Issues with the audio input and output are common in computers, but these are easily fixable. With the right approach, you can get things up and running quickly. This guide will tell you what to do when the HP Envy x360 sound is not working.
So if you are facing this issue, follow the steps in this guide carefully, and you will be able to fix it quickly.
Why isn’t the sound working on my HP Envy?
If the HP Envy x360 is not working, it might be due to one of the following factors:
Outdated driver: The first thing to check if your HP Envy or Pavillon laptop sound is not working on Windows 11 is the driver. If your sound driver is outdated, you must update it to the latest version to fix the issue.
Conflicts between software and driver: Sometimes, the issue might be due to conflicts between the software you are trying to play sound from and your driver. It would be best if you ran the sound troubleshooter to know the cause and potential fix for the issue.
What do I do when the sound is not working on the HP Envy x360?
1. Run Playing Audio troubleshooter
Press Windows + I to launch Settings, and click on the Troubleshoot option on the right in the System tab.
Next, click on Other troubleshooters to view all the available options.
Now, locate the Playing Audio troubleshooter and click on the Run button next to it.
The built-in troubleshooters effectively eliminate most of the issues leading to sound not working in the HP Envy x360. So, it’s best to try running the troubleshooter and then move to the other methods if it doesn’t work.
Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter Device Manager in the text field, and click on the relevant search result.
Double-click on the Sound, video and game controllers entry to expand and view the devices under it.
Right-click on Realtekaudio, and select Update driver from the context menu.
Finally, select Search automatically for drivers in the Update Drivers window.
Your system will now scan for the best available driver on the drive and install it.
The update process here should be quick, but if you cannot install the latest version using the Device Manager, you can try other ways to update the driver.
Or, you can use a specialized driver updating tool which will quickly scan for and update all your drivers in just a few minutes.
After updating the driver, check if the sound is working in the HP Envy x360.
3. Perform a system restore
Press the Windows key + R, type rstrui.exe, and click OK.
Click the Next button on the page that pops up.
Now, select a restore point and click the Next button.
Finally, click the Finish button and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.
If the fixes above have not worked, you can perform a system restore to get things up and running. The idea is to return your system to a point where the error doesn’t exist.
This is especially useful if your HP Envy x360 laptop has no sound from speakers, but headphones work, or the sound is too low.
After the restore, you will notice several changes, but the personal files won’t be affected. If performing a restore doesn’t eliminate the sound not working issue in the HP Envy x360, reset Windows 11 to its factory settings.
One of the above methods must have helped fix the sound problem, and you should have it working now. Also, if you are facing a problem with a USB speaker, it could be that the USB port is not working on HP Envy.
Tell us which fix worked and your experience with the HP Envy x360 in the comments below.
The 0x00000124 error is a scary Blue Screen of Death issue that shuts down or restarts your Windows, causing you to lose any unsaved data.
It presents an extended error message that states, The system encountered an uncorrectable hardware error. The error message includes the 0x00000124 code and clarifies that this is primarily a hardware issue.
If your desktop or laptop has displayed this error message more than once, this is how you can fix the issue.
What causes bug check 0x00000124?
Faulty system files: Like most BSOD issues, this error code can be caused by missing or faulty system files. To get rid of the error code, you need to repair these corrupt files.
Outdated drivers: Sometimes, the bugcheck was: 0x00000124 can be due to broken or outdated drivers. You must update your drivers to the latest version to solve the problem.
Overclocking: Another potential trigger of this error code is straining your PC resources via overclocking. This pushes your hardware to the limit and causes serious damage. The solution is to disable overclocking and remove the related software.
How can I fix error 0x00000124?
1. Run the CHKDSK utility in Safe Mode
Power on your PC and forcibly shut it down when the manufacturer logo appears. Repeat this thrice to enter the Advanced startup menu.
Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options.
Now, click the Startup Settings option.
Click the Restart button.
Press the corresponding key to Enable Safe Mode with Command Prompt when your PC restarts.
After your PC boots up, press the Windows key, type cmd, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
Now, type the command below and hit Enter to run it: chkdsk c: /f /r
Finally, press Y if prompted and restart your PC to complete the process.
In most cases, the 0x00000124 error is caused by issues with a hardware component such as the memory. Windows has a built-in tool that checks and repairs bad memory sectors.
2. Run the Memory Diagnostic tool
Press the Windows key + R, type mdsched.exe, and click OK.
Select Restart now and check for problems (recommended).
Now, wait for your PC to restart, and the scan will begin automatically.
Sometimes, the 0x00000124 error can be due to an issue with the RAM. Running the Memory Diagnostic tool should detect any problem with the component and help fix it quickly.
If the built-in tool does not work, you can use an excellent third-party tool in MemTest86 to check for issues with your RAM.
3. Disable driver signature enforcement
Repeat Steps 1 to 4 in Solution 1.
Now, press 7 or F7 to Disable driver signature enforcement.
Finally, check if the error persists.
Sometimes, the 0x00000124 error code can be because the driver signature enforcement feature prevents some drivers from installing and working correctly. Disabling the feature should circumvent this and restore normalcy to your PC.
4. Change processor minimum and maximum state
Press the Windows key, type power plan, and select Edit power plan.
Click the Change advanced power settings link.
Now, click the + sign next to Processor power management to expand it.
Expand the Minimum processor state option and set the Plugged in and On battery value to 10.
Next, expand the Maximum processor state and set its Plugged in and On battery value to 69.
Finally, click the Apply button followed by OK to save the changes.
We rarely use the processor to its maximum capacity. Yet many users set the value to the highest it can be. This could be the cause of the 0x00000124 error.
The solution is to reduce the minimum and maximum processor state by a few percent.
Press the Windows key + S, type cmd, and choose Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
Type the command below and press Enter: sfc /scannow
Finally, wait for the scan to complete and restart your PC.
Corrupt OS system files might be responsible for the blue screen 0x00000124 error. The System File Checker is a tool you can utilize in the Command Prompt.
The SFC scans for corrupted system files and might also repair any it detects. This is how you can run an SFC scan.
6. Update your PC
Press the Windows key + I and select Update & Security. to open the search menu.
Click the Check for updates button.
Finally, download and install any available updates.
Windows updates also update drivers and might include hotfixes for blue screen errors, like 0x00000124. Windows 10 usually automatically update itself unless you switch off the update service.
However, you can manually check for updates to see if any are available.
7. Update your drivers
Press theWindows key + X and Device Manager.
Double-click the section you want to update drivers for and right-click the device there.
Now, selectUpdate driver.
Finally, choose Search automatically for drivers and install any available updates.
Drivers can cause BSoD errors, like the 0x00000124 stop code. This might be because they’re outdated or broken. Updating them to the latest version should eliminate the issue.
You should also:
Disable overclocking and remove any overclocking software
Check your processor and HeatSink
Check the cable and other hardware
We have concluded this detailed guide on how to fix the BSOD stop code 0x00000124. You should now be able to resolve the issue permanently and get your PC working properly.
When using a Windows Mixed Reality headset, you should know that connecting it to your PC is easy. However, you can sometimes encounter connectivity issues, as some users report that Windows Mixed Reality USB 3.0 is not working.
This can be frustrating, as it limits their connectivity options. If you are also troubled by this issue, this guide will walk you through the steps to fix it quickly.
Why is Windows Mixed Reality USB 3.0 not working?
Below are some of the factors that can cause the Windows Mixed Reality USB not to work on your PC:
Outdated PC: One of the major causes of this problem is an outdated operating system. You need to update your PC to fix the issue.
Faulty connections: Sometimes, the Windows Mixed Reality not detecting USB 3.0 issues can be due to connectivity issues between your headset and PC. You need to uninstall and reinstall WMR to solve the problem.
What can I do if Windows Mixed Reality USB 3.0 is not working?
Before proceeding to the solutions in this section, below are some of the troubleshooting steps you should try:
Connect WMR to another USB port
Connect your headset to another PC
If the steps above fail to solve the problem, you can explore the solutions below:
1. Check for Windows Updates
Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app and select Update & Security.
On the left side, click on Windows Update, then select Check for updates from the right side.
On the left side, click on Apps & features, and type Mixed Reality in the search box from the right side.
Click on the result, and select Uninstall.
2.2 Unpair your motion controllers
Open the Settings app and click on Devices.
From the left side, select Bluetooth & other devices.
Select each controller, and then click on Remove device.
NOTE
To reinstall Windows Mixed Reality, plug your headset back into your PC.
3. Use a third-party software
You can also automatically fix this issue by using a third-party software tool. The driver updater program will quickly scan your computer and list any hardware devices that have outdated drivers.
It is highly recommended to use a safe automated driver updater assistant such as Fortect Driver Updater to make your PC’s Windows Mixed Reality USB 3.0 recognizable.
This solution has a sizeable daily-updated driver database, so it will propose the most recent drivers available after scanning your system. You will also receive a comprehensive report outlining the actual state of your Windows 10’s missing, damaged, or obsolete drivers.
Press the Windows key + S, type device, and select the Device Manager option.
Check if the headset is listed under Monitors.
Select the Action tab on the top menu, then click Scan for hardware changes.
One of the effective ways to fix the Windows Mixed Reality USB 3.0 not working issue is to scan for any hardware changes on Device Manager. This will reinstall any driver or device that has been removed.
These were the most valuable options to fix the Windows Mixed Reality USB 3.0 not working issue. If you still can’t fix the problem after applying the solutions above, your headset might be faulty.
Also, for a general application, feel free to check some extra available options to solve the USB ports not working issue.
Moreover, you should share your thoughts in the comments below and let us know which solution worked best for you.
Dealing with a Disk Write error in DotA 2? You’re not alone. The popular multiplayer is no short of errors. From bad disk sectors, antivirus interference and outdated drivers, we’ll help you address all causes of this issue.
So if you want to get it fixed quickly, just follow the steps below.
How do I fix disk write errors for DotA 2 on Windows 10?
1. Check your hard drive for errors
Press the Windows key, type cmd, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
Type the command below and hit Enter: chkdsk c: /r
Now, press Y when prompted and restart your PC.
Finally, when your PC restarts, wait for the scan to complete. You can also run the command below to repair system files: sfc/scannow
Some users reported also experiencing this particular DotA 2 error due to interference from their third-party antivirus. This is especially true for the IObit antivirus, as many users could fix the issue by disabling it.
You must remove the software if disabling the antivirus does not work. Then, you can switch on Microsoft Defender or consider switching to an antivirus tool with better flexibility.
3. Verify the integrity of the game cache
Launch the Steam client.
Click the Library option at the top.
Right-click on DotA 2 and select Properties.
Now, click Local Files.
Finally, select Verify integrity of game cache… and wait for the process to complete.
Another way to repair corrupted files is through Steam‘s integrity checker.
4. Update your drivers
Press the Windows key + X and select the Device Manager option.
Double-click the sector you want to update drivers for and right-click the device there.
Now, select the Update driver option.
Finally, choose Search automatically for drivers and install any available updates.
Outdated drivers have also been commonly associated with the DotA 2 disk write errors, especially if the ones powering your HDD are incredibly old or possibly never updated.
Unlike other hardware components, where it is easy to visit the manufacturer’s website and get the driver, these are a bit trickier. Therefore, it is best to leave them in the hands of dedicated third-party software.
5. Reset winsock
Press the Windows key + S, type cmd, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
Type the following commands and press Enter after each: netshwinsock reset
Finally, wait for the command to finish running and restart your PC.
In some cases, the DotA 2 disk write error can be caused by issues with your network. So, you should reset the needed components and restart your PC.
Go to the drive where you have your game and navigate to the path below: Steam/steamapps/downloading
Finally, delete all the files in the location and restart DotA 2 update.
Sometimes, the DotA 2 disk write error can be due to corrupt or incomplete downloads. Delete the downloaded files and restart the update process to get past the error.
There you go; we hope these solutions helped you fix the DotA 2 update disk write errors on Windows 10, and you can enjoy the game.
If you face an FPS drop on DotA 2, check our detailed guide to fix and restore normalcy.
Let us know the solution that helped you fix this issue in the comments below.
Online multiplayer games have become increasingly popular over the years, but cheating and hacking remain significant issues that can ruin many players’ gaming experiences.
To combat this, anti-cheat software like BattlEye has been developed to detect and prevent cheating in games. However, sometimes, players may encounter the BattlEye Corrupted Memory error, which can prevent them from playing the game.
This article will explore what causes and what you can do to fix the issue.
Why does BattlEye’s corrupted memory error appear?
The BattlEye Corrupted Memory error typically occurs when the BattlEye anti-cheat software detects that the game’s memory has been corrupted. This can happen for many reasons, including:
Hardware issues – Corrupted game memory can be caused by hardware issues such as faulty RAM, a failing hard drive, or overheating computer components.
Software conflicts – Sometimes, conflicts between software applications or drivers can cause game memory to become corrupted. For example, if you have multiple antivirus programs running simultaneously, they can interfere with each other and cause memory issues.
Malware – Viruses and malware can cause memory corruption, triggering the BattlEye Corrupted Memory error.
Overclocking – If you have overclocked your computer’s CPU or GPU, it can cause instability in the system and lead to memory corruption.
Incompatibility – In some cases, BattlEye may not be compatible with a particular piece of software, and this incompatibility can cause memory corruption.
If you encounter the BattlEye Corrupted Memory error, it is recommended to use the solutions we recommend below.
How can I fix the Corrupted memory error in BattlEye?
Select the drive you wish to have cleaned up, and select OK.
Under the Files to delete section, select the files you wish to remove.
Select OK.
Sometimes your machine might experience slowdowns that can lead to Corrupted memory in BattlEye. You can solve it if you run the steps above.
2. Verify your Steam game
Open up the Steam window.
Click the Library to open the game collection.
Then right-click on your game and select Properties.
Click Local Files and press the Verify integrity of game files button.
Sometimes corrupted files can cause Corrupted memory error in BattlEye. To fix this problem, you need to verify the game cache.
3. Close all background programs
Press Windows + I to open Settings, then click on Privacy.
Click on Background apps.
Lastly, from the Choose which apps can run in the background, select which programs you wish to stop.
There are instances when programs running in the background could be conflicting with BattlEye and causing the Corrupted memory error. To fix this issue, do the following:
Alternatively, you can open your Task Manager by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard and close all unnecessary programs running in the background.
We hope that these solutions were of help to you in the meantime. Finally, let us know in the comment section below what other issues you have faced with BattlEye.
Are you curious about how to remove hackers from your Windows 10 computer? We have included every relevant detail in this article.
Many issues can occur on your PC, but one of the most troubling ones is when your computer has been compromised.
When this happens, your data, personal information, login credentials, and your PC are at a hacker’s disposal, and he can do with them as he pleases.
Speaking of which, even websites can get hacked, and many reported This site might be hacked messages in their browser.
How to tell if your computer has been hacked Windows 10?
1. Inability to login into certain services
If you can’t log in to a specific service, such as your email, for example, there’s a possibility of a hacker attack
Hackers will usually try to steal your accounts and change their passwords so they can keep using them. So if you can’t log in to a particular service anymore, and you’re 100% sure that your password is correct, you may be dealing with a hack.
Remember that this can affect any online service, including your email provider, bank, social networks, Microsoft Account, etc.
We have a specialized guide on what to do if your Microsoft Account is hacked, so we advise reading it for more information.
2. Suspicious logins
Some hackers are more subtle, and instead of stealing your account and changing your password, they will continue using it without your knowledge to collect other data.
If you manage to log in to your account, always check the account activity and history. If you notice unusual logins, somebody may access your account.
Remember that this information isn’t always 100% correct, but if you notice login sessions from a different country, there’s a good chance that someone hacked you.
3. Changes to your software
Unusual changes on the computer are a sign of a malware attack. In most cases, you might get suspicious applications suddenly appearing or random pop-up windows.
Sometimes these applications will start automatically with your PC, so you won’t even know they are running.
Many of these applications will also try to connect to the Internet, so if you notice any unusual traffic, it could be a sign that your computer has been compromised.
In less severe instances, your default start page and search engine in the browser will change, but that is easily fixable.
4. Your accounts send unwanted messages
If your computer has been compromised, you’ll notice suspicious activity from online accounts. The most common occurrence is sending unwanted emails from your account.
So be sure to check all communication platforms for any messages unknown messages. If you find some emails that you don’t remember sending, your account is likely hacked.
