Page 823 • Windows Report

Windows Hosting With Plesk: 5+ Best Providers

Posted on April 14, 2022October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

Windows hosting comes with a host of features and benefits such as simplicity, seamless integration, and ease of use, but most users are also looking for Windows hosting with Plesk.

Plesk is an abbreviation for Parallels Plesk Panel, and this is basically a control panel for web hosting. It is an intuitive and graphical panel from which you can manage your Windows hosting account, whether you’re a novice or a pro at it.

It also eases site management, as well as your databases, email, files, and other components, plus you can use it to automatically install most used software platforms including WordPress, Drupal, or Joomla, among many others.

Having your own control panel within the Windows hosting platform is important as it gives you the freedom to manage your website, plus saves you time and costs if someone else had to do it for you.

For Windows hosting with Plesk, you get a variety of tools and features such as support for MySQL, C#, phpMyAdmin, site builder tools, Power Pack for social media integration, smartphone monitoring, Kaspersky antivirus, and reseller tools, among others.

Plesk can only function online with a working web server, which means if something happens to your site, Plesk will stop working altogether, and you may have a hard time getting back up, thus you need a Windows hosting with Plesk provider, for such difficult times.

Finding a Windows hosting with a Plesk provider isn’t hard because there are many, but choosing the best for your website can be confusing because every one of them seems to have the same thing.

Before settling on a Windows hosting with a Plesk provider, check also the other features you want and those that must be included in the host’s Plesk panel.

We checked out most of the top web hosting names and bring you our top picks for the best Windows hosting with Plesk providers.

Providers offering Windows hosting with Plesk

Liquid Web (recommended)

This is the only Windows hosting with a Plesk provider that backs the Plesk control panel with 24/7/365 support and full management across dedicated and cloud servers.

Some of the tools you can expect on this user-friendly control panel interface include whole server protection with ServerShield by Cloudflare, protection against brute attacks with Security Core, blocking worms, Trojans, and viruses with the Premium Email antivirus, and fully integrated developer tools including Ruby, Node.js and Git.

You can choose between Web Pro if you’re running a small business or web agency, and Web Host for reseller accounts.

Other features and tools you can benefit from the Plesk panel on Liquid Web host include automated server administration, protection for up to 14 mail accounts, installation, configuration, and management of WordPress from a single interface with control over your server, site development tools, access from other devices, and Multilanguage functionality.

Liquid Web prides itself in being a platinum hosting partner with Plesk so that means they get the latest releases before any other Windows hosting with Plesk provider.

You also get the phone and live chat support, with a guarantee of at most 59 seconds to reach the support team at their data centers.

Liquid Web

Liquid Web is one of the world’s leading web hosting services providers. Try it now!

Check price Visit website

A2 Hosting

This web hosting provider isn’t just rated as the top host for its blazing-fast features and fine-tuned servers, but also for extra features such as Windows hosting with a Plesk control panel.

With A2 Hosting, you get a high-performance, Plesk hosting service with blazing fast page load speeds. Your Plesk control panel, sites, files, and databases are hosted on the SwiftServer platform, backed by a 99.9% uptime commitment from the host.

You can choose between three high-speed packages: Lite, Swift, or Turbo, each tailored to suit your needs.

A2 hosting also offers user-friendly, high performance, and reliable Windows hosting with a Plesk environment compared to most competing Plesk hosting providers.

In addition, this hosting service offers efficient domain registrations and management for your websites. It’s possible to create your web domain with various hosting options.

For example, you should best use the super-sonic hosting provided by A2 Hosting and benefit from Plesk hosting or WordPress websites without much effort.

A2 Hosting

Get unlimited data storage and free site migration at a very affordable price.

Check price Visit website

Vultr

This hosting service is perfectly created to integrate with Plesk hosting service for managing multiple servers or websites in one view.

With this reliable data center software, you can successfully deploy your hosted apps or websites using Plesk hosting. Plus, with the cloud orchestration tools, you have a complete data center to manage your websites.

Using the intuitive dashboard of Vultr, you assure functional websites and access web statistics or run security updates regularly. Besides, you manage all your websites from a single place.

It’s good to know that you benefit from the flexible license options and deploy three versions of the Plesk service. More exactly, you can deploy Web Admin SE edition, Web Pro edition, or hosting edition using Vultr license activation.

You can thus use Plesk hosting services using Pro or Host licenses for 30 days and manage your web applications without any risks.

Vultr offers qualitative servers management tools and a worldwide network to develop low latency site infrastructure and grow potential business regardless of your location.

In addition, you should create and manage web platforms with Plesk hosting to grow your websites and edit web elements or pages effortlessly.

Vultr

Develop your Plesk-hosted websites using this cloud infrastructure tool and manage multiple web platforms.

Check price Visit website

HostGator

Hostgator makes Windows hosting simple and easy for you to use. Its features include the Plesk Control Panel so you can control your hosting account easily (like you would using a WordPress back end).

It offers the Plesk control panel that is developed and maintained by Parallels but is called the PowerUser Panel in HostGator and combines the Admin Panel and Control Panel modes on the hosting platform.

While on Plesk in HostGator, you can see only accounts that are directly under Admin user or added to its web space.

Other features you can find on HostGator for Windows hosting include site-building tools, over 4000 free website templates, MSSQL Server 2008 R2, MySQL, Access Databases, FTP accounts and email addresses, administrative tools, one-click installs, and programming features including ASP and ASP.NET.

You also get a 99.9% uptime guarantee, plus free stuff with each hosting plan including a free website builder from HostGator, 4500 free templates, free website transfer, domain transfer, MySQL transfer, and script transfer, plus 38 free scripts that can be installed on your account instantly.

HostGator

Manage your hosting account simply with this complete web hosting platform for Windows

Check price Visit website

OVH

This is one of the top services and recognized Windows hosting with Plesk providers available in the market.

With OVH, you can build and maintain your websites using the simplest, most intuitive, and graphical control panels – Plesk – that comes pre-installed so you can run and scale your web applications.

You can select from the VPS Classic 1, Classic 2, or Classic 3 options, which come with unlimited Plesk accounts and reseller licenses, or the Pro 1 and/or Pro 2, which also have the same features, but offer unlimited domains as well plus copious storage capacity of up to 800GB.

Manage your web projects without needing a web specialist or developer, or even the need for terminal and command lines to manage websites, databases, or email. All this for just a few clicks.

Other benefits include a user-friendly panel, easy server management, interface customization, and for the reseller option you get customer sub-account management. It also comes with a WordPress toolkit and SpamAssassin software.

Additional services from OVH include unlimited traffic, guaranteed bandwidth, 99.95% uptime, and unlimited domains.

Focus on your business, instead of focusing on your server, by switching to OVH Windows hosting with the Plesk control panel.

⇒ Get OVH

TMD Hosting

This Windows hosting with Plesk provider promises blazing fast hosting, because speed, security, and scalability are a priority.

You get to enjoy the superior performance in an environment that supports the latest ASP .NET framework, Windows Server 2012 R2, and MSSQL server.

Its features include dedicated technical support, daily automatic and constant backups of your site’s database and files with free restoration, up to 20 times faster load time owing to the use of Solid State Drives on all servers, unlimited email accounts, and free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate installation in one click on your Plesk panel.

It also offers a high level of security updated daily with a web-based firewall to ensure your site is guarded against online threats.

Plus, 99.999% uptime, anti-spam protection, and a dedicated yet isolated VPN for better monitoring, connectivity, and speed.

⇒ Get TMD Hosting

Miles Web

If you’re looking for the best Windows hosting provider that offers all the features at a comfortable price, this is it.

Its features include the Plesk Control panel, multiple domain hosting and databases, unlimited emails, 24/7 uninterrupted support, unbeatable reliability, and 99.95% uptime needed to run your website at any point in time.

Set up your account instantly with Miles Web and enjoy affordable rates at superfast speeds and the best uptime, which you will need in case your site breaks and Plesk is affected.

Hence, if you want to start an online store or manage a business online domain you should rely on this hosting provider for websites of every size.

⇒ Get Miles Web

Blacknight

If you’re not okay with managing your VPS from a command line, then Blacknight solutions offer you the Parallels Plesk Panel system to help you manage it from an easy graphical interface, with a simple click.

Plesk is the leading multiplatform control panel for a simple, convenient way to manage your web services, and it is available on this web hosting provider with Windows hosting.

Some of the key features you will find with using Plesk on Blacknight include a user-friendly interface, a migration manager to quickly migrate accounts, and a customizable repository of site applications with the ability to add, deploy, configure and remove apps for any domain with one click.

You can also install WordPress or Drupal, and forum software with one click in Blacknight’s Windows hosting with Plesk.

⇒ Get Blacknight

We’d love to hear your thoughts on these Windows hosting with Plesk providers. Which one do you prefer, or which one have you used before? Share with us in the comments section below.

Kaspersky VPN for Windows 11: How to Download & Install

Posted on April 14, 2022September 7, 2025 by Radu Tyrsina

Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection conceals your IP address from your Internet service provider, making it impossible for your ISP and other third parties to obtain access to your personal information. Thus, today we’ll show you how to download and install Kaspersky VPN on Windows 11.

Founded in Moscow, Russia, in 1997 by Dmitry Kaspersky, the company was later relocated to Switzerland and is now controlled by a UK-based holding company. Eugene Kaspersky, the company’s current CEO, was also one of the company’s founding members.

Despite the fact that it has raised a number of political issues, Kaspersky’s headquarters in Russia means that it is outside of the jurisdiction of the Five Eyes.

That means that Russia, or any other country’s government for that matter, will be unable to compel Kaspersky to provide them with information about their customers. This non-membership is required if you want to use a VPN for privacy reasons.

After a few years, it has developed into a global cybersecurity company that currently operates in 200 countries and has 34 offices around the globe.

Follow along as we will first see whether Kaspersky VPN is safe and trustworthy, and then move on to the download and install process.

Is Kaspersky VPN safe?

Perhaps you’re wondering what distinguishes Kaspersky VPN from the competition and why you should select it over other VPN providers.

In the first place, it includes an unlimited amount of bandwidth, allowing you to stream any and all of the content you want without any limitations.

Additionally, because you have the option to connect to any server you want, you can access content from anywhere in the world simply by logging into the server where the content is available.

Furthermore, you can use Kaspersky VPN on as many as five devices at the same time, depending on your needs. It is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, MAC, Android, and IOS, making it extremely user-friendly.

When it comes to virtual private network (VPN) protocols, Kaspersky uses the OpenVPN standard. In other words, it protects your data with the highest level of 256-bit encryption.

Also known as military-grade encryption, which makes it virtually impossible for anyone to gain access to your personal information. As a result, it is a completely safe VPN to use.

Kaspersky VPN also has mobile VPN apps that are compatible with all Android and iOS devices, allowing you to browse the web anonymously from any location at any time.

It is constantly improving, and each new version introduces users to a slew of new and exciting privacy features.

An example of such a feature would be, of course, the kill switch. When a VPN connection is lost or interrupted for any reason, the kill switch automatically shuts down the browser and disconnects the device from the Internet.

Thereby eliminating the possibility of an unprotected connection being made possible. As soon as the Internet connection is reestablished, the device automatically reconnects to the Internet.

How can I download Kaspersky VPN on Windows 11?

Head to Kaspersky’s website and choose whether you want your VPN for your Home or Business.
Next, click on View products and choose the Windows operating system. Look for the Kaspersky VPN Secure Connection product and click on Learn More.
Choose the plan that you want to buy, and click on the Buy Now button. Note there is an Auto-Renewal box above the button. If you wish to automatically renew your subscription every month/year check it, otherwise uncheck it.
Confirm your payment and then continue with the installation process. The company has made it simple to operate and install, thus you will only need to click a few buttons.
Once it’s done, you will be able to choose your location to connect to and turn the VPN on or off.

If you watch the evening news, you might recognize the name Kaspersky. We weren’t deterred from trying out their VPN despite the fact that they were banned by the United States government.

Kaspersky’s more than 2,000 servers are spread across 49 countries, including France, Germany, Hong Kong, and Japan. This isn’t the world’s largest network of servers by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a significant one nonetheless.

Don’t miss out on Kaspersky’s other products as well. You can browse them in more detail on their View products page.

Kaspersky Antivirus is one of the most powerful antivirus programs available on the market. Despite the fact that it does not include a slew of additional features, it provides excellent protection against all types of threats, attacks, and malicious software.

In fact, even the free version performs significantly better than some paid alternatives in terms of detecting and removing potential threats.

Alternatively, you can take a look at 5+ best free Windows 11 VPN apps on the market, if you are dissatisfied with Kaspersky’s one.

Was this guide useful for you? Don’t hesitate to tell us in the comments section below. Thanks for reading!

Best eCommerce Platforms for Startups [Out of 25 Tested]

Posted on April 14, 2022September 3, 2025 by Ivan Jenic

E-commerce, which is a shortened tag for electronic commerce, has taken over the global market, as virtually all types of products and services are advertised/marketed and purchased online.

Recent developments have further strengthened this position, as every key aspect of eCommerce, including marketing, purchasing, payments, and even delivery, all have been automated.

With the advent of online stores, anyone from anywhere can purchase anything from any location. This has bridged the distance between countries, and the Internet now serves as the ultimate hub for the global market.

However, prominent eCommerce service providers often find themselves overwhelmed by the number of orders, sales, and payments they have to process on a daily basis.

Hence, to manage this situation and maintain efficiency, automation becomes essential.

This article brings you 7 of the best-automated eCommerce software on the market.

How can an eCommerce platform help grow your business?

eCommerce platforms are helpful regardless of how much experience you have in the business game, but they are especially useful for emerging businesses.

Even if you have a solid knowledge base and skill set in place, these tools come in handy because they integrate pretty much everything you need in just one place.

First and foremost, these tools let you easily create your online shop and build your brand. They offer visual website builders and offer highly customizable pre-made themes to help you start out.

Most of them offer business-specific suggestions, so if you plan to sell shoes, chances are that you will get at least a few ideas on how to get started with your online shoe store. Starting from there, you can personalize and integrate your unique selling points.

They also offer support for one of the most time-consuming and hard to get around aspects of business, namely finances.

You can get specialized help on taxes and full support for secure online payments.

Additionally, it is important to note that these platforms also offer automatically generated reports so you can see how your business is going.

This helps a lot in the long run as it lets you know which implementations work well and where exactly you need improvement.

Make sure to read the suggestions below to see more details on what you can get from an eCommerce platform.

What should you take into consideration when looking for an eCommerce platform?

Ease of use: being intuitive and time-efficient is a key requirement when building your web store
Compliance: professional support to ensure users follow the financial regulatins of the commercial area they operate in
User experience: fast and secure checkout, multiple payment options, customer support solutions
Support for your type of business: many platforms offer ready-made solutions for clothing stores, web applications, and other types of products/businesses
Currency compatibility: supports payments for all commercial areas you are interested in
Extensive library of themes and customization features: to ensure you can create your online shop exactly as you envisioned
Price: see which ones include the features you need at plans that are reasonable for your budget

What are the top-rated eCommerce platforms?

WooCommerce

best ecommerce platforms for starting your business

WooCommerce is a popular eCommerce solution, which is known for its ability to convert WordPress sites into durable online stores.

It is basically a WordPress plugin that can be used to design an eCommerce website or online shopping hub from scratch.

Key features of WooCommerce include pre-installed payment gateways, WordPress integrations, auto-taxes, cart behavior, free shipping, inventory/store manager, default currency setting, cart calculator, reports, flexible shipping, tax calculator, SEO, 24/7 customer support, unlimited extensions, and more.

WooCommerce is available for free, albeit with restricted access and limited features. To unlock the full features, subscribers are required to upgrade to a paid plan and pay add-ons on certain extensions.

WooCommerce offers a mobile app that lets you access helpful insights and manage your business on the go. You get to see real-time statistics, orders status and also add new products.

The tool has multiple extensions and integrations that can also help you grow and promote your business.

You can integrate third-party tools such as Mailchimp or Mailpoet that can help you grow your traffic and increase purchase rates.

It also supports Google Ads and Listings but also offers its own advertisement and branding solutions through product recommendations and product add-ons such as gift wrapping, special messages, and other similar options.

WooCommerce is very versatile and offers support not only for online shops but also for hospitality services. It offers the tool necessary to create appointments and make reservations.

The platform also gives full support for shipping. It can connect you with popular shipping companies and provide tracking information for every order.

Other key features of WooCommerce include:

Open source, fully customizable
Over 400 official extensions
Resourceful guides and tutorials
Support for multiple languages and currencies

There is also a 30-day refund policy for subscriptions canceled within a period of one month (after payment).

WooCommerce

Integrate this plugin to your WordPress website and start managing any type of business from start to finish.

Free trial Visit website

Squarespace

Up next we have a resourceful platform that provides multiple website hosting options, an intuitive and modern website builder, and support for payments, taxes, and promotion.

Squarespace offers time-efficient solutions that let users create professional-looking websites in a very short time.

It has one of the most intuitive builders out there, with tons of inspiring templates that don’t need much adjustment. However, if you already built your website, you can easily migrate it in just a few quick steps.

It offers pre-built layouts for various types of websites including eCommerce. It has various useful extensions that let you closely manage your business.

For instance, the inventory and product extensions let you manage your inventory SKUs, stock level and add or remove products from your website.

Squarespace also gives insightful analytics so you can see in real-time how your business is progressing.

Users get sales by product analytics, purchase funnel, abandoned cart statistics, total spend information about customers, average order value, and more.

Squarespace does not only provide the tools necessary to host and create your eCommerce website, but it also offers support for marketing and promotion

It offers exclusive access to third-party tools so you can determine your customer base and target your advertisements or promotional campaigns toward them.

Regardless of what you plan on selling, know that this platform can take care of the whole process, from start to finish.

Squarespace can also help with shipping, returns, and package tracking, so you and your customers are fully informed about the orders.

Other key features of Squarespace include:

Automatic image scaling
Free custom domain
Multimedia blocks for audio and video content
SEO features
Productivity features for you or a whole team
Custom payment settings

Squarespace is a subscription-based service with multiple plans available. Each plan has the option to charge monthly or annually.

Squarespace

Build and manage your business with modern and intuitive tools that help you grow and assess your business at any level.

Check price Visit website

Wix eCommerce

Wix eCommerce is another great option for those that want to use an intuitive and visual website builder.

The platform offers over 500 free store templates. You can use them as they are or as a basis to create your own, specifically branded online shop.

On the topic of branding, it is also important to note that Wix offers handy tools such as a Logo Maker, a Business Name Generator, and of course, your custom domain name.

The platform supports the listing of up to 50, 000 products, which is plenty, especially if you are just starting out.

It offers several features that help you manage your products, including inventory management tools, supplier support, and more.

The tool also lets you define your own shipping rules and automates taxes for every purchase.

When it comes to payments, you can use the integrated Wix Payments solution, but you can also pick a third-party method from payment providers such as PayPal.

You can track and view reports on each payment. It offers easy solutions for refunds and gives insightful information about all transactions.

When it comes to shipping, Wix allows you to track the whole process, starting from the purchase. They offer support for shipping, and suppliers, and also let you and your customer track the location of the order once it has been shipped.

Similar to Squarespace, this tool also offers some marketing tools that can help you grow and boost sales. It offers easy solutions that let you create promotional content in just a few minutes.

Along with that, it works with proven SEO patterns and automatically applies them to your website.

Other key features of Wix eCommerce include:

Multilingual and multi-currency support
Support for multi-channel sales
Store subscriptions
Templates for multiple types of stores (fashion, interior design, makeup, etc)

Wix is also subscription-based with three plans available. If you are not satisfied with the service, you can get a refund in the first 14 days of your subscription.

Wix eCommerce

Create and host beautiful and fully functional online stores with this intuitive web app.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is, without a doubt, one of the most popular eCommerce service providers in the world. And it doubles as one of the best-automated eCommerce software.

In short, BigCommercer provides all the necessary tools that your online shop would need in order to drive more traffic, convert customers into sales, and manage the store.

Some of the key features of BigCommerce include site builder, marketing tools, product pages, process orders, optimization for mobile, social media tools & more.

Interestingly, most of the above-outlined features are streamlined and aptly automated, providing you with a seamless flow of transactions, from orders to purchases to payments.

BigCommerce puts forward a straightforward inventory management solution that can be integrated between online and offline channels.

It offers 65 payment integrations for various third-party payment services. BigCommerce doesn’t charge transaction fees and doesn’t place any payment penalty.

BigCommerce strives to provide optimized solutions for the whole purchase experience, so your customers will get the best service possible. It offers simple single-page checkout with secure SSL and mobile support.

It also offers search engine optimization tools such as search-friendly teams, customizable URLs, title tags, and more.

Other key features of BigCommerce include:

Supports on-site blog
Integrates Google Shopping
Personalized audits
Channel integrations for social media

BigCommerce offers an initial 15-day free trial to new subscribers, after which they can subscribe to one of the available paid plans: Standard, Plus, Pro, and Enterprise.

BigCommerce

With BigCommerce you have online store set-up, marketing, purchase, and payment facilitation, all automated!

Free trial Visit website

Mobirise

Mobirise is a renowned site-building software, whose functions can be modified to design an eCommerce/online shopping site for your products/services.

It hosts a user-friendly interface that uses a simple “drag & drop” feature to create websites, without any form of coding.

As such, you can easily adapt this software to create an eCommerce site. However, this automated eCommerce software is compatible with Windows desktop devices, and cannot be used on mobile platforms.

Basically, Mobirise is a mobile-friendly desktop app that can help you build a promotional, marketing, or shopping site, where you can promote, market, and sell your products.

This is done by adding designated “Buy Now” (online purchase) links and “Add to cart” (product order) links to your website. With this, orders and purchases are automatically processed as appropriate.

Also, there are designated eCommerce website building features like “CommerceM4” and “Paypal Cart”. The PayPal Cart facilitates receipts on purchased products via PayPal. These features make Mobirise ideal for designing eCommerce websites or online stores.

Some of the basic features of Mobirise include Unlimited web blocks, eCommerce links, Templates (Bootstrap builder), Code editor, Paypal Cart, Contact forms, Social Buttons, Content slider, Video background, and more.

Other key features of Mobirise include:

Integrates promotional features
Compatible with Mac and Windows
All websites are automatically built to also be mobile friendly

Mobirise’s pricing plans are product-specific i.e. each product/feature has its specific pricing plan.

Mobirise

User-friendly website builder software for your online shop, with all the essential optimization tools.

Free trial Visit website

WebSite X5

WebSite X5, just like Mobirise, is a website/online store builder that allows business owners (especially those with no coding skill) to create online shopping stores, where they can advertise and sell their products.

It is equipped with hundreds of templates, to create websites that best suit your desires, or you can do away with the templates and create a site from scratch.

In addition, this automated eCommerce software hosts tons of features, which are all essential for creating websites. However, only a handful of these features are specific to eCommerce website designing/building.

The eCommerce features are what qualify WebSite X5 as an automated eCommerce software.

WebSite X5 e-commerce-related features include Automatic order processing, Amazon Pay, Customer registration, Discount management, Payment gateways (PayPal, credit cards, etc.), Advertising messages, Customer accounts, and more.

These features not only enable you to create an e-commerce site but also automate the “purchase” and “payment” processes.

Other features of this automated e-commerce software include templates, a DPR-compliant security system, customer accounts, contact forms, a graphic editor, multilingual support, a control panel, mobile apps (Android and iOS), and more.

Other key features of WebSite X5 include:

Google AMP posts
SEO and website analytics
Personalized mailbox

WebSite X5 is available in three editions – WebSite X5 Start, WebSite X5 Evolution, and Website X5 Professional.

Website X5

Accessible and affordable website builder for beginners, professionals and successful businesses.

Free trial Visit website

Shopify

Shopify is one of the most prominent automated eCommerce software in the market. In fact, it is rated as the best eCommerce solution by many websites.

