Packet Loss in CS 1.6: How to Fix It & Reduce Choke Easily

Posted on September 27, 2022September 28, 2025 by Vlad Constantinescu

Many gamers have played Counter-Strike Global Offensive, but not all of them may remember Counter-Strike 1.6, CS: GO‘s ancestor. To be fair, Half-Life would be the ancestor of both, but let’s stick to our version for now.

Counter-Strike 1.6 was a sacred monster back in the day. Internet Cafes (another trip down the memory lane) would be overcrowded with players that would come to crush their opponents in lengthy, rage-inducing matches.

Not at all surprising is the fact that Counter-Strike 1.6 still has some popularity left in its raggedy old bones. People still play it, albeit not like back in the day, but it still has a bit over 14,000 players as we speak.

Unfortunately, like any other awesome multiplayer game, it has its shortcomings. Connectivity issues, such as the dreaded packet loss, still haunt several players from all around the world.

What is packet loss in Counter-Strike 1.6?

Packet loss happens whenever data packets that travel throughout your connection never reach their destination. Whether the packets’ target is you or the game server’s host, if some of them never reach their destination, we call it packet loss.

It looks a lot like high latency, but we assure you that they’re quite different. For once, high latency means the packets take longer to arrive, but ultimately they do reach their target.

You may have experienced packet loss if:

?Your in-game latency started spiking suddenly and quickly came back to normal.

?The menus were responding slowly or not at all.

✨You experienced rubberbanding (got stuck then teleported to a random spot on the map).

?Voice chat didn’t send your messages properly.

?Text chat failed to deliver your messages or sent them at a later point.

?You got suddenly disconnected from the game and it wasn’t an admin who did it.

Why do I have loss in CS?

If there are other people streaming or torrenting on the same network, CS 1.6 loss and choke problem could be due to a congested server. This is easily solvable if using VPN with stable split tunneling.

Try using the following commands:

net_maxroutable

This command on your console changes the maximum byte size of a single packet. The default value is 1200. All of the packet loss choke CS 1.6 Steam can be eliminated by lowering the value to 1100.

This should have no effect on your CPU usage. If 1100 does not work for you, try lowering it in 100-point increments until you find a value that does. However, going too low can significantly increase the number of packets sent.

net_graph 0

In order to fix CS 1.6 FPS, in, out loss on-screen use the above command on the console.

It’s one of many ways to keep track of how many frames per second you’re rendering, as well as how good or bad the server you’re playing on is.

Network congestion (by far the most common cause of packet loss)
Using Wi-Fi instead of Ethernet
Old, worn-out Ethernet cables
Getting DDoS-ed (old-school Counter-Strike 1.6 players might remember)
Outdated drivers on your Windows PC
Using an old router that can’t handle your connection speed properly
ISP bandwidth throttling
Game server host issues

A lot of things can cause packet loss in Counter-Strike 1.6, ranging from subpar connection to using Wi-Fi instead of Ethernet or having outdated drivers on your system.

How to detect packet loss in Counter-Strike 1.6?

Note down the IP address of the CS 1.6 server you want to test
Launch CMD on your Windows PC
Type pathping x.x.x.x (replace x.x.x.x with the game server’s IP address)
Wait for the test to come to an end
Check if and where the packet leak occurs

Note that the pathping test also works with hostnames instead of IP addresses. So if the game servers look something like xxx.zapto.org, you can also use that instead of the IP address.

Use the screenshot above to identify which part of your connection is affected by packet loss, in case you notice any leaks. As a rule of thumb, the first node is always your PC, while the last one is the machine that hosts the server.

How to fix Counter-Strike 1.6 connection issues?

1. Use a VPN with split tunneling

Sign up for a premium VPN subscription. (We recommend ExpressVPN)
Download the VPN and install it on your PC.
Log into your account using your credentials and verify your email.
Launch the VPN client and go to Options before connecting to it.
In General tab under Split Tunneling check Manage connection on per-app basis and click Settings.
In the settings select Only allow selected apps to use VPN and add CS 1.6 in the list.
Go to the Protocol tab and select Lightway – UDP (It’s the best option for games like CS 1.6).
Close the settings.
Connect to a recommended server.
Launch Counter-Strike 1.6.
Check if there’s any improvement after one hour of playing.

More often than not, using a VPN such as Kape Technologies’ ExpressVPN can solve many connectivity issues such as packet loss.

However, note that the issue must be somewhere in the middle (i.e. caused by your ISP) and not on any ends of the connection.

So, if you suspect that your ISP is throttling your bandwidth, that might be the cause of your connectivity issues. Thus, a VPN will definitely help you sort it out by re-routing your traffic away from your ISP’s limitations.

If you are not prone to set manually the commands in-game, ExpressVPN will reroute the traffic and take care of congested servers automatically.

ExpressVPN

Use the split tunneling feature on Lightway protocol and you are not going to lose packets anymore in CS 1.6.

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2. Flush your DNS

Launch an elevated CMD instance.
Type these commands in the Command Prompt, one by one:

ipconfig /flushdns ipconfig /registerdns ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew netsh winsock reset

Flushing your DNS is always our go-to fix whenever we notice our connection acting strange. The awesome thing is that it works more often than not.

Cached data build-ups lead to unhealthy connection behavior such as slowdowns, crashes, and compatibility errors.

3. Perform some manual troubleshooting

Although these manual troubleshooting tips aren’t guaranteed to solve your packet loss issue, they will give you some edge as far as quality connection goes.

Inspect your home network thoroughly and look for anything out of place
Replace or fix your Ethernet cables if they’re damaged or old
Update your system drivers to avoid any compatibility issues
Restart the game
Connect to another server to rule out server host issues
Restart your PC, router, and/or modem as needed
Always use Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi if possible (Wi-Fi packet loss happens more often)
Call your ISP and ask them if they can take a look and maybe even fix the issue
Make sure your router’s firmware is up-to-date
Upgrade your Internet plan, if that’s an option

A well-maintained connection is less prone to issues such as packet loss, and it wouldn’t hurt to do it from time to time.

4. Use CS 1.6 Command-List to reduce choke

Choke and loss issues in Counter-Strike 1.6 can be improved with better configurations and settings.

So, perform a Counter-Strike 1.6 config to gain a competitive advantage by reducing choke and increasing FPS, and try the following commands:

cl_updaterate 101

The maximum you should set it to is 101, and if you have a choke, you should always lower it until you get a choke.

So, if you were getting 20 chokes per second, reduce the update rate by typing cl_updaterate 70. After about 20 seconds, check to see if you still have a choke. If you do, lower it even further.

cl_cmdrate 50

This setting should be around your average frame rate. Put it at 50 if your average is between 40 and 50. If the server returns a constant 100, you enter 101.

If you have your fps set to fps max 101 and your fps drops to 40-50 and fluctuates wildly, change it to fps max 75. Reduce the setting gradually until it is fairly constant.

rate 20000

The rate setting is heavily debated, but if you want the best performance, use 20000. Many people say 25000, but they don’t realize it’s a LAN setting.

Should I worry about packet loss CS 1.6?

All things considered, if you can’t enjoy a nostalgia-inducing Counter-Strike 1.6 session because of connectivity issues, don’t rage-quit just yet.

Make sure you understand where the problem occurs before attempting to fix it.

Check out the best VPNs to improve packet loss for a smoother gaming experience, if for some reason ExpressVPN is not your choice.

Moreover, check out our Gaming Hub to learn more about the benefits of using a VPN while gaming.

Although a VPN is quite popular when it comes to solving connectivity issues, it’s also worthless if your ISP is not the one who’s causing the leak.

Last, but not least, make sure your end of the connection is in top-notch condition. It may not solve packet loss every time, but at least you’ll know it’s not you who caused it.

Fix: Black Screen With Cursor in Windows 10/11

Posted on September 27, 2022September 11, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

Users have reported getting a black screen with a cursor on Windows 10, which appeared at various stages, including while turning on the computer or running an application.

The problem is quite simple and can easily be fixed, but many possible underlying causes make troubleshooting a time-consuming affair.

So, let’s find out why you are encountering Windows 10 black screen with a cursor and its solutions.

You can also watch our video troubleshooting guide below to learn what methods to use to fix black screen issues on Windows 10.

Why am I getting a black screen with a cursor on Windows?

A black screen with a cursor issue usually arises due to connection problems with the display. If the cable is not correctly plugged in at both ends or is damaged, you will likely encounter the issue.

Also, an outdated or corrupt display driver is likely to be an underlying cause. In addition, problems with the display adapter can be a reason behind the issue.

Besides, third-party applications creating conflicts, enabling fast startup, and misconfigured display settings, among other issues, can cause Windows 10 black screen with a cursor.

And the error itself has several variations and won’t appear the same for all. Here are a few of these:

Windows 10 black screen with cursor, where Ctrl + Alt + Del doesn’t work
Black screen with cursor and no Task Manager in Windows 10
Windows 10 black screen with cursor and Start menu

Tip

After solving this issue, we strongly recommend that you use Outbyte Driver Updater to keep your system updated at all times. This software will prevent it from appearing in the future by constantly updating your drivers, thus increasing your computer’s health.

How do I fix the Windows 10 black screen with cursor error?

NOTE

The first ten solutions here are aimed at getting the computer in a working connection, i.e., getting rid of the black screen, and the ones that follow will eliminate the root cause. So, make sure to try them all.

1. Check the connections

The first thing you have to do when fixing Windows 10 black screen with the cursor issue is to identify and rectify any connection issues. Then, check the cable for damages, and unplug and replug it after blowing light air into the ports. And make sure you are using a compatible one.

Also, if you have a spare cable, use it to verify whether the problem lies with the other one you have been using. If nothing works, it’s not the connections behind the issue. So, head to the next solution.

2. Change projections to switch displays

Press Windows + P shortcut to open the Project menu.
The project menu will now open, but you won’t be able to see it. Don’t worry, that’s perfectly normal.
Now press the Up or Down arrow keys a few times and press Enter.
If you are successful, the screen should appear. However, in the problem persists, you might have to repeat this step a few times.

If you’re getting a black screen with a cursor in Windows 10, you might want to try changing the projection mode.

After updating to Windows 10, your project mode might change to Second screen only, and you need to change that by following our instructions.

We’ve had this issue, and it was fixed after 6 or 7 tries, so you must be persistent.

If you get the Windows black screen with a cursor before login and your account is protected by a password, you’ll have to log in first. To do this, press Space or Ctrl, enter your password, and Enter.

This can be tricky because you’ll be doing this on a black screen so that it might take you a few tries.

3. Connect your monitor with both cables to the monitor

This is an unusual solution, but users have reported that it fixes the black screen before the login problem.

According to users, if you have a monitor with two connectors, such as DVI and HDMI, you need to connect your monitor using both DVI and HDMI cables.

After that, you can turn on your computer and check if the problem is resolved.

Some users also suggest that you might be able to fix this issue by attaching an additional monitor, so if you have an extra monitor, try connecting it to your PC.

Even if this doesn’t fix the problem, your second monitor should work without any issues.

4. Update your BIOS

Some users claim you can fix the black screen with the cursor by updating your BIOS.

Updating BIOS is a procedure for advanced users, and if you don’t do it properly, it can cause permanent damage to your hardware, so please keep that in mind.

To perform a BIOS update, you need to go to your motherboard manufacturer’s website and download the latest version of BIOS for your motherboard.

In most cases, there should be an instruction manual on updating the BIOS, so make sure you read it carefully. If you don’t know how to update your BIOS, please ask an expert to do it for you to avoid any potential damage.

5. Disable Dual monitor from BIOS/disable CPU Graphics Multi-Monitor

While your computer boots, press F2 or Del (it might be a different key on your computer) to access BIOS.
You need to find and disable CPU graphics or Dual monitor functions.
Save changes and restart your PC.

6. Update your drivers

Type Device Manager in the Search bar, then click on the relevant search result.
Now, expand the Display adapter section.
Right-click on your graphics device and select Update Driver.
Select the Search automatically for drivers option.
Windows will now search for any pending update and download it.
Once the update is installed, check if Windows 10 fit the screen.

Updating drivers manually is a serious procedure that can be a bit time-consuming, and it does not assure you that the system will find the latest drivers.

You can update your drivers by using a unique third-party software tool. We recommend using dedicated software because it can automate the task almost entirely, saving time and hassle.

7. Disconnect your second monitor

In some instances,the black screen with cursor error on Windows 10 can be fixed by unplugging your second monitor.

Nvidia users have reported that unplugging the second monitor fixed this issue for them, so make sure you try it out.

8. Set display output to IGFX

While your computer boots, keep pressing F2, F4, or Del to access BIOS.
Locate the Display output setting, and set it to IGFX. This will make your integrated graphics the first display.
Save changes and exit.

9. Check your graphic card settings in BIOS

Enter BIOS and ensure your graphic card is set to use the PCI-E slot. Sometimes this setting might get changed to PCI, and if that’s the case, switch it to the PCI-E option and save the changes.

This effective solution has worked for many, and we recommend giving it a try.

10. Remove the computer battery and reset your BIOS

If other solutions don’t work, you might want to remove your computer’s battery and reset your BIOS. When you do this, the computer’s warranty will be terminated immediately, so keep that in mind.

If you don’t know how to do this properly, maybe it’s best to hire an expert to do it for you.

11. Check additional displays

Make sure you don’t have other displays such as monitors or TV connected to your HDMI port.

If you have a device connected to the HDMI port, Windows 10 might use it as the primary display during the installation, so before you start your building, make sure you’re using only one display.

In addition, you can always connect your monitor using the HDMI cable to fix this problem, or you can disconnect the other display.

By now, we expect that you have managed to get rid of the black screen with cursor in Windows 10 and have your PC up and running. But the root cause may still be present, so you must try the solutions listed below to eliminate the issue completely.

If the problem remains, boot your PC into Safe Mode and execute the following methods.

12. Uninstall your graphic card driver

Press Windows + R to open Run, enter devmgmt.msc in the text field, and click OK.
Double-click on the Display adapters entry here.
Right-click on the graphics card, and then select Uninstall device.
Tick the checkbox for Attempt to remove the driver for this device and click on Uninstall.

If the problem lies with the graphics adapter, uninstalling the device will make Windows revert to the generic ones. Though the performance wouldn’t be as good, you will undoubtedly encounter fewer issues and will be able to fix Windows 10 black screen with a cursor.

Once you find the right driver for the graphics adapter, install it.

13. Disable onboard graphics from Device Manager

Launch Device Manager, locate the onboard graphics, right-click on it, and select Disable device.
Click Yes in the confirmation prompt that appears.

If your computer has both onboard and dedicated graphics, make sure you disable your onboard graphic from Device Manager to fix the black screen with cursor in Windows 10.

14. Uninstall problematic applications

Press Windows + R to open Run, enter appwiz.cpl in the text field, and click OK.
Select the program you want to remove, and click on Uninstall.
Now, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the process.

If you are facing a black screen with cursor in Windows 10, certain applications such as antivirus, third-party firewall, iCloud, Cisco VPN client, or IDT Audio can cause this problem.

To fix this problem, it’s advised that you uninstall those applications from your PC.

However, you can also count on third-party uninstaller software that removes problematic applications and automatically cleans up leftovers from your device, even those left behind by other software.

15. Change display brightness

Press Windows + S to open the Search menu, type Power Options, and click on the relevant search result.
Find your current plan, and click Change plan settings.
Now click on Change advanced power settings.
Locate the Display brightness setting and set it to 99% or 98% when your device is plugged in.
Save changes and restart your PC.

Users have reported a black screen on Windows 10 after they connect the AC adapter to their laptops. In most cases, the computer works fine, but the screen goes dark after the user connects the AC adapter.

This is caused by the display brightness problem and can easily be fixed with this solution. Find out what to do if you are unable to change the display brightness.

16. Disable the secondary output

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager from the list of options.
Click View, and select Show hidden devices.
Locate Secondary Output, right-click it and choose Disable.
Confirm the action and then restart your PC.
Now, check if the issue is resolved.

If you have a black screen with a cursor problem in Windows 10, this can happen if you use two or more monitors on your PC. And the simplest solution is to disable all the secondary devices.

17. Change primary display

Press Windows + I to open Settings, and then choose System.
In the Display section, you should see several displays available. Select the display you wish to use as the main one and click Make this my main display.
Click Apply to save changes.

If you have problems with a black screen with a cursor before login in on Windows 10, you might want to try connecting your monitor to your PC with an HDMI cable.

Users have reported that you can use an HDMI connection instead of DVI, which will fix black screen issues.

If you connect both HDMI and DVI cables, your PC might see the DVI connection as the second monitor (even if you have only one monitor), and if that’s the case, you need to set your main display.

18. Disable/enable dedicated card from BIOS

Some users have reported that enabling or disabling dedicated graphics fixes this issue for them. To do that, you need to enter BIOS and locate Graphic settings.

Now choose between Switchable or Discreet options, depending on which one you want to use. Choose the Discreet option for example, if you enable a dedicated graphic card.

19. Disable Fast Startup

Press Windows + R to open Run, enter Control Panel in the text field, and click OK.
Click on System and Security.
Now, click on the Change what the powers buttons do.
Click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Untick the checkbox for Turn on fast startup (recommended) and click on Save changes.

In some cases, Fast Startup may trigger the black screen with a cursor issue in Windows 10. In this case, you can quickly fix this problem by simply disabling this option.

20. Connect your monitor to an integrated graphic card

In certain situations, Windows 10 might not recognize your dedicated graphic card. So the only solution is to connect your monitor directly to your integrated graphic card.

After that, the black screen with the cursor problem in Windows 10 will be fixed.

Using your integrated graphics card is not such a big deal. Still, if you need more power and don’t want to use the dedicated card, you can increase the VRAM on the integrated one.

21. Uninstall problematic software before the upgrade

If you’re planning to upgrade to Windows 10, you might experience a black screen with a cursor problem during installation if you don’t delete specific programs.

Sometimes your antivirus or firewall can cause this problem during the installation, so you might want to remove them temporarily.

In addition, if you use any tools that change the looks of your Windows, such as OldNewExplorer or ClassicShell, you should uninstall them before upgrading to Windows 10.

22. Start File Explorer with administrative privileges

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open the Task Manager, click on the File menu at the top-left corner and select Run new task.
Enter explorer.exe in the text field, check the Create this task with administrative privileges box, and then click OK.

As bizarre as it may seem, some users fixed the issue by starting File Explorer with administrative privileges, so you might as well try that too.

How do I fix Windows 11 black screen with cursor?

Black screen with cursor in Windows 11 is encountered for more or less the same reasons as Windows 10, and the solutions, too, remain the same.

Whenever you encounter the issue, the primary approach should be to verify that the connections are in order and that the connected devices are all compatible.

Once you are sure of these, move to the software-based solutions, for instance, updating the driver, uninstalling conflicting applications, or disabling fast startup, among others.

Some users also reported Windows 11 black screen with cursor and no Task Manager, and the solutions remain the same.

As you can see, the black screen with a cursor on Windows 10 can create many problems. But in most cases, you can fix it by disconnecting additional monitors or connecting it to a different port.

Also, find out what to do if you get a black screen after sleep in Windows 10 since many users have been facing the problem.

Tell us if our solutions have helped you solve this annoying problem by referring to the comment section below.

Outlook not Attaching Files: 5 Ways to Permanently Fix It

Posted on September 27, 2022August 21, 2025 by Matthew Adams

If Outlook is not attaching files, it usually means the program is hitting size limits, blocking certain file types, or running into profile, add-in, or cache problems. This guide explains why it happens and how to fix it quickly.

Why Outlook Is Not Attaching Files
What can I do if Outlook is not attaching files?

Why Outlook Is Not Attaching Files

Outlook may refuse attachments if the file is too large (over 20–25 MB). Certain file types like .exe, .bat, or .js are also blocked for security. Add-ins or a corrupted Outlook profile can interfere with attachments, while weak internet or a nearly full mailbox may cause failures. Sometimes antivirus software blocks outgoing files, or corrupted cache and temporary folders disrupt the process.

What can I do if Outlook is not attaching files?

1. Compress files for attaching into a ZIP Archive

Press the Windows key + E to access File Explorer.
Open a directory that includes the files you can’t attach to an Outlook email.
Hold the Ctrl key to select all files to include in your attachment.
Right-click and select Compress to ZIP file.
Enter a title for your ZIP.
Then try attaching the ZIP archive to an Outlook email.

2. Disable compatibility mode for Outlook

Right-click an Outlook shortcut icon or its EXE application file to select Properties.
Select Compatibility on Outlook’s Properties window.
Uncheck the Run this program in compatibility mode box if that setting is selected.
Press Apply and OK to save the reconfigured settings.

NOTE

This resolution is recommended if you see an Operation failed message when trying to attach files to Outlook emails.

3. Change the email message’s format

Click Outlook’s File tab.
Select Options to bring up a Settings window.
Click the Mail tab.
Select HTML or Plain Text in the compose format drop-down menu if Outlook is set to Rich Text.
Press the Outlook Options window’s OK button.

4. Run Outlook in its Safe Mode

Bring up Windows 11’s Run command dialog by clicking Start with the right mouse button and selecting that accessory on the Win + X menu.
Input this Safe Mode command: Outlook.exe /safe
Click OK to launch Outlook in Safe Mode.
Try attaching attachments to an email again.

