Page 855 • Windows Report

The Games of Activision Blizzard: Here’s What Microsoft is Buying

Posted on January 19, 2022 by Robert Collins

It was revealed on Tuesday morning, January 18th that Microsoft will be purchasing Activision Blizzard in a staggering $67.8 billion (yes, you read that right) all-cash deal that is guaranteed to shake up the video game world. The deal is far and away the biggest yet for Microsoft; the largest for the tech giant up to this point had been its $26.7 billion purchase of LinkedIn a few years back.

With this monumental acquisition comes a slew of subsidiary companies and intellectual properties, some of them among the biggest in the industry. This in addition to last year’s acquisition of ZeniMax Media – owners of Bethesda and their popular IPs Fallout, The Elder Scrolls, etc. – may lead some to declare the ninth generation console war over. Whether or not that proves to be the case, it is clear that Microsoft is determined to strengthen its position in the gaming space as it continues its buying spree into the new year.

Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare video game on Xbox One and Xbox Series X.

Arguably the most notable of Activision Blizzard’s IPs is of course Call of Duty. This prolific FPS series has long been one of the biggest and best-selling franchises out there, and with Microsoft’s acquisition comes, presumably, Xbox exclusivity for the series moving forward, which will be a huge feather in the Xbox cap. Whether that would be enough to sway longtime diehard PlayStation fans to the Series X/S is too early to tell.

However, what we may see is Spyro the Dragon and Crash Bandicoot (not to mention the Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series), classic franchises traditionally associated with PlayStation, finding new homes on Xbox. These are interesting times we live in, indeed! And while no one can yet say whether underserved classic series such as these, which arguably have been somewhat neglected in recent years, will see more daylight once Microsoft takes ultimate ownership, the prospect has to be an intriguing one for any old school gamers out there who grew up on the sony’s original console, no matter which side of the console divide they place themselves on.

MMO phenomenon World of Warcraft will also be included in the purchase, which will be another big deal for Microsoft. Another popular roleplaying game series, Diablo, will come under the Microsoft banner. As will multiplayer first-person shooter and esports sensation Overwatch (on a side note Microsoft will now also own Major League Gaming).

Microsoft will also be poised to strengthen its position in the mobile games market considerably as it gains ownership of King, an Activision Blizzard subsidiary and maker of Candy Crush Saga. Bubble Witch Saga, Pet Rescue Saga, and Farm Heroes Saga are other popular games made by the Malta-based developer.

Geometry Wars will once again find its way back into the Microsoft fold as part of the deal. The Guitar Hero series, as well as DJ Hero, will also come under the company’s ever-widening umbrella, though no one can say what Microsoft might do with the defunct rhythm game franchise, if anything. The iconic adventure game King’s Quest will now belong to Microsoft, Activision having bought the rights to the franchise from Telltale Games back in 2013.

Starcraft

Starcraft is another legendary franchise of Activision Blizzard, and one that out of all the properties included in the deal – the Call of Duty juggernaut notwithstanding – would seem uniquely at home within the Microsoft family. (And wouldn’t it be crazy if Starcraft Ghost was to happen after all these years?). Other additions to the lengthy list of IPs that will come with the deal include Zork, Skylanders, Quest for Glory, Phantasmagoria, The Lost Vikings, Hearthstone and so many more.

While it is all but certain some of these IPs will never again see the light of day (looking your way, Zork) you can rest assured that many of them will. Who knows – there may even be a few surprises in store for gamers down the road, and no doubt with today’s news many are already dreaming of that Gun remake, or of renewed hopes that titles like Timeshift, Singularity, or Blur might finally get the second life they so truly deserve.

There is no question that this gargantuan acquisition of Activision Blizzard will change the gaming landscape, not only in the console realm but also in the PC and mobile gaming markets. But what impact this will have going forward for the ninth console generation and beyond, only time will tell. One thing is for sure though: Xbox fans are smiling wide this morning.

GetDeviceRemovedReason: DirectX Function Failed [Fix]

Posted on January 19, 2022September 10, 2025 by Kazim Ali Alvi

Almost all high-end games that we play rely on DirectX to effectively run. But, several users have reported encountering DirectX function GetDeviceRemovedReason failed with, followed by the cause of the error.

For a normal user, the mentioned cause isn’t self-explanatory and a certain level of research is required to identify the underlying cause along with the most effective fix for it. To make things easier, we have dedicated this guide solely to this issue.

In the following sections, we will help you identify the potential causes and walk you through the troubleshooting steps to eliminate the DirectX function GetDeviceRemovedReason failed with error.

What causes the DirectX function GetDeviceRemovedReason failed with error?

The error is generally encountered by AMD GPU users, while those with Intel or Nvidia hardware seem to hardly come across it. In which case, your primary approach should be to update the drivers.

However, the configured power plan, corrupt system files, or an outdated version of DirectX, are also some of the reasons users encounter the DirectX function GetDeviceRemovedReason failed with error.

Now that you have a basic understanding of the underlying causes, troubleshooting should be a bit easier since you know the purpose of each method. Execute the fixes in the sequence that they are listed for a quick resolution.

How can I fix the DirectX function GetDeviceRemovedReason failed with error?

1. Update 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 Display adapters entry to expand and view the devices under it.
Next, right-click on graphics adapter, and select Update driver form the context menu.
Select Search automatically for drivers from the two options listed in the Update Drivers window.
Now, wait for Windows to scan for the best available driver on the system and install it.

We went through several forums to find out the most effective fixes to eliminate the DirectX function GetDeviceRemovedReason failed with error. And in most of these, users mentioned that it was the outdated drivers that were primarily responsible.

While most found it to be the graphics driver, some reported that the Realtek sound driver is just as likely to cause the issue. Once you have updated the graphics driver, similarly update the sound drivers as well.

The Device Manager method listed above only checks your system for driver updates, and if you haven’t downloaded one previously, the likelihood of the driver being updated is bleak.

In this case, we recommend checking for the latest driver version in Windows Update, or manually downloading and installing it from the manufacturer’s website.

The process of updating drivers individually may seem like a tiresome task, and a third-party app could help. We recommend using Outbyte Driver Updater, a dedicated tool that scans all available sources for updates and keeps the installed drivers up-to-date.

2. Switch power mode

Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app, and select Power & battery on the right in the System tab.
Click on the menu next to Power mode.
Now, select Best performance from the options listed here.

3. Run SFC scan

Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu. Enter Windows Terminal in the text field, right-click on the relevant search result, and select Run as administrator from the context menu.
Click Yes on the UAC (User Account Control) promp that appears.
Next, click on the downward-facing arrow at the top, and select Command Prompt from the list of options. Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + Shift + 2 to launch Command Prompt in a separate tab.
Now, type the follow command and hit Enter to run the SFC scan:sfc /scannow

Wait for the scan to complete and then check if the DirectX function GetDeviceRemovedReason failed with error is fixed. If not, head to the next method.

4. Repair the malfunctioning game

Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app, and select Apps from the list of tabs in the navigation pane on the left.
Click on Apps & features on the right.
Now, locate the problematic game, click on the ellipsis next to it and then select Advanced options from the menu.
Click on the Repair button to start the process.

Repairing is one of the simplest methods to eliminate trivial issues with an app. During the process, all program files are checked and the problematic ones are replaced. Also, the registry entries are verified along with the installation files.

5. Modify Registry

Press Windows + R to launch the Run command, enter regedit in the text field, and either click on OK or hit Enter to launch the Registry Editor.
Click Yes on the UAC (User Account Control) prompt that pops up.
Paste the following path in the address bar at the top, and hit Enter. Alternatively, you can navigate to it via the pane on the left:Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers
Right-click on the empty part, hover the cursor over New, select DWORD (32-bit) Value from the context menu, and name it as TdrLevel.
Now, double-click on the created value, enter 0 under Value data, and click on OK to save the changes.

6. Update DirectX

Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app, and select Windows Update from the tabs listed in the navigation pane on the left.
Next, click on Check for updates to scan for any available newer versions of DirectX.

The latest version at the time of writing this article is DirectX 12 and it doesn’t have a standalone package. This basically means that it can only be installed via Windows Update. So if you find an update for DirectX 12, download and install it.

7. Reinstall the game

Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app, and select the Apps tab from the left.
Next, click on Apps & features on the right.
Locate the malfunctioning game, click on the ellipsis next to it, and select Uninstall from the menu.
Again, click on Uninstall in the confirmation prompt that pops up.

After the game is uninstalled, download it again from the source. Sometimes, problems with the game itself can cause the DirectX function GetDeviceRemovedReason failed with error in Windows 11. Before you proceed, verify that the source is reliable and secure.

How can I speed up my Windows 11 PC?

Subdued performance is often found to cause errors, thereby affecting the gaming experience of users. Hence it’s imperative that your PC runs smoothly and efficiently.

For that, you may try out the various settings that boost the system’s performance. Also, check out our dedicated guide on ways to make your Windows 11 PC faster and more responsive.

That’s all there is to fix the DirectX function GetDeviceRemovedReason failed with error in Windows 11, no matter the cause. By the time you reach this part of the article, the error should be long gone, and you can now enjoy playing games.

Also, find out how you can fix errors pertaining to DirectX in Windows 11, though the need for it shouldn’t arise under optimal conditions.

Tell us which fix worked and the game you encountered the error on, in the comments section below.

Microsoft Teams gets its own YouTube channel

Posted on January 19, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft today launched an official YouTube channel dedicated to promoting its Microsoft Teams communications service and educating users on how to, well, use it.

The official Microsoft Teams YouTube channel is off to a good start and already has a welcome video accompanied by 13 short how-to tutorials that run from one to around four minutes in length.

Microsoft manages an absolutely massive number of dedicated YouTube channels for all of its various departments and products so it was only a matter of time before they made one for Microsoft Teams. It’s also likely that a lot of the previous Microsoft Teams videos were being lost amongst the numerous other videos in the Microsoft 365 and Windows channels.

Need more YouTube in your life? Why not follow OnMSFT’s own YouTube channel for more Microsoft and Windows coverage and to watch our weekly news podcast.

Sysprep was Not Able to Validate Installation [Windows 11 Fix]

Posted on January 18, 2022September 22, 2025 by Matthew Adams

Sysprep, otherwise System Preparation, is a command-line tool some users utilize to prepare Windows images for deployment. However, an error can arise for some users after entering a Sysprep command for system preparation. One user said this in an MS forum post:

I have a clean installed Windows 10 pro which was activated by MAK license. When I tried to prepare this system with Sysprep, I got the error message Sysprep was not able to validate Your Windows installation.

That Sysprep issue can arise on Windows 11, 10, and 8 platforms. When that issue arises, the Sysprep command doesn’t run and validate the installation as expected. If you need to fix that Sysprep issue, check out the Windows 11/10 resolutions for it below.

How come the Sysprep error arises in Windows?

The Sysprep was not able to validate Your Windows installation error has existed since Windows 8. That issue often arises because of user-installed UWP apps. Many users have confirmed they fixed this issue by uninstalling certain UWP apps they installed from MS Store.

This issue can also occur if a default app, which is supposed to come pre-installed with Windows, is missing. In such a scenario, you would need to reinstall the missing Windows app. A general reinstall app command will do the job.

If you’re utilizing Windows Pro and Enterprise editions, the Sysprep error might be due to the BitLocker encryption feature. BitLocker doesn’t mix well with the Sysprep utility. So, disabling that feature on Windows Pro and Enterprise editions can sometimes resolve this error as well.

How can I fix the Sysprep error in Windows?

1. Reinstall default Windows UWP apps

To bring up the search box, press the Windows + S keyboard shortcut.
Type Windows PowerShell in the search box.
Click PowerShell’s Run as administrator option.
Input this PowerShell command: Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers| Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register “$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml”}
Press the Enter keyboard key to execute.
When the command has finished, click Power and Restart on your Start menu.

2. Disable BitLocker

Launch the Windows 11/10 search tool with its hotkey (specified in resolution one).
Input Command Prompt into the search tool’s text box to find that app.
Click the Run as administrator option for the Command Prompt shown directly below.
Enter this command and press Return: manage-bde -status
To disable BitLocker, type in this command and press Return: Disable-Bitlocker –MountPoint ‘C:’

3. Edit the registry

Press the Windows + R keys together at the same time to launch Run.
Type this Run command in the Open box: regedit
Click OK to open Registry Editor.
Then navigate to this registry key: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup
Select the Setup key on the left side of the registry.
Right-click the Upgrade DWORD and select Delete.
Go to this registry key: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\Setup\Status\SysprepStatus
Double-click the CleanUpState DWORD.
Erase the current number and enter 7 in the Value data box, and click the OK option.
Thereafter, press the Start button. Select the Power and Restart options there.

NOTE

This potential resolution is recommended for users who need to fix the Sysprep error after recently upgrading to a new Windows platform.

4. Uninstall any UWP apps you’ve installed yourself

Click Start and select the pinned Settings app on that menu.
Select the Apps tab.
Click Apps & features to open uninstall options.
Click the three-dot button for a UWP app you’ve downloaded from the MS Store.
Select the Uninstall option.

Note that you can bulk uninstall UWP apps with some third-party uninstaller such as CCleaner. This software enables you to select and uninstall multiple apps and also includes options for erasing leftover residual files.

