How to Check Motherboard Serial Number and Model

Posted on by Ivan Jenic

Knowing your computer’s serial number, or the number of the motherboard’s model could be useful for various purposes.

In Windows 10, it’s very easy to find this information, simply by entering a few commands in the Command Prompt.

How to check the motherboard model physically?

The best way to check for your motherboard model is by using the motherboard information software, but that’s not always an option.

If your PC uses less RAM than installed, it’s possible that there’s a hardware issue, so you need to open your computer case and look for the model number that is printer on the board.

Hardware problems might cause your computer to keep freezing and restarting, so checking the motherboard model physically might be the only option sometimes.

How to find what motherboard serial number & model I have?

1. How to find computer Serial Number in Windows 10

Computer Serial Number
  1. Go to Search, type cmd, and open Command Prompt.
  2. In the Command Prompt, enter the following command and press Enter: wmic bios get serialnumber.

To find your computer’s serial key, apply the above steps. That’s it, the Command Prompt should show you your computer’s serial number now.

In some cases, you may only see a blank space, or a To be filled by OEM alert. Usually, this means that you’re trying to install your OEM software on a different machine than the one you initially purchased.

The same alert may indicate that your computer couldn’t recognize the motherboard model number.

In rare cases, this message may appear on the screen because your computer manufacturer didn’t fill in all the necessary hardware information.

As a result, Windows 10 cannot identify all the hardware information required when you run the serial number command in Command Prompt.

If you’re using a Windows 10 Insider build, you also should keep in mind that it is still a technical preview of the operating system, and a lot of features still have to be added.

So if you were unable to find your Serial Number, you can skip out of the Insider Program or wait until Microsoft rolls out a new version of the OS.

You’ll be able to find your serial number then, for sure.

2. How to find the motherboard Model Number in Windows 10

find Motherboard Model Number
  1. Go to Search, type cmd, and open Command Prompt.
  2. In the Command Prompt, enter the following command and press Enter: wmic baseboard get product,Manufacturer,version,serialnumber.

To find your motherboard model number, manufacturer, version, and serial number you also have to enter one command line in the Command Prompt.

The above command should show you the manufacturer, product version, serial number, and version of your motherboard.

But if the Serial Number and Version Number sections are blank, the problem is the same as with finding the computer’s serial number.

3. Use software to find motherboard details

There is also third-party software that can help you find the motherboard information, one of the best being Speccy.

After downloading it, just run the software and you’ll be able to see all sorts of information regarding your hardware.

Besides the motherboard model, you can also check the temperature of all your components, ensuring that there aren’t any overheating issues.

⇒ Get Speccy

Refer to the above procedure for the actual command and detailed steps. We also have a great guide on how to find your serial number on Windows 11, so don’t miss it.

  • How do I find my motherboard in Device Manager?

To find your motherboard in Device Manager, click Start, and type devmgmt. msc, then expand Display Adapters.

The driver for the video chips on your motherboard can be found in the Integrated video section.

  • Is the motherboard serial number unique?

Yes, motherboard serial numbers are known for their uniqueness.

Lenovo ThinkReality A3 Smart Glasses Review: Enterprise AR is outperforming consumer AR

Posted on by Kareem Anderson

Starting at $1,349.99

Lenovo rolled out its ThinkReality A3 augmented reality headsets in mid 2021 and while it’s still a decidedly tethered experience, it may be one of the best implementations of AR to-date.

Microsoft, Google, Magic Leap and now Facebook, may have some lofty ambitions about the future of wireless augmented reality experiences, Lenovo’s more grounded enterprise approach combines practicality with comfort in way businesses may find themselves more likely to adopt.

Here at OnMSFT we were given a pair of ThinkReality A3 Smart Glasses to test with both PC and mobile use, pairing them with Lenovo’s P15 workstation laptop and the Moto G100 and the experience felt more polished and comfortable than compared to something like Microsoft’s HoloLens 2.

ThinkReality A3 Smart Glasses
Processor Resolution
Resolution 1080p per eye
Brightness 200 nits
Weight 130g / 0.3 lbs
Camera 8MP RGB
Audio 3 noise-suppressing microphones
Connectivity USB-C Gen 1DisplayPort 1.4
Compatible Smartphone moto g100
What’s in the box
Software Features Voice recognitionObject recognition

Image recognition

Head / gaze tracking

Barcode reader

High-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP) for digital rights management (DRM)
Lenovo recommended ThinkPad systems for the Lenovo VDM ThinkPad P17 Gen 1 (20SQ, 20SN)ThinkPad P17 Gen 2 (20YU, 20YV)

ThinkPad P53 (20QN, 20QQ)

ThinkPad P15 Gen 1 (20ST, 20SU)

ThinkPad P1 Gen 2 (20QT, 20QU)

ThinkPad P1 Gen 3 (20TH, 20TJ)

ThinkPad P1 Gen4

ThinkPad X1 Extreme Gen 4 (20Y5, 20Y6)

ThinkPad T15g Gen 1 (20UR, 20US)

ThinkPad T15g Gen 2 (20YS, 20YT)

Notes: The ThinkReality A3 glasses are not supported, or compatible with Lenovo and ThinkPad Docks.
System Requirements Minimum system requirements:Minimum system requirements:*CPU: Intel Core i5 or better
Memory: 8GB, dual channel
GPU:

NVIDIA Quadro T1000 or better

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3000 or better

USB-C Ports: USB 3.1 Type-C Gen 1 with DisplayPort 1.2

Drivers: For ThinkPad systems, update to the latest ThinkPad drivers which includes the latest NVIDIA drivers. For more information, click: Popular Topics: Drivers

Look and Feel

While infinitely sleeker than a HoloLens headset and rounding the corner on Google’s initial Goggles design, the A3’s still look like a pair of bulky sunglasses. Fortunately, the A3’s only look bulky, while the actual sits at around 130 grams. The A3’s benefit from the traditional hefty of AR headsets because they’re not attempting to be anything but wired work tools. Keeping a cord connection is vital for both functionality and performance for the A3s. A side benefit of the wired connection is also placing much of the computing guts into a separate device free up the A3s to simply house two 1080 displays, dual wide-angle cameras, XR1 Qualcomm processor three noise-suppressing mics, stereo speakers and dedicated GPUs.

ThinkReality A3 P15

As with most traditional ThinkPad branded devices, the A3s come in matte black with red accents on various areas of the glasses and their carrying case.

The frames on the A3s are rigid enough to stay in place despite a user moving rapidly or chewing.

The dual screen color shift on the A3s lenses themselves takes some getting used to because up top are shaded lenses while the bottom is bit clearer to help foster the AR aspects of the UI.

For a time, I was hesitant to the idea of a wired headset experience, thinking the cords would get in the way of head movement, but the cord placement on the A3’s is just fine. A connection port sits at the top back of the left earpiece and drapes down behind the shoulder. Now if full body movement is necessary when sitting at something like the Lenovo P15, then users will run into some issues and that may be were connecting to the Moto G100 comes into play.

Performance

The feel of the A3’s is only a portion of their entire story. The more compelling offering from the A3’s is the actual user experience where Lenovo has taken notes from its A6-series lineup and incorporated intuitive features into the A3 platform.

On a laptop or desktop as powerful as the P15, the A3’s fly When using the A3s connected to the P15 I experienced negligible latency, very few frame rate drops or hiccups when navigating the custom Lenovo software. The colors, virtual objects and icons were as vivid as any 720p or 1080p monitor around. Unfortunately, it’s been a headache trying to get a screen record on Windows 11, up from the A3s as enterprise apps have to be approved for use on the A3s and right now, not many viable screen recorders are available.

On the mobile side, the story is a bit different. Perhaps, it’s the modems in the Moto G100 or my home network, drop outs from the OS were evident when using the Moto G100. Lenovo pre-installs its suit of companion apps on the Moto G100 out of the box which include the official A3 Companion app, the A3 Model Viewer and last but not least is the AR Cast app.

The UI on the A3s is similar to the XMB layout of the PlayStation with a row of single icons and a submenu that drops from the horizontal axis or opens up in a half circle is a neat and intuitive presentation, especially if the users decide to go handsfree and uses headtracking instead.


Conclusion

The obvious comparisons to Microsoft’s HoloLens are there and warranted but there is a distinction between what Microsoft seems to be aiming for and what Lenovo accomplished with the A3s. The A3s built upon the work with Windows Mixed Reality and extended functionality to mobile settings. While the HoloLens does offer greater mobility in its cordless approach, the access to mobile specific apps from your phone is something HoloLens hasn’t tackled yet.

The simple ability to connect to a phone (a singular one chosen by Lenovo) does offer a level of familiarity and flexibility not often found in AR or VR experiences.

Would I recommend these to most people? No.

The A3s are a tech enthusiasts dream but realistically, their wired connection to operate a quasi-desktop setup through virtual imagery still is not very practical. The same goes for using the ultra-specific Moto G100 with the A3s to walk around looking at Twitter and YouTube while getting the morning coffee still requires the use of one hand and a phone, not too dissimilar from our current use case scenarios.

I like where the A3s are headed and I think its development has surpassed that of Microsoft’s HoloLens but there still some practical kinks enterprise augmented reality need to hash out before they can eventually hand the tech off to the rest of us.

Latest Windows Insider Dev Channel build breaks Start11, but fix is on the way

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

If you’re a Windows Insider and you’re using Start11, then we have a warning for you. The latest Windows Insider Dev Channel build has broken parts of Start11, but a fix could be coming soon.

