How do You Update CPU Drivers on Windows 10 & 11?

Posted on September 20, 2022October 4, 2023 by Alexandru Poloboc

Keeping both our hardware and software up to date is essential for everything to go smoothly, and also to keep everything secure.

Don’t think that updates are just meaningless MB downloaded with no purpose whatsoever. In fact, updates contain important fixes, improvements, or security patches.

It’s even more important to have our software up to date when we are talking about the Windows OS, as the system can become vulnerable if not constantly updated.

And, speaking of updates, see how to easily update your drivers on your Windows 10 device, so you can be prepared when the time comes.

But wait, maybe you’ve already switched to Windows 11 and left the old operating system behind. In that case, see how to update drivers on Windows 11.

Just in case you also need this information, the article on how to check and update BIOS on Windows 11 is waiting for you to peruse through it.

We are about to show you a few methods that you can use in order to update your central processing unit (CPU) on your Windows 10 or Windows 11 PC.

it really doesn’t matter, as the steps are pretty much the same for both versions of the popular Microsoft-designed operating system.

Why should I constantly update my drivers?

Well, let’s just say that a hardware component for your PC would be pretty much useless without its software counterpart.

Thus, updating your device’s drivers can actually resolve problems, improve performance, and increase the stability of your computer.

Yes, we did say improve performance, which should be the sole interest you have when mentioning the PC’s CPU.

For better health and longer usage, we strongly recommend you install updates for the system’s software every time they become available.

Malicious third parties are always looking for a way inside our lives, so keeping everything updated makes it less likely that you will become a victim of cybercriminals.

Usually, a CPU is integrated with a graphics card (GPU), making these updates even more meaningful than first anticipated.

CPUs that come without a native GPU, don’t have drivers. Software support for that kind of CPU is included in its motherboard’s BIOS.

So, it goes without saying that, in order to upgrade the CPU driver, you will therefore need to update your BIOS.

How can I update my CPU drivers?

1. Use the Device Manager

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard to bring up the Windows search box.
2. Type device manager in the search box and click on the first result to open the app.
3. Scroll down to the Processors section.
4. Expand Processors, right-click the one you are using, and select Update driver.
5. Choose Search automatically for drivers.

The first method you should try out when you’re looking to update your CPU drivers on a Windows 10/11 PC is to update them with Device Manager.

Device Manager is a built-in app on your device that allows you to install and update your devices’ drivers in a few clicks.

2. Use specialized software

It should go without saying that whatever choose to do on your PC can be done without crashes, lags, or freezes by keeping all drivers up to date and error-free.

Sometimes, manual checks are hard to perform, that’s why we recommend using an automated assistant that will scan for fresh driver versions daily.

So, if you are not in the mood to use any other of the solutions we are presenting to you in this guide, stop right here, download the specialized software and let it do the work for you.

Even though updating your CPU driver is an easy task, it’s understandable that you want to deal with it, so that’s why we recommend using an automated tool.

3. Use the Windows Update tool

Press Windows + I to access Settings.
Select the Windows updates tab and click Install all.
If no updates are queued for installation, press the Check for updates button.

4. Download the driver from the manufacturer’s site

Some users don’t even rely on the Device Manager or the Windows Update tool to update the driver that their CPU uses.

In fact, those people choose to cut the middle man and go directly to the supplier, just like in the good old days.

What does that mean? It means that they go directly to the website of the CPU’s manufacturer, which can be Intel, AMD, or others, and download the diver directly from the source.

After downloading on your device, simply double-click the executable you downloaded and it will take you through the setup.

5. Re-install CPU software

Search for Device Manager and open the app.
Expand Processors, right-click on the one you are using, then select Uninstall driver.
Restart your PC.

Usually, after restarting your PC, Windows will try to install the latest CPU software including CPU driver software, so don’t worry.

If, however, the system doesn’t automatically do it, use the Device Manager and it will automatically find the one for you.

6. Manually install using CD/USB stick

Sometimes, when we purchase a new processor, it comes with a CD, or USB stick that contains the setup file and necessary drivers.

Simply put the CD in your PC, or insert the USB stick, and run the executable you find on it. Go through the setup and that’s all there is to it.

However, the CD/USB stick only contains the stater driver pack, so your system will need to download the latest drivers off the internet. Just use one of the methods above.

7. Update Motherboard BIOS

1. Visit the Asus Download Center, type in your motherboard’s model, and choose it when you see it in the drop-do list.

2. Select Driver & Utility and then Driver & Tools.

3. Choose your OS (we chose Windows 11 in this case).

4. Under Software and Utility, look for ASUS AI Suite 3, and select Download.

5. Scroll back to the top and click the BIOS & FIRMWARE tab.

6. Up next, scroll to the BIOS section and select Download.

7. Extract the ZIP file containing ASUS AI Suite 3, then open AsusSetup.exe and install the program. When finished, reboot your computer.

8. Extract the ZIP file that contains the BIOS folder.

9. Open Asus AI Suite 3 and select the Menu icon (the three horizontal lines) on the left side.

Al Suite 3: how to update BIOS Windows 11

10. Select EZ update.

11. Under Manually update boot logo or BIOS, select the Ellipses (…), and choose the same BIOS file you had extracted earlier.

12. Choose Update in the lower-right corner.

13. Select Flash.

14. Choose OK. Reboot your computer once the process is done.

If you have a different laptop brand, don’t hesitate to check the dedicated article above on how to update your BIOS.

All the methods described in this article are valid for Windows 10 and Windows 11, so simply follow the same steps regardless of OS version.

When should I update my CPU drivers?

As a general rule, you should keep your PC and its components updated at all times. Regular driver updates also bring security measures and should ultimately help you avoid any problems.

Windows automatically checks your device for new software updates. This happens frequently, to ensure that you won’t miss out on any security updates.

Has this guide been helpful to you in your quest to update your CPU? Let us know in the dedicated comments section located below.

How to Turn Off Password Protected Sharing in Windows 11

Posted on September 20, 2022August 6, 2025 by Kazim Ali Alvi

Password protected sharing is a security feature in Windows 11 that limits file and printer sharing access to users with a valid username and password. If you want easier access across a home network or guest device, you may prefer to turn it off.

Here’s how to turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11, along with helpful context and step-by-step instructions.

How can I turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11?

How can I turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11?
Should I turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11?
What to do if I am unable to turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11?

NOTE

Before proceeding with the methods listed next, make sure you are logged in with an administrator account in Windows 11.

1. Via Control Panel

1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu.
2. Enter Control Panel in the text field at the top, and click on the relevant search result that appears.
3. Select Network and Internet from the options that appear.
4. Click on Network and Sharing Center
5. Next, click on Change advanced sharing settings from the list of options on the left.
6. Press on All Networks at the bottom to view the password protected sharing settings.
7. Finally, select the Turn off password protected sharing option and click on Save changes at the bottom.
8. Once done modifying the settings, restart the computer, and the password protected sharing will be turned off in Windows 11.

If you’re looking to share a folder without password in Windows 11, you can turn off password protected sharing via Control Panel.

Control Panel is a built-in tool on your device that is perfectly safe and easy to use, and allows you to make system modifications in no time.

2. Via Registry

NOTE

Modifying the Registry is a critical process and any lapse on your part can render the computer useless. We recommend following the steps listed here as is and making no other changes.

Press Windows + R to launch the Run command.
Type/paste regedit in the text field, and either click on OK or hit Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
Click Yes on the UAC (User Account Control) prompt that pops up.
Paste the following path in the address bar at the top and hit Enter, and then double-click on the everyoneincludeanonymous REG_DWORD:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Lsa
Enter 1 under Value data and click on OK to save the changes.
Next, navigate to the following path or paste it in the address bar and hit Enter, and double-click on the restrictnullsessaccess REG_DWORD:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\LanmanServer\Parameters
Enter 0 under Value data and click on OK to save the changes.
Close the Registry Editor and restart the computer to turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11.

If the Registry appears corrupt or the system’s performance appears downgraded in the recent past, do not hesitate to learn how to fix broken Registry items in Windows 11.

3. Via Local Users and Groups

Press Windows + R to launch the Run command.
Type/paste lusrmgr.msc in the text field, and either click on OK or hit Enter to launch the Local Users and Groups window.
Click on the Users entry on the right.
Next, right-click on Guest and select Properties from the context menu.
Now, tick the checkbox for Password never expires and untick the others, and click on OK to save the changes.
Restart the computer and password protected sharing will be turned off in Windows 11. You will be able to share a folder without a password.

There is no one answer to this question, and it all comes down to the resources being shared and the users it’s being shared with. If you are sharing certain folders or devices on a home network, it wouldn’t be a big deal to turn off password protected sharing.

So, weigh the pros and cons of disabling password protection, to help make an informed decision.

What to do if I am unable to turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11?

While the methods listed above work smoothly for most users, some have reported that they are unable to turn off password-protected sharing. This could be due to a bunch of reasons, including misconfigured settings.

We recommend following the methods listed here as is, and if things still don’t work out, check our dedicated guide on fixing issues preventing you from disabling password protected sharing in Windows.

Though the guide is for Windows 10, the methods listed should work just as well on the latest iteration.

These are all the ways you can disable password protected sharing in Windows 11. But before you do, consider the privacy and security of shared resources as well. Also, check our curated list of the 10 best file-sharing tools in Windows.

Tell us which method you choose to turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11, in the comments section below.

FAQs

How do I know if password protected sharing is on?

Go to Control Panel > Network and Sharing Center > Advanced sharing settings > All Networks. Check the setting under Password protected sharing.

Will disabling password protected sharing make my PC vulnerable?

Only if you’re on a public or unsecured network. On a private home network, it’s generally safe.

Why does Windows 11 still ask for a password after turning off the setting?

This may be due to cached credentials or a mismatch in network profile type. Restart your PC or reconfigure network settings.

Your Windows License Will Expire Soon – How to Reactivate It Fast

Posted on September 20, 2022June 3, 2025 by Andrew Wafer

Getting the “Your Windows license will expire soon” warning doesn’t always mean you need to buy a new product key. It’s usually triggered by system glitches or an outdated activation status

You’ll usually see this message on Windows 10 or 11, even if your PC came pre-activated. It means your system thinks the license is either:

Temporary or trial-based, or
Unable to verify your activation status (often due to updates, hardware changes, or volume license policies).

Here’s how to check what’s really going on, and how to fix it.

How do I stop messages saying Your Windows license will expire soon?

1. Use ShowKeysPlus software

Visit the ShowKeysPlus page and click on Download.
Next, click on Get to start the installation process.
Start the application.
Check the Installed field. If it has an asterisk symbol at the end, it means you’re using a generic key.
If you have any keys in the Original Key or OEM Key fields, you can use them to activate your version of Windows. If these fields are empty or not present, it means that you don’t have a license key added, so you’ll need to purchase one or check if you already have one.

2. Use the slmgr command

Press the Windows key + S and type cmd. Select Run as administrator.
Enter the following command: slmgr /dlv
A new window will now appear. Look for Product Key Channel value.
If it says Volume:GLVK, it means you’re using a volume key that is part of an organization, so you need to contact your organization administrator and check how to renew the key.

If you’re not part of the organization, you have a generic key instead of an actual license. If you have any issues with these steps, we also have a guide on how to check your Windows 11 license type, so don’t miss it.

3. Try to activate Windows again

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app. When Settings opens, navigate to Update & Security.
Next, select Activation and click on the Change product key.
Enter your OEM key from Solution 1 and click Next.
Wait for Windows to activate.

Keep in mind that you can activate only the edition of Windows you have a license for. This means you can’t activate Windows Pro with a Home license and vice-versa.

If this happens, you’ll need to perform a clean install and install the correct version.

What happens if your Windows license expires?

When Windows expires, you can continue using it, but you’ll get a watermark in the bottom right asking you to upgrade.

You’ll also get pop-up windows asking you to activate, and you won’t be able to make any customization changes. For more information, visit our guide to learn what happens if you don’t activate Windows.

How do I get a new Windows license key?

If you do not have an official Windows license key and are running a temporary Windows version, you need to purchase the official license key to eliminate this issue.

There is also the possibility that you already have a license. In that case, check our guide on how to recover your license key.

But don’t worry if you don’t have one. You can easily buy one on the Internet with just a few clicks.

Beware! Buying on sites or Internet shops that do not have an official partnership with Microsoft can be a waste of money – the key might not be working.

Wrap-Up

The “Your Windows license will expire soon” message doesn’t always mean your system is in danger—but it is a sign that something’s not syncing right with your activation status.

Start with the basics: check your activation state, rearm the license, and use the built-in troubleshooter. If you’re using a volume license or unauthorized version, consider switching to a permanent retail license to stop the warning for good.

How To Update Krnl In No Time [2026 Guide]

Posted on September 20, 2022January 8, 2024 by Ola-Hassan Bolaji

KRNL exploit plays an important part on Roblox, as it helps you get access to many games and some features. However, to get the best out of the exploit software, you must ensure it is up-to-date.

Unfortunately, updating KRNL is not straightforward, as it does not provide auto-updates like some software. Also, the process is sometimes disrupted by error messages and download failure.

One of the update KRNL error messages that show up on running an older version is, You are using an outdated version of krnl! Please update!

This guide explains the two most effective methods to help you carry out the update smoothly. We have also provided fixes to the update problems like we did with Roblox was unable to update on Windows and Mac issue.

How do I update KRNL?

1. Update with the bootstrapper

Open the folder with your KRNL exploit files.
Delete all other files except the krnl_console_bootstrapper.exe file.
Double-click on the bootstrapper file to download the latest version of KRNL on your system.

You now know how to update KRNL console with bootstrapper. This is the easiest way to update your KRNL to the latest version. Deleting the other files helps to remove all the outdated contents, while the bootstrapper helps fetch the newest version online.

2. Install the latest version

Disable antivirus on your PC.
Visit the official website to download the KRNL setup file.
Click the Download Latest Version Now (BETA) button and wait for the download to complete.
Open File Explorer on your PC and locate the downloaded folder.
Right-click on the file and select the Extract files… option.
Run the krnl.exe file and wait for the installation to complete.

Sometimes, the KRNL bootstrapper is also updated, making it impossible to use it for the update. So, to ensure you are getting the latest package, you should install the complete KRNL file from the official website.

While we covered the simpler method earlier, you now also know how to update the KRNL Beta version. And now on, you shouldn’t face any trouble with the

Note that you must disable any active antivirus on your PC before starting the installation, as stated in Step 1.

How can I fix KRNL if the update is not downloading?

1. Disable the antivirus

Most antivirus software flag the KRNL exploits as harmful software. Unfortunately, this prevents you from installing the update from the official website.

Hence, if you are having problems updating KRNL from the official website, the obvious fix is to disable antivirus temporarily. You can activate it after the installation.

2. Check connection speed

Open your browser and type internet speed test in the address bar.
Select one of the first results like Speedtest by Ookla.
Click the GO button, and it will show your network performance.

Whether trying to update KRNL with the bootstrapper or via the website, you must have a strong network. Else, you might not be able to download the update.

If the speed test shows your network to be weak, you might need to change it to get the latest version of KRNL.

3. Install the correct version of Roblox

If you have a preinstalled Roblox on your PC, you might find it challenging to install the latest version of KRNL. This is because most of these Roblox software tools are built to allow only a few modifications.

This makes it difficult for some of them to work with KRNL updates. The only solution is to uninstall the preinstalled version and reinstall the correct version from the official website.

The importance of the KRNL exploit on Roblox cannot be stated enough. And the software is only at its best when updated. With the two methods discussed in this guide, you have everything you need to update KRNL easily.

Do you need a list of the best Roblox browser extensions to install to improve its functionality? Then check our guide for the top options to download.

Feel free to let us know the most effective method for the update in the comments below.

12 Best Light Antivirus Tools to Run on Old PCs

Posted on September 20, 2022May 21, 2026 by Ivan Jenic

If you are still keen on using older devices, you need to use a lightweight antivirus for your old PC.

We have compiled some of the best antiviruses that run efficiently on older PCs with a focus on their functionality and effectiveness.

Best lightweight antivirus software for Windows old pc (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8/8.1, 10)

Antivirus Name	Supported Operating System	Processor Requirements
ESET NOD32	Windows 7, Windows 8, 8.1, Windows 10, Windows Server 2011	Intel® or AMD x86-x64
Bitdefender	Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 19, Windows 11	Any processor, but older ones may affect performance
TotalAV	Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10	Intel/ AMD 1.6 GHz or faster
Panda Security	Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10	Intel Pentium 300 MHz or faster
Avira Antivirus	Windows 7 or newer	Intel Pentium 4 / AMD Athlon 64 Processor or newer
Kaspersky Internet Security	Windows 7 or newer	Intel Pentium 1 GHz or any other faster processor
Intego ONE	Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows 11	Any processor, but older ones may affect performance
Webroot SecureAnywhere	Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10	Intel/Pentium/Celeron/AMD or other that meet OS requirements
Avast Free Antivirus	Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, Windows 11	Intel Pentium 4 / AMD Athlon 64 processor or faster
AVG	Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10	Intel Pentium 1.5 GHz or faster
Secure APlus	Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, Windows 11	Intel Pentium 4, 2GHz or faster
Clam AV	Windows 98, Windows Me, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7/8/9/10/11	Any processor, but older ones may affect performance

Which is the best antivirus for old PCs that I can get?

TotalAV – Fast and efficient software

TotalAV is also a lightweight software that doesn’t impact your computer performance and still provides outstanding protection.

It instantly detects and blocks malicious websites and content to keep your personal data safe and secure. It also checks your downloads and executables for threats and viruses every time your PC accesses them.

TotalAV helps you encrypt your connection by leaving no digital footprints and making your activities anonymous and impossible to track.

Remove harmful threats from your PC and schedule smart scans to run at your set time and ensure your system remains protected at all times.

Total AV

Secure your PC efficiently with TotalAV’s fast, light solution!

Check price Visit website

Bitdefender – Exclusive adaptability technology

Next, we have a tool that has been on the market for a long time. Bitdefender Internet Security is well known for its powerful capabilities to detect, block, and remove cyber threats.

It is built by a strong development team that aims to offer comprehensive protection. Its detection mechanism does not use too many system resources, so it is suitable for older PCs as well.

The tool has a powerful vulnerability assessment feature that can be very useful for users of older PCs. It identifies outdated or unsecured software, missing security patches, and other holes that can lead to infection.

Bitdefender

Experience smarter security with Bitdefender’s adaptability!

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ESET NOD32 Antivirus – Good management system

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The top lightweight solution on the market for low-end PCs is ESET NOD32. When it comes to resource consumption, an older PC might not hold up with the stress caused by demanding antivirus software.

Antiviruses are known to take a toll on the system they’re installed in, especially when doing thorough scans.

Luckily, ESET is able to manage your system, protect it, remove malware, and perform periodic scans without affecting its performance.

The Advanced memory scanner feature will decrypt, analyze files and monitor malicious behavior through a specialized algorithm that doesn’t sacrifice CPU power to run.

ESET NOD32

Optimize your old PC’s protection with ESET’s lightweight shield!

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Panda Security – Simple usage

Panda Security is known for its pleasant user experience. It has a simple application with intuitive options. It is light but strong in terms of protection capabilities.

The antivirus can block online cyberattacks with its strong Firewall that can run alongside the Windows built-in Firewall.

Along with that, it includes a VPN that enables you to have a more secure online experience. It can help protect sensitive data such as your location, bank information, and identity.

Panda Security

Simplify your protection with Panda’s intuitive lightweight antivirus.

Check price Visit website

Avira Antivirus – Thorough scan

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Another great and free option on our list is Avira. The software performs very well on older PCs, and it’s proven to be one of the best antiviruses currently.

You will be able to perform thorough scans of your computer without encountering any problems. Besides that, Avira can also help improve your PC’s performance by removing unwanted files.

The antivirus has both a full scan and quick scan feature and is always running in the background to stop incoming attacks.

Avira Antivirus

Discover seamless security with Avira’s free, powerful tools!

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Kaspersky – User-friendly program

Kaspersky Antivirus is one of the most widely used antivirus software in the world which gives protection against malware.

This program includes file scanners, software uninstallers, gamers’ mode, ransomware decrypter, system restore, virtual keyboard, cloud protection, browser configuration, rescue disk, etc.

In addition, one of the unique features of Kaspersky is that it requires 512MB Ram and 480MB disk space to run.

This makes it a great option for older PCs especially PCs which have 1GB Ram and slower processors.

Kaspersky

Strengthen your old PC with Kaspersky’s reliable defense.

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Intego ONE – Exceptional online threat monitoring

Intego ONE is our second choice when it comes to world-class and lightweight antivirus programs for old computers.

It has a low-resource usage so you don’t have to worry about slowing down your device’s performance and state.

Intego ONE can help you not only exterminate all types of cyber threats but prevent them from destroying your PC’s health as well.

It is very easy to work with because it has an intuitive user interface and offers advanced technology that keeps your old PC safe with real time monitoring.

Intego ONE is a well-known and recommended antivirus software thanks to its excellent digital threat detection capabilities and improved security.