You’ll probably notice that the Sysprep error message includes a setupact.log file path. Checking that file will help you identify UWP apps causing the error, and other potential factors behind it.

This is how you can check the setuppact.log file in Windows 11/10.

Right-click Start and select the Run accessory on the alternative Win + X menu.
Enter the folder path specified within the Sysprep error message in the Open box: %windir%\system32\Sysprep\panther
Click OK to open the folder.
Right-click the setupact.log file in the folder and select Open with.
Then choose to open the log file with Notepad.

Thereafter, scroll down to the bottom of that log file to view Sysprep error details. If there’s an app causing the issue, the log file will include details for it as follows.

SYSPRP Package [app ID] was installed for a user, but not provisioned for all users. This package will not function properly in the Sysprep image. Error SYSPRP Failed to remove apps for the current user: 0x80073cf2.

If you see log details like that, you’ve probably hit the bullseye! Simply uninstall the app (or apps) specified there as outlined within resolution four.

Those are some of the best ways you can fix the Sysprep Windows 11/10 error. As they’re confirmed resolutions, they’ll probably fix that error in most cases.

However, that doesn’t mean they’re 100 percent guaranteed resolutions. If you need more suggestions, some of the resolutions in our How to fix Windows 10 Sysprep errors guide might help.

You can also send a support ticket to Microsoft at the Contact Microsoft Support page.

Feel free to chat about the Sysprep was not able to validate error in this page’s comments section below. You can share other potential resolutions for this issue (if you’ve found any) and add questions for it there.

FIX: Subnautica not saving settings

Posted on January 18, 2022October 10, 2025 by Loredana Harsana

Several users expressed their delight upon discovering that the game is compatible with Windows 11. However, they also found out that Subnautica is not saving settings in the manner in which it should.

Although the exact source of this problem is unclear, we were able to identify a few potential solutions to this issue, as leaving the game altogether is not an option.

Follow along as we put together a comprehensive list of methods for you to try out, right after we understand what causes crashes in the game that might lead to saving errors, such as not saving settings.

What causes crashes in Subnautica?

Subnautica is an open-world survival adventure computer game developed by Unknown Worlds Entertainment and published by Sony Computer Entertainment.

A new world, known as planet 4546B, is discovered and the player is given the option to freely explore the waters on the unknown planet, collecting unique resources to survive.

It is highly popular on Steam, but it is also known for its frequent crashes, which render it unusable for certain players. The problem happens on startup in some cases, but crashes occur more in the middle of a game, and you are not given the option to save your progress.

The game’s save folder might get excessively large and bloated with information, causing the game to consume an increasing amount of memory.

Resetting certain things that will not have a significant influence on your game experience is an excellent method of preventing crashes.

Additionally, the game consumes a significant amount of memory, and it may be beneficial for you to increase the size of your paging file so that the game can make use of your hard drive’s memory when it runs out of memory.

In many cases, deleting specific files from the game’s main directory can be used to reset some aspects of the game without causing you to lose any of your progress or save data.

Take note that this solution is widely considered the most effective method of resolving the issue, so make sure you test it out for yourself!

What can I do if Subnautica isn’t saving settings?

1. Save settings in main menu

Players have proposed that you save your settings when you are in the main menu rather than during a game and that you should experiment with this.

The remedy may or may not work for you depending on the underlying cause, which is once again difficult to pinpoint, making trial and error the only way forward.

Try closing and reopening the game after you have saved your settings to check if the settings are still as you had previously specified them to be.

2. Reset the game

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings window and click on Apps followed by Apps & features.
Once you’re inside the Apps & features window, search for the Subnautica game by typing it in the search bar and click on the three-dot menu, followed by Advanced options.
Scroll down until you find the Reset section, then click on the Reset button.

If you choose to reset the Subnautica game, you will lose all of the information that was previously stored in it.

As a result, we strongly advise that you create a backup of any important data before commencing the process of resetting your device to factory settings.

3. Update your drivers

Press the Windows key + I to open the Settings app, and click on Update & Security from the left panel followed by Advanced options on the right side.
Scroll down until you find the Additional options section then click on Optional updates.
Now click on the Driver Updates option then select all the driver updates you are presented and lastly click on the Download & install button.

Although Windows is normally responsible for driver updates, you can manually check for updates if you experience a problem. For automatic scans of outdated drivers, we strongly recommend a dedicated tool such as Outbyte Driver Updater.

4. Uninstall and reinstall the game

Press the Windows + S key to open the Search bar, then type Control panel and click on the most relevant result.
Once the menu opens up, click on Programs followed by Programs and features.
Now look for the problematic game and right-click on it to choose Uninstall.
To reinstall it, head to Steam’s page for Subnautica and follow the steps displayed in there.

Should I disable my antivirus while gaming?

When people talk about cybersecurity, they rarely bring up the subject of gaming. Threats to gamers, on the other hand, are real, and they’re becoming worse.

It is undeniable that the possibility of downloading a virus while gaming exists. Many gamers, on the other hand, are apprehensive about using antivirus software while they are engaged in a game.

At the end of the day, they don’t want to destroy their immersive experience, especially if it’s a multiplayer encounter. If you play games on your computer frequently, you should, without a doubt, keep antivirus protection installed on your computer.

disable antivirus subnautica not saving settings

The following are the most significant reasons to have your antivirus software running while you are playing because fighting a virus on your computer isn’t as straightforward as combating an opponent in a video game.

Viruses frequently cause your device to operate at a glacial pace. Alternatively, they can destroy your ability to use your PC, needing pricey, specialist repairs.

Furthermore, viruses might compromise your personal or financial information, which can result in even more serious problems that extend beyond your computers, such as identity theft, stolen money, and other issues of a similar nature.

In reality, several antivirus systems that operate on your PC improve its overall performance, by blocking malicious software and cleaning your hard drive regularly.

As a result, if you have antivirus software installed, you may even notice improved performance while playing, resulting in a flawless and smooth gaming experience.

We recommend that you use a professional antivirus and antimalware program such as TotalAV in case you want to make a change to your computer’s security.

Alternatively, we have prepared for you a list of ten of the best antivirus software with low CPU usage to be sure you aren’t experiencing any lagging during games.

And lastly, if the above solutions proved to be insufficient, check out our guide on how to fix Subnautica crashes to fix the settings saving error.

Let us know in the comments section below which solution worked best for you. Thanks for reading!

Convert your video and audio easily using HitPaw Video Converter

Posted on January 18, 2022October 4, 2023 by Claudiu Andone

Whether the device of your choice doesn’t accept a certain format or you just want all your videos neatly stored in a preferred one, you will need a video converter to transform it.

You can always make the conversion online but as you’ve probably already tried, only a few of them are reliable enough to get good results.

And there’s not only the quality we’re talking about but also the time it takes to perform the conversion and the volume of files you need to convert.

If you’re just looking for a quick conversion neverminding any such aspects, yes, you can turn to an online converter out there.

However, If you do care about speed, reliability, and quality, you should definitely try a dedicated tool like HitPaw Video Converter, and we will explain here what it is and how to use it with excellent results.

How can HitPaw Video Converter help you?

HitPaw Video Converter was designed for beginners and thanks to its friendly interface, it even helps you convert videos in bulk without problems.

But the app does a lot more. For instance, you can use the downloading feature to get videos, audio, and thumbnails from over 1000 websites including YouTube, Facebook, and Vimeo.

After that, there is always an option to edit the files with options like cut and merge and customize them as you please.

Your final video can be converted to MP4, MOV, MKV, M4V, or more than other 1000 formats available that will surely be recognized by your player.

HitPaw Video Converter is especially good in transforming your video to audio and you don’t even have to bother with the format because the tool supports selecting device models directly.

What are the most important features of HitPaw Video Converter?

1. Video and audio conversion

As its name suggests, HitPaw Video Converter can transform your video to any format that you want, having a selection of over 500 video formats available.

However, it also has the option for 300+ audio formats to choose from if you want to convert your audio files.

It does the job very fast and also in bulk, by employing hardware acceleration and lossless conversion. It’s actually 30x faster than usual.

And, as we mentioned before, you don’t need to remember which format you need. You can just specify the device you need to play them on, or the website you want to upload them to and the software will do the rest.

The only thing you need to do after dragging and dropping the file you want to convert is to change the source format to the one you need.

Hitting the Convert button will start the process and at the end, you will be able to download the file on your drive.

If you use the Free trial version, you will only be able to convert up to three files but it’s enough to see the magic unfold.

With the paid version this option will be unlimited and the ultra-fast conversion will be also activated.

2. Audio and video download

Do you have some favorite clips or songs on YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, or other social media? You just have to paste their URL and hit the download button.

It will even download their thumbnails or subtitles if they have any. As for the available media, it supports over 1000 websites.

After pasting the URL of the media you want to download, you will get a table where you will have to check the box of the file you want to get. It’s that simple.

3. Video editor

Although it’s a dedicated conversion software, HitPaw Video Converter has a built-in editor.

If your video or audio is too long or just want to keep a part of it, you can use the Cut tool to trim it to your desired length.

In the same way, it’s easy to use the Merge tool to join some clips or to make a long audio file as a playlist.

As we mentioned before, HitPaw Video Converter comes with a Free trial version with limited functionality but it’s still great for testing the product before committing to purchase.

⇒ Get HitPaw Video Converter

How to convert your video using HitPaw Video Converter?

Open the app and click on the big button in the center of the window or simply drag-and-drop your file at that spot.
Click on the drop down menu from the file to select the output file type.
On the left, you will see a big list with all the possible standards, and on the right, you may choose the resolution and standard of the video.
The only thing left to do is to hit the Convert button and the process will start.

As a final note, we tested this software, and we were extremely happy with its capabilities. It’s extremely fast and so easy to use that anyone could use it.

The drag-and-drop functionality definitely helps simplify the process and the guidelines are there to help you at every step.

Have you tried it already? Leave us your impressions about your experience in the comments section below.

Latest Skype Insider build adds 2nd video feed with “Twincam”

Posted on January 18, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft’s Skype is testing a cool new feature that could boost your video calls. Now rolling out to Skype Insiders is a feature known as Twincam which can add a second video camera feed to your Skype call in a few clicks.

Twincam works on group calls on Skype desktop and Skype web, with at least 2 people on the call. Once you have a call running there, you can use the Skype Insider app on mobile with the same account to join the ongoing group call. There will also be a TwinCam button on Desktop and Web which you can use to scan a QR code to redirect you to the Skype mobile app. Note that if you add a second video camera feed to your Skype call.

This is quite useful for people who might be doing remort learning and need to show off a different angle of an object or item. Once testing is complete with Skype Insiders, you can expect it to roll out to everyone else. In other news, this reminds us of Skype’s new ability to set your virtual background to Bing’s image of the day. That feature is now available for everyone to try out on the public version of Skype.

OneNote gets a boost as former Mobile and X-Device Partner Director Vishnu Nath gets new general manager position

Posted on January 18, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft’s OneNote team is getting a big boost. Former Mobile and X-Device Partner director Vishnu Nath just shared on Twitter that he now has a new role at OneNote as General Manager.

Announcing a bit of a career change for me as I’ll now be taking over as General Manager for @msonenote! Looking forward to the new challenge! Check out Microsoft OneNote New Features – Top 10 updates // Desktop, Web, iOS and… https://t.co/LLBKOFkUyO by @mtholfsen

— Vishnu Nath ???????????????????? ???? (@VishnuNath) January 18, 2022

Previously, Nath was on the Mobile and X-Device team at Microsoft as a Partner Director. He worked there for 3 years and 4 months, leading teams in charge of essential Microsoft mobile products like experiences for the Surface Duo, apps for IOS and Android devices like Microsoft Edge, To-Do, SwiftKey, and Microsoft Launcher and Your Phone. Per his LinkedIn, in the new position, Nath is now part of what’s known as the “Modern Notes Organization,” which OneNote falls under.

Nath has been one of the more vocal Microsoft employees on Twitter, and his enthusiasm for Microsoft products is extremely high. He’s also well active with the community. In reaction to the news, he told one concerned Twitter user not to worry about changes in plans for Microsoft Launcher or Your Phone. Pointing to the group PM at Microsoft Launcher and Your Phone, Marc Wautier, Nath said, “They are under amazing leadership. Great things to come for those products.” He also tells us that “its best days are yet to come!”

@MSYourPhone is in great hands under @MWautier product leadership & @atgerhas as GM. Its best days are yet to come!

— Vishnu Nath ???????????????????? ???? (@VishnuNath) January 18, 2022

Reaction to Nath’s new position has been very positive with many people being excited about what it means for new features for OneNote. We congratulate Nath on his new position!

Windjammers 2 and Death’s Door complete the January Xbox Game Pass releases

Posted on January 18, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft previously announced that Rainbow Six Extraction and the Hitman trilogy would join Xbox Game Pass in January, but the company has just followed up with six new games today. Rainbow Six Siege, which is already available on Xbox Game Pass for Console, is also coming to PC Game Pass later this month.

