Fix: Windows 10 Thinks Hard Drive / SSD is Removable

Some Windows 10 users have reported concerns over the system thinking that their hard drives or SSDs are removable. If you’re experiencing the same, this article will help you resolve the issue.

When Windows 10 thinks hard drive is removable, it could also show your external USB flash drive in the Disk Drive section. But what is happening there?

This behavior is known to be found in systems where the installed SATA AHCI driver is in conflict with the computer’s motherboard and/or BIOS. By default, Windows will install a generic SATA AHCI driver when you install the operating system so that it gives basic functionality across different products.

In this case, the best thing is to install the most current drivers, such as SATA related drivers. For Intel systems, this would be the Intel Rapid Storage Technology driver that handles AHCI functionalities, as AMD has its own AHCI driver. The problem at hand is manifested when your internal SATA HDDs or SSDs are displayed as removable media in your taskbar.

Here are solutions you can use when Windows 10 thinks hard drive is removable.

What to do if Windows 10 thinks hard drive is removable?

1. General troubleshooting

  1. Restart your computer
  2. Check for and install any available Windows updates

2. Update BIOS from device manufacturer

Check and install available BIOS updates, but if none exist, use the steps below to override how the inbox driver surfaces devices on specific ports:

  1. In the search bar, type CMD
  2. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator

  3. In the command prompt window, type the following command in press enter: devmgmt.msc
  4. Under Disk Drives, identify the SATA device you would like the inbox driver to consider internal
  5. Right-click and select Properties to open properties for the device.
  6. Note the bus number from the properties overview e.g. Bus Number 1
  7. Type the following command in the previously opened command prompt and press enter:
    exe add “HKLMSYSTEMCurrentControlSetServicesstorahciParametersDevice” /f /v TreatAsInternalPort /t REG_MULTI_SZ /d x

    (x corresponds to the Bus Number you noted in the previous step).

3. Use Registry Editor

Disclaimer: Before changing anything in the Registry Editor, back up your registry first.

  1. Right-click Start and select Run

  2. Type regedit and press enter
    There is insufficient disk space to complete operation
  3. Find the following path:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetservicesmsahci
  4. Create a new KEY called Controller0
  5. Inside Controller0, create another KEY called Channel0
  6. Inside Channel0, create a new DWORD called TreatAsInternalPort
  7. Set the value to 1. This will set the SATA port 0 (Drive C) to no longer show up in Safely remove hardware)
  8. Go back to the Controller0 folder
  9. Inside Controller0, create a new KEY called Channel1
  10. Inside Channel1, create a new DWORD called TreatAsInternalPort
  11. Set the value to 1 (this sets SATA port 1 (Drive D) to no longer show up in Safely Remove Hardware)
  12. Repeat this process until all internal SATA ports are set to be treated as internal. If you have 6 SATA ports, set Channel0 up to Channel5. If your motherboard has fewer SATA ports, remember to start at 0.
  13. Reboot to allow changes.

4. Modify in Device Manager

  1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager

  2. Find Disk Drives and double click on it
  3. Right-click the internal hard drive (HDD or SSD)
  4. Select Properties

  5. Go to Policies tab
  6. Check that Write caching on the device is enabled and that there is no optimize for quick removal enabled. This is related to how Windows 10 thinks hard drive is removable
  7. Update the driver to the latest chipset and AHCI/RAID

5. Check BIOS

Go into your BIOS and check if the SATA port to which your hard drive is connected to has the Hot Plug enabled. It could mean that your motherboard supports hot-swapping of hard drives, which you can disable the AHCI feature on your motherboard and it will disappear.

Here’s how to enter BIOS settings on your Windows 10 computer:

  1. Click Start and select Settings
  2. Select Update and Security
    Videos not playing on Windows 10
  3. Select Recovery on the left pane
    Windows Defender is not removing Trojan
  4. Click Restart Now under Advanced Startup
    Windows Defender is not removing Trojan
  5. Your computer will reboot to another menu. Click Troubleshoot.
  6. Click Advanced options.
  7. Select UEFI Firmware Settings.
  8. Click Restart. Your system will restart and take you to the BIOS. From here, check if the SATA port has Hot Plug enabled. Disable it if it is enabled.

Here’s what to do if you can’t hear your hard drive powering up.

6. User suggested solutions

Here are some additional solutions suggested by users on Microsoft’s forum:

  • Install or update SATA AHCI driver as you could be running on the generic Windows driver. Check your motherboard manufacturer’s website for a current Windows 10 driver. (Or laptop manufacturer’s website if this is a different rig than that in your specs). If there’s no Windows10 driver, then use the most recent one. If there’s no SATA/AHCI driver there, you can get one if you install the most current version of Intel Rapid Storage Technology Driver
  • Try using a different SATA port and also try plugging it with a different SATA cable. Go to your motherboard manufacturer’s website and make sure you have the latest SATA controller and chipset drivers for your model. Giving the BIOS reset a try might also be a good idea, it would get your BIOS settings back to factory defaults which could help with the proper detection of the HDD.
  • This is generic problem of windows 64 bit versions. Microsoft has yet to find and fix the issue. It is related to performance. 64 bit operations cannot cope up so 64bit operating system is patched to treat internal drive as portable removable drive. Install 32bit version of windows, as this issue is not there.
  • Tip for Windows 10 users: create a ‘Storage Pool’ through ‘Storage Spaces’. A Pool can exist of just 1 storage medium. That will integrate the removable storage to be seen as an internal drive.
  • It’s not a solution for your system drive. For that the best bet is to find the most recent driver. If that does not work for you might want to change your 3rd party AHCI/RAID controller driver to the ‘Generic SATA AHCI controller’ that was shipped with Windows 10.
  • In my case I had disks attached to a Marvell adapter show up as removable. After changing them to create an MS storage space instead of a Marvell mirrored drive, they appeared in the normal spot thus making them available to disk optimization too.

Did you know, you can change the serial number of a hard disk. And if you get the Unable to write to this disk in drive error, changing the file system will do!

Did any of these solutions help? Let us know in the comments section below.

6 Best Automatic Backup Software for Windows 10/11

Backing up your files should be your priority, but backing up files manually is a tedious task. However, there are many dedicated backup tools that can back up files automatically.

The market is filled with all sorts of backup software, so in order to help you choose the best one for you, today we’re going to show you the best automatic backup software.

What should I look for in automatic backup software?

Good backup software should have good storage space, a very well-implemented privacy policy, and also a full set of features.

The most important features to look for are multiple backup options, the possibility to create full disk backups, and single folder backups.

When it comes to automatic backups, you should look for software that lets you schedule the backup process in such a way that it won’t interfere with other important tasks.

What is the best automatic backup software?

Acronis Cyber Protect Home – Great for local backup

Acronis Cyber Protect is a well-known backup software and it can perform automatic backups to the cloud. The software also supports event backups so it can create backups automatically.

Of course, an extensive scheduling feature is available, so you can completely automate the backup process. Regarding backups, the software can perform full image backup and active disk cloning.

Of course, support for both incremental and differential backups is available as well. The software also offers file syncing and sharing, which will surely come in handy.

It’s important to mention that this backup software also has its own antivirus and anti-ransomware protection, so you can be sure that your backups are 100% malware-free.

Acronis Cyber Protect offers great features, and thanks to advanced scheduling, it’s one of the best automatic backup software on the market.

Acronis lets you back up specific files and folders if you do not want to create backups for your whole disk/system.

All your backups are stored in the cloud. This comes with stable, error-free restore options in case your device gets infected or you experience some sort of data loss.

Acronis Cyber Protect also can be triggered to create automatic backups in certain situations. When you plug in an external USB, a backup will automatically be created to protect you from potential viruses.

Acronis Cyber Protect key features:

  • Scheduling feature that allows you to automate the backup process
  • Support for event-based backups
  • Ability to create incremental and differential backups
  • Built-in antivirus and anti-ransomware protection
  • Automatic cloud backup

Acronis Cyber Protect is a subscription-based service with yearly charges. The pricing varies depending on the number of devices you want to back up.

Aomei Backupper – Simple and easy to use

Another great backup software that we have to mention is Aomei Backupper. The software can perform system, disk, partition, and file backups.

Aomei Backupper supports automatization, and you can easily schedule all your backups. For complete automatization, there’s support for event-triggered backups.

The software supports Hot Backup, so you can use your PC while the backup is being created. For advanced users, there’s command-line support, so you can start the backup process in a matter of seconds.

Regarding backup destination, the application can back up data to an external or local drive, NAS or network share, and to popular cloud storage services.

Aomei Backupper offers great features, and if you’re looking for automatic backup software, we suggest that you try it out.

AOMEI Backupper is compatible with Windows operating systems starting with Windows XP. It can also be used on Windows servers starting with Windows server 2003.

AOMEI Backuper is a licensed-based product. There are several editions available. Each edition of the software has a free trial option.

Here are a few of its key features:

  • Ability to perform system, disk, partition, and file/directory backup
  • Support for file syncing
  • Ability to automate backups with scheduling and event-triggered scheduling
  • Command-line support
  • Can back up data to external/local drives, DVDs, NAS, network share, or cloud storage

Handy Backup – Ideal for files and folders backup

Handy Backup is another automatic backup software for your PC. The software allows you to easily back up your files/folders or other documents.

Regarding storage, you can store files on both local and external drives. Remote storage is also available thanks to FTP, NAS, and cloud support.

The software allows you to schedule your backups and completely automate them. Speaking of backups, you should know that full, incremental, and differential backup is available.

Regarding security, the software has strong encryption available, so your data will remain safe. To save up disk space, there’s also a built-in compression feature.

Overall, Handy Backup is a simple-to-use tool and it’s a great backup software, so be sure to try it out.

Handy Backup has an easy and intuitive user interface. It allows you to back up all sorts of files, folders, databases, app data, and more in just a few clicks. It comes with two display modes: simple and advanced.

Handy Backup is licensed software and has two main versions. You can try any of them for free for 30 days.

Let’s go through some of its best features:

  • Ability to easily back up files/folders
  • Support for full, incremental, and differential backups
  • Ability to automate and schedule backups
  • ZIP compression and backup encryption
  • Email notifications

Handy Backup

Handy Backup is a simple to use but powerful backup software that allows you to create backups automatically.
Free trial Visit website

Ashampoo Backup Pro – Modern user interface

If you’re looking for automatic backup software, then Ashampoo Backup Pro might be just what you need. The software comes with a simple interface, and it’s quite easy to use.

The application has the ability to check your hard drive and the destination drive, and by doing so you’ll prevent potential file loss. Regarding the backup storage, you can store backups on local or external drives.

You can also back up your data to NAS or cloud storage, and any cloud storage that uses WebDAV is supported. As for the backup, you can back up your system drive, partitions, hard disks, and individual files.

It’s worth mentioning that software supports the creation of disk images, as well as 1:1 file copies. Of course, complete and incremental backup is available, as well as automatic synchronization.

Overall, Ashampoo Backup Pro is simple but powerful backup software, and you should definitely consider it.

Ashampoo Backup Pro is available in multiple languages.  It is licensed-based software that includes a free trial.

Ashampoo Backup Pro features:

  • Ability to back up system drives, partitions, disks, and individual files
  • Support for complete and incremental backups
  • Versioning and automatic synchronization
  • Can store backups on local/external drives, NAS, and cloud storage
  • Encryption, compression, and task scheduling

Ashampoo Backup Pro

Ashampoo Backup Pro is a simple to use backup software that can create backups automatically without interfering with your system.
Free trial Visit website

Backblaze – Good for NAS backup

Backblaze is a cloud-based backup solution that can create safe and secure backups for your computer data. It can also create server backups, NAS backups, Veeam Backups, and more.

Backblaze does not have a limitation on storage space. On top of that, the backup is done automatically and in real-time, without requiring any manual setups.

This backup solution comes with additional data loss prevention features, including multiple restore options. You can restore to previous versions of your system in case of data loss or ransomware.

A user with admin permission can restore to an older version of the system and all changes will be applied at the level of the whole organization.

On top of that, Backblaze comes with advanced SSL encryption. All files that are stored in the cloud are previously encrypted on your device.

On top of that, to access your data you need to provide your credentials (email and password). Backblaze also introduced a two-factor authentication feature with a 6-digit code. 

Backblaze is compatible with multiple workflow software from multiple fields, including Cyberduck or EditShare.

Backblaze is a subscription-based service. You can get different types of plans according to your specific needs. You get the option to pay monthly, yearly, or every two years.

Other key features include:

  • Can connect with NAS, SAN, MAM, and other similar storage devices
  • Fully customizable plans
  • Media library management features

⇒ Get Backblaze

Backup4all – Military-grade encryption

The last entry on our list is Backup4all. This software supports scheduling, so you can easily automate all your backups. In addition, you can also schedule backups according to certain computer events.

Regarding backup types, the software supports full, differential, incremental, and mirror backup. There’s also a smart backup option that will automatically choose the most suitable backup type for your needs.

As for storage, the software allows you to store backups on network drives, cloud storage, removable media, FTP servers, and network drives.

The software also offers AES 256-bit encryption so you can rest assured that your backups are completely safe.

Backup4all is a simple but powerful automatic backup software, but keep in mind that most features that we mentioned are available only in the Professional version.

Backup4all is licensed software. One license can be used on one device, but you can get a bundle package.

Backup4all key features:

  • Ability to schedule and automate backups
  • Full, incremental, differential, and mirror backup
  • Can store backups on local/external drives, FTP servers, and cloud storage
  • AES 256-bit encryption
  • Email notifications

⇒ Get Backup4all

Backup software is one of the best ways to back up your data, and if you’re looking for automatic backup software, we hope that the applications from our list will suit your needs.

Want to learn more about backup software? Our dedicated Backup Hub provides additional software suggestions, troubleshooting guides, as well as updates on what’s new in the industry.

Looking for more backup and data protection applications? You can find the best of them in our Data recovery Hub.

Fix: Windows 10 Freezes / Hangs After Login [8 Ways]

Besides some new great features and improvements, certain Windows 10 updates also bring more problems and headaches for its users.

For instance, many users reported that their Windows 10 OS freezes at login. More exactly, users were confronted with the following:

  • Windows 10 hanging before/after login screen;
  • Windows 10 freezing at Welcome screen;
  • Windows 10 stuck at login screen with spinning circle;
  • Windows 10 freezes on boot.

The most common causes for any of these errors are outdated hardware, certain, antivirus settings, interfering startup apps, or even problematic updates.

If you’ve encountered one of the instances mentioned above, check out the solutions below, trying them one by one until access to your OS is restored.

How do I fix Windows 10 freezing on login?

1. Try the Windows Troubleshooter

  1. Press Windows Key + S and select Control Panel from the list.
    Windows 10 hangs before login screen
  2. Navigate to Troubleshooting.
    Windows 10 freezes on Welcome screen
  3. Select View all from the menu.
    Windows 10 stuck at login screen with spinning circle
  4. Select System Maintenance from the list and follow the instructions on the screen to complete the troubleshooter.
    Windows 10 hangs after login

2.  Update your drivers and check their compatibility

If you’re using an older device, there’s a possibility that some of the drivers for your components are outdated or maybe not compatible with the latest version of Windows.

To determine if you’re using proper drivers, go to the Windows Update & Security center to see if there are any new updates for your system.

Also, you can manually check your drivers in Device Manager, or download them directly from the manufacturer’s site.

Although it seems unlikely, newer versions of drivers could also give you a headache. If that is the case, you should roll them back to the compatible version. To check if your new drivers are alright, do the following:

  1. Boot your Windows in Safe Mode.
  2. Go to Command Prompt and enter the following line:
    • mmc.exe C:Windowssystem32devmgmt.msc
      Windows 10 hangs before login screen
  3. Here, you should check the drivers for the following devices:
    • Audio card (shown under Sound, Video and Game Controllers in Device Manager)
    • WiFi/Network cards (shown under Network adapters)
    • Card reader
    • Video card (Display adapters)

Automatically update drivers

We also strongly recommend using a third-party driver updating tool that will help you with exactly the same thing.

The one reason why you should consider using a dedicated tool is to avoid permanent damage to your computer by manually downloading the wrong driver versions.

3. Check your antivirus

If your Windows 10 build freezes upon login, the problem might be your antivirus. To fix the issue, it’s advised to enter Safe Mode and check your antivirus configuration. In addition, you might want to prevent your antivirus from automatically starting with Windows.

If that doesn’t help, your last resort is to uninstall your antivirus. If you want to eliminate this kind of problem in the future, you might want to consider switching to a different antivirus solution.

The honest truth is that computer freezes and malfunctions are among the most common signs that your computer is infected. In certain circumstances, malware overwhelms your system by launching lots of background apps that use your computer’s memory and cause it to freeze.

It’s necessary to run a malware scan using the most appropriate antivirus solution if your computer still freezes after rebooting.

So you can rest assured that, when using a compatible antivirus, your system will stay healthy, and perfectly protected in real-time, with no negative impact on your device.

4. Check your startup programs

  1. Open Task Manager. You can do that by pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
  2. Under the Startup tab, you’ll see all programs that start along with your system.
    Windows 10 hangs after login
  3. Disable all programs you don’t want to start on login by right-clicking on them and choosing Disable.
    Windows 10 freezes on boot

After disabling all startup applications, check if the problem still persists.

According to some users, sometimes the cause of this problem can be the preinstalled HP software.

Many computers come with preinstalled applications, and sometimes these applications can interfere with your operating system and cause it to freeze.

If you already know the problematic app, but can’t log in to Windows 10, access Safe Mode as shown before and try to remove the application from there.

Sometimes it’s necessary to remove all files and registry entries associated with a certain application in order to fix the problem.

Doing this manually can be hard, so it’s always better to use uninstaller software. It is perfect for this task since it removes all files associated with the problematic application automatically, so make sure you try it out.

5. Use System Restore

  1. Enter Safe Mode.
  2. Press Windows Key + S and enter system restore. Choose Create a restore point from the menu.
    Windows 10 freezes on Welcome screen
  3. Click on the System Restore button.
    Windows 10 stuck at login screen with spinning circle
  4. In the new window, click Next.
    Windows 10 freezes on Welcome screen
  5. If available, check Show more restore points option. Select the desired restore point and click Next.
    Windows 10 stuck at login screen with spinning circle
  6. Now follow the instructions on the screen to complete the restoration process.

If you can’t access Safe Mode due to this problem, you can restore Windows 10 from the advanced boot menu. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Restart your PC a few times during the boot sequence.
  2. If done properly, you’ll see a list of three options. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.
  3. Once you start System Restore, follow the instructions on the screen to restore your PC to its original state.

If you manage to fix your problem, it’s important to mention that you need to prevent the problematic update from installing.

Windows 10 automatically downloads the missing updates, but you can check this guide and learn how to block certain updates from installing. Once you block the problematic update, you shouldn’t have any future issues.

6. Disconnect unnecessary hardware

According to users, sometimes your hardware can cause this issue to appear. Many users reported that various USB devices such as external hard drives or USB Wi-Fi adapters can cause this issue to appear.

In this case, we advise you to disconnect all USB devices, except your keyboard and mouse and restart your PC. Your Windows 10 device should launch without any problems.

Keep in mind that you might have to disconnect all your USB devices every time you start your PC, which can be a bit of a hassle.