5. Disable Outlook add-ins

Open Outlook, and click its File tab.
Click Options on the File tab.
Select the Add-ins tab.
Then click COM Add-on on the Manage drop-down menu.
Press the Go button.
Uncheck the checkboxes for enabled Outlook add-ins.
Select OK on the COM Add-ins window.

What is the maximum attachment size in Outlook 365?

The maximum attachment size for Outlook 2019 and 2016 is 20 megabytes. That limit applies to single or multiple files irrespective of the email server.

So, check if files for an attachment eclipse the 20-megabyte mark before you try to attach them to an Outlook email. If they do, try compressing the files in an archive as outlined for solution one.

However, that 20 megabyte doesn’t apply to users with Exchange Server accounts. Instead, Outlook applies an Exchange server limit. You can change that limit in the Exchange Management Console.

Those are some more probable potential fixes for Outlook not attaching files. Updating Outlook, disabling third-party antivirus software, and repairing that app’s PST data file are other potential resolutions worth trying.

Also, here’s what to do if Outlook 2016 crashes when opening an email with attachment. It’s time to verify your antivirus, install the latest updates, or apply our other tips.

Have you fixed Outlook not attaching files with a resolution not specified above? If so, feel free to share your solution for that issue in the comments section below.

Windows 11 File System Error: How to Fix it in 7 Steps

Posted on September 27, 2022October 24, 2024 by Claire Moraa

A Windows 11 file system error is a common issue for Windows users. Sometimes, it’s a temporary problem that corrects itself when you restart your PC or refresh the page. However, your browser, operating system, or computer might have more severe problems.

Your file system organizes files and directories on storage media (such as hard disks and optical discs). Without a file system, your computer cannot read data from your storage media.

It also manages the available space on your hard disk and the files stored on it so that the operating system can easily access the files. Unfortunately, file system errors are quite common in Windows.

When such an error occurs, you may find that basic computer tasks such as opening or saving files are impossible, which is caused by the operating system not being able to read the data on your hard drive successfully.

What causes file system errors?

These errors can occur for several reasons, such as corruption of system files, a virus infection, lack of disk space, etc. The errors manifest as error codes such as (-2147219196), which could prevent you from accessing your files.

File system errors are common, but most of them can be fixed with ease:

Corrupt files – File systems can become corrupt due to various factors. Typically, this happens when the file system becomes damaged due to unexpected shutdowns or power failures and loses its ability to organize data properly.
Malware – The other leading cause of a corrupted file system is the actions of malware. Malware can be designed to alter or damage the files stored in the file system, causing it to lose its ability to work effectively.
Hardware issues – In some cases, the Windows 11 file system error can also occur due to a hardware issue. If you are experiencing this error on your system, consider replacing your hard drive with a new one and check if the problem is still there.
Invalid registry entries – Your computer may have many registry files, and any of these files can be damaged for various reasons, such as malware infection, power surges, incorrect uninstallation, etc. When the registry files are damaged, your computer will fail to access them.

If you have ever encountered this error, you will understand how frustrating it can be to see it appear on your screen.

You may have lost valuable data due to this problem and will be desperate to fix it to avoid further damage and recover your data. If so, proceed with our solutions below.

How can I fix a Windows 11 file system error?

1. Use a third-party tool

If you are looking for an advanced optimization tool that can repair various errors on your PC safely and securely, this program is the best.

2. Check for viruses

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

3. Check for Windows Updates

Press the Windows key, search Check for updates, and click Open.
Hit Check for updates.
If you have any pending updates, proceed to Download & install and restart your system.

4. Uninstall recent Windows Updates

Press the Windows + I keys simultaneously to open Settings.
Navigate to Windows Updates and go to Update history.
Click on Uninstall updates.
Select the most recent update, then click Uninstall.

5. Run DISM

Press the Windows key, type cmd on the search bar, and click Run as administrator.
Type in the following command, then press Enter:
DISM /online /cleanup-image /scanhealth
Restart your PC for the changes to take place.

Running the SFC and DISM scans can help you fix other common file system errors on Windows 11, like 2147163890, therefore you should execute these commands whenever you face similar problems.

6. Run CHKDSK

Press the Windows key, type cmd on the search bar, and click Run as administrator.
Type in the following command, then press Enter: chkdsk:/f

7. Repair or reset the problematic app

Press Windows + I to open Settings, and select Apps from the navigation pane.
Click on Apps & features on the right.
Now, locate the problematic app, click on the ellipsis next to it, and select Advanced options.
Scroll down, click on the Repair button, and wait for the process to complete.
If that doesn’t work, click on Reset.
Again, click Reset in the confirmation prompt to initiate the process.

Once done, the Windows 11 File System Error should be fixed, and you will be able to open the desired files.

What can I do if I experience the ms-settings file system error in Windows 11?

Press the Windows + I keys to open the Settings app.
Select App Settings.
Scroll down and select Reset.

The ms-settings file system error happens when a user tries to open any settings from the Start menu. This can also occur when you try to open settings from the taskbar or Action Center.

You can try resetting the Settings app if you encounter such an error with the steps above.

How can I fix the Windows 11 NTFS file system error?

Press the Windows + I keys simultaneously to open Settings.
Select the Recovery option on the System tab.
Click Restart now for the Advanced startup option.
Select Troubleshoot option.
Next, select Advanced options.
Choose the Startup Repair option.

Windows uses the NTFS file system to store and retrieve files on your hard drive. The two main reasons for file system errors are hardware issues, such as bad sectors or sudden power loss, and software problems, such as disk cleanup software not working correctly.

Another possibility is that there are NTFS permissions blocking access to this location. Unfortunately, your options will be minimal if this is the case.

Changing permissions on operating system files and folders can cause massive problems if they’re not done correctly or reverted afterward.

You can try a Startup Repair and attempt to remedy the situation by following the steps above.

If you were experiencing a file system error, we hope you were able to salvage the situation by using one or more of our solutions.

Secure your device with an antivirus solution, as your system is vulnerable to malware and viruses, exposing you to frequent file system errors.

We also have a guide on Refs_File_System error, so be sure to visit it for more useful information.

In the comment section below, let us know which method worked for you. Also, leave any thoughts or additional solutions that may have worked for you.

9 Ways to Fix Unexpected Kernel Mode Trap Windows 11 Error

Posted on September 27, 2022October 11, 2025 by Matthew Adams

Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap is a BSoD error sometimes accompanied by the 0x00000007F error code. When it appears, a black screen that includes the Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error message, and Windows restarts. The issue can be caused by incompatible hardware, outdated drivers, or corrupted system files.

How can I fix the Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error?

1. Check for hardware problems

The Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap BSoD is commonly caused by hardware failures so you should first check the CPU and GPU fans and also the memory. If you have a desktop PC, look inside and see if the fans are working properly and the components are not overheating.

The same can also happen to laptops and if it heats up more than usual, we recommend turning it off and ask for professional help. Overheating can eventually damage the components so it’s an urgent matter to deal with. Also, try reseating the RAM modules on a desktop PC and check if that solves the issue.

2. Check recently installed hardware device compatibility

Did the Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error arise on your desktop or laptop shortly after you installed (added) new hardware? If so, it’s feasible that the newly installed hardware has generated the issue.

Therefore, it’s recommended that users who need to fix the Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap Windows 11 error disconnect and uninstall recently installed devices from their PCs.

Then restart your computer to see if the issue persists. If not, the new hardware might not have been incompatible with your computer’s software.

3. Run a System File Checker scan

First, press the Windows key + S simultaneously to bring up a search box. Enter cmd within the search box to locate the Command Prompt. Click Run as administrator for the Command Prompt search result.
Next, input this command and hit Enter: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
When the Deployment Image Servicing scan is complete, type in this command and press Enter: sfc /scannow
Now wait for the System File Checker scan to reach the 100 percent complete mark.

If you want a more thorough integrity scan of your Windows files, you should use a specialized tool to find and repair any corrupted or damaged files.

4. Check for malware

Double-click the Windows Security system tray icon.
Click the Virus & threat protection tab on the left Windows Security.
Select the Scan options navigation link.
Then click the Full scan radio button followed by Scan now.

NOTE

You can also purge malware with third-party malware scanner software. For example, Malwarebytes Premium is one of Windows’s best-known and most efficient third-party anti-malware tools.

5. Stop overclocking your PC

Have you overclocked your PC’s processor with third-party overclocking software? If so, that could be why you need to fix the Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error on Windows 11.

This potential resolution, unsurprisingly enough, is to reverse all the overclocking you’ve applied to your computer. Instead, restore your PC’s processor to its default clock speed. To do so, look for a restore system default option within your overclocking software.

6. Run the CHKDSK scan

Press Windows, then enter cmd inside the Windows search box and select the Run as administrator option under the result on the right.
Type in this command and press Enter: chkdsk c: /f
Then press the Y key to confirm, then reboot your computer.

7. Update device drivers

Right-click the Start menu icon and select Device Manager to open that window.
Look for devices with yellow exclamation marks beside them.
If there’s a device with a yellow exclamation mark, right-click it, and select the Update driver option.
Then select the Search automatically for updated drivers option within the Update drivers tool.
If you can’t find a device with a yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager, try updating your PC’s graphical, chipset, network, and input device drivers.

Then you can try updating them with the driver updater utility, manually or via Device Manager. Even if the tools from our list are dedicated to Windows 10, most of them are compatible with the new OS as well.

The best way to update device drivers is to utilize driver updater software. Outbyte Driver Updater is a tool that will scan your PC and list all the devices for which you need to update drivers.

Outbyte Driver Updater uses a frequently updated database of over 18 million driver files ready to be safely installed to replace your outdated drivers.

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8. Run a Windows Memory Diagnostic check

To find the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool, click the magnifying glass button for the search tool.
Enter Windows Memory Diagnostic in the search box.
Then select the Restart now and check for problems option.
After that, wait for the diagnostic check to finish after the restart.
If you don’t see a Windows Memory Diagnostic notification display the results, right-click the Start button to select Event Viewer.
Next, click Windows Logs, then System within the Event Viewer window.
Select the Find option.
Input MemoryDiagnostic within the search box and click the Find Next button.
Then you can view a General tab for MemoryDiagnostic results.

NOTE

If Memory Diagnostics shows there’sbad RAM, replace your PC’s ailing RAM module with a new one.

9. Restore Windows 11 to an earlier date

Press the Windows key + X simultaneously, and select the Run option on the menu.
Enter this text in Run’s window and click OK: rstrui
If you can select the Choose a different restore option, select that radio button and click Next.
Select the Show more restore points checkbox if you can.
Then choose a restore point date that will roll back Windows 11 to when you didn’t need to fix the Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error. Alternatively, select the oldest restore point you can.
Click Next to proceed.
Press the Finish option to restore Windows 11 to the date selected.

You might need to reinstall some software after rolling back Windows 11. You can check what software a selected restore removes by clicking Scan for affected programs in System Restore.

10. Reset Windows 11

NOTE

Resetting Windows 11 restores the OS to its factory settings, which also means you’ll have to reinstall third-party software that didn’t come preinstalled on your PC. Therefore, we recommended resetting Windows 11 as a last resort solution only.

Press Windows + I to open the Settings app, then scroll down and select the Recovery section.
Press the Reset PC button to bring up that tool.
Then choose the Keep My files option on the Reset this PC window.
Select the Local reinstall or Cloud download option (whichever you prefer).
Click the Next and Reset buttons.

What causes an Unexpected Kernel Mode Trap?

It’s a bit technical, but the Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error’s bug check highlights that the Windows OS kernel failed to capture a trap generated by a PC’s CPU. Unfortunately, that means your computer might have faulty or mismatched hardware.

For example, your PC could have faulty RAM (system memory). Or some of the included drives and disk controllers might be incompatible with Windows 11.

This error can also arise because of outdated or incompatible device drivers on your PC. Unfortunately, this often happens after upgrading to Windows 11.

Aside from that, corrupted system files, overclocked CPUs, and malware are other potential causes for the Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error in Windows 11. Therefore, as expected, there are quite a few common causes of Blue Screen of Death errors.

Our readers reported other cases where the Unexpected Kernel Mode Trap error appeared, and some of them are the following:

Halo Infinite Unexpected Kernel Mode Trap in Windows 11 – The Unexpected Kernel Mode Trap error is typically associated with the drivers on your system or the memory on your system, and it is followed by the stop code of 0x0000007F.
Unexpected Kernel Mode Trap Ryzen – Check the validity of newly inserted hardware or recently installed software.
Unexpected Kernel Mode Trap while gaming – The problem Unexpected Kernel Mode Trap may have been brought on by a faulty hard drive or data that has become corrupted.
Warzone Unexpected Kernel Mode Trap – In the event that you are playing Warzone and your computer freezes up and displays blue screens, you should immediately restart the device.

How do I use the blue screen troubleshooter?

Microsoft’s online Windows Blue Screen Troubleshooter is a wizard designed to assist beginner users in fixing the BSOD errors they see on their computers.

Along the route, it connects you to valuable resources and steps. Check the radio buttons next to the appropriate answers that suit your case.

How can I enter Safe Mode for troubleshooting?

Try entering the Windows Recovery Environment if you can’t log in to Windows because of the Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error. To do so, press and hold the Power button for 5-10 seconds during startup (preferably at a logo) to force shutdown. Do that three times to enter recovery mode.

When you’ve entered the Windows Recovery Environment, you can select enter Safe mode. This diagnostic (troubleshooting) mode for Windows starts the OS in a basic state with minimal drivers and files. You can enter that mode via WinRE as follows:

First, select the Advanced Options button on the Startup Repair screen.
Select Troubleshoot on the Choose an option menu.
Then choose Advanced options.
Select the Startup Settings button.
Press the Restart button to reboot.
After restarting, press the F5 keyboard key to choose the Enable Safe Mode with Networking option.
After that, you can apply the above resolutions in Safe Mode.

These are some of the most potential fixes for the Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error. Of course, that doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed, but there’s a good chance they’ll resolve the issue.

Microsoft also has a Blue Screen of Death troubleshooter, which might help some users fix the Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error. You can check out that troubleshooter by opening its Troubleshoot blue screen errors webpage.

Also, don’t hesitate to check out this guide on how to solve the startup error 0x0000000F. Windows 11 users can also apply the tips mentioned here for Windows 10.

However, we also have a complete guide on fixing Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error in Windows 10.

If the resolutions in this guide don’t fix your computer’s Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error, your PC could have a deeper hardware issue, such as a failing power supply or faulty motherboard component. In this case, consider returning it to its manufacturer’s repair service.

If you found this guide helpful, we appreciate your feedback. How did you solve the error? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments area below.

Remote Desktop Cannot Verify Identity of the Computer [Fix]

Posted on September 27, 2022October 4, 2023 by Henderson Jayden Harper

The Remote Desktop tool in Windows allows users to access and connect to a computer in another environment. Also, you can see the desktop’s screen and interact with it from your computer.

Connecting a Remote Desktop to a host computer is an easy task anyone can do as long as you verify the identity. However, it can be annoying to encounter difficulties when the Remote Desktop can’t connect or access the host device.

Furthermore, the Remote Desktop cannot verify the Remote computer’s identity for several reasons. They may vary depending on the nature of the concern.

Nonetheless, this article will discuss why the Remote Desktop cannot verify the identity of the computer you want to connect to and how to fix the problem.

Why is the Remote Desktop not connecting or verifying the identity?

Time and date difference between Remote Desktop and the remote computer: Remote Desktop cannot verify the remote computer’s identity because there is a time and date difference between your computer and the remote computer, an error message users encounter. It indicates that your computer has a different time zone from the Remote Desktop. Therefore, it cannot connect to or verify the Remote Host’s identity.
Issues with the Windows update: Users complain about their Remote Desktop connection issues after updating their Windows OS. Likewise, the Remote Desktop cannot verify the Remote Host’s identity may occur after the macOS update.
Windows Defender Firewall interference: It is common to have difficulties with external connections when the Windows Defender Firewall is running. However, it can impede the Remote Desktop connection by wrongly detecting the process as a threat. Hence, Remote Desktop cannot verify the remote computer’s identity in Windows if the Firewall is on.

What can I do if Remote Desktop cannot verify identity?

1. Ensure that your time and date are set correctly

As said earlier, the Remote Desktop may encounter errors connecting with the Remote Host device due to different times and dates.

Also, if the error message specifies this, change the Remote computer’s time zone to match that of the Remote Desktop.

2. Disable Windows Defender Firewall

Click on Start and type Windows Security in the search box.
Select Windows Security from the search results.
Click on Virus & threat protection from the Windows Security tab.
Then select Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings.
Turn off Real-time protection.

Restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Then, try connecting the Remote Desktop and check if the verification error persists.

3. Uninstall the recent Windows update

Press Windows + I keys to prompt the Settings app.
Go to the Windows Update tab and select Update history.
Click Uninstall updates and select the most recent update.
Click on Uninstall.

Uninstalling the recent Windows update can fix any issues that might occur during the update.

4. Allow remote desktop connections

Press Windows + R to open the Run window.
Type in gpedit.msc and press Enter to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
Navigate to the Computer configuration, then select the Administrative Templates.
Click on the Windows Components option and Remote Desktop Services.
Select the Remote Desktop Session Host option, then click on Connections.
Double-click the Allow users to connect remotely using the Remote Desktop Services option.
Click on Enable and OK.

Allowing users to connect remotely using Remote Desktop Services through the Local Group Policy can help establish remote connections without verification errors.

5. Use the private network profile

Press Windows + I key to open Settings.
Click the Network & Internet tab and select Ethernet or Wi-Fi (depending on your connection type).
Expand the connection and click on the Private option button.

Alternatively, you can read through our guide on enabling and using a Remote Desktop connection in Windows.

Can you reinstall Remote Desktop?

For users who have uninstalled Remote Desktop from their PCs, you can reinstall it on your computer by following the steps below:

Click Start and right-click on the computer.
Select Properties and the Remote Desktop menu, then select Allow.
Click OK and restart your computer.

The Remote Desktop will reinstall itself, and you’ll be able to access it.

These are the best fixes to fix the Remote Desktop cannot verify identity issue. The highlighted steps should be followed strictly for optimal results.

Nonetheless, you can find remote control software for Windows 10/11 that are free and paid. Also, check how to fix your PC’s Remote Desktop gateway server issues.

If the guide has been helpful, you can leave a suggestion or question in the comments section. We’d love to hear from you.

Thunderbird Is Slow on Windows 10: 12 Ways to Fix It

Posted on September 27, 2022October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

You must have found this article because your Thunderbird client is slow; here is all you should know.

Thunderbird is a popular email client, and many Windows 10 users utilize it. Despite its popularity and simplicity, some users reported that Thunderbird is slow on Windows 10.

We love to explore this problem and suggest the most efficient solutions for you on Windows 10. So let’s see if we can fix that problem.

Why is Thunderbird so slow?

When your email client is slow, there could be a few reasons. So, if you were wondering why Thunderbird is freezing or is slow, here are the likely reasons.

Add-ons – You may want to try the client in safe mode to determine if it is an add-on problem.
An outdated email client – Outdated apps will naturally display different faults.
Corrupted msf files – These files may occasionally become corrupt, slowing down Thunderbird.
Oversized cache – As with any other browser, Thunderbird will accumulate a rather large cache file, preventing it from running properly. So, before anything, clear its cache and cookies.

While this is not an exhaustive list, they represent the common triggers, but regardless of the cause, we shall show you the best fixes.

How can I fix Thunderbird if it’s slow?

1. Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode

Open the Start menu, click the Power button, hold the Shift key, and choose the Restart option.
Your PC will restart and see three options on the screen.
Select Troubleshoot.
Now choose Advanced options > Startup Settings.
Click the Restart button.
When your PC restarts, you’ll see a list of options available.
Select Safe Mode with Networking by pressing F5 on your keyboard.

After Safe Mode starts, you need to locate and run Thunderbird. If Thunderbird works without problems, the issue is caused by a third-party application or your configuration settings.

2. Start Thunderbird in Safe Mode

Hold the Shift key on your keyboard and start Thunderbird.
The Thunderbird Safe Mode window will now appear. If you want, you can choose to Disable all add-ons or Reset toolbars and windows sizes.
Click the Continue in Safe Mode button to start Thunderbird in Safe Mode.

You can also access Safe Mode in Thunderbird simply by clicking the Help menu and choosing the Restart with Add-ons Disabled option. After that, click the Restart button, and Thunderbird will start again in Safe Mode. The Safe Mode may help when you see Thunderbird’s slow search.

Once Thunderbird starts in Safe Mode, check if everything is in order. If there are no problems, your Thunderbird configuration or one of the installed add-ons is causing this issue, so be sure to change your settings and disable unnecessary add-ons.

Some users also suggest starting Thunderbird Safe Mode while in Windows 10 Safe Mode, so be sure to try that as well.

3. Change your email client

This might seem like a drastic solution, but it’s practical.

If you do not want to deal with the hassle of a troubleshooting process, switching email clients is the logical step, and we have a powerful recommendation for you.

