Minecraft Not Working On Windows 11: How to Fix it

Many players have been enjoying Minecraft on Windows 11 since upgrading to the new desktop platform. However, some users have encountered a few issues when they try to play Minecraft.

Therefore, they can’t play the game because Minecraft keeps crashing in Windows 11. For others, that game might not start at all on the latest desktop platform.

Either way, players can’t enjoy Minecraft when it keeps crashing or doesn’t launch. This happened to Windows 10 users who said that Minecraft cannot open/launch and it seems to happen to users of the latest OS too.

Why won’t Minecraft work on my PC?

There are numerous potential reasons why Minecraft won’t work on your PC. Assuming the computer meets the game’s minimum system requirements, which aren’t particularly high, these are some of the more likely causes for the game not working:

  • Conflicting programs: Various third-party antivirus utilities and other software are known to conflict with Minecraft
  • Outdated or faulty graphics card driver: Your PC’s graphics card driver could be corrupted or outmoded, which is a fairly common cause of gaming issues
  • Restricted access permissions: The game might not work within non-admin accounts because of restricted resource access permissions
  • Outdated Java: Minecraft: Java Edition might not work if you need to update Java on your PC; it certainly won’t work if Java isn’t installed
  • Outdated Minecraft game version: Your Minecraft game version might be somewhat outdated

Are you among those players who need to fix Minecraft not working in Windows 11? If you are, try fixing that game with these potential resolutions.

What can I do if Minecraft is not working in Windows 11?

1. Run Minecraft as an administrator

  1. First, right-click the desktop shortcut for Minecraft and select the Properties option. If you don’t have a shortcut there for the game, left-click and drag the Minecraft app from the Start menu onto the desktop.
    Properties option minecraft not working windows 11
  2. Click Compatibility to open that tab’s options.
  3. Next, select the Run this program as administrator option.
    Run this program as an administrator option minecraft not working windows 11
  4. Make sure you click Apply.
  5. Press the OK button to exit the properties window.
Note icon NOTE
You can also run Minecraft as an administrator by right-clicking its shortcut and selecting Run as administrator. However, selecting that setting as outlined above configures the game to always run with elevated rights.

2. Update Minecraft

You can update Minecraft with its game launcher, the MS Store app, or by reinstalling it. Our how to update Minecraft Windows 10 Edition guide provides full instructions for those alternative methods that may be applied by Windows 11 users too.

Library tab minecraft not working windows 11

3. Reset the Minecraft game app

Note icon NOTE
This fix is for the Minecraft Windows 10 Edition Microsoft Store app.
  1. Click the magnifying glass taskbar icon for opening Windows 11’s search utility.
    magnifying glass button minecraft not working windows 11
  2. Enter the keyword apps & features within the search text box.
  3. Select the Apps & features search result.
  4. Click the three dots button for the listed Minecraft game.
  5. Choose Advanced options on the menu.
    Advanced options minecraft not working windows 11
  6. Click the Reset option.
    Reset button minecraft not working windows 11
  7. Then, select Reset again to further confirm.

4. Update Java

Note icon NOTE
This resolution is applicable for Minecraft: Java Edition. If you play Minecraft Windows 10 Edition, however, you don’t need Java installed.
  1. Open the Java for Windows download page in your web browser.
  2. Press the Agree and Start Free Download button on that webpage.
    Agree and Start Free Download button minecraft not working windows 11
  3. When you’ve downloaded the Java installer, click the File Explorer taskbar button.
    File Explorer button minecraft not working windows 11
  4. Open the folder you saved the Java setup file in.
  5. Double-click jre-8u311-windows-x64.exe to open the Java Setup window.
  6. Click Install on that window.
  7. If an old Java version is already installed, the Java Setup window will prompt you to uninstall it. Click Uninstall to do so.

This also comes in handy when your purple heart cape is not showing up.

5. Update your graphics card’s driver

Note icon NOTE
You can find out what driver version your graphics card currently has by right-clicking Start and selecting Device Manager. Extend the Display adapters category, right-click your graphics adapter, and select Properties. Then select the Driver tab for further details.
  1. Open the driver download page on the NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel website depending on what GPU your PC has.
  2. Choose your graphics card model and Windows platform within the menu selection on the driver download page.
    The NVIDIA driver selection menus minecraft not working windows 11
  3. Click the Submit or Search buttons to find the selected graphics card model.
  4. Then select to download the latest driver for your graphics card that’s compatible with Windows 11.
  5. Thereafter, open the folder you downloaded the driver package to within File Explorer.
  6. Double-click the downloaded driver package to install it.

If you prefer, you can update graphics card drivers with a third-party driver updater utility such as Outbyte Driver Updater. Note that it scans devices on your PC and lists the ones with outdated drivers. You can select to download and automatically install drivers for listed devices with the updater tool.

6. Disable third-party antivirus software

Incompatible third-party antivirus software can stop Minecraft from working. A MinecraftHopper support page lists 14 third-party antivirus and firewall utilities known to conflict with that game. That webpage also includes numerous incompatible Minecraft programs that aren’t antivirus utilities.

If you’ve installed third-party antivirus software, it’s recommended that you at least disable its shield before playing Minecraft. To do so, right-click the antivirus utility’s system tray and select a disable or turn off context menu option. Choose to disable the shield for a few hours.

If your antivirus utility is among those known to conflict with Minecraft, consider completely uninstalling it. However, try disabling its shield first to see if that makes any difference. If it does, you can keep the software installed.

7. Clean-boot Windows 11

  1. First, press the Windows key + X hotkey to select the Run shortcut.
  2. Open MSConfig by entering this command in Run and clicking OK: msconfig
  3. Next, click Selective startup if that radio button isn’t selected.
  4. Deselect the checkbox for the Load startup items option.
    Selective startup radio button minecraft not working windows 11
  5. If not already checked (ticked), select the Load system services and Use original boot configuration checkboxes.
  6. Click Services to view that tab’s options.
  7. Select the Hide all Microsoft services setting that you can see below:
    Hide all Microsoft services checkbox minecraft not working windows 11
  8. Press Disable all button to uncheck the checkboxes for all remaining third-party services.
  9. Click Apply to save the new boot configuration.
  10. Next, select the OK option.
  11. Thereafter, click Restart on the dialog box prompt.
  12. Try playing Minecraft after you’ve clean-booted Windows 11.

If clean-booting Windows 11 does the trick, a third-party program or service was probably previously conflicting with Minecraft. You’ll need to identify what software that is when (or if) you restore the original boot configuration.

You can restore the default boot settings by selecting Load startup items on the System Configuration window’s General tab. To re-enable all disabled services, click Enable all on the Services tab.

8. Reinstall Minecraft

  1. Press the Windows and R keys simultaneously, which will open Run.
  2. To open Windows uninstall, input this command and click OK: appwiz.cpl
  3. Then select the Minecraft game listed within the Programs and Features window.
    Programs and Features window minecraft not working windows 11
  4. Click the Uninstall option for Minecraft. Thereafter, open the Run accessory again.
  5. Type this text in Run’s open box and press Enter: %appdata%
  6. Right-click the .minecraft subfolder within the Roaming folder and select Delete.
    The Delete button minecraft not working windows 11
  7. Open the Start menu, click Power, and select Restart.
  8. Bring up the Minecraft Launcher to log in.
  9. Then click Play within Update Notes to reinstall the game.
  10. Alternatively, click Download for Windows 10/11 on the Minecraft website to download the game’s installer. Then reinstall the game with the downloaded installer.

The above guidelines are for reinstalling Minecraft: Java Edition. You can remove the Minecraft UWP app by uninstalling it via Apps and features in Settings. Then download Minecraft from its MS Storage page to reinstall the game.

How can I fix Minecraft BSOD errors in Windows 11?

Some users have also needed to fix a BSOD error that occurs when they try to launch Minecraft: Java Edition in Windows 11. That’s a more unique error with a special resolution. This is how you can solve Minecraft’s BSOD error:

  1. Open the Java Downloads webpage within whatever browser you utilize.
  2. Click the download link for the x64 installer.
    The x64 Installer download link minecraft not working windows 11
  3. After downloading it, run the x64 installer. Click the Next buttons to install it at the default path.
  4. Next, open the Minecraft Launcher window.
  5. Select Minecraft: Java Edition on the left of the window.
  6. Click the Installations tab.
  7. Then click the three dots button for Latest release and select Edit.
    Installation tab minecraft not working windows 11
  8. Press the More options button.
  9. Click Browse for the Java Executable box.
    Edit installation options minecraft not working windows 11
  10. Navigate to this folder path within the Open file window: C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-17.0.1\bin\
  11. Select the javaw.exe file, and click the Open button.
  12. Press the Save button.
  13. Then try clicking Play to launch Minecraft.

Those potential resolutions are among the most widely confirmed fixes for Minecraft not working in Windows 11. They’re not guaranteed to fix Minecraft for all players, but there’s a pretty good chance they’ll get the game working.

You can get more troubleshooting guidance for Minecraft by sending a support ticket. To do so, open the Minecraft support ticket page. Then fill out the form there, and click the Submit button.

We hope this article helps you solve Minecraft’s issues. Even more, check out this guide on how to update Minecraft on Windows 11. We encourage you to do so since the updating process can be a little confusing as both versions require different methods.

Feel free to discuss fixing Minecraft in the comments section. Players who have discovered any alternative resolutions for fixing Minecraft not working in Windows 11 are most welcome to share them below.

Does Windows 11 Come With Office? Compatible Versions Guide

Microsoft Office is a great package that will simplify your day-to-day activity. Buying an available subscription is one of the best deals for creating and editing more complex files.

We did extensive forum research, and it seems like some users have a dilemma, so we’re here to clarify it.

They wonder if, after upgrading to Windows 11, they will be able to use the same Microsoft Office, which also came by default with the Windows 10 PC.

To find all the answers you can get regarding Windows 11 Microsoft Office compatibility, make sure you read this article thoroughly.

Does Windows 11 come with Office?

While the newest Microsoft OS is free to install on eligible computers (and we recommend checking Windows 11 specifications and requirements), you’ll need to buy a separate subscription for Microsoft Office.

You can choose from two main options:

  • Microsoft 365 Family – This one is a bit more expensive. However, remember that it serves 2 to 6 users, so you can take advantage of it for multiple reasons.
  • Microsoft 365 Personal – The second option is dedicated to one single user which is also cheaper.

If you are wondering whether or not the old Microsoft Office will run on Windows 11, the answer is a total yes! Your already purchased Office license is independent of the OS, so you can use it without any problem.

The new Office UI for Windows 11

Microsoft producers recently released the latest Office visual update. For the moment, the redesign is rolling out to testers in the Office Insider program. It is ready for Windows 11 but can also be used on Windows 10.

Its main purpose is to create a simple but also consistent experience through all your Windows apps. The Office visual refresh is built on customers’ feedback who needed a more natural and consistent experience.

With its new updates and Fluent Design principles, Microsoft delivers an intuitive, coherent, and familiar user interface. These are available across all Office apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Access, etc.

Microsoft is updating all Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook desktop, PowerPoint, etc.) with the same intuitive and easy-to-use interface for Windows 10 and Windows 11 operating systems.

If you’re excited about the biggest news and want to try the upgrade, you must join the Office Insider Program’s Beta Channel.

To register as an Office Insider, do not hesitate to access Microsoft’s dedicated page and follow the provided steps.

Windows 11 Microsoft Office compatibility – which versions will run on it?

If you’re wondering whether Office 2013 or Office 2010 will work on Windows 11, this is the right place. Here is the list of releases compatible with Windows 11:

  • Office 365
  • Office 2019
  • Office 2016
  • Office 2001
  • Office LTSC 2001

Unfortunately, the answer to “Will Office 2013 run on Windows 11?” is no. The same goes for Office 2007 and Office 2010.

While the previous Office version runs native at 32-bit, the newest OS has a modern 64-bit architecture. There should not be a problem running older versions of Office on Windows 11.

If you have a device with an ARM processor (such as the Surface Pro X or Galaxy Book S), we strongly recommend upgrading your Office suite.

You can do that by uninstalling your current version and downloading the latest one from the Office official page, which will automatically install the ARM-optimized version of the Office apps.

The Office apps utilize a new technology from Microsoft called ARM64EC, which stands for ARM64 Emulation Compatible.

This technology allows developers to mix and match code built for ARM64. As a result, apps with dependencies that do not support ARM64 can run partly as native apps and partly in emulation.

Keep in mind that Office Insiders can test out the 64-bit ARM version of Microsoft Office for free. Of course, this applies only to an eligible gadget with an already purchased Microsoft 365 subscription.

You’ll need to be running the Windows 11 Insider Preview build. In these terms, learn how to download an Insider Preview Build for Windows 11.

As a result, the latest Office suite brings better performance and improved efficiency while using less memory.      

How can I customize Microsoft Office on Windows 11?

Because we want you to get the best out of the redesign, you should consider these tips:

  • Try launching your pitch deck. Doing it, you’ll notice the new interface elements with customizable ribbon, soft or rounded corners, across these three apps: Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft PowerPoint.
  • With the Outlook Win32 app, you can get a cohesive interface by applying the presentation-sharing mode.
  • Microsoft Word has rounded corners, refreshed icons, and new indicators. You can notice them in the top right corner of the menu bar. However, this feature works only when you’re working with teammates on the same Microsoft doc.
  • Keep in mind that Quick Access toolbar won’t show up by default to improve the overall interface. To restore this feature, right-click the ribbon and, under Riboon Display Options, select Show Quick Access Toolbar.

So if you were wondering how Windows 11 Microsoft Office compatibility works, we hope this article helped you get a more complex perspective. You now know which versions of Office work with Windows 11.

To know about the latest iterations of Microsoft Office and understand which one is for you, read this guide.

Do not forget to share your opinion with us by leaving a comment in the dedicated section below.

6 Best Software to Create Certificates [Gift, Stock]

Certificates are not just for awarding people for their achievements but also work as gift certificates.

Today there are some of the best software to create certificates. Before the advent of these tools, people have been just receiving certificates.

Earlier,  institutions or organizations would award certificates to recognize the achievements of the best performers. These were nothing but simple documents for the receiver.

The certificates back then were printed manually with a printing press and would be designed by some remote designers.

Thanks to technology, certificates can be designed by anyone from the comfort of their home these days.

Whether the user is running a course or hosting a competition, these tools empower users to design, create, and share recognition.

Here we have listed some of the best software to create certificates that help users to make custom-made certificates, effortlessly.

What is the best certificate creation software?

Adobe Creative Cloud Express – Professionally-designed fonts

Adobe Creative Cloud Express allows users to create their own customized certificates free of cost. It can help users create exclusive certificates in just a few minutes with no design skills required.

It comes equipped with a gallery full of certificate designs and templates that inspires the users.

Created by professionals, these designs and templates help users make their certificates with ease. All they need to do is to add their own words in the ready sleek template.

They can also make use of color palettes, and various ideas while experimenting with images.

From picking a size and shape, or selecting a theme, to personalizing with images, or inserting captivating text, the users have the freedom to do a lot.

Further, users can download, share, or even get a print of the certificate.

They are also free to choose from the range of attractive professionally designed fonts and pick images from personal collections or the web.

For advanced options, users can upgrade to the Pro version.

Adobe Creative Cloud Express

This is the best tool to create certificates and it comes bundled with a lot of designs and templates.
Check price Visit Website

Canva – Various finish choices

Whether it’s a beginner, an experienced individual, or a team, Canva allows the user to design anything, effortlessly. It even allows users to publish their designs anywhere.

The software offers thousands of templates to choose from and offers professional print quality.

The superior quality print renders a super attractive look to your certificate on paper, just as it appears on the screen.

What’s interesting is, with just a single click, users can send their designs for printing and it’s even delivered straight to the doorstep in the next four days.

Moreover, their 24 by 7 customer support helps users keep track of their orders from start to end.

In addition, Canva also offers various finish choices for the certificate design. From matt finish to glossy finish, it offers a range of options that give the designs an attractive magazine-like look.

Canva

Choose this one-stop design tool for creating professional documents like diplomas or work certificates in a short time.
Check price Visit Website

Photoshop is not to be ignored if you need to create official certificates for diplomatic or celebrating events.

Adobe Photoshop – Ideal for document designs

The description is not fully required for the average user, as everybody knows the benefits and editing capacitors of this tool.

However, there are bold features that support anyone to design meaningful certificates or other official documents.

To exemplify, there are various layouts and color palettes that can be downloaded in various image formats like JPEG, PNG, PICT, PSD, etc.

Another great advantage is that you’re able to create beautiful designs from scratch or use templates for supported creativity.

In addition, using the new Generative AI anybody can manipulate design elements or generate realistic photos from nothing.

It’s also extremely customizable and flexible in terms of UI, which is made possible by plug-ins or 3D effects.

Adobe Photoshop

Own the certificate ceremony with personalized and memorable pages for the best people.
Check price Visit website

Edraw Max – High-quality vector graphics

One of the best certificate makers in the category, Edraw certificate Maker is a compact diagramming application that outshines its competitors in making professional certificates.

It comes with a straightforward interface that looks more like the MS office interface.

Whether it’s for business, education, sports, or social purpose, it allows you to create professional certificates easily.

It helps users make beautiful certificates covered with personalized designs, patterns, and matter.

It offers an easy way to get started for beginners with the help of ready-made templates.

All that needs to be done is to open the chosen template, insert texts and images, modify the colors, and then transfer it over (export) to different formats (PDF, SVG, PNG, Word, EPS, or PS).

Alternatively, users can start again with the help of the off-the-rack certificate elements in the fixed library.

Smart tools for auto-formatting, attractive themes, high-quality vector graphics, or floating dialogues are some of its other major features.

Edraw Max

Design beautiful, professional-looking certificates effortlessly with the smooth UI and inspiring template gallery of Edraw Max.
Check price Visit Website

SmartDraw – Integrated styles

SmartDraw can be the best bet for those looking for a professional certificate maker. It offers two options for its users to get started with the software.

They can either choose to use the online version on their devices or download the desktop version of the tool.

It enables users to create professional-level certificates much more quickly, online. In fact, they can also make award certificates for educational institutions, sports, offices, etc.

It offers different types of borders, examples, integrated styles, and more for professional-level certificates.

From a range of professionally designed certificate templates to inserting images in a single click, many features exist.

⇒ Get SmartDraw

Certificate Magic – Unlimited use

Certificate Magic is another great piece of software that helps users to make their own personalized certificates in a matter of minutes.

All they need to do is to pick their preferred design and add their personalized text, and the certificate is up for download! It can be downloaded in PDF format that can be further printed from the home printer as well.

The best part is, that the software is absolutely free of cost and offers unlimited use. It’s also coming up with an API, especially for web developers.

This will help them to download certificates from their own portal by using the software.

Using this best software to create certificates, users simply need to add a few lines of plain HTML.

This, in turn, will sync the software with the owner’s website and enable them to generate certificates with a professional appearance and no intricate coding.

⇒ Get Certificate Magic

Certificates are a way to encourage the other person for his/her contribution towards the institution, or business.

We believe that performance should be rewarded accordingly and that the best achievements do deserve the best recognition.

Therefore, choose the best certificate makers from our list to create beautiful certificates, and recognize people for their efforts.

Does Blocking Someone on Instagram Delete Messages? Find Out

What happens when you block someone on Instagram or Instagram messages? Does blocking someone on Instagram delete messages? You’re about to find out.

For sure, you know that the person you blocked can’t see your posts or follow you. However, what happens to your previous interaction? Do their likes and comments disappear? Can they contact you in any way? These are some of the questions you might have.

This article answers these questions and clarifies what happens after you block someone on Instagram.

If you block someone on Instagram can they still see DMS you’ve sent them?

? If you block someone on Instagram does it delete messages?

after-instagram-block-what-happens-direct-messages

Instagram doesn’t delete the direct messages of users that you block. Although the messages stay intact, neither you nor the blocked user can send the other person messages.

So that’s that! When you unblock someone on Instagram do the messages come back?

If you unblock them later, you’ll be able to send each other messages. The messages you sent while blocked won’t be delivered to the other party.

Also, if both of you are participants in a group, you’d have to choose whether you want to leave the group or stay. If you opt for the latter, you and the user you blocked will see each other’s messages to the group.

Besides, the user you blocked can’t join a room that you create.

If you’re wondering what happens to your direct messages when you deactivate Instagram or when you block somebody, it is a tricky question.

Do messages get deleted when you block someone on Instagram? No, they don’t.

In fact, nothing happens to the direct messages you and the user exchanged before you blocked them. If you send someone a message on Instagram and block them, can they still read it?

Even if you deactivate your Instagram account, the messages will remain in their inbox. However, if you deactivate your account, no one (not only the blocked user) will be able to DM you.

You practically have no Instagram account, and so when anyone taps your name, they will arrive at a user not found page.

If you want to break communication with a user and also wish to deactivate your Instagram, then you don’t need to block them first. Simply deactivate your account.

? When you block someone on Instagram, do your likes disappear from their photos?

after-instagram-block-what-happens-comments-likes

Technically, yes, your likes and comments on their content should disappear. However, if we’re talking about likes and comments on public posts or photos, then yours will still be visible to the blocked person as long as they follow those specific public accounts.

So, blocked users will view your comments and likes on the posts of other public accounts.

One more question remains: when you block someone on Instagram, what happens to their likes and comments on your content? These interactions will disappear permanently if they liked or commented on your posts.

If, for some reason, you want to delete someone’s likes from your content, simply block and unblock the user.

Instagram deletes the likes and comments of blocked users permanently. This means that even if you unblock them later, these interactions will not return.

?️ If you block someone on Instagram can they see your profile, mention or tag you?

what-happens-after-instagram-block-mention-tag

Users that you block will no longer be able to mention you on posts. They also can’t tag you on posts that they publish on the platform.

If they attempt to tag or mention you on content, they won’t find your username.

If you’re blocking the user for safety reasons, you may also consider changing your username. This way, unless they find out your new username, the blocked user won’t be able to tag or mention you anywhere.

❓ Does blocking someone on Instagram remove them as a follower?

after-instagram-block-what-happens-unfollow

When you block a user, you stop following them and Instagram also deletes them from your follower list.

Before Instagram introduced the remove follower option, the only way to stop someone from following you was to block them (and unblock them after they’re gone).

Instagram’s blocking function is essential to stop stalkers and break contact with users. You now know what happens after you block someone on Instagram – the user loses all access to you.

The only way they can communicate with you is if both of you are in the same group.

Microsoft Store Error 0x80073d02 [Quick Guide to Fix]

Are you repeatedly getting the error code 0x80073d02 on Microsoft Store while updating or installing apps? This article contains the perfect solution for this problem and some other helpful information.

The error 0x80073d02 occurs on both Windows 11 and 10 computers. It’s not an issue like Microsoft Store not opening problem. When it occurs, the installation process of any app or game gets aborted. It may happen randomly or constantly, and you may see the following message:

Installation Failure: Windows failed to install the following update with error 0x80073d02

Why does the error 0x80073d02 occur?

The good thing is there are several tricks you can apply to eliminate this problem. However, before that, you should know about the reasons. It will help to troubleshoot it more effectively. Here are the reasons:

  • Corrupted cache: When cached files get corrupted, the Microsoft Store, formally known as Windows Store, may fail to install or update apps by showing the error code 0x80073d02.
  • Internal problem with Windows: Sometimes, the source of the problem may be related to internal misconfiguration or issues with Windows.
  • Internal issues with the store app: If the Store app gets corrupted, you may face difficulties while installing items on it.
  • Network problem: If you get the error code while downloading any app, it may indicate a network problem.
  • Antivirus: Some antivirus or firewalls may interrupt the download or installation process on Microsoft Store.
  • Time and region problem: Incorrect time and region settings may also lead to this problem.

