How to Edit a Secured PDF Without the Password

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

Locking your PDF files is a great way to protect them, but sometimes you might need to edit a secured PDF without having its password.

This can be a difficult task if you don’t know how to edit a locked PDF. Fortunately for you, we have a couple of solutions that will allow you to access and edit the PDF file, even without the password.

Having that said, you will be able to view all the important documents after you’ve gone through our procedures on how to edit a password-protected PDF file.

How can I edit a secured PDF without the password?

1. Use a dedicated third party

Adobe Acrobat is a versatile and complex tool that allows all sorts of useful editing operations with PDF files.

In case you have a protected document and you have forgotten the PDF password then following the steps presented below will help you edit a secured PDF.

  1. Open your PDF in Acrobat.
  2. Next, go to File and click on the Printer icon in the toolbar.
    edit-secured-pdf-without-password
  3. Choose Adobe PDF from the Print dialog box, as the printer, and click Print.
    edit-secured-pdf-without-password
  4. Type a name for your file and click Save.
  5. The PDF is created, and it opens in Acrobat. You can now edit the PDF.

Adobe Acrobat

Easily open and manage your password-protected PDF file with Adobe Acrobat.
Free trial Visit Website

2. Remove the password

  1. 1. Open the password-protected PDF file in Adobe Acrobat.

    edit-secured-pdf-without-password

  2. 2. Click File and open Properties.

    edit-secured-pdf-without-password

  3. 3. Next, click on Permission Details and open the Security tab.

  4. 4. Make sure to check the No Security option.

    edit-secured-pdf-without-password

  5. 5. Search for the Remove Password in Security Method menu and click on it.

  6. 6. After doing this the password will be removed from the original PDF file.

  7. 7. Save the PDF file and now access the file.

    8. After following the instructions from above, you should unlock the PDF for editing.

3. Use Google Chrome

  1. Select the locked PDF and right-click on it.
  2. From the dropdown menu, choose Open with and select Chrome Browser.
  3. Next, right-click on the PDF file and select the Print option.
  4. Select the Microsoft Print to PDF option and click on Print.

This is a simple workaround, but it can help you edit a secured PDF without a password.

4. Remove the password online

Another quick and easy solution would be to simply use an online tool that will remove the PDF’s password.

Thankfully, there are many free tools out there, and we would recommend that you use one that has good reviews based on the user comments.

Usually, all you will have to do is simply upload the PDF and the service will remove the unknown password from the file and thus change the PDF security settings.

How to edit a secured PDF on Mac?

If you need to edit a secured PDF on your Mac device, you have the option to Edit Permission and type the required password or use a PDF password remover.

How to edit a secured PDF on Android?

You can edit a secured PDF file on Android either by entering the password or removing it using Adobe Acrobat Pro for Android.

These are the easiest and quickest ways to edit secured PDF without a password. We hope that one of the above solutions has helped you open your locked file as well.

If you have additional recommendations or suggestions, we would love to hear them in the comments section below.

Mcshield.exe High CPU Usage: 3 Easy Ways to Stop it

Posted on by Ola-Hassan Bolaji

While you shouldn’t remove or disable Mcshield.exe, there are ways to stop its high CPU usage, as shown in the following sections.

How can I stop Mcshield.exe high CPU usage?

1. Update PC

  1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app and select the Update & Security option.
    update mcshield.exe
  2. Click the Check for updates button.
    check for
  3. Finally, install any available updates, including the optional ones.

The first thing to do if the Mcshield.exe process uses a high percentage of your CPU is to update your PC. This is because your present PC version does not have what it takes to handle the security feature at the time.

Hence the need to update your system to the latest version. This will also help in fixing mfevtps.exe’s high CPU usage.

2. Disable the anti-spam feature

  1. Launch your McAfee product and click the Setting icon in the top right corner.
  2. Select the Anti-Spam option.
  3. Finally, click the Turn off button.
    turn off

For some reason, users have found the anti-spam feature of McAfee antivirus to increase the Mcshield.exe CPU usage. Disabling this feature almost half the resource usage process.

This shouldn’t be a problem, as most email clients have built-in anti-spam features already. Also, if you are using the latest version of McAfee products, you will not find this feature there, as it has been removed. So, move to the next fix instead.

3. Remove conflicting apps

  1. Press the Windows key + I and select the Apps option.
    app mcshield.exe
  2. Locate and select any other security software you have.
  3. Finally, click the Uninstall button and follow the onscreen instruction to remove it.
    uninstall

If you use other antiviruses or security software with McAfee, you might experience the Mcshield.exe high CPU usage issue. So, you need to remove this software to restore normalcy on your PC.

To be sure that you have removed all components of the app, we recommend using dedicated uninstaller software in CCleaner to uninstall it. This excellent tool removes even the most hidden element of any software and eliminates any leftover files that can cause issues.

Also, CCleaner is a PC cleaner that can remove junk files. This is important to reduce your CPU and memory usage to a minimum.

We have reached the end of this guide on the Mcshield.exe high CPU usage issue. If you still can’t fix the problem after applying the solutions above, we will recommend switching to one of the best antiviruses for Windows PC.

PDF Won’t Save: Why and How to Fix it [Easy Guide]

Posted on by Vlad Turiceanu

Although Adobe Acrobat is widely used all over the world and has plenty of great features, it is not without errors.

Users have complained about being unable to save their PDF files in Windows 10 after editing them, which is causing a lot of frustration.

When PDF not saving changes, users are getting the following Adobe Acrobat error message and although they follow the indications, the issue is still unresolved:

The document could not be saved. cannot save to this filename”
An error was encountered when saving the document.

Why can’t I save the PDF after editing?

The reasons why PDF won’t save after editing can be related to some missing updates or they have something to do with Adobe Acrobat settings.

However, you should first explore the possibility that the file is really read-only or used by someone else.

To verify that, right-check your PDF file and select Properties, then make sure that the Read-only box is not checked, just like in the screenshot below:

Check the Read-only attribute of the file

Also, if you opened the PDF file in a network storage place used by more users, make sure it was not opened by another person.

If these aren’t the issues, let’s go through a few quick and easy ways to solve this problem, so make sure to keep on reading.

What can I do if am I not able to save PDF files after editing?

1. Download the latest Adobe Acrobat software version

Most of the issues concerning Adobe Acrobat have a lot to do with which version of the tool you are using.

As the program is constantly being improved and updated with useful features, before performing any troubleshooting steps we would recommend that you check if you are using the latest available version.

If not, simply make sure to download Adobe from the official website and allow for the update to be installed on your device.

Afterward, restart your device and check if you can now save the PDF file without encountering any issues.

2. Change the storage settings

  1. Open the PDF file with Adobe Acrobat.
  2. Go to the Edit menu and select Preferences.
  3. Choose the General option and uncheck the box for Show online storage when saving files.
  4. Click OK at the bottom to save the settings.

3. Modify the display settings

    This simple but workproof solution shows you how to quickly change the display setting on your PDF reader.

  1. 1. Open Adobe Acrobat and go to the Edit menu, then select Preferences.

    cannot-save-pdf-file-editing

  2. 2. From the left panel window select Internet and uncheck the Allow fast web view.

    cannot-save-pdf-file-editing

  3. 3. Click OK and restart Adobe Reader.

    cannot-save-pdf-file-editing

4. Use an online PDF tool

Maybe the best way to fix your “PDF Won’t Save” situation is by using a reliable online PDF program, such as DocHub.

All you have to do is drag and drop your file on the official platform, edit any section of the PDF, and click one button to save it on your PC.

In this way, you will avoid any saving errors and manage all your documents for free due to its user-focused advantages.

Plus, it has strong encryption and security that keeps your data private at no cost. However, you can benefit from the Pro version and get unlimited files or eSignatures.

Other valuable DocHub Pro features:

  • Countless saved signatures
  • 50 different signatures
  • 20 email recipients & 100 folders
  • Free fax pages

⇒ Get DocHub

5. Run the program with admin rights

  1. Press the Windows key + E to start File Manager and go to the following file path: C:/Program Files(x86)/Adobe/Acrobat Reader DC/Reader
  2. Locate and right-click on AcroRd32.exe, then select Properties.
  3. Click on the Compatibility tab and check the box next to where it says Run this program as an administrator.
  4. Try launching Adobe Acrobat Reader DC again.

As you can see, if you can’t save your edited PDF, one of the above solutions should help you fix the problem in no time.

Even more, this document restricts some Acrobat features is a message that shows up when you open a PDF with restricted editing options. If you’re getting this error too, make sure to install the original version of Adobe.

As for those times when you keep getting a do you want to save changes to PDF before closing? pop-up in Adobe, consider that the app might be out-of-date. Download the latest Adobe Acrobat software version and correct the issue right away.

Please let us know in the comments section below which solution has worked for you when you cannot save PDF files after editing. We would love to hear it.

Realtek HD Audio Manager is Not Opening: 5 Ways to Fix it

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

Many users reported that Realtek HD Audio Manager won’t open on their PC. The full message reads: There’s a problem with Realtek audio console. Reinstall the application from its original install location or contact your administrator.

Driver issues are the number one cause of this problem. In this guide, we’ll show you a few different ways to repair and fix your drivers so the Realtek error goes away.

Sounds good? Let’s get started.

How do I fix Realtek Audio Console not opening?

1. Create a shortcut to the Realtek HD Audio Manager

  1. Press Windows key + R, type the command below and press Enter: C:⧵Program Files⧵Realtek⧵Audio⧵HDA⧵ run window Realtek HD Audio Manager won’t open
  2. Find and double-click on the Realtek HD Audio Manager .exe file.
  3. After doing that, the Realtek Audio Manager should start. If this method works, create a shortcut to the .exe file and move it to your desktop.

2. Update your audio drivers

2.1. Update drivers from Device Manager

  1. Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
    device-manager-w10 amd driver install problems
  2. Double-click on the Sound, video and game controllers option to expand it. Right-click the Realtek Audio driver and select Update driver.update-realtek-driver realtek audio hd not opening
  3. Choose the Search automatically for drivers option.automatically-search bluetooth not working windows 10
  4. Install any available update and restart your PC.

The Realtek HD Audio Manager not opening issue can b caused by outdated drivers. So, it would help if you considered updating your drivers with the built-in driver updater before using other sophisticated fixes.

2.2. Use driver update software

Updating your audio drivers manually sounds like a rather daunting task whether you’re a newbie. So, we recommend you use an automatic tool to update all the faulty drivers on your PC.

Besides the apparent goal you’re after, note that it protects your private data from leaking.

On top of that, it’s known to optimize PC performance since it includes many features such as system information, resolution adjuster, and audio fixer. That’s precisely what you need too.

⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

3. Reinstall your drivers

  1. Open the Device Manager.
  2. Find and double-click on the Sound video and game controllers section. Right-click the Realtek High Definition Audio and select Uninstall device.
    uninstall device
  3. Click the Uninstall button when asked to confirm the action.
    uninstall button realtek hd audio manager not opening
  4. Now, click the Scan for hardware changes icon at the top.
    scan for
  5. Finally, restart your PC.

4. Fix the Realtek Audio Manager

  1. 1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.

  2. 2. In the dialogue box that pops up, then, type appwiz.cpl and hit the Enter key.

    run the appwiz.cpl command

  3. 3. Find and select the Realtek Audio Manager from the list.

  4. 4. Click on Repair and follow the prompts on your screen.

  5. 5. Now, reboot your system and the issue should be gone.

    6. Repairing your Realtek Audio Manager can also fix this issue for you. You can do this via the Programs and Features section in Control Panel.

    Simply locate the tool in the list of installed programs and choose to Repair it via the options that appear when you right-click on it.

     

5. Rollback your drivers

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Sound, video and game controllers section.
    sound
  3. Double-click the Realtek High Definition Audio device.
    option
  4. Click the Driver tab at the top.
    driver
  5. Now, click the Roll Back Driver button.
    rollback realtek hd audio manager not opening

Is Realtek HD Audio Manager necessary?

The Realtek HD Audio Manager works like a control panel to manage your audio drivers. It can detect new devices and allows you to access them easily.

However, it is not crucial to the smooth running of your drivers and PC. But it does not hurt to install the Realtek HD Audio Manager and enjoy the ease of use that comes with it.

We hope these solutions helped you fix the problems with Realtek HD Audio Manager. For more troubleshooting methods, check out how to fix issues with the Realtek HD Audio drivers.

Feel free to let us know if you were able to fix this issue with one of our solutions in the comments below.

If you’ve tried everything above but still can’t get audio controls back, you may be running into the Realtek Audio Console doesn’t support your machine issue—check that guide for machine-specific workarounds.

In some cases, a deeper problem like Realtek Audio Driver Error 0001 can block the console entirely, so be sure to follow those steps if you see the “no driver supported” message.

And if you ever find that the Realtek HD Audio Manager goes completely missing after an update, our missing manager recovery guide will walk you through restoring it.

Top Tools and Methods for CPU Fan Speed Control in Windows 11

Posted on by Aleksandar Ognjanovic

Wondering how to control CPU fan speed on your Windows 11 PC? Whether you’re aiming for quieter performance or better cooling, there are several apps and manual methods to help you check, test, and adjust your fan settings easily. Below, we list the best fan speed controller software and manual BIOS-based options.

Best CPU Fan Speed Control Software

Table of contents

AIDA64 Extreme – Advanced Sensor Monitoring for Power Users

AIDA64 Extreme is a powerful diagnostics and monitoring tool that lets you check CPU fan speed in real time. While it doesn’t offer control features like setting RPM or creating fan curves, it’s ideal for verifying fan activity, running CPU fan speed tests, and monitoring how your system reacts under load.
Best for: Detailed fan speed monitoring and diagnostics, not control.
Try it here: Download AIDA64 Extreme

Argus Monitor – Reliable Control with Custom Fan Curves

Argus Monitor offers a sleek, lightweight interface to control CPU fan speed. You can create custom fan curves based on CPU or GPU temperatures, ideal for gamers and workstation users.
Best for: Custom fan curves and real-time monitoring.
Try it here: Visit Argus Monitor Official Site

Fan Control by Rem0o – Fully Customizable & Open-Source

This open-source CPU fan speed controller app gives granular control over multiple fans. It automatically detects sensors and supports profiles per workload or temperature range.
Best for: Power users who want automated fan control based on sensor input.
Try it here: Download Fan Control from GitHub

SpeedFan (Legacy) – Lightweight Solution for Older PCs

SpeedFan used to be a go-to for many, but it has limited support for newer motherboards. Still, it’s worth trying for basic CPU fan speed testing and temperature monitoring.
Best for: Simple control on older hardware.
Try it here: Get SpeedFan from almico.com

MSI Afterburner – Great for Gamers with MSI Hardware

Primarily for GPU tuning, MSI Afterburner also offers some basic CPU fan monitoring options on MSI motherboards. It’s especially useful when paired with a high-performance build using the best CPU for Windows 11.
Best for: Gamers using MSI components.
Try it here: Download MSI Afterburner

Corsair iCUE – Perfect for Corsair Fans and Coolers

If you use Corsair fans or AIO coolers, iCUE provides comprehensive control of CPU fan speed. It includes lighting effects and performance profiles as well.
Best for: Users with a Corsair ecosystem.
Try it here: Explore Corsair iCUE

ASUS AI Suite – Native Fan Tuning for ASUS Boards

For ASUS motherboard owners, AI Suite lets you check CPU fan speed, create profiles, and even enable auto-tuning for optimal performance and quiet operation. If you encounter a CPU fan error at boot, this tool can also help you adjust fan parameters to eliminate the warning.
Best for: ASUS desktop users who want native control.
Try it here: Get ASUS AI Suite 3

Open Hardware Monitor – Lightweight, Real-Time Fan Speed Viewer

Although it doesn’t let you adjust speeds directly, Open Hardware Monitor is perfect for CPU fan speed tests and live monitoring. It’s a helpful utility if you suspect issues like a CPU fan not spinning, allowing you to verify RPM readings quickly.
Best for: Monitoring multiple temperature sensors and fans.
Try it here: Visit OpenHardwareMonitor.org

Manual Methods to Control CPU Fan Speed

Use the BIOS/UEFI Interface

Most modern motherboards allow CPU fan speed control directly from the BIOS. This is often the most stable method.

  1. Reboot your PC and press DEL or F2 to enter BIOS.
  2. Navigate to the Hardware Monitor or Fan Control section.
  3. Select your CPU fan and choose a fan curve or manual RPM values.
  4. Save changes and exit BIOS.

Check Windows Power Settings

Although indirect, setting your system to High Performance mode in Windows can ensure your fan runs more actively.

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to System > Power & Battery > Additional Power Settings.
  3. Select High Performance or create a custom plan.

Use Manufacturer-Specific BIOS Features

Some BIOS setups include smart fan tuning features that let you test fan response directly.

  1. Enable Smart Fan Control or Q-Fan in BIOS.
  2. Set custom fan curves based on temperature thresholds.

Check for Dust or Obstruction

Fan noise or poor performance may be caused by dust buildup. Clean your fans to restore proper speed. If you’re using a laptop, you may want to consider both a cooling pad and laptop cooling software to optimize airflow and reduce heat buildup.

  1. Turn off the PC and unplug it.
  2. Use compressed air to blow dust off fan blades and heatsinks.
  3. Make sure cables aren’t obstructing the fan’s rotation.

Conclusion

Controlling your CPU fan speed helps you balance noise levels and temperature. Whether you use a CPU fan speed app or tweak settings manually via BIOS, the right method depends on your hardware. For advanced users, tools like Argus Monitor, Fan Control, and AIDA64 provide useful insight or control. For everyone else, BIOS remains the most stable option.

FAQs

How can I check my CPU fan speed in Windows 11?

You can use tools like AIDA64 Extreme or Open Hardware Monitor to monitor RPM values in real time.

Does Windows 11 have built-in fan control?

No, Windows 11 doesn’t include native fan control. You need BIOS settings or third-party tools to manage it.

Is it safe to manually adjust CPU fan speed?

Yes, as long as you don’t set it too low. Always ensure the fan keeps your CPU within safe temperature ranges.

Can I make my CPU fan quieter?

Yes. Set a less aggressive fan curve in BIOS or fan control software. Be cautious to avoid overheating.

What should CPU fan speed be at idle?

Most CPUs idle with fans running at 600–1200 RPM. It depends on your cooling system and BIOS profile.

Keyboard Makes Clicking Noise When Typing? Here’s the Fix!

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

If your laptop or PC keyboard making noise when typing, you’re in the right place. We’ll show you how to fix it. Active Filter, Toggle, or Sticky keys are the main culprits.

Filter keys block fast keystrokes, Sticky keys keep modifiers like SHIFT active, and Toggle keys beep when lock keys are pressed. Follow the steps below to fix all of these issues.

How do I stop my keyboard from making noise when typing?

1. Disable non-plug and play driver

  1. Right click Start.
  2. Select Device Manager.
  3. Locate the View tab and click on it.
  4. Choose Show Hidden Devices.
  5. A drop down list with the devices will come up.
  6. Click Non-Plug and Play Drivers.
  7. Right click Beep option and click Properties.
  8. Select Driver tab and hit Disable.
  9. Click Apply then OK.

After performing the above actions, try a different keyboard. If it works with a different keyboard, the issue is probably with the keyboard you’ve been using.

If the keyboard makes noise when you type, there might be a physical issue, and if that’s the case, you might want to replace your keyboard.

2. Check keyboard settings

  1. Click Start.
  2. Select Control Panel.
  3. Choose Hardware and Sound.
  4. Click Devices and Printers.
  5. Right click on your hardware (keyboard).
  6. Click Properties.
  7. Select USB input device (or your keyboard name).
  8. Click on Change settings, then on Power Management.
  9. Uncheck the box Allow Computer to Turn off this device to save power.

