Microsoft releases the first, partial, schedule for Build 2019

Posted on by Kareem Anderson

As Microsoft’s largest developer conference of the year looms over the horizon, the company has finally released a partial schedule for the event.

The current publishing covers a number of sessions that will be offered over the four-day event but leaves out the other conference tangibles such as roundtables, happy hours, breakfast and the like.

Developers attending BUILD 2019 can look forward to choosing between 123 sessions to sit through that include topics ranging from building Hybrid Cloud apps to Code-free data integration at scale. Compared to BUILD 2018, the current listing of sessions is only a partial unveiling as it is roughly 300 sessions short from last year.

Either Microsoft has really cut the cruft from its conference or developers can anticipate more Windows and Microsoft 365 sessions crop up as the conference grows near; with company perhaps, wanting to keep spoiler-like session titles out of the public domain for now.

As it was in 2018, developers should expect to hear a lot more about Azure, Machine Learning, AI and Open source development at this year’s conference, but for the more casual audience, many are looking forward to news about Windows Lite, Chromium powered Edge, PWAs and Windows Core OS. Hopefully, Microsoft will deliver on both fronts at BUILD 2019.

With only one third of the sessions listed, we recommend checking back here for updates and additions as the days go by.

 

Slack announces new integrations with Outlook and OneDrive

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Despite Microsoft Teams being a direct competitor to Slack, the latter has just announced some useful new integrations with Office 365. First of all, the new Outlook Calendar app for Slack will be able to display actionable notifications for calendar invites, or Skype meetings, with direct links to Skype for Business.

The new Outlook Calendar app for Slack is also capable of automatically changing someone’s Slack status using information from Outlook calendar. As an example, a user’s Slack status will automatically change to “in a meeting” when Outlook indicates it.

This new Outlook Calendar app for Slack isn’t the whole story, as there’s also a new Slack for Outlook add-in. Once installed, the add-in will make it possible to forward any emails in Outlook to a Slack channel, or private messages.

Lastly, the existing OneDrive app for Slack has been updated with the ability to quickly import and search files from the cloud storage service. Slack is also now able to display previews of Word, Excel and PowerPoint right within the app. “From responding to calendar invites to sharing files, these updates are the first in a series of steps to integrate the work you create in Office 365 with the collaboration taking place in Slack,” the company said today.

Microsoft wants the US government to do a better job counting those with broadband access

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft has released new statistics that explains the differences of the availability of broadband in the United States per statistics from the FCC versus its actual usage, and has called for the FCC to make changes in collecting the data. According to the company’s blog post, The FCC estimates that there are as many as 24.7 million people without access to Broadband Internet of at least 25 megabits per second. However, according to Microsoft’s own anonymous data, as many as 162.8 million people do not use the Internet at such speeds.

To help fix this ongoing issue, Microsoft recommends that the FCC make various changes in the way that it collects and counts the data. For starters, it suggests that the committee should remove the “could provide” option from the Form 477 submitted to ISPs, and only measure fully covered areas. Right now, the form asks them if ISPs are “providing or could …without an extraordinary commitment of resources provide broadband service to an area.” Since the ISP can check yes to either question, many of the areas that aren’t yet fully covered are counted as having full access to high speed broadband Internet.

The committee should also measure both the availability of as well as the actual usage of high-speed broadband Internet, according to the Redmond giant, and make other changes to improve its data collection of broadband availability before it releases its new report on the issue. For example, the FCC counts data within blocks, and ISP’s can check a whole block as covered even if access is available to only a few households within a large area.

Microsoft has been committed to closing the “broadband gap” for some time now with its Airband Initiative, and has said that it will remain so as it to works with members of the Commerse Committee and with Congress to expand broadband access as quickly as possible. Because as the company says, much of the U.S. economy relies heavily on broadband access, so much so that the issue has major impacts on other problems such as unemployment.

Want to try Edge Insider on Windows 7 now? Here’s how to get it working

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft finally made its new Chromium-based Edge browser available for Windows 10 users yesterday, and it’s currently possible to choose between two different channels, Dev and Canary. The company said that preview builds for the new browser would be coming soon for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and macOS, but it’s actually already possible to install the new browser on older version of Windows.

As a matter of fact, the leaked Microsoft Edge build that was discovered last month already worked on Windows 7, and it looked pretty good with the Aero interface and built-in support for PWAs.

As reported by Bleeping Computer today, the Edge Dev and Canary installers do work on Windows 7, it’s just that the .exe files are hidden when you visit the new Microsoft Edge Insider website with a non-Windows 10 PC. Fortunately, you should be able to find the installers on this download page, even when you visit it on a non-Windows 10 PC.

Bleeping Computer had no issue running the Edge Insider Dev build on a Windows 7 PC, though the report notes that watching videos on Netflix didn’t work, probably because of missing DRMs on the OS. We don’t have a Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 PC around to test the new Edge browser on these versions of Windows, but it would be surprising if it didn’t work.

Image credit: Bleeping Computer.

If you have yet to try Microsoft’s Edge Insider web browser, we remind you that you can install the Dev and Canary versions side by side: The Dev version will get new builds every week, while the Canary version will be updated daily. There’s already a lot to like in these Insider builds, even though Microsoft is still in the process of removing or replacing some features available in the Chromium open source project.

Download the April 2019 Patch Tuesday updates today

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Microsoft will be rolling out the April 2019 Patch Tuesday cumulative updates in just a few hours’ time. As a quick reminder, these updates mark the end of support for the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update OS.

Since 2015, Microsoft has been following a tradition of releasing cumulative updates on the second Tuesday of every month.

This month’s April 2019 Patch Tuesday is coming today with both security and non-security fixes.

As a matter of fact, Windows 10 users have been reporting a bunch of issues that have been introduced by previous builds.

Most of the vulnerabilities will hopefuly be addressed in the April 2019 Patch Tuesday cumulative updates.

Which is the latest version of Windows 10? Find out from our constantly updated article!

Install Windows 10 April 2019 Patch Tuesday updates

If you enabled automatic updates, all you need to do is go to Settings and hit the Check for updates button.check for updates

You can also download the latest Windows 10 update directly from Microsoft’s Update Catalog website.

Microsoft is releasing the April 2019 cumulative updates today but these patches are available for systems running the Fall Creators Update or newer versions.

Windows 10 May 2019 Update coming soon

Speaking of updates, keep in mind that the Windows 10 May 2019 Update lands at the end of May.

This time, Microsoft listened to all the users who have been complaining about the disruptive Windows update process.

The Windows 10 May 2019 update allows users to choose when they want to initiate the update download and install processes.

Fall Creators Update support ends today

As reported earlier, a final batch of updates for Windows 10 v1709 Home and Pro SKUs will be released tomorrow as a part of the April 2019 Patch Tuesday cycle.

Microsoft recommends users to upgrade to the latest version as soon as possible.

If you are looking for a stable and secure OS version, upgrade to Windows 10 v1809 also known as October 2018 Update. 

Microsoft is expected to fix some critical security issues as a part of Windows 10 cumulative updates today. Let’s wait and see if the company manages to patch all the existing vulnerabilities.

Hopefully, the April 2019 Patch Tuesday updates won’t bring issues of their own.

RELATED ARTICLES YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT:

How to fix common Borderlands Game of the Year Edition bugs

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

What an interesting spring we’re having. Numerous game releases so far, but let’s not forget that Borderlands Game of the Year Edition is out.

You’re back in the shoes of a vault hunter, and the story picks up in the same way the first game did, with the added feature of importing save games from the first game to the game of the year edition now.

With instances of bugs being reported on the game, we’ve gathered up some tips and tricks, that will keep the vault hunting going for a long time. This time it’ll be awesome, I promise!

How to fix common Borderlands GOTY issues

  1. Graphic Issues
  2. Weapon duplicates
  3. Audio issues
  4. Connection issues
  5. Game menu freeze
  6. Screen tearing

Graphic issues

For this fix, we’re going to try to optimize your game running on your Nvidia card.

  1. Firstly, open your Nvidia Control Panel;
  2. Go to Manage 3D settings and then select Program Settings;nvidia control panel andy os
  3. Add the Borderlands game executable from the list and select High-performance NVIDIA processor from the drop-down box and press Apply;

Additionally, you have the chance to manage your graphic drivers automatically with dedicated software like Fortect Driver Updater, skilled for installing and updating any driver correctly.

Weapon duplicates

steam overlay not working windows 10

More or less, this issue can be traced to faulty game files, maybe some got corrupted at some point. But we’ve got a solution for this, simply follow these steps:

  1. Start your Steam client;
  2. In the Library section, right-click on Borderlands GOTY game and click on Properties from the menu;
  3. Now select the Local files tab and click on the Verify integrity of game files;
  4. After this is done, try running the game again.

Audio issues

For this fix to work, go to Sounds and select Properties, now make sure to disable every sound device except for your speakers. Also, keep in mind to update your sound drivers if this problem persists. 

For additional troubleshooting solutions, check out the guides listed below:

Connection issues

Simply add your game to an exception list for both your antivirus or Windows Firewall. The same solution for weapon duplicates works for this as well, you can reproduce the same steps to verify your game files.

Game menu freeze

uninstall game via steam

You should try running the game in Windowed Mode, as a first solution. Or alternatively, repair and verify your files can do the trick. But if that doesn’t work you should uninstall and reinstall your game.

Screen tearing

For this fix, head on over to your game menu, and select Graphic options, and disable Shadowplay, then  turn off V-Sync, and disable Anti-aliasing. Alternately, you can opt which one you wish to disable, and test which feature allows a smoother look.

General tips to run Borderlands GOTY smoothly

Always remember the minimum requirements whenever running a game, here are the specs for Borderlands GOTY:

  • OS: Windows 7 64-Bit.
  • Processor: Intel Core i3 530 @2.93GHz/AMD Phenom 9950 @2.6GHz.
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM.
  • Graphics: Geforce GTX 660, Radeon HD 6970.
  • DirectX: Version 11.
  • Storage: 25 GB available space.

If you’re running the game from your Steam library, remember to whitelist your game on Windows Firewall or to add an exception for it in your antivirus.

Always keep your graphic card’s drivers up to date at all times when running your games.

We hope that these fixes were helpful for you. And in the meantime, let us know what you think of the game so far in the comment section down below.

Windows 10 20H1 builds coming to Fast ring Insiders in May

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Microsoft is planning to push the gas pedal for Windows 10 20H1, commonly known as the Windows 10 April 2020 Update. The company will start shipping 20H1 preview builds to Fast ring Insiders starting May 9, 2019.

The Windows 10 May 2019 Update is currently in the final stages of development, and Microsoft is all set to release it later in May.

The big M will add for some major improvements to the Action Center, Start menu, Settings app and other UI elements.

Furthermore, the company will introduce Windows Sandbox, a new Windows light theme experience as a part of its Windows 10 May 2019.