With over 500,000 users across the globe, it has one of the largest client bases in the industry.

Besides that, Shopify basically serves as an eCommerce website builder and a shopping cart software, which provides users with a near-perfect online shopping experience.

Everything is automated, ranging from placing orders to making/receiving payments.

Key features of Shopify include: Website builder, Online store, Multiple payment gateways, Custom branding, Templates, Sales Channels, Customer profiles/accounts, In-depth analytics & reports, Round-the-clock customer support, Shopping cart, Manual order creation, and Abandoned cart recovery.

Shopify offers a fulfilling user experience allowing them to create profiles and accounts, set preferences, and more. Plus, you can make your shop easily accessible from anywhere, as the platform offers full mobile support.

Other notable features of Shopify include:

Multilingual support
Personalized domain name,
Dropshipping support
Search engine optimization (SEO),

Shopify automated eCommerce software offers four major subscription plans to its users. There is an initial 14-day free trial before a full subscription.

⇒ Get Shopify

The advent of automated eCommerce software has greatly improved business conduct within the global cyber-space. Online store owners now spend less time, less effort, and less money to process purchases, payments, and product/service deliveries.

While there are many automated eCommerce software in the market, we have listed six of the best for you, to better inform your decisions on which one to adopt for your online stores.

Surely, other tools are necessary for your business, so find more of them in the Business Hub.

In the Optimization Hub, you’ll find tools to tune up your online website for greater loading speeds.

10 Best Job Board Software in 2026 [Out of 25 Tested]

Posted on April 14, 2022January 8, 2024 by Radu Tyrsina

Job hunting is still necessary, but the activity itself has changed significantly throughout time. Now, people search for jobs almost exclusively online as the Internet has become the ultimate medium for data exchange.

This is perfect for both future employees and employers. In this manner, employers get access to tons of Internet users while job hunters browse through thousands of job offers effortlessly.

To exist and to prosper, the online job market requires an essential thing, and this is a useful and reliable job board software.

These tools power every job search website and it’s the crucial element regardless of where you look for jobs (on online job portals or the companies’ websites).

All over the world, there are thousands of businesses that create this kind of software, so it can get pretty complicated and confusing to have a clear view of the job board software market.

The market is also flooded with tons of versions of job board scripts. We’ll help you skip the useless software because it’s not of any interest and we’ll present you with some great solutions that will work for sure job board software below.

What is the best job board for professionals?

Workable

This software will help you boost visibility and target the perfect candidates by promoting your job on premium and free job boards with just one submission. A workable extensive job board syndication network will allow you to reach millions of job seekers throughout lots of locations.

Your next employee may already be your top fan, and Workable will make sure that it’s easy to post jobs on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter as well.

The candidate source reports will make sure that you get the best from your ads and will also help you plan the whole recruiting strategy from A to Z.

You can try the software for free right now, as you won’t need any downloads or credit cards.

As we already said, you have two options to post free jobs and premium jobs. Here’s what every option offers you.

Free job boards: you can attract more candidates by posting to free job boards, and you’ll get the following benefits:

Advertise jobs in minutes
No downloads or training required
All posts are optimized for desktop and mobile
Includes the most popular free job boards
Get a free, hosted, branded careers page

Premium job boards: the software partners with the most popular paid job boards and you can create targeted posts to fill your hiring pipeline. You’ll get the following advantages:

Great rates and special offers
National and international job board syndication
A broad range of niche and specialist sites
Integrates with job board recruiter accounts
Post to multiple boards from one platform

All you have to do to post a job is create your account, write your job description and start posting. Give it a try!

⇒ Get Workable

LinkedIn Jobs

LinkedIn is a well-known and popular job searching hub that helps millions of people to match the desired roles in specific work areas.

This online platform is designed like a social media network that provides resourceful tools to find or post a job to connect the employees with the right roles.

Every candidate has the chance to discover his dream job using this highly connected tool, and even more filter job results according to job type, location, or experience.

On the other side, employers can post their hiring positions on their company profile to match the most suited people for those jobs.

You can best use LinkedIn Recruiter to help talent specialists to find and connect with the right employees. The platform offers useful insights regarding candidates and their work experience over time.

Plus, any user can connect with different individuals from around the world and interact to share experiences or job offers. The chat section can be used to approach employees or even companies.

There are other practical features both as an employee and company as well to publish important positions for the right people.

⇒ Get LinkedIn Jobs

SnagaJob

This platform is created for both employees and employers that need to connect in a shared space with millions of opportunities.

With this hiring tool, any job seeker can find a suitable job in the desired company. It’s possible to match your role without thousands of applications.

It’s fairly simple to use this platform to discover the wanted roles. You can start by completing your profile on the platform and transmitting your work portfolio in your personal ways.

From the employee perspective, you will surely meet your goals and discover respected companies in your market.

More exactly, this solution gives reliable support for matching hourly employees with ideal positions in the desired areas of work.

This being said, have a try with this trusted job searching client to match required positions with talented people or find the most suitable job for you.

Create the right connections and discover valuable jobs to fit your skills using this platform.

⇒ Get SnagaJob

Web Scribble

This is another job board software that will turn out to be more appropriate for running on a general job board website, rather than within an organization.

The software is great, and it includes a smaller number of features, but this is not a minus as it addresses the right job search issues.

While you’re using the software, you’ll be unlikely to lose yourself within tons of features that are not at all helpful for your mission. The tool features some marketing and SEO optimization and some customization options as well.

It also supports mobile technologies and the world’s favorite social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

The software will help you maximize your revenues via various options:

Job postings
Resume access
Sponsored jobs
Featured employees
Job alerts and job slots
Subscriptions

The home page of the software offers a virtual tour of the job portal experience is also an online demo, and this is a great benefit.

Here are the primary downsides of the tool:

You have to send your name, phone number and email address to the developer company before you can take a look at this online demo that we have mentioned before. Unfortunately, this might upset some of the users.
You cannot see the pricing of webJobs, and you have to contact the company for a quote.

These two minuses might discourage some users to try out the software, but we guarantee you that this job board software does its tasks really well and it’s not overwhelming at all.

This is the reason why it may be the ideal solution for lots of users out there.

Betterteam

Using this software, you’ll be able to post to more than 100 job sites in just a few minutes, and you can reach more than 100 million candidates. You’ll get the chance to screen them with the use of the dashboard offered by this tool.

The software promises to be one of the fastest-growing and easy-to-use hiring tools for small businesses. You will not need any copy/paste, or multiple logins and you’ll be able to save your hours of work.

After candidates start to apply from their desktops, tablets, mobile phones, you will receive an email notification, and they’ll come to one central location. All you have to do after that is to just point and click your way to the best hires you’ve ever desired.

Most users have found the following pros and cons for the tool:

Pros – you get a simple and easy to use interface and dashboard; you can like and dislike and then go on to the next resumes.
Cons – some users require the ability to rank the liked applications, and other found some troubles regarding a few applicant errors.

But all in all, the tool is easy to use and it makes reviewing the applicants’ resumes a smooth process overall.

⇒ Get Betterteam

ILance Reverse Auction Software

ILance Pro software can transform any website into a complex work and hire marketplace powering search, bidding tool, and request for quote.

Reverse auction for jobs offers you a competitive hiring environment for buyers to seek and match the professionals they need and also experts to find those leads.

Applications are also available to install and increase the marketplace quickly. Other great features of the tool include the following:

It’s SEO optimized for the web.
It is 100% customizable.
It supports more languages.

Here are the advantages of this tool as most of its users describe them:

The price divides the tool into several segments tailored to each user’s needs, so this way everyone gets a choice according to the business development.
Even if the tool requires more learning than any other software of this kind, this only happens because there are lots of variables needed to complete an auction.
The community forum where you can ask questions and discuss all sorts of issues and share suggestions for better development is highly appreciated.

The tool’s downside is the fact that there’s more room for improving documentation and manual guides, to help the tool become clearer and easier to understand.

⇒ Get ILance Reverse Auction Software

JobSite Professional

This is another paid job board software. You’ll have to pay for the Standard version. For the latter, you’ll get a ton of features that have been accumulating for lots of years now, in various versions of this tool.

The current version of the tool is 3.1 JobSite Professional, and it provides lots of useful features such as the following:

Backfill
A mobile version of the software
LinkedIn integration
Unlimited levels front side menu
Facebook connect option

There are more other features, of course, but we have only listed the essential ones.

You also get a few screenshots to understand the software better and so see what it looks like and how it functions. You’ll be able to take a look at the online demo on the website of the software without needing to send data anywhere.

You can also benefit from the company’s professional support offered to its users, and you can send emails, call them on the phone or submit a ticket in case you reach a tech problem.

The company also offers discounts on its job portal software, including this one of course. You can participate in a “buy two get three” campaign. The company also has an affiliate program, so if you’re busy promoting the products, you can also make some significant cash.

⇒ Get JobSite Professional

Enterprise Infinity

This staffing software is built from the ground up for staffing agencies. This is a single, fully-integrated, and back-office solution.

Here are the benefits of using the tool:

The company that developed the tool is a seamless staffing software provider.
You’ll get customized solutions that will address your staffing needs.
The tool is used by hundreds of temporary employment agencies across the nation including services such as payroll processing, payroll funding, and W2 management.
The developer company is committed to the clients’ profitability and to providing them with the lowest cost of ownership.

Most users of this tool have found the company to be the best one that helps their business in achieving the ultimate goals. TeamWorks offered users all kinds of solutions involving database issues, payroll situations, customized reporting, and so on.

⇒ Enterprise Infinity

PHP Jabbers

This job board software provides flexibility and power thanks to its numerous, efficient, and extensive features. Here are some of the most important ones:

A great content management system
Easy job board administration
Custom e-mail notifications
Multi-language support

The software is built on PHP technology, and it provides an online demo showing you how this powerful job script works in all kinds of scenarios.

The tool is straightforward to use, and in case you run into any kind of issues you can check out the FAQ list offered by the developers. You can also contact the company for more help and support.

The software comes in two main versions: a User version and a Developer version. Both of them can be purchased online after you complete the purchase of the job portal script.

The tool’s primary advantage is a mix of low price, good support, and extensive functionality. All these features make it a great solution that will be efficient in all kinds of circumstances.

⇒ PHP Jabbers

MarketGrabber Job Board

The tool is a proven and easy-to-use solution. Users have found it to work great and most of them stated that after much frustration and loss of time trying out other products on the market, this one worked out smoothly and it turned out to be very reliable. Its system is extremely easy-to-use for both the admin and the users.

This is web-based board software. Its most notable features include the following:

Indeed Import
Applicant tracking
Video Articles
Job Import
eCommerce integration
full source code is included with the software license
advanced search and browse for jobs and resumes
Google Maps
Hosting, design, and programming customization services are all available

⇒ Get MarketGrabber

Of course, there are more job board tools out there on the online market, but the ones that we’ve discussed above will turn out great if you decide to create an online job search website.

If you need more tools for job searching, we highly recommend you consider business software for your line of work.

Their common advantages include a full list of amazing features and great support as well. No matter which one you decide to try out, we guarantee that you’ll get a great experience using it. Good luck!

Windows 11 Ink Workspace Missing? How to Get it Back

Posted on April 14, 2022October 4, 2023 by Loredana Harsana

Microsoft Windows Ink Workspace allows you to write on your computer as you’d do on paper using features like whiteboards, sticky notes, and other notes taking apps.

As handy as the Windows 11 Ink Workspace can be, sometimes it gets missing from the Taskbar.

Unlike the previous Windows versions that locked the feature behind compatible hardware like the Surface tablet and Surface pen, this one doesn’t require you to invest in expensive hardware before using this fantastic feature.

The Windows 11 Ink Workspace allows users to add any app to the quick access toolbar—pen-optimized or not. You can pin a maximum of 4 apps to the workspace.

We need to specify that the Ink Workspace doesn’t come with your default Windows 11 installation unless you specify that you have a touchscreen device during the installation.

Therefore, you need to download and install the app first. That’s probably one of the main reasons you can’t find it in the first place.

How do I get the Ink Workspace app for Windows 11?

Open Microsoft Store from the taskbar, search for ink workspace and click on the app from the results.
Now, hit the Get button to download and install it.
Finally, click on the Open button to start it.
Now you have the Ink Workspace app installed and working.

How do I find the Windows 11 missing Ink Workspace?

1. Enable Ink Workspace on the taskbar

Right-click an empty area on the Taskbar and click on Taskbar settings.
Look for the Pen menu and set it to On.
A Pen icon with a curvy line will appear on the right-hand corner of the Taskbar.

2. Enable or disable Ink Workspace from the Registry

Press Win + R and type regedit, then press Enter.
Go to the following path: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft
Right-click on a free space on the right pane, select New from the pop-up menu, then Key, and set the key’s name to WindowsInkWorkspace.
Click on the new key, then right-click on an empty area in the right-hand pane and select New, then DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Under the name tab, type AllowInkWorkspace. Double click on it and change its value to 0 to disable and 1 to enable permanently.

Following this procedure will either disable the Windows Ink Workspace permanently.

3. Disable or enable the Ink Workspace using the Local Group Policy Editor

Press Win + R to open the Run box and type gpedit.msc command, then press Enter.
Navigate to the following path: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Ink Workspace
On the right-hand window, double click on Allow Windows Ink Workspace.
Select either the Enabled or Disabled options, then click on Apply, and then OK.

If your computer is a local group member, you permanently use the local group policy editor to enable or disable the Windows 11 Ink Workspace.

How to install Windows Ink apps in Windows 11?

There are limited default apps in the Windows Ink Workspace. You can install additional apps to expand the workspace’s capabilities. Software like:

Adobe Photoshop Element 2022
Drawboard PDF
Paint 3D
Microsoft Journal

Follow these steps to install another app besides the default apps in Ink Workspace.

Click on the Windows Ink Workspace icon on the Taskbar.
Select Get more pen apps under the suggested area. Or you can alternatively launch the Microsoft Store app.
Browse through apps that by the pen.
Select the app and install it.

Check out our detailed list of the features Microsoft has removed from Windows 11.

Which of the solutions above helped you resolve the issue of the Windows 11 Ink Workspace missing from the Taskbar? Let’s know in the comment section below.

SMS Software for PC: 5 Best of 2026

Posted on April 14, 2022January 8, 2024 by Madalina Dinita

In the world of smartphones and busy people, a large chunk of the population relies heavily on sending SMS. Whether it’s a personal message or a business message, sending SMS in an emergency is the best communication strategy. It’s fast, saves time, and costs minimal.

But what if you want to send it from your Windows 10 PC? Well, there is auto SMS sender software for PC that does the job.

These are especially useful for businesses where they need to send service reminders, courier details, booking confirmation, and more.

The auto SMS sender software for PC help users send messages in bulk for marketing purpose. They also have an auto-responding facility send where messages are automatically sent to customers on their birthday.

We have shortlisted some of the best-automated bulk SMS software that makes life easy for businesses.

5 best automated bulk SMS software for PC

Text Magic

Text Magic is an auto SMS sender software for PC that allows users to send text messages via their desktop using its messenger. In fact, it’s an all-in-one bulk SMS software program that works two ways.

It allows users to send text messages to employees and customers, and even bring over contacts or manage lists. It also smartly converts emails to SMS and sends them, with replies received in emails.

Users can sync the app’s SMS access with their website that uses SMS API tools. This helps add text messaging facilities to their business process. Moreover, the app helps users send targeted messages to their customers in bulk or one at a time.

In addition, users can also use take advantage of the two-way online SM chat option, the facility to forward an email as an SMS to a distribution list, receive messages online, and more.

Best of all, incoming messages can be automated that includes auto-response and adding subscribers.

TextMagic

With TextMagic you can send bulk SMS to over +190 countries around the world in real-time.

Check price Visit website

Atomic SMS Sender

Atomic SMS Sender intends to save on costs, small-level investments, and maximum ROI using bulk messaging. It boasts covering more than 800 networks across 200 countries in the world.

It offers quick and secure communication with customers by delivering marketing notifications, alerts, and other messages using bulk messaging.

One of its significant features is scheduling the SMS delivery based on a certain date and time. This helps customers on the receiving end who are based in a different time zone. The scheduler can also send reminders for a specific event, pre-set, and deliver greetings.

The software sends a link to unsubscribe with each batch of free bulk SMS using the subscriber’s phone number. The customer is then added to the Exception list.

Best of all, it offers delivery reports of the messages sent specifying the detailed statistics. It includes the delivery time, price, and the number of parts. It does not just allow users to send bulk text messages but also helps them keep a check on the efficiency in real-time.

Atomic SMS Sender

Very efficient bulk SMS platform that makes it simple to plan, create and plan your customers.

Visit website Check price

Sendinblue

This multi-dimensional marketing platform is a match for any user that needs SMS efficient methods to directly reach their contacts.

Using this marketing-oriented client you have all the support to grow your business online using various promotional strategies meant to boost your brand.

If your main goal is to reach more customers online with efficient tools, this platform will deliver multiple marketing solutions like email marketing, CRM, and of course SMS marketing.

The software provides valuable aid for your campaigns or essential occasions that needs to inform your consumers rapidly. And what better way than SMS promotional campaigns personalized for mobile.

More exactly, in the case of time pressuring campaigns, you simply deliver the message to everyone on your contact list and keep them in the loop.

Furthermore, you can measure the success of your SMS campaigns with key engagement metrics used to see what is working and what is not.

This being said, with Sendinblue you cover every need regarding your communication strategy online with effective promotional tools.

Sendinblue

Create catching SMS campaign messages using this efficient tool and expand your contact list today.

Check price Visit website

Slicktext

This outstanding SMS marketing platform called Slicktext is the ideal method to grow your business results. The 40.000 organizations who actively use it can confirm this too.

Firstly, this efficient tool is for both newcomers and advanced employees or business owners in the marketing field. With the ideal SMS text strategy, you will convince the customer and persuade them to become loyal advocates for your own brand.

With this solution, you will benefit from resourceful features for reaching your clients efficiently, using strategies like SMS automation. This way, it’s likely to set up automated messages or updates for the audience.

Speaking of which, the extensive features increase your chances to grow your public and conversions too. More exactly, you have web opt-in forms, QR code or links opt-in, mass text messages, personalization, and email capture.

To outline it, Slicktext is extremely suitable for your marketing strategy for multiple areas of work, including retail or restaurants, and even schools or ministries.

Therefore, have a try with this web-based software and benefit from highly effective SMS marketing plans or campaigns.

⇒ Get Slicktext

RapidSMS

Another great automated bulk SMS software is RapidSMS which pulls up or reads messages at the mail server and sends it over to a remote server. This is done at frequent intervals using an automated workflow.

From sending SMS for service reminders, invoices, or premium due date reminders, to sending notifications for outstanding to customers, it covers all.

What’s interesting is, that it works alongside the current software and automatically sends SMS from the stored data. It’s a business standard software that’s designed to meet requirements related to auto or manual text messages.

Among its major features are, sending automated SMS, group and bulk messages, and messages that are excel customized.

Prefix and signature, delivery reports for sent SMS with time, managing groups and contacts easily, etc. are among its other significant features.

⇒ Get RapidSMS

Conclusion

Sending SMS online is one of the most competent ways to deliver important information to your customers. Whether you want to notify a single person or a group of them, the auto SMS sender software for PC helps simplify things.

So, select one of your choices and get going with your marketing campaigns.

Best Software to Format SD Card [Out of 15 Tested]

Posted on April 14, 2022October 4, 2023 by Ivan Jenic

Are you looking for the best software to format SD cards on Windows 10 PC? Windows Report team has come up with the best programs ideal for this purpose.

It can be frustrating when trying to format your corrupted memory card, using the default PC recovery and it displays a format error message. You don’t need to worry anymore as we have highlighted in this post software which is proven to give the best results in formatting SD cards.

By using the right tools in order to repair damaged SD cards represents a secure way to keep your data intact. There are suitable functionalities for most of the issues regarding external storage drives.

Hence, if you strongly need specialized support to get back valuable data, you can rely on their efficiency to save every file from your SD cards, USB flash drives, or other storage devices.

In addition, any of this software can as well fix your SD card problems such as formatting, recovery, and repairing your SD card.

What are the best software to format SD cards?

Disk Drill

This free-format tool is similar to EaseUS Partition Master as it enables you to format the hard disk, partitions, and SD card for free. The software has a user-friendly interface that allows users to delete or initialize SD card drives or partitions properly.

In addition, the software can recover deleted files from an SD card as well. Hence, it can be utilized as a recovery tool on Windows 10 PC.

However, this tool can only format SD cards to the FAT32 system file format. Notwithstanding it is still a good tool to have on your Windows 10 PC.

Furthermore, with such an effective program you can recover precious data from any SD card, in various data loss situations. For example, formatted SD cards data loss, corrupted SD cards, accidental deletion, virus infection, etc.

Needless to say, your information will be recovered in no time and with the same quality and you will rejoice in deleted files like photos, videos, or other files.

To conclude, this solution is a fit for anyone who lost important files and strongly needs to get them back from a variety of storage devices.

Disk Drill

This free data recovery software brings back lost files, documents, or media files from your corrupted SD cards.

Free trial Visit website

Aomei Partition Assistant

Aomei Partition Assistant is a professional solution that incorporates a lot of useful drive management tools that allow you to resize/move partitions, merge partitions, split and format partitions, and even migrate an OS to an SSD or HDD.

Obviously, we’re interested in formatting partitions and this solution will format your SD cards with great speed and accuracy. Formating them will also help you quickly delete all data on the card and re-arrange a partition as it is empty.

With this tool, you can also easily transform the partition to NTFS or FAT32. It’s recommended to choose the NTFS file system as it has more advantages but some applications only support FAT32.

Once you get this set of amazing tools, you will discover that you can do a lot more than formatting the SD cards on hand.

More so, this program can offer ample partition data management so any user can recover their disk storage. Thus you can always fix SD cards issues and format them accordingly using this software.

With this being said, you can definitely grant this partition assistant due to its disk partition tools and whole capabilities to manage your storage safely.

Aomei Partition Assistant

Aomei Partition Assistant is not only a fast and reliable way of formatting your SD cards but it’s a great drive management solution.

Check price Visit website

USB Disk Storage Format Tool

This software is a very handy tool as it allows you to format any memory card completely without any error message. Also, the USB tool supports all types of memory cards from SD cards, micro SD cards, and other USB drives.

Meanwhile, this tool can also format all SD card file system types from FAT32, exFAT, and NTFS. Hence, there is no issue of incomplete formatting as the tool completely formats all media files and restores your SD card back to its original storage form.

However, the major downside of this tool is the lack of a partition feature and its limitation to just four file formats.

You can perform other tasks using this program and benefit from its storage formatting. Thus it’s possible to delete files on flash drives, remove any tracks of malicious software, fix partitions error, or scan drives for errors.

Another significant aspect is that it has been tested with thousands of flash drives and with various brands like SanDisk, Kingston, HP, Sony, Lexar, Toshiba, and much more.

⇒ Get USB Disk Storage Format Tool

SD Memory Card Formatter

This software that formats SD cards is a free disk formatting utility tool that has many features; you can easily format an internal disk, external disk, MMC card, USB flash drive, and most especially SD card. The tool has a simple and user-friendly interface that allows access to formatting options.

With its format function, when you format your SD card with this tool it formats completely and leaves no original SD drive data while fixing your SD card problems.

However, this tool doesn’t support SD Card encrypted by the BitLocker To Go functionality of Windows. Hence, you can format an SD card after it has been unlocked. Otherwise, SD Memory Card Formatter is an excellent tool to have on your Windows 10 PC.

In addition, you can benefit from memory card formatting tools and repair multiple card types like SDHC memory cards or SDXC memory cards. Also, it’s recommended to use this tool instead of individual operating systems.

This way, you can get optimized support for your most valuable files. Plus you have a “protected area” for SD cards security purposes.