Windows 10 has a different sound effect for device disconnections. Sometimes the keyboard disconnects itself to save on power and this is why your keyboard is making noise when typing.

Did this work? No? Let’s try the next solution. If you can’t open Control Panel on Windows 10, don’t worry, we got a fix for that.

3. Check on-screen keyboard

Check Options under On-Screen Keyboard application (osk.exe), then remove the checkmark (tick) from the box, and instead Use Click Sound.

If you’re looking for the best virtual keyboard software on the market right now, take a look here and you’ll find it.

4. Update or install drivers

  1. Right click Start.
  2. Select Device Manager.Keyboard beeping when typing
  3. Select your hardware from the list of results.
  4. Expand the specific category to find your device’s name.
  5. Right click your device.
  6. Select Update Driver.
  7. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.Keyboard beeping when typing

In case Windows does not find a new driver, look for one on your device’s manufacturer website and follow the instruction details.

To avoid driver-related issues, it’s advised to keep your drivers up to date using professional software. Using a specialized program can save you time; in fact, these tools scan your PC, look for the best drivers for your device, and install them in a couple of moments.

5. Create new user profile

  1. Click Start.
  2. Select Settings.
  3. Select Accounts and go to Family and other People.Keyboard beeping when typing
  4. Click Add someone else to this PC.
  5. Fill in the form with the user name and password. Your new user account will be created.
  6. Click on Change account type.
  7. Click the drop down arrow and choose Administrator to set the account to administrator level.
  8. Restart your computer.
  9. Login to the new account you just created.

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

If the keyboard works, then it may mean your other user profile is corrupted. You can try the following in case of a corrupted user profile:

  1. On your new account, use it to downgrade your usual account.
  2. Click Apply or OK.
  3. Raise back your old account to its default admin level.
  4. Rinse and repeat a few times as this will help to remove any corruption.
  5. Leave your account on as Administrator.

Check whether the beeping noise disappears when using the newly created account. If it does, then you can either fix the old user account or migrate to the new account.

This is a common workaround if your keyboard makes noise when you type, so feel free to try it out.

Fix your corrupt user profile right now with a few easy steps from this useful guide!

If your keyboard making noise when typing issue persists, go to the next solution.

6. Turn off Filter Keys

  1. Click Start.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Select Ease of Access.Keyboard beeping when typing
  4. Click Keyboard.Keyboard beeping when typing
  5. Find Filter Keys.Keyboard beeping when typing
  6. Slide it let to turn it off.

If you ever wondered why is your keyboard making sounds when you type, the cause might be the Filter Keys feature, so be sure to disable it.

7. Turn off Toggle or Sticky Keys

  1. Click Start.
  2. Choose Settings.
  3. Select Ease of Access.Keyboard beeping when typing
  4. Click Keyboard.
  5. Find Toggle Keys, slide it let to turn it off. Find Sticky Keys, slide it let to turn it off.Keyboard beeping when typing

If using other earlier versions of Windows, take the following steps to remove the Toggle or Sticky keys:

  1. Click Start.
  2. Go to the search field and type Ease.
  3. Select Ease of Access.
  4. Select Make the keyboard easier to use.
  5. Uncheck the selection on Turn on Sticky keys.
  6. Click Set up Sticky keys.
  7. Uncheck the selection on Turn on Sticky keys when SHIFT is pressed five times.
  8. Click Save.
  9. Uncheck the selection from Turn on Toggle keys.
  10. Uncheck the selection on Turn on Toggle keys by holding down the NUMLOCK key for 5 seconds.
  11. Click Save.

If your computer or keyboard is making a beeping noise when typing, you’ve probably enabled or activated Toggle keys, and/or Sticky keys, so be sure to disable them.

Seems a bit too complicated? Take a look at this article to disable hotkeys in Windows 10 with ease.

8. Check date and time on BIOS settings

Go into your BIOS settings on your computer to check the date and time settings.

Note icon NOTE
You should only do this if you know what you’re doing!

We sure hope one of these solutions worked for you. If they did, do make sure to apply them whenever your keyboard beeps when typing.

If you’re aware of an alternative solution, share it in the comments section below so that other users can try it. Also, if you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to leave them there, too.

Other keyboard issues can also cause frustration. If your keyboard types on its own, try this guide to fix a keyboard that types automatically in Windows 10.

Hearing clicks but no input? Here’s how to stop keyboard clicking noises without typing. You can also fix backwards typing, resolve issues with double letters not registering, correct keyboards that type the wrong letters, and stop Windows 10 from switching keyboard languages on its own.

Best Key Mapper Tool for Windows 11 (Free & Easy Options)

Posted on by Matthew Adams

Looking for a reliable keyboard mapping tool for Windows 11 or 10? Whether you want to swap keys, disable a broken button, or assign shortcuts, the right key remapper can make your workflow faster and more comfortable.

Below are the best keyboard mapping software options, including free tools, that work smoothly on both Windows 10 and 11.

Top Free Key Remapper Tools for Windows 11 & 10

Table of contents

Key Remapper

Key Remapper has had some rave reviews. As it has a registration fee this isn’t freeware, but you can still add a non-registered version to Windows with more restricted options from this website page.

The great thing about this software is that it enables you to remap mouse buttons and keyboard keys. As such, you can add keyboard functions to mouse buttons.

Key Remapper doesn’t have the visual keyboard GUI design in some of the alternatives. Instead, the software enables you to set up profiles so you can remap keys for alternative programs and purposes.

Then users can remap buttons for profiles by double-clicking the Key Remapper window to open the options shown in the snapshot directly below.

That window also includes options that enable you to configure the remapped keys to work only in specific programs.

Another advantage is that this program doesn’t alter the registry scan codes for keys, so you can remap them without restarting Windows.

Key Remapper

Key Remapper

Using this key mapper means you can forget about inconvenient peripherals issues and enjoy a new world.
Check price Visit website

Microsoft PowerToys

PowerToys is a set of Windows 10 utilities targeted toward advanced users. Its features help you make more in-depth setups for your device. It comes with appearance customization options, file explorer addons, power options, a keyboard manager, and more. 

The PowerToys Keyboard Manager is a comprehensive tool that helps you thoroughly set up your keyboard so that it better fits your specific needs.

It can help with remapping all your keys and changing them up as you like. It is great for making your most-used keys more accessible or setting up your keys to better use different language packs.

Moreover, you can change up the keyboard shortcuts for different actions in your apps. The feature works for each app specifically, so if you want to add, for example, the same shortcut key across multiple apps, you will have to set that specific shortcut for each app separately.

Note that there are some essential, system shortcuts that you won’t be able to remap with PowerToys: Ctrl+Alt+Del, Win+L, and the Function Key Fn.

The PowerToys Keyboard manager is a free product provided by Microsoft. It runs on Windows 10 OS 1803 (build 17134) or later.

⇒ Get PowerToys

SharpKeys

SharpKeys is a portable keyboard mapping software tool that makes a simple tweak to the system registry. This way, it enables you to easily swap or remap one key with another. The software application has a straightforward UI that doesn’t include a keyboard layout from which to select keys.

Instead, you can simply select one key to modify from a list and then choose another to switch it with from a second list. This software supports all the standard keys and some multimedia playback buttons on more recent keyboards.

The one notable shortcoming of SharpKeys is that it lacks an option that restores the default keyboard mapping, so users have to manually delete each remapped key separately.

However, aside from this fact, this is still a decent freeware program to remap keys with.

Other worth mentioning aspects are the very simple-to-use interface or the support for multiple Windows versions, from 10 to Vista or XP.

⇒ Get ShapKeys

KeyTweak

KeyTweak has a visual keyboard layout GUI with which you can select a key to modify on the keyboard and then choose another button to remap it from the drop-down menu. The WindowReport team has covered how to switch keys off with KeyTweak.

It also enables users to remap keys with more unique buttons found on multimedia keyboards and Web browser toolbar options such as Back, Stop, Forward, and Refresh.

Unlike SharpKeys, this program does have a Restore All Defaults button that restores the original keyboard settings.

Another great thing about KeyTweaks is that you can specify and save alternative mapping configurations as remap files, which can then be reloaded and applied.

Besides all, this keyboard virtualization tool has a very simple interface you can use with ease. It’s also possible to run in full teaching mode or half teach mode, disable a certain key, or see a raw map.

That being said, software like this comes really handy when you need to remap your keyboard or change the default layout, so hesitate no more.

⇒ Get KeyTweak

AutoHotkey

AutoHotkey is a more flexible key-mapping software for Windows that’s not entirely the same as some of the others mentioned here.

This is a scripting tool with which you can remap keys, and the software doesn’t remap the buttons via the registry. As such, AutoHotkey enables you to remap keyboard shortcuts and mouse buttons as well as the standard keys.

Then you can also save and export these scripts to other systems as EXE files, which is another advantage.

Moreover, the software offers the possibility of learning basic scripts for beginners to perform tasks like macros, auto-clicking, or autocomplete in forms. Besides, it can help with remapping keys or buttons almost instantly.

On top of that, you can use this tool completely free and enjoy its practical features without other extra fees.

Therefore, anybody can benefit from this open-source key mapping software, plus learning scripting language with all the needed support.

⇒ Get AutoHotkey

Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator

Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator (MKLC) enables you to create custom keyboard layouts from scratch. For example, you could set up a Dvorak keyboard layout with it.

Alternatively, you can configure new keyboard layouts from existing ones. This program isn’t entirely the same as some of the others as it creates installers that you can add extra keyboards to Windows.

When you’re setting up new keyboard layouts, you can select three alternative configurations for the key layouts around the Enter button. The software has a visual keyboard GUI so that you can click keys to assign values to them.

The one limitation of MKLC is that you can’t configure system buttons such as Return, Ctrl, Alt, and Tab; but assignable keys can have multiple entries such as Ctrl + key.

You can also validate and test keyboard layouts. So MKLC is one of the best remapping tools for setting up entirely new keyboard layouts in Windows.

⇒ Get Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator

Conclusion

Those are several great keyboard mapping software packages for Windows 10 and other platforms.

With those programs, you can remap keys, disable buttons, set up new keyboard layouts, assign keyboard functions to the mouse, and more.

So, you can see that the keyboard is one of the main elements of a computer and the tools to optimize your work with the keyboard are plenty.

How to Fix a PC Stuck on Motherboard Boot Screen

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

If your PC gets stuck on the motherboard screen, it means the startup process is freezing right at the start. That logo or splash screen is a quick hardware check before Windows loads. If it hangs there, it usually signals a hardware or firmware issue. Follow the step-by-step instructions below to get it fixed fast.

What can I do when PC is stuck on the boot screen?

Table of contents

Sometimes a quick restart fixes this problem, but if that doesn’t work, keep reading.

1. Boot in Safe Mode

  1. Manually shut down (forcibly) your PC around three times consecutively. The Choose an option screen. Click troubleshoot.pc stuck on boot screen
  2. Select  Advanced options.laptop stuck on boot screen
  3. From there, choose Startup Settingscomputer stuck on motherboard splash screen
  4.  Hit Restart.pc stuck on post screen
  5. After your PC has restarted, you’ll see a host of choices. Select 4/F4 to start it in safe mode.
  6. If it boots, run the system restore to take back your computer settings to a previously working state.

2. Check your Boot order

  1. Start your PC and Get in its BIOS (press the right key at startup e.g. ESC, F9, F2 etc.).
  2. Locate the boot order area and make sure that your hard drive is set to be the first booting device.
  3. Restart your PC.gigabyte motherboard stuck on splash screen

You will also experience the same problem if you have an external gadget such as an iPod plugged in. So also ensure that you don’t have external storage devices such as a USB hard drive connected.

3. Check the RAM

  1. Open your system unit.
  2. Locate the  RAMs and:
    • Remove the RAMs one by one(where applicable).
    • You then reinsert the RAMs (again one by one) while trying to boot each time. If the machine starts without one (or more) of the RAMs, know that the issue is with the memories. Needless to say, you’ll need to replace the suspect RAM module(s).

4. Clear the CMOS (BIOS)

Note icon NOTE
Please note that this method is general and your machine may need slightly different steps so refer to your computer manual or manufacturer’s website if unsure. Also, at times you’ll require a screwdriver to help press the tab (on the rim) of the battery holder
  1. Turn off every peripheral device attached to the computer.
  2. Disconnect the system power cord from its AC power source.
  3. Remove the computer case cover.
  4. Find the CMOS battery on the motherboard. The battery is typically in either a horizontal/vertical battery holder although it can also be connected to an installed onboard header using a wire.
  5. Remove the CMOS battery. Notice the + and – orientation if the CMOS battery is within a holder. Finally, gently pry your battery free from the connector. For batteries connected with a wire to the onboard header, simply disconnect the wire.
  6. Wait for between 1–5 minutes.
  7. Reinsert the battery.
  8. Plug all the devices back in plus the computer.
  9. Power on the computer.

5. Perform a fresh install

In extreme cases, like the requested system device cannot be found, the only way out is to reinstall the suspect configurations.  You may have to reinstall Windows, a brand new hard disk or even a new motherboard.

To see how to do that, check our guide on how to reinstall Windows 11 for detailed instructions.

This isn’t the only issue, and many reported no boot screen on Windows. Many users also reported that Windows is stuck in boot loop after reset, but we tackled that issue in a different guide.

If you want to customize your system, we also have a whole article that shows you how to change the boot logo on Windows 11, so feel free to visit it.

We hope you managed to fix the problem on your PC and get back to using it normally. Let us know how it went in the comments section below.

Fix WiFi disconnects after Sleep Mode on Windows 11

Posted on by Ivan Jenic

Windows OS users reported that Wi-Fi disconnects after Sleep Mode on their Windows 11 and Windows 10 PCs, and this can be an annoying issue. However, there’s a way to fix this problem once and for all, and we’re going to show you how to do it.

Some users say that they’re unable to connect to WiFi after waking from sleep mode. But there are some fixes that may help them.

Sleep Mode disconnects network connection? Fix it with these solutions

  1. Change Power Management Settings
  2. Uncheck the IPv6 box
  3. Use Network troubleshooter
  4. Change your power settings
  5. Disable Broadcom Bluetooth
  6. Disable your antivirus
  7. Make sure that Ethernet is disabled
  8. Change your connection to Private
  9. Disable Require sign-in
  10. Perform a System Restore

Windows 10 often loses Internet after Sleep Mode. Affected systems may wake with no connectivity, suffer frequent or sporadic Wi-Fi drops, or disconnect moments later. Mandatory sign-in prompts triggered on wake can also break wireless links. Occasionally, the PC refuses to reconnect despite repeated attempts or declares Wi-Fi completely non-functional, and you could get an invalid IP configuration. Let’s get to the solution and fix your wi-fi when it disconnects after waking up from sleep mode.

1. Change Power Management Settings

One of the most common causes of this issue is the wrong Power Management plan. You should check if your Wireless network adapter is not set to be turned off to save power when computers go to sleep mode.

If it the current Power Management plan turns off your Wireless adapter while in sleep mode, just change it and your problem will be solved. You can check if it is the case and change your current Power Management plan in Device Manager. Do so, follow these instructions:

  1. Press Windows logo key and X key together and choose Device Manager.
    device manager No internet after sleep Windows 10
  2. Expand Network Adapters, right-click the adapter, click Properties.
    properties Windows 10 WiFi keeps dropping
  3. Click the Power Management tab, and then clear the Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power check box.
    power management Windows keeps disconnecting from WiFi

This feature is associated with wake on LAN, and to learn more, we have an in-depth guide on how to enable or disable wake on LAN that you should check out.

2. Uncheck the IPv6 box

If the wrong Power Management plan is not an issue, you might have some problems with IPv6 protocol. In order to disable it, you should perform a couple of operations in your Network and Sharing Center. To untick the IPv6 box, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Network and Sharing Center.
  2. Click on Change adapter settings (in the left pane).
    change adapter settings WiFi disconnects sign in required
  3. Right-click on the connection you‘re using. Click Properties.
    network connection properties Sleep mode WiFi will not connect
  4. Now remove the tick from the IPv6 and click OK to save changes.
    IPv6 disable Sleep mode WiFi doesn't work

3. Use Network troubleshooter

If Windows disconnects from Wi-Fi after sleep, you might be able to fix this problem with this simple workaround. According to users, you just have to run the Network troubleshooter by following these steps:

  1. Right click the network icon in the bottom right corner. Choose Troubleshoot problems from the menu.
    troubleshoot problems No internet after sleep Windows 10
  2. Network troubleshooter will now start and try to fix your problem.
    windows network diagnostics Windows 10 WiFi keeps dropping

After the troubleshooter is finished, check if the issue still appears. Many users reported that this solution worked for them, so feel free to try it. We have to mention that this might not be a permanent solution, so you’ll have to repeat it whenever the issue appears.

4. Change your power settings

According to users, sometimes Windows disconnects from Wi-Fi after sleep due to your power settings. Users reported that they fixed the problem simply by following these steps:

  1. Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
  2. When Settings app opens, navigate to System section.
    settings app system Windows keeps disconnecting from WiFi
  3. In the left pane navigate to Power & sleep section. Scroll all the way down and check both boxes under Wi-Fi section.

After doing that, your problems with Wi-Fi should be completely resolved.

5. Disable Broadcom Bluetooth

If Windows disconnects from Wi-Fi after sleep, the problem might be your Bluetooth adapter. It seems that Broadcom Bluetooth starts automatically with Windows causing this problem to occur. To fix this problem, you can do the following:

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
  2. When Task Manager opens, go to Startup tab and locate your Bluetooth service. Right click it and choose Disable from the menu.
    disable WiFi disconnects sign in required

If you can’t find the Bluetooth service in Startup tab, you can disable it by doing the following:

  1. Press Windows Key + R and enter msconfig. Press Enter or click OK.
    msconfig Sleep mode WiFi will not connect
  2. Navigate to the Services tab and click on Hide all Microsoft services. Locate Bluetooth service and disable it. Now click on Apply and OK to save changes.
    hide all microsoft services Sleep mode WiFi doesn't work

After making the necessary changes you need to restart your PC in order to apply them. Keep in mind that disabling the Bluetooth service might not be the best solution if you use Bluetooth devices frequently. To use your Bluetooth devices again, you’ll have to enable the disabled services.

6. Disable your antivirus

According to users, if Windows disconnects from Wi-Fi after sleep the problem might be related to your third-party antivirus software or firewall. To fix this problem, it’s advised to disable any third-party antivirus software or firewall and check if that solves the issue.

If disabling your antivirus software or firewall doesn’t solve the issue, you might have to uninstall your antivirus software completely. To do that, it’s advised to use a dedicated removal tool to remove all files associated with your antivirus software.

After removing your antivirus and firewall, check if the issue still appears. If the issue is resolved, you might have to reinstall your antivirus again or switch to a different antivirus solution.

You can find plenty of great Windows 10 compatible antivirus software that will not interfere with your system. Just make sure it has a good threat database, real-time protection, a transparent privacy policy, and good online security.

7. Make sure that Ethernet is disabled

If Windows disconnects from Wi-Fi after sleep, the problem might be your Ethernet connection. One of the fastest ways to fix this problem is to make sure that your Ethernet connection is disabled. This is rather simple and you can do it by following these steps:

  1. Open Network and Sharing Center and navigate to Change adapter settings.
  2. Locate your Ethernet connection, right click it and choose Disable from the menu.
    network connections disable No internet after sleep Windows 10

After disabling your Ethernet connection check if the issue is resolved. In addition, you can also perform this solution simply by disconnecting your Ethernet cable from your PC.

