5 Best PSU Test Software for Your Computer’s Power Supply

Posted on October 23, 2022July 22, 2025 by Radu Tyrsina

Using PSU test software is probably the best method to diagnose your power supply.

Testing your computer’s power supply is especially helpful when diagnosing startup failures, crashes, or sudden shutdowns, all common symptoms of a power supply problem in Windows.

Let’s take a quick look at our top picks (more details below):

Software	Features	Usage and menus	Functionality	Efficiency
AIDA64 Extreme	All-in-one PC diagnostic tool	Friendly and customizable UI	9/10	10/10
Iolo System Mechanic	PC optimization tools	Modern design, easy to use	10/10	8/10
Open Hardware Monitor	Free PSU test software	Compressed view, minimal interface	8/10	9/10
HWMonitor	Diagnostics and monitoring	Lightweight, straightforward information	9/10	8/10
Sidebar Diagnostics	Built-in diagnostic tool	Minimal, graph design	8/10	7/10

Best PC Power Supply Monitoring Software

Best PC Power Supply Monitoring Software

AIDA64 Extreme – Professional PC power supply tester with CPU power monitoring.

AIDA64 Extreme is an advanced system diagnostics utility that functions as an effective PSU test software.

It provides information about your system hardware and identifies the voltage or temperature status of your PC. In addition, you can learn about your PC performance limits with a 64-bit stress testing module.

All in all, such complex software can offer you overclocking support or extensive information about hardware performance in minutes.

Tools like AIDA64 Extreme can help you understand system demands, but if you’re unsure how much power your system needs, here’s a guide on how to check your PSU wattage.

Check out other exciting features that come with AIDA64 Extreme:

Thesystem memory, FPU, and CPU
The setup process is fast and straightforward
AIDA64 Extreme comes with a user-friendly interface with an organized layout
All the computer component-related data are broken down into separate categories
The information covers general areas of your system such as power management, sensors, and overclocking
The tool runs benchmarks and generates reports

AIDA64 Extreme

Find your PC’s performance limits with advanced diagnostics and stress testing tools!

Check price Visit website

Iolo System Mechanic – Computer power supply tester software optimizing PC performance

Iolo System Mechanic is an all-in-one PC optimizer with versatile features. It focuses on improving the overall performance of your device.

It has PC cleaning features and will help you get rid of bloatware and useless startup programs. In fact, it has the ability to remove 50 different types of junk files.

More so, if you need to boost your PC performance by increasing CPU and RAM resources, this software is your chance. It can therefore help your system to run high-demanding programs and function as power supply stress test software.

Other key features of this software are:

Defragments drives and frees memory
Protects router ports and other connected devices
Removes bloatware
Improves RAM usage in real-time
User-friendly and modern interface
Boosts internet speed

Iolo System Mechanic

Use Iolo to automate complex processes and speed up functions while maintaining high security.

Check price Visit website

Open Hardware Monitor – Free power supply test and monitoring software tool.

Open Hardware Monitor is a free open-source tool that can monitor temperature sensors, fan speeds, load, and voltages, and serve as PSU test software.

It is very useful if you require information about temperature sensors, fan speed, load, and clock speeds or voltages of your computer.

It can as well monitor any other hardware resources and read data about your chips found on almost every mainboard. So you can discover data about CPU temperature by reading the sensors of multiple processors like AMD or Intel.

Check out the best features included in this software:

Check system power supply
Monitor CPU temperature
Check GPU systems

⇒ Get Open Hardware Monitor

HWMonitor – Lightweight check power supply PC software with sensor monitoring.

HWMonitor is a lightweight system monitoring tool. This hardware monitoring software will read your system’s primary health sensors for the most common chips.

You can monitor voltages or hardware resources’ temperature at a glance and see how the system reacts. With this, you can always use it as PSU test software.

If your motherboard isn’t receiving power properly, PSU monitoring tools like HWMonitor can help you detect voltage issues. Learn more about how to fix a motherboard not getting power.

You can thus see detailed reports of your system, regarding the CPU, hard disk, or graphics card.

Check out its essential features:

HWMonitor’s job is to keep track of the most critical sensors on your computer and find out live readings for the HDD temperature and fan speed
It provides accurate data regarding your power supply
Setting up the program is an effortless task, and it will not require any particular configuration
Lists all the components in a hierarchical order so that you’ll be able to sport them more easier
It provides data revolving around the CPU, GPU, and HDD

⇒ Get HWMonitor

Sidebar Diagnostics – Customizable power supply software monitor and hardware tool

When it comes to analyzing the resource consumption figures Windows itself provides a competent tool named Resource Monitor that can work as PSU test software.

This utility has all the basics covered when it comes to data about the system’s memory, CPU, disk, and network stats but it’s not entirely convenient when you have tons of running apps.

Sidebar Diagnostics, on the other hand, provides a more convenient solution for viewing and analyzing hardware data.

Check out its best features below:

This is a lightweight tool that does mainly what the native Resource Monitor does, but it displays data more attractively
It comes with a sidebar that is integrated into your desktop
It displays data about RAM, CPU, GOU, active drivers, power supply, network, and more
The tool is really customizable allowing you to set things according to your preferences

⇒ Get Sidebar Diagnostics

These are the best programs that can function as PSU test software. It’s best to head over to their official websites to check out the complete set of features and see which one seems the best for your skill level and your system’s needs.

Once you’ve confirmed your PSU is stable, you can run a computer performance test online to evaluate how your hardware performs under load.

Moreover, if you’re looking for the best PSU for the 4090 series of NVIDIA GeForce RTX, we can help out!

If you need more info about a PSU Tester or two, don’t hesitate to reach for the comments section below.

How to Fix Gpedit.msc Not Found in Windows 11 – 5 Tested Ways

Posted on October 23, 2022September 10, 2025 by Vladimir Popescu

Dealing with gpedit.msc missing? You’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong. Gpedit.msc (Group Policy Editor) is a powerful Windows tool used to control advanced system settings like updates, user permissions, and security restrictions.

But on Windows 11 Home, it’s missing by design. Try to launch it (Win + R > gpedit.msc), and you’ll likely get the error: “Windows cannot find ‘gpedit.msc’. Make sure you typed the name correctly…”

The good news? You can still enable it manually, without having to upgrade. Check the methods below to see how.

How to fix gpedit missing in Windows 11

1. Enable Group Policy Editor with a batch file

Press the Windows + S key to open the Search bar, then type cmd and right-click on the most relevant result to run it as an administrator.
Now type or paste in the following commands and press Enter after each:

FOR %F IN ("%SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientTools-Package~*.mum") DO ( DISM /Online /NoRestart /Add-Package:"%F" )

FOR %F IN ("%SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientExtensions-Package~*.mum") DO ( DISM /Online /NoRestart /Add-Package:"%F")

Once the processes are complete and reach 100 percent, you can close the Command Prompt window and try to open Gpedit.msc again.

A Command Prompt window will appear at this point. Wait until it says 100 percent before continuing. Before you close that window, be sure that this operation was accomplished correctly.

A simpler and safer way to restore missing Windows files is with the help of specialized software.

2. Enable Group Policy Editor via the Command Prompt

Press the Windows + S key to open the Search bar, then type cmd and right-click on the most relevant result to run it as an administrator.
Now type or paste in the following commands and press Enter after each:

FOR %F IN ("%SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientTools-Package~*.mum") DO ( DISM /Online /NoRestart /Add-Package:"%F" )

FOR %F IN ("%SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientExtensions-Package~*.mum") DO ( DISM /Online /NoRestart /Add-Package:"%F")

Once the processes are complete and reach 100 percent, you can close the Command Prompt window and try to open Gpedit.msc again.

3. Download gpedit-main zip file

Go to the Gpedit-main Github page to download the zip.
Right-click the zip folder and select the Extract All… option. Choose a location to extract the files to complete the process.
Now, open the extracted folder, right-click on the .bat file there, and select Run as administrator.
Wait for Command Prompt to open and install the needed extensions. Close CMD once it shows The operation completed successfully message.
Finally, you now press the Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, and click OK to access the Group Policy Editor.

Another way around the Gpedit.msc not found on Windows 11 is to download the .bat file as shown above. This method also works on Windows 11 Home Edition, so be sure to try it.

4. Update Windows

Press the Windows key + I and click on Windows Update from the left side menu.
Click on Check for updates.

If you’re using an earlier version of Windows, this could be a contributing factor to the error, which can be fixed by updating the operating system. They should probably fix this error in a subsequent software release.

5. Use the Microsoft Management Console

Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
Type mmc and press Enter.
In the Microsoft Management Console, click File at the top-left.
Select Add/Remove Snap-in from the dropdown.
Scroll down and select Group Policy Object Editor and click on it.
In the new window, choose Local Computer and click Finish.
Click OK to return to the console.
Go to File and choose Save As, name the file and save it to a preferred location.
When you want to open to Group Policy Editor, just double-click the saved file

That’s about it on the Gpedit.msc not found on Windows 11 issue and how to download it.

Alternatively, you can learn how to edit the Group Policy in Windows 10 and use the same procedures in Windows 11, as they are similar.

You can also use gpedit.msc on Server 2019, and we have a great guide on how to do it.

Let us know in the comments section below which solution worked best for you as well as how often you use Group Policy Editor.

Reset All Audio Settings on Windows 11 [Quick Steps]

Posted on October 23, 2022October 4, 2023 by Alexandru Poloboc

While your Windows OS is more than capable of managing sound on your PC, you will still need to intervene and reset sound settings in case you are facing audio issues or glitches.

That being said, with the aesthetic changes made by Microsoft in Windows 11, it has become harder for some users to zero in on these settings.

Before we dive into the solutions, know that we can also offer assistance if your Windows 11 PC has no sound at all.

Why do I need to reset my Windows 11 sound settings?

You don’t necessarily need to do so, but when problems start interfering with how you do things on your PC, you might want to do something about it.

Like when your Windows 11 OS doesn’t recognize your headphones, there are some causes that trigger this behavior.

If you have sound problems, know that it can happen because:

Your drivers have become corrupt or are outdated
Operating system errors and glitches

But don’t worry, after going through this guide all your Windows 11 sound-related problems will surely be history.

How do I reset all the sound settings on Windows 11?

1. Reset from the Settings app

1. Press Win + I to access Settings.
2. Click on the System tab, then select Sound.
3. Go to Volume Mixer.
4. Press the Reset button.
5. Close the window.

If you’re looking to reset all sound settings on your Windows 11 PC, you need to look no further than Windows Settings. From the Volume Mixer section, you can complete the reset in a few clicks.

2. Uninstall/re-install the audio driver

Search for Device Manager and open the app.
Expand Sound, video & game controllers, then right-click on the audio driver and select Uninstall device.
After uninstalling the audio driver, your system will re-install it automatically.

3. Restart Windows audio services

Search for Services and open the app.
Right-click on Windows Audio and select Restart.

4. Use Windows troubleshooter

Search for Troubleshooting settings and open the app.
Click on Other troubleshooters.
Next to Playing Audio, click on the Run button.

5. Reset system sounds to default

Search for Change system sounds and open the Control Panel app.
Under Sound scheme, select Windows default.
Click on Apply, then click OK to close the window.

These are the process you are looking at when you are having issues with the sound on your Windows 11-powered PC or laptop.

We’ve also prepared an interesting article bout what you can do if your gaming sounds simply stop on your Windows 11 device.

Leave a comment below and tell us if this article has helped you fix your sound-related Windows 11 problems.

How to Deploy/Change Folder Redirection Path in Group Policy

Posted on October 23, 2022October 4, 2023 by Alexandru Poloboc

You are clearly interested in knowing more about how the Group Policy editors work, thus you came here to learn a lot more on the subject.

And, as always, we will oblige and offer the most accurate information. You might also be interested in Group Policy drive mapping, so we got you covered on that as well.

How does Group Policy folder redirection work?

You should definitely know that, in the Windows Server 2012 R2 environment, redirecting users’ files to a common storage area is sometimes the most practical path of action.

On the off chance, you are still learning the OS for the first time, enabling folder redirection might not be so intuitive.

But don’t worry, as Microsoft has provided a simple and easy way to do this on the domain or OU level, and we are also going to assist you step by step.

Before we do so though, we have to remind you that you will also find information on how to block Group Policy inheritance for a domain/OU right here.

So, without any further ado, let’s have a closer look at how you can activate folder redirection for the Group Policy Editor.

How do I deploy/change folder redirection paths in Group Policy?

1. In Server Manager, click on Tools, then access the Group Policy Management in an account that has permission to edit Group Policy.
2. Right-click on Group Policy Objects OU and select New, then select a name.
3. Right-click on the folder you want to change the path for, then click on Properties.
4. Select the redirect destination, then click on Apply.
5. Return to the Group Policy Management Console and right-click on a domain/ OU.
6. Select Link an Existing GPO and then choose the Group Policy Object that you just created.
7. Run PowerShell, then type in the following command and press Enter: gpupdate /force
8. For the changes to take effect, you will need to log off and log back in so press Y and Enter.

Performing a Group Policy folder path redirection is simple and can be done within a few minutes with the help of Group Policy Management and a command-line tool.

Know that, if your new file doesn’t appear, consider going back to your new GPO and making sure that the file path is correct. Also, make sure that the folder you are redirecting it to actually exists.

In order to change the root path destination, follow the exact same process from above, and only modify the destination folder when that step comes.

Is it absolutely necessary to perform a Group Policy folder path redirection?

No, this isn’t some type of written or even unwritten rule. You only need to perform a Group Policy folder redirection if you absolutely need to do so.

Otherwise, in many circumstances, it’s better to use the existing folder or provide access to a new folder instead.

That being said, using our guide, even beginners can easily complete it, provided they also understand the implicated factors.

If you need to switch more things around, keep in mind that you can also delete and recreate a mapped drive for the users.

The replace action overwrites all existing settings that are associated with the mapped drive. In case the mapped drive does not exist, the Replace action will create the drive.

That being said, you might also be interested in how to install Group Policy Management Console on Windows 11.

Be sure to leave a comment down below if this article has helped you with your Group Policy folder patch redirection.

How to Roll Back Drivers on Windows 11

Posted on October 23, 2022November 20, 2025 by Matthew Adams

Some users may seek to roll back driver updates to resolve issues arising after recent device driver updates. Rolling back a device’s driver will restore the previous one that the new one replaced.

There’s more than one way you can roll back a Windows 11 update. Below are four methods for reverting driver updates on Windows 11 PCs.

What is a device driver?

A driver is software that facilitates communication between Windows 11 (or other OS) and its associated hardware device. They’re kind of like language translators between hardware and computer platforms.

Companies frequently release new driver versions for their hardware. More essential system drivers will often be updated automatically with Windows updates.

You should confirm your current driver version before applying any rollback method, so you can use this guide to check driver version in Windows 11 before proceeding.

How can I roll back driver updates in Windows 11?

1. Select the Roll Back Driver option

1. Right-click the button for opening the Start menu and select Device Manager.
2. Double-click whatever hardware category includes the device for which you want to roll back a driver.
3. Right-click a device for which to roll back the driver and select Properties.
4. Select the window’s Driver tab.
5. Then click the Roll Back Driver button.
6. Select a reason for rolling back the driver.
7. Press Yes to restore the previous driver.
8. Click Start and Power on the menu. Then select the Restart option.

You can easily roll back recent drivers on your Windows 11 PC via Device Manager. This built-in tool on your computer allows you to manually choose which drivers you want to roll back from your list of available devices.

2. Reinstall old driver packs

Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager and navigate to a hardware device category.
Then right-click a hardware device and select Uninstall device.
Select the Attempt to remove driver for this device option if there is one.
Click Uninstall to confirm.

When you’ve uninstalled a device driver, you can manually reinstall an older one to roll back to. Many device manufacturer websites will include old drivers as well as the latest ones.

For example, you can download old drivers for NVIDIA GPUs from the Advanced Driver Search page. Select your GPU model, All on the Recommended menu, and click Search to view a list of downloadable drivers.

When you’ve downloaded the previous driver version, open the folder that contains the driver package in Explorer. Double-click its setup package to install the driver.

You can also uninstall some drivers via Programs and Features or with third-party uninstallers.

3. Roll back driver updates with System Restore

Click the Search tool on your taskbar (it has a magnifying glass icon) type recovery and select Recovery to bring up a Control Panel applet.
Select the Open System Restore option.
If a Choose a different system restore option is available, select that radio button.
Click Next to view your PC’s available restore points and select one that predates the driver update on your PC.
Click the Scan for affected programs button to view a list of programs and drivers the restore point will remove. If you can see the recent driver update listed, the restore point will remove it.
Select Close to return to the restore point list.
Press Next to go to the confirmation stage.
Then click Finish to roll back the driver and Windows.

4. Back up and restore drivers

4.1 Back up all drivers

Press the Windows key + E to start File Explorer.
Right-click the C: drive and select Show more options.
Hover your mouse pointer over New and select the Folder option.
Input Driver Backup Folder for the directory’s name. That new folder will include your driver backups.
Click in the Search box at the top of Windows 11’s Start menu, type cmd, and select Run as administrator from there.
Input and execute this command with the actual folder path you just created, included at end: dism /online /export-driver /destination:C:\Driver Backup Folder

4.2 Restore old drivers from the backup folder

Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
Right-click a device for which to restore a driver and select Update driver.
Select the Browse my computer option.
Make sure that the Include subfolders checkbox is selected.
Click Browse to select the Driver Backup Folder.
Then click the OK option.
Select Next to start a driver search in your selected folder.

Some third-party driver updater tools also incorporate backup features for drivers. For example, Outbyte Driver Updater enables you to back up drivers with compressed ZIP archives.

Is there a way I can disable automatic driver updates?

You can disable automatic driver updates via the Control Panel. Press your keyboard’s Windows key + S. Type change device in the text box and select Change device installation settings.

A Device installation window will then open. Select the No option on that window. Press the Save Changes button to apply.

Many readers asked us: Why can’t I roll back my driver? Well, the Roll Back Driver option won’t be available when your PC hasn’t, or no longer, retained a previous driver version for a device.

However, you can still manually reinstall a previous driver version, as outlined for method two.

You can roll back to previous drivers in Windows 11 with any of the above methods. The first method is the fastest, but that option isn’t always available.