This update will be released to Release Preview Ring Insiders very soon. Before the company rolls out the Windows 10 May 2019 Update to the general public, Windows Insiders will have been testing for one month. Hopefully, the final OS version won’t bring too many bugs.

Windows 10 April 2020 Update released sooner than you expected

The development of Windows 10 20H1 (April 2020 Update) is also under progress. In order to align its development plans with the Windows Insider rings, the tech giant will also push the Windows 10 April 2020 Update update to the Skip Ahead Ring.

This will be done by speeding up the work on Windows 10 20H1. In this way, the preview builds of the update will be available to Fast ring insiders as well.

Currently, just the Skip Ahead Insiders have access to the Windows 10 20H1 builds. Microsoft also decided to merge the Fast Ring and Skip Ahead rings in the next few weeks. 

Last week, the Redmond giant rolled out Windows 10 Insider Preview build 18845 to Skip Ahead Insiders. Although the update did not come with any new features, it includes some general changes and improvements.

Notably, it fixed the issues related to launching Microsoft Edge and Start menu bugs that existed in previous builds.

How to check for updates?

If you are enrolled in the Windows Insider program, you can check for updates by navigating towards Settings >> Update & Security >> Windows Insider Program.

RELATED ARTICLES YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT:

Windows 10 Game Bar gets Chat, Spotify, and Mixer integration

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft is adding some exciting new features to its Windows 10 Game Bar. Insiders running Windows 10 v1809 or higher can now test the new features.

Microsoft is interested in convincing more gamers to adopt the Windows 10 platform. Microsoft made this recent move in order to improve the gaming experience with an enhanced Game Bar along many new features.

These features include Spotify integration and shareable in-game content. Moreover, users will be able to personalize their very own Game bar.

Microsoft confirmed that Spotify, Chat and Mixer will work fine with Windows 10’s Game bar. The new features will support all your PC games and will show up as an overlay when gamer press the Windows key + G keys.

This will help users record video and grab screenshots much faster. The beta version of the Windows 10 Game Bar allows users to instantly control their Spotify playlists during gaming and chat sessions.

User don’t need to leave their game while capturing, editing, adding text and finally tweeting gameplay footage.

The captured screenshots can then be easily turned into memes. Windows 10 users can keep an eye on the activities of their fellow gamers.

Get Game Bar beta in Windows 10

You can get Game bar beta in your Windows 10 OS.

  • On your Windows 10 PC, launch the Xbox Insider Hub
  • On the upper left corner of your screen click Insider Content
  • Click Windows Gaming, the user can enroll automatically into the Game bar flight if he has a Window 10 build #17763 or higher
  • When you are playing any game, you can press Win+G to show Game bar

Right now, Microsoft is testing the new Xbox Game Bar for PC gamers. The company wants to thoroughly test the feature before releasing it to the general public.

We can see that Microsoft is finally addressing the shortcomings that have existed for years. Happy gaming!

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:

Kaizala becomes part of Microsoft Teams in 2020

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft is planning to integrate Kaizala messaging service into its Teams group-chat. Kaizala is basically a messaging service that is available for large-group communication to both Android and iPhone users.

The move has been made as a part of Microsoft’s strategy to expand its services to more first-line workers.

Back in 2017, the messaging service was launched as a Microsoft Garage incubation and was initially a simple productivity tool. Its distribution has been constantly being extended since then.

Kaizala’s Pro version has now been made part of the worldwide Office 365 commercial plans without any additional charges.

Microsoft made an official announcement stating that it would launch Kaizala to all eligible Microsoft 365 and Office 365 users around the world.

The tool will be available in 180-plus markets and 40 languages as an integrated offering.

The integration should take place over the next 12-18 months in different phases.

Better workplace communication thanks to Kaizala and Microsoft Teams

Kaizala brings unique capabilities to Microsoft 365, with its ability to connect and engage people both inside and outside of an organization’s directory – including contract workers, vendors, partners, suppliers, customers, and citizens – using large and flexible group types. Kaizala enables phone number-based identity for easy onboarding, and a simple user experience for messaging and work management through the open directory.

The company also added some new features to Kaizala. Users can now delete the messages they sent in group or one-on-one chat conversations.

The time duration for this action has been restricted to an hour after the message has been sent.

Secondly, just like other social media services out there, the app now supports tagging individuals in a conversation by using @mentions.

This year, Microsoft is also launching a new Kaizala web app adding new video calling and image annotation features.

Microsoft is also planning to add many more new features in future. Some of these features include email user invites, right-to-left language support and more.

Admins will also be able to designate specific policy management tasks to specific admins. Microsoft Teams users will have to wait for a few months until these features have been integrated into the app.

Microsoft has yet to announce an official date when these new features will be available to the public.

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:

WindowsReport is attending Affiliate Summit Europe – 2019

Posted on by Alex Serban

The conference rooster starts a bit early this year and the first one on the line for the WindowsReport team will be Affiliate Summit Europe. Held in Amsterdam on the RAI Amsterdam conference center, this event will last three days, between 12th and 14th of March. After the success we’ve had at last year in London, we’ve decided to give it another go.

ASEURO19, as online advertisers call it, promises to be an event filled with various networking chances and the opportunity to connect with other big names from the industry. As usual, we’re going to be particularly interested into discovering new players in the tech industry, while also consolidating bonds with key partners.

This annual event will soon be the home of representatives of big companies, such as Uber, Skyscanner, Adidas and a lot more. Software wise, companies such as PropellerAds, BullGuard, Bitdefender are going to join as well.

We’re also interested into hearing what key-speakers have to say about the latest trends in the industry. Some of the most notable present and perhaps, on my own agenda, are the following:

  • Justin Rondeau – Director of marketing at DigitalMarketer
  • Todd Crawford – VP Strategic Initiatives, Impact
  • Anthony Capano – Managing Director Europe, Rakuten
  • Adam Ross – COO, Awin
  • Ami Spencer – International Publisher Director, Webgains

And many more.

Let’s meet

This year we’re going to send three representatives from our team to this event, including our founder, the head of affiliate sales and a press member.

Are you attending ASEURO19 as well and want to meet us in person? You can book a meeting by sending an email to alex [at] windowsreport.com.

Conclusions:

We’ve had a blast. Thanks to all the partners that managed to reach Amsterdam for getting a chance to meet and chat. Looking forward to next year’s event !

ASEuro_2019_after

How to Fix Frequent Windows Mixed Reality Issues

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

Windows Mixed Reality is an impressive technology developed by Microsoft that blends reality and virtual worlds.

This so-called hybrid reality is becoming more and more affordable and popular among users.

Unfortunately, Microsoft still has a lot of work to do in order to polish Windows Mixed Reality so as to make it more stable and reliable because several users reported that Mixed Reality is not installing.

Many potential Windows Mixed Reality errors and issues may occur. In this article, we’ll show you how to fix the most common ones.

How can I fix Windows Mixed Reality bugs and errors?

1. PC can’t run Windows Mixed Reality

Make sure your computer’s hardware setup is compatible with Windows Mixed Reality.
Install the latest Windows 10 updates or upgrade your system to the latest Windows 10 OS version, which is currently the Fall Creators Update.

2. Xbox One controller won’t work on Windows Mixed Reality

Make sure your controller is turned on, fully charged, and connected to the PC. Replace its batteries.
If you’re using a Bluetooth controller, make sure it’s paired. Go to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth & other devices to see if it’s listed on the page.

3. Windows Mixed Reality headset stopped tracking

  1. Make sure the lights are turned on. Check to see if anything obstructs your headset’s inside-out tracking cameras.
  2. Wait for a few seconds for tracking to resume.
  3. Restart the Windows Mixed Reality Portal.

ALSO READ: Samsung’s new Windows Mixed Reality headset lands November 6

4. Something Went Wrong error 2181038087-12

This error usually occurs when HMD is plugged into a USB port on which a non-Microsoft USB device driver is running.
To fix error 2181038087-12, launch Device Manager > expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers category > uninstall the driver for each item that includes the text “eXtensible Host Controller” and doesn’t have “Microsoft” in the name.

Now, ensure that all the drivers containing the text “eXtensible Host Controller” have “Microsoft” at the end.

5. Something Went Wrong error 2181038087-4

fix windows mixed reality bugs

This error occurs when the headset driver failed to initialize the two tracking cameras. Unplug and replug your headset to solve this problem. You can also try reinstalling the driver if the problem persists.

6. Something Went Wrong error 2181038087-11

This error indicates that your CPU is too old and incompatible with Windows Mixed Reality. You need to buy a new Windows Mixed Reality-compatible PC to fix this error. Check out the list of compatible devices here.

There is also a tool available that automatically checks if your computer is compatible with WMR.

7. Wi-fi speed is slow when motion controllers are turned on

windows mixed reality bug fix

Your notebook may share a Wi-Fi antenna with Bluetooth when using 2.4GHz access points. Open Device Manager and switch band preference to 5GHz.

8. Windows Mixed Reality overheats PC

This is a common issue when using WMR. Ensure that the fans that blow air into/out of your PC are not blocked, and try to use the PC in a cool environment. Remove all heat sources pointed at the PC.

For more information on how to prevent overheating issues on PC, check out the articles below:

9. The Mixed Reality world often freezes

This issue could be caused by an app or system fatal error or a temporary memory or CPU abnormal usage level.

  1. Open task manager and make sure that you have at least 20% CPU free and 400MB memory free
  2. Check to see if any processes crashed. Open event viewer, navigate to Windows Logs -> Application and Error level event entries.
  3. Reboot your PC if this problem persists.

10. Steam VR is crashing

Launch the Mixed Reality Portal first, and then try relaunching SteamVR. Ensure you’re not running a Beta version of the Steam client.

For more information on how to fix other Windows Mixed Reality issues, go to Microsoft’s Support page.

New Chromium Edge is a lot like Chrome but with several things missing

Posted on by Kareem Anderson

While Microsoft has officially taken the wraps off its Insider and developer-focused Edge browser replacement, the work to a finished consumer product is still miles ahead of the company’s engineers.

However, there are some kudos to give the Edge team as they have gone from announcement in late December to a relatively usable product in roughly five months.

The expediency in the release of Microsoft’s new Chromium-powered browser has come at cost and the Edge team has noted all the missing, removed and perhaps, soon-to-be-replaced features users have come to expect from the industry leading web browsing alternatives.

According to a recently published list, Chromium Edge testers will find that their builds lack the following:

While that is a long list of missing features a traditional Chrome user might come to long for if switching to the new developer and insider builds of Edge, Microsoft does note that it has simply replaced some of these features with their own solutions.

Which ones?

The 27-slide Power Point identifies Identity and Single Sign-On (SSO), PlayerReady DRM, and Services integration as early changes, alongside more subtle additions such as smoother scrolling protocols in BlinkGen Property Tree (BGPT) Memory Reduction in DLL prefetching and Native Caret browsing among others.