What can I do when the error 0x80073d02 occurs on Microsoft Store?

You can follow several methods to solve this problem. But at first, you must do the following things to do the whole thing without any unexpected hassles:

If you still experience the same issue, go through these methods to fix 0x80073d02 completely:

1. Correct Time, Time Zone, and Region

  1. Press Win + I on the keyboard to open Windows Settings.
  2. Go to Time & language and then Language & region.going language and region windows 11 settings
  3. Choose the correct country from the Country or region.
  4.  Go back and go to Date & time.
  5. Either choose the correct time zone or enable Set time zone automatically and also Set time automatically.set time automatically win11
  6. Restart your PC.

After that, try to install or update apps on the MS store and see if it has fixed the error code 0x80073d02.

2. Run troubleshooter

  1. Open Windows Settings like before.
  2. Go to System and then Troubleshoot.going system and troubleshoot windows 11 settings
  3. Go to Other troubleshooters.going other troubleshooters win11
  4. Click on Run next to the Windows Store Apps.clicking run windows store apps troubleshooter
  5. Follow any onscreen steps to complete the process.

After that, you should not encounter any Microsoft Store installation or update problems.

3. Repair or reset Microsoft Store

  1. Go to Windows Settings like before.
  2. Go to Apps and click on Installed apps.going installed apps windows 11 settings
  3. Find the Microsoft Store.
  4. Click on the three horizontal dots next to it and go to Advanced Options.going advanced options microsoft store
  5. Click on Repair and see if it fixes the problem.repairing microsoft store app
  6. If not, Click on Reset and try again.

You also reset the Xbox app. Some users have found resetting the Xbox app helpful as well.

4. Re-register the Store

  1. Open the Start Menu, and type PowerShell.
  2. Right-click on Windows PowerShell and choose Run as administrator.
  3. Type the following command and press Enter to execute it: Get-AppxPackage -allusers Microsoft.WindowsStore | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}reregistering microsoft store using windows powershell
  4. After finishing the process, restart your computer.

5. Reset Windows

  1. Open the Windows Settings.
  2. Go to System and then Recovery.going recovery win11 settings
  3. Click on Reset PC.clicking reset PC win11 settings
  4. Then, go ahead and finish the process.

After resetting, you should no longer encounter the error code 0x80073d02.

However, if you still get the error, it may be because of your country’s temporary network connection issues. In this case, we suggest you use Private Internet Access (PIA) or any of the best VPN connections.

This article has explained how you can fix the Microsoft Store error code 0x80073d02. Let us know in the comment box if you have any suggestions or opinions.

If I Block Someone on Facebook, Can They See Me Through Mutual Friends?

If you block someone on Facebook, you’ll vanish for that person on the app – they won’t see you in the mutual friends list, none of your posts on other people’s pages, no activity whatsoever.

So if you want to cut contact with someone completely, blocking them on Facebook is an effective way to ensure they can’t interact with you.

Let’s take a closer look at what happens when you block someone, restrict a profile, or, in turn, how you figure out whether someone blocked you.

What happens when you block someone on Facebook

You won’t appear in mutual friends list

The blocked person won’t see you through mutual friends, be it in friends list, your comments, posts that mutual friends tag you in, and so on. Here’s a more detailed explanation.

They won’t find your profile if they look it up

When you block someone on Facebook, you lock them out of your Facebook universe.

To the blocked user, your account no longer exists on Facebook, including your profile picture and your profile.

A blocked person on Facebook won’t see public posts/tags/comments

People you block on Facebook cannot see anything you publish on the platform:

  • Your comments (even comments on mutual friends)
  • Your friends’ list
  • Posts and shares
  • Their likes will no longer show on your posts

A restricted person won’t see your posts if you tag a mutual friend

The blocked user will NOT see posts you published with a mutual friend tagged.

If a mutual friend posts on your wall, the person you blocked will know that the mutual friend posted something. However, they won’t see the content on the post or know that it was posted on your wall.

All they will see is that the content isn’t available right now.

On the other hand, if a mutual friend tags you to a post (not on your wall), the person you blocked will be able to see the post, but they won’t see the tag.

If someone blocks me on Facebook will they see my friend request?

No – If someone blocks you on Facebook, you won’t be able to send them a friend request in the first place. The moment the person blocks you, you lose all access to his or her Facebook profile or page.

We hope that this guide has managed to answer your questions regarding what happens when you block somebody on Facebook.

Don’t hesitate to share your opinion with us by using the comment section below.

8 Best Course Making Software For E-Learning [2026 Updated]

The learning environment today is heavily influenced by digital technologies, so it’s no wonder that many are using course making software.

Whether you’re looking to create reading or audio/visual content, there’s a wide variety of course-making software you can use as a teacher, or for training purposes, if you’re in a company or organization set up.

Course-making software are tools used to create interactive and engaging training or educational material. They can be used to create materials for students, or employees in a corporate setting.

These courses can then be administered together with other learning material and/or systems, thus providing enough material on your subject matter.

Here are the best course maker applications you can use to prepare the course content regardless of your learning setting.

In addition, why not try student management software? It’s perfect if you want to always keep a close eye on your students and their progression.

What is the best way to create an online course?

The best and most efficient way is to use specialized tools. With them, you can easily integrate everything you envision for your course.

Luckily, online learning is becoming more and more mainstream. This is why we have access to modern and effective platforms dedicated to course makers and learners.

It’s very important to figure out your main topic of discussion and know your learner’s demographic. There are tools that can help you determine what socio-economical group is interested in your topic.

This will help you decide how to structure your course, and figure out a suitable pricing plan that is convenient for potential customers and profitable for you.

What are the best software for creating online courses?

Adobe Captivate – Intended for professionals

Adobe Captivate 2019 release product

This course design software is a desktop app that helps you author batches of content rapidly on HTML5 based platform.

It is touted as the most powerful authoring tool software in the industry, but it needs a lot of understanding to use it, though not much technical ability is needed to create interactive content.

It uses wizards to guide you as you create and publish your content so you will have plenty of insight on how to get the job done.

Features include color palettes, slide master, responsive and interactive output, geolocation capability, powerful scripting functionality, and you can define group actions when working on multiple projects.

Adobe Captivate

Courses need to look good in order to be captivating, so create the most appealing courses using Adobe Captivate
Free trial Visit website

Teachable – Easy to use

course making software

This course maker software allows you to create and build beautiful online courses with a user-friendly interface.

Teachable has an effortless setup such that with a few clicks, you deliver an exceptional learning experience with a fully functioning school, payment gateways, plus sales and marketing tools.

This tool lets your students sign up to your school, view curriculums, and previews, as well as purchase your courses.

In this way, you actually reduce the hassle of orientation and registration that take up so much time when done in the physical school setting.

You also get to customize your website as you have full control over it, by simply uploading the content, creating your beautiful school, engaging your students, then sharing knowledge and selling while you’re at it.

Features include optimization for web and mobile, intuitive user interface, Power Editor for advanced developer customization, and many more.

It also features easy adding of multimedia items and PDF files, templates, a drag-and-drop builder, a free domain, global reach, analytics, hosting and security, interactive learning tools, and discussion forums.

Teachable

Create online courses and coaching services at a high level!
Check price Visit website

Podia – Best for selling online courses

Podia is a platform with multiple uses, one of which is course creation and online selling. It’s the perfect way to start your online journey.

All you need is your content, and Podia handles the rest. You can create a sales page, receive payments, and pre-sell or re-sell your courses. Podia supports all types of marketing strategies.

Podia offers the necessary tools so you can build any kind of course. Whether it’s a standalone, drip, or bundle of courses, the platform has the right tools for any of them.

Podia allows you to create the perfect look for your course that your clients will love. Customizing your website takes only minutes and requires no design or coding skills.

This platform is designed so you can make everything yourself. No sophisticated templates, text, images, videos, testimonials, customizable branding, flexible layout, live previews, and don’t worry it sounds too complex. It’s like a walk in the park.

Podia handles the toughest parts when you face obstacles online. Podia manages sales, marketing, content editing, organization, and much more.

Podia

An all-in-one tool to create, advertise and sell your courses online.
Free Trial Visit Website

DomainRacer – Advanced solution for professionals

If you need software to create online training courses then DomainRacer might help you. This service offers SaaS solutions that allow students to easily enroll.

With this service, users can create reports, attachments, certification generation, participation, and more. The service also delivers a premium video platform as well as live virtual classes with Zoom integration.

In addition, you can create and sell online courses, or construct online quizzes, games, participations, etc.

Overall, DomainRacer is a great service for online courses, so be sure to give it a try.

DomainRacer

The professional way to create courses to boost your content creation.
Check Price Visit Website

Articulate 360 – Great features

With this course building software, you have the right apps and resources to create high-impact, interactive and engaging content.

The apps include Storyline 360 and Rise, which help you develop custom courses that are fully responsive and user-friendly, within the shortest time possible.

There’s also the Articulate Review, which helps you speed up the project review process while delivering feedback in a browser.

Features include templates, multimedia items like photos, videos, icons, and characters, live online training using webinars, and a user-friendly interface.

With Articulate 360, you need not have technical knowledge as there is no coding required.

You also get an active online community for sharing information, and flexibility, and your content is accessible on different devices and platforms.

⇒ Get Articulate 360

CD2 Learning – Easy-to-use interface

This is one of the best course-making software in the market if you want to create interactive and engaging content fast and in the easiest way.

Features include a drag-and-drop interface, mobile capability to create content from anywhere and anytime, change tracking and recall, and the capability to construct games.

CD2 Learning also includes assessments, real-world simulations, keyword and tagging, automatic uploads to a content delivery network, multi-language support, and content listing among many others.

⇒ Get CD2 Learning

Lectora – For desktop and mobile

course making software

This is a well-known brand when it comes to course-making software.

It is a powerful, cloud-based Software as a Service (SaaS) tool that can be used for collaboration anywhere and at any time.

Features include an intuitive interface, zero installation, and automatic file backup. There’s also a quiz builder, collaborative review tools, flexible scripting, and more.

You also have access to a graphics and template library, pre-made actions for animation creation, and easy publishing of courses to any learning management system.

Other notable features include Publish for Seamless Play option. Using it, your content will smoothly flow from page to page. There’s also Branch Track Integration to create and import scenario-based exercises with one click.

You will also find an Anchor Position feature to specify an object’s location on the page, Import and Export Question files, color selection, social objects, and customizable buttons among many others.

⇒ Get Lectora

Shift Learning – Affordable solution

This course-making software offers a single workspace on an intuitive platform with all the tools you need to work smarter, delivering high performance, and while giving you full control.

Features include an extensive template builder and library, and a built-in audio recording studio. There’s also an easy-to-use interface with no coding requirements and a drag-and-drop builder for custom designing.

You will find interactive templates where you can add multimedia. Speaking of which, there is also responsive design for mobile and desktop and a built-in review system.

⇒ Get Shift Learning

These are some of the best course-making software that you can use. Be sure to research them all properly before you make your choice.

If you’re a student or a teacher, we have something for you as well. Go to our education software tools guide for more useful applications.

Are you ready to create engaging and interactive content with any of these course-making software? Let us know in the comments section below.

QuickBooks Keeps Crashing on Windows 10 & 11 [4 Fixes]

Regarding accounting matters, Quickbooks is one of the most renowned software packages; however, a few users have complained that QuickBooks keeps crashing.

We understand that this is a great hindrance to your workflow and productivity.

So, in this article, we walk you through all you should know about this problem, including some common triggers and the best solutions that have been tested to work.

Why does QuickBooks keep closing on me?

There are several possible reasons why QuickBooks might crash on a Windows 10 or 11 computer, and several possible solutions you can try. Here is some potential triggers for the problem:

  • An outdated app – Outdated applications are prone to various problems, including crashes. This may be the case with QuickBooks.
  • Malware – The presence of malware on your computer will affect certain functions and applications and may trigger some of the applications to crash.
  • Compatibility issues – In some instances, you may have compatibility issues between the OS and the application, which may require an OS update.

That said, let us explore some of the most reliable solutions.

How do I stop QuickBooks from crashing?

1. Update Windows

  1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Click on Windows Update on the left pane, then select Check for updates on the right.
    quickbooks keeps crashing
  3. Updates should now be downloaded. You may be required to restart the computer.

Make sure Windows is running at the most recent version. An obsolete operating system might be vulnerable to crashes, much like outdated applications.

2. Repair QuickBooks

  1. Press Windows + R, type control panel, and hit Enter. quickbooks keeps crashing
  2. Under the Programs menu, select Uninstall a program.
  3. From the program list, click on QuickBooks and select Uninstall/Change.quickbooks keeps crashing
  4. Select Repair and click Next.

This step may be valid, especially if QuickBooks keeps crashing after an update or when opening a company file.

3. Reinstall QuickBooks

  1. Press Windows + R, type control panel, and hit Enter.
    quickbooks keeps crashing
  2. Under the Programs menu, select Uninstall a program.
  3. From the program list, click on QuickBooks and select Uninstall/Change.
    quickbooks keeps crashing
  4. Select Remove and click Next.
  5. Download and install the latest version of QuickBooks.

You may need to remove QuickBooks and then reinstall it from scratch if trying to fix it doesn’t work. This is a good solution, especially if QuickBooks keeps crashing when emailing invoices or if it keeps freezing.

4. Check for viruses or malware

  1. Type Windows Security in the Search bar, and click on the relevant search result.
  2. Now, click on Virus & threat protection here.
    quickbooks keeps crashing
  3. Click on Scan options.
    quickbooks keeps crashing
  4. Now, select Full scan and click on the Scan now button at the bottom.

Your computer may have a virus or other malicious software, which is why QuickBooks keeps crashing. To make sure your PC is virus-free, run a scan.

We have not written any of these solutions in any particular order and recommend that you try what seems the most appropriate.

If you stumble upon the QuickBooks payroll service connection error, the highlighted guide will help you fix the issue. We also have a guide on what to do if Gmail is not working with QuickBooks, so don’t miss it.

We hope these suggestions help! Let us know if you have any other questions.

3 Best Handwritten Notes Apps on Windows with Pen/Stylus

Dedicated apps that allow handwriting fans to write directly on Windows devices are great if you want to centralize all your notes. Not only can you write directly with your stylus, but many of them can also convert handwriting to editable text.

Find below the best note taking apps for Windows that support handwritting.

What are the best handwriting apps for Windows 10?

Nebo – best for handwriting to text conversion

Nebo is a very useful app that allows you to handwrite, draw, edit and format your notes quickly. You can also convert and transport them as digital documents.

The app also lets you structure your notes using titles, paragraphs, and bullet lists.

The list of options doesn’t end here: you can add interactive diagrams, freeform sketches, and annotate pictures. You can view your Nebo documents on any device, on any Internet browser, email client, or on Microsoft Word.

Nebo is designed for Windows 10 and validated with Microsoft Surface Pro and Surface Book with Surface Pen.

Pros:

  • Accurate handwriting-to-text conversion
  • Great for organizing notes
  • Works well with Surface Pen

Cons:

  • Takes time to learn all features
  • Limited functionality on non-Surface devices
Nebo

Nebo

Take notes with the ease of writing on paper with an app that is designed to be modern like Windows 10!
Check price Visit Website

One Note

microsoft onenote

OneNote is literally your digital notebook. You can use it to write down your ideas, keep track of classroom and meeting notes, a clip from the web, make a to-do list, draw, and more.

You can use both your device’s pen and your finger to write and draw. There are multiple types of pens and highlighters you can choose from.

You can personalize your piece of digital paper, write on a white background, or add a grid.

OneNote is perfect to use as a collaboration tool as you can share your notes with colleagues, family, and friends.

Pros:

  • Easy to share notes in real time
  • Syncs with Microsoft tools
  • Lots of customization options

Cons:

  • Interface can feel cluttered
  • Not specialized for handwriting
OneNote

OneNote

This product created by Microsoft itself will make note-taking to an entirely new level!
Check price Visit Website

Evernote

If you own any type of digital device, then you’ve probably heard of Evernote, a world leader in terms of apps used for taking notes.

Well, among the many features that this tool has, taking handwritten notes is one of them, and it also comes with a neat feature that uses OCR in order to convert your scribbled notes into regular text.

Besides, it has wonderful support for touchscreen devices, such as those belonging to the Surface family, allowing you to turn them into a regular notebook instantly.

Pros:

  • Converts handwriting to searchable text
  • Good for multimedia notes
  • Easy to sync across devices

Cons:

  • Some features require a paid plan
  • Not focused entirely on handwriting
Evernote

Evernote

A world leader in note-taking apps, Evernote will take your hand-written entries and turn them into text immediately!
Check price Visit Website

These three apps cover a wide array of needs: choose OneNote if you’re looking for a collaborative tool, and download Plumbago if you need an app to take down notes and draw.

If you’re looking for a simple app to mainly take down handwritten notes, then Nebo is a good enough choice.

If you have any other suggestions or questions, feel free to leave them in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to check them out.

How to Copy Files to Remote Computer With Powershell

You must have found this guide because you want to know how to copy a file to a remote computer using PowerShell.

The good news is that we understand the need for file sharing and have put together every detail you need to know in this article.

So without much ado, let us get to it.

Why should I transfer files using PowerShell?

PowerShell may be used to transfer files for a number of reasons:

  • Speed: When uploading a lot of data across a network, PowerShell may be quicker than utilizing GUI-based solutions.
  • Automation: You may transmit files automatically on a schedule or in reaction to certain circumstances by using PowerShell scripts that have been automated.
  • Versatility: File transfers utilizing FTP, FTPS, SFTP, and SCP are all possible with PowerShell.
  • Handling errors: PowerShell has strong error-handling features that might be helpful when transferring files to make sure the transfer went well.
  • Reporting: PowerShell is capable of generating thorough reports on the transfer procedure, which include the total volume of data transferred, the number of files transferred, and any mistakes that had occurred.

In general, managing file transfers using PowerShell may be practical and effective, especially in a professional setting.

Now here is how to copy files to remote machines using the tool.

How do I copy a file to a remote computer using PowerShell?

1. Copy a file from a remote computer using PowerShell

1.1 Set up the remote connection

  1. Open PowerShell with admin rights, input the command below, and hit Enter.
    Enable-PSRemoting -Force -Verbose
    powershell copy file to remote computer
  2. If you get the error as displayed in the image above, enter the following command; if not, skip this step:
    Set-WsManQuickConfig
  3. Use the following command to configure your trusted host, substituting AFAM with the name of the computer:
    winrm set winrm/config/client '@{TrustedHosts="AFAM"}'
    powershell copy file to remote computer
  4. Use these shell scripts to restart your WinRM service and test the remote computer name after you have added the remote machine name to the trusted host (remember to substitute AFAM for your computer name):
    Restart-Service WinRM
    Test-WsMan @AFAM

A few actions to create a remote connection are listed above. One may copy files to distant machines after establishing the remote connection.

Note that on a remote system, PowerShell remoting must be enabled. To do this, use the steps highlighted above.

1.2 Use Copy-Item to copy the file

  1. Use the New-PSSession cmdlet to start a session using the command below (remember to replace AFAM with the PC name).
    $SESSION= New-PSSession -Computer 'AFAM' -Cred $credential
    powershell copy file to remote computer
  2. Connect to the newly created session using the command below (note that you can use the cd command to change the directory if needed):
    Enter-PSSession $SESSION
  3. Copy the file using the command below (remember to replace initial and final location with the actual paths you need the file copied from and to):
    Copy-Item –Path "initial location" –Destination "final location"
  4. You may need to quit the shell from the remote machine access after interacting with the remote machine. To do this, you must terminate the session using the Exit-PSSession cmdlet as follows:
    Exit-PSSession

2. Copy multiple files to a remote computer using PowerShell

  1. Follow all the steps mentioned in solution 1.1
  2. Declare some variables using the script below (include actual values for the username, password, and both paths):
    $username = "username"
    $password = "password"
    $remote_path = "\remote_computer\c$\path\to\destination"
    $local_path = "C:\path\to\local\files"
  3. Next, create a credential object using the script below:
    $credential = New-Object System.Management.Automation.PSCredential ($username, (ConvertTo-SecureString $password -AsPlainText -Force))
  4. Use the script below to get the local path that has been declared:
    $files = Get-ChildItem $local_path
  5. Finally, copy each file to the remote computer using the foreach function:
    foreach ($file in $files) {
    Copy-Item -Path $file.FullName -Destination $remote_path -Credential $credential
    }

This will copy all the files in the local directory specified by $local_path to the destination directory on the remote computer specified by $remote_path. You will need to provide the correct values for $username, $password, $remote_path, and $local_path.

There you have it. These are some of the best ways to copy files to a remote computer using MS PowerShell.

PowerShell is a very robust tool, and with some knowledge of scripting, there is a lot you may be able to achieve using the tool. You can copy files from and to remote computers using the tool.

Please let us know in the comments below if this guide has been helpful.

21 Best Windows Task Manager Alternatives [Upgraded]

If a certain application is unresponsive or slow, the best way to deal with it is to use Task Manager to close it.

Task Manager isn’t the only task management application for Windows 10, and today we’re going to show you the best task management software that can replace default Task Manager.

The default Task Manager in Windows 10 is a decent tool, but it lacks some advanced features.

If you’re an advanced user, or if you’re looking for a Task Manager alternative, we strongly suggest that you try any of the tools from our list.

What are the best task manager software for Windows 10?

AnVir Task Manager

The best and most powerful task management software that you might want to try is AnVir Task Manager. The application can show you detailed information about each process.

As a result, you can view DLLs that the application uses, inbound and outbound traffic, disk load, performance graph, open files, etc.

In addition, you can also view information about startup programs and services. If needed, you can even remove or add applications to startup.

The application can also show you information about drivers and active Internet connections.

AnVir Task Manager also has tray icons, and you can easily view CPU or hard drive usage right from the system tray. You can also see information about network traffic, laptop battery, and memory from the system tray.

AnVir Task Manager can also show you the security rating of each active process or service. Thanks to this feature you can easily locate potentially harmful software in the list of processes.

AnVir Task Manager will also inform you if any application tries to add itself to the startup. If needed, you can also scan any suspicious process by using the VirusTotal service.

The application also offers some File Explorer enhancements. Using this tool you can easily minimize any open window to the system tray or create a floating icon.

In addition, you can change the transparency and priority of every application with ease. If needed, you can also resize any open window to one of the many available sizes.

AnVir Task Manager is a great tool that allows you to see additional information about running processes.

The free version offers the most features that you need, but if you want to get access to several more advanced features, you might want to consider purchasing one of the two Pro versions.

We also have to mention that a portable version is available, so you can run this tool on any PC without installation.

AnVir Task Manager

This excellent tool shows disk load, performance graphs, open files, and detailed info on any process.
Free Download Visit Website

Wise System Monitor

If you’re looking for a simple and lightweight task manager software, you might want to consider Wise System Monitor. This is a free application that allows you to terminate any process with a single click.

The application will appear on the right side of your screen, and in order to activate it, you need to move your mouse all the way to the right.

Wise System Monitor has a simple interface that lets you view some basic information about running processes. Available information includes architecture, the number of child processes, and windows.

