According to a recent filing with the Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD), Microsoft announced an additional 559 job cuts on Monday. The job cuts were made in Redmond and Bellevue, Washington, as part of the tech giant’s global plan to lay off 10,000 employees, first announced on January 18. Please note that the ESD filings only reflect job cuts made in Washington state.
The most recent iteration of restructuring has affected the SCIM units of Microsoft, which comprises the Security, Compliance, Identity, and Management department, overseen by Charlie Bell – a former executive of Amazon Web Services, as reported by GeekWire.
According to reliable sources, Business Today has learned that GitHub, an internet hosting service provider under the ownership of Microsoft, has recently laid off approximately 142 engineering positions associated with its operations in India. “A total of 142 engineers were let go at GitHub India yesterday (Monday). Laid-off employees have been given two months’ pay as severance,” a source told the outlet.
In a recent email to employees, GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke explained the rationale behind some tough decisions the company has made, including staff reductions and new budgetary measures aimed at safeguarding short-term business health and fueling long-term growth. Dohmke also highlighted the importance of accelerating the company’s integration of AI technology, citing GitHub Copilot as a prime example of success in this area.
Several individuals who identify themselves as employees of GitHub have verified the occurrence of layoffs through the social media outlet Twitter, although these appear to be separate from the India layoffs.
“I was laid off from GitHub today. Please let me know about product manager and open/inner source roles or leave me a recommendation on LinkedIn,” said one user.
I was laid off from @github today. Please let me know about product manager and open/innersource roles or leave me a recommendation on LinkedIn. ♥
Seven years is a wild ride. So long and thanks for all the fish, Mona.
“Well, the layoffs in the tech industry finally got to me. This morning, I lost my position as manager of the policy desk for GitHub. If anybody is looking for an editor or a writer, hit me up,” said another user.
Microsoft’s restructuring plan, unveiled earlier this year, included 10,000 job cuts spanning various levels, functions, teams, and regions. This marks the third round of layoffs under the plan. In joining the ranks of firms such as Amazon and Meta, who were already undertaking mass job cuts, the move was seen as necessary to address slumping sales and the threat of a global recession. Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated in January that the changes would result in a 10,000 job reduction by the end of FY23 Q3. The workforce reduction amounted to around 5 percent of the company’s workforce, which previously stood at over 220,000 employees.
A stripped down, modular, faster and safer Windows architecture has been a goal of Microsoft for a long time. Years ago we heard about “Project Midori,” which was supposed to be a built from the ground up modular successor to Windows, and then it was Windows Core OS, which was going to start with a core set of Windows functionality, and then add to that core, for say a lightweight notebook, or a tablet, or a full on desktop computer, with different variants having different components, but all built on the same core.
Neither of those products ever saw the light of day, but word from Zac Bowden at Windows Central is that Microsoft is trying once again, this time with “CorePC:”
The project is codenamed CorePC and is designed to be a modular and customizable variant of Windows for Microsoft to leverage different form factors with. Not all Windows PCs need the full breadth of legacy Win32 app support, and CorePC will allow Microsoft to configure “editions” of Windows with varying levels of feature and app compatibility.
The big change with CorePC versus the current shipping version of Windows is that CorePC is state separated, just like Windows Core OS. State separation enables faster updates and a more secure platform via read-only partitions that are inaccessible to the user and third-party apps, just like on iPadOS or Android.
Bowden reports that a version of Windows running only Edge, web and Android apps, and Office apps, planned to compete with Chromebooks with an OS that is “60-75% smaller than Windows 11 SE” is already in internal testing, and the plan is for CorePC to become avialable in time for Windows 12, which is widely expected to launch sometime in 2024.
Of course AI will be a big part of this next version of Windows, as Microsoft has been AI-ing all the things:
Some AI features being developed include the ability for Windows to analyse content on display and provide contextual prompts to jumpstart projects or apps based on the information that’s currently being viewed. Windows may also be able to identify objects and text within images, and allow the user to easily cut out and paste those items elsewhere. Some AI features will require dedicated hardware to function.
Microsoft has been chasing the modular, lightweight core OS idea for ever, yet the desire to continue to support legacy apps and backward compatibility have always gotten in the way for a company that relies on corporate and enterprise business. From the sounds of it, Microsoft might be closer than ever to a newer more modular Windows, but we’ll have to wait and see.
Staying on top of everything while in school can be a daunting task, from keeping track of all your assignments and announcements to making sure that you’re able to juggle extracurricular activities, that is sports and even a part-time gig.
All this to say, students struggle to remain “engaged, connected, and motivated” with information streaming in from multiple platforms simultaneously. It is easy to lose track and follow through with everything.
“On average, 143 EdTech tools were used by students in the 2021-2022 school year, negatively impacting engagement, retention, and other important outcomes,” says Microsoft.
Viva Connections for Education ships with an intuitive design and easy access. What’s more, the dashboard is curated and personalized to meet the student’s needs and wants. This way, it’s easy for them to stay informed about everything going on around them.
Additionally, the tool also features customized cards for every student. The dashboard categorizes their courses, assignments, extracurricular activities, tuition payments, internship opportunities, scholarship applications, and more for easy access.
Users can opt to make use of the already pre-built cards in Viva Connections for Education while setting up or decide to customize their own based on their needs.
Moreover, you can personalize your dashboard experience further by applying your brand as well as your institution’s colors and logo to establish “a sense of continuity for students.”
Microsoft states that:
With Viva Connections for Education, you can also send targeted messages to your whole institution or subsets of students. Students can stay up to date on key news by scrolling through the Viva Connections for Education feed, helping them learn about club announcements, campus events, cafeteria menus, and more.
The same experience can also be replicated on mobile devices, allowing you to access all the information you need to get through the day while on the go.
Several users have reported coming across the network error code 0x800704b3 on their Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs. This error indicates a network connection failure and prevents users from accessing the internet or internet resources.
Well, if you are also getting the same 0x800704b3 network error, then you will be glad to know that this guide will give you a bunch of solutions to fix the issue. You can apply the solutions on both your Windows 10 and 11 PCs. Let us get right into it.
Why am I getting the network error code 0x800704b3?
The two most common error messages containing the error code 0x800704b3 that you will come across are listed below:
Windows cannot access Check the spelling of the name. Otherwise, there might be a problem with your network. To try to identify and resolve network problems, click Diagnose.
Error code: 0x800704b3 The network path was either typed incorrectly, does not exist, or the network provider is not currently available.Please try retyping the path or contact your network administrator.
Here are a few of the reasons that will trigger the network error code 0x800704b3:
System files are corrupt: Due to corrupt or missing system files, especially network-related ones, you will come across the network error code 0x800704b3.
You have enabled SMB 1.0 protocol: Either you or a third-party program has accidentally enabled Server Message Block (SMB) protocol 1.0, which is causing the problem.
Corrupt user profile: Your profile might be corrupt or does not have sufficient rights, because of which the network is having difficulties performing to its full potential.
Network-related services aren’t running: In order for your network to work perfectly, all the network-related services should be running on your PC. If they aren’t then you will face such issues.
How to fix network error code 0x800704b3?
1. Run the network troubleshooter
Press the Win + I keys to open the Settings menu.
Click on Troubleshoot.
Select Other troubleshooters.
Hit the Run button next to the Network Adapter option.
Begin the troubleshooting process.
Apply the suggested fixes.
Restart your PC.
Using the network troubleshooter, you will be able to fix all the underlying issues including the error code 0x800704b3. This in-built tool has helped several users fix the problem and could help you as well.
Click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off option.
Check the radio buttons for Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) for Private and Public network settings.
If you have installed a third-party antivirus tool on your PC or using the Windows Defender on your PC with aggressive settings, then it could complicate things. It could also result in various network errors including 0x800704b3.
We would suggest you disable any third-party antivirus program from your PC. You can also try disabling the Windows Defender settings to check if this resolves the issue or not.
3. Disable SMB Protocol 1.0
Open the Start menu by pressing the Win key.
Open Windows Features.
Scroll down and locate SMB 1.0.
Uncheck the box for SMB 1.0.
Click OK to confirm the changes.
Restart your PC.
SMB or Server Message Block is a network file-sharing protocol that lets you access the connected printer, files, and other resources on the network.
By default, SMB 1.0 comes disabled on recent PCs, and if it is enabled, then it could throw up network issues. Disable the protocol and check if this resolves the error code 0x800704b3.
4. Create a new user account
Open the Start menu by pressing the Win key.
Open the command prompt as an admin.
Type the below command and press Enter. net user 'account name' /add (Replace the account name with the name you would like your account name to be)
Type the below command and press Enter. net localgroup administrators 'account name' /add (Replace the account name with the name you chose for the new account)
Log out of your current account.
Log in to the newly created account and check if this fixes the error 0x800704b3 or not.
You can check out our guide that explains the different ways to fix corrupt user profile on your Windows PC.
5. Fix corrupt system files
Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
Open the command prompt as an admin.
Type the below command and press Enter. sfc /scannow
Wait for the command to complete.
Type the below commands and press Enter after each one. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealthDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealthDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Restart your PC.
The above commands will help you fix the corrupt or missing system files. However, they might not be that effective when solving some complicated problems such as error code 0x800704b3.
In such a scenario, you can make use of third-party software that can fix system crashes, fix DLL errors, fix BSOD errors, remove malware or ransomware from your PC, and much more.
6. Enable network services
Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
Open the command prompt as an admin.
Type the below commands and press Enter after each one. net start dhcpnet start dnscachenet start netprofmnet start nlasvcnet start rpcssnet start lanmanservernet start lmhostsnet start lanmanworkstationnet start fdrespubnet start upnphostnet start dot3svcnet start wlansvcnet start eventsystemnet start browsernet start wzcsvc
Thankfully, in this guide, we have listed a bunch of solutions that will help you resolve the Windows update error 0x8007000B. There are a variety of reasons why this error could trigger one of which is corrupt system files. Let us take a look at the solutions.
Why am I getting the Windows update error 0x8007000B?
Windows update error is the most common error that you will come across when using a Windows laptop or a PC. Some issues are quickly sorted out by using the Windows troubleshooter, while some require some additional input from your end.
Here are some of the most common reasons you will face why you are getting the Windows update error 0x8007000B:
Corrupt system files: If the system files on your PC, especially those related to Windows updates are missing or corrupt from your PC, then you will get such errors.
Network issue: Chances are that the Microsoft server is busy at the moment which is why you aren’t able to download the update.
Your PC is hit by a virus: A PC infected with a virus or malware can not only misbehave but also prevent you from downloading crucial updates.
Windows update services might be having issues: The important service called the Windows update service might be at fault here causing the 0x8007000B update error.
How can I fix the Windows update error 0x8007000B?
1. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter
Press the Win + I keys to open the Settings menu.
Click on Troubleshoot.
Select Other troubleshooters.
Click the Run button next to Windows Update option.
Follow the troubleshooting prompts.
Apply the fixes.
Restart your PC.