According to Brad Sams, who is the VP & General Manager of Stardock, an internal build is already addressing these issues and could hit beta tomorrow. As a workaround, you can left- align the Start button and use the app to replace the icon.

Start11 recently came out with a version 1.1 update, which includes folders and Windows 10 layout imports. The folks at Stardock usually push out updates very quickly, so it won’t be too long before a fix hits your PC.

It appears you cannot uninstall OneDrive on Windows 11

Posted on by Loredana Harsana

If you are looking to start fresh or try another cloud backup option, you may be surprised to discover that OneDrive cannot be uninstalled. 

Trying to remove OneDrive on a Windows 11 computer has actually been impossible for some time now. 

This means that those who are using OneDrive will have an extra application running on their computer even after they have decided they do not wish to use it anymore.

Does OneDrive come pre-installed in Windows 11?

OneDrive is a cloud storage service from Microsoft that comes pre-installed on every Windows operating system. 

This means that the OneDrive folder is created automatically on your hard drive and the Windows operating system will synchronize files you put there with its servers.

OneDrive will not uninstall on Windows 11

Some users prefer other third-party storage services and prefer to uninstall OneDrive. Although you can remove or disable OneDrive on Windows 11, users have recently taken to forums to express their frustration over the inability to get rid of the application.

According to the users, they are ht with a security notification whenever they try to uninstall the app, and later on, the app is reinstalled.

Judging from the comments on a Reddit thread, a lot of users are experiencing the same problem and it is quite annoying:

If you’re using OneDrive for file storage and backup, you most likely have it installed on your Windows 11 computer. 

It is advisable to always have a dedicated app for regular backups but OneDrive is not everyone’s cup of tea. There’s a chance that you might consider removing this application because you don’t use it anymore. 

If you are on the lookout for reliable antivirus and backup options for your data, rest assured that we have some really great suggestions.

Have you tried uninstalling OneDrive lately or come across a similar problem? Let us know what tips and tricks you employed in the comments section below.

CCleaner comes to Microsoft Store after a long fight

Posted on by Vladimir Popescu

CCleaner’s move to the Microsoft Store is part of a larger trend that we’re seeing with big-name software coming to the Store. 

It is interesting to see that CCleaner has now joined the Microsoft Store. The two companies have had a bit of a history where each took shots at one another in the past.

Microsoft and Piriform have since moved on from the past and are now aligning themselves to provide a better future for all. 

What does CCleaner bring to the table?

The app itself is very popular and does what it says on the tin. On top of the usual cleaning up of your hard drive of temporary files, cookies, and other assorted junk, CCleaner also lets you monitor system resources and change how your computer works at a low level.

One of the major reasons for the popularity of CCleaner is its ability to clean Windows Registry for things that can slow down your computer or even cause problems with various applications and software installed on your Windows PC. It’s actually quite a handy all-in-one tool to keep your PC running smoothly.

You can download the latest CCleaner version to protect yourself from malware.

CCleaner joins Microsoft Store

It seems that Microsoft and Piriform have apparently buried the hatchet, as CCleaner will have a new home within the Microsoft Store.

Microsoft’s Windows Defender anti-malware software had a few years back flagged the popular third-party maintenance tool as a potentially unwanted application. 

The Redmond giant seems to have had a change of heart and is no longer classifying it as a PUA.

Also worth noting is that while CCleaner may have joined Microsoft Store, there is another app masquerading as CCleaner but goes by PCCleaner and even uses their logo.

Ensure you download the correct CCleaner app to avoid downloading malware. 

Do you think CCleaner will bring competition to other cleaning software on the Microsoft Store? Let us know in the comments section below.

Microsoft reportedly hires semiconductor engineer away from Apple

Posted on by Kip Kniskern

Microsoft has reportedly hired veteran computer chip engineer Mike Filippo away from Apple, to work on specialized computer processors for Azure, according to a report from Bloomberg. Filippo worked for five years at Apple, and before that at Intel and Arm. He will apparently work on system on a chip, or SoC hardware for Azure, at a time when a number of other companies, including Alphabet (Google), Meta (Facebook), and Amazon are working on specialized custom chips of their own to power their data centers.

Filippo worked on increasing capabilities of Arm chips used in phones and other devices while at Apple. While the move is being confirmed by Microsoft to Bloomberg, it hasn’t been officially announced.

We’ll have to see what a move to more aggressively create custom chips in house means at Microsoft, and whether the Azure projects will move more widely into creating custom chips for Windows on Arm devices and Surface computers.

 

5 Best Fedora Antivirus Software [2026 Reviewed]

Posted on by Sonia Martin

From IoT to servers and workstations, Fedora is the go-to OS with a taste for innovation. Linux-based, Fedora is considered highly reliable and more secure than most of its counterparts.

With security being such a complex and often versatile concept, one is likely to believe that deploying a Linux distribution is sufficient in order to repel malware and prevent virus outbursts.

In fact, many users privilege Linux over rival operating systems, Windows included because it’s advertised as more secure and less prone to infections. But is Fedora really immune to viruses? Is it safer than Windows, Mac, or even other Linux iterations?

Is Linux safer than Windows?

Linux distros rely on a root-based infrastructure that joggles with user-level privileges in order to separate root processes from user-specific operations.

This security policy contains potential infections and prevents dangerous executables from contaminating the entire system.

Regular and fine-centered Linux security patches further contribute to its reputation as an inherently secure OS. Fedora adheres to the default security-enhanced Linux policies and it performs hardening for all its packages.

While Fedora is somewhat more stable than Windows, it is not exempt from ill intentions and the malicious coding that comes with them.

In fact, Linux and consequently, Fedora can be affected by a wide range of threats such as viruses, Trojans, ransomware, spear-phishing attacks, malware, and network exploits.

Do Windows viruses work on Linux? Indeed, there are more than just Linux-specific viruses to dread. Contrary to popular belief, Windows-written viruses can still affect Linux machines since they share common code.

What’s more, you can still contract a virus hidden in compromised files or executables from other operating systems.

Do I need antivirus with Linux Fedora?

With Linux attracting more and more newcomers, the balance is steadily shifting and major distributions such as Fedora become an increasingly attractive target for profit-prowling hackers.

Moreover, Fedora allows for additional software to be installed outside of its official repositories. This can be as much a blessing for Linux rookies looking for familiar layouts and applications as it can be a curse.

Since mayhem is no further than a repository away, your best bet to seal your machine against vicious attacks and privacy violations is to deploy an antivirus for Fedora.

Tip icon Tip
Here’s how we chose the best antivirus for Linux Fedora:

➡ Streamlined installation, easy deployment, and straightforward configuration (GUI-based antivirus vs command line-based interface)
➡ Regular and automatic virus database updates to repel emergent threats
➡ Customizable scans (on-demand scanning as well as continuous real-time protection)
➡ Multi-layered protection and cross-platform compatibility to block out a wide spectrum of threats, both Linux-specific and Windows or Mac-written bugs)
➡ Effective malware detection and removal capabilities
➡ Infection prevention modules and adequate remediation tools
➡ Network exploit prevention system, built-in firewalls, and web filtering
➡ Small system footprint, low CPU consumption rates, and performance optimization tools

Which antivirus is best for Linux Fedora?

Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security

  • Suitable for Linux servers and desktop clients
  • In-depth security with built-in risk management for endpoints
  • Combines heuristics with advanced machine learning
  • Modular architecture with flexible deployment
  • Perfect for hybrid IT environments
  • There is no firewall available for Linux-based machines.
imageFree trial

Bitdefender is a security solutions provider that has managed to maintain an impeccable reputation throughout the years and its enormous popularity can be entirely attributed to its equally impeccable defense.

It makes little difference for this software if your organization relies on an exclusive Linux infrastructure or if you thrive in a hybrid IT environment housing Linux, Mac, and Windows-based machines simultaneously.

You will enjoy the same unrivaled protection for your assets, network, virtual and physical servers, and data either way thanks to a powerful combination of machine learning, malware detection, and instant reaction modules.

Its comprehensive coverage allows you to deploy airtight protection on up 100 hybrid workstations running on the most popular Linux distributions such as Debian, Ubuntu, and of course, Fedora.

Needless to say that this impressive antivirus for Fedora also qualifies as one of the best antiviruses capable of protecting Debian systems.

Bitdefender GravityZone Business Security delivers effective malware detection, instantaneous neutralization as well as risk mitigation and roll-back mechanisms while hardening your endpoints against both internal and external exploits.

In other words, it not only secures your network against outside intruders but also tackles conflictual settings and internal software misconfigurations by keeping a close eye on running processes and native security options.

Its modular architecture translates into highly customizable scanning options and intuitive, user-friendly commands that share Windows functionalities to simplify security to the max.

What we appreciated the most is the fact that it does not focus its protection on Linux-specific viruses only. It also covers Windows-written malicious code in order to completely sanitize your environment.

It’s the unique and perfectly-balanced technology blend that allows it to be as effective against infected files coming from external software repositories as it is against common digital threats such as browser-targeted attacks.

Avast Business Antivirus for Linux

  • Dedicated distribution packages and repositories
  • Automatic updates (script + Cloud-based)
  • Easy-to-digest scan results
  • Samba and NFS-compatible file server protection
  • Comprehensive technical documentation available for various operations
  • It does not include a free trial (money-back guarantee only).
imageCheck price

Avast is not a newcomer to the security industry and its solutions successfully passed the test of time, gathering more and more subscribers across various operating systems.

With the Linux server antivirus addition, Avast has comfortably secured its position among global cybersecurity leaders.

As one would expect, it is fully compatible with all major Linux distributions and it incorporates numerous technologies and algorithms that make it the best antivirus for Fedora that money can buy.