If needed, you can also view subprocesses for your running processes. You can also view additional information about any process simply by double-clicking it.

Regarding process termination, you just need to right-click a process in order to terminate it.

Wise System Monitor doesn’t offer any advanced options, and there are no performance graphs or any information regarding resource consumption.

This is a basic task manager that allows you to terminate any process with a single click. The application is completely free, but it doesn’t offer any advanced features.

Wise System Monitor

Make sure that no suspicious apps are running on your system with this great tool.
Free Download Visit Website

Process Hacker

If you’re not pleased with Task Manager, you might want to consider Process Hacker.

This application can show you detailed information about all running processes. Just like Task Manager, Process Hacker allows you to view a graph of your resources in order to see how much CPU or RAM your computer is using.

The application has one useful feature, and you can hover over the graph and see the application that was using the most resources. If needed, you can double click the graph to see more information about that application.

If you want to learn more about a certain process or application, simply double click it to see the additional information. Process Hacker also allows you to see which processes are using certain files.

This feature is useful if you can’t remove certain files because they are used by other applications.

Unlike Task Manager, Process Hacker has a search bar at the top right so you can easily find any application or process in a matter of seconds.

Using this tool you can see which programs have active network connections or get real-time information regarding disk access. The application can also manage services, which can be rather useful.

Process Hacker is an open-source application, which means that you can easily modify it or redistribute it. In addition, it can be customized with plugins, so you can easily enhance its features.

Process Hacker is available for free, and you can even download the portable version and use it without installation on any PC.

⇒ Get Process Hacker

Process Explorer

Process Explorer is a free and portable task manager software that can show you all available processes and services. Processes are grouped in the left pane, and you can easily expand them in order to see related processes.

Of course, you can click each process and see extensive information about it. If needed, you can also end or suspend a certain process.

We also have to mention that you can end an entire process tree, which can be rather useful sometimes.

Process Explorer allows you to see DLLs and handles related to available processes. In addition, you can also view graphs that allow you to monitor system resources.

The application can also add a live icon to your system tray, so you can easily monitor the desired resources.

Process Explorer also allows you to use drag and drop method to find certain processes, which can be rather useful. In addition, you can use VirusTotal service to scan suspicious files or processes.

If you want, you can replace the default Task Manager with Process Explorer. We have to admit that Process Explorer is a great tool with a wide range of features.

The user interface offers an extensive amount of information, but first-time users might have some issues adjusting to it.

Although Process Explorer is great, we have to mention that you can’t configure services or startup items with it. Despite this minor flaw, this is still an amazing task management software that you should try out.

⇒ Get Process Explorer

System Explorer

If you’re looking for a task management software, you might be interested in System Explorer. This is a free application, and it comes with a simple and neat user interface.

System Explorer uses a tabbed interface, and you can easily remove or add new tabs. The application allows you to choose which type of information you want to see.

For example, you can choose to see processes for all users, Microsoft system entries, or services. In addition, you can also show all processes and services using the tree structure.

The application supports the drag and drop method, so you can easily select any open window and see its process in System Explorer.

Just like any task manager software, you can use this tool to end certain processes or to suspend them. In addition, you can also end the entire process tree with ease.

The application also allows you to check your processes and applications for viruses, which can be rather useful. The software also allows you to view the performance graph thus allowing you to monitor your system resources.

You can also view all available connections using this tool. The application also has a History tab that you can use to view previous events.

In addition to events, you can also view some basic network information as well as a network graph. Of course, you can also manage services right from this tool.

The application also allows you to view startup applications, and you can disable the desired applications with a single click.

System Explorer also allows you to uninstall applications, and this feature can be quite useful to some users. In addition, you can also view security information and additional information about your PC right from this tool.

The application also has support for snapshots and WMI Browser. There’s also a system tray icon that allows you to monitor CPU and memory usage.

System Explorer is a great tool, and with its simple and attractive user interface it’s a great Task Manager replacement.

The tool also offers some additional options, so it should be perfect for both basic and advanced users alike. The application is completely free, and you can use it without restrictions.

⇒ Get System Explorer

Process Lasso

Process Lasso is another free task management software. The application will show you all running processes along with the resource graph so you can easily monitor all active applications.

Process Lasso allows you to balance your resources thanks to the ProBalance, SmartTrim, and IdleSaver features. In addition, you can change your power profile right from this application.

There’s also support for Gaming Mode that will optimize your processes so you can get the best performance.

The application offers extensive configuration, and you can configure CPU, memory, and I/O priority for all processes.

In addition, you can trim virtual memory for specific processes or throttle the CPU usage.

The application also allows you to set a maximum number of instances that you can run, and you can even set processes to automatically restart if a crash occurs.

If needed, you can also prevent sleep while a certain application is running. You can also terminate any running application or automatically terminate a specific application if it starts.

The application also has a useful action log so you can easily keep track of all processes. Process Lasso offers advanced features when it comes to process management.

We have to mention that this application doesn’t allow you to control startup items or to manage services. Despite those limitations, this is still a great task manager software so you might want to try it out.

The application is free for personal use, but if you want to use this tool for commercial purposes and get access to all features, you’ll have to purchase the Pro version.

⇒ Get Process Lasso

Daphne

Daphne is an open-source task management software for Windows. The application has a simple user interface that shows you the list of active processes as well as CPU and memory usage.

The software supports the drag and drop method so you can easily find any open application in Daphne.

Using this tool you can easily find the location of any process or application and end it with a single click. In addition to process management, you can also change the affinity or priority of any process.

This task management software also supports traps, and you can schedule a process to be terminated at a specific time.

The application also allows you to terminate tasks that have the same name. In addition, you can also close all windows that share the same name.

Daphne also supports graphs, and you can see a CPU usage graph at any time. If needed, you can also view the process tree and use it to quickly find the desired process.

This application can also show you all installed applications and allow you to remove them with ease.

Daphne is a solid task management software that offers great features. The only flaw of this application might be its simplistic user interface which doesn’t look too appealing.

Despite this minor flaw, Daphne is still a great task manager software, and since it’s completely free there’s no reason not to try it.

It’s worth mentioning that there’s also a portable version available, so you can run this tool on any PC without installation.

⇒ Get Daphne

What’s Running

Another free task management software that you might want to check out is What’s Running. The application uses a tabbed interface, and you can quickly view running processes, services, modules, or IP connections.

You can also see all available drivers and startup items as well as system information.

Regarding processes, you can view them using the tree interface which makes it easier to find related processes.

The application also allows you to configure your services, and you can easily start or stop any service from this application.

Unfortunately, there’s no ability to configure startup type for your services. What’s Running allows you to configure your startup items, and you can easily disable, remove, or add new items to the startup.

The application can show you extra information about each running process, but you can also view the resource graph for every process.

What’s Running is a solid task manager software, and since it’s completely free, we advise you to try it out. The application also offers portable mode, so you can install it without making any changes to your registry.

⇒ Get What’s Running

Process Security

Another simple and free task management software that you might want to check out is Process Security.

The application has a friendly user interface, and you can easily find any running process. There’s also a useful search option that can help you find the desired process.

Using this tool you can easily end any process or see additional information about it.

If you want, you can start a new process from Process Security, and you can even completely replace Task Manager with it.

The application also allows you to view modules that are associated with a certain process. If needed, you can also assign a different priority to your processes.

Process Security doesn’t have a performance graph, but it has performance bars on the left side. Thanks to these bars you can monitor CPU or memory usage in real-time.

Process Security is a simple task manager software, but it has its flaws. It seems that this application doesn’t show you CPU, memory, or disk consumption per process, which is a major flaw in our opinion.

The absence of this feature makes it a lot harder to find and end demanding processes. Despite this flaw, Process Security is a decent software, so you might want to try it out.

⇒ Get Process Security

Task Manager DeLuxe

If you’re looking for a free and portable task manager software, you might want to consider Task Manager DeLuxe. This is a free and portable application, so it can work on any PC without installation.

The application uses a tabbed interface, and you can easily navigate to the desired section. If needed, you can easily terminate any application from Task Manager DeLuxe.

You can also monitor an application and see its additional information as well as its open windows. All processes are sorted in a tree view, but you can also use the search bar on the top to find the desired process.

The application also works with services, but it offers limited configuration. You can see the information about the service, but you can’t change its startup type.

If needed, you can start or stop any available service. There’s also support for startup applications, so you can easily remove startup items. Unfortunately, there’s no option to add startup items.

Task Manager DeLuxe has performance bars, and you can view them at any time. From there you can see CPU or memory usage, and you can see which processes are using most of your resources.

If needed, there’s also a network graph, disk I/O graph, and performance graph. You can also see some additional information about your system right from the application.

Task Manager DeLuxe offers a wide range of features, and you can even replace Task Manager with it. As we already mentioned, the application is free and portable, so we advise you to try it out.

⇒ Get Task Manager Deluxe

Security Process Explorer

Another free task management software that you might want to consider is Security Process Explorer. The application has a simple and friendly user interface, and you’ll be able to find all the necessary information with ease.

Using this tool you can change the priority of certain processes, end them, or view their details. You can also block certain processes that might be harmful right from this application.

The application doesn’t offer any graphs, so you can’t monitor your system performance. However, you can see how much memory or CPU power each process is using.

We have to mention that you can’t configure services or startup items with this tool.

Security Process Explorer is free and simple task manager software, and with its simple user interface, it will be perfect for first-time users.

However, if you’re looking for some advanced features, this tool might not be for you.

⇒ Get Security Process Explorer

TaskInfo

If you’re looking for a task management software that can show you extensive information about running processes, you might want to consider TaskInfo.

According to the developer, TaskInfo can show you information about all running processes and threads.

The application will show you all running processes in the left pane, and you can see extensive information about each process in the right pane.

You can see general information as well as modules, related files, and handles. Or course, you can easily terminate any running process or simply pause it right from this tool.

In addition, TaskInfo offers extensive information about your system, CPU, open files, connections, drivers, and services.

If needed, you can also stop or run a specific service from this application. The application also has a real-time performance graph, so you can always keep a close eye on your resources.

TaskInfo offers extensive information regarding running processes, so it will be perfect for all advanced users. Due to a large amount of information, this application might seem a bit daunting for basic users.

Despite its complexity, this is one of the most powerful task manager applications on our list, so if you’re an advanced user we recommend that you check it out.

⇒ Get TaskInfo

DTaskManager

If you’re looking for free and portable task manager software, you might want to consider DTaskManager. This application can show you the list of running applications, and you can easily stop any task.

We have to mention that this application allows you to terminate tasks using three different methods. In addition, you can even hide application windows temporarily or permanently.

Regarding processes, you can see memory and CPU usage for each process. Of course, you can suspend or resume any available process.

You can also terminate any process using the three different methods. If needed, you can even change the priority or affinity of individual processes.

Of course, there’s a performance graph thus allowing you to easily monitor your PC performance. The tool also allows you to view networking information as well as user and kernel modules.

We have to mention that you can terminate multiple processes simultaneously, which is an extremely useful feature.

DTaskManager doesn’t offer startup configuration, and you can’t disable services with it. If needed, you can replace Task Manager with DTaskManager completely.

We have to mention that we had some issues with this tool. The application crashed a few times when trying to use certain features.

Some users might not like the user interface because it resembles the old Task Manager from Windows 7.

Despite these issues, DTaskManager is a solid tool, and since it’s free and portable you might want to try it out.

⇒ Get DDTask Manager

Auslogics Task Manager

If you’re looking for a free and simple task manager software, you might want to check out Auslogics Task Manager. The application allows you to see all running applications, and you can easily minimize or maximize any application.

In addition, you can also speed up or slow down a certain task or close it completely. The same goes for available processes, and you can even search for a specific process thanks to the built-in search bar.

Auslogics Task Manager also works with services, and you can easily stop or run any service. Unfortunately, there’s no support for advanced options regarding services.

You can also see locked files with Auslogics Task Manager. Thanks to this feature you can see exact applications that are using your files. If needed, you can unlock any file with a single click.

Auslogics Task Manager is a decent tool, but it doesn’t allow you to see any extensive information regarding your processes.

If you’re looking for a simple task management software that offers some additional features, feel free to try Auslogics Task Manager.

⇒ Get Auslogics Task Manager

Bill2’s Process Manager

Another simple task management software that you might want to consider is Bill2’s Process Manager. The application has a simple interface, and you can easily see all running applications.

By default, some processes are hidden but you can enable them by checking the appropriate options. We also have to mention that Bill2’s Process Manager has a built-in search bar, so you can easily find the desired process.

With this tool, you can easily close an application or terminate a specific process. In addition, you can also set priority and affinity for each process.

If needed, you can suspend or restart any application or process. You can also view detailed information including modules and threads for each process.

There’s also a performance graph and statistics available, so you can easily monitor your resources with this tool. The software also allows you to create specific rules for applications, which can be useful to advanced users.

Overall, Bill2’s Process Manager offers decent features and it’s a solid task manager. The portable version is also available, so you don’t have to install this tool to use it.

We have to mention that our version was in French by default, but you can easily change the language to English from the options menu.

⇒ Get Bill2’s Process Manager

SterJo Task Manager

SterJo Task Manager is another free and portable task management software for Windows. The application has a visually appealing user interface, so it’s perfect for novice users.

Using this application you can easily end any running process or change process priority.

In addition to processes, SterJo Task Manager also allows you to configure startup applications. You can easily disable, remove, edit, and add applications to startup.

The application also works with services, and you can start or stop any service. In addition, you can change the startup type of every service right from this application. Lastly, you can also view all available connections on your PC.

SterJo Task Manager doesn’t have a performance graph, and you can’t see memory usage by process. This isn’t the best task manager on our list, but it’s a decent application with a great interface and some interesting features.

⇒ Get SterJo Task Manager

Yet Another Process Monitor

If you’re looking for a free task management software that can provide extensive information, you might want to consider this tool.

Yet Another Process Monitor allows you to view all running tasks, and you can easily terminate, switch, or minimize them.

Regarding processes, you can easily search for a specific process thanks to the built-in search bar. After you find the desired process, you can terminate it by using several available methods.

You can also stop a process or change its affinity and priority. The tool can also show you detailed information such as modules, handlers, threads, etc. In addition, you can also view file dependencies from this tool.

If needed, you can create specific jobs for your processes. The application supports monitoring, and you can easily monitor a single process and keep track of its performance.

Yet Another Process Monitor also works with services, and you can easily stop or start a service. In addition, you can also change startup type and view detailed information regarding your services.

There’s also support for active connections, and you can easily monitor them with this tool.

There’s also a detailed log that allows you to examine how your processes behave over time. Another feature that we want to mention is the performance graph.

Thanks to this tool you can view system information and monitor performance in real-time. We also have to mention that this tool supports remote connections. As a result, you can easily run it remotely on any other PC.

Yet Another Process Monitor offers an extensive amount of information, a solid user interface, and wide range of features. The tool is completely free, so be sure to try it out.

⇒ Get Yet Another Process Monitor

Security Task Manager

If you want a task management software that focuses on security, you might want to check out this tool. Each process has a security rating that tells you how potentially dangerous the process is.

Keep in mind that this rating isn’t always correct, and even if a file has a high-risk rating it doesn’t mean that it’s malicious.

The application allows you to see the full path to running processes as well as CPU and memory usage for every process. Regarding processes, you can scan each process for viruses right from this tool.

Of course, you can also end any running process using this tool. Another useful feature is the ability to add files to the quarantine, which is great if you need to deal with potentially malicious files.

In addition, the application also allows you to view a short description of each process. There’s also additional information such as the process type and embedded hidden functions.

Overall, Security Task Manager is a decent tool, and it offers some interesting features in terms of security. However, the tool doesn’t allow you to manage services or startup items, which is a flaw in our opinion.

If you want to manage services and drivers, you’ll have to purchase the full version. The application is available as a free trial, so feel free to try it out.

⇒ Get Security Task Manager

Alternate TaskManager

Alternate TaskManager is another free task management software for Windows. Unlike previous entries on our list, this application has a plain user interface that might be a bit confusing to new users.

The application allows you to see process ID, hex value, window caption, and window class name. In addition, you can also see the related executable file.

Since information about available processes isn’t presented in a user-friendly manner, it might be hard to find a specific process.

If needed, you can filter processes by process ID, but you can also choose what type of processes you want to view. In addition, you can view processes that are in a specific process ID range.

Alternate TaskManager allows you to easily end processes and to see additional information regarding each process. However, there’s no ability to configure startup items or services.

In addition, there’s no performance graph as well. Alternate TaskManager might not be the best task manager software on our list, but it’s completely free, so you might want to try it out.

⇒ Get Alternate TaskManager

Chameleon Task Manager

Another task management software that offers a wide range of features is Chameleon Task Manager. The application allows you to view all running processes and you can easily switch to a specific process or terminate it.

In addition, you can change process priority or affinity or restart any process. If needed, you can optimize memory for the selected process or block it from running.

The application has a built-in search bar, so you can easily find the desired process.

The application allows you to see an overview and information for every process. You can also view modules, resources, files, registry entries, handles, and logs for each process.

There’s also a performance graph in the background, but you can move it to a separate panel if you want. If needed, you can configure each individual process and assign rules to it.

The tool also allows you to view your computer statistics. This is rather useful if you need to monitor your PC performance.

Chameleon Task Manager also works with services, and you can start or stop any service using this tool. In addition, you can easily change the startup type of any service.

Chameleon Task Manager is a powerful task manager software, and it offers a wide range of features and information. Unfortunately, the tool isn’t free, so you’ll have to purchase it if you want to keep using it.

We have to mention that there’s also a free version, but it offers only the basic features.

⇒ Get Chameleon Task Manager

Free Extended Task Manager

The Extended Task Manager is on the bottom of the list but it still deserves a try since it brings you additional Windows process management features and information about disk activity and network port usage.

For starters, you can check the Disk I/O chart that allows you to monitor the applications that are running on your computer and see which applications utilize most of your disk at the moment.

Another nice feature is the port monitoring function. This enables you to see who is connected to your computer and the devices’ IP addresses.

Of course, it will also show you who you are connected to.

There are instances where you can’t use or delete a file because it is used by an unknown process.

The Extended Task Manager Another gives you the ability to locate Windows processes that lock a specific file and kill their process to release your file from being used.

This tool has a free other few features so make sure to try them for free, as its name suggests.

⇒ Get Free Extended Task Manager

We hope that you found the best option for you on our list. For any suggestions please leave us a line in the Comments section below.

Microsoft’s chief product officer is building Windows with AI in mind

During CES 2023, Microsoft’s chief product office Panos Panay popped up to give a shout to artificial intelligence and briefly touch upon how it’s going to shape the company’s flagship operating system in the future.

At an AMD’s presentation for CES 2023, Panay took the stage to explain how AI is guiding the way Microsoft engineers Windows.

“AI is going to reinvent how you do everything on Windows, quite literally.”

While Panay didn’t reveal any specifics during the presentation, the background context of his appearance heavily hinted at Microsoft’s recent work with Qualcomm to embed a dedicated processor that leverages machine learning and AI to compartmentalize CPU processes to produce new effects such as Microsoft’s new Windows Studio Effect.

Windows-11-2022-Update-AI-Studio-Effects-in-Teams-1024x576

During AMD’s opening keynote the chip manufacturer unveiled its plans to produce its Ryzen 7000 mobile processors with a dedicated AI engine similar to Apple’s M-series chips, but 20 percent faster. With its new chip architecture, AMD claims it could squeeze out 30 hours of battery life by offloading certain processes to this dedicated AI engine.

While Microsoft isn’t claiming 30 hours of battery life for its Surface Pro 9 with an AI tweaked Qualcomm chip, it does claim those device variants have better battery life than their non-AI dedicated Intel chip counterparts.

Interestingly enough, Intel has plans to produce its own AI infused chipset dubbed Meteor Lake processors, later this year.

As for the future of Windows and AI, users need look no further than the Qualcomm powered Surface Pro 9 which relies on the AI portion of the chip to run its OS-specific Windows Studio Effects such as background noise cancellation and studio-esque background blur from embedded webcams.

As more manufacturers come on board with their own flavor of compartmentalized processing architectures, Panay seems ready to take advantage of the CPU-free resources to enable new experiences in Windows.

Use Text-to-Speech and Voice Recognition on Windows 11

Like Windows 10, Windows 11 computers have text-to-speech capability. Also known as TTS, text-to-speech allows you to hear written text narrated by the computer.

On the other hand, voice recognition software will enable you to perform specific commands on your device using your voice.

How can TTS and voice recognition software help me?

As you speak into a microphone, the computer writes out the text on screen with a combination of text recognition and speech synthesis.

It’s a great tool if you have difficulty reading or writing, as you can perform a stream of consciousness as you talk. You can overcome writer’s block with this handy tool.

TTS can also help you if you want to check the pronunciation of certain words or hear text aloud via Microsoft Narrator. Plus, the software is good at adding proper punctuation, so you can also learn good grammar.

Text-to-speech is also extremely important for users with any visual impairment problem.

What about Voice Typing Tool?

The Voice Typing Tool is an app on Windows 11 that takes advantage of the text-to-speech functionality. The app can be used on any text box, like editors, word processors, chat programs, emails, and wherever you can write on a computer.

It has an auto punctuation feature to accurately and correctly dot your text with the appropriate periods and commands. Voice Typing Tools also supports languages besides English, including Spanish, Simplified Chinese, and German.

This guide will tackle the other aspects of text-to-speech on Windows 11 besides the Voice Typing Tool. It will show you how to turn on text-to-speech, configure it, and go through some features most people may not know.

How can I use text-to-speech on Windows 11?

1. Turn the Narrator option on

  1. Click on the Start menu and click on the Settings icon.
  2. Click on Accessibility and select Speech.
  3. Click on the Narrator option.
  4. Toggle the Narrator switch to turn it on. Once you do, the Narrator app menu will open.
  5. The Narrator app is now on. To configure it, click OK.
  6. The Narrator settings menu is open. Click on Settings.
  7. In the next window, ensure that the keyboard shortcut is turned On.
  8. To change the Narrator’s voice, click on the drop-down menu next to Voice and select an option.
  9. You can change the Narrator’s voice’s Speed, Pitch, and Volume by changing the levels next to their respective configuration.

2. Turn the text-to-speech option on

  1. Click on the Start menu and click on the Settings icon.
  2. Click on Accessibility, scroll down and click on Speech.
  3. You can toggle Windows Speech Recognition in this new window by flipping the switch from Off to On.
  4. Upon flipping the switch, the Set up Speech Recognition wizard will appear, where you can set up from your preferences and connect a microphone.
  5. After clicking Next, the wizard will ask you what kind of microphone you will use. Headset Microphone will be chosen for this guide, but the instructions are the same.
  6. After choosing your device, select Next.
  7. At this point, the wizard will set up your microphone by asking you to keep the mic at a set distance so it can configure the software. When you’re ready, click Next.
  8. Read the sentence that appears so the software can get a sample, then click Next.
  9. Now you’ve set up the microphone. Click Next to continue.
  10. Click Enable document review to allow your Windows 11 computer to read the document before transcribing it to speech. Then click Next.
  11. Here you can select an activation mode. If you choose Manual, the text-to-speech capability won’t activate until you open the app. If you choose Voice activation mode, the computer will listen for a command to turn on the feature.
  12. This guide will select Use manual activation mode, then click Next.
  13. In the next window, you can print out a reference sheet filled with all of the commands that Windows 11 text-to-speech recognizes.
  14. If you don’t have a printer set up, click View Reference Sheet to be taken to a page on Microsoft’s website listing all the commands.
  15. After clicking Next, you can opt in or out of running Speech Recognition every time the computer is turned on.
  16. Windows 11 allows you to learn how to use text-to-speech with a tutorial if you want to learn more. Otherwise, skip it.
  17. A new window will appear on the top of your screen, which is the text-to-speech app listening to your commands. Press the Mic button to turn it on and off.
  18. You can try out text-to-speech by opening Windows Notepad and start speaking to start writing.

