Open WDB Files on Windows 10: 4 Ways You Can Do It

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

With hundreds of files format, it often becomes difficult to find a program for each. Thankfully, most apps support multiple file formats making things a bit easier for users. However, even after much effort, many can’t open WDB files in Windows 10.

This is primarily because the recommendations listed on the web don’t usually work, and the software used to create them has long been withdrawn. So, if you have been trying to open a WDB file without Works, here’s everything you need to know.

What is a WDB file?

The WDB extension is attached to files associated with Microsoft Works, an office suite developed by Microsoft. Initially released in 1988, the suite was a popular choice, primarily due to its low cost and a host of user-friendly features, until it was discontinued in 2009.

While the WDB file has features similar to Access database MDB files, it has more limitations on programs that can access it as it contains a proprietary data format that cannot be opened by most programs.

Here are the two sets of applications that generate WDB files:

Microsoft Works: We have already established the role of Microsoft Works with WDB files.
World of Warcraft: This game, too, creates WDB files that store information received from the game servers and is critical to the gameplay.

While there are a few ways to open WDB files, many prefer converting them into a format supported by other applications or the current Microsoft Office suite. So, now that you know what is a WDB file, let’s find out how to open WDB files in Windows 10.

How do I open a WBD file?

1. Download Microsoft Works

Though it was discontinued long ago, and there are no official sources to download it, you can still proceed with the Microsoft Works Database download from Archive.org. The file is in ISO format. Also, be extra cautious with the downloaded file and scan it for malware using a reliable antivirus.

After the download is complete, all you need to do is mount the ISO, run the setup, and complete the installation. In case you face issues, run Microsoft Works in compatibility mode with Windows Vista.

2. Use Microsoft Word

If you previously had Works 6.0 or a later version and the WDB files were created using it, these can easily be opened in Word or Excel (only Office 2010). For later versions of MS Office, you will need a WDB file converter to Word.

You can find several converter tools on the web, though not all of them are safe. Be cautious with it, and scan the downloaded file afterward for malware before opening.

3. With Microsoft Excel

2.1 Convert to CSV format

Some users recommended converting the WDB file to a format compatible with Excel, but that’s possible only when you have Microsoft Works installed on the same or another PC.

And that’s unlikely to be the case. Though, if you have it, you can easily convert WDB file to Excel readable format.

2.2 Use a third-party tool

If you have been wondering how to open a WDB file in Excel, many recommend using CodeAlchemist’s Work Database Convertor, but you will need to install Java for it. And even after that, it may not run and throw a security warning instead, which is often tricky to bypass.

Besides, several users reported that their antivirus flagged Works Database Convertor as a threat and prevented it from running. So proceed at your own risk.

4. Via LibreOffice

Download LibreOffice from the official website, then launch the setup and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
Once it’s set up, open LibreOffice, and click on Base Database near the bottom-left corner.
Check the settings and click Next.
Again verify the details, and click Finish.
Now, choose the File menu, and select Open from the list of options.
Head to the path where the WDB file is stored, select it, and then click on the dropdown menu next to File name.
Select Microsoft Works Document (*.wks, *.wdb) from the formats here.
Finally, click on Open.
It should now open the WDB file.

Users often ask, can LibreOffice open WDB files? The answer is Yes, though it might not work for all. Most users have, however, been able to open WDB file in LibreOffice on Windows 10 and other iterations, and with these steps, you should too.

Also, we recommend saving the file in a compatible format once done to save yourself from all the trouble the next time.

That’s all for now! Before you leave, check how to find duplicate files in Windows and delete them to free up disk space.

If you know any other methods to open WDB files in Windows 10, drop them in the comments section below.

PCSX2 Runtime Error: 4 Solutions to Get It Working Again

Posted on March 16, 2023October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

PCSX2 is a free, open-source, and popular emulator for Play Station 2 games. It has long been a favorite amongst Windows users, but of late, many reported getting the PCSX2 Runtime error.

The PCSX2 Runtime error appears after upgrading Windows for most, though some reported it arose out of the blue. No matter the case, you can always fix it with our solutions.

What causes PCSX2 Visual C++ Runtime error?

Here are a few reasons the PCSX2 game is not loading:

Misconfigured settings: More often than not, the misconfigured app settings trigger the error.
Emulator not supported on the PC: For those asking why PCSX2 keeps crashing or throwing an error, it’s likely a lack of support to blame. So, you should check PCSX2’s system requirements.
Critical files are missing: PCSX2 needs Microsoft Visual C++ and an updated DirectX to run, and if these are missing or you have the incorrect ones, PCSX2 will throw the Runtime error.

How can I fix the PCSX2 Runtime error?

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

Restart the computer.
Make sure DirectX is installed on the computer and is updated. For Windows 11, users get DirectX updates directly through Windows Update.
In case you have a third-party antivirus installed on the PC, disable it and check whether the PCSX2 Runtime error disappears. If it does, we recommend you switch to an effective and compatible antivirus.

If nothing works, move to the fixes listed next.

1. Change plugin settings

Open PCSX2, click on the Config menu, and choose Plugin/BIOS Selector.
In the Plugins tab, select another option from the GS dropdown menu, and click OK to save the changes.

For many users, simply switching from AVX to SSE2 or SSE3 for GS Plugin did the trick.

2. Make sure Visual C++ Redistributables are installed

NOTE

PCSX2 is a 32-bit application, so when downloading the Visual C++ Redistributable packages, make sure to get the 32-bit or x86 versions.

Open a fast web browser, head to Microsoft’s official website, and download the Visual C++ Redistributables listed here.
After downloading, run the setup for each individually, follow the on-screen instructions, and wait for the installation to complete.
Similarly, install the other Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages you downloaded from the website.

Missing or corrupt Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable packages can often trigger the PCSX2 Runtime error in Windows.

*Repair Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable*

You know what to do when these are missing, but if the redistributables are corrupt, there’s an option to repair them after the installation is complete.

3. Run the SFC scan

Press Windows + R to open Run, type cmd, and hit Enter.
Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
Paste the following commands individually and hit Enter after each to run DISM:DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Once done, execute the following command to run the SFC scan: sfc /scannow

Running the DISM tool and SFC scan can help fix corrupt system files or issues with DLLs, which often triggers the PCSX2 Runtime error.

4. Reinstall PCSX2

Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl in the text field, and click OK.
Select PCSX2, and click on Uninstall.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Once done, head to PCSX2’s official website, and click on Latest stable to download the emulator.
Run the setup and choose the necessary settings, as you did earlier, to complete the installation process.

A reinstall should help fix things because the software package will fetch and download the relevant files that were earlier missing and which triggered the PCSX2 Runtime error.

Also, before you leave, check the best ways to boost Windows performance and get the best experience.

If you have any queries or want to share a solution with us, drop a comment below.

Microsoft promises new Copilot products and features, but not much detail

Posted on March 16, 2023 by Kip Kniskern

Today, at the Microsoft “Future of Work with AI” event, Microsoft unveiled Copilot for Microsoft 365, and a new product, “Business Chat,” along with references to as yet unreleased but announced products like Microsoft Loop and a new version of Microsoft Teams.

Copilot for Microsoft 365, including Copilot for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, and the Power Platform will offer Bing Chat-like interactions with an AI powered back end to bring together information from the Microsoft Graph and Microsoft 365 apps to make suggestions and generate entire presentations, summaries, and action plans.

These AI generated responses are meant to be a starting point, with the ability for users and workers to analyze, edit, and amend the information, with some strong caveats from Microsoft that the user should always remain in control and not just trust Copilot to get it right the first time. It’s all powered by what Microsoft calls “The Microsoft 365 Copilot System:”

What makes Microsoft 365 compelling for work scenarios is that it is “grounded” in a business’s data, informed by the Microsoft Graph. Microsoft has been collating data for companies in the Microsoft Graph for years, keeping track of documents, emails, calendars, chats, meetings, contacts, and more. Copilot can tap into all this data, using the same security features as Microsoft 365:

Built on Microsoft’s comprehensive approach to security, compliance and privacy. Copilot is integrated into Microsoft 365 and automatically inherits all your company’s valuable security, compliance, and privacy policies and processes. Two-factor authentication, compliance boundaries, privacy protections, and more make Copilot the AI solution you can trust.

…

We know data leakage is a concern for customers. Copilot LLMs are not trained on your tenant data or your prompts. Within your tenant, our time-tested permissioning model ensures that data won’t leak across user groups. And on an individual level, Copilot presents only data you can access using the same technology that we’ve been using for years to secure customer data.

While we’ve been hearing that a new Teams client is coming soon, as early as this month, along with the long awaited Microsoft Loop client, Microsoft isn’t saying much so far about when we’ll be able to start seeing Copilot become more widely available across Microsoft 365 apps:

In the months ahead, we’re bringing Copilot to all our productivity apps—Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Viva, Power Platform, and more. We’ll share more on pricing and licensing soon. Earlier this month we announced Dynamics 365 Copilot as the world’s first AI Copilot in both CRM and ERP to bring the next-generation AI to every line of business.

No word on pricing or availability across Microsoft 365 plans, either, so there’s still lots to learn about Microsoft’s “whole new way to work.”

User Does Not Have Access Privileges: How to Fix This Error

Posted on March 16, 2023October 4, 2023 by Claire Moraa

The user does not have access privileges message normally occurs when you try to open a word document. This can typically happen when trying to open an existing document you created, but your account does not have access privileges.

It’s a strange case, as users who encountered this error were previously able to open their documents. However, you get locked out after some time, and Word won’t open. Stay tuned as we uncover ways to bypass this error.

Why is Microsoft Word telling me I don’t have access privileges?

There are several reasons why you may be getting this message. The following are some of the most common:

Unsupported format – You may be trying to open a document in an incompatible format.
Not enough permissions – If you’re trying to access a file in a folder that requires administrative privileges with a local account, you may get the folder access denied message.
Inaccessible location – If the file is stored in a network location that isn’t available from your computer, you’ll get this error message when you try to open the document.
File changes – If you were not the original owner of the file, the document’s owner may have unshared it and revoked access permissions.
Antivirus settings – Some antivirus software have file protection features. These can prevent you from opening the file if it is listed in the protected folder.
Corrupt file – If your document is corrupt or damaged, it could cause Word to display the user does not have access privileges message.

How do I fix user does not have access privileges?

Before you start with the slightly advanced solutions, check the following first:

If you are trying to open a file from an external drive, ensure the drive is connected.
Ensure that a password or a read-only attribute does not protect the file.
Check antivirus exceptions. Some security software may prevent Word from opening, so check whether the file is in a folder that is automatically protected by your antivirus.
Ensure you’re using an administrator account, as local accounts may have limited access to some files and folders.
Try opening the file with another program. This will let you know whether it is protected.
Copy files to another location/drive. If the file was on your hard drive, move it to another location on another drive if available.
Finally, try restarting your PC. This could clear any temporary glitches preventing you from accessing the file.

1. Change file permissions

Locate the word document in question, right-click on it, and select Properties.
Navigate to the Security tab and look for You must have Read permissions to view the properties of this object. This will let you know you have insufficient permissions to open the file. Go to the bottom of the screen and click on Advanced.
Hit Continue in the next window that pops up.
Click on Add in the Permissions tab.
In the Permissions Entry window, click on Select a principal, enter the information required in the listed entries, and click on Advanced at the bottom.
Click on Find New, select Authenticated Users then press OK to generate a list of all users at the bottom.
Check all the checkboxes to grant permissions then click on OK to save the changes.
Try opening the file and see if the error persists. Some PCs may require a reboot to effect the changes.

2. Change deny permissions

Locate the word document in question, right-click on it, and select Properties.
Navigate to the Security tab.
Click on the Edit button.
Check all options under Allow to grant all authenticated users permissions, then click on Apply and OK to save the changes.
Try opening the file again.

3. Delete personal information

Locate the word document in question, right-click on it, and select Properties.
Navigate to the Details tab and click on Remove Properties and Personal Information.
Next, check Create a copy with all possible properties removed and press OK.

4. Change Inherit from parent entries

Locate the word document in question, right-click on it, and select Properties.
Navigate to the Security tab and click on Advanced.
Click on Disable inheritance, then click Apply and OK to save changes.

Other Word-related issues include an error where Word has unreadable content, so be sure to check out our detailed article on how to address such problems.

We also have answers for when you have trouble editing in Word in our comprehensive guide.

Let us know of any additional thoughts or comments you may have on this issue.

FPS Drop After RAM Upgrade: How to Fix It in 5 Steps

Posted on March 16, 2023January 26, 2024 by Vlad Turiceanu

FPS drops are one of the major game issues affecting the gaming experience for game enthusiasts. A recent report from some of our readers is that they encounter an FPS drop after RAM upgrade.

This can be quite frustrating as FPS drops can affect even games with low specs. Regardless, we have gathered some potential fixes for this error in this article.

Why did FPS drop after RAM upgrade?

FPS drops in games are usually associated with outdated or corrupted drivers. However, we have outlined some other factors that may contribute to the FPS drop after a RAM upgrade:

RAM installation – The RAM modules were either not properly installed on the motherboard or incompatible.
Different RAM capacities – When using the RAM in Dual channel mode, they must be the same capacity. For instance, if you were using a 2 x 8 GB RAM Dual channel configuration, replacing one of them with a 16 GB module will disable the Dual channel mode and cause the FPS drop.
Issues with Graphics driver – One of the major reasons behind several FPS drop issues are due to an old or corrupted graphics driver.
Windows update issues – Another possible reason for the FPS drop after the RAM upgrade is a problematic Windows update.
Inadequate cooling system – The components’ performance tends to decline when they start to overheat due to insufficient ventilation. Check our guide for the best laptop cooling software.

Irrespective of the causes, let’s proceed to how you can fix this problem.

What can I do if FPS drops after RAM upgrade?

Before applying any tweaks, you should try some of the preliminary checks below:

Check your RAM speed using a hardware diagnostic tool.
Make sure your computer meets the minimum requirements for the app you’re running before you encountered the FPS drop error.
Decrease your CPU consumption if it is too high, and reduce your RAM usage.
Do not run multiple apps at the same time.

Having confirmed the above checks, and if you still require further assistance, you can explore the solutions provided below.

1. Scan your RAM for errors

Press the Windows key + R to start the Run console, type mdsched.exe and hit Enter or click OK.
Now, click on Restart now and check for problems.
After restarting, the tool is going to perform a scan of your memory and it will provide a report with any errors if any are found.

If there is any problem with any of your RAM modules, this tool will find it. Also, if it’s possible, we recommend unplugging the modules, attaching them again carefully, and repeating the test.

2. Run an SFC (System File Checker) scan

Press the Windows key, type cmd in the search box, and click Run as administrator.
In the CMD window, type the following command in the text field and press Enter: sfc /scannow
The scanning process may take some time, so wait till the verification is complete and restart your PC.

The SFC scan is one of the best tools to identify corrupt system files and replace them with their cached copy stored on the system. Running the scan will enable you to know the root of the problem and likely how to fix it.

If you want to try an automatic alternative to running an SFC scan, then we recommend a dedicated app to repair corrupted files on Windows.

This software is capable of replacing corrupt files automatically with healthy components from its database after a thorough scan of your operating system.

3. Update your GPU drivers

Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run window, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter.
Choose Display adapters by double-clicking from the search results, then 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.

As an alternative, you might get the most recent graphics driver from the manufacturer’s website, such as Intel, AMD, or Nvidia, depending on your GPU.

Instead of doing this, you can manage your graphics card driver more easily using a dedicated tool.

4. Update your BIOS

NOTE

The steps to update your BIOS differs depending on the manufacturer. However, you can use the steps below for HP devices.

Go to the HP driver and software download website.
Select Laptop or Desktop, depending on the type of computer you’re using.
Enter the exact serial number or computer model of your device.
Now, choose your OS and OS version, then click on Submit.
Click on All drivers and then expand BIOS to check available updates. Next, click the Download icon.
Install the .exe file and follow the on-screen instructions.
Restart your PC and select Apply Update Now during startup.

Since the upgrading process is specific to the type of computer you use, you can check our detailed guide on how to update your BIOS on different Windows 11 PC.

If you already have the latest BIOS version, you may try resetting its setting to default and see if that changes the situation.

5. Upgrade to SSD

If any of the steps provided, including updating your BIOS, don’t fix the FPS drop after the RAM upgrade error, you can upgrade to using a gaming SSD which could be an effective method to improve gaming performance and solve the low FPS problem.

Alternatively, you can uninstall or reinstall the game to check if this helps you to fix the FPS drop after RAM upgrade.

We also have a guide that can help you if you can’t run RAM at full speed, so be sure to check it out.

If you have any questions or suggestions on fixing the FPS drop after the RAM upgrade issue, please let us know by using the comments section below.

FPS Drop After Windows Update: 4 Ways to Quickly Fix It

Posted on March 16, 2023May 23, 2024 by Vlad Turiceanu

Some of our readers have recently reported an FPS drop after Windows 11 update, and they do not know what fix to apply.

In case you’re also experiencing random stutters while playing some online multiplayer shooting games, or after a Windows 11 update, this article will provide you with simplified steps on how to fix the issue.

Why did my FPS drop after a Windows update?

