Fix: Clear.fi media not playing DVD in Windows 10/11, 7

The Clear.fix media is an extremely useful application for viewing DVDs. But what if you upgraded to Windows 8 or Windows 10 and this application suddenly stopped working? By reading this article below, you will find out how you can fix the clear.fi application in your Windows 8 or Windows 10 device.
clear.fi media not working in Windows 8 or WIndows 10
Usually, most Windows 8 or Windows 10 users are having issues with the Clear.fi application when they place a DVD in and the application will not open automatically. Often, they just get a black screen instead of the context menu within the Clear.fi application. Unfortunately, this isn’t as simple as a reboot of the Windows 8 or Windows 10 system but you can surely fix this by applying the steps below.

SOLVED: Clear fi won’t play DVD

1. Reinstall drivers and apps

  1. Left click or tap on the “Desktop” icon you have in the start screen of Windows 8 or Windows 10.
  2. Left click or tap on the “Start” button in the desktop feature.
  3. Left click on the “All Programs” feature in the start menu.
  4. In the “All programs” feature you will need to left click or tap on the “Acer” folder.
  5. Left click or tap on the “Acer eRecovery Management” feature.
  6. If you get a pop up window from UAC (user account controls) you will need to left click on the “Yes” button to allow access to this feature.
  7. Now you should have in front of you the “Acer eRecovery Management” window.
  8. On the left side of the window left click or tap on the “Restore” option.
  9. Now left click or tap on “Reinstall Drivers and Applications” button.
  10. Left click or tap on the “Content” feature.
  11. Now select the “Acer Clear.fi” application.
  12. After you selected the option above go to the right side of the window and left click or tap on “Install” button.
  13. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the installation.
  14. After the installation process is completed you will need to reboot your Windows 8 or Windows 10 device in order for the changes to take effect.
  15. After the restart you can try inserting a DVD and see if your Clear.fi applications is running correctly.

— RELATED: Windows 10 Can’t Play DVD or Blu-ray [Fix]

2. Use System Restore

  1. Press and hold the buttons “Windows” and “X”.
  2. After you release the buttons you will get a menu in which you will need to left click or tap on the “System” feature.
  3. In the new window that pops up you need to left click on the “System protection” situated in the left side of the window.
  4. Now you should left click on the “System restore” button.
    Note: running this feature in Windows 8 or Windows 10 means that your system will go back to how it was in a previous point in time. So be sure to save or write down all the apps you might of installed after that restore point.
  5. Follow the instructions on the screen and restore your system to a point where you know you did not have this clear.fi issue.
    Note: Basically you will need to restore your system before you updated your Clear.fi application.
  6. After the restore point is completed do not update the Clear.fi applications because you will run into the same issue again

3. Install a different DVD player

If the issue persists, install a different player. Check out our list of the best DVD player apps that you can use on your computer and install the one that best suits your needs.

Keep in mind that Clear.fi was originally designed for Windows 7 and installing in on another OS version may trigger various technical issues. As a result, it’s best to use an alternative DVD player tool.

Now you have a few quick methods on how to fix your Clear.fi applications and get your DVD’s working again on the Windows 8, Windows 10 device. If you have any other questions on this subject, let us know in the comments below.

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Fix: Laptop Freezes Completely After About 30 Seconds

Do you want to find out how you can fix your Windows 8, Windows 10 laptop if it freezes in 30 seconds after you start it?

After reading the guide below, you will learn what are the possible reasons as to why your laptop freezes, as well as what steps you need to take in order to fix your Windows 8, Windows 10 operating system.

If it is a hardware failure of the laptop that causes your Windows 8 or Windows 10 to freeze, then it is probably because a specific component is heating up above the normal parameters.

This means that you might need to take your laptop for a maintenance run in a specialized store. If this issue is caused by the Windows 8 or Windows 10 system you will be able to solve it by applying one of the methods listed below.

My laptop freezes after a few seconds. How do I fix it?

  1. Boot into Safe Mode
  2. Use a third-party specialized software
  3. Run the System Maintenance troubleshooter
  4. Run Microsoft’s Safety Scanner
  5. Run SFC scan
  6. Additional troubleshooting solutions

1. Boot into Safe Mode

You will need to boot into safe mode first and see if you have an application that uses a lot of memory from the Windows 8, 10 devices, therefore, causing the system to crash or freeze.

  1. Reboot your Windows 8 or Windows 10 device.
  2. While the operating system starts you need to press and hold the “Shift” button and keep pressing the “F8” key.
  3. You should get to a blue recovery window where you need to left click or tap on the “See advanced repair options” button.
  4. Left click or tap on the “Troubleshoot” button you have in the next screen.
  5. In the new “Troubleshoot” menu left click or tap on the “Advanced options”.error 0x80041006
  6. Left click or tap on the “Windows Startup Settings” feature.
  7. Left click or tap on the “Restart” button situated in the lower right side of this window.
  8. Now after the restart of the operating system is finished you should get to a black screen where you have the chance to choose “Safe mode”.
  9. After you have chosen the “Safe Mode” feature hit the “Enter” button on the keyboard.
  10. It will automatically log you to the “Safe mode” feature.
  11. Wait a few minutes and see if you’re Windows 8 or Windows 10 is freezing again.
  12. If the system runs normally then you will need to do a clean boot by following the next steps below.
  13. Move the mouse pointer to the upper right side of the screen.
  14. On the Charms bar you will need to left click or tap on the “Search” feature.
  15. In the search box you need to write “msconfig”.
  16. Left click or tap on the “msconfig” icon after the search is finished.
  17. Left click on the “Services” tab situated in the upper side of the window.
  18. Left click to check the box next to “Hide all Microsoft services”.hide all microsoft services
  19. Left click or tap on the “Disable all” button.
  20. Left click or tap on the “Startup” tab situated in the upper side of the window.
  21. Left click on the “Open Task Manager” feature.
  22. From the applications list you have in front of you left click on each application at a time and left click or tap on the “Disable” button.
  23. After you disabled them you need to close the “Task manager” window.
  24. Left click on the “OK” button in the “System Configuration” window in order to close this as well.
  25. Reboot the Windows 8 or Windows 10 device.
  26. After the restart of the system, check if you have the same freezing issue.
  27. If you do not then it means that one of the recent applications you have installed is causing these freezing issues.
    Note: You will need to enable them one at a time following the steps above and see which app is causing this. When you find the app you will need to either uninstall it or upgrade it to the latest version for your Windows 8 or Windows 10 system.

2. Use a third-party specialized software

Using a dedicated PC repair tool is one of the safest options. This type of utility simplifies and automates troubleshooting tasks, so you won’t have to worry about manually working with your system settings and risking generating even more errors.

We recommend repair software because it can assess and fix multiple PC problems, including an overused CPU, an unstable PC, or a faulty security system.

3. Run the System Maintenance troubleshooter

  1. Move the mouse pointer to the upper right side of the screen.
  2. Left-click on the “Search” feature.
  3. Write in the search box “Control Panel”.
  4. After the search is finished left click or tap on the “Control Panel” icon.
  5. Left-click or tap on the “Troubleshooting” feature you have in the control panel.
  6. Left-click or tap on the “View all” feature situated on the left side of the window.
  7. Left-click or tap on the “System Maintenance” icon.
  8. Left-click or tap on the “Next” button and follow the instructions you have on the screen to finish the troubleshooting process.
  9. After the troubleshooting process is finished start your Windows 8 or Windows 10 normally and check if it freezes again.

4. Run Microsoft’s Safety Scanner

  1. Left-click on the link below to download the “Microsoft Safety Scanner” application.
    Download here Microsoft Safety Scanner
  2. Install it and run it by following the instructions you have in the application.
  3. After you run this app you will need to reboot your system again and see if it freezes.
Note icon NOTE
If it’s working correctly after you tried this method you can go ahead and uninstall the “Microsoft Safety Scanner” app.

5. Run SFC scan

  1. Move the mouse pointer to the upper right side of the screen.
  2. Left-click or tap on the “Search” feature.
  3. Write in the search box “Command prompt”.
  4. Right-click on the “Command prompt” icon and select from there the “Run as administrator” option.
    Note: You might get a pop-up window asking you for the administrator account and password in which case you will need to type in there the required information.
  5. Write in the “Command prompt” window the following “sfc /scannow”.SFC scan
  6. Press the “Enter” button on the keyboard.
  7. You will need to wait a couple of minutes for the sfc scan to finish.
  8. After the scan is completed you need to reboot the Windows 8 device.
  9. Check after the reboot of the system if you still have this freezing issue.

6. Additional troubleshooting solutions

If the problem persists, here are a few additional workarounds that may help you fix the problem:

  • Disable overclocking software. Keep in mind that overclocking tools put a strain on your computer’s hardware and cause overheating issues which often lead to unexpected system freezes and crashes.
  • Uninstall recently installed apps and programs. If this problem occurred shortly after you downloaded and installed new tools on your machine, try uninstalling them and check if the problem persists.
  • Reinstall your graphics drivers. Boot into Safe Mode as previously explained, uninstall your graphics drivers and then re-install them. Restart your computer and check if the issue persists.

There you have a few methods on how to repair your laptop if it freezes after 30 seconds of run time in Windows 8 or Windows 10. If you found this article helpful or if you have any additional questions, use the comment section below to let us know.

FIX: MSDTC encountered an error (HR=0x80000171)

MSDTC encountered an error on your PC? Don’t not worry, we have got the right fixes for you. Some Windows users reported getting errors when they enable the WCF-Custom receive location. The error is usually displayed in this format: MSDTC encountered an error (HR=0x80000171) while attempting to establish a secure connection with system.

Microsoft’s Distributed Transaction Coordinator (MSDTC) enables you to control transactions coordination between resource managers and applications. Also, while MSDTC relies on the network topology of the underlying components, a transaction can span multiple DTCs throughout your network.

However, Network DTC Access must be enabled on all MS DTC instances that are participating in the transaction; this enables transactions to be coordinated across the network.

For example, if a remote computer attempts to update a SQL database by using MS DTC transaction while Network DTC is disabled, the transactions will fail; hence, the MSDTC encountered an error prompt. The Windows Report team has compiled the applicable solution for this error problem.

How to fix ‘MSDTC encountered an error’ alert

  1. Enable Network DTC Access
  2. Enable a firewall exception for MS DTC
  3. Exclude MSDTC in your antivirus settings
  4. Enable rule for PPTP

Solution 1: Enable Network DTC Access

One of the quick fixes for the error problem is to enable Network DTC Access for MS DTC transactions. You can do this in the component services. Follow these steps to enable network DTC Access:

  • Go to Start, type “dcomcnfg” without quotes, and then hit the Enter key.msdtc encountered an error
  • Expand the console tree to locate Local DTC (usually located in the component services tab)
  • On the Action menu, click Properties.
  • Click the Security tab and make the following changes:
  • In Security Settings, select the Network DTC Access check box.
  • In Transaction Manager Communication, select the ‘Allow Inbound’ and ‘Allow Outbound’ check boxes.
  • Click OK.
  • Restart the Distributed Transaction Coordinator service (MSDTC) afterwards.

However, if you still get the error after trying out this fix, you may proceed to the next solution.