5. Performance issues
If your PC is hacked, you might experience slowdowns and other issues. Some viruses constantly work in the background, thus negatively affecting the system’s performance.
While specific applications use resources for no reason, others can utilize the power of your PC to generate cryptocurrency; therefore, be sure to keep a close eye on your performance.
How can I remove hackers from my Windows 10 computer?
1. Scan your PC for malware
Press Windows + S and type defender. Select Windows Security from the list.
Navigate to Virus & Threat protection and select Quick scan.
If this scan doesn’t find anything, click on the Scan options.
Select Full scan and click the Scan now button.
Wait for the process to finish.
For extremely pesky malware, we suggest using the Microsoft Defender Offline scan feature.
So how good is Windows Defender? It’s one of the secure antivirus applications and is available on all versions of Windows.
While Windows Defender offers some great features, it might not have specific advanced options that some users require.
5. Block unknown applications from going through your firewall
Press Windows + S and type firewall. Select Allow an app through Windows Firewall.
You’ll now see a list of applications interacting with your firewall.
Look for any suspicious applications.
Double-click the application to see its location and additional information.
Be sure to quickly search online and confirm that the application you want to disable is malicious.
Click on Change settings.
Uncheck the application that you want to block.
Click on OK to save changes.
It’s crucial to do proper research before disabling applications. Disabling the wrong one may lead to issues with specific software or Windows components.
But generally, this may be how to remove hackers from your Windows 10 computer.
6. Reset your browser to default
NOTE
The steps are to reset Google Chrome, and the concept is similar for all major browsers. Again, check the Support section on the browser’s official website to find the exact steps.
In your browser, click on the More button and select Settings.
Click on Advanced and then select Reset and clean up.
Navigate to Restore settings to their original defaults.
Click on Reset settings to confirm.
By doing so, you’ll reset the browser to the default, and remove all your browsing history, extensions, and bookmarks will be removed.
This method is helpful if you’re getting a compromised computer message or if you notice any other strange behavior in your web browser.
7. Clean install Windows and format your hard drives
NOTE
This process will completely remove all files from the PC, so you might want to back up the essential ones before proceeding.
Connect the flash drive to your PC and restart it.
Press F4 or any other assigned key to open the boot menu.
Select your USB flash drive.
Choose Install now.
Now select Custom install.
Select your drive and click on Format.
Do the same for all your partitions.
Now select the correct drive and start the installation.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.
Remember that this is an advanced solution; therefore, use it only if you know how to reinstall Windows 10 properly and if other solutions didn’t help you remove the malware.
Why am I seeing Your computer has been compromised message?
If you are seeing a message that says your computer has been compromised, it is likely a type of scam known as a tech support scam.
These scams often involve a pop-up message or a phone call fronting a legitimate company such as Microsoft or Apple. They attempt to trick you into giving away personal or financial information or paying for unnecessary tech support services.
Here are a few possible reasons why you may be seeing this message:
Malicious software – If you’ve downloaded malware or other malicious software onto your computer, it may cause the pop-up message to appear. Malware can infect your computer in various ways, such as through email attachments, fake software updates, or visiting malicious websites.
Phishing – Phishing is a scam where attackers attempt to trick you into providing sensitive information, such as your login credentials or credit card information. A pop-up message claiming that your computer has been compromised may be an attempt to get you to give away this information.
Adware – Adware is software that displays unwanted advertisements on your computer. Some types of adware may display fake security warnings to scare you into downloading more software or paying for unnecessary tech support services.
We have explored how to remove hackers from your Windows 10 computer, and depending on the severity of the issue, you might not have to use them all.
If you want to ensure that your PC remains safe, we strongly suggest you consider using anti-hacking software since it will prevent malware from running on your computer.
What methods do you use to deal with hacked PC? Let us know in the comments section below.
Xbox is one of the most loved platforms in the gaming community, primarily owing to the wide variety of games available. But, several users have reported that the Xbox installer is stuck in the Making things awesome window with no progress.
The Xbox app in Windows 11 and the previous iteration allows users to connect their Xbox account and play games with friends across devices. In addition, the Xbox Game Pass allows users to play over 100 games after purchasing the subscription.
But, the inability to install the Xbox app changes the equation. Therefore, we have dedicated this guide to help you eliminate the issues causing the Xbox installer to get stuck at the Making things awesome screen.
Why is my Xbox stuck on installing?
There could be several reasons why your Xbox is stuck on installing. However, here are a few elements to have in mind:
Slow or unstable internet connection – If your internet connection is unstable or slow, it can affect the download speed and cause the installation to get stuck. This can be especially problematic for larger game downloads.
Overheating – If your Xbox is overheating, it may cause the installation to get stuck. This can happen if the console is in an enclosed space or has been running for an extended period.
Full storage space – If your Xbox’s storage is full, there may need to be more space to install the game or app. This can cause the installation to get stuck or fail altogether.
Corrupted game files – If the game or app files are corrupted, it can cause the installation to get stuck. This can happen if the download is interrupted or a problem during the installation process.
Outdated Xbox software – If your Xbox’s software is obsolete, it may not work with the game or app you’re trying to install. This can cause the installation to get stuck or fail altogether.
Xbox Live service issues – Sometimes, Xbox Live may experience service outages or other problems affecting game installations.
Based on our research, we have listed the most effective fixes for the error and recommend executing them according to the likely trigger of your specific situation.
What can I do if the Xbox installer is stuck on making things awesome?
Before venturing into any fixes, check if your system matches the requirements for the Xbox app.
If your Xbox installer is stuck at the Making things awesome screen, it could be because the Xbox app doesn’t support your system. Xbox has listed the minimum system requirements on its official website to run the app. We have listed them here to save you some time:
OS: Windows 11/10 (version 22H1 or higher)
Processor: Intel Core i5, AMD Ryzen 5 (Quad-core or higher)
Memory: 8 GB RAM
GPU: AMD Radeon RX 560, NVIDIA GTX 1050
DirectX: DirectX 12
Free storage: 150 GB
Display: 1080p
Also, verify that Windows 11 is legit and activated and reboot your computer.
If you have an active OS that matches these requirements, one of the methods below should eliminate the underlying issues preventing the installation of the Xbox app. If it doesn’t match, we recommend upgrading the system.
1. Update Windows 11
Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app, and select Windows Update from the tabs listed in the navigation pane on the left.
Next, click on Check for updates on the right to scan for any available newer versions of the OS.
If any newer versions exist, download and install them on your PC to update Windows 11 and fix the Xbox installer stuck at Making things awesome.
2. Run the Windows Store App troubleshooter
Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app, and click on Troubleshoot on the right in the System tab.
Next, click on Other troubleshooters.
Locate the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter and click on the Run button next to it.
Please wait for the troubleshooter to diagnose the problem and follow the instructions to eliminate it.
3. Repair the Microsoft Store app
Press Windows + I to launch the Settings, and select Apps from the tabs listed in the navigation pane on the left.
Next, click on Apps & features on the right.
Locate the Microsoft Store entry, click on the ellipsis next to it, and select Advanced options from the menu that pops up.
Now, locate and click on the Repair button.
Repairing is a quick way of fixing issues with an app. It scans for problems with the app files and replaces the corrupt or problematic ones. Also, it checks the Registry entries and the installation files while ensuring that your data and settings are intact.
4. Reset the Microsoft Store app
Press Windows + I to launch Settings, and select the Apps tab from the navigation pane.
Click on Apps & features.
Click on the ellipsis next to the Microsoft Store entry, and select Advanced options from the menu that appears.
Next, click on the Reset button.
Again, click Reset on the confirmation prompt that appears.
After the download, double-click on it to launch the setup.
Finally, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
In many cases, users were able to bypass the Xbox installer stuck the Making things awesome by downloading the app from the official website instead of the Microsoft Store.
These are the most effective fixes for the Xbox installer stuck at the Making things awesome screen. You can reset Windows 11 to its factory settings if the above methods don’t work.
EAC heavily interferes with the startup of newer titles, such as Lost Ark or Elden Ring, driving players mad and making them go through a fixing process to play.
And, since Lost Ark and EAC are not best buddies, we will step in again and detail how other players got past this error since an official fix isn’t out there yet.
Why is my Lost Ark not launching?
Like many online games, Lost Ark uses an anti-cheat system to prevent cheating and maintain fair play. If you’re having trouble launching the game and suspect that the anti-cheat system may be causing the issue, there are several things you can try:
Compatibility issues – Your computer may not meet the game’s minimum system requirements.
Missing or corrupted files – The game files may be missing or corrupted, preventing the game from launching. One of the fastest ways to fix errors related to missing DLL files is to usededicated repair software.
Outdated drivers or software – Ensure your computer has the latest version of drivers and software required to run the game. Outdated software or drivers can cause compatibility issues with the game.
Security software conflicts – The anti-cheat system used by the game may conflict with security software such as antivirus or firewall.
Incompatible third-party software – Third-party software running in the background can conflict with the game and prevent it from launching.
Server issues – The game server may be down or experiencing maintenance, which can prevent the game from launching.
Gamers are concerned as they are unable to go past the EAC screen. As soon as they reach the EasyAntiCheat screen, Lost Ark either crashes or force-closes right at that instance itself.
The error codes for this situation are:
Cannot Find WININET.dll. Please re-install this application
Easy Anti-Cheat window. Untrusted system file (uxtheme.dll)
You should try our recommendation below.
What can I do if Lost Ark is not launching after anti-cheat?
1. Reinstall or repair Easy Anti Cheat
Launch Steam, then click the Library menu.
Right-click the game giving you trouble and select Properties from the drop-down menu.
Select the Local Files tab and then Browse Local Files.
Navigate to the folder named EasyAntiCheat and double-click to open it.
Inside the folder, run the file EasyAntiCheat_Setup.exe.
When the Easy Anti-Cheat setup window opens, click the Repair Service button. To uninstall and then reinstall Easy Anti-Cheat completely, you can click on the Uninstall button instead.
Let the process complete, then close the setup window.
Restart your game and see if the issue is resolved.
2. Exit open third-party apps
Pres Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
Go through the processes displayed.
Right-click on any process you feel may be causing a conflict and select End Task.
If Lost Ark is not launching after the anti-cheat loads, it may be due to a conflict with third-party applications on your computer.
Some programs, such as antivirus or other security software, may interfere with the operation of the anti-cheat system.
Exiting open third-party applications may resolve the issue because it can reduce the chances of conflicts or interference.
Closing other programs free up system resources that the anti-cheat system and the game need to run smoothly. This can help prevent conflicts and errors that prevent the game from launching.
3. Verify Steam game file integrity
Launch Steam, then click the Library menu.
Right-click the game giving you trouble and select Properties from the drop-down menu.
Select the Local Files tab and then Verify integrity of game files.
Press Windows Key, type internet options and open the app.
Click the Connections tab and click the LAN Settings button.
Untick Use a proxy server for your LAN and click OK.
Also, disable your VPN service if you are using on.
If Lost Ark is not launching after the anti-cheat loads, it may be due to conflicts with proxy or VPN-related services on your computer. Proxy or VPN services can interfere with the anti-cheat system and prevent the game from launching correctly.
Disabling proxy or VPN-related services can resolve the issue by preventing these services from interfering with the anti-cheat system.
These are the steps that have been proven to work for other Lost Ark players that found themselves in the same situation you are in right now.
Which of the steps mentioned above worked in your case? Please share your experience with us in the comments section below.
Are you experiencing issues with your TP-Link router, which shows an Unidentified Network error message. This is a common problem that many router users face.
When this error occurs, your computer cannot establish a connection to the router, so you cannot access the internet.
So, let us explore the possible causes of the Unidentified Network error and provide step-by-step solutions to help you troubleshoot and fix the issue.
Why does my TP-Link say Unidentified network?
If your TP-Link router shows an Unidentified Network error message, it usually means that your computer cannot identify its connected network. This can happen due to various reasons, including:
IP address conflict – If your computer and another device on your network have the same IP address, it can cause a conflict and prevent your PC from identifying the network.
Driver issues – If the network adapter driver on your computer is outdated or corrupted, it can cause connectivity issues and prevent your computer from identifying the network.
Router settings – Additionally, if the router’s configuration settings are incorrect, it can cause issues with network connectivity, leading to the Unidentified Network error.
Network cables – Also, if there are issues with the network cables connecting your router and computer, it can cause connectivity issues and prevent your device from identifying the network.
Malware or virus infections – Malware or virus infections on your computer can cause network connectivity issues and prevent your laptop from identifying the network.
These are the common reasons for this error. By identifying the cause of the issue, you can take steps to resolve it and get your network back up and running.
How can I fix the Registry Filter Driver Exception error?
Type cmd in Windows Search. Right-click on cmd and select Run as Administrator.
In the Command Prompt, type these commands and hit Enter. netsh winsock reset catalog netsh int ipv4 reset reset.log netsh int ipv6 reset reset.log
Close the Command Prompt window and reboot your system. Finally, restart, connect to the Powerline adapter, and check for improvements.
2. Disable / re-enable the network card
Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box, type control, and hit Enter.
In the Control Panel, click on Network and Internet.
Click on Network and Sharing Center.
From the left pane, click on Change Adapter settings.
Right-click your adapter and select Disable.
Right-click on the disabled network adapter and select Enable.
Lastly, reboot your system and check for any improvements.
3. Disable IPv6 for network properties
Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog box, type control, and hit Enter.
In the Control Panel, click on Network and Internet.
Next, click on Network and Sharing Center.
From the left pane, click on Change Adapter settings.
Now right-click on the problematic network and select Properties.
In the Properties window, uncheck Internet Protocol Version 6(TCP/IPv6).
Click OK to save the changes.
Finally, reboot your computer and check for any improvements.
IPv6 is the successor to the popular IPv4. However, not all devices are fully compatible with the IPv6 protocol, which can cause the TP-link unidentified network error.
4. Update/uninstall the network adapter
Press Windows + X and select Device Manager.
In the Device Manager, expand Network Adapters, right-click on your ethernet card, and select Update driver.
Lastly, select Search automatically for updated driver software.
Check for any improvements. If not, do the following:
Right-click on your ethernet adapter again and click Uninstall. Click Yes to confirm.
Once uninstalled, click on Actions and select Scan for hardware changes.
Finally, if the drivers are not installed after the hardware scan, reboot your system, and Windows will install them automatically after the restart. This should solve the TP-link unidentified network error.
You can also use dedicated software such as Outbyte Driver Updater. It will save you some time and automatically match your hardware with the best driver version available. In addition, you can set it up to make regular updates and repairs to your drivers while you take care of more important tasks.
Connect the Powerline adapter to a Windows computer.
Download and install the TP-Link Management Utility. You don’t need to download this utility if you have the source CD provided with the adapters.
Open the Management Utility, go to System, and click the Reset Local Devices button.
Once the reset is over, disconnect the adapter, connect it to the wall socket, and check for any improvements.
As a last resort, you can try to factory reset the Powerline adapter. The steps to factory reset adapters may differ depending on the maker of the adapter.
Also, if you have the Wireless Powerline adapter, you can reset it by pressing and holding the Reset button using a pin for 10 seconds.
Encountering an unidentified network error with your TP-Link router can be frustrating and can cause disruptions to your internet connectivity. However, there are several steps that you can take to troubleshoot and resolve the issue.
So, by following the tips and solutions discussed in this article, you can effectively identify and address the root cause of the problem, whether it be a hardware issue, software issue, or configuration issue.
Lastly, remember to tell us what worked for you using the comments below.
As more and more people rely on the internet for work and entertainment, the use of proxy servers has become increasingly common. However, in some cases, the proxy server keeps turning on Windows 10.
This can be frustrating and pose a security risk, as it could allow unauthorized access to a user’s online activity.
This article will explore why the proxy server keeps turning on in Windows 10 and provide step-by-step instructions on disabling it to ensure a safer and smoother internet experience.
Why does my computer keep turning on the proxy server?
There can be several reasons why your computer keeps turning on the proxy server. Some of the most common reasons are:
Malware or virus infection – Malware or viruses can change the proxy settings on your computer without your knowledge or consent and turn on the proxy server.
Network settings – If your network or internet service provider requires you to use a proxy server to access the internet, your computer may be configured to turn on the proxy server automatically.
Windows updates – In some cases, updates to the Windows operating system can change the default settings and turn on the proxy server.
