Windows 10 users have reported that they are seeing software named Nahimic Companion getting installed on their PC after a Windows update. They are confused about what is Nahimic Companion and whether or not they can uninstall the program from their PC.
If you are also having similar doubts and are looking for a guide on what is Nahimic Companion then this guide is for you. Here, we will explain what is Nahimic Companion and how you completely and safely remove it from your Windows PC. Let us get right into the guide.
What is Nahimic Companion?
Nahimic Companion is an app that comes pre-loaded with the Nahimic drivers and gets installed with a Windows update. If you have a PC with a motherboard or laptop from brands MSI, Aorus, ASRock, Dell, Machenike, or ThundeRobot, you will receive this audio driver.
This program is designed to enhance audio quality and would be beneficial for gamers. The Nahimic Companion driver improves the MSI (Micro-Star International) PC’s audio and also voice performance. This will ultimately give you a better gaming sound and media experience.
It features advanced algorithms such as Sound Tracker and awesome Nahimic sound effects with any connection be it HDMI, audio jack, Bluetooth, etc. To improve voice quality, it comes with Voice Stabilizer and Static Noise Suppression feature.
Although the Nahimic Companion improves your PC’s audio performance, it can cause multiple issues because of incompatibility. In such a case, it becomes necessary to uninstall the program from your PC.
Can I uninstall Nahimic companion?
Well, if you are really experiencing some ground-breaking sound enhancements with the Nahimic Companion app on your Windows PC, then it is best to stick with the audio driver.
However, in case you do not find the program useful and are facing multiple issues with the Nahimic Companion app, then you should uninstall it from your PC.
What happens if I uninstall Nahimic?
The only thing that will happen if you uninstall the Nahimic Companion app from your Windows PC is that your PC will go back to using the default audio driver.
If you have tweaked the Nahimic Companion app and attained good-quality sound, then you will definitely miss it. But apart from that, there isn’t much that you are losing when you uninstall the program from your PC.
How can I uninstall Nahimic Companion?
1. Disable Nahimic service and uninstall
Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialogue.
Type services.msc and press Enter.
Locate Nahimic service.
Press the Stop button at the top.
Close the Services window.
Press the Win button to open the Start menu.
Search for Device Manager and open it.
Expand the Sound, video and game controllers section.
Right-click on the Nahimic mirroring device and select Uninstall device.
Follow the on-screen prompts to completely remove it from your PC.
Use the search function or locate the Nahimic Companion app.
Select it and hit the Uninstall button.
Wait for the process to complete.
Restart your PC.
There are a bunch of uninstaller software tools that can help you get rid of sticky apps from your PC. By sticky apps, we mean apps that leave behind residual files. We advise you use IObit Uninstallerto remove unwanted programs from your PC.
That is it from us in this guide. If you are looking for some cool sound enhancers for your Windows PC, then you can check out our guide that lists 5 of the best audio enhancers you can try.
DDS (Direct Draw Surface) is an image file format that Microsoft established with DirectX 7.0. Microsoft conceived DDS as a container format for raster images with compressed and decompressed pixels.
This file format is primarily for saving graphics textures and game maps. However, DDS is not among the most widely supported image file formats, so you might wonder how to open DDS files in Windows 10.
We made sure to provide you with a set of tools that can open the DDS file extension.
What program can open DDS?
? Photoshop – obviously, the champion en titre will deliver and we’ll show you exactly how to open DDS files in photoshop. Nevertheless, there are other options to consider.
How do I open DDS files without Photoshop? If you’re among those who still ponder the different possibilities, you’re in big luck.
? DDS Viewer – What is DDS viewer? The name says it all, it’s the ultimate tool to handle DDS files: view DDs thumbnails, open and edit a DDS image as per your needs.
? Aconvert.com –Last, but not least, here’s a nifty DDS viewer online which will help you convert a DDS file to PNG and make it more maneuverable.
Today, we’ll be looking at some of the best music software for recording vocals. If you are a music artist or audio engineer, or just want to keep audio records of your call logs, this piece is specially designed for you.
Voice recording has been a conventional procedure for quite some time now, as virtually all digital gadgets are equipped (in varying degrees) to, one way or the other, record audio/sounds.
Typically, all computer systems, smartphones, tablets, and even old analog mobile brands come with a built-in audio system, designed to record vocals or sound.
However, most of these inbuilt audio recorders are too simple to handle the demand and quality standard of required vocal output today.
More often than not, system-recorded vocals are blighted by issues like background noise, unwanted breaks, distorted speakers, voice cracks, and so on.
The ultimate solution to this is to edit audio during and/or after recording, and the built-in audio recorders are not equipped to execute this function.
Therefore, to facilitate the production of quality, error-free, recordings, a myriad of audio recording tools/music software have been developed.
However, only a handful of these tools are of the standard, and we’ll be looking at five of the standard ones in this article.
Read on to get a good grip on some of the best music software for recording vocals, as we bring you a comprehensive review of each of them.
Adobe Audition is an excellent vocal recording and audio editing software for both Windows and Mac.
You can record audio from any device or microphone. Before starting to record, don’t forget to adjust the signal‑to‑noise levels to clear the input signal as much as possible.
The Multitrack Editor is a nifty Adobe Audition feature that automatically saves your audio recordings into WAV files. Moreover, you can also use this tool for overdubbing and recording audio on multiple tracks.
The Essential Sound panel offers you a wide array of features to achieve professional-quality audio. Enjoy clear and pristine vocal recordings without any noise interference.
Adobe Audition is perfect for creating podcasts. This all-in-one tool lets you record, edit and export audio recordings. Combine Audition with a top-notch microphone and your podcasts will mesmerize your audience.
Sometimes, your vocal recording may not be of the best quality. The good news is that Adobe Audition comes with a set of built-in audio repair tools that you can use to diagnose and repair audio issues.
Other key features include:
Seamless integration with other Adobe products
Support for overlapped clips
Manual keyframe entry support
Punch and roll recording for voiceover
Adobe Audition
You can now record, edit and export audio recordings with this great all-in-one tool, so try it out!
RecordPad from NCH Software is a popular music software for recording vocals, with a commendable user base across the globe.
The software hosts multiplatform support for PC (Windows XP/Vista/7/8/8.1/10) and macOS computers, as well as iOS and Android mobile devices.
RecordPad features broad sets of recording and audio-enhancing features, which can easily be employed to record, refine/edit, and rip and burn vocals.
With this, you are able to produce near-perfect audio notes, demo songs, announcements, voice messages, and so on.
One significant feature of this software is its voice-activated setting, which enables you to auto-erase a long period of silence during a voice recording.
This feature makes RecordPad very ideal for music artists, as they are afforded the opportunity of going over their lyrics (during recording), without altering the music flow.
Other notable features of RecordPad include:
Pitch shifting
Noise reduction
Multi-format support (MP3, WAV & FLAC)
FTP upload
MPEG layer-3 encoding
Wave encoding (6000 to 19600 MHz)
RecordPad
Start recording your music with no background noise using this fantastic tool!
Wavepad from NCH software is probably the most widely used music software for recording vocals, and it conveniently stands out as one of the most reliable recording software for Windows PC.
Specifically, it is compatible with all Windows versions between Windows XP and Windows 10. It is also supported on macOS and mobile platforms (Android & iOS).
WavePad is arguably the best recording tool out there, in terms of feature packages and ease of usage.
It hosts a clean and intuitive interface, which is simple enough for anyone to use, irrespective of technical proficiency or audio system familiarity.
This software offers you in excess of twenty audio filters and effects during recording. With this, you are easily able to manipulate just about any aspect of a recording, to produce desired voice outputs.
With Gilisoft Audio Recorder Pro you can record voice and sounds at the same time, producing high-quality audio compilations.
This streaming audio recorder does not entail a microphone, since it works directly with your sound card.
It is an ideal audio recorder for Windows OS, recording computer noises and microphone to AAC, AC3, AIFF, AMR, AU, FLAC, M4A, M4B, M4R, MKA, MP2, MP3, OGG, RA, VOC, WAV, or WMA files.
It really isn’t difficult to record the sound that streams through your audio card, but GiliSoft Audio Recorder Pro seeks to make everything much easier, even for individuals with basic computer science.
Award-winner and safe to use, Gilisoft Audio Recorder Pro specializes in seeking the smoothest resonance between all vibrations of sounds. It’s like having your portable mini-studio with you all the time. Cool, right?
The highlighted attributes of Gilisoft Audio Recorder Pro include:
Recording Internet Broadcasts from over 500 radio channels
Record all chat voices manually and automatically
Trigger auto functioning with a recording schedule
Recognizes audio recording formats and adapts for the best performance
Prior to actually initiating a recording, you can use a recording sample tool to preview the output
Gilisoft Audio Recorder Pro
It is available to download for free, but also available to unlock extra features as paid software.
i – Sound Recorder 7 is a simple, yet powerful, sound recorder designed to run on all Windows versions from Windows 10 all the way down to Windows XP.
This tool stands out as one of the best music software for recording vocals, with respect to its highly intuitive UI, as well as its unrivaled ease of usage.
Furthermore, it features some advanced functions like a recording scheduler and voice-only recording, which is an essential component of noise reduction.
Other key functions and features of i – Sound Recorder 7 include:
Timer
Multi-format support (MP3, WAV, FLAC, and more)
Live compression
Audio conversion
Voice-activated recording
Auto-gain control (AGC)
The voice-activated recording (VOX) function is similar to that of a portable digital recorder. With this method, you may automatically split the recording into several tracks, making it easier to record vocals without pauses in between.
i – Sound Recorder 7
Integrated VOX is a clever method that can skip audio gaps but ignores brief snaps and background noise.
Audacity is a special-purpose recording software, built exclusively for voice recording and multi-track sound editing. The software is compatible with all major computer OS, including Linux, Mac, and Windows.
Audacity’s platform, though simple, is packed with a broad set of powerful recording and audio manipulation features.
Basically, you are offered a set of advanced tools to record and manipulate sound elements like treble, frequency, bass, and the like.
Some key features of this software include:
sequential undo/redo
Live preview
Frequency analysis
Live recording
VST support
Vamp analysis (plug-in)
Import/export setup
Audacity is an open-source program, which is financed by donations from all over the world. In light of this, it is offered to prospective users at absolutely no cost.
Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio from Acoustica is a top-quality music software for recording vocals. It hosts a fairly intuitive UI, with an akin reflection of a digital audio workstation.
With this, it is probably the best software for recording music, as it offers you an imitated DAW platform to work on.
The software is currently supported on only Windows OS, with exclusive support for all versions between Windows XP and Windows 10.
Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio is one of the most versatile vocal recording tools out there, having 7500+ loops, 28+ audio effects, samples, filters and so on.
Essentially, you are provided with an all-inclusive package to record, edit, improve and burn audio works. The end result is error-free, top-quality sound output.
Other notable features of Mixcraft 8 include:
Pitch correction
Recording timer
Reverberation tools
Silence gauging
MIDI scoring
Broad format support (WAV, MP3, FLAC, OGG etc.)
One of the obvious downsides of this software is its pricing. Mixcraft 8 Pro Studio is one of the most expensive audio recording/editing software out there.
Today, recording vocals/audio has been made easy with the advent of audio recording software.
Voice notes, music demos, soundtracks, and the like can now be recorded and manipulated with ease (in quick time) to generate near-perfect audio files, in desired output format(s).
To better enlighten you on the suitability of these tools, we have reviewed five music software in this article, with succinct descriptions of their flexibility of usage, affordability, compatibility, and functionality.
Hence, if you need audio recording software for your PC, the above-listed tools are the recommended software for you.
If the Power BI Scheduled Refresh option is greyed out, users won’t be able to refresh their datasets, and that can be a problem, but this issue can be resolved, and this guide will show you how to do it.
Why is the scheduled refresh option greyed out in Power BI?
This problem can appear if there are issues with the Power BI account or installation. Sometimes dataset is not connected to the data source and this can cause an issue. In some cases, the DirectQuery connection or your datasets don’t support scheduled refresh.
How do I enable scheduled refresh in Power BI?
Before we start, make sure that you don’t have any network issues and that your dataset is structured correctly.
1. Make changes from Options and settings
Open your report on Power BI desktop.
Click the File menu and click Options and settings.
Click Data source settings, go to Data source credentials, and click the ellipsis (…) next to the data source you want to refresh.
Select the Credential kind in the Edit credentials dialog box, then click OK.
Click Publish in the left pane, select the workspace where you want to publish your report, and then click on Publish.
Click the ellipsis (…) next to the report you just published in the Publish dialog box.
In the Report settings, click the Schedule refresh tab, and select how often you want the report to be refreshed.
Navigate to the Authentication method tab, select the authentication method and click Apply to save the changes.
You must have permission to connect to the data source and permission to publish the report to the workspace where you are publishing it.
2. Create a new schedule refresh plan
Sign in to your Power BI portal.
Right-click on the Power BI Reports tab and select the Manage option.
Click on the Data Sources option, select the type of authentication in the Authentication type bar, type in the required Credentials and click on Save.
Navigate back to the Power BI report tab and select Manage.
Click on Schedule Refresh Plan, then click the +New Scheduled Refresh Plan button to create a new refresh plan.
On the New Scheduled Refresh Plan page, input the description and a schedule for the duration you want the data model to refresh.
Creating a new schedule refresh plan allows you to enable Power BI Schedule Refresh.
In case you encounter any further problems with refreshing, our Power BI won’t refresh guide is here to help you. We also have an article on how to auto-refresh Power BI, so don’t miss it.
If you have any questions or suggestions, kindly drop them in the comments section.
Windows Server backup software is different from Windows backup software. If you use Windows Server 2019, 2016, 2012 R2, 2012, 2008 R2, or 2008, you should find backup tools that are not only compatible but also powerful.
Everything a Windows user does is based on a straightforward concept: input of data. The single next important thing to do for you would be to ensure backing up data in case of any technology fails.
That being said, here is our selection of the best backup software for Windows Server.
ManageEngine OS Deployer is OS deployment and migration software, but it also offers online and offline imaging.
The software lets you create an image of the OS and disk partitions in your computer and can be deployed on single or multiple computers simultaneously, even on a machine with a corrupted OS.