⇒ Get SD Memory Card Formatter

These format tools each have their major strengths which makes them handy to install on your Windows 10 computer. In addition, they also help you to partition your SD card drive and also fix related SD card issues as well.

However, the Windows Report team recommends that you backup important data on your SD card before formatting. If you have any experience using any of these tools we mentioned above, please leave a comment below.

6 Best Computer to Computer Backup & Sync Software

Posted on April 14, 2022September 19, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

Backing up files is essential, and it especially helps when Windows crash and you have to reinstall the OS. Losing personal files can lead to several problems, and it’s best to have a backup at all points. And to do that, there’s nothing better than computer-to-computer backup software.

The backup software tools developed of late are quite simple to operate, run in the background, and require minimal manual supervision. Choosing the right one will help secure all vital information and never lose it. So, let’s find out more about it!

What are the three types of backups?

Before we list the best Windows backup software, it’s imperative to understand the different types so that you can make an informed choice. Here are the three:

Full backup: All the data, files, and folders are backed up in one go, and it usually takes longer to complete, but restoring or recovering the data is relatively quicker and easier.
Differential backup: With a differential backup, only the files changed since the last backup are uploaded to the server. Here, the initial one is a full backup followed by regular instances of differential backup.
Incremental backup: This is often the most efficient backup and helps save considerable space. In incremental backups, only the changes made to the files since the last backup and recorded. A major drawback here is the slow restoring speed.

What is the best computer-to-computer backup software?

Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office – Best for all uses

Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is a well-known backup software that allows you to perform computer-to-computer backup. The Acronis backup software offers dual protection, so your data can be backed up to the cloud automatically.

It offers active disk cloning, allowing you to back up the system while using it. Backup scheduling is available, and there’s support for event-based backups.

Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office allows full image backups and supports file and folder backups. Besides, you have support for file synchronization and wireless local backup to network computers or NAS.

Another feature we must mention is built-in real-time antivirus protection and anti-ransomware protection. Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is the best free backup software for Windows 10, though it’s a trial period.

You should know the program allows you to back up any data instantly and save it locally on another PC or on the Acronis cloud, therefore, making it a reliable solution.

Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office features:

Wireless local backup
File synchronization
Full image backups, active disk cloning, file, and folder backup
Backup scheduling
Antivirus and anti-ransomware protection

Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office

Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is a backup software for professionals, and by using it you can easily create backups on other computers in your network.

Free trial Visit website

Buddha Backup – User’s favorite

Buddha Backup is an easy-to-use backup solution that comes with various features which keep your data safe.

Backup options, including One-way and Two-way, ensure all your data is saved. The former copies data from one location to another.

The latter synchronizes files between two locations so all new or modified files are copied from one location to another, keeping both locations updated.

Buddha Backup offers automatic & continuous backup of your data and uses a backup scheduler to ensure your data is backed up regularly & automatically.

The Archive Backup feature keeps a copy of every file created or modified at each backup so that you have every file version.

You can recover and transfer data from a backup location to a new or restored device using Reverse and Recovery options, simplifying the process.

The Volume Shadow Copy Service enables you to back up files while host programs are still in use, so you don’t have to wait for the process to complete.

Buddha Backup features:

Remove old files from the archive backup folder using the Auto Purge feature
Shows which files have been backed up or synced for each backup or file sync operation
Simple setup and easy-to-use interface
Automatic backup system
Enables you to Control backup behavior and perform backups the way you want

Buddha Backup

Use industry-standard encryption and security protocols to protect your data in transit and at rest.

Free trial Visit Website

Aomei Backupper – Quick and simple

Aomei Backupper is another computer-to-computer backup software. The software supports system cloning, disk cloning, and partition/volume cloning. In addition to that, the software allows you to pick which files you want to restore.

Features such as automatic, full, incremental, and differential backup are also available. Using Aomei Backupper, you can back up files to local/external disks, flash drives, other computers in your network, NAS, and cloud storage.

Aomei Backupper is a great backup tool, and with its advanced options, it’s one of the most reliable computers to computer backup applications on the market. And the two-way sync and mirror sync options are available, so you’ll always have a perfect copy of your files.

Besides, you will benefit from the backup automation, and there’s no need to worry about storage because the Scheme feature automatically removes old backup files.

Aomei Backupper features:

Support for the system, disk, and partition cloning
Ability to perform automatic, full, incremental, and differential backups
Can back up data to external/local disks, other network computers, NAS, and cloud
Two-way sync and mirroring feature
Command-line support

Aomei Backupper

Aomei Backupper is a professional backup software that allows you to sync and back up your files to other computers.

Check price Visit website

O&O DiskImage – Offers a wide range of features

If you’re looking for an effective computer to computer backup software, O&O DiskImage might be just what you need. The software allows you to back up your entire PC or individual files and folders, therefore, emerging as the perfect solution.

The software supports automatization, and you can easily schedule your backups. You can also view saved ISO files as a drive or create Windows boot media if needed.

O&O DiskImage supports incremental and differential backups, and you can easily store the backups to local and external disks, network drivers, or computers.

Besides, the software supports hot imaging to allow users to create backups while working on other tasks. And the best part, you have notification support available.

O&O DiskImage is one of the best backup software for Windows 11, and it will be a perfect choice for all basic and advanced users alike.

Additionally, the software creates a suitable data protection environment by cloning the entire system or certain files, thus confirming complete backup service.

Remember, with O&O DiskImage, you only have to perform critical data backups and will never lose any precious information.

O&O DiskImage features:

Ability to back up the entire system or individual files or folders
Email notifications
Support for incremental and differential backups
Can store backups on a local/external disk, network drives, and computer
Hot imaging support

O&O DiskImage

O&O DiskImage is a powerful backup software that lets you back up your computer to other network computers.

Check price Visit website

Ashampoo Backup Pro – User-friendly interface

Another great computer-to-computer backup software for Windows worth mentioning is Ashampoo Backup Pro. The software has a friendly and intuitive interface, making it the perfect choice for regular users lacking technical expertise.

The application allows you to back up partitions and hard disks, the Windows system, and individual files and folders.

Regarding backups, you can create disk images, complete backups, incremental backups, and 1:1 file copies. There’s also support for automatic synchronization as well as versioning.

And, when it comes to storage, you can back up the data to local/external drives, online storage, NAS devices, and cloud storage services such as OneDrive, Dropbox, Google Drive, etc.

Ashampoo Backup Pro is powerful backup software, and thanks to the simple-to-use interface, it’s perfect for both first-time and advanced users.

Besides that, the software protects you from malware threats online using powerful antivirus tools. At the same time, it doesn’t consume much of your PC resources and works quietly in the background.

Ashampoo Backup Pro features:

Simple to use interface
Can back up partitions, hard drives, Windows system, individual files, and folders
Ability to create disk images, complete backups, incremental backups
Can store files on local/external drives, online storage, NAS, and the cloud
Versioning and automatic synchronization

Ashampoo Backup Pro

Ashampoo Backup Pro is a simple but powerful backup software that offers computer-to-computer network backup.

Check price Visit website

Backup4all – Supports advanced encryption protocols

For those looking for free backup software, Backup4all will be a great option. It offers a free 30-day trial period and should therefore be the perfect choice for users still exploring their options.

Backup4all can back up individual files or folders, but it can also perform a full backup or mirror backup with and without compression. Of course, support for incremental or differential backup is also available.

The software offers AES 256-bit encryption, along with support for email notifications. You can also automate both backup and restore.

Regarding backup storage, you can store backups on local/external hard drives, on network computers, remotely via FTP, and in the cloud.

Overall, Backup4all is great backup software. But some features are only available in the Professional version, so keep that in mind.

Backup4all features:

Support for full, mirror, incremental, and differential backups
Ability to backup individual files or folders
AES 256-bit encryption
Email notifications
Can store files on local and external drives, network computers, FTP servers, and the cloud

⇒ Get Backup4all

Listed above are the best computer-to-computer backup software available; one of these will serve as the most viable solution for you.

Also, do not forget to check the Microsoft backup software if you plan to explore more options.

Do tell us your pick from our recommendations in the comments section below.

Repair SD Card in Windows 10 With one of These 6 Software

Posted on April 14, 2022October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

We use SD cards in all sorts of devices, but what if your SD card is corrupted or damaged? If that’s the case, you’ll need to use software that can fix the corrupted SD card.

If your card is damaged, there might not be a way to fix it, but you can still extract and save your precious data, and today we’ll show you the best software for the job.

What is the best software to fix a corrupted SD card?

Wondershare Recoverit

Another software that can help you fix a corrupted SD card and recover your data is Wondershare Recoverit. The software is quite simple to use and can recover files with a couple of clicks.

Simply select the desired drive, scan it, and try to recover as many files as you can from it. As for the recovery, the software can recover over 1000 different file types with ease.

Wondershare Recoverit also offers both quick and deep scans, depending on how fast you want to recover your files. A preview option is also available, so you can ensure that files aren’t damaged.

The software also supports filtering, so you can easily find specific files or file types. It’s also worth mentioning that you can recover files during scanning, so you don’t have to wait for the scan to finish.

Wondershare Recoverit is a great software that can help you fix and recover files from a corrupted SD card, so be sure to try it out.

In addition, the program can recover damaged videos by gathering and matching the fragments of corrupted video files. So you assure your ultra HD, 4K, or 8K videos instantly.

All in all, you should benefit from the recovery capability of this software and secure your data on over 2000 storage media devices.

Wondershare Recoverit features:

Incredibly simple to use
Ability to preview files before backing them up
Works with SD cards, hard drives, SSDs, memory cards, digital cameras, Windows and Mac computers
Can be used for partition and hard drive recovery
Supports over 1000 file types

Wondershare Recoverit

Get back all the crucial lost files in just a few moments using this proficient recovering tool.

Check price Visit website

Stellar Photo Recovery

If you want to fix a corrupted SD card and save your data, then you might want to consider using Stellar Photo Recovery. The software is simple to use, so you should be able to easily recover files.

As for supported file types, this application is designed for audio and video formats, and it works with JPEG, JPG, TIFF, BMP, GIF, CR2, ERF, RAF, K25, NEF, OV, MXF, AVI, ASF, WMV, MP4, and other formats.

In addition, Stellar Photo Recovery works with 4K, 6K, 8K, UHD, and 360-degree files, and it fully supports CFast, CompactFlash, and microSDHC/XC cards.

The software also supports deep scanning, so it can recover any file. In addition, it can be used to create an image of the selected media and create a sector-by-sector copy.

Overall, Stellar Photo Recovery is a great tool if you want to recover photos or videos from a corrupted SD card, so you might want to give it a try.

With all being said, you can already take action to get back crucial data from your SD storage card and rejoice in your favorite media files.

Stellar Photo Recovery features:

Optimized for photo and video recovery
Works with 4K, 6K, 8K, UHD, and 360-degree files
Supports CFast, CompactFlash, and microSDHC/XC cards
Can create an image file of the selected drive
Deep scan option

Stellar Photo Recovery

Stellar Photo Recovery is recovery software that can help you repair corrupt SD cards and recover lost files.

Check price Visit website

AOMEI Partition Assistant

AOMEI Partition Assistant is another software that can be used to repair a corrupted SD card. This is a disk management software, but it can be used to partition and fix protentional problems with your SD card.

The software can be used to resize or move the selected partition or extend it. In addition, you can merge, split, create, delete, and format partitions.

With this kind of service, you can literally manage your partition in every way. For instance, splitting a large partition into two may help you to better organize your files.

AOMEI Partition Assistant can also be used to migrate your system to a new drive or clone entire disks and partitions in order to back up your files.

You can also create bootable disks, and Windows To Go drives, and it can convert MBR to GPT, as well as NTFS to FAT32 and vice versa without any file loss.

AOMEI Partition Assistant is a powerful disk management software, and although it’s not strictly designed for SD cards, it can be used to fix issues with them, so feel free to try it.

Therefore, you should consider such reliable software for its partition storage management tools. Plus, you ensure data security using disk cloning to be prepared for any accidents.

AOMEI Partition Assistant features:

Can be used to move, resize, split, create, format, and extend partitions
Works with all types of disks, including SD cards
Can be used to migrate the system to a new drive
Ability to clone disks and drives
Can convert MBR to GPT, NTFS to FAT32, and vice versa without file loss

AOMEI Partition Assistant

AOMEI Partition Assistant is a disk management software that can help you manage and format your SD card.

Check price Visit website

Disk Drill

Disk Drill software is designed to recover deleted files from corrupted SD cards, and it works with brands such as SanDisk, Transcend, Toshiba, Lexar, Integral, SP®, PNY, Kingston, and many others.

The software also works with digital cameras, smartphones, USB drives, hard drives/SSDs, and PC and Mac computers.

The software can recover any type of file including video and audio files, images, documents, archives and many other file types. The software currently supports over 200+ different file types.

The application is simple to use, and it will scan your SD card and try to recover as many files as possible. Now you just need to select the files that you want to restore and that’s it.

Disk Drill is a simple but powerful recovery software, and it will surely come in handy if you’re dealing with a corrupted SD card.

What’s more, you’re secured regarding crucial business documents and private files, relying on powerful recovery tools in case of sudden missing data.

Hence it’s likely to get back multiple files formats and restore complete partitions on your PC, plus providing data backup for both professionals and home users.

Disk Drill features:

Simple to use
Works with SD cards, USB drives, hard drives, SSDs, PC and Mac computers
Can restore over 200 file types

Disk Drill

Choose this software to recover any type of storage data, and stay secured for your essential intel.

Check price Visit website

MiniTool Partition Wizard

If you’re having problems with your SD card, MiniTool Partition Wizard might be able to help. This software allows you to easily manage your disks, so you can easily format your SD card.

Just like with any other disk management tool, you can create, delete, format, move, and resize partitions. If needed, you can also completely wipe a partition and prevent files from being recovered.

The software also offers full disk and partition copying, so you can copy an entire disk or SD card. Of course, the disk/partition checking feature is available as well, so you can check your drives.

The software also supports data recovery, and it will scan your drive and help you recover files, which can be useful for SD cards.

Overall, MiniTool Partition Wizard is great software, and even though it’s not specifically intended for SD cards, it can easily work with them as well.

In addition, you can manage disk partitions easily with this program, plus it’s possible to repartition your hard drive, split/move partition, or check system files.

All in all, you have complete control over your PC disk storage, and also fix damaged storage devices with partition management tools.

MiniTool Partition Wizard features:

Ability to create, delete, format, move and resize partitions
Full disk/partition cloning
Deep scanning and file recovery
Dynamic disk management
Disk checking feature

MiniTool Partition Wizard

Administrate your partitions and disk storage seamlessly on your PC with this useful partition manager.

Check price Visit website

If you need to learn more about data recovery, you can visit this dedicated Data recovery section at any time. Also, in case you are looking for more similar software, it’s possible to can find it in our Document management Hub.

Fixing a corrupted SD card isn’t an easy task, but with these tools, you should be able to fix it or at least recover your files from a corrupted SD card.

5+ Best Software to Completely Hide Folders on Windows 10

Posted on April 14, 2022October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

Keeping your private files and folders hidden from prying eyes is extremely important no matter if you’re holding records for your company, or just those pictures you’ve taken for your wedding.

Even though Windows 10 has a built-in feature that allows you to hide files and folders, it is not efficient as anybody with access to your computer can unhide the files easily.

Another downside of using this option to hide your folders is the fact that it doesn’t support FAT32 encryption, and it’s not available in the Home Edition of Windows 10.

In this article, we will explore some of the best software options on the market that can increase the security of your hidden folders to the next level, allowing you to even hide folders on a USB stick. Read on to find out more.

What’s the best software to hide folders on Windows 10?

Wise Folder Hider – Password-protect

Wise Folder Hider is a great software that allows you to easily hide specific folders, photos, videos, and other personal data on your Windows 10 PC, and these options come completely free.

This software has a user-friendly interface that makes the entire process of hiding your valuables files easy but offers other useful features.

Here are some of its best features:

Ability to lock the software with a password
After hiding folders/files you can set a second-level password that assures nobody but you can get access
Can hide files and folders on USB drives
Easy editing for hidden and locked files – you can modify any part of the content without the need to reveal/unlock the item first
Automatically adds a Hide File/Folder to your context menu

The free version of this software allows you to use double password protection to hide files, folders, and USB drives.

The paid version of this software, Wise Folder Hider Pro includes all the features found in the free version, but it also has:

Encrypt files and folders
Automatically recover passwords
Automatic updates
Premium tech support

Wise Folder Hider

Secure all your sensitive files and folder from your PC or other devices with this Wise solution.

Check price Visit Website

Folder Lock – 256-bit AES Encryption

Highly praised by the industry, Folder Lock is one of the highest-rated and most thorough encryption software out there.

Folder Lock has many advanced security features for your folders; you can password protect your files and store them in an online backup account. Additionally, it has a complete set of data protection options that serve every security need you may have.

This is just one software that comprises 7 powerful tools meant to cover all kinds of data protection necessities: Lock Files, Encrypt Files, Secure Backup, Protect USB/CD, Make Wallets, Shred Files, and Clean History.

Folder Lock is available for Windows-operated PCs and on a mobile app for Android and iOS.

The software is a one-time purchase. They offer a free trial, so you can try it for a while and see how it works.

Among the most notable features, we include:

Advanced and very fast 256-bit AES Encryption
Drag and drop functionality to protect files easy and fast
The data is stored in a Server which can be shared among employees on a Network
Online Backup with end-to-end data encryption
Easily access locked items using drag and drop, you don’t need to unlock them every time you want to run them
Wallet Encryption
Backup, restore and sync files online and among different PCs

The online backup of your files is an especially useful and truly revolutionary feature of Folder Lock. You can sync your files among different PCs.

Folder Lock

Highly secure your data from folders with bullet-proof service provided by this trustful program.

Check price Check website

IObit Protected Folder – Data loss or leak protection

If in great need of a strong locker for folders of Windows 10, IObit offers industry-standard services to protect your files.

In order to secure confidential information from your PC, powerful folder security is highly recommended. Using software like this you shield your data through privacy protection mode.

Among the best features included by IObit in this tool is the Data Locker that lets users secure their folders from malicious attacks, keeping data safer in case of ransomware attacks.

Hence assuring PC information security with folder protection is indicated to stay secure in such a fast-paced information era.

Here are some useful features of IObit:

Powerful file protection tool using passwords
Enhanced protection mode to defend your data
Protected folder-optimized engine
New folder lock options
Data loss or leak protection

IObit Folder Protection

Your files and folder’s security comes first, thus choose this software for full protection of information.

Check price Visit Website

Gilisoft File Lock Pro – Self-protection mode

Gilisoft File Lock Pro is a great solution when it comes to file protection and security on your Windows OS computer.

Briefly, any file from your PC will get privacy with this software. Folders and files, USB drives, or LAN data are covered.

With rich features and performant functionality, this tool can provide useful support for anyone, regardless of status or activity nature.

Using this industry-standard tool you benefit from folders/drives hiding, protection for local drive files, folder monitoring, locking LAN shared folders, portable encryption, and so on.

The main idea is that Gilisoft has a full-rounded protection role for your PC data safety, thus you can rely on its services at any hour.

Here are some other features of Gilisoft File Lock Pro:

File Shredder to remove useless files
Self-protection mode
Locking files, folders or drives
Folders protection on local disk
Easy to use platform

Gilisoft File Lock Pro

Become entirely covered from information theft with this file locking software meant for everybody.

Check price Visit Website

Easy Folder Guard – Local disk security

This particular software is a folder disguising and locking tool that can prevent others from accessing personal folders or files.

It’s worth checking this one because of its on-point functionality and very useful properties regarding file securing. For example, you can hide folders from your PC instantly without any traces, and keep them visible in the tool only.

You don’t need complex computing knowledge to use this tool, and every feature can be used with ease by any beginner.

Moreover, it’s possible to safely protect local disk data or USB drives in order to have more control over your PC ecosystem. Thus no one can see your sensitive or personal files within a few clicks.

Here are some other features of Easy Folder guard:

Powerful password encryption
Disguise folder to look like other programs
USB drives and local disk security
Intuitive user-friendly platform
Compatible with Windows 10/8/7 or Vista/XP

⇒ Get Easy Folder Guard

Lock and Hide Folder – Lightweight option

As the name suggests, Lock and Hide Folder is a great lightweight piece of software that allows you to effortlessly lock and then hide any folder on Windows 10 PC.

Using a tool like this gives you peace of mind that no matter what happens with your hard drive, the private information contained in your hidden and locked folders will always be safe.

One of the best features found in the Lock and Hide Folder is its ability to remove every link that shows that you’ve previously accessed the specific folder.

Beyond this, you can add a password to increase privacy even more, and can also run the software in stealth mode.

Using this mode means that no one using your computer will ever know that this software is installed.

Here are some other useful features found in this software:

Can hide an unlimited number of folders using 256-bit Blowfish Encryption
Can be set up so the software makes some files accessible and others not
The hidden folders are removed from Windows Explorer
Nobody can get access to your protected folders even if they try re-installing Windows, booting in Safe Mode
If the software is removed the folders still remain hidden
Isn’t available in Control Panel, thus making it hard to uninstall

⇒ Get Lock and Hide Folder

Hide Folders – No learning curve

Hide Folders is another great software option that allows you easily keep your private folders hidden from any possible intrusion on your Windows 10 PC.

Because this software is released under GNU General Public License, this software is free for both personal and commercial use.

This software works by hiding specific folders that you choose to be hidden, and also allows you to set a password for opening up the Hide Folders app.

You can also choose to remove all traces of this software’s existence off your hard drive (from the programs menu).

Compared to the other software options we explored in this article, Hide Folders is a lot simpler in the way it was built, but still offers much better protection than the ‘Hide files’ option built into Windows 10.

Here are some of the best features found in Hide Folders:

Folders stay hidden even in Windows Safe Mode
Great user-friendly interface
No learning curve
Can hide an unlimited number of folders
If the program is uninstalled, that doesn’t reveal your folders
Folders can be revealed only after using the reset password

⇒ Get Hide Folders

Anvi Folder Locker – User-friendly UI

Anvi Folder Locker is extremely useful and provides you with a quick and easy way to understand and use software that can help you increase the level of your privacy. You can hide folders with just a few clicks but doesn’t offer any encryption features.

You can also set passwords for accessing specific files and folders, as well as add custom permissions to any file. This allows you to choose if a file can or can not be modified, destructed, or removed.

If you want to secure valuable files on your device and take your images or music everywhere you go, then rely on Anvi software to lock your most valued memories.

Here are some of the best features found in Anvi Folder Locker:

Effortless installation
User-friendly GUI
Password protection functionality
Simple configuration requirements

⇒ Get Anvi Folder Locker

Conclusion

In this article, we explored some of the best software options that will help you hide and lock your folders. For extra security, you might want to encrypt files and folders on Windows 10 PC.

As we already established that the built-in ‘Hide Files’ option of Windows 10 is not very effective, using the tools we presented in this list will surely increase your computer’s security level.

Please let us know what software option did you choose and how it worked out for you by using the comment section below.

6 Best Webcam Protection Software [Shield, Blocker, Guard]

Posted on April 14, 2022October 10, 2025 by Radu Tyrsina

Webcams allow us to easily communicate with our family and friends, interview people from another corner of the world and even do business.

Unfortunately, hackers can use the cameras integrated into our laptops and desktop computers to sneak into our own private world and capture highly sensitive images and videos. Spooky, isn’t it?

It’s not surprising that people such as NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden, FBI Director James Comey, and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg cover up their webcams to protect their privacy.

The question is: should we do the same? And what are our options to make our webcams more secure?

How to protect your webcam against hackers?

Cover it up — here are some of the best webcam covers can you can buy.
Close your laptop or shut down your PC when you are not using it.
Turn ON the Led notification light — some webcams come with LED notification lights that turn on when the camera is active. This makes it a lot easier to spot if someone is using the camera without your knowledge.
Change the default admin and password if you are using a standalone webcam.
Update your web camera’s firmware.
Use firewalls — here are some of the best firewalls that you can use on Windows 10.
Scan your PC regularly to detect and remove potential threats.
Use specialized webcam protection software.

