It’s not uncommon for certain Windows processes, such as fontdrvhost.exe, to occasionally take up a large amount of computer resources. Uncommonly, this behavior is normal. Programs with high resource demands, like video editors or IDEs, are often known for their insatiable appetite for system resources.
However, before we can address the issue at hand, we must identify its underlying cause.
What is fontdrvhost.exe?
The fontdrvhost.exe is an executable file that falls under the Usermode Font Driver Host process, a component of the Microsoft Windows Operating System Software created by the software development team at Microsoft.
When considering the significance of the fontdrvhost.exe process on a Windows Operating System, it is essential to exercise caution when attempting to delete it. In some cases, this process may be utilizing excessive CPU or GPU resources.
Additionally, if it happens to be malicious software or a virus, it could be operating in the background without your knowledge. Therefore, one must exercise vigilance before taking any action against this process.
How can I stop fontdrvhost.exe high disk usage?
1. Update Windows
On your home screen search, bar type update Windows and click Open.
Now click on Check for updates.
Be patient while Windows checks and downloads available updates.
2. Disable it via Task Manager
Hold down Ctrl+Shift+Esc to launch the Task Manager.
Switch to the Details tab.
Locate Details from the list, now choose the process and right-click and select End task.
Lastly, reboot your PC.
3. Run the system file checker
Hold the Windows + X keys together and choose Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the list of options.
When the UAC pops up, click Yes.
Type the following command and press Enter:sfc /scannow
Type the following command and press Enter: Repair-WindowsImage -Online -RestoreHealth
Finally, restart your system.
4. Uninstall conflicting software
Hold the Windows + R keys at the same time to open the Run window.
Type appwiz.cpl and click OK.
Immediately the Programs and Features page has popped up, right-click the suspected apps and uninstall them.
Restart your system.
We hope that our guide has provided valuable assistance in addressing your concern. Resolving this issue is not as daunting as it may initially seem.
If you encounter any additional obstacles, we suggest consulting our comprehensive guidebook on how to disable Windows 11 services. This manual offers comparable solutions to address your issue.
We value your input on this topic and are eager to hear your thoughts. Please don’t hesitate to comment below and share your feedback with us.
It’s that time of the month again. You guessed it. Patch Tuesday has arrived with some important security updates for Windows 11.
According to the Redmond-based tech giant, the KB5027231 specifically addresses security issues on your Windows 11, including improving on KB5026446‘s features on security.
It’s worth noting that this update focuses on no less than 73 CVEs that are either critical to moderate, and also offers support to 22 non-Microsoft CVEs, especially for Chrome and GitHub.
Fortunately, none of them is actively exploited at the moment, so you can catch your breath if you haven’t updated your Windows 11.
KB5027231: Here’s the complete list of CVEs Microsoft addressed on Patch Tuesday
Some of the most important CVEs addressed in this security update focus on critical CVEs that attack Visual Studio’s Net Framework, as well as Microsoft SharePoint Servers.
There is a particular CVE that is highly prone to attacks, CVE-2023-32013, and it concerns Windows Hyper-V Denial of Service, so you might want to update your system if it’s in your target.
Here’s the complete list of CVEs Microsoft addressed on Patch Tuesday.
On the other hand, the updates also add support for Bluetooth Low Energy audio. If you remember, this particular feature will let you use your wireless Bluetooth headphones much longer while providing the same audio quality.
The technology doesn’t take a lot of your devices’ battery, allowing for a sustainable way to enjoy your music, podcasts, and whatever you’re listening to.
Here’s the list of the other improvements coming to Windows 11 with this new update.
Improvements
This update addresses a known issue that affects 32-bit apps that are large address aware and use the CopyFile API. You might have issues when you save, copy, or attach files. If you use some commercial or enterprise security software that uses extended file attributes, this issue will likely affect you. For Microsoft Office apps, this issue only affects the 32-bit versions. You might receive the error, “Document not saved.”
This update addresses a compatibility issue. The issue occurs because of unsupported use of the registry.
This update addresses an issue that affects the Windows Kernel. This issue is related to CVE-2023-32019. To learn more, see KB5028407.
What do you think about these Patch Tuesday updates? Be sure to let us know in the comments section below.
It’s June and we are already enjoying the summer, but Windows users are also looking towards Microsoft, in hopes that some of the flaws they’ve been struggling with will finally get fixed.
We’ve already provided the direct download links for the cumulative updates released today for Windows 10 and 11, but now it’s time to talk about Critical Vulnerabilities and Exposures again.
This month, the Redmond-based tech giant released 69 new patches, which is a lot more than some people were expecting in the middle of the summer.
These software updates address CVEs in:
Microsoft Windows and Windows Components
Office and Office Components
Exchange Server
Microsoft Edge (Chromium-based)
SharePoint Server
.NET and Visual Studio
Microsoft Teams; Azure DevOps
Microsoft Dynamics
Remote Desktop Client
We’re going to take a more in-depth look at this release and see exactly what vulnerabilities we can scratch off our lists.
Microsoft managed to eliminate 69 OS vulnerabilities
It goes without saying that this isn’t either one of the busiest or the lightest months for Microsoft security experts.
You might like to know that, out of the 69 new CVEs released, six are rated Critical, 62 are rated Important, and one is rated Moderate in severity.
Notably, this volume of fixes is a bit larger than what we all expected for June, but not extraordinary, so there’s no need to worry.
It’s important to know that none of the new bugs patched this month are listed as publicly known or under active attack at the time of release.
Remember that the former was listed as being under active exploit, and this specific flaw exists within the Command class.
The issue started from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in the deserialization of untrusted data.
Even though this does require the attacker to have an account on the Exchange server, successful exploitation could lead to executing code with SYSTEM privileges.
Looking at CVE-2023-29363/32014/32015, we can tell that these three bugs look identical on paper, and all are listed as a CVSS 9.8.
They allowed a remote, unauthenticated attacker to execute code on an affected system where the message queuing service is running in a Pragmatic General Multicast (PGM) Server environment.
While not enabled by default, PGM isn’t an uncommon configuration, so we do hope these bugs get fixed before any active exploitation starts.
There are only two other Critical-rated bugs in this month’s release, with the first appearing to be all supported versions of .NET, .NET Framework, and Visual Studio.
In fact, it’s an open-and-own sort of exploit, but judging by the Critical rating, it appears there are no warning dialogs when opening the dodgy file.
The second Critical-rated fix for June addresses a Denial-of-Service (DoS) bug in the Hyper-V server, so the Critical rating implies a guest OS could potentially shut down the host OS, or at least cause some form of a DoS condition.
The June 2023 Patch Tuesday rollout includes fixes for four security feature bypass (SFB) bugs, and two of these involve bypassing the check RPC procedure.
If left unchecked, they could allow the execution of RCE procedures that should otherwise be restricted when making calls to an SMB server.
Know that the bug in the RDP requires someone open a specially crafted file, but if they can convince the user to take that action, the attacker could bypass certificate or private key authentication when establishing a remote desktop protocol session.
Let’s also mention the final SFB patch, which is the Low-severity bug in Edge that could allow attackers to bypass the permissions dialog feature when clicking on a URL.
Going through the remaining DoS fixes for June, the vast majority offer no additional details, so it’s not clear whether an attack would only impact the component or the entire system.
These above-mentioned bugs in the CryptoAPI service may impact authentication actions, but that’s just speculation based on the component.
Was this article helpful to you? Share your opinion in the comments section below.
Have you ever opened Task Manager on a Windows computer and noticed the UserOOBEBroker.exe process running? Many people encounter this process when their system is running slowly or when applications become unresponsive, leading them to disable it in an attempt to fix the issue.
In an earlier guide, we discussed the steps to disable usocoreworker.exe. Presently, we face a comparable predicament once again.
Before tackling the problem at hand, it is crucial to pinpoint the root cause.
What is Useroobebroker.exe?
Microsoft has developed an executable file called UserOOBEBroker.exe, a critical component of Windows 11.
This file comes pre-installed with the Windows Modules Installer Worker in Windows 11 and is used to manage the Out of Box Experience (OOBE).
Should I disable Useroobebroker.exe?
The User OOBE Broker is a harmless program that poses no threat to your system’s security. Nevertheless, there have been reports of some users experiencing high CPU usage due to the program running in the background.
If you’re experiencing a problem with the User OOBE Broker, there’s a solution that involves disabling it. Keep reading to learn how to disable it and resolve the issue.
How can I disable Useroobebroker.exe?
1. Via Settings
Hold the Windows + I keys together to open Settings.
Click System, and now locate Notifications.
Uncheck the Show Me the Windows welcome experience after updates and occasionally when I sign in to highlight what’s new and suggested box.
2. Via Task Manager
Hold down Ctrl+Shift+Esc to launch the Task Manager.
Switch to the Details tab.
Locate Details from the list, now choose the process and right-click and select End task.
Restart your system.
After doing that, check if the problem is resolved.
Click on Start on your home screen and select Settings.
Scroll down to Accounts and click on Family & other users.
Under Other users and Add other user, choose to Add account.
Enter that person’s Microsoft account information or click on I don’t have this person’s sign-in information and follow the prompts.
Select Add a user without a Microsoft account and set your username and password for the new account.
We trust that this guide has been of great help in tackling your concern. Finding a solution to this problem is not as overwhelming as it may appear at first glance.
If you face any further hurdles, we recommend referring to our extensive guidebook on Windows 11 services to disable. This handbook could provide you with similar remedies to tackle your problem.
To learn moe about this subject matter, we have a great guide on User OOBE Broker, so don’t miss it.
We highly appreciate your viewpoint on this matter and would love to hear your perspective. Please feel free to share your feedback with us by leaving a comment below.
As you probably guessed by now, the sixth round of the monthly Patch Tuesday updates of 2023 have finally arrived.
This update package brings an entire array of changes for both Windows 10 and Windows 11, regardless of whether it is a newer or an older version.
The June 2023 Patch Tuesday updates are expected to fix some of the issues that were still pending, and in the article below we will be looking to see exactly what we get.
We’ve included detailed changelogs for each cumulative update, and we will also be providing you with direct download links from Microsoft’s Windows Update Catalog, so you know that they are secure.
Alternatively, you can always use other methods to get the latest updates, including:
The Windows Update menu on your OS
The WSUS (Windows Server Update Service)
Group Policies set up by your admins if you’re part of a larger network.
Changes included in the June 2023 Patch Tuesday Updates
Windows 11
As most of you know by now, Microsoft released its latest operating system, Windows 11, on the 5th of October, 2021.
Five months after the general rollout, the new OS seems to become increasingly stable and far less buggy than we’ve gotten used to.
You might also like to know that the 22H2 version of Windows 11, the operating system’s first major update, has already been declared feature complete.
It will, most likely, come in the first half of the year, so we might just get it until the summer. Of course, there is a possibility that the Redmond tech giant could postpone to the third, or fourth quarter.
This update addresses a known issue that affects 32-bit apps that are large address aware and use the CopyFile API. You might have issues when you save, copy, or attach files. If you use some commercial or enterprise security software that uses extended file attributes, this issue will likely affect you. For Microsoft Office apps, this issue only affects the 32-bit versions. You might receive the error, “Document not saved.”
This update addresses a compatibility issue. The issue occurs because of unsupported use of the registry.
This update addresses an issue that affects the Windows Kernel. This issue is related to CVE-2023-32019. To learn more, see KB5028407.
Known issues
After installing this or later updates, Windows devices with some third-party UI customization apps might not start up. These third-party apps might cause errors with explorer.exe that might repeat multiple times in a loop. The known affected third-party UI customization apps are ExplorerPatcher and StartAllBack. These types of apps often use unsupported methods to achieve their customization and as a result can have unintended results on your Windows device.
Windows 10 v21H2 is the latest major version of Windows 10, and as such has the most experimental features on it.
Fortunately, most bugs that were first present when it was first made available have been weeded out, and this version of Windows 10 is far more stable.
This update addresses a known issue that affects 32-bit apps that are large address aware and use the CopyFile API. You might have issues when you save, copy, or attach files. If you use some commercial or enterprise security software that uses extended file attributes, this issue will likely affect you. For Microsoft Office apps, this issue only affects the 32-bit versions. You might receive the error, “Document not saved.”
