Hard Drive Not Showing Full Capacity: 3 Ways to Restore It

Posted on March 17, 2023September 24, 2025 by Claire Moraa

Hard drives are one of the most important components of a computer. They store all your information and data, so you must ensure your hard drive works properly.

In a peculiar case, you may find that your 4TB hard drive only shows 2TB. If your hard drive isn’t showing its full capacity or it doesn’t show any capacity at all, then there might be an issue with the hard drive itself. Luckily, this is easily fixable, as you shall see below.

Why is my hard drive not showing its full capacity?

You might be wondering why your 2TB drive only shows 200GB. There are several reasons why your hard drive may not be showing its full capacity:

Configuration error in partition table – If you have changed the partition layout of your computer’s hard drive or deleted any existing partitions, it may cause problems with accessing data.
Improper formatting – If you have a new hard drive, it is important to format it before using it. Wrongly formatting a hard drive can lead to issues such as these.
Damaged hard drive – If you have a damaged hard drive, it won’t show its full capacity. This can be due to various reasons like virus infection, physical damage, etc.
Wrong file system – The file system is a protocol that determines how files are stored on your hard drive. If you apply the wrong one, your drive may have trouble showing full capacity.
Bad sectors – If there are bad sectors on your hard drive, you might see problems when trying to access them because they will give errors when reading or writing data.
Faulty software – If you’ve recently upgraded your operating system or installed new software on your computer, it may be incompatible with your hard drive.

How do I restore my hard drive to full capacity?

If you have a hard drive that shows less space than it should, there are a few things you can do to fix the problem before moving to the more complex solutions:

Check for physical damage to your hard drive. Also, check the cables that connect your computer to its hard drive. Make sure they’re secure and not damaged in any way.
Disconnect the hard drive, then connect it again. Also, disconnect other peripherals from your PC and only connect your hard drive.
Run a virus scan on your hard drive.
Make sure you’re using a compatible operating system for your hard drive.
Ensure your operating system is running properly and hasn’t been corrupted by malware or viruses.
Run the chkdsk utility on your PC with administrator rights.

1. Update the hard drive driver

Hit the Windows key, type Device Manager in the search bar, and click Open.
Navigate to Disk drives, click to expand, right-click on the problematic drive, then select Update driver.
Select Search automatically for drivers.
Wait for Windows to find you the best driver, then check if your hard drive shows full capacity.

Besides using Device Manager to update your drivers, you can also let third-party software like Outbyte Driver Updater scan your PC for outdated or missing drivers and automatically detect the newest updates from its database.

2. Format the hard drive

Click on the Start Menu icon, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.
Type diskpart in the Command prompt window and press Enter.
Next, type list disk and press Enter. This will list all drives on your PC.
Type the following commands and press Enter after each one: Remember to replace X with the corresponding number matching the hard drive you wish to format. You can also replace ntfs with another file system, such as fat32, if it matches with your drive: select disk X clean create partition primary format fs=ntfs quick

3. Change the partition table

Hit the Windows key, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.
Type diskpart in the Command prompt window and press Enter.
Next, type list disk and press Enter. This will list all drives on your PC.
Type the following commands and press Enter after each one: Remember to replace X with the corresponding number matching the hard drive you wish to convert: select disk X clean convert gpt
Now check whether your disk is showing full capacity.

The partition table is the first sector of a hard drive. It tells the computer how to divide the drive storage into separate parts or partitions. The problem with the MBR partition table is that it supports only 2TB drives and has a limitation.

Therefore if you see that your 3TB hard drive is only showing 2TB or your 2TB hard drive is only showing 1TB, therein lies the problem. That’s why you need to convert to GPT, which allows for more partitions.

In case you have trouble converting your drive to GPT, we have an excellent guide to help you bypass any errors. If none of the above methods work for you, it may be a problem with your hard drive.

It may be difficult to tell when a hard drive is failing you, but we have compiled a comprehensive tell-all symptoms guide for HDD failure. This way, you won’t be caught off guard again.

And that’s how we end this article. Feel free to share any additional thoughts in the comment section below.

Error 1935: 8 Solutions to Fix This Installation Problem

Posted on March 17, 2023October 4, 2023 by Madalina Dinita

Error 1935 is a frequent error message on all Windows versions when installing third-party apps, programs, and games. Most often, you get error 1935 when you try to install Microsoft Office some of our readers also reported the error 1935 on Adobe products.

What is a Windows 1935 error?

Error 1935 is a problem with the Microsoft Installer that is directly connected to the permissions required during software installation. You don’t have the right permissions to install it, or some other software is blocking it.

Here are some other important causes why you can get the Microsoft Office error 1935 on Windows 10 or 11:

Services are not started – If the Microsoft Installer services are not working or don’t start, you may get error 1935 in Office 2007 and related problems.
Missing .NET Framework components – This problem occurs if you don’t have the necessary C++ Redistributables. However, you can download them from Microsoft’s website and install them manually, as shown in one of our solutions below.
Software is blocking the installation – This issue can sometimes occur due to your antivirus; to fix it, it’s advised to disable its firewall or your entire antivirus.
Assembly component problem – The installation of Office 2010 Error 1935 appears with the message An error occurred during the installation of the assembly component. Try to restart the PC and try the installation again.

Now that we know what can cause the error 1935, let’s fix the problem with the solutions below.

How can I fix error 1935?

Before getting into more complicated troubleshooting solutions, let’s try a few quick fixes that might solve the problem quickly:

Restart your PC and retry the installation. As simple as it may seem, it worked for a lot of our readers.
Disable your third-party antivirus temporarily and try to install the software. If that was the problem, try a better antivirus that won’t interfere with running your software.
Make sure to install all pending OS updates.
If your PC is running inside an organization network, get administrator privileges to install the app.

If you still get the error 1935 while installing the software, perform the solutions below to fix it.

1. Delect the AppModel subkey

NOTE

We recommend backing up the Registry before performing this solution, just in case something goes wrong.

Press the Windows key + R to start the Run console, type regedit, and press Enter or hit OK.
Navigate to the following path in the Registry Editor: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\AppModel
Right-click on the AppModel subkey and select Delete from the menu.
Click Yes to confirm the action, restart your PC and retry the installation.

After deleting the AppModel subkey, you should be able to install Microsoft Office without any issues.

If something goes wrong, learn how to fix the Registry on Windows 11 in just a few steps.

2. Make sure that Windows Modules Installer service is running

Press Windows key + R, type services.msc and press Enter or click OK.
When Services window opens, locate Windows Modules Installer and right-click it. Choose Start from the menu.

After starting the service, try to install the problematic application once again and check if the problem is resolved. Another service that can cause this issue is Trustedinstaller Service, so be sure to enable it as well.

3. Perform SFC and DISM scans

Click the Start button, type cmd and select Run as administrator from the results.
Type or paste the following command and press Enter to run it: sfc /scannow
After it completes the scanning, type the following command and press Enter to run it: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
DISM scan will now start and take about 20 minutes or more to complete.

Once the SFC and DISM scans are completed, check if the problem is resolved. If you want, you can repeat the SFC scan and check if that helps.

4. Repair the Transaction support using Command Prompt

Click the Windows button, type cmd, and select Run as administrator from the results.
Type the following command and press Enter to run it (where C is the drive where Windows is installed): fsutil resource setautoreset true C:\
You will receive a message that the operation was successful. Restart the system.

First of all, it is good to know that if you receive a 1935 error when you try to install software, this means that the Windows file system transaction is corrupted.

5. Install Visual C++ Redistributables

Launch your preferred browser and go to the Microsoft Redistributables download page.
Click on the right link to download the right version of Visual C++ for your system.
Once the package is downloaded, install the software on your PC, then retry installing the software that previously returned the error 1935.

According to some of our readers, error 1935 can appear if Visual C++ Redistributables aren’t installed on your PC. To fix this problem, it’s advised that you install the missing components manually.

Keep in mind that there are several versions of Visual C++ Redistributables available, and in order to fix the problem, you’ll need to install the correct version.

If you don’t know which version you need to install, you can install the latest available version and check if that helps.

6. Repair the .NET Framework

Launch your preferred browser and navigate to the .NET Framework Repair Tool download page.
Click on the Download button to get the Microsoft .NET Framework Repair Tool.
Double-click the executable file, accept the license terms, and hit Next.
The tool will automatically run a test on your .NET Framework components and if there are any issues, it will recommend the required fixes. Hit Next to correct the problems.
Click the Finish button after the fixes have been applied.
Restart your PC and try to install the software that was failing before.

Our readers have reported that after repairing the .NET Framework components, they were able to install the software without receiving the error 1935.

Fortunately, Microsoft has a very small and efficient app called the .NET Framework Repair Tool that helps you repair .NET Framework easily so try it out.

If that doesn’t solve the problem, you can also download the latest .NET Framework and reinstall it. This will particularly fix error 1935 when installing Adobe Creative Suite 5.5, CS5, or CS4 applications.

7. Run the application in Compatibility mode

Locate the problematic installer file, right-click it, and choose Properties from the menu.
Now go to Compatibility tab and check Run this program in compatibility mode for. Select the desired version of Windows and click Apply and OK to save changes.

If you’re getting error 1935, you might be able to fix the problem simply by running the application in Compatibility mode.

If you’re not familiar, Compatibility mode is a special feature that optimizes older applications for newer versions of Windows.

Despite being designed for older applications, you can also use Compatibility mode for newer applications.

After setting the application to run in Compatibility Mode, the issue should be completely resolved.

8. Remove the OfficeSoftwareProtectioPlatform key

Press the Windows + R key to open Run, type regedit, and press Enter to start Registry Editor.
Navigate to the following key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft
Locate the OfficeSoftwareProtectionPlatform key and delete it.

After removing the key, restart your PC and check if the problem is still there.

League of Legends error code 1935 is one of the most common errors affecting players, and now you can fix it in less than 5 minutes thanks to the solution listed above.

We hope that our guide helped you fix the error 1935 and now you have managed to install the desired software.

You might also be interested in what to do if you can’t install Microsoft Office software on your PC.

For any other questions or possible solutions, we await your input in the comments section below.

Error 1327 Invalid Drive When Installing: 4 Fixes to Use

Posted on March 17, 2023October 4, 2023 by Ivan Jenic

When installing software on your computer, you may encounter an error message that reads Error 1327 invalid drive.

This error indicates that the installer cannot access a particular drive on your system, which can prevent the installation process from proceeding.

This article will explore some of the most common solutions for the error.

What is invalid drive error 1327 Windows 10?

Error 1327 invalid drive is a Windows 10 error during software installation when the installer cannot access a particular drive on your system.

The causes of the error in Windows 10 can include any of the following:

Incorrect drive letter – If the installer tries to access a drive letter that doesn’t exist on your system, it will trigger this error.
Corrupted or outdated registry settings – Issues with your system’s registry can cause this error, mainly if the registry contains outdated or incorrect information about your system’s drives.
Missing or disconnected network drive – If the installer is trying to access a network drive that is no longer available or has been disconnected, it will trigger this error.
User profile issues – Problems with your user profile, such as a corrupted profile or incorrect permissions, can cause this error.

Some variants of this error include trying to install WiFi dongle error 1327 invalid drive F, error 1327 invalid drive on Quickbooks, and invalid drive G.

You should be able to fix the problem using the suggested solutions below.

How can I fix Error 1327 invalid drive?

Remove the drive letter with Command Prompt
Reinstall the program
Disconnect network drive
Reassociate the drive letter with a temporary location

1. Remove the drive letter with Command Prompt

Press Windows + R, type cmd, and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
In the Command Prompt, type the following line and press Enter (Substitute your drive letter for P):
subst /P
Close Command Prompt and try to install your program.

Your command will allow you to connect and disconnect the drive letter to a virtual location. Disconnecting a letter should allow your program to install without generating an error message.

2. Reinstall the program

If this error occurs when you are trying to install previously removed software, then some of the leftovers of the old program might create a conflict.

You should clean the system from old or unused software thoroughly. There are specialized tools to scan every part and detect and remove leftovers.

We recommend you use one of the best uninstaller software as they can remove every file related to the app you want to delete, thus allowing you to reinstall with no issues.

3. Disconnect the network drive

Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
Find the Network drive.
Right-click it and select Disconnect.
Try to install your program again.

This solution will work only if a network drive appears in the File Explorer; otherwise, stick with the previous solution.

4. Reassociate the drive letter with a temporary location

Press Windows + R, type cmd, and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
Type the script below and hit Enter (replace Drive Letter with your actual drive letter).
subst [Driver Letter]: C:temp
Close Command Prompt and reinstall the software.
Again press Windows + R, type cmd, and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
Type the command below and hit Enter to remove the software’s association with the temporary path:
subst /D [Driver Letter]

This method lets you link a drive letter to a virtual drive location. In this manner, the installer will locate the respective temporary path and use it to install the problematic software.

Note: If the temporary path doesn’t exist, you must create it.

These solutions should suffice. However, in some extreme situations, you must create another user to correct the problem. You can also try signing in to another user account to see if the error still occurs.

Did some of these fixes work for you? Tell us more about your experience with this issue in the comments. We want to learn more about it and maybe provide you with some additional solutions if the methods mentioned above aren’t enough.

0x800f0845 Windows 10 Update Error: 4 Ways to Force Update

Posted on March 17, 2023October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

If you have faced the error 0x800f0845 while installing your windows update, you should know what’s causing the error in the first place before trying to fix it.

Usually, the error shows up when you try to install the updated component KB4056892, and you can also face this error when installing other updated components.

However, the error 0x800f0845 isn’t as rare as other websites claim on the internet. Many AMD system users have been encountering this problem through BSOD errors.

So, if you are one of those working around fixing the error, we suggest you keep reading this article.

Why am I getting a 0x800f0845 Windows 10 update error?

The error code 0x800f0845 typically indicates a problem with your Windows Update settings or the files required to install the update. Here are some common triggers:

Connectivity issues – The update error can occur due to poor or intermittent internet connectivity. This can cause the update process to fail, resulting in the error code 0x800f0845.
Third-party antivirus software – Antivirus software can sometimes interfere with the Windows Update process, causing errors like 0x800f0845.
Corrupted or missing system files – The update error can occur if some of the system files required to install the update are missing or corrupted.
Incompatible hardware or drivers – The update error can occur if your system hardware or drivers are incompatible with the update you are trying to install.
Windows Update settings – The error can occur due to incorrect or outdated Windows Update settings. This can prevent the update from being installed successfully.

You will find a resolution using any of the solutions we discuss below.

How can I fix the 0x800f0845 Windows 10 update error?

1. Uninstall Windows Updates in Safe Mode

Restart windows a few times consecutively to enter an automatic repair screen.
Click the Advanced Options in the Troubleshoot window.
In the Advanced Options, click Startup Settings.
Now reboot the windows on Safe Mode using the F4 key.
Once in Safe Mode, open Settings by holding Windows Key and I.
In Settings, click Update & Security section and select View update history.
Select Update history and uninstall the KB405692 update.

2. Try Windows Update Troubleshooter

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
In Settings, click on Update & Security.
Click Troubleshoot on the left pane, then on the right, select Windows update.
Now click on Run the Troubleshooter to start the troubleshooting.

3. Download Windows updates manually

Go to Microsoft’s Update Catalog site on your browser.
Enter your desired Update Code in the search bar and hit Enter.
Get a suitable version from the list by clicking the Download button.
In the pop-up window, click the given link to start the windows update.

4. Roll back your update

Press Windows + R, type cmd, and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
Type the below commands hitting Enter after each one.
dir d:
dism /image:d /remove-package
/packagename:Package_for_RollupFix~31bf3856ad364e35~aamd64~~7601.24002.1.4 /norestart

When done, restart your computer for the changes to apply. Let us know if these fixes work for you. The solutions mentioned above should help you fix the error 0x800f0845 and put it to rest.

It’s essential to keep your Windows 10 system up to date to ensure the best performance and security, and these methods should help you overcome any issues with the update process. However, if you continue to experience problems, it may be worth contacting Microsoft support for further assistance.

We love to hear from you in the comments section below, so please tell us which solutions worked for you.

Runtime Error 217: Causes & How to Fix It

Posted on March 17, 2023April 2, 2024 by Claire Moraa

Runtime error 217 is a standard error that occurs when you try to run a program or open an app on your PC. This problem is usually due to incorrect installation of the application.

Installing and uninstalling apps in Windows 11 can be tricky, especially if they’re not from the Microsoft Store. In this article, we will tell you what causes runtime error 217 and how to fix it.

What is Runtime error 217?

Runtime Error 217 is a standard error that occurs during the installation of some programs and applications. It means that the application is trying to access an object that does not exist.

The error may come accompanied by various codes, such as runtime error 217 at 02524611 or runtime error 217 at 004963f9. It’s usually triggered by an incompatible application or bad settings in your computer, but below are some common causes:

Improper installation of an app – This can happen if you install faulty software or third-party apps on your PC with incomplete installation packages. It’s also the reason behind Run-time error 76.
Missing or damaged system files – These files are required for programs to run on your computer, and if they’re missing or faulty, the program won’t work properly.
Damaged Windows registry – If there is any corruption in this registry file, it will result in an error 217 message on your screen.
Hardware failure – If there is a problem with any hardware connected to your PC from your hard drive, CD/DVD drive, or any other piece of hardware, there’s a chance the Runtime error 217 will appear on your screen.
Incomplete uninstallation of an app – The uninstall process of any application is not always perfect. There are times when some files and registry entries are left behind after the uninstalling process.

How do I fix Runtime error 217?

If your computer is experiencing Error 217, there are some basic things you can try before moving on to the more advanced solutions:

Stop all running applications and close all the windows on your computer screen.
Make sure that your hardware and software are all up to date. You should always keep your computer’s firmware updated to run smoothly with any new updates from Microsoft or other developers.
Disable or stop the program that’s generating the error message.
Reinstall the particular program that is causing the runtime error. Also, ensure to get rid of software leftovers in case they are corrupt.
Uninstall any recently installed application or software from your computer if you’re unsure what application is responsible for the runtime 217 error.
Run a DLL-fixer tool and attempt to repair or replace any missing or damaged DLL files.

1. Run the DISM and SFC scans

Hit the Windows key, type cmd, and hit Run as administrator.
Type the following commands and press Enter after each one: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth sfc /scannow

If the sfc scannow command is not working, we have quick steps to get it up and running again.

This can be done automatically with dedicated repair software. These kinds of tools are able to scan your computer, identify any broken files, and replace them, all in just a few minutes.

2. Perform a clean boot

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

3. Reset your PC

Hit the Windows key and select Settings.
In the left window pane, select System, then click on Recovery on the right pane.
Click on Reset PC from the right side.
Choose the type of factory reset you need. You can keep your files or completely delete all the files, apps, and settings on the PC.
Select the option you want to reinstall Windows: Cloud download or Local reinstall.
Click on Next.
Finally, press the Reset button.

Other errors of a similar kind that you may encounter include the Runtime error R6025, but we have already addressed how to bypass it in our comprehensive guide.

If these errors appear often enough on your PC, it may be time to acquaint yourself with a runtime error repair tool. Such errors can significantly affect the performance of your PC, causing it to slow down.

That brings us to the end of this guide, and hopefully, you’ve been able to resolve the issue with runtime error 217.

Feel free to let us know what solution came through for you if you encountered this error.

7 Best MP3 to Sheet Music Tools: Free and Paid

Posted on March 17, 2023November 26, 2024 by Radu Tyrsina

Converting MP3s to sheet music used to be a pain, but now AI tools make it way easier.

