Microsoft To-Do app now opens faster on Windows 10 devices

Microsoft To-Do has updated on Windows 10 PCs and tablets and Windows 10 Mobile smartphones. This updated hasn’t added any new features but significantly improves the app’s start-up time and the speed of switching lists. Here’s the release notes.

  • We’ve made some substantial improvements to our startup time. While we haven’t engaged the warp drive (yet), we think you’ll be quite pleased by the app’s new speed.
  • We’ve also improved performance when switching lists.

Microsoft To-Do is a productivity app designed for assisting in tracking tasks via a simplified checklist. The app is also available on iOS and Android and data can sync between any device as long as the same Microsoft account is used to login.

Let us know if you use To-Do in the comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter for more app news.

Duplicate Cleaner Tool Windows 10 app is free for the next 2 days

The Windows 10 Duplicate Cleaner Tool app is currently free for the next two days in the Microsoft Store app store.

Duplicate Cleaner Tool runs on Windows 10 PCs and tablets, Windows 10 Mobile smartphones, and HoloLens headsets and is designed to help find and remove duplicate files to free up space. The app can also scan OneDrive accounts and specific folder locations can be skipped to help avoid the deletion of important documents. Here’s the official app description.

Powerful program to quickly find and remove duplicate files from your device. You can find and remove thousands of duplicates quickly with just a few clicks. There are advanced filters, comparison options and selection assistance if you are looking for more control. Duplicate Cleaner Tool is the most comprehensive duplicate cleaner available on the Store, best for both basic and advanced users. It works fast, uses little amount of system resources and have a pleasing user interface. You’ll enjoy using this program to clean your storage.

By default, the app compares duplicates by their finger print for 100% accuracy. Comparing by size, name, modified date and also containing folder are available as faster alternatives. Multiple filters allow you to only look for certain type of files or files within a certain size or modified date to speed up the process. Preview tool shows you thumbnail image and key properties of each duplicate file before attempting to delete. You’ll be confident and won’t delete anything that you need thanks to this feature. Selection Assistant saves you a lot of time by selecting thousands of duplicates in a single click. You can choose to compare folder, date, size or name to select duplicates in each group. You won’t find this poweful tool in any other app on the Store. Once you are done, the app brings you a complete report of what has been done, you can export the report to a CSV file for further uses.

The Duplicate Cleaner Tool app is usually around $5 so it’s worth grabbing now for free if you think you have a use for it or will in the future.

Have you tried this app yet? Let us know if you found it useful in the comments below and don’t forget to like us on Facebook for more Windows 10 app news and sales.

Duplicate Cleaner Tool
Duplicate Cleaner Tool
Developer:
Mehrzad Chehraz
Price:
$3.99

State of Decay 2 is now live on Xbox One and Windows 10 for all gamers

State of Decay 2 is now available to play on Xbox One and Windows 10 for all owners. Those who purchased the Ultimate Edition were given a few days of early access but now anyone can play.

State of Decay 2 is an action strategy game with roleplaying elements set in a zombie apocalypse. It’s an Xbox Play Anywhere title which means that those who bought it on Xbox One can download it for free on a Windows 10 device and vice versa. Game progress will also transfer between devices and both console and PC gamers will be able to play with each other.

Here’s the official game description and trailer.

How Will You Survive? The dead have risen and civilization has fallen. Not even the military could stop the zombies, and now it’s up to you to gather survivors and build a community in a post-apocalyptic world – a world where every decision matters, and where you define what it means to survive. State of Decay 2 is the ultimate zombie survival game in an open world where you and up to three friends build a community of survivors. It’s up to you to establish a base, develop your characters’ abilities, and manage resources to survive as a group in a world where choices matter and every decision has lasting consequences.

Every player’s experience is unique – as you play, the open world responds to your decisions, developing in real time and dynamically offering new opportunities for you to demonstrate your own personal survival priorities. These decisions also result in real consequences that affect your community. Send your best scavenger across the map to gather medicine for a sick friend… but know that they might not make it home. Help your neighbors, and you might make new allies… or you could decide that you need their food supply more than they do. In the end, how you survive might surprise you.

In addition to being buyable, State of Decay 2 has also been added to Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft’s Netflix-style video game subscription service. Will you play via Game Pass or did you buy State of Decay 2 outright? Let us know in the comments below and make sure to follow us on Pinterest for more video game content.

Download Debugging Tools for Windows 10/11 to Crush PC Bugs

The Debugging Tools are essential for Windows 10 and 11 developers looking to create apps and submit them to the Microsoft Store, free of serious bugs and glitches. Here’s more about it and where to download.

Debugging in Windows 10/11, just like with any other operating system, means finding and reducing the number of bugs and defects to make the app behave as expected. For that, developers have the Debugging Tools set at their disposal.

With the launch of the Windows 8.1 SDK, the  Debugging Tools has been made part of it, as this was one of the new features and updates brought by Microsoft.

However, if you’re interested only in the Debugging Tools for Windows 8.1, when installing the Windows 8.1 SDK, you can select only the box for Debugging Tools, leaving others unchecked. As far as we know, this is the single way to install the standalone Debugging Tools for Windows 8.1 component, as there are currently no individual download links.

What you can download, though, as a standalone file is the Windows Remote Debugging Client for Windows 8.1. You can use it to work remotely with developers from Microsoft by using the Kernel Debugger (KD).

Follow the links below to download the Windows 8.1 SDK, where you’ll need to check only the Debugging Tools for Windows 8.1, if you need that, and the Windows Remote Debugging Client for Windows 8.1.

Debugging tools can also help fix an OAuth2 error, invalid_request; read this guide to learn more about it.

Debugging tools for Windows 10 (WindDbg)

Analyzing crash dumps, examining the CPU registers as code executes, and debugging kernel and user mode code, have all been made possible with the Windows Debugger (WinDbg) for Windows 10 developers.

A new version of WinDbg was released in 2017 for Windows 10 developers. It came with more modern visuals, faster windows, and a full-fledged scripting experience built with the extensible debugger data model front and center.

Read more about WinDbg Preview and find out the new features and updates.

5+ best Windows 10/11 board games to play with friends

The Windows 8, Windows 10 touch interface is perfect to play these board games. Check out our list of the best board games that you can play with your friends.

Before video games, in an “era” were every home didn’t own a computer, children and parents alike used to entertain themselves with board games. Board games are physical games made of cards and other components that require players to display imagination while interacting with their opponents.

Board games are also considerate desirable because they teach important social skills to the younger audience. However with the advancement of technology, board games have of course moved to the online environment as well. That’s why Windows 8, Windows 10 or Windows RT users have the opportunity of finding some of the most recent and engaging board game apps in the Windows app store.

Play these board games on Windows 10, Windows 8

  1. Dominion [No longer supported]
  2. Ludo
  3. Mancala Master
  4. Don’t get angry
  5. Snakes and Ladders Wave [No longer supported]
  6. Mind Pursuit
  7. Bingo!

1. Dominion

dominion windows 8 board game

Enjoy a classic board game experience right here on your Windows 8, Windows 10 machine. Dominion is a game about monarchs and as it is known kings always want to expand their kingdoms. Players have to buy cards in order to build up their decks, thus becoming more powerful and more feared.

There are 500 cards in a deck and three large piles of treasure cards which translate into copper, silver and gold. Victory cards are also available and give off: provinces, duchies and estates. Players also have 250 Kingdom Cards and 30 curse cards. The game can be played with players using one action card.

By following the direction of the card, they can draw other cards, or gain currency so they purchase goods or gain other extra actions. The game can develop into a very complicated one in no time. Dominion is fully optimized for moulti-touch PCs so playing it will be a breeze.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, Dominion is no longer available for download in the Microsoft Store.

2. Ludo [Free]

ludo windows 8 board game

Ludo is one of those classic board games with pretty simple rules such as Tock and Sorry! for which you need two or four players. The game play can be summarized like this: players race their tokens to the finish line.

And if they get there or not depends all on dice rolls. For those who haven’t played this game before, the app will prove really useful as it will teach them how to get the hang on things, as possible moves are highlighted according to the dice rolls. It’s guaranteed fun for the entire family.

3. Mancala Master [Free]

mancala windows 8 board game

Mancala is an ancient board game that has been passed from generation to generation. Mancala consists of a board with two rows of six holes and two long “Mancalas” positioned at the end. The player’s Mancala is located on the right side of the board. At the beginning of the game each opponent will have 3 stones placed in the 6 holes, with the Mancalas empty.

Now they will have to collect as many stones in their Mancala as possible. How to do this? By grabbing all the stones in one hole and dropping them, one by one in succeeding holes in counter-clockwise direction. Players can put their stones in their Macala(it counts as a hole) but not in their opponent’s .

The stones can be places in the holes of their opponent’s side. If the last stone drops in one of the player’s hole they get to keep that stone plus the one of the opponent’s from the opposite pocket. The players goes on to place them in the Macala.

4. Don’t get angry [Free]

don't get angry windows 8 board game

Another classic game to be played on a rainy day with family. Don’t Get Angry can be played by two to four players and every move somebody makes its decided by a die throw. The aim of the game is to move all four pieces in a clockwise direction from the starting field towards the target fields according to the score that comes up on the dice.

The game is won by whoever moves all the four pieces in the respective target fields. Grab the pop corn and enjoy the fun!

5. Snakes and Ladders Wave [Free]

snakes and ladders windows 8 board game

Snakes and Ladders has a simple purpose to it: the winner will reach the end of the board by moving most quickly from square 1 to square 100. To advance the board, of course players will have to throw dice.

If you’re lucky you will be able to advance quickly via ladders and if you are unlucky you’ll have to slide downwards as to avoid the snakes. Try it, it’s one of the game board with the most simple set of rules.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, Snakes and Ladders is no longer available for download in the Microsoft Store.

6. Mind Pursuit [Free]

mind pursuit windows 8 board game

Not your classic board-game but it can be viewed as such. This is more of a trivia game, and by roll of a dice you advance on the board and get questions asked to you. Each player has a differently colored pawn which must reach the end of the line.

7. Bingo!

play Bingo! windows 10

Bingo! is an addictive board game that will keep you and your friends hooked for hours on end. Here are some of its key features:

  • You’ll get super bonuses simply for signing-in daily
  • Compete with players all around the world
  • There are more than 30 Bingo rooms available.various themed rooms and winning patterns!
  • Huge Jackpot prizes.

Other Windows 8, Windows 10 board games

There aren’t a lot of old school board games available for Windows 10, Windows 8, but some game theoreticians classifies simpler games like Backgammon (a list of the most interesting Windows 8, Windows 10 apps can be found here), Checkers (click here), Chess (here), Scrabble others as board games. You can try these out as well.

Also for those wanting to be kept up to date with the most exciting news from the world of board games these Windows 8, Windows 10 apps should come quite in handy.

Board Game News and More [Free]

board game news windows 8

This app gathers up all the information related to board games from Twitter and around the web through Bing News, BoardGameGeek.com, YouTube and Flickr. Stay up to date with the latest information with this news-feed like application.

UPDATE: BoardGame News is no longer supported in the Microsoft Store.

Ancient board games [Free]

windows 8 board game ancient

Interested in the history of the board game? If you are a fan of such entertainment you probably know that board games are as old as time. They were played in India and the Arab world and most likely held a very important religious significance. Learn about the histories of your favorite games from Chaupat to Mancala with this engaging Windows 8, Windows 10 app.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, the app is no longer available in the Microsoft Store.

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:


How can I install .NET Framework on Windows 10/11, 8?

.NET Framework is a software technology that can be used with several Microsoft Windows operating systems. What’s special and useful about it is that is comes packed with pre-coded solutions to common programming problems. These days the increasing popularity of programming languages like C# or VB.NET requires that users have installed on their machines the .NET Framework, in order for specific programs written in those languages to function.

For those who have upgraded to Windows 10, Windows 8, you should know that the .NET Framework version 4.7 is pre-packed into the operating system, so you don’t need to worry about installing it. However if you stumble upon an application that requires a lower version of Framework, specifically version 4.7 you will need to take a few steps in order to be able to install it on your Windows 8, Windows 10 machine. To do this users are faced with a choosing from two options:

Installing .NET Framework version 4.7 manually by request

In Windows 8, Windows 10 when a program will need .NET Framework to operate and isn’t able to locate it within the system, it will display a pop-up saying you need to “Install the feature” – indicating the .NET Framework 4.7, of course. Just click the option and the downgraded version will start installing.

Turn .NET Framework 4.7 on in Control Panel

windows-8-net-framework-3.5-control-panel-enable

The same can be achieved by going into Control Panel and selecting Program and Features. In there you should find the Turn Windows features on and off. You need to click on it and find the .NET Framework 4.7  box you have to check. Good news is that the 4.7 version in Windows 8, Windows 10 also includes .NET 2.0 and 3.0 so you don’t have to worry about checking any more boxes.

In any case, for both methods users need to be have a working Internet connection. Still it’s not impossible to get .NET 4.7 even if you don’t, but you have to be quite geeky to be able to apply this.

What if you don’t  have Internet but still need the .NET 4.7?

In case of not being able to connect to the Internet, users should follow these steps in order to activate .NET 4.7 in Windows 10, Windows 8:

  1. Create a folder. Name it net47
  2. Mount your copy of Windows 8, Windows 10 ISO file
  3. From the ISO folder copy the following: “sourcessxs to the net47 folder.
  4. After everything has been copied use the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management Technical Reference) to turn on the .NET Framework 4.7 by typing in Command Prompt:

DISM.exe /online /enable-feature /featurename:NetFX3 /All /Source:c:net47 /LimitAccess

Note: You have to open Command Prompt as Administrator in order to successfully run this command

These methods will allow you to install Microsoft’s .Net Framework 4.7 on Windows 10, Windows 8 with no problems. Also, if you want to go the extra mile, you can download it from the Microsoft Download Center.

