Destiny 2 is an amazing title, but it has a couple of issues, and many have reported mouse lag while playing Destiny 2.
Any type of lag will reduce your performance in a multiplayer game, and we wrote in-depth on how to fix Destiny 2 packet loss, but this is a different kind of issue.
Fixing this problem doesn’t have to be too hard, and in today’s guide, we’re going to show you the best methods that you can use to fix mouse lag while in game.
Why does Destiny 2 mouse input lag appear?
This issue can appear due to your graphics settings, and if your framerate and Vsync settings don’t match properly, you might encounter some lag.
In some instances, this can be a framerate issue, and lowering the settings can help. To see how to properly fix this problem, be sure to keep on reading.
How can I fix Destiny 2 mouse lag?
1. Change graphics settings
Click the Settings icon in the top right corner.
Now go to the Video tab.
Now adjust Window Mode, Resolution, Vsync, and Framerate Cap settings.
Experiment with different values and check if there’s a change in performance.
Once the download is finished, run the setup file.
Now follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.
The most common cause for lag are your drivers, so it’s advised to update them. There are many ways you can do that, and most users choose to update drivers manually.
This can be a tedious process, especially if you need to update multiple drivers and you don’t know where to download the right drivers from.
Luckily, there are specialized tools, such as Outbyte Driver Updater that will scan your PC and automatically update all outdated drivers with just a few clicks.
Scroll down to Graphics Quality and set it to Low.
Alternatively, you can try adjusting other graphic settings and try to find the perfect balance between the visual quality and performance.
4. Adjust the configuration files
NOTE
This is an advanced solution, so make sure you edit the configuration file properly.
Press Windows key + R and enter %appdata%. Press Enter.
Now navigate to the following directory Bungie\DestinyPC\prefs\
Locate and double-click the cvars.xml file.
Right-click the file and select Open with. Now pick Notepad or any other code editor.
Locate cvar name=”window_mode” and make sure that it is set to value=”2”.
If you’re running the game in windowed mode, make sure you find this line and adjust it so it matches your resolution, for example: <cvar name="windowed_resolution_width" value="1280" /> <cvar name="windowed_resolution_height" value="720" />
In case you’re running the game in full screen mode, adjust the following line accordingly: <cvar name="fullscreen_resolution_width" value="1920" /> <cvar name="fullscreen_resolution_height" value="1080" />
In the General tab, locate Game Integration and enable Show Game Integration Customization View.
Click the Applets icon in the bottom left corner.
Now click the wrench icon in the blue box.
Select Discord and click on Stop Applet.
Now select Never launch.
Check if that fixes the problem.
If the issue is still there, make sure that your mouse gaming software isn’t running in the background.
Many reported that Logitech software was the culprit behind the mouse lag in Destiny 2, but keep in mind that other software can cause this issue as well.
6. Adjust your mouse polling rate
Open the mouse configuration software.
Locate the polling setting.
Set the polling rate to 250Hz or 125Hz.
Save changes.
What causes Destiny 2 mouse issues?
Your drivers can be the cause for many input issues in Destiny 2, so be sure to update your graphics card and other drivers to the latest version.
Sometimes your mouse configuration software can cause the issue, and by adjusting the polling rate or by disabling certain features, you can fix this problem on your PC.
Fixing mouse lag in Destiny 2 doesn’t have to be hard, and we hope that our solutions helped you fix this issue for good.
We also wrote about other issues that can occur in this game, and if you want to learn more, we suggest reading our Destiny 2 error codes guide for more information.
What solution did you use to fix this issue in your game? Let us know in the comments section below.
SteamVR is a virtual reality platform that’s compatible with Vive, Windows Mixed Reality, and Oculus Rift headsets.
However, error 306 can arise for some users when they try to launch SteamVR. The full error 306 message says this:
Error Starting SteamVR – SteamVR failed to initialized for unknown reasons (Error: Shared IPC Compositor Connect Failed (306))
SteamVR doesn’t start when that issue arises. Speaking of problems, users also reported other possible variations. Check them out below!
Where does this error occur and what can I expect?
SteamVR failed initialization with error code vriniterror_init_hmdnotfound (VR init error HMD not found is one of the most frequent error codes, but there can be others as well)
Frequently associated with Oculus Quest 2: SteamVR Compositor had an error on present (108)
SteamVR error during OpenVR (Also found under this form: OpenVR runtime is not installed)
If you need to fix the SteamVR 306 error, check out these potential resolutions for that issue.
How can I fix SteamVR error code 306?
1. Update your drivers
There are a few ways you can update your graphics card’s driver, but the most straightforward method is to utilize driver updater software.
A quick Outbyte Driver Updater scan will display a detailed report that shows driver versions for your PC’s devices and which ones need new drivers.
Thereafter, you can select to update your graphics card’s driver if required. It will then download your GPU’s latest driver for you.
If you’re utilizing Outbyte Driver Updater Pro, you can then select the Apply All option to quickly install the driver without needing to extract and open its setup wizard.
2. Connect your VR cable with your graphics card’s primary port
First, disconnect the HDMI cable for your monitor from the main port on your desktop graphics card.
Then plug the VR cable (from the VR box) into the graphics card’s Main Port/Primary Port.
Reconnect your monitor via your graphics card’s secondary port.
If your SteamVR app is running, close and restart it to see if the error 306 issue persists.
Select the Restart option on the dialog box that opens.
Then try launching SteamVR after clean-booting Windows.
Note: Steam confirms Razer Synapse, Avast Antivirus, and the Asus AI Suite conflict with SteamVR and its drivers. So, uninstalling those conflicting programs might also help resolve SteamVR error 306.
5. Uninstall Natural Locomotion
To launch Run, press the Windows and R keys at the same time.
Input this command for opening the Windows uninstaller in the Open text box: appwiz.cpl
Select the Natural Locomotion software within the Programs and Features applet.
Click the Uninstall option for Natural Locomotion to remove that software.
Press the Windows + E hotkey to launch File Explorer.
Open the config folder in File Explorer at this path: D:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\config
Right-click the locomotion subfolder and select Delete.
Those are some of the more probable fixes for resolving SteamVR error 306 that are worth a shot.
You can also contact Steam via the Steam support page if further potential resolutions for error 306 are required.
PDF files are useful if you need to send a certain document, but they aren’t always the preferred format for users, since many of them favor using the Word format instead.
Recreating the document in a new format is a time-consuming and often impossible task for many end-users, and this is where file conversion comes into play.
There are multiple methods you can use to convert one file type to another, and in today’s guide, we’re going to show you how to convert big PDF files to Word documents.
Is it possible to convert PDF to editable Word?
Yes, you can convert most PDF files to editable Words documents with ease. There are several methods you can use, and some don’t even require you to install any additional software.
There are multiple reasons why you might want to do that, and many choose to convert their documents if the PDF file won’t open on their PC.
In this guide we’re going to show you the best options that you can use for this purpose, so be sure to keep on reading to find out more.
How can I convert large PDF to Word?
1. Use Word
Open Word and click on File.
Select Open and click on Browse.
Now select the PDF document that you want to view.
Once you open it, Word will ask you if want to convert the file. Select OK.
After the file is open, click on Enable Editing.
Click OK to confirm.
The document should now be fully editable.
Click on File.
Now choose Save as and select Browse.
Set the Save as type to Word Document, enter the desired file name, and click on Save.
This isn’t the most reliable or the most secure method, but it can come in handy if you want to convert documents from a reliable source.
2. Use specialized software
If you want to quickly and easily convert PDF to Word and vice versa, then Soda PDF might be the right tool for you.
There’s support for a wide array of file types, so you’re not limited to PDF and Word formats.
Text recognition feature is also available allowing you to recognize text on scanned documents and edit it as you please.
It’s important to mention that the software works with large files, and with batch processing support, you can easily convert multiple files.
Soda PDF
If you don’t know how to convert big PDF files to Word, Soda PDF is your go-to.
Now click on Select File and choose From my Computer.
Select the desired file.
Choose the output format and click on Convert.
Wait for the process to finish.
Once the process is completed, click on Download.
How to pick a Word to PDF online converter?
It all depends on your needs, and the first thing you should look for is the maximum file size. Some PDF files can get large, so be sure that the service can support them.
Do keep in mind that some of these services might not be perfectly safe, so if you’re planning to convert any sensitive documents, it might be better to use a software solution instead.
There are many online file converters, but for your safety, be sure to only use the ones that are trusted and secure.
As you can see, it’s easy to convert large PDF to Word, as long as you have the right tools for this task.
For more information about the conversion software, you might want to visit our best PDF to Word converters guide.
What is your favorite method to convert PDF files? Let us know in the comments section below!
Next week’s slate of Xbox releases promises quite a lineup, with 14 games in total coming Xbox consoles between March 21 and 25. If you’re wondering what’s coming ahead, then we have you covered. From RPGs to Indie games, to some new weird quirky titles, Here’s what you need to look out for next week on Xbox!
Tuesday
Things kick off on Tuesday with three games. Kraken Academy is a technicolor adventure in which you must team up with a magical Kraken and exploit a time loop to save the world. Kraken Academy will be available on Game Pass. Tainted Grail: Conquest is a deck-building roguelike/RPG already available on PC Game Pass and now coming to Xbox.
Finally, Zero Escape: The Nonary Games rounds out Tuesday’s lineup. This is a bundle of remasters of two previous titles from the adventure game series. It will be coming to Game Pass when it releases.
Wednesday
Four games are slated for release on the 23rd. A Place for the Unwilling is an exploration-based adventure game promising a narrative-driven experience that blends a bit of Dickens with a bit of Lovecraft for a unique experience.
Richy’s Nightmares is a platformer that gamers might find reminiscent of the classic Limbo, at least at first glance. The Pizza Delivery Boy Who Saved the World is a visual novel about a time-traveling pizza boy, and was created by a former pizza delivery driver. Finally, Thunder Kid: Hunt for the Robot Emperor employs run and gun action and a scaled-back visual style reminiscent of the PS One era.
Thursday
On the 24th, A Memoir Blue will be a day one Game Pass game. The adventure game promises an unforgettable story and loads of atmosphere. (Point and click adventure game Norco will also release on Thursday, though not on Xbox. The game will be available on PC Game Pass, however).
Friday
Once again the week in Xbox will close out with a bang with four great titles set to come out just in time for the weekend. Aery —Calm Mind 2 is a unique game that aims for a relaxing, zen-like experience in which the only objective is to fly like a bird and enjoy the beautiful scenery the game world has to offer.
Bouncy Boi in Puzzle Land offers a cutesy puzzle adventure with plenty of color and challenging puzzles galore. A retro-inspired twin stick shooter, Devastator offers some pretty intense gameplay to go with its spectacular visuals.
And capping off the week in Xbox games with what for many will be the week’s highlight, Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands is the perfect answer for those needing a fresh Borderlands fix. This spinoff features more of the same cel-shaded, run and gun looter-shooter action that made the Borderlands series such a hit. The game will be optimized for Series X/S, and available via Smart Delivery.
And there you have it: another exciting week in the making for Xbox releases, with plenty to look forward to. Overall, it has been a really solid month for the Xbox brand so far, and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down.
Many Windows 10 users have reported issues regarding printer connectivity and a glitch that can set active printers offline even if they are connected and fully operational.
The error is usually encountered when speaking of network printers, but home users with a direct connection to their printer have also complained.
We’ll go about fixing this issue just like most other connectivity-related problems, as in most cases, there is a simple explanation for the problem.
It should be noted that different manufacturers have their own diagnostics software which can inform the user of what problems come up (HP’s Print and Scan Doctor comes to mind here).
If your printer‘s manufacturer provided you with this feature, we encourage you to use it at full extent. More often than not, it will set you in the right direction for finding solutions to your problems.
There are many problems that can occur with your printer, and in this article, we’re going to cover the following issues:
Printer offline Canon, HP, Ricoh, Epson – A common problem with printers affecting any brand of printer.
Printer offline error processing command – Caused by trying to use a network printer.
Wireless printer offline – Can appear with all sorts of printers, and many users reported it while using a wireless printer.
The printer is offline unable to ping – Your PC can’t recognize your printer.
Printer offline SNMP – Thes SNMP feature can cause this issue, can be fixed by disabling the SNMP feature.
Network printer offline VPN – Appears when using a VPN and can be fixed by changing your VPN configuration.
Printer not responding, printing, working, connecting, showing up – The printer isn’t responding or not working and sometimes it won’t even show up in settings.
Why does the Printer Offline error occur?
The error appears when Windows 10 sees that the printer is unavailable.
Unfortunately, most of the time, it can’t tell if the printer is really offline or if it has connectivity problems or printing errors. They might occur when:
The connection between the computer and the printer is slow/unresponsive
The printer has encountered an internal error
There are multiple unfinished print jobs in the queue
How can I fix the Printer Offline errors in Windows 10?
Go to the Devices and Printers section in Control Panel.
Locate your printer, right-click it, and choose Remove device.
Click on Yes when the confirmation dialogue appears.
Download the latest driver from your printer manufacturer and install it.
Update drivers automatically
If you do not have the necessary computer skills to update/fix the drivers manually, we strongly suggest doing it automatically by using specialized driver updating software.
2. Check if you’re using a VPN connection
The Printer Offline message can appear if you’re using a network printer and VPN. To fix this problem, it’s advised to disconnect from the VPN and try to access your printer again.
If you want to use VPN and your printer, you need to connect the printer directly to your PC using the USB cable.
Alternatively, you might be able to fix the problem by adjusting your VPN configuration and granting yourself local network access.
You can also use other efficient VPN software that will not interfere with your printer connection, and keep your privacy online too. Therefore choose wisely from the best VPNs for your Windows 10 PC.
3. Change the printer settings
Open Control Panel and navigate to your Printers window.
Check if the correct printer is set to Default (Please watch the video below for more information).
Right-click on your default printer and select the print queue (See what’s printing).
If there are any unfinished tasks, remove them from the list.
From the queue window, select Printer and uncheck the Use Printer Offline option (if the Use Printer Offline option is off, check the option, leave it a few seconds, and uncheck it).
Check if the printer is correctly connected to your computer (unplug the USB cable and plug it in again).
If you own a network printer, try doing a connection test (also, try restarting your router/switch).
Turn your printer and computer off and on again.
If by now the problem isn’t solved, reinstall the printer‘s drivers.
Note: if you are using a wireless printer, then you should try to connect to its IP address. To find its address, go to Control Panel, then click on Devices and Printers, right-click on your printer, and select properties.
Copy the address and write it down in your browser’s address field.
Right-click your printer and choose Printer properties from the menu.
Go to the Ports tab, select your printer’s IP address from the list and click on the Configure Port button.
Uncheck SNMP Status Enabled and click on OK to save the changes.
A user also suggested that you can also leave the SNMP as it is and change its device index to #.
Note: This solution works only if you’re using a network printer. If you encounter any configuration problems with your printer, we’ve prepared a simple guide to help you in that situation.
6. Install the latest updates
Press the Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
Select the Ports tab and click on Add Port button.
Select the Standard TCP/IP Port and click on the New Port button.
Click on Next after the Printer Port Wizard starts.
Enter the required information. You can get them from your printer’s instruction manual. Click on Next.
Bonus: Printer offline but it is not
We already talked about cases where the printer is clearly offline and it cannot be pinged, but here’s the interesting part. There are also situations in which the Windows 10 printer is offline but can ping.
In other words, the printer says offline but it is connected. So how can that happen and what can you do about it? Don’t worry, we have some tips for you.
Why is my printer connected but not printing?
Before anything else, you should know that this peculiar mismatch happens when your PC is unable to establish communication with the printer. Thus, the very first thing to do is check if both devices are connected to the same WiFi network.
Check out our complete suggestions below:
Open the printer’s menu to check the network it accesses in order to establish connection and make sure it is the same as the one used for your PC
Restart both your printer and your PC and disconnect the power cord from all devices (router, PC, printer), then plug it back
Make sure there is nothing physically wrong with the printer (internal debris like paper jams and so on)
Reinstall printer drivers and check system services on your PC
Hard reset your printer
We hope this guide helped you solve your printer problems in Windows 10. If you’ve tried all of them and your problem still persists, then you might have a hardware-related problem.
In this case, try printing from another computer or try a different printer. Also, if you’re running a wired printer, use a different USB / network cable.
If you have any other questions, feel free to leave them in the comments section below.
If your Steam download randomly drops to 0 bytes, there’s a good chance your connection, cache, or config is working against you. It’ll hinder new game installs and update patches.
The most common reasons why your Steam download drops to 0/mbs are unstable Wi-Fi and hidden background service throttling Steam. But there are a few lesser-known culprits too, so keep reading to tackle them all.
What can I do if the Steam download speed drops to 0?
The most common cause is a network issue. Restart your router and check your settings, then visit Steam Status or the official support page to see if servers are down. If you’re still having problems, check the more advanced solutions below.
Hit the Windows key, type your Internet browser’s name, and open it (In this particular case we choose Chrome).
Check to see if web pages load quickly and without interruption.
Sometimes it’s just a problem with the router or a cable so start by checking all the network components first.
2. Reset your router/modem
Unplug the router and the modem, then wait at least 30 seconds.
Plug in the modem, then waits at least 60 seconds.
Now, plug in the router and wait at least 2 minutes.
When the router and modem restart, test to see if the problem went away.
3. Try using a wired connection (LAN) instead of Wi-Fi
Keep in mind that an Ethernet connection is much more secure than a Wi-Fi connection.
While data on a Wi-Fi network travels through the air and can be more easily intercepted, you can access the data on an Ethernet network only by physically attaching a device to the network.
You can also try to pause the download and resume it after a couple of seconds.
You can also try to pause the download and resume it after a couple of seconds. If your Steam download keeps going on and off, that’s often tied to weak connections or software interference.
4. Clear download cache
Press the Windows key, type Steam, and open the app.
In the top-left corner, click on Steam.
Go to Settings.
Navigate to the Downloads section, then click on the Clear Download Cache button.
5. Disable the Automatically detect settings option
Press on the Windows key, type your browser’s name, then open the first result (In this particular case, we choose Chrome).
Click the three dots icon in the top right corner, then navigate to Settings.
From the left window pane, expand the Advanced options, then click on System.
Under the System section, click Open proxy settings.
Go to the Connections tab an click on LAN settings.
Uncheck the box next to Automatically detect settings and press OK.
Restart Steam and attempt starting the download to see if it works.
Some users reported that after disabling the Automatically detect settings, the download in Steam started working just fine so follow the steps above to do just that.
Open the Windows run dialog box, by using the following keyboard shortcut: Windows + R.
Typesteam://flushconfig and press on Enter.
Wait a few seconds.
Now, use the same hotkey, but now type cmd, then hit Enter.
In the opened window, input the following command, then press on Enter: ipconfig /flushdns
Log back into Steam and see if this fixed the issue.
Flushing the Steam config and DNS can fix this download problem quickly so make sure to run the steps above to do the trick. It can also help if the Steam download limit isn’t working as expected.
7. Disable the Diagnostics Tracking Service
Right-click on your Windows Taskbar, then select Task Manager.
Choose the Services tab.
Find the service named DiagTrack, right-click on it and select Stop.
Restart Steam and try to attempt starting the download again.
We know it may seem a bit unusual but disabling the DiagTrack service worked for some users so make sure you perform de easy steps above to get it done.
8. Disable the Internet Flow Control of your Ethernet
Use the following keyboard shortcut to open the Windows Run dialog box: Windows + R.
In the opened window, type devmgmt.msc, then hit Enter.
Expand the Network adapters section.
Right-click on your Ethernet network adapter, and select Propreties.
Select the Advanced tab, choose Flow Control, select Disabled as the Value option.
Save the changes and try re-attempting the download in Steam.
9. Prioritize Steam downloads over other tasks
Many players are wondering how they can prioritize Steam Downloads according to their own needs.
Well, if it’s happening to be in the same boat, keep in mind that the process is pretty simple, so do not worry if you’re a beginner!
Right-click on your Windows Taskbar, then navigate to Task Manager.
Find the Steam Client Service and right-click on it, then select Go to details.
Now, right-click on SteamService.exe and select Set priority > High.
If the Steam download always goes to 0 bytes, at least one of our solutions will help you solve it. The download can also be affected by the Steam manifest unavailable error, so make sure you fix it.
The Steam download 0 bytes error is not the only one that you encounter on this app. To discover the most popular Steam download-related issues, make sure you check the list below.
Steam download stopping – Usually, this one can occur if there’s not enough disk space for Steam to install the games, but there are many of additional information you should definitely check.
The Steam download is slow – This is a big problem that affects the majority of the gaming community in one form or another. Luckily, you can always find the right ways to fix it in no time.
The Steam download demo button not working – This issue can stem from cache problems, network glitches, or Steam client bugs. Restarting Steam, clearing the download cache, and checking your internet settings usually fix it quickly.
In case you found this article helpful, leave a comment in the dedicated section below.
One of the more highly anticipated games featured was the newly released Tunic. This action-adventure Zelda-like game has been announced – rather unexpectedly – as a day one Game Pass title and could be one of this year’s biggest sleeper hits.
Another game featured during the stream was Voidtrain, a game that promises a completely new take on the survival game, with first-person exploration in a world that is as stunning as it is unique. Though the exact release date has not been determined, Voidtrain will be coming to Xbox Series X/S sometime in 2022.
Coming to Xbox sometime in the second quarter of this year, Trek to Yomi is a side-scrolling hack and slash samurai game with a black and white visual style that evokes such classic cinema classics as Rashomon and Seven Samurai.
One of the bigger surprises revealed at the event was Wrestle Quest – the latest, and probably only, wrestling-themed role playing game. The game features top down exploration and turn-based team combat – or rather, matches – with a pixel art graphical style. Wrestle Quest was likely the highlight of the stream for many.
It was quite a lineup for the first ID@Xbox show of 2022, and there was plenty to get Xbox gamers excited for the coming year in games. While indie-developed games often get overshadowed by the big AAA titles, it is nice to see them get a piece of the limelight with events like these.
The Preview Build includes new apps like Mircosoft Family and Clipchamp, some fixes, and most importantly for this review, a revamped Microsoft Defender.
Microsoft Defender is the company’s antivirus software that comes preinstalled on all new PCs. This new rendition changes its user interface for a more streamlined look and is now available on Android and iOS devices as a standalone app.
This marks the first time Microsoft Defender is available as a mobile app apart from the Endpoint Manager version, which is a service that lets you manage your company’s IT infrastructure and keeps data secure.
Be aware that this Defender preview is only available for users in the United States. Microsoft has yet to say whether or not it will bring the preview or the finished program to other countries.
Is Microsoft Defender a good antivirus software?
As an antivirus software, Microsoft Defender is okay. You’ll hardly ever see reach the list for best antivirus apps or most recommended for Windows 11.
Its features are pretty basic in what it can do with very little in terms of custom configuration, plus Defender isn’t the best at detecting phishing scams.
The SmartScreen Filter feature on Defender only really works on Edge and not on other web browsers, which can be annoying when the app suddenly blocks you from doing something.
It’s also known that SmartScreen can block unrecognized apps and prevent them from working. The UI is just fine. Both the base and Firewall apps tell you everything you need to know but aren’t amazing.
Defender looks fine, but other apps have taken their interface to another level. On the plus side, its malware protections are really good.
It has a wide array of scanning options and fairly decent protection against viruses. Defenders’ ransomware protection is easy to use and understand.
The app’s seamless integration in Windows 11 is great as it doesn’t take up a lot of the CPU’s resources and melds well with apps so that it doesn’t block them (for the most part).
All in all, Microsoft Defender is a decent, if unremarkable antivirus app. However, that’s the old version of Microsoft Defender. The question remains whether or not this new preview version of Defender exceeds or disappoints.
Right off the bat, it can be said that the new Microsoft Defender has a much greater security reach but its standards remain the same.
What does the new Windows Defender app have to offer?
The new Defender is a standalone app for Windows Security instead of being a section in the Setting menu. You can configure and add devices with this app instead of opening the Settings menu.
As you will see, it has a simple user interface with only a few options available. Clicking device details takes you to a page where you can configure your computer’s protection settings.
The Defender will let you know what is or isn’t active, if there are any updates pending, and what the ransomware protections settings are. The manager also tells you how many files have been scanned, all of the users who have protection, and your machine’s security history.
The app tells you how many threats, if any, were found. At the bottom of the Device protection page, you will see a link that will allow you to change Defender’s settings.
Clicking the link takes you to the Privacy & Securitytab in the Settings menu. There you will open Windows Security and make changes.
You can change the configuration of Windows Security by clicking its representative tab and then opening the app to make the changes, just like how it currently is. On the main page, there’s a small Security history tab in the upper right-hand corner.
It’s barely noticeable, but clicking it takes you to a page where you see all of the threats the app has stopped and what you can do. The new Defender is very basic in what it does.
What has been neglected to mention up to this point is the app’s key feature of adding devices to Window Security. This is the main draw of Defender Preview.
You will see a smaller window with Add devices on it. You can add other computers or mobile devices. Follow the instructions below to learn how to add a device.
Is the Window Defender Preview app good?
When it comes to the desktop version, it’s pretty mediocre. There’s not much to it. However, for the mobile app, Defender Preview is pretty good.
It appears that the mobile app is Microsoft’s main focus as it has all of these features and configurations that you can mess around with to your liking.
Microsoft moved the features found on Windows Security to mobile and gave those platforms a big boost in security. Now you have desktop-grade protection on your smartphone.
Microsoft is taking phishing scams much more seriously this time around as it has specific features to combat those types of threats.
It was stated earlier that Microsoft Defender has had a reputation of being poor at defending against phishing scams. This shows that Microsoft is actively listening to the community and providing users with what they ask for.
The desktop version also supports third-party antivirus apps like Avast. This version allows you to open your antivirus software and configure it there, a welcome support feature.
Adding new devices is very simple and easy to do with no limit to how many devices you can add. It’s unknown if this will change when the app officially launches, but hopefully, it stays the same way.
The battery drain is a little annoying, but having that high of a level of security comes at a cost. You can feel safe knowing that your phone is protected and will get timely notifications.
That said, this leads to the overall feeling of disappointment towards Defender Preview. It adds nothing to the desktop version with no new features or extra protections for Defender on Windows 11.
That isn’t to say it’s bad, however. In a certain light, Windows Defender Preview is good for mobile devices as a protection app, but you’ll have to ask yourself if the battery drain is worth it.
Defender Preview takes what’s already available on Windows 11 and adds a nice-looking app to serve as a central hub, but that’s it. The lack of anything substantial is a letdown.
There’s no way for people to configure Defender Firewall or other settings on Security. You still have to open the Settings menu and do everything.