Solution 2: Enable a firewall exception for MSDTC

Sometimes, MSDTC encountered an error prompt is caused by the Windows Firewall. Windows Firewall prevents MSDTC from running on your computer; this is due to its protective measures against external control.

However, you can bypass this ‘wall’ by enabling firewall exception for MSDTC. Here’s how to do this:

  • Go to Start > Type “Windows Firewall”, and select “allow an app through Windows Firewall“.msdtc encountered an error
  • Click on “Change Settings” optionsmsdtc encountered an error
  • Now, Click on “Allow another program”
  • On the Exceptions tab, select the ‘Distributed Transaction Coordinator’ check box.
  • Click OK.

Meanwhile, if you still get the error after trying out this fix, you may proceed to the next solution.

Solution 3: Exclude MSDTC in your antivirus settings

Also, hyperactive antivirus programs can block MSDTC on Windows 10; hence, resulting in MSDTC encountered an error prompt. The best workaround would be to exclude DTC from your antivirus protection settings.

Here’s how to do this in Windows Defender:

  • Launch Windows Defender Security Center
  • Now, go to Virus & Threat protection settingsmsdtc encountered an error
  • Select Exclusions
  • Click on ‘Add or remove exclusions’ option
  • Now, select ‘Add an exclusion’ and add DTC.
  • Restart your PC

— RELATED: FIX: Wi-Fi frequently disconnects in Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7

Solution 4: Enable rule for PPTP

Here’s how to do this:

  • Go to Start > Control Panelmsdtc encountered an error
  • Now, go to Windows Firewall > Select Advanced Settingsmsdtc encountered an error
  • Search for the ‘Routing and Remote Access “under Inbound Rules and Outbound Rules”.

For Inbound Rules: right-click “Routing and Remote Access (PPTP-In)”, select “Enable Rule”.  For Outbound Rules: right-click “Routing and Remote Access (PPTP-Out)”, select “Enable Rule”.

Conclusively, we suggest that you also check the MSDTC security settings dialog for details concerning MSDTC encountered an error (HR=0x80000171) prompt. Let us know how you were able to solve this error problem. Feel free to comment below.

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Trump’s immigration policies might force Microsoft to move jobs overseas

In a new interview with CNBC, Microsoft president Brad Smith discussed politics, the US and China trade war, and more. The most interesting part of the segment, though, revealed that Microsoft could be forced to potentially move jobs out of the United States due to the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

Like many other tech giants, Microsoft hires foreign workers for tech-related jobs, but the Trump administration’s tightening and cuts at some older immigration policies are cutting into talent acquisition. There are two policies which Smith pointed out specifically in his interview— an Obama administration rule which allows spouses of people with non-immigrant H-1B visas to work, and a rule which allows international students to work while applying for a visa. According to Smith, Microsoft doesn’t want to move jobs overseas but the changes in immigration policies leave them with no choice.

“We don’t want to move jobs out of the United States and we hope that we don’t see decision making in Washington that would force us to do that…We’re not going to cut people loose. We’re going to stand behind them…In the world of technology you better stand behind your people because your people are your most valuable asset.”

Smith further detailed that the tightening of and more changes to immigration policies could result in “hundreds of employees [losing] their ability to work in the United States.” He also added that the company has a development center in Vancouver which can be  “a bit of a safety valve”

He ended by saying Microsoft feels the need to stand up for immigration “where we feel our interests are at stake.” This was best seen when Microsoft lashed out at the Trump administration for the proposed end to DACA and then stood up for legislation to protect DACA recipients.

Play the Defiance 2050 video game for free on Xbox One today

The Defiance 2050 video game is finally available to play on Xbox One consoles in most regions beginning today. The game is a current-gen upgrade of the Xbox 360 Defiance title that features improved graphics and more in-game content for players to unlock. Here’s the full description and release trailer.

Join your friends and become an Ark Hunter in a massive cooperative online shooter like no other. Choose from an array of fully customizable weapons and classes, explore a unique futuristic open world, and engage in epic fast-paced third-person shooter combat.

  • Seek fame and fortune as an Ark Hunter in a compelling sci-fi narrative
  • Fight it out through fast-paced third-person shooter combat in a massive open world
  • Battle alien races alongside hundreds of other players in massive dynamic world events
  • Craft a perfect Ark Hunter via thousands of unique class, weapon, and upgrade combinations
  • Test your arsenal against other players in instanced battlegrounds and giant 64×64 open world battles
  • Join up as a 4-person squad and challenge punishing story driven instances
  • Race from battle to battle across a devastated Earth using dozens of futuristic vehicles

Defiance 2050 is free-to-play on Xbox One however players can buy special Class Packs which unlock classes, boosters, and outfits for characters.

Are you going to give Defiance 2050 a go? Let us know in the comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter for more Xbox video game news.

Defiance 2050
Defiance 2050
Developer:
Trion Worlds Inc.
Price:
Free

Surface Go vs Apple iPad: Which is better?

FCC documents highlighted that Microsoft was about to release a new Surface tablet. Now Microsoft has duly announced the Surface Go tablet on Windows Blogs. That is a successor to the Surface 3 tablet and Microsoft’s most economical Surface tablet to date.

Microsoft announced the Surface Go will be available for pre-order from July 10, 2018. The tablet will be more widely available from August 2. The tablet is retailing at $399.99, but that RRP increases with the inclusion of its Type Cover keyboard and stylus pen accessories. With a the keyboard and pen included, the Surface Go will be available at $597.

Surface Go specs

Microsoft has already revealed full specifications for the Surface Go. It includes an Intel Pentium Gold processor that clocks in at 1.6 Ghz. The tablet‘s storage ranges from 64 GB-256 GB. The Surface Go can include 4-8 GB RAM depending on configuration. The tablet‘s 10-inch display has a resolution amounting to 1,800 x 1,200.

The Surface Go includes front and rear cameras for photography with five and eight megapixel resolutions. The tablet also includes a microSD slot, which is a good addition for photographers. You can transfer your photos to the Surface Go directly from camera SD cards via the microSD slot.

A USB Type-C 3.1 port is another welcome addition to the Surface Go. That is the emerging industry standard port which boasts a much faster data transfer than USB 3.0. Most Surface laptops don’t include USB-C ports, and Microsoft has released a USB-C dongle for the Surface Pro. However, you won’t need a USB-C adapter for the Go tablet.

— RELATED: Microsoft’s low budget Surface tablet takes on Apple’s iPad

Head-on collision: The Surface Go vs the iPad

Microsoft is launching the Surface Go to take on the Apple iPad 9.7, which is the budget iPad. The Surface Go’s RAM and storage specifications certainly compare favorably with the iPad 9.7. The Go tablet can pack up to eight GB RAM compared with the iPad 9.7’s two GB. The 9.7’s maximum storage is 128 GB, while Surface Go users can upgrade to 256 GB storage.

There is not much difference between the tablets‘ batteries. Microsoft states that the Surface Go battery can last up to nine hours. Apple claims the iPad 97’s battery will last for 10 hours without recharge.

The Surface Go’s display is perhaps one weak spot. The iPad 9.7 boasts a 1,536 x 2,048 display resolution, which is a higher resolution than the Surface Go. Even the Surface 3 has a higher display resolution than the Go tablet. Note, however, that you can hook the Go tablet up with a 2K VDU (Visual Display Unit) via its Surface Connect port.

— RELATED: 5+ best iPhone & iPad emulators for Windows 10

A built-in kickstand is a handy addition to the Surface Go, which is another thing the iPad 9.7 does not include. That kickstand enables users to stand the tablet on surfaces, which is handy for video playback. The kickstand tilts the tablet at a 165 angle.

When it comes to RRP, however, the iPad 9.7 is the most economical tablet. The iPad 9.7 is retailing at $329, which is about $70 less than the Go. An additional Logitech keyboard and stylus pen increases the iPad 9.7’s price to $527.95, but it remains less expensive than the Go tablet.

So, the iPad 9.7 still remains the best value tablet. That might be a decisive factor in the 9.7’s favor when the Surface Go launches in August. Nevertheless, with a built-in kickstand, plenty of RAM, a USB-C port, microSD slot, greater storage and a touchpad keyboard, the Surface Go has enough in its armory to be a worthy alternative to the iPad 9.7.

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Microsoft fixes double zero-day security flaw in Windows 7

Microsoft fixed a security flaw that hit Windows 7 and was discovered together with ESET. The great thing is that according to the tech giant, there haven’t been any attacks thanks to the fast discovery and fix of the problem.

ESET helps Microsoft to fix Windows 7 security vulnerability

Matt Oh, Windows Defender ATP Research released a technical analysis of the vulnerability and pointed out that Microsoft teamed up with ESET and Adobe to fix two different zero-day exploits in a PDF which was believed to pack an unknown Windows kernel flaw.

Although the PDF sample was found in VirusTotal, we have not observed actual attacks perpetrated using these exploits. The exploit was in early development stage, given the fact that the PDF itself did not deliver a malicious payload and appeared to be proof-of-concept (PoC) code.

The notes also say that finding this vulnerability before an attacker got a chance to use it was a great effort of the collaboration between Microsoft and ESET.

The analysis details that one exploit affected Adobe Acrobat Reader and the other one hit Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008. The first flaw targeted Adobe JavaScript engine, and the other was aiming at Windows.

Update your OS now

The same recommendation that Microsoft has been offering users is also appropriate now: update your older operating system in order to benefit from the latest security updates and always remain protected.

If you have to delay upgrading your OS, it’s recommended that IT admins disable JavaScript in Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader until the updates are eventually installed. They are also advised to double-check their PDFs for malware just to make sure that no exploits are targeting the network systems. You can read the complete details on the exploit on Microsoft’s support page.

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New in Insider Preview Build 17713— web sign-in to Windows 10, Inking plus Notepad updates, and more

It’s time for a mid-week treat, as Microsoft today released Windows build 17713. This build is a big one, as it comes packed with plenty of cool new features, like Web Sign-in to Windows 10, Remote Desktop with Biometrics, and more. Here’s what you need to know before installing on your PC.

Generally speaking, this builds adds some improvements to Edge, including per-side media autoplay, look up definitions in Books, and some polish for the PDF reader. In addition, the build improves on Notepad, adding in enhancements for wrap-around, find and replace, zooming, and more. You’ll also find this build adds a new faster sign in on shared PCs, and Inking updates so the embedded handwriting will now be the default experience for text entry with a pen in modern applications.

On the bigger business side of things, Microsoft also made is so Azure Active Directory and Active Directory users using Windows Hello for Business can use biometrics to authenticate to a remote desktop session. Finally, Microsoft has added support for Web Sign-in to Windows 10 on Azure AD Joined PCs, and also improved on Windows Defender Application Guard. See below for more on each of these features.

