Microsoft announced that it has plans underway to stop selling both Windows 10 Home and Pro licenses, including license keys at the end of this month, on January 31. As you might already be aware, Microsoft will officially cut support for Windows 10 on October 14, 2025. Therefore, this could be Microsoft’s way of preparing toward cutting support for the OS entirely.
The company halting sales doesn’t mean that it will stop supporting Windows 10, in fact, it will continue to push security updates to the OS till it reaches its end of support date. That said, customers can make their purchases till January 31, after that, it will be impossible though it isn’t yet clear if this also applies to retailers and OEMs.
A Microsoft spokesman told The Verge that, “Customers have until January 31, 2023, to purchase Windows 10 Home and Windows 10 Pro from this site,” and goes on to indicate that users should consider upgrading to Windows 11.
Microsoft first launched Windows 10 back in 2015, the company promises to continue providing security updates for the OS till 2025. In other related news, Microsoft announced that it was going to cut support for ESUs for Windows 7 on January 10 and further urged users to upgrade their devices and OS.
On the System Information page, if you see the Secure boot option is off, but in BIOS, it is shown as Active, which can be confusing. However, it could be due to some misconfigured settings in BIOS, and it can be sorted with a few steps.
Here in this guide, we will discuss some steps to fix this issue right after examining the causes of the issue. Let’s get started!
What causes the Secure Boot enabled but not active issue?
There could be various reasons why secure boot is not active on your computer, some of them are mentioned here:
Secure Boot feature disabled – Check if the Secure Boot option in UEFI firmware settings is set to Disabled; the feature won’t work, even if it is technically enabled. So, double-check the settings in BIOS to be sure.
CSM enabled – If Compatibility Support Module is enabled in UEFI settings, you might see that secure boot is not an active issue. It would be best if you disabled it to get the Secure boot option.
BIOS is outdated – if BIOS is not up to date, it might not support the Secure boot feature. Check the manufacturer’s website to download and install BIOS updates to enable the feature.
Scan for viruses – If your computer is infected with malware or viruses, you might see that secure boot is not active. You need to run a malware scan using a security tool.
Now that we know the problem, let’s fix it using the solutions below.
What can I do if secure boot is enabled but not active?
Before moving to actual troubleshooting steps, apply these quick steps:
Check for Windows updates.
The operating system must be configured to support Secure boot.
Press the Windows key, type cmd, and click Run as administrator.
Type the following command to check the BIOS version and press Enter: wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion
Next, open the device manufacturer’s website or open the assistant app if provided by the manufacturer. For demonstration purposes, we are using the HP Support Assistant tool.
Open the app. Go to Updates, then click Check for updates.
If there is an update available, download and install the BIOS.
If you have an older BIOS version or you don’t have an update tool, we have a complete guide on how to update BIOS in Windows 10 that will provide step-by-step instructions.
2. Disable CSM
Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Go to Update & Security.
Now, click Recovery from the left pane and under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
From the Choose an option window, select Troubleshoot.
Now select Advanced Options.
On the Advanced Options window, select UEFI Firmware Settings.
Click Restart.
The computer will restart and provide you with some options. First, choose the appropriate option to enter BIOS.
Go to the Boot tab or Security tab, select CSM and choose Disabled.
Now switch to the Exit tab and select Save changes and exit.
3. Change the platform
Enter the BIOS mode using the method explained in the above method.
Navigate to SystemMode and select User instead of Setup.
Now locate Secure Boot Mode and choose Custom if Standard is selected.
Then again, change it back to Standard.
Now switch to the Exit tab and select Save changes and exit.
Again enter the BIOS using the method mentioned in method 2.
From the Boot menu or Security menu, choose Secure boot.
Select Enabled. Now switch to the Exit tab select Save changes and exit.
Remember that BIOS software differs for manufacturers and motherboards, so your menu might differ from our solution. Nevertheless, you will find the Secure Boot option within its settings.
5. Scan your computer for malware
Press the Windows key, type Windows Security, and press click Open.
Go to Virus & Threat Protection and click Scan options.
Now select Full Scan, and click Scan now.
Once the scan is complete, delete all the malicious files found.
A less probable scenario of Secure Boot being disabled is that a virus or malware did that. Scanning your system with Windows Defender might solve the problem.
Of course, you can do that with a more powerful antivirus to be absolutely sure that your computer is safe.
So, you need to follow these steps to fix the secure boot enabled but not active. If you have upgraded to the latest OS, here’s our guide on how to fix the secure boot enabled but not active on Windows 11.
Try these methods and let us know which worked for you in the comments below.
DesktopWindowXamlSource is a Windows application programming interface (API) that lets an app host XAML controls in a desktop window. If you see DesktopWindowXamlSource empty window, then it could be due to API being misused.
The issue is linked with Microsoft OneDrive and got fixed in 2021. However, the forums flooded with questions regarding the error suggest otherwise.
Here in this guide, we will discuss some methods to fix the error after discussing the causes. Let’s get started!
What causes DesktopWindowXamlSource empty window to come up?
There can be various reasons for the empty window to come up; some of the popular ones are:
Problem with Windows UI automation framework – If there is an issue with the Windows UI automation framework, which is responsible for providing accessibility features for Windows apps, then it might be stuck with the desktop window XAML source not responding
Windows updates pending – If your computer has pending Windows updates, you might get this error.
Problem with the OneDrive app – If the app in question is not working fine or has some missing files, you could get this error.
Corrupt system files – If your Windows has damaged system files, then it could cause a lot of issues, including this one.
What can I do to remove the DesktopWindowXamlSource empty window?
Before engaging in the troubleshooting steps to eliminate this problem, please perform these preparatory checks:
Restart the OneDrive app
Restart your computer
1. Update the Windows
Press Windows + I to get Settings.
Click Windows Update from the left pane, and click Check for updates.
If there is an update, download and install it.
Restart your computer when prompted.
2. Repair corrupt system files
Press the Windows key, type CMD and click Run as administrator.
Type the following command and press Enter: sfc/scannow
Copy and paste the following commands one by one and press Enter after every command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealthDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealthDISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Wait for the process to complete, and restart your computer.
Double-click the installer file and follow the onscreen instructions to complete it.
So, these are the methods to remove DesktopWindowXamlSource empty window. Try them and let us know what worked for you to resolve this OneDrive error in the comments section below.
Now select Projecting to this PC from the left pane.
Click Optional features.
On the Optional Features page, click Add a feature.
On the Add an optional feature window, search Wireless Display. Select Wireless Display.
Click Install. Once it is installed, restart your PC.
Now go to Projecting to this PC, click Available everywhere or Available everywhere on a secure networks.
Now, click Apply.
1.2 Connect
Launch the Action Center.
Click Connect.
Select the projecting device. Please wait for a minute and let the devices pair.
Put a checkmark on Allow input from a keyboard or mouse connected to this display.
Click Change projection mode and select Extend from the Project option.
You can terminate the connection by clicking on Disconnect anytime.
Using Microsoft’s Miracast adapter? Get the Wireless Display Adapter app to update firmware, adjust display settings, and fix common connection issues.
Normally, this isn’t really a problem because MRT only runs every once in a while. The problem lies when MRT begins to run for an extended period of time; even days on end. Now, something’s wrong.
What causes MRT.exe to malfunction and use a lot of the CPU?
Besides high CPU usage, other notable symptoms include your computer becoming really hot and scanning errors. To understand why this happens, it’s important to look at the likely culprits.
Your computer is infected with malware or a computer virus: This is by far the most likely reason. You may even have malware masquerading as MRT.exe. Use an antivirus app to clean this up.
Some kind of software was incorrectly installed: Bad installations can cause app problems because important files are not located where they should be.
Something in your system is corrupted: As a result of a bad installation, files can get corrupted interrupting key functions. We recommend repairing and restoring these corrupt files.
How can I stop MRT.exe from using CPU resources?
In order to stop the Malicious Software Removal Tool from malfunctioning, you need to first figure out what’s wrong with it. You can do this by checking the software’s logs.
Before you delve into your computer’s files, there are a couple of quick solutions we recommend you try out:
Open the Task Manager and attempt to end the Malicious Software Removal Tool task in the window. If Task Manager doesn’t close it, we recommend using the Taskkill command.
Run a full virus scan with Windows Defender if you have a Windows 10 or 11 machine. Malware may have infected your computer.
Right-click the Windows menu icon in the bottom-left corner and select Run.
Type %systemroot%\debug in the Run command and hit Enteron your keyboard.
Double-click the mrt text document to open it in Notepad. The file will tell you the last time MRT.EXE ran.
Look under the Results Summary.
If it says no infection was found, there’s nothing else you can do. The problem lies elsewhere. If it does say something was found, proceed to the next solution.
2. Delete and reinstall MRT.exe.
Bring up the Windows search bar and type in MRT.exe.
Click Open file location when MRT.exe pop up.
Right-click MRT.exe and select Delete in the context menu.
If you don’t see MRT.exe anywhere, click View at the top of File Explorer.
Check the box next to Hidden Items. MRT.exe should appear now.
Go to Microsoft’s Download Center to download a fresh copy of the Malicious Software Removal Tool. There are 32-bit and 64-bit versions available depending on the type of computer you have.
Go to where the location of the new Malicious Software Removal Tool. Double-click to begin the installation. If a User Access Control window appears, select Yes.
When installing the software, select Full Scan to start things off. Give your computer enough time to finish.
If you get an error stating MRT.exe is missing after deleting it, go to Microsoft’s Learn page and download Autoruns.
Double-click Autoruns.exe and select Extract all. Follow the instructions in the subsequent extraction process.
Now run Autoruns.exe after your computer finishes extracting the files.
In Autoruns, click Search at the top of the window.
Search for MRT.exe in the small window that appears.
Once MRT.exe is located, right-click and select Delete.
The Component-Based Servicing (CBS for short) log file has been reported to become suddenly corrupt after a Windows update. It is pretty important since it keeps track of whenever new updates are installed.
This error prevents the dotNet Framework from updating your Windows computer. Running an SFC scan can fix this, but you might also have to update drivers manually.
Feel free to comment below if you have questions about other native Windows software. And please tell us if there’s a specific guide for any Windows error you’d like to see.
Find below the easiest methods to add Windows 11 to a domain.
Joining Windows 11 to a domain has several benefits. Some include centralized management, better security, allowing you to back up, remote access to network resources, and resource sharing.
Sounds good? Let’s get started!
What can I do to add Windows 11 to a domain?
Before engaging in troubleshooting methods, make sure you go through the preliminary checks:
An active internet connection
A domain name and credentials are provided by your IT administrator.
Windows 11 must meet the system requirements to join a domain.
Windows 11 must be connected to the same network as the domain controller.
Press the Windows key, type PowerShell, and click Run as administrator.
Type the following command, replace %domainname% with the appropriate domain name for your network, and press Enter: Add-Computer -DomainName %domainname% -Credential (Get-Credential)
You will get a prompt to enter the username and password of an account with permission to join the domain.
4. Use the Command Prompt
Press the Windows key, type CMD and click Run as administrator.
Copy and paste the following command, replace %computername%, %domainname%, %username%, and %password% with the suitable values for your network, and press Enter: netdom join %computername% /domain:%domainname% /userd:%username% /passwordd:%password%
Restart your computer once done.
Can Windows 11 Home join a domain?
No. Windows 11 can’t join a domain. This feature is only available in Windows 11 Prop, Enterprise and Education. If you need domain capabilities, you have to upgrade from Home to one of those.
So, these are the methods that you need to follow to join Windows 11 to a domain. Try these methods to add it to the domain, and let us know which worked for you in the comments section below.
Microsoft has embedded several security features in Windows to ensure that your PC remains safe and secure. One of these is Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows 11.
If you get Windows requires a digitally signed driver or a similar message. This feature is the problem, and today, we will show you how to disable the driver signature enforcement in Windows 11.
What happens when you disable Driver Signature Enforcement?
Disabling driver signature enforcement allows unsigned drivers to be installed on the system. This can be useful for installing older or custom drivers that Microsoft does not digitally sign, but it can also increase the risk of installing malicious or unstable drivers.
Disabling Driver Signature Enforcement allows you to install drivers that Microsoft doesn’t verify. This comes with a couple of benefits and flaws:
Security concerns – By disabling this feature, you’ll allow unverified drivers to be installed on your PC. This can be a security risk and allow rootkits to be installed. If this happens, you’ll need USB antivirus software to remove them.
Testing purposes – If you’re developing a driver or using older drivers for some reason, you’ll need to disable this feature to install unsigned drivers.
Now, let us explore how to disable Driver Signature Enforcement.
Should I disable the Driver Signature Enforcement feature in Windows 11?
This is the real question here. Though you may want to install a driver that performs better, it’s not always safe. So, if the current ones work just fine, there’s no need to experiment with new ones.
The Driver Signature Enforcement feature is there for a reason, and when you disable it, it negates the whole purpose. Microsoft signs drivers after they are thoroughly checked, their authenticity and reliability verified, and these are the ones that should be installed.
But if you want to download an unsigned driver, conduct thorough research on the source and the driver itself. Once satisfied, you can disable the feature and install the driver.
How can I disable Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows 11?
1. Via Windows Recovery Environment (RE)
Press the Windows key to launch the Start menu, click on the Power icon, press and hold the Shift key, and then click on Restart to enter the recovery mode in Windows 11.
Once the OS enters the recovery environment, click on Troubleshoot.
Next, click Advanced options.
Select Startup settings from the six options listed here.
Finally, press the F7 or 7 key to boot Windows with the Driver Signature Enforcement feature disabled.