User settings – If you or someone else who uses your computer has enabled the proxy server and saved the settings, your computer may turn on the proxy server automatically based on those saved settings.
Regarding this problem, time after time, various users reported proxy issues, such as:
Proxy server keeps turning on Windows 10 – in this case, you might not be able to turn your proxy off, as it can keep switching back on
Windows 10 proxy settings keep changing, won’t save – most likely occurs due to registry problems
Can’t change proxy settings Windows 10 – often happens if your user profile is corrupted
Proxy settings, server won’t turn off – occurs whenever certain services aren’t running
Proxy won’t stay off, disable – can happen for a bunch of reasons, but we’ve got some quick fixes right below
To determine the problem’s specific cause, you should troubleshoot and investigate each possibility. Once you have identified the reason, you can disable the proxy server and prevent it from turning on automatically.
What can I do if the proxy server keeps turning on in Windows 10?
1. Use a VPN
Often, proxy servers are the preferred choice instead of VPNs because they are usually free. However, using a VPN could boost your connection in terms of privacy, security, and even speed if you’re lucky enough.
Private Internet Access, for instance, has a great network of over 22,000 servers (and counting) that you can choose from.
It won’t log any of your online activity details, so you can rest assured knowing that your privacy is in good hands.
PIA also offers SOCKS5 and Shadowsocks proxy support, so you can always use those in addition to standard VPN features.
On the downside, using a VPN won’t automatically disable your proxy, so you might want to try our suggestions above before installing a VPN.
Private Internet Access
Try this excellent VPN service with high-speed levels to protect your online privacy at all times.
Type Windows Security in the Search bar, and click on the relevant search result.
Now, click on Virus & threat protection here.
Click on Scan options.
Now, select Full scan and click on the Scan now button at the bottom.
As we briefly explained above, being unable to turn off the proxy can signify malware infection. This is the worst-case scenario, so you’ll want to act quickly if your proxy won’t turn off.
Therefore, a complete system scan is in order. Even if it doesn’t detect anything, you can at least rule out this scenario and try other suggested methods.
If you’re unsatisfied with Windows’ built-in security features, check out the best antivirus software for your Windows 10 PC.
3. Edit your registry
Press Windows Key + R.
Type regedit and press Enter or click OK.
Navigate to the path below: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
Double-click the ProxySettingsPerUser DWORD and set its value to 1.
If the DWORD isn’t available, right-click the right pane, choose New, DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it ProxySettingsPerUser.
Now double-click it and set its value to 1.
If the above does not work, some users also suggest making the following changes in the same location:
Change ProxyEnable value to 0
Change ProxyHttp1.1 value to 0
Remove ProxyOverride key
Remove ProxyServer key
Many users reported that this solution worked in their case.
On the other hand, it’s worth mentioning that modifying the registry is a risky procedure, especially if you have no experience with the RegEditor.
4. Check if your proxy has been disabled properly
Open the Settings app (use the Win Key + I combination).
Navigate to the Network & Internet section.
Go to the Proxy category, and disable all options in the Proxy section.
This might sound like the equivalent of restarting your computer when something goes wrong.
However, you have no clue how often users complain about things not working without starting them.
With that in mind, kindly check if you correctly turned off your proxy before panicking about it and refusing to disable it.
5. Check if any apps or services run on port 8080
5.1 Check listening ports
Press Windows + X, and select Command Prompt (Admin).
Type the following command and hit Enter: netstat -abno | findstr LISTENING | findstr :8080
Check if any apps on your system run on port 8080.
Other applications might use port 8080 on your system, which could sometimes cause proxy issues. For that reason, you should check quickly and see if any apps on your system are running on port 8080.
Reportedly, ISUSPM.exe frequently uses port 8080. Thus, to fix your proxy issues, you need to disable them.
5.2 End listening processes
Launch the Task Manager using Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
Locate the ISUSPM.exe process or any other process discovered using the port.
Right-click it and choose End task from the menu.
Navigate to this path on your PC: C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files \Install Shield \ Update
Then, locateISUSPM.exe, and rename it to ISUSPM-old.exe.
Now you have to restart your PC, and the problem with the proxy should be gone.
6. Create a new user account
Open the Settings app using Windows + I.
Head over to the Accounts section.
Now choose Family & other people, then click Add someone else to this PC.
Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
Click the Add a user without a Microsoft account button.
Type a username and a password for the new account and click Next.
Sometimes your user account can get corrupted, and as you can see, it can cause many issues.
If this is the case, you might be better off creating a new account than trying to recover your old, corrupted one.
After doing so, switch to the new account and check if the problem persists.
If everything is alright, you can start moving your files from your old account and delete the corrupted account once you’re done.
7. Enable WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Service
Press Win Key + R on your keyboard.
Type services.msc and press Enter or click OK.
Locate WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Service and double-click it.
Click the Start button, then Apply, and OK.
Check if the issue is still present after starting the service.
If you notice that the service was already running when you arrived at it, this method doesn’t apply to you, and you can skip it.
Sometimes your proxy not turning off problem may be caused by certain services on your system.
To be more specific, WinHTTP Web Proxy Auto-Discovery Service, or its absence, could be responsible for this issue. So, naturally, you have to start this service to fix it.
8. Disable your browser’s proxy settings
Launch your browser.
In the address bar, input the path below and hit Enter (this example uses Chrome, which will be different for other browsers). chrome://settings/system
Click Open your computer’s proxy settings, and toggle off the Setting.
In some instances, you might be able to fix this problem simply by disabling your proxy settings in your browser.
This process is different for each browser; however, it shouldn’t be too complicated, regardless of your browser.
You need to open the Settings page in your browser, locate the Proxy section, and ensure everything is disabled. Then, you may need to start your browser as an administrator to apply the changes.
After disabling all proxy settings from your browser, check if the problem persists. If it does, try restarting your PC and checking once more.
As it turns out, sometimes your PC may refuse to turn off the proxy server connection, which can happen for many reasons.
However, we managed to identify most (if not all) of them and offer practical methods to solve this issue, regardless of its cause.
If you managed to disable the proxy on your system, it would be wise to invest in a trustworthy VPN service such as PIA.
It offers greater privacy and security features minus all the hassle a proxy server brings.
Like Twitter which just got ridden of its free tier of API pricing plans, Microsoft is in hot water for increasing the prices for Bing Search APIs. Starting May 2023, developers can expect massively skyrocketing prices for this feature by up to 10 times the current prices—a definitely uneasy decision in this time.
The reason? Well, Microsoft believes the new polarizing announcement is made to align the market demands with offered services in the wake of the new AI-powered Bing, although a 1,000% increase still seems a little over too much.
“The price increase will apply to all markets. Starting May 1, 2023., you’ll be charged the new price for all Microsoft Bing APIs. We periodically assess the value and pricing of our services to meet market demands and align the pricing of our products and services with customer consumption trends and preferences. The new pricing model reflects more accurately the technology investments Bing continues to make to improve Search.”
There are 10 available pricing plans. One is the free issue which includes Bing’s image, news, video, visual, web, and entity searches, as well as autosuggest and spell check, billed at 1,000 transactions free per month for all markets for only 3 tps (transactions per second). Others vary from $10 to $200 per 1,000 transactions and $25 per 25,000 transactions under faster tps rates.
Read along to find out how expensive the Bing API cost for URLs.
How much does the Bing API cost for URLs?
You can see the full prices in this table. Each paid plan includes an optional Bing statistics add-in at $10 per 1,000 transactions, which was previously only costing $1.
Bing Web Search Bing Image Search Bing News Search Bing Video Search Bing Entity Search Bing Autosuggest* Bing Spell Check*
$7 per 1,000 transactions $7 per 25,000 transactions*
$25 per 1,000 transactions $25 per 25,000 transactions*
S2
100 TPS
Bing Web Search Bing Autosuggest* Bing Spell Check*
$3 per 1,000 transactions $3 per 10,000 transactions*
$15 per 1,000 transactions $15 per 10,000 transactions*
S3
100 TPS
Bing Web Search Bing Image Search
$4 per 1,000 transactions
$18 per 1,000 transactions
S4
100 TPS
Bing Web Search Bing Video Search
$4 per 1,000 transactions
$18 per 1,000 transactions
S5
100 TPS
Bing Web Search Bing News Search
$4 per 1,000 transactions
$18 per 1,000 transactions
S6
100 TPS
Bing Web Search Bing Entity Search
$3 per 1,000 transactions
$15 per 1,000 transactions
S7
150 TPS
Bing Web Search Bing Image Search Bing Video Search
$5 per 1,000 transactions
$20 per 1,000 transactions
S8
150 TPS
Bing Web Search Bing Image Search Bing News Search Bing Video Search
$6 per 1,000 transactions
$22 per 1,000 transactions
S9
30 TPS
Bing Visual Search
$3 per 1,000 transactions
$15 per 1,000 transactions
“Bing Search APIs are invoiced based on number of transactions (also known as API calls). These plans are pay-as-you-go and doesn’t incur additional cost for complex queries and more than 10 results (up to 50 results in most cases).”
For those with large language models, Microsoft presents two tiers of pricing plans. For less than 1 million requests per day, the plan costs $28/1,000 transactions. For those with over 1 million, it starts from $200/1,000 transactions.
How badly is Microsoft’s plan to increase Bing API’s cost for URLs affecting you? Let us know in the comments!
Duplex printing or double-sided printing is a great feature to help you print both sides of the document in one go on your Windows 11 device.
However, not all printer models support duplex printing, or it may be possible that the feature is not turned on.
What is automatic duplex printing?
Nowadays, most printer models offer you the option to automatically print on both sides of a paper. This is called automatic duplex printing.
But, if you do not know if your printer prints both sides automatically, you can refer to its manual or check with the OEM to find out if it supports the feature.
However, if the printer does not support the feature, you can check its manual to understand how to manually print the second side (manual duplex printing).
In this post, we will not only guide you through the process of how to print double-sided in Windows 11 but will also explain the duplex printing process for different apps.
How to turn on double-sided printing in Windows 11?
Press the Win + R keys simultaneously to launch the Run console.
Here, type control printers in the search bar and hit Enter to open the Devices and Printers window.
Now, right-click on your printer model and select Printing Preferences.
In the Printer Preferences (for the printer software) window, go to the Print Profiles tab, and check if you already have Duplex Printing/2-sided print enabled.
Now that the profile is selected, look for the Multiple Page sections, and here you should see the 2-Side option.
Alternatively, for some printers, you can right-click on the printer model under Devices and Printers and select Printer Properties.
Next, check for the Duplex Unit option under different tabs. It can be under the Device Settings or the Quick Setup tab.
Here, check the Installable Options section which should say No Installed next to the Duplex Unit. Change it to Installed.
NOTE
You may find the Duplex Printing option under a different tab also, based on the printer model and the OEM design.
How do I print both sides of a document?
1. PDF in Windows 11 browser
Open the PDF file in your browser, and then click on Print. Make sure you have the same printer connected for which you turned on Duplex Printing.
Once you have selected the Destination where you want to save the PDF, pages, and the number of copies, check the box next to Two-sided to print both sides of the paper.
You can also change between the long and short edges. Now, press Print.
But, if you are printing from Acrobat/Reader, select Print On Both Sides Of Paper in the Print dialog. Press the Print button.
Now that you have successfully set up the double-sided print option in Windows 11, it should now print your PDF document on both sides.
2. Printing an Office document
Open any office document, for example, Word, and click on File.
Next, click on Print on the left, and select the printer on the right.
Now, go to Settings, and click on the drop-down to select Print on both sides.
You can now configure other options, Orientation, Page Size, Margins, etc. Once done, click on Print.
Alternatively, you can also select Printer Properties, Preferences, or Printer Setup after Step 2.
Now, under the Layout, Features, or Finishing tab, click on the Print on Both Sides Manually drop-down, and then select Flip on Long Edge or Flip on Short Edge.
Next, select the Printing Shortcut tab, and select Two-sided (Duplex) Printing in the list.
Now that you have successfully configured the printing options, it should print the document on both sides.
Open the Word Pad file you want to print, click on the File menu and select Print.
Next, in the Print window, select the printer, and click on Preferences.
In the Printing Preferences window, go to the Layout tab, and check for the Two-Sided/Print on Both Sides option (or anything similar). Make sure you enable it.
You can also choose to save this setup as preset to turn on double-sided printing permanently.
At the same time, you can invest in a duplex scanner with OCR that will not just scan both sides of your documents but also convert printed characters into electronic text.
If you have any other queries related to printers & scanners, or duplex printing, you can let us know in the comments section below.
Some users have encountered issues when trying to uninstall Epic Games Launcher. Those users have reported they see error messages when attempting to uninstall that software via the Control Panel.
If you can’t uninstall Epic Games Launcher, this article with causes and potential resolutions might help you uninstall it.
Why can’t I uninstall Epic Games Launcher?
Here are some possible reasons why you might be having trouble uninstalling Epic Games Launcher:
App running in the background – If the game Launcher is still running in the background, it can prevent the uninstaller from removing all of its files. Make sure the launcher is completely closed before trying to uninstall it.
The uninstaller may be corrupted or incomplete – If the uninstaller for Epic Games Launcher needs files or has become corrupted, it may not be able to remove the launcher from your computer.
Some files may be in use – Some files associated with the Epic Games Launcher may be in use by other programs or services on your computer, which can prevent them from being deleted.
Other programs or components – The Epic Games Launcher may have installed other programs or components, such as game files or system drivers. These additional components may need to be removed separately.
Modified system settings or registry entries – The Epic Games Launcher may have modified your computer’s system settings or registry entries, making it difficult to remove completely.
Privileges issues – If you’re not logged in as an administrator, or your user account needs sufficient privileges, you may be unable to uninstall the Epic Games Launcher.
Antivirus or security software – Some antivirus or security software may block or interfere with the uninstallation process, making removing the Epic Games Launcher difficult or impossible.
How to uninstall the Epic Games launcher without deleting games?
If you want to uninstall the Epic Games Launcher without deleting your games, you can back up your game files and then restore them after reinstalling the launcher.
You must locate the game folder, usually in the path below, and copy it to a safe location.
C:Program FilesEpic Games
When you uninstall the launcher, you will not affect the backed-up games. Instead, you will have to return them to the default folder after reinstalling the launcher.
What can I do if I can’t uninstall Epic Games Launcher?
1. Uninstall Epic Games Launcher in Safe Mode
1. The first step is to click theu003cstrongu003e Poweru003c/strongu003e button on the Windows Start button.
2. The next step is to click u003cstrongu003eRestart u003c/strongu003efrom the available options.
u003cspanu003e3. Then you’ll need to selectu003c/spanu003eu003cstrongu003e Troubleshootu003c/strongu003eu003cspanu003e.u003c/spanu003e
4. After selecting u003cstrongu003eTroubleshootu003c/strongu003e, click on u003cemu003eAdvanced Optionsu003c/emu003e.
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6. Press the keyboard button 4 to select the u003cstrongu003eEnable Safe Modeu003c/strongu003e option when Windows restarts.
7. Boot the PC in Safe Mode and uninstall the Epic Games Launcher from within it.
In our guide above we presented you the process of uninstalling Epic Games Launcher by booting your PC in Safe Mode. This ensures a safe and secure uninstallation of the app in just a few steps.rnrnIn some cases, Windows won’t uninstall the Epic Games Launcher even if you try many methods. But, in safe mode, you can easily remove this software without facing additional issues.
2. Uninstall Epic Games Launcher with a third-Party uninstaller utility
If you can’t uninstall the Launcher on Windows 11, a dedicated third-party tool can do it. It also saves time as you won’t have to follow extra steps.
Numerous alternative third-party software removal utilities will uninstall Epic Games Launcher without any issues.
Uninstallers are completely safe utilities that not only remove the selected app but also scan your PC for any leftover files or registry entries related to that app and remove them as well.
This guarantees that your PC is clutter-free, and you can reinstall the program in the future without old files interfering with new ones and causing errors such as crashing your installation.
For this task, we recommend IObit Uninstaller. This is a powerful dedicated tool that will allow you to remove any programs that might get stuck in your system. This tool will remove any trace of the problem app even from your registries, so you will have no issues when trying to reinstall it in the future.
IObit Uninstaller
Keep your system in top shape by removing any clutter with this powerful uninstaller.
We hope our article helped you delete the Epic Games Launcher from your PC. Let us know in the comments section below if you have any questions about this topic.
