How to Fix Corrupted or Damaged PDF on Windows 10 & 11

Posted on by Claudiu Andone

Everybody is using PDF documents, especially in the business sector because of their versatility and security features.

Unfortunately, these files can get damaged or corrupted during transfer, download, or due to catastrophic PC events and crashes.

Then the PDF document becomes unreadable, even with Adobe Acrobat or any other PDF reader you might use on your device. It’s more likely to stumble on file is damaged and could not be repaired error messages using the Adobe software.

Fortunately, nowadays there are special PDF recovery tools that allow you to fix damaged documents quickly and efficiently.

However, here, we will explore all possible solutions for fixing or restoring a PDF document on Windows 10 and 11.

How do I open a damaged PDF file?

There are many possible reasons why you can’t open a PDF file, so you can try to open corrupt documents by selecting the previous versions of the file from the backup storage of the PDF Reader.

Following up, before starting the troubleshooting methods, it’s important to perform a couple of verifications to pinpoint the issue.

➡ Open the file on another device

Send or copy the file to another PC and see if you can open it there. There is the possibility that something on your machine is malfunctioning and this way, you will rule it out.

Also, if you received the document via e-mail or online transfer, check with the sender if the file is OK on the other end, and if yes, reattempt the transfer in hopes that this time it will be received without any problems.

➡ Use a different PDF reader

This problem might be happening because of the reader you’re using, and not the file itself so you might want to try and open it with another PDF reader or with your browser.

Also, as you will discover from our guide below, it’s very important to make sure that the app you’re using to read the file is updated to the latest version.

How to fix or recover corrupted PDF files on Windows 10 & 11?

1. Update your Adobe Reader

  1. Open Adobe Acrobat.
  2. Click on the Help tab and select Check for Updates.
  3. If the app finds new updates, it will install them. If you have the latest version, hit the Close button.

Some of the reasons why you can’t access a PDF document or get an error message might be simply because Adobe Acrobat is not updated to the latest version.

Our solution covered the fix for Adobe Acrobat but if you’re using another PDF reader, go through its settings and update it to the latest version.

2. Repair Adobe Acrobat

    If you tried updating Adobe Acrobat and it did not fix the issue, then you should try to repair it. This will fix any errors associated with it and can help you retrieve your corrupted PDF. You can manually repair the app using it’s built-in repair function.

  1. 1. Open the Adobe Acrobat app.

  2. 2. Select the Help option from the top, then choose Repair Installation from the drop-down menu.

    adobe acrobat repair

  3. 3. The system will perform a repair operation on Adobe Acrobat and will fix any possible problems with the app.

  4. 4. Wait for the repairing process to finish.

    repair acrobat reader fix corrupted pdf

  5. 5. When it is done, try to open the PDF file once again and see if the problem has been resolved.

3. Fix the PDF document with a professional tool

  1. Visit the Recovery Toolbox for PDF website and click on the Download button.
  2. You will get an executable file of the Adobe PDF repair tool and you need to run it after it finishes downloading.
  3. After the installation process, click the Finish button to start the app.
  4. Click on the folder button to select the PDF document you want to repair.
  5. After you have identified it, hit the Next button from the bottom-right corner of the window.
  6. Now, select the output file name. By default, the tool will save the document in the same location but with the suffix recovered but you can now change that.
  7. Lastly, you can select the PDF’s output version from the drop-down list, and compress it if you need that, then click the Save button below.
  8. In the last window, you will see all the details of the recovery with the time and date stamp so you can click the Finish button.

That’s it! The damaged PDF recovery is completed easily end effortlessly, with just a few clicks.

Recovery Toolbox for PDF is a very small tool that allows you to open a damaged PDF file and display a list of objects and data found in the damaged PDF file.

And after it does that, you can export the recovered data from the file to a new *.pdf file and this time, you will be able to open it with any PDF reader software.

So even if your PC suffered from a crash, a virus attack, or any other catastrophe that crippled your PDF documents, Recovery Toolbox for PDF will fix the file corruptions and save the data in a new document.

The developer says that their tool manages that feat of recovery by using a powerful data analysis engine that can extract the maximum possible data from a corrupt PDF file.

And as you probably noticed from our screenshots, if something is not clear, the How it works button from the bottom of every window will take you to a step-by-step guide created by the developer.

The only problem is that if you are using a Demo version, the tool will only save one page from the document. If you want to use it for unlimited pages, you will be redirected to the purchase page.

4. Repair the PDF file with the online service

  1. Visit the Recovery Toolbox for PDF website and click on the Repair Online button.
  2. Hit the Select File button to indicate the location of the corrupted file on your PC, enter your email address below and click on the Next Step button.
  3. In a few seconds, the process will be over, you will be able to hit the Preview button to see the recovered document and then click on the Next Step button.
  4. The last step is to click on the big credit card icon that will take you to the billing information for the purchase. After the payment, you will be able to download the file without any watermark.

This is how to repair PDF files online using a simple and friendly app that doesn’t need any installation or preparation.

Sometimes, it is faster and more convenient to use an Adobe PDF fixer online, especially if you don’t have a lot of them.

It’s also a good method if you don’t want or can’t install the desktop tool on the PC you’re working on.

There are a few online solutions you can use but we tested Recovery Toolbox for PDF and it worked flawlessly in just a few seconds.

It’s an easy method of how to repair damaged PDF files online, but it’s not free so it’s up to you to decide how important it is to recover certain files.

5. Restore a previous version of the PDF file

  1. Press the Windows key + E to start File Explorer.
  2. Navigate to the folder where the PDF file is located, right-click on it and select Restore previous versions.
  3. If there are any available older versions, select the one you want to recover and hit the Restore button from the bottom-right corner of the window.
  4. The older version of the file will be restored, and you will be able to see it now.

This solution is not ideal because you will hopefully recover an older version of the file and not the latest, which will still be unavailable through this method.

6. Reinstall your PDF reader

  1. Click the Windows Start button and select Settings.
  2. Choose Apps.
  3. Select your PDF-reader app from the list on the right and click on Uninstall.
  4. Now reinstall the app from the kit you already have or download the latest version from the developer’s website.

That’s it! You’re good to go and we hope that you succeeded in repairing your PDF files by using the solutions from our guide.

If you have any further problems, you should also learn how to fix a PDF document if Adobe can’t open it

For any other suggestions or new solutions that we possibly left out, leave us a note in the comments section below and we will get back to you.

How to quickly mute your audio, video on Windows PCs with Microsoft PowerToys

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

There comes a time when you might want to quickly mute your microphone or your webcam on a video conferencing call. Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack, Skype, all have dedicated mute and microphone off buttons that can help, but what if you don’t have time to dig through menus and want to mute things on the fly universally, across all your apps? Then, you might want to install PowerToys to help.

The latest version of Microsoft PowerToys, and also the preview versions, have a feature known as Video Conference Mute that can help you out. In this guide, we’ll show you how you can use it to your advantage.

Step 1: Download PowerToys

To begin, download Microsoft PowerToys. You can find it in the Microsoft Store on Windows. If you’re having trouble, you can also install it by going to this Microsoft page, which directs you back to GitHub for the download. Note the Preview version also works, and it often gets new features first.

Step 2: Install PowerToys and then launch

Once downloaded, launch the PowerToys installer. If you’re using the Microsoft Store download, it should launch automatically. Otherwise, you might have to manually double-click the install file to launch. After everything is installed, look for PowerToys in your Start Menu to launch it. Install typically takes less than 3 minutes.

Step 3: Enable Video Conference Mute & enjoy!

Once PowerToys is launched, head to the sidebar of the app. You might have to expand it by clicking the hamburger menu. Once expanded, click Video Conference Mute and look for the On/Off switch to the right of the screen. Make sure it’s On. You’ll also want to head into your video conferencing app(s) of choice, and make sure that PowerToys Video Conference Mute is the camera option, or PowerToys won’t be able to control your camera. Also, note down the following keyboard shortcuts, which are the toggles.

  • Windows Key, Shift, Q, will toggle/mute the camera and microphone
  • Windows Key, Shift, and A will toggle/mute the microphone
  • Windows Key, Shift, and O will toggle/mute the camera

These keyboard toggles will work in any app of your choosing. You might also want to scroll down in the section a bit and look out for your various microphone and camera settings and make sure the right ones are picked.

Not your only option!

Using PowerToys to mute your microphone and webcam is cool, but if you’re on Windows 11, Microsoft already has your back. The recent February Update introduced the ability to mute your microphone right in your taskbar. You still can’t disable your webcam from there yet, however, but it’s a nice start. In the meantime, PowerToys has your back!

Here are some of the useful changes you can expect to find on Excel on the Web this month

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Excel on the web allows users to access the number crunching application from anywhere, without having it installed. Microsoft issues regular updates to the web version, bringing it closer to a full desktop application, with only a web browser needed to access it.

As such, Microsoft is always sending updates to ensure that the application is up to date.  In an expected update set to be released sometime this month, according to the Microsoft 365 roadmap, Microsoft is set to introduce a new feature dubbed the Argument Assistance card UI. The feature will help minimize and streamline lookups and errors, as it provides a description of the formula, associated arguments accompanied with examples for easy implementation.

Microsoft is including this feature in the update to help users get assistance in the app rather than having to source the information elsewhere. It is worth noting that you will have control over this feature, in that you can choose to implement it or stick to the tooltip implementation.

The update will also allow you to minimize The Excel formula bar manually based on your preference. This feature is already available for use in the desktop version of the app.

 

 

Microsoft launches Xbox Wire in Japan

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

To commemorate the first Xbox sale to ever be made to Japanese fans 20 years ago, Microsoft is officially launching Xbox Wire in Japan. The main goal of this move is to expand their reach when it comes to Xbox news and announcements made on the platform.

Last year, Xbox Cloud Gaming was also launched in Japan with the aim of bringing Xbox games to the massive population that is into gaming.  Japan is considered to be one of the “fastest-growing markets” for Xbox worldwide, which is why the launch of a Japanese Xbox Wire seems to be strategic. Not forgetting that the Xbox Series X|S and Xbox Cloud Gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate recently touched base in Japan.

“We are so excited to bring the joy and community of gaming to so many more fans, journalists, and content creators, who will now be able to keep up to date with first-hand news and articles in Japanese about our consoles, services, and content – including Xbox Series X, Xbox Game Pass for console and PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming and everything related to the Xbox Game Studios and partner studios,” said Jeremy Hinton, Xbox Asia Director.

Microsoft had previously given indications that it was planning to get into the Japanese gaming market. That said, Xbox fans will now get the latest news updates at their doorstep.

Pac-Man Museum+ is coming soon to Xbox consoles and Xbox Game Pass

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Pac-Man Museum+, a new version of Pac-Man Museum, was today confirmed for a May 27th release on Microsoft’s Xbox One and Xbox Series X console families. In addition to a regular retail release, the game will also launch Day One on Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass video game subscription service.

Pac-Man Museum+, as its name implies, is a new version of the original Pac-Man Museum which launched on the Xbox 360. While Pac-Man Museum contained nine classic Pac-Man titles, Pac-Man Museum+ boasts 14 video games for Pac-Man enthusiasts to play in full.

In addition to the games, Pac-Man Museum+ also features a virtual arcade which can be fully customized by the player.

Here’s the announcement trailer which showcases all of the features.

Looking for more Xbox news? Follow us on Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook.

7 Best Image Comparison Software in 2026 [Free & Paid]

Posted on by Ivan Jenic

Ever wondered how difficult it is to spot the difference in two identical photographs, sometimes it can look almost impossible to note the difference by face value only.

This technique has been used in several photo identification games such as Photo hunt whereby you need to spot the difference in two or more pictures.

These images can be easily analyzed by using photo comparison software. Also, many people take photographs and have duplicates of a particular photograph which can lead to unnecessary use of hard drive space.

A photo comparison software has features that can help to locate and remove these duplicate pictures easily saving you time and effort. 

Adobe Photoshop is a conventional way of analyzing or comparing images; however, since it is majorly graphics software it is complicated for beginners and expensive.

Product nameTotally FreePaid
Adobe Lightroom❌✅
ACDSee Photo Studio❌✅
Duplicate Photo Cleaner❌✅
Duplicate Photo Finder✅❌
Bolide Software Image Comparer✅❌
Duplicate Photos Fixer❌✅
Duplicate File Finder✅❌

What are the best photo comparison tools for PCs?

Adobe Lightroom – Most professional photo management

Adobe Lightroom is our top pick when it comes to photo comparison. It has grown over the years to be one of the most recognizable software when it comes to image editing and especially organizing.

It is mainly targeted at professional photographers that are looking to bulk edit and organize their work into manageable chunks. The Quick Develop feature is quite handy for fast tone adjustments.

You can also opt for Adobe Lightroom CC if you want to get an extra 1TB of storage that ensures you can manage any amount of photos.

You can tag your photos with stars, colors, flags, and keywords which makes the process of grouping and filtering much easier.

Those tags can be used for quality, color, or thematic grouping that will allow you to compare photos side by side.

The latest AI-based tool called Adobe Sensei will recognize similar objects or people in your images and assign keywords to your photos as well as spot similar content that might be unnecessary to keep.

Adobe Lightroom

Create, edit, organize, store, and share your photos across any device with the world’s top photo editing tool.
Free trial Visit website

ACDSee Photo Studio Home – Advanced search pane

ACDSee Photo Studio Home is a digital photo suite that has many interesting features. It uses GPU-based software that uses professional digital management tools.

The photo suite has several tools that allow the raw editing of pictures and allows easy manipulation of photos. You can also compare different photos and manipulate photographs to your preference.

The tool has been recently improved with new filters and options for more productivity and better results. Therefore, if you are looking for side-by-side photo comparison software, ACDSee is an excellent choice.

The developers also claim that their latest version of the app is the fastest one to date, packing more processing power and optimization. Furthermore, the latest version also includes new creative filters.

In addition, this software allows you to explore limitless editing options, with a powerful filter database or browse directly in your workspace. It’s also possible to find your shots using name tags for models or just friends.

Plus, you should benefit from productive features like a quick search option, finding duplicates to compare photos, location data, color labels, RAW data support, and much more to go.

ACDSee Photo Studio Home

Take your photo editing to the next level with an improved version of ACDSee’s tool dedicated to creatives all over the world.
Free trial Visit website

Duplicate Photo Cleaner – Similar & duplicate remover

Duplicate Photo Cleaner is a lightweight tool designed specifically to scan, manage, and remove duplicate images on your PC.

One unique feature of Duplicate Photo Cleaner is that, unlike other conventional photo cleaners that use file names or dates.

It uses a different algorithm in which it can search for edited, cropped, and rotated images on users’ PC with a high degree of accuracy.

Search results are fast and the tool gives you different options on search options, you can set file similarity to various degrees however the default figure is 50%.

Finally, you can use the software as photo comparison software; the unique Folder Comparison mode allows comparison between images from the source folder and your target folder.

This makes it easy to manage duplicates and keep the original files gotten from the results, which is a great thing when dealing with lots of copies of your photos.

Duplicate Photo Cleaner

Compare thousands of your images at a glance and erase duplicates right away with this valuable tool.
Check price Visit website

Duplicate Photo Finder – Free duplicate removal

Duplicate Photo Finder as the name implies, allows users to easily scan and identify duplicate photos on your system.

The software supports over 10 image formats and possesses deep scanning capabilities. On installation, the software provides many options for the comparison of pictures on your system.

The user interface is simple to use and all options are presented on the main menu. You can quickly search for similar-looking photos, resized duplicates, or rotated duplicates.

The unique selection assistant allows users to select photos based on groups, dates, or locations on their hard drives. The image viewer allows a side-by-side comparison of images.

Duplicate Photo Finder is an excellent Photo comparison software as it incorporates many features as well as an intuitive user interface.

Therefore, like other solutions above this one makes your photo management easier. Because as a photographer you always have to be aware of your shots, automated help will surely help.

⇒ Get Duplicate Photo Finder

Bolide Software Image Comparer – Multiple format comparison

Image Comparer by Bolide Soft is a unique and simple tool used by many to scan, manage, and delete Duplicate images.

The software uses an analytical algorithm to detect your images and automatically identifies the best photo from your duplicates. Just like other software on this list, you can set different parameters for your search.

Image Comparer allows the search of Resized, rotated, and edited images. This is usually achieved using an inbuilt visual similarity tool which allows a high degree of accuracy.

The tool also scans your storage device fast and supports over 7 image file formats including GIF, PNG, TIFF, TGA, RAW, JPEG, and BMP. It is also compatible with Windows XP up to Windows 10.

More so, it can find your duplicates quickly and show you the best one, even if the shots have different sizes or colors, or if are of another format.

You should be aware that on the latest version of Image Comparer, you get new features such as renaming selected images from the top 10 similar lists, auto marking wizard, Swedish and Romanian translations, and more

⇒ Get Image Comparer

Duplicate Photos Fixer – Bulk image comparing

This easy-to-use software is designed specifically to remove duplicates of a particular photo from your system. However, it also comes with photo comparison features and an attractive user interface.

The program also has simple-to-use commands, making it unique. You can easily add folders containing your duplicate photos with a simple drag-and-drop tool in the home menu.

The search feature is highly advanced as you can customize the matching levels for your preferred results. These results can then be easily compared or differentiated by the user.

The program also has an image recovery tool by which you can recover lost images and supports external storage devices.

In addition, with this solution, you will be able to scan for exact copies of images or similar ones, enjoy more disk space, auto-mark duplicates, etc.

Basically, the actions that will add value to your workflow are sorting out the photo gallery, removing duplicates quickly, acquiring more storage space, or grouping duplicate files to keep the best ones.

⇒ Get Duplicate Photos Fixer

Duplicate File Finder – Suitable for music or images

auslogics duplicate file finder

This tool is a lightweight tool designed to discover different file formats lost in your PC storage. It can also be used as photo comparison software because it can help you detect the differences between two images.

Duplicate File Finder developed by Auslogics uses a unique algorithm to search for duplicate image files that ensure near accurate results most times.