There are several other areas of interest and investigation the Edge team is looking into and would love contribute to, but for now, testers will have to settle with waiting for build updates to get the incremental changes they need, to make Chromium Edge their go-to browser of choice.

Microsoft unveils new ‘Blush Blend’ Surface Pro Signature Type Cover

Posted on by Kareem Anderson

Perhaps, because the design of the main unit of the Surface Pro has remained relatively consistent, owners have sought to add customization through its accessories as a way to differentiate their device from the next persons. Microsoft has released many different Surface Type Covers over the years, adding a model with a built-in Fingerprint ID as well as the various Signature Type Cover models with alcantara finish.

Today, the company unveiled the Surface Pro Signature Type Cover in Blush Blend, which will be exclusive to John Lewis & Partners in the UK. The exclusive offering keeps the same feel of Microsoft’s Signature Type Cover experience with Alcantara fabric, but comes in a new two-tone blended color scheme reminiscent of dry and wet sand on the shore.

The Blush Blend Type Cover comes in one option for now and it’s a cross blend of navy blue to light peach (it looks like) and offers a color changing dynamic dependant on light and motion. If you live in the UK, the JL&P Type Cove can be snagged for £149.99 starting today at the JL&P website, here.

Disable spell check in Skype permanently with these solutions

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

Spell check and auto-correct are useful features, but sometimes users want to disable spell check in Skype. The main problem with spell check is that it will automatically correct your words to English, even if you’re not using English while typing.

This can be rather annoying, so today we’ll show you how to disable auto-correct in Skype.

How to disable Skype autocorrect on Windows 10?

1. Disable spell check in the Settings app and Skype

In order to disable spell check in Skype, it’s advised to disable spell check in both Settings app and Skype. This is rather simple and you can do it by following these steps:

  1. Open the Start Menu and go to Settings.
  2. Next, click on Devices and go to Typing.
  3. Turn off the slider for Autocorrect misspelled words and Highlight misspelled words options.
    typing settings skype spell check disable

This procedure works well for Windows 10 since the auto-correct feature is built-in.

After doing that, you can disable spell check in Skype. To do that by following these steps:

  1. Launch the Skype application.
  2. Click on Tools, then Options.
  3. Go to IM & SMS, select IM Settings and click on the Show advanced options.
  4. Here uncheck Auto correct, then Highlight the misspelled words options.
  5. Save changes and check if the problem is still there.

2. Modify your registry

With some users, the Typing tab might not be available in the Settings app. This can be a problem when trying to disable spell check in Skype.

However, you can fix this problem by making a couple of changes in your registry. Bear in mind that modifying the registry is an advanced procedure, so back up your registry before making any changes.

  1. Press Windows Key + R and enter regedit. Click on OK or press Enter.
  2. Once the Registry Editor starts, navigate to this key: HKEY_USER\Software\Microsoft\Tablet\Tip1.7.
  3. Go to the right pane and double click EnableAutocorrection DWORD. Next, set the Value data to 0.  The same steps can be used to enable spell checking. If this value isn’t available, create it manually.
    registry editor how to disable spellcheck skype
  4. Once done, exit the Registry Editor and check if the issue is resolved.

There you go, these are some of the solutions that you can use to disable spell check in Skype. Be sure to try all of our solutions, and let us know in the comments section which solution worked for you.

READ ALSO:

Common Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus bugs with solutions

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

Wolfenstein 2 is now live. You can download and install the game on your Windows 10 PC and enjoy an amazing first-shooter experience.

As it happens with every newly launched game, Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus is affected by a series of bugs that may sometimes severely limit your gaming experience.

In this article, we’re going to list the most frequent Wolfenstein 2 bugs reported by gamers, as well as their corresponding solutions whenever available.

We’re sure that the game developers are already working at full speed to fix these problems and will roll out a patch as soon as possible.

Wolfenstein 2 reported issues:

  1. Game crashes
  2. Changing graphics settings, resolution, brightness crashes the game
  3. Game won’t launch
  4. Screen tearing
  5. Low graphics quality
  6. Black screen with sound
  7. Game freezes
  8. PC restarts
  9. “Could not write crashdump”
  10. Bonus: Optimize the game

1. Game crashes

Game crashes are quite frequent in Wolfenstein 2. Many gamers already sent refund requests because they couldn’t play for more than 5 minutes.

Well, these gamers should consider themselves lucky because other players experienced crashes as soon as they hit the play button:

“I still cant start the game, getting a crash dump error as soon as I start it. It’s been 12 hours, the file size on my end is 15gb .. any solutions? Im running the latest Nvidia drivers 388.10.”

Some players said that this problem is prevalent for gamers who are on servers in the Middle East and Japan. Apparently, players downloaded corrupted game files.

Here are a few solutions to fix Wolfenstein 2 crashes:

  1. Make sure you run the game on your dedicated GPU and not the integrated GPU.
  2. Disable “Async compute” from the Advanced Video Settings and then restart the game.
  3. Install the latest Windows 10 updates on your PC
  4. Run a full system antivirus scan
  5. Run System File Checker or use a dedicated registry cleaner to get the job done.

Update: Both AMD and NVidia released Game Ready hotfix drivers which, according to many players, fix the crashing problem in Wolfenstein: The New Colossus. So, all you have to do is install the latest drivers for your GPU, and crashing issues should be gone.

2. Changing graphics settings, resolution, brightness crashes the game

Speaking of crashes, there is one particular instance where Wolfenstein 2 immediately crashes and that is when players change the graphics settings.

“Same. First time booted up, defaulted to 1080p. Upped it to 1440p and instant crash into restart. Now, when I start the game, I get an error message on the brightness adjust screen. After that, I go to the title menu, and it’s blank. Can’t do anything.”

Here is what you can do when Wolfenstein 2 crashes after adjusting graphics settings:

  1. Enable borderless window. Many players confirmed that this action fixes crashes: “just try borderless window, it didnt crash for me then and it changed the resolution.“
  2. Make sure your GPU drivers are up to date. You can use third-party software to safely update your drivers.
  3. Turn off DPI and turn on Administrator mode for the game.
  4. Delete the game’s Save Game folder in your user directory. Then, uninstall and re-install the game.

3. Game won’t launch

Many players reported that Wolfenstein 2 won’t start due to a series of fatal errors.

Here is what you can do in this case:

  1. Verify the integrity of game cache
  2. Uninstall your GPU drivers, reinstall them clean. Update to the latest driver.
  3. Run the game and Steam as administrator: right-click on the Steam shortcut > go to Properties > Compatibility tab > check the ‘Run this program as an administrator’ checkbox.
  4. Make sure you run the game on your dedicated GPU and not the integrated GPU.

Other players reported that the game simply won’t load and nothing happens when they hit the play button:

“I’m unsure if this has been discussed but when I click to open my game up, it just wont start. I’ll click to start it, it’ll say it’s running, then go to syncing and won’t boot up.”

4. Screen tearing

If you’re experiencing screen tearing, you’re not the only one. Many gamers said they skipped the game due to this annoying issue:

“I’ve got horrible screen tearing as well. if i move my mouse just a little bit the screen tears.“

Try using Gsync/Freesync to see if this eliminates tearing and let us know if this fixed the problem for you.

5. Low graphics quality

Many gamers can’t fully enjoy gaming due to graphics issues. Game textures sometimes leave a lot to be desired, as this gamer reports:

“The game looks awful, look at his hands jeez. change graphic settings makes no sense, game looks equally bad on all settings. graphics worse than the original game, what the heck.”

If you’re experiencing graphics issues, try updating graphics drivers and check your computer’s memory.

6. Black screen with sound

Sometimes, the game may display a black screen shortly after launch. Sound is available but the black screen won’t go away, forcing players to quit the game.

“Game launches, after a few seconds I get the Bethesda intro, the MachineGames intro and then black screen. I can here the sound of options moving, when I press either “B” on the controller or Escape on keyboard I see the in-game window asking if I want to quit the game. Otherwise everything is black screen :x.”

Try updating your graphics drivers, and verify the integrity of the game cache. We also have a dedicated article on how to fix black screen issues on PC, so you may want to follow the troubleshooting steps listed in the article below.

7. Game freezes

Wolfenstein 2 sometimes freezes for about 10-20 seconds. Here is how one game describes this issue:

“Just like that, after 15-20 seconds the game is frozen, only music is playing. If I manage to start the game, cinematics plays fine, game starts and again after couple of seconds it’s dead.
Got latest NVIDIA hotfix, no use.”

The game also freezes when players change the aspect ratio:

“Anyone else having this issue? Changing the aspect ratio to 21:9 causes the game to freeze. Haven’t gotten past the settings, yet. Pretty bummed.”

Players confirmed that the following solutions solved the problem:

  • Turn off ‘Async computing’ in advanced options.
  • Deactivate the integrated Intel HD GPU.
  • Disable motion blur.

We strongly recommend using a PC game booster application that analyzes the status of your computer and then stabilizes it so that you may play a game on it.

Additionally, game booster features such as Defrag, Recovering Space, FPS Boosting can increase the general performance of the PC, which in turn enhances your gaming experience.

8. PC restarts

Changing the game resolution also causes computers to restart. This happens even in Safe Mode:

“After i change resolution in options and hit apply my pc just restarts every time“

For the time being, there is no solution available to fix this problem. Unfortunately, gamers will have to wait for Bethesda to release a patch.

9. “Could not write crashdump”

A lot of people have reported that a strange “could not write crashdump” error occurs during the gameplay.

There’s no confirmed solution for this issue, yet. However, we recommend installing the above-mentioned Game Ready driver. Maybe it includes the solution for this issue, as well.

Bonus: Optimize the game

And finally, if you want to get the best possible experience in Wolfenstein 2: The New Colossus, there’s some extra work to do. We recently wrote a simple guide that will make your life in the game easier.

Make sure to check it out.

These are the most frequent Wolfenstein 2 bugs reported by gamers.

If you installed the game on your PC, tell us more about your experience in the comments section below.

Developer gets Chromium web browser working on Windows 10 ARM – it’s fast!

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

After Mozilla Firefox became available on Windows 10 on ARM PCs earlier this year, Google has yet to release an ARM64 version of its Chrome web browser. The Mountain View giant is said to be working on it with the help from Qualcomm and Microsoft, but in the meantime developer Jemery Sinclair has managed to make Chromium, the open-source version of Google Chrome, work on Windows 10 on ARM (via Softpedia News).

In a series of tweets, the developer said that he has been trying to compile an ARM64 version of Chromium since January, and that the web browser runs “super fast” on Windows 10 on ARM. Sinclair published the short video below showing how Chromium’s running on a Windows 10 on ARM PC.

This is promising news for the upcoming ARM64 version of Google Chrome, as well as Microsoft’s own Chromium-based Edge browser. “Now I have absolutely no doubt for how well Edge: Chromium Edition will run,” Sinclair said in another tweet. To our knowledge, Microsoft only said that its Chromium-based Edge browser would be available on Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8.1 as well as macOS, but an ARM64 version seems evident now that Microsoft has pretty much given up on the existing version of Microsoft Edge.

