Fix: Windows Explorer High CPU Usage [9 Tested Solutions]

Posted on September 6, 2022November 8, 2024 by Milan Stanojevic

High resource consumption can be a problem and affect the device’s performance. And many reported high CPU usage due to the explorer.exe process on Windows 10.

High CPU usage is one of the most dreaded problems, and it often takes a while before users can identify what’s actually causing the issue since the system doesn’t throw any error messages.

Here are some similar issues that users reported:

Windows explorer hogging CPU Windows 10 – This issue can occur if your system is infected by malware. However, you should be able to fix the issue by performing a full system scan.
Windows 10 explorer high CPU utilization – This is a variation of the original error, and in most cases, you can fix the problem simply by removing the problematic application from your PC.
Windows explorer constant CPU usage – Another common issue that can occur with Windows Explorer is constant CPU usage. This can be caused by temporary files, so be sure to remove them.
Explorer.exe high CPU usage when moving mouse – This is a slightly unusual issue, but you should be able to fix it using one of our solutions.

Let’s now walk you through all one needs to know about the problem and the most effective solutions for it.

Why does explorer.exe use high CPU?

Explorer.exe is the name of the Windows Explorer process, and under an ideal scenario, it shouldn’t consume much CPU, typically in the range of 0-5%. If it’s higher than that, there’s a problem that needs to be identified and eliminated to get the best performance.

One of the common reasons behind Windows Explorer high CPU usage in Windows 10 is corrupt system files. Certain third-party apps are also known to trigger CPU usage for explorer.exe.

Besides, system errors, temporary files, issues with the hard disk, and malware can also lead to the problem. In addition to these, if the computer idles out too soon or incompatible hardware has been connected, you might witness explorer.exe high CPU usage when moving the mouse.

What is the normal memory usage for Windows Explorer?

It depends on the number of Windows Explorer windows you have open, in addition to the task being carried out. Also, when you launch Windows Explorer, the memory usage will suddenly spike and then lower automatically after a few seconds.

In most cases, the memory usage of Windows Explorer, when left idle, will hover around 40-100 MB, while my computer currently shows 179.7 MB when actively using it in two different windows. If there is an issue with the system, it might increase even further.

How do I fix explorer.exe high CPU usage?

1. Remove old and temporary files

Press Windows + S, type Disk Cleanup, and click on the relevant search result.
Make sure that your system drive, by default C, is selected and click OK.
Your PC will now scan the selected drive. This process usually takes a couple of seconds.
Select the files you want to remove and click OK.
If you want, you can click the Clean system files button in order to remove additional files.

If you’re having problems with explorer.exe high CPU usage in Windows 10, the problem might be caused by old and temporary files.

Programs on your computer create hundreds of temporary files, and sometimes these can interfere with your system, so it’s advised to remove them.

Alternatively, there are specialized cleaning tools that can efficiently erase temporary files on your PC without leaving any leftovers.

2. Disable cloud storage clients

According to users, sometimes this issue can occur due to cloud storage services such as Dropbox or OneDrive.

These services sync files automatically in the background, and that can cause explorer.exe high CPU usage in Windows 10.

To fix the problem, users recommended disabling OneDrive and uninstalling Dropbox temporarily and see if that solves the problem.

There are several ways to uninstall an application, but the most effective one is to use uninstaller software. It will remove all files and registry entries associated with the application you’re uninstalling, ensuring no leftover files interfere with the system.

3. Check for misleading desktop icons

Sometimes explorer.exe high CPU usage can occur due to certain icons on your desktop. This is an unusual occurrence, but it can happen on your PC.

Apparently, the issue is caused by a file or a shortcut on your desktop that doesn’t have an icon. For some reason, these types of files cause issues such as high CPU usage with explorer.exe in Windows 10.

To fix the problem, you just have to remove files/shortcuts without icons from the desktop, and the problem will be resolved.

4. Check for malware

Sometimes explorer.exe high CPU usage can occur due to malware. A certain process can be running in the background without your knowledge, and that can cause high CPU usage on your PC.

If you’re having this issue on your PC, we advise you to perform a full system scan and check if that solves the problem. To run the scan, you may use the built-in Windows Security or go with the third-party solution.

If Windows Security is unable to find the malware, you might want to move over to an effective antimalware tool that has the ability to detect malware, spyware, and other dangerous threats.

As an alternative, there is a powerful security tool that will safeguard your PC against digital threats with the latest protection functionality.

You can check our tested recommendations and choose an antivirus that is capable of securing your system from spyware or ransomware attacks, without affecting other processes or slowing down your computer.

5. Install the latest updates

Press Windows + I to open the Settings app, and select the Update & Security section.
Click on the Check for updates button.
Wait for Windows to scan and locate the available updates, and if any are listed, click on Download and install.
Restart your PC to install them, and check if the problem is still there.

If you’re having issues with explorer.exe high CPU usage on your Windows 10 PC, the problem might be the missing updates. Windows 10 is a solid operating system, but sometimes certain bugs can appear and cause high CPU issues.

However, you can fix this problem simply by installing the latest updates. Windows 10 usually installs the updates automatically, but you can always check for updates on your own.

6. Perform a Clean boot

Press Windows + R, type msconfig in the text field, and click OK.
Go to the Services tab, check the Hide all Microsoft services option, and then click the Disable all button.
Head over to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
Locate all apps that read Enabled under the Status column, right-click on them individually and select Disable.
Head back to the System Configuration window and click on Apply and OK to save changes.
Now, restart your PC.

Once your PC restarts, check if the problem is still there. If not, enable services and applications one by one until you manage to recreate the problem. Keep in mind that you’ll need to restart your PC every time you enable a group of services or applications.

According to users, sometimes explorer.exe high CPU usage in Windows 10 can occur due to third-party applications on your PC.

Many applications and services tend to start automatically when Windows is booted, and that can cause this and other problems to appear.

Also, you can fix this issue simply by performing a Clean boot. In the Clean boot state, all startup applications and services should be disabled, allowing you to troubleshoot the problem.

7. Clear the contents of the Temp folder

Press Windows + R to open Run, paste the following path in the text field, and click OK:C:\Windows\Temp
Press Ctrl + A to select all the files here, and then hit the Del key.
Next, press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Locate Windows Explorer, right-click on it, and select Restart from the menu.

After restarting Windows Explorer, the problem should be completely resolved. According to users, explorer.exe high CPU usage in Windows 10 can sometimes be caused by files in the Temp directory, and if Disk Cleanup couldn’t do it, the manual approach should do the trick.

8. Delete the AudioSes.dll

Press Windows + E to open the File Explorer, paste the following path in the address bar, and hit Enter:C:/Windows/System32
Locate AudioSes.dll and move it to the Desktop.
Now, paste the following path in the address bar and hit Enter:C:/Windows/SysWOW64
Locate AudioSes.dll, and move it to a different directory.

If you’re having explorer.exe high CPU usage in Windows 10, the problem might be related to the AudioSes.dll file. According to users, this file can sometimes cause the issue, and the only way to fix it is to move this file.

This isn’t the most reliable solution, and modifying the contents of the Windows directory is usually not advised, so be sure to use extra caution. If any new problems occur, restore these two files to their original locations.

9. Run SFC and Check Disk scans

Type Command Prompt in the Search bar, and click on Run as administrator.
Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
Now, paste the following command and hit Enter to run the SFC scan:sfc /scannow
Next, execute the following command to run Check Disk, while replacing X with the system drive on your computer, which should, in all likelihood, be C:chkdsk /f X:
You’ll be asked to schedule a scan, press Y to do so, and then hit Enter.
Now, restart the computer.

Sometimes the explorer.exe high CPU usage problem in Windows 10 can occur due to corrupted files on your PC. In this case, the SFC (System File Checker) scan comes to your rescue. Also, run the Check Disk scan to look for issues with the hard drive.

How do I stop Windows Explorer from running in the background?

Though many recommend terminating the Windows Explorer process from the Task Manager, the method doesn’t make sense because the taskbar and other critical elements are coupled with it.

So, when the Windows Explorer process is terminated, the Taskbar and even the desktop icons would disappear.

In this case, it’s best that you remove it from the startup apps if Windows Explorer or a particular folder has been configured to launch at boot.

That’s it! By now, you should be able to fix explorer.exe high CPU usage in Windows 10. Some of the solutions here would also work in the case of Windows Explorer high memory usage in Windows 10.

Besides, if the system heats up, find out how to fix a high CPU temperature in Windows.

Don’t forget to tell us whether these steps helped you deal with the problem. You can do that in the comments section below.

How to Fix the Enter Network Credentials Persistent Message

Posted on September 6, 2022September 23, 2024 by Milan Stanojevic

In order to protect your PC from unauthorized access Windows 11 and 10 use network credentials. However, several users reported certain issues when asked to enter network credentials on Windows 11 and 10. The main culprit for this issue is the Advanced Sharing setting that could be improperly set.

How do I fix network credentials problems on Windows 11?

Right click the network icon on the taskbar and select Network and Internet settings.
In the next window, click on Network and Sharing Center.
Choose the Change advanced sharing settings option from the left.
Next, enable the Allow Windows to manage homegroup connections (recommended) option listed under Homegroup connections.
Click Save changes but note that you need administrative privileges to change this setting.
Expand the All Networks section and check the Turn off password protected sharing option.
Hit the Save changes button to complete the process.

This solution will remove the annoying Enter network credentials message, but it’s a temporary one. After you’ve completed the needed file transfers, turn back the feature on because it’s very useful to protect the network access.

2. Check that your IP addresses are properly assigned

In a local network, you probably assign all computers static IP addresses in order to access them easier.

According to users, your IP address might be set to automatic, and that can sometimes cause issues with network credentials, therefore be sure to check if the IP addresses of your network devices are set to static.

To set your IP addresses to static you can always use your router’s built-in software. If you’re facing trouble with the static IP address, this guide should help out.

3. Enter your Microsoft credentials

Windows 11 and 10 rely heavily on your Microsoft account, and since you can use your Microsoft account to sign into Windows, you can also use it to access other network devices in your local network.

Users reported that you can fix problems with network credentials simply by entering your Microsoft account username and password instead of your local account’s username and password.

It is important to mention that many network issues are caused by malware, various scripts, and bots. You can secure yourself by installing a Virtual Private Network tool.

4. Enter the computer name in the username field

According to users, you can fix problems with network credentials by entering the name of the computer that you’re trying to access followed by the username.

For example, if the computer you’re trying to access is named Computer1 and you have a user named Mike, you need to enter both the computer name and the username in the user input field.

In our example, the username field would be Computer1Mike. Bear in mind not to enter any slashes before the computer name.

5. Use username and password to log in to Windows 11

Users reported that you can’t connect to other network computers if you don’t use a username and password to log in.

This limitation mostly affects users that log in to Windows 10 by using a PIN, therefore if you need to access and share files with others, you might want to temporarily stop using a PIN code for login.

If your PIN is not working properly, you can get to the bottom of the problem with the help of this article.

6. Add other PC’s network credentials to Credential Manager

Press Windows key + S and enter credential and choose Credential Manager from the menu.
Make sure that Windows Credentials is selected, then click Add a Windows credential.
Enter the name of the computer you want to access, the user name, and the password related to that user name.
Once you’re done click OK.

After adding the other computer’s information to the Credentials Manager you should be able to access it without any problems.

Press the Windows key + S, type sharing, and click on Manage advanced sharing settings.
Now, check the Turn on network discovery along with Turn on automatic setup…, then also check the Turn on file and print sharing option below and hit the Save changes button in the end.
Now expand All Networks section.
In the Password protected sharing section, select Turn off password protected sharing. Click the Save changes button.

Several users reported that you can fix this problem simply by changing the following Advanced sharing settings.

After making these changes, the problem should be completely resolved.

8. Change your security policies

Press Windows key + R and enter secpol.msc. Now press Enter or click OK.
When the Local Security Policy window opens, in the left pane navigate to Local Policies and select Security Options.
In the right pane, double-click Accounts: Limit local account use of blank passwords to console logon only.
Now select Disabled from the menu and click on Apply and OK.

After making these changes, the problem with this message should be completely resolved and everything will start working again.

9. Change your services

Press Windows key + R and enter services.msc. Now press Enter or click OK.
When Services window opens, locate Credential Manager on the list and double-click it.
The properties window will now appear. Set Startup type to Disabled and click the Stop button to stop the service. Now click Apply and OK.

Once you stop the service, check if the problem is resolved.

10. Set your connection to Private

In the Taskbar, click the network icon and choose Network & Internet settings.
Now. click on your network and select the adapter properties.
Now set Network profile to Private.

After doing that, the issue should be completely resolved. Keep in mind that you should use this step only on a secure network.

If you’re on a public network, changing these settings might reduce your security, so keep that in mind.

11. Create a new user account

Open the Settings app by using Windows key + I shortcut.
Navigate to Accounts section and select Family & other users from the right pane.
Now click Add account.
Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
Choose Add a user without a Microsoft account.
Enter the desired user name and click the Next button to proceed.

After doing that, you’ll have a new user account on your PC. Switch to a new user account and check if the problem still persists.

If the issue doesn’t appear on a new account, you might want to consider using your new account instead of your main one.

If you’re having trouble accessing the Settings app, you may want to take a closer look at our article. If your user account has expired, follow these steps to get things rolling again.

12. Change your user account options

Press Windows key + R and enter netplwiz. Now press Enter or click OK.
Uncheck Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer. Now click OK and Apply to save changes.
Restart your PC to apply the changes.
Once you log back in, repeat the same steps, but this time, enable the Users must enter a user name and password option and save changes.

After doing that, the problem should be completely resolved and the password protection setting will work as it should.

How do I fix network credentials problems on Windows 10?

Windows 10 and 11 are not so different so you should know that all the solutions presented above will also work on the old Windows 10 without any problems.

Problems with network credentials can sometimes be hard to fix, but we hope that you managed to fix them after using one of our solutions.

Why do I need to enter network credentials?

Enter network credentials message can appear while trying to access shared drives or directories and prevent you from accessing your files.

So, this means that the network location you are trying to access is protected with a password.

Similar issues that users reported are the following:

Enter network credentials the username or password is incorrect
Enter network credentials while using Windows 7
Windows 10 network credentials incorrect – You might have to change your security policies
Enter network credentials/ Access is denied – Try disabling certain services and check if that helps.
Network credentials asking for password – The issue might be your user account; simply create a new user account and check if that solves your problem

You should also read our guide on how to change the administrator account in Windows 11 because it might offer additional information.

We also have a guide on We can’t sign you in with this credential error, so you might want to check it out as well.

If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below.

Windows Defender Settings Are Greyed Out: 7 Ways to Fix It

Posted on September 6, 2022October 4, 2023 by Alexandru Poloboc

We all know how important staying secure in this everchanging online world really is, especially seeing how many phishing campaigns are running at the same time.

But what do you do when your antivirus software doesn’t work anymore? If you are struggling with Microsoft Defender, we will show you how to get out of this situation.

Users reported that when opening Defender, sometimes, all the settings on the interface are grayed out and inaccessible.

Also, be sure to be prepared for bugs such as Windows Defender completely missing on Windows 11 as well, just in case.

We are about to show you how to fix the Windows Security service being disabled and greyed out, so make sure you go through the entire guide.

Why is my real-time protection greyed out?

You should know that, sometimes, when different antivirus software is enabled, Windows Defender usually becomes grayed out.

Furthermore, you can also get an error message that reads You’re using another antivirus program, just so it doesn’t take you by surprise.

Many users actually reported that, after temporarily disabling their third-party antivirus programs while using Windows Defender, the problem did not reoccur.

So, if you need assistance with your Windows Defender service stopping and is greyed out, you came to the right place.

How do I fix Windows Defender if settings are greyed out?

1. Uninstall other third-party antivirus software

Search for Control Panel and open the app.
Click on Uninstall a program.
Look for the app you want to uninstall, right-click on it and select Uninstall.

2. Restart WSC (Windows Security Center)

Press Win + R to open the Run command dialog box.
Type services.msc and press OK.
Scroll down to the Windows Security Center, right-click on it and select Restart.
Restart your PC.

3. Edit Local Group Policy

Press Win + R to open the Run command dialog box.
Type gpedit.msc and press the OK button.
Click on Computer Configuration, then Administrative Template, and Windows Components.
Select Microsoft Defender Antivirus, then double-click Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus.
Restart your PC.

4. Run the System Maintenance troubleshooter

Search for Perform recommended maintenance tasks automatically and open the app.
Click on Advanced.
Select Apply repairs automatically, then click on Next.

5. Repair Corrupted or Missing System Files

Press Win + R to open the Run command dialog box.
First, type CMD, then press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open an elevated Command Prompt.
Type the command, then press Enter: DISM/Online/Cleanup-Image/ScanHealth
Type the following command, then press Enter: DISM/Online/Cleanup-Image/RestoreHealth
Restart your PC.
Press Win + R to open the Run command dialog box.
Type this command and press Enter: sfc/scannow

In this situation, an automatic diagnosis and a system optimization tool can be more helpful. It simplifies the process of detecting and eliminating malware.

6. Create System Restore Point

Search for Create a Restore Point and open the result.
Select the System Protection tab, click on System Restore, then press Next.
Select Show more restore points, pick the one you want, and click Next, then Finish.

7. Update Windows

Press Win + S to open Settings.
Select the Windows Update tab.
Click the Check for updates button, let it install, then press Restart now.

How do I turn off Windows Firewall if it’s greyed out?

Search for regedit and open the Registry Editor app.
Click on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, then select Software.
CLick on Policies, then Microsoft, and then WindowsFirewall.
Right-click on WindowsFirewall and delete the branch.
Restart your PC.

From user reports, we understood that there are many situations in which you may need to disable the Windows Firewall application.

First of all, you should know that, typically, the Firewall options are grayed out because they are being controlled by a group policy setting in a domain.

That being said, be sure the network administrator does not have a reason for having these options blocked prior to performing this procedure.

Just carefully follow the steps in this guide and you will be prepared to deal with a situation in which the Windows 10/11 Defender settings can be greyed out.

And, if that happens, the Windows Defender Firewall disable options will also be greyed out as a result.

Also, just to be sure, is the Windows Defender missing on your Windows 11 device? We have some pretty awesome solutions for that as well.

Has this guide been helpful to you in solving this problem? Make sure you share your experience with us in the comments section below.

How to Get Rid of the Sidebar in Gmail

Posted on September 6, 2022October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

You are probably a big fan of Gmail. The email client, like most other Google products, has an intuitive interface that gives you all the tools you need to manage your inbox, sent, and draft email folders.

But, because Google keeps adding new features to Gmail, that interface sometimes feels too damn cluttered. You will be forgiven for wanting to clean or remove Gmail sidebar to get a leaner, more minimalist look.

Should I remove the Gmail sidebar?

Among the things that you may want to delete from your Gmail in order to get that lean look and feel you desire is the Google Hangouts chat box.

Yes, the ability to access all your apps – the entire Google suite, Twitter, and others – from your email client has some benefits.

Yet, those constant chat suggestions, ads, and app notifications can turn your Gmail into a jungle and clutter things up.

There are tools you can use to remove or hide most of the non-essential Gmail features, like the navigation bar, stars, the Gmail logo, and search bar, and some buttons to achieve a truly spartan Gmail. But today we will cover the ways you can use to remove some elements of both sidebars.

Even when it does finally load, I will still get the pesky something is not right or Oops, the system encountered a problem error message as some of the app‘s features fail to load.

How can I minimize or remove the Gmail sidebar?

1. Use an alternative email client

If like to keep things simple and minimalistic, even when it comes to mail clients, then maybe an alternative tool would be better for you.

You can find several email clients that let you manage multiple accounts from one central and minimalistic user interface.

Third-party email clients include advanced contact sorting tools, as well as some useful email templates and spellcheckers, so they may actually improve your overall experience.