Download .Net Framework 4.7 from Microsoft’s Download Center

Download older .NET Framework versions

If you’re looking to download older .NET Framework version, we got you covered as well. Follow the links listed below to download and install previous .NET Framework versions:

20+ Windows 10/11 Games to play

Somebody that has a Windows 10 tablet, or any other device is probably looking to download, install and play the best Windows 8, Windows 10 games there are. We have tried to find more than 20 such games for your gaming pleasure.

Everyone likes games. Be it on a mobile device or a computer, games are what keeps computing technology move forward. Windows 10 has most definitely opened new paths for app developers like Windows 10 users can now install apps on computers or laptops. Game developers have added support for keyboard and mouse control to their games, thus creating a new ecosystem for gaming.

Even though the Windows Store is still in its infancy, there are lots of apps and especially games that are really nice and every user must try them. All kinds of types of games can be found and today, we’re taking a look at some of the best games for Windows 10 users.

The best Windows 10 games to Date

As we mentioned in our top of the best Windows RT games, making a countdown is pretty difficult, as each of us has a different understanding of what “a good” game is. Therefore, we opted to take into account other factors, to create a more objective list.

The number of votes and the rating of each game were taken into account, as well as graphics, stability, and how fast it moves. Other factors like storyline would not have been good factors to differentiate games, as each of us likes certain types of games.

What are the best Windows 10 games to play?

1. SoulCraft

play soulcraft Windows 10

If you are a fan of hack and slash RPG games, then you will definitely love SoulCraft. This beautifully crafted Action RPG game offers users great graphics and realistic environments. The game also offers players a choice between Angel, Demon and Human races, each having its own strengths and weaknesses.

Like any other self-respecting RPG game, it has lots of weapons, hordes of enemies, and different combo attacks that will make your journey more diverse. Seeing that the most important part of a role-playing game is an immersive storyline, SoulCraft has prepared for its players an epic story that will take them through real-life cities such as Rome, Venice, or New York.

2. Guns 4 Hire

play-guns-4-hire

Action games…the best way for a geek to get the ultimate adrenaline rush. Guns 4 Hire is a story surrounding a 4 man mercenary crew that has to battle millions of enemies and crime lords with state-of-the-art black market weapons. Also, the game allows the player to use the different special skills of the team, like demolitions experts or artillery commandos.

The game has an alert rhythm, keeping the player always on his toes and always expecting another battalion of enemies to come marching down the street. Great graphics, awesome environments, and lots of weapons choices are the main highlights of the game, but like any good action game, it’s the player that makes it all happen.

3. Hydro Thunder Hurricane

play Hydro Thunder Hurricane windows 10

Destruction, high speeds, weapons, and races, what more can you ask from an awesome, Windows 10 game? If your answer was “something interesting” then Hydro Thunder Hurricane is the game for you. What we mentioned earlier happened on superfast boats racing in canyon rivers where hairpin turns are at every step.

If you’re into racing games, but you are fed up with street racing, then this, Windows 10 game will rock your world (or boat). The game has decent graphics and a very attractive collection of boats and weapons, but seeing how fast the gameplay is, you won’t have too much time to notice these details.

4. Halo: Spartan Assault

Halo Spartan Assault best windows 8 games

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, you’re not a gamer until you play Halo! One of the most iconic shooter games of all time, Hale has been with up for what seems like a lifetime. Now, gamers will be able to play this awesome game on, Windows 10 devices that have touchscreens!

Battle your way through 25 action-packed levels that take place before Halo 4. You will be able to do battle against the Covenant and find out interesting facts about the origin of the Spartan Ops program. Also,  not to spoil the surprise, you will find out some new facts about Sarah Palmer.

5. Royal Revolt!

windows 8 best games Royal Revolt

Do you like Tower Defense games? If you do, then imagine how it’s like to be at the other end of the barrel, as you try to break through the defenses of a city. Royal Revolt! is a game that puts players in the shoes of the invaders as they try to regain the throne stolen by enemies.

And if the setting of the game was not reason enough to play it, then know that the game has awesome 3D graphics and a complex strategy is needed to command your forces to victory. Using magic and other kinds of medieval secrets, you will have to storm the city and bask in the spoils after you win.

6. Zombie HQ

Zombie HQ best windows 8 games

Zombies have always made gaming pleasure for those that enjoy the occasional bloodbath and the classic axe to the forehead, so it’s no surprise that a number of zombie-killing games have made their way to the top of the best Windows 10 games to date.

Zombie HQ follows the line of most survival games, where a city is infected and all its inhabitants turned to brain-eating ghouls that are more than happy to relieve the player of his thinking muscle. With this in mind, gamers will have to literally carve their way through infested streets to find salvage and better weapons.

7. Drift Mania Championship 2

best Windows 8 games ever Drift Mania Championship 2

I’ll be the first to admit that drifting has not been in the center of attention for a while now (ever since the Fast & Furious Tokyo Drift movie faded away), but fans of fast cars that do stylish maneuvers to impress judges and especially the girls have been true to this style of racing.

If you like drifting, then try your skills online, against other players and take home tournament trophies in Drift Mania Championship 2. The revamped version of this popular game offers users awesome graphics, fully customizable cars, and great tracks where they can put the pedal to the metal.

8. Violet Storm Lite

Violet Storm Lite best windows 8 games

If you’re not one for complex stories and gameplay, then you might find a great game in Violet Storm, where players control a space ship and their sole purpose in the game is to destroy anything that moves. It kind of reminds me of Space Invaders, but in a modern-day, with neon lights!

The graphics of the game are simple, but very appealing, with alert gameplay that keeps you on your toes. Nevertheless, I found the game to be pretty simple and it might not offer the challenge that some gamers seek. All things considered, Violet Storm Lite is a game that will take your mind off your problems for a few minutes.

9. Spider Solitaire HD

spider solitaire hd best windows 8 games

If you’ve been following our game-related stories, we previously talked about Spider Solitaire HD. While the app isn’t awe-inspiring, it is still a good solitaire game that fans can play. The gameplay doesn’t offer too much over the default Microsoft Spider Solitaire, and in terms of graphics, the game looks good but nothing over the top.

Other features that Spider Solitaire HD offers are diverse backgrounds and simple gameplay. While I don’t understand why someone would play a different Spider Solitaire than the default version, fans of card games will definitely find it interesting.

10. reVersi Free

reVersi Free windows 8 best games so far

Although I’ve never been a huge fan of board games apart from chess, I have to give credit where credit is due, and the developers of reVersi most certainly are entitled to receive credit. They took a simple idea and went with it, and the result was a successful, Windows 10 game that is both simple and good.

Usually, board games are not known for their graphics and the gameplay leaves nothing to the imagination, therefore, from the get-go, they are at a disadvantage when compared to other types of games. Nevertheless, this niche market has its faithful followers, and they will definitely enjoy reVersi.

11. Rat on a Scooter XL

rat on a scooter best windows 8 games

If you think that name is a metaphor and it stands for something with a hidden meaning, think again. It describes this, Windows 10 game pretty well: you play as a rat that rides a scooter. What can be more fun than that? Well, I could think of a few other things, but it’s best to leave them to the imagination.

The graphics of the game, while pretty basic are still high quality, and users will definitely appreciate them. Gameplay on the other hand is similar to other running games, but even so, the idea of controlling a rat on a scooter is well worth it. Getting all those yummy foods and bonuses will be pretty entertaining.

12. Judge Dredd vs. Zombies

best windows 8 games judge dredd vs zombies

If you remember, a while back we stated that Judge Dredd vs. Zombies was “killing zombies at its best”, and in the meantime, nothing has happened. Blowing zombies to smithereens has lost nothing of its charm, and painting the walls with that green blood is still funny as… always.

Providing users with a wide assortment of guns and levels where horde after horde of zombies attack Judge Dredd, is a good recipe for an awesome game. Even though the movie wasn’t as good as I’d hoped, the game turned out pretty good, and I must admit that I’ve spent hours and hours blasting those rotting walkers to kingdom come.

13. Agent P Strikes Back

Agent P Strikes Back awesome games for windows 8

While I can’t say I liked Agent P Strikes Back, many Windows 10 users seem to think it is an awesome game. We’ll just chuck it to personal taste and give it the credit that it deserves. Adventure lovers that want to take a dive into the world of secret agents and evil robots will feel right at home playing this game.

Their mission, should they choose to accept it, is to save captured agents and ensure their return. But alas, the road is riddled with mazes, puzzles, and an army of metallic soldiers that are hell-bent on stopping Agent P. The game offers users exciting gameplay and it also has nice graphics, which I’m sure most players will appreciate.

14. Super Golf Land

super golf land best windows 8 games

While the sport of golf isn’t for everyone, many finding it boring and for old people, virtual golf games have caught on with the public and to some extent, it has lots of players around the world. Such is the case with this Windows 10 game, Super Golf Land, which was also present in one of our weekly Windows 8, Windows 10 apps lists.

Thanks to the growing number of players, the game seems to find its way again in our crosshairs, as one of the best Windows 10 games to date. If you’re into whacking a ball all day long, throughout various levels that have different obstacles, then this game is right up your alley.

15. Hills Of Glory 3D

hills of glory 3d best windows 8 games

I’ve been known to enjoy a good war game once in a while, and for a while now, Hills of Glory 3D has been a prime candidate for replacing Call of Duty 1 and 2. While the games are of different genres, both of them manage to stir up that inner soldier that is in everyone.

Hills Of Glory 3D puts the players in the heat of battle, where they have to win their way from Italy to Germany. The road is long and full of perils, so before you decide to undertake this challenge, be sure to show everyone your war face. Once you’re ready, kill them all and save Europe!

16. Pylon

pylon windows 8 games

What’s your favorite type of game? If your answer contains RPG, Action, or Tactical Strategy, then Pylon is the game for you. This Windows 10 game offers players all the above experiences all rolled up into one beautifully crafted game. Players will embark on an epic journey through the land of Pylon, where monsters lurk behind every corner and under every rock.

With lush environments, lots of monsters, and a team consisting of three soldiers, each with its own special abilities, players of Pylon will have lots of fun roaming this realm. Apart from the complex world and awesome graphics, the game also allows players to customize their character for the maximum amount of damage.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, the game is no longer listed in the Microsoft Store.

17. Rayman Jungle Run

Rayman Jungle Run best windows 8 games

Running games have been on the front stage of mobile gaming for some time now. And just when everyone thought that this type of game didn’t have anything else to offer, here comes Rayman Jungle Run which brought us a new adventure to go on. Players will join the hero in his quest that takes him through different worlds to collect lums.

Players will have at their disposal different power-ups to help them throughout the 50 different levels of the game. Also, there are not one, but 5 worlds to explore, each having a new look and feel. Skilled players will be able to unlock other secret realms to explore, so be sure to give it your best.

18. The Gunstringer

the gunslinger best windows 8 games

While we’re talking about running games, let’s take a look at another Windows 10 game that promises to keep players on their toes for a while. Gunstringer’s the name, running and shooting are the game. The Wild West holds loads of impressive characters, but the skeleton of a cowboy who’s seeking retribution is one of the most interesting.

While the game has only 15 levels to offer, players that complete the story mode will be able to challenge other players in an online battle to see who’s the best. These matches will be of help on infinite tracks, and the winning cowboy will be the one with the best loot and longest run. After all, this town ain’t big enough for everyone, so only one must be the top cowboy.

19. Reckless Racing Ultimate

reckless racing ultimate best windows 8 games

On your marks, get set, GO! if an adrenaline rush is what you’re looking for, try your skills on the racing track. Reckless Racing Ultimate is the place you can burn some rubber in hairpin curves, aggressive competitors, and fast cars. The ingredients for the run are all present in this awesome Windows 10 game.

Having a large assortment of vehicles you can race, with lots of upgrades and many tracks, Reckless Racing Ultimate is a top contender for the best, Windows 10 games of all. More so, the game has excellent graphics and textures, realistic physics and offers support for online multiplayer.

20. Dungeon Hunter 5

play Dungeon Hunter 5 windows 10

As one of our readers suggested in the comments section, Dungeon Hunter 5 definitely deserves a place on our list. If you really like hack-and-slash games, then this is the right game for you.

This title heavily relies on co-op, so you should definitely learn how to make friends and keep your allies close as the will help you on your journey of vengeance and bounty hunting. The game also supports hundreds of customization options, including creature and weapon upgrades. But nothing’s free, so you’ll have to work for your reward:

Daily Dungeons will reward your demon-killing skills with unique materials to evolve and fuse your gear, while weekly Wanted Challenges will require you to get on top of the leaderboard to get the best rewards.

21. Ice Age Adventures

Ice Age Adventures is one of the most popular Microsoft Stores games and for a good reason. If you’re an explorer at heart, you can then join Scrat, Sid, Manny and Diego and embark on an epic adventure together.

The herd suddenly realizes they’re at the edge of a continent that’s cracking wide open. Separated from home and family, they’re floating out to sea and this is where you step in to save the day. As a player, you need to save every animal in the herd from menacing dinosaurs and many more threats.

22. ROBLOX

play ROBLOX windows 10

ROBLOX is one of the most popular games in the world counting over 65 million active players. ROBLOX is actually a social platform for play where gamers create and play together within immersive 3D worlds built by other gamers.

