Microsoft claims over 700 million Windows 10 active devices, 150 million Cortana users

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft kicked off its Insider Dev tour in London today, and the company used the first stop of this world Series event for developers to share some new data about the Windows 10 ecosystem. Two months ago, an exiting Terry Myerson revealed that we were now approaching 700 million active Windows 10 users, and Microsoft said today that this milestone has finally been crossed. These 700 million active devices include PCs, phones, Xbox consoles, HoloLens as well as Windows Mixed Reality headsets.

As you can see in this picture tweeted by Windows Insider MVP Michael Gillett, the company also claimed over 197 billion hours spent on Windows 10 as well as over 150 million Cortana users across 13 markets. This latest number is quite interesting given that Microsoft’s digital assistant has been really struggling for mindshare compared to Google and Amazon’s offerings. The launch of the Cortana-powered Harman Kardon Invoke speaker back in October 2017 didn’t really help, as at that point in time Microsoft claimed that Cortana had 148 million active monthly users.

You may think that Cortana being built-in on Windows 10 should lead to much higher usage, but the truth is that Cortana has always been quite limited outside of the US. Additionally, it’s still not available on iOS and Android in many of the 13 Cortana markets as of today. Despite Cortana not being a stellar success for Microsoft, Javier Soltero, Corporate Vice President of Cortana reiterated today that it’s not going away.

It’s hard to say where the digital assistant will be a year from now, but we probably won’t see new Cortana speakers on the market. Instead, Microsoft may be looking to bring Cortana to more of its popular apps. And after adding it to its Skype messaging app last year, Outlook could be next on the list.

Qualcomm is reportedly creating high-end Snapdragon 1000 SoC for new Windows 10 on ARM PCs

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

This Spring saw the launch of the first Windows 10 on ARM PC with HP’s Envy x2, and Asus and Lenovo are expected to follow soon with their own offerings. So far, the tech press had mixed feelings towards the HP Envy x2, with most of the reviews pointing out the disappointing performance of emulated x86 apps.

To be fair, the first generation of Windows 10 on ARM PCs are using a brand new OS and a somewhat old processor. Indeed, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 processor was announced back in 2016 and is no longer top of the line. But fortunately, both ARM (which licences its SoC designs to chip makers) and Qualcomm are iterating quite fast, and future Windows 10 on ARM PCs could well offer much better perfomance than the first models released this year.

According to a new report from Roland Quandt from German blog WinFuture, Qualcomm is currently developing a new high-end SnapDragon 1000 processor to be used on future Always Connected PCs. Asus could be the first OEM to use this new chip on a future Windows 10 on ARM device, as it’s reportedly working on a new PC codenamed “Primus.” The report says that Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 1000 SoC will have a TDP of 6.5W, which is getting closer to the thermal design power of Intel’s Core mobile processors.

While Intel and AMD’s x86 processors will likely keep a power advantage over ARM processors in the near future, Qualcomm and other chip manufacturers such as Apple are working hard to close that gap. Qualcomm’s processors are already hugely popular on smartphones and tablets, and Windows 10 on ARM is now a good opportunity for the company to put its chips on laptops and 2-in-1s.

We’re looking forward to seeing what the next gen Windows 10 on ARM PCs can bring to the Always Connected PCs table, but this new product category also includes PCs with Intel chips. As a matter of fact, an Intel version of the HP Envy x2 with an LTE modem is also available for purchase, at a $149 premium compared to the Snapdragon 835 version. One day, maybe consumers won’t notice any difference between a Windows 10 PC using an x86 processor and another with a Qualcomm ARM processor, but we’re clearly not there yet.

Battlefield 4 crashes in Windows 10/11 [FIX]

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

A new Windows 10, 8.1 problems have arrived — a good number of Battlefield 4 players have been reporting that the game crashes or hangs under Windows 10, 8.1, when playing in single-player or when joining a server. Problems with the Battlefield plugin have also been reported.

Gamers seem to be among the most affected by Windows 8.1 woes, as we’ve reported in the past problems with MMORPG games like Dragon’s Prophet or GuildWars 2. Now, similar issues seem to be affected users of Battlefield 4, according to multiple forum postings. One of the users says the following:

I have Battlefield 4 on Windows 8.1 but every time I try to join a server it just stays at joining server at the bottom with the battlelog plugin. Battlefield 4 never opens up. This is on Firefox. I am not using Internet Explorer. Battlefield 4 Beta worked fine in Windows 8.1

Another user is reporting a different issue on the Nvidia support forums:

I tried playing Battlefield 4 on Windows 7 64bit because that’s what I had at the time the game came out, but even with my GTX 680 SLI (2x) setup, the game would lag at times when it shouldn’t, and I would experience crashes and huge FPS drops out of nowhere. So, I decided I would try Windows 8.1, which is what everyone was saying would fix all the issues that people playing on Windows 7 were having. And man oh man, Windows 8.1 fixed the issues with BF4 and then some! Not only did it stop the lagging and crashing, but it nearly DOUBLED my average FPS! I went from playing at 1080p Ultra – 60fps, to playing at 1080p Ultra – 100fps! So I can say without a doubt, that Windows 7 IS the problem with Battlefield 4, NOT the drivers.

How to fix Battlefield 4 crashes

1. Reinstall Punkbuster

What users who are experiencing this issue are advise to do is to delete the Battlefield 4 beta? and reinstall Punkbuster. For some users who had issues only with the Battlelog plugin, switching browser could also do the trick. If your problems are different, then maybe you could try to increase the FPS in Windows 8, as suggested in our guide.

2. Update your graphics drivers

For those Battlefield users that are experiencing flickering issues with smoke and some texture, they are advised to install the latest AMD Catalyst beta driver which is said to fix Battlefield 4 crashing issues in Windows 10, 8 and Windows 8.1. If you have problems with the Battlefield 4 Windows 10, 8.1 battlelog plugin install, follow this thread for working fixes.

Updating drivers manually can sometimes take too long, so we recommend you use a driver updater tool to do it automatically. In this manner, you will prevent file loss and many other potential problems.

3. Turn off SLI / Crossfire

If the crashes continue, you can also try to temporarily disable SLI or Crossfire. This action may trigger performance drops, but it should make your game more stable and eliminate crashes.

Disable SLI on NVIDIA:

  1. Open NVIDIA Control Panel > select 3D Settings > SLI Configuration
  2. Select the option ‘Do Not Use SLI Technology’
  3. Hit Apply to save changes.

Disable Crossfire on AMD:

  1. Open Catalyst Control Center > go to Graphics > Crossfire
  2. Uncheck Enable Crossfire > hit OK to save the changes.

These are only a few suggestions to fix Battlefield 4 crashes. We also published a complete guide on how to fix Battlefield 4 crashes in Windows 10. The guide features 16 solutions that you can use to fix this problem. Do check it out and tell us which solution worked for you.

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How to fix Windows 10 upside down screen issues

Posted on by Ivan Jenic

Various graphical or screen problems are a common sight in Windows 10. Ever since Microsoft released the operating system in July 2015, users have been reporting various screen issues that prevent them from working on their computers normally.

This time, we have one odd, but luckily not so dangerous screen issue in Windows 10. That problem is the upside-down screen that some users recently encountered. The cause of this flaw isn’t specifically determined, it can be due to an outdated graphics driver, or you even accidentally flipped it. Anyway, the outcome is the same.

In case you have problems with the upside-down screen in Windows 10, as well, keep reading this article, because we’ve prepared a couple of solutions for you.

How to fix the problem with a flipped screen in Windows 10

  1. Check the keyboard shortcuts
  2. Change settings
  3. Update drivers

Fix: Upside down screen in Windows 10

1. Check the keyboard shortcuts

There’s a chance that you’ve, somehow, flipped the screen accidentally. Luckily, Windows 10 has a simple hotkey set to help you get your screen back to a normal position.

All you need to do is to press these hotkeys, and hopefully, you’ll be able to rotate your screen. Each hotkey puts the screen in a different position

Here are the hotkeys you need to press to revert your screen position back to normal:

  • CTRL + ALT + DOWN ARROW (Flip the screen)
  • CTRL + ALT + UP ARROW (Revers the flipped screen)
  • CTRL + ALT + LEFT ARROW (Rotate the screen left)
  • CTRL + ALT + RIGHT ARROW (Rotate the screen right)

This solution should work in most cases, however, if you’re still unable to flip your screen back to normality, try some of the solutions listed below.

2. Change settings

If using the hotkeys didn’t get the job done, we’re going to try to revert the screen manually. To do that, we’ll need to change a few screen settings in Windows 10’s settings app.

Warning: Since your screen is upside down, you’re going to have a really hard time getting around, and using your mouse. So, it will be tricky, and very annoying, but just keep trying, and you’ll succeed. Eventually.

Here’s exactly what you need to do:

  1. Right-click on Desktop, and select Display Settings
  2. See if Orientation is set to Landscape (flipped). If that’s the case, just change it to Landscape
  3. Save changesupside down screen windows 10 1

There you go, after changing this, you should be able to see your screen in a normal position. But if even changing the orientation doesn’t get the job done, try the final solution listed below.

3. Update drivers

If you’re unable to get your screen back to normality by changing settings, and orientation, there’s probably something wrong with your graphics card. In most cases, it’s an outdated driver. Windows 10 is famous for driver troubles, so it might be your case, as well.

Maybe your driver eventually became incompatible with the system, in case you installed a major update, maybe something else messed up your driver. Anyway, the solution remains the same – you need to update your graphics card driver.

In case you don’t know how to update your graphics driver, follow these instructions (or check out this article for more info):

  1. Go to Search, type devicemng, and open Device Manager
  2. Find your graphics card in the list of installed hardware, right-click it, and select Update driver software…upside down screen windows 10 2
  3. When the installation wizard pops up, choose Search automatically for updated driver software
  4. Let the wizard find any potential update, and finish the process
  5. Restart your computer

If an outdated driver was indeed the problem, updating it will bring your screen back to its normal position.

3.1. Update drivers automatically

It is very important to choose the right driver versions from the manufacturer’s website. In case you choose and install the wrong one, this will not only be an issue for the GPU but may harm all your system.

However, you can always choose a dedicated software that can update the correct driver version in just a few clicks safely.
⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

That’s about it for our article about the problem with an upside-down screen in Windows 10. In case you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, just let us know in the comments below.

Here’s why 32GB Windows 10 PCs are a “recipe for failure”

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

“Don’t buy a Windows 10 PC with 32gb of storage!” – This is the title of a recent Reddit thread that seems to get users really agitated. They are asking themselves what is the reason why laptops are sold with 32GB of storage space because these are reportedly “flawed.”

“The storage may be, emmc. Why they sell these I have no idea; the design is flawed in my opinion. Couple tight space with the frequency of large cumulative updates and we are staring at a recipe for failure,” one Redditor said, opening the Pandora’s box.

Systems with 32GB are useless for Windows 10

One user says that if you’re looking to buy a eMMC memory laptops, there are lots of 32GB options out there, but they turn out useless for running Windows 10. Lots of users are complaining that their PCs fail to update and this is because many Windows 10 versions will take up a significant amount of space yet systems still try to update, failing each and every time.

In other words, you won’t even be able to block the updates because you’re running a Home version and you won’t be able to update the system either because it lacks space. Buying a cheap laptop with such little space just for the sake of it is simply not worth it.

