How to Fix Video TDR Failure nvlddmkm.sys in 3 Steps

The Video TDR Failure nvlddmkm.sys BSOD error has been an issue for quite a while. From outdated drivers to an overloaded GPU and faulty overclocking, many things could trigger this error.

That said, it’s not unfixable, and below we’ll show you ally ou need to do to get rid of it.

How do I stop the TDR crash?

1. Change the PhysX settings

  1. Launch the NVIDIA Control Panel, and select Configure Surround, PhysX from the left.configure surround, physx settings
  2. Now, click on the Processor dropdown menu under PhysX settings, and select your GPU from the list.select GPU to fix video tdr failure nvlddmkm.sys
  3. Once done, save the changes.

This is one of the quick methods that helped many get things running in case of the Video TDR Failure nvlddmkm.sys blue screen error. So, make sure to try it.

2. Check for updates for the drivers of your graphics card

  1. Press Windows + S for Run, type in dxdiag in the text field, and click OK.dxdiag
  2. Navigate to the Display tab and verify details about your operating system.display tab
  3. Visit the NVIDIA website and download the newest drivers for your graphics card.driver
  4. Select the latest drivers from the list from the NVIDIA website and download them.
  5. Choose the updates necessary for your graphics card, agree, and download them.
  6. Install them and restart your computer.
  7. Verify if the problem has disappeared.

Naturally, you will want to see whether or not your graphics card is up to date also. In fact, most of the time, the error is caused by an outdated driver.

After you entered the NVIDIA website, we advise you to download only certified or recommended updates. You must avoid the ones that are still in the beta development stage. Fortunately, it is very easy to update the graphics drivers, but the manual approach is not always fruitful.

There is also third-party driver updating software that makes it easier for users to keep their drivers updated.

3. Change the TDR value

Note icon NOTE
This method involves making changes to the Registry which is a complex process. We recommend you first create a restore point and then follow the instructions as it is to avoid any issues.

    A quick workaround to fix the stop code Video TDR Failure nvlddmkm.sys is to change the TDR values. Setting it as 60 worked for users, and we recommend you try the same.

  1. 1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type regedit in the text field, and click OK.

    fix-video-tdr-failure
  2. 2. Click Yes in the UAC prompt.

  3. 3. Now, paste the following path in the address bar and hit Enter:Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers

    fix-video-tdr-failure
  4. 4. Locate the TdrDelay and TdrDdiDelay DWORDs on the right.

  5. 5. If you can’t find both, right-click on the blank portion, hover the cursor over New, select DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it as TdrDelay.

    DWORD to fix video tdr failure nvlddmkm.sys
  6. 6. Double-click on the newly created DWORD, choose Decimal under Base, enter 60 under Value data, and click on OK.

    fix-video-tdr-failure
  7. 7. Once done, create another DWORD, name it TdrDdiDelay, and similarly, choose Decimal under Base, change the Value data to 60, and then click OK.

    TDR at 60 to fix video tdr failure nvlddmkm.sys
  8. 8. Restart the computer for the changes to come into effect.

In you still receive the VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE nvlddmkm.sys BSOD, delete the two DWORDs created earlier, and contact the GPU manufacturer for more help. At this point, it’s likely that the problem lies with the hardware itself.

There you go! We hope that one of these solutions helped fix the annoying VIDEO_TDR_FAILURE nvlddmkm.sys error on Windows. Also, find out how to make Windows faster than before.

As always, if you come across other workarounds to fix this problem, you can help the Windows community by listing the troubleshooting steps in the comments below.

5 Ways to Fix Netflix When It’s Not Accepting Your Payment

Encountering a payment validation issue on Netflix can be annoying. Some users report that Netflix is not accepting their payments, which is a similar issue on Hulu as well.

Such problems will restrict your access to your favorite premium content. Hence, we will provide plausible fixes.

Why is Netflix not accepting my payment?

Although Netflix offers exceptional service, you can sometimes experience payment rejection issues.

The primary cause of this is due to invalid card details. Since most users opt for the card as a means of payment, a mistake in the details can render the card ineligible for payment. Other likely causes are:

  • Expired card – If your payment card is expired, then your financial institution cannot process it. Hence, your payment will not be successful.
  • Unsupported payment method – Netflix supports multiple payment methods. However, it has a limit, and if you opt for an unsupported one, Netflix cannot accept the payment.
  • Issues with the Netflix payment system – There are times Netflix is unable to process your request. It could be due to the server, or you are encountering an error that freezes or makes the app get stuck.
  • Insufficient funds – If the amount in your account is not up to the subscription plan you opt for, you will likely encounter the Netflix not accepting payment error.

Let’s proceed to the possible ways to fix this error.

What can I do if Netflix is not accepting my payment?

Before anything else, ensure you perform these checks:

  • Ensure you have a stable Internet connection to avoid disruption during payment processing. If there is a problem connecting to Netflix, take a look at this guide.
  • Ensure your card has not been attached to different accounts for recurring subscription charges.
  • Ensure that your bank account is configured for international payments.
  • Restart Netflix and retry the payment.

If all these have been checked and the issue persists, consider trying the fixes below.

1. Update your payment method

  1. Go to the Netflix website or start the app and log in to your account.
  2. Choose your Settings icon and select Account from the drop-down.
  3. Select Account details.
  4. Click Manage payment info under the Membership and Billing section.
  5. Click Add Payment Method, select one of the multiple options available, and provide the information.
  6. Then choose this as your preferred billing method by clicking on Make preferred.

Updating your billing method should fix the Netflix not accepting payment issue. However, accessing Netflix via a browser can lead to Netflix error code  M7111-1331-4027. Hence, check our guide to fix it if you ever encounter it.

2. Contact Netflix support

If you encounter an issue with your payment, it is recommended to contact Netflix support. Sometimes, the problem might be from Netflix when a payment method is temporarily down due to updates or not being supported in your country.

Also, they can further pinpoint why your payment is not accepted. You can reach their support via social media, app, call or live chat.

3. Contact your financial institution

Sometimes, your financial institution might be responsible for this issue if they fail to process the payment. There might be restrictions on your card, insufficient funds, an embargo on international payments, and more.

So, reach out to them to better understand the reason and remove the restrictions causing the Netflix payment not to be processed, if possible.

4. Create a new Netflix account

  1. Go to the Netflix signup page and choose your subscription plan of preference.
  2. Input your details and click Next.
  3. Proceed with the payment method and follow the prompts to activate your subscription.

Try the previously denied payment method on the new account. Sometimes, the payment issues might be tied to just one account. Hence, the need to try it on a different account.

5. Use another browser

Users may encounter payment issues on Netflix due to browser issues. Hence, we recommend you switch to another browser to check if the payment issue persists.

One of the top browsers we had no issue using is Opera browser, coming with a simple interface yet a complete set of features.

Trying Opera is gonna take you only a few moments since you can import all data such as passwords and browser history with just a few clicks.

Opera

Comes with a built-in ad blocker, free VPN and many more integrated features.
Free Download Visit Website

Consider using any of the fixes in this guide should you encounter a browser not supported in Netflix issue.

These are the best fixes to try out when faced with a Netflix payment rejection issue. Whatever the case, any of these fixes should fix the issue for you.

However, Windows users who want to download the Netflix app might encounter the error 0x80240014. So, check out our guide on the causes and fixes for the error.

Also, you might be unable to access Netflix if the error message says something went wrong. Take a look at what to do here if you encounter that.

Should you have further queries or suggestions, you can leave them in the comments section.

The Windows Dev Kit 2023 is now on the Microsoft Store

If you remember, back in May, we told you that Microsoft was gearing up to release a brand-new mini PC designed to improve Windows on Arm called Project Volterra.

And, while everyone was focusing on native Arm support for Visual Studio 2022 and VS Code, the Redmond tech company was creating an Arm-native toolchain.

Support for this includes full Visual Studio 2022 & VS Code, Visual C++, Modern .NET 6 and Java, Classic .NET Framework, Windows Terminal, and WSL and WSA for running Linux and Android apps.

It looks like the time has finally come and Microsoft is launching its own version of the Mac Mini today with a price that many will find a bit spicy.

The new mini Windows PC is great for building ARM apps for Windows 11

The truth is that you will have to dig deep in your pockets and pull out a whopping $599 for this mini PC that’s designed for developers to build native ARM apps for Windows 11.

Previously known as Project Volterra, the Windows Dev Kit 2023 is already available today in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the US.

So, developers will now be able to purchase this highly-coveted device, but really anyone wanting a miniature Windows on Arm machine can buy one as well.

You surely want to know more about this device so let’s take a closer look at it and see what actually makes this new miniature PC tick.

What are the Windows Dev Kit 2023 specs?

Well, if you are interested in buying one, know that the Windows Dev Kit 2023 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8cx Gen 3 platform with 32GB of RAM and 512GB of NVMe storage.

Furthermore, there are also two USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 ports at the side and three USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports at the rear, alongside an Ethernet port and Mini DisplayPort.

We’re also looking at a neural processing unit (NPU) on this device, much like the 5G Surface Pro 9, which will enable developers to run hardware-accelerated AI tasks and machine learning workloads.

The tech giant started to leverage NPUs in Windows 11 to power features like Voice Focus, a state-of-the-art background noise removal algorithm that doesn’t hit your CPU or GPU.

Speaking software-wise, this is where the Windows Dev Kit 2023 will absolutely shine. As we’ve said, Microsoft is working to launch a full toolchain of ARM native apps for developers to use.

Thus, Visual Studio 2022 17.4 now runs natively on Arm with far better performance, and .NET 7 will include improved performance for ARM.

Please keep in mind that previews for Arm versions of Visual C++ and the Windows App SDK are also available now.

With this device, we are getting more apps, tools, frameworks, and packages that are being ported to natively target Windows on ARM and will be arriving over the coming months. 

In the meantime, thanks to Windows 11’s powerful emulation technology, developers will be able to run many unmodified x64 and x86 apps and tools on their Windows Dev Kit.

And if that wasn’t already enough, the Windows Dev Kit will also have access to native ARM versions of Microsoft Teams, Office, Edge, and OneDrive sync.

As a result, Microsoft really hopes this device will encourage Windows on Arm app development, so we can finally see more apps run natively on Arm-powered laptops.

Since we are talking about Windows 11 and Qualcomm processors, be sure to check out the list of Windows 11-supported Intel, Qualcomm & AMD CPUs.

Would you be interested in acquiring one of these mini PCs from Microsoft? Let us know in the designated comments section below.

Fix Wdf01000.sys Failed BSOD with 7 Expert Tips

The Windows 10 error wdf01000.sys BSoD is one of those blue screen errors that can have various error messages, including STOP 0×00000050: PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREA – Wdf01000.sys and SYSTEM_THREAD_EXCEPTION_NOT_HANDLED.

However, all the wdf01000.sys error messages will include wdf01000.sys in them.

What does Wdf01000 sys mean?

If you have wondered what exactly is wdf01000.sys, it is a Windows driver that helps your computer to communicate with hardware and other connected devices. This is an important Windows 10 element.

What failed wdf01000.sys?

A few users have complained of this BSoD error. It is triggered by a few factors, including:

  • Issues with Windows Driver Frameworks – If the WDF fails to work, you may run into this error message.
  • File issues – The wdf01000.sys error and other blue screen errors can often be due to corrupted or missing system files.
  • Hard drive issues – Hard drives, especially bad and defective ones, have triggered this error for many users.
  • Compatibility issues – If some programs have compatibility issues with the OS, it can lead to an error. This, in many cases, could actually be your antivirus software.
  • Defective drivers – Users have encountered this issue when drivers are outdated or defective.

Follow along to find out detailed solutions to this!

How can I fix wdf01000.sys?

1. Use a specialized BSOD repair software

System files are very delicate to handle and any mistake can severely hurt your computer. Using a dedicated system repair software is always a good idea, as they will automatically scan and replace any corrupted file they encounter.

2. Run a System File Checker scan

  1. Open the Windows search bar, type cmd, and click Run as administrator.
  2. First, enter the following command and press Enter:
    DISM.exe/Online/Cleanup-image/Restorehealth
  3. Then input the script below in the Command Prompt, and press the Enter button.
    sfc /scannow
  4. When the SFC scan is complete, the Command Prompt might state Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files and successfully repaired them. If that’s the case, restart Windows.

The System File Checker is a Windows tool that restores corrupted system files.

3. Check for device driver errors

    If this Blue Screen error occurs on your Windows PC, it’s because of corrupted drivers or incompatible driver version that generate such error codes. Hence, make sure you update all the drivers as illustrated below.

  1. 1. Press Windows key + X and select Device Manager from the drop-down list. 

    fix-error-wdf01000-sys
  2. 2. Expand the proper category for the driver you want to update, right-click on the driver you want to update, and select Update driver.

    fix-error-wdf01000-sys
  3. 3. Select Search automatically for drivers.

    fix-error-wdf01000-sys
  4. 4. The system will download and install the compatible drivers for the hardware component.

SYS file errors can be due to corrupted driver files. Thus, updating, or at least reinstalling, corrupted device drivers might resolve the wdf01000.sys error.

You can update the drivers manually, which is time-consuming, or by using software that does this automatically.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

4. Run Check Disk

  1. Open the Windows search bar, type cmd, and click Run as administrator.
  2. Enter the script below in the prompt, and press the Enter key.
    chkdsk /f

The wdf01000.sys error can also be the consequence of hard drive corruption. As such, Check Disk is another utility that might potentially fix the BSOD error. 

5. Reinstall problematic software

  1. Open Run with the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut.appwizcpl command
  2. Next, enter appwiz.cpl in Run and click OK to open the window shown directly below.
  3. Select the software you need to reinstall, press the Uninstall button, and click Yes to provide further confirmation.
  4. Then restart your desktop or laptop.
  5. Download an updated copy of the uninstalled software from the publisher’s website, then open the program’s setup wizard to reinstall the software.

Reinstalling the conflicting program also does wonders when it comes to fixing the Cldft.sys Blue Screen of Death error and not only.

Don’t hesitate to observe how your PC behaves over the next few days. If there’s no sign of the error, the previous app installation was clearly corrupt.

6. Open the Blue Screen Troubleshooter

  1. To open that troubleshooter, press the Cortana button.
  2. Input the keyword troubleshoot in the search box.Mouse not dragging properly
  3. Click Troubleshoot to open the window in the snapshot directly below, select the Blue Screen troubleshooter, and then click its Run the troubleshooter button.
  4. The troubleshooter window will then open and might detect some issues.

7. Re-register the wdf01000.sys file

  1. Open the Windows search bar, type cmd, and click Run as administrator.
  2. Enter the following command in the Command Prompt, and press the Return button:
    regsvr32 C:Windowssystem32driverswdf01000.sys

Those are a few resolutions that can fix the wdf01000.sys BSoD error in Windows 10. In addition, fixing the registry with system optimization software might also help resolve the issue.

Note that the solutions above will also be relevant if you have the wdf01000.sys error on startup or if the wdf01000.sys experiences a crash or failed.

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

Page Fault in Nonpaged Area on Windows 11: 6 Tested Fixes

You must have encountered the page fault in nonpaged area error on your Windows 11 device. At times, it may cause the system to crash. Page Faults often occur when an application attempts to use memory that is part of its work set but does not find it. They are either soft or hard. 

A hard Page Fault will occur when the page is found in the page file on the hard disk, whereas a soft Page Fault will happen when the page is located somewhere else in the memory. This issue may be triggered by RAM change, a Windows faulty update, outdated or corrupted drivers or a faulty disk drive.

How do I fix Page Fault in Nonpaged Area BSoD in Windows 11?

Note icon NOTE
The Page Fault in the Nonpaged area in Windows 11 causes a BSOD loop on your device. This makes it impossible for you to log into your device. Therefore, you must access Safe Mode to perform the methods and fix the issue.

1. Update drivers

  1. Launch the File Explorer. Then, right-click on This PC.launch
  2. Select Manage to continue. select
  3. Select the Device Manager under System Tools option. select
  4. Then, right-click the disk device under the Disk Drives. Select Update driver or Uninstall device.uninstall

Don’t hesitate to give a try to a dedicated tool such as Fortect Driver Updater. Rest assured that this lightweight software solution will automatically look for outdated drivers and update them periodically.

⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

2. Reset your device

  1. Press Windows key + I key.open
  2. Select Recovery on the Settings page.select
  3. Then, select Reset PC on the right side.reset
  4. Select whether to Keep my files or Remove everything when resetting your device. select
  5. Follow the Wizard to continue till you can reset your device completely.

3. Disable Automatic Paging File Size Management

    The useful guide presented here will help you resolve this BSOD error with a few clicks on your Windows 11 settings.

    1. Press Windows key + E key to open File Explorer.
    page-fault-in-nonpaged-area-windows-11
  1. 2. Right-click on This PC and select Properties.

    page-fault-in-nonpaged-area-windows-11
  2. 3. Choose Advanced System Settings under device specification.

    page-fault-in-nonpaged-area-windows-11
  3. 4. Go to the Performance section, then click on Settings.

    page fault in nonpaged area windows 11
  4. 5. Select the Advanced tab, then click on the Change button.

    page fault in nonpaged area windows 11
  5. 6. Uncheck the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives and click OK to save settings.

    page fault in nonpaged area windows 11
  6. 7. Check whether the page fault in nonpaged area error in Windows 11 is still there.

4. Run the troubleshooter

  1. Press the Windows key + I key.open
  2.  Click Troubleshoot on the Settings page.select
  3. Then, select Run automatically, then notify me.scan
  4. Then, wait on your device to detect any problems with the hardware. The error will be identified once the scan is complete. You can then fix the problem. 

However, if the scan does not detect any problem, the hardware on your device does not have any issues. Then you probably need to use another method to fix the error.

5. Check your disk 

Note icon NOTE
At times, the error may occur because of a faulty disk. Don’t hesitate to use the Window Snap-in tool to check and fix the problem on the disk. 
  1. Press the Windows key + S key. open
  2. Type cmd in the search box, then select the Command Prompt Application to Run as Administrator. open
  3. Then, press Enter after you key in the following code (C represents the letter of the drive where you store your operating system): chkdsk/f/renter
  4. Press the Y key on your keyboard.press
  5. Press the Windows key + R key to open the Run dialog box, then key in the following code and click on OK: mdsched.exepage fault in nonpaged area windows 11
  6. Select Restart now and check for problems (recommended).page fault in nonpaged area windows 11
  7. Wait for the scan to end, then check whether the page fault in nonpaged area error in Windows 11 is still there. 

6. Use the Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool

  1. Press Windows key + S key. open
  2. Type memory diagnostic on the search box, then select Windows Memory Diagnostic.open
  3. Click Restart now and check for problems (recommended).
    page fault in nonpaged area windows 11
  4. Wait on your device to identify the problems. Once the search is complete, your device will display the problems detected on the screen. 

It is quite evident that the Page Fault in the Nonpaged Area with Valorant in Windows 11 will affect the gaming experience and even when with other apps.

Therefore, it is important to ensure that your device’s drivers, hardware, and software are safe and will not affect its performance.

These solutions would work even in case of encountering Page Fault in Nonpaged Area errors in Windows 11 devices or while running Apex Legends and VMware.

Feel free to let us know if you have any questions on how to fix this issue for good. Also, leave comments about guides that you would like to see or information on other Windows 11 features.

Hyper-V Guest Cannot Ping the Host: 5 Simple Ways to Fix It

Hyper-V is Microsoft’s virtualization platform and one of the most popular ones in the world. It allows users to create virtual machines and run different Operating Systems on them. 

One of the main advantages of Hyper-V is that it can be used to manage multiple operating systems on the same machine. However, there may be times when you find yourself unable to ping your host from a guest machine. 

Why can I not ping my virtual machine?

If you try to ping your virtual machine from your host computer and it does not work, there are several things that could be causing this issue:

  • Incorrect IP address – If you do not have an IP address set up properly for your network adapter, then it will not be able to communicate with other systems on the network. 
  • The VM is not running or has been stopped – If it’s not running, make sure you’ve configured your VM to start automatically when the server boots.
  • You are using a standard account – If you are running your VM as a non-admin user, then it might not be able to access all needed resources. You may run into a Hyper-V is not authorized to connect error.
  • Lost connectivity – You may not have network connectivity on the host machine. This can be due to a hardware fault or because the host is down. 
  • Unspecified gateway – If this is not set correctly, then you will not be able to access the Internet from within the virtual machine as the destination host is unreachable. 
  • Firewall restriction – It’s possible that the firewall on your computer is blocking the program. 

How can I fix Hyper-V Guest if it cannot ping the host?

Before going into advanced troubleshooting steps, here are some basic things that you should do first:

  • Make sure the virtual machine is running. 
  • Check your network settings. You may find your PC is not connected to the internet.
  • Make sure your system clock is set correctly on both sides of the connection.
  • Check if there are any problems with your network adapter.
  • Reboot your computer and try again to ping.

Now, proceed to the solutions below.

1.  Restart Remote Desktop Services

  1. Hit the Windows + R keys to open the Run command.
  2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
  3. Locate Remote Desktop Services, right-click on it and select Restart.Restart remote desktop services

2. Restart the Hyper-V Service

  1. Hit the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type in services.msc and hit Enter.
  3. Locate the Hyper-V related services, right-click on each, select Stop, then Start again.

3. Run the Network troubleshooter

  1. Press Windows + I to launch the Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Click on Troubleshoot on the right in the System tab.
  3. Select Other troubleshooters.
  4. Locate Internet Connections and click on the Run button next to it.

4. Disable firewall settings

  1. Press the Windows key, search Windows Security and click Open.
  2. Click on Firewall & network protection then select Public network.
  3. Locate Microsoft Defender Firewall and toggle the off button.quick scan

5. Reset TCP/IP 

  1. Hit the Windows key, type cmd, and click Run as administrator.
  2. Type in the following commands and press Enter after each one: netsh winsock reset catalog netsh int ipv4 reset reset.log netsh int ipv6 reset reset.log
  3. Now restart your PC.

Can I run Hyper-V without SLAT?

Yes, you can run Hyper-V without SLAT (Second Level Address Translation), but we don’t recommend it because there are some limitations. If you have server hardware that supports SLAT, then you can run Hyper-V on that hardware.