Once the system restarts, Driver Signature Enforcement will be disabled in Windows 11. You can now install the desired unsigned driver on your PC. To enable Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows 11, restart the computer.
2. Use Command Prompt
NOTE
This solution will only work if Secure Boot is disabled. We have a guide on how to enable Secure Boot, but you can use the same methods to disable it.
Click the Start button, type cmd, and select Run as administrator from the results.
Now, type or paste the following command and press Enter to run it: bcdedit /set nointegritychecks on
To check if the command worked, type the following command and look if the nointegritychecks value is set to Yes: bcdedit
This method ensures Windows 11 disables Driver Signature Enforcement permanently. However, make sure that you disable Secure Boot first. Otherwise, the command will not work.
Issues with the Windows system files can be tricky to identify and even more so to fix. It is always a great idea to employ the help of specialized software, whcih can greatly simplify the process.
Turn off the computer, and as soon as the display lights up, hit the F8 key repeatedly before Windows starts to boot to launch the Advanced Boot Options.
Use the arrow keys to select the Disable Driver Signature Enforcement option, and then hit Enter.
These are all the ways you can disable Driver Signature Enforcement in Windows 11. We could earlier execute a bunch of commands in the previous iterations for the same, but with Secure Boot being mandatory in Windows 11, those wouldn’t work anymore.
For those wondering how to check if Driver Signature Enforcement is disabled, try installing an unsigned driver or check the Group Policy settings. Besides, if you remember disabling it via the Recovery Mode, another restart will enable Driver Signature Enforcement by default.
In most cases, updating the driver should help boost the device’s performance if you disable the feature for that.
For that, you can use Fortect, a dedicated tool that will automatically install the latest updates for the drivers on your system and keep them all up-to-date.
Do not hesitate to tell us which method you chose to disable the driver signature enforcement feature in Windows 11 and the driver you were trying to install in the comments section below.
If you’re a web developer, then you’re probably familiar with Cypress, a tool for testing modern applications for browsers. However, users have reported receiving the error message browser: ‘Chrome’ was not found on your system or is not supported by Cypress.
Using Docker to run Google Chrome is also a great way to use the browser without installing it onto your system. Running Chrome in a Docker container is also good for running tests for web applications.
Why is Chrome not opening on my computer?
Usually, the error, browser: ‘Chrome’ was not found on your system occurs because the chrome.exe file is not installed in the default folder. If it’s located somewhere different, then Cypress will have difficulty locating it and thus will produce the error.
For those wondering if Cypress works with Chrome, the answer is Yes. Chrome, along with a few other browsers developed on the Chromium engine, are all supported by Cypress.
But remember, Cypress still doesn’t support all browsers, and you should verify that beforehand in order to avoid running into errors later.
Quick tip:
Choosing the best browser can make all the difference when it comes to workflow, customizations and user data. We recommended Opera One because it offers a feature-packed interface and is one of the only browsers with a built-in VPN.
Also, this browser has been running on Google’s open source Chromium. This means you can install any web extension from Google’s massive library. The browser also comes with a native AI and social media integration.
Opera One
Choose to navigate safely using this performing browser.
Click on Start and search for Command Prompt and right-click it then select Run as administrator.
Create a directory junction to Chrome’s default folder by typing the following command: C:\mklink /J "C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application" "C:\Program Files \Google Chrome (Local)"
Hit Enter to execute the command.
This is a possible solution if you have Google Chrome installed somewhere other than the default folder, which is where Cypress looks for the browser. Creating a symbolic link (symlink) to the default folder will help Cypress locate Chrome.
Be sure to run Command Prompt as an administrator at that the C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome file path exists before trying this step.
Clearing the cache of Cypress will clear out any installed versions of the program on your PC. Like with any application, clearing the cache is a good way to get rid of any corrupt files and clutter. Be sure to run the command: npm install cypress –save-dev to install Cypress again.
3. Run Chrome as an administrator
Locate the chrome.exe file, right-click on it, and then select Properties.
Under the Compatibility tab, check the box next to Run this program as an administrator.
Click Apply and then OK.
4. Reinstall Google Chrome
Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl in the text field, and hit Enter.
Now, locate Google Chrome, select it, and click on Uninstall.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Once done, head to Chrome’s official website, and download and install the browser (with the default settings) all over again.
If nothing worked, it’s likely an issue with Google Chrome that only a reinstall could fix. And that, too, shouldn’t take more than 10-15 minutes. Once done, the Browser: ‘Chrome’ was not found on your system message should not appear in Cypress any more.
How can you tell if your browser is not working?
Users can tell if their browser is not working if they get error messages like browser: ‘Chrome’ was not found on your system or is not supported by Cypress, or the message: Google Chrome not found on this system. These error messages appear in web application testing programs like Cypress or in Docker.
Hopefully, one of the above solutions helped fix the error browser: ‘Chrome’ was not found on your system.
Many gamers reported that the mouse and keyboard are not working in League of Legends. More specifically, these peripherals stop responding, preventing players from controlling their champions. In this article, we’re going to list a series of workarounds that will help you to solve mouse and keyboard issues in LoL.
How to fix League of Legends mouse and keyboard not working in game?
1. League of Legends mouse doesn’t show
Type Control Panel in the Search menu, go to Hardware and Sound > click on Mouse.
Click on the Pointer Options tab and uncheck the Display Pointer Trails and Hide Pointer While Typing options.
If your mouse cursor doesn’t show when a League of Legends match begins, this could be caused by your Windows mouse settings.
2. Mouse is unresponsive in League of Legends
Right-click the Start icon and select Device Manager.
Go to Universal Serial Bus controllers, expand this class and you’ll see a series of USB Root Hubs
Double click them one by one, go to the Power management and uncheck the option Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
Also, you can try and switch between the ports or, additionally, reinstall the mouse driver. Sometimes, even the slightest outage might cause problems with the mouse while some ports will work better while others might not comply. Moreover, you should try and reinstall the mouse driver, by following these steps:
Right-click on Start and open the Device Manager.
Expand the Mice and other pointing devices section.
Right-click on your mouse and choose to Uninstall device.
Press Alt+F4 until the Power menu appears, and reboot your PC. Keep the mouse plugged in.
You can also, in case you’re using a laptop, power off your device, unplug everything (including the battery) and hold the power button for 60 seconds. That should remove electrical charge from ports and your mouse should work as intended after that.
3. League of Legends keyboard is unresponsive
If LoL doesn’t detect keystrokes, this is usually caused by errors in the input configuration file. To fix this, you need to reset your bound keys.
Launch a custom game, tab out of the game, then open your configurations folder.
Go to the location where you installed the game. The default location is C:/Riot Games/League of Legends/Config
Open the config file and delete input.ini if it exists.
Open persistedSettings.json, press Ctrl + F and look for input.ini
Locate the curly brace on the line above the one containing input.ini. Scroll down to find the closing brace. Delete everything between these braces. Here’s what you should find in these braces:
{
“name”: “Input.ini”,
“Sections”: [
“name”: “GameEvents”,
. . .
}
Save your changes, tab back into League of Legends, then exit the game.
Restart the game.
4. Press Enter and Escape in the game
While in the game, press the Enter key to open the chat window.
Then, press the Escape key to close the chat window.
This simple action has been noted by users to refresh the game’s keyboard input recognition, instantly resolving the issue without having to restart the client.
We hope these solutions help you to solve your LoL mouse and keyboard issues. As always, if you’ve come across other workarounds, feel free to list the troubleshooting steps in the comment section below.
Many gamers reported Van 1067 error in Windows 10, and this error can prevent them from playing the game, however, there are a few solutions that can fix this.
Your security software can sometimes cause this issue as well as pending Windows updates. Problems with network connection are also a common culprit.
What can I do to fix Van 1067 in Windows 10?
Start by ensuring that your PC meets the minimum requirements and has enough storage space. Also, make sure the internet connection is stable and install the required DirectX and Visual C++ Redistributable. You can also temporarily disable your antivirus.
1. Disable Discord’s Automatic boot
Launch the Discord app and go to User Settings.
From the left pane, click Windows Settings.
Disable Open Discord by clicking the toggle button.
2. Change compatibility settings
Go to the Valorant app, right-click it and select Properties.
Switch to the Compatibility tab.
Place a checkmark next to Run the program in compatibility mode for and from the drop-down, and select Windows 8.
Click Update & Security from the left pane and click on Windows Update.
Click Check for Updates if available, and Download & Install the update.
Restart your PC.
4. Use the Services app
Press Windows + R to open the Run window
Type services.msc and press Enter to open Services.
Locate the VGC service, and check if it is running. Double-click on it to open Properties.
Choose Startup type as Automatic and click Start under Services status.
Click Apply and then OK.
5. Reset the network connection
Press the Windows key, type CMD and click Run as administrator.
Copy and paste the following command one by one and press Enter after every command: ipconfig/flushdnsnetsh winsock reset
Once done, restart your computer.
So, these are the steps to fix van 1067 in Windows 10 error. In case you have further problems, we have another guide that can help you resolve Valorant error VAN9003 effectively.
ASUS Aura is a great software for controlling your computer’s LED lights, but many users reported that ASUS Aura has stopped working for them.
This can be a problem, and in today’s article, we’re going to take a closer look and show you how to fix this problem once and for all.
Why is Aura sync not working?
There are several reasons why ASUS Aura is not working, but the most common one is the damaged installation.
It’s worth mentioning that other lighting control software can also interfere with Asus Aura, so you might want to remove it if you suspect that it’s causing issues.
Windows 10 apps have been a huge component of the operating system since their introduction and many use them on a daily basis.
There are hundreds of apps available to choose from, and you’ll find most services available in this form, so you can have them available right at your fingertips.
However, sometimes Windows 10 apps won’t connect to the Internet. If this happens, your app will become almost useless.
This can turn into an issue especially if you rely on those apps on daily basis, but luckily, there are ways to correct that right away.
What can I do if Microsoft apps aren’t connecting to the Internet?
1. Use a VPN
Sometimes using a VPN can help circumvent issues such as this one. Your ISP might be blocking certain servers, thus causing this problem.
A few users reported that using a VPN solved this problem for them, so you might want to try that. There are many great applications that you can take advantage of, but we suggest Private Internet Access for the best results.
2. Use the dedicated troubleshooter
Click the Start button and select Settings.
Choose Update & Security.
Now click on Troubleshoot from the left and select Additional troubleshooters from the right.
Scroll down and select Windows Store Apps and click on Run the troubleshooter.
The system will look for any problems with the apps and try to fix them.
3. Clear the Store cache
Press the Windows key + R to start a Run console, type wsreset.exe, and press Enter or click OK.
Let the command run and try to connect the apps again to the Internet.
4. Switch off Windows Firewall
Go to search, type firewall, and open Windows Defender Firewall.
In the left pane select Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.
Select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall.
The firewall of some third-party security software could prevent your apps from connecting to the Internet sometimes. So you can try to disable third-party security software and see if anything is different.
5. Run the Internet troubleshooter
Press Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Go to the Update & Security section.
Select Troubleshoot from the left pane. In the right pane, select Additional troubleshooters.
Select Internet Connections and click on Run the troubleshooter.
After that, run Incoming Connections and Network Adapter troubleshooters.
6. Allow other people to use the connection
Press Windows key + S and enter network status. Select View network status and tasks.
Click on Set up a new connection or network.
Choose what type of connection you want to set up and enter your credentials.
Make sure to check Allow other people to use this connection.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.
7. Disable automatic proxy detection
Press Windows key + S and enter proxy. Select Change proxy settings.
Turn off Automatically detect settings.
Now disable all other options as well.
8. Clean boot your PC
Press Windows key + R and enter msconfig. Press Enter.
Go to the Services tab. Check Hide all Microsoft services and click on Disable all.
Click Apply and OK. Don’t restart your PC.
Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
To to the Startup tab. Right-click the first entry and choose Disable.
Repeat this for all entries.
After doing that, restart your computer.
How do I download Universal apps?
Press Windows key + S and enter store. Select Microsoft Store from the list.
Select the app you wish to download.
Now click on Get to download it.
Wait for the download process to finish.
Are Win32 apps better than Universal apps?
Universal apps offer more security since they are distributed by Microsoft, and the user has full control over app access rights.
When it comes to functionality, we can’t help but notice that UWP apps offer fewer features than their Win32 counterparts.
This is because these types of apps are optimized for different platforms, so they will work the same on your PC and Xbox.
On the other hand, Win32 apps are optimized for desktops and laptops, and since they are designed just for one platform, they offer more features to their users.
If the problem doesn’t occur anymore, the issue is related to one of the disabled applications or services, so you need to find it manually.
That would be all, at least one of these solutions should help your apps to establish an Internet connection again.
A Wi-Fi extender is a dedicated device or software, that can repeat and also extend the wireless signal. Shortly, we are discussing a Wi-Fi repeater which is extremely useful when the wireless router cannot provide the signal as far as you want.
Usually, an extender is required in large spaces or buildings where even a specialized router cannot cover the whole space.
So, in that matter, if you are currently looking for the quickest and also cheapest solution read the following lines and learn how to use your own Windows 10 computer as a dedicated Wi-Fi extender.
Of course, the quickest and cheapest solution isn’t always the best one. And that aspect can be applied when we detail the possibilities of extending your Wi-Fi wireless signal.
Thus, the best thing you can do is buying a repeater for under $50 – this will imply in installing a hardware repeater which will extend the existing signal further than your router currently does. Another way that can solve your problem is by buying specialized extender software, which also costs around $50.
But, if you want a fast solution and if you don’t want to pay anything for it, then the built-in Windows 10 feature will be more than perfect for you.