Now, we must clarify that it’s not just a manner of saying. You will have to buy the product in order to see if it’s a good match for your needs as there is no free trial available.

But don’t let this stand in your way! You still get a convenient 30-day money-back guarantee that entitles you to a full refund if, for whatever reason, you are not satisfied with this antivirus for Fedora.

However, we’re pretty sure you won’t be claiming it as the product is worth every single dime.

And here’s why! From installation to daily operations, everything is carefully laid out for you, from comprehensive documentation to built-in tools that will simplify administration, setup, and more.

From the beginning, you will experience a streamlined installation process thanks to its dedicated software packages and repositories that are directly available via the terminal.

Simply add the Avast repository to your Fedora system, extract the RPM packages, and install the Avast public key. It really is as easy as a breeze.

We were delighted to observe that straightforwardness is a constant, from deployment to scan options and results.

Avast will present virus scan results in individual lines in order to increase visibility and make output formats as comprehensible as possible.

Updates are also conceived to be as innovative as possible and rely on scripts or directly on the Cloud to get the latest installations pumped straight into your Fedora machine.

F-Secure

  • Smart firewall included
  • Intrusion detection system
  • Advanced malware-blocking capabilities
  • Offers both CLI and GUI editions
  • Provides protection for Linux desktop and servers
  • Command line-based edition does not support real-time protection.
imageFree trial

Linux may not be spoiled for choice when it comes to antiviruses but the few available ones strive to impress.

Such is the case with F-Secure Linux Security, a top-rated antivirus for Fedora that caters to most major Linux distributions.

From the most complex to the newer, more user-friendly iterations such as Zorin, this versatile security tool support them all.

Speaking about compatibility, you will also find it useful as an antivirus for Zorin OS, not just for Fedora.

Now, Linux’s reputation as an operating system that mostly addresses tech-savvy, seasoned users with an above-average understanding of informatics has created a niche for security solutions.

Thus, they tend to privilege more seasoned users that are comfortable with command line-based manipulation via a terminal.

F-Secure puts an end to this elitist approach by catering to all types of Linux users, from the most experienced to newcomers.

And it does so through a versatile architecture, by providing both a GUI and CLI-based interface.

We must confess that we simply cannot get enough of this inclusive approach that does not imply being detrimental towards a particular type of user.

Nevertheless, there are some differences between the two of them. For instance, real-time protection is impossible to enable if you go for the command line-based version.

If you prefer a more visually-centered approach, then the GUI edition is probably best for you.

Within the interface, there are numerous security tools available no further than a click (or a string of commands) away for you to tweak until you get the boosted protection you always wanted for your Fedora-running machine.

You can rely on a full-scale intrusion detection system and a smart firewall that will keep your network safe. Robust malware protection and simplified controls are implicit.

If you’re anything like us, you will definitely enjoy the comprehensive dashboard that allows for unified management across all terminals protected by F-Secure’s security agent.

Sophos Home

  • Highly customizable scanning options
  • Sandbox feature to safely execute suspicious apps
  • Advanced heuristics and cross-platform malware detection
  • Low impact on CPU and lightweight infrastructure
  • It lacks a Graphical User Interface and runs exclusively on command lines.
imageFree trial

Sophos Home is another strong contender that we simply cannot ignore. All the security solutions included in this selection provide solid protection against Linux-specific threats as well as cross-platform viruses.

But here’s the twist! While most focus on enterprise environments and corporate security, Sophos is the one that does not forsake home users.

In fact, its dedication to individual Linux users goes to such an extent that it is available completely free for one device. Nevertheless, its protection remains impeccable.

By cleverly combining advanced heuristics with extensive defensive algorithms, this best antivirus for Fedora can detect and neutralize all kinds of digital threats from Trojans, to malware, viruses, and more.

One particularly appealing feature is the sandbox module that allows for secure testing of potentially dangerous or harmful programs, websites, links, and scripts.

The isolated environment enables you to execute suspicious apps without risking a widespread infection.

Scanning options are just as versatile and you get to enjoy a plethora of configurations that you can tweak and bend according to your needs.

While the real-time protection makes sure you will only be able to access a repository as long as it is safe, on-demand scans take it one step further.

Thus, you can enroll specific file types for scanning, set up exemption rules, select archives, boot sectors, and even remote computers.

If you’re wondering about resource consumption rates, you will be pleased to know that the best antivirus for Linux Fedora boasts a lightweight infrastructure with smooth updates that claim no more than a few KB, and discreet scans.

Kaspersky Endpoint Security for Business

  • Centralized cybersecurity management (via console)
  • Sandbox and endpoint hardening
  • Advanced remediation engine
  • Impeccable ransomware protection
  • Versatile architecture that can be deployed on numerous assets
  • Suitable for large-scale, enterprise or corporate usage only.
imageFree trial

With our last, but certainly not least recommendation, the focus shifts once again from personal use to corporate security.

And Kaspersky’s Endpoint Security for Business easily outshines its rivals when it comes to securing heterogeneous digital fleets.

In fact, this antivirus for Fedora is built to support large-scale organizations and it thrives in hybrid IT environments with extensive support for mixed infrastructures made of workstations running on Linux, Windows, iOS, and macOS, servers, Cloud infrastructures, endpoints, terminals, network and so on.

Its adaptability is only matched by its ease of use and Kaspersky excels in this area thanks to a centralized console that allows for flexible management and easy deployment.

And wait until you hear about its defensive mechanisms! This best antivirus for Linux Fedora is propelled by a unique combination of heuristics-based exploit prevention, vulnerability assessment, and effective ransomware protection that covers cybersecurity at a large scale.

You can also rely on a remediation engine that blends with multiple layers of protection to seal all your assets against attacks.

Needless to say that all these security-focused enhancements would not be as impressive if it weren’t for the countless performance optimization tools included in this digital protection suite.

How do I install antivirus on Linux?

The leading Red Hat Linux distribution, Fedora relies on an RPM package management system, and an external dependency resolver-based package manager called DNF.

If you choose to deploy an antivirus for Fedora, here’s what you can expect as far as the installation process goes. Like other official Linux distros, Fedora integrates scanning packages that allow you to set up gateways with antivirus properties. Such is the case with ClamAV.

With the help of the DNF package manager, you can install additional AV software that is already available in the software repositories.

But that does not mean you cannot install proprietary antivirus software in the Fedora system. If the antivirus for Fedora of your choice is not preinstalled via the terminal, you can always add extra repositories.

All you need to do is make sure that the third-party repositories use RPM packages. Some antiviruses such as Avast for Linux distribute standard RPM software packages along with dedicated repositories in order to facilitate your task.

Once you added the desired repository to the Fedora system repositories, all that is left for you to do is to extract the packages.

Did you manage to find the best antivirus for Linux Fedora? We encourage you to put those free trials to good use and test each software recommended here in order to pick out the program that best suits your needs.

7+ Best Wi-Fi Analyzers to Use on Windows 10/11

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Troubleshooting a wireless network can be risky, but with the help of some nifty tools, you can do it without any worries.

Thanks to Wi-Fi analyzers for Windows 10, you can detect rogue access points and perform site surveys, among others.

If you have managed a wireless network, then you know that it is as crucial as the other assets of an organization. For that reason at least, it is important to keep an arsenal of tools at your disposal to troubleshoot Wi-Fi networks.

What does a Wi-Fi analyzer do?

Wi-Fi monitors for Windows 10 and Windows 11 help you improve your network experience by checking your configuration and giving you easy-to-understand reports.

This allows you to know right away what the weakpoints are and what you need to do about it.

These tools vary in terms of features, but there are some standard points that each of them follows.

Network analyzers are great troubleshooters that detect the root of any network problem.

This is due to the fact that they use WiFi channels scanners and also allow you to see signal distribution.

Most Wi-Fi analyzers offer heatmaps. These are easy to understand visual displays of signal distribution and strength.  This can help you locate your router and get the best connection possible.

What is the best network analyzer for Windows 10?

PRTG Network Monitor

PRTG Network Monitor is a fully-featured diagnostic tool for small, medium, and large networks.

The tool easily identifies weak spots, bandwidth limitations, demanding programs, unauthorized devices that have connected to your network.

All details are shown in real-time, in a single, all-comprising console, for a convenient overview.

The dashboards are easy to read and personalize. For certain events, PRTG uses a customizable notification system.

Consequently, you can take the appropriate measures on the spot. For instance, PRTG allows using a sensor to monitor connections and applications that use the most bandwidth.

Although this is a professional tool, the user interface is very easy to control and master with a very high learning curve.

PRTG Network Monitor comes with a free version or a paid version with a lot more features.

You can start testing it for free for 30 days and then decide if you want to buy the full version or continue with just the basic features for free.

PRTG Network Monitor

A complete solution to monitor and analyze weak spots in your network and take immediate action.
Free trial Visit website

Site24x7 Wireless Monitoring

Site24x7 by ManageEngine offers a powerful wireless monitoring solution that helps you keep track of your Wi-Fi network’s health and performance.

The tool continuously scans your wireless environment to detect rogue access points, monitor signal strength, and track bandwidth usage in real-time.

With Site24x7, you can identify dead zones, unauthorized devices, and bandwidth hogs quickly, allowing you to take immediate action.

The cloud-based platform provides intuitive dashboards and customizable alerts, making it easy to manage your wireless network from anywhere.

Key features include:

  • Real-time wireless network monitoring
  • Detection of rogue and unauthorized access points
  • Signal strength and coverage analysis
  • Bandwidth usage tracking and reporting
  • Customizable alerts and notifications

Site24x7 supports networks of all sizes and offers flexible pricing plans, including a free trial to get you started.