There can be several reasons why you are experiencing frames per second drop after updating your Windows 11 PC. Below are some of the potential reasons behind the error:

Buggy Windows update – It is not uncommon to experience frame drop issues after a Windows update. In this case, rolling back the update is the best choice.
Problematic graphics driver – This error can also manifest due to an outdated or corrupted driver. You can visit Nvidia’s official website or AMD to download the latest graphics driver for your device.
Internet connection issues – When playing an online game, you need to ensure that you have an excellent Internet connection; else, experiencing an FPS drop would be inevitable.
Inadequate cooling system – When the components begin to overheat, you will notice a performance drop in your system. You can check here for the best laptop cooling software.

The above causes are a few of the many other factors that may contribute to the FPS drop after a Windows update on your PC. Let’s proceed to how you can fix this problem.

If you’re experiencing high FPS drops, specifically on Windows 10, our comprehensive guide on how to fix high FPS drops in Windows 10 might be of help.

What can I do if FPS drops after a Windows update?

Before anything, apply the following quick checks:

Ensure that your computer meets the minimum requirements for the app you use when encountering the FPS drop issue.
Check if your computer is overheating.
Ensure that the resource consumption is not too high. You can reduce the RAM usage to decrease the strain on your CPU if it is too high.
Close any applications that you don’t need.
Check if you are properly connected to the Internet.

If, after confirming the above checks, nothing works, you can explore the advanced solutions listed below.

1. Update your graphics card driver

Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run window, type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter.
Expand the Display adapters section, right-click on the graphics driver, and select the Update driver option.
Now, select Search automatically for drivers and let Windows install the best available version.
Restart your computer after the updating process is complete.

Alternatively, depending on your GPU, you could download the latest graphics driver from the manufacturer’s official site (Nvidia’s official website or AMD, or Intel).

2. Run the CHKDSK command

Press the Windows key to open the Start menu, type command prompt and choose Run as administrator.
Next, type the following command (replace C with your drive letter) and press Enter to run it: chkdsk /f C:
Follow the prompts that come afterward to restart your PC.

If you’re finding it difficult to run the CHKDSK scan, you can check our detailed guide on how to fix chkdsk.

3. Turn off Game DVR in the Registry

Press the Windows + R keys to launch the Run window, type regedit, and click OK.
Navigate to the following path: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\default\ApplicationManagement\AllowGameDVR
Right-click on the value in the right pane, select Modify, and change the value data to 0.
Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

This is one of the most effective methods to troubleshoot this problem. Once the DVR is turned off, the issue should be resolved.

4. Disable Turbo boost

Press the Windows key, input control panel, and click Enter.
Select Hardware and Sound, then click on Power Options.
Choose the Change plan settings and click on Change advanced power settings.
Select Processor power management and Maximum processor state. Then, set their values for On battery and Plugged to 99%.
Then, click Apply and OK to save the changes.

Ensure that you work your way through any of the steps provided in this article to know which works best for you.

Additionally, some of our readers have found the ways to fix FPS drops, lag & stutter after BIOS updates helpful. You can explore some solutions in the guide as they may work for you.

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

Is your GPU Artifacting? Here’s how We Fixed Ours

Posted on March 16, 2023October 4, 2023 by Vlad Turiceanu

Some of our readers have recently complained that they are experiencing static and distortions on their Windows PC screen, which are symptoms of GPU artifacting issues.

If you are experiencing similar issues and are wondering what it is and how they can be fixed, worry less, as this article is just for you.

What is GPU artifacting?

GPU artifacts or artifacting are the terms used when referring to artifacts caused by the graphics card or GPU.

When processing or transmitting digital data, you might suddenly notice random lines or symbols appearing on the screen/display. This is an error known as a visual artifact. It can occur in both digital photos and videos as well.

Moreover, screen flashes, odd textures, distorted colors, and haphazard lighting in video games may accompany GPU artifacting. Some other scenarios are a display of static noise, screen flickering, and blackout of the display.

These GPU artifacts can be triggered if you watch or play a lot of 3D Content, such as games or videos, under certain limited circumstances.

How can I fix GPU artifacting?

Before anything, you should consider performing the following checks as they may help prevent the error next time:

Check for physical damage on PCB.
Launch the Task Manager and see if your screen flickers on the Task Manager window. If it does, the problem is likely due to your display driver.
Check if your PC is overheating. You can check how to reduce your PC’s high temperature.
Ensure your power supply can produce enough power to handle your GPU.
Check your graphics (system and application) settings, as it may push the GPU to its maximum performance.
Ensure that you are using a compatible GPU for your CPU.
If you are using any overclocking tools, disable them and see if this changes the situation.

Having confirmed the above checks, you can explore the advanced solutions below to know how to fix the issue.

1. Update the graphics driver

Right-click the Start icon, then select Device Manager from the options.
Expand Display adapters, then right-click your graphics card driver to choose Update driver.
Finally, click on the Search automatically for drivers option.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete updating the driver and restart your PC.

Alternatively, depending on your GPU, you can visit Nvidia’s official website or AMD to download the latest graphics driver for your device.

2. Underclock the CPU speed via BIOS

Restart your PC.
Once the first screen comes on, press the F10, F12, F4, or F8 key repeatedly until the BIOS screen is displayed. (For PCs built earlier than 2006, press the F1 key repeatedly during the booting process to get into BIOS).
Navigate to the overclock settings and reduce the CPU speed.
If you do not know the original overclock values, choose the option to reset your BIOS to default settings.
Save the changes.

Before trying to reduce your overclocking speed, you should consider using reliable overclocking stress test software.

3. Run programs in Compatibility mode

Right-click the app’s icon and click on Properties.
Select the Compatibility tab, check the box for Run this program in compatibility mode, and select a lower OS from the drop-down menu.
Then click Apply and OK before closing the window.

Should you want to check how to run apps like Valorant in Compatibility mode, kindly follow our guide for the fixes.

4. Replace your graphics card

Sometimes if you’re experiencing GPU artifacting, it might be because of a malfunctioning VRAM.

If that’s the case, you’re left with little option than to replace your graphics card.

If none of the above solutions works, your last resort is to lower the temperature of your graphics card by changing the thermal paste on the GPU if that is an available option. Doing so might solve the problem.

Another thing you may try is to adjust the graphics settings to lower values and see if that fixes the problem.

And that’s it on how to fix the issue with GPU artifacting. Make sure you work your way through any of the above methods to know what works best for you.

Similarly, if you’re getting vertical and horizontal lines on your screen, check our detailed guide to fix the issue quickly.

If you have any questions or suggestions on how to fix the GPU artifacting issues, please do not hesitate to use the comments section below.

Script Errors Explained: What Are They & How to Fix Them

Posted on March 16, 2023September 12, 2024 by Claire Moraa

Script errors are a common problem in web development, especially when working with JavaScript. Such errors are usually thrown by JavaScript code, but other scripting languages can also cause them.

Usually, when a script error occurs, the program in question cannot execute a script. Error messages are an inevitable part of using a computer, but you can avoid some of them with the right information, as you shall see in this article.

What is the reason for a script error?

This can be caused by either a syntax error or a runtime error. A syntax error occurs because you’ve written something incorrectly in the code, while a runtime error occurs because of an error with your code that has been compiled into machine code.

Some common causes of script errors include:

Badly written code – You may have missed some characters or words while writing your code, such as semicolons or quotes. This means that the code may go through, but it may not work as intended.
Incompatible plugins or browser extensions – This problem can sometimes be caused by a faulty browser extension or plugin. These can interfere with the functionality of your site’s scripts.
Outdated scripting language – Your browser may use outdated JavaScript or another scripting language.
Browser compatibility issues – If your website is incompatible with all browsers, you may face this problem. Also, if you have an older version of the browser, it might not be able to render some elements on the web page correctly.
Security software restrictions – Some security software, like antivirus software, can block scripts from running properly. This is especially true if you’re using an older version of Windows and don’t have up-to-date security software installed.
Server misconfiguration – This means that the site you are trying to access cannot be reached because of an issue with how it was set up or configured.
Slow internet connection – If your internet connection is slow or unstable, it can cause problems with how quickly your website loads.

How do you fix a script error?

Although the script errors vary, some basic workarounds that may apply to most of them include:

Check your internet connection and ensure it’s stable.
Make sure your browser supports JavaScript or whatever programming language you’re using.
Update your browser and operating system to their most recent versions.
Try turning off browser plugins and see if it works. If so, try updating or removing them individually to find out which is causing the problem.
Close your browser tabs and refresh the browser.
Check for spelling errors. If there are misspelled words in your code, your program may not be able to parse it correctly.
Make sure that you have the latest version of the script. The script must be up to date in order for it to work properly.
Check your server configuration settings. You may need to change your server configuration settings to match those of the script’s host.
Ensure that you have set up permissions so that the file has read and write permissions for all users on the server.
Try switching between different browsers until you find one that works well.

1. Clear browser cache/cookies

Launch your Chrome browser and click the three vertical ellipses in the top right corner.
Select Settings.
Click on Privacy and security, then select Clear browsing data.
Check Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files, then hit Clear data.

The above method shows how to clear temporary files when you get the script error in Chrome. Steps may vary slightly depending on the browser, but this gives you a general idea of what to expect.

2. Disable firewall/antivirus temporarily

Hit the Start menu icon, type Windows Security in the search bar, and click Open.
Click on Firewall & network protection, then select Public network.
Locate Microsoft Defender Firewall and toggle the off button.

Since Windows Firewall is built-in, these are the steps to disable it. If you have other security software installed, you also need to disable them and try running your script again.

3. Turn off Script debugging

Hit the Windows key, type Control Panel in the search bar, and click Open.
Navigate to Network and Internet.
Go to Internet Options.
Click on the Advanced tab in the Internet Properties dialog box that pops up.
Scroll down to the Browsing section and check Disable script debugging (Other).
If the Disable script debugging (Internet Explorer) option is available, uncheck it.
Now click Apply, then OK to save the changes.

Some browsers also have built-in settings where you can disable the script debugging feature, so ensure you check the documentation to confirm.

4. Repair/reset apps

Hit the Windows key and click on Settings.
Click on Apps, then select Apps & features.
Locate the problematic app associated with the script, click on the three ellipses, and select Advanced options.
Click on Repair and try the script again. If it is executed, you can stop here, but if not, proceed to reset the application.
Go back and click the Reset option.

To avoid future problems, we recommend that you stick to browsers for developers. These browsers have extensive tools that support coding and are less likely to encounter common generic script errors.

You may also encounter a script error in Outlook, but we have already addressed this issue in our detailed guide. We also covered FFXIV script error recently, so don’t miss it.

We’d love to hear about any script errors you have experienced and your most effective way to get rid of them. Share with us in the comment section below.

0x000005B3: What Is It & How to Easily Fix It

Posted on March 16, 2023September 6, 2025 by Vladimir Popescu

While printing documents over a shared network, you can run into the 0x000005b3 error code. The error reads Operation could not be completed (error 0x000005b3). Once triggered, you’ll be unable to access the printer’s functionalities.

What causes error code 0x000005b3?

The following are some of the reasons why you’re experiencing the error code 0x000005b3:

Corrupt or incompatible printer driver – Before successfully connecting a computer to a printer, you must install the specified driver from the manufacturer. However, you can sometimes install an incompatible driver, which results in errors like the 0x000005b3.
Failed printer driver installation – If you unsuccessfully or incorrectly installed the printer’s driver on your PC, you’ll most likely trigger this issue.
Outdated drivers – If your computer runs an outdated version of your printer’s driver software, you’ll likely run into operational errors. Hence, check out the various ways to update drivers here.

Now that we know what it’s all about, we can start troubleshooting the problem using the following solutions.

How can I fix the error code 0x000005b3?

Before proceeding with more advanced solutions, here are a few preliminary checks to apply:

Restart your PC.
Turn off the printer completely, disconnect and reconnect your printer cable, then turn on the printer again.

If the error 0x000005b3 persists, try the following steps.

1. Run the Printer troubleshooter

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Click on System, and select the Troubleshoot tab.
Select Other troubleshooters.
Click on the Run button beside the Printer selection.
Click Next, select the printer you wish to troubleshoot and click Next again.

The troubleshooting tool will automatically start scanning for errors with the printer and fix them automatically.

Sometimes, the troubleshooter might not display the desired printer in the list of available printers. If this happens, you need to disconnect and reconnect your printer to your PC.

2. Update the printer driver

Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
Expand the Printers section, right-click on your printer, and select Update driver.
In the next window, click on Search automatically for updated driver software, and wait for Windows to locate and install any available updates.

Alternatively, you can download the Printer driver from the manufacturer’s website and install the drivers manually. Once you’ve updated the drivers, restart your PC and check if the error is resolved.

At the same time, you can also utilize an automatic method to update the printer driver or others from your PC using automatic technology that efficiently finds the proper driver version.

More exactly, Outbyte Driver Updater is the most suitable choice to manage any drivers and update them, thus solving the 0x000005b3 error code on your printer device.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

3. Restart the Spooler service

Press the Windows key + R, type in services.msc and hit Enter.
In the Services window, scroll down to locate Print Spooler. Right-click on Print Spooler and select Properties.
In the popup window, click on the drop-down next to Startup type, and change it to Automatic. Navigate to the Services tab in the popup window and select Start.
Click OK to apply and save your recent changes and restart your PC.

To print any document through your printer on a shared network, the Print Spooler service must be enabled and running. If this service is disabled, running the printer will be virtually impossible.

While using your printer, you can trigger the Print Spooler keeps stopping error, be sure to read our detailed guide on how to fix and troubleshoot the error.

4. Remove the temporary files and cache folders

Press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
Navigate to the following path: C:/Windows/Temp
While in the temp folder, press Ctrl + A to highlight all the folders, and press the Shift + Del keys to delete these temp files from your PC permanently.
Restart your PC once the files are completely deleted, and check to see if the error persists.

The Windows Temp folder keeps track of the application’s data and configurations. If you’ve unsuccessfully installed a printer driver in the past, the Temp folder can still keep records of such installations. Deleting the Temp folder is one way to rid your system of the 0x000005b3 error.

If you ever encounter the error make sure your Temp folder is valid, be sure to read our guide on resolving it.

Usually, printers come with their printing software. We also recommend uninstalling and then reinstalling the software as well.

Fixing the 0x000005b3 error on Windows is easy and requires little to no technical know-how. You should get your printer up and running by following the abovementioned steps.

If you’ve got alternative solutions to help resolve the 0x000005b3 error code, let us know in the comments below.

How to Delete a Partition on Windows 11 [Quick Ways]

Posted on March 16, 2023October 4, 2023 by Vladimir Popescu

Disk Partitioning is often seen as a tech-savvy process usually practiced by IT experts. This is true because most users can get by without ever needing to partition their disks. However, some users still have partitioned disks, especially on newly purchased computers.

If you’d like to delete a partition in Windows, read through this guide, and we’ll discuss quick ways to achieve this.

Should you delete partitions on Windows?

In simple terms, a partition is a portion of storage on your computer that has a drive letter assigned. Most PC manufacturers often split the drives of new computers for a host of reasons. However, not all Windows users fancy partitioning their storage drives.

Deleting a partition will lead to losing all the data on it, so we recommend performing a backup before doing that.

You can delete partitions easily without affecting the system. However, the System Partition is a reserved partition created when you install an OS on a disk.

The system partition contains the Boot manager and Boot Configuration Data, so you can’t remove it so easily.

How can I delete the partition on Windows 11?

1. Delete a partition using Disk Management

NOTE

Perform a backup on the partition before deleting it because otherwise, you will lose all the data on it.

Press the Windows key + S, type in disk management, and hit Enter.
In the Disk Management window, right-click on the drive or partition you wish to delete and select Delete Volume.
Then, click Yes to continue to volume removal and wait for the drive to be removed entirely.
Close the Disk Management window.

After removing a partition, the storage used by that partition automatically becomes unallocated space which can be used for further operations. Here is a detailed guide showing you how to access unallocated disks on Windows.

2. Delete a partition using DiskPart

Press the Windows key, type in cmd, and click Run as Administrator.
Now, select Yes in the User Account Control window.
While in the command prompt window, type the following commands in and hit Enter (replace # with the partition number you want to delete):
- diskpart list disk selected disk #
Then proceed to input the following cmd lines and click Enter: delete partition
Then, type the following to close the command prompt window: exit

Deleting a Partition using Diskpart completely erases all files previously stored on the partition. Backing up your local files ensures you maintain access to such files even after deleting the partition.

In some cases, you might run into the can’t delete partition error. This error is often triggered when a drive is protected. Partitions like the C drive, boot drive, recovery drive, or an OEM will prove extremely difficult to delete.

3. Use a third-party software

Alternatively, you can delete a partition in Windows using third-party partition software. These types of software are usually very intuitive and designed to simplify partitioning a drive.

One of the top choices of partitioning software is Tenorshare Partition Manager because it is a safe app that helps you manage disk partitions efficiently, including deleting a partition and instantly generating unassigned space.

The good thing is that the software will ensure accurate performance of your operating system and delete partitions without suffering data loss, further preventing errors from occurring.

Deleting a Partition on Windows is straightforward and can be achieved without hassle. You should be able to delete any partition on your Windows PC by following the steps listed above.