However, unlike the paid possibilities outlined above, the Windows solution comes with a few downsides: this wireless repeater software will create a second hotspot that your devices must connect to.
How can I use my PC as WiFi extender?
It’s not really a classic Wi-Fi extender since a new hotspot network will be created – this network will be different from the real Wi-Fi network provided by your router.
The new wirelesshotspot have its own name and passphrase: on one side of your house, you will have to connect to one network while in the other side you will have to connect to a different one.
Creating a separate wirelesshotspot in Windows 10 for extending the wireless signal is easy. All you have to do is to follow:
Press the Win+I keyboard hotkeys.
From System Settings click on Network & Internet.
In the next Window, from the left panel select the Mobile hotspot entry.
Turn on the ‘Share my Internet connection with other devices’ option.
Then, click on Edit and set a new network name and password.
Save your changes.
That’s all.
As already mentioned, this is the free method in which you can use your Windows 10 computer as a Wi-Fi extender. The other solution consists of buying wireless repeater software that can act as a real wireless repeater.
In that respect, Connectify might be the best choice to make – the software is available under three different pricing plans with the cheapest one starting from $50.
You can compare this method with a traditional hardware solution by checking this guide on how to set up a WiFi extender for a more reliable way to boost wireless coverage.
When loading any of your PS4 games, you may encounter the cannot continue using the application PS4 disc error. The full error reads:
Cannot continue using the application – Disc cannot be read – Make sure the disc is not damaged or dirty.
According to Sony, this error can occur if the console fails to read the disc. The error can also occur due to database errors or even system software glitches.
In this article, we take a look at a couple of solutions to help you resolve the PS4 disc error cannot continue using the application.
How to fix PS4 disc error Cannot continue using the application, the disc cannot be read?
1. Clean the game disc
Eject the disc from the console if it is still running.
If you are unable to eject the disc, turn off the console.
Once turned off, the disc should eject automatically.
Use a clean, soft cloth to clean the dust.
Make sure not to scratch the disc when cleaning it.
Once cleaned, reinsert the game disc into your PlayStation 4 console and check if the error is resolved.
Try another game disc
If the issue persists, check if the console drive is in working condition. To test the drive, insert any other game disc that you have. If the console can read the disc, the issue could be with the game itself.
2. Rebuild Database
Note: Make sure you have created a backup of your data before proceeding with these steps.
Turn off the PlayStation 4 by pressing the power button on the front panel. The power indicator will blink a few times before turning off completely.
Once the console is off, press and hold the power button, release the power button once you hear two beeps that should happen in about 7 seconds.
Connect the PS4 Dual Shock controller using the USB cable to your console.
Press the PS button, and that should boot your console in Safe Mode.
Under Safe Mode, select the Rebuild Database (5).
PS4 will initialize the database rebuilding process. This may take some time, so wait till it is finished.
Once complete, reboot the console and try loading your game. If the error persists, you may have to initialize PlayStation 4, which is similar to resetting the device to factory default.
3. Initialize PlayStation 4
Note:Initializing your PlayStation 4 will delete all user and game data on the hard disk drive. Make sure to create a backup before proceeding with the steps below.
Turn off the console by pressing and holding the power button.
Once turned off, press and hold the power button again for about 7 seconds. Release the button once you hear a beep twice.
Connect your Dual Shock controller to the console using a USB cable.
Press the PS button to enter the Safe Mode.
In the Safe Mode, select the Initialize PS4 option (7).
Wait for the system to initialize the successfully. Once done, you can restore the saved game data from your backup drive easily. Reinsert the game disc and check if the error is resolved.
4. Check the game disc for error
Initializing your PS4 should fix any issue that is occurring due to the system software. If the issue persists, the problem could be with the system hardware or the game disc itself.
Try to load the disc onto your friend’s console to see if the disc is in working condition. If not, try to exchange or return the disc to get a working game disc.
For hardware issues, you need to send the console back to Sony’s service center to get it repaired.
The PS4 disc error cannot continue using the application that can occur if the game disc is corrupted or damaged.
The error can also occur due to a temporary system glitch that you can resolve by rebuilding the database or performing system initialization.
Type diskmgmt.msc and hit Enter to open Disk Management.
Right-click on Disk 0 and select Properties.
Now go to the Volumes tab, and check the partition style. If it is MBR, proceed.
3.2 Change the partition style
Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Go to System, then click Recovery.
Under Advanced startup, click Restart now.
Now from Choose an option window, click Troubleshoot.
Click Advanced Options.
Select Command Prompt from the Advanced Options window.
The computer will restart, select the user account and enter the password.
Now you will get the Command Prompt window.
Type the following command and press Enter: mbrtogpt / validate / disk : 0
Once you get validation completed successfully, copy and paste the following command and press Enter: mbrtogpt / convert / disk : 0
Now when you have the conversion completed successfully message, type the following command and press Enter: exit
From Choose an option screen, click Turn off your PC. Restart your computer and try to install Windows.
Secure Boot can also affect gaming (Battlefield 2042 now requires Secure Boot to run properly). Thus, the method above can help you also with specific games to make them run well.
So, these are methods that you can use to enable secure boot without BIOS. Try them and let us know what worked for you in the comments below.
Windows by default offers multiple power conserving features to users that includes Sleep mode and Hibernate. Another option is shutdown, which completely shuts your computer, of course.
Sleep mode is the most common power-saving feature that you will come across in laptops. Most of the modern laptops are by default to set to go to sleep after a few minutes of inactivity.
Hibernation is similar to sleep mode but works differently to save more power. Both of these power-saving modes are effective and comes with their pros and cons.
In this article, we take a look at the difference between Hibernate and Sleep mode in Windows 10.
What is the difference between hibernate vs sleep mode?
Sleep Mode
When in Sleep mode, your computer uses very little power. In Sleep mode, Windows saves all the open files and programs in RAM and shut down all other hardware components for the time being.
Having all the files saved in the RAM allows Windows to restore the files and programs as soon as you wake your computer from sleep.
While both Hibernate and Sleep modes appear similar at first glance, the Hibernate mode works differently and is used in different situations.
When in Hibernation, your computer completely shuts down, drawing no power. However, unlike Sleep mode, the computer saves all the open files and programs in a Hibernation File stored in your hard drive.
When you are ready to resume work, your computer will load the progress from the hard drive’s Hibernation file. This may take a few seconds or minutes more than waking up from Sleep mode as the files are stored in your hard drive.
In my testing, the computer could get back to work from Sleep mode in about 3 seconds with the lock screen on. However, hibernate mode resumed in over 8-10 seconds, that is, after saving the Hibernation file in a Samsung 970 Evo Plus NVMe SSD drive.
Is it better to shut down or sleep or hibernate Windows 10?
Sleep – In a situation where you just need a quick break from your work, sleep is the best option. This way, you can save power, but also resume work almost instantly since the file is stored in RAM.
On the flip side, Sleep still uses some battery power to power the RAM that stores the file.
Hibernate – Hibernate works best if you are taking an extended break from your work, but don’t want to deal with the hassle of restarting everything from scratch. This is also good if you want to conserve as much battery juice as possible when traveling.
That said, Hibernation is not an alternative to shutting down. You must shut down your computer occasionally to keep the performance issues at bay.
Shutdown – It is wise to shut down your computer completely once in a while. Restarting your system usually cleans the RAM, helps resolve any performance issue that may occur due to cluttered memory and CPU with background apps and processes.
Is leaving your PC on Sleep bad?
Leaving your PC on sleep mode has no bearing on your system’s overall health. However, some issues may occur due to leaving your PC on sleep mode for an extended period.
Since sleep mode consumes a little power to power the RAM, leaving the PC in sleep mode for an extended period is considered a waste of resources.
Restarting your PC after shutdown cleans out minor issues that may occur due to temporary glitches. Not shutting down your computer for a long time can impact system performance.
There’s also a risk of random power spikes and surges that can damage your computer in sleep mode or powered on when connected to the power outlet.
Is hibernate bad for SSD?
If you have heard someone saying, using Sleep mode or hibernate will damage your SSD, then it is not totally a myth. Although rare, first-gen SSDs were prone to power failures, and there was also a factor of faster wear and tear due to frequent writes to your SSD.
However, modern SSDs come with superior build and can withstand normal wear and tear for years. They are also less prone to power failures. So, it is fine to use hibernate even if you are using an SSD.
Does hibernate damage the hard disk?
No. Compared to SSDs, HDDs are still popular for their durability. Putting your PC to sleep or hibernation will not damage your hard disk. Hard disk corruption usually happens due to abrupt shutdown.
How can I tell if Windows 10 is hibernating?
When hibernating, your PC will look like it’s shut down. Unlike the sleep mode, hibernate will not have the power button LED light blinking. You cannot wake up the computer by pressing a key on your keyboard or mouse either.
However, pressing the power button will instantly bring up the lock screen without the boot screen. This is the only way to know if the PC is hibernating.
Is it safe to use hibernate all the time?
Yes. Hibernate compresses and stores a copy of your RAM image in your hard drive. When your wakeup the system, it simply restores the files to RAM.
Modern SSDs and hard disks are built to withstand minor wear and tear for years. Unless you are not hibernating 1000 times a day, it is safe to hibernate all the time.
That said, shutting down your computer once every few days is recommended as it helps in clearing your computer’s RAM and freeing up memory and processing power.
Recommended power and sleep settings Windows 10
Sleep
Click on Start.
Go to Settings > System > Power & Sleep.
Open Additional Power Settings. For laptops & PC – select Choose what the power button does, select Sleep and then click Save changes. For laptop only – select Choose what closing the lid does. Next, select Sleep, click on Save changes.
Pressing the power button or closing the lid will put your PC in sleep mode.
Hibernate
Click on Start and select Settings.
Go to Power & Sleep > Additional power settings.
Select Choose what the power button does.
Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Under Shutdown setting, select Hibernate.
Click Savechanges.
To hibernate the PC, click Start > Power > Hibernate.
If the Hibernate option is not available under Additional power settings, do the following.
Press the Windows key, and type cmd.
Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
In the Command Prompt window, type the following and hit enter: powercfg.exe/hibernate on.
Go to Additional power settings to see if the Hibernate option is available now.
Change the power plan
Press the Windows key, and type sleep.
Open Power and Sleep settings.
Select Additional power settings.
In the Power Options window, you have three options: Power saver – In this mode, Windows will save power by reducing the performance and brightness. Balanced mode – For balanced performance and battery backup. Performance mode – Recommended when you are using the laptop plugged in.
How to turn off sleep and hibernate mode in Windows 10
Turn off Sleep
Click on Setting.
Go to System > Power & Sleep.
Scroll down to Sleep.
Click the drop-down menu for both ‘On battery’ & ‘When plugged in’.
Select Never.
Disable Hibernate / Sleep
Click on Start > Settings > System.
Open Power and Sleep.
Click on Additional Power Settings.
Under Power and sleep button and lid setting, click the drop-down menu for ‘On battery’ and ‘Plugged in’.
Select Do Nothing.
Click Save changes.
Disable Sleep/Hibernate from shutdown settings
Open Additional power settings.
Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Under Shutdown settings, uncheck Sleep and Hibernate
Click Save changes.
This will remove both the Sleep and Hibernate option from your power menu.
Hibernate, on the other hand, makes sense if you know you won’t be using your computer for a while, but don’t want to open the apps and files when you work again manually.
Ping is a measure of latency, telling you how quickly the signal travels between your PC and the game server.
When it increases, it can cause lag or choppiness. Often, this will make it difficult to stay competitive in MOBAs, shooters, and other types of games.
Furthermore, ping north of 150ms will make the game unplayable. Luckily, you can try a few things to get this number down, so let’s see how to lower ping on your PC.
For gamers who connect to the Internet through Wi-Fi, the router’s location has a huge impact on ping. If this device is located far away from you, it could be what is causing the lag.
2. The number of connected devices
When a router is serving too many devices simultaneously, your ping may increase. An average router can’t handle a high traffic volume and may even crash if you overload it.
3. Background programs
Too many programs running in the background may also cause your ping to go up.
Software updates, backup services, monitoring tools, and others can take up RAM and use up your network to the point it starts affecting the gameplay.
Windows firewalls and antivirus software are often guilty of slowing down your connection and negatively affecting your ping.
4. Server distance
The geographically closer you are to the game server, the easier it is for data to travel. That’s why playing on a server across the planet from you causes high ping.
5. Outdated drivers
Updating your drivers can negatively affect your PC’s gaming performance and may cause your ping to go down.
6. Poor Internet connection
Some ISPs fail to deliver the speeds they promised, and what’s worse, they may intentionally throttle your bandwidth.
How to lower ping on PC?
There are quite a few tested methods you can try:
1. Use an Ethernet cable
If you think your WI-Fi connection is the reason why you’re getting a high ping, you should consider using an Ethernet cable.
Ethernet provides better speed and a more reliable connection.
If you want to make the switch, make sure you have sufficient cable length and an Ethernet network card in your CPU with a corresponding driver.
2. Limit connected devices
In case you’re using a Wi-Fi connection for gaming and getting high ping, limiting devices on the network may also help eliminate the problem.
Try disconnecting all devices currently not in use to see if that improves the speed.
3. Move closer to your router
Another thing you can do when playing connected to a Wi-Fi network is move closer to your router.
Walls and rooms between the router and your PC can obstruct the connection, so it’s best when both devices are in the same room.
4. Close background apps
Closing apps running in the background and eating up your Internet bandwidth is one of the easiest ways to lower your ping.
