Top 8 Browsers That Still Support Windows 7 and Ensure Safe Browsing

Posted on August 24, 2022June 16, 2025 by Matthew Adams

Want a good browser for Windows 7 that’s safe to use and doesn’t take a toll on your PC’s speed? You’re in luck.

Windows 7 still has a substantial user base even though it has been overtaken by Windows 10/11 and discontinued by Microsoft. If you’re still using it too, check out the browsers below.

What is the best browser to use with Windows 7?

If you’re in a hurry, take a quick look at our top picks and pick the one that works best for your needs:

And if you need more info, check the overviews below:

1. Opera One – Windows 7-friendly with built-in VPN and ad blocker

Opera One is a fast, AI-powered browser that works on Windows 7. It improves web navigation, making it intuitive and quick.

Its modular tab islands let you group tabs efficiently. You can easily open and collapse them. Opera One also includes Aria, an AI assistant for tasks like web searches, booking flights, and learning recipes.

The browser also features multiple workspaces, VPN protection, and integration for AI language tools.

Modular Tab Islands	Group tabs efficiently, open and collapse easily.
Aria AI Assistant	Helps with web searches and simple daily tasks
Customizable UI	Add or remove apps from the sidebar, address bar, and toolbar.
Multiple Workspaces	Organize different tasks in separate workspaces.
VPN Protection	Group tabs efficiently, open, and collapse easily.
AI Language Tools	Includes ChatGPT and other useful AI features for better productivity.

Opera One

Optimize your web surfing on the Windows 7 OS with this supported and futuristic browser.

Free Visit Website

2. Mozilla Firefox – Secure and regularly updated for Windows 7

Firefox claims it uses 30% less RAM than Chrome, making it ideal for Windows 7 desktops and laptops with lower specs.

It got a major boost with its Quantum update. This made Firefox faster, revamped its UI, and added new tools. You can rearrange the toolbar, add new themes, and configure fonts.

However, one thing to keep in mind is that Firefox will only support Windows 7 until September 2024. This means it will no longer get updates, including security patches after this date.

Quantum Update	Rearrange toolbar, add new themes, and configure fonts.
Customizable Toolbar	Further, customize the browser with various extensions.
Many Extensions	Further customize the browser with various extensions.
Efficient RAM Usage	Uses 30% less RAM than Chrome, ideal for lower-spec systems.
Privacy-Oriented	Focuses on user privacy.
Light on Resources	Efficient use of system resources.

⇒ Get Mozilla Firefox

3. K-Meleon Browser – Ultra-lightweight, ideal for older Windows 7 PCs

K-Meleon is one of the lightest browsers, resembling Firefox in some aspects. It lacks extensions but offers its own ad-blockers, pop-up blockers, and themes.

This browser operates smoothly with just 256 MB of memory, compatible even with older systems like Windows XP and Windows 7.

Although its interface appears plain, you can customize it extensively with various skins, buttons, and toolbars.

Extremely Lightweight	Designed to be very light on system resources.
Goanna Engine	Based on Mozilla Gecko, ensuring compatibility and performance.
Legacy OS Support	Works on older systems like Windows XP and Windows 7.
Built-in Ad-blocker	Includes its own ad-blocking and pop-up blocking features.

⇒ Get K-Meleon Browser

4. Pale Moon – Supports legacy add-ons and privacy on Windows 7

Pale Moon is an open-source browser based on the Goanna engine that only requires 256 MB of RAM to work, so it will run on Windows 7 without any problems.

Design-wise, it’s like a stripped-down version of Firefox, making it pretty fast and reliable for any task.

Its newer versions are optimized for the latest processors but lack the sandboxing that would also make it very safe. However, it’s pretty good for privacy protection since it blocks ads, telemetry, and data gathering.

Extremely Lightweight	Designed to work even on PCs with very few resources
Based on Firefox Fork	Offers compatibility with legacy plugins and features.
Privacy-Oriented	Focuses on user privacy by blocking ads and tracking.
Supports Legacy Plugins	Compatible with older plugins like Silverlight and Java.

⇒ Get Pale Moon

5. Midori – Minimal resource use and privacy-focused

Midori is a multi-platform browser that has gained a lot of popularity lately thanks to its incredible lightness.

It only requires 37 MB of drive space to operate, and it doesn’t require too much memory either compared to other browsers.

The browser still supports the latest HTML 5 media codecs and CSS 3, so it’s ready for optimal browsing.

Its only downside is that it doesn’t have too many extensions and add-ons to choose from but it will perform greatly on Windows 7.

Optimized for Privacy	Enhances privacy by blocking ads, trackers, and harmful content.
Lightweight	Requires minimal system resources, ideal for older PCs.
Multi-Platform Support	Available on various operating systems for versatility.
Modern Web Technologies	Supports HTML5 media codecs and CSS3 for optimal browsing.
Simplicity and Ease of Use	Designed for straightforward navigation and user experience.

⇒ Get Midori

6. Maxthon – Lightweight, privacy-first browser for Windows 7 users

Maxthon requires a 1 GHz CPU, 512 MB of RAM, and 64 megabytes of hard drive space and that makes it an ideal candidate for a Windows 7 browser.

Its built-in ad blocker will help you reduce page tab RAM allocation, making browsing faster.

It also comes with cloud synchronization and backup options so you can have the same experience on all your devices.

A neat surprise is that you can include software shortcuts within the browser, and its tabbed interface is pretty modern.

Lightweight	Efficient use of system resources, suitable for older PCs.
Resource Sniffer	Extracts URLs of resources for easy management.
Built-in Password Manager	Securely manages your passwords within the browser.
Split-Screen View	Allows viewing multiple tabs side-by-side for multitasking.
Tab Grouping	Organizes tabs into groups for better organization.

⇒ Get Maxthon

7. Thorium – Open-source, fast, and privacy-oriented Chromium browser

Not many Chromium browsers support Windows 7 nowadays and the M109 is the last version that will work with older systems.

Thorium is based on this version, and it can bring the features of Chromium to your legacy PC.

According to the developer, it’s the fastest browser in the world, and it offers 8 to 38% performance improvement over the vanilla Chromium, which is impressive.

Although this is a great browser, it might lack some features that other browsers have, but nevertheless, it’s worth trying out.

Based on Chromium	Brings Chromium features to older systems.
Available on Various Platforms	Ensures accessibility across different operating systems.
Supports Legacy OS	Compatible with older operating systems like Windows 7.
Incredibly Fast	Offers significant performance improvements over standard Chromium.

⇒ Get Thorium

8. Falkon – Lightweight with ad blocking, suited for Windows 7

If you’re looking for a minimalistic and lightweight browser for your Windows 7, look no further than Falkon.

This is a KDE web browser that uses QtWebEngine, previously known as QupZilla. The browser’s interface is minimalistic, so you won’t have issues adjusting to it.

In terms of functionality, the browser is rather minimalistic, so don’t expect to see any advanced features, such as extension support, etc.

However, Falkon has bookmarks, history, and tab support. There’s even an integrated ad blocker.

Overall, it’s a rather minimalistic browser with limited features, but it works on Windows 7 without issues.

Minimalistic and Lightweight	Designed for simplicity and efficient performance.
Bookmarks, History, Tab Support	Basic browsing essentials for user convenience.
Built on QtWebEngine	Utilizes a robust engine for stable performance.
Available on Legacy Systems	Compatible with older operating systems like Windows 7.
Built-in Ad Blocker	Enhances browsing by blocking intrusive ads.

⇒ Get Falkon

Summary

Our top Windows 7 browsers will offer safety and speed for those who still use the legacy operating system. If you want to learn more about our top pick, we have a great guide on how to download Opera for Windows 7 that might interest you.

If you’re curious about even more choices, check out this complete list of lightweight browsers for Windows for broader options that also support newer OS versions.

Still using Windows 7? You’re not alone—and you’re not out of options either. We also recommend exploring our full guide on the best browsers for Windows 7 to see more secure and efficient tools designed for older systems.

Or, if you’re planning to upgrade, don’t miss our breakdown of the best browsers for Windows 11 to stay ahead with speed and performance.

Luckily, there’s still a wide variety of options, so you just have to decide which offers the features that best fit your needs and preferences.

From AI features to privacy controls and lightweight design, the options above won’t disappoint.

How to Calibrate Laptop Battery Easily [3 Tested Methods]

Posted on August 24, 2022November 3, 2025 by Ivan Jenic

A typical laptop battery becomes weakened over time. This is especially common to laptops that are used rigorously on a daily basis.

One key indicator of a weakening laptop battery is the discrepancy between battery life readings and actual battery life.

To correct this discrepancy and extend the lifespan of your battery, the simple solution is battery calibration. And we’ll be showing you how to calibrate laptop batteries in this article.

However, a weakened laptop battery (that has not been calibrated) could cause serious confusion.

For instance, on a typical laptop, the remaining battery life could read 2 hours, which, in actual sense, is only 30 minutes or thereabout.

Hence, while your laptop battery is showing you 2 hours remaining, you get stunned after only 30 minutes – when your battery suddenly drops to 10%, and eventually powers off.

To avoid such confusion and ensure accurate readings of battery life (on a laptop), the ultimate solution is to calibrate your laptop battery.

Follow this article, as the Windows Report team provides you with tips, tricks, and software solutions, which can be employed to calibrate Windows 10 laptop battery.

How do I calibrate the battery on my Windows 10 laptop?

Some high-performance laptops come with a built-in battery calibration tool, which can easily be used to calibrate a laptop battery.

However, a number (in fact majority) of laptop brands are not equipped with this calibration tool.

Nevertheless, there is no cause for worry, as there is a simple trick you can adopt to manually calibrate your laptop battery, and boost its lifespan.

There are three solutions that you can use to calibrate your laptop battery: manually, using BIOS, or using third-party software.

For convenience, we’ll be showing you how to execute this manual calibration, in the next section of this article.

1. Calibrate the laptop battery manually

1.1. Modify your power settings

Navigate to the taskbar on your screen display, and right-click on Battery.
Select Power Options.
Under Power Options, select Change when the computer sleeps.
Click on the Turn off the display drop-down menu, and select Never.
Select the Put the computer to sleep drop-down menu, and choose Never.
Press the Change Advanced power setting key.
Click on the + (expand) symbol under Battery.
Select the + (expand) icon under Critical battery action, and choose Hibernate.
Click on the + icon (expand) under Critical battery level.
Under On Battery, select Percentage.
Set the percentage to a low value: 1% to 5%.
Click Apply at the lower right-hand corner of your screen.
Select OK, and Save Changes.

To manually calibrate a laptop battery, the first line of action entails changing the laptop‘s power settings.

At this point, you would be required to change the power settings. This will prevent your laptop from automatically going into sleep/hibernation/power saving mode, after a few minutes of inactivity.

Once you’ve changed the power settings as appropriate, move to the next stage.

1.2. Connect/Disconnect/Reconnect your charger

Connect the charger and power the battery until it is fully charged. Leave the charger plugged in (after the battery is fully charged) for a few minutes or hours (to enable it to cool down).

Remove the charger from your laptop and allow the battery to drain down (discharge). Once the battery is completely drained, your laptop will go into hibernation or completely power off.

Reconnect your charger, and charge the battery up to 100% again.

Note: You can use your computer during the recharging process, but it is better to leave it still.

1.3. Calibrate the battery

Once your laptop becomes fully charged, the manual calibration process is complete. Your laptop should now show normal battery life readings.

After the whole process, you can reset your laptop‘s power settings (back to the original settings), or if you like, you can leave it as it is.

2. Calibrate the laptop battery using BIOS

Some Windows laptops come with a pre-installed battery calibration program, which is embedded in their BIOS.rnrnIf your laptop has a built-in Battery Calibration program (in its BIOS), you can use it to calibrate the battery.

1. Power off your laptop, and power it on again.
2. The boot menu will appear on the screen.
3. Enter theu003cspanu003e u003c/spanu003eu003cstrongu003eBIOSu003c/strongu003eu003cspanu003e u003c/spanu003eby pressing theu003cspanu003e u003c/spanu003eu003cemu003eF2u003cspanu003e u003c/spanu003eu003c/emu003ekey at the boot menu.
4. Using the keyboard cursor keys, select theu003cspanu003e u003c/spanu003eu003cstrongu003ePoweru003c/strongu003eu003cspanu003e u003c/spanu003emenu.
5. Navigate to theu003cspanu003e u003c/spanu003eu003cstrongu003eStart Battery Calibrationu003c/strongu003eu003cspanu003e u003c/spanu003esection.
6. Click on theu003cspanu003e u003c/spanu003eu003cemu003eEnteru003c/emu003eu003cspanu003e u003c/spanu003ekey. This action will change your screen background to blue.
7. Follow the on-screen command and plug in your laptop charger.
8. Once your laptop‘s fully charged (100%), disconnect the charger.
9. Allow the battery to discharge from 100% to 0% until it automatically powers off.
10. Reconnect the charger (do not boot your system while it is charging).
11. Once it’s fully charged, the calibration process is complete.
12. You can then unplug the charger and reboot your system.

Also, if you encounter a corrupted battery prompt, you should address that quickly.

Seeing a low battery alert while the charger is connected? Get the complete fix in Laptop Low Battery Warning When Plugged In.

3. Calibrate the laptop battery with a third-party tool

There are special software solutions, exclusively designed for calibrating laptop batteries.

In this section of the article, we will be looking at two prominent battery calibration software that is compatible with Windows 10 laptops.

Battery management software can analyze and improve your battery. Many of these tools can give you comprehensive reports regarding the battery temperature, autonomy capacity, and more.

On top of that, you can set them up to help you optimize your settings for longer battery life. They can detect what process in your system is draining your battery the most and find quick and safe fixes for it.

AIDA64 is a popular hardware detection tool for Windows laptops that offers diagnostic functions and support for overclocking.

It can be employed to speed up the discharge process of a laptop battery and facilitate its calibration.

This software is compatible with all 32-bit and 64-bit Windows editions, including Windows 10 and Windows Server 2019.

Aside it is monitoring sensors in real time, it can also gather accurate voltage, temperature, and fan speed readings, while its diagnostic functions help detect and prevent battery issues.

⇒ Get AIDA64

No matter how strong your laptop battery is, it will eventually become weakened, with time.

The battery weakening process is gradual, such that you’ll hardly notice. At this point, battery life readings suddenly become inaccurate, throwing you into a state of confusion.

To prevent/avoid such a situation, you have to calibrate your laptop battery, preferably once every 2/3 months. And we have described, comprehensively, how to calibrate laptop battery in this article.

We hope you found these ways to calibrate your Windows 10 laptop battery useful. For more suggestions or other questions, feel free to visit the comments section below.

Fix the Minecraft VPN Problem Now [Easy Fix to Login & Play]

Posted on August 24, 2022September 20, 2025 by Vlad Constantinescu

Many Minecraft players have complained that they can’t connect to the Mojang servers with a VPN. A few years ago, the Mojang Support team has stated that they don’t support the use of a VPN.

Despite fans complaining about this situation, and demanding explanations, the conversation ended there.

All the while more and more players came to realize that when it comes to Minecraft, VPN isn’t a valid alternative to bypass certain geo-restrictions and server-blocking situations.

The certain thing is that users all around the world can’t connect to Minecraft while using a VPN. Users get several types of error messages when facing a VPN problem in Minecraft:

You cannot connect on a VPN or Proxy in Minecraft
Please Disconnect from your Proxy or VPN before joining Minecraft
Your IP has been identified as a VPN or Proxy in Minecraft

Although no official reason has been released by the team behind this game, we have a few guesses.

Does VPN affect Minecraft?

Using a VPN will have an effect on your Minecraft experience. We advise you use a reputable client to get the best experience.

Given that the platform blocks VPN, we advise you use obfuscated servers or double VPN features.

When you use a VPN, your traffic is sent through more tunnels than regular traffic, and if you don’t use a good service, this can lead to slower connections.

On the other hand, a good VPN can actually help increase Internet speed. If you connect to a VPN server that’s close in location to the Minecraft servers, you may be able to reduce ping and lag.

Why can’t I log into Minecraft while using a VPN?

1. Helps schools (and other organizations) block Minecraft effectively

Sometimes schools (and other organizations) enforce restrictions on certain online content, and Minecraft isn’t an exception.

Using a VPN should technically lift these restrictions. The solution? Restrict VPN users from connecting to the game servers.

2. Prevent IP-banned users bypass their penalties

Surely, this could only work if the player didn’t receive an account-wide ban from the server, or if they have multiple accounts.

Still, it’s a good measure to take against abusive/fraudulent users, so this could be another reason.

3. To block players who aren’t supposed to play the game

In some countries such as China, the standard version of Minecraft is not available. However, thanks to technological advancements, users can resort to VPNs to avoid censorship and geo-blocking without too much effort.

Thus, blocking VPN users who might try to bypass these restrictions could’ve been a valid reason.

4. Blocking password brute-forcing attempts

Last, but not least, restricting public VPN users from connecting to the Mojang servers is a great way to eliminate, or at least curb brute-forcing password attempts.

How do I bypass a VPN block in Minecraft?

It appears that Minecraft didn’t ban all VPNs from attempting to connect to their servers. Therefore, it only makes sense to find the right provider, the one that isn’t blacklisted, right?

We’ve tried a bunch of VPNs earlier in our tests and achieved not-so-great results. As you’d expect, we couldn’t connect to the Mojang servers, but we could still play the game offline or in LAN mode.

Just as we were about to give up, we found that PIA (Private Internet Access) works like a charm.