If Thunderbird is slow to send emails or download attachments, this non-lagging software will feel like a breeze.

Mailbird is a top-rated email client designed to complement the Windows 10 structure to the point where it seamlessly blends with the OS’s architecture.

This email client features an uncluttered and intuitive interface that allows you to easily manage your emails, attachments, and contacts in one unified Inbox.

Speaking about that, the incredible Attachment Search feature allows you to quickly and effortlessly track down even year-old attachments.

By adding integrations to the table (and Mailbird indeed allows you to connect all your favorite email, calendar, task, and messaging apps into one), you will enjoy many functionalities to cover all your communication needs.

In addition, you have easy email and contact management from a unified Inbox, seamless app integrations (Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, Dropbox, Google Calendar), or custom sound notifications for incoming and outgoing emails.

There is a snooze feature to separate and prioritize your emails, so you always stay on top of endless tasks in your mailbox.

Mailbird

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4. Keep your Thunderbird up to date

Click on the menu.
Select Help and click About Thunderbird.
Now the app will automatically check for updates.

If your Thunderbird is slow on Windows 10, ensure you have the latest updates installed.

The community is working hard on Thunderbird, and if you’re having specific issues with it on Windows 10, we strongly advise that you check if you have the latest version installed.

Some versions might suffer from specific issues, so it’s highly recommended that you download and install the latest version to fix those issues. Many users found Thunderbird 102 slow, and updating to the latest version did the trick.

5. Install a previous version of Thunderbird

Tip

Downloading a previous version of Thunderbird is an intricate process requiring a basic technical understanding. Besides, it’s not the best option to download a previous version. However, this might work if it’s a bug or a patch that has not yet been released.

Head to the Thunderbird Release Notes on the official website and check the previously installed version, which was stable.

Once you have the version number, you will need to modify the following URL by replacing Version with the one you want to install:https://download.mozilla.org/?product=thunderbird-Version-SSL&os=win64&lang=en-US

Say you want to download Thunderbird Version 102.0.1. So the link becomes:https://download.mozilla.org/?product=thunderbird-102.0.1-SSL&os=win64&lang=en-US

Simply paste it into the browser’s address bar and hit Enter to download the installed. All that’s left is to run the setup and follow the on-screen instruction to complete the installation process.

6. Delete the MSF files

Launch the client.
Navigate Tools, Account Settings, and Server Settings on the Thunderbird app, then copy the Local directory path.
Open the File Explorer, paste the copied path into the Address bar, and then hit Enter.
Now locate the MSF files and remove them. Be sure only to remove MSF files from that folder.

If deleting MSF files manually seems complicated, some users recommend using the ThunderFix tool, so you might want to try it.

With this tool, you need to select your profile and click the Fix profile button, and all msf files will be removed.

7. Use Config Editor

Navigate to Settings, choose Options, and click on Config Editor.
When Config Editor opens, set the following values to true:
gfx.direct2d.disabled
layers.acceleration.disabled
Save the changes, and the problem should be resolved entirely.

Some versions of use Direct2D hardware acceleration, which can sometimes reduce your performance, mainly if you use a low-end graphic processor on your PC, and you may face the Thunderbird slow typing problem.

A few users reported that they fixed the problem simply by using the layers.acceleration.disabled option, so you might want to try doing that.

8. Turn on the Automatic Compacting of Folders

Go to Tools, and select Options.
Navigate to the Advanced tab and select Network & Disk Space.
Select Compact folders when it will save over option and enter the desired size in MB. For example, 20MB is usually a good option, but you can use a lower value if you want compact to perform more frequently.

If you decide to use a lower value for Automatic Compacting, set mail.purge.ask to true using Config Editor in Thunderbird.

9. Add Thunderbird to the list of exclusions

Specific antivirus tools closely monitor your email client and scan all your emails. This is an excellent feature since it scans all your emails for malicious attachments, but despite its usefulness, sometimes you can experience performance issues with Thunderbird.

If Thunderbird is slow to delete messages or even in general, add it to the list of exclusions in your firewall and check if that fixes the problem.

Remember that adding Thunderbird to the list of exclusions can be a security risk sometimes, so be sure not to open any suspicious emails or attachments.

If that doesn’t fix the problem, you might consider temporarily disabling your antivirus software and checking if that solves the issue.

If the issue is resolved by disabling your antivirus, switch to different antivirus software and check if the problem persists.

10. Make your messages available offline

Go to the menu, then Account Settings.
Click on Synchronization & Storage, tick Keep messages in all folders for this account on this computer, then click the Advanced button.
Tick the Inbox option, and click the OK button.

By enabling this option, all your messages will be downloaded to your hard drive, and you’ll be able to open them instantly while having all advantages of an IMAP account. If you want, you can also make other folders available offline.

11. Change the Maximum number of server connections

Go to the menu, then Account Settings.
Click on Server Settings, then select the Advanced option.
Locate Maximum number of server connections to cache and change it to 1, then click the OK button.

The issue is caused if the number of connections is higher than 1. If this value is higher than 1, Thunderbird tries to connect multiple times to the server. Therefore, Thunderbird may be stuck on loading your message if you do not change this value.

After the server rejects all these connections, the entire process might slow down; therefore, be sure to change the Maximum number of server connections to 1.

12. Keep your folders small

According to users, having more than 1000 email messages in a folder can lead to some issues on your PC. To fix this problem, be sure that you frequently delete contents from the Trash folder.

If you want to keep your folders small, you can permanently delete an email simply by holding the Shift key and choosing the delete option. Do this if you find Thunderbird slow with large mailboxes.

How can I make Thunderbird run faster?

If you are wondering how do I optimize Thunderbird, here are a few quick tips that might help:

Disable antivirus scanning of your Email folder
Clean your Thunderbird index files
Set up interface options like layers.acceleration.disabled = true
Disable AeroGlass

These are quick tips that will make the client faster.

Having performance issues with Thunderbird can be a big problem, but we hope you managed to fix the problem using one of our solutions. These solutions will be great if Thunderbird is slow to send your email or Thunderbird is slow in downloading messages.

And if the problem is not limited to Thunderbird, but the whole PC seems slow, find some quick tips to boost Windows performance.

Feel free to share your troubleshooting experience with us in the comments below.

Vanguard on Windows 11: Fix Valorant Errors With This Easy Guide!

Posted on September 27, 2022July 23, 2024 by Matthew Adams

The Van9001 and Windows 11 Valorant anti-cheat errors are two of the most widely cited Valorant issues, associated with the following errors:

Vanguard anti-cheat has encountered an error. Please relaunch the client to restore anti-cheat function.
Van 9001: This build of Vanguard requires TPM version 2.0 and secure boot to be enabled to play.

Find below easy to follow ways to fix them:

How can I fix the Valorant Vanguard Windows 11 errors?

Fixes for the Van 9001 error

1. Enable both secure boot and TPM 2.0

Press the Start taskbar button.
Click the pinned Settings app to open it.
Select Recovery on the System tab.
Press the Restart now button for the Advanced startup option.
Select Troubleshoot on the blue menu.
Then select Advanced options to bring up the options shown directly below.
Click UEFI Firmware Settings there.
Then select Restart to enter UEFI Firmware options.
Locate and select Secure boot within the UEFI Firmware settings to enable that option.
Find and enable the TPM setting, which could be on an Advanced or Security tab.

Our Fix: TPM device not detected error guide also provides details for enabling TPM within BIOS settings. However, UEFI Firmware and BIOS menu layouts vary between PCs.

Your motherboard manual might include more specific instructions for enabling TPM 2.0.

2. Select the Allow BitLocker without a compatible TPM option

Right-click the Start menu and select Run.
To open Group Policy Editor, input this command and click OK:
gpedit.msc
Double-click Computer Configuration and select Administrative Templates in Group Policy Editor.
Select Windows Components and BitLocker Drive Encryption on the right of the window.
Then double-click Operating System Drives to bring up policy settings.
Double-click the Require additional authentication at startup policy there.
Select the Enabled radio button.
Then select the Allow BitLocker without a compatible TPM checkbox.
Press the Apply button to save your new Group Policy options.

NOTE

Local Group Policy Editor is not included with Windows 11 Home edition. However, Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise users can configure Group Policy settings.

Fixes for the Windows 11 Valorant Vanguard anti-cheat error

1. Run Valorant as an administrator

Open File Explorer by clicking the taskbar icon shown directly below.
Then open Valorant’s installation folder.
Right-click Valorant’s EXE to select Properties.
Select Run this program as administrator on the Compatibility tab.
It’s also recommended that you select the Disable full-screen optimizations option on that tab.
Click Apply and OK to save the selected options.

NOTE

You can also run Valorant with elevated rights by right-clicking a shortcut for it and selecting Run as administrator. For Valorant to always run with elevated rights, however, you’ll need to configure it as outlined above.

2. Check the VGC service is enabled and running

Click the magnifying glass taskbar button, and enter services within the search box.
Select the Services app.
Next, right-click the VGC service and select Properties.
Select the Automatic startup option if it’s not selected.
Click Start on the properties window if the service isn’t running.
Press the Apply button to confirm.

NOTE

If VGC is already enabled and running, try restarting that service by right-clicking it and selecting Restart.

3. Allow Valorant through Windows Defender Firewall

Open the search tool in Windows 11 from the taskbar.
Input the keyword Windows Defender Firewall within the search text box.
Click Windows Defender Firewall to open that Control Panel applet.
Select the Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall option on the left side of the Control Panel.
Press the Change settings button.
Click the Allow another app option.
Press the Browse button to select Valorant, and click the Open option.
Then click Add.
Select the Private and Public checkboxes for Valorant within the firewall’s settings.
Click the OK option.

4. Disable third-party antivirus software

If you have third-party antivirus software installed, it’s recommended that you disable that utility before playing Valorant.

To do so, right-click the system tray icon for your antivirus utility and select a disable option on the context menu. Select to disable the antivirus shield for a few hours if possible.

If you can play Valorant after disabling your antivirus software, the antivirus utility’s shield or firewall likely conflicts with the game or its anti-cheat software. In this case, consider adding Valorant and Vanguard to your antivirus utility’s exceptions list to get rid of this and other errors like Valorant error code 57.

In case that does not work, we recommend trying gaming-friendly AV software.

5. Reinstall Vanguard

Press the Windows + I key combination.
Select Apps on the left of Settings.
Click the Apps & features navigation option.
Next, click the three-dot button for Riot Vanguard to select Uninstall.
Select Restart on the Start menu.
After that, open the Valorant client to reinstall the Vanguard anti-cheat software.

Do Valorant’s connection errors have anything to do with Vanguard?

The Valorant Connection error that arises when some players launch the game is often due to Vanguard. If you ever need to fix that error, try uninstalling and reinstalling Vanguard as outlined within the last potential resolution above.

However, that connection issue can also arise for other reasons. For example, there could be an issue with your internet connection. In this case, running the Internet Connections troubleshooter or restarting your router might also help.

Can you play Valorant without Vanguard?

Riot Vanguard would have to be enabled during VALORANT gameplay to maintain the integrity of players’ games. Your ability to play, however, might be impacted by unforeseen conflicts with either the Vanguard driver or the Vanguard client on your device.

Even if you want to uninstall the game, you first need to exit Riot Vanguard, uninstall Vanguard first, and then the game to completely get rid of it.

Nevertheless, you cannot play Valorant without Riot Vanguard in Windows 11. The driver keeps going, although you aren’t playing the game.

So, that’s how you can fix the Vanguard 9001 and anti-cheat errors in Windows 11. Unfortunately, those are two of the most common issues Valorant players have needed to fix on Microsoft’s latest desktop platform.

The fix for the 9001 error is pretty clear-cut. You must enable TPM 2.0 and secure boot on your PC to resolve that issue. If you can utilize Group Policy Editor, selecting the Allow BitLocker without a compatible TPM option might also work.

However, how you can fix the Vanguard anti-cheat error isn’t quite so obvious. That error often occurs because of firewall and antivirus software blocks. Try applying all the potential resolutions above for the Windows 11 Valorant anti-cheat error to get it fixed.

We also have a great guide on what to do if Valorant could not enter matchmaking, so don’t miss it. Vanguard can also cause VAN 1067 Valorant on Windows 11, but we covered this issue in another guide.

If you have questions about those Valorant Vanguard errors, please add them below. In addition, you can discuss those Vanguard Windows 11 errors and share other potential resolutions for them in that comments section.

How to Migrate Windows 7 to SSD

Posted on September 27, 2022October 4, 2023 by Teodor Nechita

With Microsoft ceasing support for Windows 7, many users are left wondering what their next step should be. While most will most probably upgrade to Windows 10, some may opt to remain with Windows 7.

If they choose to opt for the Windows 7 Extended Support, they will be able to continue using Windows 7 safely for another 2 years. However, some may choose to keep both Windows 10 and Windows 7, albeit on different drives.

While Windows 10 may be better optimized for older hardware, those that wish to use Windows 7 can compensate for the lack of optimization by migrating it to an external SSD.

Naturally, this operation isn’t just a mere Copy and Paste operation, and requires that you use certain methods, especially if you want to conserve all user data, or if you don’t want to reinstall it again.

Read on to find out how to move the Windows 7 OS to SSD using two different methods, according to your preferences.

How do I move Windows 7 to an SSD?

1. Migrate Windows 7 to an SSD using third-party tools

This option is by far the fastest and the easiest, as it drastically reduces the number of steps taken. One such example is by using AOMEI Backupper Professional.

This tool makes everything all the easier to handle, and it drastically reduces the time wasted.

Download and run AOMEI Backupper Professional
Connect SSD to your computer
Go to the Clone tab
Select System Clone
- To clone hard drive, click Disk Clone
Select your SSD as the destination
Click Next
Check the SSD Alignment option to optimize your SSD
Click Start Clone
Switch the location of the HDD and the SDD
Change the boot order of your PC to take the SSD first

2. Use Microsoft’s own tools

Performing the migration of Windows 7 to a SSD using just Microsoft’s own set of tools involves performing the following actions:

Create a backup using Windows 7‘s Backup and Restore
Create bootable media with Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool
Restore the system image to SSD

1. Create a backup using Windows 7’s Backup and Restore.
2. Download Windows 7 USB/DVD Download Tool and ISO files from Microsoft.
3. Launch the app.
4. Click Browse to locate Windows 7 ISO files from your computer.
5. Select the USB device as the media type.
6. Begin copying the files.
7. Replace your PC’s hard drive with the SSD, then connect the bootable USB to it.
8. Boot the PC using the bootable USB as the source.
9. When the Windows 7 Install menu appears, select Repair your Computer.
10. Select Restore your computer using a system image that you created earlier.
11. Click Next.
12. Check Use the latest available system image(recommended).
13. Click Next.
14. Switch the boot order to set the SSD as the first choice.

By following these steps, you should be able to successfully migrate your Windows 7 OS and user data to a new SSD without any data loss or the need to reinstall.

Did you find this article useful? Let us know in the comments section below.

7 Quick Ways to Fix Apex Legends Lag Spikes on PC

Posted on September 27, 2022October 5, 2025 by Elena Constantinescu

You can play Apex Legends on Steam, but you might stumble upon connectivity issues now and then.

So, if you’re looking for a way to fix Apex Legends lag spikes, high ping, FPS drops, or latency issues on your PC, we’re here to help.

Users reported the issue on many instances, and the Apex Legends lag in firing range was a common observation.

Check out our complete guide below to significantly improve your gaming experience without buying a new PC.

In addition, we prepared a list of foolproof solutions you can try at the software level of your computer.

Why do I keep having lag spikes in Apex?

If you’re experiencing Apex Legends lag spikes on your PC, you may be connecting to a server that’s too far away. That will result in high latency and possibly lag. Also, problems with your network connection will cause lag spikes to occur.

Outdated drivers can also be a problem, so ensure that your graphics and network drivers are up to date. If the issue is caused by network problems, such as your ISP, you can fix it with specialized tools.

What is a good ping for Apex Legends?

Low ping is beneficial for enhanced gameplay, and in Apex Legends, you should try to have it in the 20-50 ms range.

You may witness a spike when changing servers or a slow Internet connection. But anything under 80 ms should do for a game like Apex Legends.

How do I fix lag in Apex Legends?

1. Choose a different in-game region

Apex Legends lag spikes, and high ping could be caused by too many players on the same server.

If you notice peak hours when this happens, like in the evening or at the weekend, this is probably the reason why your entire game is slowed down.

You might not even be able to connect to a server. To resolve the matter, connect to another region in Apex Legends and try again. If the issue persists, keep changing regions until you exhaust all options.

This issue helps if you’re experiencing Apex Legends lag spikes on Xbox or PS5, so try it. Besides, it helps get rid of the Apex game logic error.

2. Use a gaming VPN

You can improve your ping and enhance your gameplay using an Apex Legends VPN. First, of course, you must connect to a VPN server closer to the region you’re playing it.

We recommend ExpressVPN because it’s the most used in the business and improves your connection and gaming speed.

Created by Kape Technologies, it can protect your computer from DDoS attacks and defend your home router from hackers. Express is also the best VPN choice to fix Apex Legends packet loss.

Plus, this VPN has OpenVPN with 256-bit encryption to secure your data. As a result, it enables your devices to keep a consistent internet connection with fast protocols such as Lightway.

Our tests show ExpressVPN works well with Xbox One, Android phones, and PS consoles. As a result, you can confidently choose it as the finest VPN for Apex Legends.

Furthermore, in such cases, you can use the virtual server functionality to access blocked websites and games. Express comes with servers in 94 regions.

ExpressVPN

Use this fast and optimized VPN for gaming to fix Apex Legends lag issues.

Check price Visit website

3. Check your Internet connection

It’s impossible to enjoy a smooth-free online game if your Internet connection is not strong enough to sustain it.

Try running a speed test to determine if your network connection is slower than usual. You could also temporarily launch a different game to see if it has lag spikes like Apex Legends.

If your Internet connection is faulty, you can try restarting your PC and terminating any high-consuming background processes or services needed online, like web browsers, torrenting clients, or download managers.

In addition to that, you can fix your slow Wi-Fi or switch to Ethernet mode.

4. Use Nvidia Control Panel

If you’re experiencing Apex Legends lag spikes due to GPU issues, you can use Nvidia Control Panel to optimize your PC for gaming.

It integrates the most critical PC settings into a user-friendly interface, which you can easily enable or disable for gaming. Besides, the tool is entirely free to use. However, it only works for Nvidia GPUs.

5. Update your drivers to the latest version

Your device drivers are responsible for everything on your computer, including graphics and sound.

So if you often have to deal with FPS drops in Apex Legends, check if your drivers are updated to the newest edition, especially regarding your GPU.

It’s possible to update the graphics driver manually, but finding what you need on the web might take a while.

On top of that, there’s always the risk of getting incompatible drivers that could harm your operating system. So instead, it’s better to resort to driver update software.

Keeping your graphics drivers & network drivers updated can prevent issues like Apex Legends Anticheat error.

To avoid damaging your system, you can update outdated drivers with Outbyte Driver Updater, a tool that specializes in finding and updating them. The process is safe and will only take a few moments to find old drivers.

6. Update Apex Legends, Steam, and Windows

Whether we’re talking about the operating system or gaming platform, your software is only as good as its latest updates. So make sure to update Apex Legends and Steam to the newest version.

Remember that this isn’t a 100%-effective solution, and many reported Apex Legends lag after the update.

However, it would help if you stayed away from Steam beta updates. Although they are newer, they don’t guarantee stability.

And, if your Steam updates got stuck, you can fix this problem using our easy workarounds.

The same goes for Windows. If the system update service doesn’t run automatically on your PC, you should check Windows Update for any new critical fixes or security patches at least once a week.

Then, restart your PC several times until all updates get installed, and try running Apex Legends to check for lag spikes.

7. Minimize in-game graphics settings

We know it’s not ideal, but reducing graphics settings while playing Apex Legends usually fixes high-ping issues. But do this only after updating your GPU driver.

If you still notice stuttering, it might be time to consider buying a new graphics card for gaming.

Why do I lag with good Internet?

A good Internet connection doesn’t eliminate lag since several factors are at play here. A high packet loss or low bandwidth is just as likely to be responsible for the problem.

Also, a wireless connection isn’t as stable, and many managed to fix things by switching to Ethernet.

Besides, if you have several programs running in the background, some of these might be accessing the Internet, leading to the increased Apex Legends lag spikes on PC. Terminate these, and you should be good to go!

Using the abovementioned solutions, you should have fixed Apex Legends lag spikes and other latency problems.

Also, please find out how to optimize the PC for gaming and get the best performance out of it.

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

Fix: An Unknown Error Has Occurred in Dead by Daylight

Posted on September 27, 2022September 6, 2025 by Hasibul Kabir

If you have been tired of finding solutions for an unknown error that has occurred on the game Dead by Daylight, you are at the right place. This article has featured the best ways to troubleshoot this error.

Do you have a passion for multiplayer and horror games? If yes, you are probably playing Dead by Daylight. It is one of the most exciting MP games in the industry. However, the excitement fades away when you face problems while playing this title.

The unknown error has occurred is one of the common and mysterious problems in this game. It may occur every time before starting a match or during the gameplay.