This update addresses an issue that affects the Windows Kernel. This issue is related to CVE-2023-32019. To learn more, see KB5028407.
Known issues
Devices with Windows installations created from custom offline media or custom ISO image might have Microsoft Edge Legacy removed by this update, but not automatically replaced by the new Microsoft Edge. This issue is only encountered when custom offline media or ISO images are created by slipstreaming this update into the image without having first installed the standalone servicing stack update (SSU) released March 29, 2021 or later.
This version of the OS is outdated and will no longer receive any updates from the tech company. Users that are still running this old version on their devices are strongly advised to choose a more recent one to update to.
If you still want to use Windows 10 and are not willing to upgrade to 11, you don’t have to do so right away. After all, Microsoft announced that the support for Windows 10 will go on until 2025.
This update addresses an issue that affects the Storage Spaces Direct (S2D) cluster. It might not come online. This occurs after a periodic password rollover. The error code is 1326.
This update addresses an issue that affects the Appx State Repository. When you remove a user profile, the cleanup is incomplete. Because of this, its database grows as time passes. This growth might cause delays when users sign in to multi-user environments like FSLogix.
This update addresses an issue that affects the Windows Remote Management (WinRM) client. The client returns an HTTP server error status (500). This error occurs when it runs a transfer job in the Storage Migration Service.
This update addresses an issue that affects signed Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) policies. They are not applied to the Secure Kernel. This occurs when you enable Secure Boot.
This update addresses an issue that might affect the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS). It might close sporadically. The system logs the exception 0xc0000710 in the Application Error event 1000. Because of this, the domain controller restarts unexpectedly. This issue affects read-only DCs (RODC) that also run Microsoft Defender Advanced Threat Protection (ATP).
This update addresses an issue that affects the Windows Kernel. This issue is related to CVE-2023-32019. To learn more, see KB5028407.
Known Issues:
After installing KB5001342 or later, the Cluster Service might fail to start because a Cluster Network Driver is not found.
Note: Windows 10, version 1607 has reached the end of service for all of its available editions. Update to the latest version of Windows 10 in order to keep your system protected.
The wermgr.exe is a helpful error reporting service that sends error logs to Microsoft. This executable also notifies you when there’s an issue with the operating system or a program.
However, it’s essential to identify the underlying issue before addressing the problem.
What is the Wermgr.exe process?
The wermgr.exe executable is a crucial component of the Windows Error Reporting Manager. Its primary function is to manage the errors that occur within the Windows operating system.
It is used to identify and report any crashes or errors to determine the root cause of your program’s failure.
Should I disable the wermgr.exe?
It’s recommended to keep this process enabled, as disabling it may lead to certain Windows components malfunctioning.
It’s important to ensure the smooth functioning of all aspects of the operating system. Therefore it should remain enabled.
How can I disable wermgr.exe?
1. Use the Services window
Hold the Windows + R keys together to open up a Run window.
Type services.msc and click OK to open the Services screen.
In the services screen, scroll down and locate Windows Error Reporting Service. Now, right-click on it and choose Properties.
Next change the Startup Type from Automatic to Manual.
After configuring the Startup Type to Manual, it is recommended that you Reboot your system. Following this, a check of the Task Manager should reveal the absence of wermgr.exe.
2. Use Registry Editor
On your home screen type in regedit in the search bar and click Open.
The moment the UAC pops up click Yes.
Next, locate the following path HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Error Reporting
Now, shift to the right panel and find Disabled.
Double-click on the Disabled DWORD key and change the value from 0 to 1. Then save it by clicking OK.
After making these changes, the wermgr.exe will be disabled.
We hope this guide has provided you with the necessary assistance to address your concern. Resolving this issue is not as daunting as it may initially seem.
If you encounter any additional challenges, we suggest looking at our comprehensive manual on Windows 11 error logs. This guide may offer comparable solutions to address your issue.
We value your opinion on this topic and would be delighted to hear your thoughts. Kindly share your feedback by leaving a comment below.
Based on users on various platforms, it has been reported that an error message reading Microsoft Visual C++ 14.0 or greater is required pops up frequently during the installation of Python and Word Cloud.
Finally, choose the specific package for your device once you have downloaded it and completed the installation process.
Restart your PC.
We trust that this guide has offered essential support to address your issue. As you may have observed, fixing this matter is not as intimidating as it might appear at first sight.
We would love to hear your thoughts on the matter, so please drop a comment below and let us know which solution you found to be the most impactful. Your feedback is highly valued.
Microsoft is currently conducting tests on image recognition and visual search capabilities within its Bing Chat platform. This new feature allows users to upload an image and ask Bing Chat questions related to that specific image, providing a more interactive search experience.
The image recognition and visual search functionality known as visual search, already exist within Bing Image search. However, Microsoft is now extending these capabilities to its chat platform to enhance user engagement and provide more comprehensive search results.
According to Microsoft’s Advertising and Web Services CEO, Mikhail Parakhin, the testing phase is currently limited to 5% of all searches. Parakhin recently shared this information multiple times on Twitter, stating, “We are flighting at 5% right now, if all goes well – will keep increasing.” He emphasized the importance of ensuring safety and maintaining the quality of regular chat interactions before rolling out the feature to a broader audience. Parakhin also mentioned that the initial flight for image recognition is underway, and as confidence in its quality and safety grows, the feature will be made available to a wider user base.
Not this week – we have to make sure it is safe, aligned and doesn't decrease quality of the regular chat. We are flighting at 5% right now, if all goes well – will keep increasing.
While the image recognition and visual search feature are in progress, Bing is also working on separate plugin functionalities. Parakhin expressed hope that the plugins will begin their testing phase within a matter of weeks, indicating Microsoft’s commitment to expanding the capabilities of Bing Chat even further.
Running the first flight for Image recognition right now. As we get confidence in quality and safety, will roll out broadly for everyone. Plugins are a separate story, should start flighting hopefully in a matter of weeks.
By introducing image recognition and visual search to Bing Chat, Microsoft aims to provide users with a more interactive and immersive search experience. As the testing phase progresses and the feature proves to be safe and reliable, users can expect a broader rollout in the future, enabling them to explore and discover information in a more visually driven manner.
But, it is not the only process that monitors and collects information about you to report to Microsoft. Devicecensus.exe is yet another process that shares similar roles. Data collection is a touchy subject, so let’s break it down for you on what it does.
What is Device Census Windows 11?
From the name, a quick guess could lead you to believe it is a Microsoft process aimed at counting the number of users running Windows devices.
In fact, from the community forum discussion, a user was curious about the devicecensus.exe process when they spotted it in the Task Manager.
I opened Task Manager one day, and I noticed two never-before-seen executables running, under the name “Device Census.” They disappeared before I could click on them. Is this how Microsoft counts Windows 10 users or is it something else? This isn’t really a “need to know” question, just curious.
I have this app trying to activate my webcam without authorization, and it getting detected as no problem with antivirus.
First things first, the devicecensus.exe is a legitimate Windows file. You’ll most likely find it in the following location: C:\Windows\System32
With that out of the way, it is an important Windows 11 program that collects information about your device and then reports back to Microsoft to check for compatibility with the most suitable build.
What does devicecensus.exe do?
The tool checks your computer’s hardware and software and then reports back to Microsoft on the compatibility status of your PC with the latest version of Windows.
This data is collected to provide Microsoft with feedback on where and how their products are being used.
The data collected includes:
Device ID, Device Model, and Device Manufacturer
Device type (desktop or mobile) and whether it is a physical device or virtual machine
Information about the operating system version (OS version), OS language, screen resolution, and bit system
Device’s network connectivity status
It has probably never crossed your mind that Microsoft tailors Windows updates for your PC based on your hardware configurations.
This application aims to gather information about your hardware and software. Microsoft can then determine whether there are any incompatibilities between the software and your current version of Windows.
Data collected by this service is telemetry. This type of analytics logs information about how well an app or system works. It is useful in analyzing usage trends and identifying problems with apps or systems.
This service helps Microsoft improve the quality of its products and services by collecting diagnostics information on the device.
A major concern is that sometimes Windows 11 telemetry registers high CPU usage. This is not its default behavior, so if you notice high spikes, it may have been infected by a virus.
You should run a system scan just to be sure. Ensure you employ a third-party antivirus as Windows Security may not have advanced features to catch wind of notorious malware that camouflages as the real thing.
You can also stop the process from Task Scheduler, but we recommend you don’t. That’s it from us, and hopefully, you now know how you receive builds to your device.
For any further suggestions or thoughts, leave a comment down below.
USB is a common standard for connecting external devices to computers. However, sometimes it may not work as expected. This applies to all devices you can connect a USB with but for today, we shall be looking at a particular case of Dell USB ports not working.
You may face this issue when you try to connect a USB device to your Dell laptop. It may be a simple or complex issue, but this all depends on the reason behind the problem. Let’s now have a look at possible causes and their resolutions.
Why is USB not working on a Dell laptop?
When a USB device is plugged into a computer, it automatically recognizes the device and installs the necessary drivers.
If you are using a Dell laptop and the USB device is not working, there could be several reasons why this is happening.
Damaged cable/device – If the cable has become damaged or bent at some point, this can affect the connection between your computer and your external device. Also, if your USB device is not recognized, it’s possible it is faulty.
USB port is damaged or broken – Your USB ports may have been damaged over time, or you recently plugged in another device that caused the damage.
Compatibility issues – USB ports on your computer may stop working when you upgrade the Windows operating system. This can happen if the USB controller driver is incompatible with the new version of Windows.
Virus attack – If your system is infected with a virus, it can also cause problems with your USB ports.
Wrong port – If you have plugged it into the wrong port, or the USB port is blocked by an admin, this can cause problems in the connectivity of your device. Some USB devices are strict on the type of USB port that can be used.
Dell BIOS update failure – Some systems that an unauthorized technician has serviced may have their BIOS corrupted, and it can cause your USB ports not to work.
Outdated/incompatible drivers – If your USB device does not have the correct devices installed, it won’t function. Third-party device drivers can also cause problems with USB ports on Dell laptops.
What can I do if the USB ports on my Dell laptop are not working?
Before any complex solutions, attempt the following preliminary checks:
Disconnect other peripherals and only connect the one experiencing problems.
Examine your USB cable and ports for any physical damage.
If you have a USB hub, plug your device into that and see if it works. If it does, then there’s a problem with the laptop port.
If available, try connecting the same device to another computer or another port on your Dell laptop.
Open the exe file and follow the on-screen prompts to install it.
Once installed, launch and click on Start Now to start running the tests.
These tests are especially important when all USB ports are not working, and you can’t navigate with your mouse or keyboard because they, too, depend on the USB ports.
2. Scan for hardware changes
Hit the Windows key, type Device Manager in the search bar, and click Open.
Click on Action on the menu bar then select Scan for hardware changes.
Windows will then scan for any missing components and reinstall them to make them responsive again.
3. Reinstall the Dell USB drivers
Hit the Windows key, type Device Manager in the search bar, and click Open.
Navigate to your hardware device section (in this case Universal Serial Bus), right-click on your device then select Uninstall device.
Click on Uninstall in the next pop-up box.
Restart your device, and your drivers will automatically be installed.
Press the Windows + R keys, type rstui, and hit Enter.
The System Restore window will open. Click on Next.
Select the restore point you wish to revert to and click on Next.
Now click on Finish.
7. Reset Windows
Press the Windows key, type cmd, then click on Run as administrator.
In the opened window, type the following command, then hit the Enter button: systemreset -factoryreset
The two last steps will help resolve any issues with software compatibility. Sometimes, programs on your PC cause conflicts with devices, so restoring to an earlier time or resetting your Dell PC can solve such issues.
At the beginning of this year, Microsoft shifted its focus to generative AI, which led to the debut of the new Bing, Later on in March, the company released Bing Image Creator in creator mode that OpenAI’s DALL∙E model powers to enhance the new Bing and Edge preview experience by providing users with better search, complete answers, a new chat experience, and the ability to create content.
Bing Image Creator essentially lets users create images using their own words. Microsoft indicated that the addition will accelerate the comprehension rate as the human brain processes images 60,000 times faster than texts.
