Netwtw04.sys Failed: Fix This Error With These 7 Methods

The netwtw04.sys failed error is a frustrating error that pops up when users launch apps or unplug their headphones. However, these are not the only potential causes of the error.

Irrespective of the cause, we have prepared tested and trusted solutions to fix it in this comprehensive guide.

What does failed netwtw04.sys mean?

The netwtw04.sys failed blue screen error means your driver is incompatible with your operating system. The following are some of the prominent causes of this issue:

  • Outdated driver: One of the major causes of the netwtw04.sys blue screen issue is a faulty or outdated network driver. The quickest way to fix this is to reinstall or update your driver.
  • Presence of malware: Sometimes, this problem might be due to the activities of malware on your PC. You need to perform a full virus scan to get past the error message.
  • Outdated PC: The Windows 10 netwtw04.sys error can be caused by an outdated operating system. Updating the PC to the latest version fixed the issue for many users.

How can I fix the netwtw04.sys failed error on Windows 10?

1. Use dedicated software to fix the BSoD

BSOD stop codes are the most dangerous Windows 10 errors because they can signal hardware problems. Unfortunately, it is pretty hard to troubleshoot manually, and fixing it can sometimes be time-consuming.

Fortunately, there are methods like dedicated repair software specialized in fixing Windows 10 errors, including BSoDs. These kinds of tools are high-speed and will likely repair your system automatically.

2. Update network adapter drivers

  1. Press the Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and click OK.
    devmgmt netwtw04.sys failed
  2. Double-click the Network adapters option to expand it, and right-click the device there.
  3. Now, select Update driver.
    update driver
  4. Finally, click Search automatically for drivers and install any available updates.
    search auto

Some Windows users reported that they could fix Windows 10 error netwtw04.sys failed error by updating their network adapter drivers. Hence, you can update your network adapter to correct the problem.

Alternatively, you can revert to the old driver versions if updating the driver does not fix the issue. Another option is to uninstall and reinstall the driver.

You can also go to the manufacturer’s website and download the driver yourself, but you need to be extremely careful to get the right one for your PC.

Luckily, there is a much faster and easier solution. And that is to use a dedicated tool that can fix and update your drivers automatically with software like Outbyte Driver Updater.

3. Run a full system scan

  1. Press the Windows key, type virus, and select Virus & threat protection.
    virus netwtw04.sys failed
  2. Click Scan options.
    scan option
  3. Finally, tick the Full scan option and click the Scan now button.
    scan now

Viruses and malware can cause the Windows 10 error netwtw04.sys. This malware infects your system file causing the Windows 10 error.

Hence, run a full system scan on your PC to remove every possible virus corruption. You can also use Windows’ built-in antivirus, Windows Defender.

Alternatively, you can use a surefire third-party antivirus in TotalAV. This software will dig deep into your system and eliminate even the most hidden virus.

4. Repair PC registry

  1. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and click Run as Administrator under Command Prompt.
    cmd admin netwtw04.sys failed
  2. Now, type the command below and hit Enter: sfc /scannowsfc scannow
  3. Wait for the scanning process to complete and restart your computer.
  4. If that does not fix the issue, type the command below and hit Enter to run it: Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthdism restore

The simplest way to repair your Windows registry is to use a dedicated tool. Alternatively, you can use Microsoft’s System File Checker to check for system file corruption.

The utility program verifies the integrity of all system files and repairs files with problems when possible.

5. Temporarily disable secondary antivirus

Some antivirus programs may cause the Windows 10 error netwtw04.sys. Hence, you may need to temporarily disable your antivirus or firewall to fix the BSoD problem.

However, some antivirus programs have the temporarily disable protection option you can use, while others do not.

If you can uninstall your secondary antivirus, you may do that and consider switching to an alternative that will not interfere with your system.

6. Run System Restore

  1. Press the Windows key + R, type rstrui.exe, and click OK.
    rstrui netwtw04.sys failed
  2. Click the Next button page on the pops up.
    next
  3. Now, select an appropriate restore point and click the Next button.
    restore point
  4. Finally, click the Finish button.
    finish

Another effective solution that can fix the netwtw04.sys failed error message is to restore your PC to a time when it worked without issues.

This will reverse the changes you might have made to your PC that are causing the problem.

7. Install Windows Update

  1. Press the Windows key + I and select Update & Security.
    update and
  2. Click on Check for updates to proceed.
    check netwtw04.sys failed
  3. Finally, download and install the available updates.

Finally, you can also fix Windows 10 error netwtw04.sys problem by updating your Windows 10 OS to the latest version.

Microsoft constantly releases Windows updates to improve the system’s stability and fix various issues and errors associated with the startup error.

We also have a guide dedicated to fixing the Driver_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error in Windows 10, so make sure you check that out too.

We hope the solutions listed above helped you fix the Windows 10 netwtw04.sys failed issue. Comment below if you have any questions or know of other solutions.

Microsoft Edge 111 ships to the Stable Channel with Edge Copilot and more

Microsoft Edge version 111 has hit the Stable Channel for everyone to download, coming in at version 111.0.1661.41. The update comes with several notable features. Here’s a look at what you need to know.

First up, the update ships with a new Edge Sidebar which unpacks several new features and improvements designed to enhance productivity and the user experience. The new Edge Sidebar powered by Edge Copilot will let you boost your productivity and efficiency by providing intelligent suggestions and insights based on the context of the web page and the user’s goals.

The Edge Copilot will help you compose better emails, search the web faster, and learn new skills just like the new Bing icon in the Toolbar. Additionally, the Sidebar’s visibility has been enhanced as it features a new Auto-Hide functionality that allows users to maximize the productivity of the sidebar without taking up too much of the screen’s real estate.

What’s more, the update has improved how users will interact with the Sidebar. By hovering on the Bing icon in the Toolbar, you can launch it. Other key features and improvements are highlighted below:

  • Microsoft Feed on Microsoft 365 Edge New Tab Page. We’re rolling out a new experience to the Microsoft 365 tab of the Edge Enterprise New Tab Page. This experience will feature a new layout that centers on a larger version of the Microsoft Feed, featuring more productivity content, and moves the productivity cards including Important Emails, Recent SharePoint sites, Upcoming events, and To Do to the right-hand side of the Microsoft 365 tab.
  • Enhanced security mode improvements. Enhanced security mode now supports WebAssembly for macOS x64 and Linux x64. More cross-platform (ARM64) support is expected in the future. For more information, see Browse more safely with Microsoft Edge.
  • New policy to clear IE mode data on browser exit. The InternetExplorerModeClearDataOnExitEnabled policy controls whether browsing history is deleted from Internet Explorer and Internet Explorer mode every time Microsoft Edge is closed. Users can also configure this setting in the ‘Clear browsing data for Internet Explorer’ option in the Privacy, search, and services menu of Settings (edge://settings/privacy).

As usual, the release brings some depreciated and new policies. We invite you to check out Microsoft’s changelog for more on these. In related news, Microsoft announced that it is currently testing a new feature in the Edge Canary Channel designed to upscale videos with low resolutions dubbed Video Super Resolution. It’s powered by AI technology from Microsoft research.

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

Microsoft hit by more layoffs yet again, AI division affected

Things haven’t been business as usual over at Microsoft ever since the year started, especially after it highlighted its plan to cut 10,000 employees from its workforce. Satya Nadella, the company’s CEO that they were facing a different reality, thus prompting the move to lay off some employees.

Since then, Microsoft has been sporadically laying off employees across various divisions. Thus far, the company’s Surface, Xbox, and HoloLens divisions have been affected. Last week, the company also filed a WARN notice which saw 689 employees based in Redmond, Bellevue, and Issaquah lose their jobs.

And now, according to a report, more employees at Microsoft have been laid off. This time, the company has reportedly laid off the ethics and society team that’s part of the artificial intelligence organization. The team’s mandate is to ensure that Microsoft’s AI principles align with product designs.

A former employee added that “People would look at the principles coming out of the office of responsible AI and say, ‘I don’t know how this applies. Our job was to show them and to create rules in areas where there were none.”

This unfortunate news comes at a time when the company is working towards integrating AI across its products and services, especially after Microsoft extended its partnership with OpenAI by making a multibillion dollar investment. The company has gone on to debut the new Bing, the AI copilot for the web, and even further integrated it across Bing, Edge Mobile apps, and Skype.

Microsoft has however indicated that despite the layoffs, the AI division still remains active and will continue to deliver on its responsibilities. The company further added that:

Microsoft is committed to developing AI products and experiences safely and responsibly, and does so by investing in people, processes, and partnerships that prioritize this,” the company said in a statement. “Over the past six years we have increased the number of people across our product teams and within the Office of Responsible AI who, along with all of us at Microsoft, are accountable for ensuring we put our AI principles into practice. […] We appreciate the trailblazing work the ethics and society team did to help us on our ongoing responsible AI journey.

While the news is quite unfortunate, we’re likely to see more layoffs hit the Redmond giant over the next couple of months. As it stands, the company is nowhere near the 10,000 mark for the employees it intends to send home.

via: Platformer

Microsoft GPT-4: You’ll be able to create videos from texts

Not too long after Google announced its mega-plan to develop an AI speech that could recognize 1.000 world’s most-spoken languages, Microsoft said that it’s ready to launch GPT-4, a successor to the infamous neural network by OpenAI, in March 2023.

During the AI in Focus – Digital Kickoff event, Microsoft Germany CTO Andreas Braun said that the language will bear multi-modal models functionality, as quoted by German publication Heise Online. 

“We will introduce GPT-4 next week, there we will have multimodal models that will offer completely different possibilities – for example videos.”

Being a multi-modal language, the AI will be able to function on different inputs (texts, images, and sound), whereas GPT-3 and GPT-2 could only operate on texts. Moreover, the multi-modal language will be able to translate texts into music and videos, meaning that you can create AI-generated clips using simple prompt words.

What’s going on in the war on AI?

For months, anticipations for GPT-4 have been massively built up. The emerging technology will reportedly contain more parameters than its GPT-3 predecessor by 600 times. 

If that’s not enough, Microsoft has integrated GPT-3-powered ChatGPT into Bing and Microsoft Edge browser, on both mobile and desktop. Not too long ago, Redmond officials announced that the often-overlooked search engine has amassed over 100 million daily users milestone

That means, Google has every right to be worried about it, especially since its BARD AI is still far from primetime. Although they’ve just announced a state-of-the-art speech AI model called the Universal Speech Model (USM), Google still has a lot to catch up on, for now. 

What do you think about this AI war between Microsoft and Google? Let us know in the comments!

Delete Failed Windows Updates Manually With These 2 Methods

Windows updates are essential for the smooth running of your PC. However, this process is not usually smooth and might require you to delete a failed Windows update before going over it again.

This is important to prevent update errors and other issues while installing the latest patches. In this guide, we have prepared the best ways to remove any incomplete update from your PC.

How do I delete downloaded failed and pending Windows Updates?

Below are a couple of ways to delete failed update history in Windows 10:

  • Using File Explorer: The first method is to delete the failed updates from the update folder in File Explorer. With this, you can clear the history and restart the update process.
  • PC cleaner software: Another option is to use dedicated PC cleaner software to remove incomplete downloads. With these tools, you can clean your PC correctly and remove junk files.

How do I delete failed Windows updates?

1. Delete everything from the sub-folder

  1. Press the Windows key + E to open File Explorer.
  2. Navigate to the path below: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Downloaddownload
  3. Now, delete everything in the Download folder.
    option delete failed windows update
  4. If you want to restart the update process, press the Windows key, type cmd, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
    cmd admin
  5. Finally, type the commands below, and hit Enter after each: net stop wuauservnet stop delete failed windows update net start wuauservnet start

The built-in method of deleting a failed update is through File Explorer. This method is pretty straightforward and requires no technical skills.

2. Use a dedicated tool

While you can permanently delete a failed Windows update from File Explorer, there might be some leftover junk files on your PC.

To get rid of these files, you need to use a dedicated PC cleaner in CCleaner. This easy-to-use tool digs deep into your system and eliminates all unwanted files.

This makes it easy to remove any incomplete updates and other junk files. With this, you can free up valuable space on your PC.

⇒ Get CCleaner

With this, we can conclude this guide on how to delete a failed Windows update. All you need now is to follow the steps, and you should be able to download and install updates smoothly.

If you want to know how to clear the Windows update cache, check our detailed guide to do it quickly.

Feel free to let us know if you encounter any problems following the steps above.

Software Center Missing: Enable it With These 3 Methods

Software Center provides a centralized environment for IT administrators to deploy applications, upgrade apps, or change system policies remotely. Unfortunately, some users report missing the Software Center on their PC.

This takes away an essential remote feature. If you also face this issue, this guide will walk you through the steps to regain the tool.

Why is Software Center on Windows 10 missing?

Several factors can be responsible for the missing Software Center. Listed below are some of the prevalent causes:

  • Corrupt system files: One of the significant reasons the Software Center is not loading or is stuck at 44 percent might be because of faulty or missing system files. The solution to this is to repair these files.
  • Presence of malware: In some cases, this problem might be caused by the activities of viruses on your PC. You can fix this by performing a virus scan with Microsoft Defender or dedicated antivirus software.

What to do if Windows 10 Software Center is missing?

1. Repair system files

  1. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
    cmd admin software center missing
  2. Type the command below and hit Enter to run it: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealthdism restore
  3. Now, wait for the command to finish running.
  4. Next, type the command below and press Enter to run it: sfc /scannowsfc scan
  5. Finally, wait for the command to finish running and restart your PC.

If the Software Center is missing on your PC, it might be because of broken system files. You can fix it by running the DISM and SFC scans.

You can also fix these files easily using a reliable repair tool, eliminating the stress of having to run numerous scans and repair your system files in no time.

2. Run Windows System Restore

  1. Press the Windows key + R, type rstrui.exe, and click OK.
    rstrui software center missing
  2. Click the Next button in the window that pops up.
    next
  3. Now, choose a restore point and click Next.
    restore point
  4. Finally, click the Finish button and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the action.
    finish software center missing

If the Software Center goes missing after installing an app or making changes to your PC, you need to perform a system restore. This will reverse the changes that might be causing the issue.

3. Scan for malware

  1. Press the Windows key + S, type virus, and select Virus & threat protection.
    virus
  2. Select Scan options.
    scan option
  3. Now, choose the Full Scan option and click Scan now.
    scan  software center missingnow

This issue sometimes occurs if viruses are messing with your PC. You need to perform a deep virus scan to eliminate these viruses and restore normalcy on your PC.

Aside from using Windows Defender, you can also use top-notch antivirus software in TotalAV. This will scan all the files and apps on your PC, including the system files.

With this, it will remove the most hidden malware on your PC.

The steps mentioned above should be enough to deal with the Windows 10 Software Center missing issue. Let us know in the comments section if our solutions worked for you.

TrayApp Removal: Everything You Need to Know About it

The TrayApp is a feature integrated with the HP Photosmart and Digital Imaging software for easy scanning and printing. However, many users seek the best removal methods to eliminate TrayApp.

This is majorly due to different errors related to the trayapp.msi app. If you are also in this boat, this guide will show you surefire ways to get rid of the app.

What is TrayApp?

The TrayApp application comes with the HP Photosmart and Digital Imaging software package. It aids easy scanning and printing of documents and photos.

This app is usually part of most HP products’ installation CDs and tries to install by itself. However, sometimes, the installation fails and keeps trying to complete the process, leading to different issues.

This is one of the reasons most users are looking for an effective TrayApp removal method to get rid of the app.

How can I download trayapp.msi on Windows 10?

If you are getting a missing trayapp.msi error message on Windows 10 and need to download the tool, you need to remove all instances of HP printer software on your PC.

To make things easier, you can also run the HP Print and Scan Doctor, HP Officejet Software, and Driver Removal Utility tools depending on your device. After that, you can reinstall your printer software.

How can I perform TrayApp removal?