2. Turn off Google Hangouts/Chat

1. Log into your Gmail account.
2. Click the settings icon. It’s the gear wheel in the top right corner, right under your profile picture will be.
3. Choose Settings on the drop-down menu.
4. Click the Chat tab and check the Chat Off option.
5. Press the Save Changes button at the bottom of the page.

You might have spotted something strange going on on the left of your screen since the latest Google updates. That is because Google has been replacing Hangouts with Google Chat, expecting to give it the traction it needs to be successful.

Google Chat is turned on by default in Gmail, both the website and the mobile app. If you wish to remove the Gmail sidebar, you can turn off Google Chat from your screen.

3. Delete the right sidebar on Gmail

For some people, the Hangouts Chatbox is on the right-hand sidebar. This cramps your Gmail even more as it shrinks the screen space for your emails, which is its primary purpose.

You probably don’t need to see a record of all your recent chats every time you open your Gmail.

Follow these steps to remove the right-side chat box and free up some space;

Click the settings icon and select Settings on the drop-down menu,
Click the Labs folder and type Right side chat in the search bar,
Turn off that lab and save the changes.

If you had already turned off Chat in the Chat folder referred above you may need to first turn it on to access the right sidebar chat lab. You can then go back to the Chat folder settings and turn off Chat again.

4. Remove unimportant labels to remove them from your left sidebar

Click the settings gear icon in your Gmail and choose the Settings option on the drop-down menu,
Click on the Labels folder. You will see a list of labels currently showing on your left sidebar, like this;
Simply check the hide option against every system label and category you have no use for on your sidebar.

Have you noticed how you almost never use some of the labels on the left sidebar of your Gmail?

Some of these include All mail, Starred, Personal, Travel, Drafts, [Imap]/Trash, [Imap]/Sent, and Spam.

The more permanent option will be to choose the ‘remove’ option, which will delete the label altogether.

We didn’t want to be that drastic and simply hid them. I can simply click the more button to bring up all the hidden labels.

We chose to hide all the categories and other labels like Drafts, All Mail, Trash, and Spam. That instantly brought a lighter feel and minimalist look to our Gmail.

5. Use the Gmail Ad Remover to clear the right-hand sidebar

Google or search the Chrome Webstore for ‘Adblocker for Gmail‘,
Click the Add to Chrome button in the top right corner of the addon’s window.

Before Google removed the Gadgets feature, you had probably learned to live with images of your Facebook and Twitter feeds on your Gmail constantly taunting you to check your notifications and get distracted from that important email you have to reply to.

But ads right inside your Gmail are just annoying. The worst thing is they compete for the same real estate on which your emails are supposed to display – the right-hand sidebar.

Maybe Google foresaw the irritation these ads would bring and developed the Gmail Adblocker.

Consider other ways of improving your Gmail experience

Other than cleaning both your right and left sidebars, there is a lot more you can do to minimize or trim your Gmail to make it more manageable.

You can consider unsubscribing from any newsletters you no longer read and delete junk mail or highlight them as spam as soon as you receive them.

There are also some good email management tools like unroll me, which does a great job cleaning your inbox and rolling your favorite newsletters and regular emails into a single bundle.

If you want to be really drastic, you can also consider not publishing your email address and only sharing it with your important contacts.

We hope these few tricks will help clean your sidebars, reduce clutter, and minimize your Gmail.

A leaner Gmail, with lesser distractions, will certainly help you to stay on top of your tasks and get more work done.

How to Get Unbanned from a Discord Server

Posted on September 6, 2022October 5, 2025 by Vlad Constantinescu

Discord is a great service that lets you communicate via text, video, and voice. It’s all about creating communities, no matter the field. Initially, Discord was meant to help gamers communicate more efficiently.

However, over time priorities have changed and this app has been optimized to fit the need of education workers, company owners, neighborhood communities, and virtually anyone who wants an effective way to keep in touch with others.

If you’re a long-time Discord user, you may have part of one or two servers. Maybe even got banned from some of them. Hey, we’re not here to judge. We know that getting banned from a Discord server can be heartbreaking, especially if you did nothing wrong.

Why did I get banned on a Discord server?

You can get banned on a Discord server due to several reasons and we recommend checking them to prevent such annoying situations:

Violating Discord’s Terms of Service
Suspicious IP address
Spamming
Trolling
Being abusive or disrespectful
Being a Raider (deliberately bringing a server down)

These causes explain why we’re here: we want to help you achieve redemption by unbanning yourself. Here’s what you need to do:

How can I get unbanned from Discord servers?

1. Create a new account

1. Hit the Windows key, type Discord, then click on the first result to open the app.
2. In the left bottom of the window, click on User Settings (marked as a gear icon).
3. Scroll down, then click on the red Log Out button.
4. Open again Discord, by hitting the Windows key, typing Discord, then opening the app.
5. Click on Register.
6. Type the details (email, username, password, date of birth). Also, make sure you use an email that is not already related to Discord.
7. Checkmark the I have read and agree to Discord’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, then click on Continue.
8. Agree with the Captcha notification.
9. There you are, having a new and fresh account.
10. Connect to a VPN.
11. Access the servers you were previously banned on with the other account.

The quickest way to get back on discord is to create a new account. This one is quite obvious if you want to quickly get unbanned from a Discord server.

If your old account has been banned from a server, you’ll definitely need a new one to be able to re-connect.

Basically, you do not get unbanned per se, but you can access the Discord servers you were banned on with a new account. It is as if the ban was lifted.

Keep in mind that Discord servers are more often than not moderated by human admins. Thus, it goes without saying that you should choose a username that’s not even similar to your old one and keep your identity hidden.

Note that if you’ve received a Discord-wide ban, you’ll need to create a new account and use a VPN to circumvent the ban. Discord tracks its users by both username and IP address.

Therefore, creating a new username but using the same IP might get the new account banned. The same goes for using the same username on a banned IP address: you’ll just get the new IP address banned.

2. Appeal your ban

If you didn’t burn all the bridges behind you, maybe it’s time to bury the hatchet. Contact the server admin, let them know you’re sorry for your actions and maybe they’ll let you back in on the server.

This also applies to the Discord Trust and Safety team. Contact them through whatever channel you prefer and appeal the ban.

Make sure to use nice words and don’t act all entitled. Nobody likes self-entitlement, especially when it comes to lifting bans.

3. Use a trustworthy VPN

If you’ve been banned and you can’t access any server any longer, you’ll need to change your IP address.

To get unbanned from a Discord server, using a reliable VPN service such as Private Internet Access can get a new IP address in no time.

However, it’s worth mentioning that using a VPN means that you’ll share the IP address with others.

Thus, you may be assigned an IP address that’s already banned. In this case, just choose another server and try connecting to Discord once again.

Let’s take a look at some of PIA’s most important features:

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Can I ban someone on Discord?

If a moderator bans someone on Discord, this member can’t post on the server, see messages, send or get voice chats. Moreover, they won’t be able to see other users who are on the server from which they’ve been banned.

The person you’ve banned won’t get a notification. But when they try to enter the server, they’ll see a message that the link has expired.

Also, keep in mind that member violates the rules at any point, you can ban them anytime you need. Since these are IP-based bans, they won’t be able to use the server even if they make another account but still use the same IP address.

To simply do it, open the server on which you want to ban that person, right-click on his/her username, then click on the red Ban <username> button, as in the picture below.

It is important to remember that whether you’re using Discord on your computer or a smartphone, you’re allowed to unban any member.

Perhaps you’ve previously made a mistake, or they’ve apologized, which is why you decide to revoke a ban.

All things considered, if you just got banned from Discord, it’s not the end of the world. You’ll just have to take care of two things if you want back in: your IP address and your username.

A VPN is a quick, effective way to get a new IP address, but unfortunately, good VPNs don’t come for free. On the other hand, creating a new Discord account is both completely free and easy to do.

Last, but not least, you might want to try appealing the ban if sneaking back into a forbidden Discord server isn’t your cup of tea.

How to Create a Local Account on Windows 11 [3 Ways]

Posted on September 6, 2022December 5, 2024 by Kazim Ali Alvi

Windows 11, like the previous iterations, wants you to use a Microsoft account to sign in.

However, you can still create a local account on Windows 11, in case you are skeptical of a Microsoft account, like many others. Or, you may be sharing the system and want a dedicated account for everyone.

When creating a local account, you are bound to miss out on some of the features that are exclusive to a Microsoft account.

But, if you have made up your mind, there are a bunch of ways to create a new local account on Windows 11. Go through them all, identify the one that you are comfortable with, and get the job done.

Should I switch to a local account on Windows 11?

You will be missing out on a bunch of services that are exclusive to the Microsoft account, but on the other hand, it’s perfect, in case you want to use your PC as a standalone device.

The features that can only be accessed on a Microsoft account are paid purchases on the Microsoft Store, and the option to sync settings so as to access them from any other device when signed in using the same account, OneDrive, amongst others.

Although switching to a local account doesn’t offer the same set of features as a Microsoft account, it’s not such a bad idea either.

Creating a local account is beneficial from the point of view of security since it doesn’t allow tasks and programs to run with administrative privileges, thereby reducing the chances of harm due to viruses or malware.

Can I create a local account without a password?

Yes, you can create a local account without a password on Windows 11 and that’s one of the best parts about it.

If you are the only one using the PC, entering a password each time when logging in may seem like an unnecessary task. Creating a local account would be an ideal approach for such users.

How can I create a local account on Windows 11?

1. Create a local account via Settings

Press Windows + I to launch Settings.
Select Accounts from the tabs listed on the left.
Click on Family & other users on the right.
Click on Add account button next to Add other user.
Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
Click on Add a user without a Microsoft account.
Enter the user name, password, and answer the three security questions (if you enter a password) in the respective fields, and click on Next to create the local account.

If you don’t want to create a password-protected local user account, leave the password field blank in the above step.

2. Use the netplwiz command to create a local account

Press Windows + R to launch the Run console, enter netplwiz in the text field and click on OK.
Click Add in the User Accounts window.
Select Sign in without a Microsoft account (not recommended).
Click on Local account button.
Enter a username and password (optional) for the new user account, and a hint, in case you set a password. Once done, click on Next.
Click on Finish to create the Local account.

The local account is now created and you can start using it right away.

3. Use Command Prompt

1. Press Windows + X to launch the Quick Access/Power User menu.
2. Select Windows Terminal (Admin) from the options.
3. Click Yes on the UAC prompt.
4. In the command line tool, click on the downward-facing arrow at the top, and select Command Prompt.
5. Type or paste the following command and hit Enter (replace UserName and Password with the actual ones you want to use): net user <UserName> <Password> /add
6. After the account is created, close the command line tool.

A fast and easy method to create a local account on your Windows 11 device is to use your built-in command tool.

Through Command Prompt, you can set up a local account with or without a password in just a few lines.

Can I change the account type from Standard to Administrator?

A local account is created with Standard privileges by default, but you can change it to Administrator with a bunch of methods.

Administrator accounts offer a lot more options and permissions to users and allow advanced troubleshooting.

However, whether to set up a local account as an Administrator is purely a personal choice based on your requirements.

If Windows 11 is not allowing local accounts, make sure you have administrative privileges. If the machine is owned by an organization, this might be prevented by a local policy.

Can I remove a local account from Windows 11?

Yes, you can always remove a local account from Windows 11, in case it’s not needed anymore or you plan to get rid of the computer.

In the latter case, it’s actually recommended that you remove the local account and reset the Windows 11 PC to its factory settings.

These are all the ways you can create a local account on Windows 11. While the first two are relatively time-consuming methods, they are often preferred by users not acquainted with Command Prompt.

Now, with a proper understanding of each method, choose the one that suits you best.

If you run into issues with the Settings app, or an error reported by many users, check our guide to fixing errors preventing you from accessing the Settings. And don’t forget that you may choose to disable Local Account Security Questions on Windows.

Using a local account can help if the password hint is not showing on Windows 11, so you’ll might have to make the switch.

Let us know your experience in the comments section below.

Fix: Virtual Machine Management Service Missing

Posted on September 6, 2022October 4, 2023 by Matthew Adams

Hyper-V is built-in hardware virtualization software for Windows 11 Enterprise, Pro, and Education editions. With that virtualization application, you can set up and run virtual machines with different platforms.

For example, you can try out Linux platforms, such as Ubuntu, within Hyper-V. Consequently, Hyper-V doesn’t start when that error arises.

What does Hyper-V do on my Windows PC?

Hyper-V separates each Virtual Machine within the same physical machine, which allows multiple users to access various systems independently on the same hardware.

This type of isolation guarantees that even if one virtual machine crashes, it doesn’t impact other workloads running on the same physical machine.

What does the Virtual Machine Management missing error mean?

If you get the error The Virtual Machine Management is not present on this machine, this message is suggesting you make sure that the feature is fully enabled. You can do that by applying the resolutions below.

The Virtual Machine Management is not present on this machine. Ensure that the Hyper-V Services feature is enabled.

However, Hyper-V doesn’t always run as expected for some users. One error message that pops up for some users when they try to launch Hyper-V states:

Consequently, Hyper-V doesn’t start when that error arises. If you get the error The Virtual Machine Management is not present on this machine, this message is suggesting you make sure that the feature is fully enabled. You can do that by applying the resolutions below.

If you can’t install Hyper-V, check out our dedicated article.

Check if virtualization is enabled in Windows 10/11

First, check that virtualization is enabled on your PC. You have to enable virtualization on your desktop or laptop to utilize Hyper-V and any other virtual machine software.

Now, check that virtual machine technology is enabled for your PC as follows.

First, click the magnifying glass taskbar icon for the search tool.
Enter Task Manager within the text box, and open it.
Select the Performance tab shown directly below. The virtual machine detail there will be either yes (enabled) or no (not enabled).

If the virtual machine is not enabled, you’ll need to enable virtualization via your PC’s BIOS (Basic Input Output Settings).

The first resolution within our Hyper-V and containers features are not enabled error article provides further details for how you can enable virtualization via the BIOS.

How can I fix the Virtual Machine Management is missing error in Windows 10/11?

1. Make sure all Hyper-V features are installed

1. Press the taskbar’s magnifying glass button.
2. Enter Windows features in the search box.
3. Select Turn Windows features on or off to open the window in the snapshot directly below.
4. Click the + sign for the Hyper-V feature there.
5. Then make sure all the Hyper-V checkboxes (for platform and management tools) are selected there.
6. Press the OK button to install any missing Hyper-V features.

The first thing you should do if you’re getting the Virtual Machine Management Service is Missing error is check whether you have all the Hyper-V features installed.

If one or multiple features are not installed, Hyper-V cannot properly function. Therefore, it is important to ensure they are installed, and if they are not, perform a manual installation.

2. Check whether Hyper-V services are enabled and running

Right-click the taskbar’s Start button and select Run.
Type this text in the Open box and thereafter click OK: services.msc
Then double-click all the Hyper-V services shown directly below to open their properties windows.
If any Hyper-V services are disabled, select Manual on their Start-up type drop-down menus.
Press the Start buttons for Hyper-V services that aren’t running.
Click Apply to save new service settings.
Select OK to close their windows.
Thereafter, try launching Hyper-V again.

3. Enable Hyper-V via the Command Prompt

Bring up the search utility with the Windows key + S hotkey.
Enter cmd in the search tool’s text box.
Click Run as administrator for the Command Prompt search result.
Type in this command within the Prompt’s window and press Enter: DISM /Online /Enable-Feature /All /FeatureName:Microsoft-Hyper-V
Wait for enabling feature process to reach 100 percent.
Press the Start button.
Finally, select the Power and Restart options.

4. Uninstall third-party virtualization software

Press the Windows key + X at the same time, and select Run on the menu.
To open Programs and Features, input the following text in Run and click OK: appwiz.cpl
Select any third-party virtualization software installed on your PC.
Click the Uninstall option for the selected software.
Select Yes on software removal confirmation prompts.
Restart Windows 11 after uninstalling the third-party virtualization software.

You can uninstall software and erase all leftover residual files with third-party uninstaller tools like IOBit Uninstaller.

IOBit Uninstaller includes additional options for erasing leftover files and registry keys left behind by uninstalled software.

5. Reinstall Hyper-V

First, open Windows Features as outlined within the first three steps of resolution one.
Deselect the primary Hyper-V checkbox and all other Hyper-V ones selected.
Click the OK button.
Select Power > Restart on the Start menu after uninstalling Hyper-V.2
Thereafter, open Windows features again.
Select all the Hyper-V feature checkboxes.
Click OK to save and reinstall the selected features.
If prompted to do so, restart Windows again.

What are the best alternatives to Hyper-V?

You don’t necessarily need to fix and utilize Hyper-V to try out different platforms in Windows 11 with virtual machines. There are some notable third-party virtual machine applications available for Windows PCs. Our Virtualization software to run different OS guide tells you more about them.

VMware Workstation Player 16 and VirtualBox are perhaps the two most notable freely available virtualization applications. VirtualBox supports an especially wide range of guest platforms. Certainly, both are user-friendly virtual machine software packages that are compatible with Windows 11.

However, give all the potential fixes for Hyper-V’s Virtual Machine Management not present error above a try first before considering alternative software. Likewise, installing missing Hyper-V features or enabling and running certain services for it will fix that issue.

You can also get further troubleshooting guidance from Microsoft’s Hyper-V support forum. Click the Ask a question button on that forum to set up a TechNet profile and add a post about the issue there. Furthermore, that forum’s Microsoft agents and wider community might be able to provide other fixes.

We hope you can fix the Virtual Machine Management is not present error with the potential resolutions above. Lastly, if you have any questions about fixing that error, feel free to add them to the comments section below.

6 Easy Ways to Fix the No Boot Disk Detected Error

Posted on September 6, 2022September 4, 2024 by Ivan Jenic

Are you an HP user getting the error No boot disk detected when you boot up your PC? There is no reason to worry; we’ve got the right solutions for you.

Some Windows users reported that when they boot up their HP computer, they see the error message No boot disk detected or the disk has failed.

What causes the No boot disk detected error?

This error occurs because, during the process of booting up a computer, the system checks the HDD for boot information and other Operating System information so as to utilize the information to boot up the system.

However, if the HP computer is unable to retrieve any not boot information or Operating System details on the HDD, the error message is displayed on the screen. Another variation of the error message that may appear is the requested system device cannot be found.

The reason for the boot information retrieval failure is largely connected to the HP computer/laptop which includes:

Incorrect boot order settings
Missing operating system from the HDD
Hard Disk failure
Loose Hard disk connection to PC
Corrupt Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

Meanwhile, we are going to show you efficient solutions that are applicable in solving the hp error no boot disk detected problem.

How can I fix the error No boot disk detected or the disk has failed?

Set the boot disk at the top of the computer’s boot order in BIOS
Replace your Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
Perform a clean installation of the Windows OS
Check the PC-to-HDD’s connections
Run Automatic Repair/Start Repair
Run CHDSK

1. Set the boot disk at the top of the computer’s boot order in BIOS

One of the reasons for the no boot disk detected or the disk has failed error message is because the HDD/ boot disk is not at the top of the boot order.

The system retrieves boot information and OS details by following a boot order; the boot order consists of the sequence of sources that the computer searches in order retrieve valid information.

However, if the HDD/boot disk is not at the top of the boot order, the computer tries to boot from another source which results in the error message.

If you intend to set the boot disk i.e. HDD at the top of the boot order in BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), follow these steps:

1. Power up your computer.
2. Press the F1 key or any specified key to enter the BIOS (other keys such as F1, F12 or Delete may be used, depending on your HP system).
3. Locate your computer’s boot order under BIOS Boot.
4. Select the HDD/SSD i.e. the boot disk and move it upward using the arrow key.
5. Save the changes by following the screen prompts and exiting the BIOS.
6. After you exit the BIOS, your PC will restart, and will be devoid of the error problem.

However, if the HDD i.e. the boot disk is at the top of the boot order in the BIOS, you can proceed to the next method.