Everything in Roblox is user-generated. Players can create the ultimate theme park, compete as a professional race car driver, star in a fashion show, become a superhero, or simply build a dream home and hang out with friends. In this safe and moderated environment, imagination rules supreme.

What are you waiting for? Are you ready to join millions of players in these user-generated 3D worlds?

Are there any other games you would like us to add to this list? Let us know in the comments below.

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:

Six Challenging Apps to Play Checkers in Windows 8, Windows 10

The Checkers game in Windows 8, Windows 10 couldn’t be more fun unless you install 6 of the best apps to play it
checkers windows 8Checkers is one of those classic games we have learned to play from our grandparents on a hot Saturday afternoon. Pretty much like Backgammon, and if you fancy that game you should check out some interesting apps over here.

So Windows 8, Windows 10 and Windows RT users will probably be happy to know that they can find in the Windows app store a bunch of Checkers apps that will fulfill their cravings. No matter if you haven’t played it in a while, you can rediscover the fun of Checkers on your Windows 8, Windows 10 machine.

Endless hours of fun with Windows 8, Windows 10 top Checkers apps


Checkers Deluxe [Free]

checkers deluxe for windows starting

Checkers Deluxe is a great free version of checkers games for Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 users. You can play six different game variations which will enhance your checkers experience.

You can choose the solo-player mode against the computer where you can choose between four game modes or you can play online with your friends. Enjoy its great graphics and gameplay and let us know in the comments how it is.


Ultimate Checkers [Free]

ultimate checkers windows 8

This free Windows 8, Windows 10 features the classic game of checkers. Jump over the pieces of your opponent in order to “eat” them and make them disappear from the board. The player who manages to scratch off all the pieces first wins. The app allows for 2 levels of difficulty, while the game-play is judged by the standard US Tournament rules.


Fantastic Checkers [Free]

fantastic checkers free windows 8

Regardless of the fact that this is a free app, the graphics are quite an improvement from the previous appication we reviewed. Here a player can start a tournament against a human opponent or a computer. There are three levels available: Beginner, Medium and Expert so the app is a great environment for noobs to start training. A plus you will certainly notice while playing with this app is the great background sounds.


Fantastic 4 in A Row [Free]

4 in a row windows 8

With this app we notice some improvements as well. There is an extra level of difficulty added – expert. Users can still opt to play against the computer or a human opponent, while progress and wins are being kept track of. The goal is however to drop in the checkers to get 4 in row before the other player does, hence the name of the app.


Magnificent Checkers [$1.49]

manficient checkers windows 8

This paid Windows 8, Windows 10 app features improved graphics and an addictive game play. The pieces have to be captured before the opponent and one can do so diagonally. There are 3 levels of difficulty but what’s special about this app is that it allows for machines to play against each other. The game can also be set to show the available moves, so if you haven’t played before you have a chance to learn now.


Dameo Online [Free]

dameo online windows 8

This is a variation to the game of checkers, which allows for the pieces to jump in every direction, not just diagonally like in the classic game. More than that in Dameo they can jump over whole rows. Being an online app you can team up and play with player from around the world. The app brings a social element to the game play, allowing chat. ELO Rankings will show you how many games you won or lost and the developing trends.


READ ALSO: Internet Checkers Windows 8, Windows 10: Where to Get it?

How can I pin Steam games to Windows 10, 8.1 start screen?

If you have installed the Steam client on your Windows 8, Windows 10 tablet, then you are probably wondering how you can pin Steam games to the Start Screen. The Steam Tile app from the Windows Store will help you with that!

One of the most popular platforms for gaming nowadays is Valve’s Steam. Many of you are familiar with the name, as it has become one of the biggest markets for buying computer games of all sorts. Steam has a number of advantages over traditional gaming, as it keeps an electronic list of your games and it allows you to download and install them any time you want.

Also, Steam offers users daily deals on games, as well as many free to play games. These factors have made the Steam platform so successful on all operating systems. Windows 8, Windows 10 also supports the Steam client, but sadly only in desktop mode, and until a Steam app will be available, we’ll have to make due with replacements.

Steam Tile for Windows 10, 8 allows users to pin games to the start screen

steam-client-windows-8-pin-games-to-start-screen (2)

As mentioned before, due to the lack of an official Windows 8, Windows 10 Steam app, developers have tried to fill in the blanks as best they could, and as a result, many Steam-like apps have appeared on the Windows Store. While these apps cannot give users the functionality of the Steam client, they can help users access their games easier.

steam-client-windows-8-pin-games-to-start-screen (6)

One such solution is Steam Tile, a free Windows 8, Windows 10 app that will allow users to pin all their games to the Windows 8, Windows 10 start screen. The app is easy to use and it only need to be set up once and you’re done. After installing the app, you will see that it prompts you for your public ID from the Steam website.

After you enter your ID, all your games will be shown, and by clicking on them, you will be able to pin them to the start screen. After pinning a game, you will the icon change shape, so you will know what games you have pinned and which not.

steam-client-windows-8-pin-games-to-start-screen (5)

Also, the tiles that you create with your games are not static. These Steam live tiles will show you the progress you have achieved at each game. You will be able to see pretty much anything you will see in the Steam client: time played, achievements, or last played time.

If the game has Steam Achievements, you’ll be able to see your progress directly on the Live Tile.

Furthermore, if you are concerned about the security of your account, know that the app does not require you to input your password, as it only needs your public account to view your games. Once you’ve set your live Windows 8, Windows 10 Steam games tiles, and you want to play a game, when you click on any tile, it will redirect you to the desktop version of your Steam client.

steam-client-windows-8-pin-games-to-start-screen (7)

Although Steam Tile does not allow users to install or launch Steam games from their Windows 8, Windows 10 start screens, it does provide users with some simple shortcuts to their favorite Steam games. Until an official Steam app is available, Steam Tile for Windows 10, Windows 8 will have to suffice.

steam-client-windows-8-pin-games-to-start-screen (3)

A word of warning: I’d recommend you stay away from apps that ask you for your Steam password (or for any password for that matter). If an app does require you to input your account password, make sure the app is an official app, developed by that company.

Download Steam Tiles for Windows 10, Windows 8

At the time of writing, the latest Steam Tile version is version 6. Here are some of its key features:

  • Windows 8.1, 10 tile size support has been added
  • Search is fixed in Windows 8.1, 10
  • Square tiles are now available. In other words, when you click on a game, you also select which portion of the banner to crop for your square tiles.
  • The app does how ads but you can quickly get rid of them by making a donation to Steam Tile. Irrespective of the amount you decide to donate, you will get a code that removes ads for good.

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:


How to Install Windows 10 for Free

Windows 10 are available for users to download and try as final OS versions. Windows 10 is also available as a customer preview. If you want to download Windows 8.1, Windows 10  for free, you can do it right now with next to no effort and witness for yourself all the new upgrades that were released.

If you don’t know what new features Window 8.1 or Windows 10 has brought, check out this post, where we explained all the new features that would come along with this update. Also, if you are interested in seeing the Microsoft //build/ conference for yourself, you can check it out here.

check for updates

If you already own Windows 8, Windows 10 then you can download the latest OS version for free and upgrade your existing operating system. The ISO files are available for both OS versions and you can follow the links listed below to download them:

All users of Windows 8, Windows 10 will be able to download for free the upgrade package for Windows 10 right now. If you wish to know how you can do this, read this short guide and in a matter of minutes, you will have Windows 8.1, Windows 10  on your computer.

Download Windows 10 for free

As mentioned, in order to install Windows 10 or Windows 10, you need to have an original copy of Windows 7, 8 or an older Windows 10 version installed on your computer. At this point, Microsoft has released the upgrade package for x86 based computers. If your Windows 8 is a x64 version, then this upgrade will not work sadly.

The first step for downloading the Windows 8.1, Windows 10 upgrade for free is to follow the two links listed above and save the upgrade files to your drive.

After the download has finished, open the installer and follow the wizard that will guide you through the installation. After the installation is complete, you will have Windows 8.1, Windows 10 installed on your computer. Now, you can check out all the new features that Microsoft has brought in this update.

Test the upcoming Windows 10 features with the Insider Program

Microsoft also allows users who enrolled in the Windows Insider Program to test the upcoming new features and improvements before they are released to the general public. When a new Windows 10 build is out, Insiders usually need to wait for a couple of days before the ISO files are available for download.

To enroll in the Windows Insider Program, go to Settings > Update & Security > click on ‘Windows Insider Program’.

windows insider program

I hope everyone will like the new features that were introduced in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, and if you plan on installing it, the only thing I can say is : “Enjoy your free Windows 8.1, Windows 10 install“.

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:


You Will Get DirectX 11.2 Only With Windows 8.1

DirectX 11.2 is currently the latest version of DirectX and many of you are wondering how to get it if you’re not running Windows 8.1. The harsh truth is that you can’t; read to find out more
download direct x 11.2 windows
DirectX 11.2 is the latest version of the popular graphics software. Many folks all over the world are acquainted with DirectX because it was one of those annoying programs you had to install sometimes before playing a game. Not many know what it means exactly, but almost everybody has heard about it. And chances are, albeit slim,  that when you will play a certain game, you will be asked to download the latest version of DirectX, which is  11.2 (or 12 for Windows 10 users).

But you will be extremely disappointed to find out that this is going to be EXCLUSIVE to Windows 8.1 and next-generation consoles. Initially, it was thought that only the Xbox One would’ve get it. This information has been made public at Microsoft‘s Build event which ends today, so hurry up to catch a live stream while you still can.

You can read all the details about DirectX 11.2 on Microsoft’s website if you’re interested in detailed technical specifications. Microsoft‘s decision to release DirectX 11.2 exclusively on the Windows 8.1 is obviously a move meant to force users to upgrade to Windows 8.1.

Therefore, it might not seem such a good idea anymore to uninstall Windows 8.1 despite its annoying errors in its current preview state.

Want DirectX 11.2? Get Windows 8.1

Although it might seem like an incremental update, DirectX 11.2 is actually a big deal, especially for developers and programmers. The tiled resources ability is meant to augment the number of details on-screen, so it’s a very important tool for developing and even consuming apps and games, as I see it (correct me if I’m wrong). Gareth Halfacree with Bit-Tech does a much better job explaining this than myself:

Designed to allow a game to use both system RAM and graphics RAM to store textures, Leblond claimed that tiled resources will enable DirectX 11.2 games to vastly improve the resolution of textures displayed in-game. By way of proof, Leblond showed off a demonstration that used a claimed 9GB of texture data – the majority of which was held in system RAM, rather than graphics RAM.

It’s a clever trick, and one that could help boost the quality of future PC games – but it’s one that will require those who have yet to take the plunge to upgrade their operating systems. Leblond confirmed that Direct3D 11.2 will be the first version of the API to support tiled resources, and that it will be exclusive to Windows 8.1 on the PC as well as featuring in Microsoft’s next-generation Xbox One console.

You should also know that DirectX 11.2 won’t come to Windows 8 at all if that wasn’t made clear from the beginning. Windows 8 users currently have DirectX 11.1 at their disposal. Windows 8.1 users (don’t forget that this is still a preview) will be able to get the official stable release of Windows 8.1 in autumn.

Besides tiled resources, DirectX 11.2 also reduces the latency for DirectX applications, allowing for a faster user interface response. Also, there are other features, new or improved, that will come with DirectX 11.2:

  • HLSL shader linking
  • Inbox HLSL compiler
  • GPU overlay support
  • DirectX tiled resources
  • Direct3D low-latency presentation API
  • DXGI Trim API and map default buffer
  • Frame buffer scaling
  • Multithreading with SurfaceImageSource
  • Interactive Microsoft DirectX composition of XAML visual elements
  • Direct2D batching with SurfaceImageSource

All in all, let’s hope that the updates from DirectX 11.2 will allow for much more awesome games and apps. However, it will be interesting to see whether Microsoft‘s technique of luring users to upgrade to Windows 8 will function.

Update: DirectX 12 for Windows 10

directx 12 logo

At the time the article was written, the only option for gamers to improve their performance while using DirectX 11.2 was to install Windows 8. Now, we have great news – upgrading to Windows 10 not only offers you a better OS experience but it also gives you the possibility to use DirectX 12 that revolutionized the entire gaming industry.

This version is using up to 20% fewer GPU resources and improving CPU performance with 50%, it is one of the ‘must have’ software installed on your PC if you are a true gamer. Games like Gears of War or Forza Motorsport are utilizing this software and the results are awesome.

In case you encounter problems while installing the new version, you can find the right fixes in this guide we wrote after DirectX 12 release and some issues occurred.

Having all this information plus the update about DirectX 12 should help you choose which Windows version is better for you and what DirectX version suites your needs.

READ ALSO: How to fix the “DirectX encountered an unrecoverable error” in Windows

 

Do I Need a Windows 10/11 Product Key? Here’s the answer

You’re probably wondering where you could find the product key for Windows 10, Windows 8.1. Well, if you bought the software, you’d now, if not … then read on.

Windows users all over the world are wondering if they need a product key for Windows 10, Windows 8.1 and what exactly that is. We have first seen Windows 8.1 in a video preview some while ago, but only has it been released for free to those that already run Windows 8. Together with us, you have watched live the 2013 Build event from the Moscone Center. But during the entire talk we didn’t hear nothing regarding the product key.

Many folks were afraid that they would have to pay for the Windows 8.1, Windows 10 update. Luckily, this was not the case and it’s available for free. We’re just wondering if there will be frequent updates in the future or if Windows 10, Windows 8.1 was a needed quick update because of the furious users. Nonetheless, it brings important updates that are getting the love of users all over the world and this is great news for us here, as well, because we review Windows 8 apps.