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc Anniversary Edition and Nobody Saves the World are the two new Game Pass games available starting today on Xbox, PC, and Xbox Cloud Gaming, and they will be followed by Death’s Door, Windjammers 2, and more ID@Xbox games on January 20. Taiko no Tatsujin: The Drum Master will be the last game coming to the catalog this month on January 27, except if Microsoft has more surprises in the pipeline.

Here’s the full list of new games coming to Xbox Game Pass in January:

Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc Anniversary Edition (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Available today
Nobody Saves the World (Cloud, Console, and PC) – Available today, launching day one on Game Pass
Death’s Door (Cloud, Console, and PC) – January 20
Hitman Trilogy (Cloud, Console, and PC) – January 20
Pupperazzi (Cloud, Console, and PC) – January 20, launching day one on Game Pass
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Extraction (Cloud, Console, and PC) – January 20, launching day one on Game Pass
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege: Deluxe Edition (PC) – January 20
Windjammers 2 (Cloud, Console, and PC) ID@Xbox – January 20, launching day one on Game Pass
Taiko no Tatsujin: The Drum Master (Console and PC) – January 27, launching day one on Game Pass

In addition to these new Xbox Game Pass games, the Xbox team also announced today that nine new games in the catalog now support Xbox touch controls: The list includes Stardew Valley, Unpacking, Exo One, and One Piece Pirate Warriors 4.

Last but not least, Cyber Shadow, Nowhere Prophet, Prison Architect, and Xeno Crisis will also leave the Xbox Game Pass catalog on January 31. Subscribers who want to keep playing them after that date can currently take advantage of a 20% discount on the Microsoft Store.

In case you missed it, Microsoft also announced the acquisition of Activision Blizzard for almost $70 billion earlier today. This should impact Xbox Game Pass in a pretty big way, with Phil Spencer promising today to “offer as many Activision Blizzard games as we can within Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass.”

Is $70 billion a lot of money for Microsoft to spend on Activision? A history of Microsoft’s biggest acquisitions

Posted on January 18, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

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You probably heard the news. In an all-cash and blockbuster deal, Microsoft is acquiring Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion. This is one of the biggest technology deals in recent history, but it’s not the first for Microsoft, nor is it the highest ever recorded in the technology industry. So, follow along as we take you through a trip down memory lane looking at Microsoft’s biggest acquisitions in the past 10 years, and a look at some other notable acquisitions in the technology world.

Mojang for $2.5 billion

First, there’s Mojang, the makers of Minecraft, which was acquired by Microsoft in November of 2014. This deal is one of Microsoft’s most interesting, as it was not expected by many in the tech industry. Unlike Nokia, though (which we get into next,) the Mojang deal has benefited Microsoft hugely as Minecraft is now one of the most popular games. Some reports have Minecraft revenue at $3.12 billion over the last 10 years. In fact, Microsoft even sees Minecraft as a big part of the company’s future plans for the Metaverse.

Nokia mobile phones unit for $7.2 billion

Back in September 2013, Microsoft acquired Nokia mobile phones unit for a deal worth $7.3 billion. Of course, we all know how that ended up. The intent was to help boost Windows Phone and build new handsets like the Lumia 950 XL and Lumia 650, but it ended up a total bust. A short couple of years later, Microsoft sold Nokia to HMD for $350 million, taking a massive loss.

ZeniMax Media for $7.5 billion

And now, for gaming. In more recent times in September 2020, Microsoft acquired ZeniMax Media for $7.5 billion. Along with Mojang, ZeniMax plays an important part in Microsoft’s strategy for Xbox Game Pass. That’s because the deal included 8 studios, including Bethesda, ZeniMax Online Studios, Arkane, MachineGames, Tango Gameworks, Alpha Dog, and Roundhouse Studios. Many of these studio’s games have since come to Xbox Game Pass and it basically set the standard for the Activision deal.

GitHub for $7.5 billion

Fourth on the list is GitHub. This all-stock deal came back in June of 2018 and was worth $7.5 billion. The deal was all about open-source and helping developers, and bringing Microsoft’s tools to new audiences. This has since been a new direction for Microsoft and since then, reports have that GitHub is worth twice what Microsoft paid for it, making it a huge win for the company.

LinkedIn for $26 billion

Our list continues along with LinkedIn, which Microsoft purchased in June 2016 for $26 billion cash. The deal was all about the data behind LinkedIn users, and targetting rivals like Salesforce, and even Facebook. The company has since gone on to integrate LinkedIn features (like resume builder) in Word. Today, LinkedIn is all about the ad revenue for Microsoft, and at one point, it was said that it became a $10 billion a year business.

Other Microsoft deals

We just hit some of the most famous Microsoft deals that we’ve remembered, but there’s quite a list of others. You can account Nuance Communications into the list for $19 billion, Skype for $8.5 billion, Yammer for $1.2 billion, and even Hotmail for $500 million. Let us not also forget N-trig which was worth $200 million and Swiftkey which was worth $250 million. Curious minds can look into Wikipedia for the full list of Microsoft deals.

Not the biggest tech deal ever

$68.7 billion is definitely a lot of money for Microsoft to spend, but it’s not one of the biggest technology deals in history. Going back to 2013, Verizon purchased Vodafone for $130 billion, and, in 2016, AT&T purchased Time Warner for $85.4 billion. As far as we can tell from Wikipedia’s list of largest mergers and acquisitions, these two tech deals are the biggest in recent history, right up there with Disney’s purchase of 21st Century Fox for $71.3 billion. Oh, and let’s not forget the time that Activision purchased King Digital, the makers of Candy Crush for $5.9 billion, too, though it’s one small penny compared to everything we just discussed.

How to get Microsoft Office on Linux

Posted on January 18, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

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A lot of people have been trying to get Office on Linux. Office applications like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are the most common tools used by business people to create, organize, and present documents to clients. Some people believe they can get away with doing without these applications since they can be purchased separately. However, the importance of getting Office on Linux is that it allows you to manage your documents in a more organized manner.

It’s a very popular office suite, but it is not available on Linux operating system. This is because the software relies on proprietary applications like Access or Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).

1. Install it on VM to get Office on Linux

One option for running Microsoft Office on your Linux computer is to run it on a virtual machine. This is not as easy as simply installing a Linux distribution, but it can be done by anyone who is familiar with virtual machines.

To install Office on the Linux virtual machine, boot the virtual machine and log into Windows. Installing Microsoft Office is useful if you need to install Office 365.

2. Use Office in a browser

Microsoft offers an Office Online suite that works with Google’s Chrome web browser. This free version of Microsoft Office is good for most office tasks and does not require a paid subscription. All Office applications can be accessed via an internet browser and a Microsoft account.

Microsoft Office 365 offers access to advanced cloud-based office tools on any computer with a browser. It is the perfect solution for people who use Linux because it can be launched from within an internet browser.

The Office Web Apps suite is browser-based and thus not available offline. You can make things smoother by creating a desktop shortcut to office.live.com, which will automatically save your files to the cloud. Creating a Microsoft OneDrive account will help you manage this process.

3. Use PlayOnLinux

The easiest way to install Office 365 on Linux is by using PlayOnLinux. The following instructions are for Ubuntu but can be easily customized for other distros.

To install Microsoft Office on Ubuntu Linux, you will need to install Windbind and PlayOnLinux. Windbind ensures that PlayOnLinux will be able to easily run Windows programs on Linux. Here’s how to install Windbind:

Key in the following command in the terminal to install Windbind:

sudo apt-get install -y winbind

Then, install PlayOnLinux using the following command:

sudo apt-get install playonlinux

Download Office ISO file/disc. Then, locate your ISO file on your device and right-click on it, select Open With, and then click on Disk Image Mounter.
Launch PlayOnLinux by searching it, it will then pop up. Click on the Install button.
A new window will then appear, prompting you to select the version of Windows you want to install on your device.

At this point, the normal software installation process will take the course; follow through with the on-screen prompts until the installation process is complete.

When the installation is complete, you’re ready to launch Office apps either by directly clicking on an icon or using PlayOnLinux to open them.

Get Office on Linux

When it comes to office productivity tasks, open-source alternatives are generally best for most Linux users. However, there is an exception: if you must have the ability to edit files created in Microsoft Office, you will need to install the MS Office suite. Did the above methods help you get Microsoft Office on Linux? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

Signal for Windows 11: How to Download, Install & Run

Posted on January 18, 2022November 22, 2024 by Vlad Turiceanu

Signal is a popular software among individuals who are looking for a more private alternative to major messaging apps such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook Messenger. A desktop application is available, as well as many of the capabilities you’d expect from a messaging service.

One of the most compelling features of Signal is the automatic end-to-end encryption of all messages sent between users. If that’s something you’re interested in as well, you probably like the idea of having it available everywhere, not just on your phone or computer.

Signal’s PC application includes the same privacy protections as its mobile application allowing users to have private conversations anywhere at any time.

Today we will show you how to download and use Signal on your Windows 11 computer right after we understand how its encryption system works. Follow along!

How does Signal’s encryption work?

There are many people who go about their daily lives without giving a second thought to encryption at all. They are accustomed to posting images on social media sites such as Facebook and Instagram, as well as Snapchat, and exchanging sensitive information through a variety of messaging apps.

Why should it matter if the vast majority of these applications do not provide end-to-end encryption?

The first step in establishing an end-to-end encrypted connection between two users using the Open Whisper System’s Signal Protocol is to generate a set of long-term identity key pairs, a medium-term signed prekey pair, and several ephemeral prekey pairs.

These keys are created on the client’s end and kept locally in a safe and secure location. It is necessary to package all of the public keys and registration IDs into a single object (known as a key bundle) and register it with a Key Distribution Center in order to complete the second step.

It is required for Alice to be aware of and have access to Bob’s registration ID and public keys in order for her to be able to communicate with Bob during a session.

Consequently, Alice must first produce her own keys, register herself with the key distribution center, and then request Bob’s key bundle from the key distribution center.

In a messaging service that uses end-to-end encryption, this implies that the contents of any particular message are only visible to you (the sender) and your friend (the intended recipient).

How can I access Signal on my Windows 11 PC?

Connect via QR

First you will need to head to Signal’s official download page and install it from there following the instructions on the screen.
Now go on your phone to your Signal’s Settings, Choose Linked Devices then the plus button and scan the QR code that is on your Desktop Signal app.
Once you do that, Signal will sync your contacts and groups.

That should be it! Now you will be able to use Signal on your PC with your phone’s account and have them synced in.

What are the most common encryption algorithms?

Encryption is a method of making data, messages, or files unreadable, so ensuring that only those who have been granted access to that data can access it.

It is the process of scrambling data using sophisticated algorithms and then decrypting the same data using a key provided by the message sender. Data encryption ensures that information remains private and secret at all times, whether it is being stored or transferred.

Here are five of the most common encryption algorithms:

Triple DES – It was created to take the role of the original Data Encryption Standard (DES), which hackers finally figured out how to defeat quite easily. The Triple DES method was once the industry’s recommended standard and the most extensively used symmetric algorithm.
RSA Security – In the field of data encryption, RSA is a public-key encryption method that is widely used as the industry standard for encrypting data transferred over the internet.
AES – It is the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) that is widely recognized as the industry standard by the U.S. Government and several organizations. Even though it is extremely efficient in its 128-bit form, AES also employs keys of lengths of 192 or 256 bits.
Blowfish – This is another another method that is intended to take the place of the DES algorithm. It is a symmetric cipher that divides messages into blocks of 64 bits and encrypts each block in sequence. It is renowned for its incredible speed as well as its overall efficacy.
Twofish – Blowfish and its sequel Twofish were created by computer security specialist Bruce Schneier, who is also known as the father of cryptography. The keys employed in this process can be as long as 256 bits in length, and because it is a symmetric technique, only one key is required.

The nature of cyberattacks is continuously changing, requiring security professionals to devise new strategies and tactics to keep them at bay. Keep an eye out for updates on these exciting developments.

Meanwhile, whether it’s for the purpose of protecting your email exchanges or storing data, you should make ensure that encryption is included in your arsenal of cybersecurity tools.

To find out more about how your operating system deals with security, check out our article on the best security and privacy features in Win dows 11.

Alternatively, if you get the message that Virus and threat protection aren’t working in Windows 11, take a look at the linked article to see a list of solutions.

And lastly, Windows Defender not working in Windows 11 was also reported by our users. In case you happen to encounter the same issue, don’t miss out on our guide on it.

Keep in mind that you might encounter issues with Signal, and we have a guide on what to do if the Signal desktop is not working, so don’t miss it. We also have a guide on how to restore a backup on Signal Desktop, so you might want to check it out.

If you’re an advanced user, you might want to know how to use command line options in Signal Desktop, and it’s simpler than you think.

Let us know in the comments section below whether you were able to find out how to utilize Signal on your PC without too much difficulty and if you are one of the cybersecurity enthusiasts that is out there. Thanks for reading!

How to Upgrade to Windows 11 With Installation Assistant

Posted on January 18, 2022October 3, 2024 by Loredana Harsana

Windows 11 is here, and it’s time to make the switch! But how do you go about doing that? This time around, however, it’s extremely simple to accomplish.

Whether you install Windows 11 through a download, an update, or some other method, it is rather simple to integrate it into your existing Windows 10 installation, with very little downtime between the two.

The reason for not using the Windows 10 Update Assistant and instead opting for the Windows 11 Installation Assistant is that Microsoft is having a branding issue with this version of the operating system.

