Quick Action tiles and press “Edit quick actions.”
You can now drag and drop your tiles into new positions to rearrange them. To remove a tile, tap or click the pin icon above it.
You can add a new tile by clicking the “Add” button at the bottom of the interface. A list of available tiles will appear – the selection may vary depending on the hardware features of your device. Click the tile’s name to add it to the screen. You can then drag it into position to organise your layout.
That’s all there is to it. The new editing interface is much simpler than the old one in the Settings app. You now make changes in-place so they’re more representative of the final result. Once you’ve finished tweaking your layout, click “Done” to save it and exit the editor.
Your Xbox console is more than just a gaming device as you can purchase multimedia contents like Movies from the store. While the users can watch their favorite movie on Xbox, at times the console may show an error. One such error is Xbox error code c101a3ff. This is a common error and has affected many users as seen in the Microsoft Community Forums.
I have rented a movie on my XBox360, using Xbox Live and my usual payment method.
Every time I try to play the movie I get the following message “Playback Error status code: c101a3ff”
The movie is The Accountant.
I have verified the movie has been paid for.
Also I have deleted the cache and all tv apps. I have reinstalled the Microsoft Movies & TV app. I have updated the system.
In this article, we have compiled the best solutions to fix the Xbox error code c101a3ff and help you watch your favorite movies without any issues.
How to Fix Xbox error code c101a3ff
1. Perform a Power Cycle
Before taking any other measures, make sure you perform a power cycle from the Start menu as well as using the Physical Power button.
To restart from the Power Center, press the Power button on your Xbox controller. Select Restart Console > Restart.
To perform a physical Power Cycle, when the Xbox is on, press and hold the Xbox power button on the console for 10 seconds and wait for the console to go off.
Restart the console again by pressing the power button and check for any improvements.
Disconnect the Power Cable
If the issue persists, try to disconnect and reconnect the power cable.
Turn off your Xbox console.
Unplug the console’s power cable and wait for a minute.
Plug the console power cable back in.
Press the Xbox button on the console to power on the console.
If the error is due to the Xbox Movies and TV app, you can reset the app to see if that helps.
Restart your Xbox console.
Open Start and select Settings.
Go to Apps and Apps and Features.
Scroll down and select Movies and TV app.
Select Advanced Options.
Click the Reset button to reset the app.
Click Yes if asked to confirm the action.
Wait for Xbox to reset the setting.
Restart the console and check if the Xbox error code c101a3ff is fixed.
3. Check for Purchasing Issues
If nothing seems working, it could be an issue at the Xbox’s end. Earlier Xbox has updated about similar issues where the purchased items were not working.
You can check Xbox’s social media profile for more updates or reach out to them with your issues.
By following the steps in this article, you should be able to fix Xbox error code c101a3ff. Do let us know which solutions worked for you in the comments.
Origin Apex Legends is one of the most popular online multiplayer game. However, recently some of the game players have reported Origin error code 23 while trying to launch the game. The error seems to have affected many users as there are multiple complaints about the same in the Reddit Community.
Error 23
I’ve been getting this error for about a week now and I’ve done everything recommended to fix it, but nothing works. I was hoping the latest patch would fix it, but nope. This is really irritating.
In this article, we take a look at the best possible solutions to fix origin error code 23 in Windows computers.
Fix Origin error code 23 with these steps
1. Check EA and Origin Account Settings
If you have put two different countries on your EA account and Origin App, you may get error code 23.
This is due to EA failing to match your destination in the EA account with Origin app.
Simply change the region in the EA account as well as the Origin app to the same one and check for any improvements,
The origin code error 23 can also occur if the issue is with the Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 /2017 Redistributable package. Try to repair the package in the Control Panel to resolve the error.
Press Windows Key + R to open Run.
Type control and click OK to open the Control Panel.
In the Control Panel, go to Program > Programs and Features.
Select Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 /2017 Redistributable and click on Change/Repair.
Follow the on-instructions on the repair tool and apply any recommended fixes.
Reboot the computer once it is done and check for any improvements.
3. Update / Roll Back GPU Drivers
Roll Back the Driver
If you have recently installed an update for your graphic card, try to roll back the driver update.
Press Windows Key + R to open Run.
Type devmgmt.msc and click OK to open the Device Manager.
Expand the Display Adapters section.
Right-click on your graphics card and select Properties.
Open the Driver tab in the Graphics Card properties window.
Click the Roll Back Driver button. Click Yes when asked to confirm the action.
Reboot the computer and try to launch the Origin app. Check if the Origin error code 23 is resolved.
Update Graphics Card Driver
Open the Device Manager and expand the Display Adapter section.
Right-click on the GPU Adapter and select Update Driver.
Select “Search for update driver software automatically” option.
Wait for Windows to find any pending update and install it.
Reboot the computer and check for any improvements.
4. Force Close Apex Legends Process
Right-click on the Taskbar and select Task Manager.
In the Process tab, look for all the instances of Origins and Apex Legends and click on End Task.
Next, open the Details tab.
Here also look for any instances of Apex Legends and end it as well.
Try to launch the game again and check for any improvements.
For one reason or another, we often seek to control our browsing habit or more significantly, our children’s browsing habit.
To do this, special software that limits the material that a browser fetches have been developed, and we are going to be reviewing some of this software in this article.
A software that limits the material that a browser fetches is more or less a website blocker, which restricts access to certain websites and/or apps on your PC. Basically, this is often employed to establish some level of parental control on your kids’ usage of the internet.
Today, there is a myriad of website blockers in the market, many of which are specially designed to restrict internet usage and web access on PC.
However, like most digital solutions, there is quite a good number of substandard website blockers, in the midst of the few standard ones.
Therefore, in this piece, we have compiled for you a comprehensive list of five top software that limits the material that a browser fetches from the internet.
Best software that limits the material that a browser fetches
FocusMe
FocusMe tops our list of software that limits the material that a browser fetches. The software is a renowned website blocker, which is specially designed for Windows and macOS computers, as well as Android mobile platforms.
FocusMe allows you to eliminate distractions and focus squarely on task(s) at hand. It basically enables you to block social media sites and apps, gambling/betting sites, pornographic sites, and so on.
Essentially, you are afforded the flexibility of blocking any site you deem distractive, immoral, redundant or exploitive.
Some of the key features of FocusMe include: Scheduler, Break reminder, Inbuilt Pomodoro timer, Whitelists, Instant blocking, Time tracker, Multi-browser support, Technical support (email and online), Customizable UI, Forced mode, and more.
These features work in sync with one another, to keep you focused on the main job at hand, with the aim of maintaining a sustained/improved operational efficiency and productivity.
FocusMe is offered at a license rate of $2.50 per month. You can also make an outright purchase (lifetime license) at a price of $119.99. All plans are subject to an initial 14-day free trial.
Barracuda is another top-rated software that limits the material that a browser fetches from the internet.
It is a dynamic web security and content filtering tool, designed to reinforce internet security and control internet usage respectively. The software is available on both Windows PC and Macbook.
Barracuda filters web contents, social media sites, malware/spyware, apps and so on. This ensures you are able to restrict access to certain apps and sites, while also ensuring you are completely safe from any form of malware or spyware attacks.
Essentially, contents that portray pornography, violence, immorality, hate and gory scenes among others are automatically filtered or better still, the hosting sites are simply blocked.
Other notable features of Barracuda include: apps control, SSL inspection, intuitive UI, dashboard views, activity tracking, social media regulation, web app filtering, spyware protection, network monitoring, cloud-based central management, web security, cross-platform support and more.
Barracuda offers a flexible pricing system, as all packages are offered as an all-around subscription unit, which is available by quote. However, you can enjoy the full package for free, albeit for a limited period of time.
InterGuard is an advanced website blocker that is equipped to filter web contents, block sites & apps, track searches, and so on. It basically provides you with every tool, needed to monitor and control internet access/usage on your PC.
InterGuard is flexibly designed to support all major computer OS and mobile platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android.
One of the most interesting functionalities of this tool is its ability to run in the background undetected. As such, you are easily able to monitor, control and restrict third-party (especially your employees or children) internet usage/access on your PC, Macbook or mobile phone.
Other notable features of InterGuard include web filtering, web history tracking, web search tracking, 36 pre-screened websites, URL Whitelists, bandwidth utilization, data recovery, loss prevention, 24/7 customer support, multilingual support, video guide and user activity tracking among others.
InterGuard is offered at a relatively affordable license rate of $8 per month (one user). However, before full subscription, you are afforded the opportunity of using the software for free, for a limited trial period of one week.
TrueVine is another top-end website blocker, and it rounds up our list of “software that limits the material that a browser fetches”. The software hosts exclusive support for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS operating platforms.
TrueVine is a durable, Christian-oriented, web and internet filtering tool, which filters any site with porn, violence or vulgar contents.
Basically, you can easily block any site that is deemed unsafe, immoral or obscene. Essentially, this tool allows you to put safeguards in place, to gain absolute control (as a parent) over your children’s internet usage.
Other noteworthy features of TrueVine include Web filter, email scanning (virus scanning), email filtering, Mobile support, user-friendly interface, custom blocking, photo sharing, free trial and more.
TrueVine is available for Windows users at a license price of $9.95 per month (up to 3 PCs). However, you can enjoy the service on trial (for free) for 30 days.
K9 Web Protection is a versatile software that limits the material that a browser fetches from the internet. It can be employed to block websites or apps on Windows PC, Macbook, iOS, and Android devices.
The software is an all-inclusive content filtering and parental control package that facilitates the restriction of internet access to certain websites.
In fact, there is a special functionality that allows you to block certain search tags and keywords.
This software basically blocks websites with pornographic outlook, racist contents or views, violence, hate, phishing, drugs and many more.
In light of this, K9 Web Protection stands out as one of the most widely used tools for enforcing parental control on the internet.
Other features of K9 Web Protection include SafeSearch, custom lists, easy reports, Internet filter, cross-platform support, time restrictions, advanced anti-tampering, password override, real-time categorization, and more.
K9 Web Protection is available at absolutely no cost. And it can easily be downloaded (for free) by Windows and MacOS users.
Today, the internet is filled with various forms of contents, most of which are deemed obscene, violent or grossly unethical, especially to children. And to control access to these contents, a software that limits the material that a browser fetches are required.
With any of the above-listed software, you can easily restrict and control internet usage on your PC, by enabling access to only web contents that are deemed appropriate or ethical.
Minecraft is one of the most popular online games available on multiple platforms. However, recently some users have reported that their launcher reads, A new launcher update is ready. Restart the launcher to use the latest version.
If the Minecraft launcher update is taking forever or you keep seeing the error, the following section list some quick solutions that will help.
How do I fix my Minecraft Launcher update?