Avoid buying cheap systems

The Reddit discussion goes on, and a Redditor thinks that users should definitely avoid cheap options because of the reasons mentioned above. If you’re running Windows 10, you will not be able to update your computer, and this means that you won’t get the latest security patches and more.

It’s also important to note that there’s a massive difference between getting a good solution for a great price and just purchasing the cheapest option that you can find.

You can check out the complete Reddit thread here.

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Play Reckless Racing Ultimate Windows 8, 10 Game for Free

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Up until today, you could have played Reckless Racing Ultimate in Windows 8 only in trial mode or by paying five dollars to buy the app, but now a Lite version has been made available
reckless racing ultimate lite
I used to play the Reckless Racing Ultimate on my Windows 8 tablet and have lots of fun. It’s one of the best Windows 8 racing games around, there’s no doubt about it. But it isn’t affordable for everybody as you’ll have to get five dollars out of your pocket to buy it.

That’s why I was gladly surprised to discover that a free version, not the trial version, has been released by Microsoft, it is called Reckless Racing Ultimate LITE. Of course, as you’d expect, it comes with some limited functions, such as not being able to participate in as many tournaments as in the paid version. Nonetheless, it’s a worthy addition to your list.

Update: It seems that Microsoft has pulled the game down from the Windows Store, as it’s no longer available in the Windows Store. Probably Redmond has decided to keep it only for U.S. and Canadian customers.

Reckless Racing Ultimate alternatives

IN case you are searching for other interesting racing games, you can always choose to get a copy of Need for Speed, but it has lots of problems with Windows 8.1 and 10, so here are some great alternatives for you:

  • GT Racing 2 – a great ‘grand-touring’ racing game that will keep you entertained for hours and works perfectly with Windows 10

gt racing 2 wallpaper

  • Asphalt 8: Airborne – one of the biggest racing releases of this year, available for free in Windows Store

asphalt 8 airborne wallpaperYou can also check this article for more racing games or try to choose another genre game from Windows Store (free).

Windows 8.1, 10 Battery Drain Reported by HP, Dell, Lenovo and Sony Users

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

As it seems, Windows 8.1 comes with battery drain woes for a good number of HP, Dell, Lenovo and even Sony users. Read to find if you could be affected by battery issues in Windows 8.1
windows 8.1 battery drain
According to a couple of posting on various post forums from different manufacturers, tablet and laptop users are being struck by battery drain issues after upgrading to Windows 8.1. The first to complain is a HP users that has a Pavilion G6 laptop running Windows 8.1. According to him, his battery drain has increased incredibly since upgrading to Windows 8.1

Another HP users has weighed in, saying his laptop battery has went from over 6 hours down to 2.5 hours. The issues seems to be present especially among Pavilion users, as somebody with a Pavilion M6 has reported the same issue.

Windows 8.1 drains the battery for HP laptop and tablet users

Here are some more complaints collected from frustrated HP users:

Battery drain on a HpEnvy1000 laptop running Windows 8.1

I experienced this problem too. My hp envy1000 operation time markedly reduced from 5 hrs to 2hrs. Hope this get fixed soon

Battery drain on a HpEnvy M6 laptop running Windows 8.1

I’ve noticed a very impressive battery drain on my HP Envy M6 (I owned it only five mouths ago) since I updated SO from Windows 8 to Windows 8.1. From six hours to three. Another difference I’ve noticed is that system now informs of remainig battery timein a much more stable way. In Windows 8, in periods of light use of CPU, battery remaining time increased a lot (indeed, I’ve seen once eight hours remaining!), but now it is more estable, three hours and a bit with 100% battery, and it barely increases when I don´t use PC intensely. I don’t now if this is a relevant fact, but I am suffering big battery drain, anyway.

Battery drain on a HpEnvy M6 1155eo laptop running Windows 8.1

Same here, using windows 8.1 on hp envy m6 1155eo. PS! Wonder if someone know how to get hp recovery manager and energy star power plan back

Battery drain on a HpEnvy 17 T laptop running Windows 8.1

I have the HP Envy 17T and I too am having this issue. My battery life went from 4 hours to 1.5. I am going to try reinstalling my graphics drivers and turn off my bluetooth tonight when I get home.

As we can see, especially users of the HP Envy laptops seem to have having this issues. A potential fix suggested by a poster on the forums is to do the following:

  • Disable Bluetooth from Device Manager
  • Download and install your laptop‘s original graphic drivers from HP website.

For Windows 8 tablets, it seems that leaving the Bluetooth on might also be seriously draining its battery, an issue that is present in Windows 8.1, a well.

Windows 8.1 battery drain woes for Dell users

It seems that some Dell users are affected by this, one of them saying the following:

I recently upgraded to win 8.1 from win 8.Initially AMD card and bluetooth was not working bt after contacting dell support I updated to the new drivers and got these problems fixed.But I have another one – Decreament in battery back up. Initially my system used to show back up to be at 7:00 hrs bt nw after update it is hardly 4:20 hrs. I am using inspiron 3521 touch core i5,1 GB AMD Graphics,4GB RAM.

A basic advice would be to update the BIOS, but that isn’t working for all Dell users; if you have a similar problem, let us know in the comments section its detailed description and we’ll try to search for an answer together.

Sony Vaio laptop struck by Windows 8.1 battery problems

It doesn’t end here, as it seems that some Sony Vaio Duo 13 users have been having issues with their battery after upgrading to Windows 8.1. One of them says:

Ive upgraded to windows 8.1, Installed all new drivers and i have a battery draining problem! On Windows 8 the battery life was about 6-7 hours (Ive turned on battery care function). Now, with Windows 8.1 the battery lasts, maybe, 3-4 hours. Will there be any fix for that or should i reinstall Windows 8?

The user was asked to try reinstalling the Fast Access application, but even until now it hasn’t worked. We have also reached out to some Microsoft MVP users and are waiting to hear from them.

Also, a friend of mine using a ThinkPad 2 Windows 8 tablet has reported the following:

My connected stand by was excellent in Windows 8, usually lost about 4% in about 8 hours of connected stand by. Now after upgrading to Windows 8.1, my connected stand by is really bad. At times it can lose about 12% in about 5 hours. I’m thinking of installing all the drivers from Lenovo website, just in case Win 8.1 installed drivers that is causing problems.

We will be updating this post when we will find more information about these annoying battery drain issues in Windows 8.1

Fixes for battery drain issue

Once these issues occurred, lots of users started to search for solutions. We also did, and here’s a quick list of guides and ‘how-to’s in order to help you solve this annoying problem caused by various causes on different Windows devices:

You can find more specific information by using our site’s ‘search’ bar.

Alarm Clock HD App makes your 2-in-1 Laptop the best alarm clock

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

This multimedia Windows 8, 10 and Windows RT alarm app Alarm Clock HD received yet many updates over time and maintains on top of alarm clock apps that we’ve discovered in the Windows Store.
best alarm clock hd app in windows storeThe Windows 8, 10 Alarm Clock HD app is one of the best ways to set an alarm in Windows 8, 10 and there’s no doubt about it. With an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars from almost 1400 reviewers, it shows that it’s appreciated by Windows 8, Windows 8.1, 10 and Windows RT users. Now, it has received yet another update that we’ve discovered through the Windows Store.

According to the release note, Alarm Clock HD is now at version number 1.2.0.9 and the most important change is that the themes for the app have been seriously updated. Besides this, the Windows 8 alarm app also comes with some minor user interface updates, but we haven’t been given more details about this.

[UPDATE] Alarm Clock HD is a Universal App, meaning you can run the app on your Windows 10 desktop or your Windows Phone 10 device. Since it was released, Alarm Clock HD has received more updates in Windows 8.1, 10 such as:

    • Alarms can wake up your device from sleep (if your device supports it and you have set this app as the default alarm app)
    • added 5 Analog Clock Faces
    • Every feature in the app is highly customizable via the settings window
    • windows toast notification sound for alarms
    • Appbar user interface updated to match the overall look and feel of the app

We especially noticed two features that you might like as well, or let us know in the comments below what is your favorite.

  1. Light sensor: If enabled, alarms will stop ringing automatically when you switch on the room light
  2. Sleep timer: sleep music plays for the sleep timer duration and gently fades away as you fall asleep

By using Alarm Clock HD in Windows 8, you can do much more than just setting up an alarm: get weather reports, the exact time, currency exchange rates, create music playlists, use built-in RSS feeds, read Facebook posts and even listen to internet radio in Windows 8.1, 10

This is truly an awesome alarm app that you need to download to your Windows 8.1 / 10 device.

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MakerBot’s 3D Printer Driver Now Available on Windows 10 [+ bonus tools]

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

 

MakerBot, one of the world’s most known 3D printers, has finally released the drivers that makes its system compatible with Windows 8.1. Read below to find more about this
makerbot windows 8.1 driver
If you have a MakerBot 3D printer, you’ll be glad to hear that printing with a MakerBot Desktop 3D Printer on Windows 8.1 is now hassle-free as the MakerBot 3D Printer Driver has been made available for the Windows 8.1 operating system. Now, you can 3D print directly from any 3D modeling application that supports the Windows 8.1 3D print pipeline directly to your MakerBot 3D printer.

Microsoft’s Shanen Boettcher said the following regarding the announcement:

Microsoft’s goal is to make the experience of 3D printing as easy as creating and printing a document using Microsoft Word. We’re thrilled incredible companies like MakerBot are implementing Windows 8.1 support to make 3D printing a reality for the masses.

The 3D printing support is one of the best features for business in Windows 8.1 and MakerBot is among the most important partners that Microsoft has in this field. Redmond actually sells the MakerBot Replicator 2 3D printer in its Microsoft Retail stores. The new Windows 8.1 driver for MakerBot is ready for download right now (link at the end) or you can get it directly from the Windows Update Service. Bre Pettis, CEO of
MakerBot, said the following with regards to the news:

We are pretty excited to have our 3D printer driver included in this recent Windows 8.1 release. We have been working closely with Microsoft to prepare the printer driver to provide the familiar plug and play capabilities of Windows with the MakerBot Replicator 2. Having the 3D printer driver be a part of Windows 8.1 rounds out even more of the MakerBot 3D Ecosystem that is designed to make 3D design and printing super easy and accessible.

In order to install the updated driver, current MakerWare users on Windows 8.1 will need to uninstall older MakerWare drivers. Follow the link from below to install the MakerWare for Windows 8.1 that contains the new 3D Printer Driver.

Download MakerBot 3D driver for Windows 8.1

Update: 3D printing tools and innovations for Windows

Since this article has been written, many 3D tools, software, and features have been released. In order to satisfy this innovation and bring it to a large-scale practice, there is a lot of information that you could use in order to print, design and analyze 3D works. Here are some of the most interesting articles that you can read and get useful information about 3D printing in Windows:

For more information, keep an eye on our news sections.

Juniper Network Still not Compatible with Windows 10

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina
juniper networks windows 8.1

For many users, Juniper still doesn’t work after the upgrade to Windows 8.1, so you are advised to stick with Windows 8 until support for Windows 8.1 gets released

Juniper Networks provides networking equipment in the form of high-performance Internet Protocol network products and services for thousands of business consumers. Its most known routers are the T-series, M-series, E-series, MX-series, EX-series Ethernet switches and SRX-series security products. ButJuniper Network’s SSL VPN platforms and UAC platforms also run Windows 8.