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

5 Ways to Permanently Fix Outlook’s XML Not Valid Error

Posted on March 16, 2023October 4, 2023 by Megan Moore

Outlook is an email and calendar platform within Microsoft Office 365. Users have reported that Outlook freezes when they launch the application, and they receive an invalid XML error.

Not having access to your email and calendar can be extremely frustrating and may hinder productivity. Users report receiving the error on all versions of Outlook, including Outlook 2019 and 2016.

Usually, there is a popup with the message: Cannot open the Outlook window invalid XML, the view cannot be loaded. Try the solutions offered below to quickly fix this issue.

What does invalid XML mean in Outlook?

Users may get an invalid XML error in Outlook if the XML files are damaged or corrupted. The error could also be an indicator of issues in the Navigation Pane Settings.

Outlook’s XLM is not valid error may occur if Outlook is set in compatibility mode or if you’re using an outdated version. If the XML file for Outlook is at 0 KB, then it is corrupted.

If you’re having problems with Outlook running slow in Windows or Mac, we have a guide for that as well.

How do I fix invalid XML in Outlook?

1. Regenerate Navigation Panel

Right-click on Start and select Run.
Type Outlook /resetnavpane then click OK.
Open Outlook.

If you cannot start Microsoft Outlook and get invalid XML in Windows 10, ensure there is a space after Outlook in the command.

Running this command will clear and then reset the Navigation Pane for the current user in Outlook. Restart Outlook after the command to see if it solved the issue.

2. Delete the Navigation Panel config file

Right-click on Start and select Run.
Type %appdata%\Microsoft\Outlook, then click OK.
Select the Outlook.xml file and right-click on it.
Select Delete.
Restart Outlook.

If regenerating the Navigation Panel does not solve Outlook’s XML not valid error, then deleting it may do the trick. If you notice that the XML is at 0KB, then the file is corrupted and needs to be removed.

3. Update Outlook

Open Outlook and click on File.
Select Office Account.
Click on Update Options, then select Update Now.
Restart Outlook.

If you’re using an outdated version of Outlook, you may encounter invalid XML errors. Try running any available updates and see if that solves the issue. Be sure to keep your Office products updated to avoid future errors.

4. Turn off compatibility mode

Click on Start and search Outlook.exe, then right-click on it and select Open file location.
Right-click on Outlook.exe and select Properties.
Navigate to the Compatibility tab.
Under Compatibility mode, uncheck the box next to Run this program in compatibility mode.
Click Apply, then OK.

Running in compatibility mode is another common cause of the Outlook XML not valid at this position error with MySQL error. Try disabling it and then restarting Outlook. Compatibility mode allows users to run Outlook on an older operating system.

5. Run in Safe mode

Right-click on Start and select Run.
Type Outlook /safe and click OK.
If Outlook runs normally and there are no errors, then the problem lies in a corrupted Add-in.

Running Outlook in Safe Mode will let users know if the problem results from a damaged or corrupted Add-in. If there are no errors and Outlook runs smoothly in safe mode, you will need to remove an Add-in.

Where do I find the Outlook Index Repair Tool?

Scanpst.exe is Outlook’s built-in repair tool to fix damaged personal folder (.pst) files. The location of the application is within Outlook’s installation directory, which varies depending on where you have Outlook installed on your PC.

The easiest way to locate the repair tool is by searching scanpst.exe in your Local Disk (C:) folder in File Explorer.

Hopefully, one of the above solutions helped you solve the invalid XML error in Outlook. If you’re having issues with Outlook crashing in Windows 11, we offer solutions for that as well.

Let us know in the comments below which step worked for you or if you have a suggestion for an alternative solution.

Canon Printer Not Asking For Wi-Fi Password: 3 Ways to Fix It

Posted on March 16, 2023October 4, 2023 by Henderson Jayden Harper

Printing technology has evolved over the years from a large stationed machine to the portable printers we have now. The common tradition of the printer market is wireless printing machines. A wireless printer allows you to connect and share with multiple devices without cables.

As appealing as it may sound, users complain about several issues when using wireless printers like Canon. Canon printers not asking for Wi-Fi passwords is one of the many problems you are likely to encounter.

However, you may encounter numerous difficulties connecting your Canon printer to the Wi-Fi.

It can be a network issue, a problem with the printer, or something else. Nonetheless, the issue is something you can fix in a few steps.

Why is the Canon printer not asking for Wi-Fi password?

Outdated/corrupt printer drivers: Many things can go wrong with your printer if its drivers are outdated on your computer. It affects how the printer interacts with the devices it connects with and prevents it from performing correctly. Likewise, you can run into issues like the Canon app can’t find printers if the printer drivers are corrupt.
Issues with the router: Users may experience difficulties with their printers connecting to Wi-Fi if the router is not working correctly. It may result in the Canon printer not asking for a Wi-Fi password which means you can’t establish a connection with the printer.
Printer errors: Internal errors in the printer can impede its connections with network devices. Printers have lots of errors users may encounter. So, not fixing these errors may cause it not to connect to Wi-Fi or not prompt Wi-Fi password.

Check this article about how to fix printer offline issues in just a few minutes.

What can I do when the Canon Printer is not asking for Wi-Fi password?

1. Update the printer drivers

Click on the Start button, search for Device Manager, and launch it.
Click on the Print queues drop-down button.
Select your printer and right-click on it.
Select Update driver and click OK.

Wait while Windows installs the update, then restart your computer. Updating printer drivers can fix the Canon printer if it’s not asking for a Wi-Fi password.

2. Perform a power cycle on the printer

Press the power button on your Canon printer for seconds to turn it off.
Unplug the printer from its power source.
Reconnect the printer to the power source and press the power button to turn it on.

Power cycling the printer can fix any errors that impede its performance and cause connection errors.

3. Perform a power cycle on your router

Press and hold the power button on your router.
Unplug your wireless router from power for 15 seconds.
Reconnect the router to power and power it on.

It will help fix any issues on the router’s end that may affect the network shared with other devices.

How do I manually enter my Canon printer password?

You can manually enter passwords on the Canon printer using the dedicated keypad on the top panel. However, due to the absence of apparent customizations, it may seem tricky to many. Here are a few quick tips:

The * button switches between upper case, lower case, and numbers.
The # button is used to add symbols. Keep pressing it until the desired special character appears.
If you have to use the same key for successive characters, input the first one, press the Right Arrow key, and you can then put in the next.
While you type, the current alphabet or character is always visible, while the ones entered previously are masked for security reasons.

Why can’t I connect the printer to the network?

You may encounter difficulties connecting your printer to a network if the network connection is poor or slow. Sometimes, the bandwidth may not match the requirements of the printer device.

In conclusion, knowing how to fix printer issues on Windows 11 will help you enjoy a smooth working experience. Hence, you can read about printers not recognizing your router and the steps to solve it.

Let us know which solution worked for you in the comments area below.

Is NVME not Detected in BIOS? 3 Ways to Fix It Now

Posted on March 16, 2023November 7, 2025 by Farhad Pashaei

If your NVMe is not showing up in BIOS, it can be alarming, especially when you expect your system to recognize a new high-speed SSD. Problems like NVMe not appearing in my computer or an installed NVMe not showing up often stem from BIOS misconfigurations, hardware incompatibility, or missing initialization. This guide walks you through proven solutions.

What can I do if NVMe is not showing up in BIOS?

What can I do if NVMe is not showing up in BIOS?

1. Configure M.2 SSD

NOTE

The steps listed below might be different for your computer, but they should provide a basic understanding of the concept. If you are still unsure, head to the OEM’s website for the exact steps.

To access BIOS, turn on your computer and press the F or DEL keys, depending on your motherboard manufacturer. This key can be different based on your motherboard.
Next, head over to Storage Configuration.
Under SATA Configuration, click on Configure SATA as.
Then, choose IDE by pressing Enter.
Finally, press F10 to save your new BIOS settings and exit.

If you configure your SATA device to something other than IDE in BIOS, your NVME drive may not show up.

2. Disable Secure Boot

First, reboot your computer and press the dedicated key for your motherboard to get into BIOS.
Next, go to the Security tab and click on Secure Boot.
Select Disabled from the menu.
Then, head over to the Save & exit tab.
Press Save Changes and select Yes afterward. Make sure not to choose Save Changes & Exit.
Go to the Security tab again.
Choose Delete all secure boot variables and select Yes.
Finally, select OK to reboot your computer.

3. Set PCIe setting to M.2

Reboot your PC and press the designated key for your motherboard to enter BIOS.
Select Advanced Settings. For some motherboards, you can also press F7 to access the menu.
Then, under Onboard Devices Configuration, search for PCI Express slot Bandwidth.
After that, set its value to M.2 mode if it is not already that.
Press F10 to save the changes and exit.

Setting PCIe to M.2 is one of the simplest and most effective ways to resolve the NVMe not showing in the BIOS problem.

4. Update BIOS Firmware

Download the latest BIOS version from your motherboard manufacturer’s support page.
Outdated firmware may lack proper NVMe support.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully (often through a USB stick and the built-in BIOS flash tool).

5. Switch Storage Mode to AHCI / UEFI

In BIOS, go to Advanced → Storage Configuration.
Change mode from IDE or RAID to AHCI (or UEFI if it’s in Legacy mode).
Save and reboot — this helps the BIOS properly detect NVMe drives.

Some motherboards disable certain SATA ports when an NVMe drive uses their PCIe lanes.
Disconnect all SATA drives temporarily and check if the NVMe appears.
Then reconnect drives to different ports if needed.

7. Try a Different M.2 Slot

Many boards have more than one M.2 slot, but only one may support NVMe at full PCIe speeds.
Swap the SSD into the primary NVMe-supported slot (usually closest to the CPU).

8. Test the NVMe in Another System

Insert the SSD into another PC or use an external NVMe-to-USB enclosure.
If the drive works, your motherboard slot or settings are the issue.
If it doesn’t, the SSD may be defective.

9. Clear CMOS / Reset BIOS

Power down and remove the CMOS battery for 1–2 minutes, or use the reset jumper.
Restart with default BIOS settings and reapply the NVMe configuration.

10. Check Compatibility

Some older boards only support NVMe as a storage drive, not a boot drive, unless a BIOS update adds boot support.
Verify in your motherboard manual whether NVMe boot is supported.

Are M.2 SSDs faster than SATA SSDs?

SATA SSDs use the AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface) protocol and have a faster data transfer speed, nearly 600MB/S. However, this is not the case with M.2 SSDs.

Those are keyed to avoid the insertion of a card connector into a non-compatible socket. They typically use three keys which are B, M, and B+M.

If these storages use a B key, are connected to a Socket 2, and support NVMe protocol, the M.2 drive is at least three times faster than a SATA SSD.

However, if it uses an M key, is connected to a Socket 3, and supports the NVMe protocol, the M.2 drive is at least seven times faster than a SATA SSD.

One thing worth mentioning is that if you want your modern devices to be recognized by your computer, you need to keep your BIOS updated. To understand M.2 better, check out this comprehensive guide on M.2 SSDs.

If you fixed NVMe hard drive not showing up in BIOS, but now your system does not recognize your M.2 SSD, make sure to update your M.2 driver.

Otherwise, you may be interested in downloading and installing the Samsung NVMe driver for Windows 11 so check out our detailed article on how to go about it.

We also have a great guide on how to format an NVMe SSD, so don’t miss it. In case you have additional problems, our guide on M.2 SSD not showing up in Windows can also help.

Let us know which method you used to fix NVMe not detected in BIOS in the comments section below.

6 Best VoIP Software For Gaming [2026 Guide]

Posted on March 16, 2023January 15, 2024 by Tashreef Shareef

In this article, let’s share the best VoIP for gaming. For the online gaming community, reliable and uninterrupted communication is essential not only for coordinating during gameplay but also as a way to expand the gaming group.

Most competitive games come with their own text and voice chat services, but they are not as reliable as some third-party VoIP software developed specifically for gamers. These chat clients offer low latency, minimal system performance impact, and light on your pocket and PC.

We have tested and reviewed the best VoIP for gaming. Some of these tools are free and open-source, while some come with a limited trial, after which you may need to purchase the license for continued usage.

What is gaming VoIP streaming?

The abbreviation VoIP references an online communication method for Voice Over Internet Protocol.

Calls may be placed directly from a VoIP phone, computer, or another data device without going via the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) thanks to VOIP, which turns voice into a digital signal.

Gaming VoIP is the same tech but adapted to gaming services and software. So, although certain video games in the gaming industry include built-in VOIP, gamers often utilize alternatives like Discord, TeamSpeak, and Ventrilo.

What do PC gamers use to talk to each other?

There are many of these voice chat apps that are used by gamers. A few include:

Discord
Skype
Mumble
Riot
Steam Chat

The list goes on, but without further ado, let’s get to the best VoIP for gaming.

What are the best VoIP apps for gaming?

Express Talk VoIP Softphone – Best VoIP app for gaming

If you’re looking for good VoIP software, you might consider using Express Talk VoIP Softphone. This application works as a softphone, and you can use it to call any other PC with a softphone installed.

In addition to calling other PCs, this software supports PC to phone calls using a VoIP SIP gateway provider. As for calling, all standard features are supported, so you can easily see the caller ID and log all calls.

Express Talk VoIP Softphone also has a built-in phone book to easily organize your contacts. Another helpful feature is full integration with Microsoft Address Book, which will be pretty handy for some users.

The application also has features that will enhance the call quality, including data compression, echo cancellation, and noise reduction. The software can be used with USB phones but also with headphones, microphones, and webcams.

As for advanced features, the software supports conference calls with up to 6 people and phone call recording. You can also transfer calls or use a Call Pickup feature to answer calls from a different location.

Overall, Express Talk VoIP Softphone is an excellent VoIP tool, and while it can perform audio and video calls, it can also work as a softphone, so it will be helpful to advanced users.

Most important features:

Ability to make free voice and video calls
Support for PC to phone calls
Caller ID and call logging
Built-in phonebook
Call Holding, Call Transfer, and Call Pickup features

Express Talk VOIP Softphone

One of the best VOIP tools for free voice and video calls, suitable for gamers and not only.

Check price Visit Website

Discord – Best free option

Let’s begin with the new kid in the block making all the noise for the right reasons. Discord – a free voice and text chat client made for gamers and currently among the best popular VoIP software for gaming. It’s the best voice chat app for gaming on Android.

Discord is developed by like-minded people belonging to different shades of life but sharing one passion: gaming. The app is used by around 14 Million users daily, per the developer’s statistics.

It is an open-source project which explains the free tag. But don’t let the free tag fool you, as Discord is equipped with all the tools gamers need to interact with others on the network.

The users can interact easily with others via Video calls, Voice Calls, and text messages with up to 10 users at a time. The user interface is similar to what we have seen in Slack and other VoIP applications, which is easy and practical.

It is a cross-platform application, and irrespective of the computer or handheld device, you should be able to install and use Discord from anywhere there is connectivity.

One can create and join as many Discover servers for free as a user. The server owners can customize the channels as per their needs while the servers are hosted by Discord.

Discord has all the features you need from a VoIP service, including chatting and screen sharing features. You can also use the browser version of the software if you don’t want to install the client on your PC.

If you are looking for a new VoIP software, give Discord a try, as it will cost you nothing but a few megabytes of bandwidth.

Some important features:

Video Backgrounds
Video calls and streaming
Developer tools

⇒ Get Discord

TeamSpeak – Most feature-rich

This is another popular cross-platform VoIP application with a host of features that allow you to use public and self-hosted servers to communicate with team members.

TeamSpeak client is free to download and use. However, unlike Discord, it is not entirely free. But you can download the software and connect to any public server available for free.

The self-hosted TeamSpeak servers allow you to keep 32 connections active simultaneously. However, if you have more than 32 people to communicate with or are part of MMO (Massive Multiplayer Online) games, you would need to get the premium paid plans.

The user interface is simple and easy to use. The audio quality is excellent but not the best regarding latency. For added functionality, you can use the wide range of plugins offered by TeamSpeak.

TeamSpeak claims to offer military-grade encryption for secure private communication, advanced permission controls, LAN functionality, anonymous usage, codes like CELT and Speex, Opus and GamePad, and Joystick hotkey support.

The TeamSpeak mobile app allows you to issue commands directly from your smartphone.

TeamSpeak is a secure and safe way to communicate with the online community. While the program is easy to use, setting up your self-hosted servers can be tedious for non tech-savvy users.

Some important features:

Extensive security settings
Add-ons, plugins, and tools
Superior voice quality

⇒ Get TeamSpeak

Mumble – Best low-latency open-source VoIP

Mumble is known for its low-latency communication and is a popular free, open-source voice chat software that is primarily developed keeping the gaming community in mind. It is one of the best VoIP for gaming.

However, the developers don’t offer the mobile version of Mumble for the users. Although, you can download third-party apps like Mumble for iOS and Android devices.

For users, Mumble offers low-latency voice chats, encrypted communication, and public/private key.

Additionally, it features an in-game overlay, positional audio, and a wizard that guides you through the setup for the first time.

For the administrators, Mumble offers an open-source, free VoIP software with ACL ( Access Control List) for extensive user permission. You can extend the functionalities through Ice Middleware, web interfaces, and channel viewers, allowing users to authenticate against an existing user database.

