How to Fix File System Error (-2147219195)

Posted on by Claire Moraa

Microsoft Photos is the default photo viewer on Windows PCs. It has undergone various facelifts in its lifetime that respond to today’s modern user. Sometimes, when the Photos app is not working, a quick reset can help you resolve the issue.

However, when you cannot open any pictures, it becomes a more severe problem that requires more than a reset. That is the latest headache for Windows users, dubbed the File System Error (-2147219195). Let’s take a closer look at this error, shall we?

What is a file system error (-2147219195) in Windows 11?

According to users, the File system error (-2147219195) in Windows 11 started appearing after a Windows update. Previously, users could open their pictures and music files normally, but after the update, they kept getting this error.

Possible causes include:

  • Problematic Windows update – Windows updates don’t always fix bugs. Sometimes, they bring about more issues, and this could be one of those times they mess up with your Photos app.
  • Corrupt app – It is possible that your Photos app has gotten corrupted over time, especially if there’s a lot of build-up cache. 
  • Conflicting app – It could also happen if you have recently installed new hardware or software, and this caused a conflict with existing software on your computer.
  • Corrupt system files – A corrupted or damaged file system can cause this problem, which means the files and folders on your computer are damaged and can’t be read.

How do I fix the file system error (-2147219195)?

A few basic steps that may salvage the situation before you try any advanced troubleshooting include:

1. Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter 

  1. Hit the Windows key and click on Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Click on System on the left pane, then Troubleshoot on the right pane.Open system troubleshooter
  3. Select Other troubleshooters.other troubleshooters
  4. Scroll down, locate Windows Store Apps, and click the Run button.clicking run windows store apps troubleshooter

2. Repair the Photos app 

  1. Hit the Windows key and click on Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Click on Apps on the left pane, then Apps & features on the right pane.
  3. Locate the Photos app, click the three vertical ellipses, and select Advanced options.
  4. Click on Repair.

3. Reset the Photos app 

  1. Hit the Windows key and click on Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Click on Apps on the left pane, then Apps & features on the right pane.
  3. Locate the Photos app, click the three vertical ellipses, and select Advanced options.
  4. Click on Reset.

4. Re-register the Photos app 

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Powershell in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.
  2. Type the following command and hit Enter: Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
  3. Restart your PC.

Re-registering Windows app could also help you fix similar issues like file system error (-2147163901) on your Windows.

5. Reinstall the Photos app

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Powershell in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.
  2. Type the following command and hit Enter: get-appxpackage *Microsoft.Windows.Photos* | remove-appxpackage
  3. Now go to the Microsoft Store, search for the Photos app, and install it.

Performing a clean boot could resolve the issue for users for whom these solutions did not work. Clean boot is preferred because you can take charge of the startup programs and services.

Alternatively, you can always opt for another image viewer if the built-in one is not letting up. Sometimes, the app needs a few moments, and the issue may resolve quickly. 

Feel free to try out others while you wait for that to happen. Chances are that you may end up liking them even more and be a convert.

You may also come across a similar error File system error (-2147219196) in the Photos app, which also prevents you from opening the program. If so, try out the fixes outlined in our helpful guide.

That’s all we had for this error. Leave us a comment below on which solution fixed this issue for you.

How to Run a Memory Test on Windows 10 [Quick steps]

Posted on by Sagar Naresh

Memory problems are the worse on your PC as they can slow down your PC and impact its performance. In such a case, running the Memory Diagnostic Tool on your Windows PC is advisable to fix any memory-related issues.

While this tool is a saver, users can run into trouble opening this tool. So, in this guide, we will share many quick methods to run a memory test on Windows 10 using the Memory Diagnostic tool. So, let us get right into it.

How can I run a memory test on Windows 10 using the Diagnostic Tool?

1. Use the Start menu

  1. Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
  2. Type Windows Memory Diagnostic and open it.
  3. You can select from the two below options:
    • Restart now and check for problems (recommended)
    • Check for problems the next time I start my computer
  4. The tool will find any issues and fix the problem.

This is the easiest way to access the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool on your Windows 10 PC. But, of course, you can also follow the same steps for Windows 11.

2. Use Windows Search

  1. Press the Win + S keys to open the Windows Search.
  2. Type Windows Memory Diagnostic and open it.
  3. Select from the two below options:
    • Restart now and check for problems (recommended)
    • Check for problems the next time I start my computer
  4. The tool will find any issues and fix the problem.

To run the memory test on Windows 10, you can also run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool from the Windows Search.

3. Use the Command Prompt

  1. Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
  2. Open Command Prompt as an admin.cmd admin windows 10 safe mode not working
  3. Type the below command to run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool and hit Enter. MdSched
  4. Choose any of the two below options:
    • Restart now and check for problems (recommended)
    • Check for problems the next time I start my computer
  5. The tool will find any issues and fix the issue.

Command Prompt is another way to help you run a memory test on Windows 10. This method could come in handy when your PC isn’t booting.

In that case, you can access the recovery mode, open the command prompt, and run the tool to fix memory issues.

4. Use the system settings

  1. Press the Win + I keys to open the Windows Settings.
  2. Type memory in the search field and click on Diagnose your computer’s memory problems option.
  3. Select any of the two below options:
    • Restart now and check for problems (recommended)
    • Check for problems the next time I start my computer
  4. The tool will find any issues and fix the issue.

As the name suggests, Windows Settings includes all the settings you can tweak on your PC. Using the Memory Diagnostic Tool from settings, you can also run the memory test on your Windows 10 PC.

5. Use the Control Panel

  1. Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
  2. Open Control Panel.Control Panel search bar Windows 10 0x800f0984
  3. Click View by and select Small icons.
  4. Select the Administrative Tools option.
  5. Choose Windows Memory Diagnostic.
  6. Click any of the two below options:
    • Restart now and check for problems (recommended)
    • Check for problems the next time I start my computer
  7. The tool will find any problems and fix the issue.

Control Panel is another option for running the memory test on Windows 10 using the Diagnostic Tool.

6. Use File Explorer

  1. Open the File Explorer.
  2. In the address bar, type MdSched and hit Enter.
  3. Choose any of the two below options:
    • Restart now and check for problems (recommended)
    • Check for problems the next time I start my computer
  4. The tool will find any problems and fix the issue.

7. Use the Task Manager

  1. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc buttons to open the Task Manager.
  2. Click on the File tab.
  3. Select the Run new task option.
  4. Type MdSched and press Enter.
  5. Select any of the two below options:
    • Restart now and check for problems (recommended)
    • Check for problems the next time I start my computer
  6. The tool will find any problems and fix the issue.

It is a bit complicated to run the memory test on Windows 10; however, it can come in handy when all you have access to is the Task Manager.

8. Use the Run dialogue

  1. Press the Win + R key to open the Run dialogue.
  2. Type MdSched and press Enter.
  3. You can choose from any of the two below options:
    • Restart now and check for problems (recommended)
    • Check for problems the next time I start my computer
  4. The tool will find any problems and fix the issue.

That is it from us in this guide. Our guide explains what you can do if the Memory Diagnostic Tool gets stuck on your PC.

If you are getting a hardware problem with the Memory Diagnostic Tool, then you can refer to the solutions in our guide to fixing the issue.

For users facing the Memory Refresh Timer error on their Windows PCs, we have a guide that explains a bunch of solutions to resolve the problem.

Let us know in the comments below which of the above methods you used to run a memory test on your Windows 10 PC.

NET HELPMSG 2221: How to Reset Administrator Rights

Posted on by Sagar Naresh

You will find multiple user reports confirming the NET HELPMSG 2221 error code. This appears when your account isn’t the administrator anymore. According to users, their accounts automatically were revoked of admin rights.

If you are also experiencing this issue, we suggest you apply the solutions in our guide and fix the NET HELPMSG 2221 error. There are many ways to get the admin rights back to your account. Let us get right into them.

What is the NET HELPMSG 2221 error?

When you are not the admin of your PC, you cannot use elevated programs. So, for example, you won’t be able to run the command prompt, Windows PowerShell, or any other program that requires admin access on your PC.

After going through several user reports, users who tried to access the gpedit.msc command via the Run dialogue where thrown a Windows cannot find ‘gpedit.msc’ error message.

Moreover, running the lusrmgr.msc showed them an error message the snap-in has been restricted by policy. Contact your admin for details.

Trying to run an elevated command in CMD yields an error message. The user could not be found. More help typing NET HELPMSG 2221.

How can I fix the NET HELPMSG 2221 error?

1. Regain administrator rights

  1. Press the Win + I keys to open the Settings menu.
  2. Click on Recovery.
  3. Click on Restart now for the Advanced startup option.
  4. In the Advanced startup window, select Troubleshoot.
  5. Then choose Advanced options.
  6. Select Command Prompt.
  7. Type the below command in CMD and press Enter. regedit
  8. Highlight the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE branch.
  9. Click on File and select Load Hive.
  10. Navigate to the below location. system root drive > Windows > System32 > config
  11. Locate the SAM file.
  12. Open the SAM file.
  13. Provide a name to the hive.
  14. Click OK.
  15. Head over to the below Registry location. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\REM_SAM\SAM\Domains\Accounts\Users\000001F4
  16. On the right, open the F entry.
  17. Highlight the 000001F4 key, and place the cursor on line 38 on the right side of 11.
  18. Press the Delete key and type 10.
  19. Click OK.
  20. Close Registry Editor and Command Prompt.
  21. Restart your PC.

The above steps are confusing, but if followed correctly will help you fix the NET HELPMSG 2221 error. We suggest following the steps carefully to reset the administrator rights for your account.

2. Use the Control Panel

  1. Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
  2. Open Control Panel.
  3. Select User accounts.
  4. Click on Manage another account.
  5. Select Add a new user in the PC settings option.
  6. Choose the Add account option.
  7. Fill in all the details as asked.
  8. Hit the Finish button.
  9. Open the Start menu by pressing the Win key.
  10. Open Command Prompt.
  11. Type the below commands and press Enter to boot into Safe Mode. shutdown /r /o
  12. In Safe Mode, open the Start menu by pressing the Win key.
  13. Open Control Panel.
  14. Select User accounts.
  15. Click on Manage another account.
  16. You will have two accounts.
  17. Select the new account that you created.
  18. Click on the Change account type option.
  19. Select Administrator.
  20. Hit the Change account type button.
  21. Restart your PC.

This is another way of resetting or restoring the administrator account. Doing so will help you fix the NET HELPMSG 2221 error.

3. Perform a System Restore

  1. Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
  2. Open Create a restore point option.
  3. Hit the System Restore button.
  4. Click the Next button.
  5. Select the restore point.
  6. Click Next.
  7. Click the Finish button.
  8. This will begin the system restore process on your PC.

If the above solutions did not help you resolve the NET HELPMSG 2221 error, you should perform a system restore.

When you perform a system restore, it will help you take your PC back to a state where everything is usually working.

However, note that the system restores will work only when you have previously created a system restore point. Our guide explains how to create a system restore point in Windows 10.

The above procedure may seem overwhelming. Therefore, we suggest dedicated software as a straightforward alternative that will scan your computer in-depth to detect corrupt, damaged, or missing files, ultimately replacing them with brand-new Windows files from its online repository.

You can also quickly fix the Net Helpmsg 3547 on your PC by following the described methods.

For users facing the NET HELPMSG 2184, you can refer to our guide, which gives you many solutions to resolve the problem on your PC.

You can also check out our guide that explains all the different solutions to resolve the NET HELPMSG 3521, a Windows update error.

We also have a guide explaining how to fix your PC’s NET HELPMSG 2185 error quickly. If you are coming across the NET HELPMSG 3534 error message, then you should refer to our guide, that not only gives you the solutions but also explains what the error is all about.

Feel free to let us know in the comments below which one of the above solutions helped you resolve the NET HELPMSG 2221 error.

WSreset is Not Working? Fix it in 5 Easy Steps

Posted on by Sagar Naresh

Windows comes with various pre-setted commands that help you perform multiple functionalities. One such command is the WSreset.

However, if these commands do not do what they are intended to do, then it could be problematic and quite frustrating.

Several users have reported that for them, the WSreset is not working. If you are experiencing the same problem, we have a guide that will explain how you can fix this issue.

We will also share what the WSreset command does. So let us get right into it.

What is the WSreset command and how to use it?

WSreset command is an inbuilt Windows OS command used to clear the Microsoft Store cache. The Microsoft Store is where you download all the apps and games on your PC.

The Microsoft store can often run into trouble and trigger multiple issues. In such a case, one of the solutions to fix the problem is to clear the Store cache, which can be quickly done by running the WSreset command.

As an administrator, you can run the WSreset command using the Run dialogue or the command prompt. After the command completes its execution, you will get a message that the MS Store cache has been cleared.

How can I fix the WSreset command is not working error?

1. Run the Windows Store troubleshooter

  1. Press the Win + I keys to open the Windows Settings menu.
  2. Click on Troubleshoot.
  3. Select Other troubleshooters.
  4. Click on the Run button next to the Windows Store Apps option.
  5. Follow the on-screen steps to begin the troubleshooting.
  6. Apply the prompted fixes.
  7. Restart your PC.

Running the Windows Store troubleshooter can fix specific underlying issues with the Microsoft Store. This could also be the reason why the WSreset command is not working. Try this solution and check if this fixes the problem or not.

2. Perform SFC and DISM commands

  1. Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
  2. Open the command prompt as an admin.
  3. Type the below command and press Enter. sfc /scannow
  4. Wait for the process to complete.
  5. Type the below command and press Enter. DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /RestoreHealth
  6. Restart your PC.

You can run the above SFC Scan and DISM commands to help you fix the corrupt or missing system files.

However, a dedicated system fixer can do wonders in such scenarios. Using such software, you will be able to fix missing system files, fix system crashes, fix BSOD errors, fix DLL errors, and much more.

3. Reset Microsoft Store

  1. Press the Win + I keys to open Settings.
  2. Click on Apps from the left pane.
  3. Select Installed apps.
  4. Locate Microsoft Store.
  5. Click on the 3-dot icon next to Microsoft Store and select Advanced options.
  6. Scroll down and select Reset.
  7. Follow the on-screen prompts to reset the app.
  8. Restart your PC.

Resetting the Microsoft Store can help resolve multiple errors associated with the program. You can also try repairing the Microsoft Store and check if that helps fix the Wsreset not working error.

4. Reinstall Microsoft Store

  1. Open the Start menu by pressing the Win key.
  2. Open Command Prompt as an admin.
  3. Type the below command and press Enter. Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
  4. Restart your PC.

Chances are that the Microsoft Store is misbehaving because of a problematic file, which is why the WSreset command is not working.

To fix this, we suggest you reinstall the Microsoft Store on your PC and check whether this resolves the issue.

5. Reset your PC

  1. Press the Win + I keys to open the Settings menu.
  2. Click on Recovery.
  3. Click the Reset PC button for the Reset this PC option.
  4. Select the Keep my files option.Keep my files
  5. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the Reset process.

If nothing works, then as a last resort, we suggest you reset your PC. When you reset your PC, follow the above steps, as this will prevent deleting your files.

That is it from us in this guide. If the Microsoft Store isn’t working on your Windows 10 or 11 PC, then you should check the solutions in our guide to fix the problem.

Users have reported coming across the error 0x80004003 related to Microsoft Store. You can quickly resolve the error by applying the solutions mentioned in our guide.

We also have a guide covering six ways to resolve the Microsoft Store error 0x800706d9. Also, you can refer to our guide explaining how to fix the Microsoft Store error 0x00000190.

Feel free to let us know in the comments below which one of the above solutions fixed the WSreset command not working problem.

Fix: 0x8004230f Shadow Copy Provider Error

Posted on by Srishti Sisodia

If you received the shadow copy provider and had an unexpected error while trying to process the specified operation(0x8004230F) when creating a system restore point, or system image, this guide can help! 

We will discuss some of the potential fixes to resolve the issue right after talking about the causes. Let’s get started! 

What causes the 0x8004230f shadow copy provider error?

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

  • Insufficient disk space – If the volume being backed up or the system drive has insufficient disk space, then the VSS may fail to create a backup, and you will get this error. You need to remove unwanted apps and files from your computer to clear space on your PC.
  • VSS provider issue – If the VSS provider for the system or volume being backed up becomes damaged or stops working, then the VSS may fail to create a backup.
  • Corrupted system files – If the system files needed for VSS to function correctly are damaged, then the VSS may not be able to create a backup. You need to repair system files using Command Prompt to fix the issue.
  • Third-party software interference – Some third-party software can conflict with the Volume Shadow service and cause it to fail. Look for apps you installed just before the error appeared and remove them to check if it helps.

What can I do to fix the 0x8004230f shadow copy provider error?

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

1. Perform a clean boot environment

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.CLEAN BOOT 1 0x8004230f
  2. Type msconfig and click OK to open the System Configuration.
  3. Go to the Services tab, place a checkmark next to Hide all Microsoft services, and click Disable all.Clean BOOT 2
  4. Switch to the Startup tab, and click Open Task Manager.CLEAN BOOT 3
  5. Go to each Enabled item, and select Disable.Clean BOOT 4 0x8004230f
  6. Return to the System Configuration window, click Apply, and then OK.CLEAN BOOT 5
  7. Restart your computer to confirm the changes.msconfig restart prompt

2. Restart the Volume Shadow Copy service

  1. Press the Windows key, type Control Panel, and click Open.CP 0x8004230f
  2. Select View by as Small icons and select Windows Tools.Windows tools
  3. Locate and double-click Services to open it.Services - Windows Tools
  4. Look for Volume Shadow Copy and double-click it.
  5. Go to Startup type, and select Automatic (Delayed Start).
  6. Under Services status, click Start.Startup VSC properties 0x8004230f
  7. Click Apply and OK
  8. Restart your PC to save the changes.

3. Run Microsoft Safety Scanner

  1. Go to the Microsoft Safety Scanner tool page.
  2. Download Microsoft Safety Scanner and double-click the downloaded file to initiate the installation.
  3. On the setup page, place a checkmark next to Accept all terms of the preceding license agreement and click Next.NExt safety scanner 10x8004230f
  4. Again click Next.Next 2
  5. On the next screen, select Full scan and click Next.Full scan next 0x8004230f
  6. The tool will scan and remove all the infected data files, so there could be data loss.

4. Run an SFC scan

  1. Press the Windows key, type CMD, and click Run as administrator.CMD elevated
  2. Type the following command to repair system files and press Enter: sfc/scannowSFCSCANNOW CMD 0x8004230f
  3. Restart your computer.