1. Use the app’s uninstaller

  1. Right-click on the TrayApp icon and choose the Open file location option.
    open file trayapp removal
  2. Locate and double-click either uninst000, Uninstall, or Uninstaller to launch the uninstaller.
  3. Now, follow the onscreen instructions to complete the removal process.
  4. Next, press the Windows key + R, type regedit, and click OK.
    regedit
  5. Navigate to the paths below in the left pane and delete any TrayApp files (Ensure to back up your registry before deleting any file): HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\(TrayApp or related name) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\(TrayApp or related name)
  6. Finally, search for trayapp to remove any leftover registry files.

TrayApp, like some other HP apps, has a built-in uninstaller that can be used for the Removal process. Hence, you need to take advantage of the tool and delete any file it has in the registry.

Note that it is imperative you back up your registry. This will save your PC from serious issues that might arise from deleting the wrong files in the registry.

2. Use the Windows uninstaller

  1. Press the Windows key + R, type appwiz.cpl, and click OK.
    appwiz
  2. Right-click TrayApp from the list of apps and click the Uninstall option.
    uninstall trayapp removal
  3. Now, follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.
  4. Finally, repeat steps 4 to 6 in solution 1 to delete any leftover files.

Another effective TrayApp removal method is to use the built-in Windows uninstaller. This method helps to run the app’s uninstaller without going to the file location.

3. Use a dedicated software uninstaller

If you don’t want to go through the stress of removing the TrayApp and deleting the leftover files, you can use a dedicated tool in CCleaner to perform the task with a few clicks.

This excellent software deletes any problematic software and digs deep to remove any leftover files that can cause problems in the future. Also, it can serve as a PC cleaner for removing junk files.

This helps to create valuable space for other activities on your PC.

⇒ Get CCleaner

We can conclude this guide on the best methods to perform TrayApp removal. You should now be able to eliminate the app and delete its leftover files.

If you want to uninstall the HP Support Assistant on your PC, check our detailed guide to do it quickly.

Let us know the method that helped you remove the app in the comments below.

You Don’t Currently Have Permission to Access This Folder [Fix]

Many users have complained that they encountered the you don’t currently have permission to access this folder issue after upgrading their Windows computer to a newer version.

In this guide, we will cover all the available fixes to resolve the issue right after talking about the potential causes. 

What causes the You don’t currently have permission to access this folder issue on Windows 11? There could be reasons why you don’t have permission to access the folder; some of the common ones are: 

  • Insufficient permissions – If the file or folder you are trying to open is owned by another group or user account, and you don’t have ownership or necessary permission, you might face this issue.
  • Restricted access – If the user account or group has set the permission in a way that prohibits you from accessing the file or folder you want to access, then you might see this error.
  • UAC settings – The User Account Control (UAC) Settings might be blocking your access to the folder, hence the issue.
  • Corrupted file system – If the file system is damaged or missing, you might face this issue when accessing files.
  • File or folder is currently open or in use – The file or folder could be used by another program or process and might prevent you from accessing the folder therefore, you get this error. 

How to fix the You don’t currently have permission to access this folder issue? 

Before moving to the actual troubleshooting steps. It would be best if you went through these preliminary checks:

  • Restart your computer.
  • Close the unnecessary programs and process running on the computer. 

1. Gain complete control

  1. Locate the folder from your hard drive or select the drive itself. Right-click on it and choose Properties.Properties C drive You Don't Currently Have Permission to Access This Folder
  2. On the Properties window, go to the Security tab. 
  3. Select Everyone and click Edit. Edit
  4. Now select Everyone and under Permissions for Everyone: for Full control, choose Allow and Modify.
  5. On the next window, click OK.Allow
  6. Click Continue on all the following windows.
  7. Now click Apply and OK to confirm the changes. 
  8. Restart your computer.

Note: If the Everyone option is not present, follow these simple steps to rectify it:

  1. Go to the folder location or select the drive itself, and right-click it. Choose Properties.Properties C drive You Don't Currently Have Permission to Access This Folder
  2. On the Properties window, switch to the Security tab.
  3. Under Groups & user names, click Edit. Edit
  4. Click Add.Add You Don't Currently Have Permission to Access This Folder
  5. Now, type Everyone and lick Check Names, then click OK.Everyone
  6. Select Everyone, and under Allow, choose Full control and Modify. 
  7. On the following window, click OK.Allow full control
  8. Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
  9. Restart your computer.

2. Use the Command Prompt

  1. Press Windows + E to open Windows Explorer.CMD elevated
  2. Go to the folder location, and copy the address path from the address bar.
  3. Now press the Windows key, type CMD, and click Run as Administrator.
  4. Copy and paste the following command, replace the path of the file or folder\ file or folder name with the path that you copied, and press Enter: TAKEOWN /F "path of the file or folder\ file or folder name" /R /D Y
  5. Type the following command, replace type in the path of the folder that you want to take access with the path of the folder, and press Enter: ICACLS <type in the path of the folder that you want to take access> /grant administrators:F
  6. Close the Command Prompt.

3. Change the ownership settings

  1. Go to the folder location or select the drive itself, and right-click to select Properties.
  2. Switch to the Security tab, and click Advanced. Advanced You Don't Currently Have Permission to Access This Folder
  3. On the Advanced Security Settings for Users, click Change. Change 1 You Don't Currently Have Permission to Access This Folder
  4. Now on the Select User or Group window, type the name of the person you want to give ownership to and click Check Names. Everyone
  5. Click OK. 
  6. Place a checkmark next to Replace owner on subcontainers and objects.Replace owner
  7. Click Apply and then OK.
  8. Click Yes on the permission prompt that appears.

4. Authorize a user account 

  1. Navigate to the following path: C:\UsersProperties Users You Don't Currently Have Permission to Access This Folder
  2. Right-click to open the context menu, and choose Properties. 
  3. Switch to the Security tab and click Edit. Edit User
  4. On the Permissions for Users dialog box, click the Add button. Add user
  5. Now under Select Users or Groups, click the  Advanced button. Advanced Select
  6. Click the Find Now button, and it will list the users. 
  7. Choose your PC username and hit OK. Find NOW
  8. Again, click OK on the following window to close it.
  9. Select the newly added username from Group or user names, and under Permissions, for Full control, select Allow.Full control 1
  10. Click Apply and OK to complete the process.

5. Disable the Read-Only option

  1. Locate & select a file or folder or select the drive itself and right-click to choose Properties.
  2. Switch to the General tab, and remove the checkmark Read-only (Only applies to files in the folder).Read only  You Don't Currently Have Permission to Access This Folder
  3. Click Apply and OK.

6. Make changes in Group Policy Editor

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run window.GPEDIT You Don't Currently Have Permission to Access This Folder
  2. Type gpedit.msc and click OK to open Group Policy Editor.
  3. Navigate to this path: Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Security Options
  4. Locate and double-click User Account Control Admin Approval Mode for the Built-in Administrator account to open its Properties.GPEDIT MSC UAC
  5. Click Disabled, then Apply and OK.UAC DISABLED
  6. Locate and double-click User Account Control Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode to open its Properties.DEFINED
  7. Click Disabled, then Apply and OK.DISABLED 2
  8. Restart your computer.

So, these are the methods you can follow to fix you don’t currently have permission to access this folder. Try them and let us know what worked in the comments section below. 

How to Change Notification Sound in Windows 11

If you don’t like the default notification tone and want to change it, this guide can help! We will explain all the methods to change the notification sounds on Windows 11. Let’s get started!

What can I do to change the notification sound in Windows 11?

1. Use the Settings app

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to System, and select Sound. System - Sound - How to Change Notification Sound in Windows 11
  3. Now go to the Advanced section and click More sound settings to open the Sound dialog box. More sound settings
  4. Switch to the Sounds tab.
  5. Under Program Events, locate the Notification section.Sound Notification
  6. Under Sounds, choose the sound, and click the Test button to hear a preview.
  7. Click Apply, then OK to confirm the changes.

2. Use the Control Panel

  1. Press the Windows key, type Control Panel, and click Open. CP How to Change Notification Sound in Windows 11
  2. Select View by as Category, and click Hardware and Sound.Hardware and Sound How to Change Notification Sound in Windows 11
  3. Now click Sound. Sound 1
  4. On the Sound dialog box, switch to the Sounds tab.
  5. Locate the Notification under Program Events. CP How to Change Notification Sound in Windows 11
  6. Under Sounds, click the drop-down menu and choose notification sound. 
  7. Once selected, click the Test button to hear. 
  8. Click Apply, then OK to save the changes. 

3. Use the Personalization settings

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings. 
  2. Go to Personalization, and click Themes. Settings personalization How to Change Notification Sound in Windows 11
  3. Locate Related settings and click the Sounds button.
  4. In the next window, go to the Sounds tab. 
  5. Navigate to the Notification section under Program Events.
  6. Under Sounds, click the drop-down menu and choose a new sound. Sound Notification
  7. Click Test to hear the preview.  
  8. Click Apply, then OK to apply the changes.

For broader customization beyond notification alerts, check this guide to change Windows sounds in Windows 11 for system events, themes, and more.

4. Use the Registry Editor

  1. Save the sound that you want to use and copy the path. 
  2. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box. REGEDIT RUN COMMAND
  3. Type regedit and click OK to open the Registry Editor. 
  4. Navigate to this path: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\AppEvents\Schemes\Apps.Default\Notification.Default.Current
  5. Locate and double-click the Default to open the Properties.Registry Editor Value data How to Change Notification Sound in Windows 11
  6. In the Value data field, paste the path of the sound file and click OK. 
  7. Restart your computer to save the changes. 

And if your Windows 11 keeps chiming, we have an answer in our detailed article, but make sure you don’t end up with a situation where the notification sounds are not working at all. But if it happens, the highlighted guide will help you fix the problem.

If its push notifications not working, we also got you covered on that front. Before you go, we also have a guide on Windows 7 startup sound, so you might want to check it out for more information.

So, these are ways to change the notification sound on Windows 11. Try them and let us know what worked in the comments section below.

Tiny10 for Windows 10: Download & install the latest version

Just like what NTDEV did for Windows 11 by releasing tiny11, a debloated version to help low-end PCs to run the operating system under limited resources, the devs also have something similar for Windows 10.

Dubbed tiny10, the tool allows you to bring all Windows 10’s functionalities to life for desktops with limited specifications. Its latest edition, tiny10 2303 x86, also features the component store, the Remote Desktop feature, and serviceability—with a fully functional Windows Defender.

It’s basically a stripped-down version of Windows 10, which only takes 5.2 GB (32-bit system) and 10 GB (10 GB) of disk space compared to Windows 10’s 22 GB storage requirement. In terms of RAM, you only need at least 1 GB on a 32-bit system and 2 GB on a 64-bit system.

Without further ado, here’s how to download and install tiny10 for Windows 10.

H2: How to download tiny10 for Windows 10.

1. Head over to NTDEV’s site on Internet Archive.

2. On Download options, click ISO image.

3. Choose whichever fits your need. In this case, we’re choosing 22H2 Beta2 x86.

Despite its polarizing reviews, tiny10 is still a good tool for developers and software enthusiasts alike who are keen to use Windows 10. The rule of thumb for it, however, remains the same: expect the tool to run into some sort of limitations.

On the other hand, you can also check tiny11 for Windows 11. It’s much more impressive even—some users even reported tiny11’s installation under 100 MB of storage, albeit slower and limited to only the command prompt and some rudimentary batch files work.

What do you think about this tool? Let us know in the comments!

How to switch File Explorer to WinAppSDK on Windows 11

Microsoft seemingly confirmed the weeks-old rumor that File Explorer would go WinAppSDK.

As confirmed by Windows enthusiast @PhantomOnEarth, the new ecosystem is living inside Windows 11’s recent Insider Build 25309. With a few registry tweaks, you can activate the new update.

NOTE: WASDK File Explorer is now simpler to enable in 25309 now that it’s rolling out. The registry edit you needed to make in 25300 is no longer required. If you want to be safe also run: vivetool /enable /id:40731912 vivetool /enable /id:41969252 vivetool /enable /id:42922424

However, another Windows watcher Albacore (@thebookisclosed) seemingly turned down the information. While many news outlets reported that the feature is living inside Build 25309, he spotted that it was actually inside Build 22621, which was released back in May 2022.

During a WinUI community call in February 2023, Microsoft may suggest its first wide step to integrate the file manager with its 365 products.

That means, for the first time in history, the tech giant could be moving File Explorer to WinAppSDK, the same base that built apps like PowerToys and Phone Link. While it’s not an entirely new ecosystem or a bare replacement, the latest SDK is here to enhance users’ experience by serving as a much modernized supporting library for standard APIs and WinUI 3.  

During the hour-long virtual conference where the update was teased, insiders said that the new File Explorer could have easy access to WinUI 3 features.

The question is: when will the update come and what can we expect?

When will Windows 11’s File Explorer update arrive?

The WinAppSDK-based Explorer is here in the Windows Insider Program, featuring a pizza icon in the toolbar to differentiate it from the Windows SDK version. Many believe that general availability will begin to roll out sometime this year.

With its full integration with 365 products, it’s safe to expect personalized toolbars, buttons, properties windows, and pop-up window designs that could bring those products’ features even more alive, and with a much better Recommended files feed experience. 

However, the news has been met with quite a polarizing recipient considering that the declarative language XAML is relatively slower than the traditional Win32 UIs, which already is plagued by performance issues for several users.

One user voices their concern,

It’s going to be extremely slow and buggy (like everything based on winui 3) and definitely pushed out to all users before it’s 100% ready, or even 60% ready. After a few months of patches it will become bearable but never better than the old app. FWIW it does look sleek and stylish.

How to activate WinAppSDK-powered File Explorer?

1. Make sure to join the Windows Insider Program and have the latest Windows 11 Insider Build installed in your system. If not, head over Settings ➜ Windows Update ➜ Install all.

2. Head over to GitHub to download the latest version of ViVeTool.

3. Once downloaded, click Extract all, select the location where you want to extract it by clicking Browse, then hit Extract. In this case, we extract it at C:\Users\WindowsReport\Documents\Tools\ViVeTool-v0.3.2.

4. Hit ? on your keyboard, then type “cmd” and right-click on Command Prompt -> Run as administrator.

5. Type in cd + the directory where we extracted ViVeTool. In this case, it’s at C:\Users\WindowsReport\Documents\Tools\ViVeTool-v0.3.2, then hit Enter.

6. Type the following command then hit Enter.

vivetool /enable /id:40729001

7. Reboot the computer.

In the meantime, it’s still worth noting that being an insider-only feature that isn’t out for primetime yet, you may be running into some performance problems here and there, so, patience is a virtue.

Are you excited about this upcoming feature? Let us know in the comments!

How to Play 5.1 Audio in VLC [Change Audio Output]

VLC media player is an open-source media player which can support different video and audio formats. It is popular, easy to use, and comes with the ability to play 5.1 surround sound audio.

However, if you don’t know how to play 5.1 audio in a VLC player, this guide can help! We will discuss the steps to change the audio output settings in VLC. Let’s get started! 

What can I do to play 5.1 audio in VLC?

1. For DirectX

  1. Launch VLC media player.
  2. Press Ctrl + P to open Preferences. 
  3. Go to the bottom right-hand side navigation pane, and select the All radio button under the Show settings area. All settings how to play 5.1 audio in vlc
  4. Select and expand the Audio tree, choose Output modules, and select DirectX. 
  5. Choose your Output device as Dolby and Speaker configuration as Windows Default from the drop-down menus. Audio DirectX how to play 5.1 audio in vlc
  6. Click Save to confirm your choice, then restart your VLC media player. 

2. For the MMDevice

  1. Press Ctrl + P to open Preferences. 
  2. Go to Audio, then select Output Modules. 
  3. Click MMDevice.MMDEVICE how to play 5.1 audio in vlc
  4. In the Output back-end drop-down list, choose DirectX audio output. 
  5. Reboot VLC for it to let the changes take effect.

So, these are steps to play 5.1 audio in the VLC media player. Please let us know in the comments section below if you have questions or concerns. 

How to Change Your Outlook Theme [2 Easy Steps]

Changing the theme on Outlook enables you to personalize your email application and makes it visually more appealing.

You can customize color, design, and how your messages or reading pane looks to make navigation on the app more accessible. 