Mumble is free, affordable, and offers low-latency voice chats, essential for fast-paced multiplayer games where each second counts.

Some important features:

ACL-based server permissions
Certificate-based authentication
In-game overlay

⇒ Get Mumble

Ventrilo – Most lightweight

If you are looking for a less resource-hungry VoIP client, Ventrilo is a good option. It is a lightweight software that doesn’t use too much of resources; as a result, running this VoIP client alongside your games will have minimal impact on system performance.

All the communications done using Ventrilo are encrypted, and the recordings are stored in your local client system. The app also does not collect any user data, offering complete privacy to the users.

Similar to other VoIP clients, Ventrilo also requires the users to have their server to use the software. If not, you can purchase the premium server plans from Ventrilo to manage 24×7 servers and be saved from the hassle of the server setup process.

Ventrilo is a multi-platform software, except that there is no Linux client for Linux users. It also opens VRF files, a proprietary file format.

The user interface is rather colorful. You can further customize the look by downloading themes from the official website, which includes Egyptian Female Ruler, Projection, and ShakenNotStired themes.

The fact that it has fewer features than other VoIP clients listed above means you have fewer functions to deal with, making it easier to learn and use.

Some important features:

Queued channels
Channel feature filtering
Cross-channel communications

⇒ Get Ventrilo

Skype – Best all-purpose VoIP

Skype is an all-purpose VoIP software backed by Microsoft and boasts of its 300 million user base, which is impressive. It’s often said to be one of the best old voice chat programs.

However, Skype is not made for gamers only. We all have used Skype for voice chats, video calls, and even text messages at some point.

With Skype, you don’t have to worry about servers and hosting. Additionally, it is free to use, and the group chat function makes it ideal for gamers.

Skype is not as feature-rich as other software such as Discord or TeamSpeak, but if you don’t need advanced features, Skype offers all the basic functionalities you need from VoIP software to play games.

Skype supports features like call recording, Skype to phone number dialing, screen sharing, HD video calling, Live captioning, and more.

Conversely, Skype can be buggy and may face occasional crashes, and it is also a resource hog, which will impact system performance. It is one of the better apps for gamers to chat.

Some important features:

Call recording and Live subtitles
Audio and HD video calling
Smart messaging

⇒ Get Skype

VoIP for gamers software like Discord and TeamSpeak has kept the VoIP market for the gaming niche alive and running.

And the growing popularity means the software is bound to make it even bigger, thanks to the ever-growing multiplayer online gaming community on mobile phones.

Apart from the one mentioned above, a few other popular VoIP software like GameVox and Curse were unfortunately discontinued for various reasons.

As we’re talking about VoIP, you might also be interested in the best automated calling software for business.

You must also pick a voice chat client based on your requirements. If you don’t need too many features, pick something that is light and fast and has minimal impact on your computer’s performance.

Latest Xbox App on PC update adds improved filters experience and more

Posted on March 16, 2023 by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft’s Xbox app team has released a new Xbox app on PC update designed to enhance the gameplay experience. The update features new features like better game discovery, jump back in, and more. Here’s everything you need to know:

First up, the Xbox app team has incorporated a new game collection called Trending for better discoverability. It is in place to help you identify the top 10 games that members in your region are playing.

The team has also promised to update the game collection as possible so that it is easier for gamers to know which games most people are playing. This way they can also participate.

What’s more, the team is also adding a new way through which gamers can find their next favorite game. All you need to do is communicate with the team what you like and the rest will be handled.

According to the Xbox team:

This new “Tell us what you like” guided way to find a game will let you choose options ranging from a genre to a vibe, and then we will show you a small set of game collections based on your choice. You can do this as often as you’d like to get new recommendations.

This release also ships major enhancements to the sidebar. Aside from the recently added pending invites and achievement completion percentage features to the list of your installed games in the sidebar, the tool has also been simplified further. You can use it to quickly jump back into games that you’ve either recently installed or played.

Another notable change is that the game list has been moved to My Library. Additionally, you can now easily sort through your games courtesy of the new improved filter experience.

The experience features various criteria such as number of players, rating, and genre. Of course, this new update builds on previous updates made on the app.

As usual, the Xbox app team asks for feedback regarding how you’ve interacted with the new features. Gamers can contribute through the Feedback Hub, Twitter, or the Xbox Insiders Reddit, to help add to the list of features and fixes they would like to see going forward.

Here’s how you can get your favorite app to feature in the Microsoft Store App Awards 2023

Posted on March 16, 2023 by Radu Tyrsina

For those unfamiliar with the Microsoft Store App Awards, it’s an annual event held by Microsoft to give recognition to apps on Microsoft Store that have displayed “excellence in their user experience, design, quality, and most of all, customer value.”

Microsoft describes the event as “the most anticipated event for the Microsoft Store community”, especially after last year’s event. This year’s Award ceremony is around the corner, and Microsoft is giving both users and enthusiasts a chance to nominate their favorite apps to be featured in the Microsoft Store App Awards 2023.

According to the tech firm:

This is your chance to recognize and showcase the apps that have made your Windows experience unforgettable, and to support the developers who have poured their hearts and souls into making them.

You can nominate your favorite app in the Microsoft Store to feature in the ceremony from March 15 through March 29 via Microsoft Forms. Developers are also encouraged to spread the word and get their users to nominate their apps for the awards.

It should also be noted that the nominated apps must meet the requirements listed below:

– Must be publicly listed in the Microsoft Store on Windows in at least one market by end of March
– Must have 100% functionality on Windows 11, not just on Windows 10
– Must have 3.5 star or higher rating with at least 50 ratings entries
– Must have been published or received significant meaningful updates over the past 12 months

If you are also looking to nominate more than one app, you should ensure that you do this separately for each app so that your vote counts.

Will you be nominating your favorite app to feature in the Awards ceremony? Let us know which app you voted for in the comments.

How to Connect Wireless Mouse to Laptop Without USB Receiver

Posted on March 15, 2023September 24, 2024 by Srishti Sisodia

Today we’ll explain how to connect a wireless mouse to a laptop without a USB receiver. For this to work, your mouse must support Bluetooth. This will enable a connection even if you lose your receiver.

Here’s how to configure it:

How can I connect a wireless mouse without a USB receiver?

First of all, disable airplane mode on your PC and update drivers on your computer.

Now, let’s see how to connect to your mouse without a dongle:

1. Use the Settings app if your mouse has Bluetooth

From the bottom of your USB mouse, turn on the switch to Turn it on.
Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Click Bluetooth & devices.
Now click Add device.
Choose Bluetooth on the Add a device window.
On the next window, click mouse name from the search options.
Once the connection is established, try using the mouse.

2. Use the Logitech unifying receiver if the mouse supports WiFi

Connect the unifying receiver to your computer.
Go to the Logitech Unifying Software page and click Download now.
Double-click the downloaded file to run the setup.
On the Setup window, select I accept the terms of the license agreement and click Install.
Click Finish to complete.
Launch the app and click Next.
Connect the dongle and click Next.
Now follow the onscreen instructions to start the pairing.
Once the new device is detected, you will be prompted to verify that the new device is working correctly. If it is working fine, click Yes and then Next to continue. However, if it is not, then click No, then click Next to restart the process.
If your mouse is paired successfully, then click Finish to close the software.

So, these are steps that you need to follow to connect a wireless mouse without a USB receiver. Try them and let us know what worked for you in the comments section below.

Fix: You Have Been Blocked from Originating Messages

Posted on March 15, 2023February 27, 2024 by Srishti Sisodia

Many users reported You have been blocked from originating messages on their iOS device, and this issue can prevent you from contacting others. This issue can be caused by misconfigured settings on your phone, app interferences, or simply bad coverage. Luckily, we have tested ways to fix it.

Before engaging in troubleshooting steps, try restarting your phone, turn the Airplane mode off and on, restart the messaging app and ask the recipient if they blocked you.

Reinserting the SIM card would also help. You can also try using your SIM on a different phone. Also, check if the message format you’re sending is supported by your carrier.

What can I do to fix the you have blocked from originating messages error?

1. Clear data and cache of the messaging app

On your Android phone, locate the Settings app.
Tap Apps.
On the next page, click App Management.
Scroll and click Messages or the message app name that you are using.
Tap Storage usage.
On the next screen, click Clear data and click OK.
Then tap Clear cache to remove the cache and click OK.

2. Check network settings

2.1 Enable auto network selection

Open Settings, and click Mobile Network.
Tap on the SIM you want to choose the setting for.
If you have a Dual SIM device, select the SIM with issues. If not, then proceed to the next step.
Click Carrier.
Now toggle on the switch for Auto select option to enable automatic selection.
Now toggle on switch for Auto switch data SIM.

2.2 Reset Network settings

Open the Settings app and go to Additional Settings.
Click Back up and reset.
Tap on Reset phone.
Then tap on Reset network settings.
Tap Reset Settings.

3. Update your phone OS

Open the Settings app.
Go to About device.
Scroll to find System Update.
Click Check for updates and if an update is available, download and install it.

4. Reset your phone

Take a backup of your device before performing the below steps. Open Settings and go to Additional Settings.
Click Backup and reset.
Tap on Reset phone.
Now tap the Erase all data option.
Tap Erase data.

If you are using a Giffgaff mobile operator and facing issues while sending messages with error code 38, check out the guide to find the solutions.

We also have a guide on what happens when you block someone on WhatsApp, so don’t miss it. Users also reported Some content in this message has been blocked, but we covered that in another article.

If you have issues with messages, we also have a guide on what to do if RTT randomly turns on, so don’t miss it.

So, these are methods that you can try to fix the you have been blocked from originating messages issue. Try them and let us know what worked for you in the comments section.

You Were Misusing This Feature by Going Too Fast [Fix]

Posted on March 15, 2023August 10, 2025 by Srishti Sisodia

Many users reported It looks like you were misusing this feature by going too fast, you’ve been temporarily blocked from using it on Facebook. This message will prevent you from using the service, but you might be able to fix it with these steps.

Why is my Facebook blocked?

This can happen to due Marketplace listings, or for using a VPN. Password managers can also trigger this error.

How can I fix It looks like you were misusing this feature by going too fast error?

Before we start, if you’re using a VPN, such as Avast, disable it and check if that helps. Alternatively, try using a different browser. Lastly, try using Facebook on your phone as this issue affects PCs mostly.

1. Delete Marketplace listings

Open Facebook and go to Marketplace.
Next, select Selling from the sidebar.
Click on the three dots next to your listing and choose Delete Listing.

This applies if you’ve recently created an ad or updated and ad, especially from a different location.

2. Clear the cache

Click the Menu icon in the top right and choose Delete browsing data.
Set the Time range to All time and make sure all options are checked.
Click on Clear data.

3. Don’t use a password manager

If you’re using a password manager, temporarily disable it.
Try to manually enter or copy-paste your username and password.
Check if you can log in.

According to users, the password manager was copying the login information and signing in the user too quickly which led to You’re temporarily blocked error message.

This isn’t the only issue you can encounter, and many reported Error performing a query on Facebook as well as the infamous Something went wrong Facebook error.

We also have a guide on This content isn’t available right now on Facebook as well as an article on what to do if Facebook is loading slow, so don’t miss them.

So, these are things you need to do to get rid of the It looks like you were misusing this feature by going too fast error message. Try them and let us know what worked in the comments section below.

Low FPS After GPU Upgrade: Causes & How to Fix It

Posted on March 15, 2023April 29, 2024 by Vlad Turiceanu

Graphics cards are one of the most critical components for performing memory-intensive tasks like gaming and rendering. Gamers especially often strive to upgrade their PCs with the latest GPU.

However, some users might experience a drop in FPS after a GPU upgrade, defeating the purpose of upgrading. This article will discuss the causes of low fps and provide steps to fix the error.

What causes low FPS after your GPU upgrade?

If you’re currently experiencing low FPS after a GPU upgrade, here are some of the reasons causing the problem:

Missing drivers – When installing a new operating system, you must install all the drivers needed to run the PC. If your PC still has missing driver components, you will likely experience an FPS drop after a GPU upgrade.
Insufficient RAM – Besides having a killer GPU, games require a minimum RAM to help run the game efficiently. Modern games need at least 16GB of RAM to run efficiently without any performance drop.
Poor cooling systems – Heavy-duty tasks like rendering and gaming use up a lot of resources and often increase the average temperature of the PC. In the absence of a sound cooling system, the CPU will overload, leading to CPU throttling.
External power – Some sets of graphics cards require an external power source to function optimally. If the graphics card doesn’t receive enough power from the cable connector, it automatically lowers your clock speed to prevent hardware problems.

How can I fix low FPS after GPU upgrade?

Before we attempt the troubleshooting techniques, here are a few quick fixes you can test out to see if they resolve your issues:

Ensure the graphics card is plugged in if it has an external power source.
Purchase a decent cooling system.
Restart your PC.

If those quick fixes couldn’t resolve your error, attempt the following advanced troubleshooting techniques:

1. Uninstall the Display drivers

Press the Windows key + S, type in Device Manager, and hit Enter.
In the Device Manager window, locate Display adapters, right-click on the old display driver and select Uninstall device.
Click on Uninstall in the next prompt to confirm the uninstallation.
Wait till the software is completely removed, and close the Device Manager Window.
Restart your PC and check if the error persists.

If you’re upgrading your GPU, you need to eradicate all old display adapters from your PC. Having new and old drivers operating in the same system could lead to errors like low FPS after a GPU upgrade.

2. Update Windows OS

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
In the Settings app, click on Windows Update tab, and click on Check for Updates. If Windows discovers any update after the search, it’ll be installed automatically.

A computer that runs outdated software is likely to experience bugs and errors. Keeping your PC updated helps keep your PC error-free.

However, some users can trigger the Windows Update not working error while updating their computers. Do well to read our guide on how to resolve it.

3. Disable the Integrated graphics card from the BIOS

Press the Windows key, click the Power icon, and select Restart.
Once the bootup process begins, press the F2, F10, or Esc keys repeatedly immediately to enter the BIOS.
While in the BIOS, click on Advanced, and select Device Configurations.
Select Hybrid Graphics and click Disable.
Click Save, click Save Changes, and exit BIOS.

The integrated graphics card ships with most Windows PCs. It is suitable for average computing but not for users who undertake resource-hogging activities like gaming.

If you upgrade your GPU and the integrated graphics card remains enabled, it can cause low FPS due to conflicting resources among both software.

4. Reinstall the GPU drivers

Press the Windows key, type in Device Manager, and hit Enter.
In the Device Manager window, locate Display adapters, right-click on the specific graphics card and select Uninstall device.
Click on Uninstall in the next prompt to confirm the uninstallation.
Press the Windows key, type in the name of your browser, and hit Enter.
Navigate to the official website of your GPU’s manufacturer, i.e., Nvidia or AMD.
Locate the search bar on the website, type in the graphics card name, and hit Enter.
Select the driver you wish to install and click on Download.
Wait till the file is completely downloaded, and double-click on the just downloaded file to open the installation wizard.
Follow the steps on the installation prompt to complete the driver installation.

In most cases, users are unsure of which drivers to download specifically. Manufacturers like Intel and AMD have an option on the download page that allows the website to determine the drivers compatible with your system.

A drop in FPS after upgrading your GPU can be very frustrating as it entirely defeats the purpose of the GPU upgrade. Luckily, with the steps above, you can rid your PC of this problem.

If you’ve got alternative solutions that helped you resolve low FPS after the GPU upgrade, let us know in the comments below.

Low FPS After CPU Upgrade? Here’s How You Can Quickly Fix It

Posted on March 15, 2023September 29, 2025 by Vlad Turiceanu

If you’re into heavy gaming or rendering, you need a PC wit h a good processor. Users with a lower grade PC often opt to upgrade their CPU to improve performance. However, some of our readers reported low FPS after CPU upgrade.

Hence, we’ll be showing you a list of steps to apply to fix low FPS after a CPU upgrade quickly.

What causes low FPS after a CPU upgrade?

The following are some of the causes of low FPS after CPU upgrade:

Incompatible Drivers – After upgrading your PC, you’ll need to download the appropriate set of drivers that are compatible with your OS. If you install drivers not compatible with the upgraded CPU, you’ll likely experience low FPS.
CPU Bottleneck – Upgrading your PC can lead to a CPU bottleneck. This occurs when the CPU is not fast enough to process the amount of data used by the upgraded GPU. When this happens, your CPU will bottleneck your GPU and reduce performance.
Outdated Graphic Drivers – If you just upgraded your PC, the drivers previously installed on the system would likely be outdated. Running games on outdated graphics drivers can lead to low FPS.
Game DVR – Game DVR is a part of the Xbox game bar used in recording video in the background while you game. It’s a very neat feature that gamers use to capture epic gaming moments. However, this feature can also cause low FPS after upgrading your CPU.

Irrespective of the causes, let’s explore the solutions below.

How can I fix low FPS after the CPU upgrade?

If your PC is experiencing low FPS after upgrading the CPU, follow each of the steps below to resolve the error:

1. Enable XMP

Press the Windows key, click on the Power icon, and select Restart.
Immediately your PC starts booting, press the F2, Del, or F10 keys repeatedly till you enter the BIOS.
While in the BIOS, locate the XMP (Extreme Memory Profile) tab, and click on the tab to enable it.