You can resolve several update-related issues using the Windows update troubleshooter. It is a built-in feature that lets you fix things easily.
2. Restart the Windows Update service
Open the Run dialogue by pressing the Win + R keys.
Type services.msc and press Enter.
Locate Windows Update service.
Double-click to open it.
Press the Stop button if it is running.
After some time, press the Start button under Service status.
Follow the same steps to restart the Bluetooth Intelligent Transfer service.
Chances are that the Windows update service on your PC isn’t running or is having issues. You can fix it by restarting the Windows update service as shown in the above steps. Also, make sure to restart the Background Intelligent Transfer service as well.
Type the below command and press Enter. sfc /scannow
Wait for the command to complete.
Type the below commands and press Enter after each one. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealthDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealthDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Restart your PC.
You can run the above commands and fix the corrupt or missing system files on your PC. However, often these aren’t as effective as a dedicated system fixer.
In such a case, we would suggest you make use of a third-party tool that will be able to fix system crashes, fix DLL errors, fix BSOD errors, remove malware or ransomware from your PC, and much more.
4. Reset Windows Update components
Open the Start menu by pressing the Win key.
Open the command prompt as an admin.
Type the below commands and press Enter after each one. net stop bitsnet stop wuauservnet stop appidsvcnet stop cryptsvcDel “%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader*.*”rmdir %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution /S /Qrmdir %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 /S /Qexe /s atl.dllexe /s urlmon.dllexe /s mshtml.dllnetsh winsock resetnetsh winsock reset proxynet start bitsnet start wuauservnet start appidsvcnet start cryptsvc
Restart your PC.
The above commands will help you reset the Windows update components on your PC. Resetting the components will help resolve any issues that might be causing the Windows update error 0x8007000B.
5. Scan PC for virus
Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
Open Windows Security.
Click on Virus & threat protection.
Click Quick Scan.
Wait for the scan to complete and apply the prompted fixes.
You can also click Scan options and click Full scan for a deep scan.
The Windows Security tool lets you scan your PC and remove viruses. However, it isn’t as effective as a dedicated antivirus tool.
For that, we would suggest you check out our guide which lists some of the best antivirus tools that you can install on your PC.
Enter the KB number of the failed update on the search field.
That is it from us in this guide. Several users have reported that their PC is performing slowly after they have installed the latest Windows update. In such a case, we would suggest you try out the solutions in our guide to resolving the problem.
If you are getting the 0x800f0845 Windows 10 update Error, then you should check out the solutions mentions in our guide to resolve the issue.
Zoom is a popular video conferencing software for remote work, online classes, and virtual events. However, there have been reports of disabled Zoom accounts. Therefore, this article will focus on why the Zoom account is disabled and how to reactivate it.
There are several reasons why you may encounter the Zoom Account Disabled error message. Here are some common ones:
Violation of terms of service – Zoom has a set of terms and conditions for users to follow. If you violate any of these terms, your account may be disabled. Thus, this could include engaging in inappropriate behavior during a Zoom meeting or sharing offensive content.
Connectivity issues – The platform uses internet connections to communicate with its servers. Hence, network connection issues like slow network, connection timeout, or network congestion can affect account activities.
Account-related issues – Zoom account disabled error message can appear while logging in due to account-related issues such as account logged in on multiple devices or changes made to your account by your admins.
Suspicious activity – Measures are to detect and prevent fraudulent activity on the Zoom platform. Therefore, If it detects any suspicious activity on your account, it may disable it to protect others on the software platform.
Inactivity – If you have not used your Zoom account for an extended period, your account may be disabled to free up resources.
Regardless. We will discuss how to reactivate the Zoom account.
What can I do if my zoom account is disabled?
Go through the following preliminary checks:
Close and restart the Zoom app.
Fix network-related issues on your computer.
Server downtime and maintenance sessions can cause errors to occur on your computer. Hence, visit the Official Zoom Service Status website from your browser to check if the servers are operational. If the Server is down, wait a few hours and try signing in later.
Zoom will send an email to the account owner if an account is disabled and attach some information to clarify the reason behind the account being disabled. So, go through your mail to see if you received a message from Zoom, and follow any instructions provided.
If you can’t resolve the problem, proceed with the solutions below:
Input your details, write a detailed overview of account activities and your appeal, and click Submit.
Violating Zoom’s Terms of service or user guidelines can cause accounts to be disabled. Therefore, review the Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Guidelines before submitting this.
For users who use the Zoom app, we recommend you try using Zoom on your browser. It can help you bypass any app issues causing the account disabled problems to occur.
Error 403 Forbidden on Cloudflare is a critical error that indicates an HTTP status code showing denied permissions. It explains the impediments between internet communication and can be due to different reasons.
The main features of Cloudflare are to make everything you connect to the Internet secure, private, fast, and reliable. However, these features can be futile due to errors like 403 Forbidden that impede global network security.
Furthermore, Cloudflare 403 forbidden is an HTTP status code indicating that permissions aren’t established in the connection. It occurs when a client submits a request, and the origin cannot approve or process it.
What are the causes of the Cloudfare 403 forbidden error?
Permission/Ownership issues – The error may occur due to permission settings, incorrect file or directory permissions, or an error in the .htaccess rules you have set. It can also be due to issues with the Cloudflare account membership.
Cloudflare’s Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules – If the request you’re sending violates any of the Web Application Firewall (WAF) rules enabled for all Cloudflare domains, it will lead to the 403 Forbidden error.
Subdomains with no correct SSL certificates – Building connection links via subdomains that don’t have valid SSL certificates can trigger the error because of Cyber attack threats.
Browser issues – You can run into the error due to corrupt or old browser caches and cookies affecting the browser performance. Also, it can occur when the web hosting provider is not well configured or has been deleted or moved.
However, we’ll take you through how to bypass Cloudflare 403 Forbidden and resolve the error.
How can I fix Cloudflare 403 Forbidden error?
Before proceeding with any advanced troubleshooting steps, go through the following:
Switch to a different browser – read our detailed guide about the best browsers to download on your PC.
Contact the website owner – the last resort is to contact the website owner or administrator to access first-hand information about the access policies of the site.
If you can’t resolve the error, try the steps below:
1. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies
Launch the Google Chrome browser on your PC, then click three dots to open the Menu. Go to More tools and click Clear browsing data.
Choose a time range for the data to be cleared, then select All time to delete everything.
Check the boxes for Cookies, other site data, and Cached images and files, then click Clear data.
Restart your browser and check if the Cloudflare error persists.
Clearing your browser caches and cookies will delete the corrupt files impeding the Cloudflare connection.
Go to Security and click on Web Application Firewall (WAF).
Click on Firewall rules to show the list of all rules available, then Use the toggle switch associated with a firewall rule to enable or disable it.
Restart your browser and check if the 403 forbidden error appears.
You can toggle the firewall rule based on your preferences and knowledge of the error. So, managing it allows you to disable the rules that impede your request approval.
3. Upgrade your Cloudflare account to a Pro subscription
Launch your browser and log in to the Cloudflare dashboard.
Open the external link and click on your account and domain.
Go to Overview.
Click on the Change option to access Plan Extensions.
Choose the appropriate plan type, then click on Continue.
Click the Confirm button to verify that you want to make the upgrade.
The upgrade should be effective immediately, and you should be able to access the website again.
Upgrading to a Pro subscription allows you to access more features and help safeguard your website against threats liable to cause a 403 Forbidden error.
Microsoft released a public preview of the new Teams for desktop today, and as advertised, it’s much faster than the old, admittedly slow and somewhat clunky Teams. We’ve been kicking the tires on the new experience, and have noticed some differences, some of them quite a departure from the old Teams. Let’s take a look:
Enabling Teams from the Admin Center
Here at OnMSFT.com, we’ve been using Teams and Microsoft 365 for two years at least, running on a set of Microsoft 365 Business Basic plans. With this plan we get access to Teams, Planner, Loop, Exchange, SharePoint and OneDrive, but with web access only to Office. We also have full control of Admin settings for security and compliance, Azure Active Directory (AAD), Exchange, and Teams, as well as user, roles, groups, and billing settings.
So the first thing we had to do to enable the new Teams was to do a bit of setup on the back end. If you’re already in the Teams Public Preview program, you should be all set and see some prompts to try the new Teams. If not, your Teams Administrator (in our case, me) will have to make some changes by going to the Teams Admin Center>Teams>Teams Update Policies and either add a new policy or as we did, just amend the Global (Org-wide default) policy. Open the policy, and Enable “Allow public preview” and make sure that Use new Teams client is set to “Users can choose.”
Apply the policies, and your users should get a notification that they can try out the new Teams. Once the preview is downloaded, we’ve found that it’s easier to just open the new experience by clicking on the new Teams Preview shortcut (if you don’t have Teams set to launch at startup).
Now, there are a lot of changes to Teams affecting Meetings and Calls, two important aspects of Teams that we rarely use here at OnMSFT.com. We use Teams almost exclusively as a chat client, and having used it for a couple of years we’ve developed some muscle memory.
New Chat behavior – which way to scroll?
So much so that one big (for us) change that didn’t get much play in the blog posts is that in the main chat window, posts are now organized with the most recent posts at the top. With the old slow Teams, it wasn’t uncommon to have to scroll a bit to get to the latest messages, and it took a while to realize that I was scrolling further and further back into history instead of getting to the latest messages. This isn’t necessarily a bad move, but it’s going to take some getting used to, especially as private chats are still ordered by newest at the bottom.
Pop out a thread, or immerse yourself
Back in 2020, Microsoft introduced the ability to “pop out” a chat, that is, open a private chat in a floating window, making it easier to carry on multiple chats along with keeping up with general chat threads. With the new Teams Preview, Microsoft is expanding this ability to include threads in a general chat.
Individual chats can be broken out from the main chat a couple of ways. First, by clicking on the three ellipses (…) at the top right of each thread in a main chat and selecting “Pop out conversation,” which opens the thread in a pop out window much like private chats.
But you can also open an “immersive” conversation, which singles out a thread in the main chat window, focusing solely on that thread. So far, the way we’ve found to open this experience is to click on the Activity tab (the bell) in the left hand column and choose a segment of a thread. This will open the thread in this new immersive mode. You can then close the immersive mode by clicking on “Go To Channel” at the top (or pop out the thread as before into its own window):
Lots more for Calls and Meetings
We’re admittedly not big Call or Meeting users here, but Microsoft made a number of changes to the way they work, too. Be sure to check out the Tech Community blog post for more.
One and one more thing, when you install the new Teams Preview, it creates a shortcut icon you can find in your list of apps. Pin that to Start or the Taskbar to open directly into the new Teams, once you have it enabled, saving you from having to assure Teams that yes you do want to use the new Teams each time you open the app.
What’s your favorite new feature in the new Teams Preview? Let us know in the comments below.
Many gamers reported slow unpacking speed when downloading new games or updates on Steam.
