0x8007371c Windows Update Error: How to Fix it

Posted on by Ola-Hassan Bolaji

Error 0x8007371c is one of the many Windows update errors users encounter when they try to install pending updates on their PC. The frustrating part of this error is that it only affects some of the pending cumulative updates while others install effortlessly.

This makes it hard to pinpoint the exact cause of the problem. Irrespective of the cause of the issue, the solutions in this guide will help you resolve it for good.

Why am I getting the update error 0x8007371c?

Below are some of the potential causes of this error, as reported by users:

  • Disabled services: If the Windows Update and Background Intelligence Transfer services are disabled, you will likely encounter this issue. The solution to this is to restart these services.
  • Faulty system files: Sometimes, broken or missing system files can cause this problem. You can get past the error by repairing and restoring these files.
  • Issues with update components: Sometimes, you might get this error code because of minor glitches encountered by update-related components. What you need to do here is to restart these components.

How do I fix the error code 0x8007371c?

Before exploring the more sophisticated solutions in this section, try the troubleshooting steps below:

  • Restart your PC.
  • Uninstall third-party antivirus.

If these do not work, you can now proceed to the fixes below:

1. Restart some services

  1. Press the Windows key + R, type services.msc, and click the OK button.
    services 0x8007371c
  2. Double-click the Background Intelligent Transfer Service to open its properties.
    background
  3. Now, set its Startup type to Automatic and click the Start button.
    automatic
  4. Next, click the Apply button, followed by OK.
    apply 0x8007371c
  5. Finally, repeat Steps 2 to 4 for the Windows Update service and restart your PC:

There are a series of services involved in the Windows update process. When these services are stopped or disabled, you are likely to get the 0x8007371c error.

You need to restart these services to solve the problem.

2. Reset Windows update components

  1. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
    cmd admin
  2. Type the commands below and press Enter after each:Net stop bits Net stop wuauserv Net stop appidsvc Net stop cryptsvc Del %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat /Q Del "%HOMEDRIVE%\Users\All Users\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\qmgr*.dat" /Q Del %WINDIR%\SoftwareDistribution\*.* /s /Q Net start bits Net start wuauserv Net start appidsvc Net start cryptsvc
  3. Finally, wait for the commands to finish running and restart your PC.

In some cases, error 0x8007371c can be due to issues with crucial update components. Restarting these components should help you force the update through.

3. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

  1. Press the Windows key + I and choose Troubleshoot in the right pane.
    troubleshoot
  2. Click the Other troubleshooters option on the next page.
    other troubleshooters 0x8007371c
  3. Finally, click the Run button before the Windows Update option.
    run update

The 0x8007371c error can sometimes be caused by problems with some of the required update processes. What you need to do here is to run the Windows Update troubleshooter.

4. Repair system files

  1. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
    cmd admin
  2. Type the command below and hit Enter to run it: DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealthdism restore
  3. Wait for the command to finish running. Now, run the command below: sfc /scannowsfc scan 0x8007371c
  4. Finally, wait for the command to finish running and restart your PC.

Broken system files cause lots of issues, including the 0x8007371c update error. You can rectify this by running the built-in repair tools and restarting your PC.

More exactly, you can simply use the dedicated repair software to diagnose your Windows OS and troubleshoot any errors that generate this kind of update issue.

5. Perform an in-place upgrade

  1. Visit the official Windows 11 download website and click the Download Now button under the Create Windows 11 Installation Media section.
    download now
  2. Double-click the downloaded file to launch it.
    select 0x8007371c
  3. Now, wait for Windows to prepare the setup and click the Yes button when prompted.
  4. Next, accept the Licence Agreement and wait for Windows to download the required updates.
  5. Choose Whether to keep your files and apps or not. Since this is an in-place upgrade, leave the recommended settings, i.e., keep your files and apps.
  6. Now, click the Install button to start the in-place upgrade.
    install
  7. Finally, wait for Windows to copy the necessary files to upgrade your device and restart your PC.

If the above solutions fail to solve the 0x8007371c error, you might need to perform a repair upgrade. With this, you will be able to update your PC without issues.

The 0x8007371c update error can be frustrating, but it is not impossible to fix. And you should be able to get past it and install the latest patches on your PC with the solutions in this guide.

Similarly, if you are dealing with Windows update errors like 0x800704f1, the solutions in our comprehensive guide should help fix them for good.

Were you able to fix the issue? Feel free to let us know in the comments below.

How to Enable/Disable Camera Privacy Indicator in Windows 11?

Posted on by Vlad Turiceanu

Most of the laptops come with in-built webcams. Some of them also have dedicated LED indicators, making it easy to identify whether it is turned on.

However, if your device doesn’t have LED indicators, you must enable the Camera privacy indicator to know your camera’s status on your Windows 11 computer. Here, this guide will discuss the method to enable or disable the feature. Let’s get started! 

What can I do to enable/disable Camera Privacy Indicator in Windows 11? 

Before following the below steps, you need to do a few things to keep your computer safe:

1. Use the Registry Editor

1.1 If the Capture key is present

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run console. REGEDIT RUN COMMAND
  2. Type regedit and hit Enter to open Registry Editor.
  3. Press Yes on the UAC prompt.
  4. Follow this path: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\OEM\Device\Capture
  5. Double-click Device and then click Capture.
  6. From the right pane, locate and double-click NoPhysicalCameraLED.NoPhysicalCameraLED
  7. Change the Value data to 1.
  8. Click OK. Reboot your PC to apply changes.

1.2  If the Capture key is not present

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run console. 
  2. Type regedit and hit Enter to open Registry Editor.
  3. Press Yes on the UAC prompt.
  4. Follow this path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\OEM\Device
  5. Right-click on Device, select New, then click Key.Capture -windows 11 camera privacy indicator
  6. Rename the key as Capture.
  7. Right-click on Capture, choose New and then click DWORD (32-bit value).
  8. Rename the DWORD as NoPhysicalCameraLED. NoPhysicalCameraLED
  9. Double-click the NoPhysicalCameraLED and modify its Value data to 1.
  10. Click OK. Restart your computer to let the changes take effect.
  11. To disable the hidden camera privacy indicator, you need to change NoPhysicalCameraLED’s Value data to 0. Disable camera privacy -windows 11 camera privacy indicato

So, this is how you can enable or disable the camera privacy indicator feature on Windows 11. Please let us know in the comments section below if you have any questions or concerns. We will be happy to help.

What is StikyNot.exe & Should You Uninstall it?

Posted on by Sagar Naresh

When you install the Windows OS, multiple additional files are installed on your computer. However, often this pops up out of nowhere, and people get confused about whether this file should be there on their PCs or not.

In this guide, we will share with you all the details that you need in order to understand what StikyNot.exe is and if you should uninstall it or not. Let us get right into it.

What is StikyNot.exe?

There are multiple EXE files that run automatically on your PC that are essential to your computer. The StikyNot.exe file is associated with the Sticky Notes application.

If you found this one in your Task Manager, then you should not worry as this is a Microsoft program and is present on all Windows OSs from Windows XP to Windows 11. Notably, it gets installed as soon as you install Windows OS.

The Sticky Notes application is a reminder application or a quick note app that lets you jot down important details for future reference.

The StikyNot.exe file is usually found inside the C:\Windows\System32 directory. When you double-click or open the StikyNot.exe file it directly opens the Sticky Notes applications.

Some of the common errors that you could come across when dealing with StikyNot.exe are listed below:

  • Stikynot.exe Application Error
  • Error starting program: stikynot.exe
  • Stikynot.exe missing or not found

Should I uninstall the Sticky Notes application?

Well, the StikyNot.exe file isn’t reported to be malware and is a genuine Microsoft application. However, as reported above, you could come across multiple issues related to it. Uninstallation could come in handy in that situation, but apart from that, there is nothing to be worried about.

How can I resolve StikyNot.exe related issues?

1. Reinstall the Sticky Notes app

  1. Open the Settings menu by pressing the Win + I keys.
  2. Click on Apps on the left pane.
  3. Select Installed apps on the right.
  4. Locate Sticky Notes, click on the 3-dot menu, and select Uninstall.
  5. Follow the on-screen steps to uninstall the program from your computer.
  6. Launch the Microsoft Store.
  7. Search for the Sticky Notes app and hit the Get apps button.

Reinstalling an application if your coming across associated errors, is one of the best and easiest way to deal with it. The same is the case with the StikyNot.exe file.

Simply follow the above steps and remove the Sticky Notes app from your computer and reinstall it from the Microsoft Store and check if this fixes the issue or not.

2. Run the SFC and DISM scans

  1. Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
  2. Type command prompt and run it as an administrator.
  3. Type the below command and press Enter:sfc /scannow
  4. The SFC Scan process will fix the corrupt or missing system files issue.
  5. Type the below commands and press Enter after each one:Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  6. Restart your computer.

The SFC and DISM scans can easily help you resolve issues related to system files and the default programs. You can run these commands and make sure that there aren’t any system files required by a certain program missing from your PC.

In case the SFC Scan is not working on your PC, then you can apply the solutions in our guide to resolve the problem.

3. Update the Sticky Notes app

  1. Launch the Microsoft Store.
  2. Click on Library at the bottom-left of the home page.library
  3. Scroll down and click the Update button for the Microsoft Sticky Notes app.
  4. Open the app and check if this fixes the issue or not.

If for some reason the Sticky Notes app on your PC isn’t running or failing to start, then you can try to update the Stick Notes app from the Microsoft Store by following the above steps.

Else, you can also copy the Sticky Notes EXE file from another computer and paste it on your PC and use the application to resolve StikyNot.exe error.

4. Perform a system restore

  1. Open the Start menu by pressing the Win key.
  2. Type Create a restore point and open the top result.
  3. Select the drive where you have the OS installed and click on System Restore.
  4. Select the restore point and click on Next.restore to fix missing sdl2.dll
  5. Click Finish to begin the restore process.

Do note that the system restore process will work only if you have already created a restore point on your PC. To learn how to do it, you can refer to the steps mentioned in our guide to create a restore point.

That is it from us in this guide. Let us know in the comments below, which one of the above solutions fixed the StikyNot.exe error on your PC.

Personal Microsoft Accounts Not Supported For Application [Fix]

Posted on by Henderson Jayden Harper

Login into your account on an application can run into several problems due to account type errors. The personal Microsoft accounts not supported for this application is an error that indicates the problem.

Other issues like the Microsoft account being hacked are critical concerns users face with Microsoft accounts.

Why do I get my personal Microsoft account not supported for this application?

When using some Microsoft services that require you to log into your account, you can run into errors with your personal account. It means that Microsoft can’t process the personal account you registered.

Sometimes, you may receive this error due to browser cache issues. When browser caches get old, they can become corrupted and affect your account activities. Other factors that can cause the personal Microsoft account not to be supported for this application error are:

  • Outdated browsers – Trying to log into your Microsoft account on an obsolete browser can be challenging as it is unstable. Hence, you can check how to clear cache and cookies on browsers here.
  • Wrong account information – Users can sometimes mistake their personal accounts for an organisational accounts. So, you can encounter issues if you’re attempting to log in with a different account.

The cause of the error can vary in different circumstances. However, you can fix the error by troubleshooting the settings on your device.

What can I do if my personal Microsoft accounts are not supported for this application?

Before proceeding with any advanced troubleshooting, try the following preliminary checks:

If the error persists, proceed with the solutions below:

1. Restart your PC in Safe Mode

  1. Left-click the Start button, select the Power, press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard, and click Restart.
  2. Once you’re redirected to the options screen, select Troubleshoot, then click Advanced Options.
  3. Select Startup Settings.
  4. Press the F4 to Enable Safe Mode and click on the Restart button.

Try signing into your Microsoft account and check if the issues persist. Restarting Windows in safe Mode will fix any startup errors or activities that can cause problems for the app.

2. Clear your browser cache

  1. Launch the Chrome browser, click the Menu button, select More Tools, and then click Clear browsing data.
  2. Choose a time range for the data to be cleared.
  3. Check the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files, then click the Clear data button to delete the browser caches.
  4. Restart your browser and check if the error persists.

Deleting the browser cache will clear corrupt cache files that may affect the Microsoft account’s login on the app.

3. Switch to another browser

If clearing your browser cache file doesn’t fix the problem, try accessing the Microsoft service on another browser and check if it works.

You can check for the best browsers for Windows 10/11.

Our recommendation for a great browser it’s Opera since it’s lightweight, loads faster than most and comes with plenty of unique and useful features.

Opera has its own free VPN that you can use to boost your online [privacy along with an ad blocker to keep all those annoying ads and notifications at bay.

Opera

One of the top browsers that will create a smoother browsing experience.
Free download Visit Website

4. Browse with incognito mode on your browser

  1. Double-click the Chrome browser icon to launch it.
  2. Click the three vertical dots to open the Menu, then select New Incognito window from the drop-down.
  3. Try accessing the Microsoft service and see if the error persists.

Browsing incognito allows you to browse in privacy mode, and it can fix the personal Microsoft accounts that are not supported by this application.

5. Use another Microsoft account

To confirm whether the issue is from your Microsoft account, try using another user’s Microsoft account and see if it works. If it does work, re-register for the service prompting the error.

Also, pay attention to the registered account and ensure you sign in with the correct account credentials. If the account doesn’t work, try resetting the app.

6. Reset the app prompting the error

  1. Press Windows + I to launch the Windows Settings app.
  2. Go to Apps and click Installed apps.
  3. Click the options button beside the app you want to reset, then click Advanced options.
  4. Click the Reset button to restore the app to its original state.

Resetting the app can fix the issues preventing it from accepting user login credentials. You can check our guide for more information about ways to reset an app in Windows 10/11.

Alternatively, read about how to create a local account on Windows 11. Also, check fixes for Microsoft accounts device link errors.

If you have further questions or suggestions, kindly drop them in the comments section.

What is Mrtstub.exe & Is It Safe to Delete it?

Posted on by Loredana Harsana

Do you want to learn more about the Malicious Software Removal Tool, or have you encountered random disappearing and reappearing files on your system? You’re in luck. Today, we’ll cover mrtstub.exe.

The software component is part of the Windows system that finds and removes malware. But is it safe? Keep reading to find out.

What is mrtstub.exe in Task Manager?

The mrtstub.exe process is part of a native Windows software that protects your PC from malware. MSRT performs automatic monthly scans and helps remove malicious software if any is found.

You can also read this helpful Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool guide to understand how MSRT operates and why related files appear on your system.

Remember that this does not replace an actual antivirus program, as it cannot protect your device from real-time threats.

While MSRT inspects your files, it creates many temporary ones, each in a specific directory. After a completed scan, the tool deletes these temporary files (including mrtstub.exe). The next time it performs a search, it recreates them again.

This leads to the files disappearing and reappearing on their own. Moreover, it can sometimes leave behind a random file. All this surely raises the average user’s eyebrows.

You’re probably now wondering whether you can delete mrtstub.exe and similar files on your own. Removing them the old-fashioned way is nearly impossible – even if you do, they’ll reappear on their own after some time. You can try the following instead:

  • End the mrtstub.exe process: You can do so by finding it in Task Manager and clicking on End task.
  • Reinstall MSRT by downloading it from the official Microsoft website.
  • Restart your device after running the tool: This automatically removes the temporary files used by the software to perform the search.

Is mrtstub.exe a virus?

Most likely, no. mrtstub.exe is a benign executable automatically installed with the rest of the MSRT software. However, that doesn’t mean complications cannot arise or the file cannot be infected.

First, you may notice some high CPU usage when running MSRT. Usually, this means it has detected some malicious software on your PC and is working to remove it. However, if it consumes an extra amount of your CPU and memory resources, it may mean that the tool is corrupted.

Even if you do not notice any suspicious behavior, it doesn’t mean you’re safe from malware. We advise you to perform antivirus scans and ensure your information is well-protected regularly.

How do I determine if mrtstub.exe is safe?

1. Verify mrstub.exe location and digital signature

1.1. Check if it’s in the correct location

The file should be stored in a folder with a long alphanumeric name located in the following directory: C:\Windows\System32

Since it’s a temporary file meant to be deleted, it’s sometimes possible to find residuals in random locations. However, in most cases, mrtstub.exe is to be located in the System32 folder.

1.2. Make sure it holds a legitimate digital signature

  1. Locate the file on your computer.
  2. Right-click on the name and choose Properties.
    mrtstub-exe-digital-signature
  3. Go to the Digital Signature tab and check if it’s listed under Microsoft Corporation.