1. Check your Minecraft Launcher version
If you are still running the older launcher, you may want to update it to the latest version. The old Java-based launcher does not support many of the new features.
Make sure you download Minecraft launcher version 2.0 and above. You can download the latest launch from minecraft.net.
Although the update should not remove any of your Minecraft data, it is a good idea to take a backup of your data beforehand. Once you have the latest launcher installed, check again, and Minecraft should update itself without any errors.
2. Delete old Minecraft files
Press Windows + R to open Run, type %appdata%, and click OK.
In AppData, locate .minecraft folder, select it, and hit Delete it.
Now try to reinstall the Minecraft launcher, and check if the “an update to your launcher is available Minecraft” error is resolved.
If you are trying to install Minecraft or reinstall it, it is possible that the old installation folders are creating issues with the installation or update.
So, clear any existing files and check whether the A new launcher update is ready. Restart the launcher to use the latest version Minecraft launcher error is fixed.
3. Launch Minecraft Launcher manually
Press Windows + E to open File Explorer and navigate to the following location: C:\Program Files (x86)\Minecraft\Game
Inside the Game folder, locate the launcher.jar file and run it.
If the issue persists, as a workaround, you can try to launch the Minecraft launcher directly from the installation directory.
Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl, and click OK.
Select the Minecraft installation and click on Repair/Change.
Follow the on-screen instructions to repair the Minecraft launcher.
If you are unable to update the Minecraft native launcher in Windows 10, try running the troubleshooter to fix the A new launcher update is ready. Restart the launcher to use the latest version error. This should repair the Minecraft launcher.
This can also help with the error 0x87e00009 when the launcher fails to start.
Docker Desktop is an application for Windows machines that allows developers to build production-ready container applications. However, some users have reported Hyper-V and container Windows features must be enabled errors while installing Docker Desktop.
If you are troubled by this error, here are a couple of troubleshooting tips to help you fix it quickly.
How do I fix the Hyper-V and containers must be enabled error?
1. Enable Virtualization in BIOS for Hyper-V
If you haven’t already, you need to enable Hyper-V in BIOS before Docker can install and enable container features.
Shut down your computer if it is on.
Restart the computer and press F2 to open the BIOS setup. The function key can be different depending on the motherboard maker.
Use the right-arrow key to navigate to the Advanced tab.
Choose the Virtualization Technology and hit Enter.
Select Enable and hit Enter again.
Press F10 to save the changes and exit.
Try to run Docker and check if the Hyper-v and containers features are not enabled error is resolved.
Enabling Virtualization support also helps with the Unexpected WSL error in Docker Desktop.
2. Enable Hyper-V
2.1. Use Control Panel
If the issue persists, you may have to manually enable Hyper-V virtualization feature in Windows 10.
Press Windows key + R to open Run.
Type control and click OK.
In the Control Panel, go to Programs and choose Programs and Features in the next page.
From the left pane, click on Turn Windows Features on or off.
Select Hyper-V in the Windows Features window.
Click OK to apply the changes.
Once the installation is completed, you are prompted to restart the computer.
Alternatively, you can also use DISM and PowerShell command to enable Hyper-V.
Right-click on Start and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) to open the window below.
In the PowerShell window, type the following command and hit Enter. DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /All /FeatureName:Microsoft-Hyper-V
Close the PowerShell window and launch Docker. Check for any improvements.
3. Try to Remove and Reinstall Hyper-V
If you have already installed Hyper-V, it is possible that the installation may be corrupt resulting in Hyper-v and containers features are not enabled error. Try to remove and install Hyper-V manually to see if that helps.
Right-click on Start and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
In the PowerShell window type the following command and hit Enterafter each: Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -FeatureName microsoft-hyper-v -online restart-computerEnable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Microsoft-Hyper-V -All restart-computerEnable-WindowsOptionalFeature -Online -FeatureName Containers -All
Check for any improvements.
If the issue persists, try to run the following command in the PowerShell and check if it helps: MOFCOMP %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\WindowsVirtualization.V2.mof
We have reached the end of this guide on fixing the Hyper-V and containers Windows features must be enabled issue. Provided you follow the steps in this guide, the error should disappear for good.
The Epson printers are very popular among users. However, many people encountered severe issues with them, with reports that the Epson printer will print but not copy a prominent one.
If you are also facing this devastating issue, the solutions in this guide will help you fix it quickly.
Why is my Epson printer not copying?
If you wonder why your Epson printer is not photocopying, you don’t need to look past your printer settings.
This is majorly down to selecting the wrong paper size, which eventually prevents copy/photocopy operation from going through.
What can I do if my Epson printer will print but not copy?
Before going into the actual tweaking, make sure you perform the following steps that may clear the problem easier:
Make sure that you don’t have unfinished printing jobs. If you have a stuck process, the Epson printer won’t be able to do anything else, including copying. Check the printer software and cancel any pending jobs.
Open the scanner lid and clean the glass with a soft, slightly damp cloth. If there is any debris, the scanner might not work.
Turn off your printer, disconnect it from the power supply, and wait for about 30 seconds, then plug it back in, turn it on, and try using the copier.
If none of these preliminary methods worked, try applying the solutions below.
1. Change the copy settings
Place your document or photo on the bottom-right corner of the scanner glass.
Press the Home button, then press the Down arrow to select Setup, and press the OK button.
Press the Down arrow that will select Paper Setup, and then press the OK button.
Now, press the Right arrow to select Paper Size, and choose the following:
Select Letter if your paper is letter size, and press the OK button.
Select a size from the available paper sizes if copying a photo and press the OK button.
Press the Down arrow to select Paper Type, and do one of the following:
Select Plain Paper if your letter is the paper size and press the OK button.
Select the size from the available paper types listed above if you’re copying a photo, and then press the OK button.
Press the Down arrow to select Paper Type, and do one of the following:
Select Plain Paper if your letter is the paper size, and press the OK button.
Select the size from the available paper types listed above if you’re copying a photo, and then press the OK button.
Press the Home button, select Copy by pressing the Up arrow, and then press OK.
Press OK to adjust the Copy settings.
Under Settings, make the proper changes:
If you’re copying letter-size paper, the Layout should be set to With Border and document size to Letter.
If you’re copying a photo, Layout should be set to Borderless or With Border, and Document Size should be set to the size of your paper.
Press the Back button.
Press one of the Start buttons to make your copy in Black & White or Color.
With this, you should be able to fix the Epson l3210 printer not copying or cannot photocopy issue for good.
2. Reset your printer
2.1 Using the Reset button
Turn off the Epson printer.
Locate the Reset button on your printer. Usually, you should find it somewhere on the back, close to the Ethernet port.
Press and hold the button for a couple of seconds. In the printer manual, you should find the correct indications.
Keep holding the button and turn on the printer.
You should see the message Epson Printer Device Is Resetting.
After that, try copying your document once again.
Not all Epson printers have a reset button on the back. If you can’t find it, move to the next solution.
2.2 Using the front buttons
While your Epson printer is on, locate the Stop/Reset button marked with a reverse triangle in a circle icon.
Press and hold the button until you see a light changing color. Usually, it’s about 3 seconds, but it really depends on the printer model. Some also require powering off and on the printer after this procedure.
This method will reset any printing jobs; now you should be able to copy your document.
For some Epson printer models, you may also use the dedicated Epson Connect software to reset the printer and the ink levels. Use the highlighted link to download the software on your Windows or Mac computer.
We have reached the end of this guide on the Epson printer. It will print, but not copy issue. You should now be able to solve the problem, provided you follow the instructions carefully.
If your printer still doesn’t copy, contact the Epson support team to guide you through the fixing process. Also, if your Epson printer is not printing, check our comprehensive guide to fix it.
Windows Communication Foundation (WCF) is an essential part of any self-hosted server for Windows machine as it offers a framework for building service-oriented applications. At times after building a WCF project and installing the service you may encounter issues such as “Windows service hosting WCF service is not starting”.
The issue can occur due to several reasons including port error, disabled .Net Framework options and more. In this article, we take a look at the possible solutions to help you diagnose and resolve the Windows service hosting WCF service is not starting issue in Windows.
How to fix Windows service hosting WCF service is not starting
1. Enable .NET Framework Features
Press Windows Key + R to open Run.
Type control and click OK to open the Control Panel.
From the Control Panel, go to Program > Programs and Features.
From the left pane, click on Turn Windows Features On or Off.
Check the “Net Framework 3.5” option. After that, enable the following option depending on the use.
For Web HTTP – Enable “Windows Communication Foundation HTTP Activation” option.
For TCP, MSMQ – Enable “Windows Communication Foundation NonHTTP Activation” option.
Click OK to save the changes.
Reboot the computer and check if the error is resolved.
After creating the Windows Service, you need to register the Network Service user to listen on http port 8000 first. You can do this with the help of the following command.
Type cmd in the search bar.
Right-click on Command Prompt and select “Run as Administrator“.
In the Command Prompt window type, the following command and press enter. netsh http add urlacl url=https://+:8000/ user=”NETWORK SERVICE”
It should give a success message.
Check again if the Windows service is started and working again.
If the issue persists, use the following command in the command Prompt. netsh http add urlacl url=https://+:8000/ sddl=”O:NS”
Both the commands do a similar task, so try whichever works for you.
3. Check your Code Function for Error
Most of the time the Windows service hosting WCF service is not starting is the result of users own mistake in the function code.
For example, any issues in the OnStart function can affect the working of WCF service. Make sure you check the service for any not so obvious error and then try to restart the service again.
Conclusion
By following the steps in this article you can resolve Windows service hosting WCF service is not starting issue in Windows computer. Do note that the solutions vary depending on the individual user problem unless the issue is with the WCF or Windows features itself.
While trying to open a PowerPoint presentation downloaded from the internet in protected view or a presentation with embedded object files (Excel/Minitab), you may encounter, we’re sorry, something went wrong that might make PowerPoint unstable error.
This seems to be a widespread issue as many users have reported similar issues. If you are also troubled by this error, here are a couple of troubleshooting tips you can try to resolve this error on Windows computers.
How can I fix PowerPoint if something made it unstable?
1. Start PowerPoint in Safe Mode
Sometimes, third-party add-ons can cause problems with the functionality of the software.
You can start the PowerPoint app in Safe Mode to determine if the issue is due to third-party add-ins.
Press and hold the Ctrl key and then double-click on the PowerPoint app to launch it.
Keep the Ctrl key pressed until Windows asks if you want to open the app in Safe Mode.
Click Yes, and check if the error appears in Safe Mode as well.
If not, you may have to disable/remove any add-ons that are causing the issue.
Relaunch PowerPoint normally and start disabling add-ons one by one to find the culprit.
2. Repair Office 365 Installation
Your Office application comes with a built-in troubleshooting utility to scan and fix any issues with the Office apps.