Enabling XMP pushes your hardware to its full potential ensuring you get the best performance from your computer. When XMP is enabled, your PC will handle heavy tasks like gaming more efficiently.

2. Disable Game DVR

Press the Windows key + G to open the Game Bar.
Click on the Settings button on the right side of the Game Bar.
In the Settings window, click on the Capturing tab. Deselect the checkbox next to Record in the background while I’m playing game.
Close the Settings app and restart your game to see if FPS is still low.

Game DVR is one of the most memory intensive components of the Xbox game bar. If the DVR is enabled, your PC’s performance might drop due to the extensive memory usage of the feature.

Disabling DVR is one of the best ways to ways to resolve FPS drop in Windows.

3. Update your drivers

Press the Windows key + S, type in Device Manager and hit Enter.
In the Device Manager window, locate the Display adapter option, right click on the graphics driver, and select Update driver.
Click on Search automatically for updated drivers software and wait for Windows to complete the search.

If you’re installing the drivers manually, you’ll need to download the drivers from the official Nvidia or AMD website.

Here is a detailed guide on how to update your drivers manually and automatically in Windows 11.

There is also a way of updating your drivers automatically, namely reliable third-party software like Outbyte Driver Updater that locates the latest driver updates from its substantial database.

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4. Upgrade your BIOS

NOTE

The steps to update your BIOS differs depending on the manufacturer. However, you can use the steps below for HP devices.

Go to the HP driver and software download website.
Select Laptop or Desktop, depending on the type of computer you’re using.
Enter the exact serial number or computer model of your device.
Now, choose your OS and OS version, then click on Submit.
Click on All drivers and then expand BIOS to check available updates. Next, click the Download icon.
Install the .exe file and follow the on-screen instructions.
Restart your PC and select Apply Update Now during startup.

We have a detailed guide showing you how to update BIOS on Windows 11. Ensure you read through the article before attempting to update your BIOS.

5. Avoid Overheating or GPU throttle

Overheating is one of the major causes of FPS errors in computers. An overheating PC is likely to experience FPS fluctuations during gaming or rendering.

If your computer is getting too hot, your GPU will throttle down the performance to help stabilize the temperature. This will result in a lower performance of your PC.

Ensure that your computer has good airflow to prevent your PC from overheating leading to FPS drop.

If your PC’s FPS dropped after upgrading your CPU, this article has provided you with the steps needed to help resolve the problem.

If you’ve got alternative solutions that helped you resolve FPS drop, you can let us know in the comments below.

Get ready for the March 2023 Windows 7&8.1 Patch Tuesday updates

Posted on March 15, 2023October 4, 2023 by Alexandru Poloboc

It’s totally understandable that the main focus right now is on Windows 11, but the majority of Windows users still don’t feel like abandoning its predecessor (Windows 10).

Be sure to check out the latest versions of Windows 10, which is 22H2, and also Windows 11, which has also reached version 22H2.

And, as you surely know by now, the Redmond-based tech colossus also releases security updates for some of the obsolete operating systems, during Patch Tuesday.

What this means is that not only Windows 10 and 11 users will receive updates during this time. We’re also looking at Windows 7, Windows 8, and various Server versions as well.

We’ve already presented the 74 new updates that became available, along with the official download links, so all that remains is going a bit more in-depth.

Without any further ado, let’s take a closer look at what Windows 7 and Windows 8 users were given to work with on the March 2023 Patch Tuesday.

What should I expect from this month’s security update release?

The Redmond-based tech colossus has just released Patch Tuesday updates for Windows 8.1, in the form of KB5023765, and Windows 7, in the form of KB5023769.

Keep in mind that they each come with a whole host of improvements and known issues with some pretty neat workarounds.

Also, remember that Microsoft has recently terminated all ESU for both Windows 8.1 and Windows 7 operating systems.

Windows 7

KB5023769

Improvements

The Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (Lsass.exe) might stop responding after System Preparation (sysprep) is run on a domain-joined device.
By order of the Mexican government in October 2022, the United Mexican States will not observe daylight saving time (DST) in 2023. Key changes in the order include the following:
- Updated DST rules for Mountain Standard Time (Mexico) and Central Standard Time (Mexico) to no daylight saving time starting in 2023.
- Changed Chihuahua time zone from (UTC -7:00) Mountain Standard Time (Mexico) to (UTC -6:00) Central Standard Time (Mexico).
- Changed Ojinaga time zone from (UTC -7:00) Mountain Standard Time (Mexico) to (UTC -6:00) Central Standard Time (Mexico)
- Created a new time zone America/Ciudad_Juarez and mapped it to Mountain Standard Time (Mexico).
This update implements the final phase of DCOM hardening as described in KB5004442. This phase removes the ability to disable changes through the registry.

Known issues

After installing this update and restarting your device, you might receive the error, “Failure to configure Windows updates. Reverting Changes. Do not turn off your computer”, and the update might show as Failed in Update History.
After this update or a later Windows update is installed, domain join operations might be unsuccessful and error “0xaac (2732): NERR_AccountReuseBlockedByPolicy” occurs. Additionally, text stating “An account with the same name exists in Active Directory. Re-using the account was blocked by security policy” might be displayed.

[DIRECT DOWNLOAD LINK]

Windows 8.1

KB5023765

Improvements

After applying a Windows update released on or after July 12, 2022, hyperlinks embedded in an Office document that use the search-ms protocol might stop working.
The Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (Lsass.exe) might stop responding after System Preparation (sysprep) is run on a domain-joined device.
By order of the Mexican government in October 2022, the United Mexican States will not observe daylight saving time (DST) in 2023. Key changes in the order include the following:
- Updated DST rules for Mountain Standard Time (Mexico) and Central Standard Time (Mexico) to no daylight saving time starting in 2023.
- Changed Chihuahua time zone from (UTC -7:00) Mountain Standard Time (Mexico) to (UTC -6:00) Central Standard Time (Mexico).
- Changed Ojinaga time zone from (UTC -7:00) Mountain Standard Time (Mexico) to (UTC -6:00) Central Standard Time (Mexico)
- Created a new time zone America/Ciudad_Juarez and mapped it to Mountain Standard Time (Mexico).
This update implements the final phase of DCOM hardening as described in KB5004442. This phase removes the ability to disable changes through the registry.
Known issue resolved: When an existing computer account is reused to join a computer to an Active Directory domain, the join is unsuccessful. Additionally, the following error occurs on devices that have installed Windows updates released on or after October 11, 2022.

[DIRECT DOWNLOAD LINK]

These older, now obsolete versions of the Windows operating system are no longer safe for use, and it is highly recommended you upgrade to a supported version.

And, since the time has come to say goodbye, it is about time you figure out the next steps you will need to take.

Have you encountered any issues after downloading and installing these new security updates for Windows 7 and 8.1?

Share your experience with us in the dedicated comments section located below.

How to Integrate ChatGPT With Google Sheets

Posted on March 15, 2023October 4, 2023 by Sagar Naresh

ChatGPT is a new sensation. It can answer any of your questions, help you solve your math problem, create a script, and the list is endless. What if you could use ChatGPT with Google Sheets? It would make your tasks pretty simpler right?

Well, if that is what you are looking for, then you are in the right place. Because in this guide, we will show you how you can add the ChatGPT Google Sheets extension and use it to your advantage. Let us get right into it.

How can I integrate ChatGPT with Google Sheets?

Well, OpenAI doesn’t have a ChatGPT extension for Google Sheets that you can directly use. However, there are third-party applications that make use of ChatGPT to power Google Sheets.

One such third-party application that we will be focussing on is the GPT for Sheets and Docs extension. Although it does not require you to have any programming language to set up, there are a few steps that you need to follow correctly to use it.

How to add Chat GPT for Sheets and Docs extension?

Launch Google Sheets on your PC.
Click on Extensions.
Select Add-ons.
Choose Get Add-ons.
In the search bar, type GPT for Sheets and Docs and press Enter.
Click on the appropriate extension.
Hit Install and then Continue.
Choose the Google account associated with your Google Sheets.
Tap Allow to grant permission.
Complete the installation.

The above steps add the Chat GPT for Sheets and Docs extension on your Google Sheets. However, you need an OpenAI API key in order to use the Chat GPT function with the extension. That is discussed in the next section.

How to get an OpenAI API Key

Go to the OpenAI website on your browser.
Sign up if you do not have an account.
Login to your account.
Navigate to the OpenAI’s API keys page.
Locate and click on Create new Secret key button at the middle of the page.
A key will be generated.
Tap the green icon to copy the OpenAI API key.

NOTE

You should make sure to keep a secure copy of your OpenAI API key, as it cannot be recovered if lost. Moreover, you should not share your API keys with anyone.

How to use the OpenAI API Key with the ChatGPT extension?

Open the spreadsheet on Google Sheets.
Click on Extensions.
Select GPT for Sheets and Docs extension.
Hit the Set API Key option.
Paste the previously generated OpenAI API key in the API input field.
Tap on Check to verify if it is a valid key or not.
If everything is sorted, you will get a prompt Your OpenAI API key is valid!
Click on the Save API key.

What are the benefits of using Chat GPT for Sheets and Docs extension?

Well, now that you have successfully added the Chat GPT extension for Google Sheets, you should know about a few of the advantages that you can have with it.

Generate text: You can easily ask ChatGPT to generate text for any topic and fill it in without any input from your side. For example, you can ask ChatGPT to write a story about WhatsApp or generate a funny joke. Basically, you can go crazy.
Translate text: Translation also gets easier with the ChatGPT extension. You can use the function to translate words from a different language to your known language.
Extract data: You can easily extract data from another file and ask the ChatGPT extension to extract email addresses, names, phone numbers, or anything from the text or data that you have copied in the Google Sheets.

These are just a few instances where the Chat GPT extension for Google Sheets can come in handy. You can explore the different ways to use this extension to your advantage.

That is it from us in this guide. We have a guide that explains the process of integrating ChatGPT with Slack.

If you use WhatsApp, which you definitely will, then you can check out our guide that explains how you can use ChatGPT with WhatsApp.

There are multiple ChatGPT browser extensions that you can use right now. We have listed some of the best ones in our guide.

For users coming across the We’ve Detected Suspicious Behavior error with ChatGPT, then you should check out our guide and get it fixed.

Also, you can go through our guide that explains to you how you can download ChatGPT and use it locally. We have also explained the benefits of it.

Feel free to let us know in the comments below, if the above steps helped you install the Chat GPT extension for Google Sheets.

Taskbar Disappeared on Windows 10: How to Restore it

Posted on March 15, 2023October 9, 2025 by Sagar Naresh

The taskbar is something that you interact with very frequently on your Windows machine. So what will happen if you are not able to use it? Well, that could be pretty frustrating as you won’t be able to access the apps quickly or even the start menu.

Thankfully, in this guide, we will give you a bunch of solutions that will help you to fix the taskbar that disappeared on Windows 10 problem. Of course, this issue also exists on the Windows 11 PC, but this guide will focus on Windows 10. However, you may also try the solutions on your Windows 11 PC if you encounter a problem.

Why has the taskbar disappeared on Windows 10?

After searching the internet and reports of users facing a similar issue, we have found out some of the common reasons why the taskbar has disappeared on your Windows 10 PC:

The taskbar is hidden: Some third-party customization apps can hide the taskbar automatically, which is why it isn’t appearing for you.
The File Explorer might have crashed: File explorer crashing or having some issues can also hide the taskbar.
Problematic display resolution: Your display resolution is beyond the computer’s original screen dimensions, because of which the taskbar has disappeared on your Windows 10 PC.
Corrupt system files: If some important taskbar-related system files are missing, it could cause several issues including the one at hand.

How can I fix the taskbar that has disappeared on Windows 10 problem?

1. Exit the fullscreen view

Accidentally, you might have pressed the F11 key on your keyboard, and because of this, your PC has gone into fullscreen mode.

You can check that and press the F11 key once again and see if this gets you out of the fullscreen mode and if the taskbar becomes visible or not.

2. Disable the auto-hide option

Press the Win + I keys to open the Settings menu.
Click on Personalization.
Click on Taskbar on the left pane.
Turn off the Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode option.

You should check the personalization settings if the auto-hide taskbar option is enabled. If yes, you should disable the auto-hide taskbar in the desktop mode option and check whether this resolves the problem.

3. Restart the File Explorer process

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc buttons to open the Task Manager.
Right-click on the Windows Explorer process.
Select Restart.

This may sound basic, but this has helped several users fix the taskbar disappearance issue on Windows 10.

Notably, when something happens to the taskbar, it automatically hides everything on your desktop, and you won’t see the taskbar.

4. Update the graphics driver

Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
Open Device Manager.
Expand the Display adapter.
Double-click on your GPU.
Select Update driver.
Hit Search automatically for the drivers option.

Often outdated graphics drivers can cause multiple issues on your PC. For example, one error it could trigger is that the taskbar has disappeared from Windows 10.

While you can go the above route to update your PC, we would advise you to make use of a dedicated driver updater called Outbyte Driver Updater.

With Outbyte Driver Updater, you can update all drivers in one go, perform a scheduled scan, create a driver backup, use it as an efficient download manager, and much more.

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5. Disable tablet mode

Press the Win + I keys to open the Settings menu.
Click on Tablet.
Under the When I use this device as a tablet drop-down, select Don’t switch to tablet mode option.

Once the tablet mode is disabled, you can check if the taskbar is visible to you. If it isn’t, you can go ahead with the next solution.

6. Check the projection settings

Press the Win + P key to open the Project menu.
Make sure that the PC Screen only option is selected.
If the PC Screen only option isn’t selected, then select it.

7. Run an antivirus scan

Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
Type Windows Security and open it.
Select Virus & threat protection.
Click on the Quick Scan button.
Wait for the scan to complete.
Apply the fixes prompted by Windows Security.
You can also hit the Scan options and select Full scan for a deep scan.

Windows Security, although an excellent tool, isn’t as effective as dedicated antivirus tools. In these situations, you should use a reliable antivirus tool to remove specific viruses or malware.

We suggest you check out our guide that lists some of the best antivirus software you can download and protect your PC.

8. Fix corrupt system files

Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
Launch 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 is a built-in Microsoft tool. It lets you scan for corrupt or missing system files and fix them without much user input. However, in most cases, these aren’t as effective as dedicated tools.

So, we would suggest you check a system repair tool that can fix corrupt system files, fix system crashes, fix damaged DLLs, remove ransomware or malware, and much more.

That is it from us in this guide.

That is it from us in this guide. Windows 11 users are also facing issues with the taskbar being blank or empty. We have six methods that can help you fix it.

We also have a guide explaining how to remove weather from the taskbar on Windows 10. If the icons are missing on your Windows 11 taskbar, you should check out our guide and resolve the issue.

Feel free to drop a comment if you could fix the taskbar disappearance issue on Windows 10 by following any of the above solutions.

6 Best Defrag Software to Optimize Your Hard Drive

Posted on March 15, 2023March 25, 2024 by Ivan Jenic

If you’re having issues with hard drive clutter, don’t worry, we have a solution for you. The best way to remove HDD clutter is defragmentation; using the best defrag software.

We’re sure many Windows 10 users have asked themselves this question. The quickest and safest way to answer it is to use dedicated software, so this guide will share some of the best options with you.

What is the best defrag program for Windows 10?

IObit Smart Defrag – Great for automation

The main advantage of Smart Defrag is that it can schedule automatic defragments and perform them when the computer is idle.

Smart Defrag is also very good for running a boot-time defrag to remove fragments from locked files. Like Defraggler, Smart Defrag could exclude certain files and folders from defragging or analyzing.

You can also choose to defrag only Windows Metro Apps or skip defragging files larger than a certain size.

You can download Smart Defrag from IObit’s website for free or upgrade to the PRO version to enjoy more powerful functionalities.

Some features of the Iobit Smart Defrag include:

Automated defragmentation
Boot Time Defrag
Game Optimize
Customizable options

IObit Smart Defrag

Keep your PC optimized with advanced and time-efficient features like scheduled defrags.

Free Visit Website

Auslogics Disk Defrag – Great for customizing defrag processes

Auslogics Disk Defrag tool comes in two versions, regular installable software and a portable program that can be used on removable drives.

With Auslogics Disk Defrag, you can move system files to other hard drive locations to improve launch time and boost general system performance.

You can also perform more basic hard disk maintenance tasks, like checking drive errors with chkdsk, optimizing a hard drive, excluding certain files or folders from defragmentation, running idle scans, and more.

Some features of Auslogics Disk Defrag include:

Multiple defragmentation algorithms
Boot Time Defrag
Detailed reporting
Customizable options

Auslogics Disk Defrag

Boost your device’s performance with defragging, maintenance tasks, and more.

Check price Visit Website

Disk Speedup – Robust defrag tool

You can also choose what files or folders you want to defrag with Disk Speedup, or you can run an automatic defrag when the system is idle.

Disk Speedup is very customizable; for example, you can disable defrags if files have fragments smaller than 10MB, more than 3 fragments, or larger than 150MB.

You can also configure this tool to automatically move large files to a different location on the hard drive to improve overall performance.

Disk Speedup has many more interesting options but offers nothing more than the above-listed defrag tools.

