Windows 11 Standard User vs Administrator [Differences]

Posted on September 18, 2022October 4, 2023 by Henderson Jayden Harper

Windows allows you to control your computer as much as you can. However, the level of control or access you can use depends on the kind of account you use on it. By default, Windows computers come with two types of user accounts called the Administrator and the Standard user.

These accounts perform different functions depending on how you set them up. Hence, this article will discuss the differences between Windows 11 Administrator vs the Standard user.

What is the difference between an Administrator and a Standard user?

The Windows Administrator user account allows you high control and access over the computer. It is the highest level of access a user can have to the computer as it permits you to add and remove applications, change user account permissions, and delete/modify folder s on Windows 10/11.

Furthermore, the user with the Administrator account can perform tasks that relate to configuration on the computer. Some configuration access the Administrator user has are parental control settings, firewall settings, removal, and addition of user accounts, etc.

Also, the Administrator’s changes affect other users on the computer since it has the most access rights.

Conversely, the level of access that a Standard user possesses is low compared to that of the Administrator user.

The Standard user can access and make changes on the computer but can’t make any significant changes. It spans around the normal operations on the computer as using web browsers and opening office apps.

However, changes in the system files are impossible because you don’t have an Administrator user privilege. But, the Standard user account helps protect your system from users. It prevents users from making changes that affect everyone using the computer.

In short, the Standard user can access and make changes on the computer but can’t make changes in the system files.

They are not allowed a high-level impact on the computer. On the other hand, the Administrator user has high-level access and control over the computer.

It gives the user administrative privilege to make changes in system files, and its changes affect every user on the computer. Hence, the main difference between the Standard user vs Administrator in Windows 10 is the access level and security exposure.

Can you change user account on Windows 11?

The answer is yes. Users can change their user account in the Account settings on Windows 11. It allows you to switch the status and access level of the user account from either Administrator to Standard or vice versa.

You can read through our article about how to create a local account on Windows 11.

How do I switch accounts from Standard users to an Administrator?

1. Switch the account in the Accounts settings

Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
Click on Accounts.
Select Family & other users.
Click the user account you want to switch and press the Change account type button.
Select the Administrator or Standard User account type you want to switch to.
Click on OK to save the changes you have made.

2. Switch the default user in the Group membership

Press Windows + R to prompt the Run window.
Type in netplwiz and press Enter.
Select the user account you want to switch as the default user and click the Properties button.
Navigate to the Group Membership tab and check the box for Default User and click Apply.
Click OK to implement the changes just made.

Users may be interested in reading about how to edit the Group Policy in Windows 10/11.

3. Adjust settings in the Control Panel

Click on Start and select the Control Panel.
Navigate to the User Accounts option.
Click on the Change account type option.
Select the account to want to switch from the list of all the user accounts on your computer.
Click on Change the account type from the list of options.
Select the account type and click on Change the account type.

Users can use any of the steps above to switch accounts from Standard users to an Administrator or vice versa.

Which account is better: Standard or Administrator?

The Standard user account is strict on security and will drastically reduce your exposure to threats. So, we highly recommend the Standard account.

Also, getting the Standard user control even while using the Administrator account is advisable to increase your security. Hence, the two accounts can cohabit on the same computer for better performance.

We hope this article has been able to explain Windows 11 Administrator vs Standard user. We recommend you check our article about how to make yourself an Administrator on Windows 10/11.

If this article has been insightful to you, leave a comment or suggestion below. We’d like to hear feedback from you.

5 Ways to Fix Discord when Permissions (Roles) Are Not Working

Posted on September 17, 2022October 4, 2023 by Loredana Harsana

Several users faced an issue with the Discord application where permissions (roles) are not working properly. They were not able to join some servers in Discord.

A few other users also mentioned that Discord causes high CPU usage on the Windows 11 PC.

Why are permissions (roles) not working in Discord?

The factors which can be responsible for this issue in Discord are listed below:

Discord’s corrupted files – When the files of the Discord application and its cache get corrupted, it might create problems related to permissions
Permission feature of members – The issue arises if the permissions (roles) have not been set properly for most of the server members
Poor Internet connection – The weak and unstable Internet connection creates problems like those mentioned above

There are a few fixes mentioned below in this article that can resolve this problem.

How do I fix Discord when permissions (roles) are not working?

1. Check your Internet connection

Try rebooting your Wi-Fi router and reconnecting it to the system. Also, unplug the ethernet connection wire from the system and replug it after some time.

This will re-establish and stabilize the Internet connection on the system. Call your service provider if nothing works.

2. Override the channel

The only way you can override any channel is to add a single admin role to the server. After doing this, you need to enable the Manage Messages option for that server.

Once you do these changes, the permissions in Discord will work again normally.

3. Verify every member’s role

There are around 250 roles that you can assign to each and every member of the server group.

When too many users have the same role assigned, it will create such issues and those permissions won’t be working.

So, make sure every member has a role assigned to them they deserve and is fair to other members.

4. Clear Discord’s cache

Press the Windows and R keys together and type %appdata%\discord and press the Enter key.
In the Discord folder, delete Cache, Code Cache, and GPUCache folders by selecting them and pressing the Delete key.
Now go to Desktop (Win + D) and right-click on the Recycle Bin and click Empty Recycle Bin from the menu.
This will clear the Discord application’s cache on the system.

5. Reinstall the Discord app

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run console, type appwiz.cpl, and press the Enter key.
Select Discord from the list and click Uninstall.
This will start uninstalling the Discord application.
Now visit Discord’s downloads page and click Download for Windows.
After that, install the Discord app by double-clicking the DiscordSetup file and then following the onscreen instructions.

Can you remove your own roles on Discord?

No! You can never remove or change your own roles in Discord. The admin or the moderator of the server will be able to do it for you. You need to request someone who has higher power than you can do it.

To stay in touch with your friends on Discord, you can do some changes in Discord for getting unbanned from the Discord server.

Did you find these fixes informative? Please share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below.

5 Ways to Fix Peacock TV if It Keeps Buffering or Freezing

Posted on September 17, 2022August 29, 2025 by Henderson Jayden Harper

Peacock TV is the go-to streaming service owned and regulated by NBCUniversal. The American video streaming service provides viewers with plenty of exclusive Peacock original titles, live sports events, classic NBC shows, the latest news, and pay-per-view content.

However, despite its popularity, users have recently reported that the Peacock TV has streaming problems as it keeps buffering for several days.

The problem may come from Peacock TV itself, while at other times, it could be the internet connectivity. Regardless, you can work down this article to find a suitable fix.

Why does my Peacock keep buffering?

Slow internet connection: On most occasions, the internet connection may be why Peacock TV keeps buffering. Whenever the network is poor, it can result in peacock streaming problems. This is also the reason behind Peacock’s Generic Playback error.
Server issue: The Peacock TV servers may experience downtime due to maintenance or other issues. This may also result in Peacock TV error code PAS_41004.
VPN/ other third-party apps interference: If you use the VPN to surf the internet for almost all purposes, you have to consider not using VPN for Peacock TV. It would help if you disabled your VPN to use Peacock TV because sometimes, the servers may consider your device suspicious. After all, the VPN keeps changing your IP address.
Multiple devices connected to one account: There are endless possibilities that your account may be connected to multiple devices simultaneously. So, you must ensure that you control your account and know how many devices are trying to access your Peacock account simultaneously.

Quick Tip

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It can allow you to change your server location and enhance your streaming experience by boosting your internet speeds. Thanks to its split tunneling feature, you can also choose which programs and devices you prefer to route your connection over the VPN server.

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How do I fix my Peacock streaming?

1. Close unnecessary programs

Too many programs running in the background of your device or numerous tabs opened in your browser can wear down your device. Also, this can cause your device to freeze, slow down and lag.

The best option is to close unnecessary programs and tabs to allow the Peacock streaming service to run correctly.

2. Restart your device

Restarting your device is one of the best fixes for almost all software issues. Your device may be experiencing an overload of programs, hence the need to restart it.

Doing this refreshes your device and makes it more efficient, giving optimal performance.

3. Power cycle your streaming & network devices

Close the Peacock app and force the shutdown of your device.
Unplug your modem and router.
Please wait for a few minutes before you plug them back in.
Connect to the Internet.
Power on your devices and relaunch the Peacock app.

When you power cycle your devices, it helps restart them without the residual issues that might underline or cause the Peacock TV keeps buffering issue. Hence, this is one of the best options to consider as a fix.

For more solutions, you can also check our full guide on why is Peacock not working, covering region errors, buffering, and playback fixes.

4. Clear Peacock app cache and data

Launch the Chrome browser and click the More button.
Select More Tools, then Clear browsing data.
Select the Advanced option.
Choose the time range you want to clear and check the boxes for Cookies and other site data & Cached images and files.
Click Clear data.

5. Check Peacock TV’s support channels

When Peacock TV has issues such as buffering, freezing, or slowing down, it is advisable to check the Peacock TV social media channels to know if other users are experiencing the same issue.

You may find the announcement on how to resolve the issue on social media. To this, you should check Peacock TV’s Twitter platform.

If none of these fixes work, you can contact Peacock TV customer support and explain your issue. It could be an isolated problem that could be fixed from their side.

How can I improve my Peacock streaming?

Although all the above fixes can help improve your Peacock streaming, there are other minor details to consider. Streaming in 4K is highly selective and may not be worth it if your network connection cannot load it without stress.

Other tips you can consider are:

Ensure you are using Peacock TV within a serviceable region
Disable ad-blockers and VPN services when streaming via Peacock TV to avoid contradicting their rights to display ads
Remove some of the devices your Peacock TV account is connected to

These are the best solutions to fix the Peacock TV’s buffering or freezing problem. If the above fixes are followed holistically, the problem should be solved.

However, it is also possible that you encounter other Peacock TV issues. You can check our detailed guide on how to fix Peacock TV payment issues.

If this article has been helpful, you can leave your suggestions and questions in the comments section. We’d like to hear from you.

5 Ways to Fix High CPU Usage on Black Desert Online

Posted on September 17, 2022September 14, 2025 by Alexandru Poloboc

For many of us, coming home from work, having a great meal, and playing our favorite video game can be the most relaxing vibe ever.

That is why, having the upper hand whenever your favorite game decides to act up can be the difference between fixing the problem and continuing playing, or giving up and uninstalling it.

Before we continue, since we mentioned gaming, be sure to check out the best browsers for gaming, just in case you ain’t happy with the one you are currently using.

Also, since recent titles are quite hefty in terms of size, take a look at the best browsers for downloading large files on your PC.

Coming back to why we are here, if you are playing Black Desert Online and you notice your CPU getting overwhelmed, we’ll show you how to tweak the Black Desert Online settings.

How much RAM does BDO use?

We’re just going to say that, your PC needs at least a GeForce GTX 970 or a Radeon RX 480 alongside an Intel Core i5-650 to properly run the game paired with 8 GB of RAM to run on high graphics.

As developers mentioned time and time again, for the bare minimum requirements that Black Desert Online has, you need at least 4 GB of RAM.

Now, if you want to run it smoothly and not worry about anything, as we said, at least 8 GB of memory will be necessary.

Make sure you always check the system requirements for the game you want to purchase and download, just to avoid any issues.

If your gaming rig barely qualifies for the minimum set of requirements, we recommend you upgrade your device first.

Why is my CPU running so high?

It can be multiple causes for why this is happening, but the most common one is some software you have open on your device.

There are apps or games that require a lot more than your CPU can handle, so that’s when you are going to experience this.

Also, make sure you constantly update the drivers, in order to keep everything running fine and smooth, just as it is supposed to. On this matter, software like Outbyte Driver Updater is just what you need to keep all your drivers constantly up to date.

How do I lower my CPU usage BDO?

You need to understand something when it comes to Black Desert Online. BDO uses Both CPU and GPU-based 3D rendering and it is a graphics-intensive game.

Now, the Pre Remastered BDO was highly optimized for CPU rendering so the lower your graphics settings the higher demand it puts on your CPU.

Before we show you what to change in the game itself to lower your CPU’s usage, make sure to close all background processes when playing Black Desert Online.

1. Disable UI elements

It doesn’t sound ideal, but disabling as many UI elements that you’re comfortable parting with, like icons next to the minimap, the quest widgets, icons at the bottom of the screen such as mailbox, and challenges.

In truth, all these little extra settings and UI elements present on your screen take up a tiny bit of CPU’s power, and it all adds up.

2. Disable attack decisions

Enter Settings.
Select the Game tab, deactivate Show Attack Decisions Effects, then press the Apply button.

As an extra tip, make sure you are comfortable with combat before you deactivate this setting, just so you don’t get overwhelmed by your foes.

3. Switch minimap from 2D to 3D

Another tip for improving FPS and lowering CPU usage is switching the minimap from 2D to 3D mode or disabling it entirely.

You might not know this, but the 2D minimap actually has the largest impact out of anything on your UI because it’s loading so many icons that are all taking up CPU and ultimately harming performance.

Many players also stated that the 2D version of the minimap causes stutters for them, so avoiding it might be recommended.

4. Tweak Effects Optimization

Access Settings.
Select Performance Settings, then click on Optimization.
Under Prioritize Effects, move the dial closer to Prioritize Performance.

5. Change your PC’s performance settings

Press Win + I to access Settings.
Select the System tab, then click on Power & Battery.
Under Power Mode, select Best performance.

And, since you are in this area of the Settings menu, make sure to also deactivate the Battery saver option, just to avoid problems.

How can I make BDO run smoother?

As we said, it all comes down to how much stuff you have cluttering your game’s UI, and the graphics settings you are using.

Just use the solutions above and you will have better control over Black Desert Online’s CPU usage and FPS.

If while playing BDO the power usage is very high, exit the game, let your PC breathe for a second, and refer to this guide.

That being said, remember that if BDO is sometimes stuttering in combat, this is a big game and even gamers with decent rigs will sometimes experience it.

Fix: Surround Sound is Not Working with HDMI on Windows 11

Posted on September 17, 2022October 4, 2023 by Radu Tyrsina

Surround sound means a stereophony system that surrounds the listener with three or more speakers to create a more realistic effect.

However, a Windows 11 HDMI surround sound issue is common among Windows 11 users. In this article, we are going to discuss what to do if surround sound isn’t working through HDMI on Windows 11.

Any audio player might have this problem on both 7.1 and 5.1 surround sound systems. Your system won’t produce sound through your rear speakers if this problem arises.

The affected consumers claim that the Realtek sound card is typically to blame for this problem. Other sound card users could, however, also experience this issue.

Does Windows 11 support surround sound?

Yes, it does! Windows 11 gives you the option to choose between three alternative spatial sound providers: Windows Sonic for Headphones, Dolby Atmos for Headphones, and Dolby Atmos for Home Theater.

However, this is only the software part. For the full experience, you will also need a surround sound board installed on your PC.

What can I do if surround sound isn’t working through HDMI on Windows 11?

1. Run the Audio troubleshooter

Type audio troubleshooter into Windows Search and press Enter.
Click on Advanced and then turn on the Apply repairs automatically checkbox.
Click Next and follow the on-screen instructions to execute the audio troubleshooter.

2. Turn on mono audio

Click on the Start button and select Settings.
Select System and then click Sound.
Turn the Mono audio switch to On.

3. Download the HD Audio Codecs

Visit the sound card manufacturer’s website, such as the Realtek Audio Codecs.
Look for your device’s HD Audio Codecs and download them.
Run the installation file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the audio codecs.

4. Unmute any device

Right-click the taskbar Speaker icon and then choose Open Volume mixer.
Unmute any devices whose volume is currently muted.

5. Restart the audio services

Press the Windows + R hotkey to start the Run command box.
Enter services.msc and click OK.
Right-click on the Windows Audio service and choose Restart.
Do the same with the Remote Procedure Call (RPC) and Windows Audio Endpoint Builder services.

6. Check your surround sound speaker’s configuration settings.

Press Windows + R key combination to launch the Run window.
Type mmsys.cpl and then select OK.
Select the Playback tab and choose your speaker.
Choose Set as Default Device. If the option is grayed out, that means that it’s already set as the default device.
Choose Configure from the menu.
Depending on the sort of speakers you are using, choose 5.1 or 7.1 Surround in the speaker settings and then click Next. If you don’t have these options, your soundboard is either not installed or doesn’t have surround capabilities.
Select the check boxes next to Center, Subwoofer, and Side pair, and then click Next.
Hold off until the configuration is finished and click Finish to finish the configuration after that.

7. Switch on Speaker Fill.

Press Windows + R key combination to launch the run window.
Type mmsys.cpl and then select OK.
Right-click on your speaker under the Playback tab and choose Properties.
Select the Enhancements tab and then activate the Speaker Fill or Surround sound settings.

8. Attempt various audio formats.

Press Windows + R key combination to launch the Run console.
Type or paste mmsys.cpl just like in the previous solutions and hit Enter or click OK.
Choose your speaker from the list and then click Properties.
Select a different audio format from the drop-down box on the Advanced tab.
Click Apply and then OK to save your settings.

How do I enable Dolby on Windows 11?

Dolby Atmos is available in Windows 11, so you can use it but you won’t benefit from the best results unless you also install the required hardware.

First, get the Dolby Access app from the Microsoft Store to enable Dolby. The setup process is quite simple, and the software will walk users through it.

Choose With my home theater if you have both a receiver and a home entertainment system.

If you own headphones, pick With my headphones instead. The app will request that Dolby Atmos is enabled for headphones when the trial has been activated.

Surround sound not working with HDMI on Windows 11 is a common issue among many Windows 11 users.

When you are faced with this issue, you do not have to seek help from a technician. As you can see above, you can fix the problem on your own without any problems.

You should also check our list including the best virtual surround sound software that might help you enjoy this audio effect.

If you have any questions regarding this problem or other suggestions on how to fix it, use the comments section below.

