Microsoft Money: Download & Install for Windows 10

Posted on November 14, 2022October 6, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

Managing finances isn’t always the simplest task. In the past, many users relied on tools such as Microsoft Money to help them manage their finances.

Microsoft Money was a popular tool, therefore today we’re going to show you how to install it on Windows 10.

Is Microsoft Money still available?

Yes, it still is available for the time being. Remember that this service was launched in 2020, and Microsoft offered a premium Money in Excel template to Microsoft 365 Family and Personal subscribers.

However, back in May 2022, the Redmond-based tech giant announced that this would be withdrawn on June 30, 2023.

Microsoft is focusing distribution efforts for Microsoft Money Plus software online via download and discontinuing traditional box sales of the software at retail.

On June 10th, 2009 Microsoft announced that it would discontinue sales of the software on June 30, 2009.

Can I still download Microsoft Money?

Yes, you can still download and install this software, and we are about to show you how to do just that in the article below.

Please take your time and carefully go through these steps and you will be accessing this Microsoft-designed software in no time.

Quick tip:

Since Microsoft Money is officially discontinued, we recommend you try the best alternative to it.

Moneyspire

The best personal finance software to manage your money. Join all the people around the world who already switched from Microsoft Money!

Check price Visit website

What was the last version of Microsoft Money?

Well, the last version of this software, released in August 2007, was called Microsoft Money Plus. Also know that it comes in four editions: Essentials, Deluxe, Premium, and Home & Business.

Will MS Money run on Windows 10?

This is a free tool and we already covered how to download and use Microsoft Money Plus Sunset version on Windows 10.

This tool is designed as a replacement for Money Plus Deluxe and Money Plus Home & Basic, therefore if you have any of the previous versions of the software installed, we suggest that you don’t install Money Plus Sunset over it.

Microsoft Money has a long history, but unfortunately, this tool isn’t actively developed anymore.

The first version of this program was released way back in 1991, and it was available for the desktop version of Windows. After several versions, Microsoft Money made its way from 2000 to 2006 on select versions of Windows Mobile.

In 2008 Microsoft announced that it would stop releasing new versions of the software each year and that there are no plans to release the version for 2009. The sales were discontinued on June 30, 2009.

In January 2011 the online services were stopped and users could no longer enjoy any support from Microsoft.

Even though the software was discontinued, Microsoft didn’t completely abandon its users. In 2010 Microsoft announced the release of Money Plus Sunset.

Even though Microsoft Money Sunset offers the same features as its predecessors, we have to mention that certain features are missing. For example, you cannot import data files from non-US versions of Microsoft Money.

Since all online support isn’t available anymore, you can’t use any of the previously available online features such as bill payment, online quotes, statement downloads, data sync with MSN Money, etc.

Keep in mind that there’s no online help and no Assisted Support, therefore if you have any issues you won’t get any support from Microsoft.

Using Microsoft Money is simple, and in the following section, we’ll show you how to download Microsoft Money on your PC.

Where can I get a copy of Microsoft Money?

Go to Microsoft Money’s download page on Softpaz.
Click the Download button and wait for the download to start.
Locate the downloaded file that you just downloaded and double-click it.
You might get a message saying that your antivirus software can interfere with Microsoft Money setup. Click OK.
Read the license terms and click the I Accept button.
Wait for the installation to finish.
Once the installation is completed, click the Finish button.

The software is officially discontinued, but you can still use Microsoft Money on Windows 10, with certain features missing.

After you installed Microsoft Money, do not hesitate to double-click the Microsoft Money shortcut.

Microsoft Money for Mac

Many are wondering, so why not get straight to it: Is Microsoft Money available for Mac? Unfortunately, it is not and it never was any version of Microsoft Money available for other platforms than Windows.

Nevertheless, that does not mean you cannot use this app to track your investment in MacOS. Here are some useful workarounds:

You can dual boot Windows 10 or 11 and Mac OS and boot into Windows whenever you want to use Microsoft Money
Use a Windows emulator for Mac (Parallels Desktop for Mac or VMware Fusion are great alternatives)

Finally, we have to mention that there are plenty of Microsoft Money alternatives that you can use on Mac such as Moneydance, Quicken, or Moneyspire.

This is all you need to know about Microsoft Money downloads for Mac.

Will Microsoft Money run on Windows 11?

Yes, it definitely can, so keep that in mind if you want to give this software a try on the latest operating system from Microsoft.

If you need some assistance in installing it, you can always refer to our dedicated article on how to download Microsoft Money Sunset on Windows 11.

Can I convert Microsoft Money to Quicken?

To answer that, you should know that Quicken is currently able to import files from Microsoft Money 2007 and 2008, and Money Plus Deluxe only.

Thus, if you have an older version of Microsoft Money, you will need to upgrade. You can download Microsoft Money Plus Deluxe to use for the process of importing your file into Quicken

So, if you are trying to use the Microsoft Money software, this is all you need to know about how to get MS Money on your device.

We’ve shown you to get Microsoft Money on both Windows 10 and Windows 11, so don’t be scared to download the Microsoft Money app. Also, it’s the perfect option to open TXF files.

If you are looking for a Microsoft Money Plus download link, know that Microsoft Money has been gone for years.

Has this article been helpful to you? Let us know in the dedicated comments section located below.

Nvidia Installer Cannot Continue [GeForce Error Fix]

Posted on November 14, 2022October 1, 2025 by Vladimir Popescu

The NVIDIA installer cannot continue is an error message that will prevent you from installing drivers for your graphics card.

You will almost certainly receive the same message over and over again no matter how many times you attempt to install them on your computer.

Why is my NVIDIA not installing?

In addition, this error occurs with a wide range of drivers and Windows iterations, indicating that there are numerous potential causes.

That is to say, it does not exclude anyone, and for many users, resolving the issues can be a frustrating experience.

Fortunately, there is a good chance that one, if not more, of the methods below will be effective for you, so continue reading to find out which one is the most effective.

Even if the installation of the drivers failed, an NVIDIA folder will be created in the partition where your operating system is installed after you have downloaded and installed the drivers.

This is due to the fact that it extracts its setup before beginning the installation process.

This folder will be required even if the setup fails, so if it has been deleted after the setup has failed, re-enter the setup to have it created. But now let’s see shortly what Game Ready Drivers do and then jump into the list of solutions.

After understanding the potential causes, if you’re specifically struggling to download NVIDIA drivers, our comprehensive guide on resolving NVIDIA driver download issues on Windows 10 might provide additional solutions.

Additionally, here are some common error variations that you might encounter:

Nvidia installer cannot continue other installations are running – Nvidia installer Cannot continue a newer or same version is present
Nvidia installer cannot continue not compatible with this version of Windows
Nvidia installer cannot continue Windows 11, 10, 7
Nvidia installer cannot continue Windows task scheduler
Nvidia installer cannot continue a system restart is required
Nvidia installer cannot continue DCH driver package
NVIDIA installer Cannot continue the graphics driver could not find compatible graphics hardware – Nvidia installer cannot continue requires an Nvidia GPU

How do I fix NVIDIA installer Cannot continue?

This being said, let’s jump into the list of solutions and keep in mind that they also work for the NVIDIA installer cannot continue in Windows 10 error.

1. Update your graphics card drivers to fix NVIDIA installer cannot continue

Right-click on the Start icon from your Taskbar and select Device Manager.
Next, expand the Display adapters folder and right-click on the NVIDIA driver to select Uninstall device.

Note that if the full error message states as NVIDIA installer cannot continue, not compatible with this version of Windows, you will have to update your operating system as well.

Check out the article linked for a thorough guide on how to do it.

We must also note that the Device Manager may not always be able to accurately detect new driver versions. If you want a more precise utility, we recommend you install something like Outbyte Driver Updater.

It scans your system and automatically installs new driver versions whenever necessary. It’s easy to use and you can set it up to run in the background and ensure all your drivers are in check.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

2. Enable your NVIDIA driver to fix NVIDIA installer cannot continue

Begin by right-clicking on the Start icon from your Taskbar and choosing Device Manager.
Tap on the Display adapters option, then right-click on the NVIDIA driver. Make sure you select the Enable device option. If it is selected, you will be shown the option to Deselect it.

3. Restart the NVIDIA services to fix NVIDIA installer cannot continue

If you get the NVIDIA installer cannot continue error, then you should restart all the NVIDIA services. There might be an issue with one of them, which causes the installation to fail.

1. Press the Windows + R buttons to open the Run dialog.
2. Type services.msc and then press Enter or click OK.
3. Scroll down until you meet the services that start with NVIDIA.
4. Right-click on each of them to select the Restart option.
5. Reboot your PC if the full error message states that the NVIDIA installer cannot continue, a system restart is required.

4. Stop the NVIDIA processes to fix the NVIDIA installer cannot continue

Press CTRL + SHIFT + ESC in order to open the Task Manager app and navigate to the Details page.
Here, find the NVIDIA processes, click on them and choose End task.
We showcased another process since we don’t have any NVIDIA ones enabled at the moment.
Reopen the NVIDIA installer in order to see if the error is gone.

Note this solution works particularly for the NVIDIA installer cannot continue, other installations are running error messages.

Installing the most recent graphics card drivers has a variety of advantages, including improved gaming and clearer visuals, such as more upgraded photos, as well as improved video generation, particularly when using pure video technologies.

However, the primary advantage of a dedicated graphics card over a locally available GPU is that it speeds up the processor. For example, when using installed designs, more pressure is placed on the CPU.

But, because with a dedicated Graphics card, all graphical calculations are handled by the GPU, the processor is free to work on other tasks, resulting in overall better program execution.

What do Game Ready drivers do?

The most frequently encountered drivers are those for NVIDIA’s GeForce Game Ready Technology.

They are able to provide users with better gaming experiences because they make use of the most up-to-date display technologies.

GeForce drivers nvidia — *GeForce Drivers (Source: NVIDIA)*

In general, when a new major game is released, Game-Ready drivers are released to improve game performance, fix game bugs, and enhance a user’s gaming experience for those who are playing the game.

If the new games simply get better support, we wouldn’t classify it as a driver update, but rather as an improvement.

In case the update simply states that it adds support for certain games that you do not play, then you do not require it. However, if the update is a large one that fixes bugs and other issues, then you do need it.

Regular Game-Ready drivers and Studio drivers are the same things, with the exception that the Studio drivers have been optimized and tested with specific applications.

For more information on how to fix NVIDIA issues, check out our guide on what to do if NVIDIA drivers keep crashing.

Alternatively, take a look at how to solve the NVIDIA drivers not installing on Windows 11 error, and get back to your favorite games.

Leave us a comment in the section below and tell us what you think. Thanks for reading!

Best USB-C Adapters For Your Devices: Get Charged Up!

Posted on November 14, 2022October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

There’s no way you can get away from wall adapters in this day and age, whether you have USB cables or other forms of powering up your devices.

USB-C wall adapters or chargers are always suitable to have around, as they come with myriad benefits, most of which cannot be delivered by cables.

The introduction of the type C connector and port has also come with many advantages, including fast speeds and power supply to your devices.

With the best USB-C wall adapters, you also enjoy the advantages of wall adapters such as more electrical current supplied to your devices, convenience when you have a limited number of ports, durability, and its design complements that of your office or home.

So you’ll never go wrong by having one. This article looks at the best USB-C wall adapters you can get this season.

Best USB-C wall adapter deals to get

1. Anker USB C Charger 40W

Delivers up to 40W of power
Two ports for simultaneous device charging
Compatible with a wide array of Apple devices
Lightweight and compact

Prongs aren’t foldable

Check price

Although it’s not the most powerful device, this model from Anker is still a great choice. It delivers up to 40W of power, allowing you to charge your devices quickly.

The device offers two USB ports, allowing you to charge multiple devices quickly. As for compatibility, this charger works with a wide array of Apple devices, Galaxy Z Flip, S10+, Pixel 3, and newer phones.

It’s important to mention that the career comes with ActiveShield technology that monitors the temperature of your device, ensuring that it’s being charged safely without damaging your battery.

Anker USB C Charger 40W is a compact device, and it’s smaller than the AirPods Pro case so that you can carry it with you at all times, and since it’s available in multiple colors, you’ll quickly find one that matches your style.

2. UGREEN 45W USB C Wall Charger

45W max output
Two ports for simultaneous charging
Lightweight and compact
Offers protection against overheating, overcharging, and overvoltage
Compatible with multiple devices

It doesn’t come with a charging cable

Check price

This might be a perfect choice if you’re looking for a powerful USB-C adapter. It has 45W max charging to charge Macbook Air M2 up to 72% in an hour.

The device comes with two USB C ports allowing you to charge multiple devices simultaneously. In addition, the device is compatible with the latest Apple, Samsung, and other devices.

This charger comes with next-gen safety that adjusts the power output to protect the battery. Speaking of which, there are other protections against overheating, overcharging, and over-voltage.

Regarding the size, this is a small and lightweight charger that can fit in your bag, which makes it a perfect everyday companion.

If you’re looking for an offer, you can navigate to the official UGREEN website, and use the code NC30 to get 30% off the price.

3. Belkin 40W Dual Port USB C Wall Charger

40W output
Can charge two devices simultaneously
Foldable prongs
USB-C PD 3.0 certified

Might not fit tightly in every outlet

Check price

If you’re looking for a 40W charger, then this model is a perfect choice for you. The charger is fast, allowing you to charge your iPhone 13 up to 50% in 25 minutes.

The device comes with a programmable power supply technology that allows you to adjust the output voltage based on the current charging device.

Dual ports are available, allowing you to charge multiple devices quickly. However, remember that output power will be lower if you set two appliances instead of one.

The charger is travel-ready and comes with foldable prongs, making it a must-buy if you’re traveling or want to carry your charger comfortably with you at all times.

4. Ceptics USB-C wall adapter

Can charge a wide array of devices
Comes with European connector
Has slots for US-style adapter
Dual USB ports

Delivers only 5V 2.4A power

Check price

Designed in the USA, this is among the best USB-C wall adapters judging by user reviews and ratings.

Features include a compact size, international output type C plug compatibility in most European countries among 80 other countries globally, a limited lifetime warranty, and 3-in-1 input that accepts the standard North American two or 3-prong flat pin plug.

It has dual USB ports and a no-mess universal outlet, charging up to 2.4A, and is ideal for different devices and other chargers.

However, it is only compatible with dual voltage electronics, as it is not a voltage converter, so you won’t be able to convert from 220V to 110V and vice versa. Ensure your device supports 100-240V if traveling overseas to use this adapter.

5. Highsay USB C Charger

40 power output
Two USB ports for simultaneous charging
Foldable prongs make it perfect for traveling
40% smaller than other chargers

Power can be interrupted when disconnecting cables

Check price

This adapter can deliver up to 40W, and since it comes with two USB ports, it allows you to recharge two devices. Remember that each port can deliver up to 20W when charging multiple devices.

As a result, this device delivers up to 3x faster charging than a regular 1A/5W charger and can charge your iPhone up to 60% in about 30 minutes.

Regarding compatibility, the device can work with the latest gadgets that use the Lightning connector or with devices with a USB-C connector.

As for the size, this model is 40% smaller than its competitors, and with foldable prongs, it’s a perfect traveling companion.

Did you like any of these best USB-C wall adapters? Let us know which one you’ll get by leaving a comment in the section below.

Fix You’ll Need A New App to Open This MS-Windows-Store Link

Posted on November 14, 2022October 18, 2024 by Matthew Adams

The error message You’ll need a new app to open this shows up when you try to open any or specific apps on the system and prevents you from accessing them. The error can be encountered for several reasons, including file corruption, issues with the installed apps, and misconfigured settings.

Also, a corrupt app cache often prevents it from functioning effectively, and subsequently, you come across this error. Besides, problems with the configured policies can lead to the You’ll need a new app to open this error on your computer.

How do I fix You’ll need a new app to open this?

1. Run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter

Press Windows + I to open the Settings app, and then click on Troubleshoot on the right.
Now, click on Other troubleshooters.
Click on the Run button next to the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter listed here.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the troubleshooting process.

The first thing we’re going to try is also the simplest one. We’ll run the Windows Apps Troubleshooter, to see if it can identify and resolve issues for us.

2. Reset Microsoft Store

Press Windows + R to open the Run command, type wsreset.exe in the text field, and then click on OK.
Now, wait for the process to complete.

If the troubleshooter didn’t get the job done, we can as well try to reset the Store. It’s a one step process, and can fix things in a jiffy.

3. Reset the app’s Cache

Press Windows + E to open the File Explorer, click on the View menu, hover the cursor over Show, and then select Hidden items.
Paste the following path in the Windows File Explorer address bar, while replacing <username> with your account name:C:UsersusernameAppDataLocalPackagesWindowsStore_8wekyb3d8bbweLocalState
Now, choose a different name for the Cache folder.
Next, create a new empty folder, and then name it Cache.
Restart your computer, and you are good to go.

If the Microsoft Store app’s cache accumulated over time, it’s a good idea to clear it. Once done, check if the You’ll need a new app to open this error is fixed. In case the issue persists, head to the next method.

4. Check your Region settings

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5. Install Windows updates

Press Windows + I to open Settings, and then select Windows Update from the left.
Now, click on Check for updates to look for newer versions of the OS.
If an update is available, download and install it, and then restart the computer for the changes to come into effect.

As the Store is a part of Windows, frequent Windows updates may affect it. So, if this is a widespread problem, there’s a good chance Microsoft will eventually release a patch for it.

Once done, verify if the You’ll need a new app to open this error is resolved.

6. Create a new User Account

Some users also suggest that accessing the Store from an account different than your default one can be helpful. This is the case when the problem lies with the current user account.

In this case, you need to create a new user account on the Windows PC. Once done, just sign in to the new account, and the You’ll need a new app to open this error should be fixed.

7. Re-register the Store app

Press Windows + S to open the Search menu, enter Terminal in the text field, right-click on the relevant search result, and then select Run as administrator.
Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
In the command line, paste the following command and then press Enter:Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)AppXManifest.xml"}
Once done, restart your PC for the changes to come into effect and try to log-in again.

If none of the previous solutions resolved the problem, you can go with re-registring the Store app package.

8. Revert Windows Back to a Restore Point

Press Windows + R to open the Run command, enter rstrui.exe, and then click OK.
Click Next in the System Restore window to proceed.
Now, choose a restore point from the list, and then click Next.
Next, verify the restore details, and then click on Finish to start the process.

If Store was working fine a few weeks or months back, then recently installed third-party software, especially anti-virus utilities, that might be crashing the app or the OS in some way.

Reverting Windows back to the system restore point will remove third-party programs installed after the restore point’s date and could feasibly fix the You’ll need a new app to open this error. Just make sure to choose a point created before the error was first encountered.

The error may show up on several apps, and we decided to list the common ones to clear any uncertainties or confusion.