Identifying such apps through Task Manager isn’t difficult; just follow these steps:
Press CTRL + Shift + ESC on your keyboard to launch Task Manager.
Select an unwanted app or process and click End task.
5. Update your drivers
Looking for a way how to lower ping on your PC? Your drivers may be behind the issue.
Here’s how to check whether your drivers are up to date:
Click the Windows search button at the bottom left of the screen, type Device Manager, and open it.
Double-click Display adapters from the menu to expand it.
Right-click your graphics card driver and select update driver.
Click Search automatically for drivers to start the process.
Follow the instructions and restart your PC after installing driver updates.
Repeat the process with your Network adapters.
Alternatively, you can manually look up driver updates online and install them yourself, but that will require more time and effort.
You could also use a dedicated driver updater utility. With those, you can schedule regular updates so you’ll never have this issue in the future.
6. Choose low-quality graphics
If your ping is high, and you’re struggling to identify what’s causing it, it’s a good idea to check the game’s recommended specifications.
If your PC lacks in some aspects, reducing the graphics quality in the game may help with the problem. Lowering effects, turning off shadows, and similar actions won’t impact your gameplay and will reduce ping.
So you should try playing around with different settings to see what works the best.
7. Use a VPN
When the distance between you and the game server is causing ping to go up, you can use a VPN to change your virtual location.
By choosing a location closer to the server, you’ll create a more optimized route for data to travel through. As a result, you’ll get to enjoy gameplay without lag and choppiness.
Make sure you opt for one of the top VPNs on the market that offer high speeds.
Blue screen of death is not a new thing for Windows users. There is a long list of errors that comes under it. One such error that crashes the computer is authenticamd.sys, and is usually linked with the whea_uncorrectable_error.
This usually appears when you are playing a game that is resource intensive. Like other errors of BSOD, this can also be fixed. All you have to do is follow a series of steps.
This guide will discuss some working methods to eliminate the problem after discussing the possible causes. Let’s get started!
What causes the authenticamd.sys crash error?
There could be several potential reasons for this blue screen error to occur; some of the popular ones are listed here:
Faulty or outdated drivers – If your computer has outdated drivers, you may face many issues. One such issue is BSOD. To fix it, you need to keep the drivers up to date.
Hardware issues with the processor – If there is a fault in your processor or part of the hardware, you might have to take a look and get it replaced if needed.
Malware or virus infection – Malware or virus infection can cause many problems in your computer, including this error. Run a scan using reliable security software to be sure.
Corrupted or missing system files – Sometimes, damaged or missing files could hamper the computer’s performance, hence the error. It is essential to find and fix the issue to avoid such errors.
Overheating – Since this error usually occurs when playing games or running a memory-intensive program, you might have to check your computer for overheating.
What can I do to fix the authenticamd.sys BSOD error?
Before engaging in advanced troubleshooting steps, you should consider performing the following checks:
Check for any physical damage to your computer and the hardware components.
Check the power supply cable and ensure your computer receives the correct voltage.
Ensure your computer is not overheating, and check the temperature of the processor using any third-party software like Speccy or Core Temp.
1. Update drivers
Press Windows + R to open the Run window.
Type devmgmt.msc and press Enter to open Device Manager.
On the Device Manager window, locate and click on Display adapters to expand the options.
Right-click the driver list and select Update driver.
On the next window, click Search automatically for drivers.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the process and then restart your computer.
Alternatively, you can use an automatic updater tool like Outbyte Driver Updater. It will scan your drivers and install new ones as soon as they’re available. It can also help fix driver file corruption.
2. Update BIOS
Press the Windows key, type CMD and click Run as administrator.
Click Yes on the UAC prompt.
To update BIOS, type the following command and press Enter: wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion
You will get the BIOS version listed on the Command Prompt window.
Now go to your device’s manufacturer’s app or website to find out if there is an update. If available, download it.
Next, extract the file and double-click it to run it. Now follow the instructions to finish the process.
Press the Windows key, type Control Panel and click Open.
Select View by as Large icons and click Power Options.
Now, click Choose what the power buttons do.
Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Under the Shutdown settings, remove the checkmark next to Turn on fast startup (recommended) option.
Click Save changes to confirm the change.
4. Run the DISM and SFC command
Press the Windows key, type CMD and click Run as administrator.
Click Yes on the UAC prompt.
Type the following command to scan protected system files, reinstall corrupted files, and replace corrupted files with cached copies and press Enter: sfc/scannow
Wait for the scan to complete. Once done, copy and paste the following command to repair Windows images and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Once complete, restart your PC to let the changes take effect.
5. Check Windows Updates
Press Windows + I to open the Settings window.
Go to Windows Update and click Check for updates.
Windows will check for updates; you can download and install the update if available.
Follow the on-screen instructions and restart your PC to complete.
So, these are steps that you need to take to fix the authenticamd.sys BSOD error. Try them and let us know what worked for you in the comments below.
However, some users have stated in forum posts that Power BI Desktop won’t launch. Consequently, those users can’t utilize the BI Desktop software.
What can I do if Power BI won’t load?
1. Confirm That NET Framework 4.7 (or 4.8) is Enabled in Windows 10
Some Windows 7 and 8 users might need to install Microsoft NET Framework 4.5. Users can download NET Framework 4.5 by clicking Download on the NET Framework 4.5 page. Then open the installer for NET Framework 4.5 to install.
Windows 10users should check that NET 4.7 is enabled for Power BI. To do so, open Run with its Windows key + R hotkey.
Input ‘appwiz.cpl’ in the Open box and click OK.
Click Turn Windows features on or off to open the window shown directly below.
Select the .NET Framework 4.7 Advanced Search checkbox if it’s not selected.
Then click the OK button.
2. Install the Latest Power BI Gateway
Outdated Power BI gateway pipe restrictions can block users launching BI Desktop. To fix that, update the Power BI gateway by clicking Download Gateway on the gateway page. Then users can install the latest data gateway for BI by opening its setup wizard.
To run Power BI Desktop as an administrator, right-click the software’s icon on the desktop or in its File Explorer folder and select Properties.
Next, click the Compatibility tab shown directly below.
Select the Run this program as an administrator checkbox.
Click the Apply button.
Select the OK option to close the window.
4. Install the Correct Power BI Version for 32-bit Platforms
Users with 32-bit Windows platforms can’t run the 64-bit Power BI Desktop. To ensure the correct (and most update) Power BI system version is installed, press the Windows key + R hotkey.
Enter ‘appwiz.cpl’ in Run’s Open box and click OK.
Select Power BI Desktop, and click the Uninstall option.
Those fixes might get Power BI Desktop up and running for some users. Users can get also send BI support tickets to Microsoft by clicking the Create Support Ticket button on the software’s troubleshooting page. However, give some of the resolutions above a shot before sending a support ticket.
Apps are an essential part of any OS, Windows 10 included. While they are fundamental to the overall experience, some users have reported that Windows 10 apps won’t open on their computers.
We were intrigued by the prospect of Windows 10 programs not opening and started digging around to see what could cause this abnormal behavior.
The program won’t open when I click on it in Windows 10 is merely the tip of the iceberg.
It turns out there are numerous circumstances that can facilitate the appearance of this glitch, so let’s get straight to it.
Why are my Windows apps not opening?
Most common scenarios
Error description
Windows 10 apps not working after update
– Many users reported programs not working after installing a specific Windows update – Such errors are not uncommon, but you can easily fix them with a dedicated Windows update repair tool
Windows 10 apps won’t open from the Taskbar
– Applications won’t start by using the Taskbar shortcut, or they won’t show / won’t maximize – This issue usually occurs when you have too many instances of the same app open, and terminating all app windows at once may help – Programs are running in the Task Manager but not opening in Windows 10 – The issue usually occurs on dual monitor setups
– This issue appears when trying to run applications while using an administrator account
Windows 10 apps won’t open from the Start menu
– This issue is closely linked to cases where the Start menu disappeared altogether (and it can arrive in all Windows versions)
Windows 10 apps won’t open after a restart
– Programs stop working following a system restart
Laptop apps not opening
– From File Explorer to browsers, your laptop won’t open anything – The issue can be caused by software as well as registry conflicts
So, what is usually the easiest way to fix an application which won’t start anymore? Don’t worry; we made sure to include all the steps and make things as easy as possible.
How do I fix apps not opening in Windows 10?
1. Make sure that Windows Update service is running
Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
When the Run dialog opens, enter services.msc and press Enter or click OK.
Locate Windows Update on the list of services. Make sure that Startup Type is set to Manual or Automatic.
If it’s not, double click the Windows Update service to open its properties.
When the Properties window opens, find the Startup Type section and select Manual or Automatic from the list.
Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
Sometimes, these types of problems can be fixed by performing a Windows Update, so make sure that you have the latest updates installed.
Open Settings App and go to Update & Security.
Go to the Windows Update section and download the latest updates.
2. Run the troubleshooter
In order to run this troubleshooter, you will need to type troubleshooter in Windows search and click on Troubleshoot settings from the results.
Next, click on Additional troubleshooters.
Scroll down to select the Windows Store Apps and click on Run the troubleshooter.
It will take a while if you have many apps installed, but in the end, try to open the apps that are not opening and see if the issue has been fixed.
If Windows 10 apps won’t open, you might want to run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter. However, this procedure is now guaranteed to work, and you will also lose some precious time.
3. Make sure that your apps are up to date
3.1 Update the apps in Microsoft Store
Open Microsoft Store app, you can do that by pressing Windows Key + S and type Store. From the list of results choose Store.
When the Windows Store app opens, click on your Microsoft Account icon in the top right corner (next to the Search box) and choose Downloads and updates from the menu.
Click Check for updates button and update all apps.
If the Store app isn’t working, you can try the same steps from a different user account on your computer, or you can use the Command Prompt to force updates.
3.2 Force app updates using Command Prompt
Search cmd in Windows search and click on Run as administrator to open Command Prompt with full rights.
When Command Prompt starts, enter the following line and press Enter: schtasks /run /tn "Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\Automatic App Update"
The command will trigger performing automatic updates for Windows apps so give it a try right now.
If a specific app is not opening in Windows 10, you may need to reinstall it. To do that, follow the steps below.
Open Start Menu and locate the problematic app.
Right-click it and choose Uninstall.
After the app has been uninstalled, open Store app and try to download it again.
When Command Prompt starts, type wsreset.exe and press Enter to run it.
Close Command Prompt and try launching the Store app and updating your apps.
If you can’t open the Store app, and there’s no way to update your apps, you might want to perform a cache reset by following the steps above.
In most cases, that should suffice. However, the issue can be bigger than that and you might need to perform some additional steps in case the Microsoft Store still does not work properly.
5. Make sure that Application Identity service is running
Press Windows Key + R and type services.msc. Press Enter or click OK.
When the Serviceswindow opens, find Application Identity service and double click it.
When Application Identity Properties window opens, find the Service status section.
If the Service status is set to Stop, click the Start button to start the service.
Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
Close the Services window and restart your computer.
6. Change ownership of your C: drive
6.1. Change C: ownership
Open This PC and locate the drive where Windows 10 is installed. By default, it should be in the C:/ partition.
Right-click the drive and choose Properties.
Go to the Security tab and click the Advanced button.
Find the Owner section and click Change.
Select Useror Group window will appear. Click the Advanced button.
Click the Find Now button (A list of users and user groups will appear).
Select the Administrators group and click OK.
In Select User or Group window clickOK.
In Advanced SecuritySettings window owners should be changed to Administrators and the Administrators group should be added to the Permissionentries list.
Check Replace owner on sub containers and objects.
Click Apply and OK. Wait for the process to complete.
Sometimes Windows 10 apps won’t open due to ownership problems, but you can easily fix that. To change the ownership of a folder, or a hard drive partition, perform the steps from above.
6.2. Add Full Control permissions for ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES group
Open your disk partition Properties and go to the Security tab.
Click the Edit button.
Permissions for the Local Disk window will open. Click the Add button.
Select User or Group window will appear. Click the Advanced button, and then click Find Now.
Locate ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES on the list, select it, and click OK.
Click OK again.
ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES will now be added to the list. Click it and select Full Control. Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
If the issue still persists, open disk partition properties, go to the Security tab, and add Fullcontrol to the Users group.
7. Change FilterAdministratorToken in Registry Editor
Press Windows Key + R in order to open the Run dialog.
When the Run dialog opens, type Regedit and press Enter or click OK.
When Registry Editor opens, navigate to the following key in the left pane: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
On the right pane find the 32-bit DWORD called FilterAdministratorToken (If FilterAdministratorToken DWORD doesn’t exist, you can create it by right-clicking in the right pane and choosing Newand selecting the DWORD (32-bit) Value.)
Now change the name of the new value to FilterAdministratorToken.
Double click FilterAdministratorToken DWORD. In the Value data field enter 1 and click OK to save the changes.
Close Registry Editor and restart your computer.
8. Use PowerShell
Press Windows Key + S and type PowerShell. Find PowerShell on the list of results and right-click it. Choose Run as administrator.
When PowerShell starts, enter the following lines. Press Enter after each line and wait for it to finish before entering a new line of code: Get-appxpackage -packageType bundle |% {add-appxpackage -register -disabledevelopmentmode ($_.installlocation + "appxmetadataappxbundlemanifest.xml")}$bundlefamilies = (get-appxpackage -packagetype Bundle).packagefamilynameget-appxpackage -packagetype main |? {-not ($bundlefamilies -contains $_.packagefamilyname)} |% {add-appxpackage -register -disabledevelopmentmode ($_.installlocation + "appxmanifest.xml")}
If the Store application cannot launch, you won’t be able to update any apps that won’t open, so it’s advised that you use PowerShell in order to fix this problem.