At OnMSFT, we’ve been using the tool to generate some of our featured images(with attribution, of course), but still, there hasn’t been an easy way for one to tell an image has been created by leveraging AI capabilities. However, last month, during Microsoft’s annual developer conference, Build 2023, the company announced that it was working on elaborate measures to ensure that it would be easier for users to identify AI-generated content from Bing Image Creator and Microsoft Designer.
For those unfamiliar with Microsoft Designer, it’s an artificially intelligent social media platform that can generate online content such as social media posts, greeting cards, branding, alerts, promotions, and more. It was first teased in 2022 and shipped to preview earlier this year in January.
And is at now seems. Microsoft has started rolling out these changes to users. Earlier today, while generating an image for a post I was working on, I noticed a subtle Bing icon at the bottom of the image. This clearly indicates that Microsoft is now watermarking Bing Image Creator generated images with metadata indicating their original source. I can’t say the same about Microsoft Designer since it still works as before (no watermark), at least for me.
Here’s an illustration of how a Bing Image Creator generated image looks like now:
Moving on, it would still be easy for anyone to generate an image using the tool, crop out the metadata and use it elsewhere as their own. Perhaps, Microsoft could be working on a better way to implement this feature. We invite you to check out our expert guide on generating and editing Bing Image Creator images within Microsoft Edge.
The event ID 10036 is a Windows server issue whereby as soon as you install Microsoft updates, you’ll notice a spike in this error. It is accompanied by a message that says the server-side authentication level policy does not allow the user to activate DCOM server.
From face value, it seems that the updates are the cause behind this error, but as we dig deeper, you’ll find out that it’s more complicated. Let’s have a closer look at what this means.
What is DistributedCOM error 10036?
Distributed COM (DCOM) is an application programming interface that allows software components to communicate over a network.
It is why we recommend that you won’t be quick to install updates as soon as they are released.
Now, for the DistributedCOM error 10036, you’ll likely spot it on your Windows server right after installing an update. It further details that the user cannot activate the DCOM server despite being a domain administrator.
You’ll be prompted to raiseactivationauthenticationlevel to make any changes.
This is very strange behavior and could happen due to one of the following reasons:
Lack of permissions on the target computer – If you’re trying to start a service remotely and do not have sufficient permissions on the target computer, this will cause an error.
Wrong permissions – If you don’t have permission to access certain resources such as files or registry keys, it can also cause errors like DistributedCOM error 10036.
How do I resolve event ID 10036?
Attempt the following basic checks before any advanced troubleshooting:
Log off and back on as an administrator.
Ensure you have installed all the required software updates on your server.
Try restarting the DistributedCOM service and see if this fixes your issue.
1. Uninstall the recent Windows update
Hit the Windows key and select Settings.
Click on Windows Update and select Update history on the right pane.
Scroll down, and under Related settings, click on Uninstall updates.
This will take you to the most recent installed updates.
Select the topmost update and click on Uninstall.
Restart your PC and check if the problem persists.
Since most of the reports indicate that a patch-related update is causing this issue, uninstalling it should fix the issue, but if it doesn’t, proceed to the next step.
Navigate to the following location. Note that this registry key does not exist by default, so you will have to create it. You can do so by right-clicking on Ole and adding a new string: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Ole\AppCompat
Next, on the right side, click on an empty space and add a New DWORD (32-bit), then name it as RequireIntegrityActivationAuthenticationLevel.
Double-click on it, and under the Value data, set it to 0 to disable it.
Since a significant number of users upvoted this as the best solution to resolve the event ID 10036 error, you may have to edit the registry. It appears that Microsoft applied some hardening changes to Windows updates after discovering a vulnerability.
Editing the registry will disable the hardening and possibly eliminate the error. To cushion you against any after-effects, we recommend you quickly backup your registry or create a restore point.
If it doesn’t work out, no damage will be done, and you can revert to your earlier position. You should also keep checking for new updates, as such vulnerabilities that require hardening are usually catastrophic.
You may also run into another event ID 5145 error, so don’t hesitate to check out our guide on how to fix it.
And with that, we sign out here but let us know of any other worthy solution you may have encountered for this error in the comment section below.
The runtime error 3706 occurs when users try to run some codes using VBA. This frustrating error can be due to minor issues with your code when referencing a provider.
If you are also dealing with this issue, this guide will show you how to fix it, just like we did with the runtime error 438.
Why am I getting the runtime error 3706?
The major cause of this error is if some of the details in your code are incorrect. An example is if you provided the wrong OLEDB version in your code.
So, majorly, this error is usually down to minor issues with your code and can be fixed by making the little changes required.
How can I fix the runtime error 3706?
1. Ensure the details are correct
The only solution to this issue is to make sure the details provided in your code are correct and updated.
For example, you might need to confirm the version of your MS Office on which the script is running if you are using the latest versions of Microsoft Office.
What’s more, you might need to change the OLEDB version from 12.0 to 16.0 if you are using the latest versions of Excel, like 2019.
Another thing to note is that you need to make sure your Version, driver type, and Extended Properties are correct. An example is the code shown in the image below that gave this error as reported by a user on Stack Overflow:
The solution to this was just to change the Version to 12, the driver to ACE from Jet, the Extended Properties to Excel 12.0, and some other minor changes made to the code, as shown below:
So, these little parameters are important to eliminate this runtime error 3706.
Sometimes, this runtime error 3706 can be due to an outdated Oracle client version. You need to check with your client to confirm the version and get the latest one available to prevent issues.
We can now conclude this guide on how to fix this runtime error for good on VBA. This issue is majorly down to minor issues with the details provided in your code.
Correcting these details accordingly should solve this effortlessly. If you are dealing with another issue like runtime error 3709, check our detailed guide to fix it.
Feel free to let us know in the comments below if you could solve this problem.
June 13 marked Windows 10 version 21H2 end of servicing date. If your device runs on this operating system, you’ll probably need to upgrade to a newer OS. Especially if you want to continue receiving regular security and feature updates.
According to Microsoft:
Starting today, June 13, 2023, Home, Pro, Pro Education, and Pro for Workstations editions of Windows 10, version 21H2 have reached end of servicing. The June 2023 security update – released June 13, 2023 – is the last update available for these versions. Devices running these versions will no longer receive monthly security and preview updates containing protections from the latest security threats.
The following Windows 10 21H2 editions have reached end of servicing:
Windows 10 Home, version 21H2
Windows 10 Pro, version 21H2
Windows 10 Pro Education, version 21H2
Windows 10 Pro for Workstations, version 21H2
Windows 10 version 21H2 started rolling out to users in November 2021. And now, it’s reached its end-of-support date. To continue receiving security and feature updates, you’ll need to upgrade to Windows 10 version 22H2 or even Windows 11 as long as your device meets the set minimum requirements.
Mirror’s Edge is one of those video games that stay with you for a long time after you play it. It was released in 2009, to moderate reception, but its legacy has grown over time. At release, it was available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and Microsoft Windows as well.
And speaking of gameplay, this was the factor that made Mirror’s Edge a cult video game. Aside from its amazing artwork, and overall cyberpunk story, Mirror’s Edge is still played today. It has a strong community online, with people discovering and rediscovering the game.
People everywhere are playing it for the first time, including this Reddit user who wondered how can Mirror’s Edge be played on Windows 11.
And yes, the answer is that you can definitely play Mirror’s Edge on Windows 11, and it runs quite smoothly, according to the other users’ input on the Reddit thread.
Follow along and we’ll show you where to download Mirror’s Edge from and how to install it and play it.
Here’s how to download & play Mirror’s Edge on Windows 11
First, you need to know that you can download Mirror’s Edge from multiple platforms. You can choose to download it from Steam, or you can choose to download it from GOG.COM.
Both platforms work just fine, and there is no difference when it comes to actually playing the game. Of course, you should be aware of the price, but basically, other than the price, this video game will run just fine on Windows 11.
You have two options: you can either buy it one time, or you can download it as part of your Steam subscription.
You should be able to play it without any issues, directly from Steam. However, if any issues come up, note them down, and look for a solution.
On the Reddit thread, some users encountered some issues that prevented them from playing the game on Windows 11. But it’s not a general thing, so your system might as well run it without any problems.
Once you’re on the page, click on Add to cart to buy it.
If you choose to buy it from GOG, the platform will prompt you to install its app, and you can run it from there.
Similar to Steam, running Mirror’s Edge from GOG should be without any issues, as the platform automatically makes older video games compatible with the newer Windows versions. You should be able to enjoy it without being interrupted.
However, if by some means, you do encounter a bug that prevents you from running it, run a compatibility check.
You can do that by right click MirrorsEdge.com, selecting Properties, going to the Compatibility pane, and selecting any previous Windows versions to run this game.
Playing it will be another fun thing to do. You should know that Mirror’s Edge is a first-person platform game, so expect to move a lot, jump a lot, and avoid obstacles and enemies.
You’ll find the story compelling, and the gameplay even more fun.
What do you think? Have you heard of this game? Have you played it before? Be sure to let us know your experience with it in the comments section below.
And we also welcome you on the Nostalgia lane with this one. Have fun!
The Xbox Games Showcase 2023 and Starfield Direct event happened this week, and needless to say, the news is exciting. Starfield is coming to Windows PCs and Xbox, and while the video game will eat a lot of your storage space, it’s actually moderate on the system requirements.
Video games such as Forza Horizon, and the hotly awaited Senua II are also coming to Xbox soon, and on the newly announced Game Pass for NVIDIA GeForce Now. This means you will be able to play them on any device that GeForce Now streams to.
You’ll be able to play video games on low-spec PCs, Macs, Chromebooks, mobile devices, TVs, and more. It would be nice if a new game from the Halo franchise would be there, but no. Unfortunately, at this year’s event, any news from Halo was non-existent.
We’re not the only ones who’ve noticed it, because fans of the beloved franchise are asking themselves the same. Has Microsoft forgotten about Halo? Well, kind of. Not entirely, but kind of.
What are the Halo franchise’s future plans?
As well all know, Halo Infinite was released almost 2 years ago, in 2021, 20 years after the first Halo game. The video game was well received, with some even calling it a return to the form for the series. Commercially, it had a lot of success, and by January 2022, a month after its release, Halo Infinite crossed the 20 million players mark.
Microsoft released a roadmap for Halo Infinite for the Fall/Winter seasons, and they managed to add a lot of new features, new maps, new weapons, and even new story plots in a couple of patches that felt like expansions.
But ever since, there were no news about Halo from Microsoft. With Halo Infinite released, and the new Xbox consoles already out, it’s no wonder people are asking if there is any new Halo game in sight.
And apparently, there is a roadmap for Halo. Xbox CEO Phil Spencer and Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty were live on a Giant Bomb live stream on all things Xbox, and they actually confirmed something is brewing for Halo.
There’s a pretty good roadmap, you start to think about the future of Halo, what does that roadmap look like.
Matt Booty, Xbox
So, while we don’t know anything yet, it seems a lot of things are coming for Halo. We can only take a guess. However, based on how things look right now, a new Halo game will be similar to Halo Infinite, story-wise.
Can we hope for a remake of Halo: Combat Evolved from Microsoft and 343 Industries? It would be very interesting to see how can they capture the magic and thrill of the first game. Will Bungie join in and work on it too?
Truth is, we can only hope.
What do you think? Are you excited about the future of Halo? Or mad at Microsoft for not focusing on it? Be sure to let us know in the comments section below.
Winbox is used by Windows users to monitor traffic of every interface or firewall rule in real-time. In some cases, the app fails to start and prevents users from accessing Winbox’s features and functionality.
If your Winbox app is not working, stick around; this article will briefly discuss some common causes of the error and provide steps to help you fix it.
Why is Winbox not working on Windows 10?
The following are some of the most common reasons why Winbox is not working on Windows 10:
Outdated software – Winbox like most software is updated occasionally to fix errors and bugs, if you’re running an outdated version of the software, it can prevent the app from working correctly.
Poor network connection – If you have an unstable internet connection, it can lead to errors while launching Winbox.
Multiple Virtual Network Interfaces – If you have multiple network interfaces on your OS, Winbox gets confused and can take a while to connect; this can be the reason triggering the Winbox not working error.
What can I do if Winbox is not working on Windows 10?