2. Replace your Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

Another reason for the computer’s inability to boot up is because the HDD is in a failed state which triggers the error ‘No boot disk detected or the disk has failed’.

You can detach the HDD from your PC; connect it to another PC to access the files and folders on the PC so as to check if the HDD is accessible.

However, if you are unable to access the contents of the HDD, you definitely need a replacement.
You can return the HDD back to your manufacturer-HP if the PC still has a warranty or purchase a new HDD from your HP eCommerce website, Amazon, or from your local computer shop.

However, we highly recommended that you can carry out the replacement with a professional – computer engineer.

Meanwhile, when you replace the HDD with a new one, ensure you install a new Windows OS on it.

Keep your new HDD healthy by using one of these perfect HDD cleaner tools.

3. Perform a clean installation of the Windows OS

Another way of fixing this error problem is to perform a clean install of Windows OS on your PC.

However, this method will clear all pre-installed apps, files, and folders but it will solve the boot error problem regardless of this.

The Operating System or boot information on your HDD may have been wiped out intentionally or due to virus attacks on your PC.

Meanwhile, you can visit the official Microsoft installation media for a guide on how to clean install Windows 7/8/10 versions.

If you need some help reinstalling Windows 10, check out our dedicated article.

4. Check the PC-to-HDD’s connections

Sometimes, the laptop may wobble resulting in a loosened state of the PC-to-HDD connections.

The wires connecting the HDD to the system and vice versa might have been unfastened which causes the ‘no boot disk detected or the disk has failed’ error message.

Follow these steps to check the connections and fix the problem:

Power off your computer and remove the battery. Open up your computer’s casing afterward.
Detach the HDD from your computer
Clean all the ports and wirings linking the HDD to the computer and vice versa.
Now, reconnect the HDD to the computer. (Ensure that all the connections are fastened tightly.
Hence, attach the battery and power up your computer.

However, if you do not have the tools and required practical knowledge involved in using this method; it is advisable that you consult a computer technician or computer engineer to help you out.

5. Run Automatic Repair/Start Repair

You can also fix the boot error problem by performing automatic repair/start repair on your system by using Windows bootable installation DVD. Here’s how to do this:

Insert Windows 10 bootable installation DVD and restart your PC afterward.
Press any key to boot from CD or DVD when prompted to continue.
Select your language preferences, and click “Next”.
Click Repair your computer in the bottom-left.
In the “choose an option” screen, Click Troubleshoot > Click Advanced option > Automatic Repair or Startup Repair. Then, wait for the Windows Automatic/Startup Repairs to be complete.
Restart your PC and boot to Windows.

If your PC is stuck in Automatic Repair, we have an article with solutions to try out.

6. Run CHDSK

Alternatively, if Method 5 did not solve the HP error no boot disk was detected or the disk has failed, you can run CHKDSK on your PC to fix the problem.

Also, the steps are similar to Method 5 above, although, it requires utilizing command codes. Here’s how to do this:

Boot from Windows bootable installation DVD.
When prompted, press any key to boot from CD or DVD.
Select your language preferences, and click Next.
Now, click on Repair your computer.
Hence, click on Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
Hence, type CHKDSK C: /F without quotes in the Command Prompt.
Then type CHKDSK C: /R without quotes in the Command Prompt and hit Enter key.
After the CHKDSK process, restart your PC.

In conclusion, any of the methods listed above should be able to help you fix the HP error no boot disk detected or the disk has failed’, the choice is yours to make.

However, if you can afford to purchase a new HDD, you can try Method 2 or Method 3 to perform Windows clean install.

If you have any problems trying out any of the fixes we mentioned, please let us know by commenting below.

We also have a guide dedicated to Network Boot Duplicate Address error, so don’t miss it.

Also, if you have other ideas or suggestions on how to fix this problem, feel free to list the steps to follow in the comments below.

How To Turn On Phone Without Power Button And Volume Button

Posted on September 6, 2022October 24, 2024 by Radu Tyrsina

Many users want to know how to turn on the phone without a Power button and Volume button, and in this guide, we’re going to show you a few tricks that might work for you.

How can I turn on the phone without a Power button and volume button?

Before trying anything else, try pressing the Power button several times, you might need to use a bit more pressure.

1. Connect a charger to your Android phone

Connect the phone to the charger.
Leave it charging.
If the battery is empty, charging the phone might boot it.

2. Use the Volume keys

Press and hold the Volume up and Volume down buttons.
While holding the buttons, connect the phone to your PC with a USB cable.
It will now start in Fastboot mode.
Use the volume keys to select the restart option.

3. Use the Android Debug Bridge (ADB)

Connect your Android smartphone to your computer.
Visit the download page for Android Debug Bridge.
Download the files you need from the SDK Platform-Tools for Windows link.
Extract the downloaded ZIP file to the Android root folder.
From the Start menu, search CMD and open the Windows Command Prompt.
Type in the following commands and hit Enter after each one:cd C:/platform-tools
adb devices
You should see your phone’s device ID on the screen.
Run the following command:adb -s DEVICE_ID reboot

NOTE

For this solution to work, you need to have enabled USB debugging before the phone went off.

Further, if your device ID doesn’t show up in Step 7, it either means that USB debugging is disabled on your smartphone or you don’t have the required drivers.

How can I restart the Android phone using the Volume and Power buttons?

Press the key combination to access the smartphone’s boot menu.
In the boot menu, select the Reboot system now option.

The key combinations to enter the boot menu varies between Android models.

To navigate options in the boot menu, use your up and down volume keys, and select them using the power button.

On hitting the power button with the Reboot system now option highlighted, your Android will automatically restart.

We hope that you succeeded in turning on your Android phone by reading our article. Before you leave, you might be interested in our guide on how to recharge the phone while the laptop is in Sleep Mode. Let us know in the comments section below if you have any questions.

How to Enable the Classic File Explorer Ribbon on Windows 11

Posted on September 6, 2022August 12, 2024 by Alexandru Poloboc

Every time Microsoft makes a design upgrade in Windows, there are people that prefer the old way because of different reasons.

One example is the new File Explorer in Windows 11 that substitutes the ribbon with a new command bar, unlike Windows 10.

Nowadays, it seems that every fresh UI design detail that Microsoft comes with for Windows 11 immediately gets rejected by the user community, under the pretext that they liked things better on Windows 10.

Can I get the classic File Explorer ribbon menu back in Windows 11?

Luckily, there still are some tips and tricks that some of the more tech-savvy users know how to use in order to revert some UI elements back to how they looked on the previous operating system like the File Explorer Ribbon on Windows 11.

Anything can be achieved, as long as you know where to look.

If you are one of the users that greatly appreciate the old style of doing things, as well as the old system layout, know that you can revert to the File Explorer ribbon from Windows 10, and here’s how you do it.

How do I restore the old File Explorer ribbon menu on Windows 11?

1. Manually edit the Registry

1. Click the search icon on your taskbar and type Registry Editor, then click the first result.
2. Navigate to the following registry key: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Shell Extensions
3. Right-click the Shell Extensions folder on the left side and select New > Key.
4. Name the new key Blocked.
5. Open the Blocked registry key and create a new string value by right-clicking any free space in the main panel and selecting New > String Value.
6. Name the string value {e2bf9676-5f8f-435c-97eb-11607a5bedf7}.
7. Restart your PC to apply changes.

The process of getting the old File Explorer ribbon only requires a few moments of your time and it’s achievable without having a thorough knowledge of how computers actually work.

A simple Registry tweak will get you the desired result within a few clicks. However, you should know that performing Registry modifications is risky and should be done carefully, as to not cause any damage to your PC.

To return to default File Explorer in Windows 11, open Registry Editor and delete the Blocked key you created, close the editor, and then restart your PC.

2. Via Control Panel (only works on versions prior to build 71)

Access the Control Panel app on your Windows 11 device.
Select Appearance and Personalization.
Click on File Explorer Options.
Check the tiny box next to the text that says Launch folder windows in a separate process, found under the View tab. Once you’ve done this, click on Apply and you are good to go.
If you followed these steps correctly, the end result should look something like this:

NOTE

After you install the Cumulative Update for Windows 11 (10.0.22000.71), this tweak won’t work anymore.

If, however, at some point you get bored with this look and want to switch to the Windows 11 version, simply follow the same steps and untick the little box you ticked in order to make this happen.

Before you go, you might want to check our guide on how to customize File Explorer on Windows 11 for more useful tips.

Which one of the ribbons do you prefer for your File Explorer? The old Windows 10 one, or the new and improved Windows 11 version? Let us know in the comments section below.

FFXIV Packet Loss: How to Fix FFXIV Sending & Receiving 0

Posted on September 6, 2022October 6, 2025 by Vlad Constantinescu

FFXIV, short for Final Fantasy XIV, is an MMORPG released by Square Enix in 2010. Although it’s been released a decade ago, the game still has a strong player base.

More so considering that, unlike other similar games, FFXIV is subscription-based. There’s a $12.99 monthly fee you’ll need to pay if you want to enjoy the game.

However, you can enjoy a free trial if you just want to take the game for a spin. The downside is that you’ll only be able to play your character up until level 35 using the trial.

FFXIV, like many other online games and/or services, faces the same technical challenges. The ones regarding connectivity, to be more precise.

Therefore, you’ll still encounter high ping, jitter, and even the dreaded packet loss from time to time while playing FFXIV.

Why do I keep losing connection in FFXIV?

If you are disconnected during play or logged out due to an unstable connection, go to the World status page to see how your World is doing. This is the first step in determining if there is a problem with the servers, or from your end.

The reason you may have disconnection issues on our end is entirely dependent on the type of connection you’re using, as well as the quality of the hardware from the ISP’s distributing node in your area to the wiring in your home.

You could redirect network traffic through a VPN on your router, modem, or even through a different server, thus avoiding network congestion.

Another type of disconnect that should be mentioned is a routing issue. That is, your connection is fine, but data is lost somewhere between you and Yoshi P, meaning your ISP throttles your bandwidth and sets limits on your connection.

This is more common, but also much more difficult to resolve because you may need to stop ISP throttling by yourself or wait for a few days for routing tables to be updated.

Is FF14 getting DDoSed?

FFXIV was recently subjected to DDoS attacks on their servers, specifically the North American in-game locations, and all servers were taken offline for security reasons.

The FFXIV DDoS attack is especially frustrating for players who are in the middle of completing content. Those who were progressing in a difficult raid or at a critical point in the story would have encountered a sudden server crash.

If you are a victim of DDoS attacks, you may find yourself in the following situations:

▶FFXIV sending receiving 0
▶FFXIV constant packet loss
▶FFXIV random packet loss
▶FFXIV ps4 packet loss
▶FFXIV connection poor
▶FFXIV lagging but internet is fine
▶FFXIV rubberbanding
▶FFXIV high receiving ping
▶FFXIV ping request timed out

To be clear, the game is still playable, but be wary of it happening again until Square Enix resolves the issue, or you could use DDoS protection software to avoid data leaks and other privacy concerns.

What is packet loss in FFXIV and how to test it?

Packet loss is generally the same, no matter where you encounter it. It occurs whenever you send or receive data packets, but some of them never make it to their destination point.

As a result, a desync occurs between you and the server, or between you and the other players. Packet loss usually comes and goes, that’s why most of the time you won’t even notice it.

However, if it’s rather severe, you’ll start to notice massive slowdowns, rubberbanding, little to no responsiveness, and even disconnections if you’re unfortunate enough.

Note that most of the time, packet loss is caused by network congestion and you simply can’t do anything to avoid or fix it other than waiting it out.

Locate the FFXIV servers’ IP addresses.
Launch CMD.
Type pathping x.x.x.x (replace x.x.x.x with the IP address you want to test).
Wait for the test to complete.
Check which node (hop) leaks packets.

However, if that’s not an option, try using a VPN or troubleshooting your connection manually.

How do I fix packet loss in FFXIV?

1. Use a gaming-optimized VPN

Download ExpressVPN and install it.
Launch it.
Log into your account.
Choose a fast server (we recommend testing the Europe servers) and connect to it.
Run the test again or launch FFXIV.
Check if the packet loss issue still persists.

With 3,000+ servers in 94 countries worldwide, ExpressVPN has excellent global server coverage. These servers not only provide access to FFXIV servers that may be located outside of your region, but they also unblock other geo-blocked local content, such as streaming services and gaming servers.

ExpressVPN’s servers all offer 256-bit AES military-grade encryption, kill switch protection, and a split tunneling feature. Broad router compatibility can be used to safeguard all of your connected devices (including your PlayStation).

In order for the VPN fix to work, packet loss must occur somewhere on your ISP’s side of the connection. For instance, if it throttles your bandwidth, or has improper network routing.

But even if it can’t solve your packet loss situation, investing in a VPN is a power move, especially if you’re concerned about your online privacy and the security of your connection.

Last, but not least, using a VPN can even help you bypass geo-restrictions.

ExpressVPN

Reroute internet traffic, bypass ISP throttling and fix packet loss with the help of one reliable VPN.

Check price Visit Website

2. Perform some manual connection troubleshooting

✅Run the packet loss test as described above

✅Switch to a wired connection instead of wireless (Wi-Fi leaks packets more often)

✅Try connecting straight to your router or modem

✅Restart your router

✅Try avoiding peak hours, if possible

✅Call your ISP if the test results show there’s something wrong on their side

✅Contact Square Enix if it appears that something’s wrong with the game server

✅Check and fix any faulty component on your network (PC, cables, drivers, software, router)

✅Make sure your firewall or security software doesn’t block or restrict FFXIV’s servers

What is good latency FFXIV?

I’m playing from the EU without a tunnel and have no latency issues with any content. In the context of this game, 90ms is excellent. To be honest, you’re unlikely to find anything better.

ISPs appear to prefer routing traffic between South America and North America through Europe for some reason. This isn’t unique to FFXIV. We have seen this issue with a connection to Amazon’s data center in Sao Paulo.

Unfortunately, unless you use a VPN, you may be better off using any other data center than a North American data center.

Is WTFast good for FFXIV?

You can use WTFast because you know there will be some routing issues in the future with FFXIV. When the ping is very low, but you occasionally get terrible lag that makes the game unplayable.

Programs like WTFast are good for FFXIV, but how well they work for each individual is likely to vary. In terms of ping reduction, WTFast reduced pings in our tests from around 55-60 to around 42-46.

WTFast mostly used to prevent packet loss, but it does not protect you against DDoS attacks in the same way that ExpressVPN does, that means natively.

Tip

Visit our Gaming Hub if you want to read more awesome guides, reviews, and news.

To sum it up more often than not packet loss in FFXIV comes and goes, as it’s likely caused by network congestion. However, if you notice a pattern in its occurrence, maybe stepping in is not such a bad idea.

Try using a VPN, since it’s been proven that it can help improve packet loss. However, this quick and easy fix will only work if the packet loss occurs on your ISP’s side of the connection.

If you want to access every FFXIV server in the world (bypass geo-restrictions), check out our best VPNs for FFXIV.

If the VPN fix doesn’t work, you can always try getting your hands dirty with some manual troubleshooting. Even if it doesn’t solve packet loss 100%, it’s still healthy practice to keep your network in top shape.

How to Fix Windows 11 Password Sign-In Option Missing [5 Ways]

Posted on September 6, 2022May 29, 2025 by Kazim Ali Alvi

Windows 11 password sign-in options missing or not working properly is a fairly common error. Biometrics and PIN usually work fine, but if you’re facing issues with password sign-in, it’s often due to misconfigured settings or system glitches.

To fix this, you may need to adjust your sign-in settings, set up automatic sign-in, update your OS, or perform a system restore. Below, you’ll find detailed steps for these and other solutions.

1. Change the sign-in options settings

Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app.
Select the Accounts tab from the ones listed in the navigation pane on the left.
Next, click on Sign-in options on the right.
Disable the toggle for the option For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device (Recommended) under Additional settings.
Now, restart the computer and check if you are able to sign in with your account password.

With the option For improved security, only allow Windows Hello sign-in for Microsoft accounts on this device (Recommended) enabled, you wouldn’t be able to sign in with your account password.

Disabling the setting should resolve the sign-in options not working in Windows 11 error.

2. Set up automatic sign-in

Press the Windows key + R to start Run, type netplwiz and press Enter or click OK.
Now uncheck the box writing Users must enter a username and password to use this computer.
After you click Apply, you will require to enter the password once again to validate the change.

We have a complete guide on how to set up automatic login on Windows 11. You will see that there are more methods of doing so.

When you set up automatic sign-in, you wouldn’t be required to enter the password, pin, or any other verification method to log in.

This should resolve any problems if the sign-in options are not working in Windows 11.

3. Update Windows 11

Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app.
Select Windows Update from the tabs listed in the navigation pane on the left.
Next, click on Windows Update from the options on the right.
Click on Check for updates to scan for any available updates and download and install them to your computer.
After the updates are installed, restart the computer, and check if the sign-in options that were not showing earlier reappear.

If the methods above don’t help, you can always perform a system restore.

4. Perform a system restore

Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu.
Enter create a restore point in the text field at the top and click on the relevant search result that appears.
Click on the System Restore button.
Click on Next to proceed, in case the restore points are not appearing here.
Select the desired restore point from the list and click on Next. The date of creation for each restore point will be mentioned so as to make an informed selection.
Verify the restore settings and click on Finish to start the process. The system will restart during restore, hence it’s recommended that you save the open files to avoid data loss.

5. Create a new user account

Press Windows + I to launch Settings.
Click on Accounts from the tabs listed on the left.
Next, click on Family & other users on the right.
Click on the Add account button next to Add other user.
Now, enter the login credentials for the new Microsoft account that you want to use. In case you want to use the computer as a stand-alone device, creating a local account would be a good approach.

You also have the option to fix the corrupted account, but it would take time. Although the guide linked is for Windows 10, the methods listed there are effective in Windows 11 too.

How can I change the sign-in password in Windows 11?

NOTE

The following steps are to change the password for a user profile linked with Microsoft accounts from Settings. For other cases, learn how to remove or change passwords in Windows 11.

You can easily change the login password from the sign-in options settings. Here’s how you can do that:

Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app.
Select the Accounts tab from the left.
Next, click on Sign-in options from the right pane.
Select the Password option and click on the Change button.
Now, verify it’s you through the selected sign-in option, if prompted.
Enter your old and new passwords in the respective text fields and click on Next.
Click on Finish to complete the process.

This solution will also fix Windows 11 not accepting password problem. The system recovery solution above will also work.

What can I do if there’s no sign-in screen in Windows 11?

If the sign-in screen doesn’t appear, try these quick fixes: restart Windows Explorer using Task Manager, check that your display settings aren’t set to a secondary or disconnected monitor, and boot into Safe Mode to troubleshoot. You can also try disconnecting external devices or performing a system reboot.

For more detailed solutions like repairing system files or resetting Windows settings, see this full guide on how to fix the login screen not appearing issue.

Wrapping up

That’s all there is to sign-in problems in Windows 11 and the most relevant solutions to eliminate them. In case the problem persists even after executing all the steps listed here, restore Windows 11 to its factory settings.

Also, check the best settings in Windows 11 to boost the system’s performance. And if you’re having other sign-in issues, we also have dedicated guides for fixing the temporary profile sign-in problem, resolving a corrupt user profile, and troubleshooting the Windows 10 black screen after sign-in.

Tell us which method resolved the Windows 11 sign-in options not working/opening problem in the comments section below.

Please Wait for the Group Policy Client: How to Bypass it

Posted on September 6, 2022February 22, 2024 by Henderson Jayden Harper

Microsoft implemented many features in Windows to help it perform faster and in an advanced way. It allows users to configure their computers to their preferences.

Unfortunately, Windows is not perfect, and users complain about several concerns they encounter. The Windows stuck on applying Group Policy is an error common to the Windows 10/11 computers.

Furthermore, Group Policy is a Windows feature that controls users’ and computers’ working environments. It contains advanced settings that help network administrators to manage the working environment of accounts in Active Directory.