5. Run the VSSADMIN tool

  1. Press the Windows key, type CMD, and select Run as administrator.
  2. Type the following command to get the list of third-party VSS providers and press Enter: vssadmin list providersVSS admin 0x8004230f
  3. If there are any, locate the unnecessary ones and close Command Prompt.
  4. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box.REGEDIT RUN COMMAND
  5. Type regedit and click OK to open Registry Editor.
  6. Go to File, then click Export. Save the .reg file to an accessible location to back up registry entries.Export 0x8004230f
  7. Navigate to this path: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\VSS\Providers
  8. Double-click Providers to expand it. You would find three keys, ENUM, and two GUIDs.
  9. Select the first GUID listed, double-click the Default string, and check if it is Microsoft Software Shadow Copy provider 1.0. If yes, check the other GUID and delete it.Regedit VSS 0x8004230f
  10. Open the Run console and type services.msc, and press Enter.
  11. Locate, right-click Volume Shadow Copy, and choose Restart.VSC restart 0x8004230f
  12. To ensure there are no third-party providers, open CMD with administrator rights and type the following command: vssadmin list providers

6. Contact Microsoft Support

If nothing has worked for you, you must contact the Microsoft Support team. Explain to them the scenario and what steps you took to fix the issue. This will help them understand the situation and speed up the troubleshooting process.

So, these are methods that you need to follow to fix the 0x8004230f shadow copy provider error. Try them and let us know what worked in the comments section below.

Missing Toolbar in Outlook: How to Get It Back

Posted on by Vlad Turiceanu

You might have noticed that the toolbar previously present at the bottom of the mail composer is missing from Outlook web and desktop app.

The absence of the bottom toolbar from email composer makes it hard to change fonts, colors, layouts, and even attach files. Stay with us as we explain the steps to bring back the missing toolbar in Outlook in this detailed guide.

How to unhide the missing Toolbar in the Outlook app?

  1. Launch Microsoft Outlook on your computer as a stand-alone app or on your preferred web browser.
  2. Stay in the Home tab and click the New Mail button present on the ribbon to access the mail composer window.
    Missing Toolbar in Outlook
  3. Switch to the Format Text tab from the menu bar on top of the mail composer and click the downward arrow located on the extreme right of the top toolbar to access the Layout options.
    Missing toolbar in Outlook
  4. Choose Simplified Ribbon instead of Classic ribbon from the drop-down menu.
    Missing toolbar in Outlook
  5. Click the Menu icon (three dots) on the right of the toolbar to access alignment, indentation, and other paragraph formatting options.
  6. Switch to the Message tab from the menu bar on top and click the Menu icon (three dots) on the right to access various add-ins like insert pictures, tables, and more.

As you can see, the toolbar of the Outlook mail composer, which was previously present at the bottom, is now available on the top in place of the classic Outlook ribbon.

With the new Outlook update rolled out by Microsoft for the desktop and web app, the mail composer has been revamped, and the missing bottom toolbar in Outlook email composer has been integrated into the top toolbar.

How to enable the missing Outlook toolbar on the top?

  1. Launch Outlook as a desktop or web app.
  2. Click the New Mail button present on the top menu of the Home tab to open the Outlook mail composer window.
    Toolbar missing in Outlook
  3. Switch to the Options tab from the top menu bar and click the Menu icon (three dots) and select Switch to HTML option present under the Action section.
    Missing toolbar in Outlook
  4. Now switch to the Format text tab from the menu bar on top to access the formatting options.
    Missing toolbar in Outlook

If the mail composer toolbar of Outlook is available on the top, but all the formatting options are greyed out, switching to HTML instead of plain text will enable all the elements of the toolbar.

Note that these steps will help you access the missing bottom toolbar from the email composer in the newest version of the Outlook app.

The bottom toolbar having text formatting and file attachment options, is now available at the top as a part of a new feature update.

Microsoft is slowly rolling out this update to Microsoft 365 customers, and you can manually check for Office Updates.

Moreover, the steps to bring back the missing toolbar and enable its formatting options can vary slightly in the Outlook web app, depending on your browser version.

We hope you can now access the missing toolbar in Outlook, which is now available on the top to enhance the user experience.

While you are here, you may want to know how to add and use the Zoom plugin directly in Outlook app to improve your productivity.

Also, if you have any queries and suggestions, write them down in the comments section below.

0xc1900401: What is This Error & How to Fix It

Posted on by Loredana Harsana

Though installing updates on a Windows PC is a straightforward task, you are likely to run into several errors while attempting to do so. One such fatal error code is 0xc1900401, which occurs when the Windows update fails to install on your PC for several reasons.

What is the 0xc1900401 error code in Windows?

If you receive the error update error code 0xc1900401 when the installation process is unsuccessful on your computer, several factors can be behind it. We are providing the list of the most common ones below:

  • Poor internet connection – Slow or unstable internet connection is the most likely reason you encountered the error code 0xc1900401 while installing the update.
  • Insufficient storage space – If there is insufficient space on the disk to successfully install the update, error code 0xc1900401 might follow.
  • Corrupt system files – If the Windows cache folder gets corrupted or there is any glitch in the system files or components, you may face the mentioned error code.
  • Disabled System Update service – If the system update is not operating in the background for some reason or has run into an issue, error codes like 0xc1900401 can occur.
  • Third-party antivirus – Though this may sound weird, a third-party antivirus software if not configured properly, can also interfere with the Windows update and lead to the 0xc1900401 error.

Now that you know about the potential causes of this error code, you can perform the workarounds discussed in this guide to get rid of the update error 0xc1900401 and install the latest Windows update successfully.

How do I resolve the Windows Update Error 0xc1900401?

Before implementing the mainstream fixes discussed later on in this guide, perform the following actions:

  • Make sure that the internet connection is strong and has enough bandwidth to download the internet connection. You can run an internet speed test to verify the performance.
  • Disconnect all external devices, such as a printer, webcam, speaker, or USB hub if connected, to avoid any driver conflict with the update process.
  • Disable third-party antivirus software if installed on your PC for the time being.

Once these requirements are met, go ahead and employ the fixes lined up below.

1. Disable the metered connection

  1. Use the Windows + I shortcut to bring up the Settings app.
  2. Choose Network & Internet from the left navigation panel and choose Wi-Fi or Ethernet, depending on the network you are connected to.0xc1900401
  3. Next, select Wi-Fi properties.
  4. Look for the Metered connection option and turn the toggle next to it in the Off position.0xC1900401

When the connection is metered, Windows is restricted from downloading large files over the network to conserve the data. Disabling this feature ensures that the internet is available at full throttle, and you no longer get the 0xc1900401 error.

2. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

  1. Use the Windows + I shortcut to access the Settings app.
  2. Scroll down the System settings and choose Troubleshoot from the right section.0xC1900401
  3. Next, select Other troubleshooters.0xC1900401
  4. Locate the Windows Update troubleshooter under Most Frequent and press the Run button next to it to initiate the troubleshooting process.0xC1900401

Microsoft offers a handy Windows update troubleshooter that is capable of diagnosing and resolving problems with Windows Update, including the 0xc1900401 error code, without much effort.

3. Start the Windows Update Service

  1. Use the Windows + R shortcut to launch the Run dialog box, type the following command in the text box, and press the Enter key. services.msc0xC1900401
  2. Locate the Windows Update service in the list of services running on your Windows PC, and double-click it.
  3. Look at the Service status in the General tab. If it says Stopped, press the Start button to start the service.0xC1900401
  4. Press the Apply button to save the changes and OK to exit the properties window.
  5. Now double-click the Windows Update Medic Service located underneath, and if this service is not running, press the Start button for it as well.0xC1900401
  6. Exit the properties window after making the changes and restart your PC.

Windows Update services play an instrumental role in ensuring that the installation of system updates happens smoothly. If these services are not running in the background, Windows Update will not be successful, and you will experience the update error code 0xC1900401.

4. Clear the Windows Update cache

  1. Use the Windows + R shortcut to bring up the Run dialog box.
  2. Type or paste the following path in the text box and press the OK button to navigate to the given location. C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download0xC1900401
  3. Use the Ctrl + A shortcut to select all the files in the download folder and press the Delete icon on the toolbar.0xC1900401

Windows stores all the system configuration and update related files on the local disk in the folder known as SoftwateDistribution. If the content of this folder becomes corrupt during the download process, Windows Update will not be successful.

Deleting the content of these folders ensures that the corrupt update files will no longer cause the 0xC1900401 error during the updation process.

These are the proven ways to ensure that you will no longer run into the error code 0xC1900401 when updating Windows-operated systems to the latest available versions. You can go through our guide to resolve the Windows update error code 0x80240004 if the error code frequents during the Windows update process.

Which of the solutions provided above helps you resolve the Windows update error 0xC1900401? Let us know in the comments section.

Fwpkclnt.sys Blue Screen Error: 6 Ways to Fix It

Posted on by Srishti Sisodia

A blue screen of death screen appears if there is a serious software or hardware problem that causes Windows to shut down or restart. If the BSOD error on the screen is linked with Fwpkclnt.sys, then this guide can help!

Fwpkclnt.sys is a Windows IPsec Kernal-Mode API file and is essential for your computer. It is usually found in the C:\Windows\System32\drivers\ folder. If it is missing or corrupted, it could lead to all sorts of issues.

We will discuss the methods to fix the issue right after explaining the causes of the issue. Let’s start!

What causes the Driver_IRQL NOT LESS EQUAL FWPKCLNT.SYS error?

There could be various reasons for this BSOD error to appear; some of the common ones are:

  • Corrupted driver files – If the driver file related to any of the computer components (RAM, hard disk, video card, USB, or more) is corrupted or outdated, it can cause the blue screen error. You need to reinstall or update the device drivers to fix the issue.
  • Faulty hardware components – Damaged hardware components, such as hard drives or RAM, can cause the blue screen error. If you have recently installed a new hardware part, check if it is properly seated or working.
  • Software conflicts – Conflicts between software programs can also lead to the fwpkclnt.sys BSOD error. Therefore, check for recently installed programs and remove them if not in use.
  • Malware infection – Malware or virus infections can damage system files, including the fwpkclnt.sys driver file. To fix this issue, you need to run a malware scan.

What can I do to fix the Driver_IRQL NOT LESS EQUAL FWPKCLNT.SYS error?

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

  • Restart your computer.
  • Check for Windows updates.
  • Remove unnecessary external peripherals.
  • Check all the hardware components to ensure everything is properly seated and in place.

1. Update drivers

1.1 Update drivers manually

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box. Device Manager RUN COMMAND fwpkclnt.sys
  2. Type devmgmt.msc and click OK to open Device Manager.
  3. Go to each hardware component, such as Network Adapters, Display Adapters, etc. Here we are taking an example of the Display Adapters.
  4. Double-click it to expand, right-click the driver listed and select Update driver. Graphics Driver update Device Manager RUN COMMAND fwpkclnt.sys
  5. On the next screen, click Search automatically for drivers. Update driver 2
  6. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete. Now follow the same for all the hardware components.

1.2 Use a third-party tool

Keeping drivers up to date is important for your computer’s health and also prevents BSOD errors. Updating them manually can be a time taking process; therefore, it is advised to use a third-party driver updater tool.

One such reliable tool is Outbyte Driver Updater. It scans your computer for outdated drivers and updates them with the latest ones in a few clicks. Follow these steps to use this tool:

  1. Download and install Outbyte Driver Updater.
  2. Click Scan, and the tool will scan and present you with the list of obsolete drivers.
  3. Select the drivers and click Update.Outbyte Driver Updater update driver
  4. Now the tool will download and install the drivers on your computer. Wait for it to complete, then restart your computer.

2. Disable ELAN Service

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run console. MSCONFIG RUN COMMAND
  2. Type msconfig and click OK to open System Configuration.
  3. Go to Boot, under Boot options, place a checkmark to Safe boot, and select Network. Safe boot Network fwpkclnt.sys
  4. Restart your computer, and the computer will be in Safe mode.
  5. Open the System Configuration window again. Go to the Services tab, and remove the checkmark next to ELAN Service. ELAN service fwpkclnt.sys
  6. Now go to Boot again, and remove the checkmark from Safe boot.
  7. Click Apply and OK.
  8. Restart your computer, and your computer will load normally. If this didn’t help, follow the same process to select ELAN Service again.

3. Use the Command Prompt

  1. Press the Windows key, type CMD, and click Run as administrator.CMD elevated fwpkclnt.sys
  2. Type the following command to repair system files and press Enter: sfc/scannowSFCSCANNOW CMD fwpkclnt.sys
  3. Copy and paste the following command to repair the Windows OS image and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthRestore health
  4. Restart your computer to let the changes take effect.

4. Run a malware scan

  1. Press the Windows key, type Windows Security, and click Open.Windows Security open
  2. Go to Virus & threat protection, and click Scan options.V& T fwpkclnt.sys
  3. Select Full scan and click Scan now.Full scan - Scan now
  4. The security tool will scan your computer and spot malicious files. Delete them when prompted.

5. Use the DiskCleanup tool

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box. Cleanmgr Run command
  2. Type cleanmgr and click OK to open Disk Cleanup.
  3. On the Disk Cleanup: Drive Selection window, select C drive and click OK.Cleanmgr 2 fwpkclnt.sys
  4. Next, click Clean up system files.Cleanmgr 3
  5. Again on the DiskCleanup: Drive Selection window, choose C drive and click OK.
  6. On the next page, select all the contents under the Files to delete section and click OK. Cleanmgr 4 fwpkclnt.sys
  7. Now click Delete Files. Cleanmgr 5 Delete Files

6. Perform a System Restore

  1. Press the Windows key, type Control Panel, and click Open.Open Control Panel
  2. Select Large icons as View by and click Recovery.Recovery Control Panel fwpkclnt.sys
  3. Click Open System Restore.Open system restore
  4. On the System Restore window, select Choose a different restore point and click Next.Next Choose a different restore point
  5. Now select a restore point from the list and click Next.Choose a point fwpkclnt.sys
  6. Click Finish to complete the process. Windows will be restored to the chosen point.Finish Restore point

So, these are methods that you can use to fix the Fwpkclnt.sys blue screen of death error. If nothing worked for you, it is advised to perform a clean installation of Windows. If you have any questions related to this BSOD error, feel free to mention them in the comments section below.

Best Office Add-Ins: 15 Picks That Work Great in 2026

Posted on by Srishti Sisodia

Office add-ins are powerful tools that can help streamline your work and enhance productivity when using Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint. There are several plugins available to enhance functionality, automate repetitive tasks, and improve collaboration with colleagues.

However, choosing the one that suits you can be difficult. Therefore, we have compiled a list of the best Office Add-ins available, which can help you accomplish more in less time, ultimately making your work more efficient and effective.

How can I install Office Add-ins?

  1. Download the add-in you want to install. Open any of the Office apps.
  2. Go to File.File Outlook best office add ins
  3. Click Options.options outlook
  4. Now from the Options window, select Add-ins.Manage GO
  5. Click Go.
  6. Now on the COM Add-ins page, click Add.Select and clikc Add or OK
  7. Select the add-in and click OK.

What are the best Office add-ins?

Boomerang – Best for scheduling emails

boomerang best office addin

Boomerang can be a great addition to your Outlook as it can help you schedule emails, set follow-up reminders, and share your calendar availability with users on any platform.

This plugin comes with an AI assistant which helps you write responsive emails. Also, it lets you schedule recurring messages to save time.

It comes with a powerful calendar assistant that helps you incorporate your real-time calendar availability into an email that functions smoothly on various email platforms, including mobile.

Key features of Boomerang:

  • Allows you to know if your emails are read with read receipts feature
  • Comes with open tracking and click tracking
  • Supports multiple calendars
  • Can be integrated with Microsoft Teams and Zoom

⇒ Get Boomerang

Lucidchart Diagrams – Best for designing flowcharts

Lucidchart Diagrams - Best office add-ins

Lucidchart Diagrams is one of the useful Office add ins that empowers your Microsoft apps with the ability to create visual representations.

The simple interface and drag & drop functionality make it easy to draw flowcharts. You can also choose from the templates to get started with.

Lucidchart is integrated with G Suite, so you can use your Google login and sync your work with Google Drive.

Key features of Lucidchart Diagrams:

  • Allows you to embed diagrams on your webpage
  • Integrates with Microsoft 365, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint
  • Export to Microsoft Visio, PDF, JPG, and PNG
  • Allows you to publish your flowchart as PDF or image

⇒ Get Lucidchart Diagrams

Pexels – Best platform to get free stock images

Pexels

Pexels is a free Word, and PowerPoint add in which allows you to search their vast libraries of stock images.

The plugin provides free and legal images for your presentation or document. To find the image, you need to type a word or relevant phrase to find images tagged to them.

You can also search for images based on the color dominant in an image. It works with PowerPoint 2013 or later on Windows but is available for PowerPoint 2016 or later on Mac.

Key features of Pexels:

  • Allows you to save images as favorites for easy access
  • Works with Microsoft 365 as well
  • Can access it using Work/School or a Microsoft account
  • Provides customer support via email

DocuSign – Efficient way to sign a document

DocuSign - Word Add-ins

DocuSign is an important plugin for those who deal in legal documents and have to sign digital documents more often.

This Office add-in enables you to sign or request signatures on documents created and edited using Word 2013 or later.

It allows you to edit a document via Microsoft Word and use DocuSign to specify the signing process that directs the document to the right individuals in the correct order.

Key features of DocuSign:

  • Available for SharePoint, Teams, and Outlook, as well
  • Allows you to sign in using Office 365 or Microsoft account credentials
  • Can be accessed from the Office Ribbon
  • Provides an option to sign email attachments from your Outlook inbox

⇒ Get DocuSign

Woodpecker – Best for creating a legal document

Woodpecker - Best Office add ins

Woodpecker Word add-in helps you create or draft a legal template or document with no or fewer errors saving you plenty of time. This reduces risk, increases profits, and you will be able to take on more clients.

This add-in comes with shareable online questionnaires, which help you populate your legal documents automatically, saving you from manually entering the values.

It also allows you to reuse the client data to generate new documents without asking for the same information again.

Key features of Woodpecker:

  • Can connect to your other programs with full Zapier integration
  • Has an open API
  • Allows you to store all templates in one place for easy access
  • Online intake forms automatically create documents for you

⇒ Get Woodpecker

Data Prep Toolkit – Best for data preparation

Data Prep Toolkit

Data Prep Toolkit is a useful Excel add-in that helps you clean, transform, format, query, and export data in the easiest way possible.

This plugin can transform crosstab tables to flat lists, combine & split worksheets, add, delete, sort, rename or reorder workbooks, and combine data & merge cells in seconds.

With Data Prep Toolkit, you can query and transform your Excel tables using SQL. With its intuitive query editor, it can display all available tables & highlight syntax.

Key features of the Data Prep Toolkit:

  • Allows you to export CSV, PDF, or TXT
  • Can split the workbook and save the sheets separately as XLS files.
  • Uses Mail Merge to send personalized emails to your Excel contact list
  • Enables you to select alternate rows, every other column, or another recurrent pattern

⇒ Get Data Prep Toolkit

Pickit -Best for finding licensed images

Pickit - Best office add ins

Pickit is one of the best Office add ins that provides you unlimited access to the public, licensed images, & clipart. It works with Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and OneNote.

With this plugin, you can create impactful presentations with legal and compliant images within a few minutes.

It allows you to add unlimited photos or clipart with a single click. You can search images by name and metadata or browse the images by category or collection.