If it passes both tests, it’s most probably not malware. However, if it’s not in the right location or especially if it doesn’t have a valid digital signature, it could be a virus camouflaging itself as a legitimate file.

2. Search for mrt.log

  1. Hold Windows + R key on your keyboard.
    mrtstub-exe-fix
  2. Type in the following and click OK: %systemroot%\debug
    mrt-log-mrtstub
  3. Locate mrt.log and open it.
  4. Compare the log’s timestamps with those left from mrstub.exe last running on your computer. If they match, you’re safe.

The mrtstub.exe and mrt.log processes go hand in hand. If you have the one on your computer, you should also have the other. The latter comprises the logs in which the tool’s scan reports are stored.

It’s a cause for concern if mrt.log is missing or empty (after you’ve seen some activity from mrtstub.exe on your PC). This is the safest way to check whether mrtstub.exe is legitimate!

3. Perform a virus scan on your computer

  1. Press Windows + S key to open the Start menu.
    mrtstub-exe-legit
  2. Type Windows Security into the search bar and click Open.
    mrtstub-exe-security
  3. Choose Virus & threat protection.
    mrtstub-virus-protection
  4. Go to Scan options.
    mrtstub-exe-virus
  5. Choose Full scan and click on Scan now.
    mrtstub-exe-legitimate
  6. Restart your PC.

If you still have concerns or even after you’ve verified its legitimacy, performing a deep scan of your system is recommended. This quickly takes care of any damaging files or actions on your PC.

And that’s all on mrstub.exe for today! We hope our guide provided relief and helped you learn something new. Additionally, you might be interested to understand how to fix corrupted system files on Windows 11.

Do you have any further comments or questions? Let us know in the comment section below:

How to Add Chrome to Your Desktop [4 Quick Ways]

Posted on by Loredana Harsana

Google Chrome is among the most popular web browsers worldwide. If you, too, are a fan, you probably want quick access to it. Today, you’ll learn how to add Chrome to your Windows desktop in just a few clicks.

How do I download Google Chrome?

First things first, make sure you have Chrome on your device. To check that, you have to open the search bar and type in Google Chrome. If you have the app installed, you can open it. If not, you have to download it.

Here’s how to do that. Open Google Chrome’s official website, download the latest release and follow the installation guide. That’s it! Working with limited or unstable internet connections? Follow our Chrome offline download guide to get a full installer you can reuse on any PC.

Chrome’s download page

Learn what to do if you encounter any Chrome installation issues or have some trouble with opening Chrome.

Usually, when you install a new app, it’ll ask you whether you want to create a desktop shortcut for it. If you haven’t checked that option or you’re a seasoned user but your Chrome icon has gone missing for some reason, keep reading.

Here are some simple ways to add Chrome to your Windows desktop:

How do I add a Chrome icon to the desktop?

1. Create a Desktop shortcut

  1. Press Windows + S to open the Start menu.
  2. Type in Google Chrome in the search bar.
    chrome-start
  3. Navigate to its location by right-clicking on the result and choosing Open file location.
    google-chrome-location
  4. Right-click on the app file and choose Show more options.
    chrome-create-desktop
  5. Click Create shortcut.
    chrome-desktop-shortcut

Congrats! You now have your Chrome desktop shortcut.

2. Create a file shortcut

  1. Right-click on an empty space on your desktop, choose New, and select Shortcut.
    chrome-new-shortcut
  2. Browse the location of your desired shortcut and hit Enter.
    google-chrome-shortcut
  3. Type a name for the shortcut and select Finish.

3. Create a website shortcut

  1. Open Chrome and go to the web page of your choice.
  2. Navigate to its menu by clicking the three vertically-aligned dots in the upper-right corner, choose More tools, and select Create a shortcut.
    chrome-website-shortcut
  3. Type a name for the shortcut, or leave it as is the default.
  4. Select Create.

Following these steps will allow you to create a desktop shortcut for any web page you desire. That way, you can bookmark your favorite websites and have them right there on your desktop for easy access.

4. Pin Chrome to your Taskbar

  1. Locate the Google Chrome icon on your desktop.
  2. Right-click it, click on Show more options, and select Pin to taskbar. Alternatively, you can hold it and drag it to the taskbar at the bottom of your screen.
    chrome-taskbar

Pinning Chrome to your taskbar keeps the icon displayed even after the app is closed. This allows for even quicker access to your browser!

Fast, reliable, and user-friendly, Google Chrome is the go-to browser for most of the internet population. You now know how to add Chrome to your Windows desktop with just a few clicks. Choose the best solution for you and enjoy seamless browsing and enhanced browsing experience.

Before you leave, learn how to speed up Chrome’s performance with a few quick tricks.

Have you tried our solutions? We’d love to hear from you about which one worked best for your preferences. Feel free also to use our comment section if you have any questions or advice.

Your Mic is Auto Adjusting The Volume? Here’s How to Stop It

Posted on by Srishti Sisodia

Dealing with a microphone that constantly auto-adjusts its volume can be frustrating, especially during important calls or recordings.

In this guide, we’ll explore the reasons behind your mic’s auto-adjustment behavior and provide you with practical solutions to stop the microphone automatically adjusting volume issue.

Why does my mic keep changing volume?

There could be various reasons for the issue; some of the common ones are mentioned here:

  • Skype/Steam microphone settings – If Skype or Steam is configured to launch at every system startup, it might be the reason for the automatic microphone adjustments.
  • Outdated driver – The microphone driver, if corrupted or outdated, may cause this issue. Try updating the drivers to fix the issue.
  • App taking control of microphone – If an app is taking complete control of the mic, chances are it could adjust the volume automatically.
  • Microphone settings disabled – The microphone settings which override any app to adjust the microphone are disabled; you may face this problem.
  • Malware infection – If your computer is infected with viruses, it may shut down or modify the microphone settings causing this issue. Run a malware scan using an antivirus tool to fix it.

Now that you know the causes, let us check out the solutions to fix the problem.

How can I stop my mic from auto-adjusting volume?

Before engaging in advanced troubleshooting steps, you should consider performing the following checks:

  • Restart your computer.
  • Check all recent apps for microphone permissions.
  • Ensure your Windows has no pending updates.

Once done, move to perform the detailed methods to fix the microphone automatically adjusting volume issue.

1. Run the troubleshooter

  1. Press the Windows key, type audio troubleshooter, and click Find and fix problems with recording sound.Audio troubleshooterYour Mic is Auto Adjusting The Volume?
  2. Click Advanced.Click Advanced
  3. Select Apply repair automatically and click Next.Apply repairs automatically
  4. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.

2. Adjust the microphone value manually

  1. Press the Windows key, type control panel, and click Open.Control Panel start menu Your Mic is Auto Adjusting The Volume?
  2. Select Large icons as View by and click Sound.Sound
  3. On the Sound window, switch to the Recording tab.
  4. Select the affected Microphone and click Properties.Properties
  5. On the Microphone properties window, go to the Advanced tab.
  6. Remove a checkmark next to Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device.
  7. Click Apply, then OK.Remove checkmark next to Allow applications to take exclusive control of this device
  8. Again, click OK to close the Sound window.OK

Restart your computer to check if the issue still persists.

3. Check the microphone’s driver

  1. Press Windows +R to open the Run console.Device Manager Run command Your Mic is Auto Adjusting The Volume
  2. Type devmgmt.msc and click OK to open the Device Manager.
  3. Locate and click Sound, video and game controllers to expand it.
  4. Right-click your microphone device and click Update driver.Update driver Your Mic is Auto Adjusting The Volume
  5. Select Search automatically for drivers.Update driver 2
  6. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.

4. Disable all sound effects

  1. Press Windows +R to open the Run dialog box.mmsys.cpl PC Guides Best Products Security Home › Windows 11 › Repair › Your Mic is Auto Adjusting The Volume?
  2. Type mmsys.cpl and click OK to open the Sound window.
  3. Go to the Recording tab, select the Microphone, and click Properties.
  4. On the microphone properties window, switch to the Advanced tab.
  5. Remove the checkmark next to Enable audio enhancements.Disable Enable audio enhancements
  6. Click Apply, then OK.
  7. Now click OK on the Sounds window to close it.

5. Check the Skype settings (if applicable)

  1. Press the Windows key, type skype, and click Open.Skype click Open Mic is Auto Adjusting The Volume
  2. Go to Tools, then click Options.
  3. Now click Audio settings and remove the checkmark next to Automatically adjust microphone settings.Automatically adjust microphone settings.

6. Run a malware scan

  1. Press the Windows key, type windows security, and click Open.Windows Security open Windows key
  2. Go to Virus & threat protection and click Scan options.V& T Scan options
  3. Select Full scan and click Scan now.Mic is Auto Adjusting The Volume

The tool will now scan all sectors of your computer for malware infection and will list them if found. Delete them to fix the issue.

This step is important as sometimes, a virus on your computer can make changes to your system settings and cause trouble.

7. Edit a registry entry

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run window.Regedit Mic is Auto Adjusting The Volume
  2. Type regedit and click OK to open Registry Editor.
  3. Navigate to this path: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Speech\RecoProfiles\Tokens{5E552DC5-71E4-4CD8-90F5-136D06A1A3D7}{DAC9F469-0C67-4643-9258-87EC128C5941}\Volume
  4. Locate and double-click the below-mentioned value from the right pane to open it: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Speech\AudioInput\TokenEnums\MMAudioIn{0.0.1.00000000}.{f6b9dfaa-d83c-4ad5-ae4b-3bbd3039a1ac}regedit_y8TsLzFpoT
  5. Change the Value data to adjust the microphone volume. You can change it to 8888 to get the volume 88% or any other value as per your preference.

So, these are methods to fix the microphone automatically adjusting volume & unpredictable volume fluctuations issues and regain control over your microphone’s settings.

If nothing has worked for you so far, we advise you to either restore your computer to the previous version or perform a clean install of Windows.

Please feel free to give us any information, tips, and your experience with the subject in the comments section below.

3 Simplest Ways to Connect to Wi-Fi Without a Password

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Nowadays, the majority of Wi-Fi networks are password-protected. As you know, even public ones take extra measures to encrypt data transmissions. So, is there a way to get around that? Today, you’ll learn how to connect to Wi-Fi without a password.

The process, though appears complex, is quick and straightforward, given you know the right tricks. So, here are the best ways you can connect to Wi-Fi without a password on a laptop and mobile.

Is it possible to connect to Wi-Fi without a password?

In short, yes, it is. However, before we dive deeper, here’s what you should know:

Gaining access to someone’s Wi-Fi network without their permission or abidance to the listed terms and conditions, when it comes to public ones, is unethical and violates the law. So, be sure to use the listed methods below only after you’ve received the owner’s approval.

Either way, connecting to Wi-Fi without a password generally requires access to the router and a device already logged into the network. So, how to access a network when you don’t know the password? Below, you’ll find the three simplest methods you can use.

Alternatively, you might want to learn how to view the Wi-Fi password on Windows 11 or some quick solutions when the Wi-Fi not asking for a password.

Need the current network key on your PC? Use our Windows 11 Wi-Fi password guide to view the saved password in seconds.

How do I connect to Wi-Fi without a password?

1. Connect to Wi-Fi without a password using WPS

1.1. On a laptop or desktop

  1. Locate the WPS button on your router and press it.
  2. Click the Wi-Fi icon and choose the name of your network.

1.2. On your mobile phone

  1. Press the WPS button on your router.
  2. Open Wi-Fi settings and choose Connect with WPS.

WPS, or Wi-Fi Protected Setup, is a security protocol that allows for a simple connection to the Internet. It consists of pressing a button on the router to create a network connection accessible by guests/people who don’t have access to a passcode.

After you press the button, you are given a one-minute window to confirm the handshake protocol and connect your device to the network. This is a one-time procedure, and you shouldn’t have to repeat it unless you forget the connection.

Using WPS is a common way to connect to the Internet in a private network since people outside don’t have physical access to the router. For PCs and laptops, it’s easy to connect but other devices like a printer, you’d first have to find out where the WPS PIN is located.

This means it’s much safer and easier. With it, users no longer need to manually enter the network’s name and security key.

However, the method is a bit outdated as it is sometimes a target of security issues and vulnerabilities.

2. Access the Wi-Fi network without a password with a DDP

  1. Go to the Settings app on your phone.
  2. Click on Wi-Fi.access-wifi-without-password
  3. Locate your network and tap on it.qr-wifi-password
  4. The Wi-Fi sharing option is now available. A QR code will appear that others can scan if they want to access the network.

DDP (Device Provisioning Protocol), or as it’s also known as Wi-Fi Easy Connect, is considered the more secure option, which is why most modern devices or solutions resort to it. It allows for a tighter seal on data transmission and easier network connectivity, even without a password.

To use this method, first, you must provide a configurator device. It connects to the network and produces a QR code that can be scanned to easily connect to the same Wi-Fi without the password on your laptop, phone, or tablet.

After successfully connecting, it turns into a configurator. In other words, you need a device already connected to the network.

Note that this method works on modern devices (e.g., Android 10+). Older ones cannot share access under the DDP protocol. Though, they can use the QR code to connect to the network if they install a QR Code scanner app.

If you screenshot the QR code, you can also use an online decoder to reveal the password. And if you’ve got a hold of your security key, but want to make sure you remember it next time, here’s how to quickly change your Wi-Fi password in Windows.

3. Gain access to the network via a QR code

Some routers have a QR code on the back that can be scanned if you want to connect to Wi-Fi without a password. However, this method only works for networks with factory settings. Moreover, newer devices may have a QR code for DDP connection instead of WPS.

You need to locate the QR code and scan it with your phone. Alternatively, on your Android device, you can go to the Wi-Fi tab in your Settings app and choose Add network, which will display the option to scan the QR code.

Congrats! Now you know how to connect to Wi-Fi without a password. As you saw, these methods are pretty straightforward.

In the meantime, check out how to view saved Wi-Fi passwords on your Android or iPhone device. Did you know that you can see the Wi-Fi password as a QR code on Windows 11? That’s right, and we have a guide that shows you how to do it.

For any queries or to share more ways to connect to a Wi-Fi network, drop a comment below.

What is view.exe & Should You Remove it?

Posted on by Sagar Naresh

Several readers have reported seeing the view.exe file running in the background which is resulting in high CPU usage.

In this guide, we will share the details of what is view.exe and whether or not you should keep it on your PC.

What is view.exe?

There are several EXE files that run in the background automatically. Some are essential for the operating system to work smoothly, while some are infected or masked files that can be harmful to your PC.

View.exe is one such file that isn’t important for your computer and isn’t published by Microsoft. Several reports have identified the view.exe as malware or adware. Notably, Microsoft identifies view.exe as Trojan:Win32/Tiggre!plock.

So, if this file appears in the Task Manager or you see any error message popping up related to view.exe, then you should immediately follow the below methods to remove it from your computer.

Is view.exe harmful?

  1. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc buttons to open the Task Manager.
  2. Locate the view.exe file and right-click on it and select Properties.
  3. Click on the Digital Signatures tab.
  4. Check what is written below the Name of signer section.
  5. If it says Unable to verify then it is a threat.

Some have termed the view.exe file as a part of the application created by Pragma Systems, Inc. However, in case the signer says Unable to verify then it is malware or a part of an adware.

How can I remove view.exe from my PC?

1. Uninstall the associated program

  1. Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
  2. Open Control Panel.
  3. Select Programs and Features.
  4. Select the program and hit the Uninstall button at the top.
  5. Follow the on-screen prompts to remove the program from your PC.
  6. Restart your computer.

As already mentioned, some forums have reported the view.exe file to be a part of a specific program, it is better to first try to remove the program from your computer and check if this resolves the issue or not.

Some programs are sticky, and they do not get uninstalled easily from the PC. Their residue remains on your PC, which is of no use.

For such cases, we have tested and listed some of the best uninstaller software that you can bank on, and which will help you get rid of such software without leaving any traces behind.

2. Run an antivirus scan

  1. To open the Start menu press the Win key.
  2. Type Windows Security and open the top result.
  3. Select Virus & threat protection.
  4. Click Quick Scan.
  5. Let the process complete and apply the fixes.
  6. You can also select Scan options and choose Full scan for in-depth scanning, and after that, restart your PC.