You also have full customization of the software and can set image parameters to your preference. All in all, a Duplicate finder is an ideal all-around file finder.

If you still wonder why you should consider this tool, that’s because the smart algorithm will do the dull tasks for you and gives you full control to erase any unwanted files.

The main problem resolved by this practical software is regarding your photo organizing. It helps you to identify and remove duplicate files quickly to improve your workflow.

Therefore, you can try out this completely free software and have a more efficient photo culling process, without too difficult steps to follow.

⇒ Get Duplicate File Finder

This image comparison software listed above has similar basic features but differs in some ways from simpler tools to the more complex ones.

Therefore, we recommend that you pick the software that best serves your needs at a particular time.

Best Installer Software Package for Windows [2026 Guide]

Posted on by Matthew Adams

Software either comes with an installer (setup wizard) or has a compressed Zip file.

Most developers and programmers probably prefer to deliver their programs with an installer instead of just bundling them into a Zip or self-extracting archive.

Providing well-functioning and easy to follow installers creates a better user experience and doesn’t leave much room for errors. 


The way you configure your installer software is often crucial as it makes for the first impression. If the installer looks dated or unprofessional, chances are that users may disregard your program, even if it is actually really good.

So if you need to set up an installer for your latest software package, you’ll need a Windows installer application to parcel it together.

There are a variety of Windows installer software packages, and these are some of the best ones compatible with Windows 10.

You will see that these software vary in functions. Some require good coding knowledge and previous experience, while others are more intuitive and easier to learn.

Depending on your level and on what you plan to achieve with your program, you can find both easy, but less configurable tools, as well as highly-customizable ones.

What are the best software package installers for Windows 10?

Actual Installer

Actual Installer is a great tool for all types of software that need to be wrapped up for deploying on different PCs. You must know from the start that Actual Installer works on Windows programs. Let’s see what this tool has to give.

Actual Installer doesn’t require script knowledge. To get started, you just have to fill in a form with specifics about your software like its name, its version, your company’s name, and other relevant information of this kind.


You can either create a standard installation or an upgrade. Just select what you prefer and InstallAware will make the configuration automatically.

This software can be great for beginners because it guides you through each step and doesn’t allow you to miss any details. You can easily pick the system requirements for your software, add shortcuts, create updates, and more.

Installaware can also help you generate easy-to-follow and functional uninstaller packages for your software. You just have to go to the Uninstallation tab in the GUI.

Other key features include:

  • Support for x32-bit and x64-bit Windows applications
  • Multilingual installations
  • System Requirements check
  • Registry modifications
  • File associations
  • Font registrations
  • ActiveX components
  • Customizable dialogs

This tool comes in a trial version so you can test it and the paid version with different feature packages.

Actual Installer

Actual Installer works on Windows programs and offers support for x32-bit and x64-bit applications.
Check price Visit website

InstallAware

best software package installers for Windows

InstallAware is one of the best alternatives to InstallShield. This Windows installer software has a much more extensive GUI than Inno Setup, drag-and-drop scripting commands, and plenty of visual wizards to guide novice programmers.

InstallAware also has five alternative versions that are Express, Developer, Studio, and Studio Developer. One is a freeware version that has Visual Studio Integration, which you can add to Windows 10 by clicking the Download Now button on this page.

InstallAware makes the most of some of the latest technologies that elevate it above other Windows installer software. For example, it boasts InstantInstall Technology that enables users to set up the fastest installers. It has WebAware Installation Technology that reduces installer file sizes.

InstallAware also offers Hybrid Installation Technology so that you can switch between Native Code setup engines and Windows Installer at runtime.

And it’s the first installer package to support the full Redstone ecosystem so that you can pin your apps to the Windows 10 Start menu and taskbar alongside the live tiles.

Install Aware does offer visual support for MSI customization. You just have to select your preferred settings and the software will automatically transform your MSI setup accordingly.

Other key features include:

  • Service configurations for possible errrors
  • Install Acceleration engine
  • Automatic and manual machine unit testing
  • One-click patching 

You can use the 14-day free trial to test InstallAware. The trial version allows experimenting with all the features available.

Install Aware

Use Install Aware for both a thorough, but also accessible experience that aligns with the highest industry standards.
Check price Visit website

InstallShield

InstallShield is the industry standard Windows installer software that many of the larger development houses use. It comes with an Express, Professional, and Premier version for MSI, EXE, UWP (Universal Windows Platform) and WSA installations.

The most basic InstallShield Express is pretty expensive, but it includes the most extensive set of options to build your installer with.

The software gives users an intuitive development UI to set up EXE and MSI installers as well as UWP and WSA packages. It enables you to virtualize applications with minimal scripting required.

It has comprehensive support for Windows 7, 8, and 10 and enables users to create installations for programs with Microsoft Visual Studio.

The latest edition of InstallShield enables you to set up custom Windows 10 Start screen tiles for your installers.

You can quickly scan your installer to check its compatibility with UWP and Windows Server App Packages. Furthermore, you can also create WSA and UWP app packages from existing InstallShield projects.

Other key features include:

  • MSIX package installer
  • Supports 35 different language strings (and allows you to create/insert your own)
  • Microsoft Visual Studio Integration
  • Detailed build reports

InstallShield is a professional-level tool. While it is very resourceful, we have to admit that it can be pricey. You can, however, try it for free before purchasing.

⇒ Get InstallShield

Inno Setup

Inno Setup is a great budget alternative to InstallShield which is one of the best established Windows installer programs.

This is a syntax highlighting script editor with a more limited GUI that you can script your installers with. With this you can set up customizable setup files, single EXE for Web distribution, INI entries, registry entries and Start menu icons.

Inno Setup has extensive file compression support. It has support for encrypted installs and disk spanning. Furthermore, you can set up digitally signed installs and uninstalls with the software.

The software is also compatible with all Windows platforms back to Windows Vista, but some features are OS-specific. For example, you can integrate your own fonts only if you run the setup on a Windows 10, version 1803 or later.

You have multiple options when it comes to the appearance of your installer. You can resize it, use a classic or a modern value, add high-quality images, light and dark themes, and more. These can help you create great user experiences for your customers.

Other key features include:

  • Support for side-by-side installations
  • Dialog support
  • Online Guides and Tutorials
  • Older versions still available online (for older OS)

Inno Setup also offers an Encryption Module that allows you to set up passwords. Because of encryption laws in various countries, you need to download the module separately, but the configuration is easy and fast.

⇒ Get Inno Setup

Nullsoft Installer System (NSIS)

Nullsoft Installer System is one of the best budget Windows installer software packages. This software doesn’t have a GUI, but is instead a compiler for NSIS installer scripts. So you’ll need to set up the script with an alternative editor.

However,  you can set up some advanced installers with NSIS. It also has minimal system requirements compared with the other Windows installer programs.

The software boasts advanced compression methods. Users can choose between the Zlib, BZip2, and LZMA compression methods. LZMA is one of the most effective compression methods, and there’s no requirement for self-extracting archive models.

Another good thing about NSIS is its plug-in system. You can extend NSIS with a number of C, C++, or Delphi plug-ins. Then you can enhance the installer’s UI with the plug-ins. Below is the WINAMP installer set up with NSIS.

You can use NSIS to create both simple and advanced installers. It is based on scripts, so you have the freedom to make in-depth customization to your installer wizard.

Other key features include:

  • Custom dialogs
  • Multiple language packs
  • Compatible with most Windows versions

You can pick from a classic or modern wizard interface, and you can also use the software to create your own.

⇒ Get Nullsoft Installer System

WiX Toolset

WiX is another Windows installer tool without a GUI. It’s a command-line utility that compiles source code to create EXE and MSI setup and installation packages.

This is not really software for novice developers, but there are extensive tutorials on its website. You can add it to Windows 10 from the WiX website.

WiX has an extensive toolset for developers to set up installers with. It enables developers to create setup bundles that install numerous runtime prerequisites. In addition, developers can also add SQL databases or generate IIS websites with the WiX compiler extensions.

WiX Toolset can help you create accessible installers by allowing you to integrate multiple languages.

You can also use WiX o build patches, merge modules and transforms. You can build installers from scratch, and you can also customize already existing ones.

Other key features include:

  • Builds install package bundles
  • Dialog library
  • Support for upgrades implementations

WiX can be used directly from Visual Studio for both simple and advanced setups.

Those are the best installer software packages for Windows 10. Those developers can set up some great installers for end-users to install programs with.

If you have better suggestions or additions don’t hesitate to drop us a line in the comments section below.

Automated Proofreading Software: We’ve Ranked 6 Best

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

Content is everywhere. Whether it’s an online business or a blog, in video or word format, powerful content is what keeps them running. To create effective content, the writer must focus on quality. While it should be original content with a solid subject matter, it should also be error free.

To write content free of errors is not humanly possible and therefore, many users prefer using an integrated spell-checker. However, these built-in tools are only as effective.

These tools can pick up only a few mistakes, overlooking the major concerns. That’s when the advanced grammar checker tools like an automated proofreading software come handy.

These software programs ensure clean and effective content in the minimum possible time. So, here’s a quick list of some of the best automated proofreading software for high-quality content.

What are the best automated proofreading tools?

Grammarly proofreading

Grammarly simplifies the entire writing process with its AI-based technology. After checking the content for even the smallest of mistakes, it generates a bold and clear copy minus any errors.

Whether the content is for a blog or a website, or for Gmail, Twitter, LinkedIn, it makes corrections to any type of text.

The correction level offered is beyond just grammar and spelling check. The software also highlights the style, tone, and also offers suggestions for the right words. It’s a perfect tool to eliminate errors, as well as for the right sentence structure.

From grammar, spelling, vocabulary, or punctuation to conciseness and formality, it covers all.

Best of all, Grammarly can be added to Chrome for free, for instant correction. Grammarly is also available as an extension on Edge on Windows 10.

The premium version comes with extra features such as tone suggestions, readability checks, and repetitive patterns detection.


You can also spellcheck what you write on mobile with Grammarly’s Keyboard for Android and iOS.

Grammarly proofreading

If you want to have the best online grammar spelling teacher you must take Grammarly into consideration.
Check price Visit website

Ginger Grammar Checker

Ginger Grammar Checker is another leading automated proofreading software that helps users write better English while correcting texts, efficiently.

It can be used for grammar and spelling mistakes, and for words used wrongly, and does it with unbeaten perfection. The software refines the content just as would someone would do it manually.

From mistakes in syntax to punctuation errors, Ginger Grammar Checker ensures error-free English writing. It offers correction for a wide range of grammatical errors. Unlike the usual free grammar check tools, Ginger offers suggestions for corrections apart from pulling up the mistakes.

Whether the errors are related to singular vs plural, or there are mistakes in tenses, the software uses innovative technology to identify and correct with perfection. It offers one of the easiest and fastest ways to check grammatical mistakes.

Ginger Grammar Checker

Download Ginger for seamless grammar checking on all possible applications on your PC.
Visit website

Quillbot

Quillbot is a web-based paraphrasing tool with an integrated Summarizer and Grammar Checker. It guarantees ease of access from any place with an Internet connection.

The software is intuitive, you don’t necessarily have to be familiarized with such tools before using it. The paraphrasing tool can be used in different modes, depending on the nature of your text and desired results.

The free version offers a Standard Mode, a Fluency Mode and a Creative mode. These options are really helpful in setting the tone of your text and giving it the proper structure for your specific needs.

The Summarizer is another great feature that comes in handy, along with the word flipper which allows you to replace words with their synonyms.

Another important element that contributes to the quality of your work is the possibility to use extensions and add ons. Quillbot offers a Google Chrome extension and Microsoft Word and Google Docs add-ons.

Quillbot comes with both a free and premium plan. The free plan has quite an extensive number of features, but if you need more advanced options like Comparing modes, you can try the premium version. It has a 3-day money-back guarantee.

Quillbot

Make sure all your assignments fit the right tone and are error-free with advanced spellcheck, paraphrasing, fluency modes, and more!
Free trial Visit website

Scrivener

Scrivener is an all-in-one type of tool for writers. It is a word processor that doubles as a task organizer, so you can easily manage all writing-related tasks without using any other tool.

When it comes to spellchecks, Scrivener offers you two options: automatic and manual spellcheck. The automatic function can be your best bet because it generates suggestions as you write.

However, if you want to insert an already written text, or the automatic feature distracts you from keeping a good workflow, you can check your spelling manually. Just select the text and then select the spelling option within the edit mode.

Scrivener has standard text editing features similar to those of MS Word or Google Docs. You can select different font styles and sizes, change text color, insert tables and comments, insert images, and more.

If you need a proofreader for tedious, large projects, Scrivener may just be your best bet. It can help you create layouts, and it also allows you to focus on one section at a time.

You can work on whatever text level you prefer. For instance, if you want to focus on one paragraph, you can edit it separately in another window. Once you’re finished, all edits are saved in your main document and you can move on to the next section.

Scrivener also comes with a sticky-notes planning tool that can be used for quick ideas and reminders.

The notes and the main word processor can open simultaneously, so you can see all the important points you need to include as you write.

Scrivener has a free version and a full, licensed version. It is compatible with Windows 7 PCs and higher. 

Scrivener

Create ready to publish materials with perfect spelling using this powerful text editor that takes care of everything from font size to paper outline!
Free trial Visit website

Nuance

For those working with PDFs on a daily basis (especially for business users), Nuance is a perfect choice. It helps businesses to regulate their PDF processes in each department and for any use.

It helps them build, convert, and collect industry-level PDF documents with high-level perfection, and with cloud and DMS connectivity. It also comes equipped with plenty of useful features that help users edit, search, and share PDF files, securely.

It also works as an automated grammar checker software, that proofreads and corrects scanned PDF file contents after changing to searchable PDF. Users can also view and rectify OCR results that can’t be viewed or edited by other PDF software programs.

The software allows users to convert paper content to PDF more precisely. It basically generates high-quality and more professional-looking documents without any errors.

Nuance is also a great solution for on-the-go writing as it can also be used as a dictation tool. It is highly accurate in speech-to-text production. You can use this feature to create documents from scratch, fill out forms, or write emails.

It can be used as a mobile and desktop app keeping all your documents in sync so you get to edit them wherever you are.

Nuance

Nuance is not only the perfect regulator for PDF documents but also a great automated grammar checker.
Check price Visit website

WhiteSmoke

Whitesmoke comes with a set of completely in-built, and advanced English writing tools. It helps identify several errors that have been missed in the previous searches.

The software is easy to use and comes with a remodeled design and proven enhanced efficiency levels. It’s redesigned from scratch to boost performance and offer added details on individual errors.

The best part is, the packages for this software come equipped with plenty of features and updates on content. It offers superior quality proofreading skills by correcting the smallest of mistakes including spelling mistakes, word choices, and style mistakes.

The software is known for its grammatical power and its advantages using its innovative technology.

The products offered by the brand are based on NLP (Natural Language Processing) technology. It features exclusive and patented AI and algorithms for content evaluation.

The products are available as browser-based text editors, and specialized OEM versions developed for integration with 3rd party service providers.

⇒ Get WhiteSmoke

Creating error-free text content is no more a challenge, especially with these applications around. So, get one of these super-effective automated proofreading software programs today, and improve your English writing skills.

Impress your clients and get noticed for your writing prowess.

Linux Mint apparently runs better than Windows 11 on Surface devices

Posted on by Alexandru Poloboc

Sure, a lot has been said about Microsoft’s latest operating system in these last few months, and a lot has also been done by developers, to make it a much more stable experience.

However, there are those that don’t agree with the tech giant’s OS choices and would rather use alternatives such as Linux instead.

But Microsoft made a big deal about how smooth Windows 10 or Windows 11 run on their very own Surface devices.

Is that so, though? Are the Surface machines made to only run Microsoft operating systems smoothly, or is it just a ploy to make us buy more laptops and tablets?

Recently, users actually confirm that Linux Mint runs way better on Surface laptops than the OS they were designed for in the first place.

Surface machines run Linux better than Windows 10 or 11

No, it isn’t a joke, people took it upon themselves to try it and the results are actually better than what was initially expected from this experiment.

Furthermore, users that have been using Surface devices since for graphics and work state that there is always something wrong with them.

They are referring to either Windows OS-specific problems or questionable hardware configurations choices made by Microsoft.

Regardless of the motivation that drove some to leave Windows 11 behind in favor of Linux, on Microsoft-designed laptops and tablets, the result is the same.

Installed Linux Mint on my SurfaceBook 2. Amazing how much better Linux runs on MS’s own hardware than Windows 10 or 11.
by inlinuxmint

Most of the users that saw and responded to this post agree with what has been said and actually share from their own similar experiences.

Apparently, many Windows fans who own Surface gadgets have made this interesting transition instead of simply buying a Mac device because of compatibility issues and, most importantly, performance.

When asked why not Apple instead of Linux Mint, the answers were always the same: no touch screen support, no native pen support, and the lack of other important features or software.

The Marvell wifi adapter caused me so many problems on the Pro 3, Surface Studio and SurfaceBook 2 running Windows. Even today, it’s wonky on the Surface Studio, never being quite as stable as it should have been. I was able to get the Pro 3 wifi stable after upgrading to a SurfaceLinux kernel and Wifi has been good on the Book2 after the Mint upgrade. Funny thing is touch screen and pen functions were working without the new kernel on the Pro 3, but I made the switch regardless as it just made sense to me considering Mint is running on a Surface. After upgrade, Wifi has been good on the Pro 3.

It’s interesting to see just how many Windows users who own Surface laptops will make this transition and, more importantly, what will the Redmond-based tech company do about this conundrum.

We saw Windows 11 work just fine on a wide array of gadgets, from smartphones to NUCs, to foldable machines, but Linux is apparently a bigger threat to the new OS than anybody thought until now.

So, if you bought a brand new Surface laptop or a tablet and you’re not very happy with how the traditional operating system performs, maybe you can give this a try.

Have you ever tried installing Linux on your Surface laptop? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.

