Antivirus Blocking Camera: 8 Ways to Fix

Is your antivirus blocking your computer camera? It’s probably an attempt to protect your privacy. However, some security software also block legitimate apps.

Today we’ll show you how to tweak strict security settings, update camera drivers, and other tricks that will stop your antivirus from blocking camera.

How can I fix the antivirus blocking camera issues?

1. Check Windows Privacy settings

  1. Open the Settings app.
  2. Click on Privacy & security.
  3. On the right pane, select Camera.
  4. Lastly, toggle on the switch to grant camera access.
    antivirus blocking camera

2. Update camera drivers

  1. Type device manager in the Start bar and open it.device manager start bar
  2. Locate the Cameras section and expand it (click on the little arrow > on the left).cameras in device manager
  3. Right-click on your camera and select Update driver.update camera driver
  4. Select Search automatically for camera drivers.search automatically for camera drivers
  5. If a new driver is available, follow thee on-screen prompts to complete the installation. If you already have the latest drivers, Windows will let you know.

Alternatively, if you need to manage your drivers or Windows can’t find new camera drivers, consider using an automated driver updater like Fortect’s.

This tool scans your PC for missing or outdated drivers and installs them automatically. It’s often faster than Device Manager, which can have delays between driver release and availability.

→ Get Fortect Driver Updater

3. ESET HOME Security Essential

  1. Launch ESET to open the main program window.
  2. Click Setup, and select Select Network protection.
    antivirus blocking camera
  3. Click the slider bar next to Firewall.
  4. Select Pause until reboot and click Apply. This will pause the ESET firewall till you restart your PC.

ESET is a PC protection company operating for about two decades. It helps to keep threats at bay and offers excellent protection against malicious websites.

ESET HOME Security Essential

Enjoy a wide variety of tools and features that protect you from malware with ESET HOME Security Essential.
Free Trial Visit Website

4. Bitdefender Internet Security

  1. Open the main Bitdefender user interface.
  2. Click on the Privacy icon on the left side of the main window.
    antivirus blocking camera
  3. Under the Video & Audio Protection option, click on Settings.
  4. Select the Settings menu.
    antivirus blocking camera
  5. Lastly, toggle off Webcam protection.

Bitdefender is pre-installed with a built-in feature designed to secure your camera app. And this feature can be configured so that you can decide which apps can use it and which cannot.

⇒ Get Bitdefender Internet Security

5. Kaspersky Internet Security

  1. Open the Kaspersky user interface.
  2. Go to Settings.
  3. Click on the Additional section, then select Threats and exclusions.
    antivirus blocking camera
  4. Now click on Specify trusted applications.
    antivirus blocking camera
  5. Finally, add your camera to this list.

Like Bitdefender, Kaspersky will automatically block certain apps and software from accessing your camera.

While this is a good thing as it can protect your identity, in some situations, you might have to add an exclusion for a specific tool or for the webcam app itself.

⇒ Get Kaspersky Internet Security

6. Avast Free Antivirus

  1. Open the Avast program.
  2. Click the menu at the top right.
  3. Click on Settings.
    antivirus blocking camera
  4. Select Exceptions, then the ADD EXCEPTIONS button.
  5. Finally, it would help to input the computer’s IP with the camera.

In most situations, this antivirus program will successfully secure your computer against malware attacks or similar other malicious and infected files.

Sometimes you have to manually introduce the IP address of your camera in the ignored addresses field to be sure that you can enjoy its functionality.

⇒ Get Avast Free Antivirus

7. Norton 360

  1. Open the AV interface and navigate to the Settings tab, then click SafeCam.
  1. In the SafeCam settings window, move the SafeCam feature switch to Off/On.
  1. Lastly, click Apply, and then click Close.

With Norton’s SafeCam feature enabled, untrusted sources cannot access and capture images or videos and send them outside of your PC to compromise your privacy.

⇒ Get Norton 360

8. Windows Defender

  1. Open Windows Defender.
  2. Select Virus & threat protection.
  3. Go to Virus & threat protection settings and click Add or remove exclusions.
  4. Finally, complete the required forms, add your camera path, and save your changes.

This will stop Windows Defender from blocking the camera.

Summary

The guidelines above should help you add exclusions for the webcam or camera app. Of course, similar steps can be applied to other antivirus programs too.

Don’t forget that the first thing to do when noticing that the camera/webcam isn’t running or cannot be accessed is to reinstall the associated drivers.

Sometimes your antivirus can be responsible for the Camera reserved by another app error, so ensure that it doesn’t interfere with your webcam in any way.

If specific errors are received, don’t hesitate and share all these details with us by accessing the comments section below.

Games Crashing After Installing New RAM: Fix it in 5 Steps

Users reported that games keep crashing after adding new RAM. This usually occurs when trying to run high-speed DDR RAM.

Installing the memory component on an unseated module or CPU overclocking can also be responsible for games crashing.

Solving this issue is not complicated, and this guide will show some of the best options to try. Take a closer look right away and forget all about Fortnite crashes/game crashes after installing new RAM.

Can new RAM cause games to crash?

It can and it does. The reasons your games keep crashing after the RAM upgrade is diverse and numerous. Below, we will explore the common causes:

  • Outdated BIOS – If your BIOS is not up-to-date, it can cause your games to crash the RAM. To get back the optimal performance, you need to go to the BIOS manufacturer’s website to install the latest version.
  • Wrong RAM installation slots – Sometimes, the PC keeps freezing after installing new RAM issue can be because you have inserted the RAMs in the wrong slots. This is common on PCs with 4 slots. You need to check the motherboard documentation to know the pair slots to use.
  • Bad RAM – At times, the issue might not be all that technical. It might just be bad RAM from the two causing game crashes. You can download Memtest86 to check for issues with the memory.
  • Outdated chipset driver – When your chipset drivers are outdated, it can also lead to this issue. Updating the drivers should help solve the problem here.

How can I fix games crashing after installing new RAM?

Before applying the fixes in this section, there are some basic checks that might save you stress and time. Below are some of the preliminary checks you should perform:

  • Check the motherboard documentation for the correct allocation of slots and swap the DIMMs around.
  • Verify that the RAM is not faulty.
  • Ensure they are properly seated.

1. Adjust your XMP profile

  1. Access BIOS.
  2. Look for an option named Extreme Memory Profile (X.M.P) or something related.
  3. Activate the XMP option and choose a profile. 
Note icon NOTE
The link from step 1 can help to adjust your XMP profile for any version of your operating system.

2. Improve your PC’s power plan

  1. Open Control Panel.
  2. Switch to View by Category, then select Hardware & Sound.
  3. Go to Power Options.
  4. Choose to Create a power plan, from the left side.
  5. Checkmark the High-performance option and add a name to your plan.
  6. Click on the Next button, adjust your settings, then select Create.

3. Downclock the RAM

  1. 1. Open BIOS.

  2. 2. Locate the Overclocking settings, then look for the Memory settings.

    go to overclocking settings
  3. 3. From there, look for the DRAM Timing Mode.

  4. 4. Go to Advanced DRAM Configuration.

    advanced dram configuration
  5. 5. This will take you to another screen where you’ll be able to manually input the values for the Memory Timings.

  6. 6. Go back to the previous menu and look for DRAM Voltage.

  7. 7. The Auto setting will be displayed, and you’ll need to change this to your specific value.

  8. 8. Finally, look for the DRAM Frequency, click on the drop-down list, then choose the correct speed for your RAM.

    dram frequency
  9. 9. Save your settings and restart your PC.

  10. Games crashing after installing a new RAM memory is an issue that’s likely to be solved by downclocking your RAM. This can be done via BIOS on any PC.

4. Update your BIOS

Your system’s BIOS is responsible for recognizing and initiating all of your system’s hardware. BIOS updates will enable your motherboard to correctly identify new hardware, such as RAM.

To simply update the BIOS, you can also visit your motherboard manufacturer’s website.

There, you’ll be able to find some useful instructions on how to verify your activated version and some tools you can use to keep your BIOS up to date in proper conditions.

5. Update your chipset drivers

  1. Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
    device manager
  2. Click the arrow next to System devices and right-click each of the drivers there.
  3. Select Update driver.
    update driver
  4. Choose Search automatically for drivers and install any available updates.
    search auto games crashing after installing new ram

Chipset drivers are responsible for controlling the communication between various components of your PC, such as the video card or the system memory.

Thus, it is important to make sure that they are up to date – especially if you are experiencing game crashes after adding new RAM but also if your games simply keep crashing on Windows for no apparent reason.

The support of a specialized tool is one of the most popular methods that will help to update your drivers. This kind of software will automatically scan and download all the right drivers for your system.

Plus, with specialized software, you won’t have to worry about drivers going out of date anymore since you can set up automatic scans that will notify you if that happens

⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

So there it is! A full guide that will surely help you prevent games from crashing after adding RAM.

If you still notice any game-related trouble, don’t hesitate to check a complete article about how to fix your PC if it keeps crashing while gaming.

Feel free to share your thoughts, so comment in the section below and let us know the method that worked in your case too.

How to Fix Error 0x80072f8f 0x20000 in Windows 7

Error 0x80072f8f 0x20000 in Windows 7 is a common error that occurs when you try to upgrade your OS. This error can appear in any version of Windows 7 and other Microsoft operating systems.

Although the error also occurs in other later operating systems, Windows 7 is more at risk because Microsoft stopped issuing security updates. This means the operating system is at risk and as such, you will need software to fix most of the errors.

Why I’m I getting the error 0x80072f8f 0x20000 in Windows 7

If you are seeing this error message, then it means that the installation of a program has failed. This could be due to one of the following reasons:

  • Compatibility issues – The program is not compatible with your Windows version.
  • Permission settings – Note that the permissions settings on the file/folder or registry entry might be incorrect.
  • The antivirus or firewall is blocking the installation process – In this case, you may have to disable the antivirus temporarily.
  • The file/folder or registry key is missing or damaged – If that’s the cause in your case, you may need a registry cleaner to get rid of such issues.
  • Modified files – Keep in mind that this has nothing to do with you, but the program might have modified its own files by mistake during installation.

How can I fix error 0x80072F8F in Windows 7?

Before jumping into the more technical solutions, check the following things first:

  • Ensure that the date and time of your computer are set correctly. You may have to sync your time with the Microsoft server.
  • Run the Media Creation Tool with administrative privileges.
  • Disconnect your internet connection while updating.
  • Ensure your drivers are up-to-date.

1. Uninstall conflicting apps

  1. Click on the Start icon or press the Windows key to launch the Start menu, and then select Control Panel from the options on the right.
  2. Locate Programs and click on Uninstall a program. 
  3. Now, select the program you want to remove, and then click Uninstall at the top.

Usually, if this problem started after installing an app, it would be best to uninstall it. The main issue is usually a conflict in software or downloading from unverified sources. To prevent such instances in the future, we recommend you equip your system with an antivirus program.

Antivirus programs can easily detect any corrupt files and stop them before they have the potential to cause any further damage.

TotalAV is one of the best antivirus programs because it can run smart scans and effectively protect your device against all types of threats so your PC can never be at risk.

⇒ Get TotalAV

2. Scan for viruses

  1. Click on the Start icon, search for Microsoft Security Essentials, and click on the relevant search result.
  2. Now, select Full scan from Scan options.
  3. Finally, click on Scan now and wait for the scan to complete.

Given that Windows 7 doesn’t get critical security updates from Microsoft anymore, it is more susceptible to malware attacks. This necessitates a virus removal program for your device to work extra at detecting threats.

3. Start the critical services

  1. Press Windows + R to launch the Run command dialog box, type services.msc in the text field, and either click OK or Enter to launch the Services app.
  2. Locate and double-click on the Background Intelligence Transfer Service (BITS) to launch its Properties.
  3. Now, click on the Startup type dropdown menu, and select Automatic from the list of options.
  4. Next, click on the Start button under Service status, if it’s not running, and then click on OK to save the changes.
  5. Make similar changes to Application Identity, Cryptographic, and Windows Update service.

Critical services are important to the operation of your PC. If you stop or disable these critical services, it can cause your Windows to stop working properly. Nevertheless, there are some critical services you can disable that won’t affect your PC’s performance.

4. Perform a clean boot

  1. Hit the Start icon, type msconfig and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to the Services tab, check the box for Hide all Microsoft services then click Disable all.
  3. Go back and click on the Startup tab, select Disable all then click OK.

The clean boot allows you to restart your PC with only the essential services so that if a third-party program is causing the error, you will be able to single it out.

5. Force the update

  1. Hit the Start icon, type cmd, and select Run as administrator.
  2. Type this command and press Enter: wuauclt.exe /updatenow

The wuauclt.exe command is a tool used to check for Windows Update and install any pending updates that are available. You can also use it to repair Windows Update components.

You may also run into an error where the Media creation tool does not have enough space so be sure to check out our article on how to fix it.

Should you face any other issues such as Windows 7 won’t upgrade to Windows 10, we also address various fixes in our detailed guide.

That’s all for this article and hopefully, you have found a fix for this error. Let us know which solution worked for you in the comments section below.

10 Best WBS Software for PC [2023 Guide]

WBS aka work breakdown structure is a detailed tree structure of various tasks and deliverables that need to be performed in order to complete a project.

WBS is the foundation of project planning alongside Gantt charts. These two tools are probably the most common project management instruments.

How can WBS and Gantt chart software help me?

Nowadays, you have every tool possible for project planning and management, from timekeeping and clock-punching to communication platforms Gantt charts, and expense tracking.

All lead to a better understanding and handling of any project in order to manage your budget and resources to finish the job within your scheduled deadline.

Here are five of the best tools for creating WBS and Gantt charts together with their sets of features.

What are the best tools to create WBS and Gantt charts?

Monday.com – Best overall

To ensure reaching the goals and targets, Monday.com provides smart Gantt charts to enable visual tracking in real-time of all important data. Team communication and coordination will be improved and everyone will be kept focused and informed about what matters.

Future goals and targets are better planned on a roadmap like a Gantt chart. Simple to follow, it’s critical to secure the success of your company. Monday.com provides all the tools needed to make planning ahead look like a piece of cake.

Gantt charts are a new way of viewing the road ahead, simple to understand by anyone. With this feature, you can skip some of those long and boring PowerPoint presentations. By having all your data in one single place, you’ll have a better overview of your business.

All this is made possible by Monday.com, along with plenty of features that we want you to discover by yourself, only to help your company increase its value. Also, it has a mobile app to let you do all this from anywhere.

Here are some other good features:

  • Dashboards for an easy way to run reports from a high-level overview to the very last detail
  • Integrations with apps like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Outlook, Dropbox, etc.
  • Automations that save time on repetitive tasks
  • Gantt charts are prepared to help you plan, execute and track all types of projects by using a visual and flexible platform.
  • Handle any workflow and smooth it out with an easy setup
  • Collaboration available in real-time, documents that contain real-time updated data, and connections between data and documents across platforms
  • One collaborative space to manage and share all files

Monday.com

Your companion when it comes to efficient planning and smart Gantt charts.

Zoho Projects – Seamless project management

If you want to use WBS and Gantt charts to their maximum potential, Zoho Projects is one of the top project management tools on the market.

Don’t worry, you don’t need to download anything because this is a cloud-based app that can be accessed from anywhere with any browser-able device.

Although project management is a complicated job, with the intuitive UI from Zoho Projects, everything falls into place a lot easier.

Thanks to its drag-and-drop function, rescheduling tasks and setting up dependencies only takes a few clicks in the Gantt charts.

Talking about the Gantt charts, they are easy to edit, color code everything, delete, adjust time lags between tasks, and a lot more.

That’s why the built-in Gantt chart maker makes it simple for you to track all the processes and any possible problem just pops out.

With Zoho Projects, you can monitor many projects simultaneously and save the templates you create to use them on future projects.

The solution has time-tracking and project management features but you may also integrate it with other products from Zoho but also Microsoft and Google apps that you may already use.

Let’s review some of its best features:

  • Cloud-based dashboard available from anywhere in the world on any device
  • Built-in Gantt chart maker
  • End-to-end project and task automation
  • Color coding for tasks, teams, projects, and more
  • Notifications and collaboration features
  • Time tracking for everything there is to track, from work to time spent on projects and billable hours, all centralized in one place.

Zoho Projects

Get your projects done in time with a built-in Gantt chart maker and lots of other WBS features!
Check Price Visit Website

ClickUp – Most business-wise capabilities

ClickUp is an all-project management solution. It contains features that allow you to manage practically every area of a business. It does not have, for example, native accounting management but you can integrate accounting software.

Gantt charts are an essential tool within ClickUp making goals easier to view and reach. Also by using this feature, you will have a better view of how tasks are finalized, track the progress of projects and keep everyone on the right track.

With a friendly interface, affordable, and lots of templates to choose from, ClickUp is a great solution for business monitoring and goal tracking. Rather than getting entangled in a few large projects, ClickUp’s hierarchical structure, or WBS, allows you to access your complete workflow in one spot. 

ClickUp also provides excellent customer support to assist you in determining how to work on your tasks more efficiently and successfully.

To get things done, check out its features to discover if it suits your needs:

  • 1000+ app integrations for time tracking, cloud storage, calendar, and more
  • Organize your action items into projects, spaces, lists, and tasks
  • Gantt charts, Calendars, and other tools can be added with documents, discussions, reminders, spreadsheets, and embeds
  • Automatically accomplish tasks, conditions, and processes
  • Build for any type of company in any domain, no matter the size

ClickUp

Gantt charts are one of the many ways to improve productivity and efficiency when using ClickUp.

Smartsheets – Best for creating spreadsheet roadmaps

Smartsheets is a cloud-based software that provides award-winning work management features to your business. This will make roadmap planning, task completion, and project management seem like a walk in the park.

Smartsheets provide Gantt charts, one of the best ways to visualize progress inside the company, whether it’s a project, tasks or just an overview for reaching goals.

And since detailed reports are a powerful way to communicate insights, now you can get reports from multiple sheets at the same time.

Understand better how your assets are performing, distribute them, and do smart research across a variety of other assets metadata and taxonomy.

All the company’s data will be updated in real-time on every doc and sheet, for everyone to see. Informed employees will perform better under stress or deadlines, and by building amazing Gantt charts to view the progress better they will know what needs to be done next.

Smartsheets also has some other key features such as:

  • Smart reminders, fast task assignments, specialized platforms for communication, and much more
  • Simple and powerful workflow automation in a matter of minutes
  • Plan, manage and review content
  • Control center for all automation, goals, progress tracking, and much more
  • Integration support

Smartsheet

Modern work management with smart Gantt charts for having the best overview of the business.
Free Trial Visit Website

GanttPro – Best for Gantt charts

GanntPro is an online program that will allow you to draw Gantt charts for different types of projects. This tool is created for real performances and its users got 45% time-saving while planning the project and 70% fewer missed deadlines. Impressive, huh?

This is not its only strong point – you will also be able to manage the team more efficiently so they could have more productive results and it is managed to cut off project management expenses where this can be done.

If you want to see if somebody is underperforming or has too many tasks, you can monitor that from your management dashboard.

Gantt Pro has many other useful features to discover but you need to try it for yourself. Check it out after getting a free version from its website.

All you have to do is to try it and learn the basics as GanttPro is user-friendly and you can do a lot of stuff while knowing the most simple manipulations.

Here are some key features:

  • Drag-and-drop simplicity
  • Delegate different projects and tasks
  • Prioritize tasks functions
  • Set durations and dependencies
  • Create separate and distinct workplaces for teams
  • Easy resource and cost management

GanttPro

Plan your project to fruition with seamless Gantt charts and task prioritization features.
Check price Visit website

Edraw Project – Great for project tracking and management

Edraw Project is an ideal project management tool recommended if you want to quickly create your very own customized Gantt charts with simply mouse clicking or data file generation. 

You can master the present progress with Edraw Project by using the timeline and multi-angle reports, allowing you to provide appropriate answers to various difficulties more rapidly.

After you start a task, you may follow its progress with a progress bar that displays the task’s completion percentage on the taskbar. Normally, you may manually record the completion percentage by using the mouse. If the Auto Progress option is enabled, the progress meter will be automatically updated each day.

The software can help you deliver high-quality work on time by scheduling all of your projects in one place, assigning resources to tasks, tracking the progress to optimize the team’s time usage, and managing the budget.

Furthermore, you can make the most of your team’s time by enjoying an incredibly easy interface and various managing and tracking functionalities. 

Here are some other key features of this software:

  • Convenient drag-and-drop functionality
  • It generates reports to capture specific project information in summary views
  • Easily set, change, or measure progress for all tasks and subtasks on your projects
  • It links tasks to create dependencies so that all tasks can update at the same time
  • It provides quick export to MS Office files and other files
  • Successfully tracks costs involving a system of standard or overtime rates

⇒ Get Edraw Project

Edraw Max Breakdown Structure Software – Most types of uses

Edraw Max provides a really innovative approach to creating, editing and modifying WBS diagrams graphically. It comes with lots of cutting-edge tools for advanced drawings.

Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) are quite useful when it comes to understanding the budget and resources required for your project, and when you are unsure where your project stands, you may refer to the WBS to obtain a clear picture.

WBS may serve as a roadmap for your industry’s technical side, allowing teams to see the development phases and get a sense of how the project is progressing.

Edraw Max is ideal not only for professional-looking flowcharts, mind maps, and organizational charts but also for network diagrams, floor plans, fashion designs, electrical diagrams, ULM diagrams, and more.

Check out the most important functionalities that are included in this tool:

  • Create WBS effortlessly
  • High-level and detailed display of all your projects
  • Present an unlimited number of fields
  • Automatically increase the size of the WBS chart
  • Save the WBS chart to various formats, and they can be any size and contain any number of tasks

 ⇒ Get Edraw Max

WBS Schedule Pro – Best for block schemes

This is a Project Management software with WBS charts for planning, and network charts for scheduling. You will be able to find all the necessary tools to manage and plan your projects.

Use a Network Chart to plan and manage projects by linking activities to establish dependencies and define the Critical Path. The click-and-drag method makes it simple to arrange the activities in your project.

WBS Schedule Pro is fully integrated with Microsoft Project. WBS Schedule Pro may be used as a front-end planning tool for Microsoft Project or to generate charts from existing Microsoft Project plans.

Discover how simple it is to plan your most complicated projects utilizing a Top-Down strategy. Only then will you be able to identify the activities that are critical to completing your project on time.

Take a look at the most important functionalities that come packed in this tool:

  • Use the UBS chart to brainstorm projects by breaking them down into manageable pieces
  • Top Down approach to create projects
  • Define the dependencies in your project easily
  • Click and drag to create links
  • The Gantt Charts are really easy to use, and they’re loaded with features

⇒ Get Web Schedule Pro

MindView WBS Software – Best for work breakdown

This is a full-features WBS Software with robust Project Management functionalities included.

MindView produces mind maps that can be used in presentations, reports, websites, and other applications. It is ideal for usage by individuals, small teams, and big organizations.

Mind Maps can be tiny and basic, like the one above depicting a work breakdown structure, or huge and complicated. MindView is an excellent and adaptable concept development tool, with a wide range of export choices to Microsoft Office programs such as Microsoft Project, HTML, and other formats.

To develop a Work Breakdown Structure, begin with the end product in its whole and work your way down to increasing degrees of detail.

MindView is perfect for this since it allows you to rapidly enter items and then organize them into a structure that is appropriate for your project. When you change your mind, it is simple to reorganize your valuables.

Check out the best features that come with this tool:

  • Efficient brainstorming, developing, and structuring ideas visually
  • Add calculation fields to track cost or budget
  • Quickly create a task list
  • You can find out how the necessary work is distributed between the elements of your project
  • Available guides on how to create a WBS using this tool
  • Learn how this software will help your organization and the execution of a project

⇒ Get MindView WBS Software

WBS Tool – Most WBS features

WBS Tool is a free web program that allows you to build WBS, WBS charts, organograms, and more types of hierarchies.

Take a look at the most important features that you will be able to find in this tool:

  • The WBS Tool will work with any web browser if you have the Adobe Flash plug-in installed.
  • Using this tool, you can build WBS charts effortlessly.
  • You can use the links displayed on the official website, and you can also register to have your own account.

⇒ Get the WBS Tool

These are the best tools for creating WBS and Gannt functionalities that you can currently find on the market.

Head over to their websites and check out their complete sets of features before you decide which one is the best choice for your needs.

While we’re talking about project management, you might be interested in our selection of the best time-tracking tools.

Which product did you choose? Let us know about your experience in the comments section below.

Windows 10 KB5018482: Here’s what you might have missed

Remember that not only Windows 11 receives constant updates from Microsoft since there are also other operating systems to take care of.

That being said, if you are on one of the obsolete versions, such as Windows 7 or Windows 8.1, just know that these versions will reach end of service and no longer receive anything starting with January 2023.

Big companies such as Google have also retired Chrome browser support for these old OS versions, so it makes more and more sense to upgrade.

And, if you don’t want Windows 11 just yet, the obvious choice is good old Windows 10. And, speaking of this version, it just received a brand new cumulative update.

What should I know about KB5018482 for Windows 10?

The Redmond tech giant, aka Microsoft, has just released the optional KB5018482 Preview cumulative update for Windows 10 20H2, Windows 10 21H1, and Windows 10 21H2.

This above-mentioned update includes nineteen bug fixes and enhancements, including a fix for graphics issues in Direct3D 9 games and a bug that caused OS upgrades to fail.

Note that KB5018482 is part of Microsoft’s October 2022 monthly C update, allowing admins to test fixes coming in the November 2022 Patch Tuesday.

Unlike the Patch Tuesday cumulative updates, the C preview-type patches are optional and do not include any security updates whatsoever.

Remember that Windows 10 users can also manually download and install the KB5018482 preview update from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Let’s take a look at the changelog and see for ourselves what we should expect after downloading and installing it.

  • Addresses an issue that affects Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) authentication hardening. It automatically raises the authentication level for all non-anonymous activation requests from DCOM clients to RPC_C_AUTHN_LEVEL_PKT_INTEGRITY. This occurs if the authentication level is below Packet Integrity.
  • Addresses a DCOM issue that affects the Remote Procedure Call Service (rpcss.exe). It raises the authentication level to RPC_C_AUTHN_LEVEL_PKT_INTEGRITY instead of RPC_C_AUTHN_LEVEL_CONNECT if RPC_C_AUTHN_LEVEL_NONE is specified.
  • Addresses an issue that causes an OS upgrade to stop responding, and then it fails.
  • Addresses an issue that affects the Microsoft Azure Active Directory (AAD) Application Proxy connector. It cannot retrieve a Kerberos ticket on behalf of the user. The error message is, “The handle specified is invalid (0x80090301).”
  • Addresses an issue that affects the font of three Chinese characters. When you format these characters as bold, the width size is wrong.
  • Addresses an issue that affects Microsoft Direct3D 9 games. The graphics hardware stops working if the hardware does not have a native Direct3D 9 driver.
  • Addresses graphical issues in games that use Microsoft D3D9 on some platforms.
  • Addresses an issue that affects Microsoft Edge when it is in IE Mode. The titles of pop-up windows and tabs are wrong.
  • Addresses an issue that affects Microsoft Edge IE mode. It stops you from opening webpages. This occurs when you enable Windows Defender Application Guard (WDAG) and you do not configure Network Isolation policies.
  • Addresses an issue that might cause an application to stop responding. This might occur when the input queue overflows.
  • Addresses an issue that affects input method editors (IME) from Microsoft and third parties. They stop working when you close the IME window. This occurs if the IME uses Windows Text Services Framework (TSF) 1.0.
  • Addresses an issue that affects the lasso tool in a graphics editing program.
  • Addresses an issue that affects Miracast advertisements. This issue occurs on Surface Hub devices under certain conditions.
  • Addresses an issue that affects some drivers. They use more power when you play hardware-protected digital rights management (DRM) content.
  • Addresses an issue that affects .msi files. Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) will ignore them when you disable script enforcement.
  • Addresses an issue that affects a remote desktop virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) scenario. The session might use the wrong time zone.
  • Updates the Windows kernel vulnerable driver blocklist that is in the DriverSiPolicy.p7b file. This update also ensures that the blocklist is the same across Windows 10 and Windows 11. For more information, see KB5020779.
  • Makes Microsoft compliant with US Government (USG) version 6 revision 1 (USGv6-r1).
  • Stops the start of daylight saving time in Jordan at the end of October 2022. The Jordan time zone will permanently shift to the UTC + 3 time zone.

KB5018482 also properly synchronizes the Microsoft Vulnerable Driver Blocklist, which prevents drivers that have known vulnerabilities from being installed in Windows.

Before this cumulative update, Microsoft had not synchronized the blocklist to Windows 10 since 2019, effectively breaking this security feature.

And, after installing this update, Windows 10 20H2 will be updated to build 19042.2193, Windows 10 21H1 will be updated to build 19043.2193, and Windows 10 21H2 will be updated to build 19044.2193.

Lastly, don’t miss our urgent update alert: KB5034122 for Windows 10 and learn why it’s a must-install for users.

Have you discovered any other issues after installing KB5018482 on your Windows 10 PC? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.

Error Status 0xc000012f (Bad Image): Causes & 6 Steps to Fix

The error status 0xc000012f may appear on some Windows 10 computers with the message Bad Image. The error message reappears multiple times even after you click on OK and its usually due to corrupted or missing Visual C++ Redistributable files.

You can also find it under these names: error 0xc000012f file not found or 0xc000012f download. The error message coming with the error code may vary, but you’re dealing with the same issue.

How do I fix error status 0xc000012f on Windows 10?

1. Install the Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio

  1. Download the latest version from Microsoft’s website.
  2. Select the appropriate version of the program.
    • 32-bit if you’re a 32-bit Windows user, or 64-bit if you’re a 64-bit user.
  3. After downloading, Open the installation file.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions (keep pushing Next). use MultiPack Visual C++
  5. Once the installation is complete, check to see if the error status 0xc000012f persists.

Installing the latest version of Microsoft’s Visual Studio Redistributable resolved the error code 0xc000012f for most of our readers.

If you need a more hands-on approach, here’s how to easily download Microsoft Visual C++ on 64 bits platforms.

2. Run the sfc/scannow scan

  1. 1. Press the Windows key to open Start, and in the search bar, type Command Prompt.

  2. 2. In the search results, right-click on Command Prompt, and select Run as administrator.

  3. 3. Click Allow when prompted by an UAC message.

  4. 4. In Command Prompt, type in the following command and hit Enter:sfc/scannow

    sfc scan command
  5. 5. Wait for the verification to reach 100%. Once the process is complete, restart the computer.

  6. The simplest solution you could try to resolve error code 0xc000012f is to run the sfc/scannow command to conduct an automatic system repair.

    The SFC tool will help to repair and replace corrupted system files, if any, and remove 0xc000012f instances from your PC.

If this didn’t resolve the issue, move on to the next solution. If you’re having trouble accessing Command Prompt as an admin, then you better take a closer look at our guide.

3. Use a third-party system repair tool

One other easy way to repair your system files and get rid of these pesky error messages is by downloading a specialized repair tool that will keep your system in healthy and working condition.

This software scans your computer for broken files and restores or completely replaces them. You won’t ever need to worry about errors or BSoD crashes anymore after installing it on your computer.

4. Uninstall updates

  1. Press the Windows key to open Start and in the search bar type Update.
  2. Select & open Update & Security.
  3. In the Update & security window, select Windows Update.

  4. Click on Advanced Options, then Update history.
    • You will get a list of all the updates that were installed successfully and those that failed to install successfully.
    • Usually, these are the roots of the error.
  5. Click on Uninstall an update.
  6. You will be taken to the Uninstall an update window.
  7. Right-click on the first installed update on the list and click Uninstall.
  8. Confirm your decision & follow the on-screen instructions.

  9. Restart the computer and see if this fixed your issue.
    • If not, repeat the steps for every installed update on the list, until the issue is resolved.

You should try reverting all recent updates, to see if the issue arose from one of them.

5. Check for new updates

  1. Click the Windows key and in the search bar type Update settings.
  2. Select it from the search settings.
  3. In the Windows Update dialogue, click on Check for updates.
  4. This will send an update request to the Microsoft servers, and if any new updates are available, you will be notified.

Microsoft frequently releases small and big updates for Windows 10 and with patches that fix issues such as the error status 0xc000012f.

Once the new updates are installed, error code 0xc000012f will most likely be resolved. If this didn’t work for you, move on to the next solution.

6. Perform a clean boot

  1. Click on Start, and in the search bar, type msconfig.
  2. From the search results, select System Configuration.
  3. Open the Services tab.
  4. Check the Hide all Microsoft services check box.
  5. Next, click the Disable all button.
  6. Next, open the Startup tab, then Task Manager.
    • Alternatively press Ctrl + Shift + Esc keys.
  7. Open the Startup tab in Task Manager.
  8. Right-click on all start-up items and click on Disable to disable them.

  9. Close Task Manager.
  10. Click the OK button on the Startup tab of the System Configuration window to save the changes.

Performing a clean boot can be useful in identifying the cause behind error status 0xc000012f. Usually, the problem stems from some third-party application or startup processes.

Disabling all start-up processes and then re-enabling them one at a time can help pinpoint the source of the error.

If you want to know how to add or remove startup apps on Windows 10, we got your back.

Conclusion

To summarize our guide, you should know that this error usually appears when the image file that is being used is not of the right format and this is especially common in programs that rely on Microsoft Visual C++.

File corruption is another major culprit together with DLL incompatibility or missing executables altogether. You can obviously try to re-register all your DLL files.

However, if running long strings of commands via the elevated Command Prompt is not really your area of expertise, you can simply use a DLL repair tool to handle this task for you.

As you can imagine, the error status 0xc00012f impacts all kinds of programs, starting with Office tools, Outlook, OneDrive, Teams (msteams.exe with bad image), and so on, all the way to games and gaming apps on Windows 10 as well as 11.

Some are prone to be more impacted than others, but regular names on the list include Halo Infinite, Fornite, Valorant, and other Steam games or Origin games plagued by the bad image error xc000012f.

A few of the error variations you may come across are:

  • Error status 0xc00007b Windows 10
  • Error status 0xc0000020
  • Status 0xc00000f Windows 7
  • Error status 0xc00035a Windows 10

We hope these solutions solve your problem. However, if none of these solutions worked for you, try contacting Microsoft Support.

Do not hesitate to leave any other suggestions or questions in the comments section below and we’ll surely take a look.

Error code 0x800706be: Diagnose & Fix in 5 Simple Steps

Most Windows users realize the importance of regular updates and why it’s imperative that you download the latest ones at the earliest. However, several users reported getting the 0x800706be Windows Update error.

The error prevents the installation of updates, and can lead to other instabilities as well. One user reported receiving the error followed by an increased boot time. So, let’s find out all about the 0x800706BE error and the solutions that worked for users.

What does error 0x800706be mean?

It’s usually a Windows Update error that points to corrupt system files or other issues with the system.

The error can appear on several apps as well, for instance, Excel, or even the installed drivers and devices, and the fixes in all these cases are different depending on the underlying cause.

Where else can I find error code 0x800706be?

  • Media capture failed event 0x800706be – Also known as the 0x800706BE Camera error code. A related stop code is 0xa00f4271, and it can be fixed by using the dedicated Windows Troubleshooter. You may also come across the 0x800706be Microphone error.
  • Minecraft error 0x800706be – But it’s safe to state that error 0x800706BE can plague more Xbox games as well as the app itself.
  • 0x800706be in Remote Desktop – You might experience the RDP authentication error 0x800706be and similar ones if the Remote Desktop app is poorly configured.
  • Install error 0x800706be on Windows 11, 10, 7 – As you can see, all of the Microsoft-based OSs from Windows 7 to the fresh Windows 11 and everything in between – including specific Windows 10 versions such as 1803 or 1809 – can be impacted by this Windows Update error.
  • Excel 0x800706BE error – Many users also reported the error with Excel, and updating or reinstalling the app should fix things.
  • An authentication error has occurred code 0x800706be – Scan the registry as we have shown in our first solution below to fix this.

How do I fix error code 0x800706BE?

Before trying the slightly complex solutions, here are a few quick tricks and workarounds to fix things:

  • Restart the computer and then try installing the update.
  • Terminate all non-critical programs and processes. In some cases, a background process or app was conflicting with the update process, and terminating it did the trick.

If these didn’t work, try the following methods to get things up and running.

1. Scan the Registry

  1. Click Download on CCleaner’s official website to get the setup wizard.
  2. Open the CCleaner setup wizard and follow the on-screen instructions to install it.
  3. Launch CCleaner and navigate to Registry from the navigation pane on the left.registry
  4. Check all the entries for the most rigorous scan, and then click on Scan for Issues.scan for issues to fix 0x800706be
  5. After the scan is run, click on Review selected Issues.review selected issues
  6. When asked to back up the Registry, we recommend clicking on Yes.yes
  7. Choose a location to store the backup and then click on Save.back up registry
  8. Once done, click on the Fix All Selected Issues button.fix all selected issues to fix 0x800706be

The 0x800706be error might be due to corrupted registry entries. As such, scanning the registry with registry cleaner (or repair) utilities could fix the issue.

Windows don’t include a built-in registry cleaner, but there are plenty of third-party system optimizers that incorporate registry repair tools.

CCleaner is one registry cleaner with a massive user base. You can seamlessly scan the registry with the freeware CCleaner and fix most issues with it.

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2. Clear the Software Distribution folder

  1. Type Windows + E to open the File Explorer, paste the following path in the address bar, and hit Enter:C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Downloadsoftware distribution folder
  2. Now, press Ctrl + A to select all the files here and hit Del.delete files to fix 0x800706be
  3. Choose the appropriate response in case a confirmation prompt pops up.

Once done, restart the computer and try installing the update that earlier gave the 0x800706be error.

3. Run the built-in troubleshooter

    The built-in troubleshooter may sometimes be the solution to the problems.

    1. Press Windows + I to open Settings, and click on Update & Security.
    update & security
  1. 2. Choose Troubleshoot from the left, and click on Additional troubleshooters.

    troubleshoot to fix 0x800706be
  2. 3. Click on the Windows Update entry here, and then on the Run the troubleshooter button.

    windows update troubleshooter to fix 0x800706be
  3. 4. Now, choose the appropriate response or follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

4. Reset Windows Update Components

Another effective way to fix the 0x800706be Windows Update error is to reset Windows Update Components.

The process is usually quick and can fix a wide range of errors encountered while updating the OS. In case this too doesn’t work, it’s likely that the problem lies with the available version, but you can always download it manually.

5. Manually install the update

  1. Go to the Microsoft Update Catalog, enter the KB (Knowledge Base) number for the problematic update in the search box, and hit Enter.download update to fix 0x800706be
  2. Now, click on the Download button next to the update that best matches your system.download update
  3. Click on the link that appears in the new window.update
  4. Once downloaded, double-click on the file to launch the Windows Update Standalone Installer.Update windows
  5. Now, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

That’s it! It should take a while, but after you have manually installed the problematic update, the ones that follow should install seamlessly without throwing any errors.

Also, find out the best Windows Update repair tools to automatically fix such problems.

If you know any other methods to fix the 0x800706be error, let us know in the comments section below.

Error Code 16 on Sims 3: Fastest 5 Ways to Fix It

The Sims 3 is a simulation game. You design the characters, create their personalities and interact with them in a virtual environment. As you create all these instances, you need to keep saving the game and that’s where the error code 16 may appear.

The error code 16 in Sims 3 is a save error that users seem to be experiencing after updating to the 22H2 build. It can be frustrating to have made progress to an advanced stage then unable to save to pick up when you want to play the next time. 

Why I’m I getting the error code 16 in Sims 3?

Error code 16 is a common problem in the Sims 3 game where you are unable to save your game. There are many reasons why this happens. Below, we discuss some of the possible causes of this problem:

  • Limited internet connection – For your game to be able to save, you need either an active internet connection or an active cloud save. If you have neither of these things, then you won’t be able to save your game.
  • Outdated drivers – Make sure that all of your drivers are up-to-date and that everything is working correctly on your system.
  • Low memory – You need to make sure that there is enough free space on your hard drive so that the game can continue to run smoothly without errors.
  • Corrupt game files – A hardware failure can cause your Sims 3 game files to become corrupted and hence unable to save.

Now that we know the causes of this issue, let’s fix it with the solutions below.

How can I fix the error code 16 on Sims 3?

Before going ahead with the methods mentioned below,  check the following things first:

  • Make sure that your device meets the minimum system requirements for running The Sims 3 game.
  • If you have an older version of the game, try updating it first. 
  • Close any background apps that may be using the RAM.
  • Turn off your computer and router/modem for 10 seconds and then turn them back on again.

1. Pause Windows updates

  1. Hit the Windows key and select Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Navigate to Windows Update.
  3. Click on Pause updates and select pause for 1 week.

2. Uninstall OneDrive

  1. Hit the Windows key and select Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Select Apps then click on Apps & features.
  3. Locate Microsoft OneDrive, click on the three ellipses and select Uninstall.

For some peculiar reason, when you try to save Sims 3, it won’t save but once you uninstall OneDrive, you can successfully save it. A handful of users seemed to fix the issue after uninstalling or disabling it.

3. Clear storage space

One of the most common causes of this error is a lack of RAM or not having enough memory on your machine to run the game smoothly. There are many ways of clearing storage space; from deleting unnecessary files and programs to running a Disk Cleanup. 

This will free up some space for your operating system and should help resolve the issue with Error Code 16 in Sims 3.

4. Reduce graphics settings

Sims 3 allows you to customize your neighborhood, characters’ appearances, and many other traits. As such, these tend to bulk up the game file whenever you save it.

You can opt for more basic features or no enhanced features at all. It may be a basic game but it’s better than having to start from scratch. Better yet, check out some of the best game settings for Windows 11 for optimized performance.

5. Update your drivers

  1. Hit the Windows key and select Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Click on Windows Update on the left pane then select Additional options on the right pane.
  3. Now click on Optional updates.optional-updates windows 11 blue screen
  4. Select Driver updates then check the updates you wish to install.driver-updates-showcase kernel security check failure windows 11

If you worry about choosing the wrong updates for your drivers, then you should try a specialized program, like Outbyte Driver Updater, to help you.

It is a great software that scans your PC for outdated drivers and then immediately locates the latest updates from its complete database.

Outbyte Driver Updater

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And that’s how to fix the error code 16 in Sims 3. Should you encounter any other related issues such as error code 12, feel free to check out our comprehensive article on the same.

You may also encounter a Sims 3 error on startup but we have also addressed the fixes in our expert article.

Some users have also complained that Sims 3 keeps crashing but worry not as you can easily solve the issue by visiting our detailed guide.

Let us know of any solution not mentioned here but worked for you in the comment section below.

Headphones not Working in Windows 10: Diagnose & Fix

Have you ever connected your headphones ready to tune to your favorite jam, or privately watch a movie, just to see that nothing happens? Sometimes, headphones are not detected in Windows 10, so they simply won’t work.

It’s easy to get frustrated if Windows 10 won’t recognize the headphones. However, there are various solutions to resolving the issue and getting you back on track.

But first, let’s make sure you’re up to date with what you’re up against.

Here are some frequent issues that our readers reported in connection with headphones not being detected in Windows 10 and more.

Why don’t my headphones work when I plug in my computer?

  • All Windows versions are likely to be impacted – Headphones not detected in Windows 11, 7, and 8 (Fortunately, you can fix Windows 11 headphones not working with some of these solutions.)
  • Specific editions are most likely to be affected by this issue – Headphones not detected in Windows 10 Enterprise, Pro, and more
  • Realtek not detecting headphones (Headphones not detected in Windows 10 with Realtek, this usually happens as a result of previous Realtek HD Audio Driver issues).
  • All laptop brands can be affected (Dell, Asus, Lenovo, or HP laptops not recognizing headphones in Windows 10 are common. Even Alienware laptops struggle to recognize headphones on occasion.)
  • Bluetooth headphones not detected Windows 10 (If this is also your case, you won’t be able to connect the Bluetooth headphones to your PC or laptop).
  • Windows not detecting headphones plugged in (Sometimes your system might show that no speakers or headphones are plugged in, even if that is not true).
  • Headphone jack not working Windows 10 (This issue is likely to emerge if your audio jack is not working at all).
  • Earphones not detected in Windows 10

There can be many possible culprits behind this. From outdated or broken drivers to an improper configuration for your speakers or faulty USB ports, everything can be responsible for Windows not detecting headphones.

? Why are my headphones connected but no sound Windows 10?

Here’s another interesting scenario. Sometimes, headphones are detected, but there is no sound on Windows.

While connectivity errors (impacting Bluetooth, for instance) are common, the problem is most likely software-related.

How do I fix headphones if not recognized in Windows 10?

1. Update audio/sound driver

1.1. Update your audio/sound drivers manually

  1. 1. Type control in Windows search and click on Control Panel from the results.

    search for control panel
  2. 2. Click on Sound.

    click on sound in control panel
  3. 3. Go to the Playback tab.

    go to the playback sound tab
  4. 4. Select your headphones and click on Properties.

  5. 5. Go to Controller Information, then click on the Properties button.

  6. 6. Click on Change Settings (this may require administrator permission).

    change settings driver
  7. 7. Go to Driver tab.

  8. 8. Select Update Driver.

    cluick on update driver
  9. 9. Choose to automatically download the update and wait for the process to finish.

    search automatically for drivers
  10. 10. Once the process is complete, plug in your headphones to check whether they work.

  11. Given the fact that the most likely culprit for your headphones not working on your Windows 10 device is a faulty driver, you should first update your audio driver.

1.2. Update audio/sound driver using a utility tool

Downloading drivers manually is a process that carries the risk of getting the wrong driver installed, which may lead to serious malfunctions.

The safer and easier way to update drivers on a Windows computer is by using an automatic driver updating tool.

These tools can get the job done in just a few seconds and clicks because they will repair and update your drivers automatically.

2. Disable front panel jack detection

  1. Press the Windows key + R to start the Run application.
  2. Type Control Panel then press enter to open it
  3. Select Sound.
  4. Find Realtek HD Audio Manager then click on it
  5. Go to Connector settings.
  6. Click Disable front panel jack detection to check the box.

This is one of the simplest ways to resolve the Windows 10 won’t recognize headphones issue.

If you have the Realtek software installed on your computer or laptop, follow the steps above to disable the headphone jack detection.

Try on your headphones again to see whether this solution works for you. Don’t worry, we have more nifty hacks for you to try if the audio jack is not working at all.

If disabling the front panel jack detection doesn’t fix the Windows 10 won’t recognize headphones issue, try the next solution.

3. Change the default sound format

  1. Open Control Panel and click on Sound.
  2. Under Playback, double click on Default Playback device
  3. Switch to the Advanced tab.
  4. Change the default sound format from the drop-down menu.

Another reason why your headphones may not be recognized by Windows 10 is the sound format. If this is not set correctly, then you may have the same problem over and over.

Try plugging in your headphones again to check if this solution fixes the Windows 10 won’t recognize headphones issue.

4. Set the headphone as a default playback device to fix

  1. Open Control Panel and click on Sound.
  2. Under Playback, right-click and select Show Disabled devices.
  3. From the list of headphones, right-click on your headphone device name.
  4. Select Enable.
  5. Click Set as Default.
  6. Click Apply and OK.

If changing the default sound format doesn’t work for you, try setting your headphone as the default playback device using the steps above.

? How do I get Windows 10 to recognize my headphones?

If Windows 10 headphones are not detected, here’s a concentrated check-up list for you to hang on to:

Once you follow all these steps, plug in your headphones again and check if they’re working. If the problem persists, here’s what to do if the PC says that no headphones are plugged in.

We hope that these solutions helped you to fix the headphones not detected in Windows 10 error.

If you’ve come across other solutions to fix this problem, you can list the troubleshooting steps in the comments below.

4 Ways to Fix Twitch if It’s Not Loading on Chrome

Most people follow their favorite streamers on the Twitch web client. However, some users noticed that Twitch streams are sometimes not loading on browsers like Chrome and Firefox.

Twitch tv started as a small gameplay streaming platform, and now it has millions of daily followers. So, it isn’t a surprise that it might run into trouble. We’ve provided you with some solutions and workarounds for the problem at hand.

Why is Twitch not loading?

Different factors may be responsible for this problem. On the top of the list are the following:

  • Server problems – Sometimes, server issues can cause this problem to appear. When such errors appear, your Twitch chat might not be loading, or the Twitch extensions will stop working, so make sure that the service is working properly before proceeding to fix this issue.
  • Account problems – It’s also possible that you have issues with your account, so check that you can access it without issues. A few users reported that they cannot reset their password on Twitch.
  • Temporary errors – Twitch might get into random and temporary troubles like any other app. Fortunately, you can always check its status. Also, you should check your Internet connection to ensure it’s stable.
  • Browsing data or add-ons blocking the app – Because it can cause serious problems with your browser, it is always recommended to clear your browsing data. In addition, we suggest disabling the extensions and add-ons.
  • Viruses and malware – Cyber attacks are becoming more frequent, so it is extremely easy to get your system infected. To prevent it, you should constantly run an efficient antimalware program.
  • Problems with your main browser – Sometimes, your browser might have more serious problems. In these terms, we strongly recommend using a dedicated option to offer a unique and safe experience.

Why does Twitch take so long to load?

This can be due to the browser cache or add-ons that slow down the browser and as a result the Twitch client.

Follow our steps below in order to fix all those problems, and boost your browser’s performance.

Quick Tip:

If you want to avoid any other Twitch issues, you should consider using it on a specialized gaming browser like Opera GX.

This optimized browser Opera GX has Twitch embedded and a dedicated button on its left-side menu to start it in a second. You will also be able to get notifications when your favorite streamers come online.

Opera GX

This specifically optimized browser makes Twitch errors and loading problems a thing of the past.

How can I fix Twitch if it’s not loading?

Before you try any of these solutions:

  • Double-check that the Twitch servers are not down. If they are down, there will be nothing you can do other than wait for them to come back up. The Twitch status page is your best bet for this.
  • You may also decide to skip all these solutions by using the desktop version of Twitch.

1. Clear the browser’s cache and cookies

    It’s most likely to repair your Twitch not loading error by clearing browsing data such as cookies or cache. To do so, use our simple guide presented down below.

  1. 1. Hit the Windows key, type Chrome, then click on the first result.

    twitch-wont-load-chrome
  2. 2. Use the following keyboard shortcut to open the Clear browsing data menu: Shift + Ctrl + Delete.

    twitch-wont-load-chrome
  3. 3. Select All time as the time range.

  4. 4. Checkmark the Cookies other site data and Cached images and files sections.

    twitch-wont-load-chrome
  5. 5. Click on the Clear Data button.

2. Disable Add-ons

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Chrome, then open the first result.
  2. Click on the Customize and Control Google Chrome menu button (the 3 vertical dots placed in the right-top corner of the window).
  3. Hover the mouse over More tools, then click on Extensions.
  4. On to the extension you want to remove, click Remove.
  5. Confirm by clicking Remove.

3. Disable Experimental features

  1. Press on the Windows key, type Chrome, then open the first result.
  2. In the Address bar, type the following line, and press on the Enter key: chrome://flags
  3. Click on Reset all.

You can safely skip this step if you never meddled with the Experimental options in Chrome. There are many available options, some of which are part of the Beta program.

They’re mostly safe to use on the standard Chrome release but can occasionally slow down the browser or negatively affect some of the standard features.

4. Reset your browser

  1. Click the menu icon and then select Settings.
  2. Go to Restore and clean up.
  3. Select Restore settings to their original defaults.
  4. Now click on Reset settings in order to fix the Twitch player not loading issue.

If now Twitch is not working on Chrome, it’s possible that your settings are interfering with it, so resetting the browser might help.

And on that note, we can wrap it up. These solutions should come in handy if Twitch is not loading your video, or not loading streams on your PC. Furthermore, if you keep encountering similar issues on Opera, we can help you out.

If you have additional related questions, do not hesitate to leave a comment in the section below.

Miracast for Windows 10: 3 Steps to Download & Install

Let’s set up Miracast so you can connect your Windows 10 to a TV or projector wirelessly.

We’ll walk you through all the necessary steps: from checking compatibility to installing drivers and setting it up with your devices.

How do I turn on Miracast on my Windows 10 PC?

Here’s a quick video summary of the steps you have to take to install Miracast on Windows (62-bit & 32-bit). If you need more details, keep reading.

1. Check if your Windows PC supports Miracast

  1. Press the Windows + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run dialog, then type dxdiag and hit Enter.
  2. After the tool collects all the information about your computer, click the Save all Information button.Setup & use Miracast directx
  3. Now you have to choose where you want to save the DxDiag.txt file on your computer. You can save it on a quick-to-access location such as your desktop.miracast save as
  4. Open the DxDiag.txt file, which is usually in notepad format.
  5. Then, scroll toward the bottom of the report, where you will find the status of the Miracast on your PC.
  6. It will either read Miracast is available, in which case your PC will be ready to cast its display to a compatible device, or read Miracast not supported, which you might want to explore other options. If you see Miracast: available with HDCP, everything works correctly.
    miracast windows 10

If your PC isn’t compatible with Miracast, consider using another screen mirroring software.

2. Get the current Miracast drivers for your PC

  1. Right-click on the Start icon and select Device Manager.
    device manager windows 10
  2. Locate Display Adapters and expand the list.display adapters in device manager
  3. Right-click on the WDDM driver and click Update.
  4. Select Search automatically for drivers and follow the on-screen instructions to finish up the process.search automatically for display drivers

Even if your PC supports Miracast, you will need to have updated Miracast drivers for it to work.

Wireless (Miracast) displays can only be supported by Windows Display Driver Model (WDDM) 1.3 and later models.

If Windows cannot detect new drivers or you want to save the time and hassle of installing them manually, you can also use a specialized tool such as Fortect Driver Updater.

It allows you to download and update all your drivers and it also helps in the maintenance so you won’t run into this issue in the future.

⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

3. Project your Windows 10 PC to an HDTV with Miracast

  1. Plug the Miracast adapter into one of the HDMI ports on your TV.
  2. Select the correct HDMI channel.
  3. Now open the Start Menu on your Windows 10 computer. You will find it at the bottom left corner of your screen.
  4. Click on the Settings icon. It looks like a cogwheel.
start-settings miracast for windows 10
  1. Expand the Multiple display option and then click the Connect button.
connect multiple displays
  1. If you have devices ready for Miracast, they will be displayed on the cast menu. You need to click on them to start the projection.
miracast windows 10

Miracast system requirements

  • Windows 8.1 or newer.
  • Wi-Fi chip that supports Miracast.
  • The latest graphics card and network drivers installed.
  • A display that has Miracast support (or Micracast adapter).
  • In case your PC doesn’t meet the requirements, you’ll need to purchase a Wi-Fi adapter that supports Miracast.

Wrapping up

Unlike general screen mirroring, Miracast provides a standardized and secure connection with WPA2 encryption. So, Miracast is a particular type of screen mirroring with its own protocols and extra security.

Setting up Miracast on a PC is easy, whether you use Windows 10, Windows 11 or an older version. And if Miracast isn’t working, troubleshooting it shouldn’t take too long, as it’s a pretty stable tool.

Brands like Samsung and LG TV will work great with Miracast on Windows 10. Bur besides mirroring your content to the large screen, Miracast secures your connection with WPA2 encryption so protected content can freely flow through it.

However, if you still can’t use Miracast, we recommend that you take a look at other top software for screen mirroring compatible with Windows 10 & 11.

Tell us how you use Miracast on Windows 10 and if you have any other questions regarding the setup process, feel free to post them in the comments section below.

FAQ

Why is Miracast not working on Windows 10?

Impaired drivers are usually behind Miracost not working on Windows 10 issues. Thus, it’s possible that your graphics drivers do not support Miracast.

To fix common Miracast issues, make sure your drivers are up to date. Also make sure your device supports.

For common issues, restart devices, adjust screen resolution, or set the Miracast display as the default audio device.

What can I do if my PC does not support Miracast?

Windows PCs support Miracast by default, thus if you get the Miracast not supported error message, note that this is an internal issue and you can fix.

Is Miracast free for Windows?

Yes, Miracast is completely free and available to all Windows users without limitations. The only requirement is that you have Windows 8.1 or newer and a compatible wireless card.

What’s the difference between screen mirroring and Miracast?

Screen mirroring lets you show your device’s screen on another display. Miracast is a specific technology that uses Wi-Fi Direct to wirelessly connect devices directly.

Cache Manager Blue Screen: How to Fix The Stop Code

Since BSoD errors can be problematic, today we’ll show you how to fix the stop code cache manager BSoD error.

Blue Screen of Death errors can cause your PC to restart frequently. These errors can affect any operating system, and Windows 11 is no exception. Let us take you through all you should know about this error in Windows 11.

What is Cache Manager?

The memory manager and the cache manager work together, providing data caching for the Windows file system drivers. It is a collection of kernel-mode operations and system threads (network and local).

Cache managers act as a container for organizing a collection of caches into a single management unit that may be started and stopped simultaneously.

What causes the Cache Manager blue screen?

  • Hardware devices – If there are defects or faults with hardware components like your hard drive, you may experience this error. You should only use the best hard drives for your Windows PC.
  • Bad or outdated drivers – Windows users can expect varying errors, including the cache management blue screen error when drivers have not been updated.
  • Corrupt system and OS files – Maintaining proper system and app files will reduce the chances of experiencing this error on a Windows device.
  • Software or anti-virus compatibility issues – When an app has compatibility flaws, it triggers errors in the OS. We always recommend only the most compatible software and antivirus programs on your Windows devices.

How do I fix the Cache Manager blue screen error?

Before jumping into these solutions, apply the following:

  • Make sure that you keep a regularly updated OS, this way, you can avoid little bugs or defects that may trigger this error.
  • You should also ensure your hardware works fine and change faulty drives if there are any. To check your RAM, you’ll need to use tools such as MemTest86+. Simply put the tool onto a USB flash drive and boot your computer from it. Let MemTest86+ run for a couple of hours.

1. Use a third-party BSoD fixer

The fastest way to fix this issue is to use specialized repair software. These powerful tools allow you to scan your computer and replace any broken system file in just a few moments. Plus, they act as great maintenance tools in the long run, so you can always be sure your computer is protected.

2. Run the BSOD Troubleshooter

  1. Open the Settings app and go to Update & Security section.
  2. Select Troubleshoot from the menu on the left, then select BSOD from the right pane and click Run the troubleshooter.
  3. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the troubleshooter.

3. Update your drivers

Many BSoD errors are caused by outdated drivers that aren’t fully compatible with Windows. Searching for drivers on your own can be time-consuming.

An automatic driver updater will save you the effort of manually looking for drivers and will ensure that your system has the most recent drivers available.

Driver updaters such as Outbyte Driver Updater can also repair damaged or missing drivers. You can schedule regular updates and driver scans to ensure your device is always fully optimized.

The software is very lightweight, so it can silently run on your machine without interfering with other apps or using too many resources.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

4. Run the SFC scan

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

5. Run DISM

  1. Right-click on the Windows search and type cmd, then click Run as administrator.
  2. Enter the following line and press Enter:
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
    stop code cache manager
  3. Wait until the scan is finished, then restart your computer and try updating again.

6. Run chkdsk

  1. Right-click on the Windows search and type cmd, then click Run as administrator.
  2. When Command Prompt starts, enter the script below and press Enter to run it.
    chkdsk /f /r C:
  3. You’ll have to perform this scan for every hard drive partition, so be sure to replace C with a matching hard drive letter.
    chkdsk-cmd

Blue Screen of Death errors, such as the stop code cache manager error, can be troublesome, but you can easily fix them using some of our solutions.

In the worst-case scenario, you might have to replace your hard drive or try if your hard drive works on a different computer. Let us know what solutions worked best for you.

How To Use A VPN To Book Cheap Flights & Get Discounts

If you’ve considered using VPN to get cheaper flights and lower travel prices, we’re here to set things straight. Indeed, a VPN service can be a tremendous help.

Although a lot of people know the goal of a virtual private network solution is to hide your IP address and encrypt your traffic, few are aware that they can also use VPNs to get better deals online.

Moreover, you can utilize VPN for traveling in other countries to get the most convenient price deals, plus bypassing website restrictions. Rest assured we’ve got you covered if you need a trustworthy VPN service that provides you with Pennsylvania servers.

Do VPNs get you cheaper flights?

Yes, you can use a VPN to get cheaper flights. But it’s not a solution that always lives up to your expectations.

In fact, if you’re not doing it properly, you might even be disappointed and never attempt to use a VPN for traveling again.

The most important aspect is the country of the VPN server. It’s essential to take your time and perform multiple types of searches when looking for cheaper flights using a VPN.

What is the best VPN location to get cheap flights?

The US and Western Europe have by far the highest price range. Eastern and Southern European countries, on the other hand, have lower price ranges.

You can also find lower flight prices using the USA location with regions such as New York. Besides this, there are different countries where you can find cheap flights using a VPN:

EuropeAsia
PortugalIndia
RomaniaMalaysia
MoldovaThailand
PolandJapan

The absolute best depends on what locations you are interested in. Travelers around the web say there are higher chances of finding your flight on the local pages of bigger countries like Malaysia or Japan.

How to use a VPN to get cheaper flights

  1. Download and install ExpressVPN on your device.
  2. Launch your VPN to connect to a server.
  3. Connect to a VPN server and access the flight booking website to compare prices.
  4. Check for browser leaks to make sure your real location will not be exposed.

This is how you can utilize the VPN software and find cheap flights to your desired destinations anywhere you require.

You may compare multiple flight booking websites connected to different servers offered by the following VPNs described below.

What are the best VPNs for cheap flights?

ExpressVPN – best VPN for cheap flights

ExpressVPN comes to help anyone who needs the cheapest flights for their destinations with a high-speed server network in 94 locations around the world.

You can be relaxed about your IP location or online privacy because you have the smartest data encryption and private DNS for each server.

Plus, it’s likely to find advantageous flight prices due to numerous servers with tested speed and quick connectivity between other locations.

There are advanced functionalities as well to help you mask your real location, such as TrustedServer, which hides all data from your hard drive.

More about ExpressVPN:

  • Lightway protocol for safer browsing
  • Threat Manager
  • Network kill switch
  • Smart protocols to unblock any website

ExpressVPN

Book your flight for memorable trips using speedy navigation servers with extra security mechanisms.
Free trial Visit website

Surfshark VPN – speedy server network

Surfshark is the right choice VPN for getting more suitable flight prices due to its double protection servers all over the globe.

The first aspect you should be aware of is the comprehensive privacy for any server you connect to. That is because you have private DNS and leak protection and the latest VPN protocols.

You also have extra benefits that will help you find cheap flight offers such as Camouflage Mode which hides your traffic entirely from any party, even your ISP.

More so, there is the CleanWeb feature that gives you safe browsing without annoying ads or phishing attempts.

More about Surfshark:

  • IKEv2/IPsec default protocols
  • Fully advanced encryption
  • Kill switch tool
  • No data log policy

Surfshark

Gain access to the most convenient flight prices in your country with this affordable VPN.
Free trial Visit website

CyberGhost VPN – best option with a free trial

Another great VPN for cheaper flights is CyberGhost VPN. Also a product of Kape Technologies, this VPN solution can get you better online deals for traveling, thanks to its impressive range of servers and top-notch security features.

CyberGhost VPN supports the OpenVPN protocol and provides anti-hacker protection. It also offers the possibility to connect with other protocols like  L2TP/ IPSec, IKEv2/ IPSec, and PPTP.

Each protocol has its respective benefits, OpenVPN is known for its versatility, security, and fast speed. IKEv2 is another popular option nowadays, scoring high when it comes to security as well.

You can use exclusive DNS servers to secure your DNS queries, split tunneling, and a kill switch. It’s the only free VPN option on this list.

While the app itself is premium, it has a free trial that lets you try out all the VPN features that are included. It also has a dedicated free browser extension.

More about CyberGhost VPN:

  • +6,500 VPN servers in 89 locations
  • 7 simultaneous connections
  • Completely safe, no leaks
  • 45-day money-back guarantee (1-day free trial)

CyberGhost VPN

If you’re looking for an excellent VPN to get cheaper flights, check out this tool.
Free trial Visit website

Private Internet Access – largest server network

If you’re interested in using a VPN for cheaper flights, you can’t go wrong with Private Internet Access (PIA).

Made by Kape Technologies, PIA comes with a wide network of VPN servers so that you can connect to various countries for traveling purposes. It’s also great for bypassing geo-blocks.

PIA uses the OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols to encrypt your traffic. These protocols are well-known in the industry for being both fast and secure.

It’s relevant to mention that you have the highest server speed and an exhaustive network with multiple locations to find the greatest flight prices.

It comes with exclusive port forwarding, a kill switch, split tunneling, and an integrated malware blocker for your browsers. It also has 24/7 live chat support.

You can also install it on game consoles, smart TVs, or even your router.

More about PIA:

  • +3,500 VPN servers in 48 locations
  • 10 simultaneous device connections
  • No IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks
  • 30-day money-back guarantee (no free trial)

Private Internet Access

Check plane prices all around the world with this fast and reliable VPN service.
Check price Visit website

NordVPN – great server security

Created by Tefincom & Co., NordVPN offers a quick and easy solution to get cheaper flights with a VPN.

It gives you the possibility to connect to numerous VPN servers all around the world. Plus, it’s the only VPN on this list that can bypass VPN blocks by connecting to obfuscated servers.

Server obfuscation in VPNs means that your traffic is encrypted twice. So trackers and advanced geo-blocking technologies are not able to tell that you use a VPN in the first place.

NordVPN encrypts your data traffic using OpenVPN to make sure it won’t increase your network connection speed. The tool also supports custom DNS servers.

NordVPN has many servers across the whole globe so you can really do your homework and research airplane ticket prices in various countries.

More about NordVPN:

  • +5,100 VPN servers in 59 countries
  • 6 simultaneous connections
  • No browser leaks
  • 30-day money-back guarantee (no free trial)

NordVPN

Use Nord VPN to connect around the world and get cheap flights without getting detected!
Check price Visit website

How to search for cheap flights using a VPN?

Once you know your destination, search the web for all available options. We suggest you look both at airline companies and booking agencies.

Use a VPN to connect to a country with a low price range and see if the flight is listed there. It’s best to clear your cookie data or access the pages in Incognito mode.

Airline websites generally use cookies, so it’s best to clear them to not get tracked down. This is especially important when you use a VPN because you may want to try out a few different locations when hunting for the best price.

Does a private browser make flights cheaper?

Some people around the web suggest that it’s best to look for web prices from a private browser or Incognito mode as prices may be higher for logged-in users or those who have previously accessed the pages and have their IP stored.

There is no evidence that this is actually happening. We tried it ourselves, and just switching to Incognito doesn’t change anything.

We do recommend it, though, when using a VPN because many of these websites may install cookies on your browser and have some info about your identity or location. So to make sure your VPN usage 100% effective, a private connection is recommended.

What day are flights the cheapest

Back in the day, you could say for sure that airplane tickets are the cheapest on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 

For years, Tuesday has been considered the best day to buy cheap plane tickets. But the rule is not as applicable now as it used to be.

The reason why the middle-of-the-week prices used to be cheaper is that plane tickets were released for sale at the beginning of the week, and the strategy was to offer deals after some tickets were already sold.

As for now, these days seem to vary from one company to another. A more applicable rule to follow is to book your flight early because prices now tend to increase as your flight date approaches.

In conclusion, if you’re interested in various hacks to get cheaper flights online, you can’t go wrong with a VPN.

By spoofing your IP address and using encryption to connect to a different location, you make it look like you’re trying to buy tickets from somewhere else, like a low-income country.

Since travel agencies are pretty flexible, you can never know what awesome deals lurk around the corner. Besides, it’s perfectly legal to use a VPN to get cheaper flights, so there’s nothing to worry about.

7 Best Time Tracking Tools with Screenshots for Best Results

Herein, we’ll be looking at some of the most reliable time tracking software with screenshot support for Windows, which are affordable and readily available in the market.

Time management is an essential element in the effective conduct of every business. In fact, it is usually the fine line between successful businesses and not-so-successful ones.

Why do I need a time tracking tool?

Today, with the advent of time tracking tools, business owners, freelancers, and even employees are able to optimize the use of their time, towards achieving optimum productivity and sustained business growth.

Hence, in the next section of this piece, we’ll be reviewing five of the most reliable time tracking software for Windows. That is time tracking software that is compatible with the Windows operating system.

What are the best time tracking tools with screenshot support?

Insightful – Best time-tracking app

When you’re looking for the best time tracking tool, you can’t ignore Insightful, because it has all the features you need.

And we’ll start with the screenshotting capabilities because it does that automatically, at a regular interval, or based on the rules you set up.

That’s only one aspect because Insightful tracks all the computer activity, including the used apps and visited websites.

Insightful is an ideal solution for big enterprises with over 1000 employees because it’s easy to install and use.

This solution works perfectly as a time-clocking tool and at the end of the day, it provides detailed reporting on the user’s proficiency.

Of course, with that precise data, you will also be able to build up a perfectly accurate budget forecasting for any of your projects.

And that’s because Insighful’s automatic time mapper assigns the work of your employees to projects automatically.

Don’t look for your card yet because this tool can be tried for free before making any budget commitments.

Check out Insightful’s best features:

  • Down-to-the-decimal project budgeting
  • Automatically captured screenshots
  • Automatic clock-ins and outs
  • Full computer activity tracking
  • Detailed reporting with time calculations

Insightful

Track your employees’ activity with this smart tool that provides screenshots and detailed reporting.
Free trial Visit website

Zoho Projects – Great workflow visualization

Whatever the project type, business size, or industry, Zoho Projects will help you get things to completion with all the tools necessary.

The first advantage is the intuitive UI with clean and modern-looking menus that easily allow you to identify any possible issue with the workflow.

And thanks to its drag-and-drop function, you can set up dependencies and reschedule tasks right into the built-in Gantt charts.

Moreover, you may create four types of dependencies for the tasks in the Gantt chart maker. Then, it’s easy to edit, delete, or adjust the time lag between dependent tasks.

Everything is customizable through color coding so any critical issues or stuck processes just pop up in the scheduled timeline for you to address.

Of course, you can run several projects at the same time and use the existing templates or create new ones according to your needs.

But in the meantime, for each and one of them, you also keep track of all the time-based teams’ work, expenses, and milestones right there, in your cloud-based dashboard.

More importantly, you can integrate Zoho Projects with more than 12 other Zoho-related products, Google and Microsoft apps, and more.

Let’s review some of its best features:

  • Cloud-based dashboard available from anywhere in the world on any device
  • Great collection of customizable Gantt chart templates
  • Drag-and-drop functionality
  • Seamless color coding
  • Notifications and collaboration features

ZOHO Projects

This cloud-based project management solution meets the deadline with strong time-tracking tools.
Check Price Visit Website

DeskTime – Great reporting

DeskTime is widely regarded as the best alternative to Hubstaff. In fact, most of its users believe it is the best time tracking software out there.

The software hosts extended support for both mobile and desktop/laptop platforms, which include Windows, Linux, Mac, Android, iOS, and so on.

In addition, DeskTime is designed to provide employers unfettered access to their employees’ activities during work hours.

The software’s design provides a dynamic, customizable dashboard, where team leaders can easily monitor the progress of their team members, as well as time spent on individual projects.

This would encourage every team to sit up and work strictly against assigned deadlines.

Some of the core features of DeskTime time tracking software include Windows title tracking, productivity analysis, absentee & vacation calendar, custom reports, screenshots, open API, secure database, free trial, and more.

Check out its key features:

  • Customizable dashboard
  • Support for desktop and mobile platforms
  • Productivity analysis reports
  • Absentee and vacation calendar
  • Screenshot captioning

Desktime

Monitor your work or analyze your team’s productivity using this leading automatic tracker.
Check price Visit website

Hubstaff – Good for project tracking

Hubstaff is a versatile time tracking software for Windows. It is optimized to facilitate your firm’s time management and ensure you attain optimum productivity in due time.

The software is a web-based platform, which is compatible with virtually all operating systems. There is also dedicated support for Windows and a host of other OS.

Hubstaff’s functionality is not limited to time tracking; it is also designed to track employees’ progress and prepare payment invoices, based on logged time.

In light of this, Hubstaff is an essential tool for freelancers and business owners whose staff work remotely.

In a nutshell, the software is able to identify productive team members and projects, as well as the less productive ones.

Hubstaff is available in three pricing flavors: Premium, Basic, and Solo Lite(free) al the paid plans are subject to an initial 14-day free trial.

Take a look at its most important features:

  • Advanced time tracking
  • Location tracking by GPS
  • API screenshots
  • Cross-platform compatibility
  • Advanced reporting

Hubstaff

Turn your time into an asset and grow your business using this workforce time tracking tool.
Check price Visit website

Time Doctor – Customizable dashboard

Time Doctor is an optimized time tracking tool, designed to provide near-perfect time management functions.

The software is flexibly built to support all types of devices, including Windows/Mac/Linux computer systems and Android/iOS mobile platforms.

Time Doctor is a cloud-based software that offers you a highly customizable platform, which can easily be tailored to suit your dynamic operational pattern, as a small/medium/large scale business owner or freelancer.

To facilitate transparency, especially for off-site or remote employees, Time Doctor provides you an avenue (as an employer) to get screen grabs of all employees’ activities.

This way, you are able to track the project’s progress, and time spent in real-time.

You will benefit from the following key features:

  • Simplified time tracking
  • GPS location tracking
  • URL activity monitoring
  • Productivity analysis
  • Data encryption

Time Doctor

Meet the most ambitious goals or projects using a valuable tracker for employees and managers.
Check price Visit website

TimeCamp – Great attendance monitoring

TimeCamp is another popular time tracking software for Windows, with a huge global client base. It is cross-platform compatible and designed for all classes of operating systems.

Also, it is flexibly built to adapt to any business, irrespective of size; be it a small, medium, or large enterprise.

TimeCamp is an all-rounder, providing you with dynamic sets of time tracking and management, invoicing & client billing, and report-generating features.

These sets of features work in sync to expedite your operational efficiency and improve productivity.

TimeCamp offers a free trial version to all new users, albeit for a limited period of one month. There is also a Solo version, which is offered for free. 

Let’s look at some of its most important features:

  • Online timesheets and off-time detection
  • Staff billing rates and online payment
  • Project syncing and management
  • Multiple currency support
  • Reminders and time entry notes

TimeCamp

Manage any project successfully with this unlimited and integrated time tracker software.
Check price Visit Website

Toggl – Great multi-platform support

Toggl is a simple, yet powerful, time tracking software for Windows. It is a cloud-hosted platform, with support for all web-enabled devices. Also, the software has dedicated apps for Windows, Android, and iOS.

It provides you a comprehensive overview of time spent by each employee, as well as the total time spent on each project.

This enables you to have a clear, unbiased, view of productive employees and tasks, as well as the less productive ones.

And you can easily use this to bill clients, promote staff, set remuneration, assign queries (where and when necessary), set up training, and so on.

Basically, Toggl assists you in optimizing your time usage, with the ultimate aim of increasing productivity to facilitate business growth.

The tool is available in three license variants: Starter, Premium, and Enterprise. All plans are subject to a first-time free trial.

Check out its key features below:

  • Time charts and time management
  • Data backup up to twice a day
  • In-depth reporting
  • Online and offline time tracking
  • Friendly interface

⇒ Get Toggl

Time management is obviously one of the key drivers of growth in every business, especially businesses associated with service delivery.

However, more often than not, quality man-hour is wasted on mundane tasks, which contribute little or nothing to a company’s growth.

To bypass this inadequacy, and improve the efficiency and productivity of businesses, time tracking tools were invented.

In this article, we have reviewed, briefly, five of the most widely used time tracking software for Windows. Hence, if you are in need, the above-reviewed tools are the recommended software for you.

You should also check our extensive list of the best time tracking software and you might get other insights on this matter.

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

Windows 11 Freezing Randomly: Diagnose & Fix in 8 Ways

Since Microsoft released Windows 11, quite a few users have posted on support forums about Windows 11 randomly freezing.

Such Windows 11 freezes occur randomly and regularly for those users. Windows 11 freeze errors can happen mostly because of GPU driver incompatibility or system file corruption.

So, there’s more than one way you might be able to fix this issue. Follow along to find out how you can fix random freezing in Windows 11.

How can I fix Windows 11 freezing randomly?

1. Reduce your monitor’s resolution setting

  1. 1. Click the Windows taskbar icon to bring up the Start menu, and select the pinned Settings app there.

  2. 2. Select the Display navigation option on the System tab.

    go to display
  3. 3. Click the Display resolution option to open a drop-down menu with multiple resolutions to choose from.

    go to display resolution options
  4. 4. Select a resolution lower than the one you currently have.

  5. 5. Click on the Keep changes option on the dialog box prompt to confirm the modification.

  6. If you encounter issues with your Windows 11 device freezing, it is likely that your GPU is causing it. Your screen resolution could be too high for your graphics adapter, thus resulting in issues.

    The screen resolution can be easily changed using your device’s built-in Settings, on the Display tab.

2. Run a system file scan

  1. First, click the magnifying glass icon beside the Start menu on the taskbar.
    magnifying glass button windows 11 keeps freezing
  2. You’ll need to enter cmd in the to search box to find the Command Prompt.
  3. Make sure you open an elevated Prompt by right-clicking the Command Prompt search result and selecting Run as administrator.
    Run as administrator option windows 11 keeps freezing
  4. Enter this command and press Return: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
    Deployment image scan command windows 11 keeps freezing
  5. Next, type in the following SFC command and hit Enter: sfc /scannowThe SFC command  windows 11 keeps freezing
  6. Now wait for the System File Checker scan to finish and display an outcome within the Command Prompt’s window. The Windows 11 freezing randomly issue will be fixed.

3. Run a disk scan

  1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator as covered within the first three steps of the previous resolution.
  2. Tap in this disk scan command and hit Enter: chkdsk c: /f /r
    The chkdsk command windows 11 keeps freezing
  3. Now the check disk scan will be scheduled to run on reboot. Click the Start menu, press the Power button, and select Restart. This is another great fix for Windows 11 freezing.
    Restart option windows 11 keeps freezing

4. Check for RAM issues

  1. Press the Windows and S keys both at the same time.
  2. Input Windows Memory Diagnostic within the search box that opens.
    A Windows Memory Diagnostic search windows 11 keeps freezing
  3. Click Windows Memory Diagnostic to open it.
  4. Select the Restart now and check for problems option.
    Restart now and check for problems option windows 11 keeps freezing

Thereafter, Windows will restart, Windows Memory Diagnostic will scan, and it should then display an outcome. If it doesn’t, however, you’ll need to check the scan result in Event Viewer as outlined within our Memory Diagnostic Tool mdsched.exe guide.

Note icon NOTE
You might need to replace faulty RAM modules if Windows Memory Diagnostic detects errors.

5. Expand virtual memory allocation

  1. Bring up the search utility with its taskbar button or Windows key + S hotkey. Enter the keyword performance of Windows within the search box.
    A performance of windows search windows 11 keeps freezing
  2. Then select the Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows search result to open the Visual Effects tab shown directly below.
    Visual Effects tab windows 11 keeps freezing
  3. Click the Advanced tab. Then select the Change option there.
    Change button windows 11 keeps freezing
  4. Uncheck the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives checkbox, and select the primary C: drive partition.
    The Automatically mange paging file size for all drives checkbox windows 11 keeps freezing
  5. Then click the Custom size radio button.
    The Custom size option windows 11 keeps freezing
  6. Type the recommended value specified within the Virtual Memory window in the Initial size (MB) text box.
    Initial size box windows 11 keeps freezing
  7. Input a bigger value than the recommended one within the Maximum size box.
    Maximum size box windows 11 keeps freezing
  8. Click OK on the Virtual Memory window.
    OK button windows 11 keeps freezing

6. Update your GPU’s driver

  1. Open the manufacturer’s website (NVIDIA, Intel, AMD) for your graphics card. Then go to the driver download section of that website.
    The NVIDIA download page windows 11 keeps freezing
  2. Select your graphics card model and Windows platform on the driver download section’s menus. Click the Download option for the latest driver that’s compatible with your PC.
    Download button windows 11 keeps freezing
  3. Thereafter, bring up File Explorer by clicking the taskbar button shown directly below.
    The File Explorer button windows 11 keeps freezing
  4. Open the folder that includes the driver package you downloaded. Double-click the driver package to open its setup window. Then go through the setup wizard to install the driver.
    A NVIDIA package windows 11 keeps freezing

You can also upgrade graphics card drivers with third-party driver updater software.

7. Uninstall Sonic Studio 3

  1. Press the Windows + X key combination, and select the Run shortcut.
    Run shortcut windows 11 keeps freezing
  2. Type this command in the Open box and click OK: appwiz.cpl
    The appwiz.cpl command windows 11 keeps freezing
  3. Select Sonic Studio 3 in Programs and Features, and click an Uninstall option for that software.
    Uninstall button
  4. Click Yes on any uninstall confirmation prompts that might pop up.

Some users might prefer to uninstall Sonic 3 with third-party uninstaller utilities like IObit Uninstaller. With IObit Uninstaller, you can also delete residual files and registry entries left behind from installed software.

8. Reset Windows 11 to factory defaults

  1. Press the Windows + I key combination.
  2. Select Recovery on the System tab in Settings.
    Recovery navigation option windows 11 keeps freezing
  3. Click the Reset PC button shown directly below.
    The Reset PC option windows 11 keeps freezing
  4. Choose the Keep my files option.
    Keep my files button windows 11 keeps freezing
  5. Then select either Cloud download or Local reinstall.
    Reinstall options windows 11 keeps freezing
  6. Click Next > Reset to restore Windows 11 to its factory default.
    The Next option windows 11 keeps freezing
Note icon NOTE
This method will uninstall all third-party software packages that weren’t pre-installed on your PC. So, you will need to reinstall the software after resetting Windows 11. Try applying this potential resolution as a last resort for fixing Windows 11 freezing.

Why is my PC freezing constantly?

There are a few potential causes that can trigger random Windows 11 freezing:

  • Graphics issues – It can be a graphical issue for users utilizing PCs with limited GPUs. The freezing might occur because the screen resolution is set overly high for your PC’s graphics adapter.
  • GPU driver incompatibility – If you’ve recently upgraded to Microsoft’s latest desktop platform, your graphics card might have an incompatible Windows 11 driver. In this case, you would need to update the GPU’s driver to a more compatible one.
  • Limited RAM – Limited system RAM can be another factor behind random Windows 11 freezing. Insufficient system memory can result in such crashing on Windows 11 PCs with four GB RAM. Extending virtual memory allocation can resolve such issues.
  • System file corruption – Running a system file scan will likely fix the issue for such a scenario. Resetting Windows 11 is a more drastic alternative resolution for repairing system files.
  • Conflicting programs – Sonic Studio 3 is a conflicting program that’s known to clash with Windows 11. Some users have confirmed uninstalling that software can fix Windows 11 freezing. Maybe you should check if you have Sonic Studio 3 installed.

Besides this, there are different scenarios in which Windows 11 can freeze. The most common ones are the following:

  • Windows 11 freezing after update – In this case, uninstalling the latest OS update is the best course of action.
  • Windows 11 freezing when idle – Your computer files might be damaged due to various reasons. However, the most effective solution is to run system scans as we have shown below.
  • Windows 11 freezing on login screen – Updating your GPU driver proved to be another effective solution when it comes to immediate Windows 11 freezing.
  • Windows 11 freezing while gaming/during games – By reducing your monitor’s resolution as we have shown in the third solution below, will ensure that your games won’t be interrupted anymore.
  • Windows 11 freezing when alt-tabbing – This has definitely something to do with your system files. Find out how to run DISM like a pro in order to fix all kinds of OS errors.
  • Windows 11 freezing after sleep – Uninstalling Sonic Studio 3 will remove any miscommunications across your system, thus eliminating OS freezes.
  • Windows 11 freezing on shutdown – RAM issues can affect your PC in many ways, including causing it to stop responding. Besides fixing any RAM problems, you might also want to clean and optimize it.

Can the same issue occur on other Windows platforms?

Yes, users have also reported similar Windows 10 freezing in support forums. Interestingly, some users have said that freezing/crashing started after OS updates. Such issues can also occur on Windows XP, Vista, 7, and 8.

Some of the resolutions above might help fix similar freezing issues on different Windows platforms. However, our Windows 10 freezes randomly guide includes potential resolutions and instructions specifically for that platform.

We can’t guarantee the potential resolutions in this guide will fix random freezing in Windows 11 for all users. However, there’s a good chance that they’ll fix random and regular freezing on many Windows PCs. Try applying all those fixes in the order they’re specified.

The only other potential resolutions that might be worth a try are to reset or update the BIOS. Our how-to easily update your BIOS guide provides the full low-down on how to update BIOS.

Before you go, you might be interested in our guide on what to do if Windows 11 freezes but the mouse moves for more solutions.

You may also want to read this guide on how to fix a secondary hard drive freezing your computer or check out what to do if Remote Desktop keeps freezing on Windows 11, both cover specific freezing issues you might be facing.

You can also enter any questions you might have about fixing persistent Windows 11 freezing in the comments section below. Feel free to discuss this issue there.

PFN List Corrupt on Windows 11: How to Fix it in 8 Steps

One of the common blue screen error messages is the PFN LIST CORRUPT error in Windows 11. When this issue occurs, you might not be able to use your PC to perform any task at that moment.

Thankfully, just like the PFN list corrupt on Windows 10 issue, we have prepared the fixes to help you solve the problem on Windows 11 in this guide.

What does PFN list corrupt mean?

The PFN list corrupt issue on Windows 11 means that there are corrupt data in the Page Frame Number. Once the PFN is corrupt, there will be a limit to the number of tasks it can perform.

This leads to the dread BSoD error you see on your screen.

Why is PFN list corrupt?

Some of the possible causes of the PFN LIST CORRUPT error are as follows:

  • Defective driver – Problematic drivers are one of the major reasons PFN list corrupt error while gaming. This can lead to a bigger problem and you will need to uninstall and reinstall these drivers to fix the problem.
  • Corrupt system files – Since the PFN list deals with system files, it is only natural that you get this error when one or more of these files are corrupt. Repairing and restoring these broken system files is the only way out of this issue.
  • Issues with memory – Your PC memory can also cause this problem. To eliminate the error code here, you have to fix the problems with the computer’s memory.
  • Problematic third-party applications – If you started noticing a blue screen with the stop code PFN list corrupt after installing an app, the software might be triggering the issue. We advise removing this software either manually or with one of the best uninstaller software.

How do I fix a corrupt PFN list in Windows 11?

1. Update Windows

  1. Right-click the Start menu and select Settings.Open Windows Settings
  2. From the Settings menu, choose Windows Update then click Resume updates.Update Windows to fix pfn error in Windows 11

Since Windows 11 isn’t flawless and has a few flaws and faults, it’s critical to run Windows Update frequently to resolve any hardware or software issues.

Most hardware and software issues, which are both important causes of the blue screen PFN LIST CORRUPT error in Windows 11, can be resolved if you install the latest updates.

Updates include enhanced stability, security, and new features in addition to bug fixes, so make sure you download them frequently.

It’s also critical to keep your drivers updated. Since Windows 11 is a new operating system, it may encounter issues with older hardware.

2. Run the SFC scan

  1. Click the Start menu, type Command Prompt, then right-click it and choose Run as administrator.Go to Command Prompt
  2. type the following line and hit Enter once the Command Prompt window appears: sfc/scannowsfc scannow
  3. Wait till the procedure is completed (it may take a while).

This is a command-line troubleshooter for a variety of problems, including BSOD errors. Hopefully, this will also fix the PFN LIST CORRUPT error in your Windows 11 computer.

3. Run DISM

3.1. Standard way

  1. Click the Start menu, type Command Prompt, then right-click it and choose Run as administrator.Go to Command Prompt
  2. Type the following command and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealthdism
  3. Wait until the scan is finished.
  4. Restart your computer and try updating again.

3.2. With the Windows installation media

  1. Insert Windows installation media in the drive.
  2. Click the Start menu, type Command Prompt, then right-click it and choose Run as administrator.Go to Command Prompt
  3. Type the following commands in the command line, pressing Enter after each one: dism /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealthdism
  4. Now, type the following command and press Enter. With the Windows installation, make sure to replace an X value with the letter of the mounted disk: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /source:WIM:X:SourcesInstall.wim:1 /LimitAccessdism pfn list corrupt windows 11
  5. Restart your computer once the procedure is completed.

DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) re-deploys the system image while also fixing any potential faults. This method can also be used to resolve the PFN LIST CORRUPT error in Windows 11.

4. Update drivers

    Outdated drivers might also be the cause of the BSOD PFN list corrupt on Windows 11. So, it is crucial that you keep your drivers updated always. You can learn how to do it using the guide below. 

    1. Right-click on Start menu and select Device Manager.
    pfn-list-corrupt-windows-11
  1. 2. Now, right-click the first device and select Update driver.

    Updating drivers to fix PFN error in Windows 11
  2. 3. Then choose Search automatically for drivers from the menu that opens.

    Search automatically for drivers
  3. 4. Wait for Windows to update the driver, then repeat the process with the remaining devices.

As you may be aware, updating drivers using this method takes a long time. As a result, we recommend that you use a specialized driver updater tool that will perform this task for you automatically.

Using an automatic driver updater will save you the time and effort of manually looking for drivers, and it will ensure that your system is always up to date with the latest drivers.

5. Check the hard drive

  1. Right-click the Start menu, then choose Settings from the list menu.Open Windows Settings
  2. Select System from the left pane, then scroll down to Recovery in the right pane and click it.Go to recovery in system menu to fix PFN error
  3. After that, find Advanced startup and select the Restart now option next to it.Restart now to enter Advanced Options
  4. Wait a few moments. Next, a window with a few options will appear. Choose Troubleshoot.Troubleshoot menu in advanced options
  5. Then, select Adanced Options.
  6. Choose Command Prompt in the next window.Command Prompt in Advanced options
  7. In the Command Prompt window, type the following lines and hit Enter after each one to run it: bootrec.exe /rebuildbcd bootrec.exe /fixmbr bootrec.exe /fixboot
  8. Finally, run the following commands (replace C and D with your drive letter): chkdsk /r c: chkdsk /r d:

Now, restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved. If not, proceed to the next solution.

6. Uninstall the problematic driver

  1. Right-click Start menu then choose Device Manager from the list.Open Windows Settings
  2. Click the arrow next to the section where the corrupt driver is to expand it and right-click the driver there.
  3. Choose Uninstall device.
    uninstall device
  4. Finally, click the Uninstall button and restart your computer.
    uninstall

Keep in mind that practically any driver can cause this error; you may need to do some research before determining which driver is causing the issue. Many users noted that deleting the problematic drivers (most commonly Etron) fixed the problem.

In addition to drivers, it’s worth noting that an antivirus program might cause BSOD issues. So make sure to uninstall any third-party antivirus software and recently installed apps.

7. Disable Microsoft OneDrive

  1. Click the Start menu and type Edit group policy then hit Enter. Go to edit group policy
  2. When the Local Group Policy Editor appears, go to Computer Configuration, then click Windows Components under Administrative Templates.Windows components in Group policy
  3. After that, scroll down the list to find OneDrive, and double-click it.
  4. Locate and double-click Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage.
  5. Select Enabled and click Apply and OK to disable OneDrive.Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage to fix pfn error in windows 11

For many years, OneDrive was part of the Windows Essentials suite for many years, but as online storage became more popular, it became the default program on Windows 10 afterward.

OneDrive is a fantastic tool for collaborating and sharing files with others; however, numerous users have complained that it can also cause the PFN LIST CORRUPT problem.

8. Check your hardware

  1. Hit Windows + R, which will open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type mdsched.exe and click OK.type mdsched.exe
  3. Click Restart now and check for problems.Checking for hardware problems
  4. The Windows Memory Diagnostics Tool screen will appear after that. Allow it to complete the RAM verification and wait a few minutes.

The PFN LIST CORRUPT error is frequently caused by malfunctioning hardware, most typically RAM, therefore ensure your RAM is in good working condition by following the steps above.

Even if your RAM is the obvious suspect, make sure all other components, such as your motherboard, network card, and graphics card, are in good operating condition.

Also, you can download MemTest86+ and run it for a couple of hours to know if there is a problem with your RAM. Many consumers stated that the issue was solved once they replaced their RAM.

There you have it: The fixes for the PFN list corrupt issue on Windows 11. With, everything in this guide, you should be able to solve the problem without fuss.

If you are facing the memory management BSOD issue on Windows 11, check our detailed guide for the surefire fixes to apply.

Feel free to let us the solution that helped you fix this problem in the comments below.

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

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

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Steam, then open the first result.
  2. From the top-left corner of the window, click on Steam.
  3. Go to Settings.
  4. In the left panel, choose Downloads.
  5. You will see a Clear Download Cache button in the right section at the bottom of the page. Click on it.
  6. A new window should appear. Hit OK and wait for the process to finish.
  7. 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

  1. Launch Steam. Then, click on the Steam option from the top left corner of the window.
  2. Go to Settings.
  3. In the left panel, choose Downloads.
  4. Under Download Restrictions, you will see a Limit bandwidth to drop-menu.
  5. Set it to No Limit and click OK.
  6. 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 icon 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. 1. Launch the Steam app, then choose the Steam option from the top-left corner of the window.

    click on steam options
  2. 2. Go to Settings.

    click on settings steam
  3. 3. In the left panel, choose Downloads.

    go to downloads
  4. 4. You should see a Download Region section with a drop-down menu beneath.

    set another download region steam
  5. 5. Click on the drop-down menu and choose a different server.

  6. 6. Press on OK when you’re done.

  7. 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 icon 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

  1. Hit the Windows key, type cmd, right-click on the first result and choose to Run as administrator.
  2. Then, input the following command: WPR -cancel
  3. It’s worth mentioning that some users fixed the issue by disabling Connected User Experiences and Telemetry.
  4. To do that, open cmd and type: stop-service diagtrack
  5. 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?

  1. Open This PC.
  2. Locate the drive that you’re downloading games to.
  3. Right-click it and choose Properties.
  4. Now make sure that Allow files on this drive to have contents indexed in addition to file properties.
  5. 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

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

  1. Press the Windows key, type cmd, and click on Run as an administrator under Command Prompt.
    cmd administrator black screen after sleep windows 11
  2. Type the following command and press Enter: powercfg /h offpowercfg
  3. 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. 1. Press the Windows key, type power plan, and select Choose a power plan.

    choose a power plan
  2. 2. Click on Choose what the power button do on the left pane.

    choose black screen after sleep windows 11
  3. 3. Choose Change settings that are currently unavailable on the top of this page.

    windows-10-black-screen-sleep-fix
  4. 4. Uncheck the checkbox for Turn on Fast Startup (recommended).

  5. 5. Click the Save changes button and restart your PC twice (doing it twice is the important bit).

    windows-10-black-screen-sleep-fix

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

  1. Press the Windows + X and select Device Manager.
  2. Double-click the Display adapters option, right-click the driver, and select Update driver.
    update driver
  3. Choose Search automatically for drivers and install the available update.
    search automatically black screen after sleep windows 11

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

  1. Press the Windows + S, type control, and choose Control Panel.
    control panel
  2. Click Uninstall a program under the Programs option.
    uninstall a program
  3. Now, select any recently installed app that might be causing the problem and click the Uninstall button.
    uninstall  black screen after sleep windows 11
  4. 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

  1. Right-click the Start icon and select Device Manager.
    device manager
  2. Expand the Display adapters option and right-click on the onboard GPU (mostly Intel) and select Disable device.
    disable device
  3. 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

  1. Press the Windows key + S, type power, and select Edit power plan.
    edit
  2. Set the Put the computer to sleep setting to Never for both On battery and Plugged in options.
  3. Now, click the Save changes button.
    never black screen after sleep windows 11

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

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

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

  1. Restart your PC and continue pressing F8 or Shift + F8 as your PC loads to open the Advanced startup menu.
  2. Select Choose an option > Troubleshoot.
    troubleshoot pc white screen on startup
  3. Choose Advanced options.
    advanced options
  4. Select the Startup Settings.
    startup settings
  5. Now, click the Restart button.
    restart button pc white screen on startup
  6. Once your PC restarts, select Safe Mode with Networking from the available list.
    safe mode with networking
  7. After your PC boots, press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
    device manager
  8. Click the arrow next to the Display adapters option to expand it and right-click the driver there.
  9. Select Update driver.
    update driver
  10. Finally, choose the Search automatically for drivers option and install any available update.
    search automatically

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

Find all outdated drivers on your computer and update them safely and quickly.
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2. Scan for malware

  1. Press the Windows key + S, type virus, and select Virus & threat protection.
    virus and threat
  2. Choose Scan options.
    scan options
  3. Now, select your preferred scan option and click the Scan now button.
    scan now button pc white screen on startup

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

  1. Type cmd in the Windows Search box and choose Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
    command prompt admin
  2. Copy and paste the following command line and press Enter: sfc/scannowsfc scannow pc white screen on startup
  3. 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

  1. Restart your PC and keep pressing the F8 or Shift + F8 keys to bring up the Advanced Startup options.
  2. Select Choose an option > Troubleshoot.
    troubleshoot pc white screen on startup
  3. Now, choose Advanced options.
    advanced options
  4. Select System Restore from the options.
    system restore
  5. Select your user account and enter your account’s password.
  6. Click on Next.
    White screen on computer laptop
  7. If available, check to Show more restore points checkbox. Now select the desired restore point and click Next.
    White screen on computer monitor
  8. 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

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.

 

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

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. 1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.

  2. 2. Choose the System option.

    system-10 Third monitor not detected
  3. 3. Scroll down to the Multiple display section.

  4. 4. Choose the Extend these displays option.

    extend these displays
  5. 5. Close the Settings window and check whether the issue persists.

  6. 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

  1. Press the Windows key + I to launch Settings. Choose the Update & Security option.
    update-securty-w10 opera keeps crashing
  2. Click the Check for updates button.
    check for
  3. 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

  1. Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
    device manager
  2. Double-click on the Display adapters option to expand it. Right-click on your driver and select the Update driver option.update-driver-w10 amd driver install problems
  3. 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

  1. 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.
    Set up multiple displays nvidia
  2. 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

  1. Press the Windows key + R, type devmgmt.msc, and click on OK.
    devmgmt
  2. Click the arrow next to the Display adapters option to expand it. Right-click on the Intel graphics card and select Disable device.disable-device Third monitor not detected
  3. 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]

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.

How do I enable Gpedit in Windows 11?

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. 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.

    open notepad
  2. 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. 3. Press the Ctrl + V keyboard shortcut to paste the copied batch file code into Notepad.

    group-policy-batch-file
  4. 4. Click on the File menu in the Notepad, and select the Save As option.

    Save-As-option
  5. 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.

    batch file to get group policy editor windows 11
  6. 6. Thereafter, right-click the Group Policy Editor batch file and then select Run as administrator.

    https://windowsreport.com/enable-gpedit-windows-11/
  7. 7. If a UAC prompt opens, select the Yes option on it.

  8. 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

  1. Press Windows + S to open the Search menu, type Command Prompt in the text field, and click on Run as administrator.
    Run as administrator option enable gpedit windows 11
  2. Click Yes in the UAC prompt that appears.
  3. 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")
    run command to install group policy editor windows 11
  4. 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.
  5. 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?

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run.
  2. Type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.gpedit.msc
  3. 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

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.

Xbox Boss Phil Spencer Wants to Sever Apple-Google 'Duopoly' in Mobile Games - WSJ
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

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

Dead by Daylight
Dead by Daylight

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

Dolmen
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

Ghostrunner
Ghostrunner
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

Thymesia
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

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.

thumbnail image 1 captioned Figure 1 - Number Matching

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.

thumbnail image 2 captioned Figure 2 - Additional Context with number match in notifications

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.

Microsoft Authenticator
Microsoft Authenticator


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

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. 1. Type Windows security in the Search tab and click on the app from the results.

    dwm.exe crash
  2. 2. Select Virus & threat protection.

    dwm.exe crash
  3. 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).

    dwm-exe-windows-10
  4. 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

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to start the Task Manager.
  2. Go to the Details tab, locate explorer.exe, right-click it, and choose End Task.
    dwm.exe crash
  3. Now go to File and select Run a new task.
  4. 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

  1. Press Windows Key + X to open the Power User Menu. Select Device Manager from the list.
    dwm.exe crash
  2. 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.
    dwm.exe crash
  3. 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

  1. Press Windows Key + X to open the Power User Menu. Select Device Manager from the list.
    dwm.exe crash
  2. When Device Manager opens, locate your graphic card driver, double-click it, and click the Update Driver button to go to the Driver tab.
  3. 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

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

6. Run DISM

  1. Right-click on the Windows Search and type cmd, then click Run as administrator.
  2. Enter the following line and press Enter:
    DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  3. Please wait until the procedure ends (it might take up to 10 minutes).
  4. 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

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 icon 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. 1. Press the Windows key + R to launch the Run console.

  2. 2. Type regedit in the Run dialog box and press Enter or click OK. The Registry Editor will open.

    Run regedit windows
  3. 3. Navigate to the following section in the Registry:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Ole

    navigate to regedit ole
  4. 4. Delete the following keys: DefaultAccessPermission, DefaultLaunchPermission, MachineAccessRestriction, and MachineLaunchRestriction.

  5. 5. Finally, you can save the changes by restarting your PC.

  6. 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

  1. Press the Windows key + X and choose Event Viewer.
    Event Viewer on from context menu 0x80070000
  2. Navigate to Windows Logs and choose System. Now click the Filter current log in the right pane.
     
  3. Navigate to the XML tab and check Edit query manually. Click Yes.
  4. 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>
  5. 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

  1. Press the Windows key + R to start the Run app.
  2. Type regedit and press Enter or click OK.
  3. Navigate to the following section in the registry: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID
  4. Expand it and spot the CLSID folder that has the same CLSID you got in the error.
  5. Right-click and select that folder. CLISD regedit windows 10
  6.  You will be able to see the owner at the top of the window. You need to modify the owner to the Administrators group.
  7. Now you have to select Replace all child object permission entries that are available at the bottom of the owner window.
  8. You will see a Windows Security warning, now click the OK and Yes buttons respectively.
  9. Click the Add button, type Everyone in the available field, and click the OK button in the previous permissions window.
  10. 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.
  11. Click OK to apply full control and save the changes.
  12. Next, you have to expand the following folder: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\AppIDappid regedit
  13. Select the folder having the APPID similar to the error message and right-click it.
  14. Repeat steps 5 to 10 to allow sufficient permissions to the respective app. 
  15. 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.

  1. Press the Windows key + S and enter component services. Select Component Services from the list of results.
  2. Go to Computer and choose My Computer. my computer component services
  3. Right-click on the issue-causing service, and click Properties.
  4. Select the Security tab.
  5. 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.
  6. 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)
  7. 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.
  8. 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. 
  9. 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 icon 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

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. 1. Right-click the Windows button on your taskbar and select Device Manager from the list that opens.

    open device manager
  2. 2. Browse through the list and identify the component you want to update the driver for.

  3. 3. Click on it to expand the section.

  4. 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. 5. Choose whether you want to automatically or manually install your driver.

  6. 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

  1. Open the Settings app. You can do that quickly by using Windows Key + I shortcut.
  2. When Settings app opens, navigate to Update & Security section.
    Clock_watchdog_timeout Ryzen
  3. Now click on Check for updates button.
    Clock_watchdog_timeout Windows 8.1

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

  1. Open the Settings app and navigate to Update & Security section.
  2. Now select View installed update history.
    Clock watchdog timeout RAM
  3. 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.
    Clock watchdog timeout HP
  4. Now double click the update that you want to remove and follow the instructions on the screen.
    Clock_watchdog_timeout overclock

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

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?

Note icon 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. 1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch the Task Manager./

  2. 2. In the Processes tab, you’ll see all the programs currently running on your computer.

  3. 3. Click on the CPU column to sort the active processes.

    CPU to fix LoL FPS drop
  4. 4. Select the processes that take up much CPU and right-click on them.

  5. 5. Click on End task.

    Terminate process to fix LoL FPS drop
  6. 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

  1. 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.)
  2. Press Esc Key to open Options.
  3. Click the Video tab.league of legends video settings
  4. 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

  1. Switch from the Video tab to Interface.
  2. Apply the following settings:league of legends interface 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

  1. While playing League of Legends, hit the Esc key to launch the Options.
  2. Now, go to the Video tab from the navigation pane.Select Video tab to fix LoL FPS drop league of legends fps drops
  3. 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.Cap FPS to fix league of legends fps drops
  4. Finally, click on OK at the bottom to save the changes. Save Changes to league of legends fps drops

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

4. Set LoL process priority to high

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

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

  1. Open League of Legends
  2. Click on the question mark (?) icon in the top right-hand corner.
  3. 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

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Locate Display adapters.display adapters in device manager
  3. Expand the list and select your graphics card driver.
  4. Right-click on it and hit Update.updating display adapter in device manager

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

  1. Install Fortect Driver Updater on your PC. Use the software to launch a scan.
  2. Wait for the detection of your faulty drivers.
  3. Select the ones you’d like fixed or choose to update all of them.
  4. Wait for the app to download and install the newest drivers.
  5. 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:

  1. Right-click on your desktop and then select NVIDIA Control Panel.
  2. Select Manage 3D Settings.Manage 3D settings to fix LoL FPS drop
  3. Select Restore, and then choose the appropriate response in case a confirmation prompt pops up.Restore to fix LoL FPS drop

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.

  1. Right-click on your Desktop.
  2. Select Catalyst Control Center/ Vision Center.
  3. Go to Preferences.
  4. Click on Restore Factory Defaults.amd graphics card factory reset option

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

  1. Open the Control Panel and go to Power Options.control panel power options
  2. Select High Performance from the list of power plans.high performance power option control panel
  3. 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

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 Expert Console

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 - 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

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

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:

  1. Visit the page on the WhatsApp website and click the Download for the Windows button to download the setup file.
  2. Double-click on the installer file to install it.
  3. Once installed, launch WhatsApp on your PC to see the following screen with a QR code.
  4. Launch the WhatsApp app on your phone, and make sure that your smartphone is connected to the internet.
  5. 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.
  6. 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. 1. Launch your favorite browser on PC.

  2. 2. Navigate to the web page for WhatsApp Web.

  3. 3. Log in to your account by scanning the QR code on the screen with your phone.

    scan qr code to launch whatsapp web
  4. 4. Select the contact whom you wish to call.

  5. 5. Click on the Camera icon, and that’s it!

    open the chat
  6. 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

  1. Launch your WhatsApp application from your desktop.
  2. (Since you have linked your WhatsApp account to your PC) Your WhatsApp account will immediately open on the screen.
  3. 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?

  1. Press the Windows key and G to open the game bar box.
  2. All you need to do now to start recording your screen is to hit the capture button and it will start.
  3. 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

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

Interface of Adobe Lightroom

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.
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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.
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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. 1. Download and install BatchPhoto from the official website.

  2. 2. Launch the software on your Windows device.

  3. 3. Click the Add Photos button on BatchPhoto’s window.

  4. 4. Select a photo to add a date stamp to, and click the OK option.

  5. 5. Click the Add Filter button to open a Select Filter window.

  6. 6. Then select Annotate on the left of the filter window.

  7. 7. Select Date to open a Date window.

  8. 8. Click on Original Date & Time on the Show drop-down menu to add a date watermark.

  9. 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

  1. First, open File Explorer with the Windows key + E hotkey.
  2. Open a folder that includes the photo you’re going to add a date stamp.
  3. Right-click the photograph you need a date stamp for and select Properties.
  4. Select the Details tab shown directly below.
    Details tab date stamp photos
  5. Note down the date taken info within the Origin section of the Details tab.
  6. Click OK to exit the properties window.
  7. Open the Ofoct date stamp app page in a browser.
    Ofoct app date stamp photos
  8. Select the Upload From Computer option.
  9. Select the photo that you noted down the date taken info for, and click the Open button.
  10. 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

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. 1. Click the Start icon from your Taskbar then right-click the Power button.

  2. 2. Hold the Shift key and click Restart.

  3. 3. Next, select Troubleshoot.

    click on troubleshoot
  4. 4. Select Advanced options, followed by Startup Settings.

    startup-sett Driver Power State Failure
  5. 5. Click the Restart button.

    restart-startup-screen Driver Power State Failure
  6. 6. When your PC boots, press the 4 key or F4 on your keyboard in order to enter Safe Mode.

  7. 7. Next, right-click the Start icon and select Device Manager.

    device-manager-w10 amd driver install problems
  8. 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.

    uninstall-device-graphics-card windows 11 keeps restarting
  9. 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.

  10. 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 icon 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

  1. Press Windows Key + X and choose Command Prompt (Admin) from the list. If Command Prompt isn’t available, select PowerShell (Admin) instead.
    Driver Power State Failure Nvidia
  2. When Command Prompt opens, enter the following command and press Enter to run it: sfc /scannow
  3. 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:

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
  2. Run the following commands:
    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /scanhealth
    DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
  3. 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

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

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

  1. Navigate to Power options. Locate your currently selected plan and click on Change plan settings.
    Driver Power State Failure ntoskrnl.exe
  2. Click on Change advanced power settings.
    Driver Power State Failure Windows 10 HP
  3. 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.
    Driver Power State Failure Nvidia
  4. 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

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Navigate to the Display adapters section and double-click your graphics card.
    Driver Power State Failure USB
  3. When the Properties window opens, go to the Driver tab and click on the Roll Back Driver button.
    Driver Power State Failure on boot
  4. 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

  1. Open Nvidia Control Panel.
  2. In the left pane, select Manage 3D settings.
  3. 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.
  4. 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

  1. Open Device Manager.
  2. Locate your network adapter and double-click it to open its properties.
    river Power State Failure Autocad
  3. Navigate to Power Management tab and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. Click on OK to save changes.
    Driver Power State Failure hard drive

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

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. 1. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager from the list of options.

    error-0x800704cf-pc-fix
  2. 2. From the main panel, click on View and select Show hidden devices.

    error-0x800704cf-pc-fix
  3. 3. Expand Network adapters, right-click on each entry here and select Uninstall device.

    error-0x800704cf-pc-fix
  4. 4. If you cannot uninstall a certain adapter, don’t worry, go to the next one.

  5. 5. When done, click on the Scan for hardware changes icon or you could simply restart the computer.

    error-0x800704cf-pc-fix

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.

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2. Run the Network adapter troubleshooter

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings, and select Update & Security.update & security
  2. Select Troubleshoot from the left, and then click on Additional troubleshooters.troubleshoot to fix 0x800704cf
  3. Now, select Network adapters here, and then click on the Run the troubleshooter button.network adapters to fix 0x800704cf

3. Change the DNS settings

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type ncpa.cpl in the text field, and hit Enter.ncpa.cpl
  2. Right-click on the current network and select Properties.properties
  3. Select Internet Protocol Version (TCP/IPv4) and click Properties.IPv4 properties
  4. 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: 8.8.4.4change DNS server to fix 0x800704cf
  5. 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

  1. Type Command Prompt in the Search bar, and click on Run as administrator.command prompt
  2. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
  3. Now, paste the following command and hit Enter: netsh winhttp reset proxyreset proxy to fix 0x800704cf
  4. 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

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type netplwiz in the text field, and click on OK.netplwiz
  2. Now, click on Add.add account to fix 0x800704cf
  3. Enter the Microsoft Account address in the text field and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.provide details

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

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.