Intego ONE

Protect your PC with Intego’s efficient, real-time security.

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Webroot Secure Anywhere antivirus – Impressive security tool

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Next, Webroot Secure Anywhere is a web-based antivirus for your old PC. This antivirus incorporates premium security features in a tiny little package; hence, few computer resources are utilized while providing excellent protection to your old computer.

The tool protects you against web attacks with a strong firewall, as well as web filtering. This stops hackers from trying to steal your data.

Webroot Secure Anywhere

Defend your old PC with Webroot’s lightweight, online-ready shield!

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Avast Free Antivirus – Strong secure connection

Avast is a worldwide giant in the antivirus industry with hundreds of millions of users worldwide. If you want an efficient antivirus for your old PC, look no further than Avast Free Antivirus. Moreover, it is compatible with all Windows OS.

This tool comes with features such as a file scanner, Windows Explorer context menu integration, Rescue Disk, password manager, junk file cleaner, Wi-Fi inspector, Game Mode, and browser cleaner.

The Wi-Fi inspector ensures that you have a secure connection even when connecting to a public network.

Avast Free Antivirus

Get robust protection for your PC with Avast’s free features.

Check price Visit website

AVG – Powerful blocking feature

AVG is a full-featured antivirus utility. It can detect and remove well-known threats as well as new, emerging ones. It blocks suspicious activity that could signal an infection.

The antivirus blocks insecure downloads and email attachments, ransomware, spyware, viruses, and other types of malware.

If you use an older PC, this antivirus can be of help. Not only is it lightweight, but it also has a performance scanner feature.

It lets you know whether there are any faulty settings or outdated apps that slow down your PC.

AVG

Block threats effectively with AVG’s lightweight antivirus!

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Clam AV – Multiple versions available

Clam AV is a cross-platform antivirus software with a very small file. It supports both 32-bit and 64-bit builds for Windows.The benefit of this software is that it gets more frequent updates. This means that it is able to detect and block new threats with high accuracy.

The tool has multiple versions available, you can select your preferred option when you download it.

Clam AV is able to protect your email with built-in support for all email file types. It also scans files and apps and does not let you start them until it’s clear they are secure.

This antivirus is for the most part used for its file scanning and email protection capabilities.

Despite the fact that it is able to detect and remove PC malware, it specializes in that area.

It can thoroughly scan all major document file formats including PDF, HTML, and DOCX.

⇒ Get Clam AV

Why do you need a lightweight antivirus for an old PC?

A lightweight antivirus is a safe solution for an old PC because it is a program specially created to take minimal impact on your computer and not slow down its performance at all.

Some of them even have advanced technology that knows when you’re gaming, for instance, and doesn’t interfere with your activity to avoid slowing down your PC.

Do share with us your experience in using any of the antiviruses for the old PC which we mentioned above. We do appreciate your feedback when you comment below.

6 Quick Ways to Fix Packet Loss & Ping Spikes on TalkTalk

Posted on September 20, 2022October 3, 2025 by Alexandru Poloboc

It’s been a while since we mentioned the TalkTalk service or the dreaded error codes that could totally ruin any user’s experience.

But, before we get into this guide, know that we can help with other TV-related issues, such as when you can’t connect your device to your Samsung TV.

Also, for Hulu users especially, we can show you how to fix the most common Hulu connection errors, because God knows there are plenty.

Now, shifting back to TalkTalk, if you are experiencing packet losses, or ping spikes, you are now in the right place to find answers to this situation.

Why am I having packet loss on TalkTalk?

You should know that packet loss is actually the failure of data packets to be successfully transmitted over the Internet from sender to receiver.

That being said in VoIP, lost packets delay communication, create garbled sounds, and can even scramble and reorder parts of the conversation.

As to what causes these packet losses, causes can range from:

Bandwidth congestion
Faulty network wires
Incompatible hardware
Software issues
Slow Wi-Fi networks
Malware attacks

Throughout this article, we are going to look at some solutions for the TalkTalk fibre packet loss issue, as we’ve already established what triggers it.

How do I fix packet loss on TalkTalk?

1. Restart your router/modem

Every now and then, there may be a problem with the router or modem, which causes problems as mentioned in the article above.

Try restarting the router or modem by unplugging it from the system and waiting for a few minutes. After the wait is over, reconnect the router to the system, or plug it back if it is a modem.

If you think the router or modem is faulty, connect it to another system and see. You might have to replace it if it still creates the same problem.

Also, we know that mostly everyone connects their TVs through WiFi, but we recommend wired connections whenever possible.

2. Use a VPN

An easy way to fix packet loss and lag spikes is to use a VPN provider to connect to a different server. Our recommendation is ExpressVPN, as one of the most trusted VPN providers.

Using a VPN is safe and legal, and it allows you to browse the web without worrying about having any of your data leaked. With ExpressVPN, hiding your IP makes you untraceable.

Also, when using a VPN you gain access to geo-restricted content. Whether it is on Youtube or other streaming platforms, choosing a different IP location will unlock the content.

ExpressVPN

Never experience lag spikes again when watching online content.

Check Price Visit Website

3. Update Windows

Press Windows + I to access Settings.
Select the Windows updates tab and click Install all.
If no updates are queued for installation, press the Check for updates button.

4. Scan your PC for malware

Press Win +I to access Settings.
Select the Privacy & Security tab, then click on Windows Security.
Select Virus & threat protection.
Choose Full Scan and click on the Scan now button.

5. Reconnect your TalkTalk account

Remember when we said that the simplest solutions can sometimes fix the biggest, most complicated problems we have?

Well, even though a rational mind can’t find any connections between one and the other, TalkTalk users reported the problem being fixed after a simple relog.

Since you are having this issue and nothing else worked for you, why not give this underdog of a solution a try?

Disconnect from your TalkTalk account, then reconnect using your credentials and see if this annoying problem persists.

6. Contact your ISP

If you don’t notice any damage to your internet cables, your connection is stable and you are still experiencing troubles, it’s better if you contact your Internet service provider.

Many TalkTalk users have managed to fix the problem after talking to their ISP, so we suggest you do the same in this case.

Use this as a last resort, after you went through the other troubleshooting steps above, but nothing else did the trick for you.

How do I test my packet loss?

Press Win + R to bring up the Run command.
Type cmd into the Run box and press OK.
Once in the terminal, paste the following command and press Enter: Ping 127.0.0.1 -t
Examine the results.

How can I improve my TalkTalk quality?

To improve the overall experience in TalkTalk, you might need to invest. For the service to run impeccably, you need a strong, reliable internet connection.

Furthermore, a better monitor/TV will enhance the way you watch your favorite show, so keep that in mind as well.

We’re always into having the best experience, so why not spice everything up and make it just the way we like it? Has this guide been helpful to you?

Make sure you let us know in the dedicated comments section that is located just below.

Steam Failed to Apply Updates or Reverts [5 Easy Solutions]

Posted on September 20, 2022September 29, 2025 by Elena Constantinescu

Keep in mind that your Steam desktop client checks and applies new updates automatically, every time you launch the gaming service.

However, it might occasionally fail to install the latest version, resulting in the Failed to apply the update, reverting error message.

Here’s an example:

The steam client will go through the standard startup procedure but at the end of it will simply say: Failed to apply update reverting.
This would not be an issue except for the fact that i cannot acess the store anymore nor does the popup for offers work, they simply display a blackscreen of nothing, the store appears to be loading but does so endlessly and displayes nothing at all.

After going through the solutions we listed in this article, we finally got the Steam Store to work the way it should. Steam update keeps failing because of some missing or corrupted files in the permissions of the app and other apps may interfere.

Why does Steam fail to apply updates and reverting?

When updating a game, Steam might display an error message that looks like this:

An error occurred while updating [game title]

An error occurred while installing [game title]

This kind of error results when Steam is not able to complete the installation. Keep in mind that the specific reason for the error will be shown in the parenthesis at the end of the error message.

When you see that Steam needs to be online to update Mac you need to make some additional changes to your IP.

Change the default DNS server in your Mac’s IP settings; it may point to your ISP’s DNS servers. Change it to Google’s public DNS address, 8.8.8.8, and the steam client will work immediately. If you do this, remember to hit Apply before reopening Steam.

What can I do if Steam fails to apply updates?

1. Disable any VPN browser extensions

If you have a VPN addon installed in your web browser, turn it off. It seems that Steam, Google, and other services have connection and graphics issues with virtual private networks. This is the main reason why Steam failed to apply update Windows 11 and you get the reverse error.

In fact, a lot of users report that VPN is not working on Steam at all. But deactivating the VPN browser extension seems to help.

It’s only a temporary fix, though, because it means toggling your VPN every time you launch Steam so that it has enough time to update itself without errors.

2. Use a VPN with split tunneling

A long-term, hassle-free solution to this problem is to set up split tunneling mode on your VPN desktop application.

You will still be able to use your VPN for browsing activities, torrenting, and so on.

However, Steam will not be routed through the secure tunnel, so it will not encounter updating issues due to VPN anymore.

You won’t find a good free VPN with split tunneling support. But you can invest in a premium solution like ExpressVPN.

It uses the Lightway and OpenVPN protocols. Plus, its military-grade 256-bit AES encryption will always take care of hiding your online traffic, regardless of the game you’re playing or the browser you’re using.

ExpressVPN does an awesome job when it comes to streaming services. Our experiments indicated that it unblocks platforms like Netflix or HBO Max without any issues.

The ExpressVPN secure tunnel will not interfere with the, so you if Steam won’t ever fail to apply updates and reverting.

What else you should know about ExpressVPN:

Kill switch, port forwarding, and private DNS servers
A zero-logging privacy policy
5 simultaneous connections
24/7 live chat support
30-day money-back guarantee
Optimized servers for gaming

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3. Add exceptions for Steam and games in your firewall

Press on the Windows key, type Control Panel, then open the first result.
Go to System and Security.
Choose to Allow an app through Windows Firewall.
Click Change settings (you need elevation rights).
Find Steam entries on this list, then enable the Private and Public options for each of them.

The Windows Firewall might be blocking your gaming platform and games, which means that Steam will fail to apply updates and will revert all changes.

If you have a third-party firewall installed that overrides the Windows Firewall, carefully adapt the steps above.

4. Whitelist Steam and games in your antivirus

Your antivirus could be blocking the Steam app, along with all your games, so this is probably why Steam failed to apply updates and reverting.

By following the same logic as in the previous step, you have to inspect the settings panel of your anti-malware application.

Make sure to exclude Steam and Steam games from your anti-malware so that they won’t get flagged and blocked by the real-time engine. They must be whitelisted.

According to Steam, you should also check settings in your anti-spyware tools, torrenting and other P2P client or file-sharing software, FTP and web server apps, IP filtering programs, along with download accelerators and download managers.

5. Clear Steam Download Cache

Hit the Windows key, type Steam, then open the app.
From the top-left corner of the window, click on Steam.
Navigate to Settings.
Now, from the left window pane, click on Downloads, then choose to Clear Download Cache.

Deleting the Steam download cache might fix update errors.

What other Steam updating fails should I be aware of?

It is true that Steam might fail to apply updates and reverts, but there are several other related issues you should be aware of.

That’s why we’ve compiled a list with the most common ones and we strongly recommend saving the listed solutions somewhere safe.

Steam failed to update borrower – The full error reads Failed to update borrower (rate limit exceeded) and it can occur either on your front or your friend end while he is sharing the game with you.
The Steam update goes backwards – It seems that it might be possible that after the download reaches a certain point, it starts going backward, leaving users unable to complete the process.
Steam update stuck or not downloading – Steam updates might also hang or get stuck. Then, the installing update window will hang indefinitely when updates get stuck.

To recap, if Steam fails to apply updates and reverts all changes instead, make sure to disable your VPN browser exceptions.

Instead, opt for a premium VPN service that has split tunneling support, such as ExpressVPN.

But you should also exclude Steam and Steam games from the firewall and antivirus engine, as well as check other programs which could harm the gaming platform.

For more quick-fix solutions for Steam updates that get stuck, check out our easy guide.

Fix: Computer Shuts Down While Gaming But Not From Overheating

Posted on September 20, 2022October 10, 2025 by Tashreef Shareef

Gaming is probably, with rendering put aside, the most demanding process users will ever encounter. Modern PCs are built to withstand overheating, and hardware is specifically optimized for long gaming sessions.

However, for some users, the computer shuts down automatically when playing games and they are not sure what is causing the issue.

One user explained the problem on the official Microsoft forum:

So I was playing fine under windows 7
but under windows 10 about 2 min into playing MechWarrior Online my system just shuts down.. not restart.. shuts down.. no power, just off…
help

This guide will show you how to fix the issue for good and restore normalcy on your PC.

Why did my PC just randomly turn off?

The common cause of the PC randomly shuts down not overheating issue is hardware problems. It can be down to issues with your WiFi card, Bluetooth adapter, or a recently installed GPU.

Also, if your RAM is faulty, it can cause your computer to randomly turn off and back on.

What to do if the laptop turns off when playing games but it’s not overheating?

If your computer randomly shuts down, it’s possible there’s an issue with the power supply or the battery, so you might want to check them.

Just to be sure, it’s always good to check if your laptop is shutting down due to overheating, and you can do that with all kinds of specialized software.

If the temperature isn’t the problem, you should look into battery drain. We have a great guide on how to fix laptop battery drain after shutdown, so be sure to check it out.

What should I do when my computer shuts down while gaming?

1. Check for hardware issues

If any of your computer’s hardware components are malfunctioning, it can lead to an unexpected computer shutdown. This is most likely to happen with the newly installed hardware due to an incompatible driver.

Remove any recently installed hardware component like a Bluetooth adapter, WiFi card, or maybe your latest GPU. Boot the computer after removing the hardware and check if the error is resolved. Also, check your RAM strips. Faulty RAM strips are a common cause of computer shutdown.

If you have installed the latest graphics card but have an older and dated PSU, then it might be causing the issue due to power fluctuation. Check if the PSU is compatible with your graphics card and replace it with a new variant if necessary.

2. Check for issues with UPS

One common but not so obvious device that can cause the issue is your UPS or surge protector.

Try to connect any other computer to the same surge protector and UPS and check if the issue persists.

If the issue persists, you may have a faulty surge protector UPS that needs replacement in order to play games without shutdowns.

3. Check for a PC virus

Press the Windows button and type virus.
Select Virus & threat protection.
Click Scan options.
Select your preferred scan option and click the Scan now button.

It is possible that a virus may have infected your system. Some viruses are programmed to cause frequent computer shutdown upon meeting certain criteria.

Performing a virus scan with the built-in Windows Defender should help detect and eliminate the virus.

Alternatively, you can use dedicated third-party antivirus software to perform a deep and thorough search.

For this purpose, we recommend the trusted TotalAV because has high malware detection rates. Also, it boasts powerful firewall protection, top-level encryption, parental controls, and more.

More importantly, it works really well without interfering with other apps and it has a game-mode option.

TotalAV

Enjoy gaming with no interruptions while keeping fully protected.

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4. Turn off Fast Startup

Press the Windows key and type control.
Select Control Panel from the options.
Click the Hardware and Sound option.
Choose Power Options.
Select the Choose what power buttons do option in the left pane.
Now, click on Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Uncheck the box for Turn on fast startup (recommended).
Finally, click the Save changes button.

Sometimes, the Windows PC randomly shuts down, not overheating and without warning issue can be because of the Hybrid shutdown system. In this case, you only need to deactivate the feature and things should be back to normal.

5. Update PC

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Click Update & Security.
Now, click the Check for updates button.
Finally, click the Install now button if there are any updates available.

An outdated operating system can lead to all sorts of issues, including the PC shuts down or crashes randomly, not overheating problems.

While Windows automatically downloads and installs updates if you are not on a metered connection, you can still miss out on some vital releases for some reason. So, you should manually search and install updates especially when you are facing issues.

6. Edit Power plan

Press the Windows key + S, type power plan, and select Edit power plan.
Click the dropdown in front of Put the computer to sleep under the Plugged in section.
Select Never.
Now, click the Change advanced power settings option.
Click the + sign next to Hard disk to expand it.
Set the values for On battery and Plugged in to Never by clicking the down arrow till it reaches 0.
Now, expand the Sleep section.
Set the values for On battery and Plugged in under the Sleep after section to Never.
Set the values for Hibernate after to Never.
Finally, click the Apply button, followed by OK to save the changes.

Sometimes, your power plans might be the reason for the computer randomly shuts off while playing games not overheating and without an error message issue. By tweaking the settings as shown in this solution, your PC should no longer turn off randomly again.

Can CPU cause random shutdown?

Among the obvious reasons for random shutdown are BIOS settings and PSU. However, the CPU can not be left out too.

This is especially true when the CPU overheats. The computer turns off, sometimes without notification to prevent damage to your PC.

The PC shuts down randomly not overheating issue can be frustrating as it puts an abrupt end to your tasks. Also, it can make you lose valuable data and unsaved work.

But with the solutions in this guide, you should be able to fix the problem for good. If you are facing other issues like computer shuts down instead of sleeping, check our detailed guide to fix it.

Feel free to let us know if any of our solutions helped you solve the shutdown problem in the comments below.

VPN Disconnects WiFi: 5 Effective Tips to Fix it for Good

Posted on September 20, 2022October 6, 2025 by Ivan Jenic

How often have you faced this rather strange scenario, that of the wireless internet getting disconnected each time a virtual private network connection is established?

It is a weird scenario, to say the least, not to mention downright annoying as well.

However, it can be just as easy to remedy the situation. Just follow the steps mentioned below.

Does VPN interfere with Wi-Fi?

VPN uses your Wi-Fi to reroute traffic; if there’s a misconfiguration in your setup, you will have difficulty establishing a connection. This will not only affect your primary connection but also cause your Wi-Fi to disconnect when using an external monitor.

Not having optimal Wi-Fi settings to support a VPN will result in all sorts of errors, the most concerning of which is when your Internet doesn’t work on a VPN.

The issue is very prevalent, and VPN users around the web report getting all sorts of errors, including:

When I connect to VPN I lose Internet
VPN slows down the Internet
Can’t connect to Wi-Fi after disconnecting from VPN
VPN connected but no Internet access
VPN disconnects Wi-Fi on Windows 10/11, iPhone, iPad, Android and macOS

The problem concerns all VPN providers, even reputable ones.

Concerns with VPN causing connection problems on various clients include GlobalprotectVPN, Cisco Anyconect, Norton VPN, Watchguard VPN, Pulse VPN, and ExpressVPN disconnects Wi-Fi

That’s why it’s essential to check your configuration because your VPN may work just fine afterward.

Why does my VPN disconnect my Wi-Fi?

If you cannot access the web when using a VPN, there may be a conflict in your setup. Your device might have certain pre-established VPN settings that don’t match your VPN.

It’s also possible that your antivirus or firewall is blocking your VPN to protect your data. Some security tools falsely flag VPNs and you have to whitelist them or add them as exceptions.

How do I enable Internet when connected to a VPN?

1. Re-install VPN software

Almost all VPN connections come with their own custom software. Those are available to download from the company website. Just download it to your device and follow the on-screen instructions during the installation process.

Launch Settings (Click on Start > Settings or simply type Settings in the Cortana search box.)
Select Network & Internet > VPN.
In the VPN page, click on Add a VPN connection shown at the top.
Fill out the details on the page that appears. However, select Windows (built-in) for the VPN provider drop-down menu. This assigns VPN Type as Automatic and Type of sign-in info to User name and password.
Fill out Connection name and Server name and address details. This will be availed from the VPN provider.
Scroll down the screen to enter your User name and Password in the slots provided.
Click on Save and close Setting.

The other option for you will be to use the VPN client integrated with Windows 10. Here is how you proceed:

Click on the Wi-Fi symbol in the taskbar system tray. The VPN connection you just created should show here. You are now ready to go.

As a more accessible alternative, you can change your VPN with a better one that won’t have any of these issues.

Speaking of VPNs, if you’re planning on subscribing to one, you might as well get the best one that money can buy.

We’re referring to ExpressVPN, which masterfully blends simplicity, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness into a single software bundle.

The encryption will allow you to browse any Internet content without the ISP knowing what you are doing.

Furthermore, your browsing speed will not be hindered like typical VPNs because of the huge number of servers available worldwide.

Connecting to a good VPN service will lower your general Internet speeds by 5%. So, your WiFi connection itself will not be affected if other people use it without a VPN.

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2. Re-configure VPN connection

Click on Start > Settings.
Click on Network and Internet
You are led to the Network status Here, click on Change adapter options.
You get to see the Network Connections window that lists out all LAN, Wi-Fi or VPN connection you have.
Right-click on VPN connection and select Properties.
In the Properties window, select Networking tab > Internet Protocol Version 4 followed by Properties
Select Advanced. Here the Use default gateway on remote network should be unchecked.
Close all intervening windows.

If you’re having trouble opening the Setting app, take a look at this article to solve the issue.

Check to see if the issue has been resolved. Another way to enable or disable the default gateway for the VPN is via PowerShell commands. Here are the steps:

Type Powershell in the Cortana search box in the task bar.
Select Windows Powershell desktop app from the search results.
Alternatively, you can also right-click on the Start button and select Windows Powershell (admin) from the list of options provided.