How to Fix What Needs Your Attention on Windows 11

Posted on by Loredana Harsana

Users who want to upgrade their PC to Windows 11 might encounter the What needs your attention prompt. If this error appears on your screen, your device cannot upgrade, and the Windows 11 installation will terminate.

Windows 11 appears to be exciting, with major changes in user experience and system performance, making it reasonable to download and install for free.

However, many users experience incompatibility issues during the process. One of the issues you might run into is that the installation process gets stuck at 35% or 80%.

In certain circumstances, Windows will notify you which software or driver requires attention so that you can remove or update it and resolve the problem, but in our case, the installer will not explain why the error is being displayed. So, in this situation, you’ll have to double-check a few things.

Why do I get the What needs your attention error?

As you may be aware, there are a lot of factors that contribute to an error occurring, whether it’s related to Windows updates or the installation of new software, and the What needs your attention issue is no exception. In order to address the problem, we must first understand where the problem originates, which we will discuss in this section.

  • Incompatible devices – you can fix this issue by removing external devices and drives or updating the drivers to the latest version
  • Corrupted system files – some apps change the setup of your system files, and thus can cause system instability
  • Clutter of caches, cookies and older program parts – these files refer to remnants of uninstalled programs and data caches remaining from usual activities

Now that we’ve identified some of the main culprits, and we understand our circumstances better, we can move on to the actual fixes for this problem.

How can I fix the What needs your attention issue on Windows 11?

1. Remove external hardware

As we already mentioned, some hardware connections to your Windows 11 device can cause conflicts which can result in the error appearing.

To resolve this problem, all external hardware needs to be disconnected from the PC, and then after each of them attempts to perform the same task that resulted in the error.

Here are the type of devices that will need to be disconnected from your PC:

➡ Scanners and printers

➡ Wireless keyboards, speakers, microphones, and webcams

➡ External devices such as HDD, DVD-RW, etc

➡ Bluetooth devices such as mouse and keyboard

Ensuring that these devices are removed from the PC will allow you to eliminate the possibility that their connection is causing the issue in the first place.

After removing them all, try again to see if the same issue appears. If it does, feel free to follow the next method presented in this guide.

2. Uninstall suspicious applications

Some applications or remaining files from them can also cause this issue to appear on Windows 11, and for this reason, removing any apps that you’re not familiar with can possibly help with this problem.

As not all applications are built the same, users have reported that there are some that seem to be directly connected to the problem described in this guide.

Here are some of the most common applications that should be removed:

  • VirtualBox
  • VMware Workstation Player
  • BlueStacks
  • LDPlayer
  • Team Viewer
  • Dnplayerext2 (this file is installed with LDPlayer but won’t delete when you uninstall LDPlayer, so you have to delete it manually)
  • NOX Player
  • UxStyle
  • LinuxLive USB creator

Even though in your case you might have these apps or not, looking through the list of apps installed on your PC should help you identify any that you don’t use.

Below you can see how to remove any unwanted apps:

  1. Click on Start menu and then select Settings from the menu that appears.Click on Start menu and select settings
  2. Select System from the Settings menu.Click on System menu
  3. After that, from the left pane, select the Apps & Features option.Apps and features in System menu
  4. Scroll through the list of installed apps until you find the ones that aren’t compatible. For example, we want to get rid of TeamViewer, which is listed among the suspicious apps above.
  5. After you’ve found the app you want to uninstall, click on it and then select Uninstall. You can also use uninstaller apps to erase all of their files completely. Uninstalling App from Windows 10
  6. Then select the option to Remove settings and click Uninstall.Confirm Uninstalling app
  7. Wait a few moments for TeamViewer to uninstall, then click Close to complete the procedure.Click Close to finish uninstallation
  8. Now, navigate to the program’s directory in Program Files to confirm that all of the files have been deleted. Deleting TeamViewer files
  9. If a folder with the app’s name still exists, as in the example above, click on it first, then press Delete on your keyboard or right-click on it and select Delete.Delete TeamViewer files in directory
  10. Return to the Windows 11 Update window and click on Refresh to see if the problem has been addressed. If not, move on to the next step.

If you can’t uninstall an app through Apps & Features, you can use third-party apps or command prompts.

Note icon NOTE
After you’ve uninstalled the apps, make sure to restart your computer so all the data files from these software options are removed

3. Update drivers

  1. Press the Win + R keys simultaneously to open the Run dialog box.
  2. Type Devmgmt.msc and press Enter or click on OK to open the Device Manager.Go to Run And type Devmgmt.msc
  3. Following that, right-click each driver and select Update driver from the context menu.Updating Drivers
  4. Select Search automatically for updated driver software from the update driver wizard.Search Automatically for Updated driver software
  5. Wait a few moments for the updater to find the most recent driver version.Driver Updater wizard
  6. If your device requires an update, it will be done; however, if the driver is the most recent, you will receive a message similar to the one below. To complete the update process, click Close, and then move on to the next device.Updated driver

The process of updating drivers can be done in multiple ways, with some of the most common being using the Device Manager app to search for them one by one, using the Windows Update process, or using special software.

The easiest and most hassle-free solution for this is the latter, which involves taking advantage of the features of a great automatic driver updater software like Outbyte Driver Updater.

Should I upgrade to Windows 11?

Before jumping to any conclusions, keep in mind that there are numerous factors to consider. The first step is to determine whether or not your computer is capable of running Windows 11. Simply put, most current computers, as well as some powerful ones from the past generations, are capable of running this operating system. However, you may need to bypass some Windows 11 requirements along the road.

Now read over the Windows 11 system requirements and make sure your PC meets them:

  • 64-bit CPU having at least 2 cores running at a clock speed of 1 GHz
  • Minimum 4 gigabytes of RAM
  • Storage device with 64 GB or more
  • TPM version 2.0
  • Graphics card with WDDM 2.0 driver that is compatible with DirectX 12 or later.

Next factor to consider is that several Windows 10 features have been removed from Windows 11. For example, many users valued the ability to move the Taskbar, but it is no longer movable from the bottom of the screen. As a result, you should take into account more than just the Windows 11 requirements.

Furthermore, Windows 11 may not be compatible with the software and devices you use regularly. So, before upgrading, we recommend that you first install Windows 11 on a virtual machine and then test your critical apps to see if they work correctly.

You can also test devices by installing Windows 11 on another computer or by installing Windows 11 on another drive and testing them.

After removing the barriers, Windows Installer should be able to install the operating system on your PC. If your PC has no additional problems, the installation progress will go on after you press the Refresh button at the bottom of the ‘What needs your attention’ prompt. However, if the error still remains, you have to keep searching for malfunctioning files and drivers.

After you have upgraded your computer to Windows 11, you can reinstall the application you’ve removed previously. We also encourage you to add to the list of potential programs that prevent the Windows 11 setup in the comment sections so other users can install the operating system easier.

Fix: Roku Connected to Wi-Fi but Not Working

Posted on by Vladimir Popescu

Are you facing Roku connected to Wi-Fi but not working problem? If so, then you are in the right place. Because in this guide, we will share some possible solutions to fix the problem.

Roku is a streaming device that connects with your internet connection and lists content from various online streaming services.

Fun fact: the first Roku device was built in collaboration with streaming giant Netflix in 2008. Now, you can choose from a wide range of Roku devices.

You can stream content from paid online streaming services, and Roku provides easy access to free TV, news, sports, movies, music, and much more.

All you need to do is purchase a Roku device, turn it on, connect it to the internet, activate your account and device, and that’s it! You are all set for a good time with your TV.

Roku streaming devices get connected to your TV via an HDMI cable, thus offering the best media output. Moreover, the Roku TVs have their own Roku OS built-in, negating the need to establish a connection using HDMI.

That being said, some users encountered issues while using Roku, such as the error codes 003, 016, and 020.

However, several users have reported facing Roku connected to Wi-Fi but not working issues. This is where this guide comes into the picture.

We have created a curated list of solutions to fix this issue and some bonus tips and tricks to help you get the best out of your Roku device. With that said, let us jump right in.

Roku throws up error codes for problems occurring in the device. These codes are shown as a part of the error message.

Error codes usually make it easier for customer support or developers to pinpoint and provide solutions for corresponding problems.

Notably, different error codes exist for different types of Wi-Fi or internet connection issues. Let us look at the different Roku error codes and their recommended solutions.

  • Password problems
    • Error code 14.40
    • Error code 14.41
    • Solution: Check and re-enter your password.
  • Wi-Fi signal strength
    • Error code 14.20
    • Error code 14.62
    • Error code 14.64
    • Error code 016
    • Error code 017
    • Solution: Place your Roku device close to your router.
  • Slow internet speed
    • Error code 018
    • Solution: Upgrade your internet plan or contact your ISP
  • Connectivity issues
    • Error code 009
    • Error code 14
    • Error code 14.10
    • Error code 14.11
    • Error code 14.30
    • Error code 14.50
    • Error code 14.62
    • Error code 14.64
    • Solution: Restart router and your Roku device.
  • Ethernet cable related issues
    • Error code 012
    • Error code 013
    • Solution: Replace your ethernet cable.

Now that you know the codes for some of the most common error codes for Roku problems, let us look at the solutions for Roku connected to Wi-Fi but not working issue.

How can I fix Roku connected to Wi-Fi but not working problem?

1. Restart Roku

  1. Press the Home button on your Roku remote.
  2. Select Settings.roku connected to Wi-Fi but not working restart
  3. Choose System.roku connected to W-fi but not working system
  4. Select System Restart.roku connected to wi-fi but not working system restart
  5. Finally, choose Restart.restart roku

Most often, a simple restart does help fix several common issues related to a streaming device. Restart loads all the system files from scratch, which might have been missed during the previous session.

2. Restart your router

If you are having connection issues, then it is advised that you restart your router to fix this issue. Plug off the Wi-Fi router adapter or press the Power button to let it idle for about 10-20 seconds.

After that, plug back in your router and let the Wi-Fi signal get stable before connecting your Roku device to the network. Restarting the router would help resolve the discrepancies with the network and possibly resolve the Roku connected to Wi-Fi but not working issue.

3. Check internet connection

There are chances that the internet connection that you are connected to isn’t giving you optimal internet speed as per your data plan.

To check your internet speed, you can make use of websites such as Fast.com or Speedtest.net and get information about internet speed, ping, etc.

In such cases, you can either restart your Wi-Fi router or contact your internet service provider (ISP) and ask them to look into this matter.

Besides, if you connected the Roku device to a mobile hotspot, then try to minimize the number of connected devices to the hotspot.

4. Use an Ethernet cable

roku ethernet port

Wi-Fi signals often become unstable because of some issues with the Wi-Fi hardware. Besides, there are chances that your Roku device isn’t under the effective range of the router.

In such cases, we recommend you plug in the ethernet cable to your Roku device and try using a wired internet connection using an ethernet cable.

A wired connection would solve the Roku connected to Wi-Fi not working issue and give you uninterrupted internet speeds.

However, you should note that only a few Roku models have an Ethernet port. So, cross-check whether your Roku streaming device has an Ethernet port.

5. Switch the internet band on Roku

Most of the Roku streaming device models come with a dual-band wireless connection. This means it can connect to the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands with no issues.

Do note that 2.4GHz offers a better connectivity range than 5GHz, but the internet speed takes a toll. Conversely, the 5Ghz band sacrifices connectivity range for better internet speeds.

So, if you think internet speed is the real reason you are experiencing Roku connected to Wi-Fi but not working, you should switch to a 5Ghz frequency band Wi-Fi network. Otherwise, you should connect to a 2.4 GHz network for a better range. This can also resolve the Roku 014.30 error.

6. Move the Roku device closer to the router

As already mentioned, a Roku device shows network issues could be simply because the device isn’t able to properly receive the internet signal.

roku connected to wi-fi but nor working signal

In such a case, you can either try to remove all the hindrances between your router and Roku streaming device or move your Roku streaming device to a place close to your router.

Besides, you can also make use of the signal extenders you can easily purchase online or offline to increase the signal coverage throughout your home.

A small adjustment in the Roku device’s position and your router’s position could do wonders. Furthermore, you can try adjusting the router antennas and point them towards your Roku device to check whether this fixes the issue.

7. Disable network pings in Roku

  1. Press the Home button 5 times .
  2. Press Fast forward + Play + Rewind + Play + Fast forward just once on the remote.
  3. Select Systems operations in the secret settings screen.
  4. Select Network Menu.
  5. Choose Disable Network Pings option and hit OK on your remote.

Disabling network ping will help your Roku device to eliminate any false ping packets that it may have received from your router.

8. Check DNS settings

  1. Login to your router with user ID and password.
  2. Select DNS settings option.
  3. Choose internet DNS address into public DNS address.
  4. Enter 8.8.8.8 in DNS1 and 8.8.4.4 in DNS2.
  5. Save changes.
  6. Restart Roku and your router.

9. Reset network connection Roku

  1. Select Settings from Roku homepage.
  2. Choose Advanced system settings.
  3. Select Network connection reset.
  4. Select Reset connection.

After the network connection is reset, your Roku device will restart. Head back to the Settings menu and connect to your Wi-Fi by entering your password.

10. Reset Roku device

  1. Select Settings from the homescreen.
  2. Choose System.
  3. Select Advanced system settings.
  4. Select Factory Reset.
  5. Type in the 4-digit reset code that will display on your screen.

The factory reset should be chosen as the last option when none of those mentioned above methods did the job fixing Roku connected to Wi-Fi but not working issue.

Factory resetting your Roku device will erase your personal preferences, de-link your device from your account, and remove all settings to bring your Roku device back to its original state.

After the factory reset process is complete, you need to set up your Roku device once again from the start.

What are some tips for improved network connection?

Your Wi-Fi signal strength is one of the critical factors determining the quality of entertainment you would receive from your Roku device. Likewise, updating your Roku also requires a fast and stable connection or else you’ll get the Roku error 004.

If there are frequent drops in your internet connection, then Roku will not only throw up errors but also not load any content.

So, here are a few tips that you can apply to improve your network connection speed, which will your Roku device to give optimal performance:

  • Remove wireless interference: If your router is close to devices such as a microwave oven, cordless phone, or any other wireless devices, it may affect the quality of the network connection. Make sure to eliminate wireless interferences around your router.
  • Give your router a break: Often, due to continuous power supply, your router may heat up. This heating issue can compromise your internet connection speeds. So, if you keep your Wi-Fi router turned on for a long time, give it a break and power it off for at least 30 seconds during the day.
  • Check with your ISP: Contact your ISP if you think you are not getting the internet speed per your data plan. Moreover, you can also report to your ISP if you are experiencing frequent connection drops.
  • Adjust router antenna: Your router comes with multiple antennas. These antennas are the ones via which the signals are sent over to different devices. You can adjust the router antenna and point them towards your Roku device to receive optimal internet.
  • Use ethernet: If your Wi-Fi still has issues after following the methods mentioned above or contacting your ISP, you can switch to the ethernet connection. This will eliminate all the negatives of Wi-Fi and give you an uninterrupted internet connection.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below about this topic. You can also let us know which of the solutions mentioned above helped you fix Roku connected to Wi-Fi but not working problem.

Lenovo introduces a new gaming rig alongside Chromebooks, convertibles and detchable IdeaPads at MWC 2022

Posted on by Kareem Anderson

Lenovo most flexible consumer brand receives a host of new tweaks and features in 2022 that include new screen sizes, GPUs, processors, and connections.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5

Starting at $499.99

Lenovo’s IdeaPad line up offers perhaps the widest range of configurations for customers that include Windows 11 or ChromeOS operating systems as well as chip variants such 12th Gen Intel Core U-Series or AMD Ryzen 7 processors.

GPU set ups for the Flex 5 support AMD Radeon graphics or Iris-Xe Max.

The IdeaPad Flex 5 and 5i come with both 14 and 16-inch variants with optional E-color pens and reduced bezels for a 90 percent screen to body ratio when viewing in traditional clamshell or tablet modes.

The displays on both the 14 and 16-inch can be configured up to 2.8K on a 16:10 aspect ratio and powered OLED technology supported by 100 percent DCI-P3 color gamut and 400 nits of brightness.

When it comes to ports, the Flex 5-Series offers Type-C without Thunderbolt 4 support, full HDMI, 4-in-1 card reader, and mic/audio combo jack.

Each Flex 5 can be configured with up to 16GB of memory and 1TB of storage.

AMD and Intel variants of the Flex 5 will begin shipping May 2022 as well as the Flex 3i Chromebook variant and the 5i Chromebook option following in June 2022.

Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming

Starting at $989.99

Lenovo introduced two new super-noob consumer gaming rigs by the names of IdeaPad Gaming 3i and Gaming 3 that come in at 15 and 16-inch screen sizes and 16:10 aspect ratios with WQHD panel options. The new laptops introduce a muted gaming aesthetic with color highlights only displaying on the vent panel behind the computer.

Lenovo is packing the gaming rigs with 165Hz refresh rate screens for both Intel 12 Gen chips up to Core i7 H-series and AMD Ryzen 6000 Series configurations.

Gamers can also pair the IdeaPad Gaming rigs with up to NVIDIA GeForce 3060 Laptop GPU or an option to try out Intel’s Arc GPU for the first time.

Intel claims its improved airflow efficacy by an additional 10 percent from its other cooling architectures.

Other niceties of the IdeaPad Gaming rig include an Nahimic Audio 3D Sound System, optional 4-zone RGB backlit keyboard, 1080P FHD webcam and Xbox Game Pass via Lenovo partnership with Microsoft.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 and 3i begin shipping May 2022 for the 15-inch model and June 2022 for the 16-inch.

Lenovo IdeaPad Duet 3 and 5i

Starting at $399.99

Once again, Lenovo combines branding for dual operating system devices with Duet 3 (Chromebook) and the 5i (Windows) detachable tablet computers.

Starting with the Duet 3 Chromebook, buyers are getting spec upgrades to the 11-inch tablet computer that comes in with a fanless 7.9mm thick chassis slab running Snapdragon’s 7 c Gen 2 computer platform.