8. Change your connection to Private

Sometimes this issue can occur because your network connection is set to Public. Public network connections use a different set of rules, and sometimes that can cause certain issues to occur. If Windows disconnects from Wi-Fi after sleep, you can fix that by doing the following:

  1. Click your Wi-Fi icon in the bottom right corner and click on Properties.
  2. Now locate Make this PC discoverable section and enable it.
    discoverable PC Windows 10 WiFi keeps dropping

After enabling this option your connection will automatically change to Private fixing any Wi-Fi issues.

9. Disable Require sign-in

According to users, sometimes Wi-Fi problems can be caused by your settings. By default, Windows will ask you for your password once you wake up your PC.

This is a security measure, but many users reported that this feature is causing Windows to disconnect from Wi-Fi. To fix this problem, you just have to disable this feature by following these steps:

  1. Open the Settings app and go to Accounts section.
    accounts Windows keeps disconnecting from WiFi
  2. Select Sign-in options from the menu on the left. In the right pane, in Require sign-in section select Never.
    require sign-in WiFi disconnects sign in required

After changing this setting your PC won’t require you to login after waking up from Sleep Mode. Disabling this feature can be a slight security concern, but it should help you with this problem.

10. Perform a System Restore

If you’re still having this problem, perhaps you can fix it by performing System Restore. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Press Windows Key + S and type system restore. Now choose Create a restore point from the list.
  2. The System Properties window should appear. Click the System Restore
  3. Once the System Restore window opens, click the Next button to proceed.
  4. Check Show more restore points option, if available. Now you need to select the desired restore point and click Next.
  5. Follow instructions on the screen to complete the process.

Once your PC is restored, check if the problem is resolved.

If these solutions didn’t work out for you, or you have some other suggestions, comments, or maybe other useful solutions for this problem, please write them down in the comment section below, we would love to read your feedback.

How to Reinstall Realtek Audio Drivers & HD Audio Manager

Posted on by Matthew Adams

A lot of Windows laptops and desktops include Realtek sound. The Realtek sound driver is essential to the communication between the PC system and its speakers.

Therefore, reinstalling Realtek HD Audio Codec drivers can often resolve numerous sound issues on Windows PCs.

Why are drivers necessary?

A computer’s efficiency depends on the frequency with which it is updated and maintained. A driver is one of the components that must be updated regularly.

driver updates reinstall audio drivers windows 10


Many people who own a computer are likely to have heard the phrase driver, but they may not be familiar with what it means or how important it is to the machine’s functionality.

Every computer contains several of them, each controlling a different set of installed software and hardware components. Your computer’s hardware and software will not function properly, and in some cases, they may not function at all if you do not have the right drivers installed.

Thus it is necessary to reinstall your drivers independent of what OS you are using. This is related to a frequent question from users asking if they need to reinstall the audio driver on Windows 11 or Windows 10. Yes, it is a must!

For more information and solutions confirmed by users, check out our post on how to reinstall the audio driver in Windows 11. If you own a Windows 10 PC instead, take a closer look at the fixes below.

How can I reinstall sound drivers on Windows 10?

1. Reinstall the Realtek audio driver

You can manually reinstall the Realtek audio driver by downloading the suitable version from the official Realtek website. Open the installer file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

2. Unninstall the driver and search for duplicates

Uninstall the driver

  1. Press the Windows key + X hotkeys.
  2. Select Device Manager on the menu to open the window shown directly below.
  3. Double-click Sound, video and game controllers to expand that category.
  4. Right-click Realtek High Definition Audio and select the Uninstall device option.
  5. Click the Delete the driver software for this device option shown directly below.
  6. Click Uninstall to confirm.

Search for duplicate drivers

  1. Click View and Show hidden devices. Uninstall duplicate audio drivers if there are any.
  2. Restart Windows before reinstalling the driver.
  3. Then, you need to open the Realtek HD Audio Driver download page.
  4. Click the 64 or 32-bit Realtek HD Audio Driver link to download the driver installer.
  5. Open the downloaded installer for the Realtek HD Audio Driver.
  6. Go through the setup wizard to install the Realtek HD Audio Driver.
  7. Restart Windows.

This also helps with the Install Realtek HD Audio Driver Failure error.

3. Uninstall the Realtek sound driver via Programs and Features

  1. Press the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut.
  2. Next, type in appwiz.cpl in Run’s box; and click the OK button.
  3. Enter Realtek in the search programs box.
  4. Select the Realtek High Definition Audio Driver listed within Programs and Features.
  5. Click the Uninstall button.
  6. Choose Yes on any confirmation prompts.
  7. Restart Windows after uninstalling the Realtek audio driver.
  8. Then reinstall the Realtek audio driver manually as outlined above.

As you can see, reinstalling drivers is not as easy as it seems if you’re not using specialized software. For a better and faster result, it is recommended that you use Outbyte Driver Updater from the start.

Feel free to share your experience with us in the comments section below.

Cisco Webex Service High CPU Usage: 3 Ways to Stop it

Posted on by Ola-Hassan Bolaji

The fixes in this guide are confirmed adequate for the Cisco Webex Service’s high CPU usage and do not need any technical know-how.

How do I fix high CPU usage on Webex?

1. End the process

  1. Press the Windows key + X and select the Task Manager option.
    task manager cisco webex service high cpu usage
  2. Right-click the Webex service and its associated components and select End task.
    end task
  3. If the service starts with your PC, click the Startup tab at the top and right-click it.
  4. Finally, click the Disable option.
    disable

If you are experiencing the Cisco Webex Service’s high CPU usage when you are not using the app, the best thing to do is to end the task in the Task Manager. This has fixed the issue for many users.

2. Enable hardware acceleration

  1. Launch the Cisco Webex Service app and click your profile picture.
  2. Choose the Preferences option.
    preferences cisco webex service high cpu usage
  3. Now, select the Video tab at the top.
  4. Finally, check the box for Enable hardware acceleration.
    enable hardware

If the Cisco Webex Service is registering high CPU usage during video calls, you might need to enable the hardware acceleration feature to make it normal. This feature help encode your self-view video better, thereby balancing the CPU usage.

However, it is essential to note that hardware acceleration is only available on Intel and Mac CPUs. So, if you can’t find it on your PC, know it is unavailable.

3. Uninstall and reinstall the app

  1. Press the Windows key + I and select the Apps option.
    apps
  2. Select the Cisco Webex Service app and click the Uninstall button.
    uninstall cisco webex service high cpu usage
  3. Now, follow the onscreen instruction to complete the removal.
  4. Finally, go to the official website to download the latest version of the app.

Many users have been able to fix the Cisco Webex Service’s high CPU usage by simply reinstalling the app. So, if the earlier fixes do not work, you should go for the jugular too.

That’s about for this frustrating high CPU usage issue. Feel free to let us know the solution that helped you solve it in the comments below.

Keyboard Typing Backwards: Causes & Quick Fixes

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Typing backwards is a common issue if you use Windows. Some faulty settings could be to blame for this issue, which means it can go away within minutes.

We’ll show you all the ways to get your keyboard typing as you want it. Do read this guide to the end to learn all about it.

How can I fix the keyboard typing backwards issue?

1. Restart your machine

For troubleshooting minor software issues, restarting your computer should be your first course of action. If your keyboard is typing backward due to a software conflict or malfunctioning process, a simple reboot will fix it.

Further, you may also want to disconnect and re-connect your external keyboard, if that’s what you use. After restarting your PC and reconnecting your external keyboard, if the keyboard is still typing backward, continue to the next solution.

2. Run the Keyboard Troubleshooter

troubleshooter-keyboard-typing-backward
  1. Press the Windows key and search for troubleshoot.
  2. Click on Troubleshoot settings from the search results.
  3. Scroll down the right side and click on Keyboard.
  4. Select the Run the troubleshooter option.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to fix the keyboard typing backward.

3. Change your system’s region

  1. Click on the Start menu.
  2. Search for control panel and open Control Panel from the results.
  3. Go to Region.
  4. Navigate to the Location tab.
  5. Click on the dropdown menu for Home location and select the United States.
  6. Hit the OK button to save the settings.
  7. Restart your machine.

4. Re-install your keyboard driver

uninstall-keyboard-driver-typing-backward
  1. Press the Windows key + X combination.
  2. Go to Device Manager.
  3. Expand the Keyboards item on the list.
  4. Right-click on Standard PS/2 Keyboard.
    Note: The name of the keyboard will differ based on your computer’s model.
  5. Select Uninstall driver.
  6. Follow the steps to uninstall the driver.
  7. Restart your computer.

You can also use dedicated driver updater software to scan for missing, outdated, or corrupt drivers. We recommend Fortect Driver Updater—it safely identifies the exact drivers your hardware needs, helping you avoid issues caused by mismatched or incompatible updates.

5. Change your keyboard typing direction

The Windows operating system allows you to change how you type between left-to-right typing and right-to-left typing. Sometimes, if your keyboard is typing backward, it may mean that you’ve accidentally changed this setting.

  • For right-to-left typing, press CTRL + right SHIFT.
  • For left-to-right typing, press CTRL + left SHIFT.

This is a quick fix for users who experience that their Teams app types backwards. Speaking of, an application restart should also fix the issue for them.

How can I type backwards on my keyboard?

Basically, if you want to type backwards on a keyboard, you need to use the CTRL + right SHIFT hotkey on your PC.

Your keyboard typing backward is a known issue, and as you can see, it’s more likely to be caused by wrong system settings than by a virus or bug. You can follow the above fixes in any order.

Also, for the fifth solution, be sure to remember what you’ve set so that you don’t complicate the issue.

Other keyboard issues might include auto-typing, clicking sounds without input, constant beeping, blocked double letters, or unexpected language switches.

For step-by-step fixes, check out these guides: keyboard typing automatically, clicking noise but not typing, keyboard keeps beeping, double letters not working, and keyboard switching language automatically.

We’d love to know the solution that worked for you to fix the keyboard typing backwards issue. If it’s not on this list, don’t hesitate to let us know in the comment section.

Outlook Only Opens in Safe Mode: 4 Solutions That can Help

Posted on by Matthew Adams

The KB3114409 update (from late 2015) triggered an Outlook error in which the email software only starts in Safe Mode for some users. Consequently, some users can’t open Outlook in its standard mode.

The software starts without custom toolbar settings or extensions in Safe Mode, and users can’t save preferences or templates. These are some of the resolutions that might fix Outlook applications that only start in Safe Mode.

Why does Outlook only open in safe mode?

From what we gather from other users, there are a few things that may trigger it, and here are the top factors.

  • Add-ins – A faulty add-in or extension for the software is a common reason for Outlook’s inability to load in any mode other than safe mode.
  • Outdated tools – Some users may experience this problem using outdated outlook software.
  • Windows update – In some instances, you may get the error because of a broken Windows update.

The solutions we discuss will help if Outlook 2016 opens in safe mode, Outlook 365 only opens in safe mode, or for other versions like 2013 or 2007.

What can I do to fix Outlook when it only starts in Safe Mode?

  1. Turn Off Outlook Add-ins
  2. Roll Back Windows 10
  3. Run a Scanpst.exe Scan
  4. Deselect the Run this Program in Compatibility Mode Setting

1. Turn Off Outlook Add-ins

  1. Click the File tab in Outlook.
  2. Select Options to open an Outlook Options window.
  3. Click Add-Ins on the left of the window, select Com Add-on on the Manage drop-down menu, and press the Go button.
    outlook only opens in safe mode
  4. Deselect all the add-ins listed on the COM Add-ins window, then press the OK button.
  5. Finally, restart Outlook.

Outlook might start in Safe Mode when antiquated add-ins conflict with the software. Therefore, turning Outlook add-ins off might fix the software starting in Safe Mode.

2. Roll Back Windows 10

  1. Press Windows + R, type rstrui, and hit Enter.
    outlook only opens in safe mode
  2. Click Next on System Restore.
    outlook only opens in safe mode
  3. The System Restore window might include a Choose a different restore option. If it does, select that option; and click the Next button.
  4. Select the Show more restore points checkbox to get the complete list of restore points, then select a restore point that might restore Outlook to a time when it didn’t always open in Safe Mode.https://i.imgur.com/JFt9UiS.png
  5. Select the Next option, and then click Finish. Windows will then roll back to the restore point and fix the Outlook opening in safe mode issue.

As updates are known to be responsible for Outlook starting in Safe Mode, rolling back Windows 10 to an earlier date is another potential resolution. That will undo both Windows and application updates after a selected restore point.

3. Run a Scanpst.exe Scan

  1. Close the Outlook app.
  2. Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E hotkey.
  3. Navigate to any of the paths below depending on your Outlook version:
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office15
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office14
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\Office12
  4. Double-click on SCANPST.EXE to start the repair tool.
  5. Click the Browse button to select the PST file. The PST files are usually in the DocumentsOutlook files folder for an Outlook profile.
    outlook only opens in safe mode
  6. Press the Start button to initiate the scan, and select the Repair option to fix a corrupted PST.

Outlook might start in Safe Mode if its PST file is corrupted. Users can fix corrupted PST files with the Scanpst.exe utility for Outlook.

4. Deselect the Run this Program in Compatibility Mode Setting

  1. Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E hotkey.
  2. Open the Office folder in File Explorer, which will probably be in the path below.
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office
  3. Then right-click Outlook.exe in the Office folder to select Properties.
    outlook only opens in safe mode
  4. Select the Compatibility tab shown in the snapshot directly below, and deselect the checkbox for the Run this program in compatibility mode for option.
    outlook only opens in safe mode
  5. Finally, select the Apply option and OK to close the window.
  6. After that, click Outlook.exe in the Office folder to launch the application.

Some users have confirmed that deselecting the Run this program in compatibility mode option fixed Outlook starting in Safe Mode.

So, if Outlook has been configured to run in compatibility mode, that resolution might fix the matter.

Those are some of the best resolutions that might fix Outlook starting in Safe Mode. In addition to those resolutions, setting up a new Outlook user profile might also fix the issue.

Before you go, don’t hesitate to check our guide on what to do if Outlook email view has changed.

Let us know in the comments below what worked for you.

Realtek Sound not Working in Windows 10: How to Fix it

Posted on by Ivan Jenic

Sound issues are not new in Windows operating systems. Almost every new version of Windows brought sound problems to some users, and Windows 10 is no different.

So, because you can’t usually use your computer without sound, here’s a solution that might help.

As I said, some users might experience flaws in their sound settings, especially no sound with their Realtek sound card, which can prevent Windows 10 from playing any sound.

This flaw won’t be fixed even if your sound drivers are updated. The article will also cover this issue: Realtek speakers not working with Windows 10.

So to fix this issue, you can follow the solutions mentioned in this guide to help you overcome the no sound with the Realtek sound card on Windows 10 problem. So let us get right into it.

Why does my computer suddenly have no sound?

After some research, we have deduced a list of common reasons you may experience no sound from your PC.

  • Your sound card is faulty. – Because of wear and tear, your sound card might have stopped working.
  • Audio settings might have been tweaked. – A third-party program or yourself might have tweaked some necessary sound settings.
  • Some important driver files might have been deleted or corrupted – Problematic installation, a third-party app, or a virus might have deleted or removed essential driver files.
  • Your audio driver is out of date – You haven’t installed the latest version of the audio driver.
  • There is some bug with your audio driver – The latest update might have changed some internal audio settings or a bug, which can be fixed using a troubleshooter.

Why is my Realtek audio not showing up?

Well, if your PC comes installed with a Realtek sound card and you are facing Realtek audio problem on your PC, then below are some of the common reasons why you will come across this error.

  • The sound driver is outdated.
  • You haven’t installed the latest Windows version.
  • There is a third-party application interfering with the sound card.
  • There is a bug in the Realtek audio driver.
  • The latest version of the Realtek driver is problematic.

How do I fix the audio not working on Windows 10 PC?

1. Install the latest drivers

    In case you need to install or update your drivers manually, the guide below explains this process with simple steps for your Windows 10 device.

  1. 1. Right-click on the Start menu.

  2. 2. Select Device Manager from the list.

    windows-10-no-sound/

  3. 3. Expand the Sound, audio, and game controllers option.

  4. 4. Right-click on your sound driver and select the Update driver option.

    windows-10-no-sound

  5. 5. Select the option to check for updates over the internet.

  6. 6. After the update is installed, reboot your PC and check if this fixes the issue or not.

According to users, sometimes sound problems can occur due to outdated drivers. Sometimes, the generic driver can’t fix the problem, and your only option is to download and install the latest drivers.

You can either follow the above steps to manually install the latest drivers on your PC or use a reliable third-party tool that will update all device drivers in one go.

2. Change the default sound format

  1. Right-click the sound icon in your Taskbar.
  2. Choose Open Sound settings from the menu.
    Windows 10 no sound Realtek
  3. In the Sound section, click on Device properties.
    No sound coming from computer
  4. Go to the Advanced tab, and change a Default sound format to one of the following options:
    • 24bit/44100 Hz
    • 24bit/192000Hz
      • Depending on your speaker configuration
        Windows 10 no audio devices are installed

Since the Technical Preview, the wrong sound format has caused audio errors in Windows 10. So, just change the default sound format to get your sound back.

If the issue is still unresolved, you can try the following method and restart the sound drivers.

3. Re-install your sound drivers

  1. Press Windows + X to open the Start menu settings.
  2. Now choose Device Manager from the list.
    Windows 10 no sound Realtek
  3. Locate your audio device, right-click it, and choose Uninstall device from the menu.
    Windows 10 no audio devices are installed
  4. Once the driver is uninstalled, click on the Scan for hardware changes icon.
    Audio services not responding Windows 10

Sometimes your current drivers might be buggy, and in some cases, it might be better that you use the default driver instead. To do that, first, you need to uninstall your current driver.

After that, Windows will install the default audio driver, and the issue should be resolved.

4. Make sure that the proper output device is selected

  1. Open Sound settings by right-clicking on the sound icon on the action pane of the taskbar.
  2. Make sure to set Speakers or Headphones as the output device.
    Audio services not responding Windows 10

If you’re getting no sound on your Windows 10 PC, the problem might be because the wrong output device is selected.

This isn’t a significant problem; you can fix the issue simply by changing a single setting.

After making these changes, your default output device will be changed, and the issue should be permanently resolved.

5. Use a Generic High Definition Audio Device driver

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Locate your audio device, right-click it, and choose Update driver from the menu.
    Windows 10 no audio devices are installed
  3. Choose the Browse my computer for driver software option.
    Audio services not responding Windows 10
  4. Now select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
    No sound Windows 10 red x
  5. Select High Definition Audio Device driver from the list, and click Next.
    No sound coming from computer

In some cases, you might be able to fix sound problems in Windows 10 simply by switching to the generic driver.

Your current driver might not be fully compatible with Windows 10, leading to various sound issues.

To fix the problem, you need to install the generic driver. Once you install the default driver, check if the sound issue is resolved.

6. Check the Windows Audio service

  1. Press Windows + R, and enter services.msc.
  2. Now press Enter or click OK.
    Audio services not responding Windows 10
  3. Locate Windows Audio, and double-click it to open its properties.
    No sound Windows 10 speakers
  4. Set the Startup type to Automatic.
  5. Click the Start button to start the service.
  6. Now click Apply and OK to save changes.
    No sound coming from laptop
  7. If the service is already running and set to Automatic startup type, you need to restart it to fix the problem.
  8. To do that, locate the Windows Audio service
  9. Right-click it and choose Restart from the menu.
Windows 10 no sound Realtek

You must ensure that the Windows Audio service is enabled for your audio to work correctly. So if you’re getting no sound on Windows 10, the most likely cause is the Windows Audio service.

7. Disable the audio enhancements

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Select Sound.
  3. Select your sound card and hit the Properties button.
  4. When the Speaker Properties window opens, go to the Enhancements tab.
  5. Now check the Disable all enhancements option.
  6. Click Apply and OK to save changes.
    No sound Windows 10 red x

The issue might be related to audio enhancements if there’s no sound on your Windows 10 device. Of course, many users like to use them to get better sound, but sometimes they can lead to specific issues.

