Page 847 • Windows Report

Cortana Not Working in Windows 11? Fix it With These Steps

Posted on February 15, 2022September 4, 2025 by Loredana Harsana

There is an equal and opposite reaction to every action, and it appears that for every new feature in Windows 11, there is a feature from Windows 10 that has been deprecated or removed.

However, Cortana is still with us, but you will no longer have it activated right away after you install the operating system.

It is no surprise that Windows 11 has some bugs and issues here and there. Cortana is not an exception either as users reported it is not working properly. We have prepared below a list of actions you can take to solve your current inconveniences. Follow along!

Does Windows 11 really have Cortana?

Cortana is a voice assistant that is still part of Windows 11. Microsoft, on the other hand, has altered the way it operates.

The service is no longer included in the basic installation or boot experience of Microsoft Windows 11. You won’t hear Cortana introduce itself as you begin to install Windows, and you won’t see it on the Windows taskbar after you have completed the installation of the operating system.

The feature can only be activated by speaking the activation phrase Hey Cortana, which requires you to sign in to the Cortana application first.

Immediately after signing in to Windows, Cortana will respond by appearing in a small pop-up window that will be displayed to your right of the taskbar.

If necessary, it may also launch other applications, such as the Microsoft Edge web browser or the Microsoft Office suite of applications.

On the other hand, the service is no longer integrated with the Windows Search experience, even if you have signed into the Cortana app after doing so. It will not react to any queries entered into the Windows Search box.

Instead, you’ll need to open the Cortana app and type your question into the chat window that appears in the app.

How do I fix Cortana issues in Windows 11?

1. Change your region

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key + I, then navigate to the Time & language section, and select the Language & region option.
Now set your Country or region to the United States, under the Region section.

Using this simple approach, you may restore regular operation to your Cortana.

2. Check your firewall

Press the Windows + S keys to open the search bar and type in allow an app through Windows firewall, then click on the most relevant result.
Inside the Allowed apps and features window, go to Change settings.
Next, check all the Cortana features and press the OK button.

3. Run the SFC scan

Press the Windows + S keys, then search for Command Prompt by typing in cmd. Now right click on the top result and run it as an administrator.
Type or paste in the command below and press Enter to run the scan of your PC’s files:sfc /scannow

Wait for the completion of the process. After you’ve finished, restart your computer and launch the Cortana app to test if everything is working properly.

4. Perform the DISM scan

Tap on the Windows + S keys, then search for cmd. Now right-click on the most relevant result to open it as an administrator in a new window.
Type or even paste in the window the following command, don’t forget to press Enter:Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

The DISM scan will now begin. Don’t interrupt this procedure because it can take up to 20 minutes. Check to see whether the problem persists after it has been resolved.

Corrupted files are a common source of problems, and if Cortana won’t work, SFC and DISM scan might be the best ways to fix it.

Alternatively, you can use a specialized repair tool and perform a deep scan efficiently. Thus, you will restore potentially damaged files automatically and fix this issue in a few steps.

5. Run the CHKDSK scan

Press the Windows key + S to open the search bar, then look for Command Prompt by typing in cmd. Finally right-click on the most relevant result and tap on Run as administrator.
After the Command Prompt launches, type in the following command and press Enter:chkdsk C: /f /r /x

6. Install the latest updates

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app, then click on Windows Update in the left panel.
If you have any new updates to download, click on the Install now button and wait for the process to complete. However if the button isn’t displayed for you, click on the Check for updates button.

7. Check your antivirus

Sometimes, third-party antivirus software can cause issues with Cortana, which may be resolved by uninstalling the software. It is recommended that you disable specific antivirus functions or totally disable your antivirus in order to resolve the problem.

It was claimed by some users that the only way to resolve this issue was to totally uninstall their antivirus software.

If deleting your antivirus software resolves your Cortana problems, it may be a good opportunity to explore switching to a new antivirus software package in the future.

Check out our article with the best antiviruses for Windows 11 that you can install after you get rid of your current one.

How do I uninstall Cortana?

It’s not like Cortana takes up a lot of space on a computer’s hard drive or bothers users with its behavior. Nonetheless, some may wish to clean the All Apps list in the Start menu and uninstall any apps that are no longer needed.

On top of that, disabling the service will help you regain some privacy by prohibiting it from transmitting information about our personal computer activities back to Microsoft.

Due to Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to make its digital assistant less and less prevalent on devices, it is quite straightforward to turn it off.

The question of whether or not they’ll cede territory to Alexa, Google Assistant, and possibly Siri will have to wait for another day. In the meantime, we’ve got step-by-step instructions on how to uninstall Cortana to your liking.

Open the Settings app by pressing the Windows key and I simultaneously. Next, you need to select the Apps option from the left sidebar, followed by Apps and Features from the right menu. Scroll down to Cortana and click the three dots icon to select the Advanced options.

Once you’re inside the Advanced options panel, flip the Run at login toggle to the off position. That’s it, you’ve successfully closed Cortana and eliminated its presence.

In addition to Cortana, Windows 11 has lost a number of additional previously-native functions. Check out our article on the apps that were removed from Windows 11 to view a complete list of the services that were eliminated.

It is no longer a surprise that the latest Microsoft OS comes up with impressive features, which create a brand new environment. If you want to improve your user experience, take a look at our guide on how to make Windows 11 faster and more responsive.

From what we found, it seems like there are plenty of users who are wondering how to take advantage of Windows 11’s Voice Typing Tool. We got your back as we have already put together a comprehensive guide on how to use the tool.

Speaking of changes, Microsoft has altered how you assign the default applications in this version. The process is similar to the one from the older editions, with one minor drawback. To fully comprehend the subject at hand, check out our guide on how to set default apps in Windows 11.

If Cortana still doesn’t work after these fixes, and you also use Google Assistant, check our guide on Hey Google not working to troubleshoot issues with voice commands across devices.

Let us know which solution worked best for you in the comments below, as well as how often you use the Cortana feature.

Here’s what’s new and coming to Xbox Game Pass – Madden NFL 22, more

Posted on February 15, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

If you are big on gaming, then there’s plenty in store for you because there are many entries coming to Xbox Game Pass as we approach the end of the month, especially after surpassing 25 million subscribers.

Up first is Mass Effect Legendary Edition (Cloud) EA Play, which is already available for play with Xbox Cloud Gaming, via EA Play. The Legendary Edition includes “single-player base content and over 40 DLC from the highly acclaimed Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2, and Mass Effect 3 games, including promo weapons, armors, and packs.”

Gamers can also take part in Battlefield: Bad Company 2 (PC) EA Play and Peggle Nights (PC) EA Play which are also available for play.

Here are some entries expected to be released during this month:

Lawn Mowing Simulator (Xbox One) ID@Xbox – February 17-The entry is available for all PC and Xbox Series X|S gamers. However, it is expected to make its way to Xbox One sometime soon.
Madden NFL 22 (Console and PC) EA Play – February 17-Gamers should expect this entry to come to PC Game Pass and Ultimate via EA Play. Moreover, gamers now have the option to enjoy their gaming experience on any platform they want.
Total War: Warhammer III (PC) – February 17
Sea of Thieves: Shrouded Islands – February 17-which is actually more of an update as the game progresses with new adventures to explore as the storyline progresses.
Roboquest (Game Preview) (PC) ID@Xbox – February 22
Galactic Civilizations III (PC) ID@Xbox – February 24
Super Mega Baseball 3 (Console) EA Play – February 24
Alice: Madness Returns (PC) EA Play – February 28

On top of the new releases, there are more advantages that you stand to enjoy, dubbed the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Perks. Users can take full advantage of these perks by navigating to the Perk Gallery on the Xbox console, Windows PC, or Xbox Game Pass mobile app.

The main perks include access to Hulu without any advertisement interruptions for 2 months, “customizable multiplayer arsenal with the exclusive “Pass Tense” BR75 Battle Rifle Coating, four 2XP Boosts, and four Challenge Swaps for Halo Infinite on Cloud, Console, and PC.”

Moreover, Ultimate Game Pass members have access to the Xbox Touch Control feature which can actually be used by gamers in over 100 games with cloud gaming. Among the many titles are Lake, Firewatcher, and Dreamscaper.

Gamers are also anticipating the new update that is set to come to Grounded especially after hitting 10 million active players earlier this month. We have to wait for the thrills and adventures in store.

On February 28, a couple of titles will be exiting the Game Pass Library, that is, Killer Queen Black, Stealth Inc 2, and, Hypnospace Outlaw among others. However, gamers can take advantage of their membership to get a discount and even retain the titles in their libraries.

Fix: Windows 11 Sound Distorted or Headphones Sound Weird

Posted on February 15, 2022April 25, 2024 by Kazim Ali Alvi

Crisp and clear sound is something critical for all users, but it becomes non-negotiable for those in the field of recording or editing. But several users have reported the Windows 11 sound distorted problem.

This issue could affect speakers and headsets alike, both built-in and external. And since Windows 11 is relatively new, the chances of encountering the issue are even higher.

We went through several such forums where users have shared their problems but couldn’t find many effective solutions. Therefore, we have dedicated this guide to walk you through the Windows 11 sound distorted issue, and the fixes for it.

Why am I facing the distored sound problem in Windows 11?

This is one of the issues where the list of underlying causes is endless, which makes troubleshooting even more difficult. Improper connections are still one of the most common causes for Windows 11 USB audio not working problem.

Apart from that, if you started facing the problem right after upgrading to Windows 11, it could be that the current set of audio drivers is not compatible with the latest iteration. In which case, updating them seems like the ideal solution.

Misconfigured settings too are known to lead to Windows 11 bad audio quality. The problem is generally faced by those who keep reconfiguring the settings in order to get the optimal output and end up messing things.

Several users have also reported that the issue started as soon as they updated Windows 11 which points to a bug in the current version of the OS.

This basically covers the most common underlying causes for distorted sound in Windows 11. Let’s now head to the most effective fixes for it.

How do I fix Windows 11’s audio crackling and sound distortion?

1. Check connections (for external speakers)

If you are using an external set of speakers or headsets, your primary approach should be to check for issues with the connection itself. Many users proceed with making changes to the settings, only to later realize that the connection was improper.

Disconnect the speakers or headsets, clean the jack or USB, blow light air into the port, and then reconnect it. Now, check if the sound is still distorted in Windows 11. In case it is, connect the peripheral to another system and verify the same.

If it works fine on the other computer, reconnect the speaker or headset to the first system, and execute the fixes listed below to eliminate the error.

However, if the problem persists, it’s most likely that the headsets or speakers are malfunctioning and you have to get them replaced. But before you do that, we do recommend giving a shot at the methods listed below.

In case you are using wireless speakers or headphones, learn how to fix problems with a Bluetooth connection.

2. Run the Playing Audio troubleshooter

Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app, and click on Troubleshoot on the right in the System tab.
Click on Other troubleshooters on the right.
Next, locate the Playing Audio troubleshooter and click on the Run button next to it.
Follow the on-screen instructions, and choose the appropriate response when prompted.

The built-in troubleshooters offered by Microsoft are more than capable of identifying and fixing a plethora of errors, both with the Windows device and connected peripherals.

After running the Playing Audio troubleshooter, check if the Windows 11 sound distorted problem is eliminated.

3. Update the sound drivers

Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter Device Manager in the text field at the top, and click on the relevant search result that appears.
Double-click on the Sound, video and game controllers entry to view the devices under it.
Right-click on the speakers or headsets producing crackled or distorted sounds, and select Update driver from the context menu.
Next, select Search automatically for drivers in the Update Drivers window.
Windows will now scan for the best available driver on the system and install it for the problematic device.

Drivers play a critical role in the effective functioning of every piece of hardware by relaying commands between it and the OS. And hence, it’s recommended that you keep them updated.

If the Device Manager is unable to find an updated version for the peripheral, you can check for the latest driver version in Windows Update or download the setup from the manufacturer’s website and install it on the computer.

Or, you can use a dedicated third-party tool, to automatically keep the installed drivers up-to-date.

Updating the relevant driver should eliminate the Windows 11 distorted sound problem. In case the audio playback does not improve, try the next method.

4. Modify sound settings

NOTE

We will be making a couple of changes to the playback device here. If certain options or tabs are missing in the case of your device, simply skip that step and move to the next one.

Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app, and click on Sound on the right.
Scroll down to the bottom and click on More sound settings.
Now right-click on the speakers producing bad quality audio, and select Properties from the context menu.
Go the Levels tab and drag the volume slider completely to the right.
Next, navigate to the Enhancements tab and tick the checkbox for Disable all enhancements.
Now, go to the Advanced tab, click on the Default Format dropdown menu, select a different format from the list of options, and check if the distorted sound problem in Windows 11 is fixed. Be sure to check the various options listed here.
Untick the checkbox for Allow applications to take exclusive control of the device.
Finally, click on OK at the bottom to save the changes.

Even though you may not have manually modified the properties, making certain changes here could get things up and running like before. After saving the changes, check if Windows 11 bad audio quality problem is fixed.

5. Reconfigure audio services

Press Windows + R to launch the Run command, enter services.msc in the text field, and either hit Enter or click on OK to launch the Services app.
Now, scroll down to locate the Windows Audio service, right-click on it, and select Properties from the context menu.
Click on the Startup type dropdown menu, and select Automatic from the list of options.
Now, if the service is not running, click on the Start button under Service status to run it.
After making the changes, click on OK at the bottom to save these and close the window.
Similarly, make these changes to two other critical services responsible for the audio output in Windows 11.
- Remote Procedure Call
- Windows Audio Endpoint Builder
Once done, restart the computer for the changes to come into effect.

6. Uninstall recent Windows 11 updates

Press Windows + I to launch the Settings, and select Windows Update from list of tabs in the navigation pane on the left.
Next, click on Update history on the right.
Scroll down to the bottom and click on Uninstall updates.
Locate and select the problematic update, and click on Uninstall.
Click Yes on the confirmation prompt that pops up.