Key features of Pickit:

  • Allows you to upload and share logotypes, company assets, and product shots in Office
  • Gives you tips and suggestions for designing your slides
  • Seamless integration with Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and more
  • With the Sharing feature, distribute important info to team members and external suppliers

⇒ Get Pickit

Email Recovery – Best for email recovery & purge

Email Recovery

Emails are an important part of one’s professional and personal life, and we can’t afford to lose them.

However, if you accidentally deleted your emails, then with the Email Recovery add-in for Outlook, you can recover them.

Unlike other plugins, it can recover lost emails in their original form. With the Purge feature of the tool, you can delete your emails permanently.

Key features of Email Recovery:

  • Allows you to restore emails that were deleted months ago
  • Works for Outlook 2013 or later on Windows
  • Also available on Outlook on Mac and OWA
  • Can sign in using a work or school account or a Microsoft account

⇒ Get Email Recovery

⇒ Get Pexels

Split Text to Columns – Best to automate split text

Split Text to Columns is a useful add in for Excel, which helps you split text across multiple columns.

Using this plugin, you can divide parts of addresses or pull out product details in separate columns with ease.

You can split the values by spaces, semicolons, line breaks, commas, and more. It also allows splitting values by multiple delimiters simultaneously.

Key features of Split Text to Columns:

  • Comes with an option to Treat consecutive delimiters as one
  • Works with Microsoft 365, Excel 2013, or later on Windows
  • Provides support via Email
  • Is free and can be accessed using Work/School or Microsoft account

⇒ Get Split Text to Columns

Zoom for Outlook – Best for scheduling meetings

Zoom for Outlook - best Office add ins

Zoom for Outlook is one of the best Office add ins, as it allows you to schedule and join Zoom meetings from the Outlook app.

You can configure your settings, & the meeting URL and other information will be added to the body of your calendar event.

You can log in to Zoom either by using the Basic (free), or Pro (paid) Zoom account. It also gives you the option to use an existing Google account, Apple, or Facebook account.

Key features of Zoom for Outlook:

  • Add a Zoom meeting to any new or existing calendar event
  • Works with Outlook 2016 or later on Mac, Outlook 2013 or later on Windows
  • Also available for Teams, OWA, and Microsoft 365
  • Offers the best video, audio, and screen-sharing experience

⇒ Get Zoom for Outlook

QorusDocs – Best proposal management tool

Qorus Docus

QorusDocs is a robust add in for Word, Outlook, Excel, and Powerpoint, which can help you make business documents effortlessly.

The plugin can help you create and customize business documents, whether it is a proposal, pitch, or NDA.

You can create fresh documents from templates, collaborate on documents with a team and answer queries with a bank of reusable content.

Key features of QorusDocs:

  • Automates RFP responses with AI software that recommends highly engaging content
  • Securely share proposals from anywhere with a solution designed for distributed teams
  • Allows you to gain valuable insights on prospect engagement within your proposals
  • Helps in relevant follow-up activities and communication

⇒ Get QorusDocs

Send Anywhere for Outlook – Best to send large attachments via email

Send Anywhere for outlook

Send Anywhere for Outlook helps send large attachments to emails easily from any platform, including the mobile operating system.

This plugin allows you to send up to 10 GB of attachments, including videos, zip folders, slideshows, and high-resolution images via email.

After subscribing, you can access the plugin features without ads on all platforms, including desktop, mobile OS, and the web.

Key features of Send Anywhere for Outlook:

  • Allows you to share PDFs directly from the PDF viewer
  • Enables you to set an expiration date, password, and download limit
  • Allows you to share images with right-click of the mouse button
  • Works for Outlook 2013 or later on Windows, 2013 or later on Mac, OWA, & Microsoft 365

⇒ Get Send Anywhere for Outlook

Duplicate Remover – Best to remove duplicate data

Duplicate Remover - best office add in

Duplicate Remover is a useful add in to detect duplicate data on your worksheet automatically.

You can select the range of data to review and choose if you want to find repeats or duplicates, along with the action you want to take once found.

You can delete rows, clear the values, add a status column, copy, or move it to another workbook or sheet.

Key features of Duplicate Remover :

  • Scans the selected range and shows you the number of found entries
  • Allows you to choose columns in the selected data to scrutinize
  • Enables you to find both duplicates and unique in the data
  • Comes with advanced search options to narrow down search results

⇒ Get Duplicate Remover

Writing Assistant – Best writing assistant

Another useful Office add in, Writing Assistant, can help those whose native language is not English. It helps transforms your writing into professional standard English.

It allows you to translate different languages, such as Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, and more, into English with ease.

The plugin is free for most of the features but requires a premium subscription for full access, along with an account to sign in.

Key features of Writing Assistant

  • Comes with Grammar and spell checker
  • Is powered by AI to flag errors in your writing
  • Can adapt to your context and offer suggestions
  • Available for Microsoft 365, Word 2013, or later on Windows, 2016, or later on Mac

⇒ Get Writing Assistant


Pixton Comic Characters – Best for creating educational ppts

Pixton Comic Characters can be a good addition to PowerPoint if you create training and educational material often.

It can help increase engagement and comprehension while making your presentations fun and appealing.

You can select a varied cast of preset characters and outfits and add them to your presentation as per your liking.

Key features of Pixton Comic Characters:

  • Helps you simplify complex presentations
  • Allows you to add Pixton characters and assets to eLearning programs
  • Available for Microsoft 365, PowerPoint 3013, or later on Windows
  • Can access using Work/School or Microsoft account

⇒ Get Pixton Comic Characters

So, these are some of the best Office add ins that you can use to make your productivity. Try them and let us know what worked for you in the comments section below

High CPU Usage on Elden Ring: 6 Ways to Quickly Reduce it

Posted on by Sagar Naresh

There are multiple user reports that claim that they are coming across Elden Ring’s high CPU usage issue. This problems usually occurs due to lack of resources, or due to fullscreen optimization issues. We also remind you to run the game using a dedicated graphics card and to select a power plan that maximizes performance.

Table of contents

How can I fix the Elden Ring’s high CPU usage?

1. Check if your PC meets the minimum requirements

Before playing any game or running a resource-intensive program on your PC, you should ensure that you have all the necessary equipment in your arsenal; in our case, it is the PC.

In case you are wondering where I can find the minimum PC requirements or the required configuration to run Elden Ring without any issues, you can check out the official Elden Ring’s Steam page.

If your PC isn’t meeting the requirements, especially the graphics category, then you should upgrade it immediately if you wish to play the game without issues such as Elden Ring’s high CPU usage.

2. Disable full-screen optimizations

  1. Right-click on the Elden Ring desktop icon.
  2. Click on Properties.
  3. Click on the Compatibility tab.
  4. Check the box for Disable fullscreen optimization option.
  5. Click Apply and OK.
  6. Restart your PC.

You should enable the fullscreen optimization feature to improve the gameplay. However, some features do not work as intended and worsen it for you.

The Elden Ring’s high CPU usage issue might result from fullscreen optimizations not working correctly. Therefore, you should disable the fullscreen optimizations and check whether this resolves the problem.

3. Change the display settings

  1. Press the Win + I keys to open the Windows Settings menu.
  2. Select Display.
  3. Click on Graphics.
  4. Click on Desktop app from the Choose an app to set preference drop-down.
  5. Select the Elden Ring EXE file.
  6. Click on Options for the game.
  7. Select the dedicated GPU.
  8. Click Save.
  9. Restart your PC.

You should ensure that the Elden Ring game isn’t running on integrated graphics but on dedicated graphics. This ensures that sufficient resources are available. Hence, there won’t be Elden Ring high CPU usage issue.

4. Edit the power plan

  1. Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
  2. Open Control Panel.
  3. Select Power Options.
  4. Click on the High-performance power plan.
  5. Restart your PC.

Often the power plan that you have selected might be pushing your PC to save more battery, reducing the usage of its resources to their full potential.

In such a case, we suggest you check the power plan settings on your PC and set it to high performance and check if this resolves the Elden Ring high CPU usage issue.

5. Close unnecessary background apps

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc buttons to open the Task Manager.
  2. Click on the Processes tab.
  3. Select the unwanted processes, one by one, and hit the End task button at the top.

When running multiple apps in the background, your PC ensures to divide the resources among each one.

In such a case, Elden Ring might not be getting sufficient resources to run smoothly and is putting pressure on your CPU, resulting in high CPU usage. First, try closing all the unwanted programs and check whether this resolves the issue.

Our guide explains how you can disable background apps in Windows 11 and prevent overheating or high CPU usage issues.

6. Tweak the game graphics settings

After researching the internet, we found the best gameplay graphics settings you should opt for when playing Elden Ring.

  • Texture Quality: Medium
  • Antialiasing Quality: Low
  • SSAO: Medium
  • Depth of Field: Off
  • Motion Blur: Off
  • Shadow Quality: Medium
  • Lighting Quality: Medium
  • Effects Quality: Medium
  • Volumetric Quality: Medium
  • Reflection Quality: Medium
  • Water surface Quality: Low
  • Shadow Quality: Medium
  • Global illumination Quality: Medium
  • Grass Quality: Medium

That is it from us in this guide. Is the controller not working when playing Elden Ring? Do not worry; we have a guide to sort that out for you.

Several users couldn’t switch to the widescreen mode when playing Elden Ring. Our guide explains how you can quickly fix that without affecting performance.

If the game doesn’t use your dedicated GPU, refer to our guide, which lists some solutions to resolve the error.

Also, users who cannot launch the Elden Ring game on their PC should apply the fixes in our guide and fix the problem.

For some users, the multiplayer isn’t working on Elden Ring. This could be because of multiple reasons, and you can fix this problem by applying the solutions in our guide. You can also check out our guide on fixing the white screen issue while playing the game.

Do let us know in the comments below which one of the above solutions resolved the problem of Elden Ring’s high CPU usage problem.

How to Check GPU BIOS Version: 4 Steps to Find it Out

Posted on by Henderson Jayden Harper

Sometimes you need to find the exact version of your graphics card, and to do that, you need to know how to check the GPU BIOS version. To learn how to do that, keep on reading.

How do I find my GPU firmware version?

1. Via Windows Settings

  1. Press the Windows + I key to open the Windows Settings.
  2. Click the System and select Display.
  3. Click the Advanced display settings and select the Display adapter properties for Display 1.
  4. The GPU details are below the BIOS Information category from the pop-up menu.

The procedure above will allow you to access your GPU BIOS info from the display settings.

2. Via Nvidia Control Panel

  1. Right-click the blank space on your desktop top to open the context menu and select the Nvidia control panel from the options.
  2. Select the System information menu and navigate to the Video BIOS version.

Now you know how to check the GPU BIOS version for Nvidia cards. To learn more check our detailed guide on fixing Nvidia Graphics Card not detected on Windows.

3. Via AMD Radeon Software

  1. Press the Windows button, type AMD Radeon Software, and press Enter to open it.
  2. Navigate to Settings and click on System.
  3. Click the Hardware details drop-down button and scroll down to the BIOS version.

The AMD Radeon Software is used to fine-tune GPU settings, update drivers and check GPU info.

4. Via Intel Graphics and Media Control Panel

  1. Right-click the Windows desktop to open the Context menu. Select the Graphics Properties option.
  2. Choose Advance Mode from the new window and click the OK key.
  3. Select the Option and Support from the left pane and click on the Information Center.
  4. You will see the BIOS info from the right pane.

The steps above are to check for the Intel GPU BIOS version. We have a complete guide about fixing Intel Graphics Control Panel not opening on your system.

To learn more about your GPU, don’t miss our guide on how to check your graphics card on Windows 11.

In addition, check our guide about ways to fix the GPU if It’s at 0% Usage on your PC. Also, feel free to read about how to undervolt a GPU & why you should do it on Windows.

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

GoTo Meeting vs Zoom: Which One’s Better in 2026?

Posted on by Claudiu Andone

GoToMeeting and Zoom are very good web conferencing tools, and both can be used for personal or business purposes. But if you’re choosing between GoTo Meeting vs Zoom, in this article, we will try to present all the key elements to help you make the right decision.

What should I look for in web conferencing software?

The best quality of a web conferencing tool is reliability. A tool that you can trust is better than anything, but there are a few other key elements you should consider:

  • Audio & video quality – Although the equipment and internet connection are paramount for audio and video quality in a meeting, the app should be optimized to get the best from what you’ve got.
  • File sharing capability – Sharing files during a meeting is extremely useful to convey a message. Without this feature, you need to go back to the old email, which can be a little frustrating.
  • Seamless integration – It’s a great advantage to integrate third-party apps into your web conferencing tool because you can get myriads of other uses connected to scheduling, recording, translation, and transcripts, along with other CRM and productivity tools.
  • Encryption – Although we left it in the last position, security is one of the most important aspects of meeting software because otherwise, important information might leak out.

Now that we understand some key aspects, let’s see how GoToMeeting and Zoom can help you.

GoTo Meeting vs Zoom: which one is better in 2023?

GoTo Meeting

GoTo Meeting is a web conferencing tool with a very simple interface but plenty of features to go around whether you decide to use it for personal or corporate needs.

It is focused on security, so the screen-sharing data, keyboard/mouse control data, and text chat information are TSL-encrypted in transit and AES 256-bit encrypted at rest.

Also, they use an SRTP with AES-128-HMAC-SHA1-based protocol to encrypt video and audio data and keep them secure at all times.

You may launch meetings directly from Slack, Outlook, Chrome, or Salesforce, and there are a lot of integrations to go around.

⇒ Get GoTo Meeting

Zoom

Zoom is definitely a much more popular web conferencing software than GoTo Meeting. The key elements that made it so loved by the users are that it has a free version and the UI are very easy to use.

However, the best part of Zoom is the integration with over 2000 third-party services and apps that can transform it into a proficient communication tool for everyone.

It comes with recording, presentation modes, file transfer, and even live transcripts that can be used for later meeting reports.

Even with a free version, you can host and participate in video meetings of up to 100 people.

⇒ Get Zoom

1. Audio & video quality

GoTo Meeting – Crisp sound and HD cameras

GoTo says that their conferencing tool, Meeting, has crisp sound and excellent video quality.

GoTo Meeting provides up to 25 webcam streams, and the resolution depends on how many attendees are in the session. A single webcam stream can be up to 1280x720px (720p).

However, if you go 1 on 1, you can use the Full HD resolution of your webcam without any issues. But in the end, it all comes down to your internet connection and the webcam quality.

Zoom – Not the best at all times

We have some guides on our website on how to fix the microphone not working on Zoom, freezes, and other problems.

But the main cause of those problems was a poor internet connection, not the app itself.

Otherwise, in our tests with Zoom, the video quality was on par with our connection and the sound was as good as our speakers.

2. File sharing capability

GoTo Meeting – No file sharing

GoTo Meeting doesn’t have a file-sharing capability, which can be frustrating for a meeting. Of course, that can save a lot of bandwidth, but it’s still pretty inconvenient to rely on other tools.

Zoom – File sharing within chat

With Zoom, you have file transfer option features in the Chat window. Send documents and file from your device or your cloud storage accounts with just a few clicks.

There is even a captioning tool available to instantly share something on your screen.

3. Seamless integration

GoTo Meeting – Only essentials

GoTo Meeting has only 28 third-party app integrations, among which we can highlight the Office 365 apps, Salesforce, Slack, and Calendly as the most important.

That is because GoTo Meeting is pretty new in this market, and the publishers want to keep things as simple as possible.

Zoom – The integration master

There are 2,363 apps in the Zoom app marketplace, of which 2,142 are just for Zoom Meetings. We declare Zoom the clear winner in this department.

There is little chance of not finding the integration you need. There are apps from absolutely all categories including financial, productivity, CRM, communication, office, and many others.

4. Pricing

While Zoom has a free version, GoTo Meeting only has a 14-days demo for the product.

GoTo Meeting has a professional plan starting from $12/organizer/month which can set the limit to 150 participants per meeting.

Zoom has a $14.99 Pro account that offers 5 GB of cloud storage, 30-hour meetings with up to 100 attendees, and some premium apps for free for 1 year.

Both have additional plans that you can explore further on their respective websites.

GoTo Meeting vs Zoom conclusion

Both apps are great for web conferencing, but GoTo Meeting lacks file transfer capabilities.

Also, Zoom has a free version that can be used for personal needs, while GoTo Meeting only comes with a limited demo.

Also, GoTo Meeting lacks a lot of integrations, and Zoom excels in that department. However, GoTo Meeting has advanced encryption capabilities, making it great for corporate usage.

Overall, Zoom comes up as a winner, but it all comes down to testing them yourself and finding the best match for your needs.

If you’re still undecided, you may also check our selection of the most secure web conferencing tools.

Which one did you choose? Let us know in the comments section below.

Portcls.sys BSOD: 3 Ways to Quickly Fix It

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Blue Screen of Death errors can cause many problems, and often a single file, such as portcls.sys, can cause BSOD to occur. We also have an extensive guide to BSOD causes that might provide useful information.

If this happens, your PC will crash and restart, and you’ll lose any unsaved data. The main problem is that these errors can occur randomly, so fixing them can be tricky.

In today’s guide, we will focus on fixing errors caused by portcls.sys, so join us while we take a closer look.

Why does portcls.sys blue screen occur?

There are several causes for this issue, with the following ones being the most common:

  • Bad drivers – An incompatible driver will cause this issue to appear. Updating or removing that driver usually fixes this problem.
  • Incompatible software –In some instances, certain software will cause this issue to appear on your PC. Once you remove the software, the issue will be gone.

How can I fix errors caused by portcls.sys?

1. Update your audio drivers

  1. Visit your motherboard or sound card manufacturer’s website.
  2. Locate the model of your device and go to the Drivers & Utility section.
  3. Now locate the audio drivers and click the Download button.
  4. Once the driver is downloaded, run the setup file to install it.

Many reported that Realtek devices are the problem, so if you have them, be sure to update Realtek audio drivers to the latest version to fix this issue.

In order to do so, you can always count on Outbyte Driver Updater to manage and update any drivers from your PC and thus solve Blue Screen issues like this one.

It will practically scan the Windows system and then detect the broken or outdated driver. Afterward, you can just press a button and update them right away.

2. Uninstall problematic drivers

  1. Press Windows key + X and choose Device Manager.
  2. Now locate the device that you want to uninstall. Right-click it and choose Uninstall device.
  3. Next, check the Remove driver software for this device if available and click on Uninstall.

     
  4. Restart your PC.

According to users, an audio driver can cause this problem, but sometimes the Oculus Rift S drivers can also be responsible. If you’re using Oculus Rift, keep it disconnected or download the latest driver.

3.  Uninstall Armoury Crate software

  1. Press Windows key + X and choose Apps and features.
  2. Locate the Armoury Crate software on the list and click Uninstall.
  3. Follow the instructions on the screen to remove it properly.

Uninstalling Armoury Crate can help you fix other issues like AsIO3.sys; read this guide to learn more solutions.

Do keep in mind that other software can also cause this issue, so if you have updated or installed any new software recently, remove it and check if that solves the problem.

As you can see, portcls.sys crash can be easily fixed as long as you find the culprit. In most cases, updating your drivers or removing the software is enough.