You can also try this command.
Start PowerShell as administrator.
Enter the following command and press Enter to run it: ren %windir%System32AppLockerPlugin*.* *.bak
9. Move the Database folder from one profile to another
Start Command Prompt (Admin).
Enter the following lines and press Enter after each line in order to execute it: net user "TempAdmin1" "password1" /addnet user "TempAdmin2" "password2" /addnet localgroup administrators "TempAdmin2" /add
Log out of your current account by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete and clicking on Sign out.
Log in to the TempAdmin1 account. Users enter password1 as a password.
Log out of the TempAdmin1 account as you did in Step 4.
Log in to the TempAdmin2 account. Use password2 as a password.
After you’ve logged in to the TempAdmin2 account, open File Explorer.
Click the View tab and click on Hidden items. This will reveal hidden files and folders.
Navigate to the following location on your hard-drive: C:\Users\Temp\Admin1\AppData\Local\TileDataLayer
Find the Database folder, right-click it, and choose Copy.
Now you need to paste that folder to your main profile. Navigate to this folder: C:\Users\YOUR_USERNAME\AppData\Local\TileDataLayer
Find the Database folder and change its name to Database.BAD.
Right-click on the empty space and choose Paste from the menu.
Restart your computer and go back to your main profile.
Press Windows Key + S and type User Accounts. Choose User Accounts from the list.
Click Manage another account, select TempAdmin1, and TempAdmin2 accounts and click on Delete Account to remove these accounts.
To complete this solution, we’ll need to create two new profiles and move the Database folder from one profile to your main profile.
Although this process might look a bit complex, follow the steps above carefully, and you should be able to complete it.
10. Create a new local account
Open Settings and go to Accounts.
Go to Family and other users and click Add someone else to this PC.
Click I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
Now click Add a user without Microsoft account.
Enter the username and passwordfor the new user.
Go to Settings, selectAccountsand click on Your Account.
Click Sign in with local account instead.
Enter your current password and click Next.
After you’ve done that, enter username and password for your local account and click Sign out and finish.
Switch to a new local account and move your personal files to it.
Go to Settings, selectAccounts, click on Your Account and click Sign in with a Microsoft account instead.
Enter your username and password and click Sign in.
Now you can delete your old account and continue using this one.
If Windows 10 apps won’t open, you might have to create a new account and transfer all your personal files to it. This solution can prove just as effective when Windows 10 default apps go missing.
Problems with Windows 10 apps that won’t open aren’t that common, but some programs are more likely to be affected than others:
WhatsApp for desktop
Slack app
Office 365 programs such as Microsoft Word and more
One more thing before we wrap it up – Microsft’s freshest OS is not exempt from this erratic (yet occasional) behavior. In case you’re already struggling, we prepared some equally comprehensive steps to help you out when Windows 11 apps won’t open.
That’s all from us. How would you force an app to open in Windows 10? If you know of any other solutions, feel free to drop us a line in the comments.
Sleep feature is quite useful, and many use it regularly on our PCs, but many users reported that Windows 10 goes to sleep after 2 minutes. This can be an annoying issue since you’ll have to constantly wake your PC up, but in this article, we’ll show you how to fix it.
Sometimes your Windows 10PC can go to sleep after a couple of minutes, and this can be quite annoying. Speaking of sleep-related issues on Windows 10, here are some problems that users reported:
Windows 10 ignoring sleep settings, the screen turns off after 2 minutes – This issue can occur due to various reasons, and the best way to fix it is to modify your registry and then change your power settings.
Laptop goes to sleep when plugged in Windows 10 – This issue can occur due to your power plan settings. Simply switch to one of several default power plans or reset your power plan to default.
Windows 10 laptop goes to sleep after 2 minutes – According to users, this issue can occur on their laptop, and you should be able to fix it by running the power troubleshooter.
Windows 10 goes to sleep too soon, fast, early, every few minutes, while using – There are various power-related issues that can occur, but you can fix most of them using one of our solutions.
Windows 10 goes to sleep after 2 minutes, how to fix it?
1. Modify the registry and change your power settings
According to users, if your PC goes to sleep after 2 minutes all the time, perhaps you can fix this problem simply by making a couple of changes in the registry. To do that, just follow these steps:
Open Run dialog by pressing Windows Key + R. Now type regedit and press Enter or click OK.
In the left pane, navigate to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\238C9FA8-0AAD-41ED-83F4-97BE242C8F20\7bc4a2f9-d8fc-4469-b07b-33eb785aaca0 key. In the right pane, double-click the Attributes DWORD.
Change the Value data to 2 and click OK to save changes.
After doing that, you just need to change the advanced power settings. To do that, follow these steps:
Press Windows Key + S and enter power settings. Now choose Power & sleep settings from the list.
The Settings app will now appear. In the right pane scroll down to the Related settings and click Additional power settings.
You should now see all the power plans on your PC. Locate your power plan and click Change plan settings next to it.
Now click on Change advanced power settings.
Click Change settings that are currently unavailable. Go to Sleep > System unattended sleep timeout and change the value from 2 to 20 minutes.
After doing that, save changes and check if the problem is resolved. Many users reported that this method fixed the problem for them, so be sure to try it out.
2. Run the Power Troubleshooter
Sometimes certain glitches and bugs can appear on your PC and that can cause various problems to appear. However, Windows comes with various built-in troubleshooters that can scan your PC for any problems and repair them automatically.
If Windows 10 goes to sleep after 2 minutes, you might be able to fix the problem by running the Power Troubleshooter. To do that, just follow these steps:
Open the Settings app and navigate to the Update & Security section. You can open the Settings app quickly by using Windows Key + I shortcut.
Select Troubleshoot from the left pane. In the right pane, select Power and click Run the troubleshooter button.
Troubleshooter window will now appear and you just have to follow the instructions on the screen to complete it.
After the troubleshooting process is finished, check if the problem is still there. Several users reported that this simple solution worked for them, so there’s no reason not to try it.
3. Change your screensaver settings
If Windows 10 goes to sleep after 2 minutes, the problem might be related to your screensaver. Apparently, the PC goes to sleep as soon as the screensaver appears, but you can fix that problem simply by changing a couple of screensaver settings. To do that, just follow these steps:
Open the Settings app and navigate to the Personalization section.
Select the Lock screen from the menu on the left. Now pick Screen saver settings from the right pane.
Set the Wait time to any higher value, for example, 20 minutes or so. Now click Apply and OK to save changes. Alternatively, you can choose not to use any screensaver.
After making these changes, check if the problem is still there.
4. Disconnect USB dongles
According to users, if Windows 10 goes to sleep after 2 minutes, it’s possible that a USB dongle is causing this issue. Few users reported that the problem was caused by a USB dongle for a wireless Logitech mouse.
To fix the problem, users are suggesting to disconnect the USB dongle from your PC and check if that solves your problem. If the dongle is the problem, perhaps you should try updating your drivers and check if that helps. In the worst-case scenario, you might have to replace the mouse.
5. Restore the power plan settings to the default
Sometimes problems with sleep mode can occur if your power plan settings are corrupted or not working properly. If Windows 10 goes to sleep after 2 minutes frequently, the problem might be your power plan, so it’s advised to reset it to the default. This is quite simple to do, and you can do it by following these steps:
Follow the steps from Solution 1 to open the Power Options window.
Locate your currently selected profile and click Change plan settings.
Now click Restore default settings for this plan.
After doing that, the problem should be completely resolved. Alternatively, if you’re using your own custom power profile, you should switch to one of several built-in profiles and check if that solves the problem.
6. Change the power button settings
According to users, if Windows 10 goes to sleep after 2 minutes, the problem might be your power button settings. As you might know, you can configure your power button to perform various tasks, but sometimes these settings can cause other problems.
If you’re having problems with the sleep feature on Windows 10, you just need to change the following settings:
Open Power Options window.
Select Choose what the power button does in the left pane.
Set When I press the power button to Do nothing. Now click Save changes.
After making these changes, check if the problem is still there. Several users reported that this solution worked with a laptop while using an external screen, but you can try this on your desktop PC as well.
7. Customize your power settings
If Windows 10 goes to sleep after 2 minutes, it’s rather likely that your power settings are the cause. To fix this issue, users are suggesting to go through advanced power settings and customize them.
This might be a bit advanced solution, but you should be able to follow through. To do that, just follow these steps:
Open the Power Options window. Locate your power plan and click Change plan settings> Change advanced power settings.
Now go to PCI Express > Link State Power Management and set it to Off.
Now you need to disable power saving and sleep for all devices on the list such as your wireless adapter, display, hard drive, etc. After doing that, click Apply and OK.
This is a bit advanced solution since you’ll have to manually find and disable power-saving settings. However, once you disable the power saving settings, the issue should be completely resolved.
8. Install the latest updates
If Windows 10 goes to sleep after 2 minutes, the issue might be certain glitches on your system. These glitches can occur for various reasons, and the best way to fix them is to install the latest updates. Usually, Windows 10 installs the missing updates on its own, but sometimes you might miss an update or two due to certain glitches.
However, you can always manually check for updates by doing the following:
Open the Settings app and go to the Update & Security section.
Now click Check for updates button.
If any updates are available, they will be downloaded automatically in the background. Now you just have to restart your PC to install the updates. Once the updates are installed, check if the problem is still there.
Outlook’s Folder Pane on the left of its window displays all your folders in its expanded view. Users can also minimize that pane so it doesn’t display folders.
When users expand that Folder Pane again from the minimized view, however, it doesn’t stay expanded when users click outside it. Thus, some users might wonder how they can get the expanded Folder Pane view to stick after minimizing it.
How do I keep Outlook’s Folder Pane expanded?
1. Adjust the Folder Pane setting
You can restore the default expanded Folder Pane by adjusting the Folder Pane setting. To do that, select the View tab.
Press the Folder Pane button shown directly below.
Then select the Normal option.
2. Click the pin button
Alternatively, users can click a pushpin button at the top right of the Folder Pane. Expand the minimized Folder Pane by clicking the arrow button (>) at the top of it.
Then click the pushpin button in the snapshot directly below. Thereafter, the Folder Pane will remain expanded when you click out it.
3. Set up a VBA macro that automatically expands folders when Outlook starts
To ensure all folders in the Folder Pane are fully expanded when you open Outlook, set up a VBA macro that opens all collapsed folders when the application starts. Open Outlook’s Visual Basic for Applications window with the Alt + F11hotkey.
Click Project1 on the left of the window.
Expand Microsoft Outlook Objects and double-click ThisOutlookSession to open a code window.
Select and copy this VBA code with the Ctrl + C hotkey: Private Sub Application_Startup() ExpandAllFolders End SubPrivate Sub ExpandAllFolders() On Error Resume Next Dim Ns As Outlook.NameSpace Dim Folders As Outlook.Folders Dim CurrF As Outlook.MAPIFolder Dim F As Outlook.MAPIFolder Dim ExpandDefaultStoreOnly As BooleanExpandDefaultStoreOnly = FalseSet Ns = Application.GetNamespace(“Mapi”) Set CurrF = Application.ActiveExplorer.CurrentFolderIf ExpandDefaultStoreOnly = True Then Set F = Ns.GetDefaultFolder(olFolderInbox) Set F = F.Parent Set Folders = F.Folders LoopFolders Folders, True
Else LoopFolders Ns.Folders, True End If
DoEvents Set Application.ActiveExplorer.CurrentFolder = CurrF End Sub
Private Sub LoopFolders(Folders As Outlook.Folders, _ ByVal bRecursive As Boolean _ ) Dim F As Outlook.MAPIFolder
For Each F In Folders Set Application.ActiveExplorer.CurrentFolder = F DoEvents
If bRecursive Then If F.Folders.Count Then LoopFolders F.Folders, bRecursive End If End If Next End Sub
Paste that macro into the code window with the Ctrl + V hotkey.
Click File and save the macro. Thereafter, the macro will automatically open collapsed folders in the Folder Pane when you launch Outlook.
So, that’s how you can keep the Folder Pane expanded in Outlook. The VBA macro will also ensure that the Folder Pane’s folders are fully expanded when you start Outlook.
Using a command prompt or CMD, developers test their codes, and a regular user runs various commands, such as SFC Scan, Disk Management, etc. However, many users have reported that on their Windows 11 PC, the CMD is not working.
CMD fails to work for different reasons, which we will discuss in this guide. Also, we will share with you many practical solutions to help you resolve the CMD not working in Windows 11 problem. So let us check it out.
What are the different ways to access the command prompt?
Here are the different ways you can use to open the command prompt:
Open the command prompt from the Windows search option.
Open the Start menu.
Type command prompt and open it.
Open CMD from the File Explorer.
Open File Explorer.
Go to C:\Windows\System32.
Open the cmd.exe file.
Use the Run dialogue to open the command prompt.
Open the Run dialogue.
Type cmd.
Click OK.
How can I fix CMD not working in Windows 11 problem?
1. Disable Antivirus or Firewall
Open the Start menu by pressing the Win key.
Type Windows Defender Firewall and open it.
Click Turn off Windows Defender Firewall from the left pane.
Check the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) radio option for both Public and Private networks.
Often having aggressive Firewall settings can lead to the blockage of important functions on your PC. We have shown the methods for the Windows Defender Firewall, but you can do the same with your antivirus software.
2. Use a specialized tool
Since CMD is not working in Windows 11, you can use the dedicated repair and optimization tool. This kind of tool will help you scan your PC and repair the missing or corrupt system files. You can also use it to fix damaged DLLs, fix BSOD errors, remove spyware or malware, fix system crashes, and more.