You’ll need a new app to open this ms-contact-support link
You’ll need a new app to open this ms-windows-store link
You’ll need a new app to open this ms-action center link
You’ll need a new app to open this ms-paint link
You’ll need a new app to open this asus-support link
You’ll need a new app to open this ms-people link
You’ll need a new app to open this windowsdefender link
You’ll need a new app to open this ms-word link
You’ll need a new app to open this ms-gamingoverlay link
You’ll need a new app to open this steam link
You’ll need a new app to open this about link teams
You’ll need a new app to open this windowsdefender link in Windows 11

In some cases, users have found that Microsoft Store is missing after an update, which too might be an underlying cause to this error, so check out our guide to fix it.

Also, find out how to boost the performance of Windows and make your PC run faster.

If you have any other questions, post them in the comments section below.

Xbox Companion App Fix: To Continue Sign In on Your Console

Posted on November 14, 2022October 4, 2023 by Sagar Naresh

There are several Xbox users who reported coming across To continue, sign in on your console using this account error message.

Apparently, this error message pops up when your profile does not exist on the Xbox console. Thankfully in this guide, we have come up with a bunch of solutions that you can try as it has helped users fix the To continue sign in on your console error on the Xbox companion app. Let us check it out.

What causes the continuing sign in error on your console error on the Xbox companion app?

Here are a few things that could trigger the To continue sign in on your console error on the Xbox companion app:

Server error: If the official servers are down and the Xbox companion app is having issues connecting to it then this error could pop up.
Temporary bug or glitch: There are chances that because of a temporary glitch or bug the issue is happening, so rest assured that the below solutions will help.
Outdated version: You should always ensure that you are running the latest update of the Xbox companion app and the console as well.
Account error: Because of some profile error or account-related issues, your Xbox companion app can misbehave and throw up multiple errors.

How can I fix the To continue sign in on your console error on the Xbox companion app?

Here are a few regular checks that you can perform prior to applying the advanced troubleshooting solutions:

Restart your console. You can try restarting the console and also restarting the PC to check if this resolves the issue or not.
Install the latest update for the companion app as well as check if there are any pending updates available for your Windows PC.

Let us take a look at the advanced solutions to fix this problem.

1. Power cycle your Xbox

Press and hold the Xbox power button on the console for a few seconds to shut down.
Unplug the console from its power source for a couple of minutes.
Reconnect your console.
Press the Xbox button to turn on the console.

By performing a power cycle on your Xbox console, you are ensuring that the console loads all the system files from scratch, which might have been missed during the previous session.

2. Re-add your profile

Press the Xbox power button on the console to open the guide.
Select Profile & system.
Choose Settings.
Select Account.
Select Remove accounts.
Choose the profile you wish to remove and select Remove to confirm.
Go back to Profile & systems.
Select Add or switch.
Choose Add new.
Enter the email address of your Microsoft account.
Enter the password.
Agree to the Microsoft terms and statement.
Follow the on-screen steps and finish adding your profile.

3. Run the Windows Troubleshooter

Press Win + I keys to open the Settings menu.
Select Troubleshoot from the right side.
Click on Other troubleshooters.
Click the Run button for Windows Store apps.
Wait for the troubleshooter to complete the process and follow the prompts to fix the issue.

Windows comes with a built-in troubleshooter for issues such as the one at hand. There might be some problems with the Xbox console app, which can be easily fixed using the troubleshooter.

4. Check the time and date

Press Win + I buttons to open the Settings menu.
Click on Time & language from the left.
Select Date & time.
Toggle on Set time automatically option.
From the Time zone drop-down menu, select the correct time zone for your region.
Hit the Sync now button.

5. Enable Xbox services

Press the Windows button to open the Start menu.
Search for Services and open it.
Right-click on Xbox Live Auth Manager and select Properties.
Under Startup type, select Automatic.
If the service isn’t started, hit the Start button.
Repeat the same steps for Xbox Live Game Save and Xbox Live Networking Service.

In case you are facing Xbox update errors then you can refer to our guide that gives you some of the best solutions to resolve the problem.

Also, this is not the only error that you will come across. If you are facing Oops not sure what happened there Xbox Store error, then check out our article that gives you a bunch of solutions to fix the error.

Let us know in the comments below, which one of the above solutions helped you resolve the To continue sign in on your console error on the Xbox companion app.

Microsoft suspended almost 5 million Xbox accounts in 6 months

Posted on November 14, 2022 by Kareem Anderson

In an effort to contribute to online safety, Microsoft published its first ever Xbox related Digital Transparency Report.

The Microsoft Xbox gaming platform Digital Transparency Report is a six month snap shot of activities taken by the Xbox team to “foster spaces that are safe, positive, inclusive, and inviting for all players,” according to CVP of Xbox Player Service Dave McCarthy.

In this first ever Transparency Report, the Xbox teams lays out its vision for the community that includes a detailed list of Xbox Community Standards such as Shared Values, Conduct, Content, Attitude, Cross-Platform Play, Spam, legality, fraud and the prohibition of other harmful behaviors.

Perhaps the most notable piece of data from the detailed report is the one associated with the Xbox team’s “proactive enforcement” of its standards that has resulted in the team taking action up to 4.78 million times on accounts that violated community guidelines.

A large percentage of the 4.78 million actions flagged resulted in temporary suspensions over the course of the six-month window for the report that includes January 1, 2022 through June 30th of 2022.

The length of suspension is primarily based on the offending content with repeated violations of the policies resulting in lengthier suspensions, an account being permanently banned from the service, or a potential device ban.

Based on the report, the Xbox team has been a bit more aggressive with their “proactive enforcement” – up 9X than in previous reporting with account suspensions up for “inauthentic accounts,” as well as cheating; which were oddly grouped together.

The net result of more policing of its policies on the Xbox platform has been a drop in players reporting one another. The fear of a 7 to 14-day suspension may be playing a role in the reduction of player reports or that more players understand the platform guidelines a bit better than they might have a couple of years ago.

Of the 33.07 million player reported files this year, most were flagged for in-game conduct relating to cheating, teamkilling and, or purposeful team sabotage.

The Xbox team is also committed to empowering players to self-police in more nuanced cases as the number of Xbox Ambassadors continues to grow beyond 150,00.

Visit here to read the full report.

5 Best Wireless Charging Pads for Multiple Devices

Posted on November 14, 2022December 11, 2024 by Tashreef Shareef

Wireless charging pads might not be as fast as cable chargers, but they are more convenient to use, and this is why many prefer them. Speaking of which, in today’s guide, we’re going to show you the best wireless charging pads you can get for this season.

Note: Deals are subject to change. Keep in mind that the price tag often varies. We recommend going to the vendor’s website to check the price. Some of the products may be out of stock by the time you’ve made your purchasing decision. So, hurry up and hit the buy button.

What are the top deals on wireless chargers for multiple devices?

Anker MagGo UFO – Best overall

Portable with a unique foldable design
Can charge up to 3 devices simultaneously
Offers 15W fast charging
Compatible with Qi2 and MagSafe devices
Comes with a 40W adapter

Magnets could be stronger

Check price

If you need a fast-charging wireless charging pad, look no further than Anker MagGo. This device comes with a foldable design, allowing you to fold it and carry it with you at all times.

The charger can charge up to 3 devices simultaneously. Regarding the supported devices, you can use it to charge iPhone 16-12, Apple Watch, AirPods, and other MagSafe devices that support the Qi2 standard.

Regarding the power, the device delivers 15W fast charging and can charge iPhone 15 Pro to 20% in 15 minutes. It’s worth mentioning that the device has a stand-by mode, so you can use it as a phone stand as well.

Overall, Anker MagGo offers an amazing design, and it comes with a 40W adapter, so if you have a compatible device, this will be a perfect traveling companion for you.

UGREEN MagFlow – Incredible design

Delivers 15W, can charge up to 3 devices simultaneously
Compatible with Qi2 devices
3 different viewing angles
Measures 4.6×2.6×1.0
Weighs only 9.2 oz

Can feel a bit wobbly

Check price

The first thing you’ll notice about this charger is its sleek and foldable design. The charger has 3 different angles you can use, so it can work as a stand.

As for the charging, MagFlow can deliver 15W charging, and it can charge up to 3 devices simultaneously. This allows you to recharge your iPhone 15 Pro from zero to 41% in just 30 minutes.

Regarding compatibility, this model works with Qi2 devices, so you can use it with your iPhone 16-12, AirPods 3,2, Pro, and Apple Watch.

This is a sleek charger that will fit perfectly with your iPhone, so if you’re looking for a quality charger with a great design, look no further than UGREEN MagFlow

Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Pad – Simple to use

Offers up to 15W power output
Measures 0.835 x 3.4 x 9.3 inches
Can charge up to 3 devices
Compatible with iPhone 16-12

Minor charging issues with AirPods

Check price

This model from Belkin comes with a simple design, and while it’s not foldable, the device itself isn’t too cumbersome, so it can easily fit in any bag.

As for the power, this charger delivers up to 15W, and it can charge up to three devices simultaneously. In terms of compatibility, this model works seamlessly with iPhone 16-12, Apple Watch, and AirPods.

It’s worth mentioning that the charger has MagSafe technology, so you can rest assured that all your devices will remain in place while charging.

Even though this model isn’t foldable, it’s still a great charging pad with a simple design, so you might want to check it out.

Belkin MagSafe 3-in-1 – Works great as a stand

Supports Apple Fast Charging
Powerful magnetic connection
2-year limited warranty and CEW warranty up to $25.00
Keeps your devices safe and secure

Magnetism in the Mag-Safe is not very strong

Check price

This 2nd generation MagSafe charger from Belkin is another amazing option that will surely de-clutter your desk, while also providing your devices with the perfect amount of power at all times.

This device fully supports the Apple Fast Charging feature, the Belkin charging device is MagSafe-compatible, but it is worth noting that the magnetic power is not as strong as described. That being said, our expert testers have chosen this option as the second best in the list based on its overall capabilities.

As in the case of the previous item on this list, the charging suite is fully compatible with all iPhone models, Apple Watch models, and AirPods.

Besides the 2-year warranty that comes with this product, you also get a Connected Equipment Warranty (CeW) of up to $2500, ensuring that no damage could come from using the device.

UGREEN MagFlow 2-in-1 – Small with lightweight design

15W output
Compatible with all Qi-supported devices
Doubles as a stand
Foldable design
USB-C port for charging additional devices

Can charge only 2 devices
Can’t charge Apple Watch using the second charging pad

Check price

If you’re looking for something simplistic, then this model from UGREEN might be what you need. This charging pad offers up to 15W and it can charge up to 2 devices.

This allows you to charge your iPhone at 7.5W and your AirPods at 5W. Due to its foldable design, this charging pad works as a stand thanks to the strong magnet that ensures your phone doesn’t move.

Regarding compatibility, you can charge all Qi-certified devices without any issues. Due to its small design, the charging pad can be folded and easily placed into your pocket, which makes it perfect for traveling, so be sure to consider it.

Qi chargers still do not offer the speed your traditional USB type-C port offers. However, it provides the convenience of charging your device without the hassle of wires.

Some chargers in this list can charge up to 3 devices simultaneously. First, read the description to understand if the devices need an extra case, wall adapter, etc., to operate.

If you don’t have as many devices to charge, you can always consider using a wireless charging pad instead.

Gaming Features Aren’t Available For Windows Desktop [Fix]

Posted on November 14, 2022September 26, 2024 by Matthew Adams

You can get Gaming features aren’t available for the Windows Desktop or File Explorer while trying to use the Game Bar. You’ll most likely get this error because media files are missing or you disabled gaming features

Here’s how to fix it:

How do I enable gaming features on Windows desktop?

Before proceeding to the fixes in this guide, try to open Game Bar from the Microsoft app as a workaround. Also, keep your Windows up to date.

1. Enable Game Mode

Press the Windows key + I and select the Gaming option.
Toggle the switch under the Game bar section forward to enable it.
Now, click the Capture option in the left pane.
Toggle the switch under Record in the background while I’m playing a game forward to activate it.
From here, choose Game Mode in the left pane.
Finally, toggle the switch for Game Mode forward to enable it.

Before you can use the Xbox Game Bar to record games, you need to enable the necessary features from the settings. Else, you will keep getting the same prompt.

2. Reset Xbox Game Bar

Press the Windows key + I and select Apps.
Select Xbox Game bar from the list of apps and click the Advanced options.
Now, click the Reset button and wait for the process to complete.

If you have been using the Xbox Game Bar in the past but suddenly got the gaming features aren’t available for the windows desktop error, then you need to reset the app.

This will reverse all the changes made to it that might have caused this issue.

3. Uninstall and reinstall the Xbox Game Bar app

Press the Windows key + X and select the Windows PowerShell (Admin) option.
Type the command below and hit Enter: get-appxpackage *Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay* | remove-appxpackage
Wait for the command to finish running, copy and paste the command below, and press Enter: Get-AppXPackage *Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay* -AllUsers | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
Finally, restart your PC.

4. Add the Windows Media Pack to Windows 10 KN or N

To do that, open the Windows Media Pack page.
Click the Download button.
Select an installation pack for either 32 or 64-bit Windows, and press the Next button.
Then open the downloaded installer to install the media pack.

Windows 10 KN and N users might need to install the Windows Media Pack to ensure they have all the media technologies required for the Game bar.

This isn’t the only problem you can encounter, and many reported that Xbox Game Bar is not working for them. If that happens, and you don’t use this feature, you can always disable Xbox Game Bar.

We hope the options above helped you fix the Gaming features aren’t available error. If you need further help, let us know in the comment section below.

How to Fix Run.vbs Error on Windows 10: 5 Quick Methods

Posted on November 14, 2022October 26, 2025 by Madalina Dinita

Windows runs a series of essential scripts on startup, but sometimes users may encounter various error messages preventing them from logging in. One such is the run.vbs error in Windows 10.

The complete run.vbs error in Windows 10 reads, Can not find script file C:\WINDOWS\run.vbs. As a result, you can’t log in to Windows or perform any operation.

How can I fix run.vbs error in Windows 10?

1. Run a malware scan

Type Windows Security in the Search bar, and click on the relevant search result.
Click on Virus & threat protection.
Now, click on Scan options to view all the available ones.
Select Full scan and then click on Scan now at the bottom.
Now, wait for the scan to complete.

In most cases, it’s malware that is causing the run.vbs error in Windows 10. Also, if the built-in Windows Security couldn’t find any, use an effective antivirus to scan for malware.

If you are not sure which antivirus to use, we recommend TotalAV. It has one of the best anti-malware security features and a quick scan will tell you if your PC really has malware.

2. Edit the script

NOTE

If you can’t find the Run.vbs file, create a new one by the same name (use the .vbs extension), and make sure its content is as per the steps below.

Press Windows + E to open File Explorer, and navigate to the path listed in the error message, which in this case is:C:\Windows\run.vbs
Find the run.vbs file, right-click on it, and select the Open with option.
Next, choose Notepad and click OK.
Press Ctrl + A and then Del to delete the contents of the file.
Now, type/paste Wscript.Quit and then hit Ctrl + S to save the changes.
Restart the computer and verify if the problem is fixed.

3. Disable the file from loading at startup

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager, and navigate to the Startup tab.
If you find the run.vbs file there, select it, and then click on Disable.

Once done, restart the computer and check if the run.vbs line 31 error in Windows 10 is fixed. If not, head to the next solution.

4. Download the Autoruns tool

Open Microsoft’s official website, and click on the link to download the Autoruns tool.
Now, right-click on the downloaded file, and select Extract All.
Choose the desired location or go with the default one, and click on Extract.
Once done, open the extracted files, and run Autoruns.exe.
Click on Agree to proceed.
Now, look through all the entries here and locate any with run.vbs under Image Path.
If you find any, right-click on the process, and select Delete.

That’s it! Now, verify if the run.vbs error in Windows 10 is fixed. Also, the Autoruns tool will help in the case of the startup check.vbs error.

5. Perform an in-place upgrade

Go to Microsoft’s official website, and click on Download tool now to get Windows 11 installation media.
Now, right-click on the setup and select Run as administrator.
Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
Wait while the setup gets things ready.
Click on Accept to agree to the terms.
Next, click on Upgrade this PC now, and then on Next at the bottom.
Wait for the download to complete, and then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the in-place upgrade.

What causes run.vbs error on Windows 10?

Here are a few reasons why you might be having issues with the Run VBS file in Windows:

Script configured to load at startup – A likely reason behind the problem is that the script or file is configured to load at startup, thus throwing the error.
Malware or virus – If the computer is infected with malware or virus, you are likely to encounter a range of issues, including the Run vbs on startup in Windows 10.
Issues with the registry – A misconfigured or corrupt registry can wreak havoc if not fixed immediately.

If none of the previous methods worked, an in-place upgrade would surely fix things in the case of run.vbs error in Windows 10. And the best part is you wouldn’t lose any files or installed apps.

Also, find out how to easily improve the performance of Windows 10 and get your tasks done a lot quicker.

In case you have any queries, drop a comment below, and we will get back to at the earliest.

How to Fix a Corrupt Registry in Windows 7

Posted on November 14, 2022October 3, 2025 by Claire Moraa

The Windows Registry plays an important role in the functioning of Windows 7. When you install new software or hardware, it frequently installs itself in the registry and adds entries to it.

These entries tell Windows how to interact with that software or hardware and what kind of programs should be used to open documents created by it. If you have a corrupt registry it can cause problems such as system crashes and blue screen errors.

What causes a corrupt registry in Windows 7?

If you are wondering why you have a corrupt registry, below are some common causes:

Malware – Malware often modifies the Windows Registry. This can cause several problems such as slow boot times, random crashes and so on. A good antivirus program is recommended.
Incompatible programs – If you have recently installed any software or hardware, it is possible that the registry is corrupt due to incompatibility issues.
RAM and hard drive errors – This can happen when there’s not enough RAM available on your computer due to a lack of available memory slots or an insufficient amount of RAM installed in your computer at the time of purchase.
Hardware failure – If you have bad RAM chips or faulty hard drives, they could cause corruption in the registry as well as other parts of your PC.
Unexpected shutdowns – These can cause file corruption if they happen unexpectedly while you are working on something important.
Corrupt drivers or system services – As time goes by, drivers and services may become outdated and no longer compatible with newer versions of Windows 7.
Improperly shutting down your computer – This can happen when you shut down your computer while there is an active program running, such as playing a game or watching a video file.
Incorrectly uninstalling software – The problem is that these programs don’t always remove all traces of the program from your system, leaving behind bits and pieces that can cause problems.

How can I fix a corrupt registry in Windows 7?

If you have a corrupt registry, there are a number of things you can do before stepping up to advanced troubleshooting:

Make sure you have all the latest drivers for your hardware devices.
Check for viruses and malware on your PC.
Finally, try restarting your computer. Here’s what to do if your PC ends up stuck on restarting.

1. Run the DISM command

Hit the Start icon, type cmd, and select Run as administrator.
Type this command and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth

2. Run the System File Checker command

Hit the Start icon, type cmd, and select Run as administrator.
Type this command and press Enter: sfc /scannow

3. Run a registry cleaner

If you are not tech-savvy or just don’t have the time to manually go through multiple steps, an automatic tool will come in handy. There are many such programs available in the market that can do the job.

4. Perform a System reset

Click on the Windows key to launch the Start menu, and then select Control Panel from the options on the right.
Navigate to System and Security.
Select Backup and Restore.
Find Recover system settings on your computer.
Click on Advanced recovery methods.
Select Return your computer to factory condition.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

If you need to restore your computer from a backup created earlier, first make sure it’s from a time before the corrupt registry errors began.

For detailed instructions on restoring your PC to its default settings, check this complete guide on how to factory reset Windows 7.

Can Windows fix registry errors?

Windows Registry Checker is a free tool to scan, clean and repair Windows registry problems. It detects and removes obsolete or incorrect information from the Windows registry and helps you optimize your PC’s performance.

Here are some of the features of this tool:

Registry Defragmentation – The software will help you defragment your registry in order to fix any errors and make it work more efficiently. This will help speed up your PC performance by making sure that all files are in the right place and easy for Windows to find them.
Registry cleanup – The tool can detect and remove obsolete or incorrect information from the Windows registry to optimize your PC’s performance.
Registry backup – The tool allows you to backup your registry before performing any changes so that if anything goes wrong, you won’t lose any important data from your system.

Hopefully you will find these solutions helpful for any problems you encounter and can fix the corrupt Windows 7 Registry.

As you may already know, the sun officially set on Windows 7 in January 2020. The OS will continue to be available for users who need access to security updates or other patches until 2023.

Windows 7 may still be pretty secure, but once its support ends, your computer becomes vulnerable to viruses and malware. We can’t emphasize this enough. These will not only slow down your computer but could also compromise your private data.

We’re already living in a world of constant online threats and the last thing you need is an unprotected operating system with security vulnerabilities.

As such, we recommend upgrading to Windows 11. Take advantage of the free upgrade while you still can.

Do let us know which method fixed your corrupt registry in the comment section below.

3 Easy Methods to Rebuild Boot Partition on Windows 10

Posted on November 14, 2022October 4, 2023 by Madalina Dinita

The Windows 10 boot partition is important in starting up your PC. However, you might mistakenly delete the boot partition while troubleshooting your PC.

Also, the partition can develop some issues and fail to startup your PC normally. this guide will show you the steps to follow to rebuild your boot partition easily on Windows 10.

What causes boot partition problems on Windows 10?

There are a few reasons that can lead to boot partition problems on Windows 10. Below are some of the common causes:

Deleted boot partition: If you accidentally deleted Windows 10 boot partition, you will need to rebuild it to be able to start your PC normally.
Damaged Main Boot Record: Sometimes, it might just be that your Media Boot Record (MBR) is damaged while troubleshooting your PC. In this case, you need to rebuild the boot partition on Windows 10 MBR.

How can I rebuild the boot partition on Windows 10?

1. Repair EFI Bootloader

Insert a bootable installation media and boot your PC from it.
Choose your language and other available info and click Next.
Select the Repair your computer option.
Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options.
Now, select the Command Prompt option.
From here, type the following commands and hit Enter after each: Diskpart list disk
Note if there is an asterisk under the GPT column. This shows that you are using the EFI boot and not MBR. If there is no asterisk, you need to use Solution 2 instead.
Now, type the commands below and press Enter after each: sel disk 0list partitionlist volume
Note the volume with FAT32 and with a size or approximate size of 100MB.
Type the commands below and hit Enter after each to assign a letter to volume containing the EFI bootloader: Note that you need to replace the volume with asterisk with the volume in Step 8: select volume with asterik assign letter k
Now, type the command below and hit Enter to exit Diskpart: exit
Copy-paste the command below and press Enter to go to the directory of the hidden volume: Note that K is the drive letter we assigned in Step 9 and you should replace it accordingly. cd /d K:\efi\microsoft\boot\
Finally, type the following commands and press Enter after each: %WINDIR%\System32\Config\BCD-Template attrib BCD -s -h -r ren BCD BCD.bak bcdboot C:\Windows /l en-us /s k: /f ALL

The steps above are what you need to do to rebuild the boot partition on Windows 10 on a GPT disk. Also, these are the steps you need to fix issues with your UEFI boot with Command Prompt.

2. Rebuild the Main Boot Record Boot Configuration Data

Repeat Steps 1 to 4 in Solution 1 above.
Type the commands below and hit Enter after each: bootrec /fixmbr bootrec /fixboot bootrec /rebuildbcd
Finally, restart your computer and the deleted partition should now be restored.

That is what you need to do if you need to recover the boot partition on Windows 10 for MBR. When you want to restart your PC, remember to remove the bootable installation media.

3. Restore recovery partition using a third-party tool

An easier way to format your partition could be using dedicated software. In that matter, we recommend that you give AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional a try.

It’s a great tool, the interface is extremely intuitive, and all you need to do once you download it is to select the new partition and press the Format Partition option.

Moreover, you can rest assured that no data will be lost during the process due to its advanced data protection features.

AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional will run smoothly on your device without having to interrupt your work or reboot your device.

AOMEI Partition Assistant Professional

Simplified partition management with close to zero errors. Get the best deal now!

Check price Visit website

There you have it, everything you need to rebuild your boot partition on Windows 10 without issues. You only need to follow the instructions in this guide carefully and you should be able to start your PC normally.

Do you need a list of the best Windows 10 boot repair tools that really fix your PC? Check our excellent guide for the best tools to use today.

Feel free to let us know if you encounter any problems trying to rebuild your partition in the comments below.

Repair All DirectX Errors Easily: Updated Steps That Work In 2026

Posted on November 14, 2022May 14, 2025 by Cesar Cadenas

Struggling with DirectX errors on Windows 11? Outdated drivers, corrupted files, or even bugs can cause issue with these APIS.

Today, we’ll show you how to end all errors so you can use DirectX to enhance video playback, gaming, and media production.

We’ll tell you all about what causes errors in the first place, but first, let’s fix them:

How do I fix DirectX errors on Windows 11?

1. Checking the DirectX version

Click on the magnifying glass icon on the bottom taskbar to bring up the Search bar.
Type dxdiag and click on the first entry you see to run the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
Underneath the System tab, you will see which version of DirectX is installed on your computer.
As you can see in this example, this computer has DirectX 12. If you don’t have this version or DirectX 12 Ultimate installed, we recommend that you download the latest version from Microsoft.

2. Download the latest version of DirectX

You can rely on the next method that will most probably fix the DirectX error on Windows 11 by getting the latest version of the program.

1. On your preferred search engine, search for Download DirectX 12 and click the first entry you see. This will begin the download automatically.
2. You’re going to download the dxwebsetup.exe file. Click Open file.
3. A small window will appear asking if you want to make changes. Select Yes.
4. An installation wizard will appear to guide you. Select I accept the agreement.
5. Click Next in this next window. You’re also given the option to install the Bing bar. We recommend that you deselect this option to save your computer space.
6. At this point, DirectX 12 will begin downloading and installing.
7. As soon it’s done installing, click Finish.
8. Go back to the DirectX Diagnostic Tool and double the version for good measure.

3. Using Device Manager

Right-click on the Start button.
Select Device Manager and open the tool.
Identify which driver you want to update. For example, in this guide, we will select to update the drivers for the computer’s processors.
Click on the arrow to expand.
Please select the driver you want to update and right-click it. Then choose Update driver.
A wizard will appear to give you an option on how you want to update the drivers. We recommend that you select Search automatically for drivers.
If an update is found, Windows 11 will automatically download and install it. If there’s no update, you’ll get this screen.
After the driver has been successfully updated, select Close.

If that does not work, we recommend trying a specialized driver updater tool, which will scan your PC for missing or outdated drivers and prompt you to update them.

4. Checking for Windows Updates

Click on the Start button and select the Settings icon.
Click on Windows Update on the left.
Select Check for updates to have Windows 11 download and install any updates, including drivers.

5. Installing optional updates

Some driver updates may be considered optional by Windows 11. However, if you’re still experiencing DirectX issues, download the optional updates by clicking on Windows Update in the settings menu.
Select Advanced options.
Under Additional options, select Optional updates.
In the next window, click the Driver updates drop-down menu and select the optional update you want to install.
Then select the blue Download & install button.

NOTE

Upgrading to DirectX 12 will solve the Runtime issue plaguing Valorant players.

6. Disable third-party apps and startup services

Press the Ctrl + Alt + Del keys on your keyboard.
Click Task Manager to open the Task Manager window.
Click on the Startup tab.
Here, you will find a list of apps and services that run on startup; they can slow down your PC and conflict with other programs.
Right-click a service and then select Disable.
Check to see if DirectX works now. If it works, the app or service you disabled was the culprit.
If you want further control over a broader range over which startup services are activated, open the search bar and type in System Configuration.
Select the first entry you see.
Go to the Services tab, and you will see all of the background services currently running on your PC.
Tick off the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox to remove them.
Select Disable all to shut down all these processes. This is not permanent, as you can return and enable them back on.
Hit the Apply button.
Restart your PC and see if DirectX works. If it is, then one of these services caused the problem.
You should enable them one by one, so you can find the problematic app.

7. Run command prompt

In the search bar, type in command prompt.
Select Run as administrator.
Enter the command below and hit Enter.
sfc /scannow
System File Check will scan Windows 11 and verify each file. This will take some time.
Once the scan is complete, all of your system files will have been checked and repaired.

8. Perform a system restore

Press the Windows key + R to bring up the Run dialog.
In the dialog box, type rstruit, then hit Enter to open the System Restore wizard.
In the System Restore wizard, click Next.
The following window will show you the restore point currently available. Select the restore point and hit Next.
Hit Finish, and the computer will revert to the point when DirectX worked or before the problems started.

NOTE

Be aware that restoring the system should be a last resort. This process will erase everything created or added after that restore point.

What causes a DirectX error?

By and large, DirectX is updated automatically, so there are rarely any issues, but sometimes there’s that odd moment where you’ll encounter an error. Sometimes your drivers aren’t up to date, or there’s a glitch, or something got corrupted along the way.

There is a myriad of reasons why DirectX won’t work for you. Here are a few of the most common ones:

Antivirus or PC boosters – They may often prevent your game from starting correctly, resulting in the DirectX error.
Corrupted game files – Your game files can be damaged, or essential files might have been destroyed. You may either attempt to fix the game or uninstall it and install a new copy.
Unexpected bugs – This error may occasionally appear in games or on your computer due to a random bug. In such cases, restart your computer and attempt to launch the game once more.

Errors associated with DirectX come in different forms; a few include:

DirectX encountered an unrecoverable error in windows 11
DirectX error in Warzone
The DirectX internal system error in windows 11
DirectX runtime error in windows 11
DirectX not installing in Windows 11

How do I enable DirectX on Windows 11?

Open the search menu, type Windows features, and select the Turn Windows features off or on option.
Expand the Legacy Components option, then select DirectPlay, and click OK.
Now you should have DirectX enabled.

How to reinstall DirectX Windows 11?

To reinstall DirectX in Windows 11, you only have to follow the steps in Solution 2: Download the latest version of DirectX.

With the steps above you should be able to fix common DirectX errors such as dxerror.log and directx.log in Wwindows 11.

Remember, it’s essential to ensure your Windows 11 stays healthy, free of any corrupted files or malware slowing everything down. Because of this, it’s recommended that you download PC Health Check to test your system and ensure it stays healthy.

Also, you should update to Windows 11 DX12 for the next experience using the tech. For older games, check for DirectX 9 graphics card compatibility.

Need help getting started? Here’s how to download DirectX 12 on Windows 11 and enable it properly if it’s not already active. If you’re running into issues, you can always reinstall DirectX 12 for a fresh start.

Feel free to comment below if you have questions about other Windows 11 problems or bugs. And leave comments about the most relevant solutions.

4 Ways to Fix Minecraft Launcher no Internet Connection

Posted on November 14, 2022November 2, 2023 by Madalina Dinita

One of the most popular games worldwide, Minecraft, has been reported to throw errors from time to time. The error that affected many users is one that reads No Internet connection in Minecraft launcher, even though they can access everything else online.

The error message usually reads, Minecraft, something went wrong, try checking your internet connection in the launcher. In the following sections, we will explore the underlying causes and the solutions to the error.

Why does Minecraft Launcher no Internet connection error appear?

Here are a few reasons why you might be encountering the error:

Problems with the Internet connection – Usually, the Internet connection is slow, or you don’t have access to the Internet.
VPN, antivirus, or firewall blocking access – In some cases, it was the VPN or firewall that conflicted with the Internet and led to the error. Also, a third-party antivirus is just as likely to blame.
A bug in the installed version of Minecraft – There was a known bug in one of the versions of Minecraft that led to the No Internet connection error with the launcher.

How can I fix Minecraft Launcher no Internet connection error?

Before we head to the slightly complex solutions, here are a few quick ones you can try to get things up and running:

Wait for a while, an hour or two, and verify if Minecraft works perfectly on other devices. Sometimes, it could be issues with the server or a maintenance downtime affecting things.
Restart the computer. It’s the easiest way to fix issues with Minecraft or any other application, for that matter.
Turn off the modem/router for a minute, and then turn it back on.
Disable any third-party antivirus, firewall, or VPN installed on the computer.

If these two don’t work, the solutions below would definitely fix things when the Minecraft launcher can’t connect to Minecraft services.

1. Delete app data

Press Windows + E to open File Explorer, and navigate the following path while replacing Username with the one on your computer:C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming.minecraft\versions
Now, press Ctrl + A to select all the files here and hit Del.
Once done, restart the computer for the changes to apply and open the launcher.

This is by far the simplest method to fix things when you see the No Internet connection error in the Minecraft launcher.

2. Disable Windows Firewall

Press Windows + S to open the Search menu, enter Windows Defender Firewall in the text field, and click on the relevant search result.
Now, click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off.
Select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) under both Private network settings and Public network settings, and then click on OK.

3. Reinstall Minecraft

Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl in the text field, and click OK.
Now, locate the Minecraft entry here, select it, and click on Uninstall.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.
Once done, download Minecraft from the official website.
Next, launch the setup and complete the installation process.

After you are done with the installation, check if the No Internet connection error in the Minecraft launcher disappears.

Reinstalling the game not just fixes issues with the game but also gets you on the latest version when Minecraft Bedrock is unable to connect to the server.

4. Reset network settings

Press Windows + R to open Run, type cmd, and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
Click Yes in the UAC prompt that appears.
Now, paste the following commands one at a time, and hit Enter after each:ipconfig /release ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /renew netsh int ip reset netsh winsock reset
Once done, restart the computer for the changes to apply.

If nothing else worked to fix the No Internet connection issue in the Minecraft launcher, it’s likely misconfigured network settings to blame. Resetting it should do the trick.

And by now, the problem should be fixed. Also, find out how to update Minecraft and seamlessly fix a range of issues with it.

The Error occurred during initialization of VM also appears when initializing a Minecraft server so click the highlighted link to fix it.

If you have any queries or know of another solution, drop them in the comments section below.

Fix: System Thread Exception Not Handled BSOD on Windows 11

Posted on November 14, 2022December 6, 2024 by Loredana Harsana

System thread exception not handled in Windows 11 is a critical error wich will make your computer throw in a big sad face bluescreen whenever you start it.

Unfortunately, a simple restart of your PC won’t fix the error, but the better solutions aren’t that complicated. Typically, a wrong driver that has been installed on your machine is the cause of the system_thread_exception_not_handled error in Windows 11 and Windows 10.

How do I fix the System Thread Exception Not Handled in Windows 11?

1. Boot into Safe Mode

Using this practical solution with Safe Mode, you can get rid of BSOD issues like System thread exception not handled error on Windows 11.

1. Press the Win + I buttons to open the Settings menu.
2. From the left side, select System.
3. Click on Recovery.
4. Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
5. Your PC will reboot, and multiple options will appear.
6. Select Troubleshoot.
7. Click on Advanced options.
8. Select Startup Settings.
9. Click on Restart.
10. After your PC reboots, press F5 to boot your PC into Safe Mode.

2. Use the Event Viewer to find the faulty file

While booted in safe mode, you will have acces to some windows programs that might help you fix your errors. Event Viewer is Windows native app that will allow you to look for files that have caused errors. Here is how it works:

Open the Windows Search console by presing the Windows + S key combination
Type Event Viewer and open the app
Expand the Windows Logs and select filter current log
Input the time frame during which the error occured
Check the log for items that might have caused the error

You can double-click each entry so you can view a detailed report of what happened and find the file which has caused the error.

3. Rename faulty system file

If during your Event Viewer check, you found out that the issue was caused by a system file, you can rename that file and so force Windows to download a fresh copy of it.

Press Windows + S key combination to open the search console
Type the name of the file you identified in the event viewer
Right-click on the file and click Open File Location
Right-click the file in it’s current folder and press rename
Input a new file name, it can be whatever you want

4. Reinstall the graphics card drivers

Right-click on the Start icon.
Select Device Manager.
Now expand the Display adapters section.
Right-click on your GPU and choose Uninstall device.
Restart your computer.
After restarting, your PC will automatically install the graphics driver.

We can’t stress enough how vital updating your drivers are, given these can trigger System Thread Exception Not Handled in Windows 11 on startup.

5. Repair your system files

Open the Start menu.
Type in cmd and choose Run as administrator.
Type or paste the following command inside the CMD window and press Enter: sfc /scannow

6. Use a Windows Restore Point

Open the Start menu.
Search for Create a restore point and open it.
Click on the System Restore button.
Click on Next.
Select the restore point to undo the latest changes to your computer.

What does SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED mean?

It is necessary to understand what is causing the System Thread Exception Not Handled problem because it will be easier for you to fix the problem the next time you face it.

Upon startup, Windows 11 will automatically detect and load all of the essential drivers installed on your machine. However, it is possible that a driver is incompatible with your Windows iteration or that a bug has been introduced into it.

As a result, a blue death screen (BSOD) will appear, stating the error SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED on the screen.

The message also sometimes lists the file triggering the System Thread Exception Not Handled error, say, ntfs.sys, nvlddmkm.sys, rtwlanu.sys, or ndis.sys.

Sometimes difficulties appear out of nowhere. For example, your computer is operating normally one day, and the next day it refuses to start.

What causes system thread exception not handled?

The drivers installed on your PC are outdated – Chances are that you haven’t updated your drivers in quite a while, which triggered this problem.
Overclocking can also cause this issue – You might have overclocked your PC for gaming or running graphics-intensive software, which also has been reported to be one of the reasons for this error.
You have installed an incompatible driver – If you install an incompatible driver and the error is because of backward incompatibility, i.e., you cannot install 64-bit software on a 32-bit PC.
Some critical files of the driver are corrupt or missing – Because of faulty installation or pro-longed usage, some essential files of the driver got corrupted.
Important system files are missing or corrupt – Some third-party software might have replaced or tweaked the critical system files, which got corrupted or replaced.

For more information on Windows system restore points, check out our article on creating a Windows 11 restore point.

Alternatively, if you’ve made a mistake you want to delete from your past, we’ve got you covered with a guide on undoing a system restore in Windows 11.

And lastly, since we are on the same subject, we suggest you read our post on how to fix System Thread Exception not Handled ntfs.sys in Windows 10 since it includes solutions applicable to Windows 11.

Can the Blue Screen of Death Be Fixed?

Are you getting the BSoD or Blue Screen of Death issue on your Windows 11 PC, and none of the solutions seems to resolve the problem for you? Then do not worry, as we have got you covered.

You can check out our dedicated guide that lists effective solutions to fix the Blue Screen of Death error on Windows 11.

We also have a guide on Handle Error On Critical Thread, so feel free to check it out.

Was this guide helpful for you and your friends? Then, do tell us in the comments section below whether you have more solutions in mind.

raiseactivationauthenticationlevel: How to Raise DCOM Level

Posted on November 14, 2022October 4, 2023 by Claire Moraa

DCOM authentication is an alternative to the default anonymous authentication. The latter uses a username and password to authenticate an application. The higher the level of authentication, the more access with how apps communicate with each other.

In addition to offering better security than anonymous authentication, DCOM authentication offers more flexibility. This is because it lets you specify which users can access your applications. A lot of people are increasingly embracing remote software so it is recommended to stay secure at all times.

What is DCOM authentication level?

The DCOM (Distributed Component Object Model) is a protocol for remote method invocation. It is a Microsoft technology that allows software to be called remotely.

The DCOM authentication level controls how much information DCOM provides about itself when it attempts to connect to another application and is based on COM.

COM is an object-oriented programming standard that was developed by Microsoft to allow applications written in one language (for example C++) to be used by applications written in other languages.

A COM object can be used by any application supporting the standard, provided that it implements the required interfaces. This approach makes it easier to reuse code and share data between applications and software components.

In general, DCOM is a technology that enables remote procedure calls (RPCs) between clients and servers. It provides a mechanism for applications to communicate across the network without having to expose their internal data structures and functions to other applications.

Why should I enable DCOM?

Some of the benefits of enabling DCOM include:

Communication between applications – It is possible for different computers or networks to communicate using DCOM.
Troubleshooting – Enabling DCOM can help you troubleshoot issues with applications such as Microsoft Exchange Server.
Manage and control – DCOM allows you to remotely administer software and hardware on your computer from another computer. It’s almost similar to remote desktop protocols. You can also use DCOM to access information about the capabilities of your computer and its performance.

While DCOM has immense benefits, unfortunately, it also has its downsides. These include:

Excessive control – When you enable DCOM, you allow other programs to control your computer. This means that they can send commands to execute programs on your computer, change the Registry settings, and access other files.
Security issues – DCOM can be used by hackers to gain access to your computer. The security risks are high as anyone with malicious intent can take control of your PC.
Loss of privacy – If one of the applications on your computer has been infected with a virus or malware, then it can easily steal passwords and sensitive information from other applications on your computer.
Slow performance – DCOM requires more system resources than normal applications do and this can interfere with their performance as well as yours.
Limited programs – You may be unable to install certain programs. Some software companies do not support DCOM because of security concerns.

How can I raise the DCOM authentication level?

Hit the Windows + R keys to open the Run command.
Type regedit and press Enter.
Navigate to the following location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Ole\AppCompat
Right-click on an empty space and select New DWORD and create a Value Name as RaiseActivationAuthenticationLevel.
Type in 1 or 2 as the Value Data depending on the level of authentication you desire.
Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

If you get a message such as The server-side authentication level policy does not allow the user %1\%2 SID (%3) from address %4 to activate DCOM server. It means that you need to raise your DCOM activation authentication level.

Also, you can only edit the registry if you have the KB5004442 Windows update.

How do I check if DCOM is enabled?

DCOM can be enabled by default on some systems, but it can also be disabled by default or manually. To check whether DCOM is enabled, follow the steps below.

Hit the Windows + R keys to open the Run command.
Type dcomcnfg in the dialog box then press Enter.
In the left pane, click on Component Services to expand then select Computers.
Right-click on My Computer and select Properties.
Navigate to the Default Properties tab, check the Enable Distributed COM on this computer and click OK.

By enabling DCOM you expose your system to security vulnerabilities. This can allow attackers to remotely execute code on your computer. If you are not using the protocol, it is best to disable it.

For more information on how to manage the DCOM changes, refer to Microsoft’s page. You may also run into a DCOM error 10016 so be sure to check out our guide on how to bypass this issue.

We’d love to know what authentication level you have applied if you have enabled DCOM and why. Share in the comment section below.

How to Manually Install Drivers on Windows 11 [3 Ways]

Posted on November 14, 2022July 15, 2024 by Vlad Turiceanu

We can strongly admit that without drivers, our PC and OS won’t run in normal conditions. Before anything else, you should know that you can both automatically and manually install drivers on Windows 11.

A device driver is able to simplify programming, acting as a translator and communicator between your device and the apps or OS that use it.

Drivers are important considering that if they are not working properly, you might notice malfunctioning or unresponsive hardware. Even more, they hide the intrinsics of your hardware devices, allowing you to use an extremely easy interface.

In the picture below you can view how drivers work on your PC. As you can see, drivers are software components related to your device, that allow your OS to start, use and control all the hardware and software pieces.

It seems like some users need to know how to manually install drivers on Windows 11, and we’re going to show you the easiest ways you can do it.

In order to discover the most proper option, make sure you try all the listed ones below.

How can I manually install drivers on Windows 11?

1. Use the Settings menu

An efficient and incredibly practical way to manually install drivers on Windows 11 is with the Settings menu, namely using the Windows Update tool from your computer.

1. Open Settings.
2. Go to Windows Update, then select Advanced options.
3. Select Optional updates.
4. Expand the Driver updates section, then checkmark the recommended drivers.
5. Click on the Download and Install button.
6. Wait for the process of installing drivers to finish.

2. Get drivers on Windows 11 from the manufacturer’s website

Open any web browser, then search for your driver manufacturer’s driver download center.
In most cases, you should search for the exact model of your product, but you can also look for the general driver.
So let’s say you access the Intel download center. In the search bar, you can type your needed specifications, as in the example below:
A list will appear, then you’ll have to select one of the available drivers (We recommend choosing the latest ones).
Click on the Download button.
Follow the on-screen instructions to install it.

3. Use Device Manager

Open Device Manager.
Expand the related-driver section, then right-click on the needed driver, and select Update driver.
Choose Browse my computer for drivers.
Click on the Browse button, then select a location for your driver.
Click on the Next button.

What are the most common driver problems?

To prevent any issue related to your drivers, we prepared a list of the most common driver problems. Also, make sure we’ll come up soon with full-fix articles regarding these problems in Windows 11.

BSOD errors, also known as the Blue Screen of Death errors
Computer screen freezing issues
Printer or scanner not responding properly
Mouse, touchpad or touchscreen driver related issues
Sound and audio driver issues
USB or keyboard driver problems

To prevent all of these troubles, we recommend constantly updating your drivers. It’s possible that you’ll feel overwhelmed if you have to update each driver manually whenever it’s needed.

When there are issues with hardware, peripherals, or software performance, having your drivers up and running is a must-do operation.

As for automatic scans of missing or outdated drivers, we can only encourage you to use a dedicated driver updating tool.

However, an automated solution not only downloads and installs drivers, but also manages them by troubleshooting, backing up, and restoring them.

You may rely on these tools to make such changes to ensure a proper installation and upgrade with the most latest and compatible Windows 11 drivers.

How often should I check for updated drivers?

In general terms, you don’t have to manually check for your updated drivers, and that’s because Windows will let you know if there’s a new one available for update.

However, like any other software component, it is possible that it won’t always notice you when if there’s such an available actualization. Thus, you may need to manually check for updated drivers.

If you wonder how often should you inspect for this kind of action, take a look at the information listed below:

Before anything else, consider checking for driver updates after every large Windows update.
You need to examine the driver updates every time you install a new app on your PC.
Considering the GPU drivers (graphic processing unit), you can update them every time a new game or video editing program comes up.
If you need to connect any peripherals to your device (such as USB cable, printers or scanners), you should check for the related drivers as soon as you associate them to your computer. Thus, you’ll make sure that they won’t harm your PC.

Having an optimized driver requires every three-month update. In addition, consider that you can also access the Microsoft Download Center, and search for the driver you need to install.

So these are the easiest methods that will help to manually install drivers on Windows 11. Of course, you can also do it in an automatic manner, which is a less time-consuming option.

If you have any other questions regarding this subject, do not hesitate to comment in the section below.

Windows 11 File Explorer Keeps Crashing [Fix]

Posted on November 14, 2022October 8, 2025 by Vladimir Popescu

Is File Explorer crashing randomly on Windows 11? You can go through this article to get the best solutions.

File Explorer is an important integrated part of the latest OS versions. In these terms, keeping it running in proper conditions is mandatory.

To find out how File Explorer is different from the previous OS version, check out some new features, comparisons & update tips.

Besides the great features that the new File Explorer brings, users have claimed to get into some worrying problems.

You might sometimes notice that in Windows 11, the desktop File Explorer keeps crashing without any certain explanation. There are some reasons why this happens, and we’re going to describe them.

Why does Windows File Explorer keep crashing?

➡ Improper system settings

One of the most common reasons why Windows 11 File Explorer crashes can be related to improper system settings. Thus, you should consider adjusting and optimizing its advanced options.

If this is why your File Explorer can not properly work, make sure you’re going to find some solutions later in this article.

➡ Incompatible third-party software

It is possible that third-party antivirus programs or other kinds of harmful apps can cause damage to Windows File Explorer by entering into conflict.

This reason might generate delays or lags when using File Explorer. To avoid such situations, you should definitely find out how to block third-party app install on Windows PCs.

➡ Large number of files in history

Having too many files in File Explorer can make it oversaturated by unnecessary storage. In these terms, history will negatively affect it, causing crashes or slow-down situations.

➡ Corrupted system files

Corrupted system files might get inoperable or unusable due to various reasons. Thus, they can also affect how your File Explorer acts.

This usually happens unexpectedly, leaving you unable to access File Explorer or to normally use it.

You should know that these reasons are not uncommon, so there are plenty of options to fix them. Fortunately, they are similar to what you know was applied to fix Windows 10 file corruption issues.

Moreover, there are multiple variations that can occur, which are all fixable with the solutions below:

Windows 11 file explorer crashes when I right-click
Windows 11 file explorer not opening from Taskbar
File Explorer crashing after update in Windows 11
Windows 11 Explorer crashes after sleep
Windows Explorer keeps restarting in Windows 11
File Explorer keeps crashing in Windows 11
Windows Explorer crashes when selecting file
Windows 11 file explorer crashing on startup

What is Windows Explorer?

Windows Explorer is one of the key components of this OS. Without it, you cannot do anything in a normal way. Unfortunately, there is no way to reinstall Windows Explorer. However, you can repair it using various methods like SFC or DISM commands, etc.

We have a separate guide on this. Read: How to repair corrupted Windows components

Probably, you want to reinstall Windows Explorer just because you have been encountering some problems with it. Don’t worry. There are various methods that you can try to solve your problem.

To find out some of the best solutions to consider if your Windows 11 File Explorer is acting weird, make sure you read this article completely.

How do I fix File Explorer crashing on Windows 11?

1. Adjust the File Explorer options

Open Control Panel.
In the top right corner search bar, type File Explorer options and open it.
Select the General tab.
Next to the Open File Explorer To: drop-down menu, select the This PC option.
Click on Apply, then on OK.

This is the first and the easiest method to try if your File Explorer keeps crashing. It might help, considering this issue can occur due to some improper settings.

2. Use Command Prompt

Click on the Start button, type Command Prompt, then right-click on it and select Run as administrator.
In the pop-up window, type the following command, then press Enter: sfc /scannow
Wait until the process is completed.
Restart your PC.

This command is also known as System File Checker and allows you to scan and restore corruptions in Windows system files. Thus, it can definitely help if Windows 11 File Explorer is in a crash loop.

A more advanced alternative for this issue is to use specialized software that finds and repairs corrupted Windows files.

3. Clear the Cache

1. Click on the Start button on your taskbar to open the search box.
2. Type Control Panel in the search box, then click on the first result.
3. In the top right corner search bar, type File Explorer options and press Enter to open it.
4. Navigate to the General tab.
5. In the Privacy section, click on Clear.
6. Select OK to confirm the selection.

It is possible that sometimes the File Explorer history cache gets corrupted or turns out too big. In these situations, files and folders are loading slowly or not loading at all.

With this option, you’ll be able to clear the history and also prevent unnecessary memory usage, which might be some explanations for your Windows 11 File Explorer crashing.

It is possible that sometimes the File Explorer history cache gets corrupted or turns out too big. In these situations, files, and folders are loading slowly or not loading at all.

With this option, you’ll be able to clear the history and also prevent unnecessary memory usage, which might be an explanation for your Windows 11 File Explorer crashing.

4. Check for Windows updates

Open Settings.
Go to Windows Update.
Select Check for updates.

With this method, your OS will automatically recommend and fix problems like corrupt settings that create other problems. If you are facing Windows 11 desktop File Explorer crash or fail issues after an update, you can skip this method.

5. Execute certain commands with Windows PowerShell

Right-click on the Start icon, then select Windows Terminal (admin).
In the PowerShell, type the following command, then execute it: Repair-WindowsImage -Online –RestoreHealth
Wait until the process is completed.
Restart your PC.

Running the repair command will fix things in no time when Windows 11 File Explorer closes automatically.

6. Restart Windows 11 File Explorer

Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete on your keyboard, then select Task Manager.
Click on the Processes tab, search for the File Explorer, then select it.
Click on the Restart button.

7. Update the GPU driver

We suggest you depend on a third-party tool to update the GPU driver. It is because, with the Windows Update, you will only get a generic video driver update that may not be up to date.

So, we advise you to use Outbyte Driver Updater. It can scan and update any drivers to the latest version within a single click. The process is also very fast. Else, it has so many advantages that you will get to know once you start using it.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

How can I prevent my Windows 11 File Explorer from crashing?

We consider properly delivering some useful options to prevent your Windows 11 File Explorer from crashing. Check out the following tips:

Constantly update your OS
Regularly clear your File Explorer history
Fix the corrupt files and drives
Remove items from the Quick Acess menu
As an additional suggestion, you should disable third-party extensions and antivirus programs.

You won’t get again into File Explorer troubles by constantly applying the above aspects.

If your File Explorer is having problems in Windows 11, make sure at least one of the listed options will help you with a minimum of effort. Otherwise, we prepared more solutions in this article dedicated to Windows 10/11 File Explorer search not working.

Note that with its most requested feature, Windows 11 File Explorer allows you to add additional tabs, which can ensure a much-personalized view. Considering this, Microsoft Store is one of your main allies.

However, for those who are not so happy with the latest UI changes, feel free to read how to get the Windows 10 File Explorer ribbon on Windows 11.

Do not forget to share your thoughts and opinions regarding the presented subject by leaving a comment in the section below.

3 Easy Ways to Fix Windows 11 Error Reference by Pointer

Posted on November 14, 2022September 20, 2025 by Loredana Harsana

The adage that nothing is perfect certainly applies to software development, as flaws may and will derail the user experience. Thus, today’s topic is how to fix Windows 11 error reference by the pointer.

Unfortunately, if your PC crashes with a Blue Screen of Death, it indicates a significant PC fault, which is usually (but not always) caused by defects in some programs, or drivers.

The reference by pointer BSOD is one of the most unusual faults to emerge. Trying to figure out what caused it is difficult, but it frequently points to problems that are simple to repair.

What causes reference by Pointer BSOD?

A pointer-based reference BSOD error (also known as a reference by pointer or 0x00000018 error) typically indicates a problem with your system files or device drivers.

Windows internally refer to running elements (such as an open window) as objects with numbers indicating how many times the components are referred (or used) elsewhere to assist prioritize system resources.

scan device drivers windows 11 error reference by pointer

This value lowers until the item is eliminated, freeing up system memory for other services that are operating.

When a reference by pointer warning is displayed, Windows detects an erroneous reference count for a running object. Because this could be a significant security concern, Windows will stop and display a BSOD. Forcing your system to restart and erase all current memory.

In almost every case, though, this is due to a faulty piece of software. The most typical source is hardware drivers, however graphics cards and other components like network devices can also trigger it. It can also be caused by other difficulties, such as faulty system files or malfunctioning hardware.

How can I fix Windows 11 error reference by pointer?

1. Start in Safe Mode

A recommended solution to work out the Windows 11 error reference by pointer issue would be to start your PC in Safe Mode.

1. In order to fix the BSOD REFERENCE_BY_POINTER 18 issue, click the Windows/Start icon from your Taskbar. Then select the Power icon.
2. Hold the Shift key on your keyboard and click on the Restart now option.
3. You will be redirected to the menu below from where you can choose Troubleshoot and Advanced options.
4. Now, click on Startup Repair and tap on the Restart button if it shows up.
5. After your computer has been restarted, hit the number 4 key on your keyboard to navigate to the relevant option on the following screen.

As a result, the machine will enter the Safe Mode environment as a result of the above steps.

2. Update device drivers

Press the Windows key + I to launch the Settings interface and navigate to the left panel and select Windows Update. Now select Advanced options from the right side as we have shown below.
Next, tap on Optional updates under the Additional options section.
Select Driver Updates from the drop-down menu that appears, then select all of the driver updates that are displayed to you. Lastly click on the Download and install button to complete the process. It is not necessary for me to install any additional updates at this time.

Even though Windows is frequently in charge of driver updates, if you are having trouble, you can manually search for updates.

We strongly advocate using a specialist program such as Outbyte Driver Updater to do automatic scans for out-of-date drivers. And avoid getting errors such as Reference by pointer BSOD every 30 minutes.

3. Run an SFC scan

To open the Command Prompt interface you need to press Windows and S then type in cmd. Lastly, right-click on the top result and choose Run as administrator.
Now type or copy-paste the following command as we have shown below and let it run: sfc /scannow

If you get the Reference by pointer error in Windows 11 on a Dell computer, you should try to apply all the above solutions.

In case nothing works, users reported they were able to fix the Reference by pointer issue by downloading the Dell Support Assist program. Simply hit the Download SupportAssist button in order to install and run it.

Is the Blue Screen of Death fixable?

Blue Screen of Death is the message that shows on your computer when it has encountered a problem that cannot be repaired. Should this occur, the computer will shut down to protect itself from further damage.

Nonetheless, any BSOD error is fixable! You may explore the issue and pinpoint the root cause of the problem by using the specific code that corresponds to each mistake. If a specific file was the cause of the crash, the name of that file will be included in the error message as well.

We recommend that you refer to our dedicated article about BSOD errors in Windows 11 and how to fix them.

Errors of this kind are frequently brought on by issues with the hardware on your system. The RAM is almost often the source of the problem. But you need also to take into account a number of additional elements that are not related to the hardware.

For more information and potential solutions to the Windows 11 error reference by pointer, check out our post on how to fix reference by pointer BSOD error [Bugcheck 0x00000018].

Alternatively, you should take a look at our article on what to do if you get a BSOD error on Windows 11, and find out how to further troubleshoot the problem.

Let us know in the section below which solution worked for you. Thanks for reading!

3 Best Sound & Audio Calibration Software for Windows

Posted on November 14, 2022October 11, 2024 by Claudiu Andone

You’ve just bought the best speakers and connected them to your Windows PC? Now, you need a sound calibration tool to get the best quality sound.

These apps not only address sound distortions but they help you optimize the sound for your environment.

Why do I need sound calibration software?

Every room or environment influences the frequency response of the sounds you’re listening to.

In fact, after the sound exists in your speakers, it bounces between all objects and walls until it gets absorbed.

That is why, in a completely empty room, you will experience a hall effect and echoes, while in an overpacked environment, the sound will be heard almost muffled.

Moreover, when the sounds from two opposite speakers meet, they will create peaks or dips, if they are in phase or out of phase.

Long story short, the tools below will help you tweak your sound for a reference studio audio quality and achieve a balance between the left and right channels

What are the best sound calibration apps?

SoundID Reference – Best sound calibration solution

If you want to achieve perfect studio sound for your musical creations, Sonarworks’s SoundID Reference is the ultimate tool for sound calibration.

Apart from adapting the sound for any of your headphones or speakers, this software is able to adjust the sound coloration to adapt to all devices.

Here’s how it works: All the speakers have their own specific sound or sound coloration, as the specialists call it.

So, when you’re mixing a song, it will be influenced by those properties. SoundID Reference has a database of over 400 types of headphones and speakers and their sound coloration patterns.

After you choose your device from a list, the tool will eliminate all those frequency patterns to get the perfect studio reference sound.

That means every mix you make will translate the same for all the listening devices of the target audience.

For headphones, you will just need to select the pair from the available list, but things are a bit more complicated for speakers.

To calibrate the sound for them, you will need the SoundID Reference measurement mic, which is individually calibrated for this job.

The software also allows you to adjust the target curve in real time or perform simulations for certain types of headphones or speakers.

SoundID Reference has a free trial complete version that can be tested for 21 days so feel free to use it.

Let’s review some of its best features:

Sound calibration for over 400 types of headphones and speakers
Get accurate studio reference sound for your mixes
DAW plugin and Systemwide Calibration
Customize your target sound using a parametric equalizer
Check your mix in different listening environments

SoundID Reference

Calibrate your mixes for the perfect studio reference sound with a large database of devices.

Free trial Visit website

ARC System 3 – Great for speaker calibration

Unlike SoundID Reference, IK Multimedia’s ARC System 3 comes only as a DAW plugin and may be used for speakers and room calibration.

However, you also need a measurement microphone to perform the actual calibration. And with the latest iteration of the software, it now supports third-party devices for this job.

ARC System 3 applies the same system to null out the sound coloration of your speakers, but it doesn’t have a device database to choose from.

The tool measures the sound of your room within a guided step-by-step process and then generates a correction profile.

That is loaded into the ARC plug-in for your DAW and creates the needed reference studio sound.

Take a look at its key features below:

Measurement mic, room analysis software, and correction plug-in
Improves frequency balance and stereo imaging in any room
Work faster and create better mixes without expensive room treatment
Virtual monitoring emulates the sound of common listening devices

⇒ Get ARC System 3

TRACT System Calibration – Great sound plugin

Wave’s TRACT System Calibration is also a DAW plugin dedicated to Smaart, the standard audio analysis software from Rational Acoustics.

Just like the tools above, it is used to auto-correct EQ issues and time-align any sound system.

TRACT calculates a corrective FIR EQ curve and makes time alignment adjustments by using data from Smaart v8 or Di v2.

The plugin takes 8 measurement snapshots of your system and merges them up to use it as a reference for your EQ corrections.

Once the FIR EQ is calculated, you can change the reference curve, or add up to 8 bands of IIR EQ filters.

TRACT includes a minimal-phase FIR component, which works at very low latency and with low phase distortion, as well as a linear-phase FIR component.

The fun part is that you can use it in a live setting with a mixing console or within any major DAW.

Check out its best features:

Built-in 8-band FIR EQ
Uses data from Smaart v8 or Di v2
8 bands of IIR EQ filters
Can be used in live settings with any mixing console
Calculates delay for aligning audio systems

⇒ Get TRACT System Calibration

This concludes our list of the best sound calibration software and we hope that you found the right one for your needs. You can also try Dynamic Audio Normalizer for simple sound balancing.

In the same respect, you might be interested in our selection of the best speaker calibration software for Windows.

Have you used any of the tools highlighted above? If so, tell us about your experience in the comments section below.

No Physical Memory is Available at The Location Required [Fix]

Posted on November 14, 2022October 4, 2023 by Loredana Harsana

Booting errors are one of the frustrating things that occasionally plague Windows users. One such error is that no physical memory is available at the location required for the Windows boot manager.

We’ve also noticed a lot of complaints from our readers on this and similar issues like not enough physical memory in VMware. So, this guide will examine the likely causes and solutions.

Why do I encounter no physical memory available at the location required?

The following are some of the reasons why you’re experiencing no physical memory available at the location required:

Hard drive failure – If the hard drive has been recently damaged, your system won’t be able to boot up. Also, Windows may refuse to boot with the second hard drive if that’s what you are using.
Corrupted modules – If the memory modules on your computer are not fitted properly, the system might not boot up.
Damaged CMOS battery – CMOS batteries have about 4 – 5 years’ lifespans. If they’re way past their valid life cycle, it might be the reason you’re experiencing this error.
BIOS error – You might have accidentally triggered an error if you’ve recently changed the configuration settings of your BIOS. This may also cause Windows to skip BIOS.

Irrespective of the causes, any of the solutions below should fix it.

What can I do if there’s no physical memory at the location required?

Troubleshooting is the only way to resolve system errors. However, users should ensure that they’ve performed the following preliminary checks:

If you’ve experience handling disk drives, open up the system unit to check if the hard drives and memory modules are tightly fitted. Sometimes, hard disks can be slightly displaced when they experience forceful external contact.
You can also try narrowing down the problems by inserting your current hard disk into another working computer. This will help you determine if the fault is from the hard disk or your system.

Here are a couple of things you can do to help you resolve this error.

1. Adjust your Boot Sequence

Hit the power button to turn on the computer.
To enter the BIOS, hit the F2 or Del button. (Depending on the system’s manufacturer)
In your BIOS setup, click the Boot tab.
Reorder the Boot sequence to the following by clicking the + or - keys: Hard Drive > CD > Removable devices
Click on the Exit tab and select Exit Saving changes or Save changes.

Your computer will restart once you save your changes and exit the BIOS setup. Try the fixes here should your laptop ignore the boot order on Windows 11.

2. Replace your CMOS Battery

Disconnect your system’s power cable or remove the battery if it’s a laptop.
Press and hold the power button to discharge residue electricity.
Locate the CMOS battery (It looks like a quarter; you can find it on the motherboard.) Hold the motherboard firmly to ensure that you only remove the damaged CMOS battery.
Replace the battery with a new version of the current cell.

BIOS settings will be erased when you replace a CMOS battery. However, it will fix the no physical memory is available at the location required for the Windows boot manager.

3. Reinstall Windows

Go to Windows Insider’s download page, select the version you want to download, and click on Confirm.
Now click on 64-bit Download.
Press the Windows + E keys to open File Explorer. By default, the file should be in the Downloads folder.
Expand the Windows 11 ISO file to mount it and double-click on setup.exe.
Click Next on the welcome screen.
Once the updates are downloaded, click Accept.
Choose the Keep personal files and apps option and click Next to proceed.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.

Reinstalling Windows will wipe out your entire system files. We recommend you have a working backup before reinstalling Windows.

You should note that this error isn’t similar to the not enough memory in Windows 11. So, you can check our guide to get solutions for that. Further, you can look at what to do if your computer is low on memory.

Let us know in the comment section if you have any other suggestions or solutions.

Fix: No Permission to View or Edit this Object’s Settings

Posted on November 14, 2022November 25, 2025 by Radu Tyrsina

Some of our readers have recently reported that the error stating You do not have permission to view or edit this object’s permission settings is very frustrating as they cannot access some files or folders on their PC. This issue is mostly inevitable if you do not have administrative privileges.

Why do I encounter no permission to view or edit this object’s settings error?

There can be several reasons you don’t currently have permission to access certain object settings. Some of them are as follows:

Other programs are using your file/folder simultaneously – Whenever this happens, you are prevented from viewing or editing the permissions settings of an object.
Corrupt user account – The permission problem is likely to arise if the user account is corrupted due to a computer crash or the PC gets affected by viruses or malware.
A file or folder is encrypted – If a file or folder is encrypted, you cannot have access to it unless it is decrypted by the person who encrypted it or you get the certificate that was used to encrypt such file/folder.
A user account is no longer active – When a file is created or owned by a user account that is no longer active on your computer, it could result in this issue. However, it can quickly be resolved in Safe Mode.

You can check here to learn more causes of these permission issues.

What can I do if I have no permission to view or edit this object’s permission settings?

Before trying any of the advanced fixes, you should consider performing the following steps in case your problem is not far-fetched:

A straightforward workaround is to copy the folder to a different location. Having moved it to a new location, you can try to access it from there. This might not be the best fix, but it might be worth trying out.
Restart your PC to check if the issue persists. Do not hesitate to take immediate action if your computer fails to restart.

Having confirmed the above checks, and the error is yet to fix, you can try any of the fixes below.

1. Take ownership of the directory

Press the Windows + E keys to open File Explorer.
Locate the file that can’t be accessed, right-click on it and choose Properties from the drop-down menu.
Navigate to the Security tab and click on Administrator from Group and user names. Then click on the Advanced button.
Locate the Owner section at the top and click on Change.
In the Select user or group window, click on the Advanced button.
Then, click on the Find now button in the Advanced Settings window and select which group should have full file permission on your computer.
Next, click OK to close this window.
Then navigate toward the Permissions tab and check if your user account is there. If it’s not, click on the Add button.
Next, click on Select a principal.
Here, repeat Steps 5 and 6 to select the desired user or group.
Set Type to Allow and Applies to This folder, subfolders, and files, and check the Full control option. Now click the OK button to save the changes.

After following the above steps, you will have ownership over the selected file and also be able to edit without restrictions.

You can also explore other methods to change the ownership permission of files if your access is denied in this guide.

2. Remove an account from the permissions

Press the Windows + E keys to open File Explorer.
Right-click on the file/folder with the issue and select Properties.
Navigate to the Security tab and click on Advanced.
If the entry at the top lists Denied under Access, select it and then click on Remove.
If any error message pops up, click on the Disable inheritance button.
Next, select Convert inherited permissions into explicit permissions on this object, and then remove the account.
Lastly, click OK to save the changes.

Now check if removing an account from the permission has fixed the issue.

Alternatively, you can also check our detailed guide on how to fix administrator access denied on Windows 10 and 11.

Do not hesitate to use the comments section below if you have questions or comments.

Download the Latest Microsoft Lifecam Software and Drivers

Posted on November 14, 2022October 10, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

In this article, let us discuss Microsoft LifeCam software and show you how to download and use it.

When you make Skype calls, it’s not uncommon for you to use the webcam to communicate with others.

Regarding webcams, Windows 10 users have reported some issues with Microsoft LifeCam, and today we’re going to fix those issues.

Is Microsoft LifeCam plug-and-play?

Yes, LifeCam Cinema HD is a (PnP) plug-and-play camera. And for most users, it is already prepared for use with Windows 10.

After you connect it, Windows will set everything up for you, including downloading the required drivers. This means it is ready to be used from the minute it is connected to a Windows 10 device.

Microsoft LifeCam cameras may now be used with Windows 10 or later without additional firmware, software, or drivers.

Note that there may be a rare instance where your PnP devices will not be detected, but these can easily be fixed.

How do I install LifeCam drivers?

1. Use a dedicated driver software

There are various third-party tools that you can use to install the latest drivers on your Windows computer automatically. However, professional driver updater software is one of the most efficient options.

You need to know from the start that a professional tool makes updating drivers simple, even for newbies. The Microsoft Lifecam software will always work perfectly if you keep an updated driver.

More precisely, you can use an automatic tool to find, download, and install the correct driver version on your Windows PC in just a couple of clicks, and we strongly recommend Fortect Driver Updater.

⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

2. Install Skype

Open the Microsoft Store app and search for Skype.
Once found, click on Install.
Wait for the installation to complete, and the necessary drivers to run a LifeCam device should have also been installed.

On Windows 10 and 11, you will not need to install drivers for the Microsoft Lifecam HD-3000 since the OS software already caters to this. However, in the rare case you may need drivers, we recommend using any of the suggestions in this guide.

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

How to Fix League of Legends Not Opening on Windows 11 or 10

Posted on November 14, 2022November 6, 2025 by Madalina Dinita

League of Legends not opening in Windows 11 or 10 is often caused by corrupted files, outdated drivers, or Riot Client issues. Follow these step-by-step solutions to get back in the game quickly.

Fix League of Legends Not Launching: Step-by-Step Guide

Fix League of Legends Not Launching: Step-by-Step Guide
FAQs
Conclusion

1. Run League as administrator

Right-click on LeagueClient.exe.
Select Run as administrator to give it the necessary permissions.

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
End these processes:
- LeagueClient.exe
- RiotClientServices.exe
- LoLLauncher.exe
- LoLClient.exe

3. Launch the client from the install folder

Go to: C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\.
Double-click LeagueClient.exe.
If successful, create a new shortcut to replace any broken ones.

4. Repair game files via Riot Client

Open Riot Client.
Click your profile icon → Settings > League of Legends.
Click Repair and wait for the process to finish.

If issues persist, your system may have corrupted files. Check this guide on repairing system file corruption for more help.

5. Reinstall your graphics card drivers

Use Display Driver Uninstaller to remove existing GPU drivers.
Reinstall the latest version from NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel.

6. Check for Windows updates

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Navigate to Windows Update and install all pending updates.

7. Disable antivirus or firewall temporarily

Turn off real-time protection from your antivirus settings.
Ensure Riot Client isn’t blocked by the firewall.

Not sure how to check that? Here’s a guide on how to tell if Windows Firewall is blocking a program.

8. Delete the LeagueClient settings file

Navigate to: C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\Config\.
Delete LeagueClientSettings.yaml.
Restart the client afterward.

9. Disable fullscreen optimizations

Right-click LeagueClient.exe and choose Properties.
Go to the Compatibility tab.
Check Disable fullscreen optimizations, then click Apply.

10. Enable compatibility mode

Stay in the Compatibility tab.
Check Run this program in compatibility mode for Windows 8.

11. Close conflicting background apps

Exit overlays and hardware apps like Discord, Razer Synapse, MSI Afterburner, and Steam.
Relaunch League after.

12. Reinstall Riot Client

Uninstall Riot Client from Control Panel.
Download and install the latest version from the League of Legends website.

13. Fully reinstall League of Legends

Uninstall the game.
Delete these folders manually:
- C:\Riot Games\
- %localappdata%\Riot Games\

Then reinstall the game clean. This also fixes related issues like League of Legends black screen.

If you need to fully uninstall League of Legends to fix launch issues or perform a clean reinstall, you can follow the steps in our Leage of Legends uninstall guide.

14. Use CCleaner or Revo Uninstaller

Run CCleaner or Revo Uninstaller to remove all leftover data and registry keys.
This ensures no corruption remains after reinstalling.

15. Perform a clean boot

Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
Under the Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services, then click Disable all.
In Startup tab, open Task Manager and disable all startup items.
Restart your PC and try launching League again.

16. Recreate a clean shortcut

Go to: C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\.
Right-click LeagueClient.exe → Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).

17. Install missing DirectX and C++ files

Download and install the latest DirectX Runtime and Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributables.
These are required for the client to run properly.

For extra optimization, check out how to fix League FPS drops, boost in-game performance, or fix fullscreen issues.

FAQs

Why won’t League of Legends launch even after a reinstall?

Residual files or system dependencies like DirectX or C++ may still be missing. Use a cleanup tool before reinstalling.

Can antivirus or firewall block the Riot Client?

Yes, especially aggressive antivirus software. Temporarily disable it or whitelist Riot files.

Is Riot Client necessary to run League of Legends?

Yes, the Riot Client handles launching, login, and updates for all Riot games.

Where can I find LeagueClient.exe?

It’s typically located in C:\Riot Games\League of Legends\.

Conclusion

Most League launch failures boil down to system conflicts, missing dependencies, or corrupt files. A combination of driver cleanup, Riot Client reinstall, and system tweaks like clean boot should resolve the issue. If you follow these steps closely, you’ll be back on the Rift in no time.

FIX: Please wait until current program finished uninstalling

Posted on November 14, 2022October 4, 2023 by Ivan Jenic

Uninstalling programs is relatively simple in Windows 10, but some potential errors are possible, and things might get complicated.

One of these errors is also a never completed uninstallation, which doesn’t allow you to uninstall any program, by telling you Please wait until the current program is finished uninstalling or being changed.

This could be a really serious issue, because you’ll eventually need to uninstall a program, and this error won’t allow you to. So, I prepared a couple of solutions, and I hope they’ll be helpful.

Not being able to uninstall your applications can be a big problem, and in this article, we’re going to address the following issues:

Add remove programs stuck on please wait
- Several users reported that they are unable to remove applications from their PC.
- According to them, they are getting this message while using Add or remove programs app.
Please wait until the current program is finished uninstalling AVG
- Third-party applications can often interfere with your PC, and many users reported this problem while trying to uninstall AVG antivirus.
Please wait until the current program is finished uninstalling stuck
- In some cases, users might get stuck while trying to remove certain applications.
- This can be a big problem, but you should be able to fix it with one of our solutions.

How do I fix the Current program is finished uninstalling error?

Restart your computer
Use a third-party uninstaller
Perform a System Restore
Restart explorer.exe
Remove/disable your antivirus
Re-register Windows Installer
Stop Windows Installer service
Download Microsoft’s troubleshooter
Try to remove the application in Safe Mode

1. Use a third-party software

There are some third-party uninstallers that are more powerful than Windows’ own uninstaller. Unfortunately, removing software from the add or remove programs panel, often leaves behind unwanted files or registry entries.

Third-party uninstallers are created specifically for this type of issue. They have integrated scanners that will find and remove any leftover files from your computer. Just select the app you want to uninstall and wait for the process to finish.

Additionally, uninstaller software such as IObit Uninstaller is equipped with forced uninstall features, which can be used to remove stubborn software that won’t be removed from the Windows settings list.

Click the Programs icon on the left side of the IObit Uninstaller.
Select the program you want to remove and then click on the trash icon.

Enjoy more free space.

IObit Uninstaller displays a list of your installed apps immediately and allows you to eliminate any program from the All programs list. This is useful because it will remove any apps and their leftovers from your PC.

⇒ Get IObit Uninstaller

2. Restart your PC

If you didn’t restart your computer after you noticed the message about the incomplete previous uninstallation, you definitely should.

Sometimes Windows is unable to complete the uninstallation of the program normally, and as you probably know, you can’t uninstall two programs at the same time.

So if the uninstallation of one isn’t completed, you can’t run another process.

Restarting your computer will kill all processes, including the corrupt uninstallation, so you can try to uninstall the desired program once again when your computer boots.

But if you’re facing this issue even after you’ve restarted your computer, try one of the solutions below.

3. Perform a System Restore

If restarting and trying another uninstaller didn’t get the job done, you can try restoring your Windows 10 to the state before the problem existed.

To perform a System Restore in Windows 10, do the following:

Go to Control Panel > Recovery.
Go to Open System Restore.
Select the proper restore point, and follow further on-screen instructions.
Wait for the process to finish.
Try to uninstall the desired program to see if the problem has been resolved.

4. Restart explorer.exe

If you’re getting Please Wait Until Current Program is Finished Uninstalling or Being Changed error message, the problem might be the Windows Explorer process.

According to users, you might be able to fix the problem simply by restarting explorer.exe. To do that, follow these steps:

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
When Task Manager opens, right-click Windows Explorer and choose Restart from the menu.

After doing that, the error message should disappear. Keep in mind that this is just a workaround, so you might have to repeat this solution if the problem reappears.

5. Remove / disable your antivirus

According to users, Please Wait Until Current Program Is Finished Uninstalling or Being Changed error message can appear sometimes due to your antivirus software.

Certain antivirus apps can interfere with your operating system and cause this error to appear.

To fix the issue, it’s advised to disable your antivirus software and check if that solves the problem.

If disabling the antivirus doesn’t solve the issue, you might have to uninstall it.

The best way to remove all files associated with your antivirus is to download the dedicated removal software for your antivirus.

After using this tool the application should be completely removed.

Now you just have to install the latest version of your antivirus software or switch to a completely new antivirus solution.

Users reported issues with AVG, but keep in mind that other antivirus tools can cause this problem to appear.

6. Re-register Windows Installer

According to users, this issue can appear due to problems with the Windows Installer service.

However, you can fix this problem simply by re-registering the Windows Installer service. This is rather simple, and you can do it by following these steps:

Open Command Prompt as administrator. To do that, just press Windows Key + X to open Win + X menu and choose Command Prompt (Admin) from the list. You can also use PowerShell (Admin) if you don’t have Command Prompt available.
When Command Prompt starts, enter the following commands:
- msiexec /unreg
- msiexec /regserver

After running these commands, check if the problem is resolved.

7. Stop Windows Installer service

Press Windows Key + R and enter services.msc. Now press Enter or click OK.
List of available services will now appear. Locate Windows Installer service, right-click it, and choose Stop from the menu. If Stop option isn’t available, it means that Windows Installer service isn’t currently running on your PC.

If you’re getting Please Wait Until Current Program is Finished Uninstalling or Being Changed error message, you might be able to fix the problem simply by disabling the Windows Installer service.

This service starts when you try to remove a certain application, and it can prevent you from uninstalling other apps.

Some users are recommending restarting Windows Explorer after disabling the Windows Installer service, so you might want to do that.

8. Download Microsoft’s troubleshooter

Sometimes Please Wait Until Current Program is Finished Uninstalling or Being Changed error message due to corrupted registry or other third-party apps.

However, you can easily fix the problem by downloading Microsoft’s Troubleshooter.

After downloading the application, run it and it will automatically fix any installation issues that you have. Now check if the error appears again.

9. Try to remove the application in Safe Mode

Several users reported that they fixed the Please Wait Until Current Program is Finished Uninstalling or Being Changed error message simply by removing their application from Safe Mode.

To access Safe Mode, do the following:

Open the Settings app by pressing Windows Key + I and navigate to Update & security section.
In the left pane, select Recovery, and in the right pane click on Restart now button.
Your PC will now restart and you’ll be presented with three options. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings. Now click on the Restart button.
You’ll see a list of options. Select any version of Safe Mode by pressing the appropriate key on your keyboard.

After Safe Mode starts, try to uninstall the problematic application.

Tip

Drivers are one of the most cumbersome issues for any OS so head out to our Driver FIx Hub. Out Windows 10 Errors page is filled with other useful articles.

That’s about it, I hope these solutions helped you to uninstall your program normally. If you have any comments or questions, just reach out to the comment section below.

Windows 7 Keeps Installing the Same Update Over And Over

Posted on November 14, 2022March 21, 2024 by Vladimir Popescu

It can be frustrating if your Windows 7 keeps installing the same update over and over. However, this issue mainly occurs when the Windows system cannot establish specific updates correctly and continues to reinstall them.

Why do Windows updates keep repeating?

Different factors may be responsible if Windows keeps installing the same update over and over on your PC. Here are the most common reasons:

Partially installed updates – Whenever the OS cannot install an update wholly and correctly, this error is mostly inevitable. In instances such as this, you should delete the failed Windows updates.
Windows failed to detect updates – Although rare, sometimes, even after an update is installed successfully, the Operating System may be unable to detect it, which can lead to fresh installation attempts.
Disabled Windows services – Certain Windows services are vital to successfully installing updates. If these services are disabled, it can lead to this issue.

Having seen what could be the reason behind the issue, let’s explore the best solutions.

What can I do if Windows 7 keeps installing the same update?

Before engaging in any troubleshooting or settings tweaks, users should ensure they perform the following simple steps:

Make sure you have enough disk space on your computer.
Update your Windows to the latest available version.
Restart your PC. Here’s what to do if your computer fails to restart.
Check to know what update it is that keeps installing.

Having confirmed the above checks, and the error is yet to fix, you can try any of the fixes below.

1. Delete the Software Distribution directory

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run box, input cmd, and click OK.
In the Command Prompt window, type the following and press Enter after each one: net stop wuauserv rename c:windowsSoftwareDistribution softwaredistribution.old net start wuauserv
Press the Windows key + R and type C:Windows, then press Enter or click OK to open the Windows folder.
Right-click the SoftwareDistribution folder and select Delete.
After deleting the directory, restart your computer.

With this, all backups and your problematic Windows update are deleted, so you shouldn’t face this issue anymore.

2. Uninstall the problematic updates

Left-click the Start button and select Control Panel.
Select Uninstall a program under Programs after changing the View by to Category.
Next, click on View installed update
Select Microsoft Windows and click on Uninstall updates.
Then, double-click an update to remove it.

You can repeat the above steps to uninstall problematic updates. Also, you’ll need to prevent Windows from installing updates automatically again. This should help resolve the problem.

3. Perform a system restore

Press the Windows key + S, type system restore, and launch it.
Click on Next when the System Restore window opens.
Select the desired restore point and click Next.
Finally, follow the on-screen instructions and click Finish to complete the system restoration process.

Alternatively, you can use other third-party tools to scan your registry automatically to remove the problematic entries compared to the system restore process.

4. Run the Windows update troubleshooter

Press the Windows key + I and select the Updates & Security option.
In the left pane, choose Troubleshoot and click on Additional troubleshooters.
Next, select Windows Update and click Run the troubleshooter.
Finally, follow further on-screen instructions, restart your computer, and check if the Windows update keeps reinstalling.

The Windows Update troubleshooter automatically detects and fixes most incorrect settings on your computer.

5. Run the SFC and DISM scans

Go to Start at the bottom-left corner of the home page.
Type command, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.
Type the line below in the text field and hit Enter: sfc /scannow
Finally, wait until the scan and repair process is finished.
Type the line below in the text field and hit Enter: DISM.exe/Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
Once done, restart your PC and check if the issue is fixed.

If the Windows update keeps reinstalling on your devices, running the SFC and DISM scans should help fix the issue.

However, note that whether the SFC scan is successful or not, you should still run the DISM. After the DISM scan completes, you can now run the SFC scan again.

6. Manually update with Microsoft Update Catalog

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings shortcut, then click the Update & Security section.
Next, click on View installed update history.
Note down the updated version that is installing again and again. (It should be something like KB12345678)
Visit Windows Updates Catalog and search for your version code then press Enter or click the Search button.
Click the Add all button and a new pop-up window will appear.
Click the update download link and then install it.

In case you do not know how to access the Windows Updates Catalog, you can check our detailed guide on how to access Microsoft Update Catalog on any browser.

And that is all you should do if Windows 7 keeps installing the same update over and over on your devices.

Also, please use the comments section below if you have any questions, comments, and further suggestions, or if somehow none of these solutions work for you.

How to find out which Edge browser version you have on Windows 11 right now

Posted on November 14, 2022August 31, 2025 by davew

If you use a different Microsoft Edge browser version, there are ways to keep Edge up-to-date on Windows 10, Apple, and Android. But do you know which version you are running right now on Windows 11? You can check your Edge version by clicking on the Options icon (three dots) in the top-right corner of your browser. From there, select About Microsoft Edge to see the version information.

But did you know that there is an even faster way to check? Moreover, you don’t even need to use Edge settings! Follow this guide to learn what to do.

Find Edge browser version

Type (or copy and paste) edge://version into the Edge browser address bar and press Enter.
The Microsoft Edge version will appear at the top of the page.

Next to the Edge version number, you can use the Copy button to copy the version number information to your clipboard.

Other pertinent Edge browser version number information includes the executable path to Edge, the operating system you are running, active variations (tabs or pages open) in Edge you are running, and more. You can use a variation of this command to check the version information in other Chromium-based browsers, including Chrome and Brave too.

Get other browsers’ information

Instead of trying to search and find this information buried somewhere in settings, you can access the browser version information using the address bar. Replace edge with the name of your browser. In this case, use the command brave://version to find the version information.

This method also works with others, including Chrome, Vivaldi, and FireFox browsers. Do you use Microsoft Edge or do ou use a different browser? Let us know in the comments!

Keep your PC Clean and Fast with Wise Care 365 Pro Software

Posted on November 14, 2022October 4, 2023 by Claudiu Andone

We all know that after a while, our PCs start to get slower and even unresponsive but Wise Care 365 Pro can make a difference.

You can clean your PC manually but it takes a lot of time and effort. With this tool, everything is automatic.

What is Wise Care 365 Pro and how does it help you?

Created by WiseCleaner, Wise Care 365 Pro is a smart app that helps you clean up the disk from junk files and fix registry problems on your PC.

However, it also protects your privacy and makes your PC more secure in the process.

But ultimately, the software makes your PC faster and clears up all the errors you now go past and tolerate.

What are Wise Care 365 Pro’s best features?

1. Complete cleanup for useless junk files

The most important feature of Wise Care 365 Pro consists of the cleaning tools. It has no less than 5 dedicated options.

The Registry Cleaner takes care of all the possible issues in the Registry, including leftovers from uninstalled software, paths, shared DLLs, and a lot more.

The Common Cleaner looks at the files on your PC, the system, and the browsers and cleans them from junk files, tracking files, cache, etc.

If you want to clean even further, the Advanced Cleaner will find all the .dmp and .tmp files and gets rid of them thus freeing important space on your disks.

You can even optimize your OS by using the System Slimming feature that discards old Windows Installer files and baseline cache that is still using space unnecessarily.

Lastly, the Big Files Manager tool available in the Pro version scans your disk for big files on your PC.

This tool is really useful when you need some space while those 4K movies you’ve already seen are hogging huge chunks from your disk.

2. Real-time system protection

Wise Care 365 Pro has an interesting feature similar to the one included in some antiviruses. It monitors all your applications and identifies any of their attempts to silently change the Windows Registry.

After that, it simply blocks the process and warns you about this promptly.

For instance, it prevents apps from taking over your browser homepage or adding themselves to the Windows startup.

It also prevents such intrusions in the Windows context menu or changing the default browser.

3. Privacy protection

The Privacy Protector feature has no less than 5 components to it. The Privacy Eraser deletes all the history for all your viewing habits, whether it’s pictures, videos, files or visited pages on your browsers.

That way, you will leave no traces behind after using the PC. However, this feature is only available in the Pro version.

Disk Eraser will help you completely erase your disks if you want to sell your computer. The tool not only permanently deletes any files on your disk but it’s also able to apply rewrites and deletes so that the information can’t be retrieved.

The Password Generator tool allows you to create strong passwords and copy them to the clipboard for later usage.

And finally, Sites Notifications, also available in the Pro version mutes the notifications from the annoying websites that keep sending them.

4. PC tuning for speeding up your PC

Whether you want to play a new game and your configuration is barely on par, or you just want to speed up your PC, System Tuneup from Wise Care 365 Pro will do the job automatically.

This tool can improve startup and shutdown, improve system stability, and overall system speed at a glance.

However, it also tweaks the network settings and optimizes your disk settings for ultimate PC speed.

How do I get Wise Care 365 Pro and how much does it cost?

As we’ve mentioned above, Wise Care 365 has a free version but that only covers the PC Checkup, cleaning and speeding it up, and your computer hardware inventory.

That’s extremely helpful as it is but for the more advanced features, some of which we covered above, you will need to sign up for the Pro version.

WiseCleaner has right now a Wise Care Pro offer for only $29.96 that covers 3 PC for one year. And even if you commit, the developer has a 60-day money-back guarantee policy.

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We hope that our article offered you a comprehensive on how to keep your PC clean and speed it up by using Wise Care 365.

Some of our readers asked: Is Wise Care 365 safe? We can answer that question with a hard yes.

That being said, you may also check our list of the best Registry cleaners for Windows 11.

Did you try Wise Care 365? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below.

DNS Server Not Responding in Windows 7: How to Fix it

Posted on November 14, 2022September 21, 2025 by Sagar Naresh

The DNS server ensures that you are able to connect to the internet and surf through it. Sadly, there have been multiple user reports regarding DNS server issues on Windows 10.

So much so that this issue has also troubled Windows 7 users in the past. Users have been complaining about the DNS server not responding in Windows 7 error. This guide will give you a bunch of solutions that will help you resolve the problem quickly.

What causes the DNS server not to respond in Windows 7?

Here are a few reasons that could trigger the DNS server not responding in Windows 7:

Misconfigured DNS settings: If the DNS settings are misconfigured then your browser will have a hard time connecting to the internet.
Outdated network driver: Outdated drivers often cause multiple issues and conflict with the smooth performance of the PC.
DNS Cache: The presence of unwanted DNS cache can also trigger multiple issues, such as the one at hand.
Problem with your internet connection: You should ensure that the internet that you are connected to is working and there are no issues with it.
Your browser is at fault: Often due to a bug or glitch the browser may misbehave and throw up errors like the DNS server not responding in Windows 7.

How can I fix the DNS server not responding in Windows 7 error?

Before jumping to the advanced solutions, let us first go through a bunch of preliminary solutions that could help you fix the problem:

Try restarting your PC. There might be a temporary glitch that is causing the problem.
Restart your modem or router. This will ensure that the router starts from scratch and connects to the server without any issues.
Install all the latest Windows updates as this could very well be because of a bug on the earlier version of Windows update.

1. Change the DNS server manually

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialogue.
Type ncpa.cpl and click the OK button.
Right-click your network and choose Properties.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Click on Use the following DNS server addresses option.
Set the Preferred DNS server to 8.8.8.8. and the Alternate DNS server to 8.8.4.4.
Alternatively, you can also use 208.67.222.222 as Preferred and 208.67.220.220 as the Alternate DNS server.
Click OK.

2. Clear DNS cache

Press the Windows button to open the Start menu.
Search for the command prompt and right-click on it to select Run it as an administrator.
Type the below command and press Enter. ipconfig /flushdns
Close the command prompt and check if this resolves the issue or not.

3. Update network drivers

Press the Windows key and open the Start menu.
Type Device Manager and open it.
Expand the Network adapters section.
Right-click on your network adapter and select Update driver.
Click on Search automatically for drivers.
Your system will check if there is a new update available and install it if it finds one.

Updated drivers not only bring new features on board but also get rid of the bugs and glitches present in the version that is currently installed on your PC.

While you can manually update the driver following the above steps, you can ease the process by using a dedicated driver updater tool. For this purpose, we recommend you use Outbyte Driver Updater.

Outbyte Driver Updater not only updates your drivers but can automatically scan for all of your drivers and update them for you. It can create driver backups, fix system-related issues, schedule scans, and much more.

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4. Perform network reset

Press the Windows button to open the Start menu.
Search for the command prompt and right-click on it to select Run it as an administrator.
Type the below command and press Enter after each command. netsh int ip reset reset.txt netsh winsock reset netsh advfirewall reset

5. Run the Network Troubleshooter

Open the Start menu by pressing the Windows key.
Open Control Panel.
Under Network & internet heading, select View network status and tasks.
Click on Troubleshoot problems.
Select Internet Connections.
Click Advanced.
Check Apply repairs automatically.
Click Next.
Select Troubleshoot my connection to the Internet.
Your system will begin the diagnosis and will prompt you to perform steps to resolve the issue.

6. Use a different browser

Often the DNS server is not responding in Windows 7 error is associated with the browser itself. Because of some glitch or bug in the browser, it may throw up unnecessary errors.

In such a case, we would suggest you switch to a different browser and check if the problem exists there as well or not.

If you are confused about which browser to download, then we have a guide that gives a list of some of the best browsers that you can install on your Windows 7 PC.

Let us know in the comments below which one of the above solutions fixed the DNS server not responding issue.

5 Speedy Fixes to Try if Apex Legends is not Launching

Posted on November 14, 2022October 9, 2025 by Matthew Adams

Apex Legends has taken Windows gaming by storm. However, that game can still have some startup issues. For example, some players might need to fix Legends not launching a splash screen on a PC.

It’s also perhaps the most recent title that can compete with Fortnite and PUBG on a level playing field. Thus, we understand why you might be in a hurry to fix it.

Why won’t Apex open?

Ordinarily, this type of problem with a game is caused by corrupted or faulty installation files. But it could also be related to incorrect system setups, malfunctioning display drivers, or the fact that you are playing an out-of-date game version.

Another possibility is that your machine does not fulfill the minimal requirements for the game, which would explain why it is unable to launch. Or, as our users reported, Apex Legends won’t start after an update performed automatically by Windows or the game itself.

How do I fix launch error in Apex Legends?

1. Run the game as an administrator

In order to repair launching error on Apex Legends, you can simply run the game in the Administrator mode using the steps below.

1. Press the Windows key + S keyboard shortcut to open the search tool. Enter Apex Legends as the search keyword. Right-click it and select Open file location.
2. Next, right-click the Apex Legends EXE to select Properties.
3. Click the Compatibility tab then select the Run this program as administrator setting and select the Disable fullscreen optimizations option.
4. Click the Apply option then press the OK button to exit the window.

Running the game and game launcher with admin rights can help you prevent other issues like Apex Legends Anticheat error and Memory could not be read.

2. Update your graphics card driver

The easiest way to update your driver is to use dedicated driver updater software that lets you update your graphics card driver and any other with just one click.

Once you run it on your system, it will automatically start searching for any drivers that need updating on your PC. As soon as the analysis process is done, you can choose to update only the graphics card driver, but we recommend that you take the time to update all the drivers you can.

This will ensure your system runs smoothly and does not crash the Apex Legends game because of any other unforeseen issues.

⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

3. Turn off the Windows firewall

Click the Type here to search button on the left side of Windows 10’s taskbar.
Input firewall in the search box.
Click Windows Defender Firewall to open its Control Panel applet.
Next, click turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off to open the options in the shot directly below.
Select the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall radio buttons.
Click the OK button.

Note: If that resolution fixes the issue, WDF was probably blocking the game. You can turn the firewall off and back on after playing Apex. Alternatively, add Apex Legends to the firewall’s exception list.

4. Select the Repair option for Apex in Origin

Open the Origin client software.
Click My Game Library in Origin.
Right-click the Apex Legends game to open its context menu.
Then select the Repair option.

5. Repair Easy Anti-Cheat

Launch File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E hotkey for it.
Open your Origin Games folder in File Explorer (which will usually be in the Program Files folder).
Open the Apex subfolder from the Origin Games folder.
Then, open the EasyAntiCheat subfolder from there.
Click EasyAntiCheat_Setup to open the Anti-Cheat Service Setup window.
Press the Repair Service button.
Thereafter, click the Finish button.

6. Reinstall Apex Legends and Origin

Press the Windows key + X hotkey, and select Run on the menu that opens.
Input appwiz.cpl in the Open box and click OK to open Programs and Features.
Select Apex Legends in the uninstaller window.
Click the Uninstall/Change button for Apex.
Select Yes on any confirmation prompts to remove the game.
In addition, uninstall the Origin game client.
Restart Windows after uninstalling the software.
Open the Origin download page in a browser.
Click Download to save the installer for Origin.
Reinstall Origin with its setup wizard.
Open the Apex Legends page in the Origin Store. Then you can download the game from there to reinstall it.

Moreover, here are some error variations that our readers reported and that you can fix with the solutions above:

Apex Legends won’t launch after easy anti-cheat – Run the game in administrator mode to fix this issue.
Apex not launching after update – If the OS update interferes with Apex, you can opt to uninstall it.
Apex Legends not launching in Origin – Reinstall Origin to solve this problem.
Apex Legends not launching in Windows 11, 10 – The solutions below are applicable for both OS iterations so make sure to follow them.
There was a problem processing game logic error: Change the data centers.

Those are some of the more likely fixes for Apex Legends not launching or when you encounter an error code: clog. Repairing Apex Legends and Easy Anti-Cheat, as outlined for resolutions three and five, are two of the more widely confirmed fixes.

For more information and potential fixes to this error, check out our guide on how to fix Apex Legends DirectX error permanently.

You can also find troubleshooting articles for Windows games in the Windows 10 section. Our Gaming hub includes a plethora of troubleshooting guides for Windows, Xbox, and PlayStation games.

Was this guide helpful for you? Don’t hesitate to tell us in the comments section below and whether you have more solutions in mind.

Windows 11 Calculator Not Working? 4 Ways to Fix it

Posted on November 14, 2022October 27, 2025 by Cesar Cadenas

The Calculator app on Windows 11 is one of the most basic and important pieces of software you can possibly have. As you can imagine, losing the ability to use the Calculator is pretty frustrating.

A faulty app either won’t open or immediately crashes, but there are fixes that you can apply since they worked on Windows 10 as well. You may certainly try the troubleshooter, but it won’t solve every problem. Sometimes, it requires a finer touch.

Why isn’t the Calculator app working?

Unfortunately, native Windows 11 apps are known to suddenly stop working. It’s much better compared to the launch version of the OS, but these issues still exist. There are a few reasons for this:

Your Windows Firewall is blocking the app. To know this for sure, you’ll have to check your Firewall settings or use the Command Prompt to see if anything’s blocked.
A faulty update from Microsoft is causing the Calculator app to behave erratically. It is possible to uninstall an update within the Settings menu, but it isn’t too difficult to do.
Conversely, corrupted system files within your Windows 11 computer are also likely culprits.
Changes or modifications to the registry files can use all Windows native apps, not just Calculator, to suddenly stop working.

How do I fix the Calculator app on Windows 11?

Before we go into the more complex solutions, we think it’s important to point out some of the easier ones you can quickly do. The majority of the time, these will fix the Calculator app:

Update Windows 11 Calculator by going to the Microsoft Store and downloading any new updates available.
Download any new Windows 11 updates found in the Settings menu.
You can create a local account on your computer although you will miss out on other services exclusive to the original.

1. Re-register the Calculator app

Search for Windows PowerShell and click Run as administrator when it appears.
If a User Account Control page appears asking you if you want to make changes, click Yes.
In PowerShell, enter the following command: Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name Microsoft.WindowsCalculator | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml" -Verbose}
Hit Enter on your keyboard and wait for PowerShell to complete the command.
Close PowerShell and check if that resolved the Calculator problem.

2. Reinstall Calculator via PowerShell

Open PowerShell with administrative permissions again.
Enter the following command into PowerShell and hit Enter on your keyboard: get-appxpackage *windowscalculator* | remove-appxpackage.
Let PowerShell uninstall the Calculator app.
Now open Microsoft Store and search for Windows Calculator.
Click the Get button to install the Calculator app.

3. Reset the Calculator app

Open the Settings app and click the Apps tab on the left-hand side.
In the tab, select Installed apps.
Scroll down and locate the Calculator app in the list. Click the three dots to the right and select Advanced options.
Scroll down again until you see the Reset button. Click it.

Note that this will delete the Calculator’s data fixing any problems it may have.

4. Fix the calculator registry

Bring up the Search bar, look for the Registry Editor, and select the entry that appears.
A User Account Control may appear. Select Yes when it does.
In the Registry Editor’s address bar, enter the following: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppModel\StateChange\PackageList
Delete everything under the PackageList folder.
When done, close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

A lot of the time, people upgrade from Windows 11 native apps to something that can do more and Calculator is no different. The Microsoft Store is home to tons of different versions of the Calculator app.

For a complete overview of the default app and its features, read our guide on how to use Calculator on Windows 11 to learn about standard, scientific, and converter modes.

One of them, which we highly recommend, is the Super Calculator which has the ability to generate factorials of large numbers and you can use radians for trigonometry.

If you need something more specific, we recommend checking out our guide on the best accounting software. These will help you create important financial reports for your small business.

Entries in that list include TurboTax to simplify tax returns and Wave to help you with invoicing and payment processing.

Feel free to comment below if you have any questions about any native apps. Also, leave comments about what reviews you’d like to see or information on other Windows 11 software.

How To Fix Critical Process Died in Windows 11

Posted on November 14, 2022October 8, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

The critical_process_died Windows 11 issue is a BSoD error that can occur randomly or appear when trying to boot to Windows. These errors will make your PC crash and reboot suddenly, so you’ll lose any unsaved data.

Fixing it may take time because finding the culprit is not always easy. The usual causes are related to your drivers or your hardware in some instances, but there are also exceptions.

Rest assured that there are ways to fix this problem, and we’re going to show you a couple of methods you can use to solve the Critical Process Died stop code in Windows 11 right away.

How do I fix the Critical Process Died BSoD in Windows 11?

1. Use the SFC and DISM scans

Press Windows key + X and select Windows Terminal (Admin).
Now run the following command: sfc /scannow
Wait for the scan to finish, restart your PC, and check if the problem is still there.
If the issue still appears, start the Terminal again, and run the following commands:
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

You can also fix critical_process_died error on Windows 11 more effectively by using specialized BSoD fixers.

2. Reinstall/update your drivers

Press Windows key + X and choose Device Manager from the list.
Locate the driver that is causing you trouble and right-click it. Choose Uninstall device from the menu.
Now select Uninstall to confirm.
Once the driver is removed, restart your PC and check if the problem is resolved.

Keeping the drivers up to date can also help you prevent similar BSoD issues like Critical_structure_corruption on Windows 11.

To find out which driver is causing the issue, it’s advised to check the crash logs or to remove any drivers that might’ve been recently updated.

You can also try updating your drivers, and you can do that by downloading the drivers from the manufacturer’s website. Alternatively, feel free to use a dedicated tool such as Outbyte Driver Updater to automatically update all your drivers.

Outbyte Driver Updater is the easiest way to update all drivers. With a database of over 18 million driver files, it will find all outdated drivers on your computer and either update or repair them within a few clicks.

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3. Access Safe Mode

NOTE

Accessing Safe Mode won’t fix the problem, but if you cannot boot to Windows 11 due to Critical Process Died then this might be a useful alternative.

In order to work out this kind of BSOD error on your Windows 11, you may need to use Safe Mode as displayed in the steps below.

1. Let your PC restart a couple of times during the boot. Alternatively, click the Power icon on the login screen, hold Shift, and select Restart.
2. Select Troubleshoot from the list of options.
3. Now, navigate to Advanced options.
4. Go to Startup settings.
5. Then, click the Restart button.
6. Press 5 on your keyboard to start Safe Mode with Networking.

Need more methods to access Safe Mode? In this case, check our guide for the best ways to start Windows 11 in Safe Mode.

4. Run the built-in troubleshooters

Open the Start Menu and select Settings.
Go to the Troubleshoot in the right pane.
Select Other troubleshooters.
Run a couple of troubleshooters and check if they managed to fix the problem.

If your Windows 11 Start menu is not working, it can be related to some random, temporary bugs. In this case, we have a guide dedicated to solving the Windows 11 Start menu issues right away.

5. Remove problematic updates

NOTE

You might have to repeat this procedure for multiple updates in order to fix the problem.

Press Windows key + R and enter appwiz.cpl. Click OK.
Go to View installed updates.
Double-click the update you want to remove.

6. Reset Windows 11

NOTE

This is a relatively simple process but if you choose to perform it, be sure to back up all your important files.

Press Windows Key + I to open Settings.
Navigate to the System section and select Recovery.
Now click the Reset PC button.
Select the desired option. In most cases, it’s better to use Remove everything, but if you choose it, be sure to back up your files beforehand.
Select the type of reinstall that you want. We used the Local reinstall.
Confirm your reinstall settings.
Click Reset to start the process.
Follow the instructions on the screen to finish it.

Resetting might be the only solution if you get stuck in Critical Process Died boot loop on Windows 11, so be sure to check our detailed article on how to reset Windows 11 for detailed instructions.

What causes the Critical process died error in Windows 11?

This Critical Process Died blue screen on Windows 11 appears when a critical component of the Windows operating system detects that data has been modified when it should not have been. Here are some of the causes behind it:

Malfunctioning hardware – BSoD errors can appear due to hardware issues. As for software issues, consider them as well as potential culprits. We are most likely referring to compatibility issues with certain applications or drivers.
Corrupt or missing system files – Missing system files can also cause this problem, which is the case with the Critical Process Died error on Windows.
Malware and BIOS issues – In some instances, malware and bad BIOS updates can cause BSoD errors on your PC.
Problematic drivers – Also, don’t forget to check and update your drivers if that’s the case. These tips also apply if you happen to encounter a Critical process died in Windows 10.

To learn more, be sure to check our in-depth guide on Blue Screen of Death causes.

What is the minidump file, and where can it be found?

Once a system crash occurs, your PC will memorize the events that caused it and write them down in a minidump, also known as DMP, file.

Minidump file works as a crash log, and it holds important information that might help you diagnose the problem and find the cause of the BSoD.

Regarding the location, you can find the minidump files in the following directory: C:\Windows\Minidump

You can also use the MEMORY.DMP file for diagnostics usually contains more information, much of which isn’t crucial.

How can I change my system crash settings?

Press Windows Key + R, type sysdm.cpl and press Enter.
Navigate to the Advanced tab and click on Settings in the Startup and Recovery section.
Now you can change the settings as needed. By default, the settings should look like on the screenshot below:
Optional: The only setting that you might want to disable is Automatically restart to see the name of the stop code better.

Fixing this error can be complicated, especially if the Critical Process Died appears on startup on Windows 11, but hopefully, you found our article informative and managed to fix the problem.

For more solutions, check out our guide on how to check the BSoD log file to see what went wrong and what you can do about it.

Did you find a solution on your own to one of the abovementioned situations? Share it with us in the comments section below.

Computer Shuts Down When Put to Sleep: 5 Ways to Fix it

Posted on November 14, 2022January 29, 2025 by Vladimir Popescu

Many users have reported that Windows 10 shuts down instead of going to sleep whenever they choose to enter Sleep Mode.

No matter how you try to set your computer into Sleep Mode (pressing the power button shortly, clicking the Start menu, or closing the laptop lid), the PC shuts down.

In today’s article, we will discuss the best troubleshooting methods you must apply to Windows 10 if it shuts down instead of going to sleep.

Why does my computer shut down when I put it to sleep? The issue is most likely caused by a power setting, a disabled BIOS setting, or a flaw in the driver for the Intel Management Engine Interface (IMEI).

There is a good chance that your device’s power button is programmed to turn off when you quickly touch it.

Users reported similar issues that you can fix using the methods below. Some of the most common ones are the following:

Windows shuts down instead of sleep – If the settings for the hard drive in the advanced power settings for the sleep mode are specified improperly, it would appear that your personal computer is more likely to turn off instead of entering the sleep mode.
PC turns off instead of sleep – A few customers successfully resolved the issue by extending the time before the hard disk was powered down when using the Sleep settings.
PC shuts down when put to sleep – It’s possible that a corrupted system file is the cause of this issue. I would recommend that you perform the System file checkup.
Laptop shuts down instead of sleep – It’s possible that the settings for your power plan are to blame if your computer shuts down unexpectedly after coming out of hibernation.
PC shuts down instead of sleep in Windows 11 – A scan utilizing the System File Checker (SFC) is carried out in order to determine whether or not this issue is being caused by any corrupted system files.
Computer shuts down in sleep mode (Windows 7) – Proceed in Windows 7 as we did below in Windows 10 as the steps shouldn’t be that different.
Computer shuts down when put to sleep (Mac) – Unchecking Power Before you put the computer to sleep automatically, make sure that Energy Saver is enabled and that any screen savers you have been turned off.

If you’ve been wondering Why does my computer shut down instead of sleep on Windows 10? let’s see what you can do to fix it, along with the similar solutions mentioned above. Follow along!

How do I stop my computer from shutting down instead of sleep?

1. Check the power settings of your computer

If you need to get rid of Windows 10 shutting down issues efficiently, be sure to check the power setting and modify what it’s required as described in the steps below.

1. Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box then type ms-settings:powersleep, and press Enter.
2. Inside the Power & Sleep window, select Additional power settings.
3. Within the Power Options menu, click on Choose what closing the lid does.
4. Change the values for each of these options: When I press the power button to Sleep, When I press the sleep button, and also When I close the lid.
5. Click on Save changes.

Therefore, check to see if changing these settings sorted the problem out. If not, try the next method.

Have you wondered whether you should shut down your PC or let it sleep at night? Check our guide to learn everything about that.

2. Update your IMEI

Press Windows + X, and choose Device Manager.
Inside the Device Manager window, click on the System Devices. Right-click on Intel Management Engine Interface, and select Properties.
Select the Driver tab, and choose Uninstall Device.
Restart your PC.
Download the latest version of IMEI driver.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.

Predictably, if the laptop shuts down instead of sleep, you might be facing a case of outdated drivers.

Here’s a quick solution to bring those drivers up to date without all the manual work. This spares you from a lot of time spent searching and checking which version you could download and install.

Outbyte Driver Updater allows you to schedule driver scans from a large library of driver files that are accessible for download. If you want to know when you need to update or replace a certain driver, Outbyte Driver Updater will notify you.

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3. Check the BIOS and make sure Power Saving mode is enabled

NOTE

Depending on your computer, the method to reach BIOS will differ, and the BIOS menu will differ.

Restart your PC, and press the appropriate key to enter BIOS.
Go to the Power Management Setup section.
Search for the Power Saving Mode option, and enable it.
Save and exit BIOS.
If the option was enabled, please follow the next method.

4. Run the Windows Power troubleshooter

Press the Windows + I buttons on your keyboard and choose the Update and Security section.
Choose Troubleshoot from the left menu, followed by Additional troubleshooters on the right side.
Find the Power troubleshooter then choose Run the troubleshooter, and follow the on-screen instructions.
Check to see if this fixes your problem.

Also, if you want to stop your PC from sleeping and locking, check out our guide for the best tools to prevent your PC from sleeping or locking, and find the proper one for your needs.

Is it better to put your PC in sleep or shutdown?

The heat generated by a machine set to sleep subjects all of its components to a higher temperature for a longer period.

Moreover, a computer turned off entirely is less vulnerable to damage from power spikes and drops that occur when the machine is being powered by its power adapter than a computer that is simply sleeping. So, you should shut down your PC from time to time.

For more potential solutions, check out our post on Windows 10/11 shuts down instead of hibernating/sleep.

You might also be interested in reading our guide on what to do if Windows 11 restarts after sleep.

We hope our methods helped you fix Windows 10 if it shuts down instead of sleeping. For more suggestions or other questions, please access the comments section below.

Fix: Xbox Controller Driver Error in Windows 11

Posted on November 14, 2022September 29, 2025 by Loredana Harsana

Experiencing problems and glitches while gaming is nothing new as it has become a regular occurrence for some users, as they reported having an Xbox wireless controller driver error in Windows 11.

A serious problem with the connection between the Xbox controller and the PC has been reported by a large number of customers.

The error notice appears to say that the USB device is not detected, in which case we will need to install the most recent driver update available.

If your Xbox controller isn’t working properly for any other reason, the methods listed below may still be able to resolve your problem. Make sure to carefully try them out, step by step.

Why is my Xbox controller not connecting to my PC Windows 11?

The two best troubleshooting techniques are to either update the driver in case you are using an older version, or to manually install the driver since they are the main cause of this issue. These two methods are bound to eliminate any problems.

If these two don’t work, you can always try disconnecting and then reconnecting the controller. Oftentimes, Windows 11 is unable to install the Xbox controller driver automatically which leads to the error. But simply reconnecting it would most likely fix it.

How do I fix the driver error for my Xbox controller?

1. Unplug and replug the controller

You can restart your Xbox console, do a full power cycle, or physically detach it from your computer to totally reboot it and resolve many common difficulties.

Try unplugging and replugging the controller into the PC several times. This straightforward strategy should always be the first method you try, as it consistently produces positive results.

2. Update the USB driver

It’s most likely to fix the Xbox controller driver issues by assuring all your drivers are up-to-date. Otherwise, you need to update your USB drivers as described in the example below.

1. Open Device Manager
Right-click on the Start icon then choose Device Manager.
2. Update the USB driver
Now, expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers folder, right-click on every USB option and tap on Update driver.
3. Restart your PC to complete de process
Wait for the processes to end, then restart your computer to apply the changes made. Now you can retry using the Xbox controller.

In case you need to update your USB driver automatically and save more time, with Outbyte Driver Updater the process will be done in minutes and you will enjoy the latest version of any driver.

3. Reinstall the Xbox controller driver

Right-click on the Start icon then choose Device Manager.
Now expand the Xbox One controller section, right-click it and tap on Uninstall device.
Once the operation is completed, restart your PC. While the computer is rebooting, Windows will automatically reinstall the driver.