Edge Improvements

  • You can now control autoplay permissions on a per-site basis under the “Website permission” section of the Website Identification pane – just click the information icon or lock icon on the left side of the address bar and click “manage permissions” to get started.
  • We’ve added a new dictionary function, so you can look up definitions for key words when reading a page or document. Simply select a single word to see the definition appear above your selection.
  • You can choose to have a word read aloud to you to hear the correct pronunciation or expand more details from the definition. You can toggle whether definitions appear and which types of content they work in under the “General” tab of the Microsoft Edge settings menu.
  • The toolbar available on a PDF document opened in Microsoft Edge will now show text descriptions for the icons to make them easily understandable. by the users. New options like “Add notes” are now available in the toolbar so that these tools are handy when you need them.
  • The toolbar can now be pinned at the top of the document, making all the PDF tools easily accessible if you need them. You can also unpin the toolbar for an immersive reading experience. If the toolbar is unpinned, it will hide itself – just hover over the top area to bring it back.
  • We’ve included a bunch of rendering performance fixes with this build. Now you will see less and less of the white pages when you navigate through PDF files in Microsoft Edge.

Notepad

  • Wrap-around find/replace: We’ve made significant improvement to the find/replace experience in Notepad. We added the option to do wrap-around find/replace to the find dialog and Notepad will now remember previously entered values and the state of checkboxes and automatically populate them the next time you open the find dialog. Additionally, when you have text selected and open the find dialog we will automatically populate the search field with the selected text.
  • We’ve added options to make it quick and easy to zoom text in Notepad. There is a new menu option under View > Zoom to change the zoom level and we display the current zoom level in the status bar. You can also use Ctrl + Plus, Ctrl + Minus and Ctrl + MouseWheel to zoom in and out and use Ctrl + 0 to restore the zoom level to the default.
  • A long outstanding request has been to add the ability to display line and column numbers when word-wrap is enabled. This is now possible in Notepad and we’ve made the status bar visible by default. You can still turn the status bar off in the View menu.
  • We’ve improved the performance when opening large files in Notepad.
  • Notepad now supports Ctrl + Backspace to delete the previous word.
  • Arrow keys now correctly unselect text first and then move the cursor.
  • When saving a file in Notepad, the line and column number no longer reset to 1.
  • Notepad now correctly displays lines that don’t fit entirely on the screen.

Faster sign-in to a Windows 10 shared PC

  • Do you have shared PCs deployed in your work place? Do you wish that signing in to a PC with your account was faster? Starting with this build, we are introducing “Fast Sign-in,” which enables users to sign in to a shared Windows 10 PC in a flash!
  • To enable Fast Sign in,
    a)Set up a shared or guest PC with Windows 10
    b)Set the following policy to enable Fast Sign in (Policy CSP/Authentication/EnableFastFirstSignIn)
    c)With the policy enabled, sign-in to a shared PC with your account and notice the difference!

Inking Updates

  • We introduced the embedded handwriting panel with the April 2018 Update, and after taking some time to refine the experience based on your feedback, in RS5 the embedded handwriting will now be the default experience for text entry with a pen in modern applications. Just tap a text area, like a search box, and it will expand to give you a comfortable area in which to write.

Windows Defender Application Guard Improvements

  • Windows Defender Application Guard introduced a new user interface inside Windows Security in this release. Standalone users can now install and configure their Windows Defender Application Guard settings in Windows Security without needing to change Registry key settings. Additionally, users who are managed by enterprise policies will be able to check their settings to see what their administrators have configured for their machines to better understand the behavior of Windows Defender Application Guard. This new UI aims to improve the overall experience for users to manage and check their Windows Defender Application Guard settings. As long as devices meet the minimum requirements, these settings will appear in Windows Security.

Web Sign-in to Windows 10

  • Until now, Windows logon only supported the use of identities federated to ADFS or other providers that support the WS-Fed protocol. We are introducing “Web Sign-in,” a new way of signing into your Windows PC. Web Sign-in enables Windows logon support for non-ADFS federated providers (e.g. SAML).
  • To try out Web Sign-in: Azure AD Join your Windows 10 PC. (Note: Web Sign-in is only supported on Azure AD Joined PCs).  Set the following policy to enable Web Sign-in (Policy CSP/Authentication/EnableWebSignIn) On the lock screen, select Web Sign-in under Sign-in options. Click on the “Sign in” button to continue.

As you can tell, there is a lot to play with in this build, especially if you’re a business user. Fire up those VM’s and Insider PCs now and get downloading. Once you’ve updated, let us know how the build is running for you by dropping us a comment in the section below.

With Windows 10 Insider build 17713, Microsoft resets Skip Ahead – here’s what you need to know

Microsoft has just released the latest RS5 build, 17713, and with it comes a significant change for some Windows Insiders. Since the release of the Windows 10 April 2018 Update, the Insider Fast and Skip Ahead rings have been on parallel tracks, but as of today, just like with earlier versions (RS3 and RS4), Fast Ring and Skip Ahead will diverge.

If you’re currently on the Fast Ring, you’ll continue to receive Insider builds, although they have been renamed slightly, to “RS5_Release.”

For Insiders on the Skip Ahead Ring, things are a bit different than previous iterations. This time, Microsoft is doing a complete reset of the Skip Ahead program:

Insiders who previously opted in to Skip Ahead will be automatically put back into the Fast ring. The option to join Skip Ahead will disappear from the dropdown under Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program. In the coming weeks, we will make an announcement that we have re-opened Skip Ahead for Insiders to opt-in. If you were previously in Skip Ahead, you will need to opt-in again.

What the reset does is clear the decks and the Skip Ahead program will start fresh “in the coming weeks,” with all Insiders having to opt-in to the program all over again. This will allow some Insiders who were left out of the Skip Ahead program to gain access, but it may and probably will leave some previous Skip Ahead testers out in the cold. We’ll keep you informed on when the new Skip Ahead opt-in option becomes available, but if you want to get the latest bits, you’re going to have to be on your toes.

 

Two USB adapters for Surface Go will launch August 2nd, too

Microsoft’s upcoming Surface Go features a single USB C port, so if you’re looking to connect your older accessories to the new device come August 2nd, you’ll need a dongle. Luckily, Microsoft is planning on launching two new USB C adapters for the Surface Go, including a new Surface-branded USB C to Ethernet adapter (via Windows Central.)

Both adapters are expensive for their purposes, but they come with the Microsoft Surface branding. Anyway, the first adapter allows you to convert USB C to USB A for connecting mouse, keyboard, and USB flash drives. Microsoft’s second USB C adapter, meanwhile, turns your USB C port to an Ethernet port, and also has a USB A port (pictured in the featured image above)

The USB C to USB A adapter is available for pre-order at BestBuy for $19.99, and the USB C to Ethernet is also available for pre-order for $54.99. Microsoft has yet to announce either of these, but it interesting to see the company embrace the adapter lifestyle, especially after launching a Surface Connect to USB C adapter earlier in this month.

Lenovo’s Windows 10 on ARM powered Miix 630 is now available

If you’ve been on the hunt for an Always Connected PC (also known as Windows 10 on ARM) device, you’ve likely already seen or considered the ASUS NovaGo or the HP Envy x2. Well, several months after being announced at CES 2018, Lenovo’s Miix 630 Always Connected PC is now also available for purchase.

Coming in at $899.99, the Lenovo device is somewhat more expensive than the $699 ASUS NovaGo but much cheaper than the $999 HP Envy X2. For the price, you’re getting 4GB of RAM, a 12.3” FHD+ (1920 x 1280) IPS multi-touch display, and the Lenovo Active Pen and Keyboard included. Of course, you’re also getting the security of Windows 10 S, and the convenience of the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 for 20 hours of battery life, and 4G LTE connectivity.

The release of this device comes just a few weeks after Microsoft promoted the Always Connected PC on Amazon’s main page. Qualcomm also recently published YouTube spots which highlight the benefits of Always Connected PCs, so you might want to check those our if you’re on the fence about getting one of these devices.

Dead Cells’ Xbox One release date announced, pre-orders open

The video game, Dead Cells, has officially been confirmed to be coming to the Xbox One on August 7th this year and digital pre-orders for it are now live.

The game is a 2D platformer with a huge emphasis on exploration, numerous skill and weapon combinations, and nonlinear progression. Here’s the official game description and announcement trailer.

Dead Cells puts you in control of a failed alchemic experiment trying to figure out what’s happening on a sprawling, ever-changing and seemingly cursed Island. Tough but fair combat, responsive controls, challenging foes, permadeath and of course, the emergency panic roll to get you out of trouble, make for a demanding, visceral and cathartic action game. Experience a Roguevania, mixing an interconnected world, branching paths and unlockable skills with the constant adrenaline-pumping threat of permadeath. No checkpoints. You either vanquish the final boss in one go, or you try again. However, you keep some of your progress for successive runs; new paths you’ve unlocked, access to new levels, mutations, abilities and weapons.

Speaking of weapons, Dead Cells features a plethora of ways to slay your enemies. A large variety of swords, bows and of course spells, but also whips, grenades and turrets, each one with its own unique twist. Plus, mutations and scrolls allow you to build and customize your character differently with each and every run. At the end of the day though, it’s YOUR skills as a player that matter most! Roguelites are about constantly sharpening your skills, until what was an insurmountable obstacle becomes a walk in the park. Patience, you’ll get better!… eventually.

Dead Cells has a rather large loyal following after being available to play on Steam since early-2017 so it should be interesting to see if its popularity transfers over to the console launch.

Are you excited to play Dead Cells on your Xbox One? Let us know in the comments below and then like us on Facebook for more Xbox video game news.

Dead Cells
Dead Cells
Developer:
Motion Twin
Price:
Free

Shining Resonance Refrain is a new 4K JRPG video game on Xbox One

Shining Resonance Refrain now available to play on Microsoft’s Xbox One consoles. The game is a Japanese roleplaying game (JRPG) that’s actually a re-release of the Japan-only original with new features and character options. Shining Resonance Refrain is also Xbox One X Enhanced and will play in 4K resolution when played on that console.

Here’s the full game description and trailer.

Play as Yuma Ilvern and stop the Empire from exploiting the power of the ancient dragons, including the soul of the Shining Dragon within you. With the help of your friends, realize your destiny, save Astoria, and unleash the strength you’ve always had locked away.

In the original game, previously released only in Japan, Imperial Princess Excella was an unplayable character, but in the new “Refrain Mode” in Shining Resonance Refrain, both she and Dragonslayer Jinas can be added as party members for a new experience – just be sure to save this for your second playthrough to avoid any spoilers!

Dragons were long thought to be extinct, and because Yuma holds the ability to transform into the Shining Dragon, he was taken as a captive of the Empire. With the help of the Dragoneers, Sonia, princess of Astoria, pleads with Yuma to aid them in their fight to save their land from the Empire’s dominion. Typically timid, will Yuma find the courage to realize the strength he has within him?

Do you enjoy playing JRPGs on your Xbox One? Share your favorites with the community in the comments below and then make sure to follow us on Pinterest for more Xbox video game content.

Shining Resonance Refrain
Shining Resonance Refrain
Developer:
SEGA
Price:
$5.99

Rocket League comes to Xbox Game Pass

Rocket League, the popular vehicular soccer game that has grown to become an eSport phenomenon is joining Xbox Games Pass today. Microsoft announced the big news during the monthly Inside Xbox livestream, and this is exactly the type of games Xbox Games Pass needs to attract more subscribers.