If you want to fix this problem, you should know the reasons before that. It will help to troubleshoot the issue in a better way.

Why does dead by daylight keep saying an unknown error has occurred?

Even though this problem has been bugging gamers around for a few years, the reasons are still unclear in the community. However, our team has found some possible causes.

These are network problems, incorrect time and date, and outdated or corrupted components, etc. There may be other reasons as well.

If you can take care of these things, you will be able to fix this unknown error with Dead by Daylight easily. You will learn how to do it in the next part of this article.

How do I fix an unknown error has occurred on Dead by Daylight?

1. Update the game

Open the game launcher like Steam or the one where you have purchased the game.
Click on the Dead by Daylight.
It should automatically update the game.

2. Correct Time and date

Press Win + I to open Settings.
Go to Time & language and click on Date & time.
Enable Set time automatically and ensure that the Time zone is in the correct state.

If necessary, restart your PC after making the above changes. Then, try to run the Dead by Daylight. Hopefully, you won’t face the unexpected problem again.

3. Reset network

Go to Windows settings like before.
Go to Network & internet.
Click on Advanced network settings.
Go to Network reset.
Click on Reset now and follow any on-screen steps.

You also should consider updating the network driver and taking other steps to solve any network-related issues. We have a different section for this type of problem. Visit this Network issues page to get a lot of relevant troubleshooting guides.

4. Use better DNS

Go to Windows Settings.
Go to Network & internet as shown before.
Click on the connection you are using, like Ethernet.
Next, click on Edit next to the DNS server assignment.
Set it Manual and enable IPv4 or IPv6 depending on the DNS you are trying to use.
Type your preferred DNS addresses and click on Save.

If you don’t know any good DNS server addresses, use 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4.

After making the changes, make sure to flush the DNS on Windows. If necessary, restart your device. Then, see if it fixes Dead by Daylight: An unknown error has occurred or not.

5. Verify the integrity of the game files

Open Steam.
Right-click on the Dead by Daylight and go to its Properties.
Go to Local files.
Click on Verify integrity of game files.

If you face this problem due to some game components problem, doing the above things will fix it. If not, follow the next solution.

6. Try on a different network

In many cases, this unknown error with Dead by Daylight occurs due to network-related issues. So, if you encounter this problem frequently on your home network, I suggest you try a different network, like using a mobile network, and see what happens.

For the best experience, you also can use Private Internet Access (PIA) or ExpressVPN. These two are amazing gaming VPNs with tons of servers around the world.

If your existing ISP fails to provide a good gaming experience, these VPNs can save you from very sluggish online gaming performance.

Why does dead by daylight say Cannot connect to store?

When DBD cannot connect to the store, it is clearly a network-related problem. However, there may be something else as well.

If the anti-cheat software is outdated and cannot work properly with Steam, you will encounter store connectivity issues. The same problem may appear on Xbox and PlayStation too. The primary solution is to update the game regularly to the latest version.

If you use a pirated copy of the game, the problem may appear more as you cannot keep your game up to date regularly. As a result, you will face an unknown error has occurred or cannot connect to store-like errors more on DBD.

So, you should always use a genuine copy of the game for your safety and to avoid unwanted problems.

This article has featured the best ways to fix an unknown error has occurred in the Dead by Daylight game. If you know any other methods that may help, let us know in the comment box.

Can’t Change Background in Windows 10: How to Force it

Posted on September 27, 2022October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

If you cannot change your desktop background on your Windows 10 computer, it could be the setting is disabled, or there’s another underlying cause.

Several users have reported not being able to change the background on their Windows 10 and Windows 11 PCs, ultimately not allowing them to customize their PCs as per their requirements.

If you’ve tried all the basic fixes you know and nothing seems to work, then you can check out some of the workarounds below and see if one of these does the trick for you.

Why can’t I change my background on Windows 10?

Here are some common reasons you can’t change the background on your Windows 10 PC.

Check if your copy of Windows 10 is activated.
Some critical system files might be corrupted or missing.
There is a presence of a virus or malware.
The wallpaper that you are trying to set is not supported.
The TranscodedWallpaper file might have gone corrupt.
Prevent changing desktop background group policy might be enabled.
There is some issue with your registry settings.
The power options have some issues.

What do I do if I can’t change the background on Windows 10?

Preliminary fixes
Check that your Windows 10 is activated
Create a new user profile with admin rights
Delete TranscodedWallpaper or slideshow file in Registry editor
Use Registry Editor
Perform a clean boot
Disable the video driver
Use Ease of Access center
Check that Plugged In option in desktop background settings is available
Use Group Policy Editor
Activate ‘Show Windows Background’

1. Preliminary fixes

Turn off Show Windows background.
Check if you have installed a third-party customization software, as it could restrict you from changing the desktop background. If so, uninstall it and restart your computer, then try to change the background again.
Reinstall Windows again from your recovery key.

2. Check that your Windows 10 is activated

Press Win + R to open the Run dialogue.
Type explorer shell:::{D555645E-D4F8-4C29-A827-D93C859C4F2A}\pageEasierToSee and press Enter.
Go to the Make the computer easier to see option.
Uncheck the Remove background images (where available) checkbox.
Click OK when done.
Reboot your computer and try changing the background again.

3. Create a new user profile with admin rights

Press the Win + I buttons to open Settings.
Click Family and Other people.
Select Accounts.
Click Add someone else to this PC.
Fill in the form with the username and password. Your new user account will be created.
Click on Change account type.
Click the drop-down arrow and choose Administrator to set the account to administrator level.
Restart your computer.

4. Delete TranscodedWallpaper or slideshow file in Registry editor

Open File Explorer.
Paste this path in the address bar: %USERPROFILE%\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Themes
Double-click the slideshow.ini file and open it in Notepad.
Empty the contents of that file in Notepad by selecting all the text and deleting it.
Save the changes and close File Explorer.
Try and change the background again.

5. Use Registry Editor

Right-click Start and select Run.
Expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
Click Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies.
Right-click on Policies.
Click New.
Click KEY and name it as ActiveDesktop.
On the right side, right-click New.
Select DWORD and name it as NoChangingWallPaper. The DWORD value 1 will restrict change in desktop wallpaper. To allow change give it a value of 0.
Restart your computer.

6. Perform a clean boot

Log on as an administrator, and type msconfig in the search box.
Select System Configuration.
Find Services tab.
Select Hide all Microsoft services box.
Click Disable all.
Go to the Startup tab.
Click Open Task Manager.
Close Task manager, then click OK.
Reboot your computer.

7. Disable the video driver

Right-click Start and select Device manager.
Right-click your graphics card.
Select Disable device.
Restart your computer.
Try to change the background image again.

8. Use Ease of Access center

Press the Win + I buttons to open Settings.
Select Ease of Access.
Click Optimize Visual Display.
Scroll down and find Make the computer easier to see section.
Make sure that Remove background images (where available) are unchecked.
Click Save, Apply, and Exit.

9. Check that Plugged In option in desktop background settings is available

Open Control Panel.
Click Hardware and Sound.
Click Power Options.
Select your power plan.
Click Change plan settings.
Click Change advanced power settings.
Select Expand the desktop background settings.
Click Expand slideshow.
Set the Plugged In option to Available.

10. Use Group Policy Editor

Right-click Start and select Run.
Type gpedit.msc and press Enter.
Go to User configuration.
Select Administrative Templates.
Double click Control Panel.
Double Click Personalization.
Look for the policy Prevent changing desktop background.
Double-click on it to access its properties.
Select Not Configured or Disabled to enable changing desktop background. If it is enabled, disable it.

11. Activate the Show Windows Background option

Open Settings.
Select Ease of Access.
Click More Options.
There’s a slider that reads Show Windows Background.
Activate it and change the background again to see if it works.

What do I do if I can’t change the background on Windows 11?

You can also apply all the solutions mentioned above for Windows 11 PC, where you cannot change the desktop background.

However, if nothing works, we suggest you perform a clean install. Not only will this eliminate all the bugs, glitches, viruses, or malware that might be present on your PC, but it will also replace the corrupt or missing system files.

How do I reset my desktop background?

Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialogue.
Type regedit and hit Enter.
Navigate to the below path. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Wallpapers
On the right side, select the BackgroundHistoryPath0, BackgroundHistoryPath1, BackgroundHistoryPath2, BackgroundHistoryPath3, and BackgroundHistoryPath4 string values, right-click on them and select Delete.
Click Yes to confirm the changes.
Close the Registry Editor.

Did any of these solutions help you restore the change background feature? Let us know by leaving a comment in the section below.

Windows 11 Setup Without Internet: How to Easily Install it

Posted on September 27, 2022August 27, 2025 by Loredana Harsana

Starting with build 22557 and above, Windows 11 requires an Internet connection to complete the first setup, and often users are blocked by aka.ms/networksetup message. However, there’s a quick way to bypass it.

How can I install Windows 11 without Internet?

How can I install Windows 11 without Internet?

Use Command Prompt

1. Create a bootable USB flash drive with the Windows 11 installation media on it.
2. Restart your PC with the bootable USB flash drive which has Windows 11 on it.
3. Click on the Install now button then follow the onscreen steps to start the installation process.
4. Press the I don’t have a product key button from the bottom side of the window if you don’t have one available and choose the Custom installation option when they ask you what type you want to perform.
5. Select your region, and keyboard layout then once you get the Oops you’ve lost Internet connection screen, press SHIFT + F10 from your keyboard to open a Command Prompt window.
6. Type the following command and press Enter: OOBE\BYPASSNRO
7. Your computer will automatically restart and enter the Let’s connect you to a network screen. Here press the I don’t have Internet button.
8. Next, click the Continue with limited setup button and proceed with the setup process. That’s it!

You can setup Windows 11 without internet by using a bootable USB flash drive with the OS’s installation media on it, as well as a special command in Command Prompt.

Basically, you can force the installer to skip the network setup and finish installing Windows 11 without any network connections.

You can also perform the above steps to skip the network connection part when you install Windows 11 without the assistant.

If you wonder how to download Windows 11 ISO or update from Windows 10, check out the article linked as it might be easier than using a bootable USB drive.

Why can’t I connect to a network?

There are several points of failure in wireless networks, which makes them complicated. Finding the source of a network failure, which might be anything from a faulty Wi-Fi switch to a software conflict, a router issue, or an ISP issue, can be challenging.

Misconfigured network settings and physical distance from the network source are two of the most typical reasons why Windows is unable to connect to one.

However, there are a number of additional probable explanations, such as the Wi-Fi has been switched off, a piece of software has caused a connection to become unreliable, the network has been configured to demand unique authentication, or the network is overloaded.

You can begin by restarting your computer to get things going again. When debugging electronic devices, restarting is a frequent first step. It is possible that it will be sufficient to resolve the Windows 11 network problem.

We are happy to see you’ve decided to upgrade to Windows 11 since it brings new features and design just for you. There are also various security measures that ensure your computer’s privacy.

This iteration of Windows includes improved multi-monitor support, which means that when you disconnect a second display, Windows will remember all of the apps that were running on it previously.

As soon as you plug in the secondary screen again, all of the programs that were running on the external display will open up again, allowing you to carry on from precisely where you left off.

If you’re looking for more than just a quick workaround and want a full walkthrough, this step-by-step guide to installing Windows 11 without internet covers everything from downloading the ISO to bypassing network requirements and setting up a local account.

If you also want to skip creating a Microsoft account during setup, you can follow this step by step tutorial on installing Windows 11 without a Microsoft account. This method lets you complete installation offline and add your account later if needed.

FAQs about aka.ms/networksetup

What is aka.ms/networksetup?

aka.ms/networksetup is a Windows 11 setup screen that asks you to connect to a network before continuing installation. It ensures updates and account verification.

Why does Windows 11 require Internet during setup?

Windows 11 requires Internet to download essential updates and verify your Microsoft account. Without a network, setup may pause at the “Let’s connect you to a network” screen.

Can I install Windows 11 without internet?

Yes. You can complete installation offline and connect later. Use the offline bypass command or follow a guide for installing Windows 11 without internet access.

We hope you managed to install Windows 11 on your PC by skipping the network setup. In order to improve our future posts for you, do not hesitate to let us know what you think in the comments section below. Thanks for reading!

Fix: Steam Game Won’t Stop Running [7 Proven Solutions]

Posted on September 27, 2022October 4, 2023 by Madhuparna Roy

You may often notice that when trying to launch a game on Steam, the game won’t stop running.

This is a known issue and you may see the error message, Failed to start the game (app already running) on Steam.

While there could be quite a few reasons why you may bump into this error, this problem mainly occurs when you shut down your last game, but it still did not.

But, if your Steam game is not launching, you can refer to our guide for some quick workarounds that can help you fix the issue.

Why is my game still running on Steam?

Sometimes Steam may be working but the client interface may not be visible! Some game files may get corrupted somehow and this can further raise the issue.

Other reasons may include:

If the previous game failed to shut down properly
You forgot to exit the last game
If a high-end game has been opened on a low to mid-end computer
Corrupted game files
Compatibility issues
A glitch with the Steam app

You can uninstall and reinstall Steam or try disabling the compatibility modes to find some handy solution.

Why does Steam say a game is running when it isn’t?

If Steam says your game is still running, but it isn’t, then it could be that you closed the previous game but Steam did not register it.

There can be other reasons as well, for example, a glitch with the game or Steam may require administrator rights, 3rd party app interference, and more.

As a first resort, you can restart the app or your PC, and this helps fix the issue in some cases. This can also fix New World won’t stop running issue on Steam.

However, if your Steam game won’t stop running, then you can follow the below workarounds to fix the issue.

How do I force a Steam game to stop running?

1. Exit the game from the Task Manager

Right-click on Start and select Task Manager.
Select the Processes tab and go to the Apps section.
Look for Steam, right-click on it and select End task.

Once you have closed the Steam app from Task Manager, you can launch it again if you are still getting the same error.

2. Verify the integrity of the game files

Launch Steam and click on Library at the top.
Next, right-click on the game that’s having the issue and select Properties.
Now, on the left, click on Local Files.
Navigate to the right and click on Verify integrity of game files.

Now, relaunch Steam and check if you are still facing the game won’t stop running issue.

3. Run Steam as an administrator

Go to the location where Steam is saved, right-click on it and select Properties.
In the Steam Properties dialog, select the Compatibility tab.
Here, go to Compatibility mode, uncheck all the boxes except Run this program as an administrator. Press Apply and OK.

Many users have been reporting an issue like, Steam says I’m playing a game when I’m not. This is because the game overlay is still not closed.

You can wait for the overlay to close, and this should fix the issue, or running Steam as an administrator can help you avoid this problem in the future.

4. Run the game from the local files

Open Steam and go to Library.
Next, right-click on the game and select Properties.
Under game properties, click on Local Files on the left.
Now, on the right side, click the Browse button.
Double-click on the game’s .exe file.
Next, try to connect to a server, and if it’s stuck while negotiating a connection, click on Cancel.
Now, close the game by pressing the button at the bottom of the screen.

While the method is applicable for all games, it also applies if Steam says Rust is running .

5. Opt-out from the Steam Beta Program

Launch Steam, navigate to its menu, and click on Settings.
Next, under Settings, click on the Account tab on the left.
On the right, go to Beta Participation and click on Change.
Now, in the Beta participation dialog, select NONE – Opt-out of all beta programs from the Beta Participation drop-down.
Press OK to save the changes.
Hit OK again to apply the changes and exit.

This method is for those who are participating in the Steam beta program and hence, not for all users.

6. Remove client registry.blob from Steam folder

Close Steam, and then go to the default location of Steam which is usually in the C: drive.
Locate the client registry.blob in the Steam folder, copy this file, and paste it onto your desktop.
Next, in the Steam folder, delete all the files, except Steam.exe and the Steamapps folder.

Now launch Steam, allow the update, and once it restarts, it will begin the update and fix all the issues.

7. Reinstall the game

Launch Steam and click on Library.
Locate the problematic game, right-click on it and select Uninstall.
In the confirmation prompt, click on Uninstall again to remove the game.
Wait till the game is removed completely. Once done, download and install the game again.

Now, check if the game starts normally or if it still says that it’s running in the background.

Is Steam always running?

Unless you have changed the settings, Steam is automatically running in the background for the convenience of the player.

So, whenever you want to play a Steam game, you can have quick access to the platform and directly launch the game.

However, not everyone may be comfortable with Steam running in the background due to memory issues that may slow down the PC’s performance.

In such a case, you can follow the below instructions to stop Steam from always running:

Launch Steam, click on its menu in the upper left, and select Settings.
Under Steam settings, click on Interface on the left.
Next, on the right, uncheck Run Steam when my computer starts and press OK.

Now, exit Steam, restart your PC and the app should not be running in the background anymore.

Why does Steam take up so much CPU?

Steam is known to cache a lot of user data for each game you play. Also, the big picture mode turns out to be heavier on the PC memory.

Moreover, if Steam is set to download and install updates automatically, the CPU usage will be automatically high. This holds true, even when Steam is idle.

At the same time, you can also disable or remove any 3rd party apps that usually interfere with Steam’s functioning.

For example, you can remove or disable a 3rd party antivirus or firewall, VPNs, download managers, IP filtering or blocking applications, etc.

If none of the above methods works, you can uninstall Steam and reinstall it to check if this helps fix the Steam game won’t stop running issue.

But if you are trying to launch a Steam game and it doesn’t launch on clicking play, you can follow the guidelines in our detailed post here.

For any other queries related to Steam or any errors associated with it, you can leave a message in the comments box below.

Fix: Faulting Application Path Error on Windows 10

Posted on September 27, 2022October 8, 2025 by Teodor Nechita

Keeping your PC updated and clean is the key to running it for a long time without any software issues.

However, constant file deletions, registry installations, uninstallation, and other sort operations can eventually mess with your system’s integrity.

When that happens, you shouldn’t be surprised if you get an error message that starts with:

Faulting Application Path…..

What is causing the Faulting Application Path?

If your computer shows that it has a Faulty Application Path, it is possible that the software was not deleted from your system correctly in the past.

There are several reasons why an issue occurs; sometimes, this may be caused by some DLL files or components that are broken or missing from the system. For example, some users reported that they are encountering the following issue:

Faulting Application Path: C:WindowsSystem32svchost.exe

I am getting this critical event notification under security and maintenance, reliability monitor of my computer.

Since error messages like this are persistent, we’ve created a step-by-step guide that will show you precisely what needs to be done to overcome them.

How do I fix Faulting Application Path errors?

1. Run a third-party DLL fixer

There is no shortage of third-party software that can repair or restore DLLs that have been damaged or lost; most of these products live up to their claims.

2. Remove your third-party antivirus

In the example above, the issue can be caused by a faulty third-party antivirus program installation. Some users reported that McAfee Firewall’s Intrusion Detection feature caused the error.

You can either disable it by going to the Firewall settings, followed by Intrusion Detection and then deselect the Use Intrusion Detection option or uninstall the software.

The best course of action would be to uninstall the program using one of the best uninstaller software and use Windows Defender instead.

More generally, finding out what process is faulty and replacing it with another built-in Windows alternative or better third-party antivirus software can fix the issue.

3. Run the SFC scan

Press Windows to open the Windows Search function, then type cmd and select Run as administrator.
Paste or type the following command and press Enter. Then, wait for the process to finish before rebooting your PC: sfc /scannow

The Windows System File Checker, known as SFC, is a utility that may be found in all current editions of the Windows operating system. Using this utility, you may restore corrupted system files.

Since we have mentioned before that one of the most common causes of the Faulting Application Path error is corrupted or broken system files, this solution is essential to implement.

4. Use the DISM tool

Tap Windows, input cmd into the search bar, and select Run as administrator.
Once the window opens, paste the following command, press Enter, and wait for the process to finish. Note that it can take a while: DISM /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth

The DISM command is only one of the many troubleshooting tools that are available to users of Windows 10 to restore functionality to damaged files and programs.

When other built-in utilities like SFC are unsuccessful, you can try running DISM using one of many possible instructions.

5. Update your drivers

Start by pressing the Windows + I keys, then select Update & Security.
Next, select View all optional updates.
Expand the Driver updates section, select all the updates listed, then click Download and install.

When operating any program or game, problems and failures caused by outdated drivers can often be a contributing factor. Updating your Windows drivers can solve the Faulting Application Path error.

A faster way to update your drivers is using a dedicated tool. Outbyte Driver Updater can help you do that by performing a comprehensive scan of your device drivers and updating them instantly with the most suitable version from the online database.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

What are the variations of this error?

Our readers reported similar Faulting Application errors that can be solved by following the above solutions. Some of the most common ones are the following:

Explorer.exe Faulting Application Path – Windows 10 users reported that by updating their OS, they were able to fix this issue.
W3wp.exe Faulting Application Path – A Windows process called w3wp.exe, known as an Internet Information Services (IIS) worker process, is responsible for running web applications.
Svchost.exe Faulting Application Path – The System File Checker tool will take care of fixing them automatically.
Kernelbase.dll Faulting Application Path – The system subdirectory of the Windows operating system contains a DLL file known as KernelBase.dll.
Faulting Application Path in Event Viewer – When you try to run a program and receive the error Faulting Application Path, it indicates that the software in question needs to be updated or replaced.