SLAT makes it very easy to manage virtual machines. It provides you with an interface for creating and deleting virtual machines, adding files to the virtual machines, configuring network settings, etc.

If your computer doesn’t have this feature, it will limit how much memory can be allocated to each virtual machine. Without it, Hyper-V may not be able to run and thus can’t ping the host.

While Hyper-V is a useful tool for VMs, you also need to ensure that your system meets all the minimum system requirements to run it to avoid performance issues.

A minor issue like not enough memory to start the virtual machine can interfere with your ability to ping the host.

Consequently, if you feel the requirements are too stringent, you can always switch to an alternative VM that is equally good and offers similar features.

Should you encounter any other issues such as Hyper-V not being in a state of replication, do not hesitate to check out our comprehensive article on the same.

If you have any comments, suggestions, or perhaps some other solutions for this problem, reach out to us in the comments section below.

Microsoft will likely coast on cloud revenue while PC shipments scare investors

Microsoft is on deck to report its quarterly earnings later today and the street is lowering its estimates in accordance with AMD and Intel’s expected weaker performance.

While it’s expected that Microsoft will continue to post growth in its burgeoning cloud business, analysts are preparing for more modest improvements quarter over quarter while also keeping an eye on predicted ‘lower-than-expected’ Windows licensing revenue due to fewer PC shipments for this earnings report.

Gartner tracked a 12.6% drop in PC sales back in July and with AMD loweing its preliminary estimates, it’s unlike the situation has gotten much better since then.

A consortium of 14 analysts from prominent firms polled by CNBC peg Microsoft’s Azure cloud growth in the 35-36% range for this quarter which is a relative departure from its 40% growth recorded last quarter.

In the midst of an organizational tightening where the company released up to 1,000 employees recently, representing less than 1 percent of its total workforce, Microsoft is also restructuring its reporting and prepped investors with a new FY23 Investors Metrics report earlier this month.

The new report lists the five areas that have been updated and where product categories have shuffled to include “HoloLens revenue, previously in the Intelligent Cloud segment, moved to the More Personal Computing segment” and will be measured in the PC accessories revenue alongside Surface revenue growth.

A bit of an obfuscating move by Microsoft for investors interested in augmented hardware as a standalone business for the company, but with the recent Meta partnership news, it’s clear Microsoft is looking to turn the HoloLens into a tech licensing endeavor while pivoting its Windows augmented reality software into yet another platform akin to its Azure efforts.

Microsoft just announced its Windows 11 2022 Update, a new features pack began rolling out and just a couple of weeks ago it hosted a new hardware event, all items not expected to impact its quarterly earnings report this time around.

While the market was raised by the prospect of tech earnings on Monday, Microsoft shares have seen a 26% deflation over the year and we’ll have to see how the company’s call is received later today before there is potentially more shaved off the stock in afterhours trading.

The Default Gateway Is Not Available: How to Fix This Error

Internet problems can cause a lot of trouble, and one problem that Windows users reported is The default gateway is not available error.

The gateway is the element that connects your computer to the Internet so you won’t be able to access any external links.

What happens if default gateway is not available?

When no next-hop IP address is defined within a routing table for forwarding data packets to a host, a default gateway acts as a forwarding hop to the other networking system.

As a result, when two networks desire to communicate or send data packets to one another, the default gateway serves as the access point to the other networks. This also includes changing the system and network topologies’ IP addressing and subnet masks.

When it is not available, it implies that there can be no communication. Hence in more general terms, you will suffer connection or network issues and will not be able to access other networks as normal.

If the default gateway not available keeps happening, here are some possible causes:

  • Interfering antiviruses – Antivirus software is known to cause issues in areas with no potential dangers. In this case, you will have to remove it altogether, then perhaps head for a better one that won’t interfere in the future.
  • Outdated drivers – Drivers make sure your OS successfully communicates with your PC components. When they are outdated, miscommunications will happen which lead to errors such as The default gateway is not available.
  • Driver settings – The network driver will have by default an option that will turn it off in order to save power. We will show you below how to turn this off in order to fix the error.
  • Faulty router – We recommend that you try to connect to another network connection to figure out if your router is the cause of this error.
  • Incorrect IP settings – Before moving on to serious troubleshooting solutions, you should check the IP address, and that the ISP configuration settings are correct.

Router settings and outdated drivers could also cause this problem. Some users reported that antiviruses may sometimes block your connection.

With this in mind, go through our solutions one by one because one of them will help you fix this issue.

How do I fix default gateway is not available?

Before jumping into the list of advanced troubleshooting solutions, make sure to do the following:

1. Change the Power Management settings for your network adapter

  1. Click the Windows Start button, type device manager and select the app from the results.
  2. Locate your network adapter and double-click it. Once the Properties window opens, go to the Power Management tab and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power. Click OK to save the changes.intel-power-ok the default gateway is not available

2. Update your network driver

2.1 Use Device Manager

  1. Right-click the Start icon then select Device Manager.device-manager-w10 amd driver install problems
  2. Expand the Network adapters section, right-click your network driver and select Update driver.network-update the default gateway is not available
  3. Select the Search automatically for drivers option and wait for the process to end then reboot your PC.

2.2 Use the manufacturer’s website

  1. Head to your computer manufacturer’s website and go to the support page and search for the model that you have in order to see all the drivers available. We will use Lenovo as an example.lenovo-search the default gateway is not available
  2. Select the network driver and download it. Double-click the file downloaded to install it then reboot your PC. The default gateway is not available keeps happening will be solved.drivers-network the default gateway is not available

2.3 Automatically update your drivers

It’s important to mention that downloading drivers manually is a risky decision. You can damage permanently your system by manually downloading the wrong driver versions.

Thus, we recommend using a third-party driver updater tool that is 100% safe to automatically download all the outdated drivers on your PC.

3. Run the Network troubleshooter

  1. Press Windows + I then go to Network & Internet.network-internet the default gateway is not available
  2. Click the Network troubleshooter option in order to run it.network-troubleshooter the default gateway is not available

4. Reset the network

  1. Press Windows + I then go to Network & Internet.network-internet the default gateway is not available
  2. Next, click the Network reset option.network-reset the default gateway is not available
  3. Click Reset now and follow the on-screen steps. The default gateway is not available through Ethernet issue will be solved.reset-now the default gateway is not available

5. Reset the network connections via CMD

    Given the fact that connection gateway errors are caused by network malfunctions, it may be useful to reset the network connection on your PC. Use the example down below to do it.

  1. 1. Click on the Windows Start button, type cmd, and choose Run as administrator from the results.

    default-gateway-not-available-windows-10/#5-reset-the-network-connections-via-cmd
  2. 2. When Command Prompt starts, enter the following commands and press Enter after each: netsh winsock reset netsh int ip reset  netsh advfirewall reset ipconfig / flushdns ipconfig / release ipconfig / renew

    netsh-ip the default gateway is not available
  3. 3. After the process is completed, close Command Prompt. 

  4. 4. Restart your PC. (You can fix The default gateway not available error by resetting TCP/IP).

How do I fix the default gateway error in Windows 11?

If you have upgraded to Windows 11, you know by now that it’s not much different from Windows 10, simply because it has the same core.

Apart from some very useful extra features and a more attractive design, the new OS is very similar to the old one.

That is why all the solutions we outlined for Windows 10 will work seamlessly to solve the gateway error on Windows 11 as well.

To fix any network adapter problems, follow the instructions above and also check out our guide on how to fix network adapter issues which will surely help out.

If you have any more questions, or you wish to add anything about the subject, don’t hesitate to do so in the comments section below.

How to Stop Your Windows 11 PC When It Randomly Restarts

Your Windows 11 PC might be restarting randomly due to issues like overheating, fast startup issues, or hardware faults. This leads to loss of progress, unexpected shutdowns during important tasks, and a lot of frustration if left unresolved.

Below, we’ll walk you through tested solutions that address all major causes. Follow along to stop Windows 11 automatic restarts.

Quick Video Summary of the Solutions for Stopping Windows 11 Automatic Restart

1. Disable automatic restart

  1. Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app then scroll down and click on About in the System tab.
    Change startup settings to fix random restart in Windows 11
  2. Next, click on Advanced system settings under Related links.
    Advanced system settings
  3. Click the Settings option under Startup and Recovery.
    Change startup and recovery settings to fix random restart
  4. Untick the checkbox for Automatic restart under System failure, and click on OK to save the changes.
    Disable automatic restart
  5. Now restart the computer and check if the Windows 11 keeps restarting randomly issue persists.

In case you are facing trouble executing this method, learn how to fix issues preventing the Settings from launching,

2. Disable fast startup

    DIFFICULTY

    Easy

    DURATION

    5 minutes

    WHAT YOU NEED

    Windows 11

    Fast startup is a feature that considerably reduces the boot time when you turn on Windows after shut down. With the feature enabled, certain critical files are saved and immediately loaded on startup.

  1. 1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu then enter Control Panel in the text field at the top, and click on the top search result that appears.

    control-panel windows 11 keeps restarting
  2. 2. Select System & Security from the list of options that appear.

    windows-11-random-restart
  3. 3. Click on Power options.

    power-opt windows 11 keeps restarting
  4. 4. Now, select Choose what the power buttons do from the list of options on the left.

    power-settings windows 11 keeps restarting
  5. 5. Navigate to the Change settings that are currently unavailable tab.

    change-settings windows 11 keeps restarting
  6. 6. Untick the checkbox for Turn on fast startup (recommended), and then click on Save changes at the bottom.

    fast-startup windows 11 keeps restarting

This option it’s known to cause compatibility issues and may also result in random restart problems in Windows 11. Therefore, disabling it should fix the restart problem on your Windows 11 device.

3. Update group policies

  1. Right-click on the Start button to launch the Power User/Quick Access menu then select Windows Terminal (Admin) from the list of options that appear.
    Launch Windows Terminal to fix random restart in Windows 11
  2. Click Yes on the UAC prompt that appears.
  3. Then, click on the downward-facing arrow at the top and select Command Prompt from the list of options. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + Shift + 2 to launch the Command Prompt tab.
    Open Command Prompt tab
  4. Now, enter the following command and hit Enter to execute it:gpupdate
    Update Group Policy to fix random restart in Windows 11

Misconfigured group policies are also known to cause trouble from time to time, hence it’s recommended that you keep them updated.

Though they would be updated automatically, manually doing it eliminates the Windows 11 keeps restarting loop issue right away.

4. Change Windows Update settings causing random restarts

Note icon NOTE
The Registry is a critical aspect of Windows and you should not go around making changes without a proper understanding, since it could damage the system and even render it unusable. Follow the steps listed below as it is without changing any other keys or values.
  1. Press Windows + R to launch the Run command. Enter regedit in the text field, and either click on OK at the bottom or hit Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
    Launch Registry Editor
  2. Click Yes on the UAC prompt that appears.
  3. Now, navigate to the following path or type/paste it in the address bar at the top and hit Enter:Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows
    navigate to Windows key
  4. Now, right-click on the Windows key in the navigation pane on the left, hover the cursor over New, and select Key from the list of options that appear.
    Create new key
  5. Name this key as Windows Update. Then right-click on the newly created key, hover the cursor over New, and select Key.
    Create AU key
  6. Name this key as AU. Click on the newly created key to open it, right-click on the empty space on the right, hover the cursor over New and select DWORD (32-bit Value) from the context menu.
    Create DWORD (32-bit Value) to fix random restart in Windows 11
  7. Name it as NoAutoRebootWithLoggedOnUser. Now, right-click on it and select Modify from the list of options.
    Modify Dword
  8. Enter 1 in the field under Value Data and click on OK at the bottom to save the changes.
    Enter 1 to fix randon restart in Windows 11

When you download an update, you need to restart your Windows. You can either manually restart the computer or set it to restart automatically after the download is complete. In case the latter settings are in place, you may encounter the random restart issue in Windows 11.

In the above steps, we modified the registry such that Windows will no more reboot automatically, thereby eliminating the error.

5. Update the graphics driver

  1. Right-click the Start icon then select Device Manager.
    device-manager bluetooth won't turn on windows 10
  2. Locate and double-click on the Display adapters to view the graphics driver which you need to right-click and then select Update driver.
    update-driver-w10 amd driver install problems
  3. Select Search automatically for drivers in the Update drivers window to let Windows select and install the best available driver on the system.
    Search automatically for drivers

Running an older version of the graphics driver too is known to cause a bunch of errors. Hence it’s recommended that you keep them up-to-date.

In case the Device Manager method doesn’t work, you can always update the driver via Windows Update or manually download it from the manufacturer’s website.

Another option, if these methods don’t work or simply seem too much trouble, you can use a third-party driver updater. A dedicated tool will automatically scan the web for driver updates and keep all the installed ones up-to-date. Our top choice in this case is Fortect Driver Updater.

6. Reinstall the graphics driver

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu. Enter Device Manager in the text field at the top, and click on the relevant search result that appears.
    Launch Device Manager to fix random restart in Windows 11
  2. Double-click on Display adapters, then right-click the graphics adapter and select Uninstall device.
    uninstall-device-graphics-card windows 11 keeps restarting
  3. Tick the checkbox for Attempt to remove the driver for this device and click on Uninstall at the bottom.
    Uninstall graphics driver to fix random restart in windows 11
  4. After uninstalling the driver, restart the computer and Windows will automatically install a fresh driver for the graphics adapter.

If the graphics driver installed on the PC is corrupted, you are bound to encounter errors every once in a while, including Windows 11 restarting when playing games. A corrupt driver can be easily identified by a yellow exclamation mark (warning) sign next to the driver icon.

The best part about the process, you don’t have to manually install a fresh set of drivers rather Windows does it automatically.

7. Scan for malware

Note icon NOTE
You can scan for malware and virus using the built-in Windows Security app or any effective third-party antivirus. We choose the former, however, it’s perfectly alright to scan using any reliable antivirus.
  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu. Enter Windows Security in the text field at the top and click on the relevant search result that appears.
    launch Windows Security
  2. Select Virus & threat protection from the options listed here.
    Virus & threat protection
  3. Click on Scan options.
    Scan options
  4. Select Full scan and click on Scan now at the bottom.
    Run Full Scan to fix random restart in Windows 11

In many instances, users realized it was actually malware or a virus that caused the Windows 11 keeps crashing and restarting issue. To remove these, all you have to do is to run a scan.

The full scan will take a lot longer to complete compared to a quick one, but it will scan more files, thereby increasing the chances of detection and removal of malware.

8. Run SFC and CHKDSK scans

  1. Press Windows enter cmd and click Run as administrator under Command Prompt on the right.
    cmd-admin hp printer won't scan
  2. Type or paste the following command to run the SFC scan:sfc /scannow
    scannow 0x80070002 windows update
  3. Wait for the scan to complete. Now, enter the following command to perform a Check Disk:chkdsk /x /f /r
    chkdsk-x-fr windows 11 keeps restarting
  4. You will be asked to schedule the scan to run the next time you restart the computer. Press Y and hit Enter to confirm. Then restart your computer.
    Confirm checkdisk

The scan may take some time to complete depending on the data stored on the computer but it’s known to fix the random restart issue in Windows 11 for a lot of users.

9. Uninstall the latest OS update

  1. Press Windows + I then go to Windows Update followed by Update history.
    windows-update-history logitehc unifying not working
  2. Click Uninstall updates from down the page.
    uninstall-updates-w11 computer-recognize-logitech-unifying-receiver
  3. Click the top Windows update then select Uninstall.
    uninstall-update-latest computer-recognize-logitech-unifying-receiver

Windows updates are generally positive, but sometimes they can cause issues such as random restarts. By uninstalling the last update you have installed, you can stop Windows 11 keeps restarting after update issue.

10. Update your BIOS

It makes no difference whether you buy one of the most recent laptops on the market or have an old one. At some point in time, you may need to do a BIOS update or make some modifications to the software since it can cause Windows 11 to keep restarting after the shutdown.

Carefully follow our dedicated guide to updating your BIOS, as this is no easy task for anyone.

These are all the ways you can solve the random restart problem in Windows 11. If nothing here works, resetting Windows 11 to its factory settings will help.

Also, you could roll back to Windows 10 from Windows 11, since Microsoft will be offering support for the previous version until October 2025.

If your Windows 10 system is not restarting, we have a dedicated article that can help you out as well.

Does my Windows 11 PC keep restarting because of overheating?

Overheating is one of the reasons for the system to restart. Whenever the temperature reaches a certain value, one that can damage the components, the system will automatically restart to cool down.

It’s easy to identify an overheated system, be it a laptop or PC. So if you believe that high temperature is the real culprit here, you can easily fix the overheating problem in Windows 11.

Wrapping up

Fixing a Windows 11 PC that keeps restarting randomly, without any obvious reason might seem intimidating at first, but if you follow the steps outlined above, you’ll put an end to this issue in no time.

This isn’t the only issue of this type. Your PC might also get stuck on restarting, throw a “computer restarted unexpectedly” error, or even restart randomly while gaming. Some users also face random restarts in Windows 10 or find their Dell laptop stuck on the restart screen.

Don’t hesitate to tell us which fix worked for you in the comments section below.

OBS Is Not Opening in Windows 11: How to Quickly Fix It

So you’re trying to run OBS in Windows 11 but after clicking several times, it is not opening. OBS is a great program to record your gaming performance. 

Most gamers prefer to download OBS because it is lightweight and does a pretty good job when recording or streaming on multiple platforms. When it won’t open, it can be frustrating but let’s look at how to address this issue, shall we?

Why is OBS not opening in Windows 11? 

If you are having trouble opening OBS in Windows 11, below are some possible causes:

  • Outdated version – OBS Studio is a very popular program and it’s constantly being updated. That means that some people have the latest version, while others don’t. 
  • Hardware requirements – If your PC does not meet the minimum system requirements to run OBS, you may have trouble opening it.
  • Outdated drivers – OBS is a pretty resource-intensive application and it needs a good graphics card to run well.
  • Corrupted system files – If your system files are corrupted, you may be unable to open programs on your PC.
  • Software conflict – Another possible cause for problems is that another program may be interfering with OBS when trying to open up on your computer.
  • Malware infection – If you’re using a pirated version of OBS, then there’s a good chance that malware has infected your computer as well as the app itself. 
  • Not enough permissions – You may not have permission to access the necessary folders or files. You can try running OBS in administrator mode.

How can I fix OBS when it is not opening in Windows 11?

Before jumping into fixing OBS not opening in Windows, we suggest performing some preliminary checks first:

  • Check and close any other applications running in the background that might be blocking the program.
  • Make sure that you have enough free space on your computer’s hard drive. You may need to clean up your RAM.
  • Restart your PC.

If you are lucky enough, one of these will open OBS but if not, here are more troubleshooting options.

1. Update OBS

The first thing you need to do is check if there is any update available for OBS Studio. This will ensure that all the latest features are available in your version of the software, which could help fix the problem. 

Also, when updating, ensure you download from the official OBS website to avoid any cracked versions.

2. Update your graphics card

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Device Manager, and click Open.
  2. Navigate and expand Display adapters, right-click on your graphic card then select Update driver.update-graphics-driver-device windows 11 graphics driver amd
  3. Click on Search automatically for updated driver software.

In these modern times, updating drivers manually can be a hassle. This is why driver updater software exists. One such tool is Outbyte Driver Updater.

You can use this simple program that scans your PC for outdated and missing drivers with a single click. 

Outbyte Driver Updater

Update your GPU with the latest drivers for top performance.
Free Trial Download Now

3. Scan for viruses

  1. Press the Windows key, search Windows Security and click Open.
  2. Select Virus & threat protection.
  3. Next, press Quick scan under Current threats.quick scan
  4. Wait for the process to finish and restart your system.

4. Update your OS

  1. Hit the Windows key and select Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Click on Windows update, then select Check for updates.check-updates-w11 windows 11 blue screen
  3. Download and install if any are available.

5. Uninstall and reinstall OBS

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Control Panel and click Open.
  2. Locate OBS studio, right-click and select Uninstall.
  3. Now navigate to your browser and download OBS to reinstall.

While you are uninstalling OBS, you may also consider any recently installed program that may have brought along the problem. Software conflicts can prevent certain programs from opening so be sure to check out the culprit if the issue persists.

Is OBS truly ready for Windows 11?

OBS Studio is a free tool that allows you to create videos with ease. It has many features, such as recording your screen, and capturing video from webcams, microphones, and more. 

If you’re wondering whether OBS Studio will continue working with Windows 11, the answer is yes. OBS and many other applications have been tested and are ready for Windows 11.

The only thing you need to know is that some of the new features will not be available. So, you might be wondering: How do I get OBS to work on Windows 11? 

The most probable reason why OBS may not work with Windows 11 is if you are running an outdated version of OBS or your graphic drivers are outdated. You may need to update your drivers manually.

While you are still here, feel free to check out our guide on what to do if OBS keeps crashing. For users with low-end hardware, we also have a little something for them to enjoy OBS. We explore some of the best OBS settings that guarantee you great performance.

Be sure to also check out our fixes for when OBS is not recording your game audio in our expert article guide.

To use OBS Studio software to its best, ensure you know the basic shortcuts and learn how to set up hotkeys to simplify the work.

Share any other thoughts you may have in the comments section below.

Could Not Find This Item: 3 Quick Ways to Fix This Error

Sometimes, you may be trying to delete a file that you are looking at on your screen. However, you will get an error message that says File Explorer could not find this item.

When you are deleting files, you are trying to free up space on your hard drive for other pressing tasks. More often than not, this message means there’s a problem with your storage drives. The file may not be visible because Windows thinks it’s in another location.

Why I’m I getting the Windows File Explorer Could not find this item error? 