Site24x7

Site24x7

Site24x7 Wireless Monitoring ensures seamless, secure Wi-Fi performance for your business.
Check Price Visit Website

ManageEngine OPManager

manage engine opmanager user interface

ManageEngine OPManager offers robust wireless network monitoring designed to give you complete visibility into your Wi-Fi environment.

The software monitors wireless access points, client devices, and overall network health in real-time. It helps identify connectivity issues, signal strength fluctuations, and unauthorized access, keeping your wireless network secure and reliable.

OPManager’s intuitive dashboard provides detailed performance metrics and alerts, so you can quickly pinpoint weak spots and take corrective action.

Key features include:

  • Real-time wireless device monitoring
  • Signal strength and bandwidth usage tracking
  • Rogue access point detection
  • Network health reports and customizable alerts
  • Integration with wired network monitoring for a full network overview

Whether you’re managing a small office or a large enterprise, OPManager’s wireless monitoring tools help maintain optimal network performance and security.

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SolarWinds Wi-Fi Network Analyzer

SolarWinds provides a powerful network analyzer that is able to assess business-level connections.

The software is able to detect all wireless devices that are connected to your network. It lets you monitor both wireless and wired devices from one place.  It provides comprehensive reports on performance and infrastructure.

The user interface is easy to navigate and you have access to a lot of useful information that helps you manage your network.

You can easily identify dead zones and make any necessary adjustments to improve coverage. 

It also creates comprehensive heat maps using access points information, clients information, and signal strength assessment. 

These are real-time reports that help you see with high accuracy the coverage level in your network.

Other key features include:

  • Measures mismanaged network capacity
  • Detects security weaknesses
  • Comprehensive network troubleshooter

The software is subscription-based. There are various plans available depending on the features you want to integrate.

⇒ Get SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor

NetStumbler

NetStumbler is a classic utility for detecting 802.11 a/b/g WLANs. The program aids in the configuration verification and identifying poor signals.

The software checks your network configurations and provides suggestions and reports on how you can improve it based on your specific needs.

It can also save you a lot of time and hassle by automatically detecting the locations with ppor coverage in your WLAN. This lets you go directly to the issue and solve it right away.

Another useful troubleshooting feature ofered by NetStumbler is that it is able to detect if there are any other networks that interfere with yours.

NetStumbler is relatively easy to use and has a simple and intuitive UI. This makes it a user favorite. However, a downside would be that in comparison to other tools on this list, it is a little bit outdated, but it still offers reliable network assesments.

NetStumbler lets you:

  • Detect unauthorized “rogue” access points in your workplace.
  • Help aim directional antennas for long-haul WLAN links.
  • Use it recreationally for WarDriving.

NetStumbler is available for free and you can download it from the link below.

⇒ Download NetStumbler

Wireshark

Another free Wi-Fi analyzer tool is Wireshark, which boasts of its huge community of users as well as rapid updates.

While it is best known for its Ethernet analysis, Wireshark also supports 802.11 and helps troubleshoot wireless problems and lock down security configurations.

Wireshark is very easy to use and it is compatible with Windows operating system as well as with macOS and Linux.

One of the main assets of this soft is that it is a good troubleshooter that is able to find the root of network issues.

Wireshark provides numerous online guides on how to use the soft in order to get accurate and useful network reports.

Other key features include:

  • Detects all devices on your network
  • Application response time report
  • Analyzes traffic flow

Wireshark is completely free and can be downloaded from the link below.

⇒ Download Wireshark

Acrylic

best wi-fi analyzer software

Acrylic by Tarlogic Security comes in both free and premium versions. The Wi-Fi signal strenght app supports a monitor and promiscuous mode to help you monitor network traffic.

It also includes a brute-force password-cracking function to test the strength of a password. It displays a list of SSIDs and their corresponding details at the top of the application window.

It also displays Wi-Fi access points and shows details of the security mechanisms and obtains generic Wi-Fi passwords using a plugin system. The tool collects information from 802.11/a/b/g/n/ac networks.

Features

  • Access points: WiFi network information (SSID/BSSID) and connected users.
  • Signal level: Signal quality charts for WiFi channels and detected devices.
  • Inventory: Naming known Wi-Fi devices.
  • Passwords: WiFi passwords and default WPS Keys (password testing).
  • Channels: WiFi channel scanner and WiFi networks through channels in 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz.
  • Security: Network authentication and security details for WEP, WPA, WPA2, and Enterprise (802.1X) WiFi networks.
  • Hardware: No special hardware is required for its operation.

Acrylic Wi-Fi Home is suited for personal use and you can download it for free from the link below.

⇒ Download Acrylic Wi-Fi Home

Wi-Fi Analyzer

Wi-Fi Analyzer includes three tabs, namely Connected, Analyze, and Networks. The Connected provides information about the current Wi-Fi connection.

It displays a graphic of the connection quality based on link speed and signal level in negative dBm at the top of the window.

Also, there are icons that show bad link speeds, weak channels, poor connection, absence of internet connection, and unsecured connections.

The Analyze page lets you make changes to boost connection strength. It provides access to graphics and the channel ratings, lets you switch between channels, and allows you to toggle between the frequency bands.

It also provides full access to customize the colors of the graphics and the SSID/MAC.

Plus, there is an option to filter the SSIDs shown in the graphics according to signal bars, frequency band, overlapping, WiFi method, and network type.

The Network tab offers a list of all available SSIDs. It lets you filter the available connections according to their name and signal.

Wi-Fi Analyzer is available from the Microsoft Store for free.

⇒ Download Wi-Fi Analyzer

NetSpot

NetSpot WiFi is among the popular Wi-Fi scanners for network management and troubleshooting.

Originally available on Mac, the tool has recently come to the Windows platform, with support for WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac.

The tool lets you track all SSIDs linked to your network and manage them with ease.

It displays all operating channels that connect with SSIDs, as well as all the SSIDs interacting with each other. It also works to monitor the signal strength.

NetSpot also locates and eliminates rogue access points, detects unauthorized workstations, avoids cross-channel interference, and gets rid of false-positive intrusion alerts.

You can also check the security settings (Open, WEP, WPA/WPA2 Personal/Enterprise), non-broadcasting SSIDs, and WiFi signal strength with the tool.

Features

  • Enterprise-level customizable report builder
  • Optionally export only the surveyed part of the map
  • Import and export BSSID aliases
  • Cross-project survey data sharing
  • All survey data can be exported to various formats
  • Customizable detection proximity for Access Points
  • Customizable Access Point indicators with a certain level of detail
  • Multi-dimensional and custom SSID/BSSID grouping
  • Guess range customization based on the area type
  • Easily see which area is actually covered by your survey, and where you need to take additional measurements
  • Basic graphic editor for quick area maps
  • Report 2.4 and 5GHz separately, AP by AP coverage
  • non-broadcasting SSIDs supported
  • Project auto-saving
  • Shareable Preferences for easier management of multiple copies of NetSpot

The tool is available in multiple premium versions, but it also has a free edition. Check out all the versions and choose the one that suits you best in the link below.

⇒ Get NetSpot

Why use a Wi-Fi analyzer?

There are many benefits in using a specialized Wi-Fi monitoring tool. Even though some network issues are easy to trace and intuitive, a dedicated tool will save you plenty of time and give you very accurate reports, either in terms of Wi-Fi signal strength or network vulnerabilitiy.

They collect data from multiple acces points and channels within your network, leaving nothing unchecked. 

Automated tools that help troubleshoot bad WiFi connections are also user oriented and generally present the data they identify in a very easy to follow manner.

Many of them give straightforward suggestions on what you can do to improve your connection. Having a good bandwidth monitor is especially helpful if you connect multiple devices to your network.

This wraps up our list with the best Wi-Fi analyzers that you can use on Windows 10.

If you have any other suggestions or questions, don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to check them out.

Windows 11 has a new KB5009566 patch to fix vulnerability issues

Posted on by Claudiu Andone

Microsoft has issued the new KB5009566 patch for Windows 11 including mostly security updates but also improvements and fixes.

It’s important to know that this is a mandatory update that addresses the CVE-2022-21889 Windows IKE Extension Denial of Service vulnerability.

According to the Microsoft report, the KB5009566 features the following highlights:

  • Addresses a known issue with the Japanese Input Method Editors (IME)
  • Updates security for your Windows operating system

We remind you that security updates are extremely important to protect your system integrity and data.

What are the improvements and fixes of KB5009566 for Windows 11?

The KB5009566 SSU mainly addresses security issues but it also fixes a problem with the Japanese Input Method Editors (IME).

It seems that when you use a Japanese IME to enter text, the cursor moves in an unexpected manner and the text might appear out of order.

However, this may appear in apps that use the multibyte character set (MBCS). That includes Microsoft Japanese IME and third-party Japanese IMEs.

What are the known issues for KB5009566?

Unfortunately, this patch can also bring some bugs along. For instance, you may notice color rendering issues in image editing programs or on high dynamic range (HDR) displays.

Apparently, the problem affects the white colors that could be displayed as bright yellow or other colors.

According to Microsoft, the issue occurs when some color-rendering Win32 APIs return unexpected information or errors under certain conditions.

However, this won’t affect all the color profile management programs from Windows 11. The Microsoft Color Control Panel should work correctly.

The software giant doesn’t have a solution right now but it promises to provide a fix by the end of the month.

If you can’t find the new patch in the Windows Update section from Settings, you may download it manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

For additional information, you should consult our article on how does Patch Tuesday work and secure your system and data.