At first, we thought we weren’t connected to the VPN server, so we double-checked. Needless to say, we were, in fact, connected

But then we thought it was just a coincidence, so we tried multiple servers from several countries. Even more, we could even host our own public Minecraft servers with no issues. Long story short, we never got locked out while using PIA.

Use PIA to connect to Minecraft

If you want an all-around VPN service that you don’t have to turn off while playing Minecraft we recommend PIA.

It’s one of the best VPNs you can download for Windows 10, did great in all of our tests, has fast servers, and provides you with unmatched security.

Private Internet Access

Bypass blocks and connect to Minecraft while keeping your privacy in check.

Check price Visit website

Minecraft servers that allow VPN

It’s been reported that some users of the same VPN have been able to connect to Minecraft whilst others have not.

Turns out that it’s possible that you can remain undetected, but there’s no guarantee. Using a VPN like PIA and activating obfuscation mode and double VPN is the most secure way to access Minecraft.

These features highly encrypt data and hide the fact that you use a VPN in the first place.

Additionally, you don’t even have to switch servers once you’re done playing. You can connect to your favorite server and forget it’s even there. Every service you’ll access through it will work flawlessly.

How to Open RTF Files on Windows 10 [3 Super Quick Ways]

Posted on August 24, 2022October 4, 2023 by Matthew Adams

First, let’s clear out what is an RTF file. RTF, otherwise Rich Text Format, is a text file format that saves document formatting such as bold, italic, and images.

Thus, it’s better to save a text document that includes bold formatting as an RTF instead of TXT.

Microsoft introduced RTF in the 1980s, but the company no longer updates the format. As such, RTF might be a slightly antiquated file type.

Nevertheless, there are plenty of Windows word processors and text editors that support the RTF file type.

MS Word, Corel WordPerfect, OpenOffice, LibreOffice, Notepad++, and AbiWord open rich text documents.

You can click File and select Open to edit an RTF file in most compatible software.

How can I open RTF files on Windows 10?

1. Open RTF documents by converting them to PDF files

The easiest and most secure way to open an RTF file on your PC is by using Adobe Reader DC to convert it to PDF. This way your file will be safe and easy to share.

Taking advantage of the numerous functions of Adobe Acrobat Reader DC means that you will need fewer programs installed on your system, making it faster and more stable.

Additionally, you can even convert files to and from PDF and share them easily.

Here’s a quick overview of all the other features Adobe Acrobat Reader DC has to offer:

Open a large variety of files
Create PDF documents
Convert from PDF to Microsoft Word or Excel
Add passwords to documents
Add digital signatures

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

This is the best tool if you want to convert your RTF files into a greatly more elegant format like PDF.

Download Visit website

2. Open RTF documents With Google Drive

Google Drive (GD) is cloud storage with which you can save documents and then edit them via Docs and Slides.

Google Drive also gives you 15 GB of storage without a subscription fee. You can set up a Google+ account if required, and then you can open an RTF file in Google Drive.

1. First, access the site at drive.google.com to open Google Drive.
2. Click on My Drive and select the Upload files option from the menu.
3. Select the RTF file to save it in Google Drive and click the OK button.
4. When Google Drive includes your selected document, right-click the RTF file’s icon.
5. Click on Open With and select Google Docs from the list.
6. Note that opening an RTF in Google Docs generates a second copy of the document in Google Drive with a GDOC file format, which is the edited file.
7. Edit the file as you desire in Google Docs.
8. Click File, select Download as and choose Rich Text Format to restore the file back to RTF when you’ve finished editing.

However, you can also open a rich text file within Chrome or other browsers that support Google’s web apps.

3. Open RTF documents Online with Google Chrome

Open the Google webstore to add the Docs Onlive Viewer extension to Google Chrome.
You can open RTF documents in Chrome by typing the keyword RTF document file samples in Google.
Google will then list three RTF documents at the top of its search page.
Click a View this RTF file button beside one of those links to open the document in Chrome as below.

So you can RTF documents without any additional software. Open the RTF documents in Google Drive to edit them. Or open the linked Rich Text Format documents in browser tabs with Docs Online Viewer.

You can also open linked RTF files on website pages or search engines in Chrome with Docs Online Viewer.

This extension supports Rich Text Format so that you can open online RTF documents within Chrome.

Turn off Keyboard Shortcuts: 4 Methods to Disable Them

Posted on August 24, 2022October 4, 2023 by Ivan Jenic

Did you ever try doing a project for work or playing your favorite game on your Windows 10 PC, and you accidentally activated a keyboard shortcut?

Well, this can happen to anyone. In this quick tutorial, we will show you how to disable hotkeys in Windows 10 and use your machine without any issues.

Why should I turn off keyboard shortcuts?

Turning off keyboard shortcuts on your computer has both pros and cons. Here we have some reasons why you might consider turning them off:

Preventing accidental inputs – If you frequently make typing mistakes or accidentally hit keyboard shortcuts, turning them off can help prevent unwanted actions from occurring on your computer.
Avoiding interruptions – Keyboard shortcuts can sometimes interrupt your work or cause distractions, especially if they trigger unwanted actions or pop-up windows.
Aiding accessibility – For users with specific disabilities or physical impairments, turning off keyboard shortcuts may make it easier to use their computer by reducing the number of inputs they need to manage.

On the other hand, you may if you disable keyboard shortcuts, you may experience any of the following:

Reduced productivity – Keyboard shortcuts can quickly and efficiently navigate your computer and perform everyday tasks. However, turning them off may slow your workflow or require additional steps to complete specific actions.
Loss of functionality – Some applications or programs rely heavily on keyboard shortcuts, and turning them off may limit your ability to use certain features or tools within those applications.
Inconsistent experience – Turning off keyboard shortcuts may create an unpredictable user experience if you’re used to using them on other computers or devices.

Now let us explore some ways to disable the function if you decide to.

How do I turn off Windows keyboard shortcuts?

1. Using PowerShell

Press Windows + X and select Windows PowerShell (Admin).
Type the below command and press Enter:
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKCU:\Control Panel\Desktop" -Name "UserPreferencesMask" -Value ([byte[]](0x90,0x12,0x03,0x80)
Close PowerShell and restart the computer.

2. Use the Command Prompt

Press Windows + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).
Type the below command and press Enter:
reg add "HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop" /v UserPreferencesMask /t REG_BINARY /d 90120380 /f
Then, close the Command Prompt and restart the computer.

3. Use the Group Policy Editor

Press Windows + R, type Gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.
Expand User Configuration in the left panel, click Administrative templates, and choose Windows Components.
Then, under Windows Components, click on File Explorer.
Double-click Turn off Windows hotkeys on the right pane.
A window should pop up after you select the option above and tick Disabled.
Click on the Apply button on the window’s lower side.
Now, click on the OK button on the window’s lower side.
You must close the Group Policy Editor window and reboot the Windows 10 device.
After the reboot, check if you have the same keyboard shortcuts disabled.

Tip

If you want to get your keyboard shortcuts back up and running, simply choose Enable or Not Configured.

If you’re looking for additional info on how to edit the Group Policy, take a look at this complete guide that will help you better understand what it is and how it works.

4. Turn off keyboard shortcuts using Registry Editor

A much faster way to turn off keyboard shortcuts is to use the Windows built-in Registry Editor tool.

It is recommended to backup your registry before making modifications to it, so that you can revert them in case something goes wrong.

1.Press Windows + R keys to launch Run.
2. Type regedit and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Locate this key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
4. In the right-side panel, right-click and create a new DWORD NoWinKeys.
5. Set its value to 1.
6. Close the Registry Editor and reboot your PC.
7. All WIN+ hotkeys should now be turned off.

Note: You can re-enable WIN+ hotkeys by simply deleting the DWORD NoWinKeys.

Can’t access the Registry Editor? Things aren’t as scary as they seem. Check out this guide and solve the issue quickly.

So, these are three quick and simple ways that you can use to disable your keyboard shortcuts on Windows 10.

Looking for a solution for the keyboard doing shortcuts automatically issue; check out this guide to fix the problem.

Let us know in the comments section below if you need more information.

External Monitor Not Working with Surface Pro: 3 Ways to Fix it

Posted on August 24, 2022May 30, 2025 by Vladimir Popescu

If you’re trying to connect an external monitor to your Surface Pro and nothing’s showing up, you’re not alone. It’s frustrating when your workspace won’t expand like it’s supposed to, especially when you’re counting on that extra screen for productivity or creative work.

But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered with three straightforward ways to get your external monitor working again.

How do I get my Surface Pro to work with an external monitor?

1. Clear your display cache

Disconnect the external monitor from your Surface Pro. You can also choose to undock the Surface Pro from the Surface Dock.
Visit the official Surface Dock registry file download site, download, and then extract the file.
Select and run the Surface dock registry file. Choose Yes to allow the file to change your Surface Pro device.
Select Yes again to confirm your selection and tap OK to close the window.
Restart the Surface Pro device and then reconnect the external monitor or Dock.

2. Configure your extended or duplicate settings on the Surface Pro

Select the Windows start button and then click or tap on settings.
Select System and then display.
Scroll down and select Detect. This should number the displays you have.
Select Extend These Displays to use the displays differently.
Drag and drop the screens to arrange them how you would like them to appear.
Choose Duplicate to see the same things on your Surface Pro display and the external monitor.
Select the external monitor and set its resolution, orientation, and magnification.

3. Check the display adapter

Remove the adapter if you use a USB-C to VGA Adapter, USB-C to DisplayPort Adapter, or USB-C to HDMI adapter.
Reinsert your adapter firmly to ensure it is connected to your Surface Pro.
Check if your external monitor supports DisplayPort and choose an HDMI, VGA, or DVI cable instead.

Why Is My External Monitor Not Working with Surface Pro?

Connection issues: Faulty cables or adapters are the usual suspects.
Display settings: Sometimes Windows just doesn’t detect the second screen automatically.
Driver problems: Outdated or corrupted graphics drivers can block the connection.

Can you connect a monitor via USB-C?

Connecting a monitor via a USB-C cable depends on the monitor that you are using. So, first, you need to ensure that the monitor supports USB-C.

Since USB-C became the default input type in MacBook Pro and MacBook Air laptops, manufacturers are now building USB-C monitors.

Windows 10 machines also started converting to this port, now Windows 11. This means that as long as you have a USB-C monitor, you can connect your device to the monitor via a USB-C port.

Wrapping up

External monitors make working on your Surface Pro way easier, but connection issues can pop up. If your monitor turns off randomly or isn’t detected after sleep, this guide on random monitor shutdowns and fixes for monitors not detected after sleep can help.

Problems with docking stations are common too—check out this solution for monitors not detected through docks. And if you’re using other brands, these fixes for Dell or Chromebook monitors might come in handy.

Feel free to explore these guides for more help getting your external monitor up and running smoothly.

3 Ways to Fix Your Laptop if It’s Not Hot But The Fan is Loud

Posted on August 24, 2022October 4, 2023 by Henderson Jayden Harper

It is not uncommon for a laptop fan to run loud whenever the computer is getting hot. It runs faster and louder to keep out the hot temperature and the system in good condition.

However, what to do when your laptop is not hot, but the fan is running loud? To most people, this noise could be very distracting and annoying. While it also, as reported, gives some users a scare as they think their laptop is broken.

This has been the recent concern of users regarding their laptops’ fans. Luckily, this has caught our attention, and we are set to provide three possible fixes to your computer if it’s not hot, but the fan is loud.

Why is my laptop fan loud but not hot?

There are diverse reasons why a laptop fan would run loud but not hot. A typical day when the laptop is hot could make loud noises. But when the laptop fan runs loud when it’s not hot, it could be as a result of the following:

Your fan vent is dirty: When dirt builds up in your fan vent without getting cleaned out for a long time. By this, the fan receives stuffed with dust and other particles, thus causing the fan to roll with force or hindrance. These can then push your laptop to make terrible noises.
Faulty laptop fan: Another thing that could cause your laptop fan to make loud noise is if the fan parts have worn out. This could be possible if the fan has grown loose over time or if the fan develops fault by any mechanical or technical incident.
High CPU usage: Your laptop fan can also, all of a sudden, make a loud noise if you open programs that are capable of wearing down your CPU. If you launch applications incompatible with your system’s memory and storage, you risk having your system crash or make loud noises.

Is it bad if my laptop fan is loud?

The laptop fan is meant to provide the system with a cool temperature, and if it makes a loud noise, it serves you a purpose. It lets you know that you are running a program beyond its capabilities.

It can also indicate problems lurking in the system, especially when the noise persists. Hence, it is not bad if your laptop fan makes a loud noise.

How do I fix my laptop fan if it’s loud but not hot?

1. Disable all Startup running apps

Press the Windows key + R to open the Run box.
Once the Run box opens, type MSConfig and click OK.
Click the Startup bar and Open Task Manager.
Disable all the apps you don’t want to run when you turn on your system.
Once you’re done, click OK.

Sometimes, some system programs run in the background, which most times might not be necessary at the moment. What’s best is to remove these unnecessary programs at the startup. This should fix your laptop fan running loud but not hot.

2. Clean your laptop fan

One of the best ways to fix this issue and profit yourself is by cleaning your laptop fan. It is inevitable for your laptop not to accumulate dust since you use it on different surfaces. This may accumulate over time and affect the performance of the fan.

Hence, you may need a technician to clean it for you, or you can learn how to clean a laptop fan with these steps:

Open up your laptop back case.
Get an air or electric duster (if things have gone worse) to dust off the dirt.
Dust and blow out the particles till the fan is clean.
Ensure not to use any wet substance for the cleaning
Screw back your laptop afterward.

3. Replace the fan

If you’ve considered trying the above fixes, the noise from your laptop fan does not stop. We advise that you replace the loud fan with a new fan.

Well, this, you might be unable to fix yourself. At this, you should consult an experienced technician.

How can I clean my laptop fan without opening it?

Shut down your laptop and remove the battery if you can.
Locate your laptop’s air intake vent. (Most laptops have this on the underside)
Concentrate a compressed air can nozzle on it and blow. (Try to be gentle to avoid breaking the fan)
If you have exhaust vents also, blow compressed air there.

The above fixes should help fix your laptop if it’s not hot but the fan is loud. You can also try using some software to change your fan speed.

Also, we have a guide that can teach you how to control fan speed in Windows 11; you should check it out. Another helpful article for Acer laptop users is three confirmed methods to control Acer fan speed.

If any of these has worked for you, kindly leave your feedback in the comments below. We’d like to hear from you.

How to Factory Reset Windows 11 in 3 Easy Ways

Posted on August 24, 2022November 5, 2025 by Vlad Turiceanu

Like any other operating system, Windows 11 might show some random problems, so you definitely should know how to solve them quickly

In this guide, we’ll present some of the most valuable options you should consider resetting your Windows 11 PC to its factory settings. This is extremely easy to do, so you’ll not have to worry about it.

How can I reset Windows 11 to its factory settings?

How can I reset Windows 11 to its factory settings?

1. Reset your PC using the built-in tool

1. Press the Windows + I keys at the same time on your keyboard.
2. From the menu that opens, choose Settings.
3. Go to Update & Security.
4. In the left window pane, select Recovery.
5. Click on Reset PC, from the right side.
6. Choose the type of factory reset you need. You can keep your personal files, or perform a complete deletion of all the files, apps and settings on the PC.
7. Select the option you want to reinstall Windows: Cloud download or Local reinstall.
8. Click on Next.
9. Finally, press the Reset button.
10. Now, your operating system will start the reset process. Note that, during this action, your computer might restart on its own a few times. You should leave it alone, take a break and drink something until it is completed.

Windows 11 has a built-in tool that allows you to reset it to factory settings without having to use any other apps or ISO files. You can perform a complete reset or you can choose to keep some personal files for future use.

For broader fixes beyond a factory reset, see our repair Windows 11 guide for step-by-step methods.

During Reset this PC, choose “Only the drive where Windows is installed” if you want to wipe just C:. For a step-by-step walkthrough, see how to reset only the C: drive in Windows 11.

2. Use Command Prompt

2.1 Trigger reset

Press Windows key + S on your keyboard, type cmd, then click on Run as administrator.
In the opened window, type the following command, then hit the Enter button: systemreset -factoryreset
Now you should be able to see the traditional reset window on your screen.
Follow the on-screen instructions to reset your PC.

This option is only about triggering the traditional Windows 11 Reset dialog box from Command Prompt.

Be sore of the fact that it helps if everything works on your operating system and to easily reset your computer factory settings.

2.2 Completely reset your PC

Boot from your recovery device in your system.
Press Windows key + S on your keyboard, type cmd, then click on Run as administrator.
You should be in the X directory, after booting from a recovery drive.
Type in the following command to switch to your boot drive: C: ;
Type in the following command to reset your system: systemreset
Follow the on-screen instructions.

3. Use an ISO

For those of you who are facing corrupted file issues or BSODs, you can use a Windows 11 ISO and then reset your computer from a USB drive.

However, before being able to reset your PC, you’ll also need to create a bootable USB.

We prepared some more advantages of the listed recommendations. So, if you need more detailed information, check the ones suggested below.

If you want to find out how to fix any USB-related problems, check out our USB hub.

Can I reset my Windows 11 factory settings without installation media?

If you don’t have any installation media, resetting your PC from the Settings menu or using an ISO are the perfect options.

On the other hand, considering you encounter BSODs, we strongly recommend you boot your computer on Safe mode.

For those of you who are not able to access the Safe mode, you should use the Troubleshoot Windows section from the Command Prompt.

However, if it still seems to fail, it probably means your installation is corrupted. Unfortunately, there’s no other solution you can use in this case.

Can I reset Windows 11 without a password?

In case you don’t remember your password, you’ll have also to delete your data when resetting your computer.