But, let’s not get away from the question that made you be here – what is the product key for Windows 10, Windows 8.1?

Windows 8.1, Windows 10 product key: you might need it

You will need the Windows 8.1, Windows 10 product key only if you will download the Windows 8.1, Windows 10 ISO and you will install it like that. Microsoft already released the ISO files for both OS version. Follow the links listed below to download them:

However, when asked the product key, you will display the one from below, as it also says on Microsoft’s Windows 8.1, Windows 10 webpage.

windows 8.1 product key

We have attached above an image with the Windows 8.1 product key, as well.

Windows 8.1 product key – NTTX3-RV7VB-T7X7F-WQYYY-9Y92F

If you will install Windows 8.1, Windows 10 through the Windows Store, then you won’t need this product key at all. Remember, it is unique at the moment, so don’t look for torrents or suspicious software files. If there will be an official update on this, we will definitely let you know about it.

Windows 10 product key

If you received Windows 10 as a free upgrade and everything was done automatically for you, then you don’t need a specific product key. However, you do want to write down your Windows 10 product key just in case, check out this step-by-step guide to learn how to identify it.

In case you encounter any issues related to your Windows product key, here’s a series of troubleshooting guides to help you fix them:


How to Uninstall Windows 8.1 [Update]

Important update: Many of you are probably getting bugs and issue with your Windows 8.1 install, this is why I recommend to read this. If you have an official Windows 8.1 update already running on your Windows 8 device, you might want to try the following suggestions, but most likely, just like Microsoft said, there is no way at the moment to uninstall it. Leave a comment at the end letting us know what made you uninstall the Windows 8.1 update.

Windows 8.1 was released a few years ago and those who were anxious to try it for themselves have already installed it and saw what it can do. However, the final product might still have some issues. Therefore, those who don’t want to fiddle with these issues might want to uninstall Windows 8.1 and revert to the plain old Windows 8 or Windows 7.

Uninstalling Windows 8.1 can be done in a few ways, as it depends on what operating system you had before, but it can be done. The amount of work you have to put in is depends on the manner of the installation you made.

Microsoft was kind enough to give us a FAQ on how Windows 8.1 that manages to answer (more or less) most of the questions users might have. In this FAQ, those who want to revert to their original OS  can see exactly how to uninstall Windows 8.1 from their computer.

uninstall-windows-8.1

There are two ways of uninstalling Windows 8.1 from your computer, and, as mentioned before, it depends on how you installed it, or more exactly, if you upgraded for free from Windows 8 or if you did a clean install from Windows XP, Vista or 7.

How to Uninstall Windows 8.1 easily

Microsoft gave a few pointers on how you can manage to uninstall Windows 8.1, depending on what type of installation you did, and the two solutions will be presented as plainly as we can, so you can accomplish this with the least amount of effort.

Method 1: If you upgraded for free from Windows 8

uninstall windows 8.1

If you already have Windows 8 installed on your device, then you most likely upgraded to Windows 8.1 with the free patch (link below).

If this is how you installed it, then uninstalling Windows 8.1 is as simple as doing a System Restore or a System Refresh (Settings->Change PC Settings->General->Refresh or Restore). Keep in mind that you will need a bootable Windows 8 disk, either a DVD or a memory stick to do this.

Method 2: If you did a clean install from older versions of Windows

On the other hand, if you went all the way from Windows XP, Vista or 7 to Windows 8.1, the process will take a while longer and there will be some data loss. Basically, in this scenario, in order to uninstall Windows 8.1, you will need to format and reinstall your old operating system.

If you require additional information about Windows 8.1, feel free to check out our posts about it:

Also, if you wish to see the official Microsoft Windows 8.1 page, follow this link and get whatever information you need. You can use any of these two methods to uninstall Windows 8.1 from your computer. If you had problems with Windows 8.1, remember that it will receive many more upgrades and bug fixes in the near future, so when the final product is released, it will work properly.

How to uninstall Windows 8.1 [Update]

The above guide covers the first version of Windows 8.1 and the Windows 8.1 Update. So we’re going to provide new information on how to delete the Windows 8.1 Update 1. Here are the steps that you need to take:

  1. Open the Control Panel
  2. Navigate to Control PanelPrograms
  3. There, click the ‘Installed updates’ link under the ‘Programs and Features’ item or you can press Win+R shortcut keys on your keyboard and type the following in the run box: ‘shell:AppUpdatesFolder’
  4. Now, you need to uninstall these KB files: KB2949621, KB2938439, KB2937592, KB2932046, KB2919355
  5. Reboot and that’s it

Also, try this:

  1. Open the command prompt as Administrator
  2. Type and execute the following commands, one by one:
    wusa.exe /uninstall /kb:2949621
    wusa.exe /uninstall /kb:2938439
    wusa.exe /uninstall /kb:2937592
    wusa.exe /uninstall /kb:2932046
    wusa.exe /uninstall /kb:2919355
  3. Reboot your PC and that’s it

Let us know if this worked and, of course, as always, leave your angry comment below if you have one.

Install Windows 10, Microsoft’s latest OS version

We know there are many Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 users out there who wouldn’t give up using their good old OS for anything in the world. However, it is worth mentioning that Microsoft ended mainstream support for Windows 8.1 in January, 2018. The OS is now on Extended Support until January, 2023. After this date, Microsoft will stop releasing Windows 8.1 security updates.

Windows 10 April Update is Microsoft’s latest OS version. The new OS brings a series of interesting new features and protects your computer against the latest cyber threats. If you want to use the news Windows 10 features, we strongly recommend that you upgrade to the Windows 10 April Update.

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:


Read Quran in Windows 10/11: Five Basic Apps

These are the best six apps to help you read and understand Quran on Windows 8, Windows 10
quran windows 8
Islam is an ancient religion practiced with preponderance in the Middle East. But recently Islam has spread its wings upon the Western World as well, so today we can find a lot of practicing English speaking Muslims. So we thought we dig out of the Windows app store, some Windows 8, Windows 10 or Windows RT apps that might make the study of the Quran – the Islamic holy book – more fun and interactive for the English speaking community.

Top Windows 8, Windows 10 Quran apps for the true beliver

The Quran [Free]

the quran windows 8

For those believers who don’t know the Arabic language but still want to revel in seeing how the old text might have looked like when Mohammed first wrote it after it was revealed to him, this Windows 8, Windows 10 app will surely help. It features the verse text in Arabic text plus a translation or a recitation, depending on what you choose. The text font can be changed from let’s say Uthmanic Calligraphy to Simplified Arabic, so students of Arabic can understand more easily the words.

Memorize Quran [Free]

memorize quran windows 8

If you would want to take up the difficult task of memorizing some verses from the Holy book, this app can be of assistance. It’s no matter if you know Arabic or not, because the software features the translation in several languages. However the original body of the text is showcased as to perfectly match the Madinah Print “Mushaf Al-Madinah”.

If you don’t want to read it yourself you can program the app to do a recitation and you can choose from 50 different recitation styles. The recitations can be Played, Paused, Stopped, Slowed Down or Speed Up. You can also highlight passages you have memorized or plan to memorize and search within the Quran.

Listen Quran [Free]

holy quran windows 8

This is a simple listening app. If you want to calm your mind after a busy day at work, you can turn on this app an listen to full Quran chapters. You can choose the chapter you left off the last time and continue reading form where you stopped.

IslamicHub [Free]

islamic hub quran windows 8

This Windows 8, Windows 10 app might prove vital to the modern busy Muslims. It delivers a bunch of updates daily to remind the believers of what’s truly important. The app features Quran quotes, translations, the ability to pursue exploration of the Holy book. IslamicHub also features a section that help the faithful extend their knowledge of the holy ones. The app is available in both German and English.

Science in the Quran [Free]

science in quran windows 8

This app might appeal to those who want to find a correlation between Religion and Science. This app scans the Quran and pulls out some verses and then compares them to the discoveries modern Science has made over the years.

For example, the app conveys that the verse “And We have made the heaven a roof, safe and well guarded. Yet they turn away from its signs” is a reference to the earth protective magnetic field. The app is definitely worth checking out.

Quran Windows

quran windows app text window

This app is open source based on Quran Android project and can be considered the successor of Quran Phone app for Windows phone 7/8. It has many interesting features like:

  • Crystal clear Madani compliant images
  • Landscape mode for even larger fonts and more comfortable image viewing
  • Beautiful and smooth page transition effect
  • Bookmarking of an unlimited number of pages and ayah
  • Translations in many different popular languages

 

Windows 8, Windows 10 Chess Titans: Where it is?

Many of you are still longing for Chess Titans and even after installing Windows 8, Windows 10, you are searching for ways to get it back. Read our article that might just help you with that.

chess titans windows 8
Those of us who enjoy a good game of chess on Windows 10, Windows 8 now and then must surely know abut Chess Titans – the classic Windows game, developed by Oberon Games. The game has become very popular with chess players who can play versus the computer or a different human player. Users can select the computer’s skill which ranges from 1 to 10. Chess Titans features three difficulty levels: Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced.

Since the launch of the Windows 10, Windows 8, users have started wondering again – where is Chess Titans in Windows 10, Windows 8? After all, the game has so many fans all over the world. But what happened to this popular pre-installed game in Windows 10, Windows 8? A lot of users have reported not being able to find it.

Has Microsoft removed it from its latest operating system? Sadly it looks like the answer is yes. Users requesting help on the official Microsoft forums on how to locate the game have been steered towards alternative options like ChessTactis, Chess Buddy or Chess Pro.

Play Chess Titans in Windows 10, Windows 8

However, the feedback for such apps hasn’t been the most promising. For example, the user thomasbixon has tried the suggested games but he didn’t like it at all. Here’s his opinion:

Debbie, Thanks for the answer but those game are like little kids chess games in looks, style and usage. (Unless you know of one similar to Chess Titans)

So what remains to be done? Apparently, there are still a lot of Chess Titans fans out there, whose daily routine involves playing a few rounds in this game, and they won’t settle for less. An alternative exists: have a look at some of the best Chess apps from the Windows Store in our top.

If the suggestions from the first article didn’t satisfy you and you’re still looking for an alternative, we also have another chess app article that you can check out.

Update 2018: Play Chess Titans in Windows 8, 8.1, 10

It is important to mention that at this moment there are not so many games that can visually and technically replace all the features of Chess Titans, but there are still some solutions that can help you install the game, and with a little luck, it will work on your PC. For more information, you can visit this forum thread from our dedicated article which guides you in installing Chess Titans.

On the other hand, there are lots of other chess apps and games which can successfully replace Chess Titans and are fully compatible with Windows 10. These are great alternatives that can provide a great gameplay and will keep your brain in shape. If you are searching for FREE chess games, we have a great list in this article.

If someone wants to have a chess party while sitting on the couch, there is Chess Ultra game that can be played on Xbox and will give you a great time while playing online.

For the best Chess Titans alternatives, please check the apps presented below.

Chess Giants – the closest alternative to Chess Titans

chess giants

As you can see there are a lot of chess games out there. However, they’re not as interesting, intuitive and easy to play as Chess Titans.

But we do have a good piece of news for you: there is one particular game that resembles Chess Titans a lot.

As its creator says, Chess Giants strives to be the most appealing chess software for PC. We tested it and we can confirm that if you liked Chess Titans, then you’ll definitely going to love Chess Giants.

You can download the game for free and run the trial version for 4:45 minutes. Once the trial period expires, you need to make a donation in order to continue playing the game.

chess giants game

Download the game and tell us if you like it.

SparkChess – another interesting alternative to Chess Titans

sparkchess

If you prefer to play online games, then you may want to check out Spark Chess as well. This online chess game platform allows you to play chess without downloading anything on your computer.

No user account is required, all you need to do is go to SparkChess’ website, select your opponent and hit the play button.

The game’s interface is very easy to use and intuitive. Also, if you’re a beginner you can select an opponent suitable for you (for example, you can pick Cody who’s still learning the basics). You can also undo your moves if your previous move was not an excellent one.

There you go, we hope that you liked your alternatives to Chess Titans. Unfortunately, the original game is no longer available, but the good news is that there are plenty of alternatives that you can use to polish your chess skills.

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:

What audiobook apps should I use on my Windows 10, 8 PC?

If you’re looking for the best audiobook apps to use with your Windows 8, Windows 10 tablet, then stop here as we have gathered four of the best applications for your use.

When have you read your last book? With our busy schedules and hectic lives we hardly have the time anymore to sit down and enjoy old and new authors. However, the miracle of technology comes up with a solution. Even if you don’t have time to broaden your cultural views, it doesn’t mean all is lost. Have you tried audiobooks so far? Audiobook give you the freedom of not being focus only on the object – namely the book.

You can do chores around the house or walk around town and at the same time listen to a voice reading to you Margaret Atwood’s “Alias Grace”. Windows 8, Windows 10 and Windows RT users have at their disposal a few apps that will help them browse easily through the most intriguing titles and allow them to select the most interesting novels and scientific literature out there. Here’s a bunch we thought might be useful for you.

Best Windows 10, 8 audiobook apps

1. Audible – Audiobooks and more [Free]

audible windows 8

The Audible Windows 8, Windows 10 app (which we have reviewed) has been released by a company belonging to the Amazon family and offers a wide range of audio book choices. Learn to multi task and listen to the newest and most exciting books while on the go. If you prefer classics, the app has that too. The books are downloadable to any device via Wi-Fi. You can shop at the Audible store.