Defender Preview is certainly an interesting move by Microsoft towards protecting mobile devices and those in your family, but that’s it. The app is overall shallow with not much to offer.
Is Windows Defender Preview a must-have?
It’s difficult to say. As the current form of Windows Defender, this preview app is not good or bad; it’s simply okay. The desktop version doesn’t bring anything unique or changes anything.
Defender Preview on desktop utilizes the same computer security measures on Windows 11, but it just gives it a facelift and easier access to the Settings. If you’re like Windows 11 security, then you’ll enjoy this preview.
Defender Preview on mobile is recommended. Its active security features are great and protect you against many threats from malware and sites that will try to steal your information.
Protection for your personal information has never been so important and prevalent than ever before, especially now there have been instances of companies selling data of their customers to advertisers.
People more than ever before are hyper-aware of their info, and speaking of which, the mobile app allows you to manage the personal data on your Microsoft account. The feature is tucked away in the Settings menu.
It’s listed as Data Privacy and allows you to manage browsing data, review your location data, and clear out your search history. It has other services, but Microsoft points out that not all of them are available in all markets.
So there could be some missing or more added later on, but as it currently stands, you can change the privacy settings on a Windows 10 device, your Xbox, Microsoft Teams, and other apps.
Defender Preview mobile is much better at being a central hub security app than the desktop version. But because the app is a part of the Windows Insider Program, you won’t be able to get it by itself.
If in the future the Defender mobile app is released in an official capacity, it would be a great addition to your phone. Since this is still in the early stages, Microsoft will probably add new features and capabilities.
For the desktop version, it can’t be recommended since it doesn’t do anything different. You can try it out, just don’t expect much. The other new features in that preview build are much more interesting.
How can I download the latest Windows 11 Preview Build?
1. Joining the Windows Insider Program
Open the Settings menu on your Windows 11 computer.
Click the Windows Update tab on the left hand menu.
In this section, click Windows Insider Program.
Click the Get started button in the upper right hand corner.
Click Link an account to connect your Windows 11 account to the Insider Program.
Select your account and then click Continue.
Select Dev Channel so you can try out the preview build.
Click the Continue button. You may receive a notice from Microsoft that states they recommend the Dev Channel only if you back up your data. After backing it up, you’ll need manually restore your data.
Click Continue.
You’ll be given the opportunity to read the Insider Program’s agreement and privacy statement. Click Continue to move forward.
To start the Insider Program, click Restart now.
Give your computer some time to restart and enter the Insider Program.
2. Downloading the latest preview build on your PC
Go back to the Windows Update section of the Settings menu. You will all of the features and fixes for the Preview Build available.
Click Download now in the top right corner.
Give your computer time to download the build.
After downloading,click Restart now to finalize the installation.
Like before, give your computer a short amount of time to install the update.
Because there is so much to download, you may have to do the process again in order to download everything.
Restart your computer again to add these updates.
After restarting your computer, you will have the files, but still need the app to access them.
Open the Microsoft Store app.
Search for ‘Defender’ in the search bar.
Select Microsoft Defender Preview.
In the Microsoft Defender Preview page, click Get.
Give the Microsoft Store time to download and install.
Once done, click Open.
Conversely, you can go to the official Microsoft Defender Preview page on Microsoft’s website and download it from there if the Store doesn’t work.
Selecting Download preview will take you to the Microsoft Store.
Sign in your Microsoft account when the Defender Preview app opens.
In the license terms page, select Accept.
Select Go to dashboard to the main page.
NOTE
If you download Defender Preview without signing up for the Insider Program, it will not work. You must be part of the program.
How to add devices on Windows Defender Preview?
1. Adding computer and smartphone
The follow instructions will add a laptop and an Andoird smartphone to Defender Preview, but the instructions are the same.
Start by clicking Add devices on Windows Defender Preview.
You will be given a selection of devices that the app detects. Click one to add.
A notice will appear that reads Protect this device. Click it.
A window will appear giving you a link that the other device must click on to join. You can copy the link and send through a messaging app of your choosing or send it through email.
This guide will select to email the link. Click Email link.
Type in th e receiving email and then click Send link.
Going to your email account to locate the sent link.
Click Download the app.
Defender Preview will automatically download and install onto the receiving device.
Follow the same setup procedures as before like accepting the license terms.
A message will appear stating that your computer is now protected.
Clicking on Go to dashboard takes you to the main page.
On the dashboard, you will see your computer now a part of the protected devices.
To add a smartphone, click Add devices again.
This time, scroll down to the bottom and select Add another device.
In addition to copying and emailing the link, you can also scan a QR code.
The email link method works the same, but this guide will select the Scan QR code option.
A QR code will appear. Use your phone’s camera app or QR code scanning app to scan it.
A link will appear. Click it to go to the Microsoft Defender page on the Google Play Store.
Click Install to install the app.
After installing, open the app and sign into your Microsoft account.
For security purposes, a code will sent to your email in order to verify your identity. Click Send code.
2. Configuring Windows Defender Preview mobile app
Next, you will be given the opportunity to protect your device. Click Get started.
Defender Preview will send you a serious of scenarios of potential security risks.
First, it will ask you if you have ever received a message similar to the one shown.
This guide will select Yes.
Next, you will be given the opportunity to turn on phishing scam protection. This guide will turn it on.
Afterwards, Defender Preview will ask for permission to run in the background and the available to check for harmful links. Running in the background is neccessary for online protection.
This guide will allow the two to work. However, activating the ability to run in the background will impact the battery and drain faster. The guide will allow this feature to turn on.
Turning on accessibility will take you to the phone’s settings. To give it permission, click Installed services or your phone’s equalivalent.
Microsoft Defender Accessbility Service will appear.
Click it and flick the switch to On to give Defender Preview accessbility permissions.
A notice may appear asking you to give the app full control of your phone. Click Allow.
Return to the app and click Next.
The next page will ask you to turn on protections against malicious apps. This guide will turn it on.
Defender Preview will once again ask for more permissions to access device storage and sending notifications.
Allowing access device storage will have the app ask you to give permission.
Permitting notification will take you to the settings menu of your phone. Toggle the switch to turn it on.
Click Next to continue.
Defender Preview will ask you to run a scan. Click Start scan.
Give the app time to scan your smartphone.
After scanning, Defender Preview will let you know the results. Click Done go to the dashboard.
You will see all of the devices added on your smartphone app.
What should be a part of the official Windows Defender app?
Because the app is still in a preview build, there’s lots of room for growth. The biggest issue Windows Defender Preview faces is its lack of engaging features. As stated numerous times, the app doesn’t add anything special.
It would be great to see Defender Preview give users the ability to reconfigure and change Windows Security on the app rather than open the Settings menu. It’ll be less cumbersome and have fewer windows pop up.
Convenience matters a lot to people and giving Defender more control would go a long way. As such, access to the Firewall would be a good idea too.
It’d be great if users could control what gets permission from the Firewall and change its settings in one window rather than spread out through multiple apps. It’s annoying to open Defender Firewall only to realize that you opened the wrong one.
Having Defender Firewall and Firewall with Advanced Security at the same time is confusing, because people may not understand the differences at first.
The Defender Preview mobile app is pretty good as it currently stands. The only real drawback is that it drains a lot of the battery. It’d be great if Microsoft could release a version that is easier on battery life.
Microsoft’s plans for Defender Preview are unknown right now. Hopefully, future versions do more and are better configured for smartphones.
What else came out in the latest Windows Insider build?
Windows Defender Preview wasn’t the only thing that came out in the Windows 11 Insider Preview 22572. The Insider Program now has Clipchamp which is Windows 11’s new video editing app that is centered on making video creation more fun and streamlined, but, you must be on the Dev Channel.
Microsoft Family is now on Windows 11, which is an app that lets you set parental controls that let you filter out inappropriate content for kids and set browsing to strictly child-friendly websites. The app only works on Microsoft Edge, and not on other browsers.
And the last major update is the return of the Mircosoft Bug Bash, an online event where users can search for glitches the development team missed. Participants who complete quests will earn a special badge in the Feedback Hub.
Pros
Malware protection is very good
User-friendly interface
Wide array of scanning options and fairly decent protection against viruses
Low impact on system resources
Cons
The SmartScreen Filter feature on Defender only really works on Edge
Security standards are not any better than in the previous version
SmartScreen can block unrecognized apps
Final Score: 2/5
As you can see from the review, it’s difficult to recommend the desktop app as it doesn’t justify its existence. Windows Defender Preview is not the major draw to the recent Dev Channel build.
Its functionality is limited in size and scope, there are no new features, and you still have to open the Settings menu to configure it. It would have been nice to see this app add some new security measures.
The mobile app is pretty good, however, as it transfers desktop-level security to smartphones, tablets, and other similar devices. The new phishing scam defense is great to have and shows that Microsoft listens.
The main problem with the Defender Preview on mobile is that it drains the battery and is limited to the Insider Program. If things go well, Microsoft will be sure to release the app in an official capacity.
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.
The Hunt: Showdown, Narita Boy, and Warhammer: Chaosbane video games are free to play on Microsoft’s Xbox One and Xbox Series X console families from today until the end of Sunday for all Xbox Live Gold subscribers with an active subscription.
As with previous Free Play Weekends, all three titles can be played in full and have their Xbox Achievements unlocked during this period.
Also as part of the promotion, Warhammer: Chaosbane and The Hunt: Showdown have had their regular prices reduced to encourage players to buy them and continue playing after the weekend is over. Narita Boy is actually available to play as part of Xbox Game Pass so those with access to that service have no need to buy it until it exits the Game Pass library at some unknown time in the future.
Warhammer: Chaosbane has been reduced by 80% while its Magnus Edition is now 70% cheaper than usual. The Starter Hunter Edition of The Hunt: Showdown has been given a 75% discount while the numerous The Hunt: Showdown bundles have had their prices temporarily cut by 70%.
There are hundreds of Forex brokers offering their services online so choosing the best one can become quite a challenging task. It can be as difficult as creating a successful strategy.
That’s why we have gathered 8 of the best Forex trading software so your choice will be much easier. These are some of the market’s most legit and reputable brokers.
Featuring a unique combo of easy-to-use, intuitive interface, and innovative trading features, eToro is the world’s leading social trading app with millions of users from over 140 countries.
This tool delivers 2000+ financial instruments such as stocks, and crypto, and is more suited for novices and experienced Forex and CFD traders alike, and ready-made copy portfolios, all while taking good care of your privacy.
eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs, only real Cryptocurrencies are available for US users. However, eToro offers real-time market analysis for Forex trades that show information about good trading pairings, buying and selling prices of all currencies, and more.
Let’s quickly look at its key features:
Intuitive, user-friendly platforms adapted for all skill levels
Best-in-class security protocols and strong data protection
$100,000 virtual portfolio to practice your strategy
CopyTrader technology for an easy start
Charts and advanced analysis tools
Seamless integration with the eToro wallet
eToro
Into Forex and CFDs trade? eToro is the safest choice among all the licensed brokers out there.
Disclaimer: 74% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
ZuluTrade is a simple and versatile tool that grants you access to exclusive access trading services in just a few steps.
The best part is that it comes packed with Forex tools such as a currency converter, margin calculator, and profit/loss calculator to get your Forex transactions boosted in no time.
It is a great choice to start trading Forex as it includes currency converters, a pip value calculator, a margin calculator, and in-depth profit/loss reports.
The Automator feature notifies you when it is a good time to act on your trades. It can also automatically execute actions based on pre-defined rules and settings.
Let’s quickly look at its key features:
Copy-trading feature to get you started
Automatic fully managed portfolio rebalancing with immediate initialization
Risk-free for up to one month
Social Charts to share your comments, exchange views with other traders and explore trends visually
Calendar to schedule your important economic events.
Zulu Trade
Everything you need for simple, and efficient Forex trading in a single app!
TradingView is a social/trader network where anyone is allowed to publish a trade idea. It is the ideal trading software for PC and is accessible even on mobile phones.
This advanced financial visualization platform comes with over a hundred pre-built studies for in-depth market analysis, covering the most popular trading concepts and indicators.
Users are allowed to draw anything on any chart. TradingView pen allows you to draw freely any line or shape.
You can effectively split your screen into many synced-up charts. It makes looking at the time frames much easier by enabling you to view multiple charts on the same screen.
Let’s quickly look at its key features:
Real time curency rates reports
Forex screener
Useful predictions
Technical analysis for your strategy
Interactive community with livestreams from experienced traders
Accountability by sharing or publishing your trade ideas
Trading View has three different subscription plans. Each plan includes a 30-day free trial.
TradingView
Get a true taste of customization with tools that scale from simple to complex to perfectly fit your Forex trading needs.
Forex.com is a resourceful trading platform that offers users insightful market analysis tools as well as the possibility to fully customize their strategies.
It lets you trade in over 80 FX pairs from the global market. It also offers support for trades between several cryptocurrencies.
The platform offers valuable performance analytics tools that assess your trading behavior. You get reviews on the timings of your trades, how your short and long trades perform, and an in-depth scorecard of overall performance.
This platform delivers real-time streaming stock, futures, Forex, options quotes, and analysis on the world’s stock markets that are delivered to PCs, laptops, and mobile devices as well.
eSignal’s user interface is built to let user quickly analyze the markets, as it offers quick insights right from the homepage.
The platform comes with customizable charts so you can pick the most important indicators for your goals and get personalized information.
The backtesting and scannning tools allow you to scale the effectiveness of your trading strategies before putting your money in the game.
Let’s quickly look at its key features:
The platform works at the highest possible speeds
eSignal provides you market data from 100 global markets
You can watch trends on the platform
eSignal also allows you to set your strategy and execute your best trades
eSignal has three main subscription plans, each with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
MetaTrader 4 for PC is the most powerful and convenient tool targeted at technical analytics and trading in the market allowing you to implement all kinds of strategies on any level of complexity.
You will have more tools at your disposal such as Instant Execution, trading from a chart, stop orders and trailing stop, trading history, and a tick chart as well.
Meta Trader 4 provides a robust trading system with support for three execution mdes and eight order types.
Let’s quickly look at its key features:
Algorithmic trading, expert advisors, and more
Access to the MetaTrader Market where you can purchase indicators and trading robots
The news and alert are helpful to inform you about the essential market events
Meta Trader is a free-to-use platform. Note that some costs may apply as your broker or market maker will place some charges on your trades.
ForexTrader Desktop is one of the most advanced trading platforms out there, and it’s designed for active traders who are looking for increased speed, flexibility, and top performance.
It lets you automate your trading strategies with access to 15 pre-defined automatic trading strategies for real-time buy and sell signals.
It also lets you customize your build using the Strategy Wizard within the platform.
With real-time information and headlines from Reuters Newswires and market commentary, Forex Trader allows you to stay on top of all markets.
Let’s quickly look at its key features:
The advanced charting includes customizable technical indicators.
The drawing tools will help you spot patterns and identify trading signals.
Currenex is a market-leading technology provider that offers high-performance technology to the FX community and also deep pools of liquidity for anonymous and disclosed trade execution.
It gives clients a unique service that comes with tailored access to uncovered and also undisclosed cash on just a single screen.
This is a premium source for FX liquidity in the market. Currenex’s real-time market data offers the best deals and bids, the size and depth of the market for increased insight.
Let’s quickly look at its key features:
Corporates will get broad liquidity and competitive pricing across a vast range of instruments
Currenex offers access to your complete trade history and audit trail
You will get an analysis of trading patterns and counterplay activity analysis as well
ActTrader offers a full-featured workspace targeted at traders for a better executing of trades and managing their accounts.
This is a feature-rich desktop application that allows you to monitor the market and also engage in online trading.
An ActFX strategy analyzes one or more charts, and it will automatically open and close orders and positions as well.
It will display these on various charts. You can backtest a strategy on the historical data, and you can also send commands to the strategy even while it’s running.
Each of the windows will show you information and provide access to specific functions. For example, the Dealing Rates windows lets you view the streaming rates, with detailed info on the instruments in the Dealing Rates Table.
Let’s quickly look at its key features:
You have convenient controls via FXVoyager Toolbar.
You can create, test, and run automated trading strategies via ActFX.
The software provides you an opportunity to make a smooth trade
Place a Market order straight from the Dealing Rated window.
Price alerts will let you know when the rate on an instrument reached the predefined level.
Start by learning the basics about the market and setting up a strategy. Know how much you can invest and what realistic goal you can achieve with that amount.
Use a reliable trading platform to assist you with useful information and automation solutions. You can even implement some copy-trading tactics and use strategies tested by experienced users.
The Forex broker should be regulated and should also offer either a selection of account types or any kind of customizability.
You should also check for the variety of currency pairs on offer, the availability of customer service,, and the quality of the trading platform as well.
Conclusion
Keep in mind that CFDs, crypto, and Forex trading are high-risk investments by nature. Make sure you keep the track of your expenses at all times with the Best Financial Investment Tracking Software.
Want to stay on top of the game when it comes to trading cryptocurrencies? Do you have difficulty comparing the value of your crypto coin to another currency? If so, then you will need a reliable, accurate converter.
That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the best cryptocurrency converter apps for Windows for your convenience.
The list offers you a cocktail of extensions, applications, and websites, so you have various options to choose from. Furthermore, all of these converters will work on the Windows 10 OS.
In addition, you can use precise crypto converting tools in order to find out the value of your virtual currencies.
If you need to convert BTC to ETH or backward, you can exchange such coins and other currencies using trustful exchange providers.
What are the best cryptocurrency converters for PC?
eToro is one of the most known social trading platforms and a multi-asset brokerage company. It was founded in 2007 and it’s still going strong with over 6 million traders.
Trading platforms can vary a lot in terms of user-friendliness. Luckily, the interface is quite nice and clean and the platform performs brilliantly. It’s well-suited for beginners and experienced traders alike.
The investment network can be used as a cryptocurrency converter. For any cryptocurrency available in your eToro wallet, you have the convert option which lets you choose what amount you would like to convert and to which currency.
For crypto-to-crypto conversions, there’s a fee of 0.1%. All the popular crypto assets are available in the wallet, so those are the ones you can convert from and to.
Besides converting currencies, you can also use eToro for trading purposes. We particularly liked the fact that you can buy and sell however you like and without limits.
eToro is regulated by the FCA in the UK, the CySEC in Cyprus, and ASIC in Australia. Considering this, we feel there is no need to worry.
eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs, only real Cryptocurrencies are available for US users.
Finally, you can use the platform for free if you are only interested in watching the market for crypto, assets, stocks, currencies, indices, etc.
Disclaimer: Cryptoasset investing is highly volatile and unregulated in some EU countries. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply.
eToro
One of the best trading platforms with a built-in cryptocurrency converter
Disclaimer: This ad promotes virtual cryptocurrency investing within the EU (by eToro Europe Ltd. and eToro UK Ltd.) & USA (by eToro USA LLC).
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong. Take 2 mins to learn more.
Coinbase is one of the most convenient and simple-to-use cryptocurrency platforms out there. You can buy, sell or trade your coins as we speak.
Using this trading platform, you will convert between your currencies directly in your web browser or on your mobile device.
The platform allows you to convert between two cryptocurrencies instantly and exchange your Ethereum into Bitcoin asses.
This process follows some easy steps that anyone can do on their own. Using the intuitive interface of Coinbase, you should first log in and go to the Buy / Sell tab.
You can check your crypto wallet and see what amount you need to convert with other currencies. Afterward, complete the amount you need to convert with another cryptocurrency.
That being said, you should use this highly trusted crypto platform to easily convert your currencies without financial security problems.
Kraken is an exemplary platform to help you manage your crypto assets and exchange them rapidly with immediate results.
This crypto exchange service was founded back in 2011 and it’s one of the most trusted exchange services you might use.
Using Kraken is suitable even for beginners, so if you are new in this domain you can practically learn basic rules and how to trade directly on the platform.
More so, you can learn from the Kraken crypto guides and better understand to buy or sell cryptocurrencies according to market fluctuations or price changes.
At the same time, the platform gives you the highest security. With a team of experts behind, you’re protected against all digital attacks for your crypto investments.
You should also know about the high liquidity exchange service for quicker trade orders at a convenient price. Plus, the fees structure is extremely user-centered for your trading.
Binance is the complete cryptocurrency platform where you can buy or trade multiple currencies and convert between 600+ different coins.
By choosing this trading platform, you have the opportunity to manage your cryptocurrencies all in one place.
This web platform can hold all your currencies and help you convert them into new ones without difficulties.
You only have to log in to your Binance account and access the Convert portal. Besides the standard withdrawal limits, there are no other rules you have to worry about.
As said before, there are 600+ cryptocurrencies listed on this trading platform. You can select your coins and exchange them for any of the available currencies.
Using the crypto converter portal, you will exchange your assets smoothly without complications. There are no order books or extra fees you have to pay, so everything gets easier.
Concluding here, Binance is the go-to crypto hub that helps billions of users trade or convert their crypto coins securely without extra fees.
The name is pretty much self-explanatory. Bitcoin Auto-Converter is an extension that automatically converts cryptocurrencies on your Google Chrome web browser.
Here’s how it works. Once the extension is up and running, the extension will automatically convert BTC values to the currency of your choosing. It works on any website as long as you are using chrome.
If you are not interested in Bitcoin, then you also have the ability to choose an Altcoin.
Why do we recommend this product? Well, it’s original and convenient. Not to mention that you won’t have to install anything on your device.
Of course, there are disadvantages to this extension. The primary disadvantage is that there is no calculator that you can use if you want to convert a number that isn’t from a website.
Moreover, you can save precious time looking for different crypto calculator apps and convert BTC values found on other websites automatically.
You should thus consider this Bitcoin auto-converter to simplify the converting process and see the cryptocurrency values in seconds.
Cryptonator is a website that you can access on any web browser. Because it is on a website, you can access it on Windows Mobile, PC, and pretty much any device that has a web browser.
With Cryptonator you can convert crypto coins to other coins or crypto coins to fiat currencies.
There are hundreds of crypto coins you can choose from, but there are only a few fiat money available. Fiat money available in this platform includes US dollars, Euro, British Pound Sterling, Ruble, Euro.
If you are not interested in converting values to those 4 fiat currencies, then you will want to look for a different convertor.
On the other hand, if choose to use this website, then you will be glad to know that it is accurate, user-friendly, and convenient.
This comprehensive crypto platform includes multiple tools, like a secure wallet, exchange rates, and more. Plus, the website has the best crypto calculator app due to its simplicity and accuracy.
It is also worth noting that if you sign up for free, you will have access to additional services.
Looking for an all-in-one crypto coin application that is downloadable for Windows 10? With Coini you’re covered for every crypto action.
So the best thing about Coini is that your coins in your wallet are automatically converted. Of course, if you want to manually input coin balances, then you can use their very flexible calculator.
It really is an impressive app as it is filled to the brim with useful features. Here’s a quick rundown on what you will have access to in Coini.
Firstly, you have live monitoring of popular coins to keep track of all your cryptocurrencies in one place.
There is wallet value complemented with percentage changes into the currency of your choosing. You have the support of a wide range of fiat money and crypto coins.
Other helpful features that come with Coini are the latest news related to crypto coins, live charts from Trading View, and notifications about price changes.
The bottom line is that Coini is probably one of the best applications you can use on your PC if you do not mind downloading a program. It has a lot of useful features for serious traders and investors.
However, it isn’t recommended for people who are looking for a quick, lightweight convertor. Furthermore, the app only works on Windows 10 PC and not on any mobile phones.
CryptoLoot is another great website that lets you convert digital currencies. It is user-friendly, convenient, and reliable.
All you have to do is choose the currencies you want to convert, type in the amount, then you will be given the exact value.
You can use this tool for selling, buying, trading, etc. In addition, there is a switch option in the converter. This tool allows you to easily find out the equivalent value in other crypto coins.
The great thing about CryptoLoot is that it not only has many digital currencies you can choose from, but it also has a whole lot of fiat currencies you can convert to.
Unfortunately, CryptoLoot doesn’t have other services that you can use such as charts and personal wallets. This website is best for people who are looking for a converter and nothing else.
This is the ideal crypto platform if you struggle with converting your cryptocurrency to different currency units, so don’t hesitate about it.
CoinGecko is a website that has an amazing amount of features. When you are looking up a crypto coin you can check out a very detailed overview of the digital currency. The overview includes a price chart that is accurate and updated regularly.
It also includes information about the coin’s market cap, trading volume, 24h low/ 24h high, an all-time high, and more.
They also include helpful pie charts and a short “About” section of each coin. You can learn so much from just one coin about really any digital coin out there.
In addition to the overview, you have features like trading exchanges, widgets, discussion forums, mining calculators, etc. It has so much information that you can use to help you invest.
Another feature I find especially helpful is their buzz section. Here you can find a wide range of articles that are related to crypto coins.
So as you can see CoinGecko is so much more than a converter. I highly recommend this website as it seems to offer the most tools. It is also very user-friendly.
If you are not sure what something is, you can usually just hover your mouse over it and a helpful, brief explanation will appear.
In the first place, it depends on the cryptocurrency platform you’re using. There is multiple useful converter software that will automatically exchange between different currencies in seconds.
To proceed with the exchanging process, you should first decide the number of crypto coins you need to convert and then access the Buy/Sell section in your platform.
After this, simply insert the amount of cryptocurrency and what other currency you want to convert in.
More practically, this is how you can convert your currency in eToro Money crypto wallet:
Use eToro Money app on your mobile device and sign in to your account.
Under the Crypto tab, insert the cryptocurrency you need to convert.
Press the Convert button.
On the next page, select the amount you want to convert and the received cryptocurrency.
Verify all the details again and slelect Convert.
What is the best way to convert cryptocurrency to real money?
The most simple and efficient method to convert your cryptocurrency funds into cash is with exchange platforms like Kraken or Coinbase.
You can sell your crypto assets to such exchange services and withdraw the cash straight to your bank account.
In order to avoid money laundering illegalities, you need to withdraw your money from the same bank you deposited with.
This process is not the fastest one, and it can take up to 4-6 days in the US, also depending on the country.
Plus, you can convert Bitcoin through a broker. This process is similar to converting fiat currencies, so you deposit your crypto assets to exchange and request the withdrawal through a broker.
There you have it, the best cryptocurrency converters for Windows. There is a wide variety listed above so that you can find one that fits your specific needs and wants.
If you have any other converters for Windows that deserve to be on this, then feel free to comment.
MIDI is the technical term for Musical Instrument Digital Interface, and it consists of a device that is able to connect to a multitude of musical devices.
MIDI drivers were originally made to control keyboards from a computer. MIDI drivers have evolved over the years and are now used by millions of Windows 10 users across the planet.
A particular case concerns Windows 10 Bluetooth midi drivers as these seem to be even more delicate and can easily fail to be recognized by Windows.