7. Install the missing updates from Safe Mode

  1. Enter Safe Mode as mentioned in the first solution.
  2. Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
  3. Navigate to Windows Update section.
    Windows 10 freezes on boot
  4. Now click Check for updates button.
    Windows 10 hangs before login screen

Windows 10 will now check for available updates. If any updates are available, they will be installed in the background. Once the updates are installed, check if the problem still persists.

8. Allow users to log in automatically

  1. Enter Safe Mode, as shown before.
  2. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. Enter netplwiz and press Enter or click OK.
    Windows 10 freezes on boot
  3. Uncheck Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer. Now click on Apply and OK.
    Windows 10 hangs before login screen
  4. Enter your password twice and click OK to confirm.
    Windows 10 hangs after login

After doing that, restart your PC and check if you can log in automatically to your account. Keep in mind that enabling automatic log-in can reduce the security of your PC, especially if you’re sharing it with others.

That would be all. If you have any comments, suggestions, or maybe other solutions related to this topic, we would be grateful if you’d share them with us in the comments.

Whenever in doubt about specific Windows 10 solutions, be sure to check our Windows 10 Troubleshooting page.

For other similarly useful, and more general guides, go to the Windows 10 Hub.

Can I Close my Laptop While Updating? [Answered]

A lot of users have been complaining about how slow Windows updates are. Thus, a common practice for many is to just go on with their day when an update comes and leave it to download and install overnight.

However, laptop users don’t have it so easily, since they will usually be connected via Wi-Fi, so the download speed will be even slower, and they can’t close the screen without closing the laptop‘s lid.

The problem is that, as you may have noticed, laptops have a tendency to shut down when you close their lid.

What happens if I close my laptop lid during a Windows update?

In most cases, closing the lid of your laptop is not recommended. This is because it will most likely make the laptop shut down, and shutting down the laptop during a Windows update can lead to critical errors.

In fact, these could be so severe that you might not be able to perform the update again or even launch Windows appropriately for that matter.

don't turn off lid

However, if you manage to change certain energy settings in your laptop, then there shouldn’t be a problem. This involves changing the programmed action of what happens when you close the lid.

Your laptop can be programmed to do one of 5 things when closing the lid:

  • Do nothing – Updates will continue without any issues
  • Turn off display – Updates will continue without any issues
  • Sleep – Will not cause problems most of the times, but will suspend the update process
  • Hibernate – Will not cause problems most of the times, but will suspend the update process
  • Shut down – Will interrupt the update process, so do not close the lid in this situation

Thus, if your laptop is set to do nothing or just turn off the display when you close the lid, then you can go ahead without worrying. In all other cases, you should refrain from doing so.


Looking for a good Windows laptop? Check out our top picks!


What can I do to close the laptop lid when updating?

As mentioned above, you will need to access the Change what closing the lid does menu.

  1. Press Windows + R
  2. Type in control.exe
    • This will open the Control Panel
  3. Go to Hardware and Sound
  4. Select Power Options
  5. Click on Choose what closing the lid does
  6. Go to both the On battery and Plugged in options, and select either Do nothing or Turn off displayLaptop do nothing

By following these steps, you should be able to close the lid of your laptop at any time without hindering the Windows update process in any way.

Did you find our guide useful? Let us know in the comment section below, and well write even more useful guides.

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How to Print a JPEG / JPG File if Your Printer Won’t Let You

Printers support a wide range of file formats including image formats like .jpeg or .jpg.  However, some users have reported that their printer is not printing jpeg files anymore.

This is a common issue and can happen due to many reasons including a buggy print interface. This problem only happens when the user tries to print a jpg or jpeg file.

Why won’t my printer print jpegs?

1. Install all the system updates

The printing issue can sometimes appear if certain system updates are missing. For instance, it’s been reported that users were stuck with the printing problem until installing KB5001649.

It’s possible that this update is not presented in the dedicated list under Update & Security (whether in mandatory or optional updates).

In that case, if you have a 64-bit computer, try using this direct download link to force the update. Use Edge instead of Chrome to access or make other settings.

Also, restart your device after the installation process finishes to allow the system to get the updates in place. Afterward, try and print .jpeg files and see if the issue is gone.


  2.  Print from the Paint App

  1. Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where the photo you want to print is saved.
  2. Right-click on the photo and select Open With.
  3. From the list of applications, select the MS Paint app.
  4. In the Paint app, click on File and select Print.
    Print JPEG files from MS Paint
  5. Check the printing options and click on the Print button.
  6. Now your printer should be able to print the .jpeg file without any issue.
  7. As you might have noticed, this is not a solution but a workaround. However, if you need to take a copy urgently or have only a couple of copies to take, this should work until you find a permanent solution.

We’ve written extensively on printing issues on Windows 10. Check out more guides.


3. Reset Printer

  1. Power on the printer if it is off.
  2. Wait until the printer is idle and silent before you proceed.
  3. With the printer powered on, turn off the power supply and disconnect the power cord from the wall outlet as well as from the printer.
  4. After a few minutes, reconnect the power cord back to the wall outlet.
  5. Reconnect the power cord to the printer.
  6. Turn on the printer and wait for the warm-up period to finish.
  7. Now check for any improvements.

If the issue persists, do the following:

  1. Press Windows Key + R to open Run.
  2. Type control and press OK to open Control Panel.
  3. Go to Programs > Programs and Features.
  4. Select your HP Printer and click Uninstall. 
  5. Follow the next set of steps.

Remove Printer from Windows 

  1. Type printers in the search bar and click on Printers and Scanners.
  2. Under Printers and Scanner section, click on your Printer and select Remove Device.
    Remove Printer from Windows 10 Settings
  3. When asked to confirm, click Yes.
  4. Close the Printer and Scanner window.
  5. Press Windows Key + R to open Run.
  6. Type printui.exe /s and press OK to open Printer Server Properties.
  7. Click on the Drivers tab.
    Printer Server Properties _ delete Driver
  8. Look for the problematic printer and click on Remove button. Click Yes if asked to confirm. Close the properties window.
  9. Restart the computer. After that, you need to visit the official website of your printer and download the latest version of the Printer software and install it. Check for any improvements.

Let us know if one of these solution has helped with the problem. Also, if you have further suggestions, don’t hesitate to share them in the comments section.

8 Best CGI Animation Software to Download [Free, Paid]

Both pro and rookie 3D artists know that having a natural artistic skill makes for half the battle. The other half is won using capable 3D modeling software to show your creative talent.

With so many choices out there, it can confuse which one is the best among the lot. CGI software tutted as best by professionals may not be the right choice for beginners and vice versa.

Fortunately, each computer-generated imagery software offers something different to cater to the needs of a diverse audience.

In this article, we have jotted down the best computer-generated imagery software to suit your needs.

Product name100% FreeFree trial/ Paid
Adobe After Effects❌✅
Autodesk Maya❌✅
Adobe Animate❌✅
Autodesk Fusion 360❌✅
Unity✅
Autodesk 3DS Max❌✅
Autodesk Mudbox❌✅
Daz Studio✅

What is the best CGI software for professional modeling?

  1. Adobe After Effects – Overall best CGI software
  2. Autodesk Maya – Vast collection of editing tools
  3. Adobe Animate – 2D new age animation
  4. Autodesk Fusion 360 – Special module for 3D
  5. Unity – Professional CGI software for designers
  6. Autodesk 3DS Max – 3D modelling and animation software
  7. Autodesk Mudbox – Powerful tool
  8. Daz Studio – User-friendly tool

Adobe After Effects – Greatest CGI resource

You can’t talk about CGI added in movies and videos without at least mentioning the king of video post-production: Adobe After Effects.

This professional video editing tool added the option of creating 3D models back in 2017, and this feature has since become a product staple.

Besides that, CGI needs to be paired with other special effects to look realistic and natural, and this is something that Adobe After Effects can handle just as well.

That said, if you already have a video created and cut, and all you need to add is a bit of movie magic, then Adobe After Effects is the product for you. This makes it one of the best CGI software for movies.

Despite the common conception that Adobe products are a subscription-based service, Adobe After Effects is included in the Creative Suite and can be tested for free during a 7-day trial.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • Professional 3D modeling tools
  • Seamless integration of 3D models and effects into videos
  • File formats compatible with all major video editing tools
  • Works best when paired with Adobe Premiere Pro
  • Can be tested out during a 7-day trial period

Adobe After Effects

When it comes to professional 3D modeling, there’s no better visual effects software than Adobe After Effects.
Free trial Visit website

Autodesk Maya – 3D animation modeling

Autodesk Maya is being used by many of the leading VFX and animation studios due to its vast collection of tools on offer.

The latest version of Maya offers accelerated workflows and productivity with its improved user interface. Maya enables you to create stunning 3D sets with rig playback and manipulation features.

It can be used to create motion graphics for text, flying logos, 3D animation with general animation tools like toolsets for a keyframe, scripted animation, and 3D modeling with the ability to sculpt and shape models.

Arnold RenderView integration lets you view scene changes in real-time, including lightning, camera, etc.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • Enhance the 3D models using brush-based grooming tools for accuracy in styling
  • UV editor interface and Clump Modifier
  • After Effect live link to work with Adobe program
  • Make changes in real-time along with Additional MASH toolsets

Autodesk Maya can be a bit overwhelming for beginners as it involves a learning curve. But, for those willing to invest time and money, Maya is among the best CGI software in the market.

Autodesk Maya

Bring your art to life with the best 3D modeling and animation software!
Free trial Visit website

Adobe Animate – 2D new age animation

An incredible pick for CGI animation is Adobe Animate because it gives you everything to make your stories stand out.

This solution offers you professional resources to create animated content for gaming, starting from funny characters to full scenes with your characters.

It’s possible to create any character exactly how you picture it, giving you sketches and 2D drawing tools for a complete experience.

Moreover, there are various expressions, movements, or avatar features that will impress the public with the right message.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • Cartoons and animated banners
  • Assets design and coding
  • Publishing on mobile, desktop, or TV
  • Flexi bone tool & envelope deformer

Adobe Animate

Craft complex characters and make them authentic with this animation tool.
Check price Visit website

Autodesk Fusion 360 – Realistic animation & rendering

Fusion 360 is great for teamwork as it is a cloud-based 3D modeling tool that assists the design and engineering of products in a way that aligns with industry standards of aesthetics, form, fit, and function.

The software has many features, but it is fairly user-friendly, and it offers its users access to the Autodesk Academy Platform for free online courses that teach basic notions and more advanced features.

Fusion 360’s key features include:

  • Direct modeling for editing of imported geometry from non-native file formats
  • Creation of complex parametric surfaces
  • PCB design integration
  • Special module for 3D printing
  • Easy access to your work and through the cloud
  • Multiple users can work on the same project simultaneously
  • Aid in the creation of photo-realistic images of your mode by using the rendering feature

Autodesk Fusion 360 has both a free plan for noncommercial use and a Premium plan.

Autodesk Fusion 360

Collaborate and create complex CGI models with an easy-to-use, cloud-based tool.
Free trial Visit website

Unity – Immersive CGI for gaming

Unity is a professional-level software used by architects, game designers, and app designers. It has many features and integrates popular collaboration tools such as Discord, Slack, Webhook, or Jira.

The software can be used to create and edit animation and cinematic projects. You can use it to create your models and then integrate them into your project with advanced rendering features. You can animate your models and get instant previews of your final result.

Unity uses real-time 3D technology (RT3D) to create interactive content efficiently. This can create immersive realities like video games and engaging architectural or construction projects.

Other key features of Unity include:

  • Multiplayer game creation and hosting support
  • Support for mobile games
  • Allows you to create AR & VR content
  • Automated non-creative tasks

Unity is CGI software free to download for personal use on your PC and comes with various subscription plans.

Unity

Use Unity to create pro-level designs for games, architecture projects, cinematics, and more.
Check price Visit website

Autodesk 3DS Max – Suitable for beginners

3DS Max is a 3D modeling and animation software from the same house as Maya, but Autodesk has developed these tools for a different purpose.

While Maya offers exceptional animation capabilities, 3DS Max shines when creating massive worlds in games and engaging virtual reality experiences.

3DS Max enables you to create and define various environments and detailed characters, along with high-end rendering tools like Arnold, V-Ray, and Iray, to create stunning visuals for your project.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • Compatible with other Autodesk software including Inventor, Revit, and Fusion 360, and other third-party applications like Unity and Unreal real-time engine to create video game animation
  • The user interface can be less intimidating for beginners as it comes with a huge library of different modifiers to make the modeling process easier
  • Autodesk 3DS comes at a cost and is made for professionals. For students, Autodesk offers a free version of the same for educational purposes

Autodesk 3DS Max

Industry-leading Autodesk 3DS Max is unparalleled when it comes to 3D modeling, animation, and rendering.
Free trial Visit website

Autodesk Mudbox – Animated painting tools

Yet another powerful tool from the Autodesk suite makes our list. This time, it’s the best 3D digital painting and sculpting software.

Mudbox is best suited to craft stunning characters and environments with sophisticated 3D geometry and textures.

In order to achieve these results, you get to enjoy an intuitive toolset, optimized workflows for efficiency, and seamless integration with tools such as Maya,3ds Max, Arnold, and more.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • Digital sculpting tool for highly detailed 3D characters and environments
  • Paint directly on your 3D models across multiple channels
  • Artist-friendly, camera-based workflows
  • Create quality meshes from any asset
  • Smooth, brush-based workflows for polygons and textures

Autodesk Mudbox

Create realistic 3D characters with artist-friendly workflows.
Free trial Visit website

Daz Studio – Extensive character libraries

Another 3D modeling software offering powerful tools is Daz Studio. It is a 3D modeling, rendering, and animation software that focuses on creating homemade human-like realistic figures.

It is also among the user-friendly 3D modeling software that professionals and beginners use.

As for what can be done with Daz Studio, you can create 3D morphing, posting, and animation rendering using the GPU power to create photorealistic figures.

The Daz Studio also offers access to its library of contents, which includes pre-made items that can be morphed as per user needs. It might just be the best CGI software for beginners and professionals you can use.

Other key features of Daz Studio include:

  • Character presets to help you start
  • Extensive library of character wearables
  • Multiple backgrounds & surrounding objects
  • Huge addons shop (with free items included)

The project can also be converted and exported to Maya from Daz Studio. Daz Studio can be connected to the Daz Store to browse the available products and make purchases.

Daz3d Studio

Daz3d Studio

Generate realistic 3D models and animation with free and beginner-friendly software.

Do let us know your favorite tool or if you think we have left a deserving CGI software off the list in the comments.

Moreover, keep in mind that the previously mentioned CGI software tools may come in handy for all those looking for:

  • CGI apps – Finding your way amongst many industry-standard 3D modeling software tools is challenging. If you lack the time or patience to discover the best CGI app, Adobe After Effects is a safe bet
  • CGI animation programs – We have listed the greatest animation software tools for anime as well. Take some of them for a spin to find the best tool according to your requirement
  • CGI editor – Even if you’re new to Computer-Generated Imagery, video editing can be fun when using the best video optimizer software

No Sound After Installing Realtek Drivers: Fix

The importance of Realtek sound drivers is paramount. Nowadays they’re provided via Windows Update frequently with the rest of the updates. However, after one of those updates, recently, some users lost sound completely.

For that purpose, we enlisted the best-suited solutions that should help you address the issue of having no sound after installing Realtek drivers. If you’re unable to hear a thing after the latest driver update, make sure to check the solutions below.

How can I fix no sound after installing Realtek drivers?

1. Check the volume

Sometimes the most obvious solution is the best-suited solution. Namely, your system might mute System sounds or an individual device for no apparent reason.

Or, on the other hand, the latest update might have changed your sound preferences. Therefore, your first task is to open Volume Mixer and make sure nothing is muted.

You can do so by following these instructions:

  1. Right-click the Sound icon in the notification area.
  2. Open Volume Mixer.
  3. Inspect all active sound settings and unmute System sounds and Speakers.Realtek driver update no sound

2. Roll back drivers

Back in the days of Windows XP, drivers were quite an annoyance. These days, we can say with certainty that drivers are as easily installed as the rest of essential system features.

However, even though Windows Update provides users with timely driver updates, take generic GPU and sound drivers updates with a grain of salt.

In addition, you can get updates that are not really improving on the previous iteration, but rather causing issue after issue after issue.

In this case, your best bet is to roll back the sound driver, and there so, return it to previous working state.

  1. Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
  2. Navigate to Sound, video, and game controllers.
  3. Right-click the Realtek High Definition Audio and open Properties.
  4. Open Driver tab.
  5. Click Roll Back Driver.Realtek driver update no sound
  6. Wait until the procedure finishes and restart your PC.

3. Reinstall drivers

The generic sound driver provided by Windows Update, won’t suffice most of the time. Even though it’s Realtek. Don’t get us wrong, for some users, generic drivers can work great without any issues whatsoever.

However, others can experience sound clamor, stutters, or even the complete absence of sound.

So, only appropriate drivers are acceptable. And appropriate drivers are provided by the original equipment manufacturer and located on the official site.

Follow the instructions below to reinstall Sound device drivers:

  1. Right-click the Start button, and from the Power User menu, choose Device Manager.
  2. Navigate to Sound, video, and game controllers.
  3. Right-click on the Realtek High Definition Audio device and open Properties.
  4. Open Details tab.
  5. Choose HardwareId from the drop-down menu.
  6. Copy the first value, paste it in a browser of your choice and google it.Realtek driver update no sound issue
  7. Open the official site and download the corresponding Realtek driver.
  8. Install it and restart your PC.

In addition, you must know that updating drivers can be done easily by specialized software, with almost no effort on your part.

A dedicated driver update tool like Outbyte Driver Updater will surely install your drivers accordingly, without producing other risky malfunctions in the system. Plus, it will do it automatically from its driver database.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

4. Check hardware

Once we’ve dealt with drivers, the problem should be resolved. However, if that’s not the case, you’ll need to inspect your hardware, too.

Make sure everything is properly plugged in, restart your PC and playback devices, and make sure to use the proper wall socket as a current source for speakers. In addition, double-check your sound card.

Finally, in order to determine the functionality of playback devices, try to connect them with an alternative PC. If everything works fine, you should continue with the steps below.

5. Reset Default Playback device

Due to frequent system changes in Windows 10, certain device preferences might change on their own. For example, your default playback device can change the default values and that can, consequently, result in sound issues.

What you’ll need to do is to restore the playback device to default settings.

Follow the instructions below to restore playback device to default settings and look for changes:

  1. Right-click the Sound icon in the notification area.
  2. Open Playback devices.
  3. Right-click on your preferred, default device and choose Properties.
  4. Open Advanced tab.
  5. Click on the Restore defaults and confirm changes.Realtek driver update no sound
  6. Restart your PC.

Thi should relieve you of the problem with no sound, and restore the playback device to a working state.

6. Run Windows troubleshooter

Finally, if none of the previous steps served you justice, there’s still one thing you should try. Namely, troubleshooting is vastly improved in Windows 10, and including sound issues troubleshooting.

There’s a special troubleshooting tool with the main purpose to resolve audio-related issues.

In order to run it, check the steps below:

  1. Press Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Choose Updates & security.
  3. Highlight Troubleshoot in the left pane.
  4. Choose Playing Audio Troubleshooter and click on the ”Run the troubleshooter” button.Realtek driver update no sound

Realtek sound drivers are the most widespread sound drivers and there’s a chance you’ll experience an issue like this one occasionally.