This can happen if you’re dealing with a big size game, or if the hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD) is slow. It may also be because you have many opened apps and you run out of resources.
Before taking the steps below, try freeing up some storage space, close unnecessary background apps, and turn off the antivirus temporarily.
What do I do if Steam is unpacking slowly?
1. Set Stream priority to high
Press the Windows + X and select Task Manager to open it.
Click on the Details tab and navigate to Stream.exe. Right-click it and select Set Priority and select High.
Click on Change priority to confirm your choice in the dialog box.
Setting the Stream app as a high priority will boost its performance with top priority over other running apps. Check out our complete guide on how to set priority in task manager for more insight.
2. Defrag HDD or Optimize SSD
Press the Windows key, type File Explorer, and press Enter key to open.
Click on This PC from the left side pane and right-click the drive where the Stream app is. Select Properties.
Then, click the Tools tab. Select the Optimize buttons from the Optimize and defragment drive section.
Close the Stream app. Press the Windows + E to open File Explorer.
Copy and paste the following path and press Enter: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\depotcache
Delete all the files in the Depotcache folder.
The folder path differs in PCs depending on the drive in which the Stream app is.
4. Check Drive for error
Press the Windows + E to open File Explorer and click on This PC from the left side pane.
Right-click the drive where the Stream is and click on Properties from the context menu.
Click the Tools tab and select the Check button from the Error checking section.
Click on the Scan drive link and wait for the process to be complete.
The process above scans the drive for corrupt system files and bad partitions to improve your system performance. Feel free to read about methods to use if Windows cannot repair the drive on your PC.
There are several occasions where our readers complain about mistakenly deleting files from their storage drives. However, it is important to find a way to retrieve these files as they may be essential. So, we’ll discuss ways to recover deleted files from SSD in a few steps.
The SSD isn’t a permanent memory because it allows file retraction. SSD data recovery process differs from hard disk drives because it uses a flash memory chip as the storage medium. The flash memory is calculated by the unit of P/E, which means its memory is erased once.
Furthermore, the SSD can upgrade its writing access speed for better performance without erasing its memory. Unlike the regular HDD, the SSD is more compact and reliable because it uses TRIM technology for efficient data recovery.
Also, TRIM allows the SSD to perform GC (Garbage Collection) operations to recover deleted files.
However, the deleted files from SSD are not permanently deleted but merely removed from the directory to free up space for new data writing. Hence, you can recover deleted files from the SSD on your PC without worrying about the data erasing and data writing process.
How can I recover deleted files from an SSD?
Before proceeding with any steps to recover deleted files from the SSD, you have to disable TRIM:
Left-click the Start button, type Command Prompt, and click the Run as administrator option.
Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
Copy and paste the following into the command bar, and press Enter: fustil behavior query disabledeletenotify
A return data should appear. If the return data is 1, it means Trim is activated. Should the return data be zero, it means Trim is disabled.
If it returns as Zero, type the following to disable Trim in the command bar, and press Enter: fustil behavior query disabledeletenotify 0
The above command line will disable Trim and prevent any issues that may result in data loss.
2. Recover deleted files SSD via Windows File Recovery
Right-click the Start button and select Microsoft Store from the program list.
Type Windows File Recovery in the search box and click Get to download the app.
Install the app on your computer.
Left-click the Start button, type Windows File Recovery, then click the Run as administrator button.
Select the most suitable mode considering the following options: If your files were deleted recently, select the Regular mode. If your file was deleted a while back, select the Extensive mode.
Navigate to the file source using the command lines and select it, then press Y key to continue.
Wait for the process to complete, then press Ctrl + C to stop the recovery process.
Using Windows File Recovery allows your o recover deleted files from the SSD with no threat of data loss. Check how to fix Microsoft Store error 0x800706d9 if it appears on your PC while installing the app.
Another way to retrieve permanently deleted files from the SSD is to use file recovery software.
These dedicated tools help dive into the numerous partitions and cells on the SSD to recover deleted files that are moved to free up memory.
One of the best recovery tools you can try is the Stellar Data Recovery app, which will reclaim lost or deleted data, including deleted files from an SSD.
This software covers all kinds of situations regarding data loss, such as accidental deletion, files lost due to virus damage, drive formatting, and many more.
Many reported 0x8024402c error while trying to download Windows Updates, and this can be a big problem since it can leave your system vulnerable.
Fixing this issue should be your priority, and in today’s guide, we’re going to show you the best ways to fix this problem on your PC, so let’s get started.
What is error 0x8024402c?
This is a Windows Update error, and it’s caused by the following:
Windows update cache can cause this issue, so you might have to remove it from your PC.
Windows Firewall interference can sometimes prevent certain components from working.
Issues with the DNS or hosts file can also cause this problem to appear.
How do I fix error code 0x8024402c?
Before attempting any advanced troubleshooting steps, go through the following:
If you can’t resolve the error, go ahead with the solutions below:
1. Run Windows Update troubleshooter
Press the Windows + I key to open the Settings app.
Click System, select Troubleshoot, then click on the Other troubleshooters.
Go to Most frequent, select Windows Update, and click on Run.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete, then restart your PC.
The Windows Update troubleshooter will detect and resolve issues affecting the Windows updates process. Read our guide on ways to run the Windows Update troubleshooter on Windows 11.
2. Clear Windows Update cache via File Explorer
Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
Navigate to Local Disk (C), right-click on it, and click on Properties.
Click on Disk Clean-up, then click the Cleanup system files button.
Check the boxes for Windows upgrade log files and Temporary Windows Installation files, then click OK.
Click the Start button, type control panel, then press Enter to open the Control Panel.
Select the Windows Defender Firewall option.
Click the Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off option from the left pane.
Go to the Private network settings and Public network settings, then click the radio buttons for the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) option.
Exit the Control Panel and restart your PC to see if you’re able to update it.
Press Windows + R key to open the Run dialog box, type ncpa.cpl, and click OK to open the Network Connection page.
Right-click your network adapter and select Properties from the drop-down.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
Tick the box for the Use the following DNS server addresses option, type 8.8.8.8 in the Preferred DNS server, and 8.8.8.8 for the Alternate DNS server, then click OK to save settings.
Restart your PC, then try updating Windows to check if the error persists.
Windows 11 may be going WinAppSDK any time soon, and the recent addition within Windows Insider Build 25300 may offer a slight insight into what it may look like in the future.
Windows hacker Albacore (@thebookisclosed) shows on their page that a XAML-based attractive photo gallery is living inside the new File Explorer within this build. The latest addition includes a built-in search box and lets you browse them by dates and years, thanks to the new WASDK-based File Explorer. Once updated, the Gallery icon will appear below Home in the left pane.
Hidden within build 25300 is something Longhorn's shell designers wished to one day see in production — a XAML based photo gallery right inside File Explorer. Not as flashy as Phodeo, but I'd say it still counts. Has a timeline scrollbar & configurable photo source list. pic.twitter.com/Nbdqjm65pa
“The new gallery view is part of an upcoming general purpose XAML folder view control, suggesting that the main file browsing area will ditch DirectUI in the future. Besides the Gallery view there’s also a simple list view (intended for recent items in File Explorer Home).”
Furthermore, on the first build on the newly-released Canary Channel (build 25314) and Dev Channel’s build 23403, Window seems to make a lot of progress with the XAML File Explorer Home. Although it may not seem to support groupings for different file categories, a nice little animation when interacting with chevrons and controls of modern address bar do exist within this build.
XAML File Explorer Home progress, doesn't seem to support different view types for different groups/categories yet but hey, we're getting somewhere Has some simple animations when interacting with chevrons too pic.twitter.com/vSU0vKds8G
Then, on Build 23419 from the Dev channel, the feature is getting a neat improvement. Albeit hidden, Windows enthusiast @PhantomOfEarth was able to spot a functionality that automatically refreshes the gallery home when users delete or edit images to show any changes. Plus, it will reportedly bear a nice addition of date at the top of the gallery and the annotated scroll bar with all its information.
It may seem like wishful thinking for this addition to arrive on Windows 11, but we’re getting closer and closer to Windows 12.
Read along to find out how you can activate the hidden new gallery on Windows 11.
How to see the new gallery interface on Windows 11
1. Install Windows 11 insider build, whether it’s from Canary or Dev Channel. Find out how you can join the Windows Insider Program here.
2. Make sure you have ViVeTool. If not, download the latest version on GitHub.
3. Once downloaded, click Extract all, select the location where you want to extract it by clicking Browse, then hit Extract.
In this case, we extract it at C:\Users\WindowsReport\Documents\Tools\ViVeTool-v0.3.2
4. After installation, change the value of Compatible from 0 to 1 inthis registry: HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell\Update\Packages\MicrosoftWindows.Client.40729001_cw5n1h2txyewy
5. Hit ? on your keyboard, then type “cmd” and right-click -> Run as administrator.
6. Type in cd + the directory where we extracted ViVeTool. In this case, it’s at C:\Users\WindowsReport\Documents\Tools\ViVeTool-v0.3.2, then hit Enter.
7. Enter these commands and hit Enter after each, then Reboot the computer.
With that being said, however, the feature is not ready to be out for the public just yet. The Insider mentions that they ran into some bugging problems and it’s safe to say that you may face some troubles along the way.
Are you excited about this new look of File Explorer? Let us know in the comments!
Windows Live Mail was one of the popular email clients of its time, but after Microsoft discontinued support for the software, errors were bound to appear. And over time, troubleshooting them has become more difficult. One such is the 0x800CCC79 error in Windows Live Mail.
The error message reads, The message could not be sent. The setting for your outgoing email [SMTP] server might need to be configured. To find the server settings for ’email ID’, please contact your email service provider. Let’s find out all about it!
What is 0x800CCC79 Windows Live Mail error?
The 0x800CCC79 error appears in Windows Live Mail when sending emails, usually too many at once. For some users, the email client throws the error at the launch and then automatically crashes within a few seconds. Here are a few reasons you are facing the error:
Misconfigured Live Mail settings: The most likely reason you face the error is misconfigured settings, so check these first. Compare it to a PC where Live Mail works fine.
Issues with the email service provider: Your email service often block certain ports or introduces changes or restrictions that might affect Windows Live Mail’s ability to send emails.
Incorrect credentials: When you have entered incorrect credentials while setting up the account, it will have trouble configuring things and throw the 0x800CCC79 error instead.
Malware or virus infection: A system infected with malware or virus throws a range of errors and affects Windows’ performance.
How do I fix error 0x800CCC79 in Windows Live Mail?
Before we head to the slightly complex solutions, try these quick ones:
Restart the computer.
Change the network. For instance, if you are connected via wireless means, switch to Ethernet. Or you could turn on the mobile hotspot and use the data pack.
Check whether your account has been categorized as Unknown. In this case, rename your account to something else, and you shouldn’t receive the 0x800CCC79 error anymore.
If none work, move to the fixes listed next.
1. Change the account settings
Open Windows Live Mail, right-click on your account from the navigation pane, and choose Properties.