Computer errors can always be a problem, but the most problematic ones are usually Blue Screen of Death errors. The fatal error Windows 10 belongs to this category.
These errors can be quite a nuisance, so in today’s article, we’ll show you how to fix Fatal system errors on Windows 10.
Why does my computer say fatal error?
When your computer says “fatal error,” it means that an unexpected error has occurred, which is severe enough to cause the program or system to crash. The most common reasons your PC might display a fatal error include the following:
Corrupted files – If one or more critical system files or application files are damaged, deleted, or modified, it can cause a fatal error.
Software incompatibility – If you have installed software incompatible with your operating system or other software programs, it can cause conflicts, leading to a fatal error.
Hardware failure – If there is a problem with any hardware component of your computer, such as the hard drive, RAM, CPU, or motherboard, it can cause a fatal error.
Virus or malware infection – Malicious software programs can infect your computer, causing a fatal error.
Insufficient system resources – If your computer does not have enough memory or processing power to run the program or task, it can cause a fatal error.
Overheating – If your computer overheats due to inadequate cooling, it can cause a fatal error.
Now we know the causes, let us recommend the most valid solutions.
How do I fix the Fatal error on Windows 10?
1. Use the DISM command
Restart your computer a few times during the boot phase to trigger the repair process.
Choose Troubleshoot, then Advanced options.
Select the Command Prompt option.
When Command Prompt opens, enter the line below: dism /image:c: /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions
Press Enter to run it.
Wait for the process to complete and check if the error is resolved.
Sometimes your Windows 10 installation can become corrupt due to a particular patch or for some other reason, and if that happens, you can fix it using the DISM command.
Users reported that they fixed the Fatal disk error on Windows 10 by running a system installation from bootable media using the DISM. To do that, follow the steps above.
2. Repair your PC with a great tool
One of the most recurrent causes for BSoD errors is a damaged system, particularly compromised files; we recommend you fix this issue with a professional repair tool.
These tools can repair the broken or corrupted files mainly responsible for the Blue Screen of Death issues and remove any secondary effects from previous virus infections.
3. Disable driver signature enforcement
Restart your computer a few times during the boot phase to start the Automatic Repair process.
Choose Troubleshoot, then Advanced options.
Select Startup Settings.
Press F7 to select Disable driver signature enforcement.
One potential solution to fix the BSoD problem is to disable driver signature enforcement. To do that, you need to follow the steps above.
After going through the troubleshooting process and you managed to disable the driver signature enforcement, you should check if the Blue Screen of Death issue is resolved.
4. Replace the corrupted files
Corrupted system files can often cause a fatal system error, and users reported that Winlogon, Userinit.exe, and msgina.dll are the files you need to replace.
These files are usually located in the WindowsSystem32 directory, and you can replace them by copying the duplicate files from a different Windows 10 PC.
After copying these files from a different device, the system failure on Windows 10 should be resolved entirely.
Remember that you should copy these files from the same version of Windows 10. For example, if you use a 64-bit version of Windows 10, copy these files from another 64-bit Windows 10 PC.
5. Repair your registry
Press Windows + E to open File Explorer.
Go to the location below and copy the DEFAULT, SAM, SECURITY, SOFTWARE, and SYSTEM files to a different location. C:\Windows\System32\config
Go to the folder below: C:\Windows\System32\Config\Regback
Paste the copied files.
After doing that, check if the issue is resolved.
A few users reported fixing this issue simply by repairing their registry. Windows creates a backup of your registry, and you can replace it by following these steps:
6. Install the latest updates and drivers
Press the Windows Key + I to open the Settings add and click on Update & Security.
Then click Check for updates.
Let Windows check and install any necessary updates.
You can fix many issues with Windows 10 simply by installing the latest updates. Those updates bring many fixes related to hardware and software, so be sure to use Windows Update to download the necessary updates.
Besides updates, it’s also essential that you install the latest drivers for your PC. To do that, visit your hardware manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your device.
We recommend a third-party tool (100% safe and tested by us) to download all outdated drivers on your PC automatically.
When you use a driver updater, it not only downloads and installs drivers but also helps you manage them by detecting faulty drivers, backing up, and restoring them. As a result, it is worthwhile using one!
The specialized software can scan your PC for out-of-date drivers as soon as you install it and provides an accurate report of all the elements that need to be updated.
All you have to do is decide whether you want to update all of the drivers at once or one by one if you have reasons not to.
Many of these tools also allow you to schedule regular driver scans. This means you will get an automatic update whenever it is necessary. As a result, you won’t have to think about the issue again and avoid the BSoD bug.
7. Run the SFC scan
Restart your computer a few times during the boot phase to trigger the repair process.
Choose Troubleshoot, then Advanced options.
Finally, select the Command Prompt option.
Type the command below and press Enter: SFC /SCANNOW /OFFBOOTDIR=C: /OFFWINDIR=C:Windows
The SFC scan is designed to repair corrupted files, and if corrupted system files cause this error, you might be able to fix it by performing an SFC scan.
Restart your computer a few times during the boot phase to trigger the repair process.
Choose Troubleshoot, then Advanced options.
Finally, select the Command Prompt option.
Type in the following command then hit Enter: chkdsk /r C:
Replace the letter C with the letter of your partition.
Another potential solution is to use the chkdsk command. This command will scan your hard drive for any corrupted files and repair them.
To perform a detailed scan, scan all hard drive partitions by entering the same command and replacing C: with the letter that matches your hard drive partition.
Restart your computer a few times during the boot phase to trigger the repair process.
Choose Troubleshoot, then Reset this PC and Remove everything.
Insert the installation media if you’re asked to.
Select Only the drive where Windows is installed, then Just remove my files.
Click the Reset button to start the process.
Follow the instructions to reset Windows 10.
If you can’t fix this error, you might want to reset Windows 10. To do that, restart your computer a few times during the boot process to enter Automatic Repair. After that, follow these steps:
If the reset process doesn’t help, perform a clean install of Windows 10. Remember that both these processes will delete all files from your C partition, so be sure to back up important files.
To better manage the Blue Screen of Death errors, we advise you to check out this comprehensive guide dedicated to the leading causes of the BSoD problem.
In the world of virtual assistants, Microsoft’s Cortana is a renowned reliable, intelligent personal assistant. However, some Windows 10 users may encounter an issue where Cortana is not available with their account.
This can be frustrating, especially for those who rely on Cortana to streamline their daily tasks.
This article will explore why Cortana may not be available with your account and provide solutions to help you resolve the issue.
Why does it say Cortana is not available?
There can be several reasons why Cortana may not be available with your account. Some of the most common reasons are:
Unsupported region or language – Cortana is only available in certain regions and languages. So, Cortana may not be available with your account if your region or language is not supported.
Disabled Cortana – In some cases, Cortana may be disabled by default. This can occur in enterprise environments or if a system administrator has disabled Cortana.
Outdated Windows version – Cortana may only be available if you use an updated version of Windows 10. Cortana requires a specific version of Windows 10 to work correctly.
Microsoft account issue – Cortana may not be available if you are not signed in with a Microsoft account or if there is an issue with your Microsoft account.
Privacy settings – If the privacy settings on your computer are not configured correctly, Cortana may not be available. Cortana requires access to specific data on your computer to function correctly.
Disabled Windows Search service – Cortana relies on the Windows Search service to function correctly. If the Windows Search service is disabled, Cortana may not be available.
One can face system errors when trying to activate the OS assistant, including Cortana missing Windows 10, Can’t find Cortana, No Cortana Windows 10, Can’t turn Cortana in Windows 10, and Can’t enable Hey Cortana.
So, we’ve put together a few solutions to help you deal with this issue.
What can I do if Cortana isn’t available with this account?
Press Windows + I to open Settingsand go to Time & Language.
Click on Region and Language from the sidebar, then find the Country or region option, and select a country from the list that supports Cortana.
Save your settings.
This neat little trick lets you try Cortana even if you’re in a country that doesn’t support it.
We must warn you that changing your system country or region might have some consequences, such as a change in the default currency or time and date format.
In addition, Microsoft Store might show you the apps designed for your newly-selected country.
If you need to download an app available only in your initial country or make a purchase, you can easily switch it to your original country, as we showed before.
2. Disable the antivirus
Click on the hidden access arrow in the Taskbar.
Click on your antivirus icon, hover over Avast shields Control and select Disable for 10 minutes (This step varies for different antivirus software).
Third-party antivirus programs are sometimes a silent blocker of Windows 10 features. The antivirus will protect you from malicious attacks but can also disable some vital system functions.
To see if Cortana is among those functions, disable your antivirus for a couple of minutes, and try to activate Cortana again.
If you succeed, your problem is solved.
However, leaving your device unprotected is dangerous, especially since you can find a valuable antivirus alternative that protects your system without much interference.
3. Enable Windows Search service
Press Windows + R, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
Search for the Windows Search service.
Right-click on it, and if it is stopped, click Start.
Enabling the Windows Search service can help resolve the issue of Cortana isn’t available with this account because Cortana relies on the Windows Search service to function correctly.
The Windows Search service is responsible for indexing the files on your computer and providing quick search results when you use the search bar.
If the Windows Search service is not running, Cortana will not be able to access the indexed data and may not function correctly.
4. Run the Search troubleshooter
Press Windows + I to open Settings, then head to Updates & Security.
Click Troubleshoot, select Search and Indexing, and click Run the troubleshooter.
Wait for the process to finish and restart your computer.
5. Turn on the location
Press Windows + I to open Settings, then head to Privacy.
Click Location; if the Location service is turned off, you’ll see the message Location for this device is off. Click Change, and toggle location On.
Restart your computer.
6. Restart the Cortana process
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
Scroll down through the list of processes, and locate Cortana.
Click the Cortana process, and select End Task.
Finally, restart your computer.
7. Reinstall Cortana
Go to Search, type powershell, and open PowerShell as Administrator.
Type in the following command, and press Enter: Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml"}
Wait for the process to finish.
Finally, restart your computer.
This is as far as we will discuss. However, it should be enough to help you if you get the message that Cortana isn’t available with this account.
While not all solutions may be appropriate, you should try whatever seems the best for your situation.
Lastly, let us know if one of these solutions helped you activate Cortana on your Windows 10 devices. You can use the comments sections.
There are numerous Windows Update error codes that users have discussed on the Microsoft support forum. Error 0xc190011f is another of those errors that stop Windows 10 updates.
In this case, users have said that error 0xc190011f can arise for more specific build version updates as well as patches. Do you also need to fix that issue? If so, check out these potential fixes for error 0xc190011f.
How can I fix the Windows Update error 0xc190011f?
1. Open your Windows Update troubleshooter
The Windows Update troubleshooter isn’t guaranteed to fix all update issues, but it does fix some. To open that troubleshooter, press the Windows key + S hotkey.
Enter the keyword troubleshoot in the Type here to the search box that opens.
Click Troubleshoot settings to open the Settings window as in the shot directly below.
Click Windows Update and the Run the troubleshooter button.
Then select the Apply this fix option if the troubleshooter presents a potential fix.
2. Run a system file scan
Some users have confirmed that running a System File Checker scan fixed 0xc190011f. First, press the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut, which will open Run.
Type cmd in Run’s text box. Press the Ctrl + Shift + Enter key to open an elevated Command Prompt.
Click Yes if a UAC dialog box window opens.
First, enter the DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth command; and press the Return key.
Then input the sfc /scannow command, and press the Enter key.
Wait for the scan to finish. Restart the PC if the SFC scan repairs something.
3. Check your regional format
Check that your desktop’s or laptop’s regional format matches your actual region. To do that, enter the keyword Region settings in the Type here to search box.
Click Region settings to open the window shown directly below.
Select your country in the Country or region drop-down menu.
Select your actual region on the Regional format drop-down menu if it’s not selected there.
4. Uninstall VPN software
Error 0xc190011f can also be due to VPN/proxy software, such as Checkpoint VPN. To uninstall VPN software, open Run.
Then input appwiz.cpl in the Open box and click OK to open the Control Panel applet shown directly below.
Select your VPN software there.
Click the Uninstall option to remove the VPN software.
5. Clear the SoftwareDistribution folder
Clearing the SoftwareDistribution folder, which will effectively clear the Windows Update cache, might also fix error 0xc190011f. The Delete the SoftwareDistribution folder post provides full details for how you can do that.
6. Reset Windows 10
As a last resort, try resetting Windows 10. To do so, click the taskbar’s Type here to search button.
Input reset as the search keyboard.
Click Reset this PC to open the window shown directly below.
Press the Get started button.
Select the Keep my files option.
Click the Next button to continue, and then select the Reset option.
Those are some of the most probable fixes for error 0xc190011f. Some of resolutions above might also fix similar update errors. For other Windows Update fixes, check out the Windows Update error codes page.
A lot of Windows apps and programs require administrator permissions to run on your system. This is a security measure to ensure that you don’t accidentally delete or modify important files, which could cause your computer to crash or become unusable.
However, if you want to run an app as a different user for example, if you’re the administrator for your home computer but not for your work computer, then this can be a problem. Fortunately, there are ways around this issue as you shall see below.
Why do I need to run apps as a different user?
There are a number of reasons why you might want to run an application as a different user. The following are the most common:
Test an app – If you have installed a new piece of software that doesn’t seem to be working, running it as a different user can tell you if it works properly for that person.
Better performance – If you need to test an app, but your administrator account is using too much memory, a user account with more memory can yield better performance.
Keep your personal data safe – This is especially for trying out a new piece of software. You want to prevent apps from accessing potentially sensitive data they shouldn’t have access to.
Prevent crashes – One of the biggest reasons why people run applications as different users is because it helps prevent crashes and errors. Conflicts between apps or conflicting permissions can cause these.
Limit app permissions – Many apps and games request permission to access your data when installed, but they don’t always need it.
Security – You want to protect yourself from hackers who may gain access through software vulnerabilities.
App isolation – When you run an application as a different user, it doesn’t have access to your data and settings. This means that any malware or viruses on the computer won’t be able to access your private data.
How do I run an app as a different user in Windows?
1. Use the context menu
Locate the app you want to run, either on the Taskbar or Desktop.
Hold down the Shift key and right-click on it to bring up the context menu.
Select Run as a different user.
You’ll be prompted to enter the username and password credentials of the user account to continue.
2. Use the Group Policy Editor
Hit the Windows + R keys to open the Run command.
Type gpedit.msc in the dialog box and hit Enter to open the Group Policy Editor.
Navigate to the following location: User Configuration/Administrative Templates/Start Menu and Taskbar
Double-click on Start Menu and Taskbar and select Show “Run as different user” command on Start.
In the new window, check the Enabled box then click Apply and OK to save changes.
3. Use the Registry Editor
Hit the Windows + R keys to open the Run command.
Type regedit in the dialog box and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Navigate to the following location: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer
Double-click on ShowRunAsDifferentUserInStart, set the Value data as 1 then click OK to save the changes.
Generally speaking, you shouldn’t need to edit the registry unless there’s a problem with something that can’t be resolved with other tools.
While this can be risky if done improperly, you can always create a restore point. This will allow you to restore your PC to a previous state before making any changes.
On your desktop, find the app you wish to run as a different user. Alternatively, you can search for it from Settings.
Right-click on it and select Open file location.
Once in the file location, locate the .exe file, right-click on it and select Copy as path. Keep this information close to be used in the next steps.
Hit the Windows key, type cmd in the search bar and click Run as administrator.
Type the following command and hit Enter. Replace Username with the account you wish to use and FilePath with the information copied in 3 above: runas /user:"Username" "FilePath"
You’ll be prompted to enter the password for the user account to proceed.
And that’s how to run apps as a different user using Windows 11 cmd. If you get an error like this app can’t run on this PC, feel free to check out our detailed guide for quick fixes.
Many users utilize USB drives for transferring data between PCs and storing software. However, users can’t utilize USB storage devices on PCs with blocked USB ports. And that’s why you need to know how to enable a USB port blocked by an administrator.
If you’re sharing a PC with somebody else, an administrator account can block access to USB ports. So, let’s find out how to enable USB ports blocked by administrators with the methods below.
What is a USB port?
A USB port is a Universal Serial Bus connection interface for USB devices. All desktop and laptop PCs include ports for connecting external drives and peripherals.
There are various types of USB connection ports. USB Type A is the most common port, but some PCs also include USB Type B, Type C, and USB 3.0 slots to connect devices.