However, Microsoft has recently made available the Windows 8.1 update and many Juniper customers have probably made the switch. What they don’t know yet is that the company doesn’t have yet official support for Windows 8.1, so as a result, Juniper doesn’t work after the upgrade for many users.

On Microsoft’s compatibility center, Juniper Network Connect 7.1 is flagged as not compatible and here are some of the most common problems users are getting in Windows 8.1:

  • Juniper VPN Network connect fails with Error code: nc.windows.app.23712
  • Juniper VPN Client will not connect in Windows 8.1

Therefore, until official support doesn’t arrive for Windows 8.1, you are strongly advised not to upgrade to Windows 8.1 to avoid such situations.

What to do if Juniper does not work on Windows 8/8.1/10 devices?

As we know, the most common problems with Juniper are related to Juniper VPN service. In case you cannot make it work on your Windows device, we strongly recommend you switch to another VPN service from this list.

We strongly recommend you to start with one of the best VPN services on the market: Cyberghost VPN. It will keep safe your network and your IP address at all costs and it also has great price plans.

⇒ Get CyberGhost

Another great service, preferred by US users which offers a connection secured by over 4000 servers around the world is NordVPN. You can get it at a great price and enjoy its features and good client support.

⇒ Get NordVPN

Though these services are not free (as all premium security services), they will replace Juniper if it doesn’t work on your PC and will allow you to access some premium features.

Fix: Xbox One S error code 0x80072ee7

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

Microsoft launched the Xbox One S console in August 2016 as a slimmer version of the Xbox One. Redmond proudly calls the Xbox One S “the ultimate games and 4K entertainment system” and its specs back Microsoft’s words, with 4K and HDR support, a 40% slimmer body, and up to 2TB of storage.

However, this model is not immune to bugs, with various issues that affect the overall gaming experience on the Xbox One S. Perhaps one of the most frequent errors is the 0x80072ee7 error code.

Xbox One S error code 0x80072ee7

Table of contents:

  1. Check the Xbox Live service status
  2. Test the connection to Xbox Live
  3. Restart your console
  4. Check your internet connection
  5. Clear the cached data
  6. Delete the corrupt files
  7. Use DNS

How to fix the Xbox One S 0x80072ee7 error

Error 80072EE7 mainly occurs when users try to open content on your Xbox One S console. In most cases, this error code appears because the Xbox One S couldn’t load the resource users tried to open. Most likely, a network connection error blocks the name of the resource from resolving to an IP address.

Solution 1 – Check the Xbox Live service status

If there are any alerts there, you should wait until the service is up and running. Then, try again to access content on your console.

Solution 2 – Test the connection to Xbox Live

  1. Restart your network device.
  2. Test your connection to Xbox Live:
    1. Scroll left on the Home screen to open the guide > select Settings
    2. Go to All Settings > select Network
    3. Select Network settings > Test Network connection
    4. If there’s more than 5% packet loss, use the Network Connection Troubleshooter to detect and fix the root-cause of the issue.

xbox one S troubleshoot connection

Solution 3 – Restart your console

If everything’s alright with the Xbox Live services, maybe a simple restart can do the trick. Yes, it’s the most popular simple man’s universal solution for just about anything that’s powered by electricity, but you’ll be surprised how often restarting actually resolves the problem.

Here’s how to reset your console:

  1. Hold the Xbox button on your controller for a few seconds.
  2. The power menu will show up. Select Turn off Console.
  3. Confirm by pressing the A button.
  4. Power on your console again after a few minutes.

Solution 4 – Check your internet connection

We already mentioned the Network Connection Troubleshooter above, but there’s another way to check your internet connection. So, if the troubleshooter failed to find and fix any problems, you can try with the manual approach.

For doing things by yourself, you’ll need to lay down the Xbox, and turn on your computer. Check out this article for tips on how to deal with various internet connection problems.

Solution 5 – Clear the cached data

The next thing we’re going to try is clearing the cache on your console. Too much cached data can cause various problems, and the 0x80072ee7 error code might not be the exception. Here’s how to clear the cache on your Xbox One S:

  1. Press the Guide button on your controller.
  2. Go to Settings > System Settings > Select Storage.
  3. Select all the storage devices and press Y on your controller.
  4. Select Clear System Cache.
  5. When prompted with a confirmation, select Yes.
  6. Then turn off your console, and power it back on after 30 seconds.

Solution 6 – Delete the corrupt files

There’s also a good chance some of your files got corrupted and therefore causes the given error. If that’s indeed the case, all you need to do is simply delete that corrupt file. And here’s how:

  1. Press the Xbox button on your controller.
  2. Go to Settings Tab > System Settings.
  3. Select your storage device.
  4. Select Games and Apps.
  5. Look for corrupted files, and delete them if there are any.

Solution 7 – Use DNS

And finally, if none of the previous solutions worked, you can always go with the DNS. Changing the DNS settings is usually characteristical to resolving internet connection problems on PC, but we can use it for Xbox, as well. Here’s how to change the DNS settings on your Xbox One S:

  1. Press the Xbox button on your controller.
  2. Go to All Settings > Network > Network settings > Advanced settings.
  3. Go to DNS Settings and select Manual.
  4. Type in 8.8.8.8 for the Primary DNS.
  5. Type in 8.8.4.4 for the Secondary DNS.
  6. Restart your console.

There are various connection error messages that may prevent you from accessing content on your console. Simply select the error message that you see on the screen and the troubleshooter will guide you by listing the actions and checks that you need to perform.

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Microsoft Updates Windows 10, 8 Mahjong App with Windows 8.1 Support

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft has finally updated its popular Windows 8 app Mahjong to get full Windows 8.1 support and was revamped for Windows 10
mahjong windows 8If you are playing Mahjong on your Windows 8 device and have Microsoft’s popular game installed, then you have probably noticed that it has been updated. And it’s quite an important one since it brings full Windows 8.1 support. This doesn’t mean that the Mahjong app has been crashing in Windows 8.1, but just that it now makes use of the new features found in Windows 8.1

The official release note includes the following details:

  • Optimized for Windows 8.1
  • General bug fixes & optimizations
  • Added the ability to reset your statistics

We didn’t get a much more detailed explanation for the update, as many developers choose to provide scarce release notes. But what we make of it is that you can, for example, pin to the start screen of Windows 8 a different size tile. Its description remains the same:

Microsoft Mahjong is the classic matching game updated with beautiful imagery, intuitive controls, and all the features that fans of Mahjong have come to expect. Enjoy gorgeous graphics and relaxing sounds with multiple themes to choose from. Complete E2puzzles at four levels of difficulty, perfect for mahjong beginners and experts alike. With the dynamic Undo system, you have the option of rewinding to fix mistakes.

Mahjong revamped for Windows 10

Mahjong and many other classic games received a fresh coat of paint after the release of Windows 8 OS. Solitaire collection and Mahjong App are now compatible with the latest Windows versions and you can enjoy them on your device.

In late 2016, Mahjong app received a major design update for Windows 10. Here’s what’s new after the update:

  • A large variety of new themes
  • Daily challenges inserted
  • Undo feature: go back to the point where you made a mistake and fix it
  • Xbox Live Integration

You can find more information about the update here.

Have you been playing Mahjong on Windows 8, 8.1 or 10? What do you think of the app?

READ ALSO: Discounted Windows 8 Apps & Games This Week #14

GTA San Andreas, Midnight Club LA and Table Tennis to join Xbox One Backward Compatibility on June 7

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

If it’s usually up to Xbox’s Major Nelson to announce new additions to the Xbox One Backward Compatibility list, Rockstar Games made an exception today to announce some exciting news. Next week on June 7, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Midnight Club: Los Angeles and Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis will become playable on Xbox One, whether you own a digital copy or still have the Xbox 360 game discs.

Be aware that both the original Xbox version and the Xbox 360 version of GTA: San Andreas will become backward compatible next week, which is really nice. “Save games from the original Xbox version will not transfer, however owners of that version will get the upgraded Xbox 360 version of the game, featuring higher resolution, enhanced draw distances, and Achievements,” explained Rockstar. It’s worth noting though that the Xbox 360 version is actually a port of the mobile game released on iOS and Android a couple of years ago, so it’s not exactly a true remaster of the original game.

The two other games may not be as well-known as GTA: San Andreas, but Midnight Club LA is classic open world racing game, while Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis received praise for its technical and challenging gameplay. It’s a really nice surprise for Xbox One owners, but we hope to see Rockstar Games add the Max Payne series and other old classics to the Backward Compatibility list in the future.

First Xbox One 1806 build now available for Preview Beta Insiders

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft last night released the first Xbox One 1806 build for Preview Beta Insiders. This build comes with a set of fixes and known issues, the new Groups feature, and much more. Here’s what you need to know before installing on your Xbox One console.

New Features:

  • In this build we are enabling the Groups feature for all of the Preview BETA ring. You’ll need to take the new system update once available, and then perform a full power reboot of the console before Groups will be enabled for you.
  • Searching for content is now even easier! Now pressing the Y button anywhere in the dashboard will bring up the search dialog. This process is found in many apps, but now you can do it anywhere within the dashboard.
  • The Narrator feature on Xbox One now supports five additional languages, including Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Swedish, and Dutch. We’re also adding an Australian version of English language for Narrator
  • Mixer Broadcasting— Users can now enable their camera to display full screen while broadcasting.

Known Issues:

  • Groups may not appear for you on first sign in unless you do a full console reboot after taking the system update. This is being fixed in an upcoming build and should only affect having just taken this system update.
  • The Groups tab in My games & apps may not show after sign in even though you can access Groups in Guide, or you may see “This group does not exist” on Home on first sign-in for your existing Groups. Workaround: Sign in / out to refresh these pages.
  • Some changes might not be reflected when editing Groups between multiple consoles after coming out of connected standby. Sign in/out to fix.
  • Adding the Rewards app to Groups causes you to be unable to access your Groups. This is fixed for an upcoming build.
  • Using special characters in Group names (e.g. &,”) causes issues during Group creation or using the “Add more” flow. Note: emojis are fine. This is being fixed in an upcoming build.
  • You may see issues with Groups if you frequently switch between your non-Preview console and your Preview console. Workaround: Reset your Groups locally on the Preview console through “My games & apps” > Groups, then using the “Reset groups” button at the bottom of the page to resync from the service.
  • Sometimes users may encounter an incorrect Profile color when powering on the console.
  • Work continues on the stability of the Wi-Fi connectivity. If you see any issues please report the problems for investigation.
  • Some users are encountering an issue where their YouTube account is being signed out whenever they launch the app.

Microsoft finally addressed the issue with errors in the GameDVR and Microsoft Edge in this build, so the company is clearly working on your feedback. We also remind you that select Xbox Insiders can also try out the new Microsoft Rewards app for Xbox, so be sure to check it out if you’re higher up the ring and are a Preview Alpha Xbox Insider.

Windows Community Toolkit gets major update with new version 3.0

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Back on May 2, Microsoft announced a rebranding of the UWP Community Toolkit to the Windows Community Toolkit. As part of this, the company yesterday released what they are calling the biggest version update yet for the toolkit yet.