In the Powershell command prompt, type the following commands:

Get-VpnConnection
Set-VpnConnection -Name "myVPN" -SplitTunneling $True

Close the Powershell window and check if the issue has been resolved.

Frequently, letting a VPN connection use the remote network’s default gateway leads to this issue. This is so because the above setting can cancel the default gateway setting as has been specified in your TCP/IP setting.

3. Delete VPN connection followed by adding it again

Launch Device Manager. For this type Device Manager in the taskbar search box followed by selecting the option from the search results given.
In the Device Manager window, expand Network Adapters.
Locate the VPN adapter you want to delete and right-click on the same.
From the shortcut menu that appears, select Uninstall device.
This will begin the uninstallation process though there will be a confirmatory box before that. You will be asked if you consent to Delete the driver software for this device. Make sure it is selected.
Click on Uninstall to let the process begin.

There might be the issue of VPN software getting corrupted. To rule out such possibilities, it would be best to delete the VPN network connection followed by reinstalling the same again/

Once it is done, you will need to re-install the VPN software again.

4. Update Windows

Check to see if you have the latest Windows version. This will ensure you have all the latest patch software installed, which should also take care of the VPN issue. Here are the steps if you aren’t already aware of it.

Click Start > Settings.
Select Update and Security.
Click on Check for updates to see if you have any updates pending.

Let the system install any update that might be available and then your problem should have been resolved.

5. Flush DNS

Type cmd and open Command Prompt.
In the panel, type ipconfig/flushDNS
Press Enter.
Wait for the process to complete and close the Command Prompt.

This command restores your DNS cache. It can help with VPN and connectivity issues in general.

Checking your DNS server configuration or reconfiguring VPN are some of the most common and reliable fixes for this problem.

Data accumulating over time may lead to errors like VPN disconnecting your Wi-Fi, so you should flush your DNS occasionally.

So there you have it, all that you need to do when faced with the rather strange scenario of losing a Wi-Fi connection when connecting to a VPN.

Ensure your connection is running, and don’t disconnect from Wi-Fi. A common misconception is that you can get an Internet connection solely from a VPN.

If you disconnect from Wifi and there are no other ways to have an Internet connection, your connection to the VPN will also be cut off.

You might also want to use VPNs at work, school, or hotel, yet public institutions tend to practice network restrictions. Our guide will show you some useful tips to correct this issue quickly.

If you have any more questions, leave them in the comments section below.

Here’s what’s new in gaming on Windows 11 2022

Posted on September 20, 2022 by Robert Collins

In this article

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A number of PC gaming enhancements have arrived with the Windows 11 22H2 update. The following is a breakdown of all the latest PC gaming features on Windows 11.

New Controller Bar

This is an updated iteration of the Xbox Game Bar, and is a controller-friendly way to quickly access game launchers and recently played games. Simply press the Xbox button on your PC-connected controller.

Visual improvements

As part of the Windows 11 2022 update, there are several graphical enhancements gamers will appreciate. Games running DirectX10 or 11 will see dramatic display latency improvements. Also Auto HDR and variable refresh rate (VRR) are introduced for those API’s.

Also introduced in the Windows 11 2022 update is a new HDR calibration app, which will allow users to tweak color accuracy and consistency for their specific HDR displays. Other graphics enhancements for existing gaming features include a DirectX12 upgrade called DirectX12 Ultimate, and broader implementation of DirectStorage support.

New gaming features in Microsoft Edge

The update also brings several gaming for Microsoft’s Edge browser, with a new Gaming Homepage. This was introduced over the summer, and allows ever easier access to all things Windows gaming. Also introduced was a built-in feature exclusive to Edge: Clarity Boost. This makes games look sharper and clearer than ever in the Edge browser.

Microsoft touts Edge as the best web browser for gaming. Game Pass subscribers in particular will find much to love in this update, with many PC Game Pass games enjoying a visual facelift and easier access with the new Controller Bar. With all the slick new features rolling out for Windows 11 2022, perhaps it can make the same claim for the Windows 11 OS.

Microsoft Store Ads for apps preview now open for Windows 11 2022

Posted on September 20, 2022 by David Allen

In this article

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More content and new developer opportunities are coming to the Microsoft Store. Content is the heart of the Windows PC experience from apps, to movies, and gaming. Microsoft’s passion for making it easier for developers to bring apps to customers inspired the store redesign. Microsoft has also embraced a new set of Open App Store Policies that allows developers to use their own commerce and storefront options.

Microsoft Store Ads

At Microsoft Build, Microsoft Store Ads were announced to allow developers to get their products in front of consumers at the right time. Today, with the release of Windows 10 2022, Microsoft has announced they have started onboarding developers to the Microsoft Store Ads Pilot program. Developers will be able to create ad campaigns in the Microsoft Store using Microsoft Advertising to reach both Windows 10 and Windows 11 devices. Microsoft is committing to balancing both the developer and consumer experience.

Android Apps and Games

In the coming weeks, the Amazon App Store will expand to 31 countries including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Spain, United Kingdom, United States, and more. making more than 20,000 apps available to new customers. To get started head over to the Microsoft Store on Windows app. Microsoft has made it easier to find Android apps using editorials and search inside the store. You’ll see inline ratings and reviews and be able to share links with your friends.

Amazon Prime Video, ESPN apps coming to the Store

Sports fans will be thrilled to hear that soon they will be able to watch their favorite programming from the ESPN App, coming “this month.” Disney fans will be getting full access to Disney+ and Amazon Prime moves and TV shows will be available in the Amazon Prime App, available for the first time today to Windows Insiders.

If you’re a creator Microsoft Store has options for you too, ClipChamp and CapCut. If you’re mixing music there’s Djay Pro. Note taker? The new unified One Note will be available this month.

Game Pass

Microsft hasn’t left the gamers out. Don’t forget GamePass has hundreds of games available for both Xbox and PC for one monthly price. The new Microsoft Store design makes it easier to find your favorite titles, sales, and installation requirements. File access for your favorite titles is also now available for installing custom mods and addons.

More updates are coming to the Microsoft Store in October for those running the latest version of Windows 11. Customers will have a brand new search box inside the Microsoft Store. Also when moving to a new PC they’ll also be a restore option to easily get your apps from the store onboard.

5 Ways to Fix an Unknown Error Has Occurred on Google Drive

Posted on September 20, 2022October 4, 2023 by Alexandru Poloboc

Using Google Drive certainly has its benefits, so most of us have made the decision to go with Google’s online storage option.

However, what do you do when everything goes haywire and the software you once relied on will no longer do its job?

You come to us and search for the fix guide you need, you open it, then you get whatever situation under control and go about your day.

And, since we’re speaking of Google services that won’t work, we can show you how to handle Google Earth not working or loading on Windows 10/11.

Also, as a Google Drive user, be sure to look up the information on how to share the Google Drive folders with non-Gmail users.

Now, back to the matter at hand, many Drive users have reported dealing with the An unknown error has occurred problem, as we’re going to show you what to do.

Why does Google Drive keep saying an unknown error has occurred?

Well, this issue can be triggered, among other causes, by your internet connection. A faulty or slow connection will lead to big load times and errors.

Also, your Windows Firewall can get in the way of proper interaction between you and Google Drive, so remember that as well.

Even though the Google company prides itself on its product’s uptime, it isn’t unknown for the service to go down every once in a while. Check that as well when troubleshooting this problem.

How do I fix an unknown error has occurred on Google Drive?

1. Check the status of Google Drive

In case you are experiencing file upload problems, the first thing you should check is Google Drive’s status. There really is no point in trying to resolve the problem if it isn’t on your end.

In order to do so, simply go to Google’s Status Dashboard and take a quick peek at the server’s uotime status or connection problems.

You will find a huge list of all of their services and tells you if there are any service disruptions or outages lately.

Not to mention that it can also be worth checking other sites like Downdetector and Outage.Report, where users can report issues with online sites and services.

2. Restart your router or modem/Switch to a wired connection

From time to time, there may be a problem with the router or modem, which causes problems as mentioned in the article above.

Try restarting the router or modem by unplugging it from the system and waiting for a few minutes. After the wait is over, reconnect the router to the system, or plug it back if it is a modem.

If you think the router or modem is faulty, connect it to another system and see. You might have to replace it if it still creates the same problem.

3. Disable your Windows Firewall

Press Win +I to access Settings.
Select the Privacy & Security tab, then click on Windows Security.
Click on Firewall & network protection.
Click on Public Network.
Switch Firewall to Off.

4. Reinstall Backup & Sync

Open Chrome.
Click on the Options button and select Drive.
Click on the cog-shaped icon and select Get Backup and Sync for Windows.

Performing this action will ensure you’re getting the most recent version of the program. Run it, progress through the wizard, and select Yes when asked if you want to replace your current version.

That being said, an alternative approach is to remove the software from your system first, then redownload it using the steps above.

5. Relog into your Google account

Click on your account button.
Select Disconnect account.

It should go without saying, but you can also try disconnecting and reconnecting your Google account, as many users said it worked for them.

This means that absolutely all your files have to resynchronize, so it could take some time. Users that went through the same situation said that re-logging actually helped.

How do I refresh Google Drive storage?

Locate the Google Drive folder that needs updating.
Hold the Shift key and right-click the folder.
Select the Refresh folder.

So, if you find yourself unable to access a document please make sure you are connected to the internet while using Google Drive.

From time to time, you may encounter an error message such as The server encountered an error on Google Drive, but don’t panic, just use the guide above.

This is all you need to know in case your Google Drive is not working on Windows 10/11. Has this guide helped you fix this issue? Let us know in the comments section below.

How to Show Declined Meetings in Outlook’s Calendar

Posted on September 20, 2022October 4, 2023 by Matthew Adams

When you decline a meeting invite in Outlook, that declined meeting email goes to the Deleted Items folder; and the meeting doesn’t appear on the application’s calendar.

However, some users might still need to keep meetings they’ve declined to attend on their calendars.

Outlook doesn’t include any option that you can select to show declined meetings on the calendar. Nevertheless, you can still show a declined Outlook meeting on your calendar with this trick.

How can I see a declined meeting on Outlook’s calendar?

1. Show a declined meeting in Outlook 2019, ’16, and ‘13

Click the mail button at the bottom left of Outlook’s window.
Then click on Deleted Items on the left of Outlook.
Select the meeting you declined in Deleted Items.
Then click the Accept button on the right.
Select the Do Not Send a Response option on the Accept button’s submenu. That will add the meeting to your Outlook calendar without sending a response.

2. View a declined meeting in the Outlook web app

1. Open the Outlook app in a browser.
2. Click the Toogle Left Pane button shown directly below.
3. Then navigate to Folders.
4. Go to Deleted Items. Here you can find all the meetings you have deleted from your Outlook.
5. Right-click the declined meeting you want to see and select the Move to Calendar option.

You can see declined meetings via the web application for Outlook just as easy as you can in the app. What you need to do is navigate to the Deleted items folder, and you will see all your previously declined meetings in there.

Optionally, you can choose to keep a declined meeting in the calendar by restoring it from the previously mentioned folder.

So, that’s how you can keep declined meetings on Outlook’s calendar. Note, however, that the meeting invite won’t be in Deleted Items if you’ve emptied that folder. If it isn’t there, you’ll need to request that the organizer send another invite to you.

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

Laptop is Overheating When Charging: 8 Ways to Fix It

Posted on September 20, 2022November 8, 2024 by Milan Stanojevic

Dealing with overheating issues when your laptop is charging? We’re here to help! High temperature can lead to poor performance and even hardware damage.

It’s best to act fast, so just follow the step-by-step instructions below.

How do I fix the laptop if it’s overheating when charging?

First and foremost, keep your laptop’s air vents clean and unobstructed, and close unused background apps to prevent overheating.

1. Run the power troubleshooter

Click the Start icon and type troubleshoot in the search bar.
Select the Troubleshoot settings option.
Choose the Additional troubleshooters option.
Click the Power option.
Finally, click the Run the troubleshooter button and wait for the scan to complete.

2. Reinstall graphics driver

Press the Windows key + I and select Device Manager.
Click the arrow next to the Display adapters option to expand it.
Right-click on the driver there and select Uninstall device.
Click the Uninstall button to confirm the action.
Finally, click the Scan for hardware changes icon at the top and your PC will reinstall the driver.

3. Change the power plan of your laptop

Press the Windows button, type control, and select Control panel.
Click the Hardware and Sound option.
Select Power Options.
Click Create a power plan in the left pane.
Now, choose your preferred power plan.

If you leave your laptop on while not in use, adjust the power settings to turn off the monitor when idle. This helps keep your laptop cooler and can address overheating issues while charging.

4. Identify corrupt processes using Task Manager

Press the Windows key + X and Task Manager.
Select the Processes tab.
Click the CPU column header to sort the processes by CPU load.
Right-click on any process that is using high CPU resources and select End task.

This heat can be caused by corrupt software or malware, which consumes CPU time between 1 and 100 percent of the CPU.

5. Update your laptop BIOS

Press Windows + R, type msinfo32, and note the BIOS Version/Date.
Go to your motherboard or PC manufacturer’s website and download the latest BIOS update for your model.
Format a USB drive to FAT32 and copy the BIOS update file to it.
Restart your PC and enter BIOS setup (usually by pressing F2, F10, Delete, or Esc). Find the BIOS update option and select your USB drive to update.
After updating, restart your PC and adjust any BIOS settings if needed.

One of the main functions of the BIOS is to monitor temperature and adjust operating conditions. Keeping it up-to-date is essential for good performance.

6. Check if BIOS is set to Hybrid

This function lets the laptop draw power from the battery when the machine needs more power than the AC can provide. This can be a design flaw, or your laptop just has cheap parts.

But the hybrid charge will seriously reduce your battery life. You can try disabling the hybrid battery behavior in the system BIOS and see if it solves the laptop overheating when charging issue. If it does help, replace your AC with a larger capacity AC.

7. Get a laptop cooler/cooling pad

A laptop cooler provides additional cooling assistance.

❗ Before you buy a laptop cooler or a cooling pad, understand how air flows in and out of your laptop.

This is because many laptops take in cool air from underneath. So it won’t make sense to get a cooler that sits at the bottom of the laptop, as it will accelerate overheating.

If your machine has intake grills underneath it, get a cooler or cooling pad that will blow the cool air upwards and into the machine.

Why does my laptop overheat when charging?

Common causes of overheating include dust buildup or inadequate cooling. Signs include games freezing and Windows becoming unresponsive. While laptops naturally get hot when charging, overheating during gaming may indicate a need for cleaning.

Battery damage can also cause overheating. If your laptop battery isn’t charging, consider replacing it.

Should I unplug my laptop when fully charged?

You should always unplug your charger from your laptop when it is fully charged. In fact, it is recommended to do so before it gets to 100 percent. You can plug it again when it is down to 40 percent. This is to elongate the battery life and get the best out of your PC.

Wrapping up

The laptop overheating when charging issue is dangerous, as it can lead to bigger problems. Fortunately, it is a problem that is pretty easy to fix, as shown in this detailed guide.

If you want to know how to fix overheating problems in Windows 11, check our detailed guide to do it effectively.

Have you tried any of these solutions and they worked? Or do you have other suggestions that worked for you that aren’t listed here? Let us know by leaving a comment in the section below.

Print Screen Not Working on Windows 11: Ways to Fix Screenshot Problems

Posted on September 20, 2022October 29, 2025 by Loredana Harsana

You’ve come to the right place if Print Screen isn’t working on Windows 11. Whether you use Snipping Tool, Cut & Snip, or another app, we’ll help you figure it out.

Why can’t I take screenshots anymore?

It might be because of broken system files. You can fix this by using dedicated software or the built-in Windows repair tool. Outdated keyboard drivers can also cause this error.

Regardless, following the steps below will help you fix it:

How do I fix the screenshot tool not working on Windows 11?

1. Check the date and time set

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
Select the Time & Language option in the left pane and select Date & Time from the right panel.
If the Set time automatically option is switched on, turn it off.
Select the Change button next to Set date and time manually.
Change the date to October 31 or before, then set it back to the latest current date.

By manually resetting the time and date, the Snipping Tool reconfigures its settings, therefore correcting any potential problems that may have occurred previously.

2. Restart the app

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to launch the Task Manager app.
Select the Snipping Tool app under the Process tab, and click the End task button at the bottom.
Now press Windows + S to open the search function and type in snipping tool to re-open it.

Once the program has been relaunched, you have the option of either closing it or leaving it open in the taskbar. To take screenshots with it, hit the Windows + Shift + S keyboard shortcut combination.

3. Update the keyboard driver

Press the Windows key + X and choose Device Manager from the shortcut menu.
Expand the Keyboards directory.
Right-click on Standard PS/2 Keyboard and select Update driver.
Select Search automatically for updated driver software and wait for Windows to automatically install the latest driver.

After the update procedure is complete, restart your computer and check to see if the print screen key is now operational.

4. Allow the Snipping Tool to run in the background

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app on your PC.
Select the Apps tab on the left and click on Apps & features from the right panel.
Use the search box to locate the Snipping Tool app quickly. Now use the three-dot menu on its right side to open Advanced options.
Under Background apps permission use the dropdown menu to choose Always from the list.

5. Repair the app

Tap the Windows key + S to open the search function and type in snipping tool.
Right-click on the top result, and choose App settings.
Next, navigate to the Reset section and click on the Repair option.

If mending the app doesn’t work, you may try resetting it by going to the same section and hitting the Reset button. It’s worth noting that resetting the app would wipe out all of your data.

6. Use other hotkey combinations

If hitting the single PrtSc key does not yield results, you might try the keyboard shortcut buttons listed below:

With the Alt key + PrtSc, you can capture the currently chosen window and save it using Paint or another image-editing tool of your choosing.
Likewise, a screenshot will be taken by pressing the Windows + PrtSc hotkeys combination, which will be saved to the Screenshots folder with the name Screenshot (NUMBER).
This folder can be found in the Pictures folder on your PC. Please keep in mind that on laptops, the combination Fn + Windows + PrtSc should be used.

7. Check the `F` lock key

Some keyboards contain an F Mode or F Lock key, which can be useful. If they are turned off, the print screen key will not work properly. For the print screen key to function, you must first enable the F Mode or F Lock keys by pressing them.

8. Run the SFC scan

Press the Windows + S keys then search for cmd and right-click on the top result to open it as an administrator and get full privileges.
Type or paste in the CMD prompt the following command then press Enter:
sfc /scannow

Wait for the procedure to be completed. Restart your computer and run the Snipping Tool software to see if everything is operating properly.

How do I change where screenshots go in Windows 11?

With the Snipping Tool, you might not need to use a third-party screenshot application anymore. Everything on the screen can be simply captured with the built-in app.

The location of screenshots taken with the built-in tool on Windows 11 is this directory: C:Users<user name>PicturesScreenshots

However, you can move the default location to a different folder for easy access or if the Windows 11 screenshot is not saving.

To begin, use Windows Explorer and navigate to the directory: C:Users<user name>PicturesScreenshots

NOTE

Please note that <user name> should be replaced with your actual username.

Right-click the Screenshots folder in the photos directory and choose Properties from the popup menu. The next step is to go to the Location tab and press the Move button.
Select the destination folder you want to use as your default screenshot folder in the File Explorer box and click Select Folder.
You’ll get a dialogue box asking if you want to move all of your files from the old location to the new one, you’ll need to select Yes.

Those programs, including Snipping Tool, that used the Screenshots folder to store photographs by default will now use the newly selected destination directory after completing the aforementioned instructions.

Why is PrtSc not working?

If the PrtSc key is not working, it might be down to the F Mode or F Lock keys on your keyboard. This is because these keys disable the print screen key.

Another known cause of the issue is outdated drivers. We have shown how to fix these issues in this guide. So, be sure to check out the solutions.

As you can see, certain features in the new OS have changed dramatically, while others haven’t. If you want to learn more about the subject, here’s a full comparison of Windows 10 vs Windows 11.

If you are interested in finding out more about screenshot tools, check out our guide on how to take a screenshot in Windows 11.

Comment below and tell us the screenshot tool you are using and which solution you found to be the most effective.

5 Quick Ways to Fix Outlook When It’s Not Prompting for MFA

Posted on September 20, 2022October 4, 2023 by Claire Moraa

Outlook is one of the most popular email clients, so it’s not surprising that some users may experience problems with it. One of the most common issues is Outlook not prompting for MFA.

The Microsoft Office 365 Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) feature is a security best practice that helps protect your organization’s Office 365 data.

Multi-factor authentication is an umbrella term that includes MFA, 2FA, and other types of security measures. It refers to any technology that requires a second factor before granting access to an account.

This feature requires users to verify their identity by using an additional method, such as a security code sent via mobile app or text message, before they can sign in to their accounts.

Although Outlook comes in a standalone app, you can also use the web version if you have limited storage space. You can use one of the best browsers to use with Outlook for a seamless experience.

Does Outlook prompt for MFA?