Since most users have termed this view.exe file as a malicious file, the best thing to do is to remove it by scanning your PC with an antivirus tool and protecting your files.

For that purpose, you can use the built-in Windows Security tool. If Windows Security is not opening on your PC, then you can apply the solutions mentioned in our guide to resolve the problem.

However, it isn’t as effective as a dedicated antivirus tool. To fix this, you can read our guide that provides a list of antivirus tools that you should you have on your PC.

Even better, you could use high-end antivirus software that can help you with enhanced security and network protection technologies.

⇒Get TotalAV

3. Perform a system restore

  1. Open the Start menu by pressing the Win key.
  2. Type Create a restore point and open the appropriate result.
  3. Select the drive where you have installed the OS and click on System Restore.
  4. Choose the restore point and select Next.
  5. Click Finish to begin the restore process.

System restore will take your PC back to a state when everything was working normally on your computer and you weren’t getting any view.exe error messages.

But do note that the system restore process will work only if you have a system restore point already created on your PC. In order to learn how to do that, simply read the guide that explains how you can create a system restore point.

If nothing works then you should reinstall the Windows operating system. For that, you should check out our guide that explains how you can reinstall Windows 11 in 2 easy steps.

Before you go, you might be interested in our guide on Zbrain Desktop and how to remove it since it can also cause problems on your PC.

Feel free to let us know in the comments below, which one of the above solutions resolved the view.exe errors on your PC.

What is Msseces.exe & How to Fix its High Memory Usage?

Posted on by Ola-Hassan Bolaji

The msseces.exe process is part of the Microsoft Security Essentials, the built-in antivirus program for Windows 7, and some of the later builds. This process runs in the background when the built-in antivirus is active.

However, some users complain that this process consumes high memory. If you are also experiencing this issue, this guide will help restore normalcy on your PC.

What is msseces.exe?

The msseces.exe process is essential to the effortless running of the Microsoft Security Essentials user interface. If this process is not running, you might be unable to change any security software settings.

Also, you might not get new malware threat alerts if the process is inactive. So, it is pretty important to the security of your PC.

However, it should be noted that the Microsoft Security Essentials can work in the background without msseces.exe just that you will not be able to control its interface.

How can I fix msseces.exe if it is causing high RAM usage?

  1. Press the Windows key + X and select Task Manager.
    task manager msseces.exe
  2. Right-click any msseces.exe and select End task.
    end task
  3. Finally, restart your PC.

If you are not running MSE and the msseces.exe process is registering high memory usage on your PC, you can disable it in Task Manager. If there are multiple instances of the process running, make sure to close all of them.

2. Uninstall third-party software

  1. Press the Windows key + R, type control, and click OK.
    control run
  2. Click the Uninstall a program option under Programs.
    uninstall a msseces.exe
  3. Now, right-click the antivirus software and select Uninstall.
    uninstall
  4. Next, follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.

If you have a third-party antivirus on your PC, it might cause msseces.exe to use too much of your PC resources. What you have to do here is to uninstall the antivirus software temporarily.

3. Scan for malware

  1. Press the Windows key + S, type virus, and choose Virus & threat protection.
    virus
  2. Click the Scan options link on the next page.
    scan option msseces.exe
  3. Finally, select your preferred scan option and click the Scan now button.
    scan now

The presence of malware on your PC can cause msseces.exe to use too much memory. This is because the virus can disguise itself as using your PC resources.

The solution is to perform a deep malware scan on your PC using the built-in antivirus.

4. Uninstall Microsoft Security Essentials

  1. Press the Windows key + R, type appwiz.cpl, and click the OK button.
    appwiz
  2. Right-click the Microsoft Security Essentials option and select Uninstall.
    uninstall
  3. Finally, follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.

If this msseces.exe process keeps consuming your PC memory, you might need to uninstall the Microsoft Security Essentials. You can use another antivirus software instead.

There you have everything you need to know about the msseces.exe process. While this process is crucial to the security of your PC, it can sometimes cause issues.

But you should be able to fix its excessive memory usage with the solutions in this guide. In the same, if you want to know about the winvnc.exe process, check our detailed guide for the information you need.

Feel free to share your experience with this process with us in the comments below.

What Is OmenCap.exe & How To Fix Its High CPU Usage

Posted on by Taiba Hasan

OmenCap.exe is an executable exe file that is a part of OmenCap Gaming Hub software developed by HP software. Several Windows users have reported that the OmenCap.exe process constantly runs in the background and is known to cause high CPU usage. 

If you are also troubled by the same problem, scroll down below for effective solutions. 

What causes high CPU usage by OmenCap.exe? 

There can be several reasons why OmenCap.exe may be consuming a high CPU on your Windows PC. Let’s check out the common ones: 

  • Virus and malware infection – The file may be infected with a virus and thus may be exhibiting such unusual behavior. 
  • Outdated software – The Omen Gaming Hub may have not been updated for a long time which may make it vulnerable to trivial bugs and glitches. 
  • Incompatible software – Compatibility between the Windows operating system and the gaming application can cause high CPU usage issues. 

Now that we know the possible reasons for this erratic behavior of this background process, let’s explore the possible fixes for the issue. 

How can I fix high CPU usage by OmenCap.exe?

Before starting any elaborate solutions, there are a few quick steps you can apply right away to fix this issue:

  • Restart your PC and see if the app is still consuming too much CPU.
  • Make sure to install all the Windows updates.
  • Run an antivirus scan just to be sure that this process isn’t driven by malware.

If the situation didn’t improve, perform the solutions below to fix the issue.

1. End the OmenCap.exe process

  1. Right-click the Windows icon on the desktop and choose Task Manager from the quick links menu. 
  2. Switch to the Process tab and look for the OmenCap.exe in the list of background services. 
  3. Right-click the process and select End task from the context menu. OmenCap.exe
  4. Exit the Task Manager window and reboot your computer. 

After restarting the PC, check if the OmenCap.exe once again causes high CPU usage after some time. You should keep in mind that this is just a temporary workaround and not a permanent solution to resolve the problem. 

2. Run the program in compatibility mode

  1. Use the Windows + I shortcut key to launch the File Explorer. 
  2. Navigate to the following path to access the executable file. C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\hpomencustomcapcomp.inf_amd64_e711c85c03558fc4\x64\OmenCap\OmenCap.exe
  3. Right-click the OmenCap.exe file and choose Properties from the context menu. OmenCap.exe
  4. Switch to the Compatibility tab of the Properties window, enable the Run this program in compatibility mode for option, and select the suitable Windows version from the drop-down. 
  5. Next, enable the checkbox preceding the Disable fullscreen optimizations option. 
  6. Press the Apply button to save the changes and OK to exit the properties window. 

High CPU usage by OmenCap.exe executable file is a symptom of compatibility issues with the version Windows operating system. You can try running the program in compatibility mode to fix the error. 

3. Empty the footprint folder 

  1. Use the Windows + E shortcut to access File Explorer. 
  2. Paste the following path in the address bar on the top. C:\HP
  3. Now look for the Footprints folder, right-click it, and select Properties from the context menu. 
  4. Switch to the Security tab and press the Edit button. 
  5. Now enable the checkbox for Deny next to Write permissions. 
  6. Press the Apply button followed by OK to exit the Properties window. 
  7. Now right-click the Footprints folder and select the Trash icon. 
  8. If administrator permissions are required to perform the action, press Continue. 

The footprint folder constantly creates new files at the rate of 6 files per second, which causes it to grow at an exceptional rate. This folder, if not emptied regularly, can be a reason for high CPU usage and even cause the system to crash completely. 

4. Update OMEN Gaming Hub 

  1. Press the Windows key to launch the Start menu, type microsoft store in the search bar and select the relevant search result. 
  2. Click the Library option from the left sidebar. 
  3. Press the Get Updates button located at the top right of the window. 
  4. Scroll down the list of available updates and press the Start button next to the Omen Gaming Hub app. 

If you are using an updated version of OMEN Gaming Hub, issues like the one at hand are going to show up from time to time. Updating the Omen Gaming Hub show prevent high CPU usage by one of its executable files OmenCap.exe. 

In some cases, you might need to reinstall the app, and we have a great guide on how to download OMEN Gaming Hub, so feel free to check it out.

So, that’s all about it! We hope you no longer witness the high CPU usage and similar problems by the OmenCap.exe file and are trying the remedies listed in this guide. 

If you are frustrated with overall high CPU usage on your Windows PC, refer to this guide for measures that will prove effective in this situation. 

These steps can also help with high CPU usage by SECOCL.exe, so don’t hesitate to use them.

In case, you have any comments, suggestions, or feedback, feel free to reach out to us in the comments section. 

0x80070037 Error When Copying Files: How to Fix it

Posted on by Ola-Hassan Bolaji

One of the tasks users frequently carry out is moving files from their PCs to an external drive. However, things can sometimes get awry, as some users complain of a 0x80070037 error when copying files.

This can be due to various issues, but it is not the most difficult task to fix. In this guide, we have prepared the solutions that will help you fix this issue for good.

Why am I getting error 0x80070037?

Various factors can be responsible for this issue, including hardware and software issues. Below are some of the prominent ones:

  • Hardware issues: The major cause of this issue is problems with the USB port, cable, and sometimes the external hard drive. You need to check all the components involved and replace them accordingly.
  • Corrupt system files: If your system files are corrupt, you can get this error when trying to copy files. You need to repair and restore these files to eliminate the error.
  • Outdated driver: In some cases, this error can be due to an outdated disk driver. The solution to this is to update the drivers involved.

How can I fix the 0x80070037 error code?

Before exploring the solutions in this section, try the following preliminary troubleshooting steps:

  • Try the USB 2.0 port instead if you use a USB 3.0 hard drive.
  • Check USB ports and cables.
  • Try the drive on another PC.
  • Try with another hard drive.

If the issue persists, proceed to the solutions below:

1. Run CHKDSK

  1. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
    cmd admin 0x80070037
  2. Type the command below and press Enter to run it:chkdsk c: /f /rchkdsk
  3. Now, press Y when prompted.
  4. Finally, wait for your PC to restart, and the scan will start automatically.

Sometimes, the error code 0x80070037 might be due to faulty hard drive sectors. Fortunately, Windows has a built-in tool that can help fix this issue, as shown above.

2. Update the driver

  1. Press the Windows key + X and select the Device Manager option.
    device manager
  2. Double-click the Disk drives section and right-click your hard drive under it.
  3. Now, select the Update driver option.
    update driver
  4. Finally, choose Search automatically for drivers and install any available updates.
    search auto 0x80070037

In some cases, this error 0x80070037 can be due to an outdated disk driver. The solution to this is to update your external hard disk driver.

If the Windows driver updater can not find the latest driver, you can go to the manufacturer’s website to download the latest driver.

Alternatively, you can use an automatic driver updater in Outbyte Driver Updater to complete this task. This tool saves you the stress of searching for and installing the drivers yourself.

It also eliminates the risk of downloading the wrong driver, which can lead to further problems.

Outbyte Driver Updater

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3. Update your PC

  1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app and click Windows Update in the left pane.
  2. Click the Check for updates button.
    check updates
  3. Now, download and install all available updates.

An outdated operating system is prone to all sorts of issues, including this 0x80070037 error. What you need to do to fix this issue is to install the latest patches on your PC.

4. Repair system files

  1. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
    cmd admin
  2. Type the command below and hit Enter to run it: DISM /online /cleanup-image /restorehealthdism restore 0x80070037
  3. Wait for the command to finish running. Now, run the command below: sfc /scannowsfc scannow
  4. Finally, wait for the command to finish running and restart your PC.

If the files required to complete this task are corrupt, you can encounter the 0x80070037 issue. You can fix this issue by repairing your system files with the commands above.

Alternatively, you can solve this problem with a dedicated tool. This software saves you from the stress of running a series of commands and repairing the files manually.

We have reached the end of this guide on fixing the 0x80070037 error when copying files. Hopefully, you can solve this problem with the solutions therein.

If you are experiencing other issues, like an unexpected error keeping you from copying files, our detailed guide on the topic will show you how to fix it.

Feel free to let us know the solution that helped you fix this issue in the comments below.

What is UpdateCheck.exe & What is it Used for?

Posted on by Kazim Ali Alvi

Of the many background process running in Windows, most pose no harm or lead to any issues. But a few have been a cause of concern for users, especially the ones triggered by rather unknown third-party apps. One such is the UpdateCheck.exe process.

The UpdateCheck process is listed in the Task Manager and often results in high CPU usage. This automatically affects the PC’s performance, slows the Internet speed, and sometimes causes other apps to crash. Keep reading to find out all about the process!

What is UpdateCheck.exe?

UpdateCheck.exe, as the name suggests, looks for newer versions of the software that installs it. The catch is that several programs have the UpdateCheck process in their directory. The primary ones are:

So, UpdateCheck.exe is in no way a critical Windows process, and terminating or disabling it shouldn’t affect the core functioning of the PC, except for the app that triggers it. That, too, would only affect the automatic updates. You can still manually search for and install these.

Should I delete UpdateCheck.exe?

We have had several instances where hackers disguised malware as a critical process to bypass detection. So, your primary approach should be to identify the file path and verify whether the process is stored in the program’s dedicated directory or in another location.

For the programs discussed earlier, here is the usual storage path:

  • Coupoon: C:\Program Files (x86)\Coupoon
  • Maxtor Manager: C:\Program Files\Maxtor\OneTouch Status

In case the UpdateCheck.exe process is not in the dedicated directory, use a reliable antivirus solution to run a full system scan.

If you find the process in the usual path, relax a bit! Though it doesn’t mean that the process won’t throw any errors. So, here are a few solutions to get things back to normal!

How do I fix UpdateCheck.exe errors?

1. Scan for malware

  1. Press Windows + S to open Search, type Windows Security, and click on the relevant search result.
  2. Click on Virus & threat protection.virus & threat protection
  3. Click on Scan options.scan options
  4. Now, select Full scan, and then click on the Scan now button.full scan to fix updatecheck.exe
  5. Wait for the scan to complete. It may take some time, depending on the data stored on the PC.

When you are unsure whether UpdateCheck.exe is safe or if it’s a malware, a quick way to identify that is to run a virus scan. Though the built-in Windows Security is capable of handling such issues, for a deeper scan, you can use a third-party antivirus software.

2. Uninstall the program behind the process

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl in the text field, and hit Enter.appwiz.cpl
  2. Select the program that runs the process, could be one from the list shared earlier, and click Uninstall.uninstall to fix updatecheck.exe
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
  4. Once done, restart the computer for the changes to apply.

While you could manually delete the UpdateCheck.exe file, there’s a good chance the program would fetch it all over again. So, it’s recommended that you uninstall the app altogether to get rid of the process.

For this, many prefer using an effective uninstaller software to eliminate any leftover files and registry entries.

3. Perform a system restore

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type rstrui.exe, and click OK.system restore to fix updatecheck.exe
  2. Select Choose a different store point, and click Next.different restore point
  3. Pick another restore point from the list, preferably the oldest one, and click Next.restore point
  4. Verify the details and click Finish to start the restore process.

If everything else fails to work, as a last resort, you can always restore the PC to a state where the UpdateCheck.exe issue didn’t exist. A system restore doesn’t affect the stored files, though some configured settings or installed apps may be removed.

Before you leave, check some quick tips to make Windows faster and get superior performance.

For any queries or to share which solution worked for you, drop a comment below.

Alienware Command Center Download & Install For Windows 11

Posted on by Ola-Hassan Bolaji

Today, we’ll show you how to download and install the Alienware Command Center for your Windows PC. So, grab your Dell, and let’s get started.

How to download and install Alienware Command Center on Windows 11

1. Download the software

  1. Visit the official Dell support webpage and log in to your account.
  2. Click the Browse all Products option under the Identify your product or Search Support section.
    browse all download alienware command centering
  3. Now, click the Software & Solutions option on the page that pops up.
    software and
  4. Next, select the Software option in the left pane.
    software
  5. Choose Utilities from the list provided.
  6. From here, choose Alienware Command Center from the Utilities list.
  7. Now, click the Select this Product button.
    utilities download alienware command centering
  8. Select the Divers & Download tab at the top.
    driver and
  9. Finally, click Download button and wait for the download to complete.

The first step to downloading and installing the Alienware Command Center on your PC is to go through Dell’s official website. Note that the link above is for 64-bit PCs.

❗ If you use a 32-bit system, download the suitable file. When the download is complete, proceed to the solution below to complete the installation.

