Page 825 • Windows Report

Learn more about Planner and Project at this Microsoft Digital Event

Posted on April 20, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft announced that they will be holding an event on April 20 dubbed Project Management for a Connected World. It is geared toward helping users learn how to make the most out of Microsoft Planner, Microsoft Project, and Dynamics 365 Project Operations. Essentially, they are in place to help users stay organized and ultimately help them deliver projects both effectively and efficiently.

During the event, users will not only learn about how to make the most out of Microsoft’s connected experiences but also get to create their own schedules. This way the users will get a tailored experience that will be tuned to meet their expectations.

Moreover, users will also have the opportunity to interact with Microsoft product engineers and decipher how the updates made can be leveraged to elevate their businesses to the next level. Besides, there will also be an interactive Q&A chat for each session where you will get to ask as many questions as you want and get real-time responses. “You’ll also get to delve into how the product roadmaps will meet the needs of a more complex hybrid workplace.”

Users will get to go through the previous update releases, and get a glimpse of what is in store for these project management products through the product roadmap. In the grand scheme of things, this move will help “drive more collaboration and visibility across your projects”

At the end of it all, users should be able to identify which project management product is best suited for their businesses, thus, optimizing operations. Be sure to register for the event to experience all these and more.

Fix Browser error code b5 in Respondus LockDown [Instructors & Students]

Posted on April 19, 2022October 4, 2023 by Loredana Harsana

It is normal to experience code error b4 while taking a test through the browser. To mitigate such errors, you can check the security settings in IE and the overall functionality of the IE. You should ensure the IE is reset to default security levels and try the exams again.

The web app is available for both Windows and Mac. It locks down the testing environment within the Blackboard so that the students cannot print, copy, go to URL, or access other applications.

The students are locked in the program during an assessment until they submit it for grading.

LockDown uses the same HTML engine, system components, and settings as Microsoft Edge and Macintosh. It functions much like a standard browser, though with a few options removed.

It would help if you only used it for testing. If you use the software to access additional coarse content like worksheets and lecture notes, the program may encounter problems.

The error can occur when the instructor changes the exams or edits the settings after enabling it. Where the LockDown Browser has already been enabled, here is how to make changes to an exam.

Whenever you update a new version of this Respondus software, installing all necessary system updates is essential to ensure your system is up to date. Also, ensure you have the latest version of Microsoft Edge for Windows users and Safari for Mac.

How does the Respondus LockDown Browser work?

You should know how to enable the LockDown Browser Building Block as a requirement for individual exams to use it.

The software works in the following ways:

Assessments are displayed full screen and cannot be minimized
Browser menu and toolbar options are removed except for the Back, Forward, Refresh, and Stop options
Printing and screen capture functions are disabled
Access to other applications like messaging, screen sharing, virtual machines, and remote desktops is prevented
Copying and pasting anything to or from an assessment is prevented
Right-click menu options, function keys, keyboard shortcuts, and task switching are disabled

The LockDown Browser is effective in its operations. It detects everything you do during the test. Any attempts to cheat or use blocked functions can raise the alarm for close monitoring.

How do I fix the Respondus LockDown Browser error code b5?

1. Fix the error for instructors

Log in to Blackboard and navigate your course.
Look under the Course Management menu, expand the Course Tools menu, and click the Respondus LockDown Browser.
Click Continue to LockDown Browser to Open the Respondus Dashboard.
Locate the test with the associated error.
Fix the error by clicking the Fix button.
The exam integration has been repaired, and students can reaccess the test.

2. Fix the error for students

Click the Start Menu icon.
Access the Control Panel, go to the Network and Internet option.
Click the Internet Options.
Make sure the settings are no higher than medium on the Security tab.
Under Reset Internet Explorer settings, click Reset.
Click Delete Personal Settings in the pop-up window on the Advanced tab.
Restart the computer and try to reaccess the exam dashboard.

If the above fixes do not work, you can check your PC and see how to fix computer problems or network.

Ensure you open the exam with Respondus LockDown Browser with all other applications closed before you begin. Also, ensure the URL is set to blackboard.UND.edu and not blackboard.NDUS.edu.

What should I know about the LockDown Browser?

This web app can detect when conflicting programs are still running in a system, and it will request you to close these programs.

Some programs like Dell Dock and Google Toolbar run as background processes, and to proceed in the LockDown, you will have to shut them down.

Some programs can cause the Browser to lock up or stop responding. Programs that use Java or the Internet iTunes and other media programs, file sharing agents like Bittorent, and instant messenger applications have a higher risk of causing the web app to lock up.

While taking an exam, you can lose the Internet connection, and LockDown may stop responding. To resolve the issue, shut down the system by unplugging all power from the computer, including the power cables.

This Respondus program is a great web tool. Institutions can protect the integrity of their online exams, and students can undertake tests easily within the learning management system. You can also check the best browsers for E-learning.

The above fixes for the software help you resolve the error issues effectively. You can also check more information on how to install the LockDown Browser.

Let us know which one of the fixes worked for you. Feel free to tell us by leaving a message in the comment section.

9 Best Cloud Storage For Personal Use [2026 Updated Guide]

Posted on April 19, 2022October 5, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

Cloud storage is proving to be more than just a place where you can store volumes of data and files.

Today, you can move around your office virtually, no matter the location, and access any of your files and/or data from your computer or device.

What’s more, it can be used by individuals, or small and large organizations alike, saving you time, stress, and costs that come with finding storage devices (which you also have to keep carrying around), and this can be cumbersome.

Cloud is a SaaS (Software as a Service) solution, which you can get either for free or subscribe to paid versions for more features if you like.

However, there is free cloud software for Windows that you can use, which offers a wide variety of features from storage, to syncing data, work team collaboration, and so much more.

This article looks at the top 7+ free cloud software for Windows OS to get you started.

What are the best free cloud tools for Windows 10?

Sync.com (Recommended)

This tool is amazing as it offers you 5 GB of free storage when you sign in on their website. After that, all users that want to get more storage space (if they are satisfied with the service), can pay a fee.

For all of you who want some essential files that are not bigger than 5 GB to be safe – this is the perfect spot.

You will have guaranteed protection as the files are encrypted when downloaded, so even if someone wants to steal them, they will be useless as its end-to-end encryption will not allow this.

You will also be able to share your files with other persons even if they do not have a Sync account.

Sync also supports teamwork so you can let other persons work on the same documents and have total control of their actions to keep the work progressing.

You will access your files from any device and from any location – all you will need is an active internet connection. We strongly recommend this cloud software with its start-free storage.

Sync.com

The Sync platform and apps provide ground-breaking privacy-protection frameworks that limit the amount of personal information which may be accessed.

Free trial Visit website

pCloud

pCloud is another effective cloud storage solution for personal use on Windows platforms. With a one-time payment, you receive military-grade encryption, speedy file sharing with block-level sync, low pricing options, and up to 10 GB of free storage for starters.

All PCs and browsers are available, mobile devices are used to download music and video, Facebook and Instagram connection is enabled, and links can be downloaded and uploaded quickly.

It also offers a 30-day free trial, which we recommend to test it before deciding to cloud storage for personal files.

Fast file sharing with block-level sync enables you to attach an external drive to your computer without fear of data loss, or virus attacks.

The pCloud development team is certain that they have created client-side encryption software that is impenetrable to hackers. To demonstrate this, they challenged hackers from all around the world.

Participants from major universities such as Berkeley, Boston, MIT, and 613 other organizations tested the encryption technology.

None of them were successful, and this is a significant step for a cloud service, so you can be confident that your personal data is safely stored.

pCloud

Want your data to be as secure as possible? Simply upload them to their Crypto folder with pCloud.

Free trial Visit website

Nextcloud

If you’re looking for a safe home for your data, easy accessibility to your files and information, privacy, a transparent and growing community you can share with for constant improvements, collaboration and scalability, then this is the best free cloud software for Windows you can choose.

Features include access to all your files from any device and/or location, sharing options with other users including password protection for public links, security for self-hosted file sync and sharing, workflow management to control and direct data flow between users or servers, easy tracking of changes or modifications, and tracking of downloads of shares, or comments to your files.

Through its Monitoring app, you can monitor the health and performance of your cloud system using a graphical interface and API endpoint.

You can also monitor activity for mobile and desktop clients, encrypt data with the Encryption app, and share your calendar or contacts with other users.

A unique thing about Nextcloud is making secure audio and video calls like you would via Skype.

You can operate your own audio/video communication in a secure environment, and invite others to collaborate in a group – this cannot be intercepted, not even by the server administrator.

It also has the Collabora Online feature, a powerful office suite that supports most major document, spreadsheet, and presentation formats including DOC, DOCX, PPT, PPTX, XLS, XLSX, and much more.

In this feature are editing options for collaborative editing when several people edit simultaneously from their browser, plus WYSIWYG rendering and preserving document layout and formatting.

⇒ Get Nextcloud

Mega Cloud Storage

We suggest Mega.io as a cloud storage provider if I need to upload a large file to a server. When you join up for the online cloud for the first time, you get 20 GB of free storage to manage your private or business data folders.

You can also download a desktop application for your Windows PC that allows you to upload huge files in the background.

This way, you can start the file transfer once and continue using your computer while it uploads the files to the server.

Mega cloud storage allows you to pause and resume uploads, so if your internet service goes down while you’re uploading, the software will let you resume the file once the internet is restored.

Mega generates a folder on your PC called mega sync; everything you put in there will be instantly synchronized with the cloud and any other PCs linked to that account.

This can greatly simplify things. If you employ several computers, such as at work and at home.
Mega has a great level of security and quick transmission rates.

It is a dependable service with out-of-the-box end-to-end encryption. Mega is an excellent choice for both individual and company use.

MEGA Mobile Apps put MEGA’s power at your fingertips, allowing you to access all of your data at all times. MEGA Mobile Apps make it simple to access, view, and share files that were not originally uploaded from your mobile device.

⇒ Get Mega Cloud Storage

OwnCloud

There’s so much you can do when you have your own cloud storage, and this free cloud software for Windows promises a safe home for all your data. With ownCloud, you can access your data, and share files or calendars and contacts or mail from any device.

Developed in a transparent and inviting way, this cloud software keeps your files secure, and private and offers flexibility for all your digital needs.

You can access your data through a web interface, sync clients, or WebDAV on a platform where you can view, sync, and share across multiple devices under your control.

Store your private digital media files, documents, and contacts on your server, a rented VPS or public OwnCloud providers, and access your data on an FTP drive when at work, or images shared via Dropbox through your OwnCloud server.

Features include data access from any device and any location, sharing editing and collaborating options including password-protected public links, video calling, flexible external storage, mobile and desktop syncing, activity feed, and notifications to keep you updated.

Other features include versioning and undelete features, galleries for digital media, and playing music or watching movies using the Music and Streaming apps, plus integration of antivirus scanning with the antivirus app.

⇒ Get OwnCloud

Pydio

For secure file control, sharing, and management, this free cloud software for Windows is your best bet.

Pydio offers a web-rich application so you can preview the most common file formats, with a comprehensive sync and share solution for team collaboration through its software that is deployed either on-premise or in a private cloud.

Features include access from computers and mobile devices, desktop sync apps, advanced sharing like password protection or download and sharing time limits, customizable user interface, secure management, and control of access to your data and files by deploying it on your own infrastructure with easy integration.

You also get real-time monitoring and a dashboard you can manage from, plus professional support for troubleshooting issues.

Other features include connection to many storage systems and user directories such as OneDrive, Dropbox, LDAP, SHIBBOLETH, AD, RADIUS, and many others.

It also comes with the Collabora Online feature, a powerful office suite that supports most major document, spreadsheet, and presentation formats including DOC, DOCX, PPT, PPTX, XLS, XLSX, and much more. In this feature are editing options for collaborative editing when several people edit simultaneously from their browser.

You can also share and collaborate across clouds as though you were on the same server. Through the File Gateway tool, you can serve public links through a dedicated URL and avoid showing your own server address, thus there’s improved security for your infrastructure.

⇒ Get Pydio

SeaFile

This is another free cloud software for Windows that offers to sync and sharing options with high reliability and performance.

It is an enterprise file hosting platform that lets you put files on your server and organize them into libraries that can be encrypted by a password you choose before syncing, and access or share and sync them as a virtual disk, thus improving your productivity.

You can also access files in the cloud from your local drive without syncing them, which ideally extends the disk space with the huge storage on the server, and you can use them offline as well.

Seafile is easy to upgrade via a simple script, plus you don’t need a huge database upgrade as it records a few items in it.

It is also enterprise-ready with AD/LDAP integration, group syncing, and fine-grained permission control so you can apply it to your enterprise easily.

When it comes to safety and security, Seafile is known to provide a reliable syncing tool, with more than 3 years of polishing its algorithm which is stable and reliable, plus works in extreme situations and guarantees no data loss.

Features include cross-platform or device file syncing, mobile access to your files, extension of local disk space using Drive client, file sharing and permission control, file versioning, and snapshot for folders.

Additionally, you also gain access to file locking to prevent concurrent editing and conflicts, online editing and co-authoring, audit logs so you can monitor your system and user activity. and more.

⇒ Get SeaFile

AeroFS

This is pretty simple to use, free cloud software for Windows.

It offers unlimited storage because the files are kept on your own infrastructure, simplicity of installation with its one-click AeroFS client installation which takes up to 5 minutes and gives automated updates, and your own private cloud so you can use it to deploy the software 100% privately.

It is easy to use, plus secure for file syncing and sharing as your data is on your infrastructure. AeroFS never stores your files, meaning you can maintain control, centralized security, administration, and remote wipe capabilities.

Data and files are protected with an end-to-end in transit AES 256-bit encryption.

You also get to share and sync files once you drop them in the AeroFS folder, track changes easily with version history, integrate with LDAP/AD/Open ID that simplifies sign-on and also use familiar shortcuts, menus, and right-click options with your existing workflow.

⇒ Get AeroFS

Resilio Sync

With this free cloud software for Windows, you can sync your digital files whether it is photos, music, videos or other documents to any device.

Features include the One Time Send PRO, which is the fastest, most private way to send files to multiple recipients without sharing the full folder, or creating a permanent sync connection.

You can also sync folders automatically to all devices and they are automatically available on all linked devices, change access permissions or assign ownership and revoke access on the fly using Advanced Folders feature, or use the Selective Sync feature to download what you need without replicating the entire folders on each device.

This software also lets you control bandwidth usage, keeps your files safe through automatic backups and disaster recovery sites you create, sends large files very fast, access files on the go, and use it on any device as it is available for different operating systems and multiple platforms.

⇒ Get Resilio Sync

Syncthing

This free cloud software for Windows replaces proprietary sync and cloud services with an open, trustworthy, and decentralized one.

With this software, your data is yours, and you determine where to store it and how to share or transmit it over the internet.

It is secure and private, but you can use encryption and authentication features to perfect forward secrecy, prevent eavesdroppers, and allow explicit permissions to your cluster.

It is easy to use, with features such as the Web GUI which you can configure and monitor the software via your browser. It is also portable as you can run it on your computer or devices, plus it is simple with no need for IP addresses or advanced configuration. You can also synchronize as many folders as you want with different users.

⇒ Get Syncthing

Is it safe to use cloud storage for personal files?

Yes, your data is secure in the cloud—probably far more secure than it is on your own hard drive. Files are also straightforward to access and maintain. Cloud services, on the other hand, ultimately place your data in the hands of third parties.

This isn’t a big concern if you don’t care about your privacy. However, if you have sensitive information that you’d like to keep hidden from prying eyes, it’s best to keep it on a different hard drive from your home computer.

The services recommended above are also good if you’re interested in the following topics:

Free cloud server software – All the services listed can be used or tried for free
Free cloud backup software – All entries on this list can be used for backing up personal data

If you want to learn more about the subject, head over to our dedicated Cloud Software Hub, and if storing data is your main interest, we also have a dedicated Storage page as well.

Have you settled on one of these free cloud software for Windows, or is there one you’re currently using that you’d like to share? Let us know your choice by dropping your comment in the section below.

Fix: SolarWinds Custom Query error processing the request

Posted on April 19, 2022October 10, 2025 by Sonia Martin

The SolarWinds Custom Query error processing the request appears in the Orion Web Console in connection to one or more widgets. Now, SolarWinds errors are by no means a novelty.

You might have stumbled across the Unexpected error occurred. Job failed to execute alert in SAM or even struggled with an unable to connect to the server notification when accessing SolarWinds’ Virtual Appliance Management Interface.

SAM, VAMI, Orion – here are 3 intriguing terms at a first glance. We feel these concepts require a bit of context before we deal with the actual troubleshooting, don’t you agree? If so, read on.

What is Orion in SolarWinds?

SolarWinds is mistakenly perceived as an exclusive network monitoring program. While NMP (Network Performance Monitor) is an SNMP monitoring-based industry-leading tool that supports the detection, diagnostic, and resolution of network performance issues and outages, there is more to it than meets the eye.

In fact, SolarWinds delivers a full-scale integrated and highly versatile IT monitoring platform that includes powerful management tools designed to optimize enterprises’ IT infrastructure.

Its expertise covers numerous sectors such as cloud monitoring and performance tools, network surveillance and configuration software, net flow and database performance analyzers, server and virtual machine management tools, log, system, and security software, and more.

This generous array of technical services and solutions are reunited in the Orion platform, an extensive and customizable IT performance monitoring system relying on 6 major pillars:

Network Performance Manager (NPM)
Netflow Traffic Analyzer
Network Configuration Manager
Virtualization Manager
Server and Application Monitor (SAM)
Storage Resource Monitor (SRM)

NOTE

It’s in your power to pick out individual resources that best suit your business or get more (even all of them) as a bundle and deploy the Orion Web Console.

The console provides centralized management and a solid dashboard with clear overviews of your entire IT infrastructure for enhanced efficiency.

What causes the SolarWinds error related to request processing?

Even though it’s convenient, the console can generate occasional issues such as the SolarWinds Custom Query error processing the request.

The SolarWinds Orion platform has its very own query language called SWQL – a proprietary subset of SQL – that you can use to obtain very specific network-related details by querying your database.