When you use a Microsoft account to sign in to Outlook, Outlook prompts for MFA if it’s turned on in your organization or if you’re signing in from a device that isn’t already enrolled in MFA. You can also configure Outlook to prompt for MFA automatically.

How often should MFA be prompted?

It depends on a variety of factors, including the type of authentication method used, the security requirements of an application and its users, and the nature of an organization’s risk profile.

The main purpose of multi-factor authentication (MFA) is to make it harder for attackers to gain access to an account. MFA is a great way to protect your account from unauthorized access. However, it can be inconvenient to enter your password every time you want to log in.

If you’re not getting an MFA prompt and send out multiple requests in a short span, you may receive a message that says you have exceeded the limit and may have to wait until Microsoft can verify your identity.

How do I get the MFA prompt in Outlook?

1. Upgrade your Outlook version

If you’re using an older version of Outlook and don’t want to upgrade, then one of the reasons why it might not be prompting for MFA could be because you’re using an older version of Outlook.

The security policies in older versions aren’t as advanced as newer ones, so they may not support MFA by default.

2. Clear your cache

Your cache is where Outlook stores information about emails so that it doesn’t need to re-download them every time it needs a copy.

Clearing your cache can help fix Outlook when it’s not prompting for MFA because if there are issues with cached data, clearing it will remove any corrupted entries from your cache and reset its settings back to normal.

3. Check your settings in Office 365

The first place to check is your account settings in Office 365. Check whether the account is set up for MFA in the first place. If you are using an Office 365 subscription plan make sure that your account has been set up for MFA.

You may have disabled Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) or changed your password. It is also possible that you may have changed your authenticator app settings or mobile number to receive the code.

4. Log out from other devices

When Office 365 prompts users for MFA, it does so based on device type. If you are using multiple devices such as a desktop computer, laptop and smartphone then you will be prompted multiple times.

If you’re using Outlook.com or Office 365, and you’re not prompted for multi-factor authentication (MFA), the first thing to try is logging out of your account and then logging back in.

5. Reset your password

If you reset your password recently, you might have triggered an expired MFA token. In that case, you’ll need to go back and add MFA to your account again.

Alternatively, if you have authorized more than one authentication method, opt for the other if the code is not showing up on your phone. There could be a problem receiving messages.

How long does the Microsoft MFA code last?

Once you get an MFA code, it is valid for 60 minutes. If this period expires before you can log in, you can request a new token that will be valid for 14 days.

The refresh token has the possibility of extending to 90 days if you are actively using your mailbox during this period. This way, you won’t have to input a code as often.

However, if you log out, or exceed more than 14 days without signing in, you will be prompted with an MFA again.

To be cautious, only use this route if it’s a personal computer as leaving your account logged on on public computers can expose you to cyberattacks.

You can always install password managers that also come with multi-factor authentication to secure your passwords if you easily forget.

In case Outlook keeps asking for password, we have a detailed article on how you can easily bypass this issue.

If you were experiencing this problem, we’d love to know which one of our solutions has worked for you. In case you applied another method not mentioned here, also let us know in the comments section below.

5 Ways to Fix an Unknown Error Has Occurred on Discord

Posted on September 20, 2022November 14, 2024 by Claire Moraa

Discord is a safe place for gamers to congregate, share content, and play games together. Unfortunately, this software isn’t entirely flawless, and sometimes errors occur that can cause problems for your account.

When you try to log into Discord, it might give you a message that says An unknown error has occurred. The message is shown when something goes wrong with your account or network connection.

If the issue is a bad network request, you can easily solve the problem with the recommended fixes in our detailed article.

What is the meaning of an unknown error occurred on Discord?

An unknown error has occurred on Discord usually appears when you try to open the app or game. It can also occur when you try to open a specific feature of the app or game.

If you are getting this message, then there can be several reasons behind it:

Outdated app – Software tends to become outdated over time as new versions of apps replace older ones. This means that sometimes, the latest version of an app may not work properly because they don’t have the necessary hardware specs for it to run smoothly enough.
Problem with the server – This is by far the most common reason for this error. If an internal server error has occurred on Discord, then it can cause this problem. It could be that something has gone wrong with the server or that there are too many users trying to access it at the same time.
Cached files – Sometimes this problem occurs because of a corrupt cache file on your computer. This can be fixed by restarting your PC or reinstalling Discord again on your device. It’s also often the reason behind Discord Error 1105.
Poor internet connection – Discord needs to connect to the Internet to use its features. You may get a network error has occurred or you are not currently logged in message. Make sure that you have connected your device with a good Internet connection and that there are no issues with the network provider as well.

Now that you are aware of the causes, below are some solutions to get you out of this situation.

How do you fix an unknown network error has occurred on Discord?

1. Update the Discord app

Check your device settings to make sure that you have the latest version of the app installed. An outdated app may present problems with some functions or even deny you access to Discord.

You should always make sure that you have the latest version of any app as it could contain fixes for bugs or problems like an unknown network error has occurred on Discord.

2. Check your internet connection

If you have trouble connecting with other people on Discord because of this error, then start by making sure that your Wi-Fi connection isn’t broken or damaged in any way. You should connect your device to another Wi-Fi network and see if it works properly.

Also, try connecting with an ethernet cable instead of a wireless connection as it offers a more stable connection. It would also do you good to test your internet speed to make sure it’s fast enough for Discord.

3. Check server status

If you’re experiencing an unknown error has occurred on Discord, there’s a chance that it’s an issue with their servers or network.

To check whether this is true or not, visit Discord status page and see if any of your servers are listed as being in maintenance mode or down for everyone. In most cases, if one server is down for everyone, all servers are also affected by this issue.

4. Clear cache and cookies

Hit the Windows + R keys to open the Run command.
Type %appdata% and press Enter.
Open the Discord folder and Delete cache.

5. Disable VPN

Hit the Windows key and click on Settings.
Click on Network & internet.
Locate your VPN client under VPN connections and click on Disconnect.

What are the most common Discord errors?

Discord errors are common, as millions of people worldwide have downloaded the app. However, it’s essential to know how to fix them so you can continue using Discord without any problems.

Here are some of the most common errors you might encounter while using Discord:

Discord setup error – If you have a Windows PC, the first step to setting up Discord likely is to download the installer. This will give you access to the desktop app and browser support. Unfortunately, sometimes this can throw up an error message that looks like this: Failed to extract the installer.
No Route error – This error means there’s no way for Discord to reach the servers that run the Discord app. This can happen if your ISP or network provider is having problems.
Discord static noise – Discord static noise is a problem that can occur on any server. It is the sound of white noise that plays when you are streaming and can be caused by incorrect audio output settings or outdated audio drivers.
Sending messages in this channel is disabled error – This error appears when you try to send a message on Discord. The servers could be down so ensure you check the status before troubleshooting.

And that’s it. These are just some of the most reliable ways to fix an unknown error has occurred on Discord.

Leave us a comment down below for additional thoughts on this topic.

9 Best Personal Cloud Storage Services

Posted on September 20, 2022November 22, 2024 by Ivan Jenic

Are you looking for the best personal cloud storage application for your Windows 10 PC? WindowsReport has got you covered!

File storage has come a long way over the past few decades — from bulky hardware storage to portable hard drives to the latest cloud storage method.

With the advent of cloud storage, the issue of storage limitations has been completely eliminated.

Today, many users and businesses save their files and documents in the cloud. A typical cloud storage service offers many functions, ranging from file backup, to file security or unlimited storage.

Today, there are quite a good number of cloud storage software, some more remarkable than others. So it’s important to do some research, to test the authenticity and durability of a cloud service before saving sensitive files on its hub.

In this article, we have compiled some of the best cloud storage services (Windows 10 compatible), taking into account price, durability, security, and bandwidth space.

What are the best cloud storage services for Windows 10?

Zoolz Cloud Backup – Great for fast backup

Zoolz is a cloud backup solution that fits any type of Windows 10 or macOS user, of all budgets.

It comes in three paid plans, for 1, 2, or 5 TB of data. The main differences lie in storage capacity and storage location features.

Otherwise, all plans offer an unlimited number of external devices, automatic and scheduled backups, access to the backed up data anytime, anywhere.

Interestingly enough, the 2 TB plan includes a personal vault. Files stored there can be shared with both Zoolz and non-Zoolz users.

The integration with Amazon Web Services ensures top-notch storage efficiency with minimum impact on your system.

pCloud – Great for team collaboration

pCloud stands out as more than just a simple backup tool. It might seem pricey at first sight, but not many storage software is as fully-featured as this one.

Besides the classic features like generous storage space, trash recovery, or automatic sync across multiple devices, all pCloud plans include the following:

The collaboration features include sharing and personalizing your data, as well as receiving reports for the shared links.

You will be surprised to find also built-in video and audio players, plus video streaming.

It even comes with file management options such as data recovery, remote upload, or a rewind feature to recover accounts that go back more than 30 days.

pCloud offers integration with all major cloud platforms such as Google Drive, OneDrive, Facebook, Instagram and more.

Sync – Great for file synchronization

Sync is a relatively new cloud storage service, which has managed to become one of the most durable personal cloud storage services for Windows 10 in the market.

The software is compatible with Windows devices, and it allows users to store, access, and share files easily via its user-friendly interface.

In addition, Sync is equipped with end-to-end encryption, which ensures that data transferred and shared via the cloud is safe, and secure at all times.

Sync stores all information on your devices in a centralized location, thereby facilitating file access and retrieval.

Integration with popular tools like Slack or Asana eases access for whole teams to the same safe workspace.

Features like password protection and permissions facilitate a smooth workflow, while also eliminating the issue of unauthorized access.

OneDrive – Best built-in cloud storage solution

Already widely popular, OneDrive is the default personal cloud storage service, which comes as a system app on Windows 10 computers.

If not already installed, it can be downloaded on any Windows version, .

OneDrive hosts a user-friendly, easy-to-navigate, interface to synchronize your PC files with your cloud storage (OneDrive).

For the OneDrive mobile app users, syncing extends across your smartphone/tablet as well.

Unlike other cloud services that utilize web browsers for file transferring, with OneDrive you transfer files directly from your Windows 10 device.

Furthermore, OneDrive integrates perfectly with Office 360, making it easier to work seamlessly across both platforms.

Upon setting up an account, you get a free 5GB storage space that you can further expand at an affordable cost.

⇒ Get OneDrive

Box – Great for collaboration

Box is another popular personal cloud storage service renowned for its relative affordability.

Upon signing up, you are provided with free 10GB storage. While exploring Box, you’ll see that it features a variety of options, depending on the size and type of files to be stored.

Box is flexible enough to support integration with popular productivity apps like Google Docs, or Office 365.

The software also boasts an attractive and easy-to-navigate user interface, which facilitates your cloud storage experience.

If you’re concerned about security certificates, you should know that HIPAA and PCI are among the supported ones. So the security infrastructure of this tool ensures top-rated protection against unauthorized access.

⇒ Get Box

Dropbox – Most popular solution

Dropbox is the most popular personal cloud storage for Windows 10 PC, used by millions of individuals and businesses worldwide.

Despite its relatively low free storage space (2GB), its premium plans offer the best available set of cloud storage features.

Dropbox’s Business plan facilitates collaboration between team members since each team member can get a personal account.

The app integrates perfectly well with Windows 10, and you can easily edit or modify your files directly from the app on your Windows 10 computer.

Notable collaboration software like Slack, Asana, Photoshop, and others can integrate seamlessly with Dropbox so you can easily import/export data directly from or in the cloud.

⇒ Get Dropbox

Google Drive – Lots of free cloud drive space

As a Google product, Google Drive is an ideal personal cloud storage service for Windows 10 users.

Synchronization is one of the core benefits of Google Drive, as you can easily synchronize data from your mobile devices to your desktop devices and vice versa.

The free cloud storage space you get (15GB) is still one of the most generous in the industry.

This makes Google Drive a good option for personal use and low budget firms, with low storage requirements.

⇒ Get Google Drive

MultCloud – Great for file transfer and management

MultCloud is a free app that helps you connect all your cloud drives under one dashboard.

After you log into your cloud accounts on the platform, you will be able to transfer or sync files from one cloud service directly to another.

That means you can manage all your online files just like you would do in a file management app and use the usual commands like cut, copy, paste, move, delete, rename, and more.

It also means that you can say goodbye to all the duplicate files that take up the precious space on your cloud accounts.

All the data transfer processes will be performed offline, on the MultCloud server so you don’t need to stay online.

You also have access to filtering files with certain extensions or scheduling cloud transfers easily.

⇒ Get MultCloud

IDrive – Great for personal backup

The award-winning IDrive offers one of the best personal cloud services, having one of the most secure storage hubs.

Over the years, the developers have added extra features, making the tool stand out as one of the best.

Besides the well-known backup functions, some unique features that IDrive brings are IDrive Express (backup and retrieval of data in less than a week via physical storage shipment) or snapshots and versioning of all backed-up files.

The developer’s advanced security protocol provides a warranty for all your cloud-saved files.

Hence, in the case of irretrievable file loss, the company uses the Express feature mentioned above, sending a hard drive (to the recipient’s address), containing your files. To learn more, don’t miss our in-depth IDrive review!

⇒ Get IDrive

So, these are our best recommendations. We hope that you’ve found the best solution for your needs.

Next, you might be interested in our list of the best cloud storage apps for Windows PC.

If you have other preferred cloud storage apps, mention them in the comments below and we’ll surely take a look. And who knows, maybe we’ll include them in future lists.

Microsoft Edge Dev build 107.0.1379.1 adds icon consistency and more fixes

Posted on September 20, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

Build 107.0.1379.1 is now live for all Edge Insiders in the Dev channel. This latest Insider build makes the default profile icon consistent across platforms, improves video player playback, added support for Microsoft Rewards in India, and refined the Read Aloud feature when translating text.

Here’s the full release notes for Edge Dev channel build 107.0.1379.1:

Added Features:

Updated the default profile icon to be consistent on all platforms

Improved reliability:

Improved smoothness of the video player when rotating the screen or tapping the full screen icon on Android

Improved the UI of the overflow menu on Android

Improved voice over on iOS when switching accounts

Improved voice over headers for the iOS overflow menu

Improved sign in flow on Android

Improved the Narrator announcements of predicted text

Changed behavior:

Enabled Microsoft Rewards in India

Enabled the new SmartScreen client on macOS

Fixed an issue where the keypad overlapped the screen in landscape mode on Android

Fixed various crashes

Fixed contextual search setting on Android

Fixed an issue when using Read Aloud after translating

Fixed a crash on iOS

Edge Insiders are Microsoft Edge enthusiasts who opt in to test early builds of the web browser apps before they’re rolled out to the general user.

After more Microsoft news? Follow us on Twitter.

Double Kick Heroes and Portal 2 are now free on Xbox consoles

Posted on September 20, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

The Portal 2 and Double Kick Heroes video games are now free to claim for all Xbox console owners with an active Xbox Live Gold subscription.

Portal 2 originally came out on Microsoft’s Xbox 360 console back in 2011 and is playable on both the Xbox One and Xbox Series X console families via backwards compatibility.

Here’s the official game description for Portal 2:

The Games on Demand version supports English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Polish, Potuguese, Russian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese.The highly anticipated sequel to 2007’s Game of the Year, Portal 2 is a hilariously mind-bending adventure that challenges you to use wits over weaponry in a funhouse of diabolical science. Using a highly experimental portal device, you’ll once again face off against a lethally inventive, power-mad A.I. named GLaDOS. Break the laws of spatial physics in ways you never thought possible, with a wider variety of portal puzzles and an expansive story that spans a single player and co-op game mode.

Double Kick Heroes launched on Xbox One and Xbox Series X console families in 2020. It’s kind of a combo of a rhythm game and a shooter and has a strong retro gaming vibe with its visuals and soundtrack.

Double Kick zombies in the face with insane Metal music! 30 tremendously awesome quality Metal songs by a legendary video game AND Metal composer. Unlock new gear and pimp your Gundillac. Rodriguez infused background story about being weird guys and gals who live for Sex, Drugs and Heavy Metal. Explosions, rebels, militias, undeads, road-rage, madness, apocalypse. Ready to hit the fury road? The only awesome rock and metal rhythm game, what more!?

Double Kick Heroes and Portal 2 join Gods Will Fall as part of September’s Games With Gold titles for Xbox Live Gold subscribers. Portal 2 and Gods Will Fall are free to claim until September 30th while Double Kick Heroes will remain free until October 15th.

After more Xbox gaming news? Give us a follow on Twitter and Facebook.

Download
QR-Code

Portal 2

Developer:
Electronic Arts

Price:
$19.99

Download
QR-Code

Double Kick Heroes

Developer:
Plug In Digital

Price:
$21.99

How to Get Chinese IP Address Using 5 VPNs with China Servers

Posted on September 19, 2022September 19, 2025 by Vlad Constantinescu

If you’re wondering which VPNs on the market have China servers, you’ve definitely come to the right neighborhood.

VPNs have been around quite for some time, and their usefulness range from simply protecting your privacy, to even unblocking geo-restricted content.

Although the general trend is to find VPN services that let you access websites that are blocked in China, some users go the other way.

It’s not uncommon knowledge that China has built some walls, physical and metaphorical, to keep intruders out.

For instance, you may know that China keeps some websites restricted to outsiders. Thus, you can only access them if you’re physically in China. Or, as you’re about to find out if you have a trustworthy VPN with China servers.

How do I bypass China firewall?

As we’ve briefly mentioned above, the Chinese government took drastic measures to block any outsider from accessing certain websites or services on Chinese territory.

Furthermore, regulations have been set to prevent residents from accessing specific non-Chinese websites, such as social platforms, news websites, and streaming services.

Private Internet Access, for instance, can help you bypass the Great Firewall of China.

How do I access China websites?

However, a China VPN server would only allow you to access Chinese websites from outside of this country.

However, some digital sources are only available in China, specifically the mainland, and accessing them requires a VPN that has specific China servers, not Hong Kong servers.

QQ music, Wang Yi music, and some TV shows may have connection and buffering issues for the first time you connect.

So, for example, if you want to watch Jackie Chan’s Adventure on Aiqiyi (which is free), you’ll need to use a VPN to fool the computer into thinking you are in mainland China.

Otherwise, you’d have to pay for it on Google Play or the App Store. Remember to follow the same steps whenever connecting to a VPN server in China.

Establishing a connection to such a server might mean you’ll temporarily be unable to access various non-Chinese websites/services.

How do I use China VPN?

We are often asked by our readers How do I get China IP VPN? and the answer is simple. You need to get a VPN that offers China servers to unblock the content from China’s mainland.

Hong Kong servers may not work all the time, since the Chinese government is strict about the content found online that its residents can access. Make sure any app, browser is closed before connecting to China VPN.

Here are some easy steps to follow to connect to the China server:

Download and install a VPN that provides China servers. (We chose Private Internet Access)
Log in with your credentials and go to settings by clicking on the three dots in the top right corner.
Go to Protocol and select WireGuard, it’s best to use when connecting to China.
You may also use the Dedicated IP section to sync your IP on your device with the VPN.
Go to the main screen of PIA and search for China in the servers list.
Connect to China and start unblocking China mainland content.

Keep in mind that not every time you will get the best out of the content available online, but that’s the censorship that the Chinese government implies.

Which VPNs have servers in China?

Private Internet Access – The best encryption

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a well-known VPN service on the internet. This VPN’s advanced security features and low pricing plans have made it a popular choice in the industry.

You can create your own configuration files that connect to OpenVPN using an IP address rather than a hostname and port TCP 443. By logging into your Client Control panel on the My Account page, you can generate your own configuration files for any region.

You will be able to create your own configuration file for any platform, region, and port, as well as connect using an IP address rather than the server name. The configuration employs a unique username and password that differs from your PIA account login credentials.

A brief list of PIA’s main features:

No logs.
Unlimited bandwidth.
High-speed global server network.
Dedicated apps.
Powerful encryption.
Block ads.
24/7 live support.
Open-source.

In summary, PIA works in China, but it has the same limitations as other VPN services. For example, the VPN works in some parts of China but becomes completely inoperable in others due to the infamous Great Firewall.

Furthermore, the service may be available on some ISPs while being completely unavailable on others.
In our experience, using the VPN on a 4G network rather than a Wi-Fi network yields better results. Private Internet Access suggests that you try the Wireguard protocol.

Private Internet Access

Unblocked content from China mainland with a dedicated IP and personal configurations in the VPN.

Check price Visit website

NordVPN – Best to use for multiple IP addresses

NordVPN has over 5200 servers in 60 countries, allowing you to select the server closest to your actual location for the best speed.

It offers top-tier encryption to protect users from online threats and privacy concerns. NordVPN is the VPN of choice for millions of people and is recommended by major tech experts all over the world.

To connect to a different region, simply launch the app and connect to a China VPN server. However, because the strength of China’s internet restrictions varies by region and year, you may want to use one of the advanced security features.

A brief list of NordVPN’s main features:

Next-generation encryption
Strict no logs policy
DoubleVPN
Automatic Kill Switch
DNS leak protection
Streaming support
SmartPlay
Dedicated IP address
Browser proxy extensions

You can also enable the Threat Protection feature when using the app, which blocks websites known to host malware and annoying ads.