2. Install the app

  1. Double-click the downloaded file to run it.
  2. On the page that pops up, click the INSTALL button.
    install
  3. Now, click the Yes button when prompted by UAC.
  4. Wait for the installer to install some of the packages needed for the installation.
  5. Finally, follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.

After downloading the Alienware Command Center on Windows 11, you need to run the installer to install it on your PC. The installation process is pretty straightforward and should not take long.

How to uninstall and reinstall Alienware Command Center on Windows 11?

  1. Press the Windows key, type control, and click the OK button.
    control download alienware command centering
  2. Click Uninstall a program under the Programs option.
    uninstall a
  3. Now, right-click Alienware Command Center on the list of installed programs and select Uninstall.
    uninstall
  4. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.
  5. Next, press the Windows key + E and navigate to the path below: C:\Program Files
  6. From here, right-click the Alienware folder if it is still there and click the Delete icon.
  7. Click the Documents option in the left pane.
  8. Finally, delete the AlienFX and Alienware TactX folders.

What does the Alienware Command Center do?

The Alienware Command Center is an excellent app that helps improve your gaming experience on your PC. This app provides a central platform to control most PC features and resources.

One of the major selling points of this software is its provision of a unified interface for different tasks.

With the download of the Alienware Command Center on Windows 11, you can view your PC’s performance metrics like Temperature, Fan Speed, Memory, and CPU usage.

Also, this software has a game library for avid gamers that allows you to organize your game collection. What’s more, you can open the games directly from the software and customize some of your game settings.

Do I need to download Alienware Command Center?

If you are an avid gamer and need a single platform to monitor your PC resources, you should download the Alienware Command Center on your Windows 11 PC. This is especially true if you are a Dell user.

This software is better than downloading different apps for organizing your games and controlling your PC resources. With it, you have just about everything needed to control gaming activities in one single package.

If you are an avid gamer, you need to be able to control your PC resources effortlessly. While there are a series of software you can download on Windows 11, very few compare with Alienware Command Center.

This is due to the many excellent features it packs into one package. If you want to know how to download the software on the latest Windows OS, this detailed guide will take you through the steps to follow.

Wrapping up

With this, the software should now be completely removed from your PC. If you ever want to download and reinstall the Alienware Command Center on Windows 11 again, follow the steps already detailed in this guide.

We have reached the end of this detailed guide on downloading and installing the Alienware Command Center on Windows 11. You should now be able to install and even uninstall the software easily.

If your Alienware laptop is overheating, check our guide to fix it quickly.

Feel free to share your experience with this software with us in the comments below.

Riot Client won’t Open? Here’s What You Can Do

Posted on by Ola-Hassan Bolaji

The Riot client is home to some of the best PC games users play. So, when the Riot client doesn’t open, the effect is usually devastating for many users who play games like Valorant and League of Legends.

Fortunately, it is not the end of the world, as there are ways to make the client work. In this guide, we will show you how to fix this and help you get back to playing your favorite games.

Why is my Riot client stuck on loading?

Below are some of the potential reasons your Riot client might not be opening:

  • Outdated PC: One of the major reasons for this issue is an outdated operating system. The solution to this is to update your OS to the latest version.
  • Compatibility issues: If you started facing this problem after updating your PC, it might be due to compatibility issues between the app and your OS. In this case, you need to run the client in compatibility mode.
  • Outdated driver: In some cases, this issue can be due to an outdated display driver. You can fix this by updating your graphics driver to the latest version.
  • Antivirus interference: At times, your antivirus software might interfere with the Riot client. Disabling your security software should do the trick here.

What can I do if the Riot client is not opening?

1. Run the game as an admin and in compatibility mode

  1. Right-click the Riot client shortcut and select Properties.
    properties riot client wont open
  2. Click the Compatibility tab at the top.
  3. Now, check the box for Run this program in compatibility mode for.
  4. Click the dropdown and select a lower operating system.
    run compatibility
  5. Next. check the box for Run this problem as administrator.
  6. Finally, click the Apply button, followed by OK.
    run as admin

The Riot client might not open because you don’t have the needed privilege. Also, the problem might occur because of compatibility issues.

In this case, you need to run the game as an admin and in compatibility mode for an older OS.

2. Update your PC

  1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app and click Windows Update in the left pane.
  2. Click the Check for updates button.
    check updates riot client wont open
  3. Now, download and install all available updates.

If your OS is outdated, it is prone to different issues, including this Riot client won’t open error. The quickest solution to this is to update your operating system.

3. Run compatibility troubleshooter

  1. Press the Windows key + I and select Troubleshoot in the right pane.
    troubleshoot
  2. Select the Other troubleshooters option.
    other troubleshooters
  3. Now, click the Run button before the Program Compatibility Troubleshooter.
    run program riot client wont open
  4. Next, choose Riot Client from the available options and click Next.
  5. Finally, follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.

The Riot client might not open because of compatibility issues with your PC. Running the program compatibility troubleshooter should solve the problem.

4. Update the driver

  1. Press the Windows key + X and select the Device Manager option.
    device manager riot client wont open
  2. Double-click the Display adapters section and right-click the driver under it.
  3. Now, select the Update driver option.
    update driver
  4. Finally, choose Search automatically for drivers and install any available updates.
    search auto

One of the major causes of the Riot client won’t open error is an outdated display driver. So, updating the driver should help you restore normalcy.

Another effective option is to use an automatic driver updater in Outbyte Driver Updater to complete this task. This saves you the stress of searching for and installing the drivers yourself.

With this, you can effectively eliminate the risk of downloading the wrong driver, which can lead to further problems.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

5. Disable antivirus temporarily

  1. Press the Windows key, type virus, and select Virus & threat protection.
    virus riot client wont open
  2. Click the Manage settings option.
    manage settings
  3. Now, toggle the switch for Real-time protection backward to disable it.
    real time
  4. Finally, if you are using a third-party antivirus, right-click it’s icon on your Taskbar, and select Disable.

Sometimes, your antivirus software might be the one preventing the Riot client from opening. Disabling the software temporarily should do the trick here.

6. Allow the game through your firewall

  1. Press the Windows key, type firewall and select the Windows Defender Firewall option.
    firewall riot client wont open
  2. Choose the Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall in the left pane.
    allow app
  3. Now, click the Change settings option.
    change settings
  4. Next, locate the Riot Client option and ensure that both Private and Public boxes are checked.
  5. Check for the processes below too
    • RiotClientServices.exe
    • Riot Vanguard
    • Valorant.exe
  6. If the above processes are not there, click the Allow another app… button.
    allow another riot client wont open
  7. Now, locate the processes and allow them.
  8. Finally, click the Apply button, followed by OK.

At times, Riot client won’t open because your firewall is blocking it. You need to allow the app and its related processes through it to get back to enjoying your games.

7. Close Riot-related processes

  1. Press the Windows key + X and select Task Manager.
    task manager
  2. Right-click any Riot-related entry and select End task.
    end task
  3. Finally, restart your PC and relaunch the Riot client.

If the Riot client won’t open or stuck at loading, you can should force it to stop in Task Manager. If there are multiple instances of the app, make sure you close all of them.

8. Reinstall the Riot client

  1. Press the Windows key + R, type control, and click OK.
    control riot client wont open
  2. Click the Uninstall a program option under Programs.
    uninstall a
  3. Now, right-click the antivirus software and select Uninstall.
    uninstall
  4. Next, follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.
  5. From here, press the Windows key + E to launch File Explorer and navigate to the path: C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Riot Games
  6. Right-click the Riot Client folder and click the Delete icon.
  7. Finally, visit the official website to download and install the Riot client.

If the solutions above fail to get the Riot client to open, you must uninstall and reinstall the app. This will help clear the minor issues that might be causing the problem.

We can now conclude this detailed guide on the Riot client won’t open issue. We now believe you have all the information you need to solve the problem and only need to follow the steps carefully.

If League of Legends won’t open on your PC, check our dedicated guide to fix it.

Were you able to solve this problem? Feel free to share your experience with us in the comments below.

Streamlabs Not Opening? How to Quickly Fix it

Posted on by Kazim Ali Alvi

Streamlabs is a popular streaming software that works with Twitch, Facebook, and YouTube and is often the first choice of gamers with a decent setup, given the slightly demanding requirements. While it delivers exceptional results, Streamlabs is not opening for a few.

Some also reported Streamlabs crashing on startup, a problem with the same underlying cause. And it’s usually an issue on the user’s end to blame. So, let’s find out all about it and the solutions that worked for others!

Why is Streamlabs not opening?

Here are a few reasons Streamlabs is not opening in Windows:

  • Missing permissions: In most cases, the missing permissions led to Streamlabs being stuck on the loading screen, and proving the administrative privileges fixed things.
  • Outdated graphics driver: Streamlabs, as well as other graphics-intensive programs, require updated graphics drivers to function effectively.
  • Firewall or security software blocking Streamlabs: For some users, the built-in firewall or a configured VPN led to issues connecting to the Internet, and subsequently, Streamlabs was freezing in Windows 11.
  • A bug in the recent OS update: Many reported the issue started after installing the latest Windows or MacOS updates and reverting to the previous version fixed things.

What can I do if Streamlabs is not opening?

Before we move to the slightly complex solutions, try these quick tricks first:

  • Check for any pending Windows updates and install them.
  • Ensure you are connected to the Internet and have a fast Internet speed.
  • When Streamlabs won’t open, run the app as administrator.
  • Disable the configured VPN or any third-party antivirus running on the PC.

If none work, move to the fixes listed next.

1. Terminate the app from Task Manager

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Locate all Streamlabs’ processes, select them individually, and click on End task.terminate task to fix streamlabs not opening
  3. Once done, relaunch the program.

A quick solution that worked for users was to terminate any existing Streamlabs processes and give the program a fresh start. While you could also restart the computer, some processes would automatically start running if the app is configured to launch at startup.

2. Run Streamlabs in compatibility mode

  1. Right-click on the app’s launcher, and select Properties.
  2. Go to the Compatibility tab, tick the Run this program in compatibility mode for checkbox, and select a previous iteration of Windows from the dropdown menu. compatibility mode
  3. Click OK to save the changes.
  4. Once done, relaunch Streamlabs.

Often when running an older version of Streamlabs on a newer Windows iteration, compatibility issues may arise. So, it’s best that you run the program in compatibility mode when Streamlabs is not opening.

3. Whitelist Streamlabs in Firewall

  1. Press Windows + S to open Search, type Control Panel in the text field, and click on the relevant search result.
  2. Click on System and Security.
  3. Click on Allow an app through Windows Firewall under Windows Defender Firewall.allow an app
  4. Now, click on Change settings.change settings
  5. Click the Allow another app button.allow another app to fix streamlabs not opening
  6. Click on Browse.
  7. Navigate the following path:C:\Program Files\Streamlabs OBS
  8. Choose the Streamlabs launcher, and click on Open.Streamlabs OBS
  9. Once done, click on Add.
  10. Finally, make sure both the Private and Public checkboxes are ticked for Streamlabs, and click OK to save the changes.whitelist to fix streamlabs not opening

When Streamlabs is not opening, you must verify whether Windows Firewall is blocking the app. And instead of disabling the firewall, which puts the PC at risk, whitelist Streamlabs.

4. Update the graphics driver

  1. Press Windows + X to open the Power User menu, and select Device Manager from the list.
  2. Expand the Display adapters option, right-click on the graphics adapter, and select Update driver.update driver to fix streamlabs not opening
  3. Select Search automatically for drivers and wait for Windows to find the best one locally.search automatically

An outdated driver can trigger performance issues and even lead to Streamlabs not loading or opening in Windows. So, it’s vital that you regularly update the drivers.

And in case an update can’t be found locally, head to the manufacturer’s website, find the latest version and install the driver manually. Here are the direct download links for the major manufacturers:

5. Reinstall Streamlabs

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl in the text field, and hit Enter.appwiz.cpl
  2. Select Streamlabs from the list of programs, and click Uninstall.uninstall to fix streamlabs not opening
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
  4. Again, press Windows + R to open Run, paste %appdata%, and then click OK.
  5. Locate and delete the slobs-client and slobs-plugins folders.delete cache
  6. Restart the computer for the changes to come into effect.
  7. Finally, head to Streamlabs’ official website, download the setup, and run the installer to reinstall the program.

Some users also recommend reinstalling Streamlabs if it’s not opening or freezes when switching scenes. This is a rather simple solution, given you don’t have to identify the underlying cause.

6. Uninstall recent Windows updates

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings, go to Windows Update from the navigation pane, and click on Update history.update history
  2. Scroll to the bottom and click on Uninstall updates.uninstall updates to fix streamlabs not opening
  3. Click the Uninstall option next to the update, after installing which, the error first appeared.uninstall
  4. Again, click Uninstall in the confirmation prompt.
  5. Finally, restart the computer.

If it’s the OS update to blame when Streamlabs is not opening, the only solution is to uninstall the updates. Remember, this also works when you are facing Streamlabs issues on MacOS. And by now, you should have the problem resolved.

Before you leave, do check the best ad-supported streaming services and get one today in case you are looking for other options.

For any queries or to share what worked for you, drop a comment below.

Fix: Notepad Closing Automatically on Windows 11

Posted on by Ola-Hassan Bolaji

Notepad is one of the best note-taking free apps, with excellent features. However, there are times when users encounter issues, with some complaining that Notepad is closing automatically on Windows 11.

While this problem is traceable to several factors, it is not the most difficult to fix. And we will show you how to go about it effortlessly in this guide.

Why does Notepad keep closing?

There are a series of reasons that can be responsible if your Notepad is closing automatically. Below are some of the notable ones:

  • Memory issues: One of the potential causes of this problem is bad memory sectors. This can lead to issues running apps. The solution to this is to run the CHKDSK command to repair the bad sectors.
  • Issues with the app: Most times, this issue is down to a problem with the Notepad app. What you need to do here is to uninstall the app and reinstall it from Microsoft Store.

How can I fix Notepad if it keeps closing automatically?

1. Repair Notepad

  1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app and select the Apps option in the left pane.
  2. Select Apps & features in the right pane.
    apps and notepad closing automatically
  3. Now, locate the Notepad option and click the three vertical dots before it.
  4. Select Advanced options.
    advanced options notepad closing automatically
  5. Next, click the Repair button and wait for the process to complete.
    repair
  6. If this does fix the issue, repeat the steps above and click the Reset button instead in Step 5.
    reset
  7. Finally, wait for the process to complete and relaunch Notepad.

If your Notepad app keeps closing automatically on Windows 11, it might be due to minor glitches with the app. In this case, you must use the repair feature to fix the app.

If this does not work, then you need to reset the app completely.

2. Run CHKDSK

  1. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
    cmd admin
  2. Type the command below and press Enter to run it: chkdsk c: /f /rchkdsk notepad closing automatically
  3. Now, press Y when prompted.
  4. Finally, wait for your PC to restart, and the scan will start automatically.

In some cases, Notepad might be closing automatically because of issues with your hard drive. You need to run the CHKDSK command to fix the bad disk sectors.

3. Resize Notepad window size

  1. Launch Notepad and click the Minimize icon at the top.
  2. Now, place your mouse at the edges of the window and extend or reduce it accordingly. Do this for all edges.
    extend
  3. Finally, you can return the window size to normal or maximize it.

This is a weird solution for the Notepad closing automatically issue, but users have found it to be effective. Note that this is just a workaround, and you might need to repeat it every time you want to use Notepad.

4. Reinstall Notepad

  1. Press the Windows key + I and select the Apps option.
  2. Select Apps & features in the rght-pane. Programs.
    apps and notepad closing automatically
  3. Now, click the three vertical dots before the Notepad option and select Uninstall.
    uninstall notepad closing automatically
  4. From here, follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.
  5. Next, launch Microsoft Store and search for notepad.
  6. Finally, click the Get button and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.

Sometimes, the Notepad closing automatically issue might be due to problems with the app installation. In this case, you need to uninstall and reinstall the app from the official source to fix the problem.

5. Reinstall Windows 11

If the solutions above fail to stop Notepad from closing automatically, and you need the app to work, you might need to reinstall Windows 11.

This is because the problem might be with your operating system, not the app. While this might look extreme, it has worked for many users.

If Notepad is closing automatically on Windows 11, it can be frustrating, as you are bound to lose your unsaved work. But with the solutions in this guide, you should be able to fix the app and restore normalcy.