Before we proceed with more advanced solutions, here are a couple of quick fixes you can attempt:
Run Winbox as an administrator – Winbox might need admin privileges to perform some actions, if the app doesn’t have such permissions, it can lead to the Winbox not working error.
Ensure Winbox is running the latest version
If the Winbox not working error persists after attempting those fixes, here are advanced troubleshooting solutions to help you fix the error:
1. Disable Antivirus Software
Press Windows + I to open the Settings app
In the Settings app, click Update and Security, and select the Windows Security tab.
Further, click on Virus and Threat Protection, and click Manage Settings.
In the next window, click the toggle button next to Real-Time Protection to turn off the feature. (You can also disable more options in this tab).
Close the Windows Security window and restart your PC to check if the error is resolved.
Antivirus software protects your PC from harmful files and applications but can also infringe on the normal functionality of Windows.
Further, you can temporarily disable your antivirus software to check if it’ll fix Winbox not working.
2. Temporarily Disable Firewall
Press the Windows key, type Control Panel in the search bar, and hit Enter.
In the Control Panel, click on the System and Security tab and select Windows Defender Firewall.
In the next window, click the Turn Windows Firewall On or Off on the left pane.
Then, click Turn off Windows Firewall (not recommended) under the Public Network Settings section.
Then, click OK to confirm your changes and exit the Control Panel.
The Windows Firewall helps protect your PC from harmful connections, but can also restrict the functionality of legit applications. In addition, you can disable the firewall to check if it’ll fix the error, and re-enable it.
Press the Windows key, type Control Panel and hit Enter.
In the Control Panel window, click Network and Internet, and select Advanced network settings on the right pane.
Then, locate the installed Virtual Network Adapters under the Network Adapters section and click the Disable button to turn off the network.
Close the Control Panel and check if the Winbox error is fixed.
Virtual network Adapters are added to your PC when you install virtualization software; however, such Adapters can conflict with Winbox, causing the app to stop functioning. Disabling the Adapters can help fix the error.
Winbox is a very decent traffic monitoring tool utilized by most Windows users. Thus, if the app stops working, it’s most likely you have a faulty internet connection or the software is being blocked by a Windows security feature.
Nevertheless, by applying the steps listed in this article, you should get your Winbox app up and running in no time.
If you’d like to reset Excel to default settings the process is pretty simple, especially if you don’t want to reinstall the app. However, we have the most effective solutions to do that below.
How can I reset Excel to default settings?
1. Reset individual menus
Open Microsoft Excel.
Click on the Tools menu and then click Customize.
Right-click the menu you want to restore and then click the Reset button.
This will restore the menu to its original settings.
Repeat this procedure to reset all the menus which will restore Microsoft Excel to its default settings.
This is the most simple and quick option to reset Microsoft Excel. It is also the most convenient way since you might not want to reset all the Excel settings.
2. Reset the app using the Registry
Press the Windows key + R to open the dialog box, type regedit in the search bar, and hit Enter to open the Registry Console.
Navigate to the following registry path HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Excel
It’s important to note that the version number (16.0) varies according to the Excel version installed on your PC. Sometimes, 12.0, 13.0, 14.0, or 15.0.
On the left pane, click on the Excel registry key and locate the Options registry key.
Right-click on the options registry key and select Delete.
This registry key stores all the Excel customizations made by the user; deleting the key would remove all customizations made by the user and restore the application to its default settings.
3. Using PowerShell
Press the Windows key, type PowerShell in the search bar, right-click on the result, and select Run as Administrator to open PowerShell in elevated mode.
Copy and paste the following command in the PowerShell window and hit Enter: Remove-Item -Path HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Office\<Version>\Excel -Recurse
However, you’ll have to replace the Version with the actual version of your Office 365 software, i.e., 16.0, 15.0, etc.
Close the PowerShell window and check if Excel is back to default configurations.
4. Repair and Reset Microsoft Office
Press the Windows key + R, type appwiz.cpl in the dialog box, and hit Enter.
Under the Programs and Features section, locate MS Office, click on it, and select Change.
In the popup window, click Quick Repair to restore Excel to default settings.
If Quick Repair doesn’t fix the issue, select the Online Repair option and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the repair.
Another way to reset Microsoft Excel to default settings is to reset the Microsoft Office application. A reset will delete all the stored data and configuration and relaunch the app in its default state.
Once the file is downloaded, double-click the SetupProd_OffScrub.exe file and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation.
After the installation, click Yes in the user account control window. The tool will automatically start troubleshooting Microsoft Office in a new window.
In the new window, click the checkbox next to Microsoft Office, and click Next to initiate the installation.
Once the installation is complete, restart your PC.
When your PC restarts, you’ll need to download the Office application from the Microsoft website.
Once the file is downloaded, double-click the .exe file to run the installer and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation.
Once the installation is complete, all Office applications will revert to default settings.
Reinstalling Microsoft Excel is usually the go-to option to reset an application to its default state. Once you uninstall the app, all the saved data and configurations are removed, at the next installation, the app will be installed in its default state.
If you’ve made customizations to the Excel app and want to remove them, you’d have to revert the Excel application to its default state. This article has provided the steps to reset Excel to default settings.
OneDrive is one of the most popular virtual file share and collaborative services available to Office 365 users. However, the app is plagued by security and administrative issues, which leads to a persistent sync error.
The 0x8004deea error code prevents users from accessing OneDrive’s syncing functionalities. If you’re currently experiencing this error, read through this article which provides the steps to help fix the 0x8004deea error code.
What causes the Onedrive 0x8004deea error code?
Here are some of the common causes of the 0x8004deea error code:
Inadequate access – Most companies structure their networks in a way that prevents all users from having equal access. The 0x8004deea error can be triggered if you don’t have the right permissions to sync files on your PC.
Faulty software: If your OneDrive software is corrupt or outdated, it can lead to potential operational errors like the 0x8004deea.
Server downtime: During server maintenance, users are unable to access the website or app under maintenance. If you’re getting the 0x8004deea error code, Microsoft’s servers might be under maintenance.
Location restrictions: In very rare cases, users in specific locations have reported that they’re unable to sync files.
How can I fix the Onedrive 0x8004deea error code?
Before we proceed with more advanced solutions, here are a couple of quick fixes you can attempt:
Click on the OneDrive icon at the bottom of the Desktop Taskbar to open OneDrive.
Then, click on Help and Settings and select Settings.
Click on Unlink this PC and repeat the step to relink the PC.
Unlinking your PC will refresh the sync portal with your registry key, allowing you to bypass the sync issue in OneDrive.
2. Reset OneDrive
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type in wsreset.exe, and click OK.
This will open a blank command prompt window; the window will close automatically after about ten seconds.
Check to see if OneDrive is now syncing files.
If the error persists, copy and paste the following into the run dialog box and click OK: %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
Then, press the Windows key, type OneDrive, and hit Enter to launch the app manually.
Resetting OneDrive deletes the DAT file and stores the settings on the disk. Once OneDrive restarts, it checks the registry to see if the reset has occurred and then rebuilds the DAT file. This can help fix errors like the 0x8004deea.
3. Reinstall OneDrive
Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Click on Apps and select Installed Apps.
On the right pane, click the search bar, and type OneDrive. Click on the displayed result and select Uninstall.
Once the app is uninstalled, press the Windows key, type Microsoft Store and hit Enter.
Then, locate the search bar in the Microsoft Store window, and type in OneDrive.
Now, click on the OneDrive application and click the Get button.
Wait till the app is installed and launch it to check if the error is fixed.
4. Delete the OneDrive registry keyset
Press the Windows key + R, type regedit in the dialog box, and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
In the Windows Registry, copy and paste the following command into the search bar of the editor, and hit Enter: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\OneDrive
Click Edit and select New. Click on Key and save the new key name as AllowTenantList.
Once the new Key opens, right-click and select New. Click on String Value, and type out your tenant ID, which can be found on Azure AD.
Then, close the Registry Editor and check if the error is fixed.
If you’re still unable to sync your files due to the 0x8004deea, your last option is to delete the entire OneDrive registry keyset and create new ones. This method is pretty effective and often resolves the error for many users.
If OneDrive can’t sync, the entire app functionality is rendered useless. Luckily, this article has provided the necessary steps to help you resolve the OneDrive 0x8004deea error code.
If you’ve got alternative solutions that helped you fix the 0x8004deea error in the past, please drop them in the comments below.
Mac and Windows users have reported the 0xe0000024 error, which is usually triggered after the OneNote app fails to sync with their notebook, iPad, or iPhone.
The error can be triggered by several reasons, which we’ll discuss briefly, and proffer solutions you can apply to help you resolve the 0xe0000024 error.
What causes the 0xe0000024 error?
Here are some of the common causes of the 0xe0000024 error:
Missing SkyDriveAuthenticationProvider key – Most users reported that they noticed the 0xe0000024 error after installing the Live-ID Sign-In Assistant; it is likely caused by a conflict with OneDrive. If OneDrive and OneNote are not configured correctly in the registry, they’ll be unable to coexist.
Credential conflicts with OneDrive – On Most Windows PCs, especially Windows 10, the 0xe0000024 error is usually caused by conflicts between OneDrive and OneNote. This is because both apps utilize the sync feature and can sometimes clash with each other.
Corrupt or outdated application – The developer releases updates to fix bugs and errors in apps. If the OneNote app is corrupt or isn’t updated to its latest version, it can lead to the 0xe0000024 error.
Intranet site is blocked for security reasons – If you’re trying to sync to a local SharePoint server, you might encounter this error because Windows usually blocks intranet communications.
How can I fix the 0xe0000024 sync error in Onenote?
Before we proceed with more advanced solutions, here are a couple of preliminary fixes you should attempt:
Check if the OneDrive servers are experiencing downtime.
Open the OneNote web client without closing the app.
If the error remains unfixed, the following are more advanced troubleshooting steps to help you fix the 0xe0000024 error:
1. Remove all Generic Credentials
Press the Windowskey, type Credential Manager, and hit Enter.
Click on the Windows Credentials tab at the top of the window, and locate the list of Generic Credentials at the bottom.
Click the down arrow next to OneDrive’s associated credentials, and click Remove to delete the credentials.
Launch the OneNote app by clicking the desktop icon and then press the Shift + F9 keys to sync your notebook.
Stored credentials help users sign in to websites faster; however, if there is a problem with the Credential Manager can prevent OneNote from functioning correctly.
2. Update the OneNote app
Press the Windows key, type OneNote, and hit Enter to launch the OneNote app.
Click on File at the top of the window and select Account on the left pane.
Click Update Options next to Office Updates. Then, select Update Now from the drop-down menu.
Restart your PC and check if the error persists.
Once developers discover a bug in the software, they release a patch to fix it; if a bug causes the 0xe0000024 sync error, updating the OneNote app can help fix it.
3. Add your SharePoint Server to Intranet Sites
Press the Windows key, type Internet Options, and hit Enter.
Then, navigate to the Security tab and select Local intranet under the Select a zone to view or change security section.
Further, click on Sites and select Automatically detect intranet network, and click OK.
Alternatively, click the Advanced button and add your SharePoint URL under Add this website to the zone.
Now, click Add and restart your PC to check if the error is fixed.
If you’re using OneNote on the intranet, a security issue could prevent your files from syncing. Adding your SharePoint server to your local intranet sites can help fix the error.
Then, click the arrow next to your Office version, e.g., 16.0, 15.0, 14.0, etc., then click the arrow next to Common and select Internet.
Right-click on the right pane and hover on New. Select String Value, and name the string SkyDriveAuthenticationProvider.
Then, right-click on the newly created string and select Modify.
Further, type idcrldisable in the Value Data box, and click OK.
Restart your PC, and check if the 0xE0000024 error is fixed.
Installing the Live ID Sign-In assistant can sometimes cause a conflict with OneDrive. To avoid conflicts with OneDrive, you’ll need to create a unique SkyDriveAuthenticationProvider key in the registry editor.
OneNote is an essential application for Windows and Mac users alike. If you’ve been unable to sync with your devices, we hope the steps in this article will help you fix OneNote sync errors.
If you’ve got alternative steps to fix the 0xe0000024 error, let us know by dropping a comment below.