The Online imaging method allows admins to capture the system’s disk image when it is live and functioning in a network.
Conversely, with Offline imaging, the disk image is acquired when the network is shut down.
The tool can create an image of single or multiple partitions or entire disks and shrink the volume to prevent disk size incompatibility errors.
ManageEngine OS Deployer can also migrate user profiles and data from one computer to another, ensuring that users can seamlessly continue their work on a new device.
It provides a pre-boot environment, allowing administrators to perform computer diagnostics and repairs without accessing the operating system.
Let’s go through some of ManageEngine OS Deployer’s best features:
Can deploy standardized configurations across multiple computers
Simplifies the process of migrating from an older OS to a new one
Automates the process of deploying operating systems across machines
Allows IT administrators to manage computers in remote locations
Installs the necessary drivers during OS deployment
ManageEngine OS Deployer
Manage your server backups and keep your system in top shape with this powerful tool.
Paragon Backup & Recovery Business is ideal Windows Server backup software for small and mid-sized companies. It’s the server edition of Paragon Backup & Recovery.
This tool meets all of your demands, whether it’s simply storing data, automating backup procedures, or developing sophisticated backup routines.
The strong software wizard helps users through the backup wilderness step by step, and the newly designed UI clears the course.
Backup strategies are meant to make it simple to set up and perform automatic backup operations. You may pick from dependable pre-defined methods or create your own.
Because of its CRC technology, Paragon backup archive PVHD (Paragon virtual hard drive) may be mounted and read within your Windows system and is ideal for hosting network sharing.
Here are the key features of the Paragon Backup & Recovery Business:
Comprehensive backup solution for physical and logical media
Flexible restore options
Create a bootable environment and fix boot errors
Secure your Windows Server environment and automate administrative tasks
Integrated end-to-end security, low impact on the system and network
Paragon Backup & Recovery Business
With this flexible and intuitive tool, you can back up your system data worry-free.
Zinstall FullBack (Server Edition) is a complete, always-on, easy-to-use backup solution for your entire server.
Unlike other backups, FullBack can restore server applications, not just files, even to completely different server hardware with a different Windows version.
For example, you can restore a backup of a Dell Server 2012, to an HP Server 2022 (or to an Azure-hosted Server 2022) – including server applications.
Note that this is not a clone restore, i.e., it doesn’t overwrite the new OS or hardware layer.
It doesn’t just restore data; it recovers your applications, their configurations and accounts, your profiles, shares, and security permissions.
You get back to work as if nothing happened. This unique capability alone makes FullBack severe worth consideration. Of course, you can recover a file or a folder with a click.
With all that powerful technology under the hood, FullBack is nevertheless super simple to use.
FullBack can store your backups pretty much anywhere: local drives, external drives, network shares, NAS / SAN, and 3rd party Cloud storage such as Amazon S3 or Backblaze B2 (or even OneDrive / Dropbox, although that is more applicable for smaller server deployments).
It also allows you to backup to multiple targets at the same time, so you can keep a local backup for quick access, and a Cloud backup in case your office burns down – a proper implementation of the 1-2-3 backup rule.
Oh, and it even allows you to go back in time to any point in the past: you can restore a file as it was an hour ago, yesterday, a week ago, a month ago, and so on.
It is truly a backup powerhouse that is still easy to use for anyone.
Here are some of its best features:
Automatic backup for your entire server
It recovers your applications, along with their configurations
Stores your backups anywhere, including on cloud storage
Backup to multiple targets at the same time
Full restoration of any file
Zinstall FullBack
Powerful, automatic, super easy to use, and restores everything to anywhere.
Acronis Cyber Backup is one of the best Windows Server backup software for your business. It’s like an edition of Acronis True Image but made for Windows Server.
Cyber Backup runs full backups on your Windows Server environment and recovers the complete entire system or just specific files and programs.
Customizable widgets, reports, notifications, and important event alerts are among the advanced reporting and status-monitoring features of Acronis Cyber Backup.
You can allow Acronis’ AI-based ransomware solution to protect your data from unauthorized change, decryption, and ransomware outbreaks such as Petya, WannaCry, and Osiris.
Furthermore, by adding an extra layer of protection, you can safeguard your data from unauthorized access.
Through a mathematical algorithm, Acronis Notary’s blockchain-based innovation provides a safe connection.
Acronis Cyber Backup is a subscription-based backup solution and includes a 30-days free trial.
Here are the Acronis Cyber Backup key features:
Works with any Windows Server whether it’s virtual, physical, or on the cloud
Save your backups anywhere, including NAS, SAN, tapes, disks, Acronis Cloud, Azure, AWS, Google
Recover the data you need: full system, drives, Microsoft application data, urgent files, and folders.
Scalable backup solution
Capture the current server state using Volume Shadow Copy (VSS).
Acronis Cyber Backup
Do you need more security for your business data? Try Acronis Cyber Backup and be confident about the Windows Server environment!
Paragon Backup & Recovery Business is ideal Windows Server backup software for small and mid-sized companies. It’s the server edition of Paragon Backup & Recovery.
This tool meets all of your demands, whether it’s simply storing data, automating backup procedures, or developing sophisticated backup routines.
The strong software wizard helps users through the backup wilderness step by step, and the newly designed UI clears the course.
Backup strategies are meant to make it simple to set up and perform automatic backup operations. You may pick from dependable pre-defined methods or create your own.
Because of its CRC technology, Paragon backup archive PVHD (Paragon virtual hard drive) may be mounted and read within your Windows system and is ideal for hosting network sharing.
Here are the key features of the Paragon Backup & Recovery Business:
Comprehensive backup solution for physical and logical media
Flexible restore options
Create a bootable environment and fix boot errors
Secure your Windows Server environment and automate administrative tasks
Integrated end-to-end security, low impact on the system and network
Paragon Backup & Recovery Business
With this flexible and intuitive tool, you can back up your system data worry-free.
Quorum onQ – Best business tool for one-click backup & recovery
Quorum onQ is a one-click solution to protect your critical infrastructure from disasters. When you lose a production server, you can move to Quorum’s appliance with a single click and continue to operate.
The technology inside was initially designed for the military to keep the missile tracking system in sync, so there is no margin for error.
OnQ is perfect for businesses because it creates a full server backup, including images, applications, and data, and performs incremental backups as often as every 15 minutes.
Additionally, after backing up a server, Quorum allows unlimited testing to ensure that it will run perfectly when needed.
The Quorum appliance fully supports the ease and flexibility of both physical and virtual servers. Quorum supports physical servers through its proprietary software and interface.
The product is fully integrated into VMware for virtual environments, utilizing vCenter to manage and vMotion to restore.
There are four ways you can configure the Quorum product:
Place a local appliance onsite to support the environment – High Availability only (HA)
Combines a local appliance with replication to a second appliance at a remote site – HA & Disaster Recovery (DR)
Combines a local appliance with replication to Quorum’s private cloud – HA & Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS)
Backup directly to Quorum’s private cloud – Direct-to-Cloud
Key features of Quorum onQ:
One-click recovery to any point in time
Automated recovery testing
HA Anywhere architecture
Ultra-fast backup and recovery thanks to appliances with 25,000 IOPS
Disaster recovery and cloud failover
Quorum onQ
Back up and restore your business servers with a single click for complete data security.
Uranium Backup is a complete backup solution for both local and host servers, so it’s a tool that can help you greatly.
It was designed for businesses and individuals, and the friendly interface allows one to configure a backup set in just a few seconds.
Don’t worry. In case of any malfunction, the reporting system will alert you immediately, saving you precious time.
Regarding backup options, Uranium Backup will secure all data, disk images, databases, Exchange mailboxes, and even virtual machines.
And the backup destination options are staggering. This solution can store the backups on anything, including FTP, FTPS, SFTP, cloud, and even tape.
Why do you create the backup in the first place? This tool ensures complete restoration of your server in case of damage or Ransomware attacks.
Uranium Backup is highly versatile. It is available as a Free version for file and folder backup. Still, it comes with dedicated licenses for higher needs like a backup of Drive Image, databases, and Virtual Machines.
NovaBACKUP for Servers is an exemplary Windows Server backup software for offices and small businesses. It comes equipped with a lot of practical features for creating and managing backups.
The utility called File Copy Jobs, when run manually or on a schedule, can keep a current version of your files in a location you specify through a one-way copy.
File and image backups are compressed by default, saving anywhere from 10% to 25% more than a simple file copy.
Storage is compatible with any disks formatted in New Technology File System that are connected to the system, including hardware RAID configurations.
Backups may be saved to any NTFS formatted disk (including RDX), Network Shares (NAS), or Single Tape Drives.
The NovaBACKUP user interface is designed to be compatible with screen readers and other sensor technologies, making it accessible to those who have difficulty reading or hearing.
Here are the key features of NovaBACKUP for Servers:
Cloud storage backup
Schedule server backups to run automatically in full or incremental mode
Recover the entire server system from the backup to any Hyper-V environment
Follow the 3-2-1 backup rule to save your server in case of disaster
Windows Server Backup is the default Windows Server backup software solution that we simply can’t overlook. Introduced in 1997, the backup solution has been integrated with all Windows Server editions.
Unfortunately, the latest version of Windows Server Backup doesn’t support tape drives. As such, you must use third-party apps to save and tape on a recent OS.
When all’s said and done, customers need not look further than their OS to handle their backup concerns.
Windows Backup is designed to provide a one-stop solution for server protection. You may set up a scheduled job to backup files and the system state, as well as to perform an empty restoration.
Microsoft anticipates that you will have one scheduled job so that you may do a one-time save with Windows Backup.
You could want to copy files to a network share, for example. Remember that any previous backups to the same folder will be overwritten, so try as much as possible to save the previous backup in a different location.
Here are some of its best features:
Comes ready with your server environment
Works with all Windows Server editions
Automatically backs up and recovers your server system
Copies currently used files and applications without any issues
Performs differential, incremental, normal, and daily backups.
It does. It is called Windows Server Backup, and it comes preinstalled with your Windows Server OS.
We also included this solution in our selection below, but as you will see, the tool doesn’t offer all the features offered by more powerful third-party tools.
However, it does have the most important options necessary for Windows Server backup and recovery.
Many companies and organizations will get data loss prevention software and leave it at that. However, this does not address the issue of recovery say if server data were to disappear.
Despite Microsoft’s best efforts to ensure server data protection, some environments are simply too different and complicated for its inbuilt software.
In that case, you can resort to trustworthy Windows Server backup software solutions, like the ones on this list.
Client files and other valuable documents stored on servers are just too valuable to leave unguarded. You can go for cheap Windows servers just make sure your security is top-notch.
Try the above tools and ensure your business security with a fast and uncomplicated backup and recovery experience.
Music is a very important part of our daily lives, and this is why there are so many devices dedicated to bringing us the music we want close to us and always available.
But sometimes, we get bored by the same playlist, and in times like these, we turn our attention to an old friend that has been with us for generations. You might have guessed it: radio.
Although there are countless radio apps on the Microsoft Store, not many offer you the features that you might like, and most of them are targeted to a specific area.
Nevertheless, there are the old-time favorite radio services available for Windows 10 or 11, in the form of these awesome radio apps for PC.
Can I listen to FM radio on my computer?
Although the common radio is not that popular anymore, Internet radio is on the rise. With these digital services getting better and more numerous by the day, there is no shortage of apps that allow us to listen to them. So, is there a radio app for PC?
Windows 10 also has some great solutions for listening to online radio, and now we’ll be taking a look at some amazing options for the best radio app for Windows 10:
Boom 3D – Huge array of local & international Internet radio stations
Spotify – Create endless playlists and stream popular music
Tuba.FM – Create and share your personal radio channel
TuneIn Radio – Great filering options & 24/7 coverage
Pandora – Popular radio app for Windows 10 accessible from any browser
iHeartRadio – Free radio app for Windows 10 with an impressive selection of musical genres
Audials Radio – Boasts radio recorder features
Windows Media Player – Offline FM radio for PC & streaming at high quality
? How do I play FM radio on Windows?
? It couldn’t be easier! Get your hands on an internet radio app or radio player for Windows 10 and 11 from our list.
▶️ Make sure it broadcasts the format you need and hit the Listen or Play button.
? Your app will swiftly load the station you’re currently playing.
Obviously, there are also great options to consider if you’re after an offline FM radio for PC, in which case you will need to download a radio for PC Windows 10 or 11. Here we go!
What are the best radio apps for Windows 10 & 11?
Boom 3D – Huge array of local & international Internet radio stations
Boom 3D is a great tool for boosting up the sound on your PC but what you probably didn’t know is that it’s also an excellent Internet radio streaming app.
In fact, you can access more than 20,000 local and international Internet radio stations from 120 countries, a huge number, no less.
Of course, you also have an integrated player that you can use to create your own playlists according to your needs.
Plus, you will always have awesome sound because Boom 3D comes with a nice equalizer that features greatly built presets that you can use, or you can create your own.
The tool even features a special audio effects feature that you can use to give your music a touch of extra spatiality or even enhance the vocals in a podcast.
Apart from music and the Internet, Boom 3D is absolutely great to enhance your gaming sound experience with the 3D features.
That’s because you can check the sound from each speaker of the virtual surround system and adjust the subwoofer gain, and intensity of audio.
Here are some of the best Boom 3D features:
Access 20K Internet radio stations from 120 countries
Apply the special effects to your audio
Easy to control and operate
Boost the volume of your sounds
The integrated player with music management features
Boom 3D
Access a huge number of Internet radio stations and enhance the sound with Boom 3D!
Tuba.FM – Create and share your personal radio channel
Tuba.FM is described as the first application that matches music with the taste of every user.
It is intuitive, user-friendly, and allows you to customize your music searches and organize your own lists (even create and share your personal radio channel).
Due to its advanced algorithms, it finds music genres you like. You will easily find a good music friend in Tuba.FM.
The only problem is that the app is Polish, and you will see a lot of their stations in the default view and the recommended lists.
The language can also be a problem if you try to create an account. However, you can log in with your Facebook account.
Otherwise, you can search for a lot of free stations that have more than satisfactory results for any possible genre and you can share your playlist via mail, Facebook, or OneNote.
At the bottom of the page, you will see the player where you also have the option to add the song to your favorites.