3. Configure text-to-speech

  1. Return to the Accessibility panel on the Windows 11 Settings menu and select Speech.
  2. Click Speech under Related settings.
  3. To add more languages, scroll down to Manage voices and select Add voices.
  4. Select a language you want to add or search for one.
  5. Click the box next to the language and select Add at the bottom.
  6. To add a new microphone, click Get started under Microphone.
  7. In the new window, select Cortana can’t hear me.
  8. Select the device you want to add and click Next.
  9. Select Set up the mic.
  10. You will be asked to recite the same sentence as before to calibrate the new device.

Windows 11 has a lot of good native apps, but third-party apps blow what’s on the operating system out of the water. And that’s the case for text-to-speech apps.

Many are on Windows 11, which also appears on Windows 10. Many of them are carry-overs from the older system to the new one. They help immensely with expanding your vocabulary.

Some are apps like Dragon, which is widely known for its high quality, but some online readers are just as good as the apps.

Some of these online readers include the likes of Ivona and NaturalReader, which can convert PDFs and Docx files for free. There are even paid versions that give extra features like Word Prediction.

And if you’re someone or know someone who struggles with dyslexia, NaturalReader is a great tool for helping people overcome that condition.

There are several different apps and services on Windows computers that you should try out if you have dyslexia. KAZ-Type, for example, teaches typing while managing visual stressors and has minimal disruptions.

You can also enhance your voice experience by setting up Speech Recognition in Windows 11 for advanced control and improved hands free operation.

Feel free to comment below if you have questions about other Windows 11 apps. Also, leave comments about guides you’d like to see or information on other Windows 11 features or guides like this.

Improve your Meeting Minutes with Airgram AI Meeting Assistant App

Getting the minutes after a meeting can be painstaking but the meeting agenda templates from Airgram Meeting Assistant will save you lots of time.

This online tool records your meetings and pulls out the transcripts like magic, to share them later with your team.

What is Airgram and how can it help you?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3Q0Au6A3ww

Airgram is an AI Assistant for Zoom, Google Meet, and Teams that records video conferences in high-quality audio and video.

Then, it transcribes both online and offline meetings automatically. Everything will be marked with time stamps, so you can get back to the meaningful information a lot faster.

The best part is that Airgram offers 8 transcription languages including English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, and more.

Now that we know what Airgram is, we will highlight its best features and show you how to use it.

What are the best features of Airgram?

1. Meeting agenda templates

Airgram features a library with 11 types of templates depending on the purpose of the meeting.

However, you may customize them with notes and actions, set timers for each particular part of the meeting, and more.

This way, you can lead the meeting to the second and go through all the objectives you have targeted.

Moreover, all the related notes are saved, so you may use them in other meetings. You can also share or export them to include in a meeting report if necessary.

2. AI assistant

When you start a call and hit the Start Recording button, the Airgram meeting assistant will immediately join a meeting to create transcripts automatically.

However, you may also schedule the Airgram assistant to join and record Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams calls without you being in the meeting.

In the end, you will have everything recorded, including the notes and transcripts to review anytime you want.

3. Get the full meeting transcription

Airgram detects when someone is speaking and starts to write the transcription live, in the Airgram window.

But you don’t need to keep it open, it works seamlessly even if you minimize it. Whenever there is a topic change or something important going on, click the Highlight button below to create a timestamp on the video.

4. Review the meeting recording

The meeting notes and transcript will appear shortly in the Meeting Notes menu of your cloud-based Airgram account.

Of course, there, you can edit them, highlight parts of the text and even cut shorter clips if you need to.

Plus, it’s possible to share individual clips with click-by links.

You may even select individual speakers and get the transcripts only for them. The parts of the meeting when they spoke will be highlighted on the timeline as well.

This way, you can go directly to a statement or look inside their transcripts to find all the meaningful information you’re looking for.

5. Include action items

Whenever there is a task involved, you may click a sentence and add an action item. That will bring the text to the Notepad where you can assign it to one of the meeting attendees, including yourself.

By using the Calendar button, it’s also possible to set a deadline for the task as well.

This really turns the meeting into an instrument to increase productivity and clarity for everyone involved.

6. Export transcripts easily

All the notes and transcripts will be featured in your account and you can access them on virtually any device that can run a browser.

However, you may also export them easily as a Word document, on Google Docs, Notion, or Slack.

The only thing you need to do is to authorize access to the web app you want to export to.

7. Import files to transcribe

We saved the best for last because, with Airgram, you can also upload your own video or audio files and get transcriptions.

Just click on the Import Files button from the upper-right corner, drag-and-drop your video or audio file in the box and select the transcript language and Airgram will do the rest.

It’s an amazing feature when you need to pull out some dialogue from any piece of recording.

How do I get Airgram and set it up?

  1. Go to the official Airgram webpage and click on the Try Airgram for free button.
  2. Now, create a free account or just sign in with your Google or Microsoft account.
  3. Rename your workspace and click the Next button.
  4. Select the default transcription language, choose the video conferencing tool you want to use (Google Meet, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams), and hit Next.
  5. Now, you will be prompted to install the extension for the video conferencing tool you have chosen. In our case, it’s a Google Chrome extension to connect with Google Meet. You may also do that later.
  6. Go to the Meetings menu from the left pane and connect with your Google Calendar and/or Outlook.

How do I create a meeting transcript with Airgram?

  1. From your dashboard, click on the Quick Notes button.
  2. Select the Templates icon.
  3. When the pop-up window opens, select a template from the left, according to your needs, and click the Apply button from the bottom right.
  4. Of course, you can edit the template as much as you want and by introducing the / symbol, you may add timers, talking points, headings, bullet lists, and more.
  5. When you finish the meeting note, click the Start Recording button and select the video conferencing app you want to use.
  6. You will see that an Airgram button has been added. After all, participants have joined the meeting, click the Start Recording button.
  7. The Airgram assistant will ask to join the meeting so click the Admit button.
  8. That’s it! Everyone who is talking will be recorded and the words transcripted.
  9. You may minimize the Airgram window and the app will continue to work in the background. Just hit the Stop button from the Airgram applet when the meeting is over.
  10. Back on your web dashboard, you will see all the meeting notes in chronological order. Just click on any note to review it.
  11. In the new edit, you will be able to view the video and the transcripts and if you click on a sentence, you will see the action menu to create a clip for that particular text, add action items, comment, highlight or copy the text.
  12. After you finish editing, you may share, export, or download the video and transcript.

What are Airgram’s price and plan options?

Airgram can be used for free but there is a limit of 5 recordings per month and a 1-hour time limit per recording.

That may be sufficient for personal use but if you have meetings regularly in your organization, you will have to commit to one of the paid plans:

Airgram Pro – For $8.99/month you will get 10 recordings per month and 2-hour recordings

Airgram Team – For $17.99/month you will have 15 recordings per month and 5-hour recordings. You will also be able to add team members and access the administrator tools.

Airgram

Get professional meeting notes with this tool that offers seamless transcripts and templates!

You can access your Airgram dashboard online, from any location on virtually any device.

Pros
Simple and comprehensive user interface
Plenty of business meeting agenda samples to choose from
The cloud-based web app can be accessed from anywhere in the world
Supports transcription from 8 languages
AI Assistant can join the meetings even if you can't attend
Cons
Only 5 recordings per month are included in the Free version

Closing notes

As we mentioned at the beginning of this review article, getting meeting reports after calls can be really time-consuming but Airgram does it automatically!

Before this amazing tool, you would have to watch the meeting video, take tons of notes, write them down and organize them.

That can turn out to be a 3-hour chore for a 1-hour video and Airgram has it done by the time you finish the call.

Basically, the only thing left to do is to brush up on the transcript after the meeting is over and you’ve got yourself a professional meeting note.

If our tests, the app worked seamlessly with Google Meet although it is the same process on Microsoft Teams and Zoom.

We strongly encourage you to at least give it a try because we remind you that Airgram can be used for free.

If you just need a tool that transforms audio into text, you may also look at our list of the best transcription tools for Windows.

Have you tried Airgram yet? Then tell us all about your experience in the comments section below.

Fix: Windows 11 Drag and Drop Not Working [4 Ways]

Of all the changes that users noticed in Windows 11, drag and drop not working was something that struck them the most. This feature has been a part of the Windows ecosystem for a long time and going by the comments, users are not pleased with its discontinuation.

A feature that we all heavily relied on is absent from Windows 11. Users thought of it to be a bug in the initial version but Microsoft was quick to acknowledge that the feature has been removed.

Other changes pertaining to the taskbar include the inability to launch the Task Manager from the right-click context menu, and dropping apps in the taskbar to create their shortcut.

So, what do you do when the Windows 11 drag and drop not working issue occurs?? There are a few workarounds that could get you similar results and we have listed them all in the following sections. Else, you can get used to the new interface and execute tasks accordingly.

4 Solutions when you can’t drag and drop in Windows 11

It has been reported that users who upgraded to Windows 11 22H2 can now use the drag-and-drop feature properly.

However, at the time of writing this article, the Windows 11 22H2 update is full of bugs, so it may be recommended to wait a bit more before trying it out. In case you decide to skip the update for now, you should use the solutions below:

1. Use the Alt + Tab shortcut

  1. Navigate to the location where the file/folder that you want to move is saved.
  2. Select it, press and hold the left mouse button, and drag the file a little.
    select the file to drag and drop in Windows 11
  3. With the file still grabbed, press the Alt + Tab keys to view all the apps open in the taskbar.
    View all open windows
  4. This will launch a new screen where all the open apps will be listed as separate tiles. The currently open window or the one that was last opened will be listed first, the one before it would be listed next, and the same sequence will be followed.
  5. Now, while holding the Alt key, press Tab to navigate through the open windows.
  6. Release Alt when the desired destination is selected.
    Release Alt at the desired destination
  7. Once the destination window launches, release the left click to drop the file.
    Release the left click to drop the file in Windows 11

This way you can easily move files between apps and get rid of the Windows 11 drag and drop feature not working problem.

Although it will take you some time to get acquainted with the process, once that phase is over, you will find this method convenient and quick. Just practice for a while until you get a knack for it.

2. Open the two windows in split screen

  1. Launch both the windows amongst which you want the drag and drop the file or folder.
  2. Open the one where the file to be dragged and dropped is saved, hover the cursor over the maximize button, and select the first option to snap the current window into half of the screen.
    Split screen to drag and drop in Windows 11
  3. In the other half, you will find listed all the additonal open apps. Select the one where you want to drop the file/folder.
    select the other window for split screen
  4. Now, select the file that is to be moved. Press and hold the left mouse button, drag the file across windows and release the click when you reach the other one.
    drag and drop the file
  5. The file will now be moved to the destination.

The split-screen method in Windows 11 works great if you just have to move files between two locations. In the above case, we took two File Explorer windows, however, you can replace one or both of them with other apps. This is a quick solution to the annoying drag and drop problem.

For some apps, there may be an additional confirmation box to complete the drag and drop procedure. Choose the appropriate response and get done with it.

3. Use the cut and paste operation

  1. Launch the program where the file to be moved is stored.
  2. Right-click on it and select Cut, or as the procedure may be for that particular program.
    Cut files instead of drag and drop in Windows 11
  3. Now, navigate to the destination, i.e., the program where you want to move the file/folder.
  4. Right-click and select Paste, or according to the procedure for that particular program.
    Paste files

Again, a simple workaround for drag and drop not working in Windows 11. However, it’s not as effective as the other two since it requires a tad more time and effort.

Also, some apps don’t support the Cut operation, in which case, you will have to copy the file/folder and move it to the desired location. Once done, go to the source and delete the concerned file.

Those who prefer the keyboard shortcuts can use Ctrl + X to Cut, Ctrl + C to Copy, and Ctrl + V to Paste.

4. Modify the Registry

  1. Press Windows + R to launch the Run command.
  2. Type regedit in the text field, and either click on OK or press Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
    Launch Registry Editor
  3. Click Yes on the UAC prompt that appears.
    Choose yes
  4. Now either navigate to the following path using the pane on the left, or paste it in the address bar at the top and hit Enter:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell\Update\Packages
    Navigate the path
  5. Right-click on the empty space, hover the cursor over New, select DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it as UndockingDisabled. This key will fix the problem in no time.
    Create new key
  6. Right-click on it and select Modify from the context menu.
    Modify the key
  7. Enter 1 in the field under Value data and click on OK to save the changes.
    Change the value data to enable drag and drop in Windows 11
  8. Close the Registry Editor.
  9. You wouldn’t notice any immediate change, since it requires restarting Windows Explorer. There are two ways to do that, either restart the computer or the process itself from Task Manager. We will go with the latter.
  10. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch Task Manager.
  11. Locate the Windows Explorer process, right-click on it, and select Restart from the context menu.
    Restart Windows Explorer

The taskbar may disappear for a few moments and once it reappears, you will notice that the icons are all aligned to the left. You can now easily pin items to the taskbar as we did in the previous iterations of Windows.

But, there’s a major downside to this method. After making changes to the registry, you wouldn’t be able to launch the Start or Search menu, and Cortana if it’s enabled, by clicking the respective buttons in the taskbar. However, they can still be accessed via other methods.

In case you are willing to make the sacrifice, no other method mentioned above can match the effectiveness of this one.

Is drag and drop available in Windows 11?

After the drag and drop not working in Windows 11 problem was raised by several users, Microsoft issued a response a couple of years ago:

Currently, dragging a file onto an app in the taskbar to open it in that app is not supported in Windows 11, but we appreciate all your feedback, and we’ll continue to use it to help guide the future of features like this.

Based on this statement, we had expected the drag and drop feature somewhere down the line from Microsoft. Luckily, it did go live and Windows 11 22H2 users can now use it.

If the above solutions don’t meet your requirements or some critical functionalities are still left out, you can find a way to bring back the old taskbar and Start menu.

These are all the methods you can go for when the drag and drop function is not working in Windows 11. Although they aren’t as good as the built-in functionality, they do the trick until Microsoft releases a similar feature.

Once you have the drag and drop working in Windows 11, pin as many apps to the taskbar. Or, drop files to the processes in the taskbar to launch in that particular app.

Even more, apply these useful tips if the left mouse button drag doesn’t work. Even though it is a Windows 10 guide, rest assured they are the same as in Windows 11.

And if you change your mind and roll back to the previous OS, take a look at these quick fixes if you can’t drag and drop items in Windows 10. Moving paragraphs, files, or folders around will work like a charm once again.

You can get a detailed breakdown of how drag and drop works in File Explorer by reading this guide on Windows 11 drag and drop behavior.

Let us know your thoughts on Microsoft killing the drag and drop operation and the method you opted for in the comments section below.

0x8024002d: How to Fix This Windows Update Error

Error code 0x8024002d is an issue that arises for some users when they try to install security updates in Windows. That error displays a message along the lines of, There were problems installing some updates, but we’ll try again later… (update reference) Error 0x8024002d.

What causes error 0x8024002d?

Users can’t install patch updates for which error 0x8024002d arises via Settings. To fix error 0x8024002d, we recommend applying the potential Windows 11 solutions below.

Also, Microsoft nor anyone else has identified a specific cause for error 0x8024002d. However, this issue can arise for similar reasons other Window Update errors occur, such as the following:

  • There are corrupted system files – Updating Windows is a system process that can fail because of damaged system files.
  • Corrupted data in the SoftwareDistribution folder – Corrupted (damaged) files in that cache can cause update errors to occur.
  • Incorrectly configured or damaged update components – Some specific Windows Update components are damaged.

Now that we know what causes this problem, let’s start fixing it with the solutions below.

How can I fix the Windows Update error code 0x8024002d?

1. Open the troubleshooter for Windows Updates

  1. Use the Windows + X hotkey to access the Power User menu, and select Run from there.
    Run option 0x8024002d
  2. Type in the following command and click OK to access troubleshooters: ms-settings:troubleshooters
    Run accessory 0x8024002d
  3. Click Other trouble-shooters in the Windows 11 Settings app.
    Other trouble-shooters option 0x8024002d
  4. Select Run for the Windows Update troubleshooting tool.
    Run troubleshoot option 0x8024002d
  5. Wait to see if the troubleshooter detects anything and applies fixes.

2. Run SFC and DISM scans

  1. Click the Search icon from the taskbar, type cmd, and select Run as administrator.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter to run it: sfc /scannow
  3. Wait for the scan to finish, then execute the following command: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

The SFC and DISM scans will correct any system file problems or bad sectors on your drive.

3. Erase data in the SoftwareDistribution folder

  1. Click the Start button, type cmd in the search window, and select Run as administrator from the results.
  2. Stop some update services by executing these separate commands, one by one, and pressing Enter after each: net stop wuauserv
    net stop cryptSvc
    net stop bits
    net stop msiserver

    net stop commands 0x8024002d
  3. Return to Run, and input the following in that accessory’s command box: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
  4. To select all the data there, press the Ctrl + A key combination.
  5. Click Explorer’s Delete option.
    Delete button 0x8024002d
  6. Then go to this folder path: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore
  7. Clear the DataStore folder by pressing Ctrl + A and clicking Delete.
    DataStore folder 0x8024002d
  8. Go back to the Command Prompt and restart the services by executing these four commands:

net start wuauserv
net start cryptSvc
net start bits
net start msiserver

4. Reset update components

  1. Download the script needed to reset the update components.
  2. Press the Windows key + E to start File Explorer, go to the download location, right-click on the zip file, and select Extract All.
  3. Open the file, right-click on the WUReset file, and select Run as administrator.
  4. Wait for the script to execute completely.

This simple batch script resets all Windows Update components, like the SoftwareDistribution folder, BTS service, Cryptographic Services, etc.

We also have a complete guide on how to reset the update components and you will find more information.

5. Reset Windows 11 to factory defaults

If error 0x8024002d persists after going through resolutions one to four, we recommend resetting Windows. That final solution will restore Windows to factory settings.

Most of your software will not be preserved after a reset, but you can at least select to keep user files. Have a look at our how-to reset Windows guide for further details.

Those potential error 0x8024002d solutions will address some of the more probable causes for updates failing. There isn’t any widely confirmed fix for this issue, but the ones above are worth a try.

Yet, there could be more ways to resolve that issue as well. Users who’ve found different ways to fix error 0x8024002d are welcome to share their solutions below.

Best JAR File Opener to Download & Use in 2026: #1 is a Must

JAR files are a sub-type of archive file that deals with Java content (Java Archive). Like all archive formats, it is used to aggregate Java metadata into a single file to facilitate transfers and distribution.

Coders that work using the Java format use it a lot. And given its popularity, there are also plenty of tools that will not only show you how to open JAR files but will do so effortlessly.

If you’re wondering what app opens JAR files, here’s a quick preview of our top picks for this year:

? WinZIPHighly versatile (cross-platform compatibility), this is an excellent Mac Jar opener and JAR file opener to download on Windows 10 & 11.
? File Viewer PlusTop Jar file viewer with top-notch support for a multitude of file formats & extensions.
? Java Runtime EnvironmentEnjoy the perks of a native .jar file opener with seamless OS integration, which is also free.
WinRARAgile reader with JAR file extractor capacities
7-ZipArchive-focused app to open JAR files and more

The entries were chosen based on multiple criteria so that you can make a more informed decision before choosing one or another:

  • effectiveness
  • price
  • ease of use
  • system requirements

Do .JAR files work on Windows?

That’s the big question. Now, the format is intended to work as an archive. As such, the JAR file itself is not directly readable or executable. You can, of course, use the Java Platform Binary to open it

However, it’s not the most digestible method. As an alternative, you can convert the JAR file’s extension and extract its content by using dedicated software to open JAR files.

Which are the best apps to open JAR files?

WinZip – The best JAR file extractor to download

Since JAR files are basically built on the ZIP format, the go-to solution would be to use the best tool on the market that also deals with opening ZIP files. And that is WinZIP.

Not only does this tool help you open and extract the data out of JAR files, but it also lets you archive it back into whatever archive file format you want. This also includes formats that are exclusive to WinZIP.

The product is lightweight and integrates with your OS context menus upon installation. Thus, it allows you instant access to WinZIP’s tools as soon as you right-click on a JAR file.

WinZip

Open, extract, and archive back your JAR and Java data with the help of WinZip’s powerful toolset
Free trial Visit website

File Viewer Plus – Universal software to open JAR files & more

If your JAR files aren’t the only ones that you have problems opening, then a good idea would be to switch from a tool that deals with particular file formats. Why not go for universal file openers instead?

In that case, the best choice you should go for is File Viewer Plus. This is currently the world’s best file opener in terms of the number of formats that it supports.

All you need to do is install the tool, and select it as the default program when opening JAR files

Once you do that, all you need to do in the future is simply double-click on JAR files and their contents will become available.

File Viewer Plus

Any file format will be available to you once you use File Viewer Plus, including JAR files.
Free trial Visit website

Java Runtime Environment – Free JAR file opener with native support

If you’re only interested in running or opening JAR files, and not developing them, then your next best pick in the list of JAR openers is the native Java Runtime Environment.

Created specifically for such situations, it allows the integration of Java support on your OS, or on your web browser. However, there is a catch. You can only use it if you’re still running Internet Explorer.

The UI may seem a bit dated, but the program does its job nonetheless, especially since it is designed to work with Java formats natively, and it’s free as well, which is also a big bonus.

⇒ Get Java Runtime Environment

WinRAR – Best JAR file opener with compression capabilities

WinRAR has always been the go-to choice for anyone looking to extract archive formats, most probably because it is constantly updated, free, and with an interface that has become a household item for PC users.

Just like WinZip, WinRAR integrates itself with your OS‘ UI, allowing instant access to archiving and extraction tools straight from the context menus when clicking on an archive.

It has pretty fast work speeds, allowing it to compress and decompress large amounts of data in very short periods of time, without using too many system resources, as you can test for yourself from the Task Manager.

⇒ Get WinRAR

7-Zip – Easy-to-use JAR file viewer with archiving features

If you’re dealing with JAR files, chances are that you’re into coding as well, and if you do, then the best archiving tool that you can use to open JAR files is most likely 7-Zip.

This tool has been around for some time, and while it does come with a traditional UI for beginners, the fine aspects of archiving can be tweaked via detailed commands that you can input in its console.

As far as opening JAR files go, it can be used to efficiently access its contents, and the only real reason it is last on our list is that the tool’s UI-based version isn’t very modern-looking, and may deter certain users.

⇒ Get 7-Zip

This concludes our list of the best tools to easily open JAR files. We hope that our entries have allowed you to make a decision regarding the best app to open JAR files and that they are as varied as possible so that all work styles can be included.

Let us know if there is any other great JAR opener that may have deserved to be added to our list by leaving us your feedback in the comments section below, and we will check it out.

Best Media Player Software: 8 Most Popular Picks of the Year

Media software can be either media centers or media players that support a wide variety of multimedia file formats.

Both are among the most essential software as they play audio and video files on hard drives and Blu-ray Disc, DVD, and CD. Thus, most Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms usually include at least one multimedia program.