So why does this happen? While the Custom Query resource is very practical, the widget sometimes has a hard time indexing the GUI-hosted pages without clear and customized order indications.

These are the top 3 reasons behind the SolarWinds Custom Query error related to processing requests:

Invalid SWQL syntax and queries
Missing ASCX file
Corrupt or incomplete SAM module installation

How can I fix the Custom Query error in SolarWinds?

1. Set the custom query output to ordered

The first thing you need to do is check the OrionWeb.log and identify the error (It can provide valuable information about the cause of failure).
The path for the log files is commonly found under C:\Documents\Settings\All Users\SolarWinds
If the error hints at the ordering issue (and this is a recurrent scenario), proceed with the following indications.
Log in to Orion Web Console and select View.
Click the + icon to add a custom object resource. Then select, Custom Query and confirm by hitting the Add Selected Datasource button.
Next, click the Edit button (Configure this resource) and make sure you add the Order by condition when you paste the custom SWQL query for all your widgets.
Click Submit.

If you’ve integrated an Events API into the SolarWinds host via a script, you should also see these details in the Event Viewer.

Simply open the Event Viewer app from the Start menu.
In the left pane, click to unfold the Windows Logs section.
Select Application and check the associated events in the main area.

There are also situations in which the Syslog service can fail. Fortunately, there are ways to fix SolarWinds not receiving Syslog issues.

Now, the syntax is important and there are a few things to keep in mind when dealing with the SWQL language.

Feel free to explore the SolarWinds page and get more useful indications on how to build valid custom queries in the Orion platform.

2. Flush your DNS and restart AMA

Type cmd in the search zone of your taskbar. Select and open the Command Prompt.
In the typing area, insert the following command: ipconfig /flushdns
After flushing the DNS, press the Windows Key + R on your keyboard.
When the Run menu opens, type in services.msc and click OK.
Identify the Advanced Monitoring Agent (AMA) service in the list.
Right-click on this item and click Restart.

Buyer’s tip

If you feel like you’re running out of options as far as SolarWinds’ NPM environment is concerned, this news will cheer you up.

➡ Instead of struggling to identify missing modules and files or repair invalid SWQL queries, you can use Paessler Network Monitor (PRTG), an entirely error-free network monitoring tool.

Similar to the Orion suite, PRTG can handle complex IT infrastructures based on cloud monitoring. In fact, you have a built-in Cloud HTTP sensor as well as a Cloud Ping sensor to provide reliable, accurate, and fully customizable information.

You can choose to receive these notifications as Syslog incident reports, alerts with adjustable frequency, or view your network stats in real-time.

You can also monitor your bandwidth (there are no less than 11 different sensors available just for this purpose), apps performance, server surveillance, and much more, including an overview of all your systems and traffic.

The incorporated Wifi analyzer will keep a close eye on all your connected devices and constantly check for key factors such as device status, speed, load, traffic, and signal strength.

Who attacked SolarWinds?

Here’s one more reason to consider switching to a better network monitoring tool such as PRTG. Back in 2020, SolarWinds’ Orion suite was targeted by a large-scale intrusion campaign that was so elusive that it went undetected for months.

The security breach affected multiple verticals and worldwide customers from both the public and private sectors became victims of this malware attack that compromised professional environments and lead to irreparable data thefts.

The attackers used the Orion software updates to disguise their light trojan-based malicious code into the SolarWinds.Orion.Core.BusinessLayer.dll communicating to third-party servers via an HTTP protocol.

If you assume this is an isolated event, you couldn’t be more wrong. In fact, a 2021 CISA report showed that hackers also used VPNs to inject malware into the SolarWinds Orion software and steal credentials on SolarWinds servers.

PRTG

Forget about complicated syntax errors and keep an eye on your entire network with this ultimate tool!

Free trial Visit website

3. Use native repair tools (Orion Configuration Wizard)

Log in to the Orion Server using a Windows administrator account.
Go to Start, SolarWinds Orion, and select Configuration Wizard.
Pick the items that need to be repaired and click Next.
Verify that all selected details are correct (SQL Server, authentication method, and database, valid account, and password, IP address, etc.).
Review the items and click Next.
Upon completion, click Finish and launch the Orion Web Console again.

By checking the files on the webserver as well as the overall structure of your database, the Configuration Wizard can help you troubleshoot and repair issues including rebuilding missing files such as the ASCX file.

The SolarWinds SAM error there was an error processing the request can be caused by missing components in the SolarWinds Orion package or even permissions causing unexpected errors during the SolarWinds installation.

If the issue still occurs, you can apply further fixes to the Orion Core Services (Job Engine, Collector, and Information Service) within the Orion platform.

4. Check your antivirus and firewall

Even though antiviruses and firewalls are top cybersecurity programs, they can sometimes prevent you from using legitimate apps such as the SolarWinds’ NPM environment or at least limit their functionality.

Thus, either of them can trigger the Custom Query error processing the request.

To counter-balance this scenario we suggest you make sure your antivirus software does not restrict the access to the InetPub folder located on your C drive.

If you’re up for a change, we recommend you consider an alternative antivirus software that seamlessly collaborates with other security programs without messing up your settings such as TotalAV.

Furthermore, you can disable the Microsoft Defender firewall from the Windows Settings or set an exception for the Orion Web Console widgets.

There you go, now you know how to quickly and easily get rid of the SolarWinds SAM error There was an error processing the request.

Best Game Server Panel to Download [4 Free Picks Ranked]

Posted on April 19, 2022October 4, 2023 by Radu Tyrsina

A control panel ensures that the host communicates with its resources to help assign them to servers, manage and install them, and normal running of the play. Many people use the free panels as they cannot afford the paid version, which is expensive.

Administrators control the servers giving them the power to assign the resources to each CPU, shut down and restart the server, remove players, and change rotations. You can access the control panels using websites or installing their respective applications.

Each panel has its features has different games, and the admin can remove some players. The article will cover a list of the best server control panel for Windows 11.

What should I consider when buying a game server control panel?

When you want to buy this tool, it will depend on if it’s the first time you want to use it or if you have experience.

Lack of knowledge about the servers can lead you to make the wrong decision. Here are some of the factors to put in place when purchasing one:

Make sure the panel provides statistics of all the gaming sessions
Check their level of security
Confirm the type of payment methods they accept for billing
Ensure it supports different types
It must have the support of file management

A hosting control panel, in conjunction with a dedicated server, will allow you to quickly get your server hosting business up and running, as well as provide a professional and dependable service.

What are the best game server control panels for Windows 11?

Easy-Wi – Outstanding features at your disposal

Easy-Wi is an open-source, free control panel with many outstanding features like a game server, webspace, voice server, TSDNS server, etc.

It automates most of the tasks to help in speeding the whole process. Its space runs on servers like Apache, Lighttpd, Apache2, and Ngnix.

The server enables users to use and edit templates, install several of them on the same port, easy monitoring processes, perform modifications and automatic updates, etc.

Its user interface defines different roles like the user, administrator, and reseller, which are easy to create and manage.

It uses CMS to run functions like setting up blogs, SEO, comments sections, supporting different languages, search functionality, an editor, and pages to create content and free templates without branding.

Additional features:

Works well with MySQL databases
It fits all types of screens sizes
Easy to create and manage backups
You can manage the servers on LAN
It has one of the best customer services you can access through the ticketing system or their Discord channel
It’s secure and it ensures only the authorized plugins run on the server

⇒ Get Easy-Wi

Pterodactyl – AES-256-CBC encryption included

Pterodactyl is a control panel built on PHP, NodeJS, and Go. It makes running and configuring games and applications instances easy.

It consists of daemons that act like machines that run on hardware, and the control panel hosts the web interface that communicates with the daemon.

The daemon uses isolated Docker containers to run the servers. Docker runs all the codes using the Docker file, which carries all the dependencies and codes the applications need to run.

This feature saves users from installing, configuring, and deploying the app requirements several times.

It’s very secure. When users upload applications that have malicious code or viruses, it doesn’t affect other users as it’s a single isolated file.

It makes it easier to destroy the bad file using less time. It supports HTTPS and AES-256-CBC encryption.

Other notable features include:

Friendly user interface
Free to use
Easy to upgrade
It saves memory and CPU usage due to using one docker file to carry the majority of the code

⇒ Get Pterodactyl

GameDash – Network monitoring included

GameDash is a control panel that has both freemium and paid versions. Its prices range from $7-$12 per month. It is one of the best panels in the market due to the number of features.

If you are on other platforms and want to migrate to this panel, it takes a few minutes to finish due to the interoperability of in-game server management.

It has the best billing customization as you can decide your subscription intervals, supports six payment methods, dashboard of the earnings, and automatic upgrade and downgrade of payment plans.

Additional features are:

It supports over 20 applications
Network monitoring
It automatically installs dependencies and updates
Has DNS support
You can set your servers in less than five minutes since it’s easy to install with the help of documentation

⇒ Get GameDash

Open game panel (OGP) – WHMCS integration suport

It is a free control panel whose web interface and server run with PHP/MYSQL and Perl.

OGP has a fantastic community that enables them to attract more visitors who, in turn, use the panel to control their servers for gaming companies, individuals, gaming groups, etc.

This panel limit features like IP addresses and ports used for each game. Some games are given a specific CPU size or boxes, which forces the users to determine how they can balance them across the games.

Other features include:

In case of server reboots, you have to restart it
It supports WHMCS integration
It has proper documentation and is easy to install
Admin has the power to control the quota disk space
Ability to update the steam-based games using the web interface
It’s easier to clone a game from the panel, giving you a chance to make new game servers from the templates

⇒ Get Open Game Panel

Is it compulsory to install a game server control panel?

No, you can access most of the servers on the web interface, where you can create accounts and start using them instantly.

In some exceptional cases, you have to download others and install them on your PC to use them.

You have to be careful when choosing the type of control panel. Most of them are free and open source.

When dealing with the servers, you must consider security before looking at the other stuff. Some of the servers run some popular games like WarCraft which has many players across the globe.

Which server control panel do you use? Let us know in the comments section.

4 ways to quickly fix DISM error 50 on Windows 10/11

Posted on April 19, 2022September 6, 2025 by Andrew Wafer

Refreshing and preparing a Windows image are operations that can be completed by using dedicated DISM commands.

The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) command-line tool can also be used for repairing the most common Windows software-related problems, so being able to execute DISM commands is quite important.

That’s why, when experiencing the error 50, you should learn how to address the malfunctions that are preventing DISM from running correctly.

Even though such system issues may require more technical know-how, you can dive deep into the problem and resolve it step-by-step.

There are also specific commands you can use in order to fix the persistent error on your Windows device.

So, if you tried to execute a certain DISM command, but you got the Error 50 DISM does not support servicing Windows PE with the /online option message, you are in the right place. In this guide, we will see how to fix the DISM toolkit on Windows 10.

How to fix DISM error 50 on Windows 10/11?

Delete the associated registry key
Reset BIOS
Refresh the DISM software
Use Command Prompt

1. Delete the associated registry key

When the error 50 appears it means that Windows thinks that the location from which you run the command is within Win PE (Pre-installation Environment) and this happens because of a misplaced registry key. So, for fixing this error you need to remove this key by following:

Press the Win+R keyboard keys for bringing up the Run box.
There, type Regedit and press Enter.
From Registry Editor located the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE entry and expand it – just click on it.
From the new list that will be displayed expand HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControl.
Under the Control field, there should be a folder named MiniNT.
Right-click on this folder and choose Permissions.
Make sure that your username is mentioned there and also ensure that the Full control option is checked.
Right-click on the MiniNT folder again and this time choose Delete.
Confirm your changes and restart your Windows 10 system.

To clean your registry, you can also consider dedicated registry cleaner tools.

In case you require a professional cleaning tool that will repair any registry entries problems, you can employ CCleaner.

Using this software you can detect different problems in your Windows registry and fix them automatically in a more secure manner.

2. Reset BIOS

On your computer access BIOS (reaching BIOS is different depending on each manufacturer).

From BIOS look for the Default Options entry and access it. From the menu that will be displayed on your computer choose reset to default or factory default. Confirm your changes and restart your device.

That should be all and the Error 50 DISM does not support servicing Windows PE with the /online option should be now resolved.

3. Refresh the DISM software

NOTE

If you cannot complete the steps below try to create a new Windows account before starting this troubleshooting solution.

In your cmd window (which should be already opened since you received the DISM 50 error) type dism.exe /image:C: /cleanup-image /revertpendingactions.
Next, reboot safe mode on your Windows 10 system: press Win+R, enter MSConfig, switch to Boot, and choose Safe Mode.
From safe mode open an elevated cmd window: press Win+X and select Command Prompt (Admin).
In the cmd window type SFC/ scannow and wait while the scan runs – it might take a while depending on how many files and programs are stored on your device.
Afterward, reboot into Windows mode as that should be all.

4. Use Command Prompt

It’s possible to resolve DISM error 50 by using specific commands in the Windows Command Prompt utility.

There are a few commands that you can try in order to repair this operational issue and are as follows:

Type Command Prompt in the Start Menu and then press Enter.
Assure you have administrator rights before entering the commands.
Type in the next commands to fix the specific DISM error.

wmic logicaldisk get name

dir drive-letter:

DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

There you have it; those were the troubleshooting solutions for the Error 50 DISM does not support servicing Windows PE with the /online option error message.

If you are trying to find other Windows Update solutions, make sure to check the Windows Update hub.

Take a quick tour of our specially created Windows 10 Errors Hub. Here you will find more solutions like this one to help fix a multitude of system errors.

You can also share your own experience with us and our readers by using the comments field below.

How to Open File Location on Windows 11 if it’s Missing

Posted on April 19, 2022September 8, 2025 by Loredana Harsana

Ever since the early days of Windows, there was a useful option that allowed you to open the direct location of the file that you just clicked on.

It’s a useful feature that many used for quick and easy access to their files, but it seems that this isn’t possible anymore in Windows 11.

According to users, the open file location option is missing in Windows 11, but there are ways to fix this issue, and in today’s guide we’re going to show you how to do it.

Why is there no open file location option?

There are multiple reasons for this issue, but in most cases, your Windows may be out of date. An outdated operating system can have various bugs, such as this one for example.

Third-party applications can cause this problem, so you might have to remove the problematic software or disable its context menu.

What can I do if the open file location option is missing on Windows 11?

1. Make sure your system is up to date

Open Settings by pressing Windows key + I.
Navigate to the Windows Update section.
Now check for available updates and install them.

This issue can occur if there’s a bug with your currently installed version

2. Remove any recently installed software

Open the Settings app.
Navigate to Apps and click on Installed apps in the left pane.
Set the Sort by to Date installed.
Locate any non-Microsoft apps that you installed recently and click on three dots and select Uninstall.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.

Users reported having issues with Abbyy FineReader since the application modifies the right-click menu.

To completely erase all data, use CCleaner to uninstall and delete all files related to these apps. Find the Uninstall option in the Tools submenu, order the apps by install date and uninstall them in just a few clicks.

3. Use ShellExView to modify the context menu

Visit the ShellExView webpage and download the software.
Once the software is downloaded, extract it.
Run the ShellExView.
Navigate to Options and check Hide all Microsoft extensions.
Select the application that you suspect is causing the issue and click on the red button in the toolbar.
When the confirmation dialog appears, click on Yes.
Make sure that all instances of the problematic app are disabled by repeating the last two steps.

After doing that, check if the problem is resolved. Sometimes certain applications can add their entries to the context menu thus causing this issue to appear.

With this method, you’ll remove those entries without uninstalling the software, so make sure you try it out.

How to find app location on Windows 11?

If you want to find the location of any app on Windows 11, you can just right-click its shortcut and choose Open file location from the context menu.

This option works on shortcuts and search results, but it won’t work for Microsoft Store apps, so keep that in mind.

If the Open file location option is missing on Windows 11, it’s possible that there’s a glitch on your system or that a certain application is interfering with the context menu.

Many users don’t like the look of the new context menu, and if you’re one of those users, be sure to read our guide on how to show more options in the File Explorer menu on Windows 11.

What solution did you use to fix this problem? Share it with us in the comments section below.

Windows 11 Settings Missing? How to Get Them Back

Posted on April 19, 2022October 10, 2025 by Farhad Pashaei

Navigating your way through Windows can be a little confusing from time to time, and it can be even more confusing when Windows 11’s Settings app missing problem comes up.

The Settings app can be accessed in a variety of ways, some of which are even more convenient than finding the Settings button on the desktop or in the options menu.

Some devices have buttons on their keyboards dedicated to opening Settings, making it much easier for the users to find this much-needed app.

Why is Windows 11’s Settings app missing?

This issue of the Settings app missing occurs for individuals who have upgraded to Windows 11 from a previous Windows operating system and is caused by wrongly updated files.

It has been addressed by Microsoft a few times and had its own Fixit tool but now that Microsoft doesn’t support these tools it can’t be downloaded.

What can I do if Windows 11’s Settings app is missing?

1. Restart Windows Explorer

Right-click on the Windows logo and select Task Manager.
Select the Processes tab.
Scroll down and select Windows Explorer, right-click then select Restart.

After doing as instructed the screen may go black for a few seconds which is normal and nothing that you should be worried about.

2. Install a PC repair tool

To fix Windows-related problems, PC repair tools analyze your computer for corrupt system files and then replace them.

There are a lot of repair tools currently on the market, which are reliable PC repair solutions. Apart from fixing issues like the missing Settings app by replacing damaged Windows files, these programs can detect risky websites and remove malware threats.

3. Run SFC and DISM commands

Restart your computer.
Click on the Start menu, type Command Prompt, right-click on it then select Run as administrator.
Type the following code then press Enter. (This step can take anything from a few minutes to 30 minutes to complete.)
DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
After you see a message that says The operation completed successfully, type the following code and press Enter:
sfc /scannow
After you see a message that says, Verification 100% complete, close the Command Prompt window.

The sfc /scannow command checks the integrity of all protected operating system files and, where possible, replaces erroneous, corrupted, altered, or damaged versions with proper versions.

If the damage cannot be repaired, DISM should be used to fix the Windows 11 settings app missing problem.