Navigate to the Servers tab, tick the checkbox for My server requires authentication under Outgoing Mail Server, and then click OK to save the changes.
When faced with the Windows Live Mail error 0x800CCC79, most users were able to get things up and running by reconfiguring the Outgoing Mail Server settings.
2. Temporarily switch to offline mode
Launch Windows Live Mail, go to the File menu, and click Work Offline on the top right.
Once in the Offline mode, head to the Outbox, right-click on all individual pending emails, and select Delete. Similarly, remove all the emails here.
Once done, switch back to Online Mode in Live Mail as you did earlier, and try sending the email you had trouble with previously.
Another trick that fixed the 0x800CCC79 error for many users was switching to Offline Mode and clearing any pending emails in the Outbox. Remember, the Outbox contains the emails that were sent but never made it to the receiver due to an error, while those in the Draft were never sent.
Many users reported that deleting the problematic account from Windows Live Mail and then re-adding it did the trick when getting the 0x800CCC79 error. But while you are doing this, head to your email provider’s dedicated website, and change the password.
Now, wait a few hours for the passwords to sync between the two, then add the account back to Live Mail. Most importantly, make sure the account configuration settings are in order.
The ESIC portal works very well with Mozilla Firefox compared to other browsers.
Users suggested versions 22 and 35, but we found the latest version (111.0, 64-bit) is optimal. To avoid issues and ensure security, always use the latest Firefox version.
However, there are other browser that support the portal, and we’ll talk a bit about them below. We’ll also show you how to open an ESIC portal.
Mozilla Firefox is the best browser for those who want to access the ESIC site without any problems. However, you cannot access this site using Mozilla Firefox on any operating system.
For instance, you need to make sure that your device is running Windows XP or the later versions of the Windows operating system.
You can also use it on a Mac running OS X10.6 and the later versions of the operating system. As far as the best Mozilla Firefox version for ESIC goes, you’ll also need to make sure you have the latest browser version installed.
Google Chrome is one of the most popular and most used browsers today especially due to its security features.
Speaking of that, if you’d like to explore more in-browser security settings, we provide you with an extensive tutorial, so make sure you check it out.
Just like Mozilla Firefox above, it is one of the best browsers for the ESIC portal. You, however, need to make sure that you are using the latest version of the browser.
It is also sensitive to the operating system you are using but if you’re running Windows 10 or 11, it should work just fine.
This is the default browser for Mac users. It is secure and safe. You can use Safari to access the ESIC portal.
However, you need to make sure that you are using the latest version and that your Mac is running OS X10.6 and the later versions of the operating system.
Whether you choose to open ESIC in Firefox or other web browsers, it’s up to you. In fact, here are our top choices to access, open, and use the ESIC website online:
The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) provides social security benefits for workers in India, including but without limitation, medical care to workers and their families, maternity benefits to female workers, and cash benefits to workers who qualify.
They provide a portal for workers to access online. However, you need an ESIC-compatible browser for the portal.
Make sure you install a fully compatible browser for the ESIC portal. Simply pick one from our list.
On the left side of the screen, you will see the Services section. Go ahead and access it.
Next, select the option that suits you: Employees or Employers, and expand the different menu options, as follows: IP Portal (for Employees), respectively Employer Portal.
You will be redirected to the requested page and you’ll have to log in with previously awarded credentials, aka login and password provided on registration.
How to fix ESIC website not working
→ ESIC site not working in Firefox
If you are facing any issues connecting to the ESIC portal using Mozilla Firefox, you can solve the issue by resetting the browser.
You can do that by visiting the settings menu and then clicking Help. Next, select Troubleshooting information, and finally, click on the Refresh Firefox button. This helps solve some of the most common problems.
→ ESIC site not working in Chrome
It’s likely a certificate issue, so make sure you add the ESIC website to your trusted sites list in order to whitelist this address in Chrome. While you’re at it, disable any pop-up blockers in order to allow your browser to display certificate chain prompts.
In conclusion, the ESIC portal is sensitive to the browser and operating system you use.
You, therefore, need to make sure that you are using the right version of any of the browsers discussed above on the right operating system. This way, you will not have any problems accessing the ESIC portal.
If you have any suggestions or insights, share them in the comments section below.
Each of us has, at some point, or the other, come across a BSOD error in Windows. These errors crash the OS, and any unsaved data is subsequently lost. One of the relatively uncommon BSOD errors that has troubled users for a long time is PINBALL_FILE_SYSTEM.
The bug check has a value of 0x00000059 and indicates a problem with the Pinball file system, as per Microsoft’s official website. But it doesn’t list many solutions, nor provide a detailed understanding of the error. So, let’s find out!
What is the PINBALL_FILE_SYSTEM error?
The PINBALL_FILE_SYSTEM error appears when there isn’t enough nonpaged pool memory, a part of the RAM reserved for running drivers and kernels. It usually has to do with the hardware. Here are a few reasons you encounter the error:
Issues with the RAM modules: The 0x00000059 BSOD error generally arises due to RAM issues, and you should first look for problems with it.
Malfunctioning hardware: A malfunctioning piece of hardware or an external peripheral is just as likely to trigger the error:
Incompatible or outdated drivers: If you are running incompatible or outdated drivers, it won’t just affect the relay of commands between the PC and the device but may also trigger a BSOD error.
How do I fix the PINBALL_FILE_SYSTEM BSOD?
Before we head to the slightly complex solutions, here are a few quick things you should do:
Disconnect all the non-critical peripherals from the PC, except the keyboard, mouse, and monitor, in case of a desktop. Now, turn it on and check whether the BSOD appears. If not, plug them back in one at a time, restart the computer, and when the PC crashes with PINBALL_FILE_SYSTEM, the device last connected is at fault.
Make sure the RAM modules are plugged in properly. Or disconnect them, clean the modules with an eraser, and firmly place them in the slot.
Check for available Windows updates, and install any pending ones.
If none of these work, move to the fixes listed next.
1. Uninstall recent programs
Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl in the text field, and hit Enter.
Select the recently added programs individually, and click on Uninstall.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Several third-party programs can conflict with the current PC settings, especially the memory allocation, and trigger the PINBALL_FILE_SYSTEM error in Windows 7 and the later versions. Identify the apps installed when the error first appeared and remove them.
Also, you could use an effective uninstaller software to delete any remnant files and clear the registry entries made by the program.
2. Update the drivers
Press Windows + X to open the Power User menu, and select Device Manager from the list.
Expand the Display adapters entry, right-click on the graphics adapter, and select Update driver.
Now, select Search automatically for drivers and wait for Windows to identify and install the best possible one.
Outdated drivers are one of the primary reasons behind the PINBALL_FILE_SYSTEM BSOD in Windows. And when you start, update the graphics driver first, then move to the others. But make sure to check for updates for all the drivers, even manually install the latest driver version, if required.
If not, there are other alternatives, namely specialized software like Outbyte Driver Updater, which will find all outdated or missing drivers and update them with the latest versions.
3. Test the memory
Since the error is linked to the RAM, you must run a bunch of tests to fix issues with the installed memory. Start with Windows Memory Diagnostics, the built-in memory testing tool, to perform a few quick checks and identify and eliminate problems triggering the BSOD.
If that doesn’t work, we recommend you run Memtest86+, an open-source memory testing tool, to do a wide range of extensive tests on the RAM and fix any issues found. Remember, the scan may take a couple of hours, so it’s best to run it overnight.
Tip
In case none of the solutions listed here work, we recommend you change the RAM modules or increase the installed memory in the PC.
That’s it! One of the solutions here should have helped you fix the PINBALL_FILE_SYSTEM BSOD and get things up and running. You may also try a BSOD repair tool to resolve the problem automatically.
Tell us which fix worked for you in the comments section below.
Blue Screen of Death errors are one of the most dreaded in Windows, particularly due to the loss of unsaved data and its subsequent corruption. One such BSOD is the DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, often caused by the covpnv64.sys file.
A Windows System File (.sys), covpnv64.sys pertains to the VPN functionality and is often linked to the F5 VPN software. So, let’s find out the various triggers and the troubleshooting steps to fix the BSOD error in no time.
What is the covpnv64.sys blue screen?
The blue screen appears due to issues with the installed drivers, and it’s usually the covpnv64.sys file to blame. Here are a few reasons you get the BSOD:
Driver Verifier is enabled: When the Driver Verifier is enabled, the PC automatically crashes with a blue screen whenever a driver initiates an unwarranted action.
Conflicting third-party programs: A third-party antivirus or other performance-booster programs can also trigger the error for some users.
Corrupt system files: If the covpnv64.sys or other system files are corrupt, you are likely to encounter a BSOD.
Buggy update: Some F5 APM Client users started reporting the error after a buggy update which was fixed for most in the subsequent versions.
How do I fix the covpnv64.sys error?
Before we head to the slightly complex solutions, here are a few quick things you can try:
Restart the computer and verify whether the error reappears.
Scan your PC for malware and virus using the built-in Windows Security or a third-party antivirus, and eliminate any that are found.
If these don’t work, move to the solutions listed next.
1. Upgrade to APM Client version 7.2.2.2 or a more recent one (F5 client users)
The bug was widely reported to F5 by users, and the developers soon came out with version 7.2.2.2, which supposedly introduced the patch for the covpnv64.sys BSOD error. So your primary approach should be to update to APM Client Version 7.2.2.2.
A few users reported the error even after the upgrade, but it was fixed for most of them in the subsequent versions. Just make sure you always remain up-to-date.
2. Reset the Driver Verifier
Shut down the computer, then turn it on, and as soon as the display lights up, hold the power button to turn it off. Repeat this thrice, and on the fourth attempt, the Automatic Repair should kick in. If it doesn’t, try a few more times.
Wait for Automatic Repair to run, and then click on Advanced options.
Choose Troubleshoot from the entries here.
Again, select Advanced options.
Now, click on Startup Settings.
Click Restart.
After the PC reboots, press 6 or F6 to boot Windows into Safe Mode with Command Prompt.
Once in Safe Mode, press Windows + R to open Run, type cmd, and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
Paste the following command and hit Enter:verifier /reset
Finally, boot Windows normally.
The Driver Verifier functionality in Windows crashes the OS as soon as an installed driver tries to make an untoward change or perform an action not expected from it. Driver Verifier is just a troubleshooting technique to identify the problematic driver and not a solution in itself.
After you have reset it, check whether the covpnv64.sys BSOD error is fixed.
If you can’t turn on the PC, boot Windows into Safe Mode either through the method shared in the previous solution or via the built-in Settings.
Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl in the text field, and click OK.
Select the F5 VPN Software from the list, and click on Uninstall.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Once done, press Windows + E to open File Explorer, navigate the following paths, and delete any remnant files/folders related to the F5 VPN Software:C:\ProgramDataC:\Program Files
Finally, restart the computer for the changes to come into effect.
That’s it! One of these solutions should have helped fix the covpnv64.sys BSOD error in Windows. And in case you were forced to uninstall the F5 VPN software to get things running, here are the best VPN tools for Windows.