NordVPN also includes a Kill Switch feature, which blocks internet access if your VPN connection is accidentally lost. This means you’re not putting yourself at risk by browsing the web unprotected.

NordVPN also allows for up to six simultaneous connections, allowing you to easily secure multiple devices while on China servers.

NordVPN

Everyone deserves unrestricted internet access, and NordVPN can help you in unblocking China content.

Check price Visit website

PureVPN – Best for streaming

PureVPN is a VPN service owned by GZ Systems, a company that’s based in Hong Kong and founded in 2007. This VPN offers approximately 4,000 servers and roughly 300,000 IP addresses in 140 countries.

As you probably expect, China is among the 140 countries you can connect to using PureVPN. This VPN also provides its users with 24/7 live chat support.

PureVPN has servers in Guangdong and Shanghai, making it a good choice for VPN in China. You can connect to those China servers to obtain a China IP address and enter China.

A brief list of PureVPN’s main features:

Can unblock Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu
Offers DNS leak protection
Has 4,000 servers in 140 countries
Supports P2P activities (torrenting)
Has split tunneling features to separate ISP/VPN traffic
Apps for Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, Mac, and more than 16 routers
Has browser extensions

If you don’t see any China VPN servers in the PureVPN software’s server list, it’s possible that PureVPN hides their China servers on their software due to heavy VPN blocking from China.

But don’t worry, PureVPN’s website lists its China VPN server addresses on the Server Locations page. Then, copy one of those addresses, switch to PureVPN’s Dedicated IP mode, and use that address to connect to PureVPN’s China VPN server as usual.

PureVPN

To access China websites and unblock its content, PureVPN is another reliable solution.

Check price Visit website

HotSpot Shield – Best to protect network traffic

HotSpot Shield might’ve gained a lot of popularity thanks to its free service. It’s one of the few VPN services that offer Chinese servers so that you could access content in China.

It was launched and owned by AnchorFree up until 2019, and is now owned by Pango (formerly AnchorFree). The company has offices in Russia and Ukraine, and the first VPN client app for HotSpot Shield was launched in 2008.

Hotspot Shield Elite VPN has VPN servers in 22 countries, including one in China, making it an excellent choice for VPN access in China. When you connect to its China server, you will be assigned a China IP address and will be able to access China-only content on the Internet.

Check out HotSpot Shield’s most important features:

Has proprietary VPN protocol, which makes VPN traffic detection more difficult
Lets you connect on up to 5 devices
Unlimited data usage (free plan restricted to 500 MBs daily)
More than 115 locations, in more than 80 countries and over 35 cities
Lets you access geoblocked streaming apps (Netflix, Disney+, Hulu)
24/7 live chat support
Malware/phishing protection

The most well-known feature of Hotspot Shield is its free VPN service. However, its free VPN service has some restrictions and displays advertisements. Actually, it also provides a paid VPN service, Hotspot Shield Elite VPN, which has no restrictions and provides more VPN server options.

Hotspot Shield

Protect your network traffic, data, and shared files while on the China server.

Check price Visit website

Ivacy VPN – Best for torrenting

Ivacy VPN is yet another service that provides you with Chinese servers. You can easily connect to the service and unblock China-exclusive content from your devices.

Reportedly, Ivacy was the first provider to implement split tunneling, which allows you to separate ISP traffic from VPN traffic.

Thus, you can manage your traffic in terms of what you send back to your ISP and what gets routed through the secure, encrypted tunnel. Split tunneling is essential for accessing LAN resources, such as shared devices or folders.

Check out Ivacy VPN’s most important features:

IPsec and IKEV protocols for advanced protection
Unlimited data usage
7-day trial (it’s not free, it costs $0.99)
No-logging policy
Over 1,000 servers in more than 100 locations
Supports P2P activities such as torrenting
Offers a dedicated app for Kodi
Lets you connect up to 10 devices simultaneously

Ivacy VPN has over 250 servers in over 100 countries, including mainland China. As a result, Ivacy VPN is a good choice for a VPN into China.

Ivacy VPN supports popular VPN protocols such as OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP/IPSec. Ivacy VPN supports 5 simultaneous connections and P2P file sharing.

Furthermore, Ivacy VPN has a no-logs policy, making it an excellent choice if online privacy is one of your primary concerns. Ivacy VPN provides a 7-day money-back guarantee to users who want to test out their VPN services.

IvacyVPN

Use it when you want to download large files from China servers and unblock torrents.

Check price Visit website

China vs Hong Kong VPN servers

Many VPN providers, including Private Internet Access, have what appear to be China servers. In reality, these servers are located in Hong Kong, which has been long considered a safe place for data centers, thanks to its location.

Recent tensions made various VPN providers reconsider this strategy and either pull the plug on HK servers completely or at least reduce their numbers.

But let’s get one thing straight: Hong Kong servers aren’t the same as VPN China servers, although the lines seem to be blurring lately.

Not so long ago, Hong Kong benefited from the free and open Internet, which was a strong advantage to China’s heavily-regulated, censored Internet.

Thus, it goes without saying that we’ll only cover VPNs with true China servers.

Is VPN illegal in China?

All things considered, regardless of your reasons to want a China server on your VPN, there are definitely a few services that could cater to your needs.

Visit the Traveling Section to learn more about how VPNs can help you while traveling. Check out our VPN How-To Hub to discover more awesome, easy-to-follow VPN guides.

Whether it’s PureVPN, HotSpot Shield, or Ivacy VPN, these services will let you get a China IP address. Obviously, there’s also a bunch of Chinese government-approved VPN services, but we wouldn’t recommend using those.

The reason for using a VPN is to keep your privacy safe, and a government-regulated VPN might fail to keep your traffic/identity anonymous.

5 Ways to Fix Too Many Retries on Steam

Posted on September 19, 2022October 6, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

Some users reported that there were too many login retries when trying to access Steam, and it seems like the message sounds like this:

There have been too many login failures from your network in a short time period. Please wait and try again later.

Fortunately, in today’s article, we’ll show you how to fix the Steam too many login attempts from your network error, so make sure you check all the listed solutions.

How do I fix too many login failures on Steam?

1. Restart your modem

Go to your modem and press the Power button to turn it off.
Wait for at least 30 seconds.
Press the Power button again to turn the modem on.
Once the modem boots, try reaccessing Steam.

2. Clear browsing cache

2.1 Google Chrome

Press on the Windows key, type Chrome, then open the browser.
Use the following keyboard shortcut to open the Clear browsing data page: Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
In the Tame range section, choose All Time.
Now, checkmark the Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files boxes.
Click on Clear data.

2.2 Mozilla Firefox

Hit the Windows key, type Firefox, then open it.
Press simultaneously on the following keys to open the Clear browsing data window: Ctrl + Shift + Delete.
In the Time range to clear section, drop-down the menu, then select Everything.
Now, checkmark the Cookies and Cache boxes, then click on the OK button to save the changes.

After clearing the cache, check if the Too many login attempts message appears in Steam.

We showed you how to clean the cache in Chrome, but the methods should be more or less the same for other web browsers.

3. Wait for an hour

Turn off Steam completely. Make sure that the client is closed.
Wait for at least an hour without trying to log in.
After an hour has passed, try to log in to Steam again.

Several users reported that this method worked for them, so you might want to try it out.

Keep in mind that some users stated that they had to wait up to 24h if there were too many login failures on Steam.

How long does the Steam login failure take?

If you’re wondering how long the Steam login failure takes, the official waiting period is not precise.

Our experiments place it in the 20 to 30-minute window. However, there are many cases when users reported experiencing lockouts for much longer. So, you have to consider hours and even days.

Quick Tip:

You might bypass this waiting time by trying to log in to your Steam account using the Opera GX browser.

Opera GX is a fast, slim, and reliable browser, and with Twitch and Discord integration, it’s a perfect choice for gamers. Our experiments proved that it is fast while navigating and using streaming apps.

Opera GX

Free Visit website

4. Use a gaming-optimzed VPN

If you’re getting Too many login failures messages on Steam, using a VPN can help you circumvent that, and ExpressVPN is one of the best solutions you can get.

Our VPN recommendation will protect your privacy and encrypt your traffic so that it won’t be visible to third parties or your ISP. Besides, you may change locations to generate a new IP to login into Steam.

This is undoubtedly one of the best VPNs on the market that supports up to 5 devices, and it uses Wireguard, PPTP, Lightway, and OpenVPN protocols.

If you’re concerned about being watched by cybercriminals, remember that ExpressVPN uses military-grade AES-256 bit encryption, which will always guarantee a personal online activity.

Plus, you can usually connect to local or long-distance servers quickly on Steam. Our experiments showed that the average time of accessing a local server is 3 seconds, and when it comes to distant servers, you have to consider like 5 seconds.

ExpressVPN comes with a trustworthy 30-day money-back guarantee, so manufacturers have faith in their products.

5. Use a different network

If possible, switch to a different network and try to log in again.
Alternatively, enable mobile data on your phone, and use your phone to log in to Steam.

Many users reported that this solution worked for them, so try it out.

Also, if you cannot run Steam games on Windows 10, don’t hesitate to look for the best solutions to eliminate this problem.

What other Steam login failures should I be aware of?

Even if you sometimes run into today’s presented problem, you should know that some other annoying login issue can occur while trying to run Steam. In this manner, you have to consider:

No user logon Steam – Some users reported facing this error when accessing their favorite games on Steam; you know how frustrating it can be.
Steam does not remember my password – Many players claimed that Steam couldn’t remember their passwords no matter what they try, but with our dedicated fixing guide nothing is impossible.

Too many login failures error can prevent you from logging in to Steam, but if you can’t wait for a couple of hours, be sure to try one of the solutions from above.

What happens when the Steam account is locked?

When your Steam account gets locked, you will not be able to access your account and thus will not be able to access any related data.

To resolve this issue and recover your account, you have two options:

Use Steam’s Account Recovery tools (if accessible)
Contact Steam Support and include the account login name and proof of ownership.

As you can see, it’s effortless to recover your account on Steam if you have the correct information.

This is a simple workaround, but it might help you fix the network error that indicated too many login failures.

Frequently asked questions

How long do you have to wait after too many login attempts? You usually have to wait for at least an hour, but you can circumvent this by switching to Opera GX or any other web browser.

Why can’t I log into my Steam account? There are many reasons, but a common one can be a network issue, so it’s advised that you restart your router. Also, check out our complete guide if Windows could not find a driver for the network adapter, and fix this issue in no time.

How do I unlock my steam account for free? The only way to unlock a Steam account and gain access to all features is to spend at least $5 on Steam.

We hope that these fixes were helpful. For more suggestions or other questions, please access the comments section below.

How to Unblock Websites on WiFi Router: Step-by-Step

Posted on September 19, 2022November 12, 2025 by Vlad Constantinescu

It’s important to understand how to unblock websites on your WiFi router if you want to bypass certain restrictions. To make it easier for you, we outlined the exact steps to do this below.

How to unblock websites on a Wi-Fi router?

1. Check parental controls in router settings

Launch your browser of choice
Go to the default gateway on your network (your router’s address)
Switch to Advanced mode
Check the Parental Controls section for any blacklist/whitelist rules
In the Security section, make sure the website is not on the blocked list
After changing the settings (if necessary), restart the router
Check if you can access the website now

2. Flush your DNS

Launch the CMD with administrator rights.
Type ipconfig /flushdns.
Press the Enter key on your keyboard.
Close the command prompt.

3. Change your DNS

Find a DNS you’re comfortable with (we recommend Google, OpenDNS, and Cloudflare).
Launch a CMD instance.
Type ncpa.cpl and hit Enter.
Right-click your active Internet connection and select Properties.
Select TCP/IPv4 and click Properties.
Click the Use the following DNS server addresses radio button.
Type the two DNS servers in the corresponding fields.
Click OK.
Restart your PC.

4. Unblock websites with hosts file

Open File Explorer.
Go to the drive where your Windows is installed (usually it’s C:).
Access the WindowsSystem32driversetc folder.
Right-click the hosts file and open it with Notepad (or your favorite text editor).
Make sure there are no lines of text after the comment lines (the one starting with #).
Save the hosts file.
Restart your PC.

5. Use a VPN

Get a VPN subscription and download the VPN software to your device. We use ExpressVPN because it is very secure and proven to unlock even the strictest platforms.
Install it on your PC.
Launch it and log into your account using the activation code.
Connect to a server in another region (where the website is less likely to be blocked).
Try to access the website again.

VPNs can circumvent geo-restrictions by spoofing your online identity (IP address, DNS, location). ExpressVPN is a great option when it comes to this. All you have to do is install and connect to a server.

ExpressVPN

Unlock any website without being tracked with ExpressVPN’s premium servers.

Free trial Visit website

6. Use a Smart DNS service (for geo-restrictions)

Many online services got smart and detected VPN traffic without too much effort. That’s why sometimes using a VPN won’t work as intended, especially if it lacks obfuscated servers (ones that bypass VPN blocking).

A Smart DNS service lets you access geo-restricted content by eplacimg your DNS address with one of its servers’ addresses, stripping geo-location data from it.

For a complete walkthrough of safe techniques and tools to restore access, see this guide on how to unblock restricted websites.

We hope that our quick guide helped you unblock websites on your WiFi router and access any content you desire.

Remember, if a website is blocked by your ISP or geo-restricted, there’s nothing you can change in your PC’s configuration to make it accessible again other than using third-party specialized tools such as a VPN or a Smart DNS.

And don’t forget that you can easily unblock VPN on your school for complete browsing freedom.

Keygen.exe: What it is and How to Remove it

Posted on September 19, 2022October 9, 2025 by Aleksandar Ognjanovic

Pirated versions of software often come accompanied by security threats. Most of the time, they require secondary applications to run or register.

One of those is Keygen.exe, a simple application that can bring a bag full of malware or spyware right at your front door.

Our intention today is to explain what Keygen.exe is, how it can affect your PC, and how to deal with it. If you’re concerned about the negative effects, look below for a detailed explanation.

Is Keygen safe?

Named also Key Generator, is a hack tool but not malware per se. It mostly comes with pirated software and its main use is to create license keys so users can illegally register the desired application.

Even though this tool isn’t malware by itself, it’s still illegal for obvious reasons, and it can be carrying Trojan, viruses, or data-stealing keyloggers that will damage your PC.

In comparison to cracks, Keygen doesn’t modify any parts of the program. Modifying certain security algorithms enables any random license key to work.

After you’re prompted to insert the license key during the installation, this hack application will generate a code so you can manually insert it.

How can I remove the Keygen.exe virus?

1. Perform a quick virus scan

1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
2. Go to the Update & Security section.
3. Select Windows Security from the left panel.
4. In the right panel, click on Open Windows Security.
5. Select Virus & threat protection, and click on Quick scan.

You can remove the Keygen.exe file from your PC by conducting a virus scan. Your built-in Windows antivirus can scan your PC and not only find the tool, but also provide you with options as to what to do to remove it.

If you’re keen to get rid of Keygen and other related files, you can do it by deleting them manually. Just completely delete the downloaded files and that should be it.

On the other hand, there’s a chance that your system is already infected. Therefore, any infections detected may mean you will have some data loss.

Want to know how to scan your PC with Windows Defender Offline? Check our detailed guide for more info.

2. Use a third-party antimalware software for a deep scan

Making sure that your PC is protected from the effects of the malware presence is of utmost importance. In this case, we suggest a full scan with a modern antivirus solution.

This antivirus is a next-generation security solution that is designed to be fast, stay out of the way, and keep your digital life safe.

It offers complete protection against viruses, worms, spam, spyware, and other malware. This AI-powered antivirus is continually improving itself.

TotalAV

To optimally protect your PC from malware and tools like Keygen, rely on one of the best antiviruses.

Free Trial Visit Website

Even though Keygen.exe isn’t malware, in more than 50% of detections, it carries some kind of malicious software. That’s a risk certain users are willing to take, but we don’t advise you to do that.

We also recommend you keep your computer safe by installing the recommended antivirus or any of these great malware remover tools.

Don’t forget to tell us whether one of the solutions gets you through the problem. If you have any other suggestions or questions, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.

How to Open Multiple Files in Visual Studio Code

Posted on September 19, 2022October 4, 2023 by Vladimir Popescu

Visual Studio Code is a very good source-code editor that was developed by Microsoft.

It has been used efficiently by clients because of its debugging features, embedded GIT control, and many other useful features.

There are situations in which you will surely need to open up at least 2 new tabs while working in VS Code, and even though this option should be available easily, users have problems finding it.

You have the possibility of opening temporary tabs that close automatically, or the option to open files in new tabs that will only be closed once your work on them will be done.

In today’s article, we will discuss some of the best methods to apply in this situation. If you want to find out more details, please read on.

How do I open multiple files in VSCode?

1. Open VS Code on your device.
2. Click File from the upper menu.
3. Choose Preferences from the drop-down list.
4. Click on Settings.
5. A window will appear with the User and Workspace Settings being available. Choose the latter.
6. Search for workbench.editor.showTabs and modify the value to True.
7. Now you start opening as many files as you want in Visual Studio Code. To start off, click once on a file using your mouse. It will be opened in a temporary tab.
8. If you want to open a new tab that stays on your screen until you choose to close it manually, then you will need to double-click on the file.

In order to be able to open multiple files at once in Visual Studio Code, you need to tweak the app’s settings and set the workbench.editor.showTabs option to True.

When the option mentioned above is set to False, then the VS Code will only open one file at a time. If it’s set to True, then you can open as many files as you want in new tabs.

Even though this might seem like an obvious solution for those of you who have experience in VS Code, this method is very simple to apply.

If you are in a situation in which you’re searching for a specific part of a file, so you’re going through a bigger set of documents, it is recommended that you open the files in temporary tabs.

In today’s guide, we explored some of the best options available for you in order to open multiple files inside VS Code.

The first step is to make sure that the settings of VS Code allow you to open multiple files, and then you can simply use your mouse to open up either temporary or normal new tabs.

If this guide has managed to help you understand and control the situation better, or you have any suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact us and share the information.

You can do so by using the comment section found below this article.

How to Defragment Your Disk in Windows 11 (Easy Ways)

Posted on September 19, 2022July 17, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

Defrag Windows 11 using the tools it already has and keep your system running smoothly. Fragmentation builds up over time, and if you’re on a hard drive, it can slow things down fast. Luckily, Windows includes a built-in utility that lets you defragment manually, schedule it, or run quick commands. This guide shows you exactly how to use it.

1. Use the defragmentation tool from Windows

1. Click the Search icon in Taskbar.
2. Type defrag in the search box and select Defragment Optimize Drives from the list of results.
3. When the window opens, you’ll see a list of all your drives and their current defragmentation status.
4. Select the drive that you want to analyze, and click the Analyze button.
5. Wait for the process to finish.
6. If your drive is fragmented, select it and click on Optimize.
7. Wait for the process to finish. It can take a while depending on the fragmentation level.

Your Windows 11 PC has a built-in app that you can use to defragment your hard drive. It is called Defragment Optimize Drives and can be used to easily optimize your PC.

2. Use the Command Line

Press Windows Key + X and choose Windows Terminal (Admin).
To analyze your drive enter the following command, but be sure to replace X with the letter of your drive:
defrag X: /a
After the scan, you’ll see information about your hard drive, including the fragmentation level and a note saying whether you need to defragment your drive.
Now enter the following command to defrag that drive:
defrag X:
Wait for the process to finish.

There are also a couple of hidden commands that might come in handy. To defrag all drives that are available on your PC, use the following command:

defrag /C

To defrag all drives except the specified ones, run this command:

defrag /E X:

How can I schedule defragmentation in Windows 11?

Click on Windows Search (the magnifying glass from Taskbar), type defrag and select the Defragment and Optimize Drives app from the results.
In Scheduled optimization click on Change settings.
Set frequency to Weekly or Monthly.
Now click the Choose button.
Check the drives that you want to schedule defragmentation for and click on OK.
Click OK once again to save the changes.

3. Use Command Prompt

Type cmd in the Start bar.
Under Command Prompt, select Run as administrator.
Type the following command:
defrag C:(replace C with the letter of the drive you want to defrag in Windows 11).
Press Enter and wait for the process to complete.

What does disk defragmentation do?

Disk defragmentation reorganizes scattered data on your hard drive, placing it closer together. This reduces the time the hard drive takes to find and access files, improving your computer’s performance by making data retrieval faster and more efficient.

Should I defragment my SSD?

Solid-state drives don’t require defragmentation because of two reasons:

SSD has no moving parts: the main benefit of defragmentation is performance improvement. With SSDs being 10 to 20 times faster than the best hard drives and having no mechanical disks that need to be read, there’s no need for defragmentation.
SSD has a limited amount of write cycles: SSDs last less than hard drives because they have a limited number of write cycles. This means that moving the files and writing them during the defragmentation process will reduce the lifespan of your SSD by using its write cycles.

How can I optimize my SSD?

Click on Windows Search from Taskbar, type defrag, then select the Defragment and Optimize Drives app.
Click on the SSD drive to select it and clic on Optimize.