Camera Settings are Grayed Out? 5 Ways to Get Them Back

Posted on September 17, 2022October 7, 2025 by Farhad Pashaei

You should always ensure your camera settings are correct, whether you are attempting a business meeting or getting ready to contact a pal for some chatting. But, what if the webcam settings are greyed out?

You should run some troubleshooters before running out to buy a new webcam and presuming that your camera is broken.

Try the following fixes to test whether the webcam will function again or if you can access the settings.

Why is the camera greyed out?

The most frequent cause of Windows 10/11 camera settings greyed out is because your computer’s privacy settings have disabled camera access for desktop apps.

Windows turns off the Camera as a safety precaution so that unsafe websites you visit can’t use it to their advantage and get you into trouble.

How do I turn my webcam settings on?

1. Update drivers

Press the Windows + X keys and select Device Manager.
Expand the Camera or Imaging Device and look for the Camera driver.
Right-click and select Update.
Select Search automatically for drivers.

Windows often updates driver software on its own, but the system won’t put certain optional upgrades in place since they were created for computers with issues with the particular device.

This implies that you must manually upgrade the camera driver.

If you’d prefer a faster, more efficient approach, you can always rely on specialized third-party software, like Fortect Driver Updater. This powerful tool will allow you to scan for and update all your drivers in just a few minutes.

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2. Downgrade webcam drivers

To get started, either search for your webcam’s model and brand on Google or go directly to the product page for your webcam on the manufacturer’s website.
The next step is to download the previous driver version.
Now, press Windows + X keys and choose Device Manager.
Expand the Camera or Imaging Device and right-click on the Camera driver, and select Update.
Select Browse my computer for driver.
Click on Let me pick from a list of available drivers from my computer.
Finally, choose the old driver version downloaded earlier.

Have you recently updated your drivers, or did Windows do it for you? After the updates, some users may experience problems, such as Dell webcam central settings being greyed out.

Therefore, you may try reverting your drivers to an earlier version to fix the issue.

3. Reinstall drivers

Press the Windows + X keys and select Device Manager.
Expand the Camera or Imaging Device. Right-click on the Camera device and Uninstall.
Once uninstalled, go to the webcam manufacturer’s website and download and install the driver.

Try reinstalling the drivers as a final resort for driver fixes. If you face Logitech G Hub webcam settings greyed out, you should visit Logitech’s official website to download the drivers after uninstalling the default one.

4. Reset the camera app

First, press Windows + X keys and select Settings.
Click Apps, then Apps and Features.
Look for the Camera App and click Advance Options.
Scroll down and select Reset in the Camera section.

The camera app is the primary program in charge of managing your computer’s camera hardware. The device won’t operate properly if the program encounters flaws or failures.

5. Allow apps access to the camera

Right-click on the Windows icon and select Settings.
Click on the Privacy and Security tab in Settings and select Camera.
To turn on camera access for this device, click the slider on the right for the desired app on the list.

Windows restricts some programs or services from accessing the Camera, as was previously described in private.

So, if you encounter problems like a grayed-out webcam option, you can determine whether or not the program you are using has access to the Camera.

How do I find my webcam driver for Windows 10 & 11?

You may find the webcam drivers in the Device Manager’s cameras category. If your webcam isn’t showing up, click View in the top panel. Then choose Show Hidden Devices.

Also, don’t forget to check whether your webcam is connected properly if you can not locate it.

Grayed-out camera settings can only mean that your PC’s webcam drivers are incompatible with the software you’re trying to utilize the webcam with or that the app can’t access your imaging device.

Reinstalling your camera drivers will be the best option, in any case, to see if it makes a difference.

It is unlikely that your webcam is faulty since, if it were, your computer wouldn’t even recognize it, and you wouldn’t be able to utilize it through a camera program.

Speaking of camera settings, before you go, don’t miss our guide on the best Rocket League camera settings for PC.

Let us know if you were able to fix the webcam settings greyed-out problem in the comments section below.

Remote Audio Is Not Working in Windows 11: 5 Ways to Fix It

Posted on September 17, 2022October 4, 2023 by Farhad Pashaei

Remote Desktop is a cool feature and practical software that has recently gained popularity because of the pandemic. However, this capability could have certain flaws, like Windows 11’s remote audio not working.

The root cause of this problem might be anything from a simple audio problem to a driver update or compatibility problem. Whatever the root of the issue, there is a straightforward solution.

By reading the article, let’s examine the common causes and solutions for remote audio not working in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Why is my audio not working on a remote desktop?

When you remotely access a computer, Windows Remote Desktop Connection often allows you to play sound from that computer on your local PC. There are three common reasons you might not be able to hear the sound from the remote PC.

You haven’t enabled audio on your local PC
The option for audio and video playback redirection is disabled
You have disabled Allow audio recording redirection

How do I fix my audio if it’s not working on a remote desktop in Windows 11?

1. Enable Windows Audio Service

Enter Services in the Start menu search box to access Services.
Find Windows Audio. Double-click it.
In the Startup type menu, select Automatic.

If Windows Audio Service is disabled in this list, you will face Windows 11 remote audio not working after the update.

2. Restart the Windows Audio Service

Once again, go to the Services list and right-click on Windows Audio.
Select Restart.

3. Check the Group Policy setting on the host computer

To launch the Local Group Policy Editor window on the host remote computer, press Win + R to open the Run dialog box, type gpedit.msc, and then click OK.
Follow this path: Local Computer Policy, Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Remote Desktop Services, Remote Desktop Session Host, Device and Resource Redirection.
Click on Device and Resource Redirection, then click on Allow audio and video playback redirection and Allow audio recording redirection, and make sure they are Enabled.

The Group Policy setting is complicated enough for new users to get lost in it, so follow the instructions mentioned above.

4. Check the Group Policy setting on the client’s computer

On your local computer, open the Group Policy Editor window.
Follow this path: Local Computer Policy, Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Remote Desktop Services, Remote Desktop Connection Client, RemoteFX USB Device Redirection, Allow RDP redirection of other supported RemoteFX USB devices from this computer.
Select Allow RDP redirection of other supported RemoteFX USB devices from this computer, and make sure it is Enabled.

5. Restart your PC

Open the Start menu.
Select the Power icon and choose Restart.

As a last resort to fix the remote desktop microphone not working, restarting the PC might fix the issue if there are any active bugs in the system.

How do I enable audio devices in Windows 11?

Open Run by pressing Win + R.
Open the Sound control panel by entering control mmsys.cpl and click OK.
Right-click on the disabled device and select Enable.
To save the changes, click Apply and then OK.

By following the instruction above, you may be able to fix the issue without any professional help. The issue usually comes from permission problems; that’s why the group policy settings need to be checked to see if everything is in order or not.

Depending on what application you are using to access your computer remotely, Anyviewer or Anydesk, it would help if you checked the application settings before attempting any fixes.

We usually tend to ignore simple things like checking the settings and rush to the internet to find some technical fixes for the issue.

In the comment section below, let us know if you were able to fix Windows 11 remote audio not working issue.

5 Quick Ways To Stop Telus From Blocking IPTV

Posted on September 17, 2022September 2, 2025 by Farhad Pashaei

Telus provides access to the Internet and various related services for both individuals and businesses. This company disables some services, such as Telus blocking IPTV, as a safeguard.

IPTV (Internet Protocol television) is a service that provides access to television shows and other visual content through the Internet rather than through cable, broadcast, or satellite TV signals.

ISPs frequently block IPTV for unknown reasons. However, there are ways to prevent this from happening.

Does Telus block any ports?

For various security concerns, Telus, by default, restricts several ports. The company adds these ports to the block list to safeguard users since hackers often use them to access a network.

Setting up port forwarding serves no service since Telus blocks all incoming ports; this is done in addition to preventing unauthorized access to the network.

How do I stop Telus from blocking IPTV?

1. Use a different DNS

Enter your router’s admin panel. You may find this information under the modem or in the router manual.
Enter the admin username and password for your router.
Find and modify the DNS settings to utilize the Smart DNS proxy DNS IPs. Now, save the settings.
Restart router.

2. Use a VPN

Download ExpressVPN (or any VPN you trust), double-click on the file, and install it on your PC.
Run the application and wait for it to connect.
Retry the IPTV service and see if you can watch your favorite show.

Your internet provider won’t be able to impose content-based service restrictions or throttle your connection speed since it allows you to watch IPTV secretly and securely.

With ExpressVPN you can easily connect to servers in over 90 different countries. Keep yourself anonymous and watch whatever you want safely.

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3. Check your ping using a websites address

Click on the Start menu, type Command Prompt, and select the appropriate result.

Type ping, followed by a space, your website’s address (including the “www.”), and then add with a space -t. For example, ping www.google.com -t.

This will show you your network’s ping. Therefore, if you observe big numbers (more than 200ms), there is an issue with your ISP’s servers. You should contact your ISP’s customer service to rectify this issue.

If your issue seems broader than IPTV alone, see our full guide: Telus internet not working.

4. Use a proxy

To open Windows Settings, press the Windows + I key combination.
On the Settings menu, go to Network & Internet. Select Proxy.
Make sure the Automatically detect option is on.
Under the Manual Setup section, enable the Use a Proxy Server checkbox. Try the service once again after you turned the Manual Setup on.

5. Use Tor

Tor can be downloaded and installed through Tor’s official download site.

Connect to your VPN before starting Tor to provide the highest level of internet security. Being one of the most widely used browsers, this one is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android.

How do I check if my ISP is blocking streaming?

The best way to determine whether your ISP blocks streaming is to use the Opera browser. When you enable the built-in VPN, a new IP address is acquired. Your service provider is tricked into believing you are connected through a different provider.

You may enable VPN in Opera’s settings. Use the browser to access the streaming service.

Your ISP has blocked access to this content for you if you can watch any show. If the service doesn’t load, another reason must exist.

Many customers are impacted by the Telus IPTV settings bans. Thankfully, one of the solutions above on how to stop ISP blocking IPTV can assist you in resolving this issue.

The issue with Telus restricting IPTV is well-known, and many users claim that the issue is resolved by using a VPN before accessing the service.

This is why you may rest easy knowing that this problem may be easily fixed, so you can resume watching your favorite shows.

Let us know if you were able to stop Telus from blocking IPTV in the comments section below.

How to Get Rid of the Netflix Payment Declined Text Scam

Posted on September 17, 2022October 4, 2023 by Loredana Harsana

Netflix is becoming increasingly popular among people of all ages, particularly the younger population. As a result, the odds of scammers and fraudsters targeting Netflix users are growing.

We have received many reports from Netflix users claiming they are getting a text message which says Your Netflix account will be locked because your payment was declined, along with a link leading to a webpage for updating the user’s credit card information.

If a Netflix user falls victim to this fraud and enters all their credit card information on the link provided in the text message, the scammers will steal every penny from the account.

Can I get scammed for replying to a text?

Yes! The chances of getting scammed by the frauds are high if you reply to their text messages.

Usually, these scammers send different types of text messages to many unknown numbers.

If they get a reply from a number, they get to know that the mobile number is active. Later, they start planning their scam.

Why is Netflix telling me to update my payment method?

Generally, Netflix won’t bother their users with text messages or emails regarding payment issues or renewal of their Netflix account details.

Also, the scammers send these text messages from a phone number that Netflix never sends to their subscribers.

How do I get rid of the Netflix payment declined scam?

1. Change your Netflix password

1. Open any web browser.
2. Navigate to the Netflix login page.
3. Select the Email radio button and provide your Netflix Email ID in the textbox below.
4. Next, click Email Me.
5. After this, you will receive an email to reset your Netflix password.
6. Go to your mail inbox and open the email sent by Netflix.
7. Follow the onscreen instructions from there and change your Netflix password.

Given the fact that the Netflix payment declined message is a scam, it is recommended to change your account password. This will ensure that your account is safe and secure.

2. Notify Netflix about the text

If ever you get this kind of text message from scammers, please notify Netflix by emailing the text message to [email protected].

They will act by finding out about the scammers, and you will also help prevent this from happening to others.

3. Block the number

The best way to avoid such fraud is by not replying to such text messages.

There are a lot of third-party applications available that could be used to block the numbers from which you received the text message on your phone.

How can I prevent the Netflix payment declined text scam?

Unfortunately, there is no possible clear solution to prevent you from being targeted by such phishing scams.

The only efficient way of avoiding such problems is to stay alert and refrain from clicking on links that look and feel wrong.

You also need to get an excellent third-party antivirus that may detect phishing websites and warn or block you from loading them.

Did you find this article to be informative? Let us know in the comments section below.

5 Quick Ways to Stop Sky From Blocking IPTV

Posted on September 17, 2022October 4, 2025 by Farhad Pashaei

Sky is one of the world’s many internet service providers (ISPs). While it has a vast user base, the service has some unpleasant security features, such as Sky blocking IPTV.

Sky Broadband Shield is one such feature. It’s a web filter designed to block harmful and inappropriate websites. It was created with excellent intentions but restricted far too much traffic. As a result, many are looking for ways to avoid it.

A VPN is an excellent tool for this (Virtual Private Network). But there are also other ways to bypass this unnecessary shield. Let’s get into the article to learn more.

How do I check if my ISP is blocking the streaming services?

The simplest method is using the Opera browser to check if the ISP restricts streaming. Opera browser includes a free VPN. You acquire a new IP address when you enable the VPN.

You can enable VPN in Opera’s Settings. Enter the streaming service with the browser. If you can watch any show, your ISP has blocked access to this content. If the service doesn’t load, there must be another cause than sky-blocking streaming sites.

How do I stop Sky from blocking IPTV?

1. Use a VPN

Download ExpressVPN, double-click on the file, and install it on your PC.

Run the application and wait for it to connect.
Retry the IPTV service and see if you can watch your favorite show.

As mentioned, the first option would be to use a VPN service to bypass the Sky shield blocking IPTV.

It allows you to view IPTV securely and privately, which means your internet provider cannot ban services or reduce your connection speeds based on content.

ExpressVPN

Watch IPTV securely and privately thanks to ExpressVPN’s amazing features.

Free Trial Visit Website

2. Use a different DNS

Enter the Admin Panel for your router. This information is available in the manual for your modem or router.
Enter your router’s admin username and password.
Locate and update the DNS settings to use the Smart DNS proxy DNS IPs. Finally, save your new preferences.
Restart your router.

Changing your DNS is much like using a VPN service. You should be able to bypass restrictions by altering this setting.

This could also increase your internet speed and help you stream your favorite content on Sky on Demand without any interruption.

3. Check your ping using a website address

Click on the Windows Start icon, type Command Prompt, and select the appropriate result.
Type ping, followed by a space, your website’s address, and then add with a space -t.
For example, ping www.google.com -t.

This will provide you with the ping of your network, so if you see high numbers (over 200ms), there is a problem with your ISP servers and not Sky Sports blocking IPTV.

To resolve this issue, you should connect to the customer support of our ISP.

4. Use a proxy

Click on the Windows Start menu, type Command Prompt, and select it.
Type ping, followed by a space, your website’s address, and then add with a space -t. For example: ping www.google.com -t.

This will provide you with the ping of your network, so if you see high numbers (over 200ms), there is a problem with your ISP servers and not Sky Sports blocking IPTV.

To resolve this issue, you should connect to the customer support of our ISP.

5. Use Tor

You can easily stop Sky from blocking IPTV by downloading and installing Tor.

This browser is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android, making it one of the most popular browsers.

Can you put a VPN on the Sky router?

A VPN cannot be installed or set up directly on a Sky router. Since Sky provides your router, they don’t offer many customization options beyond getting you online.

There isn’t much you can do regarding sky router IPTV settings except change your DNS or use VPN on your computer.

Most ISPs are renowned for banning IPTV, affecting many consumers. Fortunately, one of the options above can help you solve this problem.

The issue of Sky banning IPTV is well-known; many customers have stated that using a VPN before accessing the service addresses the problem. Remember that these issues can affect set-top boxes as well, and we covered that issue in our Sky Mini Box not working guide.

If you can’t watch your favorite channels on your Sky Glass due to stuck at software update in-progress issue, read this guide. Besides, for users on the service’s console, find out how to get rid of the red light on Sky Q. We also have a guide on what to do if Sky Glass won’t turn on, so don’t miss it.

Now that you have fixed this issue, why not look at our IPTV not showing TV guide article?

You can watch your favorite shows again after removing this unneeded SKY shield.

Doom Eternal Login Not Working: Fix It Quickly in 4 Steps

Posted on September 16, 2022September 30, 2025 by Vlad Turiceanu

The Doom Eternal login not working is a frequent problem that gamers face when attempting to open the game from the launcher, even with the right credentials.

When you first launch Doom Eternal, you’ll be prompted to log in to your Bethesda account before you can play the game.

You can easily log in by either clicking I already have an account at the top of your screen.

If you do not have an existing account, you can click on create account to sign up. But what could be more frustrating than having to forfeit playing a game because you’re unable to log in?

Requiring that players must compulsorily log in is already a problem on its own.

A lot of players have voiced their frustrations about not being able to connect to the game. Some are left on an endless connecting screen, and others report Doom Eternal freezing at login.

If you’re experiencing the same problem, then we have a couple of solutions you can try out. This article will show how you can tackle this problem and successfully log in.

Why can’t I log in to Doom Eternal?

→ The first place you should look if you can’t log in to Doom Eternal is your username and password.

Be sure there is no key in an incorrect username or password. If you have forgotten your password, you would need to reset the password before you can log in. Also, make sure you don’t experience any issues while connecting the Bethesda account to Steam.

→ Also, another area you need to look into is account verification. If your account hasn’t been verified, you will be unable to log in fully to play Doom Eternal.

There are two factors that may cause you verification issues:

If you had linked your account through another game such as Fallout 4 or Skyrim but did not complete the full verification
If you created an account but did not click on the verification link sent to your email

These aside, there are other possible issues that cause login errors in Doom Eternal, and we’ll discuss them and explore how we can fix them below.

1. Reset password

Even if you do not get the “invalid password” error message, the issue might be related to an invalid password.