With a Snapdragon processor in Duet 3, Lenovo is claiming up to 12 hours of streaming video battery life. The Duet 3 comes in Misty Blue and Storm Grey color options as well as an anti-pry and water-resistant key detachable keyboard with pen support, two USB-C ports, 5MP front facing camera and 8MP rear cam setup.

As with most detachables the new keyboard cover doubles as a stand and folio case for protecting Duet 3.

On the Windows side of things, the screen of the Duet 5i is bumped up to 12-inches, bumps up the size to 9.45mm thickness and sports a 2.5K IPS touchscreen and 16:10 aspect ratio with support for 96 percent DCI p3 color gamut and 450 nits’ brightness.

Instead of Qualcomm, the Duet 5i sports Intel’s 12th generation with dual channel memory, Wi-Fi 6, Lenovo’s Smart Login technology with 5M infrared (IR) camera, and Rapid Charge Express technology.

The Duet 3 will begin shipping in May 2022 while the Duet 5i ships later in the year in July 2022.

Lenovo Tab M10 Plus (3rd Gen)

Starting at $189.99

Last up is Lenovo’s pure tablet effort in the Tab M10 Plus that gets a 10.6-inch 2K IPS LCD display with slimmer bezels for up to 85 percent screen-to-body ratios pushing up to 400 nits of brightness.

Customers can configure their Tab M10 Plus with up to 6GB RAM and 128GB of storage. The Tab M10 Plus runs on Android 12 OS with Lenovo promising “updates to come”.

At 465g, the sleek Tab M10 Plus pushes 12 hours of video playback on a 7700mAh battery and optional Lenovo Precision Pen 2 technology that supports up to 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity and tilt modes.

The Tab M10 Plus will come in two color options and starts shipping June 2022 in most markets.

How to Change Function Keys on Windows 11

Posted on by Cesar Cadenas

You probably use function keys every single day of your life, but don’t understand their purpose. Function keys on keyboards are tied to a specific feature on a computer, like increasing brightness level on a display or controlling the volume.

Admittedly, Function keys have so much usage that it can be confusing as to what they exactly do.

There may be times when you accidentally press a function key while typing and your computer do something that you didn’t know it could do.

Although function keys are pre-set, you can still change what they do. It’s important to point out what the function keys do is not universal across all Windows PCs and laptops.

Why should I change function keys on my Windows 11 computer and how?

The reason why you would want to change your function keys is to personalize your computer and know exactly what it does.

As stated earlier, function keys may have unknown uses or features, and it’s highly recommended that Windows 11 users know the ins and outs of their device so they can get the most out of it.

Digging into the inner workings of your computer can teach you a lot. Plus, configuring something all your own is a great way to make sure your machine meets your needs.

On some computers, you can remap your keyboard by going into the settings menu, but a lot of the time, this isn’t possible.

To solve this, you can install a third-party app and use that to remap your computer.

As you’re wondering how can you reassign function keys, this guide will show you some easy ways you can do just that.

One of the best third-party remapping apps is PowerToys and it works universally on all keyboards. Some gaming keyboards have their apps, but PowerToys is honestly better and saves space.

How can I change the function keys on Windows 11?

1. Download and install the Microsoft PowerToys app

  1. Download and install the software by clicking the Install PowerToys button.
  2. You will be taken to the official Github page for PowerToys.
  3. Click the link that reads PowerToysSetup-0.55.2-x64.ex to begin the download.
  4. A small window will appear. Select Save File.
  5. Go to where the file’s location and double-click it to begin installation.
  6. Click the box next to I agree to the license terms and condition, then hit the Install button.
  7. After a few seconds, PowerToys will install.

2. Configure PowerToys

  1. Click on the magnifying glass icon to bring up the Windows 11 search bar.
  2. Search for PowerToys and click the entry that appears.
  3. In PowerToys, locate Administrator mode in the General tab.
  4. If highlighted, click on Restart PowerToys as administrator in order to get the full capability of PowerToys.
  5. It was automatically close and reopen after a few seconds.
  6. After it reopens, click on the swtich next to Always run as administrator to turn it on.
  7. Click on Keyboard Manager on the left hand side of the menu.
  8. Make sure Enable Keyboard Manager has been turned On.
  9. If it isn’t, toggle the switch to the right.
  10. Under Keys, click Remap a key.
  11. Under Physical Key, select a function key to change. For this guide, F7 will be chosen.
  12. Under Mapped To, select a new action for the Function Key. In this example, F7 will now open up the App Menu, but it can changed to whatever is available.
  13. Hit the OK button to set the change.
  14. If you want change another Function Key, press the Plus sign to add another key and perform the same steps as before to change its input.
  15. Press the Trash Can icon on the right to get rid of a change if you no longer want it.
  16. A window appear telling that once reassigned, you can’t use the original function of that key. The change is permanent unless you uninstall PowerToys.
  17. Click Continue Anyway.
  18. You can test the newly remapped Function Key and pressing it and see if it does its new action.

3. Map multiple inputs to a single Function Key

  1. You can input multiple presses and map that to one Function Key.
  2. Go back to the Remap keys menu in PowerToys.
  3. You can do this by first clicking on Type under Mapped To.
  4. Type in the keys you want to bind, for example ALT and TAB to F7.
  5. Press OK.
  6. Press the OK button at the top of the window to set it
  7. Press Continue Anyway when it appears.
  8. Press the newly mapped Function Key to see if it works.

4. Configure keyboard inputs

  1. Click on the magnifying glass icon to bring up the search bar.
  2. Search for the Control Panel and click the entry that appears.
  3. Click Category next to View by.
  4. Select Large icons.
  5. Select Keyboard.
  6. A small window appear where you can adjust how fast letters come out when you press down on a key in the Speed tab.
  7. Under Hardware, click Properties.
  8. Click on the Driver tab to see if there are keyboard drivers to install.

Are there other keyboards tips that I should know about?

If you have a Windows 10 computer, it’s recommended that you also learn how to change the function keys on that OS too. It’s not that difficult as PowerToys and other third-party apps that work on Windows 11 also work on the older OS.

What you may not be aware of is using BIOS and UEFI Settings on Windows 10, which are firmware that can change a computer’s runtime services. However, it does take a bit of technical know-how.

There have also been cases of people reporting their keyboard layout changing to a completely different language. This can be caused by a corrupted user profile or the Fast Startup messing with the system. Whatever the case may be, fixing this weird glitch is highly recommended.

And if you get to a point where you don’t feel like typing away but still need to write, then you should look into the text-to-speech and voice recognition features on Windows 11. That way you can still work with just your voice. Set up is easy as it requires you to go into the Settings menu and turn the feature on.

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

Microsoft opens up on its response to Russian invasion of Ukraine

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

On February 24, Russia launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, sending in troops, launching missiles, and large-scale cyber attacks on Ukrainian institutions. Much of the world has come out against the Russian aggression, and the U.S. and European Union has pledged support to Ukraine. Though it’s a larger political and humanitarian issue, and not a “big tech” topic, Microsoft has now come out and opened up on its response to the situation.

In a blog post, Microsoft President & Vice Chair Brad Smith provided a “Short term” summary of how Microsoft is responding. There are four key areas. The first is protecting Ukraine from cyber attacks, the second is protecting against state-sponsored disinformation campaigns, the third is humanitarian assistance, and the final is protecting Microsoft employees.

In protecting Ukraine from Cyber Attacks, Microsoft says before the physical Russian invasion of Ukraine, it detected attacks against Ukraine’s digital infrastructure. It altered Ukraine of Russia’s use of the “FoxBlade” malware package and provided steps on how to prevent the malware from infecting systems. This was done within three hours of discovery.

As for what’s ahead, Microsoft says that it “remains especially concerned” about ongoing attacks on the Ukrainian financial sector, agriculture sector, and even emergency response services and humanitarian aid efforts. Microsoft says it continues to work with Ukraine, as well as NATO, American officials, and European Union officials, and advise them on these issues and any new malware.

On the second front of things, there’s disinformation from the Russian government. Here, Microsoft is “reducing the exposure” of Russian state propaganda. This fits with the EU’s decision to ban Kremlin-associated media. As a result, Microsoft Start, and MSN.com will no longer show any state-sponsored RT and Sputnik content. Microsoft also removed the RT news apps from the Windows app store and is de-ranking those search results on Bing, and banning all advertisements from RT and Sputnik across its ad networks.

As for humanitarian aid, Microsoft is working with the  International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and multiple UN agencies to mobilize resources to help people in need in Ukraine. Microsoft also activated the Microsoft Disaster Response Team to provide support to Ukrainian authorities. Even the Microsoft employee giving program is involved, and Microsoft is matching contributions to help provide funds to ICRC, UNICEF, and the Polish Humanitarian Association.

Finally, when it comes to employees, Microsoft says that it is devoted to protecting them, on both sides of the coin — Russian and Ukrainian. “As a company, we are always committed to the safe protection of our employees in every country, even when they live on opposite sides of a border marked by conflict,” said Microsoft.

Featured Image from Shutterstock

How to disable Windows Game Mode

Posted on by Alexandru Poloboc

For most of us, the simple mention of the word gaming triggers a whole conversation, that mainly revolves around another important word that is associated with the gaming experience, which is quality.

Naturally, some people don’t care that much about the overall quality and just want to experience the game. But for die-hard gamers, quality is the number one concern when putting together or purchasing an already premade gaming setup.

But it’s not only the hardware itself that can take away from our gaming experience quality, as there are certain software features that can also contribute to improving or decreasing it.

Game Mode can decrease gaming quality

Whether we are talking about Windows 10, or Microsoft’s upcoming operating system, players are constantly reporting that the Game Mode feature, which is turned on by default, takes away from the overall gameplay quality.

FYI – Game Mode is on by default in 1903 (May, 2019 feature update) and forward.

Testing has shown game mode is a mixed bag – minor fps increases on some systems with some games, and also fps losses for some systems and some games.

If you want your games to run as well as possible, disable unnecessary programs from running at startup, and uninstall any third-party antivirus or OEM software if you have a prebuilt.

You might also want to check out how the selected power plan on your device affects your gaming experience.

But, since we were talking about Game Mode, let’s focus on how to turn it off. It’s a simple enough process and you will be able to do it in less than two minutes.

How can I disable Game Mode on Windows 11?

There isn’t much to be said about gaming on Windows 11, except that it’s an awful experience, due to the lack of optimization.

However, as on the previous OS, the Game Mode feature can also take a toll on your resources, thus causing stuttering or micro-freezes.

Turning the feature off on this operating system is just as simple as on the previous one.

  1. Access the Settings menu.
  2. Select the Gaming category and then click on the Game Mode button.game mode windows 11
  3. Switch the Game Mode option to Off.disable game mode windows 11

How do I turn off Game Mode on Windows 10?

Follow these simple steps and you will disable the Game Mode feature on your Windows 10 device:

  1. Access the Settings menu.
  2. Click on the Gaming button.gaming
  3. Select Game Mode from the left side pannel and switch the feature to Off.turn off game mode

Of course, there could be other factors involved, that can ruin your gaming experience, due to constant stuttering, game crashes or FPS drops.

However, there are some solutions you can use to fix FPS issues on Windows 10, and we wrote all about this topic.

Remember that, as we mentioned above, there are always other factors involved when it comes to gaming quality.

The Game Mode feature is just a drop in the ocean, so don’t always assume it’s the only reason you might be experiencing low FPS or stuttering.

But, just in case you needed to disable it, now you know how to do it.

Do you keep your Game Mode feature On or Off while gaming? Let us know in the comments section below.

Windows 11 Adaptive Brightness Missing: How to Enable it

Posted on by Cesar Cadenas

Adaptive brightness is a feature on Windows 11 computers that adjusts the screen’s level of brightness based on what’s being shown or lighting conditions.

Because some users are still getting used to the new interface of Windows 11, they can’t find adaptive brightness with ease, and some even say that the adaptive brightness feature on Windows 11 is missing, so this guide will clear everything up.

For example, if you’re watching a YouTube video and the video suddenly shows a dark scene, adaptive brightness will make the screen brighter and increase the contrast level.

This is different from auto-brightness, which is a screen setting that causes the computer, smartphone, or device to adjust the level of brightness according to the ambient lighting.

There’s a special sensor in the front-facing camera that detects the light. Adaptive brightness uses machine learning to learn how you or a user adjusts the brightness level and change automatically if it ever encounters the same conditions again.

On Windows 11, it has a special name which is content-adaptive brightness control or CABC. Windows 11 computers are typically really good at adaptive brightness, changing to suit your needs.

It can even improve battery life, but sometimes you want to have further control of your computer’s brightness and turn off adaptive brightness.

Why would it be necessary to turn off or configure adaptive brightness?

Simply put, it can be kind of annoying and distracting. There’s also the issue with decreasing image quality on stuff that requires color accuracy. Graphic designers and artists need to have displays that accurately show off what they’re working on or else risk producing the wrong thing.

People who work with photo and video apps require the same level of accuracy. Now if you’re something who uses a desktop version of Windows 11, then batteries are not an issue for you. But if you have a laptop with Windows 11 as the operating system, do note that turning off adaptive brightness will drain the battery much faster.

This guide will show you how to turn off and adjust adaptive brightness on your Windows 11 computer. It will show you multiple methods on how to turn it off from going to the Settings menu or adjusting your graphics card. The guide will also mention how to turn it back on.

How do I configure adaptive brightness on Windows 11?

1. Changing via the Settings menu

  1. Click on the Start menu in the bottom left corner and click on the Settings icon.
  2. Click on the System tab on the left hand corner.
  3. Click Display in the System section.
  4. Under Brightness & color, adjust the brightness meter by moving the slide left or right.
  5. In some versions of Windows 11, there may be an option that reads “Automatically adjust contrast based on the display content to help improve battery.”
  6. If that option is there, click the box next to it to turn it off.
  7. Conversely, you can do the same by clicking on the battery icon in the bottom right hand corner to bring up the Quick Access menu.
  8. In the Quick Access menu, adjust the brightness level by moving the slider just like in the Settings menu.

2. Configuring via Power & battery

  1. Open the Settings menu by clicking on the icon in the Start menu.
  2. Under the System tab, click on Power & battery.
  3. Under the Power & battery section, click Battery saver to make the drop down menu appear.
  4. Click the menu next to Turn battery saver on autimatically at and select a lower percentage for when adaptive brightness kicks in.
  5. Or if you want it completely off, toggle the switch to turn off Lower screen brightness when using battery saver.

How can I turn off adaptive brightness on Windows 11?

If you find that you can’t turn off adaptive brightness on Windows 11 for any reason, the steps below will ensure that you manage to do so successfully, so make sure to follow the steps exactly.

1. Disable via Registry Editor

  1. Click on the magnifying glass icon to bring up the search bar.
  2. Search for the Windows 11 Registry Editor.
  3. Click on the first entry you see.
  4. In Registry Editor, click on HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
  5. Click SOFTWARE.
  6. Under SOFTWARE, locate and click on the entry of your computer’s graphics card. In this guide, Intel is the processor being used.
  7. Click on Display.
  8. Click igfxcui to bring down another menu.
  9. Select MediaKeys and a bunch of entries appear on the right.
  10. Locate ProcAmpBrightness.
  11. Right-click to bring up a menu. Select Modify.
  12. Set the Value data to “0”.
  13. Click OK and then close the Registry Editor.
  14. Restart your PC.

2. Disable via the Intel Graphics Command Center

  1. Click on the magnifying glass icon and search for the Intel Graphics Command Center.
  2. Click the first entry that appears.
  3. In the Graphics Command Center, select System on the left hand side menu.
  4. In the System section, click on Power in the top menu bar.
  5. In the Power section, go to the Power Settings.
  6. Make sure that Display Power Savings is turned off. If it’s on, click on the toggle switch to turn it off.

3. Disable via the Control Panel

  1. Bring up the search bar and search for the Windows 11 Control Panel.
  2. Click on the first entry that appears.
  3. In the Control Panel, click on View by.
  4. Select Large icons.
  5. In this new window, select Power Options.
  6. Select Change plan settings in the middle of the window next to Balanced (recommended). Or you can create your own power plan.
  7. Click Change advanced power settings.
  8. In the new small window, scroll down and locate Display.
  9. Click the plus sign to bring down the menu.
  10. Click on Enable adaptive brightness.
  11. Click on On next to Settings, if on desktop. For laptop owners, it’ll say On battery and Plugged in.
  12. Select Off in the drop down menu to turn off adaptive brightness.

How can I make my interaction with my Windows 11 computer even easier?

An interesting feature that you may not be aware of is text-to-speech and voice recognition on Windows 11. They’re tools that allow you to use your very own voice to write, and this can be useful if you’re someone who struggles with getting their thought down on the screen.

Writer’s block is a terrible thing to deal with as a writer and something like voice recognition can help you. Conversely, if you want a tool that helps guide you through steps or you can’t see the screen well, then text-to-speech is fantastic.

If you’re a big PC gamer, then you should learn how to update your graphics drivers, which are the software that allows your computer to use the GPU.

A lot of modern video games require the best possible standards to play them and set a high bar for system requirements. Performance boosts and new features are often included in driver updates, so if you want to stay good at Call of Duty, download them.

Grab the Xbox Series S for $250, the lowest price since launch, today on Woot!

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Looking to dive into next-gen gaming, but don’t want to spend too much on a console? Well, today’s your lucky day. Woot!, an Amazon company, has the Xbox Series S for $250, which is $50 off the usual retail price of $300. This brings the console to its lowest price ever, and if you’re an Amazon Prime member, you even can enjoy free shipping.

As a reminder, the Xbox Series S is a more affordable way to enjoy some of the same features from Microsoft’s Flagship Xbox Series X console. You’ll get 1080p and 1440 gaming instead of 4K gaming, but you can still enjoy games at up to 120 frames per second, and fast load times thanks to the onboard solid-state drive.

Do note, though, that this console lacks a physical disc drive, so you’ll have to settle for downloading games. If you’re an Xbox Game Pass member with a solid internet connection, then this is the console for you. We reviewed the Xbox Series S right when it launched, so feel free to check it out to aid you in your buying decision.