3. Edit the environment variable
Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialogue.
Type sysdm.cpl and press the OK button.
Switch to the Advanced tab.
Click on the Environment Variable button.
Choose Path.
Click on Edit.
Click on New.
Type the following command: C:\Windows\SysWow64\
Press OK.
Restart your PC.
The environmental variable is a dynamic named value that affects how the processes work on your PC. Often you can tweak it and fix the problem associated with CMD.
4. Scan your PC for virus
Press the Win + I keys to open the Settings menu.
Select the Privacy and Security tab from the left pane.
Click on Windows Security.
Choose the Virus and Threat option.
Then, hit the Quick Scan button.
You can also select Scan options and select Full Scan for a deeper scan on your PC.
Chances are that your PC is infected with a virus or malware that might have disabled the CMD, so you cannot run high commands and fix the issue.
You can follow the above steps, scan your PC for viruses, and remove it to fix the CMD not working in the Windows 11 problem.
5. Run SFC Scan using PowerShell
Press the Win key and open the Start menu.
Type powershell and open Windows PowerShell as an admin.
Type the below command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
Wait for the scan to complete.
After completion, close Windows PowerShell.
Restart your PC and see if this resolves the issue or not.
While you can use a specialized tool to fix corrupt or missing system files, you can also run the in-built SFC Scan command using Windows PowerShell.
This command helps fix the various issues related to system files automatically. It replaces the corrupt or missing system file with the new one without much input. Try running the command and see if this fixes the CMD not working in Windows 11.
6. Run CMD in safe mode
Open the Start menu by pressing the Windows key.
Click on the Power key.
Press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard, and click on Restart.
Select Troubleshoot.
Click on Advanced options.
Select Command Prompt.
This could be helpful in ways when you want to run the command prompt urgently, and CMD is not working on your Windows 11 PC. Booting in safe mode will stop all the unnecessary background apps from running and give you a clean environment to work on.
Also, if the command prompt is working without any issues in safe mode, then there are some malware or virus-related issues with your PC.
Hit the Finish button to begin the system restore process.
If nothing works, then we would suggest you perform a system restore. This will help you go back to a time in your PC when everything was working fine.
However, note that the system restore will only work when you create a system restore point. For that, we have a dedicated guide to help you make a restore point on your Windows 11 PC.
The Xbox controller is compatible with various devices, but many reported that Xbox controller won’t connect to their phone.
If you’re not a fan of phone gaming, you can also connect your Xbox One controller to PC with ease. However, in today’s guide we’ll focus on connectivity issues with Xbox controller and your phone.
Why isn’t my Xbox controller pairing to my phone?
There are several potential causes for this issue:
Missing updates – If your controller is out of date, it won’t work properly. To fix it, you need to update your Xbox controller to the latest version.
Network settings – Issues with network settings can cause this problem. Simply revert them to default and the issue should be gone.
What to do if Xbox controller fails to connect to an Android phone?
Before we start fixing on this issue, there are a couple of preliminary checks that you can perform:
Check for interference – Other wireless devices can interfere with your Bluetooth connection. To prevent that, move closer to your phone while using the controller.
Disconnect other Bluetooth devices– Sometimes having several devices connected to your phone can cause issues. Disconnect other devices, and connect your controller again.
Check the controller battery – Try to change the batteries or recharge it to see if that changes things.
1. Restart your controller
Power off the controller by pressing and holding the Xboxbutton on the controller for a few seconds.
Outlook 365 includes a handy Quick Print option with which users can print PDFs and other file attachments.
However, some users have said in Microsoft forum posts that Microsoft Outlook is not printing PDF attachments.
In this article, we’re going to see what are the easiest and most efficient solutions if you can’t print attachments from Outlook and if there is a problem with the selected printer error shows up.
Why is Outlook Quick Print not working?
1. Check if the selected Printer is the default one
Users can only print Outlook PDF attachments to their default printers with the Print attached files option selected. To check you’re selecting the default printer, open the Run accessory.
Enter Control Panel in Run and press Return to open the window shown directly below.
Click Devices and Printers to open the Control Panel applet in the snapshot directly below. That Control Panel applet highlights the default printer with a green tick.
If the printer selected to print PDFs is not the default one, right-click it and select the Set as default printer option.
Then select the default printer in Outlook’s Print options window.
If you notice that the Quick Print option is not working in Outlook, it might be because your printer is not even set to be your default device for this particular action.
Follow the steps mentioned above then start Outlook 365 and try printing a PDF attachment to see if this solved your issue.
2. Install a third-party specialized software
If you can’t print PDFs from Outlook, follow this quick method:
Open an email within Outlook.
Then click the drop-down menu button for an attached PDF file.
Select the attachments in the Save All Attachments window, and click the OK button.
Click File thenOpen to open the saved PDF document.
Then click File, access Print to print the PDF.
If you cannot print a PDF file from Outlook 365, save your attachment on your PC and try printing it with a dedicated PDF software like Adobe Reader.
Simply download the software from Adobe’s official page, install it on your PC, and enjoy a plethora of additional features for PDF manipulation completely free.
Some users have said that they’ve fixed Outlook not printing PDF files by erasing temporary Outlook files. Press the Windows key + E hotkey.
Select the Hidden items checkbox on File Explorer’s View tab.
Then enter this path in File Explorer’s address bar: C:Users%username%AppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsTemporary Internet FilesContent.Outlook
Select all the files within the Content.Outlook folder by pressing the Ctrl + A hotkey.
Click the Delete button.
4. Repair corrupted PDF attachments
Of course, you can always try to repair the corrupted PDF attachments that you received in your email, before printing them.
There are specialized tools that can help you repair and recover files that have been corrupted or damaged for various reasons.
You can check our list of tested file repair software and pick the one that best suits your needs and you shall have your file back in no time and be able to print.
5. Open Outlook in Safe Mode
To ensure there aren’t any conflicting add-ins, users can open the path below in Safe Mode then press the Windows key + R hotkey: id=urn:enhancement-53ce20e0 class=textannotation>Outlook
Enter Outlook /safe in Run.
Press the OK button.
Select Outlook on the Profile Name drop-down menu.
Select the OK option.
Then try printing the PDF documents from Outlook in Safe Mode.
Using Safe Mode is usually a solution that can work magic if when you’re encountering errors and this case is no different, just follow the steps above carefully and you’ll get it fixed in no time.
6. Manually update the printer’s driver
Access the search box on the taskbar, type in device manager, then select Device Manager.
From the list select a category to see the devices, then click on the one you’d like to update.
Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
Select Update Driver.
Users who generally ask Why can’t i print a pdf file from my email, should know that they might need to update their printer drivers. Just follow the steps mentioned above and you should be able to solve the issue.
If Windows doesn’t find a new driver, you can try looking for one on the device manufacturer’s website and follow their instructions.
On the other hand, installing drivers manually may be daunting for some people. That’s why you can always rely on effective driver update solutions that will specifically perform it with minimal support from your side.
Those are a few tips that might fix Outlook printing for PDF attachments and we trust that if you follow our instructions correctly you’ll solve the issue.
Similar problems could happen in earlier versions of Outlook as well. For instance, some users are saying that Outlook 2016 quick print pdf not working. In this case, the same solutions should apply.
You might also be interested in our guide on how to print emails from Outlook to get more information.
Do you know other methods? Feel free to share them in the comments section below.
You are not alone if you encounter Permission Denied when accessing a Shared folder on a virtual machine via VirtualBox on Windows 11 host. Unfortunately, it is more common than you think. Thankfully, it can be fixed.
Here, in this guide, we will discuss how to fix this issue right after explaining the causes of its occurrence. Let’s get started!
What causes the VirtualBox shared folder permission denied error?
There are several possible reasons for the permission denied error when accessing a shared folder in VirtualBox on a Windows 11 host. Some of the popular ones are:
Lacking permission on the host – If the user account of the host machine doesn’t have read and write permissions on the folder you want to share, you might get this error.
Issues with VirtualBox settings – You can see this error if the shared folder doesn’t have the Auto mount option selected in the VM settings.
No admin rights – If the virtual machine is not running with administrative rights, you will also not have enough permissions to access the shared folder. This could give you the permission denied error.
VirtualBox Guest Additions – If there is an issue with the VirtualBox Guest Additions installed on the virtual machine, you can see this error.
Incorrect path to the shared folder – If the path to the shared folder is not set correctly, you can encounter the Permission Denied error.
What can I do if VirtualBox shared folder permission is denied?
Before engaging in the troubleshooting steps, please make sure you go through these preliminary checks:
You need to use a user account using administrator rights on the host machine.
Should have VirtualBox Guest Additions installed on the VM to share folders between the host and guest machines.
1. Allow access to the shared folder permanently between the Windows host and VM
Open Terminal with admin rights on VirtualBox.
Type the following command, replace $USER with the username, and press Enter. This command appends the user <username> to the vboxsf group, which is the owner of the shared folders: sudo usermod -G vboxsf -a $USER
Log out of the VM machine, then log in.
If the problem persists, reboot your VM and host machine.
Launch the VirtualBox. Go to the Devices, right-click on it, and select Settings.
Click Shared Folders.
You will get the Edit Share window; ensure there is a checkmark beside Auto Mount and click OK.
Again click OK to close the virtual machine settings.
So, these are some methods to fix permission denied for the shared folder on VirtualBox. If none of the steps worked for you, it is advised you reinstall VirtualBox Guest Additions on VM.
Please let us know in the comments section below if you have questions or concerns about the error.
To communicate with the CH340 chip, the computer needs a CH340 driver. Look no further if you are looking for the easiest ways to download and install the CH340 driver on Windows 10.
This guide will discuss some methods to download and install the driver in no time.
What can I do to download & install the CH340 driver on Windows?
Connect the CH340 chip to your computer. Press Windows + R to open the Run console.
Type devmgmt.msc, and press Enter.
Go to Ports(COM & LPT) and expand it.
Look for an Unknown device or USB-SERIAL CH340 (COMx), and right-click it to choose the Update driver option.
On the next window, select Search automatically for drivers.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
3. Use a reliable driver updater tool
Installing drivers manually can be tricky and time-consuming. Therefore, if you are unsure what to do, use a reliable third-party driver updater tool instead.
One such tool is Outbyte Driver Updater. It scans your computer and gives you a list of outdated drivers in no time. And, with its vast database of drivers, the tool keeps your device drivers up to date. For example, to install the CH340 driver, follow these steps:
Click Scan to get a list of missing or outdated drivers.
Once the scan is complete, you will get a list of drivers that need to be updated. Select them and click Update.
The tool will download and install the drivers now. To complete the process, follow the onscreen instructions.
FAQs
Do I need the CH340 driver?
Yes, if your device uses the CH340/CH341 chip. Without the driver, your computer may not detect the board when connected via USB.
Is the CH340 driver safe?
Yes, as long as it’s downloaded from the official website or a reliable vendor.
Which operating systems support the CH340 driver?
It works on Windows (XP to Windows 11), macOS, and Linux. Most modern OS versions install it automatically.
Conclusion
Installing the CH340 driver is essential if your device relies on this USB-to-serial chip. Once properly set up, your Arduino boards and other hardware should connect seamlessly with your computer.
Chrome is the most popular browser, but sometimes, your default search engine can change. Many users reported that suddenly Bing became the default search engine, and they want to know how to remove Bing from Chrome.
Unfortunately, Bing has a nasty habit of popping up uninvited as the default search engine, and it’s not the most private choice, so you may want to consider using a private search engine instead.
If that is the case, then you are most probably looking for a way to remove Bing from Chrome. That is precisely why we’ve created this in-depth guide, to show you exactly how to remove Bing from Chrome on Windows 10/11.
Why does Bing keep popping up?
If Bing keeps popping up in Chrome, it’s possible that your default search engine was changed. In most cases, it’s possible that you accidentally clicked the option to make Bing the default search engine.
Sometimes extensions or even applications can force your browser to use a specific search engine, so be sure to check them as well.
Why can’t I remove Bing from my computer?
Bing can be easily removed from any web browser simply by changing the default search engine from settings.
If changing the search engine doesn’t help, your next option is to check for any extensions that might be forcing you to use Bing.
In case you want to remove Bing from the search bar, that’s a more complicated task since the search engine is integrated into Windows.
Can Bing be uninstalled?
If you have any Bing software installed, you can uninstall it just like any other app by doing the following:
Press the Windows key + X and select Apps and Features.
Now locate Bing software on the list.
Click Uninstall next to it to remove it.
If you want to remove it from the Search bar, you need to modify the registry. Do keep in mind that modifying the registry can lead to system issues, so be extra cautious. To disable Bing in search, do the following:
Press the Windows key + R and enter regedit. Press Enter.
Navigate to the following path: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows
Right-click the Windows key and select New and then Key. Enter Explorer as the name of the new key.
Navigate to the Explorer key. Right-click the Explorer key and select New. Now select DWORD (32-bit Value).
Enter DisableSearchBoxSuggestions as the name of the new DWORD and double-click it.
Set the Value data to 1 and save changes.
Quick Tip:
If you want a browser that gives you the full freedom to use whatever search engine you want without any strange interferences with Bing, try Opera One.
The UI is modern, with controls that are similar to Chrome. You’ll get plenty of extensions, built-in social media apps, an adblocker, anti-tracking features, and a built-in VPN.
Opera One
Set up your favorite search engine and remove Bing from your browser once and for all.
To make sure that Bing isn’t hijacking your browser, you should always check your settings and ensure that new tab opens a blank page and not Bing.