Once you disable the enhancements, the issue should be entirely resolved, and the sound will start working again.

8. Check if your speakers are correctly connected

The issue might be your cable if you’re getting no sound on Windows 10. To diagnose the problem, check if your speakers are correctly connected.

Sometimes you might connect your speakers to the wrong port on your PC, which can lead to many other problems.

Inspect the cable for damage if your speakers are connected to the correct port. Lastly, check the power supply cable and ensure it’s properly secured.

9. Check if your speakers are muted

  1. Right-click the speaker icon in your Taskbar, and choose Open Volume Mixer from the menu.
    Windows 10 no sound Realtek
  2. Now make sure that the Speakers and System Sound channels are turned up.
    Windows 10 no audio devices are installed

Sometimes if you’re getting no sound on your Windows 10 PC, the issue might be volume control. In some instances, your speakers might be muted, which can lead to many other problems.

To check if the volume control is the problem, check your speaker’s volume knob. Next, you must check your audio mixer to see if the volume is up.

In addition, if you have another software for volume control, you should also check and see if the volume control is configured correctly.

Specific drivers will install their volume control software, so check it out.

10. Enable Onboard Audio in BIOS

  1. Turn on your PC, and press the designated key to enter BIOS (It’s usually F1, F2, or Del, but you should also see the proper key before the Windows booting process).
  2. Use the arrow keys to navigate to the Advanced submenu.
  3. Select Integrated Peripherals, and look for Onboard Audio.
  4. Enable the option using the + key or as instructed in your BIOS.
  5. Press the F10 key to save the modifications and exit BIOS.

Enabling the Onboard Audio from BIOS has worked for some of our readers, so make sure you try it. Feel free to revert to this setting if it doesn’t work for you.

That’s it; we hope these solutions helped you to get your sound in Windows 10 back. However, check out our best fixes if you also experience no sound from headphones in Windows 10.

Best Virtual Audio Mixer Software for Windows PC [2026]

Posted on by Vlad Turiceanu

Nowadays, an ever-growing public turns to streaming services for gaming, music, or just chatting. If you are one of them, this should come in as a treat.

We’re here to help you find the best possible audio mixer software tools for streaming. Not sure what to make of it? Allows us to shed light on this topic.

Audio mixer tools can not only record and edit audio but also forward it to other streaming services. And some of them support live streaming, too.

What voice software do streamers use?

Adobe Audition for example is a wonderful tool for Twitch and Discord if you want to generate YouTube videos from your streams. The utility allows you to record audio in multi-track mode and then separate it afterward in editing without creating weird sound gaps.

Do I need an audio mixer for streaming?

Yes. If you want the best audio mixer software for streaming, you will need an audio mixer that handles this function separately for each sound.

An audio interface is a piece of hardware that enhances a computer’s sound capabilities by reproducing more and higher quality sound and is also used for recording.

For optimum sound performance and quality, you will require the best audio interface software and suitable audio mixer software for these reasons:

→ No latency

Latency is the time it takes between playing audio and receiving it via your speakers; the audio interface features drivers that can minimize latency to almost nothing. A specialized tool like MixPad can help you mix any sounds without hearing any long noises or short disturbances.

→ Higher audio quality

A sound card in a computer is meant to perform numerous duties; nevertheless, the audio quality does not compare to that of an audio interface. Furthermore, a program like WavePad can adjust and tweak your voice so that you have a crystal sound output when speaking to your followers.

In this article, we will be looking at some of the best audio mixer software solutions that can be used with streaming services

What is the best audio mixer software?

Adobe Audition – Best virtual audio mixer for vlogging

The Adobe Audition main window

Adobe Audition is a DAW software solution that allows you to record sound in multi-track mode, make changes to the audio without leaving permanent scars, as well as restore audio content.

You can also edit the waveform while keeping in mind that, unlike mixing mode, this can make modifications to the original sound.

Featuring a sleek and sophisticated interface, Adobe virtual mixer comes with a lot of practical audio mixing and mastering tools that you can freely explore at your own pace.

You can set the music to the required length automatically with Adobe Sensei and adjust the volume level with an auto-ducking tool.

This tool allows to make changes to the amplitude in waveform editing mode, get rid of white noise with the Spectral Frequency Display function.

feel free to use more than 50 effects and analysis tools or apply custom audio effects. Create podcasts and stream live from Twitch, OBS, and any other streaming service.

Adobe Audition

Adobe Audition

Looking for an audio mixer tool to boost your streaming experience? Get your hands on this tool!
Free trial VIist website

WavePad – Best voice recognition

NCH WavePad main window

WavePad is a powerful professional audio and music editor available for both Windows and Mac. This software allows you to capture and edit music, voice, and other audio recordings for interviews, video narration, and podcasts.

You can cut, copy, and paste segments of recordings when editing audio files, and then apply effects like echo, amplification, and noise reduction.

WavePad may be used to edit wav or mp3 files, but it also supports vox, gsm, WMA, real audio, au, aif, and FLAC files.

New audio can be recorded or added at any point in an existing file’s timeline. This is useful for editing or recording lengthy parts in a single file one section at a time.

When audio is recorded, played, chosen, or modified, there are clear visual cues. You don’t have to guess what’s going on or what you choose.

However, the ability to store files directly to microSD is not accessible, nor is the ability to save files in MP3 format in the free edition. Another third-party app may be required for this. Other tools are available from HCH Software Solutions to do similar tasks.

WavePad

WavePad

You may use the program to record and edit speech, music, and other audio files and recordings.
Free trial Visit website

MixPad Multitrack Recording Software – Best for multitrack recording

NCH developed, the MixPad is one powerful audio mixer that delivers studio features to enhance your streaming experience without the hassle.

This feature-rich software allows for multi-track recording and mixing with unparalleled ease of use thanks to its uncluttered and intuitive interface.

What’s more, you can enjoy all these perks free of charge if you’re using the software for non-commercial purposes. It’s almost too good to be true!

You can mix an unlimited number of audio files (music, voice tracks, sounds, and more) and record single or multiple tracks at the same time.

Enjoy the VST plugin support for studio effects and instruments. Burn to CD (high compression formats available to save space) or upload to SoundCloud, Dropbox, or Google Drive

MixPad Multitrack Recording Software

MixPad Multitrack Recording Software

MixPad is one of the most powerful audio mixers that come with studio features. Try it now!
Free trial Visit website

Audacity – Open-source editing tool

The interface of Audacity

Audacity is an open-source tool created for anyone who wishes to freely utilize audio recording and editing software and share their work with others.

Audacity may be used for a variety of purposes like recording, editing, mixing audio clips, adding effects, discussing audio files, and more. So, if you’re a podcaster, YouTuber, audio producer, video producer, or just deal with sound, this is a fantastic tool for you.

Users may cut, copy, paste, duplicate, trim, and organize several clips on the same track when editing. Furthermore, the envelope tool allows for the addition of bespoke fades.

In terms of effects, Audacity comes with a vast collection of basic effects straight out of the box. Simple Bass and Treble adjustments are available, as are high- and low-pass filters.

It’s relatively light and can operate on a variety of operating systems, even older PCs. Anyone can assist with documentation, translations, user support, and testing the latest code for Audacity.

The Audacity community is constantly evolving, with plenty of support and tools to improve the overall user experience.

⇒ Get Audacity

Traktor Pro 3 – Advanced mixing for DJ sets

Traktor Pro 3 is a DJ software tool for mixing audio professionally. It features four decks for audio playback. With a stylish and customizable interface.

It can be used as powerful audio mixer software for streaming services, including live streaming.

The program can detect beats, align the track grid, synchronize the track tempo, and control the grain on its own.

This live audio mixer software comes with sampling and looping modes, together with waveform viewing mode for DJs who prefer visual mixing.

As far as effects are concerned, Traktor Pro 3 boasts many options like flanger, delay, and filter.

Then, you can adjust the recording level and begin streaming. The tool uses the Icecast streaming protocol, which means that you must connect to a remote computer that runs as an Icecast server.

⇒ Get Traktor Pro 3

Serato DJ Pro – Advanced music production tools

Serato DJ Pro is another professional audio mixing program for DJs. It’s delivered in a dark-themed interface and contains easy-to-use functions for those interested in mixing, recording, and streaming their music.

The application can be synced with other devices, typically in your local area network.

You can explore up to 46 effects to add flavor to your music, analyze the key of your tracks, and play a set with up to eight samples. iTunes is supported.

The waveform displays different colors so that you can easily tell apart the bass (red) from the mids (green) and the treble (blue).

By placing eight cue points on each track, you can quickly spot them in waveform mode and control them using your hardware.

Moreover, you can activate auto, saved, or manual loops. The local and streaming audio files are counted separately so that you can easily keep track of them.

Serato DJ Pro integrates SoundCloud and Tidal, thus giving you the possibility to stream music using these two services.

⇒ Get Serato DJ Pro

Voicemeeter Banana – Manage separate audio sources

The main window of Voicemeeter Banana

The application with the smallest size on our list is Voicemeeter Banana, an advanced virtual audio mixer available for free on Windows systems.

It can be used in association with various streaming services, including OBS, Twitch, and Discord. The tool has a clean graphical interface that reveals five input and five output channels.

Three out of each five channels are for hardware like microphones, speakers, headphones, and virtual cables, while two of each five channels are virtual for computer playback.

To set up Voicemeeter Banana with a streaming application, you must pick a virtual output channel that flows through the input channel of your streaming tool.

Once the connection is successful, the streaming program should receive all audio generated by Voicemeeter Banana, such as voice or computer sounds.

Then, you can tinker with the various sound settings supported by Voicemeeter Banana.

For instance, you can reduce the background noise or split channels so that you can listen to music on your computer without also forwarding it to the streaming service.

⇒ Get Voicemeeter Banana

What software do streamers use for microphones?

A microphone software for streaming is essential if you often use more than one microphone, play music, or use game recording software for YouTube. It allows you to change the levels of all your audio sources to ensure uniformity.

Look for audio mixers with channel, compression, and equalization controls. EQ sliders are often things like bass, treble, and so on, and they assist you in making the sound that the audience hears match the sound that goes into the microphone.

You must pair your virtual mixer for streaming with the proper microphone. If you regularly plug a USB microphone straight into your computer, be sure the mixer you choose has a USB audio interface for streaming.

With the right tool, you can effortlessly integrate audio mixer software solutions with streaming services so that you can play with your friends, chat with your YouTube followers, or mix music.

We’d like to know ore from you on this subject so leave us a comment in the section below.

Steam ‘Your Transaction Cannot Be Completed’: How to Fix

Posted on by Matthew Adams

Many users reported Your transaction cannot be completed because you have another pending transaction on your account on Steam. However, there are ways to fix this issue.

What causes the Steam Your transaction cannot be completed because you have another pending transaction on your account issue?

Other pending transactions or connection errors will cause this issue. Your VPN software can also be responsible for this issue.

How can I fix the Steam pending transaction error?

1. Check whether Steam is down

  1. Open the Downdetector website and select a country in the drop-down menu.
  2. Enter Steam in the search box on that site to open the page directly below, which provides further details pertaining to Steam server outages.

The pending transaction error might be due to a Steam server outage. OK, that’s not a common scenario, but it might still be worth checking if this service is down.

2. Cancel other pending transactions

  1. Open Steam and click your user account name.
  2. Click the Account details option.
  3. Then click the View purchase history option to open a list of Steam transactions.A game transaction list steam Your transaction cannot be completed because you have another pending transaction on your account
  4. If there are multiple pending purchases, select one of the pending purchases.
  5. Then select the Cancel this transaction option.
  6. Click Cancel my purchase.

You can also cancel your pending transactions by accessing your account on the Steam website. The process is identical. This will give you free access to your new transaction.

Tip icon Tip
After you cancel other pending transactions, think about a different payment method too. There could be an error in processing the payment so try using another credit or debit card.

3. Try purchasing via the Steam website

  1. Navigate to Steam’s website.
  2. Log in and select the game that you want.
  3. Add it to your shopping cart and try to complete the purchase.

4. Disable the VPN and the IP proxy software

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Task Manager from the list.
  2. Select VPN or IP proxy software on the Processes tab and click the End task button.
  3. Select the Startup tab, then right-click the VPN or IP proxy software and select Disable.

Steam transaction errors can also be caused by the VPN and IP proxy software so ending its process and disabling it from the Startup list will prevent it from opening.

On the other hand, you could always try using a VPN service like Private Internet Access that is more stable and causes fewer issues with your Steam client and purchases.

How can I unlock all the features in my Steam account?

To prevent any possible fraudulent actions, Steam imposes some limitations on newly created accounts:

  • You are not allowed to buy or sell items on the Steam Community Market
  • Can’t add friends on Steam
  • You’re unable to create a group on the Steam Community
  • Also, there are no options to produce any reviews or rating any artwork from other members, screenshots, workshop content, or Greenlight submissions
  • There is also impossible to use the Friends chat in your browser or on a mobile device

All these limitations can be removed if you spend at least $5 in Steam by buying a game, taking advantage of a gift card, or just including the amount in your Steam Wallet.

Does pending mean that money has been taken out?

We also need to clarify the fact that if you receive the your transaction cannot be completed because you have another pending transaction on your account error, it means that no money has been drawn from your account.

A pending transaction is one that awaits to be completed so, for some reason, the payment has not been issued.

This concludes our guide, and we hope that it provided the fixes you were looking for. You can also set up a Steam support account to send a support ticket if further resolutions are needed.

Even more, we’ve noticed that another annoying problem with this software is that sometimes after you purchase a game, it’s not starting. Well, we have an excellent article on what to do if the Steam game is not launching.

This isn’t the only payment error you can encounter, and many reported that PayPal is not working on Steam. Many also reported There was a problem adding this product to Steam, so don’t miss our guide that tackles this issue.

Before you leave, don’t miss our guide on Error initializing or updating your transaction guide for more information.

If you have any other questions or suggestions about issues such as the Steam pending transaction error, don’t hesitate to use the comments section below.

Your DNS Server Might Be Unavailable Windows 11 [Fixed]

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Multiple components must work properly for your Windows 11 PC to connect to the Internet, including your network adapter and drivers.

However, components such as DNS servers are crucial to access any website. Unfortunately, certain users face different DNS issues on Windows 11, such as:

When one of these Windows 11 DNS issues appears, you won’t be able to access any website, so you must fix it as soon as possible.

Why does my computer keep having DNS issues?

There are a series of factors for DNS issues on Windows 11. Below are some of the prominent ones:

  • Antivirus interference: One of the notable causes of the DNS server not responding on the Windows 11 issue is the interference from your antivirus. This might be because the security software does not trust the website you are trying to visit. The solution here is to disable the antivirus.
  • Problems with the proxy server: In some cases, issues with your proxy server might prevent you from connecting to the internet. The quick way out is to disable it.
  • Issues with the network: If you are getting a DNS address that could not be found prompt on Windows 11, the problem might be with your internet connection. Running the built-in troubleshooter should clear up any glitches causing the problem.

How can I fix the DNS server unavailable error on Windows 11?

1. Use the built-in troubleshooter

  1. Open the Start Menu and choose Settings.
  2. In the left pane, go to System, and in the right pane, select Troubleshoot.
  3. Select Other troubleshooters.
  4. Click the Run button next to the Internet troubleshooter.
  5. Wait for the troubleshooting process to finish.
  6. If the problem persists, run the Network adapter and Incoming connections troubleshooters.

If you cannot open the Settings app, look at our article on what to do if the Settings app crashes for some quick solutions.

2. Use the command line

  1. Press the Windows key + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin) from the menu.
  2. Now run the following commands one by one:
    ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew

3. Change the DNS

  1. Click the Search icon in the Taskbar.
  2. Enter network connections and select View network connections.
  3. Right-click your connection and select Properties.
  4. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click on Properties.
  5. Now select Use the following DNS server addresses and set the following:
    • Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
    • Alternate DNS server:8.8.4.4
  6. Click OK to save changes.
  7. Select Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv4) and change the DNS server like in the previous steps.

If you’re having problems using the search feature, our Search bar not working guide will help you, so don’t hesitate to look closer.

4. Restart the DNS services

  1. Press the Windows key + R and enter services.msc. Next, press Enter or click OK.
  2. Locate the DHCP Client service, right-click, and choose Restart from the menu.
  3. Finally, right-click DNS Client service and choose Restart if available.

5. Disable the proxy

  1. Open the Run window by pressing Windows Key + R.
  2. Type inetcpl.cpl and press Enter.
  3. Navigate to the Connections tab and click on LAN settings.
  4. Uncheck Use a proxy server for your LAN and click OK.

6. Disable your antivirus temporarily

  1. Locate your antivirus icon in the system tray.
  2. Right-click it and choose the option to turn off real-time protection.

Once the antivirus software is disabled, check if the problem is still there. If the issue doesn’t appear, the antivirus configuration interferes with your network connection, so adjust it accordingly.

Alternatively, you can consider switching to a different antivirus compatible with Windows 11. Making an informed choice when it comes to protecting your PC can be difficult, considering the wide range of options available, so we’re sure you’ll find our top picks useful.

DNS issues such as the Your DNS server might be unavailable Windows 11 error will prevent you from browsing the web, and many reported that DNS problems are responsible for TypingClub not working. However, you can fix this problem in most cases simply by using the command line or changing the required network settings.

If you are facing DNS server issues after installing a Windows update, check our detailed guide on how to fix that too.

Feel free to let us know the solution that helped you fix this your DNS issues in Windows 11 in the comments below.

How To Set Process Priority In Task Manager: Quick Guide

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

All processes on your PC share the CPU power equally, but did you know that you can give higher priority to specific applications?

That’s right, and in this guide, we’re going to show you how to set priority in Task Manager on a Windows PC. We also cover setting a high priority using other tools such as Command Prompt and PowerShell.

How can I set priority in Task Manager?

1. Set priority from the Details tab

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to start Task Manager.
  2. Go to the Details tab, right-click the desired process, choose Set Priority and select any value that you want.
    set priority task manager task manager set priority windows 10
  3. When the confirmation dialog appears, select Change priority.
    change priority task manager set priority windows 10

This is the easiest way to set priority in Task Manager, and the priority for that process will remain changed until you end the process or turn off your PC.

2. Change priority in Task Manager using Command Prompt

  1. Press Windows Key + S and enter command prompt. Select Run as administrator.
    command prompt admin task manager set priority windows 10
  2. When Command Prompt starts, run the following command:

wmic process where name="firefox.exe" CALL setpriority "Above normal"

Alternatively, you can set priority by using a numerical value like this:

wmic process where name="firefox.exe" CALL setpriority 32768

Keep in mind that in order for this command to work, the process needs to be running beforehand. Of course, be sure to change the process name and priority level as needed.

You can find the list of priority values in the table below.

RealtimeHighAbove normalNormalBelow normalLow
25612832768321638464

3. Use PowerShell to set priority

  1. Press Windows Key + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the list.
    windows powershell task manager set priority windows 10
  2. When the PowerShell starts, run the following command:

Get-WmiObject Win32_process -filter 'name = "firefox.exe"' | foreach-object { $_.SetPriority(32768) }

Of course, be sure to replace the process name and the priority level as needed. You can find the numeric values from the priority list below.

RealtimeHighAbove normalNormalBelow normalLow
25612832768321638464

4. Start applications with a specific priority with cmd

  1. Start Command Prompt.
  2. Now run the following command:

start "" /AboveNormal " C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe"

This will start Firefox with the Above Normal priority. Of course, you can use any other priority levels to start any application you want, as long as you enter the correct path to it.

To set priority in Task Manager, you just need to go to the Details tab and make the changes from there. If you’re an advanced user, you can always use Command Prompt or PowerShell to change the priority.