Some features of Disk Speedup include:

Intuitive user interface
Quick Scan and Deep Scan
Schedule Optimization
Advanced Optimization

Disk Speedup

Help your PC run faster with simple yet highly customizable defrag & speed enhancing tools.

Free Visit Website

O&O Defrag – Complete commercial defragmenting tool

O&O Defrag gives a quick overview of how your hard drive is used. It allows you to search for files or folders that are taking up needed disk space and slowing down your PC.

This software has a user-friendly interface which is quite the same as Windows Explorer. Thus, it’ll be easy to use and is among the best defrag software options.

O&O Defrag has a special algorithm that puts back again the file fragments. Despite this, you can control defragmentation by creating and manipulating the process settings.

It increases the reading speed (up to 100%) of your computer and the lifespan of your hardware.

Another great feature is that Defrag permanently deletes the free space on your disks, thus preventing the theft of confidential files and documents because it uses another deleting algorithm than Windows, which leaves traces behind it.

It is indeed a very good defragmenter for your PC!

Some features of O&O Defrag include:

Complete automation
Advanced defragmentation algorithms:
SSD optimization
Disk Cleanup

O&O Defrag

Increase the speed of your PC with special defrag algorithms!

Check price Visit Website

CCleaner Defraggler – Excellent free option

Piriform, the developer behind CCleaner, delivers probably the most powerful, free defrag software.

Defraggler is very flexible because it can defrag the data or the free space of an internal or external hard drive. It also has the option of defragmenting specific files or folders on your computer only.

Besides defragmenting, Defraggler can also check for errors on your hard drive, empty the Recycle Bin before defragging, exclude certain files from the defragging process, and more.

All these options make Defraggler an ultimate tool for maintaining and managing your hard drives.

Some features of Defraggler include:

Detailed drive analysis
Quick Defrag
File defragmentation
Customizable options

Defraggler

This intuitive defrag tool maintains your hard drives and keeps your PC running smoothly.

Free trial Visit Website

Puran Defrag – Detailed custom optimizer

Puran Defrag comes with a special, custom optimizer called Puran Intelligent Optimizer. This optimizer helps you move common system files to other locations on a disk to speed up access to them.

The tool offers similar defragging options to other tools in this article. For example, you can perform defragmentation by right-clicking on a folder or file and choosing defrag with Puran Defrag from the context menu.

Puran Defrag uses a specific way of scheduling the defrags; for example, you can set up the defragmentation every hour, when the system is idle, or when the screensaver starts.

Some features of Puran Defrag include:

Multiple defragmentation algorithms
Automatic Defragmentation
Customizable options
Disk Cleanup

⇒ Get Puran Defrag

Does defragging speed up computer?

Defragmentation or defragging is reorganizing the data on a computer’s hard drive so that related files are physically stored closer together, reducing the time it takes for the computer to access them.

Over time, as files are created, modified, and deleted, the data on the hard drive becomes fragmented or scattered in different parts of the disk. For example, when you try to access a fragmented file, the computer has to search through different parts of the disk to find all the pieces of the file, which can slow down performance.

Defragging the hard drive reorganizes the fragmented files, making it easier and faster for the computer to access them. However, the impact on computer speed depends on how fragmented the hard drive was before defragmentation.

If the hard drive is heavily fragmented, defragging can noticeably impact speed. Conversely, if the hard drive was already relatively defragmented, the impact on speed may not be significant. This can be a major factor when the drive is refurbished and sold as a second-hand HDD.

In recent years, defragging has become less necessary as modern operating systems and solid-state drives (SSDs) have improved their file management systems, reducing the amount of fragmentation.

However, some users may still benefit from defragging their hard drives, particularly those using older computers or traditional hard drives.

Is there a good free defragmentation software?

Windows already comes with its free defragmentation software, which you can use to scan and optimize your drivers. For more information, read our how to defrag your drives on Windows 11 guide.

One great feature of this tool is that you can schedule disk defragmentation and let Windows automatically optimize your hard drives.

Remember that the built-in software offers limited functionality, but luckily, there are many great third-party alternatives.

The best defrag software scans your hard drive for junk files and deletes them to free up space.

Formatting your HDD could also save it from a lot of trouble. Check out these best partition managers that do not require formatting the entire disk.

What’s your favorite choice so far? Do share your experience with us by reaching for the comments section below.

Steam Service Error: 4 Methods to get it Working Again

Posted on March 15, 2023October 10, 2025 by Matthew Adams

Some users have posted on support forums about a Steam service error that arises when they try to launch the platform. The error message states:

In order to run Steam properly on this version of Windows, the Steam service component is not working properly on this computer.

Consequently, the Steam client doesn’t start, and users can’t access their games. We can all agree that it is extremely annoying.

In this article, we’ll look at a few solutions to quickly get back into the gaming platform.

Why does a Steam service error appear?

From interactions with users, we figured out that there are many possible reasons why a Steam service error might appear, including:

Server issues – If there is a problem with Steam’s servers, you might experience a service error. This could be due to maintenance, downtime, or unexpected technical issues.
Network connectivity issues – Your computer might be unable to connect to Steam’s servers due to network connectivity problems. This could be due to a firewall, antivirus software, or other network configuration issues.
Corrupted game files – If the game files on your computer are corrupted, you might experience a service error when trying to play a game through Steam.
Outdated software – If your version of Steam or your operating system is outdated, you might experience compatibility issues that lead to service errors.
Hardware issues – If there is a problem with your computer’s hardware, such as a failing hard drive or overheating components, you might experience service errors when using Steam.

How do I fix the Steam service error?

1. Configure Steam to run as an administrator

If you have a desktop shortcut for Steam, right-click it and select the Properties option.
If you don’t have a desktop shortcut for the software, right-click the Steam EXE file within its folder and select Properties. The default folder path for Steam is:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
Select the Compatibility tab, then enable the Run this program as an administrator setting there.
Click the Apply option, and press the OK button.

2. Disable third-party antivirus software

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).

Disabling the antivirus should be effective in most cases.

However, since you’re prone to cyberattacks when accessing the Internet without a proper shield, we recommend using less restrictive software such as ESET HOME Security Essential instead of disabling your antivirus altogether.

This antivirus solution is created to protect all types of digital activities one may engage in.

Eset HOME Security Essential has a powerful firewall that secures your Internet connection and provides additional shields that ensure safe shopping, banking, and communication experience.

It has multilayered protection that can detect all sorts of threats, including viruses, rootkits, ransomware, worms, spyware, and more.

Do not forget about its high detection rate, which is very likely to block threats before they can cause any damage to your system.

Check out the most amazing features of ESET HOME Security Essential:

User-friendly interface and easy to use
Powerful firewall
Offers protection against rootkits, ransomware, spyware, worms, etc.
High detection rate

ESET HOME Security Essential

Protect your devices and enjoy a safe and unrestrained digital experience.

Free Trial Visit Website

3. Turn off Windows Defender Firewall

In the home screen search box, enter firewall, then click on Window Dedefender Firewall.
Click Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off on the left of the applet.
Next, select the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall options within Customize Settings.
Click OK to exit.
After that, relaunch Steam.

4. Use Command Prompt

First, right-click your Steam shortcut and select the Open file location option.
Then note down the full folder path for Steam within File Explorer. Alternatively, copy it to the clipboard by pressing the Ctrl + C hotkey.
Open the Run window by pressing Windows key + R.
Enter cmd, and press the Ctrl + Shift + Enter hotkey.
Then enter the full path of Steam followed by /repair in the Command Prompt.
Press the Return key after entering the repair command.

Those are some of the more widely confirmed fixes for the Steam service error. Running Steam as an administrator will often fix the issue. However, some users might need to fix the error with other resolutions.

We also covered Steam error code E20 in one of our previous guides, so don’t miss it.

If none of these work or if you used another way, please let us know in the comments.

Software Reporter Tool High CPU Usage: 5 Ways to Fix it

Posted on March 15, 2023October 4, 2023 by Kazim Ali Alvi

Software Reporter Tool, a critical Chrome process to enhance the user experience, is often responsible for high CPU usage in Windows.

How do I fix high CPU usage with the Software Reporter Tool?

1. Check Chrome settings

Launch Google Chrome, click on the ellipsis near the top-right, and choose Settings from the flyout menu.
Navigate to the System tab from the left and disable the toggle for Continue running background apps when Google Chrome is closed.
Next, head to Reset, clean up and choose Clean up computer.
Finally, uncheck the checkbox for Report details to Google about harmful software, system settings, and processes that were found on your computer during this cleanup.
Once done, restart the browser for the changes to come into effect.

In most cases, this should fix Chrome Software Reporter Tool’s high CPU consumption and get things up and running.

2. Change folder properties

Press Windows + E to open File Explorer, paste the following path in the address bar, and then hit Enter while replacing the Username with the current user account:C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data
Right-click on the SWReporter folder, and choose Properties.
Navigate to the Security tab, and click on the Advanced button.
Click on Disable inheritance.
Choose Remove all inherited permissions from this object.
Now, click OK on all windows to save the changes.

After you are done, check whether the Software Reporter Tool’s high disk usage problem is solved. If not, head to the following method.

3. Modify the Registry

Press Windows + R to open Run, type regedit, and hit Enter.
Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
Paste the following in the path in the address bar and hit Enter:HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
Right-click on Policies, hover the cursor over New, choose Key, and name it Explorer.
Similarly, right-click on Explorer, choose New, select Key from the context menu, and then name it DisallowRun.
Once in the DisallowRun key, right-click on the blank portion, select New, choose String Value, and name it 1.
Double-click on the string, enter Software_Reporter_Tool.exe under Value data and click OK to save the changes.
Finally, restart the computer for the changes to come into effect.

A practical method to combat high CPU usage by software_reporter_tool.exe in Windows is to disable it via the Registry. However, remember to be cautious and follow the steps as it is since a minor lapse could considerably damage the OS and render the PC unusable.

4. Update the browser

Open Chrome, paste the following path in the address bar, and then hit Enter:chrome://settings/help
If an update for the browser is listed, wait for it to download and install.
Once done, relaunch Chrome for the changes to apply.

In some cases, you might be encountering Software Reporter Tool high CPU in Windows 7 and later iterations due to running an older version of the browser, and a simple fix will be to update it.

5. Delete the software_reporter_tool.exe file

NOTE

The paths listed here might be slightly different depending on Notepad’s and Chrome’s versions, but the concept remains the same.

Press Windows + E to open File Explorer, and then navigate the following path:C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\Microsoft.WindowsNotepad_11.2210.5.0_x64__8wekyb3d8bbwe\Notepad
Select the Notepad.exe file, and press Ctrl + C to copy it.
Now, head to the following path in File Explorer, where the Username is the current profile:C:\Users\Username\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\User Data
Inside the User Data folder, find the software_reporter_tool.exe file
Paste the Notepad.exe file that you copied earlier.
Now, choose the software_reporter_tool.exe file, and hit Delete.
Finally, rename Notepad.exe to software_reporter_tool.exe, and restart the computer.

That’s all for now! With the Software Reporter Tool’s high CPU usage brought under control, you can now effectively run the PC. While you are at it, check the best Windows settings for improved performance. And do tell us which fix worked in the comments.

How to Fix Steam Downloads That Keep Stopping or Pausing [8 Tested Solutions]

Posted on March 15, 2023June 30, 2025 by Matthew Adams

Steam download randomly stopping can turn a simple game update into a frustrating ordeal. Whether your Steam game stops downloading at 99%, freezes at 0%, or just pauses without warning, this issue often comes from conflicts with third-party software, outdated network drivers, or even your system’s time settings.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the most effective fixes to keep your Steam downloads running smoothly without unexpected stops or stalls.

How do I fix the Steam download if it’s stopping?

How do I fix the Steam download if it’s stopping?

1. Close superfluous programs

Right-click on your Windows Taskbar, then select Task Manager on that menu.
Close all programs listed under apps by selecting them and pressing the End Task button.
Note that some third-party programs might also be listed under Background processes. So, close any programs listed under Background processes also.

2. Clear Steam’s download cache

Hit the Windows key, type Steam, then open the desktop app.
From the upper-left corner of the window, click on Steam.
Now, go to Settings.
Navigate to the Downloads tab.
Press the Clear Download Cache button.
Click OK to confirm.

3. Sync the system clock with a time server

Press the keyboard shortcut Windows + Q.
Enter the keyword date and time in the search box, then click on Change the date and time.
Click on Add clocks for different time zones from the right window pane.
Click on the Internet Time tab, then press the Change settings button.
Select the Synchronize with Internet time-server option, select a server from the drop-down menu, and click Update now.
Click OK to close the window.

This Steam download error can be due to system time and set time zone dependencies. Users can fix that by adjusting the system time to sync with a server. Follow the guidelines above to do that.

4. Update network drivers

Press the Windows key, type Device Manager, then open the first result.
Expand the Network adapters section.
Right-click on your network driver, then click ok Update driver.
Choose to Search automatically for drivers.
You’ll be notified whether or not are any available drivers to update.

Steam might not always be compatible with antiquated network drivers. So, users should check if they need to update their network drivers.

You can also speed up the process by using a reliable driver updater. I recommend Fortect Driver Updater because it scans your PC for outdated drivers and quickly finds the latest driver versions from a massive database.

⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

5. Stop the DiagTrack Service

Right-click the Taskbar, then select Task Manager. Or right-click on the Windows menu and select Task Manager.
Select the Services tab.
Then right-click the DiagTrack service and select Stop.
After that, hit the Windows key, type Steam, and open the app.

6. Adjust Steam’s Bandwidth Setting

Use the Windows + S hotkey to open Windows Search.
Search for Steam and open it.
From the top-left corner of the window, click on Steam.
Navigate to Settings.
Click on the Downloads tab.
Checkmark the Limit bandwidth to option.
Type a bandwidth that’s comparable to your connection speed.
Click on Ok.

If setting a bandwidth limit didn’t help, it might be that Steam’s download limit feature isn’t working properly. In that case, you’ll need to troubleshoot the bandwidth cap directly.

7. Reinstall Steam

Use the Windows + E hotkey to open File Explorer.
In the middle search bar, type This PC, then hit the Enter key.
Navigate to Local Disk (C:).
Access Program Files / Program Files (x86).
Open the Steam folder.
Right-click on steamapps, select Copy, then choose another folder to copy steamapps to.
Press Windows + R.
Input appwiz.cpl in the opened text box, and click on OK.
Select Steam and click Uninstall (or Change/Remove).
Restart Windows before reinstalling Steam.
After that, open the Steam download page, then click on Install Steam.
Open the software’s setup wizard to add it to Windows.

8. Change download region

Open Steam and click Steam in the top-left corner.
Select Settings (or Preferences on Mac).
Click on the Downloads tab.
Under Download Region, click the dropdown menu.
Select a different region. Many Steam users on Reddit swear by Frankfurt, Germany.
Click OK and restart Steam.
Try downloading your game again.

To maintain a stable connection that matches your Steam download region, consider using a VPN like ExpressVPN. By connecting to a VPN server in or near Frankfurt, your network traffic aligns with your Steam settings, reducing interruptions caused by routing mismatches or ISP interference.

Why is my Steam download slow?

The Steam download is sluggish for various reasons, most notably because of a server-side problem. Thus, switching the download region sometimes is beneficial.

Also, it may be a generally poor internet connection. This will mean both Steam and other elements running on the network will be slow.

To solve the issue, investigate any local causes, such as faulty cache files or excessive disk utilization.

Also, if Steam appears idle and doesn’t show download progress, this guide on fixing the Steam download not showing progress issue can help restore visibility.

File Association Helper: What is it and how to Remove it

Posted on March 15, 2023October 4, 2023 by Madalina Dinita

File Association Helper is free software that often appears out of nowhere in the Start Menu of Windows computers. As a result, many users think this mysterious software is malware.

The software is compatible with all Windows versions, from Windows XP to Windows 10.

The only downside is that it creates a Windows startup command when installing it and automatically launches every time you boot your PC.

This guide will tell you all you need to know about the File Associate Helper.

What is File Association Helper?

This is a software program that helps manage file associations in Windows. File associations are the links between specific file types and the programs that open them.

For example, a .doc file is typically associated with Microsoft Word, and double-clicking on a .doc file will open it in Microsoft Word.

File Association Helper allows users to view and modify these file associations and add new file types to be associated with specific programs.

This helps if you want to change the default program that opens a particular file type or if you want to open a file type that isn’t associated with any program on your computer.

File Association Helper can also troubleshoot issues with file associations, such as when double-clicking on a file doesn’t open it in the expected program. By checking and modifying file associations, you can ensure that files are opened in the correct program and that your computer runs smoothly.

Can I remove File Association Helper?

Whether you can remove this utility depends on how it was installed on your computer.

If File Association Helper was installed as a standalone program, you could typically uninstall it like any other program through the Control Panel or the Settings app on your computer.

However, removing it may be more complex and recommended if File Association Helper is installed as part of another program or your operating system. Removing File Association Helper could break significant file associations and cause other programs to stop working correctly.

Suppose you need to decide whether you should remove File Association Helper. In that case, it’s best to leave it installed and seek advice from a qualified technician or the support resources for the program or operating system it came with.