How to stop Windows 10 from asking you for feedback

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

With Windows 10, Microsoft has taken a more proactive approach towards gathering user feedback. Since Windows now follows a service-driven development approach, the company considers user feedback while designing new features and improvements.

Occasionally, you may receive a notification in Action Center asking you about your Windows experience. Although these alerts are generally sent infrequently, you may well find them annoying or distracting. Turning them off requires a single trip to the Settings app to silence them forever.

Windows 10 privacy settings category on settings app homepage

Launch Settings using your preferred method, such as the Start menu or Win+I keyboard shortcut. On the homepage, click the “Privacy” tile. Next, click the “Diagnostics & feedback” page under the “Windows permissions” heading in the left sidebar.

Scroll down to the very bottom of the page which appears. Here, under “Feedback frequency,” you can choose how often Windows should prompt you to supply feedback. By default, it’s set to “Automatic,” which lets Microsoft send you survey notifications when they’re deemed relevant to you.

Disabling Windows 10 feedback notifications

You can reduce the frequency to once a day or once a week. It’s also possible to specify “Always,” if you’re keen to supply more feedback to Microsoft. The final option, “Never,” is the one we’re looking for though – it’ll suppress every feedback notification, so you won’t be bothered again.

Disabling notifications doesn’t prevent you from filing feedback manually. You can use the Feedback Hub app to report bugs and request improvements independently of Microsoft’s survey notifications. You can even get meta with your feedback – the “Diagnostics & feedback” page includes a link (“Share your opinion about Feedback Hub survey notifications”) to let you share feedback about the feedback alerts!

Microsoft news recap: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription info, Microsoft’s HR investigating sexual harassment, and more

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

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

New Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription will reportedly come with Xbox Live Gold for $14.99 a month

It looks like Microsoft is gearing up to combine its Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions into one. A new report suggests that for $14.99 per month, users will be able to get their hands on with both Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass in one monthly subscription, called Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

https://twitter.com/h0x0d/status/1114159135048646657

Email chain rife with sexual harassment claims prompts investigation by Microsoft’s head of HR

Microsoft’s head of HR has opened an investigation into sexual harassment throughout the company after an email chain rife with claims of sexual harassment came to light. Head of HR at Microsoft has announced she will personally review and investigate the claims made.

Microsoft’s HealthVault is set to close on November 20

HealthVault, Microsoft’s service to store personal health records, is set to close on November 20, according to an email sent out to registered users. It follows the service having a rocky existence with apps being launched and later abandoned.

Microsoft's HealthVault app

Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo are being investigated by the UKs Competition and Markets Authority

The UKs Competition and Markets Authority has opened an investigation into auto-renewal online gaming subscriptions, focusing on the biggest online gaming companies – Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo – to see whether or not the terms and conditions are unfair.

Xbox One X at Gamescom 2017 in Germany

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

Windows 10 Start Menu is Blank or Icons Not Showing [Fix]

Posted on by Matthew Adams

Windows 10 has one of the greatest Start menus. Its Start menu is slick, modern and includes app tile shortcuts that give it a whole new dimension. But to their dismay, many find the Windows 10 Start menu blank.

In some cases, the Start menu icons are not displaying properly, or the Windows 10 tiles are not showing. Keep reading to find out the solutions!

What can I do if the Start menu is blank in Windows 10?

1. Pin the Tiles to the Start Menu again

First, unpin the blank app tiles on the Start menu and pin them back on. Right-click an app tile on the Start menu and select Unpin from Start.

Scroll to the app on the Start menu‘s app list, right-click it, and select Pin to Start to pin the tile back on.

2. Restart Windows Explorer with Task Manager

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
  2. In the Processes tab, select Windows Explorer, and click Restart.restart to fix windows 10 start menu blank

A quick solution for issues with the Start menu or the Taskbar, especially when these are blank or the icons are missing, is to restart the Windows Explorer process.

3. Run a System File Scan

  1. Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).power user start menu
  2. Paste the following command and hit Enter:sfc /scannowThe exclusive semaphore is owned by another process sfc scannow
  3. Restart the PC if Windows Resource Protection does repair files.

Blank app tile shortcuts could be due to corrupted system files. System File Checker is probably the best Windows tool for repairing corrupted files.

Instead of relying on that, you can fix this Windows 10 trouble with specialized support from a standalone repair tool.

4. Run the Start Menu troubleshooter

The Start Menu troubleshooter is an effective tool but is not included in the default Windows installation. So, you will have to download the Start Menu troubleshooter.

start menu troubleshooter

The troubleshooter has been found to fix issues when the Windows 10 Start menu is blank. So, make sure to run it and make the changes it recommends.

5. Set up a new user account

Often, it’s a corrupt user profile to blame when the Windows 10 Start menu is blank. And in that case, the only option is to create a new user profile.

And do not forget to make the user an administrator to secure advanced permissions and privileges.

6. Restore Windows to a Restore Point

A System Restore will revert Windows back to an earlier date. It might remove recently installed third-party software conflicting with the Start menu.

In addition, it also rolls back minor updates and can repair system files. As such, System Restore could feasibly fix blank app tiles in the Windows 10 Start menu and get things up and running.

Before you leave, find out how to customize the Start Menu in Windows.

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

Conan Exiles Errors: How to Fix Them All

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

Conan Exiles is a challenging open-world survival game set in the brutal lands of Conan the Barbarian. As a player, your main tasks are to survive in a hostile world, build your kingdom, and dominate your enemies. But Conan Exiles’ errors trouble many!

The game is still affected by several technical issues, as gamers report, but the good news is that Funcom is working at full thrust to fix them. Funcom rolled out a major Conan Exiles update, patching several server connection issues.

Conan Exiles’ developers also published a list of quick workarounds that players can use to fix common game issues.

How do I fix errors on Conan Exiles?

Tip icon Tip
Before proceeding with the solutions, verifying that you are running an updated version of Conan Exiles is important.

1. Keybindings won’t save

  1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer, and go to: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\ConanExiles\ConanSandbox\Configpath
  2. Open the DefaultInput.ini file with Notepad.
  3. Find the lines that have PreviousMessage and NextMessage.
  4. Where it says Key=, change the assigned key to whatever other key you would prefer to use.

This temporary solution involves editing a vital game file. Avoid changing and deleting any characters in any of the lines in the file, as this can break the game.

2. There are no servers in the browser

If you cannot see any servers listed in the browser, ensure that the Combat and Community lists are set to All. The filter should be set to Internet.

If the settings are correct, but you still can’t see any Conan Exiles servers and encounter errors, then you may use the Steam server list tool accessible from the View menu.

3. Black screen on startup in Conan Exiles

If the game hangs on the loading screen and is not progressing beyond a black screen, wait a little longer. If nothing happens after a few minutes, end the task from the Task Manager.

It is good to know that this issue may be caused by hardware close to the minimum specifications. Also, try running the Steam client’s built-in integrity checker.

Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Open Steam and go to the Library.
  2. Right-click on Conan Exiles and open Properties.
  3. Under the Installed files tab, click Verify integrity of game files.verify files to fix conan exiles error

That’s it! Once all the available game files are fixed or replaced, you shouldn’t face any Conan Exiles’ errors.

4. C++ or UE4 Prerequisites errors

  1. Download any pending Windows updates.
  2. Install the Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2015.
  3. Finally, install Conan Exiles.

Conan Exiles C++ errors are most likely due to out-of-date Windows versions. Make sure that your computer is running the latest Windows version.

5. Optional parameters error

When Conan Exiles is trying to launch with optional parameters that don’t exist, restart Steam and try again. If the issue persists, close Steam and launch the app as an Administrator.

If this doesn’t fix the error, contact Funcom’s support team.

6. Craftable tents are unavailable

To fix this problem, you need to remove the tents from your toolbar, and everything should return to normal.

That’s how you can fix most, if not all, Conan Exiles errors. Before you leave, find out some quick tricks to optimize the PC for gaming and get better performance.

If you’ve come across other workarounds for various Conan Exiles issues, help the gaming community by listing the troubleshooting steps in the comment section below. We’ll continue to scour the forums to find more solutions and update this post as soon as possible.

Netflix error M7361-1253: Quick solutions to resolve it within minutes

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Imagine getting yourself a great laptop or computer, then when you try to play your favorite Netflix video, you get an error message that says ‘Oops, something went wrong Netflix Error M7361-1253‘.

Your first instinct is probably ‘what is that’?

If you’ve received such a response from your computer or laptop, there are quick-fix solutions that can reignite your movie excitement, and your favorite flicks back up on your screen in no time.

Here’s how to resolve the Netflix Error M7361-1253

  1. Reboot your computer to resolve Netflix Error M7361-1253
  2. Check your browser to resolve Netflix Error M7361-1253
  3. Check that your network supports streaming to resolve Netflix Error M7361-1253
  4. Check your antivirus software to resolve Netflix Error M7361-1253

Solution 1: Reboot your computer to resolve Netflix Error M7361-1253

This is perhaps the first line of action for most computer users, especially when they don’t know what else to do. Sometimes it works, but to fix Netflix Error M7361-1253, you can start with this most basic solution.

  • Shut down your computer completely
  • Restart your computer
  • Launch Netflix again

If this doesn’t help resolve the Netflix Error M7361-1253 issue, try the next solution.

Solution 2: Check your browser to resolve Netflix Error M7361-1253

Sometimes your browser may be the underlying cause behind the Netflix Error M7361-1253.

In order to check and resolve the error, take these steps:

  • Clear browser cookies
  • Restart your browser
  • Try using a different browser

Clearing your browser’s cookies

This helps to check and clean out any outdated or corrupt settings that your browser may be referencing, within the cookies file.

In order to clear your browser cookies to resolve Netflix Error M7361-1253, do the following:

  1. Go to this link: netflix.com/clearcookies. This helps clear the Netflix cookie
  2. Once you do that, you will be signed out of Netflix and redirected back to the Netflix home screen
  3. Click Sign In
  4. Play your favorite series or movie

Restart your browser

This may clear the Netflix Error M7361-1253 issue as well. Do the following:

  • Quit your browser
  • Restart your browser
  • Try playing your favorite series or movie

Try using a different browser

It is recommended that you update to a browser that supports HTML5 so as to make sure your computer is well optimized for the Netflix web player.

The Netflix web player is supported best by Google Chrome on Windows XP Service Pack 2 or later, Mozilla Firefox on Windows Vista or later, and Opera on Windows Vista Service Pack 2 or later.

To resolve the Netflix Error M7361-1253 issue, download the latest version of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Opera, then try launching Netflix again.

We recommend trying a browser that has built-in tools that aim to boost your browsing and provide you with an error-free streaming experience. Browsers with a clean interface and integrated ad blockers shield your online activity and help content load faster.