TuneIn Radio – Great filering options & 24/7 coverage
TuneIn Radio needs no introductions, its services are very well known, and they are beyond reproach.
The app for Windows 10 is not different than what we’d expect from TuneIn, in the sense that it offers the very best features and lots of flexibility.
Users can browse through stations grouped by a number of filters, such as region, music genre, news, or podcasts, they can add favorite radio stations and they can also view the most listened-to stations.
If you want news, this is the best you can get 24/7 live coverage from all the important sources like BBC, CNN,
live 24/7 news from national and global sources like BBC, CNN, MSNBC, NPR, and many more to which you can add the local stations from your area.
Another great thing about TuneIn is that it’s not available only for your desktop but also for a lot of other devices like Google Home, Amazon Echo, Alexa, Sonos, Bose, Roku, Chromecast, and more.
That means that you can start listening to your PC and continue the show on any other device. Anyway, the app is rock solid and its performance is flawless so try it.
Audials Radio is one of the most popular Internet radio apps in the Microsoft Store. This tool brings more than 100,000 radio stations from around the world to your Windows 10 computer.
There are over 70 genres available, so you’ll definitely find something you’ll like. Moreover, the radio recorder feature allows you to record your music and save the respective songs as MP3 files.
If you prefer listening to podcasts, Audials Radio has got you covered. There is a list of more than 260,000 podcasts that you can choose from.
To play an Internet Radio station on Windows 10, you need to download the stream and open it with Windows Media Player.
Supported formats are – .m3u URL, WMP and it can’t play .pls URL as it did before with Windows 7.
How can I play FM radio on my computer without internet? Well, if you were wondering about this possibility, here’s the best way to enjoy offline FM radio for PC.
Since you can’t discover Internet radios with the Windows Media Player, you will need to download the streams by yourself. So go ahead and download radio for PC Windows 10, Windows 7, and so on, according to your version of Windows.
Of course, Windows Media Player is a video and audio player at its core so you will be able to do a lot of other things with it, including managing your collection of media files.
As for the radio stations, most of them have .m3u links that you can include in your player to stream the station at the highest possible quality.
Internet radio has become a more abstract concept that doesn’t only include FM radio that streams online or simply Internet radio stations, but also people’s playlists.
There are many choices, genres, topics, and podcasts and we covered all possibilities in our list of apps above. However, here are a few tips about selecting the right software.
➡️ Decide on what content you want to listen to
If you want to listen to traditional radio, you can simply visit their website and find the listen button in any browser.
If you want to change the station like on a regular radio, some of the apps above will do a great job.
However, if you want to avoid the commercials from the regular stations, you have plenty of choices from the music streaming services from above.
➡️ Free versus paid apps
All the above apps have a free version but some of them have premium options that can either get you extra features or get you free from commercials.
The only thing you need to do is to figure out how important are the extras and how much you’re willing to pay for them.
➡️ Sound quality may be important
Classic radio doesn’t offer top sound quality because let’s face it, it was not created for audiophiles but for those who want to listen to a song and some news while traveling.
If you want to listen to Hi-rez audio, you will find it on some apps above but definitely not on the FM stations. However, Hi-rez audio means higher bandwidth, keep that in mind.
We hope that you found plenty of options to listen to your favorite Internet radio stations and enjoy your music.
You can also look at our selection of the best radio apps for Windows 10 which will also bring you a couple of other solutions.
If you have any other suggestions or questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below.
If you’re using an ASRock motherboard and need to enable TPM 2.0, follow the guidelines below. This will help if you want to upgrade your system, as per the Windows 11 hardware requirements.
This allows only the approved software to boot your PC, thus preventing bootloaders and other malware from infecting your PC.
The differences between TPM 1.2 and TPM 2.0 include TPM 2.0’s enhanced security features, which offer stronger cryptographic algorithms and better support for modern hardware compared to the more basic protection provided by TPM 1.2.
Here’s how you enable it:
How can I enable TPM in BIOS on ASRock?
1. ASRock motherboards with AMD CPU
While your PC boots keep pressing F2 to access BIOS. The key might be different depending on your model, so be sure to check the motherboard manual.
Once you enter BIOS, go to the Advanced tab.
Select CPU Configuration.
Select AMD fTPM switch and set it to AMD CPU fTPM.
Navigate to the Security tab.
Set Secure Boot to Enabled. If you can’t enable Secure Boot, set the Secure Boot Mode to Standard and try again.
Enter BIOS by pressing F2 during the boot process.
Go to Advanced mode.
Now head to the Security tab.
Locate Intel Platform Trust Technology and set it to Enable.
Go to Exit and select Save Changes and Exit.
Select Yes to confirm.
How do I check if TPM is enabled?
Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
Enter tpm.msc and press Enter.
Now you should see the status of the TPM.
How does fTPM work?
fTPM is a version of a crypto processor for AMD devices. Instead of having a separate chip on your motherboard, this feature is implemented in system firmware.
This doesn’t affect your performance in any way, and it works almost identically to a dedicated chip.
However, some experts believe that fTPM isn’t as safe as its hardware counterpart, but for the vast majority of users, it should provide enough protection.
Can I install Windows 11 without TPM?
To install Windows 11, your device needs to support this feature, but you don’t have to keep it enabled if you don’t want to.
Many users reported TPM 2.0 errors that have prevented them from installing the operating system. This is because the required security component isn’t detected.
There’s a way to install Windows 11 without TPM, but if Microsoft fixes this workaround, your only option would be to buy the hardware that meets the security standards.
Windows 11 does its best to improve user security, and we hope that you managed to enable TPM in BIOS on ASRock motherboards after reading this article.
As you can see, the process is pretty simple, and if your hardware supports it, you should be able to turn it on in a matter of minutes.
What are your thoughts on this feature? Are you using it on your PC? Let us know in the comments section below.
Using Avast antivirus on a PC protects users against viral and malware attacks. However, different users have reported The Avast online content is unavailable error message popping up when using the Avast browser.
The Avast online content not unavailable error can occur for many reasons. However, the primary cause of this is browser plug-ins. Some browser plug-ins can affect Avast web scan making the website unavailable.
Furthermore, some common factors responsible for the issue are:
Firewall or security software – Avast online content may be unavailable if the system firewall or other Firewall services are blocking it.
Unstable internet connection – When your internet connection is unstable or slow, it may cause difficulty with Avast accessing a website or content.
Internet service provider (ISP) issues – Avast online content may be unavailable if there are issues with your Internet Service Provider. It can be due to maintenance, technical issues, or other reasons.
Server issues – The error may appear if there are problems with the servers that host the content.
However, these causes can vary on different PCs. Hence, we’ll discuss some fixes as we go further into the article.
What can I do if Avast online content is unavailable?
We recommend trying out the following preliminary checks:
Uninstall and install Avast on your PC and restart your PC to check if the issue persists.
If the Avast online content is unavailable after trying the preliminary checks, go ahead with the following advanced steps.
1. Add Exceptions in Avast
Open Avast Antivirus and go to the Settings menu.
In the left sidebar, click on General.
Scroll down to the Exceptions section and click on the Add Exception button.
You can either input the name of the file or folder you want to exclude from scanning or click the Browse button to locate it on your computer.
Click on the Add Exception button to confirm your selection.
Adding an exception to Avast allows the specified file or website to bypass Avast’s protection and potentially be a security risk.
2. Clear the DNS record on your PC
Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box, type cmd in the text space, and then press Enter to open the Command Prompt.
Type the following and press Enter: ipconfig/flushdns
Restart your PC and check if the error persists.
If you are using a third-party DNS service, you may need to clear the cache on the DNS server itself or use a different method to flush the cache. Learn what to do if the DNS server is not available on Windows 11.
Right-click on the Avast icon on your desktop, then click on the Avast shields control.
From the side menu, select Disable Avast and choose how long you want to disable it.
Choose the duration to disable the Avast, preferably 10 minutes, then click Yes to confirm your actions in the Avast prompt.
All antivirus shields are off, which would appear to indicate Avast is disabled. All messages will appear in red in the main window when Avast is disabled.
Some protection features cannot be completely disabled. Setting these features in Passive Mode might be a preferable option.
Furthermore, temporarily disabling antivirus protection, if necessary, is recommended, and re-enable it as soon as possible. Read on how to stop Avast if you can’t get around the above steps.
The Enterprise Office 365 version comes with the IRM (Information Rights Management) feature. It allows the users to control the security of their data and prevent unauthorized users from printing the documents. However, at times while setting up the IRM you may see the Configuring your computer for information rights management window stuck without any progress.
The Configuring your computer for information rights management stuck issue is not common but not a rarity either. If you are also troubled by this issue, here is how to fix IRM configuration stuck issue in Windows.
Fix configuring your computer for information rights management stuck
1. Log Out of Microsoft Office Apps
One of the workarounds that have helped the Office 365 users to resolve the Information Rights Management issue is by signing out of Office 365 apps.
So, log out of all the Microsoft Office 365 apps including Skype, Outlook, etc.
Launch Microsoft Word and make sure you sign out of the Word app as well.
Close and relaunch the Word app. Click the Sign in button and login to your Office 365 account.
Now try to configure IRM again and check if it gets stuck again.
Microsoft Office app comes with a built-in troubleshooter. The troubleshooter can scan fix any issues with the Office apps.
Press Windows Key + R to open Run.
Type control and press OK to open the Control Panel.
In the Control Panel, go to Programs > Programs and Features.
Select Microsoft Office version and click on Change.
The repair window will appear. Here you have two options. Quick Repair – First select the Quick Repair option. It will check for any common issues with the Microsoft Office system files and fix them without requiring internet. Online Repair – If the issue persists, try the Online Repair option. This is a more advanced repair option but requires internet to connect to the server and find fixes for the error.
Close the troubleshooter once it is finished fixing the Microsoft Office.
Relaunch the Word App and sign in and check if the configuring your computer for Information Right Management configuration is still stuck.
3. Check Authentication Issues
Open the Office App where the configuring your computer for Information Right Management configuration is stuck.
Click on File and select Signout.
Click on Sign in again.
Type the email of the user to whom you want to give IRM access.
A new dialog box will ask you if you want the organization to control this installation.
Click Yes.
Now try to configure IRM and check if the configuration process goes through.
To setup Information Right Management for Office 365, you need to have admin privileges. If not, ask the admin to make necessary changes and setup IRM for Office. This should help you to resolve configuring your computer for Information Right Management configuration stuck issue in Office 365.
The saga of Microsoft’s attempt to acquire Activision Blizzard will no doubt continue into 2023 as another response to the FTC lawsuit from Microsoft (this one 37 pages in length) has been uncovered.
The document, titled “Answers and Defenses of Responent Microsoft Corp.,” reiterates Microsoft’s various arguments that the deal should be allowed to complete without interference. Among these arguments Microsoft states on page 2:
Xbox also believes it is good business to make Activision’s limited portfolio of
popular games more accessible to consumers, by putting them on more platforms and making them more affordable. That includes making Call of Duty, one of Activision’s most popular games, more broadly available. Microsoft made this public pledge on the day the deal was announced. Since then, Xbox has agreed to provide the game to Nintendo (which does not currently have it) and has offered [REDACTED] to Sony [REDACTED].
The statement also goes on to point out that “The acquisition of a single game by the third-place console manufacturer cannot upend a highly competitive industry.”
At this point it is unclear whether the Activision Blizzard deal will ultimately go through, or whether Microsoft’s claims will have any impact on how the FTC proceeds with its lawsuit.
If League of Legends won’t go full screen, the game may launch in windowed or borderless mode despite selecting full screen in settings. This display issue is common after patches, driver changes, or DPI scaling conflicts. Follow these quick steps to restore proper LoL full screen mode on Windows 10 or 11.
What can I do if League of Legends won’t go full screen?
To rule out driver conflicts behind League of Legends full screen not working, try updating your GPU directly through Device Manager:
Right-click the Start button and choose Device Manager
Expand the Display adapters section
Right-click your GPU (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD, Intel) and select Update driver
Choose Search automatically for drivers and follow the prompts
Restart your PC after installation completes
This method is quick, built into Windows, and often resolves rendering issues that also cause FPS caps or game crashes.
If Device Manager can’t find a new version, visit your GPU manufacturer’s site and install the latest driver manually. That often leads to smoother performance and fewer display bugs, especially after major game or OS updates.
9. Launch League in Compatibility Mode
Right-click the game shortcut and choose Properties.
Under the Compatibility tab, enable Run this program in compatibility mode and select Windows 8 or 7.
Can I make League start in full screen by default?
Yes. Once you set the Window Mode to Full Screen and apply it, League will remember your preference for future sessions.
Why does League keep reverting to windowed mode?
This usually happens when the game crashes, or if the config file doesn’t save properly. You may need to adjust settings again or reset the config file.
Does LoL windowed mode reduce performance?
Yes. Full screen typically delivers better FPS and input response, especially during competitive play or ping spike issues.
For any other additional questions, feel free to leave a comment in the section below. We’ll make sure to quickly come up with the most useful feedback.
Spotify is an online music streaming platform that allows users to stream music from across the globe on various Operating Systems. Lately, users report the error message A firewall may be blocking Spotify on the platform.
What does it mean when Spotify says a Firewall is blocking it?
The error may occur on Spotify with various error codes:
A firewall may be blocking Spotify. Please update your firewall to allow Spotify. Additionally, you could try changing the currently used proxy settings (Error code: 17).
Others are Error codes: auth: 15, 16, 30, 34, etc.
However, the error doesn’t mean your login credentials are wrong. It means some underlying problems are impeding the activities of the Spotify client. Some factors are:
Antivirus program Firewall interference – Programs like Windows Defender Firewall can block other programs, causing the error to occur. It happens when the Firewall picks up a Spotify connection as a threat, causing it to crash or result in errors.
Using a Spotify account from different geographical locations – Users who registered their Spotify account with a country different from their current one can run into the Firewall error.
Proxy enabled on Spotify and Windows – If the Proxy is enabled, it can cause issues with the connections between Spotify and its servers. Also, a wrong configuration in the proxy settings in your PC or Spotify can result in the Firewall blocking Spotify.
Outdated Spotify app – When the Spotify app is outdated, it prevents it from accessing the needed updates for fixing bugs and improving performance. It can cause Spotify not to open and run into several issues that may result in errors.