For any other queries or to share a solution not listed here, drop a comment below.
Season 1 filming of Amazon’s Fallout TV adaptation wrapped up in Utah on Friday, March 24th. Does this mean we’ll finally get to watch in the very near future? Unfortunately the answer is…not likely. The show will now enter post-production phase which typically lasts several months. And though a late 2023 release is possible, 2024 is a more likely bet.
Fallout will star Walter Goggins and Ella Purnel. First announced in 2020, there have since been various leaks of set images throughout the show’s production, as seen above. Upon release, the show will be streamable via Amazon Prime Video.
Whether you’re writing an email, a blog, or a social media post, Microsoft Editor can help you catch grammar mistakes, point out typos, and even provide writing suggestions based on your intended audience.
What’s super helpful is that you can also use it on non-Microsoft products.
If you do extensive writing on Chrome, Firefox, or any other popular web browser, then using Microsoft Editor will only take your writing up the notch. So let’s dive into how you can use Microsoft Editor.
How to use Microsoft Editor on Chrome
If you are like 65.74% of the people using web browsers today, you probably already use Chrome for all your internet surfing needs. If you write your emails, social or other posts through your browser, you need to get a writing assistant already.
This is where Microsoft Editor can help. It will fix all your grammar issues, fix mispellings, and give a boost to your writing in general. So let’s look at how to use Microsoft Editor on your Chrome browser.
Add Microsoft Editor to Chrome
Downloading and adding the Microsoft Editor extension will be the obvious first step. Here’s how you can get started with Chrome:
Launch the Chrome web browser and head to the Chrome Web Store.
Look up “microsoft editor” in the search box and click the Add to Chrome button. The extension will be added to your browser.
Click on Add extension in the next prompt, and the tool will be added to your browser.
You might be taken to the Sign in page if you haven’t logged into your Microsoft account already. There, enter your credentials and log in to your account.
Select the Extensions icon from the top-right corner, and pin the Editor extension to your homepage.
You can use the Microsoft Editor on your Chrome from here on. You can simply head to your emails, start typing out what you need to, and if you make any mistake along the way on your Chrome browser, the Editor will auto-correct them for you.
Use Microsoft Editor on Word Web
If you have accessed the web version of Word before, you’ll do just fine. Nothing much has changed here, either. When you go to the home page of your Word web, if your installation went fine, you’ll find the icon of your Microsoft Editor right there under the Comments and Share buttons.
From here, you can start writing out to your heart’s content. As soon as you make a slight typo or grammatical error, the Editor will point it out to you, usually by underlining the mistake. Earlier we’d covered how you can use the Microsoft Editor in Edge, focusing on emails. You can use the Microsoft Editor on Chrome similarly here.
Using Microsoft Editor on Chrome
Microsoft Editor is one of the many tools out there that work by fixing all your writing typos and other related mistakes. The free version of the app is handy on its own and will help you with most of your tasks. If you use Chrome on your Windows even semi-regularly, we’d say trying out Editor for a while might not be a bad idea.
According to a new report by Bloomberg, Microsoft reportedly doesn’t want any of its AI chatbot rivals using its Bing search index. The company has further indicated that it might go as far as placing data restrictions to prevent access.
This news comes after the company reportedly found two companies that remain anonymous using Bing’s search index for their AI chatbot services, outrightly violating Microsoft’s terms and conditions. If both companies continue with this trend Microsoft has indicated that it will revoke their licenses kicking them out of the service.
Microsoft provides licenses to various companies, including DuckDuckGo which recently debuted DuckAssist, Neeva, and You.com which grants them access to the company’s Bing search data. With a license from Microsoft, a company like DuckDuckGo gets to leverage Bing’s capabilities alongside its own to provide users with search results.
It’s apparent that most, if not all companies are trying to clock on the AI trend right now, but with Microsoft now threatening to place data restrictions on Bing’s search index, most of its AI rivals could crumble as most of their search engines are dependent on Bing.
Microsoft indicates that its AI rivals using Bing’s search index as their primary foundation is breaching the set terms and conditions under the license contract. And on this basis, Microsoft will reportedly revoke contracts it’s in with search engines that don’t adhere to these rules.
While speaking to Bloomberg, Microsoft indicated that:
We’ve been in touch with partners who are out of compliance as we continue to consistently enforce our terms across the board. We’ll continue to work with them directly and provide any information needed to find a path forward.
With even more companies incorporating ChatGPT-like features across their services and products, it’s likely that Microsoft might try to make Bing’s search index exclusive to its own chatbot, Bing Chat. Just last week, Google opened up its Bard AI Chat platform to select users in the US and UK with plans to roll out the tool to a wider audience in the near future.
Last week, Microsoft released build 25324 to the Canary Channel for Windows 11 Insiders. The new build featured a ton of improvements such as the USB4 settings page, password copy/paste unsafe warnings, as well as a revamped widgets board experience.
However, as spotted by @PhantomOfEarth on Twitter, the evolved widgets board with a larger canvas and dedicated sections for widgets is not the only enhancement that this build shipped with.
If you interact with widgets a lot in Windows 11, you must’ve noticed that the weather widget is lodged at the left at all times.
New Widgets entry point next to the system tray when taskbar icons are left aligned: 43214488 'Show websites from browsing history' in Start menu settings: 42905461 Snipping Tool screen recording keyboard shortcut (Win+Shift+R): 42063280
— PhantomOcean3 ???????? (@PhantomOfEarth) March 24, 2023
Though it now seems that users will soon be able to move the widgets from the left to the right. This will happen when you switch to the left-aligned taskbar on your Windows 11 device.
With this new possibility, the Windows 11 taskbar will resemble the Windows 10 taskbar. There are already multiple tips and tricks that you can use to make Windows 11 look like Windows 10, this new addition will join the list once Microsoft ships the feature to broad availability.
However, as is the case with most build releases, the feature remains hidden and didn’t appear in Microsoft’s changelog. This usually indicates that Microsoft is currently testing the feature and isn’t ready to release it to general availability.
If you’re not particularly interested in widgets on Windows 11 and would like to disable them, we invite you to check out our expert guide that will help you out with that. Be sure to also share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Updates are critical to the effective functioning of the PC, be it for Windows or the installed apps. An up-to-date computer delivers faster performance and is better protected against threats. But many users reported getting the 0x800b0101 update error.
The error code affects the PC’s ability to install Windows updates via Settings, using the MSU standalone installer, and when downloading apps from Microsoft Store. So, let’s find out how you can get things up and running in these cases.
What is failed to install 0x800b0101?
The error is encountered when you try to install a missing update from the standalone installer downloaded from Microsoft Update Catalog. Normally, we head to the catalog when unable to update the OS normally. But, when it starts to throw an error, users are left in a pickle.
Here are a few reasons your might be getting the error:
Issues with certificates: One of the reasons users get the 0x800b0101 error is when a required certificate is not within its validity period. This is usually due to an incorrect time set on the PC.
Connect to a different network, preferably a wired one, and verify whether the 0x800b0101 error disappears.
If these don’t work, head to the fixes listed next.
1. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter
Press Windows + I to open Settings, and then click on Troubleshoot on the right in the System tab.
Click on Other troubleshooters.
Locate Windows Update and click the Run button next to it.
Now, wait for the troubleshooter to identify and eliminate the problem automatically.
When getting the 0x800b0101 error, your primary approach should be to run the dedicated Windows Update troubleshooter. Once done, try installing the same update via the built-in method, and if it still fails, use the update catalog.
2. Correct the PC time
Press Windows + I to launch Settings, select Time & language from the navigation pane, and click on Date & time on the right.
Now, you can either enable the Set time automatically setting, or click on the Change button to manually configure it.
Choose the present date and time from the various dropdown menus, and click on Change to confirm.
3. Run the DISM and SFC scan
Press Windows + R to open Run, type cmd, and then hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
Paste the following three commands one at a time, and press Enter after each:DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealthDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealthDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Once done, run this command for the SFC scan: sfc /scannow
If it’s the corrupt system files to blame for the error, we recommend you run the DISM tool and the SFC (System File Checker) scan to repair/replace any corrupt system files, as well as fix other issues with the Windows image.
Otherwise, you may also opt for a proficient system repair technology that can fully scan your Windows PC to detect malfunctioned files or programs, broken registry, and many more issues. Such a tool is a suitable choice when you’re dealing with these types of errors that prevent your OS from running properly.
The steps here are to perform an in-place upgrade in Windows 11. If you are facing the error on Windows 10, directly download the Media Creation Tool, and run it to repair the Windows installation.
Now, click on the provided link to start the download.
Double-click on the ISO file to view its contents and click Open in the prompt that appears.
Run the setup.exe file.
Click Next to continue.
Now, click Accept to agree to the license terms.
Finally, make sure the setup lists, Keep personal files and apps, and click on Install to proceed.
That’s it! Wait for the in-place upgrade to complete (may take a few hours). Once done, things should be up and running like before, and you shouldn’t get the 0x800b0101 error. An in-place upgrade will fix any issues with the OS without affecting the installed apps or stored files.
ChatGPT has emerged as the perfect solution for programmers, writers, or those curious about the little things. And the popular AI tool has handled the rush pretty well. But of late, many users started getting The conversation is too long error on ChatGPT.
When the error appears, the conversation is terminated instantly, and the progress is lost. The message reads, The conversation is too long, please start a new one. Let’s find out how you can resolve things here.
Why does ChatGPT say The conversion is too long?
Here are the reasons you usually get the error:
Hit the limit: ChatGPT has a limit of 4096 tokens which includes both the question and the responses. Once it’s reached, the error message may appear.
Server issues: Users often receive The conversation is too long message on ChatGPT way before the limit is reached, which points to a server issue.
How do I fix The conversation is too long error on ChatGPT?
Tip
There are no ways to get past the error, but you can always avoid it or follow our workarounds to continue working with the previous data.
1. Ask ChatGPT to summarize
The way to prevent The conversation is too long message on ChatGPT from appearing is to ask the AI chatbot to summarize the conversation every few thousand words.
You could use the following query, and it will soon generate a comprehensive summary:
Summarize our conversation.
Once you have it, start a new chat, input the summary you generated earlier, and ChatGPT will be able to ascertain the context and come up with relevant responses for future questions.
2. Use a summarization tool
If ChatGPT isn’t able to provide a relevant summary or it isn’t particularly useful to you, some various websites and tools could effectively do the job.
QuillBot is a reliable option preferred by many, while others go with relatively newer tools. So, try a few of the available summarization tools and find out which one works best for you.
3. Break the conversation into smaller parts
Another workaround that did the trick for users was to break the conversation into smaller parts and move to a new one when a specific query was fully answered. This helps ensure that the word or token limit on ChatGPT is not reached and you don’t get The conversation is too long message.
This might not work for users trying to gather detailed information about a given subject, or their style involves splitting the conversation into branches. That’s where the last option comes in.