Should you have installed the update already and encountered any other issues, tell us all about them in the comments section and we will try to help.

Windows 7 & 8.1 get brand new KB5009610 and KB5009624 fixes

Posted on by Claudiu Andone

The latest Microsoft Patch Tuesday brings new security updates for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 to address several problems within the system

It’s really necessary to realize the importance of security updates because they usually fix serious issues that can affect the OS integrity.

Moreover, it’s crucial to get these patches if you still have Windows 7 which is out of support, and Windows 8.1 which is in its extended support period.

The new KB5009610 and KB5009624 fix a Windows Server issue

Microsoft had issued the KB5009610 patch for Windows 7 and KB5009624 for Windows 8.1 that include improvements and fixes.

According to the Microsoft release, the patch addresses a Windows Server issue in which Active Directory attributes are not written correctly during a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) modify operation with multiple specific attribute changes.

What are the known issues of KB5009610 and KB5009624?

Unfortunately, the new KB also comes with a possible issue. After restarting your device, you may receive the error Failure to configure Windows updates. Reverting Changes. Do not turn off your computer.

Also, the update might show as Failed in Update History that will probably cause a bit of frustration.

However, this will happen only if you are installing this update on a device that is running an edition that is not supported for ESU, or if you don’t have an ESU MAK add-on key installed and activated.

If you encounter the issue, verify you have applied all prerequisites and that your key is activated.

Another problem you may encounter is that certain operations, such as renaming files or folders that are on a Cluster Shared Volume (CSV) may fail with the error, STATUS_BAD_IMPERSONATION_LEVEL (0xC00000A5).

According to Microsoft, this happens when you perform the operation on a CSV owner node from a process without administrator privilege.

To fix this, perform the operation from a process using admin privilege, or from a node that doesn’t have CSV ownership.

The Redmond giant recommends installing the latest servicing stack update (SSU) before getting the latest KB patches.

Don’t worry because the latest SSU (KB5001403) will be in the Windows Updates section waiting to be installed.

However, if you can’t find it, you can also download it manually from the Microsoft Update Catalog.

If you need more information, you should consult our article on how does Patch Tuesday work and make your system secure.

Did you install the patch allready? If you’ve encountered any other problems, tell us all about them in the comments section and we will try to help.

Windows 11 Insider build 22533 brings redesigned flyout menus for volume and brigthness

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft has just released the Windows 11 Insider build 22533 for Dev channel testers, and there are some interesting design changes to look at today. Indeed, this build introduces redesigned flyout menus for volume and brightness, which now use the same design language as the rest of Windows 11.

Yes, the volume indicator from the Windows 8 era is finally going away, but Microsoft has also updated the flyout design for camera privacy, camera on/off and airplane mode in this build. The new flyouts will also respect your light/dark theme choice, and you can see the white version of the redesigned volume indicator below.

The redesigned hardware indicator for volume.

The other notable changes in this build include the ability to uninstall the clock app, and Microsoft has also started rolling out an update for the Your Phone app that brings a new in-progress call window with updated icons, fonts, and other UI changes.

You can find the full list of changes, bug fixes, and known issues in the Windows 11 build 22533 below:

Changes and Improvements

  • We have updated the flyout design for the hardware indicators for brightness, volume, camera privacy, camera on/off and airplane mode, to align with Windows 11 design principles. These new flyouts will appear when you press the volume or brightness keys on your laptop and will honor light/dark mode to give you a more coherent Windows experience. Brightness and volume indicators continue to be interactive with the update.
  • You can now search for voice access from the taskbar and pin voice access to your taskbar or Start like other apps as well as turn it on/ off.
  • We’re expanding the rollout of extending the 13 touch keyboard themes to IMEs, the emoji panel, and voice typing (first introduced with Build 22504) to all Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel.
  • When you press WIN + X or right click the Start icon it will now say “Installed apps” in the menu instead of “Apps & Features”.
  • It is now possible to uninstall the Clock app if you want.

Fixes

[General]

  • Fixed an issue where Insiders may have seen error 0x8007012a during a driver or firmware update.
  • Addressed an issue causing Insiders to be unable to sign-in to certain apps sometimes, such as Feedback Hub.
  • Fixed the text in the exploit protection description in the Windows Security app so it just refers to Windows and not Windows 10.
  • Fixed an issue resulting in not being able to import photos from certain cameras and mobile phones into the Photos app (it would just loop forever saying 0 items found so far).
  • Launching Windows Sandbox, closing it, and then launch it again, should no longer lead to having two Windows Sandbox icons in the Taskbar (one of which is non-functional).

[Taskbar]

  • The Wi-Fi icon should appear more reliably in the Taskbar now.
  • If you have multiple monitors connected to your PC and right-click on the date and time on the taskbar on your primary monitor, explorer.exe will no longer crash.
  • Holding CTRL and hovering your mouse over the Task View icon in the taskbar should no longer make explorer.exe crash.

[Settings]

  • Mitigated an underlying issue related to the use of mica in Settings which was impacting overall reliability of the Settings app in recent flights.
  • Fixed an issue impacting some Insiders which was resulting in Settings crashing when trying to access the Installed Apps, Startup Apps, and Default Apps pages.
  • Mitigated an issue that was making the Wheel page in Settings crash when adding an action for an app.
  • You should no longer hear a crackle if playing audio and repeatedly clicking the volume slider in Quick Settings to change the volume.

[Windowing]

  • If you hover your mouse over a truncated window title in ALT + Tab or Task View a tooltip showing the full window name will now appear.

[Input]

  • Improved how the text color and buttons look with theming applied on candidate window, emoji panel and clipboard (before this, some buttons/text was hard to see with certain custom background colors).
  • The voice typing launcher should no longer unexpectedly reappear after clicking the microphone icon to invoke voice typing.
  • For Insiders with the updated input switcher experience, accessibility tools like Magnifier and Narrator should work better with it now.

NOTE: Some fixes noted here in Insider Preview builds from the active development branch may make their way into the servicing updates for the released version of Windows 11 that became generally available on October 5th, 2021.

Known issues

[Start]

  • In some cases, you might be unable to enter text when using Search from Start or the taskbar. If you experience the issue, press WIN + R on the keyboard to launch the Run dialog box, then close it.

[Taskbar]

  • The taskbar will sometimes flicker when switching input methods.

[Search]

  • After clicking the Search icon on the Taskbar, the Search panel may not open. If this occurs, restart the “Windows Explorer” process, and open the search panel again.

[Settings]

  • When viewing the list of available Wi-Fi networks, the signal strength indicators do not reflect the correct signal strength.
  • Settings may crash when going to System > Display > HDR. If you need to enable or disable HDR on an HDR-capable PC, you can do so using the WIN + ALT + B keyboard shortcut.
  • There is a blank entry under Bluetooth & Devices.

[Widgets]

  • Changing the taskbar alignment can cause the Widgets button to disappear from taskbar.
  • When having multiple monitors, Widgets content on taskbar may get out of sync between monitors.
  • With the taskbar left-aligned, information such as temperature is not shown. This will be fixed in a future update.

If you want to clean install today’s Windows 11 build 22533, Microsoft released ISOs today which can be downloaded on this page. If you install this build via Windows Update, though, you may no longer see the new entry point for Widgets with weather on the taskbar that was introduced in the Build 22518. That’s because the Windows Insider team has resetted the rollout of this feature with today’s build 22533, but it should become available for the majority of Insiders in the Dev Channel really soon.

Microsoft has reportedly sold over 12 million Xbox Series X|S consoles since launch

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Despite the ongoing chip shortages, Microsoft’s Xbox Series X and Series S consoles are the fastest-selling consoles in the history of Xbox. The Redmond giant still isn’t sharing official sales figures, but Niko Partners analyst Daniel Ahmad recently estimated Xbox Series X|S consoles sales at 12 million, a number based on Xbox One and Xbox 360 sales at the same point in their lifetime.

In a recent interview with Kara Swisher for The New York Times, Xbox head Phil Spencer said that demand for current-gen consoles remains extremely high. “When you think about trying to go get an Xbox or a new PlayStation right now in the market, they’re really hard to find. And it’s not because supply is smaller than it’s ever been. Supply is actually as big as it’s ever been. It’s that demand is exceeding the supply for all of us,” Spencer said.

For this console generation, Microsoft opted for a two-pronged approach with a premium Series X console priced at $499, completed by a less powerful and digital-only Series S console priced at $299. This strategy seems to be working as Microsoft announced back in November that the Series S had outsold the Series X in several key markets. Xbox head Phil Spencer also previously forecasted that the Series S could sell more units than the Series X during this console generation.

Even though Microsoft’s Xbox Series X|S consoles are selling really well, Sony’s PlayStation 5 still sold more units so far. The last official figure was 13.4 million PS5 consoles sold back in October, and the PS5 likely kept its lead during the holiday season. Still, Sony can’t really keep up with the demand, and Bloomberg reported earlier today that the Japanese company should manufacture a million more PS4 consoles this year to compensate for the PS5 supply issues.

Barcode Generator Software for Windows 10 [2026 Updated List]

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

Nowadays, it is essential to have a tool that allows you to create and read barcodes and QR codes. In the past, barcodes were used to track car components or manage the warehouse stocks of different industries.

Today, they are used almost everywhere and certainly on every product you get your hands on.

This article describes what are the best apps or software to scan, create, and decode barcodes from your electronic devices. You can find those tools online or download them via the Microsoft Store.

How can a barcode software help you?

As you probably already know, the barcodes are mostly used by manufacturers to keep track of their products and help the stores in the same way.

However, the name of the products and price is not the only data element you can store on a barcode.