What is the best media player to use?

CyberLink PowerDVD – Among most popular media players

PowerDVD is one of the hottest media players primarily designed for movie playback, but you can also utilize it for music and even showcasing.

Supporting all the latest video technologies, PowerDVD allows you to play virtually anything from Ultra HD Blu-ray for 4K to DVDs, BD-Live, 3D DVDs, and even ISO files.

PowerDVD users can embrace virtual reality with their Rift and Vive headsets for 360-degree videos. Media casting is another great addition to this media player that enables you to stream media to the TV via Chromecast, Apple TV, and Roku.

With its lossless audio format music playback, high-resolution photo slideshows, and media libraries, PowerDVD is more of a media center.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • TrueTheater cinematic enhancements for supreme video and audio quality
  • Multichannel lossless sound system
  • Compatible with all platforms and entertainment devices from PC and mobile to streaming devices
  • Content management features to easily search, browse and view your favorite videos
  • Seamless Playback for your entire media collection
  • View wirelessly on any device

CyberLink PowerDVD

Enjoy 360-degree videos, 4K, 8K, HDR, and more! Simply unleash PowerDVD’s potential to enhance your multimedia experience.
Check price Visit Website

GOM Player – High-Rated media player

The GOM player is simply one of the best media players available out there, plus you get to enjoy its amazing features absolutely free of charge.

Of course, if you want to take your viewing experience up a notch, there is also a premium version available that keeps annoying ads at bay and provides a comfortable high-resolution 4K playback without buffering.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • Native file format support (AVI, MP4, MOV, DVD, CD, and more)
  • Capable of rendering even damaged video and/or audio files
  • Extensive subtitle library available with automatic search and sync capacities
  • 360° VR playback with the 360-degree mode
  • Fully compatible with the Windows architecture

GOM Player

The best media player globally acknowledged is up for grabs – take your viewing experience up a notch!

VLC – Over 3.5 billion downloads worldwide

VLC is one of the best-established media players that was first developed in the ’90s.

Despite its relatively plain UI design, VLC remains one of the best media players with a vast array of options and tools for video and music playback.

This is open-source software that runs on most Windows platforms, and it’s also compatible with Android, Mac OS X, iOS, and Linux.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • Extensive audio and video file format support
  • Play YouTube videos within the software, subscribe to podcasts and listen to radio broadcasts
  • Multimedia file conversion via a handy Convert tool
  • Selection of audio and video filters with which you can apply a wide variety of effects for cropping, geometry, colors, overlay, visualization, equalizer, etc.
  • Customization options, skins, plug-ins and visualizations to boot

⇒ Download VLC free here

Kodi – The most popular online TV player in the world

What was originally the XBMC (Xbox Media Center) has now become the biggest media center for Windows and other platforms.

Kodi is a media center that pretty much does it all, and you can run it on most platforms. Windows, macOS, Android, Linux, iOS, and Raspberry PI are all platforms compatible with Kodi.

It’s not an exaggeration that Kodi does it all as the software supports a multitude of video, audio, image, optical drive, network protocol client and server and container formats.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • Play music and video from Blu-ray Disc, DVD, CD, and numerous file formats
  • Organize your multimedia within metadata databases
  • Watch or record live TV, stream films and TV shows and listen to radio broadcasts via add-ons
  • Set up slideshows for your photos, check the weather forecasts and even play Kodi games
  • Customization settings (pre-installed add-ons, unique skins and layouts, menu items, backgrounds, screensavers, visualizations, startup window, regional settings, display mode and much more)

⇒ Download Kodi free here

Plex – Compatible with almost every mainstream platform in the world

Plex is a media center with client and server apps that shares the same XBMC roots as Kodi.

However, Plex is now completely different software and is the best media center for streaming multimedia content across alternative devices.

Plex’s client and server apps are compatible with almost every mainstream platform under the sun. You can utilize its server apps on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, Netgear, and FreeBSD platforms.

Although the server apps are freely available, you’ll need a monthly Plex Pass subscription to fully utilize all the media center’s features.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • Stream your multimedia content to iOS, Android, Windows Phone, Roku, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Apple TV, Roku, and Chromecast devices among others
  • Library organization that includes artwork and detailed bios for multimedia content
  • Cast media content to TVs via Chromecast, and watch online channels without subscription
  • Photo albums, photo tagging, lyrics for songs, and cloud storage synchronization (Premium subscription)

⇒ Download Plex here

KMPlayer – Supports 3D video content

KMPlayer is a freeware and highly versatile media player with tons of configuration options for audio and video playback that’s compatible with Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS platforms.

The software now supports 3D video content so that you can play 3D movies, and with its 3D Movies Plus app, you can watch programs from Discovery 3D World.

KMPlayer users can also watch 4K and UHD videos, and with the KMPlayer VR app for Android, you can watch 360-videos with VR headsets.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • Includes video capture tools so that you can capture snapshots from videos
  • Stream compatible media content to mobile devices with KMP Connect
  • Watch 360-videos with VR headsets
  • Supports all the latest video technologies

⇒ Download KMPlayer free here

MediaPortal – Can play all Windows media files

MediaPortal is one of the best open-source media center alternatives to Kodi. The software has a stunning UI, loads of skins and plug-ins, and a full suite of multimedia tools.

MediaPortal pretty much matches, and in some ways eclipses, Kodi’s feature set. The software has its own TV-server with which to watch and record more than 10,000 live channels.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • Watch live TV on multiple PCs with just one tuner card
  • Stream both audio and video content from various sources
  • Set up photo slideshows for your favorite pictures
  • Remote web browser access to MediaPortal
  • Hundreds of plug-ins available for TV, videos, music, games, photos, and weather forecasts

⇒ Download MediaPortal free here

5KPlayer – TrueTheater technology

Compatible with both Windows and Mac platforms, 5KPlayer is a media player that’s had some rave reviews.

This is a 4K 5K media player with which you can play videos with 4K UHD 3,840 x 2,160 resolution.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • High-res video format support
  • Download videos from more than 300 video sites, such as YouTube, DailyMotion, Vevo, and Vimeo
  • Built-in Airplay to stream multimedia from Apple iOS devices to the media player

⇒ Download 5KPlayer here

Media Center vs. Media Player

The main distinction between these two is that you can open and organize all your multimedia files with media centers.

Generally speaking, media centers support a wider range of multimedia formats than players. Aside from music and video playback, media centers also enable you to organize and browse multimedia files within metadata databases and showcase your favorite photographs with slideshows.

Another notable difference is that media centers are also DVR software (digital video recorder) with which you can both watch and record live TV with an additional tuner card. You can also add extra plug-ins to some media centers for weather forecasts, games, movie and TV streaming, etc.

On the other hand, media players are specifically designed for music and video playback. Some are dedicated video or music players (such as MusicBee), but most media players generally support both audio and video file formats.

Although there are a few exceptions, they generally don’t provide live TV and movie streaming.

However, media players can include more extensive options and features for audio and video playback than media centers. If you don’t need live TV, movie streaming, or any photo options, they can actually be a better alternative.

Whether you go for a media center or player, there are plenty to choose from. These are the best media software for Windows you will ever need.

These media software packages include extensive tools and options to get the most from your multimedia content.

As there is some disparity between media centers and players, it’s probably better to add one new media player and one media center to Windows. Then you can get the best of both worlds.

What software are you currently using? Share your experience with us via the comments section below.

6 Easy Ways to Fix Macbook Not Connecting to iPhone Hotspot

Today, we’ll walk you through tested steps that’ll help you if your MacBook doesn’t connect to your iPhone’s mobile hotspot. The usual suspects here are faulty settings, the hotspot name, and service availability.

Whether you’re getting a particular error like Unable to join, or your personal iPhone hotspot is not visible and not showing up, the steps below will help you sort this annoying issue out fast.

What to do if the MacBook is not connecting to the hotspot?

1. Adjust your network settings

  1. Try connecting with another device to your hotspot.
  2. If it manages to connect, open the connection settings to view the connection info.
  3. Look for IP address, network mask, and DNS settings.
  4. Next, open Apple menu and go to System Preferences.
  5. Navigate to Network.
  6. Click Advanced.
  7. In the menu next to Configure IPv4 select Manually.
  8. Next, enter the same data from Step 3. However, be sure to change the last number for the IP address by adding 10 to its last number.
    network settings
  9. Also, don’t forget to set DNS in the DNS tab.
  10. Save changes.

Some users suggested using 1.1.1.1 as your DNS, so you can try that as well.

2. Change IPv6 settings

  1. Connect to your hotspot.
  2. On the connected device go to System Settings and then Network. Navigate to Details.
  3. Select TCP/IP and set Configure IPv6 to Automatically.
    configure ipv6
  4. Save changes.

IPv6 settings need to be properly configured; otherwise will cause all sorts of errors. A similar hotspot error can also happen when you try to connect your Windows PC to a mobile hotspot, all because of IPv6.

3. Remove the Wi-Fi service, restart and add your Wi-Fi service back

  1. Go to Apple > System Preferences > Network.
  2. From the left side select the Wi-Fi service.
  3. Now click the cog icon at the bottom-left and choose Make Service Inactive.
    make service inactive
  4. Click the minus icon to delete the service and click Apply.
  5. Restart your Macbook.
  6. Once the device restarts repeat Step 1.
  7. Click the plus sign and select Wi-Fi.
  8. Click the Create
  9. If required, enter your Wi-Fi settings.

4. Change phone name

  1. Turn off your hotspot.
  2. Next, go to Settings. Select General and then About.
  3. Tap your phone name and change it to something other than iPhone. Make sure it doesn’t have spaces or special characters.
  4. Save changes and try again.

5. Other tips

  1. Ensure you’re on the Hotspot screen when trying to connect.
  2. Keep Auto Lock disabled since it can put hotspot on standby.
  3. Before we try anything, enable the maximize compatibility in hotspot settings.
  4. Creating a new local in macOS network settings can also help.
  5. If you have any Bluetooth device connected, disconnect it before starting hotspot on your phone.
  6. Disable mobile VPN before using the hotspot.
  7. Select Other network when connecting and enter hotspot’s name and password and it should connect.

There you go, these are a couple of solutions that you can try out if your Macbook isn’t connecting to a hotspot. If you found our solutions helpful, let us know in the comments section.

This isn’t the only network issue, many reported that they can’t turn on WiFi on Mac and that MacBook is not showing any Wi-Fi networks.

Using Windows and having a similar issue? Check our tested guide on how to fix the inabiility to setup mobile hotspot on Windows.

Before you leave, you might be interested in what to do if MacBook Wi-Fi is not configured.

0x8024800c Windows Update Error: 4 Ways to Fix it

The 0x8024800c error is an issue some users have encountered when trying to update Windows. They have cited that issue to arise when trying to install updates with Windows Update Standalone Installer.

As a result, users can’t manually apply updates with Windows Update Standalone Installer because of the 0x8024800c error.

What causes the Windows Update error 0x8024800c?

What causes Windows Update error 0x8024800c isn’t entirely clear. However, this issue can have similar causes to other update errors. These are some of the potential 0x8024800c error causes:

  • Damaged system files – Some system files need repairing.
  • An out-of-sync SoftwareDistribution cache – The SoftwareDistribution data store is out of sync, meaning this error is a timeout issue (it has a WU_E_DS_LOCKTIMEOUTEXPIRED result string).
  • Corrupted Windows Update components – Error 0x8024800c is caused by faulty Windows Update components (files).

Now that we know the reasons behind this problem, let’s get to the actual solutions.

How can I fix error 0x8024800c?

1. Use the Windows Update Troubleshooter

  1. To bring up the Run dialog, hold down the Windows key and press R at the same time.
  2. Type this command and press Enter or click OK: ms-settings:troubleshoot
    Run accessory 0x8024800c
  3. You’ll need to click Other trouble-shooters in Windows 11 Settings.
    Other trouble-shooters navigation option 0x8024800c
  4. Select the Run option for the Windows Update troubleshooting tool.
    Run button 0x8024800c
  5. Wait for the troubleshooting to finish and click close the troubleshooter when done.

2. Run an SFC scan

  1. Click the Start button, type cmd, and click the Run as administrator option along the right of your search tool.
    The Run as administrator option 0x8024800c
  2. Run a scan with the Windows SFC tool by executing this command: sfc /scannow
    sfc scannow command 0x8024800c
  3. When the SFC scanning has finished, stop the Windows Update service by inputting this command: net stop wuauserv
  4. Then restart the Windows Update by executing this command: net start wuauserv
    net stop wuauserv command 0x8024800c

3. Clear the SoftwareDistribution Folder

  1. Click the Start button, type cmd, and click the Run as administrator option from the results.
  2. Stop the update services by inputting these commands and pressing Enter:
    net stop wuauserv
    net stop cryptSvc
    net stop bits
    net stop msiserver
  3. Open Windows File Explorer by pressing that file manager’s taskbar button.
    File Explorer button 0x8024800c
  4. Then open DataStore by inputting this path inside Explorer’s location bar: C:\WINDOWS\SoftwareDistribution\DataStore
    DataStore folder 0x8024800c
  5. Select everything in DataStore by pressing the Ctrl + A key combination.
  6. Press the Del (Delete) key.
  7. Repeat the previous two steps for the Download subfolder at: C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
    Download folder 0x8024800c
  8. Then restart services with the following commands:
    net start wuauserv
    net start cryptSvc
    net start bits
    net start msiserver

4. Reset Update Components

Resetting Windows Update components will re-register update files and clear out some data folders. WR’s Windows Update script post includes instructions for how to set up or download a WSUS reset script.

There aren’t many potential resolutions confirmed to fix error 0x8024800c. However, the ones above have worked for some users. The third resolution is the most widely confirmed fix.

A full Windows reset might be another potential fix for error 0x8024800c. Consider applying such a resolution, as outlined in our guide to resetting Windows, if nothing above works for you.

You’re welcome to discuss the 0x8024800c error below. Have you found another way to fix this update issue in Windows 11? If so, let us know about your 0x8024800c solution in the comments section.

10 Best Browsers for Facebook In 2026 [Complete List]

People spend a lot of time on Facebook. Whether you spend time chatting with friends, scrolling through the feed, or playing games, Facebook has something for everyone. And the Facebook experience can be further enhanced by using the best browser for it.

If you believe any browser would do, you have got it wrong. An old and incompatible browser would throw an error when accessing Facebook. Only the new-age browsers developed for modern-day tasks can effectively run Facebook. So, let’s find out these.

Is it better to use the Facebook app or browser?

It all depends on personal preference, and both options have their set of benefits. But, if you were wondering if Facebook is better on a browser than the app, here are a few things you should know:

  • Enhanced privacy – Browsers usually offer more features to enhance privacy and stop the tracking of online activity. So, if you are concerned about privacy, a secure browser would be a good option.
  • Does not consume as much space – When you download the app, it takes up a certain space but only allows you to access Facebook, while a browser is much more viable in that sense since you can explore almost everything on the web.
  • Consumes less battery – Several users reported that the Facebook app consumed too much battery, and uninstalling it and switching to a browser increased the battery life by almost an hour or more.

Which browser works best for Facebook?

Opera One – Best browser for Facebook

What makes Opera One such an excellent browser for Facebook? Let’s start with its built-in tracker blocker, adblocker, customization options, and messenger integration, which make it the best browser for Facebook privacy.

As you all know, Facebook, just like many tech giants out there, tracks your activity so as to collect as much information about you as possible.

This information is then used to profile you. The worst part is that Facebook tracks you even when you’re not logged in.

Opera One features a built-in tracker blocker that prevents the monitoring of your online activities. What’s more, it even makes these trackers visible to you. Of course, some of these trackers are good as they help websites to tailor the best possible experience for you.

But if you want to block pestering ad trackers, simply toggle on Opera One’s tracker blocker. You can enable this option for individual sites only.

All in all, here’s what really sets Opera One apart as the best browser for Facebook: You can easily integrate Facebook Messenger right within the browser.

Thus, you get the full experience: notifications straight in the sidebar, send a text message, chat or even send photos just like you would with a separate app. You can even pin messenger chats! This lets you chat with a friend while browsing web pages.

And if some of your friends are using WhatsApp instead of Facebook Messenger, don’t worry. There’s a WhatsApp integration available as well!

  • You can browse fast, securely, and ad-free on any mobile or desktop device.
  • Complete web experience with an integrated free VPN and AI integration
  • A lot more versatile, being the first browser that introduced support for Web 3.

Opera One

With Messenger integration and a built-in VPN, this is by far the best browser to use on Facebook.

AVG Secure Browser – Total privacy against tracking

This cutting-edge browser was developed by security experts and has enhanced privacy to navigate confidently on social networks like Facebook.

AVG browser delivers faster navigation and mandatory HTTPS websites. Plus, it’s available for different platforms like Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

So you’re fully covered from tracking scripts and getting encrypted personal data while spending time on social networks that require data usage.

This browser also has a built-in secure VPN for extra protection. When turned on, it is not limited to just the browser but works for all apps on the device.

In addition, you benefit from other helpful tools like ad-blocker and stealth mode that can mask your browsing history or tracking cookies to shield your Facebook data.

  • Bank Mode for secured online shopping
  • Easy integration with AVG Antivirus and VPN
  • Browsing fingerprint security

AVG Secure Browser

Interact with your peers on Facebook using this extremely private and fast browser

UR Browser – Fastest browser

UR Browser is one of the best Facebook-supported browsers. And yes, it offers you the full package: incredibly fast loading speeds, great customization options, and unbeatable security and privacy, making it the best web browser for Facebook live.

The architecture of this browser was built specifically for processing data at lightning speeds. What’s more, UR offers you the possibility to download add-ons and extensions. The options in this category are almost unlimited.

You can customize the way UR Browser works and looks, from a beautiful and user-friendly interface that gives you quick access to any settings.

Arguably, the strongest points of UR Browser are security and privacy features. This software protects your privacy while you browse by using a powerful built-in VPN.

To top it all, it automatically scans all the files you want to download before actually starting the process, and it also doesn’t load any trackers or ads by default.

  • Websites load faster without the ads, trackers, and cookies that weigh pages down.
  • Protect your privacy with powerful tools that give you control over who sees your data online.
  • Browse safer with alerts for dangerous websites, automatic HTTPS redirect, and a built-in virus scanner.

⇒ Get UR Browser

Mozilla Firefox – Lightweight browser

A close second to UR Browser on our list is Mozilla Firefox. This software has decent processing speeds and a low impact on system resources.

You have access to a wide range of add-ons that can extend the capabilities of Mozilla Firefox. You can download extensions like adblockers, VPN apps, and others.

Even though the downloadable VPN apps are efficient at hiding your identity online, the fact that they are not built-in makes them run slower.

The same goes for adblockers. The level of proficiency differs when it comes to add-ons. They are usually third-party, so the capability to use them efficiently is considerably reduced.

  • Get the ability to use video out of the browser window so you can stream and multitask.
  • DNS over HTTPS (DoH) helps keep internet service providers from selling your data.
  • Curated content on a new tab, along with bookmarks, history, and open tab in results

⇒ Get Mozilla Firefox

Google Chrome – Most popular browser

There’s no need for a list of extensive explanations when it comes to the well-known Google Chrome, the best browser for Facebook ads manager.

Chrome has a wide range of add-ons and extensions available to download for free from the Chrome Store. Even though the add-ons are useful, they may affect performance, as already seen above.

More than that, every new tab you open in Chrome creates a new process in your Task Manager.

If your computer is not powerful enough, you will more than likely experience lagging when downloading or loading a page.

  • Create application shortcuts for your favorite websites.
  • Synchronize your bookmarks across all installed browsers.
  • More reliable with Task Manager entries for each open tab.

⇒ Get Google Chrome

Microsoft Edge – Most secure browser (Windows)

Yes, many of you already know this as the default Microsoft browser for the Windows operating system, which doesn’t make it a bad choice at all.

If you use Windows 10, Edge protects you from any malware or phishing attack that could breach your Facebook account.

This could be achieved with the help of the SmartScreen feature, which scans links and files you receive on Facebook to be sure they’re safe before opening or downloading.

Furthermore, this browser also lets you block online tracking, with three levels of tracking protection, which makes it the best browser for Facebook ads. When you access Facebook, click View Site Information to see the blocked trackers.

Besides all these security perks, Edge also lets you view, edit, and share PDFs without needing another third-party tool.

  • Recommended as the best available browser for the Windows operating system.
  • Edge offers high protection against phishing and malware attacks on Windows 11/10.
  • Successfully block all online tracking while on Facebook, for enhanced privacy.

⇒ Get Microsoft Edge

Brave – Privacy-focused browser

It really all comes down to personal choice when choosing a browser, but many would argue that there’s hardly a browser out there that beats Brave when it comes to online privacy and security.

With Brave, you can enjoy unparalleled privacy and security on a lot of platforms, as it supports Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, and macOS.

After accessing Facebook with Brave, you’ll immediately notice that the browser doesn’t see or store your browsing information, keeping your data private and fighting off malware and trackers.

As a matter of fact, Brave lets you set up personalized privacy and security for Facebook, any other website, or all websites.

The above-mentioned browser also blocks ads, malicious scripts, and fingerprints, and you can make use of the built-in password manager and form autofill to make browsing Facebook easier.

Note that Brave is a Chromium-based browser like Google Chrome, and it supports every plugin and extension that Chrome supports.

  • Quickly import bookmarks, extensions, and even saved passwords.
  • Independent search, free video conferencing, customizable news feed.
  • No creepy ads & trackers mean less stuff on every web page you visit.

⇒ Get Brave

Vivaldi – Most customizable browser

Truth be told, Vivaldi isn’t one of the most popular web browsers out there, but it’s one of the best ones for Facebook due to its versatility.

Why is that? Mostly because everything is up to you with this browser, as you choose how every single setting and feature works.

Long story short, you have full control of your privacy settings. As far as appearance goes, you can use a minimalist or a full-on crazy interface, depending on what you are into.

What you should also know about Vivaldi is that it supports Accordion Tabs, and that it also has a native translator (Vivaldi Translate).

With the built-in ad blocker and tracker blockers, it’s less likely you are going to get tracked across the web.

Another bonus is the fact that you can add Facebook as a web panel for easily accessing the website. When you click on Facebook on the split-screen, it immediately loads in a split-screen.

  • Vivaldi comes with built-in features like Notes, Screen Capture, Image Properties, and more.
  • Fully customizable, so you can choose how Vivaldi works, what features to use, and how it looks.
  • Comes equipped with built-in Mail, Calendar, Feed Reader, Sync, Tracker, and Ad Blocker.

⇒ Get Vivaldi

Safari – Most powerful browser

just as we said about Microsoft’s Edge, you surely know Safari as the default web browser for iOS and Mac devices.

It’s also exclusive to iOS and Mac devices, but we can show you how to download and install Safari on your Windows-powered PC.

And the best part is that you can use this web browser for Facebook if you own an iPhone, iPad, or Mac computer.

Experts say that Safari is optimized for privacy and its speed is one of a kind, as it uses a unique blazing-fast JavaScript Engine.

The ultra-popular Apple browser prevents cross-site tracking by default, so Facebook will be unable to track your activities on different websites for advertising purposes.

Furthermore, you can manage cookies and website data seamlessly with Safari on your Mac device, since this feature allows you to block or allow Facebook from collecting your cookies.

  • Also comes available as a Windows app if you want to run it on a PC.
  • Its JavaScript Engine allows for much faster and more secure browsing.
  • Become able to manage your cookies and website data more seamlessly.