While there’s no clarity over an increased limit or the removal of it altogether, switching to ChatGPT Plus does offer a range of benefits. And, as per some users, it reduces the chances of coming across The conversation is too long message on ChatGPT.
At present, the Plus subscription is available at $20 per month. It offers access to the AI chatbot even during peak hours, reduces the response time, and provides priority access to new features on the platform.
That’s it! As we said, there are no ways to get rid of The conversation is too long message in ChatGPT. But a fine-tuned approach will prevent it.
Before you leave, discover the best ChatGPT alternatives and discover the other emerging AI chatbots.
For any queries or to share other viable solutions or workarounds, comment below.
Sorting by color is an incredibly useful feature of Google Sheets, but implementing it can be tricky for some. Whether you’re working on a large dataset or need to optimize data, the ability to sort Google Sheets data by color can be the real game-changer.
In this guide, we’ve explained the different methods to sort Google Sheets data based on cell color.
How do I sort Google Sheets by cell color?
1. Using Filter toggles
Drag and select the dataset you want to sort by color.
Select Data from the Toolbar and select Create a filter from the drop-down menu.
Click the funnel icon present in the header row of the column you want to sort the data by.
Choose Sort by color from the flyout menu and then the Fill Color option from the submenu. After this, choose the color you want to sort data by.
The selected dataset will now be sorted, and any rows marked with the selected color will appear at the top. All the other cells will still be in their original order.
2. Using the Sort range feature
2.1 Find the Hex color code
Select the cell with the color you want to find the code of.
Choose Fill Color from the ribbon and click the Addition symbol.
Copy the hex code for the current color from the text field.
2.2 Sort data based on Hex color code
Insert a new column having the hex color code next to the dataset.
Select the entire range of data, including the new column with the hex color code.
Select Data from the toolbar and choose Sort range.
Then choose the column having the hex color code and whether to sort in A to Z or Z to A order.
The data will now be sorted based on the column having the corresponding color hex code. Sort range enables you to sort the data in the selected dataset based on the chosen column. Here, the data is sorted according to the column having the hex code representing the color.
How do I sort Google Sheets with multiple cell colors?
Drag to select the dataset with multiple colors.
Select Data from the Toolbar and then Create a filter from the drop-down menu.
Click the funnel icon present in the header row of the column.
Choose Sort by color from the sub-menu and then the Fill Color option.
Choose a color group, for instance, orange to sort all the orange rows on the top.
Next, follow the same steps and choose red from the Fill Color option. This will sort all the red color rows below the orange ones.
Follow the same process once again and choose white as the color group this time. This will group all the white color rows on the top, red below them, and orange rows at the bottom.
Google Sheets follows a pattern when sorting a dataset having multiple colors. Rows having the first color choice will appear at the bottom, and the last color to be sorted appears on the top in the resulting data.
How do I sort Google Sheets by text color?
Select the dataset, choose Data from the toolbar, and select Create a filter option from the drop-down.
Click the Funnel icon in any header column.
Select Sort by color from the drop-down and then Text color from the sub-menu.
Choose the blue color option to sort all the blue color text entries at the top of the list.
If the dataset has more than two text colors, follow the same process for the next text color as well. Similar to the background color, it is also possible to sort Google Sheets data based on their text color.
These are all the possible ways to sort Google Sheets data by color to make data easier to organize. While here, you may also be interested to know how to hide columns in Google Sheets.
If you found this guide useful, or have any suggestions for us, do let us know in the comments section.
Windows updates are important if you want to keep your PC running optimally. Unfortunately, some users are experiencing the error 0x80071160 when running the update. According to reports, the update begins normally, but when it gets to 100, it stalls and then fails.
Windows update errors are not new; usually, the built-in troubleshooter should be able to fix such issues. However, that is not the only way to address such errors, and in this article, we shed more light on other troubleshooting techniques.
Why am I getting the 0x80071160 error?
0x80071160 is a common error code in Windows when you try to update your computer. Some of its possible causes include:
Incomplete installation – It is possible that a previous update was not completed, which resulted in some files failing to install correctly, causing this error.
Corrupt update – If there is a problem with the update files themselves, the update will fail no matter how many times you try to download it.
Interrupted connection – Your Internet connection may have dropped out during installation, causing the process to stall before finishing completely.
Corrupt system files – If your system files somehow got corrupted, it will be impossible for Windows to recognize what version of Windows you are running on your computer.
Insufficient hard drive space – More often than not, Windows updates complete successfully, but when it comes to installation, your hard drive does not have enough storage to accommodate the update.
Server updates – Sometimes, Microsoft might be doing some scheduled maintenance on its servers so that they can work smoothly without any glitches.
How do I fix error 0x80071160?
Before any technical troubleshooting, we recommend that you perform the following basic checks:
Check your network connection. If you have another device connected to the same router as your computer, ensure they aren’t using up all of your bandwidth.
Verify the server status and ensure no planned outages or maintenance schedules exist.
Check for known issues with the update. If there are known problems with it, Microsoft will post information about those issues on its support site.
If you have a third-party firewall installed on your PC, check if it is blocking updates from being installed successfully for security reasons.
3. Restart the Background Intelligent Transfer Service
Hit the Windows + R keys to open the Run command.
Type services.msc and hit Enter.
Locate the Background Intelligent Transfer Service, right-click on it, and select Properties.
Navigate to the General tab, under Startup type, select Automatic from the drop-down options, and click on the Start button.
Next, click Apply and then OK.
4. Reset Windows update components
Hit the Windows key, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.
Type the following commands and press Enter after each one: net stop bitsnet stop wuauservnet stop appidsvcnet stop cryptsvcDel "%ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Application Data\Microsoft\Network\Downloader\*.*"rmdir %systemroot%\SoftwareDistribution /S /Qrmdir %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 /S /Qregsvr32.exe /s atl.dllregsvr32.exe /s urlmon.dllregsvr32.exe /s mshtml.dllnetsh winsock resetnetsh winsock reset proxynet start bitsnet start wuauservnet start appidsvcnet start cryptsv
5. Download the update manually
If none of the above methods work, try downloading the updates manually. You can get the specific update from the Microsoft update catalog. Sometimes, it may be that your computer has some other problem that’s preventing the update from installing.
Given how frequently Windows update errors occur, it is recommended that you install a Windows update repair tool that can take care of such issues automatically.
It can be hard to pinpoint the exact cause of the error while doing a trial and error with multiple solutions. At least with these tools, your work is made easier, and they can fix a plethora of issues.
Please share with us in the comment section below if there is a solution that may have fixed this same issue but missing from our list.
When the Lenovo or Acer laptop cannot detect the boot device on startup, it displays the Default Boot Device Missing or Boot Failed. Insert Recovery Media and Hit any key, Then Select Boot Manager to choose a new Boot Device or to Boot Recovery Media message instead of the startup screen.
If you are encountering this error on your PC, follow this guide to fix it.
What causes the default boot device missing or boot failed error?
If you see the default boot device missing or boot failed error during system boot, one or more of the following is likely to be the cause:
SATA cable – Defective or broken SATA cables cannot set up a successful connection.
Power supply – Insufficient power supply is a prevalent reason that can also set off several errors like the one at hand.
Incorrect boot sequence or boot order – If the BIOS settings are incorrect, the default boot device missing error is inevitable.
Inactive primary partition – If the primary boot partition is inactive, you may face the cause of the default boot device missing or boot failed error on Lenovo/Acer laptops.
Unsupported hard disk drive – A defective, unsupported, or corrupt hard drive can also trigger this error. You can employ health check software to identify if there is a problem with HDD.
Fortunately, you can fix the non-bootable Lenovo/Acer device by implementing the reliable fixes below.
How do I fix the default boot device missing error in Lenovo/Acer?
Before employing the methods listed below:
Be mindful to disconnect any USB media from your PC. This is essential because, in such a scenario, your system will boot from the USB instead of the boot drive.
1. Change Boot Order and Boot Mode
Restart your computer and immediately press the F10 or F12 key to access the BIOS settings.
Navigate to the Boot menu in the Boot Setup window and check whether the Boot Hard Drive is detected. If yes, then set it as the priority using arrow keys.
Next, select Boot Mode and set it as UEFI instead of LEGACY.
After this, press F10 to save changes, exit BIOS and reboot your PC normally.
Incorrect boot order and boot mode prevent Windows from booting successfully. Changing the BIOS settings can resolve this startup error in Lenovo and Acer devices.
2. Activate the primary partition
Boot your PC from the Windows installation media. If you don’t have one, refer to this guide to create Windows Installation Media with UEFI support.
Select Repair your computer from the next screen.
Next, select Troubleshoot.
Choose Command Prompt from the Advanced options window.
Type or paste the following commands one by one and press the Enter key.
diskpart list disk select disk 0 list partition select partition 1 active
When the current partition is marked as active, exit the command prompt window.
It is essential to set the primary partition as active otherwise, you will get the default boot device missing or boot failed error upon startup. You can also refer to this guide to rebuild the boot partition on Windows.
Provide the necessary information and press the Next button.
Select the Repair your computer option from the next screen.
Next, choose Troubleshoot.
Select Advanced options.
Choose the Startup Repair option from the Advanced options window.
Now Startup Repair will scan your PC to diagnose the problem and resolve it. When the repair is completed, restart your computer, and hopefully, you will no longer get the default boot device missing or boot failed error.
Changing the Storage controller mode may cause a loss of data. You are advised to back up or clone the disk before attempting this solution.
Reboot your computer and immediately press the F10 or F12 key to access the BIOS Setup screen.
Switch to the Storage tab using the right arrow key, select Storage Options using the downward arrow, and press the Enter key.
Use the arrow key to select SATA Configuration and set Configure SATA as AHCI.
Finally, press the F10 key to save changes and reboot your PC as you normally would.
Incorrect SATA emulation settings can cause errors of different sorts, including the default boot device missing or boot failed error during Windows PC startup.
You can try these methods to fix the default boot device missing or boot failed error on Acer/Lenovo laptops and those of other brands. If you get the ACPI BIOS error on Windows PC, try the solutions provided in this guide.
If you have any questions or suggestions, let us know in the comments section below.
Dropbox is a cloud-based file-hosting service that allows you to share files and folders. The basic storage capacity is 2GB which gets used quickly. Hence, it can cause Dropbox not enough space to access a folder on your device.
What causes Dropbox not enough space to access the folder?
There are several potential causes of Dropbox not having enough space to access a folder:
Insufficient storage – Dropbox may not have enough available storage space to download or sync the files in the folder, resulting in the error. You may need to upgrade your Dropbox plan or delete some files to free up space.
Connectivity issues – Network connection issues such as network congestion, slow internet network, and network timeout can cause Dropbox not enough space to access a folder on network error.
File size limitations -Dropbox has file size limitations, and if the file size exceeds the limit allowed in a folder, you cannot access them.
The reasons above vary on different PCs. Regardless, we will discuss how to fix insufficient storage issues in Dropbox.