How can I remove File Association Helper?

1. Uninstall File Association Helper via Control Panel

Press Windows + R, type control, and hit Enter.
Then go to Uninstall a program.
Locate File Association Helper in the list and select it, then select Uninstall and wait until Windows completely removes FAH from your PC.
Restart your PC.

2. Use a dedicated tool to remove software leftovers

If you performed all the steps after this one, you would have removed 99.9% of all the files and folders left behind by File Association Helper. However, there may be a few files that escaped your scrutiny. You can also use a dedicated software uninstaller to ensure you have removed all of them.

These applications are designed to remove the selected application and all its files and registry entries. As a result, the application will be removed entirely from your PC.

Thus you have a valuable solution that will uninstall any files reminiscent in a few clicks: IObit Uninstaller.

If you want to learn about leftovers, you can learn how to remove software leftovers from your PC.

3. Clean the Registry Editor

Press Windows + R keys, type regedit, and hit Enter.
Locate the following keys and delete them:
- Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\File Association Helper
- Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\File Association Helper

Now that you removed the program, you also need to remove any traces or file changes associated with it.

4. Check all the hidden files and folders

Press Windows + R, type control, and hit Enter.
Navigate to the path below on the Control Panel.
Control Panel\Appearance and Personalization
Then check Show hidden files.
Select the Show hidden files radio button.
Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
Locate the following folder:
C:\Program Files\File Association Helper
Delete them and then restart your PC.

File Association Helper may have left behind various hidden files and folders. To altogether remove the software, you must delete these files.

5. Empty Temp Folder

Press Windows + R, type %temp%, and hit Enter.
Press Ctrl + A, then press Shift + Del.

The final step is to clean the Temp folder where all the temporary files are stored.

If the system displays an error message when deleting some files, leave them. The files might be in use by Windows services or some running software.

To sum up, File Association Helper is not a malicious program. Instead, it is a third-party file archive software you can easily remove from your PC for good, following the above steps.

How to Easily Change Default Download Location on Windows 10

Posted on March 15, 2023October 4, 2023 by Ivan Jenic

You must have found this guide because you need to know how to change the download location on Windows 10.

In the tutorial below, you’ll learn how easy it is to change the default download location on your Windows 10 PC in only five minutes of your time.

How to change the default download location on Windows 10?

You may use a few methods to change the default download location on Windows 10. These two are the top recommendations, however:

Using the Download settings of File Explorer
Using the Windows Settings app

Also, note that individual browsers may have their default download location settings. And these will override the operating systems’ defaults.

However, regardless of what you opt for, you should get the same results.

What is the default download location for files on Windows?

The default download location for files on Windows is the Downloads folder, typically in the user’s profile folder.

The full path to the folder is usually the path mentioned below, where [username] is the user account’s name.

C:\Users[username]\Downloads

However, the user or software installations can change the location of the Downloads folder.

So, without wasting more time, let’s begin the tutorial and create a new directory for our downloaded items.

How can I change where downloads go on Windows 10?

1. Change the download location via Downloads Properties

Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
Right-click on Downloads.
Click on Properties.
Press on the Location tab presented on the upper side of that window. Now you should be able to edit the download path. So, click Move to select a new location.
Write the drive where you want your items downloaded and in which folder. Note: If the folder doesn’t exist, after you click on Apply, you will be asked if you want to create that download folder and click OK.
Another Move folder window will appear where you will have to click Yes.
Now, you must click the OK button in the Download Properties window.
Go to the location where you selected to download files and check if Windows has made a Downloads folder there.

Note: Restart your PC if it hasn’t created the Downloads folder, and check again after powering up.

2. Change the download location via Settings

If Windows 10 is your OS of choice, you can also change the download folder save location from the Settings page, from the dedicated Storage section.

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the Windows search box.
2. Type settings and click on the result.
2. In the Settings app, click on System.
3. Select Storage.
4. Now, click on the option Change where new content is saved.
5. Set your preferred download location for each item category.

Also, you can change the default download location folder where downloads go when the message says you don’t have enough free disk space on the partition.

Now you can download your files or programs in Windows 10 without worrying about the download location. Share your thoughts on this article in the comments below.

Moreover, the location where a Windows 10 update is saved on your computer is tricky, but for that, you can check this guide on where’s the default download folder for the Windows 10 versions.

Finally, feel free to list your suggestions on what we can do to help you further with your Windows 7 or Windows 10 computer.

Microsoft Teams Script Error: 3 Easy Ways to get rid of it

Posted on March 15, 2023October 4, 2023 by Tashreef Shareef

The Windows OS comes pre-installed with several Microsoft apps like Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Windows Store, etc.

Sometimes, while accessing one of these apps, like Microsoft Teams or the web browser, you may encounter the Microsoft Teams an error has occurred in the script on this page error.

Similar issues have been reported in the Microsoft forums as well.

My company migrated to Office 365 last week. I have updated my OneDrive for Business for the version of Office 2016.
But since then, I am not able anymore to sign in to synchronize some sharepoints.

If you are also troubled by this error, here are a couple of troubleshooting tips to help you resolve it in Windows.

Why am I getting Microsoft Teams script error?

From user experience, we figure that there are several reasons why you are experiencing a Microsoft Teams script error. Some of the common reasons include the following:

Outdated browser – When using an outdated web browser, you may encounter script errors while using Microsoft Teams.
Corrupted cache – If the cache on your web browser is corrupted or outdated, it may lead to script errors while using Microsoft Teams.
Third-party plugins – Some third-party plugins, such as ad blockers, antivirus programs, or VPNs, may interfere with Microsoft Teams, causing script errors.
Internet connection – An unstable or poor internet connection can cause script errors while using Microsoft Teams.
Microsoft Teams server issues – Sometimes, Microsoft Teams server issues could cause script errors.

How can I fix the Teams script error?

1. Disable the script error notification

Press Windows Key + R to open Run, type control, and hit Enter to open the Control Panel.
In the Control Panel, click on Network and Internet.
Click on Internet Options.
In the Internet Properties window, click the Advanced tab and uncheck the Display a notification about every script error option.
Ensure Disable script debugging (other) and Disable script debugging (Internet Explorer) options are checked.
Click Apply to save the changes. Finally, click OK to close the window.

If the error message does not hint at any other service interfering with the script or the app, try disabling the scripting error notification in Internet Explorer.

2. Disable third-party services

Press Windows Key + R to open Run. Type msconfig and hit Enter to open System Configuration.
In the System Configuration window, click the Services tab, and at the bottom, check the box for Hide all Microsoft Services.
After that, click the Disable all button. This will disable all non-Microsoft services.
Click the Startup tab., and select Open Task Manager.
In the Task Manager, please select all the apps individually and Disable them in the Startup tab.
Close the Task Manager and go back to System Configuration.
Click Apply and OK.
Restart the computer if prompted to restart.
Check if the error still occurs.

Now you need to figure out the third-party app creating conflict with Microsoft Teams and remove it.

If the issue persists and you still see the script error, try disabling the non-Microsoft service that might be causing the errors.

If the error is resolved, it could be one of the third-party apps causing the issues. Open System Configuration, go to the Service tab, and enable all the services again.

3. Run Scan scripts

Type cmd in Windows search and select Run as administrator.
In the Command Prompt, type the script below and hit Enter:
sfc /scannow
Finally, run the DISM script below:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

If the issue persists, try to perform a System Restore. This will help you to fix your system without deleting any files.

Microsoft Teams supports remote control for internal and external users and guests during meetings. You have to follow the above steps.

Investing in a top-notch team collaboration platform is crucial in today’s remote work-focused environment.

But if you can’t load Microsoft Teams in your browser due to page script errors or other errors, these are the easiest ways to quickly and safely fix them.

For more suggestions, feel free to access the comments section below.

Monster Hunter World Memory Overrun: 6 Easy Fixes to Use

Posted on March 15, 2023May 15, 2024 by Aleksandar Ognjanovic

Monster Hunter World sometimes suffers from a memory overrun. We explore fixes in this guide.

Monster Hunter: World is a fantastic game in so many regards. It’s immersive, graphically engaging, and set in a beautiful world.

It’s action-packed and supports the co-op mood so that you can slay great monsters with the helping hand of 3 friends. But there’s something wrong, as a simple glimpse at the rating speaks volumes about this game’s core issues.

Namely, the optimization is rather lackluster. This leads to a few fatal errors, and the Memory overrun error with the Err08 code is the worst.

Why does Monster Hunter World memory overrun appear?

Memory overrun errors in Monster Hunter World can occur for several reasons. Here are some common reasons why you might encounter a memory overrun error in Monster Hunter World:

Insufficient system memory – If your computer needs more RAM to run the game, you may encounter memory overrun errors. Monster Hunter World requires at least 8GB of RAM to run smoothly.
Corrupted game files – If the game files are corrupted, it can lead to memory overrun errors.
Outdated drivers – If your graphics card or other drivers need to be updated, it can cause memory overrun errors.
Overclocking – Overclocking your CPU or GPU can cause instability and lead to memory overrun errors.
Background programs – If other programs run in the background and use up system resources, they can cause memory overrun errors.

How can I fix Monster Hunter memory overrun?

Before starting with these solutions, ensure your device meets the minimum requirements. Below are the minimum and recommended requirements.

Minimum

CPU: Intel Core i5-4460, 3.20GHz or AMD FX-6300
RAM: 8 GB
OS: WINDOWS 7, 8, 8.1, 10 (64-bit required)
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 760 or AMD Radeon R7 260x (VRAM 2GB) Shaders: 5.0
HDD: 20 GB of storage space

Recommended

CPU: Intel Core i7 3770 3.4GHz or Intel Core i3 8350 4GHz or AMD Ryzen 5 1500X
RAM: 8 GB
OS: WINDOWS 7, 8, 8.1, 10 (64-bit required)
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (VRAM 3GB) or AMD Radeon RX 570X (VRAM 4GB) Shader: 5.1
HDD: 20 GB of storage space

Reinstall GPU drivers
Increase Virtual memory size
Disable background processes
Update the game
Verify game files
Reinstall the game

1. Reinstall GPU drivers

Press Windows + R and select Device Manager.
Expand the Display adapters section.
Right-click on your GPU and choose Update driver from the contextual menu.
Click Search automatically for drivers.
If there are no updates, right-click again and choose Uninstall device.
Reboot your PC and try again.

The most common reason for memory-related issues in Monster Hunter: World is the GPU driver inadequacy. The problem is quite common and seems to affect Nvidia graphics processors primarily.

That doesn’t mean there are no cases of ATI users with frequent crashes and the Memory overrun fatal error bothering them.

The first thing you can do is go for a simple driver update in the Device Manager. If that doesn’t work, you can reinstall the GPU driver in a similar manner.

If you’re using a dual-GPU platform with integrated and dedicated cards, consider disabling the integrated card and try starting the game.

Alternatively, you could try fixing and updating your drivers with the help of a dedicated third-party tool that will pretty much automate the entire process.

2. Increase Virtual memory size

2.1 Allocate Virtual Memory

In the Windows Search, type Advanced and open View advanced system settings.
Select the Advanced tab from the dialog box, and under the Performance section, open Settings.
Open Advanced, and under Virtual Memory, click Change.
Uncheck the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives box, click on the Custom size, and insert your current available physical RAM in MB values.
Confirm changes and reboot.

2.2 Disable the Paging file

In the Windows Search, type Advanced and open View advanced system settings.
Select the Advanced tab from the dialog box, and under the Performance section, open Settings.
Open Advanced, and under Virtual Memory, click Change.
Uncheck the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives box.
Click on the No paging file and then on the Set button.
Confirm changes and reboot.

As we already mentioned, the game has had issues with memory leakage from the start. Albeit, Capcom managed to mitigate it with a few updates, it’s still wreaking havoc on specific configurations.

Memory leakage or irregular memory freeing leads to a ginormous usage of VRAM. And, considering that the VRAM is limited by default, the game might crash, or the whole system will freeze occasionally.

There are two things you can do regarding Virtual memory distribution. First, try them out and look for improvements.

3. Disable background processes

In the Windows Search bar, type msconfig and open System Configuration.
Under the Services tab, check the Hide all Microsoft services box, and click Disable all to disable all active third-party services.
Now, select the Startup tab and go to Open Task Manager.
Prevent all programs from starting with the system and confirm changes.
Restart your PC.

The Task Manager readings for affected users are ludicrous. Extremely high RAM usage leads to complete depletion, leading to crashes. Frequent ones, to be sure.

But what else to say about it if we know that some users pack 16 GB of RAM and still have issues? Nothing much, except to try and reduce every other infraction. And here, we refer to background apps.

If you don’t need to run them, disable them and let the game be the only thing that runs on Windows.

The best way to ensure everything is disabled is by a clean boot sequence where you’ll disable all non-Microsoft services from starting with the system.

Alternatively, you can contact Task Manager and kill off all background applications. Some users resolved the issue by disabling/ uninstalling the Duet Display application, so give that a try, too.

4. Update the game

We also mentioned frequent updates which allegedly dealt with this and similar problems in Monster Hunter: World. A few patches mitigated the game optimization issues.

The stunning fact is that, before updates, users had a hard time getting proper FPS on top-of-the-line GPUs.

Therefore, wait for updates; you should see some performance improvements as soon as they apply. This is done automatically; you must only confirm that your connection is stable.

If there’s no resolution, pressure the developer and hope for the best. Meanwhile, we’ll need to eliminate our possible involvement in this error, so try the last two steps, too.

5. Verify game files

Open Steam‘s Library.
Right-click on Monster Hunter: World and open Properties.
Choose the LOCAL FILES tab, and click the VERIFY THE INTEGRITY OF GAME FILES option.
Restart your PC and start the game from the Steam desktop client.

Before we move to the reinstallation procedure, let’s try and verify the game files via the Steam client. Corruption of the files usually completely shuts down the game, but it might also result in some unexpected errors.

We can’t say this is a way to resolve the Memory overrun fatal error, but it’s a standard solution for all kinds of Steam-based games.

In addition, after you’ve done the integrity check, navigate to drive where the Steam and respective games are installed.

Once there, open the graphics_option_presets.ini file with a text editor. Change the PresetCount value from 4 to 0 and save changes. Repeat this for the graphics_options.ini configuration file.

6. Reinstall the game

Open Steam Library.
Right-click on Monster Hunter: World and uninstall it.
Delete all remaining files in the steamapps folder here:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps
Then, reaccess Steam and download the game.

Finally, if none of the previous steps proved successful, we can only suggest reinstalling the game. With this, we cover everything (or at least most of it) which can go wrong on your side.

If you’re still bothered by the Memory overrun fatal error, it’s due to Capcom or Nvidia/ATI and entirely not your fault.

You can go as far as reinstalling the system, but this won’t do much, considering the problem isn’t on your side.

With that said, we can wrap it up. But if you know an alternative solution, please tell us in the comments section. Every help is more than welcome.

0xc000021 Stop Code on Windows: 9 Quick Ways to Fix it

Posted on March 15, 2023April 2, 2024 by Aleksandar Ognjanovic

Windows 10 installation issues or BSoD-inflicting errors are quite rare. However, once you bump into an installation error like 0xc000021a, the problems intensify quickly.

Blue Screens of Death can mean many things but nothing good, so you can rest assured that this is a serious issue.

The gravity of this error means it’s hard to address it, especially if you already formatted your system partition before the error occurred.

We can only suspect the reason for this critical error, so we’ve gathered various solutions below to tick all the boxes.

If you’re stuck with this installation issue and unsure how to move on and resolve it, make sure to check the steps below.

[wr_toc]

What does stop code 0xC000021A mean?

The stop code 0xC000021A means that some corrupt system files are on your PC. It could also denote an incomplete software installation or failed OS upgrade.

This stop code, sometimes referred to as error 0x00021a, prevents users from booting into their PCs normally.

How do I fix the stop code 0xc000021a on Windows 10?

1. Create a bootable drive again with genuine Windows

First things first. If you can, try reinstalling Windows 10 on an alternative PC. That’s the best way to check if your bootable drive is bootable in the first place.

The procedure is the same for both DVD or USB thumb drive, meaning that, if you’re able to boot on at least one PC, the problem lies in the other PC.

In this case the installation drive is probably properly configured and created.

If you’re unable to boot on any given device you’ve tried to, make sure to create the bootable drive with the Windows 10 installation from the scratch and try booting again.

If you’re not sure how to do it properly, follow these steps:

USB

Download the Media Creation Tool.
Plug in the USB flash drive with at least 4 GB.
Run the Media Creation Tool and accept the License Terms.
Choose Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC.
Select the preferred language, architecture, and edition.
Click Next.
Choose USB flash drive and click Next.
Wait until the installer downloads the files and, finally, you’ll have a properly created and configured bootable drive with Windows 10 installation.

DVD

Download the Media Creation Tool.
Run Media Creation Tool and accept the License Terms.
Choose Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC.
Select the preferred language, architecture, and edition.
Click Next.
Select ISO file.
Save the ISO file to a preferred location and wait until the download completes.
Insert DVD and use any third-party burning tool to create the bootable Windows 10 DVD.

2. Run a BSoD fixer

As mentioned before, the cause of this stop error is hard to pinpoint. To gain more time and fix the BSoD quicker, we recommend running a general blue screen troubleshooting tool.