4. Re-register the Settings app

Press the Windows + X keys then select Windows PowerShell or Windows Terminal.
Copy and paste these commands one at a time then press Enter:
Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers -Name windows.immersivecontrolpanel | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml” -Verbose}
Get-AppXPackage | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}
Restart your PC.

There may be some red errors while the procedure is running, which you should disregard.

5. Try other ways of opening the Settings app

Click on the Start menu, type Settings, and select the application from the list.
Right-click the Start menu and choose Settings from the menu.
Simultaneously press the Windows + I keys.
Press Windows + R keys to open a Run box, type ms-settings: and press the Enter.

To better understand how the Settings app works and explore every section it includes, take a look at our detailed overview of System Settings in Windows 11.

What are other Windows update problems?

The Windows 11 Settings app missing problem is not the only error users can encounter after updating to the new operating system.

Numerous other problems such as driver incompatibility, no sound or screen, and bluescreens of death may occur after the upgrade.

The Windows troubleshooting service can handle most of the problems that happened due to incorrect system files or incompatible apps.

But sometimes problems such as Windows 11 Settings app missing need a little bit of trial and error and more time than just running troubleshoot.

As a result, if the machine is brought to a technician, the expert will ask the person to leave the device with him for a few days.

Although this is more expensive than using online instructions, it is one of the safest and simplest ways to resolve problems.

If the Windows 11 Settings won’t open, we have a special guide that might help you.

Let us know the option you used to resolve the Windows 11 Settings app missing issue in the comments section below.

The Weird West Discord server is out: Check how to use it

Posted on April 19, 2022October 4, 2023 by Vlad Turiceanu

Weird West was recently released and there is no wonder that it offers some of the most impressive scenarios.

Because it is gaining a lot more attention than several other video games, many worldwide players are interested in discovering how they can play Weird West on one of the most popular gaming platforms, Discord.

Well, if you’re in the same boat, keep in mind that the game-related Discord sever is out now and a wide range number of users already joined it.

In order to discover more about how you can access and use it, this guide will be your main support, so make sure you read it completely.

How can I access and use the Weird West Discord server?

You can easily get the Invite to the Weird West Discord server by simply navigating to the Weird West invite on the Discord page.
Click on the Accept Invite button.
Choose to Open URL: Discord Protocol, then to Continue to Discord.
Read the listed terms, then click on the Got it button.
Now, you’ll be able to make announcements, chat with other Weird West fans, and more.

In conclusion, this is all you have to know about how to access and use the Weird West Discord server. As you can see, the process is a piece of cake, so you’ll be able to perform it in a matter of time.

If it’s happening to face any additional related issues, make sure you leave a comment in the dedicated section below.

Automate Mouse Clicks Tools: 4 Best We Tested in 2026

Posted on April 19, 2022October 27, 2025 by Madalina Dinita

Sometimes you might have to click the same button over and over due to certain reasons.

This is incredibly tedious, but today we’re going to show you a few applications that can automate clicks on your PC.

What’s the best software to automate mouse clicks?

What’s the best software to automate mouse clicks?

GS Auto Clicker – Most simple and versatile

One of the first solutions that we suggest you try to automatically click on PC is GS Auto Clicker.

This is a free program for Windows that allows you to automate clicks on your computer in an extremely easy and intuitive way while allowing you to customize the number and types of clicks.

Once you install the application, it will sit in the systray and you can start it simply by clicking it. You can record multiple mouse clicks if you want and set them to run simply by pressing the F8 key by default.

Of course, you can set which mouse button you want to use to click as well as an interval between clicks. It’s also worth mentioning that you can assign double-clicks as well.

It’s worth mentioning that you can repeat the entire clicking sequence a number of times, or you can keep repeating it indefinitely until you press the keyboard shortcut.

Overall, GS Auto Clicker is an incredibly simple but powerful tool, and it’s completely free, so be sure to try it out.

Let’s see some of its key features:

Set a designated mouse button and interval between clicks
Customize the number and types of clicks
Shortcut keys available
Repeat the entire clicking sequence a number of times or indefinitely
Simple to use and very versatile

GS Auto Clicker

Get the most simple and versatile tool to automate your mouse clicks on any app or game.

Free Download

Auto Mouse Click – Complex automation creation

Another solution that we recommend for trying to click automatically is Auto Mouse Click.

As its name suggests, it’s a free software to automate various actions to be performed with the mouse, including repeated clicks.

Just like the previous entry on our list, this application allows you to set the desired time interval between each click.

To start automatic mouse clicks, you just need to press the keyboard shortcut and you’re good to go. If needed, you can change the shortcut, so it fits your needs better.

Of course, you can easily change the type of mouse click as well as a mouse button which allows you to create some interesting combinations.

The interface has a useful table that allows you to view all your clicks in a sequence which is incredibly useful if you want to create complex automated sequences.

Overall, this is a useful application, and it’s free, so be sure to try it out.

Check out its best features below:

Set the desired time interval between each click
Change the type of mouse click and the mouse button
View the sequence of clicks ordered neatly in a table
You can create complex automated sequences
Very precise automation point selection

Auto Mouse Click

This smart tool will show you all the action sequences to create the most complex automations.

Free Download

Mouse Controller – The most compact tool

Mouse Controller is another program for Windows that allows you to automate clicks to be done with the mouse.

The application requires .NET Framework 4.6 runtime, and it’s important to mention that the portable version is also available, so you won’t even have to install the program in order to run it.

The application uses keyboard shortcuts to record mouse clicks, and you can use the shortcut to automate the recorded mouse clicks.

Of course, you can set the delay between individual mouse clicks or the delay between the intervals.

If needed, you can set the whole mouse interval to repeat itself a number of times.

Overall, this is an incredibly simple application, and if you need a free auto mouse clicker, there’s no reason not to try it.

Let’s review a few of its best features:

Portable app
Very compact, with a small footprint on your system
Extremely easy to use
Completely free
Set the delay between individual mouse clicks or the delay between the intervals

MouseController

This app is so small and simple that anyone will be able to automate the clicks on any website or game.

Free Download

Auto Clicker – Safe and reliable tool

If you need a friendly and compact software to do the clicking for you, Auto Clicker is definitely a tool to consider.

You will be able to automate any task that involves clicking on a certain spot on the screen repeatedly but also automating the keys on your keyboard.

It will remember all your moves, including the click speed, the left and right mouse buttons on that particular point on the screen.

After you record all your actions, Auto Clicker will perform the sequence without any problems.

This software is great for online form filing, data, logbook entries, cross-checking, and even gaming, especially for Roblocks and Minecraft fans.

Another great feature of the tool is that the user interface is so simple that anyone can use it without any additional training or explanation.

You don’t need to worry about safety because Auto Clicker is perfectly secure in all applications.

The great thing about it is that it’s a multiplatform app, available on Windows and Mac, but also on Android, and it’s a great free auto mouse clicker, so don’t miss it.

Let’s review some of its best features:

Simple, compact app
Available for Windows, Mac, and Android
Safe and secure for all applications
Great for form filling and gaming
Records left and right mouse button actions, speed, and number of clicks

Auto Clicker

Automate your clicks in any application with this compact tool that is very easy to use.

Free Download

There you go, these are just a couple of applications that can automate mouse clicks on your PC. All these applications are free to use, so you should try all of them.

How can software help me automate mouse clicks?

Did you ever have to click or check an online or offline form a thousand times? If so, you already know that it shouldn’t be a task for humans.

Also, leveling in a game like Roblocks or Minecraft involves tedious and repetitive actions that can bore even the most avid gamers.

That’s where these small pieces of software come into play. They record your actions at certain points on the screen and repeat them over and over again.

Some tools are more sophisticated, creating lists with all the actions to be customizable for different applications.

FAQs

What are mouse click automation tools?

Apps or scripts that simulate mouse clicks on a schedule or at set coordinates to speed up repetitive UI tasks.

Which tools are good to start with?

Windows: AutoHotkey, Power Automate Desktop, GS Auto Clicker. macOS: Automator, AppleScript, Hammerspoon.

How do I make automated clicks look human?

Randomize delays and click positions slightly, add occasional pauses, and set a hotkey to stop instantly.

Is it safe to use auto clickers in games or work apps?

Only where permitted. Many games and enterprise apps ban automation, so check the Terms of Service first.

With these tools, it’s important to study the placement of buttons before so you can target the exact points where you need them to click.

Many of the software from the list is extremely easy to use and you will not need to worry about any prior setup.

Using auto clickers on a multi monitor setup can cause stray clicks on the wrong screen. A cursor containment tool keeps the pointer locked to a window or display while you automate tasks. See the best options in these mouse locker tools for Windows.

Also, by having a low degree of complexity, they work on all Windows systems including Windows 11 and the older OSes.

These aren’t the only tools available, and we have a great guide on how to use OP Auto Clicker, so don’t miss it.

Did you use any of these tools? Then tell us about your experience in a comment in the section below.

3+ tested fixes for Logitech unifying receiver poor range issues

Posted on April 19, 2022October 4, 2023 by Farhad Pashaei

The Logitech unifying receiver’s new technology provides a unified receiver for six wireless devices, but some customers have reported poor range.

Unfortunately, its limited range has led some users to doubt the benefits of this sophisticated, yet basic receiver from a world-renowned firm.

As the word wireless indicates, users should be able to use the products while standing far away from their primary PC or laptop, however, the limited range precludes this.

What is Logitech Unifying?

Unify is a gadget that allows you to connect compatible keyboards and mice to a single computer without the need for numerous USB receivers.

This device may be kept in the laptop and does not need to be unplugged when not in use due to its compact size.

Check out this article if your Logitech Unifying Receiver isn’t working before you jump into fixing the poor range problem.

How can I fix Logitech unifying receiver poor range issues?

1. Find somewhere less crowded

If you are using the receiver in a populated location, find somewhere less crowded and with fewer electronic devices around.

Other 2.4GHz transmissions might be filling up the area. Even when using a microwave oven, wireless devices may face some interference and cause Logitech unifying receiver’s poor range.

2. Switch the wireless routers channel

First, open your browser and type the manufacturer’s default IP address, which is usually found on the underside of your router or in the user manual.
Following that, log in to your router’s settings page with your username and password.
To change your Wi-Fi settings, go to the Wireless tab. If you aren’t currently on the relevant page, go to the Basic (or equivalent) tab.
Switch the 2.4-GHz to 5-GHz channel.
Finally, click on Save.

3. Purchase a USB extender

Visit one of the many online markets. Choose and purchase a USB Extender based on your needs.
After you’ve purchased your extender, insert the USB connector end into a USB port on your computer or laptop.
Then, plug your dongle into the USB port on the opposite end of the extension.
Simply bring the end of the extender attached to the dongle closer to where you wish to use your wireless device after this is done.

The radio waves from your wireless device will only have to go to the dongle with the USB extender installed.

As a result, you may avoid interference or signal loss over greater distances with this strategy and possibly fix Logitech unifying receiver’s poor range.

4. Provide an adequate power supply

First, make sure that your laptop is plugged in.
After that, click on the Start menu, type Edit Power Plan, and hit Enter.
Click on Change advanced power settings.
Then change it to the High performance option and click OK.

Are there any alternatives to the Logitech Unifying receiver?

You may find product alternatives from many brands by conducting a simple search.

There are over a million Logitech Unifying receiver alternatives available, some of which may not have the same faults as the Logitech receiver.

Signals are frequently interrupted owing to distance or obstructions between your mouse and keyboard and the receiver.

As a result, the first thing to look for when you have a poor receiver range is the presence of any comparable devices on the signal path or router channel.

Moreover, it is also a good idea to examine the specifications before acquiring such items to ensure that your laptop or computer can fully support the device.

Because such devices require certain operating systems to work properly, failure may occur if the proper system is not installed.

If you need help on how to install Logitech Unifying Software on Windows 11, read this article.

Let us know which solution you used to fix the Logitech unifying receiver’s poor range in the comments section below.

Windows 11 Backup Options Missing? How to Get Them Back

Posted on April 19, 2022September 30, 2025 by Cesar Cadenas

In an update from 2021, Microsoft limited certain backup features on Windows 11. File History was one of those options and it has been a part of Windows systems since Windows 8.

Microsoft did this because it wanted to push people more towards using its OneDrive cloud storage and possibly purchase a subscription to the service. Unsurprisingly, people were not happy with this move and demanded that Microsoft reinstates File History.

What’s so good about File History?

Fortunately, since then, Microsoft has reinstated File History. To be fair, the feature isn’t all that much better than OneDrive cloud storage, but people like to have options and make their own choices on where to save their files.

File History isn’t the default on Windows 11 despite Microsoft bringing it back. You still have to turn it on and set it up to back up your files.

This guide will show you how to turn the backup options on Windows 11, how to back up the system, and configure the feature.

How do I use File History to back up my Windows 11 computer?

1. Turn on File History

Start by clicking on the magnifying glass icon in the taskbar to bring up the search bar.
Search for the Control Panel and click the top result that appears to open it.
When the Control Panel opens, click on System and Security.
In System and Security, click File History.
Conversely, you can click on Category next to View by and change the panel’s layout.
In the drop-down menu, select Large icons.
In this new window, select File History.
The Filter History will take some time to search for other drives.
Once it finds one, click the Turn on button.
Upon turning on Filter History, click Run now to begin saving your computer’s file to the hard drive.

2. Configure File History

Staying in the File History portion of the Control Panel, select Advanced Settings on the left-hand side.
Here you can decide how often copies of your computers should be saved. Click the menu next to Save copies of files to change this frequency from every 10 minutes to once a day.
You can change how long the copies stay on your computer by clicking the file next to Keep saved versions and making a selection. You can keep them forever, for a set amount of months, or until space is needed.
Underneath the Versions section is Clean up versions. Clicking this will open the File History Cleanup window which allows you to delete saved versions from your computer.
You can decide to delete versions older than two years or everything but the most recent.
Once you’ve decided how far back you want to delete the files, click the Cleanup button.
Click the link under Events logs to see recent events, errors, and copies you made.
Once you’ve made your changes, click the Save changes button at the bottom.
Back in the main File History page, you can change the drive by clicking Select drive on the left-hand corner.
On this new page, you can select another drive to back up, although, in this guide, there’s only one.
Below that you can select an existing backup.
If there’s another drive on the local network that you want to add, click Add network location and locate the drive. But make sure file sharing is on.
On the main page, you can choose which parts of your computer should not be saved by first clicking Exclude folders.
In this window, click the Add button to choose what should be excluded.
Make your selection. In this guide, the Music library will be excluded.
Click the Select Folder button.
Exclude as many folders as you want. When you’re done, click the Save changes button.

3. Create System Image Backup

In the File History, click System Image Backup in the bottom left corner.
Click Set up backup.
Select the drive where the backup will go. Then click Next.
You can choose what you want to back up, but this guide will let Windows 11 choose.
Review your backup settings in the next window. You can change often Windows 11 is saved by clicking Change schedule.
Choose how often the backup is saved by making your selection in the menus. Click OK.
Click Save settings and run the backup.
File History will proceed to backup your Windows 11 files. It may take a while before it finishes.
If you have to back up more than 100GB worth of data, the first backup may take a full 24 hours to complete.
After it finishes, File History will let you know how big the backup is.

4. Restore personal files

When it comes time to restore your files, return to the System Image Backup of the File History.
Under Restore, click the Restore my files button.
In the Restore Files window, you have a variety of choices from which you can select how to restore the files.
This guide will select Browse for folders to do an all-around restore, but you select certain files by clicking on either Browse for files or Search.
Select the backup folder and click Add folder.
Click Next.
Then select where you want to restore the files. This guide will select In the original location to make it easy.
Click the Restore button.
Give your computer enough time to complete the process. How large the file size is will determine how long it will take.
Back in the Restore Files window, you can select to restore the files from a particular date by clicking Choose a different date.
You can choose which backups to restore by clicking on the drop-down menu and making a selection. You can go as far as a year or show every single backup.
Select the backup from a certain point in time and select the OK button.
Next, follow the same instructions to restore the backup.

Are there other ways to backup files on Windows 11?

Many people prefer using third-party software over the native apps on Windows 11 and this is no different when it comes to backing up files. There are tons of backup software for the operating system.

You have choices like Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office and Stellar Data Recovery, to name a few. It’s also recommended that you purchase an SSD in case your computer doesn’t have enough room to back up everything.

And it’s also possible to back up Android device software on your PC as well. The process was originally a tedious one, but so long as you get the right app, backing up those files is a breeze.

Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions on other Windows 11 apps. Also, leave comments about reviews that you’d like to see or information on other Windows 11 features.

3+ fixes to apply if Silhouette Studio is stuck on initializing

Posted on April 19, 2022October 4, 2023 by Farhad Pashaei

Digital design might be difficult if you don’t have the necessary apps and tools, but Silhouette Studio is just what every designer needs, even if you occasionally experience Silhouette Studio stuck on initializing.

Typically, design programs are built to be simple to use and understand so that the process is not made any more complex.

This application has a number of difficulties that users have reported, including being stuck during the setup process, which may be resolved by following a few easy steps.

What are the different versions of Silhouette Studio?

The four different versions of this application are the basic edition, designer edition, designer plus edition, and business edition, which range in price and features.

Additionally, the basic edition is free and available to anybody, while the business edition costs $99 and includes all of the advanced features.

This article will help you find the best laptops for Silhouette Cameo if you believe your computer is outdated.

What can I do if Silhouette Studio is stuck on initializing?

1. Delete com.aspexsoftware.Silhouette_Studio folder

Close Silhouette Studio.
Press Windows + R keys on your keyboard.
In the Run window, type %appdata% and press Enter.
Delete the com.aspexsoftware.Silhouette_Studio folder.
Empty the Recycle Bin.
Re-open Silhouette Studio.

User-generated cut settings, as well as any preference choices you may have selected in the Preferences settings, will be removed as a result of this operation.

If possible, make a note of any custom settings or preferences so you can recreate or re-select them after the operation is finished.

If Silhouette Studio won’t update, this article could help.