What’s the best webcam protection software?

SpyShelter Firewall – Microphone protection

SpyShelter is currently the best anti-keylogger and web protection software. It can prevent custom or commercial keyloggers in real-time keeping your computer safe and clean.

As SpyShelter does not rely on any of the fingerprints databases, you will be safe from malware zero-day.

Even more, it understands how malware works and does not rely on any antivirus databases either.

No web scams or any other threat will put in danger your web camera usage. You can feel free to not physically cover it because it is not possible to have problems with that on Spy Shelter’s guard.

You will not feel any pressure on your PC resources while using them because SpyShelter is heavily optimized. You can do whatever you want – it will not slow down your system.

Spyshelter has a simple and intuitive user interface that lets users quickly access and set up their webcam security preferences.

Not only does it protect your webcam device, but it also secures other potentially vulnerable system components. It protects your clipboard, blocks suspicious screen capturing activities, and more.

Other key features of Spyshelter include:

Microphone protection
Webcam protection
Keystroke encryption

Spyshelter is a licensed product with multiple packages available, depending on the exact features you want to use and the number of devices you want to secure.

SpyShelter

SpyShelter is the most powerful webcam protection software you can find today. Don’t hesitate to give it a try!

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus – Autopilot feature

Bitdefender also includes a webcam antispy designed to counter any potential cyber-attacks involving your camera.

To be more precise, the Bitdefender Video & Audio Protection can keep you safe from any extortion attempts using sensitive data.

The Webcam Protection feature continuously monitors apps that try to access your camera and sends you a notification regarding any attempt to gain access to your camera.

Bitdefender is able to protect your whole system against other types of threats using multi-layered protection. It is a proactive type of security that combines several types of shields to leave no weak points.

The antivirus also includes a reliable VPN service that helps you hide your browsing data and protects your identity.

It has non-disturbing modes for gaming that temporarily deactivate any intrusive notifications when you are in-game or enjoying a movie.

Some Bitdefender key features you’ll most likely appreciate:

It can completely restrict access to the webcam
Sends notifications even when allowed applications try to connect
It blocks browsers’ access to the webcam
Popular apps considered dangerous by users are automatically set on Blocked
Useful Autopilot features included

Bitdefender is a subscription-based service with multiple plans available. It is compatible with Windows and macOS computers.

Bitdefender Antivirus Plus

Bitdefender will send you a notification when any untrusted app attempts to gain access to your camera.

Check price Visit Website

TotalAV – General protection

TotalAV does not have a dedicated webcam blocker, so it belongs on this list only as general protection against the malware that hijacks cameras in the first place. Real-time protection stops spyware and remote-access trojans from installing, WebShield blocks the sites that spread them, and downloads are scanned before they open.

The higher plans add a Safe Browsing VPN and a password vault, and one subscription covers Windows, Mac, Android and iOS.

Real-time protection against spyware and remote-access trojans
WebShield blocks malicious sites
Downloads scanned before they open
VPN and password vault in the higher plans

TotalAV

Block suspicious webcam access in real-time and keep track of all apps and processes that are allowed to use your webcam.

Check Price Visit Website

Avast Antivirus – Automatic driver updates

While Avast Antivirus isn’t a dedicated webcam security program, it does contain features that will help with that s well, besides the typical antivirus tools you might be expecting.

This feature is called Webcam Shield, and it prevents applications and malware from accessing your PC’s webcam without your consent, and will even notify you when attempts are made.

Thanks to this great feature, untrusted applications can not capture images or videos and send the content outside of your PC without you knowing.

Webcam Shield is enabled by default s webcam protection starts from the moment you install Avast ANtivirus.

The webcam security feature is available if you get the Avast One or Avast Premium security subscription plans.

Avast includes additional privacy features such as a built-in unlimited VPN with servers in over 50 locations around the world.

It also has anti-tracking features and a cleanup utility to remove cookies and optimize your PC.

It also uses multiple shields to block all sorts of viruses, ransomware, and malware.

Other key features of Avast include:

Strong firewall
Monitors account breaches
Automatic driver updates

Avast is compatible with Windows and macOS computers and also offers Android and iOS applications.

Avast Antivirus

This ultra-powerful antivirus tool also comes with a webcam protection feature called Webcam Shield to further ensure your privacy.

Free trial Visit Website

ShieldApps Webcam Blocker – Clean user interface

ShieldApps proposes a dedicated webcam and microphone protection to ensure no third party can have access to your webcam without permission.

This application lets users create their own set of rules regarding the apps or processes that can access the webcam.

Unknown or blocked third parties that try to use the camera will be automatically blocked.

The webcam footage will appear as a black screen for anyone that tries to open it without permission.

Additionally, the software also protects your microphone. Access to your audio ports is disabled. Whenever you want to actually use the microphone, just open the app and temporarily enable it.

The tool is a powerful extra layer of protection against privacy threats such as spyware. If a threat passes through your antivirus and tries to use your webcam or microphone, it will automatically get blocked by ShieldApps Webcam Blocker.

The tool provides real-time protection and you can let it run in the background without a worry because it is extremely lightweight and does not interfere with other apps on your system.

Other key features of ShieldApps Webcam Blocker include:

Easy to use
Clean user interface
Detects online webcam security threats
Quick enable/disable buttons

A ShieldApps Webcam Blocker 1-year license can protect up to 3 devices, depending on the package you decide to pick.

⇒ Get ShieldApps Webcam Blocker

Webcam Protector – Easy to use

This tool will prevent hackers and watchdogs from secretly watching, listening to you, and recording your activity via your webcam and your built-in PC microphone.

You can now protect your webcam privacy with just one click as the software offers you the possibility to prevent your webcam from hacking attempts coming from Internet predators, hackers, and more.

The tool will protect your vulnerable video and audio ports. The compatible operating systems are Windows 98/Me/NT/2000/XP/2003/Vista/7/8/10.

With this tool, you can select your default webcam applications from a list. All other attempts will get blocked.

Other key features of Webcam Protector include:

Easy enable/disable functions
Uses information from your webcam hardware drivers
Compatible with Windows OS starting with Windows 7

The software is light and can run in the background with no problem. You can check the UI and see whenever any suspicious activity is detected.

⇒ Get Webcam Protector

It is imperative that you don’t freak out because even if there is a possibility that your webcam could get hacked, it doesn’t necessarily mean that this is going to happen.

Since prevention is better than cure, don’t forget to install one of the software listed above to protect your webcam privacy.

For similar software solutions as the ones detailed below, you can visit our Cybersecurity section.

Hence, you shouldn’t be reckless when it comes to your private life and learn the latest tips you may apply from Security & Privacy Software Hub.

Password Protect Dropbox Folder [3 Quick Steps]

Posted on April 14, 2022September 20, 2025 by Radu Tyrsina

Dropbox is a great cloud storage service, but many users might have issues when working with it. So, if you need to add more protection to a file, by using a password, you’ve come to the right place.

This software is already created with multiple layers of protection so you can stay worry-free about your sensitive data.

By adding password protection, it helps make sure that only the people you want to access your files can access them. Before anyone can view or download a document, they will need to have the password you protected the document with.

Dropbox has its own built-in password setting option that is fairly easy to work with. However, if you want to truly secure your files, you can use a third-party tool to password-protect each file individually.

Before you share a link to a file or folder in your Dropbox, just set a password for the link so the recipient can only open it with the password you set.

Is Dropbox safe for confidential files?

Dropbox protects its data under the principle of multi-layered protection, meaning it combines multiple security methods to ensure secure and private file sharing.

They use powerful 256-bit AES encryption which is approved by cybersecurity experts around the world. It also employs secure network configuration and application-level controls.

That being said, we must mention that due to the fact that it is cloud-based, there is still a risk of your data getting leaked or altered. Even if you do your best to secure data, it may get leaked somewhere on the recipient’s end.

For maximum protection, we recommend you enable two-factor authentication and set up the editing rights of your files before sending them. Password protection is also a highly efficient security measure.

Can you password protect a dropbox folder?

Yes, Dropbox lets the sender add a password to their files and also set expiration dates for their passwords and shared links.

For maximum protection, however, we recommend you use a third-party password manager. These tools can help you generate strong passwords, test them to see if they’ve been subjected to any data breaching incidents, and securely store them for you.

There are also dedicated tools that help you secure individual files before sending them. This means that even if your Dropbox password is compromised, a hacker will not be able to access your data. It can be downloaded, but not opened without the correct password.

How do I password protect a Dropbox folder?

1. Adding password protection for your files

Sign in to the Dropbox website.
Select the Share option beside the name of the file or folder that you wish to share.
Click link settings.
Select only people with the password.
Go to Set a password and type in the password you wish to use to protect the shared link.
If you wish to set up an expiration date for the password you set, after which said folder will become inaccessible, set one here.
Click Save Settings.
You can now copy and paste the link to an email or send it to other users directly via Dropbox.

1.1 Use a dedicated third-party tool

Another way to password-protect your folder is to use a dedicated third-party tool. After testing most of the available tools, we would recommend that you give RoboForm a try.

With this powerful password management tool, you can generate passwords with strong security thanks to its powerful encryption.

RoboForm uses AES-256-bit encryption with PBKDF2 SHA-256 which supports two-factor authentication to access your account.

It also gives you an assessment of sharing logins securely with other users by simply entering the recipient’s email. Thus, you can benefit from all this for free and then continue with a subscription that suits your needs.

RoboForm

Generate strong passwords and keep them backed up and in sync with this tool.

Try for free Visit Website

2. Control file access by setting shared link expiration dates

Another thing you can do to secure your Dropbox files is to set an expiration date for them.

You can still have control over your files even after sending them. Follow the upcoming instructions to set an expiration date:

Log into your Dropbox account and find the folder in question.
Hover over the name of the folder and click the share icon.
It will open a prompt, select Settings.
You will see the Expiration option, toggle the button to On.
Set your expiration date and time.
Save the changes.

Now, these settings will be applied to your link so you can rest assured that your files won’t be available for longer than they need to.

By setting an expiration date for your shared links on dropbox.com or the mobile app, your recipients will be able to access only the shared link until it expires. After the expiration date, the link is disabled.

You can also disable downloads for a shared link to protect your work from being easily downloaded. Your recipients will be able to preview the file, but they won’t be able to download it to their computer.

3. Setting up two-factor authentication

Visit the Dropbox website and sign in.
Click your avatar.
Choose Settings and select the Security tab.
Toggle Two-step verification to On. If you see Managed by single sign-on under the Security tab, your team uses single sign-on (SSO). This means you might not be able to use two-step verification with Dropbox.
Click Get started and re-enter your password.
Choose if you want to receive your security code by text message or mobile app.

Two-factor authentication is a very reliable extra security measure. It requires users to reconfirm their identity before allowing them to access their accounts.

This means that even if you enable it, even if your password is compromised, a hacker will not be able to connect to your account.

The access will only be granted after you complete the authentication steps by providing the code you receive via SMS or mobile app.

Password-protecting your files on Dropbox is a great way to control and secure the files and folders you want to share with others.

Adding two-step verification makes it that much harder for anyone to access your account.

To get the most out of your Dropbox account, take a quick tour of the Windows Report Dropbox section.

To see more detailed and easy-to-follow information, don’t forget to visit our extensive Security and Privacy software section.

Feel free to share your thoughts with us by using the comment section below.

Windows Bookmark Manager Tools: 12 Best to Use in 2026

Posted on April 14, 2022October 6, 2025 by Ivan Jenic

What’s the first thing you do in your browser when you fresh-install Windows? That’s right, you re-create your list of bookmarks.

We all have our favorite sites pinned to the bookmarks bar in a browser. Or, if we want to visit something later, we just create a bookmark for it.

Every browser has the ability to manage bookmarks. However, these options are mostly limited, as you usually have the ability just to add, and name your bookmarks, and that’s it.

Well, if you want to have better management of your saved sites, it’s a good idea to use some of the tools for managing browser bookmarks.

In this article, we gathered what we think are the best bookmark managers compatible with Windows-based browsers, so you can carefully consider each option, and choose the best one for you.

How do I organize my browser bookmarks?

You can use your built-in bookmark feature in your browser to save web pages and categorize them.

If you want to keep track of multiple web pages and manage your bookmarks more efficiently, a third-party bookmark manager is your best bet.

These tools include way more management and organization tools so you can create comprehensive bookmark collections that are easy to work with.

Noteworthy bookmark managers offer these sorts of benefits:

Structured folder and tagging tools
Easy-to-navigate interface for quick access
Support importing pre-existing bookmarks from your browser
Well-implemented privacy features and backup options

Quick Tip:

If you want a neat browser that gives you the freedom to customize your workspace in your own style, we suggest you try Opera One.

It is packed with very useful built-in functions to help you better organize, like AI, workspaces, tab islands, VPN and Ad blocker.

It is one of the fastest and most secure browsers in the market that will certainly make a great team with the bookmark management tools presented below.

Opera One

Customize your browsing experience and enjoy industry-leading privacy and performance features.

Free Download Visit website

What are the best browser bookmark managers for Windows?

Webcull

tools to organize browser bookmarks on Windows PCs

Next on our list is a bookmark manager that comprises strong organization tools within a simple and minimalistic user interface.

Webcull comes with a somewhat different approach in terms of organizing your bookmarks. With this app, you will store your links in stacks.

The reason why they use stacks is to allow users to save as many links as they like without the risk of running out of tagging or folding options.

Stacks can help with better structure and organization, allowing you to categorize and subcategorize your links more precisely and not risk ending up with a mess.

The app does not completely remove folders and tagging, but it tries to use them in a more efficient way.

Main folders are displayed as parallel stacks and all categories and subcategories (folders/subfolders) come under each stack.

Another nifty benefit of this service is that it is mobile-friendly, so you can sync and access your bookmarks from all your devices.

While it strives to help you get a perfect structure, Webcull also embodies an advanced search feature if you want to quickly find a link or folder.

You can search using tags and keywords. Either search your whole bookmark collection or select specific stacks.

Other key features of Webcull include:

Shareable stacks and collection
Password protect your URLs
Browser extensions
Multilayered encryption
Ad-free

With Webcull you can easily import pre-existing bookmarks as well as export your collection to a browser or third-party organization tool.

⇒ Get Webcull

Raindrop

Raindrop.io is a feature-packed bookmarking tool that will help you save and manage everything you come across while browsing.

The tool lets you save whole pages, text content, pictures, music, videos, and more.

It gives you plenty of options when it comes to organizing your bookmarks. You can create folders and subfolders and customize them with your own titles, tags, and icons.

You can tag your bookmarks with pre-determined tags such as, but you can also classify them based on the format (articles, documents, images, videos, etc).

Not only can you save your favorite web pages, but you can also work on them directly from the app with powerful annotation tools.

So if you come across a useful article, you can easily highlight the most important points, add comments, and more.

Raindrop is compatible with cloud applications, so you can easily backup all your data on the platform of your choice.

Other key features of Raindrop include:

Nested collections
Tag merging
Customizable themes
Upload media and files

If you are interested in Raindrop, you can get a free version that is somewhat limited, but it’s a good place to start. It also has a premium version that offers more storage space and additional features.

⇒ Get Raindrop

Lasso

Next up we have another modern tool that offers useful bookmark managing features under a modern and intuitive interface.

Lasso offers quick and easy solutions to save not only links but also screenshots. You can quickly add them to your dashboard with title, tagging, notes, and other info you may want to add.

The platform offers you multiple layouts in which you can view your content: link view, a spreadsheet view, card view, and map view.

Lasso also lets you set up landing pages for your bookmarks. This can help you curate content and share your favorite findings.

Lasso is a cloud-based bookmark organizer tool so you don’t have to worry about losing your data.

It is securely stored within the cloud, so regardless of what happens to your devices, your bookmarks stay intact.

Other key features of Lasso include:

Advanced search and filtering
Team and individual collaboration
Make public and private collections

Lasso is a subscription-based service. It’s suited for individual and team use and the prices vary depending on how many members will use the app.

⇒ Get Lasso

Dewey Bookmarks (Chrome Extension)

Dewey Bookmarks is an extension for Google Chrome that brings better visualization to bookmark management in this browser.

The extension shows all your previously-saved bookmarks as cards, with additional transparency, so you can easily access and edit them. You can even add tags to your bookmarks, to easily access them later.

With Dewey Bookmarks, you can sort bookmarks by date, name, or web address. It also features a powerful search engine, allowing you to search for bookmarks by entering a title, or even the URL.

To manage a bookmark, simply hover over it with a mouse pointer, and it will show a pencil that allows you to rename the bookmark, add a tag to it, and more.

It also allows you to import bookmarks from other browsers into Chrome, so you can have all your saved pages in one place. The only thing you can’t do with Dewey Bookmarks is to change bookmarks’ default folder.

Other key features of Dewey Bookmarks include:

Generate screenshots of your bookmarks
Easy navigation
Advanced search option

The extension is available on Chrome only, but there’s a similar extension for Firefox called ViewMarks, that features similar options.

⇒ Get Dewey Bookmarks

AVG Secure Browser

AVG browser earns its place in the list because it has a bookmark manager tool and other valuable customization benefits.

First, you can utilize this browser as a productivity tool and surf the web securely due to privacy enhancements.

More exactly, you can mask browsing traces with VPN and antivirus support, a privacy cleaner feature, or simply navigate with anti-tracking tools against cookies.

Other crucial benefits of this solution are the simple UI that uses fewer system resources, personalization elements like backgrounds or themes, and much more to go.

Other key features include:

Stealth mode for extra privacy
Password manager
Extensions guard
Anti-hack feature

AVG Secure Browser

Browse the web smoothly and organize bookmarks efficiently with this tool.

Free Visit website

Desktop.com

Providing tons of useful management and organization tools, as well as specialized collaboration features, Desktop.com is one of the industry-leading HQ platforms on the market.

This application is designed to serve all teams’ and individuals’ needs, being the software of choice for many noteworthy businesses. That being said, the platform offers tons of different features and designed plans from which you can choose.

The Bookmark Organizer on Desktop.com does certainly not disappoint. It lets users take full control of their saved links and websites.

Desktop.com lets you organize your bookmarks in your own style, giving you the possibility to create folders and add tags for your bookmarks.

This way, you can easily categorize and later on find your bookmarks in just a few clicks.

Desktop.com can be integrated into your browser, allowing you to quickly save links to your pre-existing bookmark folders.

Other key features of Desktop.com include:

Shareable bookmark folders and tags
Imports pre-existing bookmarks from your browser
Chat feature for teams
Password manager

Desktop.com has a free version as well as two paid plans. The free plan is suitable for small teams, while the other two cater to business and enterprise-level use.

⇒ Get Desktop.com

Pocket

Pocket is probably the most famous name on our list. Some people consider Pocket to be the best bookmarks manager, regardless of platform.

With Pocket, you can bookmark almost anything from your browser, including various major web browser extensions, mobile apps, web-based interfaces, and much more.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of Pocket is its cross-platform compatibility. Since it’s available on basically every major platform (except Windows 10 Mobile), it allows you to save bookmarks on one platform, and access them on another.

It even allows you to sort your bookmarks by categories, like Favorites, Articles, Images, etc. You can even add bookmarks to your Pocket account by sending an email to [email protected], with Subject as the title and the link in the body content.

Other key features of Pocket include:

Sort bookmarks by categories
Add tags to your bookmarks
Bookmark titles

Pocket is available on all major web browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. You can also download the official Pocket app for Android, iOS, and Windows 10.

⇒ Get Pocket

Bookmark OS

Bookmark OS is a web-based bookmark organizing and management tool that is highly compatible with any browser.

The tool provides a pleasant user experience, with a set of 10 beautiful themes that you can use to stylize your bookmark collection.

It is mainly based on folders and subfolders with a smart AI-powered folder suggestion. Whenever you save a bookmark, you automatically get a suggestion of the fitting folder for it.

Bookmark OS also makes it easy for you to visually identify your bookmarks as each folder icon will use a screenshot of the webpage saved within it.

Not only can you save individual links and pages, but you can also save all your tabs. If you work on a project and have multiple tabs open, you can save it as a “session” folder and easily reaccess them whenever you need to work on that particular task.

This saves you a lot of time and hassle, as you would otherwise have to always reopen each tab individually and maybe lose track of some of the information you need.
Bookmark OS also integrates some task management tools that include to-do lists with due dates, reminders, and more. You can also opt to save certain bookmarks as tasks.

The app also provides some note-taking tools including a web clipper, code block saver, and more.

Other key features of Bookmark OS include:

Duplicate finder
Nested tasks
Easy navigation and folder search

Bookmark OS has a free version that lets you store a limited number of bookmarks. The pro version has more storage space and includes additional features such as a Dropbox integration, no size limit on files, or list view customization.

⇒ Get Bookmark OS

Evernote

Evernote is another extremely popular tool, that you probably didn’t even know can be used for bookmarks management. Actually, Evernote is one of the most powerful bookmarks managers out there.

But, an increased number of options also means increased complexity, as this tool is not suitable for accessing your everyday bookmarks.

So for example, if you store your favorite news website that you visit every day, you’ll have to open a separate app, just to access the bookmark, which isn’t practical. What Evernote is good for using ‘research bookmarks’.

You can store an enormous number of bookmarks in Evernote, and access them any time you want.

For example, if you’re looking for a new smartphone, you can save all sites with offers to Evernote, and access them all at once, when you decide to order a smartphone. Evernote’s Web Clipper extension allows you to save whole pages or just a few parts to the note-taking app.

Speaking of saving entire pages, you can also save them as PDF, with this extension, so it can be used as some sort of bookmarking tool.

Other key features of Evernote include:

Sync across multiple devices
Pre-made templates
Powerful search feature
Task management and calendar tools

Evernote Web Clipper is also available on all major browsers, like Google Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge (since recently).

⇒ Get Evernote

Diigo

Diigo is another feature-rich bookmarking manager for your browser. Truth be told, it doesn’t have as attractive a user interface as some other tools from this list, but it’s still worth considering because of its features.

It is available as a browser extension, as well as a web interface. Diigo is compatible with the majority of browsers, including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer and Safari.

When you download the extension, you can easily add links to your profile through it. Just like Pocket, it also allows you to save bookmarks by email, using a custom email address.

Diigo can also be considered a social media tool, just like Delicious, so you can use it for discovering what others have shared.

It allows you to sort bookmarks by assigned tags, so you can use this method to better organize your saved stuff.

Other key features of Diigo include:

Add annotations to your bookmarks
Organize with tagging
Add sticky notes
Create customizable outlines to work more efficiently

Another great option of Diigo is the ability to add annotations to pages, so if you save a page just for a specific part of it, you’ll easily find what you’re looking for.

Diigo’s extension is available for free, but you can also download its app for iOS, Android and Mac.

⇒ Get Diigo

Pinterest is arguably the most popular photo-sharing service in the world. You probably already heard of, or even use it, but we must place it on our list since its browser extension allows you to easily save any image you find online to your Pinterest profile.

In case you don’t know how this service works, we’ll quickly explain you. You go to the Pinterest website, create, and set up your account. After that, download the Pinterest extension for your browser, integrate it with your account, and you’re good to go.

Every time you place your mouse cursor over an image on any site, the Pin It button will appear, and you’ll be able to save that image simply by clicking on that button.

It will ask you to give your newly-saved image bookmark a name, and some additional info, and it will be stored in your library.

Other key features of Pinterest include:

Sort your bookmarks with tags
Filtering option
Private and public board options

As Pinterest is widely used all over the world, you can also browse through it, to discover amazing images and photos other people have shared.

The Pin It extension is available for free, and you can get it on any major browser.

⇒ Get Pinterest

Chrome Bookmarks Manager

As you probably know, Google is present in almost every branch of the IT industry. Therefore, it’s completely logical for Google to have its own bookmark manager for its own web browser.