If you’re not using the latest version, we also have a guide on how to roll back the driver on Windows 7, so you might want to check it out.

Try the second, third, or fourth methods when you can’t select to roll back a driver. You’ll need to have enabled System Restore and backed up all drivers for the third and fourth methods to be valid.

How to Boot Into Dell Recovery Mode on Windows 11

Posted on October 22, 2022October 4, 2023 by Alexandru Poloboc

Some of us might want Microsoft Surface laptops and tablets, while others go for devices from manufacturers such as HP, Asus, Razer, Lenovo, or Dell.

If you chose Dell, you might want to know what to do when the Dell update is not working. Also, we recommend having a look at what to do in situations when the Dell XPS 13 battery is not detected.

What options do I get if I boot into Dell Recovery Mode?

Dell users have been reporting problems for as long as the company has existed, so there’s really not a shock factor when you hear something like that.

In this article, you will find the exact steps you need to go through in order to complete this. However, before we get into that, let’s discover what the benefits of putting your PC into Recovery Mode can have:

System recovery option	Description
Startup Repair	Fixes certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting correctly.
System Restore	Restores your computer’s system files to an earlier point in time without affecting your files, such as e-mails, documents, or photos. If you use System Restore from the System Recovery Options menu, you cannot undo the restore operation. However, you can run System Restore again and choose a different restore point, if one exists.
System Image Recovery	You need to have created a system image beforehand to use this option. A system image is a personalized backup of the partition that contains Windows and includes programs and user data, like documents, pictures, and music.
Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool	Scans your computer’s memory for errors.
Command Prompt	Advanced users can use Command Prompt to perform recovery-related operations and also run other command line tools for diagnosing and troubleshooting problems.

If any of the actions in the table above is what you are actually after, follow the solutions below to properly complete this process.

How can I boot into Dell Recovery Mode on Windows 11?

NOTE

Remember to save any work you are doing or important files before you engage in booting your Dell into Recovery Mode.

1. Press Win + I to access Settings.
2. Select the System tab, then click on Recovery.
3. Next to Advanced setup, click the Restart now button.
4. Click on Restart now.
5. After the system has rebooted, select Troubleshoot.
6. Select Advanced options.
7. Click on Startup Settings.
8. Press the Restart button.
9. Use the number keys (4/5/6) to select which Safe Mode version you want to boot into.

It is quite simple to boot your Windows 11 Dell device into Recovery Mode. The entire process can be done from the built-in Settings on your PC.

Basically, you need to navigate to the Recovery section, restart your PC, and then choose the preferred Startup Setting via Advanced Settings.

Don’t worry, there is absolutely no rush. Take your time and complete this process properly, as seen in the screenshots above.

Speaking of Dell machines, we can also show you how to tackle scenarios where your external monitor is not working on your Dell laptop.

Furthermore, if you are in need of assistance with a Dell device when Miracast is not working, you will find the solutions here as well.

Has this guide been helpful to you? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts and opinions with us.

Fix: Realtek Audio Manager Keeps Popping Up

Posted on October 22, 2022February 21, 2024 by Vladimir Popescu

Trying to get your work done, but the Realtek Audio Manager keeps popping up constantly to annoy you and disturb the overall workflow?

If you don’t know about the installation of audio drivers, do check our complete guide on how to install any audio drivers in Windows 11.

What causes the Realtek Audio Manager to pop up?

With the popping up error, if you are getting the not supported message, then you should check our guide on fixing the device type not supported error Realtek Audio Manager.

Mostly an issue with the driver can result in Realtek Audio Manager behaving like this. Apart from this, the following causes can potentially cause the Realtek Manager to pop up.

Incompatible plugged audio device – One possibility is that you have an audio device plugged into your computer that is not compatible with the Realtek sound drivers.
Outdated Realtek drivers – Another possibility is that your Realtek drivers are outdated and need to be updated.
Windows might need an update – It is also possible that your Window needs to be updated.

Now that you can identify the causes behind this issue let’s move on to possible solutions that can help you keep the Realtek Audio Manager from popping.

To troubleshoot further issues that can occur with the Realtek audio manager or having no sound problem, you can have help from our guide to fixing no sound problems in Windows 11.

How do I keep Realtek Audio Manager from popping up?

Before moving towards detailed solutions, here are some quick checks that you can do to keep Realtek Audio Manager from popping up.

Check the audio device connector that is not loose. Realtek Audio Manager will pop up if the connector is not tight.
Make sure that the cables are properly intact and that there is no issue with the hardware.
Restarting your computer can also help because restarting will reinitialize the sound drivers.
If you have installed any new programs or updates, try uninstalling them by following the given method to uninstall updates in Windows 11.

Now that we have gone through some quick checks let’s move on to the detailed solutions.

1. Disable notifications via Settings

Click on the Start button at the bottom of your screen and select the Settings option.
Click on System in the side panel and then click on Notifications.
Turn the Notifications toggle button of Realtek Audio Manager to Off.

Turning off all notifications via settings will keep the Realtek Audio Manager from popping on the screen.

If you do not see the Realtek Audio Manager in your Windows 11, check the article comprising solutions for missing Realtek Audio Manager in Windows 11.

2. Check for Windows updates

Click on the Start button at the bottom of the screen and select the Settings option.
Click on the Windows Update from the right sidebar and then click on Check for updates.
If updates are available, then install them, and hopefully, your issue will be resolved.

3. Update the Realtek audio drivers

Type device manager in the search bar and click on Open.
Then, click on Sound, video and game controllers, right-click on Realtek(R) Audio and click on Update driver.
A confirmation prompt will open up again; click on Search automatically for drivers to automatically search and install the updated drivers.

Uninstalling the Realtek Audio Manager from your system will definitely resolve this issue. If you wish to reinstall the Realtek driver, then check this article on how to download Realtek audio drivers in Windows 11.

4. Enable the Remove Ballon Tips

Press the Windows + R button to open the run box, type the following command to open the Local Group Policy Editor, and click on the OK button. gpedit.msc
Click on Administrative Template and then click on Start Menu and Taskbar.
Double-click on Remove Balloon Tips on Startup Menu items.
Then, select the Enabled option and click on the OK button.

5. Uninstall and reinstall the Realtek Audio software

Click on the Start button and select the Settings option.
Click on Apps and then click on the Apps and features option.
Type Realtek, click on the three dots of Realtek Audio Console, and click on Uninstall option from the dropdown.
Again click on the Uninstall option on the confirmation popup.
Once the Realtek software is uninstalled, install it again and check whether the issue is resolved or not.

However, if you think Realtek Audio Manager is necessary, then you should check this guide to know why I should need Realtek Audio Manager.

We hope this guide helped you immensely in clearing the issue of the Realtek Audio Manager popping up on the screen for a smooth workflow.

Before you go, don’t miss out on our RtkAudUService64 guide that explains more about this file and Realtek Manager.

If you have any further queries or suggestions or facing any other problem regarding Windows 11, do let us know in the comments section below.

Windows Activation Notice Keeps Popping Up: 5 Ways to Fix it

Posted on October 22, 2022October 4, 2023 by Loredana Harsana

Many Windows users have expressed discontent with the pesky Windows Activation notice that keeps popping up on their computer screens. If you face the same issue, this guide is for you.

Windows Activation is an anti-piracy feature by Microsoft that checks to see if your copy of Windows is legitimate. However, the tech giant has become less strict about this policy. So, even if your PC fails the activation process, Windows will continue to work normally until you solve the issue.

Why does the Windows Activation notice keep popping up?

Windows license expired – The Windows Activation notice may keep popping up if your Windows license has expired. This is a common issue that we’ve seen on many Windows computers that were activated using a KMS or Windows 10/11 product key. You may receive a message from Microsoft that reads your Windows license will expire soon.
Invalid license -If you input a key that you got from an online source, it might not work because it has been used by others and Microsoft’s online activation technology blocks users who try to use the same product key. Make sure you’re using a valid activation key to avoid this issue.

In some cases, Microsoft will keep asking for activation even though your version of the OS is already activated.

Below we have compiled five different methods to help you get rid of the Windows Activation notice that keeps popping up on your computer screen. So, let us get started.

What can I do if the Windows Activation notice keeps popping up?

This guide will cover five of the most common practical solutions to the Windows Activation notice that keeps popping up. But please verify the following before moving forward:

First, verify that your copy of Windows is legitimate.
Look for key features that will help you verify its authenticity, like the Certificate of Authenticity (COA), proof of license label, and an edge-to-edge hologram.

1. Remove background images via Control Panel

Go to the Windows Search bar, type Control Panel, and Enter.
Hover over to Ease of Access Center and click on Optimize visual display option.
Now, under the Make the computer easy to see section, scroll down and tick the box next to Remove Background Images (Where Possible)
Click on Apply and restart your device.

2. Execute a script through Windows Powershell

Go to the Windows Search bar, type in Windows Powershell, and click on Run as Administrator on the right.
In the window that opens, type or copy-paste the following script and hit Enter.slmgr /renew
Lastly, restart your computer.

3. Activate Windows

Press the Windows key + I simultaneously to open the Settings app.
Under Systems, please scroll down to Activation and click it.
Expand the Upgrade your edition of Windows section and click the Change Product key option.
Enter your 24-character alphanumeric product key and click Next.
Microsoft will now activate your Windows OS.

4. Disable Windows Tips

Press the Windows key + I simultaneously to open the Settings app.
Under Systems, go to Notifications.
Please uncheck the box next to Get tips and suggestions when I use Windows and Show me the Windows welcome experience after updates and occasionally when I sign in to highlight what’s new and suggested.

5. Edit Registry Key

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type regedit and hit Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
Click on File and then Export.
Choose a secure location on your computer to save the backup, and name it Original Registry.
Now, in the Registry Editor, locate or copy-paste the following: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SoftwareProtectionPlatform\Activation
In the right pane, right-click on Manual and select Modify.
Change the value data from 0 to 1 and click Ok.
Restart your computer for changes to take effect.

You can get rid of the Activate Windows notice by simply changing the Registry. However, if none of the solutions work for you, try contacting the Microsoft customer support team to resolve your issue.

We hope one of these methods finally works for you to eliminate that irritating Windows activation notice. Alternatively, you can also go through our guide on Windows 10/11 Pro activation error 0xc004f014.

If you have questions or need clarification on anything, please reach out to us in the comments section below. We’ll be happy to help.

Fix: Logitech G HUB is Not Downloading Presets

Posted on October 22, 2022October 4, 2023 by Vladimir Popescu

Logitech G HUB not downloading presets is a known issue that has been widely reported on the Logitech forums. If you are facing the same problem, then you are in the right place.

This article will provide you with some effective methods on how to fix the issue. So, let us get started without wasting any time.

Why are presets not downloading in Logitech G HUB?

The presets are not available for download could be due to one of these reasons:

No internet: The device does not have an internet connection. To fix this, you will need to contact your ISP and ask for help.
Storage space issue: Not having enough storage space available on your computer can cause a variety of issues, including conflicts when trying to run the Logitech G Hub. To fix this, you will need to make some more space on your HDD.
Profile settings: Updating your profile name and picture is important if you want to download presets.
Firewall block: Your firewall settings are blocking downloads from the Logitech website.

How do I fix the preset not downloading in Logitech G HUB?

When downloading presets from G Hub, make sure you do the following:

Update your profile name and picture.
Download the presets for the same device model as the one you have. Otherwise, the preset won’t work.
Check the ports. Make sure they’re properly plugged in and that the connections are tight.
Ensure that you have the correct device selected in Logitech G HUB. If you have any doubts, consult the documentation that came with your product.
Try downloading the latest version of the software.
If everything fails, restart your computer.

1. Allow the app through Windows Firewall

Go to the Start menu and search for Firewall.
Then, click on the Allow an app or feature through Windows Firewall option.
Click the Change settings button at the top.
Scroll down to the bottom and click Allow another app.
Click Browse and search for Logitech G HUB.
Next, click on the app and select the Add button option.
Once Logitech G HUB has been given permission, click OK.

Sometimes, The Windows Firewall can prevent Logitech G HUB from working properly. if you find that your firewall is still blocking apps even after you’ve tried disabling it, don’t hesitate to go through our guide on the same.

2. Update device drivers

Go to the Windows Search Bar, type in Device Manager, and hit Enter.
Expand the Sound Videos and Game section.
Right-click on your sound device and select Update driver.

Aside from protecting you against malicious software, your device drivers also help eliminate bugs and glitches. Thus, updating them could potentially fix your issue.

3. Reinstall Logitech G HUB

First press the Win + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run box.
Type or paste control appwiz.cpl and press Enter.
Click the Logitech G HUB app icon and select Uninstall.
Once done, restart your computer.
Now, visit the Logitech G HUB download page and select the Download for Windows option.
Follow the on-screen instructions to proceed.

4. Set LGHUB Updater Service Startup type to Automatic

Press the Win + R keys on your keyboard to open the Run box.
Type Services.msc in the search bar and press Enter.
Find LGHUB Updater Service in the list of Services.
Right-click on it and select Properties.
On the General tab, set the Startup type to Automatic using the dropdown button next to it.
Click OK and restart your PC for changes to take effect.

The LGHUB Updater Service should not be disabled as it is essential for the G HUB to function properly. You will need to set its startup type to Automatic from either Manual or Disabled and see if it fixes your issue.

Alternatively, you can directly reach out to Logitech G HUB customer support if none of the solutions work for you. Also, we have a few recommendations for fixing the most common problems like the Logitech G HUB not working in Windows 11.

If you have any questions about the above processes, feel free to leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you.

Display Settings are Greyed Out? How to Get Them Back

Posted on October 22, 2022October 4, 2023 by Alexandru Poloboc

Windows users can experience many issues without necessarily being tied to just one part of the operating system.

If you need to reset the sound settings on your Windows 11, our guide will surely be of assistance. But you can also run into display problems, and we’ll help you with those.

Why are my display settings greyed out on Windows 11?

Simple actions, such as switching wallpapers, or changing the system’s resolution, can prove impossible if you get a bug many users spoke about on forums and social media platforms.

Responsible for the Windows 11 display settings being greyed out include:

Malicious software and viruses – Having any software that endangers your system installed can cause a variety of issues, and in order to fix this, you will need to use good antivirus software.
Corrupted or outdated drivers – Drivers are the basis of every software running on your PC, so updating drivers is of paramount importance.
Too many junk files – Having a regular system cleanup is extremely important, but you can simplify the process by using specialized software.

Speaking purely based on the reports, most users facing this issue have recently upgraded to Windows 10/11 or installed specific system updates.

Without any double, this could be causing incompatibility between the operating system and outdated drivers, causing the affected PC to disable some functions related to the misconfigured drivers.

Before we start this troubleshooting process, though, be sure to make the first steps towards fixing the problem, such as:

Restart your PC
Scan your PC for malware
Clean junk files from your PC

How can I fix the Windows 11 display settings when greyed out?

1. Enable GPU Scaling

1.1. Intel

Click on Intel HD Graphics located in the Notification Area of the Taskbar.
Click Display.
Click Maintain Display Scaling, then click Apply.
Finally, restart your Windows 11 PC.

1.2. AMD

Open your AMD Radeon control panel from the Taskbar.
Click Display.
Look for GPU Scaling and turn it on.
Restart your Windows 11 PC.

1.3. Nvidia

Click NVIDIA from the Taskbar to open its settings.
Click on Adjust Desktop Size and Position from the left menu.
Select your scaling mode: Full Screen, Aspect Ratio, or No Scaling.
Choose GPU in the dropdown under Perform scaling on.
Save your settings and restart your system.

2. Update your display driver

Search for Device Manager and open the app.
Extend Display adapters, right-click on your GPU and select Update driver.
Click on Search automatically for drivers.

3. Remove malware from your PC

Press Win + I to access Settings.
Select the Privacy & Security tab, then click on Windows Security.
Click on the Open Windows Security button.
Click on Virus & threat protection.
Click the Quick Scan button.
If your PC finds any threats, click on the Remove button.

4. Update Windows to the latest version

Press Win + I to access Settings.
Click on the Windows update tab, then click on Search for updates.
If Windows found any updates, click on the Install now button.

5. Reset your PC

Press Win + I to access Settings.
Select the System tab, then click on Recovery.
Click on the Reset PC button.

6. Install display drivers in compatibility mode

Manually download the display driver you need from the manufacturer’s website.
Right-click on the setup file and select Properties.
Select the Compatibility tab, then select Windows 8 from the dropdown, click on the OK button, and then on Apply.
Reboot your PC.

Windows 11 users who reported their display settings getting greyed out and becoming inaccessible have also said that these solutions helped them fix the problem.

Make sure to follow each step, and you will be back to normal in no time. Leave a comment below if this guide has helped you as well.

How to Boot Lenovo into Recovery Mode on Windows 11

Posted on October 22, 2022July 24, 2024 by Henderson Jayden Harper

Booting into a Lenovo Recovery mode on Windows 11 allows you to access the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE). It repairs many factors causing unbootable operating systems.

However, users complain about not being able to find the Recovery Environment on Windows 11.

Why should I boot Lenovo into Recovery Mode on Windows 11?

The Lenovo Recovery mode gives users Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) access. It is a pre-installed troubleshooting tool that accompanies the Windows operating system.

Furthermore, it offers a series of Recovery options that allows you to perform advanced troubleshooting on your PC. Some features are:

Running startup repairs: When you run into startup errors in your Lenovo PC, booting into the Recovery mode allows you access repair tools to fix the startup bug affecting your PC.
Resetting your PC: You can use the Lenovo Recovery mode to restore factory settings and reinstall Windows. However, if the factory reset is not working, try the fixes in this guide.
Access the Command Prompt: The Windows Recovery Environment on Lenovo allows users to use the Command Prompt to access the Registry Editor and copy system files. Also, you can perform an SFC scan to verify the status of protected files on your computer.
System restores: Booting Lenovo into Recovery mode allows you to restore your PC to a previous point.

Also, the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) allows you to boot your PC from a bootable USB drive.

How can I boot my Lenovo PC into Recovery mode on Windows 11?

Before booting your Lenovo PC into Recovery mode, we recommend you go through the following preliminary checks:

Make sure you have administrator rights on the PC.
Ensure Windows Recovery Environment is enabled before attempting to enter the Recovery mode. If you cannot find the Windows Recovery Environment, check our guide.