So the first thing you should do is reset your password to be sure the error isn’t coming from there.

An invalid password could also trigger error messages like Doom Eternal: something went wrong or Doom Eternal: please try again.

If you’re getting these error responses, then it’s likely you are keying in an incorrect password.

When resetting your password, make sure you have an alphanumeric password. Use at least 8 characters. And remember, certain characters are not accepted so avoid using them as part of your password.

2. Use a VPN

Some players have reported that using a VPN helped them fix the issue.

The issue could be due to the inability of your device to connect to Bethesda’s server or a connection problem from your ISP. A premium VPN will help you fix this.

For this type of issue, we suggest using Express VPN as an option because it has over 3000+ super-fast servers that you can connect to.

Purchase an ExpressVPN subscription and download the VPN on your device.
Follow the installation instructions to install it.
Launch ExpressVPN and log in with your credentials.
Turn on the VPN. Choose any region of your choice and connect, preferably one close to you.
Launch Doom Eternal.

ExpressVPN is pegged at an average speed of 457mbps, making it one of the best VPNs for Doom Eternal.

It also uses Lightway protocol, a custom protocol that has a reputation for being fast, secure and more reliable.

ExpressVPN

Fix connectivity problems and log in to Doom Eternal by connecting to this gaming-optimized VPN

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3. Clear cache

Clear Steam Cache

Login to your Steam account.
Go to Settings.
Pick the Downloads tab.
Select Clear Download Cache.
Confirm and wait for the process to complete.

Clear Doom Eternal Cache

On your PC, open Settings.
Go to Apps and features.
Find the Doom Eternal app in the list and select it.
Pick Advanced options.
Click on the Reset button.

Clearing your launcher and game’s cache gives it a chance to reset and remove bugs and errors that may accumulate over time, such as the login error or even with Doom Eternal high ping and latency.

4. Contact Bethesda support

If nothing still works after trying all these solutions, consider contacting Bethesda support.

You can reach their support by going to the bottom of their official website or by sending a direct message to their Twitter handle.

How do I complete Doom Eternal account verification?

Go to your login page and click on Help find my account.
Enter your email in the box and click on Send email.
Bethesda would send the verification link to your email.
Open the mail and click the verification link to verify.

At this point, your account should be verified and you’ll be able to log in.

Why can’t I play Doom Eternal offline

If you are finding it difficult to play Doom Eternal offline on Xbox, it means you have not set the console as your home console.

On PC, the reason could be that you haven’t switched Steam to offline mode.

But if you’ve switched Steam to offline mode but can’t still play offline, try finishing the game while connected to the internet. You should be able to play offline after that.

A lot of players have complained about having to log in before they can play Doom Eternal.

We are hoping that Bethesda will fix this soon by totally removing the login requirement. But while we wait, we hope that one of these solutions helps you fix the problems you’re having with Doom Eternal login.

Best Antivirus with Free Trial for Windows [Up to 90 Days]

Posted on September 16, 2022October 11, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

Today’s connected world demands a higher level of security for devices and endpoints, which is why there’s a surge in antivirus software that is better, more sophisticated, and stronger than its predecessors.

One thing that may never go away is the antivirus with a trial version because most customers want to do a test run before they can make the decision to get a paid version for their home or business use.

Trial versions may, or may not come with the full features as the paid version, but you can be sure they’ll carry out the basic routine checks and security measures you need until their expiry.

The difference is that paid versions grant you full access to all product functions plus tech support while performing background and on-demand protection as your computer runs.

The trial version won’t give you this, at least not after expiry – it won’t update virus definition files either so you’re vulnerable to threats once it expires.

Here is the best, top-level security antivirus with a trial version you can get ahead in 2021:

What is the best antivirus with a trial version for Windows PC?

ESET HOME Security Essential – Strongest scans and prevention

ESET HOME Security Essential is the perfect software to protect your privacy for your online shopping, banking, communication, and work.

This tool is the perfect companion for modern computer users, being compatible with multiple devices, and protecting their Windows, Linux, Android, and Mac devices.

You won’t have to worry anymore about the safety of your private data such as passwords, online payments, and other sensitive data. All data is stored under many layers of protection.

ESET HOME Security Essential uses multilayered security in order to keep you safe from any threat. Furthermore, it aids system performance by scanning when your computer is not in use so it detects in advance any potential threat.

It also provides advanced machine learning that runs locally and was designed to detect advanced, never-seen-before malware and other viruses.

ESET HOME Security Essential’s main key features are:

Advanced anti-malware, anti-phishing, and ransomware protection
Parental control options
Webcam protection
Advanced settings for power users
Banking and payment protection
Real-time security with advanced machine learning

ESET HOME Security Essential

Ensure top protection of your PC from risky malware and keep your private data secure.

Check Price Visit Website

Kaspersky Standard – User-friendly and advanced malware block

Kaspersky gives you a free 30-day trial period so you can discover just how smart it is in protecting everything on your PC.

Protection includes defense against viruses and other malware types without slowing you down, plus online control with simplified security.

The program will guard you against hackers, and attackers while helping you keep your private life private, and boosting security as you shop or bank online.

There are three options you can choose from this antivirus with a trial version: Kaspersky Total Security for family and device protection, Kaspersky Antivirus, and Kaspersky Internet Security.

Kaspersky Standard

It defends your operating system against viruses and malware while protecting your private data.

Free trial Visit Website

Bitdefender Total Security – Complete real-time data protection

Bitdefender has multiple antivirus versions, with different prices and features, but all of them have 30-day trial periods.

We encourage you to try Bitdefender Total Security, an antivirus that works on different platforms, such as Windows, MAC, IOS, and Android.

Enjoy full multilayered protection for up to 5 of your devices, and that’s not all. This version of the software comes with a PC cleaner and optimizer tool.

With Bitdefender Total Security, you will be safe from all existing and emerging threats, thanks to the advanced AI that constantly improves and denies access even to the most hidden viruses.

If you’re using an older OS, Bitdefender provides protection with no impact on system performance, blocking all threats. Additionally, the app has a parental advisor and a two-way firewall to prevent device breaches.

Here are some other core features that you should expect from the program:

Anti-malware, ransomware, and adware protection
Anti-phishing protection
Online banking security
Web privacy
Lightweight
Special optimization for gaming
Multi-platform protection

Bitdefender Total Security

Bitdefender protects your computer against ransomware, privacy invasion, malware, and other threats.

Free trial Visit Website

Guardio – Real-time browser protection

Guardio is not an antivirus solution in and of itself, but rather your real-time defender who detects and stops all threats in real-time in your browsers. It is free to install, and also provides a 7-day free trial for additional features.

Traditional antivirus software attempt to eliminate dangers after they have infected your computer, while Guardio prevents threats from reaching your browser. Guardio defends in real-time, so there’s no need to manually scan for threats or apply updates.

This browser extension does not consume excessive resources, and it works well alongside other security tools without interfering with them.

Guardio warns you not to open shady emails or visit misleading websites where hackers can rapidly install harmful malware on your computer. Because your browser is a trusted application, a basic antivirus solution may overlook harmful extensions; Guardio detects and eliminates them.

Guardio warns you before you read an email that contains a threat. Guardio can identify a breach of your personal data, whether malicious intent or human error, and help you avoid identity theft. Furthermore, the security addon purges your browser of potentially harmful viruses and spyware.

The benefits of using Guardio are:

No additional downloads or software to install
Real-time web browsing protection
Automatically blocks harmful sites
Information leak monitoring
Removes suspicious extensions
Never see annoying notifications and pop-ups

Guardio

An advanced lightweight browser extension with real-time detection and prevention.

Free trial Visit Website

TotalAV – Best online browsing security features

TotalAV is award-winning antivirus software that comes with some amazing security features for your computer and for online browsing.

One of the main features is WebShield, a tool that protects you when browsing in real-time. You will be safe from phishing software, suspicious websites, links containing scripts and all your data will remain anonymous.

When searching for something, TotalAV will show you verified website listings, so no scam websites can trick you.

On top, with advanced features, no one will be able to track you or find any single detail about you. Your privacy is safe with TotalAV.

As for your PC, its in-depth scanning will find even the most hidden file that might pose a threat to your PC. With advanced anti-malware and ransomware, this antivirus will keep all threats away from your system.

And TotalAV is compatible with all your devices, so you can use it for your phone, tablet, or laptop, and your personal information will be safe even when connected to public WiFi.

While using TotalAV, you gain the following perks:

Real-time protection for downloads and pages you access
Remote firewall, allowing you to easily block or unblock connection requests
Anti-adware to block aggressive ads and pop-ups
Compatibility with all your devices

TotalAV

Your bodyguard for your PC and when browsing and accessing web pages.

Free trial Visit Website

Avira Free Security – Best free real-time protection

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Avira Free Security protects your computer from hackers and scammers and optimizes its performance. It does a great job checking your operating system and the networks you use for online threats.

Avira Free Security will also clean your browsing history and improves the privacy of your system.

This intelligent software has a direct positive impact on your computer. It frees up precious disk space and makes your computer faster.

Another important feature Avira Antivirus offers you is to improve the life of your battery. Create, schedule, and run scans to keep your system virus-free.

The program will detect and clean viruses, malware, and many more threats from your operating system.

After finding suspicious files, Avira Free Security will quarantine them, allowing you to choose which must be deleted and which should be restored.

This software has a built-in firewall, allowing it to block network ports that may be used by malware or hackers to cause harm to your computer.

Avira Free Security

This secure tool will protect your computer from hackers, scammers, and different types of viruses.

Free Download Visit Website

Emsisoft Anti-Malware – Best against fraudulent websites

Emsisoft Anti-Malware is now one of the most recommended security tools. This antimalware software is designed to work on all types of PC or laptops (even those with low specs) and supports both x32-bit and x64-bit platforms.

Getting straight to the question, Emsisoft Anti-Malware has a 30-day trial version that you can use in order to consider buying this excellent tool.

It protects your PC like all other antimalware tools, but it has some extra things in it. Firstly, you have the Behavior Blocker feature which protects you against yet unknown signatures and keeps you safe even if the attack came out not from the internet.

Another notable feature is the 4-layer protection in real-time. The tool also gives you the previous logs so you can monitor all the actions that happened on your PC or laptop. Running a scan does not take longer than a couple of minutes.

Emsisoft Anti-Malware is the budget version for full protection and we recommend it for all users.

Emsisoft Anti-Malware

Developed to secure your PC in real-time against malware and complex unknown threats.

Free trial Visit Website

Panda Security Essential – Lightweight real-time accurate protection

Panda Security Essential trial version offers a free one-month trial, with protection in three options: Basic, Advanced, and Complete.

The basic option protects devices from viruses and other threats, plus you can browse the web safely.

Advanced protection does what Basic offers, but also lets you download and share files without nasty surprises, on an unlimited number of devices.

Complete Protection combines both Basic and Advanced protection, but also optimizes and makes the most of your devices, letting you shop and pay online with zero risks while protecting children from dangerous sites.

Panda Security Essential

Keep your computer protected from viruses and threats while safely browsing the Internet.

Free trial Visit Website

Webroot – Best for payment protection

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This antivirus with a trial version offers a 14-day risk-free trial that downloads in seconds and doesn’t interfere with your current security software.

Webroot SecureAnywhere Antivirus protects against threats soon as they emerge, has no endless popups and alerts, secures up to 3 PCs while protecting you from identity theft, and has no time-consuming updates or slow scans.

Webroot SecureAnywhere Internet Security Complete has all features of internet security including eliminating traces of online activity, 25GB of secure online storage, protection from threats as they emerge, and no endless popups or alerts, plus it secures up to 5PCs, smartphones, and tablets.

Webroot Antivirus

This is an antivirus that shields your device against threats, with no annoying popups and alerts.

Free Trial Visit Website

F-Secure – Best for streaming protection

This is one of the strongest and best antivirus with trial version brands in the market.

It protects against all types of malware, with fast and efficient security that doesn’t slow down your computer.

You also get secure internet surfing with browser protection, and family protection with parental control to protect kids online.

F-Secure Internet Security comes with a 30-day free trial, but you have to submit a form to download it.

You don’t however have to provide any credit card or banking details. It is the best protection for surfing, banking, and shopping online, worry-free, with automatic protection against malware, hackers, and identity theft.

F-Secure antivirus also comes with a free 30-day trial, protecting your PC from viruses and malware, with automatic security updates, and you can use your computer safely without it slowing down.

F-Secure

F-Secure protects your computer against all malware types and offers additional browser protection.

Free trial Visit Website

Avast Free Antivirus – Essential security and protection

Avast Free Antivirus features advanced protection based on machine learning that will constantly improve, gather data, and take old and newly emerged threats alike.

With this software, you won’t have to worry about your device getting infected by spyware, ransomware, adware, and other dangerous software.

Besides having a powerful defense, the program will also remove any viruses it finds on your device after scanning it. This includes even the most hidden malware, such as Trojans.

Let us take a look at some of the software’s core features:

Behavior shield that constantly keeps an eye on suspicious apps
The lightweight app doesn’t consume resources
Simple and comprehensive UI
Wi-Fi inspector automatically detects unwanted connections
Smart scan that secures any possible breaches
Cyber capture shares data with the cloud
Multiplatform compatibility

Avast Free Antivirus

Try out this security tool for home network, sensible information, and your device’s safety from harmful software.

Free Download Visit Website

Ready to try one of these antiviruses out and see how they are? We recommend sharing your favorite pick with us in the comments section below.

5 Quick Ways to Fix Hulu if It’s Not Casting to Chromecast

Posted on September 16, 2022October 4, 2023 by Henderson Jayden Harper

Some users have reported that they are having some issues with Hulu, such as Hulu not casting to Chromecast. Others claim they cannot cast their favorite shows or movies onto Chromecast.

Hulu is a popular subscription-based movie streaming platform. It presents you with a wide range of content from various movies, Hulu Originals, live channels, TV shows, kids’ shows, etcetera.

It is available on most operating systems and supports Chromecast to watch your favorite shows on the big screen.

Fortunately, there are simple troubleshooting steps to fix the connection issues. You can work your way down this article to find which of the fixes works best for you.

Why is Hulu not casting to Chromecast?

Poor internet connection: One of the significant reasons that may hinder Hulu from casting to Chromecast is if there is no functional internet connection. Whenever there is a temporary network outage in your area, then, you can’t cast Hulu to Chromecast.
Server outage: On other occasions, the problem may not result from a poor internet connection. Instead, Hulu servers may be experiencing some downtime due to maintenance or other issues.
HDMI connection error: To make Hulu cast to TV through Chromecast, there are several mandatory connections you need to put in place. First, you must connect the streaming device to the TV via HDMI Port. However, if the HDMI cable is broken or the port is damaged, Hulu may not cast to Chromecast.
Power supply: To make Hulu cast to TV, another thing to ensure is that your TV is connected to an Uninterrupted Power Supply. Check if the power supply is not cut and if your TV is plugged directly to the source, without which Hulu will not cast to Chromecast

How do I fix Hulu if it’s not casting to Chromecast?

1. Re-sign into your Hulu account

Launch your Hulu application or visit hulu.com on your browser.
Click on your Profile on the bottom menu.
Click on Log out.
Wait for about three minutes, then log back into your Hulu account on the same device.

This method will clear your current session by logging out of your Hulu account and back in.

2. Clear Chromecast app Cache and Data

Access the Quick Menu of your Android TV using your remote.
Navigate to the Apps tab.
Select Show System Apps.
Select the Chromecast Built-in option.
Next, click on Clear Cache.
Then confirm by clicking OK.
Finally, click on Clear Data and click on the OK button.

3. Update the Hulu app manually

Launch the Google Play/iOS app store on your device.
Select My Apps & Games.
Locate and select the Hulu app.
Click on the Update icon and wait for it to download.

After any software update, it is best to reboot the device to enable the update to take effect.

4. Update the Chromecast firmware

Ensure that your device’s internet connection is enabled.
Launch your phone’s Google Home app.
Select the Settings menu.
Select the Reboot option.
Wait for the Chromecast device to update automatically.

5. Manually factory reset the Chromecast device

Ensure the Chromecast device is correctly plugged into the TV.
Press and hold down the reset button on the back of the Chromecast as it starts flashing.
Release the reset button only when the light stops flashing and stays solid.

This will enable Chromecast to Reboot and Reset itself to factory default settings.

Will Hulu work on any TV?

Hulu currently works with all the major smart TV brands, such as Samsung, LG, Sony, and Vizio, to name a few.

However, Hulu can still work on various devices, including streaming players, smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and your browser.

If none of the above fixes works for you, you can check our detailed guide on how to fix the most common Hulu connection errors for further assistance.

You can also consider checking out the three best browsers for flawless Hulu live TV streaming.

How to Open Multiple Files at Once in Windows 10

Posted on September 16, 2022October 4, 2023 by Matthew Adams

You may often need to open multiple files on your Windows 10 PC. So, it would be great if File Explorer included a file list feature with which you could set up saved lists that you could click to open all files included in them.

Then you could open multiple images, documents, music, spreadsheets, and even .exe files within the saved list with a single click.

Well, Microsoft has not incorporated such a feature into File Explorer. Nevertheless, you can still set up file lists with which to open multiple files at once.

This is how you can open multiple files at once with a batch file or third-party software on Windows 10.

How can I open multiple files at once in Windows 10?