If Notepad is not opening on Windows 11 at all, check our detailed guide to fix it for good.

Feel free to let us know the solution that helped you fix this issue in the comments below.

XLS vs XLSX: Differences & 3 Ways to Convert Them

Posted on by Sagar Naresh

When working on Microsoft Excel files, you might have come across two formats, i.e., XLS and XLSX and you might have wondered what are the difference between the two.

In this guide, we will share a guide that explains the differences between XLS vs XLSX and all the different ways to convert them. Let us check out the guide.

XLS vs. XLSX: What are they?

1. What is XLS?

The XLS format is a file format developed by Microsoft that is used by Microsoft spreadsheet programs known as Excel. It is a default file format for saving spreadsheet files.

When you launch the MS Excel program, you will be shown a blank spreadsheet that can be added with multiple columns, rows, calculations, and other data.

The XLS format is an old Excel format that uses proprietary binary, more formally known as BIFF or Binary Interchange FileFormat.

It was first introduced in 1987 when the Microsoft Excel program was released. The XLS file format was later replaced by the XLSX format.

2. What is XLSX?

On the other hand, the XLSX format is a Microsoft spreadsheet designed to be used not only on Windows, but across all platforms such as Android, iOS, and macOS.

When dealing with an XLSX file, you instantly understand that the file may contain calculation, pivot tables, graphing tools, and programming tools such as Visual Basic for apps.

After Microsoft update the Office in 2007, the letter X was added to many of its extensions, such as DOCX, PPTX, and XLSX.

The XLSX file format is more compatible with diverse software outside of Windows and contains Excel data not provided by XLS, including advanced formulas, charts, media, and formats. So if you run into the excel error extension not valid, it’s probably because it is of the XLS format.

XLS vs XLSX: Differences

XLSXLSX
The XLS format was the default format for Microsoft spreadsheets for MS Excel 97 to Excel 2003.The XLSX format is the default format for Excel 2007 and later.
XLS file format takes up more storage compared to XLSX.XLSX takes up less space, thus saving the size of your document.
The row limit is 65,536 (216) and 256 columns (28).The row limit is 1,048,576 rows (220) and 16,384 columns (214).
XLS is a bit faster compared to XLSX.XLSX, despite being a newer format, is slower compared to XLS.
XLS is compatible with fewer devices but works across more MS Excel versions.XLSX is supported by more devices but works with MS Excel 2007 or later versions.
XLS file is less secure and doesn’t have robust security against data loss, because being in binary format.XLSX comes with more security, more features, and transparency.

How do I convert XLS to XLSX and XLSX to XLS?

1. Simply rename the files

  1. Press the Win + E keys to open the File Explorer.
  2. Right-click on the target file and select Rename. You can alternatively, click on the file and press F2 to rename it.
  3. Change the file extension from XLSX to XLS or vice versa and hit Enter.
  4. Select Yes in the warning prompt that appears, and the file format will be changed.

This is one of the easiest ways to convert XLS format to XLSX format or vice versa. This doesn’t require the usage of any software and lets you convert between XLS vs XLSX.

2. Convert using MS Excel

  1. Open the XLSX file with MS Excel 2007 version or later.
  2. Click on the File tab on the top.
  3. Select Save as from the left pane and choose the location to save the file.
  4. From the Save as type drop-down, select Excel 97-2003 Workbook (.xlsx).
  5. Click the Save button.

You can also use Microsoft Excel software to change the extension of the XLS file to XLSX or XLSX file to XLS. This will help you to get the file in the desired format to be able to run in the supported version of MS Excel.

3. Use online converters

You can always rely on the internet for some free tool that can help you to convert XLS to XLSX and vice versa. You can use one of the many websites out there like CloudConvert that will help you convert the files.

All you need to do is upload the XLS or XLSX file and select the output format and download it. That’s it. It is as easy as that. If you want to learn more about Excel, we have a great guide how to copy data from Excel to Word, so don’t miss it.

Now that you know the differences, don’t miss our guide on how to open .XLSX files on your PC.

Feel free to let us know in the comments below if this guide helped you understand the difference between XLS vs XLSX.

What is Vpnui.exe & What Does It Do?

Posted on by Afam Onyimadu

Many of our readers have asked about the different files and processes they encounter while using their devices. We have explored executables like smartscreen.exe, and rtkauduservice64.exe, but in this guide, we move to the vpnui.exe file.

We explore all the important elements around the file and tell you the functions it performs.

What is Vpnui.exe?

It is a legitimate process from Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client software performing the following roles:

  • Displaying the user interface for the Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client.
  • Allowing users to connect to a VPN when they click the Connect button.
  • Providing security features for VPN connections like encryption, authentication, and authorization.
  • Allowing users to manage their settings, including the encryption level and authentication method.

If you like AnyConnect VPN, you may love reading our recommendation for the best free Windows 11 VPNs.

Where is the Vpnui exe file?

The file is in a subdirectory of the Program File folder, as shown below, and typically, the file size is about 1,224,704 bytes.

C:\Program Files (x86)\Cisco\Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client

vpnui.exe

Is Vpnui.exe safe?

We can confirm that Vpnui.exe is a genuine file since Cisco digitally signs it. However, malware is known to mimic genuine exe files, so you should be cautious if you find a file with a similar name but in a different location. To reduce security risks associated with this file, you should do the following:

  • Perform a virus scan with any efficient antivirus tool.
  • Keep the most recent security updates installed on the Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client software.
  • Use caution when opening email attachments or clicking on links from unidentified sources.

Should I remove Vpnui.exe safe?

We recommend you only consider removing it under the following conditions:

  • You no longer have to use the Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client software.
  • You experience specific errors associated with the Vpnui.exe file.

Bear in mind that removing it may lead to the following events:

  • The Cisco AnyConnect VPN Client program won’t work for you.
  • There might be issues with your internet connection.
  • You can be subject to malware assaults more frequently.

That said, the ultimate decision of keeping or removing it is up to you.

What is AnyConnect used for?

vpnui.exe

AnyConnect is a powerful VPN client essential for the following roles:

  • Enabling users to connect securely to their company’s network from any global location.
  • Supplying online security tools, including content filtering and virus defense.
  • Assisting in device protection for users if they wander on unprotected networks.
  • Assisting businesses in observing security laws like HIPAA and PCI DSS.
  • Examines a device’s security state before allowing it to join the network.

In conclusion, vpnui.exe is integral to AnyConnect. However, if you like to try out other VPNs, you may read our recommendations on the best VPNs for Windows 11.

This is as much as there is to know about the vpnui.exe file. However, if you have further questions, we love reading them in the comments section below.

What is MMSSHost.exe & How to Fix Its High Memory Usage?

Posted on by Afam Onyimadu

Many applications on your computer come bundled with their specific processes. The MMSSHost.exe is one such process, and it is associated with the McAfee antivirus.

We have discussed Intel System high CPU usage, and this MMSSHost.exe process may cause a similar issue. So, in this guide, we will take you through some practical solutions.

What is MMSSHost.exe?

MMSSHost.exe is a legitimate executable and is part of McAfee antivirus software. Many processes run in the background on the Windows operating system, and MMSSHost.exe is a third-party file that fits this category. It performs the following functions:

  • Manages the installation and update of McAfee products.
  • Monitoring the status of all McAfee products.
  • Assisting McAfee products with needed support.

Where is MMSSHost.exe located?

It is located in the directory indicated below and should be about 493,248 bytes in size.

C:\Program Files\Common Files\McAfee

So, if you find the file in a different folder, especially in the System32 folder, you may suspect malware infection. We recommend a scan using any robust antivirus system.

How do I fix MMSSHost.exe high memory usage?

Before trying any complex solutions, you may use these workarounds:

  • Uninstall McAfee and use a different antivirus or download and install a new copy of McAfee.
  • Scan your computer to ensure it is not a malware-related problem.

However, if the high memory usage persists, continue with the fix below.

End the MMSSHost.exe process

  1. Hold the Ctrl+Shift+Esc keys together to launch the Task Manager.
  2. Locate the mighost.exe process among the list of running processes.
  3. Right-click on it and choose End Task to end the process.
    mmsshost.exe

That is as much as we discuss in this guide. If you have difficulty opening the Task Manager, read our guide to fix it.

Lastly, please tell us if there are any other solutions you know and if you have additional questions, talk to us via the comments section.

0x80072EE4 Windows Update Error: How to Fix It

Posted on by Claire Moraa

There are various ways to install Windows updates, and there’s also a chance that something could go wrong with Windows update. Users have reported running into the error 0x80072ee4 when using the Media creation installation tool.

This error can occur with almost every Windows version, so if this sounds familiar, you’ll find this article particularly helpful in navigating this issue.

What is error 0x80072EE4 on Windows Update?

This is a Windows Update error that can occur under different circumstances. These include:

  • Upgrading to a newer version of Windows
  • Installing Windows via the Media Creation tool
  • Troubleshooting for Windows update errors

According to most users, they get a Windows Initialization failed message whenever they power up their PCs. As a result, most programs are not working, including all browsers. Strangely enough, the Microsoft Edge browser seems exempted from the 0x80072ee4 error.

Other causes include:

  • Firewall settings – Your firewall may be behind your woes, blocking any updates it terms as suspicious.
  • Damaged file – You may have corrupt system files preventing the installation of an update or patch.
  • Incompatible version of Windows installed – If you installed Windows on your device without meeting the system requirements, you may encounter the error 0x80072ee4.

How can I fix the Windows Update error 0x80072EE4?

We recommend you first try out these preliminary fixes before any advanced troubleshooting:

1. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter 

  1. Hit the Windows key and click on Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Click on System and select Troubleshoot.Open system troubleshooter
  3. Navigate to Other troubleshooters.other troubleshooters
  4. Click the Run option for the Windows Update troubleshooter.windows-update-run-troubleshooter runtimebroker.exe error

2. Restart the Windows Update service 

  1. Hit the Windows + R keys to open the Run command.
  2. Type services.msc and hit Enter.run services.msc command
  3. Locate Windows Update service, double click on it and select Properties.
  4. Navigate to the General tab, under Startup type, select Automatic from the drop-down options, and click on the Start button.
  5. Next, click Apply and then OK.

Consequently, check with the BITS service and ensure you restart it too. The Media Creation tool may fail to connect because you were probably using a standard user account, and even after the switch to one with elevated permissions, you will need to restart the service and then run the tool again.

3. Disable your antivirus temporarily 

  1. Hit the Start menu icon, type Windows Security in the search bar and click Open.
  2. Click on Firewall & network protection, then select Public network.league of legends black screen after champion select
  3. Locate Microsoft Defender Firewall and toggle the off button.turning off Microsoft Defender Firewall Windows

4. Run DISM and SFC scans

  1. Hit the Start Menu icon, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.cmd-run-admin-w11 unexpected kernel mode trap windows 11
  2. Type the following commands and press Enter after each one:DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth sfc /scannow

5. Reset Windows update components 

  1. Hit the Windows key, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.cmd-run-admin-w11 unexpected kernel mode trap windows 11
  2. Type the following commands and press Enter after each one: net stop bits net stop wuauserv net stop appidsvc net stop cryptsvc Del "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\*.*" rmdir %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution /S /Q rmdir %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 /S /Q regsvr32.exe /s atl.dll regsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dll regsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dll netsh winsock reset netsh winsock reset proxy net start bits net start wuauserv net start appidsvc net start cryptsv

6. Perform a clean boot

  1. Hit the Windows key, type msconfig, and open System Configuration.
  2. Switch to the Services tab and select Hide all Microsoft services.
  3. Click on the Disable all button, then hit the Apply button to save the changes.
  4. Go back and click on the Startup tab, select Open Task Manager then click OK.
  5. In the Startup tab of the Task Manager, Disable all the Enabled startup items.
  6. Close Task Manager and restart your PC.

Hopefully, the 0x80072ee4 error will eventually disappear after trying out our solutions. And if not, you can always get an automated fix by downloading one of the Windows Update repair tools or a fresh copy of Windows.

If you have a different or better solution, please tell us in the comments. We’d love to hear what you’ve tried and how it worked for you.

Download Microsoft PowerPoint 2019 For Windows 11 [Free and Paid]

Posted on by Sagar Naresh

Here are 4 ways to download and install Microsoft PowerPoint 2019.

The first software name that pops up when we talk about presentations is Microsoft PowerPoint. So if you need a reliable tool for school on work, here’s how to get started:

How to download Powerpoint 2019 (Windows & 11)

Note icon NOTE
The steps to download Microsoft Office/Powerpoint 2019 on Windows 10 and Windows 11 are the same. So, you can apply and follow the steps mentioned below for both OSs.

1. Download from Microsoft Account

  1. Visit the official Microsoft website.
  2. Click on the Sign in icon on the top right and log in with your Microsoft account.
  3. Choose Services & subscriptions from the top menu.
  4. Scroll down and locate Microsoft Office 2019 and hit the Install button to begin the download of the Microsoft Office 2019. Do note that Microsoft PowerPoint 2019 comes as a part of the Office 2019 package.
  5. After the installation is complete, launch the program and create presentations.

If you deleted a copy of your Microsoft Office 2019 from your computer or want to grab a copy of Office 2019, then you can follow the above steps and download the program if you already have a subscription to it.

2. Download PowerPoint from the Office website

  1. Visit the Office website on any browser.
  2. Sign in with your Microsoft account.
  3. You will be asked to enter the product key.
  4. Select the Microsoft Office 2019 version and hit the Download button below it.
  5. After the downloading is complete, simply install the program and launch PowerPoint 2019 on your PC.

Following this method, you no longer have to be hitched to a subscription to use Microsoft Office.

All you need is the license key and use it to enjoy Microsoft Office 2019 products without the need to renew your subscription.

3. Use your Microsoft 365 subscription

  1. Visit the official Office website.
  2. Sign in with your Microsoft account.
  3. Click on Apps on the left pane.
  4. Select Install apps.
  5. Choose the Install Office option, choose the version that you wish to install, and tap on Install.
  6. Save the EXE file on your PC’s hard drive and download the file.
  7. Launch the EXE file to install it on your computer.

And if you want to use PowerPoint 2019 for free, you can do so if you use Microsoft 365 online.

4. Download PowerPoint Mobile on PC

  1. Visit the direct link to download PowerPoint mobile from the Microsoft Store.
  2. Hit the Get in Store app button.
  3. Click on the Install button on the Microsoft Store pop-up page to download Microsoft PowerPoint on your PC.
  4. After the installation is complete, launch the program.
  5. Sign in with your Microsoft account and you can use PowerPoint on your PC.

Here, one thing you should remember is that this is the Microsoft PowerPoint mobile version. So, some features may or may not be available to use.

If you encounter any problems, follow our guide on what to do if PowerPoint doesn’t open on Windows 11.

That is it from us in this guide. Let us know in the comments below, which one of the above methods you opted to download Microsoft PowerPoint 2019 on your computer.

What is Ruby.exe & How to Fix its High CPU Usage

Posted on by Henderson Jayden Harper

Many Windows users complain about the ruby.exe process’s high CPU usage, causing PC issues. The executable may consume more system resources for many reasons.

However, this guide will discuss the causes and ways to fix the problem. Also, you may be interested in our article on how to fix services.exe high CPU usage on Windows PCs.

What is ruby.exe used for?

The ruby.exe is an executable file associated with the Ruby programming language. Ruby is an interpreted, high-level programming language known for its simplicity and productivity.

Here are the primary functions of ruby.exe:

  • Ruby.exe interprets and executes Ruby scripts written in the Ruby programming language.
  • The Ruby interpreter manages memory allocation and deallocation during script execution.
  • Loads and interprets the vast ecosystem of libraries and gems that extend its functionality, allowing your Ruby scripts to utilize their pre-defined functions, classes, and features.
  • Captures and handles errors that occur when executing Ruby script.
  • Provides an interface for Ruby scripts to interact with the underlying OS and its resources.

Why causes ruby.exe cause high CPU usage?

Here are a few potential factors that can cause ruby.exe high CPU usage:

  • Ruby script’s intensive computation due to large and complex data leads to high CPU usage.
  • Multiple threads and processes on a Ruby script spawn contribute to this issue.
  • Lack of throttling or sleep statements in your Ruby script consumes CPU resources.
  • Interference from other programs or processes fighting for the same PC resources.
  • An infinite loop or poorly optimized code can cause this process to consume high CPU resources.