Microsoft dives into the API and other changes with this version 3.0 release in their blog post, but there are several major new features. First of all, there are Fluent updates to existing controls with support for light and dark themes. There’s also new package introducing new controls to access the Microsoft Graph. You can have a look at the other new features below.

  • A new package for WPF and WinForms developers that includes the new Edge WebView
  • A new package for all XAML UWP developer to enable usage of eye gaze APIs in XAML
  • A new package for all .NET UWP developers to help in writing runtime API checks
  • New controls and APIs in existing packages
  • Updated documentation, including code examples in Visual Basic
  • Many improvements and bug fixes

This release also comes with new controls and helpers to existing packages for the CameraHelper and CameraPreview, UniformGrid, and InfinteCanvas. These make previewing camera frames, responsive layout controls, and infinite scrolling, inking easier.

You can check out the full list of updates included in this release by heading to this website. You also can learn more about the Windows Community Toolkit by following this tutorial.

Edge development team, Windows client experience team get shuffled in latest Microsoft reorg

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Back in March, Microsoft shook up its leadership as part of a major internal reorganization inside the company. The creation of new internal organizations were the fruits of that initial reorg, but it looks as though there’s still some fallout left behind some months after. Indeed, Mary Jo Foley reports that more Microsoft development teams are getting shuffled up as part of a new round of reorganization. There are two major changes going on here, and it is not clear if there will be layoffs as a result.

First of all, there is some internal movement within Edge. Per Foley’s report, Microsoft’s Edge development team is moving back to the Experiences and Devices division, now that Edge is cross-platform. Additionally, the Design team, and the Windows Insiders program are also moving from Windows engineering back to Joe Belfiore’s Windows client experience division.

Secondly, Microsoft Corporate Vice President Kudo Tsunoda will leave his current spot at the newly created NeXT group. He was actually moved to the head of this group in March and as responsible for Microsoft’s Windows Mixed Reality initiatives, including Story Remix, and HoloLens. Tsunoda’s entire team is also apparently being disbanded, and he will be looking for a new role, perhaps within Microsoft.

Foley also reports that Executive Vice President Rajesh Jha (head of the Experiences and Devices) will get oversight of the new teams created under the Azure and Windows engineering organization.

The latest shakeups are definitely interesting and again hint that Microsoft is moving beyond Windows. Let us know in the comments below if you think this reorg is part of a bigger puzzle.

Sonic & Assassin’s Creed: June’s Games With Gold titles now available on Xbox One

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

The Games with Gold titles for the month of June are now available for all Xbox One users, opening up a few weeks worth of entertainment to hold you over until you pick up that shiny new AAA title at the end of the month.

Assassin’s Creed: Chronicles will be heading up the GWG list this month, followed by the Gold SMITE bundle (including 20 gods and several cosmetic offerings). On the Xbox 360 side of things, you’ll be getting your hands on Sonic All-Stars Racing and Lego Indiana Jones 2. Both of those titles will, of course, be functional through Backward Compatibility on the Xbox One.

Download Glary Utilities on Windows 10/11, 8 to fix your PC

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

You can use Glary Utilities to fix, speed up, maintain and protect your Windows 10, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 PC. No, Glary Utilities hasn’t released an official Windows 10, 8 app, as much as some of you wouldn’t want that. But if that happens, you know where to find the information. The good news is that Glary Utilities has been update with support for Windows 10, 8.1, so you can safely use it to optimize your Windows 10, 8.1 computer.

glary utilities windows 10

 

The official version, Glary Utilities, comes with other improvements besides Windows 10, 8.1 support, such as updated Japanese, Polish and Turkish translations; rewritten uninstaller and software update in C++, improved disk cleaning algorithm, improved Tracks Eraser tool, minor GUI improvements and some other minor bug fixes.

Glary Utilities Windows 10 support

The main feature of Glary Utilities for Windows 10, 8 users is that you can download it completely for free (link at the end).  Using Glary Utilities on Windows 10, 8 or on Windows 8.1 you can clean common system junk files, invalid registry entries and Internet traces. Even more, it will let you manage and delete browser add-ons, analyze disk space usage and find duplicate files. It comes with a plethora of utilities that you’d usually have to pay for. Razvan Mihai Asmanow Serea with Neowin lets us in on more details:

View and manage installed shell extensions, encrypt your files from unauthorized access and use, split large files into smaller manageable files and then rejoin them. Furthermore, Glary Utilities includes the options to find, fix, or remove broken Windows shortcuts, manage the programs that start at Windows startup and uninstall software. All Glary Utilities tools can be accessed through an eye-pleasing and totally simplistic interface.

The latest Glary Utilities version features over 20 tools that you can use to maximize your PC’s performance. Moreover, it scans your PC issues eight times faster than before, which means that the whole scan process should complete within minutes.

So, if your computer is as fast as a snail, simply install this tool, run it and you’ll quickly identify and fix all the issues affecting your computer’s performance. Thanks to its one-click functionality, you’ll quickly get the hang of it even if you haven’t used a PC optimizer before.

You can install and use Glary Utilities on Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8. Glary Utilities has been update for Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 32- and 64-bit editions.

Download Glary Utilities for Windows

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Adobe Flash Player Update Solves Windows 8.1 “Not Working” Issues

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

The first major update for Adobe Flash Player in Windows 8.1 brings a set of improvements that should take care of “not working” reports from users
adobe flash player windows 8.1 fixAdobe’s Flash player is one of the most used pieces of software in the world and naturally, it is present on Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, as well. However, some users have been reporting issues with it, as it was not working after installing Windows 8.1 for many of them. Now, more updates have been made available to solve most of these issues.

This was the first major update, Adobe Flash Player 11.9.900.149 Beta, and it also took care of Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 users, as it came with the following fixes:

  • Windows 8 High DPI Displays – Corrects an issue where some content was not scaling with zoom changes
  • Windows 8.1 Internet Explorer 11 – Corrects an issue where an initial button press was ignored

If you’re not sure what High DPI means in Windows 8 and Windows 8.1, I recommend you to read this post as it contains a short video explaining it all, especially if you are a developer. However, as you can see, this is still a beta version of Flash Player for Windows 8.1 and Windows 8, so bugs and glitches are expected. Besides the changes for Windows 8 users, here’s what else is new in the update:

  • Windows 7 – Corrects a problem introduced in 11.7.700.224 where Simple Chinese characters were  displayed as a box or question mark on the AutoUpdate dialog
  • Corrects an issue introduced in 11.8.800.94 where the layout of the AutoUpdate notification dialog was incorrect in localized languages
  • Corrects a problem introduced in 11.9.900.4 that only affected the beta, where HTTP Live Streams would not buffer after an Ad insertion
  • Corrects an issue where memory usage doubled with Trickplay mode enabled
  • Windows – Corrects an issue introduced in 11.7.700.164 where the video was not rendering on some systems when using StageVideo with WMODE set to Window
  • Multiple Stability Enhancements

Following updates have fixed new issues

Back in 2017 Windows fixed a security flaw which allowed some malicious software to be installed on computers. In case you didn’t download the latest version of Flash Player, we recommend you to check the log in this article and see what you can do in order to secure it.

One of the most encountered error: ‘Error loading player: No playable sources found’ can now be easily fixed by using one of these solutions. If you use the browser most often for video purposes, and you get this error, our solutions might be very useful.

December [2017] Patch Tuesday added an important Adobe Flash Player update and fixed the issues that could reset the global settings preferences file. KB4053577 patch covered all Windows versions so all problems with Flash Player were solved.

Now that almost all browsers have Adobe Flash preinstalled, you can view Flash content without any problems. Check this article to see why you don’t need to Download Adobe Flash for Windows 10.

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FIX: Windows 10/11 update is taking a bit longer than expected

Posted on by Aleksandar Ognjanovic

Installing Windows updates over-the-air can be tiresome and pushy, but it’s most of the time fast and reliable experience. However, sometimes, and especially with major updates and upgrades (from Windows 7 or 8 to Windows 10), users run into various critical issues. Sometimes there are errors and sometimes issues come with never-ending loading prompts. “It’s taking a bit longer than expected” prompt is the place where lots of users got stuck.

There are various ways to address this issue. If you’re unable to go past the screen after multiple attempts, we made sure to provide you with the solutions and instructions below.

How to address “It’s taking a bit longer than expected” update error in Windows 10

  1. Check the storage space and connection
  2. Run Update troubleshooter
  3. Uninstall third-party antivirus and unplug peripheral devices
  4. Update the system via the Update Assistant
  5. Update the system with the external installation media
  6. Perform a clean reinstall

1: Check the storage space and connection

Before we move to solutions, we suggest waiting for some time. A lot of users managed to get the updates/upgrades work after some time. Needless to say that it took hours. This depends on your bandwidth and HDD speeds, respectively. Of course, if nothing happens after, say 2 hours, we recommend moving slowly through the list. Also, resetting your PC won’t break the procedure, and, in words of some affected users, it can help.

In comparison to minor, frequent updates, major updates require a lot of space. Firstly, the updates are downloaded to a dedicated directory and then the installation can commence. Make sure that you have at least 6 to 10 GB of free space on the system partition. Furthermore, we recommend checking the connection. Even after the installation files are securely downloaded, some sequences still require the internet connection.

After you’ve confirmed that everything is fine but the delay persists, continue with the steps below.

2: Run Update troubleshooter

The next obvious step is to try and run the Windows Update troubleshooter which is to be found amongst the other tools in the Troubleshoot menu. If this doesn’t resolve the error, it’ll at least give you a better insight on which is causing the problem at hand. After you run the tool, it should restart the update services, and restart the download of the update files.

Here’s how to run the Update Troubleshooter in Windows 10:

  1. Press Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Choose Update & Security.it's taking a bit longer than expected windows 10
  3. Select Troubleshoot from the left pane.
  4. Expand Windows Update troubleshooter and click on “Run the troubleshooter“.it's taking a bit longer than expected windows 10

In case you’re still stuck on the same screen, move with the subsequent steps.

3: Uninstall third-party antivirus and unplug peripheral devices

The next thing you can try concerns third-party applications which most-commonly interfere with update/upgrade processes. And those are antivirus solutions. They can block the system updates or evoke all kinds of different issues during the aforementioned procedures. The community especially regards McAfee and Norton Antivirus, but all others can cause errors, nonetheless.

In addition, we also suggest unplugging peripheral devices, like printers, scanners, or basically anything else besides the essentials. Major system updates also tend to install drivers during the transition. This can be an issue, especially since the generic drivers are not always fitting the frame.

4: Update the system via the Update Assistant

Since the standard update method is far from flawless, we might look in the other direction. There are other means to update or upgrade your system to the latest major build. The first in line is a nifty tool which, for me at least, always worked well. Firstly, it allows you to get the updates faster than usual. The second and more important point — it rarely get’s you stuck. Moreover, it checks for possible compatibility inconsistencies, so you’ll know if the available storage space will make do.

In case you’re uncertain how to download and use this tool, we provided the step-by-step instructions. Check them out below:

  1. Download the Update Assistant, here.it's taking a bit longer than expected windows 10
  2. Backup your data from the system partition.
  3. Run the Update Assistant.
  4. Click on the “Update now” button.
  5. After the tool checks the compatibility, click Next and wait until the update files are downloaded. This can take a while.
  6. Finally, click update and follow the further instructions. Your PC will restart multiple times until everything is set.