There are varieties of this issue like applying software installation policy stuck. It can occur in different Group Policy practices. Many things can be responsible for this difficulty. We’ll discuss the causes and how to fix the issue.

Why does Group Policy take so long?

Network issues: Group Policy can take a while or get stuck while applying if your network connection isn’t working. Often, unstable and slow connections to the internet can impede the process. Also, a cable network connection can reduce your network speed and strength. Hence, it can result in please wait for the Group Policy client, which can take forever to load.
Boot errors: Several computer components can develop faults if there is an issue with the booting. It affects how the computer interacts with its parts and can cause Windows 10/11 to be stuck on applying Group Policy.
Issues with Group Policy services: Whenever there is a concern about the Group Policy service on your computer, it can make it difficult to run smoothly. However, numerous things can go wrong with the Group Policy service also.
Outdated Windows: Users need to keep their computers up to date to ensure that it doesn’t lack the necessary patches and updates. However, the Windows server stuck applying group policy can occur due to outdated Windows. Most times, users ignore how detrimental outdated Windows can be. But, it can result in many difficulties.

How do I fix Windows stuck on applying Group Policy error?

1. Check your network connection

Performing a power cycle on the router is a way to fix the Windows stuck on applying Group Policy error. It helps the router fix any issues with it and improve the network connection to your computer.

Likewise, we recommend you switch to a wireless network connection if you use a cable.

2. Restart the computer

Click on Start.
Select Power and click on Restart.
Click on OK.

Another way is to press and hold the power button on your computer for 10-15 seconds to force restart it. Restarting your computer will fix boot errors that might cause difficulties.

3. Restart Group Policy Service

Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open Run.
Type in services, then press Enter.
Navigate to the Group Policy Client and right-click on Services.
Select Properties and change the Startup type to Automatic.
Click on Start, then Apply.
Click OK to save the changes.

Restart the computer and see if the issue persists.

4. Run a GP update

Right-click on the Start button.
Click on Command prompt (Admin) to prompt the CMD window.
Run the following command and wait while it processes: gpupdate/force

Afterward, restart your computer to check if Windows is still stuck on applying Group Policy.

5. Update Windows

Click on Start.
Select Settings from the options.
Click on Windows Update, then select Check for updates.

Windows will automatically search and download updates if there are any available. Updating Windows is a general fix for most issues users encounter on their computers.

How do I speed up Group Policy processing?

Improving the performance and speed of the Group Policy on your computer can be achieved by limiting the number of GPOs (Group Policy Objects).

However, having a small number of Group Policy Objects to process on startup will speed up the Group Policy processing.

However, you can learn many other things about the Group Policy on Windows. So, we recommend you read our article about how to edit the Group Policy in Windows 10.

Likewise, users can download and install Group Policy Editor on Home Edition by following our detailed guide.

Before you go, don’t miss our guide on Please wait for the GPSVC message for more information.

If this guide has been helpful, kindly leave a comment or suggestion below. We’d like to hear from you.

4 Easy Ways to Disable the Touchpad on Windows 10 Laptops

Posted on September 6, 2022October 4, 2023 by Ivan Jenic

Many Windows 10 users, while working on their laptops, are accidentally touching the laptop’s touchpad, thus making the mouse cursor move.

By following the tutorial below you can learn how to turn off the touchpad and also from where you can activate it again if you ever want to switch from the classical mouse to the touchpad again in Windows.

We also have an article on how to disable the touchpad when the mouse is plugged in that you can check out.

How do I turn off the touchpad in Windows 10?

1. Use the functions keys

turn off touchpad Windows 10 functions key

Usually and in most cases, on the laptop’s keyboard, you should have an Fn button and a Touchpad button situated on the upper side of the keyboard.
Press and hold on to the Fn button and the Touchpad button in order to toggle it on and off.

Note that this feature is not available on all Windows laptops.

2. Use a third-party app

turn off touchpad in windows laptops third party app

Download TouchFreeze.
Follow the installation wizard to install it on your system.
After the installation is complete an icon will appear in your system tray. This program will disable your touchpad but only when it detects typing on the keyboard..

3. Disable the touchpad via Device Manager

Right-click on the Start Button and select Device Manager.
Expand the Human Interface Devices list.
Find the touchpad driver (note the name might be different on your device).
Right-click on the device and select Disable device.

4. Turn off the touchpad from Windows Settings

1. Press the Windows + I keyboard shortcut.
2. The Windows Settings menu will open on the screen.
3. Navigate to the Devices tab.
4. Go to Touchpad.
5. Here there is a switch that turns the touchpad on and off. Toggle the feature off. Alternatively, you can also untick the box below to automatically turn it off when a mouse is connected.

Another easy method you can use to disable the touchpad involves modifying your Settings via Windows Settings.

There is a built-in menu on your Windows 10 device that allows you to configure your touchpad’s settings however you like.

Laptop touchpad fixes and tips on Windows 10

If you are an advanced user, you can try to access your touchpad’s advanced options and personalize its functionalities to your needs.

You can also encounter some issues with your touchpad random freeze or touchpad simply not working. This is not a problem as there are lots of fixes on the internet and we have some as well. Just check our fix guide for the touchpad freezes problem or for touchpad not working issues.

You have above four quick methods to turn off the laptop’s touchpad in a Windows operating system environment. For any questions on these methods don’t hesitate to write us below in the comment section of the page.

How to Fix Discord Freezing Issues: 3 Quick Ways

Posted on September 6, 2022October 25, 2024 by Madalina Dinita

Many users reported that Discord keeps freezing and that problem is usually caused by key bindings that overlap with the ones in other apps. Other causes include running the app in Compatibility mode or because hardware acceleration is enabled.

What can I do if Discord is freezing on authenticating?

1. Disable key binds

Open the Start menu.
Type Discord and open it.
Click on Settings.
Search for Keybinds and select it.
A list will appear, and you will see a red cross on each key bind.
To delete the key bind, click the red cross icon.
Repeat this for all key binds and check if this resolves after deleting the key binds.

Key binds are associations between a physical key on a keyboard and a parameter. Unfortunately, they can sometimes cause Discord to keep freezing.

This can quickly be resolved by deleting the key binds, so follow the steps above.

2. Turn off the Compatibility mode

Right-click on the Discord app, then choose Properties.
Click on the Compatibility tab.
Disable Run this program in compatibility mode for option.
Click on Apply, then on OK.
Now, re-run the Discord app and see if the issue is fixed or not.

If Discord keeps freezing, the issue might be related to Compatibility mode. To fix the problem, try disabling the Compatibility mode for Discord.

Our presented steps didn’t work? We also suggest checking the Run this program in compatibility mode for option and choosing a different Windows version.

3. Disable the Hardware Acceleration

Open the Start menu.
Type Discord, then open the app.
Then, click on Settings from the bottom of the window.
Choose Appearance.
Click on Advanced.
Turn off the Hardware Acceleration.
Press OK.

Hardware acceleration is the use of PC hardware to perform some functions more efficiently than in software running on a more general-purpose CPU.

Turning off the Hardware Acceleration can also help if Discord keeps freezing. So, follow these steps to disable the Hardware Acceleration on the app.

Why is my PC freezing randomly?

After careful research, we have listed all the common causes that make your PC freeze randomly.

Insufficient RAM.
High CPU temperature due to extensive usage.
Corrupt system files.
Presence of virus or malware.
Faulty hard disk.
You haven’t installed the latest Windows OS version.
Installed drivers are not up to date.
Corrupt temporary files.
Faulty operating system.

While all these are popular reasons your PC would freeze randomly, we have a dedicated guide that lists some practical solutions that will help you randomly fix the PC freezing problem.

What are the most popular Discord problems?

At the end of this article, we consider properly presenting a series of Discord errors that might occur during your gaming experience.

It is essential to be aware of any potential glitches, so make sure you read the following information carefully.

Discord installation failed in Windows 10 – In this case, you should know that it usually occurs because the app is still running in the background.
Unable to use share-screen – Some users reported this as one of the most irritating issues. If Discord screen share is not working, do not hesitate to discover our dedicated fix guide.
Not able to search – The app might also have problems in this way. We suggest checking some valuable solutions to find what you can do in case the Discord search is not working.
Unable to communicate efficiently with your teammates – This one means that Discord audio keeps cutting out. Fortunately, we prepared a list of fixing options.

Of course, there are many other examples of Discord errors, but we ensured to deliver only the most popular ones.

These are just a few solutions that might help if Discord keeps freezing on your PC. Please let us know if you found our suggestions helpful in the comments section below.

How to Change Icons on Windows 11 [Customize Apps]

Posted on September 6, 2022October 4, 2023 by Vladimir Popescu

It is no longer a secret that the latest Microsoft OS came up with some great features.

After conducting a series of research, we found out that some of you are extremely interested in how to change icons in Windows 11. And this guide will show you some easy options to do it.

Before anything else, keep in mind that you can perform this process for various pieces, such as folders, shortcuts, or pinned apps.

But first, let’s take a look at some notable advantages of customizing Windows 11 icons.

Why are icons important?

Icons are often used to explain certain features, as you can visually represent each of them. They help you to better understand each part of your OS and also facilitate the visual separation of the contained elements.

Windows 11 brings up icons set by default and they may sometimes be too generic or simply bland. When you change the icon of an app according to your own preferences might spice things up a bit, by creating a more personalized digital environment.

In these terms, icons help to optimize your navigation and also reduce considerably your work time.

How can I change an app’s icon in Windows 11?

1. Change Folders icons

1. Right-click on the folder you need, then select Properties.
2. Click on the Customize tab, then choose to Change icon.
3. Now, you’ll see a list of icons that can be used for the folder. There are some basic ones that can be used, but you can also browse your PC for custom ones.
4. Choose an icon, then click on OK.
5. Press on the Apply and OK buttons in the Properties window to save the changes.
6. Refresh the folder’s location to apply the changes. The folder should now have the desired icon.

The most commonly changed icons are those that belong to folders. Changing a folder’s icon helps users personalize it and find it more easily on their PC when they look for it.

That being said, you can change the folders’ icons via the Properties window on Windows 11, by right-clicking on them. You can choose a new default icon or browse for a custom one.

However, keep in mind that your OS hides by default specific data. So, make sure you take a look at how to view Hidden Folders and Files in Windows 11.

2. Customize Shortcuts icons

Right-click on the shortcut you need, then select Properties.
Select the Shortcut tab, then choose to Change icon….
Click on the prefered icon, then click on OK.
In the Properties window, click again on OK.

3. Personalize Desktop icons

Hit the Windows key, then navigate to the Settings menu.
Click on Personalization, then on Themes.
Under the Related settings section, click on Desktop icons settings.
Select the needed Desktop icon, then choose to Change icon…
Choose the model that you like the most, then click on OK.

Desktop icons are probably some of the most seen during daily work. To build a more personalized environment and to have an ideal first view, changing their icons is undoubtedly a great idea.

If the Desktop icon settings option isn’t available (as in the above example), make sure your Windows license is activated, then check for the operating system’s latest updates, and reboot your PC.

4. Change Pinned Taskbar Programs icons

Look at your taskbar, right-click on the desired pinned program, then right-click again on its name, and choose Properties.
Now the process will be pretty similar to what we presented on shortcuts case.
So, click on the Shortcuts tab, then choose to Change icon….
Select the most wanted one, then click on OK.
Also, click on OK in the Properties window.

Pinned programs are usually the most used ones, which simplify your daily work. In these terms, instead of searching for them, you should change their icons to more recognizable items.

However, if you didn’t fix any program yet, do not hesitate to check how to pin apps in Windows 11.

Can I change Windows 11 icons with custom images?

Windows 11 allows you to use a limited number of icons. However, it seems like many of you may want to add custom icons. And don’t worry about that, the process is pretty simple.

You’ll need to download first the desired PNG icons from the web, then convert them to ICO format.

After getting the new ICO model, transfer the files to a separate folder. Make sure you don’t move them around since it can cause trouble locating them for Windows.

Once you have the required images in ICO format placed in a designated folder, you can start changing the icons.

Note that the process is similar to the ones presented before. However, instead of choosing one from the list of options, you’ll have to browse and choose the ICO file.

How can I select custom icons?

But let’s take a closer look at the actual procedure:

Right-click on the needed folder, then select Properties.
Navigate to the Customize tab, then choose to Change Icon….
Click on the Browse… button.
Go to the folder where you stored the ICO files, then select the one you want to set, and click on Open.
Click on OK.
In the Properties window, click again on OK.

How can I modify drives icons?

For this one, you’ll first need an ICO file. Now move it to a designated folder and ensure that you don’t change the location of the folder or the file, since you would need the path for the ICO image file.
Go to the file’s location, click on the file, then choose to See more (marked as three horizontal dots), and select the Copy path option.
Use the following keyboard shortcut: Windows + R.
Type regedit, then click on OK.
Navigate to the following location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\DriveIcons
From the left window pane, search for DriverIcons, then right click on it, and select New and Key.
Now right-click on the key you just created, hover the cursor over New and select again Key.
Name this key as DefaultIcon.
Open it, then double-click on Default.
Paste the path of the ICO file you earlier copied in the text field under Value data, and click on OK. Make sure you add the path between double quotes (“).

As you can see, Microsoft producers did a great job related to workplace customization. However, to improve your personal design, we also recommend taking a look at how to change font size in Windows 11.

Today’s article listed only the easiest solutions to changes the icons of an app in Windows 11. So, make sure you’ll definitely get a more personalized digital environment by using them.

Because your opinion is important to us, do not hesitate to share it by leaving a comment in the section below.

How to Download, Install & Use the Xbox Accessories App

Posted on September 6, 2022October 4, 2023 by Ivan Jenic

If you are a gamer, this is an exciting article for you. More so if you are a fan of the Xbox and PC gaming. We will share all you need about the Xbox Accessories app.

This is about the most relevant app you should have on your computer if you have or need to use an Xbox controller on your PC.

You may modify your headset and controller to operate as you want them to with the help of the Xbox Accessories app, which will improve the gameplay experience.

How do you install it and get it connected? Well, that is what we will be exploring.

Do you need Xbox accessories app?

Are you wondering if you need the app? Well, we will help you make up your mind by showing you all that is accomplished with the app.

First, when used in conjunction with the Xbox Adaptive Controller, an Xbox Elite Wireless Controller, or the Xbox Wireless Controller, the Xbox Accessories app expands your options for gameplay.

You may build and update controller profiles by switching triggers and sticks, remapping buttons, and adjusting controller vibration.

The software enables Copilot mode, which lets you use two distinct game controllers like they were one and allows you to upgrade the controller’s firmware.

Also, you may store numerous profiles on an Xbox Adaptive Controller or an Xbox Elite Wireless Controller so you can utilize them anytime for gameplay.

Furthermore, on the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller, you can change the sensitivity curves for the thumbstick, change the mapping for the paddles and bumpers, and adjust the vibration intensity.

This program lets players who use the Xbox Adaptive Controller or the Elite Series 2 switch thumbsticks’ Y and X axes and set Shift inputs.

The Xbox Elite Wireless Controller gives you an advantage in your best games, and you can even change the Xbox button’s brightness.

Lastly, you may personalize your controller’s name and keep up to 256 distinct settings within the program.

How do I download & install the Xbox Accessories app?

1. Download and install the Xbox Accessories app

Visit the Xbox Accessories official link on your internet browser.
Click on Get in Store app.
On the popup, click on Open Microsoft Store.
Click on the Install button.
Lastly, give it a few minutes for the Xbox Accessories app installation to complete.

2. How do I use the Xbox Accessories app on a PC?

Make sure that your controller is plugged in. For example, you may have to push the little Xbox button at the top of the controller.
Click on the Start menu, type in Xbox accessories, and click the app.
Click on Next to begin the configuration.
On the Optimize for your screen, click on Next again.
In the More ways to customize window, click Next.
Click Next in the subsequent two windows that display.
Now click Next in the Let’s begin screen, input your profile name and select the Save button.
Click on Update Required if prompted to.
On the Before we start window, click Continue (make sure you have your controller plugged correctly in).
Once the update is completed, click on Configure.
Finally, now you will have the choice to copy your controller profiles. If you want to do this, click the Copy button; if not, Click the No thanks button.
Choosing the No thanks option means that the controller would be automatically set up, and if you click Copy, you simply copy your profile from the left pane, and you are done.

How do you connect Xbox One controller to Xbox Accessories?

The steps shown above are pretty much the same regardless of the controller. There are just a few things to note:

Ensure the Windows computer is updated, and you run the most recent Xbox Accessories software version to guarantee compliance among all controllers.
The Xbox Accessories app does not support the Xbox 360 controller and other non-Xbox devices.
You will need a USB cord or the Xbox Wireless Adapter to connect and set up your accessory if you’re using the application on a Windows device.

There you have it. Now you can connect to the Xbox Accessories app using most of your Xbox controllers and enjoy an enhanced gameplay experience.

Note that this process is straightforward, and users seem to love it more if they have used many profiles in the past.

Lastly, we like to know your thoughts on this software. Did you find the connection and installation easy? Let us know in the comments below.

How to Download Mantra RD Service on Windows 11

Posted on September 6, 2022October 21, 2024 by Farhad Pashaei

Today we’ll show you how to download and install the Mantra RD service on your Windows 11. Further, we’ll also help you troubleshoot it in case it’s not working.

Let’s get right to it.

How can I download and install Mantra RD on my PC?

Type mantra rd service in the Google search box and click on the first result from the Mantratecapp domain.
In the new window, type the captcha in the box, then tap Submit.
Click on Download MFS100 RD Service (1.0.4) and Download MFS100 Driver (9.2.0.0) – Win 7/8/10, respectively and wait for the download to finish.
Now, navigate to the download folder and double-click on MantraRDService_1.0.4.
In the setup window, click on Next.
On the next page, tap Install and let the process complete.
Then click on Finish.
For installing the driver, go to the download folder again, and this time double-click on MFS100Driver_9.2.0.0.
On this window, tap Install.
After the installation is completed, tap Finish.
Now a blue window will pop up, which lets you test the application. To do so, click on Start Capture and put your finger on the sensor, and wait for the recognition process to be completed.
During this time, you can see the pattern of your finger in the right pane and check its quality score under it.
If the recognition process goes well, a new window appears, which shows this message: Capture Success, Finger data is saved at application path.

Mantra Device not working

First, ensure you have installed the appropriate Mantra RD service driver for the device. If not, the uninstalled driver is unquestionably the cause of the issue.

However, if you receive a message stating Serial Number Corrupted, it indicates that the device is damaged.

In this case, you need to contact the person from whom the device has been purchased. You can send the device for repair or replacement.

If you encounter a problem where the device is attached to the system but not showing up in the Device Manager or not working in the app; in this case, you should ensure that the USB host is open for the device.

It is also possible that the device’s USB plug or USB port is damaged, and because of that, the system is not able to detect the device.

Conclusion

MFS100 is based on optical sensing technology and can be used for authentication, identification, and verification functions that let your fingerprint act like a digital password that cannot be lost, forgotten, or stolen.

The robust optical sensor can withstand scratches, impacts, shocks, and electrostatic shocks without being damaged.

This high-tech device can store images, Raw Data, and minutiae of the fingerprint captured for ISO standards fast matching speed: 1:100,000 within a second.

In the comments section below, let us know if you were able to download and Install Mantra RD Service on Windows 11.

6 Fixes: The File or Directory is Corrupted and Unreadable

Posted on September 6, 2022September 26, 2024 by Milan Stanojevic

We store all sorts of files and folders on our PCs, but sometimes specific files and directories can become corrupted and unreadable.

Indeed you’ve encountered the problem of corrupted and unreadable files or directories at some point, and nothing is more frustrating than not being able to access them, especially if you’re in serious need.

But there are some valuable tips to remember when you run into this unpleasant situation, so don’t lose hope.