How can I enable blocked USB ports in Windows 11?
1. Unblock USB ports with Device Manager
Press Windows + X to open the Power User menu, and select Device Manager.
Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers category.
Right-click the USB controllers listed there and select Enable device, if the option is listed there.
2. Unblock USB ports by editing the Registry
Press Windows + S to open Search, type regedit in the text field, and click on the relevant search result.
Input this registry path inside the address bar and hit Enter: ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesUSBSTOR
Double-click the Start DWORD on the right.
Clear the Value data field, input 3, and select OK to save the changes.
After you are done, restart the computer for the changes to completely come into effect. If you were wondering how to enable USB port in Windows 10 blocked by administrator, this method should work on the previous iteration as well.
The Group Policy Editor feature is not available in Windows 11/10 Home editions. However, you can easily u003ca href=u0022https://windowsreport.com/enable-gpedit-windows-11/u0022 target=u0022_blanku0022 rel=u0022noreferrer noopeneru0022u003eenable Gpedit.msc in Windowsu003c/au003e with a series of commands.
Press Windows + R to open Run, type gpedit.msc in the text field, and click OK.
Next, expand the Computer Configuration category, choose Administrative Templates, and then double-click on System on the right.
Now, select Removable Storage Access.
Double-click the All Removable Storage classes: Deny all access policy setting.
Select the Not Configured or Disabled radio button if that setting is enabled.
4. Unblock USB ports with Windows USB Blocker software
Bring up the USB Blocker page on Softpedia, and click on Download Now option.
Go to whatever directory includes the WindowsUSBBlocker ZIP.
Then double-click WindowsUSBBlocker, and select the Extract all option.
Click Show extracted files to select that option within the ZIP extraction tool.
Now, click on Extract to open up an extracted WindowsUSBBlocker folder.
Then double-click the Setup_WindowsUSBBlocker.exe to open the program’s setup wizard.
Click on the Install button.
Open the Windows USB Blocker software.
Click the Unblock USB Port option if the port status is blocked.
What should I do if those methods for unblocking a USB port don’t work?
If you can’t unblock a USB port with those methods, an administrator might not have blocked the port. Some third-party antivirus utilities can also block USB ports.
How do I unlock a USB port blocked by antivirus software?
The method to unlock a USB port blocked by an antivirus is different for all. For some, simply replugging the USB drive should provide an option to allow it. While for others, you may need to modify the settings or reconfigure the policies.
Unlocking the USB port on BitDefender
Though a quick solution would be to disable the antivirus or uninstall the program altogether. It will automatically unlock all the USB ports blocked by the antivirus software.
How to transfer files if USB is disabled?
This is a question many have asked when unable to block USB ports on the PC. And the simplest way to do that would be to use a reliable cloud storage service. You can easily upload the files to cloud storage from one PC and download them on another.
Also, if the USB device you are trying to connect is a phone or supports network connectivity, use Wi-Fi file transfer software to share data between devices seamlessly.
That’s all about unblocking USB ports blocked by administrators and other vital information. With USB ports unblocked, you’ll be able to utilize external storage devices on your PC again.
We don’t recommend users try unblocking USB ports on PCs within organizations’ networks without permission. Consider asking a network administrator for permission to utilize your USB drive on a network’s workstation instead.
In case you plug in a lot of devices to the PC, consider buying a reliable USB hub for enhanced connectivity and performance.
If you have any other queries, drop a comment below, and we get respond at the earliest.
The Command Prompt is a tool used by the Windows operating system to execute commands and run programs. It’s a simple and effective way to run programs directly from Windows.
But even though it’s useful, sometimes you might find that the Command Prompt opens and closes randomly and sometimes on startup. For some, even other apps keep closing automatically. If this happens often enough, it can be highly frustrating.
Why does my CMD randomly pop up and close?
When the Command Prompt opens and closes randomly, it may indicate a problem with your computer. The following are some of the reasons why this issue might occur:
Too many programs open at once – If you have other programs running simultaneously, they could be interfering with each other and causing issues with the Command Prompt.
Virus infection – Viruses are able to infect any part of your computer, including the Command Prompt. That’s why a great antivirus solution that is up-to-date should always be installed on your PC.
Maintenance tasks – Some maintenance tasks will automatically open a Command Prompt window as part of their routine. If this is the case, you don’t need to worry about it.
Third-party interference – If you’re using a third-party program to open the Command Prompt, such as a batch file or a script, the command used in the file may be causing issues with the Windows Command Prompt.
Corrupt system file – A damaged Windows system file or corrupted Windows registry entry can make it difficult for some programs to run correctly, such as the Command Prompt.
What can I do if the Command Prompt is opening and closing randomly?
Before attempting the slightly technical steps, try the following:
Close any other applications before opening up another one this way and see if that helps solve the problem.
Close all Command Prompt windows that may be open before trying again.
Finally, try restarting your PC and see if the Command Prompt behaves the same way. If your PC fails to restart, refer to our guide.
1. Run the netstat command
Hit the Windows key, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.
Type the following command and press Enter: cmd /k netstat
2. Scan for viruses
Press the Windows key, search Windows Security and click Open.
Select Virus & threat protection.
Next, press Quick scan under Current threats.
If you don’t find any threats, proceed to perform a full scan by clicking on Scan options just below Quick scan.
Click on Full scan to perform a deep scan of your PC.
Wait for the process to finish and restart your system.
Running a scan is found to fix things when the Command Prompt opens and closes immediately due to a virus.
If you want to get a thorough PC scan of malware, we recommend using a third-party antivirus because it has some of the most advanced malware security features.
Hit the Windows key, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.
Type the following command, replace the C letter with your drive’s letter, and press Enter: chkdsk C: /f
5. Disable Task Scheduler triggers
Hit the Windows key, type Task Scheduler in the search bar, and click Open.
Navigate to Task Scheduler Library on the left.
Check for any suspicious triggers. (Most users complained OneDrive was a common trigger).
Right-click on it and select Disable.
Restart your PC.
Task Scheduler is a Windows component that lets you schedule tasks such as booting up to Command Prompt. You can use Task Scheduler to run programs or scripts at scheduled times. However, by default, this feature is enabled with a number of triggers that launch on boot or when you log in.
These triggers may be required for some applications, but if you don’t need them, disabling them can free up resources and improve performance.
6. Update System Environment Variable
Hit the Search icon, type environment in the search bar, and click to open the Edit the system environment variables.
The System Properties dialog will pop up, click on the Advanced tab and select Environment Variables at the bottom.
Under System variables, navigate to path and click on Edit.
Now click on New to create a new entry and add C:\Windows\SysWow64\, then click OK.
Restart your PC.
7. Perform a clean boot
Hit the Windows key, type msconfig, and open System Configuration.
Switch to the Services tab.
Select Hide all Microsoft services.
Click on the Disable all button then hit the Apply button to save the changes.
Go back and click on the Startup tab and select Open Task Manager.
In the Startup tab of the Task Manager, Disable all the Enabled startup items.
Close Task Manager and restart your PC.
If you suspect that another application or program is why Windows 7 Command Prompt opens and closes immediately, a clean boot can help. It disables the software and allows Windows to run without it.
Alternatively, if your computer is having trouble starting up normally, then starting it in Safe Mode can help identify what’s causing the issue.
How do I stop a command block spam?
To stop the command block spam and play Minecraft without any unnecessary prompts and messages that affect not just the gaming experience but also the chat, run these two commands:
While the first one here disables the commanblock messages, the other will disable feedback.
Hopefully, the annoying Command Prompt opening randomly is long gone, and your computer has been restored to normalcy. Elsewhere, users complained of not being able to run CMD as administrator, so if you were experiencing this issue, don’t hesitate to refer to our helpful guide.
Last week we have presented all the changes that Microsoft envisioned when it released build 25300 to all Windows 11 Insiders on the Dev Channel.
In that changelog, we found out that the Redmond tech giant added a lot more languages to the Windows 11 Live Captions feature.
There were also a bunch of fixes, as always, and one detail that might have escaped your keen eye when checking out the changelog.
Don’t worry, we’re here to show you what you might have missed when perusing the release notes of build 25300.
New Gallery app changes leaked over Twitter
Now, we all know that the Dev Channel builds are where Microsoft introduces the newest experimental features for the Windows OS.
However, besides the announced features, these Insider builds often come with hidden features as well, which gives us an idea about upcoming additions as well.
As we mentioned, the latest Dev channel build 25300 gives us another look at the new Gallery app, which was uncovered in a Dev build last year.
And, while we already had a preliminary idea of what it may be like, we now know a bit more about the Gallery application.
Twitter is a great place to learn new stuff about your OS, and it didn’t disappoint. New speculations point out that Microsoft could be looking to move on from DirectUI and onto XAML.
The screenshots are an early version of Windows App SDK-based File Explorer. Basically, all this is meant to lead towards the overall Windows 11 fluent design goals and consistency.
That being said, while this is certainly exciting news, the user that spotted the changes warned that the new XAML-based implementation is quite unstable and can crash.
Thus, until Microsoft makes the experience more stable, we don’t really recommend enabling it for the time being.
We also covered the latest Beta Channel build for Windows 11 if you are an Insider conducting business there.
We’re going to be back soon with coverage of the upcoming Dev and Beta builds for Windows 11 as well, so make sure you keep an eye out for it when it comes out.
Have you enabled this still experimental feature? If so, be sure to share your experience with us in the dedicated comments section below.
The Group Policy is an essential security tool in the Active Directory. It provides a central control system for all the computers and users in the network. However, unauthorized changes to the Group Policy can result in fatal damages. So, it is essential to use Group Policy Auditors to monitor its changes.
Also, users can check what to do when they run into Group Policy errors on Windows PC.
What are Group Policy Auditors?
Group Policy Auditors are tools for monitoring and checking the changes made in the Group Policy. They deliver complete visibility into the changes made to Group Policy objects.
Likewise, they show the current state and settings of the Group Policy, allowing you to compare them to the standard.
How do I audit Group Policy changes?
Follow the steps below to audit the Group Policy changes using Event Viewer:
Left-click the Start button, search for Event Viewer, and click to open it.
In the left pane, navigate to Windows Logs, then select Security.
In the right pane, click Filter Current Log.
Then, enter the desired Event ID in the field labeled. Click OK to prompt the list of changes of the Event ID entered.
Double-click an Event ID to view its properties.
The steps above will show the details logged in the Event ID selected. The Event is logged when a Group Policy object is created. Read our guide on Windows Event Viewer and how to use it on Windows 11.
What are the Best Group policy auditors for policy changes?
ADAudit Plus is a UBA (User Behavior Analytics)-driven auditor. It keeps track of the activities in your Active Directory. It helps transform your event log data into readable reports.
Also, admins can get a list of the changes and updates made on your Windows Server environment, like the Group Policy.
Some great features of the ADAudit Plus include:
Offers an instant alert that notifies users about the changes in the Windows Server environment
Provides a detailed overview of the changes made to the Group Policy and the overall Domain by privileged users
Secures and mitigates insider threats by enforcing the UBA (User Behavior Analytics) and limiting access to the Domain
Tracks changes regarding login activities and detects Active Directory account lockouts
Monitors and logs workers’ active and idle time across their workstations
ADAudit Plus
Keep track of all Active Directory behavior on your network from a single console!
ManageEngine ADManager Plus has a simple user interface that makes it easy for users to access.
Also, it is an auditing tool for monitoring and reporting changes in the Active Directory and Group Policy. It has a central web-based User Interface for managing bulk user accounts.
Other notable features you can look out for include:
Easy-to-use interface making it usable for different operators and purposes
Provides insightful reports of the changes and activities in the Group Policy object, such as password change or expiration
Uses extensive filtering and drilling mechanisms for in-depth analysis of the events in the Group Policy
Monitors other functions like CPU usage and memory management and displays reports in graphs or dashboards
ADManager Plus
Manage all your endpoints and permission with a complete network management solution!
LT Auditor+ for Group Policy is a tool that organizations use for improving incident response time.
Further, it provides comprehensive audit reports of every change and improvement in the Event log. Likewise, it ensures confidentiality, integrity, and privacy in the database.
However, some notable features of the LT Auditor+ for Group Policy are:
Monitors every activity and change made in the audited Group Policy object and a cast record of the before and after values
Provides a reliable and qualitative analysis of who did what from where and when
Provides real-life alerts whenever any critical policy changes occur for any Group Policy object
Changes that involve the Domain Controller audit policies, Account Password, or Account Lockout policies will trigger the notifier
Access, audit, and monitor the Group Policy objects across numerous Active Directory platforms from a single console
The Netwrix Account Auditor offers an insight into what’s going on in the Active Directory and the Group Policy. It tracks and reviews the data collected from the activities on your Domain.
Also, it is a tool for providing swift resolution for account lockout issues with Active Directory.
Netwrix Account Auditor has many great features:
Easy-to-use user interface that allows users to deploy and use the tool
Reports real-time updates regarding issues affecting Active Directory and the Group Policy
Gives a detailed report of changes to the Group Policy
High-quality and in-depth forensic reports of Group Policy activities
Real-time insight into risks from Group Policy settings
Adaxes is a tool for auditing Group Policy changes and reporting real-live analysis of all events in the Domain and Windows environment. It is easy to navigate as it uses a single web-based interface.
Furthermore, some interesting features of Adaxes are:
An extensive report about the changes made in the Group Policy and offers threat notifications
Provides Active Directory management capabilities to users without granting them domain administrator rights
Versatile services ranging from monitoring the Domain, auditing the activities and changes on it, and reporting
Organizes an authorization check that reviews the rights and privileges given to users
Prevents over-privileged users from accessing sensitive data
Outlook is a widely used email client that has been around for a long time. Millions of people and businesses around the world use it. However, there are times when you may encounter issues with Outlook and its Mailto feature.
The Mailto protocol is a Windows shortcut that you can use to create an email message in your default email program. It’s useful for sending messages to people without opening the mail app, but it’s not always enabled in Outlook. In this article, we show you how to enable it.
Why is Mailto not working?
The Outlook Mailto link can be used in any email application, such as Microsoft Outlook, Gmail, and Yahoo Mail. However, if you’re using Outlook and the Mailto link isn’t working, there are several reasons why this could be happening:
Server issues – The server may be down for maintenance, or maintenance work is being done at that moment.
Outlook version – If you are using an older version of Outlook, it may not be compatible with the Mailto functionality.
Internet connection – If you are using an internet connection that is slow or unstable, this could also prevent you from properly using this feature on your computer.
You have not added the email client as a trusted site – If you have never added your email client as a trusted site, then it is possible that you are seeing this error because of this reason.
Outlook account settings have been changed – If your Outlook account settings have been changed, then this problem can occur.
Missing add-ins – Outlook might be missing some required add-ins that allow users to open links in their email client directly, and that’s why the Outlook Mailto link opens in a browser.
Outlook add-ons -There are many third-party add-ons for Outlook that can cause issues like this one.
Unsupported file types – If you’re trying to send a file type that Outlook doesn’t support, then it won’t work as expected. Instead, you’ll find that Mailto links are opening in Chrome instead of Outlook.
Incorrect browser settings – If you are using a third-party browser to connect to your email account, it could be that the browser settings are set to block the use of the Mailto protocol.
How do I enable Mailto in Outlook?
First off, we recommend that you try the following steps:
Make sure that your email address is correct in your Outlook profile.
Outlook is available in different versions, including Outlook 2016, Outlook 2013, and others. If your version doesn’t support the Mailto link, try installing another version that does support it.
Check your browser settings for any sort of security setting or add-on that might block links from opening automatically in emails sent through browsers.
Try closing and reopening your browser. Sometimes this will reset any issues that may have come up with the Mailto link while using your browser in general.
Update your OS. Outlook uses the Windows operating system as its base platform. So any updates will automatically be integrated into the Outlook application and solve all its problems, including the Mailto hyperlink issue.
If you have recently made changes on your PC, try clearing the cache or deleting cookies. This may have interrupted the Mailto link’s ability to function correctly.
1. Use Settings
Hit the Windows key and click on Settings.
Select Apps on the left pane then click on Default apps.
Search for Mailto and click on it.
Select Outlook from the listed options.
If Outlook is not listed, download it from the Microsoft Store first.
2. Use the Control Panel
Hit the Windows key, type Control Panel in the search bar and click Open.