MWC 2022 Recap: Microsoft 5G news, the world’s first ARM-powered ThinkPad, & more

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Mobile World Congress, better known as MWC, is now underway, and there was a huge set of news coming out of the annual trades show this year. Microsoft and its partners played a big part in this, detailing some news around 5G telecommunications, as well as some big gains on the Windows on ARM front, with the world’s first ARM-powered ThinkPad. We recapped everything you need to know in this one post.

ARM-powered ThinkPad X13s

For most people, the big news out of MWC will be Lenovo’s ThinkPad X13s. This new ThinkPad sports Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8cX SoC under the hood. Leaked benchmarks indicated this ARM chip could be just as fast as a 25-watt U-Series Intel 12th generation processor, and Lenovo’s new ThinkPad shows why. The company indicated that system-level performance on this device can be boosted by up to 57% and multi-tasking can be up to 85% faster.

The ThinkPad even sports Microsoft’s Pluton security chip, which is news from MWC that we dive deeper into in our separate post. This ThinkPad also has suggested battery of up to 28 hours, alongside 5G connectivity. Not to forget smart communications like a 5MP webcam, that has AI-based auto framing and standard triple-array microphones that can provide intelligent noise suppression during conference calls. 

Samsung’s new Galaxy Books

The other big news of MWC is Samsung’s new devices. Samsung launched it’s new Galaxy Book2 Pro series. This is the company’s new flagship PC lineup, consisting of the Galaxy Book2 Pro 360 and Galaxy Book2 Pro with 5G. The Galaxy Book 2 Pro series is the first consumer PC which meets Microsoft’s secured-core PC requirements for protections against cyber attacks. The Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360 devices all have Intel’s 12th generation chips inside, as well as beautiful AMOLED panels.

Microsoft 5G news

Next up is the news of an AT&T partnership with Microsoft. In order to help make private 5G networks smarter, simpler, and more flexible for businesses, schools, and other organizations, AT&T revealed that it is using Microsoft technology for this feat. More specifically, it’s Azure private MEC with Azure Private 5G Core that’s being used to help deploy these private wireless networks rapidly across radio spectrums, including CBRS. This tech can be used in manufacturing, medical field, car dealerships, according to AT&T.

In other 5G news, Lockheed Martin Corp is working with Microsoft on a government contract. More specifically, they’re using 5G.MIL solutions to rapidly advance reliable connections for U.S. Department of Defense systems. In the agreement, the two companies will test how to effectively expand and manage 5G networking technology for Joint-All Domain Operations (JADO) defense applications using Microsoft’s 5G and Microsoft Azure services for Lockheed Martin’s Hybrid Base Station.

As we said, 5G is the big topic at MWC for Microsoft. They announced Azure for Operators, but there were other announcements, too. Of those, is the fact that Telefónica will be expanding its global collaboration with Microsoft to the consumer market. In addition, Qualcomm announced that it collaborated with Microsoft to transform Enterprise Connectivity with an end-to-end 5G private network solution.

Other news

We hit the highlights, here, but you can keep in touch with all the news from MWC 2022 over on Microsoft’s website. There were some smaller stories, like Lenovo’s new ThinkBook 14s Yoga Gen 2, IdeaPad Flex 5i, IdeaPad Gaming 3i and IdeaPad Gaming 3 laptop. Be sure to keep it tuned to OnMSFT, as we’ll be here to bring you all the latest from MWC 2022. Follow us on Twitter, and check us out on Pinterest, too.

Lenovo refreshes ThinkPad line with 12th Gen chips and bets big on Qualcomm with new X13s

Posted on by Kareem Anderson

Mobile World Congress news is upon us and out of the gate Lenovo introduces its updated ThinkPad lineup with 16:10 aspect ratios, 8TB hard drives and 12th Gen Intel Core processors.

ThinkPad X 13s

Starting at $1,099.000

Perhaps, the most talked about PC coming from Lenovo will be the new ThinkPad X13s which is co-developed project between Lenovo and Qualcomm Technologies to produce a more powerful Windows powered laptop driven by a Snapdragon mobile chip.

The new 8cx Gen will be the compute platform for the ThinkPad X13s and it helps power an ultra slim 13.3-inch 16:10 laptop with up to 28 hours of battery life and mmWave 5G connectivity.

Lenovo says the X13s is made with 90 percent certified recycled magnesium on the top and bottom and 97 percent PCC plastic in the battery Printed Circuit Board (PCB) for the cover and battery frame.

Now the big question will be how well Microsoft and Qualcomm work with developers and Enterprise ISV’s to make their technologies run natively-like on the 8cx Gen 2. Fortunately, the wait to test these all-day long and super connective devices is only until May 2022.

ThinkPad T-Series

Starting at $1,299

Next up is an update to ThinkPad T-Series that includes the T16i, T14i, T14s models now moving to a 16:10 aspect ratio screen with low blue light technology and an FHD webcam. Other improved features include Dolby support for Audio and Voice enhancements as well as Wi-Fi 6E and enhanced WWAN.

Lenovo will be providing both 12th Gen Alder Lake and AMD Ryzen 6000 Pro series processor configurations.

The T-Series will be available starting April 2022 for both the T16 and T14 Intel variants with other models including AMD variants available in June.

ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5

Starting at $2,049

The ThinkPad X1 Extreme comes with 165Hz refresh rare panel at 16-inches and a 16:10 aspect ratio in its fifth iteration. The 16-inch screen can also be configured with a 4K panel at 600-nits of brightness, factory color calibrated, and Dolby Vision HDR supported with pen input.

With the X1 Extreme being one Lenovo’s sleekest workhorse laptops, customers can put the beefier 12th Gen i9 Core H with Intel Pro V tech processors into the chassis as well as choosing an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti with 16GB GDDR6 GPU.

Another “extreme” feature for the X1 is are the configuration options for up to 64GB of memory and two 4TB M.2 PCIe Gen 4 SSDs on a 90Wh battery layout.

The ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 5 will be available starting June 2022.

ThinkPad P-Series

Starting at $1,419

Last up is the other heavy-duty PC in Lenovo’s Ultrabook line up, the ThinkPad P-Series. in 2022 the P14s Gen 3 and P16s Gen 1 are coming with 12th Gen Intel chips, NVIDIA T550 GPUs, ISV-certification, wider touchpads, upgraded FHD webcams, blue light correction, X-Rite factory color calibration, and 16:10 aspect ratio panels.

Per tradition, the P-Series will come in the standard Lenovo Black, but will also come with a secondary aluminum grey color option.

Both variants of the ThinkPad P-Series will start shipping in April 2022.

 

Best Drone Photo Editing Software: Top 5 Picks for 2026

Posted on by Vlad Turiceanu

Choosing the best photo editor is already hard enough and it can become even more difficult if you find it difficult knowing how to maximize its features in order to get the best result.

Depending on the kinds of edits you want to perform, there are several editing software for drone captures you can choose from.

How do I choose the best photo editor to enhance drone photos?

Basically, the photos you take with the drone are aerial shots that will capture landscape images while constantly moving.

Although drones nowadays have advanced systems of countering movement effects, you will have to be ready with some tools to correct those effects, the difference in lighting, and more.

So, you will need a photo editor that can handle all those aspects and that’s why the first product on our list is a dedicated landscape editor.

You will also need features like sky and light changing, object removal, or even adding some atmospheric effects for a dramatic twist, why not?

In this article, we will explore the different photo editing software options you have with the best functionalities and specialties.

How do I edit pictures taken with a drone?

Adobe Photoshop

Adobe Photoshop could not be excluded from our list since it has some nice tools and features available for anyone to use, regardless of their skill level.

With this software, you can edit your drone photos beautifully, create HDR images, panoramas and also edit your images as needed.

Of course, adding colors, removing elements from the pictures, adjusting the balance, and shades of the gradient is also a must-have and are included in this software’s tool.

Adobe Photoshop can also be of great use when you’re not sure about your final images. It has multiple undo that allow you to go back and forth and change things up.

For quick results, Adobe Photoshop also provides an extensive Filter Gallery that allows you to add different types of artistic effects to your pictures.

If you are passionate about creating collages or combining photos in a single image, then you will love how this tool allows you to play with them in creating the perfect one.


Other key features of Adobe Photoshop include:

  • Support for object removal
  • Extensive Adobe Fonts set
  • Brush stroke filters
  • Portait retouch features 

Adobe Photoshop is a subscription-based software that charges monthly. The subscription package includes access to the Adobe Creative Cloud.

Adobe Lightroom

Adobe Lightroom, as you already know, is yet another great drone editing software that will enhance your photos in quality.

It comes with various tools and performance features such as image management that allows you to edit the pictures and organize them afterward easily.

Thankfully though, Adobe Lightroom has a nice, intuitive interface, which makes it easy to use even if you are a beginner.

Save all the images and the edit you made in the Adobe Cloud and then access them from everywhere in the world.

Lightroom can also help you save time by allowing you to save and store presets. When you are done editing your project, you can opt to save its particular adjustments for further use.

Moreover, the software also has a Lightroom CC app for Android and iOS which is perfect in case you want to quickly correct any of your social media pictures.

Adobe Lightroom is a subscription-based service but it’s available as a trial version for 30 days.


Other key features of Adobe Lightroom include:

  • RAW file editor
  • AI powered pixel increase for enhanced clarity
  • Collaborative editing with support
  • Integrated tutorials

inPixio Photo Studio 12 Pro

inPixio’s Photo Studio Pro has the necessary tools to enhance pretty much any image and bring it to its full potential. It automatically detects what adjustments your shot needs and fine-tunes it within minutes.

We tend to associate fast results with some sort of compromise on the quality, but it really is not the case with Photo Studio. Its features help you alter professional-level shots.

However, if you are not a big fan of automatic features, the software is fully equipped to allow you to edit every detail of your shots manually.

Some drone photographs may lack essential aspects such as alignment, clarity, or color. This software can take care of all these issues and elevate your work. Photo Studio can use just one image to create full HDR effects.

On the topic of fast and easy results, you also must know that inPixio Photo Studio Pro also has a set of over 40 HDR presets. These have particular settings for different types of photographs and can help you create both highly realistic and artistic, experimental shots.

inPixio Photo Studio Pro does offer support for regular HDR editing as well. It has advanced merging features that can help you combine multiple shots of the same scene for clear and detailed final pictures.

HDR Relight is another great feature of this software that detects the lightning sources in your shot and suggests the optimal adjustments.

Good lighting can really transform a mediocre shot into a beautiful piece of work. Photo Studio is a licensed product compatible with Windows PCs.

Other key features of Photo Studio Pro 12 include

  • Image alignment
  • Advanced tone mapping
  • Batch processing
  • Noise reduction
  • RAW photo processing module for over 600 cameras
inPixio Photo Studio 12 Pro

inPixio Photo Studio 12 Pro

Make every shot count with easy and fast editing features, HDR presets, automatic lightning fixes, and more.
Free Trial Visit Website

Luminar

The newest project developed by Skylum comes in the form of Luminar. This software is simple and intuitive to use, but it also offers a new idea of how you can use Artificial Intelligence.

Luminar is an excellent choice for enhancing drone photos quickly and easily, making it the perfect software if you are a beginner.

This software is not specifically created for drone photographs, but it’s an excellent all-purpose editor that comes with extensive features.

For instance, it can detect what adjustments are necessary and automatically apply them. It takes care of color reveal, haze removal, and more. 

Don’t worry though, you will not feel disappointed if you are an advanced user either. This is licensed-based software, but it’s available for a free trial. It can be used both on Windows and macOS devices.


Other key features of Luminar include:

  • Integrated presets
  • Batch processing support
  • Multiple format support
  • Artificial Intelligence integration

Corel PaintShop Pro

If none of the above recommendations is the right one for you, then Corel PaintShop Pro will definitely make you want to give it a try.

This photo editing software is also offering a multitude of useful features, such as selection, removal, adding text, and creative filters.

From its repertoire are not missing the adjustment tools such as Brightness and Contrast, Fill Light and Clarity, Fade Correction, White Balance, Hue Saturation, and many, many more.

In case there are correction distensions to fix, then the Refine Brush along with the Lens Correction tools will help you bring the photo to the desired quality.

The software also has HDR-specific features that help you merge and correct pictures for beautiful final products.

Similar to Adobe Lightroom, Corel Paintshop Pro allows you to save your preferred settings for later use. This feature is found under the name of Scripts within the UI. It helps you save time by automating frequent editing steps. 

Corel Painter can be used on Windows 10 PCs. It is a subscription-based software, and it’s available as a free trial for 30 days.

Other key features of Corel Paintshop Pro include:

  • 360° picture support
  • RAW file support
  • Advanced picture masking
  • Built-in templates 

Ashampoo Snap 12

We’ve now come to the last recommendation from our list of suggestions, and this is definitely not a program to miss.

Ashampoo Snap 12 is a fast and flexible software that makes your dream photo become reality without having to work endlessly.

It is primarily screenshotting software, but it comes with surprisingly great photo editing modules as well.

You can add effects, transitions, and sounds to your images and make them really impressive for anyone who will see them.

Your photos can reach perfection, at a click of a button with the adjusted colors, contrasts, and exposure settings incorporated in the software.

Ashampoo is also great for collaborative work. It allows you to share your work and communicate with your peers with a comments feature.

The software supports different resolutions and even allows mixed full HD and 4k environments. 

Other key features of Ashampoo Snap 12 include:

  • GIF creation tools
  • Video editing tools
  • Available in multiple languages
  • Advanced screenshot tools

Ashampoo Snap is a licensed product with a free trial version.

LandscapePro

You will probably get some amazing landscape shots with your drone but editing them can be a long process. Not if you choose an intelligent tool like LandscapePro.

It’s dedicated software for landscape editing that comes with intelligent controls that will adapt to your photo and get dramatic results.

With its AI-powered selection tools, it’s easy to label all the features and objects from the picture and the app will outline them.

LandscapePro has a built-in library with hundreds of sky options to change the one from your photo in seconds.

You need to add some atmospheric effects like rain, fog, lens flare, just to mention a few? With this photo editing software, they’re just a click away, and they look natural too.

And if you’re not a pro editor, there are specialized presets available that you can use to enhance your photos quickly, without any special training.

LandscapePro has a free trial version so you will be able to test all its features before committing to purchase the full version.

Take a look at some of its most important features:

  • AI-powered selection tools
  • Unique editing controls that adapt to your images
  • Easy-to-use slider interface
  • Brighten, recolor or replace skies
  • Add weather, overlays and logos
  • Lighting controls that respond to features in your landscape
  • Perfect for experts and beginners alike

As you can see there is great photo editing software that will make your drone photos look amazing, just the way you intend them to be.

We hope that one of our editing software recommendations will help you create stunning images, for everyone to enjoy.

We’d love to hear from you, in the comments section below, if you have additional suggestions and recommendations.

If you are interested in learning more about photography tools, make sure to check our list including the best photo editors for PC.

For suggestions of other tools that worked for you, let us know about them in the comments section below and if they prove worthy, we will include them.

Windows 11 is set to get a new app picker to assist in opening files

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Recently, Microsoft released the Windows 11 Insider build 22563 to the Dev Channel. The new build came with significant enhancements such as improvements for tablets, widgets, and for ARM64 PCs. The new build also allows users to easily manage their Bluetooth settings directly from the Quick Settings menu.

And now, as spotted by XDA Developers, Microsoft is actively working on a new app picker that will help users to open files easily in Windows 11.

The new design replaces the sharp corners and opaque white background with a new window that uses a translucent background, rounded corners, and follows the system’s light/dark theme setting. It’s yet another step in making the OS more visually consistent, following in the footsteps of the new Task Manager added in Windows 11 build 22557.

Therefore, if you are looking to access the feature you will need to download ViVeTool. The tool allows users to configure feature IDs in Windows, which are essentially in place to disable and enable features. This allows you to have access to features before they are officially released, although any third party tools like these are frowned upon by Microsoft.

To enable the new Windows 11 app picker, download and extract ViVeTool and then run an elevated command prompt in that folder. Then, use the command vivetool addconfig 36302090 2 to enable the feature. Once that’s done, you can try to open a file and see the new app picker. Keep in mind that the app picker only shows up for file extensions that don’t already have a default file association set, or if you’ve recently installed a new app capable of handling certain files or protocols.

The app should be available anytime now. therefore, you should download the build if you’re a Windows 11 Dev Channel Insider to utilize it.

 

Windows 11’s usage passes 19%, up from 16% in January in latest AdDuplex report

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

AdDuplex has released its latest report, and it looks good for Windows 11. Per the firm, the new Microsoft operating system is running on 19.3% of all PCs that are part of their survey and data groups, up from 16.1% in January.

Though the number might seem good for Microsoft, it’s important to note that AdDuplex’s report doesn’t really cover all PCs worldwide. Instead, it looks at data from 5,000 Windows Store apps running AdDuplex SDK version 2.  At any rate, even with Windows 11 creeping close to 20%, Windows 10 version 21H1 is still the most popular Windows version.

In this month’s report, 21H1 is running on 27.5% of PCs, and Windows 10 21H2 is in a close second running on 21% of PCs. Those Windows 10 numbers are changed a bit over last month. In January, Windows 10 21H1 was at 28.6%, and Windows 10 21H2 was at 12.1%.

As far as official numbers from Microsoft, the company last said during its recent earnings call that Windows 10 and Windows 11 powers 1.4 billion monthly active devices. That number combines both versions of Windows, so it looks as though we’ll never be quite certain, offically at least, on how popular Windows 11 is. AdDuplex’s report, as well as Steam’s annual survey only, offer small peaks at the popularity of Windows.

Here’s a leaked look at Windows 11’s new desktop stickers feature

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

The Windows Insider Dev Channel recently got exciting, with a lot of new features, but one thing that hasn’t been available for testing yet is the desktop stickers feature that previously made rounds on the internet. Well, the original leaker of the feature, Albacore, is back at it again, now showcasing Windows 11’s Desktop Stickers feature in action.