If you’re still having this problem, our Realtek audio driver keeps crashing could give you some insights, so be sure to check it out.

What method did you use to fix this problem? Let us know in the comments section below.

This Operation Requires an Interactive Window Station [Fix]

Posted on by Cesar Cadenas

This Operation Requires an Interactive Window Station is a rather strange error. Software windows allowing users to interact with an app are not opening, and you’ll need to enable them.

This error has been connected to the PrintNightmare vulnerability from 2021. However, it persists to this day affecting drivers for your computer and devices. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to fix.

Why does this error occur in the first place?

Before getting into how to fix this error, it’s important to list what causes it. That way, you can take the necessary steps to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

  • Corrupt files are messing with your computer’s files – Corruption can be caused by a variety of things from malware to power outages. It’s recommended that you run an SFC scan.
  • You have an overzealous antivirus app – Antivirus software can sometimes block other apps from working properly. You may need to either temporarily disable the software or uninstall it.
  • The latest Windows 11 update is faulty – To solve this, it’s recommended that you roll back the last Windows update until Microsoft fixes it. The company has a series of instructions on how to do this.
  • Your profile has insufficient permissions – If your user account doesn’t have the correct administrator-level permissions, several functions will be disabled for you.

How do I fix this Interactive Window Station error?

There are many different ways you can try out to tackle the Interactive Window Station error. If the easier ones don’t work, try out one of the complex solutions:

  • The first thing you should do is disable your antivirus software, as mentioned earlier. See if that works. And if does, your best bet is to uninstall the app and get something else instead.
  • Assuming you have a backed-up version of Windows 11, we recommend performing a System Restore to bring your computer back to that earlier build.
  • You can also try resetting Windows 11 back to its factory settings, but this should only be done as a last-ditch effort. It is possible, however, to save your files so nothing gets lost in the process.

1. Modify default driver installation behavior

  1. Launch the Windows 11 Registry Editor. Select Yes if a User Access Control window asks if you want to make changes.
  2. Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, open the following folders: Software, Policies, then Microsoft.
  3. Open the Windows NT folder, then expand Printers and PointAndPrint right after.
  4. Right-click the RestrictDriverInstallationToAdministrator D-Word and select Modify.
  5. Change the set value to its opposite. If it’s 1, switch the value 0. If it’s 0, change it to 1.

Setting the value to 1 forces the computer to require administrator permission to install print drivers. Setting it to 0 gets rid of this requirement. See if changing the value solves the problem.

2. Gain admin permissions through File Explorer

  1. Launch the File Explorer. Copy and paste the following address to the window: c:\Windows\System32
  2. Locate the drivers folder, right-click it, and select Properties in the context menu.
  3. In the Properties window, go to the Security tab. Click the Advanced button at the bottom.
  4. Click Change next to TrustedInstaller.
  5. In the textbox at the bottom, enter administrators. Then click the Check Names button.
  6. Next, click OK. On the following window, select Apply, then OK.
  7. Close the Properties window by selecting OK.
  8. Do the same thing to the DriverStore and DRVSTORE folders.

3. Gain admin permissions via Command Prompt

  1. This is an alternative to the previous solution. First, bring up the Command Prompt in the Windows 11 Search bar. Select Run as administrator.
  2. Run the following command: takeown /f "C:\Windows\System32\drivers" /r /d y
  3. Give Command Prompt enough time to finish.
  4. Next, run the following command: icacls "C:\Windows\System32\drivers" /grant administrators:F /T
  5. It’s possible to do the same to the DriverStore and DRVSTORE folders. For the former, run the following commands back to back: takeown /f "C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore" /r /d y icacls "C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore" /grant administrators:F /T
  6. For the DRVSTORE folder, run these commands: takeown /f "C:\Windows\System32\DRVSTORE" /r /d y icacls "C:\Windows\System32\DRVSTORE" /grant administrators:F /T

4. Perform a clean boot

  1. Launch the Windows 11 System Configuration.
  2. Under the General tab, click Selective startup.
  3. Uncheck Load startup items, then go to the Services tab.
  4. In the Services tab, click the box next to Hide all Microsoft services and the Disable all button.
  5. Now go to the Startup tab. Click Open Task Manager.
  6. Inside Task Manager, disable all startup items currently enabled.
  7. Close the Task Manager to return to the System Configuration window.
  8. Click OK, then restart your computer.

After the clean boot, re-enable the startup apps one by one. See if the problem returns. If it does, uninstall that app or contact your computer’s manufacturer.

5. Reinstall drivers

  1. Launch the Device Manager.
  2. Right-click the entry for the problematic device. Select Scan for hardware changes. Give your computer enough time to finish up.
  3. Once done, expand that entry and select Update Drivers.

What can I do if I get the Blue Screen of Death after installing drivers?

If you get the Blue Screen of Death after an update, you probably have some faulty drivers. Immediately roll back the drivers, which you can do via the Device Manager.

It’s also recommended that you run an SFC scan to clear any corruption that might have occurred. And if you’re a gamer, try not to overclock your computer, as this is another cause.

Speaking of the Blue Screen of Death, you should learn how to resolve Error Code 0x00000024. Conflicting apps can cause this. Perform a clean boot, identify the problematic software, and uninstall the

Feel free to comment below if you have other Sticky Notes problems. Also, leave comments below about reviews you’d like to see or information on other native Windows 11 software.

Windows Vs Windows Server: How are They Different?

Posted on by Srishti Sisodia

Microsoft offers different versions of operating systems, including Windows and Windows Server. These operating systems are similar as they share the same code but are used for distinct tasks.

This guide will explain what Windows Server is, compare Windows vs. Windows Server, and explore their differences. 

What is Windows Server?

Windows Server is a server operating system designed by Microsoft. It can run on servers and provide a platform for running applications, managing network resources, and storing data. 

It offers a range of features, including file and print services, web server services, directory services, and virtualization. 

Organizations of different sizes use this operating system version to support several business apps and services, such as web apps, cloud services, databases, and more. The latest version of Windows Server is Windows Server 2022.

Windows vs. Windows Server What are the differences? 

1. User Interface

One of the most significant differences is the user interface of Windows 10/11. The latest Windows version is specifically for personal computers. It has a graphical user interface optimized for touch and keyboard/mouse input. 

However, Windows Server manages servers remotely using Windows tools such as PowerShell and Remote Desktop. The user interface of this operating system is not user-friendly and specifically designed for administration. It is ideal for server administrators who prefer a command-line interface.

2. Hardware support

Windows 10 is designed to run on low-end laptops and high-end gaming PCs. It is consumer-oriented and optimized to use graphics cards and gaming peripherals. 

On the other hand, Windows Server is optimized for server-class hardware, like large amounts of RAM and high-end processors. It also supports hardware features such as hot-swappable hard drives and redundant power supplies, which are not available with the Windows 10 version. 

3. Workloads

Windows Server is precisely developed for server workloads. Therefore it includes tools and features such as Hyper-V( create and manage virtual machines), which are not available with Windows 10/11. 

Windows Server also has tools to manage Active Directory, which organizes user accounts, security groups, and other network resources.

 In contrast, Windows 10 is primarily used for personal computing tasks, such as browsing the web, running productivity applications, and playing games.

4. Licensing

Windows vs Windows Server

Windows 10/11 is a standalone product with one license per device. However, the license for Windows Server is based on the number of processors and cores of the server, with a minimum of eight cores required per processor. So, the cost of licensing Windows Server is relatively high compared to Windows 10.

5. Security

Credential guard Windows vs Windows Server

Windows 10/11 has basic security features such as Windows Defender and BitLocker encryption. However, Along with these basic features, Windows Server also comes with some additional features such as Credential Guard(protect against pass-the-hash attacks), Just Enough Administration(delegate administration for anything managed by PowerShell), and NAP( enforce compliance with network health policies) to secure the servers.

6. Updates and support

Microsoft regularly releases monthly updates for Windows 10/11, which aim to fix bugs, introduce new features, and enhance performance. The Windows Update feature in the Settings app automatically installs these updates.

Windows Server also receives regular updates but is not frequently released as they require more testing before being installed in the production environment. Also, Windows Server has a longer support lifecycle than Windows. 

For example, you can review the official Windows Server 2016 end of life timeline to understand how Microsoft handles extended support for its server products.

7. File sharing 

Windows comes with basic file-sharing features allowing users to share files and folders over a network. In addition, it supports the SMB protocol for file sharing, which enables users to access shared files and folders from any device on the network. 

Windows Server comes with advanced file-sharing features, including Access-based Enumeration (allows users to see only the files and folders they have permission to access), Distributed File System (creates a logical view of file shares distributed across multiple servers as a single shared folder), and File Server Resource Manager( manage and classify data stored on file servers)

8. Storage 

Windows has basic storage capabilities, and it supports NTFS and FAT file systems for storing data on hard drives and external storage devices. In addition, it provides essential software-based RAID support for data redundancy. 

Windows Server provides more advanced storage capabilities. For example, it comes with Storage Spaces (which create virtual disks by grouping physical disks together), Storage QoS (which manages the performance of storage resources), and Data Deduplication (which removes duplicate data).  

9. Scalability 

Windows is scalable, but you can only use it on a single device. You can install it on a wide range of hardware but only for personal and home use. 

In contrast, Windows Server is highly scalable, allowing businesses to add or remove hardware resources easily. In addition, you can install it on multiple servers and use it to manage large-scale networks and data centers. This makes it ideal for businesses that require flexible IT infrastructure.

10. Remote access 

Windows has essential remote access tools designed for home and personal use. An inbuilt feature is Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), which enables you to access computers from remote locations and connect to other devices via the Internet. 

On the other hand, Windows Server provides robust remote access capabilities through Remote Desktop Services (RDS). The feature enables administrators to securely manage and deliver remote desktops, applications, and services to users over the Internet or a corporate network.

Further, Windows Server also comes with other remote access features, including Virtual Private Network (VPN) and DirectAccess, delivering secure remote connectivity to corporate networks. If you’re just starting out, you can check out some of the cheapest Windows servers.

In conclusion, Microsoft developed Windows and Windows Server, which are two distinct operating system versions for different purposes.

In conclusion, Microsoft developed Windows and Windows Server, which are two distinct operating system versions for different purposes.

They share a few similarities but significantly differ in workload, features, functionality, licensing, and support timelines. If you are planning a migration, it helps to review our full guide on Windows Server 2019 EOL to better prepare for the upcoming changes.

They share a few similarities but significantly differ in workload, features, functionality, licensing, etc. If you have any questions or concerns about Windows vs. Windows Server, please mention them in the comments section below. 

NET HELPMSG 2250: What is & How to Fix It

Posted on by Sagar Naresh

Multiple user reports regarding the NET HELPMSG 2250 pop-up when a user tries to map network drives for a user account. The full message reads The network connection could not be found. More help is available by typing net HELPMSG 2250

Follow the steps below to fix it and check out possible reasons why it might happen:

How can I fix the NET HELPMSG 2250 error?

Start by restarting your PC and router and make sure your PC is properly connected to the network. With these out of the way, let’s get right to it

1. Restart the Server service

  1. Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialogue.
  2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
  3. Locate the Server service.
  4. Double-click to open it.
  5. Under Startup type, select Automatic from the drop-down menu.
  6. Under Service status, select Start.
  7. Click Apply and OK.
  8. Restart your PC.

Whenever there is a network-related issue, such as the NET HELPMSG 2250 error in Windows 10 or other OS versions, you should ensure that the Server service is running without any issues.

2. Tweak the Registry Editor

  1. Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialogue.
  2. Type regedit and press Enter.
  3. Navigate to the below path. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\MountPoints2
  4. Delete the server registry subkey.
  5. Close Registry Editor.
  6. Restart your PC.

This solution was suggested by one user on a forum and has helped several users fix the NET HELPMSG 2250 error in Windows 10 PC.

You can also try to delete the said registry key. However, you should ensure that you have taken a registry backup to always revert to the normal state in case things go south.

Even if you do not have a registry backup, we have you covered. You can check out our guide that explains 4 methods to restore the registry without registry backup.

3. Restart the Workstation service

  1. Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialogue.
  2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
  3. Locate the Workstation service.
  4. Open the service by double-clicking on it.
  5. Select the Startup type as Automatic from the drop-down.
  6. Also, hit the Start button for Service status.
  7. Click Apply and OK.
  8. Restart your PC.

The workstation service ensures smooth communication between the local computer and the network servers. You should make sure that the Workstation service is running.

4. Disable Windows Firewall

  1. Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
  2. Type Windows Defender Firewall and open it.
  3. Click on the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall on or off option from the left pane.
  4. Check the radio buttons for Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) options for Public and Private networks, respectively.
  5. Click OK.
  6. Restart your PC.

Several users were able to fix the network-related issues, such as the NET HELPMSG 2250 error on their Windows PCs. Often the Firewall can block certain network-related activities as it seems there are chances of threat injection.

We would suggest you run on the Defender Firewall once the operation is completed, as this will protect your PC from foreign virus attacks.

5. Restore your PC

  1. Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
  2. Type Create a restore point and open the appropriate option.
  3. Select the System Restore button.
  4. Click the Next button.
  5. Choose the restore point.
  6. Click Next.
  7. Click Finish.
  8. This will begin the system restore process on your PC.

If nothing works, it is better to revert to the normal state when everything was working smoothly, and you aren’t facing the NET HELPMSG 2250 error.

You can use the System Restore process and follow the above steps to restore your PC. Note that the system restores will work only when you already have a system restore point. You can refer to our guide explaining how to create a system restore point.

What causes NET HELPMSG 2250?

  • You aren’t the admin: Chances are that your account does not have sufficient privileges on your network segment.
  • Server instability: The server that you are trying to map isn’t available at the moment or the server might be inactive.
  • Network connectivity issues: Since the NET HELPMSG 2250 is a network connectivity-related problem, there are chances that the network between your PC and the remote device isn’t perfect.
  • Firewall is conflicting: Often, Firewall or third-party antivirus software can cause issues with the network and block certain operations.

That is it from us in this guide. You can also check out our guide that explains how you can easily fix the Net Helpmsg 3547 error.

If you are facing the NET HELPMSG 2184 error, our guide lists many solutions that will help you fix the problem.

Our guide on resolving the NET HELPMSG 3521 error has helped several users facing the issue on their PC. It is a Windows update error.

We also have a guide on how you can easily fix the NET HELPMSG 2185 error and the NET HELPMSG 3534 error.

Let us know in the comments below which one of the above solutions resolved the NET HELPMSG 2250 error.

Zoom Plugin for Outlook is Not Working: 6 Ways to Fix It

Posted on by Srishti Sisodia

If you have encountered the Zoom plugin for Outlook not working issue, this guide can help! We will discuss some of the tested fixes to resolve the issue right after examining the causes. Let’s start!  


Why is the Zoom plugin for Outlook not working?

There could be several reasons for the plugin not working; some of the common reasons for the same: 

  • Outdated Outlook app – If your Outlook desktop app is outdated, you might face all kinds of issues, including this one. Make sure the app doesn’t have pending updates. 
  • Plugin not installed properly – If the plugin is not installed correctly, chances are you can use it. However, it is advised to reinstall to ensure that it is working. 
  • Plugin is not compatible – If the addin installed is incompatible with the version of Outlook, then you might face this error. Check updates for the plugin installed and make sure they are installed. 
  • Conflict with other addins – One or more plugins installed for your Outlook might prevent the Zoom plugin from working. Ensure all the unnecessary plugins are disabled. 
  • Zoom plugin disabled – If the plugin is added but is not enabled, then you might be able to use it. Make sure the plugin is installed and enabled. 
  • Internet connection or firewall settings – If there is an issue with firewall settings or network connection, the plugin might not be able to establish a connection with the Zoom servers, hence the issue. 

What can I do if the Zoom plugin for Outlook is not working?

Before moving to the troubleshooting steps, make sure you go through these preliminary checks: 

  • Check for internet connection and firewall settings. 
  • Restart your computer
  • Restart Outlook
  • If you are using OWA, then make sure you are not using the incognito mode of the browser. 

1. Update the Zoom plugin 

  1. Visit the Download Center to update the Outlook plugin.Plugin outlook zoom outlook plugin not working
  2. Click the Download button under Zoom Plugin for Microsoft Outlook.
  3. Follow the onscreen instructions to download and install. 

2. Reinstall the Zoom plugin 

  1. Go to File.File Outlook zoom outlook plugin not working
  2. Click Manage Add-ins.Manage addins
  3. Select My add-ins, locate the Zoom plugin, click three dots, and select Remove.Manage
  4. Go to the Zoom website, and download the plugin. Plugin outlook zoom outlook plugin not working
  5. As the download is complete, double-click the downloaded file to initiate the installation process. 
  6. Click Next on the Zoom Outlook Plugin wizard.Click NExt Setup zoom outlook plugin not working
  7. Select the location where you want to install the plugin and click Next.Next Step 2
  8. Again click Next.REAL NEXT 3
  9. Open Outlook and check if the plugin is working now. 

3. Check the settings 

  1. Open Outlook and click on the File menu. 
  2. Click Options.options outlook
  3. Select Add-ins.Manage GO
  4. On the next page, under the Manage drop-down menu, choose COM Add-ins and click Go. 
  5. Check if the Zoom Outlook plugin is there and enabled. If not, select it and click OK.  Select and click Add or OK
  6. Close and relaunch the app to check if it worked. 

4. Reconfigure your connection 

  1. Go to your Zoom profile.
  2. Scroll down the page and select Others. Configure
  3. Click Configure Calendar and Contacts Service. 
  4. From the next page, select Microsoft 365.office select zoom outlook plugin not working
  5. Click Authorize.Authorize

5. Enable the all connected experiences option 

  1. On Outlook, go to File, then click Options. options outlook
  2. Click General, then select Privacy settings. General zoom outlook plugin not working
  3. Under Connected Experiences, locate Turn on all connected experiences and place a checkmark next to it. Turn on
  4. Click OK and restart Outlook. 

6. Contact Outlook Support

zoom outlook plugin not working

If nothing has worked for you so far, you must contact the Outlook Support team and explain your issue. Also, tell them about all the steps you took to resolve the issue; this will help them understand the situation. They can help you with other troubleshooting methods to fix the problem.

You can follow these methods to troubleshoot the Zoom plugin for Outlook not working issue. If we have missed something that helped you fix the error, please mention that in the comments section below. 

Atom vs Visual Studio Code: Which one’s Better for You?

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

When it comes to development, Visual Studio Code stands as the most popular cross-platform code editor, especially for web developers. However, many wonder how Atom compares to Visual Studio Code.

Both applications share many similarities, so this comparison comes naturally for users. Picking the best software isn’t always simple or easy, and this is where this guide might come in handy.

So join us while we compare these two applications to determine which is better for you.

Is Atom still relevant?

Unfortunately, Atom isn’t in development anymore, and the developers announced last year that the project will get archived on December 15, 2022.

Although the software is still available for download, it’s not under active development, so don’t expect to get new features or updates.

Why is Atom shutting down?