Follow the steps below to boot your Lenovo PC into Recovery mode on Windows 11.

1. Via the Settings app

Press the Windows + I keys to prompt the Windows Settings app.
Go to System or select Recovery.
Navigate to the Advanced startup section and select the Restart now option to boot your Lenovo PC in Recovery mode.

If Advanced startup is missing from your PC, you can learn how to add it through this guide.

2. Use the Start menu

Press the Start button on your keyboard and click on the Power option.
Then press and hold the Shift key on your keyboard as you select the Restart option.

You may also check this guide on fixing the Start menu when it’s not working on Windows 11.

3. Use Windows PowerShell command

1. Click on the Start button to open the Windows Search box.
2. Type PowerShell in the search box, and select Run as administrator.
3. Input the following command: shutdown /r /o
4. Press Enter to run the command.
5. Alternatively, input this command, then press Enter:shutdown /r /o /f /t 0

A very quick and easy way to boot your Lenovo device into Recovery Mode is via a command-line tool such as Powershell. All you need to do is input a command and run it.

You should only force Windows 11 to boot into Recovery mode using the second command if the first fails. Windows will boot into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) in a few seconds.

4. Boot your Lenovo PC into Recovery mode via Security Screen

Press the Ctrl + Alt + Del keys on the desktop to prompt the Windows Security Screen.
Select the Power button in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
Press and hold the Shift key, then choose the Restart option.

You can read our guide on what to do if Windows 11 won’t enter Recovery mode on your PC.

5. Via Automatic Repair

Press and hold the Power button on your Lenovo PC until the screen goes off.
A Preparing Automatic Repair option should appear below the Windows logo; wait while it loads.
Select Advanced Options on the next prompt to launch the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE).

You can read about how to fix Automatic Repair when it’s not working in Windows 11.

Nonetheless, you can refer to our article on how to enter recovery mode on Windows 11 for more details on accessing the Windows Recovery Environment.

Also, users can check our guide for fixing the Windows 11 Error Recovery screen on boot issues in a few steps.

If you have further questions, kindly leave them in the comments below. We’d appreciate a response from you.

Realtek Audio Driver Install Loop: 5 Quick Ways to Fix It

Posted on October 22, 2022June 10, 2025 by Radu Tyrsina

Realtek Audio Driver is key for sound on your PC, letting you hear through speakers or headphones. Sometimes, though, it gets stuck in an endless loop—super frustrating. This article shows how to fix that, and you can also learn why the Realtek audio driver matters.

What causes the endless loop?

When installing the Realtek driver on Windows 11, an endless loop can happen due to:

Windows update glitches causing conflicts.
Disabled Microsoft UAA Bus, which the driver needs to work.
Outdated or corrupt drivers that aren’t compatible with Windows.

Now that you know the causes, let’s explore fixes to solve the issue.

How do I fix the Realtek audio driver’s endless loop?

1. Update the Realtek audio driver

Type Device Manager in the search panel below and click on Open.
Click on Sound, video, and game controllers in the Device Manager window, then right-click on Realtek High Definition Audio, and from the drop-down, click on Update driver.
Click on the option to Search automatically for drivers.
It will update the drivers automatically; hopefully, your problem has been resolved too.
If it doesn’t work, manually uninstall the drivers and install them again by typing the Device Manager in the search panel below and clicking on Open.
Click on Sound, video, and game controllers in the Device Manager window, then right-click on Realtek High Definition Audio, and from the drop-down, click on Uninstall device.
A confirmation prompt will open up, check the Delete the driver software for this device option and click on Uninstall.
Once the driver has been uninstalled, a confirmation prompt will ask you to restart the PC. Click on Yes.
Then, install the drivers again and see whether the issue is resolved or not.

If you don’t know how to download the Realtek drivers in Windows 11, then check our guide to downloading Realtek drivers in Windows 11.

Now that you have installed the pre-existing Realtek audio driver, the endless loop is likely to subside; if the problem continues, move on to further solutions given below.

2. Run Microsoft audio troubleshooter

Type Troubleshoot settings in the search bar present at the bottom of the screen, and click on Open.
Then, click on Other troubleshooters.
Click on the Run button of the Playing Audio option.

Manually running troubleshooting on audio settings is likely to resolve your problem. If you’re still experiencing the same issue, you can try other solutions given below.

If you are using Dolby Atmos sound in your system and it is not working in Windows 11 then you should read our article on fixing Dolby Atmos not working in Windows 11.

3. Disable audio enhancements

Click on the Audio icon, right-click on the Audio icon again and select Go to Settings.
Then, click on the Speakers option.
Turn the option of Enhance audio to Off.

By doing this, you will be able to reduce the number of processes that the Realtek audio driver has to go through, which might fix the problem.

4. Check for driver updates in Windows Update

Click on the Start button at the bottom of the screen and select Settings.
Click on the Windows Update from the sidebar and then click on Advanced options.
Then, click on Optional updates.
Click on Driver updates, check the pending driver updates and click on Download and Install button.

If you are facing the Realtek audio error code 0001 on Windows 11, then you must follow our guide to fix Realtek error code 0001.

5. Turn the mono audio option Off

Click on the Start button from the bottom of the screen and select the Settings option.
Click on the System option, and then click on Sound.
Scroll down and make sure the toggle button of the Mono audio is off.

Along with the above error, if you ever face an audio rendering error in Windows 11, our article on fixing audio rendering errors in Windows 11 might help you.

For a step-by-step fix for the Realtek audio driver endless loop issue, see how to resolve Realtek audio driver endless loop errors.

We hope that this article helped you in solving your problem. If you have any further queries, feel free to reach out to us in the comments section below.

Not Enough Memory in the System to Start Virtual Machine [Fix]

Posted on October 22, 2022October 4, 2023 by Henderson Jayden Harper

Creating any virtual machines may be impossible due to Hyper-V not having enough memory. It can sometimes lead to data loss; hence, you must fix the problem.

Also, users often encounter variations of this memory error and prevent the reinstallation of Hyper-V virtual machines on Windows.

What causes not enough memory to start a virtual machine error?

According to the Hyper-V general requirements, at least 4 GB RAM is required for the host and other virtual machines. Once this is filled up, other VMs will not start.

Also, you can encounter the virtual machine failing to start because of insufficient disk space. Other likely causes for the error are:

Over-allocation of RAM: You can encounter Hyper-V not enough memory issues if the allocated memory for the virtual machine is more than the available RAM.
The memory cache: Hyper-V virtual machines collect and store cache data in the memory cache. However, it can take up a lot of memory space because it runs many programs concurrently.
Requirement issues: Because Hyper-V has memory capacity requirements, you may encounter problems if you don’t meet the requirements.

Various other factors can prompt the Hyper-V memory not to have enough error.

How do I fix Hyper-V not enough memory to start VM?

Users fix Hyper-V not having enough memory to start Virtual Machine by troubleshooting some settings. However, follow these preliminary checks before proceeding:

Check Hyper-V general requirements to see if your device meets the expected specifications.
Ensure that no RAM-heavy-dependent programs or apps are running in the background.
Check the running VMs to see if they are not consuming more than you allocated.
Reboot your PC to fix any startup error that might cause the issue.

Some advanced solutions you can try if the issue persists are as follows:

1. Restart your PC in Safe mode

Press the power button to turn on the PC and keep pressing the F2, F8, F10, or F12 keys to open the Advanced Boot Options menu (different keys work for different PCs).
Click on Troubleshoot option.
Select Startup Settings on the Advanced option.
Press 4 to Enable Safe Mode and click to Restart.

Restarting your device in safe mode should fix bugs and errors causing memory issues with Hyper-V. If you’re having trouble with these steps, check out ways to start Windows 11 in Safe Mode without difficulties.

2. Assign less memory to Hyper-V VM

Click Start, type hyper-V in the search box, and open the Hyper-V Manager from the search results.
Right-click the virtual machine prompting the not enough memory error, then select Settings.
Click on Memory, then go to the RAM and Minimum RAM tabs on the right pane of the screen.
If the minimum RAM is higher than the Start RAM, set a new RAM value.
Navigate to the Hyper-V Manager homepage and replicate the steps for all other VMs.

Exit the Hyper-V Manager and restart your device to sync the changes. Check if the problems persist.

3. End Tasks for unnecessary programs

Left-click the Start button, then select Task Manager.
Select CPU and Memory usage in the Task Manager.
Select the programs using more CPU and memory space on your PC.
Click on the End Task option from the drop-down, then close the Task Manager.

Ending tasks for programs you don’t need presently can free up RAM on your device, creating more memory for Hyper-V to use.

However, if you encounter difficulties accessing the Task Manager via the steps above, look at the other ways to open Task Manager as specified in our guide.

4. Enable the Dynamic Memory option

Right-click the Start button, type hyper-V in the search box, and select the Hyper-V Manager from the search results.
Right-click on the virtual machine showing the memory error, then select Settings.
Click on Memory and locate the Dynamic Memory tab on the right pane of the screen.
Check the box for Enable Dynamic Memory.

The Dynamic Memory option allows the allocated memory for the virtual memory to change between the range you set.

We hope our solutions are resourceful and that you’re able to fix the Hyper-V not enough memory error.

Alternatively, you can read our extensive guide on fixing the Hyper-V ran out of memory error. Likewise, some users complain about experiencing Hyper-V high CPU usage on their PCs. If you encounter this, check our article for quick fixes.

For further queries and suggestions, kindly drop them in the comments below. We’d like to hear from you.

Microsoft will launch PC Manager, its own alternative to CCleaner

Posted on October 21, 2022October 4, 2023 by Alexandru Poloboc

If you are a Microsoft product fan, then you will surely get a kick out of what we are about to share with you in this article.

We’re going to focus on the Windows 10/11 operating systems, where Microsoft is about to introduce an app that should have been added years ago.

In case you didn’t know, the tech giant known as Microsoft is working on a PC Manager app that’s designed to boost your computer’s performance.

The Beta for Microsoft’s PC Manager is out now

Much like the popular CCleaner, the beta version of Microsoft’s PC Manager includes storage management and the ability to end tasks quickly and control which apps start up with Windows.

The source code is already baked into Windows, but this PC Manager app puts it all in one useful location, which is really advantageous.

And, to make it better, there’s even a browser protection section that makes it easier to change default browsers than what exists in Windows right now.

The application itself displays in English so it is unclear if it supports other languages besides Chinese and English and Microsoft has yet to make an announcement regarding it.

Note that most web browsers support translations, but you may also activate the first button on the page to start the 5 Megabyte download of the app.

However, the app checks out fine on Virustotal there is only one hit by CrowdStrike Falcon, and it is labeled grayware.

PC Manager’s storage feature includes the ability to manage apps or remove those that are rarely used, and there’s also a full cleanup scan available or a scan to find large files on your drives.

Furthermore, the process management feature is a more simplified version of the Task Manager so you can quickly kill processes that might be eating up RAM.

When you press the main boost button the PC Manager will clear temporary files and free up memory, which could be useful on older PCs.

As we’ve mentioned, the public beta of PC Manager has appeared on an official Microsoft site, but the site is Chinese, which suggests that this app is designed for a very specific market.

Also, if you were planning on getting this for Windows 7 or Windows 8, you won’t be able to.PC Manager is designed for Windows 10 and above and is targeted more at low-spec laptops and PCs.

Have you already tried the PC Manager Beta? Share your experience with us in the dedicated comments section located below.

Bluestacks is Crashing my PC: 7 Ways to Fix Blue Screen issues

Posted on October 21, 2022October 8, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

Android emulation is possible on Windows, but many users reported Blue Screen of Death errors while using the BlueStacks software.

This can be a big problem and cause stability issues with your PC, but in this article, we’ll show you how to fix this problem.

Why does Bluestacks keep crashing?

Users have noticed this error, and it is triggered by a few different elements, the most common being:

Outdated or corrupted drivers – Curropt drivers are a huge factor and sometimes will even mean that the BlueStacks engine won’t start. We discuss how to fix this below.
Errors in the Hyper-V feature – If the BlueStacks isn’t opening or constantly crashing, it’s possible that there’s an issue with the virtualization and everything is not configured correctly.
Third-party applications – Third-party applications can cause this error to appear, which will require a detailed fix in some cases.
Compatibility issues with antivirus – While antivirus software keeps you safe, it may not interact with some legitimate applications in some cases. You should use only the best antivirus software.

Blue Screen of Death errors can be pretty problematic, and sometimes these errors can appear in different variations while using BlueStacks, including:

BlueStacks keeps crashing Windows 10 – Sometimes BlueStacks can keep crashing on your PC. This can occur due to the Hyper-V feature, so be sure to disable it.
BlueStacks BSOD memory_management – Third-party applications can cause this error to appear. You will have to identify and eliminate the trigger applications.
Blue screen after installing BlueStacks – Your antivirus can also cause problems with BlueStacks to appear.
BlueStacks quit unexpectedly – This is very similar to the restarting error, and just like it is with other variations, you should try some of the solutions recommended below.

How can I fix Bluestacks crashes on PC?

Before you go into any of these solutions, you may decide to change emulators altogether. However, many users who have switched to get LD Player have had a positive experience.

Use a professional solution
Disable the Hyper-V feature
Reinstall the BlueStacks software
Reinstall your graphics card drivers
Check your antivirus
Use an alternative android emulator software
Try running BlueStacks in Safe Mode
Perform a Clean boot

1. Use a professional solution

The BlueStacks Blue Screen of Death error will prevent you from having an excellent gaming experience. However, after fixing this problem, you can enjoy playing the best Android games on your computer.

We recommend you use a professional solution that offers you many benefits. First, it safely repairs and secures your computer, bringing it into an optimized state.

2. Disable the Hyper-V feature

A tested and reliable solution is to disable Hyper-V Windows feature on your device in order to repair Bluestacks crashing errors really fast.

1. In the Search field, enter Windows Features. Select Turn Windows features on or off.
2. When the Windows Features window appears, locate Hyper-V and disable it. After doing that, click OK to save the changes.
3. Restart your PC to apply the changes.

3. Reinstall the BlueStacks software

A Blue Screen of Death can sometimes appear while using BlueStacks if the installation is damaged. To fix this problem, users are suggesting reinstalling the software entirely.

There are several ways to do that, but if you want to remove BlueStacks, you need to use third-party software.

This is an excellent uninstaller software, and it can remove any application from your PC and all its files and registry entries.

By using the uninstaller software, you’ll ensure that there will be no traces of Bluestacks on your computer, and you will be ready for a fresh install.

4. Reinstall your graphics card drivers

Press Windows Key + X and choose Device Manager from the list.
When Device Manager opens, expand Display adapters, right-click your graphics card and choose Uninstall device.
If available, check to Remove driver software for this device option and click on Uninstall.
Restart your PC to apply the changes, then run Bluestacks and verify if it is still crashing your PC.

If you find this process tedious, you can always use third-party tools to update all your drivers automatically.

Try out a highly-efficient software such as Outbyte Driver Updater that updates all your drivers, including the ones for your graphics card. It’s simple, fast and secure technology allows it to improve the performance of your graphic card.

5. Disable or uninstall your antivirus

Click on the hidden access arrow in the Taskbar.
Click on your antivirus icon, hover over Avast shields Control and select Disable for 10 minutes (This step varies for different antivirus software).
Run Bluestacks and verify if it is still crashing your PC.

If you’re getting Blue Screen of Death on your PC while using BlueStacks, the problem might be related to your antivirus software.

If the problem is still there, you must uninstall your antivirus and try rerunning BlueStacks.

6. Try running BlueStacks in Safe Mode

Open the Settings app using the Windows Key + I shortcut.
Navigate to the Update & Security section.
Select Recovery from the left pane. Click the Restart now button in the right pane.
Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings. Click the Restart button.
You should now see a list of options. Select the Safe Mode with Networking by pressing the corresponding keyboard key.
Run Bluestacks and verify if it is still crashing your PC.

7. Perform a Clean boot

Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
Type msconfig, and click OK.
Navigate to the Services tab and check to Hide all Microsoft services checkbox, then click the Disable all button to disable the services.
Head over to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
Right-click the first entry on the list and select Disable from the menu. Do this for all entries on the list.
Go back to the System Configuration window.
Click Apply and OK to save changes and restart your PC.

Once your PC restarts, check if the problem is still there. If the Blue Screen of Death doesn’t appear anymore, one of your startup applications or services was certainly causing the issue.

To pinpoint the cause, you must enable the disabled applications and services.

Once you find the problematic application, remove it, or keep it disabled to prevent this issue from reappearing.

You should note that there are a few variants to this error, including, BlueStacks crashing on Windows 11 and BlueStacks 5 crashing on Windows 11. But these solutions should work for any of these.

We hope that our solutions helped you solve this problem and if you have any suggestions, please let us know in the Comments section below.

Windows 11 Wireless Display Lag: 5 Ways to Fix it

Posted on October 21, 2022September 10, 2025 by Hasibul Kabir

When you face problems like Projecting to This PC lag, don’t worry. You can easily get rid of this problem and enhance your experience with Windows 11.

We also have solutions to solve Wireless Display install failure. However, this article will show you the ways to troubleshoot the lagging problems with the Projecting to This PC feature.

Why does Projecting to This PC lag?

Projecting to This PC feature is indeed a great feature on Windows 11. However, sometimes, it may not work because of the following reasons:

Outdated drivers – If the display driver, network driver, and some other chipset drivers are not up to date, this problem may appear.
Outdated version of Windows – A problematic version of Windows may be a major reason.
Poor Wi-Fi – If the Wi-Fi signal is very weak or there are network overlaps, any wireless display will struggle to deliver a smooth experience.
Problematic system components – Corrupted system components on Windows may make it unstable and problematic.
Problematic BIOS/Motherboard firmware – If your motherboard BIOS or firmware software is outdated, the latest features and updates on your PC will not deliver enough performance.

The way to solve this problem is to sort out these reasons first. Then, you can take steps to fix that you can find the next part of this article.

How do you fix Projecting to This PC lag?

Before trying the actual steps, we suggest you do a few things first. These are:

Restart your PC.
Make sure you are using Wi-Fi rather than an Ethernet connection.
Use a 5 GHz WiFi connection rather than 2.4 GHz. If necessary, check out these best 5 GHz routers.