This can be a big problem for users, but there’s a way to fix a corrupted and unreadable file or directory on Windows 10. Before we dig in, let’s see some specific situations and examples where you might encounter this issue.

What does it mean when it says the file or directory is corrupted and unreadable?

The error message File or directory is corrupted, and unreadable is a type of error might be considered essential. This occurs when malicious software causes damaged files, affecting your file system.

All programs may have a damaged file that can no longer fulfill its function. Thus, this type of file is called corrupt.

Why is the folder corrupted?

This problem can occur for a number of reasons, including recurring ones:

System crashes – These can be caused by hardware or software problems, and their occurrence can lead to file corruption.
Update errors – The frequency of update errors is a fairly common thing among users and they can lead not only to corrupt files but also to BSoD errors.
Power outages – Unfortunately, these problems can cause many issues to your OS, especially as they happen without warning signs.

Corrupted directories can be a problem since they won’t allow you to access your files. Speaking of corrupted directories, users reported the following issues:

The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable folder – According to users, sometimes they might encounter this message while trying to access certain directories. This can lead to errors such as ERROR_HANDLE_EOF. If you have issues reading files or folders, be sure to try some of our solutions.
Repair corrupt folders – Even if you have damaged folders on your PC, you might be able to repair them and recover your files. There are many third-party tools that can help you with that, so be sure to check them out.
The file or directory is corrupted and unreadable in the C drive, please run the chkdsk utility – In some cases, you’ll get an error message asking you to run the chkdsk utility on your C drive. We explained in detail how to run chkdsk in this guide, so be sure to check it out.
Fix/Repair corrupted directory external hard drive – Sometimes files can get corrupted on external hard drives as well. In some cases, you might be able to recover your files with third-party tools; but usually, the best option is to run a chkdsk scan. If everything fails, you might have to format your drive.

How can I fix the corrupted folder on Windows 10?

1. Use the chkdsk tool

Tap the Windows key, enter cmd, and open the Command Prompt result as an administrator.
Type the following command, press Enter, and be sure to replace X with the letter that matches your hard drive partition: chkdsk /f X:
Wait while chkdsk scans your hard drive partition.

According to users, one way to fix problems with corrupted directories is to use the chkdsk tool. Chkdsk is a command line tool that repairs any folder, scans the specific hard drive partition, and fixes corrupted files or folders.

After the scan completes, the issue should be resolved entirely.

We must mention that a few users reported that the chkdsk command deleted files from their partition without warning, so be sure to back up any important files just in case.

2. Keep reconnecting your external storage device

Using an external storage device is a great way to free some space on your hard drive and keep your important files backed up.

Unfortunately, users reported that this issue occurs on their external storage devices. According to users, one of the simplest ways to fix this problem is to keep reconnecting your external hard drive.

After you reconnect your drive a couple of times, Windows 10 will notify you of an issue with the industry and ask you for permission to repair it.

The repair process should take about 30 seconds, and the issue should be resolved after the process is completed.

If you’re still having issues with corrupt directories on your PC, you might want to try using recovery software to restore your files.

We have to mention that these tools can give you varying results, depending on the amount of corruption.

If you’re looking for good file recovery software, we strongly recommend the professional tool Stellar Data Recovery, which quickly recovers files from corrupted directories.

3. Format your external storage device

Make sure that the external storage device is connected to your PC.
Right-click the Start icon and choose Disk Management from the menu.
When the Disk Management window opens, locate the Unallocated space section, right-click it and choose New Sample volume. Select the correct partition on your external hard drive to avoid file loss.
New Simple Volume Wizard will now open. Click Next.
Select the volume size, and click Next.
Select Assign the following drive letter option, and choose the desired letter.
Now select the format options, and click Next.
Click the Finish button to complete the process.

Users reported an error message regarding a corrupted directory while trying to access their external storage device.

One way to fix this problem is to partition and format the drive by following the above steps.

If the drive is partitioned, you must format it from This PC. To do that, follow these steps:

Open This PC and locate your external storage device. Right-click it, and choose Format.
When the Format window opens, enter the Volume label, choose File system type, and click the Start button to start the formatting process.
Wait until the drive is formatted.

After the drive is formatted, you’ll be able to access your external storage device without any problems. However, remember that formatting will delete all files from your external storage device.

4. Check the health of your hard drive

Corrupted directories can be a sign of a damaged hard drive, and if you want to ensure that your hard drive is healthy and working correctly, you should check its health.

If your hard drive fails, you should consider replacing your hard drive and backing up your files.

Many third-party applications can help you with that, and if you need a tool that can clone your hard drive to a new one, you should consider using a professional one.

5. Try using Safe Mode

Open the Start Menu, and click the Power button.
Now press and hold the Shift key and click the Restart button.
Select Troubleshoot, and then Advanced options.
Choose Startup Settings from the menu, and click Restart to proceed.
A list of options will appear. Select any version of Safe Mode by pressing the corresponding key.

If you can’t open a specific directory on your PC because it’s damaged, you might want to try accessing this directory in Safe Mode.

In case you’re unfamiliar, Safe Mode is a segment of Windows that runs with default applications and settings, so it’s perfect for troubleshooting.

Once you enter Safe Mode, try reaccessing the problematic directory.

6. Create a new user profile

Press Windows + I to open the Settings app, then navigate to the Accounts section.
Now select Family & other people from the menu on the left. Then, select Add someone else to this PC in the right pane.
Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
Now choose to Add a user without a Microsoft account.
Enter the desired username, and click Next.

If you’re having problems with corrupted directories, the issue might be related to your user profile. For example, if your user profile is corrupted, you might not be able to access specific directories.

However, you can always circumvent this issue simply by creating a new user account. After that, switch to a recent version and check if the problem persists.

If you can access all directories without issues, it means that a corrupted account was causing the problem.

Since there’s no way to repair a corrupted account, you’ll need to move your files to a new account and start using it as your main one.

How can I fix the corrupted and unreadable file or directory on Windows 11?

Open File Explorer by pressing Windows + E, then go to the hard drive with the error.
Right-click it and select Properties.
Go to Tools, then click Check to scan the hard drive and fix any errors.

How do you check if a folder is corrupted?

In Windows-based operating systems, the CHKDSK (check disk) system tool or utility performs a scan of your hard drive to look for problems with the file system.

To maintain proper computer hygiene, you should regularly run the CHKDSK tool to check for and fix faults on your hard drive and keep your system data organized. We showed you how to use it in the first solution, so check it out.

How to prevent file or directory corruption

Repairing a corrupted directory on Windows 10 can be a complicated process, but if you encounter a problem with a corrupted guide, be sure to try one of our solutions above.

But if you want to prevent this issue from occurring in the future so that you don’t have to go through the same process every time, then there are some things to consider:

➡ Protect your PC against cyber threats

Malware plays a defining role in file corruption problems, although its primary purpose is to corrupt your entire operating system, not just one file.

Microsoft Defender is a reliable ally against malware and viruses that can attack your PC, but often hacker innovations outpace it.

That’s why the life-saving solution seems to come unexpectedly, and you can choose one of the best Windows 10 antivirus software to use today.

Choose an antivirus solution that fits your needs, and use it with utmost confidence to save your work and protect your PC.

➡ Check your hard-drive

Regarding resilience over time, HDDs are more vulnerable and require extra attention from users who want to maintain their PCs at optimal standards.

Bad sectors are common problems on your hard drive, often leading to corrupted files or directories and affecting your entire system.

To ensure that you keep your HDD healthy, you should periodically perform a defragmentation or chkdsk command, which is within reach of any simple user.

To perform HDD defragmentation in Windows 10, just follow the steps below:

Click on the Search button on your taskbar, and type defrag.
Select Defragment and Optimize Drives.
Choose the drive you want to optimize.
Click Optimize to initiate the process.
You will see that the Current status section has changed.

➡ Other useful tips

Make sure you do not delete any file without inquiring about its nature and whether it may affect the system.
Shut down and restart your PC using the standard environment provided by your PC, not just the physical power button.
Never interrupt the system processes you are performing.

Sometimes when your PC is damaged, it becomes impossible to open specific files. A safe solution would be opening files or directories in Safe Mode or creating a new user profile.

Also, if you don’t know how to repair corrupted files in Windows 10, we provide you with the quickest solutions to get you out of a problem.

We hope our solutions above helped you fix the problem of corrupted or unreadable files or directories on your Windows 10 PC.

If you have other suggestions or questions on this topic, feel free to access the comments section below.

6 Fixes: Vertical or Horizontal Lines Messing up the Screen

Posted on September 6, 2022July 4, 2024 by Milan Stanojevic

You may have encountered vertical lines on your computer screen, running from the top to the bottom of your display, either blue, white, or multi-colored.

This may create a lot of anxiety, especially when you fear that your PC may be crashing.

To fix this problem and the horizontal lines on 144hz monitor one and more, we prepared a list of possible solutions that should come in handy. Make sure to check them out below.

What causes vertical lines on my monitor?

If the monitor displays lines even when not linked to cables or other input methods, the issue is most likely caused by the monitor itself.

In some cases, image problems, such as lines, can be brought on by faulty internal ribbon connections or the LCD panel itself. You may have blacklight bleed if you notice light leaking around the borders of your computer monitor.

Suppose the lines disappear while your external display is not receiving any input. In that case, you may have a problem with the connection between your computer and the external monitor or an issue with your computer’s graphics drivers, driver settings, or image settings.

Why do vertical lines appear on the laptop screen?

Many users reported green lines on Windows laptops, and your drivers frequently cause this issue, so make sure you update them often.

This is a common problem; horizontal lines on laptop screens have been reported on both Lenovo and Acer devices.

Distorted display problems on Windows aren’t anything new; hopefully, this guide should help you fix that once and for all.

How do I fix vertical lines on my monitor?

1. Check your screen resolution display settings

Press Windows, then type resolution and open the top result.
The resolution marked Recommended the one suitable for your laptop screen’s native resolution (the highest your monitor can support)
You can set brightness and contrast from monitor controls.

2. Update your graphics driver

Right-click the Start icon, then select Device Manager.
Expand the Display adapters folder, right-click your graphics card, and select Update driver.
Restart your PC. The vertical lines on the monitor caused by your graphics card will be gone afterward.

Note: You may need to know the name of your video card, for instance, if it is NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel, because then you’d have to download directly from the website of either of these.

Keeping your drivers up to date is crucial if you want to achieve maximum performance and help you avoid other issues, such as black and white squares on your monitor screen. You can manually update them using the system database as mentioned above, or use driver updating software that does it automatically.

3. Downgrade the video card driver to an older version

Right-click the Start icon, then select Device Manager.
Expand the Display adapters section, right-click the graphics driver, and select Properties.
Navigate to the Driver tab, then click Roll back driver if you have the option enabled. If you have a single vertical line on your laptop screen, it will no longer be an issue after this.

4. Use Display Quality Troubleshooter

Press Windows and enter control. Next, select Control Panel from the result list.
Click View by on the right corner and select Large icons.
Choose Troubleshooting.
Go to the left pane and click View All.
Select Display Quality.
Type in a password for admin, or give permissions when prompted. Then, the vertical lines on the computer screen problem will be solved.

5. Check whether the vertical lines appear in the BIOS

Shut down your PC, but keep the power cable connected.
Turn it on again.
Press F10 repeatedly.

If you get to the BIOS settings and the lines are still displaying, it may be a hardware failure. In this situation, perform a hard or forced reset, then a BIOS update.

Remember not to interrupt the process as it might cause more damage that’s harder to fix. If updating BIOS seems scary, you can make things way more accessible with the help of our tech experts. For example, the vertical lines on the Lenovo laptop screen issue will be fixed afterward.

If you don’t get any vertical lines displayed in the BIOS, it is a software-related issue, such as outdated drivers. In this case, you need to update the display drivers by following:

Start your computer in Safe mode.
Right-click the Start icon, then select Device Manager.
Expand the Display adapters folder, right-click the graphics driver, and select Update driver.
Exit Safe Mode.

6. Perform a clean boot

Type msconfig in the Windows search box and press Enter.
Find the Services tab, and check the Hide all Microsoft services box. Click Disable all.
Go to the Startup tab, then click Open Task Manager.
Select any startup program you think might be interfering, then choose Disable.
Close Task Manager, click OK in the System Configuration window and reboot your PC. The vertical lines on the computer screen issue will be fixed.

Performing a clean boot for your computer reduces software-related conflicts that can bring up the root causes of the Startup repair incompatibility with your operating system.

These conflicts can be caused by applications and services that typically start up and run in the background when you start Windows.

If you can’t open Task Manager, we’ve got the right solution for you. After all these steps are carefully followed, you will have a clean boot environment, after which you can try booting your computer again.

How do I know if my monitor is broken?

The failure of the backlight is the primary cause of dimming in LCDs and LEDs. On the other hand, dimming happens primarily in CRT monitors when the element cathode tube ray ceases to operate.

If your monitor takes a long time to load, then it is another indication that your monitor is getting close to the end of its useful life. In addition, it is most likely an indication of an internal problem that may ultimately result in the LCD’s failure.

In the long term, some pixels become defective and refuse to display the picture in contrast. As a result, the screen will show blank pixels where those pixels formerly were. These pixels are either considered dead or corrupted, depending on their state.

Did any of these solutions fix the single vertical line on the monitor issue? Let us know by dropping your comment in the section below.

Windows Defender bug sends users Win32/Hive.ZY virus alerts

Posted on September 6, 2022September 7, 2022 by Alexandru Poloboc

Windows Defender is still, in the eyes of many, a very reliable solution when it comes to cybersecurity needs, so it’s no wonder that so many people still use it.

However, that doesn’t mean that this software won’t sometimes backfire, which is why you came to the right place to get something like that fixed.

By the way, if Windows Defender is missing on your Windows 11 device, we can help you with that as well, just so you know.

Yesterday, many users have reported that Windows Defender had notified them about a Win32/Hive.ZY virus on their PCs.

However, there’s no need to become anxious, as there is nobody trying to access your data. Microsoft has confirmed that a bug was causing the issue, and has already fixed it.

Defender started showing sever infection notifications

Many Windows users woke up yesterday to a pile of notifications from Windows Defender, which is the default antivirus in the Windows OS.

The software had actually alerted them that it had detected malware on their system. Let’s just say that is not what you want to see on your monitor.

This so-called virus was identified as Win32/Hive.ZY. As you imagined, this caused panic among users who didn’t know how their computers got infected.

According to what affected users had to say about this, Windows Defender displayed a notification that said that the threat had been removed from the device.

From the available screenshots, we can see that the malware was described as a dangerous program that executes commands from an attacker.

And, you should also know that Win32/Hive.ZY is actually listed on Microsoft Security Intelligence’s threat database as a generic detection.

Keep in mind that, although the antivirus immediately quarantined the threat, the same notification would reappear after about a minute or two.

These alarmingnotifications caused further confusion among users, who began scanning their computers using third-party tools such as Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.

Furthermore, some of the affected users mentioned they had noticed that the problem seemed to have occurred only when they tried to run specific apps such as Chrome, Edge, Spotify, and Discord.

What puzzled users to the brink of insanity was the fact that closing these apps caused the notifications to stop.

Also important to remember is that these applications have something in common, and that is that they are all based on Chromium or Electron.

Microsoft confirms this was only a Dender bug

Through Microsoft’s Discord community, the Redmond tech giant has explained that the Win32/Hive.ZY is nothing to get worried about.

In fact, this false positive issue originated in the Security Intelligence Update for Microsoft Defender Antivirus, which was KB2267602 (Version 1.373.1508.0).

Know that the virus definition update in question was rolled out to users yesterday, and a bug in the database was incorrectly flagging Chromium-based apps as malware.

Yes, Microsoft has already issued a fix for the false positive detection, and has advised users to update to the latest definitions. Please note that version: 1.373.1537.0 and above fixes this issue.

If by any chance, you are still experiencing the issue, you can download the latest virus definitions directly from Microsoft’s website, and install them manually.

Just to save some time, we have the download links for you right here:

Have you also received these Windows Defender notifications? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.

Microsoft Advertising adds new import tools, more in September

Posted on September 6, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft Advertising, previously Bing ads, is introducing five additional ad products and updates to its suite of tools, among them Pinterest Import, Performance Max beta, Multimedia Ads support in Editor, Cruise, Tours and Activities ads, and finally Subdomains in Dynamic Search Ads (DSAs).

First up is Pinterest Import which will let advertisers bring their campaigns, ads, and assets from Pinterest Ads to Microsoft Audience Network. “The advanced import option allows you to customize your campaigns for Microsoft Advertising and make changes to bids, budgets, and other settings”.

However, advertisers will not be able to import audiences as well. Instead, advertisers are encouraged to make use of Microsoft’s Audience Network Planner which will assist them to reach out to the target audience.

Secondly, advertisers can now replicate their efforts across all platforms using Google Ad’s Performance Max campaigns. This tool is however still in closed beta, therefore, interested parties will need to contact their account admins to sign up for it. Google Performance Max campaigns can be imported by advertisers to serve as Smart Shopping Campaigns and Local Inventory Ads in Microsoft.

Thirdly, Microsoft Advertising now comes with enhanced support for Multimedia Ads in Microsoft Advertising Editor which in turn allows users to improve the performance of their campaigns. Microsoft Advertising Editor is now widely available though support for the Microsoft Audience Network is still in pilot.

Automotive ads were launched last month, and now both Cruise Ads and Tours and Activities Ads have reached general availability.

And finally, users can easily “add subdomains like mysite.contoso.com in addition to your top-level domains like contoso.com” since subdomains in DSA are now generally available. This will make it easier for advertisers to import their domains and at the same time assert precision. Be sure to check if Subdomains in DSAs are currently available in your market. Remember you have 5 additional months to transition to Responsive Search Ads as the deadline has been pushed to February 1, 2023

3 Quick Ways to Stop Vodafone Germany from Blocking IPTV

Posted on September 6, 2022September 29, 2025 by Claire Moraa

IPTV is one of the best ways to watch live TV and movies on your PC, smartphone, or tablet. But sometimes, you may find that your ISP is blocking IPTV websites. Vodafone Germany is one of the leading mobile phone companies in Europe and is also a major player in the IPTV market.

One of the biggest problems with this provider is that it sometimes blocks IPTV services. It’s not uncommon for ISPs (Internet Service Providers) to block certain websites and services, especially when they’re not allowed by law.

If the issue is geo-restriction, we have an expert article on how you can bypass geo-blocking and access such sites.

How do I check if my ISP is blocking streaming?

If you want to ascertain that your ISP is blocking you from streaming your favorite sites, you can use one of the below methods:

Use a VPN – Simply connect to a VPN server in another country and visit the websites. If it works, then it means that your ISP is blocking streaming.
Test your internet speeds – Running a speed test and comparing previous results will give you an idea of whether your bandwidth has been capped. You can use a speed tester which will show you both upload and download speeds. If one is being throttled, you’ll be able to tell.

Use another connection – If you have an alternative connection, try connecting to it and observe. This can be done by connecting to a public Wi-Fi hotspot or by connecting through a mobile phone network.

Once you have discovered your streaming is being blocked, proceed to the following solutions to bypass it.

How do I stop Vodafone Germany from blocking IPTV?

1. Use a VPN

A VPN is the best way to unblock blocked programs and we have an expert list of VPNs for streaming in Germany. It allows you to hide your real location and make it seem as if you are somewhere else in the world.

The reason why so many people use VPNs is that they make it easy for people who live in places where there are strict censorship laws. If you’re trying to watch IPTV from anywhere else in the world, they can also be extremely helpful.

By using a VPN, anyone can appear as if they’re located someplace else and unblock any content that is otherwise inaccessible due to their physical location or government regulations.

We recommend Express VPN because it has an instant setup and it is very easy to use. It is also a very fast, secure, and anonymous software.

Follow these steps as a quick guide:

Firstly, go to the ExpressVPN website and click on download.