Outlook Emails Stuck in Outbox: 3 Solutions to use

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Not every day do you get your Outlook emails stuck in your outbox. But when they do, it is painful and frustrating, as you cannot send or receive other emails.

Outlook emails stuck in the outbox indicate that the message has not been sent nor received on the other end. Therefore, they remain in your outbox despite you moving them to the recipient.

Knowing how frustrating this Outlook error can be, we have prepared this guide to help fix it quickly.

Why are my emails going to my outbox and not sending?

Various factors can cause your Outlook emails to get stuck in your outbox. Listed below are some of the prevalent causes:

  • Large attachments: If your Outlook emails are stuck in the outbox and not sending, the first thing to check is the size of your attachments. If this exceeds the limits, you will not be able to send the email, and sometimes Outlook might not attach the files. You must remove the attachment and try sending the email again to get past this.
  • Wrong password: If you typed the incorrect password while trying to send your email, you might experience this issue. You need to type the correct Outlook password to send the email.
  • Antivirus interference: Sometimes, Outlook 365 emails are stuck in your outbox but are already delivered to you or sent because your antivirus is scanning them. This is usually due to the anti-spam feature of your security software. You might need to disable the software and consider switching to one of the best antivirus apps for Windows PC that won’t mess with your activities.

If Outlook emails are stuck in your outbox on your account or PC, use the solutions below to fix them.

What can I do when Outlook emails are stuck in my outbox?

Below are some general troubleshooting solutions to start with when you find Outlook emails stuck in the outbox:

  • Check your internet connection
  • Try sending the email again
  • Ensure that Outlook is online

If these preliminary fixes don’t help, try the solutions below.

1. Clear the stuck email

  1. Open Outlook and select the Send/Receive tab.
  2. Select Work Offline to stop Outlook from trying to send all emails.
    offline outlook emails stuck in outbox
  3. Now, select the Outbox option.
  4. Move the email to the Drafts folder to open the large email message, and remove, resize, and re-attach before resending the email.
  5. Alternatively, you can right-click the message and select Delete.
  6. Select the Send/Receive tab, and then select Work Offline to de-select it. This restarts your connection.

The first thing to do if your Outlook emails are stuck in your outbox is to remove emails with attachments that exceed the size limit set by the mail server. This will help push the email through.

If you need to send the attachments, you can put the large file on a local network share or SharePoint site with a link to its location. Using OneDrive to store or send large files is also an option.

Finally, if you get a message saying Outlook is transmitting the message, you can close it on Task Manager.

Did you know you can avoid accidentally sending messages in Outlook? We have a guide that addresses this issue, so be sure to check it out.

2. Change your password

  1. Open Outlook and select File.
    file
  2. Click Account Settings.
    account settings
  3. Highlight the account you want to change the password for and click Change.
    change outlook emails stuck in outbox
  4. Now, enter your new password.
  5. Finally, click the Next button, then click Finish.

One of the reasons you find Outlook emails stuck in your outbox, even with no attachments, is that the password for your email account doesn’t rhyme with the Outlook account password. So, if you changed the email address password, you will have to change the Outlook password too.

But if you have an Exchange account, consult your Exchange administrator on how to change your password.

3. Use another email client

If errors persist, you may want to try an alternative email client. Good options with a similar setup to Outlook are available, so you won’t have to spend too much time learning how to use them.

We recommend you take a look at what Mailbird has to offer. It is an up-to-date email client with an easy-to-use interface that allows you to log all your email accounts and check your inbox from just one window.

The features provided by this email client include advanced attachment search, speed reader, app integrations, undo send, customizable appearance, and offline access.

⇒ Get Mailbird

This is just about it for the Outlook emails stuck in the outbox issue. All that you have to do is follow the detailed steps carefully, and things should turn normal again.

If you are facing other issues like Outlook running on slow, check our detailed guide to speed it up quickly. Even more, with the idea of productivity, you can learn how to delay sending an email in Outlook.

Were you able to get your Outlook emails from your outbox? Please share with us by leaving a comment in the section below.

How to Move a Mouse That Won’t Go to Second Monitor

Posted on by Vladimir Popescu

If you find that your mouse won’t go to the second screen of your dual-monitor setup, you are not alone. It’s a common bug affecting people who are trying to setup a new display.

The most common reasons your mouse won’t show up on your secondary display are mismatched resolution settings or a display setup that places your monitor in a different position than it actually is.

Here’s how you can fix it.

How to force mouse go to second display

  1. 1. 1. Change your display settings

    1. Press the Win + X keys on your keyboard -> select Settings.

  2. 2. Click on System -> then choose Display from the left-side menu.

  3. 3. Select Identify in order for Windows to identify your displays.

  4. 4. Drag and drop display 1 to the left side, and display 2 to the right side (or however your dual display setup is located in real life).

  5. 5. Under the Multiple displays section -> click on the drop-down list -> make sure Extend these displays option is selected.

Some users reported that the issue was gone after aligning the bottom edges of all displays in display settings, so try moving monitors horizontally in the settings to do that.

2. Reinstall your display drivers

  1. Press the Windows key + X and choose Device Manager.
  2. Locate your display driver, right-click it, and choose Uninstall device.
    Uninstall graphics driver -the ue4 game has crashed fatal error
  3. If available, check Attempt to remove the driver for this device and click Uninstall.
  4. Restart your PC and install the necessary drivers again.

We hope you found this guide helpful and easy to follow. Please feel free to let us know if the method presented here managed to help you solve the issue of your mouse not moving between screens.

Dual-monitor setups can have problems, and many reported that their laptop is not detecting second monitor. We also have a guide on how to move a game to a second monitor, so don’t miss it.

Other common issues include the mouse cursor disappearing, mouse lag, the mouse jumping around the screen, or when your mouse keeps clicking on its own.

You can do so, by simply leaving a comment in the section found under this article.

Fix: Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry Uses too Much CPU

Posted on by Kazim Ali Alvi

Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry, a service meant to share the PC’s performance feedback with Microsoft, is often found to be using high CPU in Windows.

How do I fix Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry high CPU usage?

1. Disable from Task Scheduler

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type taskschd.msc, and then hit Enter.taskschd.msc
  2. Now, expand Task Scheduler Library, choose Microsoft, and double-click on Windows.Microsoft
  3. Select Application Experience, right-click on Microsoft Compatibility Appraiser and choose Disable from the context menu.disable to fix microsoft compatibility telemetry high cpu

That’s it! Once done, restart the computer for the changes to effect, and the Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry high CPU in Windows 11 should be fixed.

Remember that the task may be recreated after a while, so you must repeat the same steps. A more straightforward option would be to make more substantial changes, and Registry Editor helps do just that.

2. Edit the registry

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run command, type regedit in the text field, and click OK.regedit
  2. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
  3. Paste the following path in the address bar and hit Enter:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DataCollectionpath
  4. Right-click on the empty portion, hover the cursor over New, and then choose DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it AllowTelemetry.allow telemetry DWORD to fix microsoft compatibility telemetry high cpu
  5. Once done, double-click on the entry, enter 0 under Value data, and click OK to save the changes.0 to fix microsoft compatibility telemetry high cpu
  6. Finally, restart the computer for the changes to come into effect.

After making the changes, the task shouldn’t be created again, and the high CPU usage issue would be resolved for good. However, in case it persists, it heads to the next solution.

3. Modify settings

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings, choose Privacy & Security from the navigation pane, and then click on Diagnostics & feedback.diagnostic & feedback
  2. Now, disable the toggle for Send optional diagnostic data.disable to fix microsoft compatibility telemetry high cpu
  3. Next, expand Tailored experiences and then disable the toggle under it.tailored experiences
  4. Once done, verify whether the problem is resolved.

If the Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry continues to use a high CPU level, head to the following method.

4. Delete the file

  1. Press Windows + E to open File Explorer, paste the following path in the address bar, and then hit Enter:C:\Windows\System32paste
  2. Right-click on the CompatTelRunner.exe file and select Properties.properties to fix microsoft compatibility telemetry high cpu
  3. Navigate to the Security tab, and click Advanced.advanced
  4. Now, click on Change.change
  5. Click on Advanced.advanced
  6. Choose the Find now button.find now to fix microsoft compatibility telemetry high cpu
  7. Select the current user account from the list, and click on OK.choose
  8. Click OK on all subsequent windows to save the changes.
  9. Again, head to Advanced security properties for CompatTelRunner, choose the administrator account from the list and click Edit.edit
  10. Make sure all the available checkboxes are ticked and click OK to save the changes.full control to fix microsoft compatibility telemetry high cpu
  11. Finally, click OK on all the previously opened Windows.
  12. Once done, select the file, and hit the Del key.delete CompatTelRunner
  13. After CompatTelRunner.exe is deleted, restart the computer for the changes to effect.

That’s it! If Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry used high CPU no matter what, deleting the file should do the trick.

Also, if you ever want to get the file back, locate it on another PC running the same iteration, edition, and version of the OS, and transfer the file.

5. Check for other issues

If nothing worked, it could be another issue with the PC causing Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry high CPU usage in Windows 11. So first, we recommend you check for corrupt system files—many fixed things by running the DISM tool.

As a last resort, you can always factory reset Windows 11 or reinstall the OS, the latter being a far more effective troubleshooting technique, fixing many issues with the PC.

Once you have resolved the Microsoft Compatibility Telemetry high CPU usage problem, find out how to make Windows 11 faster than ever. If you have any queries or know of a solution not listed here, drop a comment below.

Sound Not Working on Dual Monitor in Windows (Fix Guide)

Posted on by Matthew Adams

Having sound not working on dual monitor setups in Windows is a common issue. It usually happens when the wrong audio output is selected or the monitor lacks built-in speakers. Here’s how to fix it step by step.

How do I get sound to work on dual monitors?

Table of contents

Before we start, check your speakers and ensure they are properly connected and configured.

1. Reconfigure the Default Audio Playback device

  1. First, right-click the speaker icon on the Windows system tray and select Playback devices to open the window in the snapshot directly below.
  2. Select the speakers that are usually your default playback device.
  3. Then press the Set Default button.
  4. Alternatively, you can right-click a playback device and select Set as Default Device on the context menu.
  5. Press the Apply and OK buttons to confirm your newly selected default playback device.
  6. If your secondary VDU does include built-in speakers, try unplugging the speakers and connecting the monitor with a secondary audio cable. Then you might get audio with the monitor selected as the default playback device.

It is often the case that audio is lost after connecting a second VDU because the connected monitor automatically becomes the default playback device.

2. Update or reinstall the Sound Card Driver

2.1. Update drivers with a dedicated tool

The easiest way to fix sound card driver issues is to let a trusted tool do the work for you. Fortect Driver Updater scans your PC, finds outdated or missing drivers, and installs the correct updates in minutes.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Download and install Fortect Driver Updater.
  2. Launch the program and click Scan.
  3. Wait for the scan to finish. Outdated drivers will be listed.
  4. Click Update All to install the latest versions automatically.
  5. Restart your PC if prompted.

This method is fast, safe, and avoids the risk of installing the wrong driver.

2.2. Update drivers manually on Windows

  1. First, you’ll need to get the latest driver from the sound card manufacturer’s website. If you’re not sure what website to open, press the Win key + X hotkey and select Device Manager.
  2. Double-click Sound, video and game controllers, right-click your listed sound card, and select Properties to open the window in the snapshot directly below. The manufacturer for your sound card is listed on the General tab.
  3. Open the sound card manufacturer’s website in your browser.
  4. Next, open a driver or download section on the manufacturer’s website.
  5. Then search for the required sound card driver by entering the sound card in a search box or selecting it from drop-down menus on the website.
  6. Download the most updated driver for your sound card that’s compatible with your Windows platform. To check your system type, enter the keyword system in Cortana’s search box and select System to open the window directly below.
  7. After downloading the sound card driver, open Device Manager again, right-click your listed sound card, and select Update driver.
  8. Select the Browse my computer for driver software to manually browse for the saved driver.
  9. Click the Let me pick from a list from a list of available drivers button, and then press the Have Disk button in the shot directly below.
  10. Click Browse, select the driver you downloaded, click Open, and then press the Next button.

2.2 Update drivers automatically

Manually updating the drivers can be a long task that implies a little bit of skill. That’s why, if you don’t want any headaches, we recommend updating your drivers automatically by using a dedicated, third-party tool.

The solution recommended below will update and repair all your drivers in one swift action, quickly and with the minimal implication from you.

3. Open the Volume mixer to check the audio settings

  1. Right-click the volume icon in the bottom right corner and choose Open Volume Mixer.
     Windows 10 Volume Control disappeared
  2. Make sure that the volume isn’t muted.
  3. Raise all speakers to at least 70% and check if the problem is still there.

If dual monitor sound is not working, the lack of sound doesn’t have anything to do with the audio level settings. If the volume control doesn’t work in Windows 10 we’ve got a guide on volume control not working to help you fix it.

4. Open the Windows Playing Audio Troubleshooter

  1. Type troubleshoot in the Windows search box.
  2. Click Troubleshoot settings to open the system settings shown directly below.
  3. Click on Additional troubleshooters.
  4. Select Playing Audio and press its Run the troubleshooter button.high definition audio has a driver problem
  5. Now go through the troubleshooter’s suggested fixes to fix the sound.

5. Set the Correct Audio Output on Each Monitor

  1. Right-click the sound icon in the system tray (bottom-right corner of the screen).
  2. Select Open Sound Settings.
  3. Under the Output section, click the dropdown menu next to Choose your output device.
  4. Select the correct monitor (or speakers) that should be outputting the sound. If you’re using multiple monitors, make sure the correct one is chosen for audio output.

6. Check HDMI or DisplayPort Audio Settings

  1. Right-click the sound icon in the system tray.
  2. Select Open Sound Settings.
  3. Under the Output section, look for devices like “HDMI” or the name of your second monitor.
  4. Select the correct monitor that should play sound.
  5. If the HDMI or DisplayPort option isn’t listed, you may need to adjust the settings in your graphics card software (e.g., NVIDIA Control Panel or AMD Radeon Settings).

7. Enable Audio on Second Monitor

  1. Right-click the sound icon in the system tray and select Sounds.
  2. In the Playback tab, right-click on an empty area and select Show Disabled Devices.
  3. Look for your second monitor listed here (often named “HDMI” or the monitor model).
  4. Right-click the second monitor and select Enable.
  5. Set the second monitor as the default playback device by right-clicking and selecting Set as Default Device.

8. Check Monitor Settings

  1. On your second monitor, use the buttons or menu to open the monitor’s settings.
  2. Navigate to the Audio or Sound section in the menu.
  3. Make sure the volume is up and audio output is enabled.
  4. If there’s an audio mute setting, ensure it’s turned off.

9. Disable Stereo Mix

  1. Right-click the sound icon in the system tray and select Sounds.
  2. Go to the Recording tab.
  3. Look for Stereo Mix in the list of devices. If it’s enabled, right-click on it and select Disable.
  4. Click OK to save the settings.

These steps should resolve sound issues with dual monitors on your Windows PC.

That’s it! We hope that our solutions restore the lost sound for dual-monitor setups and benefit again from the signal out of your second display.

For more information, you can visit our no sound on Windows 11 guide. We also have an article that shows you what to do if HDMI audio isn’t working, so don’t miss it.

If you have any other questions, feel free to drop them in the comments section below.

Unable to Edit Word Document? Try These Fixes

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Are you suddenly unable to edit a Word document? This issue is more common than you think, especially with files opened from email, downloads, or older formats. If you’re wondering why you can’t edit your Word document anymore or how to make a Word document editable, follow the practical solutions below.

What can I do if I can’t save a Word document?

Table of contents

1. Start Word in Safe Mode

  1. Make sure that Word is completely closed.
  2. Now, you have to locate the Word shortcut. To do this, hit the Windows key, type Word, then right-click on the first result and choose to Open file location.
  3. Locate the Word shortcut, press and hold the CTRL key while double-clicking on Word.
  4. You’ll be asked to confirm that you want to start Word in Safe Mode.

If Word won’t save your documents to your desktop or any directory on your PC, perhaps the issue is related to one of the add-ins.

To fix the problem, users are suggesting starting Word in Safe Mode. If the issue doesn’t appear in Safe Mode, the problem is most likely related to your add-ins.

You can fix that by finding and disabling the problematic add-ins. This is quite simple, and you can do it by following these steps:

  1. In Word, go to File.
  2. Navigate to Options.
  3. Now, select Add-ins in the left pane, then click the Go… button next to Manage COM Add-ins.
  4. Locate the problematic add-ins and disable them. Usually, the problem is related to the Send to Bluetooth Add-in, but others can also cause the problem.

After you disable the problematic add-ins, check if the problem is still there.

2. Rename Normal.dotm template

  1. Use the following keyboard shortcut to open the Windows run dialog box: Windows + R.
  2. In the opened window, input %appdata%, then hit Enter.
  3. Navigate to the Microsoft.
  4. Now, go to Templates.
  5. In there, you should see Normal.dotm file.
  6. Rename the file to OldNormal.dotm.

According to users, sometimes the problem can be caused by your template file. For example, if the default template file is damaged or corrupted, you’ll be unable to save Word documents on your PC.

However, you can easily recreate the template file on your own. This is quite simple to do, and you can do it by following these steps:

After doing that, you’ll force Word to recreate the new default template file. Once you recreate the template file, the issue should be resolved entirely.

Many users reported that this method worked for them, so we encourage you to try it out.

3. Disable Controlled Folder Access

  1. Press simultaneously on the following keys to open Windows Settings: Windows + I.
  2. Navigate to Update & Security.
  3. Select Windows Security from the menu on the left, then choose to Open Windows Security from the right pane.
  4. Navigate to Virus & threat protection.
  5. Now select Virus & threat protection settings.
  6. Scroll down until you reach the Controlled folder access section. Then, click on Manage Controlled folder access option.
  7. Make sure that the Controlled folder access feature is disabled.

Windows Defender and other antivirus software can be why Word won’t save your document.

This is because it has a built-in folder protection feature; if this feature is enabled, you won’t be able to save files into specific directories. To fix this problem, it’s advised that you disable this feature altogether.

4. Check the save location

According to users, sometimes this problem can occur due to your saved location. For example, according to users, Microsoft Word doesn’t work well with long file paths, and if you’re saving your document in a path between 180 and 255 characters long, you might encounter this issue.

To fix the problem, it’s advised that you try saving in a different path, closer to the root directory, and check if that solves your problem. In addition, be sure to remove any special characters from the file path.

Word seems to have some issues with memorable characters, such as apostrophes and similar ones, so be sure not to have them in the file path or the file name. After making these changes, the problem should be resolved entirely.

5. Remove the Word Data registry key

  1. Press the Windows key + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
  2. When Registry Editor opens, input this location in the search box: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office16.0\Word\Data
  3. Remember that this key might be slightly different depending on the version of Office you’re using.
  4. Right-click the Data key and choose Export from the menu.
  5. Select the desired location, enter backup as the File name and click the Save button.
  6. Right-click the Data key and choose Delete from the menu.
  7. When the confirmation menu appears, click the Yes button.

According to users, if you’re unable to save Word documents on your PC, perhaps the problem is related to your registry.

Your registry can cause this issue; you need to remove a single key to fixing it. To do that, follow the above steps.

After that, start Word again and check if the problem is still there. If the issue is still present, run the backup.reg file you created in Step 4 to restore the registry to its original state.

6. Make Sure Microsoft Word Is Activated

If your Microsoft 365 subscription or Office license has expired or isn’t properly activated, Word may open files in read-only mode.

  • Open Word and go to File → Account
  • Under Product Information, check if the product is activated

If it’s not, sign in with your licensed Microsoft account or renew your subscription.