Does Windows 10 support MIDI over Bluetooth?
It does, yes. Simply open the Settings on your PC and go to Devices, then Bluetooth & other devices. In here, select Bluetooth and pair your device.
However, some users reported that their MIDI device was no longer recognized following a Windows update. If that is also your case, here’s what we suggest:
Delete all the connected MIDI devices and try to pair them again (as shown above)
Right-click the volume icon on the taskbar and select Sounds. If your MIDI device is missing, choose to Show disconnected/disabled devices and see if that helps.
How do I install MIDI drivers on Windows 10?
1. Use the Windows troubleshooter
Navigate to the Taskbar search box.
Type Troubleshoot.
Select Troubleshoot from the list.
Select Hardware and Devices from the Troubleshooter.
Once the troubleshooter opens click Next.
Select the program that is not functioning from the populated list.
Select the desired troubleshooting option.
Most hardware is plug-and-play. This means that they just plug into the computer and the computer will install the correct drivers.
This doesn’t always work out in the users’ favor and the diver has to be downloaded from a different source. Before taking the time to look for a driver perform the following tasks to troubleshoot the issue:
The troubleshooter will test the program to ensure that it is working. Run the compatibility troubleshooter for any other programs that are not compatible.
Not Compatible? Not a Problem
Click in the taskbar search box.
Type Run Programs.
Select Run Programs Made for Previous Versions of Windows.
This will open the Compatibility Troubleshooter.
Follow the on-screen prompts.
So you’ve tried to run the troubleshooter and it didn’t work. That’s okay, get back up and try again. There is a way to make your program compatible with your version of Windows. Here’s how to do it:
Ensure that you run the Compatibility Troubleshooter for each program needing drivers.
Manually installing drivers is your next option. Manual installation of drivers can be dangerous if you are downloading drivers from an unknown or unrecognized source.
Ensure that all drivers are downloaded from trusted sources such as manufacturers’ websites.
Update drivers automatically
If you don’t want to go through the trouble of manually searching the web for the latest available driver, we suggest using a third-party driver updater software that will automatically do it for you.
Not only will the software update your firmware easily, but it will also constantly scan your device for new drivers by itself, so you don’t even have to do that.
MIDI drivers are significantly harder to install in Windows 10 due to a number of compatibility issues. Each one of the fixes mentioned in this article could potentially fix the issue for your driver.
If you’ve run out of options call the manufacturer for your device and ask for assistance or for a location of compatible drivers.
That’s about it for this article. If you have anything to add regarding the subject, please feel free to do so in the comment section below.
To backup iPhone photos to a PC over WiFi, you have to sync your photos to a cloud storage, send them to yourself, or use iTunes’ WiFi sync option.
So, if you can’t use the USB to transfer photo files from your iOS to your Windows PC, don’t worry. We outlined easy-to-follow instructions for all methods below. Let’s check them out.
Trading cryptocurrency is a popular form of investment, but it isn’t a secret that the market tends to be volatile. Due to the lack of regulations, intrinsic value, etc, price swings are quite common.
This doesn’t necessarily make investing in cryptocurrencies a bad decision. In fact, it seems that it will be around for a very long time.
Nevertheless, with all the price swings, it is important for an investor to constantly be informed of the price changes.
Setting alarms for price movements of your choice can help you make better decisions. For example, some applications allow you to put an alert if the price went down or up by 5%.
Why do you need a cryptocurrency price alert app?
If you want to easily manage your investments and save yourself some time, using a cryptocurrency price alert app is essential.
These services can provide you with the tools you need to follow potential losses to gain regarding your choice of cryptocurrency.
Moreover, if you want to invest in more than one cryptocurrency, having an app where you can keep track of each one will definitely be worth your time.
You can also set up price alerts for each one so you’ll always be one step ahead, helping you become a successful trader.
A cryptocurrency alert app will send you notifications every time there’s a notable change happening in the financial market, and with it, you can protect your investments from any potential losses due to unexpected price changes.
If you think such an application could be helpful, then you will want to read our list of the best cryptocurrency alert apps that can be used on a Windows device.
What are the best cryptocurrency price alert apps for Android & PCs?
Cryptocurrency Alerting is one of the trusted resources for thousands of traders, blockchain developers, businesses, and crypto-enthusiasts.
This alerting platform is focused on monitoring the Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency space. It tracks wallet transactions, exchange listings, and other on-chain metrics. You can customize alerts that are actively monitored 24/7.
You will be notified when a new coin is listed on an exchange in 9 different ways. You just have to choose one of these alert options: Telegram, Discord, Slack bots, SMS, Email, and many others.
You can create as many alerts as the membership plan allows you. For example, the Hobby plan allows up to 3 active alerts at any given time, while the Trader plan gives up to 20, and Pro allows you to have 120.
Using this app you can automatically track the activity of a Bitcoin or Ethereum wallet, and also the ETH gas price getting notified when it’s the right time to send a transaction.
The most important is that the platform is highly secure. All web traffic is encrypted through HTTPS/SSL.
As a best practice, we suggest you always use a different email address and phone number than the ones you have for other important accounts.
In order to keep up with the market, you get powerful crypto alerts for price, coin listing, and wallet, but under a flexible notification platform.
You can rest assured that for automated and protected investments you get real-time customizable alerts.
eToro is a multi-asset platform, offering both investing in stocks and crypto assets, as well as trading CFDs. Besides, the company is considered one of the pioneers in cryptocurrency trading, with over 20 million crypto transactions traded so far.
They offer the largest range of cryptos anywhere, from the best-known ones such as Bitcoin or Ripple to the least known – Cardano, NEO, or Stellar.
For beginners, eToro is the best place to start trading cryptocurrency. As you get more familiar with the platform, you can build a portfolio with all available cryptocurrencies.
You can start from scratch, with a fully functional demo account, to find your strategy before trading independently or copying other traders.
With eToro, you can use a variety of payment methods, such as wire transfers, credit cards, and more. The platforms offer low minimum deposits and unified fees.
eToro also provides a free mobile intuitive trading app, so you can trade on the go, anytime, anywhere. The app is compatible with Android and iOS and is free to download.
eToro USA LLC does not offer CFDs, only real Cryptocurrencies are available for US users.
Disclaimer: Cryptoasset investing is highly volatile and unregulated in some EU countries. No consumer protection. Tax on profits may apply.
eToro
A leader in the fintech industry for over a decade and the perfect crypto trading platform for beginners.
Disclaimer: Cryptocurrency is offered by eToro USA LLC (“the MSB”) (NMLS: 1769299) and is not FDIC or SIPC insured. Investing involves risk, and content is provided for educational purposes only, does not imply a recommendation, and is not a guarantee of future performance. [website domain name] is not an affiliate and may be compensated if you access certain products or services offered by the MSB.
Take 2 mins to learn more, Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.
The ZuluTrade trading platform currently provides trading for stocks, forex, binary options, commodities, and cryptocurrencies.
With a classic account, you also get access to a calendar to gain access to all key events for the financial markets around the globe.
ZuluScript is mainly used to create scripts that form the parameters for trading bots; it gives you trade automation, allowing you to execute far more trades than you ever could manually.
There’s no need to worry about your account balance, thanks to Margin Call-o-Meter which estimates the chance your account will run out of money. You’ll get notifications by email or automatically execute actions when events occur with a tool called Automator to minimize risk and free up time.
Troubled about your safety and security? Not the case with ZuluGuard. It’s a unique feature that protects Copy Traders if erratic trades are opened by traders they are following.
In addition, over 100.000 strategies and systems to follow and copy automatically, without having to monitor the market 24/7 due to the Portfolio Stimulator.
In terms of cryptocurrencies, ZuluTrade offers you the opportunity to AutoTrade the most sought-after currencies of the market: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, or Litecoin.
The ZuluTrade mobile crypto notification app is compatible with Andoird and iOS platforms and offers you the same features as the web app.
ZuluTrade
Use the ZuluTrade mobile app to learn the best trading strategies on the go and become a trading guru in no time.
TradingView is a freemium social network for traders and investors on Forex, Futures, and Cryptocurrency markets. The platform offers Live quotes, stock web-based charts, and expert trading ideas.
It is best appreciated for the ease of use of their charts, having a modern, sleek and practical interface, with a lot of functionalities in one charting package.
The cryptocurrency market has its own separate tables. On TradingView, you can get one of the best overviews for prices and traded volumes for more than 200 cryptocurrency assets, plus combine the data with a lot of technical indicators.
The mobile app is available in App Store and Google Play and offers you access to the world of finance 24/7. Multiple channels ensure secure and reliable data streaming.
With the mobile app, you get visual pop-ups, audio signals, webhooks, email notifications, and PUSH alerts right to your phone. There are 12 different alert conditions that can be applied to indicators, strategies, or drawing tools.
TradingView comes in four plans. The free one offers most features that you would get with the paid plans, only at a slower data flow and with fewer indicators available. Yet the free plan is great to start with.
Moving upwards with the paid plans – Pro, Pro+ or Premium, one gets access to an increasing number of charts, faster workflow, and certain exclusive features.
TradingView
Learn the ropes of cryptocurrency trading and discuss trade ideas and strategies with the TradeView app.
If you are looking for a lightweight and user-friendly product, then you will want to check out Coinwink.
The great thing about this service is that it respects your privacy, is open source, and sends you alerts through emails or SMS.
It has well-maintained and optimized servers. This means that you will be one of the first to know of the price changes in your crypto coins.
Coinwink lets you avoid having to constantly check cryptocurrency prices. This is because once your coin hits a certain threshold, you will be automatically alerted. Having this sort of detached perspective can actually benefit the trader in terms of positive outcomes.
The crypto alert app is a service that prioritizes confidentiality. Users’ personal information is never shared with third parties, and you will never get spam messages.
Coinwink is completely free of charge. It has thousands of registered users and sends out over 100 thousand alerts regularly.
Coinwink Watchlist is a relatively new feature. Its user interface is identical to the portfolio, making both products simple to use.
It claims that trading is successful when done with a carefree, winning mindset that is based on cultivated intuition rather than exhaustive analysis. After all, it simply takes one wink to know the market and prices.
CoinMarketAlert is similar to Coinwink in the sense that they are both websites. There is also the fact that CoinMarketAlert can be used to send you notifications via email.
The idea is also fairly the same, once a coin hits a threshold you will receive an alert. You can choose to track a wide range of crypto coins and see their prices in both fiat and cryptocurrencies.
If you are not a fan of receiving alerts through email, then you can choose to receive them in your Telegram account, or through push notifications and webhook.
There are several other tools on this website related to crypto coin trading that you can make use of. CoinMarketAlert may not be as user-friendly as Coinwink, but it certainly has more features.
With features like price alert and timely signals, this project has raised its income several times over and at an exponential speed as a crypto price alert app.
Best staking project of its kind, this is a platform that has kept its promise to globalize the Universe through Blockchain innovation.
One such feature that is especially interesting is cryptocurrency news. Using the CoinMarketAlert website will give you quick access to recent articles all based on the crypto coin market. There’s also a list of the latest ICOs that you can make use of.
Coindera is a powerful cryptocurrency website that is so much more than just an alert service. While Coinwink and CoinMarketAlert offer basic alerts based on the changes of crypto coin prices, Coindera lets you create alerts based on percentage increase or decrease, volume increase or decrease, trading spikes, and more.
As you can see, Coindera is a more well-rounded alert service that lets you see the bigger picture. You can choose to receive these alerts in the form of SMS, Telegram, email, and push notifications. All the major markets are supported and you will be able to track cryptocurrency from their database of 11,000 plus coins.
Coindera also has a free plan as well as a paid (pro) plan that you can choose from. When choosing the free plan you can get up to 5 active alerts through notifications via SMS, push, email, and Telegram.
The drawback of the free membership is no access to support and customer care, but the trading is open 24/7.
Drop-down menus are useful, and you may select a high price point to determine when to sell or a low price point to determine when to buy.
On the other path of paid membership, there are unlimited active alerts through push, email, SMS, and Telegram. Over 30 exchange markets are available, with over 11,000 Cryptocurrencies to trade like in the free plan.
Coindera is a great tool to use for serious investors. The alerts are advanced and useful, which means that you will be able to track your coins more efficiently. The interface is very well made. Overall, Coindera certainly deserves its place on this list.
As with any app or service of this kind, you will get notifications based on your preferences.
For example, if you want to receive an alert when the Bitcoin price reaches 10000 USD you can set it up in your chosen app.
The system is quite easy to use and very intuitive, fit for both beginners and professional traders, as every developer wants to provide its clients the best service.
Moreover, these apps can also alert you on different indicators, such as percentage increase or decrease and trading spikes, providing you with more freedom and control over your investments.
Overall, using an alert service can revolutionize the way you trade crypto coins. Because such a service can eliminate the need to constantly check prices online.
If you’re interested in more price alerting programs, find out what are some of the best cryptocurrency-related extensions available for both Chrome and Firefox.
It comes at a time in the life of everyone when you need to think about your own home and what architecture would you prefer home planning, and everything else.
Designing your dream house is relatively simple, as long as you have the proper 3D home architect software.
There are many applications that might help you design your home, and today we’re going to show you the best 3D home architect apps.
Cedreo 3D Architecture Software must be the most complex but also the easiest to use 3D home architecture software on the market.
Its developers say that you can complete a sales proposal to a client in just two hours which is simply amazing.
The software is not only quick but a lot of fun by using friendly and comprehensive menus that will take you from the layout to the plan and furnishings in clear and easy steps.
And the drag-and-drop functionality plus the impressive collection of objects, colors, and fixtures will make you think you’re in an extremely well-designed 3D game, not a professional tool.
With Cedreo, you can easily send proposals to your client and make the necessary adjustments requested by them in record time.
And after the project is approved, you will be able to integrate it into your portfolio and help the sales team wow new potential clients.
Apart from the fact that it’s so easy to use that you won’t need any additional training, the finished designs are simply stunning and realistic.
Don’t take out the credit card from your wallet just yet because you can use a free trial version first and convince yourself of its great features.
Let’s go through some of Cedreo’s key features below:
Great, user-friendly interface with comprehensive menus
Amazing 3D renderings that will wow your clients
Impressive collection of furniture, fixtures, and elements
Fully editable projects with accurate measurements
Create a proposal from start to finish in less than 2 hours
Cedreo 3D Architecture Software
Create amazing 3D renderings and wow your clients with an impressive collection of design features.
Adobe Dimensions can be regarded by many as the Photoshop or Illustrator of 3D design, or at least that is what it is in the Adobe family.
While admittedly the aforementioned software does support 3D design itself, those particular tool sets are rudimentary by comparison, so Adobe Dimension is your go-to program for these endeavors.
Everything you may ever need to design a house is well within the dimension’s toolset, allowing you to create the house itself, and the furniture, add textures to simulate various construction materials, and more.
More so, these may be easily imported from other Adobe products, such as Illustrator or Photoshop.
All in all, Adobe Dimension can be considered the CAD of the Adobe family, and for good reason.
More so, while this program is indeed subscription-based under normal circumstances, you can now test it out for free for a period of 7 days by applying for a free trial on your Adobe account.
You will benefit from these best features:
Automatically match your 3D design with any background image
Publish and share 360-degree views of your work via the web
Apply multiple light sources to create your own studio shots
Easily apply 2D graphics and images created in Photoshop or Illustrator onto 3D models
Export a 3D model’s UVs in PSD format
Adobe Dimension
You can’t design a house without computer-assisted 3D rendering, and Adobe Dimension will give you everything you need.
A great application that is excellent for designing your 3D home is Autodesk 3DS MAX. The software has an interactive interface and it’s mainly dedicated to professionals.
The application allows you to set the foundation, walls, doors, windows, and roof for your new home.
Speaking of which, you can easily import your floor plan to this application, trace it, and see what it looks like in 3D.
The application supports both 2D and 3D views, and switching between the two is a click away.
Another useful feature is the ability to simulate lighting allowing you to see what your home will look like in different lighting conditions.
With Autodesk 3DS MAX it’s possible to create anything from scratch, including textures, objects, effects, fixtures, in fact, anything imaginable.
However, as we mentioned before, this is not the best solution if you’re just starting because you will have to do a lot of practice and reading until you get the hang of it.
But once you have mastered the software, the results will start showing up, and soon, you will be appreciated for your work.
There are a lot of guides training materials and tutorials online so your journey in learning the ropes will not be as hard as you imagine.
Let’s go through some of its key features:
Automated retopology and mesh repair
Material, texture, and color editor
Create parametric and organic objects with polygon, subdivision surface, and spline-based modeling features
Streamlined, intuitive, and fully scriptable texture baking experience
Interactive rendering experience while you work
Autodesk 3DS MAX
With this premium tool, you can create your dream home with incredible tools and advanced features.
If you want to design your home in 3D, you should consider DreamPlan Home Design. The application allows you to create the floor plan of your house with ease, and set custom colors, textures, and add furniture.
In addition to interior design, the application also allows you to create your own landscape and garden.
The application allows you to switch easily between 2D, 3D, and blueprint views. In addition, you can easily design floor plans for your home even if you’re not familiar with 3D modeling.
DreamPlan Home Design uses a tabbed interface, and all available elements are sorted into different tabs. After you select the desired object, you have the option to customize it before adding it to your home.
For example, change the size of a specific object, its color, and certain elements such as floors and ceilings that allow you to change their texture.
In addition, add various furniture and even modify your landscape by planting trees and other plants or creating your own swimming pool.
If needed, additional models and textures are available for download right from the application.
It’s worth mentioning that this application supports tracing so if you already have a floor plan, import it and then convert it to a 3D model.
DreamPlan Home Design is simple to use, and thanks to the friendly user interface even the basic users will be able to design their home.
This application is free to use for personal and non-commercial use. Otherwise, you’ll need to obtain a license.
These are some of its key features:
Create the floor plan of your house, condo, or apartment
Customize colors, textures, furniture, decorations, and more
Plan out exterior landscaping ideas and garden spaces
Switch between 3D, 2D Rendered, and 2D Blueprint view modes
Import 3DS, STL and PLY 3D models
DreamPlan Home Design
This friendly app will help you create an incredibly accurate replica of your future home before even laying the foundation.
3D Architect Home Designer Pro is a home architect software made for professionals and construction companies.
The application is optimized for first-time users, so even if you don’t have much experience with this kind of software you should be able to handle 3D Architect Home Designer Pro.
The tool allows you to create 2D floor plans, but you can easily convert them to 3D models for a better view.
The application also offers landscaping tools to add various paths, ponds, or change height levels.
Speaking of ground editing, the application also has a terrain brush that allows you to edit landscape easily.
In order to help you create your designs faster, the application has a library that offers thousands of furnishing objects and textures. Speaking of which, the application also supports realistic 3D textures.
It’s also worth mentioning that supports importing objects right from the SketchUp 3D Warehouse app.
The application also has a 3D walkthrough function to view your newly designed home from the first-person perspective. There’s also support for in-line measurements to modify the desired elements.
The application works with Google Maps, and there’s also an advanced component editor.
3D Architect Home Designer Pro also allows you to choose between night and day in order to simulate lighting effects.
If needed, you can also choose between various 3D rendering options such as 3D texture overlay.
The application also has a plan mode assistant that can produce detailed drawings. Choose between multiple wall thickness levels and there’s also an ability to scan and import existing drawings to your plan.
The application also supports layering so it will be easy to add wall hatchings for example.
There is a wide range of windows and doors to choose from, and there’s even support for bi-folding models.
It’s worth mentioning that there are advanced wall junction options, very useful if you want to join multiple roof constructions for instance.
With 3D Architect Home Designer Pro, you will see the exact room height line as well as the advanced wall outline.
That will be helpful when you will modify the wall levels at different heights and add different textures to distinct parts of the wall.
The application also supports real-time rendering, and it also has a large database of construction elements.
Of course, the application supports both metric and imperial measurements, and you can easily import and export DXF and DWG files.
3D Architect Home Designer Pro is a great application that can help you design your home. The application offers a wide array of features, so it’s perfect for professionals.
Unfortunately, this tool isn’t available for a free trial, but its price is pretty good compared to other similar products.
Check out its best features below:
Extensive toolset for creating house plans fast
Create detailed drawing sets for planning applications
If you’re looking for powerful architect software, you might want to consider Architect 3D Ultimate. This application supports photorealistic rendering and also allows you to view your home in 3D.
With this software, you will be able to create your own 3D objects and add them to your projects. This application supports up to 20 types of floors, adapted for large-scale projects.
Using this tool, you will be able to design your own home and garden, and with a simple-to-use interface, the application will be perfect for beginners.
The application is compatible with all modern versions of Windows, and it even works with 3D design tools such as AutoCAD and 3D Studio Max.
It comes with a 3D furniture database, and you may easily choose between 3500 different objects. If needed, insert your own images for more realistic rendering.
There’s also a Global Sun Positioning tool to see how your home will look in different lighting conditions. In addition, there’s a graphic editor for doors, windows, ceilings, trims, and mantels.
The app also has home automation tools, security systems, and fireplace wizards. Plus, there’s also a swimming pool tool available.
Using this application, it’s possible to view the structure of your home which is perfect if you want to see plans for plumbing, heating, ventilation, or electricity.
The built-in estimation tool will calculate the cost of your project. Using this application, it’s easy to import DXF, DWG, Sketch Up, or 3DS files.
And, if needed, convert 2D objects to 3D and edit them the way you want. Architect 3D Ultimate is a great application, and it’s perfect if you want to design your home in 3D.
There are several versions available, and if the Ultimate version is too expensive for you, you might want to consider purchasing a different one.
Keep in mind that other versions lack certain features, so be sure to check the list of available options before the purchase.
Let’s review some of its most important features:
Standard ready-to-use house plans
Easily edit your walls, ceilings, doors, windows, and much more
Drag your objects into the 3D view directly for immediate display
Another professional application that allows you to design your home in 3D is Chief Architect. Using this tool, you can easily create building plans and view them in 3D.
The application offers both automatic and manual building tools and helps you create a variety of roof styles.
It also comes with a wide range of smart design objects that will allow you to design various styles, shapes, and sizes yourself.
Chief Architect software partners with real manufacturers so most objects are realistically rendered after real models.
This software is optimized for kitchen, bath, and interior design, therefore you will have access to a high amount of detail.
Of course, there’s also the option of creating walls to design an editable 3D model from scratch or by using a 2D plan.
We also have to mention that this tool supports several rendering styles including realistic and artistic. The application also has a 3D library filled with objects to add to your house.
Chief Architect also supports 360 renderings as support for virtual tours. If needed, you can also create construction drawings right from this tool.
The application has a powerful CAD software engine suitable for drawing lines, polylines, splines, arcs, and solids to create various objects.
There’s also a CAD-to-Walls tool available that allows you to import AutoCAD files. In addition, there’s an option to import DWG, DXF, and PDF files.
Using this application, all your drawings will update automatically as your design changes.
Chief Architect also comes with terrain modeling tools to add roads, sidewalks, hills, and valleys. On the gardening side, there are 4000 plants available to choose from.
This is a professional tool, and it offers a wide array of features. The Premier version is available for trial, but you can also rent it on a monthly basis or make a one-time purchase.
As we already mentioned, this is a professional application and due to its high price, it’s suitable only for professional users or construction companies.
Check out its key features below:
Import DXF, DWG, Sketch Up, or 3DS files
Convert 2D objects to 3D
Extensive 3D Library of architectural objects
Built-in tools for lines, polylines, splines, arcs and solids
Quickly manipulate objects with multiple copy, align, reflect and replicate
Another web app that can help you design your home in 3D is Homebyme. Using this web app, you can easily design your home in a 2D environment and view it in 3D once you’re done.
The application has a wide array of branded furniture to add with a single click. Thanks to this feature you will see what your home will look like with authentic furniture.
After you create your own floor plan, switch to a 3D environment, add doors and windows to your home, then customize the design of your floor and walls.
Homebyme is a simple web application that allows you to design your 3D home with ease. Since this is a web app, it will work without any issues on any platform.
The service is available for a free trial, but if you want to continue using it, you’ll need to pay a fee.
Check out some of its best features:
Cloud-based app you can access from any device anywhere
Wide selection of branded furniture
Very friendly interface
Customize the design of your floor and walls
Design the floor plan and switch to 3D view with a single click
Another useful web application that can help you design your home is Planner 5D. Using this tool, you can easily design your new home in both 2D and 3D.
The tool is simple to use and creating your home plan will be easy even without any experience with 3D modeling.
The app helps you design houses, flats, or any other type of building simply by dragging and dropping the desired elements.
Of course, it’s possible to select any room at any time and resize it or change its shape. Changing the floor tile or color of the walls of any room is also a matter of just a few clicks.
Windows, arches, doors, stairs, etc. are also available. The application also supports a wide array of furniture, electrical appliances, and miscellaneous objects to add to your home.
You have the option to change the color of any object that you add to your home. The application also supports some exterior objects for yard decoration.
Planner 5D is a solid web application, and in addition to the web version, there’s also on iOS, Android, and Universal app available.
This application has its limitations, and if you want to get more than 3000 interior objects or support for HD snapshots you might want to consider purchasing an appropriate package.
The application offers a great user interface and solid features in the free version, so there’s no reason not to try it.
Review Planner 5D’s most important features:
Get more than 3000 interior objects
Select any room at any time and resize it or change its shape
If you want to create 3D models and design your new home in 3D, you might want to consider SketchUp.
The software is relatively simple to use, so even if you don’t have much experience with 3D modeling you’ll be able to learn the basics with ease.
To create a model, you need to draw lines and shapes and then convert them into 3D form. It’s worth mentioning that this application allows you to convert your 2D plan into a 3D model.
It’s also worth mentioning that the export feature allows you to save your model to PDF, image, or a CAD file.
One of the strongest aspects of SketchUp is its community, and you will find thousands of different models in the online 3D Warehouse.
This feature is available to all users, and you have the option to save yours as well to 3D Warehouse or download models made by other users.
SketchUp supports a wide array of extensions, and that will allow you to enhance the functionality of this tool.
The software is great as a modeling tool, but unlike previous entries on our list, it’s not a home architect software.
As a result, SketchUp is missing some features from other 3D home architect software. Nevertheless, this is a solid app so it’s worth giving it a try.
Let’s see some of the key features of this tool:
Draw lines and shapes and then convert them into 3D form
Export your model to PDF, image, or CAD file
Support fo a wide array of extensions
Thousands of different models available in the online 3D Warehouse
Another 3D home architect software that you might find useful is Plan3D. This application is rather straightforward, and you can design your home from scratch with ease.
Using this application, you will create rooms in a matter of seconds or remodel a house you already have.
The application supports decorations and various furniture or flooring to design your home.