⇒ Get Safari

Maxthon – Best Blockchain browser

Let’s just start by saying that this is not a very popular browser, as we’re sure many of you haven’t even heard about it yet.

That being said, you should know that Maxthon, which was released in 2002, uses advanced cloud technology which makes it pretty unique.

This browser features a powerful engine that allows for very fast browsing. It also uses blockchain technology, and you can install it on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, or iOS devices.

The people that did use Maxthon say it is an ideal browser if you want to access your Facebook from different devices.

One of Maxthon’s unique features is the Resource Sniffer & Downloader, which allows you to download any video you come across on Facebook, as it’s a native feature and requires no extension.

It also comes equipped with next-level ad blocker (Ad Hunter) software specially designed to hunt for ads and prevent them from affecting your browsing experience.

  • You can create and manage blockchain identities and assets.
  • All necessary user data can be directly imported into MX6.
  • Maxthon Cloud Service provides you with cross-device data sync.

⇒ Get Maxthon

These were some of the best browsers you could use to access Facebook. But remember, a high-speed PC is just as crucial if you want the browser to deliver optimal performance.

Feel free to share your favorite with us by reaching the comments section below.

5 Best Soccer Statistics Software [2026 Picks]

The best soccer statistics software are created with one goal: To help record and make sense of what’s happening on the pitch.

And this makes a lot of sense considering the difficulties coaches, managers, and even players face when trying to grasp the full action amidst the adrenaline rush.

From tracking goals, and assists, corner kicks, saves, possession, and tackles, all the way to take-on, soccer statistics software gives meaning to each exploit in the 90 minutes.

What’s the role of soccer statistics tracking tools?

A match can have hundreds of events. Now, that is massive activity and it can be hectic to record and follow.

As such, these software simplify matters by presenting an automated recording platform and then presenting the numbers in a summarized and quick-to-understand format. Ultimately, by monitoring every piece of the action, one can easily identify the strengths and weaknesses in their lineup.

There is also the added bonus of storing important teams and player’s statistics in an organized way. After looking at what each of the contenders had to offer, we settled on the very best. Take a look.

Which app is best for football statistics?

Team Snap Soccer Team Stat Tracker

teamsnap

Teamsnap is a favorite for coaches, organizers, and managers and has a population of over 15 million satisfied users.

Its deep database captures every key detail really simplifying every aspect when you come to understand your team’s play and player’s numbers.

Users especially appreciate the simple setup and looking at it deeply, you will be hard-pressed to find reasons to disagree.

It’s so simple to input the stats for teams and get the kind of reports you need.

Customization is even simpler and users have nothing but praise for the direct steps.

Within a few clicks, you have figured out how to get it to display the various stats to your liking regardless of how unique your calculations are.

It also captures everything and seamlessly in one window: Saves, goals, shutouts, assists, fouls, and every other stat you need.

Additionally, teamsnap’s users can sort the stats in relevant groups or completely change existing stats.

There is the free trial while the pricing for this online tracker is $13.99/mo for each team.

⇒ Get TeamSnap Soccer Statistics Software

StatCrew Software

StatCrew Software

StatCrew software is another cloud solution and one of the most advanced in today’s stats-mad soccer world.

Not only does StatCrew’s advanced metrics reveal the intricacies of the beautiful sport, but it also brings forth absolutely precise players action.

The provided stats are both an excellent predictor of what could happen in the next game and a historical record to be used to refine a team’s organization in an attempt to get results.

StatCrew stats also deliver an accurate snapshot of the lively action at any minute during a match.

This combination produces an in-depth insight into the team’s playing style, control, and every individual player’s contribution.

There’s even a manual boxscore entry where needed.

Conveniently, the statistics are made available in various formats to suit the requirements of its mass of users.

It even auto-generates PDF or HTML files for websites. Similarly, an XML game file can be extracted.

The program is currently priced at $399.

⇒ Get StatCrew Software

– Editor’s Note: If you’re interested in other sports software, check out our wide collection of guides.

StatTrak for Soccer software

StatTrak for Soccer software has proven to be a comprehensive stats program with its myriad advanced, yet easy to use features.

It tracks and calculates over 40 different stats for goals,kicks, blocks, fouls, assists, team standings, won/lost record, game scores, and more.

The software is versatile and can be used for all levels of the sport including professional leagues, high schools, and college teams.

Users can easily add up to 7 different types of games (conference, tournament, league, etc) and print respective detailed reports in minutes!

Sorting can be by one team, multiple-teams, individual games, all games, chosen games, individual players, and all players.

Plus, the developer offers free technical support on runs on all platforms including Windows 10 and 8.

⇒ Get StatTrak For soccer software

TurboStats soccer statistics software

turbostats software

TurboStats is another tremendous asset to every soccer team.

Its array of impressive features offers everything needed including broadcasting live stats plus photos to managers/coaches from the sidelines

It also automatically displays the games tendencies after each piece of play in addition to simulating blocking versus different defenses.

The live scoring tool is highly efficient while on the pitch and will even upload stats to linked websites.

Users can enter data after games from their scorebooks or live. One can also fully edit or undo any event.

The software tracks unlimited teams and over 200 statistics per player. Depth charts, final box scores, play-by-play reports, and practice planners are all available.

It works on tablets and comes with a cloud sharing option.

⇒ Get TurboStats soccer statistics software

DakStats Soccer statistics software

DakStats Football Software final

DakStats soccer statistics software is a quick to learn, easy to operate and dependable stat tracking program.

The program comes has several advantages. For example, it offers flexible entry modes.

One can again enter play-by-play stats during a game live or use the provided box entry mode for entering the stats you may have tracked manually.

Another awesome option is the multi-format reporting tool. Using it, operators can create informative game, season, and even career reports readily in HTML format. This allows for easy emailing and posting to websites.

Also welcome is its interactive nature. Even new users agree that the intuitive user interface plus the useful quick start guides are a far cry from the complex interfaces in some of the competing programs.

Furthermore, the peerless display integration enables coaches to connect DakStats software to the exciting daktronics scoreboard to easily grasp the performance history.

⇒ Get DakStats Soccer statistics software

Conclusion

By tracking the crucial soccer team stats both online and offline, these software makes things super easy for coaches, players, teams, and enthusiasts.

There are several options in the market but undoubtedly, the above five are a cut above the rest.

That said, users should check factors like ease of use, interactivity, and pricing among others when selecting.

And as usual, starting with the trial versions is a smart way of testing the waters.

5 Best Slideshow Makers Without Watermark [Free & Paid]

Would you like to create a nice presentation with photos and background music but do not have the faintest idea of ​​how to do it?

Or perhaps you have to draft a slideshow for a work project but you do not know where to begin?

No problem, we can help you point out what we think are the best slideshow software solutions without any watermark traces.

In the past, creating professional-looking presentations required good PC skills and knowledge, as well as very expensive software.

Fortunately, times have changed significantly and today you can get excellent results at a semi-professional level even with free apps.

What is the best slideshow maker for free and without a watermark?

Adobe Spark – Best to design and create visually stunning slides

Adobe Spark is a free online slideshow maker with music and transition effects that is incredibly easy to use thanks to its simple navigation menus, premade images, and graphics, plus concisely labeled options.

The tool provides you with several customization options like original backgrounds, photos, text, music, videos, and voice content to make your slideshow truly stand out from the crowd.

Start by creating a new project, select a pre-designed layout, add media and text to the slides, then refine your work with a theme and soundtrack.

Let’s quickly go through its key features:

  • Create a project in minutes
  • Easy-to-use, intuitive interface
  • Instantly publish and share
  • Pre-designed templates, inspiration gallery, and blog to kick-start your slideshow
  • Available on the web and on mobile

Adobe Spark

Create stunning slideshows and share your artwork instantly with Adobe Spark!
Get it free Visit website

Icecream Slideshow Maker – Easy-to-use slideshow creation software

icecream slideshow maker dashboard

Icecream Slideshow Maker is a program to quickly create multimedia presentations from your images.

It allows you to add transition effects, and background music, and preview it before exporting the final result and it is compatible with all Windows versions.

This new version adds the ability to export presentations on Dropbox and Google Drive and improves performance by speeding up the creation process.

The program interface is modern and intuitive. To start with a new project just add the images or an entire folder of photos. In the free version, you can upload up to a maximum of 20 photos per presentation.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • The program interface is divided into two sections (on the left is the queue with photos, while on the right is the preview window with the settings for the presentation)
  • For each image, we can decide the duration and the type of transition
  • Adjust the resolution and add an audio track for fading.
  • Preview button available to visualize your slideshow at any stage
  • Export or pload the slideshow on YouTube, Google Drive, and Dropbox

Icecream Slideshow Maker

Create professional-looking slideshows from your photos with just a few clicks!
Free trial Visit website

PhotoStage Slideshow Producer (NCH) – Easily create professional-grade slideshows

PhotoStage Slideshow Producer

PhotoStage Slideshow Producer is a very powerful slideshow program that puts the simplicity of use first.

It supports all major image formats and audio files (for background music) allowing even novice users to create slideshows rich with special effects, transitions, and text.

Slideshows obtained with this software can be burned directly onto DVD or exported to PC and portable devices.

Produced and released by NCH Software for free, Photostage is proposed because of its simplicity; you simply drag the photos in its interface and start to move them.

Under each image, you can insert a caption that can act as a subtitle.

You can also change the type of transition between one image and the other, add a record for each image, or an audio comment directly with the microphone of the PC.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • Countless filters and effects available during the presentation of every single image of the slideshow
  • Zoom, and pan, color adjustment, cut, rotation, and mirroring
  • Transitions in fading and crossfading
  • Live preview available
  • Import pre-recorded parts of narrated content and add movies/insert a soundtrack

PhotoStage Slideshow Software

Slideshow doesn’t have to be boring, you can make the exciting and glamorous, but you need the right tools for the job.
Check price Visit website

Movavi Slideshow Maker – A popular software with advanced features

Movavi Slideshow Maker - photo to video

If you’re looking for the perfect tool to create a personalized video slideshow with no hassle, then look no further.

Movavi is both comprehensive (delivering 40+ titles, 100+ transitions, and 150+ filters) and easy to use allowing you to adjust its friendly interface in just a few minutes.

Add the effects you want and blend in the music you love to create unique slideshows that you can easily share with the world by uploading directly on YouTube, Vimeo, or Google Drive.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • Transition and special visual effects including retro, vignette, and more
  • Animate text with 40+ title styles
  • Add your own music or use default-themed tracks
  • Automatic slideshow creation
  • Correction and noise reduction tools
  • Native support for any image, audio, and video formats
  • Color adjustment options

Movavi Slideshow Maker

Your slideshows will be far more captivating than they were before if you use a dedicated tool like Movavi Slideshow Maker
Check price Visit Website

Aiseesoft Slideshow Creator – Powerful slideshow creation tool with music

Aiseesoft Slideshow Creator

The Slideshow Creator is more than a movie maker, it’s also a powerful video editor that delivers all the high-end performance tools you need to create your memories into stunning clips.

By combining photography with background music and video sequences, you can create unique slideshows in 3 easy steps, with no technical skills required:

  1. Just add your photos and music
  2. Personalize the content (pick a theme, and text, effects, filters, and more)
  3. Choose the output format and export your slideshow video

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • Native support for all photo formats including JPG, JPEG, PNG, BMP, TIF, TIFF, GIF, and more
  • Complex video/audio/photo editing functions
  • Correct and adjust saturation, hue, exposure, contrast, brightness, and more
  • Cut and merge clips, rotate or mirror a video, and more
  • Pre-made themes available or create your own
  • Typography toolkit (edit color, fonts, size, types, motion duration, and more)
  • Apply effects and filters
Aiseesoft Slideshow Creator

Aiseesoft Slideshow Creator

Try out this software to create valuable slideshow clips with your loved ones’ photographs of special moments.
Check priceVisit website

As you can, the tools presented above offer many options and the best choice is ultimately influenced by your particular needs.

Have you tried them already or do you have any better suggestions that might make good contenders for this list? Don’t be shy to share your experience in the comments section below.

Check the Last Reboot on Windows Using a Simple Command

In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to check the last reboot time in Windows, so you can stay on top of your system’s performance and activity.

You don’t need any extra softwarejust a quick command or two in Command Prompt or PowerShell will give you a clear answer.

How to see the last reboot time & computer uptime?

The systeminfo | find /i “Boot Time” command helps you check the last reboot time in Windows 11. Today, we’ll guide you through the exact steps in Command Prompt to make it work. If it fails, we’ve also included alternative methods.

1. Use Command Prompt

  1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.
  2. In the command line, copy-paste the following command and press Enter:
    systeminfo | find /i “Boot Time”How to check last reboot on Windows Server
  3. You should see the last time your PC was rebooted.

If you’re having trouble opening CMD as admin or the command doesn’t work, you can use Task Manager.

2. Check the Task Manager’s uptime

  1. Open the Task Manager by simultaneously pressing CTRL + SHIFT + ESC.
  2. Then click the Performance tab.
  3. In the lower part, you can find the Up time since your last reboot.

3. Use the System Event Log

  1. Open Event Viewer from the Start menu.
  2. In the far right pane, select Create Custom View.
  3. Under the Log drop-down menu, choose Windows Logs.
  4. Under the <All Event IDs> add just 6009.How to check last reboot on Windows Server
  5. Create a custom view.
  6. Now you can see all the times your PC was rebooted since the system was installed, which is a great feature.

You can use the System Event Log to find out when the last reboot of Windows was. This procedure is quite simple, as the only important thing is to single out one Event.

4. Schedule reboot with Scheduled Tasks

  1. Open Scheduled Tasks from the Start menu.
  2. Select Add a New Scheduled Task and click Next.
  3. On the Program selection screen, navigate to C:WINDOWSSystem32shutdown.exe.How to check last reboot on Windows Server
  4. Select shutdown.exe and name the task shutdown.
  5. Choose the shutdown frequency.
  6. Select the time and day when the scheduled reboot will occur.
  7. Enter your administrative credentials and confirm.
  8. Now, check the Open Advanced options when I click Finish box and click Finish.
  9. Finally, when a new window appears, copy-paste the following command and replace the default one:
    C:WINDOWSsystem32shutdown.exe -r -f -t 01
  10. Select Apply, and you are good to go.
  11. Later, you can check when the last time the Windows reboot occurred with one of the first two steps.

If you are interested in automatizing the reboot sequence, you can create a scheduled task. If you are not familiar with it, here’s how to schedule a reboot on Windows Server via the Scheduled Tasks utility:

If you’re on Windows 11, we have a great guide on how to check Windows 11 uptime, so visit it for more information.

Checking last reboot in Windows 11 is easiest with Command Prompt, but if it doesn’t work, you can also find the last restart time using Task Manager or the System Event log.

IPConfig /Renew Not Working? Try This!

Several users told us that the ipconfig /renew is not working for them. If they open a new Command Prompt and type ipconfig, they get the same old IP number.

If you are also facing a similar issue, this guide is for you.

What can I do if ipconfig /renew is not working?

1. Use troubleshooting tools

1.1 Run Windows Network Diagnostics

  1. Right-click on the internet connection icon in the Taskbar.
  2. Select Troubleshoot problems.
  3. The Windows Network Diagnostics tool will begin and will fix the problem.

1.2 Use internet troubleshooter

  1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
  2. Select Update & Security.
  3. Click on Troubleshoot.
  4. Under Incoming Connections, select Run the troubleshooter option.

Windows OS comes with a built-in troubleshooting tool that helps you diagnose and fix problems associated with the network.

Some users facing the ipconfig /renew not working issue reported that running the network troubleshooter helped them resolve the issue.

2. Reset TCP/IP

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. Run command prompt as an admin.
  3. Type the below commands and press Enter after each one. netsh winsock reset netsh int ip reset ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew ipconfig /flushdns
  4. Restart your PC.

Winsock settings if corrupted can often cause issues and could also result in the ipconfig /renew command not working problem.

You can try resetting the Winsock network infrastructure and check if this resolves the problem at your end or not.

3. Reinstall the network adapter

  1. Press the Win + X key to open the context menu.
  2. Select Device Manager.
  3. Expand the Network adapters section.
  4. Right-click on your network adapter and select Uninstall.
  5. Restart your PC.
  6. Open Device Manager again.
  7. Click on the Action menu at the top.
  8. Select Scan for hardware changes.
  9. Your system will install the drivers for your network adapter.

This is one way of reinstalling the network drivers for your network adapter as some file corruption can lead to the ipconfig/renew not working issue.

An alternate way of updating your drivers is using a third-party program called Outbyte Driver Updater. Using Outbyte Driver Updater, you can update all of the drivers with just a few clicks at once, create driver backup, and more.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

4. Perform a system restore

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. Type create a restore point and open it.
  3. Click on the System Restore button.
  4. Click on Choose a different restore point.
  5. Hit the Next button.
  6. Select the desired restore point and click Next.
  7. Follow the instructions on the screen to perform the restoration.

If nothing works, then it is best to restore your PC back to a state where everything was working normally. For such scenarios, you can make use of the system restore.

The ipconfig /renew command, when you execute this command in the Command Prompt, you are basically ordering your DHCP client to regenerate, renew, or renegotiate a new IP address from the DHCP server on your router.

Following the steps above you should be able to fix it when it’s not working. We also have a guide that will allow you to resolve the PC won’t acquire IP addresses issue. If your PC is facing issues contacting the DHCP client, then you can check out our article.

Let us know in the comments below, which one of the above solutions helped you resolve the problem at your end.

How to Fix Javascript Void(0) in Chrome, Firefox & Edge

Before we tackle the steps let’s see what is it exactly we’re dealing with. In other words, what is Javascript void 0 error? Well, Javascript Void 0 is a standard error that occurs when users try to access certain web pages.

While it is not a major or critical issue, it’s still quite annoying to be blocked from accessing websites without an actual reason, so let’s see how to fix it.

How do I fix JavaScript void 0 in Chrome?

1. Make sure Java is properly installed

  1. Press the Win+X keyboard keys and from the displayed list choose Control Panel.The exclusive semaphore is owned by another process
  2. From Control Panel switch to Categories and then click on Programs.
  3. Under Programs and Features, click on Uninstall.
  4. The list of all installed programs will be listed.
  5. Search for the Java entry. If you cannot find Java, install it on your PC.
Tip icon Tip
Even if Java is installed, uninstall it and then reinstall the software. In this way, you can fix any possible corrupted files or other software conflicts.

2. Turn on Java on your browser

  1. Enable Java on Google Chrome:

    1. Click on the Menu icon (the three dots from the upper right corner).

    google chrome settings
  2. 2. Then, choose Settings and select Advanced.

     

  3. 3. Scroll down until you find Content Settings; access this option.

    allow java chrome
  4. 4. Find the Javascript entry – the allowed status should be displayed; otherwise choose to allow all sites to run JavaScript (recommended).

  5. Enable Java on Edge:

    1. Open Edge and click on the three dots in the upper right corner.

  6. 2. Select Settings from the Menu.

  7. 3. In the left pane, look for Site permissions and click on it.

  8. 4. In the new windows, locate and click on JavaScript.

  9. 5. Toggle the switch next to Allow (recommended) to ON and restart the browser to validate the changes.

  10. Enable Java on Firefox:

    1. Launch Firefox and click on the Menu icon.

  11. 2. Select Add-ons and then go to the Plugins tab.

  12. 3. Select the Java Platform plugin which should be displayed there.

  13. 4. Finally, pick up always activate.

  14. You need to enable Java on your browser. Now, depending on your favorite browser this option might differ as shown above.

Need help enabling scripts? Follow our enable JavaScript in your browser guide for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

3. Reload the webpage

If the problem is only temporary you can solve the Javascript:void(0) error by reloading the webpage by bypassing the cache.

That can be achieved by pressing the CTRL+F5 keyboard hotkeys. Additionally, you should also clear the cache on your browser before retrying to access your favorite web pages.

4. Remove cookies

Cookies are there to optimize your browsing experience. However, it might also be the reason why you get the JavaScript Void 0 error while trying to access certain websites.

So, you can fix this malfunction by removing cookies.

Here is how you can complete this task for different web browsers:

Google Chrome:

  1. Open Chrome and click on the Menu icon.
  2. Then, select More Tools and pick Clear Browsing Data.
  3. Select the Cookies and other site data entry and perform the wipe.
  4. Restart your browser at the end.

Mozilla Firefox:

  1. Run Firefox and click on the Menu button.
  2. Go to Options and under Privacy & Security choose History.
  3. Under Firefox will choose Use custom settings for history.
  4. Next, click on the Show Cookies button.
  5. Just remove all cookies and restart your browser.

MS Edge:

  1. Open the Edge browser on your PC.
  2. Click on the Settings option.
  3. Click on the Privacy, search, and services tab.
  4. Now, go to the Clear browsing data tab and click the Choose what to clear button.
  5. Select the Time range, check the Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files options (optionally).
  6. Click the Clear now button.

Alternatively, you can use a specialized tool such as CCleaner to automatically clean your browser’s cookies, trackers, internet history, download history, and cache.

5. Clear the cache

If the issue persists, clearing the browser cache may help you to fix it.

  1. Go to your browser‘s settings page.
  2. Find the option that allows you to clear browsing data.
  3. Locate the cache option and delete all the cache information stored in your browser.
javascript void(0)

For example, if you use Google Chrome, click on the menu icon, go to Settings, Advanced, and then navigate to Privacy and Security. Scroll down to Clear browsing data.

It’s worth mentioning that there are variations of this error, so let’s quickly review some of the most common issues reported by users:

  • Javascript void(0) error Windows 10, Windows 11
  • Javascript void(0) Chrome, Firefox, Edge
  • HTML link Javascript void 0
  • Javascript void(0) Chrome Mac
  • Javascript void(0) on click
  • Href Javascript void 0 not working

Hopefully, you can now browse through the Internet without any further issues. The steps from above should have helped you fix the Javascript Void 0 error.

FAQs

What does “Javascript:void(0)” mean?

The “Javascript:void(0)” message appears when a web page link or script fails to execute properly. It usually means the browser blocked the action or the site’s JavaScript code ran into an error.

Why do I get the Javascript:void(0) error?

Common reasons include disabled JavaScript in your browser, outdated cache, corrupted extensions, or security settings blocking scripts. Sometimes, the issue comes from the website’s own faulty code.

How can I fix Javascript:void(0) in my browser?

Enable JavaScript in your browser settings, clear cookies and cache, and disable conflicting extensions. If that doesn’t work, try updating your browser or switching to another one temporarily.

Is Javascript:void(0) harmful to my computer?

No. It’s not a virus or malware. It simply indicates that a script on a web page failed to run, preventing certain buttons or links from working correctly.

If you have further questions or if you didn’t correctly understand some of the steps listed in this guide, don’t hesitate to contact us by using the comments field down below.

We are always here to assist you with the best Windows tips and tricks.

CES 2023: Lenovo’s gaming lineup include AI chips, gearless headtracking, and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions

Lenovo is revamping its gaming efforts with a new Lenovo LA AI chip which the company claims is “chip, the world’s first dedicated AI chip on a gaming laptop.”

At CES 2023, Lenovo introduced several gaming PCs such as the Legion Tower 5i and 7i, Legion Pro 5 and 7, and a new Legion Y27f-30 FHD monitor.