These apps can transcribe audio for you, so musicians can focus on learning or transcribing music. Here’s a rundown of the best ones.

What is the best MP3-to-sheet music converter?

1. AudioScore Ultimate – Best MP3-to-sheet music converter

AudioScore Ultimate is a solid tool for turning audio into sheet music. It can handle MP3s, live recordings, and even MIDI files, making it versatile.

We’ve found its recognition of multiple overlapping notes and automatic instrument detection to be particularly useful.

It’s straightforward to use, even for beginners, but it does take a bit of patience for more complex tracks.

Pros:

Converts MP3, live recordings, and MIDI
Good for multiple instruments and overlapping notes
Beginner-friendly interface

Cons:

Can struggle with very complex or fast music
Requires a microphone for live transcription

AudioScore Ultimate

Get accurate transcriptions for your recordings with easy-to-use tools designed for musicians of all levels.

Free trial Visit Website

2. AnthemScore 4 – AI-powered transcription tool

AnthemScore 4 uses AI to transcribe MP3s and WAVs into sheet music or guitar tabs. It’s great for musicians who don’t want to commit to a subscription.

The tool detects notes and arranges them into a score, and you can adjust the note density.

It’s not perfect for highly complex music, but it gets the job done for most standard pieces.

Pros:

One-time purchase, no subscription
Adjustable note density for easier editing
30-day free trial

Cons:

Limited to MP3 and WAV file formats
Struggles with dense or intricate pieces

⇒ Get Anthemscore 4

3. Piano2Notes – great for polyphonic piano music

Piano2Notes is focused on transcribing piano music, handling polyphonic pieces well.

You can convert your piano recordings into sheet music or MIDI, which is helpful for musicians wanting accurate notation.

It’s not suitable for other instruments, but for piano-heavy music, it works well and is straightforward to use.

Pros:

Designed for polyphonic piano music
Exports to MIDI and MusicXML formats
Easy note separation for complex pieces

Cons:

Only works with piano music
Struggles with background noise

⇒ Get Piano2Notes

4. Tunescribers – simple and user-friendly music transcription

TuneScribers is an easy-to-use tool for transcribing MP3s, WAVs, and even YouTube videos.

It uses AI to convert audio into sheet music or guitar tabs, and while it’s quick for simple tracks, it might need some manual tweaking for more complex pieces.

If you need quick transcriptions, it’s a solid and reliable choice.

Pros:

Supports MP3, WAV, and YouTube files
Simple interface, good for beginners
Free trial available

Cons:

Not as accurate with complex music
Limited editing options in free version

⇒ Get Tunescribers

5. NCH TwelveKeys – Perfect for beginners

NCH TwelveKeys is a music program designed to assist musicians as they transcribe MP3 to sheet music. The tool works with many instruments playing simultaneously.

This program is perfect for musicians trying to learn how to play a piece of recorded music without having the sheet notation or to assist in noting other compositions and improvisations.

If you want to convert audio to sheet music for free, be sure to give this tool a try.

Pros:

Slow music without altering pitch
Real-time note identification
Supports foot pedal for hands-free use

Cons:

Basic functionality compared to others
Doesn’t handle complex music well

⇒ Get NCH TwelveKeys

6. Melody Scanner – Supports MP3 files and YouTube videos

Melody Scanner might be handy if you want to transcribe an MP3 file. The software supports several input methods, and you can easily import your recordings.

Alternatively, you can import MIDI, MusicXML, or MP3 files. Lastly, there’s even support for YouTube videos, so you can use them to generate sheet music.

The software has 3 different views; you can view the classical score, piano roll, or guitar tabs. Regarding the support instruments, the software can work with 8 different types.

Pros:

Supports MP3, MIDI, and YouTube
Three different view options for sheet music
Free version available

Cons:

Free version has limitations
Requires manual adjustments for complex pieces

⇒ Get Melody Scanner

7. Soundslice – Available in your browser

Transcribing music doesn’t have to be hard; it can even be performed in your web browser. This service supports MP3 files but also works with YouTube videos and other video files.

With it, you can easily slow recordings and loop them to notate. In addition to transcribing, you can use this service to practice playing.

It’s worth mentioning that Soundslice helps you transcribe music, but it won’t do it automatically.

Pros:

Works in the browser, no download needed
Great for slowing down and looping sections
Easy sharing options

Cons:

Doesn’t automatically transcribe music
Better suited for practice than full transcriptions

⇒ Get Soundslice

These are some of the best programs for transcribing music automatically.

If you’re a musician, check the best guitar tab software guide, our piano software guide, or our music production software list, and test and start practicing your newly created music sheets.

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

Fix: Lenovo Power Manager not Working on Windows 10

Posted on March 17, 2023September 29, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

Lenovo Power Manager is a tool that comes with a series of power-related features. However, users often reported that the Lenovo Power Manager is not working on their Windows 10 devices.

This can be frustrating, as it takes away the ease of accessing everything power in a single location on their PC. If you also face this issue, this guide will show how to fix it quickly.

Why is Lenovo Power Manager not working on Windows 10?

Below are some of the reasons the Lenovo Power Manager is not working on Windows 10:

Compatibility issues: Some users have found this issue to be down to compatibility problems. The solution is to run the executable file in compatibility mode for Windows 7.
Outdated PC: Sometimes, this problem might be due to an outdated operating system. Updating your PC to the latest version should solve the problem.
Faulty driver: At times, the Lenovo Power Manager might not open because of an outdated or faulty driver. You need to reinstall or update the driver to fix this.

How do I open Lenovo Power Manager in Windows 10?

The easiest way to open the Lenovo Power Manager in Windows 10 is to click on the icon on your Taskbar. This will start the app and display the full power management options.

How can I fix Lenovo Power Manager if it’s not working on Windows 10?

1. Change compatibility mode

Press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer and follow the path below: C:\Program Files (x86)\ThinkPad\Utilities
Right-click PWMUI.exe and select Properties. If you can’t find that file, you can right-click the shortcut icon and choose the Properties option.
On the Properties window, click on the Compatibility tab.
Checkmark the Run this program in compatibility mode for box and select Windows 7.

The first thing to do if the Lenovo Power Manager is not working on Windows 10 is to run the executable file in compatibility mode. This eliminates any compatibility issue that might be causing the problem.

2. Use Microsoft Store

Go to Microsoft Store.
Search for Lenovo Settings.
Download and install Lenovo Settings.
Once the installation process is completed, restart your PC.
Go to Search and type Lenovo Settings to launch the apps.

3. Check for Windows updates

Open Settings.
Go to Update & Security.
On the left side, click on Windows Update, then, on the right side, select Check for updates.

4. Use a third-party software

According to some users, the Lenovo Power Manager might not work on Windows 10 due to an outdated driver.

While you can easily update your drivers manually, a faster and more reliable way to fix this is to use a dedicated tool because it allows you to do that automatically.

A dependable tool we recommend is Outbyte Driver Updater, as it can help you scan your PC for outdated or missing drivers and locate the newest update from its repository.

If something unexpected happens, you can also create a backup for your driver’s devices. You can also repair damaged drivers or find missing ones to optimize the system.

These tips and tricks are for fixing your Lenovo Power Manager if it is not working on Windows 10.

Also, you can always check a list of the best tools to stop battery charging and extend battery life. Thus, you can keep power manager features updated and monitored.

In addition, don’t hesitate to comment in the section below, and let us know which suggestions worked best for you.

Skype Won’t Open: 7 Easy Solutions to Start it Again

Posted on March 17, 2023November 13, 2025 by Ivan Jenic

Skype is one of the top VoIP-based tools with excellent features. Unfortunately, like other apps, it has flaws, too, with users reporting that Skype won’t open on their PC.

While various factors can cause this, it is usually easy to fix, as shown in this guide.

Why won’t Skype open?

Listed below are some of the reasons Skype won’t open on Windows 10:

Interference from the antivirus or firewall: If Skype won’t open on your computer, you need to check if your antivirus or firewall does not block it. The quickest way to do this is to disable the security features temporarily.
Issues with Skype version: Some users have reported problems with specific versions of Skype. You need to remove these faulty apps and reinstall a working version of Skype.
Faulty system files: This issue may be due to corrupt or missing system files. Repairing these files should restore normalcy in no time.

What can I do if Skype won’t open?

1. Rename Skype Folder in Safe Boot mode

Press the Windows key + I and select Update & Security.
Select Recovery in the left pane and click the Restart now button under Advanced startup.
When your PC restarts, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options.
Now, select the Startup Settings option.
Click the Restart button.
Press 5 or F5 to Enable Safe Mode with Networking when your PC restarts.
After your PC boots up, press the Windows key + R, type %appdata%, and click OK.
Now, right-click the Skype app and select the Rename option.
Finally, type Skype 1 or Skype 3 and press Enter.

Sometimes, Skype might not open because the app folder might be corrupt. The solution is to rename the app and let the app create another one.

2. Grant Skype access to the microphone and camera

Press the Windows key + I and select the Privacy option.
Select the Camera option.
Now, toggle the switch before Skype forward to permit it.
Go back to the Privacy page and select the Microphone option.
Finally, toggle the switch before Skype forward to enable it.

Some users have reported that Skype is not opening on Windows 10 because it is not granted the appropriate permission. You need to allow it access to your microphone and camera to fix this issue.

3. Run Skype in compatibility mode

Right-click the Skype icon and select the Properties option.
Click the Compatibility tab at the top.
Now, check the Run this program in compatibility mode for box.
Select Windows 8 from the dropdown.
Finally, click the Apply button followed by OK to save the changes made.

If the Skype version on your PC runs into compatibility issues, it might not open. However, running the app in compatibility mode for older Windows versions should solve the problem.

4. Temporarily disable antivirus and firewall

Press the Windows key, type virus, and select Virus & threat protection.
Click the Manage settings link.
Now, toggle the switch for Real-time protection backward to disable it.
Next, press the Windows key + S, type windows defender, and select the Windows Defender Firewall option.
Select Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off in the left pane.
Finally, tick the radio button for Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) under the Private and Public sections.

Sometimes, Skype might not open because your antivirus or firewall blocks it. To be sure this is not the case, you need to disable the security features on your PC temporarily.

If you are using a third-party antivirus, right-click the icon on the taskbar and select the Disable option. Note that you need to re-enable your antivirus and firewall after signing in to Skype.

5. Perform an SFC Scan

Press the Windows key, type cmd, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
Type the command below and hit Enter to run it: sfc /scannow
Finally, wait for the command to finish running and restart your PC.

The Skype won’t open issue can sometimes be due to faulty or broken system files. Thankfully, you can quickly fix this by running an SFC scan.

If this does not solve the problem, you might need to run a DISM scan and try SFC again.

6. Repair the app

Press the Windows key + I and select the Apps option.
Select Skype and click Advanced options.
Now, click the Repair button and wait for the process to complete.
Finally, click the Reset button if repairing it does not work.

In some cases, the Skype app itself might be faulty, causing it not to open on your PC. The best to do is to repair the app.

7. Reinstall Skype

Press the Windows key + R, type appwiz.cpl, and click OK.
Right-click Skype and select Uninstall.
Now, follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.
Next, go to the official website and click the Get Skype dropdown.
Finally, select the Get Skype for Windows option and double-click the downloaded app to complete the onscreen instructions.

For more information, we have a detailed guide on how to uninstall Skype, so don’t miss it.

Sometimes, the Skype won’t open issue might be limited to the app’s Desktop version. Hence, you need to download the specific Windows version.

With this, we can conclude this detailed guide on Skype won’t open issues. You should be able to fix the problem quickly, provided you follow the instructions carefully.

If you are also facing auto sign-in problems on Skype, check our comprehensive guide to fix it.

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

Kernelbase.dll Caused a Breakpoint: 4 Ways to Repair it

Posted on March 17, 2023March 28, 2024 by Tashreef Shareef

The Kernelbase.dll caused a breakpoint in Windows 10 error occurs when launching the Steam client or a game from Steam.

The error occurs on Windows 10 and is triggered when saving or loading a game. This guide will show you how to fix this error effortlessly.

What causes a Kernelbase.dll error?

A series of factors can cause the Kernelbase.dll to cause a breakpoint error. Below are some of the potential causes of the issue:

Corrupt system files: One of the major causes of the Kernelbase.dll crash is a missing or broken system file. The only way around this is to repair and restore these files.
Antivirus interference: Sometimes, this issue might occur because your antivirus or firewall is blocking Steam or the game you are trying to open. The solution is to disable your security software and maybe switch to reliable antivirus for Windows 10.

How do I fix the Kernelbase.dll caused a breakpoint error?

1. Repair files with a specialized tool

If the Kernelbase.dll caused a breakpoint error is occurring due to file corruption, try repairing the file with a file repair software for Windows. One of the best choices is to choose a tool that can help you manage your PC’s system better, and replace damaged Windows files with new components.

2. Run your game in Compatibility mode

Right-click on the game shortcut from the desktop.
Select Open file location.
Next, locate and right-click on your game’s main .exe file and select Properties.
In the Properties window, open the Compatibility tab.
Under the Compatibility mode section, check Run this program in compatibility mode for box.
Click the drop-down menu and choose Windows 7 from the list.
Now, check the Run this program as an administrator checkbox.
Finally, click Apply and OK to save the changes.

Close the Properties window, and run the shortcut. Check if the Kernelbase.dll caused a breakpoint error is resolved. Running the Steam games in compatibility mode will fix the crashing and freezing problems.

If the issue persists, try running the game as an administrator to fix the error. Here’s how to do it.

3. Disable antivirus software

Press the Windows key, type virus, and select Virus & threat protection.
Click the Manage settings link.
Now, toggle the switch for Real-time protection backward to disable it.
If you use third-party antivirus software, right-click its icon on the taskbar and select Disable or Quit.
Next, press the Windows key + S, type windows defender, and select the Windows Defender Firewall option.
Select Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off in the left pane.
Finally, tick the radio button for Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) under the Private and Public sections.

Third-party antivirus software can trigger freezing and crash with the error kernelbase.dll caused an access violation. To fix the error, temporarily close your antivirus and firewall software on your system.

4. Increase Paging File Size

Press the Windows key + R, type sysdm.cpl, and click OK.
Select the Advanced tab at the top and click the Settings button under the Performance section.
Now, click the Advanced tab in the Performance Options window.
Click the Change button under the Virtual memory section.
Uncheck the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives box.
Choose your Windows installation drive.
Now, select the Custom Size option.
Next, set the Initial Size value and the Maximum size value. Make sure to set a higher value for the Maximum size than its current value.
Finally, click Apply and OK to save the changes.

Once the changes are applied, close the Properties window, relaunch the game triggering the error and check if the kernelbase.dll error is resolved.

Is it safe to download Kernelbase.dll?

Yes, you can always download the Kernelbase.dll file manually. However, you must be careful, as installing a wrong or faulty DLL file on your PC can cause problems.

So, the ideal thing to do is to repair the Kernelbase.dll file using the dedicated tool we discussed in the guide.

Insufficient system memory, corrupted system files, missing DLL files, and incompatibility issues can cause the kernelbase.dll to produce a breakpoint error in Windows 10 computers. But with the fixes in this guide, you should be able to solve the problem effortlessly.

If you are facing other issues, like an exception breakpoint has been reached, check our detailed guide to fix it quickly.

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

Acer fan Control: 3 Easy Methods to Adjust the Fan Speed

Posted on March 17, 2023August 11, 2025 by Farhad Pashaei

If your ACER computer overheats you may be able to manage that through Acer fan control. Keeping it cool protects your CPU and prevents overheating issues like system slowness and automatic shutdowns. You can find below 3 simple ways to adjust your fan settings, explained step by step.

How do I use Acer fan control?

How do I use Acer fan control?

1. Use Acer fan control software

Acer fan control software helps you control Acer laptop fan speed inside your Windows environment.

However, its effectiveness is limited by your firmware and sometimes, these tools fail. Not all Acer laptops have the same control fan software and some won’t support one at all.

For example, to control fan speed in an Acer Nitro laptop, and monitor GPU and CPU temperature, you can use NitroSense.

If you use Acer Aspire 7 laptop, you should use the Acer Aspire fan control utility called Acer Quick Access.

You can find the specific software compatible with your laptop by entering the serial number, SNID, or part number (P/N) in Acer Support’s Drivers and Manuals section.

2. Change the system cooling policy

First, click on the Start menu, search for Control Panel, and click on Open.
Then, click on Power Options.
Click on Change Plan Settings.
Then click on Change Advanced Power Settings.
After that, under the Advanced Settings tab, click on the plus symbol under Processor Power Management.
Choose System Cooling Policy from the menu. Then, click on the down arrow under System Cooling Policy.
Finally, select Active from the menu to increase the speed of your CPU fan. Then, click on the OK button.

3. Change BIOS settings

Start/Restart your Acer laptop.
Then, based on your motherboard manufacturer, you will need to repeatedly press the Del, F2, F10, and F12 keys to load the BIOS menu.
Using the arrow keys, head over to the Monitor or Status option.
Next, open Fan Speed Control and select Fan Control Setting.
Choose the fan whose speed you want to change, and choose your desired speed from the list. Finally, press Enter and save the settings.

The second method on this list is to use the Acer BIOS smart fan control. This method requires you to know what you are doing and avoid making unnecessary changes to your BIOS settings.

4. Maintain and Clean the Cooling System

Dust and debris inside your laptop reduce cooling efficiency and force the fans to work harder.

Power off and unplug your Acer laptop.
Use a can of compressed air to gently clean the vents.
Keep the device on a hard, flat surface to allow proper airflow.
A clean cooling system often reduces noise and improves temperature control.

5. Use a Cooling Pad for Better Airflow

An external cooling pad helps draw heat away from your laptop.

Choose a model with adjustable fan speeds.
Position the pad so its airflow aligns with your Acer’s intake vents.
USB-powered pads are ideal for portability.
This passive method supports Acer laptop fan control without modifying internal settings.

6. Monitor Temperatures and Adjust Usage

Keeping an eye on internal temperatures helps you understand when your fans need support.

Use software like HWMonitor or Argus Monitor to track CPU and GPU temps.
Close heavy applications when temps exceed 85°C.
Reduce graphics settings in games to lower heat output.

7. Update System Drivers for Stable Fan Behavior

Outdated or faulty drivers can cause inconsistent fan speeds. You can update them in several ways:

Via Device Manager:

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
Expand System devices or Display adapters.
Right-click the device and select Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for drivers and follow the prompts.

Via Acer’s Website:

Visit Acer’s Support page and enter your model number.
Download and install the latest chipset and graphics drivers.
Restart your laptop to apply changes.

Using Fortect Driver Updater:
If you prefer an automated option, Fortect Driver Updater can scan your system and install the latest compatible drivers with minimal effort. This is useful if you want to avoid manual searches.

Can I manually control my laptop fan speed?

Yes, there are various methods for controlling your laptop fan speed manually. For example, you can use the Control Panel and tweak the settings in BIOS.

Benefits of controlling fan speed

Increases reliability: If you want to ensure the reliability and longevity of your processor, you need to control the fan speed accordingly. This is because it can reduce overheating and provide the necessary cooling for your processor to run smoothly.
Decreases system noise: Another benefit of fan speed control is reducing unnecessary Acer fan noise.
Reduces power consumption: If your PC is overheating, it consumes more power. This is why you must control your fan speed to minimize overheating and its effect. When the control feature is coupled with a fan speed monitor, you can effectively increase your PC’s battery life.