It’s not recommended to defragment your SSD but you can optimize it instead, with no risks. The procedure is called trimming, and you can access it just like on an HDD, by using the steps above.

The trim action identifies areas on the disk with unused data. In other words, the files that were deleted and are waiting to be overwritten.

That is because when you delete a file, it doesn’t get erased from the disk. They are only marked as free, available space. But after the trimming process, the data will be deleted.

It’s an active way of optimizing your SSD but it’s not as near as effective as the defragmentation procedure for an HDD.

Wrapping up

Knowing how to defragment your HDD is essential if you want good performance. It can prolong the lifetime of your hard drive and help your PC run smoother.

If you want to keep tabs on this practice, you can also schedule disk d efragmentation.

Take a look at our list including the best SSD for your PC and consider the proper option for your system. Even more, you could also consider using a laptop with both SSD and HDD for increased performance and storage.

How often do you defrag your drive for performance improvements? Let us know in the comments below.

Offline Antivirus for PC: 8 Best to Choose From in 2026

Posted on September 19, 2022October 27, 2025 by Radu Tyrsina

Today’s malware is one of the most significant threats to a home-based or a business computer.

If your system gets infected, it will be less likely that you’ll be able to install and run anything on your system.

To overcome such a situation, it’s recommended that you have an offline/portable virus scanner to scan your Windows 10 system.

A PC that became severely infected may also not have access to the Internet anymore, and that’s why a portable virus scanner plays such a crucial role in your computer.

We’ve listed some of the best offline antivirus programs that are portable tools, and this means that you’ll be able to easily run them from a USB stick for instance.

Check out all their features and see which one seems to fit your security needs best.

What is an offline scan?

An offline scan is an automated feature that can be capable of running when the system doesn’t work because of the damage caused by a virus. It allows the anti-malware engine to detect and remove any threat that’s affecting your PC.

Specialized third-party tools can thoroughly scan and detect malicious threats and eliminate them from your device, optimizing its working state and reassuring its health.

What are the best offline antiviruses?

TotalAV – Various scanning options

TotalAV is an antivirus software that offers excellent virus detection rates thanks to its useful security features.

You can schedule scans for malware, tracking cookies, and junk files to run automatically on your previously-set time. You can also custom scan with which you can pick a single file, folder, or disk to scan.

This program has a Real-Time Protection feature that helps you scan your PC and instantly block threats in real-time before they get a chance to damage your system.

Other impressive features are included too:

Block malicious websites
Spyware removal and adware cleaner
Data Breach search
Advanced WebShield
Multi-device compatibility
Secure password vault

TotalAV

Trustworthy software that protects your PC successfully with its in-depth features.

Check Price Visit Website

Panda Dome – Best-looking service

Panda Dome is an antivirus suite with a multitude of different features and high-quality cybersecurity protection.

It has a Data Shield feature that helps you create a barrier against malware and ransomware. You can choose a specific folder or program, which locks out all unauthorized access to it. By doing so, it cannot be overwritten or else corrupted.

It can also scan your hard drive and automatically find and remove fragments of old files and programs, Windows temporary files, and known log files.

This software successfully blocks access to inappropriate or harmful content and wipes your device data remotely in case of theft or loss.

Here are other key features you should know of:

Secure and manage all your passwords with a single click
Virtual vault to protect your money and confidential data
Pin-protect access to specific apps
30-day money-back guarantee
24/7 technical support

Panda Dome

Protect your PC from any threats with Panda Dome’s useful and unique characteristics.

Free Trial Visit Website

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus – Cutting-edge security and optimization

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus is able to provide superior protection from viruses and other threats compared to the built-in antivirus tool from Windows 10, Windows Defender.

The tool will keep your computer secured against malware, and it will offer enhanced protection against phishing attacks, and suspicious activity.

After you install it, you will probably never have to look at it again. The program will take care of everything in the background, and there won’t be any complex configuration to worry about.

This antivirus was designed for anyone who wants to keep the computer secure without having to worry about complicated details.

Lastly, the interface is accessible and clean with a new streamlined dashboard and specific protection against ransomware.

Check out the best features that are included in this software:

Has an excellent track record of picking up both known and unknown threats
To check the files, you just have to drop them onto the program window
A full scan is also a straightforward process
Network-threat prevention is included in the desktop program
Autopilot technology for automatic malware defense

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

This high-end antivirus is an award-winning solution whether online or offline.

Free trial Visit website

Kaspersky – Powerful protection scores

Kaspersky is a great antivirus solution with various scanning options. You can do a Quick scan that checks the usual places on your device where malware can be found.

You can also opt for a Background Scan to scan your system memory, and disk boot sectors, and even check the applications for any vulnerability.

Furthermore, this software lets you grant access to a blocked device in offline mode only if Kaspersky Security Center is deployed in the organization and a policy has been applied to the computer.

It boosts your system and contributes to the fast operation of your device. It can easily remove threats such as spyware, adware, keyloggers, and hard-to-detect fileless trojans.

Take a look at other worth mentioning features of Kasperksy:

Database regularly updated
Protect your passwords
System optimization
Web protection
System cleanup tools

Kaspersky

An antivirus solution to keep your device safe from any type of threat and increase its health.

Check Price Visit Website

Avira Antivirus – Unique features

Avira Antivirus used to be the most popular free antivirus until the company partnered with Ask.com and its nasty toolbar.

On the other hand, Avira’s detection rates are excellent, and running an offline scan will turn out useful for protecting your computer.

Avira has come a long way in the last few years. The software has undergone some major changes to both its UI and its functionality.

Avira users can now benefit from several sought-after features that most other antivirus solutions do not provide:

Superior virus, malware, and ransomware protection
A free VPN is included with the antivirus which allows you to stay safe and keep your data private
PC booster which increases your system’s performance
Identity protection and password manager that automatically generates strong passwords for your various accounts
Scans your inbox and alerts you to phishing emails
State-of-the-art firewall and PC cleaning solution

VIPRE – Lightest solution

VIPRE is one of the lightest antivirus solutions and that’s a very good feature for portable software.

It comes with free award-winning support and customer service based in the U.S. and it features a fast and simple installation.

The RapidScan technology speeds up future scans by skipping the files found to be safe the previous times.

VIPRE Antivirus Plus is a clean and simple solution that just offers high-quality protection for a reasonable price.

Here are some of the most notable features of VIPRE Antivirus Plus:

Extremely easy to use thanks to a new and modern user interface
Affordable and top-rated protection
30 days money back guaranteed
Cloud-enabled security, anti-threat, and ransomware protection
History cleaner checks the system for data stored on your PC and might hold information about your computer and browsing habits

Emsisoft Emergency Kit – Easy to use

The Emsisoft Emergency Kit is a collection of portable software that comes with a sturdy Malware scanner, HijackFree, and BlitzBlank in the Pro version.

The free version of the software includes a powerful malware scanner that will eliminate deep threats. You can run the program via a USB stick.

A useful option is the Whitelist which will exclude files, folders, and processes from the scan if you choose this.

Check out more of its essential features below:

The software is ideal for rescuing your computer from infections
It supports both the command line and the GUI
You can download it for free, and you can also purchase a pre-compiled USB stick for commercial use
You have to download and run the executables to extract the Emergency Kit
If you run the program on a system without an Internet connection, you have to select No to bypass the online definition update
The website updates the Emergency Kit executable once a day at least
The Quick Scan is just a light scan
The Custom Scan will scan the entire system

eScanAV AntiVirus Toolkit – Straightforward software

eScanAV AntiVirus Toolkit is less well-known than all of the software that we have mentioned above. On the other hand, its detection results place this program in line or even ahead of some major household names.

eScanAV AntiVirus Toolkit also provides an Antivirus Toolkit that is a dedicated portable virus scanner, and this means that it will work even when you’re not connected to the Internet.

Check out the best features that are included in the software:

Straightforward to use and all your options will be placed in just one window
Select which areas and drives you want to scan
Choose if you want to scan or also clean the drives
You can also check the archives

First, it’s recommended that you update the virus definitions that may be out of date, and for this, you’ll need an Internet-enabled computer.

You have to unpack mwav.exe and run mexe.com to launch the program and click Update to get the latest definitions.

You can take the mwav folder to an offline computer after performing the update.

⇒ Get eScanAV AntiVirus Toolkit

These are our picks for the best offline virus scanner for Windows 10 and all of them will do a great job.

Each of them comes with its unique set of useful features, but all of these tools are guaranteed to keep your system safe and clean even while you are offline.

You should also check out our article on the best antiviruses with unlimited validity so that you can benefit from a lifetime license.

Check them all out and after analyzing their features get the best option for your computer’s safety. Drop us a line in the comments section if you have any suggestions or additions.

How to Create and Extract RAR Files on Windows 10

Posted on September 19, 2022September 25, 2025 by Ivan Jenic

RAR files are one of the most popular and most used types of files on PCs, and their usage didn’t change in Windows 10.

So in this article, we’re going to talk about RAR files, how to create them, how to extract them, and more.

What is this article for?

The tools that we’ve written about in this article and that we use on a daily basis, are very useful in case you are also searching for:

How to download .rar files on Windows 10 – Downloading .rar files is no different from any other common file, such as a .txt document. Once downloaded, follow the article to learn how to see and extract the contents.
How to open .rar file in Windows 10 – Any of the tools recommended can open .rar file and let you see the content of that file.
How to unrar files on Windows 10 – The process of extracting the files from a .rar file is also commonly called unrar. Therefore, you need to download and install the recommended tools.

What is a RAR File?

RAR file is a compressed file that is used for storing larger files in archives, in order to take less space on the hard disk or transfer easier.

You’ll easily recognize RAR files because it uses a file name extension .rar.

Unfortunately, Microsoft didn’t add native support to Windows 10, despite users’ demands, so to manage .rar files, we’ll have to use a third-party program.

Since we’re talking about .rar files only, probably the most popular program for creating and extracting .rar archives is WinRAR.

Also, you can learn how to extract files in Windows 10 without WinRAR with our comprehensive guide, so be sure not to miss it.

How do I make and extract a RAR file in Windows 10?

1. Make a RAR file using WinRAR

Just right-click on the file or folder you want to compress, and click on Add to archive…
Now just name your archive and press OK (you don’t have to touch other options, because everything is already set)
And there you go, you created a .rar archive, and it will appear next to file/folder you compressed

To create a .rar archive/file, you need to download WinRAR first. After that, it can’t be simpler, just follow the steps above.

If you’re compressing a larger file, you’ll notice that it takes less size on the disk than the original, so you can move it quicker.

Once you create an archive, all files will stay in it, no matter if the original is still present on your PC, so even if you delete the original file, you’ll still be able to access it in the WinRAR archive.

Also, if you are looking for the best file compression tools for Windows 10, our detailed guide will help you.

2. Extract a RAR file in Windows 10

1. Open the WinRAR archive you want to extract files from.
2. Select the files you want to extract.
3. Click on Extract to.
4. Choose the destination path where you want your files to be extracted.
5. Finally, click on OK to begin the extraction process.

Extracting .rar files from an archive to a Windows 10 computer is as simple as creating a .rar archive, maybe even simpler.

You just need to open the archive and drag files that you want to extract from the archive to a folder on your computer.

That’s all, you now know how to create and extract .rar files with WinRAR. You don’t have to strictly use WinRAR for managing .rar files, but we consider it’s the best solution.

However, if you don’t like WinRAR, you can use WinZip, which also can handle .rar files exceptionally well.

3. Create a RAR file using WinZip

Go to File, select new Zip file, and add the file that you want to convert into a .rar file
Select the Zip option located in the left-hand panel, and hit OK.
In the right-hand panel, select which actions you want to enable before saving the file: Encrypt/ Reduce photo size/ Convert to PDF/ Add a watermark.
Under Share or save Zip you can choose to create the new zip file, email it or share it on social media.

If WinRAR feels a bit too old, or you are looking for way more options, such as integration with your favorite cloud storage, you should download, install, and use WinZip.

Once installed, be sure to follow the steps above to create a .rar archive/file using WinZip.

”WinZip”

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4. Make RAR files online

If you don’t want to download and install a dedicated tool to create and extract RAR files, you can also use online resources to generate RAR files.

One of the most popular online RAR converters is Zamzar. This tool supports over 1,000 different file conversion types, including compressed formats.

All you need to do is upload the file(s) that you want to compress, select the format to convert to, enter your email address to receive the converted files, and then hit the convert button.

There you go, if you want to create and extract RAR files, you basically have two options: you can download and install a dedicated tool or use an online platform.

If you’ve got other tips on how to create RAR files on Windows 10, let us know in the comments section below.

How to Change the Default Terminal in Windows 11

Posted on September 19, 2022August 2, 2024 by Milan Stanojevic

Windows Terminal is the default command-line tool on Windows 11, and it replaces the PowerShell and Command Prompt.

The software has many improvements and can run various shell interfaces side by side, so you won’t have to learn to use a new tool from scratch.

Thanks to this feature, there’s no need to start Command Prompt, PowerShell, or any other shell individually since you can run them all from a single application.

Windows Terminal can run multiple shell interfaces; therefore, many users wonder if it is possible to set a default command-line shell.

We’re happy to inform you that this is one of the features that the Terminal supports, and in this guide, we will show you how to easily change the default Terminal in Windows 11.

Is Windows Terminal a new application?

Windows Terminal is a modern terminal app for Windows that works with various shells such as Command Prompt, PowerShell, and Windows Subsystem for Linux.

Do keep in mind that Windows Terminal isn’t a new application. It was released in 2019 and is available for download from the Microsoft Store for Windows 10.

You can easily install Windows Terminal when using Windows 10, yet with Windows 11, the Terminal is now the default command-line application, so there’s no need to download and install it separately.

Are Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell still available in Windows 11?

Yes, Command Prompt and Windows PowerShell are available in Windows 11, and Windows Terminal can run both or any other installed shell interface.

If you want to use PowerShell or Command Prompt instead of Windows Terminal, you can search for them and open the app the same way you did on previous versions of Windows.

If you want to know quick ways to open Terminal on Windows 11, we suggest you read this guide.

How can I change the default Terminal in Windows 11?

1. Change the Terminal settings

1. Click the Search icon in the Taskbar.
2. Now type Windows Terminal in the search box and select the app from the list of results.
3. Click the down arrow next to the Open tab and choose Settings from the menu.
4. Now select the desired Default profile.
5. Click Save.

In order to change the default terminal on Windows 11, you can access Windows Terminal’s settings and modify them to your liking.

Your default command-line shell can be changed, and each time you start the Terminal, the selected application will be used to process your commands.

2. Change the Command Prompt or PowerShell settings

Open Command Prompt (or PowerShell). You can do that by opening Search, typing command prompt, and choosing Command Prompt from the list of results.
Right-click the title bar and choose Defaults.
Navigate to the Terminal tab and change the Default Terminal Application. Click OK to save the changes.

If you have issues starting PowerShell, be sure to check our Windows PowerShell has stopped working guide to see how to fix them properly.

What features does Windows Terminal have?

Windows Terminal has many unique features, and the first one that you’ll notice is the multi-tab interface allowing you to open several tabs.

This is crucial because the Terminal works with multiple shells so that you can use both Command Prompt and PowerShell from a single application.

Customization features are plentiful; you can rename tabs, give them different colors to distinguish them better, or change the color scheme of the entire application.

Lastly, Windows Terminal has a dedicated search feature to easily find any output.

How can I open Windows Terminal?

1. Use the WinX menu

Press Windows Key + X.
Now select Windows Terminal from the list.

2. Use the Run dialog

Press Windows Key + R.
Now type wt and press Enter.

3. Use the context menu

Right-click any open directory.
Now choose Open in Windows Terminal from the menu.

Keep in mind that this method will open the Terminal in that directory and not in the default one.

4. Use Search

Press Windows Key + S.
Enter Windows Terminal and select Windows Terminal from the list of results.

The Terminal is an excellent command-line tool, and changing the default Terminal in Windows 11 is simple and can be performed in seconds.

By default, the Terminal is set to run PowerShell, and from it, you should be able to run most commands, but if you need to switch your default shell, you can do it with the instructions from our guide.

Things aren’t at all complicated if you’re a Mac user, either. You can quickly open a file from Mac Terminal to make commands shorter and easier to remember.

If you want to learn more, our guide on Command Prompt vs Windows Terminal dives into the differences between the two, so don’t miss it.

Also, you might want to visit our guide and learn how to clear CMD if you want to keep your command line clutter-free.

Are you using the new command line in Windows 11 as well? Let us know in the comments section below what you think of it.

7 Ways to Fix Microsoft Flight Simulator if it Keeps Crashing

Posted on September 19, 2022October 7, 2025 by Madhuparna Roy

Microsoft Flight Simulator is a popular game across the world that allows you to test your piloting skills and virtually travel the world.

With this flight simulation game, you can enjoy flying highly detailed and accurate aircraft in the next generation of Microsoft Flight Simulator.

However, it’s prone to crashes, and this is common whether you are playing the game on Xbox, on Windows 10/11, or even on system startup.

But, if you are looking for the best PC flight simulator games for Windows 10/11, you can refer to our recommendations in our detailed post.

Why does my Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 keep crashing?

There can be different reasons why Microsoft Flight Simulator keeps crashing, and some of the common causes include:

The system does not meet the minimum requirements
Outdated graphics drivers
Corrupted game files
A glitch with the overlay apps
If your PC does not support the game
Interference by the startup apps
A bug in the game

Before we proceed to the next section, you must check if your PC meets the minimum requirements:

CPU	Intel Core i5-4460 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200 or higher
RAM	8GB
OS	Windows 10 64-bit
Video Card	Radeon RX 570 or GeForce GTX 770 or higher
Pixel Shader	5.0
Vertex Shader	5.0
Free disk space	150 GB
Dedicated Video Memory	2048 MB

As a preliminary troubleshooting step, you may also restart the Xbox console or restart Microsoft Flight Simulator, and this helps fix the issue in some cases.

But, if Microsoft Flight Simulator still keeps crashing, we have some workarounds that can help you fix the issue.

How do I fix the Microsoft flight simulator if it keeps crashing?

1. Microsoft flight simulator keeps crashing windows 11/10

1.1 Increase Virtual Memory

Press the Win + R keys simultaneously to launch the Run console.
Type sysdm.cpl in the search bar and hit Enter.
Next, in the System Properties dialog, select the Advanced tab and click on Settings under Performance.
Now, in the Performance Options window, go to the Advanced tab, and under Virtual memory, press the Change button.
Here, deselect Automatically manage paging file size for all drives, and select Custome size.
Now, in the Initial size and Maximum size fields, enter the values based on the physical memory of your computer which should be memory should be 1.5 to 3 times the size of physical memory.
For example, in my case, the physical memory (RAM) of my PC is 4 GB.
So, for me, the Initial size will be 4 x 1024 x 1.5 = 6144 MB, and the Maximum size should be 4x 1024 x 3 = 12288 MB.
Once done, click Set and then click on OK to save the changes and exit.

1.2 Perform a Game Files Verification

Open Steam, and navigate to the Library.
Now, right-click on Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and select Properties.
Next, go to the Local Files tab on the left.
On the right, click on Verify integrity of game files.

Once the process is over, you can open Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and test your flight.

1.3 Change your power plan

Press the Win + R keys together to open the Run console.
Type powercfg.cpl in the search field and hit Enter.
Next, select High Performance and click on Change plan settings.
Next, go to Turn off the display field and select Never for both On battery and Plugged in options. Click Save changes.

Now, open Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and see if the problem has gone away.

2. Microsoft flight simulator keeps crashing Xbox

2.1 Try to use a different profile

On your controller, press the Xbox button on the top.
Next, click on Profile & System and select Add or switch.
Now, try using or switching to a different profile. If only one profile is available then select the Add new option to add another profile that you can use for checking.

2.2 Disable Air Traffic In-Game

Go to the Microsoft Flight Simulator options.
Now, navigate through General settings, and click on the Traffic tab.
After that, click on Aviation Traffic, and turn off the Aircraft Traffic Type.

3. Microsoft flight simulator keeps crashing on startup

Download & install Microsoft Visual C++

Visit the official Microsoft page for Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 Redistributable Update 3 RC.
On the page, scroll down and click on Download.
Once downloaded, follow the on-screen instructions to finish installing the package.

Now, restart your PC and the Microsoft Flight Simulator keeps crashing issue should be resolved.

4. MSFS crashing after update

Press the Win + E keys simultaneously to launch the File Explorer, and go to the location where you have installed Microsoft Flight Simulator.
If you have installed the Windows Store version, below is the path: C:\Users[Your User Name]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages\
But, if you have installed the Steam versions, then below is the path: C:\Users[Your User Name]\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.FlightDashboard_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages\
Now, go to the Community folder, select all content and hit Delete.

Now, close the Nvidia control panel (if using one) and launch the MSFS app to check if it’s still crashing after the update.

5. Update graphics drivers

Press the Win + R keys together to open the Run console.
In the search bar, 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.
Next, in the Update Drivers window, click on Search automatically for drivers.
Now, Windows will look for the latest driver and finish the installation automatically.