Press Windows key + R to open Run.
Type control and click OK to open the Control Panel.
Click Uninstall a program under the Programs option.
Select the Microsoft Office application and click on Change.
In the Repair window, you will see two options:
Quick Repair – Select this option first. Quick Repair does not need the internet to perform repair and can quickly fix any minor issues with the Office apps.
Online Repair – If Quick Repair does not work, try Online Repair. This option requires a working internet connection to find and download the required fixes and takes longer than Quick Repair.
Close the Office Troubleshooter once the repair process is over.
Reboot the computer and check if the Fix Something went wrong that might make PowerPoint unstable error is resolved.
The error can also occur if the PowerPoint file you are trying to access is not supported by your version of PowerPoint.
If the PowerPoint file was created on an older version of PowerPoint, save the files as PowerPoint 97-2003 Presentation.
Next, open the file again in PowerPoint and then go to File and selectExport.
Now, choose Change File Type and select the Presentation (*.pptx) format.
4. Change Profile / Reinstall Office 365
Try to create a new profile in Windows 10 and log in with it. Try to access the PowerPoint file again and check if the error is resolved. If the issue persists, download Uninstall Support tool and uninstall Office 365.
Reboot the system and reinstall Office 365 from the Windows Store or the official website. Check for any improvements.
There you have everything you need to fix the we are sorry something went wrong that might make PowerPoint unstable error. You should now be able to fix the issue easily by following the steps in this guide.
My Surface Book 2 has been running into a problem since 2 weeks ago. Whenever it is not connected to the power charger, it runs significantly slower. It will take 5x longer to load up pages and open up programs. But, whenever I connect the charger back, processing speeds are back to normal. I’ve taken my Surface Book 2 to the Microsoft store and they’ve done an OS repair on it, but it hasn’t fixed the problem. Any suggestions on how to remedy this?
The problem is caused by the fact that the Surface Book 2 has been constructed to supply 95 watts of power.
Unfortunately, this amount of power is not enough to run all the components of the laptop at full speed.
The laptop requires around 105 watts of power to be able to run all the hardware contained. Microsoft decided to use the Nvidia chip and force it to make up for the difference in power.
Tackle the Surface Book 2 slow performance when unplugged problem
1. Set the power settings to Best performance
Inside the Cortana search box -> type in Power & sleep settings -> select the first option from the top.
Click Additional power settings -> Change plan settings.
Select the Change advanced power settings option.
Click the drop-down list and choose Best performance.
2. Use ThrottleStop to fix the problem temporarily (Warning: Voids warranty)
Note: It is very important that you understand that using ThrottleStop to fix this issue will cause your laptop‘s warranty to be ended. Beyond this, there are no long-term observations about how this software can affect your laptop. It is recommended that you try this method only if you’ve taken the details above into consideration.
This method has proven effective for some users. If you’ve read the note above and you want to try this method, please follow these steps:
3. Visit a local Microsoft Store and ask for assistance
In case you didn’t try the method mentioned above, and you still have your Surface Book 2 under warranty, it is recommended that you visit your local Microsoft Store.
They will be able to guide you in order to choose the best possible solution.
Conclusion
Please don’t hesitate to let us know if this guide helped you solve your Surface Book 2 slow performance problem.
Do you have any other fix suggestions?
Let us know by using the comment section below.
READ ALSO:
Surface Book 2 gets a new CPU for double power at the same price
Origin is a PC client and online gaming and digital distribution platform that allows you to access your games from anywhere. You can install the client from the official website. However, you may sometimes encounter Origin install errors on a Windows computer.
Some of the most common origin install errors include origin error code 6.0, origin error code 10.0, and Origin error code 20.2.
In this article, we look at the best possible solutions to help you resolve origin install errors in Windows computers.
How to fix Origin install errors on a Windows computer?
1. Origin Error Code 6.0
Change Installation Location
If you had recently uninstalled Origin to install the new version or due to any other reason and now get origin error code 6.0 during fresh install, try to change the installation path.
For example, if your previous installation was in C:\Programs Files (x86)\ Origin folder, try to move the new installation to any other partition.
First, create a subfolder named Origin in other D:\ or E:\ drive.
Run the Origin installer.
Instead of selecting a default installation path, click the Browse button and select D:\Origin or E:\Origin partition to install the Origin client.
After the installation has been completed, launch the client and check if it reads the game data that is saved in C:\ drive.
If the issue persists, simply create a new folder named Origin in C:\ProgramFiles (x86) and select it as the installation path during Origin client install.
Clear Origin Data Cache
Make sure you have closed any open origin installer.
Open the Task Manager and close any process that is related to the Origin client.
Press Windows Key + R, type %ProgramData%, and click OK.
In this folder, you will find a folder called LocalContent. You need to delete all the other folders and file except LocalContent folder.
If you accidentally delete the LocalContent folder, open Recycle Bin and restore it.
After that, open File Explorer and navigate to the following location: C:\Users\username\AppData
Open the Local folder. Delete the Origin folder in there.
Reboot the computer and check for any improvements.
2. Origin error code 10.0
Open File Explorer and navigate to the following location: C:\Program Files (x86)\Origin.
Now locate the OriginThinSetupInternal.exe.
Right-click on the file and select Delete.
Now, try to install the Origin client again and check if the Origin error code 10.0 is resolved.
If you find yourself in a situation where the English US keyboard keeps coming back, you’re not the only one affected. This issue seems to happen in all the cases after installing a Windows update.
Even though this seems like a surface issue, the way you use your computer can be drastically changed when encountering this error. You end up having to change the keyboard layout constantly just to see it changed automatically again.
Keep reading to find out how you can fix things when the English US keyboard keeps coming back in Windows 10 and 11.
What can I do if the English US keyboard keeps coming back?
Before we move to the slightly complex solutions, try these quick ones:
Restart the computer.
Check for any pending Windows updates and install them.
If none work, head to the fixes listed next.
1. Disable the Automatic Keyboard layout change option
Press Windows + I to open Settings, and click on Time & Language.
Go to the Language tab, and click on Keyboard near the top.
Under Switching input methods, uncheck the Let me use a different input method for each app window option.
Check to see if this method solves your problem.
When the English US keyboard keeps coming back since Windows keeps adding keyboard layouts, modifying the settings would do!
2. Add and remove the automatic keyboard layout
A way to temporarily fix this issue would be to navigate to the keyboard layout settings is to add the layout, and then remove the US keyboard in Windows 10.
This seems to make the automatic process not appear so often, and it allows you to work on your PC for a while.
This should change the Windows 10 automatically switches the keyboard layout.
When you find that the English US keyboard keeps coming back, a quick solution is to override the automatic language settings with a quick script.
Tip
You can run this script inside PowerShell (Admin) whenever the error happens. This script will allow you to work on your PC normally. To use it constantly, just run the script before you have work to do on your Windows 10 PC.
4. Use Registry Editor to modify values
Press Windows + R, type regedit, and click OK.
Inside the Registry Editor, navigate to:Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Keyboard Layout
Right-click the empty portion, choose New, and select DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it IgnoreRemoteKeyboardLayout.
Set Value data to 1, and click OK to save the changes.
When the previous solutions didn’t work and the English US keyboard keeps coming back, modifying the Registry should do the trick! You shouldn’t face the problem anymore as long as the IgnoreRemoteKeyboardLayout DWORD exists.
If you asked yourself What is Outlook.live.com/files? , you came to the right place.
Outlook is one of the most well known personal information manager created by Microsoft. A wide range of people across the globe use this application every day to manage every aspect of their career and even communicate with family and friends.
A large number of people have had an inquiry about what the Outlook.live.com files folder is about, not knowing if it could be an official release or a third-party entity hiding behind it.
In today’s FAQ article we will answer the question ‘ What is Outlook.live.com/files? ‘, and some other commonly asked questions in the online environment. Read on to find out more about this subject.
Most commonly asked questions about Outlook.live files
What is Outlook.live.com/files?
The Outlook.live.com/files link is actually a ‘shortcut’ created by the developers that allows you to see all the attachments used with Outlook (from both sending and incoming messages) in one simple to understand page.
Having all the files easily accessible at this link allows people that have a large amount of data to process to quickly skim through hundreds of pages of attachments.
Note: The most common misconception about this link is that you can upload files to it. That is not true. If you want to upload files on a server, you could use OneDrive. This link is just a shortcut created for your convenience.
How do I find the options menu inside Outlook?
In order to find the Options menu inside Outlook, you will need to click the Settings cog-wheel found in the menu on the right side of your screen.
In that menu, you’ll be able to find some links that allow you to change options in Outlook and customize your view.
What is the best way to attach a photo to a message or calendar event?
If you want to add a photo to a message or calendar event inside Outlook, you will need to click on the Picture icon found above the message text area.
After you can simply navigate to the location of the photo you want to add, select it, and press Add to attach it.
Why can’t I see all my folders after my Outlook account was updated?
The official answer to this question includes the mods at Outlook saying that absolutely no data was lost during the migration to the Outlook.com Preview.
In order to find all your folders after the Outlook.com Preview update, you will need to follow these steps:
Expand all folders by clicking the arrow to the left. (if you had folders within folders, you might want to expand them as well).
In the case that you can’t find a folder that you need, you can search for a message or contact that was part of the folder.
Following the release of the Windows 10 20H1 build 18965 last week, Microsoft has is flighting today the Windows Server vNext Insider build 18965. This new preview build of the Server OS comes with no new features, which is a bit unusual, and Microsoft also mentioned that Insiders will need to reinstall the new App Compatibility FOD using DISM /online method after installing this build.
In addition to the new Windows Server preview build, the company has also released the Windows 10 SDK Preview build 18965 today. There’s one notable breaking change in the build with the removal of the api-ms-win-net-isolation-l1-1-0.lib from the Windows SDK. We invite you to check the rest of the API changes on the full blog post.
Windows 10 users rely on their taskbar daily to search for things, see apps, check the battery level and the clock, or even use the Start button to access other apps or settings.
It has been around for a long time and has evolved over time, offering more options and customization.
But one customization feature that lots of Window 10 users are missing is the ability to resize taskbarbuttons:
Before we go into more advanced solutions, make sure that changing the display scaling or using small buttons doesn’t solve your issue.
To change the display scaling, follow the steps:
Go to Start > Settings.
In the Settings app, navigate to System.
In the left panel, click on Display.
In the right section, under Scale and layout, change the scaling to fit your needs.
After doing this, your text, apps, and other items will become smaller. If that’s not what you’re looking for, let’s try to use small buttons. To do that, follow the steps:
Go to Start > Settings.
In the Settings app, navigate to Personalization.
In the left panel, click on Taskbar.
In the right section, check the Use small taskbarbuttons option.