If you are wondering why you are experiencing the Windows Explorer can’t find this item error, below are some possible reasons:

  • You moved the files to another location – When organizing your files, it is common to place related files together for easier management hence why the item is not found in Windows 11.
  • It may be a shortcut or a link – The file you may be trying to delete may actually be a shortcut to the original file that is located in another folder or previously deleted.
  • Virus infection – If you downloaded the file without scanning for viruses, it could be infected with malware, so always use a powerful antivirus. Also, if you transfer files to your computer from an infected USB drive, there is a possibility they could be corrupted.
  • Problem with your hard drive – Your hard drive may have been damaged from a computer crash or unexpected shutdown. Luckily, there is recovery software for damaged hard drives to help you repair them.
  • Windows File Explorer has an error – Some programs or services running in the background may cause issues with File Explorer. You can shut these down from the task manager and try deleting the file again.
  • Corrupt Windows system files – Sometimes when you are saving a large file, it may take a few moments during the save process. If your PC shuts down unexpectedly, you may get this error when you try to open it the next time. 

Now that you know why you could not find this item when deleting files, below are some solutions to help you resolve the issue.

How do I solve the Windows File Explorer could not find this item error?

Before applying the actual solutions, there are some preliminary checks you can apply:

  • Sometimes, Windows File Explorer may become unresponsive. In such cases, you may be unable to view, manage or do anything on the UI. Restarting it is a good place to start. It helps close any unnecessary background services that may be interfering with the process.
  • Restart your PC as well. This will clear any temporary files that may prevent File Explorer from opening.

Now, let’s check out the detailed procedures below.

1. Convert the file to a zipped file

Zipped files are compressed files that require a third-party tool to open, such as WinZip . The compressed files take up less space and you can easily unzip them with Windows’ built-in utility.

Once you have converted the file to a zipped folder, you can go back and locate the folder to delete it from your system.

2. Use a specialized troubleshooting tool

Sometimes Windows will retain some files in a temporary form because it is either corrupted, used by another program, or damaged.

A great solution is to use a specialized tool to run a Windows File Integrity Scan to see if the files causing this kind of problem are corrupted.

3. Rename and delete the file with Powershell

  1. Right-click on the problematic file and select Copy as path.
  2. Press the Windows key, type Powershell in the search bar and click Run as administrator.powershell windows 11 wireless display install failed
  3. Type in the following command and press Enter (Replace OldName with the file’s original name and NewName with your chosen new name for the file): REN drive:\path\OldName NewName 
  4. Go back to the file and try deleting it again.

If none of these solutions works for you, as a last resort you can start your PC in Safe Mode. Safe Mode allows your PC to start without some software and drivers. This way, you can proceed to delete the file if there was a glitch. 

Once you are successful in deleting the file, you may also run into a problem where some files can’t be emptied from the Recycle Bin. Luckily, our guide addresses fixes for that too.

You may also encounter an issue where Windows File Explorer is slow but worry not as our detailed article takes you through a step-by-step process on how to solve this problem.

Feel free to let us know of any other solutions not mentioned here that may have worked for you in the comment section below.

4 Ways to Fix Horizon Zero Dawn if It Keeps Crashing

Horizon Zero Dawn is a fantastic game, and it’s one of the best titles released in 2017. However, it’s not without its issues. In fact, some gamers have reported that Horizon Zero Dawn keeps crashing on their PS4 and Xbox One.

It takes up a lot of memory, especially if you’re playing on the PS4 Pro with the 4K mode enabled. You may experience issues with Horizon Zero Dawn not loading or it won’t launch at all.

Why is my game suddenly crashing? 

There are several reasons why Horizon Zero Dawn crash may happen in your game. Below are some common causes of crashes:

  • Outdated graphics card drivers – If you’ve installed the latest graphics card drivers and still experience crashes, try updating them again or using an older version of the driver that works well with Horizon Zero Dawn. 
  • Insufficient storage space – The game requires around 100GB of free space on your hard drive to install. If you don’t have enough room, or if you have an external hard drive that isn’t listed as a location for the game to save, Horizon Zero Dawn will crash when trying to load it up.
  • Corrupted files – The problem with corrupted files is that they may be corrupted on your hard drive or on Steam’s servers. You can try downloading a fresh copy of Horizon Zero Dawn from Steam, but if this doesn’t work, then you’ll want to try repairing or reinstalling your OS to fix this issue.
  • Virus/malware infection – Viruses and malware can cause all sorts of weird behavior in Windows including crashing games and applications, freezing up computers, and more. That’s why we recommend using a reliable antivirus program.

How can I fix Horizon Zero Dawn if it keeps crashing?

Don’t hesitate to pay attention to the preliminary checks below:

  • If your hard drive is running low on space, try deleting some old files or installing games onto an external hard drive. You can also delete temporary files from your computer to free up space.
  • You should also clear up some storage space on your console. Horizon Zero Dawn takes up a huge chunk of space, but if you have other games or apps that are taking up more than that, it could be causing problems. 
  • Also, as a rule of thumb, it is always recommended that you ensure your device meets the minimum system requirements for the said game. This will prevent frequent crashes and game lags.

1. Update your console firmware

If you’re running an outdated firmware version on your PS4 then this could be causing your Horizon Zero Dawn crashes. As with any software program, updating your firmware can help resolve issues with stability.

Try updating your firmware to the latest version. This should fix many common issues such as crashes and freezing during gameplay as well as other performance problems.

2. Update your graphic drivers

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Device Manager in the search bar and click Open.
  2. Locate the Display adapters to expand, right-click on your driver and select Update driver.display adapters
  3. Click on Search automatically for drivers.search for drivers automatically - rog gaming center not showing cpu and gpu

If you find updating drivers manually to be tiresome, the good news is that you can use an automatic tool. This amazing tool will automatically detect outdated drivers on your system and download and install updated versions of them in just a few clicks.

3. Disable antivirus temporarily

  1. Hit the Windows button, type Windows Security in the search bar and click Open.
  2. Click on Firewall & network protection then select Public network.
  3. Locate Microsoft Defender Firewall and toggle the off button.Turn off firewall if canon printer driver not installing.

4. Scan for viruses

  1. Press the Windows key, search Windows Security and click Open.
  2. Select Virus & threat protection.
  3. Next, press Quick scan under Current threats.
  4. Wait for the process to finish and restart your system.

If none of the above works for you, you can uninstall and reinstall the game. You can also try updating your OS and see if this fixes the Horizon Zero Dawn crashing issue.

On the flip side, this is not the only game you can enjoy. Guerilla Games have an amazing portfolio so it is worth considering other masterpieces. 

To help you make that decision, we have a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of Horizon Forbidden West vs Zero Dawn so be sure to check that out.

Should you experience any other related issues such as Steam games not launching, we have a dedicated guide on how to bypass these hurdles. 

Let us know of any additional thoughts you may have on this topic in the comments section below.

Windows 11 File Explorer Not Opening: 7 Ways to Force it

File Explorer is the program you should open whenever you’re trying to locate your different files on Windows. This program makes it easy for you to go through your computer files. However, sometimes, the program can be slow or won’t budge and fails to open at all.

Most of the time when File Explorer won’t open, it’s a problem with known easy fixes. If you’re having trouble opening File Explorer, then this post might just be able to help. 

Why won’t File Explorer open in Windows 11?

If you’re trying to open File Explorer, but it won’t open, there could be several reasons for it.  Here are the most common reasons:

  • Corrupt/missing registry keys – If one of the registry keys has been missing or deleted accidentally, then your File Explorer won’t be able to work properly anymore. 
  • Outdated OS – You probably have not updated your system to the latest version of Windows.
  • Virus infection – Your system is infected with malware that is blocking the program from opening. That’s why we recommend you stay up-to-date with a reliable antivirus program.
  • Program is already running – If you have multiple instances of File Explorer running at once, then this would cause an error in opening up another instance of it.
  • Insufficient space – If your hard drive is running low on space, it may not be able to display all files in File Explorer.

Now that we are aware of why File Explorer won’t open, let’s attempt to resolve it.

What can I do if File Explorer is not opening on Windows 11?

Before troubleshooting File Explorer, there are some preliminary checks you can make to determine if the problem lies within your computer or outside of it. Here are some things to check:

Now, let’s check out more solutions below.

1. Restart File Explorer

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Task Manager and click Open.
  2. Locate Windows File Explorer, right-click then select End task.
  3. Click on File on the top left corner and select Run new task.run-new-task windows 11 taskbar empty
  4. In the dialog box that appears, enter explorer.exe to restart File Explorer.Launch File Explorer

2. Clear File Explorer history

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Control Panel and select Open.
  2. Search and click open on File Explorer Options.How to open hidden files in Windows 10
  3. Navigate to the General tab and select Clear next to the Clear File Explorer history option.

The history of files that you have opened in File Explorer can sometimes cause the app to crash or freeze. Clearing the history works best if Windows Explorer won’t restart or is taking forever to load.

3. Run a System File Checker (SFC) scan

  1. Hit the Windows key, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow run command sfc /scannow

This scans all protected Windows files and replaces incorrect or corrupted ones with good copies.

You can also use a third-party program to perform a more thorough scan of your system files and detect other errors to make sure everything is fine.

4. Run a virus scan

  1. Press the Windows key, search Windows Security and click Open.
  2. Select Virus & threat protection.
  3. Next, press Quick scan under Current threats.quick scan
  4. Wait for the process to finish and restart your system.

5. Check for Updates 

  1. Hit the Windows key and select Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Click on Windows update, then select Check for updates.check-updates-w11 windows 11 blue screen
  3. Download and install if any are available.

6. Disable antivirus temporarily

  1. Press the Windows key, search Windows Security and click Open.
  2. Click on Firewall & network protection then select Public network.
  3. Locate Microsoft Defender Firewall and toggle the off button.turning off Microsoft Defender Firewall Windows

7. Restore File Explorer to default settings

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Control Panel and select Open.
  2. Search and click open on File Explorer Options.How to open hidden files in Windows 10
  3. Navigate to the General tab, select Restore Defaults at the bottom and click OK.

Sometimes when you install a new program or uninstall another program, it can change the settings in File Explorer and cause it to stop working properly. If this happens, you can restore the default settings.

How do I make File Explorer open to this PC on Windows 11?

If you’re using Windows, File Explorer opens to your Quick access location by default. However, you can change the default location to any other drive or folder on your computer.

If you want File Explorer to open to This PC in Windows instead of Quick access, here’s how to do it.

  1. Open File Explorer and click on the View tab.
  2. Select Options.
  3. Click on Open File Explorer to and in the drop-down select This PC then hit OK to save changes.

If you have tried all the above but are somewhat unlucky, there may be a more serious underlying issue with your PC. 

The easiest way to get around such a problem is to restart your computer in Safe Mode. Restarting in safe mode disables all third-party apps and services that can cause problems on your computer. 

It boots your PC with only the basic functions running. This means you won’t be able to use a lot of features so it can be very useful for troubleshooting problems like this.

Alternatively, you can opt for another file manager that comes along with far more features than File Explorer and give you better organization.

Apart from File Explorer not opening in Windows 11, users have also complained that File Explorer keeps crashing. If you are experiencing this issue, refer to our detailed guide on how to fix it.

We also have an exciting article on how to enable the dark theme on File Explorer to reduce eye strain or just get a break from the old usual light theme.

For any additional thoughts on this topic, let us know in the comments section below.

How to order and manage your files or folders on Windows File Explorer

The File Explorer, sometimes also known as Windows Explorer, is the Windows GUI that helps you access, edit, and manage your data, files, or other folders—all from a single place.

Interestingly, most users who have probably never looked it up formally, nevertheless have some vague idea of what it is and how it works. However, what most people are unaware of is how to make the most of the Explorer app. In this article, we’ve tried to tackle that. So, let’s get started.

1. Change the default home screen

When you launch File Explorer, you’ll quickly see that it’s set to Quick Access View by default. Although it’s just the perfect setting for some, everyone’s not a fan.

Luckily, you change this default look on your Windows 10 or 11 computer with only a few clicks, and set the default view to the Home Screen instead. Here’s how:

If you’re on Windows 11, click on the ellipses option from the top taskbar of your PC and select Options from there. From there, select the toggle option for Open File Explorer, and pick This PC. Finally, click on OK to save the settings.

folder options

Restart the File Explorer and you’ll find that the default view has been changed.

this pc

 

2. Manage the View

By default, the File Explorer arranges your files and folders in the Details format. However, you can change this setting without much hassle.

Just head to the View option from the top, and select the settings you’d like to use. You have a host of arrangements to pick from: Large icons, Small icons, List, Tiles, and so on. Moreover, if you click on the Show, you’ll also get to pick from different pane settings to select from.

view setting

You have three primary options: Navigation pane, Details pane, and Preview pane. 

You can try them all out and select the setting that suits you best.

the view option

3. Checkboxes, extensions, and hidden items…

Let’s stick with the View option from above. Interestingly, apart from helping you fiddle with icons and the display in general, you’ll see that the app also gives you the feature to manage your extensions on your PC.

On the View tab, click on Show and select File name extensions. This way, you can choose if you’d like File Explorer to disable file extensions along with the files.

 Also, you can enable check boxes for every individual file, making it easier to copy, cut or delete your files and folders. 

And last but not least, you also have the option to make all hidden files available that you might have on your PC.

hidden items

4. The Filter feature

Wouldn’t it be better to remove specific files and deal only with the ones you currently want to? Luckily, with the Filter feature, you can.

To use this feature, click on the Filter icon at the top, and select the file you’d like to remove from your File Explorer. As you can see below, you have a wide variety of options to pick from: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Images, Videos, and so on.

Pick one file format from above. As soon as you do, all the files of the specific format will be filtered out of Explorer.

filter feature

Managing your files or folders on Windows

The Windows File Explorer makes ordering and managing your files and folders a cakewalk.

If you’re a Windows user who has been using Windows for a few years now, then most of these features won’t surprise you. However, for those still new to navigating the world of Windows, we’ve covered many guides before that can help you tweak your Windows settings with relative ease.

Windows 11 Balanced vs High Performance: Key Differences

Windows 11 comes with two different power plan options: one is a balanced performance power plan, while the other is a high-performance power plan; both are interchangeable.

The question is, which power plan is worth switching to? In order to figure out the answer to this query, browse through this article built upon a balanced vs high-performance power plan.

What are the key differences between a balanced and high-performance power plan in Windows 11?

Windows 11 comes with two different power plans: a balanced-performance power plan and a high-performance power plan, and both options are interchangeable.

You should also have some best PC software monitoring software to monitor the performance of your system. Here we will explore the differences between the two power plans and help you decide which one is right for you.

  • Power consumption difference – The main difference between the two power plans is the amount of power each uses. The balanced-performance power plan is designed to save energy, while the high-performance power plan uses more energy to provide better performance.
  • Performance difference – The high-performance power plan is designed to provide the best possible performance, while the balanced-performance power plan sacrifices some performance in order to save energy.
  • Increased FPS – The high-performance power plan also offers increased FPS for gaming and other graphics-intensive applications. The high-performance power plan is the better option if you’re a gamer or use applications requiring a lot of graphical processing.

Which power plan should I use?

The answer to this question depends on your needs. You should use the high-performance power plan if you need the best possible performance. However, the balanced-performance power plant is better if you’re more concerned about saving energy.

In general, the high-performance power plan is best for gamers and other users who require the best possible performance. The balanced-performance power plant is best for most other users.

How do I switch between a balanced and a high-performance power plan?

1. Use the Settings app

  1. Click on the Start button from the bottom of the screen and click on the Settings option.
  2. Click on the System tab from the sidebar and select the Power & battery option.
  3. Then click on the Power mode dropdown and select your desired mode from the dropdown menu.

If your PC has Windows 11 and bad battery life and wants to improve it, then you should check our complete guide on improving your Windows 11 battery life.

2. Use Control Panel

  1. Click on the Search icon from the bottom of the screen, type control panel, and click on Open.
  2. Then, click on Power options.
  3. Select your desired power plan from the available options, and you are done.

If you want to check your PC’s battery health but don’t know how to check it, then you need our article on how to check battery health and usage of your system in Windows 11.

3. Use Command Prompt

  1. Click on the Search icon from the bottom of your screen, type cmd, and click on Run as Administrator.
  2. Type the following command in your terminal and press Enter: powercfg /list
  3. Once the command is executed, you will list available power plans.
  4. Then, to enable the Balanced mode, enter the following command and press Enter: powercfg /setactive 381b4222-f694-41f0-9685-ff5bb260df2e
  5. Then, to enable the Power saver mode, enter the following command and press Enter: powercfg /setactive a1841308-3541-4fab-bc81-f71556f20b4a
  6. To enable Ultimate performance mode (this mode is not available on all systems), enter the following command and press Enter: powercfg /setactive 8c5e7fda-e8bf-4a96-9a85-a6e23a8c635c

If you are looking to have the best performance system for you and are confused about what hardware you should choose. Then stop worrying, as we have a guide for you on the best hardware for Windows 11 performance.

We hope that this article has helped you a lot in clarifying the differences and methods of switching modes. If you have any further queries in your mind, do let us know in the comments section below.

This Item Might Not Exist Error in OneDrive: 5 Ways to Fix

Accessing items or web pages on Microsoft OneDrive may run into issues, resulting in this item not existing or is no longer available on OneDrive. Likewise, you can encounter a not valid file name error on OneDrive when accessing it.

Why does OneDrive say that this item might not exist?

This item does not exist or is no longer available on OneDrive is mainly due to the change of name of the default document library on the OneDrive site. When a user changes the name from one document to another, accessing it with the previous name will be impossible.

However, a couple of other things can cause the error these files are no longer available on OneDrive. Some are:

  • Not having permission to view the item – Users may encounter issues with viewing some items or folders if they don’t have permission to use it. So, it can indicate that the item is not available for you.
  • Network connection issues – It cannot be easy to access files and folders on OneDrive if your network connection is not stable. It can prompt errors when accessing the item.

The cause of the error message may vary depending on the circumstances that prompted it.

What can I do if getting This item might not exist on OneDrive?

Fixing this error on OneDrive can be made by troubleshooting some components. However, we highly recommend you observe the preliminary checks:

  • Connect your device to a fast and stable network connection.
  • Close and restart the OneDrive client on your PC.
  • Try signing your OneDrive account into a new device to see if the file is available.
  • Switch to another browser on your computer.
  • Restart your PC to fix boot errors affecting OneDrive.

The above preliminary checks can help troubleshoot the problem. Should they fail, use the fixes below.

1. Use the Microsoft Admin site to rename the document library to Documents

  1. Click the link below to run a test that will populate the diagnostic in the Microsoft 365 Admin Center: OneDrive Document Library Path Modified.
  2. Log in with your credentials.
  3. In the Run diagnostics window, input the necessary data in the User Principal Name (UPN) text bar, then click the Run Tests button.
  4. After the diagnostics are complete, check if the test results indicate that the default document library name was changed.
  5. If it was, check the box for I acknowledge by clicking Update settings will make the change(s) described above to the tenant configuration.
  6. Then, click the Update Settings button. It will repair the default Document library and set it to its original name.

2. Clear your browser’s cache and cookies

  1. Launch the Chrome browser on your PC.
  2. Click the Menu button, select More Tools from the drop-down, then click the Clear browsing data option.
  3. Choose a time range for the data to be cleared, check the boxes for the Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files options, then click Clear data.

After completing the process, restart your browser and check if the error persists.

Clearing your browser cache and cookies will fix issues with the browser data causing problems with OneDrive Documents.

3. Switch to another browser

  1. Click the circular arrow at the top of the URL bar while on the OneDrive page. The page will refresh.
  2. Navigate to the item prompting the error and click the three dots next to it.

Some users report that they were able to access the document prompting that This item might not exist or is no longer available on OneDrive. So, we recommend using another browser and checking if you can fix the issue.

An excellent option you should give a try is Opera One browser. You can immediately send files, links, and notes between your devices and easily browse with increased privacy and security for free.

Also, you can refresh the browser by following the steps above. Nevertheless, you can read how to move files from one OneDrive account to another in an easy way.

Users also complain about OneDrive shared folders not syncing across devices.

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

Best Survey Software for Academic Research [Easy-to-Use]

By using specialized survey software for academic research, you can create surveys that are either anonymous or personalized and then use the results to get answers to your scientific queries.

There are dozens of reliable tools for academic research, but finding the specific one to collect data, experiences, or feedback, may be an uphill task as you’d have to test-run each to discover a suitable one. Luckily, we’ve already done this for you!

What should I look for in a survey app?

Among the important things to consider are data management, distribution, and formatting, ease of use, pricing, versatile appearance, and branding.

Of course, we also considered the capabilities for sophisticated analysis, the accuracy of results, simple uploading, and a responsive experience.

We did the hard work for you to help with that dilemma by sharing the best survey software for academic research while highlighting their key features.

What is the best survey software for academic research?

Easyfeedback – Best academic survey creation tool

With Easyfeedback, it is very easy to create great surveys for academic research, as the tool provides all the necessary functions to create, conduct and analyze surveys.

Build your questionnaire or quiz simply by dragging & dropping, 14 different question types, set one or more questions per page, include media like images, audio, and video, and use simple or complex branching logic depending on response behavior.

Then, change the background image, logo, and colors of your survey exactly as you want them.

After that, it’s all a question of how you disseminate the results but Easyfeedback has plenty of answers in that department too.

For instance, you will be able to use different result views to filter answers and discover the right data.

You can create reports with individual or overall results, segment them or create comparisons. And then, send reports easily to anyone.

The most important aspect is that this solution gives you all the tools to send the survey to your target, including by email, link, social media, QR code, and even website integration.

And if you’re not the most creative person or you’re simply in a rush, get inspired with over 60 free templates available.

Take a look at its most important features:

  • Easy to create surveys, forms, and quizzes for any purpose, especially for academic research
  • More than 60 free and fully customizable survey templates
  • Change the background image, logo, and colors of your survey exactly as you want them
  • Export results in SPSS, CSV, XLS, and PDF
  • Invite participants via email, social media, QR code, and more
  • Extensive evaluation possibilities
  • Great support team available

Easyfeedback

This great solution comes with all the tools necessary to create and send your survey to your target audience.
Free trial Visit website

Connecteam – All-in-one employee management tool

The Connecteam software and app is an excellent all-in-one survey creator for academic and workplace team management purposes.

Project and task management, communication features, scheduling, time tracking, checklists, digital forms, and staff training are all included in the Connecteam app and software.

With this tool, you can effectively inform, teach, supervise, and manage staff while also increasing productivity and doing your research for academic purposes.