Your user account passwords encrypt Windows data. Thus, it would be much more simple if you would try recovering your password before getting rid of your data.

If you can’t do it, you should choose the Remove everything option, listed in step 6 of the 2nd option presented above.

Note that the easiest way to reset your password is through a Microsoft account, not a local one. In case you have a local account, recovering your account will be a bit more difficult.

Can I reset Windows 11 to factory settings without losing data?

In order to reset your Windows 11 factory settings without losing data, you’ll need to choose the Keep my files option, during step 6 from the same 2nd listed method.

Note that, once the reset processes are finished, your custom settings will be restored. You’ll also be able to view a list of all the removed programs on your Windows 11.

NOTE

As an alternative future solution, you should know that Boot software producers are now preparing some new updates. Thus, you’ll have an automatic method to restart your Windows 11 factory settings.

FAQ

How do I factory reset Windows 11 without logging in?

If you can’t log in, boot into the Recovery Environment by restarting your PC and pressing Shift + F8 (or holding Shift while selecting Restart). Then go to Troubleshoot > Reset this PC > Remove everything to perform a full reset without logging in.

Can I reset Windows 11 without losing files?

Yes. When you start the reset process, choose Keep my files instead of Remove everything. This option reinstalls Windows 11 while preserving your personal files, though apps and settings will be removed.

What happens after I reset my Windows 11 PC?

After a factory reset, Windows 11 reinstalls itself to a clean state. Your apps, drivers, and settings are removed, but you can reinstall them later. A list of removed programs will also be provided for reference.

Why should I reset Windows 11 to factory settings?

Resetting can fix severe issues like crashes, BSODs, or malware infections. It’s also useful if your PC is running slowly or you want to start fresh without reinstalling Windows manually.

This guide will definitely help you reset your Windows 11 PC to its factory settings especially since there’s no default password. You should also know that Windows 11 runs better & faster on old or low-spec devices, and if you don’t believe us, feel free to check a full explanation of this fact.

Because your opinion is extremely important to us, don’t hesitate to leave a comment in the section below and let us know your thoughts regarding this subject.

Paradox Launcher Review: What Is It & Why You Should Use It?

Posted on August 24, 2022October 4, 2023 by Hasibul Kabir

If you are looking for a Paradox Launcher review, this is the right place. In this analytical article, you will learn about this launcher in detail.

There are many game launchers available right now. Though Steam, Xbox, and Epic Game launchers have already got their place, many game makers are still trying their luck with similar options.

This review article will learn about another item called Paradox Launcher. We will try to reveal its benefits, features, and downsides.

What is the Paradox Launcher?

Paradox Launcher is a game launcher developed by Paradox Interactive AB. It is also known as the PDX Launcher.

Though the games from this company are available on Steam and other platforms, they have built this launcher for reasons like delivering a gaming experience most conveniently.

Is Paradox Launcher safe?

Yes. This launcher is entirely safe and from the official source. However, if you try to use a pirated copy of the game, in this case, the game along with the launcher may not be safe for you.

The developers behind this app are constantly releasing new versions with various improvements. Currently, PDX Launcher V2 is available that have got other performance and security improvements compared to its previous version.

Why do I need Paradox Launcher?

For some games from Paradox Interactive, you will need to install this launcher like many Ubisoft games purchased from Steam require Uplay or Ubisoft Connect.

The company behind this program is slowly making it a hub for its games. Most of its modern games, like Battletech, Surviving the Aftermath, Cities Skylines, etc., require Paradox Games Launcher.

What are the main features of Paradox Launcher?

1. Managing games

The main feature of this launcher is managing your game library more easily. Paradox allows you to link your account with Steam, Microsoft Account, Twitch, Epic, PlayStation, etc.

If you have games from Paradox Interactive on multiple platforms, the launcher will show all of them in one place.

Even you can install and uninstall games from this launcher without having third-party tools like Steam on your computer.

You do not need to open third-party launchers to run or install most modern games from Paradox interactive. This is a beneficial feature indeed.

2. Browsing mods

You can even browse and manage game mods on Paradox launcher, not just managing games, uninstalling, or installing.

Under all supported games listed on this launcher, you will get the option: Mods. When you go there, you can see all of the available items.

3. Personalized experience

Even though Paradox Launcher is not as feature-rich as some other established ones, you will still get a personalized experience here. For example, if you want to stay on a specific game version and no longer want to update it, this launcher has the option to lock on a performance.

Else, you also can opt out of personalized content anytime you want. So, though the options are minimal, it is still there.

How do I use Paradox Launcher?

Go to this download page and download the launcher.
Install it on your PC.
Log in with your credentials or sign up if necessary.

Now, you will be able to use this launcher. If you don’t have any games from Paradox Interactive, you can purchase some from its store. These will be available in the launcher.

If you have games on other platforms like Steam but do not see these in the list, you need to link your account with Steam.

To do this, you can follow these steps:

Go to the following location and log in with your paradox account: https://accounts.paradoxplaza.com/settings
Click on the Link account next to the service you prefer.
Go ahead.

Now, you should be able to find all of your games in the Paradox Launcher.

Conclusion

Whether you like it or not, you must install Paradox Launcher for some specific games. However, if you have a lot of games from the company behind this app, this launcher can give you a great experience.

Managing games from other sources in one place and locking specific versions of games are two critical benefits of this launcher.

In this Paradox Launcher review, you already have the application details. However, if you have an opinion or question, feel free to let us know in the comment box.

5 Ways to Fix Steam if The Download Demo Button is Not Working

Posted on August 24, 2022July 4, 2025 by Henderson Jayden Harper

The Steam download demo button not working is a frustrating issue many users report when nothing happens after clicking it. Steam, developed by Valve and launched in 2003, is a digital distribution platform that lets users download, discuss, and play games, along with offering automatic updates for titles.

Steam allows players to try out demos of upcoming and available games, helping them decide what to buy. But sometimes, demos won’t download at all. This can result from network problems, server outages, or restricted bandwidth settings in Steam.

If you’re running into this, don’t worry, we’ll walk you through simple ways to fix the Steam demo not downloading issue.

How do you download demos on Steam?
How do I fix Steam if the download demo button is not working?

How do you download demos on Steam?

Go to Steam’s official website and log in to your Steam account.
Click on Store on the left-hand pane of the screen.
At the top center of the screen, click on Games and select Demos from the drop-down to prompt the game demos available.
Click on Popular Demos.
Select a demo game of your choice and click on it.
Click on the green download button on the demo page, then select Install on the installation prompt.

Where is the demo button on Steam?

Go to the Steam Game Store.
Search for Free demos in the search space to access them.

How do I fix Steam if the download demo button is not working?

1. Restart your computer

Click on Start at the bottom left corner of the screen.
Select Power from the option.
Click on Restart, then click OK.

Restarting your computer can fix most of the issues you may encounter. It’ll fix any boot issues that may be affecting the Steam Client.

2. Check your network connection

Connection issues can cause lots of problems with the Steam Client, like Steam not downloading demos. However, Steam requires a fast and stable network connection to download game demos.

Hence, a power cycle on your router can help fix this issue. Likewise, if you’re connected to your router network connection with a cable, it can affect its speed and stability. We recommend changing to a wireless network connection and seeing if the issue persists.

If you’re seeing erratic behavior such as the Steam download going on and off, try restarting your router or switching from wired to wireless.

3. Run Steam Client as an administrator

Right-click on the Steam Client icon on your desktop screen.
Select Properties from the options.
On the Steam Properties tab, go to Compatibility and check the box for Run this program as an administrator.
Click OK to save the changes.
Restart your computer and run the Steam Client to see if the issue persists.

4. Check Steam platforms for updates

Users will be notified on Steam’s Twitter page whenever a maintenance session occurs, or there’s an issue with the servers. So, check if there’s any information about it. The solution to this is to wait till the problem is fixed.

5. Update Steam

Launch Steam on your computer.
Click on the Steam Menu.
Select Check for Steam Client Update.
Click on Update if there are any updates. (Steam will automatically install the updates)

Outdated clients can also cause problems like the Steam download limit not working or the Steam download not showing progress, so updating may help.

Are demos free?

Demos are free. They help users check the game story and decide whether it is worth it before purchasing it. Although, not all demos are made available to everyone. Sometimes, game developers send out their demos to specific influencers to check out and give feedback to improve the game.

There are some other difficulties that users complain about while using Steam, like slow download speed. However, users can read through our article about how to fix Steam’s slow download speed permanently.

Also, you can check out our article if your Steam download keeps stopping. Likewise, if the Steam download keeps dropping to 0, our video guide might be helpful.

Kindly leave your suggestions and questions below in the comments section. We’d like to hear from you.

5 Ways to Get Back the Steam Download Button When It’s Missing

Posted on August 24, 2022October 4, 2023 by Loredana Harsana

Steam is one of the most used video game distribution platforms worldwide. It is a gaming community where players and developers can trade video games online.

Steam is free to download and use, but some games come at a cost. You can download it from the official Steam website; different versions are available for both PC and Mac computers.

Downloading and playing games on Steam could be fun, but what if the Steam download button goes missing? There are various reasons why this may occur.

If you are also facing this issue, keep reading this post to learn how you can fix it.

Why is my Steam download button missing?

As discussed, Steam is one of the most prestigious gaming distribution platforms. But even the best can sometimes face bugs and errors.

Below are some of the reasons why the Steam download button missing may occur:

Unstable Internet connection
Misconfigured Steam settings
Steam servers facing a downtime
Steam cache data is full

What can I do if my Steam download button is missing?

1. Restart Steam

Before getting started with complex troubleshooting methods to fix this issue, try restarting Steam. Sometimes, Steam runs into temporary bugs and errors that make it misbehave.

Close Steam and wait for a few minutes. Then restart it and check if the download button appears.

2. Check Internet connection

Steam needs a stable Internet connection to run efficiently. Check your Internet connection by performing a speed test.

Try switching to mobile data if using a Wi-Fi connection and check if the Steam buttons not working issue is fixed. Also, disable VPN if you’re using one.

3. Reload the Steam Store

Open Steam and click on Store.
Right-click on any part of the screen.
Click on Reload.

Users have reported reloading the steam Store has helped fix this error. The reason behind it could be slow steam servers or a minor bug.

4. Delete Steam download cache

Click on Steam in the top left corner and select Settings.
On the Settings page, navigate to Downloads and click on Clear Download Cache.

The download cache data of Steam includes files for the Steam app and not only the games. Therefore, clear the download cache of Steam and check if the problem still exists.

5. Reinstall Steam

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Navigate to Apps and click on Apps & Features.
Search for Steam and click on three dots beside it.
Click on Uninstall and follow the on-screen instructions.
Once the app is uninstalled, download and install the latest version of Steam.

If none of those mentioned above workarounds were able to help you, Steam’s core files might be corrupted. So first, reinstall Steam and check if the Steam download button is not working and is fixed.

Why is the Install button grayed out on Steam?

Grayed out install button on Steam usually denotes one of the two things. The first is that your device doesn’t meet the minimum requirements to run the particular game, and there are some problems with the Steam app on your device.

If your device has the hardware requirements to run the game, there might be some issues with Steam that you need to fix immediately.

This is how you can solve the Steam download button missing. We hope that the steps mentioned above can help you fix this issue.

If you still have any problems, feel free to comment below. We’ll be eager to hear from you.

Xbox Classics Revisited vol.2: exotic action-adventure classics

Posted on August 24, 2022 by Robert Collins

In this article

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Welcome to Xbox Classics Revisited. In this new series we aim to take a look back at the previous three generations—the original Xbox, the Xbox 360, and the Xbox One—of Xbox games. These mini-retrospectives serve as a tribute to some of the best gaming that Xbox has given us over the last 20+ years.

For those who were lucky enough to have been there for all of it, read on and savor the nostalgia. For those Xbox fans too young to remember Maude Flanders or Pepsi Twist: get ready to meet your Xbox gaming backlog.

Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (Xbox) November, 2003

This 2003 action-adventure platform-puzzle title can be thanked for revitalizing the classic franchise, which dates back to 1989 and the Apple II computer. (A forthcoming remake of Sands of Time hopes to do the same all over again).

The game’s fluid combat along with the protagonist’s wall-running, somersaulting antics—all done with a generous amount of flourish—made the game stand out in its day. As did the Dagger of Time, which had the rather novel function of manipulating in-game time.

Sands of Time spawned several sequels and was one of the main inspirations for the Assassin’s Creed series. Sands of Time was featured on the Canadian documentary television series How it’s Made, and of course there was the film adaptation produced by Jerry Bruckheimer.

Tomb Raider (Xbox 360, Xbox One) March 2013

The tenth mainline Tomb Raider was a major reboot for the franchise, and the first of the “survivor” trilogy. As such, the game rewrites Lara Croft’s origin story.

The first Tomb Raider game after Square Enix took control of the IP, the game employs a fantastic blend of exploration, survival elements, and combat. It also does a great job of reimagining one of gaming’s most iconic protagonists, giving us a younger, less-hardened Lara that is, while more vulnerable, much more dynamic and interesting as a character.

Assassin’s Creed Origins (Xbox One) October 2017

For this modern classic, Ubisoft decided to go all the way back to ancient Egypt to explore the beginnings of the series’ overarching conflict between the Brotherhood and the Templars. It also decided to reinvent the gameplay by eschewing much of what had defined previous entries in favor of more role-playing elements and open world exploration.

Origins managed to breath fresh life into a franchise that many felt had gone stale and launched a new era for the series. The game won numerous accolades, including Adventure Game of the Year at the 21st D.I.C.E Awards and Ultimate Game of the Year at the 35th Golden Joystick Awards.

Wrap up

We hope we’ve gotten off to a decent start with this series. What are your favorite Xbox classics? Do you have any special memories from the games featured here? Share them in the comments.

Featured image courtesy of pocket-lint.com.

KB5016690 for Windows 10 is now live and it fixes the 0x1E error

Posted on August 24, 2022August 25, 2022 by Alexandru Poloboc

Yes, you’ve heard correctly, the Redmond-based tech colossus known as Microsoft has released a fresh cumulative non-security update for users sticking to one of the older Windows 10 versions.

Build number 17763.3346 is now available for download on systems running Windows 10 2019 LTSC and Server 2019.

Keep in mind that Windows 10 Home and Pro users will not receive this update because Microsoft stopped supporting Windows 10 version 1809 in May 2021.

Also, don’t forget that we’ve recently shown you how to fix Windows 10 broken audio after installing KB5015878.

What does Windows 10 Build 17763.3346 bring new?

Well, you should know that the main highlight of KB5016690 is a fix for the bug causing an 0x1E error when users try to shut down or restart their systems.

That is definitely the most important thing that comes with this new Windows 10 build, as a fix for the problem was mandatory.

We’re about to take a more in-depth look at the rest of the changelog and discover what Microsoft has dealt with through this cumulative update.

Improvements

Enhances Microsoft Defender for Endpoint’s ability to identify and intercept ransomware and advanced attacks.
Addresses an issue that causes ServerAssignedConfigurations to be null in a few full configuration scenarios.
Addresses an issue that might generate error 0x1E when you shut down or restart a device.
Addresses an issue that prevents virtualized App-V Microsoft Office applications from opening or causes them to stop working.
Addresses an issue that leads to a false negative when you run scripts while Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) is turned on. This might cause AppLocker events 8029, 8028, or 8037 to appear in the log when they should not.
Addresses an issue that causes the Resultant Set of Policy tool (Rsop.msc) to stop working when it processes 1,000 or more “File System” security settings.
Addresses an issue that causes the Settings app to stop working on server domain controllers (DCs) when accessing the Privacy > Activity history page.
Addresses a race condition that causes the Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS) to stop working on Active Directory domain controllers. This issue occurs when LSASS processes simultaneous Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) over Transport Layer Security (TLS) requests that fail to decrypt. The exception code is 0xc0000409 (STATUS_STACK_BUFFER_OVERRUN).
Addresses an issue that affects a lookup for a nonexistent security ID (SID) from the local domain using read-only domain controller (RODC). The lookup unexpectedly returns the STATUS_TRUSTED_DOMAIN_FAILURE error instead of STATUS_NONE_MAPPED or STATUS_SOME_MAPPED.
Addresses an issue that prevents a private virtual LAN (PVLAN) from providing tenant and virtual machine (VM) isolation.
Addresses an issue that delays a client’s acquisition of the Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) address for extended periods in an IPv6 environment.
Addresses an issue that might cause Remote Desktop Session licensing to display a 60-minute disconnection warning after reconnecting.
Addresses an issue that causes a RODC to unexpectedly restart. In the event log, you’ll find the following:
- Event 1074 with the message, The system process ‘C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe’ terminated unexpectedly with status code -1073740286. The system will now shut down and restart.
- Event 1015 with the message, A critical system process, C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe, failed with status code c0000602. The machine must now be restarted.
- Event 1000 with the message, Faulting application name: lsass.exe, Faulting module name: ESENT.dll, Exception code: 0xc0000602.
Addresses an issue that might cause cldflt.sys to reference invalid memory in race conditions.

Known issues

After installing KB4493509, devices with some Asian language packs installed may receive the error, 0x800f0982 – PSFX_E_MATCHING_COMPONENT_NOT_FOUND.
After installing KB5001342 or later, the Cluster Service might fail to start because a Cluster Network Driver is not found.

Release Channel	Available	Next Step
Windows Update or Microsoft Update	Yes	Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. In the Optional updates available area, you’ll find the link to download and install the update.
Windows Update for Business	No	None. These changes will be included in the next security update to this channel.
Microsoft Update Catalog	Yes	To get the standalone package for this update, go to the Microsoft Update Catalog website.
Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)	No	You can import this update into WSUS manually. See the Microsoft Update Catalog for instructions.