2. Reinstall Silhouette Studio

Go to the Silhouette Studio download page.
Select the Mac or Windows link according to your computer operating system.
Click on the Download Silhouette Studio button.
Once downloaded, run the installation program and follow the on-screen prompts to install the software program.

First, make sure that your PC or laptop meets the software’s minimal requirements.

Unfortunately, if your computer does not satisfy the minimal requirements, you will have to use a different computer to utilize the Silhouette Studio software application.

3. Downgrade to an older version

First, restart your computer.
Press Windows + R on the keyboard.
In the Run window type control panel and press Enter.
After that, select the option for Programs.
Click on Programs and Features.
Now, select Silhouette Studio then click on the option for Uninstall at the top of the list.
Go to the Silhouette Studio.
Scroll down to the Legacy Version section to download and install the previous older version.

If your software started crashing right after you updated it, although it was functioning before, you may need to remove the current version and roll back to the prior version.

4. Check permissions

First, right-click on the Silhouette Studio program shortcut and select the Properties option.
Then, select the Security tab then click the Advanced button.
Select the Change Permissions button and provide authorization.
Next, check the box entitled Remove all inherited permissions for this subject.
Select Apply and then select OK.

When you first launch Silhouette Studio, it goes through a process of initializing all of your settings before completely opening and presenting the working area.

If the correct permissions are not granted, the software may experience difficulties during the startup process, preventing the software from being successfully launched.

If you get the message Silhouette Studio has encountered a problem and must quit, read this article.

Are there alternatives to Silhouette Studio?

Inkscape, a tool for designers and producers that offers flexibility and power, is another free alternative.

Inkscape is utilized in a wide range of businesses like marketing/branding, engineering/CAD, online graphics, cartooning as well as personal usage.

Similar to this software is Adobe Illustrator, an industry standard for web graphics and visionary designs that works for most creative industries out there.

Furthermore, these solutions, which were provided to you are the official solutions from the official website of the software, thus have a high chance of fixing your problem.

The intriguing aspect is that many users have encountered this difficulty, which is why it is listed as one of the probable issues on the software’s main site.

Because the graphics card is one of the most important pieces of hardware for executing this program, poor GPUs or overall hardware might create issues.

That is why before installing any application users must check the requirements section to avoid any unnecessary problems and errors.

If Silhouette Studio software is running slow, do not hesitate to check out our article and apply the detailed troubleshooting tips.

Let us know in the comments below which method worked for you to fix the problem of Silhouette Studio being stuck on initializing.

Not receiving emails from Amazon on Gmail? 3 easy fixes

Posted on April 19, 2022October 4, 2023 by Farhad Pashaei

Not receiving emails from Amazon Gmail, whether you’re a customer or a seller, can be frustrating and cause you to miss out on important news.

Amazon focuses on advertising products and developing a platform to sell them, its express services are also used to deliver these items.

When users complete a purchase or pay for it, Amazon normally sends them an email with the transaction details and a receipt.

This makes it much easier for users to keep track of their purchases or to save receipts in their email history for later use.

However, some users appear to be having issues receiving these emails on their Gmail accounts, causing extra stress and confusion.

What does Amazon sell?

Amazon.com is an online retailer, e-book reader manufacturer, and Web services provider that has become synonymous with electronic commerce.

Amazon.com sells books, music, movies, housewares, electronics, toys, and a variety of other items directly or as an intermediary between other shops.

What can I do if I’m not receiving emails from Amazon on Gmail?

1. Check spam folders

By clicking or touching Spam in Gmail’s left sidebar, you may access your spam folder.
If you find the email you’re looking for, open it and mark Report not spam or move it to your inbox.

Gmail features a built-in system for automatically sorting emails into separate folders. This implies that it is possible that Gmail will designate new emails as spam.

2. Check Filters and Blocked Addresses settings

Click the gear button in the top-right corner of the Gmail desktop page, then click See all settings.
Select the Filters and Blocked Addresses tab to see all your Gmail filters. Review the filters and select Delete for any you want to remove.

It’s likely that Amazon has been added to your account’s list of blacklisted addresses for numerous security reasons.

It is strongly advised that you just delete Amazon from the aforementioned list, as other websites may jeopardize the security of your account.

3. Clean Email storage

In the search bar of Gmail, type has:attachment larger:10M. This will display all emails with attachments larger than 10MB. You can change 10 with a greater number if you want to delete larger files.

Because Gmail storage is counted toward the free 15GB of storage that comes with every Google account, it’s critical to clean up Gmail and erase thousands of unread emails.

Other Google services also are eligible for the 15GB of free storage. As a result, cleaning out your Gmail storage will free up space for these services as well.

4. Use a third-party email client

Gmail requires desktop users to access it from their web browsers as it does not yet provide a dedicated app. Some users report experiencing serious delays when opening Gmail which can be caused by network congestion or simply a cluttered browser.

For this reason, we recommend you install a dedicated email app on your PC. Mailbird is our top recommendation because it’s fully compatible with Gmail and lets you connect multiple accounts and access them from one central UI.

The transition should be smooth as this email client is very intuitive. Easily set up Amazon as one of your trusted contacts and it won’t show up in the spam folder. The app is light so the risk of a laggy inbox will certainly decrease.

⇒ Get Mailbird

What are the other websites to use instead of Amazon?

Even though eBay doesn’t have its own products and only third-party vendors are allowed to sell on eBay, it is one of the biggest competitors of Amazon.

eBay boasts over 180 million active buyers, offers a wider range of products than Amazon, and is easier to interact with and shop from.

If you can’t sign in to your Gmail account, read this article.

Despite the fact that numerous users have claimed that Amazon emails are not being delivered, there is no official solution.

Email inboxes are notoriously problematic, so it’s doubtful that a firm like Amazon will have trouble sending messages.

As a result, the first step in resolving this problem is to check your email storage or spam folder, as well as your internet connection.

If you want to enable the Amazon Appstore on Windows 11, this article could help.

Let us know whether you were able to fix the issue of not receiving emails from Amazon Gmail in the comments section below.

Free Video Background Changer App [Best to use in 2026]

Posted on April 19, 2022July 25, 2024 by Afam Onyimadu

With social media platforms like Instagram, Youtube, Tiktok, etc., and the need for smart marketing, videos are becoming more relevant and in demand. This has also triggered a need for great editing tools.

To keep up with the times, your video editing skills, must be top-notch, but these skills are often just as good as the tools you use.

These editors can accomplish a lot, trimming, cutting, and changing video backgrounds are the very basics.

We will discuss our favorite video editing tools, emphasizing the most appropriate for removing video background even without the need for a greenscreen.

It would help if you read our guide to learn about the best greenscreen tools available.

How can I change the background of a video without a green screen?

While this article focuses on downloadable apps to remove background from videos, there are a few ways to accomplish this, including:

Using free or paid online services: These are services like Kapwing, Cutout.pro, Unscreen, and Veed. You simply navigate to the websites on your browser, upload the videos, and within a few clicks, you can get rid of backgrounds.
Using desktop applications: These require a downloaded file to be installed on your computer. The process is very similar for most of these apps, but the interface is usually the differentiating factor.
Using mobile applications: These also require an installation but will only work on mobile devices. They are lighter than the desktop versions but may not have as many features.

What is the best free software to change video backgrounds?

free software to change background of video

EaseUS video editor is a PC video editing software with an incredible choice of effects for your videos. It provides easy access to all transitions, visual effects, and drag-and-drop functionality.

It has an extensive range of overlay effects and video filters that can improve your movies. The tool lets you produce music videos as slideshows and includes the functionality to crop and edit a video as a magnificent Hollywood blockbuster movie using effects like zoom out, sketch, and old film.

You will be able to use it swiftly to convert AVI, MP4, MKV, WMV, MOV, and images to various formats. Every important video and audio format is supported. As a result, you may import media files from a drive and films taken with camcorders, cellphones, GoPro cameras, DV cameras, and other devices.

This free editor lets you export your customized video in any format on iOS and Android devices. You may also burn videos on DVDs or upload them directly to social media sites like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter.

Additional features:

1080p video support
Text-speech exchange
Smart trim

⇒ Get EaseUS Video Editor

VSDC Free Video Editor – Most user-friendly

VSDC Free Video Editor is a suite capable of competing with the more pricey video editing tools.

It allows you to build video projects with a max frame rate of 30fps and full HD resolution using a combination of video clips, photos, and audio files.

Its screen recording tool allows you to record video and capture desktop images. Video and audio filters, as well as elegant transitions, are all featured.

Finished works can be exported in several formats, with preset profiles for common devices. In addition, VSDC allows you to burn projects to DVD.

Objects, which comprise photos, video clips, sprites, audio files, animations, and more, are featured in VSDC Free. Overlaying, mixing, and masking are all options for layering options. If you want to add watermarking effects to your photos, they make it easy.

You will enjoy exploring its suite of audio and video effects that allow various Instagram-style filters and fully programmable special effects like smoke, fire, and water.

Additional features:

HD and 4K support
Non-linear video editing
Color blending

⇒ Get VSDC Free Video Editor

Movavi Video Editor – Best for HD processing

Movavi Video Editor is the ideal tool for bringing your imaginative thoughts to life and sharing them across the world. It features ready-made intros, keyframe animation, and special effects to make your videos stand out.

If you’ve used similar products before, you will notice that it has a streamlined user interface with no learning curve. You may enjoy fast processing and rendering with this video editor for computers. The Chroma Key will effortlessly modify or remove the backgrounds of clips to whatever you choose.

Its tools are located exactly where you would expect them to be, and you’ll be able to learn its features in under 30 minutes and start editing like a pro.

You may come up with simple concepts and then use the built-in capabilities to turn them into a complete multimedia experience.

Additional features:

Fast HD processing
Automatic video creation
Artistic filters

⇒ Get Movavi Video Editor

Camtasia Studio – Best UI

Camtasia is a video recording and editing tool that is easy to learn. You will not need a massive budget or advanced video editing abilities. Simply begin with a template, record or capture your PC screen and add some effects.

It captures the whole screen, a region, particular dimensions, an app, or a window, among other things. Any of the royalty-free materials in the Camtasia catalog can be customized and added to your video for a professional finish.

You’ll be able to use your frequently used tools and effects at the click of a button and save unique styles and setups for future use. The intuitive drag-and-drop feature makes removing, adding, trimming, and moving audio or video chunks a breeze.

In addition to its many features, you will be able to remove video backgrounds just like the other apps on this list.

It has a convenient import tool that allows you to drag and drop audio, video, or image assets from your mobile device, PC, or the cloud into your recording.

You’ll appreciate the transitions, including over 100 to utilize between scenes and slides to help your videos flow better.

Additional features:

Pre-built assets
Modern transition effects
JSON Support

⇒ Get Camtasia Studio

The tools in this article are all free. Of course, there are paid options for added functionality, but if you aim to remove backgrounds from videos without greenscreen, they should suffice.

We always recommend you start with a free version and only purchase a subscription or an upgrade if you find it to be a perfect fit for you.

Even though this list has been made in no particular order, you should consider user-friendliness and the tool’s learning curve before deciding to stick to any video editor.

We will like to know which editor you are using. Drop us a comment below.

How to Update the BIOS of Acer Swift 3: Step By Step

Posted on April 19, 2022June 23, 2025 by Abdul Moiz

The Basic Input/Output System, which is also known as BIOS, has its primary function to control the early stages of the computer’s startup process and make sure the operating system is loaded correctly into memory.

The BIOS should be updated only when new features become available or if a problem arises.

However, if something goes wrong during the BIOS update, it can break your PC and make it inoperable. In this guide, we’ll explain step-by-step how to update the BIOS of the Acer Swift 3.

How to update the BIOS of Acer Swift 3

1. Download and install BIOS from the Acer website

Check the model of your PC and the BIOS version. To check them, open Acer Care Center, which is a built-in program for Acer computers.
Go to Acer’s official website and select Support > Drivers and Manuals.
Select the PC category, model, and series.
Now select your Windows operating system version and language.
Locate the BIOS/firmware and expand it.
Download the latest available BIOS update.
Extract the .zip file.
Connect the AC adapter to your Acer computer, and make sure it isn’t removed when updating the BIOS. If your PC shuts down during the update, the BIOS can get damaged, making your PC inoperable.
Double-click on the BIOS file to update your computer with the latest available BIOS.
Click Ok on the pop-up screen after you have read the message.
Your PC will restart and update the BIOS.

2. Update the BIOS of the PC that isn’t booting

To do that, follow the below steps:

Check the label on your PC to see what model it is.
Download the BIOS for your PC on a working Windows machine as shown in the previous method.
Extract the .zip file.
Format a USB flash drive with the FAT32 file system and make it a bootable USB drive.
Move the BIOS file to the USB drive.
Now, plug the USB drive into the computer you want to update.
Reboot the computer and press F2 to open the BIOS settings page.
Now, select the Boot Menu and move the position of the USB HDD to the top.
Save the changes and exit.
Your computer will boot from the USB stick.
Run the BIOS file in the new OS to update the BIOS.

Is it a bad idea to update your BIOS?

BIOS updates don’t enhance the performance of your computer, nor do they come with new features every time.

Installing a new BIOS is riskier than updating a Windows program, as your computer can get bricked if something goes wrong.

You should only update your BIOS when:

If you are experiencing bugs, and the latest version of BIOS addresses these bug fixes.
If you are upgrading your computer with the latest hardware, such as a new CPU or RAM, that was just recently launched. Manufacturers release new BIOS to help your PC support the new hardware.

Can BIOS update automatically?

The simple answer is No. The BIOS doesn’t and can’t update automatically.

The BIOS update is riskier and should be done carefully, otherwise, you can break your PC and make it inoperable. And fixing a PC with a damaged BIOS can be infuriating and costly.

You can update the BIOS by flashing it (by following the steps mentioned above).

BIOS is one of the key components that need to be installed in your computer to run it smoothly. But when updating the BIOS, you should be careful or you may damage your BIOS.

Want to learn more? Check out our guides on how to update BIOS in Windows 11 and how to update BIOS on ASUS devices.

We hope this article has helped you with updating the BIOS for your Acer Swift 3 and also addressed other queries of yours.

How to update motherboard resources in Device Manager?

Posted on April 19, 2022September 14, 2025 by Abdul Moiz

If you own a Windows computer, you know the importance of having updated device drivers, but have you ever thought of updating the motherboard’s resources?

The motherboard, unlike most other devices, is sometimes not easily identifiable in the Device Manager, and sometimes it is hidden, and to view it you have to unhide them.

Keep reading this article to learn how to update your motherboard resources in the Device Manager and also unhide it if it is hidden.

Do Windows updates install drivers automatically?

Windows generally have a large catalog of drivers, and they do update the drivers with every Windows update, but the problem is that they are not the latest version, and they lack drivers for most of the devices.

Windows 11 also installs default drivers that help your PC work without any issues.

But, if you are facing any issue or a component has completely stopped working, you might have to update the device with updated drivers.

Where do I find the motherboard resources in the Device Manager?

1. Unhide system resources

Click on the Start button and search for Device Manager
In the Device Manager window, click on View.
Then click on Show hidden devices.
Now you should see the motherboard resources under the System devices tab.

2. Manually updating the drivers

Press Win + R to open the run dialog box.
Type devmgmt.msc and click on Ok.
Locate System devices and expand them.
Update the device’s driver by right-clicking and selecting Update driver.
Then click on Search automatically for updated driver software.
Allow a few minutes for Windows to locate the drivers.
Once located, Windows will download and install the drivers.
Once the installation process is complete, click on Close.
Reboot your PC.

Repeat this process for every driver under System devices to keep your motherboard’s resources updated with the latest drivers.

3. Automatically updating the drivers

Download a third-party app like Outbyte Driver Updater and install it on your computer.
Open Outbyte Driver Updater and scan to see if any new drivers are available.
Once found, click on Update/Update all.
Allow a few minutes for the drivers to be downloaded and installed.
Once the installation is complete, reboot your PC.

Why should you update the motherboard resources?

When you update motherboard resources, you are not updating the drivers for the motherboard itself. Instead, you are updating drivers for all the components that are attached to the motherboard, such as the CPU, RAM, peripheral devices, etc.

The motherboard itself doesn’t require drivers, but you do require drivers for the hardware components and peripherals that are connected to the motherboard.

Drivers act as a bridge between software and hardware, and they help the hardware components of your PC communicate with the software.

Without the drivers, your PC cannot communicate properly and your PC will show performance issues. And if you are running outdated drivers or drivers that have been corrupted, your PC can malfunction and stop working.

By updating the drivers regularly, you can have your PC run efficiently and at maximum performance. You will also avoid running into problems such as network issues, audio issues, and whatnot, which are the result of having outdated or corrupted drivers on your PC.

The motherboard hosts all the components, and to connect the hardware with the software, manufacturers release drivers that help these two communicate with each other.

It is always recommended to update every device driver with the latest one so that your computer runs error-free.

We hope this article has helped you learn how to update your device’s drivers properly.

Fix: Acer Swift 3 laptop cannot boot from a USB flash drive

Posted on April 19, 2022October 4, 2023 by Abdul Moiz

If your computer stops working due to a compromised operating system or if it is a new computer that you are just setting up, you can use the bootable flash drive to install the operating system.

And if your Acer Swift 3 for some reason fails to boot, you can boot it using a bootable flash drive. What if your Acer Swift 3 fails to boot using USB? What do you do in this case?

You’ve reached the right place to know how to boot your Acer Swift 3 using USB.

What can I do if my Acer Swift 3 cannot boot from a USB flash drive?

1. Unplug all USB devices

Your Acer Swift 3 cannot boot from USB due to some interference, so unplug all USB devices, including the USB keyboard and mouse.

Now plug them in one by one and make sure all the USB devices don’t cause interference. Also, make sure your Acer Swift 3 works normally.

2. Change the boot order

Restart your computer and press F2 to open the BIOS screen.
Using the arrow keys, go to the Boot tab.
Change the boot order and make the USB the first boot device, then exit from that tab.
Close the BIOS settings page by selecting Exit saving changes or Save Changes and exit.
Restart your computer.