According to the developers, the software had no significant feature development for several years. In addition, with the development of cloud-based tools, community involvement declined significantly.

As a result, developers decided to abandon the project and focus on GitHub Codespaces.

Atom vs Visual Studio Code, here are the biggest differences

User interface

The first thing you notice when you start Atom is its simple user interface. You have the folder tree on the left, and your open files on the right. The interface is minimalistic and it will allow you to focus on your code.

The software also has integrated GitHub support, and you can access GitHub from the hidden pane on the right. Thanks to this feature, you can easily host files on GitHub. We found Atom’s interface useful but a bit basic for our needs.

On the other hand, Visual Studio Code has a similar interface with the folder tree on the left and open files on the right. The software also has a panel on the bottom that can be used for debugging or as a terminal.

Overall, although both applications offer great user interfaces, we found Visual Code to offer more features and customization options.

Performance

In terms of performance, both applications were light on our resources and didn’t cause any performance issues on slowdowns.

As for memory usage, Visual Studio Code with multiple extensions did use a bit more memory, but the memory usage difference is negligible.

In terms of performance, we can say that both applications are evenly matched, but Atom can get sluggish after installing multiple plugins.

Functionality

As for functionality, both applications offer similar features. However, Visual Studio Code has several benefits.

For starters, it has a built-in debugger, IntelliSense for code competition, and code hinting. Of course, there’s also GitHub integration available.

On the other hand, Atom doesn’t have a debugger or IntelliSense available out of the box, and if you want to use those features, you’ll need to add them using extensions.

However, GitHub support is available out of the box. Atom seems minimalistic in terms of features, whereas Visual Studio Code is more of an out-of-the-box solution that requires less configuration.

Extensions

Both applications support extensions and themes, allowing you to customize the software in functionality and appearance.

You can search for extensions from the left sidebar with Visual Studio Code. The marketplace has thousands of extensions, and you’ll surely find anything you seek.

Once you select the desired extension, you can read its description in the right pane to learn exactly what it does and how to configure it.

If you don’t prefer using the sidebar, you can also visit Visual Studio Marketplace in your browser and search for the desired extensions there.

As for Atom, during our testing, we couldn’t search for or download any extensions. The software supports them, but we encountered issues while searching for them.

It’s worth mentioning that Atom extensions offer much more in terms of functionality, and this is why many have dubbed it a hackable text editor.

However, due to the simplicity and multiple ways to install extensions, we have to mention that Visual Studio Code seems like a better option in this regard.

Should I use VS Code or Atom?

Both applications have similarities, and in a way, Atom was a spiritual predecessor of Visual Studio Code. Visual Studio offers a better interface and more features out of the box, and in our opinion, it’s a better choice for all types of developers.

Another deciding factor is the active development, and since Atom has been discontinued and won’t be getting any new features or improvements, Visual Studio Code remains the only option.

If you want to get familiar with this software, why not start with our guide on how to open multiple files in Visual Studio Code?

What is your code editor of choice? Let us know in the comments section below.

Error 0x8004100e: What is It & How to Fix It

Posted on by Henderson Jayden Harper

Many of our readers have reported the error 0x8004100E appearing on their PCs at intervals while performing tasks on it. The error indicates the Microsoft BitLocker Administration and Monitoring (MBAM) client has failed. Hence, this article will help fix the error 0x8004100E.

However, you may be interested in our guide about what to do if BitLocker keeps asking for password on your PC.

What causes the Error 0x8004100e?

Several factors can cause the error code 0x8004100e to appear on your PC. Some are:

  • BitLocker WMI class (win32_encryptablevolume) is not registered – The error can occur due to the BitLocker WMI class not being configured on your PC. It prevents the services relying on it from accessing and causes the computer not to communicate with the MBAM server. Hence, it fails to send the encryption status data.
  • Cluttered Windows Registry – A clustered or unorganized Windows Registry can cause errors. It prompts the registry keys needed for the communication between the MBAM server and the computer to be unreadable.
  • Faulty entries of non-existent programs – Improper software uninstallation can cause missing or corrupt entries from the non-existent program. Also, it can cause missing files that were accidentally deleted from the registry to corrupt system files and cause the system to malfunction.

These factors may vary on different computers. Nevertheless, this guide will take you through effective ways to resolve the 0x8004100e error message on your PC.

How can I fix Error 0×8004100e?

Before proceeding with any advanced troubleshooting steps, go through the following:

  • Turn off background apps running on your PC.
  • Temporarily disabling third-party antivirus software.
  • Restart Windows in Safe Mode and check if the error persists.
  • Install a Registry cleaner – Use registry cleaner software to scan for clustered keys if the above steps are not working.

If you can’t resolve the error, try the solutions below:

1. Perform a clean boot

  1. Press Windows + R key to open the Run dialog box, type msconfig, and click OK.
  2. Select the Services tab and check the box for the Hide all Microsoft services option, then click the Disable all button.
  3. Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
  4. Click on the startup programs and tap the Disable button.
  5. Restart your PC and check if the error persists.

Performing a Clean Boot prevents selected programs and services from running on startup. Hence, it resolves any interference they may cause the Microsoft BitLocker Administration and Monitoring (MBAM) client.

Read about other methods for removing Startup programs on Windows PC.

2. Re-register the BitLocker WMI (win32_encryptablevolume) class

  1. Left-click the Start button, type Command Prompt, and click the Run as administrator option.
  2. Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
  3. Copy and paste the following commands and press Enter: mofcomp.exe c:\windows\system32\wbem\win32_encryptablevolume.mof

Re-registering the BitLocker WMI (win32_encryptablevolume) class refreshes its process and compiles its files. Check quick fixes if you can’t run the Command Prompt as an administrator on Windows 11.

The above steps will allow MBAM to send encryption status data to MBAM Compliance Database on SQL Server without errors.

Conclusively, you may be interested in our comprehensive about how to fix a BitLocker Fatal Error during startup in Windows 11.

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

LastPass vs RoboForm: Here’s What Our Tests Revealed

Posted on by Afam Onyimadu

The battle between password managers is heating up as competition rises. A LastPass vs. RoboForm debate has been brewing, and the jury is still out on who wins.

So, we decided to dig in for ourselves, and after a series of tests, we have some news good enough for anyone who is split between password managers.

In this article, we will show you all our findings, and hopefully, it will inform your decision. Straight off the hat, let’s tell you, it may be a difficult choice since they both have some exciting, valuable features.

What is LastPass?

LastPass, developed by LastPass Inc., is a tool that helps users generate, store, and securely manage passwords and other confidential data.

Its design makes it easy for users to generate complex, secure passwords and credentials for all their online accounts. It uses a vault secured by a Master Password and other forms of authentication to store all of this information.

Its key features include the following:

What is RoboForm?

Like LastPass, RoboForm is also a Password Manager, and it helps users store, generate, and secure their passwords and online credentials.

lastpass vs roboform

It stores all this information in a secure vault protected by a master password. Besides passwords, some of its private data could include credit card information and personal identification documents.

Its key features include the following:

  • One-click logins
  • Offline access
  • Auto password capture
  • Multi-factor authentication

This only scratches the surface of these two robust tools, but before we dive into our comparisons, let us introduce you to how we tested them.

LastPass vs. RoboForm: Our testing methodology

You may wonder how we got to these conclusions. We used a set of key factors that helped us come to reasonable conclusions as we evaluated each Password Manager.

Some of the elements we focused on were:

  • Compatibility – Since we know you would need the tools for a range of devices, we devised to install them on several devices, watching out for bugs and evaluating the ease of use and the general user experience.
  • Security – As you can imagine, this comes tops in priorities for a tool that manages your passwords. So, we assessed their effectiveness and strength, especially regarding their audits, authentication, and security features.
  • Ease of use – No one wants to be stuck with a powerful tool that is not easily manipulated. So, we evaluated essential functions like secure sharing, filling login forms, and creating and managing credentials.
FeatureLastPassRoboForm
Browser integrationYesYes
Password managementYesYes
Two-factor authenticationYesYes
Auto-fill formsYesYes
Password generationYesYes
Secure password sharingYesYes
Dark web monitoringYesNo
Security dashboardYesNo
Password inheritanceYesNo
Security challengeYesNo
Contact management and form fillingNoYes
Application login supportNoYes
Local-only storage optionNoYes
Ability to create custom fieldsNoYes

That said, here is all we found evaluating both password tools.

LastPass vs RoboForm: How do they stack up against each other

1. Security

As a Password Manager, you may expect security to determine whether it is worth a second thought. We, however, have split this into 3 essential groups that we discuss now.

1.1 Encryption

Both tools use the AES-256 encryption standard. This is as good as it can get as far as securing private data and passwords is concerned. This standard is the symmetric block cipher deployed by the United States to encrypt classified data.

They, however, take this a step further. RoboForm adopts PBKDF2 with a hundred thousand iterations in generating each unique key for your data. On the other hand, LastPass has adopted PBKDF2-SHA256 and salted hashing.

It was hard to fault this encryption, so we are split here.

1.2 Third-party security auditing

Numerous individual bodies, including NCC Group and Cure53, have separately done security audits of Lastpass. They have unanimously given the password manager a good ranking for their privacy and security. However, LastPass notified users on their official blog about a security incident where a malicious actor obtained technical information and source code.

RoboForm also completed a third-party security audit and penetration test by Secfault Security, and the results were positive. They have covered all aspects of the RoboForm platform, including the Windows and macOS desktop client, the Android and iOS mobile apps, the web portals, and the browser extensions.

1.3 Privacy policy

We consider both tools to have a very robust privacy policy. Most users skip over going through this long reading, but we could say that they both perfectly outline how your data is collected, stored, and used.

TrustArc awarded LastPass the TRUSTe Privacy Certification after they subjected the company to a full privacy audit. So if you are using LastPass, this should help put your mind at ease.

In RoboForm’s privacy policy, you have a clear outline of robust protection of data as well as very elaborate laws to show restrictions in data sharing with third parties.

2. Usability

They both have very friendly user interfaces. They are easy to navigate, and even as a first-timer, it feels intuitive enough to locate features and other vital functions easily.

You can create and manage passwords easily, regardless of your device. Both services’ automatic fill-in form removes the stress of creating or storing passwords after use.

We, however, concede a slight edge to LastPass because its auto-fill and password-generating functions seem to work better across more browsers and devices.

lastpass vs roboform

3. Password-sharing functions

If you work in an organization, password-sharing becomes increasingly important, especially when users are on shared accounts across different services.

Both services offer secure password sharing for friends, families, or trusted entities. However, again, LastPass edges its competitor in this aspect. It offers the ability to have different access levels to a single password and the possibility of revoking a shared credential.

This sort of administrator status often comes in handy when many people need access to a password, but you need it for specific periods.

4. Compatibility

We touched on this factor a bit when we discussed ease of use. We should start by saying that LastPass and RoboForm offer services over various platforms and devices.

You should have a good experience regardless of the service you pick on Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices. But you may expect more features from LastPass on different devices.

5. Price

Finally, we come to the pricing, which is a very practical factor, because no matter how badly you want it, if you can not afford it, it would not matter.

LastPass comes in 3 plans. The first is the free plan. This is probably the most used plan. As you can expect, it comes with a limited set of features, but often, these features may be enough to get by.

Some features in the free plan include unlimited passwords, 1 user account, access on 1 device type, save and autofill passwords, etc.

The paid plans start at $3.00 per month, billed annually for the Premium plan, and $4.00 per month, billed annually for the Families plan. The features you need should determine if you go for a free or paid subscription.

On the other hand, we have RoboForm, which offers two different pricing categories, a Personal and a Businesses category.

The Personal category has a free plan where you should be able to enjoy features like Unlimited logins, Fill web forms, Multi-platform support, Strong encryption, etc. The Businesses category ranges from $25.95 to $39.95 per year/user.

The winner of this category is your budget and what you consider better value for money.

Ultimately, we believe these are two solid password managers anyone should be interested in. We, however, think that LastPass slightly edges its competitor in this LastPass vs. RoboForm debate.

It may be your choice if you think your work is across multiple devices or platforms. Ultimately, we also love the pricing flexibility of RoboForm and believe that this is a strong enough attraction for its services.

That is as much as we will be sharing in this guide. We are, however, very curious to know what decision you will make. Please keep us informed in the comments section below.

And in case you want other options, our comparison of Lastpass and Google Smart Lock may interest you.

How to Fix EasyAntiCheat.sys Blue Screen of Death

Posted on by Srishti Sisodia

If you get a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) from the EasyAntiCheat client, this guide is for you. Common causes of this include corruption, antivirus interference, corrupt system files, and outdated graphics drivers.

We’ll show you how to fix the issue and get your game running smoothly again.

What can I do to fix the EasyAntiCheat.sys blue screen error?

First, restart your PC. If the error persists, temporarily disable your antivirus and uninstall recent software. Still getting a BSOD? Follow the advanced steps below.

1. Delete/Repair EasyAntiCheat.sys file

1.1 Delete EasyAntiCheat.sys file

  1. Press Windows + E to open Windows Explorer.
  2. Switch to the View tab, click Show more, and select Hidden Items. Hidden items easyanticheat.sys
  3. Now follow this path:C:\Program Files(x86)\Easy Anti Cheat\easyanticheat.sysAnticheat delete
  4. Select the file and click the Delete icon.
  5. Close Windows Explorer. 

1.2 Repair/Reinstall EasyAntiCheat Software

  1. Launch Steam. Go to the game, right-click it, and select Properties. Game properties easyanticheat.sys
  2. Now go to the Local files tab, and click Browse Local Files.Browse local files
  3. Select, right-click EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe, and click Run as administrator.
  4. Choose the game which crashed from the list and click Repair Service.Repair Service
  5. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.
  6. If this didn’t help, repeat the same steps, and instead of Repair, select Uninstall. Uninstall easyanticheat.sys
  7. Now reinstall the game and check if it fixes the issue.

2. Use the Command Prompt

  1. Press the Windows key, type CMD, and click Run as administrator.CMD elevated easyanticheat.sys
  2. Type the following command to repair system files and press Enter : sfc/scannow
  3. Copy and paste the following commands one by one to repair the Windows image, and press Enter after every command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthCMD DISM & SFC
  4. Restart your computer to let the changes take effect. 

3. Run Disk Cleanup

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run console.Cleanmgr Run command
  2. Type cleanmgr and click OK to open Disk Cleanup.
  3. Select C drive on the Disk Cleanup: Drive Selection and click OK.Cleanmgr 2 easyanticheat.sys
  4. Click Clean up system files. Clean up
  5. Again choose C drive in the Disk Cleanup: Drive Selection and click OK.
  6. Select all the files under Files to delete and click OK.Cleanmgr 4 easyanticheat.sys
  7. Click Delete Files. Cleanmgr 5

4. Run Windows memory diagnostic tool 

  1. Press the Windows key, type Windows Memory Diagnostic, and click Open. Windows diagnostic tool
  2. Click Restart now and check for problems.memory-diag-tool 3 easyanticheat.sys
  3. The computer will restart and the tool will run the memory test. memory-diag-tool
  4. You can change the test options by pressing F1.
  5. Once the scan is complete, you can check for errors under Event Viewer. 

5. Update the GPU drivers

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box. Device Manager RUN COMMAND
  2. Type devmgmt.msc and click OK to open the Device Manager. 
  3. Locate and double-click Display adapters.Graphics Driver update easyanticheat.sys
  4. Right-click the graphics driver, and click Update driver. 
  5. Click Search automatically for drivers. Update driver 2 easyanticheat.sys
  6. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process. 

In some cases, updating any drivers manually can be a tech-wise process and even cause BSoD issues due to problematic or incompatible driver versions.

Fortunately, there is a dedicated tool capable of finding the official drivers and updating them automatically on your PC.

⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

6. Run your computer in a clean boot environment

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box. CLEAN BOOT 1
  2. Type msconfig and click OK to open System Configuration.
  3. Go to the Services tab, place a checkmark next to Hide all Microsoft Services, and click Disable all.Clean BOOT 2 easyanticheat.sys
  4. Switch to the Startup tab, and click Open Task Manager. CLEAN BOOT 3
  5. Select all the Enabled items one by one and click Disable.Clean BOOT 4
  6. Close Task Manager and click Apply, then OK.CLEAN BOOT 5 easyanticheat.sys
  7. Click Restart when prompted to save the changes. msconfig restart prompt

7. Perform System Restore

  1. Press the Windows key, type Control Panel, and click Open.CP easyanticheat.sys
  2. Select View by as Large icons and click Recovery.Recovery Control Panel
  3. Click Open System Restore.Open system restore
  4. On the System Restore window, select Choose a different restore point and click Next.easyanticheat.sys Next Choose a different restore point
  5. Now select the restore point and click Next. Choose a point
  6. Click Finish.Finish Restore point

So, these are steps that you need to follow to fix EasyAntiCheat.sys BSOD error. If the BSoD is only on one game, check out our dedicated guide.

We also have a guide on Apex Legends Anti Cheat error, that is caused by this software, so don’t miss it.

If you have any other questions related to this blue screen of death, please mention them in the comments section below. 

ClipSp.sys: How to Fix This BSOD Error on Windows 10 & 11

Posted on by Srishti Sisodia

If you are greeted with a blue screen, and Your PC ran into a problem and needs to restart. We’re just collecting some error info, and then we’ll restart for you message, and the reason mentioned is ClipSp.sys, then this guide can help!

This usually occurs due to missing or corrupt Windows  System Recovery Disk or kernel mode driver. We will discuss some expert-recommended fixes to resolve this blue screen of death error.

What causes the ClipSp.sys BSOD error on Windows 10 and 11?

There could be various reasons why you ran into this BSOD error; some of the common ones are mentioned here: 

  • Malware infection  – If your computer is infected with viruses, you might get this BSOD error. To fix this, you must run a deep scan using a reliable antivirus tool.
  • Outdated Windows System Recovery disk device drivers – If Windows system recovery disk device drivers are outdated, corrupted, or misconfigured, you can get this blue screen of death error.
  • Corrupt system files – If the system files on your computer are damaged or missing, you might get this error. You need to run SFC scan to repair system files on your PC.
  • Third-party programs interference – Some third-party apps often interfere with your operating system’s default tasks and cause various issues, including this error. Uninstall all the recently installed third-party apps to check if it helps! 
  • Bad Windows update –  If the Windows update installed is corrupt or not installed correctly, then you might get this error. You need to uninstall the bad update to fix this error.

What can I do to fix the ClipSp.sys BSOD error on Windows 10 and 11?

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

1. Uninstall the Windows update

  1. Press the Windows key, type Control Panel, and click Open.CP Clipsp.sys
  2. Select View by as Category and click Programs. Programs
  3. Now under Programs and Features, click View installed updates. View installed updates
  4. Select the latest update and click Uninstall. Uninstall updates Clipsp.sys

2. Use the Command Prompt

2.1 Re-register Clipsp.sys

  1. Press the Windows key, type CMD, and click Run as administrator. CMD elevated
  2. Type the following command to unregister the file and press Enter: regsvr32 /u ClipSp.sys
  3. Copy and paste the following command to re-register the file and press Enter: regsvr32 /i ClipSp.sys

2.2 Run the SFC & DISM command

  1. Open Command Prompt with admin rights.
  2. Type the following command to repair system files and press Enter: sfc/scannowSFCSCANNOW CMD Clipsp.sys
  3. Copy and paste the following command to restore Windows Image and hit Enter: dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealthRestore health
  4. Restart your computer to let the changes take effect. 