As you can see from the Tweet above, the sticker feature adds a “choose stickers for your wallpaper,” option in Windows 11’s background settings page. Clicking it, brings up a neat little UI at the top of the screen, with a drop-down stickers menu similar to the Windows 11 emoji picker. Then, from there, you can search or choose from a list of stickers, themed towards cats and other animals and objects. Once you choose one, you can drag the sticker around, resize it, and place it at any point on the desktop. Changing the desktop wallpaper will keep the sticker in place.

No word yet on when Windows Insiders can expect to see this feature for testing, but the reaction to it has been mixed, with some people calling it “absolutely useless.” However, according to Albacore, this feature will be disabled by default, so there should not be too much panic over it. We’d love to hear if you’d find this stickers feature useful so let us know in the comments below.

Steam error code 118 [4 Great Solutions]

Posted on by Matthew Adams

Steam Error Code 118 is an issue that can arise for some users when they try to open the Store or Library from Steam.

As a consequence, users can’t access the Steam Store or Library. We understand how annoying it can be, that’s why we’re here to help as much as we can.

Fortunately, there are several ways you can try to fix this annoying issue, and we’re going to show you the quickest ones.

What is the Steam error code 118 and why does it appear?

Keep in mind that error code 118 could be a connection error between the users and the steam server. The server may be offline, or you may not be connected to the internet.

When you get this error message, you’re going to get told that you can’t connect to a certain Steam server.

In other words, you are not adequately communicating with Valve’s storefront, or you’re not giving access for Valve’s servers to reach them.

Now, that you know what is this all about, let’s discover what you can do to easily fix this irritating error.

How can I fix the Steam error code 118?

1. Restart the router

First, you will need to restart your router, as this allows the network settings to be refreshed, and thus could result in your problem being resolved without any effort on your side.

To do so, unplug the router from the wall, and wait for a few minutes before plugging the router back in.

It will take a bit of time for the router to re-establish its connection to the ISP, and then you are free to try it your Steam is working as it should.

2. Clean boot Windows

  1. Press simultaneously on the following keys to open the Windows run dialog box: Windows + R.
  2. Type msconfig, then click on OK.
  3. On the General tab, select the Selective startup radio button.
  4. Uncheck the Load startup items box.
  5. Select the Load system services and Use original boot configuration settings there.
  6. Now, click on the Services tab shown directly below, then select the Hide all Microsoft services check box, which removes more essential services from the list.
  7. Click on the Disable all option to deselect all the third-party services.
  8. Next, click on Apply, then on OK to exit the window.

Open Steam after clean-booting Windows. If Steam Error Code 118 is now resolved, one of the third-party startup programs or services was conflicting with Steam.

You’ll need to figure out exactly which program or service is conflicting with the software by restoring startup items one at a time. Alternatively, you could just leave the boot settings as they are.

3. Check if Windows Defender Firewall is blocking Steam

  1. Use the following keyboard shortcut to open the search utility: Windows + S.
  2. Type firewall in the search box that opens, then click on Windows Defender Firewall to open the Control Panel applet for it.
  3. Click Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall on the left of the firewall’s applet.
  4. From the left side of the window, choose to Change settings to adjust firewall app permissions.
  5. Now, in the shown list, search for the Steam client, then check that the Public and Private check boxes.
  6. Click the OK button to exit the window.

Some third-party antivirus utilities have firewalls too. Therefore, some users might need to disable their third-party antivirus utilities. To do that, right-click the antivirus software’s system tray icon to open its context menu.

That context menu will probably include a disable option that will turn off the antivirus software. There might also be a more specific option to disable the antivirus utility’s firewall on its context menu.

4. Run an antivirus scan

  1. Press on the Windows key, input the keyword Windows Security, and then click that app to open it.
  2. Navigate to Virus & threat protection.
  3. Click Scan options on the Virus & threat protection tab shown directly below.
  4. Select the Full scan option.
  5. Press the Scan now button.

What other Steam error codes should I be aware of?

You should know that Steam error 118 is not the only issue code that might arise while using Steam. You need to be aware of the most common similar errors, so make sure you check the following list:

Those are some of the resolutions that could fix Steam Error Code 118. If none of the above resolutions do the trick, however, check if Steam is down at Downdetector.com. There might be a Steam server outage that users can’t fix.

Are you facing additional related questions? Feel free to use the comment section below.

How to disable Windows 7 End of Support alerts for good

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Microsoft is all set to retire the consumer version of Windows 7 OS starting January 2020. Enterprise customers can enjoy extended security updates for a period of three years in an expensive price plan doubling each year.

A few days ago, we have reported that a new update is bringing end of support notifications to Windows 7 machines. These notifications encourage users that they need to upgrade to the latest version just before the deadline.

The recent update KB4493132 has now revealed more details on how Microsoft plans to push end of support notifications.

If you are one of those who do not want to receive those prompts, you can easily avoid the update by blocking KB4493132. That is the only way that the update won’t download and install on your Windows 7 device.

Methods to turn off Windows 7 End of Support alerts

Microsoft currently offers the “Do not remind me again” checkbox to disable automatic updates. There are two more options that you can use to completely stop Windows 7 from sending end of support notifications.

The first one is uninstalling the KB4493132 update and the second one is excluding it from the list of WSUS Offline Update list.

    Uninstall KB4493132

    Microsoft has released the KB4493132 update to announce the end of support for Windows 7. This update is responsible for the end of support notifications users receive on their computers. Therefore, manually uninstalling KB4493132 will stop the alerts.

  1. 1. Click on Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Windows Update.

  2. 2. Select View installed updates from the list.

    rsat Installed updates display

  3. 3. Look for the KB4493132 update in the list and right click on it.

  4. 4. Select Uninstall.

  5. 5. You can now use the hide option in case it appears in the download section.

    Secondly, if KB4493132 has not been installed yet, you can block it by following these steps:

  6. 6. Right click on KB4493132 in the updates list, it will display the context menu.

  7. 7. Now select Hide update to block it so that Windows will not automatically install it.

Exclude KB4493132 from WSUS Offline Update list

Furthermore, you can use the blacklist option to block KB4493132 if you use the WSUS Offline Update.

  1. This option requires you to move towards a specific location excludecustom. It can be found right under WSUS.
  2. Now open ExcludeList.txt and ExcludeListForce-all.txt files.
  3. Finally, add the following lines of code and save them.

Tweak your Registry

Another quick method to turn off these notifications is to change some of your Windows Registry settings.

Here are the steps to follow:

  1. Launch the Registry editor
  2. Go to the following key:
  3. HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionSipNotify
  4. Locate the DontRemindMe DWORD
  5. Change its value to 1.

Once you turn off the alarm on these notifications, you can go ahead and download OneDrive for Windows 7 and backup your files. Please share your thoughts and opinions about KB4493132 and the methods we presented you in the comments section below.

2 ways to specify deadlines for automatic updates and restarts

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Ever since Microsoft has lined up a series of new features for the Windows 10 April 2019 Update also known as Windows 10 version 1903 or simply 19H1, one of the most awaited features was a 35-day window that will allow Windows 10 Home SKU users to automatically pause Windows 10 updates.

Apart from the Home SKU users, those who have the Pro and Enterprise SKUs will now get a new policy named Specify deadlines for automatic updates and restarts for better update management.

This upcoming policy will be very useful to IT administrators. They can use this option to set a deadline for the installation of updates and PC reboots.

Specify deadline before auto-restart for update installation

If you are interested in the feature, there are two ways that you can use to enable it.

    Specify deadlines for automatic updates and restarts with GPEdit

    The first method to specify a deadline for an automatic restart is to use the PC’s built-in Group Policy Editor. Through it, you can configure in how many days the PC will auto-restart.

  1. 1. Open the run dialogue box by pressing Win+R key and type gpedit.msc.

  2. 2. Hit the Enter key to open Group Policy Editor.

  3. 3. Navigate to  Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Windows Update.

  4. 4. You will see a policy option Specify deadlines for automatic updates and restarts on the right-hand side double click on it.

    Specify deadlines for automatic updates and restarts

  5. 5. Turn on the policy by selecting Enabled. 

  6. 6. Now set the number of days a user has before quality updates run automatically, from the Quality updates drop-down list by choosing the option 2 to 30 days.

  7. 7. Set the number of days a user has before feature updates run automatically, from the Feature updates drop-down list by choosing the option 2 to 30 days.

  8. 8. Change the Grace period drop-down list to 0 to 7 days.

  9. 9. Finally, if you want you can also enable Don’t auto-restart until end of the grace period.

Solution 2: Using a Registry Tweak

Moreover, there is also an option to use a Registry tweak to set a 7-day deadline for both Feature and Quality updates. Furthermore, a 2 day Grace period can also be set through another Registry tweak. 

  1. Open Registry Editor by typing regedit in the run dialogue box. 
  2. Look for the following Registry key:Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\
    SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WindowsUpdate
  3. Next set the 32-bit DWORD value SetComplianceDeadline to 1 to enable the feature. You have to use a 32-bit DWORD as the value type even you have a 64-bit Windows.
  4. Set the 32-bit DWORD value ConfigureDeadlineForQualityUpdates from 2 to 30.
  5. Set the 32-bit DWORD value ConfigureDeadlineForFeatureUpdates from 2 to 30.
  6. Set the 32-bit DWORD value ConfigureDeadlineForFeatureUpdates from 0 to 7.
  7. Set the 32-bit DWORD value ConfigureDeadlineNoAutoReboot to 1. Changing the value will enable the option Don’t auto-restart until end of the grace period.
  8. Finally, you need to reboot your Windows 10 system so that the changes can be applied.

If you observe any performance issues in your system, the changes can be undone by deleting all the mentioned five values.

We hope that our guide has helped you specify deadlines for automatic updates. Let us know in the comments section below if you have any questions.

RELATED ARTICLES YOU NEED TO CHECK OUT:

How to take a screenshot on HP Envy x360

Posted on by Vladimir Popescu

There are various options for capturing a screenshot of the screen. No matter if you want to take a full-screen grab, a portion of the screengrab, or you prefer to utilize a keyboard shortcut or an application, the process is straightforward.

The most simple way to take a screenshot on HP Envy x360 is to press the FN + Shift key combination.

How can I screenshot on HP Envy x360 in Windows 11?

1. Use the keyboard

  1. Assuming you have the newest version of their keyboard, HP Envy x360’s Print Screen key is on the SHIFT key. Thus you need to press FN + SHIFT to take a screenshot and save it to the clipboard. You can paste it inside Paint afterwards.paint-paste How to screenshot on hp envy x360
  2. Alternatively, if you have a Print Screen key, press PRTSC to take a screenshot and save it to the clipboard. Press Windows + PRTSC to take a screenshot and save it as a PNG inside your Screenshot folder under the Pictures one. That’s it! This is how to print screen on HP Envy x360.screenshot-image How to screenshot on hp envy x360

To take a screenshot of the app being used and save it to the clipboard use the generic command and hold ALT along. If you press on the standard command, Windows, and ALT, it will take a screenshot of only the current app in use and save it as a PNG.

2. Use the Snipping tool

  1. The Snipping tool included with the Windows 11 OS can be accessed by pressing Windows + SHIFT + S at the same time. Here you will have Rectangle mode choosed as default.RECTANGLE How to screenshot on hp envy x360
  2. In order to change the screenshot mode, click on Rectangle mode. A drop down menu will appear showing you four different ways in which you can capture screen. That’s it! RECTANGLE-MODE How to screenshot on hp envy x360

The Rectangle Snip option takes a screenshot of a portion of your screen within a rectangular selection tool. Freeform Snip allows you to choose any shape you wish for screenshotting purposes.

Windows Snip lets you capture a screenshot of an open browser or application window on your computer and Fullscreen Snip takes a screenshot of everything that is now visible on the screen of your HP Envy.

3. Use Xbox Game Bar

  1. In order to open the feature, press Windows + S and type in Xbox Game Bar then click on the top result.xbox-game-bar-open How to screenshot on hp envy x360
  2. Now you will have to click on the Capture icon, followed by the Photo one in order to take a screenshot. Note that you can also screen record in this app.capture How to screenshot on hp envy x360

How can I prevent screen recording and screenshot?

A constant presence throughout the history of the content industry has been the struggle against unlawful material leakage. In the world of movie content piracy, the so-called cam version is one of the most conventional tactics used.

If you want to prevent unlawful screen recording and screenshotting, limit the access to your laptop or disable the key combinations listed above.

However, there are also anti-screenshot tools for Windows 10 & 11 that do just that, they block the screen capturing on your computer.

How can I screen record in Windows 11?

Fortunately, screen recording is built right into Windows 11 and Windows 10 as part of the Xbox Game Bar function, and utilizing it is quite simple, even if you want to capture your activities in a non-gaming program.

Also, we have a full guide on how to record multiple screens in Windows 11 that will provide all the information you need.

Besides Xbox Game Bar, you could use another third-party app such as ABBYY ScreenShot Reader, about which you can learn more by checking out our ABBYY FineReader article.

It will not record the Windows desktop or the File Explorer while inactive. Consequently, if you want to demonstrate an activity that requires the use of different programs, like programming in a code editor and then viewing it in a browser, you would need to collect a number of video clips.

And, if you want to demonstrate anything in the Windows 11 or 10 user interface, such as how to use the Start menu or how to fix a certain error, you won’t be able to do so with Xbox Game Bar alone.

For more information and more ways to capture your screen, take a look at our post on how to take a screenshot on Windows 11.

Alternatively, check out our guide on Print Screen not working in Windows 10/11 if your keyboard command is not responding as it should.

And lastly, don’t miss out on our article on screenshots not working in Windows 11, to get a full grasp on this feature and the bugs it can encounter.

Leave us a comment in the section below and tell us whether the guide was helpful for you. Thanks for reading!

Windows 11 Bluetooth Headphones Keep Disconnecting [Fix]

Posted on by Claire Moraa

For a lot of people, listening to music on their phone, tablet, or laptop is an important part of their day. This can be done through headphones or speakers but technology has advanced and now Bluetooth headsets are growing in popularity because of their convenience.

Bluetooth is a popular method that uses short-range radio signals to communicate with devices and transfer data between two devices such as your phone and your headphones. 

While they are convenient for use, Bluetooth headphones aren’t perfect, and they do have their own share of problems For instance, Bluetooth headphones are prone to disconnections.

Why do my Bluetooth headphones keep disconnecting?

Bluetooth headphones are great when they’re working, but not so much when they’re not. If your Bluetooth headphones keep disconnecting, you need to find the root cause before you attempt to fix it.

Some of the possible reasons why they keep disconnecting include:

  • Your device is not in range – The most common reason for a Bluetooth device to experience audio problems is when it is not in range of the Bluetooth signal. Bluetooth has a limited range that’s typically less than 30 feet. You may need to move closer to the device or try again at a later time.
  • The battery on your device has drained completely – Bluetooth devices can only remain connected when they have enough power to maintain the connection. If you’re using a wireless device, check the battery level and charge it if necessary before continuing.
  • Your headphones and device are not paired correctly – Bluetooth systems can have a number of devices connected at the same time, but they can only pair with one device at a time. If you’ve paired them with your phone and then tried to use them with a laptop, for example, it may be that your headphones are still paired with your phone and trying to connect to it instead of the laptop.
  • Interference – This is a major issue with Bluetooth headphones, and it can cause the connection to break randomly. There are many potential sources of interference where two devices need to connect directly to each other. Headphones often have to find a signal to connect and if it is weak, the connection will keep being disrupted from time to time.
  • Your device’s drivers need to be updated – Updating your drivers is a great first step in troubleshooting Bluetooth issues. You can find the latest drivers for your system from the manufacturer’s website. If that doesn’t solve the issue, move on to updating your Bluetooth software and firmware.

Should you experience any of the above issues and your Bluetooth headphones keep disconnecting, there are some solutions to fix the problem.

What can I do if my Bluetooth headphones keep disconnecting?

1. Restart the Bluetooth service

  1. Press the Windows + R keys simultaneously to open the Run window.
  2. Type services.msc in the Run dialog box.
  3. Find the Bluetooth support service, right-click and select Restart.
  4. Right-click again and select Properties.
  5. Under the General tab, select Automatic as the Startup type, then click OK.
  6. Try connecting again.

2. Update Bluetooth drivers

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Device Manager in the search bar, and click Open.
  2. Under Bluetooth, find your device, right-click and select Update Driver Software.
  3. Select Search automatically for updated driver software.
  4. Restart your PC and try reconnecting.

When it comes to updating and uninstalling drivers, the manual process can be a bit tedious. If you are looking for a shortcut, Outbyte Driver Updater is the answer.

This is a third-party tool that does all the work for you by downloading, installing, and updating your drivers. What’s even better is that it is absolutely safe for your PC and keeps your drivers up-to-date so you never have to keep tabs on outdated drivers.

3. Uninstall and reinstall Bluetooth drivers

  1. Press the Windows key, type Device Manager in the search bar, and click Open.
  2. Navigate to your Bluetooth device, right-click and select Uninstall.
  3. In the dialog box that pops up, select OK to confirm device uninstallation.
  4. Restart your PC and the driver will automatically reinstall.

4. Run the Bluetooth Troubleshooter

  1. Hit the Windows key, select System on the right pane, and click on Troubleshoot on the right-pane.
  2. Select Other troubleshooters.
  3. Select Run under Bluetooth.
  4. Wait for the problems to be detected and proceed to follow the repair instructions.

What can I do if Windows cannot detect my Bluetooth headphones?

If Windows does not detect your headphones at all, there could be an issue with the USB port or USB controller on your computer. 

To test if this is a problem try plugging another device into the same port. If nothing happens, then you should try a different USB port on your computer or try plugging something else into the port you’re trying to use.

If you have recently upgraded from an older version of Windows to Windows 11 and are now having problems with your Bluetooth device, the problem could be outdated drivers. 

Try installing Windows updates and see if your headphones can now be detected.

To check for Windows updates:

  1. Press the Windows to open the Start Menu.
  2. Type Check for updates on the search bar and select Open.
  3. Select Advanced options.
  4. Select Optional updates.
  5. Click on Driver updates and select Download & install.