After discovering that the Update Assistant is completely useless, we’ll simply want to visit their official Windows 11 upgrade page and download the Installation Assistant instead.

Follow along to find out how to use the Installation Assistant to upgrade to Windows 11 right after we take a look at the advantages of the new OS over Windows 10.

Should I upgrade from Windows 10 to Windows 11?

Windows 11 is a significant shift from Windows 10 in terms of look, yet the two operating systems are fairly similar in terms of functionality and features. With the new operating system now available on certain devices comparing Windows 11 vs Windows 10 has never been more crucial.

Visually, the two operating systems can appear to be quite different from one another. However, there are several significant changes under the hood that distinguish the next generation of Windows from the current generation of Windows.

In the same way that Windows 10 was a free upgrade from Windows 7, Windows 11 is also a free upgrade from Windows 10. You may download it and upgrade it in a matter of minutes by following a few simple steps. However, there is a catch.

Only if your computer meets Microsoft’s minimum requirements will you be eligible for the upgrade. This has generated a great deal of debate, particularly in regard to the TPM 2.0 requirement. This requirement can be difficult to understand.

Microsoft’s Surface devices, as well as new devices from Microsoft’s partners, are likely to have received Windows 11 on the same day that it was announced for general release. Devices that are still running Windows 10 can now be upgraded through the use of Windows Update.

Microsoft has stated that it will take a gradual approach to this. It also stated in November 2021 that it would accelerate the pace of the distribution of Windows 11 by a greater margin than previously planned. As a result, the operating system should now be more widely available on other PCs.

How can I use the Installation Assistant to upgrade to Windows 11?

1. Use Microsoft’s official website

Go to the Windows 11 Downloads page and click on Download now under Windows 11 Installation Assistant.
You will be provided with an executable file for the Windows 11 Installation Assistant. The installation process will begin as soon as you run it. After you have read the terms of the agreement, click on Accept and install.
Windows 11 will start downloading and installing so wait patiently until the process is over, then go through the instructions on the screen carefully.

If your PC meets all of the requirements, this is the quickest and most convenient method of installing Windows 11. Rest assured that the Installation Assistant will take care of all of the duties for you.

How to improve performance in Windows 11?

There can be a variety of factors contributing to a slowed-down Windows 11 computer or laptop, despite the significant Windows 11 upgrade.

There are some things you can do to boost Windows performance on your computer, regardless of whether it is an old PC/laptop or if there is a problem with the hard disk. So, let’s have a look at ways to make Windows 11 run more quickly.

You might begin by disabling the startup programs in order to reduce the time it takes for Windows 11 to boot. These are the programs that are typically launched as soon as your computer is turned on.

This list will continue to increase as you download more applications over time. So bear in mind that you should perform this procedure on a regular basis to ensure that no undesirable applications are launched at startup and cause Windows 11 to run more slowly.

Another option you might attempt is to debloat Windows 11 in order to improve its overall performance. Everything from disabling Cortana to uninstalling unused packages and apps such as OneDrive to eliminating services may be accomplished with a single click using this tool.

Changing the power plans on Windows 11 is possible if you want the highest performance possible but don’t mind sacrificing battery life. It will optimize Windows 11 with the appropriate settings, allowing you to achieve the greatest performance possible from your computer’s hardware.

For more information on how to make Windows 11 faster and more responsive, check out the article linked and apply all the solutions to achieve the desired speed.

Alternatively, if you encountered issues while installing the operating system, take a look at our guide on how to fix Windows 11 installation errors.

If the Installation Assistant proved to be insufficient for your installation, you can opt for other ways to download Windows 11 on your computer.

Do not hesitate to let us know in the comments section below which solution worked best for you as well as whether you miss Windows 10 already or not.

These are the new generation of education-first devices powered by Windows 11 SE, now rolling out globally

Posted on January 18, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

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Following the initial announcement back in November of 2021, Microsoft has now detailed that several new education-first devices powered by Windows 11 SE are rolling out globally. The devices join Microsoft’s own education-focused Surface Laptop SE and are from brands like Acer, Asus, and Dell. The devices are being dubbed as reliable, secure, and powerful for learning, so from convertibles to laptops to tablets, we have all the details for you below.

Windows 11 SE convertibles

We start first by going over the new wave of convertibles that are powered by Windows 11 SE. The first of those is the Acer TravelMate Spin B3. It’s an 11.6-inch device with military-grade durability thanks to shock-absorbent bumpers, well-secure keys, and draining to protect internal components. It’s powered by the latest Intel Pentium Silver and Celeron processors and comes with 10 hours of battery life. There’s even support for a stylus.

Another convertible is the ASUS BR1100F. This device is similarly designed to Acer’s with a tough design that can withstand bumps, drops, and spills and can flip around 360 degrees thanks to an ultra-tough hinge. There’s support for a stylus and a world-facing camera. Interestingly enough, the device even has AI-powered noise-canceling technology for higher quality remote learning and conferencing. A modular design also means that the device is easy to service, plus antibacterial treatments on the cover, keyboard, and touchpad keep the device clean.

Last up is the Dell Latitude 3120 2-in-1. This 11-inch device is powered by Intel Celeron Quad-Core, and Pentium Quad-Core Processors. The device also sports Dragontrail Pro glass to provide scratch resistance, as well as protection if the system is dropped on the corners. Similar to the Asus offering, there’s even a world-facing camera, which provides flipped viewing and recording angles. Dell’s Active Pen is also supported. Note that Dell also has the Latitude 3120, which is the standard notebook version of this device, though it is non-touch.

Windows 11 SE laptops

Next up are the standard laptops. We start with the Dynabook E10-S. This 11.6 laptop has a reinforced chassis with bumpers, 180-degree hinges, and a spill-resistant keyboard with mechanically anchored keys. If you’re aren’t familiar with the brand, Dynabook is formerly Toshiba PC Company, so the laptop is backed by 35 years of experience in helping students.

Now, for HP with the HP ProBook Fortis 14-inch G9 Notebook. This device is different from the others in the last as it has a 14-inch diagonal anti-glare bright display. The device sports Wi-Fi 6 and weighs in at 3.7 pounds. It also has a textured surface so it’s easy to grip and handle, and USB-C ports are reinforced so there’s no damage when cables are pulled. Even the battery has a metal shield, so it can’t be punctured or swell.

HP also has the HP Pro x360 Fortis 11-inch G9 Notebook, the HP Pro x360 Fortis 11-inch G10 Notebook, HP ProBook Fortis 14-inch G9 Notebook, and HP ProBook Fortis 14-inch G10 Notebook for education users.

Capping out the list will be JP .IK’s Leap T304. Starting at $219, this device has an anti-glare display and a rotating 2-megapixel camera. Microsoft also notes that the device has “super-fast Wi-Fi, all-day battery life.” The other devices coming from JP .IK include the Turn T303, which starts at $270.

Windows 11 tablets for education

Last up is a section for tablets. Lenovo recently announced new additions to its education lineup and includes the Lenovo 10w tablet. This is powered by Windows 11, and the Snapdragon 7c Compute platform. This means it’s always-on and always connected, but the device is also durable, too, thanks to ruggedized rubber bumper and Corning Gorilla Glass.

You’ll even find that the detachable keyboard converts the tablet into a 10.1-inch laptop allowing students to type documents, and more. Note the display is set in the 16:10 aspect ratio, and there’s support for an optional garages pen.

Lenovo is also announcing the 13w Yoga, which is powered by Windows 11. Other devices include the 100w and 300w, 500w, and 14w. More information on these devices is available on Lenovo’s website.

Other devices

These are not the only devices powered by Windows 11 SE. You’ll find others from Fujitsu and Positivo. Microsoft hopes that these devices can help meet the ever-changing needs of students, navigate change and improve the learning experience. “It’s great seeing Windows 11 at the center of it all, with new tools designed to improve the learning experience and enable better richer learning experiences,” said Nicole Dezen, CVP, Device Partner Sales

Microsoft Launcher gets some feed and widget changes in new app update

Posted on January 18, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

The Microsoft Launcher for Android devices updated to Version 6.211203.0.1025841 today. This Android app update included the usual bug fixes and improvements though also added a promo banner advertising Microsoft’s new Start app and added support for Italy and Spain in the Microsoft Rewards widget.

Here’s the full release notes for the Version 6.211203.0.1025841 Microsoft Launcher update:

Promotional banner was added on News feed page for users who don’t have Start app installed.

Microsoft Rewards widgets now support Italy and Spain.

Other known bugs were fixed, and UX improvements were made on feed.

Quite a few Microsoft apps have begun to receive updates after the New Years break including Microsoft Whiteboard, Microsoft SwiftKey Keyboard, Microsoft Edge, and the Xbox mobile apps. Many more will likely get an update or two before the end of the month.

Download
QR-Code

Microsoft Launcher

Developer:
Microsoft Corporation

Price:
Free

Windows 10: Microsoft Defender’s exclusion list is readable by attackers

Posted on January 17, 2022October 4, 2023 by Don Sharpe

Security researchers have discovered a vulnerability in Microsoft’s antivirus software that could allow attackers to bypass the anti-malware protections on Windows machines.

A report from Bleeping Computer about a problem with the latest versions of Microsoft’s Windows 10 operating system states that the issue specifically impacts devices running versions 21H1 and 21H2.

Microsoft Defender

Microsoft Defender is a free anti-malware program that scans files and processes for threats and can protect Windows PCs from viruses, malware, ransomware, and other security threats.

The Windows Defender Security Center add-in also lets you prevent specific files, file types, folders, processes, locations, or executable files from being scanned by using the exclusions feature.

This feature can be useful in certain situations in which malicious software is incorrectly classified as a legitimate application.

The exclusion lists that protect various Windows 10 components vary among users and allow threat actors to track locations and store malicious files on devices.

Antonio Cocomazzi, a Threat Intelligence Researcher at SentinelOne, said Microsoft Defender allows any local user to read the sensitive data stored in exclusion lists via registry queries; this is factually accurate and makes no use of informal speech.

The Windows Defender AV tool allows users to read the file system and registry exclusions on the system.

Microsoft Defender’s security flaw

Additionally, cyber security architect Nathan McNulty pointed out that attackers might exploit the registry tree to gain access to exclusion lists for multiple systems.

“For those configuring Defender AV on servers, be aware that there are automatic exclusions that get enabled when specific roles or features are installed,” McNulty indicated on Twitter.

However, you can create a custom installation location for an application that isn’t on the list.

Security updates

Microsoft announced today the release of a security update that eliminates the vulnerability that can be exploited by malware. The vulnerability was first reported by security researchers eight years ago.

Microsoft has not yet addressed this issue, and there is no information about when a solution might be available for users of its Windows operating system.

Administrators are advised to set up Microsoft Defender exclusions using the group policies on both Windows 10 and Windows Server machines.

Have you been affected by Microsoft Defender’s security flaw before? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

You now can’t delete default search engines in Chromium-Based browsers

Posted on January 17, 2022October 4, 2023 by Don Sharpe

Have you ever wanted to stop using Google as your default search provider in Chromium-based browsers, such as Opera or Vivaldi?

Nowadays, when you install a new browser, it typically offers a list of default search engines to choose from. However, you can no longer delete any and all of these included engines.

Well, it turns out that some Chromium-based browsers — those using the open-source version of the Google Chrome browser as a base — will no longer allow users to remove search engines from the default list.

In October 2021, a proposal was made to remove the ability to remove certain search engines, or at least make it more difficult.

It seems developers wanted to do away with it completely as it is no longer available.

No more deleting default search engines

The Chromium team has decided against allowing you to delete default search engines. Although the idea of making it harder or impossible to delete Google as a search engine was discussed, the Chromium team decided to do neither and keep the feature.

For users, the list of search engines that comes pre-installed with a new browser can only get longer. However, it’s unlikely you’ll ever visit the list again after setting up your browser.

Firefox users exempted

Of course, Firefox users needn’t worry—Mozilla’s browser isn’t based on Chromium and so isn’t impacted by this change.

Mozilla Firefox offers two choices for deleting search engines from its list of default options. The first is to remove them completely from view, the second to keep the search engine but hide it from the list.

Will you be switching to Firefox or does the new update not affect your browsing? Share your comments down below.

Microsoft issues out-of-band Windows update to address issues with VPN connections, Windows Server

Posted on January 17, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft has released a rare out-of-band update for Windows 11, Windows 10, and some versions of Windows Server. The update addresses issues with using specific VPN connections, and on Windows Server, fixes the errors that could have impacted the performance of the servers. Here’s what you need to know.

For Windows 11, there’s KB5010795, which addresses issues with VPN connections. On Windows 10 21H2, there’s KB5010793 which addresses issues with VPN connections and unexpected restarts on Windows Server domain controllers. For folks on Windows 10 version 21H1, meanwhile, there’s KB5010793 which brings the same patches.

On Windows Server 2022, there’s KB5010796. This one addresses the issues we’ve previously raised about Windows Server, covering VPNs, servers restarting, Azure Active Directory, and the Resilient File System format. We included links to the other KB versions for other shipping versions of Windows Server for you below. Changelogs are the same, however.