Type Default Programs in the search bar then click on it to open.
Select Associate a file type or protocol with a program.
Search for Mailto and click on it.
Select Outlook from the listed options.
Finally, if neither of these steps solves the issue, we recommend reinstalling Outlook. Your version may be corrupted or outdated. Also, creating a new profile in Outlook may help. This may clear any problems between the browser and the program being used.
RDP or Remote Desktop Protocol, as the name suggests, allows users to access another computer remotely, i.e., without being physically present. But the connection is not as stable as many would imagine, with Error code 0x104 frequently encountered by some.
This poses a major problem, given that the feature to remotely gain access to the PC has gained prominence over the years. Though there are several third-party apps to establish remote access, let’s first try to fix the Error code 0x104 with Microsoft remote desktop.
What is error code 0x4 in Microsoft Remote Desktop?
As per the error message, Error code 0x104 arises when Windows can’t find the remote PC, and subsequently, the connection cannot be established. Here are a few reasons you might be getting the error:
The Remote Desktop feature is disabled: For the feature to work, you must first enable Remote Access in Windows. And if it’s disabled, the error will show up.
Misconfigured firewall settings: You may come across Error code 0x104 if the firewall settings are misconfigured.
Network Discovery is turned off: Enabling Network Discovery is critical for your PC to identify others on the network and remotely connect to them.
Incorrect DNS server: An incorrect DNS is just as likely to trigger the error, but this can easily be fixed.
How can I fix error code 0x104?
Before we head to the slightly complex solutions, here are a few quick ones to try:
Turn on the Airplane Mode on the device you are using to connect to the remote desktop, disable it in 15-30 seconds, and then try establishing a connection.
Change the name of the exchange server to something simple in case the current one is lengthy or intricate.
When remotely connecting to the desktop via a mobile phone, try switching the network type. Say, if you are one 4G, try 3G, 4G LTE, or 5G if available.
Try establishing a connection using the PC’s IP address (check in the desktop settings) instead of the PC name, and verify if Error code 0x104 is fixed.
Make sure Port Forwarding is enabled on your router, and contact the ISP (Internet Service Provider) to help configure a port forwarding rule for mapping an external port using TCP 3389.
If you are using a VPN while trying to remotely access the PC, disable it.
If these don’t work, move to the ones listed next.
1. Make sure Remote Desktop is enabled
Press Windows + I to open Settings, and in the System tab, click on Remote Desktop on the right.
Now, enable the toggle for Remote Desktop.
If the Remote Desktop feature was disabled recently, you might get Error code 0x104 while trying to remotely access the PC.
2. Enable Network Discovery
Press Windows + I to open Settings, select Network & Internet from the navigation pane, and click on Advanced network settings.
Click on Advanced sharing settings on the right.
Now, make sure Network discovery is turned on under both Private networks and Public networks.
3. Modify firewall settings
Press Windows + S to open Search, type Windows Defender Firewall in the text field, and click on the relevant search result.
Click on Advanced settings on the left.
Choose Inbound Rules from the navigation pane, right-click on Remote Assistance (RA Server TCP-In), and choose Enable Rule.
Similarly, enable Remote Desktop – User Mode (TCP-In) and Remote Desktop – User Mode (UDP-In) rules, while making sure the Ports column next to both reads 3389.
After you have made the changes, check whether the Error code 0x104 while using Remote Desktop is fixed. If not, head to the next solution.
Press Windows + R to open Run, type services.msc in the text field, and hit Enter.
Locate the Remote Desktop Services entry, right-click on it, and choose Properties.
Now, select Automatic from the Startup type dropdown menu, click on the Start button, and after the service starts running, click OK to save the changes.
Similarly, run the Remote Access Auto Configuration Manager service and configure it to run automatically at startup.
5. Change network settings
Press Windows + R to open Run, type ncpa.cpl, and click OK.
Right-click on the active network adapter and choose Properties.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4), and again click Properties.
Choose the Obtain DNS server address automatically option, and click OK to save the changes.
That’s it! If the previous solutions didn’t work, settings the DNS service to automatic should help fix Error code 0x104 in Windows.
Also, do not forget to check the best remote desktop software for gaming without any lags or drops in FPS. For regular use, most recommend Mikogo, a popular and easy-to-use alternative. It has many useful features, like hosting meetings, a session scheduler, and session recording.
Do tell us which fix worked for you in the comments section below.
BSOD errors are one of the worst to affect Windows, and as the name suggests, the crash is followed by a blue screen listing the error code. One such BSOD frequently encountered is the Registry Filter Driver Exception with a bug check value of 0x00000135.
Many users shared their concerns on several official and other channels. While there are a few workarounds, the complete absence of concrete solutions makes the situation particularly tricky to troubleshoot. So, let’s find out all about the error.
What is Registry Filter Driver Exception?
The Registry Filter Driver Exception occurs due to an unhandled exception in a registry filtering driver, freezes Windows for a minute or so, and subsequently leads to a crash. Here are a few reasons you get the error:
Incompatible hardware: If you recently connected a new peripheral or device to the PC and it’s incompatible, that could be the reason you are getting the error.
Corrupt or outdated drivers: In many cases, it was corrupt or outdated drivers that triggered the error.
Problems with the RAM: Issues with the RAM or memory allocation to the different processes are major reasons behind the Registry Filter Driver Exception error.
Issues with the recent Windows Update: Some users reported that the error first appeared after updating Windows, which points to a bug in the latest version.
Third-party app conflicts: Third-party apps are often found to conflict with critical processes, thus leading to this error.
How can I fix Registry Filter Driver Exception error?
NOTE
If you cannot normally turn on the computer, boot Windows into Safe Mode (with networking in some cases) since most of the solutions here require accessing the OS.
Before we head to the slightly complex solutions, try these quick troubleshooting tips:
Remove all non-critical peripherals connected to the PC, restart it, and verify whether you still encounter the error.
Check for Windows updates, and if any are pending, install them.
Make sure all the components are getting the required power supply. Any power shortage to the motherboard or the SSD can trigger the Registry Filter Driver Exception BSOD.
If these didn’t work, move to the fixes listed next.
1. Repair system files
Outdated system files and missing DLL files are the most common reasons for the Blue Screen of Death errors in Windows computers.
To resolve the Registry_Filter_Driver_Exception error, use an automatic system repair tool.
These PC performance repair and optimization utilities can detect malware threats, detect suspicious websites, improve performance, free precious disk space, and even replace damaged Windows files.
2. Uninstall conflicting programs
Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl in the text field, and hit Enter.
Locate any programs installed or updated around the same time the error first appeared, select them, and click Uninstall.
Now, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
One of the easiest ways to fix the error is to identify the program causing the problem and disable or uninstall it. In most cases, the error screen will list the file responsible for Registry Filter Driver Exception, and you can take the necessary action. Here are a few cases:
Press Windows + X to open the Power User menu, and select Device Manager.
Expand Display adapters, right-click on the active adapter, and select Update driver from the context menu.
Now, select Search automatically for drivers.
Wait for the OS to find and install the best available drivers.
The graphics driver is one of the most critical on the PC, and issues with it are responsible for a range of BSODs, including Registry Filter Driver Exception. So, make sure you update the graphics driver. If the simpler methods don’t work, manually install the latest driver.
Also, update all the other drivers on the computer. In case Windows is unable to update one, check the manufacturer’s website for the latest driver version.
Press Windows + R to open Run, type mdsched in the text field, and click OK.
Choose the Restart now and check for problems (recommended) option.
The PC will restart and automatically check for issues with the RAM.
Windows Memory Diagnostic is a built-in tool that automatically identifies and eliminates issues with the RAM, though it has a limited scope.
So, if it doesn’t work, run MemTest86+, an open-source tool that performs a wide array of tests on individual RAM modules, locates the problem, and, if possible, fixes it.
5. Disable Windows Security
Press Windows + S to open Search, type Windows Security, and click on the relevant search result.
Click on Virus & threat protection.
Now, click on Manage settings under the Virus & threat protection settings option.
Turn off the toggle for Real-time protection.
Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
If you are getting the Registry Filter Driver Exception wdfilter.sys error, it’s due to Windows Defender, and disabling it should do the trick. Remember not to leave your PC unprotected and get the best antivirus for Windows.
6. Reinstall Windows
In case none of the fixes listed earlier helped get rid of the Registry Filter Driver Exception BSOD, another effective solution is to reinstall Windows. This will help when a software problem leads to this error.
If these solutions don’t work, you may need to replace the malfunctioning hardware, usually the hard drive or the RAM modules. Before you do, consult a professional and get these two thoroughly checked for faults.
That’s it! The Registry Filter Driver Exception error should have, in all likelihood, been fixed by now. Besides, you can always use a BSOD repair tool for easy and quick troubleshooting.
The Camera app helps capture photos and record videos with the built-in or attached webcam, though many use third-party video recorders. But several users who rely on the app reported the 0xa00f4243 Camera reserved by another app error.
The error appears when opening the Camera app, and the message reads Close other apps. It looks like another app is using the camera already. If you need it, here’s the error code: 0xA00F4243<CameraReservedByAnotherApp> (0xC00D3704). So, let’s find out all about it.
Why does it say my camera is being used by another program?
Here are a few reasons you might be getting the error:
Privacy settings: If the webcam’s privacy settings are misconfigured, you may get the error.
Corrupt system files: When the system files are corrupt, the camera might not function effectively, and even throw the Your webcam is blocked by another application error.
Problems with the driver: A corrupt or outdated driver is just as likely to cause this error.
Issues with the connection: For many users, it was an improper connection or a problem with the port that triggered the error.
Another app using the camera: The possibility that another app on the PC is using the camera can’t be ignored, and you will have to verify that as well.
How can I fix 0xa00f4243 Camera reserved by another app (0xc00d3704) error?
Before we start making major changes, let’s try a few quick troubleshooting tips and tricks:
If it’s an external webcam plugged into a USB hub, remove it and directly plug it into a USB port on the computer.
Terminate any applications that might be using the camera from the Task Manager.
Check for Windows updates and install any pending ones.
Disable any antivirus installed on the computer and verify whether the 0xa00f4243 Camera reserved by another app error is fixed. If yes, we recommend you switch to an effective third-party antivirus for enhanced security and a better Windows experience.
If these don’t work, head to the solutions listed next.
1. Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter
Press Windows + R to open Run, paste the following in the text field, and hit Enter:msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic
Now, follow the on-screen instructions and make the recommended changes to complete the process.
To eliminate the possibility of a hardware problem triggering the 0xa00f4243 Camera reserved by another app error, you can run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter. It will automatically identify and eliminate the issues if any are found.
2. Check the privacy settings
Press Windows + I to open Settings, and click on Privacy.
Head to Camera from the navigation pane, and make sure the toggle for the Camera app is enabled. Also, disable the toggle for all the other apps if you don’t use them.
After changing the privacy settings, you should be able to get rid of the 0xA00F4243 camera reserved by another app on Lenovo and other devices.
3. Reinstall the camera driver
Press Windows + R to open Run, type devmgmt.msc in the text field, and hit Enter.
Expand the Cameras section, right-click on the connected webcam, and choose Uninstall device.
Click Uninstall in the confirmation prompt.
Once done, restart the computer, and Windows will install a fresh copy of the driver.
You will encounter issues with the camera when its driver is corrupt. And a quick fix is to simply reinstall the device.
Press Windows + X to open the Power User menu, and select Device Manager.
Locate your webcam under Cameras, right-click on it, and choose Update driver.
Now, select Search automatically for updated drivers.
Wait for Windows to install the best available driver for the webcam.
Another solution when getting the 0xa00f4243 Camera reserved by another app error is to update the camera driver. Also, if the automatic options don’t work out, you can manually install the driver, though it’s both time-consuming and risky.
Update drivers automatically
While there is always the alternative of using Windows Update, it doesn’t always find your dedicated drivers and installs generic ones instead.
However, the software will make that operation much simpler, allowing you to identify, download, and install the right drivers with just a click of a button.
5. Enable the critical services
Press Windows + R to open Run, type services.msc, and click OK.
Locate the Capability Access Manager Service, right-click on it, and choose Properties.
Select Automatic from the Startup type dropdown menu, click on Start to run the service, and then on OK to save the changes.
Make similar changes to Intel(R) RealSense(TM) Depth Camera Manager Service as well, if available.
6. Reset the camera app
Press Windows + I to open Settings, and click on Apps.
In the Apps & features tab, click on Camera, and then on Advanced options.
Click the Reset button.
Again, click Reset in the confirmation prompt that appears.
If the previous solutions didn’t work, it could be an issue with the app itself, and resetting it should fix the 0xa00f4243 Camera reserved by another app error.
Tip
In case nothing works, we recommend you update the BIOS. Before you proceed, make sure to check the exact process on the manufacturer’s website to avoid running into issues.
Also, if it turns out to be a hardware issue and you plan to get a new camera, check the best webcams for Windows.
For any other queries or to share a solution that’s not listed here, drop a comment below.
CSV stands for Comma Separated Values, a file format that allows you to easily import data from one application into another. It’s easy to export and import data with a CSV file as long as you know how.
This article will show you how to use the PowerShell command line interface to export CSV files. We’ll also discuss other options available when exporting data using this command line tool.
Which PowerShell script is used to export all processes into a CSV?
A CSV file is a data table where each row is a set of values in the same order. It’s often used to export data from databases, spreadsheets, and other text-based files.
Export-CSV is a cmdlet that can be used in PowerShell to export the result of a command into a CSV file. This is useful when you want to export data from your PowerShell script into a format that can be easily imported into another application or database.
The Export-CSV cmdlet creates a CSV file, or comma-separated value (CSV) text file, that contains one or more named pipes in the file format. This file can be imported into other applications, such as Microsoft Excel, or used as input to a program that uses the CSV format.
The export-csv cmdlet will export the specified objects into a CSV (Comma Separated Values) file. The resulting CSV file will contain one object per line. If the Export-CSV command is run with no parameters, it will export all of the currently installed modules in your system.
You can specify an item name or ID as parameters if you only want to export specific items.
How do I export a CSV file from PowerShell?
We shall be using Windows Powershell ISE as it gives you more control over your CSV files. It gives you much more flexibility in how your CSV file is formed. The ISE has some built-in functionality that makes it convenient to use when creating or editing a script.
Hit the Windows key, type Powershell ISE in the search bar, and select Run as administrator.
The general syntax for the export-CSV in Powershell is: Get-Variable -name [variable name] | Export-CSV [path-to-file].csv
The first parameter is the path where you want to save your file. This can be a local drive or network location. If you don’t specify this parameter, Export-CSV will create the file in the current directory of your PowerShell session.
The second parameter specifies whether you want to append data to an existing file or create a new one. If you specify -Append, PowerShell will append data to whatever is already in that file. In omit -Append, PowerShell will create a new file in that location and write all of your data into it.
The third parameter specifies the literal pathname of the output file if it’s not in the current directory (-LiteralPath). Otherwise, it’s optional and defaults to “c:\temp” (or whichever directory you are currently working in).
As a PowerShell export-CSV example, we will export a list of users on the Azure directory. We’ve already looked at how to export a list of users in a group, so let’s look at how to export CSV.
Hit the Windows key, type Powershell ISE in the search bar, and select Run as administrator.
Type the following command and hit Enter: Get-AzureADUser | Export-Csv e:\newfolder\azureadusers.csv -NoTypeInformation
How do I export a string to CSV in PowerShell?
When you use the Export-CSV cmdlet to export objects to a comma-separated values (CSV) file, the first line of the file contains column headers. You can suppress column headers by using the NoTypeInformation parameter.
To further clean up your data, you need to use the Delimiter parameter to specify the information needed. As such, you will use the delimiter character, usually the comma.
For instance, in our case example above, we can modify the command to: Get-AzureADUser | select username, email, department | Export-CSV e:\newfolder\azureaduser.csv -NoTypeInformation
This will bring up the same information, but the PowerShell export-CSV will be in different columns with the specified parameters.
The CSV (Comma Separated Values) file format does not need any introduction to users committed to data processing. A CSV file has fields and records which are separated by commas. In case your CSV file is corrupted, we also have a detailed guide on how to fix it.
Aside from exporting CSV, we also share how you can print environment variables in PowerShell, so be sure to check that out too. If this process seems too complicated, perhaps you’ll find our CSV file viewer software helpful.