If you started encountering distorted or bad quality sound in Windows 11 after updating it, uninstalling that particular update could help, since it could be a bug in the update itself.

But, do thorough research to identify whether the update is indeed causing the error. If that’s the case, other users too should be facing the problem and you would find them posting about it on several dedicated forums.

7. Restore or reset Windows 11

If none of the fixes listed above have worked, you are left with no option but to perform a system restore in Windows 11.

The idea here is to take your computer back in time to a point when the error did not exist. This is achieved by making certain modifications to the system, namely removing apps and reconfiguring the settings, according to the restore point.

The restore process will not affect the files stored on the drive. Also, find out how to undo a system restore, in case it’s unable to fix the Windows 11 sound crackling error.

If the system restore too fails to work, most likely because no restore points exist or they were created after you first encountered the error, you can always reset Windows 11 to its factory settings.

Remember that reset will wipe all the data on the system, be it apps or settings, and the computer will be as good as new once the process is complete.

What are the best earphones, headphones, and speakers for high-quality audio output?

The methods listed above would, in all certainty, eliminate problems causing crackling or distorted sound in Windows 11. But, you may still want to upgrade the headset or speaker for high-quality audio output.

So, check out the best earbuds and headphones available in the market, and choose the one that suits your requirement and fits your budget.

For those of you planning to get a new set of speakers, take a look at our curated list including the best ones. Some of these may even be available at discounted rates, so make sure to check them out.

With the bad audio quality and distorted sound problem in Windows 11 fixed, you can resume playing videos or games, and enjoy the audio output the way it’s meant to be. In case you encounter distorted sound in Windows 10, check this guide.

Also, find out what to do if there’s no sound in Windows 11. Besides, if no audio output devices are found, learn how to solve the problem.

Do not hesitate to tell us which fix worked for you in the comments section below.

Microsoft launches Surface Laptop Studio in India

Posted on February 15, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft India today announced the availability of the new Surface Laptop Studio in the country starting next month. While the pre-orders via authorized retail and online partners will commence today, February 15^th, the device will be available via both commercial authorized resellers and retail and online partners next month from March 8.

It’s been a good start to the year for Surface enthusiasts in India. In January, Microsoft India announced the launch of the Surface Pro 8 in the market (in fact, it will be available in India starting today, along with the Surface Pro 7+).

The most powerful device in the Surface portfolio as yet, the Surface Laptop Studio is a Windows 11 convertible laptop aimed at developers, creative professionals, and gamers. Surface Laptop Studio is also the first of its kind from Microsoft (an aberration from the Surface Book line-up) and features an ultra-durable Dynamic Woven Hinge allowing it to transition from one mode – Laptop, Stage, Studio – to another seamlessly.

It features a 14.4-inch PixelSense Flow touchscreen, a vibrant 120Hz display, and Quad Omnisonic speakers with immersive Dolby Atmos. With 11th Gen Intel Core H35 processors, DirectX 12 Ultimate, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs, the Laptop Studio also packs in a punch.

Surface Laptop Studio will be generally available from March 8 in India starting at ₹1,56,999 ($2075) for the entry-level Core i5/16GB RAM/256GB SSD configuration. The top-of-the-line variant will set you back by a whopping ₹3,43,499 ($4541) though. Customers booking during the pre-order period (February 15-March 7, 2022) will be eligible for a free Slim Pen 2 worth ₹11,399.

Run Windows 11 on your Android 13 right now

Posted on February 14, 2022 by Don Sharpe

Google’s app ecosystem has always been an interesting topic. A lot of companies have developed apps for Android, but getting them onto the platform has sometimes been hard. Some companies have succeeded; others haven’t.

As a result, we’ve seen some fragmentation between devices with different versions of the OS.

Why would Google do this? It turns out you can get a lot more computing power from much less code. And virtualized systems tend to be better in many ways.

Android 13 on top of it

Android 13 is designed to address that fragmentation. You’ll start seeing it in your apps soon enough: Apps using Android 13 will run on any device with an OS 13 or later version installed.

Virtual machines are incredibly useful, but they’re also surprisingly brittle. They require hypervisor software, which is both complex and not very well documented.

It’s not exactly like Windows 11, but it is pretty close. You can boot into Windows and install things pretty much like you would on Windows 11.

There are many tweaks necessary to get it working perfectly, but once you have all of these things in place, you can run Windows 11 right on your Google Pixel 6 without any other software.

To make the virtual machine running on the Pixel 6, Google is using a similar system to their Chromebooks. It’s based on the same “pKVM” technology that has its roots in mainstream virtualization projects like Xen, KVM and VMWare.

Security will be an issue

Google has not yet revealed whether it is giving virtual machines full access to Android devices, but the threat of malware and other third-party apps that target Google’s operating system is a concern for many.

And here's Windows 11 as a VM on Pixel 6 https://t.co/0557SfeJtN pic.twitter.com/v7OIcWC3Ab
— Danny Lin (@kdrag0n) February 13, 2022

This brings us back to the bigger issue of security. The fact that you are running Windows 11 on an Android phone may not be the most secure solution, but there are ways to make it more secure.

Google’s microdroid is a curious thing. It’s really a stripped-down version of Android, but it isn’t supposed to be used in apps that aren’t compiled on the phone itself. And Google doesn’t say what components of the operating system will be given microdroid treatment.

One of the things the ChromeOS operating system does very well is boot. It’s a good piece of software, and it works well on Chromebooks. Google’s next step could be to allow running Windows in some basic way on Chromebooks, even if it can’t run full-blown Windows itself.

As of now, the details are still a bit vague but it looks promising so far.

Would you try Windows 11 on an Android device once available? Let us know in the comment section below.

Microsoft is bringing Your Teams to OneDrive

Posted on February 14, 2022January 9, 2024 by Don Sharpe

Microsoft Teams is set to get a new integration with OneDrive, according to a new report.

According to a report, Microsoft is working on a Your Teams section of OneDrive, so you can get to your favorite Teams files faster.

Microsoft has also been working on an integration between Teams and Outlook that would allow users to create a meeting in Outlook and then add it to a channel in teams. The feature was spotted recently, but it should be rolling out soon for all users.

Microsoft has been making it easier for users to collaborate between its services. Microsoft Office apps have already integrated with Teams, allowing users to easily create word documents and excel spreadsheets within the platform.

How it works

According to Microsoft, users can find and work with all their files in Teams via a More Places section on the web.

This change is being made from the current version of OneDrive on the web, where users can find a Microsoft Teams Chat Files and Microsoft Teams Data section in My Files.

The OneDrive integration will also allow you to search for shared files from within the app itself, as well as use Microsoft’s Fluent Design System-inspired Acrylic material design elements.

Additionally, users that have been given permissions will also be able to restore deleted items from the Recycle Bin directly from the new Your Teams section on OneDrive.

Listed features

Microsoft announced the new Your Teams section in OneDrive at its recent meeting of the Windows 365 Roadmap and aims to release it to select people soon.

The company may have to wait a few months after that for general availability, so don’t expect it immediately.

The team organizer will get a new preview panel that can show different files on different devices. You’ll also be able to see which files have been shared with other users and assign permissions so that only specific users can access them.

Microsoft app integration

The company is building integrations into its Office apps to make them more useful and convenient on the desktop, and it’s making Teams available on more platforms.

As part of the Microsoft 365 family, it’s also opening up the software to more hardware manufacturers.

The latest round of updates includes a Teams app for Chrome, bringing that service to the world’s second-most-used browser. It also includes a new Teams integration with OneDrive, so you can access files right from your desktop.

With Teams, you’ll be able to define your own workspace from within the app itself. Furthermore, you’ll be able to add users from your Outlook or Windows accounts, letting you use your favorite apps right from within Teams rather than having them tethered to Skype.

Microsoft is also looking at letting users control their Teams calls with Bluetooth headsets, which would go beyond the current functionality by letting you switch between devices while a call is going on.

What is your take on the formation of Your Team section in OneDrive? Share your thoughts in the comments section below and don’t hesitate to learn all about optimizing Microsoft 365 file management with OneDrive in Teams.

FULL FIX: Slow file transfer on Windows 10

Posted on February 14, 2022September 26, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

We transfer various files on our PCs and oftentimes, slow transfers are possible. This can be especially annoying if you’re in a hurry.

As you might have noticed, slowdown happens whether you’re transferring files from a USB to a computer or when transferring between hard drives.

The most common causes are outdated drivers, missing Windows features, antivirus settings, or hardware issues.

So today, we’re going to show you how to fix this problem on your Windows 10 PC.

How do I fix slow file transfer on Windows 10?

Install the latest drivers
Run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter
Reinstall Universal Serial Bus controller drivers
Perform a Clean boot
Check your antivirus
Disable Remote Differential Compression
Check the Optimize drives service
Disable Windows Search service
Check your BIOS
Connect the hard drive to a different port

1. Install the latest drivers

If you’re experiencing slow file transfer, it’s possible that the cause is your drivers. Sometimes outdated drivers can cause various functionality issues.

So in order to fix the problem, you need to update your drivers.

Start by visiting your motherboard manufacturer’s website and downloading the latest chipset drivers for your device model.

If you don’t want to search for drivers manually, or if you simply can’t find a suitable driver, use Outbyte Driver Updater.

This is a third-party application, that you can use to automatically update all your drivers with just a couple of clicks.

Download the tool using the button below, allow it to scan your device, and check the recommended actions. You can update either all outdated drivers at once or one by one.

Outbyte Driver Updater

Visibly improve the file transfer speed on your device by keeping your drivers up to date with this efficient tool.

Free trial Visit website

2. Run Hardware and Devices troubleshooter

Open the Settings app by pressing Windows Key + I on your keyboard.
Go to the Update & Security section.
Choose Troubleshoot from the menu.
Now pick Hardware and Devices from the list and click the Run the troubleshooter button.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the troubleshooter.

Once the troubleshooter is finished, check if the problem is still there. If the issue is still present, move to the next solution.

3. Reinstall Universal Serial Bus controller drivers

Open the Device Manager by pressing Windows Key + X.
Locate the Universal Serial Bus controllers section and expand it.
Right-click the first item on the list and choose Uninstall device.
When the confirmation dialog appears, click Uninstall.
Repeat these steps for all devices under the Universal Serial Bus controller section.
After you remove all drivers, restart your PC.

Once your PC restarts, Windows will automatically install the missing drivers and the problem should be resolved. Many users reported that this solution worked for them, so be sure to try it out.

4. Perform a Clean boot

Press Windows Key + R to open the Run dialog. Type msconfig and click OK or press Enter.
When the System Configuration window appears, navigate to the Services tab.
Check Hide all Microsoft services option and click the Disable all button.
Go to the Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
Task Manager will now appear with the list of startup applications. Right-click the first entry on the list and select Disable from the menu. Do this for all entries on the list.
Go back to the System Configuration window. Now you just have to click Apply and OK to and restart your PC.

After doing that, check if the problem is still there. If the issue doesn’t appear anymore the problem definitely related to one of the disabled applications or services.

To find the exact cause, enable disabled applications and services one by one or in groups until you find the cause of the problem.

5. Check your antivirus

According to users, sometimes antivirus software can lead to slow file transfer speeds on your PC.

Third-party antiviruses can sometimes be quite invasive, but you can just disable some antivirus features. Alternatively, you can try disabling your antivirus altogether.

Removing the antivirus is another option, although not recommended. Your best option is to get an antivirus that won’t interfere with your system.

The antivirus market has a lot of good and stable options that will protect your system against all threats without creating errors, false positives, or interfering with other apps.

We recommend you get antivirus software with low CPU usage and a small footprint because these are proven to perform well on all sorts of devices without having any negative impact on response rates.

6. Disable Remote Differential Compression

Press Windows Key + S and enter windows features. Select Turn Windows features on or off.
Disable Remote Differential Compression and click OK.
Restart your PC.

After your PC restarts, check if the problem is still there. Keep in mind that you need to repeat this on all PCs on your network in order to permanently fix the problem.

7. Check the Optimize drives service

Press Windows Key + R and enter services.msc. Press Enter or click OK.
Locate Optimize drives and double-click it to check its properties.
Set the Startup type to Automatic.
Now click the Start button to start the service. Once the service starts, click Apply and OK to save changes.

After this service is up and running, the problem with slow file transfer speed should be completely fixed.

8. Disable Windows Search service

Open the Services window.
Locate Windows Search service and double-click it to reveal its properties.
Set Startup type to Disabled.
Now click the Stop button to stop the service. Lastly, click Apply and OK to save changes.

Restart your PC and check if the problem is resolved. If any new issues occur after disabling this service, be sure to enable the service once again.

9. Check your BIOS

If you’re encountering slow file transfer speeds on your PC, the problem might be your BIOS configuration.

Several users reported that their hard drives were configured as IDE drives in BIOS, and that caused the issue.

In case you don’t know, IDE is an older standard, and by using it with newer hardware you might encounter various problems. However, you can fix the issue simply by changing the hardware configuration from IDE to AHCI in BIOS.

To see how to do that, we advise you to check your motherboard manual for detailed information.

10. Connect the hard drive to a different port

If other solutions didn’t work for you, perhaps this is a good time to check your hardware.

Several users reported that a SATA port can sometimes slow down transfer speeds. So simply connect your hard drive to a different SATA port on your motherboard.

After doing that, check if the problem is still there.

Slow file transfer speeds can be quite annoying, but we hope that you managed to solve this issue by using one of our solutions.

If you need further help with Windows 10 issues, you’ll find more easy-to-follow tutorials in the Windows 10 Troubleshooting Hub.

If you’re interested in file management tools, visit the Software Hub for useful recommendations.