Have you discovered any other issues while dealing with this new Windows 10 cumulative update? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.

How to Connect a Modem to PC [7 Useful Tips]

Posted on August 24, 2022October 4, 2023 by Vladimir Popescu

Are you still connecting your PC to a modem using an ethernet cable? No matter if you have an old desktop or laptop without Wi-Fi capabilities. You can get rid of these cables that make you sit in a location to browse the Internet.

Some years ago, having a wireless connection was considered cutting-edge technology. And connecting to the Internet using a cable was the only option.

But now you can connect almost all computers using a wireless connection. Keep reading the post to learn how to connect a PC to a modem without an ethernet cable.

Do I plug my PC into the router or modem?

You should connect your PC to the router. The main reason behind doing so is security even if you have a single PC setup.

A modem is not a security device, instead transfers data between you and your ISP (Internet Service Provider). Hence, it offers no protection to your computer from the Internet.

What is the difference between a router and a modem?

A router connects all your devices with each other in hardwired connection setups to the modem. Further, it connects your modem to your devices via an ethernet cable or Wi-Fi if it’s a wireless one.

Routers create a local area network within your house. This allows devices to share files and peripherals like printers. It also manages all information going to end from each device and makes sure it ends up at the right spot.

On the other hand, the modem is a device that connects your home through a cable connection to your ISP. It translates signals from your ISP to your local devices for seamless Internet usage.

The connection between you and the Internet is usually known as a Wide Area Network(WAN). Also, each modem has a pre-assigned public IP address that identifies it on the Internet.

Do I need both a modem and a router?

A modem is your network translator while a router could be understood as a traffic controller that communicates, maintains orders, and makes sure everything is safe.

Routers and modems have always been separate devices. These work together to make a secure home network.

However, with modern technology, you don’t need a separate modem and router. This is because a new combination of modem and router unit is now available that merges the two devices into one powerful gadget.

This multifunctional device offers the power required to connect with your smart devices easily.

Quick Tip:

A simple solution, if you have already a laptop/computer connected via cable, is by creating a virtual hotspot using a great tool, Connectify Hotspot.

Connectify Hotspot allows you to use your computer as a Wi-Fi hotspot and share the internet with all your devices. Furthermore, it comes with a built-in ad blocker for all the devices that join your network. You can use Connectify everywhere, as long as you have an internet connection.

Connectify Hotspot

Create a Wi-Fi hotspot from your computer whenever you need one.

Free Visit Website

Which cable can connect a PC to a modem?

An Ethernet cable is required to connect your PC to a modem. To do so, you’ll have to connect its one end to the Ethernet or LAN port on your modem.

And the other end on your desktop or laptop. Every modem comes with an ethernet cable, however, you can use others.

How can I connect my computer to the modem?

1. Use built-in Wi-Fi

Click on Windows + I to open Settings.
Click on Network and Internet and select Wi-Fi.
Select on Show available networks.
Select your network and enter the password to connect to the Internet.

You can use the Wi-Fi feature that comes pre-installed on almost all modern-day devices. The term built-in Wi-Fi simply means that the router is built into the device itself.

Several users have complained about Wi-Fi not working in Windows. Rest assured our guide can help you fix it.

2. Use PCI

If your device doesn’t come with a built-in adaptor you will need to install a PCI Wi-Fi adaptor. When choosing this adaptor you will have to consider according to the compatible adaptor for both your computer and the type of Wi-Fi signal.

3. Use an external USB Wi-Fi Adapter

A USB Wifi adapter can also be used in case you want to keep it simple. You can also use a plug-and-play Wi-Fi adapter that connects directly to the USB cable of your PC.

4. Use a USB cable

Some routers allow connecting to the Internet via USB cable. This method is a bit experimental as not all routers can actually do it.

For the supported routers, you can plug in a cellular 4G modem into the USB port to use it to connect to the Internet.

5. Use USB Tethering

You can also use the Internet on your device by connecting it with your smartphone. Once you connect your smartphone with your computer why a USB cable you can turn on USB touching and share your mobile data with your device to keep using the Internet without an ethernet cable.

6. Set a Dial-up Internet Connection

Click on Windows + I to open Settings.
Click on Network and Internet and select Dial-up.
Select Set up a new connection and follow the instructions on the screen.

A dial-up Internet connection is a method to access the Internet that uses the facilities of the public switched telephone Network to establish the connection. This network is established by dialing a telephone number on a conventional telephone line.

7. Use your smartphone

You can also connect to the Internet wirelessly using your smartphone. This can be done by enabling the hotspot feature and then connecting your PC using Wi-Fi. Doing so is very easy and secure.

Besides, you can also set a data limit to track and minimize your daily data usage.

How can I connect my PC to the Internet without Ethernet?

You can connect your PC to the Internet without an Ethernet cable using a wireless connection. Setting up a wireless connection at your home allows getting online effortlessly.

Here are the things required to set up a wireless network connection:

Broadband Internet connection and modem
Wireless router
Wireless network adaptor

Now we’ll see how to connect a USB modem to a PC without an Ethernet cable. To do so, configure all the equipment and follow the instructions that came in with the modem to connect it to your PC without an ethernet cable.

This was how to connect the PC to the Internet without an Ethernet cable. We hope that the steps mentioned above were able to help you.

If you still have any issues, feel free to drop a comment below. We’ll be eager to hear from you.

New Tales From the Borderlands video game coming to Xbox consoles this year

Posted on August 24, 2022 by Robert Collins

One of the biggest reveals to come out of Gamescom 2022 Opening Night Live was the announcement of New Tales from the Borderlands.

This is the follow-up to 2014’s Tales from the Borderlands—an episodic narrative-driven adventure game from the masters of the genre, Telltale Games. This new installment however, will be developed by Gearbox Studios itself and will be another adventure game in more or less the same vein as its predecessor. So it won’t be all about busting caps and lobbing grenades left and right in this one.

New Tales from the Borderlands introduces three playable characters:

Anu—the altruistic scientist
Octavio—Anu’s streetwise brother
Fran—a fierce, frogurt-slinging ally

The story takes place a year after Borderlands 3, though apparently you won’t need any knowledge of any of the previous games to enjoy New Tales from the Borderlands.

The game will be released in five episodes to be delivered all at once when the game launches on October 21. So you won’t have to wait long to jump into the world of Borderlands once again and see what makes the franchise so popular.

Two editions of the game will be available—standard and deluxe—and both can be pre-ordered right now. The deluxe version includes the original Tales from the Borderlands.

New Tales from the Borderlands: Deluxe Edition Pre-Order Bundle

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New Tales from the Borderlands: Deluxe Edition Pre-Order Bundle

Developer:
2K

Price:
Free

And when you pre-order either version on the Xbox Store you will receive a bonus in the form of the Adventure Capital Pack with all sorts of in-game goodies and 10,000 in-game currency.

Featured image courtesy of xbox.com.

Xbox head Phil Spencer “encouraged” by progress in Activision deal, still looking to acquire more

Posted on August 24, 2022 by Robert Collins

Microsoft’s Chief Executive Officer of Gaming over at Xbox Phil Spencer recently sat down for an interview with Emily Chang of Bloomberg Studio 1.0. During the interview Spencer expressed optimism about the fate of the company’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard earlier this year, saying,

I feel good about the progress that we’ve been making, but I go into the process supportive of people who maybe aren’t as close to the gaming industry asking good, hard questions about ‘what is our intent? What does this mean? If you play it out over five years, is this constricting a market? Is it growing a market?

Just days ago Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Competition Enforcement became the first such governing body to approve the deal.

تعلن #الهيئة_العامة_للمنافسة عن عدم ممانعتها من إتمام عملية التركز الاقتصادي بين:
-مايكروسوفت كوربوريشن
-أكتيفيجن بليزارد إنك pic.twitter.com/lo5scC3F7k

— الهيئة العامة للمنافسة (@SaudiGAC) August 21, 2022

Spencer also suggested that Microsoft’s buying spree may not yet be over once the purchase of Activision Blizzard is complete.

I’m always thinking about things that add to our capability. Even though we’ve worked on our geographic expansion, I’d still say we have too many of our creators in places that are our traditional markets.

Could another major acquisition come on the heels of the Activision Blizzard deal? Only time will tell. The full interview will be broadcast on “Bloomberg Studio 1.0” at 9pm Eastern Time.

Featured image courtesy of bloomberg.com.

How to Download and Play Steam Games at The Same Time

Posted on August 24, 2022April 2, 2024 by Madhuparna Roy

Are you trying to download and play Steam games at the same time but fail to do so? Well, then, we have the solution for you.

So, when you launch a game using the Steam client, the other game downloading in the background is automatically paused. But if you are facing an issue like Steam won’t go online or it’s stuck in offline mode, you can refer to our detailed post for quick solutions.

In this post, we will address that and more to help you understand how to download and play games on Steam at the same time.

How do I download and play at the same time on Steam?

Open Steam, click on the Steam menu, and select Settings.
In the Settings window, click on Downloads on the left.
Now, on the right, go to the Download Restrictions section and check the box next to Allow downloads during gameplay.
Press OK to save the changes and exit.

It’s a global option where you can change the Steam settings to allow downloads during any gameplay from the settings of the download.

This method is also applicable if you want to play a Steam game without updating it.

NOTE

Simultaneously, you can pause the game that’s downloading, launch the game you want to play, press Alt + Tab to return to Steam and resume all downloads.

Press Alt + Tab again to return to the game and continue playing while the other game downloads in the background.

Can I play Steam games without downloading them?

Yes, you can play Steam games offline through the app with limited or no internet access.

Before proceeding with the steps below, ensure Steam remembers your login credentials. This will allow Steam to sign you in next time without an Internet connection automatically.

Launch Steam. It will now skip the usual login screen and try to connect to your account.
Since there is no active internet connection, you will now see a Connection Error prompt.
Select Start in Offline Mode.
Now, as the Steam window opens, navigate to Library and play the desired game offline.

However, not all games or a Steam client feature will be available while offline, because they require an active connection. Also, neither the store page will work, nor can you download any games.

Besides, if you’re asking if Steam games can download while in sleep mode, the answer is no, they cannot.

Because when your laptop goes into sleep mode, it effectively shuts down all the main processes of the CPU. So, it would ideally run in the background.

Can I install a game while playing?

Yes, you can install a game while playing if your PC has a good enough CPU and RAM.

However, it’s usually not a good idea to play a graphically intense game while installing another. This may cause huge FPS drops in the game you’re playing; hence, you may experience lags.

If you still want to play a game while installing another, you can close any unnecessary programs running on the system to reduce the load and boost the game’s performance.

How can I improve my Steam download speed?

While you can close any unnecessary processes or disable any 3rd party antivirus on your PC to speed up the download speed on Steam, if it doesn’t work, you can give priority to Steam downloads:

Make sure that Steam is running. Now, right-click on Start and select Task Manager.
Under the Processes tab, go to Background Processes and look for Steam Client.
Right-click on it and select Go to details.
It will take you to the Details tab. Here, right-click on steamservice.exe, select Set priority, and click on High.

This method will prioritize Steam over other processes while increasing the download speed considerably.

You can also follow the methods in our detailed post, to fix the slow download speed on Steam permanently.

As seen above, it is indeed possible to play Steam games and download or install games on the app simultaneously. Some games, however, require some critical install files to launch, so if you encounter a running install script error message, you must first complete the installation.

But, if you are facing an issue like the Steam download is stopping, you can follow the solutions in our detailed post on the issue.

For any queries on Steam or any errors you may encounter while playing a game, you can let us know in the comments box below.

Microsoft plans for two new Irish datacenters put on hold

Posted on August 24, 2022 by Kareem Anderson

Updated: • “Microsoft’s datacenter development is continuing in Grangecastle. Plans for future datacenters are evaluated based on a number of factors, including our customer needs, our commitments to environmental sustainability, the local community, and relevant laws and regulations.” – a Microsoft Spokesperson

Ireland’s state-owned electrical utility provider is currently struggling with keeping the lights on with its existing data centers and it’s giving Microsoft and Amazon pause in building new ones in the region.

According to a report from The Times, Microsoft and Amazon were considering investing €2 billion in data center infrastructure in the region but are now reconsidering as Ireland utilities regulators warn of on-going rolling black outs continuing until its current electrical issues are resolved.

Microsoft had planned to open two datacenter sites in the region that would also double as a backup power source for Ireland windfarms, Amazon was set to drop a single AWS site as well in the area but neither company have been granted licenses by Ireland’s EirGrid allowing them to eventually latch onto the electrical grid there.

EirGrid isn’t singling out Amazon or Microsoft with its mortarium but is expanding its initial stance taken last November and reserving its authorizations from any new data centers to all data center applications.

“EirGrid is now applying these criteria to all data center applicants, many of which have decided not to progress their developments,” – EirGrid spokesperson

Ireland’s mortarium has seemingly forced Amazon and Microsoft to explore alternative investment sites in London, Frankfurt and Madrid despite communications between Microsoft and the IDA that assured the Redmond business investor that it would not interfere with its plans originally.

Aside from sources familiar with the data center ordeal, neither Microsoft nor Amazon have formally addressed or formerly provided info regarding the pause, and reconsideration publicly.

How to Fix Laptop Not Booting after RAM Upgrade

Posted on August 24, 2022April 12, 2024 by Afam Onyimadu

You have found this guide because your laptop is not booting after a RAM upgrade. So let us show you how to fix this.

The hardware in a computer device called Random Access Memory (RAM) stores the OS, application programs, and data currently in use so that the device’s CPU may access them rapidly. This is the primary memory of a computer.

For different reasons, you may want to upgrade it. For example, some applications may require additional RAM, while sometimes, your RAM may go bad and require replacing.

Whichever is the case, there are times when, after a RAM replacement, your PC will not boot. This is worrying, and we will tell you all you need to know about this error.

Why, after installing RAM, computer will not boot?

A corrupted BIOS – If this is the case, your only chance of booting the laptop will be a power refresh.
You skipped the first RAM module – Some computers have multiple RAM modules. This is a very common computer build. If this is the case and you insert RAMS, skipping the first one, then the PC will not boot.
Compatibility issues with the motherboard – Not all RAMS work on every motherboard, so before purchasing one, you must make sure that it matches your system.
The RAMs are not properly seated – You need to reseat them, and your PC should boot without hassle. Otherwise, your caps lock may start blinking.

How do I fix my laptop if it’s not booting after a RAM upgrade?

1. A power reset

Disconnect the PC power from the source.
Remove the computer’s coin cell battery from the motherboard (the steps depend on the computer).
Press and hold your computer’s Power button for 20 seconds, after which you release it.
Replace the PC’s coin cell battery.
Reconnect your PC’s power cable to a power source and restart the computer.

2. Reseat the RAM

Power off your computer and unplug it from a power source.
Remove the RAMs like you must have done in the past.
Try placing them back and listen for a click sound. In most cases, this shows it is well seated on the RAM mount.
Reboot your computer.

The angle at which you enter the new RAM is crucial information to know after the old RAM has been removed and you are prepared to insert or install the new RAM.

Some individuals tend to push RAM into position horizontally or entirely flat, which is a bad technique since the RAM won’t fit into its spot no matter how hard you push it.

Inserting it correctly involves angling it between 30 and 50 degrees. When correctly positioned, the RAM will fit in quickly and easily if tilted at a 30-degree angle while being inserted.

3. Check RAM maximum capacity

Right-click on the Start menu and open the Windows Terminal (Admin) app.
In the Windows Terminal, paste the code below and hit Enter.
wmic memphysical get maxcapacity
The number displayed after this script executes is your maximum RAM capacity noted in kilobytes.
If the RAM you are trying to install is more than the maximum RAM capacity of your computer, try installing a lower capacity.
Reboot your computer.

4. Change the RAM type

Click the Start menu, type system information, and select the System Information app.
In the System Information app, take note of the System Model and the Processor.
Now head to the manufacturer’s site with this information and find what RAM is compatible with your computer. In our case, we go to the HP website and input the system model in the search bar.

Many modern computers will use DDR3 or DDR4 RAMS. Mixing this up, you will have issues booting the laptop since the installed RAM does not match the motherboard.

5. Change the RAM

There is a chance that the new RAM you have mounted will be bad. This could be a result of many different factors. For example, it could be destroyed by the manufacturer or even in transit.

You may also have scratched the RAM against a hard surface during mounting.

Whatever the reason, if your RAM is spoiled or damaged, you may not be able to boot your computer after mounting it. In such situations, your best bet is to replace it.

6. Do not skip the first RAM slot

You are not obligated to fill your PC’s RAM slots entirely. For example, if your PC has 4 RAM slots, you may be able to use 4GB RAM per slot, bringing the total to 16GB.

You may only fill up two slots and have 8 GB or RAM on your computer. However, ensure you do not skip the first slot as long as you are not filling up all the spaces.

In many computers, it becomes impossible to boot once the first slot is skipped.

7. Swap the RAM slots

A solution as simple as this will often be enough. If you have more than one RAM slot, remove the RAM in one slot and put it in a different slot.

This may be a starting point because it is the most basic solution. It is not always effective, but it has been known to work.

What happens if RAM isn’t installed correctly?

As you must have noticed, there is a high chance that your PC will not boot. You may also hear a beeping sound, as this is an auto alarm for some RAM-related malfunctions.

If your RAM module isn’t placed correctly, your computer’s longevity may be impacted, and you may experience program crashes, faults, or non-starting applications.

Do I need to change BIOS when upgrading RAM?