Now, you can try these methods to solve lag issues with the Projecting to This PC feature.

1. Check for Windows Update

Press Windows + I on the keyboard to open Windows 11 Settings.
Go to Windows Update and click on Check for updates.
If any updates are available, click on Install/Download button.

2. Update display and network drivers

2.1 Use the Device Manager

Open the Start Menu.
Type Device Manager and press Enter.
Right-click on the Display Driver and choose Update.
Choose the preferred method to update.
Do the same for Network adapters and other chipset drivers.

2.2 Driver updater automatically

To update drivers on Windows, Outbyte Driver Updater is one of the best tools available. It can automatically detect outdated or missing drivers and install them with just a single click.

To solve Projecting to This PC lag, updating all of the drivers using Outbyte Driver Updater will be the best idea.

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3. Update BIOS

Turn off your PC.
Power it on and press F8 or F2, or Del, depending on the motherboard you are using when it shows the logo on the monitor.
In your BIOS/UEFI settings, figure out the option to update the firmware.
After that, try to use the Miracast feature again and see if it has fixed the problem or not.

We already have a guide on how to update BIOS. Follow that if necessary. To know how you can access the BIOS or UEFI dashboard of your PC, search for the instructions on the PC/Motherboard manufacturer’s website.

4. Try in Clean Boot

On Start Menu, type the following text and hit Enter to open the System Configuration tool. msconfig
Go to the Services tab.
Check on Hide all Microsoft services and click on Disable all.
Restart your PC.
Try to use the Projecting to This PC feature again and see if it has fixed the problem or not.

If you don’t find this feature helpful, you can undo the changes you have made in this method.

5. Repair system components

Open the Start Menu.
Type cmd, right-click on the Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator.
Type the following command and hit Enter to execute it. sfc /scannow
Wait a bit to complete the process.

We already have a guide on it with more details. Learn how you can repair corrupted system components on Windows.

Many users have reported repairing these components has fixed their problem with the Miracast feature on Windows 11.

Doing these things will surely solve the lag in the Projecting to This PC feature. However, if the problem still persists, you can reduce active background tasks and see if it helps.

This article has featured the best method to fix the lagging issue while using Project to This PC feature on Windows 11. If you have any questions or suggestions, you can write them down in the comment box.

Steam Game Launches Then Closes: 7 Ways to Fix it

Posted on October 21, 2022October 5, 2025 by Matthew Adams

Some Steam users have reported on the Steam forum that some games instantly close on loading screens.

Consequently, the games aren’t starting for them. Also, it happens that the Steam game launches and then closes with no error message.

Why does my game keep closing on Steam?

The Steam game keeps crashing issue can be caused by a plethora of reasons, but the most common ones are the following:

Game integrity – Sometimes, specific files can become damaged or corrupted during the installation process of an application or game. In this case, you will have to reinstall the game altogether.
Third-party antivirus software – Antiviruses are known to interfere with applications that they wrongly deem as harmful. Such might be the case with the Steam games crashing error in Windows 11. You may want to change to a better antivirus that won’t cause issues.
Outdated graphics drivers – Driver updates resolve issues with compatibility and security, as well as errors and faulty code, and they can even occasionally add functionality to the underlying hardware. Thus when one driver is outdated, it can cause problems across applications and games.
ClientRegistry.blob – ClientRegistry.blob is the file that Steam uses to store the registration data of the games that you have installed on your computer. Sometimes, the file can get corrupted and thus affect Steam games.

Follow along to find out what to do to fix the Steam preparing to launch, and then nothing happens.

How do I fix a Steam game that keeps crashing on startup?

Before following the solutions below, make sure to check out the following aspects:

Check the game’s system requirements to ensure your PC supports it.
Temporarily disable your antivirus or add your game to its whitelist.

1. Update the graphics card driver

1.1 Update it manually

Right-click the Start icon, then select Device Manager.
Expand the Display adapters folder, right-click your graphics card, and select Update driver.
Select the Search automatically for drivers option then reboot your PC once the process ends.

1.2 Update it automatically

A more efficient way to keep all your drivers up to date, including the graphics card driver, is to use software that does this automatically.

This way, you will significantly reduce the number of errors associated with drivers, which will impact your productivity and mood.

Outbyte Driver Updater is a great tool to have when speaking about updating drivers. They use rich database driver files ready to be installed.

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2. Delete ClientRegistry.blob

NOTE

If you are running a new version of Steam, you won’t find the ClientRegistry.blob because Steam doesn’t use it anymore.

Open File Explorer by pressing Windows + E, then go to the Steam folder. The location will usually be: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
Next, find the ClientRegistry.blob file, right-click it, and select Delete or the Bin icon.

Games might not run if Steam’s ClientRegistry.blob file is corrupted. As such, deleting a corrupted ClientRegistrty.blob file is another potential resolution for Steam games that instantly close upon launch.

Remember that you’ll also lose local Steam settings after deleting that file.

3. Run the game in Compatibility Mode

Press Windows, type Steam, then select the Open file location option under the result.
Right-click Steam and select Properties.
Here, navigate to the Compatibility tab and select Run this program in compatibility mode for, followed by Windows 8, from the drop-down menu. Then, click the Apply and OK buttons to save the new setting.
Then open Steam to relaunch the game.

Running it in compatibility mode might fix the issue if it’s a slightly older game title. Compatibility mode runs software with settings from a previous Windows platform. This also helps when Jedi Survivor is crashing on startup.

4. Verify the game’s cache

Verifying game caches can fix corrupted game files. As such, this might be a potential fix for Steam games that instantly close when you run them.

1. Open Steam, then right-click the game you are having issues with and select Properties.
2. Click the Local Files tab, which includes four options. Then select the Verify Integrity Of Game Files option to validate the cache.

5. Delete the appcache folder

Open File Explorer by pressing Windows + E, then go to the Steam folder. The location will usually be: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
Next, find the appcache folder, right-click it and select Delete or the Bin icon.
Then relaunch Steam as an administrator by pressing Windows, typing steam, and selecting Run as administrator under the result on the right.

In Windows, applications receive additional rights when run with the administrator account. This grants them the ability to make changes to the system files, update the registry, and access other areas that are typically off-limits.

Some readers suggested cutting the internet connectivity completely before running the game. This, of course, is only a temporary solution.

Also, restart your PC and listen for any unusual beeping from your motherboard. In that case, the GPU or CPU are overheating and you should address the problem quickly.

The above solutions will fix the Steam causing PC to crash issue in Windows 10 as well as 11. But for more methods, you can check out our guide on what to do if Steam games won’t launch.

If you have further questions about the resolutions, or perhaps even your fixes, please post them below.

AI Antivirus: 8 Best Picks of 2026 with Improved Detection

Posted on October 21, 2022October 8, 2025 by Ivan Jenic

The antivirus market is quite huge and you can find a multitude of software nowadays. What you must know is that you can use traditional antivirus tools or enhanced AI antiviruses, which are more reliable.

According to experts, the sphere that needs AI’s help desperately is Internet security. In that manner, the big players in the antivirus business are steadily turning to this new technology.

Since artificial intelligence itself is a young technology, its implementation in modern antivirus solutions is still in the early stage. However, you can easily find machine learning engines that detects new emerging malware.

So it is not rushed to compile a list of the best AI-powered antivirus programs, and we’ll take the risk to discover which of them is the antivirus of the future.

All said here, this list should be your starting point when choosing your first behaviour-based AI antivirus for Windows 10.

Which antivirus uses AI?

Simply said, many antivirus software have AI technology and provide reliable malware protection. Among the most popular AI-based antivirus are TotalAV or Bitdefender software.

Hence, you can benefit from advanced antivirus shield and behaviour-based threats detection to get enhanced web security. Let’s see which are the most beneficial ones in the following list.

What is the best artificial intelligence antivirus to get?

TotalAV – Cloud-assisted detection

TotalAV combines a local antivirus engine with cloud-based threat intelligence, so new malware samples are recognised quickly without waiting for a large definitions update. Unknown files are checked against continuously updated data, and known threats are stopped in real time.

It is a simpler product than TotalAV and does not publish details of its detection model, so the text does not claim neural networks or classification algorithms. What you get is real-time protection, WebShield for phishing and malicious sites, and a password vault in the higher plans.

Local engine plus cloud threat intelligence
Real-time protection
WebShield for phishing and malicious sites
Password vault in the higher plans

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Bitdefender Total Security – Full protection against malware

While Bitdefender’s developers don’t market their product as an ultimate AI antivirus, it certainly stands out as one of the premier solutions on the market.

For example, Bitdefender has nearly perfect scores from AV-TEST and its top virus detection rate. And there’s a big reason for that.

Bitdefender combines functionality, effectiveness, and simplicity. So, you’ll get strong antivirus protection, along with firewall and file security, packed in a simple and easy-to-use package.

And if you’re worried about spreading ransomware attacks, Bitdefender got you covered. This security solution features an advanced anti-ransomware shield, that will keep your data safe.

If we solely talk about artificial intelligence, Bitdefender wants to base its whole service on this technology in the near future.

According to the company, it invests a solid part of its yearly budget into artificial intelligence research.

The company claims it already uses advanced artificial intelligence features in its antivirus scans and security solutions.

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Guard.io – Flawless speeds

Guard.io is an AI-based extension designed to protect your private information while you browse more securely and quickly.

It has advanced anti-phishing protection that blocks harmful sites, including emails or websites that tries to steal your payment or personal data.

It can also help you stop unwanted notifications and eliminate malicious and invasive ads that can be damaging to your device.

Guard.io removes malicious extensions that control browser settings, invade privacy, and install malware, adware, or spyware.

Furthermore, it protects your identity at all costs because it alerts you in real time when your information is leaked online in a data breach. This allows you to act in time to protect your identity from being stolen, manage your digital footprint, and control which sites have access to your personal details.

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Avira – Most innovative AI protection

Avira is one of the best free AI antivirus tools that applies several unsupervised and supervised AI and machine learning techniques to aid malware analysis.

For malware analysis, it uses the coarse-to-fine strategy, exploring the data from clusters, and through the complex techniques of supervised learning, determining if the data is malware or not.

In addition to these AI techniques, the free version of Avira can also update your software and work as a basic password manager.

This complete antivirus tool comes with clever ad-tracking functionality, a shield for email and social network scams, or cleaning features to erase your digital traces.

You also benefit from free VPN protection that can hide your online behaviors and secure sensitive information online.

In the end, it’s worth knowing that Avira also contributes to speeding up your system and increasing overall performance.

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Avast Free Antivirus – Most advanced network security

Even the free version of Avast antivirus benefits from the advanced intelligence system, which is using machine learning to automatically collect and extract data from the entire user base.

After finding a new malware sample, Avast antivirus is automatically updated with new models, providing crucial, up-to-the-second protection.

In addition, with the Behavior Shield tool, Avast Free Antivirus will keep an eye on your installed applications and report to you any new suspicious behavior.

Besides that, Avira includes strong network security that can encrypt your connection and filter malicious websites before any action.

Plus, you’re entirely secured from elaborate phishing attacks or scams that may steal important data.

It’s also worth noting that you have VPN support with the SecureLine VPN that anonymizes all your data online.

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Cylance Protect – Best endpoint and IoT security

Reviewers and people who know their antiviruses agree that Cylance Protect is the future of this industry.

And indeed, Cylance is marketed as the first full-fledged artificial intelligence-powered antivirus.

But first of all, Cylance is mainly for business users, as it’s client-oriented protection. The administrative console is entirely cloud-based, but all the decisions are made on the endpoint.

Cylance technicians brag about the high accuracy of malware removal, as the software caught all random virus samples, including some ransomware.

Cylence’s approach to dealing with malware is quite unique, and that’s where machine learning comes in. It uses about 6.2 billion indicators to determine whether an application or executable is malware or not.

If only one requirement is met, Protect will recognize it as malware. This can lead to some false positives, but it’s rather unlikely to happen.

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DeepArmor – Powerful machine learning security

As we already said, artificial intelligence is still an emerging feature of the antivirus industry.

Hence, we still don’t have enough material, or enough software to write a top-notch, deep review of each product.

Additionally, there are many new players in the field, which yet have to catch the attention of the general public.

That’s exactly the case with DeepArmor. This is the youngest member of our list, but a very promising one.

Similar to Cylence, DeepArmor breaks each file on your computer into thousands of pieces. And if one piece appears to be threatening, DeepArmor will wipe it away.

This method applies to each unscanned file on your computer. So, as soon as you download a new file, it will go through DeepArmor.

Also, to cover already present files on your computer, run a deep scan as soon as you install this antivirus.

So, DeepArmor isn’t the immediate choice as your primary antivirus solution but definitely is something to look for in the future.

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Windows Defender – Best tracking prevention

Which antivirus protects you using AI and machine learning?

AI-based antivirus software can make decisions based on what it learns or experiences. It is very effective as a part of the safekeeping platform because it can use reason to analyze network threats.

It can manage a huge amount of information and based on its data, it can create threat models and prevent possible damage. It can also identify a threat long before it happens.

Another advantage is that it can work 24/7. Thus, you can choose to use any AI antivirus solution from the list below and be sure that it can protect your device successfully.

Microsoft recognized the importance of artificial intelligence in the antivirus industry and included some essential AI features in Windows 10’s built-in guard.

Windows Defender uses machine learning to prevent malware attacks. This approach is much needed since it’s expected from Microsoft to deliver a reliable security solution.

It goes without saying that Windows Defender indeed deserves to be on the list of the best AI antivirus software for Windows.

We conclude our list now, but it’s far from finished. We’re only at the beginning. As technology advances, we’ll get more and more new features, and ways to keep our computers safe.

That means there probably are some yet-to-be-released antivirus programs that deserve to be in this conversation.

As we already mentioned a couple of times throughout this article, this list should head you in the right direction for choosing your future antivirus, rather than give you an immediate answer.

In addition to any of the above antiviruses, we recommend you use one of these best firewall devices to protect your home network.

What do you think about our list, and do you have any antivirus solutions to add to it? Let us know in the comments below.

How to Disable VPN on Windows 10: Temporarily or for Good

Posted on October 21, 2022October 21, 2025 by Vlad Constantinescu

Today we’ll show you easy steps for disabling the VPN on Windows 10.

Whether you use the built-in feature or a third party VPN, sometimes these tools keep running in the background even when you try to turn them off.

If can’t disconnect your VPN, this guide can also help you. Sounds good? Let’s get started.

How to disable VPN on Windows 11

1. On Windows VPN settings

Launch the Settings app in Windows 10.
Click the Network & Internet button.
Select the VPN category in the left-hand menu
On the right, select the VPN connection you want to disable
Click Disconnect if you want to disconnect or Remove if you want to delete it.

Alternatively, you can delete it by accessing the Adapter Settings window, right-clicking the VPN connection you want to remove, and selecting Delete from the context menu.

2. On a third-party VPN software

Launch your VPN client. (We typically use ExpressVPN)
Check if you’re connected to any server.
Click on the Power button to disable the connection.
Close the VPN interface.
Open Task Manager and go to the Processes tab.
Make sure all tasks related to the VPN are closed. This could include ExpressVPN.exe ExpressVPN.AppService, ExpressVPN System Service (or something similar if you use another VPN. Right-click on all related processes and hit End Task.

Why should I disable a VPN?

In terms of digital security and privacy, there’s no reason to turn off your VPN. You can only disable your VPN connection in specific situations like your VPN slows down your Internet connection.

Plus, in case you’re setting up the Internet connection on your Windows, it’s better to keep the VPN disconnected.

Disabling or removing VPN connections on Windows 10 couldn’t be easier

All things considered, if you follow the steps in our guide, you’ll be able to remove or disable VPN connections on Windows 10 even if you’re not exactly tech-savvy.

Although disabling or removing a manual VPN connection might seem a bit complicated, it’s not.

Stop Outlook From Repeatedly Asking for Password like this

Posted on October 21, 2022February 19, 2024 by Milan Stanojevic

Many reported that Outlook keeps asking for a password, and this prevents users from checking their emails and using the software.

This is a serious issue, so it’s crucial to fix this problem, and we have the perfect solutions for you.

Why is Outlook asking for password repeatedly?

Issues with the server are the common cause of this error. Login settings and issues with your password can also cause this issue.

How do I get Outlook to stop asking for my password?

1. Manually disconnect your Microsoft Account from your Office apps

1. Press Windows + I to open the Settings app and select Accounts.
2. Choose Email & accounts.
3. Locate Accounts used for other apps section.
4. If you see your email addresses listed there, disconnect them.
5. Restart Outlook.

2. Reset the login settings for Outlook

Press Windows + S and enter credentials. Select Credentials Manager.
Navigate to Windows Credentials and locate stored credentials referencing Office 365 or Microsoft Outlook email addresses.
Click on Details, remove from vaults, and then click Yes on the warning box.
Repeat the steps until you remove all the credentials associated with your email address.

3. Check the credential settings

Start Outlook and go to File.
Choose Account settings in the Account settings section.
Select your exchange account.
Click the Change button and go to More settings.
Select the Security tab, and under the user identification, ensure the Always prompt for logon credentials option is not selected.
Click OK and restart Outlook.

In case this option is checked, it’s no wonder Outlook keeps asking for passwords and won’t connect.

4. Clear the cached passwords

Exit Outlook.
Type control and click on Control Panel from the results.
Navigate to Credential Manager and locate the credentials with Outlook in the name.
Click the name to expand the set of credentials, and then click Remove from Vault.

5. Enable Remember password

Click on the File tab and go to Account settings.
Double-click the account under the Email tab.
A new window will appear, and you should check the Remember password option.

Another suggestion is to verify whether you have selected the option to save the username and password in Outlook.

6. Outlook Anywhere is not configured to use NTLM Authentication

Navigate to File and click on Account Settings choosing the Account Settings option again.
Select the Exchange account and click Change.
Click on More settings and then go to the Connection tab.
Click the Exchange Proxy settings button, and under Proxy authentication settings, choose NTLM Authentication.

The Outlook Anywhere feature allows you to access your Exchange account remotely from the Internet while working outside your organization’s firewall.

When using Outlook Anywhere to connect to your Exchange server, we need to choose the authentication method among Basic Authentication, NTLM Authentication and Negotiate Authentication.

Users reported that using NTLM Authentication can significantly reduce the number of password prompts.