After that, click on the setup and install the application on your computer.

Then, run the VPN and click on Choose Location button.

Check the Recommended option and select a country compatible with IPTV.

Enjoy watching IPTV without any problems.

ExpressVPN is a great option thanks to its strong security and its remarkable speed that remains consistent on both short-distance and long-distance connections.

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2. Change Your DNS Settings

Another way to unblock IPTV websites is by changing your DNS settings on your computer or mobile device.

You can do this by changing them from the default settings provided by Vodafone Germany to another DNS server such as Google Public DNS.

3. Use a proxy server

If you want to unblock IPTV services in Vodafone Germany, you can try using a proxy server. It allows you to bypass any restrictions imposed by your ISP or government.

However, keep in mind that some websites may block proxies too so it’s worth testing before buying a subscription for your favorite provider.

If Vodafone Germany is still blocking your IPTV, you can switch to an alternative browser preferably one with an integrated VPN service such as Opera.

You may also come across a similar issue where Rogers is blocking a website but we have covered various fixes to bypass this problem.

Don’t hesitate to share any additional solutions that may have worked for you that we have not mentioned here. Let us know in the comments section below.

Can VPN Change Location? Bypass Geoblocking on Apps/Devices

Posted on September 6, 2022September 23, 2025 by Vlad Constantinescu

We all know that VPNs are the ultimate privacy defense mechanism, right? They can easily shield your connection and most of your online activity from prying eyes.

We say most because half of it is your job. If you’re careless with your personal data or lurk around shady websites, not even a VPN can help you protect your privacy and/or security.

But there’s another magical thing that VPNs can help you do.

If you previously tried to access websites that weren’t available to your region, you probably looked up some workarounds. And all those workarounds seemed to point to VPNs, right?

Well, spoiler alert, VPNs can help you circumvent geoblocking. And they’re pretty good at it, too.

How does a VPN bypass geoblocking?

If you don’t want to find out how this works, feel free to skip this part. A VPN takes all your traffic and routes it through a secure tunnel, while also encrypting it.

After getting out of the tunnel, your data reaches a VPN server, which decrypts the data and sends it to the website or service you chose. The website generates a response and sends it back to you, through the same tunnel.

So the data reaches the VPN server, which encrypts the data again and routes it through the tunnel. Encrypted traffic reaches your VPN client, which decrypts it so that you can see it.

Great, you found out how a VPN works, but what does any of that have to do with bypassing geoblocking? Well, the key is the location of the VPN server.

Since all your traffic gets sent to it, the website will think that the server’s location is in fact yours. Thus, as long as the server is placed in a convenient location, poof, geoblocking is gone.

Of course, there are other things to consider, but basically, that’s the deal.

Can VPN change location?

Yes, as we’ve discussed a bit earlier, a VPN is perfectly capable to change your apparent location. The great thing about VPNs is that you can change your location as often as you want, both for geo-blocking and geo-fencing restrictions.

If you want to watch US Netflix, pick a US server. If, for instance, you want to access a website that’s censored in your region, simply choose a server that’s not in your country. It’s as simple as it gets.

Of course, there are some exceptions. Certain VPNs claim that they can hide your location, when in fact they only hide your IP address.

Meanwhile your DNS leaks and gives away not only your location but also your real ISP, ASN, latitude, and longitude. You know, just about everything.

So you might find it impossible to access restricted data if you’re unfortunate enough to choose a leaky VPN.

1. Specific apps and services

➡️ Can you use a VPN to change your location on Tinder?

Yes, you are able to use the VPN in order to change your IP address on Tinder. After you connect from another server location, it will make you appear in another country.

➡️ Can you change your location on Snapchat with a VPN?

It is possible as well to hide your IP address while using the Snapchat app on your device and thus connect from a different address.

➡️ Can a VPN change your location on Find My Friends?

Yes, it does. There are multiple VPNs that can hide your real IP address and switch your location with one of the servers you’re connected to.

➡️ Does VPN change TikTok location?

Affirmative, the VPN connection can enable you to change your IP address using multiple server locations that will make you appear in another region.

2. Specific devices and platforms

?Do VPNs change phone location (iPhone, Android)

Fortunately for both types of users, it is possible to hide your IP address on mobile devices. That permit you to navigate safely without exposing personal data.

However, it is not possible to change your GPS location by using a VPN alone. This will make your IP appear in another region, but not change the GPS altogether.

? How to change VPN location on laptop/Chrome?

It’s possible to change your browser or laptop location by accessing the settings. This is how you can perform it:

Click the three dots and press Settings in Chrome.
Go to the Privacy and Security option.
Find Site Settings and click on it.
Select Location and check the box Sites can ask for your location.

3. What about GPS location?

As mentioned above, VPN software can’t hide your GPS location entirely. That means your mobile device can be still found by GPS tracking tools used by different websites.

You have more insights about the VPN changing GPS location and apply them on your own terms to hide your real IP address.

What is the best VPN to change location?

Download ExpressVPN .
Install it on your computer.
Launch it and log into your Express account.
Change your location by selecting a server.
Enjoy browsing the Internet privately.

We strongly believe this is an excellent VPN tool that can keep your online identity private. It can hide your IP/DNS and spoof your location, and all of it without leaking data.

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Additionally, it can help you curb packet loss, and improve in-game ping easily. ExpressVPN is brought to you by Kape Technologies and provides you with 24/7 customer support.

Why doesn’t VPN change my location?

This situation can occur in multiple scenarios, so you first need to identify what determines the issue.

For example, you may have network connection errors and your VPN is not able to connect to different server locations.

Another cause may be that your VPN is not properly configured which results in the VPN not hiding your location.

Yes, VPNs are perfectly capable to change location

To sum it up, if you’re using a trustworthy VPN, changing your apparent location should be child’s play. You just select the server location you want and let the VPN do all the work.

Note that your physical location stays the same (obviously). A VPN only changes the location from where you’re making the requests.

Last but not least, you’ll need to use a trustworthy VPN such as ExpressVPN if you want the location spoofing to work as intended.

Certain VPNs don’t do such a great job at changing your location, and might even leak important data.

Time Change Will Break Windows For Chilean Users

Posted on September 6, 2022 by David Allen

Microsoft has published a message for Chilean users that the upcoming time change will break certain features in Windows 7-11 both client and server versions. This is caused by the upcoming Daylight Savings Time (DST) date change. The change was announced on August 9, 2022, that the country’s official time would advance one hour on September 10th instead of the normal September 4th. As a result, users may encounter the following issues.

The time shown in Windows and apps will not be correct.
Apps and cloud services that use date and time for integral functions, such as Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Outlook, notifications, and scheduling of meetings might be 60 minutes off.
Automation using date and time, such as Scheduled tasks, might not run at the expected time.
The timestamp on transactions, files, and logs will be 60 minutes off.
Operations that rely on time-dependent protocols such as Kerberos might cause authentication failures when attempting to log on or access resources.
Windows devices and apps outside of Chile might also be affected if they are connecting to servers or devices in Chile or if they are scheduling or attending meetings taking place in Chile from another location or time zone. Windows devices outside of Chile should not use the workaround, as it would change their local time on the device.

Customers have a few options to work around the issue. They can apply these options on September 4th and undo them on September 11th.

Select the Windows logo key, type “Date and time”, and select Date and time settings. From the Date & time settings page, toggle Adjust for daylight saving time automatically to Off.
Go to Control Panel > Clock and Region > Date and Time > Change time zone and uncheck the option for “Automatically adjust clock for Daylight Saving Time”.

To mitigate this issue in the Santiago time zone, after 12:00 a.m. on September 11, 2022, and for those in the Easter Islands time zone, after 10:00 p.m. on September 10, 2022, follow the steps below to re-enable automatic DST adjustments and ensure accurate time switching with future DST transitions. This can be done by doing either of the following:

Select the Windows logo key, type “Date and time”, and select Date and time settings. From the Date & time settings page, toggle Adjust for daylight saving time automatically to On.
Go to Control Panel > Clock and Region > Date and Time > Change time zone and check the option for “Automatically adjust clock for Daylight Saving Time”.

Microsoft posted official documentation about the workaround but says, no other countries should need to make these changes and a patch will be released later this year once further testing is complete.

Via Neowin.net

5 Quick Ways To Stop Talktalk From Blocking IPTV

Posted on September 6, 2022September 10, 2025 by Claire Moraa

TalkTalk is one of the most popular ISPs in the UK. It offers a wide range of services, including broadband and TV packages. However, there are some issues with TalkTalk blocking IPTV channels.

Even with good IPTV software, users still complain of being blocked from catching up on their favorite TV channels. IPTV providers are required by law to keep track of what their customers are doing online. This way, they can report any illegal activity such as copyright infringement or piracy.

If your IPTV provider finds out you are using their service to watch pirated content, they will block your IP address from accessing their servers. This will stop you from being able to use their service and watch any of their channels.

Can I use a VPN with TalkTalk?

Yes, you can use a VPN with TalkTalk. A VPN is a virtual private network that allows you to browse the internet anonymously. It also encrypts all of your data so that nobody else can see it.

When using a VPN with TalkTalk, you should always make sure that the VPN provider has a UK server. This will allow you to access all of the websites and services available in the area.

Does TalkTalk throttle IPTV?

TalkTalk has been in the past accused of throttling IPTV services. When a provider does this, it’s often because they see that their servers are being overloaded. As such, they will limit speeds to reduce the load if they want to continue offering good-quality services.

The service has a traffic management policy where they give priority to real-time services like streaming video to ensure that these types of applications run smoothly on the network.

How do I stop TalkTalk from blocking IPTV?

1. Use a VPN

VPNs are designed to mask your IP address, which in turn makes it impossible for ISPs to determine whether or not you’re streaming content online.

In addition to this, many VPNs offer multiple servers in different locations around the world and these should be able to bypass any restrictions that TalkTalk has put in place on their network.

Also, using a VPN is easier than you think. Below we’ll show you how to use ExpressVPN, an amazing VPN provider that worked perfectly when we used it.

Here are the simple steps you have to follow:

Download ExpressVPN from their website.
Then, double-click on the executable and install ExpressVPN on our PC.
After you run the VPN, click on Choose Location.
Go to Recommended and select a country that allows IPTV.
Feel free to watch IPTV without any blocking.

Also, using a VPN is a safe way to browse the internet. It helps you stay anonymous and avoid potential threats from getting your data by providing a fake IP location.

ExpressVPN

Avoid geo-restrictions and watch your favorite TV shows.

Check Price Visit Website

2. Change DNS address

Press the Windows + R keys and type ncpa.cpl in the Run dialog box.
Right-click on your wireless network and select Properties.
Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
Select the Use the following IP address option and enter the IP address, Subnet mask, and Default gateway and input the IP addresses you want to change the server address to.
Click the OK button and restart your PC.

3. Use a Proxy service

A proxy server acts as an intermediary between your computer and the website you’re visiting. When you use a proxy server, it hides your true IP address, allowing you to access blocked content easily.

You can find free proxy servers online and then use them to bypass any restrictions imposed by your ISP or government on what websites you can visit. Some proxy services even offer encrypted connections so that nobody can see what you’re doing online while using them.

You can refer to a detailed comparison between a VPN and a proxy to find out which is better suited for you.

4. Use a private browser

Using a private browser like Tor will make it harder for your ISP to see what sites you’re visiting. Tor is an internet browser that allows you to access blocked websites by routing your connection through its own network.

You’ll still be able to access your favorite streaming sites but they won’t be able to see that you’re doing so.

5. Get a dedicated IP Address

If your ISP blocks all of the IPTV servers, you can get a dedicated IP address from another provider. If you don’t already have one, get yourself a dedicated IP address for your router or set-top box (STB).

This means that your device will be assigned its own unique address every time it connects to the internet. It makes it harder for ISPs like TalkTalk to block individual devices because they can no longer identify them based on their connection type or location.

How do I check if my ISP is blocking streaming?

To get the best quality of picture when watching movies online or using other streaming services, it’s important that both ends of the connection (your computer and the remote server) have enough bandwidth to handle the data being transmitted.

You can check your plan to see if it comes with unlimited data or if there is a cap on the amount of data you can use each month.

If your ISP has a limit on how much data you can use per month, then they may throttle or prioritize certain types of traffic based on type, application, or protocol.

You can run a speed test and compare them with the results of previous tests. If you notice a significant difference in speed, then it’s likely that your ISP is throttling and blocking streaming.

Let us know what solution worked for you if you encountered a case where TalkTalk was blocking IPTV in the comments section below.

Best television shows inspired by video games: Halo season 1

Posted on September 6, 2022 by Robert Collins

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Halo is one of the most iconic and influential franchises in all of gaming. Thus it was only a matter of time until a television adaptation came to fruition, and fortunately for us Paramount+ decided the time was right when it picked up the series early in 2021.

Prior to that the show had been in development limbo for several years. Initially it was set for a 2015 release, and was to be executive produced by Steven Spielberg in partnership with Microsoft’s ill-fated Xbox Entertainment Studios. Set in the 26th century, the premise of Halo is a war between humanity and a theocratic alien alliance known as the Covenant.

The show stars Pablo Schreiber (Mad Sweeney in American Gods) as Master Chief. Jen Taylor, who voices Cortana in several of the Halo games—as well as Microsoft’s AI virtual assistant Cortana—reprises the role for the small screen. An accomplished voice actress, Taylor has also voiced many other roles including Nintendo icons Princess Peach and Toad.

Rounding out the cast are Olive Gray, Shabana Azmi, Charlie Murphy, Danny Sapani, Bokeem Woodbine and Natascha McElhone. Filming was done in Ontario, Canada and Budapest, Hungary. Total production cost for the first season is estimated at $90 to $200 million.

The show’s first season premiered on March 24, 2022. Within 24 hours of its release, it became the most-watched series premiere ever on Paramount+. The show was already greenlighted for a second season before the season 1 premiere. David Wiener is expected to return as showrunner and executive producer.

Season 1 of Halo consists of nine episodes total.

Season 1 episode 1

“Contact” (first aired March 24, 2022)

Director: Otto Bathurst
Writers: Kyle Killen and Steven Kane

In the year 2552, humans on the planet Madrigal fight for independence from Earth, but a fatal encounter with the Alien Covenant complicates things; Master Chief John 117 and his super-soldier “Spartans” join the fight.

Season 1 episode 2

“Unbound” (first aired March 31, 2022)

Director: Otto Bathurst
Writers: Kyle Killen and Steven Kane

John takes Kwan to an old friend and learns more about the mystery object, which the Covenant and Makee are determined to steal. With the alien threat growing, Dr. Halsey has a plan to deal with John’s unpredictable behavior.

Season 1 episode 3

“Emergence” (first aired April 7, 2022)

Director: Roel Reiné
Writers: Kyle Killen and Steven Kane

John meets his new partner and discovers secrets in his own memory; Kwan wants to continue her people’s fight for independence, but Soren has different plans for her; Makee’s plan to retrieve the Madrigal object has deadly consequences.

Season 1 episode 4

“Homecoming” (first aired April 14, 2022)

Director: Roel Reiné
Writer: Justine Juel Gillmer and Steven Kane

Guided by his visions, John takes Halsey and Cortana back to where it all began, looking for answers from his past. With Soren along for protection, Kwan goes in search of an army.

Season 1 episode 5

“Reckoning” (first aired April 21, 2022)

Director: Jonathan Liebesman
Writers: Richard E. Robbins and Steven Kane

On the run and out of options, Kwan and Soren have a difference of opinion. With the possibility of finding the mysterious Halo on everyone’s minds, John makes a horrible discovery. And the war rears its ugly head.

Season 1 episode 6

“Solace” (first aired April 28, 2022)

Director: Jonathan Liebesman
Writers: Silka Luisa and Steven Kane

Survivors of the battle with the Covenant return to Reach. John confronts Dr. Halsey and her lies. The new prisoner seems to know John better than he knows himself. The mysterious artifact shows John something startling.

Season 1 episode 7

“Inheritence” (first aired May 5, 2022)

Director: Jessica Lowrey
Writer: Steven Kane

Kwan’s journey to uncover her family’s “true purpose” takes her deep into the deserts of Madrigal. Søren obsesses over unfinished business.

Season 1 episode 8

“Allegiance” (first aired May 12, 2022)

Director: Jonathan Liebesman
Writers: Justine Juel Gillmer and Steven Kane

John and Makee come to terms with their shared vision. Halsey has one last chance to save her mission, and herself. As things come to a head, everyone must choose a side.

Season 1 episode 9

“Transendence” (May 19, 2022)

Director: Jonathan Liebesman
Writer: Steven Kane

Beaten, battered, and betrayed, John 117 leads the Spartans on a suicide mission to find the Halo and save humanity.

Wrap up

If you haven’t tuned in to Halo season 1, it isn’t too late to check it out before season 2 gets under way (we’ll let you know when a release date becomes available). Just head on over to Paramount+ to sign up. There seems to be an option to try it free at the time of this writing. Happy watching!

Featured image courtesy of paramountexpress.com.

Failed to Open BitLocker Control Panel Tool [Fix 0x80004005]

Posted on September 6, 2022March 20, 2024 by Kazim Ali Alvi

BitLocker is a feature in Windows that allows users to encrypt the data stored on the drive and helps ensure privacy and safety against intrusion.

But many users have reported encountering the Failed to open BitLocker Control Panel tool error message in Windows 11.

This message is often followed by an error code, 0x80004005, which may help identify the underlying cause and easily troubleshoot the error. Though, that’s not always the case.

Therefore, we have decided to dedicate this article to list out the reasons for the Failed to open BitLocker control panel tool error in Windows 11 and the most effective fixes for it.

Why do I see Failed to open BitLocker Control Panel tool error in Windows 11?

Whenever trying to identify the underlying cause, always understand that it can be completely different for various users. So, if a method has worked for one user, there’s no surety that it would work for you as well.

But, with a proper understanding of each, you are more likely to identify and eliminate it.

The Failed to open BitLocker control panel tool error in Windows 11 can be caused by a bunch of reasons, but in most cases, the installed edition of Windows 11 does not offer the BitLocker feature.

If you are certain that the feature is available, it most likely has to do with critical services not running or corrupt system files.

Other than that, a bug in the installed version of Windows is also likely to lead to BitLocker not showing in Control Panel in Windows 10/11.

Now that you have a basic understanding of the issues that cause the Failed to open BitLocker control panel tool error in Windows 11, let’s head to the solutions. Follow them in the listed sequence for quick and effective troubleshooting.

How do I fix the Failed to open BitLocker Control Panel tool error in Windows 11?

1. Check if BitLocker is available on the installed edition of Windows 11

Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter system Information in the text field at the top, right-click on the relevant search result, and select Run as administrator from the context menu.
Click Yes in the UAC (User Account Control) prompt that pops up.
Now, scroll down on the right in the System Summary tab and check what it reads next to Device Encryption Support. If it says Meets prerequisites, follow the other steps listed here to get BitLocker up and running.

In most cases, users who encountered the Failed to open BitLocker control panel tool error in Windows 11 were found to be running the Home edition which does not support BitLocker. It’s supported on the Pro edition of Windows 11.

So, if you are running the Home edition, it’s time you make the upgrade to access features that are exclusive to the Pro edition.

However, certain devices (2-1 laptops and tablets) running the Windows 11 Home edition support Device Encryption, a feature similar to BitLocker.

2. Perform the DISM and SFC scans

Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter windows terminal in the text field, right-click on the relevant search result, and select Run as administrator from the context menu.
Click Yes on the UAC (User Account Control) prompt that pops up.
Now, click on the downward-facing arrow at the top, and select Command Prompt from the list of options. Alternatively, you can hit Ctrl + Shift + 2 to launch Command Prompt in a new tab.
Now, paste the following and hit Enter to run the DISM tool: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
Finally, execute the following command to run the SFC scan: sfc /scannow

If you are encountering the Failed to open BitLocker control panel tool error in Windows 11 due to corrupt system files, running the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) and SFC (System File Checker) scan could fix the error.