The books will be showcased starting with the most recent ones you browsed or listened to. Users can add bookmarks, so they can resume listening where they left off. The app has recently been updated with the option to stream audiobooks, by the way.

2. Grimm’s Fairy Tales [$1.49]

grims fairy tales audiobook windows 8

I for one was always a sucker for fairy tales and their dark twisted morals. This app will definitely appeal to fans of the Brothers Grimm. It offers the ability to choose and listen to a collection of some lesser known fairy tales written by them like “The Golden Bird” or “The Twelve Dancing Princessess”

3. OverDrive Media Console [Free]

over drive audiobook windows 8

Now this is a very interesting app. Don’t want to take a trip to your local library? The OverDrive will allow you to access your local library, campus library or school library and download on your Windows 8, Windows 10 machine one of the titles available in the virtual collection. OverDrive covers a data base of over 22,000 libraries across the world, so the potential is huge and should be taken advantage of.

However, this online library functions just like a real one, you can download the books onto your machine but the titles have an expiration date or a borrowing period. OverDrive offers the possibility of users downloading digital books in the EPUB format, not only audio ones. You can find libraries browsing by countries and cities. Start updating your library today!

4. Audiobooks 5000 HD [$1.99]

audiobooks 5000 hd windows 8

This app allows you to have access to a wide data base of classic audiobooks. You can browse the material by letters or by authors, genre or narrator. Haven’t read the works of Mark Twain or James Allen up until now? With this up you have the chance to catch up on the classics of literature. The app doesn’t spam users with ads and other annoying additions.

Avid readers can start listening to the first chapter of the book, while the others are still in the downloading process, ensuring that no time is lost.

Where is Librivox in Windows 10, 8?

An audiobook app that has been proved to be very popular with users is Librivox. The application features more than 5000 public domain audiobooks recorded by volunteers. Books can be browsed by genre, authors and language. Unfortunately Windows 8, Windows 10 users don’t have access yet to this up, only Windows Phone ones. Surely enough the app will come soon to Microsoft’s newest operating system.

Meanwhile, you can download this third-party Windows 10 Librivox app called English Audio Books – Librivox. The app features more than 3000 audiobooks and also includes the texts of the respective books. If English is not your mother tongue, you can use this app to improve your listening skills. The app also features an English Dictionary with samples and sounds and lets you search your favorite books in the LibriVox catalog.

If you are a book lover, and you don’t mind consuming books in a different format other than audio, then I would suggest you to check out some of the best eBook readers that you will find for Windows 10.

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:


6 Helpful Windows 8, Windows 10 Bible Apps for the True Believer

Some might believe that religion is an old-fashioned practice, but this is not quite accurate. Religion as other human institutions has stepped into the twenty-first century as well, and believers who also have a soft spot for technology can now easily blend their two loves. Following this line of thought, we have scanned the Windows app store and found a collection of potentially useful Bible apps for the Windows 8, Windows 10 and Windows RT users.

Top 5 Windows 8, Windows 10 Bible apps


Bible

bible app interface windows 10

This app is currently rating Nr. 1 on Microsoft store and it is fully compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 8.1. For those of you who still use Windows 8, there are 5 more apps below.

Bible has multiple language versions and can be used offline, so if you are not a native English speaker and you cannot have access to the internet daily – this app is perfect for you. It also has some special features that will help a true believer in his daily Bible study:

  • Keeps last 10 chapters/verse you visited so you can quickly access them from the opening screen
  • The Verse of the Day feature opens automatically in the opening screen
  • Social media sharing: easily share verses on Twitter and/or Facebook
  • Reading plans available (over 200) so you can consistently read the Bible
  • Highlighting: you can highlight your favorite verses with different colors

The Holy Bible [Free]

holy bible windows 8 app

This Windows 8, Windows 10 app brings the basic biblical text arranged in Chapters. The app allows believers to see the text translated in different languages like Danish, Indian or Korean. Users can choose to have the text being read out to them. The virtual Bible can be browsed via chapters (Genesis, Kings, Numbers, Deuteronomy and so on). Highlighting the text you mostly appeals to you is also supported.


Study Bible [Free]

windows 8 bible

For those who want to gain more in-depth knowledge of Bible text, the Windows 8, Windows 10 Study Bible app is the one for you. Bible students can easily browse any chapter of the sacred text, look for certain phrases, set up daily reading plans, take notes and much more. The app includes useful study tools like the Easton Bible Dictionary, Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening, Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary and many more.


Bible+ [Free]

bible+ windows 8

If you are an advanced student in Bible studies, you might have reached a point where you need to compare different translations and version of the holy text. If so, you don’t need to go to the library and do massive research. All you need is a Windows 8, Windows 10 machine. The Olive Tree’s Bible+ app offers the possibility of downloading several versions of the Bible so you can compare, take notes or prepare a sermon. Users can also take advantage of the share charm to show other what they are reading.


Bible Quiz [Free]

bible quick windows 8 app

If you think you have gathered enough information about the Holy Bible and want to test your knowledge, this little app might be the perfect solution for you. If features up to 1000+ questions and is divided up into Bible Quizzes for Kids, Bible Quizzes for Teens and Bible Quizzes for Adults, so the whole family can have some holy fun. The more questions you answer correctly the more points you gain and the app allows you to compete against other Christian believers across the World. Just log in with your Facebook account.


Pray for me [Free]

windows 8 bible app

Prayer is not something of us usually engage in anymore and it’s really a shame given the positive effect it can have on our souls. With this Windows 8, Windows 10 app believers can learn the art of prayer. The app will take you step by step showing users how to pray, when to do it and some other useful tips so they can get maximal results. The app also includes some Bible Quotes and some relaxing music that can help set the mood for an afternoon of prayer.


RELATED ARTICLES: 

What are the best Zuma apps for Windows 10/11, 8?

Zuma is one of the most popular mini games that has ever been released. Everybody I know including grandparents, workmates and kids have been one way or another acquainted with this game. The premise is quite simple and maybe that’s why this game has become so addictive to everybody curious enough to try it.

The basic idea is that you get a chain of gems of different colors. The player will be then be able to shoot a gem of a particular color into the chain. To make gems disappear you need to attach the shooting gem to at least two of the same color. Why do you need to make gems disappear?

In order to prevent them from advancing to the finish line, of course. Even if plain old Zuma is not available for Windows 8, Windows 10 or Windows RT, users of Microsoft’s new operating system can still find some satisfying replacements.

Zuma-like game apps for Windows 10, 8

1. Chicken Zooma [Free]

chicken zooma windows 8 zuma

As the name suggests, in this game gems are replaced by colorful eggs. The crazy chicken will sprout eggs right from the source, so gamers can reduce the advancing egg chain. Once they accumulate more score, users will be able to advance to different levels and the speed at which the chain of eggs advances will increase.

2. Zulu Start [Free]

zulu star windows 8 zuma

Zulu Star basically follows the same game play, but places the entire action in an Aztec world of sorts. There’s 45 different levels to play, each featuring diverse backgrounds. For every level you can gain 3 starts, depending on the amount of points you have managed to accumulate. The 3D graphics are a lot of fun, so we’re pretty certain you won’t be able to stop playing this game.

3. Sparkle 2 [$5.99]

sparkle 2 windows 8 zuma

This Zuma like game has quite a complex story attached to it as well. The game is built upon a legend that tells the story of five enchanted keys that were created long ago. All of them were supposed to unlock something of great value, but they have been lost throughout ages. The gamer must help find these keys and discover the secrets behind them.

The game can be played in three modes: Story, Survival and Challenge. Also players can enjoy up to 90 levels which are wonderfully designed. The soundtrack of the game has been composed of famous composer Jonathan Geer. This game has it all, so what are you waiting for?

4. Bubble Star [Free]

bubble star windows 8 zuma

This game does not feature the classic Zuma experience you might have been accustomed to. However you get a conglomerate of funny looking bubbles which you get to shoot. When you shoot a bubble of a certain color which ends up glued to more bubble of the same color, you will make them pop. You must hurry to remove them before the bubbles reach ground level and accumulate more points.

5. Marble Zumas 2

Marble Zumas 2 windows 10 game

Marble Zumas 2 is an addictive Zuma puzzle game that’s very easy to play.Players get three starts after completing all the levels in challenge mode. Control your marbles and aim accurately to match three or more marble colored balls. Boost your score with power-ups and combos to get the highest possible score.

6. Zumas Marble Royal

Zumas Marble Royal windows 10 zuma game

Zumas Marble Royal is an amazing Zuma themed game that you can download from the Microsoft Store. Have you got what it takes to survive tens of secret scenes in classic Zuma mode? Hit the play button to become a Marble Woka Woka Legend.

The Microsoft Store offers many more games like Zuma for Windows 10. Here are some more Zuma game alternatives that you can play on your Windows 10 computer:

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:


.

10 Best Windows 10/11, 8.1 / 8 Apps and Games for Kids

Lately we have witnessed a growing trend that seems to be blaming technology for anything that goes wrong with our kids. To be fair, using technology the right way can help improve educational experiences and tap into children’s natural curiosity.

Even games that don’t have a seemingly educational value have been proven by scientific studies to increase spatial perception abilities and paradoxically focus in children. So we thought to scan the Windows app store for some applications interesting enough to catch the attention of your young ones.

5 Best Windows 8,Windows 10 Educational apps for Kids

Children Stories [Free]

children stories best windows 8 apps kids
Remember when you were little and you went to bed and mom or dad used to tell you a story or read one with you? Now if you have a Windows 8, Windows 10 or Windows RT device you will be able to choose from countless stories classified as: Fairy tales, Folklore, Fables or Legends.

There are stories taken from different countries like the Legend of Phat tu or Legend of To Lich. Each story follows the epic trail using simple words that children can understand. The interface is also very cheerful and colorful and is very easy to browse through.

[Update] This app is no longer available in the Microsoft store, therefore we have scanned to find a related app to provide you with great content of stories for connection time with your child. iStory Books has a fortnightly updated library with free e-books and audiobooks. BedtimeStories need no introduction and we hope it helps!

Moral Stories for Kids [$4.99]

moral stories for kids best windows 8 apps
Even if it might not be moral to charge for teaching morality, this little app might be worth your money. Every child should hear stories and fables which teach the love of others, the importance of friendship and other important human qualities. The stories are showcased like videos and include animations.

The app includes stories taken from different cultures like The Old Woman with the Pumpkin, The Hare and the Tortoise or Tenali Rama.

[Update] This app is no longer available in the Microsoft store, therefore we can recommend you a new app with 60 stories divided into 4 categories:

  1. cultural stories form around the world;
  2. religious stories from 6 main reliogions;
  3. moral stories including bullying, racism and disability;
  4. historical stories.

This app has on offline library, so you don’t need to be connected to the internet to read the books once you’ve downloaded the app. The author, Paul Urry is an experienced primary school teacher and storyteller.

Fun Math Bingo [$1.49]

fun math bingo best windows 8 apps kids
If you are already trying to get your kid to work with basic math operation, Fun Math Bingo will prove very useful. First of all it will allow you to choose which kind of operations to you want your kid to start tackling: Plus, Minus, Multiply or Divide. Difficulty levels can also be selected, so the child doesn’t start off with some complicated exercises.

When the game begins the player with be faced with a grid featuring numbers on it. On top of it a problem to be solved will pop up like “9×5” let’s say. The player will have to choose the right answer from the rid below.

[Update] This app is no longer available in Microsoft Store, and we can suggest a similar game for your child’s mathematical skills to develop in a fun digital mode. Get started with Numbers Game and then try to involve them a money game called Change Please. With easy to follow instructions, you can play along with your kid the game of counting coins and mental math.

Daily Colorbook [Free]

daily colorbook best windows 8 kids apps
All children love to color. It helps develop their creative side and not only. Daily Colorbook does exactly what the name says – provides countless of drawing outlines for your child. The kid not only gets to color stuff but the game play also blends other features like having to guess the profession of the character you’re drawing.

The color palate provides the child with a lot of colors and a mixing spot where he/she can make their own colors. It guarantees for hours of tremendous fun.

Match’Em Up [Free]

english spanish best windows 8 kids apps
Trying to get your kid to learn a language from an early age? Spanish has seen a surge in popularity recently with all the Latin singer and actors attracting the attention to their culture and heritage.

In this game the child will have to do some matching: either match the English word with the Spanish one, or match an object with the Spanish equivalent or match the spoken word to the English equivalent. The different levels are also timed and score, so children can track their improvement.

5 Best Kid Games on Windows 10, Windows 8

Toddler Touch and Drag [Free]

toddler touch and drag best windows 8 apps for kids
Getting your toddler accustomed to a touch screen device is made super easy with this particular app. It’s pretty simple, but for a toddler it’s actually a pretty big deal.

On the screen an over-sized dot of a particular color must be dragged into a circle. As a player advances in the levels, multiple dots of different colors and sizes will appear on the screen.

[Update] This game is no longer available in the Store and we suggest you an alternative.

Play with Santa [Free]

play with santa best windows 8 kid apps
Every child loves Christmas time and this little app will enable your kid to summon the holiday spirit earlier. Play different mini games which involve finding elves around the house, throw snow balls, learning Christmas songs and what not.

Overall this are memory and dexterity games and will not only help pass the time in a fun manner for your child but also help his development.

Cat Puzzle [Free]

cats puzzle best windows 8 kids apps
Because we love kitties and we’re firm believers that children should be thought to love animals from a young age, we present you Cat Puzzles.