In this guide, we will discuss the steps to change your Outlook theme to your liking. Let’s begin!

What can I do to change your Outlook theme on Windows? 

1. Use the Outlook web app

  1. Log in to your Outlook account on the web. 
  2. Click on the Settings (gear-like) icon in the upper right corner of the screen. 
  3. Now under Theme, click View all. View all change outlook theme
  4. From the Featured list, select a Theme. 
  5. Choose the theme you want, and you can see the theme you selected at once. Theme selected

2. Use the Outlook desktop app

  1. Launch the Outlook desktop app.
  2. Click File. change outlook theme File
  3. Then, select Options from the left pane. Options Theme change outlook
  4. Go to General, then locate Personalize your copy of the Microsoft Office section. 
  5. Click the Office Theme drop-down menu. OK
  6. Select one of the four options available and click OK to save the changes. 

So, these are ways to change your Outlook theme on your desktop and web apps.

And while we’re on customization, you may also color code Outlook emails and manage the most important ones better.

We also have a guide on how to change the font in Outlook for Mac or Windows, so don’t miss it for more customization tips.

Please let us know in the comments section below if you have any questions or concerns. 

Steam Manifest Unavailable: Fix it With These 4 Solutions

The Steam manifest unavailable error will prevent you from downloading or updating games, but luckily, there are a few ways to fix this error.

Why does the Steam Manifest unavailable error appear?

Issues with your connection are the most common cause, but this issue can appear due to antivirus or firewall settings.

How can I fix the Manifest Unavailable Steam error?

1. Reset internet settings

  1. Press Windows + R.
  2. Enter the script below and hit Enter.
    steam://flushconfig
    steam manifest unavailable
  3. A Steam – Clear Download Cache dialog box will then open. Press the OK button on that dialog box window.
  4. Now open the Windows rerun dialog box by pressing Windows and R keys simultaneously, input cmd, then hit Enter.
    steam manifest unavailable
  5. After that, in the Command Prompt window, enter the following command, then press the Enter key:
    ipconfig /flushdns
  6. Close Command Prompt, and restart Windows.

2. Change the download region

  1. Open Steam.
  2. In the opened window, click on Steam from the upper-left corner.
    steam manifest unavailable
  3. Click on Settings.
    steam manifest unavailable
  4. From the left window pane, select the Downloads tab, then select an alternative region on the Download Region drop-down menu.
  5. Restart the Steam software.

3. Turn off antivirus software

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

4. Turn off the Windows Defender firewall

  1. Hit the Windows key to open the Windows Search box, type Firewall, and open the Windows Defender Firewall option.
  2. Click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off to open the WDF settings shown directly below.
  3. Select the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall radio buttons.
    steam manifest unavailable
  4. Press the OK button.

Those are a few confirmed fixes for manifest unavailable and missing content manifest errors. In addition to those resolutions, users can also try reinstalling Steam.

Note, however, that the manifest error can be due to Steam server outages. This isn’t the only problem you can face, and many reported that Steam download is stuck at 100%. Others reported that Steam download drops to 0.

It’s not just the download, many users claim that Steam update is stuck, but we tackled that issue in another article.

Please use the comment section listed below for any additional questions or curiosities.

Inbox Button Not Working on Outlook? Fix It in 4 Steps

The Inbox button not working on Outlook issue is lately being reported by users worldwide. This is not an error or a bug but is a change made by Microsoft. 

In this guide, we will discuss some available workarounds to get it to work as before. Let’s start!

What can I do if the inbox button is not working on Outlook? 

Before moving to these workarounds:

  • You should consider clicking the X sign (Close button) from the top left corner to return to the parent folder/message list. 

1. Add Inbox to favorites

  1. Locate the Inbox folder in the Navigation pane, right-click, and select Add to favorites.Add to FAVORITES 1 Inbox button not working on Outlook
  2. To make the Favorites appear on the navigation pane, click View. 
  3. Then go to the Folder pane, and from the dropdown, select Favorites to enable it.Folder pane Favorites Inbox Button Not Working on Outlook

2. Switch to a different folder 

  1. From the navigation pane, click on the Drafts or Junk folder.Drafts or JUNK Inbox Button Not Working on Outlook
  2. Now click on the Inbox button to go to the inbox folder.

3. Run the Javascript on Chrome

3.1 Activate Javascript

  1. Launch Google Chrome.
  2. Click three dots from the upper right corner. 
  3. Go to Settings. Settings CHrome
  4. Click Privacy and security and then click Site settings.Site Settings Inbox Button Not Working on Outlook
  5. Click Javascript. JAVASCRIPT
  6. Select Sites can use Javascript. Site can use

3.2 Run the script

  1. Open the Outlook web app on Google Chrome.
  2. Press Ctrl + Shift + J.
  3. Click three dots, and choose More tools. 
  4. Select the Developers Resources option.Developer Resources Inbox Button Not Working on Outlook
  5. Go to the Console tab, click the blank space and copy and paste the following script and run it:
document.addEventListener('click', function(event) {        const alreadedSelectedDiv = event.target.closest('div[aria-selected="true"]');
        if (alreadedSelectedDiv) {
            handleAlreadySelectedClick(alreadedSelectedDiv);
            handleAlreadySelectedClick(alreadedSelectedDiv);
        }
    });
    function handleAlreadySelectedClick(selectedDiv) {
       // Code to execute when a selected div is clicked
        var nextTarget = selectedDiv.closest('[role="tree"]').querySelector('div[aria-selected="false"]');
        if(nextTarget){
            nextTarget.click();//click another folder
            selectedDiv.click();//click back to target folder
        }else{
            console.log("no other folders to click!");
        }
    }

Now try to use the Inbox button on the Outlook web app. 

4. Contact Microsoft Support

Contact Microsoft Support

If nothing worked for you, we advised you to contact the Microsoft Support team. Explain your issue to them, and they can help you. 

If you use multiple accounts on Outlook and want to get all the incoming emails in one folder, you can create a unified Inbox view.

We also have a guide on what to do if Outlook is not updating inbox, so be sure to check it out.

So, these are some ways to fix the inbox button not working on Outlook. Try these methods and let us know what worked in the comments section below. 

Fix Steam No Internet Connection Error in 4 Quick Steps

Many games that users actively play on Steam are online or require an Internet connection, so experiencing errors in this area can be very frustrating.

Now, let’s fix this Steam no Internet connection error together, so you can go back to playing with your friends.

How can I fix the No Internet connection error on Steam?

1. Troubleshoot your connection

  1. Test if your network connection is working.
  2. Restart your router (make sure you unplug the power cord and leave it for 30 seconds switched off).
  3. Right-click the network icon in the Taskbar and select Troubleshoot problems.
  4. Open a Command Prompt window by pressing Windows, typing cmd, and running the top result as an administrator.cmd-admin hp printer won't scan
  5. Type the following commands (one by one) and press Enter after each: ipconfig/release ipconfig/all ipconfig/flushdns ipconfig/renew netsh winsock reset ipconfig-release steam no network
  6. Try to run Steam again

2. Update your network driver

  1. Press the Windows key, search for Device Manager and click on Open under the top result.open-dev you need wia driver to use this device
  2. Expand Network Adapters, right-click the first driver, and select Update driver.network driver
  3. Select Search automatically for drivers. The Steam no Internet connection issue will be fixed.search for driver automatically

Would you like to also be able to enjoy quality gaming without having to constantly worry about any crashes, lags, or freezes by keeping all drivers up to date and error-free easily?

It’s true that sometimes, manual checks are hard to perform, that’s why we recommend using an automated assistant that will scan for fresh driver versions daily.

3. Use a VPN

If you are connected to the internet but Steam still won’t connect, there might be a problem with the server you are connecting to. You can use a VPN to connect to a server in a different region.

Connecting via a VPN is safe and fast and can be done in a matter of seconds. For good riddance, we provided some simple steps that you can follow to enjoy a VPN connection and solve the Steam internet problem.

Here are five simple steps (using ExpressVPN as an example):

  1. First, choose a plan and Download ExpressVPN
  2. Then, install it on your computer
  3. Open it, then select Choose Location
  4. Select a Recommended country or another one that you prefer
  5. Enjoy a new and safer Steam connection.

    4. Fix Steam No Internet connection error by running as Administrator

    A quick method to fix the Steam no Internet connection error is to run the .exe file as an Administrator.

    This can be configured from the app’s compatibility settings and usually helps fix most problems.

  1. 1. Navigate to your Steam installation folder.

    steam folder location
  2. 2. Right-click on the Steam executable and select Properties.

    steam properties windows
  3. 3. Click on the Compatibility tab and tick the box next to Run this program as an administrator.

  4. 4. Press the Apply button and close the window.

  5. 5. Check if the Steam no Internet connection error is gone.

By going through this guide you will find yourself one step closer to re-establishing your proper Steam Internet functions.

We can also help you with situations such as:

  • Could not connect to the Steam network error – On occasion, hardware failures like switches or routers might lead to network issues. Or by usage behaviors that weren’t expected. such as increases in network bandwidth and modifications to the application settings.

After doing so, you can go back to enjoying your favorite titles not alone; but with your friends and the rest of the users around the world.

The solutions provided above should fix the No Internet connection error for Steam without too much effort. Should you run into a travis riles connection error, check out our article on how to deal with it.

Let us know in the comments section below which method worked best for you and how easy was it to apply it.

Windows Terminal Not Working: 6 Ways to Enable or Reset It

Windows Terminal not working on your device is one of the most annoying issues you can encounter. It will prevent your access to the Command Prompt, PowerShell, Azure Cloud Shell, and other command-line tools. Hence, this article will discuss some easy fixes to resolve the problem.

Also, you may be interested in our article about the best Windows 11 Terminal emulators to install on your PC.

Why is the Windows Terminal not working?

Since Windows Terminal is a pre-installed program on Windows, the causes may vary. Some of the notable ones are:

  • Corrupt system files – Every service and program running on the computer are attributed to system files that help them function properly. So, the Windows Terminal may not work if the system files are corrupted or missing.
  • Malware and virus attacks – If you have virus or malware attacks on your computer, it can infect and block the communication between Windows Terminal and the system, resulting in the issue.
  • Issues with Windows Terminal installation files – The problem can occur if the system cannot read or run Windows Terminal from its installation directory, making it inaccessible.
  • Windows Terminal is disabled – The Windows Terminal might be available on the PC, but still won’t work because the app is disabled in Settings.

Fortunately, you can resolve the Windows Terminal not opening on Windows 11 by following the steps outlined below.

What can I do if the Windows Terminal is not working?

Before anything, go through the following:

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

1. Ensure Windows Terminal is enabled

  1. Press Windows + I key to open the Settings app.
  2. Click on Apps and select Advanced app settings.
  3. Select App execution aliases.
  4. Find Terminal from the list of apps and toggle it On.
  5. Try to access the Windows Terminal on your PC to see if it works.

Toggling Off and On the switch for Windows Terminal in App execution aliases performs a mini reset and refreshes its processes.

2. Run an SFC scan

  1. Left-click the Start button, type Command Prompt, and click the Run as administrator option.
  2. Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
  3. Type the following and press Enter: sfc /scannow 
  4. Restart your PC to see if the Windows Terminal works.

Performing an SFC scan will verify the integrity of your system files and repair the corrupt ones causing the issue.

Read our guide on how to fix the run as administrator option if it’s not working on your PC.

3. Repair and reset Windows Terminal via the Settings app

  1. Press Windows + I key to open the Settings app.
  2. Click on Apps, then select Installed apps.
  3. Locate the Terminal app, click on the three dots, and click on Advanced options.
  4. Click on the Repair button and wait until it’s complete.
  5. Then, click on the Reset button to complete the process.
  6. Try to open Windows Terminal and check if it works.

The Repair and Resetting option of the Windows Terminal will fix the corrupt installation files affecting it and restore it to the default healthy state.

4. Reset Windows Terminal via Command Prompt

  1. Left-click the Start button, type Command Prompt, and click the Run as administrator option.
  2. Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
  3. Copy and paste the following into the command bar, and press Enter: del /f /s /q /a "%LocalAppData%\Packages\Microsoft.WindowsTerminal_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\settings.json"
  4. Close the Command Prompt and check if you encounter the same issue when opening the Windows Terminal.

The above command line will reset Windows Terminal to the default settings and resolve configurations causing the problem.

If you encounter issues running the Command Prompt as an administrator on Windows 11, read our guide for quick fixes.

5. Uninstall and reinstall Windows Terminal from the Microsoft Store

  1. Press Windows + I key to open the Settings app.
  2. Click on Apps, then select Installed apps.
  3. Find the Terminal app, click on the three dots, and click on Uninstall.
  4. Close the Settings app.
  5. Left-click the Start button, type Microsoft Store, and launch it.
  6. Click on the search bar in the top-right corner, search for Windows Terminal, and click on the Get button in the top-left corner to install the app.
  7. After the process is complete, check if the Windows Terminal works.

Reinstalling Windows Terminal will fix faulty app issues affecting the program and install a verified version to improve performance.

You can read about how to resolve Microsoft Store not working in Windows 11.

6. Run System Restore

  1. Press Windows + R key to open the run dialog box, type control, then press Enter to open the Control Panel.
  2. Type recovery in the search bar and click on it to open.
  3. Then click Open System Restore.
  4. Click Next in the Restore system files and settings window.
  5. Choose the restore point and click Scan for affected programs.

System Restore will return the system to an earlier point, removing recent files, apps, drivers, and updates which may cause the Windows Terminal issue. Read our article on fixing Restore Point if it’s not working on your PC.

Alternatively, you can read how to download and install HyperTerminal for Windows 11. Also, we have a detailed guide on what to do if Command Prompt keeps crashing on your PC.

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

0x8007041d: What Does It Mean & How to Fix This Error Code

Running into the error code 0x8007041d during a Windows Update process prevents your system from downloading or installing updates. It is accompanied by the service did not respond to the start or check request in a timely fashion message. Hence, we will provide the possible solutions in this guide.

Meanwhile, we have a similar article on fixing the 0xc190011f Windows Update error.

What is the error code 0x8007041d?

Error code 0x8007041d: The service did not respond to the start or check request in a timely fashion indicates a malfunction in your system operation. It is a runtime error that occurs during the Windows update process.

Furthermore, the error is usually preceded by Windows running slowly and unresponsive to mouse or keyboard input. Also, it can crash any active windows on the screen.

What causes the error code 0×8007041d?

The 0x8007041d error message often appears as a result of some issues affecting the system, such as:

  • Issues with software installation or uninstallation – Alterations to the software running on your computer leave files and data residues stored on the system. These files may cause issues with the system’s functionality.
  • Incorrectly configured system settings – Some system configurations can impede the Windows updates process, resulting in delay and the time check error.
  • Corrupt system files – Windows error code 0x8007041d can occur due to the system files being corrupted. Hence, the ongoing process can’t access them.

Irrespective of the causes, the solutions outlined below should fix the error.

How can I fix the error code 0x8007041d?

Before proceeding with any advanced troubleshooting steps, try the following:

If you can’t resolve the error, proceed with the steps below:

1. Run a System File Checker (SFC) scan

  1. Left-click the Start button, type Command Prompt, and click the Run as administrator option.
  2. Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
  3. Type the following and press Enter: sfc /scannow
  4. Restart your PC and check if the 0x8007041d appears.

An SFC scan will detect and repair corrupt system files on your PC that may be causing the error. Check our guide on how to fix the run as administrator option if it’s not working on your PC.

2. Reset the time and date on your PC

  1. Press Windows + I key to open the Windows Settings app.
  2. Click on the Time & Language and select Date and time.
  3. Click on Change beside Set the date and time manually.
  4. Set the time correctly, then click Change to save and initiate the changes.
  5. Restart your PC and check if the Windows update error 0x8007041d persists.

Setting the correct time and date can fix the error and help the update process to use the appropriate region.

3. Reset the Windows Update process

  1. Left-click the Start button, type Command Prompt, and click the Run as administrator option.
  2. Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
  3. Type the following commands and press Enter after each one: net stop wuauserv  net stop cryptSvc  net stop bits  net stop msiserver
  4. Run the following command one after the other: ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old   ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
  5. Type the following commands and press Enter after each one: net start wuauserv  net start cryptSvc  net start bits  net start msiserver
  6. Exit the Command Prompt and restart your PC to see if you can resolve the problem.