Windows 10, version 20H2, Windows Server, version 20H2: KB5010793

Windows 10, version 20H1, Windows Server, version 20H1: KB5010793

Windows 10, version 1909, Windows Server, version 1909: KB5010792

Windows 10, version 1607, Windows Server 2016: KB5010790

Windows 10, version 1507: KB5010789

Windows 7 SP1: KB5010798

Windows Server 2008 SP2: KB5010799

Note that these updates we mentioned above should be showing up in Windows Update. However, if you’re on Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012 R2, or Windows Server 2012, the updates will only be available for you on the Microsoft Update Catalog. See the pages for KB5010794 and KB5010797 for more information.

Bitwarden Failed to Fetch: How to Fix This Error

Posted on January 17, 2022October 17, 2024 by Cesar Cadenas

Released in 2016, Bitwarden is a free and open-source password management app that stores sensitive data like website credentials in an encrypted vault. The platform overall offers a lot of other useful applications like browser extensions, a mobile app, and a web-host interface.

Bitwarden even offers a cloud service if you have limited space on your computer or an on-premises version. When it was released, critics immediately fell in love with the service. Some reviewers went as far as to call it the best password manager out there.

Now, as good as this software may be, there occasionally are times when you will run into some issues with Bitwarden. It’s been reported that sometimes the Android client may log itself out with everything in the synced vault erased.

What are some other issues that may arise in Bitwarden?

One of the more prevalent issues is the Failed to Fetch error, which will be the focus of this guide. This issue occurs whenever you try to log into the desktop app and may sometimes affect the browser versions.

Essentially, it prevents you from using Bitwarden on your device. This guide will show you how to fix this Failed to Fetch error on both the Desktop app and browser extension, namely the versions of Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome. However, the extension is available on other apps like Opera and Brave.

Right off the bat, one of the recommended fixes is to reinstall Bitwarden, but do so from the official website instead of the version found on the Microsoft Store.

Also, if you’re using the browser extensions, ensure that Bitwarden is the only password manager working, as having others installed can mess with it.

How can I fix the Failed to Fetch error on Windows 11?

1. Update the app

➡ Use Command Prompt

Click on the magnifying glass icon to bring up the search bar.
Search for the Command Prompt.
Click Run as administrator.
A small window may appear asking you if you want to make changes. Select Yes.
In the Command Prompt, type in .\bitwarden.ps1 -updateself
Hit the Enter key.
If that initial command didn’t work, enter instead .\bitwarden.ps1 -update
Hit Enter to update Bitwarden.

➡ Use PowerShell

Open the search bar and type in PowerShell.
Click Run as administrator when PowerShell appears.
A small window may appear asking if you want to make changes. Select Yes.
In PowerShell, input the same commands for the Command Prompt. Enter .\bitwarden.ps1 -updateself
If that doesn’t work, enter .\bitwarden.ps1 -update

3. White list in Windows Defender Firewall

In the search bar, type in Firewall.
Click Windows Defender Firewall.
Choose Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall on the left hand side.
In this new window scroll down and locate Bitwarden.
If Bitwarden is not there, click on the Change settings button.
Then click Allow another app…
In this new window, select Browse.
Locate the Bitwarden app in the computer’s Program Files.
Once located, select it and click the Open button.
Then click the Add button.
Make sure the left hand box next to Bitwarden is checked. This will allow Bitwarden to have access to network resources and bypass Windows Defender Firewall.
Checking the right-hand boxes will either allow or disallow the app to be used in either a public or private network.

In case the issue still persists, we recommend trying an antivirus that is browser friendly, make sure to check our list with the best ones.

4. Clear the browser cache

➡ Firefox

In Firefox, click the menu button.
Then select Settings.
In this new window, select the Privacy & Security tab.
Scroll down to the Cookie and Site Data section of Privacy & Security tab.
Click on the Clear Data button.
Remove the check mark next to Cookies and Site Data.
Make sure the box next to Cached Web Content.
Once done, click the Clear button. Any changes made will be automatically saved.

➡ Microsoft Edge

In Windows Edge, click on the Menu button which are the three dots in the upper corner.
Scroll down and click Settings.
In this new window, click Privacy, search, and services.
Scroll down to the Clear browsing data section.
Under Clear browsing data, click the Choose what to clear button.
Select the boxes next to Cached images and files and Cookies and other site data. Browsing history and Download history should be unchecked.
Once selected, click the Clear now button.

➡ Google Chrome

Click the Menu button in the upper right hand corner.
Click on More tools.
In this new pop up window, select Clear browsing data…
In this new window, click on the Advanced tab.
In the Advanced, click on the drop-down menu next to Time range.
Select how far back you want to delete the browsing data. Should be up to the point where the “Failed to Fetch” error start to occur.
Check the boxes next to Browsing history and Cached images and files.
Then select Clear data.

7. Disable extensions

Disabling the Bitwarden extension and restarting the browser is also recommended.
On Firefox, you can disable extension by hovering over the extension icon in the corner and right clicking.
In this new menu, click Manage Extension.
In this new window, click on the blue switch to turn off the Bitwarden extension.
Close Firefox and open it again.
Click on the menu button in the upper right hand corner and click Add-ons and themes.
Under Add-ons Manager, click on the switch to turn Bitwarden on again.
On Windows Edge, you can disable extensions by right-clicking on the puzzle piece icon.
Click on Manage extensions.
In this new window, click on the blue switch to turn off the extension.
Close Edge and then open it again.
Return to the extension menu.
Click on Manage extensions.
Turn on Bitwarden by clicking on the tab switch.
On Chrome, you can disable extensions by clicking on the puzzle piece icon in the upper right hand corner to bring up the drop down menu.
In the drop-down menu, click on the three dots next to Bitwarden.
In this new menu, click Manage Extensions.
In this new window, click on the blue switch to turn off the extension.
Close the browser and then open it up again.
Click on the same puzzle piece icon as before.
Click on the Manage extensions at the bottom of the drop-down menu.
In the assortment of extensions, locate Bitwarden and click on the gray swtich to turn it on.

Are there any other useful security apps for Windows 11?

There are several useful security for the operating system. In addition to Bitwarden, other great password managers include RoboForm Password Manager, which automates the password-making process, and Dashlane, which shares passwords with up to five users.

There’s also a helpful app by way of NordPass. It’s also a password manager that is free of charge and can help people organize their complex passwords. It also keeps the password in a singular place so you won’t go crazy looking for them.

And if you’re a developer working with Windows 11, it may interest you to know about SQL Server 2019. It’s a database management system whose main purpose is to manage data other apps request.

It has limited uses outside of a developmental situation but sees a lot of use within that situation.

As you can see from the list, there are plenty of ways to deal with this dreaded Bitwarden error, but following the steps presented in this guide will prove helpful. Sadly, this isn’t the only issue you can encounter, and many reported Cannot decrypt error in Bitwarden, but we fixed it in a separate guide.

Make sure to follow the steps precisely to ensure that no other issues are produced. We also have a new guide on the An error has occurred message in Bitwarden, so don’t miss it for more information.

Feel free to share your experience with us by using the comment section found below this guide.

Microsoft Edge Canary tests new “Follow Creator” feature on YouTube

Posted on January 17, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft is currently experimenting with a new way to follow YouTube channels on its Edge browser. Select Edge Canary Insiders including Reddit user Leopeva64 (via The Verge) noticed the new feature earlier this month when browsing YouTube channels, and we’re now seeing it as well on one of our devices.

As of this writing, this new “Follow Creator” button only seems to appear on select YouTube channels. When it’s available, the Follow option appears as a button in the Edge Address bar and clicking it will follow the YouTube channel in Microsoft Edge, no YouTube account required.

This new “Follow Creator” feature appears to be an extension of Edge Collections, even though this isn’t currently very obvious: The YouTube channels you follow aren’t immediately visible in Edge collections, and users need to click on the ellipsis (…) button to either see a list of followed channels or recent videos from these channels.

The “Recent Posts” view isn’t similar to the detailed chronological feed you can get on YouTube today. Instead, Microsoft Edge currently displays the last video for all followed channels, and users need to click on “more videos” to see the rest. Overall, this feature isn’t really convenient to use right now because the video thumbnails are really big and it’s not possible to resize the right panel where the feed appears. However, keep in mind that this “Follow Creator” feature remains at the experimental stage and the Edge team may tweak it further in the coming weeks.

It remains to be seen if this new “Follow Creator” feature in Edge Canary will eventually add support for other social media websites, but YouTube is an interesting start. The Edge team hasn’t officially discussed this new feature so far, but let us know in the comments if you think this could be a useful addition to Microsoft’s web browser.

Ukraine malware attack focused on destruction of data, not ransomware, says Microsoft

Posted on January 17, 2022 by Kip Kniskern

Over the weekend, the Microsoft Security blog shared information on a new destructive malware operation that has been targeting multiple government, non-profit, and information technology organizations in Ukraine, as tensions between that country and Russia continue to escalate.

The malware is presented as though it were a ransomware attack, offering a ransom note, a single Bitcoin wallet for payment, and a single Tox ID. However once an infected machine is powered down, instead of encrypting the Master Boot Record (MBR) for later recovery after a ransom is paid, as is typical, the malware instead simply destroys the MBR. The malware also targets a number of file types, overwriting files within a list of extensions.

Microsoft explains that these activities are unlike any “normal” ransomware attack, which are used to demand payments, and instead is intent on destructive activity.

Microsoft is and has been working with customers in Ukraine to assess their systems, and provides methods to identify systems that are compromised and help protect their data.

Microsoft has been pushing for more secure computer systems, releasing Windows 11 with a new set of security requirements as it continues to respond to ever increasing threats from ever more sophisticated attacks.

Surface Dock 2 Monitors Not Working: Fix

Posted on January 16, 2022October 4, 2023 by Madalina Dinita

The Surface Dock 2 is an interesting device that allows you to connect a range of devices to the Surface device through the various ports on it. But for many users, Surface Dock was not detecting monitors.

Sometimes, the device malfunctions, forcing users to unplug peripherals and then plug them back in. It’s easy to fix and shouldn’t take much time. So, let’s head straight to it.

What can I do if monitors are not working with Surface Dock 2?

Before we head to the solutions, here are a few quick things you can try:

Make sure the connections are in order. Disconnect the cable and reconnect them properly, just to be sure.
Disconnect all the cables from the dock, including the power supply, let it sit idle for a couple of minutes, and then try connecting the monitor.
Verify whether the issue lies with the monitor itself by connecting it directly to the Surface device.
Replace the cable with one from a reputed and reliable brand.
Update the OS.

If none of these work, the solutions listed next surely would.

1. Update your Surface Dock

Visit Microsoft’s official website, and click on the Download button.
Now, select the files with FwUpdate mentioned in the name, and click on Next to proceed.
Once downloaded, run the MSI file to complete the installation process.

That’s it! This is one of the quickest ways to fix things when Surface Dock 2 is not detecting monitors. And it has worked for many. So, we recommend you give it a try, and in case things don’t work out, head to the next solution.

2. Change the refresh rate

Press Windows + I to open Settings, and click on Display on the right in the System tab.
Scroll down to the bottom and click on Advanced settings.
Now, choose another refresh rate from the dropdown menu.

If Surface Dock 2 is still not detecting monitors, head to the next solution.

3. Update the drivers

Press Windows + R to open Run, type devmgmt.msc in the text field, and hit Enter.
Double-click on the Display adapters entry, right-click on the graphics adapter, and then choose Update driver.
Now, select Search automatically for drivers and wait for Windows to install the best one.

In some cases, issues with the graphics drivers are often responsible for Surface Dock 2 not detecting monitors. Usually, it’s running an outdated version that triggers the problem. And updating the driver should fix things.

If Windows can’t find a better version, you can always manually update the driver. Another rather easy option is to use a reliable driver updater tool, which will automatically install the best available drivers.

In case nothing so far has worked, we recommend you purchase a new USB-C to HDMI adapter and use it to connect the monitor to Surface Dock 2.

Remember, issues with Surface Dock 2 are well known, and a lot of users have been experiencing it for quite some time now. The solutions we listed have worked for many such users and might also do for you.

Also, before you go, find out what to do if your Surface device is overheating.

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

Windows news recap: Windows Server update pulled due to critical bug, Twitter receives new features, and more

Posted on January 16, 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.

Microsoft reportedly pulls Windows Server update after it caused critical issues

The January 2022 Patch Tuesday updates for Windows Server have been pulled due to them causing a critical bug. Reported issues range from domain controllers failing, servers to reboot every few minutes, Hyper-V not to start, and ReFS file systems to become inaccessible.

Twitter Windows and web app add new Communities, Super Follows, and Spaces functionality

The Twitter web app has received a new update, thus bringing new features to the Twitter app on Windows. The update includes additional tools for Communities and Spaces, an improved DM experience, support for the newly launched Super Follows paid content, and the addition of a location option when composing a tweet.

Microsoft announces New Calls experience for Your Phone app, available to all Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel

Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel have received a new calling experience. The update brings an updated design of the calling experience for Windows 11 PCs using the Your Phone app.

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

Microsoft has withdrawn an update that caused problems with Windows servers

Posted on January 14, 2022 by Don Sharpe

The patches released on Patch Tuesday have been causing some problems, including creating spontaneous boot loops on servers running Windows Domain Controllers, breaking the Hyper-V server role, and making volumes using ReFS storage unavailable.

Microsoft pulled the Windows Server updates it issued on Patch Tuesday after users reported that the patches had bugs that broke three features:

They can cause Windows servers that act as domain controllers to crash and reboot in a loop.
Make Hyper-V unusable.
Prevent ReFS volume systems from being used.

Windows users were hit by two pieces of unfortunate news on the same day in January 2022, as Microsoft released 97 security updates in its monthly Patch Tuesday update, which also resulted in broken Windows installations for some users.

Updates

This month’s batch includes the Windows Server 2012 R2 KB5009624 update, the Windows Server 2019 KB5009557 update, and the Windows Server 2022 KB5009555 update. All of these updates have been identified as faulty.

“Administrators of Windows Domain Controllers should be careful about installing the January 2022 security updates,” BornCity stated.

“I have now received numerous reports that Windows servers acting as domain controllers will not boot afterwards,” Born wrote. “Lsass.exe (or wininit.exe) triggers a blue screen with the stop error 0xc0000005. It can hit all Windows Server versions that act as domain controllers, according to my estimation.”

Domain controllers act as servers to process security log-in requests for Windows domain computers. Microsoft’s Hyper-V, a hypervisor built into the latest updates of Windows Server, can natively manage virtual machines running on x86-64 Windows operating systems.

The third thing that is getting a makeover due to the updates, Resilient File System (ReFS), is a file system that is designed in such a way that it safeguards your data and helps it remain safe even when faced with adversities.

Windows server issues

Microsoft’s Support team has reported that the issue occurs in all versions of Windows Server supported by the company.

Several Reddit users have reported this problem. One commenter said, “Looks like KB5009557 (2019) and KB5009555 (2022) are causing something to fail on domain controllers, which then keep rebooting every few minutes.”

Another Reddit contributor said on Tuesday that, after updating to the recently released Windows updates KB5009543 and KB5008876, he had found that they broke L2TP VPN connections on new machines.

“Now their L2TP VPNs to different sites (All SonicWall’s) are not working,” the user stated, highlighting an error message that read: “The L2TP connection attempt failed because the security layer encountered a processing error during initial negotiations with the remote computer.”

On Thursday, in response to reports of problems with the January Windows Server cumulative updates, BleepingComputer reported that Microsoft has removed these updates from Windows Update.

As of Thursday afternoon, however, and despite complaints from users who’d experienced problems with the Windows 10 and Windows 11 cumulative updates, Microsoft reportedly hadn’t removed the updates.

Earlier reports of problems with the latest version of Windows are, for the most part, overblown. In fact, users who aren’t having issues can likely ignore the calls to be patient as Microsoft works things through.

Defective patches

How do you convince organizations to patch systems promptly when some patches can cause unexpected downtime on critical infrastructure components such as directory services controllers?

Experts agree that it presents a security hazard. “The log4j difficulties of the past few weeks demonstrate that … we need organizations to apply security patches when they are available,” indicated John Bambenek, NetEnrich’s Threat Hunting Principal.

Whenever patches do not serve their intended purpose, or when they alter the normal functioning of things, it “provides the counter incentive to patching where organizations take a risk-averse approach to applying updates,” he told Threatpost on Thursday. “Downtime is easily measurable…the incremental risk of a security breach is not, which means cautious (instead of proactive) actions to patching will tend to win out.”

Bud Broomhead, chief executive officer at Viakoo, said the company’s products allow users to make a choice between keeping their business operations going and making their systems more secure by using products with known vulnerabilities.

“Organizations make these tradeoffs every day with IoT devices that fail to get patched quickly (or ever); however, it’s uncommon to see this with Windows Server, because there are such effective mechanisms through Windows Update to deliver and install patches quickly.”

Run tests prior to release

Broomhead warned that despite Microsoft’s rigorous testing practices, one of the best ways to prevent problems is to test new updates on a single machine before applying them on a larger scale.

“This can help Windows Server administrators to assess their specific issues, and their tolerance for running under those conditions until a more stable patch is available,” he told Threatpost.

Horev said that is closer to reality, but added that “all media and platforms will be impacted by the shift.”

“First, very rarely are patches ever directly applied straight from Microsoft, or any vendor, on Tuesday, or any other day, without first going through a series of tests to make sure they aren’t breaking things,” he indicated.

Given how complicated it can be to support Windows, even when security updates come straight from Redmond, it’s no surprise that many companies struggle.

“The eternal compromise between secure and/or stable production environments doesn’t rest just because the updates are coming from Microsoft,” Horev commented.

Have experienced any issues with the recently released updates? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

Microsoft Windows Defender has a bug that lets malware slip through undetected

Posted on January 14, 2022 by Don Sharpe

An attacker can take advantage of a weakness in the Microsoft Defender antivirus feature to plant malware in locations that Windows Defender excludes from scanning.

The issue has existed for at least eight years though only recently was it identified and affects Windows 10 21H1 and Windows 10 21H2.

Add locations

Microsoft Defender can exclude specific locations on your computer from scanning, to make sure that areas containing important information are not inadvertently damaged by an antivirus scan.

There are many legitimate software applications that, for various reasons, antivirus programs mistakenly identify as malware and thus quarantine or block from accessing a computer.

If a user includes a username in their list of exceptions, it might give an attacker useful information on the system. It allows them to store malicious files in areas of the computer that are not searched during a routine scan.

Security researchers found that Microsoft’s Defender security software excludes a list of dangerous locations from scanning, but that any local user can access it.

Compromised coverage

Even though Windows Defender is allowed to check for malware and dangerous files in the registry, local users can query the registry to determine which paths Defender is not allowed to check.

Antonio Cocomazzi, the threat researcher credited with the discovery of the RemotePotato0 vulnerability, notes there is no security for this information.

Although Microsoft Defender doesn’t scan everything, its “reg query” command reveals what the program is instructed not to scan, including files, folders, extensions, and processes.

Another Windows security expert, Nathan McNulty, says the issue is only present on Windows 10 versions 21H1 and 21H2 but it won’t affect Windows 11.

Group policy settings

Another way to get Group Policy settings is to grab the list of exclusions from the registry. This information provides details about what is being excluded and is more sensitive than simply listing which settings are active on a particular computer.

Microsoft recommends that you disable automatic exclusions in Microsoft Defender when the server platform is not dedicated to the Microsoft stack, McNulty says. If a server is running non-Microsoft software, you should allow Defender to scan arbitrary locations.

Even though the Microsoft Defender exclusions list can be obtained by an attacker with local access, this is a small challenge to overcome.

When a corporate network is already compromised, attackers are often on the lookout for ways to move around using less noticeable tools.

Full scan

Microsoft Defender allows the exclusion of certain folders to keep the antivirus from scanning files in those locations. The malware author can then store and execute infected files from those folders without being spotted.

A senior security consultant says that he first noticed the issue about eight years ago, and immediately understood its potential for malicious use.

“Always told myself that if I was some kind of malware dev I would just look up the WD exclusions and make sure to drop my payload in an excluded folder and/or name it the same as an excluded filename or extension,” explained Aura.

If you are a network administrator for a Microsoft environment, consult your Microsoft documentation for information on how to exclude the Defender program from scanning and running on all of your servers and local machines.

What are your major concerns about the loophole that presents hackers with the opportunity to bypass Microsoft Defender? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

Bluetooth Xinput Code 10: 5 Ways to Fix Your Xbox Controller

Posted on January 14, 2022September 14, 2025 by Ivan Jenic

Users often prefer Xbox controllers in Windows, and they may appear as Xinput devices, which is an issue in itself. But beyond that, many reported getting the Bluetooth Xinput Code 10 error and were unable to use the controller.

The problem has been present in all recent iterations of the OS and is usually easily fixable unless the controller is at fault. So, let’s find out how you can get things running in the case of Bluetooth Xinput compatible input device Code 10.

What causes Bluetooth Xinput Code 10?

Here are a few reasons you might be getting the Xbox wireless adapter Code 10-

Issues with the driver – In most cases, users reported that it was the outdated driver or an incompatible one that triggered the error.
Missing or corrupt DLL files – Missing DLL files can also lead to issues, including the Bluetooth Xinput Code 10 error in Windows.
Problems with the controller itself – Hardware issues cannot be ignored when dealing with the error since these, too, have been found responsible in many cases.

How can I fix Bluetooth Xinput Code 10?

Before we head to the slightly complex solutions, here are a few quick ones you can try first:

Power off the computer, remove the cable from the power source for a while and then turn it back on. In the case of a laptop, remove the battery after turning it off and unplug the charging cable.
Reconnect the controller to a different port on the computer. Also, try the ones on the back of the CPU in the case of a desktop.
Check for updates and install the latest available version of Windows.

If these don’t work, head to the solutions listed next.

1. Reinstall the driver

Press Windows + R to open the Run command, type devmgmt.msc, and hit Enter.
Locate the Xbox controller, right-click on it, and then select Uninstall device.
Click Uninstall in the confirmation prompt.
Once done, press Windows + S to open Search, type Control Panel in the text field, and click on the relevant search result.
Click on System and Security.
Now, click on Change what the power buttons do under Power Options.
Select Change settings that are currently unavailable.
Next, untick the checkbox for Turn on fast startup (recommended), and click on Save changes.
Finally, restart the computer and verify whether the problem is resolved.

This is the simplest and most effective solution to Bluetooth le Xinput compatible input device Code 10 error and should get things up and running in no time.

Disabling Fast Startup helps the computer do a proper reboot and allows the effective installation of drivers, so make sure to do that as well.

2. Re-register DLL files

Press Windows + S to open Search, type cmd in the text field, and click on Run as administrator.
Click Yes in the UAC prompt.
Now, paste the following two commands one at a time and hit Enter after each:regsvr32 /u btmshellex.dll regsvr32 btmshellex.dll

Once done, restart the computer for the changes to come into effect, and verify whether the error is fixed. If not, head to the next solution.

3. Update the driver

Press Windows + X to open the Power User menu, and choose Device Manager from the list.
Locate the Xbox controller, right-click on it, and choose Update driver.
Now, select Search automatically for drivers and wait for the best available version to be installed.

Running older versions can often lead to issues with the related device, and updating the driver should fix things in this case. Also, you may have to manually update the driver if Windows can’t a better version.

Please note that downloading and installing the wrong driver versions can cause permanent damage to your PC, therefore, practice extra caution.

Furthermore, proceed confidently with a specialized driver manager that will provide fast installation or update for old version drivers. You will benefit from reliable support from this popular software to update your Xbox Controller driver in no time.

Then, we strongly recommend Outbyte Driver Updater automatically download all the outdated drivers on your PC.

4. Update the app and controller firmware

Press Windows + S to open Search, type Microsoft Store, and click on the relevant search result.
Choose Library from the bottom-left corner.
Click on Get updates.
Wait for any available updates for the Xbox Accessories app to download.
Next, connect the controller to the PC via a cable, open the Xbox Accessories app, and click on the ellipsis. If you see an option to update here only, click on it instead.
Now, click on the No update available button.
Click Continue to proceed.
Now, wait for the update process to go through, and then reconnect the controller via Bluetooth.

That’s it! Updating the Xbox controller, in all likelihood, will fix the Bluetooth Xinput Code 10 error and gets the controller up and running like before. In case this doesn’t work, it’s likely a hardware issue.

5. Buy a new controller

Though unlikely, if the problem remains unresolved, the last option is to purchase a new Xbox controller. This is the case when the current controller is damaged or faulty, and replacing it is the only viable solution.

Once you get a new one, the Bluetooth Xinput Code 10 error should be fixed, and the error message will not appear in the Device Manager anymore.

Before you leave, find the best settings to optimize gaming performance in Windows and enjoy a better experience.

If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, let us know in the comments section below.

6 Best Network Simulators for Windows 10 and 11

Posted on January 14, 2022March 18, 2024 by Radu Tyrsina

System administrators can’t always know how things will work in real life especially when there is a large number of computers involved.

The risks that something may go wrong are very high, and the costs are too big.

This is where simulations come in handy. They allow developers to replicate the models that they expect to see in the real world.

Developers can then analyze these results and use them throughout the developing process.

Network simulators create models where the operations of a system will act as a sequence of events, and as time changes, the state of the system will modify as well.

Other simulators can also act as emulators. This means that you can connect them to a live network.

After a simulator has been connected to a live network, it will receive information from the incoming network traffic and will allow a specialist to analyze it in detail.

What is the best network emulator for Windows 10 and 11?

Paessler Multi Server Simulator

Paessler Multi Server Simulator is a free network simulator for Windows PC designed to offer valuable networking services to emulate your servers.

In a matter of minutes, you can create a large virtual network with 100 servers and several switches with 1000 ports.

You can deploy a number of servers: HTTP, FTP, SMTP, and DNS servers are supported. Each server can be turned on/off with one single click and a detailed log is available.

All of these can be done from a single Windows system. It is a great tool useful for evaluating network management tools.

Moreover, the software interface is really intuitive so you can efficiently create large-scale networks and provide useful insights about any network connection.

Please take note that this software is in the beta version, so it might contain some bugs.

Paessler Multi Server Simulator

A performant tool to simulate a large network of servers using a Windows computer.