5: Update the system with the USB installation media

If the previous approach, for some reason, has failed you, there’s still an alternative. Besides the Update Assistant, Microsoft relies on Media Creation Tool for software distribution. You can use this utility for upgrading right away or, even better, for creating the installation media. For the latter, you can use either an ISO file and burn it onto DVD or create a bootable USB thumb stick. And then update Windows 10. This almost completely eliminates system errors since the update source is external.

This isn’t such a drag and you get to have the installation media just in case something goes awry in future. Here’s how to create an installation media and update your system that way:

  1. Download the Media Creation Tool from here.
  2. Plug in the USB flash drive with at least 6 GB.
  3. Run Media Creation Tool and accept the License Terms.it's taking a bit longer than expected windows 10
  4. Choose ”Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC”.it's taking a bit longer than expected windows 10
  5. Choose the fitting language, architecture, and edition and click Next.it's taking a bit longer than expected windows 10
  6. Select USB flash drive and then click Next.it's taking a bit longer than expected windows 10
  7. Media Creation Tool will download the setup and copy the installation files onto the USB flash drive.
  8. Restart your PC.
  9. Open File Explorer and access the USB drive.
  10. Double-click Setup and the follow the further instructions.

6: Perform a clean reinstall

Finally, if none of the previous solutions brought the resolution, we’re afraid you should reconsider a clean reinstallation as your next step. This isn’t the most preferable outcome, but if there’s nothing else you can do, it should help. The majority of issues occur when Windows 10 is just an upgrade over Windows 7 or Windows 8, so starting from a scratch might do you good.

We made sure to explain how to perform a clean reinstallation in this article. Also, don’t forget to backup your data before formatting the system drive.

That’s a wrap-up. Don’t forget to share your experience with this error or provide alternative solutions to help the cause. You can post all your feedback in the comments section below.

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Microsoft’s Future Decoded conference will be back in London in late October

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft announced today that Future Decoded, its main event in the UK will return to the ExCel London from October 31 through November 1. Last year’s conference was quite a success with more than 12,000 guests and 38 keynote speakers including Panos Panay, now Chief Product Officer at Microsoft and Lorraine Bardeen, General Manager, Mixed Reality Workplace

“The Microsoft UK headline event has grown from strength to strength over the last few years, and this year we have continued the growth of the event with ambitious plans – with two full days of inspiring content designed for business decision makers as well as many exciting experiences across the event alongside some fantastic customer stories,” Microsoft wrote in a blog post.

As you may recall, Future Decoded is where Panos Panay officially announced the Surface Pro with LTE last year. It’s still not clear if the Chief Product Officer will be back in London in October, but we do expect to see the exec on stage to unveil new Surface products later this year. Whether this will be for iterative updates to existing Surface products, the recently announced Surface Hub 2 or the rumored new 10-inch Surface tablets remains to be seen.

10 Best Windows 10/11 Travel Apps [Download]

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

Your Windows 8, Windows 10 tablet can be your travel companion if you download and install the best travel apps on it; read below to discover 10 of the best we have gathered

Summer is the period during which most of us take our vacations and we all know that for a holiday to turn out exactly how we dreamed it would, we must plan a lot ahead. That involves researching for airplanes, hotels, finding information about the currency of the country we’re headed to, finding the most interesting places to visit and so on.

Windows 8, Windows 10 and Windows RT users might hold an advantage over their peers as they can find in the Windows App Store some really useful apps that can help them plan the perfect trip. Here is a list of essential travel apps you shouldn’t miss:

10 best Windows 10 travel apps you shouldn’t miss

TripAdvisor [Free]

Probably the most popular app at the moment, TripAdvisor Universal App for Windows 10. This app can be used to look-up a hotel or location and when searching for a location, a list of hotels, restaurants, attractions and guides will be displayed for you.

When looking for he best hotel for you, you will see which places won the Travelers’ Choice award. You can also compare airfares and find great deals straight from within the TripAdvisor app.

  • Read also: Bloatware? Windows 10 Devices to Have TripAdvisor App Pre-installed

XE Currency [Free]

xe xurrency best windows 8 travel app

This is a very handy application for those who are going out of the country and need to exchange money after they arrived at the location. The program can help you convert different currency and showcases the latest currency charts and rates.

Another important thing about XE Currency is that you are able to save the last rates that are relevant to you and the go back and check them even if you don’t have an Internet connection available. After all you might be shopping or dining.

WorldMate [Free]

world mate best windows 8 travel app

This is a very complex app that will help you plan your trip step by step, so there will be no need to request the help of a travel agency. All you need to do to get professional trip management is forward one of your travel confirmation emails (hotel, plane ticket) to the WorldMate team at [email protected]. They will handle the rest. Each trip you have booked will appear in different charms, the biggest of them being the one nearing.

When accessing a certain trip charm you get to see the itinerary per day. That includes the hour your plane takes off, the hour you land, the hotel you are staying and so on. WorldMate can even identify your friends in the area and display them in the trip screen. The app will help you plan your route in the city you are visiting and offer the ability to share your trips with your loved one via Facebook.

[Update] This ap has no longer received support in Microsoft Store.

4th at Square [$1.99]

4th at square best windows 8 travel app

This little app is the equivalent of Foursquare but compatible with the Windows 8, Windows 10 and Windows RT interface. 4th at Square is a bit of a game and a social app too. Users can earn points by checking into as many locations as they can. Typing in your location will give you a list of all the near-by places of interests ranging from restaurants to museum, parks and art centers.

Most importantly the app features an Explore option which allows you to look for places based on your interests. So just search for whatever appeals to you. For example, if you search for “burritos” you will get a list of restaurants and fast food that offer such a food variety in their menu.

[Update] Latest version has fixed compatibility with Foursquare’s recent API changes. Tap list fixes and the photos are shown in a Flipview for venues.

Living Social [Free]

living social best windows 8 travel app

Living Social will appeal for travelers on a budget. The app will locate the best dining deals and cheap holiday offers. Browse through all categories (Beauty/Health, Retail, Entertainment, Travel) to find the best prices available. The purchases can be made in-app and the vouchers printed or not? If you have a tablet, you can bring it to the place that offers the discount and you’re served. Hurry up!

[Update] Latest version release has added support for Facebook login and optimized the ordering of local vs. national deals.

Translator Free [Free]

translator free best windows 8 travel apps

Going in a foreign country and want to impress the local folk with your knowledge of the language? Translator Free is a super easy to use application that allows you to translate phrases, sentences and even whole paragraphs in 35 different languages. Just type in one box the words in your native language and the translation appears in the box below. Translator Free features Google language translation service algorithms.

[Update] This app has no longer received support in Microsoft Store.

neuTravel Companion [Free]

windows 8 travel app neutravel

NeuTravel Companion is the most complete app we have seen until now. It features every functionality we have been detailing so far. With this app you can have a clear view or the reservations you have, plan your activities, routes, convert currencies, translate words and phrases and even play the country’s specific music.

[Update] Developers have announced that they will focus on features for Windows 10 and will no longer offer support for Windows 8.

Railways Enquiry [Free]

windows 8 travel app railways enquiry

For those that prefer to travel by train, this particular app will prove to be very hand.  Railways Enquiry offers information about train schedules, fares, availability and station details. More than that, the app will be able to display your train routes, courtesy of Bing maps, so you will always know where you’re going.

Museums of the World [Free]

windows 8 travel app museums of the world

For those passionate about culture, this is an app you shouldn’t miss. Take a sneak peak of thousand museums located across the world, and set up your itinerary. The app works in concert with Bing Maps and GPS and can locate the art establishments and give directions of how to get there.

Each museum features a presentation that features the museum’s opening hours, entry fee and so on. The app is updated daily, so you can be sure the information is accurate.

[Update] The app had recently a major UI change. Check it out!

Skyscanner [Free]

skyscanner windows 8 travel app

For those choosing to travel by plane, Skyscanner is an easy way to locate a cheap flight fast. The app’s algorithm allows the user to search the combined database of 1,000 airlines and to pick out the cheapest. The application is available in over 20 languages.

Restaurants & Pubs [Free]

restaurants and pubs windows 8 travel app

The food-minded travelers, this will prove to be a very useful app. Just enter the address you are currently located at (could be the hotel you’re staying at, or the museum you have just visited) and the app will display pubs, restaurants and cafés located in the vicinity. The establishments will be placed on the map, so you can find your way as quick as possible.

[Update] This app has no longer received support in Microsoft Store.

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Redesigned 1Password app for Windows is out with Windows Hello support

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Popular password manager 1Password has just released a new version of its Windows app that has been rewritten from scratch (via The Verge). Indeed, the new version 7.0 is ” the fastest, most secure, and most versatile version” of 1Password for Windows according to the developers, and it also introduces Windows Hello support for unlocking 1Password with your face or fingerprint.

Some of the other new elements introduced to the Windows app in this latest release include a redesigned sidebar and a pop-out window for an easy look at saved passwords. There are also new lock screen animations, new fonts and icons, support for assistive technologies and new languages and regions. Other notable features are below, with the full changelog available here.

  • Search power-ups — use `file:`, `tag:`, or `title:` in the search box to find things faster and easier than ever before.
  • Nested tags — add tags within tags (using `/`) and 1Password will break them down into groups for better organization.
  • 2FA integration — 1Password can now scan your screen for a one-time password QR code to save it to your Login items.
  • Super-speedy — the main app and mini now work as one, and with an all new local database, 1Password 7 is unbelievably fast.

You can try out 1Password for free for 30 days and then subscribe for $2.99 a month, or $4.99 a month for a family plan. There are also separate pricing for teams, business, and enterprises. Learn more and download by checking out the 1Password website here.

CCleaner is Compatible With Windows 8.1, 10

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

CCleaner updates bring the much-needed suppport for Windows 8.1, 10 devices. Being one of the best system optimization tools on the market, CCleaner keeps up with improving its features.

The latest version of CCleaner v5.43.6522 brings a new privacy policy : Users can disable third-party data sharing, so even when you are using the free version you have the option to decline sharing usage data with third parties for analytics purposes.

The compatibility issues have been on solved by the developers over the time passed, keeping up the work with every Windows Update. If you are starting fresh with this tool, we suggest you head on to the review and find out How to clean your Windows 10, 8 or 7 PC with CCleaner [review].

If you encounter problems with installing CCleaner after Windows upgrade or the feature update, check our article Fix: CCleaner Installer doesn’t work in Windows 10.

Previous versions added support for Windows 10, 8.1

Constant update is essential for every software, and developers from Piriform did not settle with updating this registry cleaner. Back in 2016, version 5.22 added full support for Windows 10 Anniversary Update.

Along with the portable version came the final version 5.08 when CCleaner was ready for Windows 10. You can read the full article: CCleaner Gets Updated with Windows 10 Support & Improved Microsoft Edge Cache Cleaning.

ccleaner compatible with windows 10

CCleaner was there to offer support for Windows 8.1

If you missed the news, then we are here to report it for you – your favorite PC cleaning tool CCleaner, has been updated to get full support for Windows 8.1. Piriform has finally updated CCleaner for Windows 8.1, so you can clean all those unwanted files. Also, since we know how many old Windows 8 folder we create, CCleaner 4.07 can now also clean up old Windows installation folders.