Windows cannot find explorer.exe [8 fixes that really work]

Posted on February 14, 2022October 4, 2023 by Tashreef Shareef

The File Explorer in Windows 10 earlier known as Windows Explorer in 7 and earlier version is a file manager that allows you to manage files and folders.

File Explorer is one of the most frequently used tools by any Windows user. Unless you are good with the Command prompt, File Explorer is the way to go.

However, at times Windows may fail to find or read the explore.exe file and throw this Windows cannot find explorer.exe error.

This error leads to system crashes, BSOD, black screen, and missing taskbar.

What causes Windows cannot find explorer.exe errors?

There is no specific reason why you may see this error on your Windows PC. In fact, different users had given different reasons when this error first popped up on the screen.

Some users have reported that the error only appears if an administrator or the new user tries to access the account.

Others have reported the error to be random and appear on PCs that were not in use for an extended period.

An external peripheral device can also cause this error.

If Windows fails to recognize any of your external peripheral devices like a keyboard or mouse and if the device creates conflict with the explorer.exe file you may end up with this error.

Another reason for Windows cannot find explorer.exe error could be a virus-infected PC or file corruption. You may also face this error while trying to access the Desktop properties function.

It is also possible that you or someone else may have accidentally deleted the explorer.exe file resulting in this error.

How can I fix Windows cannot find explorer.exe errors?

Depending on whether your PC has a hardware issue or infected with a virus, there are multiple solutions to this problem.

In this article, I have listed all the possible solutions to fix this error on Windows. Here they are:

Check your computer for Virus Infection
Manually Start Explorer.exe from Task Manager
Change File Explorer Options
Run System File Checker Sfc / Scannow
Delete Explorer keys from the Registry Editor
Restore PC using Restore Point
Check your External Peripheral devices
Perform Clean Install

1. Check your computer for Virus Infection

One of the common causes of Windows cannot find explorer.exe error is the possibility of a virus-infected PC.

The virus may disable the filexplorer.exe file altogether to prevent the user from accessing the local drive thus saving itself from being deleted.

We have a detailed guide on the best Windows 10 compatible antivirus software. Follow the guide to download the best antivirus in case you don’t have one already installed.

If you have an antivirus installed, scan the PC for a potential virus. If found, quarantine the virus and restart your PC. Some traces of viruses may remain even after removing the file.

After removing the virus, check the report in your Antivirus program and find the location where the virus was installed.

Navigate to the location and delete any file and folder associated with the virus.

2. Manually Start Explorer.exe from Task Manager

You can try to restart the explorer.exe process manually from the task manager.

You can open the task manager by right-clicking on the Taskbar and Start button. If these options are inaccessible, do the following.

1. Press the Control + Alt + Delete keys on your keyboard. From the options, click on Task Manager to open it.

2. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

3. From the Task Manager window, click on File and select the Run a New Task option.

4. Type explorer.exe and check the option Create this task with administrative privilege and click OK.

This will run the explorer.exe process. In a few seconds, you should see the File Explorer window and get it to work again.

If that didn’t work, try the following steps.

After running a scan for Virus infection, open the Task Manager.
Click on File > Run a new Task.
In the Task Runner, type C:Windows and hit enter.
Now search for Explorer.exe file. Right-click on Explorer.exe and select Run as Administrator.

Wait for a few seconds, and the Windows File Explorer should start working again.

3. Change File Explorer Options

You can tweak the preference in File Explorer Options to fix the Windows cannot find explorer.exe error in Windows. Here is how to do it.

In the Cortana/Search bar type, File Explorer Options and open it from the result.
In the General tab, click the drop button for Open File Explorer to: and select Quick Access. If the option is already set to Quick Access, set it to This PC.
Click OK and then Apply to save the changes.

Now try to open the File Explorer to see whether the error is resolved or not.

4. Run System File Checker Sfc / Scannow

Windows 10 comes with a built-in system file checker tool that scans the PC for missing or corrupt system files and replaces it with fresh system files from the local drive.

Here is how to run the System File Checker tool on Windows.

Open Command Prompt as admin. To do this, click the Search / Cortana bar and type cmd. Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.

Press Windows Key + R. Type cmd but don’t hit enter yet. After typing cmd, press Ctrl + Shift and hit enter. This will open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges.

In the Command Prompt enter the following command and hit enter:

Sfc /scannow

Now the System File Checker will scan and check for the corrupted or missing files and fix them. If Filexplorer.exe file has been altered in any way, this scan should fix it.

5. Delete Explorer keys from the Registry Editor

You can try to fix the problem by deleting two key entries from the Registry Editor. Here is how to do it.

NOTE

Before making any changes to the Registry Editor, it is recommended to create a Restore Point using the guide. Proceed with the below steps after the Restore Point is created.

Press Windows Key + R. Type regedit and hit enter.

In the Registry Editor, navigate to the following path. You can copy and paste this path in the registry editor for easier navigation.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options

Under this key, you will find two subkeys named Explorer.exe and iexplorer.exe. Delete both the keys completely.

Next, you need to navigate to the following path in the registry editor.

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Winlogon

Click on the Winlogon key and from the right pane and look for an entry named Shell.

Regedit - fix FileExplorer_exe not found

Double click on Shell. Under its Value Data: You should see explorer.exe. If there are other entries apart from explorer.exe in the field, highlight and delete them.

Close the Registry Editor and restart the PC.

Upon restart, you should be able to access the File Explorer without any error.

6. Restore PC using Restore Point

Windows PCs automatically create Restore Points in your local drive. These Restore Points consist of a working image of your Windows System that can be restored in case of file corruption or system crash.

Here is how to use Restore Point to fix Filexplore.exe not found error in Windows.

In the Cortana/Search bar, type Restore, and select Create a Restore Point from the result.
Next, click on the System Restore button.
In the System Restore Window, you will see two options. Select Choose a different restore point and click Next.
Next, check the Show more restore points option. This will show all the Restore Points in your system.
Select one of the Restore Points and click on Scan for affected programs. This will display all the programs that will be installed/reinstalled during the restoration process.
Click Finish to initiate the process.

Wait for the System Restore process to complete. The PC will automatically restart possibly fixing your problem.

7. Check your External Peripheral devices

At times, an incompatible peripheral device can cause the explorer.exe related error on Windows.

Begin by removing all the external devices connected to your PC like the USB drive, USB dongle for Bluetooth device, USB mouse, keyboard, external hard drive, webcam, etc.

Restart your PC after removing all the devices and see if the error is resolved.

8. Perform a clean install

If none of the above solutions work for you, you may try to clean install Windows.

By doing so, you will be able to install the latest version of Windows but also lose all the installed programs on your PC.

Make sure you create a complete backup of your data before proceeding with the clean install.

To clean install Windows, you need installation media. You can create a Bootable USB flash drive using Windows ISO. Follow the guide for more instructions.

Conclusion

The Windows cannot find explorer.exe error can occur due to several reasons. Prime reasons are virus infection and system file corruption.

Follow the solution given in this article, and you should be able to fix the problem on your computer.

There are plenty of other File Explorer problems but if you have another one, you can find a solution in our Fix File Explorer errors hub

Most of our articles focus on Windows 10 errors since they are pre predominant cause of distress for the users. Check our Windows 10 errors hub to find solutions for any such problems.

Let us know which of these solutions helped you fix the problem or if you have a new fix in the comments.

Why you should install the new Microsoft PowerToys update now

Posted on February 14, 2022 by Don Sharpe

PowerToys is an app that allows a user to tweak and customize Windows software for better performance.

While some may consider “tweaking” windows for higher performance to be unnecessary or even wrong, in many cases there are features that can be added to maximize efficiency and productivity.

In addition, Microsoft also added a new Always-on-Top feature to PowerToys that will boost productivity.

PowerToys latest version is available for download now, but don’t be fooled by the release number. It’s actually a minor update that rolls out without any new features or upgrades, but enables an important security patch for the previous release instead!

This should however not make it less important given the importance of security updates. After all, PowerToys introduced a new mouse function recently so when it comes to updates, it is definitely not lacking.

New security update

While you’re waiting for the next big Windows update to arrive with new features, a new update is now available for those who installed Microsoft’s PowerToys utility program.

Microsoft has now updated its PowerToys suite in an apparent attempt to add on some light security measures to every user’s system.

This is a patch release to fix issues in v0.55.1. due to an installer bug and .NET 5 doing an update for the runtime, We deemed (it) important for stability based on incoming rates.

PowerToys has been synonymous with tiny tools for Microsoft software users and the concept began as a way to rapidly iterate on small tools and other apps.

Since its reboot in 2019, it has provided new tools and features regularly. The latest release is no different, with a feature you cannot afford to ignore.

The new version is already available for download on Microsoft Store so do not hesitate to keep your system protected.

Do you feel this feature is underwhelming and more updates should have been included? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

FIX: Facebook app is not working in Windows 10

Posted on February 14, 2022October 24, 2025 by Aleksandar Ognjanovic

More and more social networks find their place in Microsoft Store. The Facebook app is there for a while, followed by the Facebook Messenger app which is mandatory for the chat.

However, even though this Windows 10 integration works rather well, there are still some internal issues plaguing users.

Some users weren’t even able to open the Facebook app upon installation. This is a reoccurring issue and the app just won’t work for some Windows 10 users.

In order to address this, we suggest following the steps below. Hopefully, you’ll be able to resolve the issue with one of the enlisted solutions.

We also have a small guide on how to reinstall Facebook on your computer so real the entire article and bookmark it for further reference.

How can I fix Facebook app issues on Windows 10?

Run the Store Apps troubleshooter
Update DirectX and check display drivers
Reset the Facebook app
Reinstall the Facebook app
Try alternatives until the problem is sorted out

1. Run the Store Apps troubleshooter

Click the Start button and select Settings.
Chose Update & Security.
Click on Troubleshoot from the left pane, then select Additional troubleshooters from the right.
Now scroll down and click on Windows Store Apps, then hit the Run the troubleshooter button.
Follow the steps to get through with the troubleshooter.

Let’s start with the built-in troubleshooter which deals with app-related issues on Windows 10.

Due to a slow integration and frequent changes in Microsoft Store apps, this tool is a valuable asset in dealing with all major in-app issues.

If you’re unable to open the Facebook app for Windows 10 or the app underperforms, running the dedicated troubleshooter might help.

Follow the simple steps above to learn how to run the Windows Store Apps troubleshooter.

2. Update DirectX and check display drivers

Some users who experienced issues with the Facebook app resolved the problem by checking the DirectX and updating the display driver.

Updating the DirectX shouldn’t be a problem, but display adapters are somewhat hard to address, even though the generic driver looks up to date.

You’ll need to find that’s not what always works the best. Rather, you should navigate to the OEM’s official support website and download the official driver compatible with your device.

These are the 3 main graphics cards manufacturers. Follow the links to get directly to their driver download page:

And here’s where to find the DirectX installer:

DirectX End-User Runtime Web Installer

You can also use dedicated driver updater software such as Outbyte Driver Updater. This kind of tool will automatically update your drivers whenever necessary, without requiring you to manually check for updates.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

3. Reset the Facebook app

Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
Choose Apps.
Under the Apps & features, search for Facebook.
Expand Facebook and select Advanced options.
Scroll down and click Reset.
Check the app permissions.
Repeat this for Facebook Messenger.
Restart your PC.

In addition, if an app is underperforming or you experience repetitive issues, you can always reset it to factory values.

This option was introduced to improve the troubleshooting of Windows UWP apps. Once you reset it, the app should start working properly.

Of course, this isn’t a rule, but we suggest trying it out. Also, make sure that the essential permissions are granted to Facebook and you can also reset Messenger as well.

Follow the steps above to reset the Facebook app and get things back to normal again.

4. Reinstall the Facebook app

Open Settings.
Choose Apps.
Under the Apps & features, search for Facebook and expand it.
Click Uninstall.
Run the third-party tool recommended below to clean the remaining associated files.
Open the Microsoft Store and search for Facebook.
Install Facebook.

If the previous step fails, you can still have another solution to try, and that is to reinstall the app.

Now, we suggest (and it’s recommended by users who resolved the issue), to use some kind of a third-party cleaner or uninstaller to remove the associated files before installing the app again.

Uninstaller software can force uninstall stubborn or malicious apps that won’t be removed with Windows Settings. Nonetheless, it guarantees a clean procedure by removing any leftover that may have remained on your device from previous installation.

5. Try alternatives until the problem is sorted out

Finally, if the official app falls short, we suggest trying out the 3rd-party alternatives available in the Store. There’s a limited number of apps at your disposal, but we can point out 2 or 3, for sure.

You can browse the Store on your own and find the fitting one, and the majority is free so there’s that, as well.

So, check out our special selection of the best apps to get on Facebook from your favorite devices.

With these at your disposal, we can conclude the article. We also hope that you managed to fix Facebook Messenger if it’s not working on your computer.

You can try getting back to Facebook after some time, as the error might be resolved and you’re finally able to access the app.

This isn’t the only issue you can encounter, many also reported error performing a query on Facebook message, but we have a guide that addresses that issue.

We also have a guide on what to do if Messanger is not working on a Windows 11 PC, so don’t miss it.

Don’t forget to tell us how the enlisted step worked for you. The comments section is just below, so don’t shy away from leaving a comment.

Fix: WiFi certificate error on Windows 10 [Can’t Connect]

Posted on February 14, 2022September 29, 2025 by Aleksandar Ognjanovic

There’s a variety of Wi-Fi errors in Windows 10 platform and some of them are quite hard to deal with. One problem, albeit not as common as others, concerns the Wi-Fi Certification and it prevents users from connecting to a network or access a certain website.

We enlisted some solutions below so make sure to give them a try.

How do I fix Wi-Fi Certificate error in Windows 10?