Did the solutions described above help you solve this Outlook issue? Please let us know in the comments section below, as your feedback is critical to us.

For more information, we have a guide on how to change the Outlook password, so don’t miss it. In case you don’t remember your password, we have a guide on the best Outlook password recovery tools.

This isn’t the only password issue, and many reported that the Outlook password prompt has disappeared, but we tackled this issue in another guide.

Also, if Outlook seems so full of issues, you can try a more straightforward method of communication, like automated chat software, to improve business communication.

Windows.storage.dll Missing: How to Download & Fix it

Posted on October 21, 2022March 29, 2024 by Radu Tyrsina

Some users have claimed that they encountered an error message that reads The program can’t start because Windows.Storage.dll is missing from your computer.

However, encountering a missing DLL file is a common error. Hence, we will provide a detailed guide to downloading and fixing the problem.

What happens if DLL files are missing?

DLL (Dynamic Link Library) files are essential for running programs and apps on the computer. These files contain instructions other programs use to perform certain operations, such as locating free space on the device, storing saved changes in the programs, etc.

Hence, when the DLL file needed for a program goes missing, the app will fail to work, and an error message will be displayed. The error message can appear in any of these instances:

Error loading WINDOWS.STORAGE.DLL. The specified module could not be found – As stated, the file is missing from your computer and can not be located.
There was a problem starting WINDOWS.STORAGE.DLL – This error case indicates that the Windows.storage.dll file is faulty or corrupt.
WINDOWS.STORAGE.DLL could not be located – If the Windows.storage.dll is not included in the app/program folder, this error message will pop up.
Cannot register WINDOWS.STORAGE.DLL – This means that the file is registered wrongly and needs to be in the System registry.

What causes missing Windows.storage.DLL files?

Firstly, the primary cause of the missing Windows storage DLL error is a corrupt or faulty file caused by an overwrite of the DLL file.

Also, the Windows.storage.dll file may be missing on your device if there was a mistake in the installation process. Also, uninstalling an app or program might delete the files.

The antivirus may sometimes flag the DLL files as malicious and whitelist them to protect the PC if installed from an untrusted site.

This can also cause your device to be ridden with malware and viruses. However, you can fix them using anti-malware and antivirus tools.

Meanwhile, the Windows.storage.dll error will occur if the file is not registered either to the system or application folder. Take a look at this guide if you encounter a corrupt registry in Windows 11.

Let’s proceed to the various ways to download and troubleshoot the Windows.storage.dll error.

How do I download and fix missing windows storage DLL files in Windows?

Before anything, try to perform the following preliminary checks:

Ensure you download the latest version of the application or software that’s missing the Windows.storage.dll file.
Check for updates on the Windows Update page. If Windows Update fails to work, look at this guide to fix it.
Consider using a DLL repair tool if you don’t know the exact causes of the Windows.dstorage.dll error.

After performing these checks, you may proceed to the fixes below if the error persists.

1. Install and register Windows.storage.dll on the System folder

NOTE

We don’t recommend downloading the Windows.storage.dll file from untrusted sources. The solution below was tested and approved by our experts.

Download the Windows.storage.dll file according to your OS (64-bit/32-bit).
Press the Windows + E to open the File Explorer.
By default, you should find the file in the Download folder. Extract it inside another folder.
Copy and paste the DLL file into the following directory: C:\WINDOWS\System32
Then left-click the Start button, search cmd, and Run as administrator.
Input this command and press Enter: regsvr32 windows.storage.dll
Restart your PC for the changes to effect.

Downloading DLL files online can be dangerous due to many unreliable sites. Ensure your antivirus is on before attempting this to safe keep your PC.

Sometimes, the application that is missing this DLL file, can’t find it in the System 32 folder so you will need to paste it directly into the app’s main folder.

So, if the issue persists after performing the solution above, locate the program in the Program Files folder on your PC and paste the DLL file there.

2. Run a quick SFC scan

Press the Windows key, type command in the search bar, and select Run as administrator.
Enter the following command into the Command Prompt and press Enter: sfc/scannow
Wait for the scan process to complete and restart your computer.
Check if your DLL file has been restored.

If you encounter second thoughts about doing this manually, you can try using a dedicated tool to perform an extensive scan of your device and eventually fix or replace not only Windows files, and registry keys but DLLs as well.

If you are having trouble accessing the Command Prompt as an administrator via this step, then you need to check the other ways in our guide.

3. Run DISM

Press the Windows key, type command in the Search bar, and select Run as administrator.
Copy & paste the following command and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Wait patiently until the process is complete.
Restart your computer.

If the SFC Scanner fails to restore your missing Windows Storage DLL files, the DISM (Deployment Image & Servicing Management) tool is another solution similar to SFC Scanner.

However, if you encounter an error with the DISM when using the command line, you should consider checking the fixes in the guide.

These are the best ways to download and fix the WIndows.storage.dll issues. Ensure to follow the steps for optimal results.

As you consider downloading your DLL files, remember to protect your computer with antivirus solutions against malware and viruses.

Also, we have a comprehensive guide on fixing any DLL errors on Windows 11. This might come in handy should you need to download files apart from the Windows.storage.dll.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please do not hesitate to use the comments section below.

Fix Driver Overran Stack Buffer BSoD in 7 Easy Steps

Posted on October 21, 2022September 3, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

The DRIVER_OVERRAN_STACK_BUFFER blue screen can appear on both Windows 10 and Windows 11. Many users reported the error while gaming or right after startup, but the troubleshooting steps below should help you fix it.

How can I fix Driver Overran Stack Buffer?

How can I fix Driver Overran Stack Buffer?

1. Make sure that you have the latest drivers installed

Drivers are a key part of the operating system because Windows 10 uses drivers to work with the hardware.

Users reported issues with Atheros wireless driver, so update this driver first and then move to other drivers. Also, many attributed Driver Overran Stack Buffer to Nvidia, so update it as well.

Using the Device Manager to update your drivers is simple, but that might not be the best solution.

According to users, Device Manager doesn’t always download the latest drivers, so if you want to have the latest drivers installed, it’s advised that you download the necessary drivers manually.

To do that, simply visit your hardware manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your device. But that would take time, especially when updating many drivers.

Alternatively, you can use an automatic driver updater that will certainly save you from the hassle of searching for drivers manually, and it will always keep your system up to date with the latest drivers.

Updating key drivers is the first fix to try when you see the driver overran stack buffer Windows 11 error. The same approach applies to driver overran stack buffer Windows 10, especially with graphics or wireless drivers, which are the most common culprits.

2. Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

Press Windows + R to open Run, paste the following in the text field, and hit Enter:msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic
Now, follow the on-screen instructions in the troubleshooter to complete the process.

Once done, verify if the Driver Overran Stack Buffer while playing Valorant is fixed. If not, the next solution should help.

3. Use a third-party repair tool

DRIVER OVERRAN STACK BUFFER is a pretty scary BSoD error but you don’t have to get discouraged because you can solve this issue in multiple ways. However, manual tweaking solutions can take time and imply skills.

However, there’s a quicker and faster way of repairing your system in the form of specialized system repair tools which will fix your BSOD automatically by replacing the broken files with new ones.

4. Run tests on system memory

The installed RAM can also be the reason behind Driver Overran Stack Buffer, and there are a few tools that could fix things. But before you run these, remove the RAM sticks and then reseat them.

After that, run Windows Memory Diagnostic to identify issues with the RAM. It’s a built-in tool that can find several problems with the RAM.

In case that doesn’t work, you can run Memtest86+, a highly-effective third-party tool to find and fix problems with the RAM. If it highlights any issues, look for its resolution or replace the RAM stick(s) altogether.

5. Update the BIOS

Many users who reported Driver Overran Stack Buffer during Windows 10 install managed to get things up and running after updating the BIOS. Also, this is an effective fix, even in other situations, so make sure to give it a try.

Though, remember that this is an advanced process, and you will have to be extra cautious. Make sure to read the instructions available on the manufacturer’s website before the update.

6. Uninstall the problematic software

Press Windows + R to open Run, type appwiz.cpl in the text field, and click OK.
Locate and select the problematic program and then click on Uninstall.
Now, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

Third-party software can also cause BSoD errors to appear, therefore it’s important that you find and remove the problematic software.

Users found the following to cause the error, so if you have any of these, uninstall it.

Daemon Tools
Rapport plug-in for Internet Explorer
Folder Lock

Bear in mind that uninstalling the program might not fix the error since many antivirus programs tend to leave certain files behind once you uninstall them.

To ensure that your antivirus is completely removed from your system, we advise that you use dedicated removal tool. Many antivirus companies have these tools available for download, so be sure to download one for your antivirus software.

7. Reset Windows 10

If none of the methods so far have worked, as a last resort, factory reset Windows 10. This would help identify if the problem is related to the software or the hardware. In case it’s the latter, the DRIVER OVERRAN STACK BUFFER would reappear.

This is when you will have to find out the malfunctioning hardware and get it repaired or replaced. If you can’t do it, consult a professional or contact the computer manufacturer.

If you still encounter the driver overran stack buffer Windows 10 error after multiple fixes, consider performing a reset to rule out software conflicts. On the other hand, for driver overran stack buffer Windows 11, a combination of system file repair and memory tests usually resolves the crash without requiring a reset.

DRIVER OVERRAN STACK BUFFER Blue Screen of Death error is usually caused by problematic applications or outdated drivers, and you can easily fix it by using one of our solutions.

Other issues and cases related to the DRIVER OVERRAN STACK BUFFER error

Driver overran stack buffer on startup: According to users, sometimes this error occurs right on startup. This can be a big problem since you won’t be able to use your PC at all.
Driver_overran_stack_buffer ntoskrnl.exe, tcpip.sys, asustp.sys, nvlddmkm.sys, ntfs.sys, win32k.sys, fltmgr.sys, netwsw00.sys, hal.dll, halmacpi.dll: Usually, this error message will show you the name of the file that is causing the problem. Once you know the file name, you need to do a bit of research and see how to fix the problem.
Driver overran stack buffer crash: Users reported that once this error appears on your PC, your computer will crash and automatically restart.
DRIVER_OVERRAN_STACK_BUFFER Visual Studio: Encountered when trying to attach the IIS process w3wp.exe in Visual Studio.
Driver overran stack buffer Nvidia: In this case, you will have to update the Nvidia drivers specifically.
Driver overran stack buffer overclock: Removing any overclock software that you may had installed will do the trick.
Driver overran stack buffer while installing Windows 10: Either Reset Windows 10 as we have shown below, or update the BIOS.
Driver overran stack buffer while gaming, Valorant: Run tests on your RAM to check whether it is faulty or not.

This error is similar to the system detecting an overrun of a stack-based buffer, and it’s usually caused by corrupted drivers, so you need to check them first.

In some cases, just like with the Driver power state failure error, the issue may lie with the hardware, so we encourage you to check it and ensure it’s working properly.

This isn’t the only driver-related issue and many reported DRIVER VIOLATION errors on their PCs. Luckily, there are ways to fix all of these issues.

Our latest article covers Dma_Common_Buffer_Vector_Error, so don’t miss it for more information.

What causes the driver overran stack buffer error?

This blue screen usually happens when a driver writes outside its memory buffer. Common triggers include outdated drivers, corrupt system files, faulty RAM, or disk errors.

Can hardware cause this error?

Yes. Faulty RAM or a failing SSD/HDD are common hardware causes. Running Windows Memory Diagnostic or MemTest86+ helps identify memory problems.

Can overclocking cause driver overran stack buffer?

Yes. Overclocking tools can destabilize system memory and GPU drivers, leading to the error. Disabling the overclock and restoring default settings usually fixes it.

If the driver overran stack buffer crash points to stack or file integrity problems, check related guidance on the exception on invalid file error in Windows 11 and the unwind on invalid stack bug, since both stem from similar low‑level faults that drivers can trigger.

When debugging recurring BSODs after updates or driver changes, also review the kernel stack locked at exit issue; its fixes (driver rollbacks, integrity checks, and safe‑boot isolation) often overlap with the steps that resolve driver overran stack buffer.

If you have any other suggestions or questions, don’t hesitate to drop them in the comments section below, and we’ll be sure to take a look.

OBS Keeps Crashing: How to Stop it [Steps Vetted by Gamers]

Posted on October 21, 2022October 4, 2023 by Ivan Jenic

OBS, or Open Source Broadcaster, is a free and open-source software tool that can be used to stream and record programs. It’s pretty popular, and users love it.

Despite that, as with any other program, OBS isn’t immune to errors and glitches. Unfortunately, one of the most common is that none other than the OBS has crashed error.

While some manage to access the platform, they are abruptly interrupted when they start to stream.

Why does OBS keep crashing my PC?

There are a handful of factors that will make your OBS stream crash. Amongst these include:

Faulty or out-of-date OBS software – When you have faulty or corrupted software, there are chances that certain parts of the application will stop functioning normally or even cause crashes.
Outdated hardware drivers – This is a common cause of program crashes in the Windows OS. Updated RAM ensures that there is proper sync in program usage.
Overclocking of RAM -Your device will generally crash when it is pushed beyond its limit. And this is not peculiar to the use of OBS.
Conflicts with 3rd party apps – In some cases, OBS may not interact with other tools on your device, especially antiviruses, leading to crashes.

Some of the other variations of this issue, as stated by users worldwide, include OBS crashing while streaming 2022, OBS crashing when I start streaming, OBS crashing games, and OBS crashing on Discord.

You can use specialized software to troubleshoot these potential issues, such as bandwidth monitoring programs and dedicated hardware diagnostics tools for the latter.

However, several workarounds can help you if OBS keeps crashing while streaming.

How do I stop OBS from crashing?

1. Reset the graphics card app

Press the keyboard hotkey Windows + Ctrl + Shift + B.
This should initiate the reset process for the GPU.

Methods differ with the various apps though they usually involve opening the app and hitting the Reset button, which is most likely housed within the Settings section.

2. Change OBS compatibility

Right-click on OBS and click Properties.
In the Properties dialog box, select Compatibility.
Select the Run the program in compatibility mode for checkbox, and from the dropdown box that gets enabled, select Windows 10.
Click on Apply and OK.
Also, click the button at the bottom of the Change settings for all users.
Change the Compatibility mode to Windows 10 using the same process mentioned above.
Click on Apply and OK for the Properties dialog box to close.
Also, right-click on the OBS program and select Troubleshoot compatibility. Then, follow the on-screen instruction to rule out incompatibility as one reason the program behaves erroneously.

This can be another way to deal with the error, as compatibility conflicts often result in mistakes cropping up.

All you need to do is apply the above procedure, then try relaunching the OBS program. There shouldn’t be any errors this time.

3. Uninstall and reinstall OBS

You shouldn’t be having any issues with a fresh installation of OBS on your PC. This is why you can apply these steps and fix your software issues fast.

1. First, open the Run accessory by pressing the Windows key + R.
2. Type the command below and hit Enter.
appwiz.cpl
3. Select OBS from the program list and click Uninstall.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to obliterate the app from your PC.
5. To reinstall the app, go to the official OBS download page.
6. There you will see the download link for Windows PC. Click on it to download the .exe file.
7. Double-click on the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to install OBS on your PC.

4. Disable the Windows 10 Game mode

Access the Settings menu.
Click on the Gaming button.
Select Game Mode from the left side pane and switch the feature to Off.

This might seem odd as the Game mode that comes with Windows 10 Creators Updates and OBS are not likely to have any direct link between them.

Despite that, some said disabling the Game mode on their PC did help get rid of the OBS crashed error. Therefore, don’t hesitate to apply the above steps too.

If you have read till this point, we hope the constant OBS crashing problem has been solved.

Have you applied the above tips? Let us know which one worked for you in the comments area below.

Windows Update Repair Tool for Windows 10 & 11 [2026 Guide]

Posted on October 21, 2022October 7, 2025 by Radu Tyrsina

Sometimes, you may get stuck on the Checking for updates message, or the update doesn’t go as planned. This is where a Windows Update Repair Tool comes to your aid.

These are highly effective at their job and can fix a plethora of update-related issues, ones arising both before and after an update.

To make things easier for you, we have listed only the best Windows Update repair tools, and you can choose one based on the features offered by it:

Outbyte Driver Updater – Quick and seamless
Acronis True Image – Offers a plethora of repair options
Tweaking Windows Repair – Simple and effective
Windows Update Troubleshooter – A free built-in tool
Deployment Image Servicing and Management – Does a lot more

What is Windows Update repair tool?

A Windows Update repair tool deals with everything pertaining to updates on the PC. Some of these take care of installing the latest driver version for each device, while others eliminate errors that may arise after an update.

Also, you may have encountered cases where a particular update simply doesn’t install, no matter what. The repair tool will come in handy here as well.

You can easily find a repair tool here for these versions of Windows:

Windows Update Repair Tool Server 2012: Update errors are common here, but one of the tools will get things running, as they did for other users.
Windows Update Repair Tool Server 2016: Though support has ended for this edition of Windows, a reliable repair tool would still fix things like always.
Windows Update Repair Tool Windows 10: One of the most used OS, though notorious for update errors. But a dedicated tool can fix issues while installing updates and after it.
Windows Update Repair Tool Windows 11: The latest iteration from Microsoft often throws the Windows Update error, but repair tools have already been optimized for it and have performed well so far.

Is the Microsoft Fix it tool for Windows 10 available to download?

No, the Microsoft Fix it tool for Windows 10 isn’t available for download anymore, but you can still access all the required troubleshooters from the Settings app.

Moreover, for update-related issues, you can run the Windows Update troubleshooter. The best part, it comes built-in, and you don’t have to download the Windows Update troubleshooter manually.

Although troubleshooters can be useful, they can’t fix corrupted system files in Windows after a bad update. You can also use specialized Windows repair software to fix potential issues. If you’re having more serious problems, use Blue Screen of Death repair software.

What is the best Windows Update repair tool for Windows?

Acronis True Image – Offers a plethora of repair options

If the issue is unrelated to the driver, you must take a different approach. In fact, before getting to issues in the first place, why not use Acronis True Image?

This is the best backup tool that you can try out and avoid any unpleasant situations from the very start. You may do so for full system images or individual files.

Then, a few clicks are more than enough in order to restore your entire system to the same or even different hardware. The choice is always yours to make.