That’s exactly what Chrome Bookmarks Manager is. Chrome Bookmarks Manager is a tool similar to Dewey, that allows you to easily manage your bookmarks in an appealing interface.

This tool also uses a card-based layout to show all your saved bookmarks. The interface is divided into two sections: the left pane, and the bookmarks space. From the right pane, you can access and manage all your bookmark folders.

It allows you to sort your bookmarks by categories, for easier management.

When it comes to the bookmarks area, it lists all stored bookmarks from the selected folder. You can further edit them, by changing name, adding notes, changing URL, or moving them to another category.

For new versions of Google Chrome, the Bookmarks Manager is pre-installed and you can easily access and manage it by typing chrome://bookmarks in the address bar.

So, if you’re looking for a new bookmark manager, we’re sure you’ll like our choices. Depending on your needs, of course.

What do you think about our picks? Is there any tool we missed? And how do you manage your bookmarks? Tell us in the comments.

Best Widgets for Your Desktop in Windows 10 [2026 List]

Posted on April 14, 2022October 23, 2025 by Madalina Dinita

Although desktop gadgets are no longer officially supported by Microsoft, you can still bring them back to your Windows 10 PC using third-party apps.

However, before installing these programs, you should make sure your computer security is up to date, as some of them might pose a threat.

What are the best free desktop gadgets for Windows 10 and 11?

	Rating (1 to 5)	Free/Paid	Customizable	Add new gadgets	Automatic update
Desktop.com	5	Free	Yes	Yes	No
8 GadgetPack	5	Free	Yes	N/A	Yes
Gadgets Revived	4.5	Free	Yes	No	No
Rainmeter	4.5	Free	Yes	No	Yes
Win10 Widgets	4	Free	Yes	Yes	No
Gadgetarian	4	Free	Yes	Yes	N/A

What are the best free desktop gadgets for Windows 10 and 11?

Desktop.com

Desktop.com Workplace Software is a user-friendly solution for Windows 10 and 11 PCs that neatly organizes all of your web programs.

Furthermore, it works flawlessly with integrations in order to de-clutter your digital surroundings and boost your productivity.

In the secured online interface, you’ll discover all the apps, data, tools, and collaboration solutions you need to get the job done. In addition, this work platform is available at any time, from any location, and on any device.

Let’s see the great features of Desktop.com:

Unlimited desktops for web apps and links
Direct and group chats
Up to 4 members, unlimited guests
Audio and video calls for 5 participants
Multi-factor authentication
Password management
2 GB chat storage per member

Using an all-in-one desktop manager, you can organize, communicate, and manage access securely, allowing you to stay on top of projects and never miss important meetings.

If you acquire the paid version of Desktop. com, you will receive additional cross-platform chat, app integrations, subdomain and domain protection, priority online assistance, and 10 GB chat storage per member.

Organize your bookmarks by labeling them and organizing them into folders, and easily import all your bookmarks into Desktop.com and have relevant online apps auto-suggested for a quick setup.

Desktop.com is well known for reducing notification fatigue by storing everything in one place that unfolds from a single icon on your device and searching across all your content to quickly find anything you need.

⇒ Get Desktop.com

8GadgetPack

8GadgetPack allows you to use the popular desktop gadgets on Windows 10. The tool was recently updated to work on Windows 10.

The latest version of the app, 8GadgetPack Version 29.0 also brings many bug fixes.

Most desktop gadgets work on the older versions of Windows. Although 8GadgetPack has been optimized for Microsoft’s newer OS, there are still some gadgets that are not yet compatible with the new versions.

If you don’t use all the gadgets included in the download package, you can simply delete all the extra gadgets.

Speaking of Windows 7, you can keep it indefinitely, along with its gadgets. Learn from our dedicated guide on how to use Windows 7 forever and never upgrade to Windows 10.

Let’s see the great features of 8Gadgetpack:

Compatible with all Windows OS, including XP and Vista
Easy customizable
Plethora of gadgets
System control management
Organized functions

8GadgetPack includes the following gadgets: Agenda, Calendar, Clipboard, Clock, Control System, CPU Meter, Currency, Reminder, DriveInfo, Drives Meter

It also includes the Glassy CPU Monitor, Google Mail, Mail Checker, MiniRadio, Multi-Meter, My Weather, Network Monitor II, Picture Puzzle, Power Status, Slide Show, Sticky Notes Online, Volume Control, Weather, and Webradio Sidebar Gadget. As you can see, this software has many great desktop gadgets for Windows 10, so don’t hesitate to try it.

You can download 8GadgetPack from the app’s official website for free. Also, you can check out the video below for more information on how to install 8GadgetPack.

⇒ Get 8GadgetPack

Gadgets Revived

This tool allows you to download the desktop gadgets of your choice. First, you’ll need to download the Desktop Gadgets installer, and then you can pick the gadgets you want to install on your desktop.

The available gadgets are grouped into 19 categories, and each category includes various versions of the same gadget.

The differences are mainly related to app design. For example, you can choose between 10 Calendar versions and 10 Clock versions.

Unlike other gadget packs for Windows 10 and 11, Desktop Gadgets Revive not only adds gadgets to your desktop but also includes a Gadgets item in the desktop context menu and Control Panel, just as in Windows 7.

That is, you may open the Gadgets window fast by right-clicking on the desktop and selecting Gadgets.

Let’s see the great features of Gadgets Revived:

900 high-quality gadgets
Supports all Windows languages
Full Control Panel integration
Classic Shell menu

The full list of categories includes Battery, Calculator, Calendar, Christmas, Clock, Counters and Timers, Fun and Games, Mail and IM, Multimedia, Network, News and feeds, MusicRadio, TV, Recycle Bin, Search, Slideshow, System Information, System tools, Utility, Weather.

You can download Gadgets Revived from the app’s official website for free.

⇒ Get Gadgets Revived

Rainmeter

Rainmeter is a popular desktop customization tool for Windows. Its main advantage is the huge number of skins available and the ever-growing collection of apps rolled out by the dedicated Rainmeter community.

Rainmeter allows you to personalize your Windows desktop so that you can access useful information at a glance and keep an eye on your system’s performance.

The list of available gadgets is quite rich, including to-do lists, media players, weather information, CPU usage

Rainmeter shows configurable skins on your desktops, such as memory and battery status, RSS feeds, and weather predictions.

Let’s see the great features of Rainmeter:

Skins for RSS feeds, Gmail, Facebook
Small footprint 24K
Scripted source code
Large font size
Personalized graphics
Skin sharing community

Many skins are even functional they can capture your notes and to-do lists, launch your favorite programs, and manage your media player.

This works flawlessly while maintaining a clean, discreet interface that you can rearrange and adjust to your desire. Rainmeter is both a program and a set of tools to boost your imagination and creativity to give meaning to your PC.

Rainmeter version 4.3 was recently launched, bringing stability and performance improvements.

Rainmeter 4.0 is still in its beta version, and if you want to be sure the tool runs well on your system, you should install Rainmeter 3.3.2.

You can download Rainmeter from the app’s official website for free.

⇒ Get Rainmeter

Win10 Widgets

Win10 Widgets is a desktop customization app developed on Rainmeter’s structure.

This tool promises to take your desktop into the future, allowing you to quickly find the information you need using widgets such as weather, Wi-Fi, battery, music, and more.

Also, the network activity monitoring will definitely help, but if you want to keep it in check, try one of the best bandwidth monitors from our guide. It’s a simple tool, but it offers an abundance of desktop gadgets for Windows 10, so you might want to try it.

Let’s see the great features of Win10 Widgets:

Engineer each widget
Emphasis on functional simplicity
Auto-location for weather
Easily selectable hard drives
Volume slider

Win10 Widgets works with any wallpaper, any screen size, and uses the Windows 10 accent color you created to adapt to the general design of your system.

As far as the updates are concerned, Win10 Widgets doesn’t have an auto-update system in place, which means you’ll need to regularly search for updates on the app’s website to make sure you’re running the latest version of the program.

The developer of Win10 Widgets states:

In an effort to improve desktops everywhere and expand the Rainmeter community, I wanted to make this project accessible to casual users that might not know what Rainmeter is or want to spend the hours it takes to cultivate a customized desktop. The idea is that an easy-to-use theme that looks like it’s part of Windows will appeal to people that might not ordinarily use Rainmeter.

You can download Win10 Widgets from the tool’s official website for free.

⇒ Get Win10 Widgets

Gadgetarian

Gadgetarian is a tool that allows you to bring your favorite Windows 7 gadgets on Windows 10s desktop.

This app is very lightweight, and the installation process is very intuitive, you simply follow the on-screen instructions.

Once the installation is completed, you don’t need to restart your computer for the changes to take effect.

Right-click on your desktop to enable the context menu and select the Gadgets option to explore what this tool brings.

Let’s see the great features of Win10 Widgets:

Adds gadget support on desktop
Gadgets are tested for safety
Enables the native gadget functions
Customizable

If you’re not satisfied with a particular desktop gadget, you can easily remove it.

Adding a gadget to your desktop is very easy, simply double-click the gadget of your choice, and it will appear on your desktop.

It is worth mentioning that Gadgetarian’s role is to enable the Windows native gadget functions, and it doesn’t affect the integrity of the operating system.

You can download Gadgetarian from Windows Live Gadgets for free.

⇒ Get Gadgetarian

There you go, in case you want to see those lively desktop gadgets back on your computer’s screen, you can use one of these six desktop gadget tools for Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Why are desktop gadgets no longer supported in Windows?

The majority of gadgets depended on ActiveX controls to perform their fundamental operations, therefore gadgets were granted access to whatever ActiveX controls were installed on the computer.

To keep gadgets working, Microsoft would have had to radically change how they functioned, which would have broken current gadgets and required them to be redone by their developers.

Fortunately, this resulted in the creation of third-party fantastic widgets and gadgets by creative developers who still enjoy gadgets and customized tools.

The benefit of utilizing such programs is that they provide a safe, malware-free environment in which you may let your creativity roam free and build anything your mind and heart desire.

When you choose a desktop gadget manager, you will need some basic information about these tools. We will answer such questions as:

Does it have too many gadgets?
Is this gadget manager tool spending too many resources on your PC?
Can you add external widgets to it?
Do you have to update it manually?
Can you customize it with skins?
Where can you download these desktop gadget tools from?

Do I really need Windows widgets?

Desktop Widgets and Gadgets apps and software have been around for a while. They include customizable tools, and a malware-free work environment, and are significantly more capable than standard Windows widgets.

On the screen, they may display the time, weather conditions, sticky notes, and other information. Widgets and Gadgets may be positioned anywhere on the desktop.

They can also be hidden in the background screen, freeing up space on your screen from symbols and images.

FAQs

Can I still use desktop gadgets on Windows 10?

Microsoft officially removed desktop gadgets after Windows 7 for security reasons. However, you can still use them in Windows 10 by installing third-party tools that safely reintroduce the feature.

What are the best apps to get desktop gadgets back?

Apps like 8GadgetPack, Desktop Gadgets Installer, and Win10 Widgets are popular and let you add clocks, weather, system monitors, and other widgets to your desktop easily.

Are third-party desktop gadgets safe to use?

Yes, as long as they come from trusted sources. Avoid downloading gadget packs from unknown websites, since malicious scripts can be disguised as gadgets.

Can I customize or move gadgets on my desktop?

Absolutely. Most third-party gadget tools let you resize, move, and change themes or transparency to match your desktop style.

As for widgets, we have a special guide dedicated to the best desktop clock widgets for Windows 10, so don’t miss it.

Users who have upgraded to Windows 11 can also enjoy widgets more freely, as the system now allows you to use widgets without signing in, making access quicker and more convenient.

If you’ve already tried out some of them, tell us more about your experience in the comments section below.

Windows Driver Foundation Missing [Services Error Fix]

Posted on April 14, 2022October 9, 2025 by Sagar Naresh

It can be really frustrating when your Windows PC lags or runs slowly when playing games or doing resource-intensive tasks.

Your PC might have all the processing power to handle those tasks, but if some drivers fail to load, then you will experience multiple issues with your PC.

One such error is the Windows Driver Foundation missing issue. When this error pops up, you should know that some important system-related drivers failed to load on your Windows PC.

Since drivers are one of the most important components that let the hardware communicate with the PC, any issues with drivers can malfunction the hardware process.

There are several users that have reported the Windows Driver Foundation missing error and are looking to resolve this problem.

Besides, if your PC is also throwing up Windows Driver Foundation missing errors, then this will also eat up a lot of resources and ultimately drain your device’s battery.

If you are also experiencing the Windows Driver Foundation issue, and looking for solutions for it, then you are in the right place.

Because in this guide, we will help you with a list of solutions, that have helped users resolve the problem. Let us check it out.

What is Windows Driver Foundation and the reasons for this issue?

Before we jump into the solutions to fix the Windows Driver Foundation missing problem, it is better to understand what it is and the reasons that are triggering the issue.

The Windows Driver Foundation is the former name of the Windows Driver Framework. When some important files go missing, you will see an error message Driver WUDFRd Failed to Load/Missing.

When this error message pops up, it indicates that there are some device drivers on your Windows PC that failed to load properly.

For most users experiencing this issue, the problem occurs after they have updated from an older version of Windows to a new version, let’s say Windows 10 to Windows 11.

Here are a few key reasons you might come across the Windows Driver Foundation missing error.

The device drivers aren’t compatible with the version of your Windows.
A third-party app is conflicting with device drivers.
Presence of corrupt temporary files.
Due to corrupt system files.
Windows Driver Foundation service isn’t running.
Wi-Fi drivers are not updated.
Your copy of Windows is missing some important system files.
Latest Windows updates aren’t installed.

The above are some of the most common reasons why you might experience the Windows Driver Foundation missing error.

Now that you have some knowledge about what the problem is and the reasons that are possibly triggering it, let us check out how you can resolve it.

How can I fix the Windows Driver Foundation missing error?

1. Restart your PC

Open the Start menu.
Click on Power.
Select Restart.

A simple restart can do wonders and is one of the most common solutions you will hear people suggest when you come across any device-related issues.

Restart allows your PC to take a quick reset and load all the important system files right from scratch, which might have been missed during the previous session.

Before trying anything extreme, we would suggest you restart your PC and see if this fixes the Windows Driver Foundation missing issue.

2. Check for latest Windows updates

Press the Win + I keys to open Settings.
Select Windows Update from the left pane.
Hit the Check for updates button.

Your PC will now check the system servers for a new update. If a new update is live, then it will prompt you to install it.

Microsoft pushes new updates that not only bring some new features but also include several bug fixes for the Windows OS.

It is highly recommended that you keep your Windows PC up-to-date so that you do not miss out on new features, the latest security patches, and bug fixes.

3. Run Windows Driver Foundation service

Press Win + R to open the Run command.
Type the below command and press Enter. services.msc
Locate Windows Driver Foundation service on the right side.
Right click on it and select Properties.
Set the Startup type to Automatic.
Hit the Apply button and press OK.
Restart your PC.

The Windows Driver Foundation is an important Windows service. If for some reason, it fails to load or run in the background, then you will come across Windows Driver Foundation missing error.

Using the above-mentioned steps, you can head over to the Windows Services menu, and enable the Windows Driver Foundation service for it to function properly and possibly cure the problem.

4. Update USB and Wi-Fi drivers

Press Win + R keys to open the Run dialogue.
Type the below command and press Enter. devmgmt.msc
Expand the Universal Serial Bus Controllers option.Right-click on the problematic USB device and select Update drivers.
Click on Search automtically for drivers option.
Similarly, expand the Network adaptors section and update the drivers for the problematic device.

Not only it is essential to have the latest version of Windows installed, but you should also keep all the device drivers installed on your PC, up to date.

Outdated drivers may be causing issues because they might not be compatible with the version of Windows OS installed.

While you can manually update the drivers for the devices on your PC, there is another easy way to do this.

You can make use of a trusted third-party tool called Outbyte Driver Updater. This tool helps you update all drivers installed on your PC, with a simple click.

Outbyte Driver Updater scans your PC for outdated drivers, shows you the result, and then updates all the drivers. Other features include fixing faulty or broken driver files, updating old device drivers, locating missing drivers, etc.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

5. Disable hard drive hibernation

Open the Start menu.
Search for Edit power plan and open it.
Click on Change advanced power settings.
Expand the Hard Disk option.
Expand the Turn off the hard disk option.
Select Never for On battery option.
Hit Apply and press OK.
Reboot your PC.

6. Run SFC command

Search for Command Prompt in the Start menu.
Run it as an administrator.
Type in the below command and press Enter. sfc/scannow

The System File Checker, or in short, the SFC scan command, checks your PC for all corrupt files, and if it finds missing or corrupt system files, it automatically repairs them.

Simply reboot your PC once the process is complete and see if this fixes the Windows Driver Foundation missing issue or not.

Alternatively, you can also use trusted third-party software that can easily resolve the issues triggered because of corrupt system files.

If system-related files get corrupted, your system may not function properly. For such scenarios, you can either go ahead through the process of reinstalling the operating system or repairing it or else opt for a file repair software and see if it resolves your problem or not.

7. Run System Maintenance troubleshooter

Open the Start menu.
Search for Control Panel and open it.
Select view by Large icons option.
Select Troubleshooting.
From the left pane, click on View all.
Locate System Maintenance.
Follow the on-screen prompts to run the system maintenance troubleshooter.
Restart your PC.

Whenever you come across any device-related or driver-related issue, we would suggest you run the Windows Troubleshooter.

This built-in tool comes with all the troubleshooting capabilities and can help you cure several driver-related problems, including the Windows Driver Foundation missing issue.

Let the troubleshooter run, and it will give you a report about what is causing the issue, and it will also prompt you to do the needful to fix the problem.

8. Perform clean boot

Press Win + R keys to open the Run command.
Execute the below command. msconfig
Under the General tab, click on Selective startup option.
Uncheck Load startup items option and check the Load system services option. Also, check the Use original boot configuration option.
Switch to the Services tab.
Click on Hide all Microsoft services.
Select Disable all.
Click Apply and hit OK.
Restart your PC.

Performing a clean boot starts your Windows PC with the minimal set of drivers that are required for the system to boot up.

Using this clean environment, you can easily determine if a background activity is interfering or causing conflicts on your PC with your game or program.

9. Clear the temporary folder

Press Win + R buttons to open the Run command.
Type %temp% and hit Enter.
Press Ctrl + A to select all files.
Press the Delete button your keyboard or right-click and select Delete.

10. Reset Windows

Press Win + I buttons to open Settings menu.
Select System from left side.
Scroll down on the right-side to select Recovery.
Under Recovery Options, click on the Reset PC button.
Choose the Keep my files option.
Select Cloud Download.
Click Next.
Choose Reset.

Your PC will undergo the process of reset after you have executed the above steps. Choosing the option to keep your files will reset only the system files. Once the process is complete, you will be able to locate your personal files.

Moreover, resetting your Windows 11 PC should be the last option if none of the above-mentioned solutions helped you solve the Windows Driver Foundation missing error.

Using the above solutions you should be able to fix the problem. We also have a dedicated guide on how you can fix the Windows Driver Frameworks uses too much CPU issue.

Since Windows Driver Foundation is the former name of the Windows Driver Frameworks, you can also use the mentioned solutions in that post to possibly fix the problem.

We also tackled WudfRd failed to load error in one of our previous guides, so be sure to check it out for more solutions.

Let us know down below in the comments section, which method fixed the problem for you. If you applied a different solution that is not listed in this guide, you can share that with us.

3 Ways to Remove the Evaluation Copy Watermark in Windows 11

Posted on April 14, 2022October 4, 2023 by Abdul Moiz

Are you having trouble with the annoying watermark on the bottom right side of your Windows 11 screen? And you don’t know how to remove it? The Universal Watermark Disabler tool comes to your rescue.

The Universal Watermark Disabler for Windows 11 is a tool that can assist in removing the annoying watermark on the bottom-right side of the Windows screen that is interfering with your wallpaper and overall experience.

Without any further ado, let’s get started.

How do I remove the watermark from Windows 11?

1. Remove the watermark using Universal Watermark Disabler

Download the Universal Watermark Remover.
After it’s downloaded, right-click on the folder and select Extract all.
Choose the desired location, and click on Extract.
Open the extracted folder, then right-click on the UWD.exe file and choose Run as administrator.
In the UAC dialog box, click on Yes.
The Universal Watermark Disabler will launch. Click on Install to continue with the installation process.
Click Yes in the confirmation prompt.
After the software is installed, click OK to sign out of the user account.
When you sign back in, the Activate Windows watermark will be removed.

The simplest way to remove the Evaluation Copy watermark in Windows 11 is to use the Universal Watermark Disabler, a third-party freeware application that removes all kinds of watermarks.

But before you begin, we would request that you create a backup of all the data as you will be replacing the system files basebrd.dll.mui and shell32.dll.mui, and the process can sometimes cause instability.

Also, keep in mind that replacing system files regularly can cause your PC to break, so don’t make it a habit.

2. Remove watermark using the registry editor

Press Windows + R to open Run, type regedit, and hit Enter.
Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
In the address bar, paste the following path and hit Enter:Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
Locate and double-click on PaintDesktopVersion from the entries on the right.
Change the Value data to 0 and click on OK.

In case you don’t prefer using a third-party app like Universal Watermark Disabler in Windows 11, modifying the Registry will help. But make sure not to change any values other than what’s listed here.

3. Remove the watermark using Ease Of Access Settings

Press Windows + S to open the Search menu, enter Control Panel in the text field, and click on the relevant search result.
Click on Ease of Access here.
Click Ease of Access Center.
Select the Make the computer easier to see option.
Tick the checkbox for Remove background images (where applicable), and click on OK to save the changes.

After this step, you shouldn’t find the watermark on your desktop, and the entire desktop will turn black.

That’s all! You now know all the ways to remove watermarks in Windows 11, along with using the Universal Watermark Disabler tool.

Also, find out how to remove watermarks in Microsoft Word. If you know of any other methods or have a query, do drop a comment below.

Windows 11 Not Updating Time? How to Sync it Again

Posted on April 14, 2022March 28, 2024 by Sagar Naresh

Windows 11 keeps updating the date and time automatically, provided that it is not set to manual. It makes use of the time.windows.com server to fetch the exact date and time.

But there are several users, who have reported that for them, the date and time on their Windows 11 PCs aren’t updating automatically. And they haven’t set the settings to manual either.

Windows 11 users have reported that even after keeping the time and date change on automatic, the operating system is not updating the time.

Well, if you are one of those users, then you will face several issues with the software installed on your Windows 11 PC. In particular, the browser app will throw up multiple errors due to incorrect time and date.

This is not something new, and sometimes Windows can act strangely. The Windows Time Service may stop without any reason, and you will face Windows 11 not updating time error.

Thankfully, this guide is here to help you out, as we have listed some of the best and most effective solutions that have helped users fix the Windows 11 not updating time errors. Let us check them out.

What are the different ways of changing the date and time on Windows 11?

1. Using Command Prompt

Open the Start menu.
Search for Command Prompt and open it as an administrator.
Using the date format datedd/mm/yyyy, you can change the date of your PC.
- For example, if you wish to change the date to 12/April/2022, in the above format, you need to type in 12/04/2022. Do note that the date format depends on the format that your PC is set with. If you have the date format as mm/dd/yyyy, then you need to type 04/12/2022. So, the command would be: date 12/04/2022 or date 04/12/2022
To change the time, use the format time HH:MM and press Enter.
- To change the time to 10:30 AM, you need to enter time 10:30 in the above format. If you want to change the time to 10:30 PM, then you need to enter time 22:30. So, the command would be: time 10:30 or time 22:30.
Exit CMD.

2. Using Powershell

Open the Start menu.
Search for Windows Powershell and run it as an administrator.
Type the below command and press Enter to change the date and time in one go. Set-Date -Date "dd/mm/yyyy HH:MM AM" or Set-Date -Date "dd/mm/yyyy HH:MM PM"
Exit Windows Powershell.