Free Visit website

Cisco Packet Tracer

Packet Tracer is a cross-platform visual simulation tool developed by Cisco Systems. It provides you the opportunity to create network topologies and imitates modern computer networks.

You can benefit from this software because it allows you to simulate the configuration of Cisco routers and switches with the help of a simulated line interface.

You can use its drag and drop UI which lets you add and remove simulated devices as you see fit.

This software is primarily targeted towards Certified Cisco Network Associate Academy students, and they can use it as an educational tool for learning the initial CCNA concepts.

It’s great that students who are enrolled in a CCNA Academy program have the advantage of downloading the tool for free for educational use.

Packet Tracer provides simulation, visualization, authoring, assessment, and collaboration capabilities and facilitates the teaching and learning of complex technology concepts.

Here are the most important features of Packet Tracer:

You can run it on Microsoft Windows, Mac, and Linux.
It allows basic routing with RIP< OSPF, EIGRP, BDP to the extents required by the CCNA.
Starting with version 5.3, Packet Tracer supports the Border Gateway Protocol.
Packet Tracer can also be used for collaboration.
Starting with version 5.0., it supports a multi-user system that enables multiple users to connect multiple topologies over a network.
The tool allows instructors to create activities for students to complete.

Packet Tracer comes as part of a learning course so to get the app, you need to enroll. It’s not necessary to complete the course.

⇒ Get Packet Tracer

NetSim Standard

NetSim is a great network simulation software for protocol modeling and simulation, network R&D, and defense applications.

It allows you to analyze computer systems with unmatched depth, power, and flexibility.

NetSim Standard is a version of the NetSim tool that offers almost all the features that are provided by the NetSim pro. You can get the tool discounted at educational prices to universities for Network R&D.

The NetSim standard version accelerates network R&D, and it reduces your time-to-publish. The tool includes the source C code, and it provides you the ability to perform the following actions:

You can design new technologies and protocols, and you can also evaluate changes to the existing ones.
You can test and demonstrate models in realities scenarios.
You can optimize the protocol and app performance.
You can study the effect of real devices and transmit live traffic using the NetSim Emulator. The emulator combines the real and virtual world to develop scenarios that cannot be achieved in a laboratory environment.

Here are the main reasons for which you should try out the NetSim Standard version:

Thanks to easy-to-use GUI, you can just drag and drop devices, apps, and links, compared to open source simulators which make you write hundreds of lines of code to create network scenarios.
The results dashboard provides appealing simulation performance reports with tables and graphs, compared to open sources in which you have to analyze and write code to extract performance results.
The inbuilt graphing have extensive formatting, unlike the open sources in which you have to write programs on external tools for graphs.
The tool provides a broad range of technologies such as the latest in IOT, WSN, MANET, Cognitive Radio, 802.11 n / ac, TCP – BIC / CUBIC, Rate adaptation with packet and event tracing, compared to the open sources which usually feature more limited technologies.
The tool features online debug capability and the ability to ‘watch’ all variables. You can also run animation in parallel for immediate visual feedback. Open source simulators will require you to code tens of statements to debug your code.
The tool provides external interfaces to external software like MATLAB®, SUMO, and Wireshark.

Besides the NetSim Standard, there are three more versions of the tool. Here they are:

The NetSim Pro version – perfect for commercial customers.
The NetSim Academic version – ideal for education customers.
The NetSim Emulator – which allows users to connect the NetSim simulator to real hardware and interact with live apps. You can test the performance of actual apps over a virtual network.

Boson NetSim CCNA

The Boson NetSim 11 Network Simulator for CCNA promises to be the most powerful and versatile Cisco network simulation software that is available for IT professionals seeking CCNA certification.

The tool actually simulates the network traffic of a real network in a simulated network that users can design themselves.

Here are the key features of NetSim 10 for CCNA:

The tool is a Network Designer that supports 42 routers and seven switches.
You can have up to 200 devices per network.
The tool offers Virtual Packet Technology: software-created packets that are routed and switched through the simulated network.
You have the ability to populate the WAN slots with a broad range of Network Modules.
The tool provides a Telnet mode that allows you to configure devices in the simulated topology using the Windows Telnet program.
It has the functionality of a full rack of equipment on your laptop.
The tool features automatic lab-grading capability.
It provides the ability to load and save your network configurations and the capacity to paste real router settings into the devices.
You also get the potential to configure your own ISDN and Frame Relay switch mappings.
The tool provides users the benefit of connecting their devices over simulated WANs without expensive ISP gear.
It features support for IPv6 addressing.

⇒ Get Boston NetSim

Cisco Virtual Internet Routing Lab Personal Edition (VIRL PE)

Cisco Virtual Internet Routing Lab Personal Edition (VIRL PE) 20 Nodes is a robust network virtualization and orchestration platform that allows the development of some highly accurate models of already existing or previously planned systems.

With this tool, IT teams and individuals as well will be able to design, build, visualize, troubleshoot and launch simulations of Cisco and third-party devices in a virtual environment.

They will then also be able to create models and what-if scenarios of real-world and future networks.

The virtual images included within VIRL PE will use the same Cisco IOS software code that is used in routers and switches that are compiled to run on the hypervisor.

This provides IT pros and students a tool to help them learn about networking and studying for Cisco certifications in a virtual safe environment.

The tool provides you the opportunity to perform the following actions:

You can create models and what-if scenarios of real-world and future networks.
The tool will automatically generate configurations
You will be able to visualize protocols.
You can use Cisco IOS network operating systems, with routers and switches.
You can connect virtual and physical environments.
You can study for Cisco certification.

VIRL PE supports the following Cisco virtual images:

IOS and IOSvL2
NX-OSv and NX-OS 9000v
IOS XRv and IOS XRv 9000
IOS XE (CSR1000v)
ASAv

VIRL PE is available as a PC OVA, ESXi OVA, and ISO for bare metal install.

VIRL PE is a community-supported product that is supported by more than 5000 community members, including Cisco community managers.

The VIRL PE FAQ provides an enormous amount of valuable data on product features, requirements, technical, and ordering information.

⇒ Get Cisco Virtual Internet Routing Lab PE

CCIE Lab Builder

A major challenge for CCIE R/S Lab candidates is getting their hands on a massive topology, similar to what they’ll face in the actual lab. One option is to use the CCIE Lab Builder, and we’ll discuss the reasons below.

The Cisco CCIE Lab Builder allows you to run your R&S topologies in the actual CCIE Routing and Switching virtual environment.

Here are the key advantages for which you should really consider giving this tool a try:

The topology runs on the actual virtual environment that the CCIE Lab runs on.
You will not need to book lab time, and this is great compared to other vendors in which case you have to schedule lab time. Sometimes during busy periods, you won’t even get access to the lab, but with this tool, you can have access anytime you want to.
It features the ability to configure up to 20 nodes.

The pricing is very competitive, and the major advantage is that you can build your topology before you start the clock.

There are cheaper options to running your CCIE Lab, by using GNS3 or building your own lab using CSR1000V routers.

You have to decide on the best choice for you, but the CCIE Lab Builder is going to be hard to beat for access to the perfect training environment for your CCIE studies.

These were our top network simulators. After you’ve analyzed them all, we recommend that you pick the one that suits your needs and goals best.

In the network research area, it is costly to deploy a complete testbed with multiple networked computers, routers, and data links to validate and verify a certain network protocol or a particular network algorithm.

The network simulators will save you a lot of money and time in accomplishing these tasks. Fortunately, you can find a free network simulator for Windows PC as well in this article.

If you have any other suggestions or questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below.

Sledgehammer announces major Call Of Duty fixes are underway

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

The Call of Duty social media account on Twitter published a statement Thursday and acknowledged that developers are working to update Call of Duty: Vanguard, as well as the Call of Duty: Warzone battle royale mode.

Some players have encountered various glitches and bugs in the new Warzone mode. These include Operator skins that make players invisible.

Other issues have included poor game performance on consoles and freezes while attempting to access the in-game buy stations.

Call of Duty has a name in the game world

Call of Duty is one of the best-selling video games franchises of all time, and with good reason. Each new installment brings something new to the table, whether it’s the ability to fight in space or the chance to battle zombies in World War II.

The gameplay is always top-notch and the graphics are fantastic, so you know that you’re getting a quality product every time you buy a Call of Duty title.

Not only that, but Call of Duty has also spawned an entire sub-genre of gaming, in which players compete against each other online in team matches.

These games are called first-person shooters (FPS) because they are played from the perspective of the player’s character.

New fixes on Call of Duty

Things have not been rosy for a while now as, Call of Duty fans are experiencing various multiplayer connection difficulties, including disconnects from matches and unexpected party disbandments.

Call of Duty fans who play Zombies mode have also been outraged at the lack of a pause option while playing solo or private matches.

https://twitter.com/CallofDuty/status/1481689396885790726

The option, which had been available in the previous Call of Duty titles, allows Zombies players to adjust their tactics and figure out how to deal with the hordes of enemies rampaging towards them.

These are not the only issues you can encounter when playing the game so feel free to visit our guide on packet data loss on Call of Duty if you encounter such problems.

Cries not on deaf ears

In a post, the team of Call of Duty developers behind the current game shared information about updates that are being deployed in response to player feedback.

https://twitter.com/CallofDuty/status/1481689404397731843

Fixes released with recent patches include collision issues and weapon balancing for Warzone, as well as stability improvements, weapon balancing, and improved spawn logic for Vanguard.

Fans on the other hand were quite outraged but understandably so.

https://twitter.com/LEEK2LIT__/status/1481796323674411008

The studio is listening to feedback and making changes based on players’ suggestions. They have already made many changes, including fixes for Warzone and Vanguard.

Should you encounter any other related problems with other Call of Duty versions, feel free to check out our guide on Call of Duty unable to play on Windows 11.

Have you encountered problems with Call of Duty lately and have you tried any of the fixes released? Share your experience in the comments section down below.

Microsoft Edge 99 is available in Dev channel with new features

Posted on January 14, 2022January 14, 2022 by Claudiu Andone

It seems that the Microsoft Edge team is coming back in full force in 2022 with a new Edge build that is available now in the Dev channel.

In the build that was released as version 99.0.1131.3, Edge is featuring some important changes and Microsoft also announced that Edge 98 will be soon moved into the Beta channel.

Not long ago, the browser received a new important feature to organize and track your favorite web pages but the developments really got on the fast track with the new version.

Long story short, let’s go through with all the added features, improvements, and bug fixes for the latest build.

What are the new features of Microsoft Edge 99?

By far, the most important addition is the possibility to manually set which profile certain websites open. To access the new feature, you just need to paste the following line in the address bar: edge://settings/profiles/multiProfileSettings

Another important addition is the ability to edit saved passwords from the initial dialog to save them.

Microsoft also added an option to the right-click menu in order to open links in the Application Guard windows, of course, only where the Application Guard is present.

We’re listing the other added features as presented by Microsoft in the release manifest:

Added info to the Edge Bar settings page informing users which extensions they have installed that are preventing the use of the Edge Bar.
Management policies (note that updates to documentation and administrative templates may not have happened yet):
- Added a management policy to control if Address Bar Editing is Enabled.
- Added support on mobile for disabling autofill via management policy.
Developer:
- Added support for custom formats on the clipboard (Chromium Issue 106449).
- Added support for the WebView2 API BasicAuthenticationRequested, which was previously in the experimental state (Issue 120).
- Added support for the dual screen web developer APIs CSS Foldables and Viewport Segments that were previously in the Experimental stage.

What are the bug fixes in Microsoft Edge 99?

The new build version 99.0.1131.3 also addresses a lot of bugs that were certainly frustrating for a lot of insiders.

It seems that the dev team fixed a lot of crashes when navigating to certain websites, when interacting with the address bar and its dropdown, and when you choose where you want to save a downloaded file.

They also covered a bug that appeared when you were sending feedback from InPrivate or Guest windows and when showing autofill popups.

Here’s the list of other reliability improvements as they were presented in the release note:

Fixed a crash when interacting with misspelled words that have been identified by the spellchecker.
Fixed a crash when using Web Select (formerly Smart Copy).
Fixed a crash when installing a website as an app.
Fixed a crash when importing data from another browser.
Fixed an issue where certain webpages crash after a few seconds.
Fixed an issue where tabs sometimes crash when certain accessibility features are enabled.
Mobile:
- Fixed a crash when interacting with downloads.
- Fixed a crash when viewing the new tab page.
- Fixed a crash when viewing weather from the new tab page.
- Fixed a crash when using Shopping.
- Fixed a crash when using Read Aloud on a different tab than the currently visible one.
- Fixed a hang on iOS.
Fixed a crash in WebView2 apps (Issue 1882).

Other improvements in Microsoft Edge 99

In the new version, the development team managed to reduce the amount of blank unloaded pages when scrolling through PDFs.

Microsoft also claims that they improved the malicious URL blocking feature and the performance of the startup page by pre-rendering it when possible.

For more information, you can see the whole list in the Microsoft Edge 99 release note from Microsoft.

And while we’re all excited by the new developments, you can also check out how the new Game panel in Edge will help you spend some quality relaxing time in the browser.