These are some of the main features that this Acronis program brings to the table:

Comprehensive tools to create a mirror image of your system
Backup options for individual files and folders
Malware scanning features
Great features to stop the latest cyberattacks
Active disk cloning

Acronis True Image

Be one step ahead and use Acronis True Image. For complete backups, this is the undisputed choice.

Check price Visit website

Outbyte Driver Updater – Quick and seamless

Updating all your drivers with just a simple click and having complete access to a huge database of drivers sound too good to be true. Even so, that’s precisely what you’re about to get from Outbyte Driver Updater.

Moreover, you’ll see a detailed report of all of your out-of-date device drivers to know where the issues may come from.

However, do note that Outbyte Driver Updater doesn’t simply update outdated and missing drivers but also fixes corrupted ones.

On top of that, this program has a user interface that’s easier to use than most competitors.

Outbyte Driver Updater key features that you’re about to take advantage of:

Accurate scans for out-of-date or missing drivers
Reveals lots of detail on your drivers
Generous database of 18 million driver files
Drivers backup options
Engaging user interface

Outbyte Driver Updater

Outbyte Driver Updater is the best tool to help you find and update the drivers on your PC. Ready to give it a try?

Free Trial Download Now

Tweaking Windows Repair – Simple and effective

Windows update errors are some of the most common errors encountered, and they are usually categorized by when they actually trigger:

Some usually prevent you from updating your PC
Some appear while you’re trying to update your PC
A few appear after you finish updating your PC

Whichever ones you are currently facing, know that one tool can easily handle them all, and it is called Tweaking Windows Repair.

Not only does it specifically say that it can handle Windows Update errors, it can also help with optimizing the process as well, allowing you a better experience updating your OS.

Here are the benefits offered by Tweaking Windows Repair:

Optimized for Windows 10
Easy-to-use interface
Can fix almost every update-related issue

⇒ Get Tweaking Windows Repair

Windows Update Troubleshooter – A free built-in tool

This tool is the default troubleshooter on Windows 10. You have the ability to open this tool from the search bar by just writing troubleshoot in the search area.

From the troubleshooting window, all you have to do is select Fix Problems with Windows Update, and this handy tool will simply and automatically resolve the update issue.

Here are the best parts of using this small but useful tool:

If you’re experiencing troubles with Windows Update, all you have to do is make sure that you’re connected to the Internet and then download the Windows Update Troubleshooter for the version of Windows that’s running on your computer.
To use this tool on Windows 10, simply head over to Settings > Update & Security > Troubleshoot and then select the Windows Update Troubleshooter.
After the troubleshooter does its magic, you have to try running the Windows Update again and then install all available updates.

We can only assume that things are better now.

Deployment Image Servicing and Management – Does a lot more

Deployment Image Servicing and Management, aka DISM, is a command-line tool used to mount and service Windows images before deployment.

This handy tool will help you fix Windows Update troubleshooters and files that got corrupted during installation.

Check out the most valuable features that are included in this small tool:

You will be able to use DISM image management commands to mount and get data about the Windows image files or virtual hard disks.
You can also use this tool to capture, split, and manage Windows image (.wim) files.
DISM can install, uninstall, configure, and update Windows features, packages, drivers, and international settings in a .wim file or VHD (virtual hard disks) via the DISM servicing commands.
The DISM commands are used on offline images, but the subsets of the DISM commands are also available to service a running operating system.
DISM is installed with Windows and distributed in the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit.

DISM replaces various deployment tools, including PEimg, ImageX, Intlcfg, and Package Manager.

These are some of the best and quickest ways that you can use to get rid of the annoying problems related to Windows updates. So, make sure to download one today!

Also, don’t miss out on the most excellent repair tool software for Windows 10 and 11 PCs to quickly and easily fix all problems.

Besides, if you have any other queries or want to share your experience with these Windows Update Repair Tools, drop a comment below.

ALT TAB not Working: Diagnose & Fix in 7 Easy Steps

Posted on October 21, 2022October 6, 2025 by Andrew Wafer

Many users reported that Alt Tab is not working, and that can prevent users from switching between apps quickly. However, there are few ways that can fix this issue.

Why is Alt Tab not working?

Problems with Windows Explorer or your settings can cause this issue. In some cases, your keyboard or other peripherals can lead to this problem.

How do I fix Alt-Tab if it’s not working in Windows 10?

Before trying the slightly complex solutions, restart your PC and ensure that your keyboard is properly connected. Disconnect other peripherals and try if other shortcuts are working.

1. Restart Windows Explorer

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager.
Now locate the Windows Explorer process, right-click it and choose Restart from the menu.

2. Fix the problem by modifying Registry Values

1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type regedit in the input field, and press Enter or click OK.
2. Paste the following path in the address bar and hit Enter:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
3. In the right pane, look for AltTabSettings DWORD.
4. If this DWORD isn’t available, you need to create it. Right-click on the right pane, hover the cursor over New, select DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name it AltTabSettings.
5. Double-click the AltTabSettings DWORD and change its Value Data to 1. After doing that, click on OK to save the changes.

Several users reported that they already had this value in their registry, and they fixed the problem simply by deleting the AltTabSettings DWORD.

To delete, right-click it and choose Delete from the menu. When the confirmation prompt appears, click on Yes to proceed.

3. Make sure you have enabled the App Switching feature

Press Windows + I to open Settings, then click on System.
Choose Multitasking from the left, and then select the desired option from the two drop-down menus about Alt-Tab.

4. Use an alternative software solution

Another option is to use a dedicated clipboard manager tool. These can remove the function of the Alt-Tab shortcut.

Such software such as allows you to create a clipboard history by saving, organizing, and accessing files, folders, or text from the same place.

You can use it to save texts, links, files, or images into a dedicated space that you can customize and access with just one click.

You can save an unlimited number of fragments in the clipboard history. Moreover, you can customize your favorite clipboard fragments and set sound alarms for specific processes.

Comfort Clipboard is such a software that additionally creates a safety net in case of crashes for all already copied items. It’s compatible with all clipboard formats so you can use it with any other software.

Comfort Clipboard

Keep all your important data in one place and smartly organised.

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5. Make sure that the Peek option is enabled

In the Search bar, enter advanced, and select View advanced system settings.
Click the Settings button in the Performance section.
Now make sure that Enable Peek option is checked. Finally, click on OK to save changes.

6. Disable/enable the hotkeys

Press Windows + R, enter gpedit.msc and click OK.
Group Policy Editor will now start. In the left pane, navigate the following path: User Configuration \ Administrative Templates \ Windows Components \ File Explorer
In the right pane, double-click on Turn off Windows Key hotkeys.
Next, select Enabled and click on OK to save changes.

If that doesn’t work, repeat the same steps, but this time select Disabled. Now check if your hotkeys work. Again, if nothing works, select Not Configured and save changes.

If you can’t access Group Policy or want to make these changes quickly, you can perform them using a registry file.

To do that, you need to download the registry files for disabling the Windows hotkeys and also for enabling the Windows hotkeys back. (You would need to sign up to download the registry files)

After downloading the registry files, double-click the registry file to run it. When the confirmation dialog appears, click on Yes.

7. Reset Windows

If none of the methods work, performing a factory reset for Windows 10 might do the trick, though it should rarely come to that.

You will lose app installed apps and configured settings after the reset, and even personal files when doing a complete reset. So, make sure to back up your files.

NOTE

➡ There are several ways to update your drivers in Windows 11, but we reckon the easiest one is to use a specialized tool that does all the hard work for you.
➡ Simply install Outbyte Driver Updater and run a full scan to have it display all the drivers that require updating, repairing, or replacing.
➡ You can specifically select the ones you want (such as the keyboard and graphics driver in this case) or update all of them in just one go.

Running outdated versions of the keyboard and/or graphics driver can have unwanted effects. It’s time you take care of this, and using the driver updater makes the whole process quick and effortless.

That was all! Now you know how to quickly fix the Alt-Tab not working issue in Windows 10. If you’re on the latest version, we have a guide on what to do if Alt Tab is not working on Windows 11, so don’t miss it.

You can also disable Alt Tab on Windows 11 if you don’t want to use it. Do keep in mind that problems with this feature can occur, and we have a guide on how to fix slow Alt-Tab, so don’t miss it.

If nothing else works, you can always use Alt Tab alternatives, until you manage to fix the issue.

Also, before you leave, learn some quick ways to boost Windows performance.

Which method worked for you? Feel free to share with us in the comments section below.

Quickest Steps to Boot into Asus Recovery on Windows 11

Posted on October 21, 2022October 4, 2023 by Alexandru Poloboc

Not all of us have or use the same brand of gadgets( PCs, laptops, tablets, etc.), so knowing how to navigate the specifics of the brand you are using is of the utmost importance.

As an example, checking and updating BIOS is a process that is a bit different from manufacturer to manufacturer. Even accessing it differs from one brand to another. But we are going to focus on Asus for the time being.

What should I be booting into Windows Recovery Environment?

Well, the System Recovery Options menu, which you will see in a minute, contains several tools, such as Startup Repair, that can help you recover Windows from a serious error.

Also, this set of tools can be found on your computer’s hard disk and on the Windows installation disc as well. You are probably wondering about each individual option and its purpose, so we are about to shed some more light on that.

System recovery option	Description
Startup Repair	Fixes certain problems, such as missing or damaged system files, that might prevent Windows from starting correctly.
System Restore	Restores your computer’s system files to an earlier point in time without affecting your files. If you use System Restore from the System Recovery Options menu, you cannot undo the restore operation. However, you can run System Restore again and choose a different restore point, if one exists.
System Image Recovery	You need to have created a system image beforehand to use this option. A system image is a personalized backup of the partition that contains Windows and includes programs and user data, like documents, pictures, and music.
Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool	Scans your PC’s memory for errors.
Command Prompt	Advanced users can use Command Prompt to perform recovery-related operations and also run other command line tools for diagnosing and troubleshooting problems.

Now that we know what we are dealing with, let’s get to the important part and show you how you can boot your Asus device in Recovery Mode on Windows 11.

How can I boot into Asus Recovery Mode on Windows 11?

1. Press Win + I to access Settings.
2. Select the System tab, then click on Recovery.
3. Next to Advanced setup, click the Restart now button.
4. Click on Restart now.
5. After the system has rebooted, select Troubleshoot.
6. Select Advanced options.
7. Click on Startup Settings.
8. Press the Restart button.
9. Use the number keys (4/5/6) to select which Safe Mode version you want.

The process for booting your Windows 11 Asus device into Safe Mode is simple and can be done within minutes.

What you need to do is restart your PC, and then choose your desired Safe Mode to boot into from the list in the Advanced Options section.

This is the entire process. Pretty easy, right? Indeed, this is all you need to know about booting into Asus Recovery Mode on your Windows 11 device.

Users that have completed this guide are now satisfied and have managed to complete whatever task required them to boot into Safe Mode.

That being said, there have been cases where users said they couldn’t find Recovery Environment on Windows 11. That’s fine, you came to the right place to get that fixed as well.

Leave a comment below if this article has also assisted you in achieving the same goal.

5 Best Email Tracking Software [2026 Guide]

Posted on October 21, 2022January 8, 2024 by Radu Tyrsina

Email tracking tools are useful for providing essential insights and features including announcing you know when the recipient opened your sent emails and if any of the links included in them were clicked on, among other things.

We picked the most reliable email tracking tools available to make your choice easier. Check out their features and decide which is the best choice for your needs.

What os the email tracking software used for?

Email tracking software is an essential tool for marketing. A good tool should provide insightful information about your campaigns and help you measure their efficiency.

It will provide answers on who opened your emails and even which links they clicked on, their location on a world map, and more.

The software listed below is also useful when considering the following criteria:

Outlook email tracking – Outlook is just another email client, and all of the entries listed can efficiently track its emails.
Free email tracking software – All of the listed tools have some form or another of a free subscription service, so you don’t need to worry about expenses.
Best email tracking – It goes without saying that all tools listed here are the best in their field.
Software for Gmail – Just like in the case of Outlook, all of the listed programs can track Gmail emails

We’ve listed all their meaningful features below so you can make the right decision in choosing the perfect solution for you.

What are the best email tracking tools?

Atomic Email Tracking Software – Great email campaign management

Atomic Email Tracking Software allows you to monitor your sent emails, letting you know who received the email, what links were clicked on, what is the effectiveness compared to the previous campaigns, and more.

Atomic Email Tracking Software allows you to monitor the effectiveness of your email campaigns. Using this tool, you will always know which subscribers read your newsletters and which of the links are being clicked on.

This service is easy to use even for beginners, and it doesn’t require any changes in the existing mailings.

Check out more features provided by Atomic Email Tracking Software:

Traces all sent emails and gathers the statistics about your email campaigns
Access data on email opens, click-throughs, pages that were visited, and more
View the percentage of your recipients who open your email messages
Learn how often they click the links and which links are clicked mostly in a selected mail campaign
Check the proportion of readers from abroad and from your country
Compare the different parameters of two campaigns

⇒ Get Atomic Email Tracking Software

Contact Monkey – Various integration with CRM software

Contact Monkey is an email tracking software that is great to use when you are looking to track and monitor sales leads.

This software will be able to integrate with CRMs like Salesforce for the best sales potential.

Contact Monkey works in real-time, and this means that you will never miss an opportunity to see who is really interested in your business.

You can use Contact Monkey straight from your Inbox, and this will make things more convenient. The tool has a 14-day free trial.

Check out the best of its features below:

See who opened your email, when, where from, and what type of device they used
It provides desktop notifications when the email is opened
Prioritize users according to the number of times that they have opened your email.
Realtime analytics

⇒ Get Contact Monkey

Yesware Great Outlook integration

Yesware is one of the most used tools when it comes to email tracking. It is an excellent program for SMBs, and it lets you perform all kinds of actions from tracking emails from clients to optimizing sales.

The program comes with a user-friendly interface that will be easily understood and used even by beginners.

Other great features worth mentioning include email templates, automatic follow up for sales automation, and also tools for scheduling so that your emails will be able to be distributed whenever you choose to.

Yesware provides a 28-day free trial, and after this trial is over, you will get various pricing plans.

Let’s go through some if its best features:

When you are creating a message, you will be able to choose whether to track it or not
Load emails automatically into the CRM program that you are using
You see who opened the email, what links were clicked on, and which attachments have been downloaded
Access all the information via the dashboard of your email account
Great integration with Microsoft Outlook

⇒ Get Yesware

GetNotify – Simple and effective

GetNotify is a free email tracking tool, but on the other hand, they request donations that will allow you to unlock more features for a specified period of time.

Even if this program is quite simple, it comes with a lot of features for email tracking.

You will also have the ability to use your own image file as a tracking image. This is great because you can choose an image that you like best, such as an email signature, for instance, to increase the odds that users will click to load it.

Take a look at some of its key features:

Find out the amount of time that was needed until the email was read
Get the date and time that your email was opened and reopened
General geographic location that your email was opened in
W with any email provider, and it can track multiple leads

⇒ Get GetNotify

Cirrus Insight – Great for CRM

Cirrus Insight is an excellent paid email tracking software that will turn out to be helpful for small and medium businesses.

The solution enables replay tracking, and it also makes it really easy to schedule follow-ups thanks to the complete Salesforce integration.

This software also comes with an enterprise scheduling system that will make meeting coordination easy.

Check out more details on Cirrus Insight and take advantage of this great tool for email tracking by getting it from the official website.

Take a look at the most important features that are included in this email tracking tool:

Track emails and sync them with your calendar and Salesforce
Book meetings and schedule follow-ups
Receive open alerts almost instantly when your emails are opened
Manage collateral usage and track the way that prospects engage with it
Keep your team aligned with a centralized content hub
Update and take back documents even after you sent them

⇒ Get Cirrus Insight

These are some of the best email tracking programs that you will be able to find on the market these days.

Check out their complete set of features by heading to their official websites and deciding which ones work best according to your needs.

You should also check our list of the best marketing tools for startups because you might find some interesting apps for your organization.

No matter what job position or industry you are in, an email tracking tool will turn out really useful most of the time.

Microsoft is testing new filtering options for ‘Find on Page’ search results in Edge

Posted on October 21, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

If you use Microsoft’s browser, Edge, then you might be aware of their Find on Page feature. it is designed to help users narrow down their search for texts and keywords on a site or page while using Microsoft Edge.

And now, Microsoft is testing out new filtering options for this feature as spotted by u/Leopeva64-2 on Reddit that will help to further enhance its user experience. They include: Include related matches, Match case, Match whole word, and Match diacritics.

The first filter option, Include related matches will help users find closely related to the inquiry they made while using the Find on Page feature. Next up is, Match case which will you narrows down their search of specific words that start with a particular case(lower or upper). The Match whole word filter option on the other hand displays the words and syllables you searched for, this is regardless of whether they are used to form another word. And finally, Match diacritics which will help you identify accented characters on a web page.

If you are part of the Edge Canary Channel then there is a probability that you might have access to this feature. All you have to do to access this feature is to, launch the page in which you want to search the text and then click on the ellipses at the top right corner of the browser and then scroll down and select Find On Page. You can also use the toggles of each one of these filter options to either turn them on or off based on your preference and need for this feature.

In other Edge related news, check out the latest features added to Microsoft Edge. Be sure to also share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

Via: Neowin

SFC Scannow not Working: Fix it in 6 Speedy Steps

Posted on October 21, 2022October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

Sfc /scannow is a Command Prompt command that allows you to scan your Windows system for errors and repair them. This is a valuable feature, but several users reported that sfc /scannow is not working anymore.

This can be a big problem, but there are several solutions that you can try. Follow along!

How long should SFC Scannow take?

The sfc /scannow process should take a couple of minutes up to one hour. If the process takes longer than one hour, it might get stuck.

Follow along as we have prepared a list of solutions for you to try to fix any sfc /scannow, not working issues.

Why is SFC Scannow stuck?

This is because your computer contains specific corrupt system files, which prohibit it from carrying out tasks associated with the sfc /scannow command.

If the scan falls, you have to fix corrupted system files in Windows using different methods. Usually, the best alternative is the DISM scan.

Sometimes you might get an error message like the SFC /scannow Windows resource protection could not perform.

If you’re unlucky and DISM scan will fail as well, then you might have to reconsider reinstalling your operating system.