1. Set up a batch file and create a shortcut for it

1. Press the Windows + S hotkey on your keyboard to open the search box.
2. Enter Notepad in the search box, and then select to open that text editor.
3. Write @echo off’ at the top of the text file, as in the snapshot shown directly below.
4. Then enter the open file command as follows: start <file title> <full file path>

For example, to open the CCleaner software, users would enter something like this in the text editor: start CCleaner64 “C:Program Files (x86)CCleanerCCleaner64.exe”
5. Note that the file title that precedes the path in the command doesn’t need to include the file’s extension as well. After entering all the required start commands in the batch, click File and Save As.
6. Select All Files on the Save as type drop-down menu.
7. Then enter File list.bat in the File name text box.
8. Select to save the batch to the desktop.
9. Press the Save button.
10. Click the File list.bat file on the desktop, which will open all the files you programmed it to.
11. To assign a hotkey to a file list batch, right-click it and select Create a shortcut. That will add a duplicate batch file shortcut to the desktop.
12. Users can move the original batch file saved to the desktop into a folder, if they prefer.
13. Right-click the batch file shortcut and select Properties.
14. Click the Shortcut key box on the Shortcut tab, then press a keyboard key to set up a shortcut for it. For example you can choose Ctrl + Alt.
15. Press the Apply and OK buttons.
16. You can now press the Ctrl + Alt hotkey for the batch file to open its file list.

Although Windows 10 does not provide a built-in option to open multiple files at once, there is a workaround for this. You can set up a batch file to do the job via Notepad.

After you create the batch file, you can assign a specific shortcut to it for quick access. This means that you’ll be able to open those files in the future with a simple keyboard shortcut.

2. Open multiple files with Instant File Opener

Alternatively, users can open multiple files at once from a list with Instant File Opener. Click Free Download on the Instant File Opener webpage to save the setup file for that software.
Then open the installer to add Instant File Opener to Windows.
Open the Instant File Opener window shown directly below.
Click the Add file, folder, or program to the list button.
Then users can select a few files to add to the list with the Ctrl key.
Press the OK button.
Press the Save list disk button after adding all required files to it.
Select to save the file to the desktop.
Enter a title for the file.
Click the Save button.
Thereafter, users will spot an IFOL file on the desktop. Click that to open its file list window shown directly below.
Then users can click Open All.
To open files in the list during startup, select the Open at System Startup option on Instant File Opener window.
Users can also select Auto-Run on the List Type menu to automatically open all files without the list window opening.

So, it’s relatively straightforward to set up a file list even with a batch file. You can set up numerous file lists to quickly open any combination of software, image, document, music, and spreadsheet files at once.

If you have any other questions or suggestions, leave them in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to check them out.

How to Set up Charter Email in Outlook 2016

Posted on September 16, 2022October 4, 2023 by Radu Tyrsina

If you’ve been a customer of Charter.net (Charter Communications) for some time now, you should know that they have been rebranded. They did not alter the email domain, though, so no modifications here.

On the other hand, if you’re a new customer, you might have learned that the Internet and cable television provider has an integrated email service that you can benefit from along with other services.

Charter (now Charter Spectrum) also offers the same services for business clients. Part of their business line, depending on the package you select, they provide between two and 25 email accounts for your business to use.

You can access these accounts via their webmail interface, or you can integrate your Microsoft Outlook desktop client with Charter, via IMAP/ SMTP.

How can I set up a Charter email in Outlook 2016?

1. Create a personal Charter email account

Sign up for Spectrum.net services and create a username and password.
Sign in to your Spectrum account.
Go to the Menu icon in the top left corner of the page and select Manage Account.
Choose Services >Internet.
Choose Create Email Address and create a new username.
Then select Create Mailbox (it can be something like [email protected]).
Enter your Spectrum.net password > Finish.

If you’re using the service for business purposes, you need a registered domain name with Spectrum Business and a Spectrum Business Internet subscription.

2. Add your Spectrum account to Outlook 2016

1. Launch Outlook on your device.
2. Go to File and click on Add Account.
3. Enter your full Charter email address.
4. Click on Advanced options and choose Let me set up my account manually.
5. Press on Connect.
6. Select POP as the account type.
7. Add the following: pop.charter.net (Incoming Mail Server), port: 110, and smtp.charter.net (Outgoing Mail Server), port: 25.
8. Click Connect.
9. In the login box that appears, enter your Charter email and password and press OK.
10. That’s it! Now you should be able to access your Charter email directly from your Outlook account.

As long as you own a Charter email, you can easily integrate it to your Outlook 2016 email. This can be done via Outlook’s built-in options.

We hope you managed to successfully configure your Charter email settings for Outlook 2016 following our guide. Let us know if you encountered any difficulties by writing in the comments section below.

PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission Denied: [Python Fix]

Posted on September 16, 2022October 4, 2024 by Megan Moore

Python is designed to build websites, software, and more using a high-level programming language. However, users have recently reported receiving a permission denied error in Windows 11. Here’s how to fix PermissionError [Errno 13] Permission denied error in Python.

Because Python uses a general-purpose language, it can be used to build various programs rather than focusing on a specific variable.

For those wanting to learn more about developing and coding, Python is one of the easiest programming languages to learn, making it perfect for beginners.

Why do I get the permission denied error in Python?

Users encounter PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied error if providing Python with a file path that does not have permission to open or edit the file. By default, some files do not allow certain permissions. This error may also occur if providing a folder rather than a file.

If the file is already being operated by another process, then you may encounter the permission denied error in Python. If you’re receiving the Python runtime error, we offer solutions for that as well.

How do I fix the Python permission denied error in Windows 11?

1. Check file path

One of the leading causes of PermissionError: [Errno 13] Permission denied is because Python is trying to open a folder as a file. Double-check the location of where you want to open the file and ensure there isn’t a folder that exists with the same name.

Ensure the file exists and you're using the correct file path to fix python permission denied error.

Run the os.path.isfile(filename) command replacing filename with your file to check if it exists. If the response is false, then the file does not exist, or Python cannot locate it.

2. Allow permissions using chomd

If the file does not have read and write permissions enabled for everyone, then you may encounter the permission denied error in Python. Try entering the chomd 755 filename command and replace filename with the name of your file.

use chomd 755 to fix python permission denied error in windows 11.

This command gives everyone permission to read, write, and execute the file, including the owner. Users can also apply this command to entire directories. Running the ls -al command will provide a list of files and directories and their permissions.

3. Adjust file permissions

Navigate to the location of your file in file explorer.
Right-click on the file and select Properties.
Click the Security tab then select your name under Group or user names.
Select Edit and go through and check permissions.
Click Apply then OK.

Adjusting the permissions of the file that you’re trying to open will allow Python to read, write, and execute the file.

4. Turn off execution aliases

Click on Start and open Settings (or press Windows + I).
Open Apps then select Apps & features.
Open the drop-down menu next to More settings.
Click App execution aliases.
Locate the two App Installers for python.exe and python3.exe and toggle both to Off.

Python was added to the Microsoft Store for version 3.7 which introduced permission denied errors because it created two installers: python.exe and python3.exe. Disabling the Microsoft Store versions of Python should fix the permissions denied error.

5. Update Windows and drivers

Click on Start and open Settings (or press Windows + I).
Scroll down and select Windows Update.
Perform any available updates.
Select Advanced options.
Under Additional options, click on Optional updates.
Run any driver updates.

If you’re suddenly encountering the Python permission denied error and none of the above solutions worked, then check for any Windows 11 updates and perform any available driver updates.

What is the latest version of Python?

As of the release of this article, the latest version of Python is 3.10.7, which is available for Windows 10 and newer and is not compatible with older versions, including Windows 7. Python supports Windows, macOS, Linux/UNIX, and more.

However, If users want to use older versions of Python, they can access releases 2.7 and newer, or they can download a specific version of a release.

If you want a quick way to open PY files on Windows 10 and 11, we offer a guide for that as well. To learn how to deal with errors, be sure to visit our Try-except-print in Python guide.

We also have a great guide on what to do if _xsrf argument missing from post, so don’t miss it. We also have a new guide on Cannot open shared object no such file or directory error, so don’t miss it.

Hopefully, one of the above solutions helped you fix the Python permission denied error in Windows 11. Let us know in the comments which step worked for you or if you have any suggestions for a different solution.

How to Use Microsoft Editor for Outlook and Word

Posted on September 16, 2022April 2, 2024 by Vladimir Popescu

Recently, Microsoft released the new Microsoft Editor for Microsoft Office 365 Word and Outlook and a Microsoft Editor extension for Chrome and Edge.

By offering AI-powered writing suggestions, Microsoft Editor goes beyond the usual corrections and becomes more powerful than its competitors.

The AI-based tool aims to improve your writing in Word, Outlook, Chrome, and Edge. Below, we’ve compiled a few steps for using and installing it.

How can I use Microsoft Editor?

1. Use the Editor in Word

Microsoft Editor is included in Word for the web. Once you sign in to your Microsoft account, you should see the editor in the menu bar immediately.

To use the Editor, go to the Home tab and choose Editor. You can now use Microsoft Editor to check your document on issues such as clarity or grammar.

2. Use Microsoft Editor for Outlook

1. Launch Outlook.
2. Navigate to Settings.
3. Go to Account.
4. Click on Editor to toggle it on or off.
5. If you decide to use the Editor, you can select or deselect suggestion types (Spelling, Grammar, or Writing Refinement).

The Microsoft Editor is included on the Outlook app by default or with a Microsoft 365 subscription for Outlook.com. However, if it is not turned on, you can to it manually turn the Editor on via the app’s Settings. Likewise, it can be turned back off just as easily.

3. Add the editor to Chrome

Open Google Chrome
Go to Microsoft Editor on Chrome
Click on Add to Chrome
Next, click on Add extension
Choose the extension button in the toolbar
Sign in with your Microsoft Account (or register a new one)

4. Add the Editor to Edge

Open Microsoft Edge
Go to Microsoft Editor on Edge Add-ons website
Click on the Get button
Click on Add extension
Click on the extension button in the toolbar
Sign in with your Microsoft Account (or register a new one)

5. Use the Microsoft Editor on Mac

You can use the Editor on Mac as long as you have purchased a Microsoft 365 subscription. It can be found when you press the Home button in Word.

We hope this guide was useful. You can easily install and start writing using the AI grammar assistant, Microsoft Editor. You can also install Grammarly for Microsoft Office apps if you want other advanced features.

Before you go, why not check our guide on how to change the font in the Outlook Web app.

Feel free to use the comments section below if you have any useful recommendations on working with Microsoft Editor.

How to Check RAM Type in Windows 11 [Quick Steps]

Posted on September 16, 2022October 17, 2023 by Loredana Harsana

RAM refers to Random Access Memory and represents a physical chip installed on the motherboard of your PC.

This piece stores all the temporary information to access all the programs and software stored on your computer. Also, it functions as primary storage.

It seems like Microsoft users are interested in finding out how to check RAM on Windows 11. Before anything else, you should know that the available methods won’t require experience.

Today’s article will show you the easiest ones, which will definitely help you whenever you need to check the Random Access Memory. But let’s see first why you should do it.

Why should I constantly check the RAM on Windows 11?

The RAM capability is one of the most significant Windows 11 requirements. So it is always important to verify it and make sure it allows your OS to run in proper conditions.

Also, it seems like sometimes games are crashing after adding RAM. Thus, checking its usage is important to make them properly run.

Remember that running out of RAM can get your device into trouble, affecting its performance. In these terms, constantly checking it represents efficient prevention.

In addition, if you’re interested in how to make Windows 11 faster and more responsive, do not hesitate to check out our related guide.

How can I check RAM on Windows 11?

1. Use System Settings to find RAM information

Hit the Windows key, then navigate to the Settings menu.
Click on System, then, in the right window pane, scroll down until you find the About section, then click on it.
Under the Device specifications section, you’ll be able to see the installed RAM on your PC.

2. Check how much RAM you have via System Information

Use the following keyboard shortcut: Windows + R.
In the opened run dialog box, type msinfo32, then click on OK.
Click on System Summary listed in the left window pane.
On the right window side, look at the following information: Installed Physical Memory (RAM), Total Physical Memory, Available Physical Memory, Total Virtual Memory, Available Virtual Memory.

If you wonder what each of the above memory information means, take a look at the following list:

Total Physical Memory – It refers to the fact that some amount of your installed RAM is allocated for the hardware to function. So it will always be less than your installed RAM and will be the exact amount your OS would be able to access.
Available Physical Memory – In this case, the amount of RAM is the same as the one currently not already in use by your device. It’s available to be allocated to other programs and/or services. Here, the value depends on the specifications of particular machines.
Total Virtual Memory – It hasn’t any physical form on the motherboard. It is an unused part of your hard drive used as an addition to the physical memory to compensate for the amount of Physical Memory your computer lacks.
Available Virtual Memory – This one indicates the Virtual Memory is not currently in use. It is available to be allocated to programs and services.

3. Use Task Manager to check RAM

Click on the Windows icon (from your desktop taskbar).
Search for Task Manager, then click on it.
Press on the Performance tab.
From the left window pane, select Memory.
In the right upper section, you’ll be able to see the total available RAM for your system along with the RAM type.
If you take a look at the lower right side of the window, you’ll see specific sections.

4. Check RAM type in Windows 11 via CMD

If you’re looking for a more in-depth analysis of your RAM, you should use the built-in command tool available on your device. No matter whether your default terminal is Command Prompt or Powershell, both can do the job just well and tell you all you want to know about your RAM in Windows 10.

1. Press simultaneously on Windows+R.
2. Type cmd, then press on OK.
3. Copy and paste the following command, then press Enter:systeminfo | findstr /C:"Total Physical Memory"
4. Wait a bit, then Command Prompt will display the total physical memory in MB (Megabytes).
5. If you want to check memory speed, type the following command in the same screen, then press Enter:wmic memorychip get devicelocator, speed
6. To verify the type of memory you have installed in your system, run the following command, then hit the Enter button:wmic memorychip get devicelocator, memorytype

Note that after running the memory type command, a numerical value will be returned. To be prepared, take a look at the list below and find what each number stands for:

0: Unknown
1: Other
2: DRAM
3: Synchronous DRAM
4: Cache DRAM
5: EDO
6: EDRAM
7: VRAM
8: SRAM
9: RAM
10: ROM
11: Flash
12: EEPROM
13: FEPROM
14: EPROM
15: CDRAM
16: 3DRAM
17: SDRAM
18: SGRAM
19: RDRAM
20: DDR
21: DDR2
22: DDR2 FB-DIMM
24: DDR3
25: FBD2

What should I know regarding RAM usage in Windows 11?

There might be some of you that are wondering what are the normal terms for RAM usage on the newest operating system.

According to Microsoft, to keep Windows 11 running in proper conditions, you’ll need a minimum of 4 GB. But please have more than that.

Your OS holds some of the memory in reserve right off the top, even if there is no need for it currently. It does this in anticipation of being used. This reserve can be anywhere from 1.8 to 2.4 GBs of RAM.

If your PC has a high memory usage error, it may freeze while running a program, popping up specific error messages.

If your computer runs low on RAM, it uses a part of the storage drive called the page file. Now you have a complete guide that supports you in checking RAM on Windows 11 using some simple methods.

Games might not work after adding RAM, but they are not the only affected pieces. It seems like editing programs are also getting not enough RAM-related errors, and Photoshop is just one of those apps.

Now that you know everything you need to know about RAM memory, you can fix the wrong RAM speed and other issues on your PC.

If you have any other questions or thoughts, do not hesitate to leave a comment in the section below.

3 Easy Ways to Bypass Hulu’s Not Your Home Location Error

Posted on September 16, 2022October 4, 2023 by Alexandru Poloboc

In truth, few things in this world annoy us more than those instances when technology backfires and prevents us from doing what we need.

Software nowadays is a lot more stable and reliable, but not perfect. That’s why, when something goes wrong, we take it upon ourselves to provide the fastest, most efficient solutions.

Like, for example, when you are trying to watch something on and you realize that there’s something wrong with the Hulu account settings for Home Location.

We’re going to show you how to get around the Hulu home location error on PC, and know that this can also be found on TVs.

Also, don’t forget to take a quick look at how to fix the Not Included in Subscription Error error, just in case you ever need the information.

Why does Hulu say I’m not at home?

Well, the moment you sign up as a Hulu subscriber, one of the first things you must do is set up a home network for your account.

The company recommends that you do so within 30 days so that you can start streaming both regional and local channels.

There are multiple reasons why Hulu is not able to locate your home, among which are:

VPN connections
Shared Wi-Fi connections
Internet provider failed to be recognized by Hulu
The current device is incompatible with Hulu

Let’s look at the solutions to this problem and show you what to do in case your Hulu check in at home process fails.

How do I bypass home location on Hulu?

1. Connect to your home network

If you skipped reading the terms and conditions, know that your device must be connected to the same home network you registered on Hulu.

That means that, if you’re trying to connect elsewhere using your personal account, it is possible to switch your home network from the settings.

However, there are Hulu home location limit changes in a year, so you can’t really switch that often. When you are home, make sure that your device isn’t accidentally connected to another network.

Furthermore, if your smartphone is connected to both Wi-Fi and mobile data, disable the mobile data option to avoid any network connectivity conflicts.

2. Disable your VPN

Open the VPN app you are using.
Disable it by pressing the On/Off button.

Needless to say, Hulu is able to identify your home network by your IP address and there is software that can block access to it.

Thus, if you have a VPN or proxy server enabled on your desktop, laptop, or tablet, don’t forget to turn it off before attempting to connect to Hulu.

3. Contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP)

Here’s another scenario. Let’s say you set your home location on the Hulu account page and then switched Internet service providers. This means that you have a new IP address.

So, now there’s nothing else you can do besides registering a new home network on Hulu, and there’s no avoiding that.

Keep in mind that if you have a dynamic IP address, then it regularly changes, contributing to what causes this location error on Hulu.

You can try and set a static IP on a Windows PC., or simply get in touch with your ISP to see about using a static IP address.

Can I share my Hulu account with my family in a different home?

Subscribers to the streaming platform are able to stream from two different screens at one time, unlike Netflix where you have four.

There will be no more fighting over the remote because each can just watch whatever series they are binging at the moment.

We hope this article has been helpful in getting rid of this annoying error. Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

How to Install a Windows 11 Skin on Your Steam App

Posted on September 16, 2022October 4, 2023 by Alexandru Poloboc

We already know that the fresh, fluent look that Microsoft introduced to the world with Windows 11 is much appreciated by many users that were already expecting a whole makeover for Windows 10.