If you have tried all the solutions listed above and you are still having connection problems, it may be time to consider a new pair of Bluetooth headphones with high performance.

Another common issue you may experience is your headphones not working but with our step-by-step guide, you should be able to fix the issue in no time.

Let us know which solution worked for you by leaving a comment down below.

How to Add a Secondary/Multiple IP Address in Windows 11

Posted on by Kazim Ali Alvi

Yes, you can add a secondary IP address in Windows 11 and it’s very useful when you are hosting various SSL websites. Having multiple IP addresses also helps when you have to send bulk emails in a short duration, or to avoid being blacklisted under the spamming filter.

How can I add secondary & multiple IP addresses in Windows 11?

1. Via Network Connections

  1. Press Windows + R to launch the Run command, enter ncpa.cpl in the text field, and either click OK or hit Enter to launch the Network Connections window.Launch Network connections to fix Windows 11 add secondary IP address
  2. Now, right-click on the relevant network adapter, and select Properties from the context menu.Network properties
  3. Either double-click on the Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) entry here or select it and click on Properties.Double-click on IPv4 to Windows 11 add secondary IP address
  4. Now, select the Use the following IP address and Use the following DNS server addresses options and enter the desired addresses in the fields under both.Use the following IP address
  5. Once done, click on the Advanced button.Advanced to Windows 11 add secondary IP address
  6. Next, click on the Add button.Add
  7. You can now enter the IP address and Subnet in the relevant fields here and then click on Add.Type values to Windows 11 add secondary IP address
  8. Once done, click on OK at the bottom of every window to save the changes.
  9. Similarly, you can add multiple IP address by clicking on the Add button and entering the other IP’s.

2. Via Command Prompt

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter Windows Terminal in the text field at the top, right-click on the relevant search result, and select Run as administrator from the context menu.Windows Terminal
  2. Click Yes on the UAC (User Account Control) prompt that pops up.Click Yes
  3. Next, click on the downward-facing arrow at the top, and select Command Prompt from the list of options. Alternatively, you can hit Ctrl + Shift + 2 to launch Command Prompt in a new tab.Open Command Prompt to Windows 11 add secondary IP address
  4. Next, execute the following command while replacing the NIC (Network Interface Card) name, IP address, and subnet:netsh int ipv4 add address "NIC name" 192.168.21.102 255.255.255.0Add IP address

That’s it! The secondary IP address will now be added, and you can verify the same in the network properties or use the ipconfig /all command.

There are several users who prefer executing commands, rather the going with the conventional GUI (Graphic User Interface) method, and this method will help them do that.

Also, check the next section to find out how to add multiple IP addresses in Windows 11.

3. Add multiple IP addresses using Command Prompt

  1. Launch an elevated Windows Terminal, and then open the Command Prompt tab in it.
  2. You will now have to execute the the following command to automatically add multiple IP addresses while replacing the relevant entries here, as you did earlier:FOR /L %variable IN (Start,Increase/Decrease,Stop) DO netsh interface ipv4 add address "NIC name" IP address (with variable) Subnet
  3. If you want to add the IP addresses 192.168.21.101 to 192.168.21.103 to the required network adapter, here is what the command would look like:FOR /L %x IN (101,1,103) DO netsh interface ipv4 add address "NIC name" 192.168.21.%x 255.255.255.0Execute Netsh command to Windows 11 add secondary IP address
  4. The command may take a few seconds to execute, depending on the number of IP addresses to be added, so wait patiently. IP addresses added
  5. Once done, you can check the new IP addresses using the following command:ipconfig /all

This method is somewhat tricky and requires the use of For loop, often used in computing languages. But it will save considerable time when adding multiple IP addresses at once in Windows 11.

How do I remove a secondary IP address in Windows 11?

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter View network connections in the text field, and click on the relevant search result that appears.View network connections
  2. Right-click on the relevant network adapter, and select Properties from the context menu.Properties to Windows 11 add secondary IP address
  3. Double-click on the Internet Protocol Version (TCP/IPv4) entry to launch its Properties.TCP/IPv4
  4. Now, click on the Advanced button near the bottom.Click Advanced to remove secondary IP address
  5. Finally, select the IP address not required anymore, and click on the Remove buttonRemove secondary IP address
  6. Once done, click on OK at the bottom for every window to save the changes.

The process to remove a secondary IP address is as simple as adding it. But do make sure not to remove a critical address or even enter any random one, since it could lead to problems connecting to the Internet.

What are the various versions/types of IP address?

If you navigate to the network properties, you will find both IPv4 and IPv6, which are different versions of an IP address, with the latter being more advanced.

IPv4 and IPv6 in Network Properties

The need for IPv6 arises due to an increase in the number of devices connected to the Internet. Since IPv4 could only cater to 4.29 billion addresses, there’s IPv6 now that can support 1028 times more devices.

Then comes the concept of static and dynamic IP addresses. As the name suggests, the former remains the same throughout while the latter keeps changing periodically. A normal user will likely have a dynamic IP address since the static ones cost more.

To fully understand the concept, check our guide on IP addresses. Though it’s for Windows 10, the ideas and steps listed there also work the same on Windows 11.

How can I hide or mask my IP address on a LAN (Local Area Network)?

There are a couple of arguments in favor of hiding or masking your IP address, but they certainly don’t apply to a large number of users. Many argue that it maintains anonymity and safety, two of the most critical things on the Internet.

Apart from that, certain websites or data are not accessible to the people of a particular country due to geographical restrictions, but by masking the IP address, you can easily access that, since that’s the only way to identify your location on the web.

So, if you are keen on hiding your IP address, check out this guide to learn all the ways you can do it. Though it’s for Windows 10, we have verified that it works just as effectively on the latest iteration.

As you can see, it’s easy to add secondary or multiple IP addresses in Windows 11, and all that you have to do is to check network connection details, and adjust your network settings to do so.

Along with that, you now also know how to remove or hide your IP address. Use this information to make your presence on the web safer and avoid being located or scammed. Also, find out how to connect to a DHCP server in Windows 11.

Tell us your experience of adding a secondary IP address and the need for it, in the comments section below.

Windows news recap: Notepad RichEdit enhancements, WhatsApp testing Message Reactions, and more

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Welcome back to our Windows news recap, where we go over the top stories of the past week in the world of Microsoft’s flagship operating system.

Surface Duo finally gets Your Phone’s “Apps” support so you can run your favorite Android apps on your Windows PC

Your Phone “Apps” support has arrived for the Surface Duo, allowing users to run their Android apps on a Windows PC.

Surface Duo finally gets Your Phone's "Apps" support so you can run your favorite Android apps on your Windows PC - OnMSFT.com - February 26, 2022

WhatsApp UWP Beta set to get new Message Reactions feature

Message Reactions are being tested on the WhatsApp UWP Beta app. The feature allows users to react to individual messages with set emojis.

WhatsApp Beta

Microsoft details updates coming to Windows 11 Notepad

Enhancements have been made to the RichEdit function of the Notepad app on Windows 11. The list of enhancements include “Alt+x for entering Unicode characters, Ctrl+} for toggling between matching brackets/parentheses, multilevel undo, drag & drop, color emoji, block selection, and autoURL detection.”.

Microsoft details updates coming to Windows 11 Notepad - OnMSFT.com - February 24, 2022

That’s it for this week. We’ll be back next week with more Windows news.

Microsoft news recap: Bing makes vacation planning easier, partnership with U.S. Bank to modernize its tech, and more

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft news recap is a weekly feature highlighting the top Microsoft news stories of the past week. Sit back, grab some coffee, and enjoy the read!

Microsoft’s structured buyout for Activision CEO starts at $15M according to SEC filings

New SEC filings show what current Activision CEO, Bobby Kotick, could receive as part of the company being acquired by Activision. One proposal is that Kotick could receive $15m, if he were to be let go “without cause”.

Microsoft's structured buyout for Activision CEO starts at $15M according to SEC filings - OnMSFT.com - February 23, 2022

Twitch streaming returns to Xbox dashboard in new update

The next Xbox dashboard update is set to bring support for directly launching a Twitch stream, removing the need to have to open the Twitch app.

Twitch streaming returns to Xbox dashboard in new update - OnMSFT.com - February 23, 2022

Bing’s latest update makes it easy to plan your next vacation or trip

If you’re planning a vacation, Bing’s latest update aims to make it that little bit easier. When searching for a popular vacation destination, a new Explore option is available. Within Explore, you’ll find a suggested itinerary for things to do.

BingbeatfinaltravelGIF.gif

Microsoft partners with U.S. Bank to help modernize its technology

A new partnership has been struck between Microsoft and U.S. Bank. As part of the partnership, Microsoft will work to help modernize the technology that U.S. Bank uses, as well as enabling Azure to be the primary cloud platform for its applications.

Microsoft partners with U.S. Bank to help modernize its technology - OnMSFT.com - February 22, 2022

That’s it for this week. We will be back next week with more Microsoft news.

WiFi Doesn’t Have a Valid IP Configuration on Windows 11 [Fix]

Posted on by Claire Moraa

In the contemporary world, people often have to rely on many devices, such as laptops and various gadgets. It is quite convenient to do so. 

However, there are also many problems that you have to deal with during the usage of these devices especially when it comes to Internet access.

Most of us have been faced with a situation where an intermittent or slow Internet connection can hinder our productivity or break that important call. 

A simple connection issue can get on your nerves, especially when you’re on a deadline and have important work to do.

In these modern days, interruption even for a few minutes can have adverse implications, especially for people who rely heavily on the Internet to work.

If your device is not able to connect to the internet, it may be because of an issue with your Wi-Fi configuration. In such cases, you will see the error message: Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration on your screen.

This error is one of the most common Windows errors that users encounter. It occurs when your PC is unable to get an IP address and establish a connection with the network gateway or DHCP server.

If you are using Windows 10, refer to our comprehensive guide on what to do if Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration and resolve the issue.

Why does The Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error occur?

This problem usually occurs when your device is not getting an Internet Protocol (IP) address from your network router or modem. However, there could be other reasons for this problem.

Some of the reasons include:

  • Damaged network drivers – It is likely that your network adapter driver is outdated or corrupted. To resolve this issue, you must update the driver to its latest version.
  • Misconfigured settings – In some rare cases, the IP address might be configured to obtain automatically but it isn’t able to do so. This can happen if your router has the DHCP disabled or if there is some other issue with your network settings.
  • Malware in your system – Your system may be infected with malware if you downloaded some files from untrusted sources or visited unsafe websites. You may also be facing this problem due to some bug in the router’s firmware.
  • Outdated hardware – If you have been using your system for a long time, then there is a chance that your computer has gone through a lot and now it needs some changes. The devices and components of your system can be damaged or corrupted causing the Wi-Fi connection not to work properly.
  • Conflicting IP address – This error occurs because your PC has an IP address that conflicts with one on your network. It can also mean that the IP address you are getting is not correct and doesn’t work with your network. 
  • Network settings issues – You may encounter this problem after updating to Windows 11 when network changes haven’t been applied to the Network adapter.
  • Malfunctioned router – If you can’t get a valid IP address from your router, it’s possible that your router has become malfunctioned and needs to be reset. If the issue persists, you may need to get yourself another router.

To fix the above issues, we have a list of possible solutions that can get you connected in no time.

What can I do to fix The Wi-Fi doesn’t have a valid IP configuration error?

1. Renew the IP address

  1. Press the Windows key,  type cmd in the search bar, and click Open.
  2. Enter the following command: ipconfig/release
  3. Wait for the command to be executed and enter the next one: ip/renew
  4. Close the Command Prompt and verify if the error is still there.

2. Reset TCP/IP

  1. Press the Windows key,  type cmd in the search bar, and click Open.
  2. Type in the following commands and press Enter after each one: netsh winsock reset catalog netsh int ipv4 reset reset.log netsh int ipv6 reset reset.log
  3. Now restart your PC and see if the error is still there.

3. Uninstall the driver

  1. Press the Windows key, search Device Manager, and click Open.
  2. Navigate to Network adapters, find your Wi-Fi adapter, right-click and select Uninstall device.
  3. Click Uninstall on the confirmation box.
  4. Restart your PC and your drivers will automatically be restored on startup.

4. Update drivers

  1. Hit the Windows key, search Device Manager, and click Open.
  2. Navigate to Network adapters, find your Wi-Fi adapter, right-click and select Update driver.
  3. Select Search automatically for drivers.
  4. Check whether the error is still there.

If you feel the process is a bit too long, you can try an alternative third-party tool that automatically finds, downloads, and installs the correct driver with just a few clicks. This solution can do the job in record time.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

5. Restore the Firewall’s default settings

  1. Hit the Windows key, search for Windows Defender Firewall, and click Open.
  2. Select Restore defaults on the left pane.
  3. Click on the Restore defaults button and check whether the error is still there.

Can I set my IP address manually?

Yes, you may set your IP address manually, though in most cases it will not be necessary. You only need to change it if you have a dynamic IP.

Both dynamic and static IP addresses are used for home Internet access. The difference depends on whether the assigned address is permanent or temporary.

When you connect to the Internet, you might connect through a regular modem, through a local-area network connection in your office, through a cable modem, or through a digital subscriber line (DSL) connection. 

Regardless of what method you use to connect to the Internet, you need an IP address. If your computer does not have an IP address, it cannot communicate with other devices on the network.

With dynamic IPs, a device can have a different IP address every time it connects to the network. This can however pose a challenge that will require you to manually set your IP address.

To set your IP address manually, follow the steps below:

  1. Press the Windows + R keys and type ncpa.cpl in the Run dialog box.
  2. Right-click on your wireless network and select Properties.
  3. Select Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) and click the Properties button.
  4. Select the Use the following IP address option and enter the IP address, Subnet mask, and Default gateway (Enter the details found in option 1 when you entered the command): ipconfig/release
  5. Click the OK button and restart your PC.

Should you encounter any other Wi-Fi-related problems such as Wi-Fi not working on your phone, check out our guide to resolve the issue.

You can also update your drivers with our recommended software collection in case you find uninstalling and installing an inconvenience.

In the event that your router is your problem and you are in the market for a new one, look for a router with a stable Internet connection and avoid future problems like these.

Lastly, if you get the Local Area Connection doesn’t have a valid IP configuration message, check out our dedicated article.

We hope this guide was able to solve your issue and you’re back on the Internet.

Be sure to let us know which one of our solutions worked for you in the comments section below.

Bad System Config Info on Windows 11: Causes & How to Fix

Posted on by Kazim Ali Alvi

The BSoD (Blue Screen of Death) error, often referred to as Stop error, crashes the OS which is followed by a blue screen with the error code mentioned. One such is the Bad System Config Info in Windows 11.

To most, the worst part about BSoD errors is the data loss since the OS crashes without any warning. So any open file will not be saved unless that particular program has a built-in provision. And, that’s why users dread the BSoD errors the most.

But, the Bad System Config Info error in Windows 11 is rather simple to troubleshoot. It shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to eliminate the underlying cause and get things up and running.

Why am I facing the Bad System Config Info stop code in Windows 11?

There are several reasons for the OS to crash due to a BSoD error, but the stop code helps bring down that number and saves us considerable time. Here are the reasons why you could be encountering the Bad System Config Info error in Windows 11:

  • Corrupt Registry
  • Problems with the Boot Configuration Data (BCD)
  • Conflicting applications
  • Issues in the installed version of Windows
  • Malfunctioning hardware (generally the RAM)

Identifying the underlying cause is rather tricky here. But, say you started encountering the error after installing a third-party application or updating Windows. Here, you know what’s causing the problem and should directly head to the relevant fix.

Otherwise, try the methods below in the listed sequence for a quick troubleshooting experience.

How do I fix the Bad System Config Info BSoD error in Windows 11?

Note icon NOTE
If you are unable to boot the OS, check how to open Windows 11 in Safe Mode to execute the fixes listed below. Make sure to choose Safe Mode with Networking since you would be required to download updates, both for the OS and the installed drivers.

1. Update Windows 11

  1. Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app, and select Windows Update from the list of tabs in the navigation pane on the left.Windows Update to fix bad system config info windows 11
  2. Next, click on Check for updates on the right to scan for any available newer versions of the OS.Check for updates to fix bad system config info windows 11
  3. If any are listed after the scan, click on the Download & install button. Download & install update

In most cases, simply updating Windows 11 to the latest version fixed the Bad System Config Info error in Windows 11.

This is generally due to a bug in the current version of the OS. And in such cases, Microsoft releases a patch for it in the subsequent updates which helped eliminate the error.

2. Repair the BCD file

If you are unable to boot Windows or the Bad System Config Info error pops up frequently, it could be that the BCD (Boot Configuration Data) is corrupt.

BCD is primarily responsible for loading the OS when you turn on the computer, and if it goes missing or is corrupt due to some reason, you most likely wouldn’t be able to boot Windows 11.

BCD repair process

So, before you try the other methods, it only makes sense to repair the BCD in Windows 11. The process won’t take much time, though you would be required to create a bootable USB beforehand. Also, the files stored on the system won’t be affected.

3. Reinstall the drivers

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter Device Manager in the text field at the top, and click on the relevant search result that appears.Device Manager
  2. Check if any of the entries here are expanded by default, since these would have devices with corrupt drivers installed.Corrupt drivers to fix bad system config info windows 11
  3. Now, locate the device with a warning sign at the corner, right-click on it, and select Uninstall device from the context menu.Uninstall device to fix bad system config info windows 11
  4. Tick the checkbox for Attempt to remove the driver for this device, and then click on Uninstall.Tick checkbox
  5. Once done, restart the computer, and Windows will automatically install a fresh driver for the device.

If the installed driver for a device is corrupt, it could lead to the Bad System Config Info BSoD error in Windows 11. And, this can easily be fixed by reinstalling the driver using the steps listed above.