Plan3D is simple to use, thanks to the drag-and-drop functionality that allows you to draw walls and add objects with simple mouse movements.
In addition to interior design, the application also helps you create your own landscape.
If you already have your plans, converting them to a 3D model is just a formality. To do that, just trace your floor plan and switch to 3D mode to see what your home will look like.
The application also has a wide range of tiles and textures to choose from and add them to walls or floors.
Plan3D has thousands of textures available, but you also have the option of adding your own. It supports multiple floors and designing objects up to ten stories high.
You will find various types of roofs, dormers, and skylights that will complete your design and give it a proper finish.
Plan3D is a solid application, and our only complaint might be the slightly outdated interface.
As for availability, the trial version for free, but keep in mind that it doesn’t support saving. To unlock it, you need to pay a monthly subscription.
There is also the option of making a one-time purchase to obtain a lifetime license.
Another great application that can help you design your own home in 3D is Home Designer.
The application comes with enhanced render features, and it supports Ambient Occlusion, Bloom, Normal Maps, and Bump Maps.
It’s worth mentioning that this tool can render 360-degree panoramas and images. If needed, you can also embed these renders on your website and share them with others.
The application allows you to attach outlets and switches to the cabinet boxes, soffits, and panels. If you decide to move the cabinet, all outlets and switches assigned to it will move along with it.
The application also allows you to control the overhang distance of countertops for your cabinets. You will also find it useful to add various comments and notes for all available objects.
Home Designer supports both L-shaped and U-shaped stairs, and it’s easy to add them. The stairs will connect to the walls automatically so it’s just a matter of seconds.
In addition to stairs, there are different styles of railings to attach to them, so you’ll be able to find the perfect style for your home.
As for room creation, assigning different names to your rooms allows you to differentiate them easily. In addition, you can also create rooms that have a lower ceiling.
Unlike previous entries on our list, this one is optimized for touchscreens, and you will easily zoom, pan, or rotate using gestures.
Home Designer is a great application, and there are several versions available to choose from. Each version offers different features, so be sure to check the list of features before choosing your version.
Unfortunately, the application isn’t available for a free trial and the only way to test it is to purchase it or rent it.
You will benefit from the following best features:
Render 360-degree panoramas and images
Supports Ambient Occlusion, Bloom, Normal Maps, and Bump Maps
If you need 3D home architect software, you might be interested in Personal Architect. The application comes with powerful building wizards to design your virtual home and share it with others.
Unlike many other applications on our list, this one fully supports virtual reality so you can see what your model looks like in the first-person view.
The application allows you to edit objects in both 2D or 3D environments depending on which one is more comfortable for you. As for 3D editing, it fully works with objects such as walls, roofs, stairs, etc.
In order to speed up the design process, the application will automatically update both ceilings and floors as you edit your walls.
Personal Architect offers a huge library of objects that can be added to your projects. They are searchable by style and name, and you will find the desired object in a matter of seconds.
In order to better organize your objects, create groups of elements and edit multiple elements simultaneously.
The application also allows you to draw walls, and there are different wall types to choose from and adjust their thickness.
Besides walls, you may also draw and edit your foundations. The application allows you to create different types of floors and apply various textures.
Personal Architect also supports a wide range of doors and windows, so you’ll find the perfect model for your home. Each window or door is customizable and adjustable to your needs.
There’s also support for various stair types, and there are 22 different stair layouts to choose from.
We also have to mention that you can add all the necessary appliances using this app and there’s even a wiring schematic tool available.
In addition to electrical tools, there are also all the necessary plumbing fixtures. The application has a powerful materials editor for importing your own materials as images.
Personal Architect also offers landscape design so your garden will never look better with various plants, exterior furniture, and accessories.
With the help of some basic terrain modeling, modify the landscape to create slopes, hills, etc.
Of course, you can also create plot plans with precise measurements using this tool which is another rather useful option.
Speaking of plans, it’s easy to import your floor plan as an image, trace it, and convert it to a 3D model. After you design your home, create a video tour or render it as a photorealistic image.
Changing the lighting effects and simulating different times of the day or different seasons is another great feature of this solution.
Personal Architect is a great application, and it offers an abundance of options. It’s simple to use, so it’s suitable for both advanced and novice users alike.
Unfortunately, the app isn’t available for a free trial, and the only way to try this application is to purchase a license.
Take a glimpse at its best features below:
Advanced building and modeling wizard
Create plot plans with precise measurements
Huge library of objects and textures
Create a video tour or render it as a photorealistic image
This is another powerful application that allows you to design your home in 3D. Using this application you can design your home from scratch, but also customize your interior design.
For example, it’s possible to change the paint or fabric of any object and preview changes in 3D.
There’s also an object library that has hundreds of objects to choose from. Speaking of objects, there are plenty of furniture as well as large or small appliances available.
Using this tool, you will be able to create photorealistic pictures and even take a tour of your virtual home. As for remodeling, it’s easy to change the surface or texture of most objects.
If needed, scan your own textures and materials and import them to the application. Virtual Architect also has a powerful kitchen builder wizard.
Speaking of which, the application offers various cabinets to add to any room from your home.
Draw both interior and exterior walls and add various types of doors and windows. The application can also simulate virtual lighting to see what your home will look like at a different time of the day.
Virtual Architect also offers electrical planning for outlets and switches. In addition, there’s also support for HVAC and plumbing.
Designing landscapes and modifying the terrain is also possible. You can even create your own garden and see what your plants will look like during different seasons.
Speaking of plants, there’s a built-in encyclopedia that has more than 7500 entries.
Then, add fences, gates, sidewalks, pathways, and driveways. You can also add lighting and irrigation as well as various outdoor objects.
The tool also has a home builder wizard for floor plan creation. Thanks to the built-in tool it’s easy to see the precise dimensions of your room.
The application also offers enhanced 3D render mode in the form of Presentation Mode. Support for virtual reality is also available allowing you to take a virtual tour in the first-person mode.
Personal Architect is a powerful application, and it’s perfect if you want to design your home or remodel it. The application isn’t available for a free trial, so if you want to try it out, you’ll need to purchase it first.
Let’s look at some of its key features:
Object library with hundreds of items to choose from
Change the paint or fabric of any object and preview changes in 3D
Lanscaping features lighting, irrigation as well as various outdoor objects
Dedicated home builder wizard for floor plan creation
Another great tool that can help you design your home in 3D is Total 3D Home, Landscape & Deck. This practical tool is designed for architecture enthusiasts of all levels.
The application uses the drag-and-drop method to create rooms and add other elements. Hence, it’s pretty suitable for older Windows versions like Vista, Windows XP, or Windows 7 PCs.
It’s simple to import your floor plan, trace it and turn it into a 3D model, then import your images and use them as textures for your furniture or walls.
Each room is fully customizable by changing its color, texture, floor, or adding wallpapers. Of course, rearranging your furniture is a matter of dragging the pieces with your mouse.
More customization features include adding custom windows, doors, floors, carpets, and roofs, then changing the color, pattern, and shade of all these elements with just a few clicks.
Speaking of elements, the application has about 20,000 different brand-name elements that can be added.
And after you finish or at any other moment, you can instantly generate blueprints to share them.
You will also find a feature that helps you estimate the cost of your project by taking into account the materials you used.
Total 3D Home, Landscape & Deck also has automatic room and wall generators, you only need to set custom wall height, width, and angle.
And with the instant measurement feature, you will know exactly the size of your rooms at any time. The app also allows you to design your exterior, and add decks, pools, fountains, driveways, and other outdoor objects.
Objects such as pathways, fences, gates, ponds, streams, and even an irrigation system are also available, and it’s easy to add them with a single click.
Total 3D Home, Landscape & Deck is a solid application, and it will be perfect if you need to design your home in 3D.
The application isn’t available for a free trial, and if you want to try it, you’ll need to purchase it first.
Take a look at some of its most important features:
Extensive collection of objects, fixtures, and furniture
Use your own images to decorate your walls and furniture
If you need a 3D home architect, you might want to consider this web app. The application has a simple interface so you can easily create rooms by drawing walls.
Each wall can be adjusted, and you can see its size along with the surface of your room. The software also supports floor plan importing to trace it and convert it to a 3D model.
After you create your walls, add other building elements such as doors, windows, wall openings, railing, columns, stairs, etc.
There’s a variety of objects to choose from, and sort them by different categories, according to your needs.
It’s worth mentioning that there are some branded objects available, so you’ll see how an actual object will look in your home.
As for furniture, all is divided into categories and subcategories, allowing you to easily find suitable furniture for a specific room.
By using the style panel, paint your walls, change tiles, or the floor appearance. The application offers both 3D and 2D views, and you can easily switch between them.
And after finishing your project, export your designs as DWG files and use them with other applications.
Homestyler is a great web app, and it offers simplicity along with a wide array of objects that you can add to your home.
We have to admit that all of them look realistic and detailed, so you’ll get an accurate preview of your new home.
Consider its key features below:
The web app is accessible from any device, from anywhere by using a browser
Another great application that allows you to design your home in 3D is RoomSketcher. The application is simple to use, and it will help you design your home from scratch or remodel it.
Thanks to the drag-and-drop interface, it’s easy to create walls, add windows, doors, and the necessary furniture, then change the colors or finishes of your walls with just a few clicks.
We also have to mention that this tool offers a wide array of furniture, and there are thousands of objects available to choose from.
To make your project as authentic as possible the application also offers a wide array of branded products.
It’s worth mentioning that RoomSketcher supports both 2D and 3D environments allowing you to create 2D plans and preview your home in 3D.
As we already mentioned, the application supports 2D floor plans, and you will be able to see the exact dimensions of your room as well as the room surface.
If needed, add room names in order to differentiate your rooms easily. Then, save your 2D plans as JPG, PNG, or PDF files and share them with others.
RoomSketcher also supports 3D plans to help you see what your home will look like with furniture and actual colors.
It’s worth mentioning that you can create 360 panoramas as well and see your room from any angle.
Thanks to the 3D Floor Plans feature, it’s even possible to take virtual tours of your home. There are three different tour modes available, and they can be shared with others via email or embed them on your website.
RoomSketcher is a simple-to-use and powerful 3D home architect. The application is available for both Windows and Mac and there’s also a mobile version available.
The free version of this tool is available as well, but it’s missing a lot of features. If you want to get access to all features, you should consider obtaining a VIP or Pro one-year license.
Let’s go through some of its best features below:
Import or save your plans in JPG, PNG, or PDF files
Create 360 panoramas and virtual tours of your home
If you’re looking for 3D home architect software, you might want to consider Space Designer 3D. This is a Flash web application that allows you to draw your own floor plan and view it in 3D.
In addition to adding doors, windows, and walls, decorate your home with furniture. There are more than 1500 pieces of furniture to choose from.
You can easily switch between 2D and 3D modes which is perfect if you want to preview your home but there is also a virtual tour feature available.
Using this tool, it’s possible to add different types of walls, doors, windows, railings, roofs, stairs, and all kinds of furniture and even edit your landscape.
If needed, select multiple elements and even add various notes, lines, and arrows to your 2D plans.
All objects are sorted into categories so it’s easy to find the desired object and add it to your project.
The application also allows you to add your blueprints as a PNG or JPG image, trace it, and convert it to a 3D model.
This is perfect if you want to see what your home will look like or if you want to remodel your home.
We have to mention that you may change the color or texture of walls, floors, and ceilings. In addition, add labels to your rooms in order to differentiate them.
Space Designer 3D is a great application, and a demo version is available for free. There are several pricing models available, so choose the suitable one for you.
If you want to design your home, another useful application is Arcon Evo. This is CAD software, so it might be a bit more complex than the previous entries on our list.
The interface is relatively simple to use so you won’t have any issues adjusting to it. The application allows you to customize all your objects and do that with just a few clicks.
Speaking of which, the application has an advanced staircase editor that allows you to adjust individual parameters with ease. We also have to mention that this tool supports a wide array of staircase styles.
The staircase creation process is rather simple, and the application will automatically create a ceiling cutout for your stairs.
The application also has a roof editor so just add standard roofs and customize them or create a custom roof from scratch.
If you need to visualize your projects better, there’s a 3D view available that allows you to interact with your model.
The application has an in-line measurement feature that allows you to see the dimensions of any object whether you work in a 2D or 3D mode.
In addition, change the size and position of any element with simple mouse actions. The application also has a plan mode assistant that can produce detailed drawing sets.
If needed, change the wall height or create complex roof structures with the blending tool. If you own a 3D printer, you can export your models in STL format and print them easily.
The software supports many formats such as XF/DWG, 3DS, Google Earth, Collada, and o2c, and thanks to the last one, it’s possible to view your models on tablet devices.
The application also works with SketchUp and easily imports 3D models thanks to the 3D Warehouse interface.
Google Maps support allows you to enter the correct geographic position in order to simulate accurate lighting conditions.
Of course, there are other lighting presets available as well, or there is the option of creating your own from scratch.
There’s also a landscaping tool for creating plots, paths, and ponds, and setting different height levels.
Arcon Evo is a solid 3D architect software, but unfortunately, it’s not available for a free trial. If you want to use this tool, you’ll need to purchase it first.
Let’s review some of the best features of this software:
Support for XF/DWG, 3DS, Google Earth, Collada, and o2c formats
Another application that can help you design your home in 3D in Room Arranger. The application is relatively simple to use, and most of its features are assigned to keyboard shortcuts.
The application allows you to view your home in 3D and even take a virtual tour of your home.
Using this application, you can easily create new rooms or rearrange your furniture, but also add floor plans of your home, trace them, and convert them into 3D models.
The application has more than 300 objects in its library to easily add to all your projects. All are sorted into different categories in the left pane, and you just simply drag and drop them into your design.
Room Arranger has a built-in measurement tool to see the dimensions of any object or room.
In addition, you will see room measurements as you resize them which is a rather useful feature.
It’s worth mentioning that this application allows you to print in scale which is useful if you want to submit your design to an architect.
Don’t worry because even if you have a standard printer, the application will print your floor plan on several pages.
As for customization, it’s easy to change the wall thickness or color of your floor. Room Arranger is simple software and you’ll be able to create your home with ease.
There are also a few shortcomings because the 3D render looks a bit simplistic. Despite this minor flaw, this is still a solid application, and there’s a 30-day trial version available for free.
Take a glimpse at its key features:
More than 300 objects to add
Advanced measurement features
Add floor plans of your home, trace them, and convert them into 3D models
The reasons you need such tools to design your house are plenty, but the essential ones are to plan and organize the architecture of your dream house including the walls, floor, doors, windows, you name it.
In fact, using home architect software provides support for all the important elements in your future home. Thus, you can easily cover every stage of the house and plan everything in detail.
Starting with the plan and design stage for the structure of the house, and the interior design process or the outdoor area and garden, you have the support to create your ideal house.
Designing your new home isn’t as hard as you think, and you can do that without any 3D modeling experience as long as you have the proper software.
We showed you some of the best 3D home architect applications, so we’re positive you’ll find a suitable application for your needs.
You might also be interested in our list including the best civil engineering software because you might also get some additional information.
If you’ve tested or worked with any of the software outlined in this selection, don’t hesitate to write us about your experience in the comments section below.
Video mapping, also known as projection mapping or spatial augmented reality, refers to projection technology used to transform or turn objects into display surfaces for projecting videos.
Nowadays, this technology is widely used for a lot of parties, outdoor and indoor exhibitions or shows all over the world
How can video mapping software help me?
Simply put, video mapping is the projection of visual animations on objects or other elements of architecture.
Such objects can be buildings or other industrial landscapes which are often irregularly shaped.
So, using the best software for video mapping spatially maps a two or three-dimensional object onto the virtual program, which in turn apes the real environment it will be projected onto.
Artists and advertisers use projection mapping software to add extra dimensions, notions of movement, or even optical illusions to objects that are or were previously static, to create an audio-visual kind of narrative.
They do this in two phases: manufacturing, where the scenario, modeling, motion graphics, video editing, and other processes are created, and then the production phase that adds elements like software, cabling, and installation among others.
So, what are the best software solutions for video projection mapping to use with your PC? Check out our top picks below.
What are the best software tools for video mapping?
Adobe Premiere Pro is a software tool well known for its great video editing features and because it can handle pretty much all the editing you may need.
But it’s also very good for creating video mapping. Moreover, with Premiere Pro, you can edit footage in any format, from 8K to virtual reality.
The software can work with any file format you have, no matter it came from your phone or from a professional camera.
The lightweight proxy workflows and faster ProRes HDR let you work the way you want with your media, even on mobile workstations.
With Adobe Premiere Pro is relatively easy to map simple shapes and to create a linear timeline. Thus, it is a good choice, no matter if you are new or already a professional in the industry.
The video projection mapping features within Premiere Pro let you add advanced sequencing and layering.
If your project also has audio tracks, you can easily import those and get real-time previews of how they go along with the visual effects.
Premiere Pro has a decent library of stock audio tracks ready to use in your project. It also has motion graphics templates.
Other key features include:
Supports all video file formats
Advanced color and lightning options
Easy sequence creation feature
Map simple shapes and create linear timelines
Advanced sequencing and layering
Adobe Premiere Pro
The industry-leading video editing software, Adobe Premiere Pro is a great tool to have for video mapping projects.
Adobe After Effects is another great software, part of the Adobe Creative Cloud suite’s tool.
It is capable of producing stunning works of visual art and is the video industry standard for visual effects and motion graphics.
This software can be used successfully as mapping software and functions fairly well in relation to creating masks, shapes, manipulating clips, etc.
Its new feature, 3D Transform Gizmo, allows you to scale, position, and rotate 3D layers. This multifunctional gizmo offers more power when navigating 3D due to the visual guides and multiple modes.
There are many great free or paid plugins for camera projection mapping and photo parallax animation. Adobe After Effects allows you to install them.
After Effects can connect to your projector and set it as your display output. Just select the specific resolution of the surface you want to project onto and start adding and editing video mapping effects.
Then, add 3D objects and use advanced masking in your composition. After Effects also has straightforward drawing options and 3D objects features.
Adobe After Effects is a subscription service. It is available as standalone software or a Creative Cloud subscription that offers additional Adobe products.
All of these tools work seamlessly together. You can try After Effects for free for 7 days.
Other key features include:
Preset animations
Motion graphic templates
3D geometry and depth support
Use the 3D Transform Gizmo feature for scaling, positioning, and rotating 3D layers
Great integration with other Adobe software
Adobe After Effects
With After Affects you can take any idea and make it move. That’s why this software is perfect for video mapping.
MadMapper is probably the best video mapping software tool, thanks to its simplicity. It can be used on the go.
Furthermore, the application is powerful, yet versatile, which makes it the ultimate video mapping tool.
With MadMapper, you can map an unlimited number of videos on any real-life surface with as many projectors as your graphic card can handle.
Control LED arrays when light mapping, in real-time, and feed these with video content or generative materials, plus control moving lights with pixel content.
MadMapper is backed by a big community, so they keep updating the software constantly, which is why it has new features such as a Dark User Interface, a live editor to code your own materials, and an online library to share the materials.
It also features the miniMAD hardware companion which now controls the light, with automatic network synchronization for multi-projection and DMX output to control lighting equipment.
Other salient features include an ultra-fast video player, multiple inputs, masking, video effects, mesh warping, 3D Calibration, and lighting, soft edge, spatial scanner, LED mapping, and much more.
You can use MadMapper software for architectural video mapping, art installation, stage design, and live shows.
Other key features include:
Supports multiple projectors
3D lightning support
Support for audio input
LED scanner
Control LED arrays when light mapping, in real-time
If you want video mapping but your project needs a lot more, Isadora is the best software for video mapping you can use.
This tool works well with artists, designers, and performers who want to add video and interactive media to their projects, as it combines a media server, visual programming environment, and powerful video/audio processing engine for interactive media playback.
Create stunning effects in real-time in a user-friendly and easy to learn and use platform, which features 8 HD video playback channels, unlimited video layers, and 6 independent video projector outputs
It also comes with an integrated video mapping tool, 4 live camera feeds, custom effects via Open GLSL, built-in video tracking, low latency response to real-time output, and so much more.
One of the great things about it is it lets you generate customization sequences fast, but it is held back by its learning curve and playback performance which reduces frame rates for non-optimized projects.
Isadora has in-depth lighting settings. The node-based interface lets you control any DMX value in real-time. Not only that, but it can also convert video signals into pixel-mapped values for project outputs.
This software lets you set up multiple projector outputs at once. It has an advanced stage editor that lets you integrate each sequence into its corresponding projectors. It has a blending wizard that can help you generate the best possible adjustments for your particular setting.
Probably one of the biggest assets of this software is that it is highly interactive. You can change your settings as you project and get instant, real-time results.
Isadora is a licensed-based software that is compatible with Windows OS and macOS. It has a free trial version with quite a lot of limitations.
Other key features include:
Motion tracking capabilities
Quick movie playback options
Timecode for projections
8 HD video playback channels and unlimited video layers
Mapping Matter is a web-based video mapping tool with advanced, error-free planning and simulation features.
This is one of the best options when it comes to convenience. You can start working right away, from your browser, without any installation.
Moreover, the toolset is easy to understand even if you are not accustomed to the workflow of similar 3D tools.
Mapping Matter lets users generate quick PDF documentation based on their model. It has annotations options if you need to add any further information. This feature can create detailed projector spec lists.
This online mapping tool allows you to interact with projectors by providing throw ratios settings, projection beams width adjustments, lock targets, and more.
Mapping Matter has some basic parametric geometries options, but it does not support full 3D modeling. It supports already made models and helps you add the settings necessary for projection. This tool is compatible with 3D .obj models.
The tool allows to change directional and ambient lighting, create symmetries, apply textures on objects, and more.
Mapping Matter is subscription-based with monthly charges. It has dedicated plans for individual users and for teams. It does provide a 14-day free trial.
Other key features include:
Endless undo
Large pattern library
Projection distance assistance
Generate quick PDF documentation based on your model
Provides throw ratios settings, projection beams width adjustments, lock targets, and more
Heavy M positions itself as a quick and easy tool for projection mapping that provides professional features without a huge learning curve.
This tool lets you draw advanced models with multiple layering and masking options. The draw tool allows you to adapt your mapping for any projection surface by working with simple Bezier curves.
You can either create your own shapes from scratch or use some of the presets available.
HeavyM has a large library of visual effects that allow you to apply pretty much any type of idea to your projection mapping project.
It lets you animate effects and improves quality with effects rendering. It also has readily available preset parameters that can save plenty of time.
Another feature that keeps you organized is the sequencer. You can organize your whole projection by creating a sequence list. It offers 40 transition effects that can help create a more seamless experience.
Considering that projecting shows most certainly use music tracks or live music, the music synchronization feature is a must.
It has a built-in sound analysis that can identify the best coherence between visual sequences and music.
Heavy M is a paid service with multiple options including subscription plans and a lifetime license. It has a demo version that is free of charge and has no time limit.
Other key features include:
Easily import video files
Media file manager with playback feature
Lets you create playlists
Large library of visual effects
Animates effects and improves quality with effects rendering
Mapio is the best software for video mapping if you want to create projection shows, as it not only lets you use a standard screen, but also any inclines like cylindrical and spherical shapes, among others.
Its key features include Spout (Windows) support, two app modes as a plugin or stand-alone app, solid color or gradient for a slice, capture broadcasting video streams and snapshots.
But it also allows importing 3D files, editable vectors and image masks, tools for splitting masks and slices, edge blending, advanced warping Bezier tool, and so much more.
You can also use undo unlimited times, copy and paste slices or masks, and autosave and recover your project after a crash.
Mapio supports multiple file-formats including AVI, MOV, MP4, WEBM, TS, and GIF for videos and JPEG, BMP TIFF, WEBP, ICO, SVG for image files.
The software provides preset QML sketches for gradient, color grid, GLSL generators, patterns, and more.
Mapio is a paid service and it’s compatible with Windows and macOS. Download a free trial to see how it works, but it does not include all the features and places a watermark on all your projects.
Other key features include:
Multi-screen output
Video and audio sync
Automatic and Manual pixel mapping
Extensive file format support
Preset QML sketches for gradient, color grid, GLSL generators, patterns, and more
TouchDesigner is a visual programming environment for PC that is free but not for commercial use.
The video mapping software solution gives you the tools needed to create stunning, real-time video mapping projects with rich user experiences, whether it’s architectural projections, rapid-prototyping, or interactive media systems.
For video mapping, you can make custom solutions for each project as now two setups are similar.
TouchDesigner’s suite of features and open customization makes each project possible, with multiple solutions to tackle every job, whether small or large in ways that fit each scenario and budget.
Features include tight integration with the real-time 3D engine for complete pre-visualization, support for different projection formats for mapping, dome, VR, stitching, and environment lights.
The stoner tool is useful for keystoning, grid mesh warping, and masking, while the Kantan Mapper helps with 2D mapping and masking which includes Bezier and freeform shapes.
3D is usually the most challenging bit, so TouchDesigner’s CamSchnappr tool for 3D model-based projection alignment and calibration comes in handy.
It also supports third-party apps like Vioso and Scalable Display’s auto-mapping calibration tools.
Other key features include:
Support for video and audio devices
Complete pre-visualization of project setups
Sync operators
3D engine real-time integration
Support for various projection formats for mapping, dome, VR, stitching, and environment lights
Did your favorite video mapping software tool make the list? Don’t hesitate to share with us your thoughts and experiences by leaving a comment in the section below.
Outstanding visual effects can be the missing piece that can completely transform your event into a memorable experience.
Video editing software can be a great starting point in producing high-quality projections.
If you worked with any of the tools we outlined above, feel free to share your experience in the comments section below.
If asked, enter the passcode on your phone and choose the Trust option.
Open File Explorer. You can do that with Windows key + E shortcut.
Select your phone from the list of devices.
Now go to Internal storage.
Navigate to the Download folder.
Now go to the 100APPLE directory and copy the desired photos.
4. Use cloud services or email
You can also add your photos to a cloud service and access them on your PC. If you’re not a big fan of iTunes and don’t want to use iCloud either, there are these are good and cheap (or free) options.
The process is as simple as it sounds: sign up for a cloud service account, add your iPhone photos to it, and then download them onto your PC. Here are some services you can rely on:
Google Photos: 15 GB free storage, up to 30 TB storage on paid plans
Dropbox: 2 GB free storage, up to 3 TB storage on paid plans
Or, if you don’t have a whole lot of photos, you can also email them to yourself from your iPhone and access them on PC.
5. Use third-party iPhone transfer tools
Download a dedicated iPhone transfer tool on your PC. We highly recommend Tenorshare iCareFone for its reliability and ease of use.
Connect your iPhone to your PC via a USB cable.