In addition to Rocket League, the strategy simulation game Bomber Crew is also joining Xbox Games Pass today on its day of release. Then on July 13, the action-adventure title Warhammer Vermintide: 2 will also be added to the catalog when it launches on Xbox One.

Overall, July saw 10 games joining Xbox Games Pass, including Bethesda classics such as Fallout 3 and The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion plus more recent games such as Abzu or Dirt 4. We hope to see more popular games like Rocket League being added in the future, including Microsoft’s own properties such as Minecraft or Forza Horizon 3.

Twitter Won’t Open: How to Fix it for Good

Since Twitter, Inc. discontinued the support for the UWP version of the Windows 10 app and traded it for a similar global model (Progressive Web App), some issues emerged. Basically, for many users, Twitter won’t open.

We’re still talking about a small number of affected users, as the Twitter app is the wrapper for the web-based version, and it’s usually working fine. However, others cannot open the Twitter app and access their feed. Keep reading to find out all about it!

Why is the Twitter app not opening on Windows?

Here are a few reasons the Twitter app is not working:

  • Misconfigured app settings: A common reason behind the problem is when the app settings start to conflict with the system, and, as a result, the Twitter app keeps crashing.
  • Corrupt app cache: In many cases, users found that it was a corrupt cache to blame for the issue.
  • Issues with the network: For some users, a configured VPN, firewall, or similar security software prevented Twitter from running in Windows.

What can I do if the Twitter app won’t start?

Before we start with the complex solutions, here are a few quick tricks:

  • Restart the computer.
  • Disable the VPN and any third-party antivirus installed on the PC.
  • Make sure your Windows firewall is not blocking the app.
  • Check the network connection and verify that you have a high Internet speed.

If none work, move to the solutions listed next.

1. Run the app troubleshooter

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Choose Update & Security.
  3. Select Troubleshoot from the left pane.
  4. Scroll to the bottom and expand the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter.
  5. Click on the Run the troubleshooter button.windows 10 twitter app won't open

As we’ve said, the troubleshooting steps are fairly limited regarding Windows-native apps. There’s a dedicated built-in troubleshooting tool for dealing with problems in Microsoft Store. And it covers all apps downloaded from the Store, both pre-installed and third-party.

Upon running, this tool should check for possible errors and resolve them. And hopefully, it will fix things when Twitter won’t open.

2. Reset app settings

  1. Right-click Start and open Settings.
  2. Choose Apps.
  3. Under the Apps & features section, search for Twitter and click to highlight it.
  4. Click Advanced options.windows 10 twitter app won't open
  5. Click Reset.windows 10 twitter app won't open

Firstly, like any other UWP app, including the pre-installed ones, you can reset all stored cache and settings. By doing so, there’s a good chance you’ll fix the bug. If it’s the bug we’re looking at, and that’s the reason why Twitter for Windows 10 won’t open.

3. Reinstall the Twitter app

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Choose Apps.
  3. Search for Twitter in the right pane and expand it.
  4. Click Uninstall.windows 10 twitter app won't open
  5. Navigate to the Microsoft Store page for Twitter and re-download the app for Windows.windows 10 twitter app won't open

Sometimes, it’s hard to explain why an app from the Windows ecosystem won’t function as it should. Even though Twitter for Windows 10 is just a mere PWA wrapper (albeit with a slight visual redesign), we can’t say why it works for some and can’t be accessed for others.

It should be just a new browser-like window with the Twitter feed (what PWA is). Seemingly, that’s not the case. And the next obvious step in addressing this particular problem is reinstallation.

4. Use Twitter alternatives for the time being

Ultimately, we recommend alternatives to the official app if Twitter still won’t open and you lack other troubleshooting actions. Some might advise resetting Microsoft Store in the PowerShell command line, but it seems that causes even more significant problems. So stay out of it.

There are various alternatives (some better and some worse), and we suggest trying them out. Hopefully, you won’t give up and stick with the in-browser Twitter version.

Some of the best-rated ones are:

They are wrappers rather than full-on UWP apps, but that’s sadly the state of Microsoft Store, and the availability of competitive alternatives is what it is. We hope this was a helpful read and that you found the solution (or workaround) for your problem.

Power users who want a richer multi column experience can switch to TweetDeck and follow this guide on how to use TweetDeck to manage their X feed from any browser.

If you regularly get too many interactions, your app might also be overwhelmed with the number of requests so consider making your Twitter account private until things cool down.

And if you regularly download apps, find out how to speed up downloads from the Microsoft Store.

Don’t forget to share with us how the troubleshooting goes or provide additional helpful information. You can do so in the comments section below.

Wallpapers Now Windows 8, 10 App Brings Daily HD Quality

Microsoft Store is filled with plenty of wallpaper apps, so it becomes really hard to decide which one to download and install on your Windows 10, 8.1 device and which one to skip. Today we’ve picked Wallpapers Now and we think you won’t regret getting it.

Wallpapers Now for Windows 10, 8.1 is one app that has received plenty of positive reviews and has a very good rating of 4.4 from almost 70 votes. The reason why so many are pleased with it is the fact that it features HD quality images that are a pleasure to enjoy, especially on your Windows 10 tablet, if you have one. But the app looks just as great on any other Windows 10, 8.1 desktop device, too.

windows 8 wallpapers app

Enjoy awesome HD wallpapers on your Windows 10 tablet

*Such wallpapers!* Get HD wallpapers straight to your desktop daily! This app features lots of categories compiled into one great ever changing list. Simple to use, these wallpapers are great for your desktop, laptop, and slate machines! … This application pulls all the awesome wallpapers from reddit, so it does require an internet connection to use!

wallpaper app windows 8The Wallpapers Now Windows 10 application is available for download at the price of $1,99 and what’s really cool is that there are no ads, whatsoever, as the developer has decided not to put ads, since he “enjoys building this stuff”. Well, that’s really great for the users, in the end. There are new HD wallpapers being added on a daily basis and saving them to your own system is really simple. You will find all of them in the Pictures library. There are also comments for certain pics and you can share your awe and inspiration, as well.

[UPDATE] Since Wallpapers Now is a Windows 10 Platform App, your device must be updated to the latest version of Windows for the best performance. You can search for your favorite wallpapers and enjoy the HD quality images. The variety of wallpapers are updated every day and the subject matter is awesome.

If you are interested in finding more high rated wallpapers apps, check out the following articles:

Microsoft introduces new Sport White Special Edition Xbox Wireless Controller

Xbox One controller options are almost limitless these days as Microsoft is always coming up with new colors and themes. In the latest addition, the Redmond giant is now introducing a new Sport White Special Edition Xbox Wireless Controller.

The controller has mint accents, grey, and silver patterns and a grey rubberized diamond grip on the back. It is set for release on July 31st at the Microsoft Store and participating retailers in the United States and Canada.

To pair up with the controller, Microsoft is also planning on selling a matching officially-licensed Xbox Pro Charging Stand. This accessory is $49.99 and comes in the same colors as the controller, a battery cover, rechargeable battery, and 6-foot power cord.

Microsoft says the new Sport White Special Edition Xbox Wireless Controller is different since it is “Inspired by trends in athletics and sports lifestyle.” Interestingly, the Controller does the same grip design as the Combat Tech Special Edition but in a new white base color. You can check out the other Xbox Wireless controllers by clicking here.

Action RPGs Overlord I and II are now backward compatible on Xbox One

Overlord I and II, two action role-playing games released on the Xbox 360 between 2007 and 2009 are now backward compatible on the Xbox One. These follow the addition of Assassin’s Creed Liberation HD and Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter to the list earlier this month.

For those unfamiliar, the Overlord series of video games let you play as a mysterious warrior named, you guessed it, the Overlord. The game is set in a fantasy universe and you’ll have to defeat your enemies by commanding legions of small creatures called “Minions.”

If you’re a fan of the genre, the first game and its sequel are available for $9.99 each on the Microsoft Store. You can check the latest additions to the Xbox One backward compatibility list on Major Nelson’s website.

Microsoft To-Do starts testing new “important” category for your most urgent tasks

After Microsoft recently added a dark theme option to the Windows 10 version of Microsoft To-Do, the company has now started testing a new star feature that lets you add select tasks to an “Important” category. This new option is now live for Windows Insiders in the Fast and Skip Ahead rings, who can now download the version 1.35.1807.6002 of the app

After installing the update, you’ll see that the “Important” section appears right below “My Day” on the left panel of the app. To mark a task as important, you just click the star icon that is now visible when you open any of your tasks.

This new feature will hopefully help To-Do users keep up with their most important activities, even though it’s already possible to set reminders, due dates, or just adding your priority tasks to “My Day.” If you’re not a Windows Insider or using To-Do on another platform, you should get this new starring option over the coming weeks.

Naruto Shippuden Season 1 is now free on Xbox One and Windows 10

As part of the Microsoft Store’s Anime Month promotional campaign, the entire first season of the popular Naruto Shippuden anime series has been made completely free.

The discount on the first season will run for eight more days but anyone who claims it before the end date will get to keep it for life and can watch it whenever they like. The first season of the Dragon Ball Super anime series was also given away for free earlier this month.

Movies and series purchased in the Microsoft Store can be viewed on Windows 10 PCs, Windows 10 Mobile smartphones, and Xbox One consoles as long as the same Microsoft account is being used on each device. Xbox One users can stream purchased content while those on PC and mobile can also download media for viewing when offline.

Have you purchased anything from the Microsoft Store this month? Let us know in the comments below and then follow us on Twitter for more Microsoft news.

FIX: We need your help to finish adding a feature

Are you getting the ‘We need your help to finish adding a feature’ pop-up? There’s no need to panic! Windows Report will you to fix the error.

The error is reported to occur after upgrading to Windows 10 or installing a new Windows 10 version. The reason for this error is related to Windows 10 installation and its auto optional feature. Hence, we have the put together the best workarounds to fix this error problem.

How to fix ‘We need your help to finish adding a feature’ alert

  1. Turn off optional feature
  2. Perform SFC and DISM check
  3. Run System Restore in safe mode
  4. Roll back Windows
  5. Reset Windows Updates components
  6. Perform an in-place upgrade

Solution 1: Turn off optional feature

You can use the turn-off optional feature in control panel. Here’s how to do this:

  • Press the Windows + X, and F keys on keyboard to open “Programs and features” window
  • On the left pane of Programs and Features, click on Turn Windows Features on or off menu.we need your help to finish adding a feature
  • In Windows Features window, check (On) or clear (Off) the feature you want.
  • Once you are done, click “OK” to apply this change, and then restart your PC.

Alternatively, you can uninstall optional features using “Settings” on your Windows 10 PC, here’s how to do this:

  • Press the Windows key, type ‘settings’, and then hit enter
  • In the settings window, click ‘system’.
  • On “App & Feature tab, click the ‘manage optional features’ menu.
  • Select the feature you want, and you’ll see a button to either uninstall or manage; this redirects you to the settings page where the feature is located.

However, if the ‘we need your help to finish adding a feature’ error message still occurs, you may proceed to the solution.