The runtime error 438 error on Microsoft Visual Basic (VBA) is one of the most annoying issues users encounter. Like other runtime errors like 3706, it stops you from executing your code on VBA.
Fortunately, as daunting as the issue looks, it is not the most difficult to fix, as shown in the ensuing sections of this detailed guide.
What does object doesn’t support property or method mean in Excel?
There are different objects you can use in VBA, and they all have properties and methods that are compatible with them.
However, if you try to use a property or method that is not supported by a particular method, you get the VBA runtime 438, which denotes that the property you are trying to use does not apply to the select object.
It must also be noted that this can sometimes be a false positive from a third-party antivirus. So, if you are sure you selected the correct property and method, you might need to disable or uninstall your antivirus.
How can I fix runtime error 438?
1. Use the right properties and methods
The easiest way to fix runtime error 438 is to use the properties and methods supported by the object you are using. If you can’t determine this yourself, press the dot after defining an object.
This will show the list of all properties and methods compatible with it. Another option is to press F2 to bring up the object browser. This will also list the properties that are applicable to an object.
2. Uninstall the Microsoft Works add-in
Press the Windows key + R, type control, and click the OK button.
Select Uninstall a program under the Programs option.
Now, right-click Microsoft Works and select the Uninstall option.
Finally, follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process and try running your VBA code again.
In some cases, the runtime error 438 might be due to issues with some of your Excel add-ins, like Microsoft Works. The best thing to do here is to uninstall these plugins and check if the error persists.
Press the Windows key, type virus, and select Virus & threat protection.
Click the Scan options link.
Now, select your preferred scan option.
Finally, click the Scan now button.
If you are sure that your wrong properties or methods are not the cause of the runtime error 438, then it might be due to the activity of viruses on your PC.
You should use the Full Scan option or Microsoft Defender (Offline) to get rid of them. Alternatively, you can use a dedicated antivirus in TotalAV.
This special software will scan the most hidden corner of your PC and eliminate even the most stubborn malware before it can cause problems.
4. Reinstall drivers
Press the Windows key + X and select the Device Manager option.
Double-click any of the sections to expand it, and right-click each of the devices under it.
Now, select the Uninstall device option.
Finally, click the Uninstall button to confirm the action.
Some users have found this runtime error 438 due to problems with drivers for devices like your display adapter. To fix this, uninstall the affected driver and restart your PC.
5. Uninstall third-party antivirus
Press the Windows key + I and select the Apps option in the left pane.
Select the Apps & features option.
Now, click the vertical dots before the antivirus.
Finally, select the Uninstall option and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.
At times, the runtime error 438 might be a false alarm by your third-party antivirus. Also, the security software might be messing with your code for some reason.
In this case, you must uninstall the antivirus and use Microsoft Defender instead.
With this, we can now conclude this detailed guide on the VBA runtime error 438. All that is left for you is to follow the instructions therein, and the issue should be history.
If you are facing other issues like runtime error 3709, check our detailed guide to fix it quickly.
Feel free to let us know the solution that helped you fix this issue in the comments below.
BSoD crashes are pretty common among Windows users. Some of our readers have complained they get the netadaptercx.sys error as the cause of their BSoD crashes.
Hence, we’ve prepared a guide that briefly discusses the netadaptercx.sys file and provide steps to fix the BSoD error.
What is the netadaptercx.sys?
Netadaptercx.sys, also known as a Network Adapter Class Extension for a WDF file, was created by Microsoft to facilitate the development of the Microsoft Windows OS. It is a system driver file usually located in the System32 folder.
The netadaptercx.sys being a system file, is an essential file that helps your PC establish internet connectivity.
How can I fix the netadaptercx.sys?
Before we proceed with more advanced solutions, here are a couple of quick fixes you can attempt:
Restart your PC.
Close unnecessary background applications in the Task Manager.
Update Windows OS.
If the error persists, the following are ways you can apply to fix the netadaptercx.sys BSOD error:
1. Update your drivers
Press the Windows key + S, type in Device Manager, and hit Enter.
In the Device Manager window, scroll through the list of drivers, and check to see if there is a yellow alert symbol next to the option.
Right-click on the driver, and select Update driver.
In the next window, click Search automatically for updated driver software, and follow the prompts to complete the update.
Once you’ve updated all the Drivers, restart your PC and check if the error is resolved.
Drivers are an essential component of the Windows OS; running an outdated version is likely to trigger errors like the netadaptercx.sys BSOD. You can update the drivers using the Windows update tool or download and install them from the manufacturer’s website.
2. Run SFC and DISM scans
Press the Windows key, type in CMD, right-click on the displayed result, and select Run as Administrator.
Click Yes to grant the app administrative access in the User Account Control window.
Once the command prompt opens, type the following, and hit Enter: sfc /scannow
After entering the command, type the following, and hit Enter: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image / Restorehealth
Close the command prompt and restart your computer.
An SFC scan helps in repairing corrupt or damaged system files. If the netadaptercx.sys error is caused by corrupt system files; you can utilize the System File Checker to fix the error.
On the other hand, it’s more recommended to use a verified PC repair application that can entirely scan your Windows OS and fix problematic files that cause BSOD errors.
3. Scan for Malware
Press the Windows key, type in Windows Security, and hit Enter.
In the next window, click on Virus & Threat Protection, and click Scan Options under the Current Threats option.
Then, select Full Scan from the Scan Options menu and click the Scan Now button to initiate the virus scan.
Further, wait for the scan to complete, restart your PC and check if the error is fixed.
Windows errors are usually associated with viruses and malware; if you’re experiencing a BSOD error, your PC is likely infected with a virus. Also, ensure you utilize the Windows security tool or third-party antivirus software to protect your PC from malicious files and apps.
Left-click the Start menu, type restore and click Create a restore point.
Then, select System Properties and choose System Restore button.
In the Restore Files and Settings box, click Next.
In the next window, select the Restore Point to which you wish to restore your PC, and click Next.
Then, click Finish to complete the system restore.
If you’re about to make a significant change to your OS, it’s recommended to create a restore point you can fall back to in case you run into errors.
Conclusion
Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) errors are common among Windows users and are easy to fix. With the steps listed in this guide, you should be able to fix the netadaptercx.sys BSOD error.
OneDrive allows users to sync their files to the cloud. Users might attempt to move or delete files; this leads to errors as OneDrive prevents users from carrying out file operations during syncing.
If you’re experiencing the 0x8007018b error code on OneDrive, this article will briefly discuss the causes of the error and provide steps to help you fix it.
What causes the 0x8007018b error code?
Here are some of the most common causes of the 0x8007018b error code:
Sync in Progress – Most times, users often trigger the 0x8007018b error if they attempt file operations like deleting, renaming, or moving, during syncing.
Faulty Application – If the OneDrive app is faulty or has corrupt files, it can trigger syncing errors like the 0x8007018b.
How can I fix the 0x8007018b error code in OneDrive?
Before anything, apply the following checks:
Wait for the Sync to complete – Once OneDrive has completed the syncing process, actions such as renaming or file removal can be attempted without triggering the 0x8007018b error code.
The following are a couple of ways you can fix the 0x8007018b error in OneDrive:
1. Reset OneDrive
Press the Windows key + R to open the dialog box, copy and paste the following command, and hit Enter: %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe /reset
After a few minutes, relaunch OneDrive by clicking on the Desktop icon.
If OneDrive doesn’t launch, copy and paste the following command in the Run dialog box: %localappdata%\Microsoft\OneDrive\onedrive.exe
Open the app and check if the 0x8007018b is resolved.
Resetting the OneDrive app deletes all the settings and configurations made by the user and restores the app to its default state. If the 0x8007018b error was caused by a faulty OneDrive configuration, resetting the app will help fix the error.
Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Click on Apps and select Installed Apps.
Click on the search bar on the right pane, and type OneDrive. Select the displayed option in the search results, and click Uninstall.
Once the uninstallation is complete, close the Settings app.
Launch your browser, navigate to the OneDrive webpage, and click Download.
Double-click on the Installer once the download is complete, and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the OneDrive installation.
After successfully installing the app, launch OneDrive to check if the error is fixed.
If the OneDrive app is corrupt, it can lead to several operational errors. However, reinstalling the app deletes all previous app data and restores it to its default state.
OneDrive errors are common among Windows users; fixing the errors is also quite simple and straightforward. With the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to fix the 0x8007018b error.
Feel free to leave questions and suggestions in the comments section if you have any, concerning this guide.
The 0x800b010e is a common error that occurs on Windows. It can be triggered for various reasons, but it is usually attributed to corrupt system files or registry issues.
In this article, we’ll briefly discuss some of the most common causes of the 0x800b010e error and proffer solutions you can apply to fix it.
What causes the 0x800b010e error?
The 0x800b010e error is often caused by:
Registry issues: If you noticed the 0x800b010e error after making changes to the Windows registry, it’s likely you’ve damaged the Windows registry or made some incorrect entries.
Wrong System Configurations: In an attempt to personalize or customize your PC, you’ll tamper with Windows’ default settings, leading to errors if you make the wrong changes.
Corrupt system files: Windows errors are usually attributed to corrupt system files in the OS. If any of your PC’s system files are corrupt, it can cause the 0x800b010e error.
Hardware malfunction: In rare cases, you can experience the 0x800b010e error after a hardware malfunction. If so, you must visit a technician to help fix the damaged hardware.
How can I fix the 0x800b010e error in Windows?
The following are a couple of ways you can fix the 0x800b010e error in Windows:
1. Run an SFC and DISM scans
Press the Windows key, type in CMD, right-click on the displayed result, and select Run as Administrator.
Click Yes to grant the app administrative access in the User Account Control window.
Once the command prompt opens, type the following, and hit Enter: sfc /scannow
After entering the command, type the following, and hit Enter: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image / Restorehealth
Close the command prompt and restart your computer.
Corrupt system files are some of the common causes of Windows-based errors. Running an SFC and DISM Scan is one of the best ways to fix the 0x800b010e error.
Besides this, there is a specialized PC repair solution you can make use of to solve broken Windows files or registry issues.
2. Run Checkdisk
Press the Windows key, type cmd, right-click the displayed option, and select Run as Administrator.
Click Yes in the User Account Control window to grant administrative privileges.
Type the following command prompt, and hit Enter: chkdsk /r or chkdsk /f /r
Wait till the repair is complete and close the command prompt.
Check to see if the error is fixed.
CHKDSK (check disk) scans your PC for file system errors. If corrupt files are existing on your hard drive, the CHKDSK command will identify and repair such errors.
3. Temporarily turn off the Firewall
Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Click on Privacy and Security and select Windows Security.
Click on Firewall & Network Protection to open the Windows Security Settings.
Select any of the following network profiles – Domain, Private, or Public.
Under the Microsoft Defender Firewall, click the toggle button to turn it on or off.
Turning off Microsoft Defender Firewall could make your device (and network, if you have one) more vulnerable to unauthorized access.
Press the Windows key + R, type in msconfig, and hit Enter to open the System Configuration window.
In the next window, navigate to the Services tab.
Scroll down and check the box next to the Hide all Microsoft services box, then click on Disable all.
Navigate to the Startup tab, and click on Open Task Manager.
In the Task Manager window, right-click on every available entry, and select Disable.
While in the System Configuration window, navigate to the Boot tab, and check the box next to Safe Boot.
Click Apply and click OK.
Restart your PC and check if the error is resolved.
A clean boot starts up your PC with a minimalist set of drivers, applications, and services; if the 0x800b010e error is caused by third-party apps, a clean boot can help you identify and resolve such errors.
5. Run a System Restore
Left-click the Start menu, type restore and click Create a restore point.
Select System Properties and choose System Restore button.
In the Restore Files and Settings box, click Next.
In the next window, select the Restore Point to which you wish to restore your PC, and click Next.
Then, click Finish to complete the system restore.
If you make constant changes to your OS, you should regularly create restore points in case you accidentally trigger an error. If you noticed the 0x800b010e error after a change in configurations, you could run a system restore to revert your PC to an earlier state.
Hopefully, after reading and implementing the solutions, you’ve been able to solve the 0x800b010e error.
We’d love to know which solutions worked for you; feel free to comment below.