Once the app recognizes your phone, select the Manage submenu.
SelectImport from the bottom menu.
Pick the files you want to add to your PC and confirm.
Tenorshare iCareFone lets you effortlessly backup iPhone photos to PC. Export photos, contacts, and more seamlessly with a virtual USB drive. Simplify backup with 2-way file sync.
We live in a time where your product is not as important as the next consideration, that being how you market it. That is why advertisements and marketing campaigns can sometimes require more funds than creating the actual product or service.
The same principle applies in the digital world, where it is hard to stand out on a myriad of websites. That is why having some extra help from some marketing services can give you the edge.
While marketing is a critical component of any successful business, we can all agree that a huge slice of its magic happens online and that none of it could be possible without specialized tools.
What are the most essential marketing tools to grow your startup?
Planning: help you set goals, understand the market and customers, create and delegate tasks, follow and assess your progress, and more
Social media advertising: help you schedule your posts, get insights on reach, create engaging written and visual content
Display advertising tools: create banners and other brand-related visual elements
Content Marketing: to help you create original and qualitative content that is SEO optimized, well-structured, engaging, and accessible
Email Marketing: to help you create email lists, build engaging newsletters with pre-made templates, get information about customer experience
What are the most effective marketing tools for startups?
Promoting your startup business is never an easy task, as it requires you to implement and follow well-thought strategies.
To successfully put your business on the map, you should use a toolset that is proven to be highly effective in capturing and keeping your potential client’s attention.
To position yourself as a powerful brand you will have to create a good planning strategy and visual identity with the help of fitting designs and task management software.
You also need tools that help you assess the market and the profile of your potential customers/audience, and figure out what are the most effective ways to communicate your unique selling points.
1. Best Social Media & Marketing Tools
How your services or products are presented to your potential customers can make or break a startup. For this reason, choosing the right tools that enable you to create outstanding visual content can be an enormous asset.
Photoshop is an excellent tool to create digital images to promote your products and services. You know what they say: a picture speaks a thousand words.
If the images associated with the product or service that you’re promoting draw people’s attention, then you already won half of the marketing game.
Photoshop is the best tool to optimize your images for social media: edit and resize your images for different types of screens, profile picture formats, and banner photo parameters.
Creating mobile-friendly images is a must in today’s world, and this tool offers full support for that.
You can use the ready-made image templates and save marketing ideas on Photoshop. This can help you boost your email marketing campaign and keep you organized.
You can also use Photoshop to design promotional t-shirts and other such items (t-shirts, mugs, pens, you name it).
The thing this tool does best offers a plethora of handy features to create amazing images that will increase brand awareness.
You have everything you need, from resizing and cropping solutions to masking, layering, color correcting tools, not to mention the huge amount of inspiring filters.
Other key features of Photoshop include:
Light on system resources
User friendly interface
Compatible with mobile devices
Tone adjustement features
Object seection tool
Batch processing
Adobe Photoshop is subscription-based. You can integrate it within the Adobe Creative Cloud if you use other Adobe tools. You can try it for free for 7 days.
Adobe Photoshop
Build your brand’s visuals from start to finish with this full-featured photo manipulation tool.
Canva is one of the best marketing tools for startups when it comes to visual design. It has quickly grown to become a user favorite due to its accessibility and resourceful template library.
The tool is very versatile. You can use it directly from your browser, or download it as a desktop application. It also has a dedicated mobile app that lets you quickly make and adjust designs on the go.
This graphic design applications lets offers pre-made layouts for various types of designs including presentations, logos, Facebook posts, Instagram stories, business cards, flyers, YouTube thumbnails, and many more.
Users of this application are very happy with these layouts, as there are available in plenty of styles and they represent a quick and easy solution to create engaging content in a short period of time.
The editing tool is based on drag and drop. You can add various types of objects and text, resize them, adjust the colors, add background images, and more.
Not only can it help you with your visual identity, but it can also be a good planning solution. Canva can help you create business plans and presentations.
Other key features of Canva include:
Background remover tool
Includes animated objects
Supports multiple image formats
Teamwork support
Canva has a free, limited version. It is highly functional and good to get started, but some of the features are not available and many of the images are watermarked.
The paid version is available under several subscription plans. You can change or cancel them whenever you want.
Canva
Use drag-and-drop-based editing tools to create jaw-dropping content in just a few clicks.
Adobe Illustrator CC is a versatile tool that you can use to create logos, illustrations, and other vector images.
If you need a reliable tool to increase brand image and brand awareness, Illustrator should definitely be on your list.
You can be sure your images always remain nice and crips. Once you’ve created an image, you can quickly scale it up for billboards or scale it down for smartphone screens.
You can use the built-in typography features to create impressive typographic designs to convey your brand’s message. Use unique characters and styles to create mesmerizing logos and flyers.
Adobe can also help companies streamline their workflows through the Experience Manager.
You can use this tool to allow all the team members of your creative team to access Illustrator and Photoshop projects in a distraction-free environment for enhanced productivity.
Other useful features for your marketing campaign include:
Best vector image creator and editor
Big online community that spread around useful guides and tricks
Integrates well with other Adobe products
Plug in support
You can download Adobe Illustrator CC for free and try it out for 7 days. If you want to continue using the tool, you will have to get a subscription plan. The free trial lets you test out all the features included.
Adobe Illustrator CC
Design your logo and make engaging graphics that tell your brand’s story.
As your company’s presence on social media can have such a huge impact on how your company is perceived, having all the right tools for creating engaging and interactive content is absolutely essential.
Below you can find some great tools that will streamline the entire process of posting regularly, managing your company’s content, and provide you with some useful feedback about engagement.
Monday.com is a great business management tool that offers top-level collaboration, marketing, and project management tools.
Even though it integrates a lot of tools in just one dashboard, Monday.com is built to be intuitive and friendly.
It lets you create your own customized workflow or choose from over 200 pre-made templates.
You can easily create and manage your projects by adding columns, groups, items, sub-items, and more. It includes 30+ customizable column types, drag-and-drop columns and rows, and real-time updates for each item.
You get a real-time overview of the project’s progress and see how your team is doing.
Monday offers multiple types of visual reports on your project’s status. You can use a Kanban view, a calendar, a timeline, and more.
Other key features of Monday.com include:
Dedicated applications for Android and iOS
Contact management tools
Customer onboarding solutions
Centralize client comunication with email integrations
Monday.com has a free, limited plan that lets you create workflows for individual projects. For a team-focused project, you will have to get a subscription. Each subscription plan has a free trial.
Monday.com
Establish your plan and check your progress in real-time with this intuitive management tool.
Microsoft OneNote is a versatile note-taking application that lets you create highly customizable notes.
You can create your own workspace with the help of powerful sorting tools for making notebooks, categories, tags, all with easy search and navigation functions.
The tool lets you create text-based notes, but also offers free handwriting and doodling support. You can highlight, change text color and size, add annotation, images.
It is the perfect space to gather all your resources and keep track of them across all devices. The app is compatible with mobile devices and you get real-time synchronization so you can start right where you left off and make quick adjustments on the go.
OneNote also lets you create audio notes, insert videos and integrate multiple types of files within your notes.
The application offers quick share options so you can collaborate with your coworkers.
Other key features of Microsoft OneNote include:
Sync to the cloud
Support for mixed media
Compatible with Andorid and macOS devices
Microsoft OneNote is a free application for Windows computers and mobile devices. You can download it directly from the Microsoft Store.
Microsoft OneNote
Gather all your resources, including videos, audio files, and images, and access them on all your devices.
Buffer is a great social media marketing tool that gives you a combination of features that let you know how, when, and how frequently to post in order to grow your audience and engagement rates.
The application offers simple to use scheduling tools so you can take care of each little post ahead of time so you can have a better structure and thus less stress.
Buffer also helps you engage with your audience in a productive way. You can use labels and hotkeys to prioritize the comments you respond to based on relevancy.
The application offers pre-made plans for scheduling and managing posts for popular platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Tiktok.
It takes care of the whole process, from planning, scheduling, the actual post, and more. You can even set up an automated first comment for your Instagram posts.
Buffer’s dashboard is designed to integrate all valuable information so it is easy to access.
You can get insights about boosted posts and compare paid and organic results, see key engagement metrics for each social account you manage, measure stories, individual posts and hashtags.
On top of that, the tool also gives you information about your audience’s demographics. Knowing who you speak to is a key factor in winning in this game.
Other key features of Buffer include:
White label reporst
Daily updates of all activity
Download reports as PDFs
Browser extension
Buffer has a free basic plan that is suitable especially when you start out. If you need more advanced tools and integrated collaboration solutions, you can get one of the two paid plans. Each plan has a 14-day free trial.
Hootsuite is a powerful social media management platform that comes with solutions for planning, engagement, analytics, and more.
With over 18 million users worldwide, Hootsuite offers efficient social media post scheduling options.
If you plan to promote your business on social media, you probably know that using more than just one platform is recommended in most cases.
Hootsuite can help you plenty in this case, because it lest you manage all your social media accounts from one unified dashboard.
You get quick information about how each of your accounts is doing directly from the home page. Then you can start scheduling your posts and see more in-depth reports about engagement rates.
The tool also facilitates the interaction between you and your audience. The Hootsuite dashboard displays all your comments and you can respond right away, without having to browse around your accounts.
The analytics feature gives you insightful reports on how your social media posts are doing, the amount of reach and visibility you gain from each of them.
Other key features of Hootsuite include:
Support for teamwork
Two-step authentication
Unlimited scheduling
Custom analytics
Exportable reports
Hootsuite has 3 major subscription plans. They differ when it comes to the number of accounts you can manage, ad spend limit and the type of analytics you get.
SEMrush is one of the most (if not the most) popular SEO tools currently on the market, and for good reason, too.
Its suite encompasses a wide variety of tools that can help even small business owners grow their online presence. it does this by providing them with useful insight on how to manage the contents of their website so that they become more relevant to search engines.
The SEMrush marketing workflow holds utilities for virtually any need regarding investing in one’s online presence, ranging from SEO and advertising to social media, content management, strategy building, reporting, and management, as well as competitive research.
Some of the power features of the SEMrush suite are its organic research, keyword research, site audit, rank tracking, ad builder, advertising research, social media poster, and tracker, content audit, topic research, post tracking, brand monitoring, traffic analytics, ranks, charts, marketing calendars, and reports.
SEMrush is able to handle everything from search engine optimization to social media advertising.
Other key features include:
Trending topic recommendations
Insights about competition
PPC advertising support
This tool comes with a 7-day free trial so you can try it out and see how you like it.
SEMrush
Increase your online visibility by implementing powerful SEO strategies with SEMrush.
Ahrefs is a full-featured SEO platform that gives users all tools they need to reach a large number of customers with the help of audits, keywords research, and competition research.
This SEO management tool has an easy-to-use dashboard that gives you quick access to everything you need, including an overview of all your webpages, access to the keywords explorer, the rank tracker, and many more.
It lets you integrate and track an unlimited number of pages. You can easily manage them all from one unified homepage.
The tool is compatible with Google Search Console and lets you connect your accounts and access GSC data directly from the Ahref menu.
Arefs’ keywords explorer gives users thousands of keyword suggestions. It gathers proven keyword information from an extensive database of over 7 billion keywords.
The database is updated every month with new and relevant keywords to help your webpage stay relevant.
Ahref is suitable for web pages all around the world, as it provides keyword solutions for 171 countries outside the US.
Other key features of Ahrefs include:
Uses 10 different search engines for the research
Reports on return rates
SERP overview and position history
Ahrefs is a paid tool, with 4 different plans available. If you are just starting out, the Lite or Standard plan should suffice, as they let you manage an unlimited number of projects and give you insightful audits.
Google Analytics (GA): keep track of website traffic, conversion rates, and audience behavior
Google Search Console: see the queries that bring you viewers, submit sitemaps and URLs for webcrawling, and use the free guide to learn how to optimize your search appearance on Google
Google Trends: see reports on high-ranking topics and search queries across multiple regions
4. Best Email Marketing Software for Small Business
Mailbird is one of the best email client providers on the market. Not only does it provide industry-leading solutions for email management, but it also includes task management tools and powerful collaboration solutions.
Users of this email client can connect an unlimited number of accounts and easily access them from one unified inbox.
Mailbird also lets you check on your social media pages. It has integrations for all major platforms so you can have a quick glance at how your customers interact with your posts.
Not only that, but the tool is also compatible with productivity and collaboration applications such as Google Calendar, Slack, Google Note, and Microsoft To-Do.
You can easily create your own workspace, add team members and facilitate collaboration and thus help your business grow.
Users of Mailbird are very fond of its advanced search options. You can easily find emails, attachments, and contacts by providing a few keywords. It offers advanced search options with filtering.
Other key features of Mailbird include:
Multiple layouts
Available in several international languages
Intuitive keyboard shortcuts
24/7 support
Compatible with multiple platforms
If you want to integrate Mailbird into your toolset you will have to get a subscription. There are several plans available, each with a 14-day free trial.
Mailbird
Stay in touch with your audience and collaborate with your team to offer a premium-level customer experience.
Mailchimp is a powerful customer relationship management tool that offers automatic solutions for email marketing.
The tool integrates audience measurement and management features. You get valuable information about your customers so you can build personalized marketing messages that fit their profiles.
Not only does this tool help you build and manage emails, but it also gives you the possibility to create and host your own website.
It offers intuitive tools to help you create engaging content. These include the content studio feature, templates for promotional campaigns, subject line helper, and a creative assistant.
The tool lets you create and automate customized marketing strategies for each of your customers. The tool creates a profile on how the customer interacts with your business and decides which is the best way to maintain contact to keep them engaged.
Mailchimp offers several email scheduling options. You can set a specific time, send according to the customer’s time zone, or let the application decide the best send time for maximum engagement.
Other key features of Mailchimp include:
Integrates popular eCommerce platforms like WooCommerce and Shopify
Create targeted emails based on client behavior
Transactional email support with API or SMTP
RSS-to-email
Mailchimp has a free plan and three paid subscription-based plans. Each of them includes marketing CRM tools.
Use social media platforms: create engaging posts, join groups that are related to your niche and post about your business and what you offer for free
Use email marketing strategies: you can gather inspiration from the above-mentioned products and use their free versions to address potential customers
Create a blog: there are plenty of platforms that offer free blog hosting where you can use creative ways to market your business, including niche-related informative articles, product listings, and more. Some free blog platforms do offer some minimal eCommerce tools, so you can sell your product for free
Implement SEO strategies: SEO is essential for growth regardless of the platforms you use. Using relevant keywords is crucial if you want to rank high and be found by as many potential customers as possible
Closing thoughts on best marketing software deals
The bottom line, regardless of their domain of activity, almost every business needs a solid marketing campaign at one point or another.
Carrying this type of activity online proved to be not only sevenfold as effective as offline campaigns, but also more accessible to a higher number and a broader variety of users.
However, no marketing technique could be even half as effective as those that are backed by specialized tools such as Promo Republic, SEMrush, Fotor, and Horizon.
Steam is a popular digital distribution platform for purchasing and playing video games, but many users reported that conflict software was detected while running it. One of the errors reads like this:
An incompatible version of LavasoftTCPService.dll (related to Lavasoft Web Companion has been detected inside of the Steam process).
We suggest updating or uninstalling this software if you experience crashes or network slowdowns while running Steam or individual games.
Since many Steam users are facing this problem, we have put together this guide including all the possible solutions to fix this error on Windows computers.
What is a software-conflict error?
Because you need to be aware of any important detail implied in your issues, keep in mind that a software-conflict error occurs when two programs cannot run on the same PC at the same time.
In general terms, this kind of issue can appear due to a programming bug and typically manifests when two programs compete for the same resource (memory, peripheral device, register, etc.).
If you want to discover more about this kind of program, make sure you read this article completely, because at the end of it we’ve prepared some useful information.
How can I fix the conflict software detected Steam error?
Hit the Windows key, type Control Panel, then open it.
Now, click on Uninstall a program.
Look for Lavasoft or any other software mentioned by the error message.
Click on it, then choose to Uninstall it (as we show you in the picture below, with Twitch as an example).
If you don’t find Lavasoft software in the Control Panel, look for any other related program like WEN Companion, etc.
Click Uninstall and restart your PC.
The best guess here is that some software is creating a conflict with the Steam process resulting in the Conflict software detected message.
Depending on the error you get, try to find the mentioned software (like Lavasoft in the above example) and uninstall it.
A lot of software leave unwanted leftovers after you uninstall them and if you want to make sure you got rid of any Lavasoft remaining files.
You might thus consider other options to eliminate the issue of conflicting software and put your Steam services back on track. Hence, it’s feasible to check other efficient uninstaller software for Windows 10 PC.
2. Run Windows Defender
The conflict software detected error usually appears if you have junkware on your PC. Sometimes these unwanted applications can interfere with your system and lead to various problems.
To get a more secure digital activity it’s often recommended to rely on Windows antivirus services and be always secured from online threats that may appear.
Plus, by protecting your system with Windows Defender you can stay relaxed when browsing on different sites, or downloading certain programs, knowing you will be alerted.
You also benefit from account protection, firewall, and network protection, or PC security regarding hardware issues that appear over time.
After removing the infected files, the issue should be permanently fixed.
3. Run Antivirus software
In case the last solution didn’t seem to work out for you, no need to worry. You can always find other qualitative antivirus choices to protect your system from application errors.
More so, if you are a notorious Steam user and always run your games using this platform, then strong antivirus is required to protect the PC from malware and other issues.
ESET HOME Security Essential is the best option on the market that you should definitely try out today, not only because it is a powerful tool, but it also provides tons of other valuable features.
It will ensure high-end system protection, but it won’t interfere with any apps, especially with those ones similar to Steam.
It is the ideal software to use for Internet activities such as work, communication, online banking, and shopping. Use it to secure any of your Windows, Android, Mac, or Linux devices.
ESET HOME Security Essential is the perfect tool to protect your passwords, sensitive data, online payments, webcam, and smart home devices.
More than a performant antivirus, ESET HOME Security Essential will also scan your home network and keep it safe from various online threats across all connected devices.
Press on the Windows key, type Command Prompt, then right-click on it and choose to Run as administrator.
Type the following command and hit Enter: netsh winsock reset
Close the Command Prompt window.
Some users have reported conflict software was detected due to some Internet connection-related troubles. This could be because the adware has altered your network settings.
You can easily fix the problem by resetting the network adapter through Command Prompt.
Launch any web browser and open a web page to see if the Internet connectivity is restored.
An incompatible version of LavasoftTCPService.dll (related to Lavasoft Web Companion) has been detected inside of the Steam process is caused by a potentially unwanted program (PUP)
The PUP might have infected your PC during an unsafe browsing session on the Internet or after downloading something from a torrent site.
It is always recommended to use an Antivirus, such as ESET Internet Security to keep your PC protected from unknown threats.
Also, if you have bought a new PC, always clean install Windows OS to remove any bloatware or hidden adware (although rare) to be on the safer side.
As we’ve already promised at the beginning of this guide, it is time to discover more about the programs that might interfere with the Steam app.
1. Antivirus, anti-spy software and firewall & security apps
This article already presented that antivirus software and security apps are some of the most popular elements that can generate conflict when running Steam.
Keep in mind that antivirus programs hook very deep into your system and can affect disk and network operations which will cause issues with Steam.
Aggressive spyware detection apps might also interfere with the Steam client from receiving updates or prevent connection to content servers.
2. VPNs
Some virtual private networks might also prevent your client from accessing the app’s network. If a game requires network capability, it may also interfere with that connection.
In this case, if not configured in a proper manner, you have to know that P2P clients consume a large portion of your bandwidth or other system resources.
This can limits connections or traffic that Steam depends on, while also interfering with resources required by games.
4. Download Accelerator and Download Manager Programs
These ones curate your network experience, so your Steam and game traffic may be hindered. You’ll probably also want to disable this kind of app while using Steam.
Do let us know if any of the solutions worked for you and if you’ve managed to fix our presented issue. So, feel free to use the comment section listed below.
If you want to book on Airbnb, you’ll be asked to confirm your payment details as soon as you try to make a reservation.
There is no later time, no bargain, no wiggle room, and certainly no shady offline payments deals, just solid card credentials (and a few other methods).
By keeping things simple, both the hosts and the guests are protected. But what happens if the Airbnb payment doesn’t go through?
Before we dig in, let’s make sure we have a clear understanding of the whole picture.
How do you pay on Airbnb?
Credit/Debit/Prepaid cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, JCB, Discover)
Google Pay and Apple Pay (for Android and iOS users on mobile platforms)
PayPal (if available in your country)
Gift cards and promotional coupons
Airbnb supports different payment methods from standard ones that will be available for all guests to very specific ones, depending on the country and region of interest.
You will be able to see all available methods for which you are eligible on the checkout page of your reservation.
Can I pay cash for Airbnb? / Can you pay by bank transfer on Airbnb?
Cash payment, offline payments, and in fact any type of payment made outside the boundaries of the Airbnb app and/or website are strictly forbidden and can attract further sanctions.
These measures aim to protect users against fraud attempts and other security risks.
But sometimes, the Airbnb payment simply won’t go through, either from the first attempt or for some, it can be a second payment that fails. So let’s why does that happens.
Why does my card keep getting declined on Airbnb?
There can be several reasons for which you are unable to complete a card transaction via Airbnb and we distinguish between two major categories, as shown below:
Issues on the users’ side (card-related)
Airbnb internal checks
Expired card, insufficient funds, exceeded spending limits, debit cards that cannot be processed as credit cards, and so on
Fraud prevention, fraud pattern detection (billing address and/or phone number mismatch, flagged transactions when payments are routed through several banks, and so on)
In these cases, the user simply most sort the issue with the bank, respectively the credit card company.
These cases are trickier and unfortunately, more frequent. In fact, most of the time, transactions are declined for security reasons.
Here are the most common error messages that can appear on Airbnb when trying to pay with a card:
Looks like this payment method can’t be added. Use an existing method or try this one again later.
We were unable to authorize use of your credit card. Please confirm that all the details are correct. You may also contact your bank.
How do I fix my payment decline on Airbnb?
1. Use Payoneer
Get yourself a physical card from Payoneer. To do that, simply open the Payoneer platform and go to Settings.
Next, go to Payoneer Cards and click Order Card.
Note that there is an eligibility clause in place that only allows you to request a physical card if you met the minimum amount of payments received in your Payoneer account in the last 6 months.
Next, log in to your Airbnb account and select Account from the drop-down menu situated in the upper-right corner of the page.
On the new screen, select Payments & payouts.
Remain on the first tab (Payments) and press Add payment method.
Fill in the details of your Payoneer Mastercard card and set it as the default payment method afterward.
By following these steps, you should be able to see the Payoneer card as the primary payment method set to be charged during the checkout phase of your reservation.
If you’re just setting up your Payoneer account, it will take some time before will are able to request a physical card in regard to the eligibility conditions explained above.
Meanwhile, you can safely use our next recommendation.
2. Use Revolut
Get a phisical Visa or Mastercard card from Revolut. To do that, you must first register on the Revolut platform.
Note that you can either access the Revolut website via desktop or download the Revolut app from your mobile platform store.
Fill in the required details (name, adress, phone number, etc.) in order to complete the registration.
Then log into your newly created account and head to the Cards tab.
Select or tap the Add card option.
Complete your order (delivery method and delivery address along with any other details including the preferred payment method to cover the delivery).
Once your brand new Revolut card is shipped, you can head over to the Airbnb platform and repeat the steps 4-7 from our previous solution.
If you need further help on this topic, we have prepared more tips on how to use the Revolut web app on your PC. Obviously, there can be situations in which the app itself misbehaves.
From the Airbnb app, select Paypal as your payment method.
Next, log in to your PayPal Account and head to Choose a way to pay.
From this menu, you can select one of the payment methods linked to your account, then click Continue and agree to the different prompts displayed on the screen.
The final step is to confirm the payment via this method on the checkout window of your reservation.
Note that PayPal will only be displayed for users residing in countries where this online payment solution is available. You might also be required to check the eligible currency.
Airbnb is not accepting payment? Not a problem, you can tweak these options and make use of our recommendations to pay for your bookings even if Airbnb declined your payment at first.
Airbnb isn’t the only platform that can run into problems. Other services face similar issues, and you can see more in this guide on Rightmove not working.
Once this is covered, you’re all set to enjoy traveling!
On March 9, Microsoft began to roll out the latest build for the Dev Channel of the Windows 11 Insider Program: Build 22572. In the update, some features and updates were released like the new Microsoft Defender Preview.
Microsoft Defender Preview is a standalone app that serves as a central hub for the Windows Security system. Some new features have been added to Windows 11, the most notable of which is Clipchamp.
Clipchamp is the new video editing app for Windows 11 that Microsoft says has a focus on “making video creation easy, fast, and fun.” It comes equipped with a lot of the basic tools a video editor requires like trimming and splitting.
It also has professional-level features like transitions and animated text. Clipchamp also has a webcam and screen recording functionality.
The app also comes with a video timeline, which is new to Windows video editors and functionality usually reserved for professional-grade editing apps. Clipchamp has access to a massive stock library filled with over a million assets.
These assets include royalty-free videos, audio files, and images. The app has a text-to-speech generator powered by Microsoft Azure and supports over 70 different languages.
Clipchamp also integrates with several Windows apps and connects to OneDrive for easy file transport. Needless to say, Clipchamp is packed to the brim with features and has a lot going for it.
The company behind Clipchamp was acquired by Microsoft in September 2021, and it looks like the app will be the replacement for the iconic Windows Movie Maker program from years past.
What does Microsoft intend to do with Clipchamp?
For almost 20 years, Windows Movie Maker was the premiere video editing tool for Windows computers up until 2017 when Microsoft officially discontinued it. It was a pretty simple and easy-to-use software that any amateur filmmaker could pick up.
But like a lot of native apps on Windows, it is criticized for oversimplification and lack of any meaningful features. It was just too bare-bones and eventually, Microsoft moved on.
Since then, Microsoft has been working on the next generation of its native apps. Typically, the apps that came on Windows computers were criticized and even mocked for how poor they were in comparison to third-party apps.
People in the past made the joke that Internet Explorer was only good for downloading a better web browser. From this, Microsoft listened to what people were saying and made major changes to its native apps.
Native apps like Calendar and Email got a much-needed revamp with new features and redesign aligned with Windows 11. Movie Maker had a spiritual successor in the form of a Video Editor feature in the Photos app.
However, the Video Editor is still basic and barebones. It doesn’t have a timeline, but instead a Storyboard, which you can split up and add text. It’s fine, but you wouldn’t consider it to be a great video editor.