When you opt to build your own Survey, you may include rating, multiple-choice, open-ended, yes or no, and free text questions.

Connecteam may be accessed via a web browser, a Mac or Windows computer, or a mobile app for Android and Apple devices. Although the company does not share information on integrations, it does provide virtually all services needed by companies directly within its desktop and mobile apps, including job training capabilities.

Let’s review some of its key features:

  • User-friendly interface
  • Customizable templates
  • Push notifications for survey status
  • Anonymous polls
  • Digital polls in real time
  • Staff insights 
  • First mobile-experience surveys

Nonetheless, we want to highlight Connecteam’s utilization of the engagement survey. The way they incorporate it into their curriculum is extremely unique and unlike most of what is currently on the market.

Essentially, they prioritize employee communication by assisting businesses in using honest feedback to make the best possible business decisions.

Connecteam

Get real-time survey data and relevant insights to help you make informed decisions and act on challenges.
Free trial Visit website

SurveySparrow – Best survey building and automation

SurveySparrow is a complete customer experience that provides effective support for enterprise surveys, quick offline surveys, website chatbots, and many more.

You can employ this intuitive survey tool and conduct the research in a logical manner. It includes a logical survey builder, assorted question types, and smart surveys with variables or piping technology.

For academic purposes and requirements, you have insightful tools that can add value to your projects and bring qualitative findings.

Hence, there are helpful features such as an executive dashboard to access data from all surveys in one view, and customer journey maps to track and analyze respondents or see essential metrics.

Plus, you can benefit from improved insights about your research with reporting tools, cross-tabulation, or advanced filters to sort out questions and answers.

You can even schedule survey reports to your inbox and get notified via email about dashboard news, staying updated about any actions.

In addition, you can have recurring surveys and choose the exact date and time to share your surveys and conduct resourceful analysis.

Take a look at its best features:

  • White label surveys
  • Embedded and conversational forms
  • Data-rich dashboards
  • Case management tools
  • Smart survey sharing options
  • Dedicated mobile survey types
  • Eye-catching surveys themes and builder
  • Video surveys

SurveySparrow

This all-rounded survey software offers you smart user tools and thousand of functionalities for eminent studies.
Check price Visit website

Forms On Fire – Effective mobile data surveys

This cloud survey solution is created for custom mobile devices to conduct effective analysis and gather your data with ease.

Using this mobile survey provider, you can create offline surveys with built-in functionalities for multiple platforms.

The software delivers productivity tools for creating descriptive surveys and reports with useful apps like Microsoft Word or Excel.

You can as well utilize this mobile survey platform and design it with photos and annotations, audio or videos, sketches, file attachments, or GPS and mapping support.

Plus, the Forms on Fire application comes with other app integrations that help you transfer and manage survey data between different platforms, such as Google Sheets, Drive, Dropbox, Sharepoint, or Microsoft Azure.

Another significant capability lets you automate repetitive tasks and use dispatch office to mobile, recurrent tasks, structured workflows, the first available option, and so on.

Take a look at its best features:

  • Analytics tool with summary data
  • Offline printing
  • Barcode and NFC Scan
  • Task management
  • Hidden fields option
  • No coding skills required
  • Available with Windows, Mac, and mobile devices

Forms on Fire

Benefit from all mobile survey functionalities and investigate public opinion with future-proof automation.
Check price Visit website

QuestionPro – Great tool for questionnaire creation

This web-based survey software comes with multiple pre-built templates and over 30 types of questions which you can use to create personalized surveys and questionnaires for your academic research.

Among its features includes email, integrated pop-ups, and posting of your survey on social media channels like Facebook and Twitter.

Each of the surveys you create in QuestionPro has a survey progress bar that lets your respondents know how much of the survey is left to complete (in percentage), plus you can ensure primary questions are answered by keeping some fields mandatory.

It also computes scores on how many questions got answered and presents the overall scores once it is completed.

You can then export results into CSV, Excel, and other formats or share them through the mobile app.

Other great features include the multimedia integration for customized surveys that contain videos, pictures, and emoticons that make the survey more interactive for your respondents, plus you have full control over the survey.

It is also multilingual, with a full set of reporting features like text and trend analytics, segmentation, and real-time summary.

For academic research, you get unlimited access to the highest-paid license if you’re a student in an academic institution.

The most important features include:

  • Over 30 types of questions are available
  • Post your survey on social media channels like Facebook and Twitter
  • Text and trend analytics, segmentation, and real-time summary
  • Export results into CSV, Excel, and other popular formats
  • The app is available in multiple languages

QuestionPro

Manage all your surveys efficiently and conduct powerful analyses with academic tools.
Free trial Visit website

SurveyMonkey – Great tool for academic research studies

This survey software for academic research lets you launch any survey on its easy-to-use platform, in which you can tailor surveys based on your audience and variables.

It reaches out to millions of respondents and delivers real-time results, even with a huge amount of data that is collected, analyzed, and reported using its tools.

Additionally, the data and report analysis are easily exported in different formats and shared for collaborative purposes.

The great thing about SurveyMonkey is its features, which include built-in configurable attributes that make the creation, collection, and analysis of data from many respondents so easy.

Some of the powerful features include a wide question bank with customizable questions, a reporting and analyzing tool, survey templates, security encrypted surveys, answer validation, custom branding, SPSS integration, real-time results, and you can export results to Excel/PDF.

Design academic research surveys with confidence, reach the people that matter most via email/chat/mobile/web or social media and maximize your data’s potential.

Let’s review some of its key features:

  • Built-in configurable attributes
  • Security encrypted surveys, answer validation, custom branding, SPSS integration
  • Provides real-time results
  • Wide question bank with customizable options
  • Data and report analysis that can be exported

SurveyMonkey

Manage multiple academic projects using this profitable research tool and reach your public fast.
Check price Visit website

Qualtrics – Best professional survey tool

Trusted by over 100 schools worldwide, this award-winning survey software for academic research is built to help researchers and scholars generate better results for better analysis and conclusions in their research projects.

It is the first software solution to use artificial intelligence in analyzing survey data, with intelligent and advanced features called Qualtrics IQ, and machine learning to make your sophisticated academic research simpler.

With a plethora of tools to create, test, and modify your survey instantly, you can get your insights easily and as fast as possible, and in case of issues, their professional experts are available 24/7 via phone, email, or chat to assist.

It is an intuitive survey software with bespoke solutions for multiple uses including research and development, segmentation, and strategy among others.

Whether you’re a beginner or expert, Qualtrics makes research simplified, using the Stats IQ that helps you decipher data, identify trends, and derive predictive models, while guiding you towards the strongest statistical relationships and translating these into simple and actionable terms.

Its Text IQ capability gives actionable insights by using AI and natural language processing to analyze open texts and then suggest relevant topics with sentiment scores to each comment.

Qualtrics also has an information repository or IQ directory that stores all the data including emotions, sentiments, beliefs, and preferences, for use in your academic research.

Additionally, it supports multi-channel distribution whether that is email, SMS, mobile, social media, or others, so you can embed your survey wherever you like or use QR codes to get people to take them.

Take a look at its best features:

  • AI and machine learning capabilities
  • Multi-channel distribution including SMS, mobile, and social media
  • Helps you decipher data, identify trends, and derive predictive models
  • Intelligent data survey analysis
  • Natural language processing

⇒ Get Qualtrics

Alchemer – Best tool for data dissemination

This is yet another online survey software for creating and conducting surveys for academic research.

It has a customizable interface that makes for an easy and interactive experience for your audience, convenience when conducting the actual surveys, and integration into social media and other digital platforms.

At the end of the survey, this software offers options to analyze the data via advanced reporting and data export features, in formats including PDF, PowerPoint, Excel, and Word, after which you can share or distribute them for thorough analysis.

Among its best features are email distribution, mobile and embeddable surveys, question library, skip logic, templates, kiosk survey, support for audio/image/video, custom survey URLs, and data analysis among many others.

Consider its most important features below:

  • Mobile and embeddable survey
  • Extensive question library
  • Support for audio, images, and videos
  • Custom survey URLs
  • Data analysis capabilities

⇒ Get Alchemer

TypeForm – Best tool for easy survey creation

Technology has made everything easier in terms of making forms and surveys exciting and fun for people to fill and submit.

TypeForm is a survey software solution that has changed the conventional forms and surveys, using interactive mediums that make your respondents want to be part of the process.

Making a form in this tool is so easy, and its features include a drag-and-drop feature, flexible form creation, multiple question types and pictures, rating and opinion scales, and many more.

It has a user-friendly and interactive interface, a free API to integrate surveys and forms with other apps, and data export options.

A unique feature that makes this survey software powerful is the Logic Jumps, with which you can integrate your survey logic using Typeform tools.

Your return rates will also increase and you’ll get more credible and reliable data for further processing and accuracy of results.

You can also make an unlimited number of forms and/or surveys with its free account, and rest assured of security what with its 128-bit SSL encryption of forms and surveys.

Take a look at its best features:

  • Drag-and-drop functionality
  • Flexible form creation
  • Multiple question types and pictures
  • Rating and opinion scales
  • User-friendly and interactive interface

⇒ Get TypeForm

These are some of the most reliable survey tools that you can use for academic purposes. Install the one that best suits your needs.

All the software and solutions from our list come with powerful data dissemination capabilities to help you create comprehensive reports.

Therefore, they will definitely help you with your academic research and study for your target audience.

You should also take a look at our list including the best survey software for PC because it may provide other viable options.

Did you try any of the survey software listed above? If so, tell us all about your experience in the comments section below.

Class Schedule Maker App: 8 Best to Pick From

Any student or teacher that is highly organized will tell you that they rely on a class schedule maker app to keep everything together and tidy.

Time management is the key to solving many of life’s problems, and even though you can achieve that with information organizer software, the focus of the following apps are on students and teachers.

What should I look for in a class schedule maker?

The best class schedule maker for students is all dependent on what you want and what you’re looking for. There’s no one singular best app that can do everything well at once. Some specialize.

For example, maybe you want an app that’s well structured or one that’s highly customizable. There are also apps with a very clean user interface, but there are super dense with tons of information on them.

Some schedule makers feature integration with others. That said, this will guide WILL help you by listing out the best class schedule maker apps on the internet.

What are the best school schedule maker apps?

Adobe Express – Easily accessible

You may better know this by its older name: Adobe Spark. Since it dropped its old name, Adobe Express has gone through quite a facelift. It’s worth pointing out that it shares similarities with Visme.

It has thousands of templates, free images, backgrounds, and other types of design assets available to you. The free version is pretty basic in what it can do.

You get some editing tools and image effects to brighten up your schedule, but what you have from the get-go is more than enough for any student or teacher.

On Express’ free version, you can change the layout and fonts with ease. Creating a schedule is as simple as dragging and dropping an asset on the page.

Key features:

  • Works on any platform
  • Browser-based
  • Wide array of available templates
  • Simple user interface

The premium adds even more design assets, new tools like refined cutouts, and the ability to export to and from PDFs.

And like Visme, Express has an easy-to-follow user interface. It’s available as a desktop app and a web browser service so it’s one great online class schedule maker.

Adobe Express

Completely focused on improving curriculum and school calendar tactics via the use of user-friendly instruments.
Free trial Visit Website

Bookeo – User-friendly integrations

Bookeo is an all-in-one scheduling and management software that enables you to customize your school schedule easily.

You can access your Bokeo online class calendar and effortlessly set what each teacher or colleague can see.

It has an automatic email and TXT notifications feature, meaning your teachers and colleagues will be up-to-date with new, rescheduled, or canceled courses.

It also offers a printing feature that allows you to print class rosters with participant specifics, payment details, and supplementary options selected during your registration.

Other key features of Bookeo include:

  • Automatic notifications and reminders
  • 24/7 access for students and teachers
  • Mobile version app
  • Registration steps tracking

Bookeo

Easily track your progress or other useful information with the Bookeo software.
Check Price Visit Website

Canva – Extremely versatile

If you’re looking for a powerful web app that can be used to create school schedules, you might want to consider using Canva.

You can choose between many available presents, and create perfect graphics for any purpose, including your classroom.

With the wide array of available templates to choose from, you can easily create anything you want. Or if you’re feeling creative, you can create your own templates from scratch.

Regarding the supported elements, Canva allows you to all sorts of lines, tables, and other graphics, but you can also add photos, text, and backgrounds.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, and if you want an online timetable maker, then we encourage you to try this tool

Key features:

  • Available on any platform
  • Works in any browser
  • Many templates to choose from
  • Easy to use

Canva

Using Canva, you can personalize your school schedule by modifying the style of your template or adding your own art.
Free trial Visit website

Visme – Extensive functionality

Kicking things off is Visme, a schedule creator with a good reputation among some big-name corporations and institutions like IBM and Penske.

The service has an easy-to-understand user interface and an even easier method to create schedules. No graphic design college degree is necessary.

All you need to do is select a template, add your class details, and choose a color palette. The palette allows you to assign a color to certain time blocks in order to create a schedule that’s quick to read.

You can also add photos and icons to the time blocks for a better visual overview. And if you don’t know how to do something, there are plenty of How-To guides on Visme.

Key features:

  • Works with all sorts of objects
  • Can be used to create any type of graphics
  • Supports videos and animations
  • Perfect for branding

There is a standalone PC app and a version for web browsers, which is great if you’re low on space. And there is multiple premium version available for business or those who want more out of a personal account.

The higher tier includes the ability to add video, integration with third-party apps, and 24/7 email/chat support, thus making it a perfect class schedule maker for teachers.

Visme

The schedule may be shared online as a public or private link or saved as a JPG, PNG, PDF, or HTML5.
Free trial Visit website

Free College Schedule Maker – Incredibly simple

Express and Visme have a lot of bells and whistles on them that help beautify the look of a schedule. But if you don’t want any of those extra flourishes, then you should out check out Free College Schedule Maker.

It’s a straightforward web browser application that lets you create a schedule for free. Nothing is behind a paywall or a premium tier. What you see is what you get.

On Free College Schedule Maker, you can customize the layout by changing the start day of a week as well as the time increment from 30 minutes to an hour.

You can also choose to have weekends on the schedule if you have classes on those days. Schedule Maker has an export/import feature where you can download everything as a CSMO file or upload one from your computer.

That way, you can upload a pre-made schedule without having to create a new one from scratch. And if you don’t want a CSMO file, the schedule can be downloaded as an image instead if that works better.

All in all, it’s a decent class schedule maker that can make printable documents.

Key features:

  • Easy to use
  • Minimalistic design
  • No sign up required
  • Offers essential features

⇒ Get Free College Schedule Maker

Doodle – For professionals

Next up is Doodle, which is similar in form and function to Free College Schedule Maker but it’s better used for online classes. It’s a web-based app that’s also available on mobile as an app.

Doodle is ideal for people who want a straightforward app like Schedule Maker but has the neat advanced features other services have. There is a free version on the website, but it’s really only good for scheduling meetings.

You can’t do anything substantial with the free version, although there is a 14-day trial where you try out the premium features. The subscription service adds notifications for deadlines, tracks email invitations, and has a special bot for Slack rooms.

The higher tier throws in third-party integration with services like Zapier, which allows people to integrate other apps to automate workflows. With Zapier enabled, Doodle connects to Facebook, Paypal, Mailchimp, and a lot of internet services.

Logos for a school or class can be added too. May be out of reach for college students, but teachers and professors can get a lot of usage out of it.

Key features:

  • Extensive functionality
  • Ability to coordinate with others
  • Can create group polls
  • Ability to set office hours

⇒ Get Doodle

iStudiez Pro – Perfect for multi-platform

If you prefer a desktop app and are tired of using an internet browser, then you should check out iStudiez Pro. Right off the bat, you can tell that it’s a brightly colored and coordinated calendar app.

In fact, iStudiez is actually a pretty good general calendar app to use. So if you ever get tired of the native app on Windows 11, you should keep this one on hand.

On the left-hand side, you’ll see a variety of tabs. These tabs open sections that allow you to enter Assignments and class semesters into your schedule.

iStudiez allows you to look at your classes from a weekly view or a daily view. The Week View lets you see what you got planned for the week and the Day View shows what tasks you have for that day.

There’s also a premium version that keeps track of your GPA. As you receive grades throughout the year, you can enter the grade and point value you got then iStudiez calculates everything for you.

Another great premium feature is the multi-platform sync for unifying your schedule across the desktop and mobile apps.

Key features:

  • Lets you plan your week
  • Supports tasks
  • Works with Google Calendar
  • Extensive planner

⇒ Get iStudiez Pro

myHomework – Simplest interface

And the final entry of this is myHomework, another online class timetable. Like many of the entries on this list, it has a simple and clean user interface with features that help out both students and teachers.

myHomework has been formatted to allow different types of class schedules. It has categories for block, period, and time-centered scheduling. The app also has options for inputting assignments and tasks.

You can then prioritize those tasks so you can focus on the most important ones. Notifications can be set as reminders for upcoming deadlines so you don’t miss a single thing.

A neat aspect of myHomework is it doesn’t require an internet connection to save your information, the one thing that the other browser-based apps don’t have.

And in case you were wondering, there is indeed a paid version of myHomework. The premium version allows teachers and students to share assignments, add file attachments, and change the theme.

But if you’re on a budget, then this is a great free timetable app for students that you mustn’t miss.

Key features:

  • Available on all major platforms
  • Homework widgets
  • Ability to track classes
  • Reminders

⇒ Get myHomework

Are there other types of organizing apps?

There are no shortages of organization apps available for Windows 11. If you’re a busy professional, there are tons of weekly planner software out there like Monday.com which is a cloud-based app to help people keep track of projects.

It all comes down to what you’re looking for in a class timetable maker, and we’re positive that you’ll find something that meets your needs on our list.

We hope that you enjoyed our guide and that you found a suitable timetable PC app for students. Even if you’re a teacher, don’t be shy to try one of these tools, you might find them useful.

In case you’re looking to enhance your productivity, you might want to consider these great productivity apps.

What is your app of choice? Let us know in the comments below.

Quiz Maker Software: We’ve Found 9 Best [2026 Updated List]

While some are focused on how to develop online content, others are eager to find the best quiz-maker software that will give them as many features as possible while maintaining functionality and an intuitive interface.

Read on as we round up some promising offerings in the quiz-making field, and pick your favorite software to make quizzes for better knowledge assessment.

Can I create quizzes for free?

The answer is a resounding Yes! With the help of tools such as Fyrebox, which are discussed further down in this article, it is now possible to generate intricate quizzes without spending a dime.

Some applications are available at no cost whatsoever, while others may provide a free trial version or charge a fee for a portion of the service.

Which are the best tools to create quizzes on my PC?

Outgrow – Friendly and efficient tool

If you want beautiful and complex quizzes but know nothing about such tools, Outgrow will help you get outstanding results with minimum effort.

Its quiz maker comes with many professionally-looking layouts that are fully customizable with just a few clicks.

Moreover, you will get access to over 1 million free stock images provided by Unsplash. Of course, you may also add GIFs and videos to your questions and results.

The WYSIWYG quiz builder has drag-and-drop functionality, so you can add elements to your work with a flick of the mouse.

For more advanced users, CSS can also be used for advanced design features.

After the quiz, Outgrow allows you to add social media widgets or share your quiz in your newsletter, emails, landing pages, and even ads.

But this is not all because the app features graphical dissemination of your quizzes so you can integrate the results.

Outgrow

Create fast and eye-catching quizzes with a tool that offers drag-and-drop functionality and great integrations!
Free trial Visit website

Jotform Quiz Maker – Best all-around 

Jotform Quiz Maker is a feature-packed online tool that allows users to create dynamic quizzes and surveys easily. 

It has a user-friendly drag-and-drop design interface and offers a rich template library, allowing you to build well-designed custom quizzes without spending hours on them.

You can also use their more advanced features such as conditional logic and calculations, which means unique, dynamic quizzes that get graded automatically for everyone.

The powerful data management features allow you to create auto-generated reports, graphs, and dashboards and analyze your statistics effectively.

You can set up autoresponders and reminder emails, build approval flows, and set time or submission limits for your quizzes.

Jotform also allows you to embed your quiz into your website, share it with a link or QR code as well as build apps with multiple quizzes and documents in one place.

Jotform Quiz Maker

With this tool, you can make the most unique and interactive quizzes for any purpose!

Interact – Wide variety of quiz types

Interact is a platform that helps you create quizzes with ease. These quizzes have various uses, such as entertainment, contests, or just content for generating leads for your brand.

It allows you to generate different types of quizzes depending on their purpose. You can use assessment-type quizzes to test the knowledge of your students or your friends and a personality-type quiz where the takes will see the personality types that apply to them.

Also, you can create a scored quiz to compete with your friends or create a professional contest with real winners. Each participant will get a score based on the number of correct answers, and in the end, each one will see his score.

With Interact, you can create quizzes using hundreds of customizable templates or start from scratch. These quizzes can help you increase your online visibility.

Use quizzes to your advantage by adding your brand to the test, embed it into your website then just nerd out all the data that you can use subsequently to optimize your website, brand, or just the content you produce.

Find out more about the people who follow you or your content, and create personalized offers or products for them. The sky is the limit.

Interact

Simple and fast way to create professional quizzes for any purpose.
Free Trial Visit Website

Adobe Captivate – Ideal for professionals

Adobe Captivate is the best choice when it comes to creating quizzes and projects that can be edited on desktop display and mobile.

To design authoring eLearning, it is needed only to choose from created templates and quiz slides that specialists already created.

It is interactive and easy to use this quiz maker software as you have to swap out the desired elements like texts, images, characters, and videos in order to publish the quiz.

You can also set quizzes that are integrated into multi-module eLearning courses, so be sure that your audience is completing the course to get to the quiz.

You don’t have to complicate yourself in knowing how to program for creating an outstanding quiz, so you may use drag-and-drop features as well as customizable images and interactive elements.

This intelligent tool allows users to modify mistaken or answered questions in order to submit all questions at the same time. One of the most useful features is that you can calculate the score only for the branch audience.

With this software, the entire process has gotten easier, because it facilitates completing the quiz by showing the user the progress in getting to the final response.

Allowing users to preview the answered questions after they saw the score.