While using your HP printer, you might run into the Printer’s unknown status error. This error is common among Windows users and indicates that the HP Smart app cannot communicate with the Printer.
If you’re currently experiencing the printer status unknown error, stick around. In this article, we’ll provide steps to help you resolve the error.
Why is the printer status unknown?
Here are some of the most common causes of the printer status unknown error:
Windows Updates: Most users have reported several errors after running the Windows update. If you just update your OS, it can lead to several printer errors.
Antivirus Restrictions: Third-party antivirus software often has certain features preventing Windows apps from functioning correctly. If the antivirus app is interfering with the Printer, it can cause the printer status to be unknown.
Outdated Firmware: HP Printers have specific firmware that enables the Printer to communicate with your PC. If the firmware is outdated, it can cause the printer status unknown error.
Corrupt Driver Files: Printers utilize drivers that allow them to function correctly. If the drivers are corrupt, it can lead to printer errors.
How can I fix the printer status unknown error?
Before we proceed with more advanced solutions, here are a couple of quick fixes you can attempt to help you fix the printer status unknown error:
Restart your PC.
Reboot your Printer.
Get your Printer online
Unplug your Printer and plug it back.
1. Update your Printer’s Firmware
Press the Windows key, type the name of your browser in the search bar, and hit Enter.
Type in your Printer’s name or model number in the dialog box, and select Submit.
Click on the Firmware section to expand it, and select the latest version available for your computer.
Press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
Locate the newly downloaded file and unzip it. You’ll need extraction software to unzip files in Windows.
In the extracted file, open the attached PDF to learn how to install the firmware upgrade.
HP occasionally releases firmware updates for its printers, fixing errors and bugs and helping you get the most out of your Printer. If the firmware is outdated, it can lead to errors like printer status unknown.
2. Reset the HP Smart app
Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Click on Apps and select Installed Apps.
Locate HP Smart, click on the displayed result (HP Smart), and select Advanced Options.
In the next window, scroll down to locate the Reset button, and click on it to reset the HP Smart app.
Windows has a built-in repair tool that diagnoses and fixes malfunctioning applications. If your PC doesn’t recognize your Printer, you can fix the error by resetting the app.
3. Reinstall the HP Smart application
Press the Windows key, type HP Smart in the search bar, and select Uninstall below the HP Smart app.
In the popup window, select Uninstall to remove all HP Smart data from your PC.
Reboot your PC and navigate to the official HP website to download the HP Smart Setup file.
Reinstall the app, add your printer to the HP Smart app, and check if the error is fixed.
The HP Smart app is HP’s primary software for managing printer operations. If the app is corrupt, it can lead to the printer status unknown error; reinstalling the app, the app can help resolve the error.
Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Click Bluetooth and Devices and select Printers and Scanners in the next window.
Click on the affected Printer, select Remove and click Yes in the confirmation prompt.
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, type printui.exe in the dialog box, and hit Enter.
Navigate to the Drivers tab, select the Printer’s driver, and select Remove.
In the next window, choose Remove driver and driver package, and select OK.
Click Yes in the popup window to remove the driver packages from your PC.
Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box, paste c:\programdata and hit Enter.
Locate the HP or Hewlett-Packard folders, click on them, and delete the printer subfolder and any related printer files.
Restart your PC and reconnect the printer to your PC.
If the Printer itself is corrupt, e.g., drivers, files, app data, etc., it can lead to printer errors like unknown printer status. In such cases, you’ll have to reinstall the Printer to help you fix the error.
Printer errors can get annoying and frustrating if you don’t know the causes and how to resolve them. Luckily, in this guide, we’ve provided X ways to help you fix the error.
However, if the error persists after attempting all the steps, get in touch with an HP agent or visit the nearest HP service center near you.
Some of our readers recently reported encountering Zoom error code 300 while attempting to sign in to their Zoom account. Other users around the world have reported similar issues in the Zoom forum.
If you have been experiencing difficulties hosting or joining a Zoom meeting due to this Zoom error code 300 issue, we have gathered some potential fixes to troubleshoot the problem in this article.
What causes the Zoom error code 300?
The Zoom error code 300 has majorly been reported to have been caused by invalid login parameters. However, there are still a few other reasons that could have triggered this error message:
Zoom server issues – There’s a possibility that the Zoom server is under maintenance due to server downtime. This may have triggered the Zoom error code 300 message.
Add-in interference – The Zoom app has been integrated with the Outlook add-in. Although this is a great feature, interference from the add-in may have caused the error.
Abrupt shutdown – At other times, this error can be triggered by suspended activities on the Zoom app due to an abrupt shutdown.
Press the Start button, type Zoom in the Search box, and launch it.
Click on the profile icon at the top-right corner of the Zoom app and click on the Sign-Out option in the menu.
Now, quit the Zoom app and relaunch it.
Click on the Sign-in button.
Select the Google option and sign in using your Google credentials.
You can try to sync your account by logging into the Zoom platform and linking your Google account. Re-syncing the account should fix the issue.
2. Clear your Zoom cache and cookies
2.1 Clear Zoom cache and cookies on a Web browser (Chrome)
Open Google Chrome. Click the three dots icon to open the menu, click More Tools, and select Clear browsing data.
Select Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files too. Now, click on Clear data.
2.2 Clear Zoom cache and cookies on Windows
Press the Windows + E keys to open File Explorer.
Now, navigate to the following path: C:/Users/Username/AppData/Roaming/Zoom
Right-click on the data folder and click on Delete.
The Zoom app loads speedily due to cached files. However, this takes up a lot of space on the computer and makes pages take longer to load. To fix the Zoom error code 300, you can delete these files using the steps provided above.
The Teams error CAA30194 is an issue that prevents users from logging in to Microsoft Teams due to connection issues. Several reports have been made in diverse forums including the Microsoft Community forum, yet a lot are stuck with this error.
In this article, we will discuss what causes the Teams error CAA30194 and how to fix it.
What causes Teams error CAA30194?
The Teams error CAA30194 can occur due to a variety of reasons. Below are some of the possible reasons behind this error:
Corrupted JSON files – Information regarding Microsoft configuration, authorization, settings, and so forth are kept in JSON files. If they get corrupted, you may encounter Teams error CAA30194 while logging in.
Connection issues – If there are connectivity problems with your network or you’re using VPN and Proxy servers, it may hinder the connection between the Teams server and your PC.
Installation errors – Sometimes, an error may occur during the installation of the Teams client and this may not be resolved except by reinstalling the app.
Above are some of the possible reasons behind the Teams error CAA30194. Now, let’s proceed to how to fix the issue.
How can I fix the Teams error CAA30194?
Before trying any of the advanced solutions provided for this error, ensure that you perform the following preliminary checks:
Try to sign out of the app and then sign in again.
Restart your PC and then relaunch the Microsoft Teams app. This is to automatically clear temporary bugs in your device.
Clear the Microsoft Teams’ cache.
Use the Web version.
If after attempting the above checks, you are still unable to log into your Teams account, then try the troubleshooting methods provided below.
1. Re-add your work or school account
Open the Microsoft Teams app and go to Settings.
Click on Accounts and select Emails and Accounts.
Now, click on Add a Work or School account.
Restart Teams and your PC for the changes to take effect.
Some users have found this fix helpful, so you should give it a try too if you experience the Teams error CAA30194.
2. Clear Teams cache
Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box. Type the following command in the dialog box and press Enter: %appdata%\Microsoft\teams
Open the following folders and then clear all of their content.
application cache\cache
blob_storage
Cache
databases
GPUcache
IndexedDB
Local Storage
tmp
Lastly, restart your PC and launch Microsoft Teams.
There’s a tendency that all the apps store caches have gotten corrupted and they can trigger the Teams error CAA30194, hence the need to clear them.
3. Delete the JSON files
Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run command dialog box. Type the following command in the dialog box and press Enter: %appdata%\Microsoft\teams
Find and select all the files with the .json extension and then delete them one after the other.
After deleting the JSON files, relaunch the Teams app and it will automatically regenerate JSON files. Now, try to use the app and see if the Teams error CAA30194 persists.
4. Enable the TLS feature in the Internet options
Press the Windows button, type Internet options in the search bar, and launch it.
Click on the Advanced tab and navigate to the Security section.
Now, enable TLS 1.0, TLS 1.1, TLS 1.2, and TLS 1.3 if they’re currently disabled. Click on OK to save the changes.
Restart your PC.
Several users have reported that enabling the TLS feature worked for them. You can also follow the steps provided above.
The official Microsoft Teams download website is the safest place to install the app. If the problem lies in the installation, reinstalling the app would be the only solution.
And that’s it on how to fix the Teams error CAA30194. Hopefully, one of the methods provided in this guide will help you fix the problem. However, make sure you work your way through the steps provided.
Spotify is a very useful app for when you’re working, jogging, going to the gym, and even gaming. Its repertoire includes millions of songs, audiobooks, and podcasts you can listen to aside from doing what you are already doing.
However, a lot of users have been complaining that Spotify stops playing when they’re opening and playing a video game. Some of them said that while they can hear the audio from the video game, the audio from Spotify is nowhere to be heard.
To make things even worse, nothing seemed to work. A user said they even reinstalled Windows 11, and nothing changed. And it became an annoying issue, considering the bug happened randomly.
So what do to if you’re dealing with this issue? Well, sure, you can reset your Windows, but there are some quick ways to get right with your Spotify app. Follow along as we tell you how to fix this issue.
Here’s how to fix Spotify from stopping when playing a game
First of all, there are several reasons why your Spotify stops when you’re opening and playing a game. Spotify may enter into a conflict with the game that you’re playing, especially if both apps are trying to access the audio device simultaneously.
Second, you should check your audio settings within the game to make sure that the game is not entirely controlling the audio device, in an exclusive way.
Some video games have this option turned on by default, so make sure to go to the game’s audio settings, and if you don’t find the option right away, look for advanced audio settings.
Now it’s time to see what we can do with Spotify.
Run Spotify as an administrator to make sure it keeps playing even when you open a video game
Find your Spotify on your desktop or Search bar.
Right-click on the icon and select Run as administrator.
This option will give Spotify permission to access any audio files and prevent any conflicts with other apps, such as the video game you’re playing.
Run Spotify in compatibility mode
Right-click on your Spotify icon on the desktop.
Select Properties.
Go to the Compatibility tab.
Once you’re here, check the box for compatibility mode, and choose a previous version of Windows.
This Spotify runs as if it were on a previous Windows version that might be more stable or compatible with both your Spotify and your game.
These solutions should help you fix Spotify while playing the video game, but it’s also good to know that you should keep your audio drivers updated to the latest version. You should also update your Spotify and your Windows, as outdated versions can also cause a lot of conflicts.
If you’re experiencing this issue, we hope these fixes will help you get it right. Be sure to let us know your opinions in the comments section below.
This image cannot currently be displayed error message typically appears when an image fails to load or be rendered on a device or web page. The error is often accompanied by a placeholder or an icon indicating that the image is not available.
Since several of our readers are experiencing this error, we’ve compiled workable methods on how to fix the issue in this article.
What causes this image cannot currently be displayed on the website?
This image cannot currently be displayed error message on a website can occur due to several reasons. Here are some possible causes:
Image file is missing or inaccessible – If the image file is not present on the server or has been deleted, the browser will not be able to display it. This can happen if the image was removed or if there was an issue during the upload process.
Incorrect image URL or broken link – Another possible reason is if there are typos in the URL of the image or the link to the image is broken, the browser cannot locate the image file, resulting in the error message.
Permissions or access restrictions – Some websites have access controls or restrictions in place for certain images. If you don’t have the necessary permissions to access the image, it will not be displayed, and you will see that this image cannot currently be displayed with an error message instead.
Network or connectivity issues – If there are problems with your internet connection or if the website’s server is experiencing issues, the browser may not be able to retrieve the image file.
Above are a few of the possible reasons behind the error. Note that, the specific error message may vary depending on the website and browser being used, so the steps to resolve the issue may also vary.
How can I fix this image cannot currently be displayed on the Website?
Before diving into more detailed solutions for This image cannot currently be displayed on the Website issue, it is a good idea to perform the following preparatory checks:
If after attempting the above checks, the error message persists, you can resort to using the following solutions.