And so, this brings everything back to Clipchamp, a web-based video editor that Microsoft is turning into a proper app on Windows 11. Here is how you can download and use Clipchamp.
What are some noteworthy features for Clipchamp?
What’s unique about Clipchamp is that it uses a PC’s GPU to process video. It does this to free up your CPU of processing power, an important resource for programs to use.
➡ Low impact on your CPU
A computer’s CPU only can support a certain amount of tasks and apps. When resources get strained, that causes performance issues and your computer starts to slow down immensely.
As you can see in the image of the Task Manager, Clipchamp is taking up very little of the CPU, but a large portion of the RAM which is directly from the GPU usage.
If your Windows 11 computer has a good enough GPU, the Clipchamp will save you a lot of CPU resources. But if your GPU isn’t up to snuff, then rendering videos will take a long time to complete.
That said, moving resource management to the GPU is a great solution to resource hogs like Google Chrome. While you render your video, you can surf the internet or whatever else is on your itinerary.
➡ Large stock content library
The stock library available is pretty extensive. The company did not cheap out in this regard. You have a wide selection of choices from base backgrounds to neon lights for stock video.
There are tons of free stock images from various LGBT pride flags and outer space, although more specific stocks images are locked behind a paywall. You’ll know which ones you’ll have to buy if they have an orange diamond in the corner.
Music options run the gamut from lo-fi chill music to hip hop to acoustic guitars. Sound effects stuff like fake police radio transmissions to creepy ghost/zombie sounds for Halloween videos.
If you select the Graphics tab, you will see the entire GIPHY library at your disposal, meaning you add your favorite internet onto your video for no extra charge.
The amount of GIFs you have at your disposal is very impressive. , and stickers from GIPHY are part of that package. Speaking of free content, all of the text and transition options are free on Clipchamp.
➡ Paid plans and what they offer
Clipchamp also has several paid plans that you can choose from that add on features and capabilities. The more expensive the plan, the higher the quality videos you can create.
The base plan limits you to videos at 480p, which is a little disappointing to see. This option offers a fairly low-quality resolution and would have liked to see 720p set as the standard. Honestly, 720p doesn’t look that good anymore.
Video resolution has made leaps and bounds in the last several years that devices and platforms can now output video at 4K resolution, and in some cases, even more. Having the 1080p option as the maximum is also disappointing to see.
And certain parts of the stock library are locked behind a particular level. The Business Platinum level gives you access to absolutely everything while the creator limits you to music and sound effects.
It would have been better if the paid plans offered more than what they’re giving its customers. Below is a demonstration of how you can create a video with Clipchamp using the Basic plan.
How can I create a video on Clipchamp?
For this example, the instructions will create a video based on what is available on the Basic plan. The process is the same for every plan. But with higher-paid plans, you’ll have more tools at your disposal, and thus the results could be better.
That being said, to be able to set up and use Clipchamp with ease, you will need to follow some steps. Below you can observe the entire process.
1. Join the Windows Insider Program
Open the Settings menu on your Windows 11 computer.
Click the Windows Update tab on the left hand side.
In this section, click Windows Insider Program.
Click the Get started button in the upper right corner.
Click Link an account to connect your account to the Insider Program.
Select your account and click Continue.
Select Dev Channel so you can try out the preview build.
Click the Continue button. You may receive a notice that states it is recommended that you only use the Dev Channel if you back up your data. After backing it up, you’ll need manually restore your data.
Click Continue.
You’ll be given the opportunity to read the Insider Program’s agreement and privacy statement. Click Continue.
To start the Insider Program, click Restart now.
Give your computer some time to restart and enter the Insider Program.
2. Download the latest Windows Insider preview build
Go back to the Windows Update section. You will see everything that is going to be added to the Preview Build.
Click Download now in the top right corner.
Give your computer time to download the build.
After downloading,click Restart now to finalize the installation.
Like before, give your computer a short amount of time to install the update.
Restart your computer again to add these updates.
After restarting, your Windows 11 computer will have the app. Open the search bar and search for Clipchamp.
Open it to begin configuration.
3. Configure Clipchamp
Upon launching the app, sign in by creating a new account or use a Gmail account.
Clipchamp will then ask you about what you intend to use the app for, but you can skip it. For this example, Personal will be chosen.
Clipchamp will take you through a tutorial showing you the various features of the app.
From there, you can start making your own videos on Clipchamp.
The Home is where you can start making videos, by starting with a templete or a recording. Or click Create a video in the corner to get started.
The Brand kit tab is a part of the paid aspect portion of Clipchamp, where you can create your own logo, fonts, and color for your business.
The Templates tab show a bigger selection of the templates that you can choose from when starting a video.
If you click on the Settings in the bottom left corner, you’ll be taken to the Settings menu where you can directly connect your app to your Google, Facebook, and Dropbox accounts to save and share your videos.
Open the Clipchamp app on your Windows 11 computer.
You can start by clicking the Create a video button in the top right corner or select a template.
This guide will select a gaming template to start off with.
Here you will see a variety of templates you can choose from for your YouTube channel or Twitch livestream.
The guide will select Reaction YouTube gaming video.
Select the Use this template button.
A sample video will render.
Click on the Plus sign in the upper left hand corner.
A new window will appear where you can drag and drop files or upload them from a Google Drive, Zoom, OneDrive, Dropbox account.
In this example, the video will be gaming reaction video and will need a recording.
You can record your screen by selecting Record your camera or screen.
A recording button will appear from the bottom. If it doesn’t appear, select Screen recording.
Click the Record button and make sure your mic is on so audio can be recorded as well.
If you have multiple monitors, Clipchamp will ask you what you want to share.
Select an option, then click Share system audio to get the audio file.
Click Share.
Clipchamp will start recording your screen. Proceed to record your gaming reaction video as you planned.
Once you’re done, press the Stop sharing button that appeared when you first started to record.
The recording will play back in a preview window. You can either retake the video or select Save and edit.
The recording will be saved to your computer and be automatically uploaded to Clipchamp.
To record yourself, select Camera recording.
A preview of yourself from your computer’s webcam will appear showing you the webcam being used and which microphone your using.
You change the mic and camera being used by clicking on their respective popup menus and selecting something else.
Once you’re done setting up, click the red Record button. Be aware that you’re limited to 30 minutes max.
After you’re done recording yourself, click the Stop button to end and save the video.
The recording will play back as a preview. You can either select to retake the recording or Save and edit.
The file will be saved to your computer and uploaded to Clipchamp automatically.
5. Edit the video
In the timeline, you can get rid of something by clicking it to highlighting it and select the trash can icon.
If you want to cut up your recording, go to where you want the recording to start and double click that point to place the playhead there.
Click the Split button which is the scissors icon to cut the video at that point.
Highlight the part you want to get rid of and click the trash icon to delete it.
Drag the newly edited video portion to where you would like it to be on the timeline, like the beginning of the reaction.
You can add an outro by clicking Templates on the left and choosing an option. Keeping in the tune with the video, the guide will select Gaming.
Clipchamp has a dedicated gaming outro card that you can add. Hovering over it will reveal a green Plus sign that lets you add the template to the timeline.
It’s recommended that you add the outro card at the beginning or after the video has been created, but during editing as Clipchamp will create a new video and you’ll have to start from scratch.
Clicking Music & SFX tab lets you add music to your video.
Hover over it and you will see the same green Plus sign from before to add to timeline.
You can edit the music track like videos. You can speed up or slow down audio, clip it, or trash it.
Once you’re done with editing, click the Export button and a drop down menu will appear with options on which resolution you would like. The Basic plan only allows you to export in 480p.
A preview of the video will. You can create a video link where you can share your video or save to Google Drive/whatever cloud service you have.
You can also directly upload to YouTube.
6. Add stock video, music, and graphics
If you add certain flourishes, click on their respective tab.
Clicking on Stock video opens all the stocks video available.
Hover over the video you want to add and click the green Plus sign to add to your video.
If you want to stretch out or shorten the length the clip, highlight it and click the Speed icon.
Clicking Slow stretches out the length and clicking Fast shortens it.
To add GIFs, click on Graphics on the left.
Select the right facing arrow under GIPHY.
In the search bar, look for whatever GIF you want to add. GIPHY has a pretty extensive service.
Over the GIF you want to add and click the green Plus sign to throw it onto the timeline.
You can place the GIF in the corner by clicking Layout then select Picture in picture.
You adjust the GIF’s place by making a selection in the Position arrangement and the size by dragging the slider.
Clicking Color allows you to adjust the Exposure, Saturation, Temperature, and Contrast of the highlighted section.
Clicking Filters lets you add a filter.
This is was a brief rundown of what Clipchamp is capable of. The purpose was to show how easy and simple it is to record videos on Clipchamp and how easy it is to edit them.
Editing can be a complex procedure that takes a long time, but this app cuts the process down. The amount of time saved using this app cannot be overstated.
Is Clipchamp a good video editing app?
Clipchamp is a pretty good video editor, although there are some weak points in the software. First, it’s incredibly easy to use that even someone who’s never edited a video before can use.
It is so beginner-friendly that anyone looking to venture out into the world of video editing should try out Clipchamp first. The app gives you so many tools to start with. You can create pretty decent videos with it.
Not shown in the step-by-step guide were hints and the tutorial that Clipchamp runs you through to teach you what you have at your disposal. The user interface is clean and marked. Nothing is hidden.
Everything is just a few clicks away. Templates support various types of videos like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook ads, TikTok, holidays, sales videos, and more.
The support for GIPHY is amazing with an almost limitless amount of GIFs at your hands. The stock library alone feels like more should be behind a paywall, but a large portion is free.
It is such a great beginner’s tool, but don’t get it confused with better apps. Clipchamp pales in comparison to software like Vegas Pro or Adobe Premiere which are industry-level video editors.
Third-party apps like that are much more powerful in terms of features, capabilities, and tools. Those set the standard, but Clipchamp is meant for people who are starting, not professionals.
That said, it’s disappointing to see no 4K or even Quad HD resolution as a part of Clipchamp and this is something that pertains to the web browser version as well.
The web browser version and app are identical in every way and are only available on Chrome and Edge. Because of this, Clipchamp on web browser uses CPU resources instead of the GPU which can lead to performance issues.
Just a side note, but important to point out. Also, not supporting 4K resolution is a weird decision since so many websites like YouTube and Twitch allow people to upload videos and stream at that high quality.
People who want to upload to those sites probably won’t be using Clipchamp since it restricts people to such a low resolution. Regardless of what it can’t do, Clipchamp is still a great app.
What else can I look forward to in the latest Insider Preview build?
One of the big new additions is a Microsoft Defender app. It’s only available as a preview for users in the United States, but it’s a security app that brings a Windows 11 security standard to mobile devices and a hub for all your machines.
There’s also Microsoft Family which is a parental control app that establishes barriers of what children can and can’t access. It’ll make sure that children can only access family-friendly websites and keep them safe.
And if you ever run into any issues concerning this latest update, it’s recommended that you uninstall it. You can also try disabling your antivirus software which has been known to clash with Windows in the past.
Pros
Low impact on CPU
User-friendly interface
Large stock of library content
No learning curve
Cons
The base plan limits you to videos at 480p
Maximum quality rate is 1080p
Final Verdict: 4/5
While the low resolution for videos made from Clipchamp is disappointing, the app is pretty good. You have to look at what the purpose of the app is and who is it for? Not for the filmmaker or the tech-savvy person.
Clipchamp is meant for the common layperson who doesn’t want the most high-quality videos or amazing editing tricks. It’s also meant for small businesses who want a simple video editor with some neat tools.
It has succeeded in being Movie Maker 2.0, in that it’s a video editing app that is easy to use, fun, and teaches you how to make videos along the way.
That said, it’s disappointing to see to see the video resolution cap off at 1080p when so many video streaming sites that can do 4K videos. And this isn’t something that Clipchamp is incapable of.
It’s baffling to see this feature not transfer over to the Windows 11 app version, especially when it focuses so heavily on gaming.
Clipchamp has a lot of tools and templates with a focus on YouTube gaming videos and Twitch streams. This is a community that demands high-quality videos and gaming.
Low-resolution videos that won’t allow a game’s quality to shine through are a confusing move on the behalf of Microsoft. Hopefully, Clipchamp adds Full HD and 4K support soon.
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.
eBay is a leading e-commerce platform with a twist. You pay exactly what you feel the right price for a particular item should be.
In other words, eBay focuses on auctions and peer-to-peer sales, and both online merchants, as well as buyers, simply cannot get enough of it.
Now, eBay is an international platform, and has distinct versions for different countries, such as Canada, the UK, Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, India, Sweden, Singapore, Italy, and more.
Payment options are also secure due to their sophisticated anti-fraud systems, a huge bonus for people who actively engage in transaction-making regularly.
Plus, you can always add a VPN for eBay to ensure your sensitive information is impenetrable.
But is it all perfect? Hardly. In fact, many users complained about eBay not accepting credit card payment issues.
As you probably know already, 2 main entities use this online shopping site, the sellers and the buyers, and things are a bit different in terms of payments for each of these categories.
Today, we’re focusing on the buyers and how to solve their declined payment situation. But first, let’s see what eBay has to say about that.
What payment methods does eBay accept?
Credit or debit cards
Gift cards + coupons or eBay Bucks (all offered as part of a reward-based program and that you can redeem during checkout)
Apple Pay
Google Pay
PayPal or PayPal Credit
These are the default options that will appear on every checkout page. These methods are wired to protect both the seller and the buyer against potential fraud attempts, thanks to the eBay Money Back Guarantee.
In addition, the following methods can also be accepted, according to the category of the purchase (and as long as the seller agrees to provide them for their listings):
Checks
Payment orders
Cash on delivery/pickup
For these special cases, there is no money-back guarantee coverage.
Now, payment via credit card is hugely popular, but also more likely to fail. In fact, many users reported their purchase could not go through in regards to various error messages, including:
eBay please check your payment details or use a different payment option
We can’t process your payment. Try again, or select a different payment method
What can I do if eBay won’t accept my payment?
1. Use Payoneer
eBay is now managing payments directly and has partnered with Payoneer. However, this method is only available for sellers.
Its goal is to enable them to receive funds generated from their listings directly in the Payoneer account linked with eBay.
But where does that leave the buyers? What happens if eBay won’t accept payment via credit card or even via PayPal?
If you’re a buyer, you can ask for a physical card from Payoneer and use it to pay for your eBay purchases.
Here’s how to get yourself a Payoneer card:
Open the Payoneer platform and register to create an account or sign in if you already own one.
Next, head over to Settings and Payoneer Cards.
Click the Order Card menu and follow the prompts on the screen to complete your request.
NOTE
There is also an eligibility condition to consider when requesting a physical Payoneer card.
This criterion refers to the minimum amount of payments received in your Payoneer account in the last 6 months. Don’t worry, everything will be clearly explained if you happen to encounter this particular situation.
What else should I know?
A Payoneer card is a physical or virtual Mastercard debit card that can be used both in stores and online
The delivery can take up to 25 business days
You can choose to receive your card via expedite shipping for an extra fee (you Payoneer account balance must cover the fee)
2. Use Revolut
While sellers can opt for various integrations, including eBay & Revolut combinations to receive their payouts, things are much simpler for buyers.
All you need is a Revolut card (preferably physical, not virtual) that you will be able to use on the eBay checkout page in order to complete your purchase successfully.
Here’s how to get yourself a Revolut card:
Register on the Revolut platform (you can either access the Revolut website via desktop or download the Revolut app from your mobile platform store).
Insert the required details in order to complete the registration.
Once your user account is set up and you are logged in, go to the Cards tab.
Next, hit the Add card button, and select Debit.
Complete your order (delivery method and delivery address along with any other details including the preferred payment method to cover the delivery).
What else should I know?
You can use your Revolut card to make international payments without extra charge
Revolut cards can be either Visa or Mastercard cards
Your Revolut card is a prepaid card (not a credit card)
There you go; now you have two safe and tested methods to pay for your online purchases if eBay won’t accept payment via credit card.
No app that is 100% error-free has been invented yet, so occasional hiccups may come along. Don’t worry, if your Revolut login is not working, we will be able to assist you.
For any other questions, feel free to access the comments section below and leave us a note.
Chromebooks are plentiful these days, with some premium Chromebooks being cheaper than Windows laptops. Even lower-end Chromebooks might perform better than a Windows system. So, if you’re in need of a laptop but don’t want to spend a lot of money on a new Windows device, yet are used to the Microsoft ecosystem, here are some tips on how you can turn a Chromebook into a “Microsoft Book” of sorts.
Tip 1: Use Microsoft Edge
Our first tip involves avoiding using Google Chrome. If you really want to turn your Chromebook into a Microsoft Book, you can opt to use Microsoft Edge on the device instead. You’ll first need to make sure your new Chromebook supports Linux, as using Edge on a Chromebook involves the Linux version of the browser.
Once you can confirm that, it’s as simple as setting up Linux on your Chromebook, downloading the .DEB version of Edge, and launching it from your ChromeOS launcher. Keep in mind, though, that this Linux version of Edge has some limits on ChromeOS. The webcam might not work, and neither will the touch keyboard on tablet devices. We have a guide that might help.
Tip 2: Use OneDrive storage
Next up is a tip involving Cloud storage. While Google prefers you use Google Drive on a Chromebook, you also can use OneDrive, too. Just confirm your Chromebook supports the Google Play Store, and then download the Android version of OneDrive. From there, sign in with your Microsoft Account in the app. Allow the OneDrive app to sync, and then close it and open it again.
You should then open up the Files app on your Chromebook. Look in the sidebar, and you’ll see a new “OneDrive” section. From here, you can browse your OneDrive files, open pictures, and save them to your Chromebook. Do note, though, that OneDrive is read-only, so you can’t write files to the storage via the Files app. If you want to save files to your OneDrive, you’ll need to open the Android app manually and upload it into a folder from there.
Tip 3: Use Office PWAs
Third up is a tip involving apps you might use for work or school on a Chromebook. Though Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, are the default on Chromebooks, you can still manually use Microsoft’s own apps, too. Just create progressive web app versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint. We have a guide which can help. Using Office.com is even simpler, as it links out to all these Microsoft Office apps you might want or need. It’ll be your one-stop-shop for Microsoft on your Chromebook.
Tip 4: Use the Microsoft Teams PWA
Naturally, if you use Teams for work or school, you might head to the Google Play Store and download the Android version of Teams on your Chromebook. That version of the app is great, but to get the true “Microsoft Book” experience, you’ll want to create a PWA version of Teams. Our guide covered this in-depth, but the PWA version of Teams looks and feels more like what you’d expect from a Windows desktop app.
Tip 5: Run Windows through the web
Our last tip is one that jumps through some hoops a bit. While so far we’ve focused on how you can run Microsoft apps and services on a Chromebook, we also have some advice for how you can run Windows on the system, too. This one is a bit more technical. You’ll need an actual Windows PC for this to work, but if you have one, you can end up running Windows through the web.
Our previous guide looked at this in detail. Just install the Chrome Remote Desktop extension in Chrome on a PC, download the required program and head back to Chrome Remote Desktop. You’ll then be able to enjoy Windows remotely. As for running Windows natively on your Chromebook, there are options. You can try out Parallels Desktop for Chromebook Enterprise, though you’ll have to have a higher-end system. There are also ways to install Windows in a virtual machine, yet it isn’t exactly for novice users and doesn’t always work on Chromebooks.
The best of all worlds
As you can tell, Microsoft is no longer just on Windows as it was in olden times. The company is open to having its services on all platforms. We’ve put together similar guides on how you can use Microsoft apps on an iPhone or iPad, and how you can live the Windows Phone life on Android. If you have your own tips, let us know in the comments below.
Many people confuse PC user monitoring tools with spyware. All spy agents use computer monitoring techniques, but not all PC monitoring tools are spyware. It depends on the reasons why you’re resorting to such a tool: to limit the time spent in front of the computer and to restrict access to certain applications or to invade someone’s privacy by monitoring and logging their activity.
Few scenarios make it acceptable to install monitoring software on someone’s computer.
For instance, you can set up a parental control lock to monitor your kids’ activity on the PC and block access to content-sensitive sites. The goal is to protect the online identity of your children and prevent them from accessing websites they’re too young for.
A PC monitoring tool can also be installed on an employee’s workstation to block access to sites unrelated to work, like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Netflix. It’s common practice, even for work-from-home employees.
The best PC monitoring tools give you versatile options. For instance, you can set up a scheduler that allows taking a break from working or studying. What sets it apart from spyware is that the child or employee is aware of the monitor.
Many programs give you the possibility to keep track of someone’s computer. But we found and handpicked the top 5.
If you are an employer and you’re looking to get a more in-depth look at what your employees are doing during working hours, ActivTrak is the perfect solution for your needs.
The software allows users to monitor a few employees’ computers at once and it also manages to provide detailed reports regarding the users’ activity.
ActivTrack lets you capture screenshots of the devices you monitor. You can access this feature from a remote workstation regardless of location.
With the Image Redaction feature, you will be able to keep your private information safe.
ActivTRack gives you real time reports that inform on what is happening on your system.
It provides comprehensive information about the application used, online activity and system usage.
Here are the key features of ActivTrack:
Using ActivTrack, you will be able to protect systems and networks by restricting the access to malicious or unsavory websites.
With this tool, you will be able to understand and enhance your employees’ productivity.
You can record statistics on how and when applications are used.
ActivTrack generates charts visualizing the time that was spent on various apps.
This tool can be installed remotely if your company is using ActiveDirectory.
ActivTrak is a handy business development tool that offers user behavior analytics, and it comes with a really user-friendly interface.
It’s also straightforward to install, and it will be able to enhance both security and performance.
The tool will start gathering data in a few minutes after you install it. All the data will be stored securely on Amazon Cloud.
You can find out about ActivTrak’s features by heading over to its official website.
ActivTrak
Understand and enhance employee activity with the behavior analytics provided by ActivTrak.
TimeDoctor is an employee productivity app with various monitoring and ranking features. It can, however, be used individually as a tool to track& boost productivity.
It comes with elaborate time-tracking which can be used both on PC and mobile devices. The tracker generates reports about time spent on certain projects or tasks.
To get started, you just have to create a task and the employee will press an on/off button which will automatically record the time he/she spends on that task.
It can also automatically monitor employee activity without any manual interventions from the users. Just make sure your employees download the software and connect to your business’s workspace.
TimeDoctor provides instant productivity percentages for each day of the week. Moreover, it also provides an overview of all your projects and the total time spent on them.
The tracker also creates reports on time spent on unproductive apps and websites such as YouTube, Solitaire, or Facebook. This is of great help in figuring out ways to boost productivity.
Other key features of TimeDoctor include:
Distraction Alerts for excessive use of social media or other unproductive apps/websites
Provides automated screenshots of user’s activity
Offline time-tracking
Private & Secure sessions with SSL encryption & customizable user permissions
Project management features
Integrates popular employee apps like Trello, GitHub, Asana, Basecamp, Slack, QuickBooks, and more
TimeDoctor is a paid service with 3 types of subscription plans based on the size of your business and integrated features. You can try all plans for free for 14 days. No credit card information is needed.
TimeDoctor
Monitor usage, get complex reports and manage projects across PC and mobile devices with just one easy-to-use and safe tool.
SpyAgent is award-winning spy software that has been available on the market for more than 17 years. This tool can run in stealth mode, so your kids or employees will not know that they are being monitored.
SpyAgent’s amazing set of features will invisibly monitor all computer usage and Internet activity, and it packs over 15 computer monitoring tools.
Here are the key features of SpyAgent:
SpyAgent allows you to control your kids’ Internet while at the same time still allowing them to enjoy their time online.
This is a reliable and affordable parental control software that can view transcripts of sent and received emails.
You can also have a look at messaging conversations and activity on social media.
Even if this program may seem a bit challenging to download and set, once you get the hang of things, it will be a piece of cake to use it.
You can adjust filter settings and view activity reports according to your preferences.
You will also be able to set the software to monitor activity only at certain times.
This program comes with various reporting capabilities including reports delivered via email and remote reporting.
Activity logs including screenshots can be filtered based on elements such as specific websites, time of day, restricted access attempts and also keystrokes.
You will be able to download any reports and then save it to your system for later study.
TheOneSpy is one of the most advanced spy apps for computers, tablets, and smartphones. Using this software, you will be able to sneak into any device anytime without getting caught.
This tool comes with a lot of useful and interesting features for monitoring devices.
Here are the key features of TheOneSpy:
The program has a lot of features for tracking, spying, remote monitoring, spy chat, and remote control.
You will be able to keep an eye on your employees or kids without them knowing it.
TheOneSpy allows you to monitor and listen to live surroundings because you can remotely activate the cell phone microphone.
You can also listen to cell phone conversations online.
This tool offers you the ability to remotely share live screens and view live visuals by using the spy camera app.
This is an excellent cell phone monitoring and computer spy software that you can hide on the devices without leaving any noticeable track.
All the information on the targeted device is automatically updated on the TheOneSpy user control panel, and you can access it by logging into your personalized user login from any system, and anytime you want.
There are a lot more cutting-edge and exclusive features that are packed in this tool, which you can explore right away.
These are our top picks regarding software to keep track of computer use and all these tools are compatible with Windows and pack some great sets of features and advantages.
It’s important to remember that monitoring another person’s computer without their knowledge or permission can be a federal crime, so make sure that you are aware of the very few specific conditions in which you are allowed to do this.
It’s best to consider all things involved before you proceed.
Keeping your children safe on the Internet is the primary goal of any parent. Today, children are bombarded by technology and have very premature access to a world of information that they are not always able to manage due to age and maturity.
If you want to protect your children online, you should limit their time on the PC, and today, we’ll show you the best software to limit time spent on the computer.
These tools will let you set up time limitations as well as time intervals that allow or block online browsing.
You can block specific websites and applications, censor bad words, prevent your child from giving away personal information online, and more.
These tools include other valuable parenting tools such as a location tracker, and some offer support for e-learning platforms, ensuring your child is connected to all courses and not surfing on the web.
On the podium, we find Qustodio, a software that installs on all devices for both parents and children, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
Mom and dad can use the mobile app or the Family Portal online to monitor kids’ activity in real-time. We can know how much time children spend online and precisely on what sites or applications.
We can set limits for games and apps or completely block those we don’t want them to use.
The application has 29 filters that inappropriate content, even in private browsing mode. Through Qustodio we can monitor the time spent on social networks, calls, and messages and block any contacts we don’t want to reach our children.
And if there is an emergency, the kids can send you a notification thanks to the panic button, which tells the parents their position in real time.
The platform is compatible with multiple Windows, Mac, and Chromebook computers. Parents can also verify mobile device activities for Android and iOS, plus screen time and progress reports from Kindle.