Most of the time, you should be able to restrain it with a few workarounds. We hope that the above-mentioned solutions helped you to restore the sound on your PC.

In any case, don’t forget to tell us about your experience with the Realtek drivers update ”No sound” error in the comments section below. We look forward to your feedback.

6 Best Windows 7 Backup Software [Free, Paid]

Having a backup of your Windows 7 computer allows you to keep your data safe.

The backups can be used to recover your whole system and or deleted data from your backup when an unexpected disaster strikes. The best Windows 7 backup software makes this task easier.

Why do I need a backup software?

Backup software creates safe copies of your data in case anything happens to your system.

Loss of data can happen due to unexpected hardware malfunctions, malware infections, software corruption, power failure, and other similar situations.

Even with recent upgrades available, many users still prefer to work on the Windows 7 operating system.

Thankfully, the OS is still supported by many major software providers, including backup utilities.

We explore the best Windows 7 backup software that you can use to create instant backups to your external hard drive or any other location of your choice.

Make sure to get a backup tool with powerful encryption so no one can access your data without permission.

We also recommend you get backup software that is lightweight and can run in the background without creating any performance problems in your system.

What are the best paid and free Windows 7 backup software?

Vembu Backup for Microsoft Windows – Best enterprise tool

If you’re looking for a tool to back up all your Windows workstations, including Windows 7 machines, Vembu Backup for Microsoft Windows is certainly the right choice.

The tool is extremely flexible because you may back up the entire Windows Server or Windows 7 machine or select the drives you need to cover.

At it comes to individual drives, Vembu Backup for Microsoft Windows supports MBR and GPT partitioned disks with a capacity larger than 2 TB of data.

And it can back up all the drives, no matter if they are Basic or Dynamic disks. The best part is that with this solution, you can always be sure about the integrity of your backups.

That’s because the app features Automated Backup Verification to check the data recoverability of the backup.

Vembu Backup for Microsoft Windows also comes with recovery options for entire machines including their operating systems, applications, and data.

It even provides application recovery for Microsoft Exchange, SQL Server, SharePoint, and Active Directory.

Although it’s an enterprise-level solution, the software has a free trial version you may test.

Let’s go through some of its best features:

  • Back-up for entire Windows Server or Windows workstations
  • Individual MBR and GPT partitioned disks backup support
  • Microsoft Exchange, SQL Server, SharePoint, and Active Directory application recovery
  • Built-in AES 256-bit industry grade encryption algorithm for backed-up data
  • Control the size of backup data with in-built compression

Vembu Backup for Microsoft Windows

Back up and recover all your Windows servers and workstations from a central console.
Free trial Visit website

Acronis Cyber Protect – Great for network devices

Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office (formerly True Image) is more than just a backup solution as it also comes with decent antimalware protection to protect your system from adware and malware.

The utility offers flexible backups that enable you to backup everything from full system images to individual files to internal and external storage devices.

With fast and reliable recovery, you can restore your entire system to the same or new hardware. Included disk cloning and an all-in-one recovery drive, end-to-end encryption features ensure you can recover and restore your data safely.

Acronis is capable of backing up and retrieving any type of file, including documents, audio media files, videos, pictures, applications, and more.

The tool lets you create cloud-to-cloud backups for all products included in Microsoft 365. This lets you safely and easily access documents, presentations, and emails without the risk of data loss.

Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office also features a decent antimalware feature including a full antivirus scan, enhanced behavioral detection, web filters, and videoconference protection.

Other key features of Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office include:

  • Non-stop automatic backups
  • Incremental and differential backups
  • Cleanup utility to free up disk space 
  • Memory card backup

Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office

Easily backup your Windows 7 system by trying this powerful software today!
Free trial Visit website

Paragon Hard Disk Manager – Ideal for customized backups

Paragon Hard Disk Manager offers a clean and easy-to-use interface to backup files, volumes, and disks entirely. If you select the OS partition you will get all the necessary boot partitions that can be used in case your operating system crashes.

You can define new strategies using custom backup parameters and select backup type, frequency scheduling, retention, scenario-based backup, and more.

Paragon Hard Disk Manager is compatible with Windows operating system, starting with Windows 7 and going up. It is fully compatible with Windows 11 as well.

The tool can also recover lost files and even entire hard disks. It can restore your files to their original location, create a new location, or even resize the files while restoring.

Along with the backups, it can also assist users in basic and advanced partition management. It can convert, create, format, hide, split/merge, redistribute free space on partitions, and more.

Another essential feature that can come in handy is that it can copy entire partitions and disks and assist you in migrating your operating system.

Paragon Hard Disk Manager also comes with a few additional features including a partition manager, drive copy, and disk wiper. If you want to upgrade your HDD to SSD, use the Live Transfer feature to clone your existing Windows installation to a new SSD.

Other key features of Paragon Hard Disk Manager include:

  • Email notifications
  • File transfer wizard
  • Boot corrector

PARAGON Hard Disk Manager

Use the powerful Hard Disk Manager from PARAGON to easily back up your Windows 7 PC.
Check price Visit website

Aomei Backupper – Simple and efficient

Aomei Backupper is a complete and easy-to-use Windows backup software featuring sync, restore, and cloning features for personal and home computers running Windows 7 and above.

Aomei Backupper supports all the advanced system cloning including UEFI, MBR, and customized clone. The smart backup strategy allows you to schedule differential backup to save time and space on your backup drive.

It also supports multiple cloning options including dynamic disk volume clone, copy, or backup to ensure data is safe. The automatic monitor feature checks in real-time for newly added, modified and deleted files and sync accordingly.

The tool is highly secure, letting you create password-protected backups.

Aomei can also help you backup and restore removable media storage, such as USB drives.

You can also use removable media as the destination of your backup. The tool supports USBs as well as CDs and DVDs.

Additionally, Aomei Backupper features some useful utilities. You can backup images, protect files with password encryption, split backup images, and multi-language support.

Other key features of Aomei Backupper include:

  • Command Line Backup
  • 256-bit SSL encryption
  • 90-day money-back guarantee
  • Compatible with all Windows versions starting with Windows XP

Aomei Backupper

This lightweight but powerful software enables you to easily create backups of your Windows 7 hard drives.
Check price Visit website

EaseUS Todo Backup – Good for email backup

Next up we have EaseUS Todo Backup which offers advanced backup solutions for personal and business-level use.

The tool automates the creation of regular backups and can send them on any platform you prefer, including disk, NAS device, tape, virtual machine, or a cloud service.

The backup software is light, so you can without worry set up regular backup schedules and let it run in the background. It won’t interfere with your system or cause any performance problems.

EaseUS Todo Backup can handle full system backups, but it can also work with specific folders or disks. Moreover, it can also back up and restore Outlook email files.

This backup service uses powerful end-to-end encryption and also lets you set up a password for your backup files.

The tool can also clone disks and help you migrate your operating system to an SSD or HDD. 

The backup software is compatible with Windows systems starting with Windows XP. It also supports Windows Server, MS SQL servers, and more. It is a premium tool with three major plans available.

Other key features of EaseUS Todo Backup include:

  • SQL/Exchange Backup and restore
  • Universal restore
  • P2V/Command line
  • Email notifications

EaseUS Todo Backup

Create Windows 7 backups for any storage platform or device and keep them secure with password protection.
Free trial Visit website

MiniTool Shadowmaker Pro – Perfect for system imaging

MinTool Shadowmaker Pro is a premium backup software with a simple interface that guides you through the process of defining a backup job through a wizard. You can define where do you want to store the backup, the files to backup, types of backup, and scheduling.

Once you have a backup job defined, you can run it manually or let the software take wheels and create backups as per schedule.

Shadowmaker lets you create a system image and restore it to a different computer. This can come in handy in case you experience severe issues with your machine, as you will be able to keep your files and applications and continue working as usual.

The tool offers support for disk space management with the help of the backup scheme feature.

It offers two data encryption methods to ensure all data is safe and private. Along with that, it also lets you create passwords for your backups.

Shadowmaker Pro can securely backup files from local drives and save them to USB and network locations. The backups can be stored either as standard zip files or exact copies of the source without compression.

Other key features of Minitool Shadowmaker include:

  • Universal restore
  • Command-line backup
  • Network booting
  • Remote computer management

MiniTool Shadowmaker Pro

The MiniTool Shadowmaker Pro will ensure that your Windows 7 is backed up at all times.
Free trial Visit website

With Windows not providing a solid backup option, third-party Windows 7 backup software offers easy-to-use backup and restore solutions to keep your data safe.

Make sure to explore all the software listed in this article to find the one that fits your requirements best.

You might also be interested in our guide on how to move Windows 7 backup files to another drive.

If you have any knowledge of any other efficient tools you have tried, let us know about them in the comments section below.

Windows Live Mail Not Working With Gmail: Fix

With Windows Live Mail still being a popular email client on the Windows platform, many Windows 10 users still rely on it on a day-to-day basis. Some of them have reported that they face a pretty common problem: Windows Live Mail is not working with Gmail.

Windows Live Mail provides great convenience and simplicity. These are some of the reasons why so many still use it on their PCs. However, these errors have a high impact on your experience.

The setup entries are correct, the username and password are both correct, but this keeps on happening. Keep on reading this article for detailed instructions to get rid of this annoying issue.

How can I fix Windows Live Mail not working with Gmail?

1. Enable the less-secure apps feature

enable less-secure apps

If a site doesn’t meet the latest security standards, remember that Google blocks anyone who’s trying to sign in to your account from it. You may have to check access to less secure apps in Gmail settings to allow older email clients to access Gmail servers.

Therefore, find your way into your Google Account page by clicking on your avatar on the top right of the screen after already logging in.

Scroll down and under Signing In, you’ll see access for less secure apps. In the next window turn the slide button from Off to On.

Then, wait a few minutes and check your Windows Live Mail. It’s an essential requirement for most desktop email clients and yours is no exception. So, connecting to Gmail should work like a breeze now.


2. Use App password for Two-Factor Authentication

Two-Factor Authentication

If you have enabled Two-Factor Authentication in your Google account, then the regular Gmail password won’t work in most email clients.

In that case, generate a so-called App password. This usually requires you to go to the sign-in page and enter your username and password like you normally do.

Then you’ll be asked to enter an extra access code. It could be a six-digit code or a prompt sent to you by Google via text or by email. That’s what you need to use in place of your real password in the field where you normally enter it in Window Live Mail Setup.


3. Delete and create the account back

how to disable antivirus

If this did not work, you can always turn to having your antivirus and/or firewall software temporarily disabled. After making the change, delete the account from Windows Live Mail. Restart Windows, then create the account once again.

Some users also confirmed solving this by making sure that IMAP is enabled in Gmail account settings, while others claim the problem has rectified itself without doing anything in that regard. What about you?

Tell us if and how you managed the problem of Windows Live Mail not working with Gmail in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to continue the talk.

How to Fix Hulu Corrupted Data Error on PS4 [Quick Guide]

Hulu’s streaming service is available on PlayStation 4. However, when using the app, some users have reported the Hulu loading error on PS4.

The error reads ‘The database is corrupted or corrupted data – cannot load the saved data because it is corrupted’.

The error indicates at a corrupted database that could be causing the error. You can fix the error by trying to rebuild the PS4 database.

In this article, we have listed a couple of troubleshooting steps to help you fix the Hulu loading error on PS4.

Hulu won’t load on PS4? Here’s the solution

1. Delete System Storage Data

Hulu won't load on PS4
  1. From your PlayStation home screen, open Settings.
  2. Go to Application Saved Data Management.
  3. Choose the Saved Data in System Storage option.
  4. Select Delete.
  5. Next, choose the Hulu Plus option.
  6. Select the Hulu Plus icon and then select Delete.

Clearing the System Storage Data for the Hulu app seems to have fixed the corrupted data error for many users.

After clearing the system storage data, you need to re-enter your email address and password to login to your Hulu app. But the message should disappear for good.


2. Perform a power cycle

Hulu won't load on PS4
  1. Press the power button on your PS4 console. The power indicator may blink a few times, and the system will shut down.
  2. Once turned off, disconnect the power cord from the wall outlet.
  3. Leave the device idle for a few minutes.
  4. Reconnect the power cable to the wall outlet.
  5. Press the power button to restart the console.
  6. Launch the Hulu app and check if the error is resolved.

Performing a power cycle usually fixes minor glitches that may stop the system from functioning normally. It also clears any cache issues that may cause the error.


3. Rebuild PS4 database

Hulu update error
  1. Press the power button on the front of the console to turn it off.
  2. Once turned off, press and hold the power button for about 7 seconds.
  3. Release the power button once you hear two beeps.
  4. Connect your DualShock 4 controller using a USB cable to the system.
  5. Once you have entered the Safe Mode, select the Rebuild Database option.

The database rebuilding process can take some time, so wait till is complete. Once done, open the Hulu app and check for any improvements.


4. Initialize PS4

Note: Initializing your PS4 will delete all the data stored in the system. Make sure to create a backup of your important data before proceeding.

Hulu won't load on PS4
  1. From the PlayStation home screen, open Settings.
  2. Go to Initialization.
  3. Initialize PS4.
  4. Select Quick.

If you are unable to access the PlayStation home screen, initialize the PS4 using Safe Mode.

Hulu update error
  1. Turn off the console by pressing the power button.
  2. Once powered off, press and hold the power button for about 7 seconds.
  3. Release the button once you hear two beeps.
  4. Connect your DualShock 4 controller using a USB cable to the system.
  5. From the Safe Mode, select Initialize.

The Hulu loading error on PS4 usually occurs due to data corruption or cache issue. You can resolve the issue by deleting the corrupted data. If the issue persists, proceed with system initialization to resolve the error.


[wl_navigator]

What is TrustedInstaller.exe and Should I Remove it?

Windows is one of the most popular operating systems in the world, but user and system errors can sometimes appear.

If you notice high CPU usage on your Windows 10 PC and the computer is slow to react to commands, or maybe the startup takes too long, a probable cause can be the TrustedInstaller.exe.

Is TrustedInstaller exe a virus?

services window what is trustedinstaller in windows 10

TrustedInstaller.exe is a process that belongs to Windows Modules Installer and one of the core components of the Windows Resource Protection. It’s included in every version of Windows since Vista.

trusted installer location trustedinstaller windows 10

Its main purpose is to install and modify Windows updates and other optional system components with a high impact on your computer. You can easily locate it in C:Windowsservicing and its size is usually around 100-200 KB.

Because TrustedInstaller is a legit Windows component, you don’t need to uninstall it or change it in any way. Most of the time you won’t even notice it.

Keep in mind that removing or modifying it in any way may cause some functions of Windows to simply stop working, and this could lead to bigger problems.

How do I fix TrustedInstaller?

Users are reporting that TrustedInstaller.exe is making their computers unusable. If you’re in this case as well, you’ll have to know that the process could be corrupted or even replaced by malware with the same name.

One way to find TrustedInstaller malware is to check your CPU load. You can easily check your CPU performance with InSpectre or any other similar tool. If TrustedInstaller.exe is using a high percentage of your PC’s resources at all times, that means that you may have been infected.

As a side note, the legitimate TrustedInstaller will also use a lot of resources, but only in the time of or after a Windows update.

Another way to pinpoint the malware is by checking the file location. As we mentioned already, the legit component of Windows is found in C:Windowsservicing. If the location is other than that, then it’s probable that you are dealing with malware.

The TrustedInstaller malware is very dangerous and can use your camera and microphone without your knowledge. If you suspect that hackers have access to your webcam, check out this webcam protection software and protect your privacy.

Replace TrustedInstaller with SFC scan

If you still can’t figure out if TrustedInstaller is a Windows process or a malware, we recommend starting with a System file check to make sure that your files are in order.

  1. In the Windows search box, type cmd. Right-click the first result and select Run as administrator.
  2. In the cmd window, type sfc /scannow , wait for the process to finish and then restart your computer.run Sfc scannow command trustedinstaller windows 10

This action will repair any corrupted files, including TrustedInstaller, and everything should work fine after that.

If TrustedInstaller is a malicious virus, it has to be removed right away. To do that, you’ll need some powerful malware removal tools such as Bitdefender to remove it.

We hope that the information regarding TrustedInstaller.exe helped you better understand what is it and how it functions. If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below.

7 Best Document Comparison Software [Free, Paid]

Programs that are able to compare documents obviously come in handy, and they can save you time and effort. The market is filled with such tools, and we picked the seven best tools to compare two documents.

We recommend you check out their extended set of features because they include other really handy functionalities. After checking them out, you can make an informed decision and pick the best program for comparing documents.

Best programs for comparing two documents

Soda PDF – Easy-to-use tools 

Soda PDF is a full-featured PDF creation and management software that allows you to edit, convert, e-sign, and compare documents.

The popular Acrobat alternative is accessible through any device with a web browser and comes in two editions. Both the Standard and Pro versions can be used to compare two documents.

The Review Module in Soda PDF lets you compare two documents, insert comments and add shapes like arrows or stars.

On the other hand, its ability to work from the cloud and on multiple devices can enhance productivity if several persons work on the same project. It is just one of the best PDF document comparison software you can use.

Here are other great features included in this tool:

  • Create PDFs from 300+ file formats in just a few clicks.
  • Convert PDF files to Word, PowerPoint, Excel, HTML, and image formats without losing information.
  • Scan a document and extract the text with the Optical Character Recognition (OCR) Module.
  • Protect your documents by adding 256-bit passwords, different permission levels, or a digital signature.       
  • Insert images, links, or even watermarks to your documents’ backgrounds via the Insert Module.

Soda PDF

Compare two documents using one of the best all-in-one solutions for your PDF needs!
Check price Visit Website

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC – Most used worldwild

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC document comparison software

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is an excellent tool for comparing documents, especially PDF files. You can use this feature to compare two different documents or multiple versions of the same document.

Keeping track of all revisions can be difficult if several persons are working on the same document. With Acrobat Pro DC, you can quickly compare the text and other elements to spot the differences.

You can visualize the files side by side to better identify the changes. Alternatively, you can apply a series of filters so that Acrobat Pro DC highlights the changes regarding particular elements such as text, images, annotations, and more.

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC offers amazing features and is undoubtedly one of the best text document comparison software.

How to compare documents using Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

  1. Navigate to Tools
  2. Click on Compare Files
  3. In the left-hand pane, click on Select File to choose the file to compare
  4. Click on Select File this time in the right-hand pane to select the second document or the newer version of the same document
  5. Hit the Compare button to launch the comparison processadobe acrobat pro compare documents
  6. Select the Go to First Change option to review each difference individually.

Other great features:

  • Can create and edit PDF files
  • PDF conversion
  • Compare documents
  • Ability to sign PDFs
  • Text recognition

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is a powerful PDF editing software that allows you to compare any two documents easily.
Check price Visit Website

ABBYY FineReader – Intuitive interface

ABBYY FineReader document comparison software

Using this program, you can find the text differences between two document versions. This tool will eliminate the time-consuming line-by-line matching.

The Compare Documents feature can identify the changes between the document’s versions in various formats, including PDF, Word, and more.

The result can be saved in Word or PDF formats, and insignificant differences can be ignored and removed from the report before you finalize it.

ABBYY FineReader is simple and powerful, so it is one of the must-have word document comparison software that compares two text files.