Starting with the Legion Pro’s that include 5, 5i, 7 and 7i, the company refreshes its offerings in 2023 with their Lenovo AI Engine+ which,

Deploys a software machine learning algorithm to optimally tune system performance. The chip uses software machine learning, deployed through Lenovo Vantage, to help monitor in-game FPS and dynamically adjust for the highest performance output. Offering up to 15% higher TDP, this chip and machine learning software combo allows Legion Pro Series laptops to deliver higher performance compared to previous generations.

Lenovo is also introducing Tobi Horizon with its 2023 Legion hardware that ats as gearless head tracking alongside Tobi Aware software to utilize the tech.

05_Legion_Pro_7i_Hero_A_Cover

On the desktop front, Lenovo is refreshing its Legion Tower’s that include the 5, 5i and 7, 7i selections that come with up to 13th Gen Intel processors paired with the latest NVIDIA GeForce series GPUs or AMD Ryzen 9 mobile processors paired with AMD Radeon RX 7000 series GPUs all paired with up to 64GB of 5600Mhz DDR5 RAM, larger VRM heatsink, and up to 6TB of SSD.

03_Legion_Tower_7i_34L_Hero_Front_Facing_Right_AMD_RADEON_AIR

Back to Lenovo’s Pro series that includes the 5, 5i, 7, and 7i. The Pro 7 series comes with mostly top-tier specs such as Lenovo’s patent ColdFront 5.0 Hybrid thermal technology, an extra wide Vapor Chamber, liquid metal infusion cooling, 235W of TDP as well, 240Hz variable refresh rate panels, on a 16:10 WQXGA display. Per usual, the Pro series keyboards support Lenovo’s TrueStrike keyboard technology with Spectrum per key RGB customizable lighting.

The Pro series 5 line up is a step down from the 7 but maintains the same chipset configurations as the 9 series as well as Lenovo’s patented Lenovo LA AI chip, 240Hz variable refresh rate, and ColdFront 5.0 thermal technology.

To complete your home setup, Lenovo is rolling out the Legion Y27f-30 which is a 1920×1080 display with a matching 240Hz refresh rate panel that can be overclocked to 280Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium Adaptive Sync Support, 400 nits of brightness, 113% sRGB support and 90.7% DCI-P3 color gamut support.

12_Legion_Y27f-30_Rear_Facing_Right_Normal_Position

  • US Pricing and Availability
    The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (16”, 8) with Intel Core processor will start at $1999.99 and is expected to be available starting March 2023.11
  • The Legion Pro 7 (16”, 8) with AMD Ryzen processor will not be available in North America.
  • The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (16”, 8) with Intel Core processor will start at $1479.99 and is expected to be available starting April 2023.11
  • The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 (16”, 8) with AMD Ryzen processor will start at $1459.99 and is expected to be available starting April 2023.11
  • The Lenovo Legion Tower 7i (34L, 8) with Intel Core processor will start at $2479.99 and is expected to be available starting April 2023.11
  • The Lenovo Legion Tower 5i (26L, 8) with Intel Core processor will start at $1199.99 and is expected to be available starting April 2023.11
  • The Lenovo Legion Tower 5 (26L, 8) with AMD Ryzen processor will start at $1299.99 and is expected to be available starting May 2023.11
  • The Lenovo Legion Y27f-30 Monitor will start at $399 and is expected to be available starting May 2023.11
  • The Lenovo Legion Y27qf-30 Monitor will start at $599 and is expected to be available starting May 2023.11

Windows Update Error 0x80d05001: Fix it in 6 Steps

Well, there is a long list of Windows update errors that you will face on your Windows PC, irrespective of the OS version you are running.

In this guide, we will discuss the Windows update error 0x80d05001. This error is different from the error 0x80D05001 in Microsoft Store. Here is the complete error message that you will come across:

Download error – 0x80d05001
There were problems downloading some updates, but we’ll try again later. if you keep seeing this, try searching the web or contacting support for help. this error code might help: (0x80d05001)

Why am I getting Windows update error 0x80d05001?

We have found some of the most common reasons that will trigger the Windows update error 0x80d05001.

  • Windows update glitch: There might be a normal bug in the Windows update service that is preventing you from downloading the update.
  • You are using a VPN: If you are using a VPN, then this could conflict with the Windows update servers and trigger the update error 0x80d05001.
  • Aggressive Firewall: Often aggressive Firewall or antivirus setting can also block important Windows services, which could be causing the problem.
  • System files are corrupt: Missing or corrupt system files will not only trigger Windows update errors but will also hamper the smooth performance of your PC.

The Windows Update error 0x8024a21e can also be daunting but the highlighted guide will help you with tested solutions.

How can I fix Windows update error 0x80d05001?

Here are a few fixes that we would suggest you try before going ahead with the advanced troubleshooting methods:

  • Restart your PC as it will help the system load all the files from scratch. Here’s what to do if your computer fails to restart.
  • Run the Windows update again and check if it lets you download the update or continues to throw the error.
  • Disconnect external devices such as Bluetooth mouse, keyboard, etc., and check if the update is starting or not.

Now, let us check out the solutions that have helped users fix the problem.

1. Run the Windows update troubleshooter

  1. Press the Win + I buttons to open Settings.
  2. Click on Troubleshoot.
  3. Select Other troubleshooters.
  4. Hit the Run button for Windows Update.
  5. The troubleshooting process will begin and will prompt you to apply the fixes if it detects any issues.

Windows OS comes with an in-built troubleshooting tool that can help you resolve some petty bugs or glitches that might be preventing you from using the feature perfectly.

2. Reset the Windows update

  1. Press the Win key to open the Start menu.
  2. Type the command prompt and open it as an administrator.
  3. Execute the below commands and press Enter after each one. net stop wuauserv net stop cryptSvc net stop bits net stop msiserver
  4. Run the below commands and press Enter after each one. ren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old ren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
  5. Execute the below commands. net start wuauserv net start cryptSvc net start bits net start msiserver
  6. Restart your PC and check if this fixes the issue or not.

3. Disable the proxy server

  1. Press the Win + I keys to open the Settings menu.
  2. Select Network & Internet.
  3. Click on Proxy.
  4. Under Manual proxy setup, click the Set up button.
  5. Turn on the Use a proxy server option.
  6. Restart your PC.

4. Uninstall VPN

  1. Open the Start menu by pressing the Win button.
  2. Open Control Panel.
  3. Click on Programs and Features.
  4. Select the VPN and hit the Uninstall button.
  5. Follow the on-screen prompts to remove the VPN from your PC.
  6. Restart your PC.

We have shown the steps for removing a different program, but the steps are the same for removing any VPN from your PC.

5. Run SFC Scan and DISM commands

  1. Open the Start menu.
  2. Type command prompt and run it as an administrator.
  3. Type the below command and press Enter.sfc /scannow
  4. Wait for the process to complete.
  5. Execute the below commands.Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /Check healthDism /Online /Cleanup-Image /restorehealth
  6. Let the process complete.
  7. Restart your PC.

You can make use of the SFC Scan and DISM commands to check the health of your PC and fix the corrupt or missing system files.

While the above process requires you to use some commands, it isn’t a cup of tea for everyone. Some like to use an automated repair program that will do everything for them with just a click.

6. Run the Background Intelligent Transfer Service

  1. Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialogue.
  2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
  3. Locate Background Intelligent Transfer Service and double click on it.
  4. Under Service Status, select Start.
  5. From the Start up type drop-down select Automatic.

That is it from us in this guide. We have a guide for users getting Windows update error 0X800f081f. You can also refer to our guide on 0x800f0988 Windows Update error to fix the problem.

Our guide on Windows update error 0x80070002 and update error 0x800f0905 will help you resolve the problem with some effective solutions.

We have listed five quick tips to resolve the Windows update error 0x800704cf. You can also check out our guide on update error 0x800f0831. Let us know in the comments below which one of the above solutions resolved the problem for you.

WAN Vs LAN Port (Differences & When To Use Each One)

You have a wireless router and a curious mind as you want to know the differences between the LAN and WAN ports that your router has.

If you are thinking about it and have landed here, then you will get all of your answers and more importantly, what are the differences between WAN and LAN and when to use each one. Let us get right into this comprehensive guide.

WAN Port vs LAN Port

So, without wasting much time, we are jumping straight into the comparison. This table will help you understand what basically is a WAN and a LAN and what differentiates them from one another:

LAN PortWAN Port
LAN stands for Local Area Network.WAN stands for Wide Area Network.
You can use a LAN port to connect the PC and other client machines.You can make use of a WAN port to establish a connection with the internet.
The number of LAN ports depends upon the type and brand of the router. You will find most routers with one WAN port. 
It is often labeled as Ethernet as well.It is labeled as the Internet or simply WAN.
LAN refers to a network that is meant for a small geographical area such as a home or an office.WAN spans a large geographical area. For example, a city, a state, or a country.
With LAN you can control all the connected devices.LANs can be interconnected through a single WAN.
LAN connects PCs using an ethernet cable.WAN connects to a cable or a modem which then connects to the internet.
Someone having access to your LAN also gains access to all the computers on LAN.In the case of a WAN, a hacker will gain access to only the connected PC.

WAN vs LAN on a router

As we have already mentioned in the comparison table above, a modem will have typically one WAN port and multiple LAN ports.

The WAN port on a router can be used to connect to a high-speed modem, which then connects the router to the internet. You will find the WAN port on your router labeled WAN or Internet.

On the other hand, the LAN port is used to connect computers that don’t have Wi-Fi access. It can connect to the LAN port via an ethernet cable and then establish a connection with the internet.

The moment the cable is plugged into the router, you have established a wired connection.

LAN vs MAN vs WAN

Apart from LAN and WAN, there is MAN as well. In such a case, it becomes important to know the difference between them as it will help you make a decision on when to use one.

LANMANWAN
LAN stands for Local Area Network.MAN stands for Metropolitan Area Network.WAN stands
Can be used for small areas such as home or office.Can be operated in large areas such as a city.Can be used for larger areas such as a country or a continent.
The ownership is private.The ownership can be private or public.WAN might not be owned by one company.
Speed is high.Speed is moderate.Speed is low.
Less congestion.Medium congestion.Heavy congestion.
Short delay.Moderate delay.High delay.
LAN maintenance is easy.Maintenance is more difficult than LAN.Maintenance is more difficult than LAN and MAN.

Should I use a WAN or LAN port?

For those who wish to connect to the internet, then you should use the WAN port and connect your router to it. Because LAN will let you connect two or more computers together and transfer data.

The WAN port on your ISP router is the one that brings the internet into the network. Using the WAN port to connect to the second router won’t give you internet access.

In this case, you can make use of the LAN port and connect the second router via the LAN port and then enjoy internet access with the second router.

Also, you should not confuse WAN with a Wireless Area Network. WAN stands for Wide Area Network, whereas, WLAN stands for Wireless Local Area Network. WLAN is a LAN with wireless functions instead of an ethernet cable. So, when you connect your device to a router using Wi-Fi, you are using WLAN.

When is it best to use LAN, WAN, MAN, and CAN?

Here are some of the best use-case scenarios for LAN, WAN, MAN, and CAN.

  • LAN: You can use LAN when your purpose is to transfer files between computers, print with shared printers, and primarily connect one computer with another. You can even share applications, software, hardware, and the internet with connected computers. This could be beneficial for colleges, schools, offices, hospitals, etc.
  • WAN: You use a WAN to connect to the internet. Corporations with offices spread across the county or different continents use WAN to connect offices together. It can be used to run and host internal apps, communicate using voice or video, access data, remotely backup data, etc.
  • MAN: MAN is made up of interconnected LANs. It combines the networks of multiple organizations and makes use of fiber optics. It can be used to connect offices in a single city, factory, and HQs as it can be used to transmit data using modems and wires.
  • CAN: Controller Area Network is designed to allow communication between microcontrollers. This can be used to trigger airbags in cars, anti-braking systems, power steering, and other scenarios. It is also used in sports cameras, automatic doors, coffee machines, etc.

When should I use the WAN port on the router?

If you have a modem and router as separate devices then you need to connect them in order to access the internet. The connection is done via an ethernet cable. Through this connection, your modem passes an internet signal to your router, ultimately which allows you to access the internet.

So, if your router isn’t connected to the modem via the WAN port, you won’t be able to access the internet.

Is LAN or WAN better for Ethernet?

LANs have better speed and reliability as compared to WANs. Typically, LAN speeds range between 1,000 Mb/s to 40,000 Mb/s as compared to 150 Mb/s WAN speed. LANs are also easily manageable and less costly to set up.

That is it from us in this guide. If you are getting lower ethernet speeds, then you can refer to our guide and apply the 10 expert tips to enhance the internet speed.

We also have a guide that mentions some effective solutions to resolve the ethernet not working problem. You can check out our guide that helps you with combining two internet connections on a Windows 10 PC.

For users facing Wake on LAN not working problem, fortunately, we have a guide that mentions some solutions that have helped users fix the problem.

7 Best Label Printing Software for Zebra Printers

Printers are an essential addition to a business that helps users get documents in a usable format. With electronic documents like e-readers, and PDF formats, gone are the days of paper printouts.

Also, environmental movements like saving trees have reduced paper usage considerably. So, to meet the print requirements and deadlines, people can rely on one of the best software for Zebra Printer.

How can a dedicated Zebra printing software help you?

While Zebra comes with its own ZebraDesigner V2 barcode label design software for printers, it only includes basic design features.

If you need to stand out and create a personalized label to emphasize your brand, you will need a more powerful software tool.

There are in fact many other commercial label design options that come with powerful features to make a difference from your competitors.

Therefore, in this post, we will explore some of the best label printing software for Zebra.

What are the best label software tools for Zebra printers?

Label LIVE – Ultimate customization features

Zebra thermal printers can be difficult to set up and use. Label LIVE solves orientation and other issues without having to install drivers which makes it one of the best label printing software for Zebra printers.

This excellent Zebra label printing software streamlines the design process. From layout to spreadsheet data, to serial numbers, to output formats, Label LIVE offers both simplicity and flexibility for designing and printing labels.

Create labels that make sense for your business and reflect your style without added stress. Time is an increasingly rare commodity these days.

That is why Label LIVE lets you design and print labels in minutes. All you have to do is connect your computer – Windows or Mac – and your Zebra printer via USB, and start printing.

Let’s have a look at some of the most exciting features Label LIVE label design and printer software has to offer:

  • Label software that works with Windows and Mac
  • Easy installation and setup with Zebra printers
  • No drivers are required for using our label printing software with Zebra printers (via USB)
  • Import and print from Excel, CSV, and Apple Numbers spreadsheet files
  • Create, edit and save templates for the future label printing
  • Setup cutter, speed, darkness, and cutter without installing Zebra printer drivers
  • Share your label design across your organization and between locations
  • Extensive options for label design, including advanced barcode support including QR code, UPC, EAN, and more.

If you are looking for a zebra alternative, mydpi label printers are a great option. Label LIVE is bundled with the mydpi label printer for the highest quality prints.

Label LIVE for Windows and Mac

Flexible and modern software that takes the hassle out of Zebra label printing!
Free trial Download Now

Adobe Creative Cloud Express – Great for professionals

Adobe Creative Cloud Express is an unparalleled tool for publishing and content creation, but you probably didn’t know that it’s also a powerhouse for label creation with one of its tools, Adobe Creative Cloud Express Post.

It features thousands of templates designed by professionals, so you won’t be staring at a blank canvas for long. You can search through them by task, mood, aesthetics, platform, or color to get started right away.

And when you find it’s just a matter of clicking or tapping it to open it in the editor. Now it’s up to you to select an original font, add your brand, and photos, or just add one from the thousands of free images from Creative Cloud Express.

If you choose the Premium version of the software, you will also get to apply your brand logo, fonts, and colors automatically. And if you’re creating a label for online usage, just add animated stickers from GIPHY.

All your team can collaborate on a project, and after you’re done, you may use the resize feature in Adobe Creative Cloud Express to adapt it to any platform you are distributing it.

This label maker feature is perfect for Zebra printers, but you can also easily save and share your creations with just one click.

Let’s review some of its most important features:

  • Advanced label creation tools
  • Free image library
  • Add animated stickers for online labels
  • Resizing feature to customize the output
  • Team collaboration

Adobe Creative Cloud Express

This software has all the tools needed for you to create the most exciting labels using a ton of templates.
Check price Visit website

NiceLabel – Easy to use

NiceLabel is among the best software for Zebra printers that works locally with all the barcode drivers of the printer.

The software promises ultimate performance by using the original ZPL, EPL, or CPCL compared to the graphics mode.

This helps to print the first label out much quicker without any halts between the labels. It’s the only label design software that has control of the driver settings of the Zebra printer from inside the program.

It provides support for over 2500 thermal label printers from more than 70 brands. It also offers avant-garde variable data, graphics, and scripting (VB/Python). Moreover, it prints the documents through an exclusive printing application.

Best of all, it supports automated printing from the user’s ERP or WMS software and offers business automation and web printing at a business level.

This label maker software is easy to use and is able to do a lot more, on any label printer.

Take a look at this app’s best features:

  • Support for over 2500 thermal label printers from more than 70 brands
  • Variable data, graphics, and scripting (VB/Python) functions
  • Automated printing
  • Original ZPL, EPL, or CPCL modes
  • Business level printing

⇒ Get NiceLabel

BarTender – SAP integration

BarTender by Seagull Scientific is another well-known label software for Zebra printers that’s fast, flexible, and easy to handle.

It helps users quickly set up professional quality label designs. You are then allowed to get prints of those designs from a printer (laser/thermal).

Note that it comes with responsive designing tools and helpful wizards that help users start designing and printing cards and labels instantly.

Moreover, it activates RFID coding and improves designs for cards and labels. This helps you to take advantage of the content from spreadsheets, databases, and more.

Integration with SAP is another great feature. The best part is the brand offers direct technical support with each purchase.

This enables you to seek help while setting up a new print station. From getting help on installation to using the advanced features, support is just a phone call away.

Here are the best features of BarTender:

  • RFID coding
  • Improved designs for cards and labels
  • SAP integration
  • Quick, dedicated support services
  • Flexible and easy to handle

⇒ Get BarTender

Labels and Databases – Great fill image effects

One of the leading software for Zebra printers, Labels, and Databases, helps users make and design labels, effortlessly.

You can print labels, and cards with different integrated label formats, add details to them from the databases, and also create envelopes, using Mail Merge.

From texts, images, or oval lines to boxes, or barcodes, it allows you to easily add many different elements to their documents.

Users can also fill image effects like mask and opacity level, along with other settings, to create visually appealing results.

Additionally, feel free to print an endless number of labels beginning from any position on the sheet. You may even export these designs in different formats, such as JPEG, TIFF, PDF, BMP, PNG, etc.

The integrated database in the software module allows you to save and manage the contact details, easily. Furthermore, it can print linear and 2D barcodes, text and images.

Besides, it supports Postnet, Code 128, ISBN, Datamatrix, etc. From different editing options to offering circular text features, Labels and Databases has much to offer.

Let’s see what its best features are:

  • Image effects available
  • Support for Postnet, Code 128, ISBN, Datamatrix, and more
  • Add elements on the label easily
  • Integrated database
  • Multiple format export feature

⇒ Get Labels and Databases

EasyLabel – Very friendly UI

EasyLabel by Tharo is among the best software for Zebra printers for its ease of use. It takes care of almost all methods of label designing and printing quickly, accurately, and easily.

What’s interesting is that it’s so easy to handle that users don’t even need computer skills to perform the intricate labeling processes.

The software also includes an RFID and a GS1 (EAN/UCC) wizard that helps users meet all their existing and future labeling needs.

Best of all, the product is available in seven different versions with individual features offering a complete labeling solution.

Let’s go through a couple of its most interesting features:

  • RFID and a GS1 (EAN/UCC) wizard
  • Simple, easy-to-use UI
  • Fast and accurate
  • Support for all complex labeling requirements

⇒ Get EasyLabel

Label Vista – Simple configuration

For those looking for software that helps configure the range of printers by Zebra, Label Vista makes for a perfect choice.

It’s a user-friendly program that configures the settings for Bluetooth and RF and sends files or updates the firmware.

This free tool is used to design labels for CPCL-supported Zebra mobile or Comtec mobile printers.

It comes with responsive graphic-supported conditions for the users with robust editing tools that can also be easily mastered. Moreover, it makes way for the effortless development of format files that stay inside the printer.

These files then help with simple integration with variable data files that are transferred from the host. These files are also essential for label printing with a combination of constant and variable data fields.

What’s more? It also boasts a feature of creating fonts that allow users to create pre-scaled and fixed-sized fonts (downloadable) rising from TrueType fonts.

Take a look at some of its most important features:

  • Intuitive graphically-based user environment
  • Network printing, and FTP file transfer
  • Font creation capabilities
  • Free software
  • CPCL support

Printing and designing cards, labels and barcodes is an intricate process, and so, a professional-level software tool is what you need for a perfect job.

Above are some of the best software for Zebra printers that can help you get the desired output without any hassle. So, get one of them today and create high-quality labels and barcodes, effortlessly.

We also created a list including the best label printing software to help you with more options for personalizing your design.

Don’t hesitate to drop us a line with your thoughts about the best software you’ve tried. Other readers might also benefit from your opinion.

Try Saints Row this week with Xbox Free Play Days

Xbox Free Play Days makes a return this week after a holiday hiatus. And the first Xbox Free Play Days event for 2023 is a doozy, featuring the Saints Row reboot as well as two other games for subscribers of Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to take for a spin at no additional charge. The games will be available from Thursday, January 5th through Sunday, January 8th. Let’s check out the complete lineup.

Saints Row

Two characters pose next to a muscle car during sunset.

As the future Boss, with Neenah, Kevin and Eli by your side, you’ll form The Saints – and take on Los Panteros, The Idols, and Marshall as you build your empire across the streets of Santo Ileso and battle for control of the city. Ultimately Saints Row is the story of a start-up company, it’s just that the business The Saints are in happens to be crime.

Experience the biggest and best Saints Row playground ever created; the unique sprawling world of Santo Ileso is the backdrop for a wild, larger than life sandbox of thrilling side hustles, criminal ventures and blockbuster missions, as you shoot, drive, and wingsuit your way to the top.

For the King

For The King

For The King is a strategic RPG that blends tabletop and roguelike elements in a challenging adventure that spans the realms. Set off on a single player experience or play cooperatively both online and locally. None before you have returned from their journey. Will you put an end to the Chaos?

For The King is a challenging blend of strategy, turn-based combat, and roguelike elements. Each playthrough is unique with procedural maps, quests, and events. Explore Fahrul in either single player, local, or online co-op.

Just remember adventurer, you do this not for riches or fame but for your village, for your realm, For The King!

Cricket 22

Cricket 22

Cricket 22 delivers the most robust, substantial game of cricket that fans have ever seen. Enjoy the full licensed Ashes contest – the pinnacle of the long-standing rivalry between Australia and England. In addition, contest Australia’s big-hitting Big Bash T20 competition, the hugely innovative The Hundred in England, the tropical party of the CPL in the Caribbean, and take to the international field of battle with fully-licensed teams from Australia, England, The West Indies, New Zealand and Ireland.

And, in keeping with Big Ant’s commitment to equality and equal representation, both the Men’s and Women’s games have been replicated across all of Cricket 22.

Xbox Free Play Days discounts

Games features in Xbox Free Play Days events typically can be purchased at discounts during the event. For The King is 75% off this weekend, while Cricket 22 is available on Game Pass and is discounted there if you choose to buy the game. Saints Row (Platinum Edition) is currently featured in the Xbox Last Chance sale at 33% off.