7. Save the Document Locally

Files opened directly from emails or browsers often open in Protected View or temporary storage.

  • Choose File → Save As
  • Save the document to your Desktop or Documents folder
  • Close the file, then reopen it from the saved location

This often solves the issue, especially if you’re working on files from Teams or Outlook.

8. Convert to a Standard File Format

If the file uses formats like .dot, .dotx, or .doc, it may be locked by default.

  • Open the document
  • Go to File → Save As
  • Select Word Document (*.docx) as the format

This creates a fully editable copy using the latest standard.

9. Disable Add-ins That Might Interfere

Some COM add-ins can block editing features without warning.

  • Go to File → Options → Add-ins
  • In the Manage dropdown, select COM Add-ins and click Go
  • Uncheck all listed add-ins and restart Word

If editing works, re-enable them one by one to identify the culprit.

10. Repair Microsoft Office

If Word files won’t allow editing despite being locally saved and in the right format, the Office installation might be corrupted.

  • Open Settings → Apps → Installed apps
  • Locate Microsoft Office, click the three-dot menu, and choose Modify
  • Select Quick Repair or Online Repair and follow the prompts

A clean repair can restore normal document behavior.

11. Turn Off the File Explorer Preview Pane

When the preview pane is enabled, it can lock documents, preventing edits.

  • Open any folder
  • Go to the View menu
  • Select Show → Preview pane to turn it off

Now reopen the document and try editing it again.

12. Update Microsoft Word

An outdated version of Word may have bugs or compatibility issues.

  • Go to File → Account → Update Options → Update Now

Once the latest updates are installed, try opening the file again.

13. Check Antivirus or Security Software

Some security tools block Office applications from modifying files as a precaution.

  • Temporarily disable real-time protection in your antivirus
  • Try editing the document

If it works, add Word to your antivirus exception or trusted apps list.

As you can see, many issues can prevent you from saving Word documents. And if you can’t save, recent documents won’t show up. Additionally, you can learn how to turn off the AutoSave feature.

Similarly, if you can’t edit your Word document, check our detailed guide for expertly curated fixes to solve the problem.

If you’re still having trouble saving your Word documents, it might help to look into other common issues, like when Word highlights can’t be removed, the annoying “Word can’t do this because a dialog box is open” error, or Word not opening in Windows 11. Each has a fix, and you might find your answer there.

Were you able to solve this issue using any of the solutions above? Please, let us know in the comments below.

W3wp.exe High CPU Usage: 5 Ways to Fix it for Good

Posted on by Kazim Ali Alvi

Internet Information Service is critical for running web apps and is a w3wp.exe process, issues with which can cause high CPU usage and are detrimental to effective functioning.

How can I fix w3wp.exe high CPU usage?

1. Check if the traffic is higher than usual

  1. Launch a fast web browser, and go to Similarweb, a website that monitors online traffic.
  2. Type the web address in the search box and hit Enter.check traffic
  3. Similarweb will now list the monthly traffic. Remember, Similarweb only provides data for web pages with more than 5k monthly traffic.

The CPU usage for a web app increases with the web traffic, and if it’s considerably increased in a short span, chances are that’s why w3wp.exe has high CPU usage.

You can also use a comprehensive network monitoring tool to identify in real-time if there’s a sudden surge in traffic on a particular URL. If that’s the case, deploy more resources to handle the increased demand and get the CPU usage under control.

2. Identify errors in the web app

Another likely reason behind the problem is poorly written code leading to errors and triggering w3wp.exe high CPU usage.

Remember not all errors are visible to the end user. Some of the more complex ones usually occur in the background, leading to high CPU usage, with nothing being reasonably evident.

To combat this, either review the code or use Windows Event Viewer and IIS logs to identify the errors. Once done, take the necessary corrective measures to fix things, and there won’t be a w3wp.exe high CPU in Server 2016 anymore.

3. Terminate the w3wp.exe process

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type powershell in the text field, and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.power shell
  2. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
  3. Now, execute the following script to terminate the w3wp.exe process: $p = get-process w3wp* | where-object {$_.cpu -gt 50000} stop-process -inputobject $p Ycommand to fix w3wp.exe high cpu

This is an effective fix, but it’s more of a workaround than a solution. Also, IIS will automatically restart the process with reduced CPU consumption.

Besides, remember that you can change the value in the command depending on the computer’s configuration.

If this fixes the w3wp.exe high CPU, create a batch file, add it to the task scheduler, and set it to run every hour or so.

4. Move the folder you are making the changes to

If you are getting w3wp.exe high memory or CPU while creating subfolders or modifying the existing ones, a quick workaround would be to move the folder (where the files are being written) out of the web application’s main folder and then make the changes.

Remember that this is a workaround and should only be used in the short run. Ultimately, you will have to identify and eliminate the underlying cause.

5. Check the antivirus

A few users reported that their antivirus conflicted with w3wp.exe and led to high CPU consumption. First, check if the antivirus has a buffer overflow protection feature and disable it.

If there isn’t an option to disable it or you can’t figure it out, uninstall the virus for a while and confirm whether the CPU usage comes to normal levels. If it does, we recommend installing the previous stable version or using a more reliable antivirus.

That’s it! With w3wp.exe high CPU fixed, you can continue running the web application effectively. Also, check our favorite web apps for drawing and editing. In case of any queries, reach out to us via the comments section below.

Folders & Files Disappeared on Windows 10 [Solved]

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Windows 10 issues aren’t common, but some issues are rather unusual. According to users, files and folders are disappearing on Windows 10.

If your files disappeared on Windows 10, this is a big problem and interferes with your work, therefore, it’s crucial to fix it.

Why did my files suddenly disappear?

  • Files disappeared from Desktop (Windows 10) – If you can’t see the icons on your Desktop, you’ve probably just hidden them accidentally. This can be solved with a few clicks. Otherwise, a virus or malware attack could be the culprit.
  • Folder disappeared on Windows 7 – The same thing applies to Windows 7.
  • User folder missing in Windows 10 – If you cannot find the user folder in My Documents, just follow the solutions below.
  • Folder disappeared from Desktop in Windows 8 – Once again, the drill is identical in Windows 8.
  • Files missing after Windows 10 update – If your files are missing after installing a certain update, the best solution would be to uninstall the troublesome update.

How do I recover files that disappeared on Windows 10?

1. Show hidden files and folders

  1. Press Windows Key + S and type File Explorer. Choose File Explorer Options from the list.
    file-explorer-options
  2. When File Explorer Options window opens, go to View tab. Locate Hidden files and folders option and select Show hidden files, folders, and drives.
    file-explorer-options-view
  3. Click Apply and OK to save changes.

If your files and folders disappeared, maybe you should check for hidden files and folders.

Sometimes, files and folders might appear missing, but they are actually hidden. To show hidden files and folders, follow the above steps.

After you’ve changed this option, try searching for the missing files and folders on your computer. In most cases, the files should be in the same folder where you left them.

Need more info on hidden files and folders? Read our comprehensive guide to learn more about opening them.

2. Switch to your old user account

  1. Click the Start Button and click your username at the top.
  2. You should see another account available on the list. Click it to switch to it.
  3. After you switch to it, all your files and folders should be available to you.

In some cases, files and folders might disappear when you upgrade to Windows 10 because Windows 10 creates a new account for you by default.

Your old account is still present, but it’s not set as the default account, so you have to switch to it.

3. Search different hard drive partitions for your files

After you upgrade to Windows 10, your hard drive letters might get changed for some reason. For example, if you used to store files on your C drive, they might be moved to D:UsersYour_username folder on any other hard drive partition.

In order to locate your missing files and folder, make sure to check all hard drive partitions thoroughly.

Many users encountered that the second hard drive is not detected. Here’s a quick guide to solve this annoying issue and fix the files disappeared on Windows 10 issue.

4. Check the Users folder

  • Search for missing files and folders manually

After Windows 10 upgrade, certain files might be missing from your computer, however, in most cases they are just moved to a different folder. Users report that most of their missing files and folders can be found at This PC > Local Disk (C) > Users > User Name > Documents or This PC > Local Disk (C) > Users > Public.

  • Use a dedicated file finder

In case the missing files and folders are not located in the path mentioned above, you will have a hard time searching them.

In this case, we recommend you use file-finder software that will run multiple searches on all active storage elements of your system. We strongly recommend you Copernic Desktop search.

This tool will search not only all components of your system but also your mails, USBs, and external HDDs.

The software can also help you index files from your cloud storage platform so you can easily find anything on your drive.

On top of that, it can find scanned documents as it integrates OCR (optical character recognition) technologies. It is an overall advanced search tool that can help you find virtually anything on your PC.

⇒ Get Copernic Desktop Search

5. Turn off Fast Startup

  1. Press Windows Key + S and type Power Options. Select Power Options from the list of results.
    power-options
  2. Click on Choose what the power button does.
    power-options
  3. Click Change settings that are currently unavailable and scroll down to Shutdown settings.
    power-options-2
  4. Uncheck Turn on fast startup (recommended) and click Save changes.
    power-options-3

Users reported that Fast Startup can sometimes be responsible for disappearing files and folders on Windows 10. In order to fix this issue, some users suggest disabling Fast Startup by following the above steps.

6. Change Indexing options

  1. Press Windows Key + S and type Indexing Options. Select Indexing Options from the list of results.
    indexing-options
  2. When Indexing Options window opens, click on Advanced.
    indexing-options-advanced
  3. Go to Index Settings tab, and in Troubleshooting section click the Rebuild button.
    indexing-options-rebuild

If random files and folders are disappearing on Windows 10, you might want to change Indexing Options.

7. Backup your data before making changes

In case you haven’t yet upgraded to Windows 10 or done some important changes to your system, we strongly recommend you to make a backup copy of your system.

For that, you will have to use a backup software to make a copy of your files and store it in a safe place at your choice: USB or external HDD.

Dedicated software solutions are also great for regular use. You can set them up to create backups on a schedule, so you have all your data securely stored without having to do it yourself.

Many backup software includes cloud storage space, which is a good alternative to physical removable media because they are easier to access, you need your credentials.

8. Set the folder temporarily to hidden and read-only

  1. Find the folder with missing files and right click it. Choose Properties from the menu.
    open-properties
  2. In General tab go to Attributes section and check Read-only and Hidden.
    read-only-hidden
  3. Click Apply and OK.
  4. Right click the same folder again, and uncheck Read-only and Hidden options.
  5. Click Apply and OK to save changes.
  6. Enter the folder and the missing files should appear.

When files and folders disappear from a certain folder, sometimes setting that folder to hidden and read-only can fix the issue.

Before you set your folder to hidden, you need to make sure you can view hidden files and folders. In order to see hidden files and folders, check the second solution for detailed instructions.

9. Check the AppDataTemp folder

Sometimes, files that disappear might get moved to AppDataTemp folder. In order to recover the missing files and folders, go to the C:UsersAppDataLocalTemp folder.

Users reported that missing files were located in jbtempx-7895.ixx folder, but they will probably be located in a different folder on your computer, so you might have to do some manual searching.

We have to mention that you’ll have to reveal hidden files and folders in order to access AppData folder. For detailed instructions, also check the second solution.

10. Check your hard drive

  1. Open This PC and locate your hard drive. Right click it and choose Properties.
    hard-drive-properties
  2. Go to Tools tab and click Check Now button. Your hard drive will be scanned for errors. After the scan is completed, hidden files and folders should be restored.
    check-hard-drive

Files and folders can sometimes disappear if the drive index gets corrupted. In order to fix this, it’s advised that you check your hard drive.

Disappearing files and folders can cause a lot of problems, and if you have experienced similar issues, feel free to try some of our solutions.

Let us know whether you managed to get back the files that disappeared on your Windows 10 PC in the comments section below.

Windows 10 Installation Has Failed [Easily FIXED]

Posted on by Aleksandar Ognjanovic

Upgrading from one version of Windows to another is usually seamless, you start the process and wait for it to finish. And while that’s usually the case, update issues can sometimes occur.

Namely, lots of users, after seemingly completing the installation, were prompted with the Windows 10 installation has failed error. They had to start again but the results were the same.

This can be a problem, especially if you’re eager to try the new version of Windows, but luckily, there are several methods you can use to fix it in no time.

To address this, we prepared a list of possible solutions that can come in handy. In case you’re still stuck with this installation error, make sure to check the steps we provided below.

What to do if Windows 10 installation has failed when using the Media Creation Tool?

If Windows couldn’t be installed, then the issue is most likely your installation media. In that case, we recommended that you download the ISO again and recreate the bootable drive.

Many reported their Windows 10 installation has failed in safe OS phase, and this occurs because certain installation components are damaged, so they’ll need to be created again.

Why Windows 10 installation failed?

There are several reasons why you might encounter this error message, and it usually appears due to installed components or security software.

Connected peripherals can also be a problem, so be sure to remove them before trying to install Windows. Lastly, file corruption could be the cause of this problem as well.

How do I fix Windows 10 installation failed?

As mentioned, many different factors can cause this error. Before we move on to tested ways you can fix this error, we recommend you run some preliminary checks, just to make sure the issue isn’t actually way simpler than you thought.

  • Restart your device – although frequently overlooked because it’s so simple, restarting gives your system a chance to close off any unnecessary processes and reconfigure, allowing it to work a little better
  • Clean your disk – use the Disk Cleanup utility to get rid of temp or system files that can take up space or interfere with your updates
  • Make sure you meet the system requirements, otherwise, the installation cannot be completed:
    • RAM: 1GB for 32-bit and 2GB for 64 bit
    • Hard disk space: 16 GB for 32-bit and 20 GB for 64 bit
    • CPU: 1GHz or faster
    • Screen resolution: 800 x 600
    • Graphics: Microsoft DirectX 9 or later with WDDM 1.0 driver
    • Internet access

1. Unplug all peripheral devices

Before starting the update disconnect all your nonessential peripherals. This includes printers, gamepads, external drives, and similar devices.

After disconnecting them, start the upgrade process. If the process is successful, connect your devices again.

2. Uninstall the language pack

  1. Press Windows key + I.
  2. Navigate to the Time & Language section.
    windows 10 time and language
  3. Go to the Language in the left pane. In the right pane, select all non-English languages that you have and click on Remove.
    windows 10 remove language
  4. After removing all of them, check if the problem is resolved.

If you’re having any issues with this solution, be sure to visit our guide and see what to do if you can’t remove keyboard language.

3. Uninstall third-party antivirus

  1. Press Windows key + X and select Apps and Features from the menu.
    windows 10 apps and features
  2. Select your antivirus software and click on Uninstall.
    windows 10 uninstall IP scanner
  3. Follow the instructions on the screen to remove it.
  4. After removing the software, try to perform the upgrade again.

4. Choose to keep only files when asked

  1. Start the upgrade process.
  2. Follow the instructions on the screen until you reach the Choose what to keep screen.
  3. Select the option to Keep personal files only.
    windows 10 keep personal files setting
  4. Follow the instructions to complete the process.

5. Rebuild BCD

    Another way to fix Windows installation failure is to rebuild the Boot Configuration Data. You can do this via the built-in command-line tool called Command Prompt.

  1. 1. Open the Start Menu and click the Power button.

  2. 2. Press and hold the Shift key and select Restart.

    windows 10 restart button

  3. 3. Choose the Troubleshoot option.

    windows 10 click troubleshoot

  4. 4. Select Advanced options.

    troubleshoot advanced options

  5. 5. Open Command Prompt. Select your account and enter the password if asked.

    troubleshoot advanced options

  6. 6. Run the following commands one by one:
    bootrec /FixMbr
    bootrec /FixBoot
    bootrec /ScanOs
    bootrec /RebuildBcd

  7. 7. This should finalize the repair procedure and you should be able to upgrade your PC without any problems.

6. Upgrade Windows 10 with installation media

  1. Download the Media Creation Tool.
    windows 10 media creation tool open
  2. Once the application is downloaded, run it.
  3. Accept the terms of service.
    windows 10 accept media creation tool
  4. Choose the option to upgrade your PC.
    media creation tool upgrade this PC option
  5. Wait while Windows downloads the necessary files. This can take a while depending on your Internet speed.
  6. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the upgrade process.

7. Perform a clean install

  1. Download the Media Creation Tool and run it.
  2. Connect an empty USB flash drive to your PC.
  3. Select the option to Create installation media.
    windows 10 create installation media
  4. Choose your flash drive from the list.
  5. Wait for the process to complete. This can take a while depending on your Internet speed.
  6. Restart your PC.
  7. Now keep pressing the boot menu key while your PC boots. The key is different for each motherboard brand, and it’s shown briefly while the PC starts.
  8. Select your USB flash drive from the list.
    windows 10 boot menu
  9. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.

What to do if Windows installation has failed on Windows 11?

  1. Restart your PC and keep pressing F2 to enter BIOS.
  2. Once you enter BIOS, navigate to the Security section.
  3. Look for PTT of TPM option, and enable it.
    windows 10 and configuration
  4. Optional: You can also enable Secure Boot.
  5. Save changes and try to perform the installation again.

For more information, we suggest visiting our guide on how to enable TPM in different versions of BIOS.

What are Windows 11’s requirements?

windows 11 system requirements
Windows 11 requirements (Source: Microsoft)
  • CPU: 1Ghz, dual-core, 64-bit compatible processor
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Storage: 64GB or more
  • Firmware: UEFI with Secure Boot support
  • TPM: TPM 2.0

If needed, you can even install Windows 11 without TPM, but this might be a security risk, so it’s not recommended.

Which versions of Windows are affected by this issue?

Windows installation has failed message is a generic error, and as such, it can appear on almost any version of Windows.

All editions seem to be affected by this issue, and many have reported Windows 11 installation problems, so even the latest version is affected by this issue.

What is a clean install?

A clean install is a process in which you use Windows 11 installation media to reinstall your operating system from scratch.

Usually, a clean install means that you’ll format your system drive to have a fresh start without any applications or files. If you choose to do this, we strongly advise you to back up your files beforehand.

Fixing the Windows 11 installation has failed installation error is relatively simple, and you should be able to fix it using our solutions.

In case the issue is still there, your only option might be to create a bootable flash drive and clean install Windows.

We also have a guide on what to do if Windows cannot install the required files during the setup, so don’t miss it.

Did you find a different solution for this issue? If so, feel free to share it with us in the comments section below.

Excel Sort Is Not Working: How to Properly Fix It

Posted on by Sagar Naresh

Microsoft Excel is a powerful tool that helps you manage and sort a huge dataset into meaningful information. However, several Microsoft Excel users have reported that for them the Excel sort is not working, and they are facing issues creating their spreadsheets.

If you are also one such user facing the Excel sort not working problem, then you are in the right place. Because this guide will give you a bunch of solutions to resolve the problem at your end. Let us get right into it.

Why is Excel sort not working properly?

After some research, we have created a list of reasons why the Excel sort is not working properly for you on your Windows PC:

  • Non-printable characters: If there are non-printable characters, such as paragraph marks, tab characters, optional hyphens, etc., in your Excel sheet, then the tool will have problems sorting data.
  • Hidden rows or columns: The presence of hidden rows or columns can also prevent you from applying a sort or filter.
  • You have already sorted data: By mistake, you might have already applied sort to your data which is why the formatting isn’t applying again.
  • File corruption: You should also ensure that the file that you are working with isn’t corrupt.

How can I fix the Excel sort not working problem?

Here are a few things that we would advise you to do before applying the advanced troubleshooting solutions:

  • A simple restart can fix multiple issues related to your PC. Chances are that Microsoft Excel is facing some temporary glitch or bug that is causing the problem.
  • Check if the MS Excel that you are working with is up to date as new updates often bring fixes for bugs.
  • Make sure that the file that you are working with isn’t corrupt.

Let us check out the advanced solutions to resolve the problem.