This software allows you to detect all the differences in text between two versions of the same document in just a matter of seconds.

The software is incredibly intuitive, and you can compare texts productively. You can compare two versions of a text across different file formats, such as Microsoft Office files, PDFs, paper scans, and more. Of course, you will also be able to compare the same type of files.

Other great features:

  • With the help of ABBYY FineReader, you can enjoy comparing files that will save you time and effort.
  • ABBYY FineReader supports text comparison in 35 languages, and the program can detect a document’s language automatically.
  • There will not be any change left to go unnoticed.
  • The changes are highlighted in the two documents and will be displayed side by side, making them easy to notice.
  • Only the changes that affect the content meaning will be highlighted, and the irrelevant modifications will be excluded.

ABBYY FineReader

ABBYY FineReader is a document viewer that supports various file types, and it also comes with a powerful document comparison feature.
Check price Visit website

ExamDiff – Automatically detects file changes

ExamDiff document comparison software

This freeware visual file comparison tool can detect file changes more automatically.

The freeware is compatible with Windows and is ideal for file comparison. It is straightforward to use and comes with various functionalities that will turn out useful.

The software can compare two Word documents and highlight differences, but it requires a special plugin.

Check out the best features that are included in this software below:

  • Using this software, you can compare directories and binary files.
  • You can perform a three-way diff and merge and edit the files inside comparison panes.
  • You will get the ability to highlight diffs down the level of characters and words as well.
  • Ability to highlight syntax and ignore comments.
  • There will be no need to specify both filenames; you must enter a directory name for one of the files to be compared.
  • The software has an auto-pick feature in the Compare dialog box that can remember matching file pairs.
  • ExamDiff can automatically detect file changes and prompts the user to re-compare the files.
  • You can drop one or two files into the software’s window using a drag-and-drop function.
  • The program comes with a fully customizable file extension filter.

The adjustable pane splitter with smooth synchronized scrolling will be useful.

⇒ Get ExamDiff’s

WinMerge – Supports Microsoft Windows XP SP3 or newer

WinMerge document comparison software

WinMerge is an open-source differencing and merging tool for Windows. The program can compare folders and files and present the differences in a visual text format that is effortless to understand and handle.

It might fit in as the ideal legal document comparison software for lawyers.

Check out the best features that are included in this software below:

  • WinMerge supports Windows, and it comes with a tabbed interface.
  • The program compares the visual differencing and merging of text files.
  • This is a flexible editor with syntax highlighting, line numbers, and word wrap.
  • WinMerge is also able to show the differences between the two vertical panes.
  • The location pane shows a map of the files that are being compared.
  • The regular expression-based file filters allow excluding and including items.
  • Program is also able to compare one folder, and it can include all subfolders as well.
  • The results will be shared in a tree-style view.

Other essential features include shell integration, plugin support, a localizable interface, and an online manual.

⇒ Get WinMerge

Araxis Merge – Cross-platform licence

araxis merge document comparison software

Araxis Merge comes in two editions, and it’s important to note that only the professional version provides a three-way comparison, three-way merging, and all related features.

On the other hand, the standard edition is identical, but it works only with two documents. Nevertheless, it’s still a great program to compare two documents that is work checking out.

Check out more powerful functionalities that are included in this program:

  • A single license of the program will enable you to use both versions of Merge.
  • You will be able to compare huge files with the 64-bit version of the program, and you will also be able to take advantage of the massive amounts of memory that are available on the 64-bit systems.
  • You can identify removals, insertions, and changes between various source code versions, configuration files, text files, and web files.
  • You can also compare and merge changes in two updated file revisions with their common ancestor.
  • The program saves time by directly loading and comparing popular file formats.
  • You can copy text from other apps and paste it into a Merge text comparison window.

⇒ Get Araxis Merge

GroupDocs – Easy comparison

GroupDocs allows developers to seamlessly enhance their web, desktop, and mobile apps and display, annotate, convert, compare, design, and assemble documents.

Overall, it’s a great program that compares two text files, so consider it.

Check out the best features that are included in the GroupDocs products family:

  • You can get a different summary report by comparing two versions of the same document using the file comparison API in any cross-platform app.
  • GroupDocs Comparison for .NET targets Windows forms and apps based on .NET Framework 2.0 or later versions.
  • You can download a free trial of this program to see if it works for your needs.

⇒ Get GroupDocs

These are five of the best available options for programs that can compare two documents. No matter which one turns out to be your choice, you will be able to enjoy a vast set of useful features while comparing your documents.

Make sure to visit the software’s official website to analyze more details about the program’s features.

Fix: Server Denied POP3 Access for Username and Password

Gmail is perhaps the most popular email domain, but you may be unlucky to run into a couple of challenges, such as the server denied POP3 access for the given username and password problem. This is a POP3 Gmail error in your account, and with it, you won’t be able to receive emails.

If you’re experiencing this error, you know that it’s most likely caused by the POP3 forwarding feature. Several factors can cause the POP3 Gmail error, some of which include the following:

  • Two-factor authentication is enabled on the source account, but it’s not working. This problem is most prominent on accounts hosted on the Zoho domain.
  • POP forwarding is disabled on the source account.
  • Incorrect login information.
  • You’ve exceeded your POP data limit.

What does POP3 unable to fetch mail mean?

If you refresh your inbox and instead of receiving new mails, you get an error that says POP3: Unable to fetch mail, your POP3 server details are incorrect. In most cases, it’s caused by an incorrect username or password.

To fix this issue, open Gmail and navigate to Settings > Accounts > Check mail from other accounts. Here, modify your settings with the correct details.

server-denied-POP3-access-for-the-given-username-and-password-gmail-settings
server-denied-POP3-access-pop-forwarding-settings
pop-forwarding-settings-pop-download

How do I fix the server denied POP3 access issue?

1. Enable POP in the source account

  1. Log in to the source account (the account with the emails you want to access). In this guide, we’ll make use of Gmail.
  2. When you log in to the email account, click on the gear icon and select Settings and hit See all settings.
  3. Next, click on the Forwarding and POP/IMAP tab.
  4. You now have to Enable POP for all mail or Enable POP for mail that arrives from now on. Click on either of those options from the POP Downloadarea.
  5. POP is now active on your source account, and its options will be enabled. Select an option from the dropdown menu.
  6. Finally, save your settings by hitting the Save Changes button.

2. Force fetch emails to the destination account

  1. Sign out of the source email account completely and sign in to the destination account.
  2. Similar to the previous method, click on the gear icon at the top right-hand area of your screen and click on See all settings. You will now be taken to the settings page.
    see-all-gmail-settings-server-denied-POP3-access
  3. Here, navigate to the Accounts and Import tab.
  4. After that, go to Check mail from other accounts and hit Add a mail account. Clicking on Add a mail account triggers open a popup window.add-mail-account-gmail-account-error
  5. On this new window, type in the email address of the source account. Click on the Next Step >> when you’re done here.
  6. Next, input your account password and leave the settings as mail.google.com with port 995. Click on the Add Account button to proceed.
  7. After clicking on Add Account, if the server denied POP3 access for the given username and password message shows up, it means that the destination account is not trusted by the source account. Hence, follow the steps below to rectify it:
    1. Using the same web browser, sign out of the destination account and sign in to the source email account.
    2. Next, go to the Allow Access page and hit the Continue button. This action will help the source account trust the destination account by reducing its security for the next ten minutes.
    3. Now, log out of the source account and log in to the destination account. Next, click on Add Account like in step 7 above. This time around, the account will no longer return the POP3 Gmail error.

3. Use a device-specific password

  1. Sign in to your Zoho Mail account.gmail-pop3-error-zoho-mail-sign-in
  2. Next, go to the My Account button at the top of your screen to see the logged in Zoho Mail account.
  3. Here, click on Two Factor Authentication and choose Manage Application Specific Password.
  4. Next, type in the name of your device and your password. Hit the Generate button at the bottom of the screen to get a password.
  5. Using this newly generated password, access POP forwarding settings for the source account and confirm that the POP3 Gmail error has disappeared.

This solution is mainly for accounts hosted on the Zoho mail domain. With two-factor authentication enabled on your email account, your account password may no longer work for incoming email verification.


For all the scenarios where you get the server denied POP3 access for the given username and password error message, above are solutions that will work. I recommend that you attempt the solutions as they are listed here. However, Zoho Mail users may jump to the third troubleshooting solution to fix the problem.

Power BI Column Not Found / Can’t Find Column: Quick Fixes

While using the Power Bi desktop app you may face some issues with your data and file. One such error is related to Power Bi columns. Some of the most common Power Bi column errors include ” power bi can’t find column, power bi error sort by another column and power bi error column not found” as reported by several users in the Power Bi community forums.

I have categories that I want to sort. The data looks like this:To populate the sort order column, I wrote the following formula:
Then, I tried to use the “Sort by Column” tool to sort the Category column by the Sort Order column, but the following error message occured:

In this article, we have compiled a list of possible solutions to fix Power Bi columns error in Windows 10.

How can I fix Power BI column not found / can’t find errors?

1. Power Bi can’t find column

Power Bi can't find column


Check the Formula 

  1. If you are using DAX formulas for the column, you may want to review the formula again. Try the following.
  2. First, create a calculated column using the appropriate measures.  If it works fine with the expected result, try to create a measure using the same formula.
  3. If the error is showing, add Values () function and check again.
  4. This should help you resolve Power Bi can’t find column error.

Add aggregate Function

  1. If the columns don’t come up when you click on New Measures, this is due to a missing aggregate function.
  2. To get a column into a measure you need to apply an aggregate function to a column or call on another calculated measure.
  3. Apply the recommended changes and check if the error is resolved.

2. Power bi error sort by another column

Sort by Index Column

  1. You can try to fix sort by another column error with simple tweaks like this.
  2. Add an index in the Query Editor. So click on Edit Queries > Add Column and select Index Column.
    Power bi error sort by another column
  3. Click on Sort by Column and select Index.
  4. Check if the sort by another column error occurs again.

3.  Power Bi error column not found

Power Bi error column not found


Clear Data Source Cache 

  1. The power bi error column not found error can occur if the data source cache is corrupted. You can easily fix this by clearing data source cache in Power Bi.
  2. In Power Bi client, go to Data Source Settings.
  3. Now clear all permissions.
  4. Recapture the permission again.
  5. Try to load the source again and try to make the necessary changes.

Check for Extra Column or Space

  1. This error can also occur if the Excel file has column1 (extra column) or for extra space after column1.
  2. It is possible that when you use Excel file as a source, you may get additional null columns.
  3. To prevent his you can use Remove Other Columns option to keep the columns you want instead of tinkering with unwanted columns.

We hope you manage do fix your Power BI column not found errors using our guide. Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Fix: Skyrim Black Screen on Startup / After Loading

Skyrim is still one of the most popular games today, besides the fact that it was released four years ago, and of course, a lot of people who play Skyrim switched to Windows 10.

However, some of them reported that Skyrim displays a screen issue and this problem usually occurs while they’re playing the game on their Windows 10.

So in this article, we’re going to analyze what are the best solutions to fixing this situation that most gamers have encountered.


How can I fix Skyrim black screen issues?

1. Close the game

  1. Press Alt + Tab to access the taskbar.
  2. Now click on the task button and create a Desktop.
  3. Open Task Manager on the second desktop and force-close Skyrim.
  4. Get back to the first desktop and it should be closed.

The first thing you should do if Skyrim SE displays a black screen on Windows 10 is to safely leave the game. Since you don’t see anything on the screen, follow the above instructions to get to your desktop.


2. Reboot your computer

After that just restart your computer and run the game again and it should work normally.

I tell you that because I played Skyrim on Windows 10 (on not such a powerful computer) for hours and I didn’t notice a single issue.

So Skyrim is completely compatible with Windows 10, and if Skyrim still generates a black screen after loading then the problem is not Windows 10-related and it’s a gaming error.


3. Update your video drivers

3.1. Use Windows Update

  1. Click Start.
  2. Type in Settings.
  3. Access the Update & Security option from the left panel, menu.
  4. In the Windows Update menu click Check for Updates.

You can also try other solutions like updating your graphics driver. GPU manufacturers roll out new driver versions as soon as a new game is out.

You can install the latest graphics driver updates by running Windows Update or you can get them directly from your GPU manufacturer’s website.

3.2. Give a try to a great tool

You can opt for updating your drivers automatically in order to fix the Skyrim black screen issue on startup.

This tool is able to scan your device right from installation and provide you with an accurate report of all the elements that need to be updated.

4. Reinstall DirectX

  1. Go to the official Microsoft download center.
  2. Go to the DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer and click Download.
  3. Follow the setup wizard.
  4. Restart Windows 10.

Many gamers confirmed that re-installing DirectX fixed their in-game black screen problem. Simply access the official site and follow our instructions.


5. Set your GPU to high performance

  1.  Right-click on the desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel.
  2.  From the NVIDIA Control Panel, select the Manage 3D settings.
  3. Click on the Power management mode drop down box and choose Prefer Maximum Performance.
  4.  Click Apply to apply the changes.

If you own an NVIDIA-powered computer, go ahead and change the preferred graphics processor settings from Auto-select to High performance.

Many players confirmed this quick workaround solved the issue they had with Skyrim displaying a black screen on startup.


6. Clean boot your computer

  1. Go to Start, type msconfig and hit Enter.
  2. Go to System Configuration then click Services,  check the Hide all Microsoft services check box and click Disable all.hide all microsoft services
  3. Go to the Startup tab and access Open Task Manager.
  4. Select each startup item click Disable, close Task Manager, restart the computer
disable startup programs

In-game black screen issues may occur if other programs are using too much computer power, leaving too little for your game.

You can quickly fix this by clean booting your machine so that it uses only a minimum set of drivers and programs.


Microsoft pays attention a lot to gaming in Windows 10, therefore the majority of newer games are compatible with the system, including Skyrim, as one of the most popular games of the past decade.

In this article we presented you with all the solutions that you can use for fixing the Skyrim black screen problem.

If you have any other Windows 10-related issues you can check for the solution in our Windows 10 Fix section.

6 Ways to Set up Automatic Backup on Windows 11

When files get lost, it can be quite a hassle to recover deleted files. If you have a Windows computer, then you’re probably aware of how important it is to have a sound backup system in place.

Thankfully, Windows has a built-in backup utility that makes creating backups manually or on a schedule easy.

Does Windows backup save all files?

Backup is an essential feature of any operating system. For Windows, it is a built-in tool. You can use it to back up your files and folders to another location. As Windows versions evolve, the feature may keep changing positions.

And to answer the question, yes, Windows backup can save all files, unlike File History. You can check a detailed File History vs Windows Backup review to learn about the differences.

Windows Backup is a great tool for protecting your computer from data loss. The tool allows you to back up your data on an external drive or network location so that if your computer crashes or gets damaged, you’ll be able to restore everything just as it was before.

However, you should never rely on your Windows backup tool to back up all of your data. It’s always a good idea to have additional backup software for any eventuality.

How do I automatically Backup files in Windows 11?

Before establishing an automatic backup, we also remind you that you can perform a manual backup of your data.

All you have to do is copy your important documents and pictures onto another storage device such as a CD DVD, or drive so that if anything happens to your computer, they won’t be lost forever.

You can use a flash drive or hard drive for this purpose and any external storage device that supports USB 2 or higher speeds for faster transfers. Then, if something happens, such as a virus or hard drive failure, you can use this copy to restore the original files.

1. Turn on automatic backup

  1. Hit the Windows key and select Settings.settings-option oops thre was an error
  2. Select Accounts on the left pane then click on Windows backup on the right pane.
  3. Now, select the preferred cloud storage (by default, it’s OneDrive) and turn on app and preferences backups.

2. Use File History

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Control Panel in the search bar and click Open.
  2. Select System and Security.system and security setting in control panel
  3. Navigate to File History.
  4. Click on Select drive on the left pane.
  5. Choose your preferred drive from the list and click OK.
  6. Hit the Turn on button to activate the tool.
  7. Now click on Run now to backup any files you have.

3. Use Windows backup

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Control Panel in the search bar and click Open.
  2. Select Backup and Restore (Windows 7) under System and Security.
  3. Click the Set up backup button.
  4. Select the Backup destination then click Next.
  5. Select one of the two backup options then click Next.
  6. Click on Change schedule and set up your preferred time then select Save settings and run backup.

4. Use a third-party tool

As you can see, it’s not that easy to set up and use the built-in Windows tools to back up your data.

It’s a lot easier to use a professional tool and we recommend AOMEI Backupper because we have tested it with excellent results. It can be used by anyone and you can make individual files and full system backups with ease.

If you’re not convinced, you may also find the best choice in our list of the best backup tools for Windows 11.

5. Use OneDrive

  1. Hit the Windows key and select Settings.settings-option oops thre was an error
  2. Select Accounts on the left pane then click on Windows backup on the right pane.
  3. Click on Set up syncing/Manage sync settings.
  4. Enter your credentials to login or Create account if you don’t have one.
  5. Select a folder to backup then click on Start backup.

6. Use System Image

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Control Panel in the search bar and click Open.
  2. Select Backup and Restore (Windows 7) under System and Security.
  3. Click on Create a system image on the left pane.
  4. Select your hard disk and click Next.
  5. Click Start backup.

How do I set up automatic backup on my external hard drive in Windows 11? 

File History is a feature that lets you automatically back up your files so that if anything goes wrong with them, you can restore them quickly and easily. 

It works by creating copies of your documents and saving them in a separate location — typically your OneDrive folder or an external drive. You can choose how often File History should run (daily, weekly, or monthly), and how many versions of each file it should keep.

To set up, follow the steps below:

  1. Plug in your external hard drive to your PC.
  2. Hit the Windows key and select Settings.settings-option oops thre was an error
  3. Select System then click on Storage.
  4. Click on Advanced storage settings under Storage management.
  5. Select Backup options.
  6. Now click on the Add a drive option under Back up using File History.
  7. Select your external drive and start the backup process.

And that’s how to automatically back up your files in Windows 11 using various methods. If you feel that you are running out of storage space, you can always delete app backup files which are usually just cache files.

Should you encounter a Windows 11 backup error, we also have a detailed guide on bypassing the issue. These tips might come in handy, especially if the Seagate Dashboard isn’t working.

If you want a solution that works on multiple platforms, don’t miss our latest guide on how to download IDrive for Windows.

Let us know in the comment section your preferred backup method and why.

Failure When Attempting To Copy Boot Files: Fix

Some users utilize the Bcdboot command-line utility within WinPE (Preinstallation Environment) to deploy Windows on PCs.

However, a “Failure when attempting to copy boot files” error aries for some users when they try to copy boot files. Consequently, users can’t deploy the Windows OS image when WinPE returns that error message.

How can Users Fix the Failure When Attempting to Copy Boot Files Error?