However, if you want to manually adjust the width of your taskbarbuttons to custom size, there are a couple of options.
Solution 1 – Use the Registry Editor
In the Windows search box type regedit and click on the first result.
In the Registry Editor, navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USERControl PanelDesktopWindowMetrics.
Now, in the right section look for MinWidth and double-click it. If you don’t see the MinWidth string value, you’ll have to create it by right-clicking on an empty space and the click on New > String value > type MinWidth and hit Enter.
After double-clicking the MinWidth string value, type a value between 38 and 500 to make the taskbarbuttonsnarrower or wider. After that, hit OK.
Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC.
Keep in mind that you’ll have to repeat the steps to get the exact size that you’re looking for. It’s a trial and error process, but after a couple of tries, you’ll surely get the right size.
If you can’t edit your Windows 10‘s registry, read thishandy guide and find the quickest solutions to the issue.
As you can see, changing the size of your taskbar buttons isn’t that hard. If you’re not comfortable using the Registry Editor then you can use Winaero Tweaker and easily customize your button width.
If you’re aware of another method, or you just have some questions, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments section below.
Yesterday, Microsoft further muddied the waters of Windows Insider testing with the release of Windows 10 Insider version 19H2 to the Release Preview Ring. A number of Insiders, including our own Laurent Giret and Paul Thurrott (premium content), came away more confused than ever. There’s a number of issues at play here, including that Microsoft hasn’t done a stellar job of explaining itself. Let’s take a closer look:
Issue #1: pick a name and stick to it
Can we finally just admit that Windows 10 version naming has gotten completely out of control? May 2019 Update, 1903, 19H1, blah blah blah, why do we need so many names for the same thing? Microsoft has been understandably reluctant to use a version number like 1903 (March 2019) too early and painting themselves into a corner if things get delayed (and how many versions of Windows 10 actually shipped the month denoted in the version number? not many). So why use them at all, or the “marketing name” (my term for the likes of “May 2019 Update”) that do nothing good and just confuse things. Microsoft moved to the “20H1” naming etiquette and it works: doesn’t commit too much, is descriptive, short, and to the point, and there’s basically no reason to use anything else. Isn’t it time to settle on a naming structure after 4 years of this nonsense?
Issue #2: It’s a major/minor release cycle now, can we just admit it?
Enterprise users have long been aghast at the proliferation of feature releases for Windows 10, and Microsoft finally seems to have listened, making 19H2 a minor release cycle, although they couldn’t resist sneaking some features in amongst the security and performance fixes. Yet Microsoft continues to dance around the change, never quite coming out and saying (or sticking to a regimen of “no features in the fall”) that we’ve entered a major/minor release cycle. It’s fine, we get it, just relax and admit it!
Issue #3: Now we’ve gone and messed up the Rings, too
Microsoft just can’t get out of its own way when it comes to naming. With the advent of the Insider program, a perfectly good naming scheme using a Ring analogy came about: Fast Ring for the adventurous ones (and oh wait, Skip Ahead for those who want to be faster than fast!), Slow Ring for the cautious, and Release Preview for enterprise type testers who just wanted a head start on deploying new features. Then 19H2 came along and messed everything up, comandeering the Slow Ring for its minor release cycle testing, and making a mess out of Fast and Skip Ahead Rings in the process. Again, by embracing a major/minor release cycle, H2 releases could have their own rings, leaving H1 Skip Ahead, Fast, and Slow alone, with perhaps even a new use for Skip Ahead, see below.
Issue #4: A/B testing is here to stay
The issue of A/B testing with Windows Insiders continues to frustrate testers, especially when one of the promises of the Insider program has been to get access to new stuff first. In fact, I argued that point some months ago. Yet, it’s time this time for Insiders to come to grips with the idea that A/B testing is here to stay. It’s simply too valuable a tool for Microsoft engineers. However, as I said, the Insider program is never going to be a controlled experiment, and Insiders are going to find ways to get the latest bits somehow. So why not embrace the Skip Ahead Ring, make it a sandbox for cutting edge Insiders, with access to all the latest features? There would still be plenty of Insiders left in the Fast and Slow Rings for A/B testing, and everyone would be happy.
Help!
Someone at Microsoft needs to come in and clean up this program. Like many initiatives that grow a little too big, too fast, it’s getting unwieldy, confusing, and well not quite as much fun as it used to be. We’re going to continue to be avid Insiders, and sincerely want to help, but we need more than taco hats and ninja cats. It’s time for some adult supervision.
Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is a very useful tool for people who want to run Linux commands on Windows. However, many users encountered several issues with WSL.
One such example is an issue accessing files in Windows Subsystem for Linux.
Why, when I create a file from within Windows for example, can I not see it under the Linux sub system in Windows 10 (bash.exe) The screenshot should explain. Folder: OMG was created from within Windows Explorer. Folder OMGBash was created from with Linux sub system bash.exe When a folder OR file is created outside of bash.exe I can never see it, regardless of permissions and ownership.
So, the user can’t see any folder or file created outside of bash.exe. This is a major problem for anyone who uses Bash on Windows and today we will show you what to do to solve the error.
Can’t access files in Windows Subsystem for Linux? Here’s what to do
1. Update Windows
Make sure you always install the latest builds for Windows. The Windows updates fix many issues regarding the boundary between Linux and Windows.
Keep in mind that you can’t run all Linux apps in WSL. Windows Subsystem for Linux is used to run Bash and some basic Linux tools.
So, WSL doesn’t support Linux apps such as Gnome or KDE.
Moreover, Microsoft doesn’t recommend using Windows Subsystem for Linux to host production services. For that, you can use Azure, Hyper-V, or Docker.
Still, in this case, you should be able to access files through Windows or Linux apps. Ensure your operating system is up to date and store the files in the Windows filesystem.
Now that you know how WSL works, you might be interested in learning what is rsync in Windows and how to use it.
Did our solutions work for you? How do you use Windows Subsystem for Linux? Please let us know in the comments section below!
One of the most terrifying things that can happen when writing something in Microsoft Word is having the application crash on you. Typically, that means you could possibly have lost the important document you were working on.
Long ago, this meant that your file would be gone for good, but more recent versions of the popular word processor will auto recover some of your lost work. As we continue to dive deeper into each of the Office 365 apps, we will now explain how you can recover or restore lost files in Microsoft Word.
How to turn on Autorecover
One of the easiest ways to recover lost files in Microsoft Word is with the Autorecover feature. It should be turned on by default, but if it is not, you can easily enable it. Simply head to File, then clicking on Options, and then choose Save. Youll want to make sure that the “Save AutoRecover information every x minutes” box is selected. Importantly, you will also need to make sure that the “keep the last AutoRecovered version if I close without saving” box is selected.
Keep in mind, though, that the recovered files could be different from what you were last working on when Word crashed. Saves will be made based on how long you’ve set up AutoRecover. You can tweak the minutes in the Save AutoRecover information every x minutes box just to be safe.
Use the Document Recovery task pane
If something ever goes wrong with Microsoft Word, and the app crashes, you should see the Document Recovery pane appear when you re-launch. There will be files names inside the pane, along with the date and the time of the of last autosave. It will be best to pick the most recent file listed in that pane, but you can also click each file individually to open and review it.
Once you click on a file to open it, you can get back to working on the document like Word never crashed. If you happen to press on Close by accident, the files will still appear again later. You also can select options to view the file later, or remove the files, if not needed.
(Image via Microsoft)
Manually recovering saved files
If you’ve previously saved a file, and Microsoft Word crashed, you can still get back into the version you were last working on. Simply open the file, and then click to File and Info. Then, under Manage Documents, click the file labeled (when I closed without saving.) In the top bar, you’ll then want to click on Restore. You also can compare different versions of the file by clicking Compare.
Manually recovering files that aren’t saved
In the event that you didn’t save a file when Microsoft Word crashed, you still might be able to recover it. Head to File and then click Info, and then head to Manage Document, and finally, click on Recovered Unsaved Documents. You’ll then be able to select the file from the explorer and click on Open. Make sure that you click Save As in the warning prompt that appears in the top ar, so you can save the file.
Avoid the trouble, just OneDrive!
One of the best ways to avoid the trouble of having to deal with Autorecover and restoring Word files is to save files to OneDrive. With the power of OneDrive, your changes are saved automatically. This will allow you to use the “version history” of a file, and see all your changes, on any computer or from the web, without having to worry about manual saves. Saves with AutoSave typically happen every few seconds, which means you’ll have extra peace of mind.
After installing a new SSD in your system, it is time to clone the HDD to your SSD to take full advantage of the newly installed SSD. However, at times you may see an SSD migration error that states Samsung data migration unable to execute due to a temporary error.
This occurs during the cloning process and is most common with Samsung Data migration software and Samsung SSDs.
The SSD migration error can occur due to several reasons, including issues with the SSD and the software itself. In this article, we help you to resolve issues with your SSD migration process.
How can I fix the Samsung data migration unable to execute due to a temporary error?
Before proceeding to the fixes in this section, try the following troubleshooting steps:
Uninstall any unnecessary data and software that is on the source hard drive.
Run the Check Disk system utility to check the source hard drive and Samsung SSD for bad sectors.
Make sure you decrypt the source hard drive if it is BitLock Encrypted. You can encrypt the hard drive from Control Panel > System and Security > BitLocker Drive Encryption.
Disable all the antivirus and other security programs temporarily.
If these do not work, explore the solutions below:
1. Change the Cloning application
If the issue is occurring while using Samsung Data Migration software, try to use a different app to do the same.
The two of the best cloning software are Macrium Reflect and Acronis Disk Cloning software. Macrium Reflect free version allows you to clone your data from the old drive to the new SSD.
Download Macrium Reflect from the official website and proceed with the cloning process. This should help you resolve the SSD migration error in Windows computers.
2. Unplug the Source Drive After Cloning
If the error is occurring after successfully cloning the drive, check if you have unplugged the source drive from the USB port.
At the end of the cloning, proceed, power off and disconnect the old drive and allow the system to try to boot from the new drive. Keeping the old drive may create issues during the boot process.
Press the Windows key + S, type cmd, right-click on the Command Prompt option and select Run as Administrator.
In the Command Prompt, enter the following command and press Enter: powercfg /hibernate off
Close the Command Prompt window and try to clone the drive again.
4. Disable Page Files
Open File Explorer.
From the left pane, right-click on This PC and select Properties.
From the left pane, click on the Advanced System Settings option.
In the System Properties window, click the Advanced tab.
Click the Settings button under the Performance section.
Click the Advanced tab again in the Performance Options.
Under the Virtual Memory section, click the Change button.
Uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives option.
Click OK to save the changes.
Close the System Properties window and try to clone the drive again.
The SSD migration error is usually caused by common issues like software incompatibility etc. Follow the troubleshooting tips in this article to fix migration issues with your SSD.