3. Turn on Legacy Boot

Power on your PC.
Press F2 to open the BIOS settings or press the Del key, as some Acer computers use the Del key to enter the BIOS settings page.
Go to the Main tab.
If the F12 Boot Menu setting is disabled, enable it.
Now, navigate to the Boot tab.
Select Legacy from the Boot Mode drop-down menu.
Press Enter.
Save the changes and exit the BIOS settings page.

4. Make the primary partition active

Insert the Windows 11 installation disk into your computer.
Select your language and region, then click Repair your computer to enter Advanced Startup Options.
Now, click on Troubleshoot followed by Command Prompt.
In the Command Prompt window, enter these commands:

diskpart

select disk 0 The number 0 represents the system disk number.

list partition 1 The number 1 represents the system partition number.

active

If the primary partition was not set as active initially, then the Acer computers may show no bootable device. After following the above steps, the system partition will be set to active. Now restart your computer and check if the error persists.

5. Repair the faulty MBR

Insert the Windows 11 installation disk into your computer.
Select your language and region.
Click on Repair your computer to access the Advanced Startup Options.
Select Troubleshoot.
Now, select the command prompt.
Type the following commands separately in the order they are listed: Bootrec /fixmbr Bootrec /fixboot Bootrec /scanos Bootrec /rebuildbcd
Restart your computer.
Press Enter.

6. Use the SFC command

As with resolutions two and three, open the Command Prompt from the Advanced Startup Options menu.
Type the following command in the command prompt:

sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c: /offwindir=c:windows

If this didn’t help, use DISM scan instead and type the following command in the command prompt window: DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
If you are still facing the issue, try the following commands:

Dism /Image:C:offline /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:c:testmountwindows

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:c:testmountwindows /LimitAccess

The above commands will scan your hard drive for file corruption and repair any corrupted files that are preventing Windows from booting up properly.

Acer, Dell, and other computers from other manufacturers sometimes fail to boot. By updating the BIOS you can generally fix the issue.

But, if you are trying to update the BIOS using the USB flash drive and even if it fails then you can try other alternatives such as using the Windows installation media or you can create the installation media for yourself by downloading it from Microsoft Windows download page.

5 best LG Gram 17 screen protectors and privacy shields

Posted on April 19, 2022October 4, 2023 by Farhad Pashaei

It may be difficult to track down a high-quality LG Gram 17 screen protector, but this article will help you.

Because of the lighting conditions, it is inconvenient to change positions while working.

So it’s preferable to come up with a solution and ensure that the lighting conditions do not impact the laptop screen, allowing you to work productively at any time and in any location.

Screen protectors, which come in a variety of types, are one of the most effective solutions.

We have selected some of the best laptop screen protectors because the laptop screen is the most delicate component of a laptop, and it needs more care and attention.

What are the best 5 LG Gram 17 Screen Protectors?

Puccy Anti Spy TPU Screen Protector

Fingerprint-resistant oil-repellent coating
Does not affect touch operation and the thickness of the screen
Self-healing, scratch-repairable, and moldable coat film
4H hardness, dust-free, bubble-free, easy to install

Pricy

Check price

Puccy privacy screen protector film protects laptop screen from scratches, damages, strikes, dropping, and collision.

This product uses silicone glue that is easy to remove. Airless processing removes air bubbles under the screen protector, and adsorption happens naturally.

When you use this screen protector, the brightness of the screen will be decreased. Adjust the brightness to meet your demands.

MUBUY-GOL screen protector

Genius 8-layer design
100% block hazardous UV light and HEV Blue Light
Anti-glare (matte) coating reduces visual interference caused by light
Oleophobic coating

Poor instructions

Check price

This product has Anti Blue Light which makes this product a perfect choice for students, office staff, game lovers, fashion beauty bloggers, pregnant women, and the elderly who spend a lot of time using a laptop.

If you’re looking for an LG Gram 17 screen protector capable of filtering out Blue Light, relieving eye fatigue, and helping you sleep better, MUBUY-GOL will be a perfect choice.

The matte layer of our screen protector helps you work better in a bright environment since it captures light reflections and the surroundings.

XinWoTuo 2-Pack screen protector

The latest Blue Light filtering technology
UV400 protection
Oleophobic coating
8-layer design

Expensive

Check price

This laptop screen protector saves users’ eyes from harmful Blue Light and reduces eye fatigue, and helps you keep your eyes healthy.

This product is 0.01-inch thick and offers a high level of functionality and transparency. You can enjoy a high-definition and realistic view experience.

Additionally, the screen protector performs well, shielding the screen from scratches and dust in everyday use.

KEANBOLL 2-Pack screen protector

Anti-blue Light and anti-glare coating
Scratch and Fingerprint proof
Easy to install
Full package + 180 days risk-free guarantee

Removing bubbles will require some time and effort

Check price

This screen protector blocks your laptop screen’s Blue Light and reflection due to lights, and it helps you relieve your eyes fatigue and nearsightedness (myopia).

One of the best LG Gram 17 screen protectors, the oleophobic and hydrophobic coating protects your screen from fingerprints, dust, scratches, and cracks.

This screen protector use Really Touch Sensitivity that gives you a natural feel while keeping touch accuracy.

MUBUY screen protector

Blue Light Filter
Genius 8-layer design
Anti strong light reflection
Oleophobic coating

difficult to put on

Check price

If you spend long hours working with your laptop, your eyes may suffer from Blue Light and fatigue.

This screen protector helps you work with your computer during working hours without any eye strain or insomnia at night.

The anti-glare coating reduces the visual and reflection interference in high light conditions.

If you want to take care of your laptop and extend its life, you have to use the best screen protector. Besides, your eyes health is the most important thing.

You need the best LG Gram 17 anti-glare screen protector if you work in high light conditions.

If you work in a crowded environment and need some privacy, buy an LG Gram 17 privacy shield that protects your screen contents from others around you.

This article is recommended for anyone looking for privacy protector software.

Let us know which one you prefer and why in the comments section below.

Power Management Tab is Missing: How to Get it Back

Posted on April 19, 2022September 27, 2025 by Kazim Ali Alvi

Device Manager is the utility in Windows where all the connected devices are listed. Also, here you can identify and troubleshoot problematic hardware, and even change the power settings. But, for some users, the Power Management tab is missing in Device Manager.

This could happen due to a bunch of reasons and is likely to affect your experience due to the inability to make changes. In this case, you wouldn’t be able to configure how the system controls the device’s power and whether the device can wake up the PC.

So, read the following section to find out what to do if the Power Management tab is missing in Device Manager in Windows 11.

What do I do if the Power Management tab is missing in Device Manager?

1. Update Windows

Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app, and select Windows Update from the tabs in the navigation pane on the left.
Next, click on the Check for updates button on the right to scan for any new available versions of the OS.
If an update is listed, click on Download & install.

One of the first things you should do when the Power Management tab is missing in Device Manager is to update the OS. Oftentimes, a bug with the current version of Windows could be behind the problem.

If the problem persists after making the changes, head to the next method.

2. Change BIOS settings

Press the Windows key to launch the Start menu, click on the Power button, hold Shift, and then click on Restart.
Wait for your PC to enter the Recovery Environment (RE), and then select Troubleshoot.
Next, click on Advanced options.
Click on UEFI Firmware Settings from the six options that appear here.
Now, click on Restart to enter the system BIOS.
Click on the Power Management tab.
Now, enable the USB Wake Support feature, save the changes, and exit the BIOS.

The USB Wake Fit feature in Windows helps wake the computer from sleep using USB devices, such as the mouse and the keyboard. If the feature is disabled, the Power Management tab may be missing in Device Manager in Windows 11, so try enabling it.

3. Reinstall the driver

Press Windows + R to launch the Run command, enter devmgmt.msc in the text field, and either click on OK or hit Enter to launch the Device Manager.
Locate the problematic device here, right-click on it, and select Uninstall device from the context menu.
Click Uninstall in the confirmation prompt that appears.

If the currently installed driver is corrupt, reinstalling it should do the trick. A corrupt driver can easily be identified by the warning sign right at the corner of the device icon.

Once done, check if the Power Management tab reappears in Device Manager.

4. Update the device’s driver

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 entry under which the problematic device is located.
Right-click on the problematic device, and then select Update driver from the context menu.
Now, select Search automatically for drivers from the two options that appear in the Update Drivers window.
Wait for Windows to find the best available driver on the system.

Drivers play a critical role in the way the OS interacts with the device and the relay of commands between the two. However, if the installed driver doesn’t support the option, the Power Management tab may be missing in Device Manager.

In this case, the best option is to update the driver. Also, if the method listed here doesn’t work, as is the case with a few, try the other ways to manually install the latest driver version.

Do this for all such devices where the Power Management tab is missing and once done, restart the computer for the changes to come into effect.

You can perform this time-consuming operation manually, yet there is an automated driver software capable to install or update any device drivers on your PC.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

5. Access the Power Management tab via Control Panel

Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter Control Panel in the text field at the top, and click on the relevant search result that appears.
Click Hardware and Sound from the various options listed here.
Next, click on Devices and Printers.
Right-click on the devices for which you want to change the power settings, and select Properties from the context menu.
Go to the Hardware tab.
Now, double-click on each of the entries here one a time to launch the Properties.
Click on the Change settings button in the Properties window.
In one of the entries, you should find the Power Management tab and can make the desired changes.

6. Modify the Registry

Press Windows + R to launch the Run command dialog box, enter regedit in the text field, and either click on OK or hit Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
Click Yes in the UAC (User Account Control) prompt that pops up.
Now, paste the following path into the address bar at the top, and then hit Enter:Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power
If there’s no CsEnabled key here, create one by right-clicking on the empty portion on the right, hovering the cursor over New, and then selecting DWORD (32-bit) Value from the context menu.
Double-click on the key to modify it.
Enter 0 under Value Data, if it’s not already the value, and then click on OK to save the changes.
Now, restart the computer for the changes to fully come into effect.

Since the method involves making changes to the Registry, we recommend you to stick to the steps listed here and remain careful while executing these since a minor lapse on your end could considerably damage the PC.

Also, start using an effective Registry cleaner tool to boost the system performance.

7. Perform a system restore

If none of the methods listed here have worked, you are left with no option but to perform a system restore.

When you perform a restore, the system is basically taken back in time to a state where the error did not exist. This is achieved by reconfiguring the settings and removing applications, among other changes, but the process does not affect the stored files.

Also, you can undo a system restore if the process does not yield the desired results.

These are all the ways you fix issues that lead to the Power Management tab missing in the Device Manager issue in Windows.

In case biometric devices are not showing in the Device Manager, here’s how you can fix the problem.

Tell us which fix worked for you in the comments section below.

Gamers’ worst nightmares come true! Xbox is adding ads to free-to-play games

Posted on April 19, 2022April 19, 2022 by Alexandru Poloboc

It’s safe to say that every self-respecting gamer has learned the lesson about paid games, free games, and microtransactions, making the area less tabu in these last few years.

In fact, there are free-to-play games that generated a lot more revenue from microtransactions than many expensive triple-A titles put together.

Thus, making a free game doesn’t mean you aren’t going to make any money from it, it just means that you are making it through other means.

Microsoft also plans to profit from people that are willing to play and pay for these free games, which is why ads are soon coming to them.

Free-to-play games will soon display ads on Xbox

It should come as no surprise that the Redmond tech giant already has already created an ad system for the Xbox dashboard, via Yahoo and Anzu.

Work on this new idea started in 2018-2019, and will allegedly create more opportunities and also attract a lot more advertisers.

As presented by Business Insider, the new system could go live by the 3rd quarter of this year, and the Redmond tech giant will not take a cut from the ad income.

According to the quoted sources, the ads could appear as digitally rendered billboards in a racing game or open-world adventure.

For the time being, it’s currently unknown what other forms these free-to-play ads could manifest as, or if they will include videos or audio.

We don’t know yet if Microsoft and Xbox have started pitching advertisers and brands on the new ad system.

We’re pretty sure that many will be concerned for their privacy, with this new ad idea. Microsoft collects a lot of data with telemetry, but it doesn’t want advertisers to do the same.

The main goal here would be to provide a system that prevents targeted ads by protecting user data.

It’s plain to see why Microsoft didn’t try this on PCs and decided to deploy it on Xbox consoles. Users can easily bypass it by editing the host file or by using a system-wide ad-blocking program like AdGuard for Windows.

Even though the ads will only be apparently introduced for free-to-play games, many are now concerned that they will soon start to see ads everywhere.

And since we’re talking about Xbox, learn what to do when Xbox Game Pass quests aren’t showing up, or how to fix Xbox Game Pass quests not working at all.

Hopefully, that won’t be the case and the situation will be closely monitored and contained by Microsoft. What is your opinion on this whole ad situation? Let us know in the comments section below.

12 Best Software to Control Another Computer on Windows 10/11

Posted on April 19, 2022June 6, 2025 by Vlad Turiceanu

Three things are crucial when it comes to using modern-day technology for business: speed, accessibility, and multitasking.

Modern-day businessmen want to do most of their work on the move, combining all their devices and using their full potential.

Home PCs, office computers, notebooks, phones – they may all be connected for better usage. And it isn’t at all complicated to do so.

There are plenty of Windows software solutions to take into consideration. And business use is only the tip of the iceberg. Using it to help friends manage their PC is one option that can come in handy.

How can remote connection software help me?

While connecting your handheld devices is a good way to play a movie from the couch, the two-PC connection is the advanced way to enable all features – just like you were sitting in front of it.

To do this, simply install host and client software on specified PCs and it is done. In a few steps, you can take full control of the given PC and do whatever you want.

We’ll list a few of the best Windows 10 & 11 compatible remote desktop software tools to introduce you to the dazzling potential they have.

Some of them are easy to install and are mainly for everyday use, others are advanced tools and offer better performance in professional environments.

What are the best tools to control one PC from another?

SetMe – Best Software for Remote Support

If your organization needs a remote support solution, SetMe leads the way on Windows.

The easy-to-use software facilitates tech support via an Expert Console for the technician and Client-side app for the end user. The technician simply enters a 6-digit code, provided by the user, and an encrypted connection to control the computer remotely is made.

Once connected, technicians can also set up unattended access, so the end user does not have to be present when the technician works in the future.

Connections are maintained over the cloud, and even if the user or technician is experiencing network issues, you can reconnect automatically. Likewise, to make troubleshooting more efficient, technicians can auto-reconnect after rebooting or shutting down the remote computer, including Safe Mode.

SetMe’s fast and easy file transfer supports drag-and-drop, as well as clipboard syncing.

Other top features:

View detailed system information and connection details for all remote computers.
No admin rights needed on the end user’s computer.
Even when idle, session will remain active for up to 3 days.
Feature-rich desktop toolbar allows for easier remote screenshots, screen recording, and chatting between user and technician.
Fast to connect and minimal lag when controlling a computer remotely.

⇒ Get SetMe

Remote Access Plus – Great for troubleshooting

Remote Access Plus by ManageEngine is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a powerful tool that gives your team full control over remote endpoints.

This tool is designed with support teams in mind, it allows you to access, troubleshoot, and manage computers from anywhere, quickly and securely.

Remote Access Plus is great for both unattended and real-time sessions, making it great for managing workstations anywhere.

Whether it’s resolving user issues, pushing updates, or running maintenance tasks silently in the background, Remote Access Plus helps you do it all with ease.

The setup is simple, and the interface is clean enough for anyone in IT to pick up quickly. Plus, it works across platforms—Windows, Mac, and Linux.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Remote desktop access with low latency and high responsiveness
Unattended access support for 24/7 troubleshooting
Voice, video, and text chat built into the session window
Built-in tools like Command Prompt, Task Manager, and Registry access
File transfer and remote file manager
Wake-on-LAN and remote shutdown/restart
Secure with AES 256-bit encryption and two-factor authentication
Detailed session recording and audit logs for compliance

Whether you’re working in a small business or an enterprise IT department, Remote Access Plus helps you keep everything running smoothly—even when users are miles away.

Remote Access Plus

Use Remote Access Plus and simplify IT support from anywhere.

Check Price Visit Website

Parallels Access – Remote access for PC and Mac

Parallels Access is the go-to solution if you want a straightforward program that can allow you full access to your computer from anywhere, at any time.

This feature-rich software is virtually unparalleled when it comes to remote control systems, and it was conceived with one thing in mind: you.

Quick launch, easy navigation, and intuitive control with just one tap or directly through your browser – rest assured that you’ll enjoy all these and more.

It’s also very convenient to use on a mobile device where you tap to start any desktop application, Mac, or PC as with any other iOS or Android app.

For short, Parallels Access allows you to search, view, and even open your files on a remote machine, no matter if it’s a PC or a Mac. whether it’s a Mac or PC.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Select, copy, and paste text with precision thanks to the Lock’n’Go Magnifying Glass technology
Simple one-tap access via your mobile phone or directly through the browser from another PC
Easy navigation through your assets
Central cloud-based management
Full connectivity support (even over 3G networks)

Mikogo – Great for conferencing

This cross-platform software Mikogo allows you to assist your audience with remote mouse and keyboard control or get assistance in the same way by handing over control, be it on a PC or Mac.

This tool is great for conferences because anyone in the meeting can take the stage and make a presentation by sharing their screen.

And it’s not only the visual experience. The app offers high-quality VoIP and teleconferencing numbers for multiple countries so you will have sharp, non-interrupted communication.

To top it all, you will be able to record the screen and VoIP call, to watch the meeting later by using the dedicated Session Player.

Indeed, more flexibility means fewer boundaries and why not take advantage of this versatile tool to enhance your business?

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Switch Presenter to allow any meeting participant to take the word and share their screen
Remote keyboard and mouse control
VoIP conferences with session scheduler
Screen and VoIP recording
Multiple monitors and app filtering to display up to 4 screens and only the programs you want
File transfer up to 200MB

Radmin Remote – Ideal for professionals

With Radmin Remote you enter a different zone. This is the app reserved mainly for IT professionals and it is known on a global scale as the go-to solution for remote tech support.

In fact, the developers say that it’s used by over 100,000 businesses around the world to provide remote tech support to employees.