Moreover, you may convert PowerPoint presentations in order to create eLearning course videos in Adobe Captivate where you can add quiz sections.

Adobe Captivate

Get your hands on the best tool for creating excellent eLearning courses and educational materials online!
Free trial Visit website

Fyrebox – Easy to use by anyone

This quiz creator app is free to download and may be used in one of two ways: conventional display or dialogue display. It is excellent for individual use, academics, entrepreneurs, and marketing strategies.

It’s as effortless as filling out forms and shifting a few modes to customize the quiz’s contents. Fill in the directions, questions and answers, and a result at the closing of your survey.

With all of the web and app technologies available today, the major goal of a quiz builder should be user experience. You are not making a quiz for yourself, but for the players. As a result, it should be visually appealing so that participants want to participate in your quiz.

Of course, your quiz should be mobile-friendly, and the quizzing software should provide numerous options for sharing your quiz, depending on how and where you intend to utilize it. 

Depending on why you want to develop a quiz, the quizzing app can register data such as player answers, contact information, and statistics.

Fyrebox

Are you seeking blogging tools that can assist you in creating quizzes for your followers? Fyrebox allows you to make quizzes in minutes, without coding.
Free trial Visit website

Easy Test Maker – Great for printing quizzes

This is the best quiz-making software to make printable quizzes with easy and clear formatting.

It creates tests and answer sheets with multiple choices, short answers, true/false, match columns, and fill-in-the-blank questions.

It has an easy interface with an all-inclusive sidebar, and the tests come with consistent formatting; plus, you may save them for future access online.

The great thing about Easy Test Maker is the variety of question styles, saving tests online for remote access from anywhere, and automatic numbering that adjusts according to questions when you delete or reorder them.

However, you cannot create online tests with this tool. Plus, there’s a limit of 25 tests with every teacher account, and the free version’s formatting is not as good too.

Other features include export to Word or PDF, spellchecker, bold/italicize/highlight for words, and automatic generation of alternative test versions to reduce cheating.

With the paid-for version, you can insert graphics, set time limits, print individual graded tests, and automatic grading for online tests.

⇒ Get Easy Test Maker

ClassMarker – Great for website integration

This quiz maker offers a secure and professional online-based testing service that’s easy to use, customizable, and saves you hours of paperwork.

Some of the benefits you can gain from using ClassMarker include a secure and private platform, easy-to-define test settings, custom certificates and branding of exams, and public and private options for exams.

It also provides assistants to help manage your account, automatic grading that is viewable in real-time, no software installations required, plus multiplatform use.

Feel free to create tests, view results, analyze statistics, and deliver tests just the way you want them by using your own branding and customization, or themes each time.

ClassMarker integrates with your website, and you can optionally set a charge for your exams to sell quizzes online and get instant payments.

Other features include unlimited quizzes and questions, white labeling of exams, importation of questions and tests, online certifications, multilingual student interface, quiz maker Webhooks, or API access.

The downside is the free version has ads, plus creating questions can be tedious. You also need internet access to create the tests and for students to take the tests.

The free version also can’t save more than 100 results for group tests, plus it is limited to multiple-choice, true/false, free tests, and grammar questions.

The premium version, however, provides certificates, and email results, and you can upload/embed images or files.

⇒ Get ClassMarker

ProProfs Quiz Maker – Free and easy to use

This quiz maker software for PC is perfect for education exams if you want to create secure exams that prevent cheating, add instructions, and schedule tests.

It is also perfect for employee assessments, online tests, personality quizzes, surveys, and polls. ProProfs Quiz Maker lets you create and deliver online exams and tests easily for students or even employees.

Advanced options include free templates, data security, and automated grading, and you can add surveys or polls and get feedback from your learners.

It delivers detailed reports and statistics for your quizzes so you may analyze your students’ performance.

Simply create a quiz (with over 6 types of questions), brand it with your logo/colors, and add videos or images and other media.

Once done, you can share your quiz via social media and blogs, embed it on your website, and share the link to the quiz, then analyze the results by instant grading or getting statistics and reports.

It is free and simple, plus the quizzes can work across multiple devices and operating systems. It also comes with security and confidentiality with passwords, privacy controls, and more.

Some of its flaws include lots of ads on the site. However, the basic version has unlimited quizzes and attempts, adds various media, and delivers reports and tracking.

With the paid or Pro version, you can get 500MB of storage and a question bank.

⇒ Get ProProfs Quiz Maker

GoConqr – Ideal for learning platforms

With this best software to make quizzes, you can create, discover, and even share online quizzes for free.

GoConqr has millions of learning resources that have been created by teachers across the world, so you can search for any subject you like and find quizzes at any level you want.

These tests also help students learn how to take the exam, whether it’s science, language, or arts, there are quizzes on every topic you need.

One great perk is that knowledge assessments can be included in the learning or study routine to monitor progress and improve teachers’ planning.

The quizzes may be embedded online and shared, which makes this solution perfect for teachers and their students.

You can include one or more quizzes as part of a whole online course, and share quizzes privately and securely with Smart Links to get results on a class progression.

The full suite of content creation tools includes mind maps, flashcards, quizzes, notes, slides, a study planner, a library of resources, flowcharts, groups to exchange content and engage in discussion, and a course builder to curate resources in a course.

However, with GoConqr, users are limited to three subjects, uploaded resources are public, resources are crowdsourced, and it comes with many ads. The premium version has no ads and lets you create private resources.

⇒ Get GoConqr

There are various options to choose from regarding the quiz maker software that suits you the best.

We hope that our comprehensive article helps you make the right choice for your professional or personal endeavors.

You might also be interested in our list including the best survey software for academic research if you want other suggestions.

We’d like to hear more from you on this subject, so please drop us a comment in the section below.

4 Best Student Management Systems In 2026

Imagine messed student fee records, missing exams, inaccurate lesson attendance, or even confusing timetables. Now, these are some of the reasons why school managers insist on the best student management software.

What is student management software?

Also known as student information systems (SIS) or student records system (SRS), these are software created to manage daily school operations.

To do this, they come with capabilities such as attendance trackers, timetable creation, grade books, parent portals, library management, e-learning integration, and more.

There are both free and commercial options. Some are desktop programs while others are features-rich cloud-based student information systems.

What’s the role of student management software?

The software is very important in bringing order and accuracy to schools running. The automation also helps save time, cut fee losses and other wastages, and increase efficiency.

This attracts more goodwill (and student numbers) while smooth operations can be the first step toward future academic success.

After checking far and wide, we finally settled on the best student management software. Here is a brief preview.

What tools can I use to manage my students?

Gradelink – Best app for student management

This is a premium student management application and passes off as a powerful self-contained program.

Headaches like monitoring class attendance are well-taken care of with attendance reports available to your office instantly.

Coming to classes and scheduling, gives you full control of the class/subject setup. You can first adjust units and customize the grade scales to suit your school’s values.

Additionally, Gradelink lets you configure assessments and report cards/transcripts as you deem fit.

Also perfect is the highly customizable counseling section which offers administrators a flexible way to track discipline by recording incidents.

There’s a complete lesson planning, a feature to collect prospects’ information from the school’s website, and another for tracking students’ medical records.

Others include a flexible bookkeeping module to help you make sense of the dollars.

With almost everything you may ever need, this easy-to-use software should help your school fulfill its mission.

Gradelink

Monitor all your student’s class attendance, grades, medical records, and more with a top app.
Check price Visit website

Alma Student – Great for e-learning

ALMA

This pushes school administration a notch higher by introducing intelligent statistics to help you make smart decisions.

Like GradeLink, it seemingly has all the essentials: From attendance records, discipline, fee follow-up, and an adaptable grade book tool, all the way to immunizations.

Academic assignments management and curriculum design are the other hallmarks.

The program’s registration feature is seamless thanks to its straightforward enrollment and re-enrollment steps.

The intuitive interface (including the mobile one) is quite impressive while printing is similarly made easy by print-friendly stylings.

Teachers, parents, and students are also kept up to date by prompt notifications and alerts.

You can additionally build customized reports for every staff member depending on their role.

Its other attraction is the outstanding customer support team which works with you all the way until you wrap your head around its workings.

In summary, this platform brings limitless possibilities.

⇒ Get Alma Student

Fedena – Good for school management

fedena student management software

If you’re looking for solid free school management software, then Fedena deserves your ears.

Its performance and abilities rival the very best and leave one wondering how they could afford to give all this greatness out for free!

Again it’s quite flexible: For instance, you configure and manage all your courses and batches to match your existing school’s systems.

Then, you’re able to create error-free timetables within a couple of minutes to ensure you’re maximizing your teachers’ and other employees’ availability.

Coming to admissions, you can customize the forms to help pull in only students who are the best fit for your school.

At the same time, the color-coded Fedena calendar keeps users informed of all the happenings around the institution.

Reports are as detailed as in any other be they for students, employees, fees schedules, and courses.

Parents, on the other hand, use their secured logins to easily monitor the various students’ reports including attendance and results.

In reality, Fedena is more than a mere student information system and a handy time savior.

⇒ Get Fedena

Infinite Campus – Perfect for K12 schools

infinite campus

An award-winning SIS, Infinite Campus remains one of the most scalable and dependable options on the whole market.

The idea behind the application is to help K12 schools better serve their students and interact instantly with the various stakeholders.

Not only do the built-in features allow easier data entry but they also ensure it is immediately available across districts or charters.

Just to mention, the program is built on a multi-tier architecture and will support districts and charters whether with less than twenty students or in excess of 300,000 students (scaling is forthright).

We also love the slick design which allows a successful integration of all administrative functions into the platform meaning that you can do everything from one window.

Still, navigation is easy and you should have your classes up and running without much hassle.

Interestingly, while many have voted it one of the very best, the company doesn’t rest on its laurels and keeps issuing free updates to make it even better.

Overall, Infinite campus is an accomplished choice for those looking for the peace of mind and professionalism needed to take their institution to the threshold of success.

⇒ Get Infinite Campus

Long gone are the days when grades, marks, timetables, and all operations were being done manually.

Instead, schools are turning to the best student management software in droves to smoothen matters. As a result, there’s more effectiveness, efficiency, and harmony.

You may also be interested in our list including the best online school management software.

And the end results are there for all to see.  So, why don’t you join the winning teams?

Vending Machine Software: 5 Best to Use in 2026

In an age where you own vending machines all over the world and they can be in the tens of thousands, having to micro-manage each one of them doesn’t cut it anymore.

That is why software designed specifically for that was developed. It can come in the form of downloadable software for your PC, mobile apps, or even online services.

These will streamline the vending process of your products, allowing you more freedom to focus on the more important matter at hand. In the long run, it can even help generate additional profit for you.

Vending machine management software can take your business to the next level. Remote access to all machine data simplifies all manual processes from delivery to maintenance.

Because there are plenty of such services out there, choosing one that is truly good can be daunting. That is why we’ve decided to compile a list of the best vending machine management software that you can get.

What is a vending management system?

Vending management software (VMS) is a tool that helps vending companies better manage their sales and inventory. Get a remote overview of all vending machines and know exactly what to do next so you can run your business more efficiently.

If you own lots of vending machines, you know that their maintenance is troublesome. A VMS helps you track real-time data which can increase service efficiency and sales. Also, you can create reports and see insights into specific data.

Furthermore, some software can create custom routes so you reduce supply and service time and increase productivity.

VMS is a great choice when you want to save time and increase efficiency for your business.

What is the best vending management software that I can get?

VendSoft – Best for small businesses

If you’re looking to manage vending machines in a way that is fast and efficient, then you will need a program like VendSoft.

This online service will automate every aspect of your vending machine business, allowing you to focus more on other things, increasing profits and reducing the time that is wasted.

Whether you have a few vending machines or an entire fleet of them, VendSoft is a great choice for optimizing supply routes, creating detailed reports, and micro-managing each of them.

Benefits:

  • In-depth reports for all or for individual vending machines
  • Smart supply route management and optimizing for the minimum time
  • Analyze every product mix for each route to maximize sales turnover
  • Management of product level and expiry dates
  • Mobile app for remote management
  • Compatible with different machine types

⇒ Get VendSoft

Parlevel – Best software for big vending machine businesses

Parlevel comes as an all-in-one business solution for vending machine management. This software will take care of everything there is and you just have to supervise and make the right decisions.

Its aim is to increase control and accountability over all your machines. Real-time monitoring of sales, micro markets, and OCS routes.

With Parlevel you can boost your sales by giving customers the option to pay with a reliable, 4G cashless reader. Get faster payments via NFC, credit cards, and Apple Pay.

Benefits:

  • Inventory tracking, product ordering and warehouse management
  • Detailed insights on hard data and boost productivity
  • Machine breakdown and stock-out alerts
  • More ways to pay so more cash on hand
  • Can provide multiple types of vending machines
  • 7 days a week support for implementation, training, and troubleshooting

⇒ Get Parlevel

OTI Global – Best provider of contactless payment devices

OTI Global is a provider of some of the best technologies for contactless payments for vending machines, and it comes with its own vending management software.

They have a complete package for any business that wants to expand their payment methods and increase their cash on hand and provide faster payments.

With multiple certified EMV solutions, they shorten the integration time to market and provide great customer support for troubleshooting.

Benefits:

  • Real-time status of your vending machines
  • Automatically generated routes for product stocking
  • Detailed reports of vending data
  • Can be placed on any type of vending machine
  • Increase on hand cash and facilitate payments
  • Multiple solutions for different types of business

⇒ Get OTI Global

Nayax – Great inventory and sales tracker

Nayax

Nayax is a new way to manage your vending machine or other unattended automated machines to achieve more efficiency in your operations.

This management software for unattended machines will help you manage your business from afar, using advanced vending telemetry solutions.

With Nayax you will have the ability to monitor your machines with real-time information about stocks, payments, and any aspects regarding their working conditions.

Benefits:

  • Fast cashless payments for more cash on hands
  • Reduce spoilage with real-time alerts
  • Faster restock by knowing exactly the levels of inventory
  • Custom solutions for any business
  • Automates every aspect of your business
  • Can be accessed from all devices

⇒ Get Nayax

Cantaloupe – Great micro-market management

Master_Cantaloupe_Systems_Logo.573df3bdca4cf

Cantaloupe can be viewed as more of a conglomerate of software tools that work together in order to maximize the efficiency and profits of your vending machine operations.

This service comes with a host of tools, each of which is capable of taking care of every single aspect of business, from the payments it receives to the delivery it makes.

Boost profitability by bringing dynamic route optimization to your business. You will know exactly how many products to bring, their exact location and you can even schedule future routes for increasing efficiency.

Benefits:

  • Seed Cloud is the only web-based, end-to-end vending operations solution:
  • Easy-to-use, mobile-ready VMS
  • Supports card and mobile payments
  • Has route optimization and  automation
  • Features OCS and delivery logistics
  • Capable of micro-market management

⇒ Get Cantaloupe

Closing thoughts on vending management software

In an age of technology, it was only a matter of time before software that can take care of business for us was invented. Every simple process can be automated and can create a window for improvement.

While it cannot make your business run itself, it can be an amazing help to aid in boosting productivity, be more efficient in supplying and increasing your overall revenue.

In the long run, this translates into less time wasted, and more profits earned because of streamlined management and faster response times.

How to Move an Application to the Other Monitor

Windows 10 has brought us many exciting features, and there are still many others to look forward to. One of them is the ability to move apps from one monitor to another one quickly.

So, if you want to move apps to another screen in Windows 10, here are some straightforward ways to do it.

How can I move a window to the other monitor?

1. Use DisplayFusion

displayfusion logo

DisplayFusion makes dual monitor handling as simple as it gets. This feature-rich Windows desktop utility boasts a unique combination of powerful, yet intuitive options that will allow you to manage multiple monitors effortlessly.

Plus, your DisplayFusion experience is entirely customizable starting with the Hotkeys to the Power User Menu, TitleBar Buttons, and even appearance thanks to stunning wallpapers and screen savers.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • Multi-Monitor Taskbars (to keep your windows organized on each monitor)
  • Impressive library of desktop wallpapers and screen savers from multiple online sources
  • Monitor Set up Panel (enable easy configuration with precise settings)
  • Monitor Splitting and Fading (to divide your monitor into multiple sections and dim unused ones while focusing on particular tasks)
  • Preset Commands and Remote Control from your smartphone or tablet

The best part is that you get to experience all these amazing features risk-free thanks to a free trial period, courtesy of DisplayFusion.

DisplayFusion

Make your multi-monitor life easier by using DisplayFusion’s full set of features.
Free Trial Visit Website

2. Move an app to another monitor with your mouse

  1. 1. Before you can swap between your monitors, you need to enable Extend mode on them. To start off, press the Windows + P keys on your keyboard to open the Project window.

  2. 2. Choose the Extend option from the list.

  3. 3. Launch the application that you want to move to another monitor, then minimize it in the taskbar.

  4. 4. Left-click and hold the cursor on the app’s icon.

  5. 5. Continue holding the left-click and drag the app to the left or the right edge of your first monitor (depending on where your second monitor is positioned).

  6. 6. Drag it until it enters the desktop of the second monitor and then release the left-click.

  7. If you want to move an application to your other monitor, you must first enable Extend mode via your PC’s settings.

    Afterward, you only need to drag and drop your app’s window into the monitor of your choice.

3. Use Shortcut keys to move an application to another monitor

Here are some other new keyboard shortcuts for navigating and managing your multiple desktops:

  • Snapping window: WIN + LEFT or RIGHT (can be used with UP or DOWN to get into quadrants)
  • Switch to recent window: ALT + TAB (unchanged) – Hold shows new Task view window view, let go, and switches to the app.
  • Task view: WIN + TAB – New Task view opens up and stays open.
  • Create new virtual desktop: WIN + CTRL + D
  • Close current virtual desktop: WIN + CTRL + F4
  • Switch virtual desktop: WIN + CTRL + LEFT or RIGHT

4. Move Task Manager to another monitor

Windows 10 comes with a lot of new features, mainly meant to appeal to desktop users, but there are also plenty for mobile users, as well.

One of the newest features is the ability to move apps from one monitor to another one, in case you have set up multiple monitors in Windows 1.

And here’s how to do this: Use WIN + CTRL + to move the Task Manager or the active app of your choice to another monitor.

There you go, these commands should help you move a window to another monitor or open a program on a second monitor in Windows effortlessly.

We also have a guide on how to move a game to another monitor, so don’t miss it if you’re a gamer.

If your app is opening on the wrong monitor in Windows 11, you need to edit the display settings; read this guide to know more.

To master multiple screen setups, don’t miss our guide on how to toggle between screens, so don’t forget to check it out.

Feel free to share any questions or suggestions via the comments section below.

This Video is Unavailable in Your Country: Fix It In No Time

The message stating Sorry, this video is not available in your country is pretty common on the web. You can stumble upon this annoying notification when you’re trying to watch any clip, be it a movie, TV series, or YouTube content. It’s not limited to one platform in particular.

Fortunately, you can fix this issue and skip this video is unavailable in your country error by turning to a VPN.

A virtual private network service encrypts and anonymizes your data to protect your online privacy and data security. It does this by changing your IP address and geographical position and distributing other identifiable information on the web, even to video-sharing platforms.

How do I watch a video that is unavailable in my country?

As mentioned, you’ll have to use a VPN to change your virtual location. Not all VPNs are suitable for the job, which is why we recommend using premium-level tools like PIA or ExpressVPN even when encountering the Sorry, this video is not available in this region due to license errors message.

Use ExpressVPN

  1. Sign up for an ExpressVPN subscription plan.
  2. Download the dedicated app to your devices.
  3. Launch the app and log in.
  4. Click on the three dots next to the Selected location to open the VPN server list.
  5. Pick a location outside your country.
  6. Go to your video-sharing/streaming platform and try relaunching that blocked video.

With this tested VPN solution, you can unlock restricted content on video-sharing sites, be it live streams on YouTube, your favorite Netflix series, or local content from different regions.

Use Private Internet Access

  1. Sign up for a PIA subscription plan.
  2. Download and set up PIA on your device.
  3. Fire up Private Internet Access.
  4. Connect to a VPN server outside of your country.
  5. Watch the unblocked video right away.

Connecting to a VPN server from a location where the video you want to access is available is a sure way to fix this for good.

This can happen to pretty much anyone, which is why many mention having to deal with the This video is unavailable on a bunch of different devices:

  • Mobile devices: This video is unavailable in your country on iPhone or Android
  • Smart TVs: This video is unavailable in your country on Apple TV

When can This video is not available in your country/region occur?

Having a video unavailable on platforms like YouTube or even Twitter happens due to copyright laws or content-related restrictions in your area. 

Some content is not licensed for distribution in all countries of the world. Along with that, certain countries restrict access to highly violent content, and video-sharing platforms have to comply with that. However, errors such as Sorry, according to the request of the copyright owner, this film is not available in your area or Unsupported location. The video you are trying to watch cannot be viewed from your current country or location can be easily solved.

Why this video is not available in your country?

This video is unavailable in your country error appears when the media service has no distribution rights in your area, or when the video violates your government’s regulations or the platform’s terms of use.

The types of videos that get blocked most commonly contain explicit material, violence, hate speech, political criticism, promotion of harmful behaviors or products, or misinformation.

To sum up, you can resort to a dependable virtual private network service like Private Internet Access to get around geographical restrictions, fix the Sorry, this video is not available in your country error, and watch any video content on the web.

This isn’t the only restriction you can encounter, and many users reported This app is not available in your country or region message. Even more, the Video is not available at the moment message can also be related to your location, so take a closer look at our dedicated guide.

We covered a similar issue in our The uploader has not made this video available in your country guide, so don’t miss it. If you’re using YouTube Kids, then you might be interested in our YouTube Kids is not available in your country article.

How are you currently dealing with blocked videos? Feel free to share your expertise with us in the comments section below.

5 Ways to Fix Your Surface Pen When It’s Not Pairing

It’s common for users to complain about experiencing the Surface Pen not pairing. Consequently, it makes it impossible for users to use the pen with Surface. The Surface Pen not working with Surface Pro 4 is another issue users report.

In this guide, we will explore the causes and possible solutions for this problem.