⇒ Get Opera

Solution 3: Check that your network supports streaming to resolve Netflix Error M7361-1253

Sometimes you may be trying to stream Netflix on your computer but the issue is not your system, or Netflix itself.

It could be your WiFi provider, so yo need to check whether the network supports streaming.

In order to do this and fix the Netflix Error M7361-1253 issue, do the following:

  • Check with your network operator or administrator (if on a work or school network), to confirm that Netflix is not blocked from access.

Note: Many public networks, be it at home, school or at work have limited bandwidth, and to stream video content, especially, takes up much of the available capacity so you need to be sure Netflix is not blocked on your network.

If, however, you’re using cellular data, or satellite internet, you could try using a different network altogether for streaming your favorite series or movie content on Netflix.

The downside though, is that cellular data and/or satellite internet have slower connection or streaming speeds compared to cable internet, or DSL.

Didn’t work? Try the next solution.

Solution 4: Check your antivirus software to resolve Netflix Error M7361-1253

As mentioned above, your antivirus software (and/or firewall) can cause interference with the Netflix web player, leading to the Netflix Error M7361-1253 issue.

Follow these steps to resolve this:

  • Disable your antivirus software
  • Try to play your favorite series or movie on Netflix again. If it resumes play after disabling or quitting your antivirus, then it’s an indicator that your software is outdated, or it is preventing Netflix from playing on your computer. Check with your antivirus software manufacturer if you are experiencing this specific issue.

Let us know whether you managed to resolve the Netflix Error M7361-1253 issue using these four solutions.

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:

Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo are being investigated by the UKs Competition and Markets Authority

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Some of the largest gaming companies, including Microsoft’s Xbox, Sony’s PlayStation, and Nintendo, are all being investigated by the UK Government’s Competition and Markets Authority. They are being investigated to find out whether their auto-renewal terms or roll-over contracts are “unfair”.

The CMA is interested in the companies online gaming memberships, such as Xbox Live. It is concerned about the auto-renewal terms, cancellation and refunds policies and terms and conditions of these services. It says it has “written to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation and Xbox requesting information about their online gaming contracts to help better understand their practices.”

As part of its investigation, the CMA has noted the 3 areas it is interested in:

  • are the contract terms unfair? – do the companies’ terms give them wide discretion to change the quality of the deal, for example, by reducing the number of games included or increasing the price?
  • how easy it is to cancel or obtain a refund? – are there any factors that make it difficult for people to cancel their contract or get their money back?
  • how fair is the auto-renewal process? – are customers clearly told that their membership will be rolled over, are they regularly reminded that they are on a roll-over contract before further payments are taken, and is auto-renewal set as the default option?

It is important to note that the CMA has not yet taken a view on whether the companies being investigated have breached any consumer laws, but it does want to find out if the biggest online gaming companies are being fair with their membership services.

You can read the CMA’s full announcement here.

Something went wrong 0x803f8003 Xbox error [Fix]

Posted on by Tashreef Shareef

Xbox One is great console, but many users encountered Something went wrong 0x803f8003 error whenever they try to login to their account or access any Xbox service. This can be a big problem, but there’s a way to fix it.

How can I fix Something went wrong 0x803f8003 Xbox error?

  1. Check your subscription status
  2. Relaunch the game
  3. Restart your console
  4. Perform a hard reboot
  5. Soft / hard factory reset Xbox Console
  6. Delete and Reinstall the Game
  7. Contact Xbox Support

1. Check your subscription status

According to Microsoft, Something went wrong 0x803f8003 Xbox error occurs if your Xbox Live subscription is expired and you try to access a game that requires the subscription.

The first thing to do is to check the status of your subscription. Sign into your Services and subscription page using your Microsoft account and check the status.

2. Relaunch the game

You can fix any temporary problems such as Something went wrong 0x803f8003 by relaunching the game from the Home screen. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Xbox button on your Controller to launch Home.
  2. Select the Game tile and press the Menu button on your controller.
  3. Select Quit from the options.
  4. Wait for a minute and then try relaunching the game.

3. Restart your console

restart console xbox error 0x803f8003 Something went wrong

Another quick fix for this problem is to restart the console.

  1. Double press the Xbox button on your controller. It will bring up the Guide.
  2. Scroll down and select Settings.
  3. Select Restart Console and select Yes to confirm.
  4. The console will now restart.
  5. Sign in to your account and relaunch the game.

4. Perform a hard reboot

Like your computer, a non-working console can be fixed with a hard reboot. In some cases that can help you fix Something went wrong 0x803f8003 error.

  1. Make sure your Xbox is turned on.
  2. Press and hold the Power button until the power goes off.
  3. Unplug the console from the power outlet and disconnect all cables.
  4. Wait for a few minutes and reconnect the power brick as well the controller.
  5. Press the Power button to power up the console. Check for any improvements.

5. Soft / hard factory reset Xbox Console

Factory resetting Xbox console for troubleshooting purpose is nothing new, and it is also fix errors such as Something went wrong 0x803f8003 . To perform a reset, do the following:

  1. Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
  2. Go to System and select Settings.
  3. Select System again and select Console Info.
  4. Select Reset Console option.
  5. Under Reset your console screen, you have two options.
    • Reset and Keep my games and apps: Select this option first. This will remove only the settings and other data. All your apps and games will be preserved if you choose this option.
    • Reset and remove everything:  This is a second option. If the first option didn’t work, you could hard reset the console with this option. However, this option will delete all the games and apps installed on your console. Your game progress data stored in your Xbox cloud account won’t be deleted.
  • Also Read: Project xCloud brings the Xbox pad to your phone screen

6. Delete and Reinstall the Game

Corrupted entries in a game can cause Something went wrong 0x803f8003 Xbox error on your console. One way to fix this issue is to reinstall the game. Here is how to uninstall any game on Xbox.

  1. Go to Home and select My games and apps.
  2. Select See all option to show all installed apps and games.
  3. Highlight the games you want to uninstall, and press the Menu button on your controller.
  4. Select Manage games and add-ons and select Uninstall all.
  5. Reboot your Console and try to install the game from the Store or a physical copy.

7. Contact Xbox Support

contact support xbox error 0x803f8003 Something went wrong

If none of the above solutions did the trick for you, the problem could be related to Microsoft’s end. You can contact the support on their official website and ask for a solution.

If this is an account issue, the Microsoft Xbox support should resolve the error or provide an ETA for the ticket

You are most likely to resolve the Something went wrong 0x803f8003 error by resetting the console to its factory default settings. If not, you may have to contact the support after trying other solutions listed in this article.

Do let us know in the comments below which of these solutions have worked for you or if you have an alternate solution.

RELATED STORIES YOU MAY LIKE:

Check out these Windows 95 emulators on Windows 10/11

Posted on by Matthew Adams

The Windows we know and love today owes much to Windows 95. Windows 95 transformed the series with the introduction of a taskbar, notification area, and the legendary Start menu. No longer was Windows just a subsidiary addition to DOS; for the first time, it was a full replacement for an increasingly antiquated command-line platform.

Although there are numerous emulators that run DOS software, Windows 95 remains a copyrighted platform. Consequently, there are no emulators you can install on Windows 10 to run ’90s games. However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t any Windows 95 emulators at all. Check out the few websites that include emulators that restore the operating system in all its glory.

Windows 95 in Your Browser

Check out the Windows 95 in your browser with an emulator that can run Windows 95 in another tabThe programmer behind the site developed the emulator largely for the sake of nostalgia more than anything else. However, the developer still concedes that the emulator may or may not violate copyright law.

  1. Click here to open the Windows 95 in your browser website shown in the snapshot directly below. Then press the Start Windows 95 button on the page.windows 95 in your browser
  2. Press the OK button on the pop-up window that opens to launch the emulator. It shouldn’t take any longer than 10 minutes for the emulator to open as in the snapshot below.emscripten windows 95 emulator
  3. When the emulator has loaded, close any background tabs open in your browser. This will reduce lag and ensure the emulator runs at its quickest.
  4. Then click on the emulator‘s display box to move the mouse cursor within Windows 95. You can press Esc to restore the original cursor.
  5. The emulator also has a full-screen mode that you can open by pressing the Fullscreen button at the top right.
  6. Now you can have some fun in the emulator by clicking the Start button and selecting Programs > Accessories > Games to open the submenu in the snapshot below. Select to open Solitaire, Hearts (which isn’t included in Windows 10), Minesweeper or Freecell in Win 95.windows 95 on windows 10
  7. Check out the platform’s Media Player by clicking Start > Programs > Accessories > Multimedia > Media Player. That will open the default Media Player shown in the shot below.windows 95 media player on windows 10
  8. Click File > Open in the Media Player window. Then you can select a few audio clips to playback in the Media Player.
  9. You can customize the desktop by right-clicking it and selecting Properties. That opens the Display Properties window from which you can select alternative wallpapers.

 

 

 

 

change background windows 95 on windows 10

The Play DOS Games Online Emulator

Play DOS Games Online primarily includes DOS games to play in browsers. However, the website also has its very own Windows 95 emulator that’s the same as the one on the Windows 95 in your browser site. Click here to open the emulator‘s web page.

windows 95 emulator on windows 10

Click within the emulator‘s display to launch Windows 95. It doesn’t take long for this one to get going. Click inside its display to move the cursor in the Windows 95 emulator. You can also press a Fullscreen button to expand the emulator in the browser.

These are two browser emulators that provide a fascinating glimpse at Windows 95. They include most of the accessories, system tools and customization settings from the original operating system, so have a great time going down memory lane.

RELATED STORIES YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT:

Windows Insider program prepares for a reset as development moves to 20H1 (and 19H2)

Posted on by Kip Kniskern

Yesterday, Microsoft announced that unlike previous releases, the Windows 10 May 2019 Update (19H1) will undergo a full cycle of Release Preview testing. In addition, perhaps due to a reset to more closely align Windows with the Azure development cycle, or as many have speculated, to move to a major/minor release cycle, something that enterprise customers have been clamoring for, the company has been taking the term “Skip Ahead” to heart. Recently, the Windows Insider program released a series of 20H1 builds to the Skip Ahead ring, without in fact releasing a single 19H2 build, as would be customary.

Now today, The Windows Insider team has announced that Insider testing will soon move more completely to the 20H1 branch of Windows development. Current (19H1) Fast Ring testers will be moved to a 20H1 fast ring, as will the current 20H1 Skip Ahead testers. This will create a single 20H1 Fast Ring, which would not be unusual if we weren’t skipping over 19H2. With Skip Ahead and Fast Ring testers soon to be on 20H1, and Slow and Release Preview testers on 19H1, there don’t appear to be any rings left for testing 19H2 builds. Windows Insider team member Brandon LeBlanc promises, however that all will soon be revealed:

We will begin releasing 19H2 bits to Insiders later this spring and will talk more about what that will look like in the near future.