Relased on 24 Oct 2013, CCleaner v4.07.4369 comes with the following changes, besides Windows 8.1 support:

  • Added Internet Explorer 11 Release Preview for Windows 7 compatibility.
  • Added old Windows installation folder cleaning.
  • Improved Internet Explorer history cleaning.
  • Added Baidu Spark browser cleaning.
  • Improved debug mode notification.
  • Added ABBYY FineReader 11.0, Corel PaintShop Pro X6 and Nero Burning Rom 2021 cleaning.
  • Improved WinZip, Java, UltraEdit, Macromedia Shockwave 10 and 11, Photodex ProShow Producer and RealPlayer SP cleaning.
  • Minor GUI improvements.
  • Minor bug fixes

To optimize your Windows 8.1 PC, tablet or hybrid, you can also use GlaryUtilities, which has also been updated to get Windows 8.1 support. If you’re looking to clean your Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 registry, then you can follow our evergreen guide on this.

Skype Crashes in Windows 8.1: Microsoft Releases Patch to Fix the Issue

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Skype patch for Windows 8.1 released by Microsoft to fix the crash bug that was affecting numerous users
skype crash windows 8.1 fixThese Windows 8.1 issues don’t seem to have a clear end, but at least some of them are being taken care of. Such is the case with the reported Skype crashes and “not opening” errors with Windows 8.1. Microsoft has finally released a fix that so far is working for all those that have reported Skype crashing in Windows 8.1.

Here are some of the most common issues the users have reported with Skype on Windows 8.1:

After upgrading to Windows 8.1 this evening, everything else seems to work fine except Skype.  When I open Skype it starts to load for a few seconds then disappears and I am automatically back at my Start Screen. If I swipe from the left hand side Skype is still running, but again it shows for a few seconds then disappears. All I see is the fullscreen pale blue background with the Skype logo before it disappears, in other words, the app never fully loads. I have tried uninstalling it, restarting my laptop, then reinstalling it from the Windows Store, but it still does the same thing.

Somebody is complaining about various other Skype errors in Windows 8.1:

I just updated to Windows 8.1 and whenever I try to enter the app through the start menu, It starts to show the cirular thinking icon like it is loading, then just closes to the start menu screen.    When I put my mouse on the top left corner, you can still see that the skype app seems to be open, but if you click on it again, it repeats itself, showing the initial skype app loading screen, then goes back to the start screen.

Fix Skype crashing and not opening issues in Windows 8.1

For some users, installing  .NET framework 3.5 from the “Add windows features” did the trick, but now that Microsoft has an official fix, you should install the update. The patch is called “Skype Windows Store app crashes in Windows 8.1 and in Windows Server 2012 R2″ and has the following symptom: “When you start the Skype Windows Store app in Windows 8.1 or in Windows Server 2012 R2, the app immediately crashes, and Windows returns to the Start screen”.

windows 8.1 skype patchMicrosoft is saying that Skype issues on Windows 8.1 occur when the device has an Intel(R) HD Graphics 3000 (Sandy Bridge) graphics device. If you have set up Windows Update to download and install updates on Windows 8.1 automatically, then you probably already have it installed. If not, you can follow these manual download links from the Microsoft Download Center:

You will need to restart your Windows 8.1 system so that the update will take place. Let us know in the comments section if this has solved your Skype issues in Windows 8.1. You will identify the Skype Windows 8.1 patch in Windows Update if you choose to install updates on your own with this code – KB2902892.

You can read more articles on this topic, as many users have reported issues with Skype on Windows 8.1 and Windows 10. Here are some of them, we recently covered so you can check them out:

 

FIX: Lenovo Yoga 13 touchpad issues in Windows 10/11

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Some users of the IdeaPad Yoga 13 Convertible ultrabook reported issues with the touchpad after the Windows 10, 8.1 upgrade. Check out this guide to find out how you can fix the problem.

Some Lenovo users have started complaining on Lenovo’s support forums that they are experiencing Yoga 13 touchpad woes with Windows 8.1. The IdeaPad Yoga 13 Convertible is an impressive ultrabook, that can be considered one of the best products to make use of Windows 8’s unifying experience for both desktop and touch users.

The touchpad might not seem like a vital functionality of this ultrabook as it also has a more than capable touchscreens, but it is pretty hard for some users to let go of the good ol’ pointer feel. A frustrated Lenovo user has shared this on the forums:

I have completely lost functionality behind two-finger tap. Normally I had that set for right click, but it does nothing now. I can two finger scroll, Windows 8 gestures still work, but two finger tap does not. I completely uninstalled the touchpad from the device manager, and deleted the drivers, and attempted to re-install, but it still doesn’t work. If I go into the touchpad settings, and then go to device settings, and go to clicking, two-finger click, it is set for “Secondary Click (Context Menu, Special Drag)”.

How can I fix Lenovo Yoga 13 touchpad issues?

  1. Download the latest Lenovo drivers
  2. Tweak your Registry
  3. Enable your touchpad (ELAN)
  4. Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

1. Download the latest Lenovo drivers

In the end, the OP managed to solve most of his touchpad issues by downloading the update Lenovo drivers for Windows 8.1. He had to perform a complete uninstall of the mouse driver and synaptics, and run the upgrade to the new drivers after that. However, he still didn’t manage to mak two finger click work. We are also reaching out to Lenovo hoping that they will release a fix for this small, but annoying issue.

2. Tweak your Registry

Update: thanks to our helpful commenter Francis, we’re suggesting the following fix:

“Run the registry editor (regedit)
Go to key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareSynapticsSynTPDefaults
Here create a new key as a DWORD and name it as ‘HasBothButtonFeature’ without the quotes and set the value to 1.
Log off and Log on again

You can also enable 2 finger tap or 3 finger tap to middle or right click

This is a per-user registry setting

Run the registry editor (regedit)
Go to key: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareSynapticsSynTPTouchPadPS2
Edit the 2FingerTapAction or 3FingerTapAction
Change the value to “2” for right click
Change the value to “4” for middle click
Log off and Log on again

If you use the 3 finger tap action, you may need to do the following or the mouse pointer will freeze when you 3 finger tap. It seems to affect the latest versions of the Synaptics driver.

Run the registry editor (regedit)
Go to key: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareSynapticsSynTPTouchPadPS2
Edit 3FingerTapPluginID and clear the SynTP string
Change the value of 3FingerTapPluginActionID to “0”

3. Enable your touchpad (ELAN)

  1. Go to Settings > Devices > go to Touchpad
  2. Scroll down to Additional Settings
  3. The touchpad window should now open > go to the ELAN tab (or Device Settings)
  4. Select your device > Enable.

4. Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

If the issue persists, you may want to run Windows 10‘s built-in troubleshooter. Since this problem is related to a hardware component, you’re going to select the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.

  1. Go to Settings > Update > Update & Security > Troubleshoot
  2. Go to ‘Find and fix other problems‘ > run the troubleshooter.

windows 10 hardware troubleshooter

Let us know if this does the trick for you!

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Set alarm in Windows 10/11, 8 with the Alarm Clock app

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Wake up always on time with this Windows 8, 10 Alarm Clock app. Check out this post to learn how to use it and where you can download it from.

Waking up in the morning is a nightmare for the vast majority of us, and the humble alarm clock is a lifesaver. In the past years, the old alarm clock has been mostly replaced with our smartphones and mobile devices, and this is also true for Windows 8 and Windows 10 users.

Although the Windows Store has a number of Alarm Apps, we figured that functionality is more important than looks, and the app we picked was Alarm Clock by See Sharp Guys. Now, let’s see what this app is capable of.

Alarm Clock for Windows 10, 8

alarm-clock-windows-8

The app is one of the most simple ones we could find, offering pretty much any feature you would like. Also, it is freely downloadable from the Windows Store.

The app’s UI is very simple, having only a few settings that need to be done in order to set it up. Users benefit from 8 different clock interfaces, with different backgrounds, and if they wish, they can add their own background to the clock.

The alarm is simple to set up, allowing users to create repetitive alarms and they can also add any audio file as the alarm’s sound. This is a great feature that allows users of the app to wake up to the sounds of their favorite music.

set alarm clock windows 10

Also, there is the option to add a newsfeed to your clock, having to choose from a few services such as Yahoo! Weather, Sports or other services, or tech websites. The clock also features a 12 hour and 24-hour format and it shows seconds as well.

In the drawback zone, we can say that it does not allow users to set up more newsfeeds at the same time. It would be great if users could add weather as well as headlines on the same screen.

alarm clock app

Apart from this, the app is pretty well designed and it does its job pretty well. Its simple-to-use interface and easy-to-read clock make it a perfect nighttime companion, especially thanks to its night mode, where all other sounds except the alarm are disabled.

How to set the alarm

  1. Click on ‘My Alarm’ > a small windows will pop up allowing you to set your alarmmy alarm clock app
  2. Set your alarm and personalize the alarm sound > confirm the changes and that’s it.
personalize alarm clock app

If you want to spend a few more minutes in bed, you can also enable the Snooze button and custom-length it.

Alarm Clock features and improvements

Alarm Clock is a very reliable app that has been around for a few years now. Its developers update it constantly, adding bug fixes, new features, and improvements to the table.

In short, here’s what this app brings:

  • 8 different clock faces
  • Customizable backgrounds – you can select your own color or image
  • Customizable alarm sound
  • Integrated news feed – the app brings you the most important news of the day, so that you don’t have to scroll through tens of news items to see what moves the world
  • Live tile shows the next time the alarm will sound
  • Chimes every 15 minutes, ticking sounds and control of the seconds/day displays.
  • ‘Silent Night’ mode turns off all clock sounds during the night so that nothing disturbs your sleep.
  • You can turn down the brightness of the app using the dimming option

It is worth mentioning that the app also comes with ads. However, taking into account the fact that you can download it for free, that’s a necessary evil. You can turn off the ads for a small donation.

User reviews

The best way to tell if an app does what it says is to check user reviews. Alarm Clock has a 4-star rating on the Microsoft Store, and most users are satisfied with it.

Love this alarm. I can choose my own alarm tone to wake up to and can switch it every day. The only down fall is that the app has to be open for the alarm to go off. Other than that it is an amazing app.

Download Alarm Clock for Windows 10, Windows 8

If you don’t like the user interface of this app, you can install a different alarm clock app. There are plenty of apps that you can choose from in the Microsoft Store, such as:

FIX: Dell XPS 15 shutdown issues in Windows 10

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Many Dell users have reported on forums that XPS 15 devices have shutdown problems in Windows 10, 8.1. Read this guide to learn how you can fix the problem.

xps 15 shutdown problem in windows 8.1

This is not a big and serious problem with Windows 10, 8.1, but it is one that one of my friends has and has asked me to cover, so more people can get to hear about it. User JDAllan confesses that he has had a lot of struggle especially with finding the right drivers for Windows 10, 8.1, but after that issue has been solved, he still has another small problem to take care of:

Whenever I restart or shutdown, the laptop seems to hang at the point where it is supposed to switch off or reset the power. It goes through the sequence of saying ‘shutting down‘ and the screen switches off as it’s supposed to, but the power light stubbornly stays on. If I leave it for about 5 minutes, it will eventually shut down or restart properly, but as I can’t be bothered waiting, I usually force it to switch off by holding the power button down.

It might seem like an innocent issue, but we all know that shutting down your laptop by “force”, holding the power button down – isn’t the best idea. He also observes that this hasn’t happened with his DELL XPS 15 laptop in Windows 10, 8.