Puzzles are a great way to teach concentration and endurance in a fun, creative way. Children using this app will reconstruct cats. There’s two different game modes and puzzles made up of up to 216 pieces.

Little Mermaid Dodge [Free]

little mermaid dodge best windows 8 kids apps
This might be a perfect game for little girls who enjoy Disney movies. Help Ariel the mermaid dodge the evil sharks and get safely back home to her dad and sisters.

The game can be easily played with a keyboard. Dodge as many shark as you can to increase your score.

[Update] This game is currently unavailable, but there is a new app based on this fairytale, with beautiful color illustrations. HD quality might take longer to download, but worths the effort. Free trial is available.

Sleeping Beauty – Interactive Book [Free]

little mermaid dodge best windows 8 kids apps
This particular app provides a sort of audio book with illustration but with a fun twist.

Within the illustrations children are challenged to find interactive elements that could change the course of the story. The app develops the kid’s attention to details but also his/her imagination.

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:

Microsoft Launcher updated with Microsoft Rewards integration, new Visual Search feature

Microsoft announced a new update for its popular Android Launcher today, just a couple of days after the version 4.10 became available for beta testers. Today’s update is actually the phase 2 of this “major release,” and after adding a Microsoft Family integration last week this latest version brings several new features including Visual Search, Microsoft Rewards integration, a new wallpaper experience as well as a new App drawer layout.

We’re not seeing this update yet on our own Android phones, but Microsoft’s Gorden Lin shared all the details about this release on the dedicated Google+ community:

  • Microsoft Family: Parents with Microsoft Launcher can now view the last known location and activity report for their children across their Android phone, Windows PC and Xbox console! (Requires Android 4.4+ for parent devices and 5.0+ for child devices)
  • Search: Introducing Visual Search. Use the camera function through the Launcher Search bar to capture images and intelligently recognize celebrities, landmarks, items, apparel and more!
  • Microsoft Rewards (US only): Now Microsoft Rewards customers can see their Rewards balance in the Launcher Feed and earn points for using Bing Search through Microsoft Launcher;
  • Wallpaper: UX improvements and bug fixes;
  • UX improvements:
    • support deleting documents through Documents card;
    • welcome animation enhancements;
    • Improvements to folder naming experience
  • Additional crash/bug fixes

If you want to try these new features, you’ll need to install this version from the Google Play Beta store. If you’re interested in testing the new Microsoft Family integration, we remind you that you’ll need first to set up your own at account.microsoft.com/family.

New “Departments” menu looks to be coming to the Microsoft Store

Over the weekend Microsoft started testing a new Departments menu in the Microsoft Store app on Windows 10 for some users. Since the store already offers many different types of downloadable content, this hints that the company might be helping users navigate sections and find stuff more easily (via Windows Central.)

The new Departments menu better showcases the software, devices, deals, and entertainment available in the Windows 10 Store. These are actually the four main categories listed under the menu, with five additional and related subcategories directly under. For instance, under “Software and Apps,” you can find Office, Windows 10 apps, Edge extensions, customize windows, and software support. And, under “Entertainment” you can find PC gaming, Mixed reality, Movies & TV, Books, and Xbox.

The Departments menu in the Microsoft Store (image via Windows Central)

We’re not seeing this new Departments category on any of our devices just yet, so Microsoft might just be A/B testing it for now. This isn’t the first time testing has been done, as some users once saw a “Edge Extensions” category in the Store, before it rolled out to a wider audience. Anyway, the change is welcome and should make finding new apps and games even easier. Are you seeing this new Departments menu? Let us know in the comments below.

Can’t get apps from the Microsoft Store in Windows 10 v1803? [FIX]

On Microsoft’s forum, one user has an interesting question that seems to have bothered more people. Fortunately, there’s an independent advisor who comes up with the answer and solution to the issue.

Dungeon Hunter Champions won’t download from Microsoft Store

The user claimed that while trying to get Dungeon Hunter Champions from the Microsoft Store, there seems to be a problem: “When I click on “get it now” it starts loading for 0.5 sec, then the shop just refreshes, and I can click on “get it now” again and again.”

Here’s the solution

It seems that more users are reporting issues with the Windows Store in version 1803, according to the independent advisor who came up with the solution. To fix the problem, users are advised to open the Microsoft Store and click the User Icon. After that, they have to Sign Out and search for the app that they want to download and click on “Get.” Only after these steps, are users supposed to sign back into their accounts. Now, downloading the app should work just fine.

Dungeon Hunter Champions is the ultimate online Action-RPG

And speaking on Dungeon Hunter Champions, it’s a game worth trying out. You can join thousands of players and customize your team of Champions to embark in one of the most epic adventures ever. You will clash with enemies in real-time 5v5 battles and face massive raid bosses in the coolest campaigns. You’ll get the chance to challenge gigantic enemies such as the brutal Bull Demon King and the vicious Elder Drake.

Check it out on the Microsoft Store and if you’re having troubles getting the game, just follow the steps detailed above, and everything should work just fine.

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:

Microsoft news recap: LinkedIn will tell you if you’re a match before applying for a job, Bing Ads to ban cryptocurrency ads, and more

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

Microsoft Edge Beta updated on iOS with new hub design, developer options menu, and more

A new update for the Microsoft Edge Beta app on iOS brings a new hub design, a new menu for developers, and more. There are also numerous tweaks to the elements of the UI. The update is available via Apple’s TestFlight app.

Bing Ads, a little late to the party, to ban cryptocurrency ads beginning in June

Microsoft has announced that its search and display ad network, Bing Ads, is set to follow the trend of other ad networks, such as Google’s AdWords, and ban cryptocurrency ads from June onwards.

Bing updated with intelligent answers expansion and additional weather info among others

Bing is expanding its intelligent answers, while adding additional weather information to its search experience. Weather in search will now show live radar mappings, as well as the weather in neighbouring cities. The intelligent answers expansion shows answers to a question, verified by up to 5 sources.

Microsoft, Bing, Search

LinkedIn will now tell you if you’re a match before applying to a job

LinkedIn is making it a little less stressful in applying for a job, by showing if you’re a good match for the job before you apply, so that you can make a more informed decision. It will show how different factors will affect the application, and whether your profile currently meets the criteria.

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

Windows 10 update breaks full screen optimizations in games

It seems that the latest Windows 10 update broke the option to “Disable full screen optimizations” that was supposed to fix stuttering and FPS drops. Thankfully, a user posted on Reddit the solution on how to enable it back. The user says that it’s not very clear why Microsoft keeps doing this, but the conclusion is that such actions make Windows 10 less likable.

Disable full screen optimizations [FIX]

Here are the instructions as posted on Reddit to fix the issue:

  • Find your league executable.
  • Quickest way is to open task manager with a custom match open, right click the League of Legends with the old logo, and open file location.
  • Right click and go to Properties.
  • Tab to the Compatibility tab, and “enable” disable full screen optimizations.
  • Exit the game, you will see the effect of the change next time you load into a match.

Another Reddit user notes an interesting thing, saying that by “Unchecking Windows Settings > Gaming > Game Bar > show game bar when I play full-screen games Microsoft has verified and record clips, screenshots…disables this effect globally (all games and apps that run on exclusive fullscreen).”

The user notes two essential things. For starters, it looks like this effect only works with verified Windows games, probably games, and apps purchased from the Microsoft Store; therefore League might not be affected at all.

The second thing worth noting is that the full screen optimizations is a hybrid full-screen mode. The Standard Full screen Windows Mode passes everything through the desktop compositor and this forces triple-buffered V-Sync to be used, and it also adds a latency frame. The new presentation mode is able to bypass the compositor, and it reduces latency, allowing users to disable the V-Sync. It also allows for fast Alt-Tabbing if there is no display mode switching.

You can go even deeper into the issue to heading over to the Reddit thread and read other opinions as well.

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:

Microsoft announces new product badges for Microsoft Store apps and games

Microsoft has released new product badges for apps and games available on the Microsoft Store. The aim of the badges is to make it easy for website owners and content creators to promote apps and games on their websites, while also making it easier for app/game developers to promote their products.

Below is a working example of the product badge in action:


Website owners can begin using these product badges immediately, by using the below code and replacing the ID with the ID of the app/game you’re wanting to promote:

<div id=”mspb-nc9jl2ngc1i” class=”9nblggh2jhxj”></div>
<script src=”https://storebadge.azureedge.net/src/badge-1.6.1.js”></script>
<script>
mspb(‘9nblggh2jhxj’, function(badge) {
document.getElementById(‘mspb-nc9jl2ngc1i’).innerHTML = badge;
});
</script>

Product badges support a number of features, including ratings, Xbox Live games, sale prices, and more. They act as an easy form of promotion for apps and games alike, as a result of Microsoft’s unified Store platform.

Sprint to offer free, unlimited data for Windows 10 on ARM devices until the end of the year

Sprint looks to be opening up an interesting offer for users of Windows 10 on ARM devices. For the remainder of 2018, Sprint is offering free, unlimited data for selected Windows 10 on ARM devices.

The devices that are eligible for this offer include:

  • ASUS NovaGo
  • HP Envy x2
  • Lenovo Miix 630

The device doesn’t need to be purchased from Sprint, as this a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) offer. So, if you have a Windows 10 on ARM device and are looking for a low-cost way of adding a data plan to it, this could be a good offer to get started with.

Data is free and unlimited until 12th December, 2018, at which point the price changes to $15/month if paying via AutoPay, which brings a $5 recurring discount.

You can take advantage of Sprint’s offer on their website here.

Microsoft’s low budget Surface tablet takes on Apple’s iPad

Apple’s crown might pass to Microsoft in the domain of cheap tablets. The company came up with a better strategy to sell low-cost tablets. Recent news says that Microsoft might be preparing to launch low-cost Surface tablets that may very well compete with Apple’s iPads. The tech giant might target the sub $500 market which we all know is currently dominated by Apple and its iPads.

Microsoft’s strategy seems more viable this time

This is not the first time that Redmond is trying to sell some cheaper Surface Tablets, as this happened a while ago with the company’s Surface RT. What is different this time is the fact that Microsoft might have come up with an enhanced strategy.

The brand new Surface Tablets will boast a 10-inch display and USB-C connections. They will also be lighter than the other models from the Surface family of tablets with 20%, and they will even flaunt rounded edges just like iPads.

Microsoft’s plans regarding pricing and availability are to put a tag of about $400 on these devices which will become available by the end of this year.

Sales for the Surface devices might be boosted

The report that Microsoft is working on these low-cost tablets was first released by Bloomberg which also claimed that the new budget Surface computers would feature Intel CPUs and graphics and run the full version of Windows 10 Pro. We still don’t know if the S mode is enabled by default or not. Just like the iPads, it seems that Microsoft included LTE connectivity in these cheaper models which the tech giant eventually brought to the full-size Surface Pro earlier this year.

These new and cheaper Surface Tablets might be able to raise the sales of the current lineup of Surface devices which hasn’t been doing great lately.

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:

Second Life in Windows 10/11: All you need to know

Second Life is compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8.1, 8 but there isn’t currently an official app
Virtual reality fans will surely know of games like Second Life and SIMS which basically allow them to construct an alternate reality. Second Life differentiates itself from SIMS due to the fact that it can be played online, allowing users to interact with other peers who are connected to the same virtual reality.

[2018 UPDATE] Second Life celebrated it’s 15th Anniversary this year and counted 482,000 years total time users have spent in the game. There have been created 57million accounts on an average of 350,000 monthly new registrations from about 200 countries around the world.

Linden Lab announced that $68millions were paid to the creators and the virtual goods users have created in the marketplace are estimated at $5million.

A musical fest has been set-up and the CEO Ebbe Altberg met with the community to discuss what’s next for SL via two live Town Hall events. In case you missed that, you can catch up the videos after you get your game started.

Getting started with Second Life game on Windows 10

To play Second Life on Windows 10, Windows 8.1/8, users must first download the executable and then install it on their machine or mobile device. Once the game started, gamers will find themselves in need of a virtual avatar.

To explore, communicate and connect on Second Life you will need to download the 3D browsing software from the official website. This is also called the SL viewer, it’s free, fast and easy to download and install. Once you get advanced in the game you might be interested to try different viewers available.

⇒ Get SL viewer

At the beginning of the game, certain features are available, but more can be unlocked as the game progresses. First, you have to see what you can do with the available resources in order to construct your virtual persona. Once you start walking around different environments and interact with other characters, the gameplay becomes more complex.

As you play along you might notice that some player might change a nice dress or a fancy hat or have taken up a shiny car. In case you want any of those things, you need to start paying real money.

Second Life on Windows 10, Windows 8.1/8 as well, features a fully-fledged store where users can acquire all the things their little heart desires to make their character more appealing. Why would anybody go through all that trouble, somebody might ask?

A newspaper report showcased that some people can get so hooked up to Second Life that it ends up affecting their real life. An American gamer was threatened with divorce by his wife who was accusing him of cheating with a Second Life female character.

But is this controversial game available for Windows 8/8.1, Windows 10 users? According to some members of the Second Life community, it’s impossible to run the game without a proper viewer. And not all viewers will work correctly.

Some on the other hand claim to have no problems running the application on the newest Microsoft operating system. Here’s a quick fix you should try in case your virtual reality vortex doesn’t open properly.

How to make Second Life work in Windows 10, Windows 8.1/8

  1. Identify Video/Graphics system for your computer/ get Windows 8, Windows 10 drivers from the official manufacturer.
  2. Try reinstalling Second Life once again using only the official version downloaded from Linden Lab, but be sure to perform a quick installation.