So if you’re in 20H1 Skip Ahead, you’ll soon be joined by 19H1 Fast Ring testers in a new 20H1 Fast Ring. If you’d prefer to stay on 19H1, you’ll need to reset your Windows Insider settings (go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Settings) to either the Slow or Release Preview Rings. And if you’re just itching to test Windows 10 19H2 (which is shaping up to be the most uneventful new version in the history of Windows), you’ll have to wait a bit to see just where you’ll sit in the scheme of things.

One thing for certain, for a company that likes to toot its own transparency horn, this has been a very confusing couple of days.

Another App is Controlling Your Sound: How to Fix it

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

We all use multimedia apps on our PCs, but sometimes users can’t start their favorite multimedia apps due to Another app is controlling your sound error.

This can be a problem, and it can even cause issues such as Realtek sound not working on your PC. However, today we’re going to show you how to fix this issue.

Why does Can’t play, another app is controlling your sound message appear?

  • Certain third-party applications or services can cause this issue to appear.
  • The required Windows Audio services aren’t running.
  • Your audio settings are configured to allow applications to take control of your sound device.
  • Sounds settings aren’t configured properly, thus causing the error to appear.
  • In some rare cases a bad Windows update can cause this problem.

How do I fix Another app is controlling your sound error?

1. Pause MS Office Upload Center

  1. Open any Office application.
  2. Go to File > Account.
  3. Under Product Information click on Update Options > Update Now.
  4. If Office isn’t up to date,updates will be downloaded automatically.

Alternatively, you can also download Office updates right from Microsoft’s website.

2. End audiodg.exe

  1. Start Task Manager. To do that quickly, you can press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
  2. After Task Manager starts, go to Details tab.
  3. Now locate audiodg.exe, right click it and choose End Task from the menu.

3. Check if Windows Audio services are running

  1. Press Windows Key + R and enter services.msc. Press Enter or click OK.
  2. When Services window opens, you’ll see a list of all services. Now locate Windows Audio service and double click it to open its properties.
  3. Check the Startup type and Service status. If everything is in order, Startup type should be set to Automatic and Service status to Running. If not, set Startup type to Automatic and click the Start button to start the service. Now click Apply and OK to save changes.

After starting the Windows Audio service, the problem should be fixed. Few users claim that you can fix this problem simply by stopping the Windows Audio service and restarting it, so feel free to try that as well.

4. Disable your audio driver

  1. Open Device Manager. To do that quickly, just press Windows Key + X and choose Device Manager from the list.
  2. When Device Manager opens, look for your audio driver. It should be located in Sound, video and game controllers section. Once you find your driver, right click it and choose Disable device from the menu.
  3. You’ll get a warning message. Click on Yes to proceed.
  4. Now locate your audio driver once again, right click it and choose Enable device.

After doing that, the problem with your multimedia apps should be resolved. Keep in mind that this is just a workaround and you’ll have to repeat it every time this problem appears.

5. Watch an online video

  1. Connect to your Bluetooth device.
  2. Start Groove Music.
  3. Go to YouTube or any other video hosting site and watch any video.
  4. Stop the video playback and try to play music in Groove Music.
  5. Optional: If the error message appears, just play another YouTube video and then try to play audio in Groove Music.

This is a crude workaround, but it works according to users, so feel free to try it. If this error appears in other multimedia player instead of Groove Music, just follow this solution and use your preferred player instead of Groove Music.

6. Disable applications from taking over your audio

  1. Press Windows Key + S and enter sound. Choose Sound from the list of results.
  2. Locate your audio device, in our example it’s Speakers, right click it and choose Properties.
  3. Navigate to Advanced tab and uncheck Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device option. Now click on Apply and OK to save changes.
  4. After doing that, restart your PC.

Once your PC restarts, other applications won’t be able to take control over your audio device and the problem should be resolved.

7. Remove the problematic updates

  1. Open the Settings app. You can do that quickly by pressing Windows Key + I.
  2. When Settings app opens, navigate to Update & security section.
  3. Click on Update history.
  4. List of installed updates will appear. Memorize the recent updates and click on Uninstall updates.
  5. Installed Updates window will appear. To remove an update, you just have to double click it and follow the instructions on the screen. Few users claim that KB2962407 update caused the problem, so if you see this update on the list, be sure to uninstall it.

After removing the updates, check if the problem is resolved. If removing the updates fixed the issue, you need to prevent the problematic updates from installing again.

To do that, you’ll need to download Show or hide updates troubleshooter from Microsoft. The tool is simple to use, and you can use it to prevent the problematic update from being installed, so feel free to try it.

8. Restore default Sound settings

  1. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 from Solution 6.
  2. Navigate to Advanced tab and click on Restore Default button.
  3. Now click OK to save changes.

After doing that, your Sound settings will restore to default and the problem should be fixed.

Another app is controlling your sound error can prevent you from enjoying in multimedia on your PC. As you can see, this isn’t a serious error, and you should be able to fix it by using one of our solutions.

In case you’re having further problems, we have a great guide on how to fix no sound on Windows 11, so be sure to check it out.

Xbox One 1904 update will be available for Omega Insiders today

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

The Xbox One 1904 update will be available for Xbox Insiders on the Omega Ring today. This new system update is already available for Xbox Insiders on the Preview Alpha, Beta and Delta rings, and the Omega ring is pretty much the equivalent for the Release Preview Ring in the Windows Insider program. In other words, we’re probably just a couple of days from the public release.

The latest 1904 preview build for the Xbox One will be available to download for both Delta and Omega Insiders starting at 2PM PDT today. Here are the new features included in this update:

  • A new virtual mini keyboard
  • The ability to reprogram the OneGuide button on the Xbox Media Remote
  • A new Restart console button in the Power Center
  • Xbox Game Pass Quests are now accessible right from the dash
  • With Message Requests, Xbox Live messages from your contacts will be separated from messages sent by strangers
  • A new Suggested Uninstall feature will help you choose which games and apps to remove when you need to make space to install new content.

With this new system update heading to the Omega ring, it shouldn’t be long before Microsoft releases it for all Xbox One owners. This could happen as soon as next week, assuming Insiders don’t find any breaking bugs in this latest build.

Destiny 2 Error Codes: Here’s the Meaning & How to Fix Them

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Destiny 2 error codes can disrupt gameplay. They stem from various reasons, including:

  • Network Issues: Baboon, Weasel/Hawk, Anteater, Lettuce, Chicken
  • Server Problems
  • Account Issues
  • Platform Glitches
  • Client Problems

In this guide, we’ll look at each category, explain what the errors mean, and show you how to fix them so you can keep playing without trouble.

How can I fix frequent Destiny 2 error codes?

1. Network connectivity issues

1.1. Error Baboon

This error can be caused by packet loss or disconnections between your network and Bungie.

⚙️ To fix it, switch to a wired connection temporarily to rule out WiFi signal strength/stability. If it recurs, force quit Destiny 2 by doing the following based on your platform type:

Xbox 360:

  • Press the Guide button
  • Press Y button to go back to the dashboard

Xbox One:

  • Press Xbox button in the game/app
  • Check that the big app tile is highlighted
  • Press Menu button
  • Select Quit

1.2. Error Weasel/Hawk

Weasel usually indicates a connection issue, often related to packet loss or general connectivity problems between your console/PC and the Destiny 2 servers.

⚙️ To fix it, switch to a wired connection temporarily to rule out the connection as a possible culprit, then power cycle your console if you cannot launch Destiny 2 by holding the power button down for 5 to 10 seconds until it resets.

1.3. Error Lettuce and Anteater

Both errors suggest issues with the player’s network setup, internet connection, or connectivity between their device and the Destiny 2 servers.

⚙️To fix it, check if your internet connection is stable, switch to a wired connection, restart your router and ultimately contact your ISP.

1.4. Error Chicken

This happens when you’re accessing an older version of Destiny 2 after a new update has been made available. To fix it, update Destiny to the latest version by doing this on your console:

⚙️Here’s how you fix it:

Xbox One:

  • Power down your console till it turns off
  • Unplug it from the power outlet for five minutes
  • Plug it back in and relaunch Destiny 2. This forces it to check for and download updates
  • Launch Destiny 2 once the update has been downloaded and installed

1.5. Error Marionberry

This error indicates an issue with your networking setup when the network or parental control settings change either on the network or game console or after a WiFi blip.

It can also show when your router is connected but is in a bad state – faulty firmware or failing hardware. To fix Destiny error code Marionberry, reboot your router by doing the following:

  • Log out from Destiny 2
  • Turn off your console
  • Power cycle your router or modem by turning each off and wait 30 seconds before turning back on one at a time, starting with your modem
  • Turn on your console and relaunch Destiny once your network is back up

1.6. Error Centipede

This is a general networking error caused by loss of server connection.

⚙️ To solve it, switch to a wired connection, or get your NAT to an Open or Type 1 state.

1.7 Error Sheep

This happens when you try to join a fireteam in which a member hasn’t updated to the latest version of Destiny 2.

⚙️ To resolve it, close and restart Destiny to initiate the update.

Note: If the console fails to update Destiny automatically, update it manually. If all players are playing the latest Destiny version, try to resume the game and see if it helps.

1.8. Error Chive

Error Chive in Destiny 2 indicates network connectivity issues, causing instability with the game servers. Players may experience disconnections or lag during gameplay.

⚙️ Troubleshooting involves updating network drivers, ensuring a stable internet connection, and verifying game files.

If issues persist, contacting Bungie support or waiting for a fix in a future update may be necessary.

1.9. Error Broccoli

These errors mean that there’s an issue detecting the player’s GPU and are caused by a driver crash.

⚙️ To fix this, ensure your operating system and graphics card drivers are up to date with the latest version.

1.10. Error Honeydew

This happens if public access to an activity has been overridden manually by Bungie, especially if an issue has been found or an activity is taken offline before a Destiny 2 update.

⚙️ Check for any updates from Bungie’s official pages and sites.

2. Server-side issues

2.1. Error Cabbage

This may happen when your router’s settings block communications to or from Destiny 2 services

⚙️To fix this:

  • Connect your console directly to the router via wired or WiFi connection. You may encounter more issues if you try to connect to Destiny through a router connected to an alternate router. For best results, connect to the router connected to your modem
  • From the router settings page, go to Home > Toolbox > Firewall.
  • Create a new Firewall level within your Router settings. You can call it Destiny 2.
  • From the Router settings page, go to Home > Toolbox > Game & Application Sharingand configure the following settings: Enable UPnP, Disable “Extended Security”, and Disable any “Assigned Games & Applications” settings

2.2. Error Boar

If you get this error, you may lose connection to Xbox Live while downloading patches or loading content. Similarly, if you accidentally cancel the download, you can get the Boar error.

Or if your install comes to a halt, go to Active Downloads or Download Management window on your system and check the progress bar before you cancel the download.

Boar also comes up when using wireless connections, so you can try using a wired connection because losing it will stop the download with no option to resume. Otherwise, delete and restart the download process.