Why did my Surface Pen fail to pair?

Surface Pen not pairing or not showing up in Bluetooth settings can be due to various problems with the pen or your device. Some of the reasons are:

  • Outdated Windows: Windows is fond of developing issues when not updated. It indicates that it lacks the needed patches and updates. So, it can cause the Surface Pen not to work correctly.
  • Issues with Bluetooth connectivity: it’ll be impossible for the Surface Pen to pair if the Bluetooth is not working correctly. It can make it not visible for pairing.
  • Interference with other devices using Bluetooth: the Surface Pen not pairing issue can occur due to the activities of the other apps using Bluetooth.
  • Issues with the pen: problems with the Surface Pen not showing up in Bluetooth can occur if you do not go about the pairing process correctly. For instance, not pressing the pen button for as long as you should allow it to pair can make it not visible.

How do I fix the Surface Pen when it’s not pairing?

The Surface Pen not pairing can be fixed by troubleshooting some device settings. Nonetheless, we recommend you do the following preliminary checks before proceeding:

  • Toggle off and on the Bluetooth option on your PC.
  • Unplug external devices connected to your computer.
  • Disconnect some Bluetooth devices that can interfere with a new pairing.
  • Restart the pen and your device to fix the startup error.

Check and see if you’re able to pair the Surface Pen afterward. If not, proceed with the solutions below if you’re not able to:

1. Repair the Surface Pen correctly

  1. Press the top button on the pen until the LED light blinks, indicating the Bluetooth pairing mode is on.
  2. Left-click the Start button and select Settings.
  3. Select Bluetooth & devices in Settings, toggle on the Bluetooth switch, and click Add device button beside Devices.
  4. Click Bluetooth from the options.
  5. Select Surface Pen in the list of devices and follow the screen prompts to pair your pen.

Restart Windows and see if the issue persists. If you encounter an issue while restarting your PC, check out the fixes suggested in our guide.

2. Reset your Surface device

  1. Press and hold the Surface power button for 30 seconds and then release it to force off the device.
  2. Then, press and hold the volume-up and the power button simultaneously for at least 15 seconds despite the Surface logo appearing.
  3. After resetting the Surface device, press and release the power button to turn your Surface back on.

Try to pair the Surface Pen and see if it works smoothly.

3. Check the Surface Pen’s battery

You should consider checking and maybe, changing the Surface Pen’s battery. It uses an AAAA battery as its main power supply.

To do this, press the eraser for a few seconds and take note of the light color that blinks. If the light turns green, then the battery is active and charged.

If the light turns red, it indicates a drained or depleted battery and requires changing or charging. Meanwhile, if there’s no light, you should change the battery.

After changing the battery, the pen should start working and pairing immediately.

4. Run the Bluetooth troubleshooter

  1. Click the Starts button, and click the Settings app or press the Windows + I keys.
  2. Click System and select Troubleshoot.
  3. Choose Other troubleshooters.
  4. Then select the Run button in front of Bluetooth.
  5. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the troubleshooting.

The Troubleshooter will fix errors affecting the device that causes pairing issues for the Surface Pen.

5. Update Windows

  1. Click the Start button and select Settings or press the Windows + I keys.
  2. Click on Windows Update and select Check for updates (if there are any updates available, Windows will automatically search for them and install them).

The Windows update is usually a fix that works for most basic errors, especially connection-related issues.

However, sometimes Windows updates are not opening on Windows 11. So, take a look at our fixes in this guide.

Conclusively, read about how to fix Surface Pro 3 issues after firmware updates with no stress. Also, check how to fix other issues like Surface Pro not detecting mouse pointers and how to fix it.

If you have further questions or suggestions, kindly drop them in the comments section.

Nvidia High Definition Audio Has no Sound? Try These 7 Fixes

Although uncommon, sound issues are one of the worst you can encounter on a PC, and solving this is often time-consuming. And several users reported no sound on the Nvidia High Definition Audio, which is what we will be fixing today.

In this case, one common issue is users completely lose system sound after installing NVIDIA GPU drivers. For others, the audio device, for instance, headphones, was not recognized.

So, let’s find out why Nvidia audio is not working and its most effective solutions.

Why is my high definition audio not working?

Here are some of the reasons why Nvidia Sound is not working on your PC:

  • Outdated, corrupt, or incompatible drivers installed: Issues with the driver are usually the most common reason behind the problem.
  • A bug in the installed version of the driver: Oftentimes, users encounter the problem after updating the driver when there’s a bug in the current version.
  • Two sound cards running into conflicts: If you have multiple sound cards, there are chances that these might conflict with each other.
  • Misconfigured BIOS settings: Many users found the BIOS settings responsible for the issue.

Speaking of the issue, the solutions below should also help in the following cases:

  • Nvidia HDMI audio not working – This is a relatively common problem encountered by many users eager to enjoy Nvidia with their home theater receiver. If you’re one of them, you should be able to fix it by using one of our solutions.
  • No sound Nvidia High Definition audio – This also happens when using HDMI to stream audio and video to other displays. Faulty drivers and a potentially disabled onboard sound device in BIOS are often the culprits.
  • No sound after Geforce update – Many users reported that their sound was gone after updating their Geforce drivers or after installing a Geforce graphics card.
  • No sound after installing graphics card Windows 10 – According to users, this error can sometimes appear after installing a new graphics card. This is most likely caused by incompatible drivers.
  • Nvidia video card no sound – Users reported that their sound is completely missing while using Nvidia graphics. To fix the issue, you might have to reinstall both your Nvidia and audio drivers.

How do I fix Nvidia high-definition audio?

Before we head to the slightly complex solutions, let’s try a few quick checks and see if it helps.

  • Reconnect the audio device you are facing issues with.
  • Restart the computer.
  • Update to the latest version of the OS.

If these don’t work, the following methods would:

1. Update or reinstall audio drivers

    The first thing you must do is check if there’s an updated version available and install it. If you can’t find one on the computer, head to the manufacturer’s official website and download it to update the audio driver manually.

  1. 1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type devmgmt.msc, and click OK.

    devmgmt.msc to fix nvidia high definition audio no sound
  2. 2. Double-click on the Sound, video and game controllers entry.

    sound, video and game controller
  3. 3. Right-click on High Definition Audio Device, and select Update driver.

    update driver to fix nvidia high definition audio no sound
  4. 4. Click on Browse my computer for drivers.

    browse my computer for drivers
  5. 5. Choose Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.

    let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer
  6. 6. If a High Definition Audio Device driver is listed, select it and click Next.

    no-sound-nvidia-graphics-drivers-update
  7. 7. Click Yes in the confirmation prompt.

    confirm change to fix nvidia high definition audio no sound
  8. 8. After the update is complete, restart the computer for the changes to come into effect.

    no-sound-nvidia-graphics-drivers-update

Now, you can verify if the NVIDIA High Definition Audio Driver starts working.

Update drivers automatically

Try a third-party driver updating tool if the previous method doesn’t fix the issue. Downloading drivers manually is a process that carries the risk of getting the wrong driver installed, which may lead to severe malfunctions.

2. Roll back to a previous Windows build

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings, and click on Update & Security.Update & security
  2. Select the Recovery tab from the navigation pane, and click on Get started.revert to previous build to fix nvidia high definition audio no sound
  3. Now, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

If the no sound problem on Nvidia High Definition Audio Device started after an update, you might revert to the previous build within ten days of updating.

In case the Get started button is greyed out, you can always manually uninstall Windows updates.

3. Check the BIOS settings

If the previous methods didn’t work, you can reconfigure the BIOS settings and disable the other sound cards in case there’s more than one.

Also, remember that you don’t necessarily have to disable the others. For example, if another sound card does the job, disable Nvidia High Definition Audio Device to fix the no sound problem.

4. Run the built-in troubleshooter

  1. Press Windows + I to open Settings, and click on Update & Security.update & security
  2. Select Troubleshoot from the left, and then click on Additional troubleshooters.troubleshoot to fix nvidia high definition audio no sound after sleep
  3. Click on the Playing Audio entry here, and then click on Run the troubleshooter button.playing audio to fix nvidia high definition audio no sound after sleep
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions and make the recommended changes to fix things.troubleshooter

Users sometimes manage to fix things by simply running the built-in troubleshooter. If you still have no sound from Nvidia High Definition Audio, head to the following method.

5. Change the audio output device

  1. Right-click the Sound icon in the Notification area and select Playback devices.
    Sound not working Nvidia
  2. Next, right-click the preferred device and Set as Default Device.
    No sound after Geforce update
  3. Right-click Digital Audio/Monitor/HDMI and select Disable from the menu.
    No sound after installing graphics card Windows 10
  4. Click OK to save the changes.

Once you set your speakers as the default playback device, the issue should be resolved entirely.

6. Perform a clean installation of Nvidia drivers

  1. Head to Nvidia’s official website, and download the latest driver for your device.download
  2. Double-click the setup file to run it.
  3. Once you get to the Installation options menu, select Custom (Advanced) and click on Next.
  4. Now, tick the Perform a clean installation option and click on Next.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.

Many users reported that sound was missing after installing Nvidia drivers. However, you can fix that problem simply by performing a clean installation of your drivers. Several users said this solution worked for them, so feel free to try it out.

7. Scan for hardware changes

  1. Type Device Manager in the Search bar, and click on the relevant search result.device manager
  2. Double-click on the Sound, video and game controllers entry.sound, video and game controller
  3. Right-click on High Definition Audio Device, and select Scan for hardware changes.scan for hardware changes

If Nvidia High Definition Audio delivers no sound after sleep, scanning for hardware changes should do the trick. First, though, this is a workaround suggested by users with this problem. The above solutions should help eliminate the underlying cause.

We expect the issue to be resolved and the audio device to work seamlessly.

Also, find out the best audio enhancer tools for Windows.

Additionally, don’t forget to share your alternative solutions or ask subject-related questions in the comments below.

Realtek Audio Driver Keeps Crashing: 5 Quick Ways to Fix It

Windows users complain that the Realtek audio driver keeps crashing on their PCs. It impedes the functionality of the audio features dependent on it. The audio driver’s frequent crashes can cause the Realtek HD Audio Manager not to work on Windows 11.

Why does Realtek audio keep crashing my PC?

Realtek High Definition Audio driver crashes on your PC can occur for a few reasons, which can vary in different instances.:

  • Outdated Realtek audio driver: The most common cause of the problem is your computer’s outdated or broken Realtek audio drivers. This will likely cause an incompatibility issue and crash your PC.
  • Outdated Windows operating system: Windows updates are available to help you fix bugs affecting your PC. So, not keeping your Windows PC up-to-date can make it incompatible with the driver version, causing it to crash.

However, the Realtek audio driver crashing or slowing down the computer can occur for reasons that may differ in different computers.

What can I do if Realtek audio driver keeps crashing?

Fixing the Realtek audio driver that keeps crashing on your PC can be tricky. Hence, we recommend you go through these preliminary checks before troubleshooting your PC:

  • Disconnect external audio devices connected to your PC, and peripherals plugged into the USB ports.
  • Restart your PC to fix startup problems that may interfere with the Realtek audio driver crash.

If you’re unable to fix the issue with the preliminary checks above, then proceed with the solutions below:

1. Uninstall and reinstall the Realtek audio device

  1. Right-click the Start button in the bottom-left corner of the taskbar, then select the Device Manager from the drop-down.
  2. Expand the Sound, video, and game controllers, right-click on Realtek Audio, and select the Uninstall device option from the drop-down.
  3. Check the box for the Attempt to remove the driver for this device option, then click Uninstall.
  4. Restart your computer after the installation is complete, and your PC will automatically install the driver.

Alternatively, you can check how to download the Realtek audio driver for Windows 11 if your device doesn’t install it automatically.

2. Update Windows

  1. Click on Start in the bottom-left corner of the taskbar and select Settings from the Start menu.
  2. Click on Windows Update, then select Check for updates (Windows will automatically search for updates and download them if any are available for your PC).

Updating Windows will help fix bugs affecting the Realtek audio driver. Also, we recommend you read about what to do if the Windows Update breaks Realtek soundcard drivers on your PC.

3. Update your audio drivers

  1. Right-click the Start button in the bottom-left corner of the taskbar, then select the Device Manager from the drop-down.
  2. Expand the Sound, video, and game controllers, then right-click the Audio driver and select Update driver.
  3. Then, select Search for the driver automatically from the options.

Restart your computer after the installation process is complete and see if you can fix the problem.

Updating your audio drivers can fix it if it’s corrupted or broken. You can read how to enable and disable automatic driver updates on Windows 11.

4. Restart Windows Audio Service

  1. Press Windows + R key to open the Run window, type services.msc in the search box, and press OK.
  2. Also navigate to Windows Audio service and right-click on it.
  3. Select the Restart option from the drop-down.

The steps above will restart the Windows Audio service and fix any Realtek audio driver issues on your PC.

5. Run the Audio Troubleshooter

  1. Press Windows + I to prompt the Windows Settings app.
  2. Click System from the left pane and select Troubleshoot from the options.
  3. Choose Other troubleshooters in the window’s right pane.
  4. Then select the Playing Audio tab and click on the Run button beside it.
  5. Select Realtek Audio and click Next (running the Audio troubleshooter will detect issues affecting the PC and recommend solutions).
  6. Press the Apply this fix option if it is displayed.

Check and see if the Realtek audio driver keeps crashing.

Conclusively, we recommend you read how to fix Realtek High Definition Audio Driver problems on your PC and what to do when the RAC is greyed out.

Likewise, knowing what to do will be beneficial if the Realtek High Definition Audio Manager won’t open on your computer.

If you have any questions or suggestions, kindly leave them in the comments section. We’d like to hear from you.

How to Change the Color Profile on Windows 11

Despite making changes to the display of Windows 11, Microsoft still allows users to change their Windows color settings. This is without ignoring that Windows 11 is the most aesthetically designed.

However, the OS is meant to be used on your personal laptop or computer and should be allowed to look how you like.

Read on as we highlight how you can easily tweak your Windows display color settings if you have been unable to do so.

We would also direct you on some quick fixes if you encounter issues changing your Windows default color settings.

How do I change the color profile on Windows 11?

1. Via Color Management

  1. 1. Hit the Windows key to open the search box and then type Color Management in it.

  2. 2. Press the Enter key to open the app.

  3. 3. Go to the Advanced tab.

  4. 4. Click on the drop-down menu next to Device profile and select one of the options.

    choose device profile windows 11
  5. 5. In order to install a custom color profile, go to the Advanced tab and click on the Add… button. You will need to browse your PC for a profile to install.

  6. 6. After you select the desired color profile, click on Close.

  7. You can change your Windows 11 color profile from the Color Management app, that is built-in on your device.

    The Color Management app allows you to change your color profile to a a different one within a few clicks. You can choose a pre-existing default profile or install a new custom one.

2. Change the Windows colors mode

  1. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I. Choose Personalization.
    Personalization
  2. Select Colors.
    Color
  3. In Choose your mode, select the drop-down box to select the color you like. Either Light or Dark.
  4. Set the Accent color to Automatic to allow Windows to choose a color itself. Or pick one from the Windows 11 color palette.
    Accent Color
  5. If you prefer a custom setting, choose your default Windows mode and default app mode. Changes will be effective automatically.

This is how you can easily change the color profile in Windows 11 and customize the appearance of your OS.

To further personalize your desktop experience, you can change the title bar color and window border; read this guide to learn the steps.

3. Configure the desktop background

3.1 Change system theme

  1. Right-click on an empty space on your desktop home screen. Next, select Personalize.
    Windows personalize
  2. Select a theme of your choice from the options.
    Theme
  3. The color of your desktop should be changed by now. If you don’t like the default options offered by Windows, you can download more themes instead of changing your Windows 11 color settings.

3.2 Pick a Contrast theme

  1. Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I. Select Accessibility.
    Accessibility
  2. Scroll and choose Contrast themes.
    Accessibility-Contrast Themes
  3. Pick your preferred Contrast theme from the list of drop-down options. Then select Apply or Edit as you want.
    Contrast options

This option is very useful if you have problems distinguishing different colors or the text within the boxes and messages.

Users who want to improve text visibility on their desktops can also check this guide on how to change the desktop font color, which helps enhance readability alongside the other Windows color options.

4. Change the HDR settings

  1. Turn on your system and make sure it has been powered for about 30 minutes. This will also work for changing your Windows 11 color settings if you are sharing your screen with a monitor or other display.
  2. Right-click on a free space on your desktop and select Display settings.
    Display Settings
  3. Scroll to Display resolution and select and select the recommended solution by your system. If already in place, no need to change it. Move to the next step.
    System Display
  4. Scroll up to select HDR.
  5. Then, pick Optimize for image quality when viewing HDR content on battery power.

Keep in mind that not all monitors have HDR capability. Only apply this tweak if you see that the feature is supported under the Display capabilities section.

Otherwise, changing these settings will have no effect on your system whatsoever.

5. Calibrate your Windows 11 display

  1. Open Settings by pressing the Windows key + I. Type Calibrate in the Search Box and click on Calibrate display color.
    Calibrate
  2. Click on Next and follow the displayed instructions on the screen.
  3. After reading the instructions and consecutively clicking Next. You will see notes on how to adjust Gamma.
    Gamma
  4. Adjust the Gamma the way you like. Then, select Next.
    Adjust Gamma
  5. Click on Next to complete the set-up.
  6. You can decide to Skip brightness and contrast adjustment. If you don’t want to skip it, just select Next.
  7. The screen information is well detailed to enlighten the steps to take. Proceed from each step by selecting Next. Adjust the brightness and contrast to a level you are satisfied with.
  8. You will also be prompted to adjust the color balance. The information on how to do this will be displayed on your screen.
  9. At the end of this setting, You’ve successfully created a new calibration will be displayed. Select Finish to complete the set-up.
    New calibration
  10. Check if you are satisfied with the new color settings. If not, check other methods to change it below.

The Windows 11 color calibration for your monitor is not an easy task for regular users and if you want to use your monitor for graphics applications, it’s better to consult a specialist.

6. Change the Windows wallpaper

  1. Right-click on an empty space on Desktop Home Screen. Next, select Personalize.
    Windows personalize
  2. Click on Background.
  3. Choose how you will like to adjust the display color setting by choosing from the list of options in Personalize your background. You can select the photos you prefer using the Browse photos option to create a slideshow.

There you have it all. With any of the methods explained so far, you should by now be able to customize your Windows default color settings to your taste.

Also, we have an article on what to do if Color Management is not working in Windows 11, in case you are experiencing these kinds of issues.

It’s also helpful to note that if your copy of Windows is not activated, you will not be able to access the personalization options, and therefore, you will not be able to change the theme or access the color settings from that menu.

If you are interested in customizing the window border color and width the way you like, read this guide.

Let us know your thoughts and contributions about changing the color profile in Windows 11 in the comment section below.

How to Make Windows 11 Faster [Speed & Performance Tweaks]

Undoubtedly, Windows 11 runs smoother and much faster than the previous operating system. However, this only happens on performant PCs and not on old devices.

Even if it comes up with plenty of improvements compared to Windows 10, some users seem interested in making Windows 11 faster. And we are here to help you do just that!

Why is Windows 11 so laggy?

Take a look at the following list and find out some of the most common explanations for your slow PC:

  • Having too many startup apps – These are the programs configured to load at startup, thus increasing the boot time and negatively affecting the performance of Windows.
  • Running out of RAM – If your OS runs out of RAM memory, it may use a part of the storage drive as virtual memory, and this will result in low performance. You can take advantage of RAM cleaner software to solve this problem.
  • Old or fragmented devices – These can corrupt computer performance to nonviable levels. As mentioned before, consider that Windows 11 does not support old devices as we thought.
  • Running out of disk drive space (like HDDs or SDDs) – This one is similar to running out of RAM, being based on the same explanation. And if you need more space, you can always upgrade to a new SSD.
  • Malware and viruses – They can be caught from untrusted sources when you download different apps or programs. So, make sure you check them twice before and use one of the best antivirus options for Windows 11.
  • Poor Windows or driver updates – Not constantly updating your software and hardware pieces can cause severe crashes on your PC. You can also use a specialized driver updater, which automatically updates missing or outdated graphic drivers, which has significant benefits on the overall performance of Windows 11.

If you’re looking to speed up Windows 11, we’ve got some performance tweaks and optimizations to improve performance and make your computer or laptop run smoothly.

How can I make Windows 11 run faster?

Before trying the slightly elaborate solutions, let’s see a few quick Windows 11 performance tweaks:

  • Restart the computer. It’s the simplest way to boost your PC quickly and should provide temporary relief.
  • Allow optimal space around the CPU for the hot air to be effectively released.
  • Scan your PC for malware using an effective antivirus since these have been found to affect the performance.
  • Delete unwanted files. These could be files you don’t need anymore, app installer setups, or zipped files, the contents of which have already been extracted.

Once done, we recommend you go ahead with the methods listed next, and by the time you are done with these, Windows 11 will be much faster.

1. Check for updates

  1. Select the Windows button and choose Settings.
  2. Click on Windows Update from the left pane and hit the Check for updates button.
  3. If the system finds new updates, it will install them, and you will be prompted for a restart.

Although it may sound unusual, the issue may be caused by a bug in Windows 11, and if Microsoft fixed it, you could hope to find a patch to install. So, updating should be the primary approach if you are wondering how to make Windows 11 faster and smoother.

2. Use a resource-friendly browser

When your PC meets the minimum requirements for installing Windows 11, you will also need a resource-friendly browser for a faster connection. Opera GX is one such browser that is smart in terms of memory use and also has built-in resource management capabilities.

One of the most intriguing features is the GX Control, which includes RAM and CPU restrictions. Give Opera GX a try if you want to be able to decide how much RAM the browser may use. In addition, if you want your browser to be very colorful and configurable, this browser is the game changer.

Opera GX gaming browser

The Network limiter allows you to set maximum limits for uploads and downloads on how much of your network’s bandwidth you would like to dedicate to your browser.

Opera GX will stick to that limit, meaning any apps or services outside of the browser will run more smoothly with a larger network bandwidth.

Opera GX

Set up bandwidth limiters and control how much RAM and CPU your browser can use.