However, since the upcoming OS is still in its testing phase, some apps that we’ve grown accustomed to using still haven’t made it to the new system, or made it and don’t share the same fluent aspect.

We are now going to talk about Steam since it’s such a used app, and teach you how to add a Windows 11 skin to it.

Can I add a new Windows 11 skin to Steam?

You might be pleased to know that a Steam user has developed a patch that will bring that Windows 11 look to your beloved application. It is called Metro for Skin, also known as Fluent for Steam.

This patch will bring an Overlay with new icons to adapt to the new style of windows 11, to your Steam app.

This idea comes from a Reddit user by the name of elpurogamer, who recently shared an image of the patch in action and also added instructions on how to download and use it.

The user has designed this patch and also did some work on Steam’s download section, where he also performed a few tweaks and brought the fluent look as well.

Before you take any action, make sure you read and understand the important specifications of the patch you are about to use.

To get your hands on this software, head over to GitHub and follow the instructions that its developer listed.

Remember that this is not an official Valve software product.

If you decided that you want to use it and customize your Steam application, the next thing you have to do is carefully follow the steps required for installing it.

How can I install a Windows 11 skin on Steam?

If you also want to use the Windows 11 skin for Steam patch, you have to download the Metro for Steam skin. After that, you have to swap some files around to get the new look.

The tool is available for download on GitHub and is perfectly safe to use. Do remember to use it properly, according to what its developer says in the release notes.

1. Navigate to the Metro for Steam official website click on the Download button from the right side of the screen.
2. Download Inter Font from Google Fonts and install it.
3. Unzip and drag the font file in the \Steam\Skins\ folder found in the Steam folder. If the folder does not exist, create it.
4. Download the latest release of Unofficial Windows 11 Patch for Metro for Steam.
5. Unzip the downloaded file and replace the files in the folder Steam\skins\metro-for-steam-4.4\.
6. Launch Steam.
7. Go to Settings and select Interface.
8. In this panel you have to choose metro-for-steam-4.4.
9. Finally, restart Steam.

Another important aspect to keep in mind is that this is the first release of the patch, so you may run into some bugs.

So, if you are already using Microsoft’s new operating system and want Steam to look the same as everything on your desktop, download and apply this patch.

Have you already redesigned your Steam app to look more like a Windows 11 native? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.

3 Quick Ways to Fix Hulu if The Buttons Are Not Working

Posted on September 16, 2022October 4, 2023 by Henderson Jayden Harper

Several users have reported that the Hulu buttons are not working, which they experience while trying to stream their favorite Hulu show or movie.

Some lament they could not get past the login page due to the Hulu login button not working. For others, they claim the Hulu play button may not work or the Hulu pause button not working is the issue.

If you encounter any of these problems, worry less, as this article will provide you with quick ways to fix your Hulu buttons not working.

Why can’t I click any buttons on Hulu?

Incorrect Hulu Account: The primary reason why some users complained about the Hulu login button not working issue is that the login details are wrong. If you enter the wrong Hulu account username or password, this error will continue to repeat itself. Moreover, errors are bound to happen since there are multiple online services to keep track of.
Expired Hulu Subscription: Another reason you experience Hulu not showing a play button is that your Hulu account is on hold or your subscription has ended.
Server Problems: There are times when streaming servers experience downtime. It is possible that your Hulu buttons will not work. You only need to be patient until the servers are restored for good service.

How do I fix my Hulu buttons if they’re not working?

1. Reload your Hulu web page

Swipe down from the top of your Web page or click the reload icon of your browser.
Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + R simultaneously (for Windows).
Also, you can close your Hulu page and log in again.

Any of the steps above can be employed to reload your Hulu page. You can now try using your Hulu buttons to see if the problem persists.

2. Install Hulu app updates

Go to Google Play/iOS app store where you initially installed the Hulu app.
From there, search for the Hulu app.
Check if there is an update. (If there is, click the Update icon)

3. Check Hulu’s server status

As said above, you might not be the only one experiencing this issue. Other users will have raised the same concerns if Hulu’s server is down.

Hence, you can check Hulu’s comments section and live map on DownDetector’s page to know the issue and the solution whenever it is discussed.

How do you reset the bar on Hulu?

If the progress bar on Hulu won’t budge, then you should try rebooting your phone. Doing this can help you reset the bar on Hulu.

Hopefully, the fixes above should help you get your Hulu buttons working correctly in a suitable application.

For Windows users, check our detailed guide on fixing the Hulu Windows 10 app not working for further assistance.

How to Text Messages from Windows 10

Posted on September 16, 2022October 4, 2023 by Ivan Jenic

PCs and cell phones are getting more and more connected every year, especially with Windows 10 and its cross-compatibility.

And one of the most common questions people have is how to send text messages from a computer to a smartphone. So, we prepared a couple of ways in this article.

How can I text from Windows 10?

1. Send messages through the Windows Mail app

Probably the simplest way to send messages from your Windows 10 computer to a cell phone is through email. You can use the built-in Windows Mail App for this and simply compose the message as you would on a phone.

When your friend replies to your text message, you’ll also get it in your Mail inbox.

1. Open the Mail App on your device.
2. Click on New Mail.
3. Now just enter the number you want to send the text message to and input the code of your provider.
4. Write the message as you would a normal email.
5. When you’re done, hit Send.

Here are the message codes of some popular providers you can use:

Alltel: @message.alltel.com (or @mms.alltelwireless.com for picture messages)
AT&T: @text.att.net
Sprint: @messaging.sprintpcs.com
T-Mobile: @tmomail.net
Verizon: @vtext.com (or @vzwpix.com for photos and video)

2. Send messages through a carrier’s website

A lot of mobile carriers offer you an option to send free SMS messages from your computer for free. Depending on the carrier, you’ll be able to send text messages to other users of that carrier’s services, or even users of other networks.

So just go to your carrier’s website, log into your account, find the option for texting, and send the text message from your computer.

3. Use a free SMS website

There are literally a ton of websites that offer the possibility to send SMS messages for free. But using some of these websites isn’t always the best solution, because a lot of them are scams.

And even legit ones have their own cons, for example, you’ll get bombarded with a lot of ads, you won’t be able to receive text messages on the site directly, and you’ll have to leave your personal info, which is not recommended.

But if you still want to use a free SMS website, some of the better ones are Send SMS Now, A Free SMS, and Txt2day.

4. Send texts through Mailbird

You might be familiar with this popular email client that offers tons of features including email syncing, customizable layouts, an intuitive interface, and seamless integration with a plethora of third-party apps.

Speaking of which, what you might not know is that you can send and receive text messages on Windows 10 by integrating Mailbird – winner of Most popular mail alternative of 2020, together with WhatsApp.

As a matter of fact, you can do more than just send an SMS by combining the two; you can add an instant messenger right on your desktop to avoid switching devices.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Unified Inbox to manage all emails from multiple accounts
Simple, uncluttered, and intuitive interface with numerous customization options (free color themes and layouts designed for Windows)
Seamless app integrations (including Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp, Dropbox, Google Calendar, Asana, and many more)
Snooze features to prioritize and separate important communications
Speed Reader and Custom Sounds for email and/or chat notifications
A powerful attachment search feature
Intuitive keyboard shortcuts for archiving, composing, replying, and forwarding
Multi-language, 24/7, free support

⇒ Get Mailbird

Do you know some other effective ways to send SMS messages from your computer? If you do, tell us in the comments section below.

How to Open a WPL File on PC

Posted on September 16, 2022January 15, 2024 by Madalina Dinita

WPL files contain the .wpl file extension. Microsoft’s Windows Media Player commonly uses these files, the default application that can open them.

However, you can open such files using other software that allows users to listen to and view media data.

To avoid problems when opening WPL files, you should understand that they don’t contain media files. Instead, they store references to audio or video files.

By opening a WPL file, you will be playing a list of audio or video files that can be located in different folders.

Essentially, the WPL file is a playlist of songs. This also means that you should not alter the video and audio files contained in the WPL playlist. If you do, the application playing the file won’t locate them.

How do I open WPL files?

1. Adobe Audition

We recommend using Adobe Audition to open almost all types of audio files and edit and add effects.

It is a professional audio editor that seamlessly integrates with other Creative Cloud apps, such as Premiere Pro to make content creation a breeze.

Supporting Multitrack and Waveform views, you can easily cut, inspect, and enhance the audio tracks. Additionally, it can help restore audio content to make it sound like it was recorded in a pro studio.

Adobe Audition

Open and edit your WPL audio files like a professional with industry-leading software for audio editing.

Free trial Visit Website

2. ZOOM Player MAX Media Player

Download the latest version of ZOOM Player MAX Media Player from the Inmatrix website.
Open ZOOM Player MAX Media Player.
Locate the folder icon at the bottom center of the media player interface, and click on it.
A pop-up window will appear where you can browse through your computer’s files. Search for the WPL file you want to play. After selecting file, click Open.
The WPL file will start playing.

3. Microsoft Windows Media Player

1. Open Microsoft Windows Media Player.
2. Select File in the menu bar. On the drop-down menu that appears, click on Open.
3. A pop-up window appears where you can browse through your computer’s files. Search through it for the WPL file you want to play.
4. Select the file and click Open.
5. The WPL file will start playing.

A very useful built-in Windows application is none other than Windows Media Player. It allows you to open WPL files within a few clicks, without you needing to install other third-party apps.

4. VLC Media Player

Download a free version of the latest VLC Media Player from the VideoLAN website.
Open VLC Media Player.
Select Media in the menu bar. A drop-down menu will appear where you can then click on Open file…
Browse through your computer’s files for the WPL file you want to play. Select the file and click Open.
The WPL file will start playing.

5. AllPlayer Media Player

Download the latest version of the AllPlayer Media Player from the AllPlayer website.
Open AllPlayer Media Player.
Click the folder icon at the bottom left corner of the media player interface and a menu will appear.
Select Open video file or Open audio file, depending on which type of files are in the playlist of the WPL file you want to open.
Search for the WPL file you want to play. Select it and click Open.
The WPL file will start playing.

6. Maxthon 5 browser

Search for the WPL file on your computer.
Once you find the WPL file, right-click on it. A drop-down menu will appear.
Move and hover your cursor on the Open with option. Here, another drop-down menu will appear next to the first one. Check if the Maxthon option is available and click on it.
In case, the Maxthon option isn’t available on the second drop-down menu, select Choose default program…
A pop-up window will appear where you can browse and select the appropriate application you wish to use; in this case, the Maxthon browser.
After clicking on the Maxthon browser option, your WPL file will start playing on the browser.

Yes, that’s right. You can simply use your browser application to open media files.

Of course, certain browsers work better than others and they typically use browser extensions from specific media players, such as VLC Media Player.

The Maxthon 5 Browser is one such multi-talented browser you can use to open WPL files. Go to the Maxthon Cloud Browser website and download the latest browser version.

7. Mozilla Firefox

Search for the WPL file on your computer.
Once you find the WPL file, right-click on it. A drop-down menu will appear. Move and hover your cursor over the Open with option. Here, another drop-down menu will appear next to the first one. Check if the Firefox option is available and click on it.
After clicking on the Firefox browser option, your WPL file will start playing on the browser.

You can also use Mozilla Firefox to open media files. It uses browser extensions from specific media players, such as VLC Media Player. Hence, this multi-talented browser can open WPL files.

Go to the Mozilla Firefox Browser website and download the latest browser version.

8. Convert WPL to M3U

Search for the WPL file on your computer.
Once you find the WPL file, right-click on it. A drop-down menu will appear. Move and hover your cursor over the Open with option. Here, another drop-down menu will appear next to the first one. Check if the Windows Media Player option is available and click on it.
Once you click on the Windows Media Player option, the WPL file will start playing on the application. As the WPL file is playing, click on the Switch to Library icon at the top right corner of the media player.
The media player interface will change.
Now click on the File option in the menu bar and select Save Now Playing list as…
A new window will appear with folder options for saving the playing list. It also has an option for selecting the format in which you’ll save the playing list.
You can change the file name to any other name you wish. And also select the M3U Playlist (*.m3u) option in the Save as type section. Now, save the document.
You can then open the M3U file using a wider range of media players that can’t open WPL files.

You can use Windows Media Player to convert your Windows Media Player-generated playlists (the WPL files) into M3U playlists.

The M3U playlists can then be opened by a wider range of media players, even those who can’t open WPL files.

Using these useful options, you’ll no longer have issues opening WPL files. For other complex audio files, check out how you can open VRF files.

Please comment below which solution worked best for you or if you have any suggestions or solutions that we should add to this guide.

How to Recover Deleted Files from USB

Posted on September 16, 2022August 25, 2025 by Ivan Jenic

USB flash drives are great backup tools used to store and transfer data. Sometimes, files on your USB drive may be corrupted or you accidentally deleted your files.

Today we are going to show you how to recover files from USB drive.

What could cause my USB files to get deleted?
How can I recover deleted files from a USB flash drive?
- 1. Use Command Prompt to recover hidden files from USB
- 2. Use Stellar Data Recovery

What could cause my USB files to get deleted?

There are several reasons for USB data loss, but a few reasons include:

Another program deleted the file.
Mistakenly or intentionally deleted the file from the USB drive.
Unplugged USB drives during the transfer process.
File corruption due to virus attacks.
Fragmented partition structure on the USB flash drive.

Meanwhile, deleted files on the USB drive cannot be restored in the Recycle Bin unlike files deleted from the local disk/disk drive.

If you can’t find your drive files in the Recycle Bin, take a look at our dedicated guide.

However, we have compiled applicable methods that you can use to recover deleted files from the USB drive.

How can I recover deleted files from a USB flash drive?

1. Use Command Prompt to recover hidden files from USB

1. Plug your USB drive (where the files were deleted from) into your PC.
2. Press the Windows and R keys to launch the Run program.
3. Type cmd and hit Enter key to open Command Prompt window.
4. In Command Prompt’s window, type the following command, and replace H with the drive letter of the USB drive: chkdsk H: /f
5. Press Enter to run the command.
6. Now type the following command: ATTRIB -H -R -S /S /D H:*.*
7. Press Enter to run it.
8. Wait for the process to complete.
9. After this procedure, you will find all deleted files on a newly created folder on your USB drive. You can change the file extension back to a normal format so as to make those found files functional again.

The simplest way to recover deleted files from flash drive is to use Command Prompt. Command Prompt is a built-in Windows application. If you don’t have it, you can use Powershell instead.

You can also try out this fix on your SD, HD, or another external storage device.

If you’re having trouble accessing Command Prompt as an admin, we’ve got the right solution for you in our dedicated article.

2. Use Stellar Data Recovery

You can use data recovery tools as well to recover deleted files from your USB drive. Recovery tools are computer programs that are used to recover permanently deleted files on your Windows PC.

There are several recovery tools in the computer world, some of which are free and others are largely premium.

However, these tools scan your USB drive using an efficient algorithm and recover deleted files and folders on your USB drive.

We strongly recommend Stellar Data Recovery in order to perform this action. This tool will recover corrupted and deleted videos, images, documents, and music files.

If you want to know more about this tool, don’t hesitate to take a look at our awesome Stellar Data Recovery review. You’ll see whether it is worth the money or not.

For now, do keep in mind that the Deep Scan function is designed to recover data from formatted or corrupt storage.

If the software is not able to find the data in Quick Scan, it automatically switches to Deep Scan.

Here are a few of its key features:

Recovers lost data on all Windows devices & storage media
Built-in support for data recovery on RAW drive volumes
Recovers documents, PDFs, photos, videos, & more
Allows selective recovery of files for your choice
Previews recoverable files for precise recovery

Stellar Data Recovery

This powerful tool can help you recover any files from a USB storage device.

Check Price Visit Website

In conclusion, any of the file recovery tools mentioned above can help you to recover deleted files as well.

For a more detailed overview and extra recovery options, check out our complete guide on data recovery software for USB drive.

Also, we recommend that you back up your files on cloud storage services so as to increase your options for file retrieval. If you are using Windows 8, check our dedicated guide on the best data recovery software for Windows 8 for higher success rates and compatibility tips.

Hope we have been able to help you recover deleted files from your USB drive. If you have any questions, you can comment below.

5 Best USB-C Laptop Chargers For Your Device

Posted on September 16, 2022October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

Whether you’ve lost your laptop charger or you’re looking for a replacement for your broken one, finding one that works across different laptops is not easy.

The best USB-C laptop charger not only works with different laptops but also provides the minimum power needed for your machine. It will also be compatible in many ways than just the USB-C connector.

A general rule of thumb is to use the laptop charger that came with your laptop from the manufacturer. Otherwise, incompatibility can lead to a slow charging process, or it’ll fry up your laptop’s battery.

If your laptop’s manufacturer has no laptop chargers or there are no certified partners available, it will be difficult to find it.

However, if you don’t mind using a third-party USB-C laptop charger, there are plenty in the market that you can choose from. They may not be the same wattage or size as the one that came with your laptop, but they still do a good job.

The good thing is that they come with more options for plugging in multiple devices simultaneously, plus some have higher power supply ratings, so your laptop will juice up faster.

Here are our top picks for the best USB-C laptop charger to power up your machine.

What are the best USB-C laptop charger deals?

Anker 747 GaNPrime 150W (recommended)

Charge 2 laptops at high speed, up to 4 devices simultaneously, or one device charging at 100W
38% smaller than the Apple 140W charger - and even more power
ActiveShield 2.0 technology
Greener with GaN
Scratch-resistant and smudge-proof exterior

Does not charge MacBook Pro models at full speed

Check price

The Anker 747 GaNPrime charger comes with the Anker Advantage, which is basically more than 20 million+ happy users (and counting), powered by this leading USB charging brand.

Its features include fast-charging technology that enables you to charge any USB-C device at very high speeds with the Power Delivery port. You can choose to charge 2 laptops at a very high speed at the same time.