The above steps will repair the Windows Update process and fix the problems.

4. Run System Restore

  1. Press Windows + R key to open the run dialog box, type control, then press Enter to open the Control Panel.
  2. Type recovery and select it from the options.
  3. Then click Open System Restore.
  4. Click Next in the Restore system files and settings window.
  5. Choose the restore point, then click Scan for affected programs.

Initiating this removes recent activities after the restore point, recovering the system to the previous point. Do not hesitate to read our guide on how to fix the restore point if it’s not working on your PC.

As an automatic alternative, you can try third-party software to replace all corrupt and damaged files with clean parts from its extensive database.

Conclusively, check how to fix the update error code 0x80070070 on Windows 11. Also, we have an article on fixing slow Windows updates.

For more questions or suggestions, kindly drop them in the comments section.

Gamepad Recognized But Not Working in Games? Try This!

If your gamepad is recognized by Windows but doesn’t work in games, it’s usually caused by USB port issues, outdated drivers, or XInput compatibility problems. Fortunately, these are easy to fix. Follow the steps below to get back to gaming.

What do I do if my PC controller is detected but not working?

1. Run Windows Troubleshooter

  1. Go to the Windows Search Bar, type Control Panel, and click on the relevant search result.
  2. Go to View by the option on the top right corner, and select Large icons.large icon to fix gamepad recognized but not working in games
  3. Select Troubleshooting.troubleshooting to fix gamepad recognized but not working in games
  4. Click the View all option on the left pane.view all to fix gamepad recognized but not working in games
  5. Chose Hardware and Devices, right-click on it, and select Run as Administrator.
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.

Running the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter should resolve the issue if you’re experiencing problems with a recently installed device or hardware on your computer.

2. Reinstall USB drivers

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.device manager to fix gamepad recognized but not working in games
  2. Find Universal Serial Bus controllers and double-click on them to expand the section.Universal serial bus controllers
  3. Right-click on the USB Composite device and Mass Storage device and select Uninstall device.uninstall to fix gamepad recognized but not working in games
  4. Click Uninstall in the confirmation prompt.uninstall
  5. Repeat for all other problematic devices.
  6. Reboot your computer.

Once you restart the computer, Windows will automatically reinstall USB controllers on your PC and run the devices properly.

Alternatively, if Windows cannot accurately identify the device, you can use a third-party driver updater such as Fortect Driver Updater.

3. Remove ghost devices

  1. Press Windows + S to open the Search menu, enter Device Manager in the text field, and click on the relevant search result.device manager
  2. Click on the View menu, and enable the Show hidden devices setting.show hidden devices to fix gamepad recognized but not working in games
  3. Now, expand Human Interface Devices, Sound, video and game controllers, and Universal Serial Bus controllers list, and look for lighter and more transparent devices.sections
  4. If any are found, right-click on them and select Uninstall device.uninstall device to fix gamepad recognized but not working in games
  5. Next, click on Uninstall in the confirmation box that pops up.uninstall
  6. Close Device Manager and reboot the computer.

Ghost devices are devices that are no longer attached to your PC. Windows kept a record of these devices, but the information was not removed when the device was unattached. And this often leads to conflicts.

4. Restart the PC in Safe Mode

  1. Press the Windows key + R.
  2. Type msconfig and press Enter.run msconfig
  3. Select the Boot tab.
  4. Under Boot options, check the Safe boot option.system configurations safe boot

When you boot Windows into Safe Mode, it will load with limited files, services, and drivers if the gamepad problem isn’t there while in Safe Mode, then your default settings and primary drivers are not contributing to the issue.

5. Remove duplicate devices

Note icon NOTE
Before executing the steps listed here, boot your computer into Safe Mode.
  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run command, enter devmgmt.msc, and click OK.devmgmt.msc
  2. Again, double-click on Human Interface Devices, Sound, video and game controllers, and Universal Serial Bus controllers to expand them.
  3. Now, locate all duplicate entries, right-click on them individually, and select Uninstall device.uninstall
  4. Confirm the same by clicking on Uninstall in the prompt.uninstall
  5. Close Device Manager and boot your computer normally (not Safe Mode).

While deleting the entries in the Device Manager, remove only the duplicate ones and not both. Once done, verify if the gamepad is recognized but not working in the problem of the game is resolved. If it’s still there, head to the last method.

6. Contact your gamepad device’s manufacturer

As a final resort, you can contact the gamepad’s manufacturer for more on how to resolve the issue. Any device manufacturer has a website where you can find contact options.

Usually, you can also find FAQs and knowledge base articles on the manufacturer’s website that may address the problem. If that doesn’t help, look for a live chat option or drop the support team an email.

How do I test my gamepad on Windows

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run command and enter joy.CPL in the text field, and click OK.joy.cpl
  2. Select the connected gamepad, and click on Properties.properties
  3. Head to the Test tab, and you can now follow the on-screen instructions to test the gamepad.test to fix gamepad recognized but not working in games

Windows offers a simple and effective built-in tool to test the gamepad in Windows 10 and 11. Besides, you could also use a website like Gamepad Tester for the purpose.

And, of course, if nothing else works, there’s always the option to perform a system restore, or reset Windows 11 to its factory settings.

Why Is My Gamepad Detected but Not Working?

If your controller shows up in Device Manager or the “Set up USB Game Controllers” panel but won’t work in games, common causes include:

  • A bad USB connection
  • XInput/DInput compatibility issues
  • Outdated or missing drivers
  • Ghost or duplicate devices in Device Manager
  • System misconfigurations or corrupted drivers

These are all the ways to solve gamepad issues on Windows and enjoy your gaming session without the OS or the controller throwing any errors. Besides, if you find that the controller only works in Steam and not other games, disable Steam input!

Also, check the best controllers compatible with Windows, and enjoy the gameplay like it’s supposed to. For a more detailed walkthrough, see our full guide on how to fix gamepad issues on Windows.

Let us know in the comments section whether these steps and solutions worked for you.

How to Move Windows to SSD: Migrate the OS Without File Loss

Windows 10 already has improved booting time compared to previous versions of Windows, but moving it from a regular HDD to a new SDD will enhance the system’s booting time and overall performance even more. However, many users wonder if they can move the OS to an SSD without losing data. 

There are a couple of ways to transfer your system data from your current HDD to a new SDD, and we will discuss them all in this article.

The simplest solution is probably performing a clean install on the SSD drive, but you will lose all your data and have to install all your programs again.

And it could take even more time than moving an already-installed operating system. But you might choose this path if you don’t like to experiment.

Installing a fresh copy of Windows 10 on an SSD drive is no different than installing it on an HDD. First, you have to format your current system partition and then just install the fresh copy of Windows 10 on an SSD.

Can I move Windows to my SSD? Yes, you can move Windows to your SSD, and it can provide several benefits, such as improved boot and load times, faster application launch, and improved overall system responsiveness.

The benefits of moving Windows to an SSD include the following:

  • Faster boot times – SSDs have significantly faster write and read speeds than traditional hard drives, which means your computer will boot up more quickly.
  • Faster application launch – Since applications are stored on your SSD, they’ll load faster than on a traditional hard drive.
  • Improved system responsiveness – With an SSD, your computer will feel more responsive overall. Applications will launch faster, and you can navigate your files and folders more quickly.
  • Increased durability and reliability – SSDs don’t have any moving parts; hence they’re less likely to fail due to physical damage. This makes them more durable and reliable than traditional hard drives.

You can move your OS with the techniques we highlight below.

How do I move Windows to SSD?

Before you go into the solutions we offer, you must back up your data because if something goes wrong, you might lose it forever, and it will be required for the process.

When you back up your drive, it’s time to get rid of the additional disk space because SSDs have much less space than regular hard disks, so we want your system partition to fit on the SSD drive.

    Use a dedicated tool to move Windows from HDD to SSD

    You can transfer your system data from your HDD to a SSD using a dedicated tool. We recommend Laplink PCMover, a small desktop application that can help you to easily move all your files, settings, and user profiles to your SSD.

    With Laplink PCMover, the whole process is hassle-free, extremely user-friendly, and intuitive. The programs are installed and ready to use right away. You don’t need OS images, DVDs, download links, OS keys, or similar. You just need to configure the transfer and the tool will do the rest for you!

  1. 1. First, click on Get Laplink PCMover to download the app on both your computer and your SSD. (Make sure the SSD is connected to your computer at all stages of the process.)

  2. 2. Install Laplink PCMover.

  3. 3. Then, open the tool on both your PC and SSD.

  4. 4. Choose which network method you will use to connect your systems for the transfer. Laplink recommends using WiFi.

  5. 5. Then follow the on-screen prompts to allow the tool to discover the SSD (seen as New PC).

    use laplink pcmover to transfer OS
  6. 6. Once the two are connected, open Laplink PCMover on the SSD.

  7. 7. Click on Analyze PC, then follow the prompts to customize what you want to be transferred.

    transfer OS with laplink
  8. 8. After the transfer is complete, your OS will have been moved from your HDD to your SSD. It will take a few hours for the process to finish.

2. Use a specialized tool

  1. First, you must download and install the AOMEI Backupper on your machine.
  2. Then, you need to connect your hard drive to your computer.
  3. Now, go to the Clone option on the right one and select System Clone to launch the process. AOMEI backupper system clone
  4. Your machine should now display a new window asking you where you want to move the OS files. Select your SSD and confirm your choice.windows 10 move SSD
  5. Hit Next and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process. It’s as simple as that.

If Windows doesn’t activate after the cloning process is complete, follow this guide to solve the problem.

And that’s about that; your Windows 10 is now successfully moved to the SSD drive, and it will perform much faster.

How to move only Windows 10 to an SSD?

  1. Connect your SSD to the PC and ensure Windows recognize it.
  2. Open the Disk Management utility by pressing the Windows key + X and selecting Disk Management.
    how to move windows to ssd
  3. Right-click on the partition containing Windows and choose Shrink Volume.
    how to move windows to ssd
  4. Shrink the volume to a size smaller than the SSD’s capacity.
  5. Create a new partition on the SSD by right-clicking on the unallocated space and selecting New Simple Volume.
    how to move windows to ssd
  6. On your new partition, assign a drive letter.
  7. Download and install cloning software such as EaseUS Todo Backup.
  8. Launch the software and select the System Clone option to clone your hard drive.
    how to move windows to ssd
  9. Select the source partition containing Windows and the destination partition on the SSD.
  10. Start the cloning process and wait for it to complete.
  11. Shut down your computer and disconnect the HDD.
  12. Restart your PC and go into the BIOS by pressing the corresponding Function key for your device.
  13. Set the SSD as the primary boot device.
  14. Start your computer and ensure that everything works correctly.

If you want to reinstall your Windows 10 apps on the new drive, check out this guide for a seamless transition.

That would be all; we presented you with a complete guide on moving your Windows 10 system from your old HDD partition to the SSD and getting everything to work.

If you followed our instructions and successfully moved your system to the SSD, please tell us your impressions in the comments section below, and we’ll be sure to take a look.

Edit Group Policy in Windows 10: Everything You Need to Know

You may need to edit Group Policy in Windows 10. So, in this guide, we will explore the best options to go about this.

What is group policy in Windows 10? Group Policy is a feature of MS Windows operating systems that allows administrators to centrally manage and configure settings for users and computers within an Active Directory environment.

In addition, it provides a way for administrators to define and enforce policies and settings for groups of users or computers.

In Windows 10, Group Policy manages various settings, including security, network, application, and many other system settings. For example, with Group Policy, administrators can configure password policies, user rights and permissions, software installation and updates, and more.

Group Policy settings are in Group Policy Objects (GPOs) and apply to users or computers based on their membership in Active Directory groups.

You may apply them at the local, domain, or organizational unit (OU) levels, allowing administrators to target specific groups of users or computers with different policies. The utility is a powerful tool for managing and configuring Windows 10 environments consistently and efficiently.

How can I edit the Group Policy in Windows 10?

1. Use Local Security Policy

    Normally, the use of the Group Policy could be accessed via the Gpedit option but in Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Pro we have something similar to this option, called Local Security Policy, or Secpol.

    This tool controls the security of the local Group Policy. Therefore, you can edit the Group Policy through Secpol.

  1. 1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard. This will open the search box.

  2. 2. Type secpol.msc or Local in the search box.

  3. 3. Now left click on the Local Security Policy result to open the app.

  4. 4. In the Security settings folder you will find Local Policies. Double click on it.

    edit local group policy windows 10
  5. 5. Select one of the categories you wish to edit by double-clicking on it. For example, you can edit Security options.

  6. 6. On the right side of the window you will have there two tabs: Policy and Security settings.

  7. 7. In order to disable or enable the group policies, you just need to double click in the box next to the policy under the Security setting tab and select from there the option you want.

    For example you can choose Disable or Enable.

    local security policy edit

In the basic edition, you can edit the Group Policy via Gpedit.msc by following the steps above and replacing secpol.msc with Gpedit.msc.

Also, note that in the basic edition of Windows, you do not have the Secpol tool.

2. Use Group Policy Editor

  1. To limit other users’ access to particular Windows components, go to Administrative Templates under the User Configuration section.
  2. Select the feature you want to edit, and enable or disable access to the respective feature.
    edit group policy windows 10

There you have a few short steps to edit the group policies in Windows 10.

You will succeed using any of the methods covered in this guide. However, note that you will not have access to Group Policy on the Home edition of the OS.

Lastly, if you have anything to add to this article or if you find it useful, let us know below.

How to Change DNS Settings on Windows 11

Your ISP configuration provides a default Domain Name System (DNS) when setting up your internet connection. This poses all sorts of security threats and slows the internet speed making it necessary to manually assign the DNS servers.

Go through this detailed guide to learn how to change DNS settings on Windows 11 computers and secure your online presence.  

How can I change the DNS settings on Windows 11? 

1. Use the Settings app

  1. Head over to the Settings app using the Windows + I shortcut.
  2. Select Network & internet from the left sidebar and choose Wi-Fi or Ethernet from the right section, depending on your internet connection.Change DNS Settings on Windows 11
  3. Scroll down and select Hardware properties.Change DNS Settings on Windows 11
  4. Locate the DNS server assignment setting and click the Edit button next to it.Change DNS Settings on Windows 11
  5. This will open the Edit DNS settings popup. Here, expand the drop-down on the top and choose Manual instead of Automatic (DHCP).
  6. Next, enable the toggle for either IPv4 or IPv6, based on the IP connection type. Change DNS Settings on Windows 11
  7. Now provide the primary DNS server address in the Preferred DNS field followed by a secondary DNS server address in the Alternate DNS field. (For instance, 8.8.8.8 is the preferred DNS address, and 8.8.4.4 alternative DNS address for Google’s DNS server)Change DNS Settings on Windows 11
  8. If you wish to enable the DNS over HTTPS feature to encrypt DNS requests, choose Encrypted only (DNS over HTTPS) for both Preferred DNS Encryption and Alternate DNS Encryption dropdowns.Change DNS Settings on Windows 11
  9. Press the Save button once you are done with the changes. 

You can easily change DNS settings on Windows 11 via the Settings app to speed up the browsing and avoid security issues. Enabling Encryption and defining the DNS with IPv4 and IPv6 protocols ensures that the network communication is much more secure. 

You can improve both speed and security by switching to a trusted resolver, and OpenDNS is a reliable option for safer browsing. Learn more in this guide on OpenDNS free DNS.

Note icon NOTE
Before you change the DNS settings on Windows 11 PC, ensure that your ISP supports manual DNS servers and is not configured by default to use the ISP’s DNS servers only.