While the basic old barcodes on your average candybar have only a 20-character capacity (although you don’t need more than that), a modern, 2D barcode (including WR codes) can store up to 8,089 characters.

That means that you may fill it with lots of data, including shipping details, a vCard, links, and everything you might think of, actually.

So it’s not actually only a must for product identification but also an item that can be used in a lot of other ways.

In this article, we selected the best barcode software, and we’ll explain to you how to use them either online or by downloading them on your Windows 10 PC.

What is the best barcode software for Windows 10?

Adobe InDesign

Fueled by high-end imagery from Adobe Stock, InDesign is the industry-leading layout and page design software for print and digital media.

Its professional typesetting tools, stylish typography, and rich graphics and tables allow you to create beautiful designs for pretty much anything from eBooks and posters to barcodes.

You can copy-paste the code graphic as a vector graphic object into a standard graphics editor like Adobe Illustrator to further refine it.

But the barcode creation is only a small fraction of what InDesign can do. This tool can be used to create the whole product design and packaging, labeling, and even more.

However, it’s a professional-grade graphics tool that is not so easy to master so if you only want to generate some barcodes, your budget may be placed on a dedicated, more simple app.

Let’s quickly go through its key features:

  • Faster launch times and performance improvements
  • Adobe Experience Manager integration
  • Import SVG files to create interactive graphics and animations
  • Variable fonts (customizable typefaces that compact multiple fonts into a single file)
  • Step-by-step, interactive tutorials

Label LIVE

Label LIVE provides you with the tools to create barcodes for your products and services, from basic samples to intricate layouts and graphics.

Print standard barcodes to keep your work consistent and stay one step ahead of the competition with a customized label template at your fingertips.

You can batch print barcodes using data from Excel, CSV, or Apple Numbers spreadsheet files, and customize them with powerful variables from a single, centralized source.

Label LIVE’s barcode generator is incredibly simple to use and supports an extensive list of barcode symbols and advanced options. 

Label LIVE is perfect for businesses that use GS1, GTIN, UPC, EAN, or QR Codes:

  1. Open the Design tab.
  2. Click Barcode and select the type.
  3. Set your value and watch the barcode update instantly.

Then, the label design magically updates each time you save your spreadsheet.

Overwhelmed by barcodes and not sure which barcode to use? Simply compile a spreadsheet with your data and send it over to the Label LIVE team. They will help you design a customized barcode label that will be ready to print.

Let’s review the best features of Label LIVE:

  • Customize and print barcodes from Excel, CSV, or Apple Numbers spreadsheet files
  • Supports batch data and can save barcodes as PNG images or PDFs
  • Easy to use, thanks to the friendly interface
  • Perfect for all types of businesses
  • Real-time design updates with minimal clicks
  • Works seamlessly with Windows and Mac

SmartVizor

Using this leading barcoding software called SmartVizor, you can easily create high-resolution and printable barcode labels within a couple of mouse clicks.

The special barcode label software can generate a variety of colorful barcode labels in any desired size with specified text and caption.

With the help of this barcoding solution, you may further enjoy functions such as print-time search and replacing or saving the generated images in standard file formats on your computer.

The tool is more than one of the most feature-rich software applications for generating barcodes available in the market.

It supports ASCII files and ODBC databases and is also built on Microsoft’s SQL which is one of the fastest databases in today’s market.

Let’s see some of the most attractive features of SmartVizor:

  • Practical wizards
  • Templates
  • Multi-document interface
  • Thumbnail and label preview modes

⇒ Get SmartVizor Variable Barcode Label Printing

Barcode Maker

Barcode Maker is one of the most popular software for generating barcodes. This is a tool able to respond to every need with a lot of features, not easily reachable in the other barcode generators.

The Barcode maker, in its latest version, supports virtually all barcode types. Among them, there is the most used retail barcode in the US, the UPC-A, and the other worldwide spread code EAN-13.

Other barcodes included are ISBN for books, ITF-14, Code 2 of 5 Interleaved, QR Code, Code 39, UPC-A (GTIN-12, UCC-12), UPC-E. The list is not complete, but it can give you an idea of the software’s capacities.

It is worth mentioning that Barcode Maker has more than 390 predefined label sheets included for printing.

Moreover, the file formats supported include PDF, JPEG, Bitmap, TIFF, and Portable Network Graphics. Visualizing the file in MS Excel is possible, but users need to add the barcodes to the Barcode list to do that.

Take a look at its most important features:

  • Over 390 predefined label sheets
  • PDF, JPEG, Bitmap, TIFF, and PNG supported
  • Can produce ISBN, ITF-14, QR, UPC-A, UPC-E codes, and more
  • Integrated toolbar for creating barcodes in Office
  • 13 different linear (1D) barcode symbologies

⇒ Get Barcode Maker Pro

Aeromium Barcode Maker

One of the most popular Windows barcode applications is Aeromium Barcode Maker. The first version of the software was released on February 08, 2011. The app creates professional quality barcode images ever since.

It can generate over 24 types of linear barcodes (without counting the variations) e.g. Code39, EAN13, UPCA, and UCCEAN128.

Thanks to its high resolution, the barcode images are suitable for different industry requirements.

Aeromium Barcode Maker provides several image formats, including Bitmap, Metafile, and Portable Network Graphics.

This software is very easy to use. The single dialog user interface ensures the creation of barcodes dedicated to the most diverse industry needs.

Users are very satisfied with this software. It can successfully meet their needs for creating in-house barcodes to barcodes for the supply chains.

You will benefit from these core features:

  • 24 types of linear barcodes, excluding variations
  • Extensive experience in barcode creation
  • Simple interface, very easy to use
  • Used by many businesses in all industries
  • High resolution image exporting

⇒ Get Aeromium Barcode Maker

Online Barcode Generator

If you need to generate a barcode for semi-professional and/or testing purposes, visit the Online Barcode Generator’s website.

This is an online service very easy to use that allows you to create barcodes using various encoding and apply numerous customization options to them, at no cost.

To create a barcode with Online Barcode Generator, first, you select the standard you need (such as EAN-13 for instance) from the drop-down menu.

Then, you have to fill in the contents and check the elements needed from the Options and Additional parameters menus.

In the end, click the Make Barcode button to generate it. Once you visualize the barcode (at the bottom of the page), you will be able to save it on your drive in various possible formats.

EPS and PNG are available as vectorial formats, along with the old JPG file type. As you see, everything is very easy and fast.

Let’s go through some of its best features below:

  • Large selection of available standards
  • Quick barcode creation
  • Simple interface, easy to use
  • Scale and rotation options
  • Download the barcode in EPS, PNG, and JPG file formats

⇒ Get Online Barcode Generator

Online Barcode Generator by Tec-it

An alternative resource that allows you to generate a barcode directly from the web browser is the barcode generator promoted by Tec-it.

It’s free, intuitive, and offers some options for customizing barcodes. Using it is a real breeze.

Like you would have guessed, first, you need to select the type of barcode you need, then enter the data and you will immediately see the preview of the barcode on the right.

By clicking on the gear icon you can also apply any customizations to the barcode (for example you may select the format in which to save the image, resolution, etc.).

You may select Colours and Advanced Options to make further changes by clicking the Settings menu, at the top right.

After all that, you are free to download the barcode to your computer or share it on the network by clicking on the icon with the two pages located in the upper left corner of the preview.

You will get a link that you will be able to copy and paste it on a website, an email, or wherever it’s necessary.

⇒ Get Online Barcode Generator by Tec-it

Barcode Generator by BarCodesInc

If you are a beginner or amateur in creating barcodes, and you only want to create one with your name to have fun on social media, you can choose BarCodesInc.

Do you wonder how to use it? Nothing could be simpler. Start by entering the text you want to be contained in the barcode.

Then, click on the Generate Barcode button to get your barcode. You may share it immediately online with anyone through the links and codes that appear by clicking on the item Link or Embed this barcode.

If you want to download on your PC the barcode obtained as an image, click on the preview of the barcode.

Right-click on the image of the balcony in the new web page that opens, and select the option to save the image on your PC. It will be saved as an image in PNG format.

You can also customize the barcode to be generated in more detail by clicking on the Advanced Options item, and adjusting settings such as the standard, size, font, or image format as you want.

Let’s take a look at this app’s best features:

  • Include inline PNG or JPEG images directly into your documents
  • Interleaved 2 of 5, Code 39, Code 128 A, B, or C symbologies
  • Extremely easy to use
  • Print your own barcodes
  • Quick, online download in PNG format

⇒ Get BarCodesInc’s Barcode Generator

Free Online Barcode Generator

Free Online Barcode Generator is a free tool, and the interface is very well taken care of. It is quite simple to use and allows you to download the barcode obtained in various formats.

Creating the barcode is super easy. Start by accessing the first drop-down menu to select the standard.

Then, go through the next menu to select the type of content to be added in the barcode and fill it in right below.

Depending on the type of content, you will also be able to click on a More options item to view further customization options for the barcode.

Finally, press the Create button, and wait a few moments for the code to be generated.

Click on the icon of one of the formats available under the option Your barcode is ready! Download now, placed at the bottom of the page.

You can download the barcode in different formats such as EPS, PNG, PDF, or SVG. Once this is done, the download will start immediately.

Keep in mind that if you need to make other changes to the barcode before downloading, all you have to do is press the Cut down button.

Take a look at some of this app’s most important features:

  • Simple, modern interface
  • Step-by-step guidance
  • Support for EPS, PNG, PDF and SVG formats
  • Free and easy to use
  • Plenty of standards covered

⇒ Get Free Online Barcode Generator

If you want to create a barcode professionally or just have a little fun with friends, these barcode generators are the best in business.