This app can also track calls and text messages on mobile phones. You can see call history and read texts. You can also block specific contacts.
Other key features of Qustodio include:
Locate family feature
Set up SOS and alerts
Graph reports on overall activity
Qustodio is a subscription-based service with multiple plans, depending on the number of devices you want to connect.
Qustodio
Monitor time spent on applications, verify activity, and get real-time alerts on computers and mobile devices.
Surely, you’ve already heard of Norton as an antivirus. However, the Family version was also developed to protect minors, preventing them from accessing inappropriate content and apps.
You can set filters and time limits, planning specific times of the day or week at which children can use the PC and Android or iOS devices.
In addition, you can receive reports by e-mail or view them online and monitor your child’s activity closely.
The application also gives the possibility to check text message exchange and the use of social networks.
The software will also generate a list of blocked websites the children have tried to visit, allowing you to closely monitor their activity.
Norton Family allows parents to manage remote learning activities. You can enter your child’s schooling schedule. The app will temporarily block distractions in this interval.
It also supports GPS-powered location verification to permanently access your child’s whereabouts.
Other key features of the Norton Family include:
Web use monitoring
Mobile and desktop device supervision
Compatible with Windows and macOS devices
Norton Family is a subscription-based service with a 30-day free trial included.
Norton Family
Supervise your child’s online activity, set restrictions, and access live localization information.
Our next recommendation includes award-winning parental control features for offline and online device monitoring.
The tool has screen monitoring and time controls that let you set a limited number of hours per day.
Once the limit is reached, the device will be blocked, and your child will not be able to use it anymore.
Another helpful feature is scheduling when to block devices, such as school or homework intervals.
You can also filter the websites that can be accessed and block inappropriate or dangerous content or applications.
You can also create a list of apps requiring your permission before opening. Kaspersky has an advanced GSP tracking feature that shows your child’s location in real time.
You can set up the area you want your children to stay in, and the software will immediately send a notification in case they leave that location.
Other key features of Kaspersky Safe Kids include:
YouTube monitoring
Blocks certain search requests
Battery tracker
Real-time alerts
Kaspersky Safe Kids has a free, limited version and a subscription-based one with monthly charges.
Kaspersky Safe Kids
Limit and secure your child’s online activity, track location device battery, and get real-time alerts whenever something unexpected happens.
Net Nanny includes the most important protection tools to block dangerous content online. It has 18 filter categories to help parents quickly limit access to websites that cover various inappropriate topics.
In order to keep track of your child’s activity, the program sends you an email alert if the child enables a proxy or a private server to hide online searches.
One of the most exclusive and curious features of Net Nanny is blocking bad words on sites so that kids can’t read them. It also prevents them from typing in search fields and chat messages.
For example, you can change words into funny emoticons while typing them, or the program can completely delete them.
Net Nanny sends a notification to parents when the lousy word was typed. The software also includes time control, so you can limit the amount of time your kids spend on the PC.
Among the cons of Net Nanny is that some essential tools, such as social media monitoring and the acquisition of chat messages, require the purchase of a separate program that works together with the filter.
Other key features of NetNanny include:
Track location
YouTube monitoring
App and website blocker
The software is available for Mac and Windows, Android, and iOS.
This application comes with a clear and friendly user interface allowing you to set up a time limit for each user on the PC. As for time limitations, you can set weekly or daily limitations with just a few clicks.
The application has an event and screenshot log, so you can easily see which websites or applications are your kids using at all times. It’s also worth mentioning that Time Boss has a stealth mode, so users won’t even know that it’s running.
The tool lets you manually select computer usage time limitations. You can always add additional time or reduce the remaining time.
The tool is password-protected, so only you can access the data and reports provided by Time Boss.
Other key features of Time Boss include:
Internet filter
Limit users with administrator right
Monitor InPrivate and Incognito browser modes
Time Boss can restrict access to certain system settings or applications, and block any website with just a few clicks. It’s worth mentioning that a single copy of this tool can work on 3 different PCs, so if you’re looking for an application to manage PC usage, be sure to consider Time Boss.
There are lots of advantages of installing a dictionary app on your PC. There are both online, and offline dictionaries, and some of them also support multiple languages.
Advanced dictionary software also supports translation tasks, not only clear definitions of words.
Having an online dictionary with you at all times is great convenience.
Google’s ‘define’ search feature is probably one of the quickest and the most convenient ways to look up a word, but it is only beneficial when you have an Internet connection at your disposal.
Fortunately, there are plenty of apps that allow you to look up definitions even when you are offline.
Benefits of having a dictionary software
This sort of app will improve your work efficiency and flow to the maximum point. There are lots of dictionary apps that are considered 100% accurate.
This means that there will be no inappropriate results for any words that users insert into the apps. On the other hand, some apps will often mistranslate certain words.
When you need to find the exact meaning of a particular word, dictionary tools come in very handy. Today, these tools can be used for online purposes, but also when you’re offline.
Once you downloaded and install the dictionary software, you will always find the words that you want without having to connect to the Internet.
Some dictionary apps also offer example sentences or extra content, such as grammar, tips, phrases, idioms, slang dictionaries, and more.
There are also dictionary apps that support text to speech if you are not really sure how to pronounce a particular word the right way.
Dictionary apps are also useful for people who are trying to acquire new vocabulary skills, or for English language students.
Here are five of the best and of most useful dictionary software that you can easily download and use on your Windows 10 PC.
Ultralingua English Dictionary&Thesaurus is more than a simple dictionary.
Besides simple definitions, this extraordinary dictionary can conjugate verbs, allow you to choose synonyms and antonyms, and has special tools that will guide you wisely while using this tool.
Here are some of the most important features of this dictionary:
Click any word in a definition so you can study it
Conjugate all English verbs
Create hotkeys in order to define English words in an email, PDF files, web-browser
Create flashcards to memorize vocabulary lists, verb forms, etc.
You can try it for free from the official webpage as it has a full trial for 10 days. By using it, you will browse through 85000 entries, more than 300.000 definitions, and 65.000 synonyms.
The dictionary also gives you the possibility to surf through example phrases, idioms, and expressions according to geographic specificities. Try this tool and let us know in the comment section if this is a must-have dictionary.
Ultralingua English Dictionary&Thesaurus
Have this comprehensive dictionary software to learn and practice the English language whenever you need to.
This is an intuitive and fast English thesaurus app that has numerous words and expressions you can learn right on your Windows PC.
Firstly, this application contains multiple entries and definitions for every English word you need to learn. With 220,000 word definitions, there’s no way you can’t find the sense of most words.
Other features promised by this dictionary tool will help the user with lots of pronunciation guidelines, 30,000 words etymologies, or multiple usage samples.
On the same note, you have human voice audio support for a better understanding of more complex English words that requires more attention.
You can use this Microsoft app in a very simple way, as a sidebar on your desktop. Every time you need to search specific terms you can multitask with other windows on your PC.
It’s good to know that WordBook is specially created for Windows 8 OS, yet it can be used for different versions up to Windows 10.
WordBook
Grow your language proficiency using this complete dictionary application right on your Windows device.
This tool promises to be the world’s most comprehensive dictionary. Using it, you can search multiple English dictionaries, and you will be able to find various extensive definitions, audio and phonetic pronunciations, etymologies, usage sentences, and much more.
This is also an Offline English dictionary and thesaurus, but you must be aware of the fact that the offline content must be downloaded separately using an Internet connection before the offline mode will be available for access.
With this tool, you can get in-depth info from specialty dictionaries such as legal, medical, acronyms, financial, idioms, and even Wikipedia. You will be able to quickly and easily toggle between them by using the source icons.
You can access dictionaries in 13 more languages including French, Spanish, Italian, German, Portuguese, Chinese, Norwegian, Dutch, Arabic, Greek, Polish, Turkish, and Russian.
You are able to translate English words into over 40 languages that range from Afrikaans and Arabic to Urdu and Vietnamese and dozens of other translation options.
Using this tool you will be able to learn something new every day thanks to the fresh daily content including the following: Word of the Day, The Day in History, Idiom of the Day, Quote of the Day, and much more.
You can browse multiple thesaurus sources, featuring synonyms, antonyms, related words, and also pictures. You will get the opportunity of using Advanced Search options including “Starts with,” “Ends with” and more.
The app lets you share your favorite words and articles via email and social networking websites such as Twitter and Facebook.
The app’s interface is multilingual, and you can navigate it in a dozen languages. You can also log in to sync your bookmarks and track your learning. The tool allows you to play games in multiple languages when you’re bored.
You can customize your homepage including a personalized Horoscope, local Weather and more. It lets you add unlimited bookmarks, jump to Definitions, Translations, and Thesaurus with just one button.
You have the ability to look up the definition of any word on the page with the highlight feature, and you can also create tiles for homepage content like Word of the Day and much more.
You can view the recent search history and remove all ads with the help of the Ad-free Upgrade option.
This is one of the most comprehensive offline dictionaries on Windows Phone. You can search multiple dictionaries from a massive database in over 50 languages.
The tool features automatic word suggestions such as enabling dictionaries while typing. It also offers you the ability to see the history of your previously searched words and to remove the history any time you want to.
You can choose to mark words as Favorite and pin them to the start screen. You can play audio pronunciations of words.
When you first launch the app, your first order of business will be to select a dictionary to use in your translations or your searches. You just have to tap on the download button to dive deeper into things and to pick your language.
The tool supports more than 50 languages that can be translated from or to.
Each language may feature various dictionaries to choose from, and dictionary download sizes typically are in the neighborhood of one to 50 MB.
You will be able to download as many dictionaries as your Windows Phone storage will allow and as you search for a word, the entire dictionary database that was downloaded will be scanned.
The tool also offers you the option to install dictionaries from your microSD card.
Once you downloaded a dictionary database, the Perfect Dictionary’s interface will turn out to be as straightforward as possible. At the top of the main page, you will find a word search field that will help you find the word that you are looking for.
As you type, automatic suggestions will appear beneath every dictionary heading, and after you see the word that you are looking for, you have to tap it for translation.
In case the dictionary doesn’t have the translation for the particular word that you are looking for, it will just not be displayed.
This is a comprehensive English dictionary and thesaurus that offers users various useful and in some cases a few unusual search tools. This project is rooted in research, and this tool is a research instrument.
The developers are linguists with many interests in the field. Among these interests are word knowledge and also vocabulary acquisition. The tool’s developers have first created this project to serve their own investigative concerns.
Their colleagues then asked for copies, and this is the way that the whole thing started. Eventually, they were contacted by complete strangers, and the initial public release of the tool is over a decade old.
The software inherited its core wide-ranging scope from Princeton’s George Armitage Miller WordNet of which it has already become a branch.
The tool has continually grown by leaps and bounds following its own path and becoming different from its progenitor in most ways.
The scope of this dictionary is that of English as an international language. The software contains entries from dialects from all over the world including their variant senses and spelling.
The definitions of the words are written using American English for more consistency.
The requests and the ports have consistently increased over the years, and this was a natural consequence of the fragmentation of the operating system landscape brought by the mobile revolution.
Another great thing about this tool is that it is provided for free as it always has been. Most English language-lovers and also casual users appreciate the value of this project and everyone supports its continuing development on Windows and more platforms.
The Sage consists of two different systems including a multi-tool interface and a knowledge database.
The knowledge database consists of a tightly integrated English dictionary and thesaurus.
TheSage’s index contains more than 250,000 words and its dictionary has approximately 315,000 senses, 69,000 etymologies, 55,000 examples of use, and 75,000 phonetic transcriptions.
TheSage’s thesaurus includes approximately 1,850,000 relationships between words and definitions, from synonyms and antonyms to hypernyms, hyponyms, meronyms, holonyms, etc.
The interface allows you to extract and collect data from the knowledge database in a variety of ways. This is accomplished with the tools shown in the left Navigation panel.
The software was created to be used by all kinds of language researchers and pedagogues seeking to carry out certain linguistic analyses.
This is a free offline dictionary for Windows, and it contains a German – English dictionary and more dictionaries including Spanish, French, Italian, Japanese, Chinese, Kurdish, Turkish, Arabic, and Norwegian.
You can also import your own wordlists, and you can then use them in parallel with the already existing dictionaries. For each dictionary, there is a user dictionary that can be defined to include additional wordlists.
You don’t have to pay anything for this tool, as it is free of cost. It offers you the possibility to search for the beginning, the ending, and the middle part of a particular word and you can also find collocations.
The activation is possible with a customizable HotKey, and this offers automatic search for a tagged word or a word from the clipboard. The software also provides a list of your latest searches and the possibility to download on a USB flash drive.
You can use the tool when you are offline as well, and it gives you the opportunity to transcript phonetically many English words.
The user interface is in German and in English, and you have direct links to look up words on Wikipedia and lots of search engines.
LingoPad is a software that takes up less storage than many software in the section Science & education software. It’s a program very heavily used in the United States, Indonesia, and Cameroon.
The software can look up words in virtually any program with just one click, and all you have to do is hold down the Ctrl-key and right-click on the word.
In case you are online, with one extra click you can also search web references such as Wikipedia, for instance. The hotkey can be customized, or you can also use a keyboard shortcut.
If you are ending a document, you can also select a synonym and replace the look-up word. WordWeb features the option to highlight the widely used synonyms, and this is perfect for helping you write correct and clear easy-to-understand English.
You’re looking for a particular part of speech? You can click on the Verb, Noun, Adjective, or Adverb buttons to show only the relevant synonyms and the related words. To look at a particular sense you can click on the sense number.
Browsing around the related words is very simple, and all you have to do is click on the tabs for synonyms and antonyms, parts, anagrams, and so on.
In case you want to see the definition for one of the related words, just double-click on that particular word, you can also use the back and forward buttons.
Related words also have the – and + buttons so that they can be more or less specific. For instance, in case you look at similar words, maybe you’d like to see words that are more loosely related.
You will be able to do exactly this by pressing the + button.
More than using the comprehensive English dictionary and thesaurus supplied by this cool tool, in case you are online, you can also search your choice of web references.
Every reference is on a separate tabbed page for easy cross-referencing. The list of tabs can be customized to use your favorite references. You should know that Wikipedia. Some online dictionaries are installed by default.
You also have the option of getting third-party dictionaries including the Oxford Chamber and Collins dictionaries, and they will be shown on separate tabs like the web references.
In this digital era of photography, digital cameras and computer systems go hand-in-hand in the production of quality photographic shots. The main question here is: how does digital camera sync with a PC? What pops up is the term tethering.
And that is what we’ll be treated in this article. Basically, we are going to be looking at some of the best photo tethering software, any of which can be employed to synchronize digital cameras with computer systems.
Today, most of the beautiful scenes and photos you see around are refined works of specialized computer software, which have been designed to improve picture quality.
Simply put, a photographer takes a shot, exports the shot into his computer, edits, and puts final touches to it. The channel/process of importing photos from a camera into a computer is what we call “photo tethering”.
There is a set of tools, which are specially designed to facilitate this procedure. These tools are collectively referred to as “photo tethering software”. And we’ll be looking at five of the – best photo tethering software – in this article.
What is tethering software?
Essentially, photo tethering refers to the process of connecting a digital camera (or smartphone) to a computer system via a USB cable or a wireless setup. The primary aim is to transfer camera shots into the computer for final retouching, editing, or manipulation.
Using tethering software can exponentially improve the process of managing your photos.
Whether you’re an advanced photographer or just starting, seeing your photos at full resolution on the PC will certainly help you.
You can watch your images as you shoot them and easily select the best ones using your device, either desktop, laptop, or tablet.
If you wonder how to begin using tethering software, here is what you need:
A camera tethering software that supports image transfer.
A compatible USB cable to connect your camera with the PC.
Efficient tethering software to manage your photos.
Note: Not all digital cameras support tethered photography. Hence, we’ll be basing our compilation on only supported cameras.
Best photo tethering tools to organize your camera photos on PC
You all probably know Lightroom as one of the best photo management tools out there.
Guess what? It also stands out as one of the best photo tethering software available. The software is supported on Windows computers.
Lightroom’s tethering functionality is flexibly designed to support about 50+ cameras, including those manufactured by Canon, Nikon, Leica, and others.
It easily imports photos taken by these cameras, and subsequently evaluates (and adjusts) its focus, lighting, and overall quality.
Key features of Lightroom tethering software include photo import, instant view, direct camera settings (from via a tethered system), photo tagging, zooming, 50+ DSLR support, photo rating, lighting adjustment, multi-format image support (including RAW), and more.
Other notable features of Lightroom include Built-in storage (up to 10 TB), HDR support, Color management, Photo library, Image sharing, Smart preview, keywords, and many more.
Adobe Lightroom
Be a professional photographer using Adobe Lightroom to thoughtfully sync your camera with the PC.
Capture One Pro is a popular RAW image manipulation software, which hosts a powerful set of tethering features. The software hosts exclusive support for only Windows and Mac operating systems.
Furthermore, it houses wide tethering support for a host of camera brands, including Canon, Sony, Fuji, Panasonic, Mamiya, Nikon, Olympus, and Phase One (Capture One developer). This makes it an all-inclusive tool, which is ideal for various classes of photographers.
Capture One Pro stands out as one of the best photo tethering software for Windows, with a unique tethering feature that allows it to access camera settings and modify them directly.
With this, you are able to streamline all your photographic workflow on a single platform, thereby improving your operational efficiency and overall productivity.
Basically, the photo tethering/management software allows you to transfer captured shots, from your digital camera to your Windows PC. And then ensure every photo editing, colorizing, and another photo management function is executed right on Capture One Pro’s platform.
Capture One Pro, aside from being a standard photo tethering software, is an all-around photo manipulation/management/editing tool.
Helicon Remote is a versatile photo tethering software, flexibly designed to run on all major computer systems and mobile platforms.
The software is widely compatible with Macbook and Windows PC, as well as Android and iOS mobile platforms. However, it hosts exclusive tethering support for only Nikon and Canon digital cameras.
In addition, Helicon Remote hosts an easy-to-navigate UI, which affords you the opportunity of taking tethered shots with unimaginable convenience.
Furthermore, the software features a powerful set of built-in manipulation tools, which enable you to take tethered shots, view and edit those shots directly on a synchronized PC.
Helicon Remote is available in three major options. These options are:
Helicon Remote Multi-platform
Helicon Remote Mobile
or Helicon Remote Mobile (for Focus Pro users)
There is also a free trial edition, for a period of one month, prior to full package purchase.
darktable is another top-rated photo tethering software, which doubles as a RAW converter. It is one of the most widely used apps for streamlining photographic workflow, with exclusive support for the three major computer operating systems: Linux, Mac, and Windows.
Also, darktable hosts exclusive support for virtually all major brands of cameras, including Sony, Canon, Fujifilm, and Nikon among others, with general support for over 50 digital cameras.
It basically facilitates the synchronization of DLSR with PC and consequently simplifies the transfer of RAW photos between both media (from DSLR to PC).
Notable features of darktable include Tethered shooting, Live view, GPU-accelerated photo processing (OpenCL- enhanced), Color management, Zoomable UI, Multi-format support (RAW inclusive), Advanced editing, Optimized photo export, Framing, Split toning, Color balance, Multilingual support (20+ languages) and many more.
The darktable photographic workflow/photo tethering software is an open-source program; hence, it is available for free download.
TetherPro is one of the first sets of digital tethering tools to be developed. It was originally designed for Nikon digital cameras, before expanding support to Canon and other top DSLR models.
The software currently hosts exclusive support for only Windows.
TetherPro features a customizable UI, which can easily be tailored to suit your photographic workflow.
Furthermore, it features a powerful tagging setup, as well as a unique remote control system that allows you to modify your camera settings, directly from a connected system.
Other noteworthy features of TetherPro include LiveView, accept/reject/maybe photo tagging system, full-screen review, remote control, image security, free lifetime upgrades, money-back guarantee, and more.
As a photographer, you can best use photo tethering software to manage all your shots by transferring them to your PC.
This improved workflow will highly support you to organize and edit your images efficiently. Then, you can see your shots on a bigger screen immediately after you take them.
In this way, you have the chance to analyze your best shots directly on your PC, plus observe potential issues with lighting or composition.
What’s more, using tethering tools offers the opportunity to get professional shots quicker and eliminate long photo sessions.
Conclusion
In this guide, we listed and described five of the best photo tethering software in the market, specifically those compatible with Windows operating systems.
These tools facilitate the synchronization of DSLRs (digital cameras) with PCs (or Macbooks) and streamline your entire photographic workflow.
Therefore, if you are a photographer who is in need of photo tethering software, the above-outlined tools are the recommended ones for you.
Sleep is important for any system, whether it is your own body or your computer. So when you’re missing sleep option on your computer, it can be equally frustrating.
Here’s how this issue manifests itself, according to our readers and following our own experiments:
Windows 10 no sleep option, only hibernate (Thay may be similar, but they are 2 different power modes with different roles. Find out more about Hibernate vs Sleep in Windows).
Some of the reasons why may not be able to put your computer to sleep include:
The video card on your computer doesn’t support sleep
Your system administrator manages some settings
Sleep and other power-saving states are not enabled on your computer’s BIOS
If you already restarted your PC and installed the latest Windows 10 updates, yet the issue persists, follow the troubleshooting listed below to restore the missing sleep option in Windows 10.
What can I do if the sleep option is missing in Windows 10?
Select Display Adapters and click to expand the list then check for the adapter name
Right-click on the name of your adapter and select Update Driver Software
Select Search automatically for updated driver software
Restart your computer see if it fixes the USB WiFi adapter is not connecting to the internet issue
If you don’t have any driver updates available, right-click on the graphics card driver and click Uninstall, then restart your computer.
2.2. Use a dedicated third-party driver updater
In case you install the wrong driver version, your PC might become damaged good. So it’s recommended that you install a dedicated driver updater, such as Outbyte Driver Updater to prevent this from happening.
Outbyte Driver Updater helps detect and update outdated drivers efficiently. The scanning speed is excellent and you will see your drivers’ status in no time.
And if you want to get the latest updates in real-time, then this tool also has an auto driver update that you can easily activate.
Let’s take a look at some of the key features:
Updates and detects any outdated drivers.
Scans your device fast.
Huge database with the latest manufactrer drivers
Outbyte Driver Updater
The sleep option is missing in Windows 10? Use Outbyte Driver Updater to easily update drivers!
Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator
Click Yes to confirm
At the prompt, type powercfg –restoredefaultschemes and press Enter
This will reset the power plan settings to default. Any customized power plans will be removed, so check if you’re getting the sleep option after resetting the power settings.
Does the power plan keep changing by itself? Don’t worry, we’ve got a dedicated fix guide about that.
5. Make Group Policy changes
Right-click Start
Select Run
Type gpedit.msc
Click OK
Type User ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesStart Menu and Taskbar
Double click Remove and Prevent access to the Shut Down command
Select Sound Video and Game controllers and click to expand the list then choose the graphics/video card.
Right-click the graphics/video card, and then select Properties.
In Properties, select the Driver tab
Select Roll Back Driver, then follow the prompts
If the button is unavailable, that means there’s no driver to roll back to.
After the rollback works, you’ll have to prevent Windows from automatically updating the driver in the future. To do that, just follow this step-by-step guide.
8. Uninstall and reinstall the driver
Right-click Start
Select Control Panel
Click Programs icon
Select the name of your Display Drivers
Click Change/Remove or Add/Remove button
Confirm that you wish to continue with the uninstall
Once driver files have uninstalled, restart your computer to complete the uninstallation
Turn on your computer and reinstall the graphics/video card driver
Driver files should be uninstalled before you update to newer drivers, or when removing an older graphics/video card and replacing it with a new one.
You can’t open Control Panel? Take a look at this step-by-step guide to find a solution.
Performing a clean boot for your computer reduces conflicts related to software that can bring up the root causes of sleep options missing in Windows 10.
These conflicts can be caused by applications and services that start up and run in the background whenever you start Windows normally.
You will have a clean boot environment after all these steps are carefully followed, after which you can try and check if the sleep option is restored.
If you want to know how to add or remove startup apps on Windows 10, check out thissimple guide.
Click Create a restore point in the list of search results
Enter your administrator account password or grant permissions if prompted to
In the System Restore dialog box, click Choose a different restore point
Click Next
Click a restore point created before you experienced the problem
Click Next
Click Finish
Restoring doesn’t affect your personal files. It however removes apps, drivers, and updates installed after the restore point was created.
If you’re interested in more info on how to create a restore point and how would that help you, take a look at thissimple article to find out everything you need to know.
Did any of these solutions work? Drop your comment in the section below and let us know your experience.
Xbox allows you to enjoy online multiplayer with millions of other players, but sometimes there might be some issues with online multiplayer.
Users experienced For this game you need to be online Xbox error on their console, and since this error can prevent you from playing games online, today we’re going to show you how to fix it.
Why am I getting for this game you need to be online 0x803f9008 error?
Account error can also give you Xbox error 0x803F8001, and if that happens, you might want to check your settings or reinstall the game.
In case you get Person who bought this needs to sign in message, it’s possible that you have issues with your payment information, so you need to update it.
Here are some more examples of this issue:
For this game you need to be online Fortnite – Some Fortnite players have recently reported this problem. Nevertheless, you can still apply the solutions from this article.
For this game you need to be online if you re on this Xbox regularly – A very similar error message. Once again the same solutions apply.
Xbox One error 0x803f9008 – This is a common Xbox One error code, that basically means the same.
The person who bought this needs to sign in – This is actually a sign-in error, but it occurs when you launch a certain game.
How can I fix the Xbox error: For this game you need to be online?
Solution 1 – Restart your router/modem
Sometimes this error can appear due to problems with network configuration. To fix this problem you might need to restart your modem/wireless router. This is a simple procedure and in order to do it follow these steps:
Press the power button on your modem to turn it off.
After modem turns off, wait for 30 seconds and press the power button to turn it on again.
Wait until modem turns on completely.
After that, check if the problem is resolved.
If you have a wireless router, you’ll have to restart it as well in order to fix this error.
Solution 2 – Perform Dashboard refresh
According to users, you can fix this error on Xbox One simply by performing a Dashboard refresh. To do that, follow these steps:
Open your Dashboard.
Press and hold Left trigger, Right trigger and Y button for a few seconds.
After you release these buttons, Dashboard will refresh itself and load all the elements of the Home screen again. Some users reported that this solution doesn’t work unless you go offline and back online before using the aforementioned method. Keep in mind that you might have to repeat this process few times before you fix the problem.
Solution 3 – Clear Alternative MAC address
Network configuration can sometimes interfere with your Xbox and cause For this game you need to be online and many other errors to appear. To fix this problem it’s recommended that you clear Alternative MAC address, and you can do that on Xbox One by following these steps:
Open Settings and navigate to Network settings.