2. Use Control Panel 

  1. Use the Windows + R shortcut to launch the Run command window, type the following command and press OK. This will directly open the Network Connections in Control Panel. ncpa.cplChange DNS Settings on Windows 11
  2. Right-click the Wi-Fi or Ethernet connection, depending on your connection type, and choose Properties from the context menu.Change DNS Settings on Windows 11
  3. This will open the Wi-Fi Properties window. Double-click the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) located under the This connection uses the following items section.Change DNS Settings on Windows 11
  4. On the new popup, enable Use the following DNS server addresses option and provide the Preferred DNS server and Alternative DNS server addresses in their respective fields. (For instance, to use Cloudflare DNS servers, assign 1.1.1.1 as Preferred DNS and 1.0.0.1 as Alternative DNS).Change DNS Settings on Windows 11 
  5. Press the OK button to save the changes. 

Many of our readers prefer Control Panel to change the DNS settings of their Windows 11 PC. Though it is one of the oldest ways to configure DNS settings, it does not allow you to enable DNS encryption for the servers.

3. Use Command Prompt

  1. Press the Windows key, type cmd in the search bar, and choose Run as administrator, located on the right pane.Change DNS Settings on Windows 11
  2. Click the Yes button on the User Access Control popup.
  3. In the Command Prompt window, type or copy-paste the following command and press the Enter key. Replace Preferred DNS with the primary DNS address of your preferred server. netsh interface ipv4 set dnsservers Wi-Fi Static Preferred DNS primaryChange DNS Settings on Windows 11
  4. Next, type or copy-paste the below command to assign an alternate DNS server and press the Enter key. Replace Alternate DNS with the secondary DNS server address.  netsh interface ipv4 add dnsservers Wi-Fi Alternate DNS index=2Change DNS Settings on Windows 11
  5. To reset the Manual DNS settings to Automatic (DHCP), type the following command and press the Enter key. netsh interface ip set dns "Local Area Connection" dhcpChange DNS Settings on Windows 11

If you use a wired ethernet connection, replace Wi-Fi with Ethernet in the above commands.

We also recommend reading our guide to diagnose & fix the most common DNS issues hogging your Windows computer.

4. Use Windows PowerShell

  1. Press the Windows key, type powershell, and select Run as administrator from the right section.
  2. Type and copy-paste the following command and press the Enter key to find out the InterfaceIndex of your current network configuration. Get-NetAdapter | Select-Object InterfaceAlias , InterfaceIndexChange DNS Settings on Windows 11
  3. Now, type or copy-paste the following command and hit Enter to assign the Primary DNS server address. Replace N with InterfaceIndex of your current network: Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceIndex N -ServerAddresses 8.8.8.8Change DNS Settings on Windows 11
  4. If you also want to assign an Alternate DNS address, you need type the address after adding a comma: Set-DnsClientServerAddress -InterfaceIndex N -ServerAddresses 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4Change DNS Settings on Windows 11

The NetTCPIP module allows you to change the DNS server settings using Windows PowerShell on Windows 11.

So, these are all the possible ways to modify DNS settings on your Windows 11 system. 

You may also be looking for ways to resolve the can’t connect to this network error if it frequents your Windows PC. 

Now that you know how to change the DNS, be sure to check our guide on how to find the fastest DNS servers near you.

If you face any issues when changing the DNS settings, contact us in the comments section for guidance. 

0x8007045d: What Does This Error Mean & How to Fix It

0x8007045d is a common error code that you might get when you try to install an update through Windows Update or from the Microsoft site. When you see this error message, it means that Windows Update cannot continue because it has difficulties reading files from your system.

Usually, the error is accompanied by the request could not be performed because of an i/o device error message. Sometimes, restarting your PC could resolve most of the Windows update errors, but if you’re stuck, here are more troubleshooting steps.

What is error code 0x8007045d? 

Error code 0x8007045d is a Windows update error. It occurs when Windows Update has difficulties reading files from the Microsoft servers. This can happen due to any one of the following reasons:

  • Firewall blocking – The update may be blocked by an antivirus or firewall program installed on your computer.
  • Insufficient storage – Windows updates usually occupy a significant amount of space in your hard drive. It may fail if you don’t have enough free space to install the update.
  • Corrupt update – The update itself may be corrupt or damaged. 
  • Bad registry files – If your Registry has been modified, some entries may end up broken or corrupted and interfere with the update.
  • Incomplete download – If the update did not finish downloading successfully, most of its files will be incomplete, probably because some update files are missing, and the error 0x8007045d may appear.
  • Damaged hard drive – If your hard drive has been damaged, it will be impossible for update files to read any files as their integrity has already been compromised.

How can I fix error code 0x8007045d?

Check off the basics before any advanced troubleshooting:

1. Run the Windows update troubleshooter

  1. Hit the Windows key and click on Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Click on System, then Troubleshoot.Open system troubleshooter
  3. Select Other troubleshooters.other troubleshooters
  4. Locate Windows Update and click the Run button next to it.windows-update-run-troubleshooter runtimebroker.exe error

2. Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

  1. Hit the Windows key, type cmd, and select Run as administrator.cmd-run-admin-w11 unexpected kernel mode trap windows 11
  2. Type the following command and hit Enter: msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic
  3. In the Hardware and Devices dialog that appears, click Next.
  4. The tool will start scanning for any problems with your hardware and recommend a fix. After it is done, try again with Windows update and check if the error persists.

3. Run the DISM and SFC commands

  1. Hit the Windows key, type cmd, and select Run as administrator.cmd-run-admin-w11 unexpected kernel mode trap windows 11
  2. Type the following commands and press Enter after each one: dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth sfc /scannow
  3. Now restart your PC.

4. Reset the Windows Update components 

  1. Hit the Windows key, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.cmd-run-admin-w11 unexpected kernel mode trap windows 11
  2. Type in the following commands and press Enter after each one: net stop wuauserv net stop cryptsvc net stop bits net stop msiserver ren %systemroot%\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.bak ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver 

5. Perform a Clean boot 

  1. Hit the Windows + R keys to open the Run command.
  2. Type in msconfig and hit Enter.
  3. In the System Configuration window that opens, navigate to the Services tab and check Hide all Microsoft services option.
  4. Click on Disable all.
  5. Restart your PC normally.

6. Perform a System Restore

  1. Click the Search icon, type create restore point and click Open.
  2. Select the drive you wish to enable system restore for and click on Configure.
  3. Now select Turn on system protection. Set the Max Usage value and click on Apply and OK to save changes.
  4. Go back and repeat step 1.
  5. When the System Properties window opens, click on Create.system properties create restore point windows 11
  6. Enter the desired name for the restore point and then click the Create button.create a restore point windows 11 name
  7. Wait while Windows creates the restore point.
  8. Press the Windows + R keys, type rstui, and hit Enter.
  9. Select the restore point you wish to revert to and click on Next.
  10. Now click on Finish.

You may also encounter problems when installing updates, so don’t hesitate to check out our detailed article for solutions.

Given how frequently Windows update errors occur, it would be best to consider installing Windows update repair tools to help you easily navigate these issues.

Let us know of any additional thoughts you may have on this update error in the comment section below.

8 Best Call Management Software for Windows PCs [2026 Guide]

There are various call management tools on the market these days, but not all of them come packed with the best features you might need.

Depending on what business you run, you need a tool that provides you with all the necessary features to make call managing become a walk in the park.

Why do I need call management software?

If you run a call center or require call support for your business, you must have a call management tool. With these tools, you can reduce call waiting time almost to zero and keep the data smartly organized.

These tools let you automate small calls and record all kinds of information. Here, we have mentioned the best options for call manager software with their salient features to make your choice easier.

Which are the best call manager software for Windows 10?

RingCentral – Great call management features

Call Management Software for Windows - RingCentral

If you are in a position where you need to conduct business in communications outside the office and you frequently use your phone for communication, you surely understand the struggle between professionalism and communication from afar.

The best solution in this situation is to have Cloud-based phone systems technology integrated into your business management, like RingCentral.  

That being stated, RingCentral tools can assist you in conducting business on the move while keeping the appropriate degree of professionalism when conducting business outside the office.

Features like the RingCentral ones provide you the flexibility and control you need to feel at peace even when you’re not at work. Keep your company at a click’s distance. 

Because of their extensive feature sets and ability to allow communication from anywhere, cloud-based phone systems are quickly becoming the new norm for organizations.

Check out RingCentral’s key features:

  • Customizable call routing to ensure calls go to the right individual
  • Integrates with other business tools, including Microsoft Outlook, Google Workspace, and Salesforce
  • Call Logs to read and edit reports on all incalls, outcalls, and faxes effortlessly
  • Comes with an Advanced Call Forwarding feature.
  • Includes collaboration tools, including screen sharing and messaging.

RingCentral

Improve your business communication and try this Cloud-based phone system technology tool.
Check price Visit Website

Nextiva – Best for call quality and data storage

Nextiva

Nextiva, the award winner for first place in business phone software in 2021, is the next-generation call management software.

Instead of dealing with strategic mistakes at the moment, you may avoid them with a focused and documented call center plan.

Nextiva is powerful due to their devoted work for phone business management, which includes a wealth of beneficial recommendations on how to really enhance team efficiency on their blog.

Nextiva has a fantastic pricing range, and the free calls throughout the United States and Canada are very good for your financial resources, and we can’t unsee they have a far more helpful impact.

You also receive a free local or toll-free number, free number porting, and all of the regular features like caller ID, call forwarding, routing, unique greetings, and more.

Nextiva also provides Live Chat, online surveys, call analytics, and other tools that integrate well with the phone service as a platform.

These are the characteristics that have propelled Nextiva to the top of the rankings:

  • Reduces distracting static sound for better and clear discussions
  • Send and receive limitless faxes swiftly
  • Comes with a voicemail feature
  • Provides integrations with popular CRMs
  • Lets you integrate your existing calender into your workspace

Nextiva

A brilliant VoIP phone service cloud-based platform that businesses can adopt.
Check Price Visit Website

CloudTalk – Best for virtual call centers

CloudTalk - Call Management Software for Windows

CloudTalk is an excellent virtual call management platform for companies activating customer service or sales.

This solution allows you to build a virtual call center with very little equipment. You no longer need to develop complex call networks and buy countless pieces of hardware. Use CloudTalk and upgrade your business to the latest technology standards.

If you already use particular CRM solutions, you don’t have to replace them. CloudTalk supports native integration and syncing with some of the most popular business tools, such as Salesforce, Zendesk, Hubspot, and more.

CloudTalk offers real-time analytics tools that allow business owners to track the performance of their call center agents in real-time. In this manner, supervisors can step in and improve communication quality when need be.

Check other key features of CloudTalk:

  • Real-time call monitoring
  • Number porting
  • Business hours for status availability
  • Includes IVR system for call routing
  • Allows you to integrate with CRMs and Helpdesk software

CloudTalk

Call centers worldwide use CloudTalk to manage their analytics, so you know that it is well worth a try.
Check Price Visit Website

TalkRoute – Best for session recording

Talkroute

TalkRoute is an outstanding call management software with various useful and advanced features to help you call, text, and start meeting sessions more easily.

This program allows you to fully customize every detail of your virtual phone service, including your call routing, greetings, schedules, and many others.

With TalkRoute, you have the potential of an enterprise-level phone system, and you can make and receive calls from any desktop, browser, or smartphone without buying special equipment.

Moreover, you have the ability to video conference up to 100 team colleagues and partners and record the meeting sessions effortlessly.

You can share your screen with your meeting participants, chat, collaborate by applying the whiteboard feature, and share files.

Other key features include:

  • Forward or route the business calls
  • Manage business voicemail
  • Records incoming and outgoing calls
  • Easy-to-use transfer codes
  • Make & receive calls from different platforms

TalkRoute

Communicate better and receive multiple calls at once with this amazing app.
Free Trial Visit Website

LiveAgent – Best for customer relationship maintaining

LiveAgent - Best Call Management Software for Windows

All your favorite cloud call center features are now built into your very own LiveAgent helpdesk. You will be able to receive unlimited inbound calls from customers. This program will provide follow-up or proactive support with outbound calls.

LiveAgent provides you with endless possibilities to provide a seamless customer experience over chat, email, and phone.

You will be able to receive calls from your website, and all you have to do is place a Call Us button on your website and start receiving calls immediately.

Take a look at more interesting features of LiveAgent below:

  • Connect to your VoIP provider, and choose from pre-made integrations
  • Allows you to make unlimited internal calls
  • Lets you connect with your customers with outbound or follow-up calls
  • Can transfer calls to specific extensions and wait for their pick-up
  • Allows you to set active hours

LiveAgent

Improve your company’s relationship with your customers with this brilliant call management service.
Check Price Visit Website

Bitrix24 – Best for call distribution with ICR

Bitrix24

Bitrix24 is a free call management software that gives you the option for even call distribution. This means that incoming calls are distributed evenly between your employees according to set order.

You can also have a simultaneous call distribution when all available agents hear the ring, and the first one to respond will carry on with the conversation.

On the official website of this tool, you will also find the Bitrix24 CRM manual, and if you are interested in buying self-hosted editions of Bitrix24 that come with API, CMS, and a source code, you can also download the trial version.

Check out more impressive features of this software:

  • Provides you with Intelligent Call Routing (ICR)
  • lets you set up your active hours
  • Provides internal employee extension numbers
  • Automatically log and record phone calls
  • Can work with your existing phone number

⇒ Get Bitrix24

Bonrix Voice Call Manager – Best for simplest features

Bonrix Voice Call Manager - Best Call Management software for Windows

Bonrix Voice Call Manager is free software that can be used on your PC. It was developed for Windows 7, 32-bit version. The software’s installer file is known as VoiceCallManager.exe.

It’s important to note that this program is the intellectual property of Bonrix Voice Call Manager. The antivirus check showed that the program’s download is safe, so you don’t have to worry about anything safety-related.

You should know that this communication technique of bulk voice calls comes with a significant advantage. We are referring to the fact that it results in the most penetrative reach and personalized messages that will turn out to be really useful.

Take a look at the best features that are packed into this software:

  • Customize their call routing based on time, location, and language
  • Includes SMS/Text messaging
  • Allows you to integrate a variety of business tools, including CRMs
  • Records call and provide options to store them.
  • Includes IVR system

⇒ Get Bonrix Voice Call Manager

PhoneView – Best for endpoint management

PhoneView

PhoneView is a Cisco Phone endpoint management solution that allows advanced manipulation of one or more phones.

The tool is a certified Cisco-compatible product that completed the full inter-operability verification testing, and this means that you can be confident of its performance.

PhoneView is one of the leading Cisco phone remote control solutions that are available these days, and it will provide unique user interface features. This tool comes with an extended set of features for phone management for PC.

You can visit the UnifiedFX official website to find out more about PhoneView and to get it yourself. PhoneView is a client app that installs on Windows PCs. It allows you to visualize all phones, and you can also zoom in and out of phone screens.

With remote phone interaction, you can experience nearly real-time communication and have the ability to see exactly what the user is seeing.

Check out the most important features that come with PhoneView:

  • Quick and simple filtering
  • Historical logs of interactions with all phones
  • Extensive List of Phone Commands
  • Allows you to migrate users to extension mobility
  • Bulk management of the login state

⇒ Get PhoneView

This guide is part of our Business Software Hub. Do check it out for more ideas on how you can boost your business. For more amazing lists like this one, check out our website’s Software section.

These are some of the best call manager programs that you’ll be able to find on the market these days, and they’re all packed with unique and useful features.

We recommend you head over to their official website and check out more details on these programs.

If you need more help in choosing the call management software, feel free to let us know in the comments below. We will be happy to help!

Fix: Path of Exile Login Error There has Been a Patch

Just like a few users, you may have encountered the Path of Exile login error there has been a patch while playing the game.

This is a known error affecting the Path of Exile player base for a while now. Players have often attempted to log in or switch servers, but that did not work.

While you can try to run the game as an administrator to see if it helps, you can also report this error to the game developer. However, you may have to wait longer till they fix it.

If you instead bump into PoE failed to connect to the instance, we also have a detailed post on that.

Why does the Path of Exile There has been a patch error message appear?