Check Time & Time Zone
Update your network drivers
Set the Windows Time service startup to Automatic
Restore Advanced Network Settings to defaults
Enable Hyper-V Hypervisor

1. Check Time & Time Zone

Right-click on Start and open Settings.
Choose Time & Language.
Disable and re-enable the time and time zone automatic settings.
Restart your PC.
If the problem persists, set the time and time zone manually.

Let’s start by making sure that the time and date are properly set. This seemed to be a problem for some users, due to the discrepancy between the system and the regional time.

Resetting the Automatic time and date settings should resolve the problem, but you might also go for the manual approach if it fails.

2. Update your network drivers

Certificate errors with both WiFi and ethernet connections can also be caused by outdated network drivers.

You can look up and download the latest drivers for your hardware online, but be careful because faulty drivers may cause even more problems.

You can also update your drivers from Windows settings. Just open the Device Manager panel from the taskbar, find your network drivers, right-click on them and select update.

Alternatively, use a third-party driver updater like Outbyte Driver Updater to easily get rid of the problem instantly.

The program is portable, meaning that you just need to download it and you can run it straight for the client. It will then proceed to scan your system for outdated, damaged, or missing drivers, and then automatically fix them.

Outbyte Driver Updater is packed with libraries containing all known drivers, and as long as you are connected to the Internet, you can thus gain access to all the latest versions of your required drivers.

3. Set the Windows Time service startup to Automatic

In the Windows Search bar, type Services and open Services.
Search for Windows Time service. Right-click on it and click Restart in the contextual menu.
If the problem is persistent, right-click on the Windows Time service and open Properties.
Change the Startup type from Manual to Automatic and confirm changes.

Windows Time Service regulates and maintains the date and time synchronization on a network. This service should start manually, when necessary.

However, it can get into a stall and thus invoke the error at hand. Restarting this service should be enough, but you can also go for the Automatic Startup type which will ensure the service is always on as soon as the system boots.

4. Restore Advanced Network Settings to defaults

In the Windows Search bar, type Internet Options and open Internet Options.
Choose the Advanced tab.
Click on the Restore advanced settings.
Scroll down through the Settings list until you find the ” Warn about certificate address mismatch” setting. Uncheck the box.
Confirm changes and reset your PC.

It usually isn’t necessary to meddle with the Advanced Network Settings, at least not for home users. And that’s how they should stay in order to address this issue.

With one option being the only exception and that’s the Warn about certificate address mismatch which should be disabled.

5. Enable Hyper-V

In the Windows Search bar, Windows Features and open Turn Windows features on or off.
Check the Hyper-V box to enable it.
Confirm changes and restart your PC.

Finally, we suggest enabling the Hyper-V system feature. This, of course, applies only to users who have issues with servers. These issues started after the update to Windows 10 1803 so you can also roll back the update as your last resort.

That should do it. In case you have any questions or suggestions concerning Wi-Fi Certificate errors, we encourage you to post them in the comments section.

Android Fastboot Drivers For Windows 11: How to Install Them

Posted on February 14, 2022December 3, 2025 by Claire Moraa

If you want to configure your Android device, you will need to install Fastboot drivers for Windows 11, and this guide will show you how to do it.

How do I install Fastboot drivers on Windows 11?

1. Use Windows Update

Press the Windows + I keys simultaneously to open the Start Menu.
Enter Check for updates on the search bar and click to open.
Select Advanced options.
Select Optional updates.
Click on Driver updates and select Download & install.

2. Use an APK

Navigate to your browser on your PC and download Android SDK Platform Tools.
Set up and install the APK.
Check the Android SDK Tools and Android SDK Platform tools boxes.
Select Accept License and click on Install.
Wait for installation to finish until you see the message: Done loading packages at the bottom and your Fastboot drivers will be installed.

3. Use a third-party driver software

If you need to install Fastboot drivers automatically on Windows 11 OS, you should best consider a specialized driver software like Fortect Driver Updater.

This automated tool will perform a complete scan on your system and detect missing drivers, plus install them in a few simple steps without requiring complicated actions.

With a very large cloud database, this software solution has all it takes to provide you with Fastboot drivers and update or fix other broken drivers from your PC without compromising your system.

⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

4. Use Google USB drivers

Navigate to your browser and download the Google USB driver.
Extract the zip files.
Hit the Windows key, search for Device Manager, and select to open.
Find your phone under the Portable devices, right-click and select Update driver.
Select Browse my computer for driver software.
In the driver window, select the Browse button, click on Include subfolders then select Next.
Your PC should now be able to recognize your phone.

You can also learn more about how to install Google USB driver on Windows by checking this install Google USB driver guide which helps improve phone detection on your PC.

What do I need in order to install Fastboot drivers?

Navigate to Settings on your phone.
Select About phone.
Select Software information and tap on Build number seven times to enable Developer mode.
Go back to Settings and open Developer options.
Navigate to USB debugging and toggle on.

Sometimes, your OS may be unable to install drivers but worry not as our excellent guide on how to install your Android device drivers can help you resolve the issue.

Are Fastboot drivers safe to use?

Fastboot is a special diagnostic and engineering protocol that you can boot your Android device into. It offers a variety of features and perks that allow you to perform a number of operations on your device, including installing custom ROMs or unrooted updates.

If you know what you are doing, it is a very useful tool. However, the risk comes in when you have no idea about the operations you are performing. You may enter commands that erase your data or install firmware that is incompatible with your phone.

As a precaution, back up all your data and files on both your PC and phone before installing any Fastboot drivers. Have a look at our recommended backup software solutions and select one that works for you.

If the ADB driver is not installing, visit our dedicated guide for for a quick fix. We also have an article on how to download ADB drivers for Windows 11, so don’t miss it.

We hope you were able to proceed without any hiccups and that you got everything you needed when you came looking for a solution to install ADB fastboot drivers for Windows 11.

A few users reported that Fastboot is not detecting the device, but we have a whole guide dedicated to this issue, so don’t miss it.

For any comments, queries, and suggestions, feel free to share in the comments section below.

Fastboot Not Detecting Device on Windows 11 [Fix]

Posted on February 14, 2022October 2, 2025 by Claire Moraa

Fastboot is a useful protocol for sending commands to Android devices over USB. It is commonly used with unlocked bootloaders as it provides a way of flashing images onto the phone.

It is an essential tool for Android users as it allows you to perform a number of actions on your smartphone from the computer, including installing and debugging apps.

However, just like other drivers, they too tend to fail and may stop working. A common reason for this is that the computer doesn’t recognize the phone. This can be caused by a number of things, including not having the correct drivers installed or an issue with your USB cable or port.

If your device does not show up in Windows Device Manager as an Android Bootloader Interface, then it probably needs to have the driver installed again.

Why does Fastboot not recognize my device?

Whereas installing Fastboot drivers is easy, sometimes your device may not be recognized. The problem is when users get stuck in Fastboot mode and have no idea how to get out of it.

Some of the reasons why your device cannot be detected include:

Fastboot is not included in some builds of Android and there are several versions of itself, so it may or may not work for you.
The USB port may be damaged or the cable may be faulty – Try using another USB port on your computer (if available).
On your device, there are at least 2 USB modes: Charge only and MTP (Media Transfer Protocol) – In order to get into Fastboot mode, you need to set your USB mode to Charge only.
Missing device drivers – The problem is that Windows cannot locate the drivers for the device. Fastboot can only be used when the drivers are installed so if you have not installed them, then you will get the Fastboot not working error.
Drivers not installed properly is a common cause – This means that you might have a problem with the drivers for your phone. Normally, Windows will automatically install them for your device and you’ll be able to use Fastboot with no problem.
The next most common reason is that Fastboot can’t communicate with your device – This usually happens when you have the wrong drivers or there’s something blocking Fastboot such as a required signature.

What can I do if Fastboot is not working?

1. Update Fastboot drivers

Press the Windows key, search for Device Manager, and click to open.
Navigate to your selected driver, right-click and select Update Driver Software.
Next, select the Browser my computer for driver software option.
Click on Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer then click Next.
Uncheck the Show compatible hardware option and click Next.
Double-click on your phone brand, select Android Bootloader Interface and click on Next.
This should install according to your manufacturer and drivers will start working.

If you happen to encounter any difficulties, we strongly advise using a dedicated program for automatic scans of outdated drivers such as Outbyte Driver Updater.

2. Deactivate driver signature

Press the Windows key and select the Power button while holding down the Shift button.
Your PC will restart in Advanced Options mode.
Select Troubleshoot option.
Navigate to Advanced options.
Select Startup settings.
Next click on Restart.
Select Disable driver signature enforcement.
Your PC will reboot again and you can now try installing your Fastboot drivers.

3. Update Windows driver updates

Press the Windows key, search Check for updates, and click to open.
Select Advanced options.
Go to Optional updates.
Select Driver updates and proceed to Download & install then restart your system.

What can I do if I’m stuck at Fastboot mode?

Unfortunately, things don’t always go so smoothly. Some users have reportedly found their phone stuck in Fastboot mode with no way out. If that happened to you as well, don’t worry.

So what happens when your phone gets stuck in Fastboot mode? Well, it becomes useless for most practical purposes because you can’t make calls, send messages, or do anything productive with it.

If your Android phone is stuck on the Fastboot screen, it means that your device is not able to boot normally and it has landed itself in this mode.

This problem can occur due to various reasons but the most common ones are:

The bootloader is corrupted
Also, the system partition might be corrupted
There are issues with the firmware
You forgot the PIN or password of your phone

To fix the issue, you simply need to restart your phone. Hold the Power + Volume Down buttons simultaneously until you see the Fastboot text on-screen. Then, use the volume keys to choose Recovery mode from the menu that appears and press the Power button.

Your phone will boot into recovery mode. You may need to use your Volume down button several times to select Recovery Mode because it first displays FASTBOOT MODE text at the top of the screen. Once it displays the Recovery mode option, select it by pressing the power button once.

If this also doesn’t work, then you should try to reset your phone to factory settings by following these steps:

Hold the Power + Volume buttons and select Recovery Mode.
Use the Volume keys to highlight wipe data/factory reset and press the Power button to confirm it.
Go back to main menu by pressing Back button once and select reboot system now option with help of Volume keys.

We hope this guide was able to help you get your Fastboot drivers working again. We also have a comprehensive guide on how to install drivers if you experience any difficulties.

Do not hesitate to share with us what method worked for you and any other additional comments you may have in our comments section below.

How to stop Microsoft Edge from opening Bing links in new tabs on Windows 10, Windows 11, macOS, and Linux

Posted on February 14, 2022August 21, 2025 by davew

Microsoft Edge does something weird any time you use Microsoft Bing to search. A new Edge tab automatically opens to display your searched content, while the search page stays open in a different tab. On the onset, it’s not clear if Microsoft Edge or Microsoft Bing is at fault for this.

As I quickly learned, opening a new tab for every search you make is frustrating issue for some people. But as a Microsoft Rewards member, I can’t pass up the chance to search using Bing for points to get movies, gift cards, and Xbox swag from the Microsoft Store.

You do a search on Microsoft Bing, click a link from the results and you are taken to a new tab. You click on the back button to return to the results, but it keeps you in the new tab that was just opened. Now, you click a different search result, and you get taken to yet another tab.

When you click a link from the search results, you go to a new tab, and the results are left open on the original tab. But going back won’t take you back to the original tab, so before you know it, you will have an overwhelming number of tabs open.

This issue is not only a problem for Windows users, but also happens when using Edge on Bing.com for macOS and Linux users too. After searching through every Microsoft Edge setting possible, the solution is surprisingly located within Microsoft Bing’s SafeSearch settings.

Microsoft Edge on Windows, macOS, and Linux

Here’s how to change the settings so any time you click a search or news link on Bing, it won’t open in a new browser tab.

Use Microsoft Edge to go to Bing.com on Windows, macOS, or Linux
Click the hamburger menu in the upper-right and choose SafeSearch
Go to Results section
Uncheck both “Open links from search results in a new tab or window” and “Open links from news results in a new tab or window”
Click Save to confirm the changes

That is all there is to it. Of course, Microsoft wants you to keep Bing open as much as possible when you search. Some people have also said that SafeSearch settings get reset every so often, so be on the lookout in case you need to repeat these steps again.

Another option is turning off SafeSearch completely.

Keep in mind, there doesn’t seem to be a real “confirmation” that your Bing.com settings are saved and applied to your actual Microsoft Bing search preferences.

Interested in learning more? Check out the latest OnPodcast episode also available on SoundCloud. Are there any other Microsoft Bing “features” that you find frustrating? Let us know in the comments!

Windows 11 Refresh Rate Bug: Fix Dynamic Rate Not Showing

Posted on February 14, 2022October 6, 2025 by Loredana Harsana

You may measure your screen’s refresh rate by counting the number of times per second that an image is updated. DRR is a new feature included in Windows 11 that helps you conserve battery life while giving a more fluid display, but it is no surprise when it is not working as it should.

Screens with higher refresh rates are expected to become more common as more manufacturers announce plans to discontinue the production of 60Hz displays. This would result in smoother scrolling and better gaming, but it would come at the expense of reducing the battery life.

However, the Dynamic Refresh Rate feature in this iteration of OS is a beautiful addition that can have a major impact on your overall experience. Continue reading as we will go over what you can do if Windows 11’s dynamic refresh rate is not showing or not working properly. Follow along!

What does dynamic refresh rate do?

DRR dynamically adjusts the refresh rate of your device in response to what you’re doing. It will automatically vary between a 60Hz and a 120Hz refresh rate on a compatible system to balance power and performance.

If you perform ordinary chores such as word processing or streaming video material, your PC will use a 60Hz refresh rate to conserve battery power.

When you use suitable apps that require inking and scrolling, Windows 11 will increase the display rate to 120Hz, providing you with a more responsive and fluid display experience.