1. Perform a speed test of your network
Visit the official speed testing website by Ookla and click on the Go button to initiate the test.
The speed test will run a series of tests to measure your network connection’s speed and performance.
Once the test is complete, you will see the results displayed on the Website.
Check if the speeds match your internet plan or expectations.
Alternatively, you can make use of fast.com. If the results indicate slower speeds than expected, then the error message is due to network issues. If not, proceed to the next fix.
2. Check the image URL
Double-check the image URL to ensure it is correct and complete.
Then, copy and paste the URL into a new browser tab to verify its accuracy.
If the URL is incorrect or leads to a broken link, correct it or contact the website administrator to obtain the correct URL.
Once you have the correct URL, try to access the image again. If the issue persists, try the next fix.
Open a web browser and navigate to the website where the image is located.
Click on the View site information icon in the address bar, and select Site settings.
Locate the Images option and click on the dropdown menu next to it.
Select Allow from the list of options.
Several built-in browser features prevent page graphics from loading. Therefore, if the website won’t display your image, check for its permissions and enable loading.
If you want to know how to reset the Windows Search settings to default on your Windows PC, in this article you will find the most simple solutions.
Before trying any of the advanced solutions provided below, try to run the System File Checker tool to scan for and repair any corrupted files in your computer and update your Windows to the latest version. Also, make sure you are properly signed in as an administrator.
How can I reset the Windows Search Settings?
1. Run the Search troubleshooter
Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run command dialog. Type the following command in the dialog box and click Enter: msdt.exe -ep SystemSettings_Troubleshoot_L2 -id SearchDiagnostic
In the troubleshooter window, click Advanced.
Then, select Apply repairs automatically to make the tool automatically fix your settings.
Click on the Next button.
Select all the checkboxes that apply. Click on the Next button and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.
The built-in Windows Search Troubleshooter tool will help to automatically reset your Windows search settings.
2. Manually reset Windows search settings in Registry Editor
Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run command dialog. Type regedit in the dialog box and click Enter.
Click Yes to continue when the UAC prompt appears on the screen.
Navigate to the following registry path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows Search
Search for the key named SetupCompletedSuccessfully on the right pane.
Right-click on the key and select Modify.
Change its Value from 1 to 0 and click on OK to save the changes.
After following the steps above, close the Registry Editor and restart your PC for the changes to take effect.
3. Use PowerShell to reset Windows search settings
Visit the Microsoft Download page and download the ResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1 PowerShell script.
Press the Windows key, type PowerShell, and click on Run as administrator.
Type the following command and press Enter: Get-ExecutionPolicy
If the output is Restricted, execute the following command to allow PowerShell scripts: Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted
Now, try running the ResetWindowsSearchBox.ps1 downloaded file. This resets your Windows search settings to default.
Now, restore the execution policy to its original settings by running the following command in PowerShell: Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser -ExecutionPolicy Restricted
The PowerShell tool should have reset your Windows Search settings to default by now.
When Windows Search still fails to perform as expected, consider using Agent Ransack for Windows 11. It provides a more powerful and precise file search experience with advanced filters and live previews, helping you locate files instantly even when the native search fails.
Can the Windows search feature stop working?
Yes, the Windows search feature can stop working. Whenever this happens, it is almost always a simple software problem. The system may just need a restart to get it working again. Other possible causes could be:
Indexing problems – Windows search relies on an index database to quickly retrieve search results. If the indexing process is interrupted or corrupted, it can lead to search failures.
Hopefully, the methods provided in this guide will help you reset your Windows search settings. If you have any questions or suggestions, do not hesitate to use the comments section below.
Having Firefox SEO plugin tools installed can accelerate your overall optimization game as they offer all the necessary information at a glance.
Whether you want an overview of your competitor’s site or just want to perform link analysis, these free SEO toolbars for Firefox have got you covered. Simply choose what suits your requirements and you’re good to go!
It’s fast, versatile, and offers extensible customization options to elevate user experience. Users have the liberty to install several plugins and extensions and get things done.
That being said if you’re an SEO professional or a budding blogger who wants to improve the performance of your website, then you can install full-fledged SEO toolbars on your Firefox browser.
Are Free SEO Toolbars for Firefox Helpful?
These add-ons and toolbars offer full SEO metrics and insights so that you can amp up your optimization game and improve some traffic.
Everything is neatly grouped in one place so that you don’t have to install separate extensions to get your task done. We have curated a list of the best extensions for you:
SEOquake – Conducts on-page SEO audit fast
Mangools SEO extension – Offers the results in charts form
Ahrefs SEO toolbar – Best overall extension available on Firefox
Woorank SEO analysis – In-depth website review
Keywords Everywhere – Does keyword research and more
In case you’re using a different browser like Opera, you can still take a look at these SEO extensions as they all are compatible with several popular browsers.
Now let’s highlight why these SEO add-ons available on Firefox are the best out of the lot.
What are the best Firefox add-ons and extensions for SEO?
SEO is an extensive approach but it shouldn’t be an overwhelming task to do. That’s how a plugin like SEOquake comes into play to ease your burden.
The highlight of the extension is that it does on-page SEO audits pretty fast so that you don’t have to do it manually. It’s a free-to-use Firefox extension and gets installed in no time.
Once you install this SEO add-on on the Firefox browser, you will be able to access information like keyword density, internal and external link analysis, and even social metrics. It performs a thorough SEO analysis of any webpage and lets you export detailed metrics in a CSV file.
Additionally, a sidebar section allows you to export and sort the results from the page. You can then use these results to level up your SEO game for your own website.
SEOquake is very easy to install and it’s compatible with several other browsers.
If you love to get the details in chart forms, then the Mangools SEO extension available on Firefox is the best to start with.
Besides that, you will get all the data including the domain and page authority, citation and trust flows, Alexa rank, and even referring IPs. All the information is gathered using the Moz and Majestic tools combined with popularity charts.
An important plus for this extension is the ability to fetch the top-performing keywords of your competitors so that you can build a strong presence on the internet.
This SEO add-on on Firefox is rated as one of the best extensions by SEO professionals. Interestingly, it also offers unlimited page speed checks.
You will also get a keyword density checker, a broken links checker, and a lot more.
Ahrefs needs no introduction when it comes to SEO. Almost every SEO professional swears by it due to the versatility of the tool. Interestingly, Ahrefs’ creators have built a Firefox toolbar as well so that you can access all the necessary SEO metrics quickly.
Ahrefs toolbar for Firefox is a powerful SEO tool that provides valuable insights and data for optimizing your website’s search engine performance. Many website owners, marketers, and SEO professionals rely on it to access important metrics and information directly from the Firefox browser.
Firstly, it offers a quick overview of the website’s domain rating and URL rating, which are some important indicators of authority.
Users can view the organic keywords a website ranks for and their search volumes right from their Firefox browser.
When you’re visiting a web page, just click on the add-on icon from the browser to open the SEO report. With the help of this toolbar, you can also see how many backlinks a website has.
It instantly highlights various on-page elements such as headings, meta tags, and images, enabling users to quickly analyze the areas of optimization.
Also, with Ahrefs SEO Toolbar it’s easy to check the HTTP response headers for the URLs you visit.
Let’s review its top features below:
Visualize Robots Meta Tags, X-Robots-Tag, and canonical tags
Get Open Graph Tags and Twitter Cards
Read all the outgoing links on a page and highlight them based on the filters that you set
For JS-powered websites, you can compare tags in raw HTML and on the rendered version
If you’re really up to improving your website to outrank the competition, Woorank’s SEO Analysis extension is right on the spot. The extension offers a deep review of the website in hand.
And that is because it will tell you all about how to improve your pages in the most comprehensive and friendly way. This SEO extension generates an actionable report and highlights critical information and suggests how to address the identified issues.
You can use these comprehensive findings and make some informed decisions for your website. The information is presented in easy to understand format so that you don’t have to scratch your head.
Woorank’s SEO extension also analyzes mobile-friendliness, backlinks, and even social media. The extension is absolutely free to use by anyone, without any account sign-up, activation, or permissions.
Here comes the last freemium Firefox add-on for SEO. As the name implies, this extension focuses on digging up the keywords to help users in their content creation and optimization strategies.
It identifies long-tail keywords and niche-specific terms. However, this Firefox SEO plugin tool is capable of doing a lot more!
With the help of this tool, users can view important metrics and information related to keywords, such as search volume, cost per click (CPC), and competition.
Additionally, it also displays the SEO difficulty metrics, trend chart, related keywords, PAA questions, trending keywords, and long-tails in widgets on the right pane of Google.
The basic tool is free but it is also available in a paid version that also provides historical data and more.
Take a look at some of its key features:
Displays monthly search volume, and CPC
Access the estimated organic traffic and the top 5000 keywords for all pages and websites on Google
View the Search Insights widget, SERP Metrics, Video Insights, as well as the Tags widget on YouTube
Provides a HashTag Generator on Instagram
View the Search Insights widget, Trend Chart, Related Trends, and Pin Topics finder on Pinterest
So, these were our top 5 Firefox SEO plugin tools that one can use to accelerate their optimization strategy. We recommend trying all of them one by one to know which one suits best your needs.
Every Firefox SEO extension mentioned on the list presents detailed reports and offers in-depth analysis that any marketer will like to have. You can also check out Mozbar extension and see if it suits your needs.
Whether you’ve tested the add-ons or want to recommend better ones, we wait for your insights in the comments section.
One of the controversial topics most Xbox users sort about is whether different Xbox controllers can work with various Xbox consoles. Further, a common one is using an Xbox One controller on an Xbox 360. Hence, this guide will discuss everything you need to know about the controller and the console.
Why is the Xbox One controller not compatible with the Xbox 360?
The Xbox One controller is incompatible with the Xbox 360 primarily due to differences in the hardware and technology used in the two systems.
Here are a few key reasons:
Communication protocol – The Xbox One controller uses a newer wireless protocol called Xbox Wireless. This offers improved wireless range and reduced latency. Meanwhile, the Xbox 360 controller utilizes a proprietary wireless technology specific to that console.
USB connection – You can connect the Xbox 360 and Xbox One controllers to their respective consoles via USB. Although, the Xbox One controller’s USB connection is primarily designed for charging and firmware updates rather than gameplay, which Xbox 360 controller is for.
Button layout – The Xbox One controller has a slightly different button layout. The placement and configuration of buttons, triggers, and bumpers are non-identical, which could lead to compatibility issues with games designed specifically for the Xbox 360 controller.
Software and driver support – The Xbox 360 and Xbox One consoles have different software and driver support for their respective controllers. The Xbox 360 console does not have the necessary software and drivers to recognize and utilize the Xbox One controller.
These notable factors can make the Xbox One controller and Xbox 360 incompatible. You can check our guide for steps to update your Xbox One controller on Windows PCs.
Are Xbox controllers backward compatible?
Yes, Xbox controllers are generally backward compatible. This means that controllers from newer Xbox consoles can often be used on older Xbox consoles.
Thus, here’s a breakdown of the backward compatibility of Xbox controllers:
Xbox Series X/S Controllers – The controllers that come with the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles are backward compatible with Xbox One consoles.
Xbox One Controllers – Xbox One controllers are also backward compatible with Windows PCs. Also, some Xbox One controllers are compatible with the Xbox Adaptive Controller, a specialized controller designed for individuals with limited mobility.
Xbox 360 Controllers – Xbox 360 controllers can support Windows PCs with the help of a wireless receiver or by connecting the controller via USB.
In summary, while there are some limitations and compatibility differences between different generations of game controllers, Microsoft has tried to ensure backward compatibility to varying extents.
What are Xbox One controllers compatible with?
Xbox One controllers are compatible with various devices and platforms. Here are the main compatibility options for Xbox One controllers:
Xbox One Console.
Xbox Series X/S Console.
Adaptive Xbox Controller.
Windows PCs – Microsoft provides official drivers that allow you to connect your Xbox One controller to a computer using either a USB cable or the Xbox Wireless Adapter for Windows.
Mobile devices – You can connect the controller to your mobile device either via a wired USB connection or Bluetooth. This depends on the specific device and its compatibility options.