From user experience, a few things may lead to the Path of Exile login error. At the top of the list are the following:

  • Recent game update – The most likely cause of this error message is that the game has recently received an update, which requires all players to download and install the new patch before being able to log in again. 
  • Internet connection issues – If your connection is slow or unreliable, you may be unable to download the patch or connect to the game servers to authenticate your account. 
  • Firewall or antivirus software blocking access – Sometimes, your computer’s firewall or antivirus software may block access to the game or its servers. 
  • Corrupted files – If some game files have become corrupted or damaged, you may experience login errors or other issues when launching the game. 
  • Outdated game client or drivers – It’s also possible that the game client or your graphics card drivers are outdated, which can cause compatibility issues or prevent the game from running correctly.

While Path of Exile is a top-rated game, it often throws errors as you try to log in. Below is a few most common Path of Exile login errors:

  • Login error: Operation timed out – You may see this error message when there’s a problem with the POE servers.
  • Unable to log in after the patch – Even after you have updated the patch, it will repeatedly re-download the patch.

Now that we have some information on the different types of POE login errors, below are a few methods you can try to fix the problem.

How can I fix the Path of Exile login error there has been a patch?

Before going through the recommended solutions, check if your device meets the system requirements, as shown in the table below. Ensure you have enough RAM to run Path of Exile based on the minimum system requirements.

PropertiesMinimum RequirementsRecommended Requirements
Memory4GB8GB
Graphics CardNVIDIA GeForce GTX 650NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
CPUIntel Core 2 Duo E8400Intel Core i7-960
File Size20GB20GB
OSWindows XP SP3/Windows 7 SP1/Windows 8Windows 7 SP1/Windows 10

1. Fix outdated drivers using third-party tools

  1. Download the Outbyte Driver Updater from the official website.
  2. Install the app and launch it.
  3. After installation, click the Update All Drivers Now button.
  4. Wait for the update to complete.

Using this tool makes automatic driver updates a breeze. You will also be able to fix all outdated and corrupted drivers simultaneously.

2. Adjust the game parameters

2.1 Add no patch parameter

  1. Go to the POE shortcut, right-click, and select Properties. Right-click on POE and select Properties
  2. In the Properties dialogue box, under the Shortcut tab, go to Target.
  3. Now, copy and paste the below path in the Target field: "C:\Program Files\Grinding Gear Games\Path of Exile\PathOfExile.exe" --nopatchCopy and paste no patch path in Shortcut
  4. Press Apply and OK to save the changes.

2.2 Turn the texture quality down

  1. Press the Win + E shortcut keys to open the File Explorer window.
  2. Next, navigate to the below path replacing afamo with your username: C:\Users\afamo\Documents\My Games\Path of Exile\production_Config.ini
    Change texture quality for POE
  3. To reduce the texture quality further, change the quality to 2 from 1 in texture_quality under Display.

2.3 Try deleting the HashCache.dat file

  1. Press the Win + E keys simultaneously to open the File Explorer window.
  2. Navigate to the POE folder. The path should look something like this: C:\Program Files (x86)\Grinding Gear Games\Path of Exiledelete HashCache.dat file
  3. Locate the HashCache.dat file, select it, and hit Delete.

You can now try running the game as an administrator and check if you can play POE without any errors.

3. Verify the game file’s integrity using Command Prompt

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Type cmd in the search bar and press the CTRL + Shift + Enter keys to open the elevated Command Prompt. open elevated command prompt by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Enter together
  3. Copy and paste the below path in the Command Prompt (admin) window and hit Enter: cd /d "C:\Program Files (x86)\Grinding Gear Games\Path of Exile"
    run command to open POE folder
  4. Once you see the Path of Exile folder location, execute the below command and press Enter: runas /user:Administrator PackCheck.exerun command to run POE as administrator
  5. You may need to enter the Administrator password.

Then, try to run the game, and Path of Exile should not keep kicking you out anymore.

Moreover, you can also run the pack check, add POE to the antivirus/firewall whitelist, or update the graphics card to fix the issue. To know more, refer to our detailed guide on Path of Exile issues.

If you are still facing a problem while playing the Path of Exile game, or if you found a way to fix it, leave a comment in the comments box below.

State of Decay 2 Session Error Code 10: 4 Permanent Fixes

More recently, players are experiencing the State of Decay 2 session error. You probably fall in this category, so that we will be helping you through it.

There are a lot of games trying to ride a trend of survival-zombie-apocalyptic scenery. And we can say that State of Decay 2 has something to offer to this genre. Mainly because it provides a tremendous multiplayer co-op experience (up to 4 players in a team) and RPG elements.

So, let us get you through this fix, so you return to enjoying one of your favorites.

Why does the State of Decay 2 session error appear on PC?

State of Decay 2 is a survival game that can be played on PC, among other platforms. One of the issues that players may encounter while playing the game is a session error. Session errors can happen for various reasons, and some possible causes include the following:

  • Internet connectivity issues – If your internet connection is unstable or slow, you may experience session errors while playing State of Decay 2. 
  • Firewall or antivirus software – If you have a firewall or antivirus software installed on your PC, it may block the game’s network traffic, causing session errors. 
  • Outdated game or drivers – If you play the game with outdated game files or drivers, you may experience session errors. 
  • Server issues – Sometimes, session errors may occur due to server issues on the game’s end. 

Regardless of the cause, it would be best if you succeeded using some of the solutions we suggest below.

How can I fix the State of Decay 2 session error?

Before going through these solutions, try changing your internet connection. We recommend detailed connection troubleshooting to ensure you’re (or your PC, instead) not the one to blame for the issue. You may do any of the following:

  1. Check the Firewall
  2. Update Windows
  3. Run the Troubleshooter
  4. Fix the Teredo adapter

1. Check the Firewall

  1. Type cmd in the Windows Search bar and click Run as administrator.
  2. In the command line, type the following command and press Enter: netsh advfirewall show currentprofilestate of decay 2 error code 10
  3. The inbound policy should be allowed, and the outbound not. Otherwise, copy-paste this command and press Enter to reset the rules: netsh advfirewall set currentprofile firewallpolicy blockinbound,allowoutboundstate of decay 2 error code 10
  4. Finally, reboot the PC and start the game or run the troubleshooter below.

Allowing the game to communicate freely through Windows Firewall is paramount. That should be automatically administered after the game’s installed.

However, due to the Peer-2-Peer nature of the game, there are some additional tweaks you’ll need to follow through. Namely, this game requires a common inbound/outbound set of rules.

We say common, but there’s a chance that, for some reason, your machine is configured differently.

We recommend resetting Firewall privacy to default values to connect to a co-op multiplayer mode with other players.

There’s a great chance that even your antivirus is causing this issue, so try to disable it temporarily, or if the issue persists, uninstall it completely.

If you removed any traces of the old antivirus, try to rerun the game. If the problem was fixed, that means we found the culprit.

It’s unsafe to keep your PC unprotected, although after uninstalling the antivirus, you will still have protection from Windows Defender.

Besides, you might consider changing to another antivirus that offers more security and game-boosting support. For that, you can use the best antivirus software for gaming.

2. Update Windows

  1. Type Check in the Windows Search bar and click Check for updates.
  2. Click on the Check for updates button under Windows Update.
  3. Install all updates and restart your PC.
  4. Try running State of Decay 2 again.

The issues for some users started after a specific Windows Update. When something like this occurs, you can do two things. Firstly, you can uninstall the latest update and move from there.

An alternative in this scenario is to update Windows 10; hopefully, a patch will address the game issues.

We all know how much Windows Updates affect Microsoft Store and its respective games, especially lately. Many crashes and errors are related to Windows 10’s latest releases.

As always, we’re keener to recommend the second scenario, but you can do as you wish.

3. Run the Troubleshooter

  1. Press the Windows key + I to open Settings.
  2. Choose Gaming.state of decay 2 error code 10
  3. Select Xbox Networking from the left pane.state of decay 2 error code 10
  4. The troubleshooter will scan for network compatibility.
  5. Click Fix it if there are problems found.state of decay 2 error code 10

Besides the usual troubleshooting tools, Windows 10 offers a specific troubleshooting tool for Microsoft games. And luckily, the State of Decay 2 is in this category.

This tool will check on your latency, compatibility, and connectivity. Furthermore, if there’s any problem, it should resolve as long as it concerns the multiplayer segment.

Since the error code 10 prevents players from joining a multiplayer campaign; this built-in troubleshooter might be helpful.

4. Fix the Teredo adapter

  1. Type cmd in the Windows Search bar and click Run as administrator.
  2. In the command line, type the following commands one by one and press Enter after each:
    • netsh
    • int ipv6
    • set teredo client
      state of decay 2 error code 10
  3. The Teredo Tunneling adapter should appear in the Device Manager under the Network adapters section.
  4. Restart your PC and update Windows 10 again.

Most of the users won’t need a Teredo Tunneling adapter. However, you must install it to communicate on Xbox Live and play Microsoft’s multiplayer games.

Or, instead, enable it, as it’s already part of the legacy driver suite that comes with the system. If you want to play the State of Decay 2 or similar games, you’ll need a Teredo adapter up and running.

Now, seemingly, it’s not as simple to install it as we initially thought. You can use Device Manager and add a Legacy driver, but, more times than not, it won’t work.

To get this matter straight, you must run the above commands in the elevated Command Prompt.

With that, we can conclude this article. Hopefully, you could fix the error code 10 in State of Decay 2 with one of the steps above.

And if that’s not the case, make sure to post the ticket and wait for the resolution, as the issue is likely, on the other side.

Either way, feel free to share your experience with us. You can do so in the comments section below.

Posted in PC

BARD: What’s new in Google’s AI war against Microsoft?

Remember when we told you that Microsoft is gearing up to launch the new open AI ChatGPT chatbot for its Bing search engine?

Back then, we also shared that, according to Statcounter, Google has a 92.21% share of the market as of December 2022, while Bing only has about 3.42%.

It appears that Google didn’t want to take any changes, which is why it introduced BARD to the world, its very own chatbot.

We’re going to take a closer look at this situation and see how these two AI chatbots compare to each other since the competition is so steep.

Google’s BARD chatbot is currently being tested

In case you weren’t up to speed, conversational AI services such as ChatGPT are becoming an absolute must-have these days.

Its users, whether they want answers to a medical question or a serviceable 800-word essay on existentialism, this new type of AI service will find the information on the internet and bring back remarkable content.

What makes it stand out the most is the way it relays the content back to users, which is a very human-ish way, some would say.

Now, over two months since the official launch of the ChatGPT chatbot, Google is announcing its own promising competitor.

According to the most recent company blog post, Google’s CEO Sunder Pichai announced BARD, a new conversational chatbot that will incorporate Google’s Language Model for Dialogue Applications (LaMDA) to power its answers to questions and inquiries.

When the online demo of Bard offered incorrect information on the James Webb Space Telescope, many felt that Google was trying to rush out a product in order to compete with OpenAI’s ChatGPT service.

That opinion was even shared by many Google employees. Now a new CNBC story claims the leader of the team developing Bard is trying to pivot away from the chatbot as a replacement for Google Search.

Reports that Google held an all-hands meeting earlier this week, where it mentioned that the big first application should be Search, which at its heart is about finding true information.

Google’s Jack Krawczyk reportedly answered by saying Bard is not a search engine. He said that Bard is supposed to be used as a creative companion.

While the Google development team is working to improve answers when Bard is used to finding information, he added Google is already a search engine.

Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai was also reportedly at the all-hands meeting, where he responded to a question from its forum with the unnamed employee saying it felt that Bard was a knee-jerk reaction without a strategy.

The Google official stated that Bard will not only be able to handle answers to simple questions, like Google’s current search engine can do already.

It can also handle more complex inquiries, such as asking how to give information on the discoveries of the James Webb Space Telescope to a nine-year-old, for example.

Bard also comes with thumbs-up and thumbs-down logos, so you can rank the answer that is given to you, apparently.

Furthermore, you can also apparently go deeper into that answer by clicking on the Check it option, if you need a bit more info.

You should know that the first public version of Bard will launch with, what people over at Google called a lightweight model version of LaMDA (Language Model for Dialogue Applications).

Apparently, this will reportedly use less computer power so that Google can get more feedback from a wide range of users.

We won’t get it right away, however, since Bard is currently in testing now and will go live to the general public sometime in the coming weeks.

Now, people are asking themselves if Bard will immediately replace ChatGPT as the main conversational AI service.

For the time being, Google is being a bit sensitive to criticisms that ChatGPT could be used as a vehicle for plagiarism, or even that its replies may not be accurate.

Moreover, the leading search engine giant also announced that they’re one step closer to developing a state-of-the-art speech AI model that could recognize 1.000 most spoken languages in the world. Dubbed the Universal Speech Model (USM), 12 million hours of speech and 28 billion sentences across over 300 languages are used to train the model.

The development of USM is a critical effort towards realizing Google’s mission to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible. We believe USM’s base model architecture and training pipeline comprise a foundation on which we can build to expand speech modeling to the next 1,000 languages.

If you are already using ChatGPT and it’s not working, we can show you exactly what you need to do in order to fix the situation.

We’ll just have to wait and see what will happen with these two rival chatbots. Make sure to share your opinion on the matter with us in the comments section below.

Breakpoint Error on Windows 11: 10 Ways to Fix the Exception

With Windows 11 still relatively new and much improvement still expected, users are bound to deal with one or two errors. One such error is the breaking point reached error message on Windows 11.

This error can be due to many factors, some known and others hard to pinpoint. Thankfully, the solutions are not usually far-fetched, only requiring a system update in some cases.

Irrespective of the cause and the complexity, we have gathered surefire ways to solve the error in this fully packed guide. You only need to follow the instructions, and you will be fine.

What does the error message A breakpoint has been reached mean?

A breakpoint that has been reached is a common error message that Windows 11 users may encounter. This error message typically appears when a program or application crashes and various factors can cause it. 

Some of the common causes of this error message are:

  • Outdated or incompatible drivers – Outdated or incompatible drivers can cause the error message to appear. This can be due to an issue with a specific driver or a conflict between drivers.
  • Corrupted system files – Corrupted system files can also cause an error message to appear. This can happen due to malware infections, disk errors, or other issues.
  • Memory issues – Memory issues such as faulty RAM, incorrect memory settings in the BIOS, or other problems can cause the error message to appear. This also leads to Exception_Illegal_Instruction.
  • Overclocking – Overclocking can cause the error message to appear if the system is unstable or the settings are not configured correctly.
  • Software issues – Bugs in the code, corrupted files, or other software issues can cause the error message to appear. This can be due to issues with the operating system, a specific application, or a third-party program.
  • User error – Finally, the error message may appear due to user error, such as improperly configuring system settings, installing incompatible software, or performing incorrect system modifications.
  • Registry issues – Faulty registries from programs that have been uninstalled wrongly

These elements will affect your system differently; some can even stop you from using your PC entirely, so following the steps below will help.

How can I fix the breakpoint error on Windows 11?

1. Perform a system update

  1. Press the Windows key and select the Settings app.start-windows-11-update-breakpoint-been-reached
  2. Click on Windows Update.update windows 11 breakpoint has been reached
  3. Follow the onscreen instruction to complete the update.

2. Update drivers

  1. Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.
    breakpoint error windows 11
  2. Outdated drivers may bear a yellow badge. Expand the category, right-click on the driver, and select Update driver.
    breakpoint error windows 11
  3. Select Search automatically for drivers.
    breakpoint error windows 11
  4. Wait for the process to complete.

Drivers play an important role in the effortless running of your PC. They serve as the connecting medium between hardware components and the Operating System.

Also, drivers establish a connection between some third-party applications and system devices. These connections can be severed with a broken, missing, or outdated driver.

Hence, faulty drivers lead to all sorts of errors on Windows 11, including the breakpoint that has been reached error.

We recommend the ever-reliable Outbyte Driver Updater driver updater to update your drivers. It is a dependable updater that automatically scans, recommends, and installs drivers.

Moreover, it only recommends and installs original drivers from trusted manufacturers.