Added to that, you can use the 4 available ports to charge 4 devices at the same time, but with reduced power, or you can charge a single device at super speeds, while also saving the environment with the GaN technology, which is included.

During our tests, we made sure to explore all the charging options available, including 4, 2, and one-device charging tests. The charger has performed very well in all these categories and thus has made it at the top of our list.

Razer USB-C 130W GaN

130W GaN technology built-in
Charge up to 4 devices at the same time
Safe Power Delivery system - ensures that you are in no danger
Compact design (fits perfectly in your pocket)
Global adapter power plugs - mobility ensured

The design might not be for everybody
Expensive

Check price

The Razer USB-C GaN charger provides you with 130W of power, making it one of the best chargers on the market at this point.

This handy and portable device ensures that you can take it with you wherever you go, and thus ensures that your devices will be protected and ready to be used at all times.

The Safe Power Delivery system not only charges your devices up fast but also ensures that the charge is kept at an optimal level across time, while also ensuring that no short circuits and overcurrent can affect your item.

Even more, the GaN technology used in this device ensures that you are also taking a stand against the overuse of technology, and millions of kWh can be saved per year.

During our tests, the Razer USB-C device has proven very efficient in all charging situations, while charging 4, 2, and one device by using it.

The only downside to this device is the steep price, but if you’re a fan of Razer and want to take advantage of all its features, you can’t put a price on this one.

UGREEN Nexode 140W (recommended)

3 ports with GaN
Slim portable design
Ugreen Power Dispenser System - power output is intelligently adjusted
PD 3.1 technology - allows maximum charging levels without causing damage
2 USB-C ports + a USB-A port
6 feet USC-C to USB-C cable with 240W fast charging included
Thermal Guard system takes 800 temperature readings every second

Less portable than other options because of weight

Check price

The UGREEN Nexode 140W charger allows you to charge up to 3 devices simultaneously, with 2 included USB-C ports which can deliver 65W of power for two laptops, making the charging process easier and faster.

This charger also comes with a USB-C to C charging cable that is capable of 240W without issues, and you also have access to another USB-A port for another device.

The UGREEN Nexode ensures that your MacBook Pro 16” will be charged up extremely fast, as this item uses the cutting-edge PD 3.1 protocol, which ensures that your devices will be charged at maximum speed, while also eliminating any possibility of damage.

During our tests, we managed to charge a MacBook Pro 16” from 0% battery to 56% in about 30 minutes. We were not disappointed in this product’s performance, and we’re sure you won’t be either.

WOTEBEUS 200W USB-C GaN

200W charger with GaN technology
Includes AC Extension Cord that works with 5ft AC power line
3 USB-C ports + 1 USB-A port
Both USB-C ports are compatible with Power Delivery PD 3.0 and other super-fast charging protocols
GaN 3 Pro - low heat temperature which ensures a smaller size
Professional after-sale service for 12 months after purchase

Simultaneous charging and recharging are not supported

Check price

The WOTOBEUS 200W charger features 3 USB-C ports, and another extra USB-A port, making it very versatile when it comes to charging your devices.

This device can also be used as a laptop AC powerline, by using the 5ft AC power extending line, making it very versatile, and ensuring that you can charge your laptop using the USB-A and C wall charger, but also a notebook power adapter.

Baseus 100W GaN II

Massive 100W 4-port output (2 x Type-C + 2 x USB)
Multiple outputs with great speeds
Comes in two colorways
GaN II Technology: Lower temperature
Compact design
12-month warranty

Some users reported pauses in charging

Check price

The USB-C charger from Baseus offers you access to 4 ports, including 2 Type-C ones, and another 2 USB normal ports.

Using the Shared Charging System enables you to save time, while also not wasting even a drop of power in the process.

It takes about 2 hours to fully charge the MacBook Pro 16” with 96W of power, while two normal laptops can be charged simultaneously with great results.

Includes a variety of fast charging protocols: PD3.0, QC3.0, PPS, Samsung Super Fast Charging, and more.

Have you settled on the best USB-C laptop charger for yourself? Let us know your choice, or if you know a good one that deserves to be on this list, share it with us in the comments section below.

Does ExpressVPN Work in China? Tested Tips You Must Know

Posted on September 16, 2022September 28, 2025 by Vlad Constantinescu

ExpressVPN is one of the most popular services on the market, and for good reason. It offers its customers unmatched security features, a huge network of servers, and a convenient zero-logging policy.

You can even use it if you’re aiming to bypass Netflix’s geo-restrictions. ExpressVPN is one of the few VPNs that still allow you to enjoy Netflix US and UK from anywhere in the world.

Long story short, ExpressVPN is a service you can trust. Even at crucial moments during official investigations, authorities were unable to find any relevant data on ExpressVPN servers.

However, censorship can take all the fun out of services such as ExpressVPN. Take China, for instance, which has one of the most repressive Internet rules.

Not only it forbids its citizens to use VPNs, but reportedly also sanctions them if found guilty.

Can VPN be used in China?

Yes, you can still use a VPN in China. There’s a popular misconception nowadays that you can’t use a VPN while in China. Wrong. You can use a VPN, only it has to be a government-approved one.

For this reason, access to the official websites of popular VPNs like ExpressVPN or NordVPN is not permitted in China.

Using a Government-approved VPN means that your data will not be 100% private and encrypted, because these do actually keep user activity logs, that’s why they’re approved.

Since China is against any form of criticism against its government or leading parties, you could expect nothing short of being monitored through government-approved VPNs.

The Great Firewall of China

Like we said just a while back, China is not very keen on Internet freedom. As a result, a lot of publications get censored and citizens are only allowed access to certain materials online.

This affects both publishers and those who merely want to view publications online.

On top of that, the Chinese government also enforced strict individual monitoring. Thus, without the proper tools, authorities or ISPs could easily snoop on your online whereabouts.

And without an issue, too, since they have the legal frame to do so.

Thus, it makes sense why certain, non-government-approved VPNs, which are virtual rockstars when it comes to securing your online privacy, were banned.

Citizens can no longer rely on these services to cloak their online activity or bypass censorship.

Fortunately, services such as ExpressVPN still do a pretty good job when it comes to establishing secure tunnels from deep within China to the rest of the world.

And the best part is that it wasn’t compromised by government-imposed backdoors.

Does ExpressVPN still work in China in 2022?

Even though it was banned a few years back, ExpressVPN still continues to work on Chinese territory.

However, there’s a downside to this situation. Since the service is banned, you can’t sign up for it while in China.

Or access the service’s website altogether, for that matter.

However, there are a few workarounds if you want to use ExpressVPN (one of the most trustworthy VPNs) from China.

1. Sign up for ExpressVPN outside of China (if possible)

Get an ExpressVPN subscription plan
Download and install the VPN on your devices
Launch them and log into your account
Enjoy unlimited Internet browsing in China!

This is the most inconvenient way to get ExpressVPN in China if you’re currently living there. You know, since it implies you have to leave the country and all that.

ExpressVPN

Looking for a VPN that still works in China? ExpressVPN can help.

Check price Visit website

However, if you’re about to make a trip to China and want some Internet freedom, you could sign up for ExpressVPN just before you leave.

Just make sure you take all the steps above before you leave. Otherwise, you might be unable to sign up for the service and access it without limitation.

2. Use mirror sites to sign up for ExpressVPN

There are some mirror websites online that you can use to access and sign up for ExpressVPN, even if you’re already in China.

The downside is that the Chinese authorities are quick about blocking them, so you have to identify them in a timely fashion.

For obvious reasons, we can’t share them with you here, since it could be a matter of time before they’ll be taken down. However, we’re positively sure you can find a few such links if you look carefully enough.

3. Use Tor to access the ExpressVPN onion sites

Tor has been around for a while and is still used to access onion services from your PC. The good news is that ExpressVPN has launched an onion website a while back, which you can access with Tor.

The downside is that GFW (the Great Firewall of China) actively blocks Tor, so you might not be able to perform this task too easily.

Thus, you might need to find Tor mirror websites to download the service and anonymize your connection.

How to use ExpressVPN safely while in China

1. Enable automatic VPN protection

By default, ExpressVPN will launch upon system startup. However, it won’t enable VPN protection by default.

Thus, it’s quite important that you get to enable it, so that every time you boot your PC, your connection will be secure and your privacy will remain, well, private.

You can find the automatic protection in the Preferences/Options menu, under the General section.

Just toggle the Launch ExpressVPN on startup and Connect to the last used location options and you should be fine.

2. Activate the ExpressVPN kill switch

In the same section we’ve discussed in step 1, make sure to enable the kill switch feature (also known as Network Lock).

This awesome option will ensure that even if your VPN connection drops, your real location, IP address, and other sensitive data won’t leak.

What a kill switch does is detect whether or not the VPN connection is active. If it is, the Internet works as it should. If the VPN connection is lost, the kill switch blocks access to your default, insecure connection.

3. Enable IPv6 and DNS leak prevention

While you’re in the Options window, navigate to the Advanced tab. Once you’re there, make sure to toggle the IPv6 address detection prevention.

This will make sure that your ISP (or another third party) won’t be able to pinpoint you using leaked IPv6 info.

More so, you can also prevent DNS leaks by making the service use ExpressVPN DNS servers exclusively. Thus, your ISP won’t be able to detect you due to unfortunate DNS leaks while using the service.

How do I download ExpressVPN on my iPhone in China?

As mentioned, the ExpressVPN official website is blocked in China and the mobile app is of course not available in the Appstore there.

For that reason, we recommend using a mobile proxy and then browsing for the ExpressVPN app.

The ExpressVPN team also recommends changing your Appstore location.

Open the Settings app.
Tap on your name.
Select iTunes & App Store.
Tap Apple ID and select Country/region.
Tap Change Country or Region.
Select a different country from the list.

Pick a location where ExpressVPN is not restricted, such as the United States. Now open the AppStore and type ExpressVPN in the search bar. You should be able to download it without much hassle at this point.

There are mirror websites with download links for the iOS app too, but you have to make sure that they are trustworthy.

Other VPNs that work in China

Private Internet Access – huge server network and military-grade encryption
CyberGhost – easy to use and capable to bypass Chinese restrictions
NordVPN – thousands of servers and untraceable connections thanks to obfuscation
Surfshark – multi-hop feature to hide your data completely and stay anonymous online
VyprVPN – Powerful and fast VPN with Chameleon protocol included (recommended for China)

ExpressVPN still works in China, but you should be careful

To wrap it up nicely, ExpressVPN still works excellently in China.

However, if you really want to use it, you might need to perform a whole batch of operations, since the Chinese government still makes huge efforts to block this service on its territory.

Even if you managed to sign up, purchase a subscription, and install ExpressVPN on your device, the battle is far from over.

So make sure you take all the necessary precautions as we’ve detailed above to make sure you keep the detection rate at a minimum.

You just connect to an appropriate server (matching the country of the restricted service) and you’re all set.

How to Install Games from GOG

Posted on September 16, 2022October 4, 2023 by Vladimir Popescu

If you’ve tried to install GOG games but didn’t manage to, in this article we will offer you a complete guide about how to do it.

Playing some of the GOG (Good Old Games) can take you back to your childhood. As in the case of the games that were produced 10-15 years ago, the times were a lot simpler.

The stories presented in the games and the association of those stories with times long gone can offer you a beautiful experience even in the era of VR headsets and high-definition real-life graphics.

For these reasons, in today’s guide, we will explore the step-by-step guide about how to install GOG games and travel back in time while playing them.

How can I install games from GOG on my PC?

1. Get the GOG Galaxy application and log in

Gog website screenshot - How to install games with GOG Galaxy

In order to get started on this journey, you will first need to download the latest version of GOG Galaxy to your hard drive and install it.

Follow these steps to do it:

Download the latest GOG Galaxy installer.
Run the installer package and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.
Open the GOG Galaxy app and log into your GOG.com account.

2. Download GOG games

GOG website - How to install games with Gog Galaxy

Visit the Games Library and search for the game you want.
Click on the respective game and click the Buy button to get a licensed copy.
After this process is completed, you will be able to click the Download button to start downloading. (the files will download in the default download location of your browser software)
You will get 3 files inside the download package – and .exe file, and two .bin files.
In order to start the installation process -> double-click the .exe file and follow the on-screen instructions.

3. Install GOG games using GOG Galaxy Launcher

1. Open your GOG Galaxy Launcher.
2. Log into your GOG account with your credentials.
3. Select the Owned Games tab and search for the game you want to install.
4. Click on Install and wait for the installation process to complete.
5. You can now play the GOG game on your device.

Installing GOG games on your PC is very easy and all you need to have is the GOG Galaxy Launcher installed. You can use it to download your favorite games and then install them by pressing a simple button.

If GOG games won’t launch after installing them, check out our dedicated article to find out how to fix the problem.

This guide covered all the required steps needed in order to install GOG games by using the GOG Galaxy app.

If you found this guide helpful please feel free to let us know. You can reach us by simply leaving a comment inside the designated section found under this article.

7 Best Antivirus for Windows Server 2019 [Free Picks Included]

Posted on September 16, 2022September 8, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

Windows Server is one of the most used server operating systems, and in order to keep it secure, you need to have a reliable antivirus for Windows Server 2019.

Windows Server is based on Windows 10, and as such, it’s already pretty secure, but to enhance your security, it’s always a good practice to specialize in antivirus.

All models on our list are compatible with Windows Server 2019 as well as with older versions of Windows Server, so let’s find the best antivirus software for your needs.

Does Windows Server need antivirus?

The response to this issue can vary according to your needs and resources. If you need additional security to protect business databases, antivirus software will increase your digital security.

You should know that Windows Server 2019 can offer enhanced security compared to its prior versions.

It’s considered to be the most secure Microsoft OS to that date, and you have improved Windows Defender technologies against online threats.

However, you can better protect your data and online privacy using an antivirus tool that detects new emerging malware or cyberattacks.

What is the best antivirus for Windows Server 2019?

Some of the best antiviruses for Windows Server 2019 include Eset, Norton, and Avast, but there are other options you can consider. Here are a few of them:

ESET PROTECT Advanced – Most advanced security features
Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security – Best antivirus for businesses
Norton Antivirus Plus – Best online protection
Avast Business Antivirus Pro – Best AI to prevent online threats
VIPRE Endpoint Security Server – The most advanced ransomware protection
Kaspersky Endpoint Security – Great overall server protection
McAfee Endpoint Security – Great database for detecting threats

Now let’s take an in-depth look at each of them.

ESET PROTECT Advanced – Most advanced security features

The first entry on our list is ESET PROTECT Advanced and this antivirus supports all versions of Windows Server, starting from the 2008 version to the 2019 version.

If you’re looking for the best antivirus software for Windows XP or newer, ESET can also be a great choice for older operating systems.

The software comes with a cloud-based console allowing you to manage detected threats, users, and alerts remotely. It’s worth mentioning that this antivirus has multilayer protection that will keep all your desktop and mobile devices safe, regardless of their platform.

ESET PROTECT Advanced also offers a cloud sandbox feature, so it will analyze suspicious samples in an isolated cloud environment. For data security, there’s a disk encryption feature that will securely encrypt all your files.

ESET PROTECT Advanced

If you’re looking for the best antivirus protection for Windows Server 2019, be sure to try ESET PROTECT Advanced.

Free trial Visit Website

Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security – Best antivirus for businesses

If you’re looking for antivirus software for Windows Server 2019, then Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security might be just what you need.

Just like other applications on this list, Bitdefender for Windows Server 2019 allows you to monitor your workstations and servers from a single console.

The software is designed to detect all sorts of network vulnerabilities, thus stopping all types of malware.

Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security also provides layered security to all your endpoints, and with machine learning, memory protection, and constant monitoring, you can rest assured that your network is completely safe from malware.

Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security

This next-gen antivirus offers the best protection against all threats on Windows Server 2019.

Free trial Visit website

Norton Antivirus Plus – Best online protection

Next on our list is another renowned antivirus software that’s been offering top-level security tools for a long time.

Norton Antivirus Plus is a great antivirus for Windows Server 2019 as it combines multiple security features to make sure your data is secure.

It has a powerful threat database with all known spyware, viruses, malware, and ransomware that may impose an attack on your system.

It automatically blocks any suspicious activity before it gets the chance to infect your server.

It offers real-time protection against online threats and also implements a powerful cloud backup option.

This can be a great addition for Windows Server users. The antivirus will securely store your data and recover it in case anything happens.

Norton for Windows Server 2019 also provides a secure password manager that you can use to store both account credentials as well as other sensitive information.

Norton Antivirus Plus

Prevent attackers from accessing your Windows Server with reliable multi-layered protection and secure cloud backups.

Check price Visit Website

Avast Business Antivirus Pro – Best AI to prevent online threats

Avast Business Antivirus Pro uses artificial intelligence and behavior analysis to detect all sorts of threats. The software also has cloud analysis that will scan files for any unknown threats.

The software is easy to set up, and once you install it, it will inspect all uploads and downloads for any suspicious activity. Thanks to the next-gen endpoint protection all your devices can be managed remotely from a central point.

Avast Business Antivirus Pro offers great features, and it’s compatible with all versions of Windows Server, starting from Windows Server 2008 R2.

Avast Business Antivirus Pro

Avast Business Antivirus Pro offers simple to use and reliable protection for all versions of Windows Server.

Free trial Visit website

VIPRE Endpoint Security Server – Most advanced ransomware protection

VIPRE Endpoint Security Server is another great antivirus for Windows Server 2019, but it also supports older versions of Windows Server. The application offers great protection against both zero-day exploits and ransomware.

The software is easy to configure, and you can install it and configure it and a matter of minutes. Of course, the remote management feature is available allowing you to easily manage all devices on your network.

The software also has advanced ransomware protection as well as real-time behavior monitoring with artificial intelligence for maximum security.

VIPRE Endpoint Security Server

For professional Windows Server 2019 protection, be sure to use VIPRE Endpoint Security Server software.