The BIOS does not need to be updated when merely updating or adding RAM; however, you would change it if it also has some issues.

Also, note that some of the solutions in this guide will apply if your laptop is slow to boot after the RAM upgrade.

Try out these solutions if the replaced RAM on the laptop won’t allow it to boot. If you face any other complications, we want to know what they are.

Do not panic when you face issues after installing a new RAM, as most of the time, with slight changes, you should have your PC up and running.

If you have a memory management blue screen, you should follow the simple steps in our guide.

Also, let us know in the comments section which solutions you have found most helpful.

How to Fix Wireless Adapter or Access Point Problems

Posted on August 24, 2022August 18, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

A problem with your wireless adapter or access point usually means your PC can’t connect to Wi-Fi. This error shows up when Windows fails to communicate with the router, often due to corrupted settings, misconfigured access points, or network stack glitches.

Here’s how to fix it without unnecessary guesswork.

Why does the wireless access point error appear?
How do I fix my wireless adapter or access point?
Wrapping up

Why does the wireless access point error appear?

The wireless access point not working issue happens when your device and the router fail to authenticate properly. Corrupt TCP/IP stacks, power-saving features, or misconfigured router modes are some of the main culprits. Luckily, you can fix most access point connection errors with built-in Windows tools.

How do I fix my wireless adapter or access point?

1. Update the wireless drivers

You can easily update your Windows 10 drivers manually by using Device Manager and following the steps above.

1. Press Windows + X to pop-up Start Menu., then select Device Manager.
2. Expand Network Adapter, then right-click on your network adapter and select Update Driver.
3. Next, click Search automatically for drivers and see if the system finds a new one.
4. Restart your PC.

Plus, updating your drivers in Windows 11 is necessary before connecting an access point to a wireless router without cable; read this guide to learn more.

You can also visit your network adapter manufacturer’s website, locate your device, and download the latest drivers.

You can also try installing the drivers using the CD you got with your wireless adapter. Installing drivers from a CD is an excellent solution if you don’t have an Internet connection. Still, bear in mind that those drivers probably aren’t the latest.

Alternatively, if you want to save some time and be sure to have an error-free update, you can use a dedicated driver updater software. This software will fully scan your PC to find outdated and missing drivers and update them individually or all at once.

⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

2. Switch to a wired connection

Using a wired connection on a laptop kills the vibe. But, if you cannot connect to a Wi-Fi network, you have no choice until the problem gets resolved.

So, connect your laptop to your router with the LAN cable. If the Wi-Fi connection is the only problem, you should connect to the internet without any issues.

Also, since some of the upcoming solutions require an Internet connection, we advise you to keep that LAN cable by your side until we find a proper solution.

If you’re still unable to connect to the internet, even though you’re using a wired connection, something is wrong with your router. There are many possible reasons why Windows 10 can’t connect to the router, including faulty hardware equipment.

Users also reported encountering this error for the last OS, but don’t worry; we have some simple steps to remove the Windows 11 that can’t connect to this network error.

3. Delete your wireless profile

Type cmd in Windows Search and click on Run as administrator to open Command Prompt.
Enter the following command and press Enter (replace WirelessProfileName with the actual name of your wireless connection):
netsh wlan delete profile name="WirelessProfileName"
Reconnect and reconfigure the network to fix wireless adapter problems.

4. Check if your password is correct

It would help if you always protected your Wi-Fi network with a password. You might accidentally enter the wrong password while connecting to the wireless network.

To fix this problem, disconnect from your network and reconnect again, but ensure your password is correct.

Users reported that your keyboard might enter different characters in rare cases, primarily if you use different input languages on your PC. Therefore, be sure to double-check your password.

Also, you can use a password manager to remember all your passwords.

5. Renew your IP on the Command Prompt

Launch the Command Prompt as administrator.
Enter the following line of command and hit Enter.
netsh winsock reset
Repeat step two with the commands below, and press Enter after each command line.
- netsh int ip reset
- ipconfig /release
- ipconfig /renew
- ipconfig /flushdns

You may perform a ping to Google to confirm if the error is fixed.

6. Check if your wireless adapter is disabled

Press Windows Key + X and select Device Manager from the list of options.
Locate your wireless adapter and double-click it to open its properties.
Go to the Driver tab and look for the Enable button. If you don’t see the Enable button, it means that your device is enabled and working.

7. Remove your antivirus software

Antivirus software is essential for your online safety. Unfortunately, some antivirus programs can interfere with your wireless connection and cause a problem with the wireless adapter or access point error.

To fix this issue, temporarily disable or remove all third-party antivirus tools from your PC. Users reported that McAfee is causing this problem.

If that was the cause, we strongly recommend you switch to a different antivirus. Windows Defender is a good tool, but additional software is recommended.

You can find a lot of good Windows 10 compatible antivirus software, but also the best antiviruses for Windows 11 that will keep you protected without causing problems in other apps.

Dedicated antivirus software has large, continuously updated threat databases that ensure real-time protection against incoming attackers.

8. Change the name and password for your Wi-Fi connection

According to users, you can fix this issue simply by changing the name and password of your wireless network.

This is a pretty simple procedure. However, it will vary from one device to another, but you should have easy instructions in your specific router user manuals.

9. Reset your router

This error can be caused by improper router configuration. According to users, you can fix this problem by resetting your router.

To do that, just press the reset button on your router or open the router settings and select the reset option.

Before resetting your router, you might want to save and export your configuration so you don’t have to enter it manually.

For more information on resetting or exporting your router’s configuration, check your router’s manual.

10. Check for Windows Updates

Open your Settings app.
Click on Windows Update at the bottom of the left pane.
Click the Check for updates button.
If there are any updates, download and install them.

Microsoft partners with many hardware manufacturers. Therefore, there’s a legitimate chance you’ll get your wireless adapter updated through Windows Update.

So, connect that LAN cable and check for updates. In case there’s a new update for your router, the system will install it automatically

11. Run the Network Troubleshooter

Press Win + I to open Settings.
Go to System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters.
Select Network Adapter and click Run.

12. Reset TCP/IP and Winsock

Search for cmd, right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator.
Run the following commands (press Enter after each):

netsh int ip reset
netsh winsock reset
ipconfig /flushdns

Restart your PC.

13. Disable Power Saving for the Adapter

Press Win + X and open Device Manager.
Expand Network adapters, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter, and select Properties.
Open the Power Management tab.
Uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power and click OK.

14. Check Wireless Mode Compatibility

In Device Manager, right-click your Wi-Fi adapter and choose Properties.
Go to the Advanced tab.
Find Wireless Mode or 802.11 mode.
Match it to your router’s mode (e.g., set to 802.11 b/g/n or 802.11 a/n/ac as applicable) and click OK.

15. Reset Network Settings

Open Settings > Network & Internet.
Scroll down and click Network reset.
Select Reset now, then confirm and allow Windows to restart.

16. Adjust Router Security Settings

Ensure WPA2 or WPA3 encryption is enabled.
Verify that SSID broadcast is turned on.
Confirm DHCP is active so devices receive an IP address.

Wrapping up

This isn’t the only problem regarding Internet connectivity in Windows 10 and 11. You might have encountered other similar ones, and we have solutions for quite a few of them, including:

Microsoft wireless display adapter issues in Windows 10
Netgear wireless adapter problems
Wireless display adapter connection problems after Windows 10 v1709 update
Wireless display install failed in Windows 11
Wi-Fi range issues (caused by wireless adapter) in Windows 10

We believe the wireless adapter or access point problem has been resolved if you have read this far.

Please note that we have written any of these solutions in any particular order, and we expect you to apply the fixes that seem most relevant to the situation.

Let us know in the comments section which one worked for you. We will be glad to recommend them in the first place.

Destiny 2 content is now live in Fortnite on Xbox and other platforms

Posted on August 24, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

The long-anticipated Destiny 2 collaboration is now live in the Fortnite video game on Xbox One and Xbox Series X console families, Windows PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and all other supported platforms.

The collab so far includes three outfits based on the Commander Zavala, Ikora Rey, and the Exo Stranger characters from the Destiny 2 video game, three unique Pickaxes for each character, the Sparrow Glider with three optional appearances inspired by each character, and three Ghost Back Blings.

A Destiny 2 Investigate Emote has also been added to Fortnite. This emote, once activated, summons a Ghost which zooms around the environment scanning various objects.

As with all Fortnite cosmetics, the Destiny 2 items don’t offer any competitive advantage though they are still likely to be popular with Destiny 2 fans, especially those who have been wanting a Destiny 2 experience in third-person perspective.

The Fortnite Destiny 2 collab is part of a series of announcements involving the main Destiny 2 video game that were made during the first day of Gamescom 2022.

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

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When I Connect to VPN, I Lose Internet – How to Fix It [Windows 11]

Posted on August 23, 2022October 21, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

If you wonder what can you do if when you connect to the VPN you lose your Internet connection, you’re in the right place!

We found applicable fixes for all known causes of this bug/error.

Why does my Internet disconnect when I connect to VPN?

The main reasons why you lose Internet when connecting to VPN include:

Faulty DNS settings, incompatible with your VPN client
Outdated or corrupt VPN software
Connecting to a server that has problems or is down
Security software like firewall or antivirus blocking VPN

In the following guide, we will show you what you can do to fix these issues. So if when you connect to VPN you lose Internet in Windows 11 or in Windows 10, make sure to try the upcoming solutions.

What can I do if the Internet disconnects when connected to a VPN?

1. Check your Internet

First, let’s see if there are any issues that are caused by your network, and not your VPN. ❗Disconnect from your VPN and follow the steps below:

1.1. Check Network and Internet status

Go to Start and then select Settings.
Open Network and Internet.
You’ll see the Network status up in the main menu. If it’s says “Connected, secured”, your connection is fine. But if it says “Not connected” or “No internet”, there is an issue and you should troubleshoot it:

1.2. Run the network troubleshooter

Open the Start menu and select Settings.
Click on System in the left sidebar.
Select Troubleshoot from the list of options.
Click on Other troubleshooters.
Find and click the Run button next to Network and Internet to start the troubleshooter.

If you’re still having issues, run a speed test and finally contact your ISP. But if your internet looks like it’s up and running, only ruined by VPN, keep reading:

2. Connect to a different server location

Select a different VPN server location and connect to it. If you can access the Internet now, , there may be a temporary issue with the server location you originally selected.

3. Change your VPN protocol

Open your VPN’s options or settings and select the Protocol from the list and pick a different one.

VPN protocols are the methods by which your device connects to a VPN server. Some protocols are blocked in different countries or by certain Internet Service Providers.

This may be the reason why when you connect to the VPN you lose your Internet connection. For optimal performance, choose the protocols below in the following order:

OpenVPN TCP
L2TP
PPTP

4. Reinstall your VPN

You can uninstall the app, find the latest version install it, and connect again.

Right-click Start and select Apps and Features
Find your VPN from the list of programs and select Uninstall
Type control panel in the taskbar and open Control Panel
Go to Network and Internet
Open the Network and Sharing Center
Under Network Connections, right-click on the WAN Mini port labeled with your VPN’s name
Select Delete.

NOTE

On some machines, after you uninstall your VPN, it will automatically be removed from the Network Connections. So in case you don’t find yours in the Network Connections list, you’re all good.

5. Check for incorrect date and time settings

Double-click the Date and Time display on the taskbar
Click Change date and time settings
In the Date and Time tab, click Change date and time….
In the Date and Time Settings dialog box, update your time to the current date and time, then click OK
If you need to change the time zone, click Change time zone… , select your current time zone in the drop-down list, then click OK
Restart your VPN and connect to a server location
If you cannot connect to a server location after restarting your VPN, re-install the VPN. You do not need to uninstall the app first, just run the installation program again

6. Install the latest version of your VPN

Right-click Start and select Run
Type regedit and press Enter
You will now see the User Account Control dialog box. Click Yes
In the Registry Editor, under Computer, double-click on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, double-click on SOFTWARE and then [your]VPN
If you cannot find [your]VPN directly beneath SOFTWARE, go to SOFTWARE > Classes> [your]VPN
Right-click on [your]VPN and then click Delete. After deletion, you should no longer see your VPN under Wow6432Node

If you can’t edit your Windows 10’s registry, read this handy guide and find the quickest solutions to the issue.

If you see that the VPN is still listed as an available VPN connection after uninstalling:

Type Control Panel in the taskbar to open Control Panel
Go to Network and Internet and click on Network and Sharing Center
On your Network Connections window, right-click on the WAN Miniport labeled [your]VPN
Click Delete

7. Change your DNS server configuration

7.1. Open Network Connections settings

Right-click Start and select Run
Type ncpa.cpl and click OK
In Network connections window, find your usual connection, either LAN or Wireless network connection.
Right click the connection and select Properties

7.2. Set the DNS server addresses

Double click Internet Protocol Version 4 (IPv4) or just Internet Protocol
Select Use the following DNS server addresses
Type these Google DNS server addresses: Preferred DNS server 8.8.8.8 and Alternate DNS server 8.8.4.4
If Google DNS is blocked, try the following: Neustar DNS Advantage (154.70.1 and 156.154.71.1) enter and press OK; Level3 DNS (4.2.2.1 and 4.2.2.2) enter and press OK. Once you’re done, set your VPN’s DNS settings, and flush old DNS entries as described in the next solution.

DNS server is not responding in Windows 10? Take a look at this guide and fix the issue in no time.

8. Adjust your proxy settings

If you’re having trouble connecting to the Internet, it’s possible that it has been set to use a proxy server. This could interfere with your VPN.

To disable proxy in Internet Explorer:

From the Tools or gear menu, select Internet options.
In the Connections tab, click LAN settings.
Uncheck all of the displayed options except automatically detect settings.
Click OK
Close your browser and then open it again.

9. Change your VPN

If your VPN still kills your internet, even after trying to troubleshoot, switch to a better one.

Opt for a premium option – with VPNs, you get what you pay for. If you don’t invest in a quality service, you risk poor connections, data issues, or no connection at all.

Considering this, we recommend ExpressVPN. Our tests revealed it’s one of the best options for Windows 11: speed, performance, lots of servers in 100+ countries, and great customer support.

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Why do I lose internet when I disconnect from VPN?

It’s either a configuration problem or your connection is very slow. Make sure your settings match your Wi-Fi and VPN setup.

Also, if you are concerned about privacy, use a VPN with a killswitch option.This feature will block all traffic data even if you disconnect.

This means that the risk of getting any type of data leaked or stolen is very small even when you don’t use a VPN connection.

Wrapping up

These have been our suggestions on what you can do when connecting to VPN disconnects the Internet. Let us know which one works best for you.

If you have any more questions or suggestions, please leave them in the comments below.

How to Fix Touchpad Not Working on Windows 11 (Step-by-Step Guide)

Posted on August 23, 2022November 17, 2025 by Loredana Harsana

If your touchpad is not working on Windows 11, the problem can be caused by a recent update, driver issues, or disabled settings. This guide covers step-by-step solutions for common touchpad problems on Lenovo, HP, Acer, and ASUS laptops, including how to enable it, update the driver, and use the on-screen alternative if needed.

What can I do if the touchpad is not working in Windows 11?

What can I do if the touchpad is not working in Windows 11?
Why Isn’t My Touchpad Working in Windows 11?
FAQs
Wrapping up

1. Restart your device

Save your work first then close all windows.
Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys simultaneously.
Your shutdown menu will then appear.
Using the keyboard arrow keys on your laptop, select the Restart option. Then, click on OK.
Press Enter on your keyboard.

Wait till your laptop restarts, then check whether the issue has been resolved. Windows 11 OS is a bit glitchy sometimes, as a result, the touchpad stops working.

2. Enable your touchpad using Settings

Press the Windows key + I.
Click on Bluetooth and devices in the Settings app.
Click on the touchpad on the right side.
Switch on the toggle under the touchpad.

The Windows 11 touchpad not working often occurs after a user makes a Windows 11 update. The system might at times shut itself off during installation.

Confirm whether the touchpad turned itself off during the installation process. If the issue persists after turning it on, move to the next solution.

3. Update your touchpad driver

A corrupted or outdated touchpad driver can cause issues. Here’s how to reinstall or update:

Press Windows + X and select Device Manager
Expand Mice and other pointing devices
Right-click your touchpad and choose Update driver
If updating fails, choose Uninstall device, then restart your laptop

Windows will auto-reinstall the correct driver. For Lenovo laptops, see the full Lenovo touchpad not working guide for model specific driver fixes.

Alternatively, you can always rely on specialized software. This tool allows you to automatically scan for and replace any broken or outdated drivers in just a few minutes.

You can also review model specific fixes in the Dell laptop touchpad not working guide which provides additional steps for driver issues and recognition problems that often appear on Windows 11.

4. Reset your touchpad

Tip

Resetting your touchpad assists in regaining your original touchpad settings. Therefore, it reduces the chances of any problems occurring.

Press the Windows key + I.
Click on Bluetooth and devices in the Settings app.
Click on the touchpad on the left side.
Scroll to the bottom in the right.
Click on Default to restore your previous settings.

5. Use the On-Screen Touchpad (Temporary Fix)

If your physical touchpad is unresponsive, you can open the on-screen touchpad in Windows 11 as a backup.

Press Windows + Ctrl + O to open On-Screen Keyboard
Click the Touchpad icon (or open Settings > Accessibility > Mouse > On-screen touchpad)
Use this virtual touchpad to navigate until your physical one works

6. Use keyboard shortcuts to enable your touchpad

On most Windows 11 laptops, pressing the Fn key along with one of the F1–F12 function keys controls the touchpad. The exact key varies by model, so check your keyboard symbols or device manual.