1. Copy Both UEFI and BIOS Files to the Disk

Some users have confirmed they’ve fixed the “Failure when attempting to copy boot files” error by copying both UEFI and BIOS files to disk. To do that, enter the ‘bcdboot c:\windows /s s: /f ALL’ command. The ALL at the end of that command ensures that both UEFI and BIOS files get copied.

bcdboot command failure when attempting to copy boot files

2. Set the System Partition As Active

  1. The “Failure when attempting to copy boot files” error can also be due to an inactive system partition. To fix that, users will need to insert a bootable USB flash drive into the laptop or desktop.
  2. Turn on the laptop or desktop.
  3. Click Repair your computer on the Windows Setup window.The Troubleshoot button failure when attempting to copy boot files
  4. Then select Troubleshoot and Advanced Options to open further options.
  5. Select Command Prompt to open the Prompt.
  6. Input ‘diskpart’ in the Command Prompt, and press the Return key.
  7. Enter ‘list disk’ and press Return to display a list of hard drives, which will probably include just one HDD.List disk failure when attempting to copy boot files
  8. Then enter ‘select disk 0’ and press Return if that’s the only hard drive listed. Users with more than one hard drive to select the one that includes the Windows install.
  9. Next, input ‘list partition’ and press Enter to display a list of drive partitions.list partition failure when attempting to copy boot files
  10. Thereafter, select the partition that includes the Windows installation. For example, enter ‘select partition 2’ if partition 2 includes Windows.
  11. Enter ‘active’ and press Return to set the selected partition as active.
  12. Then input ‘exit’ and press Enter to close the DiskPart utility.

Those are two resolutions that can fix the “Failure when attempting to copy boot files” error for users. Users who have fixed the same issue with other resolutions are welcome to share them below.

Fix: Age of Mythology Won’t Launch on Windows 10 & 11

Age of Mythology is certainly a hall of fame RTS classic, still very popular till this day. The only problem with this game is its outdated engine and lack of discontinued supporting software on Windows 10.

A lot of AoM aficionados have had a hard time running the game on the latest Windows platform, and there are various reasons for that.If you’re stuck with this error for some time, make sure to check our steps below.

How do I launch Age of Mythology on Windows 10?

1. Disable anti-malware protection

Antiviruses are programs designed to protect its users from viruses, spam, Trojans, zero-day attacks, adware, and more, without compromising system performance in the process. These software add a layer of protection, keeping your system safe and running at full capacity.

Most of them are easy to use, having an interactive and simple interface, making it really neat to have on any computer, never failing to deliver on its promises, protecting the data of pro and home users alike.

⇒ Get TotalAV

2. Run the game in the compatibility mode

  1. Right-click on the Age of Mythology shortcut and open Properties.
  2. Choose the Compatibility tab.
  3. Check the Run this program in compatibility mode for box and select Windows XP SP2 from the drop-down menu.
  4. Now, check the Run this program as an administrator box and confirm changes.
    age of mythology won't start windows 10
  5. Try starting the game and look for improvements.

Let’s start by running the game in compatibility mode. It’s not a novelty for Microsoft’s own games to have issues on newer iterations of the Windows platform.

This classic title is as old as 16 years, and it was developed for Windows XP. Thus, the issues occur on Windows 10, because it is missing certain, long ago discontinued, drivers that were used for piracy protection back in the days.

Some of you might’ve got the error informing you about that.

There’s only so much you can do if that’s the case, but we still gladly suggest running the game in the compatibility mode. It might help and it won’t cost, so give it a go.

3. Check GPU drivers with third-party software

We can say that these are rarely the problem, but need to be thorough with the troubleshooting. The majority of users who experienced issues with Age of Mythology on Windows 10, had no issues with other games.

Nonetheless, we still encourage you to double-check your GPU drivers. The generic driver, provided by Windows Update, won’t work occasionally with some games.

That’s why the best way to eliminate drivers from the list of possible culprits is acquiring them from the OEM’s support website.

In addition, you’ll get the latest version of the Control Panel, so you’ll be able to optimize your GPU better for individual games. And, with all we saw, Age of Mythology on Windows 10 starts successfully in the lowest-graphics settings.

Check one of these to get the latest GPU drivers:

Sometimes your drivers are not up-to-date, causing your system not to run properly, and that is why you should try a program that automatically scans your PC drivers for newer versions and updates them.

With this software, you will no longer need to worry about outdated software. The software will update all of your drivers, not only the GPU ones.

4. Enable DirectPlay

  1. In the Windows Search bar, type Turn Windows and open Turn Windows features on or off from the list of results.age of mythology won't start windows 10
  2. Navigate down and expand Legacy Components.
  3. Check the “DirectPlay” box and confirm changes.age of mythology won't start windows 10

Outdated games require certain Windows features a new game doesn’t need. That’s why a feature like DirectPlay is disabled by default, as Microsoft switched to Games for Windows Live.

This feature was part of the DirectX API and it was used to update games. However, for more than a decade it’s out of the picture.

Age of Mythology requires this feature enabled in order to work, so make sure to turn it on, by following the aforementioned steps.

5. Enforce the low resolution

  1. Right-click on the Age of Mythology desktop shortcut and open Properties.
  2. Under the Shortcut tab, look for the Target line.
  3. What you’ll need to do is copy-paste the following line at the end of the current entry: xres=640 yres=480age of mythology won't start windows 10
  4. Save changes and start the game.

The problem with the resolution is the most probable reason why Age of Mythology won’t start on Windows 10. Users who managed to start the game did that with the minimum resolution.

Later on, you can, of course, change the resolution in the in-game settings menu, but the important thing is to get past that initial screen.

There are variations on how to do it, but it seems that the most successful one requires a multi-step approach. We made sure to find out the explanation for the whole procedure and are bringing it here for you.

6. Start the system without background programs

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

Some tech-savvy users suggested disabling all background programs and installing the legacy versions of DirectX and redistributables.

These two usually won’t pose a problem, but since we’re already deep in the precaution troubleshooting steps, we encourage you to follow them through.

First, we suggest downloading and installing older versions of DirectX and Visual Studio C++ redistributable. The game installation should include the setup files for all you need. After that, we recommend giving the clean boot a try.

7. Start the game in a windowed mode

  1. Right-click on the Age of Mythology desktop shortcut and open Properties.
  2. Under the Shortcut tab, look for the Target line.
  3. What you’ll need to do is copy-paste the following line at the end of the current entry: -windowedage of mythology won't start windows 10
  4. Save changes. 

Besides the enforced 640×480 resolution, some users managed to start the game only in the windowed mode. Now, the procedure is similar to the one with the resolution downgrade.

You’ll need to navigate to the shortcut and change the target section entries by adding an additional command. Likewise, you’re able to restore to a Fullscreen mode later on in the in-game settings menu.

8. Reinstall the game and use a non-CD version

  1. Backup saved games.
  2. Open Start, right-click on the Age of Mythology, and choose Uninstall.
  3. This will take you to Uninstall a program section in Control Panel. Remove the Age of Mythology and delete saved files.
  4. Restart your PC.
  5. Right-click on the installer and run it in compatibility mode for Windows XP (if available).
  6. Wait until the game installs and give it another shot.

That’s how you reinstall Age of Mythology on Windows 10.

Note: Reinstalling the game might help as well. Also, since the game requires the installation CD in order to run, we suggest using a virtual drive emulator of some kind.

Or relying on some other ways we can’t mention here due to its connection with pirated software.

Give the Extended Edition a try

Finally, if you’re still unable to start the game, in spite of all troubleshooting steps, we recommend trying the revamped edition of the beloved classic.

This game is optimized to work on Windows 10, and it seems that Microsoft doesn’t pay a lot of attention to the 16-years-old original game.

You can find and buy this game for cheap on Kinguin and it should bring the same experience as the classic game, with some improved graphics and a few new features.

⇒ Buy Age of Mythology Extended Edition

These solutions should help you get your game working, so u can finaly start praising the ancient gods and conquering new lands with your awesome civilization.

If you have additional questions or suggestions regarding the subject, feel free to tell us in the comments section below.

Fix: Synaptics Touchpad Not Working / Automatically Disabled

One of the most common issues with Windows 10 laptops is definitely the not working touchpad. You’re probably using Synaptics’ touchpad because Synaptics is the world’s most famous manufacturer of human interface solutions, but even Synaptics’ touchpads have their issue.

These issues could be caused by various factors, such as outdated drivers and conflicts with other software. In this article, we offer solutions for most of them.

What can I do if Synaptics touchpad is not working?

1. Disable the mouse from the Device Manager

  1. Press the Windows Logo and X keys on your keyboard.
  2. Click on Device Manager.
    Touchpad disabled automatically
  3. Search for the mouse device from the device list, right-click on it and select Disable.
    Synaptics touchpad disables itself
  4. Check if your touchpad device now works.

Sometimes your mouse is the one preventing the touchpad from working. Disable the mouse, and see if the touchpad works now. If the mouse isn’t the issue, try to clean the boot and check if there is any software on your computer that conflicts with the touchpad device.

2. Perform a Clean Boot

  1. Type msconfig in the search box, and then tap or click System Configuration.
    Synaptics touchpad keeps crashing
  2. On the Services tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click to select the Hide all Microsoft services check box, and then tap or click Disable all.
    Touchpad disabled automatically
  3. On the Startup tab of the System Configuration dialog box, tap or click Open Task Manager.
    Touchpad disabled automatically
  4. List of startup applications will appear. Right-click each item on the list and choose Disable. Repeat this step until you disable all startup applications.
    Synaptics touchpad disables itself
  5. Close Task Manager and go back to the System Configuration window. Click Apply and OK and restart your PC. A clean boot helps to eliminate software conflicts and to determine what is causing the problem.
    Synaptics touchpad disable when mouse is plugged in

A Clean Boot helps you to determine if there are any software conflicting with the work of some of your devices. After performing a Clean Boot, check if your touchpad device is working properly.

If it works fine and without any distractions, the problem was probably caused by the conflict between the mouse drivers and the touchpad drivers, or due to the conflict with some other software.

To solve these conflicts, you need to update the drivers for both devices and check if that helps. To do that, follow next steps.

If you want to know how to add or remove startup apps on Windows 10, check out this simple guide.

3. Update the Drivers for the Touchpad device

3.1 Check the Windows updates for any latest driver updates

  1. Open the Settings app and go to Update & security section
    Synaptics touchpad disables itself
  2. From the Windows Update window, click on Check for Updates.
    Synaptics touchpad disable when mouse is plugged in
  3. You’ll receive a list of all recent updates, check and install all of them.

If you’re having trouble opening the Setting app, take a look at this article to solve the issue.

3.2 Try updating the drivers from the Device Manager.

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Search for the touchpad device from the device list, right-click on it and select Update driver.
    Synaptics touchpad not working
  3. Follow the on-screen instructions and complete the installation of the latest driver.
    •  If no driver updates are available, you may also search for the updated touchpad device drivers in the Drivers and DriverStore folders in the location C:WindowsSystem32 by selecting the option Browse my computer for Driver Software.

In case you’re unable to find any latest drivers on your computer, then go to Synaptics’ website and check for the latest touchpad drivers there. If they’re available, download and install them on your computer.

3.3 Update drivers automatically

If this method doesn’t work or you lack the computer skills to update/fix the drivers manually, we suggest you use dedicated driver updater software to do it automatically.

This type of tool will automate the whole process and assist you in downloading and updating the right version of drivers that best fits your needs.

⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

4. Make sure that you’re not disabling your touchpad

Most laptops come with a dedicated button that can disable your touchpad. To disable your touchpad, you have to press a certain keyboard key such as F5, for example.

If your touchpad is frequently disabled, be sure not to disable it by using this key. Alternatively, you can try to enable it by pressing this key. Many users reported that this solution fixed their problem, so be sure to try it out.

If your touchpad is disabled on the login screen in Windows 10, fix the issue quickly by following the simple steps in this guide.

5. Check your touchpad settings

  1. Press Windows Key + S and enter control panel. Select Control Panel from the list.
    Synaptics touchpad not working
  2. When the Control Panel opens, go to the Mouse section.
    Synaptics touchpad keeps crashing
  3. Now navigate to Device Settings tab.
  4. Select your touchpad from the list and click on the Settings button.
  5. Now locate the Tapping section and make sure that you disable Double tap to enable or disable touchpad option.

According to users, sometimes your touchpad settings can cause your Synaptics touchpad to become disabled. According to them, this touchpad supports a tapping gesture that can enable or disable your touchpad.

After doing that, save changes and check if that solves your issue. Many users claim that this solution works for them, so feel free to try it out.

6. Roll back to the older driver

  1. Open the Device Manager.
  2. Now locate your touchpad driver and double click it to open its properties.
  3. Navigate to the Driver tab and click the Roll Back Driver button.
    Synaptics touchpad has stopped working

Keep in mind that this option might not be available. If not, you’ll need to uninstall the driver and try using the default driver instead.

  1. In Device Manager locate your touchpad driver, right-click it and choose Uninstall device.
  2. Check Delete the driver software for this device option and click on Uninstall button.
    Synaptics touchpad keeps resetting
  3. Once the driver is uninstalled, click on Scan for hardware changes icon.
    Touchpad disabled automatically

Windows will now install the default driver.

If you’re having issues with your Synaptics touchpad on Windows 10, the problem might be related to your drivers. Although installing the latest drivers is advised, sometimes this issue can occur even if you’re using the latest drivers.

However, users are suggesting you try rolling back your drivers and see if that helps.

If the default driver works, you have to prevent Windows from updating it automatically. We already wrote a guide on how to prevent Windows from updating certain drivers, so be sure to try that.

If the default driver doesn’t work, go to your touchpad manufacturer’s website and download an older driver. Once you install the older driver, check if the problem persists.

7. Modify your registry

According to users, if your settings keep resetting, the problem might be related to your registry. However, you can easily fix that by doing the following:

  1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Enter regedit and press Enter or click OK.
    Synaptics touchpad disable when mouse is plugged in
  3. In the left pane, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWARESynapticsSynTPInstall key.
  4. In the right pane, double click the DeleteUserSettingOnUpgrade DWORD and change its value to 0.

If you’re having problems editing the registry, you may want to take a look at this amazing guide that will show you how to get past them.

After you save the changes, restart your PC and check if the issue reappears.

Problems with Synaptics touchpad driver can prevent you from using your laptop, and speaking of touchpad issues, users reported the following problems as well:

  • Touchpad disabled automatically
    • Many users reported that their touchpad becomes disabled automatically.
    • In most cases, the problem is caused by your settings or drivers.
    • This issue can affect almost any touchpad and not just Synaptics touchpads.
  • Synaptics touchpad disables itself
    • In some cases, Synaptics touchpad can disable itself for an unknown reason.
    • This might be because your touchpad software is disabled in system startup.
  • Synaptics touchpad disable when mouse is plugged in
    • Many users tend to disable their touchpad if they’re using a mouse.
    • In fact, your touchpad might be disabled automatically if you connect a mouse.
  • Synaptics touchpad not working, has stopped working
    • According to users, it seems that Synaptics touchpad suddenly stopped working.
    • If your touchpad isn’t working at all, try rolling back your drivers and see if that helps.
  • Synaptics touchpad keeps crashing, resetting
    • A few users reported that Synaptics touchpad keeps crashing or resetting on their PC.
    • Your touchpad settings or a problematic driver most likely causes this.

Following the steps in this guide should help you solve your issues with Synaptics touchpad device or any other touchpad device. Before you go, we suggest you visit our guide on SynReflash configuration for more information.

Unfortunately, this isn’t the only issue you can encounter, and many experienced Synaptics touchpad driver code 24, but we covered it in another guide.

This isn’t the only problem, and for many users, touchpad settings are missing on Windows 11, but we covered this issue in another guide.

If something didn’t work out or you have some alternate solutions, we would love to hear about them, so write them down in the comments section below.

Windows Cannot Format this Drive: How to Fix & Main Causes

No operating system is not free of quirks, and sometimes when your machine is slow, you may try to resolve the problem by formatting your hard disk. However, users sometimes get a Windows cannot format this drive prompt when trying to format their device.

This error can make you clueless about the next line of action. Thankfully, this issue can be fixed with a few tweaks, as shown in this guide.

How can I fix the Windows cannot format this drive, quit any disk utilities error?

1. Use the Diskpart command

  1. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and click Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
    cmd windows cannot format this drive
  2. Type the command below and hit Enter: diskpartdiskpart
  3. Now, type the following commands and press Enter after each: list disklist disk list volumelist volume windows cannot format this drive select volume<number>select volume windows cannot format this drive format
  4. Note that you need to replace the <number> in the third command with the correct one you need to format (we used 2 in our command).

One of the quickest methods to fix the Windows cannot format this drive error is to force the process through using the DiskPart command.

If you have a preferred file system you want to format your drive to, you can use the fs switch with the format command. An example is format fs=ntfs quick.

2. Hard Format using Disk Management

  1. Press the Windows key + R, type diskmgmt.msc, and press Enter.
    diskmgmt  windows cannot format this drive
  2. Right-click the drive you want to format and select the Format option.
    format
  3. If you get a prompt that The volume (Disk>#) is currently in use, click the Yes option to force the format of the volume.
  4. After clicking Yes, the storage disk will be formatted without further error messages.

Another effective solution to try if you are getting Windows cannot format this drive error is to use the Disk Management feature to complete the process.

With this second fix, we can conclude this guide. We believe you now have everything to fix. Windows cannot format this drive error.

If the solutions above fail to fix this issue, you must check your drive for physical damage. You can also check and fix bad sectors on your PC.

It might also help to read our guide on how to format an NVMe SSD on Windows 11 or convert exFAT to FAT32.

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

This WiFi Uses An Older Security Standard: Quick Fixes

Some users who have updated Windows 10 with the May 2019 Update might have spotted a curious Wi-Fi notification at the bottom right of the desktop.

That notification states: “This Wi-Fi network uses an older security standard that’s being phased out. We recommend connecting to a different network.”

That notification tells some users that their Wi-Fi connections are utilizing antiquated encryption methods. The message pops up for users with Wi-Fi networks that are still utilizing the WEP and TKIP authentication protocols. Consequently, the notification informs some users that their net connections aren’t entirely secure.

How can I fix the WiFi uses an older security standard pop up?

1. Select a Newer Security Mode via the Router’s Admin Page

Users who spot an “isn’t secure” notification should select a newer encryption method, such as AES or WPA2, on their routers’ admin pages.

  1. To open a router’s admin page, users will need to get the IP address for it by pressing the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut.
  2. Enter ‘cmd’ in Run’s Open box, and click the OK option.
  3. Then input ‘ipconfig’ in the Command Prompt window that opens, and press the Enter key.
    ipconfig command this wifi network uses an older security standard
  4. Then note down the Default Gateway number. Alternatively, users can copy it to the clipboard by selecting the number and pressing the Ctrl + C hotkey.
  5. Paste the Default Gateway number in a browser’s URL bar by pressing the Ctrl + V hotkey, and press the Enter key. That should open a router admin page like the one shown directly below.A router admin page this wifi network uses an older security standard
  6. Next, enter the required login details to log in to the router admin page. The router’s instruction manual should include the login details for that page, and the router’s rating plate might also include those details.
  7. As router admin pages don’t have the same UI, specific instructions for selecting a new security mode can’t be provided. Look for a tab that includes Wi-Fi security settings on it.
  8. Then select a WPA2 or AES option, which a Security Mode drop-down menu might include.
  9. Select a Save or Apply option.

2. Get a New Router

Users who can’t select WPA2 or AES, or other more update security mode options, within their routers’ admin pages will need to get new routers to fix their unsecure Wi-Fi. There’s little point sticking with outdated routers that don’t support reasonably update encryption methods. So, get a replacement router that does support the latest encryption methods.

Wi-Fi Router this wifi network uses an older security standard

Microsoft has confirmed that it intends to stop supporting the WEP and TKIP protocols, which is why Windows 10 now displays an “isn’t secure” notification to some users.