Solution 2: Perform SFC and DISM check

Sometimes we need your help to finish adding a feature error message that can appear due to corrupt system files. If that’s the case, we recommend performing an SFC scan and repairing your files. To do that, you need to follow these steps:

  • Press Windows+Q and type cmd.
  • From the search results, right-click Command Prompt and choose “Run as Administrator”.we need your help to finish adding a feature
  • A new cmd window appears. Type sfc /scannow and hit the ‘Enter’ key.we need your help to finish adding a feature
  • Wait until scan and repair process is finished.

Due to malware infections, some of the system files can get corrupted or quarantined. For that reason, DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) can be used to scan and resolve this issue by repairing broken files.

Here’s how to run DISM in Windows:

  1. Press Windows key + X and run Command Prompt (Admin).
  2. Copy and paste the following command on the command line:
    1. exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealthwe need your help to finish adding a feature
  3. In case the DISM can’t obtain files online, try using your installation USB or DVD. Insert media and type following command:
    1. exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:C:RepairSourceWindows /LimitAccess
  4. Be sure to replace ”C:RepairSourceWindows” path of your DVD or USB.

Make sure that you replace the repair source path with your own. Alternatively, we strongly suggest you specialized PC repairing tools to detect the system issues responsible for this recurring error message.

Solution 3: Run System Restore in safe mode

Safe mode is a diagnostics mode in Windows that starts your PC in a basic state, with only basic files and drivers running. However, you can restore your system to a state before you started experiencing the error problem. Here’s how to do this:

  1. Shut down your PC and turn it on again.
  2. Navigate to the “Run in Safe Mode” option and hit “Enter”.
  3. Go to Start > Type “system restore” and then hit “Enter”.
  4. Follow the prompts to revert back to a certain restore point.
  5. Wait for the process to complete, and then reboot.

Note: identify the restore point date before the error message display. Also, System restore does not affect any of your files, documents, and personal data.

Solution 4: Roll back Windows

Sometimes, a recent upgrade from Windows 7/8/8.1 to Windows 10 might cause the error problem. Hence, you may consider downgrading your Windows OS back to its previous OS.

Also, you have to run your PC in “Safe Mode” in order to downgrade so as to make the process easier. Here is how to do this:

  • Go to Start > type ‘settings’ > launch Settings.
  • Go to the Update & Security menu.we need your help to finish adding a feature
  • Select the Recovery tab.
  • Click the button “Get started under the option Go back to Windows 7/8/8.1.
  • Follow the prompts to finish the downgrade processes.

Note: An intact Windows.old file (stored in C:Windows.old) is the important precondition for the downgrade.

Solution 5: Reset Windows Updates components

Disclaimer: this solution contains steps that are part of modifying the registry. Please note that serious problems may occur if you do this incorrectly. Hence, follow these steps correctly, and carefully.

So, you should back up the registry before you modify it; this enables you to restore the registry in case a problem occurs.

Here’s how to manually reset the Windows Updates Components:

  1. Right click Start
  2. Select Command Prompt (Admin)we need your help to finish adding a feature
  3. Click Yes when asked for permissions
  4. Stop the BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer, and Windows Update Services by typing the following commands at a command prompt:
  • net stop wuauserv
  • net stop cryptSvc
  • net stop bits
  • net stop msiserver

(Press Enter after each command you type)

  1. Rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 folder by typing the commands below in the Command Prompt then press Enter after each command you type:
  • Ren C:WindowssoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old
  • Ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old
  1. Restart the BITS, Cryptographic, MSI Installer, and Windows Update Services by typing the following commands in Command prompt:
  • net stop wuauserv
  • net stop cryptSvc
  • net stop bits
  • net stop msiserver
  1. Type Exit in the Command Prompt to close it

After trying out the steps above, you can run Windows Updates, and then follow the prompts to complete Windows Update process.

Meanwhile, some Windows users reported getting “Access Denied” prompts when trying the step above. Here’s what to do if your access is denied:

  • Log in first as administrator or use administrator user account
  • Stop the windows Update service and try to rename SoftwareDistribution folder
  • Right click Start
  • Select Run
  • Type services.msc and press OK or enter
  • Scroll down and locate Windows Update service
  • Right click and select Properties
  • Stop the service
  • Follow the steps again to reset Windows Update Components

After you complete the process, go to “Services” window again, now start the Windows Update service, and then restart the computer.

Note: We highly recommend that you check the “Give me updates” menu for other Microsoft products when using the Windows update option. Windows Updates downloads and installs updates required to run Windows efficiently.

Solution 6: Perform an in-place upgrade

Microsoft constantly releases patches that fix a plethora of Windows issues. So, you might want to consider updating your Windows 10 PC by performing an in-place upgrade. Meanwhile, an in-place upgrade will force Windows 10 to update to the latest version. To do that, do the following:

  • Download Media Creation Tool and run it on your PC.
  • Select Upgrade this PC now.
  • Wait while the application prepares your system.
  • Now select Download and install updates (recommended) and click Next.
  • Follow the instructions on the screen until you get to Ready to install screen. Now select Change what to keep.
  • Select “Keep personal files and apps” and click Next.
  • Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.

Once the process is finished, you’ll have the latest version of Windows installed, and all your files and apps will be preserved.

That should wrap it up. We need your help to finish adding a feature error that should be resolved if you followed any of these workarounds carefully. In case you have some questions or additional workarounds, please be sure to inform us in the comments section.

Windows 10 build 17711 bugs: Slow CPU, browser errors and app issues

Many Windows 10 Insiders who tested the latest build release over the weekend confirmed that Windows 10 build 17711 is affected by a series of bugs that include install problems, computer slowdown issues, browser errors and more.

Well, if you’re planning to install the latest Windows 10 build on your computer, read this post to learn what are the most common issues affecting this build. Maybe you’ll change your mind and wait for the next build.

Windows 10 build 17711 bugs

1. Install won’t complete

Some Insiders are still trying to download Windows 10 build 17711 but the install process often fails with an error code or simply gets stuck.

It downloads and tries to install until it reaches 24% and then it stops and starts all over again. It has down this continuously for over 24 hours.

2. Slow CPU

If your computer is slower than usual, maybe you should uninstall this build. Many users complained about their machines running very slowly after getting the latest Insider build.

I have just upgraded to Build 17711 and have noticed system is running very slow. I check task manager and it shows two cores and four logical processors. I have and INTEL quad chip and it should show four cores eight logical processors.

As a quick workaround, navigate to System Configuration(msconfig), click on Boot, go to Advanced options and uncheck Number of processors and Maximum memory, as shown in the screenshot below.

disable Number of processors maximum memory

3. Edge won’t work

Microsoft Edge is unavailable for many Insiders, whereas other browsers work just fine. Apparently, enabling IPv6 may help you solve the problem.

I updated to build 17711 last night before bed. I woke up this morning and tried to connect to the internet through Microsoft Edge but, as the title suggests, I could not connect. I am able to connect through Chrome […]

4. Microsoft Store is unresponsive

Other Insiders reported that the Microsoft Store app is completely unresponsive and nothing happens when they try to launch it.

Today I updated to build 17711, but Microsoft Store does NOT work properly! It runs and displays the windows as last, but by clicking right-top … to pull down “update and downloading” it does not show anything! Other pull down menu items also does NOT work. I confirmed this on my 2 PCs.

There you go, there are the most frequently reported Windows 10 build 17711 issues. If you already installed this build version on your computer, tell us more about your experience in the comments below.

 

[Updated] Microsoft Surface Twitter account teases ‘what’s next?’ Suggests July 10 date for possible Surface Go

Earlier today we noted on a new rumor which indicated that Microsoft’s 10-inch Surface devices could be launching this week. Though that was based on a Reddit posting, the official Microsoft Surface Twitter now looks to be tossing its own chum in the rumor infested waters as well. Spotted by Richard Hay, a new tweet from that account now teases a July 10 release date for next possible Surface.

Again, nothing here is officially being claimed by Microsoft from this latest tweet. However, similar to Apple teasers, there is a small detail that might hold a bit of confirmation if you look a little deeper beyond “where will Surface go next.” Indeed, the screens on the devices in the Tweet all have a date and time for this week— July 10th, at 6:00 AM PT.

This time falls perfectly in line with the news cycle that Microsoft usually makes big announcements. The date also falls within this same week as this morning’s Reddit posting also suggested.

Curiously, a tweet from a well-known iOS programmer, Steven Troughton-Smith dug even deeper and suggested that the new Surface could be called “Surface Go.” He actually first mentioned this well over a month ago and hinted that Microsoft held a private embargoed event for the device, telling his followers to “come back in a few weeks.”

Microsoft usually holds large hardware events for new Surface devices, but as of recent, the company has had a bit of a different tactic. Both the Surface Book 2 and Surface Hub 2 were announced in 6:00 AM blog posts and not at dedicated events. We might as well expect another blog post style type announcement within the week, so best to keep tuned for more. There are definitely exciting times ahead.

Latest Xbox One 1810 preview build will factory refresh your console to fix bugs with apps and games

Microsoft has started testing the latest Xbox One system update with members of the Xbox One Preview Alpha Skip Ahead Ring this month, and unfortunately, the preview build released last Thursday caused some issues with apps and games failing to launch. Brad Rossetti, Manager of the Xbox Preview Program explained yesterday that these issues result from the core OS being “corrupted” following this latest update.

As it appeared, the only way to fix these issues is to do an OS refresh, and this is exactly what the latest Xbox One preview build released yesterday will do to your console. This factory refresh build won’t touch your apps, games and cloud saves, but you’ll have re-add your Xbox Live profile and log in to all your media apps all over again.

After identifying and fixing this critical issue, the Xbox team is still hard at to work to fix another issue with various headsets and mics not working properly with the latest 1810 preview builds. The company detailed a workaround in yesterday’s release notes, and Rossetti added that the team needs a little more time to release a fix.

Microsoft opens up a flagship store in Taiwan, the 9th in Asia

Tech fans in Taiwan now have one more place to go when choosing Surface, Xbox, or anything Microsoft. As noted by Taiwan News, Microsoft recently opened up a new flagship store in Taiwan, the ninth in the Asia region (via MSPoweruser.)

The new store originally opened up on July 6th in the Xinyi District of Taiwan and becomes the 14th flagship Microsoft Store worldwide. According to Chang Chia-hao, a Senior Product Marketing Associate for Microsoft Store, the Xinyi District store also reflects Microsoft’s specific targeting of the Taiwan market.

It is definitely nice to see Microsoft expanding its retail presence worldwide, especially at a time when Surface devices are becoming ever so more popular and common in public places.

Lenovo X380 Yoga: A compact, versatile, Windows 2-in-1 that’ll get your job done right

If you’re a professional or a student that is always on the go, you likely won’t want to lug around a heavy laptop to and from work or school. Enter the X380 Yoga, a compact little device that is designed for those who want the flexibility of a 2-in-1, but also the feel of a traditional ThinkPad laptop. I’ve been spending the last 3 weeks with this device, and here’s more on my overall experience.

Specs and Pricing

Our review unit is powered by Windows 10 Pro, and an 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8650U processor clocked at 1.9 GHz. It comes with a total of 8GB DDR4 2400 MHz RAM and a 512GB PCI-E NVMe SSD. The model we have is available from Lenovo for $1,223, but you can customize to your liking. Other specs which will come up throughout this review can be seen in the photo below.