We have reached the end of this article on controlling Acer fan speed. Also, if your CPU fan is not spinning, check out this article.

Let us know whether you can control the fan speed on your Acer laptop in the comments section below.

8 Best Cloud Storage Apps for Windows 10 to Host Your Files

Posted on March 17, 2023October 4, 2023 by Andrew Wafer

Do you want unlimited free storage space to save your data in good and secured conditions? In that case, you need to use a cloud storage service for Windows 10.

Luckily for you, if you search for cloud storage apps for PC on the Microsoft Store, you can find some interesting options. However, choosing the ideal one is not all that straightforward.

This is why we have prepared this guide to ease the selection process.

Does Windows 10 have cloud storage?

Windows 10 does have built-in cloud storage that is free to use. Below are the options available to you on your PC.

Use the default app: The built-in cloud storage on Windows 10 is OneDrive. It is a pretty secure app that is easy to use and free.
Third-party apps: While OneDrive is an excellent cloud storage option, it still leaves a lot to be desired. Thankfully, numerous dedicated third-party apps have picked up the slack to produce exceptional storage options for personal and official use.

What are the best cloud storage apps for Windows 10?

Sync.com – User-friendly app

You probably don’t know much about Sync.com, and that’s because it’s not as popular as the top commercial solutions from the major brands out there.

However, this solution quickly became a strong cloud storage service on the market, banking on a user-friendly interface and easy access.

It comes with end-to-end encryption, and it can back up all the data on all your devices in only one place where you can access them safely and quickly.

You can even use it collaboratively thanks to its Slack and Asana integration, which can ensure easy access for your peers in your organization.

Other security features include password-protecting your files and recovering any deleted files or their previous versions.

Check out some of Sync.com’s top features:

End-to-end encryption for your data
Sharing and collaboration features
Password protects your files and grant permission only to certain users
Access your data from anywhere and on any platform
5GB of storage on the free version

Sync.com

Keep all your data into the same place, but securely enough so you don’t need to worry anymore.

Free trialVisit website

pCloud – Available on all platforms

If you’re looking for an excellent cloud backup solution, pCloud might be the right choice. The service is available on all platforms, and it can even back up your data from OneDrive, Google Drive, and DropBox.

Being a cloud backup service, it’s normal to have some privacy concerns, but this Switzerland-based solution provides strict user privacy and has a zero-knowledge policy.

It also comes with TLS/SSL encryption for file transfer, so security is of no concern. What you need to opt for is the space allocated for your data.

You need to choose from a 500 GB Premium option or a 2 TB Premium Plus option if you have an extended backup to the store.

Let’s go through some of pCloud’s key features:

Compatible with any desktop or mobile platforms
Focused on privacy and security with TLS/SSL encryption
Strict zero-knowledge policy
Simple and convenient usage
Included collaboration features

pCloud

Try this Swiss privacy and security-oriented cloud back-up solution to back up your data right now.

Free trialVisit website

Zools Genie Backup Manager – File recovery feature

Genie Backup Manager from Zools is perfect if you want to back up all your data in the cloud while the PC performance is unaffected.

And not only that, you can use the cloud and back up your data on all media, including FTP/FTPS, network, CD, DVD, and Blu-ray.

However, the most useful feature is the Disaster Recovery tool that does exactly what you would imagine it does: it recovers all of your systems in case of any issues.

As for the data, your backup will be safe with 256-AES military-grade encryption, and they can even back up encrypted drives.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Automatic and scheduled backups
Military-grade encryption for safe backup
Clean and simple interface
Supports virtually any media for backup
Swift Restore restores your backup without installing software

Genie Backup Manager

Backup all your data with military-grade encryption on virtually any media with Genie Backup Manager.

Free trial Visit website

Western Digital – Easy to use

If you want one-touch access to your media and data, Western Digital is the perfect cloud storage app for your Windows 10 device.

Western Digital is more than just a regular cloud storage service; this tool implies using or connecting an external hard drive to your Windows 10 device.

Western Digital features a live tile on the Windows 10 Start Screen displaying your data. You can then easily access your files or share your data with friends or other Windows 10 devices.

This app is free via Microsoft Store, so don’t hesitate to test it. If you need additional information about the tool, look at our dedicated review of the app.

Take a look at some of its best features:

Totally free solution
Easy data management across devices
Great Windows integration
One-touch access to your media from the Start screen
Works with all media, not only WD

Western Digital

Western Digital is a top storage media manufacturer, and this app will help you manage your data flawlessly.

Download Visit website

OneDrive – Default cloud storage for Windows

You don’t need to do a thing to get OneDrive, as it’s the default cloud storage service if you have Windows 10 installed on your PC.

The high advantage of this embedded solution is that you can transfer your files from OneDrive straight from the Windows 10 device, while others need a browser to do so.

Another top feature is the Office 360 integration, which means you can back up your data immediately and work seamlessly across platforms.

The only possible disadvantage is the free version’s relatively small 5GB storage capacity. However, you can easily expand it at an affordable cost.

Key features of OneDrive:

Seamless integration with Office 360 and Windows
Already integrated into Windows 10
5GB of storage capacity in the free version
Easy to use and configure

OneDrive

Microsoft OneDrive is the default cloud storage solution for your Windows 10 device and it’s also the most convenient to use.

Download Visit website

Box – Two factor authentication

This cloud storage service for Windows 10 offers 10 GB of storage space, so Box is better than OneDrive when it comes to the free storage space available – on OneDrive you only have 5 GB of free storage.

Box can be downloaded for free from the official website, but the app still needs some improvements as the same OneDrive offers more features and better possibilities for managing files.

A Personal Plan offers 100 GB of storage and a 5 GB file upload limit, but you need to commit to a monthly subscription for that plan.

Box is a good solution to consider, especially when you need more free space.

Let’s look at some of its key features:

2-factor authentification
Built-in integrations with Office 365 and G Suite
Anytime, anywhere access
Secure file sharing

⇒ Get Box

Dropbox – Easy data modification on the cloud

Dropbox is maybe the most popular cloud storage service used by Windows 10 users. The free app can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store and has great features and possibilities.

The tool features an intuitive and easy-to-use UI, saving files with Dropbox being suitable even for a newbie. With Dropbox, you can save, move or share files via Email or within the app.

You can also edit or modify your data directly from Dropbox, so you don’t have to download and upload the files you want to change permanently.

As you can see, Dropbox is a little bit more specialized in cloud storage services than other solutions, and it is also free for those interested in using such services.

If you’re interested in a full review of Dropbox, look at the helpful article and find out everything you need to know.

⇒ Get Dropbox

Sia – Decentralized cloud storage

If you are interested in blockchain technology and decentralized solutions, you can support the concepts using this cloud storage.

The storage space is created using smart technology, creating a storage market with more advantages than traditional cloud storage solutions.

Security is its best with Sia. The service encrypts all your data and distributes it where it can be stored in the network.

Only the user receives the encryption key, and even if some super-hackers can retrieve a piece of your data, it will do nothing with it as it will be like a single piece from a big puzzle.

⇒ Get Sia

All the mentioned cloud storage services for Windows 10 can be used similarly. However, they still differ in some ways and offer a series of excellent features.

In the same vein, check our detailed guide if you need a reliable AWS antivirus to protect your cloud account.

Feel free to share your own top cloud storage services for Windows 10 with us in the comments below.

Epic Games Launcher Unsupported Graphics Card: 7 Ways to Fix

Posted on March 17, 2023September 16, 2025 by Tashreef Shareef

Epic Games is one of the popular gaming clients hosting a range of exciting titles, for instance, Fortnite. Despite being a polished and tuned launcher, many reported getting the Unsupported Graphics Card error when opening the Epic Games Launcher.

The complete error message reads, There is a problem with your graphics card. Please ensure your card meets the minimum system requirements and that you have the latest drivers installed.

Though Epic Games acknowledged the error on Windows 7, other iterations of the OS, too, are affected with no end to it in sight. So, we went through several forums, recreated the error, tried the various troubleshooting methods, and are now presenting them to you.

Why does it say Unsupported Graphics Card?

Here are a few reasons you are getting the error:

PC does not meet the minimum requirements: The primary reason you see the error message is that your PC does not meet the minimum requirements for the Epic Games launcher.
Running an older OS version: When Windows hasn’t been updated in a while, it could affect the core functioning and lead to issues running apps and games.
Using corrupt or outdated drivers: A corrupt or outdated driver, usually the one for the graphics adapter, was found to be the underlying cause for many.
Conflicts triggered by third-party apps: Several third-party apps have also been identified that could trigger the Unsupported Graphics Card error.

How can I fix Epic Games Launcher unsupported graphics card error?

Before we head to the slightly complex solutions, here are a few quick ones to try:

Restart the computer and check whether the NVIDIA Unsupported Graphics Card error disappears.
Verify that the dedicated graphics card is plugged in properly. You could remove it, wipe any dust particles, and reconnect the graphics card.
Make sure your PC meets the minimum system requirements for Epic Game Launcher. In case it doesn’t, you have found the triggering factor.
Check for Windows updates, and install any pending ones.

If none work, move to the fixes listed next.

1. Change the graphics preference for Epic Games

Press Windows + I to open Settings, and click on Display on the right in the System tab.
Click on Graphics under Related settings.
Select Desktop app from the dropdown menu, and click on Browse under it.
Navigate to the path for Epic Games Launcher, select it, and click on Add.
Now, choose the Epic Games launcher from the list underneath, and click Options.
Select High performance (if the dedicated GPU is listed here), and click on Save.

Changing the graphics preference worked for most users in the case of the Unsupported Graphics Driver error with Epic Games. Also, if the issue persists, make sure to run the game using the dedicated graphics as well.

2. Update GPU drivers

2.1. Update manually

Press Windows + X to open the Power User menu, and select Device Manager.
Expand the Display adapters section.
Right-click on the graphics adapters listed here and select Update Driver.
Select Search automatically for drivers and wait for Windows to install the best available drivers.

One of the easiest solutions if you encounter the Unsupported Graphics Card error when launching Epic Games is to update the graphics driver. If the OS can’t find one, you can always manually install the latest graphics driver from the manufacturer’s website.

2.2 Update using third-party tools (Recommended)

For many users, disabling their dedicated GPU and opening the Epic Games launcher have resolved the issue. Enabling the dedicated GPU again results in the unsupported graphics card error.

If you are in the same boat, this could be due to a graphic card driver glitch. Try updating your GPU to the latest version using a third-party tool to resolve the issue. Whether it is NVIDIA or AMD GPU, such tools will indeed help.

While you can manually update the GPU and display driver, driver updater utilities like Outbyte Driver Updater can help you automate this process.

The software can handle all your drivers automatically, installing new drivers and updating the old ones to optimize the PC performance.

You should therefore fix your driver-related issues with such a practical tool, plus enhance the system performance by getting the latest version of your GPU driver.

Outbyte Driver Updater

Meet a dedicated driver tool you can make use of and update any drivers with one click.

Free trial Download now

3. Reinstall the graphics driver

Press Windows + R to open Run, type devmgmt.msc, and hit Enter.
Expand Display adapters, right-click on the integrated graphics adapter, and select Uninstall device.
Tick the checkbox for Attempt to remove the driver for this device, and click Uninstall.
Once done, restart the computer, and Windows will automatically a fresh driver.

When encountering the Unsupported Graphics Card message with Epic Games due to a corrupt driver, a viable solution is to reinstall the graphics driver.

4. Disable other graphics adapters

Press Windows + S to open the Search menu, type Device Manager, and click on the relevant search result.
Locate the dedicated GPU, right-click on it, and select Disable device.
Click Yes in the confirmation prompt.

A solution shared by many is to disable the dedicated GPU and run Epic Launcher on the integrated one. Though you may witness slightly reduced graphics and performance, it’s still not a bad option given the situation.

5. Uninstall conflicting applications

Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl in the text field, and hit Enter.
Locate any applications installed around the same time the error first appeared, select them individually, and click Uninstall.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Based on our research, we found the following two apps trigger the Unsupported Graphics Driver error on Epic Games:

ActiveInspire
Duet

If you have either on the PC, uninstall the app right away. Or follow the hit-and-trial method until you find the conflicting program.

6. Force open the launcher with OpenGL

NOTE

The solution was shared by Epic Games for Windows 7 in a blog post, though it should work on other iterations as well.

Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to open Task Manager, select the EpicGameLauncher process, and click on End task.
Right-click on the Epic Games Launcher shortcut on your desktop and go to Properties.
Go to the Shortcut tab, add -opengl at the end (after a space) in the Target field, and then click on Apply and OK to save the changes.

7. Repair Epic Games

Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl, and click OK.
Select Epic Games Launcher, and click the Repair button.
Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
Wait for the repair to complete.

That’s it! If the solutions listed previously didn’t work, repairing the Epic Games Launcher should help eliminate the Unsupported Graphics Card error. You could also reinstall the game launcher as a last resort.

Before you leave, check the best tips and tricks to optimize the PC for gaming and get the best performance.

If you have any queries or want to share other solutions with us, use the comments section below.

Fix: An Error Occurred While Processing Your Request

Posted on March 17, 2023September 14, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

The Internet is an everyday part of our lives, and most of us use it daily. And one of the common problems we encounter is An error occurred while processing your request issue on different browsers and apps.

The worst part is that the error message doesn’t divulge what’s actually causing it, making it all the more difficult to resolve things.

If you have been trying to find a solution, read the following sections for fixes that worked for users.

Why am I getting An error occurred while processing your request?

Several factors can cause this error message. Below are some of the potential causes:

Server issue: When you encounter this error, it’s most likely that the application or website’s network is down. And there’s nothing you can do but wait until it gets fixed.
Corrupt browser data: Corrupt browser cache or cookies can lead to this error, along with a few extensions. You need to clear these data and disable your extensions temporarily.
Faulty certificate: Sometimes, you can encounter this error because your SSL certificate has expired. You need to delete the certificate and recreate it to solve the problem.

How do you fix An error has occurred while processing your request?

An error occurred while processing your request on Chrome

1. Try another browser

If your current web browser continues to give you a hard time with error messages, we recommend you try another one until you remediate the problem.

One tool that scores high marks in the stability department is Opera One, thanks to the ultra-modern Chromium engine that it uses, which it shares with Google Chrome and Edge.

It is lightweight and can be significantly altered visually and functionally via extensions. If that isn’t enough, then maybe the built-in VPN and ad-blocker will convince you to give this browser a shot.

Opera One

Enjoy a stable and error-free browsing experience with this fantastic and enhanced web browser.

Free Visit website

2. Delete your browser cache to fix

Launch Chrome, and press Ctrl + Shift + Delete to open the Clear browsing data window.
Select All time from the Time range dropdown menu.
Now, tick all the checkboxes here, and click on Clear data.

Users reported this error while trying to access certain websites, and according to them, the solution was to remove browsing cookies.

After clearing the cache, restart your browser and check if an error occurred while processing your request on Chrome is resolved.

If the problem persists, there might be an issue with the website itself, and the only thing you can do is contact the website administrator.

3. Delete the SSL certificate

This error can appear if your SSL certificate is expired, and one way to fix it is to delete the certificate and recreate it again.

Users reported that after deleting and recreating the security certificate, the issue was entirely resolved, so be sure to try that.

According to users, specific certificates will last only a year, so you’ll have to remove them manually and recreate them.

4. Try visiting a non-encrypted version of the website

Many websites use HTTPS protocol to encrypt their traffic and protect their users’ privacy.

Unfortunately, some websites might have problems with HTTPS protocol, so you might want to use unencrypted HTTP protocol instead.

To do that, look at your website’s address, and if it has https at the beginning, change it to HTTP and press Enter.

5. Disable the HTTPS Everywhere extension

As we already mentioned, the HTTPS protocol encrypts your data and protects your privacy, but not all websites support HTTPS.

To avoid this limitation, many users rely on third-party browser extensions such as HTTPS Everywhere.

This extension forces websites to use HTTPS protocol instead of HTTP, which can lead to problems.

Some websites don’t support HTTPS protocol, and by forcefully using this protocol, you can cause An error occurred while processing your request error to appear.

One of the simplest ways to fix this problem is to disable the HTTPS Everywhere extension for the website that gives you this problem.

Alternatively, you can remove the extension from the browser altogether, which would fix An error occurred while processing your request issue.

An error occurred while processing your request. Please try again later on OpenSea

The first thing you should do here is to wait for a while and let the backend team fix any issues with the platform. Then, if that doesn’t work, you may try clearing the browsing data.

Also, ensure that the NFT you add is part of a collection, though OpenSea should do that automatically.

If you are receiving the error when accessing or using your wallet, try removing and reconnecting it to the OpenSea account, and An error occurred while processing your request issue will be resolved.

An error occurred while processing your request on TikTok

When encountering An error occurred while processing your request message, your primary approach should be to check if TikTok’s services are down, though that’s rare. To do that, use DownDetector, or other similar platforms available.

Also, simply logging out of your account and signing back in is known to fix several problems. Besides, you can restart the device or reinstall the app if nothing else works.

An error occurred while processing your request on Steam

Although this error appears on certain websites, many Steam games use a web launcher to start, so it’s not uncommon to see this error while trying to start certain games on Steam.

Therefore, if you’re getting An error occurred while processing your request error while trying to start a game using the web launcher, you might want to try running the game directly from your Steam folder.

Users reported that they could circumvent this problem simply by using the game’s .exe file to start it directly.

An error occurred while processing your request on Xbox

The error is encountered when accessing the official Xbox website and is mainly limited to European users. Though there have been instances of other users coming across it.

To fix the error, the best solution would be to use effective VPN software to reroute your connection. If that doesn’t work, you may switch to the Xbox app while the backend team resolves the error.

An error occurred while processing your request. Reference #30

This is encountered while using the web version of a game and trying to log in via the Xbox account. When the game redirects you to the official Xbox website, the error appears after you enter the login credentials.

A simple fix would be to clear the browsing data or use another device. Also, it could be a browser-related issue, and switching to another practical browser, like Opera GX, which is developed for gaming and offers various customizations to boost the experience, would do the trick.

An error occurred while processing your request on Facebook

1. Log out and log back into your account

One of the most straightforward solutions you can try if you’re getting An error occurred while processing your request error on Facebook is to log out and log back in after a few seconds.

This is a simple solution, and it might not work for everyone, but you can still try it out.

2. Clear your phone’s browsing data

A few users reported that they cannot link their Facebook account with other third-party services due to this error, and one way to fix this problem is to go to your Facebook Mobile app and look for the Clear your phone’s browsing data option.

After clearing the browsing data, this error should be fixed, and linking to third-party applications should work without any problems.

An error occurred while processing your request reference 97

Wait for the website administrator to fix this problem

Users reported An error occurred while processing your request reference 97 error while using Steam’s website. And according to them, it seems that this issue is related to Steam and not to their computer.

If you encounter this error on Steam, wait a couple of hours for the website administrator to fix it.

An error occurred while processing your request error can be problematic and prevent you from accessing your favorite websites. We hope you managed to fix this problem by using one of our solutions.

Also, if you are using a free VPN, the IP address might be marked as having suspicious activity. In this case, change it to a recommended VPN service.

Also, read our in-depth review of Opera GX, which explores every intricate detail of the browser.

If you have any other queries or know of a method not listed here, drop a comment below.

IObit Protected Folder Forgot Password: 2 Ways to Access it

Posted on March 17, 2023October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

Keeping your PC folders locked from unauthorized users is essential; to do that, you need specialized software such as IObit Protected Folder.