Free trial Visit website

Kaspersky Endpoint Security – Great overall server protection

best antivirus software for small business

If you need a reliable antivirus for Windows Server 2019, then you should consider using Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Windows.

The software uses multi-layer protection that will keep your entire network completely safe.

Thanks to the Exploit Prevention feature, the software will monitor all vulnerable applications and protect them against zero-day threats. The software can also intercept your HTTPS traffic and block malicious websites.

Using real-time behavior analysis, the Kaspersky for Windows Server 2019 can detect any suspicious activity on your server and automatically block the malware from running.

Kaspersky Endpoint Security

Obtain this highly secured Windows server protection for any device from your network.

Check price Visit website

McAfee Endpoint Security – Great database for detecting threats

McAfee is another well-known cybersecurity software company that provides effective and up-to-date protection against today’s threats.

Not only does it use a comprehensive database to detect threats, but it also implements powerful machine learning capable of detecting very new, not previously known threats.

This antivirus is suitable for organizations, providing central management options that give you information about each device’s security status.

The tool also incorporates powerful anti-phishing filters and lets you create digital vaults where you can safely store your data in case anything is to happen to it.

The scanner and real-time threat detector are configured to minimize response rates and take action right away when a threat emerges.

Machine learning detection uses proactive investigation guides to adjust to the threat at hand and figure out the most efficient way to block it.

McAfee

Stay away from advanced cyber threats with this complex Windows Server reliable defense.

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Is a free antivirus enough for Windows Server?

There are some reliable cybersecurity tools that offer support for Windows Server, the most notable of which is the built-in Windows Defender Antivirus which is truly free, with a strong firewall and multi-device protection.

Cybersecurity experts do however advise you to use it along with a third-party antivirus that offers more features and has a higher detection rate.

In this regard, there are some antiviruses that do claim to offer Windows Server Protection, but the free versions are somewhat limited and still expose you to some risks.

It is important to take into consideration how you use your Windows Server and at what risks you get exposed, but it is generally recommended to get a premium antivirus for maximum protection.

The good news is that the most reliable antiviruses for Windows Server 2019 do include free trials and money-back guarantees so you don’t have to invest right away.

Conclusion

Windows Server offers great features, and if you’re using it, we suggest that you consider getting one of these antivirus applications.

Choosing any of the presented antivirus tools can enhance your server security and protect the valuable data of your own business.

Hence, you can guard all your devices and protect sensitive information from dangerous cyberattacks using high virus detection antivirus software.

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

3 Ways To Fix Error Code 111 On Paramount Plus

Posted on September 16, 2022October 4, 2023 by Loredana Harsana

A return code or error code in computer programming is a numeric or alphanumeric code used to identify the type of a problem and its cause. Systems may decide to provide their user(s) with error codes.

An illustration of how a well-known operating system notifies the user of error codes is the Blue Screen of Death.

Owned by Paramount Global, Paramount+ is an American paid-on-demand video service. Paramount Plus is accessible on a variety of platforms, including the web, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Google TV, Fire TV, and even gaming consoles like the Xbox and PlayStation, much like any other streaming service.

This is the perfect spot for you if you frequently use Paramount Plus but have encountered problems that have interfered with your ability to stream, such as Paramount Plus error code 111. Continue reading to learn how to resolve that specific error code.

What does error code 111 mean on Paramount Plus?

Error code 111 on Paramount Plus simply indicates that your device is unable to load the content. You may encounter this error for various reasons. The first reason is that the device on which you are using Paramount plus may have shut down as a result of a power outage or power failure.

Another cause is that some corrupt cache and data may have accumulated in Paramount Plus. The last cause is that there is a problem with your internet connection. You need not worry when you see error code 111 since you can solve the issue without any problems.

How do I fix Paramount Plus error code 111?

1. Clear cache

On a computer:

Launch Chrome and click the three menu buttons at the top right.
Click More tools and then Clear browsing data.
On the Time range drop-down, select All time.
Ensure that the Cookies and other site data and Cached images and files checkboxes are selected.
Click on the Clear Data button.

On a phone:

Launch Chrome and then tap on the three menu buttons at the top right.
Tap on History and then Clear browsing data.
In the Time range dropdown, select the All time option.
Next, select Cookies and site data, followed by Cached images and files.
Tap on Clear data at the bottom.

2. Disable Adblocker

On a computer:

Launch Chrome, click the three menu buttons at the top right, and then select Settings.
Select Privacy and security on the left-hand side menu.
Click on Site settings.
Scroll down and select Additional Content Settings.
Select Ads.
Set the preference to All sites that can show any ads to you.

On a phone;

Launch Chrome, click the three menu buttons at the top right, and then go to Settings.
Scroll down to Advanced and select the Site settings option.
Select Ads and then tap to allow ads.
Reload the page.

3. Restart your device

Completely turn off the device by pressing and holding the Power button.
If your device is powered by a cable, unplug the cable from the device for at least one minute after you’ve turned it off.
Reconnect the power cable and power on the device.

What other streaming services can I use apart from Paramount Plus?

Paramount Plus is one of the most popular and well-known video streaming services in the world, though it is not the only one. There are numerous Paramount Plus alternatives available that will keep you entertained day and night on your smartphone, tablet, or smart TV.

Many of these alternatives are less expensive, and some are even free to use, albeit with advertisements. The other alternatives are Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Shudder, Discovery Plus, HBO Max, Britbox, Crackle, YouTube, Apple TV Plus, Disney Plus, Acorn TV, Pluto TV, Britbox, and Peacock.

We hope you found our guide on how to fix the Paramount Plus error code 111 useful. If you have any additional suggestions, please share them with the other readers in the comments section!

If you have any questions about the guide, please contact us; we’d be happy to help!

KB5017380 for Windows 10 is now live on the Release Preview Channel

Posted on September 16, 2022September 16, 2022 by Alexandru Poloboc

The most important updates for the Windows 10 operating system, all versions included, have been released via this month’s Patch Tuesday event.

Even Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 received important patches in September so that Microsoft can make sure that even outdated versions of the OS are still secure.

Windows 10 Insiders that are on the Release Preview Channel have received another cumulative update today, and we are going to see what it’s all about.

Windows 10 Build 19044.2075 is full of fixes

The Redmond-based tech giant has released a brand new Windows 10 build to all Insiders on the Release Preview Channel, in the form of Build 19044.2075, also known as KB5017380.

With this cumulative update, users gain the ability to view News and interests on the taskbar in any orientation.

Also, Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.0 and 1.1 is now off by default in all apps and browsers by Microsoft, plus there is a huge number of fixes.

Furthermore, Microsoft added a functionality that lets you use Azure Active Directory (AD) authentication to sign in to Windows using Remote Desktop.

Using this, you can use Windows Hello or security devices, such as Fast Identity Online 2.0 (FIDO2) keys, for remote sign-in.

Now, as we mentioned, there is a long list of fixes that have been applied to this version of the operating system, containing various problems.

Fixed an issue that requires you to reinstall an app if the Microsoft Store has not signed that app. This issue occurs after you upgrade to Windows 10 or a newer OS.
Fixed an issue that prevents MSIX updates from installing from the same URL.
Fixed an issue that stops codecs from being updated from the Microsoft Store.
Fixed an issue that affects cached credentials for security keys and Fast Identity Online 2.0 (FIDO2) authentications. On hybrid domain-joined devices, the system removes these cached credentials.
Fixed an issue that affects a network’s static IP. The issue causes the configuration of the static IP to be inconsistent. Because of this, NetworkAdapterConfiguration() fails sporadically.
Fixed an issue that affects rendering in Desktop Window Manager (DWM). This issue might cause your device to stop responding in a virtual machine setting when you use certain video graphics drivers.
Fixed a rare stop error that happens after you change the display mode and more than one display is in use.
Fixed an issue that affects graphics drivers that use d3d9on12.dll.
Fixed an issue that forces the IE mode tabs in a session to reload.
Fixed an issue that affects URLs generated by JavaScript: URLs. These URLs do not work as expected when you add them to the Favorites menu in IE mode.
Fixed an issue that affects window.open in IE mode.
Fixed an issue that successfully opens a browser window in IE mode to display a PDF file. Later, browsing to another IE mode site within the same window fails.
Introduced a Group Policy that enables and disables Microsoft HTML Application (MSHTA) files.
Fixed an issue that affects the Microsoft Japanese input method editor (IME). Text reconversion fails when you use some third-party virtual desktops.
Fixed an issue that affects the App-V client service. The service leaks memory when you delete App-V registry nodes.
Fixed an issue that might change the default printer if the printer is a network printer.
Fixed an issue that affects the ProjectionManager.StartProjectingAsync API. This issue stops some locales from connecting to Miracast Sinks.
Fixed an issue that affects Group Policy Objects. Because of this, the system might stop working.
Fixed an issue that affects Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) path rules. This issue stops .msi and PowerShell scripts from running.
Fixed an issue that might bypass MSHTML and ActiveX rules for WDAC.
Fixed an issue that causes WDAC to log 3091 and 3092 events in audit mode.
Fixed an issue that affects Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC). It stops WDAC from logging .NET Dynamic Code trust verification failures.
Fixed an issue that affects WDAC policies. If you enable SecureLaunch on a device, WDAC policies will not apply to that device.
Fixed an issue that occurs when a WDAC policy fails to load. The system logs that failure as an error, but the system should log the failure as a warning.
Fixed an issue that affects non-Windows devices. It stops these devices from authenticating. This issue occurs when they connect to a Windows-based remote desktop and use a smart card to authenticate.
Fixed an issue that occasionally causes explorer.exe to stop working when explorer.exe opens.
Fixed an issue that affects the Microsoft Japanese IME when it is active and the IME mode is on. When you use the numeric keypad to insert a dash (-) character, the IME inserts the wrong one.
Fixed an issue that affects the rendering of the search box. It does not render properly if you sign in using Table mode.
Fixed an issue that affects the FindNextFileNameW() function. It might leak memory.
Fixed an issue that affects robocopy. Robocopy fails to set a file to the right modified time when using the /IS option.
Fixed an issue that affects cldflt.sys. A stop error occurs when it is used with Microsoft OneDrive.
Fixed an issue that affects the LanmanWorkstation service. It leaks memory when you mount a network drive. 40366335 Risk Pending
Fixed an issue that affects Roaming User Profiles. After you sign in or sign out, some of your settings are not restored.
Fixed a known issue that affects XML Paper Specification (XPS) viewers. This might stop you from opening XPS files in some non-English languages. These include some Japanese and Chinese character encodings. This issue affects XPS and Open XPS (OXPS) files.
Fixed a known issue that affects daylight saving time in Chile. This issue might affect the time and dates used for meetings, apps, tasks, services, transactions, and more.

This is pretty much what is going on in terms of changes made to the Windows 10 OS for Insiders on the Release Preview Channel.

As you know, pretty soon, all of these tweaks will reach the Stable version of Windows 10 and all our worries will be gone.

Have you spotted any other irregularities after installing KB5017380 on your device? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.

5 Ways To Fix Fps Drops On Microsoft Flight Simulator

Posted on September 16, 2022October 4, 2023 by Henderson Jayden Harper

Many users complain about several issues while playing the Microsoft Flight Simulator. A common complaint most users battle is the FPS drops in Microsoft Flight Simulator, which affects the gaming experience.

It causes lag and stuttering in the game. We all know how annoying it can be to experience concerns like this.

However, the Microsoft Flight Simulator is a game that features amateur flight simulator programs for Microsoft Windows and some specific operating systems.

The simulator is accessible on most computers, but it has some requirements that help it function smoothly and better.

Nonetheless, players still encounter low FPS in Microsoft Flight Simulator, which can make the game tiring and frustrating.

Especially for Xbox Series X users, they claim the light Simulator stuttering often causes the game to crash altogether.

However, users ask how to get better FPS in Microsoft Flight Simulator and permanently fix the low FPS issue. Fortunately, there are some fixes users can try to solve the problem.

What causes stuttering in MSFS?

Outdated graphics drivers: Using outdated graphics drivers on your computer can cause issues with games like the Microsoft Flight Simulator. It affects how the graphics drivers work because they are old and may be corrupt. Also, an outdated graphics driver impedes the computer’s performance. It lacks the necessary updates to fix graphics driver bugs because it doesn’t have the essential updates to help it fix graphics driver bugs on the computer.
Poor Internet connection: Since the Microsoft Flight Simulator is an online game, it requires a stable and fast internet connection to run smoothly. However, poor internet connection can cause stuttering and freeze in the game.
Running many apps in the background: The computer may become low on resources if many programs run simultaneously. The Microsoft Flight Simulator needs system resources like space to run its heavy graphics display.
Requirements clash on the computer: Microsoft Flight Simulator is a game with specified PC requirements. It can cause difficulties for the game to run if the computer does not meet these requirements. Readers may be interested in exploring the best Microsoft Flight Simulator offers.

How do I fix FPS drops in Microsoft Flight Simulator?

1. Reboot your PC

Click Start on your computer.
Select the Power option.
Click on Restart.

Restarting the PC will help fix boot errors causing FPS to drop in the game. It is a good fix for MSFS FPS drop-in mid-flight issues.

2. Update graphics drivers

Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to prompt the Run window.
Type devmgmt.msc into the search space and click OK.
In the search results, click on Display adapters, then select the driver from the drop-down menu.
Click the Update driver Software option, then select Search automatically for drivers.

Restart your computer after the updating process is complete. Also, we recommend you try out a tool that can help update not just this driver but all the outdated or corrupt drivers on your computer.

A specialized software can save your time and efforts by automatically downloading all the latest drivers for your device rather than manually downloading one at a time.

3. Update Windows

Click the Start button.
Select Setting and click on Windows update.
On the Windows update page, select Check for updates. (If there’s an update available, Windows will automatically search for it and install it)

Restart your computer. Check if the MSFS FPS drops after a long flight issue persists.

4. Disable Game DVR

Press Windows + R keys to prompt the Run window.
Type Regedit in the search space.
Alternatively, press the Ctrl + Shift + Enter keys to prompt the Registry Editor.
Click on Game DVR, double-click on the AppCaptureEnabled option, and select Modify.
In the Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value tab, change the Value data to 0, then Click OK.

It will disable the DVR on Windows. Hence, restart your computer and check if the issue persists.

5. Turn Game Mode On

Press Windows + I keys to open Settings.
Select Gaming on the left pane of the screen.
Turn On Game Mode.

It helps your computer to optimize the resources used in the game and aids MSFS FPS boost.

How do I run Microsoft Flight Simulator smoothly?

Make sure the game is updated to enjoy new updates and patches. Adding new features and fixing bugs is possible as part of the updates to the game.

Also, ensure you have a stable internet connection for better performance. If the network is shaky or unstable, FPS will likely drop on Microsoft Flight Simulator.

However, we have a similar comprehensive guide on how to fix FPS drops and stuttering in Team Fortress 2 in just a few steps. Likewise, you can read about how to fix FPS drops and stuttering in PUBG.

If this guide has been helpful to you, leave your comments and suggestions below. We’d like to hear feedback from you.

Windows 11 System Image: 2 Quick Ways to Create One

Posted on September 16, 2022October 3, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

When using Windows 11 or any operating system, you should regularly create a backup to prevent data loss and restore your system in case significant problems appear.

System images are recommended to back up your files since they create a complete backup of your drive. If you experience any issues, such as a system failure, you can fix them by restoring your system.

Creating a system image disk in Windows 11 hasn’t changed much, and it’s similar to the Windows 10 system image backup creation process.

Nevertheless, this guide will detail and show you how to easily create a system image on your Windows 11 PC.

Why do I need a system image in Windows 11?

A system image is a backup file of your system drive that can restore your operating system in case of a failure.

You can also use a system image to quickly move your operating system to a new hard drive without any file loss.

The size of the system image varies depending on multiple factors, including the size of your partition, the number of partitions you’re backing up, and the compression rate.

Usually, it is equal to the size of your system partition, but some of you might choose to back up the entire hard drive so that the size can vary drastically.

Before creating a system image, ensure you have enough space on your destination drive to store the system image.

What is a Windows image backup?

To put it simply, an image of the entire content of every partition on a computer’s C: or primary disk constitutes an image backup. It is a replica of the disk and includes the things that are stored on it and the operating system, settings, data files, and everything.

Does Windows 11 need backup?

Yes, it does. Every OS needs a backup because there is a chance that you may lose some important data. Hence, the new OS is not an exception.

How can I create a Windows 11 system image backup?

1. Use Control Panel

Click the magnifying glass to start the Search function, then type control panel and select the app from the results list.
Now click on Backup and restore.
In Backup and Restore, click on Create a system image in the left pane.
Now select the backup location and click on Next. If you don’t have another drive installed, you will need an external media connected like a USB stick or drive.
A list of drives that you can back up will appear. Uncheck the drives you don’t want to back up and click Next to proceed.
First, ensure that the backup media can handle the backup size, then click on Start backup to initiate the backup process.
This might take a while, so be patient.
Once the process is done, click on Close.
Optional: Click Yes to create a system repair disk in case you don’t have Windows 11 bootable media or if you can’t access advanced boot settings. To complete this process, you’ll need an empty flash drive.

You can also start Control Panel by pressing the Windows + R combination and typing control panel. Then hit Enter or click OK to start the app.

2. Use Settings

1. Open the Start Menu and click on Settings.
2. Navigate to System and then scroll down to the Recovery section.
3. In the Advanced startup section, click on Restart now.
4. When the PC restarts, select Troubleshoot.
5. Now select Advanced options.
6. Click on See more recovery options.
7. Select System image recovery.
8. Now choose your system image and click on Next.
9. Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.

Users can also create a system image backup for their Windows 11 devices via Settings. The OS has a built-in Recovery tool which allows you to both make a new system image and recover the OS using a previously created system image.

Both methods will open the same window, and you can use the more convenient one. However, remember that the latter approach is available only on older builds.

Once you open Backup and Restore, you can create Windows 11 system image backup by doing as described below.

Although this process is simple, you may prefer using specialized software such as Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office because it offers better features and more configuration options.