If you want an easier and safer option, then you should use a specialized tool that will perform this process automatically without any effort.

Professional software, such as Fortect Driver Updater is great at this task, as it allows you to scan for and update all your drivers in just a few minutes.

⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

6. Install all pending Windows updates

Press the Win + I shortcut keys to launch Windows Settings.
Click on Windows Update on the left.
Now, on the right, click on Check for updates.
Windows will now start looking up any latest updates. If available, it will display the results.
Click on the Download & install to download the update.
Now, click on Restart now to restart your PC and install the updates.

Once the updates are installed, try playing Microsoft Flight Simulator and it should not be crashing anymore.

7. Allow the game in Firewall

Open the Run console by pressing the Win + R hotkeys.
In the search box, type firewall.cpl and hit Enter.
Next, in the Windows Defender Firewall page, click on Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall.
Now, in the Allowed applications window, click on Change settings.
Go to the list of Allowed apps and features and look for Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Select the app and check the box next to both Private and Public.

How can I make the Microsoft Flight Simulator run smoother?

Microsoft Flight Simulator is a game and app like all others running on your Windows system. So, here are some tips on how to improve its performance:

➡ Close all other apps – All the apps use resources so make sure you are only running Microsoft Flight Simulator when you want to play

➡ Terminate unused processes – Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to run Task Manager select any unnecessary processes and click on End task to close them

➡ Use minimized settings – If you have a low-end PC, enter the game’s settings and turn all the graphical features to minimum; the game won’t look so nice but it will run a lot smoother.

If none of the above methods work, you can uninstall and reinstall Microsoft Flight Simulator to check if this helps fix the issue.

But, if you are using the Xbox console, make sure that the Xbox software is up-to-date. At the same time, the Microsoft Flight Simulator app should also be updated to the latest version.

To fix other Microsoft Flight Simulator issues in Windows 11, you can follow our post for some troubleshooting methods.

If you have any other queries related to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, do leave a message in the comments box below.

Superfetch on Windows 11: How to Disable it in 3 Steps

Posted on September 19, 2022October 4, 2023 by Kazim Ali Alvi

There are various services running on the PC dealing with a bunch of activities. One of the critical ones is Superfetch that’s often found to hog the system resources. As a result, several users have been looking for ways to disable Superfetch in Windows 11.

The feature is meant to boost the performance and reduce the loading time for apps but can act quite the contrary by slowing down the Windows. This is generally noticed on PCs with low specifications and with an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) installed.

So, we decided to dedicate this guide to help you understand the feature, and list all the ways to disable Superfetch in Windows 11.

What is Superfetch?

Previously known as SysMain, the Superfetch feature is designed to maintain and improve the system performance over time, at least that’s what the official description reads.

The feature takes note of the pattern in which you open apps, and pre-loads them to the memory beforehand to save time. For instance, if you open a particular program every day at a certain time, Superfetch will automatically have it loaded.

It will only take up the unused part of the memory and if your computer runs out of it, Superfetch will clear some of the loaded apps to free up RAM.

This gives you a basic idea of its functioning. However, several users have experienced considerably poor performance with Superfetch enabled, and want to disable it in Windows 11. If you too are facing the same problem, here are the three ways you can do it.

How do I turn off Superfetch in Windows 11?

1. Use the Services app

Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter Services in the text field at the top, and click on the relevant search result.
Locate the SysMain entry here, right-click on it, and select Properties from the context menu. Alternatively, you can double-click on the service.
Now, click on the Startup type dropdown menu, and select Disabled from the list of options.
Next, click on the Stop button under Service status if it is currently running, and then click on OK at the bottom to save the changes.
Once done restart the computer for the changes to come into effect.

This is probably the simplest method to disable Superfetch in Windows 11. It’s easy to execute and doesn’t require any intricate commands or modifying the dreaded Registry.

However, if you want to make the change quicker, head to the next method.

2. Use Command Prompt

1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu.
2. Enter Terminal in the text field, right-click on the relevant search result, and select Run as administrator from the context menu.
3. Click Yes in the UAC (User Account Control) prompt that pops up.
4. Press on the downward-facing arrow at the top, and select Command Prompt. Alternatively, you can hit Ctrl + Shift + 2 to launch Command Prompt in a new tab.
5. Now, paste the following command and hit Enter to stop the service: net.exe stop sysmain
6. Next, execute the following command to disable Superfetch from loading at startup: sc config sysmain start=disabled

For those who prefer using the command line to execute tasks, there is the option to disable Superfetch on Windows 11 PCs via Command Prompt.

What you need to do is input two commands: one for disabling the service, and one for preventing it from loading at Startup.

3. Use the Registry Editor

Press Windows + R to launch the Run command, enter regedit in the text field, and either click on OK or hit Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
Click Yes in the UAC prompt that pops up.
Now, paste the following path in the address bar at the top, and hit Enter or you can follow it using the navigation pane on the left:Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters
Right-click on the empty space, hover the cursor over New and select DWORD (32-bit) Value from the context menu.
Name the entry as EnableSuperfetch, and then double-click on it to modify the properties.
Enter 0 in the text field under Value data and then click on OK to save the changes.
After making the changes, restart the computer for the changes to come into effect.

Many prefer using the Registry to make changes to the computer, and the steps listed here will help you use it to disable Superfetch in Windows 11.

Though, remember to be cautious during the process and not make any changes other than the ones listed here.

Should I disable Superfetch in Windows 11?

Amongst the many methods to boost Windows 11 performance, disabling Superfetch is generally mentioned somewhere near the top. And the best part, doing so carries no risk.

Also, there are cases when the feature doesn’t offer any considerable benefits. For instance, if you have Windows 11 stored on an SSD, the loading time itself is low, and Superfetch doesn’t play much of a role here.

But, if you notice that the RAM consistently runs full or the Disk usage is high, disabling Superfetch might do the trick. So, disable the feature and check if it works. In case it does, keep it turned off, otherwise, revert the changes.

By now, you know all the ways to disable Superfetch in Windows 11. And, if your PC has been running slow, this would help improve the performance.

Also, discover the best Windows 11 settings for improved performance. These would help ensure optimal resource allocation and consumption.

If you have any other queries, drop a comment in the section below.

5 Best BSoD Fixers to Repair Blue Screen Errors Effortlessly

Posted on September 19, 2022July 28, 2026 by Radu Tyrsina

Installing the latest Windows updates can often make your computer go straight into Blue Screen of Death errors, such as the unexpected_store_exception error, or even critical_process_died Windows 11 issue. Having a reliable BSoD fixer is the best way to avoid disaster.

What are the best BSoD repair tools?

We tested 10 best BSoD in the WR labs and came out with the best solutions based on the numbers of problems they can fix, the ease of use, performance and the reliability of the apps and here’s what we’ve found:

Software	Feature set	Ease of use + design	Resource consumption	Efficiency
Fortect	Repairs and restores the OS, repairs the Registry, cleans up your PC, replaces/restores DLL files and more.	10/10	Low	9/10
Wondershare Recoverit	Recovers any damaged files selectively on your system or on other media.	10/10	Medium	8/10
Tweaking Windows Repair	Clears BSoD system errors, network issues and uses backup and restore for the Registry.	9/10	Medium	9/10
Smart Blue Screen of Death Fixer Pro	Fixes BSoD errors and focuses mainly on the Registry.	8/10	High	9/10
WhoCrashed	Provides complete system assessment, pointing out to problems and corresponding solutions to fix them	7/10	Low	7/10

What are the best BSoD repair tools?

Fortect – Great OS reconditioning

Next on the list is Fortect, an excellent program designed to repair and optimize your computer with multiple helpful features.

With this software, you can run a meticulous scan of your device to find its exact condition and deficiencies, such as BSoD errors, that slow down your PC performance.

Fortect is able to show you a comparison between your operating system and a system in an excellent state to see all the irregularities that can cause damage and ultimately correct them.

It can help you fix or replace corrupted or missing files, including DLLs and Registry keys, and automatically ensure an optimal state for your computer.

You can easily free up space and perform a PC cleanup by removing junk files, build-ups, and other files that clog your folders, disk, and hard drive.

Furthermore, Fortect will safeguard your system due to its ability to scan for faulty and incompatible hardware that may lead to errors that cause the blue screen of death.

Take a look at Fortect’s best features:

Windows damage repairing
Restore the OS
Boost Windows Registry
Plans for protecting multiple PCs
PC scan and assessment

Fortect

Easily fix multiple errors and keep your computer in a great state with this amazing software.

Free Trial Download now

Wondershare Recoverit – User-friendly interface

Recoverit from Wondershare is a useful piece of software that will help greatly when dealing with Blue Screen of Death errors on your computer.

This safe and reliable computer data recovery software was designed with ease of use, thus allowing you to control all aspects of how the program is run from a user-friendly main hub.

Recoverit can restore any lost files, whether audio, photos, or normal files, thus being an important step in bouncing back from a BSoD that affected your PC’s storage.

Here are some specific formats this software can easily recover to your system:

Audio: AIF/AIFF, M4A, MP3, WAV, WMA, MID/MIDI, OGG, AAC, etc.
Photo: JPG, TIFF/TIF, PNG, BMP, GIF, PSD, CRW, CR2, NEF, etc.
Documents: DOC/DOCX, XLS/XLSX, PPT/PPTX,/XLSX, etc.
Video: AVI, MOV, MP4, M4V, 3GP, 3G2, WMV, ASF, FLV, etc.
Message and Emails: PST, DBX, EMLX, etc.
Archives: ZIP, RAR, SIT, etc.

To ensure that you will not be missing any files, no matter where they are stored, the developers also included a feature that recovers data from an external HDD or SSD, memory cards, flash drives, and even digital cameras. Besides that, you can also recover files that have been deleted by mistake and are found in the Recycle bin.

A tool that offers these features can be a lifesaver, as it will ensure that no matter if you’re experiencing a drive getting formatted, a corrupted sector of data, virus attacks, or system crashes, Recoverit will be able to help.

Here are some other useful features:

Quick processing of data
Easy-to-understand user interface
Selective recovery features
Covers a wide range of data loss scenarios

Wondershare Recoverit is a licensed-based software with three different packages available. Each plan is available as a 1-year license, a one-month license, or a perpetual license.

Wondershare Recoverit

Quickly restore lost and deleted files and overcome BSOD problems with this intuitive tool.

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Tweaking Windows Repair – Automatic updates

Tweaking Windows Repair is an astonishingly useful software that has the capability to resolve any BSoD errors within just a few minutes.

The step-by-step design of the BSoD repair tool was created in this manner to ensure that no elements are skipped, and this simplifies the actions the user needs to take as well.

To start the software, all you have to do is click on Step 1 and follow the on-screen instructions. You will be guided all the way to the very end of the process, where all the issues that caused the BSOD will be resolved.

As a bonus, the main hub of the software offers you quick access to any of its menus and gives you a useful overview of all the elements contained in this powerful software.

This software from Tweaking is capable of resolving BSoD errors and can tackle almost any type of error or problem you might encounter on a Windows platform.

You can easily resolve problems like registry errors, file permissions problems, Internet Explorer issues, Internet connection problems, and many more.

Even though the interface is not polished and beautifully designed like in the case of other software options, Tweaking Windows Repair makes up for it when it comes to usability.

There is only a small advantage to having slick-looking software, but the goal of this program is to ensure that your system works correctly, and isn’t created with looks in mind.

Other notable features:

Permissions backup and restore of the registry files
Cleans up entries in Windows Firewall
Unhides files to thoroughly identify malware
Enables access to Windows services tools

Tweaking Windows Repair is a licensed product with packages available for one or multiple PCs.

Tweaking Windows Repair

Resolve BSOD errors with this powerful software that thoroughly scans and fixes system issues.

Check Price Visit Website

Smart Blue Screen of Death Fixer Pro – Registry backup

Smart Blue Screen of Death Fixer Pro is another excellent tool that comes in handy for dealing with a BSOD issue.

This great BSoD repair software is one of the world’s top award-winning registry cleaners, boasting millions of downloads now.

Smart Blue Screen of Death Fixer scans the entire drive to ensure there’s no unwanted fragment of software left behind, and it automatically downloads the brand-new program you might need.

The software is so popular due to its great set of features, which not only thoroughly scans and identifies issues, but is also capable of replacing files, fixing them, and optimizing their usage on your system.

This tool is equivalent to using eight separate products, as you get access to unrelated features, but all deal with system stability and stabilizability.

The developers ensured that the application doesn’t take much space on your hard drive, is easy to install, and is even easier to use. The menus and options are designed for simplicity, but that doesn’t take away from the actual capabilities found in the backend.

Using the tool regularly will result in smaller risks for data loss and an extended lifespan for your hard drive.

Other useful features:

Optimizes menus, desktop environments, networks, services, and start-up features
Scans and cleans registries, junk files, shortcuts, etc.
Variety of system tools including an uninstaller manager, file splitter, disk defragmentation, etc.
Backs up your registry, system restore, folders, files, etc.

⇒ Get Smart Blue Screen of Death Fixer Pro

WhoCrashed – Detailed analysis

WhoCrashed is an excellent program that can reveal the drivers responsible for your computer’s crash, allowing you to fix the issue and acting as a preventive measure.

Even though it has a simple user interface, don’t get fooled by appearances, as this old-school-looking application can pack a punch.

WhoCrashed will show you the drivers that have been crashing your computer with just a single click of the mouse, thus eliminating the need for the user to go through laborious processes to initiate the recovery.

This tool performs a so-called post-mortem crash dump analysis as described above, presenting all the gathered data most comprehensively for the user while offering guidance in tracing the cause of the problem.

The best part about this process is that you won’t need any debugging skills to be able to know what drivers are troubling your computer running Windows and also how to fix them.

This tool is available as a free download, and it’s packed with lots of useful features:

Scans your dump files, and it provides an estimation of what exactly caused your system to crash
Predicts whether the fault was the computer’s hardware or if it was software-related
Provides a bug check code, the error message, and the path of the file that ultimately caused the error
Comes with a more advanced version that provides a more detailed analysis via symbol resolution.

⇒ Get WhoCrashed

You can pick any of these tools from the list to fix BSoD errors like Critical_structure_corruption and restore your system to normal functionality.

What causes BSOD errors?

➡ Hardware malfunction

This issue can arise whether you’ve recently installed a new SSD or have existing hardware problems. Malfunctions can start from improper component connections, power loss, or broken elements, often leading to common BSOD errors like PFN_LIST_CORRUPT. Hardware damage can occur due to extreme temperature or voltage conditions.

To ensure that this is not a possible problem, it is recommended that you use a good computer monitoring tool that allows you to check these factors whenever you need to.

➡ Corrupted DLLs or system files

DLL files are the instruction manual of your system, so when and if one or more get corrupted, this can affect how your PC works.

Damage to DLLs can appear because of mistakenly deleting one, malware attacks, and faulty application installations.

The damaged DLL must be replaced with a fresh new one for the system to function without issues.

➡ Device drives improperly written

Sometimes, whenever you create a new partition or during the installation process of a new OS, some drives might encounter errors while being written.

This can happen because of issues with your HDD or the partition software that you’re using. A BSOD can appear, stopping you from accessing your files entirely.

➡ Power supply issues

If your power supply has issues, then this will cause the voltage required for running the hardware on your motherboard to fluctuate. This, in turn, causes the components to malfunction; thus, a BSOD error can appear on your screen.

➡ Full PC memory

Having your PC memory full will hinder the OS’s ability to process information promptly and thus cause issues with the software, which in turn could cause issues with the hardware.

To avoid this problem, it is recommended that you use a PC optimization tool that can quickly identify any clutter and resolve it promptly.

Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about finding an effective method to fix blue screen issues or prevent the file loss triggered by them because some third-party BSoD fixer tools can cover all the risk factors mentioned above.

What can you do to prevent BSODs?

➡ Keep your drivers updated

Even though this might seem like an obvious part of our day-to-day usage of PCs, most of us forget how important drivers are.

Driver issues are the elements that don’t allow your software and hardware to function as intended, and it is one of the most common reasons for BSOD errors.

You can update your drivers by right-clicking Start and opening the Device Manager. Then, right-click the hardware components and choose the Update driver options.

If you want to simplify this process further and ensure that drivers are updated automatically across time, then a specialized driver updater software like Outbyte Driver Updater can help.

➡ Only install compatible software

Running incompatible software on your PC can cause system instability. The bad effect this will have on your system is related to the importance of the software you installed.

To avoid causing BSOD errors, like the Clock Watchdog Timeout Error we spoke about already, make sure that the software you’re installing is made to run optimally in your version of Windows, whether it’s Windows 7, Windows 10, or the latest Windows 11.

In case you already have incompatible software installed on your PC, you can access the Add or Remove programs app on your computer by using the Start search to find it.

If you want to be entirely sure that all traces of said programs have been removed from your system, you can also use a third-party uninstaller tool.

Finally, you can also use the integrated tools to diagnose your system and help it recover from a BSoD.

How to fix a BSoD on Windows 10 using Command Prompt?

Open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges.
Type the following command in the prompt windows: sfc /scannow
This will scan your system for signs of corruption.
Then, insert this line: chkdsk /f C:
Note that this command will check the disk where Windows is installed for errors. Make sure to replace C: with the letter corresponding to your drive if it is different.
This tool will find damaged system files and replace them with sain ones if it can.
Finally, restart your PC and check if the BSoD has disappeared.

Some users have a hard time opening the CMD as admins; if that’s your case, we got your back. If the native tools fail to solve your issue, your best bet is to use a professional BSoD fixer like the recommended ones.

As you can see from this guide, a wide range of possible software options can resolve BSoD issues on your Windows device. However, if your intent is to force a BSoD error, restarting your system should do the trick.

We recommend you work your way down the list and choose the best fit for your situation. For more options to pick from, take a look at this best PC repair tools article as well.

Feel free to contact us by using the comments section below this guide.

5 Ways To Fix FuboTV When It Keeps Buffering

Posted on September 19, 2022September 13, 2025 by Loredana Harsana

A buffering wheel may appear briefly at the start of a stream. If this happens frequently or in the middle of a video stream, it could indicate that your Internet speed and strength are poor.

This slowdown occurs when multiple devices, such as phones, laptops, game consoles, or tablets, share a single internet connection.

You will need to troubleshoot the problem and fix your fuboTV when it keeps buffering even after trying other fixes.

When you’re eager to watch a movie or TV show, the annoying spinning circle or arrow that indicates buffering is the last thing you want to see.

This article will cover the problems and provide you with all the practical solutions we’ve discovered.

To learn more about fixing your fuboTV when it keeps buffering, read our related guide on how to stop HBO Max from buffering.

Why is fuboTV constantly buffering?

You can consider these factors:

Slow Internet connection – Although fuboTV will adjust the video quality to match your connection speed, a slow Internet connection may cause the app to buffer continuously
Router problems – If your router is not set up correctly or has some issues, your connection may be inconsistent or too slow; try restarting or reconfiguring it
The video resolution is too high – Forcing the resolution to Full HD or 4K with a slow Internet connection may bring the streaming to a halt

Before starting any troubleshooting, make sure that your Internet connection speed is on par with fuboTV’s requirements:

Resolution	Continuous speed required	Device
480p	3+ Mb/s	Smartphones and small tablets
720p	7+ Mb/s	Larger tablets and connected devices (Roku, Apple TV, Web)
1080p	10+ Mb/s	Some video-on-demand using connected devices (Roku, Apple TV, etc)
4K	25+ Mb/s	4K devices

As you may clearly see, the higher the resolution, the faster your Internet connection speed should be. Check the information provided by your ISP and see if they match.

To check your Internet connection speed, you may use a third-party service like Ookla’s Speed Test website.

Quick Tip

A solution for preventing or solving streaming buffering is using a reliable VPN service. ExpressVPN can help you enhance your viewing experience by reducing lag and bypassing bandwidth throttling by your internet source.

This VPN also keeps your online activity more private and secure, as your connection is safeguarded with tunneling and encryption, thus third-parties like ISPs are powerless to inspect your data packets.

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How do I stop my fuboTV from buffering?

1. Check the fuboTV server status

Sometimes, the fuboTV servers may be down or in maintenance so the first step would be to verify the service status.

FuboTV has a dedicated page to check the status of its services so that should be an easy task.

If you see that the Streaming service is not operational, just wait until it comes back online.

2. Restart the stream and the fuboTV app

A certain channel may not be working at the moment. That’s why you should try changing to another channel, wait a few minutes, then return to the channel you had problems with.

Another solution is to close the fuboTV app completely on your PC or streaming device and open it again.

3. Clear the web browser’s or the app’s cache

Launch the Chrome browser.
Press Ctrl + H to open the history tab.
Click on Clear browsing data on the left pane.
Select what you wish to delete, then click on Clear data.

Clearing the cache of fuboTV is a very efficient way to fix any issues with streaming. We have shown you above how to do that in Chrome but the process is very similar in other browsers as well.

If you’re using fuboTV on Amazon Fire, go to the Applications from Settings, then select Manage installed Applications, choose fuboTV and pick Clear Cache from the menu.

For the Android mobile app, navigate to the Storage settings on your device, find the fuboTV app, and tap the Clear Cache button.