Some models also have a dedicated touchpad lock. For example, certain HP laptops feature a small lit square in the corner of the touchpad. If it’s lit, the touchpad is disabled, tap it once to re-enable.

7. Disable the tablet input service

Press the Windows key + R key, the Run dialog will appear.
Key in the following command: services.msc.
Then, click on OK.
The Services app will then open, find the Tablet PC Input Service or TabletInputService.
Right-click on the option, then select Stop.
Restart your device.
Check whether your touchpad has regained its normal functions. If the issue persists further, repeat the above steps but this time select Start to enable the service.

8. Perform a System restore

Press the Windows key + R key to open the Run dialog.
Key in the following command: rstrui.
Click on OK.
The System Restore Wizard will open. Select the option Choose a different restore point.
Click on Next.
Check the box set before Show more restore points.
Then, choose the most recently created restore point, click on Next.
Click on Finish to initiate the restoring process.

9. Check for multiple mouse drivers

NOTE

Having an extra mouse along with the built-in touchpad on your laptop creates a conflict with the integral touchpad driver. This cause the Windows 11 touchpad to stop working.

Press the Windows key + S key.
Key in the following command: devmgmt
Click on Device Manager when it appears.
Find the Mouse and pointing devices and click on it to expand the driver list.
Right-click on the external mouse driver.
Select the Uninstall device option.
Click on Uninstall when the popup prompts.
Check whether your touchpad is now active.
Once the issue is fully resolved, Restart your Windows. Your system will automatically reinstall the external mouse driver.

10. Reinstall your touchpad driver

Press Windows + X keyboard shortcut.
Select Device Manager.
Then, find the Mice and pointing devices.
Double-click on the option to expand the driver list.
Find the touchpad driver and right-click on it.
Select the Properties option.
When the window pops up get on to the Driver tab.
Select the Roll Back Driver button. This will allow you to get back to the previous version before the update.
Once you successfully revert to the previous version, Restart Windows 11 and check whether the touchpad is back to normal.

If this does not work for you, then uninstall it. You need to follow these steps:

Once you get to the Driver tab, select the Uninstall Device. This will help you remove drivers’ files and the registry entry of the software.
Then, restart the Windows device. The driver will get back to its default version.

11. Clean your touchpad

Over time, dirt deposits, skin oils, and grime accumulate on your touchpad. As a result, your touchpad stops functioning properly. The touchpad is less responsive and much slower because of the build-up.

Before trying anything else, clean up your touchpad using a soft piece of cloth. Preferably use a moist cloth to ensure that you get to clean it up properly.

After cleaning out all the build-up, try dragging your finger around the surface to check whether the issue has been resolved.

12. Use the laptop’s troubleshooter and run the Windows Hardware

NOTE

The Windows Hardware and Device troubleshooter is in place to help resolve hardware-related issues without necessarily having to use third-party software.

Press the Windows key. Then, type cmd.exe.
Right-click on the Command prompt, then select Run as administrator.
Click on Yes to allow User Account Control.
Key in the following command: msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic
The Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter will appear. Click on Next.
If the automatic repair pops up, click on Apply this fix.
Follow through the instructions to the end.

13. Adjust Windows Registry

NOTE

The update driver software may vary from one laptop to another, therefore, these instructions might vary as well. But, they should suffice for most of the parts.

Press Windows key + S key.
When the search bar pops up, key in the following command: regedit.
Press Enter key to open the Registry Editor.
Select Yes on the User account control prompt.
Then Navigate through this code: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Synaptics\SynTP\Install
Double-click on DeleteUserSettingsOnUpgrade (DWORD) that is on the right-hand side panel.
In the event, that the DWORD is not there, you can still create it manually by right-clicking on the empty space. Then select the new DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Then, double-click the DWORD to reset the value data to 0.
Click on OK to save the changes made.

14. Boot into Safe Mode

Safe Mode helps you check if third-party software or drivers are interfering.

Press Windows + R, type msconfig, and open the Boot tab
Check Safe boot > Minimal and restart
If the touchpad works in Safe Mode, the issue is likely caused by a background process or driver conflict.

15. Check for Firmware or BIOS Updates

Outdated firmware can cause hardware issues, especially after Windows updates.

Visit your laptop manufacturer’s support page
Download and install the latest BIOS or firmware update

16. Disable USB Selective Suspend

Sometimes, Windows disables unused USB devices (including touchpads internally connected via USB).

Go to Control Panel > Power Options > Change plan settings > Advanced
Expand USB settings > USB selective suspend setting and set to Disabled

17. Use Device-Specific Touchpad Software

Manufacturers like Lenovo and ASUS often include their own touchpad utilities (e.g., ASUS Smart Gesture, Lenovo Vantage).

Check the official support site for your laptop model
Install or update their touchpad utility software

Why Isn’t My Touchpad Working in Windows 11?

Touchpad issues in Windows 11 can stem from:

Disabled settings (accidentally turned off)
Faulty or outdated drivers
Conflicts after a recent system update
BIOS settings disabling internal devices
Physical hardware faults

Using the steps above will help identify and resolve these causes.

FAQs

Why is my laptop touch not working in Windows 11?

It may be disabled in settings, blocked in BIOS, or affected by a faulty driver after an update.

How to enable touchpad on Windows 11 if the setting is grayed out?

Try updating or reinstalling the touchpad driver via Device Manager, or check BIOS settings to re-enable it.

Does my laptop model matter when fixing touchpad issues?

Yes. Lenovo, HP, Acer, and ASUS use different key combinations and drivers. Always check your model’s support page.

Wrapping up

Windows 11 touchpad problems include delayed cursor response, the cursor jumping all over, and settings missing or not functioning completely. You may also be unable to scroll through your screen.

Don’t forget that the touchpad functionality requires specific attention. After solving the issue, don’t hesitate to learn how to set Touchpad Gestures in Windows 11.

And if you instead find that the click works but the touchpad cursor doesn’t move, the solutions are pretty easy!

This isn’t the only issue, and many reported that the touchpad cursor has disappeared on Windows 11, so don’t miss our guide on how to fix it.

Which of the above solutions worked for you? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

3 Quick Ways To Fix E502 L3 Error On Steam

Posted on August 23, 2022January 3, 2025 by Madhuparna Roy

The e502 L3 on Steam is quite a standard error that often shows up when you try to purchase something in its Store.

It generates the error message, “Something went wrong, We were unable to service your request. Please try again later. E502 L3“

This issue may mostly occur when you are trying to purchase Steam’s seasonal sales or launch a new game.

But if there was an error communicating with the Steam servers, you can refer to our detailed post to fix the issue.

What is the e502 L3 error on Steam?

When thousands of Steam users try to use the Store simultaneously, mainly during a sale, it creates a heavy load on the Steam servers.

This is when you bump into the e502 l3 error on Steam and may encounter login issues or fail to access the library.

Therefore, it’s recommended that you wait till the Steam servers are stabilized and are back up and running.

You can also check the Steam community hub or the SteamDB to find the server status and other details to get a clear idea of how the platform’s servers perform.

However, if servers are working fine and you still see the Steam error code e502 L3, you may try the below workarounds to fix the issue.

How do I fix the e502 l3 error on Steam?

1. Add Steam to Windows Defender Firewall Exceptions List

Right-click on Start and select Run to open the Run console.
Type control in the search bar and Enter to open the Control Panel window.
Next, go to View by on the top right of the window, and set it to Category.
Now, click on System and Security in the list.
On the next screen, on the right, click on Allow an app through Windows Firewall.
Next, click on the Change settings button on the top right.
Look for Steam in the Allowed apps and features list and check both Private and Public boxes.
Press OK to save the changes and exit.

Now, open the Steam app and check if you can log in and navigate to the library without seeing the error code E502 L3.

2. Turn off Windows Defender Firewall

Please navigate to the Start button, right-click on it, and click on Run to launch the Run console.
In the search box, type Firewall.cpl and hit Enter.
Now, click on Turn Windows Defender on or off on the left.
Next, select Turn off Windows Defender Firewall under both Private and Public network settings in the Customize Settings window.
Press OK to save the changes and exit.

Now, open Steam and check if you can now access the games or make purchases in the Store.

3. Uninstall and re-install Steam

Go to Start (Windows icon), right-click on it, and select Run to open the Run console.
Type appwiz.cpl in the search box and hit Enter.
In the Control Panel window, under Uninstall or change a program, look for the Steam app, right-click and select Uninstall.

Once completely uninstalled, restart your PC, visit the official Steam website and re-install the app.

Can I reinstall Steam without losing games?

Yes, you can reinstall Steam, and you can still keep your games. There are two ways in which you can recover your Steam games when you uninstall the app and reinstall it later:

1. Redownload them as you reinstall Steam

However, if you uninstall Steam, the files for your games on your PC will also be uninstalled.

But the good thing is, as soon as you log into Steam on another PC or reinstall Steam, you’ll be able to go to your library and download the games again.

That’s because your games will remain associated with your account id, even if you uninstall the app. Download Steam on another computer, and you can redownload them.

2. Copy games from Steam apps common folder

Press the Win + E keys simultaneously to launch File Explorer.
Now, navigate to the location where the Steam folder is saved on your PC.
For example, on my PC the Steam folder is located in Program Files (x86), hence the path: C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam
Now, look for steamapps and open the folder.
Here, look for the Common folder and double-click to open it.
Next, copy all the game files here, go to desktop or your preferred location and paste it there.
Uninstall the Steam app like any other Windows 11, as explained in our detailed post.
Next, when you reinstall Steam later on the same PC, you can paste all the games you copied into the Common folder.
Open Steam, go to the Library and start installing the games.
You should see it’s allocating files and installing them instead of redownloading everything.

While the above methods can help you fix the Steam error quickly and effectively, if it still doesn’t, you should check if the internet connection is working correctly.

Additionally, you may also try logging out of the game or exit the game and relaunch it to check if it resolves the error e502 l3, or

At the same time, make sure you disable any 3rd party antivirus software on your PC or do not use a 3rd party anti-cheat software.

But, if Steam fails to load web pages and you encounter the 118/310 error, you can follow the solutions in our detailed post.

For any other queries related to the Steam app or any errors associated with the app, do let us know in the comments box below.

HP Printer Drivers for Windows 11 [Download & Install]

Posted on August 23, 2022August 22, 2025 by Vladimir Popescu

Printers are the machines that take inputs from the system, like computers, laptops, etc., and print them on paper.

Millions of people all over the world use printers and scanners at places like educational institutions, offices, stores, houses, etc.

There are different types of printers available on the market currently, such as laser printers, LED printers, 3D printers, and so on. There are better deals when buying laptops and computers that have printers with them these days.

Does HP have drivers for Windows 11?

Recently, HP has released drivers for the compatible HP printers for the Windows 11 system.

They also have a dedicated Smart app to guide users on how to connect and print various documents using the HP printer on their Windows system.

There is also a diagnostic tool called HP Print and Scan Doctor for Windows. This tool is designed such that users just need to run the tool on their system. It starts diagnosing any errors and has got problem-solving features.

Will a Windows 10 printer driver work on Windows 11?

Yes, the HP printer driver, meant for the Windows 10 system, undoubtedly works on the Windows 11 system as well. Earlier, before the driver for Windows 11 was released, users had to download and install the Windows 10 printer driver.

A few users also got an issue where the printer seems offline while trying to print any documents.

This article guides you if you are looking forward to downloading and installing the HP printer driver on the Windows 11 system.

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How do I download HP printer drivers?

Visit the HP Customer Support – Software and Driver Downloads page on your web browser on the system.
After the downloads page gets loaded, Enter your product name (printer name) in the textbox as shown below.
Next, click Submit or the dropdown of the search results for your product name.
It displays all the software and drivers for your printer.
This detects your operating system and displays it. If you want to change it, you should click Choose a different OS.
A pop-up window opens and you need to select Windows from the Operating System option and then select Windows 11 from the Version dropdown.
After selecting Windows 11, click Change.
It then lists all the drivers and software for your printer for Windows 11 operating system.
Now click on Installation Software and Full/Basic Driver option for expanding it.
You should now click Download of HP Easy Start Printer Setup Software – Offline Use Only which has a size of 195 MB.
This starts downloading the printer driver’s complete executable package on your system.

If you’re also setting up HP accessories like docking stations, you may need additional drivers. For instance, you can follow this HP USB-C Dock 5G drivers guide to get the correct package for your HP dock.

How do I install the HP printer driver on Windows 11?

Open the Downloads folder on your system where the downloaded HP printer’s driver package is present.
Once you open the folder, right-click on the printer driver package and select WinRAR > Extract to HPEasyStart (you need to have WinRAR installed on your system to apply this step; if not, please install it).
This will extract the entire package to a folder inside the Downloads folder.
Now open the Settings app by pressing together the Windows and I keys.
Select Bluetooth & devices option on the left menu and click Printers & scanners option on the right-hand side.
Then click Add device to add a new printer or scanner.
Select Add a new device manually for adding the printer device which is not listed.
In the Add Printer wizard, select Add a local printer or network printer with manual settings radio button and click Next to proceed.
Click Have Disk option to browse the downloaded driver package.
Select the HP driver inf file from the extracted folder by clicking on Browse.
After selecting the file, click OK.
Choose the printer from the listed ones and click Next.
Give an appropriate name for the printer and proceed by clicking Next.
Now if you do not want to share this printer with others on a network, select the Do not share this printer radio button and click Next. Otherwise, you need to select the second option and provide all the necessary details of the location, etc.
Finally, it will display You’ve successfully added the printer message on the wizard.
You can now directly test the printer by clicking the Print a test page and following the onscreen instructions.
Close the wizard by clicking Finish.
This will add the printer to your system and you can start printing documents or files using this HP printer on your Windows 11 system.

Why does my computer say printer driver unavailable?

When any user finds an error message while trying to print any file or document, which says Printer driver unavailable, this means the printer driver may be corrupted. An outdated printer driver could also be the reason behind this error message.

Does HP have a driver update tool?

Yes, HP has a tool called the HP Support Assistant which works on both Windows 11 and Windows 10. Users have to install the latest version of the HP Support Assistant on their system and run it. This tool has great features, which update the system if it is HP, drivers, software, etc.

You can also check these printers that are compatible with the Windows 11 system, which includes the HP printers also.

2 Easy Ways to Disable Windows 11 Window Border Color

Posted on August 23, 2022October 4, 2023 by Vlad Turiceanu

To make it feel a lot more welcoming and homier, you can personalize the look and feel of your Windows OS as much as you possibly want.

And, of course, there are dozens of ways of going about and changing certain things that you feel would deserve some further tweaking.

As an example, you can enable or disable Show accent color on title bars and windows, an option that lets you show or hide the window border.

On the off chance that you find this setting less useful, you can turn off the window border color on your Windows 11 powered gadget. If you were asking how you can do that, we got you covered.

How to turn off window borders color in Windows 11?

The operating system’s latest version ships with an accent color feature that renders colors to window borders.

If you have been a Windows user for some time now, you already know that the OS is pretty permissive in terms of customization, so there are a lot of ways you use that to your advantage.

However, today we are going to focus on enabling/disabling accent colors and the window border color.

1. Turn off accent color for Start and taskbar

Right-click on your desktop and select Personalize from the menu.
Click on the Colors button.
Untick the option called Show accent colors on Start and taskbar.

This is just in case you don’t want your selected accent color also to be applied to your taskbar and Start menu but would want to keep them neat and transparent.

You can go back and turn this option back on whenever you want, using the same process, as this is not a permanent modification.

2. Disable accent color on window borders

1. Right-click on your desktop.
2. Select Personalize from the menu that opened.
3. Navigate to the Colors section.
4. Here you can see the Show accent color on title bars and windows borders setting.
5. Toggle it off by clicking on the the button next to it.
6. This action will disable the window border color in Windows 11 completely. However, just as we mentioned above, you can go right back in at any time and enable it.

You can easily turn off the window color on your device by tweaking Personalization settings. From the Personalization menu, you can toggle the color and and off in a simple click.

Should I leave these window border settings on or off?

There is no official guide or any documentation that states the need to have such options turned on at all times. These are simply cosmetic settings that will not impact the overall performance of your device.

So, feel free to make however many visual modifications you want to your operating system. Keep in mind that all such changes can be reversed with a few simple clicks, so go ahead and customize every aspect of the OS to your liking.

Remember that if you ever find yourself in a situation that you haven’t faced before, tech-wise or you simply need some assistance with your laptop PC, or tablet, you are in the right place.

Do you keep accent colors or disable them? Share your preferences with us in the comments section below.

PC Not Recognizing SD Card? 5 Easy Ways to Fix it

Posted on August 23, 2022September 25, 2025 by Ola-Hassan Bolaji

SD cards are mini storage devices used to hold valuable files. They are mostly used in portable devices and can be accessed on PCs.

However, some people are starting to complain that their laptops are not detecting SD cards. This issue is not just limited to old PCs but also some of the best Windows 11 laptops.

Fortunately, it is an issue that is easy to fix, as we will show in this guide.

Why is my laptop not recognizing my SD card?

There are many factors that could cause your laptop not to read or recognize your SD card. It can be due to connectivity issues, problems with the SD card, or the reader.

Below are some of the popular causes:

Outdated drivers
Dirty or dusty SD card or reader
Faulty port
Corrupted SD card

How do I get my laptop to read my SD card?

1. Clean SD card and reader

If your card reader, also known as the adapter or the SD card, is dirty, your laptop might have problems detecting it. So, before moving to complicated fixes, check if they are dirty.

In case you find dirt there, you need to clean the reader and the SD card with a soft material like cotton wool. You only need to dip the material in water and clean it gently.