This simple yet powerful software uses a master password to protect your folders. However, forgetting the password can be a problem and cause many issues.

In today’s guide, we will show you how to access IObit Protected Folder if you forgot the password. So, make sure that you keep on reading.

What is IObit Protected Folder?

The IObit Protected Folder software protects your file from unauthorized users. It is a pretty powerful tool that is difficult to bypass that gives you complete control over your files.

Below are some of the benefits of this tool:

Hides and protects files: One of the significant advantages of this tool is that it can hide any file of your choice. Also, it can simply password-protect it without hiding it from other users.
Manages user permission: Sometimes, you might want users to have restricted access to a file. With this tool, you can enable only read or write permission without making the file completely unavailable.

What can I do if I forgot the IObit Protected Folder password?

1. Remove your password with a specialized tool

Open the Start menu. Click the Power button, then press and hold the Shift key and choose Restart from the menu.
Now select Troubleshoot. Navigate to Advanced options.
Choose Startup Settings and click on Restart.
Once your PC restarts, you’ll be presented with a list of options. First, select Enable Safe Mode with Networking by pressing 5 or F5 on your keyboard.
Once you enter Safe Mode, download a specialized tool, like PFTool.
Run the application and follow the instructions on the screen.

IObit designed this tool, and it should help you reset your IObit Protected Folder password if you forgot it. Once the password is reset, you can set it again.

2. Contact IObit support

If the previous solutions didn’t work for you, it might be best to contact the IObit Support team and ask them to look into this issue.

Their team is active on IObit forums, so that they can help you with this problem. Alternatively, you can use the Contact page on their website.

As you can see, if you forgot your IObit Protected Folder password, you can reset the password with a specialized tool from IOBit.

Alternatively, you can always contact IObit support, who should be able to help you with this issue.

For more information on this topic, we suggest you check out our in-depth guide on removing locked files and folders.

Feel free to give us any feedback regarding the solutions mentioned above. Just as always, you can use the comments area in that regard.

Microsoft natively embeds Adobe Acrobat in Edge

Posted on March 17, 2023 by Radu Tyrsina

Last month, Microsoft announced its plans to natively embed Adobe Acrobat PDF technology in its browser Edge. The new experience is designed to further enhance the PDF experience for Windows 11 and Windows 10 users.

As it happens, the experience has already started shipping to some users as part of Microsoft’s latest update to the Stable Channel, Microsoft Edge version 111.0.1661.44. According to Microsoft:

New Microsoft Edge PDF experience policy. As part of the Adobe and Microsoft collaboration to re-envision the future workplace and your digital experiences, we are natively embedding the Adobe Acrobat PDF engine into the Microsoft Edge built-in PDF reader, with a release scheduled in March 2023.

We invite you to check out Microsofts’s full changelog for more details. Be sure to also check out our separate post where we share nifty tips and tricks highlighting how you can use Adobe Acrobat in Microsoft Edge such as converting your screenshots into PDFs, combining multiple files into a single PDF, and more.

Microsoft Edge should auto-update to the latest version, but if it does not, you can trigger it manually. Just head to the browser’s menu, choose Help and Feedback then About Microsoft Edge and wait for the update to download, and then restart.

Earlier this week, Microsoft Edge 111 hit the Stable Channel featuring a copilot designed to boost your productivity and efficiency by providing intelligent suggestions and insights based on the context of the web page and the user’s goals.

AWS S3 Uploaded File Not Showing: 5 Ways to Fix It

Posted on March 16, 2023February 17, 2025 by Srishti Sisodia

AWS (Amazon Web Services) is one of the most popular cloud storage services that make storing and retrieving files easy.

However, just like all the cloud platforms, it is not free from errors, and one of the common ones is an uploaded file not showing up in the S3 bucket.

In this guide, we will discuss ways to fix the issue right after talking about the causes. Let’s start!

What causes the AWS S3 uploaded file not showing issue?

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

Incorrect Permissions – If the file is set to private, it may not be accessible. You must ensure that the proper permissions are set for the file.
Incorrect object key – If the object key used to upload the key is wrong, the file may get uploaded to a different location in the bucket, which makes it difficult to locate, hence the error.
Bucket policy – A bucket policy may prevent the object from being displayed. If the bucket policy doesn’t allow the object to be accessed or listed, it may not appear.
Object ACL – If the object access control list is not set correctly or doesn’t have correct permissions; you might get this error.
Wrong region – If you selected the wrong region, the uploaded file might not appear. Make sure you have set the correct region to access the file.
Issues with File size and file type – If the file is too large or S3 does not support the file type, you may encounter this error.

What can I do if the AWS S3 uploaded file not showing?

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

Check if the file type is supported.
Make sure the file is not too large.

1. Check the object key

S3 Uploaded File Not Showing - object key

The object key is the unique identifier of an object stored in an S3 bucket. If the object key used to upload the file is not correct, the file may get uploaded to a different location in the bucket, making it hard to locate. To fix this, you can follow these steps:

Double-check the object key used to upload the file to the S3 bucket. Then, use the correct object key to locate the file in the bucket.
Also, use the AWS CLI or SDKs to query the bucket for the object key.

2. Modify the bucket policy

If a bucket policy prevents the object from being displayed, you need to modify the policy to allow the object to be listed and accessed. To fix this, follow these steps:

Go to the S3 console and select the bucket where the file is stored. Next, click on the Permissions tab.
Navigate to Bucket Policy and click Edit.
Change the policy to allow the object to be accessed and listed, and click Save changes.

3. Check the object access control list

The Object Access control list might not be set correctly. If the object ACL doesn’t allow the correct permissions, the object may not show up. To fix this, follow these steps:

First, go to the S3 console and select the bucket where the file is stored.
Click the object that’s not showing up and switch to the Permissions tab. Next, go to Object Ownership and click Edit.
Click the radio button for ACLs enabled and click Save Changes.
Go to the Access control list, and click Edit.
Verify the permissions to ensure the correct ones are set for the object. If not, modify the ACL to allow the proper permissions. Click Save Changes.

4. Check the permissions

Make sure the appropriate permissions are set for the file to be accessed. To fix this, you can follow these steps:

Navigate to the S3 console, and choose the bucket where the file is stored.
Click on the object that is not showing up. Then, click Permissions.
Verify the permissions are set for the object. If not, change the ACL to allow the correct permissions, then click Save Changes.

5. Check the region

Ensure you are checking the correct region in which the file was uploaded. If you contain the wrong region, the uploaded file may not appear. To fix this, you can follow these steps:

Navigate to the S3 console and select the bucket where the file is stored. Next, go to the top right-hand corner and check the region displayed.
Switch to the correct region to find the file if the region is incorrect.

So, these are the steps you must follow to fix the uploaded file not showing in the S3 bucket list. Try them and let us know what worked for you in the comments section below.

Mouse is Stuck in The Middle of The Screen? Here’s What to Do

Posted on March 16, 2023September 28, 2025 by Srishti Sisodia

If your mouse has suddenly stuck in the middle of the screen, it can be frustrating. It could occur due to software glitches or hardware malfunctions.

In this guide, we will discuss some troubleshooting steps to get the mouse working correctly right after examining the causes of the same.

Why is my mouse stuck in the middle of the screen?

There could be various reasons for your mouse not functioning correctly; some of the common ones are:

Software glitches – Sometimes, the operating system or the software you have opened could create issues, and your mouse might not work.
Hardware malfunction – If your mouse cable, connector, or sensor is faulty or damaged, it could stop your mouse from functioning correctly.
Misconfigured mouse settings – If your mouse settings are incorrect, you might face all kinds of issues related to the mouse, including this one.
Old or missing drivers – If your computer has outdated or corrupted drivers, it could stop your mouse from responding, hence the error.

What can I do if the mouse is stuck in the middle of the screen?

Before we go to the advanced fixes, here are a few preliminary checks you should do:

First, check the mouse sensor is on.
Check the mouse cable to ensure it is not damaged.
Press F5, F7, or F9 to enable Touchpad if using a laptop.
Uninstall unwanted applications or bloatware.

1. Update drivers

1.1 Use Device Manager

Press Windows + R to open the Run box.
Type devmgmt.msc and click OK to open Device Manager.
Go to Mice and other pointing devices and expand it.
Select the mouse driver, right-click it, and choose Update driver.
Click Search automatically for drivers.
Now follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.

1.2 Use a third-party driver updater

Downloading and installing drivers on your Windows computer is not easy, especially when done manually. Therefore, it is recommended to use a reliable third-party app to get the job done. One such app is Outbyte Driver Updater. It can ensure your device drivers are up to date in a few clicks. Follow these steps to update drivers using this tool:

Download and install Outbyte Driver Updater.
Click Scan to initiate the scanning process to find missing, old, and corrupt drivers.
Now select the driver and click Update.
The tool will download and install the latest drivers within a few minutes.
Restart your computer.

2. Check the mouse settings

Press the Windows key, type Control Panel, and click Open.
Select Category for View by and click Hardware and Sound.
Now under Devices and Printers, click Mouse to open Properties.
On the Properties window, go to the Device Settings tab, select the device, and enable it.
Click Apply and then OK.

3. Check Windows for updates

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Go to Windows Update and click Check for updates.
If an update is available, click Download and Install.
Save your work, as the computer might restart multiple times while installing an update.

4. Run an SFC scan

Press the Windows key, type CMD, and click Run as administrator.
Type the following command to repair system files and click Open: sfc/scannow
Wait for the process to get completed. Once done, restart your computer.

5. Perform System Restore

Press the Windows key, type Control Panel, and click Open.
Select Large icons for View by and click Recovery.
Now click Open System Restore.
On the System Restore window, select the Choose a different restore point option and click Next.
Select the restore point and click Next.
Now click Finish. Windows will go back to the previous settings in a couple of minutes.

How to fix the Roblox mouse stuck in the middle of the screen?

If your Roblox mouse is stuck, you need to restart the game. If that doesn’t work, you need to go to Settings and enable Shift Lock Switch, then disable it to fix the problem.

So, these are ways to fix the mouse stuck in the middle of the screen on Windows 11/10 computer. Try them and let us know what worked for you in the comments section below.

8 Best Antivirus Software for Windows XP

Posted on March 16, 2023July 22, 2025 by Ivan Jenic

Finding a good third-party antivirus for Windows XP is a high priority, but it ain’t easy.

However, it’s not impossible. Here are antiviruses that take little disk space and work on XP:

Antivirus Provider	Free trial vs Free version	Impact on system resources	Extra Features
ESET NOD32 Antivirus	✔️ 30 days free trial with full functionality	✔️ Ultra small system footprint & no slowdowns	✔️ Ransomware shield + Advanced scanning options
Bitdefender Free Antivirus	✔️ Absolutely free	❌ Fast download, however, performance is likely to be impacted on PCs with older CPUs	✔️ Vulnerability scan + Network threat prevention
Kaspersky Standard	❌ No trial period is available	✔️ Device performance booster included (Clean-up and app management suite)	✔️ Anti-phishing + firewall included
Panda Security	✔️ 30-day money-back guarantee	✔️ Fine-tuned for older Windows versions including XP & Vista	✔️ WiFi protection + free VPN up to 150 MB/day
Webroot	❌ No trial period is available	✔️ Accelerated scans that use fewer system resources overall	✔️ Identity and data protection
AVG Antivirus	✔️ Completely free	✔️ Light installation pack & no interference	✔️ Scam and malware protection (6 layers)
Avast Antivirus	✔️ Completely free	✔️ No hidden bloatware & decent scanning speeds	✔️ Anti-ransomware module
Comodo	✔️ Free & Full versions available	❌ Slightly higher memory consumption rates	✔️ Zero Trust Archtecture

Antiviruses that work on XP – a closer look

If the info above doesn’t answer your questions, find a few more details about the software below:

ESET NOD32 Antivirus – Best lightweight antivirus

ESET NOD32 Antivirus is one of the lightest solutions out there so you can make sure that it also runs on your old Windows XP PC.

In addition to desktop versions, ESET is also available on Windows Server, so if you need antivirus software for Windows Server, ESET is the best antivirus for Windows XP devices.

Needless to say, this tool offers exquisite protection against all threats including spyware, rootkits, worms, viruses, and even adware.

And it doesn’t only protect your PC but also covers your external drives, including USB flash drives and the data contained.

And to make sure it won’t disturb you during your activities on the PC, ESET NOD32 Antivirus comes with dedicated work modes for Gaming, Presentation, or Movies.

And if you’re facing any problems, you will have all sorts of informative materials and, of course, e-mail, live chat, and phone support at your disposal.

Let’s take a look at some of its key benefits:

Very light on your PC resources
Whether you work or play, this tool will make sure you won’t be bothered
Protection against all kinds of cyber attacks
30-day free trial period
Multiple platform compatibility

ESET NOD32 Antivirus is available on multiple platforms, including your Android smartphones so give it a long try because you have 30 days to make up your mind.

ESET NOD32 Antivirus

Protect your old XP system with the best and lightest solution for your PC.

Free Trial Visit website

Bitdefender Free Antivirus – Best protection against new threats

Bitdefender for Windows XP is a well-known tool that can detect and remove viruses and harmful malware in real-time. It offers cloud storage for personal document backup and restoration.

The program monitors traffic and provides continuous active virus management as well as preventive security.

It detects and prevents internet dangers such as phishing, spyware, and questionable files and components. It’s one of the best free antiviruses for Windows XP you can have and feel safe while using your PC.

The software offers a straightforward user interface that allows you to immediately grasp a large range of working tools, functions, and sections. Bitdefender’s official newest version of Windows XP is available for free download.

If you want basic security protection for your Windows-based computer, you should absolutely download Bitdefender Free for Windows Vista or Windows XP.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Downloads and installs in seconds
Intuitive User Interface
Offers a great gameplay experience
Powerful antivirus protection

Bitdefender adds antimalware protection support for Windows Vista (SP1 & SP2), Windows Server 2008 and Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2008, Microsoft Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003 clients to provide a security solution while they upgrade to new operating systems.

Bitdefender Free Antivirus

Protect your Windows computer from all cyber dangers, regardless of whether you are tech-savvy or not.

Download Visit website

Panda Security – Best virus detection rate

So, is there a free antivirus for Windows XP? The answer is yes, and Panda Antivirus is one of the best options out there.

This virus protection tool for Windows XP SP2 and up has a sleek-looking UI that might look too modern compared to the gradients of old XP along with top-notch protection and no noticeable performance hit.

Panda’s offering differs from many of its competitors by running scans in the cloud, meaning users will not have to deal with daily updates.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Great protection scores
It always keeps itself up to date instead of nagging the user to download updated files one or more times per day
Keep virus definitions up to date with no user interaction or knowledge
Does not impact the performance of your system

During startup, an automatic scan begins, which is important for checking security warnings. The newest scanning engine, EXE file scanning, and enhanced memory utilization have less impact on your Windows XP computer while completing scans quickly.

The user interface has a utility called Speed Up program for removing files that slow down your system as well as shortening the device’s running process.

Panda Dome

Panda offers real-time protection, your personal firewall, VPN, and more for your old XP computer.

Free Trial Visit website

Kaspersky Standard – Best for online payments

Kaspersky Lab has had a great reputation for a while now, and it will certainly not be a bad choice to secure your Windows XP SP3 machine from viruses.

With similar scores given by AV-TEST, Kaspersky‘s reputation along with low system requirements helped place it up to the number two spot.

Not taxing a computer too much to keep it protected is a big deal for Windows XP machines since many of them are underpowered.

Kaspersky for Windows XP only requires an 800MHz processor, 512MB of available RAM, and a minuscule 480MB of disk space.

This lightweight configuration gives room to breathe on most machines, especially older Windows XP 32-bit ones that tend to have 1GB of RAM and slower processors.

Let’s see some of its best features below:

Free VPN with up to 300 MB of daily traffic
Safe Money feature that encrypts your online payments and transactions
Webcam protection to block any unauthorized access
Constant lookout for device vulnerabilities and threats
Isolates and removes immediate threats

Check to see if your computer’s CPU supports the SSE2 instruction set before installing a Kaspersky program on Windows XP.

Before installing Kaspersky Lab, there are two key factors to consider. To begin, verify whether your processor supports SSE2, then install Kaspersky versions 19 and 18. If the processor does not support SSE2, only Kaspersky version 18 can be installed.

Kaspersky

Kaspersky is the perfect solution for old PCs and can handle old systems like even Windows XP.

Check price Visit website

Webroot – The fastest antivirus scans

Webroot Secure Anywhere is a defense antivirus solution with an easy-to-use interface that is also reliable and trustworthy.

Webroot Secure Anywhere Antivirus is compatible with most Windows operating systems, including Windows XP and Vista, and provides assistance when problems arise.

It is compatible with both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows XP and Vista, and it installs quickly and runs smoothly in the background.

Webroot antivirus for Windows XP provides protection not just against websites, but also against social networking sites, chat forums, and Voice over Internet Protocol applications, which may and frequently do transmit viruses.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

User-friendly Interface
Lightweight and consume low resources
Mid-level privacy and security
Email Protection

Webroot antivirus tool will deliver efficient virus protection and guard your Windows XP device against complex cyberattacks.

Webroot

Protects your computer and data in real time by detecting and blocking new threats as they arise.

Check price Visit Website

AVG Antivirus – Efficient web and email security

AVG AntiVirus Free and AVG Internet Security are still available for Windows XP and Vista for basic security and antivirus protection. This security software is a compatible free antivirus for Windows XP 32-bit and 64-bit.

If you are using previous versions of AVG on Windows XP or Windows Vista, you will continue to be protected and get virus definition updates.

However, AVG suggests updating to the most recent versions of Windows and AVG in order to benefit from the greatest detection rates and the most up-to-date features.

AVG Free Antivirus provides basic antivirus and antispyware protection and is available for free download. You can download AVG free version standalone Windows XP antivirus offline installer for a better experience from the AVG support page.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Easy installation
Real-time PC protection
Web and email protection
Stops spyware, viruses & malware.

With restricted functionality and no support for versions lower than 18, it is intended for personal and non-commercial usage only.

AVG Antivirus

A great antivirus that stops all attacks on your privacy when browsing online.

Free Trial Visit Website

Avast Free Antivirus – Best ransomware protection

Avast Antivirus is the official home security software for Windows XP, another reason why 435 million users trust it. This security software is a compatible free antivirus for Windows XP 32-bit and 64-bit.

AV-Comparatives claims Avast Free Antivirus to be the least impacting antivirus for PC performance. In addition, it comes with advanced cleaning and optimization features for your PC to further improve its performance.

Avast Free Antivirus protects users through regular updates, and you may also safely download Windows XP antivirus offline installer.

It’s still one best free antivirus for Windows XP that won’t let you down when you need it most.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Advanced Ransomware protection
Do Not Disturb Mode blocks any distractions and popups
Behavior Shield feature for constant files and app monitoring
Light on your system and resources

However, the Windows XP software updates (including new features, hotfixes, or support) are no longer available due to the fact that Microsoft has stopped publishing security updates for this version.

Avast Free Antivirus

Amazing protection of data and advanced ransomware protection for a free antivirus.

Free Download Visit Website

Comodo – Best cloud-based antivirus tool

If you use the unsafe Windows XP operating system, the possibilities of your computer becoming attacked by keyloggers are quite significant.

This, however, may be avoided by installing Comodo Windows XP Free Antivirus. This security tool has advanced security capabilities and delivers great protection against not only keyloggers but the whole spectrum of malware.