Third-party app interference – Apps like Virtual Private Networks (VPN) can prompt internet connection issues in the Spotify app. It can conflict with its privacy policies or security protocols. Hence, running the VPN network alongside the Spotify app can cause the Firewall to block Spotify errors.
Nevertheless, we’ll take you through some basic steps for fixing the error.
What can I do if a Firewall is blocking Spotify on my PC?
Press Windows + R key to open the Run dialog box and type ncpa.cpl, then click OK to open the Network Connection page.
Right-click your network adapter and select Properties from the drop-down.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
Tick the box for the Use the following DNS server addresses option, type 1.1.1.1 in the Preferred DNS server and 1.0.0.1 for the Alternate DNS server, then click OK to save settings.
Restart your PC, then check if the Spotify error persists.
Changing your DNS server address can help fix network issues and help Spotify connect to its servers. Read more about checking and changing the DNS server if you’re having trouble with the steps.
7. Reinstall the Spotify application
Left-click the Start button, type the control panel, and press Open.
Click on Programs and Features.
Find Spotify and select Uninstall from the drop-down.
Follow the onscreen prompts to complete the uninstallation.
So, if you’ve encountered any issues upon connecting your PlayStation 3 controller to your PC, keep reading. We’ll explain a few different ways to fix it.
What can do if the PS3 controller is not working on my PC?
1. Reset your controller
To reset a PS3 controller, turn it over and press the small reset button on the back with a pin or paperclip for a few seconds.
A few users confirmed this helped them overcome various PS3 controller issues.
2. Update your drivers
2.1 Update the drivers manually
Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager from the list.
Click on the Sound, video and game controllers to expand the section.
Right-click the controller and select Update driver from the menu.
Click on Search automatically for drivers, or hit the second option if you already have the driver on your PC.
With the first option, the system will automatically search, find and install the correct driver.
You also might get the message that you already have the best driver installed in which case, you can click on the Search for updated drivers on Windows Update option.
That will bring up the update section, so click on View optional updates.
Now click on Driver updates to expand the section, check the drivers you want to install and finally, hit the Download and install button below.
2.2 Update the drivers automatically
Most of the time, you’re going to use Xbox 360 controller drivers, so make sure these are updated. In that regard, we can only recommend using specialized driver updating tools.
With this type of software, you can download and install new drives, manage them, troubleshoot and back them up on a set schedule.
Our top choice here is Fortect Driver Updater because it’s fast, easy to use, and very reliable.
3. Disable your current antivirus
Some people also said that their antivirus program interferes with the program they’re using for connecting the PS3 controller to the PC. And that might be the case with you, as well.
If that’s the case, just disable your antivirus program while using the PS3 controller. If it’s now working, consider adding PS3 as an exception to your antivirus or switch to a better one that won’t interfere.
4. Disable driver enforcement
Go toStart Menuand openSettings.
Go toUpdate & Security.
ChooseRecovery from the left pane and select Restart Now under Advanced Startup.
Your computer will restart, and you’ll get advanced startup options on the next boot. In these options, choose Troubleshoot.
Now head toAdvanced options.
Then, go toStartup Settings.
The computer will restart again and it will give you the list of startup settings you can change.
You should look forDisable driver signature enforcement, to turn off this option, pressF7.
Restart your computer and boot normally.
5. Make sure all redistributables are installed
Just like that’s the case with proper drivers, the PS3 controller also needs redistributables in order to function properly.
The most important ones are Visual C++ redistributables and the latest version of .NET Framework. So, make sure you have these installed on your computer.
6. Use another connection method
And finally, since there are more ways to connect your PS3 controller to your PC, maybe using a different method will solve the problem. The most common methods are via Motioninjoy and Bluetooth.
We explained how to use both methods in our detailed guide, so make sure to check it out.
That’s about it. We certainly hope at least one of these solutions helped you overcome the PS3 controller stopped working on the PC issue.
If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, make sure to let us know in the comments area below.
Windows Activation verifies that the copy of Windows is genuine and still adheres to the Microsoft Software License Terms. However, users complain about encountering 0xc004f012 Windows activation error in the process.
What causes the 0xc004f012 Windows Activation error?
The 0xc004f012 Windows activation error can appear on your computer for many reasons. First, it indicates something wrong with your product key or any other issues with the Windows activation process.
Furthermore, some common factors that are likely to be responsible for the activation error include:
Missing or corrupt Licensing repository – When the licensing repository is corrupted or missing, it can impede the activation process. For example, it causes the Windows activation to crash because the repository hosting its license is compromised.
Corrupt system files – Corrupted system files can affect the Windows activation process. Corrupt files on the PC from third-party programs, update processes, etc., can alter the activation, resulting in activation error 0xc004f012 in Windows 11.
Hardware replacements – Replacing major hardware like the motherboard can be a problem with Windows activation, resulting in the error 0xc004f012. It indicates that the hardware is new to Windows, and it requires licensing to activate it. So, you’re likely to run into a Windows activation error due to a hardware change.
Issues with the Activation token – It’ll be impossible to pull through with an activation process without the time being intact. So, issues with the activation key or expired token can cause errors during Windows activation.
These factors may vary in different PCs. Nevertheless, we’ll take you through some general fixes to help get your Windows activated.
How can I fix the 0xc004f012 Windows activation error?
Before proceeding with any advanced troubleshooting, try the following:
Moreover, you have more reliable repair software that repairs your PC by scanning the system and replacing corrupted files that generate the 0xc004f012 Windows activation error.
2. Reset the Windows activation components
Right-click the Start button, then click on Terminal (admin).
Copy and paste the commands below and press Enter after each: net stop wuauservnet stop cryptSvc net stop bits ren C:\Windows\System32\SPP\Store\2.0\tokens.dat tokens.oldren C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.oldren C:\Windows\System32\catroot2 Catroot2.old
Then, type the following and press Enter: net start wuauservnet start cryptSvc net start bitsnetsh winsock reset
Restart your PC and try the Windows activation process to see if the error persists.
Restarting the Windows activation components will fix any issues preventing them from functioning correctly.
TurboTax is one of the best tax preparation software that helps users fill in their tax data online. Although the programs generally work great, there have been some issues lately.
Users complain that TurboTax won’t load without giving them an error message that would indicate what the problem is or what they can do next.
We will explore in this article how you can fix TurboTax not loading, so make sure to keep reading.
Why does TurboTax take so long to load?
PC does not meet requirements: The primary reason the tax preparation software might not load is if your PC does not meet the criteria. Hence, before making any changes to your system, check if it is qualified to download TurboTax and run the software.
Outdated drivers: Sometimes, you might experience issues if some of your drivers are outdated. The quick route out of this is to update your drivers to the latest version.
Lack of privileges: Another thing you should look at if TurboTax is not loading is if you have administrative rights. to make the software run optimally, you need to run it as an administrator.
How can I fix TurboTax not loading?
1. Check the requirements
Before moving forward with the troubleshooting steps, ensuring that your device meets the minimum requirements for TurboTax to work correctly is essential.
According to TurboTax, below is what your system needs to have, depending on the software:
Operating System
2020: Windows 8 or higher (Windows 7 not supported)
2019: Windows 10, Windows 8.0/8.1. Make sure to upgrade your operating system before installing it.
2017 and 2018: Windows 10, Windows 8.0/8.1, or Windows 7 (Service Pack 1 or later)
2016: Windows 10, Windows 8.0/8.1, Windows 7 (Service Pack 1 or later), or Windows Vista (Service Pack 2 or later)
Processor: Pentium 4 or Athlon or later
Hard Drive Space
2020: 1 GB for TurboTax (plus up to 4.5 GB for Microsoft .NET 4.5.2 if not already installed)
2019: 2 GB, plus up to 4.5 GB for Microsoft.NET 4.5.2 client if not already installed
2016, 2017, and 2018: 650 MB, plus up to 4.5 GB for Microsoft.NET 4.5.2 client if not already installed
2019: 1 MBps recommended speed. An Internet connection is required for product activation and updates.
2016, 2017, and 2018: 56 Kbps to e-file and download updates (broadband recommended).
Monitor resolution: 1024×768 or higher recommended
2. Run it with administrator rights
Go to your Desktop and locate the TurboTax app.
Right-click on the icon and select Properties.
In the Compatibility tab, check the Run as Administrator box.
Finally, click Ok for the change to apply and try to rerun the program.
If Turbotax doesn’t load on your PC, it might be because you are not running it with the required privileges. Following the steps above to run it as admin should fix this.
Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
Double-click the section you want to update to expand it, and right-click the device there.
Now, select Update driver.
Finally, choose Search automatically for drivers and install any available updates.
This TurboTax won’t load problem is often related to outdated or faulty drivers that need your attention. You can update your driver manually by following the steps above.
4. Update your security software
With the help of a firewall and virus or spyware protection programs, you can keep your device safe from potential harm by adding a layer of protection.
It can happen, though, that the firewall blocks TurboTax software’s access to the Internet which will, in return, cause difficulty accessing the e-file, downloading state programs, and even getting the latest programs.
This can also be why you may not be able to run TurboTax on your device.
Misinterpreting legitimate actions, such as the ones initiated by TurboTax, results in the security software block of those programs from the Internet.
To ensure this is not the case, we recommend downloading the latest update for your security software from its support site and then adjusting the settings to allow TurboTax to install and function as needed.
This is about all. We hope that with the help of the solutions presented in this article, you can solve the TurboTax problem.
Many users complained about one particular Windows 10 issue: the inability to change the time zone.
Some users received an error message when trying to change the time zone. Other users reported the time zone switching back to the initial form after restarting the PC.
In the following tutorial, we’ll list a series of solutions that can help you to fix both issues.
Why won’t my computer let me change my time zone?
Several factors might prevent you from changing your time zone on Windows 10. Below are some of them:
Faulty system files: Sometimes, this issue might be caused by broken or faulty system files. You need to repair and restore these files to get past the problem.
Issues with third-party apps: If you have a third-party clock or time manager app, they might interfere with Windows time. What you need to do is to remove these apps using one of the best uninstaller software.
How can I fix Windows 10 time zone change issues?
1. Boot the system in Safe Mode
Press the Windows key + I and select the Update & Security option.
Click the Recovery option in the left pane.
Now, click the Restart now button under Advanced startup.
When your PC restarts, choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options.
Next, select Startup Settings.
Click the Restart button.
Now, press 5 or F5 to Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
From here, press the Windows key, type timezone, and select Change the time zone.
Finally, select your desired time zone and restart your PC in normal mode.
Booting your system in Safe Mode helps fix both these issues — whether you are getting an error message or the time zone changes back to the initial one.
2. Change Date and Time using the command prompt
Press the Windows key, type cmd, and choose Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
Type the command below and hit Enter: date
Now, you enter the date manually using the mm-dd-yy format and press Enter.
Enter the time manually as well and press Enter.
A simple solution is to change the date and time using a command line. Make sure you are running the system as an administrator. If not, you will receive an error message.
3. Check the system for corrupted files
Press the Windows key + S, type cmd, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
Type the command below and hit Enter: sfc /scannow
Finally, wait for the command to finish running.
If you are experiencing unusual permission issues with Windows, try performing a system check. Corrupted files might not allow you to perform certain system changes.
Conflicts between the installed programs and your system could occur, leaving only one option. Try uninstalling these programs and restarting your computer.
Check if your time zone is set up correctly or if it can be changed manually.
If your Xbox app closes immediately after launching, the cause is usually corrupted cache, outdated system files, or conflicting services. Try the fixes below in order and you should get the app working again.
If, after opening Excel, you see Excel has run into an error preventing it from working correctly, then you are not alone. This error not only occurs while opening Excel; you can get this error in Word or PowerPoint, too.
Here in this guide, we will talk about the available fixes to resolve the issue right after discussing the causes of the problem.
What causes Excel to run into an error preventing it from working correctly?
There could be several reasons for this error to occur; some of the popular ones are listed below:
Excel app is not up to date – If you are running an older version of Excel, there could be compatibility issues, which raises the possibility of this error.
Conflicting Add-ins – If you add-ins for your Excel app and are conflicting, you will likely see these errors. First, try to remove the add-ins and relaunch the app.
Computer has insufficient memory – If your computer doesn’t have enough space to work on the file you want to open, you can get the error. First, try to remove unwanted files from your computer to recover space, then open the file.
Incorrect formulas on the sheet – If the sheet you are trying to open has inaccurate formulas, the program might not work correctly, hence the error.
Poor network – If you are accessing an Excel file on the network and don’t have a steady internet connection, you might face an error.
How do you fix Excel has run into an error that is preventing it?
Before engaging in advanced troubleshooting steps, you should consider performing the following checks:
Type excel /s and press Enter to launch Excel in safe mode.
Click File.
Go to Options.
On the Options window, select Add-ins from the left pane and click Go.
Now, uncheck all the available Add-ins and click OK.
Restart your computer.
While disabling an add-in, you can quickly add the ones you want to use to avoid the #NAME errors in Excel; read this to learn more.
4. Reset Excel to its default settings
Tip
You must create a backup of registry files before making changes. To do so, go to File, then select Export. Save the .reg file at the desired location. To import, go to Registry Editor, click File, select Import, and select the file to import.
Press Windows + R to open the Run window.
Type regedit and press Enter to open Registry Editor.
Click Yes on the UAC prompt.
Follow this path: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Excel
Right-click on the folder and select Delete.
Restart your PC to let the changes take effect.
5. Use the Registry Editor
Press Windows + R to open the Run window.
Type regedit and press Enter to open Registry Editor.
Click Yes on the UAC prompt.
Follow this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Common
Expand the Common folder, locate and delete Experiment, ExperimentEcs, and ExperimentTas
Open the Licensing folder, look for the CurrentSkuldForApp folder, and if it is present, delete it.
So, these are methods that you need to follow to fix Excel has run into an error that is preventing it from working error correctly. If nothing works, try reinstalling the Office app to resolve the issue.
Have queries related to the methods mentioned above? Feel free to mention them in the comments section below.
Right from the start, you should know that the Windows system can’t always fix bad sectors on a damaged hard drive. The OS can detect these sectors and prevent you from placing new data on them.
As you know, if your hard drive has bad sectors, the data saved there might get lost if you can’t restore it.