Ensure you do not scratch the metallic part of either the adapter or SD card while cleaning. This is because any dent on either of them can make it stop working altogether.

2. Use another port

Sometimes you might be trying to access your SD card from another device via a USB port on your laptop, and it might not be detecting it. In this case, you need to try another port.

This is because one of your laptop ports might be weak or faulty. With this, it won’t recognize your SD card.

3. Update drivers

3.1. Update drivers manually

Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
Double-click the Disk drives option to expand it.
Right-click on your SD card reader and select the Update driver option.
Choose the Search automatically for drivers option.
Wait for the search to complete and install any available update.

If your HP, Dell, or any other laptop is not detecting or reading your SD card, it might be because of an outdated driver. Updating the driver should restore normalcy in no time.

3.2. Update driver automatically

Instead of going through the stress of updating your drivers manually with the steps above, you can do it automatically with dedicated software. And there is currently no better driver updater than Outbyte Driver Updater.

Outbyte Driver Updater is a top-notch tool that takes care of everything driver on your PC. It automatically scans for outdated, missing, and broken drivers.

It recommends original drivers from trusted manufacturers worldwide to keep your PC in top shape. All you have to do is to allow the installation, and Outbyte Driver Updater will take care of the rest.

This tool might just be everything you need to fix the laptop not recognizing or detecting SD card and other driver-related issues on Windows 10/11.

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4. Repair with CHKDSK

Press the Windows key + X and select the Windows PowerShell (Admin) option.
Copy and paste the command below and hit Enter. chkdsk Y: /R
Wait for the process to finish and check if the SD card is now working.

Sometimes your Windows 10/11 laptop might not be detecting your SD card because of some bad sectors. This command above helps to scan the card completely and repairs any bad sector where possible.

Not that the letter Y in the command is the letter assigned to your SD card. So, you should replace it.

5. Test card and reader on another PC

To know which of the components is causing the problem, try to use the SD card on another PC. You can try different permutations, like using the SD card with another adapter on the new laptop.

You might have to replace the SD card if it fails to work. This is because the SD card might be broken and cannot be detected by a laptop to fix it.

The SD card not showing up or working on Windows 10/11 laptop issue stops you from accessing and transferring files. It can also lead to losing valuable files if care is not taken.

But with the fixes in this guide, the issue should be a thing of the past.

Feel free to let us know if you were able to make your laptop detect the card in the comments below.

How to View Reliability History and use it to Fix Issues

Posted on August 23, 2022October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

Computer issues will occur sooner or later on your PC. Unfortunately, fixing those problems isn’t always a simple task, but there’s one Windows tool that can help you. If you want to check your reliability history on Windows 10, today we will show you how to use Reliability Monitor.

Let us get straight to it.

What is Reliability History?

Reliability History is a built-in feature in Windows operating systems that provides a detailed report of the system’s stability and performance over time.

This utility tracks and logs all system events, including errors, warnings, application crashes, and other issues affecting the system’s stability. It can be accessed by searching for Reliability History in the Start menu or Control Panel.

The report is presented as a graph that shows the stability index of the system over a selected period, along with details of any events that have occurred during that time. The stability index is a score ranging from 1 to 10 that reflects the system’s overall stability.

A score of 10 indicates that the system has been running without any issues, while a score of 1 indicates that the system has experienced frequent crashes and other issues.

Additionally, using this utility, users can quickly identify and troubleshoot issues that may be affecting the performance and stability of their Windows system. It also provides valuable information for system administrators to maintain and monitor the health of their networked computers.

How can I use Reliability History on Windows 10?

1. Opening Reliability History

1.1 Open Reliability History from Windows Search

Press Windows Key + S and enter reliability.
Select View reliability history from the menu.

1.2 Open Reliability History from the Run Dialog

Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog.
When the Run dialog opens, enter perfmon /rel, press Enter, or click OK.

1.3 Open Reliability History via Control Panel

Lastly, you can start the Reliability Monitor simply by navigating to the Control Panel. The Security and Maintenance menu allows users to view the reliability history in a few clicks.

1. Press Windows Key + X to open the Win + X menu.
2. Choose Control Panel from the list of options.
3. When Control Panel opens, navigate to the System and Security section.
5. When the Security and Maintenance window opens, expand the Maintenance section.
6. Now click on View reliability history.
7. The report will now generate. This can take a while.
8. Reliability Monitor also offers detailed information for each day. Simply select a specific day on the chart and you’ll see a detailed report at the bottom.
9. You can also view technical details about errors on your device. You can see which application caused a warning or a critical event to appear. In addition, you can also see the type of critical event or warning.

Lastly, you’ll see the exact time and date when a specific issue occurred, which makes it easier for you to troubleshoot a problem.

2. Track stability and performance

Open the utility using any of the methods described above.
The utility will show a graph of the system’s stability index over time. The stability index ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 being the most stable.
You can click on any point on the graph to see details about the events that occurred at that time, including warnings, errors, and other issues.
You can also filter the view by date range or by selecting a specific event type to display in the graph.
Lastly, clicking on an individual event will show more detailed information, including a description of the problem, any related files or applications, and suggested actions to resolve the issue.

How do I clear my Reliability History?

Use any of the three approaches discussed above to open Reliability History.
Scroll to the bottom and click View all problem reports.
Click Clear all problem reports at the bottom right.
Finally, click Yes to confirm your choice and wait for the process to complete.

Many advanced users are probably familiar with the Event Viewer. This powerful tool can detect every event, warning, or error. The device uses the information from the Event Viewer but displays it in a user-friendly manner.

Lastly, if you’re having any issues with your PC, we advise you to check your Reliability History using this tool.

3 Ways to Fix Keyframes if not Working in Firefox

Posted on August 23, 2022October 4, 2023 by Megan Moore

Users experimenting with the keyframes property in Firefox have reported that their code doesn’t yield animation results but works in Chrome. Keep reading to find the solution to this problem.

Keyframe animations are popular among web developers and designers because of their versatility. The keyframes rule in CSS controls a CSS animation sequence using changing styles. Check out our recommendations for the best browsers that support keyframes and CSS animations.

How does keyframe animation work in CSS?

Keyframes add an animation element using CSS styles. The animation is configured by timing each keyframe in a sequence using percentages. A keyframe indicates the point in time where a position, opacity, or audio is used.

How keyframe animations work in Firefox.

To create a change in the animation, at least two keyframes need to be specified to create motion. One keyframe should be placed for the value at the beginning of the change and one at the end.

How do I fix keyframes if they are not working in Firefox?

1. Double-check the code

This may seem like an obvious solution, but sometimes an issue can arise from a mistake as simple as an extra space somewhere in the code. Carefully look over the code to ensure there are no misspellings, missing or added values, extra spaces, etc.

Double check your code for mistakes if keyframes not working firefox.

2. Set animation duration

If there is no animation-duration specified, then the keyframes element will not play the animation. To set a duration, add an animation-duration rule with a set value of seconds in the same section as animation-name.

Set the animation-duration if keyframes not working in firefox.

If you want a continuous loop of the CSS animation, use the animation-iteration-count rule. Either specify the number of times you want the animation to cycle or use an infinite value.

3. Remove vendor prefixes

Vendor prefixes make it so a browser supports new CSS features before they are fully stable across all browsers. Because Cascading keyframes are now supported on Firefox since version 14, there is no need to have the -moz- prefix.

Hopefully, one of the above solutions helped fix the issue of keyframes not working in Firefox. Let us know in the comments which solution worked for you or if you have a suggestion for another solution.

How to Fix Msvcr110.dll is Missing on Windows 10

Posted on August 23, 2022October 10, 2025 by Madalina Dinita

While the most attractive solution may be to download the DLL file simply, you need to be careful where you download it.

Also, this might not necessarily resolve the msvcr110.dll not found in Windows 10 issue. But our fixes below will make do.

What is msvcr110 dll in your computer?

MSVCR110.dll is a Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable DLL, as suggested by its name. This DLL file is needed to run any app built using Visual Studio 2011/2012.

If this file is missing, Windows will return this error: The Program can’t start because MSVCR110.dll is missing from your computer. Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem.

Where is msvcr110.dll located?

Don’t worry; you don’t need to stage a treasure hunt or check a detailed map in order actually to find this on your system.

The msvcr110.dll file is usually located in the C:\Windows\System32 folder and represents a necessary file for the Visual C++ on your PC.

How to fix msvcr110.dll missing error windows 10?

Run a third-party DLL fixer
Reinstall Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2012
Download and install msvcr110.dll
Restore msvcr110.dll from the Recycle Bin.
Reinstall the program that’s producing the msvcr110.dll error
Run a virus/malware scan of your entire system
Use System Restore to undo recent system changes

1. Run a third-party DLL fixer

Plenty of third-party programs out there that promise to fix or replace missing or broken DLLs.

While most stay true to their word, some are better equipped than others to help you fix the msvcr110.dll not found in Windows 10 issue.

2. Reinstall Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2012

Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features.
Select Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio and click Uninstall on the top of the window.
Now go to this link and download the latest version of Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio.
Once the download is complete open the setup file and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

This will almost certainly resolve the error. In addition, the fresh installation will replace/restore the latest copy of msvcr110.dll. If this doesn’t solve your problem, move on to the next solution.

If you encounter this issue while launching Ghost Recon Wildlands, you can follow our dedicated guide on how to fix the Ghost Recon Wildlands MSVCR110.dll missing error with steps specific to that game.

3. Download and install msvcr110.dll

Download and install msvcr110.dll by opening this link.
Then scroll down to the list of versions, and download the one specific to your operating system.
Once the download is complete, extract the file by right-clicking on msvcr110.dll and clicking copy.
Now navigate to the System32 folder of your computer (Local Disk>Windows>System32) and paste the file there.
Now navigate to the SysWOW64 folder (Local Disk>Windows>SysWOW64) and paste msvcr110.dll.
Now try running the program.

Hopefully, this will have resolved the issue. If not, proceed with the following solution.

4. Restore msvcr110.dll from the Recycle Bin

The most common reason behind the msvcr DLL missing in Windows 10 error is when the user accidentally deletes the file.

Unless you have emptied the recycle bin recently, there’s a good chance the file is still saved there.

Simply open the Recycle Bin and locate the msvcr110.dll file. Right-click on it and click Restore. This should resolve your issue.

5. Reinstall the program that’s producing the msvcr110.dll error

If the msvcr110.dll error shows up every time you use a particular program, try reinstalling that program.

Go to Control Panel > Programs and Features. Select the program and click uninstall. Follow on-screen instructions to complete the process.

6. Run a virus/malware scan of your entire system

Go to Start, type defender, and double-click Windows Defender to launch the tool.
In the left-hand pane, select the shield icon.
In the new window, click the Advanced scan option.
Check the Full scan option to launch a full system malware scan.

Of course, you can also use (and we do recommend this option) an anti-virus software of your choosing. Hopefully, this will identify the culprit and fix your problem.

There are many great security tools available, but the best are TotalAV, Bitdefender, and Panda Antivirus, so feel free to try any of them.

So, just to be sure that there isn’t any malware on your system that is causing the msvcr110.dll error, run a quick scan of your system. Malware is often responsible for deleting DLL files.

7. Use System Restore to undo recent system changes

Click on Start and type System Restore on the search box.
Select System Restore from the search results.
On the newly opened window, follow the on-screen instructions.

The system restores process will now start. Once the process is complete, restart your computer. This will most likely fix this error.

So, if all else fails, try using system restore to restore your computer to a state from an earlier date. A recent update or a system change could be a reason behind the missing msvcr110.dll file.

There you go! This is all you need to know in case msvcr110.dll missing on Windows 10 and, of course, how to install msvcr110.dll in Windows 10.

When you find yourself in a situation where you get The code execution cannot proceed because msvcr110.dll was not found error, please refer to the guide above.

Have you managed to solve the issue using this article? Let us know in the comments section below.

How to Hide Google Meet Buttons from Gmail

Posted on August 23, 2022October 23, 2023 by Claudiu Andone

Not long ago, in response to the Zoom surprise due to the infamous pandemic, Google decided to implement Google Meet inside Gmail.

That made it free for everyone and capable of managing up to 100 people with no time limits in a meeting.

That was a nice move but some users either complained about losing the precious estate from the left pane or that they just don’t want to use Google Meet.

Because of the negative feedback from the users, Google decided to offer a way of hiding the Google Meet buttons from Gmail.

Whatever your reasons for removing the Google Meet buttons, read our article to find out what exactly to do to get rid of them.

How can I hide the Google Meet buttons from Gmail?

You can easily hide the Google Meets buttons via Gmail’s built-in Settings. From there, you can configure whether you want these buttons to be visible or not on the main menu.

1. Open your browser.
2. Go to Gmail.
3. Click on the Settings button (the cogwheel) from the top right corner of your Gmail window.
4. Choose the Settings option from the drop-down menu that opened.
5. In the Settings window, click on the Chat and Meet tab.
6. Tick the Hide the Meet section in the main menu checkbox.
7. Click on the Save changes button below.
8. The Gmail window will refresh and Google Meet buttons will be a thing of the past.

Of course, you can reverse this following the same steps if you change your mind and start embracing Google Meet.

How can I disable the Google Meet buttons if I’m an admin?

If you’re an admin and you want to disable the Meet options, all you need to do is to turn off the video calling from the Admin console.

In fact, if you turned it off previously, the users from the network won’t even see the buttons in the first place.

If you’re interested in how to change your display name in Google Meet, this guide will offer the necessary information.

Do you use Google Meet? Will you hide the Google Meet buttons from Gmail? Leave us your thoughts in a comment below.

How Do I Enable Location Permissions in My Browser? Step-by-Step Guide

Posted on August 23, 2022July 14, 2025 by Henderson Jayden Harper

Today, we’ll show you how to enable location permissions in your browser. This will help you get correct local information such as weather, maps, and local news.

This guide shows you exactly how to turn location access on or off in Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and more, so you stay in control of what your browser shares.

How do I change my browser location settings?

How do I change my browser location settings?
Why do websites want to know my location?

1. Google Chrome

Launch the Chrome browser on your computer.
On the right-hand corner of the screen, click on the three dots to prompt the Menu tab.
Scroll down and select Settings.
Click on Privacy and security, then select Site Settings.
On the new tab, select location.
Choose the option you want as your default setting.
Restart your browser for the changes to sync.

After this process, browser geolocation permission would be disabled on your Google Chrome. Hence, it will not tie your activities to your location anymore.

2. Opera One

Launch the Opera One browser on your computer.
Click on the Menu button.
Select Settings from the drop-down and click on Privacy and Security.
Click Site setting and choose location.
Here, you can change your browser location settings whenever you like.

However, we recommend you close and relaunch your browser for the changes to sync correctly.

3. Mozilla Firefox

Launch the Mozilla Firefox browser on your computer.
On the right-hand corner of the screen, click on the Menu button, and choose Options.
Select Privacy and security on the left side of the screen.
Go to Permissions, then click on Settings right in front of the location.

While in the location permission settings tab, you can change your browser geolocation access in your browser settings.

4. Microsoft Edge

Launch the Microsoft Edge browser on your device and select Menu.
Click on the Settings button.
Select cookies and site permission from the drop-down.
Click on Location.

Users can on and off location access and manage it for specific websites in the browser location permission settings.

How do I stop my browser from knowing my location?

Disable location access for your browser on Windows

Press the Windows + I key simultaneously to prompt Settings.
Go to the bottom of the screen and click on Privacy.
Click on the location, scroll down and toggle off the switch for the Allow apps to access your location option. (It will disable location access for all apps)

However, to disable geolocation access for a specific app, do these:

In location, toggle on the Allow apps to access your location option.
Scroll down to Choose which apps can access your precise location and turn off the switch for your browser.

Why do websites want to know my location?

Websites use your location to show local content, services, and ads, like nearby restaurants on maps or in-stock items on shopping sites. It can improve your experience, but it also raises privacy concerns. Some sites may misuse that data, so it’s smart to keep location access off by default and only allow it when it’s actually needed.

These are the best ways to disable browser location permission on your device. Although you can disable browser location with Javascript, it requires understanding some codes. Hence, we have provided more straightforward approaches to it.

Nonetheless, turning on your browser location services can result in security breaches. Hence, users must know how to protect their browsers from online thefts. We recommend you read our article about the methods to protect yourself from browser information leaks.

Furthermore, VPNs are suitable for online protection. They protect you from being detected online while going about your online activities by connecting you to the internet through encrypted servers. So, it may be beneficial to know the best VPNs for laptops with enhanced security and speed.

In case Google thinks you’re in a different country, enabling these settings can help, so don’t hesitate to use them.

Kindly leave your feedback and suggestions in the comments section below. We’d like to hear from you.

Windows 11 Folder Thumbnails Not Showing: How to Fix This

Posted on August 23, 2022January 5, 2024 by Loredana Harsana

Thumbnails are great, and it seems like some PS owners are most likely to use them over icons. They refer to the displayed content of the folder.

You should be able to view pictures, videos, documents, and even code files depending on what the folder contains.

However, users reported that Windows 11 folder thumbnails aren’t showing in File Explorer.

From what they describe, folders are not previewing thumbnails of inside content. So, they have to open each folder to see what’s there.

Why can’t I view Windows 11 folder thumbnails?

Microsoft has improved Windows 11 File Explorer. Although it is better and easy to use, the thumbnail function has been quietly removed.

Producers didn’t announce this change but keep in mind that you can easily get the default aspect through the Windows 11 beta version.

After canceling this function users discovered that this feature is very useful. And why is that? Because the folder file type can be recognizable by the thumbnail.