With a database of over 18 million drivers, it contains all the drivers needed to restore your PC drivers to top shape.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

3. Run the System File Checker (SFC) scan

  1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run utility.
  2. Type cmd and click the OK button.cmd windows 11 breakpoint reached
  3. Click the Yes button to allow Command Prompt to make changes to your computer.allow command prompt windows 11 breakpoint reached
  4. Type the script below and hit Enter:
    DISM.exe/Online/Cleanup-image/Restorehealthsfc windows 11 breakpoint reached
  5. Wait till it shows The operation is completed successfully. Then type the following script and hit Enter:
    sfc /scannowsfc scannow windows 11 breakpoint reached

Executable files must interact with the operating system services and files to run successfully.

However, when the system file required to run an executable file is corrupt or missing, it causes the breakpoint has been reached error, among others.

But with this scan, you can find and fix such a system file.

4. Run CHKDSK Utility

  1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run utility.
  2. Type cmd and click the OK button.
  3. Click the Yes button to allow Command Prompt to change your computer.
    allow command prompt windows 11 breakpoint reached
  4. Type the script below and hit Enter. Note that the C in the command is the letter of your hard disk drive and should be replaced with the corresponding letter on your PC.
    chkdsk C: /f/r/b
    chkdsk windows 11 breakpoint has been reached

The breakpoint has been reached error on Windows 11 can be caused when the file or program you are trying to execute is located in a faulty hard disk sector.

With this utility, your system will scan the hard drive for faulty sectors. The program will also stop the operating system from writing to the defective sector and try to recover any readable file.

5. Perform a clean boot

  1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run utility. Now, type msconfig and hit Enter.msconfig windows 11 breakpoint has been reached
  2. Go to the Services tab in the System Configuration window. Check the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox at the bottom of the page and click the Disable all button. This will disable all startup services.
    breakpoint error windows 11
  3. Click the Startup tab and select Open Task Manager.
    breakpoint error windows 11
  4. Right-click all the apps in the Task Manager window and click the Disable option.
    breakpoint error windows 11
  5. From here, go back to the System Configuration window. Click the Apply button, followed by the OK button.
  6. Finally, restart your PC to effect the changes.

Some apps and services automatically start running in the background when you turn on your PC.

One of these apps might be the counter program preventing the file you want to open from running properly. This eventually leads to the breakpoint reached message.

After applying this fix, try opening the file again and see if the problem persists. If it opens without the breakpoint prompt, one of the apps is certainly the cause of the problem.

To know which app or service is causing the problem, you only need to start activating the apps and services in batches and recheck the file until you encounter the issue.

Note that for every activation, you need to restart your PC.

6. Perform a system restore

  1. Press the Windows key, type system restore, and select the Create a restore point option.
  2. Click the System Restore button.
  3. Choose the Next button.
  4. Choose your restore point from the options available and click the Next button.restore point windows 11 breakpoint reached
  5. From here, follow the simple onscreen instructions to complete the process.

If you start noticing the breakpoint has been reached in Windows 11 after installing a new update, carrying out a system restore might do the trick.

7. Scan PC for malware

  1. Press the Windows key + S and type virus in the search box, then select the Virus & threat protection option.
    breakpoint error windows 11
  2. Click Scan options.restore option malware windows 11 breakpoint reached
  3. Now, select the Full scan option and click the Scan now button.malware full scan windows 11 breakpoint reached
  4. Lastly, restart your computer.

Malware does unpredictable damage to the computer. This error could be due to the presence of a virus. A simple scan could help dig out the virus and restore normal service on your system.

Instead of going through the steps above, you can easily employ the reliable TotalAV for complete security. This software performs a deep scan, removing even the most hidden and stubborn malware.

What’s more, it detects viruses before they manifest at all. Lastly, it does not just protect your PC but your online activities as well as offers data encryption. It is just everything you need for your data and PC security.

⇒ Get TotalAV

8. Run Windows Memory Diagnostic tool

  1. Press the Windows key + R, type mdsched.exe, and hit Enter.run mdsched windows 11 breakpoint reached
  2. Select Restart now and check for problems (recommended).memory diagnostic windows 11 breakpoint reached
  3. This will take over access to your system till it completes its test. When the test is complete, the program will automatically restart your PC and show the test results.

However, if it does not show the test result, you can view it following the steps below:

  1. Press the Windows key + X and select the Event Viewer option.
  2. Expand Windows Logs and select the System option in the Event Viewer window.
    breakpoint error windows 11
  3. Now, choose the Find option on the right pane and type MemoryDiagnostics-Results in the find box.
  4. This will show the test results in the General section in the middle pane.general event windows 11 breakpoint has been reached

The breakpoint has been reached error can occur on Windows 11 due to memory leaks. This is a situation where the RAM does not release unallocated spaces for new programs, leading to many errors. If the tool shows that your RAM is faulty after the scan, you have to replace it for optimal performance.

9. Disable overclocking

  1. Restart your PC and press the F2 or Delete key when the manufacturer’s logo appears.
  2. Go to the Advanced tab, choose the Overclocking option, then disable it.
    breakpoint error windows 11
  3. From here, save the changes and exit the BIOS window.

If you enabled overclocking on your graphics card to improve performance, you might need to disable it to solve this problem.

While overclocking does truly improve the performance of the CPU and GPU for a better gaming experience, it sometimes leads to the breaking point reaching error.

10. Uninstall newly installed third-party apps

If you notice this error message only after installing some recent apps, you should try to uninstall those apps.

For optimal results, we recommend using effective uninstaller software for the process.

The breakpoint has been reached promptly on Windows 11, which usually occurs when you are trying to run third-party software.

While the cause can sometimes be unpredictable, we have gathered many solutions that cut across all causes. This is to make sure you are never bothered by this problem again.

If you are still using the later OSs from Windows 10 downwards, you can check our article on breakpoint has been reached Windows 10/7.

Feel free to discuss any solution you found helpful in the comments section. You can also state any fix you tried successfully that is not on this list.

Messenger Not Working on Windows 11 PC: 4 Ways To Fix It

Many reported that Facebook Messenger is not working on their PC, and this will prevent you from chatting with your friends. Luckily, there are ways to fix this issue, and this guide will show you how to do it.

Why is Messenger not working on my PC?

If Messenger is not working on Windows 11, it can be due to temporary glitches, your cache or installed extensions. Corrupted installation can also cause this issue.

How do I fix Messenger on my computer?

You can avoid the troubleshooting steps suggested in this article by opening Messenger on a different browser. We recommend the Opera One browser.

It offers a built-in ad blocker and a filter option to unblock ads from any site you want. So, if Facebook Messenger won’t load on your PC, our browser recommendation blocks intrusive ads and loads pages faster.

Additionally, this browser offers a free VPN for enhanced privacy and security, built-in messenger apps and snapshot feature, video pop-out, and battery saver feature of the box.

Opera One

Opera One

Take advantage of a built-in Messenger, allowing you to enjoy your conversations.

1. Sign in to Facebook Messenger

  1. First, you have to log out of the app.
  2. Go to the app’s bottom left corner, click on the Messenger icon, then select Log Out.
  3. Confirm that you want to log out of the app.
  4. Then you must go back to the Messenger app and log in again.

2. Clear cache and temporary data

  1. Launch your browser, and press Ctrl + Shift + Del keys.
  2. Choose the data you want to clear and click the Clear data button. facebook messenger not working on computer
  3. Don’t clear the saved password and other data; you will have to enter these details when accessing the desired websites again.

3. Disable add-ons

  1. Launch your browser (we use Chrome for this example).
  2. Paste the address below in the URL locator and hit Enter:
    chrome://extensions/
    facebook messenger not working on computer
  3. A list of all the extensions on your browser will appear. Uncheck those marked as Enabled to disable them or click the Remove button.
    facebook messenger not working on computer

4. Reinstall Messenger

  1. Press Windows + R, type appwiz.cpl, and hit Enter.
  2. Select Facebook Messenger from the list, and click the Uninstall button.
  3. Confirm that you want to uninstall the app and close the Control Panel.
  4. Visit the official Messenger website and click on the Download for Windows button.
  5. Enter your username and password, and log in to your account.

If Facebook Messenger is still not working on your computer, you can always use Facebook Messenger in your browser since it offers the same features.

We also covered the Facebook Messanger attachment unavailable error in another guide, so don’t miss it for more information.

Also, if the Facebook app is not working on Windows 10, you can look closer at our comprehensive guide and find the best solutions.

We hope our recommendations helped you fix the Facebook Messenger app, and you can now use it on your desktop.

For more suggestions or other questions, please access the comments section below.

How to Stop Firefox Battery Drains & Make It Use Less [Long Run]

To this day it’s one of the most popular browsers in the world. But does Firefox drain the battery? It can stretch this resource quite thin, yes, and if you want to reduce Firefox battery usage rates, start by removing complementary modules that add unnecessary bulk.

Now, it’s not that Firefox is solely bad at this. In fact, all browsers will drain your battery if used long enough and that’s a fact. Take, for example, Brave browser’s battery-draining case.

Even UC Browser will occasionally consume more battery than it should. So, does Firefox use a lot of battery or does it not?

Firefox battery drain accusations are not unfounded. This is especially true for Windows users, but quite a few people complained about Firefox draining their Mac battery. It’s about Firefox M1 battery consumption rates, to be more specific.

Back to Windows and here’s another interesting scenario reported by users. If you have an SSD drive on your computer and use Firefox heavily, you may notice that the browser can tax your hard drive quite a bit.

This can cause annoying slowdowns and even drain your laptop’s battery life. If such is the case, a thorough Firefox SSD optimization procedure would make a world of difference. So let’s see why is Firefox draining batteries on PCs and laptops, to begin with.

Why does Firefox use so much battery?

You may notice that your device is overheating when you use Firefox. It may also take longer than usual to charge it. All these are signs that Firefox is causing your device to use more energy than it should.

In addition, if you’re running multiple extensions, Firefox may start using more memory than usual which could potentially affect your computer’s performance overall. You need browsers that use less battery.

Since it all depends on your browsing activity, there is no singular browser that promises low battery usage no matter what.

However, Opera is a top contender given that it is a lightweight and fast browser. It has a sleeping tab feature that saves your battery when other tabs are not in use. It’s also very impressive in terms of performance.

Opera

Opera

Preserve battery life with this energy-efficient browser that integrates a power-saving mode.

How do I make Firefox use less battery?

  1. Close unused tabs/windows & start Firefox in Safe Mode
  2. Close unnecessary plugins and extensions
  3. Disable automatic updates
  4. Disable hardware acceleration
  5. Tweak Graphics value in Firefox

1. Close unused tabs/windows & start Firefox in Safe Mode

When you have a lot of tabs open and leave them running in the background, they continue to use your computer’s resources.

If you don’t plan on returning to them anytime soon, then close them so that Firefox doesn’t continue draining the battery on your PC. 

You can do this by selecting each tab individually and clicking on the X button at the top-right corner of each one. 

If that doesn’t improve energy consumption, you might want to try opening Firefox in Safe mode. Simply restart your computer until you trigger the reboot sequence, then choose to Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

Next, find and click the Firefox icon and choose to Start in Safe Mode to check if the problem is still present.

2. Close unnecessary plugins and extensions

Plugins add functionality to Firefox, but they can also consume memory and increase battery usage. If you don’t need them, disable them by going to the extensions tab and disabling them. 

You can also uninstall them permanently if it has been a long time since you last used them or you no longer need them.

3. Disable automatic updates

Firefox automatically updates itself with new features, and checks for updates while it is running in the background. This can increase battery usage significantly since the browser must check for updates regularly.

If you don’t need these features and want to save some power, you can disable automatic updates.

4. Disable hardware acceleration

Hardware acceleration is a feature that improves graphics performance by using your computer’s graphics processing unit (GPU) instead of the CPU to run certain tasks. This can cause problems if you have an older computer.

It will be forced to use more battery power than software rendering would require and may make your browser unstable. 

5. Tweak Graphics value in Firefox

  1. Launch Firefox and type the following the URL address bar: about:support
  2. Then, locate the Graphics section and check out the Compositing line.
  3. Once you identified the information there, paste the following in your browser’s address bar about:config
  4. Search for the strings associated with gfx.webrender.all and set the value to True.
  5. Restart the browser and check if you still struggle with Firefox battery drain cases.

If you experience slowed-down animations on graphic-intensive websites like games or video streaming sites like YouTube and Netflix, this change will improve your energy consumption and reduce Firefox battery usage.

? Does Firefox consume less battery than Chrome?

One last quick thing. You wanted to know how Firefox compares to the market’s most popular browser and we’re here to shed some light on the topic.

Firefox is actually very efficient. In fact, it’s one of the fastest browsers out there when it comes to using less power than other popular browsers.

However, even the best have their own shortcomings. Want to know more? Then, take a closer look at our in-depth comparison of Safari vs Chrome vs Firefox vs Brave.

If you’re getting low on battery life and don’t know why it’s worth checking to see if your browser is the culprit.

We hope you now know how to make Firefox use less battery using the above tips and your power consumption is now at a healthy balance.

If you face any other issues such as Firefox tabs keep crashing, check out our detailed article on how to resolve the problem.

How to Stop Firefox Battery Drains & Make It Use Less [Long Run]

To this day it’s one of the most popular browsers in the world. But does Firefox drain the battery? It can stretch this resource quite thin, yes, and if you want to reduce Firefox battery usage rates, start by removing complementary modules that add unnecessary bulk.

Now, it’s not that Firefox is solely bad at this. In fact, all browsers will drain your battery if used long enough and that’s a fact. Take, for example, Brave browser’s battery-draining case.

Even UC Browser will occasionally consume more battery than it should. So, does Firefox use a lot of battery or does it not?

Firefox battery drain accusations are not unfounded. This is especially true for Windows users, but quite a few people complained about Firefox draining their Mac battery. It’s about Firefox M1 battery consumption rates, to be more specific.

Back to Windows and here’s another interesting scenario reported by users. If you have an SSD drive on your computer and use Firefox heavily, you may notice that the browser can tax your hard drive quite a bit.

This can cause annoying slowdowns and even drain your laptop’s battery life. If such is the case, a thorough Firefox SSD optimization procedure would make a world of difference. So let’s see why is Firefox draining batteries on PCs and laptops, to begin with.

Why does Firefox use so much battery?

You may notice that your device is overheating when you use Firefox. It may also take longer than usual to charge it. All these are signs that Firefox is causing your device to use more energy than it should.

In addition, if you’re running multiple extensions, Firefox may start using more memory than usual which could potentially affect your computer’s performance overall. You need browsers that use less battery.

Since it all depends on your browsing activity, there is no singular browser that promises low battery usage no matter what.

However, Opera is a top contender given that it is a lightweight and fast browser. It has a sleeping tab feature that saves your battery when other tabs are not in use. It’s also very impressive in terms of performance.

Opera

Opera

Preserve battery life with this energy-efficient browser that integrates a power-saving mode.

How do I make Firefox use less battery?

  1. Close unused tabs/windows & start Firefox in Safe Mode
  2. Close unnecessary plugins and extensions
  3. Disable automatic updates
  4. Disable hardware acceleration
  5. Tweak Graphics value in Firefox

1. Close unused tabs/windows & start Firefox in Safe Mode

When you have a lot of tabs open and leave them running in the background, they continue to use your computer’s resources.

If you don’t plan on returning to them anytime soon, then close them so that Firefox doesn’t continue draining the battery on your PC. 

You can do this by selecting each tab individually and clicking on the X button at the top-right corner of each one. 

If that doesn’t improve energy consumption, you might want to try opening Firefox in Safe mode. Simply restart your computer until you trigger the reboot sequence, then choose to Enable Safe Mode with Networking.

Next, find and click the Firefox icon and choose to Start in Safe Mode to check if the problem is still present.

2. Close unnecessary plugins and extensions

Plugins add functionality to Firefox, but they can also consume memory and increase battery usage. If you don’t need them, disable them by going to the extensions tab and disabling them. 

You can also uninstall them permanently if it has been a long time since you last used them or you no longer need them.

3. Disable automatic updates

Firefox automatically updates itself with new features, and checks for updates while it is running in the background. This can increase battery usage significantly since the browser must check for updates regularly.

If you don’t need these features and want to save some power, you can disable automatic updates.

4. Disable hardware acceleration

Hardware acceleration is a feature that improves graphics performance by using your computer’s graphics processing unit (GPU) instead of the CPU to run certain tasks. This can cause problems if you have an older computer.