Users with a compatible display can run either the performance-enhancing 120Hz (or higher) refresh rate or the battery-saving 60Hz refresh rate. With DRR, though, you may have the best of both worlds.

DRR is supported by Adobe Acrobat, Adobe Illustrator, and a few Microsoft applications, including Office, Edge, Whiteboard, and Snip & Sketch. It is anticipated that the number of supported applications will grow over time.

With most contemporary mid-range laptops featuring high refresh rate displays, it’s only logical to want to take advantage of the extra power. The faster the refresh rate, on the other hand, the greater the proportion of battery it consumes.

It is also used by systems with greater refresh rates, which always run on it. When necessary, you must manually reduce the frequency to 60Hz. It is just not viable to perform this every five minutes for apps.

What can I do if Windows 11’s dynamic refresh rate is not working?

1. Check compatibility

Press the Windows + S key to open the Search bar, then type in dxdiag, and open the top result.
In the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, navigate to the Display tab, then check the Driver Model plus Version.

2. Make sure it is enabled

Start by going to the Start menu and searching for Settings, then selecting the top match.
From the left panel, click on System and then navigate to Display followed by the Advanced display option.
In the Choose a refresh rate dropdown box, select the Dynamic refresh rate option. Some computers will require an aditional reboot.

For further information on the topic, do not hesitate to check out our article on specifically enabling the DRR feature.

3. Update your OS

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings program, then select Windows Update from the left-hand navigation bar.
In order to determine whether any new updates are required to be downloaded, select the Install now option; otherwise, use the Check for updates button to determine whether any new updates have been issued.

It is likely that you are using an older version of Windows, and that this is what is creating the problem, which may be fixed by upgrading to the most recent version. It is guaranteed that the problem will be rectified in a subsequent upgrade to the software package.

4. Update your drivers

Press the Windows key + I to launch the Settings program, go to the left panel, and select Windows Update, then Advanced options on the right.
Click on Optional updates after scrolling down to the Additional options section.
Now pick Driver Updates from the drop-down menu, then select all of the driver updates that are shown to you, and finally click on the Download and install button. In our case, we don’t have any more updates to install.

Even though Windows is generally in charge of driver updates if you are experiencing an issue, you can perform a manual search for updates.

We strongly advocate using a specialist program such as Fortect Driver Updater to do an automatic replacement for outdated drivers.

How can I increase my laptop’s battery life?

If you spend a significant amount of time working away from a power outlet, it’s a good idea to get into the habit of adjusting your laptop usage in more battery-saving ways, such as by keeping to one program at a time and shutting everything else when you’re not using it.

It’s similar to shutting off the lights in a room when no one is present. If you’re constantly switching between the kitchen and the pantry, or between Firefox and Microsoft Word, by all means, keep both sets of lights (and programs) on at the same time (and open).

However, if you’re just cooking or viewing a YouTube video, it’s best to turn everything else off and close the door behind you.

Additionally, if you know you’ll be working on a document that doesn’t require web access, consider setting Airplane mode in Windows or turning off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth while shutting down other programs while you single-task.

battery windows 11 dynamic refresh rate not working

Not only does the Airplane mode reduce distractions, but it also removes one of the most major sources of battery depletion: not only the wireless radios themselves but also the background apps and processes that are continuously using them, such as updaters and push notifications.

It will take longer for your system to recharge its battery if you have numerous apps and processes running at the same time, and the chances are that you will not be actively using everything. The Settings app in Windows is the first place to look for programs that consume a lot of energy.

As long as your laptop is equipped with a powerful graphics processor, you may limit its use to only games and other graphics-intensive applications. At the same time, everything else can take advantage of the more efficient graphics processing hardware built into the processor itself.

The Program Settings tab in the GeForce control panel (which is normally placed in the Windows notification area on the right side of the taskbar) is where you may allocate each application to a specific graphics-processing chip if your system is equipped with Nvidia GeForce graphics.

Allocate the GeForce separate graphics processor to games and photo- and video-editing applications like Adobe Photoshop and Premiere while assigning the integrated graphics chip to everything else on the computer.

Since you are interested in optimizing your PC’s performance, take a look at the best FPS counter software for Windows 10/11. DRR is not the only new special feature, instead, here are some amazing new features in Windows 11 you need to know.

Just keep in mind that refresh rate features can make your monitor stuck at 60Hz on Windows 11, but this issue can be easily resolved. And rest assured that our detailed guide will also help you decide whether to keep the variable refresh rate on or off.

Let us know in the comments section below whether the article proved helpful for you or not. Thanks for reading!

Microsoft plans to fully reopen Redmond campus on February 28th after more than 2 years of pandemic closures

Posted on February 14, 2022 by Kip Kniskern

Like many/most other businesses, Microsoft has had to significantly restructure during the pandemic, closing most offices and requiring workers to work from home. However, that appears to be finally coming to an end, according to an email to employees from the company’s Chief Marketing Officer Chris Capossela (via GeekWire).

Microsoft is planning to “fully reopen” its Washington state facilities, including its Redmond campus, and Capossela told workers in a post this morning that:

“From this date, employees will have 30 days to make adjustments to their routines and adopt the working preferences they’ve agreed upon with their managers”

Microsoft initially instituted a mandatory work from home policy for its employees in March 2020, and partially reopened again back in March of 2021, but has delayed a full opening a number of times due to the continuing pandemic crisis. Still the company is continuing to offer digital only conferences, like the newly announced Inspire 2022, and it still may be quite some time, if ever, that the company (or the world, for that matter) returns to a pre-2022 “normal.”

(Update: Microsoft has published the full Capossela post, you can read it on the Official Microsoft Blog).

Microsoft will issue warnings to users who run Windows 11 on unsupported devices

Posted on February 14, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

Are you using Windows 11 on a device that does not meet the system requirements? Well, Microsoft is onto you. You might soon receive a warning through a new alert within the Windows Settings App to let you know your device isn’t officially supported. (Via Windows Latest.)

The news should not come as too much of a surprise, as Microsoft had previously provided an avenue for users to upgrade their devices to Windows 11 despite them not meeting the set system requirements. These users needed to make a couple of modifications to their Registry to run Windows 11 on their devices and Microsoft officially warned of the potential compatibility issues in doing so.

In recent Windows Insider preview builds, the warning has stepped up a bit. The Settings App header in these builds now bears a message that will inform unsupported users that their device does not meet the system requirements. However, there are no indications that Microsoft could expand the message deeper. It just links out to a Microsoft webpage on the potential risks that one stands to encounter by running Windows 11 on an unsupported device, like the previous incompatibility issues.

It’s a small warning, to say the least, and it’ll be interesting to see if the company takes things further and adds watermarks or other messages about devices being unsupported. Let us know what you think in the comments below.

This developer got Windows 11 running on a Pixel 6 in a VM with Android 13, because, why not?

Posted on February 14, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

Windows 11 runs on all different kinds of hardware, both supported and unsupported, but one person has delivered the OS to Google’s own hardware.

Spotted by Wccfetch, Android developer Danny Lin recently managed to get Windows 11 running on a Pixel 6 Pro. The task definitely doesn’t seem like something the average user can do since it requires root access, but it showcases the power of Windows on ARM.

But, how, you might ask? Well, it’s thanks to Android 13’s Developer Preview, which enables virtualization technology. Lin was able to use this to run a full-blown Windows 11 install in a virtual machine on the device.

And here's Windows 11 as a VM on Pixel 6 https://t.co/0557SfeJtN pic.twitter.com/v7OIcWC3Ab

— kdrag0n (@kdrag0n) February 13, 2022

You might also be wondering how the performance is in a VM, and, well, you might be surprised. Lin says the VM is “really usable,” but also mentioned the lack of graphics acceleration, CPU, I/O, and memory pressure. That might sound worrying, but he did manage to get the device to run Doom.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Windows 11 in a strange place. The well-known Windows developer, Gustave Monce, previously got Windows 11 running on the Lumia 950 XL. Windows 11 on the Pixel 6 Pro definitely seems just as strange, so let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Fix: Decentraland not using GPU

Posted on February 14, 2022October 4, 2023 by Vladimir Popescu

When you notice that Decentraland is not using GPU of your computer, don’t get panicked. This article will show you the way to troubleshoot it effectively.

Metaverse is a new technology that is creating a lot of hype. Decentraland is one of the best examples of it where you can amazingly explore the Virtual World.

This game is browser-based and free to play. So, It has been popular in recent days. However, sometimes, problems like not using GPU can stop you from getting a satisfactory experience with it.

You can easily get rid of Decentraland not using GPU problem. But, before that, you should know why it happens so you can avoid reencountering it in the future.

Why your computer doesn’t utilize GPU power while running Decentraland?

Not only the Decentraland, but any video games may also go through this issue. However, the main reason behind this problem is the outdated driver for your graphics card.

Two other things also may cause this problem in many cases. If your browser configuration does not allow any browser-based games to use GPU with priority or if your PC Settings are in an incorrect state, you can face this problem.

If you can remove all these reasons, the problem won’t appear again on your computer.

How can I fix Decentraland not using GPU issue?

1. Update GPU driver

Open the Start menu.
Type devmgmt.msc and hit enter to open Windows Device Manager.
Expand Display adapters and right-click on your graphics card driver.
Choose Update driver.
Click on Search automatically for drivers.
It will check for updates and install if there is an updated version for the GPU driver.

However, Using a driver updating tool is the best way to update the GPU driver. In this case, you can try any of these best driver update software for Windows.

2. Enable hardware acceleration on browser

2.1 Enable in Chrome

Click on three vertical dots on the top-right corner and go to Settings.
Click on Advanced, find System, and click on it.
Enable Use hardware acceleration when available.
Relaunch Chrome.

2.2 Enable in Edge

Go to Settings of MS Edge, similarly to Chrome.
Click on System & Performance tab and enable the switch for the hardware acceleration.
Restart the browser.

It should fix Decentraland not using GPU issue. You can start playing it after the necessary changes have been made to verify.

3. Enable High performance mode

Open the Start Menu.
Search for Control Panel and open it.
Go to Hardware and Sound.
Click on Choose a power plan.
Check the High performance.

To save battery, you may have enabled Balanced or low power mode. But, That may restrict your Windows laptop to utilize the dedicated graphics card. In this case, setting the Windows power plan to high performance will help.

4. Set graphics performance to high for browser

Press Win + I to open Windows Settings.
Click on Display.
Scroll down and go to Graphics.
Find and click on the browser that you use to run Decentraland.
Click on Options.
Check High Performance and click on Save.

5. Update browser

5.1 Update Chromium-based browsers

Open your browser settings as shown in method 2.
Go to the about page.
It will automatically check and update the chromium-based browser.
Click on Relaunch after the update.

5.2 Update Firefox

Click on three vertical lines and then click on Help.
Go to About Firefox.
Firefox will automatically update itself if any new version is available.

6. Re-Install graphics card driver

Open Windows Device Manager like before.
Expand Network adapters.
Right-click on Video driver and choose Uninstall device.
Check Attempt to the driver for this device and click on Uninstall.
Restart your PC.

Your PC will automatically re-install the driver. After that, try to update it as shown in method 1. It should completely fix Decentraland not using GPU issue.

7. Upgrade GPU

GPU crisis is occurring worldwide. As a result, many people have decided to keep their existing GPUs. Though most GPUs should be OK with the latest Windows. But, some GPUs are too old to perform regular tasks.

As a result, Windows 11 and 10 treat them as incompatible for many tasks. This type of GPU may not work with Decentraland. In this case, you should consider upgrading the GPU.

Can I run Decentraland with iGPU?

There is no definite answer to this question. Officially, Decentraland recommends having 2 GB video memory to run this virtual world game smoothly. So, A dedicated GPU should be a safe choice.

However, Some processors with good iGPU also can handle this virtual world. But, the performance may vary. If you don’t have a dedicated Graphics card, you can find your luck with the built-in one.

For the latest Macs, there is no dedicated graphics card. But, These can handle this game perfectly. However, the Macs with less RAM struggle to run Decentraland in many cases.

We can see that only some iGPUs work well with Decentraland. So, a dedicated graphics card is the best option.

However, if Decentraland does not use the GPU, the methods given above are enough to fix it. You are also welcome to share your thought in the comment box if you know any other way that works.

How to Fix Windows 11 Installation Assistant Error 0x8007007f (Quick Guide)

Posted on February 14, 2022July 18, 2025 by Loredana Harsana

If you’re getting the Windows 11 Installation Assistant error 0x8007007f, you’re likely stuck mid-upgrade and unsure how to proceed. This common Windows 11 update error often pops up when running the Installation Assistant, especially if permissions, drivers, or antivirus software interfere with the process.

The good news? You can fix it in just a few steps. Below, we’ll guide you through all the proven solutions to resolve this error and upgrade to Windows 11 without issues.

What Causes the 0x8007007f Error in Windows 11?
How to fix the Windows 11 Installation Assistant error 0x8007007f

What Causes the 0x8007007f Error in Windows 11?

This error typically appears when the Windows 11 Installation Assistant fails to execute due to:

Insufficient permissions
Driver incompatibility or outdated drivers
Antivirus interference
Corrupt or missing system files

You may also get related errors like Installation Assistant is already running or Something went wrong.

How to fix the Windows 11 Installation Assistant error 0x8007007f

1. Run the Assistant as an administrator

After you have downloaded the Installation Assistant from Microsoft’s official website, locate the executable program file. It will most probably be in the Downloads folder of your PC.
Once you found it, right-click on the executable file and choose Run as administrator.
A dialog box will pop up to ask your permission. Click Yes to allow Windows 11 Installation Assistant to run with administrator privilege.

Now continue with the installation steps that are shown to you. Make sure to follow them carefully.

2. Disable your antivirus

Tap on the expand arrow from your taskbar then right-click on your antivirus to choose Avast shields control followed by Disable for 10 minutes.
If you have other antivirus programs installed, you can temporarily disable the app by following the same or similar methods as before.