Yet, to make sure that all cached data and cookies are cleared, we recommend CCleaner, a great tool to clean your PC from junk, free up some memory and optimize PC speed.

⇒ Get CCleaner

Also, we can recommend getting a better browser to watch fuboTV from anywhere in the world.

4. Reinstall your app

Click the Start button on Windows and select Settings.
Then go to Apps on the left pane and choose Apps & features from the right.
Look for fuboTV app on the list of apps, click on the three vertical dots to its right and select Uninstall.
After the process is complete, open Microsoft Store, search for fuboTV, and install it again.

In the solution above, we showed you how to reinstall the app on Windows 11, but the process is very similar in Windows 10.

5. Change the video quality

To change the video quality of your FuboTV tv while watching a video, press the Settings icon in the bottom right corner of your screen.
Choose a low-quality setting from the choices under Video Quality.
Watch your video for some minutes to see if the buffering continues.

As we’ve written at the beginning of this article, fuboTV matches the resolution with your Internet connection automatically but you can force a lower resolution from its settings.

How can I improve my stream quality?

First, all the streaming apps buffer the video before playing it so the action itself is perfectly OK. The problem comes when the buffering can’t keep up with the viewing.

Here are a few pointers on how to improve the streaming quality:

➡ Use a cable connection – By using an Ethernet connection instead of Wi-Fi, you can considerably improve the quality of your live stream because the Internet connection will be a lot more stable

➡ Limit background tasks – Numerous apps are continuously running in the background of every computer and some of them use the Internet connection so close as many as you can

➡ Close unused tabs – If you’re watching fuboTV in your browser, close the tabs you’re not using at the moment because they may use your precious Internet connection

That’s it! We hope that now the fuboTV buffering issue has been solved and now you can watch your favorite shows.

You might also be interested in our list of 13 fixes for video streaming problems in Windows 10/11.

If you have any questions or you know other working solutions we might have missed, leave your comments below.

How to Create Email Groups in Windows 10 Mail

Posted on September 19, 2022October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

Over the years, Windows went through various changes and we got many new features and applications.

One of these new applications is the Mail app, and even though this app is simple to use, it seems that users can’t send emails to a contact group in Windows 10.

Can I create email groups in Windows 10 Mail?

Mail app is a default email client in Windows 10, and it does a great job for the most part. The New Mail app offers a clean design and simple user interface, but unfortunately, it seems that option to send emails to contact groups is missing from the new Mail app.

Contact groups are one of the most useful features of every email client because they allow you to easily send an email message to certain groups of people, such as your colleagues or family members for example.

With this feature, missing users have to manually enter all email addresses in order to send an email to a group of people. Even though this is a major flaw, there are a few ways to circumvent this problem.

In this article we’re going to cover the following topics:

Create a group in Windows 10 Mail – Groups aren’t fully supported in Windows 10 Mail, however, there are a few workarounds that you can use in order to send emails to multiple contacts.
Windows 10 Mail distribution list – The Distribution list feature is completely missing from the Mail app, and if you want to send an email to multiple contacts, you’ll have to use one of our solutions.

How can I send emails to a contact group in Windows 10?

1. Use an alternative email client

The Mail app doesn’t have native support for contact groups, therefore if you don’t want to use any workarounds you might want to consider switching to a different email client.

Alternative email clients can help you keep your inbox in check and let you access all your email accounts from one place.

Modern email clients can increase productivity with several time-saving features such as integrated email template presets, email scheduling and snoozing, and more.

Check out our dedicated article to find out what are the best email clients that you can use in 2022.

2. Add group emails to a single contact in the People app

1. Press the Windows key + S and enter people in the search box.
2. Select People from the list of results.
3. When the People app starts, click the + button to add a new contact.
4. In the Name section, enter the name of your group. In the Personal email section, enter all the emails that will be associated with that group.
- Be sure to separate all the emails by adding a semicolon after each one.
- Do not add space character after an email, just use a semicolon to separate emails.
5. After you’re done, click the Save icon in the top right corner.
6. Now the new Group will be added to your list of contacts.
7. Select the Group from the left pane, and in the right pane click the Email Personal section.
8. The How do you want to open this window will appear. Select Mail and check Always use this app.
9. Click OK.
10. The Mail app will now open with all email addresses from your Group added as recipients.

One simple workaround for creating email groups in the Windows 10 Mail is to create a new contact in the People app that will represent a specific group.

The only downside of this workaround is that you have to select your group in the People app every time you want to send a group email.

Although it might not be the best solution, many users reported that it works perfectly for them.

Don’t know how to enable the People App in Windows 10? Check out our guide and you’ll do it with ease.

3. Add all emails to a draft message

This isn’t the best workaround, but some users are suggesting keeping all group email addresses in a draft email. Simply start writing an email and add all email recipients to the To field.

To send an email to a group, simply start a new email message and copy all email addresses from your draft email to the To section in a new email message.

This is a primitive workaround but it’s better than adding each email address individually.

On the other side, since you have your message saved as a draft, you can just select it from the Drafts folder in order to quickly send group emails.

If you tend to send a lot of group emails, this workaround might be perfect for you.

4. Save your emails in a Word document

According to users, sometimes you might be able to circumvent this issue simply by writing down a group of emails in a Word document.

Enter all emails that are in your group and separate them only by a comma.
After doing that, select all emails and convert the selected text to a hyperlink.
Now you just have to press Ctrl and click your link and the Mail app will open in the new window with all your recipients in the correct field.
After that, you just have to type your message and click the Send button to send the group email.

As you can see, this is just a crude workaround, but it works according to users, so you might want to try it out.

One advantage of this workaround is that you can have all your groups in a single Word document and then just click a group in order to send a group email to that specific group.

This is a relatively simple workaround, and if you need to send group emails, feel free to try it out.

5. Use the web app to create a group

If you’re unable to create contact groups in Windows 10, you might be able to solve this problem simply by logging in to the web version of your email provider.

All major email providers, such as Gmail and Outlook, support groups, and you can just log in to the web version, create a group and try to send email to that group from the Mail app.

Although this solution sounds simple, it’s just a workaround, but it might help you with your problem, so feel free to try it out.

6. Install the latest updates

Create a new email message.
Now click the person icon on the right side of the To field.
Select the desired contact from the list.
Repeat this step for all users to that you want to send an email to.

Mail app is a default email client in Windows, and Microsoft is working on it alongside Windows 10.

Group emails are a missing feature, however, Microsoft has made some changes in order to somewhat bring this highly-requested feature.

According to users, Microsoft has added an option to add multiple contacts to your emails in the Mail app.

Keep in mind that this feature doesn’t allow you to create contact groups, meaning that you’ll have to add your contacts one by one.

This isn’t the best solution, but it’s definitely a step in the right direction. To add multiple recipients in the Mail app, you just need to do as described above.

We know that this isn’t the best solution, but if you want to send an email to a few people, this new feature might be rather useful.

On the other hand, if you have dozens of users to that you want to send an email, you might want to try a different solution.

We’re not sure when exactly Microsoft added this feature, but if you don’t have it, we advise you to update your Windows.

How can I update my Windows?

As you know, Windows 10 will usually update itself automatically, but sometimes you might miss an update or two.

However, you can always check for updates manually by doing the following:

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app.
When the Settings app opens, go to the Update & Security section.
Now click on Check for updates button.
- If any updates are available, they will be automatically downloaded in the background.
- Once the updates are downloaded, you just have to restart your PC in order to install them.

After updating your system to the latest version, you should be able to add multiple recipients to your emails.

If you can’t open the Setting app, take a look at our detailed article to solve the issue.

The Windows 10 mail app doesn’t support contact groups, and this is a major flaw of this app.

This means that you can’t send emails to a contact group in Windows 10 via the Mail app, but you can circumvent this limitation by using one of our solutions.

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

DWM Has Crashed on Windows 11: How to Fix it

Posted on September 19, 2022October 25, 2024 by Vladimir Popescu

Sometimes you might get Your session was logged off because DWM crashed or dwm.exe stopped working. This problem can interfere with your everyday activities, so it’s important to fix it, and this guide is here to help you.

What is DWM error?

DWM error such as this one occurs if your GPU isn’t properly connected or configured or if there’s another issue with it.

What can I do if DWM has crashed on Windows 11?

Before trying anything else, check if your GPU is properly connected. If the power cable is loose or the GPU is hanging, tightly connect it and check if the issue is gone. Updating BIOS can also help.

1. Update graphics card driver

Right-click the Windows icon and select Device Manager.
Locate Display Adapters.
Expand the list, right-click your display driver, and click Update.
Select Search automatically for display drivers and wait for the process to complete.

An outdated graphics driver can cause conflicts that lead to DWM crashes. Updating the drivers should fix the issue.

2. Adjust GPU settings in BIOS

Restart your PC.
While the PC boots, keep pressing F2 or Del to access BIOS.
Next, navigate to Advanced.
Locate PCIEX16 Slot Configuration and set it to Gen 4 or Gen 3.
Save changes and restart your PC.

Keep in mind that the steps might be different depending on your motherboard model.

3. Disable Hardware accelerated GPU scheduling

Open the Settings app.
In the left pane, go to System, and then click Display.
Next, select Graphics.
In the Graphics settings, look for Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling and disable it.

4. Reinstall Xbox app

Press the Windows key + X and choose Terminal (Admin). Alternatively, run PowerShell as administrator.
Next run the following command: Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.XboxGamingOverlay | Remove-AppxPackage
Check if the problem is resolved.

5. Adjust the system for the best performance

Press the Windows + S on your keyboard, type View advanced system settings and then click on the most relevant result.
Click on Settings next to the Performance section.
Tick the Adjust for best performance button, then click Apply and OK on the bottom.

The Adjust for best performance option will make a set of changes to your OS for it to run smoother. If you don’t like them, you can go back by choosing Adjust for best appearance.

6. Delete the mdi264.dll

Press Windows + I to open the Settings menu.
Choose Recovery under the System panel.
Now click on Restart next to the Advanced startup section.
When your computer restarts, choose Troubleshoot, then go to Advanced options.
Once you are in the Advanced options menu, click on Command Prompt and enter the following commands, then press Enter after each:
cd C: \Users\Your Name Here\App\Data\Local\Temp del mdi264.dll

Close Command Prompt and restart your computer after doing the above actions.

7. Run the SFC scan

Press the Windows + S to open the Search bar.
Type cmd and select run it as an administrator.
Type or paste inside the window the following command and press Enter:
sfc /scannow

Wait for the process to finish (which may take some time) before restarting your computer.

You can also choose to use a specialized repair tool that will do all these steps automatically. These tools can scan your PC in-depth and find any impediment that slows down its performance. After that, they will replace each malfunctioning element with the latest update from its database.

8. Run DISM

Press the Windows + S key to open the Search bar.
Type cmd and click on the run as an administrator option.
Type or paste in the following commands and press Enter after each to start the process:
DISM /online /Cleanup-Image / ScanHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

Sit down and wait for the procedure to finish. Please be aware that it may take up to ten minutes. After that, restart your computer to confirm that the changes have taken effect.

9. Disable Hardware acceleration

Press the Windows + S key to open the Search bar, type regedit, and click on the most relevant result.
Navigate to Software under HKEY_CURRENT_USER, then go to Microsoft, followed by Office16.0 and Common.
Right-click the Common key and choose New, then Key from the menu.
Enter Graphics as the name of the new key.
Now right-click the Graphics key and select New, then DWORD(32-BIT) Value. Name the new value DisableHardwareAcceleration.
Double click DisableHardwareAcceleration value and set its Value data to 1.

You must close the Registry Editor and restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

10. Disable problematic services

Press the Windows + R to open the Run dialogue.
Type services.msc, then press Enter or click the OK button.
Disable Skype Updater, Google Update (update), and Google Update (gupdatem) services.
Double-click on each service, one by one, change Startup type to Disabled and click Apply and OK to save changes.

Before closing the Services window, double-check that all of the services listed in Step 2 – Skype Updater, Google Update (update), and Google Update (gupdatem) have been turned off.

What does dwm.exe do?

Desktop Window Manager (dwm.exe) is a critical system process that aids explicitly in creating visual effects like transparent windows and taskbar thumbnails that you’ll see when using Windows.

The design of the user interface is logged into Windows memory when you start a new program, allowing the design to be developed.

Windows then manipulates the window designs to guarantee their visual effects are applied.

Is it necessary to have DWM?

Yes, the DWM.exe file is an essential Windows core system file and a component of Microsoft Windows. It is mainly responsible for elements including Windows Aero and other visual effects and personalization features like Windows Flip and Flip 3D.

Dwn.exe is an essential Windows 11 process, and many issues with it can occur, but we hope that you managed to fix DWM crash with a black screen and other issues.

To better understand what dwm.exe does, see our article on why you can’t kill DWM in Windows 11 any longer.

We recommend you review our article on dwm.exe issues in Windows 10 for additional information and potential solutions, as some of the approaches discussed here are also applicable in the new OS.

We also have a guide on Desktop Window Manager high memory usage, so don’t miss it.

If you have any further questions, please let us know in the comments section below, as well as which solution you found most compelling.

6 Ways to Fix Outlook Couldn’t Save Your Account Settings

Posted on September 19, 2022October 4, 2023 by Tashreef Shareef

Microsoft Outlook is one of the most popular email clients, and many use them over other clients because of the familiar UI and features.

However, there are many users that are facing the Something went wrong and Outlook couldn’t save your account settings error. This error can prevent you from receiving new emails and could be pretty frustrating if you depend on Outlook for all your email-related needs.

Thankfully, this guide has a list of practical solutions that will help you resolve the problem and get your Outlook working. So let us check it out.

Why is Outlook not saving my account settings?

MS Outlook, being software, throws up new errors now and then. However, there are solutions to resolve them.

But before you go ahead and look to resolve Something that went wrong and Outlook couldn’t save your account settings error, let us know why.

The main reason you would come across this issue is that the Autodiscover process the Outlook uses received an unexpected result. This comes from a third-party server, which it performs the root domain lookup.

When the root domain lookup fails, and Outlook then performs the Autodiscover lookup. However, since it is getting a positive Autodiscover response from the root domain lookup, MS Outlook tries to authenticate the incoming protocols, such as POP and IMAP, and the operation fails.

How do I save my Outlook settings?

Open the Start menu.
Search for Registry Editor and open it.
Navigate to the below path. HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows Messaging Subsystem\
Right-click on the Profiles key.
Select Export.
Choose the destination location.
Enter the file name and hit Save.

How do I fix Something went wrong and Outlook couldn’t save your account settings?

Use old Outlook setup
Disable IPv6
Modify the registry
Update Microsoft Office Suite
Check Your Firewall
Remove Outlook Credentials

1. Use an old Outlook setup

Open the Start menu.
Type Control Panel and open it.
In the Control Panel search, type Outlook.
Click on Mail (Microsoft Outlook 2016) (32-bit).
Then, in the Mail Setup – Outlook window, click on Email Accounts.
From the Email tab, click on the New button.
Add your name, email address, and password, re-enter your password and click on Next.
If you want to manually set up an email account for Office 365, POP or IMAP, or Exchange ActiveSync, select Manual setup or additional server types.
Select your account type and click Next.
Fill in the account details, such as user, server, and login information.
Make sure you change the Ports if needed under More Settings.

2. Disable IPv6

Press the Win + I buttons to open Settings.
Go to Network & Internet.
Click on Status.
Select Change adapter options.
Right-click on your network and select Properties.
Uncheck the Internet Protocol Version 6 (TCP/IPv6).
Click OK to save changes.
Restart your PC.

By default, Windows favors IPv6 addresses over IPv4 addresses. However, IPv6 can lead to Something went wrong and Outlook couldn’t save your account settings error. Follow these steps to disable IPv6 in Windows.

3. Modify the registry

Open the Start menu, type Regedit and open the Registry Editor.
In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path:
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Exchange
Next, Right-click on Exchange, select New, and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Right-click on the newly created value, select Rename and rename it as MapiHttpDisabled.
Double-click on Mapihttpdisabled and enter 1 as Value Data.
Next, navigate to the following path:
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\16.0\Outlook\AutoDiscover
Right-click on AutoDiscover.
Select New and click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Rename the DWORD as ExcludeScpLookup.
Double-click on ExcludeScp, createset the Value data to 1.
Right-click on AutoDiscover again, create two more DWORD values, and rename them to ExcludeHttpsRootDomain and ExcludeHttpRedirect.
Set the Value Data for both the keys to 1.
Close the Registry Editor and restart your computer.

After the restart, set up the Outlook account again to see if the error is resolved.

If your DNS entry is not set up properly, something went wrong and Outlook couldn’t save your account settings. You can edit the registry to add registry keys and fix DNS related issues.

NOTE

Note: Editing your registry can create problems with your system. If you are unsure how to edit the registry properly, take a professional’s help.

4. Update Microsoft Office Suite

Open any of the Office applications such as Word or Excel.
Click on File and select Account.
Look for the Office Update section.
Click on Update Options and select Enable updates.
Microsoft Office will now look for any pending updates and suggest you download and install them accordingly.
Restart the PC after the updates are installed.

5. Check Your Firewall

Begin with disabling the firewall on your antivirus in the settings.
Next, type Firewall in the Start menu and open Firewall and Network Protection.
Click on your current Active Network and disable the Windows Defender Firewall.

Windows Defender firewall or a third-party firewall can cause the Something went wrong and Outlook couldn’t save your account settings. To fix this issue, it’s advised to disable your firewall temporarily.

6. Remove Outlook Credentials

In the Start menu, type Credential, and open Credential Manager.
Click on Windows Credentials.
Expand any Outlook account credential.
Click on Remove and click on OK.

Windows 10 comes with a password manager called Credential Manager. If you have Outlook credentials saved with Credential Manager and are trying to log in with a new password, you might get Something went wrong, and Outlook couldn’t save your account settings error.

Where are Outlook email account settings stored?

According to the official information, if you have a POP or IMAP account, all your data is stored in the Personal folders in the .PST file format.

However, moving the PST file from one computer to another doesn’t transfer your Outlook account settings.

You must first set up your email account on the new computer, then open the .PST file moved from the old computer to your new computer.

You can find your .PST file in one of the following locations:

Windows 10: drive:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
Windows 10: drive:\Users\<username>\Roaming\Local\Microsoft\Outlook
Older versions of Windows: drive:\Documents and Settings\<username>\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook

There you go; you should be able to fix the Something went wrong error in Outlook using the above-given solutions.

Why should I constantly update my drivers?

How can I update my CPU drivers?

1. Use the Device Manager

2. Use specialized software

3. Use the Windows Update tool

4. Download the driver from the manufacturer’s site

5. Re-install CPU software

6. Manually install using CD/USB stick

7. Update Motherboard BIOS

When should I update my CPU drivers?

How can I turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11?

Table of contents

1. Via Control Panel

2. Via Registry

3. Via Local Users and Groups

Should I turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11?

What to do if I am unable to turn off password protected sharing in Windows 11?

FAQs

How do I stop messages saying Your Windows license will expire soon?

1. Use ShowKeysPlus software

2. Use the slmgr command

3. Try to activate Windows again

What happens if your Windows license expires?

How do I get a new Windows license key?

Wrap-Up

How do I update KRNL?

1. Update with the bootstrapper

2. Install the latest version

How can I fix KRNL if the update is not downloading?

1. Disable the antivirus

2. Check connection speed

3. Install the correct version of Roblox

Best lightweight antivirus software for Windows old pc (Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8/8.1, 10)

Which is the best antivirus for old PCs that I can get?

TotalAV – Fast and efficient software

Total AV

Bitdefender – Exclusive adaptability technology

Bitdefender

ESET NOD32 Antivirus – Good management system

ESET NOD32

Panda Security – Simple usage

Panda Security

Avira Antivirus – Thorough scan

Avira Antivirus

Kaspersky – User-friendly program

Kaspersky

Intego ONE – Exceptional online threat monitoring

Intego ONE

Webroot Secure Anywhere antivirus – Impressive security tool

Webroot Secure Anywhere

Avast Free Antivirus – Strong secure connection

Avast Free Antivirus

AVG – Powerful blocking feature

AVG

Clam AV – Multiple versions available

Why do you need a lightweight antivirus for an old PC?

Why am I having packet loss on TalkTalk?

How do I fix packet loss on TalkTalk?

1. Restart your router/modem

2. Use a VPN

ExpressVPN

3. Update Windows

4. Scan your PC for malware

5. Reconnect your TalkTalk account

6. Contact your ISP

How do I test my packet loss?

How can I improve my TalkTalk quality?

Why does Steam fail to apply updates and reverting?

What can I do if Steam fails to apply updates?

1. Disable any VPN browser extensions

2. Use a VPN with split tunneling

ExpressVPN

3. Add exceptions for Steam and games in your firewall

4. Whitelist Steam and games in your antivirus

5. Clear Steam Download Cache

What other Steam updating fails should I be aware of?

Why did my PC just randomly turn off?

What to do if the laptop turns off when playing games but it’s not overheating?

What should I do when my computer shuts down while gaming?

1. Check for hardware issues