We encourage you to check them out, weigh each one’s features, and even additional options, and choose the one that seems to be a perfect fit for your needs.

While you’re interested in generating codes, you should also check our best software to create QR codes on your PC and keep up with the trends.

If you don’t want to use specialized software, check out our latest guide to see how to use a barcode generator in Excel.

Once you’ve created your barcodes, you’ll need a reliable way to read them. Learn more about the top barcode scanners for Windows 10 that can easily decode various formats and integrate seamlessly with your business or inventory management software.

Have you decided on a product from our list? Do share your choice with us in the comments section below.

Stardock releases Start 11 1.1 including folders and Windows 10 layout import

Posted on by Kip Kniskern

The folks at Stardock are keeping our pal Brad Sams busy, today releasing an update to Start 11, the excellent 3rd party customizer for the Start Menu and Taskbar in both Windows 10 and 11. The $5.99 app lets you choose from several Start menu layouts, position the taskbar, restore the taskbar context menu, adds enhanced search capabilities, and a lot more.

The new update, version 1.1, enables even more features:

  • Folder support for Windows 10 and 11 styles. Create a folder directly in the Start menu by dragging one icon over another while holding down the shift key.
  • Open an icon submenu with a simple right click and easily change the app icon that appears in the menu on Windows 10 and 11 styles.
  • Streamlined onboarding with the ability to import an existing Windows 10 menu layout into Start11
  • Easily add fences directly to your Start menu with enhanced support for Fences integration.
  • Lock icon positions in Windows 10 and 11 style menus

If you’re looking to make Windows 10 look more like Windows 11, or make Windows 11 act more like Windows 10, check out Start 11!

Is Your Dell XPS 17 Laptop Freezing? Apply These Fixes

Posted on by Kazim Ali Alvi

After years of use, computers are known to slow down due to a plethora of problems and that’s understood to most. But users who purchased the Dell XPS 17 were left in a lurch after their system showed random freezing within months of purchase.

When something like this happens, it’s usually the software at fault though there is a tiny possibility of the hardware causing this problem. Since the system is relatively new, it’s harder to locate the fault which makes troubleshooting a tad more difficult.

Therefore, we have decided to dedicate this guide to list out the most relevant methods to eliminate the freezing problem in Dell XPS 17, and get your system back up and running in no time.

What causes the freezing problem in Dell XPS 17?

Laptops can show signs of freezing from time to time due to a bunch of reasons. While some of these have to do with the hardware, most often than not, it’s the software at fault. We have listed the most prominent causes for freezing problems in Dell XPS 17 below:

  • Overheating
  • Incompatible drivers
  • Misconfigured power settings
  • Applications or processes consuming high resources
  • Malfunctioning system components

If you are able to identify the underlying cause from the ones listed above, simply execute the relevant fix below. Or, just follow them in the listed sequence for quick troubleshooting, in case you are clueless as to what’s causing the problem.

How can I fix the freezing issue in Dell XPS 17?

1. Update the graphics driver

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu. Enter Device Manager in the text field at the top, and click on the relevant search result that appears.Launch Device Manager dell xps 17 freezing
  2. Double-click on the Display adapters entry to view the devices under it.Display adapters
  3. Now, right-click on the graphics adapter and select Update driver from the context menu.Update driver to fix dell xps 17 freezing
  4. Select Search automatically for drivers from the two options in the Update Drivers window.Search automatically for drivers
  5. Windows will now scan for the best available driver on the system and install it for the graphics adapter.

Drivers are critical to the effective functioning of the system since they relay commands between the hardware and the OS.

If the installed drivers are either outdated or incompatible, you are likely to encounter issues. While simply updating should fix the former, manually installing the driver would be an ideal approach in the case of the latter.

The Device Manager method listed above only looks for newer versions of the driver on the system. If it isn’t able to find one, that doesn’t necessarily mean that an update doesn’t exist since there are other sources as well.

In this case, we recommend that you look for an updated driver version in Windows Update or manually download it from the manufacturer’s official website.

Many find the whole process of updating drivers troublesome and look for simpler alternatives. We recommend using Outbyte Driver Updater, a dedicated third-party tool that will scan all the available sources for updates and always keep the installed drivers up-to-date.

2. Disable sleep mode

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu. Enter Edit Power Plan in the text field at the top, and click on the relevant search result that appears.Launch Control Panel to fix dell xps 17 freezing
  2. Click on the Put you computer to sleep dropdown menu under both On battery and Plugged in, and select Never from the list of options.Disable sleep mode to fix dell xps 17 freezing
  3. Click on Save changes, and preferably restart the computer for these to fully come into effect.Save changes

3. Switch to Best Performance power plan

  1. Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app and click on Power & battery on the right in the System tab.Power & battery
  2. Click on the menu next to Power mode to view the available options. Power mode
  3. Select Best performance from the list.Best performance to fix dell xps 17 freezing

Windows 11 offers multiple power options to users to achieve the desired performance and power use. If your computer is running slow or freezing occasionally, switching to Best Performance power mode may help.

4. Check for problematic programs

  1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to launch the Task Manager.launch task Manager to fix dell xps 17 freezing
  2. Locate programs that are consuming high resources and identify if they are critical. The RAM consumption for each program will be listed under the Memory column.Check Memory consumption
  3. If these aren’t critical, right-click and select End Task from the context menu.End task to fix dell xps 17 freezing

When you have too many programs running in the background, it’s bound to affect the performance of the computer. With a plethora of programs running, the memory is likely to be occupied all the time. In which case, you can terminate the non-critical ones.

Also, check for the ones that you don’t use anymore and uninstall these apps to clear some storage space and boost the system performance. Once done, verify if Dell XPS 17 still shows signs of freezing. If that’s the case, head to the next fix.

5. Run Windows Memory Diagnostic tool

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter Windows Memory Diagnostic in the text field at the top, and click on the relevant search result that appears.Run Windows Memory Diagnostic to fix dell xps 17 freezing
  2. Click on Restart now and check for problems (recommended) to identify and eliminate problems, if any exist, with the RAM (memory).Restart now and check for problems

The built-in Windows Memory Diagnostic tool comes in handy when facing trivial issues with the memory. It’s automatic, so there’s isn’t much effort from your end, other than simply running it. But before you do, make sure that all open files are saved to avoid data loss, since the system would restart.

6. Check for overheating

Overheating is often found to be causing performance issues in Windows 11, as well as the previous iterations. But, the best part about it is that, unlike software problems, overheating can easily be identified.

The problems could arise due to several reasons, but dust build-up inside the CPU is generally the culprit. So, check for it along with other methods to fix overheating problems in Windows 11.

If you notice that your CPU fan is not working, learn how to eliminate the problem. The CPU fan plays a critical role in keeping the system temperature in check by blowing the hot air outside.

Once done with these, check if the freezing problem in your Dell XPS 17 is fixed.

7. Perform a system restore

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter Create a restore point in the text field at the top, and click on the relevant search result that appears.Create a restore point
  2. Click on the System Restore button in the System Protection tab.System restore to fix dell xps 17 freezing
  3. Click on Next.Next
  4. Select a restore point from the ones listed here and click on Next at the bottom.Select restore point
  5. Finally, verify the details and then click on Finish at the bottom to start the restore process.Start restore to fix dell xps 17 freezing

If the methods listed above don’t work or you are unable to identify the underlying cause, performing a system restore should help. When you do that, your computer’s state is basically taken back in time to a point where the error didn’t exist.

The process will not affect the stored files, though you may notice changes in configured settings or certain apps may be removed. Once the process is complete, check if Dell XPS 17 stops freezing frequently.

How can I speed up my Windows 11 PC?

If you go through Windows 11 forums, you will find several users complaining of poor performance on their Windows 11 PC.

As mentioned earlier, both hardware and software problems can lead to it. While you would be required to take your computer to the service center in case of hardware issues, the software ones can be easily dealt with.

Check the best settings to enhance the performance of your Windows 11 PC, or find out the ways you can make your computer more responsive. If you struggling with overheating, learn how to control the computer fan in Windows 11.

CPU Fan

These were all the ways you can fix freezing problems in Windows 11 along with enhancing the performance of your PC. In case these don’t work, you can contact Dell support or take your system to a repair center.

Or, if you are planning to purchase a new system, check our curated list of the best Windows 11 compatible laptops.

Tell us which fix worked and how long before you started encountering issues on Dell XPS 17, in the comments section below.

(Hands-on Video) Living life with Windows 11 SE on the Surface Laptop SE

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

For the past couple of days, I’ve been using Windows 11 SE as my main operating system, running on a Surface Laptop SE. Windows 11 SE is a special education-first and education-only version of Windows, that is a lot like regular Windows 11, but with some tweaks for schools. Again, it only comes pre-installed on a select new wave of education devices and isn’t a Windows edition that you can download or buy on your own. That makes it quite unique, and, even with its limits (since I configured without Microsoft Intune), it’s quite interesting to use as a Microsoft fan.

The apps

When configured out of the box with a personal Microsoft Account, Windows 11 SE comes pre-packaged with select apps. The list includes all the core full versions of the Microsoft 365 desktop apps (including Teams, though you’ll still need a Microsoft 365 subscription to activate them all) as well as some core system apps. These include Alarms, Calculator, Camera, Groove Music, Maps, News, To Do, Whiteboard, Movies & TV, Notepad, Paint, Photos Snipping Tool, Surface, Sticky Notes, Voice Recorder, and Weather.