3. Run a malware scan

  1. Press the Windows key, type Windows Security, and click Open. Windows Security open Clipsp.sys
  2. Go to Virus & threat protection and click Scan options. V& T
  3. Select Full scan and click Scan now.Full scan -
  4. Windows Security will start the scan and will list all the malicious files. Delete them when prompted to remove the viruses. 

4. Use DiskCleanup

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run console. Cleanmgr Run command
  2. Type cleanmgr and click OK to open Disk Cleanup.
  3. Select C drive on Disk Cleanup: Drive Selection and click OK. Cleanmgr 2
  4. Click Clean up system files. Cleanmgr 3 Clipsp.sys
  5. Select C drive on Disk Cleanup: Drive Selection and click OK. C
  6. Under files to delete, select all the content and click OK.Disk cleanup Clipsp.sys
  7. Now select Delete Files. Cleanmgr 5

5. Update device drivers

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box. Device Manager RUN COMMAND Clipsp.sys
  2. Type devmgmt.msc and click OK to open Device Manager. 
  3. Go to each category one by one and expand it. Select the driver listed one by one, right-click them, and choose Update driver.Graphics Driver update
  4. Select Search automatically for drivers.Update driver 2 Clipsp.sys
  5. Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process. 
  6. Repeat this process for the listed drivers.

6. Use the System Restore 

  1. Press the Windows key, type Control Panel, and click Open. 
  2. Select View by as Large icons and choose Recovery. Recovery Control Panel Clipsp.sys
  3. Click Open System Restore.Open system restore
  4. On the System Restore window, select Choose a different restore point and click Next. Next Choose a different restore point
  5. Select the restore point and click Next. Choose a point Clipsp.sys
  6. Now click Finish to initiate the process. Finish

7. Reset your PC

  1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Go to System, then click Recovery.System - recovery Clipsp.sys
  3. Under Recovery options, locate Reset this PC, then click Reset PC.Reset now
  4. On Choose an option screen, select Keep my files.Keep my files
  5. Next, on the How would you like to reinstall Windows screen, click Cloud download.Cloud download
  6. On the Additional Settings page, click Next.additonal settings
  7. Now click Reset to initiate the process. Reset Clipsp.sys

So, these are steps that you can take to fix the ClipSp.sys BSOD error on Windows 10/11. Try them and let us know what worked in the comments section below. 

What Does Error Code 0xc0000135 Mean & How to Fix it?

Posted on by Sagar Naresh

Multiple user reports say that Windows 11 users are facing the 0xc0000135 on their PCs. Because of this error 0xc0000135, users are unable to open any application and use them. This error has plagued several Windows 11 users.

For such users, this guide could be of help. Here, we will share a bunch of solutions to help you fix the Windows 11 app error 0xc0000135. We will also share with you what this error means and what causes it. So let us get right into it.

What is error 0xc0000135, and what causes it?

When you come across the error code 0xc0000135, you will encounter two error messages.

The application failed to initialize properly (0xc0000135). Click OK to terminate the application.

The application was unable to start correctly (0xc0000135). Click OK to terminate the application.

After some research, we have found some of the most common reasons that could trigger the Windows 11 app error 0xc0000135.

Let us look at solutions to help you fix the Windows 11 app error 0xc0000135.

How can I fix the Windows app error 0xc0000135?

1. Reinstall the program

  1. Open the Start menu by pressing the Win key.
  2. Open Control Panel.
  3. Click on Programs and Features.
  4. Select your program and click the Uninstall button at the top.
  5. Follow the on-screen prompts to uninstall the program from your PC.
  6. Open Microsoft Store or the website from where you have downloaded the app.
  7. Download and install the program.

Some applications files might have gone missing or did not install during the previous installation. In such a case, reinstalling the application makes sense as it will load all files from scratch.

2. Renable NET Framework and Windows Communication Foundation

  1. Open the Start menu by pressing the Win key.
  2. Open Command Prompt as an admin.
  3. Type the below commands and press Enter after each one. dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:netfx3 /all dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:WCF-HTTP-Activation dism /online /enable-feature /featurename:WCF-NonHTTP-Activation
  4. Wait for the process to complete.
  5. Restart your PC.

One user shared this solution on the official Microsoft forum to resolve the Windows 11 app error 0xc0000135.

3. Download the latest version of NET Framework

  1. Visit the official Microsoft website.
  2. Select the latest version of the NET Framework.
  3. Click on the NET Framework and download the file.
  4. Install the NET Framework on your PC.

You should ensure you have the latest version of NET Framework installed on your PC. This will not only help you fix the error 0xc0000135 but will also fix other associated errors.

4. Run Windows Apps troubleshooter

  1. Press the Win + I keys to open the Settings menu.
  2. Click on Troubleshoot.
  3. Select Other troubleshooters.
  4. Hit the Run next to Windows Store Apps.
  5. Apply the fixes.
  6. Restart your PC.

Often these petty problems are resolved by using the Windows troubleshooter. It is a built-in utility that provides a bunch of troubleshooting options.

5. Reset Windows Store using CMD

  1. Open the Start menu by pressing the Win key.
  2. Open Command Prompt as an admin.
  3. Type the below command and press Enter. WSreset.exewsreset
  4. Wait for the process to complete.
  5. Restart your PC.

Microsoft Store might get stuck with bugs or glitches that could trigger multiple issues with the programs downloaded from the Store.

You can quickly fix it by resetting the Microsoft Store. Moreover, this also deletes all the cache files, which can cause issues if corrupted.

6. Re-register the Store apps

  1. Open the Start menu by pressing the Win key.
  2. Open Windows PowerShell as an admin.
  3. Type the below command and press Enter. Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
  4. Restart your PC.

If you are sure that your system isn’t at fault here and the Store apps are causing issues, then you can re-register the apps.

7. Uninstall the update

  1. Open the Settings menu by pressing the Win key.
  2. Click on Windows Update on the left.
  3. Select Update history.
  4. Scroll down and click on Uninstall updates.
  5. Click the Uninstall button next to the latest update.
  6. Follow the on-screen process to uninstall the update.
  7. Restart your PC.

Windows update often contains bugs that can cause your PC to misbehave. Programs can also falter and throw up errors, such as the 0xc0000135 error code. You can try to uninstall the latest update installed on your and check whether this fixes the issue.

8. Run the app in Clean Boot State

  1. Open the Start menu by pressing the Win key.
  2. Type msconfig and press Enter.
  3. Switch to the Services tab.
  4. Select the Hide all Microsoft Services option.
  5. Click on Disable all.
  6. Click Apply and OK.
  7. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
  8. Disable the processes.
  9. Restart your PC.
  10. Re-run the program and check if this fixes the issue or not.

Opening the program in the Clean Boot State ensures that any other third-party or Microsoft services don’t conflict with the program in question.

You can check if the clean boot state runs the program without any issues, which fixes the error 0xc0000135.

That is it from us in this guide. The Windows update error 0x80888002 is another standard error that is reported by users from time to time. But, again, you can check out our guide for help.

We would also like you to check out our guide on the Windows update error 0x8007000B, which explains all the practical solutions to resolve the problem.

For a comprehensive list of solutions that has helped users resolve the update error 0x8024402c, we suggest you check our guide.

Feel free to let us know in the comments below which one of the above solutions resolves the 0xc0000135 error for you.

Rome Total War Crashing? 5 Quick Ways to Fix It

Posted on by Henderson Jayden Harper

Many players have encountered the Rome Total War crashing on Windows PC when launching the game or during gameplay. The issue can be frustrating, but it isn’t impossible to fix. Hence, this article will discuss ways to resolve the issue and get your game working.

Also, our readers may be interested in what stuttering in games is and & how to fix it on Windows 11.

Why is Rome Total War crashing?

Many factors may be responsible for the Rome Total War game crashing on your PC. Some are:

  • Game requirements issues – Every game has minimum and recommended requirements that determine the system specifications that can run it. So, you may be experiencing the game crash in Rome Total War due to your system not meeting the requirements for the game.
  • Outdated graphics drivers – Running outdated or faulty graphics drivers on your Windows PC can cause issues with the game, resulting in a crash on Rome Total War.
  • Corrupt or damaged game files – You can also experience the game crashing when launching or during gameplay if its installation files are corrupted. It prevents the game from accessing the necessary resources from its .exe executable file.
  • Interference from other apps – Running too many background processes on your PC can result in a crash. It is because they consume the system resources, leaving none or insufficient for the Rome Total War, resulting in the game crashing.

Irrespective of the causes, follow the steps outlined below to fix the issue and get your running smoothly.

What can I do if Rome Total War keeps crashing on Windows?

Before trying any advanced troubleshooting steps, go through the following:

  • Turn off background apps running on your PC.
  • Temporarily disable antivirus software on your computer.
  • Restart Windows in Safe Mode and check if the game crash persists.
  • Check the game’s minimum requirements –  If your PC doesn’t meet the minimum requirements, we recommend you switch to a high-end gaming PC for a better gaming experience.

If the issue persists, go ahead with the solutions below:

1. Run Rome Total War as an Administrator and in Compatibility Mode

  1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
  2. Search for Rome Total War, right-click on it, and select properties from the drop-down.
  3. Go to the Compatibility tab and check the box for the Run this program as an administrator option. Check the box for Run this program in compatibility mode, then choose a Windows version from the drop-down.
  4. Click OK to save the changes.

Running the game as an administrator will fix permission issues causing it to crash and resolve compatibility issues. Check what to do if running as administrator is not working on Windows 10/11.

2. Update your Graphics driver

  1. Press Windows + R keys to prompt the Run window, type devmgmt.msc, and click OK to open the Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Display Adapter entry, right-click on the device driver, then select Update driver from the drop-down menu.
  3. Click on Search Automatically for the updated driver software option.
  4. Restart your PC and check if the game crash issue persists.

Updating the graphics driver will fix bugs affecting the game and install the latest features to improve performance. Check other steps for updating graphics drivers on Windows 11 if you have any issues.

3. Check the Rome Total War Game file integrity

  1. Left-click the Start button and type Steam, then double-click to open it.
  2. Select the Library tab, right-click on Rome: Total War, and choose Properties.
  3. Click the Local Files tab and select the Verify Integrity of Game Files button.

Checking the game file integrity will find and resolve corrupt or missing game files causing the game to crash. Read more on the ways to verify the integrity of game files not working for more advanced steps.

4. Update Windows OS

  1. Press the Windows + I to open the Windows Settings app.
  2. Click on Windows Update and click on Check for Updates. Wait for the Windows update result and click on Install Update if a Windows update is available.
  3. Restart your PC.

Updating the Windows OS will install new patches for fixing bugs affecting your game. Read about fixing Windows not connecting to the update service if the error occurs.

Alternatively, you can check our comprehensive guide on ways to fix games crashing on Windows 11.

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

Google Meet for Windows 11: How to Download & Install

Posted on by Henderson Jayden Harper

Google Meet is a video-communication service developed by Google that makes it easy to start a secure video conference. Hence, we’ll take you through the process of downloading Google Meet on Windows 11.

Likewise, you can read how to fix Google Meet stuck on the Getting Ready page on your PC.

Table of contents

How can I download and install Google Meet on Windows 11?

Before following the steps to download and install Google Meet, go through the following:

  • Ensure you’re connected to a stable network connection.
  • Free up enough memory space for the installation.

The above steps will prepare your device for the app’s installation:

1. Via Google’s Progressive Web Apps (PWA) feature

  1. Launch the Google Chrome browser on your PC and go to the official Google Meet homepage.
  2. Sign in with your Google account or create a new account.
  3. Go to the top-right side of the address bar, click the download icon, and choose to Install on the prompt.

The above steps will install Google Meet as a Web App using Google’s Progressive Web Apps (PWA) feature on your browser. However, you can create a shortcut to having a Google Meet homepage shortcut on your desktop.

  1. After step 3, click the three dots in the top-right corner to open the Menu, and choose More tools from the drop-down.
  2. Click on Create shortcut from the sub-menu, then the Create button. You can launch the shortcut to create and join Google Meet meetings.

Why is Google Meet not working in Windows 11?

Many factors can cause Google Meet not to work on Windows 11. Some are:

  • Internet connection issues – Google Meet needs a stable and fast internet connection to connect with its servers. So, network-related problems like network congestion can impede connectivity, causing Google Meet not to work. Restarting your router should fix the problem.
  • Issues with browser & Google Meet cache – The browser keeps cache files to help it run its activities faster and smoother. However, these files can become corrupt with time, preventing Google Meet from launching or working. Clearing the cache files in Google Meet storage will fix this issue.
  • Corrupt installation files – The issue may occur if the installation files for Google Meet are corrupted or not intact. It can be due to corrupt system files infecting the app files, causing them to malfunction or be unresponsive. Hence, launching the app will be futile as its .exe file is not working correctly.
  • Outdated Windows Operating System – Running an outdated Windows operating system can drastically affect the programs and processes on your PC. However, updating Windows OS on your computer will fix any bugs and resolve the issue.

Though the Google Meet app not working on Windows 11 may occur differently, troubleshooting the app and your PC should resolve it.

Installing Google Meet using Google’s Progressive Web Apps (PWA) feature is the only possible way to install the app on Windows 11. It is because Google Meet doesn’t have a dedicated native app for Windows OS.

FAQ

How do I start a Google Meet meeting on Windows 11?

Simply visit meet.google.com sign in with your Google account, and click New Meeting to start.

Can I join a Google Meet meeting without a Google account?

Yes, you can join a meeting as a guest with just the meeting link, without needing a Google account.

Can I use Google Meet without downloading it?

Yes, Google Meet works directly in most browsers without needing to be downloaded.

Does Google Meet support screen sharing on Windows 11?

Yes, you can share your screen, a window, or a browser tab during meetings on Windows 11.

Further, you may be interested in our detailed guide about Google Meet using too much CPU and effective ways to fix it on Windows 11.

Also, check some fixes for the mic being off due to the size of the call on Google Meet on your device.

If you’re looking for more ways to use Google Meet efficiently, you can also access it directly inside Gmail. Learn how to start meetings and manage them directly from your Gmail account in our detailed guide on Google Meet inside Gmail for seamless collaboration.

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

Top 8 Free Photo Editing Apps for PC in 2026

Posted on by Ivan Jenic

We ranked the best photo editing software on the market. Whether you’re a photographer, graphic designer, illustrator, or content creator, you’ll find (at least) a few options that’ll work great for your projects.

Let’s check them out:

What is the top free photo editing software for Windows?

From professional to amateur friendly, here are the best photo editing tools for PC: (more details below)

Software nameFree versionKey features
inPixio Photo Editor✅– Masterpiece frames
– Creative effects
Adobe Photoshop Express✅
– Various themes
– Fused looks
ACDsee Photo Studio✅– Seamless search pane
– AI facial recognition tool
– Quick and simple mobile transfer
Fotor✅– Object removal & background remover
– Photo enhancer
– Batch photo editing
PicsArt Photo Studio✅– Ai image editing tools
– Social media templates
PhotoWorks✅– Enhanced portrait tools
– Instant sky replacement tool
Phototastic Collages✅– 1200 themed designs
– Fine-tune editing
KVADPhoto+✅– 200+ special effects
– Lens boost

inPixio Photo Studio 12 Pro – Perfect for easy photo enhancements

What’s great about inPixio Photo Studio Pro is that it’s incredibly lightweight, and offers a wide range of filters and stamps.

The number of features is quite impressive, with the filters alone being more than 90, and they include detailed image adjustments, cropping, and more.

Once you’re done with it, showing it off to your friends and family is made easier with the direct social media integration.

Take a look at its best features:

  • Over 90 image filters
  • Social media sharing options
  • Intuitive interface
  • Detailed image adjustments
inPixio Photo Studio 12 Pro

inPixio Photo Studio 12 Pro

Unleash your inner artist with the powerful tools offered by inPixio Photo Studio.
Check Price Visit Website

Adobe Photoshop Express – Best for quick edits on RAW images, great for beginners

adope photoshop expresss

Adobe Photoshop is the most famous image-editing software in the world. The full version is expensive, but this Express is free to use.

It might not offer as many options as its big brother, but it’s still a very useful photo-editing app.

You can make tone adjustments, adjust highlights, and shadows, remove red-eye, resize, crop, and much more.

Take a look at its best features:

  • Red-eye removal
  • Very light on resources
  • Friendly interface
  • Available for PC and mobiles
  • Free to use
Adobe Photoshop Express

Adobe Photoshop Express

Explore endless creative possibilities with Adobe Photoshop Express
Free trial Visit Website

Fotor – Quick and intuitive edits with engaging effects

Fotor‘s metro design provides a user experience similar to the operating system you’re using. But its nice design isn’t the only good thing about this app.

The powerful all-in-one photo editor offers a high variety of options, from basic editing tools to great visual effects, enchanters, collages, sizing options, and more.

Besides that, it has quite a nice range of filters and effects, photo frames, stickers, and tilt-shift tools.

It also has a free online version so you can definitely use it for quick editing and basic enhancement of your images right now.

Let’s see some of its key features:

  • Great set of filters
  • Excellent visual effects and enhancement features
  • Advanced set of elements to add to photos
  • Intuitive interface
  • Crop and resize images quickly
Fotor

Fotor

Apply stunning effects and enhancements effortlessly with Fotor’s intuitive tools.
Free Visit Website

ACDsee Photo Studio – Powerful editing and organizing for free

ACDSee Photo Studio 2022 is probably the best digital asset manager on the market, and it supports more than 60 image formats, including GIFs.

In addition, you not only get to view crisp quality images on a super platform, but you also can edit, organize, manage, and even share your digital photos with your loved ones or friends from your desktop.

It offers some basic options, like cropping, rotating, flipping, red-eye removing, and adjustments of brightness, exposure, or shadows.

Let’s go through some of the most important features:

  • Great photo filters
  • Red-eye removal
  • Full list of basic tools
  • Free to use
  • Supports more than 60 image formats
ACDSee Photo Studio

ACDSee Photo Studio

Organize, edit, and share your digital assets seamlessly with ACDSee Photo Studio.
Free trial Visit Website

PicsArt – Photo Studio – Creative tools for edits, drawing, and collages


PicsArt is probably the most popular photo editing tool for portable devices and smartphones, and Microsoft now made it available for free in Microsoft App Store.

It is a three-in-one tool, as it could be used as a photo editor, drawing tool, and collage maker. Like a photo editor, PicsArt offers a huge variety of photo filters, various customizations, and photo manipulation options.

You can also create various photo collages for background or social media. And with the drawing tool, you’re able to design forms of digital art with brushes and layer options.