While you might already be familiar with other methods of changing the date and time, i.e., from the taskbar widget panel or the control panel method, the two methods mentioned above add to the flexibility.

How can I fix Windows 11 not updating time error?

1. Check if time settings is set to manual

Press the Win + I keys to open the Settings menu.
Click on Time & language.
Select Date & time.
Make sure to toggle on the Set time automatically option, if it is not already selected.

If the Set time automatically option isn’t selected, then problematic third-party apps, viruses, or malware on your PC can tweak the manual time settings, only to cause you more trouble.

Because, incorrect time not only deprives you of receiving the latest updates, it will also cause several issues with your browser and the update of virus definitions.

2. Start Windows Time service

Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialogue.
Type the below command and press Enter.services.msc
On the right side, search for the Windows Time service and double click on it.
Under Startup type, select Automatic.
Select the Start button.
Click Apply and OK to save changes.

Your Windows 11 PC makes use of the Windows Time service in order to keep the time and date up to date.

Sometimes, due to external factors, this service fails to operate or function correctly. This will ultimately result in issues such as Windows 11 not updating time error. Check if the service is running or not and if not, then enable it and see if this fixes the issue.

This also helps if the automatic time zone changes to a wrong one.

3. Use a different server

Open the Start menu.
Open Control Panel.
Select Date and Time.
Switch to Internet Time.
Click on Change settings.
Change the time server from the Server drop-down menu.
Click on the Update now button.

Changing the time server has helped several users get their Windows 11 PCs to update the time. There are chances that the current time server you have selected is facing some issues. You can also give it a try and hopefully fix the issue.

4. Reset w32time.dll

Open the Start menu.
Search for Command Prompt and open it as an administrator.
Execute the below command. regsvr32 w32time.dll
Close the command prompt and restart your PC.

Using the above command, you are basically re-registering the w3time.dll file on your PC. Check if this fixes the issue or not.

5. Disable and enable Auto Time Zone Updater service

Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialogue.
Type the below command and press Enter.services.msc
On the right side, search for the Auto Time Zone Updater and double click on it.
Double-click on it and under Startup type select Disabled.
Set the Service status as Stop.
Restart your PC.

6. Use Registry Editor

Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialogue.
Type the below command and press Enter. regedit
Head over to the below path. HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet
Locate ControlTimeZoneInformation in the left pane. If it does not exist already, then right-click on CurrentControlSet and create a new key.
Name this newly created key as ControlTimeZoneInformation.
On the right side, right-click on empty space and select New > Dword (64 bit).
Name it RealTimeIsUniversal.
Double click on RealTimeIsUniversal.
Change the Value data to 1.

Before you go ahead and tweak the registry settings of your PC, it is very important to take a backup of the default registry settings so that you can always revert back to the default settings in case things go south.

In order to take a backup, open the registry editor, and click on Files > Export. Select the location to save the registry editor backup and hit Save.

7. Run the System File Checker

Click on Start.
Search for Command Prompt.
Open it as administrator.
Type the below command and press Enter.sfc /scannow
Restart your PC.

If there are corrupt system files present on your PC, then it will interfere with the smooth functioning of all the system processes.

The System File Checker is an efficient Windows 11 tool that, alongside detecting corrupt files, also fixes them. All this is done automatically by executing a command.

Alternatively, there are reliable third-party tools, which will help you resolve several system-related issues triggered by corrupt system files.

What else can I do to fix Windows 11 not updating time error?

If none of the above-mentioned solutions helped you fix the problem, then there is a way, at least a temporary solution, that will help you have the correct date and time on your Windows 11 PC.

We are talking about setting the time and date manually on your Windows 11 PC. Here are the steps that you need to follow to set the time manually.

Press the Win + I keys to open the Settings menu.
Click on Time & language.
Choose the Date & time.
Toggle off the Set time automatically option, if it is on.
Click on the Change button for the Set the date and time manually option.
A new window will show up, where you can set the date and time manually.
Click the Change button after setting the correct date and time.

The above-mentioned solutions, along with the tip at the end, should be sufficient enough to help you resolve the Windows 11 not updating time issue.

However, in case nothing works, you can start afresh by either resetting your Windows 11 PC or reinstalling Windows 11 on your PC.

Let us know in the comments section which of the above methods helped you fix the error. Feel free to share any other solutions that helped you in the comments below.

Fix: Intel RST platform not supported

Posted on April 14, 2022September 26, 2025 by Vladimir Popescu

Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) is essential for the smooth running of your PC. It provides a storage option to improve performance and reduce power consumption.

However, most users that have upgraded their Windows are complaining about the Intel RST not installing with the error message platform not supported.

This problem can be caused by many reasons but mostly, it is associated with driver versions incompatibility or Intel RST outdated driver.

This guide will provide some troubleshooting fixes to fix the Intel RST platform not supported error.

What can I do if I get the Intel RST platform not supported error?

1. Update your Intel RST driver

Press the Windows key + X and choose Device Manager from the menu.
Locate Disk drivers and expand it.
Right-click on the hard drive that your Intel Rapid Storage Technology is running and press Update driver.
Choose search automatically for drivers and click to install the latest drivers, if found.

By updating the driver automatically, the platform not supported error should be fixed since the latest driver will be installed. However, if this did not work, try to install it manually.

An alternative to this is to download Outbyte Driver Updater to update all your drivers without going through the stress of individual updates like this again.

2. Uninstall the Intel RST driver

2.1 Uninstall driver

Press the Windows key + X and choose Device Manager from the menu.
Locate Disk drivers and expand it.
Right-click on the hard drive that your Intel Rapid Storage Technology is running and press Uninstall device.
Click Action on the device manager Toolbar and choose Scan for hardware changes.

2.2 Install the new driver

Go to the Intel RST download center and download the application with the setupRST.exe to download.
Launch the application and Run as administrator.
Go through the installation process for the latest Intel RST driver and user interface.
Restart PC to take effect by clicking on the Start button.

3. Change Intel RST service type

Press Windows key + R and input service.msc. Then press OK..
Locate Intel(R) Rapid Storage Technology and open it.
in the General tab, click Startup type and choose Automatic.
Click Apply and then, OK.
Restart PC to take effect.

If the Intel RST service is manually configured, it may cause a problem. Thus, changing the startup service type can fix the problem.

Some users have made their research on the problem and discovered that a BIOS update can also be an effective solution. Hence, you can check out our article on how to easily update your BIOS.

This article has provided some effective quick fixes for your issue. If you wish to read more about intel related problems, we have an article on fixing the Intel Optane memory pinning error on Windows 10/11.

Do you have any questions or suggestions about this guide? we’d like to hear about them in the comment section below.

Top 5+ VPNs for Windows 11 that are free to download

Posted on April 14, 2022September 17, 2025 by Megan Moore

The internet is constantly growing and evolving, and with it comes cyber threats that are getting more and more advanced.

Millions of people are aware of their online security and having a Virtual Private Network (VPN) is quickly becoming essential for internet safety.

While the following VPNs offer paid pro or premium versions, they are free to download and either have free versions with data limits or offer money-back guarantees.

What are the best VPNs for Windows 11 that are free to download?

Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) VPN is an open-source app that is free to download on Windows 11. PIA is one of the fastest VPNs and one of the most experienced, having been created over ten years ago.

In addition to being a great VPN service, PIA also includes a built-in ad and malware blocker, and split tunneling. It offers highly customizable settings so users can configure the VPN to their liking.

PIA does operate on a monthly subscription basis, but it is free to download and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Key features of PIA VPN:

Open-source
10+ years of VPN experience
Built-in ad and malware blocker

⇒ Get Private Internet Access

NordVPN

NordVPN is one of the most popular VPN services and for good reason. This VPN claims to be the fastest and offers double encryption for added security. It offers access to thousands of servers from all over the world and can be used on up to 6 devices at once.

While NordVPN is free to download, it is a subscription-based service. They do offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so users get to give it a try before committing to a subscription.

Key features of NordVPN:

Offers top-notch security without sacrificing speed
Additional security features like double encryption
30-day money-back guarantee

⇒ Get NordVPN

CyberGhost

CyberGhost is another paid subscription VPN service, but it’s free to install and offers a 24h free trial. Using this VPN, users have access to over 35 streaming platforms.

CyberGhost includes air-tight data encryption, a kill switch, split tunneling, and an ad blocker. This VPN service has a strict no-logs policy and offers free extensions for Chromium-based browsers.

Key features of CyberGhost:

24h free trial
Unblocks over 35 streaming platforms
Free browser extension

⇒ Get CyberGhost

Avast One

Avast One is an all-in-one platform for security, privacy, and performance. This program provides users with comprehensive management of their online and PC security. Avast One includes a virus scanner, VPN, and PC Speedup which optimizes computer performance.

Users can use these features, including the VPN, for free with the Essential package, however, the VPN has a weekly data limit.

Key features of Avast One:

All-in-one security platform
Free version
Central management of all privacy and performance functions

⇒ Get Avast One

Hide.me

This VPN is free to download and offers a free version with a data limit of 10GB per month. Hide.me is a fast VPN with advanced security features, including a kill switch and no-logs policy.

Hide.me has over 2,000 servers across 46 countries and allows users to bypass geo-restrictions for streaming services and websites.

Key features of Hide.me:

Free version
Kill switch and a no-logs policy
Bypass geo-restrictions

⇒ Get Hide.me

Avira Phantom VPN

Avira Phantom VPN is another great VPN for Windows 11 that is free to use and download. This VPN service offers a Pro version that gives users unlimited data, but there is a free version with a data cap of 500 MB / month.

This VPN encrypts user data for maximum security and has DNS leak protection. Only the Pro version includes customer service and a kill switch. However, unlike other VPNs, there is no limit on how many devices users can connect to at once.

Key features of Avira Phantom VPN:

Free version
DNS leak protection
Connect to an unlimited number of devices

⇒ Get Avira Phantom VPN

We hope this list helped you decide on what free to download VPN is best for your Windows 11 device. The VPN services on this list either offer free versions with limited data or money-back guarantee trials.

VPNs are an easy way to protect your privacy online. With cyber threats getting more advanced by the day, it’s important to keep your data safe. If your Windows 11 VPN is not working or is having issues, we have a guide on how to fix it.

Let us know in the comments what VPN you use for your devices.

Fix: Windows 11 Installation Assistant Disappeared

Posted on April 14, 2022October 4, 2023 by Vladimir Popescu

Beginning on the 5th of October, 2021, Windows rolled out the latest version, 11, to Windows 10 users. The automatic update was made available over the air for many devices that met the hardware requirements, all with a single click.

Nevertheless, the OS rollout has been admittedly slow and remains unavailable for many users. The Windows 11 Installation Assistant is an alternative means of upgrading your OS. Available on the Microsoft official website, the tiny package, once launched, is supposed to guide users seamlessly through installing Windows 11.

Provided that your device meets the minimum requirements, everything should be a breeze.

However, many users have expressed discontent over the efficiency of the installation package. There were several reports, as early as two days after the official OS rollout, of the Windows 11 Assistant disappearing abruptly. Some users have even reported issues of data loss after installation.

If you’ve been experiencing this issue, fret not! You’re in the right place, and you’ll learn multiple methods to solve this issue.

What can I do if Windows 11 Installation Assistant disappears?

1. Check for the Windows 11 icon in the taskbar

Navigate to the system tray right beside the clock and click on it
Check the tray for the Windows 11 Installation Assistant icon.
Alternatively, you can check the arrow icon for apps running in the background in the taskbar.

2. Redownload the Windows 11 Assistant and check PC health

Visit the download page.
After the page opens, navigate to Download and click on it.
Go to the downloaded file, right-click on it, and tap on Run as Administrator.
Open the newly installed app and click Get PC Health Check app.
Alternatively, you can download the PC Health Check app here
After installing it, open the app and click on Check Now
From here, you’ll be able to see whether your system is compatible with the new Windows.

There are many reasons why the Windows 11 Assistant can disappear after installation. The likely chances are that it’s running in the background. Here, all you have to do is to search for it.

Another quick fix is by restarting your computer. Simply rebooting is a time-reversed technique for bringing life and normalcy into a malfunctioning device and may serve you here, even if the chances of success are low.

Some users have tried to fix the issue by running the sfc scannow command into Windows PowerShell. For the most part, it doesn’t work, and the Windows 11 Installation Assistant keeps disappearing.

There may be driver issues with your device, causing disruptions in Windows 11. You should check out the system’s installer log files, as there might have been an issue with drivers.

Also, it could be because of network issues. Many users complaining about this problem have gotten fixes by simply resetting internet connectivity to routers, WiFi, or mobile internet.

Windows 11 is relatively new and is bound to have a couple of device-peculiar bugs. At present, it’s not available for all devices, which may be a reason why installation can be such a chore. If you’re having issues with the repeated disappearance of the Windows Installation Assistant, you may be better served by installing Windows more efficiently. If the installation procedure fails, this guide can help you troubleshoot.

We hope you’ve enjoyed reading our article. Apply the fixes recommended and give us feedback in the comments section below. We’d like to hear your thoughts.

Fix: How to Reset this PC Drive is Locked

Posted on April 14, 2022July 25, 2024 by Vladimir Popescu

If you have used Windows long enough there’s a possibility that you’ve encountered a hard disk error before.

One of these errors you might encounter includes a locked drive, which can annoy most users, but this guide should prove helpful.

This is usually a frustrating issue because, without proper technical help, you might lose important files.

While this issue is serious for Windows users, recovering your PC drive without losing your files and documents is possible.

NOTE

It is essential to have a backup plan to avoid losing data when something like this happens. Consider using EaseUS Todo Backup to keep your data safe at all times.

How do I reset my PC drive if it is locked?

1. Refresh your PC

Switch off your computer and install a boot disk or USB drive.
Switch it back on and press F12 or F8 to access the boot menu.
Click Next.
Select Repair your computer.
Once opened, click Troubleshoot.
Select Advanced options.
Click Refresh Your PC and follow the prompts.
Once finished, restart your computer and check if your hard disk is working again.

Resetting the PC using the advanced startup screen is one of the easiest ways to reset your C drive without deleting other drives on Windows 11.

2. Run a disk check

Restart your computer while holding your Shift Key.
Select Troubleshoot.
Select Advanced options.
Then click on the command prompt.
Once your command prompt opens, type chkdsk D:/f/x/r on the command prompt and click enter.
Wait for the operation to complete and type exit to leave the command prompt.
Switch your computer back on and check whether the disk is unlocked.

3. Run a system file check

Go to your Windows menu option, and restart your computer while holding the Shift key.
Select Troubleshoot.
Select Advanced options.
Then click on the command prompt.
Type sfc/scannow and wait for the process to run.
Finish by typing exit.
Restart your computer and check whether our hard disk has been unlocked.

4. Complete a startup repair

Go to your Windows menu option, and restart your computer while holding the Shift key.
Select Troubleshoot.
Click Advanced options.
Select Startup Repair and let the process run.
This might take some time.
Startup repair might fail to work. Instead of shutting down your computer, click on advanced options.
Select Troubleshoot.
Then click on the command prompt.
Type bootrec /RebuildBcd and press enter.
Once done, type bootrec /fixMbr Wait for the process to complete.
Then type bootrec /fixboot and wait for the process to complete on its own.
Type exit once all the processes are done and restart your computer.

This solution checks for corruption in the boot files and fixes them.

5. Try and restore your system

Boot your computer from a disk or USB.
Click Next.
Select repair computer.
Click on the restore option and pick a day before your disk started acting up.
Allow the process to run and restart your computer.
Check if your disk is working properly.

Regardless of your PC’s drive health, it is always important to regularly back up your data on a reliable source to prevent unexpected data loss.

If you have other issues with your drive, such as a locked drive where Windows is installed, consider going through this detailed solution.

Also, if you have other solutions that have worked for you, don’t forget to share them with us in the comment section below.

Couldn’t Install RSAT in Windows 11? Apply These Fixes

Posted on April 14, 2022September 4, 2024 by Kazim Ali Alvi

RSAT or Remote Server Administration Tools is a component that allows administrators to remotely manage the other computers running the same OS. But, if things are not right, you might not be able to install RSAT in Windows 11.

There are a bunch of errors that you encounter here, for instance, the RSAT installer encountered an error 0x8024001d. No matter the cause, there are a bunch of methods that prove effective in every situation.

So, if you couldn’t install RSAT in Windows 11 yet, execute the fixes listed in the next section.

What can I do if I couldn’t install RSAT in Windows 11?

NOTE

Remember that RSAT is only available for the Pro and Enterprise edition of Windows 11. If you are running the Home edition, first make the upgrade and then proceed with the installation.

1. Use the PowerShell command

Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter Terminal in the text field, right-click on the relevant search result and select Run as administrator.
Click Yes on the UAC (User Account Control) prompt that pops up.
Now, paste the following command in PowerShell and hit Enter to install RSAT:Get-WindowsCapability -Name RSAT* -Online | Add-Windows Capability -Online

This is probably the quickest way to install RSAT but is not known to many. Also, the chances of encountering an error while installing RSAT in Windows 11 using PowerShell are minimum. So, make sure to try this method, and if it doesn’t work, head to the next one.

2. Modify the Registry

Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter Services in the text field at the top, and click on the relevant search result.
Locate the Windows Update service, right-click on it, and select Stop from the context menu.
Now, press Windows + R to launch the Run command dialog box, type/paste regedit in the text field, and either click on OK or hit Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
Click Yes on the UAC prompt that appears.
Paste the following path in the address bar at the top, and hit Enter:HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate\AU
Double-click on the UseWUServer key.
Next, enter 0 under Value Data and click on OK to save the changes.
Once done, again go to the Services app, right-click on Windows Update, and select Start from the context menu.

Restart the computer for the changes to come into effect and check if you are able to install RSAT in Windows 11.

3. Make changes to the group policy

Press Windows + R to launch the Run command, type gpedit in the text field, and either click OK or hit Enter to launch the Local Group Policy Editor.
Now, double-click on Administrative Templates under Computer Configuration and then on System from the options under it.
Double-click on the Specify settings for optional component installation and component repair policy on the right.
Next, select Enabled from the top, tick the checkbox for Download repair content and optional features directly from Windows Update instead of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS), and then click on OK at the bottom to save the changes.
Once done, restart the computer for the changes to come into effect.

The three methods listed here should have helped you install RSAT in Windows 11, and prevented or bypassed any error.

Also, if RSAT crashes frequently, learn how to fix it because this indicates compatibility issues and can lead to problems. Besides, learn all the ways to get RSAT in Windows 11.

Keep in mind that you can’t install RSAT on Windows 11 ARM, so if you’re using that version you’ll have to wait for Microsoft to add support for it.

Tell us which fix worked for you in the comments section below.

Opera vs Waterfox: Which One Should You Use?

Posted on April 14, 2022December 4, 2025 by Ola-Hassan Bolaji

Opera is a solid browser, but how does it compare to others? This comprehensive Opera vs Waterfox guide will take a closer look and analyze the similarities and differences between the two.

Opera vs Waterfox: Which one should you choose?

Supported platforms

As expected from a browser that has been around since 1995, Opera has a wide range of coverage. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, iPad, and Android.

Waterfox, on the other hand, is only compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Though there was news of an Android compatible version in the works, it is safe to say it has stalled, and nothing is happening anymore.

Also, nothing is happening on the iOS front, with no plan to develop a compatible browser anytime soon.

With the ability to sync Opera browsers across platforms, it is without a doubt that Opera is the obvious choice when it comes down to supported platforms.

Design and Interface

Waterfox’s interface is identical to that of the Firefox Proton interface. It comes with empty buttons to be customized with links to your favorite websites. Just below the buttons is the recent activities tab.

Overall, its interface appears blank and boring, but it is purposely designed that way to allow you to customize it to your taste.

Opera’s interface is minimalistic and simple. Upon launching, you will be greeted by its signature speed dial page.

The speed dial page packs in buttons for some of the popular sites. It can be customized to save you the stress of typing the URL of your most visited sites.

The address bar, bookmarks, and tabs are located at the top of the page. On the left is the sidebar, which contains more buttons for integrations such as WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Twitter, and Instagram.

This sidebar is also fully customizable to suit your needs, among other wonderful features.

Performance

This is one of the strongest selling points of the Waterfox. It is a very fast browser boasting a better speed than Firefox. It does not use too much memory and CPU, freeing up vital resources for other activities.

Being a Chromium-based browser, Opera is no slouch on the speed front either. It boasts respectable numbers and does not experience any slowdowns.

There is also the Turbo feature that helps to trim data usage. This is especially useful for users who want to surf the web quickly without a fast broadband internet connection.

The only downside is that Opera uses a lot of RAM.

Features

Ad Blocker

With ads being a prominent part of the web in the 21st century, getting a browser that can block the sometimes-frustrating ads is a blessing.

Opera offers a strong ad blocker that gives you a smooth and ad-less browsing experience. Although this feature is not enabled by default, you can easily activate it in the settings.

Waterfox, on the other hand, does not have an ad-blocking feature. And with System 1 – an advertising company – being the majority shareholder of the browser, you shouldn’t expect an ads blocker anytime soon.

VPN

Opera incorporates a free VPN that allows you to browse the web anonymously. The VPN protects your identity and allows you to browse websites with location restrictions.

The Opera VPN is one of the best free VPNs you can ever use. Although being a free VPN, there are limitations. So, you can always get a paid VPN for added data security.

There is no VPN integration on Waterfox. If you need a VPN, you will need to get a paid one or other less secured free VPNs.

Extensions and integrations

Waterfox allows you to install extensions from Chrome, Firefox, and Opera stores. This gives you limitless options and allows you to use the browser for various functions.

Opera is a monster when it comes to extensions and integrations.

It currently has 126 integrations covering instant messaging sites like Facebook, Facebook Messenger, and WhatsApp; Social Media platforms like Twitter and Instagram; extensions from the Chrome web store; and a series of other far-reaching integrations.

In this aspect of comparison, Opera is just in a world of its own.

Privacy and Security

A whole lot of our data is used on our browsers. This makes privacy and security an integral part of any browser comparison.

waterfox enhanced tracking protection page

Waterfox comes with the uBlock Origin, which is known as the gold standard for free, privacy-enhancing browser plugins. The uBlock Origin is a wide spectrum tracker blocker that prevents you from being tracked on the internet

Unlike Firefox, Waterfox has removed the data collection and use from its privacy and security section. With this, you can be sure that it does not collect, use, or share your data.

What’s more, Waterfox is updated frequently. This helps fix bugs and security issues and adds some exciting new features.

Opera, with its VPN, offers some level of privacy and security. There is also the ad-blocker that protects you from malicious links and ads.

What’s more, Opera incorporates the sandboxing security characteristics that stop codes from websites from entering your system. Add its fraud and malware protection feature, and you have a safe browser on your hands.

Why use Waterfox instead of Firefox?

Waterfox is advertised as a more ethical version of the Firefox browser, thanks to eliminating data collection. It also offers better performance than Firefox.

Is Waterfox more secure than Firefox?

Yes, it’s more secure since it’s doesn’t come with Pocket, Telemetry, and other data collection features.

Did Mozilla make Waterfox?

Waterfox was created as a fork of Firefox, so they share the core functionality, however, Waterfox isn’t created or maintained by Mozilla.

Who owns Waterfox?

It has been owned by the advertising company System1 since 2019, but since July 2023 it has been independent.

Opera vs Waterfox: Verdict

These two browsers are some of the best modern browsers currently available.

However, if you are left with just a single browser to choose from, we recommend Opera. This is because it has many features and properties that are unique to it.

It also suits so many use cases and gives you limitless options. What’s more, it thrives in the strong points of the Waterfox browser, and the same cannot be said the other way around.

From a general and specific-use suitability perspective, Opera is indeed the smart choice.