As the community forum’s users have suggested, most of the problems encountered in SL are driver issues. Our recommendation as well is to verify and update your drivers along with making sure you install the latest Windows Update as well.

Your computer may be new, but its drivers were loaded before it was put on a shelf in the warehouse, months ago, so they probably need to be reinstalled.  That’s always my first move with a new machine anyway.

Downloading drivers manually is a process that carries the risk of getting the wrong driver installed, which may lead to serious malfunctions. The safer and easier way to update drivers on a Windows computer is by using an automatic tool.

⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

If you still have doubts on how to do that here’s a quick guide to make Second Life work in Windows 8, Windows 10

  1. Go to File Explorer->Libraries/Computer/(C:) / Users/ <your username>
  2. Choose Continue to edit permanently the directory
  3. Select Options & Change Folder & Search Options from View drop-down menu option
  4. Select View Tab
  5. Search for Hidden Files and Folders and go for O Show hidden files, folders & Drivers radio button
  6. Click Apply then OK
  7. Open C:Users<username>AppDataLocal and delete everything in the Temp and Second Life folder
  8. Perform Second Life uninstall from Programs and Features

After re-installation, the game should run just fine. Enjoy your virtual life and stay safe!

RELATED ARTICLES TO CHECK OUT:

Windows 10, 8 tech support contact information [Links]

If you have installed Windows 10, Windows 8 (or the Windows 8.1 update, for that matter) on your device, then most likely, if you’re unlucky as most of us are with software, you will have troubles with it and will need customer support and service. Many folks, especially those that aren’t so acquainted with tech things, rush to contact the customer support service and ask for help.

Of course, you could solve many of these issues by yourself, but let’s help those that think their machine is doomed. First of all, you need to look on the website of your computer’s maker to see if they have Windows 10, Windows 8 support, like HP, for example. If your machine maker hasn’t managed to help you solve your issue, then you might try and contact Microsoft directly.

However, be prepared not to receive the Windows 8, Windows 10 support you are looking for because most people will just ask anything. Microsoft has even set up a webpage so that you could know how and when to ask for support.

windows 10 support

 

Windows 10 support contact information

“Real” tech support for Windows 8, Windows 10 users was available mainly for those living in the U.S and Canada for many years. Fortunately, Microsoft now offers support for many countries, covering all continents. Microsoft employees will be able to help solve your Windows 8, Windows 10 problems by telephone, chat, or e-mail.

The Redmond giant offers users other contact channels. If you can’t get a support agent on the phone, you can contact Microsoft by accessing the company’s social media support pages.

Microsoft decided to invest in artificial intelligence technologies and also added an AI bot to help you fix your technical issues. Microsoft’s Virtual Agent is actually an animated interface that has access to the company’s troubleshooting database. You can briefly describe your problem and the agent will list the corresponding support page.

You can also get customer support by chat or email on the official support page or you can look by yourself for articles related to Windows 10, Windows 8.

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:


Fix DirectX Setup: An Internal System Error Occurred

Gaming fanatics might occasionally need to install DirectX manually to ensure their laptops or desktops meet the games’ DirectX system requirements. However, some users have stated that a DirectX An internal system error occurred error message pops up when they try to install DirectX (version 9 or higher).

This guide will come in handy for fixing Directx setup errors on Origin. You’ll be able to get rid of them in no time.

If that error message pops up when you open the DirectX installer, this is how you can fix it.

How can I fix DirectX Setup: An internal system error occurred?

  1. Run the DirectX Installer as Admin
  2. Switch Off Third-Party Antivirus Software
  3. Install DirectX With DirectX End-User Runtimes
  4. Install DirectX Within an Admin Account
  5. Scan the Registry with third-party software
  6. Edit the Registry

1. Run the DirectX Installer as Admin

First, try running the DirectX installer as an admin. Opening an installer as an admin can often fix installation errors. To do that, you right-click the DirectX setup wizard and select Run as administrator.

2. Switch Off Third-Party Antivirus Software

Many users have fixed the “An internal system error occurred” error by disabling their third-party anti-virus software and then installing DirectX.

Most anti-virus utilities include a disable option on their system tray icon context menus that you can select to temporarily switch off the shields.

If you can’t find any such option on the context menu, open the anti-virus software’s window and browse through the configuration settings.

3. Install DirectX With DirectX End-User Runtimes

The “An internal system error occurred” system error more frequently occurs when installing DirectX with the runtime package’s web setup version (otherwise the web installer).

Thus, some users have found that DirectX installs ok with the alternative DirectX End-User Runtimes installer that you can download from this page.

Thereafter, run the installer, extract all files to a folder and then run the DXSETUP as an administrator from the folder that includes the extracted files.

4. Install DirectX Within an Admin Account

If you’re installing DirectX within a standard Windows user profile, you might need to install it within an admin account. You can set up a completely new admin profile.

Alternatively, you can switch your current standard profile to an admin one as follows:

  1. Press the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open Run.
  2. Input ‘netplwiz’ in the Open text box and click OK to open the window in the snapshot directly below.
  3. Select your standard user profile and click Properties to open the window shown below.
  4. Select the Group Membership tab, which includes the options in the shot directly below.
  5. Choose the Administrator option on the Group Membership tab.
  6. Press the Apply and OK buttons to confirm the newly selected setting.

5. Scan the Registry with third-party software

Since working with the registries is not always simple and can be quite risky to your system, it is always a good idea to employ the help of professional registry cleaning software.

These tools allow you to perform in-depth scans and replace any broken or corrupted system files they encounter with fresh genuine ones from their databases.

6. Edit the Registry

  1. Another fix for the “internal system error occurred” error that some users have confirmed to work is to edit the DirectX registry key. To do that, open the Registry Editor by entering ‘regedit’ in Run’s Open text box.
  2. Then browse to this registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\DirectX.
  3. Select the DirectX key shown in the snapshot directly below.
  4. Then double-click InstalledVersion on the right of the window to open the Edit Binary Value window.
  5. Erase the value data within the Edit Binary Value window and replace it with this value: 0808 00 00 00 09 00 00 00.
  6. Press the OK button to close the Edit Binary Value window.
  7. Double-click Version to open the Edit String window shown below.
  8. Delete the current value in the Value data text box.
  9. Enter ‘4.09.00.0904’ in the Value data text box, and click the OK button.

If you can’t edit your Windows 10’s registry, read this handy guide and find the quickest solutions to the issue.

So that’s how you can fix the “An internal system error occurred” error to install DirectX on Windows 10.

If you have any other questions or suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.

AutoCAD Software for Windows 10/11, 8: All you Need to Know

We all know that an official AutoCAD app for Windows 10, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1 would be great, but until that happens, here’s what you need to know about AutoCad software on Windows 10, Windows 8.

AutoCAD is an essential piece of software created for people involved in the design and documentation lines of work. The program allows users to create, edit and maneuver 2D drawings and diagrams and then can produce 3D renderings and views. This particular program has a long history and since it has been first released in 1982, it has been launched in 18 languages. And now, it is present in Windows 10, Windows 8 and should be compatible for your machine.

AutoCAD is especially popular for professionals working in architecture, interior design, construction, engineering, landscape design, naval and aeronautical design, piping and cabling. It features an extensive array of different functions and as a whole it’s pretty difficult to master. AutoCAD allows for the use of layers, styles, blocks, sheets and much more. For those looking to download a Windows 8, Windows 10 app, I’m sad to say that so far we didn’t to manage a reliable one in the Windows Store.

autocad windows 8

AutoCAD in Windows 10, Windows 8

The latest version that the publishing company – Autodesk has put out, is the AutoCAD 2013 which features some amazing new capabilities professionals can use to optimize their workflow. Some of them include the existence of Autodesk Exchange Apps, the embedding of Documentation Applications, the possibility of capturing scanned drawings, of better rendering 3D images and obtaining high Quality Cinematic Presentations.

Will my AutoCAD work with Windows 10, Windows 8?

With so many working casts depending on AutoCAD is no wonder many have been wondering whether or not the utility is compatible with Windows 10, Windows 8 or not. Well, we have bad news and good news. The bad news is that AutoCAD is not yet an integral part of Windows 10, Windows 8, at least not just yet. On the other hand, we have spotted some reports which maintain that the suite might work on some Windows 8, Windows 10 computers. However, you will need to have installed the latest 2013 version of AutoCAD to do so.

The official publisher AutoDesk website has included a full list of AutoCAD versions that have been tested on the Windows 8, Windows 10 operating system and have been proven to work correctly. Here is the full list of the AutoCAD programs that are officially “proven” to work on the Windows 10, Windows 8 or Windows 8.1. Be sure to have yours listed.

  • AutoCAD 2013 (requires installation of Service Pack 2)
  • AutoCAD LT 2013 (requires installation of Service Pack 2)
  • AutoCAD Architecture 2013 (requires installation of Service Pack 2)
  • AutoCAD Electrical 2013 (requires installation of Service Pack 2)
  • AutoCAD Mechanical 2013 (requires installation of Service Pack 2)
  • AutoCAD MEP 2013 (requires installation of Service Pack 2)
  • Autodesk 3ds Max 2013
  • Autodesk 3ds Max Design 2013
  • Autodesk Maya 2013
  • Autodesk MotionBuilder 2013
  • Autodesk Mudbox 2013
  • Autodesk Softimage 2013
  • Autodesk SketchBook Designer 2013

Of course, already scheduled follow ups of AutoCAD (the 2014 version) will support compatibility with Windows 10, Windows 8 and AutoDesk is working on bringing as many of its products to the new operating system.

Users installing AutoCAD versions on their Windows 8, Windows 10 machines have to read the exact specifications in details because some products will be compatible with the 64-bit version of Windows 10, Windows 8 and some with the 32-bit version. Some reports have been popping on about people who actually have installed AutoCAD 2013 on their computers. They have reported that the software is indeed working but its performance it’s a little bit sluggish due to the lack of hardware drivers.

However, until AutoCAD doesn’t get fully released in a stable Windows 8, Windows 10 friendly version, we are going to keep hearing reports about AutoCAD 2013 freezing and crashing in Windows 10, Windows 8. The only way to solve the inconvenience is apparently to resort to the use of Task Manager and from there to forcefully close the program. We hope this won’t be the case for long.

Download AutoCAD Mobile

autocad mobile

UPDATE: You can now download AutoCAD Mobile from the Microsoft Store. The app became a UWP app in 2016 and you can run it on PC, mobile devices and even HoloLens.

Take the power of AutoCAD wherever you go! AutoCAD mobile is a free DWG viewing application, with easy-to-use drawing and drafting tools that allow you to view, create, edit, and share AutoCAD drawings.

Autodesk added a series of new features and improvements along the years, and regularly rolls out bug fixes to improve the overall app stability. Here are some of the most important features that this app brings:

  • Free Premium trial for all users so that you can test all the features of the app
  • You can work offline and then sync your changes as soon as you get back online
  • External cloud storage connectivity supported — you can view your drawings from Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive.
  • You can plot designs to PDF and share them via email
  • All drawing and editing tools, including advanced tools, such as arc, offset and more are supported
  • Advanced annotation tools (cloud, mark up, arrow and more) are also available.

If you’ve used AutoCAD Mobile, tell us more about your experience in the comments below.

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:


How to Disable Did You Mean to Switch Apps in Windows 10

This tutorial applies to users running Windows 10 and using the Microsoft Edge browser. When you click on a hyperlink in Microsoft Edge that opens another app on your system, you see the message below.

If you select “Yes”, your browser will switch to File Explorer, but you’ll get the same prompt each and every time Edge needs to switch to another app. On the other hand, if you select “No”, the message disappears, preventing switching apps.

There is no option on the prompt window to prevent it from being shown in the future, so it will keep on popping up. Those who find it irritating may want to disable it, but there is no direct method.

Many users reported Did you mean to switch apps message on their PC. This issue can appear if your file associations aren’t properly configured. Speaking of this message, in this article, we’re going to cover the following topics:

  • How to disable application switching in Windows 10 – This message can be quite annoying, but you should be able to disable it by making few changes in your registry. We wrote a detailed guide on how to do it, so be sure to check it out.
  • Microsoft Edge is trying to switch apps – This message is usually associated with Microsoft Edge, and if you ever encounter this message, you might have to set up a different default web browser.
  • Did you mean to switch apps (Microsoft Edge) – This issue most commonly appears in Edge, and if you encounter it, be sure to update Windows to the latest version and check if that solves the problem.

How to disable Did you mean to switch apps message in Microsoft Edge?

1. Change your registry

Sometimes to disable Did you mean to switch apps message, you need to modify your registry. In case you’re not familiar, your registry holds all sorts of sensitive information, so we advise you to be extra cautious while modifying it.

To fix this problem, you need to create a couple of values using Registry Editor, and you can do that by following these steps:

  1. Type regedit in the search box > and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  2. Step 2: In the new Registry Editor window  go to
    HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftInternet ExplorerProtocolExecuteHow to disable application switching in Windows 10
  3. Right-click on ProtocolExecute > select New> and go to Key in the right pane. The newly created key should be saved as a file.
  4. Right-click on the new subkey > select New >DWORD Value. Name the new DWORD (REG_DWORD) as WarnOnOpen. Its value should be zero (0).Microsoft Edge is trying to switch apps
  5. Now close the Registry Editor and restart your computer. You’re all done after restarting, and you won’t get the ‘Did you mean to switch apps’ prompt again.