The likelihood that your antivirus application was the source of the problem is high if the problem no longer occurs. In order to secure your computer, you should consider using another antivirus product that is compatible with Windows 11.

3. Run SFC

Press the Windows + S key to open the Search bar, then type cmd. Next, right-click on the most relevant result given to you to run it as an administrator.
Type or paste in the following command and press Enter in order to perform the scan:
sfc /scannow

When you’ve finished waiting for the process to complete, restart your computer (which could take some time). Alternatively, you can a specialized third-party repair tool that will scan your PC and fix any issues related to missing or corrupted system files.

4. Set the compatibility mode

After you have downloaded the Installation Assistant from Microsoft’s official website, locate the executable program file. It will most probably be in the Downloads folder of your PC.
Right-click on it, then choose Properties.
Now navigate to the Compatibility tab, click on Run this program in compatibility mode for: and choose Windows 7.
Hit Apply to save the changes, then run the executable normally and see if the window nor remains open long enough for you to perform your tasks.

How to check for new updates in Windows 11?

During the development of Windows 11, the developers made a point of analyzing the data to determine which settings are used the most and which settings are used the least.

Without a question, Windows Updates were given top priority, and a new menu was built specifically for them. Manually updating Windows 11 can be accomplished as follows:

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app, then click on Windows Update in the left panel.
If you have any new updates to download, click on the Install now button and wait for the process to finish, otherwise click on the Check for updates button.
If there are any new updates, the system will download and install them right away.

That’s all there is to it! The new OS has been installed on your computer, and we hope that our solutions assisted you in completing the upgrade without difficulty.

Please remember that Windows 11 is recently launched, and there may be a number of glitches and faults to contend with; nevertheless, we will provide solutions for these issues on our website.

If you find that you don’t have the option to upgrade to Windows 11 from the Windows Update settings, you can try to install Windows 11 without the Installation Assistant.

FAQs

What does error 0x8007007f mean in Windows 11?

It’s usually caused by permission issues, outdated drivers, or interference from antivirus software.

Is it safe to run the Installation Assistant?

Yes, as long as it’s downloaded from the official Microsoft website.

Can I install Windows 11 without the Installation Assistant?

Yes, you can use the Media Creation Tool or download the ISO file directly.

Summary

The Windows 11 Installation Assistant error 0x8007007f is frustrating but easy to resolve. Run the tool as admin, disable antivirus, or use compatibility mode. You can also upgrade using alternative tools like the ISO file or Media Creation Tool if problems persist.

Let us know in the comments which fix worked best for you, and whether you’re enjoying Windows 11 or missing Windows 10!

.Net celebrates 20 years with a special webcast today

Posted on February 14, 2022 by Kareem Anderson

This February marks the 20-year anniversary of Visual Studio .NET and the team’s month-long celebration is introducing a webcast on Valentine’s Day.

At 9:00am Pacific Time on February 14, 2022, Scott Hunter, Scott Hanselman and a bevy of special guests will broadcast their stories and journeys through .NET development as well as announcing a host of other celebratory events for the remainder of the month with the community.

During the commemorative event, host and guests will presumably cover both past accomplishments as well as what’s to come for .NET as hinted at in the blog post announcement.

We just released .NET 6 in November 2021 and are full speed ahead building .NET 7. In fact, .NET 7 Preview 1 will release this week. With .NET 6 you now have a unified set of base libraries and SDK, a simplified development experience with investments in C# 10 and minimal APIs, high productivity with hot reload, and a whole lot more. .NET 6 is the fasted adopted version of .NET yet, and we’re seeing very good reception from users. I encourage you to give it a try if you haven’t already.

We’re excited to get the .NET Multi-platform App UI (.NET MAUI) release out the door and in your hands very soon. .NET MAUI will let you build native apps for Windows, macOS, iOS and Android with a single codebase and we are now focusing on quality and bugs so now is the time to try the preview and give us feedback while we can act on it.

For those interested, be sure to visit the .Net home page to watch the special webcast as well as get more details on upcoming events for the community.

Microsoft’s post-Super Bowl YouTube spot wants you to “respect the power of Surface”

Posted on February 14, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

The talk of the Super Bowl ads might be Coinbase’s QR code, and although Microsoft didn’t pay up for its own ad this year, it did release a fun post-game spot over on YouTube. The short 30-second ad wants you to “respect the power of Surface,” and showcases some superstitions behind the game.

Since Microsoft has a big contract with the NFL, the ad naturally highlights how Surface devices are used on the sidelines. In it, there are a few superstitions that Microsoft plays fun at. The first is swiping with the pen to get the ball back, the second is touching the Surface to get a touchdown, the third is turning around with the Surface to turn the defense around.

Of course, superstitions or not, Surface devices have made headlines because of the NFL and it’s likely the “Respect” part of the ad is a nod to this. Back in December, Tom Brady tossed a Surface tablet on the sidelines, after his team fell to a loss against the Saints. The NFL warned him not to do it again, but even before that, Aaron Rodgers did the same back in 2015.

You’ll soon be able to get into your favorite Teams apps right from Outlook

Posted on February 14, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

Ever wanted to use one of your Teams apps in Outlook? Well, it’s something that Microsoft is planning, as the feature was recently added to the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, for release later this year (via Windows Central.)

According to the roadmap entry, Microsoft says that Outlook users will be able to “acquire and use these updated Teams apps,” without leaving Outlook. Presumably, this hints that developers might need to update their Teams apps to support both apps. It also looks as though these cross-Teams and Outlook apps are catered for personal, and/or search, per the roadmap.

The feature is set for release in December of 2022 for both Outlook on the web, as well as desktop. However, seeing as though that’s just Microsoft’s best timing for when you can expect this, it could come even later. Also, with Inspire 2022 coming up in July, you might expect the company to talk more about this then, as the conference always sports a lot of Teams news. Until then, you’ll just have to settle with using your Teams apps separate from Outlook.

8 ways to open Control Panel in Windows 10 or Windows 11

Posted on February 14, 2022August 21, 2025 by Radu Tyrsina

In this article

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There are many ways to open Windows Control Panel. Still the central hub of Windows, the Control Panel can help you manage almost all aspects of your operating system.

Be it keyword or mouse settings, password and users records, or fiddling with the sound and other hardware settings, Control Panel has access to all. Even though Microsoft is taking steps to replace Control Panel with Windows Settings, you can still control your PC from the Control Panel, and for some settings it’s the only place to go.

It’s therefore not a surprise that there are so many ways one can use to Open the Control Panel in Windows. So let’s first get started with some of the more straightforward ways at our disposal.

1. Start Menu search bar

The Start menu search bar is the place that lets you access almost all of your apps or folders from a single place. Not surprisingly, you can also use it to open Control Panel in your Windows. Here’s how:

Go to the Start menu search bar, type in ‘control panel’ in the search box, and select the Best match. The Control Panel will be opened.

2. File Explorer

You can also open the Control Panel from the File Explorer. The File Explorer, previously also called the Windows Explorer, is a file management application that works as a graphical user interface, which in turn helps you edit, manage data and other file contents.

To open the File Explorer, select the folder icon from the taskbar below.

In the File Explorer, select Desktop and from there, click on Control Panel.

3. Run dialog box

The Run dialog box is a handy utility to help you access all kinds of files on your Windows computer. You can also launch the Control Panel with it. To get started, go to the Start menu, type in ‘run’ and select the Best match. Or alternatively, press Windows key +R.

In the Run dialog box, type ‘control panel,’ and hit Enter. The Windows Control Panel will be launched.

4. Command prompt

You can also use the Windows Command prompt to open the Windows Control Panel. Simply go to the Windows key + X. Or Alternatively, go to the Start menu search bar, type in ‘cmd,’ and hit Enter.

When the Command prompt gets launched, type in the following command and hit Enter:

control panel

The Control Panel will be launched in your Windows 10 or 11.

5. Start menu shortcut

If you’ve to open the Control Panel almost every day, then there’s a sneaky way to access it. How? You can simply pin the Control Panel shortcut to the Start menu so that you can launch anytime from there. Here’s how:

Click on the Start button, and type in ‘control panel’. From there, right-click on the Control Panel and select Pin to Start.

Now, whenever you want to open the Control Panel, simply click on the Windows Start button, and you’ll find the Control Panel icon in the Pinned section.

6. Task Manager

Infamous as a rescuer for any and all hanged Windows processes, the Task Manager is a handy application in the Windows operating system; just any gamer.

But it has many other uses as well. One such use is its feature to launch different Windows apps. Here’s how:

To launch the Task Manager, go to the Windows power menu. Right-click on the Windows Start button, and select the Task Manager. In the Task Manager, click on File > Run new task.

In the new window, type in ‘control panel’ and hit Enter. The Task Manager will be opened.

7. Desktop shortcut

Desktop shortcuts are a handy way to launch different Windows apps. They are also super convenient, especially if you’ve to use the specified app again and again. Interestingly, you can also open the Control Panel with a simple shortcut. Here’s how:

Right-click anywhere in the desktop and select New > Shortcut. In the new dialog box that pops ups, type in ‘control panel’ in the Browse… box, and hit Enter. Then give a relevant name to the screenshot (we’ve named it Control Panel), and select Finish.

8. File Explorer’s address bar

The File Explorer’s address bar is located in the top-left corner of the Windows operating system. Interestingly, you can also use this address bar to open the Control Panel in your Windows. Here’s how:

Click on the > option in front of the computer icon. As soon as you do that, you’ll get a drop-down list from where you can select the Control Panel. Click on that icon of Control Panel, the Control Panel menu will be opened.

Open Control Panel in Windows 10 or Windows 11

And these are all the different ways to open Control Panel in your Windows. We hope one of these methods helped you launch the Windows Control Panel without any hassles. Be sure to also check out our separate guides on how to open Task Manager as well as File Explorer.

These older versions of Visual Studio will soon no longer be supported by Microsoft

Posted on February 14, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

In an announcement, Microsoft let users of older versions of Visual Studio know that they will no longer get support. These users are being encouraged to make the update to Visual Studio 2022. which has better security.

Here are the various versions of Visual Studio that will no longer be supported.

Visual Studio 2012: support ends on January 9, 2023 for the IDE and its associated products, runtimes, and components. We recommend users upgrade to a newer version of Visual Studio.

Visual Studio 2017: mainstream support ends April 12, 2022, and the product will transition to extended support until April 2027. During extended support we’ll provide fixes only for security issues. We recommend users move to the 15.9 supported baseline to remain under support.

Visual Studio 2019 version 16.7: support ends April 12, 2022. We recommend users move to the version 16.11 supported baseline, or to Visual Studio 2022.

Visual Studio 2019 Preview Channel: after April 2022, we will no longer provide updates to the Preview Channel of Visual Studio 2019. We recommend users migrate to either the Visual Studio 2019 Release Channel or to Visual Studio 2022 Preview to stay secure and receive the latest feature updates.

Once you make the upgrade to Visual Studio 2022, you will have access to three channels which include the Preview channel, the Current Channel, and the Long-term Servicing Channels. The Preview Channel is in place to serve as a platform where users can interact with the developers and give feedback in regards to the latest features and their functionality.

On the other hand, the Current Channel is where you can access these new features once they are ready for use. Microsoft further indicated that users should make all the updates that come to this channel to ensure that they are covered in terms of support. The Long-Term Servicing Channels essentially gives the developer more control over you once you embrace the new feature releases. Furthermore, Microsoft provides 18 months’ worth of security upon release.

Download Visual Studio 2022 to get accustomed to it before Microsoft stops providing support to the current version you are on.

Windows news recap: fake Windows 11 installers warning, WhatsApp Beta gains clean dark mode, and more

Posted on February 13, 2022 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.

Be careful! HP details fake Windows 11 installers that can infect your computer

HP has warned of fake Windows 11 installers doing the rounds. Whilst these aren’t new, and were going around even before the official Windows 11 launch, this particular one has a very similar-looking installation process to the official Windows 11 installer, making it harder to distinguish.

New Your Phone feature to show recently opened Android apps on your Windows 11 Taskbar

Windows Insiders will soon see that the Windows 11 taskbar can show recently opened Android apps, thanks to a new feature in the Your Phone app, making it quicker to access apps you’ve recently used.

WhatsApp Beta on Windows 10 and 11 gets a clean dark mode

A clean dark mode is being tested in the WhatsApp Beta app on Windows 10 and 11, allowing it to better match your Windows colour theme, and be less demanding on your eyes at night or in different light conditions.

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

Microsoft news recap: Open app store policies, LinkedIn adds option to block political content, and more

Posted on February 13, 2022 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 lays out new open App Store principles

In what appears to be an effort to butter up regulators, Microsoft has announced a set of Open App Store Policies aimed at putting Microsoft in a positive position as laws and regulations around app stores tighten by appearing more friendly to competition and consumer choice. It’s also likely that this move is, at least in part, to help smooth its acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

OneNote for web gets a ton of new improvements

OneNote for web has received a fairly significant update, bringing a whole host of improvements, including improved Copy/Paste, a new mode switcher, auto-inking, and more. See the full list here.

You can now block out political content from your LinkedIn feed

People often avoid political discussions at work, and now it’s possible to filter out political content on your LinkedIn feed. The new option to block political content means that you’ll no longer see content related to candidates, parties, election results, and more.

Call of Duty, more to stay on PlayStation beyond Sony’s agreements with Activision after acquisition, says Microsoft

Alongside the announcement of Microsoft’s open app store policies, the company also announced that it is committed to keeping Call of Duty and other popular Activision Blizzard titles on PlayStation, even after current agreements end, after its acquisition.

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

How to Fix Error Code 22 on MSI Afterburner & Safely Close your PC

Posted on February 13, 2022March 29, 2024 by Loredana Harsana

MSI, or Micro-Star International, is a world-leading gaming laptop brand. Most MSI gaming laptops offer impressive specs and powerful video cards capable of handling the most power-hungry games.