Select Advanced Settings.
Head over to Alternate MAC address.
Select Clear to clear the MAC address and restart your console to save changes.
This procedure is a bit different on Xbox 360, but you can perform it by following these steps:
Open System Settings.
Navigate to Network Settings and select Wireless Network.
Select Configure Network and go to Additional Settings.
Select Alternate MAC Address and make sure that Alternate MAC Address isn’t set.
Press Done to save changes.
After clearing Alternative MAC address the error should be completely resolved.
Solution 4 – Test your network connection
Few users reported that they fixed For this game you need to be online error simply by testing their network connection. To do that on Xbox One, follow these steps:
Open Settings and select Network.
In the Troubleshooting section on the right select Test network connection.
After that, select Test multiplayer connection.
If your console passes both tests, it means that your Internet connection is working properly and there are no blocked ports that interfere with online multiplayer.
To test Internet connection on Xbox 360, do the following:
Press the Guide button on your controller.
Select Settings and go to System Settings.
Choose Network Settings.
Select the name of your wireless network or select Wired Network option.
Now select Test Xbox Live Connection.
If there are any problems with your network connection be sure to resolve them and check if that fixes the error.
Solution 5 – Disable your network connection
According to users, this issue might be solved simply by going offline on your Xbox. To do that, you need to follow these steps:
Scroll left on the Home screen to open the Guide.
Select Settings > All Settings.
Choose Network > Network settings.
Select Go offline option.
After going offline repeat the same steps and choose the Go online option.
According to users, they managed to fix this problem simply by restarting their console. Restarting your Xbox can fix all sorts of problems, and to restart your Xbox One, do the following:
Press and hold the power button on your console for 10 seconds to turn it off.
After your console turns off, unplug the power cable and wait for few minutes.
After that, reconnect the power cable and press the power button on the console to turn it on again.
You can also restart your Xbox One by doing the following:
Open Settings and go to Power & Startup.
Locate Power Mode and change it from Instant-On to Energy-saving.
After doing that, select Turn Xbox off option.
Turn on your Xbox by holding the Guide button on the controller. You can also press the power button on the console to turn it on.
Optional: After your console turns on, you can go back to Settings > Power & Startup and enable Instant-on Power Mode.
Solution 7 – Clear system cache
You can fix this problem simply by clearing the cache on your Xbox. Your cache can sometimes become corrupted and cause this and many other errors to appear, therefore we strongly suggest that you clean it. To do that on Xbox 360, do the following:
Press the Guide button on the controller and go to Settings > System Settings.
Select Storage.
Select any available storage device and press the Y button on the controller.
Device Options screen will now open. Select Clear System Cache option.
You should see a confirmation message. Select Yes.
To clear cache on Xbox One you need to turn off your console and unplug the power cable. While the power cable is unplugged press the power button a few times to drain the battery completely.
Connect the power cable and wait until the light on power brick turns from white to orange. Now press the power button to turn on the console. Your cache will be cleared and the problem should be resolved.
Solution 8 – Check the status of Xbox Live services
Xbox Live consists of different services, and if one of those services isn’t properly running, you might not be able to play certain games online. To check the status of Xbox Live services, simply visit Xbox’s website using any web browser. If any of these services aren’t running, you can only wait until Microsoft fixes the issue.
Solution 9 – Disable auto sign-in option
According to users, sometimes auto sign-in option can cause this error to appear, and in order to fix the problem you need to disable it. To do that on Xbox One, follow these steps:
Go to Settings and select Sign-in, security & passkey option.
Now select Instant sign-in.
Make sure that Use instant sign-in option isn’t enabled.
To disable auto sign-in on Xbox 360, do the following:
Sign in to Xbox Live.
Go to Settings and select Profile.
Choose Sign-in Preferences.
Select Auto Sign-in and make sure that it’s disabled.
For this game you need to be online error can prevent you from playing games online, and we don’t know how many games are affected by this issue, but you should be able to fix it by using one of our solutions.
In case you notice that Assassin’s Creed Valhalla keeps updating, do not panic! It is a pretty common issue that has been giving headaches to users for a long time.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is undoubtedly a masterpiece when it comes to action role-playing video software.
The game’s big 1.5. 0 patch arrived on 22nd February and definitely improved its stealth features.
Previously, users reported some annoying troubles with Assasin’s Creed Valhalla. In other words, it seems like the game keeps updating or gets stuck while downloading a new update and this is how they describe it:
So anyone having the same problem? Downloading the new 1.04 update stops at around 60% and there’s “ubisoft connect is unable to start your download” error.
I do have Internet connection and enough space on all of my drives, yet the update is stuck.
Starting with 24th February, Steam users are allowed to play Assassin’s Creed Valhalla for free and worldwide players are extremely excited about this news.
However, keep in mind that in the past, some people reported that Steam games were sometimes kept updating. Below you can find what one user had to say about it:
Yesterday my game started to Patch to 1.06 on Steam automatically. After the update was complete, it startet to run the update again. And it has done this now for over 10 times. I know it fully download the first time, the 690mb or something. On the download info page on Steam it says its downloaded 0 bytes of 0 bytes and lists the status as “checking”.
If you ever face similar problems with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, make sure you check some useful solutions to fix them.
What can I do if Assassin’s Creed Valhalla keeps updating?
1. Delete certain elements in the game’s folder
Right-click on the game’s shortcut, then choose to Open in file location.
Delete the folder in \uplay_download\ (Usually marked as 13504).
Hit the Windows key, type Control Panel, then navigate to the first result.
Click on Uninstall a program.
In the shown list, search for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.
Click on it, then choose to Uninstall it, as we show you directly below with Twitch as an example.
Confirm the process by clicking again on Uninstall.
Now, download the game again and follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall it.
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla will be updated and should work at its best.
The steps we’ve just presented are useful, but can sometimes be time-consuming.
If you’re that type of person who really needs to save his/her precious time, we strongly recommend going for an automatic way to uninstall the game, and IObit Uninstaller is the best option you can try.
With this tool, you’ll be able to easily and quickly uninstall programs and remove leftovers for a cleaner PC.
Plus, you’ll get real-time protection to scan and block malware, viruses, spyware, adware, and many others.
So, this is what you can do if Assassin’s Creed Valhalla keeps updating. As you can see, there are just a few simple steps you have to follow.
PeacockTV is the go-to streaming service for movies, TV series, and live sports aficionados worldwide, and the best part is that it is as free as a bird, to put it in their own words.
While the plans start at free – and the content made available without any charge is not neglectable (about two-thirds of Peacock’s library) – you will get the most out of Peacock by subscribing to a premium plan.
So, you can go for a monthly subscription or a year-based payment plan (which also saves you a bit of cash), and you can enjoy the service on pretty much any platform, from PCs to tablets, smartphones, Chromecast devices, with various price packages and the payment options are just as diverse.
So where’s the catch? You guessed it, it’s (almost) US exclusive. Once you set foot outside the US, you will face the cruel reality of the Peacock: Unavailable in your region message.
How to watch Peacock TV outside the US?
The beloved Peacock platform made the leap in 2021 and is now available in the US and the UK, and ROI for SKY and NOW customers.
If you’re not in any of these parts of the world, here’s how to enjoy Peacock freely.
Download and install Private Internet Access VPN because it’s fully optimized for speed streaming, plus you have a great variety of servers to choose from.
Launch the VPN app on your desktop and log in with the credentials provided by the supplier.
If you already have an account, use the Sign in option and if not, click Watch for Free to create a new account.
Fill in the details, choose your package, and enjoy your streaming!
Tip
Watching Peacock TV from abroad on your Android or iOS mobile is just as easy!
Visit the store and install the PIA VPN app on your smartphone. Then, connect to a US server just as you would on the desktop platform.
➡ Now, if you’re an Android user, you need to create a new Google account and use it to connect to the Play Store. Install the Peacock TV app from this place and set up your account. ➡ If iOS is your weapon of choice, open your Settings and tap Network. Here, you need to change the Apple ID region to the US. Finally, open the App Store (Apple) and install the Peacock TV app while connected to a US VPN server.
Here’s the million-dollar question. And speaking of dollars, you should know (even though we’re convinced you already do) that Peacock Premium requires an American card, and that’s that.
If you try to pay for your subscription with any other card, you’ll likely see a message stating that Peacock is not accepting payments. So, where does that leave you? Is it really impossible to get Peacock Premium outside the US?
Not really. As always, we got your back. But first, let’s take a closer look at the payment options.
Follow the registration steps and add funds to your USU account.
Once the deposit is processed, you will see the credentials corresponding to your new virtual card for the US.
Head over to the Peacock TV website (make sure you are still connected to the US VPN server), log in to your user account, and choose to upgrade from Free to Premium.
Finally, choose your plan and use the USUnlocked card to pay for your subscription and any other details required for the upgrade.
Now, open the Apple site and choose to Create Your Apple ID (as shown in this screenshot).
Next, fill in the details and make sure you insert a USA-based address (feel free to use online tools to help you set up one).
Head over to the Store section and choose Gift cards, then iTunes.
You will be able to redeem the card on your newly created account (see the new Apple ID you just created).
Finally, download the Peacock TV app from the Apple Store and choose to upgrade to a Premium plan.
You can pay for the subscription with your iTunes gift card in your Peacock account.
There you go; these are two solid methods to help you deal with Peacock not accepting payment cases. Once sorted, you can explore Peacock’s generous offer and binge on Peacock originals as long as you want.
If you still encounter billing errors after using these methods, check out our guide on My Family Cinema not accepting payment for more tips that apply to multiple streaming services.
We know that it’s just as easy to ask a friend from the US to pay for Peacock TV, and there is nothing wrong with this option.
But you can just as well keep Peacock all to yourself and enjoy it on your own terms with one of our tested methods. If faced with Peacock TV error code PAS_41004, we have verified solutions.
In the modern era, life is becoming more digital. Everyone uses smart devices, including our children. But, the concern begins when our kids can access such content that is not suitable and when they become addicted to smart devices like smartphones, tabs, game consoles, etc.
For this, many parental control tools are available that can track and monitor your children’s device activity and also let you block their access to inappropriate content.
Every parent wants to keep their children safe. But, choosing the wrong software can make their experience terrible. Microsoft Family is a popular parental controlling software for Android and iOS.
However, In the recent Windows 11 Dev Build 22572, the family safety feature has also been introduced for Windows 11 PCs as an inbox app.
Microsoft Family Safety: A powerful parental control software for smartphones, Tabs, and PCs
Microsoft Family has been designed to monitor and control kids’ activities on smart devices like other family control tools. However, unlike most other software, it is also available for your desktop computer.
What makes it a better choice is its flexibility and customizability. For being a Microsoft product, parents can feel comfortable without worrying about privacy.
Getting started with Family Safety on your device
Setting up Microsoft Family safety is very easy. The installation process is the simplest thing you can imagine instantly. On PC, it’s just installing the app from Microsoft Store. On smartphones, the Family Safety app will ask for some permissions. You must tap on yes or similar options to grant these permissions.
After installing the Family app on your device, you must do a little more, including the sign-in and setup process. You can sign in with your existing MS account or create a new one and sign in.
After that, invite all other family members, particularly your kids in Microsoft Family. You can create new Microsoft accounts for your family members or use their existing email or phone number for the invitation.
Once everyone accepts your invitation, you can start monitoring your kids in the right way. However, you must configure your preferences for how you like to monitor your kid’s activity across the devices.
The Family app is available on Google Play Store, Apple’s App Store, Microsoft Store, etc. Both parents and kids can use them.
What features does the Microsoft Family have?
Microsoft Family has plenty of useful features that let you do many things to monitor your kids. All of its core features are customizable. Here are the details of the most significant ones.
➡ Web & Search filter
The web & search filter features let you block websites and inappropriate searches on your kid’s device. However, It works only on Microsoft Edge browsers on both Windows and Android devices.
When you enable this feature, other web browsers will be blocked automatically so kids cannot access unwanted sites and search for inappropriate content.
The web content feature is easily customizable. You can either list white-listed websites or block just specific sites. However, it doesn’t show any categories you can use to block certain websites more efficiently.
You can enable and disable the Bing safe search feature for the search. It will restrict your kids from searching for unwanted content using the Microsoft Bing search engine.
Web content and Search filter features are available on Android and Windows PCs and laptops.
How to use the Web & Search filter on the Microsoft Family Safety app
Open the Microsoft Family app on Windows.
Click on your kid’s profile.
Go to Content filters.
Click on the Web and search tab. It should be opened by default.
Toggle the switch for Filter inappropriate websites and searches.
You can add a list of websites you don’t want your kids to visit or add the only allowed website list.
You can also enable the Web content & search filter feature using the smartphone app and the web portal.
➡ App & Game blocker
If you want to restrict some apps for your kids, the App and games blocker is the option you will need. It allows you to block certain harmful apps and games you don’t want your kid to run.
However, there is an option to set an age. Microsoft Family will automatically block inappropriate apps based on the age you set.
You can easily block a list of apps or even set a time limit for some apps. It helps to protect your kids from being addicted to any specific game or app.
Once configured, when your child tries to install any unsuitable app from Microsoft Store or Play Store, the system automatically blocks the downloads. Not only this, but it will also prevent your kids from opening any existing inappropriate apps.
Even if any blocked or unsuitable app gets opened, the system will automatically close the app within a second.
If your kid needs an app for one-time use only for any urgent task, there is an option for asking permission from you. In this way, you can approve if you think the app is beneficial for that particular moment.
How to use the App and game blocker feature
In the MS Family app, go to your kid’s profile.
Go to Screen time and click on Apps and games.
Click on the three vertical dots next to the app you want to block or limit.
Click on the Block app or Set a limit depending on your preference.
➡ Device limits
The device limit feature is available for both Windows and Xbox. This feature lets you set a limit to the supported devices that your kids are using. Your kids cannot use the devices for more than the allowed time. The device limit can be set individually for each device, or you can set a schedule or time limit for all devices combined.
You can set the time limit based on weekdays, too. That ensures your kids don’t spend too much time on smartphones or PCs on any particular day.
How to use the Device limits feature
Go to the Screen time tab.
By default, the devices tab should be opened. If not, click on the Devices tab and toggle the switch on or off next to the Use one schedule on all devices, depending on your needs.
You can set device limits for each individual device if the above option is off.
➡ Screen time monitor
Microsoft Family lets you track and monitor your kid’s screen time across all the devices, which is important given the alarming screen time statistics. You can see the screen time on a daily and weekly basis in the graph.
It is also possible to see the individual app and game screen time and also modify the limit if necessary.
If your kids exceed the allowed screen time, there is also an option for asking permission. You can allow overuse if you wish.
How to use the Screen time features on Family Safety
In the Family app on Windows, go to Screen time.
There you will see the graph.
In the Apps and games, click on any app or game to see the screen time for that particular item.
Click on three vertical dots to find appropriate options to modify that app’s screen time.
One of the key features of any parental control software is location sharing. Microsoft Family also has this feature where you can track your kid’s live location.
There are also options to add new places to the saved list. But the most exciting feature is the location alert. You can get an alert when your child is arriving or departing. However, this setting is available for premium subscribers only.
The location sharing & alert feature is only available on Android and iOS. On the Windows version, you can only see the live location of your family members, including the kids.
How to configure the location alertfeature
Open the Family Safety app on your smartphone.
Open Settings.
Tap on your profile (Organizer).
Tap on location alerts.
Tap on Tell me when under your kid’s profile.
Set your preferences there.
This setting is not available for PCs yet. But, you can view location on both PC and smartphones.
➡ Spending
One of the most exciting features of MS Family is Spending. It lets you add balances to your kid’s account or even add a Credit Card. Then, you can see your kids spending on various apps and games.
You can set an age limit there so your kid cannot purchase adult apps or games. One good thing is that every purchase using your Credit Card will require your approval. So, your kids cannot purchase anything without your consent if you add a credit card instead of adding balances.
Once configured, you will get a notification for every app purchase on your kid’s device, even if the app is free.
➡ Activity summaries
Activity summary is the first thing you will notice when you start using the Microsoft Family app on your PC or other devices.
When you click or tap on the kid’s profile, it will show you a graph of Screen time, apps and games usage, web and search activity, Spending, Xbox online gaming activities, etc.
You can get a weekly report about your kid’s activities if you enable it.
➡ Manage from both App and Web interface
You can manage the parental control features from the Microsoft Family app or the web portal. Both smartphone and desktop apps let you smoothly manage content filtering, apps and games limits, screen time, and location sharing. However, the web interface and the desktop show options better.
The Location Alert feature is available on smartphone apps only. But everything else can be handled from both the app and web interface without any problem.
This parental control app is not available for macOS yet. But you can still manage your kids’ devices from macOS using any browser.
Microsoft Family’s additional features and benefits
Microsoft Family has the features mentioned above. However, it has some other micro-features that you can explore after using it. However, this parental control app is deeply integrated with Microsoft Office.
So, you can get these amazing office features as well if you have an office subscription.
Family email
If you have Microsoft 365 subscription, you can create custom family email addresses like [email protected] and discuss anything with your family members via email.
Family Calendar
You can have a shared family calendar so that you are aware of upcoming events of everyone in your family.
Family OneNote
The Family OneNote lets you easily plan your family matters or any relevant things for your family. As the note is shared within all the family members, it will help you and your kids in many ways.
Drive safety
This is one of the most interesting premium features of the Microsoft Family safety app. Driver safety lets you monitor your driving activity and let you share it with the organizers in your family group.
The Drive safety includes the map of the route, top speed, phone usage during driving, hard braking, fast acceleration, etc. when it shares data with the family organizer.
This feature is now exclusively available to Microsoft 365 Family users based in the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia.
Real-world performance and other details
We have tried to explore the Microsoft Family by ourselves to explore its features and benefits and to find how it performs in the real world.
After configuring the app on all of our devices, we immediately started monitoring the test device to find its effectiveness. The user interface on desktop and smartphone apps seems okay, and the web interface is the same.
It was easy to find and navigate between necessary options. However, there were some cases when the screen time limit on Android was not effective for apps and games. But, it worked fine on Windows 11 PC.
While testing, blocking apps worked according to the expectation on the desktop platform. However, on Android, it sometimes didn’t block apps which should not happen.
Web content filtering worked perfectly on Microsoft Edge. When we tried to open other browsers that were closed immediately, we could only use Microsoft Edge as we were expecting.
Location sharing and other features worked exactly how we expected without any problem.
Microsoft Family pricing
Microsoft Family is a free parental control tool. However, it comes with additional benefits when you have the Microsoft 365 Family subscription.
The free version includes:
Location tracking
Web and search filtering
App blocking
Screen time
These features can be used for up to six family members.
With Microsoft 365, formerly known as Office 365 family subscription, you can get all the free features plus the premium features like location alerts, Drive safety, Drive history, etc. The other premium benefits are 6 TB (1 TB for each user) OneDrive storage and premium Microsoft Office apps for up to six users.
Each user can use the premium features on up to five devices. It means the premium benefits can be enjoyed on 30 devices in total.
Final verdict
Pros
Free to get start
Built-in with upcoming Windows 11 builds
Drive safety for Microsoft 365 Family users
Location alert
Works on smartphones, PCs, and Xbox game consoles
Can be managed from both app and desktop browsers
Weekly activity report
Monitor kid's spending on app purchases
Cons
Screentime is not 100% effective on Android
App blocking may not work on Android in some cases
No categories to block apps, games, and websites
Overall, Microsoft Family is a good parenting software you can trust regarding privacy. But, in some cases, the performance didn’t meet our expectations.
Also, more features could let the parents monitor more activities on their kids’ devices. For example, the lack of an app category created inconvenience when we tried to block social media apps. We had to do it manually.
All the inconveniences aside, Microsoft Family is an excellent parental control software. Even though it is not the best choice right now, you can try it as it is free. If you already have a Microsoft 365 family subscription, you should try Microsoft Family as some unique features like Drive safety and location alerts exist.
If you have been using any parental control software, what do you think after going through our Microsoft Family review? You can let us know in the comment box.
Opera can run on different platforms, but can you run it on Raspberry Pi? In today’s guide, we’re going to answer that question.
How can I run Opera for Raspberry Pi?
Is it possible to install Opera on Raspberry Pi?
The short answer is no, Opera won’t run Raspberry Pi simply because the developers haven’t released the ARM version of the software.
Although Opera is available for Linux using Snaps, it won’t work on Raspberry Pi due to its architecture.
What are Linux Snaps?
Linux Snaps give users a way to run any application on a Linux environment. The application is bundled with all its dependencies, so it should work right out of the box.
It’s important to mention that apps that are running as Snaps are running in a virtual environment and are getting automatic updates.
The great thing about Snaps is that existing applications can be packaged as Snap, and by doing so, they can run on Linux.
Why can’t I install Opera?
Opera is available for Linux as a Snap, but when you visit the Opera Snap page, you’ll notice that only amd64 version is available. That’s the version for 64-bit PC processors.
As previously mentioned, Raspberry Pi uses an ARM processor that is vastly different that your PC CPU. As such, it’s not possible to run software created for amd64 architecture on ARM devices.
This means that currently, it’s impossible to run Opera on Raspberry Pi since there’s no compatible ARM version available. If Opera releases an ARM version of its Snap, you’ll be able to install it on ARM devices.
Things may not be looking good for the studio behind the ongoing Perfect Dark reboot, if recent reports concerning staff at The Initiative are anything to go by. Game director Dan Neuburger’s apparent departure (as indicated on his LinkedIn profile) is just the latest in a seeming mass exodus from Microsoft’s newest game development studio. Neuburger had been on the Perfect Dark project as director for nearly four years, since the studio’s 2018 formation.
He joins a long list of talent to leave the fledgling studio in recent months. In fact, it has been discovered that more than 30 staff members have left The Initiative since the start of 2021. These include level designers, systems designers and narrative directors.
While turnover in game development studios is hardly news, such a large-scale exodus from a single studio – as much as nearly half the total staff, by some reports – has to be a cause for concern for Microsoft as well as those eagerly awaiting the return of Joanna Dark, who hasn’t seen action since a 2010 remaster of the original Perfect Dark for the Xbox 360. To be sure, some of this was caused when Tomb Raider developer Crystal Dynamics was brought in to co-develop the game back in September of 2021.
What all this will ultimately mean for the new Perfect Dark game remains to be seen. The game was officially revealed back in December 2020 at The Game Awards, along with a teaser trailer. But at this point, the new Perfect Dark is clearly years away, and no release date has been so much as hinted at, at least at the time of this writing.
You can use specialized communication facilities to interact with other players while playing online games. One such program made specifically for Microsoft products like Windows and Xbox consoles is Xbox Party.
Forming parties is the ideal way to enjoy multiplayer games, and Xbox makes it simple to invite other players. The Xbox Party encountered an error notification that occasionally appears, though, when something goes wrong.
In this post, we’ll examine possible causes for this error and offer some troubleshooting advice to help you resolve it.
Why does my Xbox Party keep saying party encountered an error?
When attempting to start or join a party on your Xbox system, users can receive party chat encountered an error notice. This error can occur when:
Xbox servers are down: In most cases, the Xbox servers are down when users face the problem, and there isn’t much you can do other than wait.
Presence of a bug: A bug, usually introduced after a recent update, could also trigger the error.
Your network settings are blocking the Party Chat: Misconfigured network settings or even third-party applications blocking Party Chat could be the underlying cause.
How do you fix the party glitch on the Xbox app?
Before we move to the slightly complex changes, here are a few quick things you can try:
Verify whether the servers are up and running from the Xbox Status page. If it’s down, wait for a while and try again, while if it’s up, the other solutions will help.
Restart the computer.
Unplug your router from the power source, wait for 15-30 seconds, reconnect it, and check if the Party encountered an error message disappears.
Switch to a wired connection since these are more stable and less prone to errors.
If none of these work, head to the fixes listed below.
1. Reset the Xbox app
Press the Windows + I key combination to launch Settings then select Apps.
Expand the Xbox app below Apps & Features.
Click on Advanced options.
Scroll down and then select Reset.
This is a simple fix if the Xbox party keeps disconnecting on the PC, so be sure to try it.
2. Restart the Xbox app and the associated service
Completely exit the Xbox application.
In the Windows Search bar enter Services to launch the app from the results.
Locate the Xbox Live Networking service and right-click on it, then select Restart from the menu that appears. Select Start if this option isn’t accessible.
Repeat the process for the IP Helper service.
Close Services, then launch the Xbox app once more.
Under the Choose which apps can access your microphone section, turn on the Xbox app.
Do you need Xbox Live to join a party?
To communicate with your friends while playing a game or watching a show on Xbox, you can invite them to an Xbox party.
You or another user on the device you are using does not have to be subscribed to Xbox Live Gold or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate to launch a party.
Also, on your laptop or mobile device, Xbox Live Gold or Xbox game pass is no longer required.
Having a good time with friends is one of the best things about the Xbox party. However, this can be interrupted by Party encountered an error 0x80190193, making it impossible for you to play games with your friends.
As part of its overarching sustainability efforts, Microsoft has announced that it is committed to making Xbox consoles entirely recyclable by the 2030. The pledge comes via Corporate Vice President of Xbox Operations Dave McCarthy. McCarthy stated in part, “At Microsoft – and, by extension, at Xbox – we’ve set ambitious commitments to meaningfully reduce the company’s environmental impact and operate as a carbon negative, water positive and zero waste company by 2030.
But how exactly is Microsoft taking steps toward reaching this goal? Believe it or not, it is already most of the way there, for both iterations of the 9th gen Xbox (the Series X and Series S) are rated as 97% recyclable according to the ULs (Underwriter’s Laboratories) Environmental Claim Validation Procedure.
The team at Xbox doesn’t seem to be content with this, however, as the consoles have seen further sustainability-minded enhancements. A 2021 system update, for example, saw improvements to the Energy Saver mode that made it even more efficient and added the capability for game and system updates to be downloaded while in Energy Saver mode.
The Series S as well as newer Xbox controllers use PCR resins in their manufacture
Also last year, the use of Post-Consumer Recycled resins (PCRs) was instituted for the first time, for some of the Series S casing as well as certain internal parts, as well as in Xbox controllers.
So it seems that Microsoft’s much-touted sustainability efforts aren’t just so much bluster. The company released its 2021 Environmental Sustainability Report back on March 10, in which it outlined ongoing progress toward reducing the company’s overall carbon footprint and eliminating waste. What does this mean for Xbox users? On the subject of gaming, McCarthy had this to say, “While gaming brings joy to players, we also recognize that gaming has an impact on our environment. Our commitment to our players and the industry is to work tirelessly to reduce that impact in a responsible way and consistent with Microsoft’s corporate commitments.”
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