4. Update the drivers

  1. Press Windows + X or right-click on the Start icon to launch the Quick Access menu, and select Device Manager from the list of options.Open Device Manager to fix bad system config info windows 11
  2. Now, double-click on the Display adapters entry to expand and view the devices under it.Display adapters
  3. Right-click on the graphics adapter, and select Update driver from the context menu.Update driver to fix bad system config info windows 11
  4. Next, select Search automatically for drivers from the two options listed in the Update Drivers window.Search automatically for drivers

Outdated drivers are just as likely to cause the Bad System Config Info BSoD error in Windows 11. So it’s recommended that you always keep the installed drivers updated.

Apart from reducing the chances of error, updates may also enhance the functionality of the device and add new features to it. All the more reason to update the drivers in Windows 11.

If the Device Manager method is unable to find an update, you can always check for the latest driver version in Windows Update, or download it from the manufacturer’s official website.

That might seem tricky to some, and this is where third-party apps come to your rescue. We recommend using Outbyte Driver Updater, a dedicated tool that automatically installs the latest updates and keeps the drivers up-to-date.

5. Fix the Registry

A broken registry where items are missing, corrupt or redundant, can affect the performance of the PC, and cause a bunch of issues, including the dreaded BSoD errors.

Therefore it’s important that you keep the Registry clean and not make unnecessary changes to it. Since there’s already a problem, in this case, learn how to fix a broken Registry in Windows 11.

After you have made the required changes to the Registry, check if the Bad System Config Info error in Windows 11 is fixed. Also, find out the best Registry cleaners to boost the performance of the PC.

6. Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter Windows Memory Diagnostic in the text field, and click on the relevant search result.Run Windows Memory Diagnostic to fix bad system config info windows 11
  2. Next, click on Restart now and check for problems (recommended) and let the tool automaticaly identify and eliminate problems with the RAM.Restart now and check for problems

7. Uninstall conflicting applications

  1. Press Windows + I to launch Settings, and select Apps from the tabs listed in the navigation pane on the left.Apps to fix bad system config info windows 11
  2. Next, click on Apps & features on the right.Apps & features
  3. Locate the problematic apps, click on the ellipsis next to it, and select Uninstall from the list of options.Uninstall app to fix bad system config info windows 11
  4. Again, click Uninstall in the confirmation prompt that pops up.Confirm uninstall

If you started encountering the Bad System Config Info error in Windows 11 after installing an app, it could as well be causing the error.

In case you are unable to identify the conflicting applications, remove the apps that were installed right before you first encountered the error, one at a time. After you have identified and uninstalled to problematic one, you can safely reinstall the others.

8. Perform a system restore

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter Create a restore point in the text field, and click on the relevant search result that appears.Create a restore point to fix bad system config info windows 11
  2. Click on the System Restore button.System restore to fix bad system config info windows 11
  3. Now, tick the Choose a different restore point option, and click on Next at the bottom.Choose a different restore point
  4. Select a restore point from the ones listed here, and click on Next.Select restore point
  5. Finally, verify the restore details, and click on Finish at the bottom to start the process.Verify details

If none of the methods listed above have helped eliminate the Bad System Config Info error in Windows 11, your last resort is to perform a system restore. In this, the idea is to take the computer back to a previous state when the error didn’t exist.

Performing a system restore will fix problems with the Registry, remove recently installed apps, and reconfigure settings. But, it wouldn’t affect your personal files stored on the computer.

How can I prevent BSoD errors in Windows 11?

Though there’s no sure shot way to prevent BSoD errors, since the causes are far too many, you can still employ some methods in order to prevent them. Here’s a list of things you must ensure to keep BSoD errors, like Bad System Config Info in Windows 11, at bay:

  • Make sure to download apps and programs from reliable sources
  • Ensure that the hardware and connected peripherals are well maintained and not malfunctioning
  • Always keep the drivers up-to-date
  • Never make changes to Registry if you are not sure of the results
  • Frequently run scans for malware and virus to keep your system secure

If you follow these tips, the chances of encountering BSoD errors will surely reduce, and also you will notice a considerable boost in the system’s performance.

With the methods listed above, you can easily take care of the Bad System Config Info error in Windows 11, and also ensure that this, along with other similar errors, is not encountered anymore.

Also, check our dedicated guide to understand how you should proceed when faced with a BSoD error in Windows 11. Besides, find out how to fix the Bad System Config Info BSoD error in Windows 10.

Don’t hesitate to tell us which fix worked for you in the comments section below.

High CPU But Low GPU Usage? Here’s How to Fix It

Posted on by Aleksandar Ognjanovic

High CPU usage with low GPU usage can occur due to using built-in graphics instead of a dedicated GPU, outdated drivers, CPU bottlenecking, or poorly optimized games.

This will lead to FPS drops, CPU overheating, and all kinds of issues. In order to help you resolve it, we put everything we can think of below.

How do I fix high CPU and low GPU usage?

1. Check GPU drivers

These symptoms usually mean that your CPU is bottlenecking your GPU, which is quite common if you have powerful graphics and an outdated CPU.

However, there are so many variables that, even though highly likely, we can’t say with certainty bottlenecking is the reason for high CPU and low GPU occurrence.

  1. Right-click the Start icon then select Device Manager.device-manager-w10 amd driver install problems
  2. Click on Display adapters in order to expand it, then right-click the graphics adapter and select Uninstall device.uninstall-device-graphics-card windows 11 keeps restarting

After you’ve removed a current driver, navigate to the Nvidia/AMD website. Under the download section, find an appropriate driver fitting your GPU model and system architecture.

Alternatively, you can always rely on specialized software such as Fortect Driver Updater to identify and update all your drivers in just a few minutes.

⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

2. Tweak in-game setting

If you experience high CPU while gaming, particularly on select games while others work fine, consider adjusting settings.

Most games should be run on high or ultra graphics settings to avoid CPU burden. We can advise you to disable VSync and Antialiasing.

Also, increasing the resolution, and the details plus enabling Future Frame Rendering should make GPU work more instead of the CPU doing the majority of the work.

Some games will work much smoother on the DX12 option, so switch to it if possible.  This might or might not affect FPS, but it’s worth a try.

3. Patch the affected games

This step is the continuation of the previous one. Some games, like Overwatch, suddenly started exhibiting this kind of behavior even though players have more than enough processing power to run it.

Seemingly, issues started suddenly in the third quartal of 2018 and we can blame the graphics-improving patch for that.

This might or might not be the case for other games, but whether it’s a Battle.net, Origin, or Steam game, make sure it’s up to date.

Some issues got patched and the majority of players are enjoying seamless gameplay without a CPU throttling a GPU.

4. Disable third-party apps active in the background

  1. 1. In the Windows Search bar, type msconfig and click on the first result to open System Configuration.

    msconfig-w10 vertical lines on monitor

  2. 2. Navigate to the Services tab.

  3. 3. Check the Hide all Microsoft services box, then click Disable all to disable all active third-party services.

    hide-disable vertical lines on monitor

  4. 4. Now, select the Startup tab and go to Task Manager.

    startup-open file explorer crashes when i right click

  5. 5. Click any startup program you think might be interfering then select Disable. We recommend that you disable all of them which are not essential.

    disable-process high cpu low gpu

  6. 6. Exit Task Manager, click OK in the System Configuration window, and restart your PC.

    7. When you’re experiencing high CPU usage but low GPU usage, it is a good idea to get rid of unused background apps. They can free up a lot of CPU memory, so that your PC will run better.

    You can remove unwanted processes via Task Manager. Simply filter the active processes by CPU usage and end those which take up a lot of resources and you have no use for.

5. Disable all power-preserving modes

  1. Press Windows then type edit power plan and click the first result.edit-powerplan high cpu low gpu
  2. Select the Power Options window.power-options high cpu low gpu
  3. Select the High Performance plan which will use up your PC’s resources in order to render the best performance.high-performance high cpu low gpu

Power-preserving modes are a big no-no if your CPU is falling behind the GPU in terms of processing power. Especially if you’re an avid gamer dealing with demanding AAA titles.

This means that both system and motherboard settings regarding less power consumption should be disabled.

6. Enable XMP in BIOS/UEFI

Enabling XMP or Extreme Memory Profile in BIOS will, at least slightly, improve RAM performance.

We know that RAM isn’t in a direct connection with the high CPU/low GPU issues but it has its part in it.

This option allows for the faster-than-standard speeds of RAM and possibly will improve the overall PC performance a little bit.

If your PC doesn’t have a strong configuration, you can use software to improve its performance.

7. Use 4 cores if possible and try overclocking

To optimize the game for the general public, developers have to deal with thousands of different configurations. Some GPU–CPU combos, regardless of how capable, just won’t work as intended.

This might be the case here. If you’re running a multi-thread CPU, double-check the in-game settings and try switching to 4-thread option if available. For example, Battlefield 5 might do better on a 4-thread option.

In addition, if you can take more from your CPU by upping the clock speeds, we highly suggest doing it.

Just keep in mind that this requires some general knowledge about overclocking and software to keep track about temperatures, voltage, and performance.

The manufacturer speeds are usually much lower than the CPU is capable of meeting. Firstly, inform about your CPU online and then move to overclock.

This should, in the right circumstances, be quite a boost and a possible resolution for the problem at hand.

8. Reinstall the game

If none of the previous steps helped you with that one game that refuses to work as intended, consider reinstalling it. This process allows you to enjoy some of the best PC games without errors.

Removing everything and starting from scratch can be a painful and lengthy experience. Especially if you need to wait for hours for a game to download again.

However, PC games, like any other piece of software out there, can get broken. Configuration files can get corrupt (if you’ve made some hardware changes) or a bad update can break the game for you.

That’s why reinstallation isn’t such a bad idea after all. Just make sure you’ve backed up your saves and reinstall the game. After that, reboot your PC and give it another try.

Use several process managers to ensure that the CPU is indeed hitting high rates while GPU is almost idle.

The issue is present on all versions and users reported high CPU in Windows 11 as well.

It’s important to pay attention to high CPU temperature because it will damage your hardware if not addressed properly.

Don’t forget to share an alternative approach in the comments section below. It might help other readers in need, and sharing is caring.

How to Size All Columns to Fit Automatically on Windows 11

Posted on by Kazim Ali Alvi

You may have noticed certain changes in File Explorer after upgrading to Windows 11. Some may have been pleasant while others, not so much. But one of the things users had been looking to find out is how to size all columns to fit automatically in Windows 11.

There are quite a few ways to do that, and we will walk you through each so that you can choose the one that is the most convenient.

But before we do that, let’s first understand why you may need to resize a column. Once we are done, we will move to the main topic, i.e. size columns to automatically fit in Windows 11.

Why do I need to resize columms in Windows 11?

Sometimes, when the contents of a folder are listed in the Details view type, you may not be able to view the whole name, or in some cases, the extension at the end may be hidden.

This is because the column size only permits that many characters to be visible, and if the character count goes past that, these will automatically be hidden. You will instead see three dots (…), which indicate that the whole content is not visible.

Take the following case for instance. You are unable to view the complete name of the files/folders located here. Though it may not be a problem to many, some users may want the full folder/filename to be visible under the Name column.

Small column size in File Explorer

After we changed the size of the column in Windows 11, we were able to get the full name visible for every folder here. Look at the screenshot below for comparison:

Column resized to fit the content

You may need to resize the column in other cases as well, so it’s imperative that you know all the ways to do it.

How do I automatically size all columns to fit in File Explorer?

1. Select the Size All Columns to Fit option

  1. Go the folder where you want to resize the column, and right-click on the Column Header (top row) of any one of them.Right click
  2. Now, select Size All Columns to Fit from the list of options in the context menu.size all columns to fit automatically in windows 11
  3. All the columns will now be sized automatically in Windows 11, according the length of content listed under it, such that everything is visible in the first glance.Change reflects

With this method, you can size all columns to fit automatically in Windows 11 in one go. It basically means that though you right-click on one, the changes will be reflected throughout. Also, this is the only method that can automatically resize all columns.

But, what if you want to resize a particular column in Windows 11? Check the next three methods for it.

2. Select the Size Column to Fit option

  1. Open the folder where a particular column is to be resized, and right-click on the Column Header for that one.Right-click to size all columns to fit automatically windows 11
  2. Now, select Size Column to Fit from the context menu.Size column to fit
  3. The selected column will now be resized while the others won’t be affected as is evident in the screenshot below:Changes

After making the changes, the size of the selected column will now change to fit automatically in Windows 11.

But there might be cases when you want to change the column size to a particular width and not just to fit the content. Check the next method to find out how to do that.

3. Drag to increase the column size

  1. Navigate to the desired folder, move the cursor to the right of the Column Header, and a small black line with perpendicular arrows on the either side will appear.Drag to size all columns to fit automatically windows 11
  2. Once it does, hold and drag it to either direction to change the size of the column. Moving it to the right will increase the size while dragging it to the left will decrease it.Drag in either

Using this method, you can resize all columns in Windows 11 as per the requirements, whether to fit all, hide a certain part, or even leave extra space.

4. Manually enter the column width in pixels

  1. Go to the folder where the column needs be resized, and right-click on the Column Header.Right-click to size all columns to fit automatically windows 11
  2. Next, select More from the context menu.select More
  3. Now enter the desired width in pixels (px) in the text field next to Width of selected column, and click on OK at the bottom to save the changes.Enter width to size all columns to fit automatically windows 11

This is a rather intricate method but comes in handy for those who prefer accuracy. While dragging to change the column size might sound more convenient to many, it wouldn’t be very accurate. This is where manually entering the width comes to your aid.

How can I speed up File Explorer in Windows 11?

Using File Explorer is an important part of our daily work on the computer. We use it to navigate through the various folder, locate files, along with performing a bunch of other actions. But oftentimes, it becomes slow due to various reasons.

To speed up the File Explorer, you can try closing background apps that consume too many resources, update Windows 11 to the latest version, or even go full-screen. Do not hesitate to check this guide for the most effective methods to speed up File Explorer.

Whether the need to size all columns to fit automatically in Windows 11 arises or not, a proper understanding of the various methods is imperative. And, now you know all four.

Also, find out what to do if the File Explorer keeps crashing or is not responding in Windows 11.

Tell us which method you found the most convenient to resize columns in File Explorer, in the comments section below.

Steam failed to add a new library: Try out this guide

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

It is a great gaming service, but some users reported that Steam failed to add a new library. Keep in mind that this error can be problematic and can prevent you from playing your favorite games.

However, there’s a way to fix this problem, and today we’re going to show you how. It is quite simple, so you don’t have to be an expert to perform the process.

Before discovering the best solution to solve today’s problem, let’s see why it can appear.

What is the Steam game library?

If you don’t already know, the Steam game library is Steam’s software management interface. It is provided to users upon installation of Steam, hosting all software owned by you, as well as games included via Family Sharing.

The Steam manufacturers updated this feature. The new Steam library makes it quick and easy to explore, sort, hide and feature your games.

You can also drag and drop your games into collections to reorganize your library.

Now, let’s see what you can do if Steam failed to add a new library.

What can I do if Steam failed to add a new library?

1. Stop or pause any download or update

One of the most common causes that explain why Steam failed to add a new library si that you’re currently downloading an update for one or more of your games.

Because it seems like Steam downloads and updates might interfere with the process of adding a new library.

In this matter, we strongly recommend stopping or pausing any download or update that is currently running on the Steam client.

After that, try to add a new Steam library. If it doesn’t work, we have a couple more options you can use.

2. Restart your PC and network devices

2.1 PC

  1. Look at the bottom-left corner of your Windows Taskbar, then click on the Windows icon.
  2. Now, click on the Power icon shown in the picture below.
  3. Choose to Restart your PC.
  4. Wait untill the restarting process is done and try to add a new Steam library.

2.2 Network devices

  1. Shut down your computer, modem and router.
  2. Unplug all the cables from the router and the modem.
  3. Wait a few minutes, so that it is uncharged completely.
  4. Plug in the cables.
  5. Start the modem and router and wait till it is successfully on.

If Steam failed to add a new library, it might probably be due to some random and temporary glitches related to your PC, Internet, or network devices.

It seems like some users managed to solve this error by simply restarting their computers and network devices. However, if it doesn’t work for you, make sure you keep on reading.

3. Add a library folder from Steam settings

  1. Choose a partition on which you want to create the new game library, and then create a new folder with the name of your choosing.
  2. Hit the Windows key, type Steam, then open the first result.
  3. From the top-left menu, click on Steam.
  4. Navigate to Settings.
  5. From the left window pane, select Downloads.
  6. Now, choose Steam Library Folders.
  7. Click on Add library folder.
  8. Navigate to the folder you created in the first step, and select it, then click on Install.
Note icon NOTE
It is very important to note that to create a new library folder, you need to stop or finish all downloading or upgrading games inside Steam.

After doing that, the problem should be resolved and everything will start working again.

4. Temporarily disable your antivirus software

If Steam failed to add a new library it is probably that a third-party antivirus is getting into conflict with the gaming app.

In case you’re not sure how to disable your specific software, contact your antivirus support center and ask them for help or switch to a different antivirus program.

5. Clear Steam Download Cache

  1. Hit the Windows key, type Steam, then open the desktop client.
  2. From the top-left corner of the window, click on Steam.
  3. Now, navigate to Settings.
  4. From the left window pane, select the Downloads tab.
  5. Look at the right window pane and choose to Clear Download Cache.

What other Steam library errors should I be aware of?

  • The Steam library folder is not writable – This error can arise due to different reasons, and some of the most popular ones are wrong permissions and Steam’s download cache. However, there are many more to find about this problem, so make sure you check our dedicated guide.
  • Failed to load library steam.hdll in Dead Cells – Dead Cells is one of the best games in the action platformer genre, but it seems like some users encountered this issue right here. If you also face it, do not hesitate to use some useful solutions to fix it.
  • Steam game doesn’t show up in the library – Regardless of the circumstances that explain why this can occur, not being able to find your game in the Steam Library is an extremely-infuriating situation for all users.

In this article, we explored the best method to try if Steam failed to add a new library on your Windows 10 PC. Make sure to follow the steps presented in this article exactly to get the best result.

Feel free to let us know if this method helped you deal with the error Steam generates, by using the comment section below.