We also have a great guide on how to convert Excel to CSV file, so don’t miss it for more information.
Hopefully, this helps someone out there. If you have any tips or tricks to share, please do so in the comment section below.
Microsoft has put together a robust security system to protect its users. The email alert for unusual sign-in activity on your account represents this system well. This makes sure that nobody except you can sign in to your account.
It is even more important when hackers run phishing campaigns to get the password to your Microsoft account. Unfortunately, this alert security system is now the focus of attackers.
Users now receive fake Microsoft accounts and unusual sign-in activity alerts as spam emails. Hackers usually send this to get access to users’ accounts.
This guide will show you how to identify the spam Microsoft account sign-in activity email and how to protect yourself.
When does Microsoft send an unusual sign-in activity email?
Microsoft sends the unusual sign-in activity email for your account to protect you. The login attempt does not necessarily have to be from an unsafe device before you get this alert.
Whenever it notices a strange pattern in your login activities, you will get the unusual sign-in email and an SMS alert just to be sure you are the one trying to access your account.
This will be sent to the email and phone number you provided during registration for security. Hence, you must keep the details updated in case you change them.
Below are some of the situations where you get the unusual sign-in activity alert:
When you sign in with a device you have never used to access your account
When you sign in from a different location than the usual
If you give an app or software access to your account
When you sign in with an unknown IP address
If you didn’t do any of the above and you get the security alert, it is likely that the email is from spammers and may contain a phishing link.
Quick Tip:
Scams mainly happen when scammers steal your personal information without your permission and use it to their advantage, which is typically spamming your email.
We highly suggest using Incogni, an automated personal data removal service that prevents data brokers from selling your information to others.
Incogni
Use Incogni to delete personal data from the internet!
What can I do when I get the Unusual sign-in email from Microsoft?
If the unusual sign-in activity email you get is truly from Microsoft, your sign-in will be blocked, especially if it is a new device. To continue, you need to follow the instructions on the sign-in page and provide a security code that will be sent to one of your security contacts.
Without the security code, you cannot access your Microsoft account. This is all to keep your account safe.
How can I recognize a spam account activity email disguised as a Microsoft email?
1. Check the sender
As much as spammers and hackers try copying Microsoft’s unusual sign-in activity email format, they can’t forge the official email address. Check the sender’s email to ensure the alert you got is legit.
Ensure that every letter in the email is correct, as the hacker may use similar addresses with few differences. If the email is different, know it is spamming to bait you.
2. Investigate the format
The hackers sending the fake alert email for phishing majorly feed on people’s fear and vulnerability. Hence, they leave some loopholes in the format of the messages.
An example is the popular Microsoft unusual sign-in activity spam email received by users signed off by The Microsoft Security Essentials, Microsoft Team office Center.
This format is so flawed that a quick check will tell you it is fake. Foremost, the original unusual sign-in activity email is always signed off by The Microsoft account team.
The Microsoft Security Essentials written in the fake email is the name of the built-in security features in the old Windows operating systems. Also, Microsoft Teams is a product, and there is nothing like the Microsoft Team office center.
Hence, ensure you look at the format carefully, and you will find pointers showing the email as fake.
3. Note where the action link takes you
Most phishing emails disguised as the Microsoft unusual sign-in alert have an action link or button mostly tagged Review recent activity. If you click this link, it will take you to a fake Microsoft login page.
The first thing to note here is the address. The original Microsoft login address is denoted as login.live.com/. But if it is a fake link, the address will be distinctively different.
If you could detect the spam Microsoft unusual sign-in activity email before clicking any link, you only need to ignore or trash it. However, if you only got to know after clicking the link, ensure you do not enter any of your details.
This is especially important if it takes you to a login page that requires you to enter your Microsoft account password.
2. Check the Microsoft recent activity page
If you didn’t perform any unusual sign-in activity and got the alert, log in to your Microsoft account from the official website. This is the best place to check your recent login activities to know if someone else is tampering with your account or if the email you received is fake.
3. Contact Microsoft
If the email persists despite not noticing any unusual activity in your account, you can choose to report the email for further investigation or contact the official Microsoft support. This is to verify if there is any problem with the system or if the messages are spam.
Also, if you entered your details on the fake login page, the support team will tell you what to do to secure your account.
Phishing and data theft are the order of the day on today’s internet. The Microsoft unusual sign-in activity spam email is one of the latest methods hackers use to get people to submit their account details.
But with this guide, you should be able to identify fake emails and protect your account.
If your Windows 10 brightness slider isn’t working, it’s likely due to outdated display drivers or incorrect power settings.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to fix these common causes and restore your brightness controls quickly.
How do I stop my monitor from auto-adjusting brightness?
Before applying any advanced steps:
You can try connecting your monitor to another Windows system to see if it works. If the monitor shows the same problem after connecting to another device, this means the monitor is damaged. You may have to repair it or replace it with the new one.
1. Change brightness settings
Press the Windows and I keys together to open the Settings app.
Ensure you are on the System page by clicking the option on the left menu.
Select the Display option on the System page.
Click the Brightness option under the Brightness & color section at the top of the Display page.
Now uncheck the Help improve battery by optimizing the content shown and the brightness checkbox.
Once done, close the Display page after changing the settings.
2. Disable the Adaptive brightness settings from Control Panel
Press the Windows key and type the control panel.
Select the Control Panel app from the search results by clicking on it.
Click Category from the View by option.
After selecting it, click Hardware and Sound.
Click Power Options to view all the power plans.
Select Change plan settings by clicking on it.
Now click Change advanced power settings.
Once the Power Options window opens, double-click on the Display option to expand it.
Also, expand the Enable adaptive brightness option by double-clicking on it.
Change the Settings option to Off from its dropdown.
Open the Run command box by pressing the Windows and R keys together.
Type devmgmt. msc in the textbox of the Run box and press the Enter key.
Once the Device Manager window opens, double-click on the Display adapters option to expand it.
Right-click on the graphics card and click Update driver from the context menu.
The update driver window gets popped up on the system.
Select the Search automatically for drivers option by clicking on it.
This starts updating the graphics driver on the system.
Once it is done, you can close the device manager window.
If manual updates didn’t work, you could use a specialized tool to scan, find and update outdated drivers automatically, safely, and fast. Our top choice for this is Fortect Driver Updater because it offers a user-friendly interface, reliable driver detection, and ensures you get the latest official updates without risking compatibility issues.
4. Turn off the auto-dimming feature while in battery saver mode
Right-click the Start button on the taskbar and select Settings from the context menu.
This opens the Settings app window on the system.
Click System on the left panel.
Select the Power & battery option on the System page on the right side of the Settings app.
Select the Battery saver option by clicking on it once, which is located at the bottom of the Power & battery page.
This expands the section, and you need to uncheck the Lower screen brightness when using the battery saver checkbox.
When you are done, close the Settings app window.
5. Run the Power Troubleshooter
Type control.exe /name Microsoft.Troubleshooting in the Run box and then press the Enter key.
Click the Other troubleshooters option.
Scroll down the page and click the Power option’s Run button.
This starts the troubleshooting by detecting the issues associated with the power and trying to fix them.
Follow any onscreen instructions and complete the troubleshooting process.
6. Change the screen resolution settings
Press the Windows key and type settings.
Click the Settings app from the results.
In the Settings app page, click System on the left menu and click Display on the right side of the page.
Under the Scale & layout section, select the 1920 x 1080 (Recommended) option from the dropdown list of the Display resolution.
Also, ensure the Scale option is set as 125%, which Windows recommends.
When done, you can close the Settings page.
Why does my screen brightness keep changing in Windows 11?
Many users are facing this constant problem with the brightness of their screens. They say the screen’s brightness keeps changing even after upgrading their system to Windows 11, the latest possible version. The potential causes for this issue on any Windows system are listed below:
Outdated graphics driver – The graphics card is primarily responsible for how you see things on the screen. The better the graphics card specifications, the better will be the appearance. So if the graphics driver is not updated, it might cause such problems.
Adaptive brightness enabled – There is a feature called Adaptive brightness in the Windows system, which lets the screen brightness change according to the surrounding lights.
Auto-dimming feature – When the system is in battery saver mode, it changes the brightness to dull to save power consumption if this feature is enabled.
Screen resolution – If the screen resolution is not set to the recommended value, it might create issues like those discussed in this article above.
Damaged screen – This type of issue happens when the screen or monitor gets damaged internally or externally.
Why does my LCD screen become dim or sometimes flicker or brighten intermittently?
If the screen’s brightness changes randomly, it could be due to variations in the amount of light around the device. The sensors in the display adjust the brightness according to these changes. In case the display brightens intermittently, the sensors are likely broken.
Other similar issues include your monitor brightness adjusting on its own because of adaptive settings, and brightness control buttons failing due to hardware or driver problems. Check out our guides on how to stop automatic brightness changes and fix non-working brightness buttons for solutions.
How can I calibrate my monitor in Windows 11?
Users can calibrate the monitor in Windows 11 by launching the Settings app page. Then navigate to the Display page and select the HDR option.
Next, you need to turn on the HDR video streaming option by enabling its toggle button. Next, under the Display calibration for HDR video, click Calibrate for previewing and adjusting HDR video on the monitor.
I hope you found this article to be informative! Please leave us comments below for any queries.
The Net Viewcommand allows the users to view the various devices on the network and is often employed by users with several PCs connected. But many reported getting System error 6118 when running the command.
The complete message reads System error 6118 has occurred. The list of servers for this workgroup is not currently available. So, let’s find out all about the error.
What is System error 6118 in CMD?
System error 6118 prevents users from viewing the network devices, domains, and shared resources and puts them in a tricky situation. Here are a few reasons you may receive the error:
Firewall or antivirus affecting the connection: The built-in or third-party firewall and antivirus can often conflict with the connection and prevent you from viewing or accessing the network devices.
Misconfigured network settings: If the network settings are misconfigured, you might get System error 6118 in cmd with net view. A quick reset of the network settings usually does the trick.
Critical services are not running: There are a few services that need to be running for network discovery to work, and when these are disabled, you get the error.
How can I fix System error 6118 has occurred message?
Before making changes to the system, try these quick tips, tricks, and workarounds:
Make sure the WorkGroup name on all the systems is the same.
If you use an extender in the network, remove it and connect the devices to a single host. Or if the setup consists of several extenders, add them one at a time until the problematic one is identified.
Make sure the DNS is correctly set. If not, set it to the modem’s default DNS address.
If none of the solutions worked, move to the ones listed next.
1. Modify network setting
Press Windows + R to open Run, type Control Panel, and hit Enter.
Click on View network status and tasks under Network and Internet.
Click on Change advanced sharing settings.
Now, make sure both Network discovery and File and printer sharing are enabled for Private networks and Public networks, as the case may be.
2. Change the firewall settings
Press Windows + S to open Search, type Allow an app through Windows Firewall in the text field, and click on the relevant search result.
Click on Change settings.
Make sure the Private and Public checkboxes are ticked for File and Printer Sharing.
Similarly, verify the same for Network Discovery, and then click OK to save the changes.
If enabling File and Printer Sharing and Network Discovery fix System error 6118, make sure they are allowed through the built-in Firewall. If you use a third-party firewall, enable the two there as well.
3. Enable the critical services
Press Windows + R to open Run, type services.msc, and click OK.
Locate the Computer Browser service, right-click on it, and choose Properties.
Select Automatic from the Startup type dropdown menu, click on Start to run the service, and then OK to save the changes.
Similarly, configure the Function Discovery Provider Host service to run automatically.
4. Run the SFC scan
Press Windows + S to open Search, enter Command Prompt, and click on Run as administrator.
Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
Paste the following command and hit Enter:sfc /scannow
For the Enumerating domain A system error has occurred 6118 issue, running the SFC scan should get things up and running. If that doesn’t work, run the DISM tool as well.
5. Reset the network stack
Press Windows + R to open Run, type cmd, and then hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
Click Yes in the prompt that appears.
Now, paste the following commands individually and hit Enter after each:ipconfig /releaseipconfig /flushdnsipconfig /renewnetsh winsock resetnetsh interface ipv4 resetnetsh interface ipv6 resetnetsh winsock reset catalognetsh int ipv4 reset reset.lognetsh int ipv6 reset reset.lognetsh advfirewall reset
That’s it! In all likelihood, resetting the network stack should fix System error 6118 in Windows and allow you to view the devices on the network.
6. Disable the firewall
Press Windows + S, type Windows Defender Firewall, and open it from the search results.
Click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off from the options on the left.
Now, select the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) option under both Private network settings and Public network settings, and then click OK to save the changes.
Once done, run the command to view the devices on the network.
If the previous solutions didn’t work, disabling the firewall is the last alternative, but one that would fix the System error 6118 for good. Though we do not recommend disabling it for long since it leaves your PC unprotected.
If you use Outlook.com for a personal account, you’re probably already aware that spam email has become quite the problem in the last couple of months, and that it got significantly worse today. I had 27 emails in my inbox this morning, with some 22-23 of them spam. The issue appears to be widespread, and The Verge posted on it this morning. They’ve reached out to Microsoft, as have we and hopefully we’ll get an explanation and some relief soon.
As The Verge notes, you might want to turn off notifications on your phone for your personal accounts, or risk getting notifications for these spam messages, which could end up being quite bothersome.
Microsoft has been quiet so far on why Outlook.com has been serving so much spam recently, when it’s pretty apparent that these messages are indeed spam and should have been caught by spam filters.
Most users have encountered a lot of stress and difficulties when comparing two Word documents. Users often resort to shuffling reading between the two documents to be able to make comparisons between them, and this guide will show you how to do it.
How do I compare two Word documents on Windows 11?
1. Use the Microsoft Word built-in compare function
Launch Microsoft Word on your PC.
Select the Review tab on the Microsoft Word Ribbon. Click the Compare drop-down button in the Review tab and select the Compareoption.
Click the drop-down button below the Original document to choose the original document you want to compare. If you can’t find your documents from the list, click on the folder icon to navigate it.
Under the Revised document, click the drop-down button or click the folder to select it.
In the Label changes bar, input what you want to appear next to the changes.
Click on OK to display the result of the comparison.
The above steps will open a four-panel window with the compared document in the middle and highlight all changes in red. After going through the changes, the user can accept or reject changes made and save the revised version as new.
You can compare two Word documents for differences by using steps from above, especially if you’re tracking and accepting changes.
Need a quick refresher on tabs, commands, and the Ribbon? Check our Microsoft Word how-to guide for clear steps.
2. Use the Side by Side comparison in Word
Launch Microsoft Word on your PC and open the documents you want to compare.
Select the View tab from the ribbon and click on the View Side by Side option. It will open the two documents side by side in your Window.
When more than two documents are opened, it will prompt the Compare Side by Side window where you can select the document to compare and click OK.
This is a quick method to compare two Word documents side by side. The view and compare option allow you to compare and review the documents conveniently.
Open the Word document you want to compare in Google Docs.
Navigate to Tools on the ribbon and select Compare document.
Click on My drive from the pop-up to choose the Word documents to compare.
Click on the Attribute difference to the bar, type the name to attribute the difference, and select the Compare button.
It will prompt that your comparison is ready, then click Open to see the comparison.
Google Docs comparison tool offers a quick way to compare two Word documents and highlight differences online.
Another option is to use third-party apps designed for this function to identify their differences. Likewise, you can read our article on the best software to compare PDF documents for more details.
So, this is how to compare two Word documents for changes. We hope that you found our solutions comprehensive.
FAQs
How do I compare two Word documents for differences?
You can use Microsoft Word’s built-in Compare feature. Go to the Review tab, select Compare, then choose your original and revised documents. Word will display both files with all edits highlighted.
Can I view two Word documents side by side?
Yes. Open both documents in Word, then click the View tab and select View Side by Side. This lets you scroll through and compare the contents visually without merging them.
Is there a way to compare Word documents online?
You can upload both Word files to Google Docs, go to Tools → Compare documents, and view the highlighted changes directly in your browser.
Are there third-party tools to compare Word documents?
Absolutely. Several document-comparison apps are available that can analyze and highlight differences more precisely. You can also explore dedicated tools for comparing PDF or text files for more flexibility.
Windows is a vast Operating System with many features and built-in components that coordinate its processes and information.
These processes store the operating system’s information in the Environment Variables. Hence, we’ll take you through how to use PowerShell to print Environment Variables.