If you’re not downloading a patch or update, you may be having a service issue, which can mean limited or no connectivity to Xbox Live services that causes the error due to failure in loading the content.

Sometimes you can see Boar error in rare cases when there’s a region mismatch between your account and Destiny 2.

⚙️ To fix this:

  • Reinstall Destiny
  • Before launching the game, create a new account and ensure the region of your new account matches that of the game
  • Launch Destiny 2 to download the update
  • After you download it, sign out of your current account and back into the original account and launch Destiny 2

If you continue seeing Boar error, delete and re-install Destiny 2 on your console.

2.3. Error Turtle

If you’re seeing this error for the first time, try playing again and resume what you were doing before the error came up, otherwise exit and relaunch the game.

⚙️ If the error recurs, maintain a wired connection, check for packet loss, and clear the cache on your console. Some users have reported that logging into the network from a different device helps resolve the error.

2.4. Error Mulberry/Toad/Nightingale/Lime

This may arise due to network instability, leading to server connection issues.

⚙️ To fix it:

  • Retry playing or resume previous activity.
  • If error persists, exit and relaunch Destiny 2.
  • Check Bungie’s official channels for updates.

2.5. Error Oyster

Error Oyster in Destiny 2 occurs when content patches or updates fail to download.

⚙️ To fix it:

  • Power cycle network hardware.
  • Ensure a wired connection during downloads.
  • Try deleting and reinstalling the Destiny 2 app if issues persist.

3. Player account issues

3.1. Error Urchin

This error means you cannot launch Destiny 2 due to a restriction placed on your account.

⚙️ To fix this, choose a different activity or go to Destiny Account Restrictions and Banning Policies page.

Note: This error may appear to players trying to access The Reef, and have characters below level 20, yet only those with 20 or higher can access it.

4. Platform-specific issues

4.1. Beaver/Flatworm/Leopard

These errors are caused by failure to connect your console to another player’s console through the internet. This can be due to connection quality problems like packet loss, ISP saturation, or internet congestion, faulty wiring or Wi-Fi setups, and router/network configuration issues.

⚙️ To fix them:

  • Enabling UPnP on the router
  • Opening your NAT to reduce the frequency of the error
  • Switching to a wired connection from a WiFi connection

5. Gaming and matchmaking issues

5.1. Error Bee/Fly/Lion

These three errors are caused by general disconnection issues between you and the routes your traffic passes through the internet to connect to Bungie.

Such issues include packet loss, disconnections between your home network and Bungie like ISP saturation or internet congestion, and faulty connection setup or wiring.

⚙️ To fix it, avoid file sharing, streaming videos or other tasks that use up bandwidth on devices connected to your network, or console apps running in the background.

6. Client-side issues

6.1. Error Buffalo

This error happens to gamers who haven’t signed in with their platform account, the platform’s service is under maintenance, or the subscription has expired.

⚙️To fix it, sign in with the platform account, and renew subscriptions, otherwise maintenance has to be complete before you can play again.

6.2. Error Termite

⚙️ If you get this error, try resuming your game again or whatever you were doing before the error came up. If it recurs, exit Destiny 2 and relaunch the game.

You can also use Scan and Repair tool after which you can download and install the files at the end of the scan and repair process, then relaunch Destiny 2 and try again.

Note: you can also adjust your parental controls on your router to open up player-to-player connectivity. If it recurs, port forwarding and firewall exceptions can alleviate the error.

6.3. Error Tapir

Error Tapir usually occurs on gaming consoles.

⚙️ The quickest way to fix this is to restart your console. If the issue persists after rebooting your device, try to install the latest system and game updates. Hopefully, these two methods will fix the problem.

Wrap up

In case you are facing other issues like the Destiny 2 game stuck on the Initializing screen, first ensure you have a stable internet connection; read this guide to learn more about the solutions.

We also have a guide on Destiny 2 CAT error when no update is available, so don’t miss it for more solutions. We also covered Error code Porpoise in Destiny 2 in our latest guide, so don’t miss it.

Is there a Destiny 2 error code you’re experiencing that hasn’t been listed here? Let us know in the comments section below.

Skype group calls now support up to 50 users

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Following some testing with Skype Insiders, Skype is doubling today the maximum number of people in a group call from 25 to 50. The popular communication app is catching up with Facebook Messenger, which has been supporting up to 50 people in a call since a couple of years now.

“Every Skype group with up to 50 people now supports calling, whether you’re ringing just your best friend or 45 coworkers,” the Skype team announced today. You’ll need to install the latest version of Skype on your devices to enjoy this feature, though Microsoft notes in an FAQ that the maximum number of video streams for group video calls will depend on the platform and device.

The ability to call up to 50 people in Skype is pretty nice, but it’s worth noting that Microsoft also changed how group call notifications work to make them less disruptive. Instead of making all your devices ring, the Skype app will now send you a simple notification asking you to join the group call. “If the notification of starting a call is not enough, you can select individual members to ring, or if your group is less than 25 participants, you can ring the entire group,” the Skype team added.

Remastered Halo: Reach game should ship to select Halo Insiders on Xbox and PC later this month

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Halo: The Master Chief Collection will finally make its PC debut later this year, and developer 343 Industries had some exciting news to share with Halo Insiders in this week’s Community Update. The Halo: Reach remaster, which will be the first Halo game to ship in the PC version of Halo: MCC later this year is about to ship to select Halo Insiders on Xbox and PC very soon.

“If everything goes according to plan, we hope to flight Halo: Reach on both Xbox and PC with select players later this month”, wrote John Junyszek from the Community Team at 343 Industries. As Halo: Reach is a prequel to the 2001 game Halo: Combat Evolved, Reach currently appears right left to Halo: CE in the current internal builds of Halo: MCC.

Halo: Reach currently appears right left to Halo: CE in current internal builds of Halo: MCC.

There is still time to sign up for the Halo Insider Program if you want to be ready when 343 Industries starts flighting in MCC on Xbox One and PC. “Since the number of signups blew away our expectations, we simply cannot accomodate everyone,” explained Junyszek, adding that those who don’t get selected for the first flight may still get a seat on the next round.

“Our first flight does not represent a final (or even a beta) version of the game – we know there is plenty of work to do,” added Junyszek. If you’re a PC gamer, be aware that the first flight will happen on Steam instead of the Windows 10 Microsoft Store. Halo: MCC will ship on both platforms later this year, and both versions of the game will also use Xbox Live for cross-play multiplayer. It’s worth noting that the Steam version of Halo: MCC will support both Windows 10 and Windows 7, with Windows 8 “still being investigated.”

343 Industries shared more details about the PC version of Halo: MCC in a recent Reddit AMA session. All games in the collection will support uncapped FPS, FOV-sliders and 144hz+ refresh rates, but customization options could vary slighly by title. Mod support is also being worked on in collaboration with the modding community, and 343 Industries really seems to be committed to provide the best experience to PC gamers who have been waiting for years to see Halo: MCC finally land on Windows.

How to disable inactive window scrolling in Windows 10

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Windows 10 added a new convenience feature to make it easier to interact with background windows. Named Inactive Window Scrolling, it enables you to scroll the contents of inactive windows by hovering your cursor and using the scroll wheel.

Inactive window scrolling simplifies the Windows desktop experience and addresses a longstanding usability complaint. Previously, scrolling a background window required you to switch to it, perform the scroll, and switch back again, adding two cumbersome steps to your workflow.

Inactive window scrolling in Windows 10

Inactive window scrolling resolves this issue but isn’t necessarily for everyone – some users may find it confusing if they have difficulty tracking onscreen content or using a mouse precisely. Turning it off – or on, if it’s disabled and you want to use it – is a simple button click.

Open the Settings app (Win+I keyboard shortcut) and click the “Devices” category on the homepage. From the sidebar on the left, click or tap the “Mouse” page to view mouse settings.

Inactive window scrolling in Windows 10

At the bottom of the page, toggle the “Scroll inactive windows when I hover over them” option to “off” to disable the feature. Alternatively, turn it on to use inactive window scrolling.

If you turned the feature off, you’ll find background windows no longer respond to mouse wheel scroling – just like in Windows 8.1 and before. Conversely, if you enabled inactive window scrolling, you can now hover your mouse over a background window and use the mouse wheel to scroll its contents.

Here’s how to fix Something went wrong with your extensions error

Posted on by Tashreef Shareef

Microsoft Edge is a great browser, but many users reported Something went wrong with your extensions error message while using it. This can be an annoying issue, so today we’ll try to fix it.

What to do if Microsoft Edge extensions are not working?

  1. Update Windows 10
  2. Update Extensions
  3. Uninstall and Reinstall the Extensions
  4. Terminate, Repair and Reset Microsoft Edge
  5. Reinstall Microsoft Edge

1. Update Windows 10

Microsoft seems to have taken notice of the issue and released an update. However, if you are noticing the error in the recent version of Windows, check for any pending updates.

  1. Click on Start and then select Settings.
  2. Open Update and Security.
    something went wrong with your extensions windows update
  3. Click on Check for updates button. Windows will look for any pending updates and start the download.
  4. The update may take a few minutes to a few hours depending on the size of the update.
  5. After the updates are downloaded, restart your PC to install the updates.

Restart your PC and launch Microsoft Edge. The browser should work normally like before with all the extensions installed..

  • Also Read: 1Password Edge extension is now available on the Windows Store

2. Update Extensions

One way to fix Something went wrong with your extensions error is to keep your extensions up to date. To do that, open the Windows Store and search for the extension you want to update. Click on the Update button next to it install the new update.

3. Uninstall and Reinstall the Extensions

If you’re getting Something went wrong with your extensions error in Edge, try reinstalling the affected extensions.

  1. Launch Microsoft Edge and click on Settings and more.
    Edge Extension Settings
  2. Click on Extensions. Edge will display all installed extensions.
  3. Now select the problematic extension, and click on the Setting.
  4. Scroll down and click on the Uninstall button.Edge Extension Uninstall
  5. Click OK if prompted to confirm the removal of the extension.
  6. Close Edge browser.
  7. Open Windows Store and install the removed extension again.
  8. Open Edge and check if the error is resolved.

4. Terminate, Repair and Reset Microsoft Edge

The Edge browser comes with an option to repair and reset the browser. You can also terminate the browser process completely to perform a hard reset. This can sometimes help with the Something went wrong with your extensions so be sure to try it out by following these steps:

  1. Click on Start and select Settings.
  2. Open the Apps tab.
  3. Under Apps and Features, search for Edge.
    Edge Settings Advanced Options Something went wrong with your extension
  4. Click on Microsoft Edge and select Advanced options.
  5. Scroll down to Apps Permissions and check if the Account info option is turned on.
  6. Scroll down and click Terminate button.
    Reset - Terminate- Repair Microsoft Edge Something went wrong with your extension
  7. Under the Reset section, click on Repair and wait till you see a checkmark beside the Repair button.
  8. Launch Microsoft Edge and check if the browser is working normally without errors.
  9. If not, click on the Reset button in the earlier Apps window. Resetting the browser will delete all the app’s data, including preferences and sign-in details.
  10. Click on the Reset button once more.
  • Also Read: Hundreds of new Microsoft Edge add-ons will land this year

5. Reinstall Microsoft Edge

If the previous solution didn’t fix Something went wrong with your extensions error, you can try to uninstall the browser and reinstall it as a last resort.