By following these steps, you should be able to run any process on your Windows PC without encountering any Faulting Application Path error messages.

Additionally, keeping your PC clean and following some simple rules will guarantee that this error will no longer appear in the future.

If you know of any other way to solve this problem, share it in the comments section below so that other users can also try it.

How to Transfer Photos from iPhone to Surface Pro

Posted on September 27, 2022October 4, 2023 by Matthew Adams

A lot of iPhone users prefer to move their mobile camera photos to devices with larger and better displays. The Surface Pro 6 is undoubtedly a good 2-in-1 laptop/tablet to showcase photographs as it boasts a 2,736 x 1,824 resolution VDU.

Even though Surface Pros are Microsoft laptops, users can still sync iPhone photos with them almost as seamlessly as Apple iPad.

Syncing iPhones with Microsoft Surface Pros effectively links photos via cloud storage so that users can access all their iPhones’ snapshots in Windows without needing to manually transfer them.

Users will need either Apple or Microsoft accounts to transfer their iPhone snapshots via iCloud or OneDrive. Almost all iPhone users will have Apple accounts, but any users who don’t can set them up at the Apple ID setup page.

A Microsoft account isn’t quite so essential for Windows 10, so some Surface Pro users might need to set up an MS account on the Microsoft account setup page.

How can I transfer a photo from iPhone to Surface Pro?

1. Sync iPhone Photos With Surface Pro via iCloud for Windows

1. First, click the Download button on the iCloud for Windows page to save the setup wizard for that software. Note that the iCloud software isn’t compatible with Windows 10 S mode.
2. Add iCloud to Windows 10 with the software’s installer.
3. Restart Windows 10 before launching the iCloud software.
4. Thereafter, open iCloud for Windows if not automatically prompted to sign in with Apple ID. Then log in to iCloud with an Apple ID.
5. Then select the Photos check box in the iCloud window shown directly below.
6. Click the Options button beside Photos.
7. Selecting the My Photo Stream option will sync all recently captured iPhone snapshots with the Surface Pro.
8. Click Done on the Photos Options window.
9. Press the Apply button.
10. With iCloud’s syncing enabled, press the Windows key + E hotkey to open File Explorer.
11. Then users can browse through their iPhones’ photos by clicking on This PC and opening the iCloud Photos folder in File Explorer.

The first method for transfering your iPhone photos to your Surface Pro involves using iCloud for Windows.

Basically, you need to sync your photos on your PC, and then you can browse through them and download them whenever you want.

2. Sync iPhone Photos With Surface Pro via OneDrive

Alternatively, users can link their iPhones’ snapshots with Surface Pros via Microsoft’s OneDrive cloud storage. First, sign in to a Microsoft account on a Surface Pro.
Then turn on the iPhone that will sync with the Surface Pro.
Add the Microsoft OneDrive app to the iPhone.
Then open the OneDrive app on the iPhone, and log in to the same Microsoft account utilized on the Surface Pro.
Thereafter, the app will ask users the first time they log in to OneDrive if they want to automatically upload their iPhones’ snapshots. Select Start Camera Upload to enable automatic photo uploading to OneDrive.
Users can also tap Me, Settings, and the Camera Upload option to turn on automatic photo uploading.
Thereafter, open File Explorer on the Surface Pro.
Click the OneDrive folder on the left of File Explorer.
Select Pictures and Camera Roll in the OneDrive folder to browse through snapshots captured on the iPhone.

So, that’s how users can link their iPhones’ photo galleries with Surface Pros. Thereafter, users can open their favorite iPhone snapshots in the iCloud Photos or OneDrive cloud storage folders in Windows 10.

We hope you managed to sync and transfer your iPhone photos to your Surface Pros. Let us know in the comments section below whether you found our guide helpful.

6 Easy Ways to Fix Windows 10 Update Assistant Failed

Posted on September 27, 2022October 16, 2025 by Aleksandar Ognjanovic

Contrary to popular belief, luck has nothing to do with the preference for Windows 10 upgrades. Users who get the updates before the general population avoid OTA and stick with the Upgrade Assistant.

This tool is excellent for installing major updates just after the release. However, some of those users seem unable to upgrade their system with the Upgrade Assistant as there’s a reoccurring error that prevents them from finalizing the installation process.

What causes Windows 10 Update Assistant failed error?

When Windows needs more than one update, you will get the update failed error. This is a prevalent reason for Update Assistant issues. When this occurs, restarting the device and attempting the update again will result in a successful installation.

Suppose your personal computer does not have sufficient free space on its hard drive to perform a Windows 10 update successfully. In that case, the update will be terminated, and Windows will indicate that the update was unsuccessful.

In most cases, making some more room will solve the problem. Moreover, restart the update process once you have disconnected all of your external devices, such as printers and USB hubs.

Our readers reported a plethora of similar issues that we will address below. Some of them are the following:

Windows 10 upgrade failed no error code – Before trying the update, make sure that your antivirus software is disabled or, better yet, uninstalled.
Windows 10 Update Assistant error code 0x80072F8F – Incorrect date, time, or timezone settings on the computer are often the culprits behind the appearance of error code 0x80072F8F.
Error code 0x80072ee7 Windows 10 Update assistant – There is a possibility that improper TCP/IPv4 settings led to the occurrence of error 0x80072EE7.
Windows 10 Update Assistant not updating – We recommend that you attempt to repair the difficulties with Windows Updates by running the Windows Update Troubleshooter.
Windows 10 Update Assistant keeps failing – Remove the Windows Update Assistant from your computer and then wait to be requested to reinstall it.
Error code 0xc19001e2 Windows 10 Update Assistant – However, there have been reports of it causing problems with the installation of certain Windows Updates.
Windows 10 Update Assistant error can’t find the necessary file – Turn off any additional security software you may have installed.
Windows 10 Update Assistant error code 0x8000ffff – This problem often occurs after Windows has been updated, at which point the Windows Store becomes inaccessible.

If you find your error in the list above, you are lucky! With our solutions below, you can say goodbye to Update errors in Windows 10.

Does Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant still work?

Your device will have feature updates downloaded and installed automatically by the Windows 10 Update Assistant.

However, you may manually upgrade Windows 10 if you don’t want to wait for an automatic update or if you want to check for quality updates (which are released more often and include minor bug fixes and security patches).

Press Windows + I, then go to Update & Security.
Next, click the Check for updates button to find new updates and install them manually. Then, the Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant error will be solved.

Let’s see how you can fix the Upgrade Assistant errors in Windows 10 and get back to using the latest features. Follow along!

How can I fix Upgrade Assistant errors in Windows 10?

1. Make sure you meet the requirements

Firstly, let’s start with the important reminder. We mainly refer to storage space when we say to meet the requirements. This is because you’ll need at least 16 GB of free space to install a major update.

In addition, we encourage you to double-check the drivers and uninstall third-party applications. This isn’t needed by default, but there are reports about third-party programs causing update issues.

Once you’ve done that, restart the update/upgrade process and look for changes. If the error is persistent, move on to the next step on the list.

For more details on how to download, install, and use this tool effectively, check our complete guide on the Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant. It explains how the assistant works, common errors you may encounter, and step-by-step solutions to fix them.

2. Run the Update troubleshooter

Access the Settings app by pressing Windows +, then navigate to the Update & Security section.
Select Troubleshoot from the left menu, followed by Additional troubleshooters on the right side.
Click the Windows Update troubleshooter to expand it and hit Run the troubleshooter.
Follow the on-screen steps to run it and find out what went wrong with your update. The Windows 10 Upgrade Assistant error will be fixed.

Windows 10 comes with a built-in troubleshooter for all system-related features. That includes the Windows Update troubleshooter.

This is probably, the most used troubleshooter due to the sheer number of update issues. Ideally, it would find and fix the problem causing the Upgrade Assistant error.

3. Disable third-party antivirus and unplug the peripherals

We already mentioned the negative effect of third-party apps. The system should be able to upgrade without meddling with the installed software, but that doesn’t work every time.

The programs that are especially causing errors are third-party antivirus solutions, which integrate deep into the system core. That’s why we suggest uninstalling them.

You can also temporarily disable them until the upgrade is successfully installed. However, if your antivirus causes this error, you may think of switching to a different one.

Many Windows 10 compatible antivirus software packages are stable and won’t block your system updates or other processes or apps.

Furthermore, unplugging all external hardware, with the mouse being the only exception, maybe a workaround that can work for some users. Unfortunately, it seems there’s a stall leading to an error when the update fails to install the drivers for specific devices.

4. Use the Media Creation Tool

Download the Media Creation Tool for Windows 10.
Plug in a compatible USB flash drive with at least 6GB of free storage space.
Run the tool and accept the License Terms.
Select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC, then click Next.
Choose the preferred language, architecture, and edition, then click Next.
Choose a USB flash drive and click Next.
Wait until everything is done.

Now, there are multiple ways to install the same update. Besides the standard over-the-air update via the system and Upgrade Assistant, you also have Media Creation Tool for Windows 10 at your disposal.

This tool comes in handy when you need to create the installation media. However, you can also use it to download and install the update at hand.

Be it a small patch or a significant update. Download the Media Creation tool, accept the License Terms and click Update now.

In addition, if this fails, you can create the installation media and install updates from there. Success or failure, you’ll need the bootable Windows 10 drive for the final two steps either way.

Use the above steps to create the bootable media drive with ease.

5. Repair previous Windows 10 installation

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app, then go to Update & Security.
Select the Recovery option from the left pane, then, under the Reset this PC section, click Get started.
Choose the Keep my files option and continue with the procedure.

The most common critical reason for this is given by issues with the previous installation you made.

We suggest repairing the system installation, whether that was a failed major update or something else.

If you can access the system interface when the Upgrade Assistant error occurs, you should be able to reset your PC to factory values.

In addition, you can boot from the bootable USB drive and load the installation files. Then, click on Repair and repair the system instead of going for the clean install.

6. Perform a clean reinstallation of Windows 10

In the end, if all of the previous steps fell short, the approach which remains is the clean reinstallation.

With the clean reinstallation, you should be able to start from scratch, and the updates will be automatically administered during the installation.

To find out how to do this, check out our post on how to get a clean install of Windows 10/11 without the refresh tool.

What do I do if a Windows Update failed to install?

If Windows cannot finish installing an update, you should check to ensure that you are correctly connected to the Internet and that your hard drive has adequate free space since these are the two most typical causes.

It would help if you also attempted to restart your computer, or you could check to see whether the Windows drivers were successfully installed.

But for more detailed, step-by-step solutions, look at our dedicated guide on fixing Windows Update fails in Windows 10 & 11.

That should do it. If you still have some questions or, perhaps, alternative solutions, it would be nice to share them in the comments section below.

How to Set a Dynamic Wallpaper for Windows 10

Posted on September 27, 2022October 4, 2023 by Aleksandar Ognjanovic

You can change your Windows 10 workflow any way you like, but one part of the user’s interface that’s always worth changing is the desktop wallpaper.

Users can set customized slideshows with timers, and those still might fail to impress the aesthetic of human nature.

What we need is something more lively, with a dose of immersive and a pinch of magic. That can be done with dynamic (Live wallpapers) wallpapers.

So, today we brought you a short but informative tutorial on how to use one nifty little app in order to run dynamic wallpapers on your desktop background.

If you’re willing to replace a dull and rather unimpressive static desktop background with vivid wallpapers, look no further — you’re at the right place.

Should I use a dynamic background?

First, we must inform you that the dynamic wallpaper will take substantially more resources than the usual wallpapers do. So, if you’re barely running Windows 10, we advise you to stick with standard wallpapers.

On the other hand, every other mediocre configuration should have an easy time running dynamic wallpapers. Which doesn’t mean you shouldn’t disable them while playing games or using demanding applications.

Check out our article on how to set live wallpaper on Windows 11 as well.

How can I set a dynamic wallpaper in Windows 10?

Once we’ve put that out of the way, let’s see how to make dynamic wallpapers work in Windows 10 using three different software.

1. Use DeskScapes

Now, there are various tools for live wallpapers application, but few are as good as Stardock’s DeskScapes, since it offers a large variety of available wallpapers from various categories.

Follow these instructions to download, configure, and put DeskScapes to work:

Download and install DeskScapes
Activate a free 30-day trial using your email address
- The trial version offers the full capabilities of the premium version
Launch DeskScapes
Select the source of the live wallpaper that you want to apply
- It can be either local or online
Select one of the following:
- Apply to my desktop
- Apply as my screensaver

You can download and switch between the wallpapers as you please. There’s even a way to create your own GIF-like dynamic wallpapers.

2. Use Dream Aquarium to set a dynamic wallpaper in Windows 10

Another great screensaver that you can use is Dream Aquarium. It is perfectly compatible with Windows 10 and supports both x32 and x64 computers.

It’s not a tool like DeskScapes, it’s actually a stand-alone screensaver that you can surprise your eyes with. This amazing virtual fish tank features over 100 fish from 27 species.

⇒ Get Dream Aquarium

3. Use WinDynamicDesktop

A popular and free software alternative is WinDynamicDesktop. It is a script originally posted on GitHub that is now also available for download on the Microsoft Store for Windows users, therefore it is safe to use.

The tool allows you to choose from a wide variety of themes, which you can apply to your Windows 10 PC in just a few clicks.

1. Launch Microsoft Store.
2. Type WinDynamicDesktop in the search box and click on the result for the app.
3. Click on the Get button to start downloading the app to your device.
4. Launch the app and configure its schedule settings, then click on OK.
5. Choose a dynamic wallpaper from the list and then click on Apply.

We hope that you’ll manage to find your way around the software of your choice and make your desktop background more lively than ever.

Finally, don’t forget to tell us about your experience with dynamic wallpapers. You can do it in the comments section below.

7 Ways to Fix FPS Drops, Lag & Stuttering after BIOS Update

Posted on September 27, 2022May 15, 2024 by Madhuparna Roy

Many users complain of FPS drops, lags and stuttering when playing a game or streaming a video after a BIOS update.

The forums and communities are filled with discussions on how to fix the issue and it’s not limited to any specific brand.

While in some cases, the FPS drops or lags may seem to appear due to the recent BIOS update, it has been noted that there are other reasons also that can trigger the issue.

But if you want to increase FPS on a laptop in Windows 10 instead, you can refer to our guide for some quick recommendations.

Why did my FPS drop after the update?

Some of the reasons why you may experience sudden FPS drops during a gaming session are:

Due to thermal throttling of the processor at max clocking speed and voltage
Inadequate cooling solutions and dust in the laptop fans
Pending Windows update
Too many unnecessary background programs blocking the RAM usage
Outdated or corrupted GPU drivers
Overheating of hard drive
Network connection issues
Corrupted system files
Hard drive issues

Can BIOS update affect FPS?

Updating BIOS doesn’t directly affect your FPS. Imagine your CPU as an application: BIOS is the program of the application.

In fact, updating BIOS can fix some bugs in the CPU (Meltdown or Spectre), it can also change the way a CPU should perform.

However, if you suspect the latest update could have triggered the FPS drops, you can revert to the previous BIOS update and reinstall the new BIOS to check if that helps.

But, if that doesn’t help, there could be some reason that may be causing the FPS drops, lags, and stuttering and that’s why we have curated a list of solutions for you.

Before you proceed, make sure you check if your Internet connection is up and running, close any unnecessary background applications, or install any pending Windows updates.

How do I increase my FPS in BIOS?

1. Change power plan to high performance

Press the Win + R keys simultaneously to launch the Run console.
Type powercfg.cpl in the search bar and hit Enter to open the Power Options window.
Next, on the right, under Choose or customize a power plan, select High performance.

Now, close the Control Panel window and run your game to check if you still experience lags or low FPS.

2. Clear CMOS

NOTE

This solution is only for advanced users. Also, keep in mind that opening the laptop cover may void your warranty.

Unplug the laptop from the power source and remove its battery.
Remove the computer cover and look for the CMOS coin cell battery.
Next, pull out the coin cell battery.
Now, press and hold the power button for at least 10 seconds to exhaust any remaining power from your PC.
Once it’s shut down completely, place the coin cell battery back.
Now, assemble the unit and power it on. Once done, you will see the warning that the date and time are not set, which means it’s reset successfully.

Now, try running the game and check if the FPS is improved, or if you are still facing the issue.

We recommend clearing the CMOS after each BIOS version change to rule out FPS drops, lag, or stuttering.

3. Update the GPU driver

Press the Win + R keys together to open the Run console.
In the search field, type devmgmt.msc and hit Enter.
Expand the Display adapters section in the Device Manager, right-click on the graphics card, and select Update driver.
In the new window, select Search automatically for drivers.
Now, wait till Windows detects the latest version and if available, it will automatically finish the installation.

Once done, exit Device Manager and check if the FPS drops issue after the BIOS update is resolved.

4. Enable Hardware Accelerated Graphics Scheduling

Press the Win + I shortcut keys to open Windows Settings.
Click on System on the left side of the Settings app and then on Display on the right.
Under Related settings, click on Graphics.
On the next screen, turn off Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling.

Now, restart your PC and launch the game to check if this helps fix the FPS drops and lags on your PC.

5. Change the gaming settings

5.1 Enable Game Mode

Open the Settings app by pressing the Win + I keys together.
On the left, click on Gaming.
Now, go to the right and click on Game Mode.
On the next page, turn on the Game Mode option.

5.2 Disable the Xbox Game Bar

Press the Win + I hotkeys to launch the Windows Settings app.
Next, click on Gaming on the left side.
Now, on the right, click on Xbox Game Bar.
On the next screen, turn off the Open Xbox Game Bar using this button option.

6. Check for hard drive errors

Press the Win + R keys at the same time to open the Run console.
In the search box, type cmd and press the Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys simultaneously to open an elevated Command Prompt.
Now, run the below command in the Command Prompt (Admin) window and hit Enter: chkdsk /f C:
The scan takes a while, hence wait till it’s over.

Once done, restart your PC and you should not experience FPS drops during gaming anymore.

7. Defragment your hard drive

NOTE

Apply this solution only if you have an HDD, not SSD.

Go to Start and type defragment in the Windows search bar.
Click on the result (Defragment and Optimize Drives) to open the Optimise Drives window.
You can now analyze and defragment each partition as required.

You can now check if the FPS still drops or if the game stutters after the BIOS update.

Does updating BIOS improve FPS?

Usually, you update the BIOS only if there is an extreme performance issue on your PC. In most cases, it turns out to be an unsupported hardware component that’s causing the issue.

But, if you have new hardware and an outdated BIOS version, you may need to update your BIOS to support the new hardware.

How do I fix my sudden FPS drop?

Apart from the above methods, you can also try updating your BIOS if you experience sudden FPS drops during the gaming session.

If you are using the Steam platform, you can follow the below method to verify the integrity of game files to fix the issue:

Open Steam and click on Library at the top.
Here, right-click on the game that’s having the FPS drop issue, and select Properties.
Next, on the left, select Local Files.
Now, on the right, click on Verify Integrity of Game Files.
Steam will now validate the game files which takes a while.

Now, relaunch Steam and you should not experience FPS drops, lag, or stuttering in the game anymore.

If the above methods fail to work, you can access BIOS settings on Windows 11 and enable high performance and change the FAN and SSD settings.

Alternatively, you can simply uninstall or reinstall the game to check if this helps you to fix the FPS drops after a BIOS update.

If you have any other queries related to FPS drops on your PC, do let us know in the comments box below.

How to add Certificate to Trusted Root on Windows 10

Posted on September 27, 2022November 10, 2025 by Matthew Adams

Root certificates are public key certificates that help your browser determine whether communication with a website is genuine and is based upon whether the issuing authority is trusted and if the digital certificate remains valid.

Suppose a digital certificate is not from a trusted authority. In that case, you’ll get an error message like There is a problem with this website’s security certificate, and the browser might block communication with the website.

Windows 10 has built-in certificates and automatically updates them. However, you can manually add more root certificates to Windows 10 from certificate authorities (CAs).

Where is the Trusted Root Certificate Store in Windows 10?

The Trusted Root Certificate store in Windows 10 is a collection of root certificates for Certificate Authorities (CAs) considered trustworthy by the operating system.

This store is used to validate digital certificates and establish secure connections over the internet.

You must access the Microsoft Management Console to access the Trusted Root Certificate store in Windows 10.

The trusted Root Certificate store is, however, located in the root of the Registry path below:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

How do I add a certificate to the trusted root on Windows 10?

Install certificates from trusted CAs
Install Trusted Root Certificates with the Microsoft Management Console

1. Install certificates from trusted CAs

First, you’ll need to download a root certificate from a CA. For example, you could download one from the GeoTrust site.
Next, press Win key + R, enter secpol.msc in Run’s text box, and hit Enter (Windows 10 Home edition doesn’t include the Local Security Policy editor. If your Windows key doesn’t work, check our quick guide to fix it).
Then, click Public Key Policies and Certificate Path Validation Settings to open a Certificate Path Validation Settings Properties window.
Click the Stores tab and select the Define these policy settings check box, then tick its two checkboxes.
Select the Third-Party Root CAs and Enterprise Root CAs checkboxes and press the Apply then OK buttons to confirm.
Press the Win key + R hotkey, type certmgr.msc in Run’s text box, and hit Enter.
Click Trusted Root Certification Authorities, right-click Certificates, select All Tasks, and Import.
Press the Next button, click Browse, and select the digital certificate root file saved to your HDD.
Press Next again to select Automatically select the certificate store based on the type of certificate option.
Then you can press Next and Finish to wrap up the import wizard. A window will open, confirming that the import was successful.