So, for the same reason, in the guidelines below, I will first show you how to scan your Windows 10 device to check if the hard drive has bad sectors or not, and then we will explain to you how to recover these sectors and add data on a new hard drive.
Also, note that installing or reinstalling your Windows 10 system from scratch or choosing to repair or refresh your OS will not fix the bad sector issues.
We also have a comprehensive guide on how to recover data from a hard drive with bad sectors.
So, read the steps below and decide whether to apply the same or take your device back to service for technical assistance.
How do I fix bad sectors in Windows 10?
1. Scan for bad sectors
Right-click on your hard drive
2. Select the Properties option.
3. Choose the Tools tab at the top and click the Check button.
4. Now, select Scan drive.
5. Alternatively, press the Windows key, type cmd, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
6. Finally, type the command below and hit Enter: chkdsk /F
The first method to check for bad sectors on Windows 10 is to go through File Explorer or use the CHKDSK command. If bad sectors are detected, remember that Windows can’t fix them. Here’s what you need to do to solve your problem.
If you’re on Windows 11, we also have a guide on how to use chkdsk on Windows 11, so be sure not to miss it.
2. Use third-party software
Bad sectors can be caused by overheating, the age of the HDD, file system errors, malware, and more, and they all result in clusters of memory that cannot be written on anymore.
This also usually means that any data stored in those sectors will be lost, and it becomes increasingly difficult to recover any data from them unless you have dedicated data recovery software at your disposal.
Modern-day tools that deal with such issues don’t only scan your disk for sectors on Windows 10. Some can even handle entirely broken partitions, recovering the data without issues.
Stellar Data Recovery
Bad sectors and their aftereffects will be a thing of the past once you install Stellar Data Recovery.
Buy a new hard drive and appropriate USB adapters.
Connect your old hard drive to another computer and check for bad sectors, as shown above.
Then, connect your new hard drive to the same computer.
Next, use the drive manufacturer’s utility (follow the on-screen wizard) and clone your old and damaged drive into your new hard drive.
Finally, place the new hard drive on your Windows 10 device as you are done.
Another excellent method to check your HDD for bad sectors on Windows 10 is to use the utility from the manufacturer. This will help clone your disk and prevent loss of info.
4. Fix disk errors via Command Prompt
On Windows 10, you can run a disk check using Command Prompt. There are also two more commands that you can use to detect and repair logical and physical issues.
Press the Windows key + S, type cmd, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
Type the command below and hit Enter: chkdsk C: /f /r
Replace C with the letter of your hard drive partition.
If you do not use the /f parameter, chkdsk displays a message that certain files need to be fixed, but it does not fix any errors.
The chkdsk D: /f /r command detects and repairs logical issues affecting your drive. To repair physical issues, run the /r parameter as well, as shown in the screenshot below.
The above method shows how you can repair bad sectors on Windows 10 using CMD.
In a case where your drive has a hard bad sector, you need to perform a low-level format on it. Also, you need to reset its blocks, clusters, and the sectors.
This low-level format cannot be performed individually, as it is usually done in the factory. Hence, your only option is to contact the manufacturer or take it to an expert.
Does CHKDSK fix bad sectors?
The CHKDSK command is an excellent built-in tool for fixing memory issues. The CHKDSK command can fix logically bad sectors depending on the parameters used.
It does this by marking the sectors as bad and preventing them from being used. You need to use the chkdsk /r command to scan and fix the issue.
But note that practically bad sectors are hardware issues that software cannot fix. So, if you have a hard, bad sector, you need to take it to an expert.
So, there you have it – this is how you can scan for bad sectors on Windows, and also, this is how you can quickly fix bad sectors by yourself.
Fast User Switching is a great feature to seamlessly switch between accounts on your Windows computer without quitting the apps or logging out from the former account. To use this function, a user must click on Switch user instead of Log off from the Start menu options.
This guide will discuss how to turn on/ off the functionality using three simple methods. Let’s get started!
How can I enable/disable Fast User Switching on Windows 10?
1. Use the Group Policy Editor
Press Windows + R to open the Run window.
Type gpedit.msc and press Enter to open Group Policy Editor.
Follow this path: Local Computer Policy\Computer Configuration\ Administrative Templates\ System
Locate the Logon folder from the left pane, and on the right pane, double-click Hide entry points for Fast User Switching.
On the Hide entry points for the Fast User Switching window, select Disabled to turn it on.
If you want to disable it, then click on the radio button for Enabled.
Once you have selected the option, click Apply and then OK.
Restart your computer to let the changes take effect.
Type regedit and press Enter to open Registry Editor.
Follow this path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft \Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
Now locate System, right-click it, and select New.
Select D-WORD(32-bit) Value and name it HideFastUserSwitching.
Double-click HideFastUserSwitching and change the Value data to 1 to disable it.
If you want to enable Fast User Switching, change the Value data to 0.
Click OK.
Restart your PC.
3. Use the PowerShell
Press Windows + X key and select PowerShell Admin.
Copy and paste the following command and press Enter to disable Fast User Switching: powershell -windowstyle hidden -command "Start-Process cmd -ArgumentList '/s,/c,REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /V HideFastUserSwitching /T REG_DWORD /D 00000001 /F & REG Delete HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /V HideFastUserSwitching /F & taskkill /f /im explorer.exe & start explorer.exe' -Verb runAs"
To enable, copy and paste the following command and press Enter: powershell -windowstyle hidden -command "Start-Process cmd -ArgumentList '/s,/c,REG Delete HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /V HideFastUserSwitching /F & REG Delete HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /V HideFastUserSwitching /F & taskkill /f /im explorer.exe & start explorer.exe' -Verb runAs"
Once done, close the PowerShell window and restart your computer.
So, these three methods you can use to enable/disable the Fast User Switching feature on your Windows 10 computer. Once you enable this feature, you should be able to easily switch users on Windows 10.
Try them and let us know which worked for you in the comments below.
Is the Discord member list not loading for you and you are looking for solutions to resolve the problem? Fortunately in this guide, we have a list of solutions that will help you fix the problem at your end.
Several users have reported that for them the Discord member list is not loading. Quite often this error is because of server issues and something it could be because of a different issue. Whatever the case may be, we will help you fix the problem.
What causes the Discord member list not loading issue?
After some careful research, we have shortlisted a few reasons that could trigger the Discord member list not loading issue on your PC:
Server issue: It could be because there is an official server error that could be causing the loading problem, so apply our below tip.
The app’s cache: Chances are that the cache of the Discord app is corrupt and is causing the problem.
Outdated app: You should keep the app up to date in order to enjoy the latest features and also fix bugs.
Faulty internet connection: If your internet connection is not working properly then you will face multiple issues with the Discord app.
Discord files are missing: Some third-party apps might have replaced the Discord program files, or it could have gone corrupted.
How do I fix the Discord member list not loading?
Here are a few things that you should try before jumping ahead with the advanced troubleshooting methods.
You can check the status of the Discord server from the official website or by using websites such as Downdetector. If the Discord server is down, then there isn’t much that you can do, as it will start working only after the official servers are up.
Simply restart your PC, as this will load all the system and program-related files from scratch.
If you are getting this error on a browser, then try launching Discord in another browser and see if this fixes the issue or not. We have a list of some of the best browsers that you can try.
Reboot your internet modem and check if this fixes the issue or not.
Now, let us check the advanced troubleshooting solutions and possibly resolve the problem.
1. Clear the Discord app cache
Press Win + R to open the Run dialogue.
Type %appdata% and press Enter.
Open the Discord folder.
Open the Cache folder and delete all the files inside it.
Cache files store all of your personalized settings to ensure all of your in-app settings are loaded correctly and reduce load times.
If these files get corrupted or missing, then you can delete these files. It is perfectly safe to delete app cache files.
2. Update the Discord app
Open the Microsoft Store.
Locate Discord and open its page.
Click on the Update button. This will make sure all the apps are updated along with the Discord app if there is an update available.
Launch Discord and check if this fixes the issue or not.
You will come across the Discord member list not loading error if the app isn’t updated. Chances are because of a bug in the previous version, you are getting the error.
In such a case, developers push new features and bug fixes with new updates. So, you should make sure all apps on your PC are up to date to avoid such issues.
Launch it and check if this resolves the problem or not.
The above steps let you uninstall the Discord app completely from your PC leaving no traces behind. While the above process works, you can also make use of a dedicated tool.
You can make use of CCleaner to uninstall apps from your PC. This tool can also help you remove apps that are pretty sticky and do not completely uninstall following the regular process.
Check the boxes for Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files.
Hit the Clear data button.
Just like the app cache, the browser cache can also cause multiple issues with Discord including the Discord members list not loading problem.
Follow the above steps and clear the browser cache for your browser. We have shown the steps for Google Chrome just to give you an idea of how to perform the steps. The steps may be different for a different browser.
The check disk utility program, also known as CHKDSK is a Windows system tool that verifies the file system integrity, listing and correcting errors on the disk.
These errors can be triggered by various elements, such as not shutting down your computer properly, malware, power failures during writes, removing USB devices without Safely Remove, and other factors.
By running the chkdsk command, users can repair these errors so that their systems can function properly. Unfortunately, this process can sometimes stall, and the scanning gets stuck.
Chkdsk is a useful tool that can fix corrupted files on your hard drive, but sometimes issues with chkdsk can occur.
Since chkdsk is an important tool, in this article, we’re going to cover the following issues:
How to stop chkdsk in Windows 10 – There are several ways to top a chkdsk scan. Usually, chkdsk starts automatically while booting Windows, and there’s a short time frame that allows you to press any key and skip the scan.
How long does chkdsk take (Windows 10) – Chkdsk scan can take up to a couple of hours depending on the size of your drive and the number of corrupted files.
Chkdsk stuck external hard drive, SSD – Problems with chkdsk affect both internal and external hard drives as well as SSDs. If you have any problems with chkdsk, be sure to try one of our solutions.
Chkdsk stuck correcting error in index, index entries processed, security descriptors processed, looking for bad clusters – Chkdsk process is divided into several segments, and your PC can get stuck during any of these segments.
Chkdsk stuck unreadable – If you’re getting unreadable message while using chkdsk, the problem might be your hard drive. This message appears if your hard drive is faulty or if your files are permanently damaged.
Chkdsk stuck stage 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 – Chkdsk has several different stages and can get stuck during any of these stages.
Chkdsk stuck loop – In some cases, your PC might get caught in a chkdsk loop. If you encounter this problem, you must perform an SFC and DISM scan to check if that helps.
Here’s what one Windows 10 user is saying:
I got some problems of my pc, 2 days ago i got my pc automatically reboot then im went to event viewer to check it out and found error event id 1001 bugcheck […]. i try chkdsk, chkdsk /f /r c:(ssd) successfully, but on d: (hdd 2tb seagate) is stucking at 10% alr passed 3 hours (never happened before when im chkdsk my drive D: lastime)when im try to click my numlock button there is no light,what should i do?
What can I do if the chkdsk scan is taking forever in Windows 10?
1. Make sure there is an issue to be fixed
Many users have reported that the chkdsk scan process continues despite no change in the scanning advancement.
Oftentimes, when users reboot their computers, the scanning resumes automatically.
Also, take into consideration the size of the drive you’re scanning.
The chkdsk process is usually completed in 5 hours for 1TB drives, and if you’re scanning a 3TB drive, the required time triples.
As we already mentioned, chkdsk scan can take a while, depending on the size of the selected partition.
Sometimes, this process can take a few hours, so be patient. Sometimes, it might be best to leave the scan running overnight.
If you use a larger hard drive, or if you have more bad sectors on your drive, the scanning process will take longer so you’ll have to be patient.
2. Clean boot your system
Few users reported fixing this problem simply by performing a clean boot. To do that on Windows 10, you need to do the following:
Type System Configuration in the search box and select System Configuration from the menu.
On the Servicestab > select the Hide all Microsoft services check box > click Disable all.
From the CD main window, run cmd by pressing and holding Shift + F10.
In the cmd window, type regedit to open the Registry Editor.
Go to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE >File > Load Hive.
Go to path C:WindowsSystem32Config > select System. If a name is prompted, enter DiskCheck > press Enter to confirm.
Go to DiskCheck ControlSet001ControlSession Managerand select BootExecute.
There, change the autocheck autochk * /rDosDeviceC: line to autocheck autochk *
Go to the DiskCheck folder > select Unload Hive > exit the Registry Editor.
Type chkdsk c: /r in Command Prompt >wait for the new process to complete.
You can’t create a recovery drive on Windows 10? Take a look at this simple guide to solve the issue. Also, if you can’t edit your Windows 10’s registry, read thishandy guide and find the quickest solutions to the issue.
If chkdsk got stuck, you might be able to fix it simply by pressing the Ctrl + Alt + Delshortcut to stop it.
After doing that, you need to disable the error restart. This is rather simple, and you can do it by following these steps:
Turn off your PC and turn it back on.
While the PC boots, press and hold the F8 key.
Now select Disable error restart from the list.
After doing that, the problem should be resolved, and you can use your PC again. Remember that this isn’t a universal solution, so it might not work on newer versions of Windows.
5. Use Disk Cleanup
If you chkdsk gets stuck on your PC, the problem might be your temporary files. Windows stores all sorts of temporary files on your PC, and sometimes chkdsk can get stuck while scanning those files.
To fix the issue, it’s advised to find and remove those files from your PC and see if that fixes the problem. To do this quickly, you need to use Disk Cleanup utility on your PC by following these steps:
Press Windows Key + S and enter disk cleanup. Select Disk Cleanup from the menu.
Select your system drive and click on OK.
Check the files you want to remove from the list. You can just check Temporary files and Temporary Internet Files, but other files are also saved to check and remove. After selecting the desired options, click on OK to proceed.
Wait for a few moments while Windows deletes the selected files.
Once the temporary files are removed, check if the problem is resolved. Keep in mind that this isn’t a universal solution, so even if you remove temporary files, your issue might persist.
However, once you remove these files, your PC will have fewer files to scan and repair, reducing the time it takes to perform the scan.
If you have problems deleting all your junk files, follow this guide to solve any Disk Cleanup issues and save your drive.