First of all, this issue could have various causes, from paper selection to a hardware malfunction. Therefore, you may try one (or more) of the solutions below.
What to do if your printer won’t pull the paper
1. Check the paper feed mechanism
This mechanism comes in various forms depending on the printer, but the basic principles are the same.
Many printers have adjustable sliding guides. If you don’t adjust these guides properly, they can be too tight or too loose. So, the printer won’t pull the papers.
All in all, you need to make sure the sliding mechanism works properly and is well-adjusted for the papers you use. Also, check if nothing is broken inside the mechanism.
2. Make sure you use the right paper
Not all papers are the same. Some types might not be for printing. Make sure the paper you use is printable.
A paper too thick can also affect your printer if it happens to get in your device. So, for safety, many printers might refuse to pull an improper paper.
Avoid damaged or folded paper. Use only clean and new paper to print your documents.
Some printers have software or hardware to accommodate photo paper, which is harder and thicker, but don’t use this type of media on an ordinary printer.
Also, keep in mind to choose the right settings for the type of paper you are using.
In printers, rollers pull the paper. After many uses, these components end up very dirty. Ink, dust, and even food leftovers could end up on and between these rollers.
So, remember to clean them from time to time. Use the instructions manual from your printer to learn how to do that properly.
As a general direction, avoid solvents and brushes with a hard surface, as they might damage your printer.
Conclusion
As you can see, there could be many causes for the same issue. Generally, make sure your printer is clean and adjusted for the paper you are using.
Also, the paper needs to be new and clean.
Did our solutions work for you? Do let us know in the comments section below!
Creative Cloud Library makes the core design assets for your brand or personal projects available irrespective of where you want to access them.
However, sometimes while attempting to use the Creative Cloud Libraries in supported desktop applications, the panel doesn’t load and returns something went wrong initializing creative cloud libraries error.
This is a common error and can occur due to multiple reasons, including cache and temporary issues. In this article, we take a look at the best possible solutions to fix Adobe Creative Cloud something went wrong error in a Windows computer.
How can I fix the Something went wrong initializing Creative Cloud libraries error?
1. Relaunch the Creative Cloud Library
One of the official recommendations to fix this error includes relaunching Creative Cloud Library.
Close any open Adobe apps like Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro, and Adobe After Effects.
Open the Creative Cloud desktop application.
While the CC desktop application is open, press Ctrl + Alt + R key.
This relaunches Creative Cloud and all the related processes, including CC libraries.
Now try to relaunch the Adobe app that was giving the Libraries error.
2. Delete and Create Creative Cloud Caches
Close all the Creative Cloud apps that are open and running.
Launch the Creative Cloud desktop app on your computer.
Sign out of your account in the Creative Cloud app.
Close the Creative Cloud app.
Open File Explorer and navigate to the path below: C:/Users/ username/AppData/Roaming/Adobe
Delete the Create Cloud Libraries folder.
Launch your Adobe Creative Cloud desktop again and sign in to your account.
Open the Adobe app with something that went wrong initializing creative cloud libraries, and check if the error is resolved.
Open File Explorer from the taskbar and navigate to the following location: C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc
Right-click on the Host file, select Open With, then Notepad.
In the Host file make sure you don’t see any Adobe website listed. For example, 127.0.0.1 activate.adobe.com.
If you see any website listed, add # at the beginning of the line to comment them out, which will look like #127.0.0.1 activate.adobe.com.
Also, make sure that the file has the following line and that it is not commented out with a #: 127.0.0.1 localhost
Relaunch the Adobe app with the error and check for any improvements.
4. Use the Creative Cloud Cleaner Tool
You can also use the Creative Cloud Cleaner tool to fix any installation issues as well as clean the Host file.
However, do note that to run the Creative Cleaner tool you may need to uninstall the Adobe Creative Suite and reinstall it after the cleaning is over.
5. Check Proxy Setting for Libraries
Click on Start and select Settings.
Click on Network and Internet.
From the left pane, select the Proxy tab.
Make sure the Don’t use the proxy server for local (intranet) addresses option is checked.
Close the Settings window and check for any improvements.
We can now conclude this guide on how to fix the Something went wrong initializing Creative Cloud libraries error. You now have all the information you need to fix the error for good.
I’ve been using Your Phone app with very little problem lately but today I started having issues with it. It last synced at 8:50 this morning but won’t reconnect. I uninstalled on both phone and PC and re-installed now they won’t connect at all while trying to set up permissions.
If you’re having the same problem, we recommend you to do nothing, as it’s a server issue and not with your Windows 10 PC or smartphone.
Users may experience connection problems and errors when using the Your Phone app. Users may receive “Can’t connect” or other error banners when using the app.
The tech giant is working on to fix the problem and is trying to provide a resolution as soon as possible.
Stay close, as we will update you on any new development.
A big number of people have encountered the error Windows Media Player cannot access the file error message when trying to play an audio file on their Windows 10 PC.
This issue can become extremely frustrating to deal with on a daily basis. You will not be able to play any media using Windows Media Player.
In today’s article we will explore some of the best troubleshooting methods to fix Windows Media Player and get it working perfectly once again. Read on to find out how to do it.
Note: Please be aware that the methods presented in this article will not apply to all instances. For some users, these methods have solved the problem entirely, so they are worth a try.
Try this to fix Windows Media Player cannot access the file errors
1. Grant full permission to the folder where the file is located
Navigate to the location of the folder that contains the audio file that you can’t open inWindows Media Player.
Right-click the folder -> select Properties.
Inside the Properties window -> select the Security tab.
Click on Edit -> press Add.
Type everyone in the box and click Ok.
Check the box next to Full Control.
Click Apply -> click Ok.
2. Disable audio enhancements
Click on Cortana search box -> type Control Panel -> choose the first option from the top.
Select Sound.
Click on Speakers.
Select the Advanced tab and then un-tick the box next to the Enable Audio Enhancements option
Click on the Import button at the bottom-left side of your screen.
Navigate to the location of your file and select it.
Change the Output settings from the right-side menu.
Click Encode to start the process.
When the encoding process is finished, you will get a file inside the output folder mentioned above.
Upload it to SharePoint again and check to see if the issue persists.
Windows Media Player cannot access the file in Internet Explorer
Open Windows Media Player.
Click on Tools from the top menu.
Select Options -> navigate to the area called Connect to the Internet (overrides other commands) -> click the checkbox.
Click Apply to save the settings and check to see if this fixed your issue.
Conclusion
In today’s fix article we explored some of the most common troubleshooting options for dealing with the error Windows Media Player cannot access the file.
We would love to know if this guide helped you in any way. If you want to let us know please feel free to use the comment section below.
A large number of users have reported encountering an AutoCAD fatal error: Unhandled access violation when writing or reading on the software.
This issue can be extremely confusing because the possible reasons for this error can vary a lot. In today’s article, we will explore the best troubleshooting methods to solve this issue once and for all. Read on to find out how to do it.
How do I fix the AutoCAD fatal error?
1. Find out if your video card is compatible with AutoCAD
You can simply check if the video card you have installed on your PC is compatible with Autodesk by searching on the Autodesk Certified Graphics Hardware website.
In order to do so, you can click the drop-down list and select the specific product you’re having issues with.
Next, select the version of the software, your operating system, and the type of video card. After this process is completed, you will be able to see a list of video cards that are supported.
If your video card is on the list, then you can follow the next method.
You can also update Windows by following the steps below:
Click on Cortana search box -> type Update.
Select Windows Update Settings.
Click on Check for updates -> wait for the process to complete.
Restart your PC if required to do so.
In this guide, we first found out what are the most common reasons for the AutoCAD fatal error acsceneoe.dbx and we also discussed a few proven methods to deal with this issue.
In the same vein, if AutoCAD is not opening at all on your PC, check our detailed guide to fix it.
We would love to know if this article helped you get back to using AutoCAD normally again. Please feel free to let us know by using the comment section below.
A version of Unix Shell (namely, Bash) can be installed on Windows 10. However, many people encountered the Windows subsystem for Linux has no installed distributions error.
This isn’t the only issue, and many reported Something went wrong in WSL error. However, we covered that in a separate guide.
Today we’re going to show you how to fix the issue with no installed distributions, so let’s get started, shall we?
Why am I getting Windows subsystem for Linux has no installed distributions error?
The necessary background process hasn’t started properly yet.
The distributions aren’t properly installed.
LxssManager service isn’t running.
How do I fix Windows Subsystem for Linux has no installed distributions?
1. Wait for a few minutes
Start WSL normally.
Wait for at least 5 minutes.
After waiting, check if the issue is gone.
Sometimes it might take a while for WSL to start completely, so make sure to give it at least five minutes to start.
2. Use Command Prompt to install distributions
Press the Windows key and type cmd.
Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
Type lxrun /install
Press Y to begin the download.
After following these steps, the issue should be gone.
In Microsoft Edge, at least in the Dev and Canary channels, there is a smiley face displayed next to your Microsoft Account (MSA). The smiley face is there to provide you easy access so you can send Microsoft feedback on how they can refine the Edge final version. However, if you’re distracted by the smiley face or want to regain a bit of valuable space in the browser, it’s possible to remove it.
Ever since Microsoft decided to use Chromium to power the Edge browser, browsing on the web has been a noticeably better experience for most Edge users. Chromium is used a number of other browsers, including Google Chrome.
Recently, a new, stable version of the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge version leaked. This new iteration of Edge is still in development, so some features present now, may not be available in the final release. The recently leaked Edge version replaces the “old” Edge, unlike the beta, dev, and canary builds. The leaked stable Edge also removes that distracting smiley face that allows you to send Edge feedback to Microsoft.
Even after Microsoft officially releases the new Edge browser to Windows 10, you can still use any of the Microsoft Edge development versions (beta, Dev, or Canary channels) moving forward. Here’s what you need to do to rid yourself of the smiley face on those aforementioned versions.
Remove Feedback from Microsoft Edge Dev and Canary Channels
Update: Microsoft has now made this easier! To hide or show the Smiley Face in Edge Dev and Canary builds as of 79.0.301.2, just right click on the tool):
Hello folks, thanks for your feedback on the feedback tool ? We've added a setting to show or hide the feedback smiley face from the toolbar. The latest Canary and DEV (version 79.0.301.2) builds have the update. pic.twitter.com/SygmeBghoQ
There is a Windows Registry edit that needs to be made to remove the smiley face. If you are not comfortable performing a Windows Registry edit, you can simply download the new Microsoft Edge leak here. If you are ready to get rid of that smiley face, and remove the feedback keyboard shortcut (ALT + Shift + i) too, follow these steps.
1. Open Start, type regedit.exe, and choose “Run as administrator” under Registry Editor when it pops up in the search results.