3. Disable visual effects to make Windows 11 faster

  1. 1. u003cspanu003ePress the u003c/spanu003eu003ckbdu003eWindowsu003c/kbdu003eu003cspanu003e key, type u003c/spanu003eu003cemu003eview advancedu003c/emu003eu003cspanu003e, then select u003c/spanu003eu003cstrongu003eView Advanced System Settingsu003c/strongu003eu003cspanu003e.u003c/spanu003e

    view advanced settings search box
  2. 2. u003cspanu003eClick on the u003c/spanu003eu003cstrongu003eAdvancedu003c/strongu003eu003cspanu003e tab and select u003c/spanu003eu003cemu003eSettings.u003c/emu003e

    go to advanced settings
  3. 3. u003cspanu003eAdd a checkmark to the u003c/spanu003eu003cstrongu003eAdjust for best performanceu003c/strongu003eu003cspanu003e option.u003c/spanu003e

    adjust for best performance windows 11
  4. 4. u003cspanu003eFrom the u003c/spanu003eu003cemu003eCustomu003c/emu003eu003cspanu003e list, checkmark the following options: u003c/spanu003eu003cstrongu003eShow thumbnails instead of iconsu003c/strongu003eu003cspanu003e and u003c/spanu003eu003cemu003eSmooth edgesu003c/emu003eu003cspanu003e u003c/spanu003eu003cemu003eofu003c/emu003eu003cspanu003e u003c/spanu003eu003cemu003escreen fontsu003c/emu003eu003cspanu003e.u003c/spanu003e

    show thumbnails and disable edges
  5. 5. Click onu003cspanu003e u003c/spanu003eu003cstrongu003eApplyu003c/strongu003e, then onu003cspanu003e u003c/spanu003eu003cemu003eOKu003c/emu003eu003cspanu003e u003c/spanu003eto save the changes.

  6. Although visual effects can create a more unique visual experience, they require plenty of system resources. In the end, this will slow down PCs with older hardware.rnrnDisabling visual effects reduces approximately 20% of the load on the GPU. Therefore, you can easily speed up your Windows 11 PC by turning visual effects off.

4. Turn off Startup apps and programs to speed up Windows 11

4.1 Turn off apps

  1. Click the Start button and select Settings.
  2. Go to Apps.
  3. Choose Startup.
  4. Disable the toggle for the apps you don’t need to start in an automatic way.

4.2 Turn off programs

  1. Right click the Start button and select Task Manager.
  2. Click on the Startup tab.
  3. Right-click any program that you don’t want to load in startup and select Disable.

If you were wondering how to speed up Windows 11 boot time, disabling the startup apps should do it. After disabling them all, you will notice a considerably faster boot time.

5. Enable Storage Sense

  1. Press the Windows button on your keyboard or select the Start button, and choose Settings from the list.
  2. Go to System, then select Storage.
  3. Select the Storage Sense option, then turn it on by adjusting the toggle button.

Enabling Storage Sense will automatically help you free up space, delete temporary files, and manage locally available cloud content.

6. Adjust the Performance Power Plan settings

  1. Click on the Start button, type power plan, then select Choose power plan.
  2. Checkmark the High Performance section, then select Change Plan Settings.
  3. If you can’t see it on the list of plans, click on Show additional plans.
  4. Click on Change Advanced Power Settings.
  5. Go to Processor Power Management and make sure the minimum and maximum processor state is 100%.
Note icon NOTE
If you can’t find the u003cemu003eProcessor Power Managementu003c/emu003e option, this issue can be easily corrected by running SFC, Powercfg, and DISM,u003cstrongu003e u003c/strongu003ethen adding the registry key.

7. Get rid of Temporary Files

  1. Open Settings by clicking the Start button and selecting it from the list.
  2. Go to System, then select Storage.
  3. Click on Temporary files.
  4. Select all files that you don’t want, then select Remove files.

If you want to make your Windows 11 faster, removing temporary files is effective. It includes Internet history, cookies, and cache. They take up a ton of space on your device, so deleting them frees up plenty of storage, thus speeding up your PC.

8. Uninstall unnecessary software

  1. Click the Start button in Windows 11 and select Settings.
  2. Select the Apps option from the left pane, then click on Apps and features.
  3. Click on the three vertical dots from the right of the app you want to get rid of and select Uninstall.

Your OS and computer come preloaded with some apps, referred to as Bloatware, that many people won’t use, and these eat up system resources. You should uninstall them, and we can help you remove all the bloatware in Windows 11.

9. Remove bloatware with a dedicated tool

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Windows Terminal (Admin) from the list.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter to run it: iwr -useb https://git.io/debloat|iex
  3. The command will download the Windows 10 Debloater app that will help you eliminate a couple of unwanted bloatware on your PC. Don’t worry, we tested it on Windows 11, and it works fine.
  4. We now recommend disabling Cortana (if you don’t use it, of course), uninstalling OneDrive (same here), and disabling the telemetry and tasks. The last one turns off data collection, location tracking, and more such services that use a lot of your memory.

This little tool will not just debloat Windows 11 but can do a lot more. If you are unsure about the outcome, it’s better not to play with other settings.

10. Add more memory to your PC to speed it up

Increasing the RAM or SSD memory can speed up your devices for good. An SSD will load everything faster, and RAM can keep more stuff running simultaneously. If you were wondering how to make Windows 11 faster for gaming, this should do it.

Make sure that when you insert the RAM module, the knobs from the socket fit into the RAM module’s hinges. They have to click into place.

Align the plastic knob with the hinge

Nevertheless, if your computer only starts acting weird once you open tons of tabs, you’ll surely have to try a RAM boost. There are also times when the computer is not using all the available RAM, so you should consider this option too.

11. Turn off the notifications to make Windows 11 faster

  1. Click the Start button, then select Settings from the list.
  2. Next, click on Notifications.
  3. Now, you can either disable all the notifications with the general switch above or go through the apps one by one and disable their notifications individually.

Disabling the notifications in Windows 11 won’t make your PC faster directly, but it would influence your productivity because you won’t be bothered during your work.

How can I maintain the speed of my PC?

Now that you know the reasons your system slows down and how to make Windows 11 run faster, take a look at some of our tips to keep it that way in the future:

  • Don’t install bloatware – Some software prompts you to install other programs that can even run in the background; don’t allow their installation.
  • Delete temporary files and cache as often as possible – Those files can slow your system down, so don’t wait for them to clog your system; be proactive.
  • Close unnecessary programs – Your PC’s memory is limited, and if there are too many processes, your system will run slow, no matter how clean. You can also limit the RAM usage for some programs.
  • Verify the settings of your antivirus – Some antiviruses will use a lot of resources when running a full scan. That’s understandable, but set it to do that when you’re not using the PC, and, therefore, you will be unaffected.
  • Check the running processes – Sometimes, the software can start consuming too many resources all of a sudden, even causing high CPU temperature. Keep an eye on them in Task Manager.

As you can see, we sorted out those options that will make Windows 11 faster than before and improve its performance to the maximum.

There is always the choice of using dedicated optimization programs. We have a great list of Windows 10 optimization software that also works for Windows 11.

Now that you have optimized your PC, you can use Windows 11 performance overlay to ensure everything works smoothly.

In case you still have a hard drive, you can also use ReadyBoost on Windows 11 to gain a small performance gain, and we have a guide explaining how to do that.

Do you have any other thoughts or questions about how you can improve the OS capabilities? Make sure to describe them in the comments section below.

Realtek Audio Driver Is Preventing Sleep: 5 Ways to Fix It

Are you one of those people who keeps your PC running around the clock? If so, then you probably know the importance of sleep mode. Sleep mode allows your computer to save power and avoid overheating.

Does your PC shut down instead of going to sleep mode? This seems to be a common occurrence. However, most recently, users seem to have problems with their Realtek audio driver preventing their PCs from going to sleep mode.

What is preventing your PC from sleeping?

There are a number of reasons why your computer may not be sleeping. Below are some:

  • Power settings – Your PC’s power settings may be set to never sleep, hibernate or turn off. It’s also possible that the computer is simply not in a sleep state. To get the best power efficiency from Windows, you may need to tweak some settings.
  • Software conflicts – Some programs might be preventing Windows from sleeping properly. Examine any behavior and check whether it coincides with the recent installation of a new app.
  • Background apps – If you have a lot of applications open, or even just one that’s not responding, your computer may not be able to sleep until those apps have finished running. At times, a lot of non-essential services are running on your PC.
  • Antivirus programs – Antivirus software often monitors your system for malicious activity. Some virus scanners can prevent your PC from going to sleep by keeping certain processes running at all times. 
  • Driver issues – If you have recently updated drivers for any of your hardware components such as graphics card, these might be interrupting with Windows’s ability to sleep properly.
  • Power management tools – If you have installed third-party power management tools, your PC may not enter sleep mode. Third-party power management tools often have similar settings that prevent your PC from entering sleep mode. 
  • USB devices – USB audio devices such headphones or other devices such as printers and external hard drives can prevent a computer from going into sleep mode. 

What can I do to fix my Realtek audio driver from preventing sleep on my PC?

Perform the below basic checks before moving onto the more advanced steps:

  • Check your power settings and ensure Sleep mode is enabled. Sometimes the sleep option may be missing.
  • Disable all other sounds and notifications on your computer. You are likely to get a message that says an audio stream is currently in use when you force Sleep mode.
  • If you have any USB devices attached to your computer, disconnect them from the ports. If possible, turn off any hardware that’s connected directly to your computer or its power supply such as a printer.
  • Check if you have installed any new software or hardware recently and uninstall the programs.
  • Check with your antivirus software and temporarily disable it.

1. Disable Cortana 

  1. Hit the Windows + R keys to open the Run command.
  2. Type regedit and press Enter.regedit exe file not opening
  3. Navigate to the following location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search
  4. Right-click on Windows Search and select New DWORD (32-bit) Value.
  5. Rename it to AllowCortana, double-click on it and set the Value data to 0.
  6. You may have to restart your PC.

2. Uninstall and reinstall the audio drivers

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Device Manager in the search bar, and click Open.
  2. Navigate to Sound, video, and game controllers to expand, right-click Realtek High Definition Audio and select Uninstall device.
  3. Restart your device and the drivers will automatically reinstall themselves.

You can also use a third-party tool if you are not a fan of manual updates. Outbyte Driver Updater is a smart driver updater that can help you get rid of all the bad drivers.

It will scan your system and find all the outdated, corrupt, broken, and incompatible drivers. Then it will download and install official updates for these drivers to fix them instantly.

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3. Run the power troubleshooter utility tool 

  1. Hit the Windows key and click on Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Select System then click on Troubleshoot.
  3. Click on Other troubleshooters.other-troubleshooters windows 11 error after update
  4. Find the Power option and click the Run button next to it.power-run laptop battery not charging
  5. Restart your PC.

4. Restore default power settings

  1. Hit the Windows key, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.
  2. Type and Enter the following command: powercfg -restoredefaultschemes

5. Run a Power Efficiency Diagnostics Report

  1. Hit the Windows key, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.
  2. Type and Enter the following command: powercfg /energy

Users have also complained that they have been having issues where the Realtek audio driver keeps reinstalling itself. If you experience a similar occurrence, do not hesitate to check out our detailed guide for a quick fix.

You may also find out that your Realtek mic is not working but we have adequately addressed the issue in our article.

While you are still here, also check our detailed guide on what to do when your device type is not supported by the Realtek audio manager.

Let us know what solution fixed this issue for you in the comments section below.

How to Remove Recent Files from Quick Access in Windows 10

If you are a Windows 10 user and you are wondering if you can remove the recent files stored in the Quick Access folder, then the answer to your question is ‘Yes’.

So, follow the steps listed below to learn how to remove recent files from Quick Access in Windows 10. All this will take just five minutes of your time.

What is Quick Access?

The Quick Access feature of Windows 10 also includes two categories of files: the Frequent folders and also the Recent files, which is the one we will be focusing on in this article.

Seeing that a lot of the Windows 10 users want their privacy on the device to be as safe as possible, here’s how to delete or remove recent files from File Explorer‘s new feature Quick Access.

How can I remove recent files in Quick Access?

1. Disable recent files via Folder Options

  1. 1. Launch File Explorer.

  2. 2. Left click or tap on the File feature that is situated in the upper left side of the File Explorer window.

  3. 3. Left click or tap on the Change Folder and search options feature. The Folder Options window should pop up.

    change folder search options
  4. 4. Navigate to the General tab, and then scroll down to the Privacy section.

  5. 5. Uncheck the box next to the Show recently used files in Quick Access feature.

    Note: If you are interested in disabling the frequently used folders feature as well, you need to uncheck the box next to Show frequently used folders in Quick Access.

    show quick access folders windows 10
  6. 6. After you unchecked the box, you will need to left click or tap on the Apply button situated right at the bottom of the window.

  7. 7. Left click or tap on the OK button in order to close this window. And now you are done, you can go ahead and check if your recent files are disabled in Quick Access.

  8. If you are looking to disable the Quick Access feature for recently used files, you can easily do this from within File Explorer’s options.

    All you need to do is access the Folder Options settings window and uncheck the Show recently used files in Quick access feature.

2. Manually delete files from Quick Access

If you want to delete files from Quick Access, here are the steps to follow:

  1. Launch File Explorer > click on the Quick Access option in the left-hand pane
  2. Scroll down to Recent files and extend the list
  3. Select the file(s) that you want to delete > right-click on them > select Remove from Quick Access.
remove file quick access

I am sure that any user of the Windows operating system will manage to follow this tutorial in no more than 10 minutes of their time.

If you run into any issues along the way, write us in the comments section below and we will help you as soon as possible.


Battle NET Not Opening: How to Fix and Launch it Properly

Blizzard’s Battle.net client is a reliable piece of software. It’s been there for ages and is the best indicator of the remarkable approach Blizzard takes when it comes to game distribution.

However, even this top-notch game launcher/desktop client runs into problems occasionally.

Some users reported that the Battle.net launcher won’t even start or crashes unexpectedly while initializing. If the Battle.net launcher won’t open after several tries, don’t worry – you’re at the right place.

Why won’t Battle.net open?

  • Corrupt files: This issue can sometimes be caused by corrupt game files. In this case, you need to delete the Battle.net cache to solve this problem.
  • Interference from other apps: If you have too many background apps open, it can cause the Battle net not opening issue. Also, your antivirus software can interfere with the program. You need to disable these apps to fix this issue.
  • Lack of privileges: If the Battle.net app is not opening on your PC, it might be because you don’t have administrative permission. The solution here is to launch the app as admin.

How can I fix Battle.net launcher if it’s not opening?

Before exploring the surefire fixes in this guide, there are some troubleshooting fixes you should that might solve the problem for you: disable proxies and restart your computer to see if the problem persists. If your Windows 11 PC fails to restart, refer to our quick solutions.

1. Run Battle.net launcher as admin

    The step-by-step guide below can be used to successfully launch the game with administrator rights and fix Battle.net not opening issues.

    1. Open File Explorer and navigate to: C:\Program Files (x86)\Battle.net
  1. 2. Right-click on the Battle.net Launcher.exe and open Properties.

    battle-net-launcher-not-opening
  2. 3. Choose the Compatibility tab. Check the Run this program as an administrator and click Apply and OK to save changes.

    battle-net-launcher-not-opening
  3. 4. Now start the application again and check if the problem is still there.

2. Scan for malware

  1. Press the Windows key, type virus, and select Virus & threat protection.
    virus and battle net not opening
  2. Choose Scan options.
    scan options battle net not opening
  3. Now, choose your preferred scan option and click the Scan now button.
    scan now battle net not opening

Viruses can cause a series of issues, including the Battle net launcher window not showing error. In this case, you only need to perform a virus scan to eliminate the malware.

To perform a deep scan that will eliminate even the most stubborn virus, we recommend using a dedicated antivirus in TotalAV.

This software is known for providing assured protection online and offline against all types of insecurities. It does all these without disturbing your activities.

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3. Check your network connection

  1. Press Windows key + R, type ipconfig /flushdns and press Enter.
  2. Press Windows key + I and navigate to Update & Security section.
  3. In the left pane, select Troubleshoot. In the right pane click on Additional troubleshooters.
  4. Select Internet Connections and click on Run the troubleshooter.
  5. Wait for the process to finish.

4. Clear launcher’s cache and delete Tools folder

  1. Right-click on the Taskbar and select Task Manager.
  2. Locate and end the following processes:
    • Game process
    • Agent.exe or Blizzard Update Agent.exe
    • Blizzard Battle.net
  3. Close Task Manager.
  4. Press Windows key + R to and run the following command: C:\ProgramData
  5. Find Battle.net folder and delete it.
  6. Start Battle.net again and look for changes.

By performing these steps, you should be able to fix the problem and stop Battle.net from crashing on startup.

5. Check the antivirus and firewall

  1. Type firewall in the Windows Search bar, and open Windows Defender Firewall.
  2. Click on the Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall in the left pane.
  3. Choose to Change settings.
  4. Click on the Allow another app button.
  5. Click on Browse and navigate to: C:\Program Files (x86)\Battle.net
  6. Add Battle.net Launcher.exe and confirm the changes.

This is a simple solution, and it will help you with the issue if Battle.net links break your browser.

6. Disable background programs

  1. Press Windows key + R, type msconfig, and click OK.
  2. Select the Selective startup. Uncheck the Load startup items box.
  3. Now, navigate to the Services tab. Check the Hide all Microsoft services box. Now, click on Disable all and then OK to confirm changes.
  4. Finally, restart your PC and check if the problem is resolved.

If the Battle net not opening issue is resolved, you need to enable services one by one, until you manage to find the cause of the problem.

7. Enable the Secondary Logon service

  1. Type services in the Search bar and open Services.
  2. Navigate to the Secondary Logon service, and double-click it.
  3. Change the Startup type to Automatic. Now click Start to initiate the service.
  4. Restart your PC in order to apply changes.

8. Reinstall the Battle.net launcher

  1. Press Windows key + X and choose Apps and Features.
  2. Select Battle.net and click on Uninstall.
  3. Follow the instructions on the screen to remove the app.
  4. Now, press the Windows key + R and run the following code: C:\ProgramData
  5. Delete the Battle.net folder.
  6. Restart your PC and download the latest version of Battle.net.

To completely remove Battle.net or any other software from your PC, we suggest using uninstaller software that will automatically remove all of the associated files and registry entries.

What to do if Blizzard app won’t open on Windows 11?

Reinstall Battle.net and remove all of its files

  1. Press Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Navigate to Apps and select Installed apps.
  3. Locate Battle.net on the list, click three dots next to it and choose Uninstall.
  4. Follow the instructions on the screen to remove the app.
  5. Delete Battle.net directory from the following location: C:\Program Files (x86)
  6. Press Windows key + R and enter %appdata%.
  7. Delete Battle.net and Blizzard directories if available.
  8. Repeat the steps 6 and 7 for the following values:
    • %PROGRAMDATA%
    • %LOCALAPPDATA%
    • %TEMP%
  9. After removing all instances of Battle.net, download and install the latest version.

In case you’re still stuck with the Battle net not opening issue or the app is not working even with VPN, we advise you to check our guide on Battle.net crashes for more useful solutions.

You can also download Battlenet on your mac and Android devices.

If you have questions regarding the Battle.net launcher or alternative solutions, feel free to tell us in the comments section below.

Fix: Realtek Audio Driver Is Taking Forever to Download

There is nothing worse than having your computer not work correctly. You try to update your drivers but the process is taking forever. This is what seems to be happening with the Realtek audio driver.

If the Realtek audio driver is taking a long time to download, it may cause a lot of problems. Sometimes, the driver will not install properly and some other times, there could be an error in your system that causes the issue.

Why is Realtek audio not installing?

Sometimes you can get stuck in the middle of downloading the Realtek audio driver for hours. If it is taking an unusual amount of time to download drivers, there could be an issue. Below are a few:

  • Check your internet connection – You may be experiencing slow downloads because of a poor internet connection or lack of bandwidth. If your download speed is low, try using another device or computer to download the file on another network.
  • Your computer might not have enough memory – Keep in mind that there might not be enough memory available for installation purposes. If your computer has less than 1 GB of RAM, then it probably won’t have enough.
  • Faulty network adapter – If you have a faulty network adapter or one that’s not functioning properly, it can cause the download process to get stuck. It’s also possible that your Internet service provider is having issues with its servers.
  • Outdated antivirus software – Some antivirus programs are known for slowing down computers due to all of the extra services they run in the background when scanning files for viruses and malware. It is also possible that there is malware present in your system.

How long does it take to download the Realtek Audio driver?

Downloading the Realtek Audio driver is generally quick and easy, but it can vary. The answer is that it depends on the speed of your internet connection, the speed of your computer, and the size of your download.

However, there are still some things you can do to boost the download speed. You can close any background programs or install speed boosters.

Quick Tip:

If you want an automated solution to update the Realtek drivers as well as all your other outdated drivers, we recommend Outbyte Driver Updater, a tool specialized in driver updates.

Outbyte Driver Updater uses a database of over 18 million driver files regularly updated to keep your system in top shape. It will scan for all outdated drivers and safely update each one of them.

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What can I do if the Realtek audio driver is taking too long to download?

As always, we recommend you perform preliminary checks and then move on to the advanced solutions if they don’t work:

Now, let’s move on to the more technical solutions.

1. Update router firmware

Your router can sometimes be a problem due to slow downloads, especially if it’s old and outdated. To make sure it isn’t causing problems, check the router manufacturer’s website and see if there are any new updates available for your model.

If there are, install them and restart your computer before trying again. In case your router has reached its end days, it may be time to upgrade to a new router with a stable internet connection.

2. Check for viruses on your computer

  1. Press the Windows key, search Windows Security and click Open.
  2. Select Virus & threat protection.
  3. Next, press Quick scan under Current threats.
  4. Wait for the process to finish and restart your system.

3. Temporarily disable the firewall

  1. Hit the Windows button, type Windows Security in the search bar, and click Open.
  2. Click on Firewall & network protection then select Public network.
  3. Locate Microsoft Defender Firewall and toggle the off button.Turn off firewall if canon printer driver not installing.