Most Windows 10 users have no idea how to edit the Group Policy. Learn how you can do it by reading our simple article.

If you don’t have the Group Policy Editor on your Windows PC, get it right now in just a couple of easy steps with our guide on installing the Group Policy Editor on Windows 10.

You can manage and review installed certificates more efficiently in Windows by learning how to use certmgr.msc to view, organize, and control your certificate stores.

2. Install Trusted Root Certificates with the Microsoft Management Console

1. Press the Win key + R hotkey to open the Run dialog.
2. Input mmc in Run and press Enter to open the window below.
3. Click File and then select Add/Remove Snap-ins to open the window in the snapshot below.
4. Next, you should select Certificates and press the Add button.
5. A Certificates Snap-in window opens from which you can select Computer account >Local Account, and press the Finish button to close the window.
6. Then press the OK button in the Add or Remove Snap-in window.
7. Now you can select Certificates and right-click Trusted Root Certification Authorities on the MMC console window as below.
8. Then you can click All Tasks > Import to open the Certificate Import Wizard window.
9. From the Certificate Import Wizard window, you can add the digital certificate to Windows.

You can also install root certificates on Windows 10/11 with the Microsoft Management Console. The process is easy and simple, and the console can be accessed via the Run dialog.

If Microsoft Management Console can’t create a new document, follow our guide’s easy steps to solve the issue.

Can’t load the Microsoft Management Console? Our step-by-step guide will help you sort things out.

How to add the certificate to Trusted Root Certification Authorities store using the command line?

Press Windows + R, type cmd, and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
Type the script below and hit Enter (Substitute your certificate’s path for C:\Users\Downloads and your certificate’s name for mycertificate):
certutil -addstore root C:\Users\\Downloads\mycertificate.cer

Now you’ve installed a new trusted root certificate in Windows 10. Similarly, you can add many more digital certificates to that OS and other Windows platforms.

Ensure that the third-party digital certificates come from trusted CAs, such as GoDaddy, DigiCert, Comodo, GlobalSign, Entrust, and Symantec.

If you have any more suggestions or questions, leave them in the comments section below, and we’ll certainly check them out.

7 Fixes for Bdservicehost High CPU / Memory Usage

Posted on September 27, 2022September 3, 2024 by Radu Tyrsina

You have found this article because you are having bdservicehost high memory usage; here is all you need to know.

Bdservicehost is a .exe file associated with BitDefender software and contains critical BitDefender virus shield components.

While file size isn’t much, it does use an abnormal amount of CPU and disk space in a few instances. When this happens, you can optimize your RAM and disk or try to reduce bdservicehost.exe CPU/disk usage.

If you are experiencing this issue, feel free to consult our all-inclusive guide on contending with bdservicehost.exe-related excessive disk/CPU resource consumption.

Why is BitDefender taking up so much memory?

There are a few things that may trigger it. Sometimes, the application running in the background may start it.

Other times, it could be because you run multiple programs on your device. Case in hand, opening a resource-intensive program or browser, such as Google Chrome, will also increase Bitdefender’s RAM usage.

This spike happens because the program’s background scanner also runs checks on cache files and temporary files created by programs in real time.

Some associated problems include:

Bdservicehost high memory usage
Bitdefender virus Shield high memory usage
Bdservicehost.exe high disk usage
Bitdefender GravityZone high memory usage
Bdservicehost 100% disk usage
Bdservicehost high CPU

Each of these issues is a variable indicating a lot of memory usage. No matter the cause of the spike, here are a few solutions to adopt.

How can I fix the bdservicehost high CPU and disk usage error?

1. Perform an SFC scan

Press Windows Key + X and then select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
Type the script below and hit Enter.
sfc /scannow
Wait 8-12 minutes for the scan to finish.

Check to see if the CPU/disk usage has subsided. If not, continue to the next step.

2. Perform a DISM scan

Press Windows Key + X and then select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
Type the script below and hit Enter.
dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth
This scan will take longer (15-25 minutes). After the scan, check out Task Manager to monitor CPU and disk usage changes.

3. Perform a clean boot

Press the Windows key + R simultaneously and type msconfig then hit Enter.
Click on the General tab, and check the Selective Startup. Make sure that the subheadings correlate to the picture below.
Now navigate to the Services tab. The only thing to do here is to ensure that the Hide all Microsoft Services option is checked.
Enter the Startup tab and double-click on the Open task manager option.
Right-click on each entry in the newly prompted task manager and select Disable.
Click Apply and then OK. Restarting will put your PC in a clean boot state.

This is effective against bdservicehost high memory usage.

Note: A clean boot allows your computer to use only the required number of programs and drivers. In this state, it becomes easier to pick up on interference by background applications.

4. Change processor scheduling

Go to the windows search bar and find the View advanced system settings.
In the System Properties prompt, navigate to the Advanced tab and select Settings under the Performance submenu.
This will prompt the Performance Options menu. Navigate to the Advanced tab and select Programs under the Adjust for best performance.

Note: You can prioritize running applications over background ones by changing processor scheduling. As long as you are not running BitDefender actively, disk/CPU usage by bdservicehost.exe will be limited.

5. Stop and Disable Superfetch

Type Services into Windows search and select the Services app.
Right-click on Superfetch and then choose Stop.
Superfetch will now be stopped until reboot. To disable it permanently, right-click on Superfetch and then click on Properties.
In the Startup Type drop-down menu, select Disabled and apply the changes.

Superfetch, ironically, is a program that is designed to optimize your RAM and minimize boot time. However, in many instances, it takes too much processing power away from your PC to allow for a smooth experience.

In these instances, it is wise to disable Superfetch, especially when disk and CPU space is already scarce. However, if disabling Superfetch makes no difference, you should switch back.

6. Reset the Virtual Memory

Type computer into Windows Search, right-click on the Computer option and select properties.
In the System menu, navigate to Advanced System Settings and double click.
Navigate to the Performance submenu and click on Settings.
Find the Advanced tab and select Change in the Virtual Memory submenu.
Uncheck the Automatically manage paging file size for all drives, select Custom size, and set your initial size as the recommended size and your maximum size by your disk usage.
The maximum size can be set as high as 1.5 times your RAM size (meaning 6 GB virtual memory for a system with 4 GB RAM and 12 GB virtual memory for a system with 8 GB RAM).

Virtual memory allows you to use hard drive space as RAM, but it is much slower than RAM. To avoid a system crash, resetting virtual memory is recommended if your disk usage exceeds normal levels.

7. Clear Temporary Files

Type settings into windows search and click on the Settings app.
Click on the Storage option, and double-click on Storage settings.
Find the section labeled temporary files and expand.
Purge your drive of temporary files by checking the types of temp data you wish to delete.

Does Bitdefender use a lot of RAM?

Generally, it is not very resource intensive, but as discussed above, this will depend on the number of available operations. It usually will run background scans on open applications.

So, resource usage may spike if you have many concurrently running programs.

If you have bdservicehost high memory usage on your computer’s resources, you are in the right place. You can follow any of these six solutions to diagnose this problem or lessen it to an extent.

However, a reinstallation is worth trying if disk/CPU usage remains untenable. Failing that, it might be time to get your drive or RAM checked.

Still on Bitdefender, if your product files fail to download, check out our article how to fix it.

If you found this helpful guide or have any more valuable tips to add, feel free to let us know in the comments section below!

How to Convert WebM to MP4 [Windows 10 & Mac]

Posted on September 27, 2022October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

WebM is a popular video format used mostly on the web alongside HTML5. Although this format is quite popular on the web, it might not work on certain devices.

To fix this issue, you can always convert this file, and in today’s article, we’re going to show you how to convert WebM to MP4 with ease on both Mac and Windows 10.

How can I convert WebM to MP4?

1. Use WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe

The best and fastest way to convert WebM to MP4 is to use WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe software. In addition to being WebM to MP4 converter, the software also works with other formats.

In order to convert files, the software utilizes Level-3 Hardware Acceleration to decode, process, and encode videos for maximum speed all while keeping the CPU usage low.

The software also offers some video editing features and you can trim/combine videos, crop videos, or add subtitles in .srt, .ssa format to your videos. If needed, you can also adjust the volume of the video with ease.

Other useful features:

Ability to download videos from 1000+ video streaming sites
Can optimize videos for mobile and online sharing
Works with 4K videos from various sources
Supports over 370+ input and 420+ output formats
Available on Mac and PC

WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe

WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe is file converter software that can easily convert WebM to MP4.

Free trialVisit website

2. Use Wondershare UniConverter

Wondershare UniConverter is another WebM to MP4 converter. The software also supports batch conversion as well as lossless video conversion technology.

You can also perform some video editing, so you can easily trim or crop the video, add subtitles, effects, or effects, and adjust your audio.

Video compression is also available, and you can easily compress your videos and change the compression settings so that your videos can work on a wide array of devices.

Other useful features:

Screen, webcam, audio recorder
Ability to download videos from over 10,000 websites
DVD conversion, DVD burning
Available on Mac and PC

Wondershare UniConverter

Wondershare UniConverter supports 1000+ file types, and it lets you convert WebM to MP4 with ease.

Free trialVisit website

3. Use CloudConverter

1. Visit the CloudConverter website.
2. Click on the Select File button and choose the WebM file that you want to convert. You can select an image from your PC, by URL, or from cloud storage.
3. If needed, change the conversion options, but usually, the default options work for most users.
4. Wait for the conversion process to finish.
5. Download the converted file to your device.

One of the best online file converters is CloudConverter. It can be easily used to convert WebM to MP4 on Windows 10 within a few clicks.

CloudConverter is free to use and does not need to be downloaded, it can be used directly on the browser.

4. Use Zamzar

Visit the Zamzar website.
Click on Add Files and choose the file that you want to convert.
Make sure that MP4 is selected as an option format and click on Convert Now.
Wait for the process to finish and download your file.
Optional: You can also check Email when done option and get the email once the conversion is completed.

5. Use Online Convert

Visit the Online Convert website.
Click on Choose Files or enter the URL to the WebM file.
Optional: Choose a preset or change video settings.
Click on Start conversion and wait for the process to finish.

6. Use Converter365

Converter365 is one of the best WEBM to MP4 converters for Windows 10 and it’s available online so you don’t need to install anything on your computer.

Usually, with any online tools, you have to find the path to the file you want to upload from your PC but with this one, it’s easier than you might imagine because you can also drag & drop the file in a dedicated area.

Of course, you can also upload them from a link so it’s not necessary to have the WEBM file on your PC.

Once you drop the WEBM files, you have to press the Start conversion button and in a few seconds or minutes (depending on how big the video is), you will be able to get the resulting MP4 file.

You will see the Download button on the screen so you can get the file on your PC. That’s it!

We also have to note the fact that you can convert the WEBM file to a lot of other formats including 3GP, AVI, MOV, MPEG, MPG, and many others.

Other useful features:

Fast and clean conversion
3 steps easy to use an online app
You can convert a WEBM file into 28 other file types
Video and audio codec selection

⇒ Use Converter365

Converting WebM files to MP4 is simple, as long as you have the right tools for the job, so we recommend using WinX HD Video Converter Deluxe or Wondershare UniConverter.

Both these applications are available on Mac and Windows 10, but if you don’t want to use them, you can always use any of the file conversion websites from this article.

Let us know if you were successful in converting WebM to MP4 on your device. Write down in the comments section any questions you have about the process or the apps we described.

How to Increase the Icon Cache Size on Windows 10

Posted on September 27, 2022October 4, 2023 by Ivan Jenic

Windows features many useful files meant to help your PC work faster. Among these files, there is the icon cache which keeps copies of each and every icon sample.

This will come in handy when Windows needs to create a certain type of file or improve the basic icon after an upgrade. Instead of using the original icon file, it takes a copy that was stored in the icon cache and thus, the task is completed much faster.

However, sometimes your PC may be slow, and this is because there are too many icons stored in the cache. To fix this problem, the best solution is to increase the icon cache size.

How can I increase the size of Windows 10’s icon cache?

1. Open the Run dialog by pressing the Win + R keys on the keyboard.
2. Type the command regedit in the text box and then press Enter. The Registry Editor window will open.
3. Navigate to the following key in the Registry:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version\Explorer
4. Once you launch the Explorer section, you need to create a new String Value called Max Cached Icons, which will reveal the maximum allocated space for the icon cache.
5. The value you need to introduce is 4096 which is the equivalent of 4 MBs. This is an improvement to the 550 KBs which are offered by the default Windows settings.

Increasing the size to more MBs might result in a slow working Windows system, so the key point is to not go overboard.
6. Once you complete all these steps, you can close the Registry Editor and restart Windows for the changes to take effect.

You can increase Windows 10’s icon cache size very easily by making a small modification to your Registry. In doing so, you will be able to customize the size to your liking.

However, as per usual, you need to be careful while making any changes to your Registry, and follow the guide thoroughly to avoid causing any harm to your PC.

We hope this article helped you to increase theicon cache size on your Windows 10 device. If you come across other workarounds to increase Windows 10’s icon cache size, you can list the troubleshooting steps in the comment section below.

Likewise, write down in the comments section any thoughts or questions you have about this article.

Why Your Laptop Battery Is not Charging Above 80% & How to Fix

Posted on September 27, 2022November 8, 2024 by Megan Moore

If you’re among those unable to charge their laptop battery above 80%, keep reading. We’ll explain how to fix it and why it happens.

How do I fix my laptop battery if not charging above 80%?

1. Disable the battery limiter

Click on Start and search for your laptop manufacturer application, then hit Enter.
Under System Tools, select Power or battery settings.
Under Battery warranty & settings, make sure Conservation Mode is not enabled.

We used a Lenovo laptop, but most brands have a similar tool with a familiar UI.

2. Calibrate your battery

Calibrate laptop battery if not charging above 80.

Recalibrating your laptop battery is easy, simply let the battery drain from its full capacity to nearly dead.

If your battery won’t charge further than 80%, try plugging it in for a couple of hours before allowing it to drain. Once it reaches a dangerously low percentage, plug it back in and charge it full.

3. Run power troubleshooter

Click on Start and open Settings (or press Windows + I).
Under System, scroll down and select Troubleshoot.
Click Other troubleshooter.
Under Other, click Run next to Power.
Allow the troubleshooter to run and fix any issues.

4. Update the battery driver

Click on Start and search for Control Panel, then hit Enter.
Click on Hardware and Sound, then select Device Manager.
Select Batteries to reveal the dropdown.
Right-click on Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery and select Update driver.
Select Search automatically for drivers.

5. Uninstall and re-install the battery driver

Click on Start and search for Control Panel, then hit Enter.
Select Hardware and Sound, then click on Device Manager.
Click on Batteries to reveal the dropdown.
Right-click on Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery and select Uninstall driver.
Select Uninstall again.
Restart your PC.

6. Replace the battery

If you’ve tried every solution and nothing has fixed your laptop battery, it may be a good indication that it needs to be replaced. This is most likely the case for older laptops or ones with detachable batteries.

Users can bring their laptops to a computer repair store or purchase one from the manufacturer’s website.

Replace battery if laptop not charging past 80.

If you have a newer laptop that is still within its warranty, you can run a battery report to provide proof of an issue with your battery.

How do I change power modes in Windows 11?

Click on Start and open Settings (or press Windows + I).
Under System, select Power & battery.
Under Power, change the power mode by clicking the dropdown menu next to Power mode.

You can choose between the best power efficiency, balanced, and performance power modes.

If you want to prioritize the life of your battery over performance, then change the power mode to the best power efficiency. Adjust the mode to the best performance to prioritize performance over the battery.

Why does my laptop battery stop charging at 80%?

Misconfigured battery settings: If the power settings are misconfigured, for instance, the Batter Life Extender is enabled, the battery won’t charge beyond 80%.
Requires calibration: When the battery has not been calibrated for long, it doesn’t correctly judge the charge percentage, and, as a result, the HP laptop battery stops charging at 80. This is also the reason your laptop keeps switching between AC and battery when gaming.
Hardware issues: Batteries physically damaged or ones with a hardware malfunction, too, show such errors.
Calibration needed: If the battery hasn’t been calibrated recently, your system may misread the charge percentage, causing the battery to stop charging at 80%.

We hope one of the above solutions helped you fix your laptop battery if it’s not charging above 80%. If you’re having difficulties with your laptop not charging after a Windows 10 update, we have a guide.

Let us know in the comments below which solution worked for you or if you have a different suggestion.

Best television shows based on video games: Castlevania

Posted on September 27, 2022 by Robert Collins

In this article

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Based on the classic video game series of the same name, Castlevania is widely regarded as one of the very best video game-to-television adaptations ever. And it is the show that kickstarted the current trend of bringing video games to TV.

Backstory

Originally conceived as a film, Castlevania was written by British comic book writer and screenwriter Warren Ellis, and produced by Powerhouse Animation Studios. After years of development purgatory, the show was picked up by Netflix in 2015. Upon release in 2017, the first season was well-received and garnered praise for its writing, visuals and voice acting.
By the second season, the show had an estimated viewership surpassing 30 million viewers and became one of Netflix’s most successful animated series to date.

Reception

As critics have put it: “Castlevania sinks its fangs into vampiric lore during a devilishly fun second season that benefits from an expanded sense of scale and episode tally that allows the series to fully spread its leathery wings.” Castlevania currently enjoys a 94% “average tomatometer” score and an 89% average audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. It was the first video game television adaptation to get a “Fresh” rating on the site.

Premise

Castlevania follows the story of an outcast vampire hunter named Trevor Belmont. Along with the mage Sypha Belnades and the dhampir Alucard, Trevor sets out to destroy the vampire Count Vlad Dracula Țepeș, who declares war on the people of Wallachia when his wife, Lisa, is mistakenly executed as a witch.

The show’s excellent cast includes Richard Armitage (The Hobbit) as Trevor; James Callis (Battlestar Galactica) as Alucard; veteran voice actress Alejandra Reynoso as Sypha; and Graham McTavish (also of The Hobbit fame) as Dracula.

Season 1(Released: July 7, 2017)

The last surviving member of a disgraced clan fights to save Eastern Europe from Dracula. Inspired by the classic video game series.

Season 2 (Released: October 26, 2018)

As Dracula and his legion of vampires prepare to rid the world of humanity’s stain, an unlikely trio of heroes dares to stand in their way.

Season 3 (Released: March 5, 2020)

Belmont and Sypha settle into a village with sinister secrets, Alucard mentors a pair of admirers, and Isaac embarks on a quest to locate Hector.

Season 4 (Released: May 13, 2021)

Dracula’s influence looms large as Belmont and Sypha investigate plans to resurrect the notorious vampire. Alucard struggles to embrace his humanity.

Wrap up

If you haven’t checked out Castlevania by now, you should hop on over to Netflix and remedy that immediately. And you don’t need prior knowledge of the long-running video game series to enjoy it.
A follow-up series to be titled Castlevania: Nocturne, is officially in production.

All we know at the present is that the show will feature characters Richter Belmont and Maria Renard, and will reportedly be set against the backdrop of the French Revolution in the late 18th century. It appears as though Warren Ellis will not be returning as script writer, nor will Castlevania showrunner Adi Shankar be reprising his role as executive producer for the sequel.

Featured image via netflix.com.

NVIDIA fixes GeForce Experience issues with Windows 11 2022

Posted on September 27, 2022 by Kareem Anderson

Microsoft’s partner NVIDIA seemed to be caught a bit flat-footed by Microsoft’s roll out of the Windows 11 2022 Update last week as the GPU manufacturer scrambles this week to release patches to address performance issues sparked by the recent upgrade.

While most mainstream devices on the market house some version of Intel or AMD’s discrete GPU chips, there is a sizeable niche of users whose configurations include NVIDIA GPUs such as Surface Laptop Studio owners or desktop gamers. Following the Windows 11 2022 Update, some devices powered by NVIDIA GPUs started incurring performance issues that include a failure to update to the latest version, unstable framerates, stuttering or full-scale screen crashes.

According to NVIDIA, the new debugging tools that accompanied the Windows 11 2022 Update and their default nature were accidentally triggering responses from the company’s GeForce Experience.

Fortunately, NVIDIA wasn’t one to linger and has since issued a new GFE beta update that should hit systems as version 3.26 and help correct any immediate display issues.

NVIDIA is encouraging users to grab the update either through the normal downloader application or to push it manually after first collecting the download from the web.

It’s early days since the beta update for GFE has been live and we can’t say how effective NVIDIA solutions has been, but it appears fairly quiet from the crowd that were initially experiencing issues.

CSGO Mouse Delay: Fix Your Cursor With These 5 Solutions

Posted on September 27, 2022October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

A mouse delay while playing CSGO or other games on your PC is nothing but a nightmare and a reason for frustration for anyone.

This will affect your user experience, and the game performance can be drastically reduced.

In this article, we will explore the easiest way of fixing the mouse lag in CSGO, so keep reading.