Regardless, we’ll take you through some steps for fixing the problem.

How can I fix ruby.exe high CPU usage?

Observe the following preliminary checks before proceeding with any advanced fixes:

  • Restart your computer and the Ruby Interpreter to resolve the temporary issues causing the problem.
  • Review your Ruby script, optimize data structures, and minimize redundant computations.
  • Throttle or introduce delays if your script performs repetitive tasks or contains tight loops.
  • Recompiling Ruby can limit the CPU of the process.
  • Update Ruby and ensure you are using the latest stable version.

If you still can’t get around the ruby.exe high CPU usage, try the solutions below:

1. Change priority for the ruby.exe process

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Task Manager from the menu.
  2. Go to the Details or Processes tab. Locate ruby.exe from the list of running processes on your system.
  3. Right-click on it, hover over the Set priority option in the context menu, then click Normal or Low.

A higher priority level may consume more CPU resources, potentially impacting the performance of other processes on your system. So, choosing the Normal/Low priority level allows the ruby.exe process to run smoothly without using excess resources.

2. End task for ruby.exe

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Task Manager from the menu.
  2. Go to the Processes or Details tab. Select ruby.exe from the list, right-click on it, then click End Task from the context menu.
  3. Click OK to confirm that you want to end the task for the program.
  4. Restart your PC.

The above steps will stop the ruby.exe process on your PC. Consequently, it may prevent the Ruby Interpreter from running.

Read our article on what to do if the Task Manager is slow to open or respond on your PC.

Lastly, you can check our article about exe files deleting themselves on Windows 11 and ways to fix the problem, just as we can confirm that uninstalling rsEngineSvc to resolve CPU usage problems truly works. Just take a closer look at our dedicated guide in that regard.

What is Net1.exe & What is it Used For?

Posted on by Loredana Harsana

When you come across an executable file with a name you’re unfamiliar with, it’s important to be cautious. Viruses and malware often disguise themselves with innocent-sounding filenames to trick users and potentially cause harm to your computer system.

If you have found a file called net1.exe on your computer and want to know what it is, what it does, and how it is used in Windows, keep reading to find out.

What is net1?

The net1 stands for Network Settings Command for 21st Century and is an executable file that is part of the Windows operating system. It can be used to perform tasks such as configuring network settings, connecting to shared resources, managing user accounts and groups, and more.

It acts as a powerful command-line tool for network management, diagnostics, and troubleshooting.

The net1.exe is a PE binary file developed by Microsoft, located at: C:\Windows\System32

The 32-bit version of net1.exe is located at C:\Windows\SysWOW64net1.exe location

What is net1 exe used for?

The net1.exe process is used for managing network-related tasks and resources, such as user accounts, shared resources, and network configuration.

Some common uses of the net1.exe include:

  • Network Troubleshooting: The net1.exe helps diagnose and fix network problems. It allows users to test network connections, check if a remote computer is reachable, and gather information.
  • Network Configuration: It helps manage network settings. It lets users change IP addresses, subnet masks, default gateways, DNS servers, and other network parameters. 
  • Managing Network Resources: The net1.exe plays a role in managing shared folders, printers, and network connections. It allows users to create, delete, or modify shared resources, add or remove network printers, and establish or end network connections. 
  • Network Security: It helps with network security by providing command-line tools. It allows users to configure firewall settings, control network access, and monitor network traffic.

What is the difference between net.exe and net1.exe?

In most Windows versions, there is no notable distinction between net1.exe and net.exe, except for Windows NT and Windows 2000.

The net1.exe was initially developed as a temporary solution to the Y2K problem that affected net.exe. To overcome this challenge, net1.exe was created as a workaround.

The net1.exe is a file that can do everything that net.exe can do. While the problem with net.exe was fixed in Windows XP, net1.exe still exists today to ensure compatibility with older scripts that depend on its features.

It serves as an upgraded version of net.exe, addressing the Y2K problem and providing enhanced functionality.

Is net1.exe a virus or malware?

As said earlier, net1.exe is a legitimate file signed by Windows. It is neither virus nor malware. It is a command-line tool commonly used to manage various network-related functions and services.

If you are unsure whether or not your net1.exe is a legitimate file, always check its location. If it cannot be found in the location mentioned above, you may have a Trojan on your system. You must take the necessary steps to remove the virus before it can damage your system further.

Moreover, you might want to check out our article that explains how to fix the problem of executable (exe) files deleting themselves on Windows 11.

If you have further questions regarding this file, kindly drop them in the comments section.

Fix: Call of Duty Modern Warfare Warzone Dev Error 5523

Posted on by Madhuparna Roy

Some gamers have complained that after downloading MW2, they encounter the dev error 5523, which sends them back to the dashboard.

The error occurs as you try to launch the game, and the game fails to load, thus affecting your overall gaming experience.

Why do I keep getting Dev error 5523 on Call of Duty?

  • Minimum requirements not met – If your system does not meet the system requirements for Call of Duty, you may bump into the Warzone Dev error.
  • Overlay turned on – Sometimes, you may encounter the error if the game overlay is turned on in the launcher.
  • Corrupted graphics driver – Corrupted and missing display drivers are often the reason behind the dev error 5523.
  • The game does not have permission – If the COD: Modern Warfare game does not have administrator permission, you may encounter the error.
  • Pending Windows update – If you have not installed the pending Windows updates, that’s another reason you may encounter the dev error.
  • A glitch with the game itself – It could be possible that there’s an issue within the game itself, and hence, you see the error. This turned out to be the case with Dev Error 841 in MW3.

How do I fix the Modern Warfare Dev error 5523?

Here’s what to do first:

1. Check system requirements for Call of Duty

Minimum system requirementsRecommended system requirements:
OSWindows 7, Windows 10 (64-bit)Windows 7, Windows 10 (64-bit)
ProcessorAMD FC-6300 or Intel Core i3AMD Ryzen R5 or Intel Core i5
RAM8 GB12 GB
GPUNvidia GeForce GTX 670 or 1650; AMD RADEON HD 7950AMD RADEON R9 or RX 580; Nvidia GeForce GTX 970 or 1660
DirectXVersion 12Version 12

Ensure that your system meets the minimum requirements to run the Call of Duty: Warfare or Warzone to avoid the dev error.

2. Disable overlay

  1. Launch Steam, click on the Steam menu on the top left, and select Settings. steam settings
  2. Next, in the Settings window, click on In-Game on the left. in game settings
  3. Now, on the right, deselect Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game. Press OK to save the changes.deselect Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game

In the same way, you can also turn off the overlay in Discord or Nvidia or disable the Xbox game bar to fix the Warzone Dev error and DirectX error on MW3.

3. Delete the Call of Duty folder

  1. Press the Win + E keys together to open File Explorer.
  2. Here, click on the This PC shortcut on the left, and on the right, click on Documents. navigate to documents folder
  3. Now, look for the Call of Duty folder, select it, and hit Delete. delete COD folder

Once you have deleted the Call of Duty folder, you can now try launching Warzone and check if you still encounter the dev error 5523.

4. Rollback or reinstall the graphics card driver

  1. Press the Win + R keys simultaneously to launch the Run dialog. Type devmgmt.msc and hit Enter to open the Device Manager. run dev mgmt.msc command
  2. Here, expand the Display adapters section, right-click on the graphics device, and select Properties. graphics card properties
  3. In the Properties dialog, go to the Driver tab and press the Roll Back Driver button. roll back driver
  4. Once the driver has successfully rolled back to the previous version, press OK. Restart your PC and check if the Dev error 5523 is resolved.
  5. If not, then repeat steps 1 and 2, right-click on the device, and select Uninstall device. uninstall graphics card driver
  6. Press Uninstall again in the prompt to confirm the action. confirm to uninstall
  7. Once done, reboot your PC, and Windows should automatically reinstall the latest graphics card version.

Now that you have rolled back the driver updates or reinstalled the graphic drivers, try launching COD: Warzone and check if the Dev error 5523 still shows up.

5. Run the Game as an administrator

  1. Go to the desktop, right-click on Battle.net, and select Properties. battle.net properties
  2. Next, in the Properties dialog, select the Compatibility tab.
  3. Here, check the box next to Run this program as an administrator and Disable full-screen optimizations. Press Apply and OK. eenable Run this program as an administrator and Disable full-screen optimizations

Once done, you can try running the Call of Duty Modern Warfare or Warzone game and check if the Dev error 5523 is fixed.

But, if Run as Administrator is not working in Windows, we have some great tips to help you fix the issue.

6. Change DNS settings

  1. To open the Run console, press the Win + R keys together, Type in, ncpa.cpl, and hit Enter to open the Network Connections window. ncpa.cpl run command windows 11
  2. Next, right-click on the active connection and select Properties.internet properties
  3. In the WiFi Properties dialog, go to This connection uses the following item list. Here, select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and then click the Properties button.Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) properties
  4. Next, in the Properties window, under the General tab, select Use the following DNS server addresses.
  5. Now, enter the below IP addresses to change the server address and press OK:
    1. Preferred DNS server: 8.4.4.8
    2. Alternative DNS server: 8.8.8.8 change DNS server

Once done, try launching Call of Duty: Modern Warfare or Warzone to check if you still encounter the error. This method is also applicable in case you see the dev error on PS4 as well.

7. Disable the second display

  1. Press the Win+I to launch the Windows Settings app, click on System on the left, and then click on Display on the right.display settings
  2. On the next screen, scroll down to the Scale & layout section, and expand Multiple displays,
  3. Here, click on the drop-down below it and select either the Show only on 1 or Show only on 2 option. Press the Keep changes button.select either Show only on 1 or Show only on 2

Now, restart your PC, try launching the game, and the COD: warzone dev error 5523 should be gone.

If Windows 11 thinks you have 2 monitors, you can try the methods in our detailed post for a quick fix.

8. Turn off the integrated video card

  1. Open the Run console by pressing the Win + R shortcut keys.
  2. Type devmgmt.msc in the search bar and hit Enter to open the Device Manager. run dev mgmt.msc command
  3. Next, expand Display adapters, right-click on the Integrated video card [Intel(R) HD Graphics], and select Disable device.disable Integrated video card [Intel(R) HD Graphics]

While this will help you get rid of the Warzone dev error, you can also use the HDMI monitor if using DisplayPort.

9. Repair the game

  1. Launch the Battle.net app and select the Call of Duty game from the library.
  2. Now, click the gear icon (Settings) next to the Play button. Select Scan and Repair from the menu to start looking for any errors. repair call of duty
  3. The scan will automatically repair/replace any corrupt or missing files.

Now, reboot your PC and check if the Call of Duty dev error 5523 is fixed or if it persists.

Besides, you can turn off and then turn on the microphone to check if this helps fix the error.

If it’s on a PlayStation that you encounter the Warzone dev error, you may want to check the network status to confirm if the servers are down.

Alternatively, to fix the dev error 5523 on PS4, you can also try changing the Wi-Fi band from automatic to 5 GHz. This isn’t the only server error you can encounter, and many recently reported Goldflake errors in Warzone.

Moreover, you can also run the system file checker to fix the corrupted system files using the SFC and the DISM tools. For other like issues like dev error 5433, check out our detailed guide.

If you have any other queries related to the Call of Duty: Modern Warfare or Warzone dev errors, do let us know in the comments box below.

Before you go, don’t miss our latest article on Puget Lakes error for more information.

Fix: Aggregate Function Error When Running Query

Posted on by Afam Onyimadu

Writing SQL scripts may be fun until you run into bugs and errors in your code. A few of our readers have complained of the error message your query does not include the specified expression as part of an aggregate function.

The aggregate function may be tricky, but we will resolve it in this guide. However, you may check out our other guide if your SQL Server query execution failed for a dataset.

Why do I get the error your query does not include the specified expression as part of an aggregate function?

Any of the following may be the reason you get the error:

  • You are using an expression that is not an aggregate function.
  • The database engine can’t group the rows because it is not in the GROUP BY clause.
  • You put the expression in the GROUP BY clause, but your column is not under the SELECT clause.

You should consult our other guide if you have difficulty login into Microsoft SQL Server.

How do I fix your query does not include the specified expression as part of an aggregate function?

Use the GROUP BY clause and aggregate function

  1. Define the SELECT statement using the script below. 
    SELECT
    country,
    FROM
    customers
    your query does not include the specified expression as part of an aggregate function
  2. Add the aggregate function using the script below (you must adapt it to your specific need).
    COUNT(customer_id) AS number_of_customers
  3. Add the GROUP BY clause. In the script below, we want to count the number of customers in each country in a table. By using GROUP BY, the database will count and return the correct figure.
    GROUP BY
    country;    your query does not include the specified expression as part of an aggregate function
  4. Run the script and verify it fixes your query does not include the specified expression as part of an aggregate function.
Note icon NOTE
By grouping the rows before applying the aggregate functions, the GROUP BY clause enables the database engine to understand how to combine the entries and deliver the right results.

What are the 5 aggregate functions in SQL?

In SQL, you may be able to use any of the following aggregate functions:

  • COUNT()
  • SUM()
  • AVG()
  • MIN()
  • MAX()

However, when using any of the above aggregate functions, remember the following extra considerations:

  • You can only use aggregate functions on columns with numeric data.
  • On columns that are part of a GROUP BY clause, aggregate functions will not work.
  • A column that is also part of the SELECT list will appear in the results as a single value if you apply an aggregate function on it.

There you have it. You should now understand why you got the error, and by adapting our solutions, you should have success.

You may also be interested in our other guides, like repairing a corrupted database in SQL serverlet.

Let us know if you found this guide helpful in the comment section below. Also, if you have other ways of fixing the error, we would love to hear from you.

How to Quickly Adjust or Change Your Xbox Screen Size

Posted on by Afam Onyimadu

Adjusting the screen size of your Xbox can be very vital, especially if you have some parts cut off during play, so we are going to show you how to do so in this guide.

Remember, you can learn a lot from our other guides; for instance, we have a guide that shows you what to do if Xbox would not install.

Why is my Xbox aspect ratio wrong?

There are a few reasons for this, including:

  • Problems with the Display settings on your Xbox.
  • Poorly configured Xbox aspect ratio.
  • Bad configuration of the TV resolution.
  • Compatibility issues between HDMI settings on Xbox and the display.

You may check some of the best HDMI cables for your TV and monitor. Now, since adjusting the Xbox screen does the trick most of the time, let’s get to the best ways to do this.

How do I adjust my Xbox screen size?

1. Adjust screen size through the Xbox settings

  1. Select the Xbox button on the controller to bring up the menu.
    how to adjust xbox screen size
  2. Scroll to the right and select Settings.
    how to adjust xbox screen size
  3. Click the General tab on the left pane, then on the right, select TV & display option.
    how to adjust xbox screen size
  4. Select a Resolution under Display, and the screen size should change. For further screen adjustment, also click on Calibrate TV.
    how to adjust xbox screen size
  5. Click Next till you are shown the dimensions that show on your TV, after which you will have to make adjustments on the TV.

2. Adjust screen size through the TV settings

  1. Connect your console to the TV and turn both devices on.
  2. On your remote, click View Mode (This button may have alternative names depending on the TV brand) to get screen size options.
  3. Click the View Mode button to change the options. In most cases, you may want to stop when you get to Dot by Dot.

Why isn’t my Xbox screen showing up on my TV?

There are a few reasons you may not see your Xbox screen; the following are the most common:

  • The HDMI cable is not connected correctly.
  • The TV is not set to the correct input.
  • Your Xbox is not set to the correct resolution
  • There are chances the TV is defective.

We have written a detailed guide to show you what to do if Xbox One is turned on but no display shows.

If you have read this far, you know how to adjust Xbox screen size. While the solutions may differ depending on the TV brand, it is always the same if you attempt adjusting from the console.

Our readers will love to know if you know other ways of adjusting the screen size. So, please leave your comments in the comment section below.

Msiexec.exe: What is it and What Does it do?

Posted on by Loredana Harsana

If you have ever installed, updated, or uninstalled an application on your computer, you have likely used msiexec.exe, even if you didn’t intentionally run the file or know about it.

Without the msiexec.exe file, you won’t be able to access the Windows Installer service, which is responsible for performing installation-related tasks.

When you come across the msiexec.exe process running in the background for the first time, and you’re curious about what it is and what it does, this guide is for you.

What is a msiexec EXE file?