4. Disable your antivirus

Click the expand arrow from your taskbar and right-click on your antivirus icon then choose Avast shields control followed by Disable for 10 minutes.
If you have other antivirus programs installed, you can disable the app temporarily by following the same steps as above, or similar steps.

NOTE

If the problem does not occur anymore, it is probable that your antivirus application was the root of the problem. You should consider picking another compatible antivirus solution for Windows 11 to protect your computer.

5. Update Windows

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app, then click on Windows Update in the left panel.
In the event that there are any new updates that need to be downloaded, the Install now option should be used; otherwise, the Check for updates button should be used to determine whether any new updates have been issued.

By updating your operating system, it may be able to fix the problem, which could be caused by an earlier version of Windows. The bug will very certainly be fixed in a later version of the software.

6. Change the USB cable

If you’re seeing a notice saying USB device not recognized while trying to use an Xbox controller, it’s possible that the problem is with your cable.

According to users, there are various different types of USB cables, with some cables being built solely for charging and others being designed to allow both charging and data transfer.

To determine if your Xbox controller isn’t working properly or if it isn’t being recognized, try swapping out the USB cord to see if that solves the problem.

Does Xbox controller work with Windows 11?

It’s possible to use an Xbox One controller to play games on your computer if you prefer a gamepad over a mouse and keyboard when gaming on your computer.

Furthermore, because the Xbox One controller is natively supported by Windows 11 (as well as Windows 10), the setup process is extremely simple.

The technique by which you connect your Xbox One controller to your PC, on the other hand, may differ slightly based on the type of gamepad you have and the method by which you choose to connect.

If you don’t mind a wired connection, utilizing a USB cable to connect any sort of Xbox One controller to a PC is by far the simplest method of getting started. Microsoft’s Xbox One S and Elite gamepads can be used using this manner as well.

All Xbox One controllers are equipped with a Micro USB port. Because of this, you can connect them directly to a PC by utilizing a Micro USB to USB Type-A adapter (sold separately). And, since Windows can automatically recognize connected Xbox One controllers, there’s nothing more to it.

For further information and potential solutions that are also applicable to Windows 11, check out our article on how to fix Xbox One controller not recognized error in Windows 10.

Alternatively, you may take a look at our guide on how to fix Windows 11 not detecting USB devices to discover a different set of solutions that you can use to resolve the Xbox issue.

Let us know in the comments below which solution worked best for you as well as which game you play the most from the Xbox Game Pass bundle. Thanks for reading!

Fix Halo Infinite Crashing on Startup & Mid-Game for Good

Posted on November 14, 2022October 22, 2025 by Sagar Naresh

If you’re among those who deal with Halo Infinite crashing on startup/loading screen, or mid game you’re in luck. In this piece, we’ll walk you through a few tips & tricks for making it stop.

We’ll also get into why this is happening so you know how to avoid it in the future. But first, let’s check out the fixes:

How to fix Halo Infinite Crash on startup

1. Update the Steam client

Launch the Steam Client.
Click on the Steam button located on the top menu bar.
Click on the Check for Steam Client Updates option.
Steam will automatically look for a new update and if available, will download it

2. Disable in-game overlay

This solution can be of great help due to its efficiency with Halo Infinite crashing on PC error, so you can simply do it as illustrated in the next steps.

1. Open the Steam client and go to Library.
2. Right-click on Halo Infinite and select Properties.
3. Uncheck the box beside Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game option.
4. Relaunch the Steam client and the game and check if this fixes the issue or not.

3. Reinstall the game

Launch the Steam Client on your PC.
Head to the LIBRARY.
Right-click on Halo Infinite.
Navigate to Manage > Uninstall.
Visit the Steam Store and reinstall the game.

4. Update Windows

Press the Win + I buttons to open Settings.
Select Windows Update from the left pane.
Click on Check for updates button.

5. Run SFC Scan

Search for Command Prompt in the Start menu.
Run it as an administrator.
Type in the below command and press Enter:sfc/scannow

You can use a trusted third-party repair software that will help resolve the issues caused by corrupt system files.

How do I fix Halo Infinite crash mid-game?

1. Restart your PC

Open the Start menu.
Click on the Power button.
Select Restart.

When you reboot your PC, it loads all the system files right from scratch. There are chances that some of the important system files, including game files, did not load during the previous session.

2. Close unwanted background apps

Press Ctrl + Alt + Del to open Task Manager.
Under the Processes tab, select the apps one by one and hit the End task button to stop the process to run in the background.

Playing any game, including Halo Infinite, requires you to provide the required resources to it to get an optimal gaming experience.

There might be some apps that are eating up unnecessary resources while running in the background.

Using the Task Manager, you can close all the unwanted tasks and see if this fixes the Halo Infinite crashing on PC issue.

3. Update drivers

Open the Start menu.
Search Device Manager.
Expand the Display adapters section.
Right-click on your GPU and select Update driver.
Select Search automatically for drivers.
Your system will look for new updates for GPU drivers and will prompt you to install if a new one is available.
Repeat the same steps for audio, DirectX, and other drivers.

You should keep the drivers for GPU, audio, etc. up to date on your PC to enjoy all the latest features as well as the optimal performance of supported apps. Moreover, it also resolves other issues, reduces the chances of other errors with games, and improves overall system performance.

Using the steps mentioned above, you can manually update the drivers one by one. But there is a much quicker way to do it.

We would suggest you use a reliable driver updating tool known as Fortect Driver Updater. It lets you perform a full system scan automatically on startup, locate any outdated, damaged, or missing drivers, and update them with a simple click.

Simply select the drivers you’re interested in updating, and Fortect Driver Updater will automatically take care of the rest.

⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

4. Update the game through the PC Xbox app

Click the Start button, type xbox, and click on the app from the results.
Select My Library from the left pane, then go to MANAGE INSTALLS from the right.
Now, make sure that the Automatic Updates are set to on, then click the UPDATE ALL button.

If Halo Infinite is crashing on the PC Xbox app, it’s a great chance that probably your game is not updated because somehow you disabled the automatic updates.

This solution helps you to turn them back on and update your game. Another solution would be to uninstall and reinstall the PC Xbox app.

5. Turn off fullscreen optimization

Open the Steam client.
Go to the LIBRARY.
Right-click on Halo Infinite and select Properties.
Click on LOCAL FILES.
Click on Browse.
Right-click on the Halo Infinite EXE file and select Properties.
Under the Compatibility tab check the box next to Disable fullscreen optimizations.
Click on Change high DPI settings.
Under the High DPI scaling override section, check the box next to Override high DPI scaling behavior.
Hit OK to save the changes.

Windows 11 or Windows 10 come with a built-in full-screen optimization setting. This enables you to get optimal performance on supported full-screen apps.

However, this feature can sometimes cause compatibility issues with the app and ultimately cause it to crash either during startup or during mid-game.

Several users have reported that disabling the fullscreen optimization feature on their Windows PC has helped them fix the Halo Infinite crashing on PC issue.

6. Verify the integrity of the game files

Open the Steam client.
From the main menu, click on the LIBRARY section.
Right-click on the faulty game and select Properties.
Select LOCAL FILES.
Click on Verify the integrity of game files.
The process will begin.
Once the process completes, try relaunching the game and see if this fixes the issue or not.

One of the most important reasons for different errors within the game is missing game files, one of which is the Halo Infinite crashing on PC problem.

In such a case, we would advise you to follow the above steps and verify the integrity of the game files. This will check for any missing or corrupted game files and fix them.

7. Update DirectX

Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialog.
Type the below command and press Enter. dxdiag
Under the System tab, check the version of the DirectX.
If it is not the latest version of DirectX, then press Win + I to open Windows Settings.
From the right pane, select Windows Update.
Hit the Check for updates button and Windows will automatically update DirectX if a new update is available.

Using the above steps, you can also keep an eye out for a new Windows update. A new update not only brings some new features but also includes bug fixes, which might be the reason why you are experiencing the Halo Infinite crashing on PC issue.

Update DirectX and then update your Windows PC as well and check if this fixes the problem at hand or not.

8. Reinstall Visual C++ Runtime

Press the Win + I buttons to open Settings.
From the left pane, select Apps.
Select Apps & features.
Find Microsoft Visual C++ programs, and uninstall them one by one.
After uninstalling, head to the official Microsoft website.
Download the latest Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime, and install it on your PC.
Restart your PC and check if this fixes the Halo Infinite crashing on PC issue.

Many products require the Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime to run properly. There could be a chance that Halo Infinite isn’t working properly because of incompatible Visual C++ Runtime.

Following the above steps, you can remove all the unwanted ones and install the latest one, possibly fixing the issue.

9. Change the priority of the Halo Infinite

Launch the Halo Infinite game.
While the game is running, press the Win + D buttons to head back to your desktop home screen.
Press Ctrl + Alt + Del buttons to open the Task Manager.
Switch to the Details tab.
Locate Halo Infinite.
Right-click on it and select Set priority.
Choose the Above normal or High option.

Except for system processes, all other programs running on your PC have the priority setting set to normal. There are chances that the game isn’t getting access to optimal resources, which could cause crashing on your PC.

You must set a high priority for applications such as games or editing software. You can follow the above steps and set a high priority for Halo Infinite and check if this fixes the issue or not.

10. Disable CPU overclocking

Open the CPU overclocking software.
Under the Overclocking section, select Normal.
Close the tool and check if this fixes the issue or not.

Several players use the CPU overclocking feature to get the best gaming experience. However, multiple reports confirm that overclocking does not always help, and often causes game crashes. So, disable overclocking and check if this fixes the issue or not.

11. Disable a specific DLC

Open the Steam client.
Head to LIBRARY.
Right-click on Halo Infinite and select Properties.
From the left pane select DLC.
Uncheck the box next to Multiplayer High-Res Textures.
Restart the game and check if this fixes the issue or not.

Why does Halo Infinite keep crashing?

Several reasons could trigger Halo Infinite’s campaign crashing on PC problem. Although the game has been built to properly use the PC resources and provide an optimal gameplay experience, there are a few hiccups down the road including this game crashing issue.

After careful research, we have found the below-listed reasons to be the cause of Halo Infinite crashing on PC:

A third-party app is conflicting with the game.
Overclocking your graphics card could cause the game to cause issues.
Your PC does not meet the minimum requirements.
The drivers aren’t updated.
The game files are corrupt.
Your Windows PC isn’t up to date.
Windows system files are corrupt.
DLC is conflicting with the game.

Summary

Halo Infinite has received multiple DLCs since its release. But there are often some DLCs that don’t run properly with the game and often crash the game.

To fix the Halo Infinite freezing on PC issue, we would advise you to follow the steps above and disable the specific DLC.

For more potential solutions, check out what to do if Steam games keep crashing after launch.

Let us know in the comments section below which one of the above solutions helped you fix the problem of Halo Infinite crashing on your PC. The solutions outlined above can also help fix packet loss and high CPU usage in Halo Infinite.

Windows Defender Exclusions Not Working: 5 Ways to Fix It

Posted on November 13, 2022October 4, 2023 by Henderson Jayden Harper

Windows Defender is a built-in anti-malware security system of Microsoft Windows. One of its core features is that users can select apps or files to exclude from its process. However, users complain about Windows Defender exclusions not working. Also, some reports about Windows Defender not working on Windows 11.

Why is the Windows Defender exclusion not working?

Many factors can cause the Windows Defender exclusions not to work on your PC. These factors impede the exclusion placed on the item, causing it to follow Windows Defender’s processing.

However, installing third-party antivirus software on your computer is one of the causes of the problem. Other factors are:

Outdated Windows OS – When the Windows operating system running on your PC is not up-to-date, it can affect several programs. Also, if your Windows update stops working, it can cause bugs. So, the Windows Defender exclusions can be affected by this.
Infected program or file – Windows Defender exclusions not working for some programs or items may be because they are infected or corrupt. Corrupt system files can affect how Windows Defender interacts with the file.
The excluded item not intact – When the file or folder you exclude from Windows Defender is moved to another location, it can compromise the exclusion placed on it. Also, it results in Windows Defender is unable to locate the path.

The causes for the issue may vary on different Windows computers, depending on the instance. However, trying some general fixes can solve the problem.

What can I do if Windows Defender exclusion is not working?

Before trying any troubleshooting steps, go through the following preliminary checks:

Disable third-party antivirus software on your PC.
Turn off background apps running on your computer.
Restart Windows in Safe Mode and check if the issue persists.

If you’re unable to fix the Windows Defender exclusion not working, proceed with the solutions below:

1. Check Registry values

Press Windows + R key to open the Run dialog box, type Regedit and click the OK button.
Navigate to the following path: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Exclusions
Find any REG_DWORD value with Value data 1, double-click on it, and change the Value data to 0.
Click the OK button and close the Windows Registry.
Restart your PC.

Checking the Registry values for Windows Defender will help correct any wrong settings or values assigned to its functions and can fix the issue.

Although very rare, Regedit can stop saving changes, and it will render this fix ineffective. So, check our guide to fix it.

2. Verify Group Policy setting

Press Windows + R key to open the Run dialog box, type gpedit.msc, and click the OK button.
Navigate to the following path: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Microsoft Defender Antivirus\Exclusions
Double-click on any item that is enabled under Settings, double-click on it.
Select the Not Configured option and click the OK button.

Changing the Group Policy settings for Windows Defender exclusion to Not configured will render them obsolete. However, it can fix Windows Defender if Group Policy deactivates it.

3. Restart Microsoft Defender Antivirus Service

Press the Win + R key to prompt the Run dialog box, type services.msc in the text box, and click OK to open the Services management console.
Locate the following items:
- Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection Service – Manual
- Network Inspection Service – Manual
- Windows Defender Antivirus Service – Manual
- Windows Defender Firewall Service – Automatic
Double-click on each of the items and click Start. Also, ensure the Startup type matches the specified in the item list above.

These steps will enable the related services to help Windows Defender function at its full potential.

If you have issues starting the service, check our guide to fixing the Windows Defender service not starting on Windows 10/11.

4. Make sure the item is intact

To fix Windows Defender exclusion not working for an item, you need to ensure the item is in the exact path Windows Defender excluded it.

It’ll make it visible to the exclusion. But instead, you can reset the exclusion option for the item.

5. Update Windows OS

Right-click the Start button on your taskbar and select the Windows Settings app.
Click on Windows update and choose the Check for updates option. (If there are any updates available, Windows will search for and install them)

Windows updates will resolve bugs plaguing your PC, which can prevent Windows Defender exclusion from working as it should.

Sometimes, Windows may not connect to update services. If you encounter this, quickly hop on our guide to troubleshoot it.

Nevertheless, you can check what to do if the Windows Defender is not turning on. Also, read what to do if Windows Defender is missing on Windows 11.

Leave further questions and suggestions in the comments section. We want feedback from you.

Blue Yeti: Is it A Better Mic? Here are the Pros and Cons

Posted on November 13, 2022October 4, 2023 by Claire Moraa

There are a lot of great microphones out there for gaming and audio recording for everyday use. Some cost much more than others, yet all offer the same performance. Blue Yeti is one of those products that has a huge fan base and following.

It’s the type of microphone that everyone raves about because of its great features. But some people have doubts about this particular microphone. So today, we will go over the pros and cons of Blue Yeti, so you can decide if it’s right for you.

Is the Blue Yeti worth it?

If you’re looking for a high-quality microphone or your built-in Windows microphone is not working, the Blue Yeti is one of the best you can buy. It has a powerful sound and offers excellent features at a reasonable price.

Some of its notable features include:

Multiple pattern selection – The Yeti has been designed with many different uses in mind and can be used for anything from gaming to podcasting and everything in between. It comes with four different modes: stereo, cardioid, bidirectional and omnidirectional — allowing you to choose how you want your sound to come through when recording or streaming.
USB connectivity – All you need is to plug it into your computer’s USB port and you’re ready to record. This makes it more convenient than traditional dynamic microphones that require separate power sources and cables. If for some reason your Blue Yeti is not recognized, it could be due to outdated drivers.
Unique design – The Blue Yeti is designed for portability, with a compact design that makes it easy to carry around or travel with.
Advanced vocal effects – This includes noise cancellation features so your voice comes out clear even if there’s background noise in your room.
Automatic gain control – This feature automatically adjusts volume levels so that loud sounds aren’t too loud or soft sounds aren’t too soothing when they’re recorded by your computer.

What is Blue Yeti best for?

Blue Yeti is one of those no-fuss, easy-to-use microphones that deliver the performance you need without breaking the bank. It has a sleek design and offers quality recordings for podcasting, voiceovers, and even music recording.

The Blue Yeti microphone may be among the more affordable ones, but its capability for great sound recording is arguably one of the best in the industry. It’s also compatible with Mac and Windows computers.

What are some of the pros and cons of Blue Yeti?

Blue Yeti is a USB microphone that offers many advantages over other microphones on the market. Here are some pros:

Pros

Versatility – The Blue Yeti isn’t just for musicians; it can be used by anyone who wants to record their voice or other sounds. Because it has multiple input options, you can use it for podcasts, interviews, voiceovers, or even Skype calls, if necessary, without any audio enhancers. This makes it very versatile and useful in many situations.
Quality sound – It has a quality sound response rate of 20HZ to 20kHZ, which means it can pick up the lowest bass notes and the highest treble notes without needing bass booster tools. The sound quality is crystal clear and it has a built-in headphone jack so you can hear what you’re recording.
Compatibility – The Blue Yeti microphone is compatible with both Windows and Mac devices. You don’t need any special software or drivers; just plug it in and start recording.
Headphone jack – The Blue Yeti also comes with a built-in headphone jack so that you can monitor what you are recording as you go along without having to use separate headphones or speakers.

Cons

Blue Yeti is not perfect and has some negative aspects to it as well, which you should know before buying one. Here are some of the cons of Blue Yeti:

It’s heavy – The device weighs around 3.4 lbs. This could make it inconvenient to carry around while traveling or doing field recordings.
No accessories – The Blue Yeti doesn’t come with any accessories. Unfortunately, you have to buy them separately if you want to use your USB microphone in any way other than recording directly into your computer or laptop.
It’s expensive – The Blue Yeti is one of the most expensive USB microphones. The price goes even higher for the Blue Yeti Nano or Blue Yeti X. You can easily find alternatives with similar features and performance to this model at a much lower price tag.

Is there a better mic than Blue Yeti?

There are a lot of choices when it comes to microphones. There are condenser mics, dynamic, ribbon, and even noise-canceling mics that can record high-quality audio.

While the Blue Yeti does provide a lot of value for its price, it may not be for everyone. Some could argue that the sound quality is lesser than other microphones in a similar price range.

The overall consensus from most Blue Yeti owners is that the sound quality is quite excellent, while others claim that it could be better, considering it costs over a hundred dollars. The main issue for the nay-sayers is that it’s a jack-of-all-trades mic but a master of none.

Nevertheless, despite its pros and cons, Blue Yeti is a solid mic that, for the most part, it delivers on Blue’s promise to provide studio-quality recording at home.

If you decide to go for it, we have accompanying software to use with Blue Yeti to produce even more excellent content.

Let us know what Blue Yeti mic you are using and your review of its performance in the comment section below.