Of course, we are talking about more than just remote mouse control – with this app you can perform end-to-end server maintenance and more complex operations at infrastructure or network levels.

The IT administrator can even access unattended workstations and servers to deal with any maintenance and settings remotely.

Nevertheless, its complexity should not put you off – you can keep things as big or small as you like and the app itself is easy to install, use, and update.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Secure and reliable remote access to PCs across the globe
Access all assets and perform central system administration with ease
Low bandwidth optimized to allow remote controlling even over 3G networks
AES256-bit encryption for transferred data
Automatic installation utility for large networks

TeamViewer – Very popular free app

TeamViewer is probably the most popular remote access tool available. It’s freeware so you can obtain it with a simple download.

The best thing about TeamViewer is its multiplatform presence so you can use it on almost every device in your possession. Installation is easy and setting it up is no hustle at all.

Host and client sides can easily connect by installing TeamViewer and inserting a 9-digit ID. After that, you can reboot the client PC in Safe Mode.

Just transfer files even from cloud storage, start and join meetings, have text and voice chats, and much more. There is also support for multiple monitors.

Take a look at its best features below:

Works on multiple platforms and it’s free
Very easy to set up and use
Transfer files between PCs and perform backups
Text and voice chat
Support for multiple monitors

⇒ Get TeamViewer

SupRemo – Reliable and cost-effective solution

One great alternative for TeamViewer is the cost-effective and reliable SupRemo. This software is perfect for controlling other devices remotely from anywhere in the world.

Compatibility is not an issue when we talk about SupRemo, because it works with all platforms and devices, including iOS, Windows, macOS, Android, and more.

Moreover, the software is free for non-professional and/or non-continuous use. The software is great for companies as well, since it includes flexible and affordable paid plans for business use.

Keep in mind that all the licenses allow unlimited installations to an infinite number of PCs.

This means that you can use your license on multiple devices since what really matters is the number of simultaneous connections, and there’s actually no limit of endpoint or seats where to install the license.

You can also try SupRemo freely for a whopping 21 days. Enjoy the full experience without having to set a subscription up, or even having to register.

The program has many great features that promote productivity and teamwork, such as:

File transfer that allows you to easily copy data from the remote device to the local one
Remote printing of documents stored in the remote device
UI customization to make the software look just the way you want
Automatic update to always take advantage of the latest features
Unattended access feature that lets you access computers remotely without needing permission
Secure encrypted connection keeps your data safe during the sessions
Online address book for storing and transferring contacts
Chat with coworkers or customers through instant messaging

⇒ Get SupRemo

AeroAdmin – Very easy to use

AeroAdmin is, compared to many other remote access tools, the easiest one to use. Although there is no chat option, this program is one of the best for instant access to other PC.

With an interface similar to the Team Viewer, AeroAdmin can easily connect to another device by sharing an IP or entering an ID.

All you have to do is to choose from the two different connection modes: View Only or Remote Control to take over someone else’s computer.

The best thing about AeroAdmin is that it’s portable so it can be launched from USB and get to work swiftly. Both personal and commercial uses are free of charge.

Let’s see some of its most important features:

Very simple usage ideal for any user level
View Only and Remote Control modes available
Simple login with ID or IP
Available as a portable app
No installation or configuration needed

⇒ Get AeroAdmin

Chrome Remote Desktop – Free and accessible

Chrome Remote Desktop is the browser extension that lets you remotely control any other computer with the same extension.

You won’t find an abundance of options but it’s easy to install and you can use it with any system that supports the Chrome browser.

Just log in to both host and client sides and enter the PIN. After that, you’ll have insight into the host PC with limited but useful options. Data transfer and PC control are the most used ones.

While other programs on the list have more options, Chrome Remote Desktop is a viable choice for basic use and easy setup.

Take a look at some of its best features:

Works directly in the Chrome browser
Data transfer and PC remote control
Easy to install and use
Available for Android

⇒ Get Chrome Remote Desktop

ShowMyPC – Available in portable version

Comparing it to the previous programs, this one, even with its free edition, is quite a capable tool with many options.

The connection between two PCs is done with the Shared Password, a generated digital ID. ShowMyPC is a portable program so you can run it from the USB.

It can be used for remote access, meetings, and even supports webcam sharing over a web browser. This program is related to Java so you have to acquire it also.

Because of the Java platform, you can also use the program via the web browser. ShowMyPC premium solutions are amazing and can be of great use if you are keen to pay for them.

You will benefit from the following key features:

Connect from home, the office, or from a mobile device
Access multiple unattended PCs with P2P and RDP support
Easy-to-use no-install application
Screen sharing, remote access, and video conference
Two-Factor Authentication support

⇒ Get ShowMyPC

UltraVNC – Dedicated to professionals

UltraVNC is an advanced tool for remote access. While most of the other listed tools do not need router forwarding or IP address tweaking to work properly, those are mandatory for UltraVNC.

This won’t be a problem for advanced users, but the users with basic needs and knowledge are going to spend some time tuning it up.

Although it needs configuration, UltraVNC has a good set of options, and it’s worth trying. The interface is sometimes hard to use, at least until you understand the given options.

To set up UltraVNC from the host PC, you’ll need to choose the Server option. On the client PC, first, install the Viewer option and then get to the port forwarding configuration.

Once the connection is acquired, you can use text chat, copy clipboard data, or send keyboard shortcuts.

Let’s review a few of its best features below:

Use your mouse and keyboard to control the other PC remotely
Uses the Remote Frame Buffer protocol (RFB)
Supports older versions of Windows, including Windows 95
Easy cross-platform desktop sharing
Free for all usage types, including commercial

⇒ Get UltraVNC

Remote Utilities – Simple and effective tool

Remote Utilities offers multiple tools integrated into one program that will assist you with all your remote access needs.

The number goes up to 15 remote access solutions and modules. The connection is established with the ID and with installation-separated versions of the program on both client and host respectively.

There’s no need for router forwarding or making a static IP address. By entering your ID and password, you are ready to go.

And if you configure it for the Power Mode, you will also be able to restart and shut down the remote PC.

Check out its key features below:

Fast and direct connection
No relay server needed
Control the desktop, mouse pointer, and keyboard of a remote computer
Restart and Shutdown commands of the remote PCs available in the Power Mode
Strong security and 2-factor authentication

⇒ Get Remote Utilities

AnyDesk – Support for unattended access

When it comes to remote control tools, AnyDesk is clearly on top of the game. And we don’t just say that – its amazing features can back up this bold statement.

It comes with a surprisingly user-friendly UI and just like the programs listed below, it can be started portably or installed.

According to your selection, you will either get random ID numbers or passwords based on your PC name. The connection is easily obtainable in a few steps, so you won’t lose too much time.

There are plenty of available options that can come in handy, but support for unattended access is probably the best. It allows you to access a host PC without anyone present on the other end.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Text-chat is available
Useful keyboard shortcuts to take advantage of
Bank-level encryption
It runs native clients on major platforms
Unparalleled processing speeds

⇒ Get AnyDesk

These are our suggested remote access tools. We hope you will find our list helpful and choose one of them for optimal results.

For any remote control software, it’s essential to have a proper Internet connection. If not, you will experience lag and even disconnection.

However, you should take a look at our list including the best remote desktop tools for poor connections that will help you even in such conditions.

If you have any suggestions or questions, feel free to let us know by using the comments section below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Windows 10 version 21H2 is now ready for broad deployment

Posted on April 19, 2022April 19, 2022 by Alexandru Poloboc

There’s no denying that the Redmond-based company is currently focusing all of its efforts on perfecting its latest operating system.

However, Microsoft did not forget about Windows 10 and is also putting in the work to upgrade and constantly improve it as well.

Windows 11’s predecessor is still the favorite among users, with 80% of the Windows market, and its latest iteration is now ready to get more users.

If you didn’t realize what we’re talking about yet, know that Windows 10 version 21H2 is now ready for broad deployment, and it is available to every Windows 10 user via Windows Update.

Get ready for Windows 10 version 21H2

You are probably considering adopting version 21H2 as well, so here are a few things you should know before you engage in this process.

If you use Windows 10 2004 or newer, installing version 21H2 will not take long because, with all previous feature upgrades, Windows 10 21H2 is actually also a small enablement package.

This means that getting version 21H2 will feel like installing a regular cumulative update, so there’s really nothing entirely new about it.

The latest Windows 10 release contains no changes in hardware requirements, which means all compatible computers should get the update without issues.

Microsoft also stated that Windows 10 21H2 has no known issues so far, but that does not mean the operating system is flawless.

The Redmond tech company managed to fix some bugs previously preventing Windows 10 users from installing version 21H2.

According to the schedule, Microsoft is planning to end Windows 10 20H2 support on May 10, 2022.

Yet another reason to upgrade to Windows 10 21H2 in order to keep your system up to date and with all the necessary security patches.

Remember that Windows 10, as an operating system, will reach the end of support 3 years from now, on October 14, 2025.

Don’t install Windows 11 from the web, it’s filled with malware

Posted on April 19, 2022May 5, 2022 by Alexandru Poloboc

As we are sure that you are aware by now, Windows 11 has been available for testing for some weeks now, through Microsoft’s Windows Insider program.

Before it was available directly from the Redmond tech company, some leaked ISO versions were downloaded and installed by Windows 10 users but, as you can imagine, they weren’t at all stable.

The bad part is that these so-called Windows 11 versions are still available on the internet and installing one of them could have serious consequences.

Remember that, if your device does not support Windows 11 or you just don’t want to replace your Windows 10 in order to test it yet, you can still try the new OS online, via an emulator.

Windows 11 installers found online contain dangerous malware

All you can see across the internet these days is people testing and reporting problems with Microsoft’s latest operating system.

And, of course, other people wanting to partake in the testing phase for the upcoming OS but unsure where to get it from, tried to download the Windows 11 ISO from unorthodox sources.

It comes as no surprise that, every time something even remotely popular becomes available on the web, there are always certain individuals looking to make new victims by piggybacking off a product’s popularity, with malware.

As you can imagine, installing a bootleg version of Windows 11 that you found in God knows what website, can have serious ramifications.

It could mean that all your personal info is now up for grabs and all the time you’ve spent on ways to protect your content just went down the drain.

Big companies that specialize in security software, such as Kaspersky, are now warning users about the potential repercussions of using such installers on a personal device.

It’s wild to have to say this, but if you’re planning to install Windows 11, you should get it from official sources. As it turns out, people who are using alternative methods to get Windows 11 are also getting some malware along with it!

The untrained eye is easy to fool, as some malicious third parties have proven, by adding the nefarious software into an apparently harmless installer, called 86307_windows 11 build 21996.1 x64 + activator.exe.

By simply reading the description, some users might think that all it does is install Windows 11 build 21996.1.

However, the truth is far from that and all you would do by running this executable and agreeing to its terms would be opening the door for intruders.

This file’s size is only 1.75GB, and it certainly seems plausible to some. The actual truth is that the bulk of that space consists of one DLL file that contains a lot of useless information.

What happens if I run this fake Windows 11 installer?

Before we describe what happens if you do, you might want to refrain from doing it, for your own safety.

We say that because opening the executable will start the installer, which looks like an ordinary Windows installation wizard. Its main task is to download and run another executable.

This second executable is actually an installer as well, and it even comes with a license agreement, which of course few people take the time to read.

It is generically called a download manager for 86307_windows 11 build 21996.1 x64 + activator and mentions absolutely nothing about the fact that it would also install some sponsored software.

And of course, if you accept the agreement, a number of malicious programs will be installed on your device.

Note that this is just one example, and there are many more such ingeniously disguised malware packs on the internet.

The main lesson here is that if you want to try Windows 11, download and install it from a certified source. In this case, the only certified and safe source is Microsoft itself.

Windows 11 is not available for purchase at any retailers, online or offline, at this time. This software is still in development and you can only test its preview builds via the Insider program.

The best advice that we or anybody else could give you is to steer clear of such fake products and make a habit of getting your software from reliable sources.

This will save you a lot of headaches along the way. Especially if you have valuable or sensitive information stored on your device.

Have you ever downloaded an unofficial Windows 11 version on your machine? Share with us, in the comments section below, any consequences that came with this installation.

Second wave of April Xbox Game Pass games announced, more Ubisoft titles coming soon

Posted on April 19, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

Right on schedule, Microsoft has shared the second wave of Xbox Game Pass titles coming to the service this month. The list includes games like Bugsnax, Unsouled, 7 Days to Die, but more importantly, Microsoft also confirmed that more Ubisoft titles will be coming to the service soon, as well.

If you’re not familiar, Bugsnax used to be a PlayStation exclusive adventure game, but it now will come to Xbox Game Pass on Cloud, Console, and PC on April 28. As for Unsouled, it’s a stylish, fast-paced 2D action-RPG coming to Console and PC on April 28. 7 Days to Die, meanwhile, is a post-apocalyptic open-world game. It too will come to Cloud, Console, and PC on April 26. See below for the other titles covered in this wave.

F1 2021 (Cloud) EA Play – Now available
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit Remastered (Cloud) EA Play – Now available
Turnip Boy Commits Tax Evasion (Cloud, Console, and PC) ID@Xbox – Now available
Research and Destroy (Console and PC) – April 26

As for the news about Ubisoft tiles, Microsoft mentioned that it is working with Ubisoft to “bring more incredible games to the Game Pass library.” It has been confirmed that Assassin’s Creed Origins will join the library for cloud, console, and PC via the Ubisoft Connect app. Microsoft will also bring For Honor: Marching Fire Edition to PC via Ubisoft Connect app and upgrade to the Marching Fire Edition for cloud and console.

Finally, if you’re an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate member, you’re going to enjoy touch controls in 12 more games. Zero Escape: The Nonary Games and Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc Anniversary Edition! are two of the titles. Ben 10, Besiege, Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc Anniversary Edition, Edge of Eternity, Hitman Trilogy, Lawn Mowing Simulator, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit Remastered, Paw Patrol, Race with Ryan, Transformers Battlegrounds, Windjammers 2, and Zero Escape: The Nonary Games wrap up the list.

Researchers find Lenovo UEFI flaw that affects millions

Posted on April 19, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

Based on a news report by The Hacker News, there are three high-impact Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) security vulnerabilities, CVE-2021-3970, CVE-2021-3971, and CVE-2021-3972 that have been identified to be affecting various Lenovo devices such as the Lenovo Flex, IdeaPads and Yoga laptops.

Originally, CVE-2021-3971, and CVE-2021-3972 were meant to be used during the manufacturing process of Lenovo consumer notebooks. However, they were mistakenly left in during the production of BIOS images without being deactivated first.

Attacks could gain access to these devices where they would be able to disable SPI flash protection or the UEFI Secure Boot feature from a privileged user-mode process during OS runtime.

However, on October 11 in 2021, the complaints were lodged to Lenovo, and yesterday they released patches for the security vulnerabilities as highlighted below.

CVE-2021-3970– A potential vulnerability in LenovoVariable SMI Handler due to insufficient validation in some Lenovo Notebook models may allow an attacker with local access and elevated privileges to execute arbitrary code.

CVE-2021-3971 – A potential vulnerability by a driver used during older manufacturing processes on some consumer Lenovo Notebook devices that was mistakenly included in the BIOS image could allow an attacker with elevated privileges to modify the firmware protection region by modifying an NVRAM variable.

CVE-2021-3972 – A potential vulnerability by a driver used during manufacturing process on some consumer Lenovo Notebook devices that was mistakenly not deactivated may allow an attacker with elevated privileges to modify secure boot setting by modifying an NVRAM variable.

It is important to make use of these security patches to avoid being compromised in the future. The threats are initiated early during the boot process before the OS gains control. Therefore, the attackers will able to counter any security measures put in place.

Microsoft launcher gets new ability to pin historical search queries

Posted on April 19, 2022 by Kareem Anderson

The Microsoft Launcher for Android smartphones just received an update that brings a new feature that enables a search history section in the footer.

According to the changelog, users will now be able to utilize a click to pin function to store the historical search query of the device to the top of the launcher search.

In addition, users will also be able to show “More” or “Less” of the search history section to their liking.

Lastly, the Microsoft Launcher team squashed some more bugs resulting in some additional performance improvements across the experience. The team doesn’t get into the nitty gritty of specifically what’s been adjusted or addressed, so we’ll be reliant on the comment and review section in the Play Store for user generated updates.

Enable long click to pin a historical search query to top.
Enable More/Less footer for search history section.
Known bugs were fixed and performance improvements were made.

The new version of the Microsoft Launcher comes in at 6.220203.0.1035995, takes up about 39M requires Android 5.0 and up and was published April 13, 2022.

WatchGuard VPN for Windows 11: How to Download & Install

Posted on April 18, 2022October 4, 2023 by Priya Ahluwalia

Accessing content on the Internet should be a simple thing. However, with government surveillance and hackers lurking in the shadows, the Internet isn’t as safe as it used to be. If you want to protect your personal information, you’re going to need to invest in a VPN.

WatchGuard, a leader in the VPN software industry with a strong focus on network security and data protection, offers a wide range of products and services that are easy to use and cost-effective.

The revolutionary VPN software provides an extremely versatile and powerful way to connect to your company’s network from remote locations.

Whether you’re out of office or just out of town at a convention, its VPN software allows for lightning-fast access to all the files, applications, and resources available inside your corporate network.

When you use a VPN, your traffic is encrypted before it goes out to the Internet. This means that everyone between you and the VPN server sees gibberish, they can’t see what sites you’re visiting, or to who you’re sending data.

Most importantly, no one between you and the VPN server can see your IP address. Your IP address is your digital fingerprint, and it can be used by law enforcement to determine your location.

Some of the key features of WatchGuard VPN

1. Allows you to use Domain name

If you use a dynamic IP address for your VPN, then the WatchGuard client will allow you to use the domain name directly and save you from typing the IP address each time.

However, there are conditions like the need to register the dynamic IP address you wish to connect through with the dynamic DNS service provider.

2. Allows multiple authentication types

The main issue with most SSL VPN providers is that they have a limit on the authentication types they support.

WatchGuard also has a limit, but this limit includes all authentication types supported by the Firebox. Thus, if an authentication type isn’t supported by the VPN, it wouldn’t work with the hardware anyway.

