Microsoft Office Error Code 0x426-0x0: How to Fix This

Posted on by Matthew Adams

The Microsoft Office error code 0x426-0x0 arises whenever you try to open Word, Excel, or PowerPoint. It is due to a corrupted Office installation, disabled services, and conflicting antivirus software.

Here is how you can fix it:

How do I fix Microsoft error code 0x426-0x0?

1. Repair the Microsoft Office suite

  1. First, open the Run accessory by pressing the Windows key + R.
  2. Type the command below and hit Enter.
    appwiz.cpl
  3. Select your Microsoft Office suite software. Then, click the Change button to open a repair utility for MS Office.
  4. Select the Online Repair radio button., and click the Repair button.

2. Enable the Click-to-Run service

  1. Open the Run accessory by pressing the Windows key + R.
  2. Type this command in Run and press Enter:
    services.msc
  3. Next, right-click the Microsoft Office Click-to-Run service and select Properties.
  4. Click the Startup type drop-down menu on the properties window that opens, select the Automatic option, then click the Start option.
  5. Select Apply to save the changed settings, then click OK to exit the properties window.

3. Turn off Windows Defender Firewall

  1. Open the Windows search utility by pressing the Windows and S keys simultaneously.
  2. Type Defender in the search utility, and click Windows Defender Firewall.
  3. Click Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off to open Customize Settings.
  4. Select both the radio buttons for the Turn off Windows Defender Firewall options.
  5. Press the OK button to exit the window.

4. Disable third-party antivirus utilities

  1. Click on the hidden access arrow in the Taskbar.
  2. Click on your antivirus icon, hover over Avast shields Control and select Disable for 10 minutes (This step varies for different antivirus software).
  3. Try launching an MS Office application.

5. Reinstall Microsoft Office

  1. Open the Run accessory by pressing the Windows key + R.
  2. Type the command below and hit Enter.
    appwiz.cpl
  3. Select your MS Office suite software and click Uninstall to remove the suite.
  4. Restart Windows after you’ve uninstalled MS Office.
  5. Click File Explorer’s Taskbar icon, navigate to your Microsoft Office folder, and delete any leftover files.
    C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office
  6. Open the Run accessory by pressing the Windows key + R, Type the command below, and hit Enter. regedit
  7. Navigate to the paths below, and for each of them, right-click and select delete. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\ClickToRun
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\AppVISV
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office
  8. After that, reinstall the Microsoft Office suite.

Why am I getting error code 0x426-0x0 in Safe Mode?

Code 0x426-0x0 error message microsoft error code 0x426-0x0

The leading causes of this error include a variety of possible reasons, and here are some of the most common:

  • Disabled services – If any crucial services are disabled on your system either by a third-party program or your own decision, this may conflict with the normal operations of the Office Suite.
  • Office installation issues – Depending on your exact circumstances, these can include a BSOD error appearing when the installation process is running, or corruption of the installation file itself.
  • Conflicting software (antivirus) – Whitelisting any apps that you want to install and use is a good option. If you can’t do that with your antivirus choice, it is recommended that you change it to a better antivirus option.

There are many Office errors that you can experience, and many have reported error code 30068-39 in Office due to poor installation. In some cases, this issue can even prevent you from installing the software.

Speaking of installation errors, many have reported Another installation is in progress Office 365 error, which can happen if specific components aren’t properly closed.

In some instances, you might even get Microsoft Office encountered an error during setup, but this issue can be quickly resolved.

Conclusion

When one of the Office Suite’s products fails to launch, the error code 0x426-0x0 from Microsoft Office appears. 

Although it frequently occurs with Word, this error can also happen with other Office programs. For example, when users attempt to run Outlook, Excel, Word, or PowerPoint, error 0x426-0x0 might pop up.

The solutions should work if you encounter various iterations of this error, including Office 2019 error code 0x426-0x0, Microsoft Excel error code 0x426-0x0, and MS Word error code 0x426-0x0.

You can click Contact support on the Contact Microsoft Support page if more potential resolutions are needed.

Feel free to let us know what solution worked in your case and if you have other recommendations.

Fix: This Request is Not Authorized to Perform This Operation

Posted on by Loredana Harsana

Microsoft Azure churns out two common errors when trying to access content on storage accounts. One is: Experiencing high demand in this region.

The other is: This request is not authorized to perform this operation when accessing Azure Storage. This article looks at how you can fix this second error.

What causes this request is not authorized to perform this operation on Microsoft Azure storage?

There can be a lot of reasons users can’t read/write content on Azure storage containers and access blob objects on storage accounts. The common ones are:

  • Invalid access key: Using the wrong storage name and access keys will return the error.
  • Expired Azure storage container: You cannot access any resources on an expired Microsoft Azure container. 
  • Incorrect role assignment: Without a contributor role, it’s impossible to read/write data on a storage account. Hence, the error.
  • Restricted access by the administrator: The admin might have used Azure AD to limit your access to the storage account access keys.
  • Disabled access key: Disabling storage account key access can prevent you from using even the correct access keys to authenticate your requests.

Now that we’ve identified the root of the problem, Let’s see how you can solve it.

How can I solve this request is not authorized to perform this operation on Microsoft Azure storage?

Before proceeding to the fixes in this guide, try these preliminary checks, as they could be the only solution you need:

  • Verify access key: The first step is to verify that the access keys and storage account name you are using are correct.
  • Check storage expiration: Make sure the Microsoft Azure storage container you are trying to access has not expired
  • Confirm authorization: Confirm from the admin your access to the storage account is not restricted.
  • Enable storage access key: Check to ensure you have Allow storage account key access enabled on the storage account.

If the error persists after using all these initial solutions, try the following advanced fixes.

1. Regenerate storage account access keys

  1. Log in to your Azure portal and click Storage accounts.
    Open Azure portal
  2. Locate the storage account you want to access and click to open.
    Select storage account
  3. On the left pane, scroll down to Security + networking and select Access keys.
    Azure networking and security settings
  4. Click the Rotate icon next to key1 and select Yes to regenerate access key on the popup dialogue.
    regenerate access keys
  5. Click the Rotate icon next to key2 and select Yes to regenerate access key on the dialogue.
    New Azure storage access keys
  6. Next, update the connection strings in your code to access the new keys and try again to see if the problem is solved.

2. Change the default network access rule to allow access from all network

  1. Select the storage account you want to access on your Azure dashboard.
    Select storage account
  2. Scroll down to Security + networking and select Networking under it.
    Azure networking and security settings
  3. Select Enable from all networks and click Save to apply changes.
    Allow access from all networks

3. Assign a storage contributor role

  1. Open your Azure dashboard and select the storage account you are trying to access.
    Select storage account
  2. Click Access control (IAM) on the left pane and switch to the Role assignment tab.
    access control IAM
  3. Click Add at the top of the page and select Add role assignment.
    assign new storage account role
  4. Select the role you want to use, Storage Blob Data Contributor and click Next. 
    Storage blob data contributor
  5. Choose User, group, or service principal and click Select members.
    Assign new user role
  6. Choose the account you want to add and click Select.
    Select member account
  7. Once the account is added, click Review + assign. 
    Review and assign contributor role
  8. Click Review + assign again to assign the role.
    Assigning new contributor rolerole
  9. Wait for the role assignment to complete and try to reaccess the storage.

Now, you should be able to solve this request is not authorized to perform this operation error on Microsoft Azure storage.

If you want extra control and flexibility over your Azure cloud storage resources, Microsoft Azure Storage Explorer is an intuitive application designed to give you just that. Check it out to see how it works.

Which of the above solutions works for you? Let us know in the comments area below. 

Windows Terminal is the default command line tool for Windows 11 22H2

Posted on by Alexandru Poloboc

It was almost a year ago when we learned that Microsoft is working on planning making Windows Terminal the default command line experience in Windows.

For most of the history of the latest operating system, the default had been Windows Console Host (conhost.exe) and Microsoft had explained that it’s a mammoth effort to migrate to a new tool.

Now, this initiative is finally complete and Windows Terminal is the default experience with the latest Windows 11 2022 optional update.

Microsoft makes important changes with Windows 11 22H2

You surely remember that Microsoft released version 22H2 for Windows 11 a couple of weeks ago. This update is also known as the 2022 update.

Since then, users have been reporting bugs left and right and the tech giant is now stuck fixing all of these post-release problems.

A recent update brought to this version has also enabled tabs for the File Explorer, taskbar overflow, Suggested Actions, and much more.

Now, however, we’re here to tell you that the latest optional preview update for Windows 11 started rolling out a few hours ago.

What Microsoft did not highlight in the changelogs, is the fact that the Windows Terminal change in its initial release notes.

Instead, the Redmond-based tech colossus has dedicated an entire blog post on the topic. That’s why we are also about to take a more in-depth look at the matter.

Now, if you open the Settings app and navigate to Privacy & security/For developers, you’ll notice that the dropdown next to Terminal says Let Windows decide.

And, as you’ve surely expected it by now, the latest update to Windows 11 basically has the OS opt for Windows Terminal.

Microsoft said that Windows Terminal packs a number of features loved by its users including multiple profiles, tabs and panes, command palette, and customization, among other things.

Yes, Windows Terminal comes with many actions that give you control of how you interact with the terminal itself.

In order to make these easier to find and use, we created a command palette, which can be accessed at the bottom of the new tab dropdown. It can also be opened with Ctrl+Shift+P.

Image terminal command palette

Leep in mind that it is important to understand that the latest Windows 11 update is only available as an optional preview for now and will start rolling out generally with next month’s Patch Tuesday.

This command line will take effect after you install the latest update and have version 1.15 or higher of Windows Terminal installed.

We also get tons of customization options available in Windows Terminal, with the most popular ones being profile-specific, which include the executable that’s launched, starting directory, profile icon, custom background image, color scheme, font, and transparency.

Image terminal settings

Note that some popular application-specific options include restoring previous sessions on launch, theme (which applies to the tab row), acrylic tab row, and automatic URL detection on hover.

What is your opinion on this strategic move by Microsoft? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

Quick Fix: Clock Watchdog Timeout BSoD in Windows 11 [2026 Guide]

Posted on by Matthew Adams

The Clock Watchdog Timeout error is a BSOD issue that can occur on Windows 11 and other Microsoft desktop platforms, for example, Windows 10 users often experience the same issue.

When this issue arises it is very easy to identify as a blue screen will be displayed with the message clock_watchdog_timeout. Windows 11 users have sometimes reported that this error can sometimes be displayed frequently, even multiple times a day.

This usually happens in the middle of working, not immediately after booting his PC. However, as the Clock Watchdog Timeout error forces a system to restart, it can be a serious issue if it occurs with regularity.

Table of contents:

  1. What is a Clock Watchdog Timeout error?
  2. What causes Clock Watchdog Timeout?
  3. How do I fix the Clock Watchdog Timeout error in Windows 11?
  4. Run an SFC scan
  5. Update Windows 11
  6. Undo PC overclocking
  7. Check for yellow driver error indicators in the Device Manager
  8. Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic Utility
  9. Restore Windows 11 to an earlier date
  10. Update your PC’s BIOS

What is a Clock Watchdog Timeout error?

A Clock Watchdog Timeout error refers to the hardware in your system, specifically pointing out a problem with how your system and processor speak to one another.

The operating system informs the CPU when you instruct your computer to perform a task, pausing the processor to explain what is happening.

The Clock Watchdog Timeout blue screen error results from a nonresponsive or deadlocked CPU (central processor unit). Consequently, the processor stops processing interrupts.

What causes Clock Watchdog Timeout?

The clock watchdog timeout Windows 11 problem may be caused by a variety of factors, including:

  • Updated drivers – Driver upgrades can occasionally introduce bugs, leading to strange behavior from the device.
  • Outdated firmware – The device’s inefficient firmware prevents it from operating correctly. Additionally, if a device isn’t working properly, it won’t be able to finish the task before the deadline.
  • Overclocking of the CPU – Sometimes, users raise the CPU’s speed or overclocking using BIOS settings to get faster output; however, this error may occur if the system cannot reach the required clocking speed.
  • System file issues – The system files may have problems preventing the system from accessing them, which may cause the BSoD failures, fortunately, there are many tools that can be used to fix BSOD.
  • Virus or malware in the System – The system’s effectiveness can be impacted by malware or infected files since they can damage crucial files.

How do I fix the Clock Watchdog Timeout error in Windows 11?

Before you go into any complex fixes, we recommend that you unplug all superfluous USB peripherals connected to your PC, like storage or DVD drives.

If the Clock Watchdog Timeout error doesn’t arise after that, one of the previously connected devices might have been causing the issue.

1. Run an SFC scan

  1. 1. Open Windows 11’s search utility by pressing the Windows key.

  2. 2. Type cmd in the search box, then click the Command Prompt’s Run as administrator option.

    cmd-admin windows 10 apps close when minimized

  3. 3. Before running a system file scan, input this command and press Enter: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

    DISM-RESTORE faulting application path

  4. 4. Next, type the following system file command in the Prompt’s window and hit Enter: sfc /scannow

    sfc-scannow explorer.exe class not registered

  5. 5. Wait until the scan is 100 percent complete and displays an outcome message.

    6. The first fix we recommend for the Clock Watchdog Timeout error in Windows 11 is running the SFC scan. It can be done very easily with the help of the built-in command-line tool on your PC.

    The SFC scan will check your PC for issues and fix them in no time.

Third-party software can also be very helpful here because it can perform this task for you.

2. Update Windows 11

  1. To open Settings more quickly, press the Windows + I keyboard shortcut. Then click the Windows Update tab.windows-update kernel auto boost lock acquisition with raised irql
  2. Press the Check for updates button on that tab.check-updates-w11 kernel auto boost lock acquisition with raised irql

3. Undo PC overclocking

Have you done any system overclocking with a dedicated tool? If yes, that might be why you need to fix the Clock Watchdog Timeout error.

So, undo any overclocking by restoring the settings in your overclock software to their default values.

4. Check for yellow driver error indicators in the Device Manager

  1. Right-click Windows 11’s Start taskbar button. Select Device Manager on the menu.
    Device Manager shortcut clock watchdog timeout windows 11
  2. Now look for any devices with yellow exclamation marks that indicate device errors.
  3. Right-click a device with a yellow exclamation mark and select Update driver.
    Update driver option clock watchdog timeout windows 11
  4. After that, select the option Search automatically for drivers.
    Search automatically for drivers option clock watchdog timeout windows 11

Scanning your PC with reputable third-party driver updater software is also recommended. A third-party driver updater will list all your PC’s devices with antiquated drivers and update them automatically.

5. Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic Utility

  1. First, click the magnifying glass icon on the taskbar, type the keyword Windows Memory Diagnostic within the search tool’s text box, and click Windows Memory Diagnostic to open its window.
  2. Select Restart now and check for problems.
    The Windows Memory Diagnostic tool clock watchdog timeout windows 11
  3. After that, Windows will restart. Wait for the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool to do its stuff.
  4. When Windows restarts, a Windows Memory Diagnostic result should appear. If it doesn’t, however, right-click Start and select Event Viewer.
    Event Viewer option clock watchdog timeout windows 11
  5. Select Windows Logs and System on the Event Viewer window.
  6. Click the Find option on the right side of Event Viewer.
    Find option clock watchdog timeout windows 11
  7. Type MemoryDiagnostic within the Find What box.
  8. Click the Find Next button.
    Find Next button clock watchdog timeout windows 11
  9. After that, you can view the MemoryDiagnostic result on the General tab at the bottom of Event Viewer.

If Windows Memory Diagnostic highlights a RAM issue, you might need to replace a memory module on your PC.

6. Restore Windows 11 to an earlier date

Note icon NOTE
Restoring Windows 11 to a restore point will remove software installed after the selected date. So, consider checking what software you’ll need to reinstall for a selected restore point by clicking Scan for affected programs in System Restore.
  1. Firstly, press the Windows and R keys both at the same time. Next, type this text into the Open box and press Enter: rstrui
  2. Choose a different restore point radio button if that option is available.
    The Choose a different restore point radio button clock watchdog timeout windows 11
  3. Click Next to proceed.
  4. Select the Show more restore points checkbox if System Restore displays that option. 
  5. Choose a restore point that will roll Windows 11 back to a time that predates the Clock Watchdog Timeout error on your desktop or laptop. Alternatively, select the oldest restore point date you can.
    System Restore window clock watchdog timeout windows 11
  6. Press the Next button to go to the final step.
  7. Select the Finish option to roll Windows 11 back to the selected restore point.

7. Update your PC’s BIOS

A BIOS (Basic Input Output System) update might be needed to resolve the issue if you’re utilizing an older PC.

To update the BIOS, you’ll need to download its latest firmware. Then, with a few steps, you will easily update your BIOS.

As a last resort, you can try reinstalling the platform. You can reinstall the OS with a Windows 11 USB flash drive. Alternatively, you may reset the platform.

The support section of Microsoft’s website also includes an informative troubleshooter for blue screen errors. We also have a great guide on Win32k Power Watchdog Timeout that might provide you with more solutions.

Tell us about your experience and the solution that worked for you in the comments below.

System Cooling Policy on Windows 11: How to Set or Change

Posted on by Loredana Harsana

Many users have been asking to know how to fix overheating issues in Windows 11 since it does not have the built-in tools for monitoring the CPU fan speed.

Regardless, this article will teach you how to set a system cooling policy in Windows 11 as a more accessible alternative to fixing overheating.

How do I set the best system cooling policy to optimize PC performance?

Users should ensure they perform the following preparatory checks before engaging in any troubleshooting tweaks.

  • Eliminate some of the multiple high-end applications running simultaneously that may overwork the CPU.
  • Ensure that your computer is properly ventilated.
  • Ensure that your Windows is updated. If Windows update fails to work, take a look at this guide for solutions.
  • You can further research some of the required settings to control your computer fan speed for Windows 11.

If nothing changes after these checks, proceed to making the tweaks below.

1. Adjust Active/Passive cooling policy settings

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, type Control Panel in the text field and select Open.
  2. Click on System and Security from the options that appear.
  3. Click on Power Options.
  4. Select Change plan settings next to the current power plan.
  5. Next, click on Change advanced power settings.
  6. Expand System Cooling Policy under Processor power management.
  7. Change the settings as follows: Plugged in as Active and On battery as Passive.

Since Windows 11 system cooling policy is missing, another effective way to fix your system’s overheating issue is by modifying the power plan settings.

2. Use the SpeedFan software to control your fan

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, type System Information, and launch the app.
  2. Look for the System Manufacturer and System Model in the System Summary tab.
  3. Go to the SpeedFan’s official page and download the program.
  4. Once the download is complete, go to the folder where the downloaded file is stored and double-click on it to begin the installation.
  5. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.

You can, right away (after installation), begin to control your computer fan speed with the SpeedFan software.

What do I do if the System Cooling policy is missing?

  1. Click the Start button, search cmd, and Run as administrator.
  2. Input the following command and press Enter: REG ADD HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\54533251-82be-4824-96c1-47b60b740d00\94D3A615-A899-4AC5-AE2B-E4D8F634367F /v Attributes /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f
  3. Wait till you receive The operation completed successfully, and check Power Options on Control panel.

The System cooling policy will be accessible in the Power Options section in Control Panel.

However, should you ever have a reason to remove the System cooling policy, although it is not advisable, follow these steps:

  1. Click the Start button, search cmd, and Run as administrator.
  2. Input the following command and press Enter: powercfg -attributes SUB_PROCESSOR 94D3A615-A899-4AC5-AE2B-E4D8F634367F +ATTRIB_HIDE
  3. Then check the Power Options to see if system cooling policy has been removed.

Should you encounter an issue with missing power plans on your Windows, check this guide to fix it.

What does the system cooling policy do?

The system cooling policy allows you to specify the cooling policy you wish to use for your Windows computer, for which there are two options: Active and Passive.

  • Active cooling policy: The active cooling policy turns on and speeds up the system fan to reduce high system temperature without affecting the system’s performance. This then brings about an increase in the system’s power consumption.
  • Passive cooling policy: The passive cooling mode reduces the power consumption of the system components, hence reducing the overall system performance. This reduces system performance but saves power consumption.

Both options above offer an excellent way to set your system cooling policy, depending on your preference.

These are the best ways to achieve the best system cooling policy in Windows 11. Ensure to follow the steps strictly for optimal results.

Meanwhile, some users also complain about Windows 11 overheating shutdown; you can explore the troubleshooting tweaks provided in this article.

If you have further queries or questions, kindly leave them in the comments section. Also, if you have a suggestion on a solution that has worked for you, apart from the ones provided, you can also drop them.

Fix: Can’t Download Nvidia Geforce Drivers on Windows 10

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

You’re not alone if you can’t download Nvidia drivers on Windows 10 and install them. Many users reported Nvidia driver download greyed out, and we will explain how to fix it in this guide.

Why can I not download NVIDIA drivers?

Nvidia driver update failed message can cause many problems to your PC, including a BSOD error; therefore, fixing it as soon as possible is essential.

There are multiple reasons why the update process is unsuccessful, and one of them might be if the Nvidia graphics card is not detected correctly.

If you tried installing Nvidia drivers on your Windows 10, the GeForce driver wouldn’t download in some cases. You might have encountered an error message or similar issues like:

  • Nvidia Installer can’t continue – This issue doesn’t really give you any other information other than informing you that the installer has failed, but thankfully, we have some great solutions to tackle it
  • Your Nvidia Installer failed – The installer can fail due to a wide range of reasons, but it is most likely something to do with your internet connection or the manufacturer’s servers.
  • Nvidia Installer stuck – If your installer gets stuck, then it might be an issue with your RAM, or you could be running too many apps at the same time.

It’s also possible that your Nvidia driver isn’t compatible with your Windows version, so you’ll have to roll back your Nvidia drivers to fix that.

Below are some of the other variations of the can’t download Nvidia drivers issue as reported by users:

  • GeForce Game Ready driver installation can’t continue
  • Nvidia drivers won’t install on Windows 10
  • GeForce Driver download failed

What can I do if the GeForce driver won’t download?

Before trying any of these fixes, ensure there is no ongoing background Windows Update. If this is the case, wait for the update to end and check if the installation works before moving to any of these solutions.

1. Install the Nvidia driver manually (step-by-step guide)

Step 1: Identify Your Graphics Card

  1. Right-click on the Windows Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the “Display adapters” section. Note down the name of your NVIDIA graphics card.

Step 2: Make sure you identify the correct driver

  1. Navigate to the official Nvidia support website.download nvidia drivers can't download nvidia drivers windows 10
  2. Make sure to choose the appropriate product and system, while sticking to the latest version.
  3. Once you have confirmed the details, click Search.
    geforce driver won't download
  4. Then click Download.
    geforce driver won't download
  5. Alternatively, you can try and download an older version, as that fixed the problem for some users.

Step 3: Uninstall Old NVIDIA Driver (Optional but Recommended)

  1. Right-click on the Windows Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the “Display adapters” section.
  3. Right-click on your NVIDIA graphics card and select “Uninstall device.”
  4. Check the box that says “Delete the driver software for this device” if available.
  5. Click on “Uninstall.”

Step 4: Install the New Driver

  1. Navigate to where you saved the downloaded driver file from Step 2.
  2. Double-click on the driver file to run it.
  3. The NVIDIA Installer will open. Click on “OK” to unzip the files.
  4. After unzipping, the installer will automatically start. Click on “Next.”
  5. Choose “Custom (Advanced)” and click “Next.”
  6. Check all the boxes for components to install and click “Next.”
  7. The installation will begin. Wait for it to complete.
  8. Click on “Restart Now” if prompted.

Step 5: Verify Installation

  1. Right-click on the Windows Start button and select Device Manager.
  2. Expand the “Display adapters” section.
  3. Your NVIDIA graphics card should be listed, indicating that the new driver has been installed.

If that didn’t help, we recommend trying a 3rd party driver updater software that can install the correct driver version for you in seconds. In this way, you will avoid the risk of getting the wrong driver installed.

2. Temporarily close your antivirus software and update GeForce Experience

  1. Click on the hidden access arrow in the Taskbar.
    dllregisterserver was not found
  2. Click on your antivirus icon, hover over Avast shields Control and select Disable for 10 minutes (This step varies for different antivirus software).
    geforce driver won't download
  3. Redownload the installer, and try the next solution if the GeForce driver won’t download.

4. Update Windows, remove old drivers with DDU and try again

  1. Navigate to Start and Settings.
  2. Click on Update & Security, then select Check for updates to update Windows 10.
  3. Download DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller) and install it.
  4. Open Settings > Update & Security > Recovery > Advanced startup.advanced startup can't download nvidia drivers windows 10
  5. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.
    geforce driver won't download
  6. Boot into Safe mode and run the DDU utility.
    geforce driver won't download
  7. Lastly, try the GeForce download and installation again.

If the GeForce driver doesn’t download, the issue might also come from the fact that the NVIDIA driver is incompatible with your Windows version, so you should explore that possibility.

Finally, if you have any questions or suggestions, don’t forget to mention them in the comments section below, and we will get back to you.

4 Easy Methods to Remove Duplicate Files in Windows 10

Posted on by Matthew Adams

How do you remove duplicate files in Windows 10? Here is what you must know. Superfluous duplicate files can waste quite a bit of hard drive storage space.

So, it’s surprising that Windows 10 doesn’t include a built-in file scanner with which users can find and delete duplicated files.

There are plenty of third-party system maintenance and more specific duplicate file-cleaning utilities for Windows to scan for and erase duplicates with.

Can Windows find duplicate files?

Users of the OS can find duplicate files, but the OS does not offer a native duplicate file finder. This means you must rely solely on third-party tools or alternate methods to identify duplicate files on your PC.

While, in the end, you may be able to find duplicate files on the OS, you must note that the solutions may not be straightforward.

If you’re also looking for quick ways to delete email duplicates in Outlook, the highlighted guide will help you.

How can I delete duplicate files in Windows 10?

1. Use File Explorer

    In the following guide, we showed you how to sort and delete duplicate files using the built-in File Explorer app. This can be a task that will take a lot of time and attention, but in the end, you will manage to get rid of the duplicates.

     

    1. Click the Start button, type indexing options, and click on the app from the results.
    remove-duplicate-files-windows-10

  2. 2. Now, click on Modify and click the Show all locations button in the next window.

    remove-duplicate-files-windows-10

  3. 3. Make sure all the boxes are checked and click the OK button.

    remove-duplicate-files-windows-10

  4. 4. Press the Windows key + E to start File Explorer.

    remove-duplicate-files-windows-10

  5. 5. Now, go to your user profile from the following location: This PC\Local Disk C:\Users

    remove-duplicate-files-windows-10

  6. 6. You need to make a few adjustments to sort the files better:

    • Click the View menu and select the Preview pane. This will help you see a preview of the file you’re selecting
    remove-duplicate-files-windows-10
    • Then, in the Layout section, choose Details
    remove-duplicate-files-windows-10
    • Lastly, look at the Current view tab, click on Group by and select Name, then check Ascending
    remove-duplicate-files-windows-10

  10. 7. Now that we’ve prepared our File Explorer window, we can look for duplicate files by typing the extensions of the files we’re looking for in the Search tab.

    remove-duplicate-files-windows-10

  11. 8. We have prepared a file extension table below to make your work easier.

  12. 9. Finally, look at the files’ names, the date they were modified, and the size, and when you find a duplicate, click on the file and hit Delete.

Images.jpg,.jpeg, .png or .gif
Videos.flv,.mov,.avi,.wmv,.mp4 or .3gp
Music.mp3,.wav or.wma
Documents.doc, .docx, .pdf, .txt
Presentations.ppt or .pptx
Excel tables.xls or .xlsx
Programs.exe

You can also develop your technique and select other folders or settings to view the files, but this worked for us.

2. Erase duplicate files with CCleaner

  1. Firstly, download CCleaner and install it.
  2. Open CCleaner.
    CCleaner window remove duplicate files windows 10
  3. Click Tools on the left of the window.
    remove duplicate files windows 10
  4. Select Duplicate Finder to open the utility shown directly below.
  5. Select the Name and Size Match by checkboxes.
  6. Optionally, exclude system and hidden files from the search by selecting the ignore System files and Hidden files checkboxes. If you prefer not to place any file size constraints on the search, uncheck the File size under and File size over checkboxes.
  7. To scan the full hard drive, select the C: drive option.
  8. Press the Add button.
  9. Click Browse to choose a more specific folder or hard drive partition.
  10. Click the File Types radio button. Then you can enter more specific file types for the scan to search for, such as PNG, MP3, DOC, etc.
    remove duplicate files windows 10
  11. Finally, press the OK button.

2.1 Exclude folder and files

  1. To leave folders out of the search, select the Exclude tab.
  2. Click the Add button.
  3. Click Browse to select a folder to exclude.
  4. Select OK to confirm the selected folder.
  5. You can select your C: drive and the File Types radio button to specify specific file formats to leave out of searches.
  6. Click OK to exit the Exclude window.

2.2 Erase the duplicated files

  1. Click Search to initiate the scan.
    remove duplicate files windows 10
  2. Now go through the list of detected duplicates—select checkboxes for duplicate files to delete.
  3. To select all duplicates, right-click a listed file and click the Select All option.
    Select All option remove duplicate files windows 10
  4. Press the Delete Selected button to erase the duplicate files.
    remove duplicate files windows 10

The easiest way to resolve this issue is by using CCleaner. This fantastic software can help you remove any duplicates and offers a wide range of other valuable options.

CCleaner’s Duplicate Finder is a perfectly sufficient utility for purging duplicated files. However, there are many other alternative duplicate file finder software.

CCleaner

Use this efficient tool to protect your privacy and make your computer faster and more secure.
Free Download Visit Website

3. Use PassFab Duplicate File Deleter

  1. Go to the official PassFab Duplicate File Deleter page and click on the Free Trial button to download the software.
  2. After you download the installer, run it, accept the terms and after it installs, hit the Finish button to run the app.
  3. Click the Plus icon to add a folder.
  4. Now, you can scan for duplicate files or images in particular. Choose the first option and click on Scan Duplicates.
  5. After the scanning, you will see a complete report of the duplicate files detected.
  6. Now, the easiest method of getting rid of the duplicates is to click on the Auto select button, choose whether you want to send them into the Recycle bin or Delete forever and click the Remove button.
  7. However, you may review each file individually, check the versions you want to delete, and hit the Remove button at the end.

This is an efficient way to remove duplicate files in Windows 10.

You should know that with the Free Trial version, you can only remove 15 files. You must purchase a monthly, yearly, or lifetime software version for unlimited removal.

Of course, you may scan a whole drive or just the folders you may be interested in. Also, we remind you that there is the option of scanning only for photos, which will go a lot faster.

But anyway, the process is still speedy because PassFab Duplicate File Deleter uses the latest MD5 algorithm to ensure the result is fast and 100% accurate.

Also, you can quickly scan external drives, SD cards, USB flash disks, and more, and it will detect any format of duplicate files.

PassFab Duplicate File Deleter

Identify all duplicate files on all your drives and free the much-needed space on your PC!
Free trial Visit website

4. Via PowerShell

  1. Right-click the Start button and select Windows PowerShell (Admin) from the list of options.
    choose powershell admin from menu
  2. Type or paste the following command to set the location to your main drive: set-location –path C:\
    powershell set location
  3. Press Enter to execute the command.
  4. Paste the following command and replace the search and results from folders with the actual ones: ls "(search folder)" -recurse | get-filehash | group -property hash | where { $_.count -gt 1 } | % { $_.group } | Out-File -FilePath "(location folder)"
  5. Press Enter to execute the command.
  6. The procedure will take some time, depending on the number of files you have in the search folder. You can check the resulted .txt file, check the location of the duplicate files and delete them manually.
    powershell duplicates text file
  7. If you want to delete the duplicates automatically, paste the following command and replace the search folder with the actual one: ls "(search folder)" -recurse | get-filehash | group -property hash | where { $_.count -gt 1 } | % { $_.group | select -skip 1 } | del
    powershell remove duplicates

A great method to remove duplicate files on your PC is to use the built-in Powershell tool. It is a command-line shell that allows you to make modifications on your PC.

This method also works for Command Prompt if you don’t have Powershell set as default on your PC. Furthermore, if your PC uses Windows Terminal instead, you can enter it and choose to run Powershell/Command Prompt from within the tool.

So, now you know how to remove duplicate files in Windows 10 using your built-in File Explorer or some of the most clever tools available.

A duplicate finder software is often one of your best alternatives in finding and deleting Windows duplicate files. Users also come across duplicate drive letters in Windows, and this can be fixed with a registry edit.

If you know of any other convenient way of getting rid of duplicate files, let us know in the comments section below.

Fix DLLRegisterserver Was not Found Error with 4 Expert Tips

Posted on by Matthew Adams

The DLLRegisterserver was not found error can arise on various Windows platforms, from ancient Windows XP or 7 up to Microsoft’s freshest OS, Windows 11, in 32 and 64-bit architectures.

This usually happens when users try to register DLL or OCX files with the regsvr32 command-line utility.

Those regsvr32 error messages are very similar, albeit with different codes. So, the fixes for those DLLRegisterserver failed errors are much the same. So, let’s see what you can expect.

Why do I get DllRegisterServer was not found message?

There are a couple of known triggers for this computer error. Among them include the following:

  • The module <file> was loaded but the call to DLLRegisterServer failed with error code 0x8002801c or 0x80070005 – This is usually an issue caused by corrupted DLL files.
  • Entry point DLLRegisterserver was not found – If your DLL files are not accessible to your system, this issue might appear.
  • DLLRegisterserver was not found on Windows Server 2016 – As the error mentions, this issue appears on the Windows Server 2016 edition, and can usually be caused by a system malfunction during the process.
  • Entry point DllRegisterServer was not found on Server 2012 – As in the case of the 2016 edition issues, the system encountered an error during the process.
  • The module isdone.dll/ntdll.dll/kernelbase.dll was loaded, but the entry-point DllRegisterServer was not found – To resolve this issue, simply follow the ISDone.dll Error on Windows 10/11 methods.
  • A clash between regsvr32 and your antivirus program – You can either whitelist the regsvr32 in your antivirus program, or try other security software.

Check out these resolutions listed below if you need to fix one of the above or similar DLLRegisterserver errors.

How do I fix DLLRegisterserver not found?

1. Open an elevated Command Prompt

  1. Press the Windows key + S hotkey, and type Command Prompt in the text box to search for it.
  2. Right-click Command Prompt and select a Run as administrator.
    dllregisterserver was not found
  3. Lastly, register the OCX or DLL file within the elevated Command Prompt.

2. Copy the OCX into the SysWow64 folder

  1. Open File Explorer.
  2. Open this folder path below.
    C:/Windows/System32
  3. Type the OCX file for which the DLLRegisterserver error arises in the search box.
  4. Right-click the OCX file found, and select Copy.
  5. Open this folder path below.
    C:/Windows/SysWow64
  6. Finally, right-click a space within the SysWow64 folder, and select Paste.
    dllregisterserver was not found

3. Edit the registry

    This effective method presented below can help you repair DLL files by editing some registry entries in your PC. Follow every step without other modifications if you’re not sure of the results.

  1. 1. Press the Windows key and R at the same time.

  2. 2. Type regedit in Run and click OK.

  3. 3. Open this registry key:
    Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\TypeLib

    dllregisterserver-failed

  4. 4. Right-click TypeLib, and select Permissions.

    dllregisterserver-failed

  5. 5. Select your user account on the Security tab if it’s listed, then click the Full Control option for your account if it’s not selected.

    dllregisterserver-failed

  6. 6. If your user account isn’t listed, click the Add button. Then enter your user account title.

    dllregisterserver-failed

  7. 7. Make sure Full Control/Allow is selected for the newly added user account.

  8. 8. Finally, select the Apply option, then click OK to exit the window.

4. Disable third-party antivirus utilities

  1. Click on the hidden access arrow in the Taskbar.
    dllregisterserver was not found
  2. Click on your antivirus icon, hover over Avast shields Control and select Disable for 10 minutes (This step varies for different antivirus software).

Third-party antivirus utilities can also conflict with regsvr32. So, try disabling third-party antivirus software before running a regsvr32 registration command.

The above fixes can resolve the DLLRegisterserver 0x8002801c and 0x80070005 errors. Remember that you need admin rights to utilize the regsvr32 command-line utility for registering system files.

Which of the above solutions did you use? Lastly, let us know by using the comment section below.

How to Increase Clipboard Size on Windows 10 & 11

Posted on by Claire Moraa

Did you know you can increase the clipboard size on Windows 10 and 11? It’s simple and we’ll show you how

There’s no fixed limit on the clipboard. It depends on your system’s memory and settings. When the clipboard is full, older items are deleted or you get a clipboard out-of-memory error.

Let’s see how you can increase its size to prevent this and store more.

How can I increase the size of the Windows Clipboard history?

  1. Hit the Windows + R keys to open the Run command.
  2. Type in sysdm.cpl and press Enter.
  3. Navigate to the Advanced tab and under Performance, select Settings.
  4. In the Performance Options window that opens, select the Advanced tab and under Virtual memory, click on Change.
  5. Uncheck the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives option and select the drive you wish to undertake the process.
  6. Click on Custom size and enter a value higher than the minimum size allowed then press OK.
  7. Restart your PC.

If you are unlucky and this method does not work on your OS, don’t worry, we have excellent recommendations of Clipboard managers that do an equally great job or are even better than the built-in Windows version.

Clearing clipboard history can also come in handy. Should you encounter any other related issues such as Clipboard history not working, don’t hesitate to refer to our comprehensive guide on the same.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on how this method worked for you so share your experience in the comment section below.

5 Ways to Fix Monster Hunter Rise Server Communication Error

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Monster Hunter Rise players report experiencing connection issues in the game. Upon launching the game, they’re greeted with error messages such as

Monster Hunter Rise: Server communication error/ A communication error has occured/ The Server is not reachable/ An error has occured

Not being able to access your favorite game is annoying, but easily fixable. As it’s the case with most gaming issues like packet loss, high ping, and low FPS, a few tweaks in your settings go a long way.

It’s important to make sure your entire setup is taken care of, from your Internet connection to the operating system and device you’re using.

What is causing the Monster Rise Server Communication Error?

There are a few reasons that could cause you to experience these errors when you attempt to launch Monster Hunter Rise. Some of these reasons include:

  • Bad or unstable connection
  • Outdated game versions
  • Device incompatibility

The first thing you can do to fix the errors in Monster Hunter Rise is to carry out these basic checks:

→ Check your internet connection: launch your browser or another game to make sure that the issue isn’t caused by a problem with your connection, and not with this game in particular

→ Reboot your PC: restarting your PC might get rid of bugs and connectivity issues that may accumulate when you’ve been using the PC for a longer time

How do I fix the monster hunter rise server communication error

If there aren’t underlying problems with your connection and restarting doesn’t do the trick, you can move on to more in-depth fixes:

  1. Free up bandwidth
  2. Update to the newest version of the game
  3. Use a VPN
  4. Check your antivirus
  5. Set up port forwarding

We found the most common issues that cause this connection error in Moster Hunter Rise and complied with easy-to-follow instructions so anyone can fix them.

1. Free up bandwidth

Check and close network processes. Bandwidth simply is the measure of the rate at which your network transfers data over the internet.

You need to run a background check to be able to detect the apps hogging your bandwidth. Close any unnecessary processes that use it up:

  1. Open Computer Settings
  2. Navigate to Network & Internet.monster hunter rise server communication error
  3. Open Data usage.monster hunter rise server communication error
  4. Then click View usage per app.

You can see now which apps use up too much bandwidth. In this menu, you can add data limits for each app and you can also make sure you don’t allow them to run in the background while gaming.

If this is left unattended, it can bring about network congestion as a result of high bandwidth usage, as well as slow download or poor connectivity to servers.

2. Update to the newest version of the game

Older game versions are oftentimes buggy. Not being able to connect to the game can be caused by corrupt game files. To fix this, follow these simple steps to update to the newest version of the game.

  1. Head to the Monster Hunter Rise website and go to the Update section.
  2. Pick the version you want to install and your launcher/ device.monster hunter rise server communication error
  3. Download the files and run the installer.

Ensure you have the latest version to avoid getting constant connection error messages.

3. Use a gaming-optimized VPN

Using a VPN to access the gaming server can help. VPNs with unlimited bandwidth and good speed rates may be able to offer you a better connection than the one provided by your ISP’s servers.

For Monster Hunter Rise, ExpressVPN is a great option.

  1. Visit the official ExpressVPN website and signup for a subscription.maplestory ping
  2. Enter your email address and select your payment method.
  3. Wait for the download to begin.
  4. After the download is completed, click on the installation file and wait for it to install.
  5. When the installation is complete, launch the app and connect to a server in whichever region you want.VPN Amazon Echo Alexa

Using a VPN can fix other issues in online games and is actually proven to help with packet loss in Monster Hunter World.

ExpressVPN has gaming-optimized servers, making it a great choice for unlocking geo-blocked games, fixing connectivity issues, and preventing DDoS attacks.

ExpressVPN

Connect to ExpressVPN to access gaming-optimized servers for a more stable and reliable connection!
Free trial VIsit website

4. Check your firewall

In order to fix this monster hunter rise communication error, you might need to check to see if there is a conflict between the firewall and the game.

Here’s how to check if this is the problem in a few simple steps:

  1. Launch Control Panel.
  2. Go to System and Security.
  3. Select Windows Firewall.
  4. Go to the Allow an app through the firewall section.
  5. Click on the Change settings button.
  6. Click on the Allow another app option and select Monser Hunter Rise’s exe file.

Scroll to find the Monster Hunter Rise, tick all the boxes with the name of the game then click OK.

5. Set up port forwarding

  1. In your browser, go to your router’s Settings page.
  2. Make sure you log in with the admin account.
  3. Find the port forwarding section and enable it.
  4. Enter your IP information and the game’s ports.
  5. Save the settings.

Port forwarding can improve several aspects of your gaming. Many gamers use it to improve frame rates and get rid of connection issues (case in point), and they’re also preferred by gamers that host gaming servers.

What are the Monster Hunter Rise device specifications?

  • Windows 10 Operating System (64-bits)
  • CPU – Intel Core i5-4460, AMD FX-8300, or even better
  • Memory – 8 GB RAM
  • Video Card – AMD Radeon Rx 570 (4GB VRAM), NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 (3GB VRAM), or better video card versions.

Monster Hunter Rise is a popular online game that’s gathered a strong fanbase. Not being able to access the game because of server errors can be a pain, but we hope these fixes helped you.

You can now customize Xbox Elite 2 controllers in the Xbox Design Lab

Posted on by Alexandru Poloboc

Seven years have passed since we covered the first Xbox Design Lab event. Last year, we were talking about the first edition of Xbox Series X/S controllers becoming customizable in the Xbox Design Lab.

Now that the Xbox Elite 2 controllers are available for fans everywhere, it was only right that Microsoft and Xbox would come up with Design Lab color schemes.

Just like the standard Xbox wireless controller, the Elite 2 controllers on the Xbox Design Lab will allow you to fully customize nearly all of the parts on the controller, such as the triggers, d-pad, and thumbstick.

Fully customize your Elite 2 controller with Xbox Design Lab

Microsoft temporarily paused the program ahead of the Xbox Series X/S release before relaunching it in June 2021, discontinuing custom Xbox One controllers in favor of the Xbox Series X/S controller.

Now, the company mentioned that players can finally choose between a cross-shaped or faceted D-Pad in the Xbox Design Lab, a feature you previously could not do.

You can further personalize your controller with laser engraving and add your name, Gamertag, or whatever custom 16-character message.

Xbox designed the Elite Series 2 controllers to be fully customizable with interchangeable components, so you can play with a specific setup.

And, you can get a custom-designed carrying case to match your style and keep the controller and components secure and organized.

The possibilities are endless, as you can combine Sterling Silver, Pewter Silver, Gunmetal Silver, Abyss Black, Retro Pink, Deep Pink, Oxide Red, Zest Orange, and Gold.

But wait, there’s more! You also have Electric Volt, Velocity Green, Glacier Blue, Dragonfly Blue, Mineral Blue, Photon Blue, Midnight Blue, Regal Purple, Nocturnal Green, Warm Gold, and lots more.

You will also have the recently released color options such as Dragonfly Blue, Military Green, and Nocturnal Green.

The controller’s thumbsticks also have adjustable tension and you can remap the buttons and change the color of the Xbox button light in the Xbox Accessories app.

Microsoft said that the controller has up to 40 hours of battery life on a single charge and it should easily pair with an Xbox console or Windows PC, as well as smartphones and tablets.

That being said, keep in mind that an Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 that you customize in Design Lab will cost you about $150.

If you also want to buy personalized accessory packs, a bundle of the controller and all Elite components will run you a total of $210.

What is your favorite color scheme for the Elite Wireless Controller Series 2? Share your opinions with us in the comments section below.

The Xbox October Update goes live today with a number of improvements

Posted on by Robert Collins

The Xbox update for October goes live today. These monthly updates continue to evolve the Xbox experience and make it better with enhancements and new features. Here is a look at what the October update brings with it.

Change your TV volume

For Xbox Series X|S consoles connected to TVs via HDMI, TV volume can now be changed inside the audio and music section of the Xbox guide. Press the Xbox button, navigate to Audio & Music, and find the buttons to change TV volume or mute it. You may never have to reach for your remote in the middle of a game or movie again!

Mute startup audio

This oft-requested feature will be a crowd-pleaser for sure. You can now customize your settings to mute all sounds when starting up your Xbox. Navigate to Profile & System > Settings > General > Volume & audio output > Additional options where you can select Mute startup sounds. You can now adjust the power chime here as well.

Select your home Xbox

Making a specific Xbox console your ‘home Xbox’ gives friends and family access to the console when you’re not signed in. It also lets you play your digital games offline.

Power mode options screen changes

Name changes have been made to the power mode options. “Standby” has been renamed “Sleep.” And “Energy Saver” is now “Shutdown (energy saving).” To access these options open the guide and navigate to Profile & system > Settings > General > Power options.

You may have noticed that we recently reported that a new power options screen is currently in beta testing, that will allow you to see how much energy is used in each power mode. Look for this in a future update coming soon.

Xbox passkeys now Xbox PINs

This is merely a name change. Passkeys (now PINs) will work the same way as before.

Xbox controller firmware update

This update features bug fixes for most Xbox controllers.

Edit and trim your game clips in the mobile Xbox app

In the mobile Xbox beta app on Android and iOS, you can now make edits to your game captures. Go to Library > Captures to get started. You can also now share your captures via the Xbox Game Bar to Medal.tv. To access the game bar in Windows press the Windows logo key + G. Or press the Xbox button on an Xbox controller. From there: Captures > See all my captures, then select a clip and then select Share to Medal.tv.

All images via Xbox Wire. 

KB5019509 for Windows 11: Download & Features

Posted on by Alexandru Poloboc

Not long ago, Microsoft released Windows 11’s first major update, which is version 22H2. This update turned out to be full of bugs and upgrades to this version were even blocked at some point.

However, the tech giant keeps putting in the work to improve the OS, and they’ve already tackled many of the issues, including the TLS/SLS network problem.

Now, KB5019509 comes with some of the features that early adopters have been waiting on for quite some time now.

Taskbar overflow, Suggested Actions & more with KB5019509

The moment has finally arrived, and Microsoft has released the long-awaited Windows 11 tabbed File Explorer, Suggested Actions, Taskbar Overflow features, and Task Manager quick-access features.

Yes, all these new functionalities are in a single new preview cumulative update. However, you will have to be patient since this is a gradual rollout.

The company explained that they will start to roll out the new features to those who installed today’s preview update but that it may take some time before it’s enabled on all Windows 11 PCs.

Starting with KB5019509, on the new File Explorer homepage, you can pin important files for quick and easy access.

And, using the power of Microsoft OneDrive, you can view your colleagues’ actions on your shared files. Microsoft will also provide personalized suggestions based on your Microsoft 365 account.

The Suggested Actions feature is only available for customers in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, at least for the time being.

It allows you to select text in Notepad or other applications and have Windows automatically prompt you to perform an associated action.

When you copy phone numbers or future dates, for example, it provides suggestions, such as making a call with Teams or Skype or adding an event in the Calendar app.

Besides the Suggested Actions and File Explorer tabs features, further improvements include:

  • The taskbar overflow menu allows the taskbar to offer an entry point to a menu that shows you all your overflowed apps in one space
  • You can now discover and share to more devices, including desktops, using nearby sharing
  • You can uninstall, repair, and modify all apps from Windows Settings instead of the Control Panel
  • It improves the performance of federated authentication

Please keep in mind that Microsoft has also brought back the ability to launch the Task Manager by right-clicking anywhere on the Windows 11 Task Bar.

As you remember, this feature was removed with the initial release of Windows 11. This caused many users to right-click on the taskbar for no reason constantly.

That being said, these features are still rolling out and will not be available to all Windows 11 users immediately, so patience is of the essence.

Thus, if you do not have these features yet, just hang around as Microsoft rolls them out over the next few days.

For Windows 11 users who choose not to install today’s optional update, these features will be included as part of the mandatory November Patch Tuesday cumulative updates.

What can I do if I can’t install KB5019509?

  1. Press Win+ I to access Settings.
  2. Select the System category and click on Troubleshoot.w11 troubleshoot
  3. Press the Other troubleshooters button.other troubleshooters windows 11
  4. Press the Run button next to Windows Update.windows update troubleshooter

Don’t forget to report any other issues you might come across, in order for Microsoft to address and improve the overall OS experience for us all.

If you’re still on Windows 10, be sure to read about the importance of KB5034122 for Windows 10 – don’t delay, install now.

This is everything you can expect if you are a Windows 11 user. Leave a comment below if you found any issues since installing this cumulative update.

Fix: Item Not Collected Error on Windows Clipboard

Posted on by Claire Moraa

If you are trying to use the Windows Clipboard and getting the Item not collected error message, then this troubleshooter is for you. There are times when you copy or cut a bunch of items to your Windows Clipboard, only to realize that they weren’t copied or cut correctly. 

Usually, it’s because of an unsupported format but let’s take a closer look at what causes this error and subsequent solutions to resolve it.

Why is my Clipboard not pasting?

Wondering why your item is not collected on Windows Clipboard? Below are some possible reasons:

  • You have too many background processes – The more apps you have open at once, the more memory they use up. This can cause problems if one of them uses up too much memory and needs to be closed by the system because there isn’t enough space left for it to continue running smoothly. You need the help of a task killer to manage the background processes.
  • Clipboard is full – The Clipboard may have reached its limit, so if there’s already something on there, nothing else will paste until you clear out some space. If you have multiple items on your Clipboard, try clearing the history of unnecessary items before pasting again.
  • Unsupported format – If the Clipboard contains an unsupported format, it won’t paste anything at all. To fix this issue, open the file in an application that can save it again in a compatible format (such as Word or Notepad). Then copy the new version back into your Clipboard.
  • Your device is low on memory or storage space – The Clipboard app uses RAM to store your copied items. If your device is low on memory, it may not be able to hold data such as copied text and images that you want to paste into another app or text field. To fix this issue, clear up some space.
  • Item is too large – If an item is too large, you may get a message that says Item not collected larger than Clipboard capacity. This could be a file that’s too big or a web page that contains lots of images.

Read on to find out how to resolve this issue.

How can I fix the Item Not Collected Error on Windows Clipboard?

Since the error could be something simple, it is important to perform basic checks before jumping to the more advanced solutions. These include:

  • Try copying from another program and see if you get the same message.
  • Restart your PC.

Now let’s dive into the more advanced troubleshooting below.

1. Restart File Explorer

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Task Manager in the search bar, and click Open.
  2. Navigate to the Processes tab, find Windows Explorer, right-click and select Restart.Restartin Windows Explorer

2. Clear the Clipboard history

  1. Hit the Windows key and click on Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Select System on the left pane then click on Clipboard on the right pane.go to system
  3. Hit the Clear button next to Clear clipboard data.

3. Check your system for viruses

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

4. Update your OS

  1. Hit the Windows key and select Settings.settings windows 11
  2. Click on Windows update, then select Check for updates.Windows Update section and checking if there are any updates
  3. Download and install if any are available.

5. Convert the item to another format

If your Windows Clipboard is rejecting your copied items because they don’t have a valid format, you’re likely to see a message that says clipboard item not collected: format not supported.

In such a case, you will have to find an alternative tool to convert them into another format before trying to paste them again. Ditto is a great choice as it is an extension of the standard Windows Clipboard. It supports multiple formats and allows you to copy any type of file.

If all these seem like an uphill task, perhaps you should consider a clipboard manager. The built-in Clipboard in Windows works well for most users, but some people might find it not enough for them. 

If you are looking for a way to manage your Clipboard better and reduce the time spent copying and pasting items, this is a good option. A clipboard manager tool allows you to copy text or images from one app and paste them into another application without having to do any manual work.

Most come with a handful of features, support multiple formats, and have more customizable functions. Don’t forget that you can also sync Clipboard between Windows and Android.

Let us know if you have been able to solve this issue in the comments section below.

5 Ways to Fix FPS Drops & Lag in Farming Simulator 22

Posted on by Claire Moraa

When we play video games many things can go wrong. Out of all of these things, low FPS and lag is the one that we gamers hate the most. In Farming Simulator 22, you need to have a good FPS to have a smooth experience. 

The performance of your game will depend heavily on your specs. However, even those with fairly old devices can still enjoy these games with FPS booster software. If you don’t have enough space, then in this guide, we show you how to fix FPS drops and lag.

Why is Farming Simulator 22 so laggy?

Farming Simulator 22 is a great game but the stuttering is one of the most annoying problems. There are several reasons why this happens and today we will be talking about them:

  • Bad internet connection – Your internet connection may be slow or unstable. With such conditions, it will be impossible to play this game without any issues.
  • Computer specifications – If your computer doesn’t have enough RAM or processing power, then it won’t be able to handle such an intense game as Farming Simulator 22 without having any issues at all. This brings us to the question of just how much RAM you need to run Farming Simulator 22. Well, at least 8GB RAM among other system requirements.
  • Graphics settings are too high for your computer – If you have a very old computer, then the graphics settings may be set too high and this will cause the game to lag. Lowering your resolution may help with performance.
  • Outdated graphics card – If your computer has an old or outdated graphics card, it can’t keep up with all the action happening on screen and this will cause lag. The best way to get a good frame rate in Farming Simulator 22 is to get a new and powerful GPU.
  • Server issues – If there are too many people playing at once then it can cause server issues for all players. They will experience lag when trying to connect or play online. While this isn’t something that you can control, you can avoid playing at peak hours.

What can I do to fix FPS drops and lag in Farming Simulator 22?

First, check off the following:

  • Before starting the game, check your system specifications and make sure that it meets all the minimum requirements for running Farming Simulator 22. 
  • Close down any unnecessary programs on your computer that may be hogging the bandwidth.
  • Check your internet connection strength.
  • Avoid multi-monitor setups during gameplay.

Next, the more advanced troubleshooting.

1. Check for game updates

The first thing you should do when you encounter a problem with your Farming Simulator 22 game is check for game updates.

This can help ensure that the latest patches are installed and all known bugs have been fixed by developers to make sure you don’t face any more problems in the future.

2. Lower your graphic settings 

Farming Simulator 22 is a very demanding game, so it requires a great deal of power from your computer in order to run smoothly. There are no universal Farming Simulator 22 best graphics settings but you can tweak them for balance.

If your PC does not have enough power, then it will not be able to run this game at an acceptable frame rate. So, to fix this problem, you should lower your graphic settings until you find the perfect balance between performance and graphics quality.

3. Update your graphics card

  1. Press the Windows key, type Device Manager in the search box, and click Open.
  2. Navigate to Display adapters, right-click on your graphics card, and select Update driver.update graphics driver
  3. Select Search automatically for drivers.

Updating your drivers manually can take you some time, so you can always use a dedicated tool. An excellent option here is Outbyte Driver Updater because it scans your whole device for out-of-date drivers and finds in a second the latest updates from its database.

Outbyte Driver Updater

Upkeep your device drivers and enjoy a lag-free gaming experience.
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4. Use an SSD drive instead of HDD

HDDs are slower than SDDs because they have spinning disks that read and write data at a much slower rate than an SSD. The best SDDs, on the other hand, load faster and are more stable. 

This means that if you have a lot of mods installed on your game or are running multiple programs at once, your FPS will drop as the HDD struggles to keep up with all the requests for data from the game itself.

5. Update your OS

If you have an old version of Windows then it’s time for an upgrade. Newer versions of Windows have better support for graphics cards and they make it easier for them to run smoothly without any problems.

Windows Update section and checking if there are any updates

Updating software is always a good idea because it ensures that you have all the latest fixes and patches for any bugs that may be present in your system. This in turn can help with performance issues as well as stability problems.

The last thing you can do if your game still isn’t running smoothly is downloading an FPS monitor and see if there are any spikes in frame rate during gameplay. If there are spikes then something isn’t right with your system configuration and you will need to troubleshoot further.

You can also check FPS using the Xbox Game Bar on Windows PCs. Another issue gamers seem to be pondering about is the capped FPS. Is Farming Simulator 22 60 FPS? Yes, Farming Simulator 22 has a cap of 60 FPS. 

However, most users on community platforms have been wondering: How do you unlock FPS in Farming Simulator 22? 

There is a workaround but you have to be careful because if your system cannot support a higher frame rate or if your graphics card does not have enough memory, you will experience more lags or stutters during gameplay.

Let us know whether you have been able to solve the FPS drops in the comments section below.

New GameDVR features coming to Xbox mobile app

Posted on by Robert Collins

The Xbox app on mobile will be getting some feature enhancements for the GameDVR system. Specifically, users will be able to edit, trim, and share edited clips. Note that this update is currently for the Xbox Beta app; it can be expected to see a full public release sometime in the near future. The beta is available to users with Android and Apple devices.

Xbox GameDVR is Microsoft’s application for recording game footage on the Xbox app and Xbox consoles. Once the new editing features a ironed-out on mobile, it would be reasonable to assume they will then come to Xbox consoles and the Windows version of the Xbox app.

Featured image via PureXbox. 

Here’s the feature Microsoft is currently testing in Bing

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft is currently testing out a new feature in Bing dubbed more on this topic from. The feature is placed below the search results and comes with a button that you can use to pause/play the list of news sites logos running across. Users can click on either one of the logos displayed to check out more news updates from a specific publication.

Here’s a glimpse of how it works:

In other Bing related news, it is also set to get an AI image generator which will allow users to convert text into digital art. All the user has to do is type in the image description then the Image Creator powered by DALL-E 2 image generator technology and developed by OpenAI does the rest. Once the image is created, the user can access it via the Bing Images tab, followed by clicking on the Image Creator icon in the sidebar in Microsoft Edge.

Microsoft will gradually roll out this feature first to a controlled audience, while making some tweaks to it alongside OpenAI with the aim of enhancing its user experience before releasing it to a broader audience. And finally, Microsoft recently launched a new feature that lets users launch Xbox cloud games directly from the browser when using the Bing search engine.

Via: Search Engine Roundtable, Search Engine Journal

How to Open Unknown File? 4 Best Software

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Users can identify, run, and also access any file with unknown file extensions on Windows with the help of a few pieces of software.

If you’re on a mission to discover the best tool that can help you identify unknown files, then you must not miss out on these products for Windows 10.

This problem usually appears when you try to open specific files that are not recognized by Windows. Hence, when you try to double-click the file you get the pop-up message How do you want to open this file?

In this case, you can use some solutions to open unknown files, so bear with us to find out effective ways to open your files and overcome the issue.

How do I open unknown files?

1. Choose a program to open the file with from the default list

  1. 1. Right-click on your unknown file.

  2. 2. Select Open with from the menu that opens.

  3. 3. Choose an application from the list. If there isn’t any that is compatible with your file format, select Choose another app.

  4. 4. Browse the list for the appropriate program to open the file with.

    browse and choose for a program to open the unknown file

  5. 5. Click on OK after you make your selection.

    6. When you encounter the issue of opening unsupported files, the first step would be to find a method to open that file.

    Basically, the first thing you need to do to try to open a file with an unknown file extension is to browse the list of available apps and see if there’s any in it that can do the job.

    It is likely that you already have an app on your PC that can open your unknown file, without you having to download any third-party apps.

    This method also works if you install third-party software and want to use it to open those specific files. You simply need to choose the newly installed app from the list.

2. Browse the Microsoft Store for an app that can open your file

  1. Right-click on your file with an unknown file format.
  2. Select Open with.
  3. Choose Search the Microsoft Store.
  4. Download and install an app from the list that can open your file.

Another method you can use is to search in the Microsoft Store for an app to open your unknown files.

You should be aware that using this method to resolve the issue might not be that efficient because there are not so many Store apps that work on desktops.

Anyway, there are chances you can find desktop available programs on Windows Store that open multiple file types, so it is worth a shot.

3. Use third-party programs

In addition, it’s recommended to search in more depth and discover other manners to open unsupported files.

For example, you have useful file extension websites that provide extensive results for various unknown files and what programs you need to open them.

What is the best software to open a file with unknown format?

Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC tools

One of the best software to use to open unknown files is none other than Adobe Acrobat.

If we’re talking about file formats – and we do not only refer to PDFs here -then, Adobe products are sure to impress you.

These powerful tools open a myriad of file extensions including the more usual Microsoft Office formats like .doc, .docx, .xls, .xlsx, .ppt, .pptx to Text, Rich Text Format.

But they also go all the way to rather unusual or very specific app restrained formats such as .wpd for Corel WordPerfect, .xps and .dwg, .dwt, .dxf, .dwf, .dst (Autodesk AutoCAD) and everything in between.

The support does not just end there. In the Pro version of the Acrobat, you also have a plethora of 2D, 3D, video, and audio formats to play with.

And you can easily convert them into editable documents that can be adjusted to your rendering needs.

In addition, you can edit or convert different types of files using this reader and manage them accordingly in a few clicks.

Adobe Acrobat

Adobe Acrobat can deal with a lot of file extensions that other software doesn’t even know about.

Free trial Visit website

TrID File Identifier

tridnet logo

The program comes in two variants: a piece of downloadable software or an online version.

It can identify a file type from its binary signature by browsing for selecting a file that you need to analyze.

After a short wait, the results will be displayed and the file accessed and compared against pre-existing definitions from the program’s database.

This tool has multiple utilities and can assist you in opening unsupported files and support different files recovery.

Moreover, the database of files is constantly updated and describes patterns of various files you need to open on your PC.

Thankfully, you benefit from an expanding database that stores supported files and can detect unknown files accurately with useful analysis.

⇒ Get TrID File identifier

Smart File Advisor

filefacts.net logo

Smart File Advisor can easily identify files that have no extension or have no known compatible software. The tool first analyzes various parts of the file content in order to determine which program to use to open it.

This small and intelligent tool can also notify you about any software updates for the apps installed on your system.

You might encounter unsupported files types now and then so you certainly need support to identify the specific file and the right software to open with.

Using Smart File Advisor you can be relaxed about opening files due to its extensive database that has infinite file types.

Plus, the tool is built to find diverse file types classified by category and it includes a plethora of categories to choose from.

The software is also free to use and is completely safe to use, so you can stay relaxed about spyware or viruses.

⇒ Get Smart File Advisor

Open With

open pps file example

This program provides users with detailed info about file extensions and also links to free software for opening and creating each file type.

It comes with an app that works even when you’re not online. Another great feature is how it can find out the exact software you’ll have to use to access the file after it discovers its type.

Open With is the most suited platform to detect unknown types of files and also find the programs needed to open them.

It includes a rich database with thousands of file extensions to offer you the needed support to successfully open and create file types.

This solution also offers categorized files in order to cover every need regarding Windows files. For instance, you have compressed files, disk images, encoded files, images, documents, and much more.

This being said, you should consider this free tool that can actually offer the same results as the paid software out there.

⇒ Get Open With

FILExt

filext logo

This is an online tool and one of the best-known for identifying file types. The program includes a large database of file extensions and also includes the software that uses them with a site that features an alphabetical index of 1526 extensions.

You just have to enter the file extension that you’re analyzing into the search box of the program and press the Search button.

If it finds the extension in its database, a results page will appear showing the data related to the file.

In the unfortunate case, that the program does not find the extension in its database, the user will get a link to a page with information on what to do next for more research.

It’s good to mention that Filext is a popular tool used by millions of users to detect and view various files. Plus, the software is on market for over 20 years and efficiently assists the users.

Hence, if you require reliable support to open unknown file extensions on your Windows PC, this choice is more than suited for you.

⇒ Get FILExt

File extensions are used to help us find the specific type of file that we need to access — and there are lots of them.

It can sometimes happen that our computer stumbles on a file extension that is unfamiliar to the system.

And as a result, the PC will not be able to open it. Fortunately, the tools above will help your system identify unrecognized types of files.

Which one are you currently using? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.

WMIC Process List: How to Find All Running Processes

Posted on by Alexandru Poloboc

When you are working on various important projects and performance is the keyword, knowing exactly what processes are running in the background is a must.

Especially if one or multiple of the above-mentioned processes affect your current work, or you could just use the extra juice.

And finding out exactly what your device is still running in the background is pretty easy. You can use the wmic tool and get all the information you want in only a matter of seconds.

How, you ask? We’re about to show you just that in this article, so you will have this information handy for future reference.

How do I find a list of all running processes with wmic?

    There are, actually, a lot of useful commands that you can input into a Command Prompt window, provided you open it with administrator privileges, that can provide invaluable information.

    You can get a lot of information about your system using WMIC, and we have a dedicated article on this topic.

    Learning about the background processes, as well as gathering system information (BIOS serial number, available RAM, or information about available partitions) is only a few keystrokes away.

    So, without any further ado, here’s how you can get all the required info about all of the processes running on your device. using wmic.

  1. 1. Press the Windows key to open the search box.

  2. 2. Search for Command Prompt in the search  box and click on Run as administrator.

    run cmd as admin

  3. 3. For a compact view of the processes and their memory usage, type the following command and press Enter: tasklist

    tasklist command

  4. 4. For a more detailed view of each individual process, type the following command and then press Enter: wmic process list

  5. 5. You can now see all the running background processes, as well as their associated services.

Remember to always open Command Prompt with administrator privilege when you are requesting system information.

If you are more of a PowerShell fan, you can get the same results as the ones we’ve shown you above by inputting the get-process command.

For more ways to manage and monitor your system from the command line, check out this detailed Command Prompt commands list that covers essential CMD functions for Windows users.

Why is wmic not listing all programs?

You can’t really show all the programs using wmic, or anything else that makes WMI calls unless all the programs on the machine are Windows Installer (MSI) packages, which is a bit rare.  

However, the Uninstall key in the registry is the only place that pretty much shows everything.  It’s what the Programs and Features list in Control Panel uses to populate the list of all programs.

reg query "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall" /s | findstr /B ".*DisplayName"

That’s all you have to do and, as we said, all the information you need is only a few keystrokes and a few seconds away.

Since we’re talking about wmic, other Windows users have reported dealing with wmic access is denied, and wmic alias not found errors, so we prepared some fixes for you.

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

5 Ways to Fix Your Device Driver Is Not Compatible in WoW

Posted on by Loredana Harsana

Broadly speaking, users find navigating through the WoW game easy, yet at times due to certain glitches, you might come across Your device driver is not compatible error in WoW.

If you have ever encountered the above error, you have landed on the right spot. Quickly go through the guide below and pick your fix to resolve this issue!

What causes Your device driver is not compatible error in WoW?

In WoW, this error normally occurs due to outdated Windows or some incompatibility issues with the graphics drivers.

Listed above are a few causes that generally play a crucial role in Your device driver is not compatible error in WoW.

  • Outdated drivers – One of the most common causes of this error is outdated video or sound drivers.
  • Incompatibility issues – If you are using an old or incompatible graphics driver, it might also cause this error.
  • 3rd party software might be conflicting with WoW – Sometimes, other software interferes with WoW and cause this error.

Now that you know the main causes behind this error let’s move on to possible solutions that can help you resolve this error in no time!

How do I fix Your device driver is not compatible error in WoW?

Before moving to the real solutions, let’s have some quick checks that might help you get rid of this error.

  • Restart your computer because sometimes a simple restart can fix all kinds of problems, including this one.
  • Add WoW to your firewall’s exception list.
  • Check the minimum system requirement.

System requirements for WoW

Operating SystemWindows® 7 64-bit
ProcessorIntel® Core™ i5-3450
AMD FX™ 8300
VideoNVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 760 2 GB or AMD Radeon™ RX 560 2 GB or Intel® UHD Graphics 630 (45W TDP) *Requires manufacturer's driver support.
Memory4 GB RAM (8GB for integrated graphics such as Intel HD Graphics series)
StorageSolid State Drive (SSD)
100GB available space
Or
Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
100GB available space (depending on the performance of the drive, player experience may be impacted on HDD)
InternetBroadband internet connection
InputKeyboard and mouse required. Other input devices are not supported.
Resolution1024 x 768 minimum display resolution

After having the quick preliminary checks out of the way, let’s move on to some real and detailed solutions that can help you fix Your device driver is not compatible error in WoW.

1. Update the graphics driver 

  1. In the taskbar, search for Device Manager and open the application.
  2. Within the Device Manager window, click on Display adapters and double-click on the Intel(R) Iros(R) Xe Graphics, and a window will open up.
  3. Enter in the Driver tab in your graphic card window and click on the Update Driver button.
  4. Now select Search automatically for drivers, and update your drivers.

At times this error is caused by corrupted or outdated drivers. In this case, updating your current device driver to the latest available version will resolve the issue. 

If this method doesn’t suit you, you can check other ways to update your graphics drivers.

If you are experiencing frequent lagging, high latency, and dysconnectivity issues, then do check our guide to fix high latency and disconnection issues in WoW.

2. Reset the WoW user interface 

  1. On the main home page, click on Options, then select Show in Explorer.
  2. Within the popup menu that opens up, double-click on the WoW folder.
  3. Next up, double-click on the respective folder for WoW that is causing problems. It must be either _classic_ or _retail_.
  4. Rename the WTF, Cache, and Interface folders to WTFOld, CacheOld, and InterfaceOld, respectively.
  5. Relaunch World of Warcraft to see the changes that you made earlier.

A corrupted interface might sometimes result in Your device driver is not compatible error in WoW. Hence, resetting the WoW user interface will most probably clear the error.

After resetting the WoW interface, if you want to customize the interface according to your personal preferences, then you should check our guide for customizing your WoW interface.

3. Check for your Windows updates

  1. Click on the Windows icon and select the Settings option.
  2. Then, look for Windows Update in the sidebar menu and click it.
  3. Check if any update is available, then go for it and update your PC.

Outdated Windows are likely to cause device driver compatibility errors in WoW. Hence, updating Windows to the latest available version will fix the issue.

While updating your system, if you encounter an error of could not connect to the update service in Windows 11 then you need to check this article to solve could not connect to update service error.

If you are still experiencing the same problem, reinstalling WoW is your last resort.

4. Uninstall and reinstall WoW

  1. On the home page, select the game you wish to uninstall, then click on the Settings icon beside the Play option.
  2. In the pop-up menu that opens up, click on Uninstall option.
  3. A confirmation prompt will open up; click on Yes, Uninstall.
  4. Open up the Blizzard app again on your PC and log in to your account with your credentials.
  5. Once you have logged into your account, select WoW and click on the Install option present at the bottom and follow the prompts to install the game.

Uninstalling WoW and then reinstalling it from scratch will probably resolve Your device driver is not compatible error in WoW.

With the above error, if you face frequent disconnecting issues in WoW, check our guide to fix frequent disconnects and high latency issues.

We hope this article helped you troubleshoot the respective error for a seamless gaming experience. Give us your feedback in the comments box below.

3 Different Ways to Show Hidden Devices in Device Manager

Posted on by Claire Moraa

The Device Manager is a tool that allows you to view, enable and disable the devices connected to your computer. 

You can also use it to troubleshoot problems you may have with your mouse or keyboard. Some devices have multiple drivers, and the Device Manager will show all of them.

When a device is detected and configured, Device Manager will display it in the proper category. If it can’t detect it, or if the driver isn’t fully configured, then you will see an item under the Unknown devices section.

If a device isn’t working correctly on your computer, for example, the sound isn’t working, you may want to try updating the device driver.

When you go to the Device Manager list, you can find the drivers but in some cases, they may be hidden. In such cases, troubleshooting your device can be difficult if you don’t know where it is located. 

Why does the Device Manager hide devices?

The Device Manager only shows information about those devices that are connected and configured on the system.

It also hides nonpresent devices that are not physically present in the system, but still, have configuration information in the Registry.

When a device is plugged in, plugged out, or otherwise removed from the system by removing its drivers, Windows marks it as nonpresent and hides it by default.

Also, if you have a lot of devices on a system, some may only be active when something specific is attached. The DVD drive for example won’t show up unless there’s a disk in the drive. There are others also that do not show when not in use.

How can I view hidden devices in Device Manager?

1. Use the Search bar

  1. 1. Hit the Windows key on your keyboard to open the Windows Search box.

  2. 2. Type Device Manager in the search bar and click Open.

    open device manager

  3. 3. Select the View option.

  4. 4. A drop-down menu will appear.

  5. 5. Click on Show hidden devices.

    click to show hidden devices in device manager

    6. In order to view hidden files in Device Manager, you need to access the Device Manager menu and manually enable the specific option.

    You can access Device Manager very easily using the search bar on your taskbar.

2. Use the Run command

  1. Press Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run command window.
  2. Type devmgmt.msc in the Run dialog box that pops up and press Enter.open run device manager
  3. Select the View option, scroll down and click on Show hidden devices.click to show hidden devices

3. Use Command Prompt

  1. Hit the Windows + I keys simultaneously to open Settings.open settings
  2. Type cmd in the search bar and click Run as administrator.launch cmd
  3. Enter the following commands: SET DEVMGR_SHOW_NONPRESENT_DEVICES=1 devmgmt.msc launch cmd device manager
  4. Select the View option, scroll down and click on Show hidden devices.press to view hidden devices in device manager

Can you remove hidden devices in Device Manager?

You can remove hidden devices in Device Manager but first, you have to unhide them.

To remove an unknown device from Device Manager, follow the steps below:

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Device manager in the search bar, and click Open.open device manager
  2. Find the device you want to remove after completing the show hidden devices steps outlined above.
  3. Right-click on the device and select Uninstall from the context menu. click to uninstall bt driver
  4. Click OK when prompted to confirm your choice. click to confirm the uninstall

If you were having trouble locating hidden devices, we hope one of the methods above was able to come to your rescue.

Remember, you can do more with Device Manager such as scan for hardware changes or update your motherboard resources.

Let us know of any tips and tricks that you use with WIndows’ Device Manager in the comment section below.

Turtle Beach Mic Not Working? 5 Quick Ways to Fix it

Posted on by Loredana Harsana

Encountering an issue with your Turtle Beach headset mic on Windows 11 seems more likely these days, especially if it’s not working or being detected.

Many users have voiced similar complaints about the Corsair headset microphone, where the mic did not record any audio but provided sounds via the earcups.

Why is my Turtle Beach headset mic not working?

There can be several factors behind the Turtle Beach mic not working problem, of which one major reason could be an outdated or corrupt driver. We have to mention that this issue may also be caused by:

  • Microphone device settings: It could be that the Turtle Beach headset is not set as the default device on your computer, or the microphone volume is set to a very low value, so it can’t record your sound.
  • Connectivity issues: If your headphones are not well-connected to your computer, you may encounter this problem by using Bluetooth or your computer’s audio port.
  • Disabled microphone: If your PC’s audio inputs and outputs section is disabled, this problem will likely occur.

How do I fix the Turtle Beach mic when it fails to work?

Before proceeding to explore advanced troubleshooting steps, you should consider performing the following preliminary checks:

  • Ensure that your computer’s audio is not muted or set at a very low value.
  • Pair your headset with your phone or tablet to be sure it is functioning properly.
  • Inspect your headphone carefully to check for any physical damage.
  • If your PC has two jacks for separating the input and output audio for the headphone and mic, then you need to get a Y connector cable to use your headset with your PC.

If the error persists after these checks, endeavor to check the fixes outlined below.

1. Enable your headset microphone for recording

  1. Left-click the Speaker icon on your Taskbar, then select Sound Settings.
  2. Click More sound settings.
  3. Select the Recording tab, then locate your headset device (if you can’t find it, right-click on any empty area in the tab, then select Show Disabled Devices).
  4. Right-click the headset, then select Enable.
  5. Click on the Apply button, then OK to save the changes.

Alternatively, you can check out the ways to fix your laptop if it’s not using the headset mic to set your headset as default.

2. Turn on microphone access on your PC

  1. Click the Start button, type microphone, then select Microphone privacy settings.
  2. Click on the Change button, then turn on the Microphone access for this device.

Enabling microphone access on your device will help fix the Turtle Beach Headset mic not working problem because you can allow all apps to use it.

3. Set the headset as an input device

  1. Right-click the speaker icon on your taskbar and then open Sound settings.
  2. Click Volume mixer under advanced options and locate Apps.
  3. Expand the app and change the device for input audio, then adjust the volume control to the maximum.

The mic should work by manually setting the headset as an input device. However, if the mic is not even present in the device list, you should check our guide for what to do.

4. Troubleshoot your audio settings

  1. Click on the Start icon on the screen, input the Audio troubleshooter, and select Find and fix problems with playing sounds.
  2. Click on Advanced.
  3. Check to Apply repairs automatically and select Next.
  4. Select the audio device to troubleshoot and click Next.
  5. Click on No, Do not Open Audio Enhancement.

Should this troubleshooting fails, there are others you can try out in the guide to fix the microphone not Working in Windows 11.

5. Update your audio drivers

  1. Click the Start button, input Device Manager, and launch it.
  2. Locate your audio inputs and outputs and expand them.
  3. Right-click the driver and click on Update driver.
  4. Choose Search automatically for drivers.

Alternatively, there’s a simpler approach to updating drivers on Windows 11. We recommend you use a dedicated driver updater software and install the latest drivers for your device automatically.

Outbyte Driver Updater is ​​an automated tool that scans and detects all outdated drivers and safely installs selected driver updates.

Outbyte Driver Updater

Solve the microphone issue by updating your old drivers with this smart tool.
Free Trial Download Now

Meanwhile, some users complain about Windows 11 not recognizing their wired headphones, hence this article should help solve the problem if you encounter the issue also.

As you can see, there are plenty of solutions you can choose if you encounter a Turtle Beach mic not working issue. Ensure to follow each step strictly for optimal results.

For further queries and suggestions, you can leave them in the comments section.

Arduino Simulator for PC: 6 Best Software to Use in 2026

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

These days, Arduino simulators make it possible for anyone, meaning both beginners and professional circuit designers to learn, program, and test ideas without worrying about wasting time and money.

Arduino simulators are the perfect platforms for programmers and designers who want to learn the basics of circuit schematics and design.

With the help of an Arduino simulator, you’ll get an avenue to learn without being afraid that you will damage your board and design equipment.

Students who face challenges purchasing electrical equipment without any clue on how they’ll work can eliminate trial and error mistakes with the help of Arduino simulators, saving both time and money.

Another advantage of Arduino simulators is the fact that they support line-to-line debugging and the user will identify exactly the spot where things went wrong.

Arduino simulators come in all kinds of forms, and they have been developed in such a way to be compatible with the main OSs.

In this article, we’re going to list the best Arduino simulators compatible with Windows PCs.

What are the best Arduino simulators for PC?

Autodesk Eagle – Powerful tools

Autodesk Eagle provides powerful and easy-to-use tools for every engineer out there.

You can now bring your electronic inventions to life with the help of a complete set of PCB layout and schematic editing tools, community-driven features, and library content.

The key features of Eagle include the following:

  • Schematic editor
  • Modular design blocks – you can reuse the existing blocks of circuitry
  • Multi sheet schematics – you can keep designs of any size organized
  • Electrical rule checking – you will finally be able to have confidence in your schematic design
  • Real-time design synchronization – you can stay in sync between schematic and PCB layout
  • PCB Layout editor
  • BGA fanout – you can escape from your BGA in seconds
  • High-speed design – you can design with the latest technologies, including DDR4, PCI Express, or USB-C
  • 3D models for PCB layout – you can unite your PCB and enclosure seamlessly
  • Complete components – this is the one-stop shop for reviewing your component needs
  • User language programs (ULPs) – you can improve your design tool process
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Tinkercad – Program with ease

Tinkercad is a free web app created for 3D design, electronics, and coding that is trusted by over 50 million people around the world.

You can either choose its starter circuits to explore with no additional hardware or you can create a virtual circuit from scratch with wire electronic components.

It has an interactive circuit editor with which you can explore, connect, and code virtual projects. You can simulate with Arduino by simply opening the code editor to program using Codeblocks.

The Arduino simulator within Tinkercad simplifies your learning experience because it works on any PC with an internet connection.

Moreover, it provides an inexhaustible supply of virtual components that you can use to build and simulate your projects.

Other operations include:

  • File editing
  • File exportation
  • 3D designs
  • Presets

⇒ Get Tinkercad

Proteus – Comprehensive diagnostics

proteus vsm

Proteus is a great Arduino simulator that combines simplicity with its various features and manages to make Arduino simulation seem like the easiest thing.

This simulator managed to make inroads in all kinds of industries such as education, automotive, and IoT.

It’s compatible with both Linux and Windows, and there are lots of things to know about its offerings and its vibrant community.

The most prominent and exciting feature of Proteus is its ability to simulate the interaction between software running on a microcontroller and any digital/analog electronics connected to it.

The microcontroller model sits on the schematics together with the other elements of your product design. Just like a real chip, it simulates the execution of your object code.

Proteus includes various virtual instruments such as an Oscilloscope, Logic Analyser, Function Generator, Pattern Generator, Counter Timer, and Virtual Terminal, as also simple voltmeters and ammeters.

More than that, Proteus provides dedicated Master/Slave/Monitor mode protocol analyzers for SPI and I2C – you simply have to wire them onto the serial lines and control/interact with the data live during the simulation process.

Proteus offers an invaluable and inexpensive way to get your communication software right before hardware prototyping.

Proteus also allows the following operations:

  • Debugging: it can perform simulations in single-step modes, and it works just like a debugger.
  • Diagnostics: Proteus is equipped with comprehensive diagnostics or trace messaging.
  • Co-simulate both low and high-level micro-controller code in the context of a mixed-mode SPICE circuit simulation.
  • Proteus improves efficiency, flexibility, and quality all over the design process.

⇒ Get Proteus

Virtronics Simulator for Arduino – Sketch debug

This Victronics Arduino simulator promises to be the most full-featured one that is available now.

Here are the most important benefits that it boasts:

  • It features the ability to teach and demonstrate the inner workings of an Arduino sketch.
  • You can test out a sketch without the hardware or before purchasing equipment.
  • You can debug a sketch.
  • Using it, you can demonstrate a project to potential customers.
  • You are able to develop a complicated sketch faster than when using the hardware.

You can download the free version, try it out, and when you are ready, you can upgrade to the Pro version.

The software is designed for the Arduino Uno, Mega, and more standard Arduino boards. It performs lots of processes including the following:

  • It steps through the program line by line. If a new line is selected, the program will continue from that point.
  • Performs digital write, digital read, and PinMode for pins 0-53
  • Analog read for pins 0-16 and analog write for digital pins 0-53
  • Emulates Serial, LCD output, Ethernet, Servo, SD card, EEPROM, SoftSerial, SPI, Wire
  • If,while,for,switch, do whileloop functionality
  • Subroutines (multi-level) with arguments
  • View variables in real-time
  • Step Into, Step Over, Step Out of or Run mode
  • Ability to edit sketches or open in Arduino IDE
  • 2 and 4-line LCD support only with improvised CGRAM
  • 2-dimensional arrays (without initialization).

You also have the ability to change the font, style, and size of the simulator.

The minimize mode is perfect for demos/training. The software offers limited support for custom libraries, pointers, and structures.

⇒ Get Victronics Arduino simulator

PSpice – Performance-focused

PSpice is another solution meant to simplify your workflows and optimize your performance.

By combining analog and mixed-signal engines, this industry-leading software delivers nothing less than a complete circuit simulation and verification solution.

Performance-focused PSpice will not only provide all the high-end circuit design tools you need, but it will also streamline your processes and lower your costs while boosting productivity.

Versatile and reliable, this software will help you perform system-level simulations in a perfectly safe environment.

⇒ Get PSpice

Fritzing – Educational starter kit

Fritzing is an open-source hardware initiative that makes electronics accessible as creative material for everyone who is interested in the subject.

The website provides a software tool, community, and services in the spirit of Arduino and processing and it fosters a creative ecosystem that allows users the following:

  • Documenting their prototypes
  • Sharing the prototypes with others
  • Teaching electronics in a classroom
  • Layout and manufacturing professional PCBs

With Fritzing, you can inexpensively and quickly turn your circuit into a real custom-made PCB.

This tool can only act as a creative platform if lots of users are using it as a means of learning and sharing.

You can learn a tremendous amount of things from the many tutorials available.

It is also interesting to know that Fritzing turned from a publicly funded research project into a non-profit organization.

This means that to make it self-sustaining and to continue its development Fritzing is offering a few services that include the following:

  • Fritzing Fab – With Fritzing Fab, the PCB production service, you can quickly and inexpensively turn your sketches into professional PCBs.
  • Workshops – There are lots of workshops on Arduino, Fritzing, and everything related, which are offered to beginners and professionals.
  • Part Creation – You can also have your product featured in Fritzing, and if you don’t want to do it yourself, you can hire developers to create high-quality parts.
  • Products – Fritzing has created an educational starter and upgrade kit.

⇒ Get Fritzing

You have reached the end of our Arduino simulators list. Take advantage of the one that you think is right for your needs.

How to Update your PS5 Controller on a PC

Posted on by Alexandru Poloboc

It’s no secret that PC gamers often turn to console controllers to optimize their gaming experience and also improve their motor skills.

But nobody said that using Microsoft’s Xbox controllers or other variants explicitly made for PCs was mandatory.

Some opted for Sony’s DualShock PlayStation controllers as their go-to means of interacting with their favorite in-game hero.

Until now, there was no way to efficiently and securely update the DualShock’s firmware from your PC. That’s all about to change, though.

Can I update my PS5 controller through my PC?

Indeed, we are witnessing the day when we can receive firmware updates for Sony for our PS5 controllers without having to use the console itself.

You’re probably wondering how that’s possible, so we’re about to shed some light on how this came to be in the first place.

Now, updating DualShock’s firmware can be done from any machine that runs on Windows 11 or a 64-bit release of Windows 10.

This new application, paired with the instructions you might need to download and use it correctly, are all available on the official PlayStation website.

There are, of course, some prerequisites for using PlayStation’s new firmware update app, but the requirements will actually amuse you.

OSWindows 10 (64-bit) or Windows 11
Storage space10 MB or more
Display resolution1024 × 768 or higher
USB portRequired

How do I update my PS5 controller’s firmware on a PC?

  1. 1. Download the Firmware updater for DualSense wireless controller.

  2. 2. Run the Setup and install the application.

    ps5 gamepad update 1

  3. 3. Connect the controller to your PC with a USB cable.

    ps5 gamepad update 2

  4. 4. Follow the on-screen instructions to start the PS5 update. Ensure that you don’t turn off your PC or disconnect your USB cable during the process.

  5. 5. When the update is finished, a prompt message will appear. All you have left to do is click on OK.

    Now your PlayStation 5 DualShock controller is up to date and all of the new features added by Sony will be yours as well.

    6. It is important to update your PS5’s firmware to ensure its proper functionality. You can do this on your PC with the help of the Firmware updater for DualSense wireless controller app.

    Keep in mind that, while the process is underway, turning off, restarting, or disconnecting the USB cable from the controller is the biggest no-no you can possibly do.

If you want to update your PSN console, you first need to get it in Safe mode; read this guide to learn the steps.

Have you already upgraded your PS5 DualShock controller using the official app? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.

Erratic Mouse Movement in Windows 10: How to Fix it

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Computer users complain about one of the most annoying experiences: erratic mouse movement in Windows 10.

Some of the four common issues that almost always come up include mouse or touchpad freezing, mouse cursor disappearing, slow or no cursor movement, and overall not smooth mouse movement.

While there is no doubt that a glitching mouse can seriously impact productivity and cause a lot of frustration to any user, gamers tend to suffer the most from mouse stuttering.

Why is my mouse behaving erratically?

Here are the most common reasons behind erratic mouse movement in Windows 10:

  • Misconfigured mouse settings – If your mouse settings are not properly configured, then you might encounter similar issues on your PC.
  • Outdated or corrupt mouse driver – In case your mouse doesn’t have the latest driver installed, issues are bound to occur, especially over time. To resolve this issue, visit your mouse’s manufacturer’s website, and download the latest version of the driver.
  • Third-party app conflicts – In some situations, a third-party application might interfere with the input generated by your mouse, so make sure to check that you don’t have any apps installed that you’re not aware of.
  • Issues with the connection, both wired and wireless – Ensuring that your Bluetooth drivers are updated, or checking for any cuts on the cable of the mouse is of paramount importance.
  • Obstructions to the sensor or mouse ball – Ensure that the sensor of the mouse or the ball is cleaned and no other items are blocking their signal/movement.
  • Not enough free system resources – If your OS is burdened excessively with tasks and processes open at all times, this issue might be caused by not having enough free resources to correctly process the input of your mouse.

How do I fix the glitchy mouse on Windows 10?

Before we walk you through the software-based solutions, here are a few quick checks that may help:

  1. Verify that the mouse is not placed on a very smooth surface, for instance, glass. Instead, try using a mouse pad.
  2. Make sure the connections are in order and the cable is not damaged in the case of a wired one, for instance, when a wired mouse is stuttering in Windows 10.
  3. Check if anything is blocking the mouse sensor or obstructing the ball underneath, and remove it.
  4. Replace the mouse batteries if you haven’t changed them in a while.
  5. If your PC runs low on system resources, terminate a few non-critical problems in the Task Manager.

In case of these solutions work, it’s likely a problem with the mouse and, too, a software-based one, and the following methods should help.

1. Update your drivers

  1. Press Windows + X and select Device Manager from the menu.device manager
  2. Double-click on Mice and other pointing devices.mice and other pointing devices to fix erratic mouse movement windows 10
  3. Right-click on the touchpad you’re using (or mouse), and select Update driver.update driver to fix erratic mouse movement windows 10
  4. Select Search automatically for drivers.search automatically for drivers

Updating the driver should do the trick if mouse movement is not smooth. However, the manual method is not as effective when fixing erratic mouse movement in Windows 10.

We also strongly recommend a dedicated tool, Outbyte Driver Updater which will automatically find and download all the outdated drivers you need to actualize on your PC.

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2. Perform a clean boot

  1. Press Windows + R to open Run, type msconfig, and click OK.msconfig
  2. Navigate to the Services tab, select the Hide all Microsoft services checkbox, and click on the Disable all button.hide all microsoft services
  3. Next, go to the Startup tab, and click on Open Task Manager.open task manager to fix Uncontrollable cursor Windows 10
  4. Locate any programs configured to launch and Startup (will have Enabled listed under the Status column), select them, and click Disable.disable
  5. Head back to System Configuration, and click OK.OK
  6. Now, click Restart in the prompt that appears.restart

Certain services and background apps are often found to be responsible for an uncontrollable cursor in Windows 10, and disabling it through a Clean Boot worked for many.

3. Turn off mouse acceleration

    It’s very likely to fix mouse issues and erratic movement by changing the right mouse settings, as displayed in the following steps.

  1. 1. Type Mouse settings in the Search bar, and click on the relevant search result.

    mouse settings

  2. 2. Click on Additional mouse options on the right.

    fix-erratic-mouse/

  3. 3. Navigate to the Pointer Options tab, uncheck the Enhance pointer precision option, and click OK to save the changes.

    disable pointer precision to fix erratic mouse movement windows 10

Mouse acceleration is often the reason behind erratic mouse movement in Windows 10, and disabling it should fix things.

4. Run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

  1. Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box, type/paste the following command, and then hit Enter: msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostichardware and devices troubleshooter to fix erratic mouse movement windows 10
  2. Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions if a problem with the mouse is detected.run

If the mouse cursor is shaking on its own, running the dedicated built-in troubleshooter should help.

5. Adjust the cursor speed

  1. Type Control Panel in the Search bar, and click on the relevant search result.control panel
  2. Click on Hardware and Sound.hardware and sound
  3. Now, click on Mouse under Devices and Printers.mouse
  4. Navigate to the Pointer Options tab, and adjust the slider under Motion to change the cursor speed.change speed to fix erratic mouse movement windows 10

Adjust the cursor speed as per the problem at hand. For instance, if the mouse cursor moves too slowly, increase the pace here.

How do you get smooth mouse movement in games?

Mouse movement that is not smooth in games can mean more than a simple delay. It can cost you the victory. Unfortunately, gaming-dedicated peripherals such as Razer mice can face issues like stuttering, jiggering, or latency issues.

When a gaming mouse is not smooth, it’s usually because it struggles to run the game. FPS games, in particular, tend to strain CPU and GPU levels to the max. Thus, COD (Modern Warfare) aficionados are frequently affected by mouse lags.

We hope these solutions helped fix erratic mouse movement in Windows 10. Also, these were found to eliminate the underlying cause in the case of the HP touchpad’s erratic cursor movement.

If the problem persists, there’s probably a hardware problem with your device, and it will need replacement. Luckily, we also have a list of the best mice for Windows 10 PCs for you to choose from.

If you have other suggestions, kindly share more information in the Comments section below.

Windows 11 2022 Features Update is starting to roll out and brings Tabbed File Explorer and more

Posted on by Kareem Anderson

Microsoft’s first official Windows 11 2022 Features Update is rolling out to devices today and brings the long-awaited Tabbed File Explorer UI experience and more.

When Microsoft announced and began shipping its Windows 11 2022 Update back in September, the company also made mention of a Features Update that would accompany the release schedule later this year and bring with it new experiences that just a bit more time to bake.

Here we are a month later and the first Windows 11 2022 Features Update is bringing a new Tabbed File Explorer interface, Suggested Actions, Taskbar Overflow management, expanded Share to Device options, a revamped Photos App, access to the long-awaited Amazon App Store for Windows, and new sports and entertainment apps.

As previously mentioned and reminiscent of that late Sets experiment in Windows 10, the new Tabbed File Explorer allows users to click a plus sign in the Explorer menu to add separate tabs to better navigate content between different locations in Windows 11.

Windows 11 File Explorer

The new Suggested Actions feature is a bit explanatory and will enable users to seamlessly gain contextual prompts when navigating Windows 11. Suggestions include creating events with a simple right click, launching supported communications apps such as Teams or Skype.

Windows 11 Suggestions

Users will also gain access to the updated Taskbar Overflow management experience that adds a dedicated section to neatly store the apps you don’t readily use as well as create a localized Settings Menu app for Taskbar settings.

Windows 11 Taskbar Overflow

In addition, Windows users can now take advantage of sharing files and content with more discoverable devices.

Microsoft re-teased the launch of its revamped Photos App during last week’s Surface hardware event by explaining that soon iPhone users on Windows will have support for iCloud management and back up tools via the new app.

Windows 11 New Photos App

Android apps written to the Amazon Appstore will soon be available to Windows 11 users in Australia, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, United Kingdom, France and a few others via the Windows Subsystem for Android. Windows users instantly gain access to over 50,000 experiences and native apps such as Audible, Kindle, Lutron and more.’

Windows 11 Amazon App Store

Last up is the new Windows app for sports and entertainment rolling out from EPSN. The ESPN app will join a growing list of AAA experiences on Windows that include Hulu, Netflix, Crunchyroll, TikTok, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video.

If you’ve been waiting to get your hands on some of these new features since Microsoft teased them last month, you may have to continue waiting just a bit longer as Microsoft’s is being overly cautious with the way it’s rolling this pack of experiences out.

These new features and experiences will start to become available today in an optional non-security preview release and a phased rollout via our servicing technology and new apps via Microsoft Store updates5, ensuring you can take advantage of the latest Windows experiences as these new features are ready. The new features will be made broadly available to all editions of Windows 11, version 22H2 in the November 2022 security update release.

So, check your Microsoft Store for app updates and installs, or revisit the whole feature pack in November 2022, when Microsoft should have it fully released for all Windows 11 users alike.

Not Enough Disk Space Error in Hyper-V: 4 Ways to Fix It

Posted on by Henderson Jayden Harper

Hyper-V not having enough disk space is an error most users complain about frequently, so you’re not alone. This issue prevents users from running multiple virtual machines and results in many Hypervisor errors on Windows 11.

How much disk space does Hyper-V need to run multiple VMs?

Memory is one of the essential components of the Hypervisor. You need to allocate memory to virtual machines for them to be able to run.

A standard Hyper-V host requires about 4 GB of memory space to run Hyper-V and the management operating system.

However, running multiple virtual machines calls for more memory usage. So, users should assign bigger memory space.

Nevertheless, running into this error on Hyper-V can occur due to many factors. The major ones are:

  • Many virtual machines run synchronously: The free disk space on your device may not be enough to run the entire machine on Hyper-V. So, you can run into errors trying to run additional VMs.
  • Background programs: Many programs running in the background can consume your disk space. They use more disk space, leaving no memory space for the Hyper-V VMs.

Many other factors can cause a shortage in memory space in Hyper-V. You can read about fixing Hyper-V that ran out of memory errors to understand the problem better.

What can I do if there’s not enough disk space in Hyper-V?

Before anything else, consider doing these preliminary checks:

  • Close unnecessary running programs on your PC that may be consuming the disk space.
  • Check disk space on Hyper-V to know how much space is available.
  • Free some memory space on your computer and restart your computer to check if the memory error is fixed.
  • An excellent way to free up disk space in Hyper-V for multiple virtual machines is to close other unnecessary VMs. It’ll create more memory space for the new virtual machines to establish. However, we have a detailed guide on what to do if you have issues with virtual machine management in Windows 11.

If after these, the error persists, proceed to the advanced fixes below.

1. Expand Hyper-V disk size via Hyper-V Manager

  1. Click Start, type hyper in the search box, then press Enter.
  2. Select the Hyper-V Manager from the search results.
  3. Click on the virtual machine you want to expand its disk, then select the Edit Disk option to prompt the Edit Virtual Hard Disk wizard.
  4. Click on Next to locate the Disk window, then click the Browse button to find the path of the virtual hard disk.
  5. Select the file and click Open, then click Next.
  6. Choose Expand on the Choose Action page and click Next.
  7. Select the Configure Disk option and input a larger size in the New size space, then click Next.
  8. Click Finish.

Restart your PC and check if the memory issue persists. If you encounter Hyper-V error when applying hard drive changes, take a look at this guide.

2. Perform a disk cleanup

  1. Press Start, type this PC in the search box, and click Enter.
  2. Select the first search result, and right-click on the drive you want to clean up.
  3. Choose Properties from the drop-down, then click on Disk Cleanup.
  4. Select the files you want to delete and click OK
  5. Click on Clean Up System Files and wait for the cleaner to calculate everything.
  6. Select the file to delete, then press OK after selecting.

We recommend you read how to free up Disk space on Windows 11 for further information on this.

3. Initiate Compact Virtual Hard Disks

  1. Click Start, type hyper in the search box, then press Enter.
  2. Click on the Hyper-V Manager from the search results.
  3. Specify the virtual machine you want to expand its disk.
  4. Select Edit Disk to open the Edit Virtual Hard Disk wizard.
  5. Select the virtual hard disk whose size you want to reduce.
  6. Choose Compact, then click Finish.

By initiating a compact disk, more spaces will be available from the shrunk VM memory.

4. Clear deleted VM files

  1. Open File Explorer on your PC by pressing the Windows + E keys.
  2. Check for the VMs you recently deleted that are still in the folder by following this navigation: C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Hyper-V\Virtual Machines
  3. Right-click on the virtual machine and select Delete from the drop-down. (If it is empty, close it)

Deleting the VM files of deleted virtual machines will free up disk space. However, we advise that you use Hyper-V backup software to back up your VMs to be able to access them after being deleted.

Alternatively, you can check how to run disk cleanup on Windows 11. Also, you can read our article on how to fix Hypervisor not running on Windows 11.

If you have questions or suggestions, you can leave them in the comments section. We’d like to hear from you.

Hyper-V DHCP Is Not Working: 5 Ways to Permanently Fix It

Posted on by Henderson Jayden Harper

Running into issues like the Hyper-V DHCP not working can be really annoying, especially if you are an administrator.

Also, users complain about many errors they encounter when using the DHCP network, such as being unable to contact the DHCP server on their PC. Hence, this guide will explore the causes and fixes for Hyper-V DHCP if it’s not working.

Why is the Hyper-V DHCP not working?

Take into consideration these potential causes:

  • Issues with the Hyper-V virtual switch configuration: The Hyper-V DHCP server connection may not work if there is a problem with the virtual switch configuration. Also, the Hyper-V virtual switch configuration of the DHCP is not by default, so it can be hard to maneuver.
  • Outdated Network adapters: It can result in difficulties with the Hyper-V server network setup. It impedes its connection, preventing you from accessing the DHCP server.
  • Poor or slow network connection: Establishing a connection with the DHCP server needs a stable network connection, so it may not work if it is not strong or fast.

How do I fix Hyper-V DHCP if it’s not working?

Before anything, we recommend you pay attention to the following preliminary checks:

  • Disconnect any virtual connection on your computer.
  • Verify if your network settings use DHCP instead of a manually configured address.
  • Restart the host or physical computer to reload its network connections. Try connecting the Hyper-V DHCP network and see if it works.

If, after observing the checks, you’re unable to connect, go ahead with the solutions below:

1. Troubleshoot Network Adapter

  1. Press the Windows key, input Troubleshoot settings into the search space, then press Enter.
  2. Select the first result option, then click on Other troubleshooters and select the Network Adapter to troubleshoot.
  3. Click on Run the troubleshooter.
  4. Select a network from the Select the network adapter to diagnose tab and click Next.
  5. Wait for the troubleshooting to complete and check if the diagnosis identifies any problem.

2. Update your Network Adapters

  1. Click on Start, input Device Manager into the search space, then press Enter.
  2. Select Device Manager from the search results, then click the Network Adapters option.
  3. Right-click on the adapter to update and click on the Update driver button.
  4. Select the Search automatically for updates option (Windows will install updates if there are any available for the driver).

Restart your computer afterward. However, we recommend you consult our article for a guide on updating network drivers in Windows 11.

3. Enable the DHCP Guard in Hyper-V via the Windows PowerShell

  1. Press the Windows + X keys, press Enter to launch the Quick Link menu, and select Network Connections.
  2. Navigate to the Network and Sharing Center tab, then click the LAN 01 option to prompt the LAN Status window.
  3. Click on Details to prompt the Network Connection Details.
  4. Click Start on the Virtual Machine host (VM-HOST), then click Windows PowerShell.
  5. Type in the following commands and press Enter:  Set-VMNetworkAdapter -VMName “DC SERVER=Win 2016” -DhcpGuard On
  6. Go to the CLIENT machine, right-click on Start, then click Command Prompt (Admin).
  7. Type in the following commands and hit Enter: IPConfig /release  IPConfig /renew
  8. Repeat steps 1-4 and check if there’s a DHCP Server IP Address from SUB-01.

Refresh your machines and check if Hyper-V DHCP now works.

Alternatively, for related details, users can refer to our article on how to disable credential guard to run Hyper-V and VMware.

4. Troubleshoot DHCP not working by resetting it

  1. Press Windows + I to open Windows Settings and select the Network and Internet option.
  2. Scroll downwards and click on Advanced network settings.
  3. Click on Network reset and press the Reset button.
  4. On the confirmation message, click Yes.

Restart your PC and check if you have been able to fix the Hyper-V DHCP server connection errors. The steps above should help fix errors like DHCP not enabled for Ethernet too.

5. Configure the DHCP Server function on the router

  1. Launch Pfsense Router and log in with an Admin account.
  2. Navigate to Services and select DHCP server.
  3. Click the LAN option, then select Enable DHCP Server on the LAN tab.
  4. Go to the Range tab and input the IP Address range you want to grant to the workstation.
  5. Select the option to Change the DHCP display lease time from UTC to local time and Enable RRD statistics graphs. Then, click on Save.

Nonetheless, you are liable to encounter lots of other problems with Hyper-V. Hence, we recommend you check our article on how to fix Hyper-V internet connecting issues in a few steps.

Also, read how to enable Hyper-V and container features on your virtual machine.

If you have further queries or know of a better suggestion that has worked for you, kindly leave them in the comments section. We’d like to hear from you.

Reduce Service Host SysMain High Disk Usage in Windows 10

Posted on by Tashreef Shareef

Several users have reported Service Host SysMain causing high disk usage and memory issues in Windows 10, which can be a problem since it will negatively impact your performance.

In this article, we’ll explore a few troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the issues you might have with this service, so let’s get started.

How do I fix Service Host Sysmain high disk usage on Windows 10?

If you want to skip these solutions’ rigors, you should consider upgrading from HHD to a reliable SSD. An upgrade in hardware mitigates many performance issues.

1. Stop SysMain service

1.1 Using the Services app

  1. Press the Windows key + R.
  2. Type services.msc and press Enter.
  3. In the Services window, locate SysMain and double-click it.
  4. Click the Stop button.
  5. Click OK to save the changes.

1.2 Service Host SysMain disable using the Command Prompt

  1. Press the Windows key + S.
  2. Type cmd. Click on Run as administrator to open the Command Prompt.
  3. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and hit Enter:
    sc stop "SysMain" & sc config "SysMain" start=disabled
  4. You should see Change Service Config Success. This is how you can disable Service Host SysMain.

2. Run SFC and DISM scans

  1. Click the Start button, type sfc, and click on Run as administrator from the results.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter to run it: sfc /scannow
  3. Wait for the scan to complete, then type the following command and press Enter to run it: Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
  4. Wait for DISM to complete the scan and restart your PC afterward to see if the problem has been fixed.

For some of our readers, this issue was caused by one or more corrupted system files, and the System File Checker and DISM tools fixed this problem so you should try it. You can also try specialized software to ease this process significantly.

3. Edit the DWORD value on your Registry Editor

  1. Press the Windows key + R. Type regedit and click OK.
  2. In Registry Editor, navigate to the following location:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\SysMain
  3. Then, in the right pane, double-click on Start.
  4. Enter 4 in the Value Data field. Then, click OK to save the changes.

4. Update Windows

  1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Go to Update & Security.
  3. Check for pending Windows updates and install them.

Installing Windows updates can fix the high disk usage issue caused by a glitch in the operating system.

What is Service Host Sysmain?

Service Host SysMain (earlier known as Superfetch) is a bundle of system processes. You are most likely wondering how it works.

This processes package is supposed to optimize the apps launching and speed up their starting, but sometimes it can do quite the opposite, causing high disk and CPU usage.

What causes SysMain’s high disk usage?

Have you ever wondered why is Service Host Sysmain causing high disk usage? Missing updates are the most common cause of this problem, so it’s advised to keep your PC up to date to avoid such issues.

In addition, if this service is causing problems, you might want to try disabling it. Other Sysmain issues include:

  • 100% disk usage – This occurs when your system works at 100% capacity to handle the tasks.
  • High disk activity – High disk activity means that your system’s disk is running too many apps, and reaches high levels, even though not at 100% yet.
  • High CPU usage – This is caused by your Central Processing Unit, or CPU working excessively to deal with the tasks at hand.

What is the use of service host SysMain?

SysMain is a legitimate Windows service that optimizes the computer’s performance by reducing the app loading time. It does so by continuously collecting data about the app usage pattern.

Once it has a sufficient amount and has identified a pattern, for instance, a user opening the Mail app at 10 AM, it will automatically load the required files so that the app launches quickly when a user manually does that.

If the SysMain is causing high disk usage in Windows 10, this can make your computer slow, affecting the performance of other programs and slowing down the PC.

Once you have fixed the problem, do check some quick tips to boost performance in Windows 10.

Did you find a solution to this problem on your own? Feel free to share your answer with us in the comments section below.

Teams will let users set Adobe Acrobat as a default PDF viewer soon

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Last year, we saw Microsoft and Adobe come together to explore new ways to meet their customer’s needs. For instance, the use of embedding Adobe’s software like PDF, e-Signature, and document automation capabilities in Microsoft 365. This is especially after most organizations started taking up the hybrid work approach to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.

Building upon this premise, Microsoft announced that Adobe Acrobat as a default PDF experience in Microsoft Teams is now available in public preview. This means that you can use it to view and edit PDF files from the chat, channel, and files app in Teams. What’s more, tenant users do not require an Adobe subscription or ID to view, search, comment, and annotate PDF files. However, the subscription becomes mandatory when the user wants to create, organize, combine, or export a PDF.

Now you can set Adobe Acrobat as the default app to view and edit PDF files in Microsoft Teams. Once done, all PDF files from the chat, channel, and files app will open directly in the Acrobat app within Teams. Your end-users don’t need an Adobe Acrobat subscription or an Adobe ID to view, search, comment and annotate PDF files. However, to Create, Organize, Combine, or Export a PDF, the tenant users will need an Adobe Acrobat subscription.

To set Adobe Acrobat as a default PDF viewer in Microsoft Teams, admins need to set up the Acrobat app to work in the tenant and then avail it on the users’ Teams client as detailed in Microsoft’s post.

And now, according to the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, the standard release of the feature tagged 95128 has been pushed forward and will now start rolling out in early November and is expected to reach wide availability towards the end of November.

Windows 10 KB5020435 comes with connection problems fix

Posted on by Alexandru Poloboc

Nothing important has been happening for Windows 10 lately, apart from this month’s Patch Tuesday rollout, which introduced a number of updates to the operating system.

Pretty soon, Windows 10 is going to get its own version 22H2, just like Windows 11 has. Until then, however, Microsoft needed to take care of some problems.

This bug that we are referring to has actually been triggered by the Patch Tuesday update rollout, so something clearly needed to be done.

A closer look at OOB builds 19042.2132, 19043.2132, and 19044.2132

Just as in the case of Windows 11 (KB5020387), Microsoft has released a new update for Windows 10 devices as well, in the form of KB5020435.

And, exactly like in the new OS, this patch is here to address an issue with Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) connections.

Needless to say, the highlights in builds 19042.2132, 19043.2132, and 19044.2132 are the same for Windows 10 20H2, 21H1, and 21H2.

As you know, this update makes quality improvements to the servicing stack, which is the component that installs Windows updates.

Servicing stack updates (SSU) ensure that you have a robust and reliable servicing stack so that your devices can receive and install Microsoft updates.

Highlights

  • Addressed an issue that might affect some types of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) connections. These connections might have handshake failures. For developers, the affected connections are likely to receive one or more records followed by a partial record with a size of less than 5 bytes within a single input buffer. If the connection fails, your app will receive the error, SEC_E_ILLEGAL_MESSAGE.
Note icon NOTE
If you installed earlier updates, only the new updates contained in this package will be downloaded and installed on your device.

Known issues

  • Devices with Windows installations created from custom offline media or custom ISO image might have Microsoft Edge Legacy removed by this update, but not automatically replaced by the new Microsoft Edge. This issue is only encountered when custom offline media or ISO images are created by slipstreaming this update into the image without having first installed the standalone servicing stack update (SSU) released March 29, 2021 or later.
Note icon NOTE
Devices that connect directly to Windows Update to receive updates are not affected. This includes devices using Windows Update for Business. Any device connecting to Windows Update should always receive the latest versions of the SSU and latest cumulative update (LCU) without any extra steps.
  • After installing this update, some Windows devices might have issues with audio not working. Some affected Windows devices might have no audio, but other affected Windows devices might only have issues on certain ports, certain audio devices or only within certain applications. Most affected audio devices drivers have the audio enhancements setting disabled before installing this update or the sound device driver has issues with the audio enhancements feature.

This is what we are looking at for the moment, Nothing too much or over the top, as thie is simply an OOB update.

Don’t forget to report any other issues you might come across, in order for Microsoft to address and improve the overall OS experience for us all.

This is everything you can expect if you are a Windows 10 user. Leave a comment below if you found any issues since installing this Insider build.

Fix: Windows 10 Activation Settings Are Not Loading

Posted on by Claire Moraa

Windows 10 notifies you to activate your copy, but the activation settings are not loading. Whether you’re doing a clean install or just updating manually, you will eventually get to the point where the activation process stops on the Windows Activation screen. 

You could end up with a blank page and get stuck. Sometimes you may get past this point but later find out that the activation key is not working. For today, let’s fix the activation settings issue.

Why are Windows activation settings not loading?

If you are stuck with a blank stage when trying to activate your copy of Windows 10, it can be frustrating. Below are some possible reasons behind this issue:

  • Corrupted system files – If you are experiencing activation issues in Windows 10, then it’s possible that your system files may have become corrupt or damaged. You need to repair or restore the corrupt system files.
  • Your computer is blocked from the internet – Make sure that your computer has a working internet connection. If you can’t connect to the internet or have slow internet, try using another device to connect to your router or modem.
  • Corrupt user profile – The most common cause of this issue is a corrupt user profile. This can happen if you have recently reformatted your computer, or if you have upgraded to Windows 10 from an older version of Windows.

Is there any problem not activating Windows 10?

Well, you still get access to most of the features. However, the answer is yes because if you don’t activate it, you won’t be able to use many other features that come with Windows 10.

Many of these features help protect your computer from malware. Failure to activate could result in your PC becoming infected with malware.

Second, your PC will run slowly because Windows is constantly checking to see if it’s a legal copy or not. This constant checking takes up CPU cycles and slows down your computer.

Also, when Microsoft updates Windows 10 with new features and bug fixes, they’ll only update the activated copies of Windows 10. 

If you’re using an unactivated copy of Windows 10 then Microsoft won’t include these updates in their distribution of new features and fixes to users who haven’t activated Windows 10 yet. 

Another small but still bothersome issue is that if you don’t activate your copy of Windows 10,  you’ll get a watermark on the lower-right corner of your desktop. This watermark won’t go away until you find a way to activate Windows but you can find a subtle way to remove watermarks.

So, how long can you use Windows 10 without activating? Find out in our comprehensive article.

What can I do if Windows 10 Activation settings are not loading?

A few basic checks before any advanced troubleshooting you should do include:

  • Unplug any devices that might be interfering with your network.
  • Switch from a wireless to an Ethernet connection.
  • Check if there is a problem with your network by connecting another device to the same network.
  • Restart your computer and router if possible. 

If all check out but the activation settings are still not loading, below are more troubleshooting steps.

1. Run the Activation troubleshooter 

  1. Hit the Start menu and select Settings.windows 10 asking for activation but already activated
  2. Click on Update & Security.update and security
  3. Select Activation on the left hand pane, and click on Troubleshoot on the right hand pane.
  4. Click Yes on the dialog box that pops up.

At times, you may be out of luck and find that even the Activation troubleshooter is not working. You can decide to wait it out or proceed to the next solutions.

2. Run DISM and SFC commands 

  1. Hit the Windows search button.
  2. Type cmd in the search bar and select Run as administrator.
  3. Enter the following command: DISM.exe /Online /Restorehealth dism
  4. Allow for the command to be executed then type in the next one: sfc /scannowrun command to find issues with gpu.

Another option you can choose to use is a specialized tool that can perform this process with just one click.

You can opt for a reliable repair program that scans your PC to detect malfunctioning files and find fresh files as replacements within a few minutes.

3. Create a new user profile 

If your current user profile is corrupted or damaged in any way, it could be causing the issue with your activation status. To fix this problem, create a new user profile on your computer and sign in with that account instead of your old one.

Remember to set the account as administrator so that you will have all the required permissions to make changes to the PC.

Hopefully, you have been able to solve the issue and the activation settings for Windows 10 have resurfaced on your PC. This should allow you to go ahead and activate your OS.

Should you run into any other issues such as the product activation has failed error, we have an excellent guide that addresses this problem.

Also, check out our article on what to do if Windows deactivates after an update as it can be a very strange instance especially if you have just recently updated it.

Let us know what solution fixed the issue for you in the comments section below.

The new Windows 11 KB5020387 fixes TLS/SLS network issues

Posted on by Alexandru Poloboc

It hasn’t been long since Microsoft released this month’s Patch Tuesday batch of security patches, but we are getting yet another cumulative update.

We also received a Beta Channel Insider build a few days ago and that is also worth looking into. Speaking of Windows 11, the new Android 12L update for Surface devices will look more like the new OS.

Now, however, the Redmond tech giant has released Build 22000.1100, which is a Windows 11 OOB update that tackles the TLS/SLS network problems.

Check out Build 22000.1100 for Windows 11

Indeed, Microsoft has released an out-of-band (OOB) update (KB5020387) designed to fix the Transport Layer Security (TLS)/ Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) handshake failure issue that users are reporting.

This nasty bug is actually leading to a failure of connection establishment between clients and servers. These were set off by this month’s Patch Tuesday for both Windows 11 and Windows 10.

Highlights

  • Addressed an issue that might affect some types of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) connections. These connections might have handshake failures. For developers, the affected connections are likely to receive one or more records followed by a partial record with a size of less than 5 bytes within a single input buffer. If the connection fails, your app will receive the error, SEC_E_ILLEGAL_MESSAGE.

Improvements

  • Addressed an issue that might affect some types of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS) connections. These connections might have handshake failures. For developers, the affected connections are likely to receive one or more records followed by a partial record with a size of less than 5 bytes within a single input buffer. If the connection fails, your app will receive the error, SEC_E_ILLEGAL_MESSAGE.

Please keep in mind that if you installed earlier updates, only the new updates contained in this package will be downloaded and installed on your device.

If you want to download this update, apply any available Windows update or head over to the Microsoft Update Catalog.

Also, recently, Microsoft released the first major update for the new operating system. However, version 22H2 is temporarily full of bugs and issues.

Not to mention that the tech giant has leaked a photo of the new Windows 12 UI, the next operating system in line. For the time being it is still in development.

We’re going to report back next time Microsoft releases a brand new update full of fixes, improvements, and of course known issues.

What can I do if I can’t install KB5020387?

  1. Press Win+ I to access Settings.
  2. Select the System category and click on Troubleshoot.w11 troubleshoot
  3. Press the Other troubleshooters button.other troubleshooters windows 11
  4. Press the Run button next to Windows Update.windows update troubleshooter

Don’t forget to report any other issues you might come across, in order for Microsoft to address and improve the overall OS experience for us all.

This is everything you can expect if you are a Windows 11 user. Leave a comment below if you found any issues since installing this Insider build.

Fix Outlook if It’s Running Slow in 4 Steps

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Let us explore Outlook and help you fix issues connected to the service running slow. Outlook has performance issues caused by a corrupt or damaged PST file, an add-in that isn’t functioning, a corrupt profile, or a problem with the Outlook application.

This article presents all you need to know to resolve these issues.

How does the Windows registry get corrupted?

When Outlook 365 is running slow, it could be the installed add-ins to blame. To verify, run Outlook in Safe Mode, and if the performance improves, remove the non-critical add-ins.

Also, Outlook could be slow when recent updates and patches are not installed. Running an outdated version of any app can cause issues with both performance and security.

Besides, a corrupt or damaged Outlook profile, and third-party conflicts, usually from installed antivirus, can be behind Outlook 2016 running slow.

How do I fix a slow Outlook on Windows 10?

  1. 1. Adjust send and receive settings
    1. Click on File.
    2. Select Options from the lower left corner.
      outlook slow
    3. Click Advanced and scroll down to Send and Receive section, then select Send/Receive…
    4. Under Setting for group, adjust the time to a reduced value.
  2. 2. Disable RSS feeds
    1. Click on File.
    2. Select Options from the lower left corner.
      outlook slow
    3. Click Advanced and unselect the two options under RSS feeds.
      outlook slow
  3. 3. Disable add-ins
    • Click on File.
    • Select Options from the lower left corner.
      outlook slow
    • Click Add-ins and select COM add-ins, then click the GO button.
      outlook slow
    • Find the suspect add-ins and uncheck their corresponding boxes.
  4. 4. Compact data files
    • Click on File.
    • Expand the Account Settings option and select Account Settings.
    • Click on Data Files, select any of your data files, and click on the Settings option.
    • Click the Compact Now button.

We also encourage you to check the network connection and verify that you are receiving a decent speed. Slow Internet speed is a common underlying cause of Outlook issues.

Also, if you would rather skip fixing Outlook, you may try other options. For example, we recommend looking into the best Windows 10 email client apps because they provide plenty of valuable features.

That’s it! By now, you should have Outlook running again, and it won’t be slow anymore. However, for more official solutions, check out what Microsoft’s support page for Outlook performance issues.

Why are my emails slowly coming through?

There are a few reasons you may encounter delays in receiving your emails. On top of the list are the following:

  • The email size or size of its attachments
  • Your network latency
  • Issues with backing up virus/spam scanners
  • Delays between recipient or sender client

In most cases, you may not be able to do much about the delays; for example, the sender and recipient client may have a fixed interaction period spanning a few seconds to some minutes.

You may have to wait it out.

How long does it take for Outlook to send emails?

When Outlook is online and linked to a network, emails will be sent immediately after you click Send. Likewise, emails will be sent when the following Outlook is online if you send them when the service is offline.

The solutions below will work for the following error variations:

  • Outlook slow to open/send/receive emails – Adjust the send and receive settings as we have shown in the first solution.
  • Outlook slow and not responding – Delete the RSS feed in order to improve the performance of Outlook.
  • Outlook slow to load emails – You might need to delete old emails, as the storage is getting crowded.
  • Outlook slow to sync with Gmail – Disable add-ins to make Outlook perform better.
  • Outlook slow and crashing – Compact your files in order to free up more space for future emails.
  • Outlook slow synchronizing – Log out then log back into your account to restart the synchronization process.

The fixes above would come in handy if Outlook is having slow synchronizing, is slow to open emails, receive emails, send emails, or load emails. You will also find them convenient if Outlook is slow and not responding.

Repairing Microsoft Office will fix issues that can cause it not to function properly like One or more items in the folder you synchronized do not match; read this guide to learn more.

Were you able to fix Outlook running slow in Windows 10 using the solutions above? Let us know in the comments section below.

How to install and use Edge on Android

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft’s Edge is brimming with features that make the default browser a delight to use—it beats down using the now-defunct Internet Explorer any day.

And, if you’re a fan, it might be a good idea to bring the Edge experience to your smartphone with you. In this article, we’ll look at precisely that. First, we’ll cover how to install the Edge browser on your Android and then go over how to make the most out of it.

So let’s get started.

How to install Edge on your Android

Built on Blink, a browser engine developed through combined efforts of Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and others, the Edge android browser works as fast and efficiently as its PC counterpart.

To get started with installing Edge on your Android, first head to Google PlayStore.

Once you’re in the PlayStore app, click on the search menu from above, type in ‘edge’, and hit Search. The App Store will instantly give you the Edge app in the search results.

installing microsoft edge

From there, click on Install, and the browser download and installation will begin. Depending on your internet speed, the app download will wind up in a few seconds, and the automatic installation will start.

edge app installation

When you’re done with the installation, click on Open. The app will be launched as soon as you do that. Now, let’s look at how you can make the most out of your app.

Using Edge on Android

When you open the Edge app for the first time, it will ask you to sign in to your Microsoft account. By signing into your default account, you can easily sync your data across devices; we suggest you sign in for a seamless user experience.

If you’ve been using other Microsoft products on your smartphone, the app will pick up your email address from there and give that as an option for sign-in. Alternatively, you can click on Add account and manually type in your email address and password.

edge sign in

Alternatively, you can click on Sign in later and move ahead with the sync. For this example, we’ll go with this option.

On the next page, the app will ask you for your data-sharing preference; if you select the checkbox, you’ll be sharing your browsing data—including how you use the browser, your crash reports, etc.—straight to Microsoft. To better protect your privacy, I suggest you uncheck the radio box and click on Confirm.

You’ll then be asked whether you want to set Edge as the default browser on your Android. Choose the option you’d like, and then move ahead.

Finally, on the home screen, you’ll see a search box and a few Microsoft app widgets. When you scroll down you’ll find the Feed section, where you can find all the top news stories doing rounds in your area.

edge home section

edge new feed

Note: You can tweak your feed to your liking by clicking on the Personalise tab from the top of your news feed. Under the My Interests section, you can select a host of options from News, Entertainment, Sports, Money, and so on—the items you choose here will show up on your Feed.

From the bottom, if you click on the three-dotted menu, you’ll see other options like History, Downloads, Settings, etc. From here, you can control the workings of your device with ease.

Installing and using Edge on Android

Using Edge on your Android is not much different from using it on your Windows PC. Moreover, if you decide to use the sync feature of the app, you can synchronize your usage across your devices. Of course, the Edge Android app offers its own share of tips and tricks—real world camera search and read aloud feature, for instance— that can make your browsing experience a delight. So, make sure you explore all the features it has to offer before you move onto something else.

Asio.sys Error: 3 Simple Ways to Fix This BSoD

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

If you’re getting an Asio.sys error on your Windows PC, it’s most likely because the driver is out of date or missing. We’ll show you how to fix that and a couple of more ways to address this error.

Asio.sys handles low-latency audio communication between your computer’s sound hardware and software, ensuring smooth, high-quality audio performance, especially for professional music production and real-time sound applications.

Given how important asio.sys is for audio, let’s get started with the troubleshooting.

How do I fix asio.sys error?

Before starting any core fixes we have put together, you should consider using a specialized BSOD troubleshooter.

1. Update the Universal ASIO driver

  1. Press Windows Key + S, then type Device Manager.
  2. Expand Universal ASIO Driver, right-click on Universal ASIO Driver and select Update driver.
  3. Once done, restart the PC.

Thankfully, there is another more accessible way to update your drivers. Download third-party software like Fortect Driver Updater that finds the latest driver versions and automatically replaces the bad ones. It is safer and will save you the time of searching and doing it manually.

Alternatively, if it is missing from your PC, you’ll have to download and install asio driver anew.

2. Run an SFC

    A System File Checker is an accessible tool within Windows that can scan and repair your Windows system files.

    1. Type cmd in the Search box and click on Run as Administrator to open an elevated Command Prompt window.
    asio.sys error

  2. 2. When Command Prompt opens, enter the following command and press Enter: sfc /scannow

    asio.sys error

  3. 3. Don’t close Command Prompt or interrupt the repair process. It can take a while, so wait patiently while it completes.

3. Run a complete malware scan

  1. Press the Start button, type virus, and select the Virus & threat protection option.
    asio.sys error
  2. Choose Scan options.
  3. Select the Full Scan option.
    asio.sys error
  4. Finally, click the Scan now button and wait for the scan to finish.

Alternatively, you can run a full system scan using other antimalware tools.

How do I download and install the Realtek ASIO component?

  1. Visit the official site for the driver download (this will depend on your computer manufacturer).
  2. Once you locate the Realtek ASIO driver, click on download.
  3. You should then click the downloaded file to install it on your computer.

We also have another guide that focuses on resolving the asio.sys error on Windows, so don’t miss it.

Lastly, tell us what worked for you in the comments section below.