6. Stop the scanning process before it starts
Many users reported that chkdsk starts automatically with their PC. This is normal, especially if your PC detects file corruption or if you didn’t turn off your PC properly.
However, if chkdsk gets stuck every time, you might want to skip the scan. To do that, you must press any key on your keyboard before chkdsk starts.
Before the chkdsk starts, you’ll see a message on your screen saying Press any key to stop your scanning. To stop the scan, just press any key on your keyboard, and you’ll skip the scanning process.
It’s worth mentioning that this isn’t a universal solution, and it will not stop chkdsk from running on your PC, but it can be useful to skip a chkdsk scan.
To fix the problem, you need to have to scan your system using the SFC scan. To do that, just follow these simple steps:
Open Command Prompt as administrator. You can do that quickly by opening Win + X menu and choosing Command Prompt (Admin) from the list. To open this menu, simply right click the Start Button and choose the desired option from the menu.
When Command Prompt opens, enter sfc /scannow and press Enter to run it. The scanning process will now start. SFC scan can take more than 10 minutes, so don’t interrupt it.
If you can’t run SFC scan, you’ll have to use DISM scan to fix your PC. To do that, follow these steps:
Some users reported that after performing a Windows Update some of their files have been deleted.
So, Windows 10 updates have deleted files for a small minority of users. It’s worth noting that it’s unlikely users will lose files after an update.
Nevertheless, that doesn’t necessarily mean that we won’t see any further Windows update lost files cases in the future.
Here are a few tips for recovering data in the rare event of a Windows 10 update deleting files.
How can I recover lost files after a Windows 10 update?
1. Recover files from the Windows. old folder
Press the Windows key + E hotkey to open File Explorer.
Users can open the Windows.old folder at this path: This PCC:Windows.old
Thereafter, open the User subfolder in the Windows.old folder.
Next, open a user account subfolder.
Then users can recover deleted files from their user account. Select a file, or group of files (press Ctrl + A), and then press the Copy to File Explorer button to open the drop-down menu below.
Select another folder to copy the files to.
Windows 10 creates the Windows.old folder that includes backup copies of user files after a build update for 10 days. Users can recover lost files from that folder (for 10 days).
For some users, the Documents folder is not in Windows.old. In this case, make sure the folder is not hidden.
For more information on what to do if certain files and folders are missing on your PC, do check out this helpful guide.
League of Legends is one of the most popular MOBA games in the world, with millions of players.
Although the game is pretty stable, such a massive title, especially an online multiplayer game, can’t go without its fair share of issues.
One of the most common issues LOL players confront is the problem with sound.
The experience isn’t the same without hearing in-game sounds, especially when you need to talk with your teammates on voice chat.
If you’re experiencing sound issues, you’ll need to address them as soon as possible to play the game normally and enjoy the full experience.
We’ve prepared some solutions that might come in handy if you’re experiencing sound issues while playing League of Legends.
So, if this is your problem, we highly recommend reading this article to find the best fixes for this annoying problem.
Why does my League of Legends have no sound?
Listed below are some of the reasons League of Legends has no sound:
Outdated drivers: If your sound driver is outdated, you might experience sound issues on your game. The solution to this is to update your driver to the latest version.
Wrong audio channel: Sometimes, you might not get sound on your game because you selected the wrong audio channel. You need to change this and select the right one to restore normalcy.
Game file issues: At times, this issue might due to corrupt or faulty game files. Running the in-game file repairer should fix this quickly.
How can I fix sound issues in League of Legends?
1. Make sure you’re using a correct audio channel
Go to the Speaker icon in the bottom left of the screen and select Playback devices.
Right-click on the device you want to use and select Enable.
Now, right-click on other devices in the list, and select Disable.
Repeat the above step for all devices you do not want to use.
Restart the game.
A certain audio channel is assigned to each if you have multiple peripherals, like headphones and speakers, connected to your computer.
You must ensure you’re connected to the right audio channel to hear the in-game sound when playing League of Legends and other video games.
If using the wrong channel was a problem, it should be resolved now. But if you’re still experiencing issues, move to the other solutions listed below.
2. Make sure in-game sound is enabled
It may sound silly, but the disabled in-game sound may be why you don’t hear anything while playing the game.
Imagine the situation in which you decided to have one practice match, and since there are no players to interact with, you disabled the in-game sound to focus completely on improving your skills.
If this is the case, enable in-game sound again by ensuring that none of the slider bars in the Sound section are pushed to the left.
Also, check that the checkbox next to Disable all sound is not selected.
3. Update your sound drivers
Go to Search, type devicemngr, and open Device Manager.
Find your audio device on the list of installed hardware.
Right-click it, and select Update driver software.
If the update is available, finish the process.
Restart your PC, and open the game again.
Outdated sound drivers are the most common cause of various sound issues, including not having sound in League of Legends.
So, the obvious solution here is to make sure your sound drivers are up-to-date and update them if not.
Update drivers automatically
Updating the drivers by yourself can be confusing and time-consuming. We strongly suggest you update your drivers automatically by using a dedicated tool.
4. System-related issues
Open the Battle.net client.
Right-click on League of Legends, and choose Scan & repair from the contextual menu.
Wait until your game is repaired and verified, and try again.
Outdated sound drivers are just one of the non-game-related issues that can cause sound issues in League of Legends.
However, some more sound-preventing factors might have nothing to do with the game.
Memory Integrity or Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity (HVCI) is a feature under core isolation available in all modern versions of Windows. However, users reported that sometimes, Memory Integrity is off on Windows 11 even though it shouldn’t be.
The core isolation technology isolates the core processes of Windows in memory in a virtualized environment. So, first, enable virtualization on your PC if it is disabled on your motherboard BIOS and update Windows to the latest version.
How do I turn on Memory Integrity on Windows 11?
1. Enable Memory Integrity using Windows Security Defender
Open the Start Menu, type Windows Security and press Enter.
Click on three vertical lines in the top left corner to expand the menu items.
Go to Device security.
Click on Core isolation details under Core isolation.
Toggle the switch to turn it on.
Restart your PC when it asks to do it.
When you toggle the switch to turn on Memory integrity, it will check for incompatible drivers. If there are any incompatible components, it won’t turn on.
How to fix incompatible driver errors for memory integrity in Windows 11? It’s easy, you will need to update or upgrade them and the simplest method is to use a dedicated tool such as Fortect Driver Updater.
In fact, incompatible drivers are the most common culprits behind this issue. If memory integrity is off on Windows 11 and you can’t turn it on, it’s most likely because of this.
Sometimes, it may involve upgrading physical hardware. Please note that not all computers are compatible with the core isolation feature. Thus, it may prevent you from enabling memory integrity.
However, if you have installed Windows 11 without TPM 2.0, you may not be able to enable memory integrity.
Finally, it’s important to understand just how important is memory integrity in Windows 11. Well, core isolation is a game-changing technology on both Windows 10 and 11.
? Should I turn on Memory Integrity in Windows 11 ❓
If the memory integrity on Windows 11 is turned off, you should enable it to enhance your security. What does memory integrity off mean? Basically, these are the crucial reasons why you should turn it on:
Protection against malicious codes – As it isolates the core processes in memory, malicious software cannot hijack these processes.
Preventing criminals from taking control of your computer – Enabling memory integrity prevents third-party from getting unauthorized access to your PC, especially by hijacking lower-level drivers.
Enhancing overall security – HVCI technology improves overall security and protects your privacy on a Windows 11 PC.
Finally, you should also consider turning on memory integrity in Windows 11 for gaming purposes.
If you want to get next-level security against cyber threats, it is very important to utilize its features. By default, the memory integrity should be active. If not, even your best antivirus software will not be able to protect you these days.
This article has explained how and why you should turn on Memory integrity on Windows 11. If you have an opinion or suggestion regarding this, feel free to write in the comments box.
Nowadays we have faster and faster connections between all our devices, and many of them are wireless. That wasn’t always the case.
In the past years, Thunderbolt was the standard for fastest data transfer and today we’ll find out how you can connect your display through it.
What is Thunderbolt?
Thunderbolt is an input/output technology introduced five years ago by Apple, famous for supporting high-resolution displays and high-performance data devices with a single port.
Its main characteristics are flexibility, speed and simplicity. This technology gives you two channels on the same connector and each channel has a data transfer speed of 10 Gb/s in both directions.
Thunderbolt is one method of connecting a display to a computer, but not a very popular one. The most appreciated are HDMI, DVI, VGA and DisplayPort.
Today, most of the VGA and DVI ports were replaced with DisplayPort. HDMI is used for flat screen TVs and smart TVs because you can connect that port to different extensions like Blu-Ray players, game consoles, computers and much more.
The original project was patented by Intel under the name of Light Peak. The first version of this technology appeared in 2010 but was more like a beta.
The following year, Intel released the product co-developed version with Apple. PC manufacturers rejected the Light Peak version because its fiber optics technology was too expensive and the Thunderbolt version seemed like a more profitable option.
One problem with Thunderbolt monitors is that they have a specific connector for Apple devices. A Thunderbolt screen should work on any PC that has a Thunderbolt port, but many of you wouldn’t buy one without a guarantee it would work.
And while Thunderbolt 3 has adopted a new USB Type-C port, this port is not compatible with any kind of PC.
Can I use an Apple Thunderbolt screen with a Windows 10 PC?
Technically, yes.
As we said, you need a system with a Thunderbolt port and, if you are lucky, you will be able to use this type of monitor on a PC. Wikipedia has a list with almost all the devices compatible with Thunderbolt and on the Thunderbolt official website you can find also a database with all these devices.
How to setup Apple Thunderbolt on Windows 10 PC?
After you made sure that the system and your drivers are up to date and your computer is compatible with Thunderbolt display, after connecting, you should receive a notification called New Thunderbolt devices have been attached.
In the notification window, you have two buttons: OK and Cancel. To start the set-up click on the OK button and it will run the configuration as an administrator.
After this, you may receive a Windows User Account Control (UAC) pop-up which is asking if you want to allow this app to make changes to your PC. Click on Yes button.
It will appear a window where you will approve the Thunderbolt device that was attached. For every device, there is a table. From that table, change the status from Do Not Connect to Always Connect and then click OK.
To view and manage the approved settings, click on the carret (up arrow icon) from the start menu bar. Right click on the Thunderbolt icon and click on the Manage Approved Devices.
Again, you may receive a Windows User Account Control (UAC) pop-up which is asking if you want to allow this app to make changes to your PC. Click on Yes button.
After clicking Yes, it will open a window with all the Thunderbolt devices connected to your PC. Make sure that the devices have a check at Attached category.
How to establish connection via an adapter
To solve this problem, computer manufacturers have introduced different adapters on the market for these types of monitors. We recommend you the DisplayPort adapters.
Of course, there are adapters for any kind of video format, but there is a very small price difference between an HDMI or VGA adapter and a DisplayPort adapter.
If you still have trouble setting up the thunderbolt display on your PC, you can contact Apple support department for a correct diagnosis and more efficient solutions.
Did you manage to connect your Thunderbolt display to your Windows 10 PC? Tell us in the comments below if the process was seamless or do you still prefer a HDMI connection.
PCs include HDMI ports for connecting HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) supported devices such as monitors and projectors. PC users who like to have secondary monitors will be familiar with HDMI ports. Such users might sometimes wonder how to update HDMI port drivers.
Do PCs’ HDMI ports have downloadable drivers?
HDMI ports do not have their own separate driver packages. However, they do still have drivers. HDMI video drivers are, in fact, a part of graphics card drivers. HDMI port drivers are integrated with Intel, NVIDIA, and AMD GPU (Graphical Processing Unit) drivers.
Therefore, an HDMI video driver Windows 10 download is a graphics card driver package. You need to download and install the latest driver for your PC’s graphics card to update an HDMI port’s driver. There are a few different ways you can update HDMI video drivers in Windows 10.
Why do I need to download a new HDMI video driver?
Select your graphics card driver model and PC platform to choose a specific product then hit the Search button.
Then click the Download button for your PC’s latest compatible graphics driver.
Choose a folder to download the driver package, and click the Save button.
Click the driver package’s EXE file to open an installer window and follow the instructions on the screen to finish the procedure.
We have outlined the procedure for Nvidia graphics cards, but for ATI or any other manufacturer, the method is very similar.
2. Use Device Manager
First, right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
Next, double-click Display adapters, and right-click your PC’s graphics adapter device to select Update driver.
Then select Search automatically for drivers on the Update Drivers window. Thereafter, the Update Drivers utility might detect, download, and install a new graphics adapter driver.
Additionally, ensure you install all the new OS updates because they also contain driver updates.
The third option for updating HDMI video drivers is to utilize a driver updater utility. Those utilities are specifically designed to download and install new device drivers. Plus, it’s more straightforward to download and install new drivers with specialized driver software.
The majority of driver update programs work in a similar way. Clicking their scan buttons will display a list of devices on your PC with outdated or faulty drivers.
You can select to update drivers for all listed devices. Then the driver updater utility will download and install all the latest drivers.
The tool below is recommended due to its fast scanning, portability, regular updates, and minimal system resource usage. See the best driver software updater guide for further details about driver updater utilities.
Outbyte Driver Updater
Go with this trustworthy driver manager to get your HDMI drivers in a few clicks.
Downloading and installing the latest graphics driver for your PC’s GPU with any of the above methods will also update the HDMI video drivers. Choose whichever method you prefer for downloading HDMI video drivers in Windows 10.
Some Microsoft Windows updates are more of a miss than a hit. The bugs that ensue after some system updates might cost several users their personal data files, for instance, while others – programs deletion.
On a few occasions, users have also reported that Microsoft Office disappeared after an update.
If you’ve been through the same situation, follow these troubleshooting tips to fix the missing Office 365 application.
Why did my Microsoft Office disappear?
Below are some of the reasons Microsoft Office disappeared on Windows 10:
Faulty installation: If you didn’t install the Office package correctly, it might disappear from your menu. The solution to this is to repair Microsoft Office.
Issues with PC: Another cause of this problem is some issues with your PC. This can be caused by an app you installed recently or a change you made to your PC. You need to perform a system restore or roll back Windows 10.
How can I restore Microsoft Office 365 on Windows 10?
1. Repair the Office app
Press Windows Key + R to open Run.
Type Winword and press OK. (This should open the Word app if it is not deleted or corrupted. If that does not open the Word app, go to the following point.)