Msiexec.exe is an executable file core component of the Microsoft Windows system. It stands for Microsoft Installer Execution and is responsible for initiating, installing, modifying, and removing software packages that use the Windows Installer technology.

It uses MSI (Microsoft Installer Package) files, which are special database files that hold important information about software packages.

These files hold details about what files to install, registry entries, and instructions for installing and removing the software. When you run an MSI file or start an installation using a setup program, the msiexec.exe program executes the installation process.

It reads the instructions from the MSI file and performs the necessary actions to install or configure the software on your system. It also supports various command-line options that customize the installation process.

In addition to installations, msiexec.exe performs the tasks of repairing, modifying, or uninstalling software on your computer.

Is msiexec.exe a malware file?

The msiexec.exe file is not malware, and it is considered safe. It is highly unlikely that msiexec.exe would cause any harm to your system. However, malware can target the file to carry out malicious actions, just like any other executable file.

If you want to verify whether the msiexec.exe file is malware, you can check its file location on your computer.

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Go to the Details tab and locate msiexec.exe.
  3. Right-click on msiexec.exe and choose the Open file location.open file location of msiexec.exe
  4. If it’s a legitimate process, the msiexec.exe file should be found in the following folder:C:\Windows\System32 C:\Windows\System32 folder

If the file is located elsewhere, it is a trojan masquerading as a system file.

To safely remove the infected file virus, you should start your computer in safe mode and then use reliable antivirus or anti-malware software to scan your entire system for any infected files.

Can I delete the msiexec.exe file?

If you try to delete the msiexec.exe file, you won’t be able to do so because you don’t have special permission from TrustedInstaller. However, you can gain permission from TrustedInstaller to delete the file.

In case you kill or delete the file, you won’t be able to install or uninstall apps because this file is necessary for the Windows Installer Package tasks.

Remember, while removing programs, reliable uninstaller software is often the best approach since it deletes any leftover files and Registry entries.

Let us know if you have any further questions regarding this file in the comment section below.

Edge Photo: What is it & how to use it

Posted on by Flavius Floare

Edge is Microsoft’s native browser and despite its low popularity among Internet users, this browser is one of the most powerful and efficient on the market. It has Bing, which is an AI tool capable of many things: you can get its input on pictures you upload, for example.

And Microsoft doesn’t stop here. There is a dedicated program, Microsoft Edge Canary, where the Redmond-based tech giant is implementing experimental and new features on it every week.

Take this week, for example. A new feature allows you to turn Edge into Edge Photo, and you can effectively use it as you would use the Photo Viewer app. This Reddit user spotted it, and it looks like another way for Edge to show its versatility.

EdgePhoto | New feature introduced in Microsoft Edge canary version 116.0.1934.0
byu/HotCakeXXXXXXXXXXXXX inMicrosoftEdge

Most likely, the feature will be available to the general public in the next Edge updates, in the following months. For now, it has quite a simple design.

What is Edge Photo & how can you use it

Edge Photo is basically Edge transformed in the Photo Viewer app. The design, for now, is quite simple, but it seems that the feature is in its initial phases. So it will get a revamp in the following weeks, before arriving to live servers. microsoft edge photo

As you can see, its design is minimal. There is a preview pane on the right side of it, and going through the pictures is similar to using the Photo Viewer app. You can also notice an Edge Photo logo on the bottom-left side of the app.

You can use it by dragging and dropping photos into your Edge. Then the browser automatically transforms into Edge Photo. There is no apparent limit to how many photos you can drag there.

At the bottom-right of the screen, there is an icon. You can actually pop out Edge Photo and use it independently of Edge if you want.

With this being said, keep in mind that the feature is still in its initial phases. So it is prone to changes and improvements in the future, but it does look very exciting.

What do you think about it? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.

Fix: Insufficient System Resources Exist to Complete Error

Posted on by Claire Moraa

The insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service error indicates that the system does not have enough memory or disk space to complete the task. You’ll be surprised that such a message could appear when you try to open a folder.

Usually, this is a normal operation we don’t expect to go wrong, but when it does, you must address it immediately. We show you how to fix this problem below.

What does insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service mean?

This message usually means that your computer’s hardware has run out of resources or space to process a task. 

A system resource is any computing resource that a computer program can use. Examples of system resources include CPU time, memory, disk space, and network bandwidth.

When a program needs a system resource to complete an operation, it requests that resource through an operating system call. If your system resource is low or the requested resource is unavailable, your application will not work correctly or at all.

For most users, it happened when they tried to open a folder, but in other rare cases, it was after a Windows update. Memory seems to be the system resource in question from these incidents.

According to this thread, a small section encountered this error when trying to install a program and could not access the installation folder.

I get Insufficient system resources exist to complete in Windows 10 when trying to open an installation folder

We’ve already discussed memory issues on your PC and how much RAM you need to run your Windows device. If you don’t have enough memory, performing basic tasks can become an uphill task.

However, insufficient RAM is not the only cause of the insufficient system resources exist error. It could also be caused by one of several common problems, including:

  • Virus or malware infection – If a virus infection has plagued your device, it has the capability of changing how your PC works, and that includes preventing you from accessing folders.
  • Damaged file – The folder you’re trying to access may contain a damaged file, and that’s why you can’t open it.
  • Hardware failure – You may have a bad hard drive or RAM module that is causing this memory error.

How do you fix insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service?

Before you move to the slightly technical solutions, try the following:

1. Uninstall recent Windows updates

  1. Hit the Windows key and select Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Click on Windows Update and select Update history on the right pane.update-history restart to repair drive errors
  3. Scroll down, and under Related settings, click on Uninstall updates.uninstall-updates-w11 computer-recognize-logitech-unifying-receiver
  4. This will take you to the most recent installed updates.
  5. Select the topmost update and click on Uninstall.uninstall-update-latest computer-recognize-logitech-unifying-receiver
  6. Restart your PC and check if the problem persists.

2. Run a virus scan

  1. Click on the Start Menu icon, search Windows Security, and click Open.
  2. Select Virus & threat protection.
  3. Next, press Quick scan under Current threats.
  4. If you don’t find any threats, proceed to perform a full scan by clicking on Scan options just below Quick scan.Scan options
  5. Click on Full scan, then Scan now to perform a deep scan of your PC.Full Scan Scan Now
  6. Wait for the process to finish and restart your system.

3. Reinstall the problematic program

  1. Hit the Windows key and click on Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Click on Apps on the left pane, then select Apps & features on the right pane.
  3. Search for the problematic app, click on the three ellipses, and select Uninstall.uninstalling microsoft teams
  4. Launch the Microsoft Store, search for the app, and click Install.
  5. Try opening the installation folder and see if the error persists.

Before reinstalling the program, clear any software remnants from the previous installation. This will ensure you don’t replicate the insufficient system resources exist issue that was causing your PC to malfunction.

4. Enable folder inheritance

  1. Hit the Windows + E keys to open File Explorer.
  2. Find the folder, right-click on it, and select Properties.
  3. Navigate to the Security tab and click on Advanced.
  4. Check the Replace all child object permissions with inheritable permissions from this object box then click Apply and OK.
  5. Restart your PC and check if the problem persists.

The insufficient system resources are a relatively common problem you may encounter on your computer.

We hope that this article has been helpful. We gave it our best shot to share the knowledge in a friendly and accessible manner, as this particular topic can be quite intimidating to those without experience.

Please let us know what solution has been a success for you, or if you have any others, drop them in the comment section.

The Mapped Network Drive Could Not be Created [Error Fix]

Posted on by Claire Moraa

Sometimes, when you try to map a network drive, Windows won’t let you do it. You may get an error message that says The mapped network drive could not be created. 

If you are trying to map a network drive on your Windows machine but cannot, there might be a few reasons behind this problem. In this article, we will discuss some of these reasons and how you can fix them.

Why is my network drive not getting mapped?

A network drive is a folder on your computer that you can access, edit and save files to as if it were a local hard drive. The way this works is by using the SMB protocol. These are the same protocols Windows uses to share resources across a network.

If your computer can see another computer on the network, you should be able to use a network drive to access its files.

However, if you’re not having any luck getting things going, here are some reasons behind this issue:

  • The network drive isn’t available – If the map network drive is missing, it won’t appear in the list of network locations.
  • You have not enabled the SMB2 protocol on your PC – SMB2 is the protocol used by modern versions of Windows to connect to network drives over ethernet or Wi-Fi networks. If you are using an older version of Windows, then it may not support SMB2.
  • The folder path is incorrect or doesn’t exist on the server – If the path is incorrect or has been deleted, you cannot map a drive.
  • Insufficient permissions – It’s possible that the user account you are logging in with does not have sufficient permissions to access the folder path that you want to map as a network drive.
  • You are running an older version of Windows – This can happen if you have upgraded your computer’s operating system or reinstalled Windows and have not installed any new updates.
  • Network drive is already mapped – If you had previously mapped the network drive, you will not be able to create a new one.
  • Connection issues – It is possible that your network is experiencing issues such as connection drops, slow response times, etc. This can cause problems with mapping drives.

How do you fix the mapped network drive could not be created?

This is a common issue with many users, and there are several workarounds, such as:

1. Enable the SMB protocol

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Control Panel in the search bar, and click Open.control-panel-search fallout new vegas runtime error
  2. Click on Programs.
  3. Select Turn Windows features on or off under Programs and Features.
  4. Find the SMB 1.0/CIFS File Sharing Support option, check the Client and Server boxes, then hit OK.

2. Disable password protection sharing

  1. Click on the Start Menu icon, type Control Panel in the search bar, and click Open.control-panel-search fallout new vegas runtime error
  2. Select Network and Internet.
  3. Click on Network and Sharing Center.Network and Sharing Center
  4. Select Change advanced sharing settings.
  5. Scroll down, expand All networks, and uncheck the Turn off password-protected sharing box under Password protected sharing.

3. Disable your antivirus temporarily 

  1. Hit the Start menu icon, type Windows Security in the search bar, and click Open.
  2. Click on Firewall & network protection, then select Public network.league of legends black screen after champion select
  3. Locate Microsoft Defender Firewall and toggle the off button.turning off Microsoft Defender Firewall Windows

4. Remove Microsoft Account Credentials

  1. Hit the Windows Search icon, type Credential Manager in the search bar, then click Open.
  2. Click on Windows Credentials.Windows credentials - OneDrive 0x8004deb2
  3. Select MicrosoftAccount, click on it to expand, then hit Remove.
  4. You’ll get a command prompt asking you to confirm whether you want to remove the credentials, so click on Yes.

5. Edit the Group Policy

  1. Hit the Windows + R keys to open the Run command.
  2. Type gpedit.msc in the dialog box and hit Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.GPEDiT.msc -Windows Remediation Service Failed to Start?
  3. Navigate to the following location: Computer Configuration/Administrative Templates/System/Logon
  4. Find Exclude credential providers and double-click to edit.
  5. In the next Window prompt, check the Enabled box, then hit Apply and OK to save the changes.

We hope you found this article useful and that it has helped you fix the mapped network drive could not be created error.

To avoid future errors, we recommend you enforce the Group Policy drive mapping, which will save you a ton of work.

For any other additional thoughts, leave us a comment down below.

Meet DeepRapper, Microsoft’s AI rap-generator music software

Posted on by Flavius Floare

Microsoft is investing a lot of funds into AI research. There is Orca 13B a soon-to-be open source AI model, that has shown incredible results. There is LongMeM, which is Microsoft’s answer to the struggles of getting an unlimited context length. There is phi-1, which is Microsoft’s incredibly powerful AI language for coding.

And there is DeepRapper, which is Microsoft’s AI rap-generator music software. Yes, you heard that right. An AI rapper.

Developed by the Chinese Muzic, which falls under The Deep and Reinforcement Learning Group at Microsoft Research Asia, DeepRapper is an AI model that generates rap verses according to suitable rhythms.

In this paper, we develop DeepRapper, a novel Transformer-based rap generation system, which leverages rhyme modeling, rhythm modeling and pre-training for rap generation.

Here’s DeepRapper, Microsoft’s creative rap-generator

According to the paper, the researchers first built a data mining pipeline. This pipeline, which consisted of a dataset with rap songs with aligned lyrics and rhythmic beats, was used to train DeepRapper. After the pipeline was completed, they built a language model that would select rhymes and rhythm models.

The pipeline contained a vast quantity of rap songs, different in structure and composition. After DeepRapper was trained on it, the AI rapper was capable of coming out with complex and high-quality verses.

Even more, the AI rapper has currently generated over 5000 samples, and you can actually see how they look. But so that you know, the verses are currently in Mandarin. However they are translated, and you can actually the complexity.

How can you ignore the reality of your character and never lack arrogance and arrogance? Forge a new ideal, open every farewell on the wings.

Some of DeepRapper’s raps

As in any other creative AI, DeepRapper was trained on a music catalog from the Internet, so the actual raps can contain copyrighted material. However, it’s very interesting to see just exciting the research on AI gets.

With Muzic, Microsoft joins Meta in forging AI models for music creation. Meta also has recently announced MusicGen, a similar AI model that composes music. So it will be interesting to see where this leads.

Will future music be AI-generated? Well, maybe not all of it, but some of it already is. What do you think?

Let us know your opinions in the comments section below.

What is 1.exe & Should You Remove It?

Posted on by Claire Moraa

Most exe files on your computer are simply executable files to install apps. However, some are malicious, and 1.exe is one of these files.

According to reports from users, this is a file that somehow found its way to your PC, and from there, everything went downhill. Their PCs started crashing and randomly freezing. If you’re in the same predicament, we share how to remove this file.

What does the exe virus do?

We have all interacted with exe files in our PC whenever we download certain programs and know they are generally not harmful.

However, an executable virus can be self-replicating. It uses a host application to spread copies of itself. These viruses infect executable files, including boot sector and system files, so they can be executed by the operating system each time the file is run.

Exe viruses are often used for malicious purposes, such as stealing information from your computer or taking over your system process to steal your private data. 

They can also be used to take advantage of other security vulnerabilities in Windows or other programs on your computer to gain access to sensitive information like usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, and more.

Other things it can do include:

  • Disable your firewall and antivirus
  • Delete files on your computer without your knowledge
  • Installs unwanted programs that slow down your computer and open a backdoor for more infections
  • Modify data such as registry entries
  • Display unwanted ads on your browsing pages
  • Infect your files with different types of viruses, ransomware, and Trojans
  • Collect personal data 

One of the main reasons you may find yourself with an exe virus is if you don’t have a reliable antivirus, do not update it regularly, or download files from untrusted sources.

If you suspect an exe virus on your computer, you should immediately scan your hard drive with antivirus software and remove any viruses found.

How can I remove the 1.exe file?

1. Run DISM and SFC scans

  1. Hit the Start Menu icon, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.cmd-run-admin-w11 unexpected kernel mode trap windows 11
  2. Type the following commands and press Enter after each one: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth sfc /scannow

Alongside the SFC scan on your Windows PC, you can also rely on tailored system repair tools in order to diagnose the system and detect corrupted system files.

Moreover, the PC repair software will detect any kind of issues on your Windows OS, including virus files or broken registry files.

2. Scan for viruses

  1. Press the Windows key, search Windows Security, and click Open.
  2. Select Virus & threat protection.
  3. Next, press Quick scan under Current threats.
  4. If you don’t find any threats, proceed to perform a full scan by clicking on Scan options just below Quick scan.Scan options
  5. Click on Full scan, then Scan now to perform a deep scan of your PC.Full Scan Scan Now
  6. Wait for the process to finish and restart your system.

If your antivirus program detects anything, it will likely quarantine or remove it immediately. However, if there’s no luck with the first scan, try running another one with a comprehensive antivirus program.

3. Clean the Registry

  1. Press Windows + R, type regedit in the dialog box, and press Enter or click OK to open the Registry Editor.
  2. In the app, go to File, then Export.
  3. Now select All as Export range.
  4. Enter the desired file name, choose a safe location, and click Save. This will create a backup. If any issues occur after you modify your registry, you can run the file you created to restore it to its original state.
  5. Now you can start cleaning the files. In the Registry Editor, go to the following location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE
  6. Right-click on the file you want to remove and select Delete.

Although manually cleaning the registry is an excellent option, sometimes it does not pick up all errors, so a registry cleaner should suffice.