But recently, many users have complained about MSI afterburner error code 22. The entire error message reads CTaskSchedulerinterface::AddTask failed with error code -22!

What is Error Code 22 on MSI Afterburner?

MSI Afterburner is the most popular graphics card program, as we all know, but let’s see what the main causes for Error Code 22 are:

Task Scheduler issues – The MSI Afterburner Error Code 22 occurs mainly due to some error in the Task Scheduler that can prevent your PC from auto-shutting down.
Registry issues – Indirectly, a clogged Registry may affect MSI Afterburner and produce this error code.

Now that we know why this happens, let’s apply the solutions below to fix the problem quickly.

How can I fix AddTask failed with error code -22?

1. Run a quick SFC scan

Click on Start, search for command prompt, and select Run as Administrator.
Type the following command and hit Enter:
sfc/scannow
Restart your device once done and check if the MSI afterburner error is resolved.

Is the System File Checker not working on your device? If yes, read our guide to fix it.

For a more thorough file check, we recommend a specialized tool for finding and repairing damaged or corrupted Windows system files.

2. Run a DISM scan

Click on Start, search for command prompt, and select Run as Administrator.
Type the following commands one by one and hit Enter:
DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Restart your device and check if the error message still appears.

System image corruptions are also known to cause MSI afterburner error code 22. Running a DISM Scan will find and repair system image corruptions.

Several users complain about the fact that they are unable to run the DISM scan. Rest assured that our guide shows you what to do if that happens.

3. Use the Registry Editor

NOTE

Before starting this method, create a System Restore Point or back up your Registry. So, if anything goes wrong, you can restore it, and your Windows system will be back to normal.

Click Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box.
Type regedit and hit Enter.
Once the Registry Editor opens, navigate to the following path:
Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\Schedule
Double-click on Start in the right pane.
Type 2 in the Value Data field and click OK to save the changes.

4. Reinstall MSI Afterburner

Click the Start button and select Settings.
Now, click on Apps. In Windows 11, also click on Installed apps from the right pane.
Look for MSI Afterburner in the list of apps, click on it, and select Uninstall. In Windows 11, after finding the app, click on the three dots menu and select Uninstall.
Go through with the uninstallation, then go to the MSI Afterburner download page and download a fresh copy of the software and install it.

This was how to fix the error code 22 in MSI Afterburner, and we hope our solutions helped you solve this issue.

If the troubleshooting methods didn’t solve this error, try our MSI Afterburner fix guide for more information.

If you still have issues or you have other solutions that we overlooked, feel free to drop a comment below.

DPC Latency Caused by TCP/IP.SYS: How to Fix It in 5 Steps

Posted on February 13, 2022October 10, 2025 by Sagar Naresh

DPC stands for Deferred Procedure Call and is meant to perform high-priority tasks first and low-priority tasks later. However, tcpip.sys latency issues can sometimes interfere with DPC.

TCP/IP or Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol handles PC communication. If the tcp/ip.sys goes corrupt, then it will misbehave and often lead to BSoD errors. Thankfully in this guide, we have a lot of solutions that will help you to resolve the tcp/ip.sys latency issue in your PC.

What can cause DPC latency?

There are several common causes for DPC latency, with the following ones being the most common:

Outdated drivers – Outdated drivers can cause this and many other issues. To fix it, just update your drivers and the issue should be gone.
DNS cache – DNS cache can sometimes cause problems with your network adapter, but you simply need to flush DNS to fix that.
Power settings – Adjusting the power plan or network adapter settings can sometimes fix this problem.
IPv6 – This is a fairly new protocol, and it can cause issues with certain network adapter drivers.

Now that we know the reasons behind this problem, let’s apply the right solutions.

How can I fix tcpip.sys latency?

1. Flush the DNS cache

Click the Search icon on your taskbar.
Search for command prompt and run the app as administrator.
Type the below commands and press Enter, one by one:
- netsh winsock reset netsh int ip reset ipconfig /release ipconfig /renew ipconfig /flushdns
Restart your computer and check if this resolves the issue or not.

One of the ways to fix the DCP latency issue caused by tcpip.sys is to flush the DNS cache. Running commands removes the IP addresses or other DNS records from the cache.

2. Change the current power plan

Open the Search menu from the taskbar.
Search for control panel and open the app from the results.
Click on Power Options.
Select a different power plan except for the Balanced option.

Several users have reported that switching from the Balanced power plan to a high-performance or other power plan helped them resolve the tcpip.sys latency.

3. Update the network driver

Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.
Expand the Network adapters.
Right-click on your network adapter and select Update driver from the context menu.
Hit the Search automatically for drivers option.
Let the system look out for a new driver for your network and follow the prompts if it detects one.

Chances are the outdated network drivers are causing the tcpip.sys latency issue on your PC. Update the driver by following the above steps and check if this resolves the issue or not.

Another simple and fast solution to keep your drivers updated and avoid future errors is to use an automated driver update tool.

⇒ Get Fortect Driver Updater

4. Turn off the Energy Efficient Ethernet option

Right-click on the Start menu and select Device Manager.
Expand the Network adapters.
Right-click on your network adapter and select Properties from the context menu.
Switch to the Advanced tab.
Click on the Energy Efficient Ethernet.
From the Value drop-down menu, select Disabled.
Click OK to apply the changes and check if this resolves the issue.

After doing that, check if tcpip.sys latency is gone.

5. Disable the IPv6

Press the Win + R keys to open the Run dialogue.
Type ncpa.cpl and hit Enter.
Right-click on your internet and select Properties.
Uncheck the box for Internet Protocol Version 6 entry.
Click OK.
Restart your PC and check if this resolves the issue or not.

There are chances that the internet protocol that you have selected is problematic. In such a case, you can disable the protocol and check if this resolves the issue or not.

If you are facing an audio latency issue on your Windows PC, you can check out our guide, which gives you a bunch of solutions to resolve the problem.

You can also refer to our guide, which lists five effective solutions to resolve high ping, ping spikes, and latency issues on your Windows PC.

Let us know in the comments below which one of the above solutions helped you resolve the tcpip.sys high DPC latency issue.

6 Best Server Ping Monitor Software

Posted on February 13, 2022July 18, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

A server ping software is a useful tool that allows for testing the strength of the network connection or to see whether or not there are any packet losses on the network.

Performing the monitoring of your network using such a tool gives you a clearer perspective regarding the performance of your key devices.

What is ping and packet loss monitoring?
What is the best server ping software I can use?

What is ping and packet loss monitoring?

Ping is basically the action of testing how long does it take for a package to go from one device to another. And if the package doesn’t reach its destination in one piece, we call that effect packet loss.

That’s where these tools come into the picture to monitor all this data and provide you with the most accurate reports possible.

So, in this article, we’ll walk you through the best server ping software to use in order to make an informed decision.

What is the best server ping software I can use?

Site24x7

Site24x7 is undoubtedly one of the best server monitoring software and that includes pinging them to assess their connection response.

However, if you’re just looking for a simple ping tool, this is not it because it has a lot more complex features.

For instance, Site24x7 monitors over 60 network performance metrics for up to ten servers and offers inventory reports for them.

It doesn’t matter what type of servers or the systems they’re running, including Debian, SUSE, or CentOS, this tool will get you covered from all sides.

Moreover, the solution also looks at the Microsoft applications’ performance. The list of supported software is pretty long, but we will mention Office 365, SharePoint, Hiper-V, Exchange, and SQL.

You will be able to build your own plugin integrations but you will discover the readily available ones for Apache, MySQL, and Nagios.

Overview of the best features of Site24x7:

Over 60 performance metrics, including ping and packet loss
Single dashboard control
Microsoft applications monitoring
Plugin integrations for Apache, MySQL and Nagios included
Manage customer accounts and endpoints securely

Site24x7

With this complex too you can ping up to 10 servers and manage all their traffic.

Check price Visit website

PRTG Network Monitor

PRTG Network Monitor is one of the most popular monitoring tools that pings devices in order to measure their availability.

Using this tool, you will actually scan the devices by their IP range, and you can also use one of the available features for ping monitoring.

Some of them are Ping Sensor, Cloud Ping Sensor, and Ping Jitter Sensor. Thankfully, after the monitoring, you may opt between seeing the data live or historically.

You will have included the ping time, maximum and minimum ping time, and also the packet loss percentage.

Let’s go through some of its best features:

Scan devices by their IP range
Built-in Ping Sensor, Cloud Ping Sensor, and Ping Jitter Sensor
Automated performance monitor
Receive packet loss percentage data

PRTG Network Monitor

Measure the ping time and other important network metrics with this performant and reliable tool.

Free trialVisit website

Solarwinds Network Performance Monitor

Solarwinds Network Performance Monitor is another tool that will help you perform a ping check on your network.

Thanks to the information received as a result of the ping utility you will be able to see the performance of your DHCP and DNS server.

This tool allows you to generate a report with all the IP addresses that responded to your ping.

In this report, you’ll see the response time which is needed for establishing if and where are any problems.

You can export the results in a CSV, TXT, or XLS file and then import it into other utilities for further analysis and comparison.

Take a look at its key features:

CSV, TXT, or XLS export
Monitor performance of DHCP and DNS servers
Generate reports with all the IP addresses
Check out response time and packet loss data

⇒ Get Solarwinds Network Performance Monitor

Nagios Network Analyzer

Nagios Network Analyzer is one of the best server ping software solutions that you can use. This tool provides a view of the availability of your devices and detects any packet loss.

Knowing all this will help you decide faster on how well your network is performing. The software allows you to customize the layout for each user as needed or simply use one of the available options.

Let’s see some of its most important features:

Monitor all your devices from a single interface
Get detailed reports on packet loss
Monitor all in-house and external applications
Set up alerts to notify you when potential threats arise

⇒ Get Nagios Network Analyzer

ManageEngine OpManager

ManageEngine OpManager has a Free Ping and Traceroute Tool that allows you to quickly and efficiently see how your network is performing.

With this tool, you will see how available are your servers and routers, switches, and websites. Using this server ping software tool will give you a clear view of the succeeded and failed ping counts.

Moreover, you will be able to save snapshots of ping details and view alerts on your dashboard, in case the servers are not available.

Let’s review a few of this tool’s best features:

Dedicated ping and traceroute tools
Checks your servers, routers, switches and websites
Assess default dashboards or create your own
Over 200 performance widgets available

Obtain comprehensive real-time reports on your network with this powerful tool.

Free Trial Visit Website

Spiceworks Network Monitor

Spiceworks Network Monitor comes with features that offer real-time status alerts of your network. You will be able to catch the problems before anyone else notices and also solve them as fast as possible.

Thanks to the ping monitor feature you will see which devices are online and available and if there are any issues.

In the Spiceworks Connectivity Dashboard, you will have all data about servers, routers, switches, printers, and more.

Take a glimpse at some of its best features below:

Simple to install and set up
Get real-time insights and spot sluggish network connections
Fully loaded help desk creation
Scan your IP devices and collect the data in minutes

⇒ Get Spiceworks Network Monitor

Ping monitoring is essential for managing network devices, therefore, choosing the best server ping software is crucial.

We hope that the information presented in this article will help you make an informed decision. You can take a peek at our list including the best server monitoring tools and get more ideas for this kind of help.

Also, we would love to know which tool has worked best for you, so don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments section below.

6 Ways to Fix FPS Drops, Lag, and Stuttering in Battlefront 2

Posted on February 13, 2022October 4, 2023 by Loredana Harsana

Star Wars Battlefront II is an action shooter based on the Star Wars franchise. Despite being a great game, many users reported FPS drops in Battlefront 2.

This isn’t the only issue, many have reported mouse lag in Battlefront 2 and we covered this issue in a separate guide.

What causes performance issues on Battlefront 2?

There are several things that cause performance issues on Battlefront 2, but we will highlight the most common:

Outdated graphics drivers – If you don’t update the drivers for your graphics card, you may encounter performance problems with all your games, not only Battlefront 2.
Old OS version – Having an operating system that isn’t fully updated can cause various Star Wars Battlefront 2 problems. You might even have the game not working on Windows.
Bad port or build – Running Battlefront 2 on the older generation of PC or graphic card could also cause performance issues due to a bad port or build since this game requires more than enough of your machine’s power.
Limited resources – If your PC configuration is right on the edge of the minimum system requirements, not only that the performance of the game will be affected, but sometimes you won’t be able to run the game at all.

On the other hand, stuttering in games might be brought on by a drop in FPS, the game engine loading assets, or an imbalance between FPS and refresh rate.

Now that we know what can cause poor performance in Battlefront 2, let’s see what we can do to improve it.

How do I fix FPS drops, lag & stuttering in Battlefront 2?

Before getting into more complicated troubleshooting, let’s crosscheck some basic methods to improve the performance in Battlefront 2:

Check if you meet the recommended requirements:

	Minimum requirements	Recommended requirements
CPU	AMD FX-6350 or Intel Core i5 6600K	AMD FX 8350 Wraith or Intel Core i7 6700 or equivalent
RAM	8 GB	16 GB
Video card	AMD Radeon HD 7850 2GB or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660 2GB	AMD Radeon RX 480 4GB or NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 3GB
Dedicated video RAM	2 GB	3 GB (4 GB AMD)
Pixel Shader	5.0	5.1
Vertex Shader	5.0	5.1
Free disk space	15 GB	15 GB

Close any other apps and services you don’t need.
Check the game settings and lower graphics settings to improve the performance of the game.

If you have checked these easy workarounds from your list, let’s go to the actual solutions to fix the Battlefront 2 performance issues.

1. Full-screen optimization

Right-click on the game’s executable file and choose Properties.
Then, choose the Compatibility tab.
Select Disable full-screen optimizations and click on Apply.