Thus, users need to either change their current routers’ encryption settings or change their routers to ensure they can still browse the web when the big M terminates support for WEP and TKIP.

We hope you managed to get rid of the this WiFi network uses an older security standard pop up on your Windows device and fixed everything. Let us know how it went in the comments section below.

OneDrive Download Is Slow: 10 Quick Fixes

OneDrive is a solid cloud storage service but many users experienced slow OneDrive download speed on their PC. This can be a big problem, so in today’s article we’ll show you how to address this issue.

How can I fix a slow OneDrive download speed?


1. Check your antivirus

Using a good antivirus is important if you want to protect yourself from online threats, but despite the usefulness of antivirus tools, sometimes they can cause certain issues to occur. Your antivirus can interfere with other applications and in some cases it can cause slow OneDrive download.

To fix this issue, you need to make sure that OneDrive is allowed to go through your antivirus and firewall. In addition, you might want to try disabling certain antivirus features or disabling your antivirus altogether.

If that doesn’t work, your next step would be to remove your third-party antivirus. Several users reported that removing their antivirus fixed the problem for them, so you might want to try that.

If removing the antivirus solves the problem, your next step would be to switch to a different antivirus solution.

There are plenty of great alternatives and some of the best antivirus software available are actually really budget-friendly and don’t use too many system resources.

While Windows Defender is a well-performing protection tool, an extra layer of protection is always a good idea.

2. Remove other synchronization and backup software

Sometimes slow OneDrive download can occur because of other backup software on your PC. Other applications might try to back up the files that you’re currently trying to sync, and that can cause issues with OneDrive.

You can manually uninstall your backup software from Windows settings. You just have to open the panel by typing remove in the search bar, find your backup software and click uninstall.

However, many users report problems with this method because Windows settings can’t always fully remove stubborn software. This can prevent you from reinstalling your app or interfering with the functionality of your PC.

We recommend you try a dedicated third-party uninstaller software. These are specially created to delete any type of lingering app or file.

Uninstallers are completely safe, they use up-to-date technologies that can forcefully remove problematic apps, but don’t have any negative impact on your PC.

3. Reset OneDrive

  1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Now enter the following line, and press Enter or click OK.
    • %localappdata%MicrosoftOneDriveonedrive.exe /reset
      slow onedrive download

It might take a minute or two for OneDrive to reset on your PC, but once the application resets, check if the issue is still there.

If you’re having issues with slow OneDrive download, the problem might be the OneDrive application. Certain glitches can occur once in a while, and in order to fix them, it’s advised that you reset OneDrive.

This process won’t delete any of your files, but it will resync them, so it might take a while before all files are completely resynced.


4. Remove all files that are 0KB in size

According to users, sometimes certain files can cause slow OneDrive download issues. Supposedly this issue is caused by files that are 0KB in size, and in order to fix the issue, you’ll need to remove those files.

slow onedrive download

Finding all files that are 0KB in size isn’t that hard, and you just need to open your OneDrive directory and enter size: 0 in the search field in the top-right corner.

Now you should see all files that are 0KB in size. Delete those files and check if the problem is resolved. Before you remove those files, be sure to check if you actually need them.

If these files aren’t a part of your project or if they look unfamiliar to you, you can just delete them. Sometimes even small files can be a part of a work project, so be sure to double check all files before you remove them.


5. Unlink and sign back into OneDrive

  1. Right-click the OneDrive icon on your Taskbar and choose Settings from the menu.
    slow onedrive download
  2. Now go to the Account tab and click Unlink this PC.
    slow onedrive download
  3. A warning message will appear. Click the Unlink account button.
    slow onedrive download

Slow OneDrive download can be caused by certain glitches in OneDrive, and the simplest way to fix those glitches is to unlink your OneDrive account.

After doing that, you need to sign in back to OneDrive and resync all your files. This method might not be the most effective one, since you’ll remove online files and have to resync them again, so use this solution only if other solutions can’t fix the problem.


6. Restart File Explorer

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. Locate Windows Explorer on the list, right-click it and choose Restart from the menu.
    slow onedrive download

In some instances, slow OneDrive download speed can occur due to bugs on your system. However, these bugs are usually temporary, and you can fix the problem simply by restarting File Explorer.

After a couple of moments File Explorer will restart and your issue should be resolved. Keep in mind that this is just a workaround, so you might have to repeat it if the issue reappears.


7. Download files in batches

If you’re having issues with slow OneDrive download speed, the issue might be the number of files that you’re trying to sync. According to users, issues occurred after they tried to sync all of their files at once.

Although that should work, sometimes issues can occur, and you might experience reduced download speed.

To avoid this problem, users are suggesting to download your files in batches. Download 10-20+ files at once and check if the issue still appears.

If not, keep downloading files in batches until you download all your files. This isn’t the most straightforward solution, but it’s a decent workaround that might work for you, so be sure to try it out.


8. Disable Files On-Demand feature

  1. Open OneDrive settings. Uncheck Save space and download files as you use them.
    slow onedrive download
  2. A warning message will now appear. Click OK to save changes.
    slow onedrive download

OneDrive has Files On-Demand feature, and sometimes this feature can cause slow OneDrive download speeds. This is a quite useful feature since it allows you to download only files that you want to edit.

Thanks to this feature, you don’t have to store files on both your PC and the cloud. This is great if you want to save space on your PC, but sometimes there might be issues with this feature.

This feature can lead to slow download speed, and many users are suggesting to disable this feature. After disabling this feature, the problem with OneDrive should be completely resolved.


9. Disable Office integration

  1. Open OneDrive settings window.
  2. Go to the Office tab and disable all options.
    slow onedrive download

OneDrive has a useful feature that allows you to work on Microsoft Office files with other users. This is an incredibly useful feature, but it can sometimes cause slow OneDrive download speeds.

To fix the problem, some users are recommending to disable this feature altogether. After doing that, save changes and the issue should be completely resolved.


10. Make changes to Group Policy

  1. Press Windows Key + R and enter gpedit.msc. Press Enter or click OK.
    slow onedrive download
  2. In the left pane, navigate to User Configuration > Windows Settings. Right-click Policy-based QoS and choose Create new policy option.
    slow onedrive download
  3. Enter the name of your policy. Make sure that only Specify Outbound Throttle Rate option is checked. Set the value lower than your upload speed. Users are suggesting to use a value that is three times less than your current upload speed. Click Next.
    slow onedrive download
  4. Don’t change any settings in new windows, just keep clicking Next.

If you’re having issues with slow OneDrive download speed, you might be able to solve this problem by making changes to the Group Policy settings.

After creating the policy, restart your PC and check if the issue with OneDrive download slow speed is gone by now.


Fix Corrupt PST File with Outlook PST Repair Tool

The Microsoft Outlook Personal Storage Table (.pst) is the database where Outlook indexes all your emails and if this file is corrupted, you won’t be able to reach your personal content. However, Stellar Repair for Outlook repairs your PST files in just a few clicks.

What is Stellar Repair for Outlook and how does it help you?

Stellar Repair for Outlook is a simple and complete solution to repair corrupt Outlook Data Files (.pst).

If you accidentally deleted something from your mailbox, Stellar Repair for Outlook will retrieve it in no time even if you have emptied your deleted folder.

This tool can recover permanently deleted mailbox data such as e-mails, attachments, contacts, calendars, tasks, and even journals.

PST file corruption can occur due to various reasons such as large PST files, system crashes, abrupt shutdown, virus intrusion, etc.

However, this tool can repair your Outlook Data File efficiently irrelevant of PST file size as the latest update of the software supports large PST file repair and recovery processes.

Moreover, Stellar Repair for Outlook can recover the Outlook Data File(.pst) for all Microsoft Outlook versions including 2021, 2019, 2016, 2013, 2010, and 2007.

What are the best features of Stellar Repair for Outlook?

1. Great output support

Stellar Repair for Outlook scans and extracts data from a damaged PST/OST file, repairs it, and then saves it as a new usable PST file. Then you just need to import the file back into Outlook.

However, you may also save the file as MSG, EML, RTF, HTML, and even PDF. That provides you with great flexibility to view or embed the files in other software.

In the technician version of the software, you can directly import your repaired PST file to Live Exchange or Office 365(Microsoft 365).

2. Deleted files recovery

It doesn’t matter if you deleted some items by mistake. After it scans the PST file, Stellar Repair for Outlook will show you the deleted items marked with red color in the preview window, yes even the permanently deleted emails too.

3. Find and select only the content you need to recover

The database of your e-mail can be huge so retrieving the whole PST file may take some time.

However, if you don’t want to retrieve all the mail, you can select only a folder you want to recover.

You can also check a dedicated troubleshooting guide for situations where Outlook inbox repair tool keeps popping up.

More than that, you can use the search fields for sender, destination, subject, or date to get the exact email you are looking for.

That will save you a lot of time and space and we found the search even quicker and more accurate than the one from Outlook or Gmail.

How can I recover a PST file with Stellar Repair for Outlook?

  1. Go to the Stellar Repair for Outlook website and click the Free Download button.
  2. Install the tool and run it.
  3. Click on Select Outlook Data File, choose the profile (PST file), and hit the Repair button.
  4. The software will scan the PST file and retrieve all the files, folders, attachments, contacts, calendars, tasks, and journals.
  5. Now, select the folders or emails you want to recover. You will the list of emails on the center screen and previews of the emails on the right pane.
  6. Lastly, click on the Save Repaired File, select a format, and hit the Next button.
  7. Select the destination folder (by default, it’s the Outlook AppData folder) and click OK.
  8. You may also click the Apply Advanced Filter to select the time range of the emails, exclude some IDs, or exclude the Junk and Deleted folders if you want to.
  9. Open Microsoft Outlook and click the File menu.
  10. Select Open & Export from the left pane, then click on the Open Outlook Data File.
  11. Select the PST file you have just retrieved from Stellar Repair for Outlook and click the Open button.

That’s it! You have recovered all the elements you needed from your mailbox and opened them back on your Outlook app.

They will be shown as if they were never lost, with all the attachments, contacts, and details in them.

Other important features of Stellar Repair for Outlook

Stellar Repair for Outlook has a lot of other interesting features that we would like to outline here:

  • Save individual emails – You actually don’t need to go through all the processes described above to retrieve a single email. You can right-click on any emails from the list and save them in MSG, EML, RTF, HTML, and PDF.
  • Resume your scan any time – At any point during the scanning process, you may stop it and click the Save Scan button from the top menu so that later on to resume the process.
  • Great compatibility range – Stellar Repair for Outlook is compatible with Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8.1, Windows 8, and Windows 7.

You must know that in the free version of Stellar Repair for Outlook, you can scan your PST as big as it is, but you can’t save it. For that, you will need the paid version of the software.

Stellar Repair for Outlook

Repair your Outlook PST quickly and all the contents in your mailbox with just a few clicks.

We hope that our article helped you understand all about Stellar Repair for Outlook and how to use it to recover all your email contents and repair your Outlook PST.

While we are on this matter, you might also be interested in our guide on how to rebuild your Outlook profile.

Did you use it yet? Let us know about your experience with Stellar Repair for Outlook in the comments section below.

8 Tested Ways to Fix Sims 4 Lagging on PC

Is your Sims 4 freezing, stuttering, or loading at a snail’s pace? You’re not alone.

The cause is usually simple: too much custom content, outdated mods, corrupted save files, weak hardware, or background programs hogging memory.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through what’s causing the lag and show you exactly how to fix Sims 4 when it is laggy.

How to stop Sims 4 lag

First, try pausing and resuming the game, switching to Windowed mode, playing offline, freeing up drive space, and checking that your PC meets Sims 4’s system requirements. If the game is still laggy, try the more advanced fixes below.

Image Source: Steam

1. Update the graphics drivers

  1. Press Windows + X to open the Power User menu, and choose Device Manager from the list of options.
    device manager
  2. Now, expand Display adapters, right-click on the graphics adapter, and choose Update driver from the context menu.
    update drivers to fix sims 4 lagging
  3. Next, select Search automatically for drivers and wait for Windows to install the best one.
    search automatically for drivers

An outdated, corrupt, or incorrect graphics driver is likely to wreak havoc and lead to lagging when playing games. We recommend you update the graphics driver regularly.

To speed up the process, you can also try an automated tool that does the heavy lifting for you. You don’t have to do check ups or manual installs.

A good option we tested extensively on Windows is Fortect Driver Updater. It automatically scans your PC for outdated or problematic drivers and fixes them within minutes.

2. Repair the game

2.1 In the EA App

  1. Launch the EA App, head to Library from the navigation pane.ea app library
  2. Click the 3 dots next to The Sims 4 and choose Repair.sims 4 repair
  3. Now, wait for the repair process to complete. Though it shouldn’t usually take long, the process may take some time in rare cases where there are several issues.

2.2 On Steam

  1. Launch Steam, navigate the Library tab, right-click on The Sims 4, and choose Properties.
    the sims 4
  2. Now, head to Local Files from the navigation pane, and click on Verify integrity of game files.
    verify integrity of game files to fix sims 4 lagging
  3. Wait for the process to complete.
    wait

If there were issues with the game files or a few were missing, which led to lagging in The Sims 4, things should now be up and running like before.

3. Set the game priority to high

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager, and head to the Details tab.
    details tab
  2. Now, locate The Sims 4 process, right-click on it, hover the cursor over Set priority, and choose High.
    set priority to high to fix sims 4 lagging

4. Lower Graphics Settings

  1. Go to Game Options > Graphics.
  2. Set quality to Low or Medium.
  3. Lower Sims/Lighting/Object details.
  4. Turn off Uncompressed Sim Textures.lower sims 4 graphics settings
  5. Apply changes and restart the game.

5. Close Background Programs

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.
  2. End non-critical tasks (browsers, updates, etc.).Microsoft Upload - Taks Manager - MSOUC-EXE - End task

6. Move Sims 4 to an SSD

  1. Backup your saves.
  2. Uninstall Sims 4.
  3. Reinstall on your SSD via the EA app.
  4. Restore saves to:
    Documents > Electronic Arts > The Sims 4 > Saves

7. Clean Up Mods & Custom Content

  1. Move the Mods folder to desktop.
  2. Launch Sims 4 — if lag stops, mods are the issue.
  3. Delete outdated CC and update essential ones.
  4. Use Sims 4 Tray Importer to check for broken or duplicate files.

8. Clear Cache & Keep Files Clean

  1. Delete localthumbcache.package in your Sims 4 folder regularly.
  2. Avoid huge households or oversized lots that strain performance.
  3. Keep Windows/macOS and GPU drivers up to date.

If Sims 4 is still laggy after these fixes, check for related issues like when Sims 4 won’t start, households won’t load, or mods stop working.

You can also follow guides on update problems or changing the game language for better performance.

The System Detected an Overrun of a Stack-based Buffer [Fix]

The System detected an overrun of a stack-based buffer in this application, is a rare error but can go as far as preventing your PC from booting after a BSOD.

The error is often caused by malware, faulty system files, or conflicting third-party apps. Here’s a quick look at how to address each cause and fix it.

How to fix the system detected an overrun of a stack-based buffer

1. Scan for malware

  1. Restart your PC and press the power button to forcibly shut it down when the manufacturer’s logo shows up. Repeat this 3 times to enter the Advanced recovery menu.
  2. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced Options.
    advanced option system detected an overrun of a stack-based buffer
  3. Now, click Startup Settings.
    startup settings
  4. Click the Restart button.
    restart
  5. When your PC restarts, press the corresponding key to Enable Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking.
    enable safe system detected an overrun of a stack-based buffer
  6. Once the PC boots, press the Windows key, type virus, and select Virus & threat protection.
    virus
  7. Now, select Scan options.
    scan options
  8. Finally, select the Full Scan option and click the Scan now button.
    scan now system detected an overrun of a stack-based buffer

2. Run SFC/DISM

  1. Repeat Steps 1 to 5 in Solution 1 to Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
  2. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
    cmd admin
  3. Now, type the commands below and press Enter after each: DISM /online /Cleanup-Image / ScanHealthdism scan DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthdism restore system detected an overrun of a stack-based buffer
  4. After the commands finish running, type the command below and hit Enter: sfc /scannowsfc
  5. Finally, restart your PC when it’s done.

System files are important for the smooth running of your PC. If any files are problematic, you might encounter the system detected an overrun of a stack-based buffer error.

3. Perform a clean boot

  1. Press the Windows key + S, type msconfig, and click OK.
    msconfig
  2. Select the Services tab at the top, check the Hide all Microsoft services box, and click Disable all.
    services system detected an overrun of a stack-based buffer
  3. Now, select the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
    startup
  4. Next, right-click each of the apps there and select Disable.
    disable
  5. Go back to the System Configuration windows and click Apply, followed by OK.
    apply ok system detected an overrun of a stack-based buffer
  6. Finally, restart your PC.

4. Repair with system resources

  1. Access the Advanced Recovery menu and choose Troubleshoot.
    troubleshoot
  2. Choose Advanced options.
    advanced option system detected an overrun of a stack-based buffer
  3. Now, select System Restore or Startup Repair.
    system restore system detected an overrun of a stack-based buffer
  4. Try one and then the other; hopefully, you’ll be able to boot.

5. Repair with a bootable drive

  1. Unplug everything from your PC apart from the mouse and keyboard.
  2. Create and insert a bootable media drive (USB or DVD) and boot with it. If your PC does not boot automatically from the bootable drive, you need to enter BIOS to change your boot drive.
  3. Once the drive boots, enter your language and other important information and click Next.
    language
  4. Now, choose the Repair your computer option in the bottom left corner.
    repair computer
  5. Choose Troubleshoot.
    troubleshoot
  6. Select Advanced options.
    advanced option system detected an overrun of a stack-based buffer
  7. Finally, choose Startup Repair.
    startup repair system detected an overrun of a stack-based buffer

6. Reinstall Windows 10

Finally, if none of the previous steps helped you address the problem, we encourage you to back up your data and reinstall Windows 10.

We’re probably looking into a large-scale problem, and although reinstallation can be a drag, it’s a definitive solution.

That is all you need to fix the system detected an overrun of a stack-based buffer error on your PC. You only need to follow the steps carefully, and you should be able to restore normalcy on your PC.

If you are facing other issues, like the driver overran stack buffer BSOD, check our detailed guide to fix it quickly.

Lastly, don’t forget to tell us whether you find these steps helpful in the comments below.

How to Delete Files With Long Names [Easy Steps & Tips]

Have you ever run into a file name that was too long to delete or a file extension that was superfluous? This can happen when you’re removing an old file or editing a new file with a long title. Some files in Windows are strange. You may find that the file name is too long to delete or rename.

If this sounds familiar, we’re here to lift that burden. You don’t have to be stuck with a file you want to get rid of. In this article, we shed more light on how to delete files with long names.

What are long file names?

Long file names are file names that exceed the maximum length of 255 characters. You can use long file names as long as you want, but you must be careful to avoid problems when naming your files.

If you try to save a file with a long filename, Windows will automatically truncate the name to 255 characters or less and then save it to disk. A long filename that is too big for Windows to store on disk will result in an error when the user tries to use that file.