Xbox Cloud Gaming (formerly known as Project xCloud) – Xbox One controllers supports Xbox Cloud Gaming on multiple devices. This includes mobile devices, tablets, and supported web browsers.
It’s worth noting that while Xbox One controllers are compatible with these devices, some features may vary.
Features like wireless connectivity and the Xbox Guide button may vary depending on the device’s compatibility options.
The Group Policy Editor is a feature allowing users to adjust some Windows 10 and 11 system settings. However, some of our readers have requested to know how to reset Group Policy settings to default after making certain changes to their Windows PC and are now experiencing problems.
In this article, we will provide you with simplified steps to reset Group Policy settings on Windows 10 & 11.
Why should I reset the Group Policy settings?
Resetting Group Policy settings can be necessary in certain situations to address issues or conflicts that may arise within a Windows environment. Below are a few reasons why you might consider resetting:
Unintended changes – In the case where a misconfiguration or an incompatible combination of settings is causing instability or unexpected behavior in your system, resetting the Group Policy settings can help revert any potentially problematic changes and restore the default configuration.
Troubleshoot errors – If you encounter problems with your Windows system, such as gpedit.msc access denied, issues with application installations, network connectivity, or system performance, resetting Group Policy settings can help to troubleshoot the issue more effectively.
Above are a few reasons why you might want to reset Group Policy settings. However, before doing this, make sure you back up any important configurations, as it can have significant effects on system behavior and configuration.
Is it dangerous to reset Group Policy settings?
Resetting Group Policy settings can have significant effects (positive and negative) on your system, and if not done properly, it can disrupt the normal operation of your computer, alter permission and access rights, or potentially lose customizations.
While it’s not inherently dangerous, it is important to proceed cautiously and take necessary precautions. Now, let’s proceed to safe ways to reset Group Policy settings.
How can I reset Group Policy Settings?
Before attempting any of the methods provided on how to reset Group Policy settings, you need to perform some preliminary checks:
Ensure that your system date and time are correct. If it is off even by a few minutes, it may cause problems with the Group Policy.
Having confirmed the above checks, you can explore the methods provided below to reset it.
1. Reset using Local Group Policy Editor
Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run command dialog box. Type gpedit.msc in the dialog box, and press Enter to open Local Group Policy Editor.
In the Local Group Policy Editor window, navigate to the following location on the left pane: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\All Settings
On the right pane, Look for State column on the right side and view only those policies which are only Enabled or Disabled.
In the new window, change the Enabled/Disabled radio button to Not Configured. Then, click on the Apply button and OK to save the changes.
Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.
To make the resetting take effect forcefully, press the Windows + X keys, and select Terminal (Admin).
Type the following and press Enter to execute the command: gpupdate /force
Restart your computer for the changes to apply.
By following the steps above, you will have reset the settings using the Local GP Editor. However, if you have issues running Command Prompt, you can check our detailed guide on how to fix it.
Press the Windows key, type CMD, and select Run as administrator to open an elevated Command Prompt window.
Type the following command and press Enter to delete the Group Policy settings folder: RD /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicy"
Next, type the following command and press Enter to delete the Group Policy users folder: RD /S /Q "%WinDir%\System32\GroupPolicyUsers"
These changes won’t take effect until the Group Policy is updated.
To update the Group Policy, type the following command and press Enter: gpupdate /force
Now, close the Command Prompt and restart your PC for the changes to take effect.
Unlike the first method, wherein the Local Group Policy Editor is not available in Windows 10 Home, but in Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, this method is helpful for Windows 10 Home version.
And that’s it on how to reset Group Policy settings on Windows 10 and 11. Hopefully one of the methods provided in this guide will work for you.
If you have any questions or suggestions, or possibly another method on how to reset Group Policy settings on Windows 10 and 11, feel free to drop them in the comment section.
The Uncaught TypeError: $ is not a function error message typically occurs in JavaScript when users try to use the dollar sign ($) as a function, but it is not recognized or defined.
Some of our readers have recently reported that they encounter this JavaScript error. In this article, we will discuss what causes this error and how to fix it quickly.
What causes Uncaught TypeError: $ Is Not a Function?
There are a few common causes for this error as reported by some geeks who have been able to detect what triggers the issue. Below are some of them:
jQuery library not loaded – The dollar sign ($) is commonly associated with the jQuery library. If you’re using jQuery functions or methods in your code, you have to make sure that the jQuery library is properly loaded before your script.
Conflicts with theme or plugins – It’s possible that some plugins or themes contain JavaScript that has been incorrectly programmed and interferes with jQuery’s proper operation or uses the ‘$’ symbol in a way that causes problems with other scripts.
Incorrect script order – The order in which scripts are loaded can also cause this error. If your script that uses the dollar sign ($) is loaded before the jQuery library, it won’t recognize the dollar sign as the jQuery function.
Conflict with other libraries – If you’re using multiple JavaScript libraries on your web page, there might be a conflict between jQuery and another library that also uses the dollar sign ($) as a shortcut.
Now that you know some of these potential causes, you should be able to resolve the “Uncaught TypeError: $ is not a function” error and ensure that the dollar sign ($) is recognized as the jQuery function in your JavaScript code.
How can I fix Uncaught TypeError: $ Is Not a Function?
Before engaging in any advanced troubleshooting or settings tweaks, users should ensure they perform the following preliminary checks:
Ensure that the jQuery library is loaded before any scripts that depend on it.
Use the ‘<script>’ tag to check if the jQuery library has been included in your HTML file.
Verify jQuery inclusion in your HTML file – Make sure you have included the jQuery library in your HTML file. You can do this by adding the above script tag to the head or body section of your HTML file. <script src="https://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/3.5.1/jquery.min.js"></script>
In case you need an exemplified guide on how to fix the Uncaught TypeError: $is not a function error, make sure you work your way through the methods provided below.
1. Replace the ‘jQuery’ keyword with the dollar sign ($)
If you encounter the Uncaught TypeError: $ is not a function error while using the $ symbol in functions, you can replace it with jQuery instead. For instance, where you have the following $ symbol function: $(function() { // Your code here });
Replace it with:
jQuery(function() { // Your code here });
Unlike when you used the $ symbol, the jQuery function will not trigger the error message.
2. Wrap the $ code
Alternatively, you can wrap the code in an immediately invoked function expression that contains the jQuery symbol. For instance: jQuery(function ($) { // You can use $ inside the wrapper console.log($('.primary-menu')); });
After making these changes to the code, you can use your browser’s developer console to see if the error persists.
Although the dollar sign $ is the default alias for the jQuery object, you may need to create an alternative alias to avoid conflicts with other libraries that use the dollar sign $. Below is the line of code you need to run:
vvar $d = jQuery;
The above code replaces the default alias $ with $d. It is however not restricted to the above, as it can be changed to anything else you want.
And that’s it on how to fix the Uncaught TypeError: $ is not a function error. Hopefully, the methods provided in this guide will help you fix the issue.
Similarly, some users have also encountered brower.analyze is not a function error. In case you come across similar problems, you can explore our detailed guide to fix them quickly.
Error 0x4004F00C is typically associated with the activation process of Microsoft Office applications. It indicates that the activation server encountered an issue or the product key being used is invalid, expired, or blocked.
Hence, we will outline the likely causes of the error and probable ways to troubleshoot it without hassles.
What causes the 0x4004F00C error?
The error code 0x4004F00C in Microsoft Office activation is typically caused by one or more of the following factors:
Invalid or expired product key – If you are using an incorrect product key or if the key has expired, the activation process will fail, resulting in the 0x4004F00C error.
VPN or Proxy interference – Another possible reason behind the error 0x4004F00C is due to instances where the activation feature on MS Office is sensitive to filtered networks that go through a VPN or proxy server.
Previous Office installations – If you have previously installed or attempted to activate Office on the same computer, residual files or conflicting settings from the previous installation may be causing conflicts during the activation process.
System or software corruption – Corrupted system files or Office-related files can also interfere with the activation process, resulting in the error.
Note that, the reason for the error 0x4004F00C may vary depending on the specific circumstances and configuration of your system. Now, let’s proceed to how to fix the error.
How can I fix 0x4004F00C Microsoft Office error?
Before attempting advanced solutions for the error 0x4004F00C in Microsoft Office activation, you can perform the following preliminary checks:
Restart your computer, because, sometimes, a simple restart can resolve temporary issues with the activation process.
Having performed these preliminary checks, you can rule out common and easily fixable issues that may be causing the 0x4004F00C error. If the error persists, you may need to proceed with more advanced troubleshooting steps.
1. Enter your product key using Command Prompt
Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box. Copy and paste the following command into the Run dialog box and press Enter: Cscript "%ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office15\ospp.vbs" /inpkey:<enter your product key>
Replace the <enter your product key> with your actual product key. Make sure to remove the angle brackets (< and >), and also include the dashes in the product key.
Restart your PC and try again.
The command will now run the ospp.vbs script with the specified product key, which will attempt to activate Microsoft Office using the provided key.
Xbox users suspension by the enforcement division of Microsoft can be for several reasons. On the enforcement.xbox.com suspension page, you can see details about it. However, this article will discuss the suspension and how to appeal.
Xbox Enforcement suspension refers to a disciplinary action taken by Xbox Enforcement, a division of Microsoft. It is against users that violate the Xbox Live Code of Conduct or the Xbox Terms of Service.
When a user’s account is suspended, they are temporarily restricted from accessing certain Xbox Live features or services.
Furthermore, enforcement.xbox.com should appear after the suspension. It shows you the length of your revocation. During this period, user can’t access online multiplayer, use certain apps or features, or communicate with other players through messaging or voice chat.
Additionally, Xbox suspensions can occur when a user violates the terms of service or code of conduct established by Microsoft. Here are some common reasons that may lead to an Xbox suspension:
Communication violations – Engaging in harassment, hate speech, threats, or inappropriate communication with other players can result in a suspension.
Cheating or modding – Suspension may occur for using unauthorized software, hardware, or modifications to gain an unfair game advantage.
Piracy – Sharing or using unauthorized copies of games, downloadable content (DLC), or other copyrighted material on the Xbox platform can result in a suspension.
Account theft or fraud – Engaging in fraudulent activities, including stealing accounts, sharing account information, or attempting to deceive others for personal gain, can lead to a suspension.
Inappropriate content – You can also be banned or suspended for sharing or creating content that violates the Xbox community guidelines, such as explicit or offensive material.
Payment issues – Failing to pay for purchases or engaging in fraudulent transactions, such as using stolen credit cards, can result in suspension.
Suspensions are to maintain a safe and respectful gaming environment for all users. Also, it helps to enforce the community guidelines established by Microsoft.
How long does enforcement suspension last?
The duration and severity of Xbox Enforcement suspensions can vary depending on the severity of the violation and the user’s history. Suspensions can range from temporary restrictions, such as a 24-hour or 48-hour suspension, to longer duration. It can last days, weeks, or even months.
Also, severe violations or repeated offenses can result in a permanent suspension, where the user’s profile is not allowed to play on Xbox Live. Microsoft has policies to ensure fair and respectful gameplay, and implementing penalties helps to maintain them.
Moreover, every user suspension comes with a notification or email explaining the reason for the suspension. The message usually accompanies a link that shows the suspension duration.
If you believe that your Xbox enforcement suspension was unjust or an error, or you wish to appeal the decision, you can follow these general steps to initiate an appeal:
Review the suspension details – Carefully read the notification/email you received regarding your suspension or visit enforcement.xbox.com for information about the reason for the suspension and the duration.
Gather information – Collect any relevant evidence or information that supports your case for an appeal. It could include chat logs, screenshots, or any other document showing the suspension was unwarranted.
Contact Xbox support – Reach out to Xbox Support through the official channels. You can visit the Xbox Support website or contact them via live chat or email, explaining your situation clearly and providing any evidence you have to support your appeal.
Follow Support instructions – Xbox Support will guide you through the specific appeals process. They may ask for additional information or documentation or review the evidence you provided.
Await a response – Once you have submitted your appeal, wait for a response from Xbox Support. The response time can vary, so be patient. Check your email or Xbox Live messages regularly for updates on your appeal.
However, it’s important to note that while you can appeal a suspension, there is no guarantee that your appeal will be successful. Xbox Support will carefully review your case, but they have the final decision-making authority.
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