How to fix shutdown issues on Dell XPS 15

  1. Remove video drivers
  2. Update your drivers
  3. Use sleep mode
  4. Use a shutdown command
  5. Disable Fast Startup

1. Remove video drivers

A potential solution would be to uninstall video drivers, update BIOS, then download again the chipset and video drivers. Also, after doing all this, a Windows update is recommended.

At the same time, it’s more suitable to perform this action using specialized tools created for drivers control, plus the process is completely automated for any driver action you need to accomplish.

2. Update your drivers

First, when you experience shutdown problems with your computer, assure that you have the latest drivers installed for your devices.

Instead of doing this manually and spending some time installing multiple drivers, we suggest using dedicated software that will automatically manage all your drivers.

You’re able to efficiently update and repair each driver by replacing the affected ones with new ones, available for your own PC.

⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

3. Use sleep mode

If you still can’t turn off your computer, try putting it in sleep mode first. Then wake it up and instead of just signing in, hit the Shutdown button.

4. Use a shutdown command

This workaround may seem a bit complicated at first, but follow the instructions below and you should be able to turn off your computer in no time.

  1. Go to Start > type ‘run’ > double click on the first result to launch Run
  2. Enter %SystemRoot%System32Shutdown.exe -s -t 00 -f and hit Enter
    Shutdown button not showing
  3. Your PC should shut down now.

5. Disable Fast Startup

Some users suggested that disabling Fast Startup fixed this problem. So, go to Control Panel > select Power Options > go to Choose what the power button does. Now, simply uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended). 

Laptop won't shutdown with power button

Then go to Start > Power > hit the Shutdown button.

I have a friend who’s having the exact issue, as he also switched recently to Windows 10 on his Dell XPS 15. If you come across other fixes for this issue, you can list the troubleshooting steps in the comments below.

Task Manager Professional: Organize Your Day With This App

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

To manage tasks effectively, many rely on various applications, and one of those applications is Task Manager Professional.

This was a popular to-do application, and in today’s guide, we will go over its features and check if the software is still available for download.

What is a Task Manager Professional?

The app features a modest UI, with no over-the-head graphics (in fact, almost no graphics at all), but at the same time, what it might lack in appeal, it makes up in usefulness and speed.

Browsing the app is very fast, and the user interface is very responsive. Also, navigation throughout the app is pretty simple.

Task Manager Professional app

The only two menus that you have are positioned on the top and bottom of the screen, the upper menu serving as the navigation panel, while the bottom one features all the different options you would need to create or modify tasks: add, delete, modify a task, sort, filter, view mode or add to favorites.

The app is structured in 7 layers, each having its own contents:

  • Workspace
  • Projects
  • Tasks
  • Sub-Tasks
  • Tags
  • Favorites
  • Quick-Tasks

As you can see, it can cover all the bases, being perfect even for the most organized amongst us. It lets users plan their work in minute detail, each categorized with tags and importance.

Also, users can assign deadlines, notes, and other information on each entry, making it easier to keep to a schedule. Thanks to the app’s excellent design, and despite its numerous features, it still retains the ease of use of most other, more straightforward managers.

Task Manager Professional download app

Overall quality of the app is flawless, not having any areas that we can think of them as drawbacks. It seems that the developers have worked a lot on the app, taking into consideration the tiniest detail.

It’s battery of features, excellent and professional look and rock solid functionality make Task Manager Professional one of the best apps we’ve had the pleasure to test and review. We gladly recommend it!

Here’s a quick list of the main features that this app brings:

  • The app supports alert scheduling with Toast notifications
  • Quick-Tasks allows you to quickly create new tasks and manage your to-do lists
  • Full support for Share options
  • You can pin items as secondary tiles to your start page
  • The app is optimized for low-power ARM devices so that you won’t experience any lag
  • Task Manager Professional works offline as well
  • You can add multiple time-stamped notes on each task
  • Backup and recovery features are available as well, just in case
Note icon NOTE
This software has been discontinued and is no longer available for download from Microsoft Store.

What is a good Task Manager for Windows?

  • Todoist
  • Tick Tick
  • Get It Done
  • Any.do
  • Remember The Milk
  • Microsoft To-Do
  • Google Keep

To learn more about these applications, check our guide on the best to-do apps. If you’re looking for something different, our weekly planner software guide has some interesting apps to consider.

What task manager software do you use for your daily needs? Let us know in the comments below.

BootCamp Bluetooth Not Working: How to Fix it

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Bluetooth is not working or can’t be recognized after some BootCamp users upgrade to Windows 10. This is a very annoying issue as it won’t find and pair your Bluetooth devices, such as the keyboard or a speaker. 

The problem is common and can be fixed with a series of quick solutions. Keep reading to find out what to do when the BootCamp Bluetooth stops working!

What can I do if BootCamp Bluetooth is not working?

1. Uninstall the MotionInJoy game driver

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type devmgmt.msc, and hit Enter. device manager
  2. Find the extra game driver MotionInJoy at the bottom of the list, right-click on it, and select Uninstall device.
  3. Again, click Uninstall in the confirmation prompt.
  4. Wait for a few minutes, or restart your system
  5. Now, open again the Device Manager and the Bluetooth Driver should be there.

If you can’t find the Bootcamp Bluetooth driver or it’s not working, often removing the MotionInJoy driver does the trick!

2. Reinstall the drivers

If the Bootcamp Bluetooth is still not working, try reinstalling the Apple drivers. Run BootCamp from the Mac side, and you should see a message inviting you to download new Windows drivers.

Download the Bootcamp Windows 10 Bluetooth drivers, and you should be good to go! In case you’re not sure how to perform this, it would be helpful to use dedicated driver update software applications.

3. Install Apple built-in Bluetooth driver

  1. Open the Device Manager, expand Bluetooth, right-click on Apple Broadcom Built-in Bluetooth, and select Update driver.update driver to fix bootcamp bluetooth not working
  2. Choose Browse my computer for drivers, and then click on Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
  3. Now, select Apple Inc. for Manufacturer and Apple Built-in Bluetooth, and click Next.
  4. Once the driver has been installed, you should see the Apple Built-in Bluetooth and Microsoft Bluetooth Enumerator listed under Bluetooth Radios.
  5. You should now be able to set up your Bluetooth devices.

One user suggested that installing the Apple built-in Bluetooth driver fixed things when the Bootcamp Bluetooth is not working.

Before you leave, find out how to download the latest Bluetooth drivers in Windows.

For any queries or to share more solutions, drop a comment below.

AliPay Payments Supported in Windows Phone 10, 8 [Update]

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

As a technology journalist, I have to be aware of almost everything that’s happening in the tech world, not only in the Windows or Microsoft world. And many other colleagues of mine are quite aware that right now is the moment when China is becoming a more interesting market for tech companies that it used to be before. Just look at Apple’s numbers for 2012, China is now a very serious market.

China has the biggest number of mobile subscribers and it’s only natural that foreign companies come in China and try to develop their business. And Microsoft isn’t sleeping with regards to this. Recently, Microsoft has announced that they are going to support AliPay as payment method for Windows Phone 8 and so, even for Windows 10, Windows 8. This move is obvious – Redmond needs more traction from Chinese developers and they are willing to do what it takes to obtain it.

ali pay windows 8

Also, recently it was announced that AliPay has reported that in 2012, the amount of their mobile payments has increased by 550%! Yes, that’s right – five times more! Ballmer wasn’t sleeping and he probably instructed his subalterns to get to work. So, as a result, AliPay payments are now possible in Windows Phone 8.

Microsoft adds AliPay as payment option in Windows Phone 8, Windows 10

AliPay for Chinese folks is just like PayPal for Americans and Western Europeans – is a very comfortable method of paying online. But what’s unbelievable is the amount of users it has – almost 800 million. Probably this is what convinced Microsoft to adopt this spread payment option. With this move, Microsoft wants to encourage the app development in the Windows Phone store and also in the Windows 8 one, which  even now seems scarce to some.

alipay windows phone 8

Right now, AliPay users can also get a touch of Windows 10, Windows 8 through the Wndows 8 Xbox app, so technically, AliPay payments are also available for Windows 8. If this “experiment” proves to be a success, I think Microsoft will continue and will introduce AliPay as legit payment options for the entire Windows 8 store, as well. Microsoft boasts and say that they are the first large OS to support AliPay as official payment solution. Here’s what else Microsoft said in their announcement:

Needless to say, this is a significant opportunity to reach new users – a good reason to visit the Dev Center to cross-submit your app for the China market today and over the coming months localize or customize your app to increase its appeal to users in China. And if you’re a game developer, Windows Phone 8 now supports Xbox games in China.

Let’s hope that this will have the desired effect and will help developers earn money for their work. And with this occasion I also hope for Microsoft to make it possible to pay with PayPal in the Windows 8, Windows 10 Store.

UPDATE: AliPay Payments is no longer supported in the Microsoft Store. Currently, the Chinese store supports only three payment methods: MasterCard, Visa or Credit Card. If you own an English or US credit, MasterCard or Visa card, you can then buy the apps from the Microsoft UK/US Store.

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Play Minecraft in Windows 10/11, 8 with Blockworld app

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Blockworld is an awesome look-alike app to play Minecraft in Windows 10, 8. If you want to learn more about this awesome app, check out the guide below.

Sadly, probably many of you know that sometimes it’s not that easy, if not, impossible to play the immensely popular Minecraft game in Windows 10, 8. Also, the official Minecraft game or app is nowhere to be found in the Windows Store, neither. We don’t know how more to wait until Minecraft‘s creator, Markus Persson, will decide to release an official Minecraft app or certify the game, so we’ll have to rely on other solutions.

minecraft windows 8

And by other solutions, I mean the Blockworld Minecraft-like game available only as an app from the Windows Store, so you can’t download it in desktop mode. Previously, Blockworld was released as a game for Xbox 360 title, being featured as an indie game. Developed by 2.0 Studios, a team of developers that has only another Windows 8 app, the game has been around since 2010, according to them, so this means they have no copyright conflicts with the original Minecraft game creator.

Nonetheless, if you have played Minecraft before, you will probably be stunned by the fact that Blockworld has the exact retro graphical look of Minecraft.When it was launched, the game was only $2.49, then its price went up to $4.99 later and now the game is available for $6.99, but this is also a 60% discount.

Blockworld mimics original Minecraft in Windows 8, 10

windows 8 minecraft

The creators behind Blockworld are betting on the fact that there aren’t too many other developers to have released such a loyal copy of Minecraft, therefore they can afford to price it a little higher. This Minecraft game will also work on your Windows RT device. Inside Blockworld, you get to explore deep arctic oceans, mountainous plains and other environments. As for building, you can test your Minecraft skills constructing villages, cities, monumental constructions and many others.

Having played in Blockworld for a few good days in trial mode, I can definitely say that this game deserves to be played by loyal Minecraft gamers. And thanks to the trial option, you can get to see if this is a true Minecraft gaming experience on Windows 8 or not. By the way, I already run the final version of Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 and I can confirm that Blockworld, this Minecraft-like game, is working with no issues for me.

You can also have a look at Discover+ app, another Windows 8 app that seems to be designed to bring the Minecraft game to Windows 8 and Windows RT users.