Long file names can be used for several reasons:

  • The file is large and needs to be saved in a different directory from the one it was created in.
  • To allow multiple versions of a document or project to co-exist.
  • The file has special characters or symbols that need to be written out in full, such as copyright information.
  • To provide additional information about the file, such as its size and modification time.
  • The file has long comments or data blocks that need to be displayed using special characters.
  • To indicate that a file is compressed or encrypted.

Why can’t I delete files with long names?

There are many reasons that can prevent you from deleting files with long names. These include:

  • The file is open in another app – If the file is open in any program or application, the file will not be deleted immediately. 
  • Not enough permission – Some files require an administrator account to be deleted. If you’re using a standard account, you may need to switch to one with administrator privileges.
  • You’re deleting a copy – If you try to delete a file that’s been renamed and its original name still exists in your current directory, then Windows will not be able to delete the new name until the original name is deleted first. 
  • OS can’t process it – The operating system has a limit for the length of the name and if the file has a name that exceeds that limit, it will not be able to delete it.

How do I delete files that are too long?

Before you proceed with any of these steps, we recommend you check the following:

1. Use a third-party file manager

Deleting long file names is a tedious task. It can be done using an automated tool or manually, but the latter is more time-consuming and cumbersome.

A third-party file manager is a great way to delete long file names from your computer. It will allow you to search for and select the files you want to keep, as well as delete them all at once.

Aomei Partition Assistant Professional is a third-party file manager that can be used to manage files and folders in your system. It is also one of the best partitioning software available on the market, so you can easily see what you are doing.

AOMEI Partition Assisstant Professional

Powerful file manager that lets you easily manage your partitions, delete unnecessary partitions, and move and resize partitions.
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2. Rename the file

  1. Navigate to the folder with the long file name.
  2. Right-click on the file and click on the Rename icon.
  3. Choose a shorter name for the file and press Enter.

While this method works most of the time, some file names are stubborn and won’t delete. For instance, when you try to delete a PDF with a long file name, you may be unsuccessful since most PDFs don’t allow any edits.

You can choose to install PDF editor software to help you edit the file but most of them are paid for. The free ones may be able to help but a majority of them come with basic features. If this works, you should be able to delete the file but if it doesn’t, proceed to the next step.

3. Delete via Command Prompt

  1. Locate the folder location where the long file name is stored, right-click on an empty space and select Open in Terminal.
  2. Type and Enter the following command: DIR /X
  3. Next, type and Enter the following command replacing FILENAME.TXT with the name of the file you wish to delete: DEL FILENAME.TXT
  4. Run the DIR /X command again and check if the deletion was successful. If not, proceed to type in the next command: del "\\?\c:\<very_long_path_and_file_name.ext>

Hopefully, one of these methods has been able to help you get rid of the long file name that wouldn’t delete. Aside from file names, you may also have trouble deleting a folder. If you encounter such an issue, don’t hesitate to check out our expert article on the same.

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

Outlook Crashes When Opening Calendar: 7 Easy Fixes to Use

Outlook is a fantastic email client, but many reported that Outlook hangs when users switch to the calendar. This is also followed by Outlook running slow on your PC.

This can be a big problem, mainly if you use the calendar frequently, so in today’s guide, we will show you the best methods you can use to fix it.

What to do if Outlook hangs when you switch to calendar?

1. Turn off Outlook Add-ins

  1. Open the Outlook application.
  2. Click File and Options to open the Outlook Options window.
  3. Click Add-Ins on the left of the window.outlook add ins
  4. Select COM Add-ins from the Manage drop-down menu.
  5. Press the Go button to open the COM Add-ins window.
  6. Then deselect all the selected add-ins.
  7. Press the OK button.

Outlook users have confirmed that turning off the application’s add-ins fixes the calendar hanging. To be more specific, turning the iCloud Outlook add-in off has fixed the Outlook (Not Responding) error for some users.

2. Open Outlook in safe mode

  1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog.
  2. Enter outlook /safe and press Enter.
    run outlook in safe mode
  3. Now check if the problem is still there.

If the issue doesn’t appear, it means that one of your settings or add-ins is causing the issue.

3. Set up a new User Profile

  1. Open the Run accessory with the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut. Enter control and press Enter.

  2. Click Mail in the Control Panel.
  3. Press the Show Profiles button on the Mail Setup window.
  4. Select your current profile, and click the Remove button. After that, confirm that you want to remove the profile.
  5. Open the Outlook application.
  6. Click File and choose Add Account..
    Then enter the required details in the text boxes.
    outlook add new account
  7. Press the Next button.
  8. Press the OK and Finish buttons to set up the new profile.

4. Repair the Microsoft Office Suite

  1. Press Windows key + R and enter appwiz.cpl. After that, press Enter.
  2. Select the MS Office suite on the program list.
  3. Press the Change button to open the repair Office dialog.
  4. Select Online Repair for the most rigorous repair.
  5. Press the Repair button.

5. Fix Outlook data

  1. Press Windows key + S and type scanpst.exe and then select to open SCANPST. Alternatively, you can open the Inbox Repair Tool by opening your Office folder in File Explorer and double-clicking scanpst.exe.
  2. Click the Browse button to select your Outlook PST file.
    repair outlook
  3. If you’re not sure what folder includes your PST file, open Outlook click File, and then Account. After that, choose Account Settings. Then, you can select the Data Files tab that lists your PST file paths.
  4. Press the Repair button on the Outlook Inbox Repair Tool window.

6. Use Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant

  1. Visit Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant download page.
  2. Now click on Download.
  3. Once the application is downloaded, run it and check if it helps you fix the problem.

7. Change your email client

Almost everyone has used Outlook as their email provider, and they are one of the most known on the market. Unfortunately, many errors keep appearing when using it, and it may be time to start thinking about choosing another email app.

You can find many alternative email clients with similar task management tools.

You can find plenty of modern Windows 10 email clients that are much more stable and have great security and encryption to ensure your emails are entirely private.

On top of that, the best email clients you can find today come with excellent contact management tools, powerful search functions that can help you find any email in seconds, and other features like e-signatures, spellchecker, email templates, or a translator.

Those are resolutions that users have confirmed to fix the Outlook (Not Responding) calendar error. If you care about your privacy, read our guide on how to make Outlook calendar private.

For increased efficiency, learn how to keep Outlook’s calendars selected and view multiple calendars in one view.

After you have fixed this problem, you might be interested in how to add a holiday to your Outlook calendar.

If you want to be fully time efficient, there’s a way to show tasks in the Outlook calendar, so be sure to try that.

Did you find a different solution for this problem? Let us know in the comments section below.

GeForce Now Error Code 0xc192000e: 5 Ways to Fix It

Users are getting kicked out of their GeForce Now accounts and the error code 0xc192000e is displayed on their screens. This is a big problem because it means that you will not be able to play any games or watch any videos from your account.

Gamers who have been experiencing the issue say that they’ve been unable to play the game. It’s not uncommon for gaming software to have glitches as sometimes even the popular Xbox app fails to launch. If you are in the same boat, below we discuss some potential fixes.

Why does GeForce Now say error 0xc192000e? 

If you’re getting the GeForce Now error 0xc192000e, it could be due to one or more of the following reasons:

  • Server maintenance – The top reason why most users are getting kicked out of their GeForce Now accounts is that Nvidia had earlier announced plans for a server upgrade.
  • Expired subscription – If you have not yet updated your subscription, you may encounter the GeForce Now error code 0xc192000e.
  • Not using VPNs – Although not all games require a VPN to play,  they are recommended as they significantly improve gameplay and improve ping.
  • Outdated app– In some cases, if you’ve not updated your GeForce Now app, it may not be optimized to meet the requirements of the games you’re playing hence the frequent errors.

It is important to note that the GeForce Now error 0xc192000e can manifest itself in various ways such as:

  • GeForce Now not listing all the games in your library.
  • Automatic login is disabled and you have to keep logging in every time you want to play.
  • Getting asked to subscribe even though you have an active subscription.
  • Your GeForce Now member status is unavailable.
  • Games are no longer loading in 4K resolution and 1080p is the maximum quality.

How can I fix GeForce Now error code 0xc192000e?

Before you attempt any of the below solutions, perform these preliminary checks first:

  • Ensure you have an active subscription.
  • Check the GeForce Now official status page to see if there’s a server downtime or scheduled maintenance.
  • Try a different server and check if the issue persists.
  • Check that you’re running the latest version of the GeForce Now app.

1. Use a VPN

A VPN is basically a secure tunnel that encrypts your internet connection and sends it through another server. Using a VPN is not only beneficial in enhancing your gaming experience but also allows you to change your location. 

Some users who updated their locations when they switched to a different server in a different location were able to regain access to their accounts.

2. Switch to the browser version

Sometimes, the issue may be the GeForce Now app, and switching to a browser could fix the problem. A few users were able to bypass the error while using a browser but report that the response time was extremely slow.

That’s why we recommend you go for the Opera browser because it is fast and has the best features for gaming. As an added advantage, it also comes with a built-in VPN, so you can browse the web privately and securely.

3. Update your GeForce drivers

It’s good practice to keep your drivers always updated to avoid any compatibility issues or other errors that may crop up from time to time.

You can check out our comprehensive article on various ways to download the GeForce drivers and once they have been updated, check to see if the error code still appears.

4. Reinstall the GeForce Now app 

If the problem is your GeForce Now app that has failed to register updates, try uninstalling it to get rid of any corrupt files that may have accumulated over time. Also, don’t forget to remove any software leftovers as reinstalling it again could still bring up similar problems. 

Once you have successfully removed every trace of the program, proceed to download GeForce Now and check if the problem persists.

5. Contact support

If the above methods fail to yield desired results and you’re still getting error code 0xc192000e, it may be time to contact NVIDIA support. 

It’s possible they’re not yet aware of the issue or it’s an isolated problem that’s facing a section of users. Nevertheless, reporting the issue is one step closer to getting the problem resolved.

If GeForce Now is doing a server upgrade, there’s nothing you can do but wait. While you wait, we recommend checking out offline PC games that you can play to keep you entertained.

We also have an answer for when your GeForce Experience is not detecting games so feel free to check out our guide on the same.

We’d love to hear any additional solutions not mentioned here but have worked for you in this situation. Leave us a comment down below.

Teams and other Microsoft services were all down at the same time

What is even more annoying and frustrating than the software you need to use being bugged? That’s an easy answer: the software you need to use actually not working at all.

Of course, even some of the most utilized and popular services can have downtime, due to maintenance or unforeseen problems, but the bright side is that it rarely happens.

However, people that were trying to make use of some of Microsoft’s services yesterday were surprised to notice that many of them were down at the same time.

Teams and Outlook were both down together

Even though Microsoft provides some of the most reliable software solutions, there are also times when bugs or glitches just won’t let us do our jobs.

That being said, just know that the problem isn’t always on our end. In fact, from time to time, servers that sustain all these apps and programs can have problems of their own.

Microsoft is now said to investigate what happened with Outlook and Teams since users could not use them at all.

Thus, if you’ve been experiencing issues accessing Microsoft Teams or Outlook, just know that you’re not the only one.

Many users in India, the UK, as well as other areas around the world, are reporting that they currently cannot access the two services.

The Downdetector website, which monitors outages of online services in real time, showed that there were more than 3,700 incidents of people reporting issues with Microsoft Teams.

Users in the Philippines, United Kingdom, Australia, Britain, and the United Arab Emirates are also reportedly having problems.

Note that during the outage, people reported being unable to send or receive messages, join calls or use any Teams feature.

And, as you expected, many of them took to Twitter to share their experience during the service disruption.

The Redmond tech giant has been made aware of the situation and is now investigating what might have caused the outage.

If you are still experiencing problems, just know that Microsoft is working on solving them and we will keep you updated as soon as new information becomes available.

How to Fix We Couldn’t Find a Fingerprint Scanner Compatible Windows Hello Error

Running into the “We couldn’t find a fingerprint scanner compatible with Windows Hello” error in Windows 11?

This one’s frustrating because it usually pops up when you’re trying to set up biometric sign-in, but Windows just won’t recognize your hardware. Let’s walk through what causes it and how to fix it.

How to fix We couldn’t find a fingerprint scanner compatible with Windows Hello fingerprint error?

Before anything else, check the Windows 11 system requirements, update your device, restart it, and re-enable the fingerprint scanner. Also, note that sleep mode can cause the sensor to stop working.

If all that checks out but the fingerprint scanner error persists, try the fixes below:

1. Restart the Windows Biometric Service 

  1. Hit the Windows + R keys to open the Run command.
  2. Type in services.msc and hit Enter.
    run services.msc command
  3. Locate Windows Biometric Service, right-click on it, and select Properties.
  4. Under the Startup type, click on the drop-down menu and select Automatic.
  5. Click on Apply and OK to save the changes.

2. Allow Windows Biometric Service permissions 

  1. Hit the Windows + R keys to open the Run command.
  2. Type in services.msc and hit Enter.
    run services.msc command
  3. Locate Windows Biometric Service, right-click on it, and select Properties.
  4. Navigate to the Log On tab and under Local System account, check the box next to Allow service to interact with desktop.
  5. Click on Apply and OK to save the changes. 

3. Update your Biometric drivers

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Device Manager in the search bar, and click Open.
  2. Navigate to Biometric devices and double-click to expand.
  3. Right-click on your biometric device and select Update driver.
  4. Click on Search automatically for updated drivers.
  5. Wait for the scan to complete and install the recommended driver.

Updated drivers are a great thing, but if you’re using Windows Update or manually updating them yourself, you may have noticed that sometimes it doesn’t work. If you’re tired of having to manually check for updates each time you turn on your computer, Outbyte Driver Updater can do that for you.

Outbyte Driver Updater will automatically detect if a new version of your biometric driver is available on the Internet, so it will download this file. The software will then install them for you so that you are always up-to-date with the most recent version of your driver.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

4. Uninstall your Biometric drivers 

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Device Manager in the search bar, and click Open.
  2. Navigate to Biometric devices and double-click to expand.
  3. Right-click on your biometric device and select Uninstall device.
  4. Click on the confirmation dialog box to Uninstall.
  5. Restart your PC and new drivers will automatically be reinstalled.

5. Roll back to previous Biometric drivers

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Device Manager in the search bar, and click Open.
  2. Navigate to Biometric devices and double-click to expand.
  3. Right-click on your biometric device and select Properties.
  4. Navigate to the Driver tab, select Roll Back Driver then click OK.
    Windows 10 fingerprint and PIN not working
  5. Select a reason for rolling back then click Yes.

Why won’t my fingerprint scanner work on Windows 11?

If you’re wondering why your fingerprint scanner is suddenly incompatible with Windows 11, it could be due to one or more of the following reasons:

  • Out-of-date OS – If you’re running a very old operating system or behind on Windows updates, it’s possible that your biometric devices won’t show or cannot be detected.
  • Outdated drivers – Most users who got the We could not find a fingerprint scanner compatible with Windows Hello fingerprint message on their Dell PCs because the manufacturer had not updated the drivers.
  • Recent Windows update – Sometimes Windows updates can cause glitches with certain features. You can roll back driver updates and restore a previous working version.
  • Virus infection – Some malware may have found its way into your system so always ensure you have a comprehensive antivirus solution.

Final Note

If your fingerprint scanner isn’t showing up or working with Windows Hello, chances are it’s a driver issue, a missing setting, or hardware that doesn’t meet Microsoft’s biometric standards. The steps above should cover most cases, but if you’re still stuck, try this troubleshooting guide for fingerprint recognition not working.

You might also want to check if your Hello Face driver is missing or outdated or if you’re seeing the face option currently unavailable.

For broader sign-in issues, here’s what to do when Windows Hello stops working in Windows 11. And if you’re on a work or school device, Windows Hello might be blocked on domain-joined PCs.

Fix: Windows 10 Could Not Connect to the ProfSvc Service

The User profile service (ProfSvc) is a Microsoft service in charge of loading and unloading the user profile. However, sometimes, the ProfSvc may be disabled or blocked.

The consequence is that users won’t be able to log into their user profiles, apps could have issues accessing users’ data, and some components installed to receive profile event notifications won’t receive them. Some users have associated the problem with the installation of Windows 10.

In this article, we will explain how to get rid of this problem in a few simple steps to bring your user profile to a normal state of use.

Why won’t Windows 10 connect to the ProfSvc service?

There could be several reasons why Windows 10 cannot connect to the ProfSvc (Profile Service) service. Some possible causes include the following:

  • Network connectivity issues – If there is a problem with your network connection, Windows may not be able to connect to the ProfSvc service.
  • Firewall settings: If your firewall is blocking access to the ProfSvc service, Windows may not be able to connect to it.
  • ProfSvc service not running: The ProfSvc service may not be running, preventing Windows from connecting.
  • Corrupted or missing system files – If specific system files are missing or corrupted, it could prevent the ProfSvc service from running correctly.
  • Malware or other security threats: Malware or other security threats may have affected the ProfSvc service, preventing it from running correctly.

Let us now explore some common fixes.

How can I fix ProfSvc connection issues?

1. Reset the account password

  1. Restart your computer and press the key to enter the boot menu (usually F8, F11, or F12).
  2. Select the option to boot from a Windows installation media (such as a USB drive or DVD).
  3. Select your language preferences and click Next.
  4. Now click Repair your computer.
  5. Select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, and then click Command Prompt.
  6. In the Command Prompt, type the script below and hit Enter, replacing [username] with the username of the account you want to reset the password.
    net user [username] *
  7. You will be prompted to create a new password for the account. Enter the new password and press Enter.
  8. Exit the Command Prompt and select Continue to restart your computer.
  9. Log in to Windows with the new password.

The first and most natural action is to solve the problem by resetting your account password. If this approach cannot solve the issue, the computer will display the following error alert: “Windows couldn’t connect to the ProfSvc service.”

Before diving into more fixes, check if the apps, the user manager, shared PC Account Manager (shpamsvc), and the natural authentication are well configured, and make sure they are working correctly.

2. Restore the original ProfSvc service from Windows 10

  1. Restart your computer and press the key to enter the boot menu (usually F8, F11, or F12).
  2. Select the option to boot from a Windows installation media (such as a USB drive or DVD).
  3. Select your language preferences and click Next.
  4. Now click Repair your computer.
  5. Select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, and then click Command Prompt.
  6. Type the following commands in the command window, hitting Enter after each one:
    • sc config ProfSvc start= auto
    • sc start ProfSvc
  7. Close the command window.
  8. Restart your computer and check if the problem persists.

The ProfSvc service uses the profsvc.dll file in the %WinDir%\system32 folder. You can restore the original version from Windows 10 installation media if the file is changed, damaged, or deleted.

3. Create a new user account

3.1 Log in to the administrator

  1. Click the power button on the sign-in screen and press Shift + Restart to go to safe mode.
  2. You are now in the recovery boot menu. Go to Troubleshoot, then click on Advanced options and select Startup settings.
  3. Now it can be seen as a list where you can choose Safe Mode with Command prompt by pressing F6.
    Safe Mode command prompt
  4. In the Command Prompt, type the script below and hit Enter.
    net user administrator /active:yes
  5. Login into the built-in administrator user profile and create a new user profile with administrator privileges.
  6. Lock your screen by pressing the Windows key + L, and sign in at the Administrator account.
  7. You can disable the built-in administrator account by typing the script below in the Command Prompt: 
    net user administrator /active:no

The first seven steps should allow you to be ready to create a new user account. Now you can follow these final steps to solve the problem.