Note icon NOTE
We will be showing different examples for each solution to make you understand how the errors can affect the sort and filter process in Excel.

1. Delete any blank cell

  1. Select the entire dataset on your spreadsheet.
  2. Click on Sort & Filter in the Home tab and select Custom Sort.
  3. Select Total in Order by and Order as Smallest to Largest.
  4. Click OK.

When you press OK, you will see the blank cells will be placed at the bottom of the dataset after applying the sort tool, which isn’t the correct way. Here are two things that you can do to fix the Excel sort not working problem:

  • You need to remove the blank cells from your dataset.
  • Fill in the blank cells with data values and then apply the sort tool.

2. Remove leading/trailing space before cell values

  1. In the below dataset, you can see that there is leading space in cell values in the A2, A4, A6, and A7.
  2. Click on Sort & Filter in the Home tab and select Custom Sort.
  3. Select Sort by as Region.
  4. Press OK.

Once you apply the sort, you will see that the cells with leading spaces in their values are placed at the top ahead of the other cells.

To get rid of this problem, you need to remove the leading spaces from the highlighted cells and then apply the sort function.

3. Remove mixed data type

  1. In the below dataset, you can see that cells E6 to E9 contain Text values.
  2. So, to fix this issue, select the dataset and click on Sort & Filter.
  3. Select Custom Filter.
  4. In the message that pops up, select Sort anything that looks like a number, as a number option.
  5. Hit OK.

Often when you copy and paste data from another sheet or from the internet, it does not get pasted in a proper format. So, there could be some cells in your dataset containing text values in place of numbers.

In such a case, you can follow the above steps and ensure that the sorting function applies correctly to your spreadsheet.

4. Select a valid date format

  1. Select the cells that contain dates.
  2. Press Ctrl + 1 on your keyboard to open the Format Cells menu.
  3. Switch to the Number tab.
  4. Click on Date under Category.
  5. Select the appropriate date type inside the Type box.

These are a few ways you can make the sort function work properly for your dataset. Well, this isn’t the only problem MS Excel users come across.

We have a guide for users that are facing Excel won’t scroll down errors. You can also check out our guide on the Excel toolbar missing to fix the issue.

You can also check out our guide that gives you detailed steps to open two Excel side by side to improve efficiency. Also, did you know that you can open multiple Excel files at once, if not, then check out our guide.

Some users have reported that they aren’t able to open Excel on their Windows 11 PCs. Fortunately, we have a guide that lists some solutions to resolve this issue.

Windows 10 Media Creation Tool Not Working: How To Fix

Posted on by Aleksandar Ognjanovic

Software distribution is nowadays mostly digital, and even Microsoft changed its approach with Windows 10. However, Windows 10 Media Creation Tool, the best tool for the job, isn’t as flawless as one would imagine.

Occasionally, it prompts users with the There was a problem running this tool message in Windows 10. The error is mostly followed by the alphanumeric error code which varies.

?Why is Windows Media Creation Tool not working?

The Windows media creation tool not working on a USB flash or the .exe file for various reasons. Some of these reasons include:

  • Lack of required privilege – Some programs require administrative privileges to run. And this is one of them. So, if the Windows media creation tool is not opening, try running it as an admin.
  • Interference from antivirus – Antiviruses can sometimes raise false alarms and flag a totally safe file. This might be why you are getting the Windows 10 Media Creation Tool, there was a problem running this tool error message. To solve this, you need to disable your antivirus temporarily.
  • Insufficient storage space – To make the jump to Windows 10, you need to have enough space on your PC and make sure all the requirements are met.

Moreover, here are some variations of the error that you may encounter:

  • Windows 10 media creation tool not working error code 0x80072f8f – 0x20000
  • Windows 10 media creation tool not compatible
  • Media creation tool there was a problem running this tool
  • Windows 10 media creation tool not working on Windows 7 – media creation tool 21h2 not working Windows 7
  • We’re not sure what happened but we’re unable to run this tool on your pc

Why Media Creation Tool is not opening?

Problems with Media Creation Tool not opening can be caused by the error 0x80072f8f – 0x20000, which is triggered by the TLS 1.2 being turned off.

If you can’t even get the app to launch, it’s either because the app files are corrupt, in which case you’ll have to fix/restore them.

Another common issue that prevents Media Creation Tool from opening is not having the correct permissions. Some apps require admin right to run properly.

Consider changing your background apps as well. Sometimes an app may not launch because it has not closed properly and is still running in the background.

How do I fix Windows Media Creation Tool if it’s not working?

➡️ Before exploring the fixes in this guide, don’t hesitate to precheck:

  • Ensure that you have no external device connected to your PC.
  • If that does not fix the issue, check that you have enough space and maybe try the Media Creation Tool on another PC.

If these do not work, you can now proceed to the fixes below.

1. Run the Windows Media Creation tool as Admin (worked for most users ✅)

    Certain programs need special permission in order to access and change system-related settings. Now, even though the Media Creation Tool is provided by Microsoft, just a simple double-click won’t suffice. Especially on older Windows versions.

    In order to avoid the Windows Media Creation Tool not working error code 0x80072f8f – 0x20000, ensure to run it as an administrator.

    1. Download the Media Creation tool installation file.

  2. 2. Right-click the setup file and open Properties.

    properties media creation not working

  3. 3. Click the Compatibility tab at the top and choose Run this program in compatibility mode for under Compatibility mode.

  4. 4. From the drop-down menu, choose Windows 7.

    compatibility

  5. 5. Now, check the Run this program as an administrator and click Apply followed by OK to save the changes.

    run

Of course, you will have to provide the administrator credentials for this solution to work.

2. Disable your antivirus

  1. Click the Start icon, type virus, and select Virus & threat protection.
    media creation tool not working
  2. Choose the Manage settings option.
    manage settings
  3. Now, toggle the switch for Real-time protection backward to disable it.
    real time

Sometimes, your antivirus might be the one preventing the Media Creation Tool from working. The steps above will help you disable the built-in security tool on Windows.

If you have a third-party antivirus, it is advised you disable it within the app or remove it completely. However, it must be noted that it is not safe to use your system without security software for long.

So, make sure you enable it as soon as you finish running the Media Creation Tool.

3. Enable the required services

  1. Press the Windows key + R, type services.msc, and click OK.
    services media creation tool not working
  2. Right-click the Windows Update service and select Start.
    Windows start
  3. If the service is running, choose the Restart option instead.
    restart
  4. Repeat the Steps 2 and 3 for the services below:
    • Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)
    • Server
    • IKE and AuthIP IPsec Keying Modules
    • TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
    • Workstation

Many users turn to Media Creation Tool when they want to speed up the upgrade to a major build.

Now, this tool, just like the Windows Update feature, uses update-related services and it heavily depends on their performance. Services like BITS are of utmost importance, even for a non-native application like Media Creation Tool.

So, you need to keep these services running to prevent any issues.

4. Tweak the Registry

  1. Press the Windows key + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
    regedit
  2. Choose File in the Menu bar and click Export to backup your registry.
  3. Now, follow the path below in the left pane: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\WindowsUpdate\Auto Update
  4. Right-click on the empty space and choose New > DWORD (32-bit).
  5. dword
  6. Name the new dword AllowOSUpgrade, double-click it, and set its Value data to 1.     
  7. Click OK and restart your PC.
    value data media creation tool not working

Try running the Media Creation Tool again and see if it works. Follow the steps above carefully to avoid generating more errors. Corruption in the registry can cause BSoDS and app crashes.

In case something like that happens, we got you covered with our guide on how you can restore the registry without a backup. It is not difficult, but it may take some time.

5. Try a third-party tool instead

Finally, if you’re in possession of a Windows 10 ISO file, but can’t use Media Creation Tool to create bootable media, there’s always an alternative.

Most users would immediately turn to Rufus, which is a small, portable third-party tool.

With it, you should be able to create a bootable media USB and avoid the aforementioned errors with Media Creation Tool.

The Media Creation Tool is a great way to create operating system backups that will help you restore your data in case anything happens to your PC. So, when this tool stops working, it affects a lot of people.

We hope you were able to fix this problem with the solutions in this guide. Also, if you are facing the Media Creation Tool access denied ISO to USB issue, check our detailed guide to fix it quickly.

In case you have questions or alternative solutions regarding the Media Creation Tool error, it would be nice to share them with us in the comments section below.

Windows 11 Education Themes: How to Get & Enable

Posted on by Alexandru Poloboc

Windows 11 22H2, also known as the 2022 Update, contains many new features and utilities that users were waiting on for quite some time now.

Today, we are going to show you one that has most likely evaded your watchful eye, one that your offspring will surely appreciate.

Furthermore, there are quite a few hidden additions and unannounced for regular customers changes, such as the education themes in Windows 11 22H2.

Windows 11 has some hidden education themes embedded

In case you didn’t already know,  Microsoft recently published a support article detailing education themes in Windows 11 22H2.

And, like any other Windows theme, education themes in Windows 11 let users quickly personalize their devices using pre-set backgrounds, accent colors, cursors, and sounds.

Please note that administrators can prepare themes for schools and send them to some of the other managed devices.

The tech giant has also preloaded a couple of themes with neat space, Surface, and Windows 11-like backgrounds in its operating system.

So, if you want a fresh coat of paint for your computer, we can also show you how to enable hidden themes in Windows 11 22H2.

How can I enable the hidden Windows 11 themes?

  1. Press Win + R, type regedit and open it.
  2. Paste the following into the address and press Enter: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\PolicyManager\current\deviceregedit step 1
  3. Right-click the device key and select New, then Key.new key
  4. Rename the new key to Education.
  5. Select the Education key and click Edit, then New, and create a DWORD (32-bit) value.new dword value
  6. Rename the new value to EnableEduThemes.edu themes
  7. Open the EnableEduThemes value and change its value data from 0 to 1.dword value
  8. Restart your PC and wait several minutes for Windows 11 to download hidden education themes.
  9. Launch the Settings app and go to Personalization, then Themes.

That is pretty much all you need to know on the topic so far, so go ahead and activate these hidden themes if you want to see what they’re all about.

Remember that this feature is still experimental and, therefore, not yet released to the wide public. However, enabling them won’t jeopardize your PC.

Have you managed to activate these hidden education themes for Windows 11? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.

How to Fix the Hashtag Key if it’s Not Working on Keyboard

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

The # key, commonly known as the hashtag key, or pound, sharp, or number key, is widely used today on social media, but for many of our readers, the hashtag key is not working on their keyboards. This is usually due to using a different language or layout on your keyboard. Press the Windows + Space keys to change it.

What do I do if the hashtag key is not working on the keyboard?

1. Try the on-screen keyboard

  1. Click Start and select Settings.
  2. Click on Ease of Access.
  3. Choose Keyboard.# key not working
  4. Toggle the On-Screen keyboard to ON.# key not working
  5. The keyboard will be displayed, try and check if # key works when using the on-screen keyboard.

Does this fix the # key not working problem? If not, go to the next solution.

2. Change language in Control Panel

  1. Click Start and select Settings.
  2. Click Time and Language.# key not working
  3. Click Region and Language.# key not working
  4. Under Country or Region, click on English (United Kingdom), and if not there, you can add it using Add a Language button.# key not working
  5. Click Windows display language.# key not working
  6. Select Options.
  7. Check what keyboard is selected under the Keyboards option.# key not working
  8. Change the input language to English for your location

Did this resolve the # key not working problem? If not, try the next solution.

3. Update chipset drivers from the computer manufacturer’s website

You can find drivers from the manufacturer website’s support section for your laptop type.

Here’s how to update and install drivers from the manufacturer website:

  1. Go to the Software and Drivers sub-section (depending on the laptop brand this name can change), or search for drivers using Google so you can get a direct link to your device’s manufacturer website.
  2. Once you’re on the website, find and download
  3. Install the appropriate drivers missing from your laptop that can cause # key not working

Alternatively, you can use dedicated software such as Outbyte. It is safer because it finds the corresponding version of your driver with no mistake and you can schedule automatic driver updates and fixes.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

Check if this fixes the # key not working problem. If not, go to the next solution.

4. Run in Compatibility mode

  1. Right-click Start and select Device Manager from the list.
  2. Find Keyboards and click on it to expand the list
  3. Right-click on the keyboard driver and select Uninstall.
  4. Go to the Software and Drivers sub-section (depending on the laptop brand this name can change), or search for drivers using Google so you can get a direct link to your device’s manufacturer website.
  5. Once you’re on the website, find and download.
  6. Install the appropriate drivers missing from your laptop that can cause # key not working.
  7. Right click on the driver.
  8. Select Properties, then pick the Compatibility tab.
  9. Check the box Run this program in Compatibility Mode for.
  10. Select the Windows 10 operating system from the drop-down.
  11. Click on Apply, then click OK and run the file to install it

Does this fix the # key not working problem? If not, go to the next solution.

5. Use a different keyboard

You can connect a different keyboard to your laptop and check if the # key works. If you’re planning to buy a new keyboard, we recommend looking into the best PC keyboards because they will serve you well in the long run.

You can find a good keyboard for your own personal preferences.  You can find light wireless options that are great for everyday use.

If you use your keyboard for gaming, you should consider a product with smooth key inputs as well as backlighting and programmable keys.

Most worthwhile keyboards can be used on multiple operating systems and include keys for all major controls you may need.

6. Disable the Filter keys settings

  1. Click the Start button, type control and select Control Panel from the results.
  2. Select Ease of Access.
  3. Click on Change how your keyboard works.
  4. Find the checkbox for Turn on Filter Keys.
  5. Uncheck it if it has a mark, and check whether your keyboard works again.

Check if this fixes the # key not working problem. If not, go to the next solution.

7. Uninstall and reinstall the keyboard driver from the manufacturer’s website

  1. Right-click Start.
  2. Select Device Manager.
  3. Search for Keyboards and click on it to expand the list.
  4. Right-click on the Keyboard driver and select Uninstall.
  5. Go to the Software and Drivers sub-section (depending on the laptop brand this name can change), or search for drivers using Google so you can get a direct link to your device’s manufacturer website.
  6. Once you’re on the website, find and download
  7. Install the appropriate drivers missing from your laptop that can cause # key not working problem.

Did any of these solutions help you fix # key not working issue? Let us know in the comments section below.

HP Printer Not Printing Black [Solved For Good]

Posted on by Matthew Adams

Hewlett-Packard printers usually print documents without any hiccups. However, some users have stated on forums that their HP printers don’t print black ink.

Most users will, at first, no doubt assume that their printers have run out of ink. However, the printers don’t print black, even though the cartridges still include some black ink.

There are some easy methods to fix the HP Printer not printing black issue, so be sure to check them out below. We have solutions for when your printer won’t print in black but has ink.

How can I fix the HP Printer not printing black issue?

1. Clean the printhead

HP printers with clogged printhead nozzles don’t usually print black ink. Thus, cleaning the printhead is a solution discovered by some users whenever their HP Printer won’t print black.

Note that you might need to do that a few times to fully restore print quality. How you clean a printhead can vary slightly between different HP printer models.

You can usually select a Deep Cleaning or Clean Printhead option from a Printer Maintenance menu on an HP printer’s control panel.

Selecting that option might then print a page showing some pattern output for various colors.

So make sure there is some paper loaded in the printer before selecting to clean the printhead. Check out your printer’s manual for more specific details on how to clean its printhead.

2. Open the Printer troubleshooter

  1. Windows 10 users can open the Printer troubleshooter by clicking the Cortana Type here to search button on the taskbar.
  2. Enter printer in the search box, and select Printers & scanners.
  3. Select Troubleshoot your printer, and click Run the troubleshooter.
  4. Choose your HP printer model listed in the troubleshooter’s window.
  5. Then press the Next button to fix the printing with the troubleshooter.

Windows includes a Printer troubleshooter that can come in handy for fixing printers when they don’t print as expected.

So that might provide some fixes for the HP Printer black ink not working issue. Follow the guidelines above to open the Printer troubleshooter.

3. Fix the printing with HP Print and Scan Doctor

  1. Download the HP Print and Scan Doctor software’s setup wizard.
  2. Click HPPS.dr.exe in the to install HP Print and Scan Doctor.
  3. Select Start to choose your HP printer, and then press the Next button.
  4. Select the Fix Printing option.
  5. Thereafter, the software might display wrench icons that highlight it fixed something. If so, close the troubleshooter and try printing again.
  6. Alternatively, you might see an X icon. If so, continue with the troubleshooter and follow the instructions it provides to fix the issue.

Alternatively, Hewlett-Packard printer users can also utilize the HP Print and Scan Doctor utility to fix printing.

That’s a troubleshooter more specifically designed for Hewlett-Packard printers. Users can fix printing with HP Print and Scan Doctor as follows.

Also, if your HP Envy printer doesn’t print after Windows 10 upgrade, take a closer look at our guide to fix this issue in no time.

4. Add a genuine Hewlett-Packard cartridge to the printer

Third-party ink cartridges don’t always work so well on Hewlett-Packard printers.

As such, replacing a third-party cartridge with a more official Hewlett-Packard cartridge might fix an HP printer that’s not printing black ink.

The HP website includes a search box where users can enter their printer models in a search box to find compatible ink cartridges for them.

Also note that there are fake, counterfeit HP ink cartridges. This might explain why your HP Printer won’t print in black ink.

So it might be worth checking if your cartridge is a fake.

HP printer users can check for fakes by scanning the QR codes on the cartridges with a QR scanner or SureSupply app.

Alternatively, users can enter serial numbers on the cartridge labels at the Hewlett-Packard verification page to validate them.

5. Replace cartridges that are low on ink

This goes without saying, but, if you experience that your HP Printer is not printing black, it might just be out of ink or low on it.

Most users will probably check the ink levels when a printer stops printing black ink. However, some users might overlook replacing a cartridge if it’s not completely out of ink.

It would help if you replaced the black ink cartridge when it’s very low on ink, but not necessarily completely out of ink. An exclamation mark on the ink level indicator highlights when a cartridge is running low on ink.

So replace the black ink cartridge if you see an exclamation mark for it on the printer control panel’s ink level indicator.

6. Align the printhead

A printer might not print black ink if it has not been calibrated. Thus, calibrating an Hewlett-Packard printer by aligning its printhead might fix its printing.

Most HP printers will include an Align Printhead option on their Printer Maintenance or Tools control panel menus that users can calibrate with.

Selecting that option will then calibrate the printer and print an alignment page. HP printer manuals will provide more specific printhead alignment guidelines for their respective models.

The above resolutions will probably fix HP printers so that they print black ink. If the above resolutions still don’t fix the printing, the printer itself might need repairing.

One of our readers also pointed out that this issue might be caused by a malfunctioning sensor that wrongly detects that the cartridge still has ink although in reality there is none left.

The solution to this problem is actually to install a new black ink cartridge on the printer.

Users can return HP printers that are still within their warranty periods to the manufacturer for repairs. So check the warranty period of your printer to see if you can return it to Hewlett-Packard.

We hope you managed to fix your HP Printer not printing black issue with our methods. Also, for more solutions or other questions, please access the comments section below.

Games Won’t Go Full Screen on PC: 9 Quick Ways to Fix

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Some users report that they are unable to run games in fullscreen mode on Windows. According to them, the game just switches to desktop and stays that way while game sounds play in the background.

Since we’ve had this problem ourselves, here’s what you can do if the game won’t switch to full screen.

What do I do if Windows is not running games in full screen?

1. Set display scaling to 100%

  1. Open the Settings app and go to System > Display.
    Windows 10 not using full screen
  2. Find the Change the size of text, apps, and other items and set it to 100%.

You might have to sign out of your account and sign back in order to apply the changes, so be sure to do that. Up next, check if your games are working again.