Let’s review some of its most important features:

  • Top trending filters and popular photo effects
  • Erase and replace backgrounds
  • Clean up pictures and remove unwanted objects
  • Add text to photos with 200+ designer fonts
  • Flip and crop photos quickly
PicsArt

PicsArt

Create dynamic collages and digital art with PicsArt’s creative suite.
Free Visit Website

PhotoWorks – Advanced editing with AI tools amateur & professional friendly

Another great entry in our list of reliable photo editors is PhotoWorks, an easy-to-use tool that is bound to become the best friend of any professional photographer.

PhotoWorks is perfectly capable of identifying the type of picture all by itself, from portraits to landscape photography, automatically applying different adjustments and enhancements.

Additionally, if you’re into photo restoration, PhotoWorks can do that as well, allowing you to bring old black & white photos into the XXI-st century.

Let’s look at some of its most important features:

  • Powerful AI technology
  • Identifies the type of picture and applies adjustments automatically
  • Complete set of image enhancement tools
  • Restores old photos back to life
  • Free trial period
PhotoWorks

PhotoWorks

Let AI power your editing and bring photos to life with PhotoWorks.
Free trial Visit Website

Phototastic Collages – Built-in action camera, collages & templates

Phototastic is the best and the most popular Windows app for creating beautiful collages of your existing photos.

It offers more than a hundred collage templates of various shapes and styles. You can also add some text to your collages with the built-in text and stickers feature.

Photostatic also has a built-in action camera, so you can take pictures for your collage right on the spot.

So, if you’re looking for an app that will make stunning collages of your photos, Phototastic is probably the best choice.

Note that you download it for free in Microsoft App Store, but there’s also a Pro version available, with even more templates and options.

Let’s see a couple of its best features below:

  • Friendly, simple design
  • Great tool set of basic features
  • Quick editing and enhancing options
  • Can be downloaded for free
  • The Pro version comes with additional templates and features

⇒ Get Phototastic

KVADPhoto + – Pen and ink support

If you’re looking for a powerful photo filter app, KVADPhoto + would probably be a great choice.

The specialty of this app is adding various special effects to your photos. It has the biggest base of photo filters of all apps in the Microsoft Store, offering more than 150 unique photo filters.

And these filters are divided into categories, so you can easily find the filter you want to use.

It features Sketch artistic filter, transforming your regular photo into a beautiful sketch artwork.

Although this app offers a bunch of options, you can have even more if you buy the Pro version of KVADPhoto +, but even with the regular one, you can do wonders with your images.

Take a look at its most important features:

  • More than 150 photo filters
  • Powerful all-in-one image processing application
  • Picture-in-picture effects and Clip Art stickers
  • Pen and Ink support
  • Built-in clip art editor

⇒ Get KVADPhoto +

What should I look for in a good photo editing app?

Look for an app that matches your needs: basic tools like cropping and resizing, or advanced features such as filters, AI enhancements, and batch processing.

Consider the ease of use, system compatibility, and export options. Test these top free editors to find one that aligns with your editing goals and preferences.

That being said, grab the best free photo editing software tools below, test them, and make a final choice.

Summary

These are some of the best free photo editing apps for PC and we hope that you’ve found the right one for you.

For other great tools, you should also check out these layered image editors that can also help you enhance your photos.

If you have any more suggestions or questions, feel free to leave them in the comments section below, and we’ll be sure to check them out.

How to Fix Docker Desktop Starting Forever on Windows 11

Posted on by Henderson Jayden Harper

Launching the Docker Desktop tool on the PC can be challenging and time-consuming for some users. It is because they reported an issue with Docker Desktop starting forever on Windows 11. However, this guide contains some tips for fixing the problem and improving the app speed.

Also, some have reported Hyper-V and container features not enabled error while installing Docker Desktop on their PCs.

Why is Docker Desktop stuck on starting?

Many factors may be responsible for the Docker Desktop tool taking forever to start. Notable ones are:

  • System requirements issues – The minimum and recommended requirements help determine the PCs that can run it. So, if your system doesn’t meet the minimum requirements, you may have difficulty accessing the tool smoothly.
  • Issues with the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) – If the WSL isn’t running correctly, it can impede the running of the Linux environment directly on Windows devices. Hence, Docker Desktop taking a long time to load can be due to the system component being unable to run the tool environment.
  • Corrupt app installation files – If the installation files are not intact, the app won’t have any base to boot from, and it can occur due to corrupt system files impacting the Docker Desktop environment.

Nonetheless, we’ll take you through some basic steps to fix the problem and get the tool working again.

What can I do if Docker Desktop is starting forever on Windows 11?

Before proceeding with any advanced troubleshooting steps, go through the following:

If you can’t fix the problem, try the solutions below:

1. Perform a clean boot

  1. Press Windows + R key to open the Run dialog box, type msconfig, and click OK.
  2. Select the Services tab and check the box for the Hide all Microsoft services option, then click the Disable all button.
  3. Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
  4. Click on the startup programs and tap the Disable button.
  5. Restart your PC and launch Docker Desktop to see if the issue persists.

A clean boot prevents some programs from running on startup, leaving more resources and stopping any interference on the Docker Desktop tool.

You can read about removing Startup programs on Windows PC.

2. Restart Docker Service

  1. Left-click the Start button, type Services, then open it from the search results.
  2. Find the Docker Service, right-click on it, and select Restart from the drop-down menu.
  3. Close the Services window and start the Docker Desktop app to see if it works.

Restarting the service can help fix Docker startup errors and refresh the Docker host’s processing.

3. Unregister Docker Desktop

  1. Left-click the Start button, type PowerShell, and click Run as administrator.
  2. Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
  3. Copy and paste the following codes and press Enter after each: wsl --unregister docker-desktop    wsl --unregister docker-desktop-data
  4. Exit the PowerShell window and launch Docker Desktop to check if it loads completely.

Unregistering the Docker Desktop terminates any connection between the app and your PC, allowing it to re-establish new connections. Check ways to fix PowerShell not showing the full output on Windows 11.

4. Re-enable the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) feature

  1. Press Windows + R key to open the Run dialog box, type optionalfeatures, and press Enter to open the Windows Features page.
  2. Uncheck the box for Windows Subsystem for Linux option. Click on OK to save the changes and close the Windows Features dialog.
  3. Follow the above steps and check the box for the Windows Subsystem for Linux option.

The above steps will force restart the Windows Subsystem for Linux feature and allow it to run the Linux environment smoothly on Windows 11. This will also help with the Unexpected WSL error.

5. Uninstall and perform a fresh install of Docker

  1. Press Windows + R key to open the Run dialog box, type appwiz.cpl, and click OK.
  2. Locate Docker, right-click on it, and select Uninstall from the drop-down.
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
  4. Download Docker Desktop on your PC.
  5. Run the Docker Desktop Installer to open it and install it.

Reinstalling Docker Desktop will fix corrupt installation files liable to cause the issue.

In addition, our readers may be interested in fixing Windows Subsystem for Linux not enabled on Windows 11.

We also have a guide on how to install Docker on Windows Server, so don’t miss it.

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

Windows 11 build 23424 further enhances the Widgets board

Posted on by Alexandru Poloboc

We’ve reached the end of the week, which means that we’ve also reached the end of the first official month of spring.

And we all know what that means, don’t we? Indeed, we are getting some updates for the Windows 11 Insider Channels.

Today, only the Canary (build 25330) and the Dev Channel received new software to play with. If you are on Windows 11 and work with large files, avoid installing KB5023778.

Let’s cut the suspense and get right into it. However, before we do, we recommend that you check out the available information on Microsoft’s new Security Copilot.

Build 23424 will help you save more power

It’s finally Friday, so Microsoft has released a new build for Windows 11 Dev Channel Insiders. The new build, 23424, adds the option to get the latest updates sooner with the help of a toggle.

Also, this new build brings full-screen widgets, improved search performance inside Settings, and much more.

It also boosts the performance of File Explorer, the company says. And, as always, there are many more bug fixes and other improvements.

The tech giant is now beginning to preview a revamp of the widgets board, with a larger canvas and dedicated section for widgets and feed content with a clear separation between them.

If your device supports it, you can have a 3 collum widgets panel. Not all Insiders will get this feature exactly from the start.

Keep in mind that Microsoft is just beginning to roll this out, so the experience isn’t available to all Insiders in the Dev Channel just yet.

This month, we’re also looking at Content Adaptive Brightness Control (CABC), which is already a feature that most of us are familiar with.

The above-mentioned functionality in Windows 11 will dim or brighten areas of a display or monitor based on the content being displayed.

The main goal here is to strike a balance between reduced power consumption with visual experience to save battery life.

And, starting with this build, the company is allowing this feature to run on devices such as laptops and 2-in-1’s that are plugged into a charger, as well as on desktop PCs.

You should know that, for most users, this change won’t be noticeable and should reduce energy consumption.

On the same Canary Channel, last month, Microsoft added a USB4 hubs and devices page in the Settings app.

It mentioned that USB4 enables new productivity scenarios for docking, high-performance peripherals, displays, and charging.

Now, let’s take a closer look at the rest of the changelog and determine what else we are getting through this software release.

Changes and Improvements

[Input]

  • Made a change to help improve performance when using a high polling mouse while gaming.

[Settings]

  • Windows Insiders can help us preview a new experience we’re working on. Insiders will begin to see a new toggle under Settings > Windows Update for getting the latest updates as soon as they are available. This new toggle is meant to be used in the Beta Channel to allow Insiders to switch more seamlessly to the enablement package. But because the Dev Channel does not use an enablement package, turning this toggle on will not do anything for Insiders in the Dev Channel. However, by turning it on, a “Windows configuration update” will be offered via Windows Update that is designed to help us make sure this new toggle is connected to our backend services correctly before making it available in the Beta Channel. This update introduces nothing new for Insiders.
  • Improved the performance of search within Settings.
  • The settings page for wheel devices such as the Surface Dial has been updated to better match the Windows 11 design principles.

Fixes

[General]

  • Fixed an issue that was causing voice access to take some time to turn on after using the wake-up command.

[File Explorer]

  • We fixed the issue causing an error dialog to pop up when clicking on the “Open File Location” command.
  • We fixed the issue causing no action to occur when clicking on the ‘Remove from list’ command.

[Input]

  • Made a change to help improve performance when using a high report rate mouse while gaming. As a reminder, if you have gaming performance feedback, please follow these steps to file actionable feedback.

[Settings]

  • Improved the performance of search within Settings.

[Windowing]

  • Fixed an issue from the last flight where Microsoft Edge tabs would show when doing ALT + Tab even if Settings > System > Multitasking was set to “Don’t show tabs”.

[Task Manager]

  • Fixed an issue where the search icon could end up overlapping the Task Manager icon in the title bar.

Known issues

[Search on the Taskbar]

  • There is an issue where some people may not see the search box on the taskbar and/or the settings to adjust the search box experience on the taskbar after updating to Build 23403. We are aware of the issue, and we are working on a fix.
  • If you have the Bing button in the search box on the taskbar and you restart your computer, you may see the daily rotating search highlight for some time before getting the Bing button back.

[File Explorer]

  • Access keys will appear inconsistently if no button is pressed. Pressing a button will cause them to reappear.
  • Clicking on the Share command will currently bring up the Windows share sheet (non-OneDrive).

[Live captions]

  • On ARM64 devices, enhanced speech recognition support installed through the Language & Region settings page will require restarting live captions if you switch languages in the live captions Caption language menu.
  • Certain languages shown on the Language & Region settings page will indicate speech recognition support (e.g., Korean) but don’t yet have support for live captions.
  • When adding a language through the Language & Region settings page, language feature installation progress may become hidden, and you may not see install completion of “Enhanced speech recognition” (required by Live Captions). (You can use the language’s “Language options” to monitor progress.) If this happens, there may be an unexpected delay before the live caption setup experience detects this and lets you continue.
  • Captioning performance may be degraded in non-English languages and missing out-of-language filtering in non-English (United States) languages which means that incorrect captions will be shown for speech not in the caption language.

Microsoft Store Update

Windows Insiders in the Canary and Dev Channels running version 22303.1401.x of the Microsoft Store and higher will see the following improvements rolling out:

  • Install free apps and games from search results: We’ve introduced a new way to install free apps and games. Hovering over a free product on the search results page opens a new expanded card experience, where you can find a convenient install button. This will trigger the installation without having to navigate into the product page.
  • New design when purchasing apps and games in the Store: Discover a new and redesigned experience when purchasing apps and games inside the Microsoft Store! The purchase dialog’s styles align better with Windows 11 to bring you a more pleasant checkout experience.
  • New UX for in-app ratings dialog: Developers of your favorite apps and games often use a Microsoft Store feature that requests ratings from within the app or game. We’ve updated this in-app ratings experience to be faster, more reliable, and to better align with Windows 11 styling.

What can I do if I can’t install Windows 11 build 23424?

  1. Press Win+ I to access Settings.
  2. Select the System category and click on Troubleshoot.w11 troubleshoot
  3. Press the Other troubleshooters button.other troubleshooters windows 11
  4. Press the Run button next to Windows Update.windows update troubleshooter

Remember that Microsoft said that the new Bing Ai chat will soon feature ads in the answers it provides, which will be really annoying for some.

Make sure to report any other issues you might come across, in order for Microsoft to address and improve the overall OS experience for us all.

This is everything you can expect if you are a Windows 11 Dev Channel Insider. Leave a comment below if you found any issues since installing this build.

Valorant High CPU Usage: How to Lower if It Gets to 100%

Posted on by Henderson Jayden Harper

Many Valorant players report the game using high memory or CPU when running it on their PCs. It causes the game to lag and reduces game performance. First, close any background apps you’re not using, and disable the third-party antivirus temporarily to get some extra free memory. Also, if you are playing the game in windowed-borderless mode, change it to Fullscreen from the game graphics settings.

How can I fix high CPU usage in Valorant?

1. Update your Graphics driver

  1. Press Windows + R keys to prompt the Run window, type devmgmt.msc, and click OK to open the Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Display adapter entry, right-click on the device driver, then select Update driver from the drop-down menu.
  3. Click on Search Automatically for the updated driver software option.
  4. Restart your PC and check if the black screen issue persists.

Updating the graphics driver will improve the performance of your graphics devices and fix bugs affecting your gaming activities.

Check our detailed guide about updating graphics drivers on Windows 11 if you have any issues.

2. Allow Valorant through Windows Defender Firewall

  1. Left-click the Start button, type firewall and open Windows Defender Firewall.
  2. Go to Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
  3. Scroll down and select Valorant from the list of apps. Check the boxes for both Private and Public. Click OK to save the changes and restart your PC.

Allowing Valorant as an exception in Windows Firewall prevents the firewall from checking or delaying its processes.

Read our guide on how to fix Windows Firewall blocking other app features on your PC.

3. Disable background apps

  1. Press the Windows + I key to open Windows Settings.
  2. Select Apps and click on Installed apps.
  3. Select an app, then click the three dots, and choose Advanced options.
  4. Then tap the drop-down button for Background app permissions and click on Never.
  5. Repeat the same process for other apps.

Disabling apps from running in the background prevents them from using up your system resources.

Check our article for other methods to turn off background apps in Windows 11 if you have issues using the steps above.

4. Stop overclock on your PC

  1. Left-click the Start button, type msconfig, and press Enter.
  2. In the System Configuration window, click on the Boot tab.
  3. Check the No Overclock option. Click OK and restart your PC.

Stopping your PC from running overclocking utilities prevents Valorant from using excessive CPU. You can also check how to fix CPU overclock crashing games on your PC.

5. Set RAM priority for Valorant

  1. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys to open Task manager.
  2. Go to Details, right-click Valorant, select Set priority from the drop-down, and choose Realtime or High.
  3. Close the Task Manager and check if the high CPU usage persists.

Allowing a high or real-time priority will allocate more RAM resources and limit the CPU usage of Valorant.

What causes Valorant’s high CPU usage?

Numerous factors can cause the high CPU usage in Valorant, and some are:

  • Outdated graphics drivers – Running an outdated graphics driver on your PC can cause problems with how much system resources gaming activities will consume. It is because the graphics cards can fix bugs affecting the current version, resulting in high CPU usage in high-end games like Valorant,
  • Interference from third-party apps – The activities of other apps running on your computer can affect your game. They can take up excessive bandwidth and system resources, leaving Valorant to overwork and not give enough system resources for the game.
  • Issues with Windows Defender Real-time Protection – When you have the Windows Defender scheduled scan running on your computer, it can cause problems with the Valorant game and result in high CPU usage. The scan delays the game activities, causing it to take longer to load.

You can fix the problem by troubleshooting the game and your PC.

In addition, you can check our comprehensive guide on ways to fix Valorant not working on Windows 11. Also, you can go through some effective solutions for Valorant not updating on your PC, or our article on Valorant freezing on Windows PCs and some ways to resolve it.

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

Play Solitaire: Your Favorite Card Game is now Online for Free

Posted on by Claudiu Andone

A lot of us remember the good times back when everyone had Windows XP, no Internet, and the only way we could entertain ourselves was with a quick game of Solitaire or Spider Solitaire.

Well, that card game never lost its charm, and there are plenty of interpretations of it available nowadays for anyone to try out, one such service being Play Solitaire, a free online solitaire game that anyone can play from anywhere.

Play Solitaire as soon as you visit the page

If you love quick gaming sessions, you’ll like how by just accessing this service’s website you are thrown straight inside a game, the only choice that you need to make being whether to play a 3-card or a single-card game.

The animation of the game is very fluid and we didn’t experience any FPS spike while playing it, and the art style is a mix between cartoonish and overly simplistic, so if you’re into 3D eye candy, this game isn’t for you.

However, if you’re just here for the gameplay, you’ll have loads of fun, especially since the website offers several tools that spice the entire experience up.

For example, you can customize the card design, as well as the background, you can send other users emails straight from the web page, and you even have detailed game statistics so you can keep track of how well you play.

The rules of Solitaire

Right under the game screen, you’ll find an entire section containing both texts and images explaining how to play Solitaire, so even if it’s your first time playing, the rules will be laid out for you in a simple manner.

They even went so far as to give players a few tips on how to get better, and we found that to be incredibly useful, especially for youngsters that haven’t dabbled in Solitaire ever.

Lastly, if you really get stuck and can’t figure out what your next step should be, they’ve included a Hint button that will light up cards and the location they should be taken to in order to progress along.

However, if the cards aren’t favorable and you get completely stuck, you can undo your last moves. More so, there’s always the option to reset the game and start completely over.

All in all, we recommend Play Solitaire.com to anyone that wishes for a quick card game, so go ahead and give it a try, it’s completely free!

Usbaudio.sys Blue Screen Error: Causes & How to Fix

Posted on by Vladimir Popescu

The usbaudio.sys is a System32 driver file that provides driver support for audio devices. Some users have reported that they experienced blue screen error while trying to utilize their PC’s speaker.

In this article, we will discuss the usbaudio.sys BSOD error, and its causes, and provide you with steps to help resolve the error.

What causes the usbaudio.sys blue screen error?