What can I do if Dropbox doesn’t have enough space to access folder?
Open your browser, visit the Dropbox web page, and log in.
Click your profile name on the home page and select Settings.
Select the Refer a friend category from the top.
Type in the email ID of your friend and click the send button. You can copy and share your referral link with others.
The Dropbox feature allows you to increase the storage capacity by 500 MB for each friend invited.
6. Upgrade your Dropbox account
Log in to your Dropbox account and click the Upgrade button from the top right corner.
Click the Buy now button under the plan you want to buy.
Subscribing for more storage is a means to solve Dropbox’s not having enough space to access folders on Mac and other devices.
7. Tell Dropbox about Cloud service
Open the Dropbox web page and navigate to the Get more space page.
Scroll through and click on Tell us why you love Dropbox.
Type your reasons into the dialog box and click the Send to Dropbox button.
Giving feedback to Dropbox on what you love about their service is another means of increasing your storage capacity.
Further, disabling the offline file will make the file or folder only available when the internet connection is available. You can also read about how to add Dropbox to File Explorer on Windows.
When shutting down your computer, have you ever encountered a window that refuses to close? This can be frustrating and is often because of the AutoEndTasks feature. Therefore, this article will focus on AutoEndTasks and how to turn it on or off.
Windows Autoendtask is a feature that automatically ends tasks or processes that are not closing correctly when the system is shutting down. This feature helps prevent system crashes or data loss that may occur if unresponsive applications are allowed to continue running indefinitely.
Furthermore, AutoEndTasks sets a time limit for the application or process to shut down gracefully when the system is shutting down. If the application does not respond within the set time limit, Windows will automatically terminate it to ensure a smooth system shutdown.
However, you can turn the feature off or on depending on your preferences. So, we will take you through the steps involved without posing any threat to your computer.
How can I turn on or off AutoEndTasks?
1. Enable and disable AutoEndTasks for all users
Right-click the Windows icon and select Run from the list.
Type regedit and press the Enter key. Select the Yes button on the User Account Control prompt to open the Registry Editor.
Double click the HKEY_USERS to expand it and select the .DEFAULT to expand it. Double-click on the Control Panel to expand it and select Desktop.
Right-click the right pane, click on New, and select String Value. Rename the New Value #1 to AutoEndTasks.
Right-click the AutoEndTasks value and select Modify from the context menu.
Input 1 into the Value data address bar and press OK to turn on the AutoEndTasks feature.
To turn off the AutoEndTasks feature, Input 0 into the Value data address bar and press OK.
As the name suggests, BSOD or Blue Screen of Death are the errors that crash Windows and lead to a blue screen. These have been present in Windows for as far as most of us can recollect, dating back to 1993. One of these is the 0x00000024 Stop Code.
The 0x00000024 BSOD error was widely reported in Windows 10, 7, Vista, and XP, though it was more prominent in the earlier iterations of the OS. No matter the case, let’s find out how you can fix the BSOD 0x00000024 in Windows.
What is 0x00000024 Windows 10?
The BSOD is one of the trickiest errors, given the abundance of underlying causes, with no hints or tricks on finding the actual one. The same applies to Stop Code 0x00000024.
Here are a few reasons you are getting the error:
Corrupt system files: One of the common reasons behind a BSOD error is corrupt system files, which also affects the other critical functions of the OS.
Issues with the installed drivers: Incompatible, corrupt, or outdated drivers can trigger a range of issues, ranging from hardware malfunctioning to the 0x00000024 BSOD error.
Malware or virus on the PC: Certain malware and virus attack the core functioning of the OS and lead to a BSOD error.
Issues with the hard disk: When bad sectors on the hard disk or problems with the format render the data unreadable, a BSOD may appear.
How do I fix 0x00000024?
Before we head to the slightly complex solutions, try these quick ones:
Restart the computer and verify whether the error reappears.
Make sure all the connections are in order, especially the hard drive. Blow compressed air into ports to clean them.
Check for any overclocking and remove it.
Test all the RAM modules individually by unplugging the others, and as soon as the error appears, the one currently connected is the culprit. Or you could run Memtest86+, an open-source memory testing tool.
If these don’t work, move to the fixes listed next.
1. Run the Check Disk utility
NOTE
If you have a spare computer, unplug the hard drive from the affected PC and connect it to the spare one. Now run the Check Disk utility. In case that’s not possible, you will have to run Command Prompt from the Recovery Mode.
Press Windows + R to open Run, type cmd, and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
Paste the following command and hit Enter to run Check Disk:CHKDSK C: /F
If asked to schedule to scan for the next time you restart the computer, press Y and then Enter.
Now, reboot the PC and wait for the Check Disk utility to identify and fix issues.
Your primary approach when dealing with 0x00000024 in Windows 10 should be to check for issues with the hard drive. While you could rely on Check Disk, the built-in utility, a third-party disk repair tool may also be useful.
Press Windows + X to open the Power User menu, and select Device Manager.
Expand the Display adapters entry, right-click on the graphics adapter, and select Update driver.
Now, select Search automatically for drivers and wait for Windows to find and install the best one.
When you get a BSOD, first update the graphics driver since it’s the most probable underlying cause in addition to the drivers for the network adapters.
If the Stop Code 0x00000024 persists, you can proceed with updating the other drivers. Besides, there is always the option manually install the latest driver.
However, not all of us are tech-savvy users or it may not work to perform it manually. For that reason, you can choose the efficient way to update Windows drivers.
Using Outbyte Driver Updater will start with a systematic scan for OS and find all the drivers that need to be updated. From there, you press the button and the drivers will update automatically.
Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl, and hit Enter.
Locate any application that got installed or updated around the same time the error first appeared, select it, and click Uninstall.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
It’s often the third-party antivirus that triggers the 0x00000024 BSOD in Windows XP and the later iterations. So, make sure to delete them all, and until a patch is released for the bug, rely on Windows Security, the built-in antivirus.
Users encountered a network error, but recently, the Bad Gateway error on ChatGPT has been widely reported. The Bad Gateway error on ChatGPT indicates an issue with the backend server. So, first, check the ChatGPT server status. In case something’s wrong with the server, you just need to wait for the downtime to pass. In the meantime, you can refresh the browser by pressing Ctrl + Shift + R, or try connecting to a different network.
How do I fix the ChatGPT Bad Gateway error?
1. Login using a free account
A common observation made during the previous phase of the Bad Gateway error on ChatGPT was that the users with a free account were able to sign in rather quickly, while it was the Plus subscribers who had a hard time.
Signup error on ChatGPT
So, use your free account to access ChatGPT. However, if you haven’t yet created a free account and are trying to register during the downtime, chances are, the Signup is currently unavailable, please try again later error may appear.
2. Disable the VPN
If the Bad Gateway error on ChatGPT is region-centric, i.e., being faced by users in a particular state or country and not worldwide, using a VPN might help. When routing the connection via a VPN, select the servers for the country where the chatbot is running.
There are several free and paid VPN tools available, though the free options usually have limited features and servers. Also, Opera has a built-in free VPN, so you could try using the browser.
The steps listed here are for Chrome, but the process to clear browsing data remains pretty much the same for every browser.
Launch your browser, and press Ctrl + Shift + Del to open the Clear browsing data option.
Now, select All time from the Time range dropdown menu, tick the checkboxes for all three, Browsing history, Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files, and then click on Clear data.
Finally, restart the browser for the changes to fully apply and try accessing ChatGPT.
In case others are able to access ChatGPT while you are the only one facing the Bad Gateway error, it’s likely to do with the browser cache and cookies, and clearing them should do the trick. Alternatively, you could use the incognito/private mode in your browser.
That’s all we have on the error! If these don’t work out, we recommend you wait out the downtime or contact ChatGPT support for a resolution.
Microsoft Defender or Windows Security is the built-in antivirus in Windows, and as per our research and comparison with available options, at par with the other prominent security software. But many reported getting the 0x80004004 error when updating Windows Defender.
The inability to update Windows Defender affects the programs’ effectiveness again the latest malware and viruses and, subsequently, puts the user’s PC at risk. This makes it imperative that you understand the problem and know ways to get rid of it.
What is error code 0x80004004?
The error code states that Windows Defender couldn’t install the latest updates. In addition, the message reads: Virus and spyware definition couldn’t be updated.
Here are a few reasons you get error 0x80004004 when updating Windows Defender:
Corrupt system files: When there are corrupt system files on the PC, the built-in programs and other critical features may not work.
Third-party antivirus triggering the issue: Other antiviruses installed on the PC or even their remnant files can lead to the 0x80004004 error.
How do I fix error code 0x80004004?
Before we move forward, try these quick tricks first:
Restart the computer and then try updating Windows Defender.
Make sure you don’t have a slow Internet speed, and if that’s the case, take the necessary measures to increase it.
Check for pending updates and install them if any are available.
Run the DISM commands and the SFC scan (sfc /scannow) in an elevated Command Prompt.
If the 0x80004004 error persists, head to the fixes listed next.
1. Run the critical services
Press Windows + S to open Search, type Services, and click on the relevant result.
Ensure the Microsoft Defender Antivirus Service and the Microsoft Defender Antivirus Network Inspection Service are running.
If not, double-click on the concerned service to open its Properties, navigate to the Dependencies tab, and check the services it depends on.
Finally, right-click on the service(s) you identified earlier, and select Start from the context menu.
2. Completely uninstall third-party antivirus
Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl, and hit Enter.
Select the installed third-party antivirus, and click Uninstall.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Now, press Windows + E to open File Explorer, navigate the following paths, and delete any files/folders for the antivirus you just removed:C:\Program FilesC:\ProgramData
3. Rename the Software Distribution folder
Press Windows + R to open Run, type cmd, and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
Now, paste the following commands one at a time and hit Enter after each:net stop wuauservnet stop cryptSvcnet stop bitsnet stop msiserverRen C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.oldRen C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.oldnet start wuauservnet start cryptSvcnet start bitsnet start msiserver
This should fix the Windows Defender error 0x80004004, and you should now be able to install the latest virus and spyware definition updates.
4. Perform an in-place upgrade
Go to Microsoft’s official website, choose the correct version, and click Download to get the Windows 11 ISO file. You can also download the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool to perform an in-place upgrade on the previous iteration.
Choose the product language from the dropdown menu, and click Confirm.
Click on the provided link to start the download.
Once the download is complete, double-click on the ISO file, and select Open in the confirmation prompt.
Run the setup.exe file.
Click on Next to proceed.
Now, click Accept to agree to Microsoft’s license terms.
Ensure the setup reads Keep personal files and apps and click on Install to start the process.
An in-place upgrade can fix a range of issues, including the 0x80004004 error in Windows Defender, and you wouldn’t lose the stored files or installed apps. However, the process may take a few hours to complete.
Before you go, check the best PC repair tools and get one to avoid running into similar errors.
Tell us which fix worked for you in the comments section below.
Keeping your drivers up to date is crucial if you want your PC to run without any issues. Many users are wondering how to install ASUS drivers on Windows 11, and this guide will show them how to do it properly.