Is it better to use third-party solutions to create system images?

Even if the Backup and Restore feature in Windows 11 is completely free, it’s only suitable for basic tasks, and if you’re an advanced user, you might find some crucial features missing.

Most cloning applications offer a basic version of their software that you can enjoy free of charge for personal use with some minor restrictions.

Specialized software allows you to create several different system images, including both incremental and differential, while Windows Backup and Restore can only create full system images.

With these tools, you can also run your system image on a virtual machine and quickly gain access to your files on another PC.

Therefore, we recommend specialized cloning software for advanced users for disk images and file backups.

What is the difference between System Restore and system image backup?

System Restore is a feature that allows you to restore your system in case any software problem occurs.

For example, if issues start appearing after installing specific software or driver, you can use it to restore your system to the previous state before installing the software.

Remember that it doesn’t affect your files, so if you accidentally delete important files, you can’t restore them with System Restore. Moreover, note that Windows creates a system restore points automatically.

On the other hand, a system image creates a full copy of your system partition, including all applications, settings, and files.

You can use a system image to repair software issues, but system image files aren’t created as often as System Restore points, and they are used to fix more severe problems that System Restore can’t.

Unlike System Restore, the system image will restore all deleted files since creating the system image.

Remember that it will restore your system drive precisely when you created the system image. This means any files created on the system drive after the system image are removed.

A system image can also be moved to another system, and in case your hard drive is damaged, you can transfer all your files and operating system to a new hard drive and continue where you left off.

How can I restore my PC with a system image?

Open the Start Menu and select Settings.
Navigate to the System and select Recovery.
In the Advanced startup, click on Restart now.
When the PC restarts, select Troubleshoot.
Now select Advanced options.
Click on See more recovery options.
Select System image recovery.
Now choose your system image and click on Next.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.

Creating a Windows 11 system image backup is simple and can be done efficiently with the Backup and Restore application.

It’s a great idea to create backups based on the sensitivity of the information; you can even make more of the same and store them on different media and places.

Any backup on your system or an external device can eventually fail, and you will return to square one.

More than that, a copy of your system image is like an instance in time that you can return to if a significant problem arises on your PC.

Are you using system images, and what’s your favorite method to create system images? Let us know in the comments below.

3 Easy Ways to Fix Error Code 224003 on Safari and Chrome

Posted on September 16, 2022September 28, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

While watching videos in your web browser, you might sometimes encounter Error code 224003. Unfortunately, when this error appears, you won’t be able to play the desired video at all.

It can be problematic, especially if it appears on most video websites, so in today’s guide, we’ll show you how to fix This video file cannot be played (error code: 224003) error for good.

How can I fix the playback error code 224003?

1. Disable all extensions

1.1 For Chrome

Click the Menu icon, go to More tools, and select Extensions.
Now disable all available extensions by clicking the switch icon next to them.
If the issue is gone, try enabling extensions one by one until you find the cause of the problem.

1.2. For Safari

1. Launch the Safari browser on your device.
2. Open the Safari menu.
3. Select Preferences from the list of options.
4. Now navigate to the Extensions section.
5. Uncheck the checkbox next to all extensions.
6. If the problem is gone, try enabling the extensions one by one to find the cause of the problem.

Add-ons and extensions are known to cause issues on browsers. Therefore, you might be able to fix error code 224003 by removing them.

This is a simple solution, and it should help you fix error code 224003 in both Chrome and Safari with ease.

Quick Tip:

Switching to a different browser is a simple fix to get rid of this error code. We recommend Opera One as we haven’t had any issues with it.

Opera One is a Chromium-based browser with built-in features ranging from built-in VPN, Ad Blocker and AI, to features like social media and messaging apps buttons right in the sidebar of the browser so you’re never out of touch.

Opera One

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2. Disable hardware acceleration in Chrome

Click on the Menu icon in the top right corner and choose Settings.
Select System from the left menu and make sure the Use hardware acceleration when available option is disabled.

Disabling hardware acceleration works only in Chrome, but it won’t help you fix Error code 22400 3 in Safari, considering the same browser doesn’t allow you to change this setting.

3. Clear the cache

3.1 Chrome

Access the Clear browsing data menu with the following shortcut: Shift + Ctrl + Delete. Select All time as the time range.
Select Cached images and files and click Clear data. The 224003 error will be fixed.

3.2 For Safari:

Open the Safari menu and choose Preferences.
Navigate to the Privacy tab and click on Remove All Website Data button.
Click on the Remove Now button to confirm.

After clearing the cache, check if error 224003 is resolved.

Error code 224003 can be problematic and prevent you from watching online videos, but we hope our solutions helped you fix this problem for good.

KB5017383: A closer look at this Windows 11 update

Posted on September 16, 2022January 16, 2024 by Alexandru Poloboc

Yesterday, we took a closer look at Windows 11 Build 25201, which just got released to the Windows Insider Dev Channel.

A day before that, Microsoft released the monthly Patch Tuesday batch of updates for several versions of the operating system.

Today, we’re going to break down KB5017383 and see what other tweaks the Redmond developers managed to pull off.

What’s new with Build 22000.1041?

Microsoft has released yet another brand new build for all the Windows 11 Insiders on the Release Preview Channel.

Build 22000.1041, or KB5017383 brings several bug fixes as well as some new features like WebAuthn redirection and dynamic Widgets.

With WebAuthn redirection, you can authenticate in apps and on websites without a password when you use Remote Desktop.

After this is done, you can go ahead and use Windows Hello or security devices, such as Fast Identity Online 2.0 (FIDO2) keys.

Once you installed KB5017383, when you open the Widgets board, a banner appears at the top of the board and provides more information about what triggered the notification badge.

The rest of the changelog is talking about all the issues Microsoft managed to fix through this cumulative update, and there are quite a few.

Fixed an issue that requires you to reinstall an app if the Microsoft Store has not signed that app. This issue occurs after you upgrade to a newer OS.
Fixed an issue that stops codecs from being updated from the Microsoft Store.
Fixed a race condition in framework autorepair registration. This issue occurs because a registration key is missing.
Fixed an issue that affects the Network Policy Server Management (NPSM) service. This issue causes major delays when you sign out.
Fixed an issue that affects the Windows Search service. Indexing progress is slow when you use the service.
Fixed an issue that affects cached credentials for security keys and FIDO2 authentications. On hybrid domain-joined devices, the system removes these cached credentials.
Fixed an issue that affects a network’s static IP. The issue causes the configuration of the static IP to be inconsistent. Because of this, NetworkAdapterConfiguration() fails sporadically.
Fixed a rare stop error that happens after you change the display mode and more than one display is in use.

Fixed an issue that affects rendering in Desktop Window Manager (DWM). This issue might cause your device to stop responding in a virtual machine setting when you use certain video graphics drivers.
Fixed an issue that affects graphics drivers that use d3d9on12.dll.
Fixed an issue that affects URLs generated by JavaScript: URLs. These URLs do not work as expected when you add them to the Favorites menu in IE mode.
Fixed an issue that forces the IE mode tabs in a session to reload.
Fixed an issue that successfully opens a browser window in IE mode to display a PDF file. Later, browsing to another IE mode site within the same window fails.
Fixed an issue that affects window.open in IE mode.
We introduced a Group Policy that enables and disables Microsoft HTML Application (MSHTA) files.
Fixed an issue that affects the Microsoft Japanese input method editor (IME). Text reconversion fails when you use some third-party virtual desktops.
Fixed an issue that occurs when the input queue overflows. This might cause an application to stop responding.
Fixed an issue that might cause a black screen to appear on your display. This might occur when you use a pen to turn on high dynamic range (HDR).
Fixed an issue that affects the App-V client service. The service leaks memory when you delete App-V registry nodes.
Fixed an issue that might change the default printer if the printer is a network printer.
Fixed an issue that affects WDAC policies. If you enable SecureLaunch on a device, WDAC policies will not apply to that device.
Fixed an issue that affects Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) path rules. This issue stops .msi and PowerShell scripts from running.
Fixed an issue that might bypass MSHTML and ActiveX rules for WDAC.
Fixed an issue that causes WDAC to log 3091 and 3092 events in audit mode.
fixed an issue that affects Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC). It stops WDAC from logging .NET Dynamic Code trust verification failures.
Fixed an issue that occurs when a WDAC policy fails to load. The system logs that failure as an error, but the system should log the failure as a warning.
Fixed an issue that affects Code Integrity logging. It logs issues as errors instead of warnings. Because of this, automatic repair is triggered.
Fixed an issue that affects the touch keyboard. The touch keyboard immediately closes when you tap to switch apps.
Fixed an issue that causes LogonUI.exe to stop working. Because of this, you cannot dismiss the lock screen to view the credentials screen.
Fixed an issue that affects the FindNextFileNameW() It might leak memory.
Fixed an issue that affects robocopy. Robocopy fails to set a file to the right modified time when using the /IS
Fixed an issue that affects cldflt.sys. A stop error occurs when it is used with Microsoft OneDrive.
Fixed an issue that affects the LanmanWorkstation service. When you mount a network drive, the service leaks memory.
Fixed an issue that affects the Get-SmbServerNetworkInterface It only retrieves a subset of the available network interfaces.
Fixed an issue that affects the Get-SmbServerConfiguration It only allows you to run it if you are an administrator.
Fixed an issue that affects Roaming User Profiles. After you sign in or sign out, some of your settings are not restored.
Fixed a known issue that affects XML Paper Specification (XPS) viewers. This might stop you from opening XPS files in some non-English languages. These include some Japanese and Chinese character encodings. This issue affects XPS and Open XPS (OXPS) files.
Fixed a known issue that affects daylight saving time in Chile. This issue might affect the time and dates used for meetings, apps, tasks, services, transactions, and more.

What can I do if KB5017383 fails to install?

Press Win+ I to access Settings.Select the System category and click on Troubleshoot.Press the Other troubleshooters button.Press the Run button next to Windows Update.

Be sure to report any other issues you might come across, in order for Microsoft to address and improve the overall OS experience for us all.

This isn’t the only important update, and in one of our previous guides we wrote about understanding the significance of KB5034121 in motivating Windows 11 users to update.

Even more, here you can find standalone links to download the KB5034123 updates and all about the three known issues in the package.

MSFS High CPU Usage: 5 Tips to Reduce it

Posted on September 16, 2022October 10, 2025 by Henderson Jayden Harper

Microsoft Flight Simulator is a game with high performance and graphics. Hence, it may require more resources from the computer than other applications. However, users may face difficulties with the game if it consumes too many resources on the computer.

It can result in the Microsoft Flight Simulator’s high CPU usage problem, making the game sluggish and frustrating. It affects the capability of your apps to run smoothly and can sometimes cause the app and the computer to crash.

Furthermore, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 CPU usage can occur due to several factors, including many apps running in the background, malware infection, and many more.

Hence, this article will discuss the best fixes for MSFS CPU 100% consumption and help you get MSFS lower CPU usage.

Is MSFS CPU or GPU heavy?

Microsoft Flight Simulator is high on GPU and consumes a lot of CPU. It means the game uses lots of resources because of its buggy requirements.

The MFFS is mostly heavy on GPU. Also, its requirement specifies that your PC should have a solid GPU to run the game.

However, the game may rely on the CPU when there is a disparity or inadequate Graphics card. Hence, causes the high CPU usage on Microsoft Flight Simulator.

You may be interested in reading about how to make Windows 11 faster for a better gaming experience.

Quick Tip:

High CPU usage can be caused by outdated drivers that are not optimized for this game. A great tool to keep all your drivers up to date is Fortect Driver Updater.

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How do I reduce CPU usage in Microsoft Flight Simulator?

1. End high-consuming apps on Task Manager

Click on the Taskbar at the bottom of the screen and select Task Manager.
Select the CPU and Memory usage in the Task Manager.
Click on the applications consuming lots of CPU and memory space on your PC.
Click on the End task from the drop-down that pops up.
Restart your computer.

Users can read about the best Task Manager software for Windows 10 that can be used to monitor better and improve computer performance.

2. Disable background apps

Click Start in the bottom left corner of the screen and select Settings, or press the Windows + I keys.
Select Apps from the left pane.
Click on Apps & features and click the three dots option in front of the apps you don’t need.
Select Advanced options, then tap the drop-down button for Background app permissions.
Click on Never and repeat the same process for all apps you want to disable.

We recommend you check our article about the best resource monitor software for Windows 10/11 to improve your PC’s performance.

3. Scan your system for malware and adware

Click on Start from the taskbar.
Type Windows Security in the search space and press Enter.
Select Windows Security from the search results and choose the Virus & threat protection option.
Click on Scan options and tick the Full scan option.
Click Scan now and wait for the process to complete.

It will scan for malware that may cause high CPU usage by Microsoft Flight Simulator. Once this is discovered, it becomes easier to target and remove it from the computer.

4. Update the computer’s policy to speed up the CPU

Press Ctrl + Shift + P keys to open the Windows Terminal (Admin).
Type the following command: gpupdate
Press Enter and wait for the process to complete.
Type the following in the PS C:\Users space and press Enter to close the window: Exit

Doing this will speed up the CPU performance on your PC and thereby reduce the rate of bottlenecking with the GPU.

5. Update Windows

Click on Start.
Select Setting and click on Windows update.
On the Windows update page, select Check for updates. (If there’s an update available, Windows will automatically search for it and install it)
Restart your computer.

Check and see if the MSFS high CPU usage issues persist.

How do I make Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 run better?

Turn Game Mode On

Press Windows + I simultaneously to prompt Settings.
Select Gaming on the left pane of the screen.
Turn On Game Mode.

It helps your computer to optimize the resources used in games. The Game Mode makes gaming the top priority for your PC.

It directs most of the computer’s resources to ensure better game performance. Hence, this should prevent the Microsoft Flight Simulator from causing high CPU usage.

Conclusively, we recommend you read through our comprehensive guide about the methods to fix high CPU usage on Windows 11.

If this guide has been helpful to you, kindly leave your comments below. We’d like to hear feedback from you.

How to Permanently Hide Taskbar in Windows 11 [2 Ways]

Posted on September 16, 2022October 23, 2025 by Radu Tyrsina

As expected, Microsoft has made a number of changes to Windows 11. One of them is incorporating an interesting macOS-style Dock in the UI that brings all the apps along with the Start Menu to the center of the screen.

If you prefer to have a clean window while running an app in full-screen, you have to use the taskbar’s auto-hide option on your PC.

How can I hide the taskbar in Windows 11?

How can I hide the taskbar in Windows 11?

1. Enable the Automatically hide that taskbar option

You can easily hide your taskbar by configuring settings on your device. All you need to do is navigate to Taskbar settings and manually turn the auto-hide feature on.

1. Firstly, right-click on an empty space on your Taskbar, then select Taskbar Settings from the pop-up.
2. Scroll down until you find the Taskbar behaviors section.
3. Click on Taskbar behaviors to open a drop-down menu.
4. You will see an option named Automatically hide the taskbar.
5. Check the box next to it.
6. The Taskbar is now automatically hidden on your device.

If you have already tried this method and auto hide Taskbar is still not working, it can be a temporary issue.

Just turning the feature off and then on again has helped many users, so don’t hesitate to apply this trick as well.

NOTE

If you change your mind, simply uncheck the box beside the Automatically hide the taskbar option under Taskbar behavior.

2. Hide taskbar icons from Notification Area

Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box. Now, copy and paste the following command in the given search box and press Enter or click OK:
Shell:::{05d7b0f4-2121-4eff-bf6b-ed3f69b894d9}
As the Notification Area Icons window opens, uncheck the box beside the option Always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar, then click OK.

You can manually select which icons and notifications should appear on the taskbar from the same Notification Area Icons window itself.

Click the drop-down alongside the Show icon and notification option beside each app.
Then, select the option Hide icon and notifications to hide icons and notifications of the particular app.

If you are looking for further OS personalization, we recommend that you use one of the best apps for customizing your Windows 11 PC.

Why isn’t my taskbar auto-hiding?

Many Windows 11 users have been complaining about the taskbar auto-hiding feature not working on their system. Well, the auto hide Taskbar feature doesn’t come enabled by default.

If you haven’t turned it on yet since your last OS update, it simply won’t work. Apart from that, the preview builds of this operating system came with a few bugs causing such temporary problems when the feature is already enabled.

In that case, you can’t do anything but wait for Microsoft to release the next update.

However, if you’re using the latest version of Windows 11 OS, do not hesitate to turn on the auto-hide feature by following the below-mentioned process.

For more tips on customizing your taskbar, check out our guide on how to set up two rows on the Windows 11 taskbar for a better workflow.

Can I permanently hide the taskbar?

Microsoft does not allow you to hide the taskbar on any Windows OS permanently and Windows 11 is no exception.

However, you can make the Windows 11 taskbar less visible on your system by turning it transparent. Not only that, but it is also possible to show or remove the Notification area icons on the taskbar.

Microsoft always values user experience and takes measurable actions as per user feedback. The recent cumulative updates already allow you to shift the start menu to the left as it was in other Windows versions.

Even so, you still have to pin the taskbar mandatorily at the bottom of your screen. Hopefully, the generic taskbar issues will not be there as we get a stable version of Windows 11.

FAQ

Can I hide the taskbar in tablet mode?

Yes, in tablet mode, the taskbar automatically hides when not in use. You can enable this by going to Taskbar settings and adjusting tablet settings.

Can I hide the taskbar on multiple monitors?

Yes. In Taskbar settings, scroll to Multiple displays and disable Show my taskbar on all displays to hide it on secondary monitors.

Why won’t my taskbar auto-hide?

This usually happens when background apps trigger notifications. Dismiss all notifications or restart Windows Explorer from Task Manager.

How do I hide the taskbar temporarily while gaming or watching videos?

Press F11 for full-screen mode or enable auto-hide in taskbar settings for an uninterrupted viewing or gaming experience.

Can you auto-hide Windows 11 taskbar now? Tell us in the comment section below.