Specs on the X380, from Lenovo

Build and Design

As with all ThinkPads, the Yoga X380 is made of a black colored carbon fiber hybrid material. It’s 12 MIL-STD 810G graded and looks very simplistic— two things that are very important to me when traveling with an expensive device on the go. Of course, you’ll also find Lenovo’s patented 360-degree hinges, which work perfectly and are strong enough to switch the device into its four different modes. And, coming in at about 3 pounds and 12.3 x 8.8 x 0.7 inches, the X380 Yoga manages to keep a compact small footprint.

That classic ThinkPad Logo

Display

At 13.3 inches and 1920 x 1080 FHD resolution, the display on the X380 is bright and vivid enough for any task. You can expect a total of 308 nits of brightness on this unit, which is the standard on most devices in this price range. This meant that when in laptop mode, I didn’t need to keep the brightness high and a medium to low setting was just enough for my needs.

Multi-tasking worked surprisingly well, as I was able to head into the display settings and tune down the scaling for more room for my windows. For my web-based writing work, the brightness also meant text on web pages and images were crisp and clear when rendering. I can see this working well for those who spend time in spreadsheets and word docs, as the screen is pretty easy on the eyes.

Using the X380 for work

I also used the device in tent mode to watch Disney Pixar’s Cars 3 in FHD. The reds in Lightning McQueen’s paint job were especially bright, and the colors from the other cars on the track popped right out. Though I mainly used the X380 for work, I did enjoy the fun when using it for multi-media too.

Ports

Lenovo includes a ton of ports on the X380 for ultimate versatility with your accessories. You’ll find both modern ports and classic ports for your older accessories too. This is something that has always made me love the ThinkPad Lineup, and I am glad to see the trend continue.

On the right side of the device, you’ll find the power button followed by the slot for the Integrated ThinkPad Pen Pro (more on that later.) There is then the headphone jack, the Micro-SD Card Slot with an option for a SIM, USB 3.0 Port, an HDMI port, and the Kensington Lock.

I liked the option for the Micro-SD card, as these make for a nice way to double up on the included storage without breaking the bank. I also appreciated the HDMI port, since I didn’t have to go out and buy dongles just to connect to my monitor. I think these are again two very important things for road warriors who are always on the go.

The right side of the X380

Anyway, on the left side, things are a little less busy. We have Lenovo’s proprietary power port, followed by a USB C Thunderbolt 3 port, and the Mini-Ethernet RJ45 port. Lenovo even throws in another Always-On USB 3.0 port. There’s also extra peace of mind since Lenovo protects the port with Anti-Fry technology for when poorly designed USB-C products draw or give too much power.

At the end of the day, you’re seeing a mix of modern and traditional ports here, so you won’t have to worry about your accessories not working with the X380. You’re also getting Thunderbolt 3, which is the USB C that does it all.

The left side of the X380

Keyboard and Touchpad

Reminiscent of my ThinkPad X200 from way back, the keys on the X380  have a spongey soft touch when mashed down into the chassis. I really liked this feel as it provides some comfort for my fingertips when writing long-form articles.

Another feature that I liked on the X380 keyboard is what Lenovo is calling a Lift n Lock technology. This means that when you rotate the device into each of the non-laptop modes, the keyboard bed will retract into the chassis and lock in place, disabling the keyboard. Again, this versatile feature provided a comfortable feel for when I used the device in the 2-in-1 modes. I didn’t have to worry about my fingers jamming on buttons when in tabet, tent, or stand modes.

As for the buttonless touchpad, it’s otherwise very standard. It is coated in mylar and comes in at about  3.5 x 2.1-inches, which is more than enough room for Windows 10’s touchpad gestures. Lenovo also throws in the TrackPoint nub, which proved a little useful for me when I wanted some more precision clicking. It’s just OK, and there isn’t anything fancy about it.

The Keyboard in Lift n Lock mode

Pen

Included onboard the X380 Yoga is the Thinkpad Pen Pro. This pen slots into the right side of the device and comes with a total of 2,048 levels of pressure sensitivity. That might be half the sensitivity of the Surface Pen, but I really didn’t see the difference on my end.

I honestly never really used the pen very much outside my testing period, but I preferred the convenience of knowing the pen is always there over anything else. When I did use the pen, it was smooth and easy. Access to the two side buttons was tough, but the pen itself easily dragged across the screen with minimal friction. This made drawing easy and nothing held me back between my strokes in Fresh Paint when in tablet mode.

Inking on the X380

Lenovo tells me that a 15-minute charge in the pen slot will allow for up to 100 minutes of use. There’s also a firmware algorithm onboard the X380 Yoga which improves palm rejection. I tested this for myself, and I saw about 4 hours of pen time before it stopped responding on the screen.

Security

The X380 Yoga has options for a Windows Hello Camera, but our unit comes with a fingerprint reader instead. Just as with all other Lenovo laptops, it is speedy and quick. It instantly IDed my finger when I on the Windows 10 lock screen, like an iPhone and many other of my devices. Lenovo also lists that some units come with Intel’s VPro technology, but that wasn’t on board our device.

Fingerprint reader

Performance

I’m not the kind of reviewer that will bore you with full-on tech specs in the terms of performance. I instead put my review units through my own daily real-world testing. That said, the X380 Yoga easily handled all my usual tests, like editing photos and working with 15+ tabs open in Edge. You can take my word for it, or check out the standard Geekbench 4 scoring. The 8th Gen Kaby Lake R processors really make a difference here and give more room for processing power. You can see this in the scoring below in comparison to other Lenovo review units from 2018.

Lenovo X380 Yoga

ThinkPad L580

ThinkPad X1 Carbon 6th Gen

Nothing slows this unit down, but the fans will kick in easily if you stress it out too much. That’ll also heat the device up, particularly in the corners right where my hands usually rest. It’s just one small fault in an otherwise perfect bit of performance.

Using the X380

Battery Life

As with all devices that come equipped with a touchscreen, you can’t expect all-day battery life. In my daily usage of the X380, I got anywhere from 5-6 hours of battery. That’s only with web browsing and some slight multi-media usage, so I’m assuming this is what most people would expect in the real world. But with the device supporting Rapid Charge tech with 80% of charge in 1.2 hours, you’ll get a charge real quick.

The battery life on the X380

Conclusion

Putting everything into perspective, The X380 Yoga is an all-around solid device. Though it is obviously priced a bit high, you’re getting a versatile device that feels just like a traditional laptop. The specs are well up to date, and performance is solid. The display is very bright and vivid, and the Thinkpad Pen Pro is easy to stow away and use. It is like you’re getting four devices in one, and with some solid battery life. You can buy the X380 Yoga from Lenovo here, with prices starting at $1,223, going up all the way to $2015.10.

Windows 10 news recap: low-cost Surface device could be nearing launch, long-awaited Andromeda device OS components removed from RS5, and more

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

Microsoft’s upcoming low cost Surface clears FCC, could be nearing launch

A new Surface device in the budget segment could be on the way, as the device is seen to have passed FCC clearance and could be nearing launch.

Long awaited Andromeda folding device could be shelved as OS components get cut from RS5

Surface Phones’ fans could be waiting a bit longer for Microsoft’s next move into the mobile sector, if any move at all, as the company has removed components from Redstone 5 of Windows 10 for its Andromeda project, and could be shelving the project altogether.

Microsoft Andromeda Surface Phone Concept

Internet download exploit can’t attack Microsoft Edge users

Users of Microsoft Edge are not vulnerable to the “download bomb” exploit that has come back to haunt Google Chrome. The exploit involves a malicious webpage sending multiple file downloads to the browser in order to freeze it and lock the browser session to a specific page.

microsoft, edge

Official Uber app updates to PWA on Windows 10 Mobile & PC

The Uber app for Windows 10 and Windows 10 Mobile has been updated, removing its native app entirely and opting for a Progressive Web App (PWA) instead. It offers basic functionality while being fast to load.

uberlogoimage

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

The new Xbox Elite Controller v2 aka Spider will land this year

The new Elite Controller popped up for the very first time back in January on the Chinese website Baidu. Sliding back on the memory lane, Microsoft revealed the Xbox Elite Controller during E3 2015, and the tech giant has released a few limited edition Elite controllers since then. Now, Redmond seems to have big plans involving the launch of the Elite controller’s successor soon.

The Elite Controller was designed for all types of gamers

new xbox one controller v2

Microsoft designed the Elite Controller to allow gamers to customize their Joysticks and D-Pads according to their needs and they were able to add extra triggers as well.

The controller also supported configurable button mapping. Microsoft relied on user feedback to improve the initial controller.

Spider’s rumored features

Rumors say that Spider which is the codename for the upcoming controller will come with three-stage hair trigger lock which would allow gamers to adjust the amount of trigger depression more compared to the original version on the controller.

Another rumored feature is tension control for joysticks which would allow gamers to control the tension of the joystick’s movement and also adjust the amount of resistance while pushing the sticks. Another configuration profile might be included as well and the new Xbox Elite Controller might also bring USB Type-C connectivity along with PC connectivity via Bluetooth. These were all missing from the original version of the controller.

A MagSafe port could also be added to Spider, and built-in batteries would be included as well. The new device might also pack a proprietary charge dock for fast-charging.

Apart from all these features, there are also lots of patents that Microsoft has already files that might provide a clearer picture of what we can expect. Some of these detail fully customizable and removable triggers.

Pricing and availability

The Spider controller might launch by the end of the year, and the pricing will probably be similar to the original controller, around $150.

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FIX: Computer shutdown issues in Windows 10/11, 7

Sometimes, when you first install your Windows 10 operating system, or Windows 7, Windows 8.1 for that matter, you might experience some shutdown problems. When you select the reboot feature on your system and your device is shutting down instead. Or perhaps when you select the shutdown feature or the sleep mode, you PC will just reboot instead of shutting down or entering sleep mode.

The shutdown problems in Windows 10, Windows 8.1 usually come along side the Hybrid Shutdown feature introduced first in Windows 8 systems and also in Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 systems. This feature is meant to decrease your device’s start-up time but unfortunately when you have shutdown problems in most of the cases it is caused by this feature. You don’t have to worry because we will show you below how you can disable the “Hybrid Shutdown” feature and fix your Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 operating system.

How to fix PC shutdown problems in Windows 10, 7

  1. Disable Fast Startup
  2. Disable dynamic tick
  3. Reset your power plan
  4. Additional solutions to fix computer shutdown issues

1. Disable Fast Startup

Note: The steps to follow may be a bit different depending on your OS version, but you can quickly locate the ‘Turn on Fast Startup’ option in Control Panel.

  1. Move the mouse cursor over the upper right side of the screen in order to open the Charms bar menu.
  2. Left click or tap on the search feature presented there.
  3. Type in the search box the following text “power” without the quotes.
  4. Left click or tap on the “Settings” feature presented after the power search.
  5. Left click or tap on the “Change what the power buttons do” feature presented in the left side of the window.Change what the power buttons do
  6. Now you should have in front of you the “System Settings” window.
  7. You will have to go all the way to the end of the list presented in the right side of the “System Settings” window.
  8. Find the feature “Turn on fast startup (recommended)” and uncheck the box next to it in order to disable this feature.
    Note: If this option is not available and you cannot check or uncheck the box next to it then you will have to go in that list all the way to the top and left click on the “Change settings that are currently unavailable” link in order to activate this feature.Change settings that are currently unavailable
  9. Reboot the Windows 8.1 or the Windows 10 operating system.
  10. Try shutting down your device and see if it reacts differently. If you still have issues with the shutdown feature after this then do the next method posted below.