Even more, there’s a game booster that will get rid of low FPS, freezes, lags, and other issues while playing. If you like the idea of a better gaming experience, don’t hesitate to give it a try as well.

⇒ Get Game Fire

2. Change your main screen

  1. Right-click on your Desktop and choose Display settings from the menu. display settings windows 11
  2. When the Display settings window opens, you should see two monitors labeled with numbers.
  3. In the Display settings window, click Identify.  click Identify to know the screen number and choose Show only on 1 or Show only on 2
  4. A number should appear on your screen.
  5. Now in Display settings set the monitor with the same number you got as the main monitor.

Save the changes and try running games in fullscreen. This is a simple trick confirmed by users, so give it a try too.

3. Change Nvidia Control Panel settings

  1. Open Nvidia Control Panel.
  2. Go to Manage 3D settings > Global settings.
    Windows 10 not playing games full screen
  3. Change Preferred graphics processor from Auto-select to High-Performance Nvidia processor.
  4. Click on Apply to save the changes and try running games in fullscreen mode.

If you own both integrated and dedicated graphic you might need to change few Nvidia Control Panel settings to fix this issue.

Certain users reported that they fixed the problem simply by adjusting their desktop size and position in Nvidia Control Panel. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Open Nvidia Control Panel.
  2. Go to Display > Adjust desktop size and position.
    Windows 10 not playing games full screen
  3. Locate the scaling option and set it to No scaling and click on Apply to save changes.
    Windows 10 fullscreen games keep minimizing

After making these changes, you should be able to run games in fullscreen without any problems. If you use AMD graphics, you should be able to find similar options in Catalyst Control Center.

Can’t open Nvidia Control Panel on Windows 10? In such a case, rest assured that this detailed guide will help you fix the issue in no time.

4. Use the Compatibility mode

  1. Locate the problematic application, right-click it, and choose Properties from the menu.
    Games won't go full screen Windows 10
  2. Navigate to the Compatibility tab and check Run this program in compatibility mode for an option. Now select the desired version of Windows, then click on Apply and OK to save changes.
    Windows 10 full screen not working

5. Restore your Taskbar to the default position

  1. Press Windows key + I keyboard shortcut to open the Settings app.
  2. Now navigate to the Personalization section.
    Windows 10 fullscreen games keep minimizing
  3. From the menu on the left select Taskbar. Now in the right pane, enable Automatically hide the taskbar in desktop mode option.
    Windows 10 full screen games black screen

If Taskbar is not working, do not hesitate to take a look at our quick guide to find out how to solve the issue with ease.

As you can see, solving full-screen issues on Windows 10 is relatively simple, and we hope that you managed to solve this problem using one of our solutions.

Let us know if you managed to fix all your fullscreen game issues in Windows 10. Make sure to use the comments area in that regard.

Download the Standard VGA Graphics Adapter Drivers [Windows 7]

Posted on by Sagar Naresh

When you install a fresh copy of Windows 7 on your PC, then you might need to install certain drivers manually. While the process is often taken care of by the system itself, sometimes they aren’t.

If you are also searching for answers to how you can download the standard VGA graphics adapter drivers for your Windows 7 PC then you have landed in the right place. Because in this guide, we will share with you some solutions that will help you download the drivers. Let us get right into it.

What is the standard VGA graphics adapter on my PC?

In simple terms, the in-built or onboard graphics adapter is known as the standard VGA graphics adapter.

Most of the daily tasks that you do on your PC, such as copy/paste, viewing media, browsing the web, etc., are taken care of by the standard VGA graphics adapter.

When you play games or do other resource-intensive tasks, then your dedicated graphics adapter kicks in.

It is important to keep all drivers, including the standard VGA graphics adapter up to date, as it is responsible for most of the normal tasks on your PC. Also, updated drivers make sure that your PC is performing smoothly and optimally.

How can I download standard VGA graphics adapter drivers in Windows 7?

1. Use the support website

  1. Visit the Acer support website. Similarly, you can visit the support website for your laptop’s brand.
  2. Enter your device’s serial number, SNID, or model number, and press Enter.
  3. The support page will load all the drivers compatible with your PC.
  4. All you need to do now is to locate the VGA driver and hit the Download button.

The above example is for an Acer-branded laptop. You can visit the Dell website, HP website, etc., and download the standard VGA driver for your Windows 7 laptop or PC.

2. Use Device Manager

  1. Press the Windows key and open the Start menu.
  2. Type Device Manager and open it.
  3. Click on any collapsible entry one time.
  4. Click on the Action button at the top Menu bar.
  5. Select Add legacy hardware from the context menu.
  6. Click Next.
  7. Select Install the hardware that I manually select from a list (Advanced) option.
  8. Click on Display adapters.
  9. Click Next.
  10. Select your standard VGA graphics adapter in the Manufacturer box, and select the brand’s name in the Model box.
  11. Click on Next.
  12. Windows will download that device for you.

This is another way of adding legacy or standard VGA graphics adapter on your Windows 7. This is an easy way to install the missing driver.

3. Use a dedicated tool

Using one of our recommended driver updating tools will allow you to not only install missing drivers on your PC but also keep all drivers up to date.

They are pretty easy to use and help you keep your system performance optimal by keeping all drivers up to date with just a few clicks.

Apart from updating and downloading missing drivers, you can use it to schedule scans, create driver backups, and fix broken drivers.

How to update the VGA driver on Windows 7?

1. Use Device Manager

  1. Press the Windows key and open the Start menu.
  2. Type Device Manager and open it.
  3. Expand the Display adapter section.
  4. Right-click on your graphics adapter and select Update driver software.
  5. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
  6. Let the system search the internet for updated drivers.
  7. If found, follow the on-screen prompts to install the latest VGA driver.

2. Use a dedicated Tool

  1. Download Outbyte Driver Updater.
  2. Install it on your PC.
  3. Once the application installs, run the program.
  4. Wait for the program to scan your PC for the missing drivers.
  5. Select the drivers that you wish to download, in our case, it is the VGA graphics adapter.
  6. Hit the Update button at the top.
  7. Follow the on-screen prompt to install the driver.
  8. Reboot your PC.

3. Use Intel Driver & Support Assistant

  1. Visit this website.
  2. Download the Intel Driver & Support Assistant on your Windows 7 PC.
  3. Install it.
  4. Launch the program.
  5. It will open a web page and automatically scan your PC for updated drivers.
  6. If it detects one, it will prompt you to install them.
  7. Install the latest graphics driver.
  8. Reboot your PC.

That is it from us in this guide. We have a guide that lists some of the best browsers that you can install on your Windows 7 PC.

Since Windows 7 is an old operating system and Microsoft has already ended its support for the OS, it becomes pretty essential to keep your Windows 7 PC protected from viruses or malware.

In such a case, we would suggest you check out our guide that lists some of the best and tested antivirus tools that will help you with the protection. The antivirus software is lightweight and won’t hog your old PC’s resources.

Let us know in the comments below which one of the above methods you used to download and update the standard VGA graphics adapter drivers on your Windows 7 PC.

How to Run a JAR File on Windows: 5 Easy Methods

Posted on by Matthew Adams

A JAR file is a Java archive package format that might include a Java program within it.

While you can extract JARs with archiving software, you can’t run a pure Java JAR app as you would with other programs in Windows.

Since that’s the case, we’ll cover how you can run a pure Java app JAR file in Windows.

What are JAR files?

A JAR file allows Java runtimes to enclose an entire application, together with its classes and resources, in a single source.

Moreover, the elements inside a JAR file can be compressed, and that translates to shorter download times but also less space allocated on your drive.

In other words, JARs are more sophisticated archives that work in a Java environment on your PC. Missing JAR files can lead to the WebDriver cannot be resolved to a type compilation error.

How can I run a JAR file?

1. Add Java to Windows

  1. Type cmd in the Windows Search tab and click on the Command Prompt app.
  2. Next, input the following command and press Enter to run it: java -version
  3. The current version of Java is Version 8 Update 311.
  4. If you don’t have Java or the most up-to-date version, you can download it for free. After you get the file, hit the Install button.
  5. Run through the Java setup wizard and close the window after the installation process.
  6. Then, open your browser to verify that the program is working.

The crucial thing you need upfront is to have Java installed. It helps you open JAR files. Without it, Java apps aren’t going to run in Windows.

2. Use Java (TM) Platform SE binary

  1. Press the Windows key + E to start File Explorer and the folder that includes the file you need to run.
  2. You should right-click the JAR file and select Open with from the context menu, then select Choose another app.
  3. Sselect to open it with Java(TM) Platform SE binary.
  4. Click the Always use this app to open JAR files check box, then press the OK button to close the menu.
  5. Now you can run the selected JAR, and all other JARfiles will also be associated with Java.

3. Download a JAR file opener

  1. Go to the File Viewer Plus website and click on the Download Now button.
  2. After you download and install the app, hit the Finish button.
  3. Now click on the Open a file button or just drag-and-drop the JAR file in its window.
  4. You will instantly see the contents of the JAR file and you will be able to click the Extract All button to get them on a location on your drive.

You can open JAR files with a lot of apps out there but we strongly recommend File Viewer Plus because it can open and display over 300 different file types.

The new updated version has a plethora of features that will save you big time on opening, viewing, or editing files.

Keep in mind that the app supports the most popular text, audio, or video file type, as well as archive, source code, or web files.

Another popular JAR file opener is JAR Runner, by KIllerApplets.com. You can check it out if you prefer.

4. Run a JAR file in cmd

  1. 1. Input cmd in the Search tab.

  2. 2. Select Run as administrator to run Command Prompt with full privileges.

    search for cmd

  3. 3. Then input the following command (replacing pathtofile from the example with the actual path of the file you need to run): java -jar c:\pathtojarfile.jar

    command to open jar file

  4. 4. Press Enter.

  5. 5. That will open the executable JAR file so long as it contains a manifest file to specify the application’s entry point (the developers should have already included that in the archive.)

    If you develop your own Java programs, you’ll need to convert the JAR to an executable format.

    6. Another easy option is to run a JAR file in cmd, your PC’s built-in command-line tool. All you need to do is input a command while running the app with admin rights, and the file will be opened.

The command-lie app is crucial for debugging and installing apps but if it doesn’t work, learn how you can fix Command Prompt in Windows.

5. Add a third-party JAR executor to Windows

  1. Visit the JARX website and click on the Jarx-1.2-installer.exe file to download it.
  2. Download and click on the file to start the installation, then select the Close button when it’s finished.
  3. Now you can just double-click any JAR file to start it like a normal executable file. The JAR file will be executed.

There are also executor programs for Windows like JARX that enable you to run .JAR files the same as any other program.

How to get a JAR file for your favorite app?

There are lots of websites that offer free JAR versions of any application you can think of and we’re going to provide a simple example for Instagram.

  1. Go to a website that offers JAR file downloads like JAR Download. Proceed with caution because not all such websited offer clean content so you should double-check it with an antivirus and scan the files on arrival before using them.
  2. Click on the Java version of the app you’re looking for. In our case, the Instagram Java.
  3. Now hit the Download button and by using our guide above, you already know how to open the JAR and use the contents.

If you’re having trouble or you receive an error, learn what to do if you’re unable to access JarFile on Windows 10.

We hope that our guide helped you with all the information needed to run JAR files in Windows or even convert them if needed.

For any other issues, we also have another guide that will help you if JAR files are not opening on Windows 10.

If you have any other suggestions on how to run a JAR file or questions about the topic, leave them in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to take a look.

Fix: Audio Device You Selected is Currently Turned Off

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Did you stumble upon the error message the audio device you selected is currently turned off in Windows? We have prepared all you need to know.

Audio is a big part of our multimedia experience, but audio problems can occur on Windows 10.

Users reported the Audio device is disabled message on their PC, and today we’re going to show you how to fix this problem on Windows 10.

Why am I getting The audio device you selected is currently turned off in Windows error?

There are a few reasons why a user might encounter this error message. However, in most cases, it is because of any of the following:

  • Disabled devices – This is an obvious trigger. You actually may have accidentally disabled your sound device on Windows 10.
  • Configuration issues – It is also possible that the device can no longer be enabled because of some wrong configurations.
  • Outdated drivers – In some cases, you may struggle because you have obsolete or corrupted audio drivers.

The solutions we will explore will include enabling an audio device on Windows 10 and other valuable tips to ensure you can fix this problem.

So, let us go right to them.

How can I fix The audio device you selected is currently turned off in Windows error?

  1. Use Command Prompt
  2. Use Registry Editor
  3. Make sure that your audio device is enabled
  4. Check if the audio device is enabled in the Device Manager
  5. Uninstall your audio driver

1. Use Command Prompt

  1. Press Windows Key + X to open the Win + X menu and choose Command Prompt (Admin).
  2. When Command Prompt starts, you need to enter the following commands and hit Enter after each one:
    • net localgroup Administrators /add networkservice
    • net localgroup Administrators /add localservice
  3. Lastly, close Command Prompt and restart your PC.

Command Prompt is a powerful command-line tool that allows you to change your system quickly. For example, if you are getting an Audio device is a disabled error message, you might be able to fix it by using Command Prompt.

2. Use Registry Editor

  1. Press Windows Key + R and enter regedit, then Press Enter.
    regedit run window Audio device is disabled
  2. When Registry Editor opens, in the left pane, navigate to the key below:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\MMDevices\Audio\Render
  3. Then, Right-click Render and choose Permissions from the menu.
  4. In the Group or user names section, select ALL APPLICATION PACKAGES group and check Full Control in the Allow column.
  5. Now select the Users group and check Full Control in Allow column. Click Apply and OK to save changes.
  6. Expand the Render key, and you’ll see several subkeys with their names inside curly brackets. Right-click the first subkey; in our example, it’s {0abe5e3b-b3d6-4c81-99fb-cf015df6aba6}, and choose Permissions. Then repeat steps 4 and 5.
  7. Now expand the first subkey, {0abe5e3b-b3d6-4c81-99fb-cf015df6aba6} in our example, and change the permissions for FxProperites and Properties keys as we showed you in Steps 4 and 5.
  8. Repeat these steps for all subkeys that are inside the Render key. Also, change the permissions of all FxProperties and Properties keys.
  9. Finally, close Registry Editor and restart your PC.

According to users, you can fix the Audio device is a disabled message by modifying your registry. Certain groups don’t have the necessary permissions to access some keys in your registry, and that can cause this error to appear.

Before you start modifying your registry, we have to warn you that modifying the registry can be potentially dangerous.

We strongly recommend exporting your registry and using that file as a backup in case anything goes wrong.

3. Make sure that your audio device is enabled

  1. Right-click the Volume icon in the bottom right corner of the Taskbar and choose Playback devices from the menu.
  2. When the Sound window opens, right-click the space and choose Show Disabled Devices.
  3. Finally, check if your Playback device appears on the list. If your audio device is grayed out, it’s disabled. To enable the device, right-click it and choose Enable from the menu.
    enable device Audio device is disabled on Windows 10

4. Check if the audio device is enabled in the Device Manager

  1. Press Windows Key + X and choose Device Manager from the list.
  2. When Device Manager opens, locate your audio device and ensure it’s enabled. If not, right-click the device and choose Enable device from the menu.

After enabling your audio device, the problem should be resolved entirely.

Device Manager allows you to disable your devices quickly, so you might want to check in Device Manager if your device is disabled.

5. Uninstall your audio driver

  1. Press Windows Key + X and choose Device Manager from the list.
  2. Locate your audio device, right-click it and choose Uninstall device from the menu.
    the audio device you selected is currently turned off in windows
  3. Select Uninstall when the confirmation dialog appears.
    the audio device you selected is currently turned off in windows
  4. Lastly, close Device Manager and restart your PC.

After your PC restarts, the default audio driver will be automatically installed. However, if the issue persists, go to your motherboard or sound card manufacturer’s website and download the latest driver for your audio device.

So, if you’re getting the Audio device is disabled error message, you might be able to fix it by uninstalling your audio driver. However, your audio driver can become corrupted, and that can cause this error to appear.

Sometimes Audio device is disabled error can appear because you installed an update to your PC or if you made a specific system change. If your computer started showing this error recently, you might use System Restore to restore it. This usually would not be necessary in most cases.

Also, for extreme situations, you may perform a Windows 10 factory reset.

The Audio device is disabled error can prevent you from enjoying multimedia on your Windows 10 PC. However, one of our solutions can quickly solve this error.

Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration (Windows 10 Fix Guide)

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

If you’re seeing “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” on Windows 10, your PC can’t get a proper IP from the router. This error stops your system from accessing the internet and may also affect Wi-Fi.

How to Fix “Ethernet Doesn’t Have a Valid IP” on Windows 10

Table of contents

1. Restart Your Router and PC

  • Power off your router and unplug it for 30 seconds.
  • Restart your Windows 10 PC and reconnect the Ethernet cable.

If the issue persists, check for firmware issues using this guide on how to update your router firmware.

2. Release and Renew Your IP Address

  • Press Win + R, type cmd, and press Enter.
  • In Command Prompt, run: ipconfig /release ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /renewipconfig flush dns
  • Restart your PC and test the Ethernet connection again.

3. Set a Static IP Address

  • Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center.network and sharing center control panel
  • Click Change adapter settings.adapter settings
  • Right-click your Ethernet connection > Properties.Network Connections window, locate & right-click the ethernet connection and select Properties
  • Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) > Properties.
  • Choose Use the following IP address and enter:
    • IP address: 192.168.1.100
    • Subnet mask: 255.255.255.0
    • Default gateway: 192.168.1.1
  • Save changes and reboot.

4. Reset the Network Settings

  • Open Settings (Win + I) > Network & Internet > Status.
  • Click Network reset at the bottom.
  • Restart your PC after the reset completes.

5. Disable Fast Startup

  • Open Control Panel > Power Options.
  • Click Choose what the power buttons do.
  • Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.change settings that are currently unavailable
  • Uncheck Turn on fast startup and click Save changes.

6. Reinstall Your Ethernet Adapter

  • Open Device Manager (Win + X > Device Manager).
  • Expand Network adapters.network adapters in device manager
  • Right-click your Ethernet adapter > Uninstall device.
  • Restart your PC to reinstall the driver automatically.

If your adapter isn’t listed, this fix for missing Ethernet adapter in Device Manager may help.

7. Check for Driver Updates Automatically

Manual Method:

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Expand Network adapters and right-click your Ethernet driver.
  3. Click Update driver > Search automatically for drivers.
  4. If Windows finds a new driver, install it and restart your PC.

See this driver update tutorial for Windows 10 for more detailed methods.

Automatic Method:

➡️ Want to skip the hassle? Use Fortect Driver Updater to update all your drivers in one click.

  1. Download and install the tool.
  2. Launch it and click Scan Now.
  3. Click Update All or just the Ethernet driver.
  4. Restart your PC once updates are complete.

Why This Fix Works

This error is often tied to DHCP failures, bad driver installs, or buggy configurations. It may also show up during random Ethernet disconnections on Windows 10 or if you’re using specific hardware like a Dell docking station with Ethernet not working.

FAQs

Why does Ethernet say it doesn’t have a valid configuration?

The system can’t assign a valid IP from the router. This could be due to DHCP failure or outdated network drivers. Check for other Windows 10 Ethernet problems.

Can I use Wi-Fi and Ethernet together to avoid this issue?

Yes. Learn how to use Wi-Fi and Ethernet simultaneously for a backup.

Is high Ethernet usage in Task Manager related?

It might be. Check this Ethernet spiking Task Manager fix to reduce background load.

How do I fix driver errors showing for Ethernet?

Start with this guide on resolving driver problems for Ethernet adapters.

Conclusion

The “Ethernet doesn’t have a valid IP configuration” error on Windows 10 is a common but fixable issue. Whether it’s caused by drivers, settings, or hardware conflicts, the steps above should help restore your connection.