2. When prompted, click Yes to accept administrator privileges in the UAC (User Account Control) prompt.
3. Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftEdge
4. Double-click UserFeedbackAllowed and change the value to 0
5. Restart Microsoft Edge
The smiley icon should disappear from your Edge browser toolbar. If UserFeedbackAllowed is not present, you can add it manually; right-click on Edge and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it UserFeedbackAllowed. Simply delete UserFeedbackAllowed to restore the smiley face and allow you to submit feedback on Edge to Microsoft.
If Chromebooks have slowly but surely taken over the US education market in recent years, Google now appears to ready to challenge Windows in enterprise. Today, Dell announced that it has teamed up with Google to offer a first lineup of Latitude Chromebook Enterprise devices, combining a trusted brand in the enterprise world with an OS that can now rival Windows and macOS in terms of versatility.
“Chromebook Enterprise is a game-changer for businesses looking for a modern OS that provides end-users with speed and productivity, while offering IT the comprehensive security they need,” said John Solomon, vice president of Chrome OS at Google. “As a longtime global leader in the enterprise, Dell Technologies has a deep understanding of end-user and IT needs and is a natural fit to bring powerful devices with the benefits of Chrome Enterprise to businesses worldwide.”
The new Latitude Chromebook Enterprise devices will include the Latitude 5300 2-in-1 starting at $819.00 USD, as well as the Latitude 5400 starting at $699.00 USD. Both devices will be configurable with up to 32GB RAM and latest 8th Generation Intel up to Core™ i7 processors, and Dell will also offer 10 localized language keyboards. These first Dell Latitude Chromebook Enterprise devices will be available in 50 countries starting tomorrow, August 27.
In addition to some hardware flexibility, these two Enterprise Chromebooks will also join Dell’s “Unified Workspace” platform and offer important features for Dell customers such as pre-OS hardware diagnostics and Dell ProSupport Suite. “With the new capabilities available through our support services, Unified Workspace customers can now offload IT processes and create better workplace experiences for IT, business managers and employees,” said Doug Schmitt, president, Dell Technologies Services.
It will be interesting to see if other PC OEMs could help Chromebooks make a dent in the Enterprise world. Anyway, Chrome OS devices shouldn’t be underestimated: The OS has been in development since almost ten years, and it can now run Android apps, Linux apps, as well as Windows apps through emulation. Microsoft is rumored to be working on its own Chrome OS alternative dubbed “Windows Lite,” a new OS designed from the ground up for Chromebook-like devices and 2-in-1 PCs, though we still don’t know if it will be compatible with the vast ecosystem of legacy apps that Windows developers have built over the years.
The Redmond giant has been trying for years to move away from legacy Windows apps, but the company failed to achieve that with Windows RT and Windows 10 in S mode. It remains to be seen if Windows Lite will be able to shake things up, but we hope this increased competition from Google and its OEM partners will benefit Microsoft in the long run.
If your visit to GameStop concluded in buying some pre-owned games that don’t work, you are not the only one. A large number of people have complained that most of the used games they bought from GameStop either don’t open the game at all.
This can be extremely frustrating, especially if you manage to play the game and get lost in the virtual world, only for the game to get stuck while trying to read some of the most important parts of the story.
In today’s article, we will explore some of the best things you can try to fix or replace your broken Blu-ray game.
What can I do if my GameStop pre-owned games don’t work?
1. Clean the disk with a soft cloth
This method has worked wonders in the past with dirty CDs, and it can still be applied today with the Blu-ray disks that contain your games.
Even though this method can’t fix the scratches found on the disk, it will allow you to remove any residue that might affect your game’s capability of being read properly.
This is what you will need to be able to clean the disk:
rubbing alcohol (Isopropyl alcohol), or toothpaste
microfiber cloth
water
Follow these steps to clean the disk properly:
Get some rubbing alcohol on your cloth. (or spread some toothpaste on the surface of the disc)
Gently rub the disc using the cloth by brushing the alcohol outward from the center of the disc in straight lines (if using toothpaste, rub with a cloth gently and then clean with water).
Rinse the disc with mid-temperature water to remove any residue.
Lean the disc on a stable surface and let it completely air dry for the best results.
Insert the disc in your system and check to see if it works.
In the case the above method didn’t work, the only thing you can do is to return the disc to GameStop and ask for a refund.
Depending on your exact location, the policy for returning discs will vary. Generally, you have 30 days to return any damaged disk to GameStop. You can either get shop credit for the value of the disc/discs or a full refund.
In this article, we explored the best methods to deal with the issue caused by GameStop’s pre-owned games not working.
We hope cleaning the disc as mentioned above managed to make your favorite game run normally. If that is not the case, you can always contact GameStop and try to change your game.
Please feel free to let us know if this guide helped you in any way. You can do this by simply using the comment section found below.
If you find yourself looking at a Server execution failederror inside the Add Roles and Features wizard, you must know you are not the only one. Many reported Server 2019 manageability online cannot get role and feature data.
Though, it seems that this issue is most commonly found in servers running Server 2012 R2. There are several underlying causes triggering the problem, but there’s a solution for each. Keep reading to find out!
What can I do if I cannot get role and feature data?
1. Run the SFC command inside PowerShell (Admin)
Press Windows + X, and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
Paste the following command and hit Enter:sfc /scannow
Wait for the process to complete and note if any errors were found.
The SFC scan will repair all corrupt system files, which is often the reason you cannot get role and feature data in Server 2016.
2. Run the DISM command inside PowerShell (Admin)
Press the Windows + X, and select PowerShell (Admin).
Now, execute the following command: dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
Wait for the process of repairing any issues to complete.
Check to see if the issue is resolved.
In case the SFC scan didn’t work, the DISM tool should get things up and running when you see The request to list features available on the specified server failed error.
In some cases, when users cannot get role and feature data, simply restarting their server fixed things. This error can also be caused by not running your Server 2012 R2 with the latest updates.
The restart performed at this step will allow your system to install the necessary updates.
4. Perform a repair install using the root installer media
If all of the above methods failed, you will need to connect your installer media to your server and run a repair install.
Even though you need to reconfigure your server, it will allow you to get things running when you cannot get role and feature data.
According to the latest figures, cybercriminals are each year becoming more daring, with data breaches spiraling to scary heights.
Not even the giants are spared. For example, the social media behemoth Facebook suffered a slew of attacks during the past few years, resulting in millions of accounts being violated.
These monstrous companies have invested massively in security technologies, yet they are succumbing to intrusions.
What about an ordinary user like you who isn’t technical and is just happy to surf the internet? How to fight off ISP bandwidth throttling and geo-restrictions or ensure privacy in the virtual world?
Well, it seems you are on your own. And that’s where ExpressVPN comes in.
What’s so special about ExpressVPN?
Incredible Speeds
If you’re looking at streaming Netflix or YouTube, ExpressVPN scores impressively compared to its competition. That’s because each of its revved-up VPN servers has been optimized for blazing-fast connections at each location.
Another reason why ExpressVPN is widely regarded as the World’s best is its over 2000 servers smartly distributed across 94 countries worldwide.
Plus, unlimited server switches allow you to shift to the nearest top-performing server according to your country.
This guarantees you unlimited bandwidth and zero throttling.
Extremely User-Friendly
ExpressVPN is one of the easiest-to-use VPN services for Windows. First, it comes with a super simple single-panel user interface, so instead of cumbersome menus and options, you have a straightforward on/off button to switch it on.
It will then take you just a few clicks to complete setting up your desired server connections.
Even its app has a similarly simplistic configuration.
Besides the quick setup, downloading, installing, and eventually connecting to ExpressVPN is bliss.
Fortress-like Security and No Footprints
ExpressVPN records industry-leading scores in various tests, including the critical webrtc leak test.
The fool-proof 256-bit AES encryption, robust DNS/IPv6 leak protection, and a super-dependable kill switch team up with secure split tunneling to deliver an impregnable barrier against intruders.
You can hence confidently access movies, sports, live events, and even censored/blocked content from anywhere in the globe, as your IP is completely hidden from prying eyes.
You don’t have to worry about erasing your browsing history.
Like other five-star VPS services, ExpressVPN doesn’t and never logs your DNS queries, traffic data, or any sensitive digital details that cyberterrorists snoop around for.
State agencies, hackers, and every one of your enemies, therefore, face a momentous battle in their effort to identify you.
Torrenting and Netflix unblocking
If you have interacted with VPNs before, you may be aware that very few VPN providers permit torrenting because of the legal risks involved. But ExpressVPN is wholesome and supports P2P downloads, including various torrents on all its servers.
What’s more? ExpressVPN approves Netflix access for its users with its 24/7 customer support staff springing into action promptly in case you experience streaming difficulties.
Is ExpressVPN free, and how to acquire it?
Sure, I know the market is teeming with the Free VPNs. However, ExpressVPN isn’t free. And the company has good reasons for this. To begin with, ExpressVPN is all about no-nonsense security. They’re committed to delivering maximum security and have deployed top-notch buffer systems, all manned by dedicated staff.
You also enjoy maximum server uptime, superb speeds, and welcoming 24/7 live chat support. And for all these, you must pay about $12.95 per month.
Some of the free solutions promise all these. But do they meet your expectations? Very rarely! And when they do, they’re not as accomplished as ExpressVPN or other paid solutions, for that matter.
Why should you then risk your online safety so-so services when you are assured of ultimate protection from ExpressVPN? Think about it.
The best way to start is by trying this VPN first. This way, you can only commit when you are 100% satisfied with its speeds, security, and the VPN’s stability.
The provider is extremely confident of its quality that they will even issue a full refund within 30 days of request just in case you’re dissatisfied.
ExpressVPN
Activate this extremely fast VPN security and benefit from unrestricted Internet today.
In short, yes. A single subscription can connect up to three devices simultaneously, regardless of your platform (including virtual machines).
You can install ExpressVPN on your desired number of devices though only three can be connected to the system concurrently.
Conclusion
ExpressVPN software is one of the best bets for users seeking to mask their IPs and defend themselves from possible frightening data leakage.
Its innovative safety technologies and high-end server systems scattered around the planet ensure you’re unscathed while browsing. Additionally, you can access nearly all censored sites and content, including Netflix, not to mention it accepts Torrent file sharing.
Update Orchestrator Service is an essential feature for Windows updates. However, many people encountered a major issue with it, primarily high memory and CPU usage by the Update Orchestrator Service.
So, we know that this problem is old and appears in all iterations of the OS, such as Windows 7 and Windows 10. A service hogging the resources is a severe problem, especially for older computers. Keep reading to find out the solutions!
What can I do if Update Orchestrator Service uses high memory?
1. End the process
Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete to open Task Manager.
Select the Update Orchestrator Service, and click on End Task.
Remember that ending a process is only a workaround when the Update Orchestrator Service consumes high memory or CPU. Also, it can affect the Windows update process.
2. Perform a disk check
Search for Command Prompt in the Start menu, right-click on it, and select Run as administrator.
Paste the following command and hit Enter: chkdsk C: /f
It is always a good idea to check your disk from time to time. Moreover, it might fix the Update Orchestrator Service’s high CPU usage. This command is used when you want to repair the disk errors found by the CHKDSK utility.
It will clean up files related to the Windows Update. Also, the registry keys for Windows Update will be changed to default settings.
The high CPU and memory usage by Update Orchestrator Service is a severe problem affecting many users. Our easy-to-follow solutions will help you get rid of it in no time!
Before you leave, check some quick tips to make Windows run faster by modifying the settings.
Did our solutions work for you? Do let us know in the comments section below!
There’s no denying that Power BI offers a lot of features. Still, many users need even more functions.
For example, people want to disable all interactions in Power BI. Therefore, other users shouldn’t be able to click, modify or interact in any way with the graphs from a report.
I’ve created several graphs within one report. When clicking on certain elements of a graph, I can control the interaction that this selection has on other graphs within the report, but I was wondering if there is the ability to completely disable the clickability of a graph? I don’t want the end users to be able to click on the graph at all, so neither the selected graph or other graphs would be highlighted?
So, the user can somehow control the interaction, but only partially. The OP wants the end-users to not be able to click on the graph at all.
Unfortunately, Power BI doesn’t have this option. You can’t disable the ability to click on a chart, but you can disable the interaction between two charts.
Steps to disable interactions in Power BI
1. Turn off interactions in Power BI Desktop
Go to the Format tab.
Select Edit interactions.
Select the None option in every chart.
2. Turn off interactions in Power BI Service
Go to Edit Report.
Click on Visual interaction.
Select None option in every chart.
These workarounds will disable the interaction between two charts. So, if another user clicks a chart, it will not affect the rest of the charts on the page.
Epic guide alert! Everything there is to know about Power BI is right here!
3. Use Drillthrough in Power BI Desktop
Select your chart.
Go to the Data/Drill option on the ribbon.
Click on Drillthrough.
It is worth mentioning that forcing the chart to use the Drillthrough option will disable any marking.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that these are only workarounds. So, probably they will not work for everyone.
Power BI doesn’t have the option to completely disable any interaction with the charts. Simply put, the end-user can’t just look at these charts as if they were images.
Did you find our workarounds useful? How do you disable interactions in Power BI? Let us know in the comments section below!
If you find that SharePoint keeps asking you for your password whenever you try to use it, you are not the only one encountering this issue.
Many users with different configurations have complained that they can’t access their Sharepoint documents normally because of password requirements. This process should usually happen only when you first log into your software.
Because this issue can make you lose precious time, we will look at the best methods to try when dealing with this issue in today’s article.
What can I do to stop Sharepoint from asking for password at every log-in?
1. Add the website to your Local Intranet Zone
Open Internet Explorer.
Click on the Cogwheel button found in the top-right side of your screen -> select Internet Options.
Inside the Security tab -> select Local Intranet -> Sites -> Advanced.
Copy-paste the URL of your SharePoint site -> click Add.
Uncheck the Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone box -> click Close.
2. Add SharePoint to Trusted Sites
Open Internet Options again.
Click on the Security tab -> navigate to Trusted Sites -> Sites.
Copy-paste the URL of your SharePoint site -> click Add.
Un-tick the box next to the option Require server verification (https:) for all sites in this zone -> click the Closebutton.
Click the Custom Levelbutton -> scroll down.
Under User Authentication -> Logon -> choose the Automatic logon with current user name and passwordoption -> click Ok.
Press Win+R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog.
Type control keymgr.dll -> press Enter.
Select Windows Credentials -> click the option Add a generic credential.
Copy-paste your SharePoint site URL, login, and also password.
Click Ok and restart your PC.
4. Create a new registry entry
Note: In the case that you don’t feel comfortable editing registry values, it is recommended that you don’t try this step. Getting any step wrong when using this method could cause your PC to become un-operatable. Please follow this method at your own risk.
Press Win+R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog.
Type regedit -> press Enter.
Inside the Registry Editor window -> navigate to the following location by using the right-side menu: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WebClient\Parameters
Click on the Parameters subkey -> select Edit.
Click New -> choose Multi-String Value.
Type AuthForwardServerList -> press Enter.
Right-click the value you just created -> click on Modify.
Inside the Value data box -> add the URL for your Sharepoint website -> click Ok.
Exit Registry Editor and check to see if the issue persists.
In today’s article, we explored some of the best methods to deal with Sharepoint keep asking for a password issue. This isn’t the only password issue you can encounter, and many reported that the Windows command line generates random password, but we covered that in a separate guide.
Please let us know if any of these methods helped you log into your Sharepoint account without any trouble. You can do so in the comment section below this article.
If you see the error Your printer failed to join the wireless network, you are not the only one. A good number of HP printer users have reported encountering the same error.
This issue can become extremely annoying over time, as the entire purpose of investing in a wireless printer is to use it without any cables.
Hi, I cannot remember since I had to use the cable to print and why. The fact is that I was determined to repair the wireless connection on the printer now as I wanted to join the ink cartridges monthly plan and I cannot do it as I am unable to connect wireless. Please help me. I really like to use my printer wireless.
If your printer cannot connect to a wireless network, you cannot subscribe to the HP Instant Ink plan which allows you to print.
Please follow each potential method described in this guide until you come across a fix that manages to fix the issue. Read on to find out how to do it.
What to do if your printer failed to join Wi-Fi network?
1. Restart your PC, printer, and router
Restarting all your devices will allow you to make sure the error is not caused by a conflict that happened while the printer was being set up.
If this method doesn’t solve the above error message, please try the next methods.
2. Disconnect and reconnect all your devices
Disconnect the power cord of the router.
Turn off the printer.
Close and save all running software on your PC -> shut down the computer.
Reconnect your router’s power cord and wait for the green light indicating that your Wi-fi network is online.
Turn on your printer.
Turn on your PC.
Try to see if this method solves your issue. If it didn’t, please try the next solution.
3. Completely uninstall and reinstall your HP printer driver and software
To uninstall:
Press Win+X keys on your keyboard -> choose Device Manager.
Inside the Device Manager window -> select your printer device.
Right-click on it -> select Properties.
Inside the Driver tab -> click on Uninstall and follow the on-screen instructions.
To reinstall:
Press Win+X keys on your keyboard -> select Device Manager.
Inside the Device Manager window -> select your printer device.
Right-click on it -> select Update driver -> Search automatically for the best driver online.
Wait for the process to complete, and follow the on-screen instructions to install the latest HP printer driver.
4. Use the HP Printer Diagnostic Tool
If all of the above methods fail to solve the error, your printer failed to join the wireless network. You can try another option: get help from the official HP support webpage.
To do so, you must navigate to this link and follow the on-screen instructions to identify the possible issues with your printer.
In today’s fix article, we explored the best methods to try when dealing with the error Your printer failed to join the wireless network.
Because you bought a wireless printer for a reason, we hope this guide helped you sort out this issue.
Please let us know if this article helped by using the comment section below.
Are you a software developer or programmer? Do you need a reliable Java bytecode interpreter? This article is especially for you.
In this piece, we’ll be looking into some of the most durable software that interprets Java bytecode.
Java is obviously one of the most important aspects of programming, as a good number of programs/apps are written in Java code. The instruction set that makes up Java is what is known as bytecode, which is a set of machine codes (typically in form of .class files) given to a JVM – Java virtual machine. Java virtual machines are colloquially termed Java bytecode interpreters.
As a programming function, getting reliable software that interprets Java bytecode is hard to come by. However, we have made some research and compiled for you a comprehensive list of the best Java bytecode interpreters in the market, specifically those compatible with the Windows operating system.
Read on, as we bring you a comprehensive outline of the top 5 software that interprets Java bytecode.
Top software that interprets Java bytecode
HotSpot
HotSpot, from Oracle, is the leading choice of most developers across the globe. And it tops our list of software that interprets Java bytecode.
The program, which is originally known as the Java HotSpot Performance Engine, is written in C++ and Assembly language. And it hosts cross-platform support for Windows, Mac, Linux and Solaris operating systems.
HotSpot hosts a powerful set of features, most notably the “adaptive optimization” and the “just-in-time compilation” functions.
Furthermore, HotSpot supports only instruction set architectures (ISAs) like x86-84, IA-32, ARMv7 VFP, SPARC (exclusive to Solari computers) and ARMv8. This ISA support system is generally the best you can get in the market.
Other notable features of HotSpot include Java bytecode interpreter, Dual virtual machine (Client and Server compiler), Tiered compiler, Java classloader, Garbage collectors, Runtime libraries, JVM flags, Cross-platform compatibility and many more.
HotSpot Java bytecode interpreter and the virtual machine is licensed under GNU’s General Public License (GPL). As such, it is available for free.
OpenJ9, from Eclipse Foundation IBM, is widely regarded as the closest competitor of HotSpot. And like HotSpot, it is also a versatile Java bytecode interpreter and Java virtual machine.
The software is compatible with all major computer operating systems, notably Windows, AIX, macOS, Linux, and lots more. There is dedicated support – inbuilt OpenJDK binary – for the 3 prominent computer OS i.e. Windows, Linux, and macOS.
This software interpreter offers an optimized setup, which is adequately equipped to, not only interpret java bytecode but also buffs up the overall performance of your Java program.
Furthermore, the software offers a customizable platform that allows you to build an OpenJDK yourself, provided you have the required expertise.
Other noteworthy features of OpenJ9 virtual machine/Java bytecode interpreter include memory footprint, swift startup, and runtime, extensive configuration, Eclipse OMR (embedded program), Just-in-time (JIT) & Ahead of time (AOT) compilers, Java dumps, system dumps, online resources and many more.
OpenJ9 is an open source application, which is being financed by donations from across the globe. Aptly put, OpenJ9 is available for free download.
JRockit is one of the most widely used Java virtual machines, and it stands out as one of the best software that interprets Java bytecode. The software, which was originally developed by Appeal Virtual Machine, is now owned and managed by Oracle.
It is supported on Windows and other notable operating systems. Also, the software is supported on only systems with the following ISAs: SPARC (for Solaris), x86-64 and x86.
JRockit is written in C and Java codes, and it serves as an all-round JVM – Java Virtual Machine – solution, which is aptly designed for high performance, monitoring, interpretation, and diagnosis of Java programs.
Furthermore, JRockit is optimized to guarantee the swift execution of Java apps. Other notable features of Oracle JRockit include Java bytecode interpretation, garbage collection, soft configuration, program analysis, the swift response time (in microseconds) and more.