2. Disable dynamic tick

  1. Press and hold the button “Windows” and the button “X”.
  2. After you opened up the menu you will have to left click on the “Command Prompt as Administrator” to open it.
  3. In the command prompt window you will need to write the following line “bcdedit /set disabledynamictick yes” without the quotes.
    Note: Be sure to type the command exactly how it is written above and include a space between the line “bcdedit /set disabledynamictick” and the “yes” word.
  4. Press the “Enter” button on the keyboard.
  5. Reboot the Windows 8.1 or the Windows 10 device and see if you still have this issue.

3. Reset your power plan

If you’re using a customized power plan, try resetting it to default:

  1. Open Control Panel and go to Power Options
  2. Locate your current power plan > select Change plan settings
    Laptop won't sleep
  3. Navigate to Change advanced power settings
    Laptop won't shutdown or restart
  4. Select Restore plan defaults > hit Apply and OK
    Laptop won't shutdown keeps restarting

4. Additional solutions to fix computer shutdown issues

If the issue persists, try installing the latest Windows OS updates, as well as the latest driver versions. In order to prevent PC damage by installing the wrong driver versions,  we strongly recommend using specialized software.

The best practice for your system to work properly is to update all your outdated drivers, and that is a tedious process. Thus, with this tool, you can do it automatically.

Shutdown button not showing

You can also run a shutdown command to turn off your computer. Go ahead and press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog and then enter %SystemRoot%System32Shutdown.exe -s -t 00 -f and hit Enter to launch the command. Your computer should shutdown shortly after you hit Enter.

So, the methods listed above should help you fix your computer shutdown issues in Windows 10, 8.1 so that you can carry on your normal activity on your Windows device. If you have any questions on this topic, please let us know in the comment section below.

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Change Windows Camera Save Location: How to do it

If you have ever used the Camera app on your PC, you probably wondered how to change the Windows Camera save location.

We have a great guide on Windows 10 Camera save location that will answer some of your questions.

If you aren’t pleased with the current save location, be sure to keep reading to learn how to change it.

What is the Camera Roll folder in Windows 10?

Camera Roll directory is the default directory for all images created by the Camera app. The location of this folder is the following: C:\Users\your_username\Pictures\Camera Roll

Now that you know the default location, let’s see how we can change it.

You can learn more about saving new photos directly to the Camera Roll folder by following this guide on saving pictures to Camera Roll in Windows, which explains how the Camera app stores images and how to ensure every shot is saved correctly.

How can I change the Windows Camera save location?

1. Change the storage drive of Camera Roll

  1. Click the Start button and select Settings.
  2. Choose System and then go to Storage.
  3. Click on the Change where new content is saved hyperlink.
    windows 10 camera app changes save location
  4. Expand the New photos and videos will save to section and choose the preferred drive.
    windows 10 camera app changes save location

In our case, since we have two HDD partitions (system and data partitions), we can choose between one of them. If you make changes, the system will recreate the whole directory path in the alternative partition.

So, the original location will be mirrored to an alternative partition or external drive. Creating redundant folder tree in the process.

However, this only specifies the drive where you save the images, not the actual folder. It will still be the Camera Roll folder but on another drive.

Some users notice the Camera Roll folder missing from the Pictures directory. Learn how to restore it with a simple Camera Roll recovery guide.

You can also explore how to remove Camera Roll and Saved Pictures folders when you want more control over these directories by checking remove Camera Roll and Saved Pictures folders guide.

2. Change the folder location of the camera photos from the Registry

  1. Press the Windows + R keys to start Run console.
  2. Type regedit and press Enter or click OK.
  3. Now, navigate to the following location in Regedit: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
  4. Double-click My Pictures and change the path of the folder you want to store the images to the one you want to use. We have changed it to D:\Test.
  5. Now, when you take a picture with Windows Camera, it will be automatically stored in the new folder D:Test\Camera Roll. Yes, the Camera Roll folder is created automatically.

In case you’re having problems, we also have a great guide on what to do if Camera app is not working, so we encourage you to visit it.

Finally, if you have any issues with the procedure, give us a shout in the comments. We’ll be glad to provide additional information.

How to Remove Bing Search Bar in Windows 10

Windows 10 comes with a built-in Bing search bar. Since most users don’t need or use this feature, here are a few solutions for disabling or removing it for good in Windows 10 operating systems.

When you search for something on your Windows 10 PC, laptop, or other device, this Bing search bar feature will usually automatically start the search on the Internet.

Even if you don’t have it on your Windows device, you might find it on the Internet. So, this is a useful feature, but only for users who really need it.

How can I disable Bing Search in Windows 10?

1. Turn off the option Get search suggestions and web results from Bing

  1. For users who have a touch screen device on Windows 10, you will need to swipe from the right side of the screen to the center to open the charms bar.
    Note: For users who have a PC or laptop you need to press and hold the button “Windows” and the button “C” on the keyboard.
  2. Left click or tap on the “Settings” icon presented in the “Charms” bar.
  3. Left click or tap on the “Change PC settings” feature presented in the “Settings” window.
  4. Now in the “Change PC settings” menu you will have to search for “Search & apps” and left click or tap on it.
  5. You will have to find in the “Search and apps” menu the “Get search suggestions and web results from Bing” feature and toggle the switch to disable it.
    Note: Set the switch to “Off” state.disable bing search bar in Windows 8 and Windows 10
  6. Reboot the Windows 10 device and your Bing search bar should be disabled.

2. Disable Bing Search bar on the Windows 10 Start menu

On Windows 10, you can remove the Bing Search bar by following these steps:

  1. Go to Start > type ‘cortana’ in the search bar > select  Cortana & Search settings
  2. Turn off the option where Cortana can give you suggestions, reminders, and alerts
  3. Now, toggle off the Search online option in order to exclude web results.
remove cortana search bar windows 10 start menu

Well this is it, we hope you have managed to disable the Bing search bar in Windows 10 in just a few minutes. You will see that every time you search for something, the Search feature will access only your Windows device and won’t display Internet search results.

How do I get rid of Bing?

If you want to remove Bing search from your browser, go to Settings and locate the option Manage search engines or something similar. Then, simply replace Bing with another search engine, confirm your choice and that should be it.

We also have a great guide on how to remove app search bar from Outlook, so don’t miss it.

If you have any questions on this topic, please comment below, and we’ll try to answer them as soon as possible.

How to keep using old Skype versions on Windows 10, 8, 7

You might be content of using older versions of Skype in your Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10 operating systems for several reasons.

The fact of the matter is that Microsoft won’t provide any support for older versions of this application.

But don’t worry and continue reading this guide to learn how to use older Skype versions even on Windows 8, Window 10 or Windows 7.

Normally, Windows won’t allow you to install a Skype version older than Skype 6.13.

It will mainly prevent you from signing in as you normally would. But users might not like the new versions of Skype because, for one thing, they will not allow you to block the advertisements in the application.

Also, the newer versions of Skype take up a huge part of your Windows 8, Windows 10 memory thus slowing down your computer.


Most users have no idea that you can use Skype for Web on unsupported browsers. Learn how to do that from this guide.


How to make old Skype version work in Windows 10, 8, 7

1. Create a backup copy of the old Skype .exe file

  1. You will need to create a backup copy of the executable file you have for the older version of Skype.
    Note: You can copy the backup on your USB stick or portable hard drive.
  2. Go to the Windows store and install the latest version of Skype you have for Windows 8 or Windows 10 operating systems.
  3. Log into Skype as you normally do but be sure to check the box next to the “Automatic sign in” feature.
  4. Now close the Skype app.
  5. Go to your “C:/” partition in Windows and double click (left click) on the “Program Files” folder you have there.
  6. Now in the “Program Files” folder you should have the “Skype” app folder.
    skype program files
  7. In the “Skype” folder you will need to replace the executable file with the one you had from the older version of Skype you want to use.
  8. Double click (left click) on the executable file after you replaced it .
  9. After you run the executable you will be able to run the older version of Skype because you already saved your user account data with the new version.

2. Use Skype’s config.xml file

  1. Install Skype from the Windows store.
  2. After the installation is completed you will need to sign in again with your user account and password.
    Note: Check again the box next to “Auto sign in when starting Skype”
  3. Close the Skype version after you signed in.
  4. Open the Skype app again.
  5. Press and hold the button “Windows “ and the button “R”.
  6. Write in the “Run” window you opened the following line “%APPDATA%Skype“
    app data skype
  7. Go to your user account folder, open it and locate the “config.xml” folder with your account information.
    config.xml skype
  8. Now, run the older version of Skype by double clicking (left click) on the executable file.
  9. You will see that it will sign in automatically.
    Note: it will ask you to update the Skype app but you can skip this pop up message and continue your work.

Speaking of using old Skype versions, you can download and install  the classic Skype for Windows Desktop from Microsoft’s website.

There you have two ways on how to continue using your old Skype version. Use the comments section below to let us know if these methods worked for you or not.

UPDATE: It seems that using old Skype versions on Windows 10 is going to get more difficult. Microsoft already started pushing users to upgrade to the new Skype version.

Should a forced upgrade or billing change leave you with unwanted charges, learn how to recover your money on Skype with a simple step-by-step guide.

Many users are also complaining about the constant reminders that there’s a new Skype version in town and they fear that the Redmond giant will force them to upgrade at some point:

Every time I log in to the old Skype now I get the screen asking me if I want to upgrade, I also get it when I log out. That didn’t happen for quite some time after I reinstalled the old version. I think MSN is going to force us to upgrade at some point soon. I dread that; they don’t seem able to make the new version work and don’t care.

So, what’s your take on this situation? Are you planning to install the new Skype version in the future?

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How to fix Windows update error code 643

Some users have stated on forums that they get an error code 643 when they try installing Windows updates. Error code 643 is an update error that occurs more frequently in Windows 7, 8 and 8.1. The error blocks Windows from updating. Here are a few resolutions that might fix error code 643.

SOLVED: Windows error 643

  1. Open the Windows Update Troubleshooter
  2. Turn Off Anti-Virus Software
  3. Fix NET Framework with the NET Framework Repair Tool
  4. Repair NET Framework Client Profile via the Control Panel
  5. Reinstall NET Framework

1. Open the Windows Update Troubleshooter

The Windows Update troubleshooter fixes numerous update errors. So, that troubleshooter might provide a resolution for error code 643. You can download the Windows Update troubleshooter for Win 10, 8 or 7 from this webpage. Win 7 and 8 users can click Download troubleshooter for Windows 7 and Windows 8 to save the troubleshooter.

Then open the troubleshooter shown directly below from the folder you saved it to. Click Advanced and select Apply repairs automatically. Then select Windows Update, and press the Next button to go through the troubleshooter‘s steps.