But now it has been deleted, so subsequent versions will no longer see folder thumbnails, which may cause inconvenience to some consumers.

Let’s see some efficient options that will help you to view Windows 11 folder thumbnails.

What can I do if Windows 11 folder thumbnails aren’t showing?

1. Roll-back to the previous OS

Click on the Windows icon, then open the Settings menu.
Go to System, then select Recovery.
Look at the Previous versions of Windows section, then click on the Go back button.
You’ll be asked Why are you going back to the previous Windows version. Choose an answer, then click on the Next button.
Choose whether or not you want to update your Windows before performing the rollback.
Read the implications of the rollback, then click on Next.
Microsoft will remind you to not forget your password or PIN. After saving them somewhere safe, click on Next.
Now select the Go back to earlier build option to start the roll back process.

For more useful information, check out this guide on how to roll back from Windows 11 to Windows 10.

2. Switch to Windows 11 Beta

Open Settings.
Go to Windows Update, then select Windows Insider Program.
Look at the Choose your Insider settings section, then click on it.
Checkmark the Beta Channel option.
Restart your PC.

As mentioned before, even if Microsoft canceled folder thumbnails in Windows 11, the beta version will help you get the desired File Explorer aspect.

If you’re not happy with the idea of Beta Windows versions, you can easily downgrade Windows 11 to Windows 10 and get back the design that shows folder thumbnails.

3. Restore File Explorer settings to default

1. Press the Windows key on your keyboard to open the search box.
2. Type explorer options in the search box and click on the result.
3. The File Explorer Options window will now be opened on your screen.
4. Navigate to the View tab.
5. From this tab, click on Restore Defaults.
6. Select Apply and OK to save the changes.
7. Check if the folder thumbnails are showing now.

Another solution to make folder thumbnails show is to reset File Explorer to its default Settings. It could be that some Settings changes were preventing thumbnails from showing.

Do I really need folder thumbnails in Windows 11?

Even if they create a much more recognizable environment, Windows 11 folder thumbnails are not necessary. In fact, having them disabled could be a benefit due to some specific aspects:

➡ Windows will feel much faster

Keep in mind that every time you open a folder, your OS will use resources to load all the thumbnails.

This isn’t a huge deal for folders with few documents, but opening one with 500 pictures could take several seconds to load them all.

To improve performance, check out some additional methods to make Windows 11 faster and more responsive.

➡ Free up storage space

Storing thumbnails might take up a lot of space on your computer, especially since Windows 11 doesn’t support old devices.

However, you can save some storage by removing those with paltry amounts of disk space.

➡ Keep your data secured

Last but not least, without folder thumbnails, your privacy will be more secure. For example, someone can gain access to sensitive information by simply walking behind your desk. In these terms, your private data could be compromised.

However, when it comes to restoring Google thumbnails, you should because they make your work easier in quickly accessing your most frequented sites.

It’s worth keeping in mind that Windows 11 isn’t at its final version, so what it gives you today may be finished later this year.

Note that you can also contribute to the future OS aspect by using the Feedback Hub app and giving your suggestions.

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

Windows Mixed Reality on Chrome: Everything You Need to Know

Posted on August 23, 2022October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

Windows Mixed Reality support is available for the most popular browser in the world — Google Chrome. It looks like the company is enhancing the capabilities of its browser on the Windows 10 operating system.

Windows Mixed Reality has been highly popular amongst users who prefer amplifying the virtual experience or seamlessly integrating it with the real world.

So, let’s find out all about Windows Mixed Reality and how you can enable it in Google Chrome.

Does Windows 10 have Mixed Reality portal?

Yes, Windows 10 does have a Mixed Reality Portal. Although the app has not been there since the start but was introduced in the Windows 10 Fall Creators update.

So, if you want to use Windows Mixed Reality on the desktop, make sure that you are running a later version of the OS.

Is Windows Mixed Reality good?

Windows Mixed Reality is good but certainly not the best. Though having a built-in app developed by Microsoft is certainly not a bad idea either.

Mixed Reality combines the real and virtual world and offers users an instinctual interaction. You can easily get the Windows Mixed Reality portal for Windows 10, and try it out. In case it doesn’t suit your purpose, you may check the other available options.

How do I open Chrome in Windows Mixed Reality?

Paste the following path in the address bar and hit Enter:chrome://settings/content
Locate and click on Augmented reality here.
Now, select the Ask when a site wants to create a 3D map of your surroundings or track camera position option.
Similarly, enable the Virtual reality setting as well in Chrome.

When the Chrome WMR feature was first released, it was available as a flag in Chrome Canary. Over time, it became more polished and soon found its way into the browser settings.

Does Windows 11 support Windows Mixed Reality?

Yes, Windows 11 comes with the Windows Mixed Reality app preinstalled, so you don’t have to get it manually. Just search for it, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup, and you are good to go!

Also, make sure the headset you are trying to connect supports the feature and do not plug it near the Bluetooth or other adapters to avoid interference and get the best experience.

That’s all there is to Windows Mixed Reality in Chrome and the steps to enable it. Also, many use Windows Mixed Reality for Beat Saber to amplify the experience, so you may just as well try it.

Besides, find out what to do if high CPU usage in Chrome is affecting the computer’s performance.

Tell us your experience of Chrome VR in the comments section below.

Live Wallpapers for Windows 11: Setup Walkthrough & Free Downloads

Posted on August 23, 2022October 21, 2025 by Alexandru Poloboc

Are you bored with your regular background image and would like to switch it up a bit? Aesthetic live wallpapers for Windows 11 should do it for you.

The thing is, Windows 11 doesn’t natively support live wallpapers, but going around that is easy. Follow the steps below to quickly set them up.

How can I set an animated wallpaper in Windows 11?
How to download free wallpapers for Windows 11
- FAQs

How can I set an animated wallpaper in Windows 11?

1. Use Lively Wallpaper
1. Download Lively Wallpaper, either from the official page or the Microsoft Store.
2. Install Lively Wallpaper on your device.
3. Open the app.
4. Go to Library.
5. Select one of the pre-existing choices for a live wallpaper.
6. Click on the three-dotted button to open the menu.
7. Multiple options will appear. Select Set as Wallpaper.
8. The live wallpaper you selected is now on your desktop.

These steps are basically what you have to do in order to have a live, animated wallpaper, even if you are using Windows 11.

NOTE

Want to spice up a computer running Windows 10 as well? Check our guide for downloading and installing live wallpapers on Win 10 PCs.

How to download free wallpapers for Windows 11

We know that it’s hard to please everyone, so if you are not at all happy with the current selection provided by developers, you can add more wallpapers with just a few clicks. Here’s how:

In the Lively Wallpaper app, press the plus button.
If the file you are trying to add is already in your PC, click on the Browse button.
If you want to make a live wallpaper out of your favorite Youtube video, copy the video’s URL and paste it here.
Clicking on the More wallpapers button will send you to the Lively Walppaper subreddit.

You can also tweak certain aspects of your new live wallpaper, such as saturation, hue, brightness, contrast, gamma, or speed. How can you do that you ask?

Well, easier than one might think. In the Lively Wallpaper app, just right-click on any wallpaper and select Customize.

After doing so, a dropdown menu with all the above-mentioned options will appear and you will be able to make the desired modifications.

Using two displays and want perfect spans or separate images per screen on Windows 10? Follow this guide: How to set a dual monitor wallpaper in Windows 10.

There you go! Now you are all set to set up your first Windows 11 live wallpaper. This is great news for many early adopters, as they weren’t sure if this software will also be compatible with the new OS.

FAQs

What is lively animated wallpaper?

Lively animated wallpaper refers to motion backgrounds on Windows that play videos, GIFs, or interactive WebGL scenes on your desktop while staying behind apps and icons.

Does lively animated wallpaper affect performance?

Yes, a little; expect a small CPU/GPU load that scales with resolution and frame rate. Use pause on battery, lower playback FPS, or stop on full screen to keep gaming and battery smooth.

How do I set lively animated wallpaper on Windows 11?

Install a trusted wallpaper app, open it, pick a video/GIF/HTML scene, then click Set as Wallpaper; enable startup and pause rules, and choose “Stop playback when a game is detected” if available.

Which formats work best for lively animated wallpaper?

MP4 (H.264/H.265) is the most compatible, followed by WebM and GIF for short loops; HTML/WebGL scenes are lightweight and interactive, while high bitrate 4K clips need stronger GPUs.

If you’re on an older Windows version, we have a great guide on how to set up a dynamic wallpaper on Windows 10, so don’t miss it.

To learn more about wallpapers, don’t miss our great guide on wallpaper compression in Windows 11.

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

Discord Audio is Cutting Out: Why & How to Fix it Quickly

Posted on August 23, 2022September 24, 2025 by Vladimir Popescu

Discord is a very useful app if you are a fan of online gaming, and can help you communicate with your teammates during gameplay and outside of it.

This app helps users develop strategies for different games, organize buying gaming gear, and also coordinate online item purchasing for increased efficiency of the team.

In this case, the Discord app is plagued with an audio issue that results in cutting the stream randomly. This creates a lot of frustration and here is what one user had to say about this issue:

When I’m on a private call or either a public voice channel on Discord and go in-game on Overwatch, my and the other people’s voices all start cutting out and we hear maybe 5% of what we’re actually saying. Has anyone got any suggestions on what might be causing this, and then have possible fixes?
Blizzard forums

To try and solve this annoying issue, we’ve compiled some of the best troubleshooting steps. Check the details out by scrolling down.

Why does Discord audio keep cutting out?

Before discovering the most efficient solutions to fix this annoying issue, it’s great to know some common causes for Discord audio cutting out:

Inefficient Discord settings — There are several configurations that have a direct bearing on the audio stuttering at certain points. We strongly suggest that you attempt alternating these characteristics, and in this section, you will learn how simple it is to carry out this recommendation.
Windows 10/11 settings — Your operating system provides you with access to a wide variety of functionality and configuration options. If the audio in Discord keeps going out, you may need to adjust certain settings on Windows 10 or 11.
Faulty Drivers — This is one of the most often encountered issues. The audio cutting out in Discord might be the result of a number of different issues, including missing, corrupted, or obsolete drivers.
Internet connection issues — This indicates that your connection to the Internet is not very good. There is a possibility that you will encounter audio loss as a result of your Internet continuously fighting to maintain its connection to the voice channel.
Peripherals — There is a possibility, albeit a remote one, that the perpetrators are the peripherals that you utilize. Cutouts in the audio are almost certainly going to occur in the event that, for instance, your headset sustains damage or the microphone fails.

This guide will dive deeper into the issue and it will help you fix the Discord audio cutting out while playing games error and more in Windows 10 and 11.

How do I fix the audio glitch on Discord?

1. Check the Discord servers

Sometimes, issues like the Discord audio cutting out when in a game can be caused by a problem related to the main servers. We strongly recommend you constantly verify the Discord Status.

In case everything looks good and the result of the Status is All System Operational, then try the next method presented in this list.

2. Restart Discord

Right-click on your Windows taskbar, then choose Task Manager.
Click the Processes tab and search for Discord in the Background processes list.
Click on the app, then choose End Task.
Navigate to the location of Discord on your hard drive and open it again.

This option would help in case you encountered some random bugs. If Discord audio is cutting out when streaming, follow the above solution in order to fix it.

3. Update your Windows 10 audio drivers

When you’re facing Discord audio cutting-out issues, the proper action you should perform is to check and update your audio drivers. Follow the steps below for technical support.

1. Use the following keyboard shortcut: Windows + X then select D
2. Expand the Sound, video and game controllers section.
3. Right-click on the system audio driver (usually High Definition Audio device), then click Update driver. Note that this will address the Discord cuts out after a League game issue as well.
4. Choose to Search automatically for drivers and wait for the process to finish.
5. If you can’t find any drivers to update, try the next methods.

Check the Sound, video, and game controllers section for any exclamation marks. If you can find any, follow the same steps from this method and update them all.

In addition, updating your drivers manually increases the chances to get incompatible or corrupted drivers on your Windows PC.

If you want to stop this, you can simply use automated software like Outbyte Driver Updater that allows you to install or update audio drivers without getting additional driver versions that generate errors.

Outbyte Driver Updater

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4. Modify region settings in Discord

Open Discord by right-clicking it, then click Run as administrator.
Click the down arrow found in Discord.
Select Server Settings.
Inside the Server Region tab click on Change.
Try different options until you can find one that works properly.

Discord automatically selects the server region through which you communicate with your friends. However, choosing a different option might improve the quality of voice chats, especially if you’re chatting with people in other regions.

If your teammates experience the same issue, it would also be recommended that you all try the same Server Region for optimal results.

In case Discord keeps cutting out, we have one more solution that will help.

5. Re-install the Discord app

5.1 Uninstall

Use the following keyboard shortcut: Windows + X, then select Apps and Features.
In the app list from the right window pane, search for Discord.
Click on it, then select Uninstall.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the uninstallation process.

5.2 Re-install

Download the latest version of the Discord app.
Run the installer and complete the setup process by following the instructions.
Log into your account again and check to see if the issue is resolved.

The audio problem inside Discord can be caused by a variety of reasons. Because of this, in today’s guide, we covered all the possible options.

Checking if your audio drivers need updating, making sure the official servers are working properly and reinstalling the app are some of the solutions mentioned above.

Why is Discord cutting out for one person?

Issues with Discord audio are relatively common and many reported that they can’t hear anyone on Discord. This isn’t the only issue, and many reported that Discord isn’t playing any sounds in browser.

It indicates that there might be a server problem, or that your audio device isn’t properly configured. You can also try different input methods, but many reported that Discord Push to Talk isn’t working for them.

What are the most common Discord audio problems?

Besides our today’s presented error, many others might appear while you’re running the app. Because it’s important to be prepared for any situation, make sure you check the following info:

Discord picking up game audio issues – This one can also occur due to incorrect sound settings and corrupted sound drivers. If you encounter this error, do not hesitate to check some valuable solutions.
Discord screen share no audio/audio quiet – As its title says, this problem generates troubles with the audio component while you’re running the screen sharing function. We also composed a guide dedicated to this trouble.
Discord static noise when streaming – The last example can occur due to incorrect output configuration, Windows sound problem, issues with your headset, Discord app glitch, and more. To discover how you can fix it, make sure you verify our recommended solutions.

We hope that the methods presented above have managed to solve your audio problem. Also, we suggest keeping in mind the above Discord audio errors, so you can solve them with ease whenever necessary.

If you would like to share with us which of these options was helpful, leave a comment in the section found below this article.

What is the best browser to use with Windows 7?

1. Opera One – Windows 7-friendly with built-in VPN and ad blocker

Opera One

2. Mozilla Firefox – Secure and regularly updated for Windows 7

3. K-Meleon Browser – Ultra-lightweight, ideal for older Windows 7 PCs

4. Pale Moon – Supports legacy add-ons and privacy on Windows 7

5. Midori – Minimal resource use and privacy-focused

6. Maxthon – Lightweight, privacy-first browser for Windows 7 users

7. Thorium – Open-source, fast, and privacy-oriented Chromium browser

8. Falkon – Lightweight with ad blocking, suited for Windows 7

Summary

How do I calibrate the battery on my Windows 10 laptop?

1. Calibrate the laptop battery manually

1.1. Modify your power settings

1.2. Connect/Disconnect/Reconnect your charger

1.3. Calibrate the battery

2. Calibrate the laptop battery using BIOS

3. Calibrate the laptop battery with a third-party tool

Does VPN affect Minecraft?

Why can’t I log into Minecraft while using a VPN?

1. Helps schools (and other organizations) block Minecraft effectively

2. Prevent IP-banned users bypass their penalties

3. To block players who aren’t supposed to play the game

4. Blocking password brute-forcing attempts

How do I bypass a VPN block in Minecraft?

Use PIA to connect to Minecraft

Private Internet Access

Minecraft servers that allow VPN

How can I open RTF files on Windows 10?

1. Open RTF documents by converting them to PDF files

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC

2. Open RTF documents With Google Drive

3. Open RTF documents Online with Google Chrome

Why should I turn off keyboard shortcuts?

How do I turn off Windows keyboard shortcuts?

1. Using PowerShell

2. Use the Command Prompt

3. Use the Group Policy Editor

4. Turn off keyboard shortcuts using Registry Editor

How do I get my Surface Pro to work with an external monitor?

1. Clear your display cache

2. Configure your extended or duplicate settings on the Surface Pro

3. Check the display adapter

Why Is My External Monitor Not Working with Surface Pro?

Can you connect a monitor via USB-C?

Wrapping up

Why is my laptop fan loud but not hot?

Is it bad if my laptop fan is loud?

How do I fix my laptop fan if it’s loud but not hot?

1. Disable all Startup running apps

2. Clean your laptop fan

3. Replace the fan

How can I clean my laptop fan without opening it?

Table of contents

How can I reset Windows 11 to its factory settings?

1. Reset your PC using the built-in tool

2. Use Command Prompt

2.1 Trigger reset

2.2 Completely reset your PC

3. Use an ISO

Can I reset my Windows 11 factory settings without installation media?

Can I reset Windows 11 without a password?

Can I reset Windows 11 to factory settings without losing data?

FAQ

What is the Paradox Launcher?

Is Paradox Launcher safe?

Why do I need Paradox Launcher?

What are the main features of Paradox Launcher?

1. Managing games

2. Browsing mods

3. Personalized experience

How do I use Paradox Launcher?

Conclusion

Table of contents

How do you download demos on Steam?

Where is the demo button on Steam?

How do I fix Steam if the download demo button is not working?

1. Restart your computer

2. Check your network connection

3. Run Steam Client as an administrator