  1. Close Microsoft Edge if it is running.
  2. Press Windows Key + R on your keyboard.
  3. In the Run dialogue box, type %LocalAppData% and hit Enter.
    LocalAppData Run Something went wrong with your extension
  4. In the File Explorer, click on the View tab at the top.
  5. From the top-right side, check the Hidden items option. This will show any hidden items in the folder.
  6. Now search for Packages folder and open it.
  7. Inside the Packages folder, look for a package named Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge_8wekyb3d8bbwe.
  8. You can simply copy the package name and paste in the search box to find it.
  9. Right-click on the package and select Delete.
    Delete Microsoft Edge package
  10. Windows will now scan for all the associated items in the package.
  11. When prompted, click on the  Yes button to delete the package.
  12. Click Yes once again for Do you want to permanently delete this folder? message. Click on Skip for any files that  Windows cannot delete.
  13. Restart your PC.

Reinstall Microsoft Edge 

  1. Launch PowerShell — Right-click on Start and select PowerShell (Admin).
    PowerShell User Profile Something went wrong with your extension
  2. In the PowerShell window, type the following command to navigate to your user account.
    • Cd C:\users\username
  3. In the above command change username with your account username.
    PowerShell Install Microsoft Edge Something went wrong with your extension
  4. Copy and paste the following command in PowerShell and hit Enter.
    • Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.MicrosoftEdge | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose}
  5. You should see a success message.

Restart your system once more, and you should have successfully reinstalled Microsoft Edge on your computer.

There you go, these are some methods that can help you fix Something went wrong with your extensions error, so be sure to try them out.

RELATED STORIES YOU MAY LIKE:

No 3D grass on FIFA18? Here’s how to fix the issue on PC

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

FIFA 18 has inherited a series of bugs from the previous game. Unfortunately, not all players can enjoy 3D grass even on ultra preset. The pitch
looks flat and carpet alike and this is very annoying.

Gamers really hoped that EA would fix this bug. The fact that the issue is still present actually kills a big part of the joy of the game.

Here’s how one user describes this problem:

“Well, we all know that problem started with FIFA17. […] I created a similar post last year for 17. Exactly it wasn’t like this. I just wanted you guys to fix this somehow. You told me IT’S GONNA BE FIXED with patches upcoming. It didn’t. And i accepted this for FIFA 17. I hoped that i won’t have that problem in FIFA 18. And i saw what… Same problem. I know you guys are not gonna fix it, won’t ever try to fix it”

It seems that the flat grass issue is not actually a problem, but rather a choice that EA made. 3D grass is simply not supported on a series of GPU cards. Surprisingly, 3D grass texture is available on a series of low-end GPUs.

How to fix 3D grass issue on FIFA 18

We’re sure that EA will eventually broaden 3D grass support. However, if you don’t want to wait until the company rolls out a patch, we’ve got a quick solution for you. Well, this solution works on the GTX 960M.  But you can try it on other GPUs at your own risk.

There a FIFA mod that enables 3D grass support on PC. All you need to do is download it on your PC, replace the “.ini” file in the patch folder with the one you downloaded and paste the .dll in the main FIFA folder. That’s it, you should be able to play football on 3D grass now.

You can download the FIFA 18 3D grass mod from ModdingWay. Let us know if this fix worked for you. Be aware that modding a game might lead to certain issues and/or limit certain features. We can’t guarantee whether this will work for you, but it’s worth a try.

FIFA-related articles that you should check out:

Posted in Fix

Fix: Outlook Contacts Missing after Windows 10/11 Upgrade

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

Windows 10 is becoming more and more popular among users. Month after month, statistics confirm that the number of Windows 10 users increases steadily, reaching 25% last month. With features like Cortana, a revamped start menu, and more, Windows 10 has become the favorite OS for many people.

The upgrade procedure is very easy to follow and, pretty much, works on its own. But sometimes, things can go wrong, and one can run into some very weird problems. One of these problems is losing contacts after upgrading to Windows 10.

After upgrading to Windows 10 from Windows 7 SP1, I have lost all emails, my calendar, and all contact lists.  I use these for my home business.  This is unacceptable.  I am not a computer guru but can find my way around.

How can I fix Outlook contacts missing after Windows upgrade?

In this post, we’ll tell you how to fix this issue and get your contacts back. Just follow the steps below, and you will get your contacts back in no time.

On the home screen of the Outlook page, there will be an arrow where you can click to see a dropdown which consists various other features like Mail, People, Calendar, OneDrive, and the rest of the Microsoft apps. You need to click on the one marked as People and there you can see all of your contacts.

If that’s not the case, here’s what you should do if you are using the Outlook application for Windows 10:

  1. Open the Outlook application for Windows 10.
  2. Click on Preferences.
  3. Click on General.
  4. Uncheck Hide on my computer folders. By doing this, there will be no hidden contacts.
  5. Restart Outlook application.

If you’re using Apple devices, you can easily sync iCloud contacts with Outlook and avoid this issue altogether.

What actually happens while upgrading to Windows 10?

When Windows Upgrades from Windows 8 or Windows 7 to Windows 10, it creates a folder called Windows.old which contains all the files used by the previous installation. The Windows.old files help to restore your system to the old version of Windows if you don’t like the new version.

It contains all the system files, installed programs, and each user account’s settings.

To recover the lost contacts and other data, go to C:Windows.oldUsersusernameAppDataLocalMicrosoftOutlook.

There you can find the data of Outlook and other personal data saved there. Usually, the data there is hidden, and you may have to configure Windows to display hidden files and folders. Here’s how you can display the hidden files :

  1. Right-click on the desired folder.
  2. Click on Properties.
  3. Clear the check mark on hidden and click on apply.

With that said, we can conclude this article. If you have any additional questions or suggestions, feel free to tell us in the comments section below.

Windows XP market share is going down for the first time in years

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

It seems like Microsoft is not yet ready to give up on Windows XP just yet. Many users are still using Windows XP even after it was retired back in 2014.

Last year was full of bumps for the operating system. The latest statistics shared by NetMarketShare show that more and more users are abandoning Windows XP.

Windows XP is hard to kill

Windows XP has been out of support for many years now. Many organizations are still relying on the good old OS exposing themselves and their customers to cyber threats. But things may soon change.

Last year in the month of May, Windows XP even managed to grab a market share of 5.04 percent. The fact that a retired operating system touched a 5 percent market share surprised everyone.

Moreover, in the month of September, the market share collapsed to 3.19 percent and increased again in December to touch 4.54 percent. 

But the market share of Windows XP has been declining since then. As a matter of fact, the lowest market share has been recorded in March this year.

Since its retirement in 2014, that market share turned out to be a game changer for the OS. In the next few months, Windows XP‘s market share is expected to continue its decline.

It’s time to upgrade

It is time to upgrade to the latest version of the operating system. The upgrade is important as the tech giant no longer provides software support and security updates on the platform.

Furthermore, users running outdated OS versions no longer receive third-party app support. The big M is no longer inventing time and energy into fixing the security vulnerabilities in Windows XP. All in all, sticking to Windows XP is a bad idea.

As a quick reminder, Windows 7 enjoyed an increase in its market share in 2019 just like Windows XP.

Microsoft recently announced the end of support deadline for Windows 7 operating system starting January 20. So, as you can see, Windows 10 is the only reliable upgrade option that you currently have.

RELATED ARTICLES YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT:

0xfffd0000 Error in Task Scheduler: 4 Ways to Fix it

Posted on by Tashreef Shareef

Task Scheduler is an incredibly useful tool, but many reported errors 0xfffd0000(-196608) while using it. In case you’re not familiar with this tool, we have a great guide on how to schedule tasks so be sure to check it out.

As for errors, they can prevent Windows from performing necessary options, so it’s crucial that you fix them, and this guide will show you the best ways to do that.

What is 0xFFFD0000?

  • This error code occurs when running scheduled tasks.
  • It appears if the paths in your task aren’t correct.
  • Incorrect task properties can also cause this issue.

How can I fix error 0xfffd0000 on Windows 10?

1. Check scheduled tasks properties

  1. Open Task Scheduler from the Cortana/Search bar.
  2. Under Task Scheduler Library, right-click on the task associated with the error and select Properties.
    Task Scheduler Properties error 0xfffd0000
  3. Open the Actions tab, select the Action and click on Edit.
    Task scheduler Actions tab error 0xfffd0000
  4. In the Edit Action window, under Program/script make sure the path to the program is typed correctly.
    Task Scheduler Edit Action error 0xfffd0000
  5. If not, click on the Browse button, navigate to the application directory and select the .exe file.
  6. For Windows PowerShell it would be set to the following path: C:\Windows\System32\WindowsPowerShell\v1.0\powershell.exe.
  7. In the Add arguments (optional) field, enter the desired arguments as well as the file path to be used. It should look like this.
    -file C:\users\username\scripts\samplescript.ps1
  8. In the above argument, change the following path to the actual scrip path: C:\users\username\scripts\samplescript.ps1
  9. Click OK to save the changes.

Wait for the Task Scheduler to execute the task and see if the 0xfffd0000 error is resolved.

2. Delete and re-create the Task

  1. Open Task Scheduler and click on Task Scheduler Library.
    Task Scheduler Properties
  2. Locate and right-click on the problematic task and select Delete.
  3. Click Yes for Do you want to delete this task message.
  4. Click on Action in the toolbar, and select Create Basic Task.
  5. Re-create the Powershell task and make sure you follow the instructions in the first solution to properly configure the task.
  6. Close the Task Scheduler window.

After recreating your task, the 0xfffd0000 error should be gone completely.

3. Check for file name change

  1. Check the file path used in the task.
  2. If the path to the file has changed, update it
  3. Once you update the path, check the task again.

Another reason for the error 0xfffd0000 can be incorrect file selection, so make sure your file paths are correct.

4. Change folder options

  1. Press Windows Key, type Folder Options and open File Explorer Options.
  2. Go to the View tab.
    File Explorer Options - Hide extension for known file types error 0xfffd0000
  3. Under Advanced settings Scroll down and locate Hide extensions for known files types.
  4. If the option is checked, uncheck the box and click Apply then OK to save the changes.

The 0xfffd0000 error while executing the PowerShell script mostly occurs due to an incorrect path or file name change. By following the solutions in this article, you can fix the error on your Windows 10 PC.

This isn’t the only error you can encounter, and we already covered what to do if Task Scheduler is not running on your PC.

Do let us know which of these solutions helped you fix the error in the comments below.