It will be forced to use more battery power than software rendering would require and may make your browser unstable. 

5. Tweak Graphics value in Firefox

  1. Launch Firefox and type the following the URL address bar: about:support
  2. Then, locate the Graphics section and check out the Compositing line.
  3. Once you identified the information there, paste the following in your browser’s address bar about:config
  4. Search for the strings associated with gfx.webrender.all and set the value to True.
  5. Restart the browser and check if you still struggle with Firefox battery drain cases.

If you experience slowed-down animations on graphic-intensive websites like games or video streaming sites like YouTube and Netflix, this change will improve your energy consumption and reduce Firefox battery usage.

? Does Firefox consume less battery than Chrome?

One last quick thing. You wanted to know how Firefox compares to the market’s most popular browser and we’re here to shed some light on the topic.

Firefox is actually very efficient. In fact, it’s one of the fastest browsers out there when it comes to using less power than other popular browsers.

However, even the best have their own shortcomings. Want to know more? Then, take a closer look at our in-depth comparison of Safari vs Chrome vs Firefox vs Brave.

If you’re getting low on battery life and don’t know why it’s worth checking to see if your browser is the culprit.

We hope you now know how to make Firefox use less battery using the above tips and your power consumption is now at a healthy balance.

If you face any other issues such as Firefox tabs keep crashing, check out our detailed article on how to resolve the problem.

5 Ways to Change the Screen Timeout in Windows 11

Does your Windows 11 system screen times out very quickly as you leave it idle? If so, it is possible to increase the screen timeout duration of your PC and get rid of the inconvenience. This guide explains the different ways to change the screen timeout in Windows 11.

Why does my screen turn off so quickly in Windows 11?

The most prominent reason why your Windows 11 computer screen turns off quickly is that a short duration is assigned to the screen timeout settings. Apart from this, other reasons can be:

  • The Dynamic Lock feature is turned on – The Dynamic Lock feature, when enabled, automatically locks your device whenever you are away.
  • A blank screensaver is enabled – If you have chosen a blank screensaver, the screen will appear inactive whenever the screensaver is activated.
  • The sleep timeout setting is set to a lower value – If you assign a short duration here, your PC will be put into Sleep mode quickly after it is left unattended.

Now that we know how this can happen, let’s see how to extend the screen timeout.

How can I change the screen timeout settings in Windows 11?

1. Use the Settings app

  1. Right-click the Windows icon and click Settings from the Quick Links menu.How to change screen timeout in Windows 11
  2. From the System settings, choose Power & battery from the right section.How to change screen timeout in Windows 11
  3. Click to expand the Screen and sleep option located under the Power section.
  4. Assign a time duration for When plugged in, turn off my screen after option. Likewise, if you own a laptop, assign a suitable duration for On battery power, turn off my screen after as well.change screen timeout in Windows 11

You can also use the ms-settings:powersleep command in the Run window to access the Screen and sleep settings directly.

2. Use the Control Panel

  1. Press the Windows key to launch the Start menu, type control panel in the search bar and select the relevant result.change screen timeout in Windows 11
  2. Set View by as Category and choose Hardware and Sound.change screen timeout in Windows 11
  3. Next, select Power Options to access related settings.
  4. From the Choose or customize a power plan window, click the Change plan settings option for the current power plan.change screen timeout in Windows 11
  5. Assign the time duration for the Turn off the display option for both On battery and Plugged in scenarios.change screen timeout in Windows 11
  6. After making the changes, press the Save changes button on the bottom right.

Using Control Panel is an old-school method to customize the power plan settings and change screen timeout settings in Windows 11. We also recommend that you go through our guide to check the battery health of Windows 11 laptops.

3. Use Advanced Power Options

  1. Use the Windows + R shortcut to launch the Run dialog box, type or copy-paste the following command and press OK to execute it. control.exe powercfg.cpl,,3change screen timeout in Windows 11
  2. This will directly take you to the Advanced Power Options settings. Expand the Display category and then the Turn off display after option.change screen timeout in Windows 11
  3. Specify the time duration in minutes for the On battery and Plugged in fields and press the OK button to save the settings.

4. Use a Windows PowerShell command

  1. Press the Windows key, type powershell in the search bar, and select Run as Administrator from the search result.
  2. Click Yes on the User Action Control Popup.
  3. Type or copy-paste the following command and press Enter key to assign a screen timeout when the computer is plugged in. Replace duration with the time duration in seconds. powercfg -change -monitor-timeout-ac 60change screen timeout in Windows 11
  4. To change the screen timeout duration when the computer is powered by a battery, execute the following command. Here, again replace duration with the time duration in seconds. powercfg -change -monitor-timeout-dc 60change screen timeout in Windows 11

The Powercfg command allows you to change the timeout settings in Windows 11 and specify how long the system screen should be active. This command works in both Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell, so you can choose any of the two you are comfortable with.

5. Use Registry Editor

5.1 Modify the Registry

  1. Press the Windows key to launch the Start menu, type regedit and select Run as Administrator.change screen timeout in Windows 11
  2. Choose Yes on the User Action Control prompt.
  3. In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following location. Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\7516b95f-f776-4464-8c53-06167f40cc99\8EC4B3A5-6868-48c2-BE75-4F3044BE88A7change screen timeout in Windows 11
  4. Here, right-click the Attributes key and choose Modify from the context menu.
  5. Now, assign 2 in the Value data and press the OK button to save the changes.change screen timeout in Windows 11

5.2 Change Advanced Power Settings

  1. Launch Control Panel once again, select Large icons in View by dropdown, and select Power Options.change screen timeout in Windows 11
  2. Next, select Change plan settings.
  3. Click the Change advanced power settings to excess the advanced settings property window.change screen timeout in Windows 11
  4. Expand the Display category and then the Console lock display off timeout option.change screen timeout in Windows 11
  5. Replace the default time with your preferred duration in minutes and press Apply button followed by OK.

Modifying the Windows Registry unlocks the Console lock display off timeout option in Windows 11, which can be configured from the Advanced Power Options settings window.

That’s it! These are all the possible ways to change screen timeout in Windows 11 and assign a duration to your preference. You can check out our guide to stop the power plan from changing automatically if it often happens on your Windows 11 PC. For further help or to share your experience, reach out to us in the comments section.

Blue Screen After Installing Drivers? Fix It in 5 Ways

Some of our readers have recently reported that their monitor displays a blue screen after installing drivers, and they don’t seem to know what fix to apply.

Do not panic, as this error is relative to the black screen issues we fixed in one of our guides. Here, we have five simplified steps on how to fix the issue.

What causes a blue screen after installing drivers?

There can be several reasons behind the blue screen after installing drivers error. Before diving into the solutions, let us consider some of the most known triggers for this error:

  • Driver issues – The BSoD and other problems might be triggered by the installation of bad drivers (GPU, audio, or any other hardware component). Although outdated drivers might not directly cause the Blue Screen error, their interactions with your operating system certainly do.
  • Faulty Windows update – You can also have a blue screen issue after installing a problematic update on your device. In this situation, you must uninstall the most recent Windows update to fix the issue.
  • Corrupted system files – Your computer’s functionality could be significantly hampered if even one of the DLL files becomes corrupted because they hold the system’s manual. You can fix the issue by deploying the SFC and DISM scans.
  • Hardware problems – Components that are incorrectly connected to the motherboard, an abrupt disconnect caused by a power loss, or a damaged component may trigger this problem.
  • Issues with third-party applications – Compatibility issues with apps, especially antivirus, may often cause this problem. You may briefly try to uninstall conflicting apps as this and reinstall once your system begins to function normally.

Now that you know some of the potential reasons behind the blue screen after installing drivers, let’s proceed to how you can fix this problem.

What can I do if I get a blue screen after installing drivers?

It is important to observe some preliminary checks before seeking advanced solutions regarding the blue screen issues. Some of these tweaks are as follows:

  • Install pending Windows updates
  • Stop overclocking
  • Try to inspect changes to your hardware for possible issues, especially your RAM.
  • Disconnect external drivers and reboot your computer

Having confirmed the above checks, if the problem persists, you can work your way through any of the advanced solutions below.

1. Run the SFC Scan

  1. Click the Windows icon, type cmd in the Search box, and select Run as administrator.
  2. Type the following command in the text field and press Enter: sfc /scannow
  3. Close the Command Prompt and restart your PC.

The SFC scan is one of the most straightforward fixes for system file errors which can be run through the command-line tool that thoroughly checks your system for potentially damaged files that may be triggering several errors.

Besides manually scanning for broken components, you can use a dedicated repair tool to help you repair the damaged files.

2. Check for RAM issues

  1. Press the Windows key, type Windows Memory Diagnostic in the search box, and launch it.
  2. Choose Restart now and check for the problems results.

Once Windows restarts, Windows Memory Diagnostic should do a scan and then provide the results.

Alternatively, you can use the Event Viewer to check the scan result in our detailed guide on Memory Diagnostic Tool mdsched.exe.

If the software detects a problem with one or more RAM modules, you must replace them.

3. Roll back the driver

  1. Press the Windows + X keys and choose Device Manager from the list.
  2. Select the driver that you want to roll back and double-click on it.
  3. In the new window, navigate to the Driver tab and click on Roll back driver.
  4. Now follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Before rolling back any driver, pay attention to the BSoD error message to know the driver’s name causing the issue.

If the Roll Back Driver option is grayed out, you have no previous driver to go back to, so perform the next solution.

4. Perform a Clean Boot

  1. Press the Windows key + R to open Run, type msconfig in the text field, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to the Services tab and check the box with Hide all Microsoft services at the bottom-left side of the page. Now click on Disable all.
  3. Next, navigate to the Startup tab, then click on Open Task Manager.
  4. In the Task Manager window, go to the Startup tab, right-click the items therein one after the other, and choose Disable.
  5. Close Task Manager, click OK in the System Configuration window and restart your PC.

Once your PC restarts, check if the problem is fixed. If yes, enable the services and startup apps you disabled above one by one or in groups to find the culprit.

You can also learn more about starting apps with Windows by checking our guide on how to use the Startup folder on Windows 11.

5. Perform a System Restore

  1. Press the Windows key + R to open Run, type rstrui in the text field and press Enter.
  2. Select the desired restore point and click on Next.
  3. Click on Finish.
  4. Wait while your PC restores your system.

Windows usually create restore points automatically, but it is also advisable to do so manually from time to time. You can explore our article on how to create Windows 11 restore points to guide you through the process.

Alternatively, you can decide to restore your Windows 11 PC to factory settings if the error persists.

Whenever users experience Blue Screen after installing graphics drivers, the memory may be corrupted. However, this is often not a result of bad RAM modules, it is rather due to software errors in defective drivers. You may encounter the AGP_GART_CORRUPTION error.

Overheating might also lead to memory corruption (thermal issue). There’s also the possibility that the issue could have been brought on by a virus or other malware.

And that’s it on what to do to fix the blue screen issues after installing drivers. If you have any questions or suggestions, do not hesitate to use the comments section below.

Additionally, you can learn how to resolve FTDISK_INTERNAL_ERROR. We also have a guide on how to fix Error Driver Failed Sleep, so don’t miss it.

We also have a guide on Error Drivers Leaking Locked Pages error, so you might want to check it out for more solutions.

Fix: NvLddmkm Display Driver Stopped Responding

The display driver is an essential part of your GPU that controls the screen of your computer. You will see a black screen instead of your desktop when it stops working. Most cases of this error occur when you are trying to play games or watch videos on the internet.

According to users who reported that the NvLddmkm display driver stopped responding, the display kept going off, and the CPU temperature drastically rose. If this sounds like you, keep reading to find out how to resolve it.

Nvlddmkm.sys is a device driver that allows you to use your NVIDIA graphics card on your Windows computer. The Nvlddmkm error on Windows 11 will appear accompanied by a message that says display driver nvlddmkm stopped responding and has successfully recovered.

What causes Nvlddmkm failure? 

  • CPU-intensive program – A program that uses too much CPU time can cause the system to slow down and negatively affect performance.
  • Driver conflict – You may have installed an older version of the NVIDIA Graphics Driver on your computer that does not support your current hardware configuration or operating system version.
  • Outdated graphics card drivers – If you have an outdated graphics card driver, it may not support new features on your device or cause several issues. However, easily fixing the Display Driver amdwddmg stopped responding error and others is possible thanks to our dedicated guides.
  • Overheating of your GPU –  If you have been using your system for a long time or playing very demanding games, this can lead to overheating, affecting your card’s performance. 
  • Wrong graphic settings – Incorrectly configured settings can also cause this error. Ensure your PC’s graphic settings are not too high or too low.
  • Incompatible hardware – If you have recently updated your graphics card or installed new hardware, there is a chance that they are incompatible.
  • Malware infection – If your computer has been infected by malware such as viruses or spyware, this can also cause problems with the display driver and prevent it from working.

How do you fix the display driver Nvlddmkm stopped responding and has successfully recovered error?

1. Disable hardware acceleration

  1. Hit the Windows key and select Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Click on System on the left pane then Display on the right pane.Settings - System - Display High CPU usage New World
  3. Scroll down and select Graphics.graphics settings
  4. Select the Change default graphics settings option.
  5. Now, toggle on or off the Hardware Accelerated GPU Scheduling option.disable Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling

2. Update BIOS

  1. The process of updating BIOS will differ depending on your motherboard. For this step, we shall be updating the HP motherboard.
  2. Navigate to the HP driver and software download website.
  3. Choose laptop or desktop, depending on the type of computer you’re using.
  4. Enter your exact serial number or your exact computer model.
  5. Select your OS and OS version, then click Submit.
  6. Click on All drivers and then expand BIOS to see available updates.
  7. Click the download icon.
  8. Install the .exe file, following the on-screen instructions.
  9. Restart your PC.

3. Perform a Clean boot

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

A section of users was unlucky with all the above methods, but on the bright side, replacing their RAM seems to have resolved their issues. It appears that bad RAM can also cause display issues, so if cleaning and optimizing your RAM does not work, try replacing it with a new one.

You could also:

Problems with Nvidia are not new to users. Nvidia GPUs have been the subject of complaints from users who have noted that their graphics cards are causing computer crashes, random reboots, and system instability.

For instance, some Nvidia drivers fail to install, but we cover ways to bypass this issue. If you’re looking for the best Nvidia drivers for your GPU, we also list our top picks in our expert article.

You may have experienced an issue with your NVIDIA graphics driver, either due to a computer crash or using a new display device. To confirm whether this is the issue, follow the steps described above to pinpoint and resolve the problem.

If you still face the problem even with the above methods, it must be due to a conflict in the Nvidia driver. To resolve that, you need to reinstall your Nvidia graphics driver.

For any additional thoughts, leave us a comment down below.

The New Outlook for Windows will be available for more users in April

Last year in May, Microsoft debuted the New Outlook for Windows, though in limited preview to users that are part of the Office Insider program. The new entry has been in the testing phase for almost a year in the Beta Channel, and Microsoft is now getting ready to avail it to more users.

According to the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, more people will be able to access the new Outlook for Windows app via a toggle which will allow them to transition from the legacy version to the new app. Office Insiders part of the Beta and Preview Channel already had access to this toggle but it is shipping for users in the Current Channel as early as April.

It should be noted that the New Outlook only supports Microsoft Exchange Online and personal Microsoft accounts at the moment. Therefore, if you’re an Outlook user and you don’t meet the requirements highlighted above, you’ll not be able to access the toggle that allows you to make the transition. Of course, having a Microsoft 365 subscription is also paramount.

Microsoft has indicated that there are elaborate measures being put in place to enhance support for more accounts in the next couple of months. This move shows the company’s intent to roll out the new web-based app in the near future which is set to eventually replace the legacy app.

While the New Outlook shipped with a host of new features like loop components, message reminders for important emails, pinned items, and more, it seems to be missing important features that are part of the classic Outlook for Windows. For instance, multi-account, offline support, and more.

Microsoft is yet to announce when it plans to replace the legacy app. In related news, the company recently availed Outlook to macOS users for free.