3. Multi-factor authentication

We know cloud-based VPN services are pretty secure these days, but hackers always find a way. Thus, multi-factor authentication is a must for cyber-security. WatchGuard VPN uses AuthPoint encryption to offer multi-factor authentication to users.

What are the pros of using WatchGuard VPN?

WatchGuard VPN has more pros than cons. It is a pretty good VPN for budget users.

WatchGuard VPN is fairly secure. While users might say that they have better options in the market, the basic security protocols are the same and the protection level is the same too. It will make sure your data is well encrypted.
WatchGuard VPN is relatively cheaper. This is a major advantage considering that other security features are similar. Why pay more for the same thing?
The VPN is easy to use. All you need is to enter the details and you are ready.
Network fluctuations with the WatchGuard VPN are rare. Thus, you can expect a stable connection with the software.

What are the cons of WatchGuard VPN?

The main and only con is that the speed is slightly slower than its counterparts. However, it still does the job well.

How to download and install Watchguard VPN on Windows 11?

First, create an account on their official website.
After that, simply download the VPN client and log in with your username and password.
Click connect.

That’s it, your PC will now be connected to WatchGuard VPN. You can enjoy all the benefits that come along with it.

Doing a little research before you start to use a VPN will help you get started on the right foot. There are many safe VPNs you can choose from, but it’s important to keep in mind how you interact with your data over any given network.

Most people think of virtual private networks as a way to keep their browsing data safe. You can also use VPNs to cloak your data, remain anonymous online, or bypass geo-blocking. Thus, take your time before choosing the best VPN service.

We hope this article helped you know more about WatchGuard VPN. If you have any questions, please leave us a comment below.

How to Update BIOS if the PC Won’t Boot [2 Easy Ways]

Posted on April 18, 2022October 23, 2025 by Farhad Pashaei

When your PC doesn’t boot, it’s nearly hard to fix anything, so flashing the BIOS may be your only option.

A computer’s basic input-output system is one of its most important components and extremely sensitive to alteration or adjustment.

Flashing the BIOS means upgrading it or restoring it to its default settings, which will undo any changes.

Even if your computer won’t boot up, you can flash the BIOS with the help of this article. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

How can I flash BIOS when the computer won’t boot?

1. Flash or update BIOS from a bootable USB

Using another computer or laptop, visit your motherboard’s or computer’s manufacturer’s website and look for a support page.
They should have your motherboard or laptop model listed. In our example, we go to the ASUS help center and type our motherboard model.
Then download the BIOS file.
If the downloaded file is a ZIP file, extract the contents.
Look for the BIOS file in the contents of the unzipped file and make a note of where this BIOS file is located.
Before beginning the BIOS flash process, save the BIOS file to an external device like a USB drive.
Boot your faulty computer after ensuring that it is plugged in or that your laptop is completely charged and plugged in.
Enter the BIOS screen by pressing the key specified by the manufacturer’s instructions for a BIOS update as soon as the computer starts. F1, F2, Delete, F8, Esc, or another key could be used.
Start the update process based on your computer’s model once you’re on the BIOS panel. (To complete the upgrade, you may need to look at different tutorials on the manufacturer’s website.)
The BIOS flash can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours, and your system will restart after the BIOS update is completed.

It is critical not to interrupt the computer’s power supply; thus, any interruption can cause the BIOS to become corrupted, rendering your computer unusable.

Remember that this is only an option if your computer can boot into BIOS but not Windows. Reflashing the BIOS also works against the Please Power Down And Connect The PCIe Power Cable(s) For This Graphics Card error.

For a detailed guide on how to update BIOS in Windows 11, check out this article on updating BIOS in Windows 11.

2. Reset BIOS by removing the motherboard battery

Unplug your computer from the power outlet and turn it off. Make sure to discharge any residual electricity in the machine by pressing and holding the Power button.
Remove the case side door.
Look for the CMOS battery on the motherboard. Most of today’s motherboards use flat circular batteries that are a little less than an inch in diameter.
Slide your finger under one of the battery’s edges and pry it up gently. The battery may feature some locking mechanism that you will need to open.

Even though this may seem like a complicated process, following the steps will make it easy to update or flash your BIOS to get your PC working again.

If none of the other options have worked, flashing the BIOS may be the answer, and don’t worry, it won’t damage your motherboard if done without interruption.

Reading manufacturer manuals can also help to lessen the chances of the BIOS flashing procedure failing, so it’s a good idea to go to the manufacturer’s website and read relevant information.

If your PC won’t exit BIOS, read this article.

Comment below and let us know which method worked best for you to fix the problem or if you have a different solution that could help our readers.

Computer Shuts Down During a Virus Scan? 4 Ways to Stop it

Posted on April 18, 2022March 19, 2024 by Farhad Pashaei

Antivirus software is one of the most crucial tools at your disposal for protecting your device but sometimes it causes the computer shuts down during a virus scan.

With more sophisticated assaults on your devices, it’s critical to have antivirus apps on your desktop and scan your system frequently.

However, you may encounter some difficulties at some point during the process.

For example, your computer shuts down during a virus scan! Don’t worry though because we are here to help you fix this problem.

How do I know if the problem is caused by software or hardware?

To start, press the Windows + I keys on your keyboard to open Settings.
Click on System then select Recovery.
Under Recovery options, next to Advanced startup, select Restart now.
After your PC restarts to the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot.

Select Advanced options.
After that, click on Startup Settings.
Select Restart (You may be asked to enter your BitLocker recovery key if you have one).
After your PC restarts, you’ll see a list of options. Select 4 or press F4 to start your PC in Safe Mode without internet and select 5 or press F5 for Safe Mode with Networking.

Now that we know what caused our problem, we can focus on solutions, which are, of course, dependent on the main cause.

What can I do if the computer shuts down during a virus scan?

1. Check fans

Even in Safe Mode, if your computer crashes while running a virus check, it’s likely that the problem is hardware-related, most likely a heat problem.

So, if you have access to your pc/laptop fan clean it and if you are not familiar with the procedure try getting help from an expert.

2. Install a PC repair tool

The most common symptom of a problem with your computer’s operating system is a restart.

So, it’s possible that your computer’s operating system is also malfunctioning. In this case, a PC repair tool is required.

3. Install another antivirus

As we mentioned before, Safe Mode can make everything clear. If the antivirus scan went smoothly on windows Safe Mode, then the problem is caused by software issues or incompatibility.

To solve the problem, you can try another reliable antivirus app and test if it works. Before installing another antivirus don’t forget to uninstall the old one.

Now check to see if your computer shuts down during a virus scan again. If yes, proceed to the next solution.

If everything is okay on Safe Mode and installing a new antivirus didn’t work, you might need to defrag your hard drive. To do so, follow the steps below.

4. Defrag HDDs

Click the Start menu, type defrag and select Defragment Optimize Drives.
When the window opens, you’ll see a list of all your drives and their current defragmentation status.
Select the drive that you want to analyze, and click the Analyze button. Remember! this procedure works only on HDDs.
Wait for the process to finish then choose the analyzed drive and click on Optimize.

Wait for the process to finish.

Keep in mind that depending on the extent of fragmentation, the process may take some time, and there is a higher chance of resolving the computer shuts down during a virus scan issue.

Take a look at this article if you’re having trouble with Disk Defragmenter.

Antivirus protection is critical for anyone who cares about their data and computer systems and wants to prevent any further damage.

Antivirus software acts as a security guard at the entrance, keeping intruders from entering.

However, sometimes, the antivirus is the source of the problem and it shuts down the computer during a virus scan.

Because prevention is far more effective than cure, having a system in place intended to identify and prevent viral assaults is preferable to having to spend time and money patching infected equipment.

That’s why you have to install an antivirus and use full scan frequently.

If you’re looking for the best antivirus solutions for Windows Server, check out this article.

Let us know in the comments if you were successful in resolving the problem, and if so, which method you used.

5 Best Browsers for Android that Use Only a Small Amount of RAM

Posted on April 18, 2022September 23, 2025 by Afam Onyimadu

Resource and memory conservation is essential, especially in older Android devices. One way to make sure that you do not run out of memory is by using low-resource-consuming applications.

These are often light versions of some of the apps you are used to and other times, they are just well-thought-out and developed applications.

In this article, we will like to explore a few low-RAM Android browsers, that will be perfect for your device that is running low on memory.

If you are worried about browser data consumption, read our guide on the best browsers with the least data consumption.

What is the best low-RAM browser for my Android devices?

Opera Mini – The most user-friendly

Opera Mini is one of the quickest and lightest browsers available. You get reduced power consumption, faster browsing, valuable features, and more.

It’s also known for data compression and adblocking. These capabilities are ingrained in our daily lives, and we often use them across our devices’ browsers, either as add-ons or as built-in functions.

The drawback is its downloading. When compared to other light browsers, this functionality is a bit slower.

Opera Mini is an excellent RAM-conserving browser that can be made even quicker by disabling some functions.

We suggest this browser if you need a light browser, but you don’t want to lose out on entertainment and news.

Additional features:

Improved data saver
Integrated ad blocker
Smart downloader

⇒ Get Opera Mini

Google Go – Most feature-rich

Nothing beats Google Go if you’re looking for a nice lightweight mobile browser for your Android.

As you input in the search field, it immediately displays search results. It is also well-customized to provide the greatest possible user experience. All of the most popular websites are featured on the main page and may be accessed easily by tapping on them.

You may save even more data by simply activating a feature named use lite web pages in the Google Go settings. Some browser components, such as the wallpaper and app background, may also be customized.

If you have a device with limited memory, we strongly advise you to use this browser.

Additional features:

Camera search and translate
40% data saving
A 6.75MB file size

⇒ Get Google Go

AVG Secure Browser – Most private browser

AVG browser is certainly among the most lightweight and private browsers out there running cross-platform.

With this browsing solution, you can privately surf the web on Android devices and mask your digital activities with enhanced security.

More exactly, AVG offers integrated privacy tools and an antivirus engine to highly protect you on all devices.

In addition, you have anti-tracking features and HTTPS web encryption to prevent malicious websites and phishing threats.

Additional features:

Flawed extensions protection
Phishing threats monitoring
Password manager
VPN integration

⇒ Get AVG Secure Browser

Pure Browser – Fastest

Pure Browser is a freshly released lightweight browser with a slew of essential features in high demand these days.

It has taken care of everything from privacy to speed without sacrificing file size. It also has the advantage of a well-designed UI that provides a fantastic experience for browsing and downloading.

With Pure Browser’s night mode enabled, viewing films online becomes more enjoyable.

The browser is strict when it comes to ad blocking and privacy, it does not keep any user data and safeguards your data and privacy on the internet.

Additional features:

File size of 3MB
Fast video downloader
Superfast browsing

⇒ Get Pure Browser

Via Browser – Most lightweight

Via browser is a basic and minimalist browser that you may use to save RAM on your Android device.

Most online browsers populate their home pages with information that doesn’t always make sense to users. But with Via browser, you only see your search bar on the main page; no other irrelevant information will be shown.

There are several choices in Via Browser to improve the user experience. It has features such as a desktop site, downloads, incognito mode, tools, night mode, etc.

The most significant feature of this browser is that it supports add-ons. It contains two built-in add-ons, the first of which is a QR Code scanner, and the second is a download manager.

Additional features:

File size of 553KB
Data saver
night mode

⇒ Get Via Browser

There you have it; our complete list of RAM-conserving browsers for your Android devices.

All the light browsers we have discussed are good choices. You may be drawn to one for various reasons, minimalistic design, optimized download, etc. In the end, you should make your choice of a low RAM-consuming browser based on your personal preferences.

In the comments, let us know which of the browsers you would rather try.

3+ best video compressors to use with Discord [Great results]

Posted on April 18, 2022May 8, 2024 by Afam Onyimadu

You may have already encountered and are familiar with Discord’s error message; Your Files are Too Powerful.

We know how annoying it is since it may have appeared every time you attempted to upload one of your cherished video files.

This error message is accompanied by a short statement that says, Max file size is 8.00 MB please, implying that your movie is too large to be submitted, or at least larger than 8MB.

However, there is a straightforward remedy. You may submit your videos without worrying about this problem if you compress them beforehand.

This article will explore the best video compressors to use for Discord.

Can I upload larger videos on Discord without compressing them?

Discord has been one of the most interesting instant messaging services since its introduction in 2015 and has grown to over 300 million registered members.

Despite its enormous user base and popularity, the corporation has set a limit of 8MB for the file size that may be shared on the platform.

This is easily a major issue for everyone since even a short HD film may use up to 300MB of storage.

If you have a Discord Nitro membership, you will be able to upload up to 50MB of video. This membership includes benefits that a regular user does not have access to, such as an increased maximum size of submitted videos.

What is the best video compressor for Discord?

Movavi – Most user-friendly

Movavi is a very capable video compressor for Discord.

The service contains professional video editing tools such as special effects, keyframe animation, and pre-made intros.

It also has a tool called Apply Chroma Key, which allows you to modify the backdrop of your films to anything you choose.

The service recently redesigned its layout, which we feel is really user-friendly and has straightforward controls, so you won’t need to learn anything to get the most out of it.

One of the nicest things about this Discord video compressor is its speed. You will compress videos quickly within Discord’s limit file size of 8MB, process files, and display them all in one place.

Movavi

Get Movavi, an all-round video maker, with a screen recorder, timeline markers, and converter.

Free Visit website

Veed.io – Most feature-rich

Veed.io is an all-inclusive video editing tool that lets you transcribe audio, add subtitles, record podcasts, and compress video with just a few clicks.

Veed.io now provides a free online video compressor tool in addition to its other video-editing capabilities. Its compressor supports AVI, MP4, MOV, and other video formats.

Using the compression service is quite easy; all you have to do is choose and upload your video file, choose the compression options, and download the compressed video. Once you are done, you can share on Discord or any other platform.

It is a great option that does not visibly compromise video quality, and since this is an online service, no downloads and installations are required.

Additional features:

Subtitles and transcription
Video music visualizer
Team collaboration

⇒ Get Veed.io

8mb.video – Best stand-alone

From the name, you can guess that it is a Discord video compressor that will compress your files to at least 8MB.

This interface is very basic. Once you navigate to the website, it is mainly a white screen with an option to upload your video.

When you click the upload option, you’ll be prompted to choose the video you wish to compress, after which the program will begin processing it.

It offers a variety of file sizes ranging from 8MB to 100MB. Sound editing options, such as eliminating sounds from videos, are also available on the platform.

You can easily and rapidly decrease the file size of any movie, whether it’s 50MB or 200MB. Furthermore, the video quality is not noticeably impacted and remains excellent.

Additional features:

Convenient share
Free compression
2GB compression limit

⇒ Get 8mb.video

FreeConvert – Most secure

FreeConvert is an online file conversion application that may help you convert your files between different formats.

You may use it to compress any content into manageable file sizes, whether a document, an image, music, or video. You can effortlessly post your cherished videos to Discord, Instagram, WhatsApp, and other platforms with FreeConvert.

It is simple to use, similar to many of the services on our list since there is no program or application to download and install. All you have to do is submit files to the platform’s servers and wait for the compression process to complete.

It’s also one of the safest and most dependable tools since all your videos are uploaded securely using the HTTPS protocol, and after they’re done, they’re promptly erased from the servers.

As a result, you don’t have to be concerned about your privacy and safety while using FreeConvert. Additionally, you may utilize the platform to convert files between formats, such as MP4 to MP3, PDF to JPG, PNG to JPG, and more.

Additional features:

Vector converter
Wave and PDF compressor
Video trimmer

⇒ Get FreeConvert

Clipchamp – Best for social media

Clipchamp is a video production and editing suite that can be used to edit videos or make them from scratch.

It is simple to use and has many useful features, such as a camera recorder, templates, screen recorder, loop, trim, color, text, and many more tools.

Clipchamp can handle anything from generating videos for social media sites to creating advertising, presentations, and more.

It has a free version that you may utilize. Aside from that, there are three premium plans.

The tool has a similar interface to Canva and adds a feature for compressing videos during download.

Additional features:

Record webcam
Record screen
Video overlay

⇒ Get Clipchamp

Media.io – Best for batch compression

Media.io is an online audio and video editing application that allows you to perform any tasks of file converting or compressing.

It comprises many powerful tools in one location, including a video compressor, video converters, audio converters, thumbnail creators, GIF creators, audio cutters, picture resizers, etc.

First, you must select and upload any video file from your PC to compress it. After that, you will tweak video parameters like size, resolution, bitrate, etc., to meet your needs.

When you’ve completed making changes, click the Compress button and the Download option to save the compressed file. The greatest feature is that you won’t lose quality when compressing the file size.

You may join the platform for free and utilize the video compressor to compress your video files up to 500 MB. A paid subscription lets you work on larger files.

Additional features:

Batch conversion
Video merging
Vocal remover

⇒ Get Media.io

Most of the services in this article will achieve the same goal. However, it would help if you took note of the quality of the final product, as this is the main separating factor among all these Discord video compressors. But, of course, other factors like speed should be a consideration.

In the end, we expect that this guide has educated you on what good choices exist, and you should be able to make a choice based on your personal preferences.

Read our guide on the best video compressor software if you would rather have a downloadable compression service.

3 best Razer Book 13 sleeves [Waterproof + shock-resistant]

Posted on April 18, 2022October 4, 2023 by Sonia Martin

The Razer Book 13 is by default a good quality laptop with an impressively sturdy CNC anodized aluminum-made chassis that against all odds, manages to remain light, portable, and compact.

But just like you’d benefit from a Razer Book 13 screen protector neatly applied on top of the built-in Gorilla 6 glass, a protective sleeve would not hurt.

You probably already have a laptop bag, stacked in a dark corner of your desk. While there are also heavy-duty laptop cases that are worth paying for, we reckon a Razer Book 13 sleeve is more adapted for traveling.

What is the difference between a laptop case and a laptop sleeve? Sleeves are usually handleless and conceived to perfectly fit your laptop without any loose ends in order to prevent sliding.

Is it worth getting a laptop sleeve?