Comodo’s innovative Default Deny Approach, Containment, Host Intrusion Prevention System, and Viruscope security capabilities keep malware threats and zero-day assaults at bay.

Comodo is a well-known malware remover that uses cutting-edge technologies to defend your Windows XP. It’s one of the best free antiviruses for Windows XP you can have with full support.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Automatic denial for suspicious files
Viruscope prevention system
Advanced firewall engine
Cloud-Based malware analysis

Thanks to easy-to-use UI, robust security measures, and a dashboard that shows the current status of your PC, you are covered with security. With the help of the Launch Option, you may scan your PC with a single click.

⇒ Get Comodo

Do you need antivirus for Windows XP? Why?

XP is more vulnerable in principle owing to its age, in practice, most hijackers are script kids using off-the-shelf software.

Windows XP was released for manufacturing on August 24, 2001, and was supported by Microsoft until April 8, 2014.

Although XP is more vulnerable in principle owing to its age, in practice, most hijackers are script kids using off-the-shelf software.

That software tends to target the most renowned operating systems, so with XP using single digits, there aren’t many people building attacks against it.

What is Mouse Smoothing & Should You Have It On or Off?

Posted on March 16, 2023October 4, 2023 by Srishti Sisodia

If you primarily use your computer for word processing and web browsing, you can use mouse smoothing for a more natural experience. However, it is a personal preference to enable or disable the feature.

This guide will cover what mouse smoothing is, whether you should enable it, and the steps to enable or disable the setting. Let’s get started!

What is Mouse Smoothing?

Mouse Smoothing is available in all modern Windows, Mac & other popular operating systems and mouse drivers. It uses an algorithm to analyze the movement of your mouse and adjust the cursor movement accordingly.

It results in a natural feeling of cursor movement, thereby compensating for any irregularities in the mouse movement. You can alter the settings and adjust the smoothing amount per your preferences.

How it affects gaming?

Mouse smoothing can be significant for low-precision tasks. However, it can adversely affect your gaming performance, specifically for the games that require quick reactions and precise control.

Gamers usually keep the setting disabled as it can interfere with their ability to aim and react quickly. It can introduce input lag, a delay between the move movement time and cursor movement on the screen, making it difficult to aim accurately in games and reducing your mouse’s responsiveness.

How can I enable or disable Mouse Smoothing?

Press the Windows key, type Control Panel, and click Open.
Select View by as Category and click Hardware & Sound.
Then, under Device and Printers, click Mouse.
On the Mouse Properties dialog box, switch to the Pointer Options tab.
Place a checkmark next to Enhance pointer precision.
Click Apply and OK to confirm the changes.
To disable, remove the checkmark beside Enhance pointer precision.
Click Apply and OK to save the changes.

The mouse smoothing feature can make the cursor movement more fluid and less jarring. Therefore it can be a helpful feature for users who prefer smoother movement.

However, the feature can be detrimental for tasks that require high precision and responsiveness, including graphics work and gaming. Therefore, enabling or disabling the feature depends on your needs. Similarly, enhance pointer precision, too, plays a vital role in Windows 11.

If you have any questions or concerns about mouse smoothing, feel free to mention them in the comments section below.

Disk Boot Failure: What Does it Mean & How to Fix it

Posted on March 16, 2023September 4, 2024 by Sagar Naresh

Several users have reported coming across the disk boot failure error message on their PCs. This error is more prominent on Windows 10, but Windows 11 users are also affected. Because of this error message, the PC does not boot not allowing users to use their PCs.

Thankfully, in this guide, we will give you a bunch of solutions to resolve the disk boot failure error on your PC. You can apply the solutions mentioned in this guide on your Windows 10 or 11 PCs. So let us get right into it.

What does disk boot failure mean?

The complete error message you will get when you encounter the disk boot failure error is DISK BOOT FAILURE – INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER.

This error prevents Windows from loading and makes the PC unusable. Moreover, this issue occurs because the BIOS can’t find a bootable drive to start the PC.

BIOS then asks you to insert a system disk or a disk drive containing the operating system installed in it.

What causes Windows disk boot failure error?

After researching the internet, we have found a few of the most common reasons you would come across the disk boot failure error.

Incorrect boot order in BIOS: A device that doesn’t have the OS might have taken the first place in the boot sequence causing issues for the BIOS to load the OS.
Damaged operating system: Over a period of time, several system files get replaced and they either go missing or get corrupt. This could be the problem for triggering the disk boot failure error.
Corrupt system disk: The system hard drive might have gotten corrupt, unreadable, damaged, or unrecognizable.
Unplugged hard drive: Sometimes, the hard drive on which the OS is installed might be loosely connected to your PC, which could cause this error.

Let us go through the different solutions to help you fix the disk boot failure error.

How can I fix the disk boot failure problem on Windows 11?

1. Change the Boot order

Restart your PC.
Press the appropriate key to enter the BIOS menu. It can be F2, Del, F8, F10, or F12, depending on your laptop’s brand.
Go to the Boot tab.
Change the order of the hard disk on which the OS is installed to the first position.
Save the settings.
Restart your PC.

This is one of the best solutions if you wish to fix the disk boot failure problem on your Windows 11 PC. , move the hard disk with the OS in it to the top position, and that’s it.

2. Repair corrupt operating system

Insert the disk or USB containing the operating system on your PC.
On the Windows Setup page, click Next.
Hit the Repair your computer button.
Select Troubleshoot.
Choose Advanced options.
Select the Startup repair option.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process.

Startup repair is a brilliant tool as it will help you fix all startup-related problems. For example, chances are some of the essential startup-related files are missing or have gone corrupt. Using Startup repair, you can select the disk boot failure.

3. Perform a system restore

Insert the disk or USB containing the operating system on your PC.
On the Windows Setup page, click Next.
Click the Repair your computer button.
Choose Troubleshoot.
Select Advanced options.
Choose the System Restore option.
Click Next.
Select the system restore point.
Hit Next.
Click the Finish button.
This will start the system restore process.

When you use the system restore option, you can take where you are not facing the disk boot failure error on your PC.

However, for the PC to restore your system to a restore point, you need to make sure that you have created a system restore point before the error.

If you wish to know how you can create a system restore point on your Windows 11 PC, then you should check our guide, which explains the entire process.

4. Run CHKDSK

Insert the disk or USB containing the operating system.
On the Windows Setup page, click Next.
Select the Repair your computer button.
Select Troubleshoot.
Choose Advanced options.
Select Command Prompt.
Type the below command and press Enter. chkdsk C: /f
(You need to replace the C: with the drive letter where you have installed the operating system)

Disk boot failure can occur when the operating system or the system disk is corrupt. You can fix it by running the chkdsk utility following the above steps.

5. Reset your PC

Put the disk or USB containing the operating system inside your PC.
On the Windows Setup page, click Next.
Click on the Repair your computer button.
Select Troubleshoot.
Choose the Reset this PC option.
Select the Keep my files option to reset your PC without deleting your files.
Let the system do the rest.

If nothing works, we suggest you reset your PC following the above steps. This will bring your PC to a clean slate, and you must start over again. However, none of your files will be removed if you follow the above steps.

That is it from us in this guide. If you are coming across a No boot disk detected error, we suggest you check out our guide and fix the issue.

If your Windows 10 PC is slow to boot, then we have some solutions that will help you to fix the issue and fasten up your PC.

For users coming across the Windows detected a hard disk problem, we have a guide that lists some practical solutions to resolve the issue.

You can also check out our guide that explains how to delete a partition in Windows 11 via some easy steps.

We also wrote about Network Boot Duplicate Address error in our latest guide, so don’t miss it.

Feel free to let us know in the comments below which one of the above solutions helped you resolve the disk boot failure on your PC.

Crackling Audio on Windows 11? Fix it in 6 Ways

Posted on March 16, 2023October 9, 2025 by Sagar Naresh

Your PC is an entertainment device. You do a lot of audio and visual activities on it. However, what will happen if you do not hear the sound perfectly from your Windows 11 PC? Several users have reported crackling audio issues on Windows 11.

In this guide, we have given multiple solutions that will help you to resolve the crackling audio issues on your Windows 11 PC. Audio is essential. If it isn’t there, you won’t be able to enjoy your game or movie. So let us get right into it.

Why am I getting consistent crackling audio on Windows 11?

After digging up the internet and going through multiple user reports, we have created a list of reasons that would trigger crackling audio on the Windows 11 problem.

Corrupt audio driver: If the audio driver is corrupt or some important files are missing, this can cause multiple issues with the audio device.
Playback device not set as default: Chances are that the headset or audio device isn’t set as the default device, causing the channel to switch from mono to stereo.
Third-party audio software conflict: If you are using a third-party audio enhancement software then it could be conflicting with the audio device causing the crackling audio.
The stream format is incompatible: The problem could also be with the media that you are running. The audio in the media could itself be corrupt.
Port glitch: Chances are that the 3.5 mm jack or the USB port is faulty causing the audio problem in your laptop.
System file corruption: Corrupt system files can also cause various sorts of issues on your PC, one of which is the crackling audio issues on Windows 11.

How can I fix the crackling audio problem on Windows 11?

Here are a few things that you can do before jumping over to advanced troubleshooting methods:

First, restart your PC and check if this resolves the issue.
Check the 3.5mm jack or USB connection port and ensure there aren’t any loose connections or the port isn’t damaged.
Turn off any other Wi-Fi or Bluetooth devices to avoid any signal interruptions.
Check the audio in the media file that you are playing if that isn’t broken itself.

If the above solutions do not work, let us review the advanced solutions and hopefully resolve the issue.

1. Run the audio troubleshooter

Press the Win + I keys to open the Settings menu.
Click on Troubleshoot.
Select Other troubleshooters.
For the Playing audio option, hit the Run button.
The troubleshooter will start checking for any issues.
Select your device.
Click Next.
Apply the prompted fix to resolve the problem.

Windows 11 has many troubleshooting options that you can opt for in case you encounter any issues with the device.

You can use the audio troubleshooter and apply the fixes and hopefully fix the crackling audio issue on Windows 11.

2. Update audio drivers

Open the Start menu by pressing the Win key.
Open Device Manager.
Expand the Audio inputs and outputs.
Double click on your audio device in problem.
Switch to the Driver tab.
Select the Update driver option.
Hit the Search automatically for drivers option.
Wait for your system to automatically fetch the latest available audio drivers.
Install it and check if this resolves the issue or not.

You can follow the above usual step to update the audio drivers on your PC. However, this isn’t recommended when you want to update multiple drivers on your PC, let alone scan them.

For that purpose, we suggest you use a dedicated tool called Outbyte Driver Updater. With this tool, you can update all of the drivers on your PC, perform schedule scans, use it as a practical download manager, and much more.

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3. Disable sound enhancements

Open the Start menu by pressing the Win key.
Search for Sound settings and open it.
Under the Advanced section, select All sound devices.
In the Output devices section, select your device.
Turn off the Audio enhancements option.
Restart your PC.

4. 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 process to complete.
Restart your PC.

SFC Scan tool can help you fix the corrupt or missing system files on your PC, which could be one of the reasons you are coming across the crackling audio issue on Windows 11.

However, this may sometimes be less effective than a dedicated system fixer that can fix system crashes and system issues such as audio problems, DLL errors, BSOD errors, and much more.

5. Change the audio format

Open the Start menu by pressing the Win key.
Search for Sound settings and open it.
Under the Advanced section, select All sound devices.
In the Output devices section, select your device.
Under Output settings, click on the drop-down for Format and change the audio format.
Restart your PC.

6. Reset your PC

Press Win + I keys to open the Settings menu.
Click on Recovery.
Select the Reset PC option.
Choose the Keep my files option.
Follow the on-screen prompts to reset your PC.

If nothing else works, then you can opt for resetting your PC. This option brings your PC back to a state when everything usually worked.

That is it from us in this guide. If you are experiencing a static audio issue in Windows 10, check out our guide and resolve it.

Several Samsung users have reported that they can’t connect their Galaxy earbuds to their Windows 11 PCs. We have some troubleshooting steps that will help you fix the problem.

If your headset volume is stuck at zero and you are looking for solutions, then we suggest you apply the answers in our guide.

Feel free to let us know in the comments below which one of the above solutions resolved the problem for you.

PC Freezes When Idle: Causes & How to Prevent It

Posted on March 16, 2023October 1, 2025 by Vladimir Popescu

We all have, one way or the other, experienced a computer freezing problem before and know how that can be annoying sometimes. Some of our readers have recently reported that their PC freezes when idle too.

Fortunately, we have gathered some potential causes of this error and fixes to apply whenever your PC gets frozen when it was idle.

Why does my PC freeze when idle?

You need to know what is wrong if you were using your PC, but you had to leave it to attend to something else while your PC remains idle, but upon your return, your PC is frozen. Below are some of the factors responsible for this error:

Running resource-intensive programs on a low-end GPU – One of the major reasons behind this problem is running multiple apps simultaneously or using resource-intensive apps. If you are using Windows 11 and a GPU that is not capable of handling the resolution you are trying to enforce, your PC may end up frozen when idle.
Outdated Graphics Driver – If you are still using outdated GPU Drivers, it can cause your PC to freeze due to incompatibility issues. The best thing to do here is to update your GPU drivers.
Limited system VRAM – Your PC can also freeze when idle if you have insufficient system RAM. In this case, extending virtual memory allocation can resolve such issues.
System file corruption – At times, if your PC freezes when idle, it might be due to corrupt or broken system files. You can use the built-in tools or dedicated software to repair and restore these files.

Since you now know some of the possible reasons why the PC freezes when idle, let us proceed to how you can fix this problem.

What can I do when my PC freezes when idle?

Before trying any of the advanced solutions below, whenever your PC gets frozen when it is idle, try to perform the following preliminary checks:

Inspect your hardware for possible issues.
Make sure the graphics card you’re using is a dedicated one.
Disconnect all USB cables and peripheral devices.
Try to restart or force shut down your PC.

Having confirmed the above checks, and none of them fixes the issue, you can explore the advanced solutions provided below.

1. Change your System’s Sleep Mode settings

Press the Start button on your Taskbar, type Control Panel, and launch it.
Set your View by to Large icon in the control panel and click on Power Options.
Then, select Edit Power Settings and click on the Change plan settings option.
Select the Change advanced power settings option.
Navigate to Sleep, then click Hibernate after the menu item and change its value to Never for both On-battery and Plugged-in options.
Click on Apply and OK to save the changes and close the windows.

Although this is not a permanent solution, adjusting your system’s sleep mode should help you keep your PC active when it’s not in use, hence making it less idle.

2. Change your system’s resolution settings

Press the Windows + I keys to open the Settings app.
Navigate to the System tab and choose the Display option.
Then, click on the Display resolution option to view the multiple resolutions to choose from.
Choose a resolution that is lower than the current one.
Finally, click the Keep changes option on the dialog box prompt to save the changes.

It is worth noting that Windows 11 has different hardware requirements than earlier versions and this may sometimes trigger hardware issues.

Also, your screen resolution may be too high for your graphics adapter, so, try a few different resolutions to see if any of them solve the freezing problem.

3. Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic

Press the Windows, type Windows Memory Diagnostic in the search box, and launch it.
Choose Restart now and check for problems option.
Once Windows restarts, Windows Memory Diagnostic should do a scan and then provide the results.

By running this test, you’ll be able to detect any errors with your VRAM. Alternatively, you can use the Event Viewer to check the scan result in our detailed guide on Memory Diagnostic Tool mdsched.exe.

4. Update your Graphics driver

Press the Windows + S to launch the Search menu, type Device Manager in the text field, and launch it.
Double-click on Display adapters, right-click on the graphics driver and select Update driver from the context menu.
Now, select Search automatically for drivers and let Windows install the best available version.
Restart your computer after the updating process is complete.

To be on the safe side, update all your graphics drivers. However, you can visit the manufacturer’s website for dedicated display drivers such as Intel, AMD, or Nvidia.

If you’re concerned about picking the incorrect versions for your drivers, you can use a dedicated tool, such as Outbyte Driver Updater, to automatically get the right and latest driver options.

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5. Perform a Clean Boot

Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run command dialog, type msconfig in the text field and press Enter to open the System Configuration window.
Navigate to the Services tab, check the box next to Hide all Microsoft services, and click on Disable all.
Next, navigate to the Startup tab and click on Open Task Manager below.
Right-click each of the apps one after the other and select Disable.
Go back to the System Configuration window and click on Apply, then click on OK.
Finally, restart your PC.

To detect the cause of the problem, perform a clean-boot troubleshoot, follow the steps above, and then restart the computer after each action. Once you have identified the culprit, you can consider removing or disabling it.

Try to work your way through the steps provided in this article one after the other to know what fixes the problem.

Similarly, you can explore our dedicated guide on thorough solutions to apply if Windows 11 is not responding or is frozen for further information on how to fix the issue.

If you have any questions or suggestions, do not hesitate to use the comments section below.

Windows 10 Safe Mode Crashing: 7 Ways to Prevent it

Posted on March 16, 2023October 4, 2023 by Loredana Harsana

Starting up your device in Safe Mode allows for a quick diagnosis and is also a fast way of solving system errors that are interfering with your device working correctly.

Most of the time, when troubleshooting your device, it is recommended that you use the Safe Mode option since this only loads the basic drives needed for Windows 10.

Unfortunately, though, it can happen that Safe Mode is not working, and your device keeps crashing in Windows 10, which usually indicates that something else may be severely wrong with your device.

Even though many causes are creating this problem, we will explore how you can work around the issue most efficiently in this article, so make sure to keep reading.

Why does my PC still crash in Safe Mode?

From user experience, your PC may still crash in Safe Mode for varying reasons. Top of the list is the following:

Hardware failure or incompatibility – Safe Mode loads only the primary drivers and services required for the system to function. If any of your PC’s hardware components are faulty or incompatible with your system, it may still cause issues in Safe Mode.
Corrupted system files – Safe Mode loads a minimal set of system files, but if any of those files are corrupted or missing, it can still cause issues. This can lead to error messages, crashes, and other problems.
Malware or virus infections – While Safe Mode is designed to prevent malware and viruses from running, some types of malicious software may still be able to cause problems in Safe Mode.
Driver issues – Safe Mode uses a limited set of drivers, but if any of those drivers are outdated, incompatible, or corrupt, it can cause problems.
Overheating – If your PC is overheating, it can cause crashes and other issues, even in Safe Mode.
Power supply problems – If your power supply unit (PSU) is failing or not providing enough power to your PC, it can cause issues in Safe Mode.
RAM or hard drive problems – Faulty RAM or a failing hard drive can cause crashes and other issues in Safe Mode.
Corrupted user profile – If your user profile is corrupted, it can cause issues in Safe Mode.

The solutions we recommend below would be essential in fixing crashes in Safe Mode.

How can I fix Safe Mode crashing in Windows 10?

1. Perform an antivirus scan

Type Windows Security in the Search bar, and click on the relevant search result.
Now, click on Virus & threat protection here.
Click on Scan options.
Now, select Full scan and click on the Scan now button at the bottom.

Malware or viruses on your Windows 10 device can have many adverse effects, including making it crash even when opening it in Safe Mode.

This is why performing an antivirus scan is the first thing you must do. Note that your device may not be fully protected if you only use Windows Defender.

For this reason, we recommend you try a third-party antivirus with high detection rates. The market is full of excellent antiviruses that provide many features for all types of users.