While changing settings, it’s also a good idea to check search engine settings and ensure that it’s set to the desired one.
Lastly, check your extensions and make sure that you don’t have any unknown extensions installed.
Now you know how to delete Bing from Chrome, and we encourage you to give all these solutions a try and check if they work for you.
Additionally, the first set of steps can also be used to change the default search engine that Google Chrome uses. All in all, these changes should be permanent, and you don’t need to restart the PC afterward.
If Teams Breakout rooms not working it might be hard to organize attendees between meetings, but luckily there are a few ways to fix this problem.
Why is Breakout Room not working in Microsoft Teams?
This issue can appear if Teams or your operating system isn’t up to date. If the meeting experience isn’t enabled, you might encounter this issue. Corrupted cache or problems with Internet connection can also cause this issue.
What can I do if Teams Breakout Rooms are not working?
Before we go ahead with the advanced troubleshooting solutions, try restarting your PC or restarting Teams. Also, ensure that your connection is working properly.
1. Run Microsoft Teams as an admin
Right-click on the Microsoft Teams app and select Properties.
Switch to the Compatibility tab.
Check the box for Run this program as administrator.
Click Apply and OK.
2. Reinstall Microsoft Teams
Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
Right-click on Microsoft Teams and hit the Uninstall button.
Quit Microsoft Teams and all its related processes.
Open the File Explorer.
Navigate to the below-mentioned path: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Teams (If the AppData folder isn’t visible, you need to choose the option to show hidden items.)
Launch Microsoft Teams and check if this fixes the issue or not.
4. Enable the new Meeting Experience
Launch Microsoft Teams.
Click on the three-dot icon at the top, next to your profile.
Select Settings from the context menu.
Click on General on the left pane.
Check the box for Turn on new meeting experience (New meetings and calls will open in separate windows. Requires restarting Teams) option.
5. Try reconnecting your account
Launch Microsoft Teams.
Click on the Profile icon.
Select Sign out.
Click on Sign out.
Select the account and sign in.
Sometimes, Microsoft Teams may not work as intended due to a corrupt user profile or issues with your account. You can try resigning in with your account. Otherwise, we suggest you check if you are getting the same Breakout room not working in Teams error with another account.
In case you want to learn how to take advantage of Breakout rooms in Teams for productive brainstorming sessions, read our dedicated guide.
Even though fewer laptops include DVD optical drives these days, there are still plenty that do. If your laptop’s DVD drive button isn’t ejecting the disc, there are a number of potential fixes. Here are some suggestions that will help fix your laptop’s DVD drive eject the disc.
But first, here are some more examples of this problem:
CD drive not opening on a laptop
DVD eject button not working
Acer laptop DVD drive not opening
CD drive not opening Windows 10
Acer DVD drive not opening
How can I fix the laptop’s CD / DVD drive not opening issue?
1. Eject the Drive in Windows
First, you can still open a DVD drive in Windows. To do that, click the File Explorer button on Windows 10’s taskbar (or open Windows Explorer in earlier platforms).
Click This PC on the left of the File Explorer window as in the snapshot below.
Right-click your DVD drive listed there and select Eject from the context menu. The DVD drive might then open.
2. Close Software in Windows
If the Eject option didn’t open the drive, there might be some programs keeping it closed if a disc is already inserted. Even if the taskbar doesn’t include any open program windows, you might still need to close some background software as follows.
Right-click software icons on the system tray and select a close or exit option on the programs’ context menus.
You can right-click the taskbar and select Task Manager to open the window shown in the shot below.
Now right-click programs listed under background processes and select End task to close them.
When you’ve closed as much software you can, press the DVD eject button again.
3. Update the CD/DVD Drive Driver
The DVD drivedevice driver might have something to do with eject button not working. Updating the driver could feasibly fix the DVD drive. That will especially be the case after recently upgrading the OS platform, which can lead to device driver incompatibilities.
Open Cortana and enter ‘Device Manager’ into the search box.
Select Device Manager to open the window shown in the snapshot directly below.
Click CD/DVD-ROM drives on the Device Manager window.
Then right-click your DVD drive listed there and select Update Driver Software.
Select Search automatically for updated driver software on the Update Driver Software window. Windows will then find the latest device drivers for the DVD drive.
Update drivers automatically
It is very important to choose the right driver versions from the manufacturer’s website. But since it can be hard to find the right drivers for your DVD drive, software dedicated to finding drivers automatically may come in handy.
These tools are developed to update drivers automatically and prevent PC damage caused by installing the wrong driver versions on your behalf.
If you’re running Windows 10 Creators Udate (2017), and chances are you do, there’s a useful troubleshooting tool for resolving various issues. Including hardware-related problems. So, if none of the previous solutions resolve the issue, let’s try the hardware troubleshooter.
Here’s how to do that:
Go to Settings.
Go to Updates & Security > Troubleshoot.
Scroll down and click Hardware & Devices.
Go to Run the Troubleshooter.
Wait for the process to finish.
Restart your computer.
5. Reinstall the CD/DVD Drive Driver
If you don’t need to update the CD/DVD drive driver, you can reinstall it instead. You can do that by right-clicking your DVD drive on the Windows Device Manager window and selecting Uninstall > OK. Then when you restart Windows, the device driver is automatically reinstalled.
6. Force Eject
Some laptops have a force eject pinhole on their DVD drives. If you can find a small pinhole on your DVD drive, that’s probably the force eject button. Don’t confuse it with any larger headphone connection port that might be beside the DVD drive. If you’ve found a force eject hole, you can open the DVD drive as follows.
Shut down Windows to switch off the laptop.
Now unfold a paperclip so that it expands about one to two inches.
Next, you should insert the paperclip into the force eject pinhole on DVD drive.
Gently press the paperclip into pinhole until the DVD drive tray pops out.
Now you can pull the drive bay all the way out and remove any CD or DVD.
So that’s how you can fix a DVD drive that isn’t ejecting. If the DVD drive‘s eject button often doesn’t work, consider replacing it with an external Blu-ray drive for laptops.
The device was not migrated due to partial or ambiguous match is a common error that usually occurs after an update. The error message tells you the exact device causing the problem. For example:
Device PCIVEN_10EC&DEV_8168&SUBSYS_84321043&REV_064&100198e&0&00E4 was not migrated due to partial or ambiguous match.
Let’s see how we can fix it:
How do you fix not migrated due to partial or ambiguous match?
1. Update the driver
In the next guided example, you can learn the easiest method to update your drivers manually or automatically using secured tools.
1. Press Windows + Rto open a Run console, type devmgmt.msc, and press OK to open the Device Manager.
2. In the Device Manager, find the device mentioned in the migration error, then double-click it to open its Properties window.
3. Go to the Events tab and check whether there is a Device not migrated event.
4. Go to the Driver tab and select Update driver.
5. Select the Browse my computer for driver software option and wait for the process to finish, then reboot your PC to fix the device thatwas not migrated due to partial or ambiguous match issue.
Automatically install drivers
As you’ve seen, uninstalling the correct drivers is not very easy, and most likely, you will have to go to the manufacturer’s website for their newest version.
However, a way more straightforward solution is to employ a dedicated driver updating app that will automatically update all your drivers with just a few clicks.
2. Install the latest Windows updates
Press Windows + I to open the Settings app, then choose Update & Security.
Click the Check for updates button and let Windows install any new ones.
Wait for the updates to be installed and restart your PC if requested. The Device was not migrated due to partial or ambiguous match issues will be fixed.
3. Run the SFC scan
Click on the Windows Start button, type cmd, and select Run as administrator to start Command Prompt with full privileges.
Type the following command and press Enter to start a System File Checker scan process: sfc/scannow
Wait until the process is over, then restart your PC if any changes are made.
4. Use the System Restore option
Type restorepoint in the Search bar and click the Create a restore point option.
Go to the System Protection tab, select System Restore and click Next.
Select one of the restore points and click Next. Make sure you select one that was created before the update was installed.
Click on the Finish button. Please wait for the process to finish and restore your PC to the state where it was working without any issues.
Expand the Sound category, right-click on Realtek(R) Audio, and select Update driver.
Select Browse my computer for drivers.
Select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
Pick any option that has no Realtek in the name and press Next.
6. Update the BIOS
Flashing your BIOS is complex, and you risk causing significant harm to your computer if you do not carry it out correctly.
There is no requirement for you to keep your BIOS up to date if you are not an expert user; however, if you are experiencing a hardware issue and the only way to solve it is to upgrade your BIOS, then you may be required to do so.
The Were not migrated from previous os installation due to partial or ambiguous device match error is usually linked to driver problems. Compatibility issues, corrupt or outdated drivers to be precise. That said, corrupt system files can also be at fault.
This problem affects various external hard drives; many reported this issue when using USB 3.0 devices. All brands can be affected by this issue, but many Seagate users reported this issue.
We hope that you managed to fix it by using one of our solutions. For any questions or suggestions, we will wait for your notes in the comments section below and get back to you as soon as possible.
Your hardware relies on drivers to work correctly; if your drivers are outdated, you can experience specific problems. These problems can be fixed by installing new drivers, but users reported a few issues while installing new drivers.
They are getting The best driver software is already installed error, and today we’re going to show you how to fix this problem on Windows 10.
Why am I getting the best driver software is already installed error?
There are a few possible reasons you might be getting this error message on Windows. A few common causes include the following:
Driver installed – Logically, you can expect this error if you already have the driver installed on your computer.
Compatibility issues – The driver you are trying to install is not compatible with your version of Windows or with the specific hardware you have installed on your system.
Driver corruption – The driver you are trying to install is corrupted or damaged and, in some cases, outdated.
Problem with Driver signature – The driver is digitally signed, and your windows version has the security feature of Driver Signature Enforcement enabled.
Lost or corrupt files– A system file may be missing or corrupted, causing the error.
Printer errors – The print job most likely causes this error, and there may be a need to delete the print queue.
Also, speaking of driver issues, here are some of the common problems that users reported:
The best driver for your device is already installed Windows 7, Windows 8, and Windows 10 – This error can appear on Windows 7, Windows 8, or Windows 10. If you encounter this issue, you should be able to fix it using our solutions.
Windows has determined that the best driver for this device is already installed – This is just a variation of the original error, and if you encounter it, download the latest drivers from your manufacturer.
Force install driver Windows 10 – Windows 10 has a new security feature called Driver signing. This feature is designed to prevent specific unauthorized drivers from installing. This can be a major issue, but you can fix it by disabling this feature.
So without further ado, let us explore some solutions.
What can I do if I get The best driver software is already installed error?
1. Install the drivers
Press Windows Key + X to open Win + X menu, then select Device Manager from the list.
Locate the device that you want to update. Then, right-click the device and choose Update driver.
Select the Browse my computer for driver software option. This option will allow you to install the driver software manually.
Choose the Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer option.
Click the Have Disk button.
Lastly, click the Browse button, locate the driver on your hard drive, and click OK.
After doing that, the driver will be automatically installed on your PC.
You can avoid The best driver software is already installed message simply by installing the required driver manually. To do this, you must download the driver and extract it to any folder on your PC.
2. Remove and reinstall the driver
Press Windows Key + X to open Win + X menu, then select Device Manager from the list.
When Device Manager opens, locate the driver that you want to remove. Then, right-click the device and choose Uninstall device from the menu.
If available, check Delete the driver software for this device. Click Uninstall to confirm.
Wait for the driver removal process to finish.
Finally, restart your PC.
When your PC restarts, the default driver will be installed. Now try to install the driver again and check if the problem is resolved.
After uninstalling your drivers, we recommend reinstalling/updating them automatically. Downloading and installing drivers manually is a process that carries the risk of getting the wrong driver installed, which may lead to severe malfunctions in your system.
The safer and easier way to update drivers on a Windows computer is by using an automatic tool. We strongly recommend professional driver updater software that automatically identifies each device on your computer and matches it with the latest driver versions from an extensive online database.
3. Download the driver from the manufacturer
According to users, the error message can appear while trying to update their drivers from the Device Manager. So even though Device Manager is a handy tool, it won’t always download the best driver for you.
On the other hand, you can always download the driver right from your hardware manufacturer and install it on your own. These drivers usually come with a setup file so that they will overwrite the drivers from Device Manager.
Although you can install almost any driver using this method, it’s worth mentioning that this is an advanced solution. To install the driver manually, you’ll need to know the model of the device you’re trying to update to find the appropriate driver.
This can sometimes be hard, especially if you’re a novice user trying to install a driver for obscure old hardware.
Even though this method has its flaws, it will allow you to install the desired drivers without any problems or error messages for the most part.
4. Install the latest updates
Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
Now navigate to Update & Security section.
Finally, click the Check for updates button.
Updates will be downloaded automatically in the background if any updates are available. Once the updates are downloaded, they will be installed once you restart your PC.
Open the Start Menu and click the Power button. Press and hold the Shift key and choose Restart from the menu.
Now, Navigate Troubleshoot, Advanced options, and Startup Settings.
Then click the Restart button.
Lastly, press 7 or F7 to select Disable driver signature enforcement option.
Microsoft has introduced several security features to make Windows 10 more secure, and one of these features is Driver Signature.
While this feature is valuable, sometimes it can interfere with your system and prevent you from installing specific drivers.
If you need additional info on how to disable driver signature enforcement on Windows 10, check out this dedicated guide to find out everything about it.
The best driver software is already installed is an annoying error message, but you can quickly fix it by installing the driver manually. If that doesn’t work, try to uninstall the current driver and install the desired driver again.
If you have any other questions, leave them in the comments section below, and we’ll check them out.