Or you could use a third-party repair tool that will automatically identify and eliminate most of the errors.

An automatic repair tool simplifies the process of protecting your computer from malware and improves its health to perform maximally at all times.

3. Run the Bitlocker Device Encryption Service

Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter services in the text field at the top, and click on the relevant search result.
Now, locate the BitLocker Device Encryption Service, right-click on it, and select Properties from the context menu.
Now, select Automatic from the Startup type dropdown menu.
If the service is not running, click on the Start button under Service status.
Once done, click on OK at the bottom to save the changes.

As mentioned earlier, if the critical services are not running on your device, you might face the Failed to open BitLocker control panel tool error in Windows 11.

So, just make sure to run it, and restart the computer for the changes to fully come into effect.

4. Make changes to the Local Group Policy Editor

Press Windows + R to launch the Run console, enter gpedit in the field, and either click on OK or hit Enter to launch the Local Group Policy Editor.
Now, double-click on Administrative Templates in the navigation pane on the left and then on the Windows Components option that appears under it.
Next, double-click on BitLocker Drive Encryption, then on Operating System Drives in the navigation pane, and finally on the Require additional authentication at startup (Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista) entry on the right.
Once here, make sure that it’s Enabled, the Allow BitLocker without a compatible TPM option is checked, and then click on OK at the bottom to save the changes.

5. Perform a system restore

Press Windows Key + R and enter rstrui, then click OK or press Enter.
Click on Next to proceed and in the next window, select the restore point you wish to revert to and click on Next again.
After you click Finish the PC will restart and restore itself to the selected restore point.

If nothing else has worked, you are left with no option but to perform a system restore. It’s probably the easiest way to eliminate even the most intricate of issues.

But remember that you might end up losing applications and configured settings, though the personal files won’t be affected.

The idea behind a system restore is to take your computer back in time to a point when the error didn’t exist. To achieve that, you will have to select a restore point created before you first encountered the problem.

Also, if the process doesn’t go as planned, or you don’t achieve the desired results, there’s always the option to undo a system restore in Windows 11.

These are all the ways you fix the Failed to open BitLocker control panel tool error in Windows 11, be able to access BitLocker again and make the desired changes.

Also, find out how to disable BitLocker in Windows 11. Besides, if you are encountering an error with BitLocker, the fixes are rather simple, and you can have it up and running in no time.

Tell us which fix worked and your experience with BitLocker, in the comments section below.

How to Make Yourself Admin on Windows 10: 4 Ways to do it

Posted on September 6, 2022October 15, 2025 by Madalina Dinita

Every Windows operating system has an administrator-level account. This administrator account is hidden or disabled by default. Are you wondering how to make yourself an admin on Windows 10? Read on to find out.

In Windows 10, applications and tasks always run in the security context of a regular user account unless an administrator explicitly authorizes the operating system’s access level. This helps prevent malicious programs (for example, malware) from damaging a system.

Below is a quick and easy guide for changing administrator accounts in Windows 10.

Can you make yourself an administrator?

Yes, on the Windows 10 OS, it is possible to make yourself an admin. If you which to do this, you will use any of the following utilities:

The User Accounts Control Panel
Using the Command Prompt
Using the Windows PowerShell
The Settings app

Please note that to perform these actions, you must already have administrative access or obtain it from an existing administrator. If you don’t have administrative access, you may need to contact your system administrator or obtain the necessary permissions.

How do I make myself an admin on Windows 10?

1. Use Command Prompt to change a specific user to Administrator

1. Press the Windows + R keyboard keys from your Home Screen to launch the Run box.
2. Type cmd and press Enter to open Command Prompt.
3. On the cmd window type the following command and press Enter: net user administrator /active:yes
4. You are now an administrator.

An excellent method to make yourself an admin on Windows 10 is using the built-in Command Prompt, as shown above.

It will help you quickly enable or disable an admin account with a simple command line.

2. Use the Windows PowerShell

Press Windows + R, type PowerShell and hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter.
Type the script below and hit Enter (Replace YourUserName with your actual user name).
Add-LocalGroupMember -Group "Administrators" -Member "YourUserName"
You will get a confirmation that the process is successful.
Close the terminal, and log out. Once you log back in, you should be an admin.

With this approach, you can give yourself or any other user admin rights in Windows 10.

3. Use the Control Panel

Go to Start, type control panel, and double-click on the first result to launch Control Panel.
Go to User Accounts and select Change your account type.
Select Administrator and confirm your choice to complete the task.

As you can see, it’s simple to use the elevated Control Panel in Windows 10/11 to change your account to Administrator.

4. Change your account type from Settings

Log into Windows with an Administrator account.
Now, open your Start and select Settings.
Pick Accounts.
Then click on Family & other users from the left, look for a user account, click on it, and select Change account type.
Select the drop-down menu, choose Administrator, and click OK.

Once you’ve changed your account type, see how to log in as Administrator on Windows 10 or 11 for a full guide on signing in and managing admin access.

Managing an account on Windows 10, whether talking about an administrator account or just a regular user, can be easily handled. All you have to do to change the rights for one particular account is to access the default Windows settings:

We hope the methods described above will help you manage the admin account in Windows 10. We note how to make yourself an admin on Windows 10 without a password has been a topic, but in reality, every admin account must have a password, so this will not be possible.

This being said, you might also be interested in our guide on how to create a Local Account on Windows 11. You can also check if your account has admin privileges on Windows 11.

If you have questions or want to share your experience with our readers and us, don’t hesitate to use the comments field below.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10 Review: Still the best executive laptop around

Posted on September 6, 2022 by Kareem Anderson

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Starting at $1,319

After 10 generations of the ThinkPad X1 Carbon, there is very little new to say about the C-level suit laptop beyond its yearly spec bump.

Lenovo has refined the Carbon line to a precise add value of flexible performance and corporate style in a relatively svelte package, and they have been doing so, for quite some time now.

With its 10th generation X1 Carbon, Lenovo opted for familiarity once again in the design while stacking the laptop with the latest Intel 12th Gen Core processor under its 3-year-old Evo Ultrabook spec.

Specs and Features

Specs
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 10
Processor	12th generation Intel® Core™ i7-1260P, 16 Threads, 4 P-cores, 8 E-cores, 18MB cache
Operating System	Windows 11 Pro
Display	14″ (16:10) WUXGA* (1920 x 1200) low power, touch IPS, 400 nits, Eyesafe® certified low blue-light emissions, antiglare
Storage	512GB PCIe SSD Gen 4
Graphics	Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
Camera	FHD RGB with webcam privacy shutter
Memory	16GB LPDDR5 5200Mhz (soldered dual channel)
Dimensions	Starting at: 15.36mm x 315.6mm x 222.5mm (0.60″ x 12.43″ x 8.76″) and 1.12kg (2.48lbs)
Audio	2 x 2W user-facing tweeters and 2 x 3W woofers Dolby Atmos Speaker System
Weight	1.12kg or 2.48lbs
Color	Matte Black
Ports/Slots	2 x USB-C Thunderbolt™ 4 2 x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 Headphone / mic combo HDMI 2.0b Optional: Nano SIM slot
Battery	57 Wh, supports Rapid Charge
What’s in the box	Discrete Trusted Platform Module (dTPM) 2.0, Smart Power On fingerprint reader integrated with power button (match-on-chip), Tile® ready, Webcam privacy shutter, Kensington lock slot, Secured-core

Look and feel

As I previously stated, there isn’t much to the design story here for Lenovo’s tenth generation X1 Carbon as the same 11-point Mil-spec hardware arrangement is present for this latest entrant.

Buyers familiar with the C-suite laptop design will find little surprise with the X1 this year as the same matte-black finish is once again present alongside the Carbon fiber lid, slim profile that weighs roughly two and a half pounds, as did last years, and the same bezel profile surrounding the 14-inch display.

Lenovo is offering up to seven different display options when configuring the X1 at its website that includes WUXGA, 2.2K, WQUXGA and AGARAS pushing 500nit of brightness on the higher end models as well as a choice for OLED fans.

The return of OLED is welcomed by those of us who do more than review documents, approvals, P&L reports and the like. OLED is a welcomed addition for content creators who need a bit more clarity for creating graphics, video, signage and more, that will undoubtedly be viewed on mobile devices.

Aside from the resolution, many of the display options come with Lenovo’s new Eyesafe low blue light technology out of the box as well as a minimum of 400nits of brightness.

Another note on the display conversation is that Lenovo is once again issuing a 16:10 panel thankfully, which should give all users just a bit more content real estate.

Continuing with the “classic design” theme, Lenovo packed the tenth-generation model with a similar bevy of port options it has been doing so with older versions that includes two Thunderbolt 4 ports, full HDMI 2.0b slot, 3.3mm audio, and still making use of two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A connectors.

While the weight, overall dimensions, materials and construction remained unchanged from last year, Lenovo did improve the camera speed on the ports by upgrading the spec as well as drilling into improvements for the webcam.

In 2022 Lenovo moved from 720p into Full HD territory for the built-in webcam. While the upgrade is a nice addition, it’s still a webcam trying to squeeze water from a rock at 2.1MP versus some competitors using a full 5MP capture.

Images were relatively clear but colors were muddled when taking a video call outside of studio lighting.

Lenovo also took a tiny chisel to each of the keys on its refined keyboard deck that now offers a bit more space between each.

As for the trackpad, Lenovo continues to insist on tacking on the two buttons above the glass trackpad despite other ThinkPad versions moving to the more modern haptic design.

At the end of the day, it’s almost the same matte black box it was last year, and the year before that.

Performance

Lenovo uses an Intel 12th Gen Core processor that attempts to utilize hybrid architecture between efficiency cores and performance cores in both its P and U-series chips.

Unfortunately, after reviewing several 12th-Gen laptops this year, it seems the balance between performance per wattage could still use some tweaks by Intel to squeeze out better on-battery performance.

However, there is a clearer distinction between P and U-series performance that is presenting itself, which buyers can more easily interpret for their use-case.

For the executive user, someone who is sifting through reports, triaging email, conference calling, and light data editing, the U-series is more than enough power that can is easily portable, while actual data processors, IT Admins, virtualization warriors and content reviewers, the P series offers a bigger jump in performance while sacrificing battery and ultimately battery performance.

I’m not sure why Lenovo continues to insist on this under-the-laptop heat dispensing design that makes lap use of a laptop unbearable sometimes. The ThinkPad X1 Carbon continues to push out heat through vents located under the laptop and the overall effect seems to be self-defeating at times when not enough heat is released thus forcing the fans to fire for longer.

With the fans whining and the laptop looking to cool the 12th gen chip, there were plenty of times the laptop offered less than impressive battery life when simply executing some of those C-suite level operations.

Summary

The Lenovo X1 Carbon has become a sub-brand of its own that comes with similar perceived benefits and drawbacks as any other. The X1 name continues to exude quality, portability and mid-level performance with an overall executive design.

Not much has changed in the tenth generation to move the needle for anyone looking for something different or for those who have become comfortable with its reliability and performance.

I’d recommend the tenth generation to anyone who has already used an X1 in the past but not for many other people as Lenovo’s new Yoga line design is more enticing and the company’s Extreme and P-series have aped the X1 look and feel while also offering a ton more performance flexibility with a bit more heft.

How To Access & Use The Hidden Nintendo Switch Browser Fast

Posted on September 5, 2022October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

Nintendo Switch is a great console with a wide array of features, but did you know that Switch has a hidden web browser?

That’s right, Switch has its own browser, and in today’s article, we’re going to show you how to enable it. By the way, you can also use a VPN for Nintendo Switch for better gaming and anti-DDoS protection.

Can you browse the internet on a Switch?

Yes, you absolutely can. If you didn’t already know about this, not many people do, it’s because the console’s browser feature is currently hidden.

Once you learn how to unlock the browser, you can go ahead and browse the Internet at your leisure, anytime you want.

What is the best DNS for Nintendo Switch?

We’re glad you asked that question because we have the answer ready for you. It’s only natural to want to game properly, fast, and without any lag.

Now, you should know that there isn’t a DNS server that is going to be the best one only for Nintendo Switch, but we’ll show you the best choices for gaming on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, or Wii.

Here’s a list of the best Nintendo Switch web browser DNS:

Google Public DNS – 8.8.8.8 / Secondary – 8.8.4.4
Cloudflare – 1.1.1.1 1.0.0.1
QUAD9 DNS – 9.9.9.9 149.112.112.112
OpenDNS – 208.67.222.222 208.67.220.220
Clean browsing – 185.228.168.9 185.228.169.9
Verisign – 64.6.64.6 64.6.65.6
Alternate DNS – 76.76.19.19 76.223.122.150

How do I access the hidden Switch browser?

1. From your Nintendo dashboard, navigate to the System Settings > Internet > Internet Settings.
2. Now select the Wi-Fi connection that you’re connected to.
3. Navigate to Change Settings > DNS Settings.
4. Set DNS Settings to Manual.
5. Next, change the Primary DNS to 055.142.122 and save changes.
6. Now select Connect to this Network > Next.
7. Click on Continue to Google.
8. Now you should see Google’s homepage.

If you want to change the current web browser on your Nintendo Switch, you need to change the DNS settings. You can do this via your Nintendo’s dashboard, by manually setting the primary DNS to 055.142.122.

To stop using the hidden browser, you need to set the DNS to automatic and it will be disabled.

How do I watch videos on Switch browsers?

Well, you can do so by casting your phone to your Switch console, or by setting your console’s browser as its own network.

After doing so, you’re going to use SwitchTube, a site for watching YouTube on the Switch. Fair warning though, the entire process can get complicated.

Can I watch Netflix on Nintendo Switch?

Unfortunately, no. For the time being, your best shot at getting Netflix onto your Nintendo Switch console is by installing Android on the system.

That being said, we don’t recommend doing this, as you might inadvertently brick your Switch and Nintendo won’t replace it for you.

Can you watch TV on Switch?

Yes, you can add live TV networks like HBO and Starz for an additional fee. You also have the Hulu app for Nintendo Switch, but only available in the US.

By the way, you can check out our article on the cheapest ways to watch Rings of Power on Amazon Prime.

Can I cast my phone to my Switch?

Yes, you can. Just open your YouTube settings on your phone and then go to Watch on TV, where you have to enter the TV code.

Now, your phone and Switch’s YouTube will link together, so you can now cast YouTube videos from your phone to your console’s YouTube app.

Many are afraid of using a foreign DNS because of possible Nintendo Switch web browser exploits and would rather wait for the official Nintendo Switch browser update.

The ability to access a web browser on your Nintendo Switch sounds great, but keep in mind that this is just a workaround and not a native feature of the console.

It’s worth mentioning that using a third-party DNS can be a security concern, so if you’re worried about your online security, maybe this method isn’t for you.

If you found this guide helpful, let us know in the comments below.

How to Uninstall Arc Games in Windows 10

Posted on September 5, 2022October 4, 2023 by Tashreef Shareef

Arc Games offers one of the largest free-to-play video games on the Windows platform. Users can download and install games using the Acr Client for PC.

Sometimes, you might not want to play an Arc game anymore, or maybe you want to make up some more space on your PC for other games.

Or maybe you want to uninstall the Arc Client installer in Windows altogether. You may want to uninstall the Arc installer for troubleshooting the client or if you have decided to delete the Arc games account.

How can I uninstall Arc games from my PC?

Regardless of the reason why you want to do this, here is how you can uninstall the Arc installer in Windows.

This guide also shows how to uninstall a game from the Arc client in just a few clicks.

1. Uninstall the Arc installer

1.1 Via Control Panel

You can uninstall the Arc Installer from the Control Panel.
Press Windows Key + R to open Run.
Type control and click OK to open the Control Panel.
From the Control Panel, go to Programs > Programs and Features.
Scroll through the installed apps list and select Arc.
Click on Uninstall and click Yes to confirm the action.
Follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the client to uninstall.

1.2 Uninstall from the directory

You can also uninstall the Arc uninstaller using the built-in uninstaller from the installation directory manually.
Open the “File Explorer” and navigate to the following location:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Arc
Double-click on the Uninstall Arc file.
Click Yes to confirm the action.
In the Installation Wizard, select Remove option.
Click Next and wait for the client to uninstall successfully.

2. Uninstall games from the Arc client

1. Launch the Arc Client on your PC.
2. Sign in to your Arc account using your username and password.
3. From the home screen, select the Charge tab from the left pane.
4. Click the Tile icon. This will show all the games installed on the Arc client.
5. Locate the game you want to uninstall and right-click on it.
6. Select the Uninstall option. Click Yes to confirm the action.
7. Windows will uninstall the Arc game in a few minutes.
8. If the game’s shortcut still appears, restart the computer and check again.

If you only want to uninstall games from your Arc client, and not the client itself, you can do it from the Arc Client account settings.

From there, you can manually select which games you want to uninstall, and get them removed from your PC within seconds.

3. Clean Arc client files

If the Arc game shortcut appears on the desktop even after uninstalling the client, try this.
Download and install registry cleaner software.
We are using CCleaner to clean the files.
Launch CCleaner and click on Analyze.
Once the analysis is done, select all the file types you want to delete and click on Clean.
That should remove any files left behind during the Arc installer’s uninstallation.

Arc Games client offers some excellent free-to-play and paid games. However, if you have decided to free some space on your hard drive, follow the steps in this article to uninstall Arc games and uninstaller.

Do let us know your favorite Arc game titles in the comments section below.

How to Hide Your Device on WiFi [Device IP Spoofing]

Posted on September 5, 2022October 4, 2025 by Ivan Jenic

Public WiFi networks are the sirens of modern technology. They’ll bait you with their beautiful song that sings free internet; before you know it, your ship will become a wreck. This is why you should hide your device IP on WiFi networks.

Many people are not aware of the real dangers of public WiFi hotspots. As long as you’re using your own WiFi network at home, you’re more or less safe.

But using a public WiFi network leaves you completely vulnerable to various attacks, hackers, and other shady things.

That doesn’t mean you should avoid public networks by any means. And that’s probably impossible in some situations.

But you’ll need to take some security measures to keep your data, privacy, and whole online persona safe while using an open network.

Changing your IP address is The best security measure when connecting to a public WiFi network.

And I’ll now explain to you why changing your IP address is the best precaution you can take and, of course, how to do it.

Can you hide a device on a network?

Indeed, you can. It’s possible to hide your device on a network for both private and public networks.

Protecting your PC from dangerous online attacks is useful, especially on public Wi-Fi because of potentially unprotected networks. However, some public hotspots enforce captive portals on their networks to authenticate guest users.

How do I hide my device details on public WiFI?

Hide your device IP on WiFi networks with a VPN

When you connect to a VPN, you create a virtual tunnel that not only encrypts your data but also uses the IP address of the VPN server. So, you’ll solve both problems of open WiFi networks with just one application.

Using a VPN service is very easy and straightforward. You need to install the app, connect it to the internet, and that’s it.

If you want to learn more about how both IP addresses and VPN work, check out our article about hiding your IP address when browsing the internet.

There are dozens of VPN services out there, and just about anyone can get the job done. But to be more secure, you should invest in a premium option.

We recommend ExpressVPN because it offers everything you need to browse the internet securely when connected to a public WiFi network, and much more.

It allows you to connect to a secure server and take on a different IP address. This means that any website you visit will not see your IP address but the server’s IP address.

Additionally, you can redirect your VPN connection through an additional location for even better protection.

It also gives you control over which apps you want to use with the VPN. You can have your entire traffic encrypted and routed through the secure VPN tunnel, or you set up certain apps to either always use the VPN or always bypass it.

On top of keeping your data safe, using a VPN can unlock geo-restricted services like streaming platforms.

For instance, if you’re traveling outside the US and you want to watch a show on HBO Now, you can connect to a US server and start watching from anywhere in the world.

If you don’t know how to change your IP address, just stick with me. The explanation is down below.