Learn more over on the Xbox Free Play Days FAQ page.

Connect_Error_Social_Login_Failure: Easy Ways to Fix

Many users have reported getting a connect_error_social_login_failure error when trying to launch EA games on Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox.

The error message screen also comes up with a Reset password button. And, no matter how many times they changed the password, it says wrong credentials.

Here, in this guide, we will discuss some ways to fix the issue and the reasons for its occurrence. Let’s get started! 

What causes the connect_error_social_login_failure error?

There could be various reasons for this sign-in error to occur. Some of them are listed here: 

  • Your old EA account is linked to the gaming platform –  If you have an old account added to Steam or Xbox, you might get this error. You need to log in using the same performance and remove it from the EA website to fix it.
  • Your EA account is disabled – If your EA account was disabled for some reason, you might get this error. To resolve this, you need to contact EA support.

What can I do to fix the connect_error_social_login_failure error?

1. Unlink your old/disabled account

Tip icon Tip
Unlinking accounts doesn’t delete EA or Xbox accounts. Instead, you need to contact the company’s customer care to delete or completely obliterate the account.

1.1 If the account is old but accessible

  1. Visit the EA website and sign in to your EA account that you want to unlink.
  2. Go to Profile.Profile - connect_error_social_login_failure
  3. Navigate to the Account Settings page.Account Settings
  4. Locate the Connections section from the left pane and click Unlink beside the Steam logo.Unlink
  5. Click Yes to confirm the action.
Tip icon Tip
You can use the same process if your EA account is connected to Xbox or any other gaming platform.

1.2 If the account is disabled

If the linked account is disabled, you can’t unlink the EA account from your Xbox account. Instead, you need to contact EA support to get that account reinstated. Once done, you can use the above method to unlink the account from Xbox.

2. Link your main EA account

  1. Once unlinked the old account, open any EA games on your gaming console or platform.
  2. Enter your main EA account’s email address and password on the login page.Login page - connect_error_social_login_failure
  3. Once you sign in, your accounts will be linked.

3. Check if the console server is working 

  1. Visit Xbox or PlayStation website.Xbox status - connect_error_social_login_failure
  2. Check if all the servers and services are up and running.
  3. If the servers are down, you must wait for some time.

4. Contact EA Support

If none of the above solutions fix the error, you should contact EA Support. Explain the whole scenario, the instances when you got the error, and the methods you tried. This will help them understand the situation and assist you better. 

So, this is how you can fix the connect_error_social_login_failure error while accessing EA games on Steam. Try them and let us know what worked for you in the comments below.

PC Crashes Randomly? Main causes & How to Fix It

If your PC crashes randomly, it would be best to verify the power supply before implementing other fixes. A malfunctioning power supply is a frequent cause of sporadic PC crashes.

Most people merely check the power cord, but the source is probably the culprit and is often overlooked. Therefore, we advise using a separate power source to connect the computer. If it functions well, the original is the problem, and you should have it fixed immediately to prevent further harm.

How to fix PC from crashing randomly?

1. Troubleshoot specifically for the error message

Most crashes will come with a displayed error message. This is especially the case when you have the BSOD.

You should take note of the error message and troubleshoot accordingly. Some common error messages are:

If your PC crashes randomly, you can resolve it by following the solutions in the individual links above.

2. Scan for viruses

  1. Type Windows Security in the Search bar, and click on the relevant search result.
    pc crashes randomly
  2. Now, click on Virus & threat protection here.
  3. Click on Scan options.
    pc crashes randomly
  4. Now, select Full scan and click on the Scan now button at the bottom.

When dealing with PC crashes it is always a good idea to perform thorough and in-depth system scans. Professional security software such as TotalAV excels at this task and will quickly help you identify the culprit if malware is the cause of your PC crashing.

3. Check for issues with RAM and storage drive

  1. Press Windows + R to launch the Run command.
  2. Type mdsched.exe in the text field and hit Enter to launch the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool.
    pc crashes randomly
  3. Click on Restart now and check for problems to run the scan.
    pc crashes randomly

Problems with the RAM or hard disk most frequently cause Windows crashes. Check the compatibility if you have recently altered any of these.

The computer’s RAM is utilized to store the files being used temporarily. Consequently, a problem with it might make Windows sluggish and crash.

To check for and resolve RAM issues, use the Windows Memory Diagnostic program. Finally, the machine will boot back up and check memory diagnostics. Next, check whether the problems causing the PC to crash at random have been fixed once it has finished executing.

Additionally, check whether the HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD is failing (Solid State Drive). When you attempt to open specific files or applications, the OS crashes, which means that a particular component of the drive is broken. We advise backing up your data and having the disk fixed or replaced.

Several third-party software applications are available to back up the saved data. Even though the instructions are for Windows 10, the apps should function flawlessly on the most recent version.

4. Update your drivers

  1. Press Windows + R, type devmgmt.msc, and hit Enter.
    pc crashes randomly
  2. Double-click on Display adapters to view the devices listed under it.
  3. Right-click on the graphics adapter and select Update Driver from the context menu.
  4. Next, select Search automatically for drivers from the two options in the Update Driver window to let the system automatically scan for the best available driver on the computer.

While the Graphics drivers are the main culprits, you may want to perform the steps for all available drivers.

You can also use an automatic driver updating tool, to easily scan your PC for outdated or even missing drivers and update them instantly with the newest updates from its database.

5. Reduce overheating

Your computer may become slower or have an OS crash due to overheating. Although the latter is an extreme example, the issue may still be seen.

Reduce the number of programs running to lessen the burden when the computer starts to overheat since this will cause the CPU fan to operate at full speed.

Our tutorial will show you the best techniques to decrease overheating in Windows out of the numerous options available.

Additionally, there are several options for tech-savvy users to manage the fan speed in Windows to prevent overheating further.

Why does my PC keep freezing and crashing?

There could be many reasons why your PC is crashing. Users have attributed these constant shutdowns to different factors, including:

  • Drive issues – It could be due to hardware issues, such as a failing hard drive or, in some cases, insufficient memory. We always recommend using only the best hard drives on your computer.
  • Power-related issues – This is an often overlooked trigger, but in some cases, a crash could be a sign of latent power issues on your computer.
  • Software-related issues – These crashes could be due to software problems, such as conflicts between programs, malware, or outdated drivers.
  • Overheating – In every computer system, overheating is a pretty prevalent problem. In addition to shortening the lifespan of the components, overheating may cause the system to crash repeatedly.
  • Corrupt system files – Corrupt system files trigger diverse issues and sometimes manifest as crashes.

You should note that these issues will come in different forms. For example, users have experienced the following related issues:

  • PC crashes randomly not overheating – in this variation of the crashing issue, you will usually not experience any overheating. Instead, it may be triggered by hardware failure.
  • Windows crashes randomly – Here, you may not know precisely what caused the crash, but a few troubleshooting steps may come in handy.
  • PC crashes randomly no blue screen – While most crashes will be associated with the BSOD and an error message, there is the occasional occurrence when this is not the case.
  • PC crashes randomly and restarts – Often, this is the case. You may not need to take any action for your crashed PC to restart. The downside is that these may repeat at different times.

In conclusion, you should note that none of these fixes have been written in any particular order. You may be presented with an error like tpm-wmi 1796 so we recommend going through the appropriate solutions and you should get some resolutions using any of the fixes mentioned.

We believe you should have found resolutions if you have read this far. So please, let us know in the comments below what worked for you.

Windows Update Error 0x80010108 [SOLVED]

Computer errors can happen at any time, and speaking of errors, Windows 10 users reported a 0x80010108 error.

This error appears while trying to search for updates, so let’s see how to fix this problem.

How can I fix the error 0x80010108?

1. Turn on User Account Control

User Account Control is a security feature of Windows 10 that notifies you when you or any other application tries to perform certain action that requires administrator privileges.

Many users tend to turn off this feature due to its frequent notifications, but it seems that you can fix error 0x80010108 by turning on User Account Control. To turn this feature on, follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows Key + S and enter user accounts. Select User accounts from the menu.
    0x80010108-user-accounts
  2. Click the Change User Account Control settings.
    0x80010108-change-user
  3. Move the slider all the way up to the Always Notify. Click OK to save changes.
    0x80010108-always

2. Check your date and time

Sometimes these problems can occur if your date or time are incorrect. Incorrect date and time can occur due to broken motherboard battery, and if you’re getting error 0x80010108 we advise you to check your time and date. If date or time is wrong, do the following:

  1. Click the clock in the bottom right corner. Choose Date and time settings.
    0x80010108-date
  2. Turn Set time automatically option off and then turn it back on. This should automatically fix your time and date.
    0x80010108-time

3. Clear the Windows Store Cache

This is a simple procedure, and you can do it by following these steps:

  1. Press Windows Key + R and enter wsreset.exe.
    0x80010108-wsreset
  2. Wait for the process to complete and check if the problem is resolved.

Many Windows Store problems can be fixed simply by resetting the cache, so be sure to try this solution.

4. Turn off proxy

According to users, this error can occur if you’re using proxy, therefore be sure to turn it off. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows Key + S and enter internet options. Select Internet Options from the menu.
    0x80010108-internet-options
  2. Go to Connections tab and click on LAN settings.
    0x80010108-LAN-settings
  3. When settings window opens, uncheck Automatically detect settings and Use a proxy server for your LAN options. Click OK to save changes.
    0x80010108-proxy-1

You can also do the same thing with Settings app. To turn off proxy using the Settings app, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app and go to Network & Internet section.
  2. Go to the Proxy tab and turn off Automatically detect settings and Use Proxy server options.
    0x80010108-off

5. Turn off VPN

VPN software is great if you want to protect your privacy online or bypass certain limitations, but sometimes VPN software can cause 0x80010108 error to appear. To fix this problem, it’s recommended that you disable VPN software on your PC. If that doesn’t work, you might have to remove all installed VPN clients and check if that fixes the problem.

6. Clean the DNS cache

In some cases your DNS can cause 0x80010108 error, and to fix this issue you need to clear the DNS cache. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator. To do that, press Windows Key + X to open Power User Menu and choose Command Prompt (Admin).
    0x80010108-admin
  2. When Command Prompt opens, enter ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
    0x80010108-flushdns
  3. After the process is completed, close Command Prompt and check if the issue is resolved.

7. Reset Windows Store 

The next thing we’re going to try is also one of the most common solutions for Store-related problems. And that’s, of course, resetting the Store. To reset the Microsoft Store, all you have to do is to run one command. And here’s how to do that:

  1. Go to Search, type wsreset, and open the WSReset.exe script.
  2. Wait for the script to finish loading and restart your computer.

8. Perform a Clean Boot

Third-party applications and services can sometimes interfere with Windows Store and cause various problems, therefore, you might want to perform a Clean Boot. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows Key + R and enter msconfig.
    0x80010108-msconfigf
  2. When System Configuration window opens, go to Services tab and check Hide all Microsoft services. After that click the Disable all button.
    0x80010108-disable-all
  3. Go to Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
    0x80010108-open-task-manager
  4. When Task Manager opens, select each Startup application, right click it and choose Disable. After disabling all applications close Task Manager and click Apply and OK in System Configuration window.
    0x80010108-disable
  5. Restart your PC and check if the problem is resolved.

If the problem is fixed, it means that one of the third-party applications was causing it. To find which application caused this problem, repeat the same steps, but be sure to enable applications and services one by one until you find the one that is causing this issue.

9. Perform the SFC scan

This error might appear if your installation is corrupt, and in order to fix it, you need to run sfc scan. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
  2. When Command Prompt opens, enter sfc /scannow and press Enter.
    sfc-scan
  3. Wait for the process to complete.

10. Disable your antivirus software

Sometimes third-party antivirus software can interfere with Windows Store and cause all sorts of problems, therefore it’s recommended that you try disabling your antivirus tool. Bear in mind that almost any antivirus software can cause this issue to appear, therefore be sure to disable all third-party antivirus tools that you have installed. If disabling the antivirus doesn’t help, we suggest that you temporarily uninstall it and see if that fixes the problem. If you’re concerned about your safety, you should know that Windows 10 comes with Windows Defender pre-installed, so your PC won’t be completely defenseless.

11. Re-register wups2.dll file

According to users, you can fix error 0x80010108 by re-registering wups2.dll. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Start Command Prompt as administrator.
  2. Enter the following lines and be sure to press Enter after each line in order to execute it:
    • net stop wuauserv
    • regsvr32 %windir%system32wups2.dll
    • net start wuauserv
  3. Close Command Prompt and check if the problem is resolved.

12. Restart Windows Update service

Few users reported that restarting the Windows Update service fixed the problem for them, and to do that, you need to follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows Key + R and enter services.msc.
    0x80010108-services
  2. When Services window opens, locate Windows Update service, right click it and choose Stop.
    0x80010108-stop
  3. Don’t close Services window. Press Windows Key + S and enter disk cleanup. Select Disk Cleanup from the menu.
    0x80010108-disk-cleanup
  4. Select your default partition, in our case it’s C, and click OK.
    0x80010108-cleanup-drive
  5. Wait until Disk Cleanup scans your C drive.
    0x80010108-scan
  6. Select the types of files you want to remove. In our case we selected all types of files.
  7. After you’re done, click the OK button to clean the files.
    0x80010108-ok-clean
  8. After the cleaning process is completed, go back to Services window, right click Windows Update service and choose Enable from the menu.
  9. Try to download the latest updates again.

13. Install the latest version of Windows Essentials

Sometimes this error can be caused by other applications, especially if you have Windows Essentials installed. To fix this problem it’s advised that you remove Windows Essentials from your PC and install the latest version.

14. Uninstall latest Windows updates

There’s also a possibility that some Windows Update actually disrupted the Store. If you suspect that might be the case, go on and delete the troublesome update. Here’s how to do that:

  1. Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Once the Settings app opens, navigate to Update & security section.
  3. Go to Windows Update tab and click on Update history.
  4. Click on Uninstall updates.
  5. List of installed updates will now appear. Select the problematic update that you want to remove and click the Uninstall button.
  6. After removing the update, restart your PC.

15. Run the Update troubleshooter

Windows 10 also features its own troubleshooting tool. This tool can be used for dealing with all sorts of issues, including the probems with Windows Store apps and the Store itself. So, if none of the previous solutions resolved the issue, try running the troubleshooter.

Here’s how to run Windows 10 troubleshooter:

  1. Open the Settings app and go to Update & Security section.
  2. Select Troubleshoot from the menu on the left.
  3. Select Windows Store Apps from the right pane and click Run the troubleshooter.
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the troubleshooter.

16. Run DISM

And finally, if none of the previous solutions resolved the problem, let’s re-deploy the system image using the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tool. Hopefully, this tool will resolve the problem for good.

We’ll walk you through both standard and the procedure that utilizes the installation media below:

  • Standard way
  1. Right-click Start and open Command Prompt (Admin).
  2. Paste the following command and press Enter:
    • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  3. Wait until the scan is finished.
  4. Restart your computer and try updating again.
  • With the Windows installation media
  1. Insert your Windows installation media.
  2. Right-click the Start menu and, from the menu, choose the Command Prompt (Admin).
  3. In the command line, type the following commands and press Enter after each:
    • dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth
    • dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
  4. Now, type the following command and press Enter:
    • DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /source:WIM:X:SourcesInstall.wim:1 /LimitAccess
  5. Make sure to change an X value with the letter of the mounted drive with Windows 10 installation.
  6. After the procedure is finished, restart your computer.

Error 0x80010108 can cause problems while updating Windows, but it can sometimes affect other applications as well. This error can be troublesome, but we hope that you fixed it by using one of the solutions from this article.

Excel Toolbar Not Working: How to Make it Respond to Mouse?

Microsoft Excel is one of the Office suite’s best and most widely used tools. However, users often face issues using it, no matter how popular it is. One such issue is the Excel toolbar not working. Luckily, the issue can be fixed without much hassle.

Here, in this post, we will discuss the possible scenarios that might have caused the issue and the potential fixes to resolve the problem.

Why is my toolbar not responding in Excel?

There could be various reasons why the Excel toolbar/menu is not responding to the mouse; some of the popular ones are: 

  • Excel is not updated – If you have an old version of Excel downloaded on your Windows, it might not be compatible with your computer, causing the toolbar issue.
  • Customized add-ins – If you have installed add-ins or have made changes to the toolbar, the customization could interfere and cause the issue.
  • Corrupted program files – If the Excel files or the app itself is damaged, it might cause the toolbar to stop working.
  • Third-party software interference – If you have any other similar software running in the background, it could conflict with Excel. It may cause the toolbar to stop responding to the mouse.

What can I do if the Excel toolbar is not working?

Before moving to the detailed troubleshooting steps, please make sure you go through these quick fixes: 

  • Close and reopen Excel.
  • Check for updates for Excel.

If you still can’t access the toolbar on Excel using your mouse, then follow these steps:

1. Run Windows in a Clean boot environment

  • Press Windows + R to open the Run window.CLEAN BOOT 1
  • Type msconfig and press Enter to open System Configuration.
  • Go to the Services tab, remove the checkmark for Hide all Microsoft Services and click Disable all.Clean BOOT 2 -EXCEL toolbar not working
  • Now switch to the Startup tab, and click Open Task Manager.CLEAN BOOT 3
  • Go through the items listed. Right-click all the Enabled items one by one and select Disable.Clean BOOT 4
  • Close the Task Manager. Click Apply and OK to close System Configuration.CLEAN BOOT 5

2. Start Excel in safe mode

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run console.EXCEL SAFE RUN -excel toolbar not working
  2. Type the following command and press Enter to open Excel in safe mode: excel /safeExcel safe mode

3. Disable add-ins

  1. Launch Excel and go to File.File menu
  2. Click Options.Options excel toolbar not working
  3. From the next window, click Add-ins from the left pane.
  4. Navigate to Manage: Excel Add-ins and click Go.Excel options
  5. Remove the checkmark from all the add-ins available.Addins OK
  6. Click OK to confirm the changes.

4. Reset Toolbar settings

  1. Open Excel and go to File.File menu
  2. Click Options.Options excel toolbar not working
  3. Now go to Customize Ribbon.
  4. For Customizations, click on the drop-down and select Reset all customizations.Customize Ribbon Excel toolbar not working
  5. Click OK.

5. Repair Microsoft Excel

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to Apps, then click Installed Apps.Apps, installed apps
  3. Locate Microsoft Office, and click three dots.
  4. Select Modify.Modify excel toolbar not working
  5. Now select Quick Repair and click Repair.Quick Repair
  6. Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the process to complete.

6. Contact Microsoft Support

You need to contact Microsoft customer support if nothing has worked for you. Explain the situation and everything you have tried to help them assist you better.

So, these are the things you need to try to fix the Excel toolbar not working. Try them and let us know what worked for you in the comments below.

Windows Update Error 0x8024200D: 8 Quick Fixes

There’s no secret that Windows 10 and its forced Update features can occasionally do more harm than good to users. Special emphasis goes to major updates, like the previous Anniversary or Creators Update.

All of those frustrating error issues are followed by an alphanumeric code. The update error we are going to address today goes by the code 0x8024200D.

There are countless reasons for this exact error and we’ll try to resolve them step by step. So, if you have been prompted with this error while trying to update your Windows 10, follow the instructions below.

How can I fix the error 0x8024200D?

1. Run the Windows Update troubleshooter

  1. Download the Windows Update troubleshooter.
  2. Save the file.
  3. Run the troubleshooter and wait for the process to finish.
  4. You’ll be informed if the problem is resolved.

Firstly, let’s give the Windows update troubleshooter a chance to work properly. At least for sake of acknowledging the problem so we can know what measures to take later.

You can use a built-in troubleshooter, but we advise you to download and run the special tool from Microsoft’s official site.

2. Uninstall third-party antivirus

The impact of third-party antimalware software on updates can be enormous. It seems that those two are not functioning well for different reasons.

Firstly, your antivirus can accidentally delete or block some of the update files and even make a conflict with Windows Defender.

That battle for supremacy over your PC security can prove fatal for both updates and all-around system performance.

Because of that, we advise you to uninstall antivirus before updates and lower the chances of something going wrong.

Have in mind that you can reinstall your antivirus software after the updating procedure is finished.

3. Use a dedicated repair tool

You can try to do things manually, and we certainly provide all the means to do so, but if you’re not a technical person, you can fix such update errors with a dedicated repair tool.

4. Use batch script to reset Windows Update components

  1. Download the batch file from here.
  2. Save the file on the desktop.
  3. Right-click on batch and Run as Administrator.
  4. After the process is finished, try updating again.

When trying to resolve update issues such as the error code 0x8024200d, there are a few processes you’ll probably want to reset. Additionally, you’ll probably want to rename/delete the folder with all update installation files.

Well, you can do that manually or, thanks to the Windows enthusiasts, use the batch script file that will do it for you.

Follow these instructions above to employ batch and resolve various update issues. Additionally, you can create your own batch file by following the instructions in this Windows Update reset script article.

5. Repair corrupted files with SFC

  1. Right-click Start and run Command Prompt (Admin).
  2. In the command line type the following and press Enter to confirm:
sfc/scannow

The SFC tool is one of the most valuable tools you can run in the Command prompt. Basically, it addresses all system corruptions and there so, it can fix failed update issues, as well.

This tool is easy to run so follow the instructions above to launch it. This will scan and fix all corrupted files. However, for specialized scan and fix tools, you should look out for DISM  below.

6. Uninstall peripheral drivers

  1. On Search Windows, type Create a restore point.
  2. Open System properties.
  3. In the System Protection tab, on the bottom of the list, click Create.
  4. Enter the description and create a restore point.
  5. Now, right-click Start and open Device Manager.
  6. Unplug all peripheral devices except the mouse and the keyboard.
  7. Go to their respective drivers and uninstall them one by one (printer, scanner, webcam, etc.).
  8. Restart your PC and try updating again.
  9. After the update, reinstall drivers.

Issues with Windows 10 update and legacy drivers are well-known. The conflict that may occur will not just prevent the updates, but affect system stability and eventually lead to errors and crashes.

Because of that, follow the above instructions. Sometimes, the issue might not be solved this way as the peripherals may create lots of errors when used by the system via a driver system that thinks it’s good.

4.1 Update drivers automatically

Sometimes installing the wrong driver version can cause irreversible damage to your PC, for this reason, is highly recommended to advise using a dedicated tool for automating the operation.

Keeping in mind that all drivers need to be updated, so you won’t experience these types of errors, you will need to choose the correct driver version for your device.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

7. Use DISM to repair update files

  1. Right-click Start and open Command Prompt (Admin).
  2. In the command line type the following and hit Enter to start the procedure:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth 

Besides the restarting the update components and SFC scan, you can also try to fix the update files corruption. And the good thing is that you don’t have to use third-party programs.

DISM is a built-in tool that scans update files and fixes possible corruption while restoring the deleted files.

You can use DISM to repair your system update files this way, so don’t hesitate to apply the above procedure right away.

8. Perform a clean install with Media Creation Tool

Your last resort is complete reinstallation. We know that may sound like a time-consuming process but it will fix most of your issues.

Since you can’t do it inside the running system, you’ll need the drive (USB stick, DVD) for installation setup files. Use the Windows Media Creation tool to create the bootable drive.

Do not hesitate to create a backup of your files from the system partition and write down your license key.

With that said, we are at the end of the list of fixes for the Windows Update error 0x8024200d. In case you have any remarks or questions, please share them with us in the comments section. We’ll be glad to help.