What do you think about Microsoft Edge 99? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Microsoft fixes accessibility issues in the latest OneDrive update

Posted on January 14, 2022 by Don Sharpe

Microsoft has been working hard lately to improve its support for users with disabilities, including providing better accessibility features across its products.

A number of OneDrive users have reported problems with VoiceOver, but it looks like the latest update fixes them.

Users who rely on VoiceOver to interact with OneDrive in Windows will be happy to know that the cloud storage service has addressed accessibility issues in its latest update.

OneDrive is Microsoft’s cloud storage service. You can use it to store photos, documents, and other files you need to access from multiple devices. The app syncs your files between your devices, and you can access them at any time.

OneDrive updates

A new update fixes the bugs and VoiceOver now comprehensively reads out dates for folders in the Libraries view.
The role assignment for filter buttons that appear when searching for a folder/file has been updated so that VoiceOver correctly announces the control. Previously, VoiceOver only announced the label for the button but did not announce the underlying icon. This was especially problematic if there was no text to describe the icon because then VoiceOver would not announce anything at all.
The accessibility tool now seems to work properly and announces the appropriate roles for buttons on a users’ Plan page and on the Libraries page.
The latest update improves the VoiceOver feature by making adjustments to icons on the “Sign in” and “Enter password” pages. The update also makes adjustments to the luminosity of the icons on these pages. This adjustment makes it easier for users who are visually impaired to see these icons without any problems.
One of the most notable accessibility updates is that content present on the “Sign in” page now appropriately adapts to large text settings.

Microsoft’s OneDrive cloud storage app has received its second update of the year. The latest version, which is now available on the App Store, offers a fix for a bug that prevented some users from being able to access their files using VoiceOver.

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

Microsoft agrees to third-party review of its harassment and discrimination policies

Posted on January 14, 2022 by Kareem Anderson

In a move that feels like a no-brainer, Microsoft’s board has agreed upon a third-party audit of its sexual harassment and gender discrimination practices and policies.

With 78 percent approval from its board back in November 2021, Microsoft is now announcing a plan to move forward with an outside firm’s audit of its own sexual harassment and gender discrimination policies.

In the press release from Microsoft, the company is looking to have the audit “benchmark Microsoft’s current practices against ‘best practices’ adopted by other companies, with the goal of identifying additional opportunities for improvement.”

While the board was under pressure from mounting pre-existing violations as well as the recent investigations into former co-founder and CEO Bill Gates, will address only part of the proposal initially submitted by Arjuna Captial.

Arjuna Capital’s managing partner, Natasha Lamb asked Microsoft to release the results of an independent investigation into the sexual harassment allegations levied at Gates.

The newly released plan will not reinvestigate Gates or the claims publicly, but will assess the overall investigation into the allegations into Gates.

Instead, the law firm Arent Fox will focus on the following, according to Microsoft’s released plan:

It will lead to the public release of a transparency report assessing the effectiveness of the company’s workplace sexual harassment and gender discrimination policies, training, and related policies. This will include a review of concerns raised by employees in 2019 in the “In Need of Assistance” email thread, steps the company has taken to respond to these concerns, and additional steps that could further strengthen these safeguards. The review will also include an analysis of policies, practices, and commitments to create a safe, inclusive work environment.

The report will summarize the results of any sexual harassment investigations during this same timeframe against members of the Board of Directors and the company’s Senior Leadership Team, including the allegations that a Board committee investigated beginning in 2019 involving Bill Gates.

It will assess the steps that have been taken to hold employees, including executives, accountable for sexual harassment or gender discrimination.

The report will include data on the number of sexual harassment cases investigated and their resolution.

According to a report from GeekWire,, Lamb believes Microsoft is not only acting in “Good Faith” but that invoking a level of transparency and accountability will help Microsoft become “a better company.”

However, it should be noted that not only did Microsoft’s board initially reject the proposal when it was first brought to a vote calling it “unnecessary” as the company had recently planned to do public reporting of its harassment and discrimination policy implementation yearly, but that there is still a layer between the public and the results of Fox’s audit.

In Thursday’s press release, Microsoft ends its third-party audit announcement with the following:

Following this review, the Arent Fox firm will first provide a report to the Board and management detailing its findings and recommendations. The company’s management team will then prepare an implementation plan to act on the recommendations and will report to the Board on this plan. The Board will then publish a public report documenting the review and its findings as well as management’s plans for enhancements to current policies and practices.

Theoretically, if Microsoft’s doesn’t like or agree with Fox’s initial assessment or plans, it could negotiate a more favorable report in the end where in Microsoft’s board presents that to the public.

I’m not saying the theory holds water, but it is something to consider with Microsoft board members getting first crack at the audit report rather than the public as the company inches more towards transparency and accountability.

Xbox mobile apps now support sharing game captures with everyone with a link

Posted on January 14, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft is finally making it easy to share Xbox game captures outside of Xbox Live. As we noticed today, a new Link Sharing feature has started rolling out on the Xbox apps for iOS and Android, which will let users share any game capture uploaded to Xbox live with a simple link.

When browsing your game captures on the mobile, you’ll see a new “Copy Link” option that will create a link in your clipboard. In the app, you can change your privacy controls in the app to allow everyone on the Internet to see your captures, and if you make them only visible to friends, they’ll need to sign in to Xbox Live on the web to see your content.

By default, Xbox consoles automatically upload game captures to Xbox Live, and this content is easily accessible from the Xbox mobile apps. Users could already share game captures with their friends on Xbox Live or outside by downloading their content on their phones, but Link Sharing makes this process much more seamless.

Overall, this is an important step in making Xbox Live less of a walled garden, though there’s still more work to be done to make the platform a bit more social. Game captures and Link Sharing also need to make their way to the Xbox app for PC, and xbox.com could also really use a fresh coat of social paint.

How to add the Grammarly extension to Microsoft Word

Posted on January 14, 2022September 20, 2024 by Radu Tyrsina

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Updated: Dec 8, 2022

How you express yourself through your writing shows a lot, whether it is an assignment you are preparing for school or a cover letter you are sending to a potential employer. It is important to ensure that what you write is grammatically correct and mistake-free.

While reading over your texts usually does the trick and helps you identify some of these errors, it is possible that you may overlook some and end up sending a document that is rife with mistakes. Here’s where the Grammarly tool comes in.

Grammarly is a free application that helps you keep track of your spelling and grammar. Interestingly enough, you don’t have to keep transferring your work from Word to Grammarly to check for these errors. The tool provides users with a free add-in that lets them use its services directly within Microsoft Word or Microsoft Outlook.

How to get the Grammarly add-in in Microsoft Word

To add the Grammarly extension to Microsoft Office, follow the steps below:

Launch your browser and go to Grammarly’s official website to download the add-in.
Click on the option to Get It for Windows It’s Free.
Once the download is complete at the bottom next to the file name, click on the Options button, then select Open.
When you open the file select the Run option.
The installer will then open, click on Get started.
A prompt will then appear requesting you to select the Microsoft Application you would like the Grammarly add-in installed to.
Check the boxes of the Applications you would like to have the add-in, then click on Install. Check the Microsoft Outlook and Word boxes.
Wait for the application to complete installation, then close the window.

The Grammarly extension will now be available on all the Microsoft Office applications that you selected during the installation process. You can also switch to dark mode on Microsoft Word to enhance visibility, especially at night, thus making it easier to spot errors.

Once you install the add-in, it will help you detect errors as you type and also provide you with helpful suggestions that will help improve your writing. It is also available as a browser extension for Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer and more.

How to reinstall Grammarly to Microsoft Word

Here’s how you can reinstall the Grammarly add-in to Microsoft Word in case you already had it but it isn’t functioning properly. Follow the steps below:

Uninstall your current version of the Grammarly add-in. Navigate through the following path: Control Panel > Programs and Features.
Then, right-click on Grammarly for Microsoft Office Suite and select Uninstall.
Launch your browser and head to Grammarly’s official website to download the latest version of the extension, then follow the instructions on that page to install it.
Open any document in Microsoft Word, locate the Grammarly tab in the toolbar, then click Open Grammarly.
Enter your Grammarly login information when requested.
Finally, the Grammarly sidebar will appear on the right. At this point, you should be able to make use of the app’s offerings.

Elevate your writing in Word with the Grammarly add-in

The tool offers a wide variety of features that make it easier to detect errors and consciously edit your writing on Microsoft Word. Moreover, you can also use the Google Docs add-in, the desktop app, the browser extension, or the keyboard app for editing your document on your mobile phone.

Also, be sure to check out our separate post that details how you can use Grammarly on a Windows PC. Hopefully, the above methods helped you get the Grammarly add-in on Microsoft Office. Share your experience with us in the comment section below.

Microsoft reportedly pulls Windows Server update after it caused critical issues

Posted on January 14, 2022 by Radu Tyrsina

Software patches for servers are usually intended to fix critical issues, but the recent round is instead causing them. So much so that Microsoft has decided to pull the January 2022 Patch Tuesday updates for Windows Server (via Bleeping Computer.)

There are three specific updates that Microsoft pulled depending on which version of Windows Server you’re running. KB5009624 is for Windows Server 2012, KB5009557 is for Windows Server 2019, and KB5009555 is for Windows Server 2022. According to various social media reports, on all these versions the updates in question can cause domain controllers to fail, servers to reboot every few minutes, Hyper-V not to start, and ReFS file systems to become inaccessible.

Microsoft appears to be aware of these issues, and in the changelogs for most of these Windows Server updates, indicate that “we are working on a resolution and will provide an update in an upcoming release.” Even with that so, Bleeping Computer notes that not every system administrator can verify that these problematic updates are no longer available for download. As a workaround, admins can pause updates to avoid having it automatically downloaded.

Microsoft confirms the discontinuation of Xbox One consoles

Posted on January 13, 2022January 9, 2024 by Don Sharpe

Microsoft’s decision to cease production on the Xbox One X and the all-digital Xbox One S is likely to be viewed as a surprise move, especially considering that both consoles are still widely available at retail and online.

According to sources familiar with the company, Microsoft is planning to cease production of Xbox One consoles across the board but has yet to make an official statement or announcement.

Microsoft has no plans to launch new Xbox One consoles, and will instead focus on improving its current line-up.

End of an era

Perhaps the decision to discontinue came after Sony decided to go ahead with manufacturing the PlayStation 4 following a shortage of PS5s.

PS4s were to stop production in 2021 but they had no choice but to meet the demand from a lot of gamers who could not get their hands on the PS5.

We can expect PS4 to take a big chunk of the sales left over from Xbox One. Not that Sony will mind, since it’ll be happy to take any extra sales it can get its hands on. Microsoft’s latest console is still outselling Sony’s, but the latter company is still well and truly in the black.

The more interesting question is what happens to the Xbox One X and S now that they’re no longer being made? Will they both be relegated to second-hand stores and auction sites or will there still be a demand for them?

It’s possible that Microsoft could see enough of a market to produce another run of them sometime in the future. Or maybe it’ll just focus on getting people to buy the new, more powerful Xbox One X. We’ll have to wait and see how things pan out – but what a time we live in!

Don’t hesitate to keep reading about Microsoft’s changes in Xbox leadership amid farewell to Activision CEO.

Do you think the Xbox One consoles will be missed once they are phased out? Let us know in the comment section below.

Microsoft Edge gets a Thumbnail View for PDF documents

Posted on January 13, 2022October 4, 2023 by Vlad Turiceanu

Microsoft is actively developing the Edge browser for Windows 11 and has been adding support for new features. A recent change that has come to light is the addition of thumbnails to PDF files.

The latest Canary build of Microsoft Edge now lets you see thumbnails of each page right in the browser window. It makes it easier to navigate through a document, especially if you have a lot of pages and want to quickly jump to a specific one.

In the latest Microsoft Edge build, the browser got new features such as the sidebar search and web capture among others.

Is Microsoft Edge PDF viewer better than Adobe?

Microsoft Edge PDF Viewer is still not as full-featured as Adobe Reader, but it is definitely a step in the right direction for Microsoft. Hopefully, this will only be one of many updates coming in the future.

With Edge’s sleeping tabs that improve your RAM usage, you will definitely experience faster load times when viewing PDF files. You can also try clearing cache and trash files for the OS to run effectively.

New Thumbnail feature

The best feature you will see in the new PDF Viewer is the new thumbnail view, which allows you to scroll through a document using just thumbnails instead of a list.

Microsoft is taking another step towards challenging Google Chrome by adding a thumbnail view for PDF files that will enable users to access and scroll through a file faster.

In addition to all of these new features, Microsoft Edge also offers a full Acrylic and Mica effect. We’ve already seen Acrylic and Mica Effects before, but now they’re bolstered by a new Thumbnail View option which is similar to Google Chrome’s PDF viewer interface.

Gradual rollout

In the official Microsoft roadmap for the Edge browser, the company introduced a free-form editing PDF using web capture.

These features will be available soon and are currently on a rollout basis. Additionally, Microsoft is also working on bringing along Acrylic and Mica effects to Microsoft Edge in Windows 11. The former will impact menus that appear inside Microsoft Edge while the latter will affect title bars.

If your Edge browser is slow, you can simply learn how to fix high CPU usage and get a performance boost.

Do you think the new thumbnail feature will give Chrome a run for its money? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.