Press Windows Key + R.
Type control and press OK to open Control Panel.
In the Control Panel, go to Programs > Programs and Features.
Look for the Office app and select it.
Click on the Change option at the top.
This will open the Microsoft Office Repair wizard.
Here, you will have two repair options: Quick Repair and Online Repair. Quick Repair – This should fix most issues quickly without an internet connection. Online Repair – If Quick Repair does not work, this option should work for all the issues, but it takes a little while to complete. It also requires you to have an Internet connection.
Once the repair is complete, reboot your computer.
Press Windows Key + R, type winword, and press OK to check. If the repair was successful, you should be able to open your Word app now.
If Microsoft Word disappeared in Windows 10 or even the entire Office went missing, you must repair the installation.
2. Perform a System Restore
Type Restore in the search box and click on Create a Restore Point option.
In the System Properties window, click on the System Protection tab.
Next, click on the System Restore button.
Click Next. Click on Show more restore points.
Select the one that was created just before the update and click on Next.
Read the description and click on the Finish button.
Wait for the Windows 10 to restore your system to the earlier point where it worked without any issues.
After the restart, check if you can access the Microsoft Office app.
Note that a System Restore will undo any recent modifications you’ve brought to your app collection, system features, and programs. It’s advisable to also perform a data backup beforehand.
If you have an MLB.tv subscription, you might be interested in a simple workaround to bypass blackouts and watch all baseball games, no matter where you are.
There are several ways to do this, like using an Internet circumvention tool or a proxy server to change your IP address and geolocation. But the best way is to use a VPN.
What can I do if the MLB.tv app is temporarily unavailable?
The MLB.tv app might not be working because the services are temporarily unavailable. This can be a temporary situation or, less likely, MLB has blocked access to the services in your area.
If the MLB.tv app is temporarily unavailable, you have two options: you may either try to access it later, or use a VPN software and change your region.
The question you’re probably going to ask is: Does MLB.tv works with a VPN? And the answer is yes, MLB.tv works with VPN.
Granted, it’s not free, but you can count on a premium VPN to unblock streaming services like MLB.tv and protect your online privacy and digital security.
You might be tempted to use a free VPN, especially since the market is full of them, particularly on Android and iOS. However, free VPNs are notoriously dangerous for compromising your privacy and exposing you to malware.
On the other hand, premium VPNs are worth the money because they’re built to keep you safe online, no matter what. And here’s how you can use a VPN as a workaround to bypass MLB.tv blackouts. However, remember that you still require an MLB.tv active subscription plan.
How can I bypass MLB.tv blackouts with a VPN?
Sign up for a premium VPN (we used ExpressVPN in our tests, and it’s excellent).
Download and set up the VPN on your device.
Open the application and connect to a VPN server from a region not affected by the MLB.tv blackout.
Using your web browser, sign in to your MLB.tv account.
Enjoy MLB.tv live!
We recommend using it because it’s the best VPN for accessing blocked websites and bypassing firewalls.
You can use ExpressVPN not only to hide your IP address and location but also to redirect all network traffic through VPN servers and encrypt your data. This way, you can defend your device from hacker attacks.
What else you must know about ExpressVPN:
Protects up to 10 devices
Works with Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, and routers
If you wish to try other workarounds besides a VPN to bypass MLB.tv blackouts, you can look into proxy servers, Smart DNS tools, and Internet circumvention apps like Psiphon or Lantern.
These solutions can spoof your geographical position to get around the MLB.tv restrictions. But you can’t count on them to encrypt your data traffic and keep you safe from cyber-criminals.
You should also give Opera a shot if you want to try its free VPN servers with MLB.tv. It’s an intuitive, fast, secure web browser with a built-in virtual private network solution.
Opera
Try Opera’s free VPN service to overcome MLB.tv blackouts at no cost.
In conclusion, there are several workarounds you can try to bypass MLB.tv blackouts or if the MLB.tv app is temporarily unavailable, like using a Smart DNS service, proxy server, Internet circumvention tool, or free VPN.
If your PC wakes up from sleep by itself, that can cause certain inconveniences and unnecessary power consumption. While this isn’t a big problem, some users can’t put their PC to sleep at all.
In case you’re dealing with such an issue, in today’s guide, we’re going to take a closer look at causes and solutions that can help you fix it.
Why does my computer wake up from sleep on its own?
One or more devices are configured to wake up your PC. It can be your keyboard, mouse, or network adapter.
You have scheduled tasks that will wake up the PC automatically.
Certain services or applications can also wake your PC without your knowledge.
Windows 10 errors can be solved more easily with the help of specialized tools. In just a few minutes, you can have any errors fixed.
How do I stop Windows 10 from waking up from sleep?
Before we start fixing this issue, try connecting your mouse or keyboard to a USB 2.0 port instead of a 3.0 port, since that can help with this and many other issues.
1. Prevent your devices from waking up the PC
In the Search bar enter device manager. Select Device Manager from the list of results.
Locate your mouse on the list and double-click it to open its properties.
Left-click or tap on the Power Management tab. You will need to uncheck the box next to Allow this device to wake my computer. Now left click or tap on the OK button.
Close all the windows you opened so far.
Reboot the Windows 10 device.
Place the Windows 10 devices into sleep mode and see if you still have this issue.
Keep in mind that you might have to repeat these steps for other input devices to fix this problem.
2. Prevent the network adapter from waking up your PC
Open Device Manager, expand the Network adapters section, and double-click your network adapter to open its properties. Note: If you find more adapters there you will need to do the same steps for all of them.
In the Properties window, click on the Power Management tab. Uncheck all checkboxes and click on OK to save changes.
Check and see if you still have the same sleep mode issue now.
3. Use lastwake command
In the search box, type cmd and choose Run as administrator.
In the Command Prompt window, run the following command: powercfg –lastwake
It will show you which device woke up your Windows 10 operating system last time.
Now write in the Command Prompt window the following command: powercfg -devicequery wake_armed
Now it will display the devices that can wake up your computer from sleep mode and you will only need to go and disable this feature as you did in the options above.
Press the Windows key + S and enter tasks. Select Task Scheduler from the list of results.
In the left pane, navigate to Task Scheduler Library and then Microsoft. Next, go to Windows and select UpdateOrchestrator. In the right panel, double-click on Reboot.
When the new window opens, go to the Conditions tab. Now uncheck Wake the computer to run this task option and click on OK. If you want, you can uncheck all the other options as well.
Some users are also suggesting to disable this task completely. To do that, just do the following:
Locate the Reboot task in Task Scheduler, right-click it and choose Disable from the menu.
After doing that, go to C:\Windows\System32\Tasks\Microsoft\Windows\UpdateOrchestrator
Now locate the Reboot file, right-click it and choose Properties from the menu.
Check the Read-only option and click on Apply and OK to save changes.
Other applications can also cause this problem, and users reported that McAfee and Media Center tasks are responsible for this issue, so disable them if you have them on your PC.
5. Use Command Prompt
Start Command Prompt as administrator.
Now enter powercfg /waketimers
Now you should see the list of apps that can wake up your PC.
To stop your PC from waking up, simply find those apps and change their configuration or remove them from your PC. Users reported that Verizon apps, Go To Meeting app and Teamweaver can cause this problem, so be sure to disable them.
6. Disable UvoSvc service
Open Command Prompt as administrator.
Enter the following commands: sc stop UsoSvc sc config UsoSvc start= disabled
After running these two commands the issue should be resolved.
7. Modify your registry
Press the Windows key + R and enter regedit. Press Enteror click OK.
In the left panel, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon
In the right panel, double-click PowerdownAfterShutdown.
Set Value data to 1 and click on OK to save changes.
After doing that, the problem should be completely resolved.
How do you find out what keeps waking my computer?
Press the Windows key + X and select Event Viewer.
Expand Windows Logs and select System.
Select the event that has Power-Troubleshoter source and check the Wake Source.
Alternatively, you can use the Command Prompt and commands that we used in the solutions above.
There you go, a few easy options will help you if your PC wakes up from sleep by itself. For more solutions, be sure to visit our laptop wakes up from sleep on its own guide.
Keep in mind that when your PC wakes up, you might get an ERROR_WAKE_SYSTEM message, but you shouldn’t worry too much about it.
To ensure that no random wake-up occurs, we advise you to disable wake on LAN and disable mouse wake-up as well. We have dedicated guides that explain how to configure these settings; don’t hesitate to check them out.
You can also write us below with any additional questions regarding this subject, and we will help you as soon as possible.
How do I change the Wake Up settings in Windows 10?
To create wake times, go to Change advanced power settings. There you can set up and modify events and times to automatically wake up your computer.
How do I wake up my computer from hibernation?
To wake your computer from Sleep or Hibernation, all you need to do is to short-press the power button. If that doesn’t work, read our comprehensive guide to solve the problem.
Besides the basic volume controls, Windows also has built-in options for adjusting and turning off the sound of specific applications.
Below we’ll walk you through a few different ways in which you can mute one app in Windows.
How do I turn off sound for a specific program?
1. Use the Windows 10 Volume Mixer
NOTE
Windows remembers your settings, so if you muted an app and restarted it, you have to keep in mind that it will still be muted.
On the right side of your taskbar right-click on the Speaker icon.
Click on Open Volume Mixer.
Search for the program you wish to mute.
Click on the Speaker icon to toggle mute/unmute.
2. Use the Xbox Game Bar
Press the Windows key + G to open the Xbox Game Bar.
In the Audio section, all active apps should show up separately.
To turn off the sound, click the speaker icon next to the app’s name. To turn it down, move the slider left.
2. Install Microsoft EarTrumpet
Microsoft EarTrumpet is an excellent alternative to your default Volume mixer. The app is free on the Microsoft Store, and it comes with many features that will make controlling your volume easier.
You can set shortcut keys or even use your mouse wheel to mute or adjust the volume of all your apps individually. In addition, you can control all your output and input devices separately without trouble. The program also fits perfectly with the Windows interface, having a night/day mode.
Navigate to your desktop and right-click on the newly created shortcut.
Double-click the shortcut to mute or unmute it.
SoundVolumeView is a minimalist tool that lets you create specialized shortcuts. The program shows all the available sound devices and programs on your computer, as well as information about their volume, and whether they are muted or not.
If you’ve recently upgraded to Microsoft’s latest OS and have discovered that the Xbox game bar is not working on Windows 11, you’re not alone. So, first things first.
Does Windows 11 support Xbox game bar? Definitely, Xbox is one of the default applications in Windows 11.
For those of you wondering how to open the Xbox game bar in Windows 11, it could not be more simple. Simply hit the Windows key plus G.
Now, a large number of new users are booting up their new OS for the first time and discovering that the Xbox GameBar is no longer visible when invoked by the Start button or that the shortcut no longer works.
Here are some commonly reported issues:
Xbox game bar can’t record Windows 11
Xbox game bar not opening, crashing in Windows 11
Windows G not working Windows 11
Xbox game bar FPS counter not working Windows 11 – Closely linked to this issue, we have the Xbox game bar performance widget not working / not showing widgets
Xbox game bar not showing friends
Finally, Xbox game bar isn’t supported for this game’s current settings
Why is Xbox game bar not working on Windows 11?
As it turns out, there is a possibility that the process of upgrading to Windows 11 will result in the deactivation of this feature.
Here are some more possible causes of the Xbox game bar issue to consider:
➡ Game bar is disabled altogether – It makes no difference if you had the app enabled before upgrading to Windows 11. Many reported that this feature may deactivate automatically during the upgrade process.
➡ Gpedit disabled the app – Additionally, if you are using Windows 11 PRO or if your PC is a member of an organization that is structured locally, it is conceivable that the Xbox game bar feature will be restricted by a Local Group Policy. ➡ Xbox game bar component is corrupted – Another reason why the feature won’t start even if you specifically enabled it is because of dependency corruption. Microsoft, fortunately, has a few mitigating measures for this type of problem. ➡ Xbox game bar is disabled from Registry – This behavior can be expected if a hard-coded Registry value has been set to disable this component. When you update to Windows 11, the enforcement (which is represented by a DWORD value) will be carried over as well. ➡ IeFrame Dynamic Link Library is corrupted – This problem might occur as a result of a DLL requirement (ieframe.dll) that the Xbox game bar relies on while running on Windows 11. ➡ Faulty Windows update – Another likely culprit responsible for this strange behavior with the Xbox game bar is a partially incompatible upgrade that ends up interfering with the broadcasting component of the console’s operating system.
How to fix Xbox game bar not recording on Windows 11?
In addition to the steps below, you can also have a go and these handy solutions:
Reinstall the Xbox Game Bar from the Microsoft Store
Try modifying the captures folder
Update or roll back Windows updates, according to your specific case
1. Enable the bar from Settings
Press the Windows key + I to open theSettings app, then click on the Gaming option from the left panel followed by Xbox Game Bar from the right side.
Once you’re inside the Xbox Game Bar menu, enable the toggle associated with the Open Xbox Game Bar using this button on a crontroller option.
And that is how to enable the Xbox game bar on Windows 11. Easy, right? Once you’ve completed the steps above, restart your computer and wait for the next startup to complete.
Finally, just press the Windows + G keys to open up the Xbox game bar.
Need a full walkthrough of launch methods and shortcuts? Check this guide on how to open Xbox Game Bar.
2. Reset the Xbox game bar component ✅
1. Press the Windows key + I to open up the Settings window.
2. Then, select the Apps option from the left panel followed by Apps & Features from the right side.
3. Once you’re inside the Apps & Features menu, use the search bar to find the Xbox Search Bar app.
4. Now, click on the three-dot icon associated with it and choose Advanced Options.
5. Inside the Advanced Menu, scroll down to the Reset tab and click on Repair first.
6. If the Game Bar still won’t work in Windows 11, hit the Reset button instead.
This is how to repair, respectively how to reset the Xbox game bar in Windows 11. Note that resetting the game bar will delete all data associated with this app, so proceed with caution.
3. Enable the feature in Registry Editor
Press the Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box, then type in regedit and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open up Registry Editor with admin access.
Navigate to Software under HKEY_CURRENT_USER, then go to Microsoft, followed by Windows, CurrentVersion and lastly GameDVR.