To learn how Opera compares to other browsers, don’t miss our Opera vs Brave guide as well as our Tor Browser vs Opera for more information.

You can also explore more lightweight and lesser known options in this guide to alternative browsers for Windows 11 to see how other choices compare in performance and features.

Dell XPS 17 webcam not working? Here’s how you can fix it

Posted on April 14, 2022October 3, 2025 by Kazim Ali Alvi

Issues with the webcam are common, and honestly, it’s easier to fix those with an external one. When the internal webcam stops working, you have a limited number of methods at your disposal. This problem is faced on Dell XPS 17 when the webcam stops working.

The issue generally arises due to an outdated or corrupt driver, or a conflicting app affecting the webcam. In some cases, it could also be a faulty camera, which would require repair or replacement.

So, before you go ahead and purchase an external webcam, try the methods here to fix the Dell XPS 17 L702X webcam not working issue.

What do I do if Dell XPS 17 webcam is not working?

1. Some basic checks

Whenever you are facing issues with the webcam, first verify if it’s limited to a single app or is system-wide. To do that, just check the camera app, and see if the webcam works fine there.

If the problem is limited to a particular one, it could have to do with misconfigured app settings, and you should go with fixes specific to that app. For instance, issues with the webcam on Zoom are common, or even sometimes Skype is unable to detect a camera.

In case the Dell XPS 17 webcam is not working on every app and the problem is system-wide, the methods listed below could help.

2. Reinstall the drivers

Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter Device Manager in the text field at the top, and click on the relevant search result.
Next, double-click on the Cameras entry here.
Right-click on the problematic webcam, and select Uninstall device from the context menu.
Click Uninstall in the confirmation prompt that pops up.

If the currently installed driver is corrupt, you will face the Dell XPS 17 camera not working issue. Simply reinstalling the driver should work here.

Also, several users reported that the webcam was listed under another entry instead of Cameras, so make sure to go through them all in the Device Manager.

3. Update the camera drivers

Go to Dell’s Driver and Download page, identify your product using any of the identifiers listed here, or if you have previously searched for drivers, just click on your laptop on the right.
Now, click on the Check for Updates button next to Let Dell automatically find driver updates for you.
Once the scan is complete, click on the Show drivers option.
Next, make sure to tick the checkbox for the webcam drivers, and click on Download and Install at the top.
After the driver is installed, restart the computer for the changes to fully come into effect.

Once the computer restarts, check if the Dell XPS 17 webcam not working issue is fixed. Drivers are a critical piece of software and these should be updated from time to time for the effective functioning of the device.

There are various ways to update a driver, and it’s recommended that you try them all when installing the latest version.

Or, you could use a reliable third-party app to take care of the updates. We recommend Outbyte Driver Updater, a dedicated tool that will automatically install the latest version, when available, for all the drivers on the system.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

4. Uninstall conflicting applications

Press Windows + I to launch Settings, and select the Apps tab from the navigation pane on the left.
Next, click on Apps & features on the right.
Locate the conflicting app, click on the ellipsis next to it, and select Uninstall from the context menu.
Again, click on Uninstall in that prompt that pops up.
Once done, restart the computer for the changes to fully come into effect.

In some cases, a third-party app or even an antivirus can cause the webcam to stop working. Here, all you have to do is identify and remove the conflicting app. But the real challenge is to find the app which is actually causing the trouble.

For that, just make a list of apps that were installed or updated around the same time you first encountered the error, remove them one at a time while restarting the computer after each, and verify if the Dell XPS 17 webcam starts working.

Once it starts working, the app removed last was causing the error. Just keep it uninstalled for a while and check the web or the manufacturer’s website for a resolution.

The methods listed here should have helped get the webcam up and running on your Dell XPS 17 laptop. In case the problem persists, you can perform a system restore.

Also, check some general troubleshooting methods if the webcam is not working on any other device.

If you have any queries or know of a fix that’s not been listed here, please drop a comment in the section below.

FIX: There was an error communicating with the Steam servers

Posted on April 14, 2022October 4, 2023 by Vladimir Popescu

The message error communicating with the Steam servers is a relatively common issue that several users have reported.

This is an error that occurs when your computer tries to communicate after a connection but fails.

There are many possible causes for this error, ranging from internet access to interference from your antivirus and firewall.

However, there is no need to worry. There are several solutions that you can try to solve this problem.

How can I fix the communication error with the Steam server?

1. Relaunch Steam

Troubleshoot the server connection. If your server connection is stable, the problem might be with its client.

Attempt to restart the application client by closing it and then reopening it.

Restarting is the simplest solution. It can give the user a much-needed boost while also resolving server connectivity problems.

2. Restart the router

If the above method does not work, the ISP or router is the likely cause. If that is the case, reboot your router as a precautionary step.

Allow it to reboot, and try the Steam server again.

3. Run Steam as an administrator

Go to the Windows start menu and search for Steam.
Click on Run as an administrator from the right-side menu.
Click OK when prompted by the system.

4. Modify the internet options

Go to the Windows start menu and search for Internet Options.
Click and open Internet Options.
Go to the Connections tab and click on LAN settings.
Next, check the Automatically detect settings option.
Press OK to apply.

Go to Steam to see if the communication issue is solved or not.

5. Modify the download region

Open Steam and click on the view in the top left corner.
Select Settings from the menu.
In Settings, go to Downloads from the left-hand menu.
Go to the Download Region option and select a different region from the drop-down menu.
Click OK.

Select a server that is physically close to ensure swift communication. This solution works when a server is being updated or maintained.

6. Turn off VPN

With a VPN enabled, Steam is unable to function. If you’re using a VPN, turn it off and see if the problem remains.

7. Set up firewall and antivirus exceptions

Open Windows Security from the Windows start menu.
Go to Firewall & Network Protection, and select the Allow an app through the firewall option.

Scroll down and find Steam in the list and check the checkbox.
Next, go to Virus & threat protection and select the Manage Ransomware protection option.
Click on Allow an app through the controlled folder access and then Add an allowed app option.
Go to the Steam setup files and add them to the list.

It is a well-known issue that firewalls and antivirus software see some of the Steam files as threats.

The firewall and antivirus block it due to these files. Hence, you need to set up exceptions to avoid server errors.

These methods should resolve the There was an error communicating with the Steam servers error.

Which solution works for you? Share your experience in the comments section below.

Fix: Handshake Failed Returned SSL Error Code 1

Posted on April 14, 2022October 23, 2025 by Afam Onyimadu

A handshake may be used to welcome someone or seal a deal with them in person, and the same is true for the Internet.

An SSL handshake occurs when devices on a network – such as a web server and a browser – discuss keys, encryption methods, and other parameters about their connection before agreeing to transmit data. During a handshake, browsers and servers may request to examine and validate each other’s SSL certificates.

It’s essential to understand an SSL handshake and how to resolve errors related to it, including the SSL code 1 error.

How can I fix an SSL code 1 handshake failed error?

1. Correct the date and time on your computer

Right-click on the date and time on your taskbar and select adjust date and time.
Under the date and time menu, toggle on the option to set time automatically.

Problems with the SSL handshake failing might be caused by an incorrect system time and date on your PC. SSL certificates have limited lifespans and become invalid when they expire.

If the time and date on your computer are incorrect, the certificates will always assume the time has elapsed. Even more, the same trick to set up the correct time and date on your PC is recommended to quickly fix the errors related to gws_rd=ssl parameter.

2. Add the website to your allow list

Launch Chrome, click on the ellipses button at the top right corner, and select the settings option.
Select privacy and security, then click on the option for site settings.
Scroll down and expand the Additional content option, then click on insecure content.
Click on the Add button in front of Allowed to show insecure content.
Input the URL and click add.

You should attempt this solution because it’s conceivable that your firewall is producing the SSL handshake failed error by blocking your inspection requests.

Note that adding a website to the allow list may expose you to malware, so you should only try it if you are sure that it does not contain viruses.

3. Use an alternative browser

The handshake error is more common in Chrome, but using an alternative browser could help you avoid it.

While there a many to choose from, we recommend Opera One. It is built on Chromium and benefits from its extensive extension library. Opera One comes with the added advantage of a VPN that lets you choose servers between the Americas, Asia, and Europe.

It is also compatible across several platforms and will be a great option regardless of your device.

⇒ Get Opera One

4. Verify your SSL Protocol and update your browser

4.1 Verify your browser is using the latest SSL protocol

Visit the SSL labs website.
Click on projects at the top right.
Scroll down and select SSL client test.
Under the Protocol Support menu, you can see whether the browser supports the latest SSL/TLS versions.

Note that if you’re experiencing SSL handshake failed errors and, after running this test, realize that your client (your device) and server don’t support the same SSL version, you’ll need to upgrade your browser.

TLS 1.2 is enabled by default in most recent major browsers like Google Chrome.

4.2 Update your browser

Launch Chrome, click on the ellipses button at the top right corner, select Help, then About Google Chrome.
If there is an update, it will start automatically, and you will have to click relaunch to complete the update.

Because an SSL handshake is a critical step in ensuring data security over the internet, this guide has shown steps to resolving your SSL handshake Code 1 error. This isn’t the only issue you’ll encounter, and we recently covered error during SSL handshake with remote server in a separate guide.

Before you leave, don’t miss our latest guide on SSL handshake failed error code 525 for more information.

Now, you should be able to create a secure connection between a server and your device.

.NET 7 Preview 3 Announced

Posted on April 14, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

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It has been a busy week for the .NET Team over at Microsoft. Not only are we getting Entity Framework 7 Preview 3, but now .NET 7 Preview 3 is hitting the shelves as well. It comes with some very much awaited features that we’ll dig into in a bit. Let’s get to it!

Native AOT

In a nutshell, Ahead of Time ( AOT ) Compilation builds everything upfront, to avoid needing to “JIT” when an app runs for the first time. For quite some time the team has been working tirelessly to bring proper Native Ahead-of-Time compilation to dotnet. While partial AOT has always been present, full “true” support was never there out of the box.

Jon Douglas Senior Program Manager from Microsoft gives us a bit of insight into what’s different.

Native AOT is similar to .NET’s existing AOT technologies, but it produces only native artifacts. In fact, the Native AOT runtime does not know how to read the .NET assembly file formats – everything is platform-native. The executable file format parsing is fully handled by the underlying operating system.

For more information on how Native AOT works and how to get started check out the official docs.

Write-Xor-Execute

We were told .NET 7 would focus on performance. With Preview 3 the team has been able to realize an improvement of ~15% to startup times with Write-Xor-Execute enabled. The change has improved performance even when Write-Xor-Execute is disabled, however the team found some regression problem which will be addressed in an upcoming release.

Upgrading from .NET 6

As we’ve discussed before, upgrading from .NET 6 to 7 should be straightforward and the chances of things breaking are slim, however not impossible.

Head over to the official download site and download the .NET SDK.
To be on the safe side also check out the list of breaking changes here.

Make sure you have a backup of your project before going forward, then open your project file and modify the target framework property.

<TargetFramework>net7.0</TargetFramework>

For more information on this latest release check out the official post from Microsoft. It also contains some very interesting information on roadmap items. Have you been tinkering with .NET 7 already? How has it worked out for you? Let us know in the comments below.

Windows 11 users may soon be able to install third-party widgets from Microsoft Store

Posted on April 14, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

Earlier this year, there was an indication that the Microsoft Windows Team was on the verge of creating support for third-party widgets installation from the Microsoft Store. Well, it seems those plans might actually come to fruition. As spotted by Firecube on Twitter, a screenshot was shared highlighting that indeed the feature was well on its way in a widgets manifest update.

Widget manifest update shows more evidence of being able to download third party widgets and updates from the Microsoft Store.#Windows11 #FluentDesign pic.twitter.com/RgBYCq7sgZ

— FireCube (@FireCubeStudios) April 13, 2022

As such, this integration will help address the numerous complaints lodged by users concerning the Windows 11 unpopular widget pane. With that said, users will be able to put this feature to more use. Third-party widgets will allow you to curate this feature to meet your preference, as compared to the current arrangement where it provides you with the basics, that is, calendar, to-do list, weather, etc.

Microsoft only shared a glimpse of the feature during the recent Windows 11 event. The most notable enhancement spotted was the full-screen user interface, which is ideally supposed to accommodate the third-party widgets installations.

Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22598: What’s new?

Posted on April 14, 2022October 4, 2023 by Alexandru Poloboc

Did you know that Microsoft released yet another Insider Preview build for its latest operating system? Whatever the answer is, you will surely want to know more details about what’s new.

And, yes, we are about to share all this information with you in this article. This new build is for Insiders on both the Dev and Beta channels.

Build 22598 brings Windows Spotlight on the desktop by default for new installations, and there is also a new Media Player build, new ISOs, and more.

What new features did build 22598 bring to the table?

The latest build is starting to roll out with a new update to Media Player for Windows 11 (Version 11.2203.30.0), for Insiders in the Dev Channel.

Switch between two different views on the artist page when browsing your collection. One view shows you all the albums in a grid, while the other shows all the songs, grouped by album.

You now also have quick actions to albums, artists, videos, and playlists when you hover over them for quick selection and playback.

A handy context menu is available if you right-click on the now playing screen. From here you can open new files without navigating to another page.

A new video enhancements feature has been added as well, which allows you to adjust the brightness and contrast of your video.

Changes and Improvements

[General]

We are now offering new builds to Windows Insiders in China on Lenovo PCs starting with Build 22598. These users should connect to the internet for a minimum of 15 minutes to allow the Lenovo PC Manager to auto update to the latest version (version 5.0.0.3292 or later) to receive an important fix with the app.
We are trying out auto-launching of the Get Started app with some Windows Insiders after upgrade to help people get started with their PC.

[Windows Spotlight]

We are trying out Windows Spotlight on desktop is on by as the default background for new devices (clean installs using the ISO) and for upgrades where the background the Windows 11 default. We are trying this experience out with a limited number of Windows Insiders at first.

We are also trying out displaying 4K desktop backgrounds in Windows Spotlight. We are also trying this experience out with a limited number of Windows Insiders at first.

[Taskbar]

Updated the tooltip on the volume icon to tell you when you’re using spatial sound.

Fixes

[General]

Devices using Windows Information Protection (formerly EDP) policies can now access controlled data via protected apps such as Outlook, Word, Microsoft Edge, etc. as expected.

[Taskbar]

We fixed an issue where if you used keyboard focus on taskbar, hovers like previews would stay up during all taskbar interactions.
Fixed an issue that was causing taskbar badges to come back after explorer.exe crashes even if you had them turned off in Settings.
Made a fix for an issue where some mouse move events weren’t being passed to apps for icons in the system tray.
Fixed an issue where hovering over some app icons in the system tray wasn’t showing previews or tooltips.
App icons in the system tray should now be showing more reliably when opened again in this build.
Fixed an issue that was delaying or preventing the show hidden icons flyout from opening.
Fixed an issue where Chinese characters weren’t displaying in the taskbar calendar when the Lunar calendar was turned on.
Addressed an issue where the visual indicator around an app icon when sharing a window might not go away once you’d stopped sharing.

[Start menu]

We fixed a crash when selecting the More button in Start’s Recommended section.
Addressed an underlying issue which could lead to Start crashing on launch when invoked with a gesture.
Fixed an issue that was causing the buttons and labels in Start to be the wrong colors while using contrast themes.
Addressed an issue where if you swiped to scroll the contents of a folder in the pinned section of Start, it would unexpectedly close Start.

[File Explorer]

Addressed an issue which was causing the context menu to not render completely sometimes and be transparent.

[Input]

Improved the performance of launching the touch keyboard on the login screen.
Fixed an issue where if you had selected text with touch in certain apps like Settings, the backspace key in the touch keyboard would have to be tapped twice for it to delete.
Voice typing should no longer stop responding if you repeatedly press WIN + H.
Fixed an issue for people with a large number of input methods, where the currently selected one might not be in view when you opened the input switcher.
Fixed the link at the bottom of the Chinese (Simplified) IME appearance settings so it points to Settings > Personalization > Text Input.
Addressed an issue where the emoji panel’s background image and color might not be rendered correctly after using options in Settings > Personalization > Text Input.

[Settings]

Fixed an issue where high DPI options in the Compatibility tab of the properties for an executable weren’t working.
Narrator should now read the view options we added in Settings > Apps > Installed apps

[Windowing]

Returned the missing animation when pressing WIN + D or clicking the Show Desktop button.
We addressed an issue when using snap layouts with touch which could result in an acrylic sheet getting stuck on top of the window.
The thumbnails in Task View should no longer be inverted when using Hebrew or Arabic display languages.
Fixed an explorer.exe crash when invoking Task View.
If you have a lot of windows open, they should no longer become superimposed on top of Desktops in Task View.
Fixed an issue when using ALT + Tab with a screen reader, where if you ALT + Tabbed back to certain app windows, focus would be set to a pane within the window rather than the whole window.
Fixed an underlying issue where accented colored title bars (when enabled) for certain apps and File Explorer were only displaying when the windows were maximized.
Mitigated a rare issue that could lead to the system hanging when changing the resolution sometimes in certain games.
Addressed an issue causing white pixels in the corners of some apps when using dark mode.
Did some work to address an issue where certain app windows wouldn’t move to the expected area after selecting them using snap assist.
Fixed a glitch in the animation when using snap layouts at the top of the screen to snap windows.

[Live captions]

Fixed an issue where the very top of maximized apps (e.g., title bar window management buttons) couldn’t be reached with touch while live captions were positioned at the top.
Live captions will now tell you when it’s done downloading and ready to caption.

[Task Manager]

Mitigated an issue causing the Performance page CPU graph to be colored as if Show Kernel Times was enabled even though it wasn’t.
Did some work to further improve Task Manager reliability.
Added access key support for Run New Task (ALT + N), End Task (ALT + E), Efficiency Mode (ALT + V), and other buttons on each page. If you press ALT, the letters will display next to the button.
With a process selected, pressing the Delete key will now end the process like it used to.
CTRL + Tab and CTRL + Shift + Tab will now cycle through the pages in Task Manager.
Fixed an issue where the memory composition graph was blank instead of filed in with the appropriate color.
Mitigated an issue leading to the GPU graph on the performance tab not being displayed in some cases.
The icons in the status column of the Processes page are no longer touching the side of the column.
Fixed an issue where “Efficiency mode” was missing status column of the Users page.

[WSL]

Fixed an issue that would prevent WSL2 from mounting the host file system on ARM64.

[Other]

Fixed an issue from the previous flight where the acrylic might not extend across the entire login screen.
Fixed an issue that was causing the volume and brightness keys that appear when your use your hardware keys to be cut off in the middle.
Running powercfg /query should work now when launched from syswow64 or from a 32-bit process.
Fixed an apostrophe that wasn’t rendering correctly in the text when doing an offline scan from the Windows Security app.
Removed an extra “be” in the text describing Smart Account Control in the Windows Security app.
Fixed an issue for certain language which could lead to question marks being displayed in the place of some of the text when upgrading to a new build.
If you have increased the text size under Settings > Accessibility > Text Size and launch setup from a Windows ISO while booted into your currently installed OS, the text displayed in the setup window will now be increased to match your preferences.

Known issues

[General]

Windows Insiders running Windows 10 who join the Dev or Beta Channels to get the latest builds may encounter a download error code 0xc8000402 while trying to download the latest build. As a workaround, please join the Release Preview Channel first, install Windows 11 from there (Build 22000.xxxx), and then switch to the Dev or Beta Channel to receive the latest Insider Preview build. This issue is understood and will be fixed in an upcoming build.
We’re investigating reports that a few Insiders have been experiencing an issue where explorer.exe is crashing repeatedly in a loop in the latest builds and unable to successfully load. This build includes another fix that may help some Insiders who were experiencing this.
When opening Group Policy editor, an Administrative Template error will pop up. Click “Ok” to dismiss and continue using Group Policy editor normally.

[Taskbar]

The taskbar doesn’t always automatically collapse after launching an app or tapping outside of the expanded taskbar on 2-in-1 devices.
Some areas of the OS are not yet tracking the height of the expanded taskbar on 2-in-1 devices so you may see overlapping components.

[File Explorer]

Using context menu options in File Explorer or on the desktop for rename, copy, paste, and delete may cause explorer.exe to crash when the context menu dismisses. As a workaround if you are impacted you will need to use other methods for the desired action, for example, pressing F2 to rename a selected file or folder.
The option to “Add to Favorites” does not show when right-clicking on a file on Home. As a workaround, this option can be accessed by choosing “Show more options”.

[Widgets]

The widgets board may not open successfully when using the gesture from the side of the screen. If you are impacted, please tap the Widgets icon in the taskbar for now instead.

[Network]

We’re investigating reports from Insiders about internet connectivity issues when certain VPNs are connected.

[Live captions]

Certain apps in full screen (e.g., video players) prevent live captions from being visible.
Certain apps positioned near the top of the screen and closed before live captions is run will re-launch behind the live captions window positioned at top. Use the system menu (ALT + Spacebar) while the app has focus to move the app’s window further down.

Have you already installed and tested this build? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.

Todoist Chrome extension not working? Here’s what to do

Posted on April 14, 2022September 25, 2025 by Loredana Harsana

Productivity is at the heart of every professional or anyone running a business. For somebody who works online or whose work entails a significant amount of time on a browser, the Todoist Chrome extension is a beneficial tool.

It is a tool that helps you to organize and plan for tasks. You can add blogs to your reading list, save an item to your wishlist, plan your day, and once you are done with tasks, you can check them off right on the browser.

Working online comes with many distractions, and having an extension that keeps you organized and tracks your productivity is of the utmost importance. The great thing about having the Todoist Chrome extension is tailored for browser-related tasks.

Why does the Todoist Chrome extension stop working?

Chrome extensions can stop working for a number of reasons, and each scenario has its repair strategy. While you may not be able to pinpoint a specific cause initially, you can try out different fixes until one of them ultimately solves your problem.

One of the reasons why your Todoist Chrome extension is not working is because you have an outdated Chrome or Windows build version.

Editor’s tip

We recommend the Opera browser which has numerous tools in the addons store, easy to install and use. This browser with a full-fledged navigation experience with various built-in packages, improved resource consumption, and great design is used every day by 350 million people.

There is a particular version of Windows OS that has a security feature that inadvertently prevents the use of extensions, add-ins, and add-ons to improve the browser’s functionality. Ensure both your Windows and Chrome versions are up to date to ensure this doesn’t happen.

Another reason might be because the main Chrome process has a glitch, or it is hanging. This can be fixed by ending the Chrome process in the Task Manager and then restarting the Browser. Below are some methods to resolve issues with the Todoist Chrome extension.

How do I fix the Todoist Chrome extension not working?

1. Clear your cache

In the Chrome address bar, type chrome://settings, hit Enter, and then click Privacy and security.

Click Clear browsing data.

Set the Time range to All time, check Cookies and other site data, and finally click Clear data.

Type chrome://restart in the address bar and then hit Enter to restart Chrome.

The web cache can be the reason for Todoist Chrome extension not working issue. As a result, you must use an automated tool to clear your web browser cache and cookies.

CCleaner is a powerful full-featured PC optimization software that also includes a browser cleaner tool.

2. Reinstall the Todoist extension

Type chrome://extensions in the address bar hit Enter, and click on the Menu button.

Click Open Chrome Web Store, which will launch you into a new window.

Type todoist in the search bar, then click on Todoist for Chrome.

Click Remove from Chrome, then confirm by clicking Remove.

After the extension has been removed, click Add to Chrome, then confirm by clicking Add extension.

Type chrome://restart in the address bar and then hit Enter to restart Chrome.

3. Disable other extensions

Type chrome://extensions in the address bar then hit Enter.
Disable everything except for Todoist.
Type chrome://restart in the address bar and then hit Enter to restart Chrome.

4. Ending the Chrome process through the Task Manager

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open up Task Manager.
Click on the Processes tab, right-click on Google Chrome and then click End Task.
Restart Chrome and check if the issue has been fixed.