UPDATE: Minecraft is now available for download in the Microsoft Store. You can now play the original Minecraft game on your Windows 10 computer and enjoy the full game features.

Microsoft regularly updates the game, adding new game features and improvements for the best possible gameplay experience. If Minecraft is blocked in your region, you can install a dedicated VPN software in order to access the game.

Download Minecraft

Should you encounter any issues after installing Minecraft on your computer, check out the troubleshooting guides listed below:

Xbox Sign in error 0x80072ee7: How to fix it

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Xbox Sign in error 0x80072ee7 occurs when you try to open content on your Xbox One console. The following error message comes when you try to open content on your Xbox One console: Error 80072EE7.

What this may mean is that the console couldn’t load the resource you tried to open. Typically, Xbox Sign in error 0x80072ee7 occurs when a network connection error prevents the name of the resource from resolving to an IP address.

If you’re getting Xbox Sign in error 0x80072ee7 on your console, here are some solutions you can use to resolve the issue.

FIX: Xbox Sign in error 0x80072ee7

  1. Check Xbox Live service status
  2. Test your Xbox connection
  3. Power cycle your console and network hardware
  4. Check for MAC filtering
  5. Change the wireless channel and width
  6. Check for low wireless signal

1. Check the Xbox Live service status

If you see any alerts here, wait until the service is up and running and try again later.

2. Test your Xbox connection

If you’re seeing Xbox Sign in error 0x80072ee7 when you run the Network Connection Test on your Xbox One console, rerun the Network Connection Test on your console to verify the specific error message you’re getting, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Xbox button to open the guide.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Select All Settings.
  4. Select Network.
  5. Select Network settings. Any known outages will appear in the middle of the screen.
  6. On the right side of the Network settings screen, select Test network connection.

test network connection xbox one

If the connection test is successful, your console will connect to Xbox Live. If the connection test is not successful, the Network Connection Troubleshooter will try to identify the problem.

If you see more than 5-percent packet loss, try the solutions below.

— RELATED: How to fix Xbox One S 4K and HDR issues

3. Power cycle your console and network hardware

Unplug the power cable from the back of the router, modem, or gateway then restart your Xbox One console by doing this:

  • Open the Guide
  • Select Settings.
  • Select Restart console.
  • Select Yes to confirm. If you can’t access the guide, or if the console seems frozen, press and hold the Xbox button on the console for 10 seconds, until the console turns off. Touch the Xbox button on the console again to restart.
  • Plug the modem or gateway in first and wait for all the lights to return to their normal state.
  • Plug in the router and wait for all the lights to return to their normal state.
  • Test your Xbox Live connection.

4. Check for MAC filtering

MAC filtering can also cause Xbox Sign in error 0x80072ee7 and prevent your console from connecting to Xbox Live. If it is turned on, add your console’s MAC address to your router’s authorized list, or, turn off MAC filtering temporarily on your router to see if MAC filtering is causing the problem.

  • Get your console’s MAC address
  • On Xbox Home, navigate to the left until you reach Pins.
  • Select Settings.
  • Select Network.
  • Select Advanced Settings.advanced wi-fi settings xbox one
  • Write down your Wireless MAC address.
  • Add your console’s MAC address to your router’s list of authorized MAC addresses
  • Restart your router before then connect to Xbox Live.

— RELATED: Fix: Netflix not working on Xbox One

5. Change the wireless channel and width

A wireless router can broadcast on several different channels. If another nearby wireless network is broadcasting on the same channel, or if there is wireless interference from devices, you may experience poor signal strength from your wireless network causing Xbox Sign in error 0x80072ee7. To resolve this issue, try changing the channel on which your router broadcasts.

Note: Most wireless routers have a channel width of either 20 MHz or 40 MHz available as a configurable option. The Xbox One prefers a 20 MHz setting. To resolve your connection issue, first make sure that your wireless router is configured to broadcast on a 20 MHz setting.

After you change your wireless channel and width, test your Xbox Live connection.

6. Check for low wireless signal

A weak wireless signal can cause Xbox Sign in error 0x80072ee7. To do this:

  • Open Guide
  • Select Settings.
  • Select All Settings.
  • Select Network.
  • Select Network settings. Any known outages will appear in the middle of the screen.
  • Select Detailed network statistics.
  • Your wireless signal strength is indicated as a percentage on the Detailed network status A signal strength below 20% is considered low and may cause Xbox Sign in error 0x80072ee7. You can also try a wired connection to router, a direct-to-modem connection, or connect directly to your modem, then test your Xbox Live connection.

Let us know if any of these solutions helped by leaving a comment in the section below.

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Jukebox Arcade for Windows 10/11, RT [Link & Review]

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

One basic feature of every operating system is its media player. It allows users to playback audio and video files and offer information on certain tracks, albums, or artists. Also, they allow the user to create playlists with their favorite music.

Windows Media Player is all well and good, but most of us feel the need for a better player with a nicer user interface and more features, and for desktop users, there are plenty to choose from. But for Windows 10, users are pretty limited regarding media players.

Not to say that there aren’t any. If do a quick search on the Microsoft Store, you will find quite a few such apps. Although the most known media players, such as Winamp and iTunes don’t have an official app yet, others can take their place.

One player that has potential is Jukebox Arcade, a free Windows 10 app that could achieve greatness with some work. Today we’ll be taking it through its passes, and we’ll see if it has what it takes.

Jukebox Arcade for Windows 10 [Review]

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After only a few minutes using the app, I found that the interface has become familiar, and browsing throughout the app was simple and very snippy. The developers have done a great job making the app run smoothly, and changing menus has next to delay.

However, the design of the app does need a major once-over. This is the downside of having too many features: you end up with an interface that looks like everything was just thrown in and mixed up.

Unlike other apps, which have a more compact design and each element blends in with the rest, in Jukebox Arcade, everything is separate and seems glued together.

The controls are well placed at the bottom of the screen and are easily accessible. In terms of functionality, the app has pretty much everything you might want, with a few exceptions that would have made a huge difference.

For instance, there is no Delete button, and the rating buttons, shaped like hearts, are not to everyone’s liking.

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One other feature that the app is missing is a manual file browser that allows the user to point to where the music files are. This option was replaced with an automatic media scanner that, to be honest, does not work pretty good.

The first time I tried the search option it found two tracks, but afterward, it couldn’t find anything else. Also, there are no options for creating playlists, organizing tracks in albums, etc.

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There is an Auto-DJ button at the top of the app, and I cannot say what it does because every time I tried it the app instantly crashed. I think it will create a random playlist with the tracks in the media library.

One very nice addition to the app is the integration with last.fm, which pulls information about artists and tracks. Also, a good idea that the developers had was the YouTube integration which allows the user to search for videos of their tracks.

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As you can see in the screenshot above, Jukebox Arcade provides you with information about the artists that you love. Listening to your favorite tracks lets you learn many interesting details about their personal and professional lives.

The latest Jukebox Arcade update brought new customization options for album artwork elements. Thanks to the same update, users can now adjust screen colors.

Jukebox Arcade has great potential, offering users great features. However, it needs a lot of work for the app to be a serious competitor to the other music players.

For starters, we’d like all the features that it currently has to work properly, as well as other organizing tools and the possibility to manually add music files from different locations.

Also, with an overhaul of the user interface, we could say that Jukebox Arcade could be a great Windows 10 music player.

Download Jukebox Arcade for Windows 10

Windows 10 Embedded ISO Download

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

In 2015, Windows 10 IoT Core was made available for commercial use and since 2017 it supports Intel’s full processor family. If you are looking to use Windows Embedded devices, we suggest you update to the latest versions.

Back in 2013, Microsoft announced that Windows Embedded 8 was available as well as the release dates for other Windows Embedded operating systems.  For those of you who don’t know what Windows Embedded is, think of all the industrial robots that put together cars, or retail point-and-service devices – many of these work on Windows Embedded, which in essence is a tailor-made version of Windows OS, designed especially for these devices.

Upgrade to Windows Embedded 10

For customers who already have a Windows 10 Enterprise license, the following table shows the upgrade path for different Windows Embedded devices.

upgrading Windows Embedded devices

The upgrade is not possible for other devices, which must be completely wiped and then reload Windows 10 Enterprise in order to run the new version properly from:

  • Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Enterprise
  • Windows Embedded 8.1 Industry Pro
  • Windows Embedded 8 Industry Enterprise
  • Windows Embedded 8 Industry Pro
  • Windows Embedded POSReady 7
  • Windows Embedded 8 Standard
  • Windows Embedded Standard 7
  • Windows Embedded Standard 7 Service Pack 1
  • Windows XP Embedded

What is Windows Embedded?

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Kevin Dallas, general manager of Windows Embedded at Microsoft explains how users can benefit from using Windows Embedded 8:

Edge devices connected and working in unison with an enterprise’s broader IT infrastructure unleash the potential of the Internet of Things by yielding the actionable data and operational intelligence that drive businesses forward. From the rich, familiar experience of Windows to integrated management, analytics and cloud platforms, Windows Embedded 8 coupled with the full breadth of Microsoft technologies for intelligent systems helps enterprises gain lasting competitive advantages in retail, manufacturing, healthcare and a variety of industries.

Windows Embedded 8 is a custom version of Windows 8 that works on any device that has the computing power, allowing it to be a part of the Internet of Things, a place where all non-traditional computing devices (any intelligent device that isn’t an actual computer) connect with each other. Windows Embedded 8 will also come in different versions, depending on the type of devices that will run it.

Availability of Windows Embedded 8 Operating Systems

For the moment, users can use the Windows Embedded Standard Edition or the more powerful Pro Edition and in the near future, we’ll see other products be released from the Windows Embedded Family. These two versions are generally available now, and they can be downloaded via the Microsoft Download Center.

OEMs and Businesses will be able to use different versions of Windows Embedded 8, depending on what type of application they need. For handheld devices, the Windows Embedded 8 Handheld SDK will be available later this year, which means that devices running it will be available at the end of 2013 or possibly in Q1 of 2014.

[UPDATE] For more information on how to upgrade and enable offline updates on Windows Embedded Handheld devices, see the official blog post.

Windows Embedded 8 Industry, which consists of the bulk of the Windows Embedded 8 platform is available from April 2nd, 2013 and it was implemented very soon in point-and-service systems, healthcare systems, and other manufacturing systems.

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Microsoft releases 17677 builds for Windows Server 2019 and the Windows 10 SDK

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Following the release of the Windows 10 Insider build 17677 last week, Microsoft has just announced that 17677 builds for Windows Server 2019 and the Windows 10 SDK are now available for Insiders. For Windows Server users, this latest build is available for both Windows Server 2019 and Windows Server version 1809, which is the next semi-annual channel release.

In the blog post, Microsoft’s Brandon LeBlanc mentioned some improvements for the performance history feature of Storage Pages Direct as well as other changes to reduce Windows Server Core image size. As usual, Windows Insiders can download this build from the Windows Server Insider Preview download page.

As for the new Windows 10 SDK, the build 17677 introduces some important changes to the C/C++ ETW code generation of mc.exe (Message Compiler), but there are also some known issues to be aware of: Microsoft notes that enabling Developer Mode through the For Developers settings page is broken in this build, and Windows Device Portal is also unavailable. You can download this latest build from the developer section of the Windows Insider website, though you may want to skip this build if you need the aforementioned features.