If the AppCaptureEnabled key is missing from the right panel, right click anywhere and choose New, followed by DWORD 32-bit Value or the 64-bit value and name it to AppCaptureEnabled.
Double click on AppCaptureEnabled and ensure the Base is set to Hexadecimal and the Value data is set to 1. Click OK to save the changes.
Close the Registry Editor and reboot your PC to let the changes take effect. Once your computer has started, try to launch the feature by pressing Windows + G.
4. Repair the ieframe.dll file
Press the Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box, then type in cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open up Command Prompt with admin access.
Once you are inside the elevated Command Prompt, type or paste in the following commands one by one and press Enter after each: prompt sfc/scanfile=c:\windows\system32\ieframe.dll sfc/verifyfile=c:\windows\system32\ieframe.dll assoc sfc /scannow
Once the processes have been successfully run, reboot your PC and see if the Xbox game bar functionality has been restored.
If that does not help, specialized tools can run a full diagnostics scan of your PC for any missing or damaged DLL files, offering you a detailed report of all faulty elements.
After detecting these impediments, it will replace them with updated equivalents from its large database.
5. Enable Xbox game bar in Local Group Policy Editor
Press the Windows key + R to open up a Run dialog box, then type in gpedit.msc and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open up Command Prompt with admin access.
Navigate to Local Computer Policy, followed by Administrative Templates, then Windows Components and lastly Windows Game Recording and Broadcasting.
Double-click on the Enables or disables Windows Game Recording and Broadcasting and switch the toggle to Enabled then click on Apply to save the changes made.
As soon as you have changed the status of the Enables or disables Windows Game Recording and Broadcasting policy, restart your computer and check to see if the Xbox game bar is operational.
Is Windows 11 good for gaming in 2022/2023?
? You may look forward to some gaming-related features that have been borrowed from Xbox Series S/X. By making use of fast SSDs, DirectStorage can significantly shorten lead times and improve texture loading while also significantly reducing the CPU strain on those operations.
? There’s also Auto-HDR, which employs machine learning and artificial intelligence to add an HDR setting to any game, regardless of whether it supports it or not. Of course, you’ll need a compatible monitor to make use of it.
? Windows 11 is also tightly integrated with the Xbox app, allowing users to play game titles on their PC if they have an Ultimate subscription, as well as access to Xbox Cloud Gaming, where they can find and play their favorite Xbox games from anywhere in the world, even those that are not available on a PC.
This isn’t the only problem, and we already covered what to do if Windows Alt R not working, so don’t miss our guide to see how to fix it.
You can continue by learning how to adjust your recordings with the guide at how to edit Xbox clips on PC, which explains the full process for improving and exporting your gameplay clips.
Do let us know in the comments section below which approach worked best for you, as well as what your current favorite Xbox game is!
Today, while going through the latest updates on my primary Windows 10 laptop and my secondary Windows 8.1 laptop, I realized that there were some issues with the app icons. As you can see for yourself in the screenshot below, the thumbnails for certain apps are missing, which isn’t necessarily a big issue, but if it were to happen to even more apps, or to all of them, then we must agree that it would’ve looked kind of ugly, isn’t it so?
How to fix Windows 10 apps icons missing?
What I must say, however, is that my “old” laptop hasn’t been yet updated to the latest Windows Store look, so this could be a potential problem. Meanwhile, I scoured the forums to find some solutions and here’s what I found.
1. Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter
If there is something wrong with your Windows 10 Apps, the first thing you need to do is run the built-in app troubleshooter. With the help of this tool, you can quickly fix various issues affecting your apps, including app freezes, crashes or missing app icons.
In order to launch the app troubleshooter, go to Settings, click on Update & Security and then select troubleshoot. Locate the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter and run it.
2. Repair or reset apps
Another quick solutions consists in repairing or resetting the problematic apps. This solution often works especially if only certain app icons are not showing up. Here are the steps to follow:
Go to Settings > select Apps
Go to Apps & Features and select the problematic app
Select Advanced options and first try to repair the app.
If the app icon is still missing, you can also use the reset option.
3. Run SFC scan
If the problem persists, try running a System File Checker scan. Corrupted or missing system files may also cause some appicons not to show up.
To run SFC, simply launch Command Prompt as an administrator and enter the sfc /scannow command. Hit Enter and wait for the scanning process to complete.
4. Rebuild the icon cache
If your Windows 10 icons are not showing correctly even after following the instructions listed below, try rebuilding your icon cache.
Go to C:Users%username%AppDataLocalMicrosoftWindowsExplorer
Delete all the icon files listed in the respective folder in order to rebuild and purge the icon cache.
Restart your PC and check if the app icons are available.
Uninstall recently installed software and updates, especially if the problem occurred shortly after you installed the latest updates.
Uninstall the problematic apps
Run an in-depth antivirus scan
Create a new user account and check if the app icon problem persists
Disable Tablet Mode
Disconnect your second monitor if you’re using one.
Have you experienced a similar problem, by any chance? And if so, what have you done to solve it? My advice is to make sure you have deployed the latest update which brings a new and much needed visual revamp to the Windows Store, as that might prove to be quite helpful.
If your PC suddenly slows down and Task Manager shows Antimalware Service Executable using high CPU, you’re not alone. This Windows process often causes performance issues, especially during background scans.
In this guide, we’ll explain what it is, why it spikes CPU usage, and how you can reduce its impact without compromising system security.
How do I stop Antimalware Service Executable from using so much CPU?
1. Reschedule the Windows Defender scan
Press the Windows key + R, type taskschd.msc, and click OK.
Navigate to the path below in the left pane: Task Scheduler Library > Microsoft > Windows
Now, double-click the Windows Defender option in the left pane.
Next, double-click the Windows Defender Scheduled Scan option.
From here, uncheck the Run with highest privileges box.
Click the Conditions tab at the top, uncheck all the entries under it, and click OK.
If the Antimalware Service Executable registers high CPU usage, it might be because the Windows Defender runs with the highest privileges. You need to disable this and reschedule it to prevent the impact of the process.
2. Add Windows Defender to the execution list
Press the Windows key, type virus, and select Virus & threat protection.
Click on Manage settings.
Now, click the Add or remove exclusions option under the Exclusions section.
Click Add an exclusion button and select the Folder option.
Next, navigate to the path below: C: Program Files/Windows Defender
Finally, select the Windows Defender folder and click the Select Folder button.
If the Antimalware Service Executable service registers high CPU usage, you can fix it by preventing Windows Defender from scanning its folder.
3. Disable real-time protection
Press the Windows key, type virus, and click Virus & threat protection.
Click the Manage settings option.
Now, toggle the switch for Real-time protection backward to disable it.
Since the Antimalware Service Executable process runs to protect your PC, you can disable the real-time protection. However, this will leave your system vulnerable.
To keep your PC secure, you should install a third-party antivirus to protect against threats while disabling Windows Defender simultaneously.
You should look for antivirus software known for its powerful protection capabilities. Ideally, one that also uses advanced machine learning to detect even the most hidden viruses.
The software also scores excellent regarding false positives, which means it will not detect unharmful programs as potentially threatening or blocking them.
TotalAV
TotalAV Use an antivirus solution that offers reliable cyber threat protection with minimal impact on resources.
Press the Windows key + R, type regedit, and click OK.
Navigate to the path below in the left pane: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
Now, right-click the space in the right pane and choose New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Type DisableAntiSpyware as the name of the new DWORD and double-click it.
Finally, set its Value data to 1 and click OK.
If all the solutions above fail to fix this issue, you might need to disable Windows Defender altogether. This will automatically render the process useless.
Hopefully, it will clarify why the Antivirus Service Executable takes up so much CPU and how or if you should stop it.
Why is Antimalware Service Executable using so much CPU?
The service is part of Windows Defender and runs in the background daily. It might even start upon booting, especially if the antivirus solution is marked to also wake up upon startup.
You can notice the service if you open Task Manager since it will remain active while running. You will also be able to see how many resources it takes.
Indeed, the Antimalware Service Executable will use a large amount of the CPU when scanning the device for malware or when a certain running program causes Windows Defender to monitor it in real time.
Is it safe to disable the antimalware service executable? Some working solutions to reduce antimalware service executable memory usage are listed below.
However, some users recently prompted to upgrade to version 1709 bump into an upgrade error based on the code 0xc1900201.
Seemingly, they cannot overcome this error after a few tries and can confirm that the connection or update services are responsible for the error at hand.
We prepared a list of the most common solutions that should fix the issue or provide a viable alternative. So, if you’re stuck with the 0xc1900201 Windows Update error on Windows 10 or Windows 11, make sure to check the list below.
How can I fix the error code 0xc1900201?
1. Expand System Reserved Partition
This shouldn’t be something with what end-users should meet, but that’s Windows 10 for you. When it works – it works fine; when it doesn’t – you’ll need to turn to complex workarounds to make it work.
In this scenario, you’ll need to resize your System Reserved Partition to obtain the latest upgrade, Falls Creator Update.
All chances are that its nominal values vary around 100 MB, while you’ll need 200 to 600 to upgrade to the latest Windows 10 iteration.
This is a rather complex operation, and many tech-savvy users advise using some partition-managing third-party tool. The best one and the most simple to use is EaseUS Partition Manager.
Also, it won’t cost you a thing to back up your system before we move through the steps.
Firstly, create a system repair disk in case something goes awry.
Select your system partition. The one where Windows 10 is installed initially (most of the time, is C:)
Click Resize/Move.
Under the Decide size and position, reduce the available space to approximately 600 MB.
After that, you should be able to see free and unreserved Unallocated space to restart your PC.
Once it boots again, press the Windows key + R to open the Run elevated command line.
In the command line, type diskmgmt.msc and press Enter.
Right-click on the System Reserved Partition and click Extend Volume.
Add the unallocated space you previously created to System Reserved Partition and confirm changes.
Restart your PC and try upgrading again.
After that, you should be able to install all significant updates without any issues whatsoever.
2. Use Media Creation Tool
If the upgrade procedure suddenly crashes every time you give it a go, you may need to change how the upgrade is distributed and the installation source.
Windows Update is pretty plagued with issues, so your optional way out of this is to use an external source: USB or DVD with the installation files. You can create such media with Media Creation Tool.
If the problem is in connection or upgrades file distribution, this should resolve it accordingly. Make sure to follow the steps below to create an installation media and upgrade to Windows 10 with it:
First, download Media Creation Tool by following this link.
Next, run the tool and accept the Licence Terms.
Choose Upgrade this PC, and the downloading process should commence.
Once it downloads files, Media Creation Tool will start applying upgrades.
This procedure should take up to 2 hours, depending on your Windows 10 version and bandwidth.
Finally, if none of the previous steps fell short, you can use the aforementioned Windows 10 installation media and perform a clean reinstallation.
Once your system is completely renewed, it should pack the Fall Creators Update, a.k.a, version 1709.
If you’re unsure how to perform a clean reinstallation of Windows 10, check this article for in-depth insight and a step-by-step explanation of the complete procedure.
With that, we can conclude this article. However, if you’re still unable to make it work and the same error code 0xc1900201 reappears, don’t forget to send your ticket to Microsoft. And if encountering the Failed to collect hardware data error code 0xd0000034, this guide can help you.
On the other hand, if you managed to resolve the issue alternatively, we’d be grateful if you shared it with us in the comments section below.
Why does Windows 10 version 1903 take so long to install?
The reason for a slow installation might be the free space on the drive. Another reason might be a slow Internet connection.
If there’s no Ethernet controller in the Device Manager, you won’t be able to access wired internet connections. This often means the Ethernet driver or controller is missing, corrupted, or not installed properly.
This article discusses what to do if you see no Ethernet adapter in Device Manager.
How can I fix the Ethernet adapter if it’s not showing?
1. Show hidden devices
Press Windows + R, type devmgmt.msc, and hit Enter.
Click the View menu and select Show hidden devices.
Once done, restart the computer, expand the Network adapters section and observe if you can see your Ethernet drivers.
2. Reset Winsock
Click the Start menu, type cmd, and select Run as administrator.
Now type the command below and hit Enter. netsh winsock reset
Exit the command prompt and restart your computer.
3. Clean up network devices
Click the Start menu, type cmd, and select Run as administrator.
Now type the command below and hit Enter. netcfg -d
Once done, restart your computer and verify whether the Ethernet port is still not showing in the Device Manager if that’s the case, head to the next solution.
4. Change power management settings
Press Windows + R, type devmgmt.msc, and hit Enter.
Right-click on your network adaptor and select Properties.
Click on the Power Management tab and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
Press Windows + R, type control panel, and hit Enter.
Navigate to the path below: Control PanelNetwork and InternetNetwork and Sharing Center
Click on Change Adapter Settings from the left pane.
Right-click on your ethernet adapter and select Enable.
6. Reset BIOS
Press and hold Shift while restarting the computer.
Press the Function key before the computer restarts, enabling you to enter BIOS (Varies by manufacturer).
Look out for Load Setup Defaults, Load factory Defaults, Reset to Default, Standard CMOS Features, Load Setup Defaults, Clear BIOS Settings, or something similar.
Navigate to Save and Exit using the Arrow keys and then hit Enter.
7. Update network adapter driver
Press Windows + R, type devmgmt.msc, and hit Enter to open Device Manager.
Right-click on Network adapters and select Scan for hardware changes.
If nothing appears, right-click on Network adapters again, choose Update driver.
Select Search automatically for drivers.
Restart your computer and check if the Ethernet controller appears.
The LAN card may be defective if your Ethernet is not showing up in Device Manager, even after following all the steps. You can either replace the card or get a USB ethernet adapter.
Please let us know what fix helped you resolve the issue in the comments below. Also, remember to leave there any other questions or suggestions that you may have.
FAQs
Why is the Ethernet controller not showing up in Windows 10?
It’s often due to missing drivers, hidden devices, or disabled hardware. Running a scan for hardware changes or reinstalling the driver usually resolves it.
Is the Ethernet controller missing a sign of hardware failure?
Rarely. It’s more likely a software or BIOS issue, but you can test using a USB-to-Ethernet adapter to confirm.
Can a Windows Update remove my Ethernet controller?
Yes. In some cases, Windows updates can misconfigure or uninstall drivers. Manually reinstalling them should fix the problem.
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