How can I use Todoist across multiple platforms?

Todoist has an app on all major platforms and a range of plugins and integrations.

For instance, if you need to sync due dates with another calendar like Outlook or Google Calendar, there are convenient buttons on the app to enable integrations coupled with a calendar link to connect to any other calendar that supports an external subscription feed.

By adding a plugin on Gmail or Outlook, you can turn emails into tasks, so you no longer forget to email back or go through an attachment. Learn how to fix Gmail does not load in Chrome if you find yourself in that predicament.

If you wish to create a list of companies or people you want to research on your browser, Todoist is available across multiple browsers to keep track of those online tasks like virtual sticky notes.

The part that makes Todoist such a great tool is the interoperability and effortless synchronizing.

Whether it is macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Android wear, Apple watch, browser extensions, and web, a Todoist is available to make sure your productivity is optimized across the board. Some great list-making applications exist across a range of platforms, so do not hesitate to check out our list.

Tell us how you use Todoist and if the issues were fixed. Feel free to leave a comment below.

Fix: Your add-ons are experiencing a large number of errors

Posted on April 14, 2022October 4, 2023 by Radu Tyrsina

Some gamers reported errors when they downloaded several add-ons for games like World of Warcraft, Starcraft II, Diablo III, and Overwatch. Most of them use the Lua programming language, which uses scripts to add modules and content.

When gaming, users tend to install add-ons that help modify and change the game’s User interface. The majority of the add-ons get categorized according to the size, scope, and dependency on other plugins to provide more functionalities.

There are different types of add-ons that perform other functions like:

Boss mods to provide timer and warnings
Information displays show more information during gaming like stats, measurements, and distance.
Action bars to improve the game abilities
Unit frames to customize the display of group/team appearance.

Some users report different errors after installing the add-ons. It becomes annoying if you have a lot of reliance on the add-ons. This article will look at causes and ways of fixing the errors.

What are the causes of your add-ons experiencing a large number of errors?

There are several reasons why the error pops up when using the add-ons. Some of the potential causes of this error include:

Add-on malfunctioning-some of the add-ons can be corrupt due to bad code written by developers.
Corrupt add-on files-some add-ons consist of corrupt files that throw errors when gaming.
Use of custom variables-some gamers uses custom variables to support add-ons that no longer exist. It may lead to errors.
Outdated add-ons-some users install outdated or unsupported add-ons that might interfere with the gaming experience.

How can I fix add-ons experiencing a large number of errors?

1. Reset the interface

All the add-ons get saved in the Interface folder that also carries screenshots and cache. Resetting the interface folder removes all the corrupted files and code, making it hard for the game to function well.

When you delete the folder, the game automatically creates a new one when it launches.

You can do this by starting the task manager and seeing if the tasks are running, end them. Then back up the folder’s contents and delete it from the game directory. Try launching the game after that and installing all the add-ons you need afresh.

2. Make sure the add-ons are in the correct folder

When installing the add-ons, make sure they go to the sub-directory of the game folder. This makes it easier for the game to recognize the add-ons. Some people confuse the add-ons folder during installation, putting the add-ons in a different folder.

If you have the same issue, copy the add-ons from the wrong folder to the subdirectory of the game. Restart the computer to confirm if the error persists.

In some cases, if you download an add-on and it doesn’t show up in the game, it means it’s unsupported by the game.

3. Uninstall all the add-ons and confirm if you have a Cartographer add-on

Most outdated add-ons aren’t compatible with the game, producing the error. Uninstalling the add-ons depends on the documentation provided by the developer, where each has its own, and you have to follow it for it to be successful.

One common add-on with this issue is the Cartographer add-on which turns the Cartographer mode on. This add-on stopped receiving support from its developers, making it outdated and causing many problems during gaming.

After the uninstallation, reboot the game and see if the error still exists. If it still exists, try the other methods.

4. Reset the consoles variables

Confirm if you have any console variables in your game. If they exist, you have to reset and remove them. It mainly applies in cases where users install and run multiple add-ons that use different parameters, causing collisions with each other.

Many users report that when you open the game and run the following commands, the procedure resets all the custom variables and brings back the default variables:

/Console Cvar_reset

/console cvar_default

Sometimes you receive a Permission error when you run the two commands, ignore it and proceed with your process.

When doing this, you must understand that resetting removes all the existing add-ons, and you will have to reinstall everything afresh.

5. Reload the game interface

The majority of the error used to appear when someone launches the game. To avoid this, try reloading the game to ensure that add-ons that failed loading during the first launch get loaded, and the error disappears.

It is common for one of the add-ons to have an outdated code and doesn’t integrate well with the other add-ons. You can do it manually or type the following command in the chat box:/reload.

This issue mainly affects the latest versions of games, and it can also affect the earlier versions, but it’s rare.

6. Disable the error prompts

There are several commands you type in the chatbox that will help you in avoiding the error from the add-ons every time you launch the game.

You can type /console scriptErrors 0 in the chatbox after launching the game, and you will never see the errors again. If you change your mind, you can still enable them by typing /console scriptErrors 1 command in the chatbox.

There is another alternative where you can install BugSack and BugGrabber, and they will help you do the same step.

How do I know that my add-ons have errors?

You will get most of the errors when you launch your game and get a notification of what the error entails. If you lack a way of getting the error, turn the game consoles on, or you can check through your console and get all the errors.

Once you know which add-ons have errors, you can use the above methods to get rid of them.

In the gaming world, you should be aware of and able to fix Lua errors from scripts, among many other errors.

Let us know which method fixed your error in the comments section.

FIX: MetaMask not connecting to Ledger

Posted on April 14, 2022September 30, 2025 by Hasibul Kabir

Have you been encountering MetaMask not connecting to the Ledger problem? Go through this article to find the solutions along with some other helpful information.

Mertamask is a cryptocurrency wallet that can interact with the Ethereum blockchain. It has become very popular among crypto lovers, particularly the less technical users.

The Ledger is a device that acts as a crypto wallet. It can hold multiple currencies offline. You can easily connect the Ledger hardware with MetaMask.

However, sometimes, you may encounter MetaMask not connecting to the Ledger issue. That is enough to ruin your experience with that software crypto-wallet. When you face this type of problem, you may see similar messages to the following one.

The Ledger device was not connected. If you wish to connect your Ledger, please click ‘Continue’ again and approve HID connection.

But, if you take the proper steps, you can easily fix this type of Ledger connectivity issue with MetaMask. Before going through the troubleshooting methods, let’s know about a few more things.

What causes Ledger connectivity problem with MetaMask wallet?

Usually, MetaMask should not have any problem connecting to Ledger or any other hardware wallets. But, for some technical issues, errors may occur.

We have tried to find out what may cause such problems in most situations. After doing some deep research, we have found the following ones:

Incompatible version of the browser and extension
Not connecting the Ledger in the proper way
Outdated Ledger firmware
Outdated Ethereum app
Problematic browser

Moreover, there can be other technical issues that can produce Ledger connectivity issues with MetaMask. Fortunately, you can quickly get rid of it if you follow some tricks.

MetaMask not connecting to Ledger screenshot on Chrome Windows 11

These troubleshooting methods are given below with clear instructions. Any of these should fix the problem.

How can I fix MetaMask not connecting to Ledger?

1. Update MetaMask extension

1.1 Update Chrome extensions

Open the Google Chrome.
Right-click on the MetaMask icon and go to extensions.
Click on Update.

1.2 Update the Firefox add-ons

Open the Mozilla Firefox browser.
Type the following address in the address bar and press enter. about:add-ons
Click on the gear icon and then select Check for updates.

2. Update browser

2.1 Update Chrome

Open Chrome again.
Click on three vertical dots on the top right corner and then go to Settings.
Click on About Chrome.
Google Chrome will check for the update and install automatically if it finds any newer versions available.
Relaunch Chrome.

2.2 Update Firefox

Click on three vertical lines and go to help.
Go to About Firefox.
Firefox will update itself automatically.

Some versions of specific browsers may have problems with the MetaMask. For example, Chrome 91 had broken Ledger support of this extension. Later an update fixed the bug. So, updating your browser also may work in your case.

3. Use the previous version of the browser

3.1 Uninstall browser

Press Win + I on the keyboard to open Windows settings.
Go to Apps.
Click on Apps & features.
Click on three vertical dots next to the browser name you want to uninstall and choose Uninstall.

3.2 Install the previous version of the browser

Now, try to find the older version of your browser to download. FileHippo and Softonic are two popular platforms where you can download the older version of any browser.

3.3 Disable automatic update

Open the start menu and type services.msc and press enter.
Right-click on Google Update Service (gupdate) and go to its properties.
Set the startup type to Disabled.
Click on Apply and then OK.
Do the same for Google Update Service (gupdatem).
Restart your computer.

4. Try in a different browser

Though you can use MetaMask in Firefox and any Chromium-based browsers, you may still face some problems. We recommend you to consider Opera One if you face MetaMask and Ledger connection problems on any other browsers.

Opera One is a chromium-based browser that supports Chrome extensions without any problem. Else, unlike many other browsers using the same rendering engine, Opera One can provide a very fast and reliable experience.

So, if other browsers on your computer show error with MetaMask Ledger connectivity, it will be wise to try this browser.

5. Close Ledger Live

Click on the MetaMask extension icon.
Click on Profile and go to Settings.
Go to Advanced.
Toggle off the Ledger Live.
Now try to connect the Ledger again.

6. Open the ETH app before connecting

Another working method to fix MetaMask not connecting to Ledger is opening the Ethereum (ETH) app before clicking connect on the MetaMask.

So, if you encounter the problem, try this technique and see if it helps or not.

7. Update the ETH app

Open the Ledger Live app on your computer.
Go to the Manager tab.
Connect the Ledger device.
You should see the ETH app in the Updates available section. If yes, click on the Update all button.

8. Update the Ledger device

Open the Ledger Live app like before and go to the Manager tab.
If the latest version of firmware is available, you will see it. In this case, click on Update firmware and go ahead.

9. Enable blind signing

Connect and unlock the device.
Open the ETH app.
Go to Settings and press both buttons.

Pressing both buttons will change the blind signing status and show it in the display.

After enabling blind signing, try to connect the Ledger with MetaMask again. You should not face the problem again.

10. Reset Metamask account

Go to the MetaMask settings as shown in method 3.
Click on Advanced.
Find and click on Reset Account.
Restart your browser.

If there is any problem with your account, it will fix MetaMask not connecting to the Ledger issue.

Is Ledger safe?

Yes. Ledger is a totally safe hardware wallet for cryptocurrency. In fact, you should use it to protect your currency with an extra layer of security.

A ledger device can securely store your cryptocurrency and protect them with your own private keys. It acts like a bank vault that you own, and only you have the access.

The private key remains on the Ledger only. So, there is no possibility that someone using the internet can have access to that key.

It has physical buttons which should be pressed to validate each request. As a result, your crypto transactions remain less vulnerable and get maximum security.

Besides, Ledger has desktop and mobile apps that are very convenient to use and give you a very secure and smooth experience.

The Ledger firmware and each app on this platform get regular updates that come with security improvements. As a result, you will always get the best protection if you update on a regular basis.

The above methods are the best ways to fix MetaMask not connecting to Ledger error. This article also gave you some other useful information. If you have an opinion on this, feel free to let us know in the comment box.

Old Snipping Tool on Windows 11: How to Get it Back [3 Ways]

Posted on April 14, 2022March 11, 2025 by Abdul Moiz

The Snipping Tool has changed, and many unsatisfied users want to return the old Snipping Tool to Windows 11.

This is easily achievable, and in today’s guide, we’ll show you the best ways to do that on your PC.

What happened to the Snipping Tool in Windows 11?

Windows 11 introduced a new Snipping Tool that works similarly to the Snip & Sketch tool. On Windows 10, those were two different tools, but in the latest version, they are combined into one.

How do I get the old Snipping Tool back on Windows 11?

1. Download old SnippingTool online

Download the Snipping Tool. Do keep in mind that you might get several popups on this page, so be sure to ignore them. You’ll also have to click the Download button several times.
Next, open the downloaded zip file.
Click on Extract all.
Choose the extract location, check Show extracted files when complete and click Extract.
Once done, just run the SnippingTool.exe.

We tested this solution and it worked for us, and since our antivirus didn’t report anything, we assume that the file is safe to use. If you don’t feel safe downloading files from third-party sources, go to the next solution.

2. Restore the Snipping Tool from the older Windows version

Create a new folder on your old PC and name it SnippingTool for example.
Go to C:\Windows\System32
Copy the SnippingTool.exe to the SnippingTool folder you created in Step 1
Next, go to C:\Windows\System32\en-US
Locate the SnippingTool.exe.mui and select the copy option.
Go to the SnippingTool folder from Step 1.
Inside of it, create a new folder called en-US.
Paste the SnippingTool.exe.mui into the en-US folder you just created.
Lastly, copy the SnippingTool folder from Step 1 to your Windows 11 PC.
Double-click on SnippingTool.exe to launch the Snipping Tool on your Windows 11 PC.

NOTE

You’ll need another Windows 10 or older PC to complete this step.

3. Restore the Snipping Tool from Windows.old

Open File Explorer.
Make a new folder called SnippingTool and save it anywhere on your system’s local drive.

Go to the path C:\Windows.old\Windows\System32
Copy the SnippingTool.exe file and paste it into the new folder that was created.
Now, create another folder inside the parent folder of Snipping Tool and name it en-US (or whatever your default language is).

Now, go to C:\Windows.old\Windows\System32\en-US
Copy and paste the SnippingTool.exe.mui file into the new en-US subfolder that you created.
Exit File Explorer after you are done.

NOTE

This solution only works for a few days after upgrading from Windows 10 to Windows 11.

How to install Snipping Tool in Windows 11 without Microsoft Store?

The only way to get the old Snipping Tool is to copy it manually from Windows 10 or download it from third-party sources.

To get the new version, we have a guide that shows you how to install Microsoft Store apps without using the Store.

Unfortunately, the old Snipping Tool is gone, but you can get it by transferring it from an older version of Windows.

If, for some reason Snipping Tool is missing, we have a guide that shows you how to reinstall the Snipping Tool, so you might want to check it out.

Microsoft Whiteboard Not Syncing? Here’s a Quick Fix

Posted on April 13, 2022September 17, 2025 by Claire Moraa

Microsoft Whiteboard is a great tool for collaborating with others on the same whiteboard in real-time. However, the app has its own set of issues. One such issue is that the Microsoft Whiteboard does not sync across devices.

With the Microsoft Whiteboard app, you can use your device to create a freeform canvas to capture and share your ideas with others. The app is available for Windows 11 and iOS devices.

If you have been facing this issue, then you are in the right place because today we will discuss possible ways to fix this issue.

There was a problem syncing Whiteboard Teams. Why is this happening?

Loss in connectivity – If your device loses connectivity during a sync operation, you may experience some lag time before your content is considered offline and becomes editable again. Once your device regains connectivity, the app will attempt to resume the sync operation.
Third-party cookies – Your browser may be blocking third-party cookies from Microsoft’s websites. These cookies are required for Whiteboard to function properly because they contain information about your session and the whiteboards you’ve created or joined. You need to allow third-party cookies from microsoft.com and office365.com.

Faulty device – The issue might be that your device is not syncing correctly. This could be due to a faulty device or a setting in the app. You can try switching to a different device and see if the problem persists.
Outdated app – Sometimes, the Microsoft Teams app or the Whiteboard app may be outdated. Simply log into the Microsoft Store and update your app.

Luckily, if you encounter any of the above issues, there are quick fixes you can try to get syncing working again.

What can I do to fix the Microsoft Whiteboard not syncing issue?

1. Reload the site

The problem may be your servers and your internet connection is unstable. Try reloading the site and try again.

2. Check file size

Sometimes, the file size may be the cause of the problem. Ensure your file does not exceed the recommended limit then try again.

3. Clear cache and cookies

If you are using Microsoft Whiteboard on the web, try clearing cache and cookies then see if the problem persists.

You can also use a third-party tool to get things done faster. CCleaner is a program that cleans your Windows computer in a couple of minutes. It removes unneeded temporary files, cookies, and other junk that can accumulate on your PC.

With the correct options selected you can set CCleaner to run automatically at Windows start-up or on a schedule. This is valuable for users that don’t know how to clean their computers manually or those that don’t have time to do so.

⇒ Get CCleaner

How do I update Microsoft Whiteboard?

To update the Microsoft Whiteboard app, follow the steps below:

Hit the Windows key and select Microsoft Store.
Find Microsoft Whiteboard and check whether there’s an update then click to download.

How do I enable Whiteboard in Microsoft Teams?

To turn on the Whiteboard, follow the steps below.

Navigate to the Microsoft 365 admin center.
Select Settings then click on Services & add-ins.
Locate Whiteboard and click on it.
Toggle Turn Whiteboard on or off for your entire organization on.

We sure hope that after trying the above solutions, your Microsoft Whiteboard is syncing again. While you are here, you can also check out other whiteboards for teaching and learning

You may also face an issue where Microsoft Whiteboard is not working but be sure to refer to our expert guide to get some quick fixes.

If you have any additional solutions that worked for you, let us know in the comment section below.

Efficiently fix the problem with the printer setup on the PC

Posted on April 13, 2022September 30, 2025 by Vladimir Popescu

It isn’t uncommon for the printer to develop errors during use, just like other electronic devices. Hence, the reason you have to familiarize yourself with basic troubleshooting hacks.

Often, the problem displays an error message as windows/words cannot print due to a problem with the current printer setup. It could be either windows or words depending on the problem.

This problem is often associated with Microsoft Word and other Office applications. Although it could be caused by different reasons which include, the printer developing fault itself.

To troubleshoot this problem, this guide will provide some troubleshooting fixes with step-by-step instructions on how to fix it.

What can I do if I get a problem with the printer setup?

1. Reset Default Printer

Click the Windows button, type control panel, and click on the Control Panel from the search result.
Select Devices and Printers from the options displayed.
Randomly select any of the printers and right-click on it. Click to Set as Default Printer from the pop-up.
Then, select the original printer and right-click on it to Set as Default Printer back.

By changing the default printer, Windows will overwrite the previous entry which might be faulty for the default printer.

2. Uninstall and reinstall the printer driver

Click the Start button and select Settings.
Choose Devices and click on Printers & Scanners.
Select your printer and choose Remove device.
Click the Add a printer or scanner from the top. Once your printer has been detected, proceed with the installation. Then click Finish once the installation is complete.

If it fails to work after this, it could be an issue with the driver or the local printer’s connection. If you have connection issues with your printer, check this article on what can I do if the printer is not connecting to the PC.

3. Update drivers

Right-click the Start button and choose Device Manager from the list.
Scroll down and select Print queues or Printers. Right-click on your printer from the pop-up list and select Update Driver.
Select Search automatically for drivers.
If the system finds a new driver, it will be installed automatically. Then, proceed to restart your PC to effect the changes.

Drivers update is essential for the proper functioning of the printer on the OS. However, if the drivers couldn’t be updated, you may need to update them via a third-party app.

We strongly recommend you install Outbyte Driver Updater to get the latest drivers for your PC. It auto searches for the best and recommended updates for your drivers.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

4. System file checker

Close all running applications and search for cmd in the Start button search area.
Select Command Prompt from the result and Run as Administrator.
Input this code sfc/scannow and press Enter key. Then wait for the result after some minutes.
Type exit to close the prompt. If the Windows found corrupt or bad files, they will be repaired. Then Restart the PC.

This article has analyzed the best solutions to fix problems with the printer setup. However, if none of these worked for you, you can check out our article on fixing printer configuration problems.

We’d like to hear more from you about your experiences, so leave your suggestions or questions in the comment section below.

Download and Install Atlas VPN on Windows 11

Posted on April 13, 2022September 28, 2025 by Loredana Harsana

Atlas VPN, which was launched in January 2020, is one of the fastest-growing virtual private networks on the market. Thus, today we will show you how to download and install Atlas VPN on Windows 11.

We looked at each and every feature of Atlas VPN to determine whether it is superior to the other options available on the market. We also examined the speeds, security, streaming capabilities, logging policy, and other aspects of Atlas VPN.

Atlas VPN’s free app works in China as well, it can download torrent files quickly, and it has a private logging policy that we found to be very beneficial. Its monthly data cap of 10GB was also sufficient for our basic web browsing activities.

In order to watch US Netflix, you will have to upgrade to Atlas VPN’s premium tier. This will also grant you access to the majority of geo-restricted streaming sites, as well as 30 additional server locations and faster download speeds.

Follow along as we will show you how to get Atlas VPN on Windows 11, right after we see whether it is trustworthy and safe in more detail.

Is Atlas VPN safe?

Because of the WireGuard tunneling protocol, AtlasVPN provides lightning-fast speeds. Some of Atlas VPN’s speed test results using WireGuard show that the baseline download speed is 94 megabits per second and the baseline upload speed is 95 megabits per second.

As is always the case, you should not take the results of these tests too seriously because they are dependent on a variety of factors. However, we can draw some general conclusions about Atlas VPN, such as the fact that download and upload speeds will not be significantly slowed.

Security and privacy are two of the most important features of a virtual private network (VPN). As a result, they should be thoroughly tested and scrutinized before deciding whether something is good or bad.

The level of encryption is not specified on either the Atlas VPN official website or the Atlas VPN Google Play Store page. However, we’ve found out it makes use of AES-256 encryption, which is the same standard used by the military and financial institutions worldwide.

This is virtually impenetrable and should provide Atlas VPN users with a sense of extreme security, safety and trustworthiness.

Additionally, it has expanded its repertoire of security features with unique additions such as SafeSwap, which is a two-factor authentication system.

By connecting to these servers, your IP address will be rotated between a few different ones, further increasing your anonymity and preventing you from having to reconnect or affecting performance.

SafeBrowse, on the other hand, blocks malicious domains that are used in phishing attacks and malware distribution. Meanwhile, iOS users have access to SafeBrowse Plus, which is a browser extension that also blocks advertisements.

Atlas VPN now offers the MultiHop+ feature for VPN chaining in both North America and Europe, in addition to the previous MultiHop feature.

Regular multi-hop (Double VPN) entails routing your traffic through two servers, thereby effectively doubling the level of security. In this case, your online activities are concealed even further by the use of rotating exit servers in different locations.

How can I download Atlas VPN on Windows 11?

Head to Atlas VPN’s website and hover over VPN apps in order to choose Windows.
Next, click on the Download free button in order to download the executable file. If you wish to get a premium plan, you will be able to do so later from inside the app.
Double-click on the downloaded file in order to run the installation process.
With the free version, you will be able to connect to US servers only. You can click on the Go premium button in order to get a premium subscription and enjoy access to more features and more servers to connect to.

Over the years, Atlas VPN’s mobile client has received a significant amount of enhancements. While new features have been added, the user interface has remained unchanged. It’s straightforward to use, and visually similar to the desktop version.

The iOS version differs only slightly from its Android counterpart in terms of functionality. The apps are virtually identical, except that this one has slicker and more rounded icons than the other.

App Store does not display the number of times an app has been downloaded, but the rating of Atlas VPN for iOS is the same as the rating for Atlas VPN for Android – 4.5 out of 5.

Until 2022, Atlas VPN was only compatible with major platforms. When compared to other industry veterans, this was one of the most significant disadvantages of the product. That isn’t the case any longer.

In addition, it now offers apps for both Android TV and Amazon Fire TV & Fire Stick platforms. Streaming fans who want to watch their favorite shows and movies on the big screen will be delighted by this addition. The servers are capable of handling 4K video quality without stuttering too.

Atlas VPN unblocks Netflix and a slew of other popular content platforms, which is a convenient feature. And almost half of the countries with streaming-optimized servers are currently available.

However, if you wish to check out alternative free VPNs for Windows 11, access our article and make your decision.

Was this guide helpful for you? Leave us a comment in the section below and tell us what you think. Thanks for reading!