Here are some of the most common issues the users reported, which we will cover today:

Sfc /scannow stuck at verification, at beginning system scan – You might be able to fix the problem simply by replacing the corrupted files.
Sfc /scannow frozen in Windows 10 – To fix this issue, it’s advised to restore your PC using System Restore and check if that solves the problem.
Windows resource protection sfc /scannow not working – Running the CHKDSK tool will work in this instance. Follow the second solution below to find out how to.
Sfc scannow nothing happens – When this is the case, you need to use the DISM scan instead and check if that solves the issue.
Sfc scannow stops scanning – This is a strange issue, and it might be caused by Turbo Memory feature. Simply disable this feature and check if that solves the issue.
Administrator sfc /scannow not working – You should change to another admin account and see if this solved the error.
Sfc /scannow fails Windows 10, 8.1, 7 – This problem can appear on almost any version of Windows, and Windows 8.1 and 7 aren’t exceptions. However, you should be able to fix this issue by using one of our solutions.
Sfc /scannow stops you must be an administrator – SFC scan requires administrative privileges in order to run, and if you’re having any issues with SFC, be sure that you’re using Command Prompt as an administrator.
System repair pending sfc /scannow not working – Uninstall or disable the Turbo Memory feature in order to make sfc /scannow work again.
Windows Resource Protection could not start the repair service – Resetting your PC should do the trick in this scenario.
Sfc /scannow not showing progress – After entering Safe Mode as we have shown below, you will be able to successfully run the scan.
Sfc /scannow /offbootdir not working – If the offline version of the scan is unsuccessful in running, you may connect to a network and use the online version.

How do I fix the SFC scannow if it’s not working?

Before attempting any of the troubleshooting methods below, make sure to check the following:

Check your hardware, especially the RAM, since it can cause such issues.
It is advised to disable or uninstall the Turbo Memory altogether.

1. Run the DISM scan

Press Windows, then enter cmd and select the Run as administrator option on the right.
When Command Prompt opens, enter the following command and note that it can take a while: DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

The DISM scan allows you to repair your system, and if sfc /scannow is not working or if it can’t fix the problem, you can use DISM to fix it.

2. Run the CHKDSK scan

Tap Windows, then type cmd into the search bar and select Run as administrator.
When Command Prompt starts, enter the following command and press Enter. You’ll be asked to schedule a scan and restart your PC. Enter Y and then press Enter: chkdsk /f C:

Sometimes the data on your hard drive can get corrupted, causing the SFC scan to get stuck. However, you might be able to fix the problem by running a CHKDSK scan.

3. Try to run the SFC scan from Safe Mode

If you’re not familiar, Safe Mode is a particular segment of Windows that runs with default applications and settings, making it perfect for troubleshooting. You can try to run this process from Safe Mode.

1. Reboot your computer and start into Safe Mode.
2. Once your PC restarts, you’ll be presented with options. Select the desired version of Safe Mode by pressing the corresponding key.
3. Afterward, open Command Prompt as an administrator by pressing Windows, typing cmd, and clicking Run as administrator.
4. Type the following command and press Enter to see whether it works now:sfc /scannow

Several users reported that they were able to run the SFC scan from Safe Mode, so be sure to try that.

4. Perform a System Restore

Please restart your computer and start into Safe Mode as we have shown in our dedicated guide.
After your PC starts up, press Windows + R, then input rstrui and press Enter.
The System Restore window will open. Click Next to proceed.
Select the Restore point you wish to return to and click Next.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

System Restore is a valuable feature that allows you to fix various problems. Many users reported that this issue was resolved after restoring their PC with the System Restore tool.

If you’re interested in more info on how to create a restore point and how that would help you, look at our dedicated article to find out everything you need to know.

5. Reset your PC

You might have to reset your PC if other solutions don’t work. This procedure will delete all files from your C partition, so be sure to create a backup. For example, to reset Windows, do the following:

Click the Start icon, click the Power button, press and hold the Shift key, and select Restart from the menu.
A list of options will appear. Select Troubleshoot.
Click Reset this PC.
Select the Keep my files option.
Select your account and enter your password if prompted. If asked to insert the installation media, be sure to do so. If you don’t have it, follow our dedicated guide to create one. Then select the Reset button and proceed with the on-screen steps.
If this method doesn’t work, you should repeat the reset process and choose to Remove everything followed by Only the drive where Windows is installed.

6. Take control of the system32 directory

Before we start, we have to mention that this is an advanced solution, and if you don’t perform it correctly, you can cause issues with your system.

In addition, the system32 directory is closely related to your system, so that any changes can affect your Windows installation. In the worst-case scenario, your Windows might not be able to boot, so keep in mind that you’re using this solution at your own risk.

Several users reported that they solved this issue simply by taking control of a system32 directory. There are many ways to do that; the best might be to use a third-party application.

We explained in detail how to take ownership over a directory in one of our previous articles, so be sure to check it out for more information.

How to stop sfc /scannow in Windows 10?

Press Windows + R to open the Run utility, then type sfc/revert and click OK.
Restart your computer afterward.

If sfc /scannow stops, it’s usually due to corrupted files, and you can fix this problem by following the above methods. However, there are other ways to fix corrupted files; we recommend you check that out.

If you have any more suggestions or questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below, and we’ll be sure to take a look.

Windows Hello vs Windows Hello for Business: Key Differences

Posted on October 21, 2022October 4, 2023 by Claire Moraa

Windows Hello and Windows Hello for Business are two of Windows biometric authentication options. They both let you sign into your device using fingerprints, iris scans, and face recognition. But they operate slightly differently.

The biometric authentication solution was first introduced in Windows 10 and allows users to secure their devices. Although Windows 11 already has built-in multi-factor authentication, this is a much-welcomed approach.

What is Microsoft Windows Hello for Business?

Windows Hello is a biometric authentication system that uses a combination of sensors and software to unlock your device. It can also be used to authorize the use of enterprise apps, websites, and services.

On the other hand, Windows Hello for Business is a security feature that allows users to sign in with biometric authentication. In addition to providing an additional layer of security, it also helps organizations reduce their reliance on passwords.

Windows Hello for Business offers several benefits over traditional password-based sign-ins:

Stronger security – You don’t have to worry about your most sensitive data. It is protected from unauthorized access by using a strong form of multi-factor authentication (MFA).
Better user experience – Users can sign in quickly. With a simple glance at their PC, they can unlock it eliminating the need for them to remember passwords.
Reduced IT costs – Windows Hello for Business eliminates the need for administrators to manage passwords across the organization. This can help improve security while saving time and money on IT operations.

Is Windows Hello for Business considered MFA?

Yes. Windows Hello for Business can be considered MFA. It is a technology that allows you to use your face or fingerprint to log in to your device.

It also enables you to use these biometrics as part of two-factor authentication (2FA). This means that when you sign in with your password, the system will also ask for one other piece of information. This can be an app PIN or a physical security key.

What’s the difference between Windows Hello and Windows Hello for Business?

Both Windows Hello and Windows Hello for Business offer biometric authentication but one is more advanced than the other. Basically, Windows Hello for Business has all the features of its predecessor but with advanced features.

The two technologies have many similarities, but there are also some key differences to consider:

Users

Windows Hello is a biometric login system that uses facial recognition, iris scanning, or fingerprint detection to unlock your device.

It’s a fast and convenient way to sign in without having to enter a password every time you turn on your PC. This makes it more suitable for single users who want to secure their one devices.

Windows Hello for Business is more suitable for large organizations. It offers a PC security solution for businesses that uses Windows Hello facial recognition technology for user authentication. It’s available on both consumer and enterprise devices.

Authentication

Windows Hello users can sign in by setting up a PIN code for the first time. Then, when they turn on their device they enter it whenever they sign in. The beauty of this convenience PIN is that it is unique to the device you are using.

In the event that someone was able to uncover it, they would still not be able to use it on another device to access your account.

Windows Hello for Business uses the same technology as Windows Hello. It can be used to authenticate both personal and work accounts on devices that support it. But it also has some additional capabilities that make it more suitable for business use.

Both methods require the user to enroll their biometric data on their device before they can use it to sign in. This means users can go password-free and still be able to sign in to their devices.

As you might expect, the biggest difference is that Windows Hello for Business supports multi-factor authentication (MFA).

In addition to this added security feature, Windows Hello for Business also supports multi-user sign-ins. This means that multiple people can use the same device without needing separate profiles or settings.

Integration with Active Directory

It is pretty obvious at this point that since Windows Hello is mostly used by individuals, there is no need for integration with an AD device.

Windows Hello for Business integrates with Active Directory (AD), which is the most common directory service used by enterprises. With Active Directory integrated, it’s easy for IT administrators to deploy and manage Windows Hello for Business in their organization.

Like most services, Windows Hello for Business is not without its limitations. At the moment, only Windows users can access the service. Also, there is a limit on the number of users who can be enrolled on a single Windows 10 device which is 10.

One of the buzzwords in security for the past few years has been biometric authentication. Not only does it make the experience of logging in more convenient, but it makes it much more secure as well.

Better yet, there are many options for this form of authentication that are easy to implement at home and in small business environments. Our choice, if we had to pick just one option as the winner, would be Windows Hello.

If you would like to explore other third-party multi-factor authentication software, don’t hesitate to check out our recommended article on the same.

Should you face issues like Windows Hello not working, we also have an excellent guide to help you bypass this problem.

Tell us your preference between Windows Hello and Windows Hello for Business in the comments section below.

How to Fix High Ping, Ping Spikes & Latency [5 Quick Tips]

Posted on October 21, 2022October 11, 2025 by Ivan Jenic

High latency after Windows 10 upgrade is one of the most common issues and can cause big-time trouble during your gaming sessions.

Reports show that ping spikes are common. High ping usually affects Wi-Fi connection, but it’s also been reported on an Ethernet connection. Some even mention packet loss when experiencing high ping, which can be a big problem if you’re watching online videos.

Why is my ping so high?

Many complain about experiencing high ping after updating the operating system. However, there are many issues that can cause high ping:

Outdated drivers – This particular situation hints that, after an update, some network settings might no longer match either the drivers or network-related software. To correct the issue, update your drivers, as described below.
Windows Firewall – Some also mention that the Windows Firewall blocked certain apps and games after an update, so make sure to check that as well.
Ndis.sys – In some cases, latency problems can be caused by certain files, such as ndis.sys, that you will need to repair, since it is an important system file.

A high ping error happened in multiple games as reported by our readers. Some of the most common requests that we addressed today are how to fix high ping in CSGO, Fortnite, Valoeant, Roblox, and Minecraft.

Quick Tip:

Some third-party driver updating tools can help with scanning your system and detecting outdated drivers. Besides, they can also suggest the latest tools to download.

Before you start fixing this issue make sure that your drivers and the Windows 10 OS are up to date. This tool keeps track of all your drivers and updates them on a regular basis.

How can I fix high latency/ping in games?

Before you move on to troubleshooting methods, check the following situations:

Try out other games as well to make sure it’s not the current game’s fault.
Restart and try other channels on your router.
Switch to an Ethernet connection, or move closer to your router.
Think about removing devices from your network that aren’t being used or aren’t needed.

1. Use a stable VPN solution

Connecting to a VPN network is one of the simplest and safest solutions to high latency/ping. We recommend you use a VPN provider with a large number of servers across the whole globe.

Good VPNs nowadays can automatically connect you to the best server for your configuration. You can also pick your preferred configuration manually if you like that option better.

An additional important feature that can remove ping and lag is the split tunneling provided by various VPN software, such as ExpressVPN.

This feature lets you connect to a VPN for one task while using your original IP address for others. You can use it to prioritize gaming. It can really help with a smoother experience.

2. Check the apps in Task Manager

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager then click the Network column to sort the processes based on their network usage.
Click the top processes that are the most demanding and click End task. This is how to fix sudden high ping spikes.

3. Update your drivers

Press Windows + I then go to Update & Security.
Next, click View all optional updates.
Expand the Driver updates section, tick all the updates listed then select Download and install. This is how to reduce ping in Wi-Fi or Ethernet cases.

Alternatively, you can head to your manufacturer’s website and go to the Drivers section. It is usually found under the support page. For example, Lenovo users may go to Lenovo’s support page then look for network drivers specifically and install the latest ones.

4. Disable third-party antivirus/firewall tools

According to users, if you’re experiencing high latency in games, you might be able to fix the problem simply by disabling your antivirus or firewall.

Sometimes, your antivirus software can interfere with your network connection and cause this or other errors to occur.

If disabling the antivirus doesn’t help, you need to remove it using its dedicated removal tool. Many antivirus companies offer removal tools for their software, so be sure to download one for your antivirus.

For Norton users, we’ve got a dedicated guide on how to completely remove it from your PC. There’s a similar removal guide for McAffe users, as well.

Alternatively, check out our amazing list of the best uninstaller software you can use right now.

5. Modify your registry

Another fix for high ping in games involve changing your registry settings. Follow these solutions step by step:

1. Start by pressing Windows Key + R and entering regedit. Press Enter or click OK to open Registry Editor.
2. Before making any changes to the registry, it’s advised to create a backup. To do that, click on File followed by Export.
3. Select All under the Export range, type backup next to the File name, select Desktop as the location where you will save it, then click Save.
4. If anything goes wrong after modifying your registry, run the file you just created to restore it to the original state.
5. In the left pane, navigate to the following key by copy-pasting the address inside the search bar at the top:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Multimedia\SystemProfile
6. In the right panel, double-click NetworkThrottlingIndex. Enter FFFFFFFF as Value data and click on OK to save changes.
7. Now navigate to the following key and expand it:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Tcpip\Parameters\Interfaces
8. Now right-click the subkey that represents your network connection. Usually, it is the first one. Then choose New followed by DWORD or QWORD depending on your system’s architecture.
9. Enter TCPackFreqency as the name of the key. Then double-click it and input 1 inside the Value data then click OK.
10. Now create another DWORD/QWORD like before and set its name to TCPNoDelay then set its Value data to 1 and click OK.
11. Navigate to the following key, then create a new DWORD/QWORD as we have shown above, name it TCPNoDelay and set its Value data to 1, then click OK:Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\MSMQ
12. Next, right-click anywhere in the window to select New followed by Key.
13. Enter Parameters as its name, then right-click it to create a New DWORD/QWORD as we have shown above. You need to name TCPNoDelay and set its Value data to 1.

After making these changes, the problems with high latency should be resolved.

If you can’t edit your Windows 10’s registry, you should fix it right away as it is an important component of the OS.

Why is my ping so high but my Internet is good?

Possibly, your network configuration is not the best. Either you have outdated network adapters or your router is not in the best condition.

If you encounter these issues there are a few things you can try:

Switch to a wired connection – many swear by Ethernet cable as a quick and cheap high ping fix
Update your network driver adapters – your drivers should always be up to date for the best performance
Disconnect from your VPN or proxy or switch to a different server – some proxies& VPNs can significantly slow down your connections if you do not configure them properly
End all unnecessary tasks that use up your bandwidth – if you have any standby app that requires an Internet connection, make sure to end it

All of these are quick and tested solutions, but if the problem persists, consider contacting your ISP to get professional support.

How to fix high ping in Windows 11?

The methods described above are effective for both Windows 10 and 11, so make sure to try them out, one by one.

But if you find that Windows 11 is not responding to ping, you can refer to our dedicated guide on this issue.

We hope that at least some of these solutions helped you to solve the ping problem in Windows 10 and that you’ll have a pleasant gaming experience from now on.

For other problems with gaming in Windows 10, you can check out our article about solving problems with games in Windows 10. If you have any questions or comments, just write them down in the comments section below.

DirectX 11 vs DirectX 12: Complete Performance Comparison

Posted on October 21, 2022June 21, 2024 by Claire Moraa

DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 are the present and future of gaming graphics API. Both have different capabilities and performance characteristics.

The main difference between DirectX 11 and 12 is that the former is designed for use on systems with single GPU configurations. You can download DirectX 12 on Windows 11 as it is designed for use on systems with multiple GPUs.

Should I use DirectX 11 or 12?

The main difference between the two APIs is that DirectX 12 can improve performance by reducing CPU usage. Instead of having to process every frame on your computer’s graphics card, you’ll only have to do it once, then send it to the GPU for processing.

With this in mind, it should already be clear whether you should go for DirectX 11 or 12. The biggest advantage that DirectX 12 brings is lower CPU overhead.

Because it uses less CPU time than earlier versions of DirectX, it allows your PC to run games more smoothly by handing off work from the CPU onto the GPU instead.

This means that if you have an older PC that’s struggling to keep up with modern games’ demands for visual fidelity, upgrading your graphics card might not be enough. Upgrading your CPU may be required as well.

If your CPU is not multicore, it is best to stay away from DirectX 12. This is because if your games are slow or laggy, this move will make it worse. DirectX 12 is designed for high-end gaming PCs built with newer hardware. It’s unlikely that you will see any improvement if you don’t have the right hardware.

When should I go for DirectX 12?

DirectX 12 has several improvements over previous versions of DirectX 11. The most obvious difference between the two is that you need a PC running Windows 10 or 11 to use DirectX 12. Your graphics card also has to be DirectX 12 compatible.

You can still use DirectX 11 on Windows 7 and 8, but you’ll get better performance out of your PC if you upgrade to Windows 11. Windows 11 has been named the best OS yet for gaming and it is easy to see why.

It’s also important to note that DirectX 12 is not compatible with all games yet. Luckily, more titles are being added all the time.

What’s the difference between DirectX 11 and DirectX 12?

DirectX 11 and DirectX 12 are two different versions of the same thing. In other words, they both provide the same functionality and they can be used in parallel on the same system. The only difference is that DirectX 12 is a newer version and it has some advantages over DirectX 11.

DirectX 12 isn’t just for gaming, either. Developers also find it perfect because of its lower overhead. This means they can squeeze more out of your computer’s hardware than with older versions of DirectX.

Multi-core support

DirectX 11 only uses one core on your CPU for graphics tasks like rendering. But with DirectX 12, you can use up to six cores or even more if your CPU supports Hyper-threading.

The ability for multiple CPU cores to work on different system tasks simultaneously allows for some significant performance increases over previous versions of DirectX.

This gives you a big performance boost when playing games on low-end computers, and reduces lag when playing online with many players.

At this point, it is important to mention that switching to DirectX 12 from DirectX 11 will not magically boost performance. Users on forums have complained that their FPS dropped significantly after switching to DirectX 12.

The reason for FPS drop and stuttering is that the game engine tries to use all the CPU cores at once, and if your PC doesn’t have enough power, it will drop frames.

Another factor is that some graphics cards do not support DirectX 12 yet, or they have limited support for it. This can cause problems if the driver does not handle certain features correctly.

However, high-end systems can see even greater performance gains due to their increased number of CPU cores and other factors such as memory bandwidth speeds.

Asynchronous Compute shaders

DirectX 11 didn’t provide any support for asynchronous compute shaders. Each device had its own queue of work to do and could only work on one thing at a time.

In a traditional game, graphics processing tasks are processed on a single core at a time. This meant that GPUs weren’t always being used efficiently; they’d idle while waiting for CPU or memory system instructions.

One of the biggest improvements in DirectX 12 is adding asynchronous compute shaders. Asynchronous compute shaders allow developers to program GPUs to execute multiple tasks simultaneously. This saves time as they don’t have to wait for each other.

This allows tasks to be completed faster, which improves overall performance. In addition, this should also result in reduced power consumption and heat output from your CPU. Theoretically, this should make your computer more efficient.

Do you need DirectX 12 for Windows 11?

Yes, DirectX 12 falls on the list of minimum system requirements for Windows 11 and is a must. And since it was launched back in July 2015, most modern PCs are compatible with it. So DirectX 12 is, most likely, a requirement your PC will meet.

Along with DirectX 12, you need a graphics card compatible with WDDM 2.0 (Windows Display Driver Model).

Does using DirectX 12 improve FPS?

The answer is yes, it does improve FPS — but only if you’re using a supported graphics card. It uses less CPU time and it allows for more work to be done at the same time. This means that games that use DirectX 12 can run faster on the same hardware.

Because DirectX 12 uses less CPU time, games that use it can also run better on lower-end CPUs. If you previously had issues playing certain games because your PC wasn’t powerful enough, this presents an opportunity to play these games.

Finally, after the side-by-side comparison, it wouldn’t be complete without a recommendation. Both technologies certainly have their uses in gaming and graphics, but which one should you use? Which is more efficient, faster, and ultimately better for gaming?

To give a simple answer based on our testing, it all depends on your hardware. If you’re using Windows 10 or 11 and a relatively modern video card, you should use DirectX 12.

To use DirectX 12 at all, your computer has to be designed with the technology directly in mind. Otherwise, you may see performance issues while using it.

If you’re on Windows 7, or worse yet, Vista or XP, DirectX 11 will probably be best for your needs.

Should you experience any DirectX errors on your Windows 11 PC, feel free to check out our recommended fixes.

Let us know your preference in the comments section below.

9 Easy Tips to Fix Windows Troubleshooter when not Working

Posted on October 21, 2022August 22, 2025 by Ivan Jenic

Some of our readers have reported that they recently noticed a problem that appears whenever they try to run a troubleshooter.

This issue is common in almost every iteration of Windows, and we have prepared a list of steps that you can follow in order to fix this.

Why is my troubleshooter not working?

File corruption can cause the diagnostics troubleshooting wizard to stop working, therefore it’s recommended to scan your system and repair it.

All troubleshooters are affected by this issue and many reported that the Windows 10/11 Compatibility Troubleshooter isn’t working for them either.

Speaking of Windows Troubleshooter, users describe the following issues:

A problem is preventing the troubleshooter from starting 0x8e5e0247 – This issue is a Windows Troubleshooter problem in Windows 7 and it’s caused by the Intel Rapid Storage Technology on Toshiba laptops. Updating the driver fixes this problem.
Windows Troubleshooting error code 0x803c010b – This error is triggered by the Printer troubleshooter and it usually manifests on HP printers.
An error occurred while troubleshooting 0x80300113 – This error appears when running the Internet Connection troubleshooter and it usually goes away after a system restart.
Windows troubleshooter not working 0x80004005 – The error code appears when you update your system but this dedicated guide on how to fix error 0x80004005 will provide more information.
Windows Troubleshooter is stuck, or not loading/showing – If your troubleshooter got stuck on Windows 10, this is mainly caused by system errors.
Validating the integrity of the troubleshooter failed 0x80131018 – Simply change your group policy as we have shown below in order to fix this.
Windows 7/10/11 troubleshooter not working – The solutions below are applicable in all Windows iterations, but the steps will differ quite a bit.
Windows network/update/activation/audio troubleshooter not working – No matter which troubleshooter isn’t working, run the SFC scan in order to repair your computer files.

Whatever the variation, the solutions below will help you fix the problem quickly.

How do I fix Windows Troubleshooter?

1. Start Cryptographic Services using Service Manager

This is the most common solution, and it should fix the problem immediately because if the Cryptographic Services process is not running in the background, your troubleshooter won’t work.

1. Press the Windows and R keys simultaneously to launch Run then type services.msc and hit Enter or click OK.
2. Scroll down until you find Cryptographic Services and double-click it in order to set its Startup type to Automatic. Also, click Start to immediately start this service. Click OK to save the changes.
3. Apply the changes and restart your PC. Your problem should be solved now and troubleshooter issues such as the Windows Update Troubleshooter not working should work smoothly.

2. Disable User Account Control temporary

Press Windows then type uac and click the top result to open it.
Move the slider all the way down to Never notify and click on OK to save changes.

3. Disable any antivirus software

Sometimes your security software is the one preventing the troubleshooter from searching for solutions on Internet (mainly Microsoft KB articles) or from sending the required information to Microsoft servers.

Try to temporarily disable your security software and see if the troubleshooter works now. In some cases, you might have to completely uninstall your antivirus and switch to a different antivirus solution.

Currently, a great antivirus tool you can use is ESET HOME Security Essential because it always keeps your device protected against any type of cyberthreats thanks to its high and accurate detection rate.

It also has banking and payment protection that secures your online transactions and a firewall, network inspector, and more to safeguard access to your data, network, and webcam.

⇒ Get ESET HOME Security Essential

4. Change your group policy

NOTE

Keep in mind that Group Policy Editor isn’t available in Home editions, but there is a way to enable Group Policy Editor on the Home version of Windows 10.

Press Windows + R to open a new Run window then type gpedit.msc and click OK.
In the left pane, navigate to Computer Configuration followed by Administrative Templates and System.
Expand the Troubleshooting and Diagnostics folder and select Scripted Diagnostics.
In the right pane, you should see three entries available. If their State is Disabled, double-click them.
Set their state to Enabled or Not configured and click OK.

Keep in mind that Not configured is the normal state for these settings. If all three settings are set to Not configured, there’s no need to change them.

5. Run the SFC scan

Press Windows enter cmd and click Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
Paste or type the following command, press Enter and wait for the process to finish: sfc /scannow
Afterward, type the following command and press Enter as well:DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

According to users, you might be able to fix this problem by running the SFC DISM scan. Sometimes your Windows installation can become corrupted, causing the Windows Troubleshooter has stopped working to appear.

6. Make changes to your registry

Press Windows Key + R and enter regedit then click OK.
Navigate to the following key by entering it inside the search bar at the top: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\WinTrust\Trust Providers\Software Publishing
In the right pane, double-click the State DWORD and set its Value data to 23c00, and click OK.

If the value data is already set to 23c00, your registry is configured properly and this solution doesn’t apply to you.

7. Create a new user account

Press Windows + I then go to Accounts followed by Family & other users.
Click the Add account button next to the Add other user option.
Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
Now select Add a user without a Microsoft account.
Enter the username and password for the new account then click Next.

If you want a complete walkthrough on using built-in troubleshooters for various issues, see our detailed guide on how to run the Windows 11 troubleshooter.

Sometimes the Windows Troubleshooter has stopped working error message can appear because your user profile is corrupted. To fix the issue, you need to create a new user account and check if the same issue appears.

Once you create a new user account, switch to it and check if the issue reappears. If the problem doesn’t appear on the new account, it means that your old account is corrupted. Now you need to move your personal files to the new account and use it instead of the old one.

If you still have problems with your troubleshooter after applying these solutions, report them in the comment section below, we would love to solve your problem.

How to look for and edit contacts on the Mail app

Posted on October 21, 2022August 31, 2025 by Radu Tyrsina

Mail, formerly Windows Mail, is the popular email client from Microsoft that comes installed on your Windows by default. Though not as popular as other email services like Outlook, Gmail, and so on, the app can hold its own despite its minimalist design.

In fact, one of the testaments of the Mail app, and part of the reason we’d suggested setting it up on your PC, is the simplicity and ease with which you can edit your contacts on it. In this article, we’ll dive into step-by-step methods to look up and edit your Mail contacts on your PC. So let’s get started.

How to look for and edit contacts on Mail app

Naturally, before you can edit any contact, you’ll have to look or search for it. On Windows Mail, you can pull up any contact through the Switch to People option, located in the extreme left-hand column.

So, to get started, click on the Switch to People option (it has an icon that vaguely depicts a person). As soon as you do this, a dialog box titled People will pop up on your screen.

From this dialog box, you can not only add new emails to your account but also tweak them and make changes right then and there. For example, a new dialog box will open once you click on People. Click on Yes to go ahead.

Then, click on the plug sign to start adding new contacts. In the new dialog box, you can then drop in all the latest details into your Gmail account: a phone number, name, email address, and so on.

When you’re done, click on Save.

Editing contacts on your Mail app

Making any tweaks to your contacts from your Mail app doesn’t have to be too much of a hassle. Hopefully, our short guide helped you see how that’s precisely the case. But this isn’t the only thing to look out for in the Mail app. In fact, the Mail app comes packed with a host of features that make it a delight to use. So we’d recommend you check them all out.

Make Windows 10 PC Use All RAM: Step-by-Step

Posted on October 21, 2022May 20, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

In some instances, PC is not using all RAM. If your system is showing less RAM than installed, then the RAM might not be properly connected to the motherboard. Using integrated graphics will allocate some of your RAM to it, making it unusable. Certain settings can also cause this problem.

Before we start, check your RAM and make sure it’s compatible and properly installed. If modules don’t have the same timing, you might need to replace them. In some cases, rearranging the RAM also helps.

What can I do if my PC is not using all RAM?

1. Use msconfig

Press the Windows key + R, type msconfig, and press Enter.
System Configuration window will now appear. Navigate to the Boot tab and click on Advanced options.
Check the Maximum memory option and enter the amount you have in MB. 1GB is 1024MB, and since we have 4GB RAM on our PC, that’s 4096MB. For your PC, be sure to enter the correct amount of RAM in MB. After you’re done, click on OK.
Save changes and restart the computer.

2. Turn off Auto RAM Virtualization

1. Press the Windows key + S and enter advanced. Choose View advanced system settings from the menu.
2. When System Properties window opens, click the Settings button in the Performance section.
3. Performance Options window will appear. Go to the Advanced tab and click on Change.
4. In the Virtual Memory window, uncheck Automatically manage paging file size for all drives option. Now select each drive on the list and choose No paging file option. Click OK to save changes.

Now that you know how to use all RAM on your PC, keep in mind that sometimes your RAM is not detected, but we have a guide that addresses that issue.

There are several ways to address this issue, but if you didn’t manage to solve it, you can also limit RAM usage on your PC to optimize it. We also have a guide on RAM not running at full speed, so be sure to visit it.

Many users also reported that they don’t have enough memory in Windows 11, and this can be a problem and negatively impact performance.

You may also want to enable Memory Compression for better optimization. The guide is for Windows 11 but works on Windows 10 too.

If you’re facing memory issues like high RAM usage in Windows 11, the system not using all available RAM, or if only one RAM slot works, these guides can help you troubleshoot and get the most out of your system’s memory.

Did we miss any of the solutions for this problem? If we have, let us know in the comments section below.

Can’t Delete Checkpoint on Hyper-V? Fix it in 5 Steps

Posted on October 21, 2022October 4, 2023 by Claire Moraa

If you’re using Hyper-V virtualization on Windows and have created a checkpoint, you may find yourself in a situation where you need to delete the checkpoint. However, sometimes things go wrong and there’s no option to delete a checkpoint.

These checkpoints are created by default every time when you perform some actions like stopping or starting a VM or even when you shut down the host computer. The main purpose of these checkpoints is to restore previous states of virtual machines when something goes wrong with them.

Why can’t I delete a checkpoint on Hyper-V?

There are several reasons why you can’t delete a checkpoint on Hyper-V. Below are some of the common reasons:

The checkpoint is currently in use – In order to delete a checkpoint, it must first be stopped. When you stop a virtual machine, it will automatically save its state so that it can be started back up again at a future date. This process requires some disk space to store information.
Virtual machine migration – If you have migrated a virtual machine from one host to another using checkpoints, then there will be multiple checkpoints created for that particular virtual machine. This can cause confusion if you attempt to delete them all at once.
Poor connection with the host – If you are having issues establishing a stable connection with the host computer, you may be unable to delete a checkpoint. Check your network connection and ensure that the host service is running on your computer.
You don’t have sufficient permissions – When you try to delete a checkpoint, Windows checks to see whether you have permission to do so. If you don’t have permission, you cannot delete checkpoints.
Third-party tool created the checkpoint – While you can use Hyper-V Manager to delete checkpoints, you can’t delete checkpoints created by a third-party tool.

What can I do if there’s no option to delete a checkpoint?

A few preliminary checks to perform include:

Check if the virtual machine is running.
Close and restart the Hyper-V Manager.
Ensure you have not disabled the Hyper-V service.
Check if checkpoints are enabled for your VM.
Disable non-essential services.
Restart your PC.

You can now proceed to the solutions below.

1. Refresh the Hyper-V Manager

Open the Hyper-V manager.
Right-click on the host computer name in Hyper-V Manager and select Refresh.
Restart your PC.

2. Restart the Hyper-V service

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

3. Run Hyper-V as an administrator

Right-click on the Start menu and select Computer Management.
Locate and expand Local Users and Groups and double-click on Groups.
Select and open Hyper-V Administrators.
Click on Add, and in the Enter the object names to select field and enter your user account name.
Press OK, then click Apply and OK to save the changes.
Reboot your PC.

4. Reinstall the Hyper-V feature

Hit the search icon, type Turn Windows features on or off and click Open.
Locate the Hyper-V feature and uncheck it then click OK to save changes.
Restart your PC then repeat the same steps only this time, check the Hyper-V feature.

5. Delete checkpoint with Powershell command

Hit the Windows key, type PowerShell in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.
Type in the following command and press Enter (Replace VMName with your virtual machine name): Get-VMSnapshot -VMName <VMName> | Remove-VMSnapshot

In some cases, you’ll find that Hyper-V is not authorized to connect. If this is your predicament, we have an expert article that has all the fixes to avert this problem.

Users also complain about other issues such as can’t install Hyper-V but we have extensively covered various fixes to help you circumvent this issue.

Another pressing problem is the Hyper-V running out of memory. Check out our guide on the same as we have also addressed this issue.

Let us know if you have been able to resolve this problem in the comments section below.

Best PC Power Supply Monitoring Software

Table of contents

AIDA64 Extreme – Professional PC power supply tester with CPU power monitoring.

AIDA64 Extreme

Iolo System Mechanic – Computer power supply tester software optimizing PC performance

Iolo System Mechanic

Open Hardware Monitor – Free power supply test and monitoring software tool.

HWMonitor – Lightweight check power supply PC software with sensor monitoring.

Sidebar Diagnostics – Customizable power supply software monitor and hardware tool

How to fix gpedit missing in Windows 11

1. Enable Group Policy Editor with a batch file

2. Enable Group Policy Editor via the Command Prompt

3. Download gpedit-main zip file

4. Update Windows

5. Use the Microsoft Management Console

Why do I need to reset my Windows 11 sound settings?

How do I reset all the sound settings on Windows 11?

1. Reset from the Settings app

2. Uninstall/re-install the audio driver

3. Restart Windows audio services

4. Use Windows troubleshooter

5. Reset system sounds to default

How does Group Policy folder redirection work?

How do I deploy/change folder redirection paths in Group Policy?

Is it absolutely necessary to perform a Group Policy folder path redirection?

What is a device driver?

How can I roll back driver updates in Windows 11?

1. Select the Roll Back Driver option

2. Reinstall old driver packs

3. Roll back driver updates with System Restore

4. Back up and restore drivers

4.1 Back up all drivers

4.2 Restore old drivers from the backup folder

Is there a way I can disable automatic driver updates?

What options do I get if I boot into Dell Recovery Mode?

How can I boot into Dell Recovery Mode on Windows 11?

What causes the Realtek Audio Manager to pop up?

How do I keep Realtek Audio Manager from popping up?

1. Disable notifications via Settings

2. Check for Windows updates

3. Update the Realtek audio drivers

4. Enable the Remove Ballon Tips

5. Uninstall and reinstall the Realtek Audio software

Why does the Windows Activation notice keep popping up?

What can I do if the Windows Activation notice keeps popping up?

1. Remove background images via Control Panel

2. Execute a script through Windows Powershell

3. Activate Windows

4. Disable Windows Tips

5. Edit Registry Key

Why are presets not downloading in Logitech G HUB?

How do I fix the preset not downloading in Logitech G HUB?

1. Allow the app through Windows Firewall

2. Update device drivers

3. Reinstall Logitech G HUB

4. Set LGHUB Updater Service Startup type to Automatic

Why are my display settings greyed out on Windows 11?

How can I fix the Windows 11 display settings when greyed out?

1. Enable GPU Scaling

1.1. Intel

1.2. AMD

1.3. Nvidia

2. Update your display driver

3. Remove malware from your PC

4. Update Windows to the latest version

5. Reset your PC

6. Install display drivers in compatibility mode

Why should I boot Lenovo into Recovery Mode on Windows 11?

How can I boot my Lenovo PC into Recovery mode on Windows 11?

1. Via the Settings app

2. Use the Start menu

3. Use Windows PowerShell command

4. Boot your Lenovo PC into Recovery mode via Security Screen

5. Via Automatic Repair

What causes the endless loop?

How do I fix the Realtek audio driver’s endless loop?

1. Update the Realtek audio driver

2. Run Microsoft audio troubleshooter

3. Disable audio enhancements

4. Check for driver updates in Windows Update