2. Turn off DirectX 12

Go to the in-game menu.
Turn off DX12.
Save the changes and try to play the game.

3. Update the graphics driver

Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
Click the Display adapters section to expand it, right-click on your adapter, and select Update driver.
Choose Search automatically for drivers.
Install the new driver if the system finds any new updates.

Outdated graphics drivers can result in gaming performance issues. You can try using specialized software to scan your device and update all your old drivers with the most recent updates from its database.

4. Disable Game Bar or Game DVR

Click the Start button and then select Settings.
Click on Gaming.
Go to Game Bar or Game DVR.
Turn the switch off.

5. Disable Game Mode

Click the Start button and then select Settings.
Click on Gaming.
Select Game Mode and turn the switch off.

6. Switch to Borderless window

Press Alt + Enter key combination to play in borderless window form in Windows.
Press F11, if using a browser.
After doing that, check if the problem is resolved.

We hope that you can now fix the issue of FPS drops, lagging, and stuttering in Battlefront 2. All our solutions are simple to follow, and they will surely help you fix this issue.

Did you find a different solution for this problem? Let us know in the comments below.

OneNote is getting some much-needed updates

Posted on February 11, 2022 by Don Sharpe

Microsoft is looking to boost the appeal and functionality of its OneNote note-taking app with a range of new features.

The company has announced it is rolling out new features that are designed to make it easier for users to find what they are looking for in the web app of Microsoft OneNote.

The updates include search improvements, copy and paste enhancements, as well as a number of smaller tweaks.

Microsoft OneNote updates

OneNote is one of the most useful software tools Microsoft has ever made. But since the company made it available for free, it hasn’t given it much attention and the app has grown long in the tooth.

The company has revealed a host of new features for the OneNote web app and they’re all pretty welcome, especially if you use OneNote on a regular basis.

First up, there’s the new mode switcher that lets you switch between Page Mode and Full Page Mode to change how you view notes. There’s also an improved copy/paste experience with support for enhanced formatting, tables and lists from other apps like Word.

There are also improvements to page navigation that make it easier to jump between different sections and pages of your notebook. You can now add highlighting to your text, too, making it easier to pick out important bits of text in a hurry.

The company is also adding support for Office Lens, Microsoft’s app for scanning documents on the go by snapping photos of them on your phone or tablet.

In the future, Microsoft hopes that its note-taking app will play a crucial role in helping users across the world transition to the new way of hybrid working. It has also launched a revamped training program for organizations hoping to use Note as part of their remote working strategy.

The new design, which will be available soon, aims to provide users with a cleaner look and feel while retaining all of the features familiar to existing users.

In addition, Microsoft is working hard to provide a fast, reliable experience that’s on-par with desktop apps, so you can take notes wherever and however you choose.

Available updates

Microsoft has not ignored the rest of OneNote, and the app has received a number of significant updates.

The priority for Microsoft is Teams, which is meant to be a hub for all work. This means that OneNote is still getting new features, but they are being developed in close conjunction with Teams.

Some of the announced updates have been released gradually, while others are still forthcoming. One upcoming feature, improved link sharing in Teams, will be released in the future.

This makes sense from an organizational point of view: Teams is where Microsoft wants users to be working in the future, so it’s logical to focus effort on it. However, users will want to get as much functionality as they can into OneNote itself.

The new mode switcher which is in live preview mode in the Office Web Apps lets you switch between editing and viewing content, preventing accidental changes to read-only sections or files where users may not have edit permissions.

The improved Copy and Paste function enables users to keep text formatting intact when copying and pasting text between OneNote and another program.

Additional features

Microsoft further launched additional updates to its digital note-taking application, OneNote, through the Windows Store.

With these updates, users can now zoom in or out on documents with the app’s picture view and lock any images or printouts to be used in place of a background. Videos can also be resized by clicking and dragging the right side of a video on the screen.

Another tweak allows Stylus users to automatically include ink in their notes while they take them. OneNote will now remember where you left off working after you close it and reopen it.

Following these updates is the announcement by Microsoft in combining the OneNote for Office and the OneNote for Windows 11 app from the Microsoft store into a single app.

Through this combination, Microsoft aims to stem confusion on which app to install at the same time encouraging more users to try out OneNote.

What is your take on the updates of the new features on Microsoft OneNote? Let us know in the comments section below.

Microsoft continues to listen to Windows users

Posted on February 11, 2022 by Don Sharpe

Microsoft has added a new service to its Windows 365 Cloud PC for enterprise, making it easier for admins to onboard users through its cloud identity platform, Azure Active Directory (AAD).

Microsoft describes it as a cloud-native desktop experience and is targeted at remote workers. It was made as part of the company’s efforts to respond to the coronavirus pandemic.

The new service lets admins set up new AAD-only or hybrid AAD users by uploading an Excel file. It’s meant to help organizations quickly add employees working from home for the first time.

Microsoft says the update will make it easier for employees to work remotely or switch devices while on the job.

Feature on demand

Microsoft Azure Active Directory (AAD) is a crucial part of Microsoft’s identity and security services, as well as its join feature for controlling access to devices.

Now, AAD is coming to the company’s Windows 365 Cloud PC—the monthly-subscription version of Windows 11 it launched recently.

The ‘join’ feature means your organization can use AAD to control access to devices in the same way it manages application and service access today.

The new feature, called Azure AD Join, is designed to work with Windows 365 Enterprise and gives organizations more flexibility in how they manage their employee’s devices.

Microsoft says that its Azure Active Directory (AAD) Join feature has been the most requested addition to Windows 365 Enterprise, a version of the company’s cloud-based software.

As AAD Join is integrated with the on-premise variant of Microsoft’s Active Directory, it provides a way for admins to enroll devices without using the on-premise software.

Microsoft’s announcement of Azure AD Join is the latest in its efforts to give enterprises cloud-based options for managing user access.

When you select the Azure AD join type, you do not need an existing Azure infrastructure to use the service.

Cloud ID is a public preview currently available to administrators of the Microsoft Endpoint Manager admin center, who may provision Cloud PCs for users via their subscription-free Azure accounts.

Improving configuration process

Microsoft is improving configuration options for Cloud PCs so that they will always be available in the user’s preferred language upon login. Currently, there are many different local language options available for Microsoft Cloud PC clients.

Increasing the number of languages for Cloud-based computers will ensure that users accessing the new service from around the world are able to use it in their native tongue.

To help streamline the process of pre-configuring and deploying Windows client images, administrators can now set a Language Pack and a Region to be installed on Cloud PCs as part of the provisioning policy.

Administrators who deploy Windows 11 with language packs can configure the operating system to install those language packs automatically. The feature saves time and effort.

Microsoft’s Windows 365 managed PC service is gaining a new feature: the ability to configure software updates to be installed on a schedule. Microsoft says this is the most-requested feature for Windows 365, so hopefully, it’ll make some admins very happy.

In addition to scheduled updates, there are a number of other new features that have been added. There’s now the ability to enforce network access controls and upload logs to Azure Monitor, which can be used by admins to monitor devices in real-time.

Microsoft’s Windows 365 managed PC service has added two new regions, US Central and Germany West Central. These regions allow admins to create a virtual network in the cloud that provides access to an on-premise network.

Has the new feature in windows 365 been of help to you and your organization in this time of covid? Let us know from the comments section.

Microsoft makes Defender exclusions more difficult

Posted on February 11, 2022 by Don Sharpe

Microsoft is finally addressing one of the major concerns with Defender, which is that it’s relatively easy to bypass when setting up exclusions. The issue has been that even a standard user can add an exclusion, and that can allow malware to evade scans.

Microsoft is changing the way it handles file exclusions in its Windows Defender antivirus software. The default setting will now require users to provide administrator privileges to add an exclusion, a move that Microsoft says will improve security.

Users of Windows 11 Home and Pro are currently able to exclude files from Defender scans without any extra permissions. In a post on its Tech Community site, Microsoft said that the change would help prevent malware from bypassing detection by adding exclusions.

The change seems relatively simple but could improve security for those who are not paying attention or are unaware of the risks of running Defender without real-time protection enabled.

Microsoft Defender’s score

This latest change to Microsoft Defender is designed to make bypassing Windows Defender scans harder by changing Exclusions permission.

Microsoft Defender’s latest feature is designed to address this very issue. The company has now changed how you can add exclusions to Windows Defender effectively making it harder for attackers to bypass scans from Windows Defender and other antivirus solutions on Windows 11.

In Microsoft Defender’s most recent assessments, the software received higher marks in its second year.

Microsoft’s improving score implied that the company had made great strides in the field and probably would continue to improve as time goes by.

Windows Defender exclusions

Bypassing antivirus scanners is nothing new. Ever since they were invented, hackers and malware authors have been looking for ways to evade them, and one of the easiest ways has been through exclusions.

Many antivirus programs allow you to exclude certain files or directories from scans to improve performance and prevent false positives.

These exclusions are usually meant for large enterprise systems or big program installs that slow down the scanner. But they can also be used by hackers and malware authors to easily bypass scans.

According to Microsoft, the permissions for Windows Defender Exclusions have recently changed and users no longer have access to them if they are not an administrator.

The change is a result of a report from Microsoft that highlighted how a security hole could be used by attackers to hide malicious code on Windows 11 machines by adding files and folders to the exclusion list.

Microsoft has now changed the permissions required to view the Exclusions. Before this update, anyone with access to a machine could see the exclusions set on that machine.

However, after this update, it has been modified such that only someone with Administrator rights can view the Excluded files and folders.

The change essentially blocks access to the Registry key that contains the list of applications and files that are excluded from Defender scans. In previous versions of Windows 11, any user could access and edit the Exclusions list.

A user trying to query the Registry address gets an error when accessing it with Command Line. The person previously could see the excluded files and folders.

Importance of updates

Microsoft’s decision to make this change is a wise one, as leaving these permissions open could allow malicious actors to unload their payloads inside one of those folders and run it without triggering any kind of alert from Windows Defender.

The Exclusion feature in Windows Defender is meant to exclude specific folders from the application’s scanning.

It seems like Microsoft will continue to remove this feature in upcoming builds until they find a way for users to make changes to those exclusions without risking having malware bypass Defender scans.

Microsoft has still not announced exactly how it plans to roll out the update, but many believe that the recent patch was when the update was introduced.

What are your thoughts about the new updates on Microsoft defender scans? Share in the comments section below.

Latest Windows update consuming CPU and overheats PCs

Posted on February 11, 2022 by Don Sharpe

Windows 11 has had its own fair share of issues since its launch and it doesn’t seem that the problems are ending anytime soon.

If you recall, Microsoft had a problematic patch Tuesday that had to be recalled and later reinstated because of the number of issues.

Microsoft widgets task has been in a high CPU load (as it does not properly close after use) and this causes laptops to run very hot and cause a significant drain of the battery.

Overheating and high CPU usage

If you have noticed high CPU usage and overheating in your PC after installing Windows 11 Update, you’re not alone. Many users have run into this issue after the latest update.

High CPU usage and overheating are often the result of a misbehaving application. The first thing you should do is close any programs that you’re not using.

The issue was spotted by a number of users who have posted complaints on social media platforms, mentioning that the latest update has been causing high CPU usage, resulting in overheating and performance issues.

Further, even if you are able to kill the process through Task Manager, it appears that the process immediately restarts again in a loop.

For more powerful CPUs, visit our guide and pick one that fits your needs

Beta and Release channels affected

The problem appears to be prevalent in the Beta and Release channels and the CPU usage goes up to 100%.

According to this Reddit user, there was too much CPU usage they had to force close the widgets in the task manager.

Windows 11 Release Preview – Widgets proccess overheating my PC
byu/mauzao9 inwindowsinsiders

At the moment, users are advising each other to force stop from the task manager but it seems that it is an unending loop so it can be frustrating.

If you are yet to update, this is your sign to hold off until Microsoft gives an official statement.

Have you experienced any issues with the latest Windows 11 update? Let us know in the comment section below.

Generation Zero is unplayable on Xbox Series X consoles, with HDR turned on

Posted on February 11, 2022February 11, 2022 by Alexandru Poloboc

Even though it’s not one of the most popular games in the world, Generation Zero has still managed to gather thousands of interested players.

And some of those players have actually decided to upgrade their current gaming setups and opt for some updated devices.

We’re, of course, talking about the new generation of Xbox consoles. And we all know that the most powerful one of these new models is the Series X.

However, if you are planning to play Generation Zero on your new Series X machine, remember to turn Auto HDR off, or suffer the consequences.

Auto HDR makes Generation Zero glitch on Xbox Series X

Fancy playing a few rounds of Generation Zero on your brand new, state-of-the-art console? No problem there, just remember one key aspect before you install the game.

Don’t get the wrong idea, we’re not saying it won’t work on your Series X, we’re just reminding you that you should most definitely turn Auto HDR off before you install it.

Why? Because if you don’t, you will be in the same predicament as this Reddit user, who didn’t realize what he was doing wrong until he had to install the game twice to find out, and a third time to actually play it.

[deleted by user]
by inGenerationZeroGame

Of course, no one could have seen this coming, so it’s hard to anticipate something like this happening, especially when you spend so much money on your new gaming rig.

More so, when that expensive console comes from Xbox, you sort of have a guarantee that it won’t malfunction, bug, or glitch when you play a three-year-old game.

However, this one did, just because the above-mentioned feature remained turned on, by default, and the game was unplayable.

If this happens to you as well, don’t throw the controller at the screen, as that won’t really solve the glitch. Simply uninstall it, turn off Auto HDR and reinstall the title.

The user that’s spotted this flaw also sent an email to devs, so we expect this issue to be fixed in the near future. But, just to be on the safe side, disable it before you start a gun battle with your friends.

Have you also had this problem while trying to play Generation Zero on your Series X? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.