2. Change your file associations

According to users, Did you mean to switch apps message can appear due to your file associations. However, you can fix the problem simply by setting different default apps. To do that on Windows 10, you just need to follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app. You can do that quickly by pressing Windows Key + I.
  2. When Settings app opens, navigate to the Apps section.
    Microsoft Edge is trying to switch apps
  3. Go to the Default apps on the menu on the left and set the desired default applications in the right pane. This error usually occurs when using Edge, so you might want to set a different default browser.
    Did you mean to switch apps Microsoft Edge

This problem can also occur while trying to open a specific type of file. If that’s the case, you might be able to solve the problem simply by setting a default app for that file type. To do that, just do the following:

  1. Open the Settings app and navigate to the Apps section.
  2. Navigate to Default apps from the menu on the left and select Choose default apps by file type option.
    How to disable application switching in Windows 10
  3. Locate the file type that is giving you this message and select the default application for that file type.
    Microsoft Edge is trying to switch apps

In some rare cases, this message can appear while trying to use certain protocols. However, you should be able to fix that simply by repeating the steps above and selecting Choose default apps by protocol option.

After doing that, you need to set the default application for the desired protocols, and the issue should be resolved.

3. Select Don’t ask me every time option

According to users, you might be able to fix this problem simply by choosing Don’t ask me every time option when asked to choose the default browser.

Whenever you try to open a file with a non-default application, you might get this or a similar message. To fix the problem, select the application you want to use and check Don’t ask me every time option.

After doing that, you shouldn’t receive this pesky message again.

4. Try using Safe Mode

Sometimes this error message can appear due to your settings, and to check if your settings are the problem, it’s advised to use Safe Mode. If you’re unfamiliar, Safe Mode is a special segment of Windows that runs with default settings and apps and is perfect for troubleshooting issues.

To check if your settings are the problem, you need to switch to Safe Mode and check if the issue appears. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Start Menu and click the Power button. Now press and hold the Shift key and choose Restart from the menu.
    Did you mean to switch apps Microsoft Edge
  2. Now select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings. Click the Restart button to continue.
  3. Once your PC restarts, the list of options will appear. Select any version of Safe Mode by pressing the corresponding key.

Once you enter Safe Mode, check if the problem still appears. If not, the issue might be related to your user account or settings.

5. Create a new user account

Sometimes this problem can appear due to issues with your user account. Sometimes your account can get corrupted, or certain settings can interfere with your apps. However, you can fix the issue simply by creating a new user account. This is quite simple, and you can do it by following these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app and navigate to the Accounts section.
    Did you mean to switch apps Microsoft Edge
  2. Select Family & other people from the menu on the left. Now choose Add someone else to this PC from the menu on the right.
    How to disable application switching in Windows 10
  3. Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
    Microsoft Edge is trying to switch apps
  4. Now click the Add a user without a Microsoft account option.
    Did you mean to switch apps Microsoft Edge
  5. Enter the desired username and click Next.
    How to disable application switching in Windows 10

Once you create a new account, you need to switch to it. After switching to a new account, check if the problem still persists. If not, it means your previous account was corrupted or improperly configured. Now you need to move your personal files to a new account and start using it instead of your old one.

6. Check for updates

If you’re constantly getting Did you mean to switch apps messages, the problem might be caused by the missing updates.

Sometimes certain glitches or bugs can be present in Windows, which can lead to Did you mean to switch apps message. However, you can fix most of these problems simply by keeping Windows 10 up to date.

To simplify this process, Windows 10 will automatically download the necessary updates. However, sometimes you might miss an automatic update due to certain bugs. On the other hand, you can always check for updates manually by doing the following:

  1. Open the Settings app and navigate to Update & Security section.
    How to disable application switching in Windows 10
  2. Now click Check for updates button.
    Microsoft Edge is trying to switch apps

If any updates are available, they will be downloaded automatically in the background. Once the updates are downloaded, you can install them simply by restarting your PC. After your PC is updated, this error message shouldn’t appear anymore.

Microsoft doesn’t provide a direct solution to solve the issue. They claim that since you are using multiple programs associated with protocol and file types, there is no option to turn off the pop-up message while opening a hyperlink (file extension).

Some users have reported that it can also be switched off by tweaking the Internet Explorer settings. We do hope that the above procedure worked for you.

Download AccuWeather for Windows 10/11, 8 [Best Weather App]

I’ve been using Accuweather for a while now on my Windows 8 tablet, Windows 10 computer and can definitely say it is among the most useful weather apps wherever you are in the world. Read this post to find out more about AccuWeather for Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows RT.
accuweather windows 8
Accuweather is, without a doubt, one of the best weather apps in the world, be it for Windows, Android or iOS or anything else you might use. If you are not satisfied with the basic weather app inside Windows 10, Windows 8, then you definitely need to have a look at AccuWeather for Windows 10, Windows 8, as it will definitely appeal to you.

The first thing you need to do is to go to the Windows Store and look for the app or you can follow this download link. Before installing the app, you will be required to read the terms and conditions and the privacy statements. After that, obviously, you will be asked to allow AccuWeather to use your location which it needs to display relevant meteo conditions.

Updating your location happens quite fast and you are welcomed by the screen rich in details. The weather animations are pretty nioce and the custom lifestyle forecasts make it very pleasantly to be used. The AccuWeather application for Windows 10, Windows 8 has quite a huge database of locations, being able to provide local weather forecasts for more than 2.7 million locations all over the world, which is pretty amazing, indeed.

Check the weather with AccuWeather for Windows 10, 8

AccuWeather download pc

Of course, if you are planning a travel to a remote place, then you need to know the exact weather of that place for the following days. AccuWeather provides current weather conditions for the next three days (72 hours). What’s really awesome is that it comes with a forecast for the next 25 days. In my experience of using the app, I can say that it was, indeed, pretty accurate.

AccuWheather will also dispaly health risks if there are some caused by mad weather conditions. Also, it will tell you if the weather is good for your outdoor sports. The weather conditions are being updated once in 15 minutes covering the following details:

  • humidity percentages
  • visibility
  • UV index
  • wind direction
  • wind and wind gust speed
  • RealFeel

AccuWeather has partnered wtih Microsoft to bring Bing Maps inside the app. Also, there is a weather comparison feature built-in for your locations. And the best part? Yes, completely free!

The app recently got a series of new features and improvements. You can now check out the watches and warning layers on the map. Also, depending on the time of the day, an automatic theme will change between light and dark themes.
If you enjoyed watching weather videos on previous app versions, we have a piece of good news for you: weather videos are back in the current version of the app available in the Microsoft Store.

Download AccuWeather from the Microsoft Store.

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:


Windows 10 KB4103722, KB4103720 fix UWP app crashes

Microsoft recently released two new updates for older Windows 10 versions. You can automatically download Windows 10 Creators Update KB4103722 and Windows 10 Anniversary Update KB4103720 via Window Update or you can get the stand-alone update package from Microsoft’s Update Catalog website.

Windows 10 v1703 KB4103722 changelog

Here are the main bug fixes and improvements packed in this update:

  • Updated time zone information fixes
  • Internet Explorer alerts should no longer appear on a second monitor when using extended display.
  • Microsoft addressed the issue with the connection status of some Bluetooth devices.
  • The update fixed the issue that prevents adding performance counters to the Performance Monitor on systems with many processors.
  • Addressed the issue that causes sporadic authentication issues when using Windows Authentication Manager.
    The patch fixed the issue where the connection bar is missing in Virtual Machine Connection (VMConnect) when using full-screen mode on multiple monitors.
  • UWP apps should no longer stop working when users enable the XAML Map Control.

You can read the full update changelog on Microsoft’s support page.

Windows 10 v1706 and Windows Server 2016 KB4103720

Update KB4103720 shares some common fixes with KB4103722 and also brings a series of improvements of its own:

  • Addressed the issue that can cause excessive memory usage when using smart cards on a Windows Terminal Server system.
  • The update fixed the issue that makes it impossible to revert to a virtual machine checkpoint.
  • The patch ensures that CPU Groups function properly.
  • Microsoft fixed the issue that causes a VM to throw an error after creating the VM with static memory.
  • Microsoft also addressed the issue where disks that have been blacklisted or marked as bad will be ignored and not be repaired when a user invokes S2D Repair.
  • The bug that caused default apps to reset browsers on server platforms has now been fixed.

You can read the full update changelog on Microsoft’s support page.

Microsoft is not currently aware of any issues with update KB4103722. On the other hand, KB4103720 is affected by some reliability issues during the creation of shielded VMs. Microsoft is working on a fix.

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:

How to update Skype on Windows 10, Windows 8

Microsoft’s IM client, Skype, has a lot of users all over the world. It’s simple user interface and attracting features have made it quite popular. If you’ve installed Skype on your Windows 8, Windows 10 or Windows 8.1 device, you will probably want to receive all the Skype updates so that it will work properly and you won’t have to uninstall it later on.

Maintaining Skype on Windows 8, Windows 10 is quite easy, as it is a very well designed program that it constantly updates by Microsoft, in order to make it as good as possible. Even so, in some situations, it cause some minor problems for certain users. If you want to know how to update Skype on Windows 8, Windows 10 and Windows 8.1 to ensure that it works flawlessly, take a look here and find out.

Updating Skype on Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 [Desktop and App]

update-skype-desktop-windows -8

So, as you know, there are two versions of Skype available for Windows 10, Windows 8 users: there is the desktop program that can be installed on computers running Windows 10, Windows 8, and there is the Windows Store Skype app that can be accessed via the Start Screen.

Updating the Skype desktop client is done easily, as it has by default a feature for automatically searching for new updates and prompting you to download and install them. Every time you start Skype, it will run this search, and if it finds an update, it will notify you. Once it finds an update, you will see a popup message asking you to update the client. By clicking “install”, the wizard will download and install the update for you.

update-skype-windows-8

If you don’t have this feature turned on, you can do so by opening Skype and navigating to the “Tools” menu and selecting “Options“. Under “Advanced” you will find a sub-category named “Automatic Updates“. Here you will see if this service is turned on. If you it is not, you can turn in on and from now on, at every startup, Skype will search for an update.

For more information regarding Skype desktop updates, you can take a look at the Skype Support website, where you will find more information on this matter.

The Skype App for Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 is also very easily updated. As you might know, when you start your Windows 8, Windows 10 device, the Store will notify you if you have updates to make. Microsoft releases periodic updates for its apps, and if they will release one for Skype, you will be able to see in the list of apps to update on your Store app.

update-skype-app-windows -8

Note: Keep in mind that the Store app also has a option to search for updates automatically, so be sure to have it turned on.

You can also check for updates manually. To do this, go to Help and select the ‘Check for updates’ option from the drop-down menu.

update skype windows 10

Skype will then search for updates. A new update window will appear on the screen allowing you to install the latest updates. If you’re using old Skype versions, you have two possibilities: you can either install the latest updates for your your current Skype version or upgrade to the new version.

check for updates skype

Speaking of updates, it is worth mentioning that all Skype users will have to switch to the new Skype version starting May 25. Microsoft already began notifying users that old Skype version will no longer work after May 25.

We noticed you are using a version of Skype for Windows 10 that will no longer work after May 25, 2018. Older conversation history may be impacted during the upgrade.

Now you know how to update Skype on Windows 10, Windows 8 and Windows 8.1. The process is almost automatic, and it will allow you to have the best experience that Skype can offer. Be sure to have your desktop client check for updates when you start Skype, and take a regular look at your Skype updates.

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT:


How to Block Bing Ads in Windows 10

Not so long ago, we informed you that we would start seeing Bing ads inside Windows 10, Windows 8.1’s smart search function. This might account for one of the reasons why users are looking to uninstall Windows 10, 8.1 and revert to Windows 8. If the annoying Bing advertising is the single thing that bothers you with Windows 10, Windows 8.1, then maybe you just need to learn how to block ads from being displayed once and for all.

I, for one, am not a big fan of these ads, actually, I quite hate them. Their placement is ridiculous and definitely doesn’t enrich my experience of using Windows 8. But we are lucky, as with only a few basic steps, we can easily turn off the Bing ads that Microsoft is going to make permanent in the stable Windows 8.1, Windows 10 release.

How to switch off Bing ads in Windows 10

First of all, I might say that if you are not living in an English speaking country, then most of the ads are simply useless and totally irrelevant. What good can do to me a BestBuy advertisement if I’m living in Europe? I’m not saying that Google’s advertising services are very accurate, but so far, in my personal experience, Bing ads relevancy is close to inexistent.

Therefore, follow these easy steps to disable Bing ads in Windows 10, Windows 8.1, even before it reaches its final version or, depending on when you are reading this, it might have already been launched.

  • Open up the Settings charm –  if you don’t know yet your way around Windows 8 or 8.1, you can do so by moving your mose pointer (or your finger) in the top right hot corner; or, if you love hotkeys, then press the Windows logo and I
  • From there, following this path Change PC settings (bottom of the bar) -> Search and Apps -> Use Bing to search online -> Select Off

disable bing ads in windows 8.1

However, depending on what build version of Windows 10, Windows 8.1 you might be using, this might not always work, so you can also trying by typing directly in the Search charm – “search and apps” and from there follow the above line.

Install an adblocker

Another quick solution to limit or block ads while browsing is to download and install an adblocker. There are various ad blocking extensions available for all the major browsers out there. For example, if you’re using Google Chrome, you can head over to the Chrome Web Store and install the ad blocker extension that best suits your needs. If Microsoft Edge is your browser of choice, then you can install the AdGuard ad blocker.

Stay tuned on WindowsReport and subscribe as we will have more tips, apps and news related to Windows 10,8 and Microsoft to share with you!

RELATED STORIES TO CHECK OUT: