Steam Slow Download Speed: Why and How to Speed It Up

Posted on October 27, 2022October 6, 2025 by Vlad Turiceanu

Many gamers are complaining about Steam’s download speed being slow and this isn’t the only issue. Sometimes, Steam doesn’t recognize installed games, so it’s essential to ensure that your download is working correctly.

Then there is also the Steam download speed fluctuating, which affects the majority of the gaming community in one form or another. Sometimes, the fluctuations are so severe that Steam can’t even go online.

Here’s a nifty formula for you to hold on to. Multiply your Steam download speed by 8, and if the result is close to your known connection speed, then you don’t have any issues.

How can I boost the Steam download speed?

1. Clear the download cache

Hit the Windows key, type Steam, then open the first result.
From the top-left corner of the window, click on Steam.
Go to Settings.
In the left panel, choose Downloads.
You will see a Clear Download Cache button in the right section at the bottom of the page. Click on it.
A new window should appear. Hit OK and wait for the process to finish.
Now re-login with your credentials and check if your download speed has increased.

This is the first thing you should try if Steam download is slow with Ethernet or any other type of connection.

Sometimes the Steam download speed is slow, but Internet fast. This can happen regardless of your gear or network arrangements. You can still battle with a Steam download slow issue over fiber.

2. Change the bandwidth limit

Launch Steam. Then, click on the Steam option from the top left corner of the window.
Go to Settings.
In the left panel, choose Downloads.
Under Download Restrictions, you will see a Limit bandwidth to drop-menu.
Set it to No Limit and click OK.
Resume your download.

This is a quick and easy solution, and it should help you if the Steam download speed is slow or if Steam has no internet connection.

NOTE

You should set it to an appropriate value close to your ISP connection if used on an unstable connection.

3. Change the download region

1. Launch the Steam app, then choose the Steam option from the top-left corner of the window.
2. Go to Settings.
3. In the left panel, choose Downloads.
4. You should see a Download Region section with a drop-down menu beneath.
5. Click on the drop-down menu and choose a different server.
6. Press on OK when you’re done.

Steam has many servers across multiple regions in the world. As a default, Steam automatically detects your area through the network.

Sometimes, these can be cluttered or may malfunction from a hardware problem, thus requiring you to change the download location.

You will have to experiment and try different servers to see which fits your needs best if the Steam download is slow and stopping.

NOTE

This isn’t an exact science, and there isn’t a specific universal server that can work for everybody.

4. Lower the Disk usage

Hit the Windows key, type cmd, right-click on the first result and choose to Run as administrator.
Then, input the following command: WPR -cancel
It’s worth mentioning that some users fixed the issue by disabling Connected User Experiences and Telemetry.
To do that, open cmd and type: stop-service diagtrack
If you want to disable the start-up process as well, type: set-service diagtrack -startuptype disabled

If Steam disk usage is slow, this solution should help you quickly fix that.

5. Disable your VPN or proxy

The encryption overhead could slow Steam update if you’re currently connected to a VPN or proxy server.

Disable any VPN or proxy service before downloading a game on Steam. However, it’s only a temporary fix since you need to re-enable the secure tunnel once the download finishes.

As a long-term solution, consider investing in a premium VPN service that uses modern VPN protocols, which minimize damage to your download connection speed.

You can even disable encryption while staying connected to a VPN server, although it won’t help protect your online privacy.

Why is Steam downloading so slow?

There are multiple reasons why the Steam download is slow, but most notably, it’s a server-side issue. Therefore, changing the download region can sometimes help.

There is no platform better than the other. In fact, Steam launching issues happen on Windows 11, which is Microsoft’s latest and we dare say, greatest yet OS just as they can happen on previous versions.

The problem can occur due to local factors, such as corrupted cache files or high disk usage, so be sure to look into that if you want to fix the problem.

➡️ Does Steam limit download speed?

Steam doesn’t limit the download speed, but the process is a bit more complex, resulting in download speed issues.

Each download is divided into chunks, and the client downloads, extracts, and verifies them at all times. This puts a bit of strain on your CPU and drive, causing slowdowns.

➡️ How can I pick the fastest Steam download server?

When picking the server, you should consider several factors:

Server location – A far away server might have more significant latency, thus causing the download to be slow.
Load – If your selected server is in a high-activity region, this might negatively impact your download.

You should know that common Steam errors can negatively affect your experience, so make sure you fix them.

Disk space problems can also slow Steam patching, so ensure you have enough space on your drive to download games.

All these issues can make your Steam download stop. Needless to say that a slow and stopping Steam download is quite a nightmare as it reduces the overall download speed.

What browser can I use to get the smoothest experience on Steam?

If you don’t have the time to go into complex troubleshooting steps, there is a quick solution that may come in handy.

You can install Opera GX, the world’s first gamer-oriented browser that allows you to download files faster than regular browsers.

Opera relies on its advanced parallel downloading technology, which splits files into smaller parts.

These smaller parts are then downloaded simultaneously. So, if you want to enjoy fast download speeds on Steam, install Opera GX on your computer.

⇒ Get Opera GX

How to increase disk usage on Steam?

Open This PC.
Locate the drive that you’re downloading games to.
Right-click it and choose Properties.
Now make sure that Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed in addition to file properties.
Now click Apply and OK to save changes.

Sometimes, it’s more about the Steam disk usage being slow. And that can be a significant problem, but hopefully, we managed to help you fix that.

If you’re having more problems, visit our Steam downloads that keep dropping to 0 to guide more in-depth solutions.

Feel free to try the ones you’re most comfortable with, and let us know how it went by reaching for the comments section below.

Windows 11 Shows a Black Screen After Sleep: 7 Ways to Fix It

Posted on October 27, 2022July 25, 2024 by Madalina Dinita

With the latest offering of Windows, Microsoft tried to fix many of the older problems that have plagued Windows since the XP era, but it couldn’t. Now, several Windows 11 users report a black screen after sleep, a long-time problem in the OS.

Black screen issues in Windows 11 are common, but when they happen only after waking up the PC, you should be able to fix things with the right approach. Let’s find out how.

Why does my computer not turn back on after sleep mode?

There are a host of reasons why the laptop won’t turn on after sleep in Windows 11, as reported by users. Below are some of the common ones:

Outdated drivers – If you are wondering why my Windows 11 display won’t turn on after sleep, one of the popular causes of this issue is outdated keyboard and mouse drivers. This is why some people get a black screen without a cursor on their PCs.
Power settings – There are some power settings designed to improve user experience. However, some, like the Fast Startup, can sometimes lead to a black screen after waking up issue on Windows 11.
Problematic third-party apps – Too many unnecessary apps on your PC is never a good idea. If you started noticing this problem after installing an app, remove it using one of the best uninstaller software or from the Control Panel.

How can I fix the black screen on Windows 11 after sleep?

Before exploring the fixes in this guide, you can:

If you don’t want to restart your computer just yet, check for loose or damaged connections. In many cases, simply reconnecting the cable did the trick.
Reset the graphics adapter by pressing Ctrl + Shift + B and check if the display reappears.
Update your BIOS to the latest version.

In case these don’t work, move to the solutions listed next.

1. Turn off Hibernation

Press the Windows key, type cmd, and click on Run as an administrator under Command Prompt.
Type the following command and press Enter: powercfg /h off
Finally, restart your PC.

If you get a black screen after sleep on Windows 11, it might be down to your hibernation settings. Thankfully, it is not a feature often used by most users.

So, you can try to disable it and see if it solves the monitor won’t turn in after sleep issue.

2. Try a dedicated troubleshooter

This solution can be the most convenient one since you only have to run these specialized repair tools and let them debug your device. These types of tools can scan for, identify, and replace any broken system files they encounter.

3. Disable fast startup

Another great solution to resolve display issues after waking from sleep mode is to modify your battery power settings and disable the fast startup option. The guide below shows you exactly how.

1. Press the Windows key, type power plan, and select Choose a power plan.
2. Click on Choose what the power button do on the left pane.
3. Choose Change settings that are currently unavailable on the top of this page.
4. Uncheck the checkbox for Turn on Fast Startup (recommended).
5. Click the Save changes button and restart your PC twice (doing it twice is the important bit).

The Fast Startup feature helps to increase your PC’s startup time. However, some users have found it to be the cause of the black screen after sleep on Windows 11 issue.

Disabling it and restarting your PC should help restore normal service in this case.

4. Update the graphics card driver

Press the Windows + X and select Device Manager.
Double-click the Display adapters option, right-click the driver, and select Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for drivers and install the available update.

Nothing causes issues faster on a PC than outdated drivers. So, if you are experiencing a black screen after sleep problem on Windows 11, you need to update the graphics driver.

Some users found the problem arose due to their keyboard and mouse drivers. This will also help if you find the bottom of the laptop screen black.

If you don’t want to use the Windows driver updater, you can go to the manufacturer’s website to manually install the latest drivers.

5. Uninstall problematic apps

Press the Windows + S, type control, and choose Control Panel.
Click Uninstall a program under the Programs option.
Now, select any recently installed app that might be causing the problem and click the Uninstall button.
Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process and restart your PC.

If you recently installed any apps, especially those related to power management, you might need to uninstall them, since it could be why your computer wakes up from sleep but there’s no display.

Some users complained that third-party applications provided by the OEM as supporting software can affect the system performance negatively. An example is the Asus Monitor Calibration software causing a black screen after changing the refresh rate.

So, you need to remove these apps to fix the black screen after sleep issue on Windows 11.

6. Disable onboard graphics

Right-click the Start icon and select Device Manager.
Expand the Display adapters option and right-click on the onboard GPU (mostly Intel) and select Disable device.
Restart your PC and check whether the Sleep mode behaves.

If your PC has dual-GPU configurations, you might want to disable the onboard graphics driver to fix the black screen after sleep issue on Windows 11.

7. Disable Sleep mode

Press the Windows key + S, type power, and select Edit power plan.
Set the Put the computer to sleep setting to Never for both On battery and Plugged in options.
Now, click the Save changes button.

Finally, if you have gradually covered all the steps mentioned above, but the problem persists, we advise you to disable the Sleep mode. This might be needed if your PC performs well besides the black screen after sleep issue.

The Windows 11 laptop screen won’t turn on after sleep issue because the black screen can be infuriating. However, you can fix it easily with a detailed guide such as this. For more information, check out what to do if your PC turns off instead of going to sleep.

The solutions here would also fix the black screen after sleep in Windows 10. Besides, are you facing other issues with Sleep Mode on Windows 11? Then, look at our detailed guide on the topic to fix them quickly.

Feel free to let us know if you could fix the issue using the solutions in this guide in the comments below.

More changes coming to the Xbox dashboard UI in 2023…but you may not like them

Posted on October 27, 2022 by Robert Collins

Microsoft has been rolling out improvements to the Xbox OS throughout the year. And this push to bring a better Xbox user experience will continue into 2023, with a new home UI in the works. The new dashboard design, which is now available to those in the Xbox Insider Program’s Alpha Skip Ahead Ring, was hinted at back in September.

Below you can see a preview of the new UI coming to Xbox in 2023, courtesy of Tom Warren from The Verge.

From what we can tell at this early point, it appears as though the dashboard will be losing many of its customization options. This seems like an odd choice on the part of the designers, when users have been asking for more in the way of user customization features.

Scrolling down, it becomes apparent that the new dashboard is essentially another storefront, with sections for “Recently Added” Game Pass games and the like. For all intents and purposes, these serve as ad space, encouraging you to download more games and content.

Again, this seems to fly in the face of what Xbox gamers have most asked for in feedback—less ad space and a more minimalist design in which dynamic backgrounds take center stage.

The new features that have been added to the Xbox OS in 2022 should not be overlooked. Among them are Discord integration and a newly revamped DVR app. But with the new UI coming in 2023, many users may find something less than they were hoping for. The silver lining here is that Microsoft still has plenty of time to make changes. There is also plenty of time for the Xbox community to give feedback. Whether anyone will listen to it may be another matter.

Anyone interested in joining the Xbox Insider Program can check out the Xbox Insider Hub.

Featured image via The Verge.

4 Approved Fixes for White Screen on Startup on Windows 10

Posted on October 27, 2022September 25, 2025 by Ivan Jenic

Problems with display and graphics are usual things in the Windows operating system. Among the prominent issues faced by users is the white screen on startup on Windows 10 PC.

Some also complain of blank screens on laptops and their devices sometimes crash just after displaying the white screen. Irrespective of the form of the issue, this guide will show you how to fix it effectively.

Why is my computer stuck on a white screen?

The white screen on startup on Windows 10 issue can occur due to various reasons. Below are some of the popular causes:

Faulty or outdated drivers – Driver issues, especially the display drivers are usually responsible for the white screen when starting the PC. To fix this problem, you might need to reinstall or update your drivers in Safe Mode.
Presence of malware – Viruses can cause the PC to completely turn white on startup. Scanning for malware with Windows Defender or a dedicated software should help fix this.
Broken system files – Corrupt system files can cause all sorts of problems and could be the reason you are experiencing this problem. Running the SFC scan should restore normalcy here.

How do I fix PC’s white screen on startup?

There are some prerequisite troubleshooting steps that you need to try before moving to the fixes in this section. The steps listed below might save you from performing technical solutions:

Connect your PC to another display.
Remove your PC battery for some time and disconnect the power cord.
Check if your graphics card is faulty.
Press the Ctrl + Alt + Del shortcut when the white screen shows up.

If these preliminary fixes do not solve this issue, you can now try the solutions below.

1. Check your drivers

Restart your PC and continue pressing F8 or Shift + F8 as your PC loads to open the Advanced startup menu.
Select Choose an option > Troubleshoot.
Choose Advanced options.
Select the Startup Settings.
Now, click the Restart button.
Once your PC restarts, select Safe Mode with Networking from the available list.
After your PC boots, press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
Click the arrow next to the Display adapters option to expand it and right-click the driver there.
Select Update driver.
Finally, choose the Search automatically for drivers option and install any available update.

If you get the White Screen of Death on startup on Windows 10, it might be down to outdated drivers. you might have to do this from Safe Mode or from a different user account that works properly. You can also go to the driver manufacturer’s website to download the latest version

In some cases, you might even have to completely reinstall your graphics card driver. For a quick and hassle-free updating process, however, we recommend using a dedicated third-party tool.

What you need to do is download and install the tool, and initiate a system scan. The result will show exactly what drivers need updating, as well as recommended software picked from a huge database.

Although you could update the drivers manually, this is the safest way to run the process and make sure you don’t install the wrong component.

Outbyte Driver Updater

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2. Scan for malware

Press the Windows key + S, type virus, and select Virus & threat protection.
Choose Scan options.
Now, select your preferred scan option and click the Scan now button.

At times, malicious software can be the reason for the white screen on startup issue on Windows PC. To run a deep scan with Windows Security, you should select the Full Scan or Windows Defender (Offline) option.

Better still, you can go for a third-party antivirus in ESET NOD32 to remove even the most stubborn virus. The good thing about this software is that it detects viruses before they can attack your PC.

Whether online or offline, ESET NOD32 always guarantees your security.

3. Run an SFC scan

Type cmd in the Windows Search box and choose Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
Copy and paste the following command line and press Enter: sfc/scannow
Wait until the scan is finished (since the scan is deep, it could last for a while).

The SFC scan is one of the two built-in tools for repairing system files on Windows. Running this scan should restore normalcy if the PC white screen on startup issue is due to faulty or corrupt files.

4. Use System Restore

Restart your PC and keep pressing the F8 or Shift + F8 keys to bring up the Advanced Startup options.
Select Choose an option > Troubleshoot.
Now, choose Advanced options.
Select System Restore from the options.
Select your user account and enter your account’s password.
Click on Next.
If available, check to Show more restore points checkbox. Now select the desired restore point and click Next.
Follow the instructions on the screen to restore your PC.

Once your PC is restored to a previous state, the white screen on computer monitor problem should be resolved. Several users reported that this solution worked for them, so feel free to try it out.

That’s all for now. We believe you have everything you need to fix the white screen on startup issue on your PC with this guide.

In the same vein, we have a general guide on how to fix white screen issues on Windows 10. So make sure to check it out for extra workarounds.

Feel free to let us know the solution that helped you fix the white screen startup on your laptop in the comments below.

That Windows driver blocklist issue is now fixed

Posted on October 27, 2022 by David Allen

Microsoft has finally fixed the issue that prevented the vulnerable driver blocklist from being copied to older versions of Windows. The blocklist is designed to prevent the threat of vulnerable drivers that look legitimate from being installed on systems. The vulnerable drivers are then exploited allowing hackers to gain access to your system. This is a common method of exploiting Windows machines discussed in hacker groups. The exploit was discovered by security analyst Will Dorman last month.

Microsoft has acknowledged Dorman’s findings and promised to fix the issue in its documentation as well as a future software update. The issue was fixed in the October 2022 preview update, the blocklist now syncs properly across Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Thanks for all the feedback. We have updated the online docs and added a download with instructions to apply the binary version directly. We're also fixing the issues with our servicing process which has prevented devices from receiving updates to the policy.

— Jeffrey Sutherland (@j3ffr3y1974) October 6, 2022

Starting with Windows 11 2022, the blocklist is enabled by default, though there is a toggle to disable it, the toggle doesn’t appear to be active at this time. Third-party registry edits are available to adjust the toggle but are not recommended.

Via Bleepingcomputer.com

Third Monitor not Detected: 6 Steps to Make it Active again

Posted on October 27, 2022October 24, 2025 by Madalina Dinita

Along with the continuous growth of technology, many users started using a three-monitor display setup for a better programming and gaming experience, among other use cases.

There is a common problem with using this type of display setup, though. Users reported that they couldn’t connect their 3rd monitor to the Windows OS.

Why is my 3rd monitor not displaying?

This is a frequent issue in Windows, and sometimes it could be triggered by a monitor compatibility problem. Thankfully, like the second monitor not detected issue, we have provided easy fixes.

The primary reason the third monitor is not detected on a Windows 10/11 laptop or desktop is compatibility issues. Also, this issue can be traced to outdated and faulty drivers on the main display.

If your PC is outdated, you can also experience problems detecting your other monitors. Irrespective of the cause of the problem, we have prepared details solutions to fix it in the following sections of this article.

Where can this issue appear, and what to expect?

There are different variations of this issue with their triggers. Below are some of them, as reported by users.

3rd monitor detected but not displaying in Windows 10 – If the monitor is detected but not active, you will have to tweak your Display Settings as we have shown below.
Third monitor not detected Windows 11/7 – The solutions below have been thought out for Windows 10, however, Windows 11 and 7 will have similar steps that you can follow.
3rd monitor not detected by the Dell docking station/Lenovo Thinkpad – Reconnecting the monitors one by one proved to be one of the most effective solutions.
Third monitor not detected Nvidia/Intel HD graphics – Updating your Nvidia and Intel graphics drivers to the most recent version possible, is the best course of action in this situation.
Third monitor not detected after update – Windows updates are known to sometimes cause more issues than good. Thus, it is recommended to uninstall the latest OS update.

In the guide below, we’ll focus on solving the monitors’ connectivity issues in Windows 10.

What do I do if a third monitor is not detected?

1. Try to reconnect the monitors one by one

Although you might think that you have everything in order, sometimes it is better to reinstall your monitor setup.

Various technical issues may sometimes occur when you use more than one DVI to Display Ports.

Try unplugging the monitors in the order displayed in the Advanced Display Settings window. Then, plug them back in afterward. After a few attempts, the 3rd monitor not detected via HDMI issue will be fixed.

2. Change the display settings

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Choose the System option.
3. Scroll down to the Multiple display section.
4. Choose the Extend these displays option.
5. Close the Settings window and check whether the issue persists.

Sometimes, the third screen not detected issue is caused by wrong settings. This problem might occur if you have not set the display to extend to all the connected screens.

So, you should follow the steps above to set it right and then check if the problem is still there.

3. Check for updates

Press the Windows key + I to launch Settings. Choose the Update & Security option.
Click the Check for updates button.
Now, click the Download and install option if there are any available updates.

An outdated PC causes all sorts of issues, and the third screen not detected problem is no different. You can automatically install the latest Windows 10 updates by going to Settings and hitting the Check for updates button.

Alternatively, you can download specific updates from the Microsoft Update Catalog website. If particular updates bring display bug fixes and improvements, we strongly recommend installing them.

4. Update your graphics card drivers

Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
Double-click on the Display adapters option to expand it. Right-click on your driver and select the Update driver option.
Click Search automatically for drivers. This will fix the laptop not detecting 3rd monitor issue.

GeForce graphics cards are known to encounter the third monitor not detected issue. If you don’t want to use the Windows driver updater, as shown below, you can go to NVIDIA’s official website and install the latest updates manually.

Another solution we will recommend is using third-party software that scans your device and finds the most relevant updates by itself. Then, the tool will install the graphics card drivers using its automated technology within seconds.

5. Enable Set up Multiple Displays for Nvidia graphic cards

Right-click on a random free spot on your desktop and open the NVIDIA Control Panel. In the NVIDIA Control Panel, click Set up multiple displays.
Check all the boxes for the monitors that you want to use. Save the changes and restart your computer. Then see if all the selected monitors are working.

You might face the third monitor not detected issue if you don’t have multiple displays enabled in the Nvidia Control Panel. The easy way out here is to follow the above steps.

6. Disable integrated Intel card

Press the Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and click on OK.
Click the arrow next to the Display adapters option to expand it. Right-click on the Intel graphics card and select Disable device.
Try to reconnect the 3rd monitor and see if it works.

Disabling the integrated Intel graphics card is another adequate solution for the third undetected monitor issue. Hardware conflicts may sometimes occur between the integrated graphics card and your primary graphics card.

What do I do if a third monitor is not detected on Windows 11?

The causes third monitor not detected issue is within a close circle. It will be down to your connection or drivers if it is not due to a compatibility problem.

So, to fix it, you need to check your connections carefully and update your display drivers. Also, you can disable your Intel drivers and update your PC. We have shown how to do all this in detail in this guide.

Can my laptop handle three monitors?

Two monitors are the most common connection capacity in most modern PCs. However, there are still a fair few of them that can use three monitors.

To know if your PC can use this configuration, you need to look up your graphics card name and check if it can handle three monitors on Google.

If you are facing the second monitor not detected on Windows 11 issue, check our detailed guide to restore normalcy quickly.

Feel free to let us know how you solved this issue in the comments below.

How to Use GPEdit (Group Policy Editor) In Windows 11 [Simple Guide]

Posted on October 27, 2022July 16, 2025 by Matthew Adams

Today we’ll show you how to enable and use GPEdit in Windows 11.

With the Group Policy Editor, you can manage and configure various system settings. It helps you take care of everything from app settings to security options and customization.

Let’s get right to it.

1. Enable Group Policy Editor with a batch file

If you were wondering how to enable Group Policy Editor in Windows 11 Home, running the batch file would do the trick.

1.To install gpedit.msc on Windows 11, press Windows + S to open the Search menu, enter Notepad in the text field, and click on the relevant result.
2. Copy this batch file code by selecting the text and pressing the Ctrl + C hotkey:
@echo off pushd "%~dp0" dir /b %SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientExtensions-Package~3*.mum >List.txt dir /b %SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientTools-Package~3*.mum >>List.txt for /f %%i in ('findstr /i . List.txt 2^>nul') do dism /online /norestart /add-package:"%SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\%%i" pause
3. Press the Ctrl + V keyboard shortcut to paste the copied batch file code into Notepad.
4. Click on the File menu in the Notepad, and select the Save As option.
5. Head to the desired location, enter Group Policy Editor.bat as the File name, choose All files from the Save as type dropdown menu, and click on Save.
6. Thereafter, right-click the Group Policy Editor batch file and then select Run as administrator.
7. If a UAC prompt opens, select the Yes option on it.
8. Thereafter, a Command Prompt window will open. Wait until it says, 100% This operation completed successfully, before you close that window.

2. Enable Group Policy Editor via the Command Prompt

Press Windows + S to open the Search menu, type Command Prompt in the text field, and click on Run as administrator.
Click Yes in the UAC prompt that appears.
Next, select and copy this text with the Ctrl + C hotkey:
FOR %F IN ("%SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientTools-Package~*.mum") DO (DISM /Online /NoRestart /Add-Package:"%F") FOR %F IN ("%SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientExtensions-Package~*.mum") DO (DISM /Online /NoRestart /Add-Package:"%F")
Press the Ctrl + V hotkey to paste that text into the Command Prompt’s window. Doing so will automatically execute a command that enables Group Policy Editor.
Wait for the operation to reach 100 percent.

After the Group Policy Editor for Windows 11 download is complete, restart the computer and then open the tool.

How do I access the local Group Policy Editor?

Press Windows + R to open Run.
Type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.
After doing that, the Group Policy Editor will open.

Why is GPEdit Missing?

GPEdit (Group Policy Editor) is missing because you’re likely using Windows Home Edition, which doesn’t include it by default. Microsoft only provides this tool in Professional, Enterprise, and Education editions of Windows.

If you’re using one of those editions and it’s still missing, the issue could be due to system corruption or an incomplete installation.

To use it, you can upgrade to a higher edition or try third-party tools that enable it, though these should be used with caution To add it to your PC, check this guide on gpedit.msc is not found in Windows 11.

Summary

Overall, it’s very quick and straightforward to enable Gpedit in Windows 11, and it requires just running a couple of commands. In case you get a gpedit.msc access is denied error message, we have a fix for that too.

And if you also want to fix issues where Group Policy Editor is installed but not showing administrative templates, you can follow this detailed guide on how to fix gpedit not showing administrative templates.

Additionally, if your system doesn’t have Gpedit.msc at all, there’s a step-by-step tutorial on how to enable Group Policy Editor on Windows Home editions, helping you get access to this powerful tool even if it’s not included by default.

To learn more, check our guides on how to install Group Policy Editor on Windows 10 Home or how to get Group Policy Management console in Windows 11.

Let us know which method worked for you in the comments area below.

Xbox CEO Phil Spencer says Game Pass is profitable, admits price increase may be on the horizon

Posted on October 27, 2022 by Robert Collins

Speaking at The Wall Street Journal Tech Live Conference, Xbox boss Phil Spencer revealed that Xbox Game Pass is already profitable. He stated that Game Pass is responsible for about 15% of Microsoft’s Xbox content and services revenue.

Game Pass as an overall part of our content and services revenue is probably 15 percent. I don’t think it gets bigger than that. I think the overall revenue grows so 15 percent of a bigger number, but we don’t have this future where I think 50–70 percent of our revenue comes from subscriptions.

However, in it earnings report for FY23 Q1 published earlier this week, it was revealed that Xbox content and services revenue had dipped 3%. Which is interesting given that PC Game Pass subscriptions grew by 159%, according to the report. Spencer spoke on this as well, saying,

We’re seeing incredible growth on PC. On console, I’ve seen growth slow down, mainly because at some point you’ve reached everybody on console that wants to subscribe.

Phil Spencer speaks at The Wall Street Journal Techlive 2022. Via wsj.com.

Another big talking point circulating the internet is whether Game Pass will see a price increase in the near future, as some are speculating. Spencer did not exactly put that speculation to rest.

We’ve held price on our console, we’ve held price on games and our subscription. I don’t think we’ll be able to do that forever. I do think at some point we’ll have to raise some prices on certain things, but going into this holiday we thought it was really important that we maintain the prices that we have.

Such a thing would not be unprecedented in this console generation, as Sony recently raised the price of its PlayStation 5 in select markets. If Microsoft does elect to raise the price of Game Pass, it will likely point to the “big year for Xbox and Game Pass” marketing angle to soften the blow, with a slew of high-profile games set to arrive in 2023. Among these: Forza Motorsport, Starfield, Redfall, Lies of P, and more.

Try Dead by Daylight and three other games with Xbox Free Play Days

Posted on October 27, 2022 by Robert Collins

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October is set to close out nicely for subscribers of Xbox Live Gold and Game Pass Ultimate. Four games will be available to install and play as part of this week’s Xbox Free Play Days event. It will run from Thursday, October 27 through Sunday, October 30. Here are the four games in question.

Dead by Daylight

Download
QR-Code

Dead by Daylight

Developer:
Behaviour Interactive Inc.

Price:
Free

Ever wished to play as one of the characters from your favorite horror movies? Dead by Daylight is a 1v4 multiplayer game that draws from all corners of the horror world from a powerful slasher to a terrifying paranormal entity.

Dolmen

Download
QR-Code

Dolmen

Developer:
Prime Matter

Price:
$39.99

Dolmen casts players onto a hostile alien world known as Revion Prime.
Your job? Bring back samples of a crystal with particularly unique properties; the so-called “”Dolmen””.
These crystals are capable of allowing interaction between realities, revolutionising space exploration and changing the known world forever.

Ghostrunner

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QR-Code

Ghostrunner

Developer:
505 Games & All in! Games

Price:
$29.99

Ghostrunner is a hardcore FPP slasher packed with lightning-fast action, set in a grim, cyberpunk setting of a futuristic megastructure. Climb Dharma Tower, humanity s last shelter after a world-ending cataclysm. Make your way up from the very bottom to the top, confront the tyrannical Keymaster, and take your revenge.

Thymesia

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QR-Code

Thymesia

Developer:
Team17

Price:
$29.99

The once thriving Kingdom of Hermes has fallen to an age of calamity…Corvus is the kingdom’s final hope.

So which of these are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments. You can learn more over on the Xbox Free Play Days FAQ page.

Featured image via Gameranx.

Microsoft Authenticator gets new features to enhance security

Posted on October 27, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft Authenticator is an account verification app that helps sign into your Microsoft account from any device using two-step verification. The application has evolved ever since it was launched, adding new capabilities like the auto-generation of stronger passwords and autofill support for addresses and payment details.

As you might recall, back in August we reported on how attackers were using push-based MFA to spam users to bypass Microsoft’s multi-factor authentication. While there we some recommendations provided on how to avoid falling victim to such tricks, Microsoft is now adding an extra layer of security to further mitigate this issue through a couple of features that are now in general availability.

First up is Number matching in Microsoft Authenticator MFA experience which is in place to help users from making accidental approvals while simultaneously protecting them from MFA attacks by hackers. The feature once enabled by admins will call upon the users to enter the number displayed on the sign-in screen when approving an MFA request in Authenticator.

Building upon this premise, Microsoft will now provide users with additional context in Authenticator notifications on two counts. First, is the application being signed into, second up the users will get to know the sign-in location based on the IP address of the device they’re signing into.

What’s more, through the refreshed Admin UX and APIs admins will now have an easier time when it comes to the management of the Authenticator app features as they can now make use of the Configure tab in the Admin UX to enable/disable different features. Admins will additionally be able to exclude groups from features with the aim of providing a “smoother’ experience when it comes to feature rollouts. However, this will not apply to the number matching feature once it reaches general availability.

Microsoft further indicated that:

At the end of February 2023, we’ll enable number matching for all Authenticator users. We highly recommend that you leverage the rollout controls and deploy these exciting security upgrades to Microsoft Authenticator.

And finally, if you are using the Authenticator app on iOS the privacy and data integrity between Authenticator and web services will be improved significantly courtesy of App Transport Security (ATS). The feature is already enabled by default and will not impact your interaction with the app whatsoever. Furthermore, Android users can search for their accounts using Microsoft Authenticator. The same feature is set to roll out for iOS users soon.

Download
QR-Code

Microsoft Authenticator

Developer:
Microsoft Corporation

Price:
Free

Download
QR-Code

‎Microsoft Authenticator

Developer:
Microsoft Corporation

Price:
Free

Dwm.exe Crash Error in Windows 10/11: 6 Ways to Fix

Posted on October 27, 2022October 24, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

Dwm.exe is a core Windows process called Desktop Windows Manager. However, many people report getting errors of it crashing. It often shows up during games.

The screen goes black, but the sound stays intact. The good news is that Windows is able to recover and no data is lost. Nevertheless, the error is disruptive and annoying.

If you experience it, keep reading to make it go away.

How do I fix the DWM crash?

Before trying these fixes, here’s what you should do:

First, detach any peripherals, including your controller or USB devices. These may be faulty and can easily trigger a crash.

1. Check your computer for malware

You can make sure that your PC it’s not corrupted with malware and cause Dwm.exe crash by just using your Windows Security antivirus.

1. Type Windows security in the Search tab and click on the app from the results.
2. Select Virus & threat protection.
3. Now, if you have a third-party antivirus installed, it will override the default Microsoft Defender protection, and you can click on the Open app option. (that will take you to the main menu of the antivirus, and you will be able to perform the scan).
4. Lastly, opt for the Microsoft Defender Full or Offline scan options if you don’t have one, and verify that the ethernet not working issue is fixed.

Also, we recommend reliable third-party software so you can improve your computer’s security and overall protection.

2. Restart explorer.exe

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to start the Task Manager.
Go to the Details tab, locate explorer.exe, right-click it, and choose End Task.
Now go to File and select Run a new task.
Enter explorer and click OK.

You can also fix this problem by logging out and logging back into Windows 10.

3. Install older graphics card drivers

Press Windows Key + X to open the Power User Menu. Select Device Manager from the list.
When Device Manager opens, locate your graphic card driver, double-click it, and click the Roll Back Driver button to go to the Driver tab.
Wait for the process to complete.

Users reported that the latest Nvidia drivers could cause dwm.exe to crash, and to fix this problem, users suggest reverting to the older version of Nvidia drivers.

4. Update drivers

Press Windows Key + X to open the Power User Menu. Select Device Manager from the list.
When Device Manager opens, locate your graphic card driver, double-click it, and click the Update Driver button to go to the Driver tab.
Click Search automatically for drivers.

If installing an older driver didn’t get the job done, you might as well try the latest one. However, if you don’t want to do it yourself, we strongly suggest doing it automatically using a dedicated tool.

With just a few clicks, you allow driver updater software to scan your device and find any problems with existing drivers or missing or out-of-date components.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

5. Run the SFC scan

Right-click on the Windows Search and type cmd, then click Run as administrator.
Enter the following line and press Enter: sfc/scannow
Wait until the process is done (it may take a while); if the solution is found, it will automatically be applied.
Now, close the Command Prompt and restart your computer.

6. Run DISM

Right-click on the Windows Search and type cmd, then click Run as administrator.
Enter the following line and press Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Please wait until the procedure ends (it might take up to 10 minutes).
Restart your PC.

Once done, the problem should be resolved for good.

What’s the meaning ofdwm crashing?

Getting the dwm.exe crashing errors could signal:

Malware or widespread virus infections – A dwm.exe crash and many other computing issues can easily be triggered by malware, so we recommend using good and compatible antivirus software.
Failing hardware components – It also could result from bad hardware parts, and a replacement may be the best option.
Corrupted or outdated drivers and files – If these files remain on your PC, certain functions will start bugging, and it can trigger the dwm.exe crash.
Incompatible or conflictual software/firmware interactions – The error may be triggered after a new app is installed. This may mean that there are compatibility issues.

What happens if you end dwm.exe in Windows 10?

When you disable dwm.exe, the integrated features, for instance, transparency and animation, will stop working, affecting the overall Windows experience. Also, the theme may disappear, and the display will appear slightly dull.

The process is integral in Windows and if set up correctly, should work fine and use few GPU resources.

Before you leave, don’t miss our guide on Desktop Window Manager high memory usage for more solutions. Many reported that DWM has crashed on Windows 11, and we have a guide that tackles this issue, so don’t miss it.

As always, if you have any other suggestions or questions, please leave them in the comments section below.

DistributedCOM Event ID 10016: Use These 4 Ways to Fix it

Posted on October 26, 2022July 23, 2024 by Milan Stanojevic

DistributedCOM Event ID 10016 error appears usually in the Event Log, and it doesn’t cause too much trouble.

If you don’t want to deal with it anymore, keep on reading to learn how to get rid of it for good.

What is the 10016 event ID?

This error appears in the Event Viewer when an application tries to access the DCOM server, but doesn’t have the necessary permissions. The error message is harmless according to Microsoft.

How do I fix error 10016?

1. Delete the Registry keys

NOTE

It is recommended that you should save a copy of your registry values before performing any changes. The solution will only work if you are logged in as an administrator or have enabled administrative.

1. Press the Windows key + R to launch the Run console.
2. Type regedit in the Run dialog box and press Enter or click OK. The Registry Editor will open.
3. Navigate to the following section in the Registry:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Ole
4. Delete the following keys: DefaultAccessPermission, DefaultLaunchPermission, MachineAccessRestriction, and MachineLaunchRestriction.
5. Finally, you can save the changes by restarting your PC.

The recommended way to fix the DistributedCOM error 10016 is to make a few changes to your Registry. The default permissions will be written for the system if you delete the above-mentioned four keys from your registry.

Hence those apps that require access to the DCOM Server will eventually get access as a result.

2. Use third-party software to fix this error

A lot of Windows errors are pretty hard to pinpoint and the DistributedCOM 10016 error is definitely one of them.

As you can see, we have some excellent solutions here but if editing the Registry is not your thing, you can try using a dedicated repair solution that will fix the problem automatically.

3. Add a custom filter to Event Log

Press the Windows key + X and choose Event Viewer.
Navigate to Windows Logs and choose System. Now click the Filter current log in the right pane.
Navigate to the XML tab and check Edit query manually. Click Yes.
Paste the following code:
<QueryList> <Query Id="0" Path="System"> <Select Path="System">*</Select> <Suppress Path="System"> *[System[(EventID=10016)]] and *[EventData[ ( Data[@Name='param4'] and Data='{D63B10C5-BB46-4990-A94F-E40B9D520160}' and Data[@Name='param5'] and Data='{9CA88EE3-ACB7-47C8-AFC4-AB702511C276}' and Data[@Name='param8'] and Data='S-1-5-18' ) or ( Data[@Name='param4'] and Data='{260EB9DE-5CBE-4BFF-A99A-3710AF55BF1E}' and Data[@Name='param5'] and Data='{260EB9DE-5CBE-4BFF-A99A-3710AF55BF1E}' ) or ( Data[@Name='param4'] and Data='{C2F03A33-21F5-47FA-B4BB-156362A2F239}' and Data[@Name='param5'] and Data='{316CDED5-E4AE-4B15-9113-7055D84DCC97}' and Data[@Name='param8'] and Data='S-1-5-19' ) or ( Data[@Name='param4'] and Data='{6B3B8D23-FA8D-40B9-8DBD-B950333E2C52}' and Data[@Name='param5'] and Data='{4839DDB7-58C2-48F5-8283-E1D1807D0D7D}' and Data[@Name='param8'] and Data='S-1-5-19' ) ]] </Suppress> </Query> </QueryList>
Click on OK to save changes.

This is an official solution from Microsoft and it hides these events from your Event Viewer.

4. Enable sufficient permissions

Press the Windows key + R to start the Run app.
Type regedit and press Enter or click OK.
Navigate to the following section in the registry: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
Expand it and spot the CLSID folder that has the same CLSID you got in the error.
Right-click and select that folder.
You will be able to see the owner at the top of the window. You need to modify the owner to the Administrators group.
Now you have to select Replace all child object permission entries that are available at the bottom of the owner window.
You will see a Windows Security warning, now click the OK and Yes buttons respectively.
Click the Add button, type Everyone in the available field, and click the OK button in the previous permissions window.
You will see a list of users at the top of the main permissions Window. Now select Everyone under the user’s list and select Allow to give Full Control to the user at the bottom.
Click OK to apply full control and save the changes.
Next, you have to expand the following folder: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\AppID
Select the folder having the APPID similar to the error message and right-click it.
Repeat steps 5 to 10 to allow sufficient permissions to the respective app.
A registry key will be visible that is going to have a similar name to that of the service causing the error.

After that, you need to make a few changes to Component Services.

Press the Windows key + S and enter component services. Select Component Services from the list of results.
Go to Computer and choose My Computer.
Right-click on the issue-causing service, and click Properties.
Select the Security tab.
If you have correctly followed all the previous steps to set permissions in the registry, you can select Customize on the Launch and Activation Permissions, Access Permissions, and Configuration Permissions categories.
Click Edit on the Launch and Activation Permissions. (Click Remove if you receive the following warning one or more permissions entries attached has an unrecognized type)
Now find System under the list of users. Click the Add button if you are not able to locate it, type System and hit the OK button.
You will now be able to select System under the user’s list in the current window. Look for Local Launch and Local Activation and select Allow.
Click OK to save the changes and repeat these steps for Access Permissions and Configuration Permissions as well.

Finally, you will find some other ClSID and AppID values. Repeat the following steps for all of those values that have been listed in the event logs. The changes will take effect after you restart your system at the end.

NOTE

This is an extremely technical solution, and it should be used by advanced users.

Can Event ID 10016 cause a crash?

According to Microsoft’s documentation, this is just a standard event log, and it can’t cause crashes or other problems, and in most cases, it should be ignored.

These events can be safely ignored because they don’t adversely affect functionality and are by design. It’s the recommend action for these events.

Event ID 10016 is a harmless event that can appear in Event Viewer and in most cases it should be ignored. But if you don’t want to deal with it, you can always use our methods to get rid of it.

To learn more about similar errors, check our guides on Event ID 1000 and Event ID 10010.

Leave us a note if you managed to fix the problem using our solutions. Also, feel free to share with us if you have any quick workaround for the error.

Clock Watchdog Timeout BSoD: Quick Fix & Diagnose

Posted on October 26, 2022November 18, 2024 by Milan Stanojevic

Clock Watchdog Timeout is among the most serious errors you’ll ever encounter on a Windows PC, but it can stretch even beyond this platform.

While Blue Screen of Death errors are rare, they can be quite problematic, therefore it’s important to know how to deal with them.

How can I fix the CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT error?

Make sure you follow all the steps in the video to easily troubleshoot the CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT error:

1. Update your drivers

1. Right-click the Windows button on your taskbar and select Device Manager from the list that opens.
2. Browse through the list and identify the component you want to update the driver for.
3. Click on it to expand the section.
4. Right-click the driver and select Update driver from the drop-down menu (in our example we update the graphics driver as it’s usually the one responsible for this BSOD).
5. Choose whether you want to automatically or manually install your driver.

Blue Screen of Death errors are often caused by outdated or buggy drivers, and you can easily fix this issue by downloading and installing the latest drivers.

Bear in mind that you might have to update all drivers on your PC in order to fix this error and keep your Windows 10 PC stable.

If updating the drivers by using Device Manager is not fixing the problem, you will need to visit the manufacturer’s website and download the correct driver.

Downloading drivers manually isn’t the best way to update your drivers, but you can use dedicated, third-party software to update all your drivers with just a single click.

2. Update your BIOS

BIOS update is an advanced procedure that installs new firmware for your motherboard, thus unlocking new features.

Users reported that you can fix the CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT Blue Screen of Death error by updating your BIOS. Be sure to take a closer look at our guide to see how to update BIOS on Windows 10.

Flashing your BIOS can be potentially dangerous if you don’t do it properly, so be extra careful.

3. Disable C1-6 in BIOS

A few users reported that they managed to fix this error by disabling certain settings in BIOS. According to them, disabling the C1-6 in BIOS fixed the BSOD error, so be sure to try that.

To see how to access BIOS and how to find and disable these settings, we strongly suggest that you check your motherboard manual.

4. Remove problematic applications

uninstall-program-control hp printer won't scan

Third-party applications can often cause these types of errors. In order to fix the CLOCK WATCHDOG TIMEOUT error, you’ll have to find and remove the problematic application from your PC.

Antivirus is the usual suspect, therefore it’s advised that you temporarily remove it. Most antivirus companies have these tools available for download on their website free of charge:

If you’re using any antivirus solution and you want to completely remove it from your PC, be sure to check out some awesome uninstaller software.

In addition to antivirus, many users reported that Asus AI Suite can cause this error to appear, therefore we advise you to remove this tool from your PC.

If removing the antivirus solves the problem, you might want to consider switching to different antivirus software. have a look at these best antivirus for Windows 10 PC today and pick the ideal one.

5. Reset BIOS

As we previously mentioned, certain BIOS settings can trigger the CLOCK WATCHDOG TIMEOUT, and the simplest way to fix these issues is to reset your BIOS.

Resetting BIOS will set all settings to the default value, thus fixing this error.

6. Remove the overclocking settings

Overclocking your hardware can give you better performance, but overclocking comes with certain risks as well.

Sometimes, your PC cannot handle certain overclock settings, and you’ll get a BSoD error such as CLOCK WATCHDOG TIMEOUT.

In a worst-case scenario, overclocking can burn and permanently damage your hardware components if you’re not careful. Therefore, we urge you to be extra cautious while overclocking your PC.

If your PC is overclocked, we advise you to remove overclock settings and check if that fixes the error.

7. Update your SSD firmware and disable LPM

CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT error can be caused by outdated SSD firmware, therefore if you’re using SSD, we advise that you update your firmware.

Updating firmware on your SSD can be risky, therefore you need to be extra careful and back up your files.

In addition to updating your firmware, a few users are suggesting disabling LPM, so you might want to do that as well.

8. Disable C1E and Intel Speedstep in BIOS

A few users reported that the CLOCK WATCHDOG TIMEOUT error is caused by certain settings in BIOS, therefore we advise you to disable them.

According to users, C1E and Intel Speedstep caused this error to appear, therefore if you have these settings enabled in BIOS we advise you to disable them and check if that fixes the problem.

9. Manually set RAM and turn off Asus Turbo in BIOS

Sometimes this error can be caused if you don’t manually set the speed of your RAM in BIOS. To see how to do that check your motherboard manual for instructions.

In addition to setting RAM speed, users also suggest disabling the Asus Turbo feature, so you might want to do that as well.

10. Unplug your DVD drive during Windows 10 installation

Several users complained that they cannot install Windows 10 due to the CLOCK WATCHDOG TIMEOUT BSOD error.

Apparently, you can fix this problem by unplugging your SATA DVD drive during the Windows 10 installation process.

After you disconnect your DVD drive, you should be able to install Windows 10 normally.

If your DVD drive is missing in Windows 10, don’t wait another minute and get it back.

11. Clean your computer case and check for faulty hardware

Many BSoD errors can be caused by hardware failure, and to fix this error you need to check if your hardware is working properly. Using a dedicated BSoD repair tool can also help.

A few users reported that a faulty motherboard can cause this error, but a few users reported that a faulty CPU or graphics card can cause this error as well, so be sure to check them first.

If your hardware is working properly, be sure to clean your computer case from dust. Sometimes dust can clog your fans or even your slots, therefore it’s advised to clean your PC with pressurized air.

12. Install the latest updates

Open the Settings app. You can do that quickly by using Windows Key + I shortcut.
When Settings app opens, navigate to Update & Security section.
Now click on Check for updates button.

If you’re getting the CLOCK WATCHDOG TIMEOUT error on your PC, the problem might be the missing updates.

This process is automated and Windows will usually download the necessary updates in the background.

However, bugs can occur once in a while, which can cause you to skip certain updates. To fix this issue, it’s advised to check manually for updates by following the steps above.

Even if the Windows Update button is missing, you’ll still be able to get around it. After installing the updates, check if the problem still persists.

13. Remove the problematic updates

Open the Settings app and navigate to Update & Security section.
Now select View installed update history.
Now you should see the names of recent updates. Memorize or write down the last few updates since they are the most likely cause of this issue. Click on Uninstall updates.
Now double click the update that you want to remove and follow the instructions on the screen.

Many Ryzen owners reported a CLOCK WATCHDOG TIMEOUT error on their PC. It seems that this issue is caused by a problematic update, and in order to fix the problem, you need to find it.

If removing the update solves the problem, you need to prevent that update from installing again. Windows 10 will automatically install the missing updates, which will cause the issue to reappear.

These are the most common Clock_watchdog_timeout errors reported by users:

Clock Watchdog Timeout Overclock – This error usually occurs after you overclock your hardware. If your hardware is overclocked, remove the overclock settings and check if that solves the issue.
Clock_watchdog_timeout Ryzen – Many users reported this error with Ryzen CPUs. It seems that the issue was caused by a problematic update, but after removing it, the problem was completely resolved.
Clock Watchdog Timeout PC Building Simulator – This usually indicated an issue at the CPU level.
Clock Watchdog Timeout Bluestacks – You should make sure that virtualization is enabled and reinstall the emulator from scratch.
Clock_watchdog_timeout Windows 8.1, Windows 7 – Just like any other error, the blue screen Clock watchdog timeout isn’t exclusive to Windows 10. Even if you’re not using Windows 10, you should be able to fix the problem with one of our solutions.
Clock watchdog timeout RAM, GPU – Many users reported that their RAM or GPU was the cause of this error. Check if your RAM is compatible with your motherboard.
Clock watchdog timeout HP, Lenovo, Intel, AMD – This BSoD Clock Watchdog Timeout can appear on almost any device, and users reported it with both Intel and AMD processors on HP and Lenovo.

First thing first. What is a clock watchdog? Simply put, it’s a timer and one that works in your favor. Whenever you launch a program, the system will automatically set this timer to measure the time elapsed until the program reacts.

If the program fails to respond in due time, the system will acknowledge the software malfunction and contain the possible damage.

Why do I get Clock Watchdog Timeout?

This is a Blue Screen error, and as such, it can appear on any operating system, even the latest and freshest. In fact, users reported the Clock Watchdog Timeout error in Windows 11 as well.

Clock Watchdog Timeout can be caused by hardware. If you’re getting this or maybe Win32k power watchdog timeout error, be sure to check the hardware and remove overclock settings.

Needless to say, there can be plenty of other reasons behind this uncomfortable BSoD, including outdated drivers and firmware, corrupted or incomplete sys / DLL files, malware infection, and more.

Here’s an interesting thought. Can GPU cause Clock Watchdog Timeout? Without a doubt. Most of the time, it’s a direct indicator that something is wrong with your processor, making it impossible to process clock interrupts.

Your RAM memory, GPU, or in some cases CPU can be the cause for Synthetic_watchdog_timeout blue screen error, so be sure to check them.

To prevent this update from installing again, be sure to check our guide on how to block automatic Windows updates.

CLOCK WATCHDOG TIMEOUT is one problematic error, and it’s mostly caused by outdated firmware or your BIOS settings, but you can easily fix this error by using one of our solutions.

Before you leave, don’t miss our latest guide on TTM_Watchdog_Timeout for more information about similar errors.

If you have any other suggestions or questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to check them out.

How to Fix FPS Drops in League of Legends: 8 Tested Ways

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

Fix League of Legends FPS drop issues before they throw off your timing mid-fight. Whether your frames keep skipping when you move the camera, drag the mouse, or just randomly dip during gameplay, it’s a pain that ruins your focus.

The cause? Could be Vanguard. Could be high CPU usage in the background. Could just be your frame rate cap stuck at 30, or high ping. Either way, here’s how to sort it:

How can I fix LoL FPS drops on PC?

How can I fix LoL FPS drops on PC?
What’s the best FPS for League of Legends?
Wrapping up

NOTE

Before we start, make sure your computer isn’t overheating , try disabling all game sounds, and undo any recent overclocking.

1. Close unused apps

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch the Task Manager./
2. In the Processes tab, you’ll see all the programs currently running on your computer.
3. Click on the CPU column to sort the active processes.
4. Select the processes that take up much CPU and right-click on them.
5. Click on End task.

A great way to fix FPS drops in LoL is to close the apps you don’t currently use. It is likely that your CPU is being used by them and that is why you are experiencing lag in your game.

Ending the unused apps can be easily done via Task Manager. All you need to do is sort the list of tasks by CPU usage and end those which use up a lot of it, for which you have no important use at the moment.

2. Optimize game settings

Adjusting game settings can help find a good balance that stops sudden FPS drops in LoL.

Video settings

Open League of Legends and enter a game. (If League of Legends won’t start properly, you might want to check out this guide to fix LoL startup issues before proceeding with repairs.)
Press Esc Key to open Options.
Click the Video tab.
Use the following configuration to reduce FPS drops:
- Settings: Custom
- Resolution: Match desktop resolution
- Character Quality: Very Low
- Environment Quality: Very Low
- Shadows: No Shadow
- Effects Quality: Very Low
- Frame Rate Cap: 60 FPS
- Wait for Vertical Sync: Unchecked
- Anti-Aliasing: Unchecked.

Interface settings

Switch from the Video tab to Interface.
Apply the following settings:
- Uncheck Enable HUD animations
- Uncheck Show Target Frame on attack
- Uncheck Enable line missile display
- Uncheck Show Attack Range.

If the LoL FPS drop problem persists after making these changes, head to the next method.
If you also experience issues with LoL not going full screen, this fix for fullscreen problems might help.

3. Set FPS cap in LoL

While playing League of Legends, hit the Esc key to launch the Options.
Now, go to the Video tab from the navigation pane.
Click on the Frame Rate Cap dropdown menu and select 60 FPS from the list of options. You may select any other desired rate here, but make sure you system can support it.
Finally, click on OK at the bottom to save the changes.

For further tips on boosting your FPS, check out this guide to increase League of Legends FPS.

4. Set LoL process priority to high

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch the Task Manager, and go to the Details tab from the top.
Locate the League of Legends process, right-click on it, hover the cursor over Set Priority, and select High from the list of options.
Click on Change priority in the confirmation prompt that pops up.

Once you have set the League of Legends priority to High, check if the FPS drop issue is fixed. If you find that League of Legends doesn’t launch champion select properly after changing priorities, this fix for champion select not launching might be worth a look.

5. Repair corrupt game files

Open League of Legends
Click on the question mark (?) icon in the top right-hand corner.
Click Repair and wait for the process to finish.

The repair process can take up to 30 minutes, depending on how bad the situation is, so be patient. This will ensure LoL works fine, preventing FPS drops and PC crashes.

6. Update drivers

Use device manager

Open Device Manager.
Locate Display adapters.
Expand the list and select your graphics card driver.
Right-click on it and hit Update.

Keeping drivers up to date is essential to prevent not only FPS drops, but also DirectX errors or League of Legends Black Screen.

If you don’t want to keep tabs on your driver updates, you can also use a third-party tool to check for updates and set it to do it regularly automatically:

Use a driver updater

Install Fortect Driver Updater on your PC. Use the software to launch a scan.
Wait for the detection of your faulty drivers.
Select the ones you’d like fixed or choose to update all of them.
Wait for the app to download and install the newest drivers.
Restart your PC for the changes to take effect.

⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

7. Reset your graphics card software

Graphics cards come with their own software: NVIDIA comes with the NVIDIA Control Panel and AMD has the Catalyst Control Center.

Reset the NVIDIA Control Panel:

Right-click on your desktop and then select NVIDIA Control Panel.
Select Manage 3D Settings.
Select Restore, and then choose the appropriate response in case a confirmation prompt pops up.

Reset AMD Catalyst Control Center

In order to reset the AMD Catalyst Control Center, right-click on your desktop, then select Catalyst Control Center (aka VISION center), go to Preferences and click on Restore Factory Defaults.

Right-click on your Desktop.
Select Catalyst Control Center/ Vision Center.
Go to Preferences.
Click on Restore Factory Defaults.

The two programs allow users to set up profiles that potentially interfere with League of Legends. By resetting them to default values, you allow LoL to take control over the graphics settings.

8. Enable High-performance power settings

Open the Control Panel and go to Power Options.
Select High Performance from the list of power plans.
Save settings and go bag to League of Legends.

How to Check FPS in League of Legends

To see your current FPS and ping in LoL, press Ctrl + F during a match. You’ll see a small overlay in the top-right corner showing both values.
If it doesn’t appear, go to Settings > Hotkeys > Display and make sure “Toggle FPS Display” is assigned.

What’s the best FPS for League of Legends?

Anywhere between 30-60 FPS is good and will actually enjoy playing the games. If you can get it higher, say 75 FPS, it’s surely going to enhance the experience.

It’s best if you try out various FPS settings, and choose the one where the game runs the best.

Wrapping up

If your League of Legends FPS suddenly drops, even to 0, this guide provides effective solutions.

Whether you’re on Windows 10 or 11, optimizing settings, updating drivers, and changing power options can fix performance issues and lag. Combine these methods for a smoother gaming experience.

Remote Reboot Software to Control Windows PCs: 7 Best to Use in 2026

Posted on October 26, 2022March 24, 2025 by Claudiu Andone

Remote desktop application software is used to control another system or device remotely and even to easily reboot a PC from afar.

This is extremely convenient since the remote PC can be completely out of reach and sometimes it could take hours or days until you can physically reboot that system.

How can remote reboot software help me?

Most of the tools highlighted below don’t just offer a reboot option. They help IT technicians and system administrators to troubleshoot and intervene to fix potential problems remotely.

There are plenty of remote reboot software tools for Windows 10 on the market but we’ve created a selection for you.

These options stand out from the crowd and come with special features and low latency.

What’s the best remote reboot software to control a PC?

SetMe – Best remote reboot software

SetMe is a remote support solution tailored to the needs of IT support professionals and businesses of all sizes.

It allows you to connect to attended or unattended PCs and Macs in 3 easy steps.

Admin rights are not required to run the client application at the remote end. Moreover, you can reboot the remote computer even if the remote client app is running with standard user rights.

You can reboot or shut down the remote computer from the expert console installed on your device with just a couple of clicks. Detailed connection statuses let you monitor the entire reboot process from the dashboard.

SetMe was built using the latest technology, ensuring that you’ll always reconnect to the remote computer even if a network issue occurs.

You can restart remote Windows computers in either normal or safe mode and automatically reconnect without having to perform any manual actions.

Furthermore, SetMe allows you to reconnect to your session even after a 72-hour shutdown. It also allows you enable auto sign-in in order to login to the remote computer with saved user credentials and continue working after a reboot.

All SetMe connections are end-to-end encrypted.

Plans start at $33 per month, with a fully-featured 15-day free trial.

⇒ Get SetMe

Zoho Assist – Best remote assistance tool

Zoho Assist is a top-of-the-line remote support software. So, you can easily use it for rebooting a PC remotely.

And you may do that even without attendance, without installing any software on the target computer.

In fact, you won’t even need to install any software on your part either because Zoho Assist’s dashboard is cloud-based so it can be accessed from anywhere on any browser-able device.

For auditing purposes, you may record and take notes on any session and actions. However, if the situation demands, you can communicate with the remote desktop user by voice.

In fact, it’s also possible to send updates and patches along with other documents or files they might need.

The connection will be protected with TLS 1.2 and AES 256-bit encryption so everything between the IT technician and the remote user will stay private.

And if the target computer is connected to more than one monitor, you may view all of them on your dashboard, magnify the images and arrange them so you can easily understand the situation.

Let’s review some of its top features:

Built-in TLS 1.2 and AES 256-bit encryption
No installation requirements for the target computer
Cloud-based dashboard, accessible from anywhere in the world
Simple installation and usage
Seamless update, patching, and file transfer between computers

Zoho Assist

Reboot any remote PC and troubleshoot any problems from a unified, cloud-based dashboard.

Free trial Visit Website

Remote Access Plus – Best remote desktop management tool

Remote Access Plus by ManageEngine is renowned for its secure remote access across multiple platforms, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.

The Device Manager feature presents a list of all software and hardware installed in network computers, making it easy to manage them.

It enables you to monitor and obtain complete information on processes and services running using the Task Manager feature.

The File Manager feature allows you to explore, create, cut, copy, rename, or delete files & folders to a remote computer. You can even transfer multiple files to and from the device at once.

The software comes with Performance Statistics feature to monitor real-time performance on the basis of latency, CPU utilization, download and upload speed, and memory usage.

The Wake On LAN tool enables you to wake any number of computers proving the Subnet, MAC ID, and IP address.

You can also search, add, delete, rename, or modify Windows Registry keys and values on a remote machine to fix issues.

Let’s see some of its key features:

Coordinate with users via voice, video, or text at the time of troubleshooting
Transfer files from Mac or Linux to any Windows machine
Simple and intuitive interface makes it easy to use
Comes with a lightweight mobile app to manage devices from anywhere
Put a computer to hibernate, shutdown, Reboot, stand by, lock, or log off

Remote Access Plus

Secure, streamlined, and simplified remote access & management of remote devices from anywhere.

Free trial Visit Website

Radmin – Great for IT professionals

Radmin is a tool used by over 100,000 companies worldwide for remote tech support and that’s also why you can see it so high on our list.

Whether you want to control your office or home PC when you’re away, you will be able to do that even by using a mobile 3G connection as this tool is optimized for low bandwidth.

It’s also a very secure software because all transferred data is protected with AES256-bit encryption and since the creation of the tool, there haven’t been any vulnerabilities or leaks.

As we’ve mentioned that it’s used by many companies, you might think that it’s complicated but that’s not the case. Its friendly interface and clear instructions make it extremely easy to use.

Let’s see some of its key features:

Secured data transfers with AES256-bit encryption
Easy to use thanks to its friendly interface
Free 30-day trial period
Optimized for low bandwidth usage
Easy to update and maintain

Radmin

Radmin will help you reboot and maintain any remote computers whether you’re an admin or just control your PC.

Free trialVisit website

Parallels Remote Application Server – Great for professionals

Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is mainly dedicated to businesses because it’s a solution that can be generalized for all your employees without any problems.

Another important aspect for companies is security and RAS excels in that direction with Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and FIPS 140-2 encryption, together with smart card authentication.

And if that’s not enough, this solution also integrates third-party security tools like Azure MFA, SafeNet, DualShield, RADIUS server, and Google Authenticator.

The remote reboot function is just a tiny fraction of all the complex features that come with this Parallels tool that can be molded for any IT necessity.

Let’s see what are the main features of this solution:

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and FIPS 140-2 encryption
130 built-in automated optimization capabilities
Task automation features
Central management console
Windows Virtual Desktop integration

Parallels RAS

Enable your employees with a safe and fast solution that will also increase their productivity.

Free trial Visit website

Remote Reboot X – Simple and efficient tool

Remote Reboot X is a free and simple tool that you can use to reboot or shut down many remote hosts simultaneously.

You can also monitor their status in real-time with integrated pinging and it also comes with wake-on LAN ability.

And maybe the best part of this solution is that you don’t need to install any remote software. You can just launch the Remote Reboot X app and start rebooting the remote PC.

With this app, you can even launch any task on a remote PC at a specific time, on a schedule so you can automate things exactly the way you want.

Here are its best perks:

Easy to use and install
Wake-on-LAN capability
Integrated pinging
No need for remote software installation

⇒ Get Remote Reboot X

AnyDesk – Great whiteboard feature

Rebooting a remote PC can be tricky but you can always count on AnyDesk for any remote desktop task at hand and you can do all that in record time.

That’s because the makers of this tool praise its very low latency connection of only 16 ms and a high fps refresh rate. It’s like you’re in front of the remote PC.

You can also be sure that the connection is extremely secure because the software offers TLS technology, almost impossible to highjack or intercept.

As for compatibility, AnyDesk can be used on almost on platforms and runs on all major operating systems including Windows, Mac, and even Linux.

Let’s take a look at some of its greatest features:

User-friendly interface
Two-way authentification
RSA 2048 asymmetric encryption
Low latency
High refresh rate

⇒ Get AnyDesk

This was our list with the best remote reboot software that you can also use to control a PC from afar. Try them all and choose one according to your needs.

If you’re interested in discovering more such apps, here’s our list with the best remote management solutions for Windows 10.

Tell us which solution you picked in the comments below. Also, if you happen to know any other great remote Windows 10 reboot software, don’t keep it to yourself.

How to Make a WhatsApp Video Call on PC in Windows 10 & 11

Posted on October 26, 2022October 1, 2025 by Vladimir Popescu

A number of Windows users have been asking a series of questions such as: can I do a WhatsApp video call on Windows 10/11, is WhatsApp available for Windows 10/11, how to install WhatsApp on my PC, and so forth.

WhatsApp is a popular instant messaging client for smartphones. Due to the massive popularity of WhatsApp, the application made its way from smartphones to Windows 10/11 PCs.

Whatever your concern is regarding using and exploring WhatsApp Messenger on your PC, worry less, we have gathered users’ queries and hopefully, yours would be attended to in this article.

Can WhatsApp video call on Windows 10 or Windows 11?

The official WhatsApp App is finally available for Windows desktops, meaning Windows 10 and Windows 11 users can now use WhatsApp on Windows desktops without having to open a web browser.

While WhatsApp for Windows 10/11 desktop is excellent news for billions of PC users out there, the fact is that WhatsApp for Windows desktop is nothing but an improved version of WhatsApp Web.

Although the WhatsApp for Windows desktop program is fast and responsive, unlike the WhatsApp for Web, you still need to have an active internet connection for your PC to send and receive messages/photos/videos/audio on your Windows desktop.

How do I get the WhatsApp App on Windows 10?

It is important to note that WhatsApp was initially available for 64-bit or x64 type of Windows only. Thankfully, the team behind WhatsApp released installers for 32-bit and 64-bit a few months ago.

Hence, to get the WhatsApp App on Windows 10, you can now install WhatsApp desktop on both 32-bit and 64-bit Windows operating systems. Follow the steps below to install the WhatsApp application:

Visit the page on the WhatsApp website and click the Download for the Windows button to download the setup file.
Double-click on the installer file to install it.
Once installed, launch WhatsApp on your PC to see the following screen with a QR code.
Launch the WhatsApp app on your phone, and make sure that your smartphone is connected to the internet.
Tap Settings (iPhone) or Menu (Windows Phone & Android), tap Linked devices, and then tap the Link a Device button to open the QR code scanner.
Using your smartphone, scan the QR code, which is being shown on your Windows 10/11 computer, and then click the OK, Got it, or similar button to confirm the scan.

The WhatsApp app on your phone will send the scanned information to WhatsApp servers, and your WhatsApp program on Windows 10 desktop should now show your recent messages. That’s it!

Can you video call on WhatsApp on PC?

A simple and straight answer to this is: Yes, WhatsApp allows you to make end-to-end encrypted video and voice calls on a PC using any web browser of your choice be it Opera One, Google Chrome, or some other viable web browsers we recommend.

How can I make a WhatsApp video call on a PC?

1. Make a video call on PC on WhatsApp Web

1. Launch your favorite browser on PC.
2. Navigate to the web page for WhatsApp Web.
3. Log in to your account by scanning the QR code on the screen with your phone.
4. Select the contact whom you wish to call.
5. Click on the Camera icon, and that’s it!

If you wish to make a WhatsApp video call from your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC. you can accomplish this directly from your web browser.

You don’t have to download anything, you simply need to log in to WhatsApp Web on your browser and call your preferred contact as you would on the phone, by tapping the Camera icon.

To make a video call using the WhatsApp Web on Windows 10/11, we recommend using Opera One as it comes with a built-in WhatsApp app feature in it. It’s simple to use and has the most customization options.

Also, it gives access to several other messenger platforms to capitalize on while using it. Hence, it saves effort and time.

2. Make a video call on PC on the WhatsApp app

Launch your WhatsApp application from your desktop.
(Since you have linked your WhatsApp account to your PC) Your WhatsApp account will immediately open on the screen.
Now open a chat and click the voice call icon or the video call icon at the top right corner to place a call through to the contact.

If you have followed the steps to activate WhatsApp on your computer, then follow these steps to easily make your calls.

Therefore, you can easily use the WhatsApp app to make a WhatsApp video call on laptop or PC.

How do I record a WhatsApp video call on Windows 10 or Windows 11?

Press the Windows key and G to open the game bar box.
All you need to do now to start recording your screen is to hit the capture button and it will start.
Hit the button again when you want to stop the recording. You can also use a keyboard shortcut Windows key + Alt + R to start and stop the recording.

The Game bar is Microsoft’s toolbar for gamers to record screenshots and video clips directly from their games. Although this feature is for games, you can also use it in regular works like WhatsApp call recording.

There’s also a Settings button used to set the limit on the length of your recording, so you don’t have to worry about filling up your hard disk space.

Whatsapp desktop video call not working: common causes & how to fix it

Been trying to make a call on your WhatsApp desktop app but it’s not coming through? check out these common causes and fixes.

Internet connection issues: Ensure your computer and phone are connected to the internet, and you have a strong internet connection.
Update WhatsApp to the latest version available because outdated Whatsapp can cause this issue also.
Ensure that your device supports desktop calls. Desktop calling is available on Windows 10 64-bit version 1903 and newer and macOS 10.13 and newer.
Make sure you have an active connected microphone, camera, and speakers.
Troubleshoot your microphone and speakers through your computer’s sound settings.
Use a headset for the best audio. Using a separate external microphone and speaker devices might cause echo.
Ensure you’ve granted permission for WhatsApp to access your microphone and camera.

The above resolutions might fix WhatsApp video call not working for many users. However, if more fixes are required, check out our guide on WhatsApp video calls on PC Windows 10/11 not working on the web.

Also, you can read about how to maximize the use of the Opera One browser for your Whatsapp web video call 2022.

Further, to fix WhatsApp issues on Windows 10/11, you can read our detailed troubleshooting guide here.

We hope you managed to make WhatsApp video calls on a laptop or PC using our guide. Let us know what you think in the comments section.

How to Add Date/Time Stamp to Photos Already Taken

Posted on October 26, 2022December 4, 2023 by Matthew Adams

Some photographers like to keep track of when they took their photos by adding date stamps.

A date stamp is a small text included in an image that tells you the date the photographer captured the original photo. Some cameras include built-in date stamp options that add stamps at the time of picture capture.

However, not all cameras include date stamp features. Many users who take snapshots with mobile phone cameras will probably need to add stamps to their photos with third-party software and apps.

Read on to find out how to add date/time stamps to your photos on a Windows 10 computer.

How can I add date/time stamps to photos on the computer?

Adobe Lightroom – RAW file editor

Adobe Lightroom is a photo editing software targeted toward users that want to make quick adjustments to their pictures.

You can use this tool to manually add photo stamps to pictures that are already taken on your computer.

The process is easy to follow and quite fast, but you have to keep in mind that the software allows you to work with one picture at a time.

It does not allow you to work on multiple pictures thus add datestamps in batch. If that is what you are looking for, check the other suggestions below.

To add a timestamp in Adobe Lightroom, just open the software and select the picture you want to edit. Go to the File menu> Export.

There you will see an Include Watermark option, check the box on its right. Then you can edit your watermark to transform it into a timestamp.

You can personalize the look of your photo stamp by adjusting the font, size, and color. You can also add the location of the photo.

Other key features of Adobe Lightroom include:

Save and store presets
RAW file editor
AI-powered clarity enhancement
Compatible with mobile devices

Adobe Lightroom integrates well with other Adobe products. You can get it on its own or integrate it within the creative cloud.

Adobe Lightroom

Create your own customized datestamps with this top-quality photo editor.

Free trial Visit Website

Apowersoft Watermark Remover – Batch-processing support

Watermark Remover is software that enables users to add and remove image watermarks. With it, you can quickly add date stamp watermarks to your images with custom fonts, colors, transparency, and other effects.

Watermark Remover is compatible with the vast majority of standard image formats. It also incorporates an intuitive drag-and-drop UI that makes it quick and easy for users to add date stamp watermarks.

Other useful features

Includes watermark selection tools for removing photo objects
Includes a wide range of built-in fonts for date stamps
Supports batch processing
It also enables users to add or remove watermarks from videos

Apowersoft Watermark Remover

This amazing software enables you to add and remove watermarks with just a few mouse clicks.

Check price Visit Website

BatchPhoto – Versatile and intuitive

BatchPhoto is image manipulation software for Windows and Mac platforms. It includes a utility for adding date stamps that pulls the original date/time EXIF data from photos.

So, its users don’t need to manually find EXIF date info for their pictures.

1. Download and install BatchPhoto from the official website.
2. Launch the software on your Windows device.
3. Click the Add Photos button on BatchPhoto’s window.
4. Select a photo to add a date stamp to, and click the OK option.
5. Click the Add Filter button to open a Select Filter window.
6. Then select Annotate on the left of the filter window.
7. Select Date to open a Date window.
8. Click on Original Date & Time on the Show drop-down menu to add a date watermark.
9. Click the Format drop-down menu to select alternative date formats.

Use the Ofoct Date Stamp web utility to date/time stamp photos on PC

First, open File Explorer with the Windows key + E hotkey.
Open a folder that includes the photo you’re going to add a date stamp.
Right-click the photograph you need a date stamp for and select Properties.
Select the Details tab shown directly below.
Note down the date taken info within the Origin section of the Details tab.
Click OK to exit the properties window.
Open the Ofoct date stamp app page in a browser.
Select the Upload From Computer option.
Select the photo that you noted down the date taken info for, and click the Open button.
Click the orange Open option and Modify the stamp to include the date taken.

So, that’s how you can add date/time stamps to photos on your computer. You can add date stamps to photos with any image software that includes watermark features.

However, it’s quicker to utilize software to time stamp your photos, which also pulls dates for stamps from your digital photo’s EXIF data records. Also, if you are a privacy-oriented user, find out how to edit or remove the EXIF data in Windows.

We hope you managed to add a date or timestamp to photos that were already taken using our recommended tools. Write down in the comments section below if you encountered any problems.

BSOD Driver Power State Failure: Diagnosed & Fixed

Posted on October 26, 2022December 16, 2025 by Ivan Jenic

Driver Power State Failure is a BSOD error and occurs mostly as a result of an incompatible driver installed.

In 99% of the cases, Driver Power State Failure is caused by placing your operating system into a sleep mode state. The error is caused by the power settings or because some drivers are having incompatibility issues in the system.

How can I fix Driver Power State Failure?

Below is our visual guide to help you solve the issue quickly:

1. Enter Safe Mode and remove recently installed drivers

1. Click the Start icon from your Taskbar then right-click the Power button.
2. Hold the Shift key and click Restart.
3. Next, select Troubleshoot.
4. Select Advanced options, followed by Startup Settings.
5. Click the Restart button.
6. When your PC boots, press the 4 key or F4 on your keyboard in order to enter Safe Mode.
7. Next, right-click the Start icon and select Device Manager.
8. Here, expand the section that contains the driver that is causing you issues, generally, it will have a yellow exclamation mark next to it, and select Uninstall device.
9. Check whether the error is gone. If the Driver Power State Failure stop code persists, you’ll have to remove another recently installed driver. Repeat this step until your PC starts working again.

The Driver Power State Failure is likely to be solved by removing recently installed drivers in Safe Mode. First you boot your PC into Safe Mode, and then perform the uninstallation via Device Manager.

This is a simple solution, and it might help you fix the Windows Driver Power State Failure error, so why not try it out?

NOTE

After you find the driver that is causing you this blue screen you should check on the manufacturer’s website for an updated version of it that is compatible with your Windows operating system in order to prevent the error Driver Power State Failure from appearing again.

2. Update your drivers

To fix the stop code Driver Power State Failure on your PC, it’s advised that you update your drivers. Doing so manually can be a hassle, but there are specialized driver updating tools that can help you out.

These powerful tools allow you to perform a scan of your system, identify outdated or corrupted drivers, and update them all within just a few minutes.

3. Perform an SFC scan

Press Windows Key + X and choose Command Prompt (Admin) from the list. If Command Prompt isn’t available, select PowerShell (Admin) instead.
When Command Prompt opens, enter the following command and press Enter to run it: sfc /scannow
The scanning process will now start. Keep in mind that the SFC scan can take about 10 minutes, so don’t interrupt it.

If you can’t run the SFC scan, or if the scan can’t fix the problem, users are recommending to use DISM scan instead. To do that, follow these steps:

Open Command Prompt as administrator.
Run the following commands:
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /scanhealth DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
After running both commands, check if the problem is resolved.

If you were unable to run the SFC scan before, be sure to run it after the DISM scan is completed. Once you run both scans, the problem should be completely resolved and the error message will stop appearing.

If you’re getting the Driver Power State Failure message, you might be able to solve it by following the instructions mentioned above.

4. Change your Power settings

Press Windows Key + S and enter control panel. Select Control Panel from the list.
When Control Panel opens, locate and click on Power Options.
Click on Choose what the power button does.
Now click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Disable Turn off fast startup (recommended), Sleep and Hibernate options. Click on Save changes button.

Sometimes Driver Power State Failure can appear on Dell devices due to your power settings.

According to users, you might be able to fix this problem simply by disabling certain power settings as we showed you above.

5. Change your Power Plan Settings

Navigate to Power options. Locate your currently selected plan and click on Change plan settings.
Click on Change advanced power settings.
Now you’ll see a list of settings. Open the Sleep section and make sure that Sleep and Hibernation are set to Never. In Power buttons and lid section make sure that everything is set to Do nothing. Now click on Apply and OK to save changes.
Optional: Set Graphics settings or PCI Express and Link State Power Management to Maximum Performance. Do the same for Wireless Adapter Settings.

If you’re using a laptop, users are recommending removing its battery and connecting it to the power outlet.

After making these changes, Sleep and Hibernate features will be completely disabled and the problem should be resolved.

If you use these features frequently, you should try a different solution.

6. Disable or remove your antivirus software

Antivirus software is rather important but sometimes your antivirus can interfere with Windows and cause Driver Power State Failure error to appear.

To fix this problem, we advise you to temporarily disable your antivirus software and check if that solves the issue. If not, you might have to uninstall your antivirus software completely.

Many users reported problems with Avast antivirus, but other antivirus software can also cause this problem to appear.

In order to remove your antivirus software and all files associated with it, it’s recommended to use a dedicated removal tool.

7. Revert your graphics card drivers to the older version

Open Device Manager.
Navigate to the Display adapters section and double-click your graphics card.
When the Properties window opens, go to the Driver tab and click on the Roll Back Driver button.
Wait for the process to finish.

If the Roll Back option isn’t available, you’ll need to uninstall your graphics card driver from Device Manager. Alternatively, you can use CCleaner to completely remove all files associated with your graphics card.

After you remove the driver, visit your graphics card manufacturer’s website and download the older version of the driver. After installing the driver, check if the problem is resolved.

8. Change Power settings in Nvidia Control Panel

Open Nvidia Control Panel.
In the left pane, select Manage 3D settings.
In the right pane, select your dedicated graphics card as the Preferred graphics processor. Locate Power management mode in the list of settings and select Prefer maximum performance.
Save changes and check if that solves your problem.

This mode will use more battery power, so keep that in mind if you’re using a laptop. If you’re using AMD graphics, you can find similar settings in Catalyst Control Center.

9. Change your device’s power options

Open Device Manager.
Locate your network adapter and double-click it to open its properties.
Navigate to Power Management tab and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. Click on OK to save changes.

After doing that, the problem should be completely resolved. Keep in mind that your PC has multiple devices that support this feature, so you need to disable it for all problematic devices.

Sometimes the Windows Driver Power State Failure error can occur due to your power settings. Many devices can be turned off in order to save power, but sometimes this option can cause this problem to appear.

Other issues caused by Driver Power State Failure that the users reported as well:

Driver Power State Failure in Windows 10 Toshiba, HP, Dell, Acer, Alienware, Samsung, Sony, Lenovo – This problem affects almost all devices since any device depends on drivers, which need to be constantly updated.
Driver Power State Failure Nvidia – Make sure to update or roll back your Nvidia driver in order to solve this situation.
Driver Power State Failure USB – Sometimes this error can occur while using a specific USB device. To fix the problem, you might have to disconnect all USB devices in order to find the one that is causing this issue.
Driver Power State Failure on startup, boot – Changing your power options that keep changing is the best course of action when this error occurs.
Driver Power State Failure in Photoshop, Autocad – Applications such as these, require that your GPU driver is up to date in order to communicate with it effectively.
Driver Power State Failure SSD, hard drive – Sometimes this error can be caused by a new hard drive or SSD. If that happens, you might have to update your hard drive drivers and check if everything is in order.
Driver Power State Failure Kaspersky, McAfee – Third-party antiviruses are known to cause this problem along with others as well. According to users, this issue usually occurs if you’re using Kaspersky or McAfee.
Driver Power State Failure blue screen – 0x0000009f error screen on startup is usually triggered by a driver-related issue. The problem has been solved by Microsoft in the update file KB 2983336.
Driver Power State Failure ntoskrnl.exe – This error message can sometimes show you the name of the file that is causing the error. Users reported that ntoskrnl.exe is the most common cause of this problem, and you will need to end it.

For those of you who updated to the latest version, we have a guide on how to fix driver power state failure in Windows 11.

Speaking of the Blue Screen of Death, avoid this horror by installing software dedicated to fixing BSODs.

Before you go, don’t miss our latest guide on Error Drivers Leaking Locked Pages message. We also wrote about Manually_Initiated_Power_Button_Hold, so you might want to check it out.

Please write us below if you have any other additional questions on this article and we will make sure that you fix your issue in the shortest time possible.

Error Code 0x800704cf: Diagnose & Fix in 5 Simple Steps

Posted on October 26, 2022September 22, 2025 by Andrew Wafer

Using a workgroup or being part of a network center has advantages that make our work easier. But sometimes your work can be interrupted due to a system error. And the most common issue related to Windows Network PCs is the 0x800704cf error.

It’s easy to recognize because it usually comes along with the following message: Network error – Windows cannot access.

What does error code 0x800704cf mean?

As stated earlier, the error is primarily encountered when connecting your PC to a network or while opening the Microsoft Store. And in both these cases, the error code indicates a network issue.

In the case of Microsoft Store, the app is unable to reach its servers, and the error message reads, You’ll need the Internet for this 0x800704cf, and the problem has to be fixed manually.

Though when seeing the error while connecting to a network, the error box gives you a Diagnose option to automatically detect and eliminate the problem.

Below are some of the variations of the issue you can fix with the solutions in this guide:

0x800704cf Microsoft account error – The error message appears when signing into a Microsoft Account.
0x800704cf Microsoft Store error – Seen when launching the Microsoft Store app. The solutions below should fix things.
0x800704cf Windows Update error – Some users also reported the error when trying to install an update.
0x800704cf Windows activation error – Though not very common, many users had trouble activating Windows when the error code showed up.
Error 0x800704cf Xbox – Create a new profile for Xbox, then log into it to see if the error persists.
Error 0x800704cf Windows 7/10/11 – As you’ve probably guessed, the network error 0x800704cf is not exclusive to Windows 10 but also occurs on the new OS, and Windows 7. The solutions below are applicable to all of them.
You’ll need the Internet for this 0x800704cf – Change your DNS settings in order to fix the Internet connection.

How can I fix error code 0x800704cf?

Before we head to the full-fledged software fixes, here are a few things you can try:

Restart the computer.
If you are using a wired connection, disconnect the cable, power off the modem/router, wait for a minute, then turn it back on and reconnect the cable.

If these two don’t work, you should try the solutions listed next.

1. Reinstall the network adapters

1.1 Reinstall the drivers manually

A first workaround you can try is to check your drivers and reinstall the network device driver to get rid of 0x800704cf Internet connection error.

1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager from the list of options.
2. From the main panel, click on View and select Show hidden devices.
3. Expand Network adapters, right-click on each entry here and select Uninstall device.
4. If you cannot uninstall a certain adapter, don’t worry, go to the next one.
5. When done, click on the Scan for hardware changes icon or you could simply restart the computer.

If you are still dealing with the 0x800704cf error code, uninstall the network adapters to remove the corresponding drivers and get a fresh copy for each.

1.2 Reinstall the drivers automatically

Of course, you can reinstall them manually but as you can see, there are a lot of them and the process might take some time.

The quicker and safer solution is to use a third-party tool that will perform the job automatically for all the drivers on your PC.

We recommend Outbyte Driver Updater because it is safe, lightweight, and very easy to use. It saves you the time and hassle of manually updating your drivers and it can also repair damaged drivers.

Outbyte Driver Updater

Automatically update all drivers and keep your system in sharp performance.

Free Trial Download Now

2. Run the Network adapter troubleshooter

Press Windows + I to open Settings, and select Update & Security.
Select Troubleshoot from the left, and then click on Additional troubleshooters.
Now, select Network adapters here, and then click on the Run the troubleshooter button.

3. Change the DNS settings

Press Windows + R to open Run, type ncpa.cpl in the text field, and hit Enter.
Right-click on the current network and select Properties.
Select Internet Protocol Version (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.
Now, select the Use the following DNS server addresses option, enter the following details in the fields underneath, and click OK:
- Preferred DNS server: 8.8.8.8
- Alternate DNS server: 8.8.4.4
Now, restart the computer once for the changes to fully come into effect.

Once done, the 0x800704cf error should be fixed, be it while opening Microsoft Store or accessing the Microsoft account.

4. Reset proxy

Type Command Prompt in the Search bar, and click on Run as administrator.
Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
Now, paste the following command and hit Enter: netsh winhttp reset proxy
Once done, restart the computer.

Most users managed to fix the 0x800704cf error by resetting the configured proxy settings. So, make sure to try it!

5. Create a new user profile

Press Windows + R to open Run, type netplwiz in the text field, and click on OK.
Now, click on Add.
Enter the Microsoft Account address in the text field and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

That’s it! If none of the previous methods have worked, creating a new administrator user account linked to Microsoft would help fix things. Also, you may try creating a local account as well, though we recommend a Microsoft account.

If creating a new user profile fixes the issue, create a backup of the files stored on the problematic profile and transfer it to the new one.

We hope that one of the troubleshooting methods listed above fixed the Windows error 0x800704cf.

If you want to supervise your network closely, start using the best network traffic inspection services and tools today!

If you have any other queries or know of a method not listed here, drop a comment below.

8 Best Screen Sharing Software With Audio To Use

Posted on October 26, 2022October 11, 2025 by Claudiu Andone

Screen-sharing software tools capable of sending images with audio are highly sought after nowadays because we are still forced to conduct our work online.

These programs are also often used for remote desktop assistance. No matter if you’re asking for help or providing it, a screen-sharing tool is a must.

How can a screen-sharing app help me?

Screen-sharing apps are great for troubleshooting problems on remote machines, collaborating on a project, or just creating a step-by-step guide.

However, if you include the voice feature withing screen-sharing, that can be extremely helpful to make your point quicker and more comprehensively.

There are plenty of screen-sharing solutions out there, so we extended our reach to find the best ones for you so check them out below.

What are the best screen-sharing tools with audio?

Zoho Assist – Great for remote troubleshooting

This is not just a simple screen-sharing tool. Zoho Assist is an enterprise-grade remote support software.

Of course, you can perform screen sharing with voice but with this solution, you can actually provide attended and unattended remote support on computers anywhere in the world.

And with the remote access features, you can even manage remote endpoints without even needing voice assistance.

You don’t need to worry about safety because all the connections are protected with TLS 1.2 and AES 256-bit encryption.

And probably the top advantage is that the dashboard is cloud-based, accessible from any location on virtually any device.

Moreover, there is also no need for any installation of any software on the endpoint side.

Of course, if the situation requires it, you may also send updates, patches,, or any other type of files right during a live session.

To top it all up, Zoho Assist allows you to view any number of monitors connected to the remote computer simultaneously.

Let’s review some of its top features:

Enterprise-grade security: TLS 1.2 and AES 256-bit encryption
Faster implementation and deployment
Quick adoption and simple to use
No prior downloads are needed for on-demand remote sessions
No installation is needed for technicians to start remote sessions

Zoho Assist

his tool not only allows screen sharing with voice but troubleshooting remotely on any computer!

Check Price Visit Website

Zoho Meeting – Perfect for collaboration

If you’re looking for interactive screen sharing, Zoho Meeting is just the tool you need.

It is a communication tool similar to Zoom but it’s a lot more complex than that and it offers a lot of other collaboration tools.

With Zoho Meeting not only that you can share your screen during a meeting but you may also add all sorts of other documents with someone.

And if someone was left out or can’t attend, you can record, and share your web meeting with any other who can replay them to stay in touch.

The interactive features extend to launching audience polls, answering questions through Q&A, letting attendees get your attention through Raise Hand, and encouraging them to speak and present.

This platform even helps you organize webinars and then get reports on attendees, engagement, polls, and Q&As in XLS and CSV formats.

And if you’re worried about safety, Zoho Meeting encrypts audio, video, and screen sharing to keep your information secure at all times.

Last but not least, this software offers integrations with a lot of other Zoho tools but also with Outlook, Teams, Gmail, and more.

Let’s review some of its best features below:

Screen sharing, voice, and video communication
Record and share meetings
Share documents on a safe, encrypted connection
Get extensive meeting reports in XLS and CVS formats
Easy to use and implement

Zoho Meeting

Communicate with your team seamlessly while sharing your screen and important documents.

Check Price Visit Website

AnyDesk – Good for remote desktop control

AnyDesk is the perfect tool either if you want to use it to help someone or simply communicate remotely because it comes with a Transmission option.

AnyDesk is a remote desktop application with thousands of worldwide users. It’s suitable for remote work as well as online learning.

You can simply send audio in real-time if you check the Transmit sound option in the software’s settings. You can even set up the audio device used for the audio transmission on the client’s PC.

Otherwise, AnyDesk offers military-grade encryption for the connection so you can rest assured that you will be protected from any unauthorized access.

Along with the remote desktop feature, AnyDesk also has a video conference option where users can communicate in real-time.

As for compatibility, this solution works on all major platforms and operating systems and has a latency of only 16 ms so your remote-control actions will be almost instant.

The tool also lets you share your mobile screen directly from your Android device.

AnyDesk is a paid service. It has three different plans that vary in features, the number of devices you can connect, and customer support options.

Let’s see some of AnyDesk’s best features:

Very low latency
Military-grade encryption
High framerate image
Compatible with all major operating systems and platforms
Instant support and live administration through remote control

AnyDesk

If you want to benefit from remote desktop control and sound transmission simultaneously, AnyDesk is the best out there!

Get AnyDesk Visit website

Mikogo – Great whiteboard feature

Mikogo is not only a screen-sharing tool but it offers high-quality VoIP and teleconferencing features that transform it into a full-fledged collaboration tool.

Of course, like any other remote desktop app, with this software, you can share your screen but you can also send text and files.

And if you get interrupted or you need to do something else, you have the pause or lock the session with a click on the dedicated buttons.

The best part is that you don’t need to be a tech wiz to operate it because it’s really simple to use and comes with a friendly interface.

Mikogo lets you select the exact applications/windows you want to share while hiding everything else you have open on your PC.

This helps you stay focused on communicating and presenting what you want to present without requiring you to close other tasks.

Mikogo also implements a multi-user whiteboard that lets you use annotation tools in real-time, as you share your ideas.

Mikogo is a subscription-based service with three different plans available. It offers packages for individual users, professionals with large teams, and smaller teams.

Let’s take a look at some of its key features:

High-quality VoIP and teleconferencing audio-video connection
Session Scheduler for setting the meetings in advance
Application selection and multi-monitor features
Efficient transfer system of files up to 200 MB
Free version available

Mikogo

Forget about voice assistance, with Mikogo you can start live conferences to convey your message to all peers.

Free trial Visit website

TeamViewer – Great for remote controlling

If you’re looking for free screen-sharing software with audio for your personal use, you can go for TeamViewer. It’s really popular because you can also share video and audio with other users.

A great advantage of this tool is that it is available to use in over 30 languages so you’re not stuck with the regular few choices found in most software.

TeamViewer is very well-adjusted for Windows 10 and Windows 11 use, but you can also work with it on most platforms and operating systems, including Linux or Mac.

Not only does this software enable screen sharing, but it also lets you remotely manage the devices you connect to.

This means that you get to use the connected computer with a pre-established set of rights.

It is a useful customer support application as it lets agents connect to the user’s desktop in real-time and offer quick audio guidance.

Along with the screen-sharing option, Teamviewer also has a video conferencing feature.

This tool is pretty complex so you can even hold real conferences by also using whiteboard functions or chat and you can even send important files across to the attendants.

Other key features of Team Viewer include:

Remote printing for Windows and macOS
Secure file sharing option
Black screen for private remote access

⇒ Get TeamViewer

Desktop.com – Simple screen-sharing

Next on our list is a full-fledged workspace and collaboration tool that is very promising and versatile when it comes to screen sharing options.

With Desktop.com you will be able to share your screen with other participants of a video conference in just a few clicks.

This way you will be able to present your screen and also make use of the audio and video communication features present within the conference option.

As the name of the app suggests, Desktop.com lets you create and share your desktop, meaning your digital workspace along with all apps and integrations within it.

Not only does it offer you the possibility to create and manage several desktops, but you can also share your desktop with your team members for easier collaboration.

It is another option that you can use to share your screen. It’s best suited for real-time collaboration, and not necessarily for making a presentation or explaining something, as it is the case for conference calls.

To share your desktop, you just have to navigate to the Desktops menu and select one of the private desktops you have access to. Click the share button and select the team members you want to give access to.

If you want to use audio whilst sharing your desktop, just click on the chat button and start a discussion. You can access it from the same unified UI so you have the possibility to share your desktop and chat at the same time.

Desktop.com also offers you the possibility to share a desktop on a mobile device for Android users. It works under the same principle the PC desktop sharing is using.

This collaboration software that includes screen sharing with audio features is available for free under a limited plan that’s best for individual use. It also has paid options that have more storage space and a larger set of features.

Other key features of Desktop.com include:

Share third-party audio and video files in conference calls
Task management and assigning tools
Connect third-party message apps to a unified chat
Strong encryption protocols to keep all data private

⇒ Get Desktop.com

Zoom – Most popular

Zoom in another great web conferencing app that also comes with screen sharing with sound and it’s free if you keep the session under 40 minutes and participants under 100.

With this increasingly popular tool, not only that you can share your screen, but you can also make annotations on it, using it as a whiteboard while you’re voice or text chatting.

And the best part about Zoom is that it can be used on all platforms and operating systems and it can be easily used as a business communication tool.

That’s because it can record everything, including the questions from the participants by chat and videos from the presenters.

Zoom is an efficient way to host and participate in meetings. You can benefit from the scheduling features to set a time for the meeting and notify each participant ahead of time.

With Zoom, you can also customize your background picture which is not only a fun option, but can also help you preserve your privacy if you are working from home and are not necessarily comfortable with sharing your surroundings.

The tool also has a powerful search feature that allows you to quickly find contacts, messages, upcoming meetings, or chat channels. Just enter your keywords and you’ll get your results in a few seconds.

Zoom is an overall good option if you want to be able to share your screen and benefit from audio at the same time. It offers high-quality video and audio support.

Other key features of Zoom include:

Audio-only conferencing
Cross-platform message feature
Powerful end-to-end encryption
Waiting rooms
Customizable permission settings for each session

⇒ Get Zoom

Skype – Native Windows compatibility

Everybody knows about Skype and it’s extremely popular for audio and video communication purposes. However, you can also use it for screen sharing and that makes it a great choice on our list.

After entering a video call, you simply have to click the + button in the call window and select the Share Screen option to achieve your goal.

Apart from that, if you didn’t use its screen-sharing option, you should check it out and see if it works for you because the tool is free.

Skype recently implemented the call recording and live subtitle feature. This gives better accessibility in case of a bad connection that may cause audio problems for some participants.

Not only that, but you can save your conference and re-watch it if you need to be reminded of some key elements that were discussed.

Another benefit you get from using Skype is that you can connect from multiple platforms. This makes it easy to have conferences on the go, as it supports mobile phones, tablets, virtual assistants such as Alexa, and even Xbox. You can also connect directly from your browser.

You can use the conference options and screen-sharing options within Skype for free. Skype to Skype calls are not charged, but if you want to integrate the use of phone numbers, you will have to pay.

Other key features of Skype include:

Secure file-sharing option
Integrate your mobile number and reach people that are not online
Industry-leading end-to-end encryption

⇒ Get Skype

These are some of the best audio share software tools available right now on the market. Give them a try and select the one that meets your needs.

If you’re looking for a solution to share screen and audio, we’ve got an excellent list including the best screen-sharing software for Windows 10 that you can get right now.

Tell us what tool you’d like to use from all these and why in our comments section below. You can also give us other ideas if you like.

5 Best SAP & BI Reporting Tools [Top Brands Reviewed]

Posted on October 26, 2022October 11, 2025 by Tashreef Shareef

If you are thinking of implementing a BI (Business Intelligence) reporting & SAP tool, these apps will help you understand trends and derive insights from your data.

However, the larger question is how does one know which business intelligence and SAP reporting tool to use to achieve their goals?

Why do I need SAP & BI reporting tools?

From the latest studies, 64% of businesses that self-service platforms get a substantial competitive advantage. However, 87% of businesses don’t use BI reporting tools.

To use Business Intelligence tools, one need not be an advanced analytics specialist. Since they can be used by anyone, all you have to do is find the right solution that fits your requirements.

In this article, we explore the best SAP & BI reporting tools that are robust and offer integration capabilities to help make the right decision for your business.

What are the best SAP & BI reporting tools available?

ZOHO Analytics – Powerful data analytics capabilities

ZOHO Analytics Best SAP & BI Reporting Tools

ZOHO Analytics is a data integration platform that enables businesses easily connect with popular data sources such as spreadsheets, databases, cloud applications, and more.

It comes with more than 40 types of charts, tables, pivot tables, and creative interactive dashboards with customizable visualization.

This data preparation tool allows users to clean, transform and enrich their data. It also offers the data manipulation functions, such as filtering, aggregation, and data merging.

ZOHO Analytics provides AI-powered insights that automatically detect patterns, outliers, and trends in data, making it easy for users to discover hidden insights and make data-driven decisions.

This tool has robust collaboration features, allowing teams to work together in real-time, share data, and collaborate on reports and dashboards.

With the Zoho Analytics Mobile BI app, you can access the data, view dashboards and reports & collaborate with your team on the go.

The Data storytelling feature of the platform enables you to raw data into meaningful insights by combining data, narrative, and visualizations to create an engaging story.

Here are some of its most notable features:

Integration with business tools, including Salesforce, Google Analytics, and more
Various sharing options, including email and public links
Provides role-based access control
Advanced predictive analytics capabilities to forecast trends
A user-friendly drag-and-drop interface

Zoho Analytics

Create interactive dashboards, charts, and reports that are easy to interpret and share.

Check Price Visit Website

SAP Business Intelligence – Great SAP platform

SAP Business Intelligence allows you to make better, more informed decisions with access to real-time insights on a single, scalable platform.

This centralized SAP report suite can be used for data reporting, visualization, and sharing.

SAP Business Intelligence transforms data into useful insights, which are available anytime and anywhere.

The platform offers on-premise deployment, real-time business intelligence, increased user autonomy, and simplified dynamic information consumption.

Take a look at its best features:

Real-time, personalized, omnichannel customer engagement
Cloud-based accessible dashboards
Send notifications to the OpenDocument users
Self-service visualization tools
Role-based BI dashboards

⇒ Get SAP Business Intelligence

DataPine – Great interactive dashboards

If you are looking for an all-in-one Business Intelligence platform, DataPine is a great option. Using this sap report tool, even non-technical users can process complex data analytics with ease.

DataPine helps you merge different data sets on the go without the need of restructuring your database.

You can explore data sets, visualize trends and patterns and build a professional dashboard to dig deeper into your data using an intuitive user interface.

It also offers different dashboards for every use case. The users can choose dashboards by function, industry, or platform.

Here are some of its most notable features:

Create dashboards by function, industry, or platform
Fast & easy data connectors
Multiple, effective reporting options
Intelligent, AI-based data alerts
Modern predictive analytics tools

⇒ Get DataPine

MicroStrategy – Perfect for SMBs

MicroStrategy is an intuitive Business Intelligence tool to analyze category performance. It offers powerful and high-speed dashboards and data analytics to help you monitor trends and improve productivity.

Irrespective of where the data is coming from spreadsheets, cloud services, or data software, MicroStrategy can help users connect with multiple sources with ease.

On the flip side, MicroStrategy is not the most efficient when the volume of data sets increases to thousands of rows and occasionally results in a timeout error.

MicroStrategy is an excellent tool for SMBs where the data is smaller in volume.

Here are some of its key features:

Build consumer-grade intelligence applications
View analytics content responds dynamically across any device, optimizing data analysis for users on web, desktop, or mobile
Enhance collaboration with live messaging features that connect departments and increase engagement
Deploy applications to thousands of users with automatic localization and security-by-design to protect your data

⇒ Get MicroStrategy

Yellowfin BI – Flexible solution

Yellowfin BI helps you transform your business through data-building beautiful dashboards to drive action and monitor your business in real-time automatically.

Yellowfin BI is one of the few analytics suites that combines action-based dashboards with industry-leading automated analysis and data storytelling.

You can easily filter through large volumes of data using the built-in filter. The tool’s flexibility means you can open the dashboards from anywhere through mobile and webpage.

Yellowfin BI is an end-to-end analytics platform that combines visualization, and collaboration to help you get more value from your data in new ways.

Take a look at some of its best features:

Action based dashboards
Automated Business Monitoring
Comprehensive data stories & management reports
Intuitive self-service BI options

⇒ Get Yellowfin BI

SAP & Business Intelligence tools are an excellent mode of collecting useful information regarding your business, performance, and health.

It can also be used for converting raw data into knowledge as these tools allow you to extra and present data in charts, tables, and other visualization formats.

All the SAP & BI reporting tools listed in this article are handpicked among the top reporting applications, highlight their features, and belong to different price categories.

You might also be interested in our selection of the best automated CRM software for your business.

What do you think of these SAP & BI reporting tools? Do let us know in the comments.

7 Best Recruiting Automation Software In 2023: We tested 25

Posted on October 26, 2022October 11, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

In the past, the only way to go through all the applications received for a job opening was to take the big pile of CV’s on your desk, and one by one, go through every aspect of their application.

Luckily for you, there are great recruiting software options available on the market that can help you automatize many, if not all aspects of this process.

How can automated hiring software help my business?

Recruitment automation software options use artificial intelligence to identify suitable candidates and verify their email addresses and social media pages.

After that, you will be able to export entire candidate profiles to the chosen location online, or inside a specific software.

By using artificial intelligence (AI)-powered technology, these types of software can help companies in many ways.

But the most important aspect of using AI recruitment tools is the fact that you can focus on other tasks while trusting the app to calculate and analyze every aspect of the qualities required to occupy the job.

Then, they compare them with other possible candidates and offer you a comprehensive report of the entire process.

Now that we know what we’re looking for, let’s explore some of the best AI-powered hiring software on the market.

What are the best recruiting automation software tools?

Sage HR – Best HR capabilities

Sage HR is another powerful tool designed to meet all employee-management needs. It can be used by all types of businesses.

It offers a standard set of features as a starting point. It is called Core HR and it encompasses essential options all HR managers need, like an employee database, workflow organizer, announcements as well as eSignatures.

You can use the app as it is, with the basic features, or you can add different extra modules to your plan if you feel it’s necessary.

This is a great option because you can choose the exact features you need without cluttering your workspace with redundant tools, which also eliminates unnecessary additional expenses.

When it comes to the recruiting process, you will need to opt for the Recruitment module in Sage HR.

It is designed to help throughout the hiring process without requiring the HR manager to do any work outside the app.

All hiring stages are managed through a drag-and-drop interface which offers a pipeline overview of each particular candidate and the stage they are in.

You can schedule interviews and sync them with Outlook Calendar, add contact information, and create scorecards and reports.

This module is paid and the pricing is decided based on your number of employees and other potential added modules. You can try it for free for 14 days.

Other key features include:

Unlimited applicants
Custom pipeline stages
Application form builder
Friend referral
Other modules include leaving management, timesheets, shift scheduling, reporting, onboarding, and more

Sage HR

Take care of all recruitment stages with an easy-to-use interview scheduling planner, scorecards, contact sheets, and more.

Free trial Visit Website

Zoho Recruit – Best for resume processing and parsing

Zoho Recruit is a great automated recruitment application that allows you to easily find better-matching candidates, unifies your entire team under one hub, and allows you to make informed decisions regarding job postings, CV processing, compatibility of candidates, etc.

You can also use Zoho Recruit to automate a wide range of processes, set reminders for different tasks, and customize email templates for fast email delivery.

When it comes to privacy and the management of access in your app, Zoho Recruit’s dashboard offers you the possibility of assigning specific roles to users – recruit administrator, recruiter, guest, etc.

You also have the ability to create and manage user groups and assign specific rules based on their access level, industry, skill level, etc.

Zoho Recruit was released in 4 different versions with different features. Each of the versions of this software can be used as a trial version for 15 days.

Some of the features that are worth noting include:

Directly post to popular job boards
Social Tab – sourcing employees using your company’s social page
Resume parsing – standardize your company’s resume structure
Pare resumes from LinkedIn and other sources
Resume inbox – all of the applicant’s CV on one page
Can format resumes to add your company logo
Search resumes by keywords or other criteria
Ability to preview CVs without entering the candidate profile

Zoho Recruit

Find better candidates and automate processes with this powerful software.

Check Price Visit Website

FreshTeam – Best for applicant management and tracking

FreshTeam is another greatly useful tool that contains an applicant tracking system (ATS) and also a recruitment application.

These two features are presented in a user-friendly user interface, that allows you to easily understand the data collected and sort it into groups, based on different markers – age, sex, location, skillset, compatibility, etc.

Job posting creation is a very simple task that can be completed in minutes thanks to over 100 in-built job description templates.

And after that, all the postings can be mapped to the hiring team that is working on it so they can assess the candidates themselves.

The app also helps you create custom workflow stages in your applicant tracking software and follow their path across stages.

Another interesting feature is that the tool syncs an email inbox with the software and converts the emails you receive into an application and its sender to an applicant.

Some of the notable features include:

Applicant tracking
Recruitment CRM
Comprehensive dashboard & 360 – profiles
Collaborative hiring
Job posting management
Employment referrals
Employees directory
Searchable talent pool
24/7 customer support
Archived talent pool

FreshTeam

Make the recruitment process easier on both ends with recruitment applications, published job postings, email application managers, and more.

Free trial Visit Website

Arya Pulse – Best AI recruiting overall

It’s hard to find the right people for the right job, but with the right tool like Arya Pulse, the process will become the easiest ever.

This AI-powered on-demand recruiting service searches for the best matches on over 70 employment websites and social media platforms.

By just posting a job, the app will start showing a ranked list of candidates and in a few hours, the results will be filtered to get only the top-ranked.

It takes a bit of time because after the AI extracts the list, human recruiting professionals check it again to ensure that the candidates are interview-ready.

Of course, the more elaborate is your job listing, the better will be matched with the proper candidates.

But that’s not all because Arya Pulse also provides hiring-trend insights to help you understand better what are your job’s requirements.

It practically does the job of a professional agency but a lot faster and looks through a lot more sources.

The app has a free trial version that allows you to create a job listing and see the first 10 candidates. To unleash all its potential, you will have to pay for a plan.

Take a look at Arya Pulse’s best features:

Looks on over 70 employment websites and social media platforms
Uses AI and recruiting professionals
Get the right candidate in a matter of hours
Extremely easy to use
Great insights on how to pick the right job requirements and candidates

Arya Pulse

Get the right candidates filtered by AI and professionals from over 70 sources in just a few hours.

Check price Visit Website

JobDiva – Great for follow-ups and marketing

JobDiva is another great recruitment automated software option that allows you to track your applicants, manage talent, create and organize your data using candidate pipelines.

It can also use business intelligence (BI) reports to analyze your company, and map your workflow.

This software is perfect for mid-sized or large enterprise companies who need help when it comes to their recruitment process.

JobDiva can automatically scan through thousands of resumes, and give recommendations regarding candidates that best fit the job requirements.

Because JobDiva is entirely cloud-based, you will never have to worry about losing your candidate’s data, and it also allows you to gain access from anywhere in the world, at any time.

In JobDive you will find a wide range of features that allow you to search for candidates, either manually or by using AI.

It offers an applicant tracking system (ATS) service, and also customer relationship management (CRM), and a vendor management system (VMS).

Key features of JobDiva include:

Resume aggregation
AI candidate-to-job matching
Recruitment life cycle
Email marketing
Automated communication tracking
Qualifying parameters settings
Can perform searches based on text, attributes of candidates, skills, etc.
Reduce cost and eliminate data entry
Automatically sync database with all vendor management systems
Automatically cleanse sensitive data for your security

⇒ Get JobDiva

Ideal – Great automation features

Ideal is another great software option that is able to automate almost all features of the recruitment process for your company.

This software allows you to quickly analyze different kinds of candidate information – reumes, assessments, and performance.

Ideal uses artificial intelligence (AI) technology, to collect, analyze and process candidate information, and by combining automation with an increase in the quality of hiring, this app will surely help your business and reduce wasted time for data entry.

The entire range of data that you collected can be easily accessed from one screen that offers real-time updates and automation, and you can use the AI features to automatically discover the best applicants for the job opening.

Key features include:

Automatically screen candidates in real-time
Can combine resumes, performance data, and assessments into one data source
24/7 Chatbot support – keeps every candidate informed
Around the clock AI analysis of candidate pool – you get a notification when a match is made

⇒ Get Ideal

ApplicantPro – Great for simplifying the recruiting process

ApplicantPro is another great tool that allows you to streamline your company’s hiring process.

This application contains applicant tracking features and recruitment options for businesses of any size and with any number of employees.

This tool can be used in education, manufacturing, healthcare, etc., makes sure your company is compliant with EEO/AA and OFFCCP guidelines, and can also be easily integrated with any third-party software.

ApplicantPro has been released in 3 different versions, each designed to fit the needs of different types of users.

Take a look at its key features below:

Create job posts with ease and post them on any job site
Track every aspect of your applicant’s profile
Can schedule and perform video interviews at any point of the recruitment process
Generate comprehensive assessments based on the data you collected
Perform background checks for any potential employee
Create professional reports based on the data you need
Automated thank you emails after the application is received

⇒ Get ApplicantPro

Recruitment software comes in very handy when you need to handle a big number of job openings and job applications. It allows you to streamline your company’s analysis and data collection processes.

With these tools, you can organize video interviews, automate scheduling, offer candidate suggestions and search through the entire database of applicants with incorporated search features.

By using the software options presented in this article, you will surely manage to fill open positions in your company faster, and more efficiently than doing it the old-fashioned way.

And now that you’ve found the dream team, you could be interested in our best workforce management software solutions list and test your leadership skills.

Use the comments section below to let us know which software you chose to use and why.

5 Ways to Fix a Black Screen in Roblox on Windows 10

Posted on October 26, 2022April 24, 2024 by Sagar Naresh

If you are a Roblox fan, then you should be aware there are multiple user reports on the internet confirming the black screen issue in Roblox on Windows 10.

Users are facing this issue during the gameplay or right at the startup. The screen completely goes black and there is nothing that you can do instead of quitting the game. Thankfully, this guide is there to help you resolve the problem at hand. Let us get right into it.

What is causing the black screen in Roblox on Windows 10?

After checking multiple user reports, we have deduced a list of some of the most common reasons you could come across this error.

It is an in-game issue – Chances are the version of Roblox you are playing itself is buggy and causing the problem. You should play the latest updated version of Roblox.
The browser cache – Corrupt browser cache, as well as corrupt data files can often trigger problems with web apps.
The firewall is blocking Roblox – Chances are your firewall or antivirus software is blocking the Roblox game from launching and causing the black screen issue.
Some important game files are missing – If there was an interruption during the installation of the game, then this could be very well the reason why the game crashes and throws a black screen.
There is an issue with the browser itself – Chances are the browser that you are using to play Roblox itself is causing the problem.

How can I fix Roblox black screen issue on Windows 10?

Before jumping to the advanced troubleshooting methods, let us first go through the preliminary solutions and check if they can resolve the problem or not:

A simple restart can fix multiple issues you might be experiencing while running programs.
Try running Roblox on a different web browser. You can choose among some of the best web browsers to try out on your PC.
Check Roblox’s server status using websites such as DownDetector, etc.
Close all other background apps and run only Roblox. We have a guide that shows exactly how you can turn off background apps on your PC.
Restart your Wi-Fi router and see if that helps.

If nothing works, then try the detailed solutions mentioned below and possibly resolve the problem.

1. Tweak the graphics

Launch Roblox.
Press the Esc button.
Switch to Settings.
Change Graphics Mode to Automatic and check if this fixes the black screen problem.
Else, you can change the Graphics Mode to Manual and use the Graphics Quality slider to the right for better graphics and to the left for better performance.

Users have reported that turning down the graphics quality has helped them fix the black screen issue in Roblox on Windows 10. On the flip side, you can also set the graphics quality to automatic and see if this resolves the issue or not.

2. Update the graphics driver

Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.
Expand the Display adapters section.
Right-click on your graphics card and select Update driver.
Choose the option to Search automatically for drivers.
Your PC will search for the update and if detected will prompt you to install the update.

If you are running Roblox using the launcher, then chances are that your outdated graphics driver is causing the problems.

While the above process will update the driver as it should, it requires a lot of manual steps to go through to update the driver.

You can always simplify the process with the help of professional driver updater tools. These allow you to scan your system and update all your drivers in just a few minutes.

3. Clear browser cache

Launch Chrome.
Press Ctrl + H to launch the browser history.
Select Clear browsing data from the left.
Click on the Time range dropdown menu, and select All time.
Tick the checkbox for Cookies and other site data, and Cached images and files.
Hit Clear data at the bottom.
Wait for the process to complete, and then restart the browser for the changes to fully come into effect.

4. Disable browser plugins

Launch the browser.
Click the Menu button in the top right corner.
Click on More Tools then Extensions.
Disable all extensions.
Restart your browser and try running Roblox again.

5. Allow Roblox through the firewall

Press the Windows key to open the Start menu.
Type Windows Defender Firewall and open it.
From the left side, select Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall.
Add Roblox to the list of exceptions.
Restart your PC and check if this fixes the issue or not.

You can also try running the SFC Scan and DISM commands in order to fix missing or corrupt system files that could very well be causing the black screen issue in Roblox on Windows 10.

On the other hand, if nothing works then it is better to reinstall the game and check if this resolves the issue. Often some important game files get misplaced or corrupt, and because of this, you will face multiple issues with it.

Well, the black screen issue isn’t the only problem that has been reported by Roblox users. We have compiled a list of solutions for some of the most common Roblox problems that you could come across.

Users have reported coming across the white screen issue while playing Roblox. Also, if the Roblox game isn’t updating or throwing an update error, then you can check out our guide that lists some effective solutions for it.

That is it from us in this guide. We hope that the above solutions helped you resolve the black screen problem on Roblox.

Missing DLL Files in Windows 11? Install Again & Fix Errors

Posted on October 26, 2022July 29, 2025 by Claire Moraa

If your Windows 11 is missing DLL files, or they have been altered or deleted by accident, you must replace them with a new copy of the original file, and this guide will show you how to fix this issue.

What can I do if my Windows 11 is missing DLL files?

What can I do if my Windows 11 is missing DLL files?

1. Use a third-party DLL fixer

Firstly, you can choose a method to fix the most typical issues on your Windows 11 PC, including missing DLL problems.

Specialized system repair tools are equipped with powerful scanning tools that will detect the problematic file and try to fix or download a fresh one.

2. Update your OS

Hit the Windows + I keys to open Settings.
Select Windows Update on the left pane.
Click on Check for updates.
Restart your PC once the updates finish installing.

3. Scan your system

Hit the Windows key, type cmd in the search bar, and select Run as administrator.
Type the following command and press Enter: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /ScanHealth
Wait for the process to finish, then type in the following command: sfc /scannow
If any corrupted files are detected, you will see the following message: Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them.
Restart your PC and see if the problem persists.

4. Update drivers

Press the Windows key, type Device Manager, and select Open.
Navigate to Print Queues or any other categories with a yellow sign, right-click on your printer, and select Update Driver Software.
Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
Restart your PC and check if the Windows 11 missing DLL files problem is solved.

Even if you are experienced at finding, downloading, and manually updating drivers, the process can still be time-consuming and requiring. Installing the wrong driver or simply an incompatible version of the right driver can worsen your problems.

That is why we recommend using tailored driver software that automatically finds, downloads and updates the drivers for you.

The solutions remain the same in all cases, say when winmmbase.dll is missing or OneSettingsClient.dll.

For users who still haven’t switched to Windows 11, we also have a guide on how to deal with missing DLL files on Windows 10.

Before you go, we also have a great guide on what to do if Dwmapi.dll or Wnaspi32.dll is missing, so don’t miss that guide.

Our latest article shows you what to do if api-ms-win-crt-math-l1-1-0.dll is missing, so you might want to check it out. We also have a guide on how to register a DLL, so don’t miss it for more information.

That brings us to the end of what to do when you encounter missing DLL files. Please let us know which solution came to your rescue in the comments section below, and share any tips and tricks you picked up in the process.

Black Screen in Warcraft 3: How to Fix It in Windows 10

Posted on October 26, 2022October 4, 2023 by Sagar Naresh

Several user reports have highlighted the Warcraft 3 black screen issue on Windows 10. Because of this issue, the players cannot play the game because the game immediately shows a black screen during startup.

If you are also facing the Warcraft 3 black screen issue on Windows 10 and are looking for help, we have listed some practical solutions that have helped users overcome this black screen problem.

Why am I getting a black screen in Warcraft 3 on Windows 10?

After some research, we have deduced that there are a few common reasons why you could come across a black screen in Warcraft 3 on Windows 10. Some of them are listed below:

You are playing in fullscreen mode – If the game does not support fullscreen mode, then you can come across this issue. If you are having issues running games in fullscreen mode, then you can check out this guide.
The game is not using a dedicated GPU – For some programs, you need to manually select the dedicated GPU so that it makes use of it when you launch it. You can go through our guide where we have listed solutions to fix Nvidia graphics card not detected on Windows 10.
The game is running in compatibility mode – You might be running the game in compatibility mode, which could very well trigger the problem.
Graphics driver not updated – If the graphics driver is not updated in a while, then also you will come across such issues. Check out our guide to know how you can easily update the graphics driver on your PC.
You are not running it as an admin – Some programs require admin privileges in order to run smoothly. Check if you are the admin or not before running the game.
Your antivirus is blocking the program – Often antivirus tools mistake certain programs as viruses because f which you can come across such issues.

Now that you are aware of the most common reasons that could trigger this black screen error in Warcraft 3 on Windows 10, let us check out the solutions to resolve it.

How can I fix the black screen in Warcraft 3 on Windows 10?

Before proceeding with the advanced troubleshooting solutions, let us go through a list of preliminary checks:

Often a simple restart can fix several complex issues. Try restarting your PC and checking if this resolves the issue.
Your game might be having a hard time connecting to the official servers. In such a case, make sure that your internet is working fine. You can reboot your router, connect to the internet and check if this fixes the issue or not.
Launch the game as admin, so right-click on the game icon and select Run as administrator and check if this resolves the issue or not. Read how you can make yourself an admin on your Windows PC.

Let us now proceed to the advanced solutions described below.

1. Run in windowed mode

Method 1

Open the Battle.net launcher.
Next to the Play button, click on Options.
Select Game Settings.
Check the box Additional command line arguments.
In the new box, type the below: -windowmode windowed
Click Done.

Method 2

Open up the user profile’s Documents folder.
Open the Warcraft 3 folder.
Double-click the text file named War3Preferences.
Scroll to the bottom and locate windowmode=2.
You need to change 2 to 1 for Windowed Fullscreen or 0 for Windowed mode.
Save the file.

2. Select a dedicated GPU

Right-click on your desktop.
Select the Nvidia Control Panel.
Click on Manage 3D settings from the left.
Under the Global Settings tab, select the High-performance NVIDIA processor option in the Preferred graphics processor drop-down menu.
Click on Apply and check if this fixes the issue or not.

3. Skip the intro

Go to the Documents folder.
Open Warcraft 3 folder.
Right-click on the War3Preferences.txt file.
Select Open with and then click on Notepad.
Under Misc, change the value from 0 to 1 as shown below: seenintromovie=1
If it is already set to 1, then this solution isn’t relevant to this issue.
Save the file and relaunch the game and check if this resolves the problem or not.

There are chances that the intro cinematics is preventing the game to load properly and causing the black screen issue with Warcraft 3 on Windows 10.

You can follow the above steps and skip the intro scene and check if this fixes the problem with Warcraft 3 or not.

4. Disable THE antivirus

Open the Start menu by pressing the Windows key.
Search for Windows security and open it.
Click on Virus and threat protection.
Under Virus & threat protection settings, click on Manage settings.
Toggle off Real-time protection.

There are chances that your antivirus software is blocking the game from running because it thinks it is an alien program that may cause issues with your PC.

You can try disabling the antivirus program and then check if this fixes the Warcraft 3 black screen on Windows 10. The above steps are for the default Windows Security antivirus tool, but the idea remains the same for any third-party software.

We hope that this guide resolved the black screen issue with Warcraft 3 on your Windows 10 PC. Let us know in the comments below, which one of the above solutions helped you resolve the problem.

How to Use edge://flags to Enable & Disable Hidden Features

Posted on October 26, 2022December 9, 2025 by davew

There are many hidden features in edge://flags page, and in today’s guide we’re going to show you how to enable and use them, so let’s get started.

How can I use edge://flags?

How do I enable/disable edge Flags?

Open the Edge browser on your device.
Copy and paste edge://flags in the address bar to go to the flags menu.
All Edge flags will now appear. Search for the flag or flags you want via the search box or manually.
Click the dropdown menu next to the flag you want to enable. Change the value from Default to Enabled to turn on that flag. Click Disabled to turn off that flag.
Once you change the status of a flag, you will have to click Restart to restart Edge for the changes to take effect.

Now that you know how to enable flags, here are the best Edge flags to use, so don’t miss them.

For more browsing customization, you can also disable related matches in Edge to stop extra highlights when using Find on Page.

You can open Microsoft Edge through its main file, msedge.exe, before typing edge://flags in the address bar to access experimental browser features.

Learn more about customizing your browser in our Extensions Microsoft Edge guide. You can also customize how your bookmarks appear by following this guide on how to enable the Microsoft Edge favorites toolbar for quicker access to your saved sites.

What are the flags in Edge?

Flags are hidden and often experimental features in Microsoft Edge that aren’t usually enabled in the browser by default because they aren’t fully tested. Flags can also be hidden settings that aren’t easily accessible to users.

If you want even more control over your browsing experience, see our guide on how to set a homepage in Edge.

For easier online payments and autofill, set up Microsoft Edge Wallet to securely store your cards and billing information.

Exploring hidden settings can be fun, but Edge also hides a surprise game for when you need a break. See how to play the Surf Game in Microsoft Edge and enjoy an offline challenge between tweaks.

As you can see, it’s simple to open the flags menu in Edge, however, you shouldn’t toggle flags on your own, especially if you don’t know what they do.

To learn more, we have a great guide on the best Edge flags for performance, so you might want to check them out. Keep in mind that sometimes flags aren’t accessible and you might encounter Edge flags blocked by administrator message.

Do you use Edge flags? Let us know in the comments!

Windows 7 Won’t Update to Windows 10: Try These 7 Fixes

Posted on October 26, 2022March 21, 2024 by Ivan Jenic

We are sure you were delighted when you discovered that you’d be able to upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 for free. But that didn’t happen as expected for many. Some users reported that they can’t upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10.

This could be due to many reasons, and the failed upgrade process can throw several error messages or, in some cases, even fail without one.

Why can’t I update my Windows 7 to Windows 10?

Here are a few possible issues why you can’t upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10:

Computer doesn’t meet the requirements – If your computer doesn’t meet the system requirements for Windows 10, there could be an issue upgrading it.
Outdated drivers preventing the installation – Keeping all your system’s drivers updated ensures that no issues might occur as a result.
Certain applications (usually a third-party antivirus) may conflict with the upgrade process – If that is the case, the only way to resolve this issue is to temporarily disable your antivirus protection and see if that changes the situation.
Enough storage space is not available (16 GB for the 32-bit version and 20 GB for the 64-bit version) – To resolve this problem, you will need to free up some space on your system’s HDD.
Critical services not running (when upgrading through Windows Update) – This situation can occur if the update process has been interrupted abruptly or if the internet connection has called suddenly.
External hardware could be the reason Windows 10 updates won’t install – To start resolving this problem, simply disconnect any external hardware from your PC, restart the device, and check.
Not running the Windows 10 installation media as an administrator – If you have administrator access, then using it is recommended. If you don’t, then you will need to get administrator rights to fix this problem.

What can I do if Windows 7 won’t update to Windows 10?

Before we execute the slightly complex solutions, let’s try a few quick ones and see if these can fix things:

Disable your third-party antivirus. If that doesn’t work, uninstall it and verify if Windows 10 installation has still failed.
Remove all non-critical hardware and peripherals connected to the PC. For instance, headphones, speakers, printers, external hard drives, or USB sticks, amongst others.
Make sure you are running the installation media with administrative privileges. If you don’t see a UAC prompt when running it, right-click on the file and select Run as administrator.
Free up space on the computer. You typically need around 20 GB of free space to install the 64-bit version of the OS. Use Disk Cleanup or configure Storage Sense to free up additional space.

If Windows 10 upgrade fails and reverts back to Windows 7 after these methods, the ones listed in the next section should get things running. carefully

1. Change the installation settings

In order to change the installation settings for Windows 10 version, you can select different options as described in the steps below. Follow every step carefully to run the installation efficiently.

1. Head to Microsoft’s official website and download Windows 10 installation media.
2. Launch the tool and wait for it to get things ready.
3. Click Accept to agree to the terms and agreements.
4. Choose the Create installation media option and then click Next.
5. With the default options selected, click on Next.
6. Select the ISO file option and click Next.
7. Navigate to the ISO file’s desired location, and click on Save.
8. After the ISO file is created, right-click on it, and select Mount.
9. Now, launch the setup.exe file.
10. Click on Change how Windows Setup downloads updates.
11. Finally, select Not right now and click Next.
12. Now, proceed with the Windows 10 installation. The Windows 10 installation has failed to upgrade from Windows 7 issue will be solved.

2. Run the Update Troubleshooter

Press Windows + I to open Settings, and select Update & Security here.
Select Troubleshoot from the navigation pane, and click on Additional troubleshooters.
Next, locate and click on Windows Update, and then on Run the troubleshooter button.
Follow the on-screen instructions and make the recommended changes to complete the process.

The Windows Update troubleshooter is one of the primary troubleshooting methods since it automatically identifies and eliminates the issue behind the problem. So, if you can’t upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 Home, it should help.

3. Perform a registry tweak

Press Windows + R to open Run, enter regedit in the text field, and click OK.
Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
Paste the following path in the address bar and hit Enter:Computer\HKEY_USERS.DEFAULT\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\User Shell Folders
Double-click on the AppData entry on the right.
Make sure the Value data is set to: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming

This is a known fix to get things up and running when you can’t upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 Pro.

Additionally, you can use a specialized third-party system repair tool that will take care of your PC, including its registries.

4. Start the BITS service

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box, type services.msc, and hit Enter.
Right-click the Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) service, and then click Properties.
Select Automatic from the Startup type dropdown menu.
Now, click on Start under Service status if the service is not running, and then click OK to save the changes.
Restart your computer

BITS (Background Intelligent Transfer Service) allows your computer to receive updates. However, if something is wrong with this service, you probably won’t be able to receive any updates, including the Windows 10 upgrade.

This problem is mainly connected with 0x80246007 because it tells you something is wrong with the update services. Once done, you wouldn’t anymore see that Windows 10 installation has failed with no error code.

5. Use a different user account

Make sure that you’re trying to install Windows 10 using an administrator account. There are two types of user accounts in Windows, Standard and Administrator. And checking for updates using the latter can fix things.

If your computer hosts several user accounts, check for updates using one that has administrator privileges.

6. Remove incompatible software

Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl, and click OK.
Locate the old applications (those likely not compatible with Windows 10), select them individually, and click Uninstall.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstall process.

In addition to your antivirus, other software can cause issues while upgrading to Windows 10. To fix that, it’s advised that you uninstall all software that you don’t need. Of course, you can always reinstall them later after the upgrade to Windows 10, given they are compatible with the iteration.

7. Check your hardware

Press Windows + R, type mdsched.exe in the text field, and hit Enter.
Select Restart now and check for problems.
Wait for the tool to run and identify problems with the installed RAM.

If Windows Memory Diagnostic fails to identify issues, we suggest you run Memtest86+ for a couple of hours. It’s an advanced tool that can discover many more problems with the installed RAM and get things running for you.

In case the problem lies with the RAM itself, you will need to replace it or get the PC checked by a professional.

That’s it! If Windows 7 won’t update to Windows 10 earlier, you should have fixed things. Besides, in case you can’t upgrade from Windows 7 to Windows 10 from USB, format it and then again create a bootable USB drive for Windows 10.

Also, find out the best ways to boost Windows 10 performance.

If you have any other queries or fixed things with another method, drop them in the comments section below.

3 Best Discord Call Recorder Apps [Mobile & Desktop]

Posted on October 26, 2022October 4, 2023 by Claudiu Andone

If you want to review an important conversation later, it’s important to have a Discord call recorder app and store it on your PC.

You can install Discord on Xbox and mobile devices and in this article, you will find the best call-recording apps.

What is a Discord call recorder and how does it work?

A call recorder software will actually help you record the audio-video Discord conversation during a call.

Most video screen recording tools will help you do that because they are able to caption any part of your screen and save it as an audio-video clip.

Most of these software will prompt you to select a region of the screen that you want to record and hit a button.

In theory, it’s that simple but not all such tools have the same performance or quality so below, you will find our selection of the best call recorder software for Discord.

What is the best Discord call recorder software?

Vmaker – Best call recorder for Discord

Screen recorder for Windows is the ultimate tool for recording your Discord calls simply because it has all you need for that and more.

First of all, it is available as a desktop app for Windows, but it also comes as an extension for Google Chrome.

So, whether you need to record anything that goes on your PC or just Discord running on the Browser, Vmaker is there to help.

With the desktop app, you can select the video and audio source and that means you also have the option to caption or webcam or select an external microphone.

Of course, you may also select which window you want to record, in our case, the Discord app, or set a custom window, anywhere on your screen.

And if your Internet connection is good, you may even record everything in 4K quality for professional results.

You also have a recording countdown, highlight mouse clicks, flip the camera, and set shortcuts to avoid going through the menus while recording.

Will you be away during an important live online session? No problem because with Vmaker you can also schedule recordings.

But the best part is that all videos you record, are stored in your cloud account where you may also share or edit them with a dedicated video editor.

Vmaker comes with a free, limited version that only allows you to record 7-minute clips but if you commit to a Starter or Team plans, that will be unlimited.

Here are some of Vmaker’s best features:

Record anything on your screen, including Discord calls
Up to 4K recording resolution
Select video and audio sources
Mouse clicks highlights, camera flipping, and recording countdown
Schedule your recordings

Vmaker

Record your Discord calls seamlessly and anything on your screen with up to 4K resolution.

Free trial Visit website

Loom – Easy to use

Loom is another screen recording tool that will help you get your Discord calls to review them later.

As Vmaker, it allows you to set up the video and audio sources and in the free version, you’re stuck with a 720P resolution recording and just a few minutes of footage.

It features integration with apps such as Slack, Notion, and GitHub, but that means it’s a bit more complicated to set up.

An interesting feature of Loom is the Do not disturb mode. If you set it, you won’t get any pop-ups or other distractions from your recording.

If you need to embellish your clips, you will find annotation and drawing tools and after the recording is done, you can edit them by using an available basic video editor.

You will also find a dedicated URL of the video so you can share or embed it on your website or social media.

Take a look at its key features:

Allows you to record in up to 4K UHD with a paid plan
Built-in video editing tool
Integration with apps such as Slack, Notion, GitHub, etc.
Do not disturb mode to prevent pop-ups

Loom

This simple tool will help you record anything on your screen, including your Discord video calls.

Free trial Visit website

Camtasia – Good for editing your clips

Camtasia’s main feature is video editing, but it also comes with a screen recording feature that will help you caption your Discord video calls.

Still, like with the other two software from our list, with this software, you can select to record the entire screen, a specific area, a window, or an app.

However, Camtasia doesn’t have a mobile app or browser extension to work with, so if you’re using Discord on a mobile, it won’t help you.

The built-in video editor is more advanced but the free trial version is pretty limited. But if you need to edit your Discord clips professionally, Camtasia may be the right choice, for the right budget, of course.

Camtasia includes webcam capture, mic, system audio recording, annotations, cursor effects, applying device frames, and more.

Here are the best features of Camtasia:

Add different cursor effects
Provides video editing tools
Multiple options for screen recording
Add quizzes to your video, select from thousands of templates, and use visual effects

Camtasia

If you need to record and then fully edit your Discord calls, this tool has all you need.

Free trial Visit website

That was our selection of the best Discord call recording software and we hope that you have found the right one for you.

You may also be interested in our selection including the best screen recording software for Windows 10 & 11.

If you have tried any of the tools highlighted above, let us know about your experience in the comments section below.

Low System Resources: Causes & How to Fix This Error

Posted on October 26, 2022October 4, 2023 by Ivan Jenic

A new or high-end computer usually performs better due to a lower number of apps installed and its ability to seamlessly run many simultaneously. But, several users have reported the Low system resources error, usually with Zoom and Outlook.

Also, in some cases, users get the Your computer is running low on resources, so no new users can sign in message when switching user accounts. It’s a major problem, but not something that cannot be fixed.

What does low system resources mean?

Here are some of the reasons why your computer is running low on resources:

High CPU usage – When you see the Low system resources error, it’s usually the high CPU consumption to blame for it.
High RAM usage – If you want to fix the Low system resources error during Zoom meetings, check for high RAM consumption, and try to free the memory.
Too many background processes – In most cases, the system runs low on free resources when there are several background processes running in the background. For instance, an update might be underway.
Presence of malware or virus – Malware or virus may consume a large part of the RAM or CPU and lead to the issue. In some cases, these appear in the Task Manager, which makes it easier to identify them.
Incompatible extensions or plug-ins installed – An incompatible or corrupt plug-in/extension for an app can wreak havoc and considerably slow down the computer.

Users also reported related issues, such as the ones below:

Low system resources may affect your audio quality in Teams – The error is usually encountered on Microsoft Teams when on a video call, with a few other programs running.
Low system resources may affect your audio quality in Windows 10 – The error, also seen on audio/video calls, indicates that the audio quality would be affected when the PC runs low on resources.
Low system resources when using Zoom – Zoom is another common app that frequently throws this error. And in most cases, Zoom isn’t really the one consuming many resources.

How do I fix system low resources error?

Before we head to the more complex solutions, here are a few quick ones for you to try:

Restart the computer.
Make sure Windows 11 is up-to-date. If you haven’t updated it in a while, install the latest version of the OS.
Scan your PC for malware using Windows Security or a reliable third-party antivirus for Windows 11.
Make sure you shut down your computer every once in a while, preferably once or twice a week. If you just put it to sleep, the background processes would keep accumulating, and it would soon reach a point where you see the Low system resources error.
If you are facing the problem on a laptop, turn it off, remove the battery for a minute, put it back in, and then turn it on.
Update the app that’s consuming high resources.

In case these don’t work, the following methods most certainly would.

1. Terminate all non-critical programs and process

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager, and then locate all processes consuming either high CPU, Memory, DISK, or GPU.
Select each one individually and click on the End task button.
Similarly, terminate all these but make sure not to kill a critical process or one that you need.

Once done, verify if you still see the Low system resources error.

2. Switch to High Performance

Press Windows + S to open the Search menu, type Choose a power plan in the text field, and click on the result that goes by the same name.
Now, select High performance here.

That’s it! You should now see a considerable boost in performance compared to earlier.

3. Reinstall the problematic app

Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl in the text field, and click OK.
Now, locate the problematic app, select it, and click on Uninstall.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstall process.

Once done, restart the computer for the changes to come into effect. After that, head to source, either Microsoft Store or the official website, and get the installer for the app.

4. Perform a clean boot

When the computer restarts in a Clean boot state, the Low system resources error should be gone for good. Also, a clean boot is a great way to troubleshoot issues and identify apps, services, or drivers that cause the problem.

1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type msconfig in the text field, and click OK.
2. Head to the Services tab, tick the checkbox for Hide all Microsoft services, and then click on Disable all.
3. Now, go to the Startup tab, and click on Open Task Manager.
4. Select the app that reads Enabled under Status, and click on Disable. Do the same for all the apps here.
5. Head back to System Configuration, and click on OK.
6. Finally, click Restart in the confirmation prompt.

5. Fix computer memory issues

In most cases, it’s problems with the installed RAM/Memory that’s behind the Low system resources error in Windows 11. In this case, first, remove the RAM sticks and then reseat them firmly.

After that, run the built-in Windows Memory Diagnostics tools to automatically identify and fix issues.

In case this doesn’t work, you can use MemTest86+, an open-source tool that does a bunch of extensive tests on the memory to find and fix issues. Let the tool run overnight, if need be, for a thorough scan.

That’s about it! One of these methods must have helped you fix the Low system resources error. In case it didn’t, perform a System Restore or factory reset Windows 11 as a last resort.

Also, once the error is fixed, find out how to make Windows 11 faster and run more apps without affecting the PC’s performance.

Tell us which fix worked for you in the comments section below.

Microsoft testing a new feature in Bing designed to improve the search experience

Posted on October 26, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

Khushal Bherwani, an SEO Analyst has spotted a new feature that Microsoft is apparently testing in Bing, with the search box in Microsoft Bing appearing in the bottom right corner of the page.

When searching for something using the search box at the top left of the page and scroll down the search results, a floating magnifying glass appeared. From this point, clicking on it activated another search box at the bottom of the page as illustrated in the video attached to Khushal’s Tweet.

???? Bing test "Search Bar: at right side of serp.

↗️ its new test by #bing – cc – @rustybrick

↗️ Interesting.

????️ Here screen recorder for ref –

???? pic.twitter.com/6Sxg7xV8Vo

— Khushal Bherwani (@b4k_khushal) October 25, 2022

Personally, I was able to find the floating magnifying glass but upon clicking it the search box was not activated. Instead, I was redirected to the search box at the top of the page.

In other Bing related news, we saw Microsoft test a new feature called more on this topic from, a movable carousel of news brand tag below the search results.

Let us know in the comment section whether you were able to access the search box in Bing.

Via: Search Engine Roundtable

A Plague Tale: Requiem custom Xbox revealed in YouTube unboxing video

Posted on October 26, 2022 by Robert Collins

A Plague Tale: Requiem has taken the Xbox gaming community by storm since its day-one release on Game Pass last week. The AAA title has lived up to the anticipation that surrounded it since it was shown off at this year’s Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase. It has also proven to be one of the best sequels in recent memory.

Now, the game is being given the custom Xbox Series X treatment courtesy of artist and designer VaduAmka.

Oh weeeeew ???? Si ça c’est pas de l’unboxing ASMR de luxe ! https://t.co/i7N5FhVfIU

— Vadu Amka (@VaduAmka) October 25, 2022

Developer Focus Entertainment has commissioned two of these custom, plague-themed Xbox Series X consoles. A boxed set of Plague Tale: Requiem goodies including the custom Xbox was shown off in a recent YouTube unboxing video, by YouTuber TheRelaxingEnd.

The channel, which currently has nearly nine million subscribers, also has an Elden Ring press kit unboxing video, as well as one of “Ultimate Minecraft Consoles,” just to mention a few.

In the video, which you can see below, includes a huge mystery chest filled with A Plague Tale: Requiem paraphernalia. We won’t spoil it for you with specifics.

But it begs the question: what will happen with the other of these two-of-a-kind consoles? Maybe we’ll see them in a giveaway like we have with so many other custom Xboxes.

Featured image via Pure Xbox.

Discord Not Opening on Windows 11? Fix it in 7 Steps

Posted on October 26, 2022September 3, 2025 by Henderson Jayden Harper

Running the Discord app on Windows 11 can cause a series of issues that prevent it from opening or working. Discord not opening on Windows 11 means some problems are plaguing it.

Also, you may experience Discord installation issues on your PC. However, this guide will explore the causes and possible solutions.

Why is Discord not opening in Windows 11?

The most common cause of the issue is interference from other apps. Apps such as antivirus can block the activities of the Discord client on your device if they detect any suspicious behavior from it.

Furthermore, other factors can impede the performance:

Issues with Discord servers – Though it is uncommon for them to be down, they can be inaccessible for some reason. During a maintenance session on the platform, they can block access to Discord. So, you may not be able to open Discord on Windows 11.
Discord overlay issues – When a game plays on your PC, it can affect the Discord app due to the in-game overlay being turned on. So, you can learn how to disable Discord overlay with the steps in this guide.
Outdated Windows – An outdated Windows operating system on your computer can result in a series of problems. Follow this guide to fix any Windows update errors you may encounter.
Missing or corrupt Discord files – The Discord files on your PC may become corrupt while some go missing. Hence, it affects the Discord app and can cause it not to open or work as it should.

The reason why Discord is not opening on your PC may differ from other users. However, the same fixes can work for the issues regardless of the cause.

How do I fix Discord if it won’t open in Windows 11?

1. Temporarily disable Windows Defender Firewall

Left-click the Start button on your desktop, type Windows Security in the search box, and press ENTER.
Select the Virus & threat protection option, and click Manage settings.
Toggle off the Real-time protection option to disable the Windows Defender Antivirus on your PC.

Disabling the Windows Defender Firewall will fix any issues blocking the Discord app on your computer from opening.

If you encounter any issues with the above steps, read about how to fix Windows Defender not working on Windows 11.

2. Configure Windows date and time

Right-click on the date and time in the lower right-hand of the taskbar and click on Adjust date/time from the options.
Toggle the Set time automatically option on the date & time menu to allow Windows to update your time and Date automatically.
Close the page and restart your PC.

Sometimes, incorrect times and dates on your PC can affect some apps. So, configuring Windows time and date can fix Discord not opening on startup.

Read more about how to change time on Windows 11 computers.

3. End task for the Discord app

Right-click the Start button and select Task Manager.
Check the CPU and Memory usage options in the Task Manager.
Right-click the Discord app, click on the End task option from the drop-down and click OK to confirm that you want to end the task for the app.
Restart your computer to help it sync the changes effectively.

Ending tasks for the Discord app on your computer will help it kill any background activities on the app. It can help the app refresh and fix errors preventing it from opening.

If the Task Manager fails to work on your PC, check out this guide for possible fixes.

4. Clear Discord AppData

Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box, type the following in the text box, and press ENTER: %appdata%
Right-click the Discord folder and click on Delete to clear the folder.

Clearing Discord data can help fix corrupt files that are prompting problems and allow you to resolve Elevated API latency issues as well.

If Discord starts opening but still misbehaves or shows a grey screen, follow our full guide on Discord app not working for additional fixes.

5. Restart Windows in Safe Mode

Left-click the Start button, select the Power option and press the Shift key while clicking the Restart button to load the Advanced boot menu option.
Click on Troubleshoot and select the Advanced options.
Click on Startup Settings and select the Restart option.
Press 4 to Enable Safe Mode.

Your PC will restart in Safe Mode. The Safe Mode will help you fix issues deep-rooted into the system that may affect the Discord app.

6. Uninstall and reinstall Discord

Press the Start button, type Control Panel in the search box and launch it.
Click on Programs.
Navigate to the Programs and Features tab and select Uninstall a program.
Then find and select Discord and click Uninstall at the top of the tab, then OK.
Restart your computer and go to the Discord download page to install the latest version available.

Uninstalling Discord should be the last solution to try to avoid data loss. However, it can fix issues that prevent it from opening.

If you encounter issues preventing you from uninstalling Discord, look at this guide to fix it.

7. Update Windows

Left-click the Start button on the taskbar and select the Settings app or press Windows + I keys.
Click on Windows Update and select the Check for updates option. (If there are any updates available, Windows will search for and install them)

Updating Windows will fix bugs affecting your PC, causing it to block the Discord client from working. Also, updating Windows will install updates for your device drivers.

We hope the solutions above help fix Discord not opening or working on Windows 11.

Read more about how to fix Discord if it won’t open on Windows. Likewise, it is expected to experience high CPU usage in Discord when using the app. We have a detailed guide to help you fix it.

Now that you have tackled the issue and want to work in peace with distraction on Discord, you might consider changing the status to invisible; read this guide to learn more.

If you have more questions or suggestions, please leave them in the comments below.

Windows 11 2022 gets an update, adds taskbar, MSA improvements

Posted on October 26, 2022 by David Allen

Microsoft has been busy the last few weeks polishing Windows 11 2022. Earlier this month Microsoft released this month’s optional update for both Windows 11 and Windows 11 2022, and the first “moment” update that featured the long-awaited tabs feature in File Explorer. Yesterday, OS Build 22621.755 was released highlighting a few more tweaks to the taskbar and more Microsoft Account enhancements.

Along with polishing the search visuals on the taskbar, you can also now right-click the taskbar to display a context menu to access the Task Manager. Easier access to the Task Manager had been a highly requested feature. There’s also been a few tweaks to the Microsoft Account settings, you’ll now be able to see your OneDrive settings and any storage alerts. If you use your Microsoft Account for backups, you’ll also notice some visual enhancements. While Microsoft has offered these enhancements the issue discovered a few weeks ago when that causes systems to slow down when copying multi-gigabyte files to Windows 11 2022 machines hasn’t been addressed yet.

If you’d like to see all the technical details in this update you can see those here. When your system is ready for the update you can find it in Windows Update under Optional Updates Available.

Via XDA

An Error Occurred While Loading the Troubleshooter: 5 Fixes

Posted on October 26, 2022March 27, 2024 by Aleksandar Ognjanovic

Microsoft introduced a unified troubleshooting tool that covers all major features. It improved the system diagnostics and gives users a better error-resolving platform. However, some users are complaining that there’s a problem with the troubleshooter.

The error message they encounter reads: An error occurred while loading the troubleshooter prompt. In this guide, we will show you everything you need to fix this and get the troubleshooter running again.

Why do errors occur while loading the troubleshooter?

There are various reasons your troubleshooter is not working on your PC. Below are some of the popular causes of this issue:

Faulty Windows update – The major reason you are getting an error occurred while loading the troubleshooter for your network adapter and Wi-Fi is down to a Windows update. Most users reported this issue after installing an update. The solution here is to uninstall the update.
Corrupt or broken system files – System files are important for the smooth running of all components of your PC. This can cause your troubleshooter not to work. Repairing and restoring these corrupted files with a dedicated tool should solve the problem.
Disabled services – System services work especially those related to Windows updates have been detected to cause this issue. By starting or restarting these services, this error should disappear.

Moreover, you may encounter the following error variations, that thanks to our tips below, you can also fix:

An error occurred while loading the troubleshooter Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows 7 – Luckily, the solutions below are applicable in all these OS iterations.
0x80004005, 0x80070057, 0x803c010a An error occurred while loading the troubleshooter – Run the troubleshooter from the Settings app in order to avoid this problem.
An error occurred while loading the troubleshooter context restricted, network:Ethernet, Wi-Fi – Install the latest OS updates in order to solve network miscommunications.

How do I fix error occurred while loading troubleshooter?

1. Run the troubleshooter from Settings

Press the Windows key + I and select the Update & Security option.
Choose the Troubleshoot option in the left pane and select Additional troubleshooters.
Select the troubleshooter to use and click Run the troubleshooter.

Most users have complained about facing An error occurred while loading the troubleshooter with error codes 0x80070057 and 0x80004005 while trying to troubleshoot their ethernet from the Control Panel.

In this case, the solution is to run the troubleshooter from the Settings app. If this does not work, you can proceed to the next solution.

2. Restart some crucial services

Your problem could be resolved by restarting important services. Here is how to do it carefully.

1. Press the Windows key + R, type services.msc, and click OK.
2. Right-click the Wired AutoConfig service and click Start.
3. If the service is running, click the Restart option.
4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 for the following services:
- - Cryptographic Services
  - Background Intelligent transfer services
  - Windows Installer
  - Windows Update services

3. Run SFC and DISM

Press the Windows key + S, type cmd, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
In the command line, copy and paste the command below and hit Enter: sfc/ scannow
After the scan completes or even if it fails, type the commands below and press Enter after each: DISM /online /Cleanup-Image / ScanHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

This solution is important if you get an error occurred while loading the troubleshooter an unexpected error has occurred message, which could be down to broken or corrupt system files. The SFC and DISM scans are the built-in repair tools that should help restore normalcy.

Alternatively, you can scan and fix faulty system files using a dedicated repair tool. These specialized tools fix most PC errors related to system files and registries.

They don’t just point to the corrupt files. Instead, they also eliminates and replaces them with original versions. It might be all you need to keep your PC running smoothly.

4. Uninstall the latest update

Press the Windows key + I and choose the Update & Security option.
Click the View update history option.
Select Uninstall updates. This will open the Control Panel.
From here, double-click the latest update to uninstall it.

If you are facing an error occurred while loading the troubleshooter context restricted or any other variation of the error after installing an update. The quick way around it is to uninstall the update.

5. Reset your PC

Open the Settings app and click on Update & Security.
Select Recovery in the left and click the Get Started button under Reset this PC.
Choose whether to keep your files or wipe everything and click the Next button.
Now, follow the simple onscreen instruction to complete the process.

In the end, if an error occurred while loading the troubleshooter prompt persists, you might need to reset your PC.

In comparison to a clean reinstallation, this method won’t delete any data. Furthermore, the procedure is rather fast, so you won’t lose a lot of your time.

The built-in Windows troubleshooters help in solving a lot of problems. So, when these tools are not working, it creates a real headache. But with the fixes in this guide, you should be able to restore normalcy on your PC.

Do you want to know how to fix the Windows troubleshooter not working issue? Then, check our excellent guide to know how to fix it effortlessly.

If you have any more questions or suggestions, leave them in the comments below.

Fix: WhatsApp Desktop Is Not Opening in Windows 11

Posted on October 26, 2022September 29, 2025 by Claire Moraa

WhatsApp Desktop is a free app that lets you use it on your Windows PC or Mac. Unfortunately, there are some instances that this might not be possible because it is not opening in Windows 11.

The program provides Windows 11 users with a convenient and modern way to communicate with friends and family. Luckily, you have come to the right place as we will help you bypass this issue through our simple and easy to execute solutions.

Why is my WhatsApp Desktop not opening?

If you’re trying to open WhatsApp Desktop on your Windows 11 device, but it won’t open, there could be several reasons for it. Here are the most common reasons:

Outdated application – If your WhatsApp desktop app is not up-to-date then this might be the reason why it is not launching.
Third-party applications – If your device has a third-party antivirus program, then this might be the reason why you are facing this issue.
Poor internet connection – An unstable or poor Wi-Fi connection might prevent the application from launching in Windows 11.

How can I fix WhatsApp Desktop not opening on Windows 11?

While there are a couple of solutions that you can try to apply with the aim of fixing the WhatsApp Desktop not opening on Windows 11 issue, you can start off by quickly checking out the following:

Check and close any unnecessary applications running in the background.
Test your Internet speed and ensure your speeds are at an optimal level.
Confirm whether WhatsApp is down.
Log out of the application, then log back in again.
Try restarting your device.

Quick Tip:

Why not trying accessing directly via browser? Opera One is one of the fastest and trustworthy browsers out there, it comes with many adds and extenuation already integrated, such as VPN and AI.

It has the WhatsApp application exactly in the sidebar and you can mute or log out whenever you want. It also allows you to browse the web and chat simultaneously by pinning your conversation.

Opera One

Stay connected and browse and chat at the same time with this great browser option.

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1. Reset WhatsApp

Hit the Windows key + I to open Settings.
Select the Apps option, then select Apps & Features.
Select WhatsApp, then tap on the ellipses on the right side and select Advanced options.
Hit the Reset button.

2. Reinstall WhatsApp Desktop

Tap on the Search icon on your Taskbar.
Search for WhatsApp on your device, then click on the Uninstall option when the search results pop up.
Search for the application in the Microsoft Store and download it.

3. Update WhatsApp Desktop

Launch the Microsoft Store app.
Click on the Library icon.
Click on Get Updates to download updates for all the apps installed on your system.

This will take up a few minutes, depending on the number of applications you have installed on your device. WhatsApp Desktop will be updated as well, then check out the new screen share feature of WhatsApp, which allows you to share screen on Windows and other devices.

4. Force Close WhatsApp

Click on the Windows icon in the taskbar, then select Task Manager.
Head to the Processes tab, then right-click on WhatsApp and select End task.

The WhatsApp Desktop not opening Windows 11 issue might be a result of the app processes that run in the background encountering some issues. This in turn prevents the application from launching properly.

How do I get WhatsApp to open on startup in Windows 11?

WhatsApp being able to auto-launch every time you log into your Windows 11 device will allow you to keep tabs on your conversations. Here’s how you can set up this prompt:

Open the WhatsApp application on your computer.
Click on the ellipses icon at the top right of the screen and select Settings from the drop down menu.
Scroll down and tap on the Desktop Settings option.
Click on the checkbox next to the Start WhatsApp at Login option.

That said, if you have tried to apply the listed fixes above and you are still yet to resolve the issue, then the problem might be more complex. You can alternatively try restarting your device in Safe Mode.

By restarting your Windows 11 device in Safe Mode, all third-party applications are disabled by default. You can then try to launch the application to check whether the issue has been resolved.

You may also experience a similar error but with WhatsApp web not working so be sure to check our article on the same

And finally, we’d also like to recommend that you check out our expert guide on easy fixes if WhatsApp is showing browser not supported in case you bump into this issue.

Let us know whether you have been able to solve this issue in the comments section below.

Controller Not Working on PC: Fix Not Detected/ Not Recognized Issues Fast

Posted on October 26, 2022June 11, 2025 by Radu Tyrsina

Is your controller not working or not being detected by your PC? We’ll help you fix it. It’s a common problem, especially if you connect via USB. Faulty vJoy drivers are many times to blame.

Bluetooth issues can also lead to PC not detecting the control. It can also happen on specific launchers like Steam. If any of these sound familiar, follow the step-by-step instructions below.

How do I get my controller to work on my PC?

Whether your ontroller isn’t detected, not working ob Steanm or not working at all or on your PC, here’s how you fix it:

1. Uninstall Vjoy

1. Right-click the Start icon, then select Device Manager.
2. Click on the Human Interface Devices section.
3. Right-click on Vjoy.
4. Select Uninstall device. The USB Controller not recognized in Windows 10 issue will be solved.
5. Check whether the issue persists.

vJoy is a device driver that can be used to bridge the gap between any device that is not a joystick and an application that needs a joystick to function properly.

However, sometimes it can cause more issues, such as the PC not detecting the Xbox controller. Therefore, uninstalling vJoy should fix the issue.

2. Disable the HID-compliant game controller

Right-click the Start icon, then select the Device Manager option.
Expand the Human Interface Devices section, right-click the HID-compliant game controller driver and select Disable device.

Disabling the device can also help you fix other controller issues, like Controller acting as a mouse.

3. Update HID-compliant game controller

To fix the PC not detecting controller issue, right-click the Start icon then select Device Manager.
Expand the Human Interface Devices section, right-click the HID-compliant game controller driver and click Update driver.
Select Search automatically for drivers in the Update drivers window then reboot your PC once the process is completed.

If you want to automate this process and never worry about outdated drivers in the future, a good alternative is using a driver updater software.

4. Update the Bluetooth driver

Right-click the Start icon then select Device Manager.
Expand the Bluetooth section, right-click the Bluetooth driver, and select Update driver.
Select Search automatically for drivers then reboot your PC once the process is done.

Although the gamepad has nothing to do with the Bluetooth driver, some users reported this solution as effective. So make sure to try it as well to fix the PS4 controller not detected by PC error.

5. Access the game’s properties

Open Steam, then right-click the game you are having issues with.
Go to the Controller section and select Enable Steam Input. Go back to your game and see if the PC not detecting controller input error si gone.

6. Use Windows Troubleshooter

Go to Settings and select the System section.
Scroll down and select Troubleshoot.
Click on Other troubleshooters.
Scroll to Find and fix other problems.
Find Bluetooth or Devices (for USB controllers), depending on your controller type.
Click Run next to the relevant troubleshooter.

That’s about it for this article. Following the steps above, your controller should now work on your Windows PC. For more information, check out our guide on gamepad that is recognized but not working in games issue. So make sure to check it out!

To get the most out of your Dualsense Edge controller while playing FPS, you need to change the settings; learn all about them in this guide.

If you have further suggestions on the PC not detecting controller issue, please share them with us in the comments section below.

How can I boost the Steam download speed?

1. Clear the download cache

2. Change the bandwidth limit

3. Change the download region

4. Lower the Disk usage

5. Disable your VPN or proxy

Why is Steam downloading so slow?

What browser can I use to get the smoothest experience on Steam?

How to increase disk usage on Steam?

How can I fix the black screen on Windows 11 after sleep?

1. Turn off Hibernation

2. Try a dedicated troubleshooter

3. Disable fast startup

4. Update the graphics card driver

5. Uninstall problematic apps

6. Disable onboard graphics

7. Disable Sleep mode

Why is my computer stuck on a white screen?

How do I fix PC’s white screen on startup?

1. Check your drivers

Outbyte Driver Updater

2. Scan for malware

3. Run an SFC scan

4. Use System Restore

Why is my 3rd monitor not displaying?

What do I do if a third monitor is not detected?

1. Try to reconnect the monitors one by one

2. Change the display settings

3. Check for updates

4. Update your graphics card drivers

5. Enable Set up Multiple Displays for Nvidia graphic cards

6. Disable integrated Intel card

What do I do if a third monitor is not detected on Windows 11?

Can my laptop handle three monitors?

How do I enable Gpedit in Windows 11?

Table of contents

1. Enable Group Policy Editor with a batch file

2. Enable Group Policy Editor via the Command Prompt

How do I access the local Group Policy Editor?

Why is GPEdit Missing?

Summary

Dead by Daylight

Dolmen

Ghostrunner

Thymesia

How do I fix the DWM crash?

1. Check your computer for malware

2. Restart explorer.exe

3. Install older graphics card drivers

4. Update drivers

5. Run the SFC scan

6. Run DISM

What’s the meaning ofdwm crashing?

What happens if you end dwm.exe in Windows 10?

How do I fix error 10016?

1. Delete the Registry keys

2. Use third-party software to fix this error

3. Add a custom filter to Event Log

4. Enable sufficient permissions

Can Event ID 10016 cause a crash?

How can I fix the CLOCK_WATCHDOG_TIMEOUT error?

1. Update your drivers

2. Update your BIOS

3. Disable C1-6 in BIOS

4. Remove problematic applications

5. Reset BIOS

6. Remove the overclocking settings

7. Update your SSD firmware and disable LPM

8. Disable C1E and Intel Speedstep in BIOS

9. Manually set RAM and turn off Asus Turbo in BIOS

10. Unplug your DVD drive during Windows 10 installation

11. Clean your computer case and check for faulty hardware

12. Install the latest updates

13. Remove the problematic updates

These are the most common Clock_watchdog_timeout errors reported by users:

Why do I get Clock Watchdog Timeout?

How can I fix LoL FPS drops on PC?

Table of contents

1. Close unused apps

2. Optimize game settings