Why am I getting CSGO mouse lag?

A few elements trigger a CSGO mouse delay or lag, many of which can be avoided. At the top of the list of these elements are the following:

Drivers – Several driver issues would cause this problem, including outdated and corrupted mouse drivers.
Problem with hardware – When you start witnessing mouse delays, chances are that the hardware itself is beginning to tear down. In such cases, only a mouse replacement may do the trick.
Bad configuration – Sometimes, the CSGO mouse delay may be down to the wrong settings configuration.

Regardless of the cause, this is one problem you should be able to solve in a few clicks. So we will introduce you to our top solution recommendations.

How can I fix the mouse lag in CSGO?

1. Update your mouse driver

Ensuring that you have installed the official driver of your mouse is the first thing we suggest you do. After that, you can do it manually via the Settings panel of your PC or the manufacturer’s official website.

However, the most reliable recommendation is to use dedicated software to ensure a clean and correct mouse driver installation.

2. Disable the V-Sync within CSGO

Right-click your desktop and select NVIDIA Control Panel.
Under 3D Settings, click Manage 3D settings.
Under Global Settings, scroll down to Vertical sync; from the dropdown options, select Off.

When V-sync is enabled in CSGO, the game synchronizes the frame rate with your monitor’s refresh rate to provide better stability.

Although enhanced stability is desirable, this doesn’t always mean the game’s performance improves and may lead to mouse lag in CSGO.

By disabling the V-sync, the frame rate cap will be unlocked, and the screen tearing along with the input lag.

3. Run the Hardware and Device troubleshooter

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

Troubleshooters are one of the easiest ways to identify and eliminate issues automatically. And if the mouse lags in CSGO, there’s just one for you. Once done, play the game and verify if the mouse lag is fixed.

4. Change the repeat rate

Press Windows + R to open the Run command, enter Control in the text field, and click OK.
Select Large icons from the View by dropdown menu.
Now, select Keyboard here.
Next, change the Repeat delay and Repeat rate settings to match the settings from the image below.
Click Apply and then OK to save the changes.

Once done, verify if the mouse lag in CSGO is fixed. If not, head to the following method.

5. Disable the automatic turn off

Type Device Manager in the Search bar, then click on the relevant search result.
Locate and double-click the Universal Serial Bus controllers option.
Right-click on the first USB Root Hub and click on Properties.
Next, click on the Power Management tab and untick the box for Allow the computer to turn of this device to save power.
Click on OK to save the changes.
Repeat the same steps for all the USBRoot Hubs that are listed.

If the power led to mouse lag in CSGO, things should now be working fine, and you would have eliminated the problem.

Also, find out how to optimize settings for the best gaming performance on your Windows PC.

If you have additional recommendations and suggestions, please write them in the comments section below.

Fix: You Cannot Proceed Because Authentication Is Required

Posted on September 27, 2022October 4, 2023 by Claire Moraa

If you are trying to connect from a remote desktop and are getting an error that the connection has been denied, then this is most likely because you have not authenticated yet.

When you start a Remote Desktop Connection, it will prompt you to enter the credentials of the computer you are connecting to. You cannot proceed before your authentication details have been verified.

The reason it requires authentication is that RDP is intended to be used by an administrator. An administrator can connect to any computer on the network and manage it remotely. If it were left unsecured, anyone could connect to your computer and use it.

This would put the user’s data at risk as anyone with access could take advantage of their details for unscrupulous activities. Sometimes, you may encounter an RDP authentication error because of your settings.

Why won’t my remote desktop connection connect?

There are a few reasons why your remote desktop connection won’t connect. Here are the most common ones:

Not enough permissions – The most common reason is that the computer you are trying to connect from does not have the correct permissions to access the target computer. This can happen if you are using a domain account with too low of a permission level, or if your account has been locked out for some reason.
Your firewall is blocking the connection – Make sure that any firewalls you have installed on your computer, such as Windows Firewall or any other third-party firewall software, aren’t blocking access to Remote Desktop.
The remote computer is offline or not responding – This can happen if a user turns off the remote computer or disconnects it from the network. Also, an intermittent network connection can cause such problems.
Unsupported version – If you’re using an unsupported version of Windows Remote Desktop, you will need to upgrade to the latest version that is supported by your current OS.
Poor network connection – You don’t need a strong internet connection for Remote Desktop. However, you do need a connection between your device and the remote computer. If you’re using a wired connection, make sure it’s plugged in and working properly.

If you suspect any of the above could be the cause of the error, proceed to our advanced troubleshooting steps.

How can I fix the you cannot proceed because authentication is required error?

1. Check your network connection

Make sure that your computer is connected to the Internet. If it’s not, then your remote desktop session may not be able to connect.

Your connection may also be temporarily unavailable or experiencing issues. Check the status of your connection and try again.

2. Update software

If you are getting this error, it means that your RDP connection is using a version of the RDP protocol that is not supported by the server.

To fix this problem, you will need to update the RDP protocol on your computer. You can install a newer version of the Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Client software on your computer from the Windows Update or Microsoft website.

3. Disable firewalls

When you get you cannot proceed because authentication is required errors, it’s usually because of a firewall. The most common firewall is Windows Firewall and the second most common are third-party firewalls.

Your firewall may be preventing remote access. Try to disable your firewalls and antivirus software, and then check if the issue persists. If you are able to access the website after disabling the firewall, then add exceptions for RDP.

4. Edit the network level authentication

Hit the Windows + R keys to open the Run command.
Type regedit in the dialog box then press Enter.
Navigate to the following location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Terminal Server\WinStations\RDP-Tcp
Right-click on SecurityLayer, select Modify DWORD and edit the Value data to 0 then click OK.

5. Uninstall recent Windows updates

Whereas it is always recommended to keep up with the latest Windows updates as soon as they are available, they can sometimes cause problems.

Some updates cause more problems than they fix. One such problem is the RDP authentication error. If you have recently installed new updates, reverse the action and see whether the error persists.

How do I disable Remote Desktop Network Level Authentication?

By default, network-level authentication is enabled on the Remote Desktop client. This means that all of your users must have a valid domain account in order to connect to a remote computer.

If you have not configured your environment to use network-level authentication, you can disable it by following these steps:

Hit the Windows key, type Control Panel in the search bar and click Open.
Select System and Security.
Click on Allow remote access.
Hit the Remote tab, under Remote Desktop, uncheck the Allow connections only from computers running Remote Desktop with Network Level Authentication.

And that’s how to solve the remote desktop you cannot proceed because authentication is required error. You may also come across the local security authority cannot be contacted error but our detailed guide gives you a step-by-step process to bypass this issue.

In case your remote session is disconnected, we also have an expert guide on the same so be sure to check that out too.

Let us know of any additional thoughts you may have on this topic down below.

0xc0000225 Error in Windows: Main Causes & How to Fix

Posted on September 27, 2022October 8, 2025 by Ivan Jenic

As Microsoft bluntly puts it, error 0xc0000225 can be related to drivers, OS, or third parties. While we cannot argue with this perfectly valid information, we feel a bit of context is required in order to understand why this happens and what can be done to fix it.

Follow along as we have put together a detailed list of solutions that you can implement in order to fix this issue, right after we see what some common causes of it are. Keep up with us!

What causes error 0xc0000225?

First of all, error 0xc0000225 is a BSOD that will prevent your PC from booting, whether we’re talking about Windows 10 or more recently, Windows 11 and it generally occurs after an unsuccessful upgrade or update attempt.

Other potential causes are:

BCD sys files (Boot Configuration Data) corruption
Incomplete/failed/pending update files (This usually happens when the PC shutdowns during the installation of a Windows update and leads to an incomplete setup due to missing update files)
Disk errors (Frequently when using the third-party partition manager from EaseUS or when cloning/resizing the hard disk of your operating system)
Malware or virus infection affecting system files
Faulty hardware, unsigned drivers, or programs recently installed (Windows cannot verify the digital signature)

Now, the error code usually appears after you try to reboot your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC. And alongside the error code 0xc000025, you will get the message Your PC needs to be repaired.

The given options are Press Enter to try again, Press F8 for startup settings, and Press Esc for UEFI firmware settings. Sadly, none of them works as intended.

Most common scenarios accompanying the error code 0xc0000225:

Windows failed to start. A recent hardware or software change might be the cause 0xc0000225
The operating system couldn’t be loaded because a critical system driver is missing or contains errors
The boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible (This variation is also possible: A required device isn’t connected or can’t be accessed. Error code: 0xc0000225)
The operating system couldn’t be loaded because the system registry file is missing or contains errors
Your PC needs to be repaired. Error code: 0xc0000225
The operating system couldn’t be loaded because the digital signature of a file couldn’t be verified. Error code: 0xc0000225
Windows 11 not booting because of windows\system32\winload.efi with 0xc0000225 error

How can I fix error code 0xc0000225 in Windows 10?

1. Perform an automatic repair

Restart your PC a few times during the boot sequence.
Now you should see a list of options. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
The repair process will now start.

Once the repair process is finished, check if the problem is resolved.

Stuck on Automatic repair loop? Don’t worry, we’ll throw you this amazing lifeline.

For more accurate results, we recommend you use dedicated PC repair software. This is a completely safe utility that fixes all system-related issues and also includes registry error prevention.

It will scan your PC and can repair all sorts of system errors, damaged DLLs, it removes spyware, and it can also scan your hardware’s performance and optimize your CPU usage.

2. Perform System Restore

Restart your PC a few times during the boot sequence and choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.
When System Restore opens, click on Next.
A list of available restore points will appear. If available, check Show more restore points option. Select the desired restore point and click on Next.
Now follow the instructions on the screen to complete the restoration process.

Before attempting the steps above, we suggest you make a backup copy of the applications and programs you have installed in your Windows 10.

Once your PC is restored to the previous state, check if the problem still persists.

3. Repair your boot sector

Restart your PC a few times during the boot sequence. By doing so you’ll enter Advanced Boot Mode.
You’ll see a list of options. Select Advanced options > Command Prompt.
Command Prompt will now start. Now you need to enter the following commands:
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /rebuildbcd

Sometimes you might encounter error 0xc000025 if your boot sector is damaged. To fix this problem, you need to repair your boot sector.

After running these commands, close Command Prompt and restart your PC. If you can’t run Command Prompt, follow the steps from our guide, and Working in Command Prompt will be like a child’s play.

4. Use diskpart tool

Start Command Prompt as we showed you in the previous solution.
Run the following commands:
diskpart
list volume
A list of all volumes will appear. Now you need to select volume that is labeled as ESP or EFI. To do that enter select volume X. Be sure to replace X with the number that represents the volume.
Now enter the following commands:
assign letter=Z
exit
bcdboot C:windows /s Z: /f UEFI

After running these commands, close Command Prompt and restart your PC and the problem should be resolved. For a smoother experience, you can also use dedicated partition manager software.

5. Perform a quick chkdsk scan

Start Command Prompt as we showed you in the previous solution.
When Command Prompt opens, enter chkdsk /f X:. Be sure to replace X with the actual letter that represents your system partition. By default, it should be C, but it’s usually different when you start Command Prompt outside of Windows.
Chkdsk scan can take 20 minutes or more depending on the size of your partition, so be sure not to interrupt it.
Once the scan is finished, start your PC again and check if everything is in order.

Error 0xc000025 is usually related to your hard drive, and if the files on your hard drive are corrupted, you’ll encounter this error.

To make things even worse, you won’t be able to boot to Windows 10 or 11 at all. Several users reported that they managed to fix this problem by performing a chkdsk scan.

Tip

Corruption can take many shapes and one particular form is caused by malware infection.

➡ The vermin targeting the boot sector can be particularly elusive and just as vicious, which is why we recommend you choose an antivirus with boot scan capabilities and run a full and in-depth system check-up.
➡ ESET HOME Security is the perfect choice to help you remove hidden malware.
➡ You can quickly enable the boot sector scanning and master boot scanning by using the /scanboot+ and /scanmbr+ commands.

6. Check the boot order in BIOS

If you’re unable to boot to Windows 10 due to error 0xc000025, the problem might be your boot order. To fix that, you need to enter your BIOS and check if your hard drive is set as the first boot device.

Many users reported that this problem occurred because they set the wrong hard drive as the boot device. To see how to enter BIOS and how to change the boot order, be sure to check your motherboard manual for instructions.

You may also use some of the best motherboard information software tools in that regard.

7. Update your BIOS

Sometimes error 0xc000025 can occur if your BIOS is out of date. To fix that problem, you might want to try updating your BIOS.

We have to warn you that BIOS update is an advanced procedure, so be extra cautious while updating your BIOS. BIOS updates can cause permanent damage to your PC, so keep in mind that you’re updating BIOS at your own risk.

To see how to properly update your BIOS, be sure to check your motherboard manual and follow the instructions carefully. If you need more information, you might want to check our article on how to flash your BIOS.

8. Restore your BIOS settings to default

In some cases, you might encounter 0xc000025 errors due to your BIOS configuration. Sometimes individual settings can interfere with the boot sequence and cause this error to appear.

However, you can fix that simply by resetting BIOS to default. Every version of BIOS is different, and in order to see how to reset your BIOS to default, we recommend you check your motherboard manual for detailed instructions.

9. Check your hardware

If this error still appears on your PC, the problem might be your hardware. Several users reported that this problem occurred because their RAM modules were faulty.

To see if your RAM is the problem, you need to test your RAM modules one by one. The best way to do that is to use the MemTest86+ tool or the newer AIDA64 Extreme.

In order to perform a detailed scan, it’s advised to run the scan for a couple of hours.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to scan all your RAM modules one by one or in groups if you want to find the faulty module.

Other hardware can also cause this problem, and a few users reported that their issue was caused due to loose cables. According to them, their hard drive wasn’t properly connected, and that caused the issue to appear.

If you’re having the same problem, be sure to check if your cables are tightly connected.

How can I fix error 0xc0000225 in Windows 11?

Windows 11 is the latest OS to join the Microsoft family and it has a lot to offer in terms of looks and functionality enhancements. However, it cannot shake off its legacy, which sometimes implies update errors such as 0xc0000225.

Obviously, preparing the boot files (BCD) is a good place to start and all the methods described above are just as useful to help troubleshoot and fix error code 0xc0000225 in Windows 11 as well.

Here’s a little something on top.

How to disable driver signature verification in Windows 11?

Click on the Start button and select Settings.
From the System section (available in the left pane), select Recovery.
Under Advanced startup, click the Restart now button.
When you get to the boot options, select Troubleshoot.
Now click on Advanced options. You will have two steps to complete from this screen.
First, select the UEFI Firmware settings option.
When the BIOS menu opens, click Security, then select Secure Boot. (If you don’t find it here, check the Boot Options section as well or check your user manual).
Now toggle the option next to Secure Boot to Off and save the changes before exiting BIOS.
Reboot your PC and follows steps 1-5 to return to the Advanced options screen.
This time, select Command Prompt.
In the typing field, insert the following commands in this precise order: bcdedit -set loadoptions DISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING ON
Finally, one more reboot and you should be good to go.

Drivers are obviously very important for the well-being of your entire system and you need to keep them up to date and make sure you don’t run obsolete or even worse, corrupted versions.

Usually, drivers are automatically upgraded to the latest version along with the Windows update packages that you (hopefully) download and install regularly.

But sometimes, third-party drivers may be harder to tackle and unattended ones can easily trigger the booting error in 0xc000025.

We suggest you use a professional driver fixer and updater tool such as Outbyte Driver Updater that will automatically take care of this time-consuming task for you.

We have reached the end of our article regarding the Windows 10 or Windows 11 issue with error code 0xc000025. If you do run into trouble along the way, don’t be shy to reach out to the comments section.

HBO just released a new teaser trailer for its “The Last of Us” television series

Posted on September 27, 2022 by Robert Collins

HBO has released a new trailer for its upcoming “The Last of Us” TV series. The nearly two-minute trailer features a montage of clips from the show with Hank William’s almost dirge-like “Alone and Forsaken” providing the tone.

Save who you can save. The @HBO Original series #TheLastOfUs is coming in 2023 to @HBOMax. pic.twitter.com/WWpMYza2w7

— The Last Of Us (@TheLastofUsHBO) September 26, 2022

This is the first official trailer for the The Last of Us HBO series; previously we had only a still image to go on, featuring stars Pedro Pascal (as Joel) and Bella Ramsey (playing Ellie). We know that the two Game of Thrones alums will be joined by video game voice acting veterans Troy Baker and Ashley Johnson in some fashion, though further details aren’t known.

The show will premiere sometime in 2023, though an exact release date has not been given. It will apparently be an HBO Max exclusive. Will “The Last of Us” take its place among the excellent video game-to-television adaptations of recent years? We’ll have to wait until 2023 to find out.

Fix: An Unexpected Error has Occurred in Chromebook Recovery

Posted on September 27, 2022January 16, 2024 by Milan Stanojevic

If you want to know about the methods to fix An Unexpected error has occurred in the Chromebook recovery utility, go through this article.

Some people prefer using Chrome OS because it’s so lightweight, but unfortunately, problems with Chrome OS can also appear, and many users reported Chrome OS Recovery unexpected error messages.

Why is Chromebook Recovery Utility not working?

Your Chromebook recovery utility may not work for any other following reasons:

Problematic removable storage or device that contains Chrome OS
The recovery media doesn’t contain the actual OS
For internal error, Chromebook can’t detect the recovery image

You may find other reasons. But, these three mentioned above are the most common ones.

This problem will prevent your laptop from booting, and in today’s article, we’re going to show you how to fix this problem once and for all.

How do I fix an unexpected error has occurred in Chrome OS recovery?

1. Press Tab during the boot

Power down your laptop, but don’t close the lid.
Now start the laptop again.
When the warning screen appears, press the Tab key.

After doing that, you should be able to see the direct cause of this issue. Although this method won’t fix your problem, it will give you some insight into why Unexpected error while installing Chrome OS appears.

2. Verify that the hard drive is tightly connected

NOTE

This method will most likely void your warranty, so it might be best to send your laptop to a certified repair center.

Disconnect the laptop from the power outlet, unplug the charger, and remove the battery.
Now remove the back cover.
Locate the hard drive and SSD and make sure that it’s tightly connected.

hard drive chrome os recovery unexpected error

Several users reported that this method worked for them, and after connecting their hard drives properly, the Chrome OS Recovery unexpected error was gone.

Sometimes, your hard drive or SSD may be damaged, so you’ll need to replace it.

3. Disable verification

Enable the Developer mode when the error message appears and turn off the verification.
Restore the OS.
After doing that, turn off the Developer mode.

This solution only works if you had Developer mode enabled, but it might help you fix an unexpected error has occurred in Chromebook recovery on HP/Asus/Acer/Lenovo or any other brands.

4. Try to boot the device multiple times

Connect the device to the charger.
Now reboot it a couple of times. Few users reported that it took them about 30 reboots for the device to boot properly.
Once the device boots, charge it completely.

Many users reported that this issue occurs once the battery is completely drained on Dell devices, but you can try this solution on other models as well.

5. Try creating a USB recovery drive in Safe Mode

Hold the power key until the Power off icon appears.
Press and hold the power icon until the Safe Mode option appears.
Then, select Safe Mode.
In safe mode, format the flash drive.
Set the file system to FAT32 and click the start button.
Once the drive is formatted, try to create a recovery drive again.

How do I make a recovery USB for Chromebook?

Download Chromebook Recovery Utility and install it.
Open it.
Click on Get started.
Identify or select the Chromebook model and click on Continue.
Insert the USB drive on your computer and select it in the recovery utility.
Click on Create now.

This way, you can easily create a recovery USB drive for Chromebook. However, make sure that your recovery storage has a minimum of 4 GB of capacity.

We recommend that you check out our post on the 7 best hard drive recovery software, so that you can find out one that will work with Chrome OS and save your data.

Alternatively, you can take a look at the best recovery software for a damaged hard drive if this is the case that applies to you.

If your Chromebook keeps restarting itself, it could be due to Power settings or an overheating device; read this guide to learn more.

Chrome OS Recovery unexpected errors can be problematic, but we hope you managed to fix them using one of our solutions. If you have any questions, feel free to let us know in the comment box.

3 Ways to Fix Device Manager if It Shows Me Multiple Keyboards

Posted on September 27, 2022October 9, 2025 by Kazim Ali Alvi

Device Manager helps identify the various peripherals connected to the computer. These are listed under various categories. But, many reported that Device Manager showed multiple keyboards.

First, there’s nothing to be concerned about. Having multiple keyboards listed is perfectly normal, and it doesn’t affect the system’s performance.

Let’s find out all about having multiple keyboards listed and the best solutions for it.

Why do I have multiple keyboards in Device Manager?

Before we get to that, you need to understand what the N-key rollover is. It is the ability of the keyboard to read multiple keystrokes at once. N here stands for the number of keys that can be effectively pressed together.

To achieve that, manufacturers configure the keyboard to run multiple versions of itself. If you have been wondering Why do I have so many HID-compliant devices (or duplicate Human Interface Devices) in Windows 10, this is the reason.

How do I find my keyboard in Device Manager?

To find it in the Device Manager, simply double-click on the Keyboards entry, and all these will now be listed.

How do I get rid of multiple keyboards in Device Manager?

1. Disconnect additional keyboards

Many gamers who use a laptop often have an external gaming keyboard connected, which takes the total number to two. And then comes the HID Keyboard Device, leading to multiple keyboard entries.

Simply disconnect the other keyboards from the computer and restart it. You wouldn’t have 2 keyboards in Device Manager now.

2. Verify your keyboard drivers with a dedicated tool

You can also use a driver utility that detects your actual keyboard hardware and verifies its drivers. These tools are secure and very easy to use.

Before running the utility, we recommend you keep any additional keyboards disconnected (as presented above). You can also uninstall all the keyboards in Device Manager.

3. Permanently remove HID keyboard

Launch the Device Manager and double-click on the Keyboards entry.
Right-click on HID Keyboard Device and select Uninstall device.
Confirm the action and do this for other similar entries.
Now, press Windows + R to launch Run, type gpedit.msc, and click on OK.
Double-click on Administrative Templates and then on System.
Next, double-click on Device Installation Restrictions under Device Installation, and then on Prevent installation of devices not described by other policy settings policy on the right.
Select the option for Enable and click on OK at the bottom to save the changes.

Windows should no longer install multiple keyboards and subsequently, these wouldn’t appear in Device Manager. Also, find out how to check Device Manager logs in Windows 11.

Tell us which fix worked for you in the comments section below.

Fix: Remote Desktop Not Logging Off User

Posted on September 27, 2022October 4, 2023 by Claire Moraa

When you use Remote Desktop to connect to a remote computer, it’s a good idea to close the session when you’re done. This ensures no one can access your details and helps you avert any security risks.

The Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) is the standard that allows users to connect to Microsoft Windows computers using Remote Desktop Connection.

If the administrator restarts the PC or when they terminate the session, a user can be logged off. Sometimes the RDP protocol can be slow hence the need to restart.

This can be problematic if you are using the RDP client on a laptop that you take with you around the office, as it will not be able to log back in automatically if your computer is rebooted or shut down.

How do I disconnect a user from Remote Desktop?

The Remote Desktop Connection client is a useful tool for remotely connecting to and working with an application or computer. When you log off the Remote Desktop Services session, the session is disconnected.

The user can no longer access the server remotely. However, in some cases, the session doesn’t disconnect properly and remains connected to the server. This can lead to security risks and data loss.

You might also want to end an active remote desktop session because it’s not needed anymore, such as when an employee is leaving work for the day or has completed their assignment and doesn’t need the system anymore.

Some of the common reasons why you are unable to disconnect include:

You have not logged off your computer before connecting to another computer. RDP connections have a limited number of simultaneous users.
A network connection failure or network connectivity issue occurs when you try to disconnect from an RDP session.
You have recently reconnected your computer to a domain controller that was unavailable at first.
Another reason could be that you are not using an administrator account to disconnect a user.

To disconnect a user from Remote Desktop, follow the steps below:

Hit the Windows key, type Task Manager in the search bar and click Open.
Click on the Users tab.
Select the user you’d like to disconnect, right-click and click on Disconnect.

What can I do if the Remote Desktop is not logging off a user?

1. Close programs running in the background

If you have multiple programs running in the background while using a remote desktop, they could be the cause of this issue. There may be an unresponsive application or process running in the background and you may not even be aware of it.

You can close these programs manually by going into Task Manager and ending each one individually by clicking End Task button found next to each process.

2. Check your network connection

If you have a slow or intermittent internet connection, it can cause problems when logging out a user from the Remote Desktop Connection client.

Make sure that you have an active Internet connection and that your computer is connected to the network. If there’s no connection, it won’t work as expected.

3. Check firewall settings

If your computer has a firewall enabled, it might be blocking Remote Desktop connections by default because it classifies it as a threat.

Check its settings to make sure they aren’t blocking Remote Desktop connections. You can also add an exception for Remote Desktop in Windows Firewall.

4. Delete saved credentials

If you have multiple devices accessing the same remote computer, it can be difficult to tell which one is causing problems. Saving credentials in Remote Desktop Connection is convenient because it saves you from having to enter your password every time you connect.

However, if you find that you have trouble logging off a user, try deleting the cached credentials as storing passwords creates a security risk.

5. Restart Remote Desktop Services

Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run command.
Type in service.msc in the dialog box and press Enter.
Locate Remote Desktop Services, right-click and click Restart.

6. Restart the server

If your remote desktop isn’t logging off, restarting the server can sometimes solve this problem. This will clear any temporary files that may be causing issues with your system.

Also, if other users are experiencing problems with their sessions after restarting their computers, this could indicate an issue with your networking software or hardware itself rather than just one user’s computer.

7. Uninstall and reinstall Remote Desktop Protocol

Your RDP could be giving you problems because it is an outdated version. You can uninstall and reinstall it again.

This ensures that any corrupted files are deleted and you can get a newer and more stable version void of any issues.

How do I force a user to log off?

If you have a user that is stuck in a remote session and cannot log off by themselves, you might need to force a logoff. You can use a log-off remote desktop command line.

If a remote desktop user is already logged in, you need to approach this method with caution because if they have any unsaved work, it may be lost once you kick them off the session.

Follow the steps below to force a user to logoff:

Hit the Windows key, type cmd in the search bar, and click Run as administrator.
Type in the following command then press Enter: Query session
Take note of the user ID you would like to log off.
Next, type in the following command followed by the ID taken down in (3): logoff ID

If RDP is constantly giving you problems, you can consider other remote desktop protocols and see how they perform.

We also have recommended fixes for when your Remote Desktop connection is not working so be sure to check out our detailed article on the same.

In case you want to use dual monitors with Remote Desktop, feel free to refer to our article on the same for more tips.

Leave us a comment down below on what solution worked for you if you were experiencing this issue.

Middle Click not Working on Firefox? Here’s What To Do Now

Posted on September 27, 2022September 15, 2025 by Henderson Jayden Harper

Firefox is one of the best browsers in the market today. It has countless features that deliver the best Internet service to its users. However, a feature people complain about is the middle click not working on Firefox.

Although, it has a customizable interface that allows users to arrange tabs to their taste. Several functions work for Firefox. For instance, keypad functions, mouse functions, and lots more. The browser is also good for its security and privacy.

There are many causes of this issue ranging from hardware problems, connection issues, and mouse driver issues.

This article will cover what a middle click is and explain why it is not working. Also, we’ll provide solutions for the middle click not working on Firefox difficulties.

What is the middle click?

The middle click is the function key attached to the middle button of a mouse. It can perform numerous functions in different applications depending on what you set it to do. Whenever you press the middle button on a mouse or mouse pad, it prompts a task on your computer.

Why is my middle click not working?

1. Missing or outdated mouse drivers

These drivers are responsible for running the mouse functions, ensuring it functions as it should. However, whenever these drivers are not up-to-date or are not available to power the mouse, the middle click might not work.

2. Incorrect mouse settings in the Registry Editor

Incorrect mouse settings in the Registry Editor can cause the middle click scroll not to work in Firefox. The registry contains the configurations that control how the mouse works. So, it is essential to take note of the settings of every component of the computer as it can cause issues.

3. Check your hardware connection

There are different connections for hardware like the computer mouse. Some mice use the wired connection while some are connected to the computer wirelessly. However, if there’s an issue with the connection, it can lead to.

Quick Tip:

If Firefox keeps causing problems, instead of trying to troubleshoot and find the root cause, you can simply use another browser. We recommend Opera One.

This browser is a great alternative because it’s lightweight and uses a lower amount of system resources. It’s suitable for lower-end and older PCs. It also comes with great built-ins, such as VPN, Ad Blocker and AI.

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What can I do if the middle click is not working on Firefox?

1. Troubleshoot hardware issue

Troubleshooting your hardware connections will help discover where the issue is from. You can do this by unplugging the mouse from your computer or disconnecting it, then connecting it to another device to see if it works fine.

If the mouse does not function properly on another computer, the problem is most likely with the mouse itself and it should be changed. In case the mouse functions normally on a different computer, the problem is with your computer, and you can proceed with the solutions below.

2. Update the mouse drivers

Download and install Outbyte Driver Updater.
Launch it and click the Scan button.
Find your mouse driver in the resulting list and click Update.
Restart your device and see if the middle click works in Firefox.

Doing this will update the mouse drivers and fix the bugs affecting them. It can fix the middle click not working in Firefox problems.

3. Update the Firefox browser

Click on the Menu button.
Go to Help, then click on About Firefox to prompt the Firefox window.
Mozilla Firefox will automatically scan for updates and download them.

It is advisable to keep your browser up to date to be sure that it is not causing any difficulty.

4. Modify the Registry settings

Press the Windows+R keys simultaneously to prompt the Run box.
Type in Regedit and click OK.
In the Registry Editor, locate: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Click any area in the right pane, and press the Arrow Up and Arrow Down keys to locate WheelScrollLines.
Double click WheelScrollLines, then change the Value data to 3.
Click OK to save.

Afterward, close the Registry Editor and restart your device. The Firefox left click not working should be fixed.

How do I turn on the middle click?

Click the Windows button and go to Settings.
Select Devices.
Click on the Mouse option and set the function you want for the middle button.

The middle click function is accessible for devices across different operating systems. However, you can learn how to middle-click to dismiss in Windows 10’s Action Center. Also, users can read about the mouse double clicks on Windows PCs and how to solve the issue in no time.

Let us know which tip worked for you as well.

Dell XPS 15 Not Connecting to Wi-Fi? Here’s What To Do

Posted on September 27, 2022May 14, 2024 by Kazim Ali Alvi

The Dell XPS 15 has been showing signs of issues, including that with the network connectivity. Several users have reported that Dell XPS is not connecting to Wi-Fi.

Dell has been including the Killer wireless network adapters in the XPS series, which has led to a lot of connectivity-related issues for users.

While many replace the adapter and use another brand instead, it’s not always the right approach. We have taken up both its advantages and disadvantages later to help you make a decision.

So, let’s see what you can do if Dell XPS is not connecting to Wi-Fi.

Why is my Dell laptop not finding my Wi-Fi?

It’s possible that this problem was caused by an incompatible driver or one that was simply out of date. In addition, there might be other parameters for the Wi-Fi network that are incorrectly set up.

After making the necessary adjustments to the Wi-Fi adapter using the steps outlined below, you may move on to implementing alternative solutions.

This being said, let’s jump into the list of methods that you can apply in order to fix the Dell XPS not connecting to the Wi-Fi issue. Follow along!

What do I do if Dell XPS 15 is not connecting to Wi-Fi?

1. Re-enable the Wi-Fi adapter

Press Windows + R to launch the Run command, enter ncpa.cpl in the text field, and either click OK or hit Enter to launch the Network Connections window.
Right-click on the Wi-Fi adapter and select Disable from the context menu.
Once done, again right-click on it and select Enable.
After making the changes, check if Dell XPS is now connecting to Wi-Fi.

In most cases, simply re-enabling the Wi-Fi adapter worked for most, and you should try this method before moving on to the more intricate ones.

2. Update the Wi-Fi adapter driver

Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter Device Manager in the text field, and click on the relevant search result that appears.
Double-click on the Network adapters entry here to expand and view the devices under it.
Right-click on the Wi-Fi adapter and select Update driver from the context menu.
Next, select Search automatically for drivers from the two options in the Update Drivers window.

Once the Wi-Fi driver is updated, check if the Dell XPS not connecting to the Wi-Fi issue is fixed. In case, you were unable to update this way, learn how to manually install the driver in Windows 11.

Also, to keep things simple, you could use a reliable third-party app. We recommend a dedicated driver updating tool that ensures automatic installation of the latest driver versions for all those available on your PC.

3. Modify network adapter settings

Press Windows + R to launch the Run command, enter devmgmt.msc in the text field, and click on OK to launch the Device Manager.
Double-click on the Network adapters entry.
Right-click on the Wi-Fi adapter and select Properties from the context menu.
Go to the Advanced tab.
Click Wireless mode under Property on the left.
Now, select the 08-11 a/b/g/n option from the Value dropdown menu.

If the Dell XPS 15 Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting, making these changes could really help. But, remember that this method is only applicable for the Killer wireless network adapters.

4. Replace the network adapter

If none of the three fixes listed above have worked, you can replace the network adapter itself. Removing the Killer wireless adapter and using another reliable brand has helped fix the issue for most users. Also, this has led to an increase in the Internet speed for many.

This is a tricky affair, and if done incorrectly, you may end up damaging the hardware. Also, replacing the hardware might nullify the warranty.

But, if you have made up your mind, there are several YouTube videos available to help do it yourself. Or you can even take the Dell XPS laptop to a repair center and get the Killer Wireless adapter replaced by a professional.

Where is the Wi-Fi switch on my Dell laptop?

After you have pressed and held the Fn key, proceed to press the F2 key. By doing this several times, you can turn the wireless antenna on and off.

If for some reason, it doesn’t work for you, you can still change your Wi-Fi by going into your PC’s settings.

That’s all there is to the problem! Though in all likelihood, the need to replace the adapter should not arise and the other methods should help eliminate the Dell XPS not connecting to the Wi-Fi issue.

Also, find out what to do if you are facing issues with the Killer Wireless adapter in Windows 11, since these too could help fix the Wi-Fi-related problems on your laptop.

Tell us which fix worked for you in the comments section below.

7 Best Browser ATC Simulators to Download for Free

Posted on September 27, 2022December 19, 2023 by Ola-Hassan Bolaji

Browser games are increasingly becoming popular, with airplane games among the leading ones. This is because they are mostly free and require no download to get going.

The Air Traffic Control (ATC) simulator offers more real-life benefits beyond the fun. Like the best browser flight simulator games, they are played by professionals and beginners with many real challenges to overcome.

To ensure the time you spend gaming is well worth it, we have selected the best browser ATC simulators to play to improve organizational and traffic control skills.

What is an ATC simulator?

An ATC simulator is a game aimed at recreating the activities and tasks of an air traffic controller. These games are good for people looking to learn the ropes of air traffic control.

There are different ATC simulator games, from options with voice recognition and multiplayer to play on PC and basic ones to play online on your browser.

What are the best browser ATC simulators?

ATC-Sim – Realistic browser ATC simulator

This is a top-notch browser ATC simulator that requires no extra plug-in or software to play. It puts your air traffic control knowledge and skills to the ultimate test with real-life situations.

ATC-Sim allows you to select an airport of your choice. Also, you can choose between different airline codes and set the difficulty level and realism.

Other features:

Can set different parameters
Easy to play
Realistic gameplay

⇒ Get ATC-Sim

Openscope – Very realistic

If you’re looking to get in the skin of an air traffic controller, you should definitely try Openscope.

You can actually see all the flight parameters of the virtual airplanes, give them direct commands, and supervise traffic without getting in trouble.

Being extremely realistic, the action in Openscope happens in real-time, but you can speed up the simulation or pause it so you can find the correct decisions.

You also have a tutorial and some very clear instructions on how to use it but without any knowledge, we made a mess of everything.

The tool is obviously created for professionals or for training purposes and it’s not just a game.

Here are some of its key features:

Realistic functions and display
Pause and speed up the simulation
Give written commands to any plane in your airspace
Detailed information on all the planes

⇒ Get Openscope

ATC Manager 2 – Great for training

ATC Manager 2 is a web-based air traffic control game but it looks like more than just a game to us.

You don’t need to download anything and the goal is to manage the airspace of busy airports like Schiphol or Heathrow in a very realistic simulation.

The web app is very complex as you can even change the whole appearance of the window and colors.

Then, you also have settings for game speed and difficulty. On the right, you will see the list of planes you can control, and on top, you will even see the wind speed.

Here are some of its key features:

Detailed information about all the planes
Advanced set of settings available
Easy commands
Realistic display

⇒ Get ATC Manager 2

Air Traffic Controller – Versatile simulator

Air Traffic Controller is a cool ATC browser simulator game where you direct aircraft on the ground. It also gives you the experience from the tower, as you control airplanes through controlled airspace.

The ultimate goal in this game is to manage the airport successfully to avoid any collision or delay. Your task is all the more complicated as you must watch for planes in the air and on the ground.

Other features:

Easy to control
Varying levels of difficulty
Different gaming options

⇒ Get Air Traffic Controller

Tracon Air Traffic Control Simulator – Challenging game

Tracon Air Traffic Control Simulator is the game to play if you want to get up to speed with tracking multiple events simultaneously. The game requires you to keep airplanes far from each other as much as possible to prevent a collision.

You will get warning signs on your controller whenever the aircraft comes closer than normal. And the game ends when there is a mid-air crash.

Other features:

Realistic gameplay
Different gaming parameters per game
Different aircraft to control

⇒ Get Tracon Air Traffic Control Simulator

Airport Rush – High organization level

Airport Rush is a classic ATC browser simulator that tests your organizational skills. It is ideal for players with prior experience in air traffic control.

Your task in this game is to manage the flow of airplanes into the airport. You must remain alert when an aircraft is about to land and either grant or deny the request.

This game provides you with three terminals to choose from. Note that each has a different number of landing and take-off strips. So, only choose what you can handle.

Other features:

Requires a high level of organization
Difficult gameplay
Simple controls

⇒ Get Airport Rush

Airport Control – Multi-level simulator

The last but certainly not the least in our recommendation of browser ATC simulator games to play is Airport Control. In this game, you earn your livelihood by ensuring aircraft land and depart safely.

You take care of everything required in the airport, from sending planes to the landing strip and dropping off passengers. Also, you ensure to get them filled up with fuel before they depart again.

Other features:

Multi-level gameplay
Numerous tasks to cover
Easy to control

⇒ Get Airport Control

Can you be ATC in Flight Simulator?

In high-level flight simulators, you must communicate with the ATC to keep progressing. In some games, this feature might be automated.

However, you can set them manually in top games like Microsoft Flight Simulator.

Browser ATC simulator games are free resources to quickly improve your air traffic control and organizational skills. You can play any of the games in the guide to easily get acquainted with the tasks at hand.

Are you looking to add action to things a bit with the best tower defense games? Then, check our guide for the top free ones to choose from.

Feel free to let us know which game you enjoyed playing the most in the comments below.

What is packet loss in Counter-Strike 1.6?

Why do I have loss in CS?

How to detect packet loss in Counter-Strike 1.6?

How to fix Counter-Strike 1.6 connection issues?

1. Use a VPN with split tunneling

ExpressVPN

2. Flush your DNS

3. Perform some manual troubleshooting

4. Use CS 1.6 Command-List to reduce choke

Should I worry about packet loss CS 1.6?

Why am I getting a black screen with a cursor on Windows?

How do I fix the Windows 10 black screen with cursor error?

1. Check the connections

2. Change projections to switch displays

3. Connect your monitor with both cables to the monitor

4. Update your BIOS

5. Disable Dual monitor from BIOS/disable CPU Graphics Multi-Monitor

6. Update your drivers

7. Disconnect your second monitor

8. Set display output to IGFX

9. Check your graphic card settings in BIOS

10. Remove the computer battery and reset your BIOS

11. Check additional displays

12. Uninstall your graphic card driver

13. Disable onboard graphics from Device Manager

14. Uninstall problematic applications

15. Change display brightness

16. Disable the secondary output

17. Change primary display

18. Disable/enable dedicated card from BIOS

19. Disable Fast Startup

20. Connect your monitor to an integrated graphic card

21. Uninstall problematic software before the upgrade

22. Start File Explorer with administrative privileges

How do I fix Windows 11 black screen with cursor?

Table of contents

Why Outlook Is Not Attaching Files

What can I do if Outlook is not attaching files?

1. Compress files for attaching into a ZIP Archive

2. Disable compatibility mode for Outlook

3. Change the email message’s format

4. Run Outlook in its Safe Mode

5. Disable Outlook add-ins

What is the maximum attachment size in Outlook 365?

How can I fix a Windows 11 file system error?

1. Use a third-party tool

2. Check for viruses

3. Check for Windows Updates

4. Uninstall recent Windows Updates

5. Run DISM

6. Run CHKDSK

7. Repair or reset the problematic app

What can I do if I experience the ms-settings file system error in Windows 11?

How can I fix the Windows 11 NTFS file system error?

How can I fix the Unexpected_Kernel_Mode_Trap error?

1. Check for hardware problems

2. Check recently installed hardware device compatibility

3. Run a System File Checker scan

4. Check for malware

5. Stop overclocking your PC

6. Run the CHKDSK scan

7. Update device drivers

Outbyte Driver Updater

8. Run a Windows Memory Diagnostic check

9. Restore Windows 11 to an earlier date

10. Reset Windows 11

What causes an Unexpected Kernel Mode Trap?

How do I use the blue screen troubleshooter?

How can I enter Safe Mode for troubleshooting?

Why is the Remote Desktop not connecting or verifying the identity?

What can I do if Remote Desktop cannot verify identity?

1. Ensure that your time and date are set correctly

2. Disable Windows Defender Firewall

3. Uninstall the recent Windows update

4. Allow remote desktop connections

5. Use the private network profile

Can you reinstall Remote Desktop?

Why is Thunderbird so slow?

How can I fix Thunderbird if it’s slow?

1. Start Windows 10 in Safe Mode