2. Turn Off Anti-Virus Software

Third-party anti-virus software can conflict with Windows Update. Some users have confirmed that disabling anti-virus software can fix error code 643. To temporarily disable an anti-virus utility, right-click its system tray icon and select a disable or turn off option on its context menu. If you can’t find a disable option on the anti-virus utility’s context menu, have a look through the settings on the software’s primary window. Alternatively, you can turn off anti-virus software via Task Manager’s Start-up tab as follows.

  • Press the Windows key + X hotkey to open the menu shown below.

  • Select Task Manager on that menu.
  • Click the Start-up tab in the snapshot below.

  • Select your anti-virus software and click Disable. That will remove the anti-virus utility from the system startup.
  • Restart Windows and then try installing the required update.

— RELATED: Fix Windows update issues with these two tools

3. Fix NET Framework with the NET Framework Repair Tool

Error code 643 is often due to a corrupted NET Framework installation. You can fix NET Framework with Microsoft’s NET Framework tool, which you can download from this webpage. Then open the utility’s window, and click the I accept the license terms check box. Press the Next button to initiate the repair utility.

4. Repair NET Framework Client Profile via the Control Panel

Windows 7 users can repair the NET Framework Client Profile via the Programs and Features Control Panel applet. That Control applet lists installed NET Framework versions in Windows 7, which you can select to repair from there. This is how you can repair the NET Framework Client Profile in Win 7.

  • Open Run by pressing the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut.
  • Input ‘appwiz.cpl’ in Run’s Open text box, and select the OK option.

  • Then enter ‘NET Framework‘ in the Programs and Features search box.
  • Double-click the latest NET Framework Client Profile to open a profile maintenance window.
  • Select the Repair option, and press the Next button.
  • Press the Finish button when the repair is complete, and select to restart Windows.

— RELATED: “This might take several minutes” Windows update error [FIX]

5. Reinstall NET Framework

As a last resort, reinstall NET Framework. Set up a system restore point that you can go back to before you uninstall NET Framework. Then reinstall NET Framework as follows.

  • Open this Microsoft page in a browser.
  • Press the Download button there to save the NET Framework Setup Cleanup Utility ZIP.
  • Open the cleanup utility’s ZIP in File Explorer, and press the Extract all button.

  • Click the Browse button to select a path for the extracted ZIP, and press the Extract button.
  • Open NET Framework Setup Cleanup Utility from the extracted folder.

  • Select NET Framework – All Versions from the drop-down menu.
  • Press the Cleanup Now button.
  • Thereafter, reinstall NET Framework. This page includes links to Microsoft NET Framework download pages.
  • Alternatively, you can reinstall NET Framework with All in One Runtimes that provides an installer for NET Framework and other runtime packages. Select All in One Runtimes on this page to add the software to Windows.

  • Restart your desktop or laptop, and then try updating Windows.

Some of those resolutions might fix error code 463 so Windows updates. In addition, the Deployment Image Servicing command-line utility might also come in handy for fixing error code 463. This Fix Windows Updates page also provides resolutions that could fix error code 463 and other update errors.

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How to fix the printer queue in Windows 10/11

Having problems with the printer queue in or Windows 10 can be very annoying, especially if the printer queue is stuck and the documents you printed over time keep printing over and over again.

For one thing, you cannot even stop the printer, except if you shut it down from the power button. However, in some cases, if you reboot your Windows 10 device and start the printer, it will automatically start printing.

Also, when you click to print something and you accidentally clicked a couple of times on the print button, it might print the document several times.

Well, you will be glad to find out that there is a very easy fix to the printer queue issues. All you need to do is follow the methods posted below.

How to fix stuck printer queue on PC

  1. Cancel your documents
  2. Restart the Spooler service
  3. Check your printer drivers
  4. Use a different user account

1. Cancel your documents

  1. Press the Windows Key + S and type in Run.
  2. In the Run window you will need to type Control Panel, then click OK.
  3. Under the topic Printers, you will need to right-click on your default printer and click on the See what’s printing feature in the menu presented there.
  4. Left-click on the Printer icon on the upper right side of the window.
    • instead of the Printer icon, you might have the File icon in which case you will need to click on that.
  5. Now, in the menu presented, click on the Cancel all documents feature.
  6. This should cancel all the documents you have stuck in the printer queue.
    • Also if this doesn’t work you will have to reboot the device and try again.

If you are encountering problems with this process, check this article about fixing the printer queue if it won’t clear on Windows 10.

2. Restart the Spooler service

  1. Press the Windows Key + S and type in CMD.
  2. Select Run as administrator.
  3. Type in the following command and press Enter: Net Stop Spooler
  4. Then, type in the following command: del %systemroot%System32spoolprinters* /Q
  5. Next, type in the following command Net Start Spooler
  6. Now everything should get back to normal.

3. Check your printer drivers

Verify if your printer manufacturer has the drivers necessary to run in your Windows 10 device. You can look on the manufacturer’s website for the latest update on your printer’s driver and install it from there.

To be safe from any serious malfunction, and to ensure your documents don’t get stuck in the print queue, we suggest you use a third-party tool that will automatically download all the outdated drivers on your PC.

The advantage of using a professional tool is that you save time and avoid all the risks of getting your PC harm.

⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

4. Use a different user account

Some users confirmed that using a different user account helped them fix their print queue not clearing. So, if you already have a second user account on your computer, that’s great.

Just log in and check if your printer works as it should on that account. If not, create a new user account and test your printer again.

Now, that you have your printer queue working once again, you can start using your device without having to worry about the printer malfunctioning.

Is your printer giving you headaches? Learn what to do in this useful article about fixing the printer if it prints everything green.

If you have any questions regarding the printer queue issues, let us know in the comments below and we will help you as soon as possible.

FIX: Printer is offline in Windows 7/10/11

Did you recently  upgrade to Windows 10, Windows 8.1 or Windows 8? In some cases, when users upgrade their operating systems, the drivers for a specific type of hardware might cause some issues. In this post, we will talk a bit about the printer going offline in Windows 8 or Windows 10 and you’ll see exactly how you can fix it by reading the guide below.
Fix printer offline in Windows 8 and Windows 10
Before getting started with the software related issues for printers, you should make sure first that you have the USB cable plugged in from the printer to the Windows 8 or Windows 10 device. Make sure the paper tray is not empty and check if paper is stuck in the printer. After you checked all of the above hardware issues, and you still have this problem, then follow the steps below for a quick fix in the Microsoft operating system.

SOLVED: Printer appears offline on Windows PC

Printer offline [Fixed]

1. Uninstall printer drivers

  1. First of all, make sure to backup the printer’s driver before continuing with this step
  2. Press and hold the buttons “Windows “and “X” to open the “Device Manager” window.
  3. On the left side of the window you will need to locate your Printer name.
  4. Expand the icon of the printer.
  5. Right click on the printer icon in the Device manager window and left click on the “Uninstall” feature presented there.
  6. Another window will pop up with instructions on how to uninstall the driver, you will need to follow the instructions on the screen to remove it.
  7. Now reboot your Windows 7, 8 or Windows 10 PC.
  8. Install the drivers for the printer from the backup or from the CD that came along with the printer when you bought it.
  9. Reboot the Windows 7, 8 or Windows 10 device and try again to see if your printer is still going to offline mode.

2. Check for driver updates on your printer manufacturer’s website

Please try to look on the manufacturer’s website and see if they do have the software necessary to run on Windows 7, 8 or Windows 10. If they don’t have a software available yet for these versions, then it is normal to have these issues regarding the printer.

If they do have the software available, you can easily download it from the manufacturer’s website and install it on your Windows device .

3. Run the Printer Troubleshooter

  1. If the methods above didn’t work for you please left click on the link posted below to download the printer troubleshooter.
  2. Download here printer troubleshooter
  3. After you followed the link above you will have to left click on “Save File” after the window pops up.
  4. Left click on “ok” button to start the download.
  5. After the download is finished go to the folder where you saved the troubleshooter and double click(left click) on it.
  6. Follow the instructions on the screen and let the troubleshooter do its thing.
  7. Reboot your Windows 7, 8 or Windows 10 device and see if you have the same issue.

On Windows 10, you can quickly run the Printer Troubleshooter from the Settings page. So, go ahead and open the Settings page, go to Update & Security and select Troubleshoot in the left-hand pane. Under the ‘Get up and running’ section, click on Printer and launch the troubleshooter.

run printer troubleshooter windows 10

4. Additional troubleshooting solutions

If your printer appears offline even after following all the instructions above, check out this Windows 10 troubleshooting guide for additional fixes.

  • Change printer settings
  • Restart the Print Spooler service
  • Change printer properties
  • Install the latest Windows updates.

So, now after following the instructions available in this guide, use the comments section below to send your input regarding the printer offline issue in Windows 7, 8 or Windows 10.

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How to Download More Cursors in Windows 8, Windows 10

Basically alongside with Windows 8 or with Windows 10 operating systems you have the feature to choose a mouse cursor in order to better customize your working environment. Unfortunately, Windows 8 or Windows 10 has a limited supply of mouse cursors to choose from that’s why I have decided to show you below how you can download a lot more cursors that you can choose from.
download mouse cursors for WIndows 8 and Windows 10
Downloading the mouse cursors for Windows 8 or Windows 10 system can be very simple and you can pretty much do it in a couple of minutes but reading the lines below you will find out from where you can download the best cursors suitable for Windows 8 and Windows 10 and also how to properly set up the cursor.

Downloading more cursors to use in Windows 8 and Windows 10

Download cursor for Windows 10, 8 and personalize it from your desktop

  1. You will have to download the archive of cursors by left clicking on the link posted below.
    Download here more cursors to use in Windows 8, 10
    Note: You can find other apps to install in order to have access to your favorite cursors. The link above is an example from where you can find a limited pack of cursors.
  2. In order to select a cursor after you downloaded them you need to right click on an open space on your desktop.
  3. Left click on the “Personalize” feature you are presented in the menu.
  4. You will have to left click on the “Change mouse pointers” feature situated on the left side of the “Personalize” window.
  5. You will be presented with a list of cursors already present in Windows 8 or Windows 10 systems.
  6. Left click on the “Browse” button in the lower right side of the screen.
  7. After you left clicked the “Browse” button you will need to locate the directory where you downloaded the cursors.
  8. Left click on the cursor you downloaded to select it and import it to the system.
    Note: you will have to do this every time you want to change to a new cursor and also be sure to import the extensions “.ico” or “.ani” because if you have any other type it will not work correctly.
  9. After you imported the cursor you want left click on the “OK” button situated in the lower side of the window.
  10. If the cursor hasn’t changed for you try rebooting the Windows 8 or Windows 10 system and see how it works afterward.

So now that you know how to download and properly use the feature in Windows 8 and Windows 10 to change your mouse cursors you can go ahead and customize your system to your liking. Please write us below if you have any questions on how to download the mouse cursors.

All-type mouse cursors possible problems and their fixes

If you have questions about some cursor issues, you are in the right place. Starting from cursor freezing and finishing with cursor disappearing, you can encounter different issues. We have gathered all the available information and compiled it in dedicated fix articles that will help you if you have any issues. Here are some of the most present mouse cursor problems:

Let us know in the comment section if our information helped you.

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