This is how to change your IP address from any network using a VPN:

Download ExpressVPN software.
Install it on your PC.
Open it and choose another server location.
Connect to any servers you prefer to change your real IP address.
Start browsing with another IP address from a different location.

That being said, hiding your IP address it’s much more simple with effective VPN support and high server coverage worldwide.

ExpressVPN

Consider this privacy software to hide your IP each time with various server locations from 94 regions.

Check price Visit website

Dangers of open WiFi networks

Let’s first clarify why you should be cautious when accessing public WiFi networks.

Open WiFi networks have absolutely zero security, and all the data you send to the internet is completely unencrypted.

That means particularly anyone connected to the same network can gain access to your personal data. So, one doesn’t even need to be a hacker to break into your computer.

Of course, if you’re dealing with a hacker, things are much worse. Because the attacker has a clear path to your data, which can include all your passwords, bank accounts, cloud data, work data, and just about anything you do when browsing the internet.

There are even scenarios when hackers purposely create a fake open WiFi network. If you connect to such a network, you’re done. It will be even easier for hackers to access all your data or plant malware.

Besides your data being completely unencrypted, the IP address allows all of this to happen. Your device gets its IP address as soon as you connect to a WiFi network. So, the attacker knows your IP address even before you connect.

The best way to trick the Joker is to disguise your IP address. Because if you’re not using the default IP address of the public network, it will be much harder for attackers to track you down.

That’s about it, now you know how to keep yourself out of trouble when connecting to public WiFi networks.

And remember, the Wild Wild West is now on the World Wide Web, and it’s too big of a luxury to go out there unprotected, so make sure you use a good VPN to hide your device IP on WiFi.

Does VPN Affect Routers? What is the Best Router VPN?

Posted on September 5, 2022January 20, 2025 by Vlad Constantinescu

VPNs are wonderful little tools designed to protect your online privacy against prying eyes. There are truly the multi-tool of the modern era world wide web enthusiasts.

Truth be told, aside from protecting your privacy, a VPN can do so much more.

For instance, it encrypts all of your traffic, circumvents geo-restrictions as easily as pie, and can even help you improve ping and reduce packet loss.

So, long story short, VPNs tend to reduce Internet speed because there’s so much going on with them, including encryption, decryption, and not to mention the extra distance they add to your connection.

Can a VPN mess up your Internet?

Unfortunately, all these security and privacy perks come with a price, and we’re not talking about paying the subscription plan.

It will also affect your connection if you’re using WiFi and it can access your data just like your ISP.

The good news is that using a VPN will render your ISP unable to see your data, so it’s a matter of who you trust most.

Does VPN affect your internet speed? ?

Badly for the users, it is well-known that using a VPN will affect your Internet speed. The reasons why that problem may happen are the complex processes of encrypting your data.

In addition to that, the server location where you connect can decrease your Internet speed because of the actual server distance between you and the location.

Does VPN affect router performance?

1. Using a VPN on your PC

A common misconception is that using a VPN on your network will subsequently affect everyone else on the network, including your router.

If you’re not exactly tech-savvy, this might not be too hard to believe, so we’re going to debunk that right away.

That also applies to your router. Using a VPN on your personal device will only affect the router in the sense that your router will receive encrypted traffic from your computer, but that’s it.

Also, any other speed or performance limitation will only apply to your device.

2. Using a VPN on your router

This situation is wildly different than the one above.

If you install your VPN directly on a supported router or create a passthrough to connect to routers that don’t have native support such as Eero routers, then the VPN will have a great impact on your connection.

All of your devices connect to your router, so in a sense, it’s not exactly accurate to say that using a VPN on your router will only affect this device.

In fact, since your router is downstream of every other device on your network, all network traffic gets routed through it. That’s why it’s called a router.

Your router, like any other flashable device, has memory that it uses to run various processes. For instance, any additional security option you toggle might take additional memory (RAM). The same goes for any additional device you connect through it.

Then there’s the fact that it must connect to a specific VPN server every once in a while, which also takes some processing power.

In conclusion, the answer is yes, if you’re using a VPN on your router, it will affect both its speed and performance.

But don’t expect it to tank suddenly. Depending on your router, the shift in its performance might be subtle or more noticeable, but it won’t all happen at once.

Does VPN affect all devices on WiFi?

If you’re using a VPN on your device, whether it’s a phone, desktop PC, or tablet, it will affect all. No other user on your network will be affected by your VPN, security, speed, or performance-wise.

So, a VPN on your router will subject it to additional network management tasks. For once, a VPN encrypts and decrypts traffic, which is a pretty intense memory and CPU-consuming process.

Is VPN for WiFi only? ?

No, it is not. Your VPN connection can be established using either WiFi, mobile data, or an Ethernet cable. Thus, it doesn’t matter if you don’t connect directly through WiFi.

Home routers with VPN are the way to go

Generally speaking, most modern routers support VPNs, but you’ll have to get your hands a bit messy with manual configurations and whatnot. However, there’s a special category of routers that are VPN-ready.

If you choose to go with such a device, you won’t have to spend a lot of time configuring them, or at least you don’t have to come up with creative ways to deploy your favorite VPN on your entire network.

We believe that ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs you can use to shield the entire batch of devices on your network.

It allows you to install it on up to 6 devices on the same account, so you might not even need to deploy it on your router.

If you have more than 10 devices on the same network (kudos, by the way), you’ll have to install it on the router.

However, note that these devices are wildly different from one another, both hardware- and software-wise. Thus, you might want to see the official recommendations from ExpressVPN on deploying their VPN on your router.

ExpressVPN

Looking for a router VPN? This choice offers the greatest connection and speed.

Check price Visit website

It’s also worth mentioning that certain devices that are not VPN-ready might need open-source firmware such as DD-WRT, Tomato, or PFsense.

Should I put a VPN on my router?

So, while using a VPN service network-wide will do wonders for your security and privacy, it comes with some drawbacks.

If you install a VPN service on your router, expect to face some limitations regarding speed and device performance.

Make sure to check if your router supports VPN before attempting to deploy this type of service on your device. If it’s not compatible, you might need to flash your router with custom, open-source firmware such as DD-WRT, or Tomato.

You can go to our best VPN-ready routers to simplify VPN installation. Visit the VPN Hub to discover more tools and guides to keep your online identity safe.

Last, but not least, always check all the steps before you perform them, since flashing your router with unsupported firmware can do irreversible damage to it (you can turn it into an expensive paperweight).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does VPN affect router performance? Yes, you can expect your router to be affected speed- and performance-wise if you install a VPN on it.

What are the best VPN routers? If you want to deploy a VPN on your entire network, it would be a wise thing to invest in a VPN router. Check out our best VPN routers if you don’t know where to start.

How to Always Show Full URL in Google Chrome’s Address Bar

Posted on September 5, 2022October 4, 2023 by Claudiu Andone

Most of you don’t need the full URL or didn’t even realize that it’s missing some parts. However, power users were not so happy when Google removed the www from Chrome 70 version.

Now, for instance, if you write https://www.windowsreport.com in Chrome and hit Enter, the address will be converted to just windowsreport.com.

Google listened to the users and added a method of showing a full address without trimming any protocols.

So, if you need the full address, however, we will explain how to make the changes in just a few steps.

How can I always show full URLs in Chrome?

1. Launch Google Chrome on your device.
2. Navigate to the address bar of your browser.
3. Right-click on it to open a menu with multiple options: Emoji, Undo, Cut, Copy, Paste, Paste and search for… , Delete, Select all, Manage search engines and site search, and Always show full URLs.
4. Select the Always show full URLs option.
5. Restart the browser for the changes to take effect.
6. Chrome will now show full URLs for the sites you access.

According to many users, the feature that prevented full URLs from showing in the address bar was a failure, thus it is important to know how to disable it.

If you want to add the https:// section back to your URLs, all you need to do is navigate to the address bar in Chrome and toggle on the setting responsible for showing full URLs.

How do I show the full URL in the address bar for Chrome 83?

For older versions of Chrome, you need to modify the setting via Flag options, by following the solution below.

Open Google Chrome and type chrome://flags/#omnibox-context-menu-show-full-urls in the address bar.
Under Context menu show full URLs, click on the button to its right, and change the setting from Default to Enabled.
Click on the Relaunch button from the bottom right corner of the window. The Google Chrome browser will restart.
After it opens again, right-click on the address bar and select Always show full URLs from the drop-down menu.

Done, now you will always see the full URL of a website. Of course, you can reverse this by right-clicking aging the address bar and unchecking the Always show full URLs option.

According to a document published by Chromium software engineer Livvie Lin, this feature is only available for the desktop version of Chrome.

If you signed out from Google or you didn’t sync your settings on all your devices, this option will only show on all the desktop sessions from the device you set it up.

How can I disable full URLs in Chrome?

If you decide that you want the shortened URLs feature back, you need not worry. You can re-enable it by following these steps:

Open Google Chrome.
Right-click anywhere on your address bar.
Click on the Always show full URLs setting to toggle it off.

Do you need to see the full URLs? Tell us what you think about this feature in the comments section below.

5 Best VPNs to Fix SCP Secret Laboratory Lag [+Tested Guide]

Posted on September 5, 2022October 1, 2025 by Elena Constantinescu

If you’re having SCP Secret Laboratory lag, use a VPN to quickly fix this issue and refine your gaming experience.

SCP Secret Laboratory (SCP SL) is a multiplayer horror game that you can play for free on Steam. It’s based on the SCP Foundation series, featuring monsters and paranormal activity. Your goal is to protect the world from those mysterious creatures.

How to reduce SCP Secret Laboratory lag and make it run better

Usually, the main solution to this is: Don’t play on a laptop or desktop that isn’t built for gaming. If you crash when the main menu is loading, the only thing you can do is buy a better PC.

Other resolutions are to reduce the textures, reduce the resolution, and get a better graphics card if you believe your PC supports those enhancements.

Regrettably, SCP Secret Laboratory lag often occurs during gameplay, which can become unpleasant. If you’re one of those users who often face SCP SL lag issues, you can use a VPN to improve your ping.

The purpose of a VPN isn’t only to hide your IP address, defeat censorship, and evade geoblocks. You can also use an SCP Secret Laboratory VPN to reroute your gaming traffic through VPN servers, in order to reduce high ping and make your Internet connection faster.

The SCP Secret Laboratory lag spikes are not uncommon, and users report that SCP: Secret Laboratory running slow due to its unoptimized servers.

To reduce lag in SCP Secret Laboratory, do the folowing:

Sign up for a VPN service of choice. (We tested ExpressVPN with SCP Secret Laboratory)
Download and install the desktop app.
Sign in to your ExpressVPN Account.
Connecting to US East servers for SCP Secret Laboratory, we noticed a significant speed increase when playing the game.

Lag will occur when playing on servers with a large number of players. Anything more than 20 people on a server usually causes it to behave badly.

You may need to use a reliable VPN with a strong network congestion fix to make SCP SL less laggy and overcome SCP secret lab low fps.

What are the best VPNs to fix SCP Secret Laboratory lag?

ExpressVPN – Best to bypass ISP throttling

One of the most trusted VPNs that reduces ping reduces lag, and improves connectivity in SCP Secret Laboratory is ExpressVPN.

The only downside ExpressVPN has is the price, but it’s worthwhile to try it since you have a 30-days money-back guarantee.

The VPN service provides unlimited bandwidth and servers in 94 countries, allowing you to stop ISP throttling, improve ping, and play SCP Secret Laboratory without boundaries.

Online gaming is supported on the majority of popular device platforms, and ExpressVPN has native app support for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android devices. Chrome, Firefox, and Safari all have browser extensions.

ExpressVPN allows for up to five simultaneous connections on a single account. If you require more, ExpressVPN is compatible with a wide range of VPN routers, allowing you to protect all of your home’s connected devices from a single Wi-Fi mesh or multiple access points.

Ping differences in SCP Secret Laboratory were minimal to nonexistent when we connected to the server suggested by the Smart Location feature.

More about ExpressVPN:

Multiple gaming platforms supported
Wide server location choice
Bypasses ISP throttling like no other VPN
Major gaming hotspots covered
High-quality customer support

ExpressVPN

Extensive gaming servers, optimized speeds, and compatibility with all major platforms and devices.

Check price Visit website

Private Internet Access – Best for port forwarding

When it comes to dealing with SCP Secret Laboratory laggy connection issues, Private Internet Access (PIA) can become your ally.

Made by Kape Technologies, this virtual private network solution is ideal for minimizing jitter and making your gameplay faster.

For instance, you can host game servers with PIA, thanks to the fact that it gives you the possibility to forward ports without having to configure router settings and firewall rules.

Plus, you can choose between static and dynamic IP addresses to fix SCP Secret Laboratory lagging issues.

Private Internet Access supports 10 simultaneous connections, an ad and malware blocker, private DNS, SOCKS5 and Shadowsocks proxy, split tunneling, and a kill switch. You can also improve packet loss with this VPN.

More about PIA:

Zero-logging policy
No leaks
+3,300 VPN servers in 48 countries
24/7 live chat support
30-day money-back guarantee (no free trial)

Private Internet Access

If you’re looking for a quick and easy SCP Secret Laboratory lag fix, use PIA.

Check price Visit website

NordVPN – Best to reduce Wi-Fi packet loss

You can use NordVPN to reduce SCP Secret Lab lag and optimize your Internet connection for gaming. Created by Tefincom & Co., this VPN app facilitates a wide range of VPN servers that can minimize network congestion.

In addition to fixing SCP SL lag, NordVPN has a rare feature found within virtual private network solutions: obfuscation mode.

You can use it to cloak your VPN traffic and get around VPN blocks should your Internet connection get refused by Steam. Besides, you can also reduce Wi-Fi packet loss.

NordVPN allows up to 6 connections at the same time. It uses the OpenVPN protocol to encrypt your data traffic, protects your browsing sessions from phishing and other malware, and features an integrated kill switch. You can also use it to fix packet loss.

More about CyberGhost VPN:

A strict no-logs privacy policy
No IP, DNS, or WebRTC leaks
+5,100 VPN servers in 59 countries
30-day money-back guarantee (no free trial)

NordVPN

Reduce SCP SL lag and high ping by getting equipped with this VPN.

Check price Visit website

Surfshark – Best DNS leak protection

Surfshark is one of the best VPNs for SCP Secret Laboratory thanks to its low price, fix Windows 11 slow internet, strong security and privacy features, and combines internet connections.

Surfshark’s connection speeds are quite fast, allowing you to fix PC stuttering in Windows 10. You’ll have no trouble connecting to your favorite gaming locations with 65+ countries covered by 3,200+ servers.

Because you’ll have access to so many servers around the world, you’ll be able to play new games before they’re released in your country.

Take advantage of having a day-one streaming advantage while also being able to unblock games in countries on a browser to open blocked sites.

While all VPNs help you hide your IP address, Surfshark specifically helps you block your IP in Discord and other chats. That way, other players won’t be able to intentionally disrupt your internet connection, causing you to lose the game.

More about Surfshark:

Private DNS and leak protection
Kill switch
Multi-Hop Connection
Blocks malicious ads, trackers, malware, and phishing attempt
Split-tunneling feature
24/7 live chat and email support

Surfshark

DNS and leak protection, and a kill switch for connection drops in SCP Secret Laboratory.

Check price Visit website

CyberGhost VPN – Most extensive gaming servers

If you’re wondering how to fix SCP Secret Laboratory lag while ensuring your online privacy and PC security, pick CyberGhost VPN.

Also owned by Kape Technologies, this tool has the most impressive number of VPN servers on this list. You can also use it to minimize Xbox packet loss.

When you can want to reduce SCP SL game lagging, you can either redirect all your Internet traffic through VPN or use CyberGhost VPN’s split-tunneling feature to separate gaming traffic from other software. This is possible by creating whitelists or blacklists of applications.

CyberGhost VPN permits up to 7 devices connected with the same VPN account. It secures your browsing sessions using an ad and malware blocker, turns off your VPN automatically in case of emergency, and protects your DNS queries with exclusive DNS servers.

More about CyberGhost VPN:

No logs
No IP or DNS leaks
+6,500 VPN servers in 89 countries
45-day money-back guarantee (1-day free trial)

Cyberghost

Lower your SCP Secret Laboratory high ping by turning to this reliable VPN.

Check price Visit website

In conclusion, by getting a powerful SCP Secret Laboratory VPN to fix lag spikes, high ping, and latency issues, you can optimize your entire Internet connection for gaming, thus enhancing your gameplay. Plus, you can ensure your computer security, like fending off DDoS attacks.

Bookmark our VPN Troubleshooting section to solve any VPN issues. To quickly fix in-game lag and packet loss, visit our Gaming VPN Hub.

If you need a little nudge with choosing the best VPN to fix SCP Secret Laboratory lag, we suggest going with ExpressVPN.

Why does explorer.exe use high CPU?

What is the normal memory usage for Windows Explorer?

How do I fix explorer.exe high CPU usage?

1. Remove old and temporary files

2. Disable cloud storage clients

3. Check for misleading desktop icons

4. Check for malware

5. Install the latest updates

6. Perform a Clean boot

7. Clear the contents of the Temp folder

8. Delete the AudioSes.dll

9. Run SFC and Check Disk scans

How do I stop Windows Explorer from running in the background?

How do I fix network credentials problems on Windows 11?

1. Turn off the Password protection protection sharing

2. Check that your IP addresses are properly assigned

3. Enter your Microsoft credentials

4. Enter the computer name in the username field

5. Use username and password to log in to Windows 11

6. Add other PC’s network credentials to Credential Manager

7. Change Advanced sharing settings

8. Change your security policies

9. Change your services

10. Set your connection to Private

11. Create a new user account

12. Change your user account options

How do I fix network credentials problems on Windows 10?

Why do I need to enter network credentials?

Why is my real-time protection greyed out?

How do I fix Windows Defender if settings are greyed out?

1. Uninstall other third-party antivirus software

2. Restart WSC (Windows Security Center)

3. Edit Local Group Policy

4. Run the System Maintenance troubleshooter

5. Repair Corrupted or Missing System Files

6. Create System Restore Point

7. Update Windows

How do I turn off Windows Firewall if it’s greyed out?

Should I remove the Gmail sidebar?

How can I minimize or remove the Gmail sidebar?

1. Use an alternative email client

2. Turn off Google Hangouts/Chat

3. Delete the right sidebar on Gmail

4. Remove unimportant labels to remove them from your left sidebar

5. Use the Gmail Ad Remover to clear the right-hand sidebar

Consider other ways of improving your Gmail experience

Why did I get banned on a Discord server?

How can I get unbanned from Discord servers?

1. Create a new account

2. Appeal your ban

3. Use a trustworthy VPN

Private Internet Access

Can I ban someone on Discord?

Should I switch to a local account on Windows 11?

Can I create a local account without a password?

How can I create a local account on Windows 11?

1. Create a local account via Settings

2. Use the netplwiz command to create a local account

3. Use Command Prompt

Can I change the account type from Standard to Administrator?

Can I remove a local account from Windows 11?

What does Hyper-V do on my Windows PC?

What does the Virtual Machine Management missing error mean?

Check if virtualization is enabled in Windows 10/11

How can I fix the Virtual Machine Management is missing error in Windows 10/11?

1. Make sure all Hyper-V features are installed

2. Check whether Hyper-V services are enabled and running

3. Enable Hyper-V via the Command Prompt

4. Uninstall third-party virtualization software

5. Reinstall Hyper-V

What are the best alternatives to Hyper-V?

What causes the No boot disk detected error?

How can I fix the error No boot disk detected or the disk has failed?

1. Set the boot disk at the top of the computer’s boot order in BIOS

2. Replace your Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

3. Perform a clean installation of the Windows OS

4. Check the PC-to-HDD’s connections

5. Run Automatic Repair/Start Repair

6. Run CHDSK

How can I turn on the phone without a Power button and volume button?