3.2 Create a new user account

  1. Right-click the Windows key and select Command prompt (Admin).
  2. Type the script below and hit Enter.
    net user NewAccount password /add
  3. Run the next script below as well.
    net localgroup Administrators NewAccount /add
  4. Log off from the system and log in to the new user account.

Following these steps, you have enabled the built-in administrator and created a new user profile. Transfer all the data from the corrupted user to the newly created user profile and verify if the issue has been resolved.

Following one of the three above solutions should help you fix your issue. Let us know in the comments section below if you have any suggestions.

Viber Not Installing on PC: 5 Ways to Fix It

Viber is a chat messaging app that allows users to communicate with their friends and family members through text messages.  While it does its job well most of the time, sometimes Viber is not opening and other times you can’t even install it.

If you have tried installing Viber on your PC and have faced any issues, this article will help you. We have covered all the possible methods that can be used to install Viber on a PC.

Why can’t I install Viber on my PC?

There are a few reasons why you might not be able to install Viber on your PC. Some of them include:

  • Geo-restriction – Some applications are only available for certain countries. If Viber is not available in your country, it won’t install. You need to find a way to circumvent geoblocking.
  • Firewall/antivirus interference – Your antivirus software may be blocking the installation file from being downloaded from the Internet. 
  • Hardware requirements – It is possible that your PC does not meet the minimum requirements for running Viber.
  • Corrupted download – If you’re downloading Viber from an unofficial site, the installation file may be corrupted hence why you cannot complete the process. Also, check out if Windows 11 can detect pirated software.
  • Insufficient space – If you’re running low on memory, you may have trouble completing and installing downloads.
  • Outdated OS – If you’re running an older version of Windows, it may not be optimized for the updated version of Viber.
  • Unofficial/discontinued version – Some features of Viber are only available on older versions of the app or have been discontinued. This means that even after downloading it, Viber might keep crashing on your PC.

It’s also important to note that if the problem is Viber not installing on your PC, the solutions below may help. However, if it is not an isolated issue and you’re wondering why apps won’t install on your PC, you may need a different approach.

What can I do if Viber is not installing on my PC?

Before you proceed to the slightly technical solutions, try the following:

  • Check out the list of supported countries for Viber and ensure your region is listed.
  • Ensure your PC meets the minimum system requirements to run Viber.
  • Verify that you’re downloading from the official Viber website or Microsoft Store.
  • Delete the download file and redownload.

1. Clear hard disk space

  1. Press the Search icon, type this pc in the search box, then click Open.
  2. Right-click on the drive you want to clean up and select Properties from the list of available options.
  3. Click on Disk Cleanup under the Properties window and wait for it to calculate how much space you’ll be able to free.
  4. Select the types of files you want to delete and click OK (you can delete temporary files, log files, files in your recycle bin, etc.).
  5. Click on Clean Up System Files and wait until the cleaner calculates everything. It will give you even more free space by cleaning some unnecessary system files.
  6. Press OK after you make your selection to confirm the deletion.

Performing a Disk Cleanup is just one of the many ways available to free some hard disk space. Don’t forget to check out our comprehensive article on more ways to get rid of junk files and unwanted apps.

2. Use a VPN

One of the most reliable solutions to this problem is to use a VPN to get around your region’s restrictions and bypass Viber’s server block. In this case, you can use a VPN that masks your IP address, making it impossible for an ISP to recognize your device.

Here’s how you can easily get one of the best VPN services:

  1. Download and install ExpressVPN from their official website.
  1. Open the app and select Choose location to view all the available IP locations.
  2. Click on the Recommended button and pick your region.
  1. Enjoy using the ExpressVPN service.

A VPN will allow you to access content on Viber from anywhere in the world.

ExpressVPN

Never worry about geo-blocking and solve connectivity issues with this powerful VPN solution.
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3. Scan for viruses

  1. Press the Windows key, search Windows Security and click Open.
  2. Select Virus & threat protection.
  3. Next, press Quick scan under Current threats.
  4. If you don’t find any threats, proceed to perform a full scan by clicking on Scan options just below Quick scan.Scan options
  5. Click on Full scan to perform a deep scan of your PC.
  6. Wait for the process to finish and restart your system.

4. Disable antivirus/firewall temporarily

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

5. Update your OS

  1. Hit the Windows key and click on Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Select Windows Update on the left pane then click on Check for updates.check-updates lenovo-ideapad-keyboard-not-working
  3. If available, click Download & install.

We have a lot more in store so if you have problems with Viber not delivering your messages, or system temporary failure, check out our article for quick fixes.

Don’t forget to acquaint yourself with offline messaging apps so that you can stay connected to your friends and family even without an internet connection.

In the comment section below, Share which method worked for you if Viber was not installed on your PC.

Outlook Deleted Emails Keep Coming Back: 5 Fixes to Apply

Emails are wonderful as they enable us to discuss things in detail, but many reported that deleted emails keep coming back in Outlook.

While many users want to recover deleted emails in Outlook, some want to remove them permanently.

Not being able to remove emails can be a problem, but in today’s guide, we’re going to show you the best ways you can use to fix this problem.

Why are deleted Outlook emails keep coming back?

There are several causes for this issue, but here are the most common ones:

  • Add-ins issues – Sometimes add-ins can cause a problem such as this one. Sometimes add-ins aren’t working properly, and that can issues like this. Speaking of add-ins and issues, visit our guide on Asana add-in not working in Outlook for more information.
  • Corrupted OST file – If this happens, you need to delete the OST file and recreate it.

What can I do if deleted Outlook emails keep coming back?

1. Try out a different email client for enhanced reliability

Some clients are meant to make your work experience better. Outlook often gives you the tools that you need to manage your workflow and work with an entire team.

However, you can find alternative productivity email clients that have a similar task and team management tools.

Luckily, most email clients are similar when it comes to user experience, so you won’t need to adjust too much if you decide to switch. 

2. Disable problematic add-ins

  1. Press the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut, type Outlook /safe, and press Enter.safe mode outlook mail
  2. This will run Outlook in safe mode.
  3. If the issue doesn’t appear, it means that one of the Add-ins is causing the issue.

Next, you need to find and disable problematic add-ins.

  1. To do that, click on File and then Options.

  2. Lastly, choose Add-ins.
  3. There you will find Manage Com-in Add. Click on the Go button beside it.
  4. If there are any add-ins listed, clear the checkbox for one add-in and restart Outlook and check if the issue is still persisting.
  5. In case the issue is still there, repeat the above step with another add-in until you have zeroed in on the target.

3. Delete the OST file and rebuild a new one

  1. Close Outlook if it is open.
  2. Press the Windows key + R and enter %LOCALAPPDATA%/Microsoft/Outlook
  3. Right-click the .ost file and select Delete.
    delete ost data outlook

Sometimes, there might be corruption in the OST files which can be another reason for a host of issues with Outlook, including deleted emails getting back. Use the above steps to correct that in no time.

4. Recreate OST file

  1. Click on File and then select Info.
  2. Click on Account Setting. Thereafter, double-click on Microsoft Exchange..

  3. There is the Setting pop-up that appears. Click on More Settings.
  4. Click on Advanced. Next, select Offline Folder File Setting.

  5. Select a location where .ost file will be saved and click on OK.
  6. There might be an error message shown. Click on OK. This will create a new ost file.
  7. Click on OK and then Finish.

Once you have successfully deleted the OST file, the next step would be to recreate it. Use the above steps in that regard.

5. Empty the Recoverable Items folder

Note icon NOTE
This method will delete all accidentally deleted emails, so use it as a last resort.
  1. Press Windows key + X and choose Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  2. Now run the following commands: Search-Mailbox -Identity "xxxx yyyy" -SearchDumpsterOnly -TargetMailbox "Discovery Search Mailbox" -TargetFolder "xxxxyyyy-RecoverableItems" -DeleteContent

  3. This method will delete the mailbox but copy its data to a different one. If you don’t want to recover data, use this command instead: Search-Mailbox -Identity "xxxx yyyy" -SearchDumpsterOnly -DeleteContent

Do keep in mind that you need to change the parameters so that they match the ones on your PC.

This isn’t the only problem that users can encounter, and many reported that emails are disappearing from Outlook, but we covered that issue in a separate guide.

Are things any better now? Don’t hesitate to let us know via the comments area below.

Switch Out of S Mode on Windows 10 With These 2 Easy Methods

Windows S Mode is an extra secure mode of Windows, but many are wondering how to switch out of S Mode since it enforces severe limitations.

Despite increased security, many reported This app can’t run on your PC error while using S Mode.

That is precisely why we’ve created this step-by-step guide, to show you exactly how you can disable this feature.

What is S Mode and how does it work?

S Mode is a version of Windows that is optimized for performance and security. This is achieved by allowing users only to install apps from the Microsoft Store.

In addition, this mode forces you to use Microsoft Edge for maximum security against online threats. With a focus on CPU and RAM optimization, it’s perfect for low-end devices.

Is it possible to turn off Windows S Mode?

Many budget PCs come with S Mode enabled by default in order to protect users from online threats and optimize resource usage.

If you’re an advanced user and you can stay safe from online threats on your own, you can easily turn off the S Mode, and this guide will show you how to do it.

Is it OK to switch out of S mode?

In most cases, yes. Microsoft Store has a limited choice of applications, and if you want to use your PC to the maximum potential, you should disable the S Mode.

The performance boost is negligible, and while your PC can potentially get infected, you shouldn’t have any issues as long as you use reliable antivirus software.

Pros and Cons of switching out of S Mode

Even though S Mode will limit you in a lot of ways, it will also offer improved security and machine performance, and also create important OneDrive backups.

In our opinion, switching out of it brings more options since it allows you to install any app without restrictions like on any other operating system, so there’s no reason to keep S Mode enabled.

Pros
Enhanced security
S Mode is streamlined to eliminate RAM and CPU use
Everything you do gets automatically saved to OneDrive
Cons
Can only download new software from the Microsoft Store
Antivirus options limited to Windows Defender
Only Microsoft-designed apps are allowed

How long does it take to turn off S Mode?

It doesn’t require much time to deactivate S Mode and you can perform it manually on your Windows device.

You can thus perform the task easily from the settings and activate the standard OS. On the Microsoft Store page, you should have a button that will get you out of S Mode almost instantly.

How do I switch out of S mode Windows 10?

1. Use the dedicated option in the Settings menu

Note icon NOTE
This method will require you to sign in to your Microsoft account before you can leave the S Mode.
  1. 1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.

  2. 2. Go to Update & Security.

    go to update and security
  3. 3. Look at the left pane and select Activation.

    go to windows activation settings
  4. 4. Select the Go to Microsoft Store link.

    go to the store option
  5. 5. Press the Get button.

    press get
  6. 6. Click the Install button.

    install the switch out of s mode
  7. 7. Select Yes, let’s go when prompted.

  8. By following these steps, you should be able to safely and securely switch back from Windows 10 S mode to the regular Windows 10

    The good thing about these steps is that they work silently in the background and that you don’t have to even reboot your PC for the changes to take place.

2. Reset Windows

Note icon NOTE
Resetting Windows will delete your installed apps and files, so it’s advised to back them up before proceeding.
  1. Press Windows key + S and enter recovery. Select Recovery options from the list.
  2. Click on Get started button in Reset this PC section.
  3. Choose the desired option and follow the instructions on the screen.

For a detailed explanation, we suggest reading our guide on how to factory reset your PC for more information.

How can I switch out of S Mode without using the Microsoft account?

Unfortunately, it’s not possible to switch out of S Mode without using Microsoft Store and Microsoft account.

There were workarounds available in the past, but Microsoft patched them. Currently, the only way to leave S Mode on your PC without Microsoft account is by performing a factory reset or a clean install.

How can I get out of S Mode on Windows 11?

Windows 11 also has S Mode, and yes, you can leave it anytime you want. The process is almost identical to the one on Windows 10, so we won’t go into it in this guide.

To learn more about it, visit our how to turn off S Mode in Windows 11 guide for detailed information.

Can I switch back to S Mode?

No, once you exit the S Mode, there’s no way to enable it again from the Settings app, so you’ll be forced to use your PC without it.

It’s possible to reinstall Windows and enable S Mode, but for that, you’ll need to modify your system image.

Windows 10’s S Mode has garnered mixed feelings from users, with some loving the new feature while others don’t. It was barely released and already with a handful of issues that made it unavailable for some.

Does getting out of S Mode slow down the laptop?

If you want to turn off Windows S Mode, you shouldn’t worry about slowing down your laptop. There are no performance differences between the two modes, so you can switch out anytime you need.

You should know that Windows S Mode includes all the features of the standard Windows 10, only without downloading applications from other sources.

Hence, it will not impact your speed or performance if you decide to switch it off.

One problem with it is that it can prevent you from accessing certain files. If you’re having such issues, you should visit our These files can’t be opened error guide for more information.

What are your opinions about Windows 10’s S Mode? Let us know what you think of this security mode in the comments section below.

How to Enable Winodws 10 Auto Login: 2 Easy Ways

What if you don’t want any security layers in between and want to auto-login in Windows 10? It can come in handy when your computer won’t let you type your password or if you simply don’t want to type it by hand.

This is fairly simple to set up and in this article, we walk you through the steps to enable auto login in Windows 10.

How can I enable auto login in Windows 10?

1. Configure User Accounts settings

  1. 1. Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.

  2. 2. In the Run dialog box, type netplwiz and click OK. This will open the User Accounts window.

  3. 3. Uncheck the Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer box.

    Enable auto login Windows 10
  4. 4. Click Apply.

  5. 5. When prompted to user credentials, enter the username and password to disable password-based login. You may have to enter the username and password twice.

  6. 6. Click OK to save and exit the window.

  7. 7. On the next restart, you will be able to log in without entering a password for you account.

  8. You can remove the necessity to input a password every time you open your PC by disabling the login credentials. This can be done from the User Accounts menu in Control Panel.

A few users reported that the checkbox from Step 3 is missing on their PC. If that’s the case, you can get it back by doing the following:

  1. Press Windows key + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
  2. Now run the following command: reg ADD “HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\PasswordLess\Device” /v DevicePasswordLessBuildVersion /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
  3. Once the command is completed, repeat this solution again, and the checkbox should be available.

2. Edit the Registry Editor

  1. If the first method did not work and Windows 10 still asks for a password during login, try this registry hack.
  2. Before making any changes to the registry, create a system restore point. It will allow you to restore the PC to normal if something goes wrong.
  3. After creating a restore point, proceed to next steps.

Edit registry files

  1. Press Windows key + R to open Run.
  2. Type regedit and click OK to open the Registry Editor.
  3. In the Registry Editor navigate to the following location:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
  4. Next, locate the following values in the right pane:
    • DefaultUserName
    • DefaultPassword
    • AutoAdminLogon
  5. In case you can’t find one or more of these values, you need to manually create them. You can do that by right-clicking the right pane and expanding the New menu. Now choose String Value.
    select new and string value
  6. Name the newly created String Values accordingly.
  7. Next, double-click each to edit them. You need to set the Value data as follows:
    • DefaultUserName: WindowsReport
       
    • DefaultPassword: YourPassword
    • AutoAdminLogon: 1
  8. Close Registry Editor and restart your PC.
Note icon NOTE
We need to mention that this second solution only works for Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, Windows Server 2012 R2.

Setting up auto login in Windows 10 is fairly simple. However, some users reported that they can’t log into Windows 10 at all, and we covered that issue in a separate guide.

We hope that our solutions helped you enable auto login on your PC. Let us know in the comments section below if you have any questions about this topic.

Fix: Microsoft Family Safety is Not Working on Windows 11

Microsoft Family, as the name suggests, is meant to keep users in touch with their loved ones. Parents can decide how long their kids will play games on their Xbox consoles or PC, and also keep track of how much time they spend online. Several users have reported that for them Microsoft Family Safety is not working in Windows 11.

This issue triggers right after upgrading to Windows 11. Fortunately, in this guide, we will give you a bunch of solutions that will help you fix that Microsoft Safety is not working on Windows 11.

Why is Microsoft Family Safety not working on Windows 11?

After some internet research, we have created some of the most common reasons which you will come across Microsoft Family Safety not working on Windows 11:

  • Disable Windows Firewall: Often aggressive Firewall settings can block certain features of the Microsoft Family Safety not working on Windows 11.
  • Verify your Microsoft Family account: If your Microsoft account has some issues, then this could cause multiple issues with the program associated with it.
  • Update Windows: You should make sure that the Windows version you have installed on your PC is up to date for all programs to work efficiently.
  • Check the control level: If the recent usage data isn’t visible on your child’s device, then there are some issues with the control level settings.

What can I do if Microsoft Family Safety is not working on Windows 11?

1. Disable Windows Firewall or antivirus

  1. Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
  2. Type Firewall and open Windows Defender Firewall.
  3. Click on Turn off Windows Defender Firewall from the left section.
  4. Click the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) radio option for both Public and Private networks.

Windows Firewall or any other antivirus is often the main reason why some programs misbehave or create issues within the app. In such a case, we would suggest you disable the Windows Defender Firewall.

We have shown the above steps for the Windows Defender Firewall, but you get the idea and do the same for any antivirus software that you are using.

2. Verify your Microsoft Family account

  1. Go to Microsoft’s support page. 
  2. Hit the Sign in button.
  3. Verify your account and fix the account issues.

Often after a certain time period, your Microsoft account may expire on your kid’s device. When this happens then the data isn’t sent from the device, causing multiple issues.

In this case, we would suggest you verify your Microsoft Family account and see if this resolves the Microsoft Family Safety not working in Windows 11.

3. Update Windows

  1. Press the Win + I keys to open the Settings menu.
  2. Click on Windows Update on the left pane.
  3. Hit the Check for updates button.
  4. Your system will start looking for a new update.
  5. If it detects a new one, then will prompt you to install the update.
  6. Click the Download and Install button.

As important as it is for the programs to be up to date, you should make sure that you are running the latest Windows update on your PC. This would prevent conflict with programs and also resolve several petty glitches.

4. Check the Family Safety control level

  1. Press the Win + I keys to open the Settings menu.
  2. Select Privacy and Security from the left pane.
  3. Click on the Diagnostic and Feedback option.
  4. See you can view the recent usage data from your child’s device.

If there is no data, then the Family Safety app is working properly, but the control level is not appropriate. You can check out our list of the best parental control software for Windows.

5. Re-add family member

  1. Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
  2. Type Family Options and open it.
  3. Click on View family settings.
  4. Sign in to the Microsoft Family Safety portal.
  5. On the family member you want to remove, click on the 3-dot icon.
  6. Select the Remove from family group option.
  7. Click on Remove.
  8. Click on Add a family member option.

Sometimes, issues with the added account could cause Microsoft Family not to work on Windows 11. You can easily remove and re-add the family member using the above-mentioned methods and check if this resolves the issue or not.

That is it from us in this guide. If you are looking for ways to change the Microsoft Family Safety settings, then you can check out our guide and do it easily.

We have a dedicated that gives you all the insights that you need to know about the Microsoft Family Safety feature. If you are using Windows 10 and you are facing Microsoft Family Safety not working on Windows 10, then check out our guide and fix the problem in no time.

If this feature isn’t working, you can also go ahead and disable Family Safety features, and we have a great guide that shows you how to do it.

Feel free to let us know in the comments below, which one of the above solutions helped you solve the issue.