4. Update your OS

  1. Hit the Windows key and select Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Click on Windows update, then select Check for updates.check-updates-w11 windows 11 blue screen
  3. Download and install if any are available.

5. Use another browser

If you’re experiencing slow downloads on one browser, we recommend you try another one. Sometimes different browsers can be at fault for slow downloads. That might make it easier for your computer to download the file. 

Opera One for instance is a good alternative. It is fast and reliable making it the perfect choice for downloads. You can also try clearing your cookies and history and then restarting your browser.

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Aside from the driver taking forever to download, you may also experience a situation where the Realtek audio driver keeps reinstalling itself so don’t hesitate to visit our article on the same. 

We also have a detailed guide on what to do if the Realtek audio manager keeps popping up so be sure to check that out too.

Let us know whether you have been able to solve this issue in the comments section below.

How to Change the Language on Steam

There’s not a PC gamer out there that can say that they have never heard of Valve’s Steam.

Steam is currently the world’s biggest video game digital distribution platform, holding somewhere around 75% of the world’s market.

With growing success in America, Europe, and Asia, their client is multilingual too.

The problem is that unless you need to specify your country on the website when downloading it. If you don’t, you’ll receive the English version by default.

In case that happens, you’ll need to manually change the display language from the settings menu.

Follow this step-by-step guide if you accidentally downloaded and installed the English version.

How many languages does Steam support?

Some users are interested in discovering how many languages are supported on Steam. If this is also concerning you, keep in mind that this is a global platform with 26 official languages across its features.

So, it would be a surprise if you won’t manage to find the one you need.

You also have to know that some languages have certain utilization. While English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, or Japanese work for the interface, full audio, and subtitles, other examples like Arabic, Russian, or Polish can be used only for interface and subtitles.

Now, let’s see what process you can perform to change your Steam Client’s language. Do not worry, it is extremely simple and will be done in a blink of an eye.

How can I change my Steam Client’s Language?

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

    steam-download-goes-to-0-bytes/
  2. 2. Go to Steam (in the upper left corner of the window).

    click on steam options
  3. 3. Select Settings.

    click on settings steam
  4. 4. Go to the Interface tab, then click on the drop down menu, next to the Select the language you want Steam to use (Requires Steam to restart) option.

    click to change steam language
  5. 5. Select your desired language from the drop-down menu.

  6. 6. Restart your Steam client. It should now be in the language of your choosing.

  7. You can change your language in Steam’s client quite easily, in a few clicks. This can be done via the client’s built-in options.

    Keep note that these changes can be reverted at any time, and will also affect certain in-game assets. This includes game description languages, and news (where available).

These steps stay the same regardless of whether you use the classic Steam client or the new Beta version. In case you want to update your Steam client to the Beta version, feel free to check our dedicated guide.

Does changing my Steam Client’s language also impact my games?

You should also know that changing the language of the Steam client doesn’t also mean the language within games will change as well.

How can I change the game language in Steam?

To change the language in-game, you’ll have to do it manually, with each game at a time. To do that, follow the steps below:

  1. Open Steam, then choose the Library tab.
  2. Locate the game you want to change the language for in your Game list.
  3. Right-click on the game name and select Properties.
  4. Click on the language tab and select your desired language.

If you’re not much of a Steam fan, you could try some other digital game distribution platforms, such as Epic Games or GOG.

Both these sites come with their client, similar to Steam’s, but with a much simpler interface.

More so, all of them have weekly sales, as well as massive Summer and Winter Sales where you can get discounted games, DLCs, and OSTs.

There are also options for dedicated fans of certain game publishers, such as Electronic Arts,  Ubisoft, or Rockstar Games.

If you’re one of them, you could try their proprietary clients, namely Origin, Uplay, and the Rockstar Games Launcher.

Moreover, it seems like some players need to fully customize their profiles by refreshing their avatars. In case you also want to do that, check how to change your Steam profile picture.

We hope that our today’s guide helped you with the Steam language display.

If you encounter additional related questions, feel free to use the comment section below.

Fix Games Loading Slow on PC & Don’t Wait Forever to Play

As a gamer, you’ve probably had those moments when you’re all set and ready to play this cool trending game that’s all the rage with your ilk, then it happens – the games start loading slowly on your PC.

We did the homework for you, and here are some fix-it solutions that can help you hasten load-up time for your next attempt. But first, let’s take a closer look at the context.

 Why are my games running slow all of a sudden?

There are a few things that may cause your games to load slowly; of these, the most common include:

  • Kind of PC – Many modern games are resource intensive, so they may lag if you are not running them on a high-end gaming PC.
  • Multiple open apps – Each app takes a chunk of your memory; if you have so much open, the PC will naturally start to lag, which will mean your games may load slower.
  • Issues with graphics card drivers – It’s also possible that out-of-date graphics card drivers are to blame for the lengthy loading times of PC games.
  • Old games – This may be a factor if you have not updated your game in a while. You may even experience game stuttering and lags in Windows 10.

While this is not an exhaustive list of triggers, they make up some of the common reasons for slow game loading.

Moreover, here are some variations of this issue, that you may encounter:

  • Old games running slow on Windows 10, 11 – Luckily, the solutions below are applicable to both OSs, so check them out.
  • Games loading slow on SSD – Optimize your disk, by cleaning up junk files and fixing any files that have been corrupted.
  • Games taking forever to load on PC – You might have installed third-party software that is causing all this trouble, so make sure to go through the list of apps and uninstall the latest installs.
  • PC games running slower than usual, than before – Clean up your startup apps and update your drivers in order to speed up your computer.

Let us now show you how to make games load faster on your PC.

How can I fix slow games on PC?

  1. Update graphics card drivers
  2. Uninstall third-party software
  3. Optimize your disk
  4. Clean up startup apps

1. Update graphics card drivers

1.1 Manual updates

    In case your games are running slow and you have to resolve this quickly, updating your graphics drivers will do the trick in most cases.

  1. 1. Right-click Start, and select Device Manager.

    games loading slow on pc
  2. 2. Go to Display adapters and click to expand it.

    fix-slow-game-loading
  3. 3. Right-click on your display adapter and select Update Driver.

    fix-slow-game-loading
  4. 4. When prompted to choose How do you want to search driver, select Search automatically for updated driver software.

    fix-slow-game-loading

1.2 Update drivers automatically

The safer and easier way to update drivers on a Windows computer is by using an automatic tool such as Fortect Driver Updater.

The program is incredibly lightweight and doesn’t take up too much disk space or RAM when running, and this is mostly because it acts as a downloader since the driver libraries that it uses are all online.

Launching Fortect Driver Updater will trigger a full system scan every time and detect any old, broken, or missing drivers, regardless of the device manufacturer. It will then download the drivers, and install them.

⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

2. Uninstall third-party software

  1. First, open the Run accessory by pressing the Windows key + R, then type the command below and hit Enter.
  2. Select any recently added app from the program list and click Uninstall.
  3. Follow onscreen prompts to complete the uninstallation.

However, to be sure 100% that the job is done, you must also make sure that all files are deleted. Normally, a typical uninstall will leave leftover data on your PC, but that’s not the case if you use an uninstaller.

Dedicated uninstaller software scans and finds all leftover files related to the app you want to remove. On top of that, they can force-remove stubborn or malicious software that can’t be uninstalled from the Windows settings.

3. Optimize your disk

  1. Click on Search, and in the search box, type Disk Defragmenter and select the Defragment and Optimize Drives app.
  2. Select a disk and click the Optimize button.

4. Clean up startup apps

  1. Type System Configuration in the search box and hit Enter.
  2. Click the services tab, select the Hide all Microsoft services check box click Disable all.
    games loading slow on pc
  3. Select the Startup tab and click on Open Task Manager.
  4. Select all items on the Startup tab in Task Manager and click Disable.
  5. Close the Task Manager.

You should note that you may have to reset the OS in extreme situations. But you must exhaust all possible solutions before this.

Did these solutions work to resolve the slow game loads issue on your computer? Let us know in the comments section.

Reset Taskbar on Windows 11: How to Properly Restore it

Almost immediately following the release of Windows 11, it became evident that a significant number of early adopters were dissatisfied with the combined buttons in taskbar functionality introduced by this new operating system. Naturally, users wanted to reset it to Windows 10 style.

As well as the fact that the taskbar has been locked, fortunately, some members of the community have identified a way to restore the original appearance and behavior by making a series of adjustments to the system.

It is possible to expose your operating system to a series of alterations that will make the Windows 11 taskbar uncombined and unlocked if you are not a fan of the non-customizable taskbar.

Alternatively, we will show you how to reset Windows 11 taskbar settings to default if that’s what you are looking for, right after we see what other changes have occurred in the operating system. Follow along!

What other changes have occurred in Windows 11?

When it comes to client operating systems, Windows 11 is the next generation, and it offers features that businesses should be aware of. It is based on the same architecture as Windows 10 and shares the same user interface. If you are already familiar with the former, the transition to the latter will be seamless.

Similar to Windows 10, it includes security and privacy capabilities. Security for your devices begins with the hardware and extends to include OS security, application security, and user and identity protection. However, with Windows 11 there is more security due to the Windows Defender app.

snap layout reset taskbar settings windows 11

Snap Layout is another new feature created when you place your apps in it, and that layout is then saved in a Snap Group. As you create more Snap Groups, you will be able to move between them by simply selecting the Snap Group you want to the go-between.

When you hover your cursor over a program in an existing snap layout in the taskbar, it displays a list of all the apps in it. This feature is referred to as the Snap Group. When you select a group, all of the apps in that group are opened in the same layout.

Android applications will be made available via the Microsoft Store through the Amazon Appstore, which will be available in Windows 11. This is something that users have been waiting for years, and it represents another step toward the integration of mobile and laptop computers.

Additionally, Windows 11 SE is a new edition of Windows that has been built specifically for educational purposes. It works on low-cost devices and is capable of running important applications such as Microsoft 365.

How can I reset the taskbar settings in Windows 11?

1. Modify your Registry

  1. 1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run box and type or paste in regedit then hit Enter.

    regedit search in windows 11 start menu replacement
  2. 2. Next, navigate to the following location by copy pasting it in the text bar at the top: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell\Update\Packages

    regedit-search-bar reset taskbar settings windows 11
  3. 3. In the right panel, right-click anywhere, then choose New and select DWORD value (32-bit) or the 64-bit option for those with a 64 bit system.

  4. 4. Name it UndockingDisabled, then double-click on it and set the Value data to 1.

    new-qword reset taskbar settings windows 11
  5. 5. Now restart your computer.

    After restarting, you’ll get classic taskbar back in Windows 11. Please note the classic taskbar can take a few seconds to load and show all icons and buttons.

  6. 6. You’ll notice a few broken or not working icons present on the left-side of the taskbar, such as Cortana, Search and TaskView.

    You can remove those extra icons by going into Settings, then click on Personalisation, followed by Taskbar, and unselecting them.

    personalise-taskbar aggregator host.exe windows 11
  7. If you’re looking to reset your Taskbar in Windows 11 and restore the classic look to it, you should know this can be done via Registry Editor.

    You need to make a few Registry tweaks, and then you will be able to use the classic taskbar on your Windows 11 PC.

2. Reset Windows 11 taskbar settings to default

  1. Type or copy and paste the following text in a Notepad file and save it as a BAT file:
    REG DELETE HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Streams\Desktop /F taskkill /f /im explorer.exe taskkill /f /im shellexperiencehost.exe del %localappdata%\Packages\Microsoft.Windows.ShellExperienceHost_cw5n1h2txyewy\TempState* /qstart explorer.exebat-file aggregator host.exe windows 11
  2. After you save the file, double-click on it to run the program. It will automatically reset your taskbar’s settings to default.
  3. From here, you can customize your taskbar if you go to the Settings window by pressing the Windows button + I, then follow Personalisation from the left panel followed by Taskbar from the right side. That’s it!personalise-taskbar aggregator host.exe windows 11

How can I disable rounded corners?

Microsoft is aware of your preferences for how Windows should appear. That, at the very least, appears to be the message being sent by them with Windows 11.

It is not yet possible to fully restore the appearance and feel of Windows 11 to that of Windows 10, and given Microsoft’s current stance toward UI modification, it is unlikely to be possible in the future. Nonetheless, there are a few important adjustments that can make you feel more comfortable.

corners reset taskbar settings windows 11

The new appearance of Windows 11 is defined by its rounded corners. However, they are not universally adored, and there is more bad news on the horizon. Changes to these settings are not currently feasible, either through Windows 11 or through a third-party solution.

There is only one option available to you. If you disable hardware graphics acceleration in Windows 11, the operating system will revert to square corners (this will also turn off other visual features like transparency). There is an alternative however, you can turn off your graphics hardware entirely.

Open Device Manager, then Display Adapters, and right-click on the display adapter that appears on the screen to select Properties. Select Disable Device from the drop-down menu. While your screen will briefly flicker, the rounded corners will no longer be present when the OS resumes its operation.

This, on the other hand, is not something we would encourage. In addition to making the Windows UI feel sluggish and stilted, disabling your graphics hardware means you won’t be able to run 3D applications or play 3D games until you switch the hardware back on.

If you find that your taskbar is empty in Windows 11, you should definitely take a look at the guide linked to find a list of solutions you can apply.

Alternatively, if you wish to set a vertical taskbar in Windows 11 you can do so by following the article linked. Users have found it to be one of the most helpful guides so far.

And lastly, your taskbar will misbehave from time to time and for these moments we have put together a list of six sure methods to fix it. Don’t miss it out to save up some time!

Was this guide helpful for you? Let us know in the comments section below. Thanks for reading!

How to Uninstall Genshin Impact on PC

One of the most popular waifu games in recent times, Genshin Impact is an open-world action and role-playing game by Mihoyo.

However, if you do not want to play this game anymore, you can uninstall it and free up storage space. 

While deleting the game is easy, it can be a risk factor if you have different other programs on your PC. You must be careful while uninstalling the game, as you may end up deleting a different application accidentally.

If you do not change the default install directory while installing Genshin Impact, it will get installed in the system disk folder by default.

The temporary files and loading files that are generated when you play the game, are also installed on the same system disk’s folder.

Moreover, during installation, the game also adds some entries to the system’s registry editor. These registry entries help the game with an automatic start-up and overall good performance.

Having said that, if at a point you want to completely uninstall Genshin Impact from Windows, you can refer to this detailed guide.

How can I repair Geshin Impact if it doesn’t work?

If you want to uninstall the game because it’s not working, you can try repairing it instead. Follow the instructions below to do that:

  1. Open Genshin Impact through the game’s launcher and click on Settings (gear icon) located at the upper right of the window.Click on gear icon to open Genshin Impact settings
  2. You will now see the Settings window for Genshin Impact.
  3. Here, click on the Repair Game Files option on the left and then click on Repair Now on the right. Click on Repair now to repair Genshin Impact

This will repair the game files and may fix any issues you are facing with Genshin Impact. Now, you may not uninstall the game.

However, you may still have plenty of reasons why you still may want to uninstall Genshin Impact and we can list a few:

  • The game occupies a lot of space and may affect the overall performance of your PC
  • Some of the important files of the game may be missing and must be reinstalled
  • The firewall or the antivirus may be interfering with Genshin Impact
  • You may not want to play the game anymore

How do I uninstall Genshin on my PC or Laptop?

1. Delete Genshin Impact using Control Panel

  1. 1. Press the Win + R hotkey simultaneously to launch the Run console.

  2. 2. In the search field, write appwiz.cpl and press OK to open the Programs and Features window in Control Panel.

    Type appwiz.cpl in the Run console and hit Enter
  3. 3. Now, navigate to the right, and under the Uninstall or change a program section, look for the Genshin Impact game.

  4. 4. Right-click on it and select Uninstall/Change.

    Right click on Genshin Impact in Programs and Features
  5. 5. Wait for it to be completely uninstalled. Once done, restart your PC and the game should be removed completely.

  6. The easiest and fastest way to uninstall Genshin from your PC is directly from Control Panel. In doing so, you don’t even need to log in to your Epic Games account in order to access the launcher and delete the game from within it.

    All you need to do is locate Genshin Impact in the list of installed apps on your Windows PC, right-click on it and select the Uninstall option.

2. Uninstall Genshin Via the Epic Games Launcher

  1. Open the Epic Games Launcher and go to Library. Launch Epic Games Launcher and go to Library
  2. Here, go to Genshin Impact and click on three horizontal dots on its bottom right. Click n the three dots below Genshin Impact
  3. Select Uninstall from the context menu. Click on three dots and select Uninstall for Genshin Impact
  4. You will now see the Uninstall pop-up menu. Press Uninstall again to confirm. Click on Uninstall in the Uninstall confirmation prompt

Once the process is complete, Genshin Impact will be completely uninstalled from Windows.

3. Remove the game using a third-party software

While there are umpteen methods to completely uninstall Genshin Impact from Windows, some of the methods can be tricky for users.

In such cases, you can use a trusted third-party system cleaner utility to make sure you safely and completely remove such games and applications.

Programs such as IObit Uninstaller can uninstall your app and then remove every trace of data files, configurations, or registry entries. This will ensure that Genshin Impact is completely removed from your PC.

IObit Uninstaller

Let IObit Uninstaller help you delete stubborn apps alongside their data file traces.

4. Delete Genshin Impact from its folder location

  1. Go to Start and type Genshin Impact in the Windows search bar. type genshin impact in Windows search bar
  2. Right-click on the result and select Open file location. Right-click on Genshin Impact and click on Open file location
  3. In the File Explorer window, inside the folder, locate the uninstall.exe file. Double-click on it. Double click on Uninstall.exe in Genshin Impact folder
  4. You will now see the confirmation window asking Do you really want to uninstall Genshin Impact?
  5. Press Uninstall again to confirm the action.

Now, the Genshin Impact game will be completely removed from your Windows PC.

5. Uninstall Genshin Impact via Windows Settings

  1. Press the Win + I keys together to open the Settings app.
  2. Click on Apps on the left side of the Settings window. Click on Apps on the left side of Settings window
  3. Now, move your cursor to the right and select Apps & features. Click on Apps & features in the Settings app
  4. In the Apps & features settings, in the Apps list, look for Genshin Impact.
  5. Click on the three dots next to it and select Uninstall. Uninstall Genshin Impact in Apps & features
  6. In the small pop-up window, click on Uninstall to confirm. Click Uninstall again in the confirmation prompt

6. Modify the registry keys

  1. To launch the Run console, press the shortcut key – Win + R together.
  2. In the search bar, type Regedit and press Enter. Type regedit in Run console and hit Enter
  3. It will open the Registry Editor. Here, navigate to either of the below paths (that’s applicable for you) and hit Enter: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\miHoYo\Genshin Impact OR HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\NVIDIA Corporation\Ansel\Genshin Impact OR HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Genshin Impact
  4. For example, if you navigate to the third path, as shown above, go to the right side of the window and double-click to open the UninstallString key. Navigate to Genshin Impact key in registry and double click on UninstallString
  5. As the Edit String dialogue box opens, go to the Value data field and copy the path. Press OK to exit.Copy path in the Value data field in edit String
  6. Now, press the Win + R hotkey combination to open the Run console.
  7. Paste the path you copied above and hit Enter. paste path in Run command and hit Enter
  8. Follow the on-screen instructions as you see to completely uninstall Genshin Impact.
  9. Go back to the Registry Editor again. Now, navigate to the below paths one by one and delete the additional registry entries for Genshin Impact: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\MuiCache\
  10. Now, go to the right side and delete the below entry: D:\program files\genshin impact\genshin impact game\genshinimpact.exe.FriendlyAppName
  11. Next, navigate to the below path: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\MuiCache\
  12. Now, navigate to the right and delete the below entry: D:\Program Files\Genshin Impact\launcher.exe.ApplicationCompany
  13. Again, go to the below path: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Local Settings\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\MuiCache\
  14. Next, go to the right side of the pane, select the below entry and hit Delete: D:\Program Files\Genshin Impact\launcher.exe.FriendlyAppName
  15. Once again, navigate to the below path in the registry editor: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\FirewallRules\
  16. Move your cursor to the right side and delete the below entry: TCP Query User{85A5CF14-73E2-43C8-B325-D1214C7D62E0} D:\program files\genshin impact\genshin impact game\genshinimpact.exe
  17. Copy and paste the below path in the registry editor address bar and hit Enter: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\SharedAccess\Parameters\FirewallPolicy\FirewallRules\
  18. Now, go to the right side of the window and delete the below entry: UDP Query User{87B28162-0352-4434-A134-5836C6B586CB}D:\program files\genshin impact\genshin impact game\genshinimpact.exe
Note icon NOTE
Replace the highlighted part (drive) with the drive you are using. It’s usually the C: in most cases.

Also ensure that before you proceed to make any changes to the registry settings, you create a backup of the registry data, so that, in case you lose any data during the process, it can be recovered easily.

Once you have deleted all the related registry entries, your Genshin Impact game is now completely uninstalled from Windows. Restart your PC for the changes to be effective.

7. Write a mail to the support team to remove Genshin Impact permanently

However, if you face any challenges in removing Genshin Impact completely, you can send an email request to the Genshin Impact support team for removing your Mihoyo account.

It should include your Mihoyo account login details. On the receipt of the email, your account will be deleted within 30-60 days.

How do I remove my Geshin Impact account from the website?

On complete removal of your Mihoyo account or if you switch accounts, you will lose all your rewards.

If you want to reroll for Genshin Impact anytime later, you may visit the Mihoyo website and create a new account using a new email.

Wait patiently for it to be installed, as it takes a few minutes to reach the wish screen while the game unlocks at adventure rank 5.

However, if the game does not launch after installation, check if a third-party antivirus software installed on your PC is blocking the app.

Genshin Impact is undoubtedly one of the most popular online games around, however, you may want to uninstall the game at some point.

But a game app comes with a lot of data files, configurations and installation files, etc. which also need to be removed or it leaves behind traces causing an issue with your Windows PC.

Likewise, even files and data related to Ginshen Impact need to be removed completely. Hence, follow the above methods to possibly uninstall the game.

Moreover, if you face any other issues like the Genshin Impact controller not working, or if you discover any other solutions, do leave a comment below.