What is an environment variable?
Environment variables store information about the operating system’s and other programs’ data. It contains information about the operating system path and location of the Windows installation files. Also, it stores details of processes used by the operating system and other programs.
Furthermore, environment variables are usually stored in strings and can’t be empty. Likewise, environmental variables, unlike other variables, can be inherited by child processes. Hence, they store values essential and needed in both parent and child processes.
However, in any supported operating system platform, PowerShell can access, manage, and change environment variables. Also, the environment provider in Windows PowerShell allows you to get, clear, change, add, clear, and delete environment variables in the current console.
How do I print all environment variables in PowerShell?
1. Use the ls env command
Left-click the Start button, type PowerShell, and click Run as administrator.
Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
Copy and paste the following line and press Enter: ls env:
The above command will provide the console’s PowerShell print path environment variable with their name and values sorted by the name field.
2. Use the GetChildItem Env command
Left-click the Start button, type PowerShell, and click Run as administrator.
Select Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
Copy and paste the following line and press Enter: Get-ChildItem Env: | Sort Name
The above command in PowerShell will print all environment variables, sorted by name.
Right-click the Start button and select PowerShell (Admin) from the list.
Type or paste the following command and press Enter: dir env:
This command will print the environment variables with the environment name and environment variable value path.
4. Print all environment variables values to a file
Left-click the Start button, type PowerShell, and click Run as administrator.
Click Yes on the User Account Control prompt.
Copy and paste the following line and press Enter: gci env: | sort-object name| Export-Csv -Path D:\env_variables.txt -NoTypeInformation
Then use the Export-Csv command line to print all environment variables to the file. Copy and paste the following Export-Csv syntax and press Enter: Export-Csv -InputObject <PSObject> [[-Path] <String>] [-LiteralPath <String>] [-Force] [-NoClobber] [-Encoding <Encoding>] [-Append] [[-Delimiter] <Char>] [-IncludeTypeInformation] [-NoTypeInformation] [-QuoteFields <String[]>] [-UseQuotes <QuoteKind>] [-WhatIf] [-Confirm] [<CommonParameters>]
The above command in PowerShell gets all environment variables with their name and values sorted by the name field. Then, use the Export-CSV to convert the objects into a series of Character-Separated Value (CSV) strings. After, it prints all environment variables to a file.
Microsoft Exchange Server is deployed on the Windows Server OS. Organizations can use Exchange Server Management tools to implement administrative needs to improve the performance of the Active Directory.
The Exchange Management tool offers an all-in-one user management console that allows admins to manage the Exchange Server and Active Directory from a single console.
Also, it enhances mailbox management delegation, Exchange mailboxes deletion or disabling, creating resource mailboxes, etc.
Furthermore, the Exchange Management tool is software for implementing administrative needs into features. Also, it functions as a monitor and controls Windows Active Directory and Exchange to improve its performance.
Many tools are available for managing and monitoring your Exchange and Windows Active Directory. Our best picks are the ones below.
What are the best Exchange Server Management tools?
ADManager Plus – Best for easy administration of Exchange Servers
The ADManager Plus is an Exchange management tool that sets mail properties like mailbox size and recipient.
Also, it manages mailbox recovery while creating mailboxes for users and reduces the stress associated with monitoring the Exchange.
However, the tool has some notable features that set it above others:
Manage the Exchange Server and Windows Active Directory from a single console
It manages the number of accesses to the server
Set an offline address book for users in a few clicks
Set bulk offline address books by printing and importing a CSV file
Create and set mailbox properties during user creation in the Active Directory
Eliminates the need to use Exchange Management Console and Exchange Management Shell
ADManager Plus
Manage the Exchange Server and Windows Active Directory seamlessly from a single console.
ManageEngine Exchange Reporter Plus is an Exchange Management service that provides over 100 reports on each aspect of the server environment. Also, it is a web-based reporting and analysis tool. It provides the administrator with precise, detailed, and usable data.
The following are the most significant features of the ManageEngine Exchange Reporter Plus:
It can be used for on-premise and cloud Exchange activities
Comprehensive dashboard that shows details of alert counts, the most recent server exchange and their severity, and servers using the most CPU and system resources
Provides insight into mailbox sizes and growth, allowing you to compare the data against quota limits and track the entry and exit of emails alongside their content
It offers a log monitoring system for viewing the database health and tracking metrics like memory usage, disk IO, and cache status
Provision of live exchange metrics and automatic detection method for new Exchange servers
ManageEngine OpManager is a network monitoring tool with built-in Microsoft Exchange functionalities.
It has an advanced alerting mechanism that notifies you immediately when there is a problem with any sector of the Exchange server. Also, it makes it easier for admins to identify and rectify irregularities.
Furthermore, some great features that come with the management tool are:
Consistent and precise alerting system
Built-in reporting formats and support for customized reports on data collected
Easy-to-use user interface and friendly functionality to navigate
Increases performance by monitoring the mailbox performance counters, active and inactive mailboxes, and deleting inactive mailboxes to clean up the system
Creates live inventories by using automatic network discovery while using network maps to allow administrators to track assets and network sizes
Suitable for large and small networks
ManageEngine OpManager
Increase performance by monitoring your network and exchange servers with this powerful software.
SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor supports physical and virtual servers and provides advanced Microsoft Exchange management and monitoring services. It helps to detect and investigate issues through its dashboard.
Some key features that come with SolarWinds Server & Application Monitor are:
Easy to set auto-discovery process
Easy-to-use user interface that shows stored data and stats in a graph or table format
Notifies users of issues by sending out alerts regarding problems detected on the server
Customizable dashboard with drag-and-drop functionality
Uses the data from alerts on free space, database use, transaction history, and the average mailbox to plan mailbox capacity
The Paessler PRTG Network Monitor is a network monitoring service that provides detailed information about your IT infrastructure. It includes pre-configured sensors dedicated to the Microsoft Exchange server. Also, it enhances a swift response to issues by sending quick alerts.
Some great features of the Paessler PRTG Network Monitor are:
It continuously monitors the Microsoft Exchange server activities and how they operate.
Tracks the workload and database capacity and ensures that emails deliver on time without delay
Instant alerts through email, SMS, or push notifications in the app
Drag-and-drop editor to customize and build views and reports on the app
Built-in monitoring service that covers logins and later emails, mailbox sizes, and capacities, the number of emails in the mail queue, and the Microsoft Exchange server’s public folders
Active Directory stores information about objects on the network, making it available for administrators and users to find and use. Sadly, hackers are infiltrating the Active Directory, attacking the network it controls.
Due to the increasing incidence, the need for Active Directory security tools is essential. However, our readers can check our article about the best Open Source Network Monitoring tools they can use.
Is Active Directory a security tool?
Active Directory (AD) is not a security tool. It is Microsoft’s proprietary directory service designed to run on Windows Server.
It allows administrators to control remote computers, manage permissions, and access network resources.
However, there are third-party tools that organizations can employ to make it easier and faster to audit and secure the Active Directory. Also, they can help with monitoring, managing, and reporting on the AD.
Many Active Directory security tools are available for securing AD, but not all are reliable. Hence, we’ll take you through our pick of the best and most reliable Active Directory security tools to use.
What are the best Active Directory security tools?
ADAudit Plus is the number one choice of Active Directory security tool because of its ability to secure Windows servers.
It protects its ecosystem and keeps it compliant by providing comprehensive visibility into all activities.
Furthermore, some notable features of the ADAudit Plus security tool are:
Monitors logins by tracking user logon activities at all times
It audits the login processes, such as login failure, success, and other data related to the login history
Uses a UBA (User Behavior Analytics)-driven change auditor to secure the Active Directory and keep the Windows Servers ecosystem compliant
Manages and tracks the changes in the operating system, programs, and other local files on the PC
Offers a real-time change notification service that tells who made a change and when it was made and specifies where in your Windows Server environment
Audits privileged use, limiting access to only admins and privileged users
ADAudit Plus
Check all the logon activities and manage all the failed attempts on your endpoints quickly.
ManageEngine’s PAM360 is a privileged access management (PAM) platform for securing, controlling, and monitoring high-level access to critical systems across complex IT environments. Rather than treating privileged accounts as scattered risks, it centralizes them into a single, policy-driven framework.
The tool integrates with Active Directory to import users, authenticate logins, and manage domain accounts. It can also help control AD privileges. E.g., just-in-time access or group management, when integrated with other AD Tools.
However, PAM360 is designed to secure privileged accounts across many systems, not just Active Directory.
At its core, PAM360 acts as a secure vault and control layer for sensitive credentials. It stores privileged passwords, SSH keys, and certificates in an encrypted repository, while enforcing strict access controls such as role-based permissions and just-in-time (JIT) privilege elevation.
All privileged sessions can be monitored, recorded, and audited in real time, with analytics to detect unusual behavior.
Other notable features include:
Secure remote access – Password-less, controlled access to servers, endpoints, and network devices.
Granular control over admin rights across systems.
Zero Trust enforcement – Policy-based, risk-aware access controls and trust scoring
Endpoint privilege management – Removes unnecessary admin rights and enforces least privilege on devices.
Integrations & APIs – Connects with cloud platforms, apps, and DevOps pipelines via APIs and connectors.
Semperis Directory Services Protector is a Windows and Azure Active Directory Service security tool. It secures the Active Directory by preventing access to the Active Directory and monitors the login activities.
More so, some distinctive features of the Directory Services Protector (DSP) by Semperis are:
Notifies the admin of any changes or activities that bypass security logs
Tracks login successfully and failed attempts on the Server
Blocks unauthorized access to the Active Directory and analyzes lockouts
Offers a detailed retrieval of Active Directory settings for later usage
It helps produce reports of modifications and aid in locating and modifying AD attributes
Tenable One is a fully integrated cloud-based security platform. It uses the exposure management approach to ensure Taft all activities across your Server are visible and secure.
Also, it offers an accurate view of your organization’s cyber risks and ways to curb them.
The platform comes with many features that make it more secure than others. Some features are:
Detects vulnerabilities and provides remediation guidance to fix them
Real-time Active Directory and cloud security, protecting your organization’s assets
Web app security framework for setting up web app scans and assessment
Responds to Active Directory attacks by analyzing the kill chain of threats such as DCShadow, DCSync, and brute force
Detects any changes to the Active Directory, provides auditing for the activities and reports the changes to the proper authorities
There are other tools you can opt-in for when considering an Active Directory security tool. You may be interested in our article about the best auditing software for your devices.
Amazon Assistant is a browser extension that helps you make better shopping decisions, but many are wondering how to stop Amazon Assistant from popping up.
Although the application is useful, judging by recent user reports, it appears that the Amazon Assistant also features an annoying malware-like behavior.
Users report that the assistant keeps installing itself despite multiple attempts to permanently remove it.
I have no clue where Amazon Assistant came from. I have not had any updates/downloads, that I have noticed, that had anything extra piggy backing on it. My main problem is that I have tried, many, many times, to uninstall, but it keeps automatically downloading nearly as soon as I open IE! This is on my work computer. I have absolutely no use for it. How in the ever loving heck do I get the thing to uninstall and STAY uninstalled???
Amazon Assistant keeps coming back – What are the most common issues?
Amazon Assistant might be useful for some users, but for most, it just causes problems. Speaking of Amazon Assistant issues, here are some common problems reported by users:
Amazon Assistant uninstall grayed out – Many users reported that the uninstall button is grayed out. This can be a problem, but you can fix the issue using the Change button instead.
Amazon Assistant aa.hta keeps popping up – If you have problems with Amazon Assistant, you might be able to fix them simply by uninstalling it from Safe Mode.
Amazon Assistant keeps installing itself, coming up – Amazon Assistant can sometimes be hard to remove, and if you have problems removing this application, be sure to try using uninstaller software.
How do I stop Amazon Assistant from popping up?
1. Uninstall the application
Press Windows key + S and enter the control. Select Control Panel from the list.
When Control Panel opens, select Programs and Features.
A list of all installed applications will now appear. Locate Amazon Assistant on the list and double-click it to remove it.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.
Alternative: Click the Change button and then select the remove option to remove the software.
Keep in mind that Amazon Assistant can leave certain leftover files on your PC, and that can cause the issue to reappear. To completely solve the problem, it’s recommended to remove all files and registry entries associated with Amazon Assistant.
This can be pretty hard to do manually. However, many users reported that they managed to remove the application along with all its files by using an uninstaller software that is fully compatible with Windows 10.
As mentioned above, an excellent uninstaller software we strongly recommend is IObit Uninstaller because it can remove unwanted or stubborn apps alongside their files from your PC, which instantly increase its performance.
2. Remove the extension
Start your web browser.
Click the Extension icon in the top right. Next, choose Manage extensions.
Locate Amazon Assistant extension and click the Remove button to remove it.
If you’re using a different browser, you should know that the removal process is more or less the same.
3. Disable the application and delete all of its files
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Go to the Details tab.
Select each Amazon process and choose End task.
Repeat this for all available Amazon processes on your PC.
After disabling the processes, try to uninstall the application by following the steps from Solution 1.
The uninstall process might fail, but even if that happens, try to manually delete the files by doing the following:
Open File Explorer.
Navigate to Amazon Assistant installation directory. By default, it should be: C:\Programs Files (x86)\Amazon\Amazon Assistant
Once you enter the directory, delete all files and folders from it.
If you were unable to remove the files or uninstall the software, try repeating these steps from Safe Mode.
The Active Directory is a tool for managing remote computers by users with Administrative access and granting permissions to users. It allows users with permission access to privileges not allowed for other users. Hence, we’ll take you through how to set permissions in Active Directory users.
What are permissions in Active Directory?
Access to use and make changes in the Active Directory is limited to a specific set of people with privileges that allow them access to them. These access privileges are permissions in the Active Directory granted to users or groups that permit them to interact with objects.
Furthermore, there are Standard and Special types of permissions in Active Directory. Standard permission allows users to read, write, and have total control.
In addition, special permissions allow the user to modify object permissions or owners, change settings, etc. Check our guide about the best practices for Active Directory to apply now.
How do I set permissions in Active Directory for users?
1. Use the Group Policy Management Console (GPMC)
Press Windows + R key to open the Run dialog box, type gpmc.msc, and click OK to open the Group Policy Management console.
Right-click on the Group Policy Objects icon and select New from the drop-down.
Input a Name, set the Source Starter GPO option as none, and click OK.
Right-click on the new GPO and select Edit GPO from the drop-down.
On the Group Policy Management Editor window, go to the following path: Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\
Right-click on File System, then select Add File from the drop-down.
Locate and click on the folder you want to assign permissions, then press OK.
On the Database Security page, click the Advanced button.
In the Permissions tab, click Add to createand assign permission to a new user, select an existing user you want to assign permission to, and press Edit.
On the Permission Entry for Users window, view the list of permissions you can choose, then check the box for Allow or Deny against a Permission.
Click the drop-down button against the Apply onto option, then select where you want to apply the permissions.
Press OKto save the permissions settings.
The above steps will assign the selected privileges to the user and allow access to the selected folder or credentials without requesting permission.
2. Set Permissions for Delegated Authentication
NOTE
This solution is applied in the Active Directory of Windows Server.
Press Windows + R key to open the Run dialog box, type dsa.msc, then press OK to open the Active Directory Users and Computers.
Right-click the user, group, or organizational unit (OU) to delegate, then click the Delegate Control button.
Click Next on the Delegation of Control wizard and click Add.
On the Select Users, Computers, or Groups dialog box, enter the username or group name you want to grant permissions to configure delegated authentication.
Click Check Names to verify that the user or group has been created in Active Directory, click OK, then click the Next button.
Select the Delegate the following common tasks option, then select the Reset user passwords and force password change at the next logon option.
Click Next, then click Finish.
Right-click on the modified user or group and select Properties from the drop-down.
Select the Security tab, and then click Advanced.
Click the Add button on the Advanced Security Settings.
On the Permission Entry wizard, click Select a principal, enter the username or group name granted the reset permission, then click OK.
Select Descendant User objects on the Applies to the field to show the list of permissions allowed for the user account.
Scroll down, enable Read lockoutTime, and Write lockoutTime, then click OK.
Click OK to end the setup.
The above steps grant the user account permission to change the passwords of all the user objects in the administrative directory.
In conclusion, these are the best ways to set permissions in Active Directory. Should you have further questions or suggestions, kindly use the comments section.
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