3. Unplug all peripheral devices

Another possible culprit that can certainly cause critical system errors involves peripheral devices. Peripheral devices can occasionally cause a stall in the loading process.

Furthermore, that halt can lead to more than a few errors, including the Blue Screen of Death crash with the 0xc000021a error code that comes along.

So, make sure to leave only the mouse, keyboard and monitor plugged in while booting from USB or DVD.

You should disable everything else just in case one of the secondary devices are preventing the Windows 10 installation process to commence.

On the other hand, if you’re still unable to boot, make sure to check the additional steps.

4. Upgrade via the OS

Download the Media Creation Tool.
Run Media Creation Tool and accept the Licence Terms.
Choose Upgrade this PC and the downloading process should commence.
Once it downloads files, Media Creation will start upgrading.

Some users managed to resolve the issue by installing an older Windows iteration and then upgrading to Windows 10 with the Media Creation Tool.

5. Run SFC

Press the Windows key + S, type cmd, and click Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
Type the Command below and hit Enter: sfc/scannow
Wait for the scanning procedure to end and look for improvements.

Sometimes, the corruption of system files can lead to many problems in many departments and could cause the stop code 21a.

Due to virus infection or integrity issues, certain boot files can get corrupted, which will eventually result in a critical system error, just like the installation error that bears the 0xc000021a code.

There are various ways to address this, but the best way to overcome this and similar issues is to use System File Checker and scan for errors.

In addition, it’s highly recommended to perform a full scan with a third-party antivirus to get rid of the malware infections.

If this isn’t enough, continue with the additional solutions we presented below.

6. Try running DISM scan

Press the Windows key, type cmd, and choose Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
Type the following command and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
The DISM scan will now start. The scan can take about 20 minutes or more, so be patient.

Once the scan is finished, check if the 0xc000021A during Windows 10 installation is still there. If you could not run the SFC scan before, try running it after completing the DISM scan.

Also, if you’re dealing with corruption, check out our complete guide on how to use DISM in Windows 10.

7. Rebuild BCD

Insert the Windows 10 bootable media (USB stick or DVD), and restart your PC.
Set USB/DVD as primary boot device. Either by entering the Boot menu (F10, F11, or F12) or from the BIOS settings.
The loading process of the installation file should commence.
Select the language, time/format, and keyboard input of choice and click the Next button.
Select Repair your computer from the bottom left corner.
Open the Troubleshoot option.
Select Advanced Options.
Open Command Prompt. Select your account and enter the password if asked.
In the command line, type the following commands and press Enter after each:
- bootrec /FixMbr
- bootrec /FixBoot
- bootrec /ScanOs
- bootrec /RebuildBcd
This should finalize the repair procedure, and you should be able to start Windows 10 installation setup just as intended.

In the preferred scenario, after you rebuild BCD, the installation files should load seamlessly, so you can finally move to the reinstallation process.

8. Disable driver signature enforcement

Open Start.
Press and hold Shift, click on the Power button, and select Restart.
Your PC should boot in the Recovery options menu.
Select Troubleshoot.
Choose Advanced options.
Select Startup settings.
Choose Restart.
Once the PC restarts, press F7 to select Disable driver signature enforcement.
Insert the installation media and look for changes.

Disabling of Driver signature enforcement is a security measure that blocks drivers that aren’t digitally signed to run in Windows 10.

9. Check the HDD health

Open This PC or File Explorer.
Right-click on the system partition and open Properties.
Select the Tools tab.
Click on the Error checker tool and wait for the procedure to finish scanning.

However, if you’re more into details, check out our guide for the best HDD health check software for PC users.

We certainly hope that this was a helpful read and that you’ll be able to overcome the installation error with the stop code 0xc000021a in Windows 10.

Also, the BSoD-inflicting errors are quite rare, but to make sure you have the best solutions to fix them, check out our helpful Windows 10 Blue Screen Loop guide.

Additionally, make sure to share your questions or suggestions regarding this and similar installation errors in the comments section below.

Fix: You do not Have Sufficient Privileges to Install

Posted on March 15, 2023October 4, 2023 by Ivan Jenic

Several permission issues have been reported while installing various software on your PC. One such situation is where you get the error message: You do not have sufficient privileges to install the program.

Here’s how one user described the issue on the Microsoft Answers forum:

Hello,
I get this error message when trying to install a Network Connection printer driver.
Installing the USB connection is fine, but the other says I do not have sufficient privileges and I have the highest level of access.

On the other hand, you may still get this error, even after logging in as an administrator. In this tutorial, we’ll show you a handful of solutions to resolve this issue.

What does the You do not have sufficient privileges to install the program error mean?

You do not have sufficient privileges to install the program typically means that the user attempting to install the program does not have the necessary permissions to perform the installation. This can happen due to any of the following factors:

Admin rights – The user account is not logged in as an administrator or does not have administrative privileges.
Problems or security settings – The user account has been restricted by an administrator or security policy, preventing them from installing software.
Firewall settings – The operating system or security software blocks the installation due to security concerns, or the program is not recognized as a trusted application.
Corrupt files – The installer file is corrupt or damaged, preventing it from executing correctly.
Storage issues – The system’s disk space is low or full, preventing installation.
OS version compatibility – The system is running a version of Windows that is not compatible with the program being installed.
Missing components – The installer requires specific system components or prerequisites not installed.

How do I fix the You do not have sufficient privileges to install the program issue?

Before starting with any of these solutions, you should ensure sufficient disk space. If not, you may consider purchasing extra storage. This will help you rule out the chances of the error due to storage space.

1. Run Windows Explorer as an administrator

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Now locate the Windows Explorer process, right-click, and choose End Task from the menu.
Now go to File and click Run new task.
Enter explorer and check the Create this task with administrative privileges box. Now click OK.
Install the new program afterward.

2. Use Command Prompt

Press Windows Key + R keys.
Type cmd and then hit the Enter key.
On the CMD window, type the following command and hit Enter:
net user administrator /active:yes
Login to the new administrator account and check if the issue remains.

Note: You can revert the operation by typing net user administrator /active: no in the CMD window.

3. Convert your account to an administrator account

Open the Settings app by pressing Windows + I, and go to the Accounts section.
Go to Family & other people and select your account. Choose Change account type.
Select Administrator and confirm your choice.
Now retry the reinstallation.

4. Disable User Account Control

Press Windows Key + S and type user account control, and select Change User Account Control settings from the list of results.
Move the slider down and click the OK button.

In conclusion, you should be able to fix You do not have sufficient privileges to install the program error using one of our solutions. However, you can share your experience with us by commenting below.

Fix: SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 Flash Drive not Working

Posted on March 15, 2023October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

If you found this guide, chances are that your SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 flash drive is not working. SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 reduces the time you’ll spend waiting for files to be moved from the flash drive to your computer.

Its transfer speed of up to 130MB/s3 lets you relocate and store files up to ten times faster than USB 2.0 drives.

However, there were times when Windows 10 users reported the SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 flash drive is not working. Unfortunately, checking for hidden icons won’t solve this problem.

Most commonly, even if the USB is plugged in and the light is on, there is no notification related to the device. In other words, SanDisk is not recognizable.

Fortunately, this article will ensure that you don’t need to worry again about the USB 3.0 flash drive not working issue on your PC.

Why is my SanDisk USB not showing up?

There are several reasons why your SanDisk USB drive may not show up on your computer. Here are some possible causes and solutions:

Drive letter conflict – Sometimes, a drive letter conflict can cause your SanDisk USB drive to not appear on your computer.
USB port issue – There may be an issue with your USB port.
Driver issue – Your SanDisk USB drive may need the correct drivers installed on your computer.
Faulty USB drive: If none of the above is the trigger, your SanDisk USB drive may be faulty.
Corrupt file system or partition – In some cases, the file system or partition on your SanDisk USB drive may become corrupted, causing it to not appear on your computer.

Let us now explore some great solutions.

What can I do if my SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 flash drive is not working?

Before trying any of the solutions below, double-check that the port works. You may test with a different computer.

1. Use the plug-and-play services option

Press the Windows + R keyboard shortcut.
In the opened window, type services.msc and click on OK.
Scroll down to Plug and Play services and open it.
On the left side, click on Restart the service.
Wait until it is done, then restart your PC.

This option will restart your disk service. So, it enables your computer to recognize and adapt to hardware changes with little or no user input.

2. Remove SanDisk info from the registry

2.1 Backup the Registry Editor

Start by pressing the Windows + R keys.
Type regedit in the opened window and hit Enter.
From the Registry Editor menu, select File and then Export.
Name the file SNDK.reg and save it to your desktop.

The Registry Editor is perhaps the most critical database on Windows 10, hosting all the system settings your PC and apps use to run correctly.

2.2 Delete SanDisk info

Press Windows + R keys.
In the opened window, type regedit and hit Enter.
On the top menu, click on Edit and select Find.
In the pop-up window, type VID_0781 and click Find Next.
After the search, right-click on the highlighted registry key and select Delete.
Press the F3 key to find the following registry key that includes VID_0781.
Right-click the highlighted registry key and select Delete.
Repeat the same procedure until the search returns with No results Found.
After all your registry keys containing VID_0781 have been deleted, please reboot your computer and plug the device into it.

If your SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 flash drive is not working, this Registry tweak should be a potent fix. This solution has helped users, especially when SanDisk Cruzer blade 16GBis not detected.

3. Uninstall and reinstall SanDisk USB

3.1 Uninstall

Search for Device Manager in Windows’ search and select Device Manager.
Expand the Disk drives section.
Right-click on your SanDisk device and select Uninstall device.

3.2 Reinstall

Reopen Device Manager.
On the top menu, select Action and click on Scan for hardware changes.
This would reload your SanDisk driver.

4. Use a disk partition software

Resolving the SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 flash drive not working issue is far more efficient if you use disk partition software.

The most important aspect is that this app will simplify your PC disk partition management and make it safer.

Moreover, this will allow you to create, resize, move, merge, or split partitions without worrying about losing data.

Thus, there is no doubt that you should try using disk partition software to have more diversity and maximize your work efficiency.

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As an additional solution, we recommend you update your Windows to its latest version.

You can use many suggestions to fix the SanDisk Ultra USB 3.0 flash drive not working issue. Of course, during our article, were listed the best you can find.

Also, you can always check how to fix USB ports not working on Windows if you encounter similar problems with this device.

Because your opinion is important to us, feel free to share your thoughts regarding what solution worked in your case in the comment section below.

Could not Start Microsoft Bluetooth Stack: 5 Fixes to use

Posted on March 15, 2023September 30, 2025 by Tashreef Shareef

After restarting your Windows computer, you may be unable to start the Bluetooth stack service error due to the Bluetooth control driver malfunctioning. The message can also occur when connecting to another Bluetooth-enabled device.

Several users have reported similar errors in the Microsoft community forum:

I am aunable to transfer imajes via blue tooth to my laptop from my camera – failure reason- this transfer is forbidden by the target device.
I keep on getting BTTray – unable to start the bluetooth stack service after some time on the laptop.

If you are also troubled by this error, here are a couple of troubleshooting tips to help you resolve the unable to start the Bluetooth stack service error in Windows.

Why does Could not start Microsoft Bluetooth stack message appear?

The Could not start Microsoft Bluetooth stack error message typically appears on a Windows computer when there is a Bluetooth driver or service issue.

Here are some possible causes and solutions:

Bluetooth driver issues – The error message may indicate an issue with the Bluetooth driver on your computer.
Bluetooth service issues – The error message may indicate that the Bluetooth service is not running or has stopped.
Other software conflicts – Other software on your computer may conflict with the Bluetooth stack.

Once you know the cause, some of the fixes we explore below could be useful.

How can I fix the Unable to start Bluetooth Stack Service error?

1. Remove the WIDCOMM Bluetooth driver

Press Windows + I to open Settings, then go to Apps.
Click on Apps & features.
Search for the WIDCOMM Bluetooth driver from installed apps.
Click on the WIDCOMM Bluetooth driver and select Remove.
Click Yes to confirm the action.

The WIDCOMM Bluetooth driver by Broadcom in Dell laptops is a known cause of Bluetooth stack service errors. However, several users have reported that removing the driver did help them resolve the error in Windows.

2. Start Bluetooth Support Service

Press Windows Key + R to open Run, then type services.msc and hit Enter.
In the Services window, locate Bluetooth Support Service.
Right-click on Bluetooth Support Service and select Properties.
If the service is running, click Stop.
Click the drop-down menu for Startup Type: and select Automatic.
Click the Start button to start the service again.
Select Apply and OK to save the changes.

If the issue persists, even after restarting the Bluetooth Support Services, do the following:

Press Windows Key + R to open Run, then type services.msc and hit Enter.
In the Services window, locate all the services with Bluetooth in it.
Double-click on the services and click Stop. Make sure the Startup type is set to Automatic.
Click the Start button once again and click OK to save the changes.
Repeat the process with all the Bluetooth-related services.
Close Services and check if the error is resolved.

3. Disable Bttray from Startup

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
In Task Manager, open the Startup tab.
Locate the Bttray or Bluetooth Tray option in the startup apps list.
Select Bttray and click on Disable. This will prevent the app from starting during startup.
Close Task Manager and check if the error is resolved.

4. Update the Bluetooth driver

Unable to start the Bluetooth stack service

Press Windows key + R to open Run, then type devmgmt.msc and hit Enter.
In Device Manager, expand the Bluetooth category, right-click on your computer’s Bluetooth device, and select Update Driver.
Select the Search automatically for drivers option.
Wait for Windows to download and install any pending updates for the Bluetooth device.
Once installed, reboot the computer and check if the unable to start the Bluetooth stack service error is resolved.

You can also try updating your Bluetooth driver automatically using reliable third-party software like Outbyte Driver Updater to find the latest versions from its comprehensive vault.

5. Install Windows updates

Press Windows + I to open the Settings app and click Update & Security.
Download all the pending Windows updates.
Reboot the computer and check for any improvements.

Updating your Windows OS can fix bugs and glitches with the previously installed drivers and other compatibility issues.

The inability to start the Bluetooth stack service error is common to Dell laptops due to the WIDCOMM Bluetooth driver being used to manage the Bluetooth function. However, the driver is known to cause the blue screen of death and other issues during startup.

If removing the WIDCOMM Bluetooth driver did not help, follow the other steps in this article to resolve the issue. If you solved the error using any other method, leave it in the comments, and we will try to update the article.

What is a WDB file?

How do I open a WBD file?

1. Download Microsoft Works

2. Use Microsoft Word

3. With Microsoft Excel

2.1 Convert to CSV format

2.2 Use a third-party tool

4. Via LibreOffice

What causes PCSX2 Visual C++ Runtime error?

How can I fix the PCSX2 Runtime error?

1. Change plugin settings

2. Make sure Visual C++ Redistributables are installed

3. Run the SFC scan

4. Reinstall PCSX2

Why is Microsoft Word telling me I don’t have access privileges?

How do I fix user does not have access privileges?

1. Change file permissions

2. Change deny permissions

3. Delete personal information

4. Change Inherit from parent entries

Why did FPS drop after RAM upgrade?

What can I do if FPS drops after RAM upgrade?

1. Scan your RAM for errors

2. Run an SFC (System File Checker) scan

3. Update your GPU drivers

4. Update your BIOS

5. Upgrade to SSD

Why did my FPS drop after a Windows update?

What can I do if FPS drops after a Windows update?

1. Update your graphics card driver

2. Run the CHKDSK command

3. Turn off Game DVR in the Registry

4. Disable Turbo boost

What is GPU artifacting?

How can I fix GPU artifacting?

1. Update the graphics driver

2. Underclock the CPU speed via BIOS

3. Run programs in Compatibility mode

4. Replace your graphics card

What is the reason for a script error?

How do you fix a script error?

1. Clear browser cache/cookies

2. Disable firewall/antivirus temporarily

3. Turn off Script debugging

4. Repair/reset apps

What causes error code 0x000005b3?

How can I fix the error code 0x000005b3?

1. Run the Printer troubleshooter

2. Update the printer driver

3. Restart the Spooler service

4. Remove the temporary files and cache folders

Should you delete partitions on Windows?

How can I delete the partition on Windows 11?

1. Delete a partition using Disk Management

2. Delete a partition using DiskPart

3. Use a third-party software

What does invalid XML mean in Outlook?

How do I fix invalid XML in Outlook?

1. Regenerate Navigation Panel

2. Delete the Navigation Panel config file

3. Update Outlook

4. Turn off compatibility mode

5. Run in Safe mode

Where do I find the Outlook Index Repair Tool?

Why is the Canon printer not asking for Wi-Fi password?

What can I do when the Canon Printer is not asking for Wi-Fi password?

1. Update the printer drivers

2. Perform a power cycle on the printer

3. Perform a power cycle on your router

How do I manually enter my Canon printer password?

Why can’t I connect the printer to the network?

What can I do if NVMe is not showing up in BIOS?

Table of contents

1. Configure M.2 SSD

2. Disable Secure Boot

3. Set PCIe setting to M.2

4. Update BIOS Firmware

5. Switch Storage Mode to AHCI / UEFI

6. Check Lane Sharing & SATA Conflicts

7. Try a Different M.2 Slot