Owning a piece of robust equipment is a good start, but its in-built protective mechanisms are by no means exhaustive and do not cover unexpected events such as drops or other intense shocks.

This is where a good laptop sleeve comes in to protect not just against dust or minor debris but against spills and all kinds of accidents that are likely to occur especially when you’re on the move.

While there is no shortage of protective gear on the market, we know that finding the right Razer Book 13 sleeve can be a daunting task.

So, we made things simple for you with a useful checkpoint to keep close when searching for the best laptop sleeve out there.

How do I choose a laptop sleeve?

Tip

➡ High-quality durable materials such as neoprene or polyester
➡ Protective mechanisms against knocks, bumps, drops, falls scratches, scuffs, dust, and debris
➡ Water-resistant capacities to repel spills
➡ Perfect fit (Remember that your Razer Book 13 is equipped with a 13.4-inch display with bezels on 4 sides, so your sleeve should be wider than that, but without too much spare space to prevent it from sliding. You will need to consider the laptop’s width for this, so don’t go any lower than 13.8 inches when it comes to the sleeve’s dimension.)
➡ Lightweight and flexible materials that are highly adaptable but hold their form well in time and easy to use accessories (such as zippers or velcro) that allow you to easily slip your laptop in and out

Which laptop sleeve is the best for Razer Book 13?

Protective Cover Case for Razer Book 13

High-quality PU leather (exterior) + soft cashmere microfiber (interior)
Special liner design to improve heat dissipation
Anti-scratch and anti-dust protection
Protection against mild collisions and impact
Unique and fashionable design with vibrant colors

The fixing corner straps partially overlap the screen.
For Dell XPS 9300 laptop models, the camera is also partially covered.

Check price

This Alapmk case is all about craftsmanship and high quality. Everything is hand-sewed and punctiliousness can be seen (and admired) in the slightest details from the handle, to the zipper and pocket.

Since it’s not produced on an industrial scale, this fashionable sleeve is by no means universal and only caters to a chosen few (laptop models) among which the Razer Book 13.

First things first. Let’s talk materials. On the exterior, we have a high-quality synthetic leather, while the interior boasts a soft cashmere microfiber, making this Razer Book 13 sleeve not just a sight for sore eyes thanks to its appealing esthetics, but also a joy to touch with your hands.

Of course, looks are not everything. On the contrary, this premium PU leather has tons of functional advantages.

The liner has proved to be a cooling enhancer and its unique design improves the airflow and helps dissipate heat better.

What’s more, it also acts as a protective layer against scratches and dust, while the durable interior coating helps to protect your laptop against mild collision and impact.

Now, we all know that loose ends can be a problem when using the laptop and Alapmk tried to anticipate this by adding two elastic rubbers.

Unfortunately, it’s not a flawless solution as the bottom straps covered a bit of the screen for us.

Furthermore, there seems to be a bit of an issue with Dell XPS 9300 laptops even though they are listed as supported models. It turns out that this sleeve partially covers the camera. However, we had no such problem with the Razer Book 13.

Hand Made laptop sleeve for Razer Book 13

Improves heat dissipation
Made of high-quality waterproof leather
Equipped with a functional pocket for better organization
Portable and traveling-convenient design

Limited compatibility (requires accurate measurement and precise identification of the laptop model).

Check price

Just like our previous recommendation, this Razer Book 13 sleeve is part of a limited series and the attention to detail is easy to notice.

To begin with, it’s portable and super convenient to carry thanks to its attached handle and buttons. This 2-in-1 design makes it even more practical and you can easily use it as a comfortable carrying bag.

And speaking of comfort, we all know that accessories are just as important as the main equipment itself. That’s one of the reasons why cable management accessories are so useful for office space organization, for instance.

MAMA MOUTH’s sleeve includes a pocket as well as an additional front storage space to help you keep your items organized.

The sleeve is made of high-quality waterproof leather that protects your laptop against spills but also against dust, scratches, and collisions.

While the external coating is durable and resistant, the inner layer is made of soft microfiber to further protect your laptop.

To top it all, the entire design is built around the idea of improving air circulation to avoid overheating. This unique cooling feature will make sure your laptop’s temperature is always under control even under intense usage conditions.

Protective Sleeve V2 for 13.3 notebooks

Snag-free velcro for effortless usage
Protective layer against impact or scratches
Custom-fit for the Razer Book 13
Padded, ultra-slim interior lining
Impermeable and durable PVC coating

The mousepad is causing overheating and the surface is not generous enough.

Check price

The Razer Protective Sleeve V2 is custom-fit for 13.3 notebooks and it has Razer written all over it.

We mean that both in the literal sense (see the company’s staple holographic and chromatic wordmark) and figuratively due to the high-quality finishes that elevate the product and distinguish it from everything else on the market.

The exterior material is a combination of highly durable and robust PVC and polyester that seals your laptop against accidental spills, abrasions, and other potential damages.

Meanwhile, the padded interior lining is as smooth as they come and provides a slim layer of protection for your laptop.

Needless to say that there is a great advantage in owning a sleeve and laptop manufactured by the same company. From the very beginning, you can rule out potential incompatibility issues as this case is custom-fit for your Razer Book 13.

Its slim and sleek design guarantees flawless portability and you can easily slot this breezy laptop into your backpack or suitcase.

The snag-free velcro further contributes to the ease of use, making it easy to take the laptop out or to put back in and hold it securely in place.

While we salute the Razer Protective Sleeve V2’s superb features, it would not be fair to skip its flaws. The flip-out mousemat – advertised as a huge selling point – turned out to be a bit disappointing.

The flap is simply not big enough and the mousepad itself is causing the laptop to overheat.

There you have it, now you know which Razer Book 13 sleeve to pick in order to make the most of your productivity-focused workstation.

Unleash its true potential by pairing it with the sleeve that does it justice and enjoy it for years to come in pristine condition!

Make Your Network Secure: Install IPsec VPN on Windows 11

Posted on April 18, 2022September 29, 2025 by Priya Ahluwalia

Windows 11 IPsec VPN has become popular worldwide in the last few decades. These services have become a necessity for anyone who wants to keep their online activities safe and secure.

IPsec is a suite of protocols that are used to secure Internet communications. It’s also used for other things like controlling access to webpages, eliminating spam, and safeguarding your data. It is an abbreviation for Internet Protocol Security.

The widespread use of the internet has raised many concerns, one of which is that Internet traffic should be secured. This idea culminated in the 90s with IPsec, which is still widely used to this day.

IPsec is one of the core protocols for securing Internet connections. It also enables secure connections between a host and an internet gateway. Though not as common as it once was, it still plays an important role in securing internet communications.

What is Windows 11 IPsec VPN?

A virtual private network (VPN) is a service that masks your online identity and assigns you a new one. The best VPN services allow you to bypass internal firewalls and circumvent ISP throttling techniques. They also help you stay secure on public Wi-Fi, protect your data from hackers, and more.

IPsec is usually used in a Virtual Private Network context to create secure connections over the public internet. It creates a network connection between two devices that resembles a connection within a private internal network.

Its most common use case is when remote employees need access to secured files stored behind a corporate firewall.

The protocols that are a part of the IPsec suite are technologies that secure one of the major kinds of VPNs, we prefer to call them IPsec VPNs.

How can I set up IPsec VPN on Windows 11?

1. Sign up for a VPN service

To get started, you need to subscribe to a VPN service to obtain their VPN server address. We recommend Private Internet Access VPN. It is a highly secure VPN service that allows you to protect your personal data from hackers and internet snoopers.

It works by providing you with an anonymous IP address and hiding your original ISP location. PIA is considered one of the most cost-effective VPN services on the market.

2. Create an IPsec VPN connection

Go to the Windows Search bar and type Settings. Hit Enter.
Next, go to Network and Internet.
In the left pane, click VPN.
Then, click Add VPN.
Set VPN to Windows (built-in).
Type in the VPN server from your VPN Service Provider.
Set VPN type to L2TP/IPsec with certificate.
For the type of sign-in info selection, select Username and password.
Enter your VPN credentials.
Finally, click Save.

In today’s high-tech world, it’s important to protect your online privacy by using a VPN. Windows 11 users should make sure their VPN is up to date with the latest protocols such as IPsec, to take advantage of the best security feature.

How does IPsec VPN work?

One of the most important functions in IPsec is key generation. What does this mean? Well, it starts with the SA (Security Association) – a cryptographic key that’s exchanged between hosts.

These keys work by allowing the communicating parties to decrypt and encrypt their communication.

The type of encryption used depends on the goal of the two hosts, and this is negotiated automatically. For example, you might want to use message integrity to ensure data hasn’t been tampered with.

However, it’s generally more important to make sure messages are confidential than it is to just ensure they’re not altered.

The SA information is passed to the IPsec module, which then modifies every packet in both directions.

What these modifications do is change the packet’s header, which includes metadata, information about the packet at the beginning of the data sent, and its payload (which is the actual data being sent).

Today, the Internet has become a new phenomenon that helps people to connect with each other. However, it has also created a great risk of information leakage and hacker attacks.

Using a VPN is one of the best ways to ensure your online security and privacy. There are many reasons why you should use a VPN, but the benefits can be summed up in one word: security.

Do check our guide on 5 best VPNs for video streaming.

We certainly hope you are enjoying your new VPN and the many benefits that come along with it. Do let us know your views on this in the comments section below.

Best recommended lightweight browsers for developers

Posted on April 18, 2022October 4, 2023 by Afam Onyimadu

Conserving computing resources is very important, especially when working on older systems. The number of applications you run directly impacts how much RAM you have to spare for other apps.

Many browsers are resource-intensive, and by opening multiple tabs, you may just be reducing your available storage. As a developer, you may not be able to compromise on many of your core development software, but you can save resources by using a lightweight browser.

This article will discuss some of our best recommendations for lightweight browsers for developers.

What are the best lightweight browsers for developers?

LT Browser – Great for mobile developers

LambdaTest’s LT browser is a web browser that you may use to create and test websites. It is designed to give developers an advantage, and it comes with practically all of the development tools you’ll ever need.

It has numerous screen sizes, allowing you to test websites on various devices. You may also design custom screen resolutions.

It includes the ability to adjust your network speed, allowing you to test the website’s performance in terms of speed. A side-by-side mobile view capability in the browser will enable you to sample many devices at once.

Then there are features like one-click metrics, hot reloads, and bug recording that comes with the LT browser.

This browser makes it simple to analyze web page accessibility, SEO, and a variety of other website performance indicators. To share the bugged data, you may use the browser to connect channels like Jira, Asana, Trello, and Github.

Additional features:

Mobile website test
Lighthouse reports
Hot reloading

LT Browser

In need of a browser built for developers? This solution can test or debug mobile websites in minutes for multiple systems.

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Firefox Developer – Best all-round

Mozilla keeps surprising us with new products. Firefox Developer Edition is one of these new products. It is the edition that is just for devs.

This browser isn’t the lightest, but it fits into this category.

It provides more capabilities centered on development than the standard Firefox and improved speed. Most of its tools are centered on open-source projects.

Regarding performance, this Mozilla Firefox Edition delivers impressive results, ensuring that pages load as quickly as possible. The browser performs better than its competitors in several tests, such as Asm.je and WebGL.

For geeks and website developers, it is now the most used browser, at the very least, it comes out on top in numerous developer polls.

Additionally, it can show the CSS grid of your resource, which is an unusual, if not unique, feature.

Additional features:

Storage panel
Responsive design mode
Powerful JavaScript debugger

⇒ Get Firefox Developer

Vivaldi – Great for security and privacy

This browser, created by the former CEO of Opera, has only been around for six years. Although it is aimed at a public audience, it has several developer-friendly features.

It offers a very basic and clean design with complete customization options such as changing themes and colors to suit your requirements.

Because Vivaldi is built using React.JS, Node.JS, and HTML 5, you can expect it to run well and deliver high performance. It allows you to utilize any extensions, even those built for Firefox and Chrome, without problems.

It features an ad blocker. The split-screen, feed reader, built-in mail client, and calendar help the user experience.

Vivaldi also provides excellent privacy protection, ensuring that no one can monitor your online activity.

Additional features:

Web Panels
Sessions
Quick Commands

⇒ Get Vivaldi

With developer-centered browsers, balancing lightweight and developer tools is not an easy find. While these are not particularly the most lightweight browsers, they are the best you will need if development and resource conservation is the priority.

You may want to try other browsers, and our guides on lightweight browsers for Windows PCs and lightweight browsers for Intel Atom computers would be helpful reads.

3 best Surface Pro 8 docking stations for extended connectivity

Posted on April 18, 2022August 27, 2025 by Vlad Turiceanu

The Surface Pro 8, like its predecessors, is becoming a preferred choice of computer for many users.

Its ability to perform as both a PC and a tablet is an incentive for people who handle different tasks using their computers.

While it is lightweight and packs enough computing power to be considered a primary computer, the device lacks some features.

In this guide, we will look at 3 of the best docking stations that’ll help you increase functionality for your Surface Pro 8.

What are the best Surface Pro docking stations?

Surface Dock 2

6 USB ports
Longer Surface Connect cable (80 cm)
Supports dua 4K @ 60Hz

HDMI adapters are sold separately

Check price

Microsoft’s Surface Dock 2 is an excellent choice for a Surface Pro user.

It comes loaded with features that enable you to seamlessly transform your Surface Pro into a more powerful system.

These include 4 USB-C (gen 2) ports, an additional 2 USB-A ports, a 3.5mm audio jack, security lock support, and a 1 gigabyte Ethernet port.

Such connectivity features make the easy and possible to make the Surface Pro 8 your main PC.

Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock

Supports Thunderbolt 4 connection
Comes with 10 ports
It has a pass-through charging system

It can be a bit buggy

Check price

The Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock comes in second as a choice pick for your Surface Pro 8.

It is considered one of the best third-party products that will go well with your Surface Pro 8.

This dock has a built-in USB-C charge charger that will keep your device charged at all times.

Other features include dual monitor support for 2 4K @ 60Hz displays, 10 ports for added connectivity and RGB lighting if you want to create some atmospheric lights.

Kensington SD2500T Thunderbolt 3 docking station

8 meter Intel Certified TB3 cable
SD card reader and Micro SD card reader
60W Power Delivery

Lacks the downstream thunderbolt 3
Does not come with HDMI cables

Check price

The Kensington SD2500T is another ideal third-party product for your Surface Pro 8.

This product allows you to expand functionality with Intel’s Thunderbolt 3 technology which is compatible with devices such as your Surface pro 8.

If you wish to connect your Surface Pro 8 to external monitors, you have the option of 2 4K UHD @ 60HZ and 1 8K UHD @ 30HZ using the Thunderbolt 3 port.

Other ports such as the USB-C offers great support for extra monitors to keep your workflow at an optimum level.

The 120-watt power supply delivers 60Watts which is enough to deliver power to peripherals like your mouse, keyboards and hard drives as well as charge your phone or tablet.

A proper docking system is more than enough to cover some of the issues that have been experienced by Surface Pro users.

If your wish is to increase functionality such as the Surface Pro 8 docking station dual monitor connection, then any of these products will work just fine.

Finally, don’t forget to let us know which docking station you picked for your device in the comment section.

For more recommendations beyond the top three picks, see this guide to the best Surface Pro docking station adapters.

How does the Respondus LockDown Browser work?

How do I fix the Respondus LockDown Browser error code b5?

1. Fix the error for instructors

2. Fix the error for students

What should I know about the LockDown Browser?

What are the best free cloud tools for Windows 10?

Sync.com

pCloud

Is it safe to use cloud storage for personal files?

What is Orion in SolarWinds?

What causes the SolarWinds error related to request processing?

How can I fix the Custom Query error in SolarWinds?

1. Set the custom query output to ordered

2. Flush your DNS and restart AMA

Who attacked SolarWinds?

PRTG

3. Use native repair tools (Orion Configuration Wizard)

4. Check your antivirus and firewall

What should I consider when buying a game server control panel?

What are the best game server control panels for Windows 11?

Easy-Wi – Outstanding features at your disposal

Pterodactyl – AES-256-CBC encryption included

GameDash – Network monitoring included

Open game panel (OGP) – WHMCS integration suport

Is it compulsory to install a game server control panel?

How to fix DISM error 50 on Windows 10/11?

1. Delete the associated registry key

2. Reset BIOS

3. Refresh the DISM software

4. Use Command Prompt

Why is there no open file location option?

What can I do if the open file location option is missing on Windows 11?

1. Make sure your system is up to date

2. Remove any recently installed software

3. Use ShellExView to modify the context menu

How to find app location on Windows 11?

Why is Windows 11’s Settings app missing?

What can I do if Windows 11’s Settings app is missing?

1. Restart Windows Explorer

2. Install a PC repair tool

3. Run SFC and DISM commands

4. Re-register the Settings app

5. Try other ways of opening the Settings app

What are other Windows update problems?

How can I access and use the Weird West Discord server?

Table of contents

What’s the best software to automate mouse clicks?

GS Auto Clicker – Most simple and versatile

GS Auto Clicker

Auto Mouse Click – Complex automation creation

Auto Mouse Click

Mouse Controller – The most compact tool

MouseController

Auto Clicker – Safe and reliable tool

Auto Clicker

How can software help me automate mouse clicks?

FAQs

What is Logitech Unifying?

How can I fix Logitech unifying receiver poor range issues?

1. Find somewhere less crowded

2. Switch the wireless routers channel

3. Purchase a USB extender

4. Provide an adequate power supply

Are there any alternatives to the Logitech Unifying receiver?

What’s so good about File History?

How do I use File History to back up my Windows 11 computer?

1. Turn on File History

2. Configure File History

3. Create System Image Backup

4. Restore personal files

Are there other ways to backup files on Windows 11?

What are the different versions of Silhouette Studio?

What can I do if Silhouette Studio is stuck on initializing?

1. Delete com.aspexsoftware.Silhouette_Studio folder

2. Reinstall Silhouette Studio

3. Downgrade to an older version

4. Check permissions

Are there alternatives to Silhouette Studio?

What does Amazon sell?

What can I do if I’m not receiving emails from Amazon on Gmail?