4. Restart your computer in Safe Mode 

  1. Press Windows+ I to open Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Go to System, then click Recovery. System - Recovery Windows 11
  3. Now under Advanced startup, click Restart now. Advanced Startup poqexec.exe
  4. On the Choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot. Choose an option - Troubleshoot
  5. Now on the Troubleshoot page, click Advanced options.Advanced options
  6. On the Advanced options screen, select Startup settings. Startup settings
  7. Click Restart. Once your computer restarts, you will be given options to boot. Choose the one which takes you to Safe Mode. 
  8. Now locate the file and delete it.

5. Perform a System Restore

  1. Press the Windows + R keys, type rstui, and hit Enter.
  2. The System Restore window will open. Click on Next.
  3. Select the restore point you wish to revert to and click on Next.
  4. Now click on Finish.

A system restore also helps remove rsenginesvc.exe from the PC.

If the above methods are unsuccessful, you may have to reinstall your copy of Windows. This comes in handy for files like Zbrain.desktop that may be difficult to get rid off. And that brings us to the close of this article.

For any additional thoughts or queries, leave a comment down below.

What is Uninst.exe & Should You Remove It?

Posted on by Claire Moraa

Uninst.exe is a process file that belongs to the software NCH Software. This process monitors system changes and helps you install, update, and uninstall software on your computer.

It’s a small file that doesn’t require special permissions or privileges to be executed on your computer so you can run it anytime. The big question is whether you should keep it on your PC, so let’s find out.

Should I remove uninst.exe from my PC?

If you are having problems with your computer, and you think that this program may be causing them, then it is recommended that you remove it from your computer.

However, before removing it, try updating drivers and firmware for any external devices connected to your PC, run Disk Cleanup, check for disk fragmentation,try cleaning up unnecessary Startup items, check for registry errors by running a registry cleaner, and restart your PC to clear any temporary files.

1. Uninstall the associated program

  1. Click on the Start Menu icon, type Control Panel on the search bar, and click Open.control-panel-search fallout new vegas runtime error
  2. Select Uninstall a Program under Programs.going uninstall program control panel
  3. Find the DAEMON Tools Lite Program, click on it, and select Uninstall.
  4. Confirm uninstallation in the next pop-up.

2. Run DISM and SFC scans

  1. Hit the Start Menu icon, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.cmd-run-admin-w11 unexpected kernel mode trap windows 11
  2. Type the following commands and press Enter after each one:DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth sfc /scannow

3. Scan for viruses

  1. Press the Windows key, search Windows Security, and click Open.
  2. Select Virus & threat protection.
  3. Next, press Quick scan under Current threats.
  4. If you don’t find any threats, proceed to perform a full scan by clicking on Scan options just below Quick scan.Scan options
  5. Click on Full scan, then Scan now to perform a deep scan of your PC.Full Scan Scan Now
  6. Wait for the process to finish and restart your system.

As removing unwanted programs is essential to the health of your computer we recommend using specialized software to ensure its security. A tool such as TotalAV is able to perform more in-depth scans of your system and it also provides long-term protection against future threats.

⇒ Get TotalAV

4. Perform a System Restore

  1. Press the Windows + R keys, type rstui, and hit Enter.
  2. The System Restore window will open. Click on Next.
  3. Select the restore point you wish to revert to and click on Next.
  4. Now click on Finish.

What is uninst.exe?

Keep in mind that uninst.exe is a non-system process used by the DAEMON Tools Lite program to remove files and uninstall programs. It is part of the NCH Software that provides audio, video, photo, and document processing tools.

Some of the roles it plays include:

  • Uninstall an application from your system – Uninstalling an application using this utility will delete all files associated with it, as well as delete registry entries and other settings. 
  • Install an application – When installing a new program on your system, you can use this utility to ensure that all necessary files are copied over correctly and ready for use by the end user.

Is the uninst.exe file necessary?

There are a lot of non-system processes on your Windows PC, and you may never get to interact with them. However, some may occasionally appear as errors when you start up your PC or as runtime errors.

In such cases, you may have to remove them. Exe files don’t generally cause problems, but there are some signs to look out for that could help you decipher whether they are causing issues. These signs include:

  • A program crashed unexpectedly after opening it
  • The program was downloaded from a website other than the official website of the software developer
  • The name of the file contains strange characters or numbers
  • The size of the file is significantly larger than expected for its purpose
  • You receive an error message when trying to open the file 
  • The program attempts to install other programs without your permission

Some of the errors you may come across related to the uninst.exe file include the following:

  • uninst.exe failed
  • Cannot find uninst.exe
  • uninst.exe Application Error
  • uninst.exe not found
  • uninst.exe is not running
  • uninst.exe is not a valid Win32 application

If you find yourself with a slower-than-usual machine, these files should be the first place you look for the source of the problem.

With exe files, the problems are varied, and sometimes you may be unable to open these files. If so, look no further than our detailed guide on how to fix such errors.

Hopefully, this article has helped unpack the uninst.exe file, and you’re now in a better position to decide whether to keep it or remove it.

In case you encounter a similar unknown file, we have a great guide that explains if you should remove distnoted.exe, so don’t miss it.

For any feedback, leave a comment down below.

How to properly use passkeys on Windows 11

Posted on by Flavius Floare

Good news for Windows enthusiasts this week. Microsoft has released Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 23486 to the Dev Channel. And it’s packed with a lot of good features, important fixes, and improvements.

It’s almost as big as the last week’s Patch Tuesday updates, and some of these updates will make much easier for you to browse. Take for example this Windows 11 feature: passkeys. According to Microsoft, the future is passwordless, and passkeys are the first step to that.

Basically, passkeys will allow you to replace passwords when you sign into a website or application that supports them. This way, bad actors won’t be able to steal your credentials when signing into a web site or application.

Even more, Microsoft says that passkeys are phish-resistant, recoverable, and faster for users.

Here’s how you can use passkey on Windows 11

In order for you to use passkeys, you need to go to any app or website that supports passkeys. You’ll be signing in by creating a passkey, and then you can use Windows Hello (face, fingerprint, PIN) to sign in.

Create and Sign in using passkeys can be done on Windows 11 devices, as well as your mobile devices.

For a Windows 11 device, you need to:

  • Go to a website that has enabled passkeys on Windows (Example: bestbuy.com, ebay.com, google.com).
  • Create a passkey from your account settings.
  • Sign out of your account and sign-in using your passkey.

And for mobile device, you’ll need to:

  • Go to a website that has enabled passkeys from your mobile device (Example: bestbuy.com, ebay.com, google.com).
  • Create a passkey from your account settings.
  • Go to the website on Windows and sign in using your passkey saved on your mobile device.

You can also manage your passkeys that are saved into your Windows devices. You can view, search, and delete them as you see fit.

  • Navigate to Settings > Accounts > Passkeys.
  • Here you’ll find a list of all passkeys saved to your Windows device.

Besides the passkeys, there are a lot of changes and improvements coming with this build. Check them below.

[File Explorer]

  • Thank you to all the Windows Insiders who gave us feedback on the Folder Options changes in File Explorer that removed a handful of old settings in Build 23481. We’ve rolled back this change. As is normal for the Dev Channel, we will often try things out and get feedback and adjust based on the feedback we receive.

[Dev Home]

  • [ADDED] Starting with this build, Dev Home is now an inbox app. In a future flight, Dev Home will be found via Start > All apps > Windows Tools. To learn more about Dev Home, check out this blog post here and also read about the latest Dev Home update here. 

[Dynamic Lighting]

  • New Effects are now available for Dynamic Lighting via Settings > Personalization > Dynamic Lighting. Check out Wave, Wheel, and Gradient.

[Emoji]

[Settings]

  • We are improving the user experience when changing time zones, including cases of low confidence in location data. It displays a non-dismissible notification for accepting or rejecting the change and prompts the user for confirmation before adjusting the time zone.
  • We are also improving the user experience while changing the time zone via Settings > Time & language > Date & time. If location settings are disabled, a warning is now shown to the user, urging them to enable location settings to ensure accurate time zone adjustments. This warning provides helpful information to the user, helping them understand why their time zone may not be correct and guiding them towards resolving the issue.build 23486

[Dynamic Lighting]

  • We fixed the issue where on first boot after installing recent builds and connecting a device, the “Use Dynamic Lighting on my devices” toggle is off in Settings and device LEDs may not turn on automatically.

[Input]

  • We’re rolling a fix for an issue where a blank window whose title is “Windows Input Experience” appears after resuming the device from the sleep.

[Network]

  • Fixed an issue where the login screen was crashing in the last couple flights when trying to connect to certain types of networks.

[Task Manager]

  • Fixed an issue causing Task Manager crashes for some people.
  • Fixed an issue where focus wasn’t getting set correctly to search if the Task Manager window was small enough that search was collapsed to an icon.
  • Fixed alignment of Task Manager icon and name in the title bar.
  • Right clicking the empty space in the Details page (aka so no process is actually selected) will no longer show the option to create live kernel memory dumps.
  • Fixed an issue where the live kernel memory dumps weren’t being cleaned up by Storage Sense.

[Dev Drive]

  • There might be variable performance on different hardware. If you notice slower performance on your machine, please file feedback!

[Search on the Taskbar]

  • [NEW] After changing your Windows display language, the search box on the taskbar may continue to display in the previous language for a short time before changing to the new language you selected.
  • Text scaling may not work in the search flyout.

[File Explorer]

  • [NEW] In some cases, the context menu background in File Explorer may appear transparent.
  • Insiders may experience a File Explorer crash when dragging the scroll bar or attempting to close the window during an extended file-loading process.
  • Thumbnail loading performance in Gallery for dehydrated cloud files and memory usage in large collections are known issues we are focused on improving. Please capture Performance traces in Feedback Hub for any performance-related issues. Rebuilding your Indexer can help if thumbnails are missing for cloud files; Search for “Indexing Options” and look in Advanced settings to find the rebuild tool.
  • The count shown for selected files in the details pane may be extremely large.

Insiders who have the modernized File Explorer Home that began rolling out with Build 23475:

  • File Type icons are displayed in place of file thumbnails for ‘Recommended’ section (applicable to Enterprise users).
  • Insiders signed in with an AAD account and try to navigate the Recommended section on File Explorer Home with the tab key on the keyboard may experience an explorer.exe crash.
  • When navigating from another group to the Recommended section using a keyboard, focus does not appear on the group header or files appropriately.
  • Files display file extensions with the Show file extensions setting disabled.

Insiders who have the modernized File Explorer address bar that began rolling out with Build 23475:

  • Windows Insiders may notice missing craftmanship polish with the modernized address bar and search box. The team greatly appreciates the use of Feedback Hub to help call out important details to address.
  • Users might experience lost keyboard focus and missing keyboard shortcuts. The team implemented improved tabbing with keyboard shortcuts that will be available soon.
  • If “…” shows in the address bar path, selecting it will crash explorer.exe.

Insiders will have issues with the following commands on recommended files in File Explorer that began rolling out with Build 23403:

  • Clicking on the Share command will currently bring up the Windows share sheet (non-OneDrive).

[Notifications]

  • The copy button for quickly copying two-factor authentication (2FA) codes in notification toasts (first introduced in Build 23403) is currently not working in this build. A fix is coming in a future flight.

[Dynamic Lighting]

  • [NEW] Using Wave and Wheel effects can result in typing not working in certain apps.
  • All-device settings changes are not propagating to per-device Settings.
  • Device icons are missing from the device cards in Settings.
  • Switching user accounts can turn off device LEDs.

[Windows Ink]

  • Users can’t use handwriting to erase text in Microsoft Edge.
  • The address box in Microsoft Edge might not work correctly.
  • Windows Ink does not convert handwriting to text into the main content (e.g., Word documents and Excel spreadsheets) in Microsoft 365 applications.
  • Search boxes in Microsoft 365 applications (e.g., Microsoft Word) might not work correctly.
  • Comment fields in Microsoft 365 applications (e.g., Microsoft Word) might not work correctly.

What do you think about this Build? What about passkeys? Could they really be better than passwords? Let us know in the comments section below.

What is Vdsldr.exe & How to Quickly Fix Its Errors?

Posted on by Claire Moraa

Vdsldr.exe is a software component that runs in the background and enables users to access their virtual disks. Virtual disks are created by virtualization programs such as VMware.

You’ll probably not need this file on your PC if you don’t have any virtualization software, so if you spot it in your PC and it is throwing errors, we show you how to remove it.

What is the vdsldr.exe file?

The vdsldr.exe process is a component of the Virtual Disk Service Loader. This service allows users to create virtual disks for use with virtualization software. 

It’s a Microsoft Windows component that can be used by other programs or services to interact with the Virtual Disk Service Loader.

The file is created when you install your virtualization software and any other services it needs to run properly. 

For example, if you’ve installed a virtualization program like VMware Workstation, you’ll have already installed this service and its associated process on your computer.

It is used by the application to connect to the virtual disk service to access and modify virtual hard disks stored on physical disks.

We recommend checking its digital signature if you’re unsure if you should be worried about it. This can be done by following the steps below:

  1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer and navigate to the path where you have the file.
  2. Right-click on it and select Properties.
  3. Click on the Digital Signatures tab to see a list of signatures in the Signature list section. The genuine publisher is Microsoft Windows Operating System. Any other name or unverified entry should be cause for alarm.
  4. Consequently, you can also check its location. You must remove the file to prevent damage if it is found somewhere other than the following path: C:\Windows\System32

What are some of the vdsldr.exe errors?

There are many vdsldr.exe errors, and not all of them are easy to understand. If you are experiencing a problem with your computer, you may want to check the list below to see if it matches up with your problem.

  • vdsldr.exe – Bad Image
  • Cannot find vdsldr.exe
  • vdsldr.exe Application Error
  • Error starting program: vdsldr.exe
  • vdsldr.exe could not be found
  • Faulting Application Path: vdsldr.exe
  • vdsldr.exe could not be installed
  • The file vdsldr.exe is missing or corrupt
  • vdsldr.exe could not be launched. Class not registered
  • Windows failed to start – vdsldr.exe
  • vdsldr.exe could not be started
  • vdsldr.exe failed to initialize properly
  • vdsldr.exe has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience
  • vdsldr.exe is not a valid Win32 application
  • vdsldr.exe is not running

Aside from these, you may also experience performance degradation where your PC becomes extremely slow when running this file or process. Sometimes, you may also be unable to access other files or open programs because it is a virus masquerading as the real thing.

If you notice any of these symptoms, it is best to remove this file, and we show you how to do so below.

How do I fix vdsldr.exe errors?

1. Disable the file manually

  1. Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc to open the Task Manager.
  2. Go to the Details tab, locate and right-click vdsldr.exe and select End task.End task -poqexec.exe
  3. Now go to the file location and delete the file. 

2. Run DISM and SFC scans

  1. Hit the Start Menu icon, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.cmd-run-admin-w11 unexpected kernel mode trap windows 11
  2. Type the following commands and press Enter after each one:DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /Restorehealth sfc /scannow

3. Scan for viruses

  1. Press the Windows key, search Windows Security, and click Open.
  2. Select Virus & threat protection.
  3. Next, press Quick scan under Current threats.
  4. If you don’t find any threats, proceed to perform a full scan by clicking on Scan options just below Quick scan.Scan options
  5. Click on Full scan, then Scan now to perform a deep scan of your PC.Full Scan Scan Now
  6. Wait for the process to finish and restart your system.

4. Restart your computer in Safe Mode 

  1. Press Windows+ I to open Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Go to System, then click Recovery. System - Recovery Windows 11
  3. Now under Advanced startup, click Restart now. Advanced Startup poqexec.exe
  4. On the Choose an option screen, click Troubleshoot. Choose an option - Troubleshoot
  5. Now on the Troubleshoot page, click Advanced options.Advanced options
  6. On the Advanced options screen, select Startup settings. Startup settings
  7. Click Restart. Once your computer restarts, you will be given options to boot. Choose the one which takes you to Safe Mode. 
  8. Now locate the file and delete it.

5. Perform a System Restore

  1. Press the Windows + R keys, type rstui, and hit Enter.
  2. The System Restore window will open. Click on Next.
  3. Select the restore point you wish to revert to and click on Next.
  4. Now click on Finish.

And with that, we wind up our article. If, at this point, you’re yet to resolve the vdsldr.exe errors, we suggest uninstalling your virtualization software or performing a clean install.

We also have a rich list of exe files in our library, so if you spot any you’re unfamiliar with, such as the Poqexec.exe file, we explain what they are and how to remove them.

Let us know in the comment section below if you have any concerns.