Installing drives doesn’t have to be a complicated process, and there are a couple of methods you can use to update your drivers on Windows 11.
This guide will show you the quickest and fastest ways to do that, so be sure to follow our instructions carefully.
Is Windows 11 compatible with ASUS?
Yes, Windows 11 is compatible with most ASUS devices and hardware. If you’re using an ASUS laptop, be sure to check if your hardware fully meets the requirements.
As for other hardware, almost all newer hardware will work without any issues, however, some compatibility issues might be expected from older hardware.
How do I Install ASUS drivers on Windows 11?
1. Use Device Manager
Press Windows key + X and choose Device Manager from the list.
Now locate the missing driver, right-click it, and select Update driver.
You’ll be presented with two options. Select Search automatically for drivers.
Wait while Windows tried to find and download the best driver for your device.
Although this is the simplest way to do it, it’s not always the most reliable. Sometimes with this method, you won’t get the latest drivers, or you won’t find any drivers at all.
Luckily, there’s a more advanced solution that you can use.
On the input field on the left, enter your product name or select the product category. Once you find your model, select Driver & Utility from the right side.
Depending on the selected device, you might have to select the correct BIOS model for it. After that, select the operating system that you’re using.
A list of available drivers will now appear. Locate the desired driver and click the Download button next to it.
Wait for the driver to download.
Once it’s downloaded, double-click the setup file and follow the instructions to install the driver.
Keep in mind that you need to repeat these steps for all drivers that you want to install.
This method is a bit more complex since you need to know the exact model of the device that you want to upgrade. However, by using it you’ll always get the latest ASUS ROG drivers or any other driver for your PC.
3. Update the drivers with a specialized tool
There is specialized software you can use to entirely scan the system and detect missing drivers in your Windows 11 device, thus installing the manufacturer’s official drivers with one click.
4. Use the MyASUS app
NOTE
This method is useful if you have an ASUS laptop or notebook. If you have individual ASUS hardware, this method might not work for you.
Press Windows key + S and enter store. Select Microsoft Store from the list.
Search for MyASUS and select MyASUS from the list of results.
Click the Get button in the top right corner and wait for the software to download.
Once the software is downloaded, click Open.
Select the desired option. We chose Explore with limited features, however, you might want to use the other one and create an ASUS account if this one isn’t working for you.
Next, go to Customer Support in the left pane.
In the right pane, you should see available BIOS and driver updates. Locate the driver you want to update and click the download arrow and the software will do the rest.
While ASUS drivers download utility is useful, it might not work properly if you don’t have an ASUS laptop or notebook.
As you can see, downloading and installing ASUS drivers is simpler than you think. While using the Device Manager is the most straightforward solution, it doesn’t always give the best results.
For a complete overview of MyASUS features and how to make the most of them, check out How to Use MyASUS.
A blue screen of death (BSOD) is a common error screen on Microsoft Windows. Each BSOD error is unique, and the text message may vary depending on the cause of the crash. For instance, a section of users has been getting the Amdkmpfd.sys BSOD error.
One thing that stands out from most of these cases is that they all have an AMD graphics card. BSODs can occur for many reasons, including hardware failure or memory corruption. That being said, let’s get to the root cause of this error and possible solutions.
Why am I getting the Amdkmpfd.sys BSOD error?
If you’re wondering what triggered the Amdkmpfd.sys BSOD error, below are some possible causes:
Faulty hardware – Sometimes, installing new hardware can cause the BSOD, especially if the new hardware is incompatible with existing programs.
Corrupt software drivers – Downloading drivers from unofficial sites could have you end up with corrupt drivers that cause this error message to appear when you boot up your computer.
Driver conflicts – Driver conflicts are common causes of this error message, especially if you have recently updated or reinstalled one of your software programs.
Fast startup – While most users enable the fast startup feature to speed up their PCs, it can also bring up issues such as BSOD errors.
Overheating – Another reason why you may get the Amdkmpfd.sys BSOD error is because your computer has been overheating for quite some time.
How can I fix the Amdkmpfd.sys BSOD error?
Try the following simple tips before moving to the more complex solutions:
Hit the Windows key, type Control Panel in the search bar, and click Open.
Click on System and Security.
Next, select Power Options.
Click on Choose what the power buttons do from the list of options on the left.
Press on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Uncheck the Turn on fast startup box and then click on Save changes.
Although Fast startup allows your PC to start up much faster, especially if you were experiencing a slow boot, it has been known to cause problems.
This is because when you shut down your computer, it goes through a series of steps to make sure all your data is safely written to the hard drive.
Fast startup lets you bypass those steps, so when you start up again, there’s no waiting for your PC to load everything back into memory again. The downside is that if something goes wrong during startup Windows won’t be able to tell, at which point it’ll throw a BSOD error.
2. Update your graphics driver
Click on the Windows button, type Device Manager in the search bar, and click Open.
Navigate to Display adapters to expand, right-click on your AMD graphics card and select Update driver.
Select Search automatically for drivers.
While this method usually works well, sometimes Windows keeps installing old or wrong AMD drivers. In such a case, you need an alternative way to update your drivers. A driver updater tool should suffice, given how effective they are.
Our top choice for this job has to be Outbyte Driver Updater because it has been tried and tested as the perfect automatic tool.
Not only does it scan and detect your PC for missing/old/corrupt drivers, but it also downloads and installs them.
Outbyte Driver Updater
Take care of any system flaws on your PC using this fully effective driver management tool.
Click on the Search icon, type Device Manager in the search bar, and click Open.
Navigate to Display adapters to expand, right-click on your AMD graphics card and select Uninstall device.
Confirm uninstallation in the next dialog box.
Restart your PC, and the drivers will automatically be reinstalled.
Some users reported a side effect after reinstalling the driver: the FPS drastically dropped in some of their games. If you have experienced the same issue, check out our article on how to deal with FPS drops and stuttering.
And that’s how to resolve the Amdkmpfd.sys BSOD error. Sometimes, not even the solutions listed above can save you if your AMD graphics card has become obsolete. You’ll have no choice but to upgrade to a new GPU.
Let us know what solution has resolved this issue in the comment section below.
What are the odds that using Bluetooth headphones on your PC could have you to end up with a BSoD error? Well, that is the latest conundrum that Windows users face, dubbed btha2dp.sys error.
The most common issue you’ll likely encounter with the feature is Bluetooth not working. However, a BSoD error implies the issue is serious, as most users reported their PCs immediately restarted. Let’s examine the causes and how to fix it, shall we?
What causes the btha2dp.sys BSoD error?
The btha2dp.sys file is used to support Bluetooth devices and headset devices. If your computer fails to load this file during start-up, it can cause it to crash with a BSoD error message.
The most common causes for this type of error include:
Virus infection – Viruses and malware can infect your system files and corrupt them, which causes the BSoD error.
Overheating – Overheating components inside your PC, such as the CPU or GPU, causes BSoD errors.
Corrupt system files – If you suspect that there are corrupted system files in your PC, it is very likely that this problem could be caused by a hardware issue.
Incompatible software – Sometimes, certain applications can interfere with other programs’ functionality. Security software is notorious for this behavior and tends to cause system crashes along with other errors like BSoDs.
How do I fix the btha2dp.sys BSoD error?
A few basic troubleshooting steps that could save the day include:
Unpair and repair the Bluetooth device. This involves you forgetting the device from your PC and then repairing it.
Check whether your firewall or antivirus is blocking the connection and disable it. Sometimes, the problem is your antivirus, and you may have to find an alternative that performs similar functions.
Run the DISM and SFC scans to check for any corrupted system files.
1. Check for Windows updates
Hit the Start Menu icon and click on Settings.
Select Windows Update and click on Check for updates.
Click the Run option for the Windows Update troubleshooter.
3. Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter
Hit the Windows key and click on Settings.
Click on System and select Troubleshoot.
Navigate to Other troubleshooters.
Click the Run option for the Bluetooth troubleshooter.
4. Update your Bluetooth driver
Click on the Start Menu icon, type Device Manager in the search bar, and click Open.
Find your Bluetooth device, right-click and select Update driver.
Select Search automatically for drivers.
Restart your PC and try the updates once more.
A section of users admitted to ending up with the wrong drivers while using Device Manager to update their drivers. An alternative option would be to download them straight from the manufacturer.
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Click on the Start Menu icon, type Device Manager in the search bar, and click Open.
Navigate to your Bluetooth device, right-click, and select Uninstall device.
Check the Delete the driver software for this device box, and click Uninstall.
Restart your PC, and the driver will automatically reinstall.
6. Rollback previous Bluetooth drivers
Press the Windows Search icon, type Device Manager, and click Open.
Right-click on your Bluetooth device and select Properties.
Click on the Driver tab, then click the Roll Back Driver button.
Select a reason for rolling back the driver.
Restart your PC.
Hopefully, you’ve been able to address the btha2dp.sys BSoD error. However, if that is not the case, we highly recommend installing BSoD fixer tools. It can be tedious to keep trying solution after solution when encountering such errors.
Luckily, these tools are comprehensive in their scans and can repair many issues. Elsewhere, you may also come across the Tcpip.sys BSoD error or the INSUFFICIENT_SYSTEM_MAP_REGS error, so don’t hesitate to check out our article for detailed fixes.
Many of our readers report an error saying The program can’t start because MFC140U.DLL is missing from their computers when opening an app. It occurs when the needed DLL file can’t be accessed for some reason. However, we’ll show you how to fix the error as we go further into the article.
Aside from the mfc140u.dll not found error, there are other DLL file missing errors you can run into on Windows 11.
Why is mfc140u.all not found?
If a mfc140u.dll file required for running a program is missing from your PC, you won’t be able to run it which results in an error message. Some factors that can cause this are:
Corrupt system files – If the mfc140u.dll file the program wants to access is corrupt, it can become inaccessible or unavailable when invoked. It can be due to the impact of corrupt system files that have infected it, causing its functionality to be suppressed.
Interference from other apps – Most DLL file missing error appears due to a program on your PC overwriting the file and rendering it unusable. It makes it impossible for other programs to fetch the file, causing them to stop working.
Viruses and malware – Users may run into the mfc140u.dll not found on Windows 11 due to malware or virus deleting the DLL files.
Fortunately, there are some troubleshooting steps to resolve the error and get your apps running again.
What can I do if mfc140u.dll is not found?
Before trying any advanced troubleshooting steps, go through the following:
Left-click the Start button, type command prompt, and click Run as administrator.
Click Yes on the User Account Control window.
Type the following and press Enter, then Wait for Windows to register the DLL: regsvr32 MFC140U.DLL
Restart your PC.
Registering the mfc140u.dll file will revalidate the file and fix the error on your computer. It helps the system rewrite the file, making it visible to the needed services.
Microsoft news recap is a weekly feature highlighting the top Microsoft news stories of the past week. Sit back, grab some coffee, and enjoy the read!
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