JRockit became free software in 2011, shortly after it was acquired by Oracle. And you can now download it for free.
Squawk virtual machine is a prominent JVM, which is designed for building simple Java apps. It is a micro edition JVM, specially designed for simplicity, with little external interference.
Hence, it is best adapted for small devices and micro-embedded systems. The Java bytecode interpreter is cross-compatible with all prominent operating systems, basically Windows, Linux, and macOS.
Squawk, just like most Java bytecode interpreters/virtual machines, is written in low-grade programming languages like C++ and Assembly. However, the core aspects of the software are written in Java, which makes it a “meta-circular interpreter”.
Other key features of Squawk include low memory footprint, bytecode interpretation, a simplified interface, easy debugging, cross-platform support, simple integration, and more.
Squawk is licensed under the GNU’s General Public License (GPL), and it is available for free.
Apache Harmony, from Apache Software, is another popular software that interprets Java bytecode. Although the software’s development stopped in 2011, it still remains one of the best Java bytecode interpreters and virtual machines out there.
Apache Harmony is supported on Windows, Linux, and macOS. There is also mobile support for Android, which now runs basically on OpenJDK libraries, rather than as a full VM.
Harmony is written in C++ and Java. And prior to official retirement in 2011, the software was only about 2% short of completeness.
Consequently, the incomplete library resulted in the termination of certain Java programs like Vuze, Geronimo (from Apache) and ArgoUML.
Nevertheless, despite the abrupt termination and near-completeness, a number of apps are still supported on Harmony. These apps include JUnit, Tomcat, Apache Velocity, Apache Ant and many more.
Other features of Apache Harmony include Java bytecode interpreter, Class library, JIT compiler, Virtual machine core, Porting layer, Thread manager, Garbage collector and many more.
Apache Harmony was retired (its development was stopped) in November 2011. However, it is still available for download, albeit with no technical support or the likes.
In conclusion, Java bytecode interpreters are essential components in the development of Java programs. And to help inform your choice, we have reviewed five of the best Java bytecode interpreters in the market.
These Java bytecode interpreters have been selected and ranked based on their relative popularity and durability, compared to others.
I went to gamescom in Cologne, Germany, earlier this week to check out the latest games shipping later this Fall, and my first stop was the Xbox booth which was bigger than what I expected. There I got the chance to check out the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2, Project xCloud, as well as new Xbox Game Studios titles currently in the pipeline.
There wer definitely a lot of people at the Xbox booth when I visited it on Tuesday, and I didn’t have the time to try some upcoming games such as Wasteland 3, Bleeding Edge, or the new Battletoads. I chose to focus on Microsoft game franchises I’m quite familiar with: Gears of War, Halo, Age of Empires, and Minecraft. With Gears 5 releasing in early September, this is the first game I went hands on with, testing the new Horde mode on a high-end gaming PC.
Gears 5 Horde mode
Three years ago, Gears of War 4 marked a reboot of the Gears of War franchise, as this was also the first game in the series to be developed in-house by a brand new studio called The Coalition. The game was also one of the first Xbox Play Anywhere titles for Microsoft, shipping on both Xbox One and Windows 10 with support for cloud saves and cross-platform multiplayer.
Gears of War 4 was a very solid third-person shooter, but the absence of a Steam release probably prevented it to reach a much bigger audience. Fortunately, that won’t be the case with Gears 5 as the game will be available on Steam on day one, with cross-play support with the Xbox One and Windows 10 Microsoft Store versions.
So far, Microsoft hasn’t shared a lot of details about Gears 5, which is a bit surprising as it will go head-to-head with Borderlands 3 in September, a true heavy-hitter that has been hyped to death since its March 2019 announcement. Microsoft revealed Gears 5’s new Escape mode back at E3 2019, then there was multiplayer tech test in July, and the new Horde mode was available for testing for the first time at gamescom. We still don’t know much about the Campaign, except that it will support 3 players co-op and be the franchise’s biggest campaign to date.
If you already played Gears of War 4’s Horde mode, the Gears 5 version will feel instantly familiar. You’re still fighting wave of enemies with 4 teammates, earning money killing monsters you can spend on new weapons and fortifications. I went through the first 10 waves with four other players, and we had no trouble dispatching robots, Swarm creatures, and a new type of robot/swarm hybrid enemies.
The biggest change in Gears 5 Horde mode is that each character now has a passive and Ultimate ability. Kait Diaz, the lead character, has a unique Camouflage ability that makes her invisible for a brief amount of time. I also played with Emile from the newly announced Halo: Reach Character Pack, and the powerful Spartan’s Ultimate Ability is a dome shaped Shield that will temporarily protect you and your teammates from all bullets.
Gears 5 ran flawlessly on the gaming PCs available on the Xbox booth, and it looks like The Coalition has really mastered the Unreal Engine 4 that was already used for Gears of War 4. Just like its predecessor, Gears 5 also supports spatial sound technologies including Dolby Atmos and Microsoft’s own Windows Sonic platform, and this really helps to make the experience more immersive.
I’m not a big Horde mode fan myself, but the core Gears 5 gameplay felt really solid. I really liked the campaign in Gears of War 4, and I can’t wait to see if the Gears 5 campaign will live up to Gears fans’ high expectations.
Unfortunately, I’m afraid Microsoft chose the worst release date possible for Gears 5, as the game will ship three days before Borderlands 3, a game that was also present in full force at gamescom. I hope Gears 5’s Steam and Xbox Game Pass release will shake things up, but there’s still a high risk of the game being overshadowed by Gearbox’s much anticipated loot shooter in September.
Halo: Reach on PC
Microsoft announced earlier this year that Halo: The Master Chief Collection would finally be released on Windows, and the first game that will ship on PC is a remastered version of Halo: Reach. The “Tip of the Spear” level was the subject of the first PC Insider flight a couple of weeks ago, and this same level was playable at E3 2019 and gamescom.
As someone who finds Halo’s Master Chief character quite uncharismatic and dull, Halo: Reach, a prequel to Halo: Combat Evolved with no Master Chief is one of my favorite Halo games ever. Halo: Reach was also Bungie’s last Halo game that shipped on the Xbox 360 back in 2010, and it’s great that it will finally get the remaster treatment and join the Halo: MCC anthology on both PC and Xbox One.
The Halo: Reach remaster still has no release date on PC and console, but the PC build that I got to play at gamescom was solid. Playing Halo with a mouse and keyboard feels great and intuitive, and you’ll really need the increased precision to fight off challenging Covenant enemies. Halo: Reach is a bit more difficult than other Halo games as your character isn’t as resilient as Master Chief, especially since you need to use health packs to heal yourself when your shield goes down.
I’m really excited about this Halo: Reach remaster, though it seems that porting all Halo games to Windows is a much more ambitious project than expected. Microsoft has yet to announce a release date for Halo: Reach on PC and Xbox One, and I doubt we’ll see it this year. Worse, the console version has apparently being delayed as the developers are currently dealing with memory issues on Xbox One.
Still, I’m very enthusiastic about Halo: MCC finally coming to PC, as these classic shooters really deserve to be available on Windows. Halo remains one of Microsoft’s biggest game franchises to date, and the company is probably right to take its time to make it right. It took years for 343 Industries to fix the various issues that plagued the Xbox One version of Halo: MCC since launch, and Microsoft better not to the same mistake with the PC version.
Announced at E3, delivered at gamescom. Fans are getting their first look at Halo: The Master Chief Collection on PC. pic.twitter.com/0hibBa1JAh
I didn’t expect Age of Empires II Definitive Edition to be playable at gamescom, so this was a really nice surprise. Microsoft announced on Monday that the remaster will ship on Windows 10, Xbox Game Pass on Steam on November 14, and the company will also add Age of Empires: Definitive Edition to Xbox Game Pass on the same day.
As you may know, Age of Empires: DE didn’t really meet fans’ expectations when it was released on the Microsoft Store back in February 2018. The game was quite buggy at launch, and even after the release of several patches there are still some issues with pathfinding or the AI acting weirdly.
I hope Age of Empires II: DE won’t suffer from the same launch issues, but the PC build I played at gamescom looked really good. Age of Empires II was one of my favorite RTS games back in the day (my favorite remains Age of Mythology), introducing a lot more different civilizations to play, interesting campaigns, and various gameplay improvements. I felt right at home playing the short tutorial, and I was also quite impressed by all the details on this 4K screen.
I love the work Forgotten Empires has done on the graphics in general, and the remastered audio is also a very welcome addition. The Definitive Edition will include 4 new civilizations, a whole new campaign named The Last Khans, and it will also support crossplay between Windows 10 and the Steam version. Fingers crossed for it to be as good as what Age of Empires fans really deserve.
Minecraft Dungeons
The last Microsoft game I tried at the Xbox booth was Minecraft Dungeons, which seems to be Mojang’s take on Diablo III. I’m a big fan of the latter, though I have to admit I’m not really into Minecraft. But as it turns out, a Minecraft-themed dungeon crawler hack-and-slash game is probably what Microsoft needs to bring gamers like me into the Minecraft universe.
I just played the demo for five minutes, and it was a co-op session with someone from the Xbox booth who guided me through a procedurally-generated dungeon filled with monsters. Just like in Diablo, you can use short-range and long-range attacks, you can also roll to avoid traps and enemy attacks, and you’ll earn some loot by killing monsters and opening treasure chests.
There doesn’t seem to be any crafting, mining mechanisms, or class system in Minecraft Dungeons: this is just you and your friends fighting monsters and getting increasingly powerful loot in an artistically pixelated world. I feel like the game has a lot of potential, especially since it will be released on Windows 10, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Nintendo Switch. Minecraft Dungeons will also support 4-player local and online coop, and crossplay support in the cards between Windows 10 and Xbox One.
Minecraft Dungeons is expected to be released on Spring 2020, and it will be available on Xbox Game Pass on launch day. Overall, 2020 should be a great year for Minecraft with the upcoming release of Minecraft Earth on iOS and Android, Minecraft Dungeons on PC and consoles, as well as Ray Tracing support on Windows 10 and a new rendering engine for all Bedrock versions of Minecraft.
Microsoft has often received criticism about the quality of its first-party games during this console generation, but I feel like this is finally about to change. The fact that new first-party games are now shipping on Xbox Game Pass on day one really helps to put Xbox Game Studios in the spotlight, as does Microsoft finally embracing Steam. Microsoft still has several exciting new games in the pipeline including a new Flight Simulator, Halo Infinite, Age of Empires IV, as well as a rumored new Fable game developed by Forza Horizon developer Playground Games. I feel like Microsoft is finally back as an AAA game developer, and Gears 5 will be the first big test for me. Stay tuned for our full review of the game in early September.