Discord is a popular VoIP app for gamers and non-gamers to talk over voice, video, and text. The gaming community is extensively using the app as a reliable VoIP communication mode.
The built-in game detection feature in Discord allows you to broadcast the name of the current title you are playing. However, recently several users have reported that the Discord game detection is not working.
Being faced by many players, this is a pretty common error. Unfortunately, they don’t know much about what they can do to fix it.
If you are also troubled by this problem, in this guide you’ll find a few troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the Discord game detection not working in Windows computers.
Why is the Discord game detection not working?
The Discord game detection system may fail to detect non-verified games such as pirated games.
In some instances, this issue can also occur due to a Discord bug or incompatible app version. Also, keep in mind that you may have configured the wrong settings.
Some update issues may cause Discord to forget the list of manually added games at each startup. Thus, it will require you to go through the labor of adding all your games onboard each time you log in.
Now, let’s see what you can do to easily solve our presented issue.
What can I do if the Discord game detection is not working?
1. Check the Discord game detection status
Hit the Windows key, type Discord, then open it as in the picture below.
Open the User Settings option by clicking the cog in the bottom left near the user profile.
Go to the Activity Status tab from the left pane.
Check the Display currently running games as a status message box.
Close User Settings, relaunch Discord, and check if Discord not detecting game to stream issue is resolved.
2. Manually add the game to Discord
To add your currently playing titles manually, use the following keyboard shortcut: Windows + S.
Now, type Discord and open the first given result.
Go to the Discord Activity Status.
Click on the Add It button.
Search for your game by entering its name and choose it from the list of options.
Click the Done button to save the changes.
If you want to have little fun, try changing the game title with something funky, and it will show up on your Now Playing status.
Discord allows you to manually select the currently playing game in the user settings if you experience the Discord not detecting application to stream issue.
3. Verify if the game is genuine
Make sure the Discord app is running.
Expand the System Tray, then right-click on the Discord app, then choose to Check for updates option.
Discord will now check for pending updates. Proceed to install all the pending updates.
Once the update is installed, relaunch the app and check if the can’t stream the game on discord issue is resolved.
While Discord can detect all Stream games automatically, it will not detect unverified games. Non-verified games include games that are installed through piracy.
Make sure all the games installed on your computer are genuine. You may also require to verify the license once to make sure the game is registered if not bought on Steam.
4. Reinstall Discord
Hit the Windows key, type Control Panel, then open it.
In the Control Panel, click on Programs.
Now, navigate to Programs and Features.
Locate Discord from the list of installed apps. Select the app and click on Uninstall.
Click on OK.
Once uninstalled, reboot the computer.
After the restart, go to the Discord download page and get the latest version available.
Run the installer and follow on-screen instructions to install the app.
Once installed, relaunch the Discord and check if the game detection feature is working normally.
What else should I know about the Discord game detection?
As a general rule and as mentioned before, the most efficient way to make your Discord game detection work is to turn on the toggle beside Display currently running game as a status message. Once enabling it, the list of games on your device will show in the library below.
Some users are wondering if this feature can be used on the mobile version. Well, if you’re also concerned about it, keep in mind that it is compatible with Android smartphones.
The tool will simply let Discord detect what Android game you’re playing. After that, you’ll receive the option of displaying the game as a status message.
If your Discord game detection is not working, these are the best methods to try.
In case of additional questions, don’t forget that the comment section below is always here for you.
Your IP address is important when you are connecting to the internet. However, some users have complained that the PC is not getting an IP address for some reason.
This prevents you from accessing the web and saps the life out of your browsing session. In this guide, we will show you to fix this frustrating issue for good.
Why is my IP address not detected?
Below are some of the prevalent reasons your PC is not getting the IP address:
Changed network: One of the major causes of the IP address not recognised issue is a changed network. The solution to this is to renew your IP address.
Faulty driver: In some cases, you might get the no IP address found error because of issues with the NIC driver. The quick way out of this is to uninstall and reinstall this driver.
How to fix IP address issues on Windows PCs
1. Renew IP address
Log into your router and delete the DHCP lease for your PC.
Press the Windows key + S, type cmd, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
Type the following commands and hit Enter after each: ipconfig/releaseipconfig/renew
Finally, wait for the command to finish running.
Sometimes, your PC might be getting the IP address because of a network change. These steps will renew the IP Address of your PC and will force the PC to request a new IP address and discard the old one.
2. Reinstall the network driver
Press the Windows key + X and select the Device Manager option.
Click the arrow next to the Network adapters option and right-click the device to remove.
Now, select the Uninstall device option.
Finally, click the Uninstall button to confirm the action and restart your PC.
Your network drivers might be why your PC is not getting the IP address. This might be because the driver is outdated or faulty.
The solution to this is to uninstall the driver and restart your PC.
Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app and select Update & Security.
Choose Troubleshoot in the left pane and select Additional troubleshooters.
Now, select Internet Connections and click Run the troubleshooter.
In some cases, the PC not getting the IP address issue can be caused by glitches with your network settings and components. In this case, the best thing to do is to run the built-in troubleshooter.
4. Restart the modem
Many times due to some technical fault or any network conjunction, the DHCP server inside the router is not reachable. Hence you must try to restart the modem to fix this issue.
Also, the IPv4 address might not be detected because of weak internet strength. So, you need to make sure you have an active and strong connection.
The PC not getting an IP address issue is not usually too serious. It only requires a tweak here and there, most time to fix it, as shown in this guide.
Several readers have reported that Google Drive is not syncing on Windows 11. And since most people prefer using Google Drive for its enhanced safety and options, this issue ultimately affects many people.
Thankfully, this guide will give you many solutions that will help you resolve the Google Drive not syncing on Windows 11 problem.
Why is Google Drive not syncing on my Windows 11 PC?
After some research, we found many common reasons that would not allow Google Drive to sync on your Windows 11 PC.
Google Drive isn’t running in the background – You need to make sure that Google Drive is open and running in the background for the sync to initiate.
An issue with your Google Drive account – Some users have reported that it wasn’t syncing on their Windows 11 PC because of the account issues.
Remove bandwidth restrictions – You should not have restricted bandwidth settings for Google Drive for upload or download.
Clear cache files – Corrupt cache files can often lead to multiple issues on your PC.
What can I do if Google Drive is not syncing issue on my Windows 11 PC?
1. Re-enable the sync process
Right-click on the Google Drive icon on the Taskbar.
Select the Pause syncing option from the context menu.
Wait for a few moments.
Right-click again on the Google Drive icon on the Taskbar.
Select the Resume syncing option and see if this resolves the issue or not.
2. Delete the Desktop.ini file
Press Win + E keys to open the File Explorer.
Navigate to the folder where the files aren’t syncing.
Click the View button at the top menu bar.
Select Show and click on Hidden items.
If you see a Desktop.ini file inside the Google Drive folder and delete it.
Refresh the folder by pressing F5.
Restart your PC and see if you can sync to Google Drive.
Google Drive often creates a Desktop.ini file that prevents from syncing. However, you can safely delete it by following the above process and checking if this resolves the Google Drive is not syncing on my Windows 11 issue.
Sign in with your account and check whether this resolves the issue.
If some installation files are missing for Google Drive, then this could result in the program misbehaving. However, you can quickly try reinstalling the program and resolving the problem.
4. Turn off Windows Firewall
Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
Type Windows Defender Firewall and open it.
Click Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off on the left.
Select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) for both Public and Private networks.
Click OK to save changes.
Chances are that the aggressive Defender Firewall settings are blocking the Google Drive sync process on your Windows 11 PC. You can turn off the Windows Firewall Defender and check if this resolves the Google Drive is not syncing on Windows 11 issue or not.
You can do the same with any of your third-party antivirus software. However, we suggest you immediately turn on the Firewall or antivirus as soon as you sync your files, as it protects you from being vulnerable to cyber attacks.
Check Run this program as an administrator option.
Click Apply and OK to save changes.
For some operations, Google Drive may ask you for admin permissions, which you can grant by following the abovementioned steps.
6. Check Google Drive storage
You should ensure that you have sufficient storage space in Google Drive. If there isn’t much space left, you won’t be able to move any files to your cloud storage, and the sync process will pause.
If the Google Drive storage is full, you can delete the unwanted files to make room for the file you wish to sync.
7. Check bandwidth settings in Google Drive
Right-click on the Google Drive icon and select Settings.
Click on Preferences.
Tap on the Gear icon at the top-right.
Scroll down and under Bandwidth settings, uncheck both Download and Upload rates.
For the sync to work correctly, Google Drive requires sufficient download and upload speeds. You can uncheck the bandwidth settings and check whether this resolves the issue.
8. Reconnect your account
Right-click on the Google Drive icon and select Settings.
Click on Preferences.
Tap on the Gear icon at the top-right.
Hit the Disconnect account option at the top.
Follow the same steps and connect your Google account with Google Drive.
If there are some issues with your Google account, then you will also have issues with Google Drive. In such a case, we suggest you disconnect your Google account from Drive and reconnect it after waiting some time to fix the problem.
9. Clear the app cache
Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialogue.
Type %LOCALAPPDATA%\Google and hit Enter.
Right-click on the DriveFS folder and delete it.
Restart your PC and see if this fixes the issue or not.
Cache files save all of your personalized settings for the app; if it gets corrupt, this could cause issues with your program.
In such a scenario, we suggest you follow the above steps, clear the app cache, and hopefully resolve the problem at your end.
10. Use the web version
If you are still having issues syncing your files to Google Drive on Windows 11, we suggest you use the web version. The web version is often free from such petty issues and works as efficiently as the desktop version.
11. Check if the Stream files option is enabled or not
Right-click on the Google Drive icon and select Settings.
Click on Preferences.
Tap on the Google Drive button at the left.
Click on the Stream files option and try syncing your files to see if this resolves the issue.
A mapped network drive in Windows is the virtual representation of a remote folder. It is a critical feature for users as it enables them to access their files and folders from different computers without physically connecting to the target machine.
Troubleshooting network drive problems in Windows can be tricky, as you could encounter errors in multiple ways.
Mapped network drives aren’t always reliable and sometimes may stop working correctly for some reason. There isn’t a single reason why it stops working, but there are a few common reasons why this problem occurs.
When mapping a network drive is unsuccessful, it may fail to show on File Explorer. This can be quite frustrating, especially when you need to share the files. The folder sharing might not be possible when you cannot locate them even if the two PCs are running on the same OS and are on the same network.
We will go over these reasons in detail below so that you can try and get it to appear again.
Why is my Windows 11 map network drive option missing?
If you’re trying to map a network drive in Windows and you can’t, it’s probably because the option is missing. That’s not necessarily a big problem, but it isn’t very pleasant.
The issue could be due to several factors that are all fairly easy to fix. Here are some of them:
A wrongfully mapped drive could also be the reason it is missing. You can quickly solve this by deleting it and start over afresh. To delete:
Hit the Windows key, type cmd on the search bar, and open the Command Prompt.
Type in the following command depending on your assigned drive: net use Z: /delete
A typo in the drive mapping path. Check carefully and make sure that the full path is correct, including the share name and everything else. Make sure you don’t have a space before or after the “//” symbol.
The folder is hidden or located in a system directory. Make sure it isn’t located inside a hidden folder such as: C:\Program Files\ or C:\Windows\ On Files Explorer, you can navigate to the view tab to reveal hidden items and see whether you can locate them there.
Your network drive may be offline. This sounds obvious, but it’s an easy fix for when things go wrong, so we’ll start here. If you can’t see your drive in Windows Explorer or File Explorer, that means either your user account doesn’t have access to the drive or it’s not actually connected to your network.
If you’re sure you know where the drive is located and can see it there in File Explorer or Windows Explorer, and you still can’t access it from your computer, then try pinging the computer that has the drive.
A ping test will confirm whether or not the computer is online and help you determine if there’s a problem with your ISP (Internet Service Provider).
What can I do if my Windows 11 map network drive is missing?
1. Modify your Registry
Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run window.
Type regedit and hit Enter.
Navigate to the following location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System
Under system, select new and click DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Name the new value EnableLinkedConnections and press Enter.
Under the Value Data field put 1,then press OK.
Exit and restart your computer.
2. Manually update your drivers
Hit the Windows + I keys to open the Start Menu.
Search and open Device Manager.
Locate the driver you wish to find and right-click on Update Driver Software.
Click on Search automatically for updated driver software.
Once you find the missing drive, restart your device.
3. Show hidden items in File Explorer
Hit the Windows + I keys simultaneously to open the Start Menu.
Search File Explorer and click Open.
Click on the View tab.
In the drop down menu, click Show then select Hidden items.
If you feel this step is cumbersome, you can use a third-party software tool such as AnyRecover that will easily locate the missing network drive.
Do I need to enable network discovery to map network drives?
If you’re trying to map a network drive on Windows 11 and it’s acting up, it could be because the network discovery feature isn’t enabled.
One of the most common problems with home networks is that they don’t work how you want them to. This can happen if you upgrade from a previous version of Windows or because you have a lot of devices connected and things get confusing.
To enable network drives:
Press the Search button on the taskbar.
Type and select Control Panel.
Click on the View by menu and then select Network and Internet.
Select Network and Sharing Center.
Next, click Change advanced sharing settings.
Select the Turn on network discovery option.
Scroll down, select the Turn on file and printer sharing button.
Click the Save changes button to apply the new settings.
You’re not alone if you’re getting the error that your mapped network drive is missing. In fact, a lot of people are getting this and the error_dev_not_exist error, but the fix isn’t too hard. Hopefully, if you encounter something similar to the one we mentioned above, this article will come in handy to help you resolve it.
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