The main assets to look for when choosing your antivirus are extensive and constantly updated threat databases, online privacy features, a strong firewall, multi-layered protection, and a small footprint so you won’t compromise performance.

2. Run a file checker scan

Go to the Search box, type cmd, and click Run as administrator.
Type in the following commands and press Enter: Sfc /scannow
Once the above process is finished, make sure to restart your device.

After running this scan, the corrupted files will be repaired, so check if Safe Mode crashes on Windows 10.

3. Run a Check Disk scan

As above, open cmd and click on Run as administrator.
Type in the following command and hit Enter: CHKDSK /f /r
Next, you will see a message stating the CHDSK cannot run.
Type Y and hit Enter.
Wait for the process to complete and restart your device.

By running this command, you’ll scan your partition for damaged sectors and files. Hopefully, the scan will repair the problem, and the issue should disappear.

4. Run DSIM Command

Go to the Search box, type in cmd, and click Run as administrator.
Type in the following commands and press Enter after each one:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Wait for the DSIM commands to run and finish.
Once the process is completed, make sure to reboot your device.

DISM scan should repair your installation, and after the process is finished, check if Safe Mode crashes on Windows 10.

5. Replace damaged RAM

5.1 Check if the RAM is damaged

Download the Windows MemTest86 USB image.
Extract the downloaded files on your PC.
Next, make sure to insert an empty USB stick into your PC.
Locate the imageUSB in the extracted folder and run it.
In the Step 1 section, make sure to choose your USB stick.
Now you can restart your device; the USB drive will be the main bootable device.
Lastly, follow the on-screen indications as MemTest86 will perform the memory issues check.

If MemTest86 detects any issues with your RAM, replace it since it’s faulty.

5.2 Replace the damaged RAM

It would be best to head to your laptop manufacturer’s website to find your best RAM replacement options. You would need one that is compatible with your specific laptop.

Once it is replaced, you may verify if Windows 10 Safe Mode keeps crashing.

6. Perform a System Restore

Press Windows + R key simultaneously, type in rstrui, and hit Enter.
If available, click Choose a different restore and hit Next.
Select the desired restore point (preferably before the Safe mode crashing issue appears) and hit Next.
Next, follow the instructions on the screen to complete the restore process.

Once your system is restored, check if Safe Mode crashes still occur in Windows 10.

7. Reinstall Windows 10

Open the Settings app. You can do that quickly with Windows Key + I shortcut.
Go to the Update and security section.
Select Recovery from the left pane.
Click the Get started button in the Reset this PC section.
Select the Keep my files option. You can also choose the other option to perform a clean install.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.

It’s worth mentioning that reinstalling Windows will remove files from your system partition; therefore, be sure to back them up.

In addition, you might need a Windows 10 installation media to complete the process, so be sure to have one ready, just in case.

For more in-depth instructions, check our Windows 10 factory reset guide.

That is about all. We hope that by following the recommendations provided in this article, you managed to successfully fix Safe Mode crashes in Windows 10.

If you have additional recommendations or suggestions, please share them with us in the comments section below.

Can’t Change Resolution in Windows 11: How to Force It

Posted on March 16, 2023September 16, 2025 by Vladimir Popescu

If the screen resolution is set to anything other than the default (recommended) resolution or the Display resolution option is greyed out. You can fix the problem by following the steps outlined below.

Outdated graphics drivers, compatibility issues, hardware limitations, software conflicts, malware or viruses, as well as unauthorized changes made to the OS could be at the root of the problem.

Let’s fix them.

What can I do if I can’t change Windows 11 resolution?

1. Update the display card adapter driver

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app and click on the Display option.
Scroll down until you meet the Advanced display setting and click on it.
Now click on the Display adapter properties for the Display 1 option.
Navigate to the Adapter tab, then click on the Properties button.
After this, go to the Driver tab and click on Update Driver.

Windows will automatically search for the latest display driver on your computer and install it. Now you can go back to the Display settings and change your resolution.

2. Update the NVIDIA adapter

Right-click on the Start icon, then choose the Device Manager option.
Now expand the Display adapters section, right-click the NVIDIA option, and tap the Update driver option.
Click on the Search automatically for drivers option.

Now, wait for the process to end. Windows will update the driver to the latest version available. Make sure to restart your PC once the procedure is completed.

3. Reinstall the Display driver

Right-click on the Start icon, then choose Device Manager.
Now expand the Display adapters section, right-click on the Intel/AMD option, and tap Uninstall driver.

Once the operation is completed, restart your PC. While the computer is rebooting, Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.

4. Update Windows

Press the Windows key + I to open settings, then click on Windows Update to access the available updates.
If you have any new updates, click on the Install now option and wait for the process to complete; otherwise, click on its alternative: Check for updates.

You may be using an older version of Windows that’s creating the issue, which may be fixed by updating the operating system. In addition, a future software release will fix the bug.

5. Update other drivers

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app, then navigate to Update & Security, followed by Advanced options on the right side.
Now go to the Additional options section and click Optional updates to find the available driver updates.
Now click on the Driver Updates option, select all the driver updates you are presented, and lastly, click on the Download & install button.

Even though Windows is responsible for most driver updates, if you have a problem, you can manually search for updates.

Using a professional driver updater is perhaps the safest way to update all your drivers and to also make sure they stay up to date at all times.

6. Run the SFC scan

1. Press the Windows + S key to open the Search box.
2. Type cmd in it to search for Command Prompt.
3. Next, right-click on the top relevant result to run it as an administrator.
4. Type or paste in the following command: sfc /scannow
5. Press Enter to run the system file scanner.
6. Wait for the scan to complete. This can take a while.
7. After you’ve finished waiting for the procedure to finish, which may take some time, restart your computer.

If you are having issues when trying to change the display resolution on your device, system or device corruption could be to blame. This is why running a SFC scan via Command Prompt should fix the problem.

The SFC scan will find and fix any corrupted files that are causing screen scaling issues in your system.

It is also important to note that many third-party applications that allow you to select custom resolution options may not be supported entirely until Windows 11 is released in its final form.

You can find more information and potential solutions to the screen resolution issue that may apply to Windows 11 as well. Just check out our guide on how to fix the screen resolution issue in Windows 10.

Additionally, many users have benefited from reading our post on how to solve the dimming screen issue in Windows 11. So, if you are experiencing the same problem, take a look!

Let us know in the comments section below which solution worked best for you and what screen resolution you have.

Outlook 2016 Crashes When Opening: 6 Methods to Prevent it

Posted on March 16, 2023October 4, 2023 by Ivan Jenic

As you probably know, Office 2016 has been released for a while, and many Windows 10 users have switched to it. However, there are a few reports that Outlook 2016 crashes when opening.

When launching Outlook 2016, you might receive an AppVIsvSubsystems32.dll error followed by the crash of your email client, and this can be pretty frustrating if you need to check your email.

Others describe that their Outlook 2016 crashes when opening – Event ID 1000. In one case or another, a few solutions might help you.

Why does Outlook 2016 keep crashing?

There can be several reasons why Outlook 2016 keeps crashing. However, here are some common causes:

Add-ins – Outlook add-ins are third-party tools that can enhance the functionality of Outlook. However, sometimes add-ins can cause compatibility issues and make Outlook crash.
Corrupted files – Outlook stores data in several files, including the Outlook data file (.pst or .ost) and the Navigation pane settings file. If any of these files become corrupted, it can cause Outlook to crash.
Antivirus software – Some antivirus software can interfere with Outlook and cause it to crash.
Outdated Outlook version – If you’re using an outdated version of Outlook, it may have compatibility issues with your computer’s operating system or other software.
Insufficient resources – If your computer is running low on memory or processing power, Outlook may crash frequently.

How can I fix Outlook 2016 if it crashes when opening?

Before trying any solutions, if you need to check your email, you might want to try out a different email client temporarily.

Good email clients implement additional features that help you keep your inbox organized. For example, they can help you sort your contacts into customizable categories.

On top of that, many productivity email clients come with great search features that save you a lot of time and hassle.

1. Disable antivirus

Click on the hidden access arrow in the Taskbar.
Click on your antivirus icon, hover over Avast shields Control and select Disable for 10 minutes (This step varies for different antivirus software).

We have used Avast antivirus in the solutions above. However, if you’re using McAfee Antivirus, you should know that some of its features can also cause crashes, but there’s no need to worry because you can easily disable it.

If this is a problem, you might consider switching to a different antivirus software until Microsoft or McAfee fixes this issue. There are many great antivirus solutions on the market.

The best antivirus software protects against malware, ransomware attacks, and more. On top of that, they include online protection features such as an integrated VPN.

2. Uninstall old addons for Outlook

Press Windows + I to open Settings, click on System, and select Apps & features.
Wait until the list of installed apps shows.
Now search for any Outlook 2013 addons and delete them.
After deleting them, restart your computer and try starting Outlook again.

If you have used Outlook 2013, you might have some add-ons installed on your computer. If you can’t start Outlook, you might want to try starting it in Safe Mode.

To do that, press and hold the Ctrl key and run Outlook 2016 to start it in Safe Mode. Users reported that the Kaspersky Anti-Spam add-on caused this issue, but other add-ons can also cause it.

3. Reinstall Office 2016

Press Windows + I, type appwiz.cpl, and hit Enter.
When Control Panel opens, select Microsoft Office from the list and choose Change or Repair.
Choose the Online Repair option, click Repair, and follow the instructions.

If none of the solutions above help, you might want to try uninstalling and installing Office 2013 again.

If that doesn’t help, you’ll have to wait for an official solution from Microsoft or temporarily roll back from Office 2016 to Office 2013. Check out our dedicated article about moving back to Office 2013 for more details.

Several users reported that they fixed the issue by repairing their Office installation. This is relatively simple, and you can do it by following the above steps.

After repairing your Office installation, check if the issue persists.

4. Disable hardware acceleration

Start Outlook.
When Outlook starts, go to File.
Click on Options, then Advanced.
Locate the Display section and check Disable Hardware graphics acceleration.

Many modern applications use a hardware acceleration feature to provide a better performance, but sometimes this feature can cause problems.

You need to disable the issue by doing as described above to fix it. Once you disable this feature, the problem should be resolved entirely, and Outlook will start working again.

5. Start Outlook as an administrator

Locate the Outlook shortcut on your Desktop.
Right-click the shortcut and choose Run as administrator from the menu.

According to users, Outlook can sometimes crash if you don’t have administrative privileges. Fortunately for you, you can always try running Outlook as an administrator.

If this method works, you’ll have to use it whenever you want to start Outlook. This can be tedious, but there’s always a way to run Outlook with administrative privileges. To do that, follow these steps:

First, right-click the Outlook shortcut and choose Properties from the menu.
Navigate to the Compatibility tab. Now check Run this program as an administrator option. Lastly, click on Apply and OK to save changes.

After doing that, Outlook will always start with administrative privileges, and you won’t have any issues with crashing.

6. Use manual configuration

Launch the Outlook app, click on File, then Select the Add Account option.
Select the Manual setup or additional server types option, then click Next.
Select the Outlook.com or Exchange ActiveSync compatible service option and click Next.
Choose Exchange ActiveSync.
Now enter your user information.
For the Mail server, you need to enter m.hotmail.com. If you’re using an Outlook address, enter m.outlook.com.

You can fix this problem simply by using manual instead of automatic configuration. Automatic configuration is faster and more straightforward, but sometimes it can cause your Outlook to crash.

To use manual configuration, you must follow the above steps while setting up a new account.

After doing that, your Outlook should start working again without any problems. Many users reported that this solution worked for them, so try it out.

That is as much as we will be discussing in this guide. However, note that you may need to update your BIOS in some extreme situations. Some users have found this an efficient fix.

Updating BIOS is a somewhat advanced procedure, so we advise you to be extra cautious. e sure to check your motherboard manual for detailed instructions.

Keep in mind that you can cause permanent damage to your PC if you don’t update the BIOS correctly, so be extra cautious.

We already wrote a short guide on how to flash your BIOS, so you might want to check it out for more information.

We hope you have found a resolution with the fixes recommended. let us know what worked for you in the comment section below.

Local Print Spooler Service is not Running: 8 Ways to Fix it

Posted on March 16, 2023May 16, 2024 by Ivan Jenic

Print Spooler service is your main connector with the printer; if this service doesn’t work, you won’t be able to print your documents.

And the Print Spooler service is not working on Windows for various reasons. For example, users have been getting error messages similar to the one below:

The local Print Spooler service is not running

So, we prepared a couple of workarounds in case you have problems with the Print Spooler in Windows 10.

Why does The local Print Spooler service not running message appear?

Your Local Print Spooler Service is not running message can appear on a Windows computer when your Print Spooler service isn’t running or encounters an error while running.

The Windows Print Spooler service manages print jobs sent to a printer or print server. Some of the reasons why the Print Spooler service may not be running include the following:

Service is stopped – The Print Spooler service may have been manually stopped or stopped due to an error.
Printer drivers are corrupt or outdated – Corrupt or outdated printer drivers can cause the Print Spooler service to stop working.
Malware or virus infections – Malware can damage system files, including the Print Spooler service.
Conflicts with other services or software – Conflicts with other services or software can cause the Print Spooler service to stop working.

This can be a severe problem, and for many users, the following error messages may be associated with the problem:

Print spooler service stops automatically in Windows 7 – Windows 7 users have reported in the past that the Printer Spooler service tends to stop occasionally.
Print spooler service not running Windows 10 – Issues with the Print Spooler service are also standard in Windows 10.
Error 1068 Print Spooler – Error 1068 is one of the most common problems related to the Print Spooler service you can encounter.
Print Spooler keeps stopping – It’s also possible for Print Spooler to suddenly stop working, even if you can run it in the first place.
Print Spooler Windows 10 not starting – On the other hand, you might not be able to run Print Spooler at all.

What can I do if the Local Print Spooler service is not running?

Restart the Print Spooler service
Start all dependencies
Update the printer drivers
Uninstall unnecessary printers
Run the Troubleshooter
Reset the Internet options
Disable the Allow service to interact with the desktop option
Set the Print Spooler on Automatic Startup

1. Restart the Print Spooler service

Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
Find the Print Spooler service.
Right-click on it, and go to Restart, as shown in the screenshot below.

As Print Spooler sometimes stops working or has had an error occur, the first thing we should try to fix is to restart the service.

This command will restart your Print Spooler service and hopefully return to its working state. But, if restarting the service doesn’t work, try some of the following solutions.

2. Start all dependencies

Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
Right-click on Print Spooler service and go to Properties.
Go to the Dependencies tab and find which services are needed for Print Spooler to Run.
Now, search through Services, and make sure all dependencies are running.

Print Spooler needs some other services to run to function, and if these services are stopped, the Print Spooler service will be stopped too.

3. Update the printer drivers

3.1 Manual update

Go to Search, type devicemngr, and open Device Manager.
Find the printer you want to delete, right-click it and go to Update driver.
Select Search automatically for drivers and let the wizard look for new drivers.
Follow further on-screen instructions.
Restart your computer.

If your printer drivers are outdated, there’s a great chance you’ll encounter some errors when printing documents.

To remove this possibility from the equation, we will update the printer driver and install the latest version of the software.

3.1 Update drivers automatically

Suppose this method doesn’t work or you do not have the necessary computer skills to update/fix the drivers manually. In that case, we strongly suggest doing it automatically using a professional driver updater tool.

The tool is straightforward to use. First, select the driver you want to update and let it complete the process. You can also set it up to automatically check and update all your drivers regularly.

4. Uninstall unnecessary printers

Go to Search, type devicemngr, and open Device Manager.
Find the printer you want to delete, right-click it and go to Uninstall device.
Follow further on-screen instructions.
Restart your computer.

If you have more than one printer driver installed on your computer, drivers are very likely to interfere with each other.

So, the best thing you can do is uninstall all unnecessary printers, so the one you’re currently using can work without interruptions.

5. Run the Printer troubleshooter

Go to Settings by pressing Windows + I.
Head over to Updates & Security.
Click on Troubleshoot, click Printer, and choose Run the troubleshooter.
Follow further on-screen instructions. Finish the procedure.
Restart your computer.

If none of the solutions from above managed to solve the problem with the Printer Spooler, we will try Windows 10’s troubleshooting tool.

Microsoft introduced this tool with the Creators Update for Windows 10, and you can use it to solve various system-related errors, including Printer issues.

6. Reset the Internet options

Go to Search, type of internet options, and select Internet Options from the menu.
Go to the Advanced tab and click Reset.
Click the Reset button again to confirm.

7. Disable the Allow service to interact with desktop option

Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
Locate Print Spooler service. Right-click it and go to Properties.
When the Properties window opens, go to Log on the tab.
Locate Allow service to interact with desktop option and disable it.
Click Apply and OK to save the changes.

8. Set the Printer spooler on Automatic Startup

Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
Locate Print Spooler service. Right-click it and go to Properties.
Go to Startup type and set in on Automatic Startup.

If the service does not start automatically when you boot up your computer, this may explain why the Printer Spooler service is not working on Windows.

Having to enable the service every time you start your computer manually is time-consuming. Instead, you can quickly solve this problem by setting the Printer Spooler service on automatic Startup.

NOTE

If you face the PrintNightmare vulnerability, we have a great article showing you how to download the KB5004945 and fix it.

That would be all. We hope these solutions helped you to solve the problem with the Print Spooler service; if you have any questions or comments, reach out to the comment section below.

8 Best Antivirus for Amazon Fire Tablet/ Kindle Fire

Posted on March 16, 2023October 26, 2025 by Vladimir Popescu

Even though Fire OS is a secure operating system, if you spend a lot of time online, it’s safest to use an antivirus for your Amazon Fire tablet.

To cut your search short, we looked into antivirus tools that work on Fire OS and listed the best ones below. Check them out:

What is the best antivirus software for the Amazon Fire tablet?

Here’s a quick overview (find more details below)

Antivirus	Free
TotalAV	Yes
Bitdefender Mobile Security	No
ESET HOME Security Essential	YesNo [Has Free Trial]
Malwarebytes Premium	No [Has Free Trial]
Kaspersky Standard	No [Has Free Trial]
Avast Free Antivirus	Yes
McAfee Total Protection	Yes
Webroot	No [Has Free Trial]

Let’s take a closer look.

TotalAV – Best on-the-go security features

TotalAV is an award-winning antivirus known for its top-notch security and privacy features. It offers multi-device compatibility, making it ideal for your Amazon Fire tablet.

Its WebShield feature protects you from scams, fake, and phishing websites, safeguarding your personal information. Stay secure on public Wi-Fi by blocking hackers and protecting your data.

The integrated VPN enhances your anonymity while browsing. With real-time protection, TotalAV blocks phishing scams and fake websites to keep your information safe.

Check the main key features of TotalAV:

Multi-device compatibility
Public Wi-Fi privacy protection
Real-time protection
On-the-go unlimited VPN
Ad blocker for websites and videos
Data breach monitoring

TotalAV

Get the best additional layer of security on your Amazon Fire tablet.

Check Price Visit Website

Bitdefender Mobile Security – Autopilot feature

Bitdefender Mobile Security is an excellent antivirus choice, capable of successfully protecting your Amazon Fire tablets.

Its malware scanner offers in-depth information about all kinds of digital threats. Furthermore, it has an anti-phishing system that alerts you if you access fraudulent websites.

A worth-mentioning thing about Bitdefender Mobile Security is its anti-theft feature. It lets you remotely locate, block, delete, or send a message to your device in case you lose it or if it’s stolen.