The following are some of the most common causes of usbaudio.sys error:

  • Failed Windows Updates – Windows Updates provide users with the latest features and bug fixes. However, if the update was unsuccessful or wasn’t installed correctly, it’ll lead to a string of errors such as the Usbaudio.sys error. 
  • Forced Shutdowns – Forced Shutdowns are one of the most common causes of errors in Windows PC. This is because when the PC shuts down abruptly, services and applications are forced to close. After a series of forced shutdowns, errors like the usbaudio.sys will likely appear.
  • Corrupt or Outdated Drivers – Windows requires drivers to function. If the installed drivers are corrupt or outdated, you’ll run into system errors like the usbaudio.sys.
  • Hardware Problems -Sometimes, errors like the usbaudio.sys are triggered due to problems with your PC’s hardware. In such cases, you’ll have to take your PC to a technician to diagnose and fix the problem.

What can I do to fix the usbaudio.sys error?

If you’re currently experiencing the usbaudio.sys error, here are a couple of troubleshooting techniques you can attempt:

1. Perform a System Restore

  1. Press the Windows key, type in create a restore point, and hit Enter.
  2. In the popup window, click the System Restore button, and click the Next button.
  3. When the system pops up, select Next.
  4. Select the specific restore point you wish to revert your system to, and click Next.
  5. Click the Finish button to complete the system restore.

Before running a System Restore, you’ll need to have an active system restore. If you don’t have an existing one, here is a detailed guide showing how to create a system restore point in Windows.

2. Run the System File Checker

  1. Press the Windows key, type in CMD, right-click on the displayed result, and select Run as Administrator.
  2. In the User Account Control window, click Yes to grant the app administrative access.
  3. Type the following command and hit Enter: sfc /scannow
  4. Wait till the scan is complete, and restart your PC to check if the error persists.

The System File Checker is a Windows utility that checks for problems with files on your computer. It’s very efficient in resolving system errors, blue screen of death, etc. 

While using the System File Checker, you can run into the Windows Resource error. This error prevents the Windows utility from running. Be sure to read our guide on how to resolve the error.

3. Run a DISM Scan

  1. Press the Windows key, type in CMD, right-click on the displayed result, and select Run as Administrator.
  2. In the User Account Control window, click Yes to grant the app administrative access.
  3. Type in the following and hit Enter: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image / Restorehealth

As with an SFC scan, wait for the scan to be completed, and reboot your PC.

DISM scans help fix corrupt Windows files. If any of your PC’s system files have been damaged due to viruses, or forced shutdowns, running a DISM scan will help resolve the error.

4. Update Windows

  1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Click on Windows Update and select Check for updates. If there are new updates, you can download and install them.
  3. Then, restart your PC immediately.

5. Update your drivers

  1. Press the Windows key, type in Device Manager, and hit Enter.
  2. In the Device Manager window, scroll through the list of Drivers, and check to see if there’s a yellow alert symbol next to any of the options. Right-click on the Driver, and select Update driver.
  3. In the next window, click Search automatically for updated driver software, and follow the prompts to complete the update.
  4. Once you’ve updated all the Drivers, restart your PC and check if the error is resolved.

While attempting to update your Drivers, you can run into the error Windows encountered a problem installing the driver. 

If you’re not satisfied with the procedure above or you just want to update your drivers as faster as it gets, then try using dedicated tools.

For instance, Outbyte Driver Updater is one of the most efficient software because it thoroughly scans your PC for outdated or malfunctioning drivers and locates the newest updates from its database.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

This error restricts your computer from updating drivers. Be sure to read our guide on how to resolve it.

Resolving the usbaudio.sys error is pretty straightforward and requires little technical know-how. If you followed our guide, you should be able to resolve the error.

If you’ve faced the usbaudio.sys error before and you successfully resolved it. You can drop your troubleshooting techniques in the comments below.

Win32kbase.sys: How to Fix its BSoD on Windows

Posted on by Vladimir Popescu

The Blue Screen of Death(BSOD) is one of Windows’ most frustrating errors. It can be triggered by several reasons, one of them being the win32kbase.sys error. 

Before we proceed with more advanced troubleshooting techniques, power cycle your PC and scan the device for virus and malware.

How can I fix the win32kbase.sys BSoD error?

1. Run the System File Checker (SFC)

  1. Press the Windows key, type in CMD, right-click on the displayed result, and select Run as Administrator.
  2. In the User Account Control window, click Yes to grant the app administrative access.
  3. Type the following command and hit Enter: sfc /scannow
  4. Wait till the scan is complete, and restart your PC to check if the error persists.

Sometimes, you might run into Windows Resource error while trying to run an SFC scan. This error prevents the system utility checker from operating properly.

If you want to make sure that your computer is free from corrupt or malfunctioning files, we suggest you try a third-party troubleshooter and locate healthy replacements from its massive repository.

2. Use the DISM Tool

  1. Press the Windows key, type in CMD, right-click on the displayed result, and select Run as Administrator.
  2. In the User Account Control window, click Yes to grant the app administrative access.
  3. Type in the following and hit Enter: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image / Restorehealth
  4. As with an SFC scan, wait for the scan to be completed, and reboot your PC.

Running a DISM scan will help repair corrupted Windows update files and ultimately resolve the win32kbase.sys error.

3. Update your drivers

  1. Press the Windows key, type in Device Manager, and hit Enter.
  2. In the Device Manager window, scroll through the list of Drivers, and check to see if there’s a yellow alert symbol next to any of the options. Right-click on the Driver, and select Update driver.
  3. In the next window, click Search automatically for updated driver software, and follow the prompts to complete the update.
  4. Once you’ve updated all the Drivers, restart your PC and check if the error is resolved.

4. Perform a System Restore

  1. Press the Windows key, type in create a restore point, and hit Enter.
  2. In the popup window, click the System Restore button, and click the Next button.
  3. When the system pops up, select Next.
  4. Select the specific restore point you wish to revert your system to, and click Next.
  5. Click the Finish button to complete the system restore.

If you noticed the Win32kbase.sys error after making significant changes to your PC, you can easily revert back to an earlier state of your PC where the error was absent.

However, you’ll need to have created a restore point before you apply this fix. Here is a detailed guide on how to create a restore point in Windows. 

What is win32kbase.sys?

Win32kbase.sys is a Windows driver file located in the System32 folder. The file was designed to interact with the drivers and hardware of your system.

The file is very essential and is required for Windows to run correctly. If the file gets corrupted, removed, or otherwise, you’ll trigger a host of errors, e.g the win32kbase.sys error.

What causes win32kbase.sys BSoD?

The following are some of the common causes of the win32kbase.sys error:

  • Insufficient Memory – Computers require a minimum amount of free memory to process tasks. If you’ve got too many opened background applications, you’ll eventually run out of memory; this can lead to a system crash and further a BSOD error.
  • Corrupt or Missing System Files – Windows consists of specific files and folders that enable the OS to run optimally. If any of those files are corrupt or missing, you’ll run into errors like the win32kbase.sys.
  • Virus and Malware – A PC infected with virus or malware is rendered vulnerable to attacks which can lead to a system crash and subsequently a blue screen of death. If your PC is infected with malware, it could be the reason behind the win32kbase.sys error. You can run antivirus scans using Windows Defender or third-party antivirus software.

If you’ve been struggling with the Win32kbase.sys error, this post has shown you four of the best ways to deal with the error. Resolving the error doesn’t involve much technicality; follow through our guide, and you should have your PC back to normal in no time.

If you’ve got alternative solutions that helped you resolve the Win32kbase.sys error in the past, do let us know in the comments below.

You can uninstall the Camera app in Windows 11 build 25330

Posted on by Alexandru Poloboc

It’s been exactly seven days since we received the last Windows 11 Canary build for Insiders on this specific Channel, so it was about time for some new software.

The Redmond-based tech giant has decided to give us more to work with. Before we get into it, though, you should definitely check out Microsoft’s Security Copilot.

Also, since everyone is now using ChatGPT, know that the new Bing Ai chat will soon feature ads in the answers it provides.

Now, circling back, let’s have a closer look at Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 25330 and everything that comes with it to the Canary Channel.

This build isn’t for Windows Insiders that use Arm64 devices

Today, Microsoft has released a new build for Windows 11 Canary Channel Insiders, which includes new Windows Store improvements for finding free apps and more.

As you know by now, there are many more improvements. The company also mentioned that says this build won’t be available for Windows Insiders that use Arm64 devices.

After installing this build, pressing the print screen key will now open Snipping Tool by default. This new feature can be turned off, or on, in the Settings app.

Furthermore, the settings page for wheel devices such as the Surface Dial has been updated to better match the Windows 11 design principles.

Please keep in mind that, if you have changed your primary mouse button in the Settings app, Windows Sandbox will now follow that setting.

Microsoft has also updated the Remote Desktop Connection setup window (mstsc.exe) so that it now follows the text scaling settings.

That being said, there is a scenario where, in cases where the text scaling is very large, it will show a scrollbar.

Another change is the fact that, when encrypting a drive using BitLocker, you can now minimize the encryption progress dialog.

As many of you wanted for quite some time now, after installing this build, you can uninstall the Camera app if you need to.

There’s also a Microsoft Store update in this build, and we are going to take a more in-depth look at what actually changed.

Microsoft Store Update

Redmond developers introduced a new way to install free apps and games. Hovering over a free product on the search results page opens a new expanded card experience, where you can find a convenient install button.

Of course, this will trigger the installation without having to navigate to the product page itself, which can save you a bit of time.

Quickly install free apps and games from search results in the Store.

There is also a new and redesigned experience when purchasing apps and games inside the Microsoft Store, that Microsoft really wants us to know about.

The purchase dialog’s styles align better with Windows 11 to bring you a more pleasant checkout experience.

New design when purchasing apps and games in the Store.

Another interesting fact is that developers of your favorite apps and games often use a Microsoft Store feature that requests ratings from within the app or game.

The tech giant has updated these in-app ratings experiences to be faster, more reliable, and to better align with Windows 11 styling.

New UX for in-app ratings dialog in the Store.

What can I do if I can’t install Windows 11 Build 25330?

  1. Press Win+ I to access Settings.
  2. Select the System category and click on Troubleshoot.w11 troubleshoot
  3. Press the Other troubleshooters button.other troubleshooters windows 11
  4. Press the Run button next to Windows Update.windows update troubleshooter

Make sure to report any other issues you might come across, in order for Microsoft to address and improve the overall OS experience for us all.

This is everything you can expect if you are a Windows 11 Canary Insider. Leave a comment below if you found any issues since installing this build.

0x8007000f: SCCM Task Sequence Error [Fix Guide]

Posted on by Henderson Jayden Harper

Error code 0x8007000f can occur during the deployment process. It indicates the system cannot find the drive specified. Hence, we will explore the possible causes of the 0x8007000f error in SCCM task sequences and provide solutions to fix it.

Alternatively, you can read about how to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 using SCCM.

What causes the error code 0x8007000f?

Several factors can cause the error code 0x8007000f during the task sequence, and there are as follows:

  • Hidden partition – Hidden partitions are not visible and accessible to the user or the operating system. However, the task sequence cannot complete the formatting and partitioning process, resulting in an error.
  • Disk with BitLocker partition – The BitLocker provides additional encryption on drives. However, if a task sequence needs to perform an operating system deployment on a disk with BitLocker encryption, it may encounter issues during the deployment process.
  • Corrupt Disk partition – An unreadable or usable sector of the drive due to corrupt data or physical damage can cause error code 0x8007000f when the SCCM wants to perform a task sequence on this hard disk.

Nonetheless, we will examine how to fix the 0x8007000f error.

How can I fix the error code 0x8007000f?

1. Perform the chkdsk command on your SD card

  1. Insert your SD card on your PC.
  2. Left-click on the start button, type cmd and click on Run as administrator.
  3. Type in the following command and press Enter: chkdsk D:/f/r/x (The letter D refers to the drive letter you want to repair)
  4. Close the Command Prompt and check if the issue persists.

Running the chkdsk on an SD card will check and repair faulty storage sections. If the chkdsk command takes forever to run on your Windows, hop here to fix it.

2. Perform a DiskPart Clean Command

  1. Left-click on the start button, type cmd and click on Run as administrator.
  2. Type the following in the Command Prompt and press Enter: diskpart
  3. Type this command and press Enter to show the disk partition: list disk
  4. Input the command and press Enter: select disk 0 {The 0 signifies the disk partition you want to clean}
  5. Type this Command Prompt and press Enter: clean
  6. Then, run the following commands and press Enter after each:
    • convert gpt
    • create partition efi size=300
    • assign letter H  (You can assign any available letter you want)
    • Format quick fs=FAT32
    • create partition msr size=128
    • create partition primary
    • assign letter=c (Assign letter C if the drive C is unallocated)
    • format quick fs=NTFS
    • exit 
  7. Restart your machine and rerun the task sequence.

Performing a DiskPart clean will clear all the drives partition and prepare it for usage. Check our guide on how to fix Command Prompt not working on your PC.

In addition, check our complete guide on the System Center Configuration Manager Technical Preview gets update 1705. Also, read about how to fix SCNotification which has stopped working on your device.

Kindly drop your suggestions and questions on this guide in the comments section.

How to Install and set up Microsoft 365 on an iPhone/iPad

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Discover the seamless process of installing and setting up Microsoft 365 on your iPhone. As the digital world rapidly evolves, the need for on-the-go productivity solutions becomes increasingly essential. Microsoft 365, with its versatile suite of applications, lets you access and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations from virtually anywhere, including your iPhone.

We will guide you through the steps to install and configure Microsoft 365 on your iPhone, helping you to stay connected and on top of all the office or school work.

Install Office on iPhone/iPad

  1. Head to the app store and find Microsoft 365 (Office). Tap get to install it on your device.
  2. Once finished installing, launch the app.
  3. Sign in to your Microsoft account with the login credentials. If you are already signed into another Microsoft app on the phone, it will find the account and automatically log you in.

Getting started with Microsoft 365 on iPhone

Let us get started from the top of the home screen, where you land after logging in.

  • Tap on the search bar and you can find any file on the OneDrive, Teams group where you are part of. You can search in files, media, notes, and voice captures.
    There are filters by file type where you can select for all or individual for – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, Voice Captures, and Images.
    install microsoft 365 on iphone
  • Below the search bar is the vertical scrolling bar that lets you quick-access different categories like Scans, PDD, Word files, and more.
    install microsoft 365 on iphone
  • Go further down and tap Find to let Microsoft 365 search for supported files on your iPhone or iPad. All the documents and other support files will appear in the app, becoming viewable and editable(in most cases).

    setup microsoft 365 on iphone

 

Using the Create Button

The create button at the bottom lets you create new Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF files and Forms.

setup microsoft 365 on iphone
install microsoft 365 on iphone

You can also scan documents and record voice notes that will be saved to your attached OneDrive account.

 

PDF to Word and Back

You can convert word files to PDF documents with a single tap. Also, you can convert PDF documents to word files.

setup microsoft 365 on iphone

Sign a PDF

Sign a PDF comes in handy when you want to sign an important document, generally involving legal and other agreement matters. You can open a PDF file , then tap More and select Signature mode.

setup microsoft 365 on iphone

Next, tap on the area where you want to sign and then you will need to create a new signature.

setup microsoft 365 on iphone

And then create a signature using your fingers or a supported stylus. After that, click the check button to sign the PDF document.

 

Using Microsoft 365 on iPhone

You can get started with Microsoft 365 on your iPhone for free on the basic plan with limited features. And when you hit a wall with them, there is always the option to upgrade

What is Error 0x80070659 & How to Quickly Fix It

Posted on by Henderson Jayden Harper

Our readers complain about encountering error code 0x80070659 during a Windows update or when updating software on their system. Thus, we’ll explore the causes of the error and provide quick solutions to help you resolve it.

Alternatively, you can read how to solve Windows updates not working or loading on a Windows computer.

What is error code 0x80070659?

Error code 0x80070659 is a Windows Update error that occurs when installing a Windows update or app update. This error code usually indicates a problem with the Windows Installer Service, which is responsible for installing, modifying, and removing software on Windows.

However, other reasons can cause the error code 0x80070659 also. Here are some common factors:

  • Corrupt Windows installer – If the Windows Installer files are missing or corrupted, you may encounter the error code 0x80070659 when installing or updating software. You should solve Windows installer errors to fix the error code.
  • Conflicting software – The activities of other software or the Windows firewalls may interfere with the Windows Installer Service and cause this error code.
  • Corrupted system files – Missing or incomplete system files due to malware or human errors can corrupt system files causing the Windows Installer Service to malfunction and result in error code 0x80070659.
  • Registry errors – Issues with your Windows Registry can also cause error code 0x80070659, especially if there are incorrect or outdated registry entries related to the Installer Service.

The factors listed above vary on different PCs. Nevertheless, we will discuss steps to fix the issue.

How can I fix error 0x80070659?

Apply the following preliminary checks:

Proceed with the following advanced procedures below if the error persists.

1. Troubleshoot the Windows Update

  1. Press Windows + I key to open the Settings app.
  2. Select System, Troubleshoot, then click on the Other troubleshooters.
  3. Navigate to Most frequent and select the Run button beside Windows Update.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete, then restart your PC to check if the error is resolved.

The Windows update troubleshooter is an in-built tool that detects and fixes Windows update issues.

Check our detailed guide on how to run Windows Update Troubleshooter on your system.

2. Reset the Windows Update components

  1. Left-click the Start button, type Command Prompt, and click the Run as administrator option.
  2. Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
  3. Copy and paste the following commands and press Enter after each one: net stop wuauserv   net stop cryptSvc   net stop bits    net stop msiserver
  4. Copy and paste the following command one after the other: ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old   ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
  5. Type the following commands and press Enter after each one: net start wuauserv   net start cryptSvc   net start bits    net start msiserver
  6. Exit the Command Prompt and restart your PC.

Following the process above will enable the Windows Update Services and provide updates to your Windows operating system and other software.

Read our guide about fixing Windows could not start the service on the Local Computer on your device.

3. Clean the temporary cache folder

  1. Press the Windows + X key and click Run. Copy and paste %windir%\SoftwareDistribution\Data and press Enter to open the Windows File Explorer cache folder.
  2. Press Ctrl + A to select all and delete all the files in the folder.
  3. Close the Windows File Explorer, and restart your device.

The Windows cache folder temporarily stores downloaded files. Deleting all the files will troubleshoot incomplete Windows update downloads.

Read about how to fix File Explorer Not Responding on Windows if you encounter issues.

4. Perform a system SFC scan

  1. Left-click the Start button, type Command Prompt, and click the Run as administrator option.
  2. Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
  3. Type the following and press Enter: sfc /scannow
  4. Restart your PC and check if the error persists.

The SFC scan command will scan and repair corrupted or missing system files on your device that can cause Office update failure.

Otherwise, you can simply try a dedicated tool for repairing corrupt system files that will detect corrupt or broken files and automatically replace them with new components from its vault.

We have a complete guide about how to fix SFC scannow not working on your Windows device.

In addition, you can read how to fix error code 0xc1900223 on your PC. Also, check our guide including quick ways to fix update bugs on your device.

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