Take a look at Bitdefender Mobile Security’s best features:

Battery and performance saver
Autopilot
Scam alert
Web protection
Fast and lightweight

Bitdefender Mobile Security

Get the best protection for your Amazon Fire tablet while having minimal impact on its battery.

Check price Visit Website

ESET HOME Security Essential – The most lightweight antivirus

Integrated within ESET’s Home Security suite, ESET Mobile Security delivers robust protection for Android devices, including Amazon Fire tablets.

It offers advanced malware detection, anti-theft features, and app permissions control, ensuring comprehensive security for your digital life.

This integration provides a seamless defense across all your devices, including desktops and smartphones, enhancing your overall home security with reliable mobile protection.

Let’s see some of its best features:

Multi-layered malware protection
Scalable solution for any purpose
Secure banking and online transactions
It protects all your devices under a single license
30-day trial period

ESET HOME Security Essential

If you are looking for versatility and high-quality device protection, try this tool for free.

Free Trial Visit Website

Malwarebytes Premium – Best malware protection

Malwarebytes is an advanced security tool that effectively detects and removes malware on your Amazon Fire device.

It guards against ransomware attacks and blocks emerging threats like spyware and hacking attempts with 24/7 real-time protection.

The Malwarebytes Browser Guard provides a secure, cleaner browsing experience by blocking malicious links and tracking ads. This comprehensive antivirus enhances the defense of your Fire tablet against cybercriminals and sophisticated phishing threats.

Take a closer look at its best features below:

Phishing URLs detection tools
Protection from corrupted webpages or browser cryptojackers
No-log VPN security for improved online privacy
Wi-Fi connection security
Privacy audit for any app
Guarding against various ransomware attacks

Malwarebytes Premium

Increase your device security and eliminate any online dangers regarding your data.

Check Price Visit Website

Kaspersky Standard – Three-layer antivirus engine

Kaspersky supports over 5 devices, including tablets and smartphones, making it ideal for home or small business use.

It delivers multi-layered protection against online and offline threats. The free VPN provides up to 300 MB of daily traffic for enhanced privacy.

The Safe Money feature secures online transactions, while the software also monitors cameras to block unauthorized access. Its user-friendly interface ensures easy management of your security.

Let’s see below what are its best features:

The Safe Money feature will protect all your online transactions
Built-in VPN with up to 300 MB of traffic per day
You can use it for up to 5 of your devices
Ideal for families or small businesses
Webcam privacy protection

Kaspersky Standard

Protect your business with the Kaspersky antivirus, and be sure that your data is safe.

Free Trial Visit Website

Avast Free Antivirus – Best online privacy protection

One key aspect of an effective antivirus is fast, uninterrupted protection. Avast Free Antivirus excels in this area.

Its intuitive interface includes a passive mode for running multiple security products simultaneously and a Do Not Disturb Mode to block pop-ups during gaming or movie watching.

The Behavior Shield monitors apps for rogue actions, while Avast’s background protection blocks ransomware before it can cause harm.

Take a look at its most important characteristics:

Passive mode to act as a secondary security solution
Do Not Disturb Mode for blocking unnecessary distractions
Completely free
Behavior Shield monitors all the apps for any possible rogue actions
Silent ransomware protection

McAfee Total Protection – Efficient identity protection

McAfee offers robust antivirus technology to protect multiple devices from malware and cyber-attacks. This award-winning software includes advanced monitoring to safeguard your Amazon Fire device from threats.

It features strong firewall support to block hackers, a password manager for secure online credentials, and built-in VPN protection for enhanced anonymity and defense against malicious sites.

Additionally, McAfee includes a file shredder, email monitoring for up to 10 addresses, and compatibility with Windows, Mac, and iOS devices, ensuring comprehensive protection across platforms.

Let’s see what its most important features are:

Web protection on your browser
VPN security license protection
Protection Score to see how safe you are
Multi-platform support
Data breach alerts
Technical assistance from specialists

McAfee Total Protection

McAfee blocks advanced cyber and malware attacks to protect your Amazon tablet.

Check Price Visit Website

Webroot – Fastest scanning tools

Webroot provides comprehensive antivirus protection for your Amazon Fire devices, defending against all types of malware and viruses.

It includes a strong VPN, a password manager, and protection against hacking attacks.

The software offers predictive malware detection and rapid scans—taking about 20 seconds—for swift virus detection and malware blocking.

Webroot also features phishing prevention tools to safeguard against corrupted URLs and malicious sites, ensuring robust privacy and identity security to protect you from cyber threats.

Let’s see below what are its best features:

Support for multiple devices like Windows, Android, Mac, or tablets.
Real-time phishing website security
Network connection monitoring
Firewall support
Account credentials and password protection
Online activity removal tools

Do you need internet security on Kindle Fire?

To keep your Kindle Fire safe, using internet protection or antivirus is a smart choice. Although Amazon Fire tablets offer decent built-in security like password encryption, they’re not immune to threats like malware or phishing, especially since they’re based on Android.

Here’s how you can protect your device:

Install antivirus software to catch malware and phishing attempts before they cause harm.
Avoid shady websites and always pay attention to browser warnings about unsafe pages.
Stay cautious with public Wi-Fi—it’s a hotspot for hackers. Use a VPN if you must connect.
Say no to sketchy downloads from unknown sources, especially third-party apps, which can carry spyware or worse.

We hope that our advice and antivirus suggestions helped you secure your Amazon Fire tablet and keep you safe from any potential threats.

In case of looking for a defense system for your PC, here’s also a list including the best antiviruses with unlimited licenses. Let us know if you have any more questions.

4 Best Open-Source Antivirus for Windows

Posted on March 16, 2023November 20, 2024 by Radu Tyrsina

Open-source antivirus tools offer a transparent, free-of-charge alternative to proprietary solutions. They also give users more control over their security.

In this guide, we’ll show you some of the best open-source antivirus tools for all needs – whether you like simplicity, customization, or lightweight performance, we got all you need.

Which is the best open-source antivirus?

ClamWin Free Antivirus – A reliable open-source option

ClamWin is a free, open-source antivirus for Windows. It uses the ClamAV engine, which is known for its robust virus detection.

However, ClamWin is much more user-friendly. ClamAV is primarily a command line, but ClamWin brings its features in a simplified UI.

You can perform scheduled scans, manually san files, and get regular virus data base scans.

The only downside is that ClamWin doesn’t offer real time protection. The on-demand scan is very reliable, but it won’t detect viruses on the spot..

Other great features:

Highly effective at identifying malware and virus
Automatically downloads any new additions to the threat database
It can be used to scan files right from the context menu
Has an add-in for Outlook to scan attachments

⇒ Get ClamWin Free Antivirus

MoonSecure Antivirus – Easily scalable solution

MoonSecure Antivirus is simple, so even first-time users will have no issues using it on their PC. It also uses little resources, which makes it perfect for older or low-end PCs.

This software is open-source and free, and according to the developers, it’s funded by bundling the installer with other security software, so that’s something you should keep in mind.

The software is also scalable, and you can scan computers remotely. However, this feature is only available in the Enterprise version.

Overall, it’s a small but effective open-source antivirus software that you want to try out.

Other great features:

Completely free and open-source
Simple to use
Low resource usage
Allows remote scanning

⇒ Get MoonSecure Antivirus

Armadito Antivirus – For security experts

Armadito Antivirus can protect both computers and servers from malware. It uses signature-based malware detection and supports heuristic detection modules for binaries.

According to developers, this tool is designed so that anyone can improve the antivirus by developing its modules. There’s also a plugin system that allows users to test and implement new features.

As for regular features, you can find on-demand scanning, real-time protection, threat journal, quarantine, etc. Overall, it’s a solid antivirus, and while it’s aimed at experts, others can also use it.

Other great features:

Supports on-demand scanning, real-time protection, and other standard features.
Uses signature-based malware detection.
It is highly customizable, thanks to the plugin system.

⇒ Get Armadito Antivirus

The OpenAntivirus Project

OpenAntivirus Project is a collaborative open-source project. It includes a virus scanner, email filter, and disinfection tools.

The downside is that the project isn’t actively maintained anymore, but many people stil use it.

Additionally, its soruce servers as a foundation for many modern open-source antivirus efforts.

Key features of OpenAntivirus:

Modular design with virus scanning, email filtering, and disinfection tools
Cross-platform support for Windows and Linux
Open-source under the GPL, customizable by users
Virus detection via signatures and pattern matching
Community-driven development

⇒ Get The OpenAntivirus Project

Is it safe to use open-source antivirus?

While open-source antivirus does offer some form of protection, it might not be updated as often as the closed-source counterparts. Windows Defender or any other antivirus solution should usually be a more reliable option.

Speaking of such programs, we have a list of antivirus software with lifetime licenses for you to check out. All of them are great, offering robust sets of features. Even more, note that these solutions can help you too when facing the Windows Error Code 0x800700E1: Virus Detected.

If you have any other suggestions for this list, please leave them in the comments section below.

0xC004C032: What Is This Error Code & How to Fix It

Posted on March 16, 2023October 4, 2023 by Claire Moraa

Office activation error 0xC004C032 is an error that occurs during the installation of Microsoft Office. It means the product key is invalid or missing and must be installed again. In some cases, this error can also be caused by a fault in your computer’s hardware.

While you can use the Office trial version to perform basic functions, you will need the activated version at some point. If you’re not a big fan of Office, we have other Office alternatives you can try out as you try to figure out this error.

What is Office activation error 0xC004C032?

The error code 0xC004C032 is an error that indicates that an invalid license has been detected. Many people will get this error when trying to activate their Microsoft Office Professional trial versions.

This could be because they have not installed their product key correctly or because they are using an unlicensed version of Microsoft Office Professional that has expired or been reported as lost/stolen. Most features on the trial versions are usually disabled, so you need to address this error soon.

This error can also be caused by various reasons, such as:

Older version – If you have been using an older version of Office that Microsoft no longer supports, this error may occur because your computer doesn’t support newer versions of Office.
The Office product key was not properly validated – If the Office product key has been used before and was not properly validated, then the activation error 0xC004C032 appears on your computer.
The product key was entered multiple times – You may have entered a valid product key, but it must only be used on one computer to activate Office. The activation will fail if you try to activate Office on a different computer.
Multiple attempts – If there were too many attempts to activate the product within a certain period of time, it may fail when you try to activate it again.
Unlicensed product – If you have used an unlicensed product key to activate Microsoft Office in the past, you may experience issues with new installations.
Outdated OS – If you’re using an older version of Windows, it may not be compatible with the version of Office you’re trying to install.
Temporary glitch – Any man-made software is not exempt from glitches now and then. Sometimes, it may just be a temporary glitch that will be resolved in a few moments.

How do I fix the Office activation error 0xC004C032?

Before you attempt any complex solutions, try the following:

Check if your computer has the latest updates installed. This includes both software and Windows updates as well as hardware drivers.
Make sure that you have a valid product key and that it has not been used before.
Ensure your date and time settings are correct, as it can create server-related issues.
Sign out of your Microsoft account on your PC and then sign back in again.
Try resetting your network adapter card and then restarting your computer.

1. Use the Command Prompt to activate Office

Hit the Windows key, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.
Type the following command and hit Enter. Remember to replace the product key with your actual product key: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Office\Office14\ospp.vbs" /inpkey:<product key>
Restart your PC and try again.

2. Use Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant

Visit the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant download page.
Click on Download and wait for the setup file to download.
Start the setup file and click on Install.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the setup.
Run the software, and it should automatically detect any issues with Office.

3. Perform a clean boot

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

4. Reinstall Office

Hit the Windows key, type Control Panel in the search bar, and click Open.
Click on Uninstall a program under Programs.
Find Microsoft Office and click Uninstall. If there’s more than one copy, proceed to uninstall them too.
Download Office and follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.

Before you reinstall the program, ensure you get rid of any software leftovers. This way, if you had installed the wrong version or it was corrupted, the files don’t get mixed up with the correct ones.

Users also reported being unable to start the Office app, which was accompanied by the error code 147-0. If you have encountered the same issue, refer to our helpful guide on how to fix it.

And that’s how to resolve error code 0xC004C032. For any additional thoughts on this topic, leave a comment down below.

0x80073cf1: What Is It & How to Easily Fix It

Posted on March 16, 2023October 4, 2023 by Henderson Jayden Harper

Microsoft Store not updating and installing apps is an issue some of our readers complain about, and an error 0x80073cf1 usually accompanies it. However, the problem may be prompted due to many factors. As such, we’ll take you through some steps to resolve it.

Likewise, you can check our article on stuck Microsoft Store app download and some fixes.

What is the error code 0x80073cf1?

Error code 0x80073cf1 appearing on your PC during a software download or update indicates that Microsoft Store is malfunctioning. It prevents you from installing update patches and performing other tasks on the app.

Furthermore, some notable causes are:

Corrupt Microsoft Store cache – Microsoft Store cache files are stored on the PC to help run its processes faster. However, they are also vulnerable to malware and viruses. Hence, this may impede apps installed from the store from running as expected.
Network connection issues – The error code 0x80073cf1 can occur if Microsoft Store can’t connect with its servers due to network congestion and other network-related issues.
Log-in errors with your Microsoft account – The error code 0x80073cf1 may be because of user account issues. Also, a corrupt user profile on the Windows computer can cause the error.
Outdated Windows OS – If you’re running an outdated Windows OS on your computer, you are more likely to encounter this error.

Fortunately, you can follow the steps below to fix the error and get your downloads and updates running on Microsoft Store.

How can I fix the error code 0x80073cf1?

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

Turn off background apps running on your PC.
Fix network connection issues.
Run a virus and malware scan.
Restart Windows in Safe Mode and check if the error code 0x80073cf1 persists.

If the error appears again, proceed with the solutions below:

1. Run Windows Store Apps Troubleshooter

Press Windows + I key to open the Windows Settings app.
Click on System and select Troubleshoot.
Now, choose Other troubleshooters.
Then click on Windows Store Apps and select the Run button beside it.
After the troubleshooting is complete, check if the 0x80073cf1 error persists.

Running the Apps Troubleshooter will find and fix issues affecting Microsoft Store apps, causing them not to update or install programs.

Alternatively, you can check out our guide about fixing Microsoft Store if you can’t install apps from it on your PC.

2. Repair the Microsoft store app

Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialogue box, type ms-settings:appsfeatures, then press Enter.
Select the Microsoft Store, then click on the Advanced options button.
Navigate to the Reset tab and click the Repair button.
Restart your PC after the repair process and check if the error persists.

Repairing the Microsoft Store app will fix any configuration issues and corrupt program files affecting its performance.

3. Re-register Store apps

Left-click the Start button, type PowerShell, and click the Run as administrator option.
Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
Copy and paste the following lines and press Enter: Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
Restart your PC and check if the Error code 0x80073cf1 appears when using the Microsoft Store app.

Check what to do if Windows PowerShell stops working when executing these steps.

4. Uninstall & Reinstall Store via PowerShell

Left-click the Start button, type PowerShell, and select Run as administrator.
Tap Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
Copy and paste the following lines and press Enter: Get-AppxPackage -allusers *WindowsStore* | Remove-AppxPackage
Copy and paste the following lines and press Enter: Get-AppxPackage -allusers *WindowsStore* | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
Restart your PC and check if the error persists.

Reinstalling the Windows Store via PowerShell will check for corrupt installation files causing problems, then reinstall it.

Alternatively, if your Microsoft Store app download gets stuck, just hop on this article to find our recommended fixes.

Likewise, you can read our guide on how to fix a specified user who does not have a valid profile error on Windows 11.

If you have any suggestions or questions concerning this article, please drop your comments.

ChatGPT 4 vs. ChatGPT 3: What’s New & How Can It Help You?

Posted on March 16, 2023October 4, 2023 by Loredana Harsana

ChatGPT 3 has become popular as many people use the platform to find solutions for daily problems and technical issues.

The model is trained on a massive text dataset and can produce human-like responses. Now OpenAI has released GPT 4 on March 14, 2023.

In this guide, we will discuss the difference between ChatGPT 4 and ChatGPT 3, what we can expect, and how it can be helpful for users.

Is GPT-4 better?

In a recent podcast interview, CEO Sam Altman hinted that OpenAI is working on a multi-modal model, and now that GPT-4 has launched, it is claimed to be faster, more reliable, more creative, and more accurate than its predecessor.

What’s new with ChatGPT?

With GPT-4, ChatGPT is now ChatGPT Plus, supports more parameters, and can deliver faster responses. ChatGPT Plus is available to a limited number of users and is the only way to access ChatGPT-4.

The updated version now provides more accurate answers to tough questions and can take visual input.

It will be available for customers willing to pay $20 a month, including taxes. To be able to use ChatGPT Plus, you need to fill out a form by OpenAI, which will put you on a waiting list.

What is GPT 4 capable of?

GPT-4, as expected, is a multi-modal large language model, which implies it responds to both text and images. For example, you can upload photos of your fridge content and ask what you could make; GPT -4 will suggest the recipes according to the pictures.

OpenAI tested this model on various benchmarks, including simulated human exams, and it performed better than the existing models, as you can see below.

gpt 4 CAPABILITIES ChatGPT 4 vs. ChatGPT 3

It works well in both popular known languages, such as English, and low-resource ones, including Welsh, Latvian, and Swahili.

How many parameters does GPT 4 have?

Earlier, it was suggested that GPT 4 would also be a smaller model with 175 billion parameters. It will generate text, translate language, summarize text, and answer questions at a faster rate.

Now that GPT 4 has been released, it claims to be faster and better. However, there is still no news on how big the parameters are, and it looks like the company is keeping this information to itself for now.

What is GPT 3 unable to do?

GPT 3 is restricted to language and can’t respond to images and sound. Also, it doesn’t have common sense knowledge and can’t learn to reason based on that knowledge.

ChatGPT 4 vs. 3: What is the difference?

AI is evolving as we speak, and companies are working towards making artificial intelligence more useful for humans; ChatGPT is another example.

ChatGPT-4 might have a larger dataset and an equivalent number of parameters. The successor to ChatGPT-3 can generate human-like responses, creative writing, code, structured writing, and more at a much faster rate.

Let’s discuss how ChatGPT 4 differs from its predecessor in model size, compute, optimal parameter, sparsity, multimodality, and performance.

Visual inputs

GPT-4 can respond to both text and images as input and generate text outputs based on the information given. The visual input is in its nascent stage but shows similar capabilities to text-only inputs.

This model can accept text and images, unlike its predecessor, which was only a text-only model. As output, it can generate natural language text consistent with the input.

Although the visual input capability of the model is currently in the research preview stage, it has demonstrated comparable capabilities to text-only inputs.

Steerability

Steerability is an intriguing concept in AI, which means having the capacity to change behavior as per need. GPT-4 integrates steerability more natively than GPT-3.5, and users can modify the classic ChatGPT personality with fixed phrasing, tone, and style per your requirements.

With the “system” message, developers can now provide instructions that prescribe the desired style and task for their AI models. The system messages offer API users greater customization for their users’ experience within certain limits.

Increased capacity for multiple tasks

GPT-4 can perform multiple tasks simultaneously with ease and, therefore, can streamline and speed up processes for businesses that depend on AI technology.

You can use this model to automate customer service queries and quickly address multiple.

Multi-modal inputs

GPT-4, as expected, is multi-modal, which means it can understand more than one modality of information. Wherein ChatGPT and GPT-3 can only respond to text.

The newer model can take images as input and process them to find relevant information. You can ask it to explain the image as well.

The capability to process several input types can be handy for all chatbots improving user experience and engaging interaction. However, as of now, the feature is limited and under development.

GPT-4 can’t be tricked easily

Despite the advancement in AI, chatbots are easier to trick and deviate from their intended behavior.

However, GPT-4 has undergone extensive training using several malicious prompts based on the data provided by the users to OpenAI. With these prompts, the latest model exhibits significant improvements over its predecessors in factuality, steerability, and remaining within defined boundaries.

Longer memory

Large language models are trained on millions of web pages, books, and other text; there is a limit to the amount of information they can retain while conversing with users.

The limit for GPT 3.5 is 4096 tokens, and the earlier version of ChatGPT translates to roughly 8,000 words or four to five pages of a book. Beyond this threshold, the model may lose track of the last details as they recede further into its attention function.

On the contrary, GPT-4 boasts an impressive maximum token count of 32,768. This increased capacity allows the model to retain up to approximately 64,000 words or 50 pages of text, equivalent to a short story.

Therefore the latest model can recollect past discussions even if they occurred 20 pages back or more. While this explanation is a rough approximation of the attention mechanism and token count, the underlying concept is that GPT-4 possesses an extended memory capacity and the associated capabilities that come with it.

GPT-4 is imperfect and has limitations, just like the earlier GPT models. Also, this model doesn’t know events after September 2021, just like the predecessor.

With new capabilities, the AI model is safer than 3.5; however, it poses unknown risks, such as providing wrong information, buggy code, or harmful advice.

All these factors could revolutionize the digital media market as they can help writers develop creative ideas and write information in different formats and styles. Also, they could be helpful for students, designers, developers, and others.

If you have questions or concerns about GPT, please let us know in the comments section below.

Download Error 0x800f0806: How to Fix it on Windows 11

Posted on March 16, 2023October 4, 2023 by Henderson Jayden Harper

Some of our readers encounter update errors like error 0x800f0806 in Windows 11. Updating Windows allows you access to updates and patches for fixing bugs, upgrading security, and adding features to Windows.

Likewise, you can encounter Windows error 0x800f0900 during an update. So, we will provide the possible ways to solve the issue.

What causes Windows 11 0x800f0806?

The most common cause of the issue is system file corruption. When system files are inconsistent or corrupt, they affect almost every part of the system, resulting in errors.

Moreover, some other factors that can cause the Windows 11 update error 0x800f0806 are:

Boot errors – These occur when there is an irregularity in how the computer is powered up. Boot errors can affect the Windows update process, resulting in update error 0x800f0806.
Issues with Windows Update services – The Windows update services on your PC can run into some problems that affect its performance.

The above causes are a few factors that can prompt Windows 11 download error 0x800f0806. As we go further into this article, we’ll take you through what you can do to get Windows update running on your PC.

How do I fix the error 0x800f0806 in Windows 11?

Fixing the Windows 11 download error 0x800f0806 is a technical process, so we recommend you observe the following preliminary checks before proceeding:

Connect your PC to a stable and fast network connection.
Stop all other download processes on your PC.
Close apps running on your computer.
Restart Windows and try downloading updates.

These preliminary checks should help you get through the Windows updates download. If you can’t fix the issues, proceed with the troubleshooting steps below.

1. Reboot your PC in Safe Mode

On the sign-in screen, press the Shift key while holding the Power button.
Hold the Shift key to open the Advanced Recovery Options page, click on Troubleshoot, then select the Advanced options.
Click on Startup Settings and select Restart.
Press 4 to Enable Safe Mode.

The computer should reboot in safe mode. Rebooting your computer in Safe Mode can fix the system’s issues, causing it not to download Windows updates.

2. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

Press the Windows + I key to open the Settings app.
Go to the System menu, then click on the Troubleshoot tab.
Click on the Other Troubleshooters button.
Click the Run button next to the Windows Update to initiate the troubleshooting process for the error 0x800f0806.

Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the troubleshooting process. It will help you detect and fix issues causing the Windows Update error on your PC.

3. Repair corrupted system files through SFC and DISM scans

Press the Windows key, type cmd in the search box, and click on Run as Administrator.
On the Command Prompt page, paste the following in the command bar and press Enter: sfc /scannow
Then type the following in the command bar and press Enter to fix the result of the health scan above: Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Wait until the Command Prompt completes the process. Running SFC and DISM scans identifies the issues on your system and repairs the corrupt system files in Windows 11.

Read how to repair and restore corrupted system files on Windows 11 for more help.

4. Reset Windows update components

Press Windows + R keys to prompt the Run dialog box, type cmd in the text box, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to launch an elevated Command Prompt.
Input the following consecutively and press ENTER after each to stop Windows update services: net stop wuauserv net stop cryptSvc net stop bits net stop msiserver
Delete and rename the SoftwareDistribution and Catroot2 directories using the following commands: ren C:|Windows|SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old ren C: Windows|System32|catroot2 Catroot2.old
Run the command below to enable the earlier disabled services: net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver
Restart your computer and check if the issue persists.

Resetting updated components will force them to generate usable and safe copies of the components.

5. Perform a system restore

Click Start and search for Create a restore point and launch it.
Press the System Restore option, select the appropriate option, and then follow the on-screen prompts.

It will reboot your PC and begin the restore process. Learn how to create and use a System Restore Point in Windows.

These are the best solutions for the Windows 11 0x800f0806 error. Ensure to follow the steps strictly for optimal results.

In conclusion, you can read about what to do if a Windows update deletes apps from your PC. Likewise, we have a detailed guide on uninstalling an update on Windows 11.

For further questions and suggestions, kindly leave them in the comments section below.

The waitlist for Bing’s ChatGPT is apparently gone

Posted on March 16, 2023March 16, 2023 by Alexandru Poloboc

Many of you, that tried to access the new Bing ChatGPT service, were disappointed in the fact that there was a huge waitlist that you had to sit through.

We understood the frustration and we provided a guide on how to fix the waitlist bug if you run into that problem while trying to get on ChatGPT.

However, it seems like the situation is improving, even though there’s no official confirmation from the tech giant himself.

Remember that we can show you how to integrate ChatGPT with Slack, and also what the differences are between Bing’s ChatGPT and Google’s BARD.

No more waitlist for Bing’s AI chatbot service?

On that note, if you have hesitated to sign up for the waitlist to try out Microsoft’s Bing Chat because you thought you would have to wait a long time, there may be good news.

Apparently, there’s word on the internet that there are no more wait times when you go sign up at the Bing Chat page.

Needless to say, no Microsoft officials have yet stepped up to confirm the wait list has been done away with so far, which is important to keep in mind.

That being said, if the wait list is truly done, it may show that Microsoft is confident enough in the current Bing Chat developer to let most anyone try out the AI chatbot.

Back when Bing chat was first launched over a month ago, some of its responses went off the rails, which forced Microsoft to put some hard chat turn limitations in place,

However, recently, the Redmond-based tech giant has expanded the chat turn limits to 150 per day, and 15 turns per session.

Furthermore, it’s also put in new features like the Tone Selector, which can alert how Bing Chat responds to an inquiry.

Don’t forget that it’s also possible that the fact that Bing Chat uses the new GPT-4 could be a factor as GPT-4 is known to be better.

Overall, it seems that Bing Chat is responding more like Microsoft expected it to do, and now it looks like anyone can try it out for themselves.

Microsoft Store Error 0x800706d9: 6 Simple Ways to Fix It

Posted on March 16, 2023October 4, 2023 by Claire Moraa

0x800706d9 is an error code that appears when installing an app from the Microsoft Store. The Microsoft Store is one of the most important apps in Windows 11 as it is the one-stop shop for all your apps.

If Microsoft Store isn’t working, you’ll be unable to update or download apps. This can affect many applications, so you need to get to the bottom of this issue immediately. Luckily, we have compiled the top solutions for you, as reported by users.

What is problem 0x800706d9?

Problem 0x800706d9 is a common error that occurs during the installation or update process of an app from the Microsoft Store. This error has many causes, but the most common ones are:

Firewall settings – If you see this message while downloading an app, it could mean your network administrator or firewall blocked the app.
Corrupt installation files – The error is usually caused by an installation package that’s corrupted or incomplete. It can also be triggered by system files that have been damaged.
Internet connection problems – If your internet connection isn’t working properly, you won’t be able to access Microsoft Store or download/install apps and games.
Corrupted cache files – Sometimes, corrupted cache files can accumulate over time and cause this issue.
Insufficient funds – If you’re trying to purchase and download an app, the download may fail because you don’t have enough money in your account.

How do I fix error code 0x800706d9?

To resolve this error, try these basic troubleshooting steps first:

Ensure you have connected your PC to the internet, preferably via Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi.
Check your date and time settings. The date and time on your computer can affect how programs behave, so it’s important to make sure Windows has the correct time and date set.
Try signing out of your Microsoft account, then sign back in after 30 seconds.
Ensure that you have sufficient funds in your Microsoft account if you were trying to purchase an app.
Make sure that your credit card information is correct on file so that it matches up with what is on your screen.
Verify that your security software isn’t blocking Microsoft Store from communicating with its servers.
Delete and reinstall the app that is giving you the error.

1. Run the Windows Store troubleshooter

Hit the Windows key and click on Settings.
Click on System on the left pane then Troubleshoot on the right pane.
Select Other troubleshooters.
Scroll down, locate Windows Store Apps and click the Run button.

2. Restart Windows services

Hit the Windows + R keys to open the Run command.
Type services.msc in the dialog box and click OK.
Find the Windows Update service, right-click on it, and select Properties.
Under Startup type, select Automatic from the drop-down menu, click Start then press Apply and OK to save changes.
Repeat steps 1 to 4 with Storage Service and Windows Defender Firewall as well.

3. Run the DISM and SFC scans

Hit the Windows key, type cmd and hit Run as administrator.
Type the following commands and press Enter after each one: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth sfc /scannow

4. Reset the Microsoft Store cache

Hit the Windows Search icon.
Type WSReset.exe in the search bar and hit Run as administrator.

5. Repair/reset Microsoft Store

Hit the Windows key and click on Settings.
Click on Apps on the left pane then Apps & features on the right pane.
Locate the Microsoft Store app, click on the three vertical ellipses and select Advanced options.
Click on Repair.
Go back and click on Reset if the repair option failed.

In case Microsoft Store is missing from the Apps and features section, here’s what to do to restore it.

6. Reinstall the Microsoft Store

Press the Windows + I keys simultaneously to open Settings.
Type Powershell in the search bar and click Run as administrator.
Enter the following command: Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.WindowsStore | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"

Aside from the error code 0x8007069d, you may also come across an issue where the Microsoft Store fails to download anything. This should not be a cause for alarm, as we have already covered ways to overcome this hurdle.

If you frequent the Microsoft Store, you may get bored of the default theme over time. Don’t worry, as we are here to help refresh things. Check out our impressive library of the best Microsoft Store themes that will elevate your browsing experience.

Find out more in our in-depth review of the Microsoft Store and get to learn about all that it has to offer.

Let us know which solution fixed this error in the comment section below.

ScanDisk in Windows 10: Where Is Chkdsk Log File Location

Posted on March 16, 2023July 16, 2025 by Matthew Adams

Chkdsk or Check Disk is a built-in utility for disk repairs in Windows and is often the first used by users. After each scan, it creates a log file detailing the collected information. This concerns users and they have been asking where are Chkdsk logs stored in Windows 10.

The log files are critical for various reasons, whether to identify or eliminate the problem. And that cannot be done until you can access the log file in a readable format. That’s what we will be helping you with today. So, let’s find out the Chkdsk log file location in Windows 10 and later iterations.

What is the location of chkdsk logs?
How do I view Chkdsk logs in Windows 10?
- 1. With Event Viewer
- 2. Via PowerShell

What is the location of chkdsk logs?

If you have been trying to figure out where the Chkdsk logs are stored in Windows 10, it’s the System Volume Information folder on the system drive, usually the C: drive. The folder also contains other critical information and is the Chkdsk log location in Windows 11 as well.

*System Volume Information folder in Windows 10*

But you can’t access the Chkdsk logs in File Explorer since the files here are protected and not accessible under default settings. Also, we don’t recommend changing these since you can have Chkdsk output to file or view them in the Event Viewer. Let’s find out how.

How do I view Chkdsk logs in Windows 10?

1. With Event Viewer

Press Windows + S to open the Search menu, type Event Viewer in the text field, and click on the relevant result.
Expand Windows Logs from the navigation pane, select Applications under it, and then click on Filter Current Log on the right.
Enter 26226, the event ID for Check Disk, in the All Event IDs text field, and click OK.
All the Chkdsk logs will now be listed. You can click on one to see a brief overview in the General tab or head to the Details tab for a comprehensive result.
You can now view the Chkdsk log in Friendly View and XML View.

Using the Event Viewer to view Chkdsk logs is probably the simplest way. But if you find that Chkdsk log is not in Event Viewer, there’s another method to export the file.

2. Via PowerShell

Press Windows + R to open Run, type powershell in the text field, and then hit Enter.
Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
To export the Chkdsk log as a text file to the desktop, execute this command:get-winevent -FilterHashTable @{logname="Application"; id="1001"}| ?{$_.providername -match "wininit"} | fl timecreated, message | out-file "$env:userprofile\Desktop\CHKDSKResults.txt"
Go to the desktop, and open the CHKDSKResults.txt file to view the logs.

That’s it! You now know where are Chkdsk logs stored in Windows 10, how to access them, and view the detailed results.

3 Xbox Free Play Days games now live and CoD MW2 gets free-to-play multiplayer this weekend

Posted on March 16, 2023 by Robert Collins

In this article

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Three more games are available this week with Xbox Free Play Days. As a reminder the Xbox Free Play Days program is available for subscribers of Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 free-to-play multiplayer event

And as a bonus this week (though not related to the Xbox Free Play Days event), Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 will have a free multiplayer access event from March 16-20, though note that not the entire online suite will be accessible.

Without further ado, here is this week’s Xbox Free Play Days lineup. These games will be available via Xbox Free Play Days from March 16-19.—and in the case of Anno 1800, it will be available for a full week through March 23.

Since we have seen some questions on the Free Week… ????

We're very happy to see so many of you excited to try Anno 1800! From 5PM UTC/1PM EDT onwards you'll be able to download the free version for PC, PlayStation 5 and XBox Series X|S.

— Anno 1800 (@ANNO_EN) March 16, 2023

Anno 1800

Beautify your cities with the Deluxe Edition! Includes three Cosmetic Packs: Amusements Pack, Pedestrian Zone, and Vibrant Cities to enjoy a wide variety of ornaments and skins.

A RICH EARLY ADOPTER OFFER: contains a digital art book, a digital game soundtrack*, the access to the Imperial Pack and the Console Founder Pack!
A complete package that will totally immerse you in the world of the Industrial Revolution of Anno 1800™.

Welcome to the dawn of the Industrial Age in this city-building real-time strategy game. Experience one of the most exciting and fast-changing periods of all time as you discover new technologies, regions, and societies, implement your own strategy, and build a new world to your design.

Play solo or use the online mode to play PvP or co-op modes: How the world remembers your name is up to you.

Session: Skate Sim

With the dual stick controls, each stick represents one of your feet. You will need to learn how to control them and transfer weight, just like on a real skateboard. The physics have been developed with a focus on realism, smoothness and immersion. Just like in real life for a new skateboarder, the first hours can seem challenging, but once you have mastered the technique, you will feel the unrivalled thrill of pulling off your very first kickflip! Session: Skate Sim also includes full options customisation, so you can enjoy the perfect experience tailored to you. A full tutorial provides all the help you need to get started, and you can choose from four difficulty levels!

Autonauts

Travel the universe creating settlements on uninhabited planets with the sole goal of setting worlds in motion through the power of automation.

Fresh from your spaceship you must harvest stick and stone and begin your settlement building efforts. Create rudimentary crafting items from blueprints and slowly build a number of workerbots to aid in your efforts. Teach and shape their artificial intelligence with a visual programming language, then instruct them to begin the formation of your settlement. Marvel as a planet you’ve shaped becomes home to a civilisation of workerbots, happy to do your bidding!

Expand further with the creation of Folk; beings that require your assistance to survive. Push your workerbots further by introducing fishing, cooking, housing, and tailoring and help the Folk into a state of transcendence.

Wrap up

Is there anything on this week’s Xbox Free Play Days lineup that has you excited for the weekend? Let us know down in the comments. Likely many will be anxious to get in on the Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 free-to-play-multiplayer event.

Featured image via Xbox.com.

Why is my hard drive not showing its full capacity?

How do I restore my hard drive to full capacity?

1. Update the hard drive driver

2. Format the hard drive

3. Change the partition table

What is a Windows 1935 error?

How can I fix error 1935?

1. Delect the AppModel subkey

2. Make sure that Windows Modules Installer service is running

3. Perform SFC and DISM scans

4. Repair the Transaction support using Command Prompt

5. Install Visual C++ Redistributables

6. Repair the .NET Framework

7. Run the application in Compatibility mode

8. Remove the OfficeSoftwareProtectioPlatform key

What is invalid drive error 1327 Windows 10?

How can I fix Error 1327 invalid drive?

1. Remove the drive letter with Command Prompt

2. Reinstall the program

3. Disconnect the network drive

4. Reassociate the drive letter with a temporary location

Why am I getting a 0x800f0845 Windows 10 update error?

How can I fix the 0x800f0845 Windows 10 update error?

1. Uninstall Windows Updates in Safe Mode

2. Try Windows Update Troubleshooter

3. Download Windows updates manually

4. Roll back your update

How do I fix Runtime error 217?

1. Run the DISM and SFC scans

2. Perform a clean boot

3. Reset your PC

What is the best MP3-to-sheet music converter?

1. AudioScore Ultimate – Best MP3-to-sheet music converter

AudioScore Ultimate

2. AnthemScore 4 – AI-powered transcription tool

3. Piano2Notes – great for polyphonic piano music

4. Tunescribers – simple and user-friendly music transcription

5. NCH TwelveKeys – Perfect for beginners

6. Melody Scanner – Supports MP3 files and YouTube videos

7. Soundslice – Available in your browser

Why is Lenovo Power Manager not working on Windows 10?

How do I open Lenovo Power Manager in Windows 10?

How can I fix Lenovo Power Manager if it’s not working on Windows 10?

1. Change compatibility mode

2. Use Microsoft Store

3. Check for Windows updates

4. Use a third-party software

Why won’t Skype open?

What can I do if Skype won’t open?

1. Rename Skype Folder in Safe Boot mode

2. Grant Skype access to the microphone and camera

3. Run Skype in compatibility mode

4. Temporarily disable antivirus and firewall

5. Perform an SFC Scan

6. Repair the app

7. Reinstall Skype

What causes a Kernelbase.dll error?

How do I fix the Kernelbase.dll caused a breakpoint error?

1. Repair files with a specialized tool

2. Run your game in Compatibility mode

3. Disable antivirus software

4. Increase Paging File Size

Is it safe to download Kernelbase.dll?

How do I use Acer fan control?

Table of contents

1. Use Acer fan control software

2. Change the system cooling policy

3. Change BIOS settings

4. Maintain and Clean the Cooling System

5. Use a Cooling Pad for Better Airflow

6. Monitor Temperatures and Adjust Usage

7. Update System Drivers for Stable Fan Behavior

Can I manually control my laptop fan speed?

Benefits of controlling fan speed

Does Windows 10 have cloud storage?

What are the best cloud storage apps for Windows 10?

Sync.com – User-friendly app

Sync.com

pCloud – Available on all platforms

pCloud