Education apps like Minecraft: Education Edition, and Flipgrid are also pre-installed. Yet there’s no Your Phone, Xbox App, or Xbox Game Bar for screen recording (which is why I had to set my camera up on a Tri-pod for this video) Even screen recording Chrome or Edge extensions won’t work as it won’t let me “share” the screen.

In Windows 11 SE, though, some system apps are unavailable for use. If you ask me, that’s what makes it unique. Command Prompt is listed but is blocked (since SE devices are intended to be used by students.) PowerShell is also unavailable, and the Microsoft Store isn’t there either. Even the classic Control Panel is listed, but can not be opened. Again, this is since Windows 11 SE devices are for education, and meant to be managed/provisioned by IT Admins and not end-users.

The limits, performance, & depending on the web

Going back to my last point, Windows 11 SE is meant to be cloud-managed by IT admins through Microsoft Intune. As a result, Win32 and Microsoft Store apps can not be installed by the end-user. These types of apps can only be installed by IT admins through Microsoft Intune.

However, an important app for most educational instructions, Google Chrome, is included on the list that IT admins can install on Windows 11 SE through Intune. So, while a user like myself can’t install Chrome, an IT admin could.

Even if you have a package for Microsoft Store apps, it won’t install either. For consumers, this behavior is a lot like the Win32 limit of Windows 10 in S-mode, but it’s not to fool you. This is an education-focused OS, and IT Admins can install approved education apps through Intune, though it has to fit 6 categories and go through Microsoft for approval.

Even if you have a package for Microsoft Store apps, it won’t install either. For consumers, this behavior is a lot like the Win32 limit of Windows 10 in S-mode, but it’s not to fool you. This is an education-focused OS, and IT Admins can install approved education apps through Intune, though it has to fit 6 categories and go through Microsoft for approval.

With those limits in mind, as a consumer, I feel as though Windows 11 SE is heavily dependent on the browser. As a writer, this is where I spend most of my time anyway, so it wasn’t much of an issue for me. Yes, Windows 11 SE does offer full-blown office pre-installed, which is something the previous education-focused Windows 10S never had, but the web is still where most things will be done. Then, with the lack of the Microsoft Store, I created PWAs for some of the apps I use. These include things like Instagram, Twitter, WhatsApp, Teams, and more.

As for overall system performance, on the low-end hardware of the Surface Laptop SE, I was actually surprised. The Intel Celeron N4120 CPU and 8 GB RAM onboard the Laptop SE keep Windows 11 SE chugging along nicely. Edge doesn’t freeze much, and my usual workflow with a mix of Asana, Twitter, YouTube, Office.com, all work well in the web browser. Microsoft indicates that Windows 11 SE “requires less memory and uses a smaller footprint than traditional Windows Pro, so it can perform faster,” and after three days, I do believe it. Even the battery life in Windows 11 SE is great, as I managed to get 12 hours from a single charge.

It still feels like Windows 11

At the end of the day, though, Windows 11 SE still feels like regular Windows 11. With the exception of the missing system features, File Explorer opening full screen, there only being two snap layouts, and widgets being pulled out, this is still the same Windows 11. For the setup process IT admins and schools go through, Windows 11 SE might feel like Chrome OS and handling Chromebooks, but I still think it’s a lot like regular Windows 11, with a focus on the browser.

FIX: Slack microphone not working / found [Quick Guide]

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Slack is a great tool for collaborating, but sometimes you might get a message saying that Slack couldn’t find your microphone.

This can be an annoying problem, and in today’s article, we’ll show you how to properly address this microphone issue.

What do I do if Slack can’t find my microphone?

1. Reinstall/update your audio drivers

  1. Press Windows Key + X and choose Device Manager from the list.
  2. When Device Manager opens, locate your audio driver, right-click it, and choose Uninstall device.
    uninstall device slack microphone not recognized
  3. The confirmation dialog will now appear. If available, check to Remove driver software for this device. Click the Uninstall button to confirm.
    uninstall confirm slack microphone not found
  4. Once the driver is removed, click Scan for hardware changes Windows will now install the default driver.
    scan for hardware changes slack microphone

Once the default driver is installed, check if the problem is still there. If the issue remains, it’s advised that you update your drivers.

This is also relatively simple to do, and in order to do it, you just have to visit your motherboard or sound card manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your device.

After doing that, just install the driver and the issue should be resolved. If this process seems a bit complicated to you, you can also update your drivers with third-party driver updater software.

2. Make sure that your microphone is working

If Slack couldn’t find your microphone, perhaps the problem is the microphone. To fix this problem, it’s advised that you test your microphone in other applications.

If your microphone works in Steam, Skype, or any other application, the problem isn’t related to the microphone, and most likely the microphone isn’t properly configured in Slack.

3. Use an alternative to Slack

If you’re using Slack strictly for the video conferencing tools, then you’re better off using one of the many alternatives available on the market, since there are tools dedicated specifically to that.

And if Slack is also having issues, then you have an extra reason to replace it, and we recommend that you give other apps a try.

4. Check if your microphone is set as the default recording device

  1. Right-click the volume icon in the bottom right corner of the Taskbar. Choose Open Sound settings from the menu.
    sound settings slack microphone slack couldn't find microphone
  2. Go to the Input section and make sure that you have the proper device selected. If you want, you can test your microphone and check if the indicator responds. If it does, it means that your microphone is recognized and working.
    default microphone slack microphone slack can't find microphone

After doing that, check if the problem is resolved.

You can also check the default recording device by doing the following:

  1. Right-click the volume icon and choose Sounds from the menu.
    sounds slack microphone not found slack couldn't find microphone
  2. Go to the Recording tab and look for your microphone. If your microphone isn’t set as the default device, right-click it and choose Set as Default Device from the menu. Now click Apply and OK to save changes.
    default microphone slack microphone not recognized

After setting your microphone as the default device, check if Slack can’t still recognize your microphone.

5. Reinstall Slack

If Slack couldn’t find your microphone, perhaps the problem is related to the application itself. Sometimes your installation can get corrupted, and in order to fix the problem, it’s advised that you reinstall it.

There are several methods that you can use to reinstall an application, but the most effective one is to use an uninstaller software tool.

In case you don’t know, uninstaller software is an application that can remove any software from your PC, along with all of its files and registry entries.

This type of software ensures that no leftover file will interfere with your system in any way. They can also force uninstall malicious software.

After successfully removing the app, try to reinstall it and see if the problem persists.

6. Restart Slack

If you’re having problems with Slack and your microphone, perhaps the issue is just a temporary glitch.

Sometimes these types of problems can occur, and in order to fix them, the simplest solution is to restart your application.

Once Slack restarts, check if the problem is still there. If you’re using Slack in a browser, restart your browser and try to run Slack again.

Alternatively, you can try running Slack in a different browser and check if that helps.

7. Check if the microphone is properly configured in Slack

If you’re having problems with Slack, perhaps your microphone isn’t properly configured. Slack should find your microphone by default, but if it can’t you might have to manually configure it.

This is fairly simple to do, and you can do it from the Preferences page in Slack.

After you set your microphone properly in Slack, the issue should be resolved and you’ll be able to make voice calls with ease.

8. Use the built-in troubleshooter

  1. Open the Settings app. To do that quickly, use Windows Key + I keyboard shortcut. After the Settings app opens, head over to the Update & Security section.
  2. Select Troubleshoot from the left pane. In the right pane, select Hardware and Devices and now click Run the troubleshooter.
    troubleshooter slack microphone not recognized
  3. Follow the instructions to complete the troubleshooter.

Once the troubleshooter is finished, check if the problem is still there. If the issue is still present, try running Recording Audio troubleshooter and check if that helps.

9. Install the latest updates

  1. Open the Settings app and head over to the Update & Security.
  2. In the right pane, click Check for Updates.
    check for updates button slack microphone

If any updates are available, they will be downloaded automatically in the background. Once the updates are installed, check if the problem is still there.

Not being able to use a microphone with Slack can be a big problem, and speaking of problems, here are some common issues that users reported:

  • Slack call audio not working – This issue can occur if your microphone isn’t properly configured in Windows. To fix this problem, open the Settings app and check your microphone settings.
  • Please check your microphone. Slack isn’t receiving any audio right now – If this is your issue too, then be sure to check your audio settings in Slack and configure your microphone properly.
  • Slack not picking up microphone – This issue can occur due to your audio drivers, so in order to fix the problem, be sure that you update them.

Problems with Slack can occur once in a while, and if you have any microphone-related issues with Slack, be sure to try some of our solutions.

Posted in Fix

Label Maker Software for PC: 8 Best to Use in 2026

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

If you’re a fan of burning DVDs, CDs, and Blu-rays you probably label all of your music, movies, photo albums, and hard-copy archives with stickers or with a marker.

Perhaps you wish to find the most appropriate tool for designing product labels, such as packaging or stickers.

Whatever the reason, we are here to assist you in determining a suitable approach to design and print your labels.

There are label-making instruments that are ideal for designing easy items as names and office inventories, but they are only suitable for generating text labels.

Other software, on the other hand, can combine elements of photo editing and printing programs such as Adobe, Avery, and Canva to create personalized products and professional labels.

How can a label maker software help you?

A label’s power is that it can convey everything about your goods in a blink of an eye. Within seconds of capturing the customer’s attention, it establishes its pricing point, defines its contents, and builds enthusiasm.

Given the number of moving parts, label design may be intimidating; unlike logo design, which concentrates on a single feature, label design combines a variety of visual components and precision.

To further add some complexity, some of these design components are typically provided by other designers, while others must be created from scratch.

While dealing with this design challenge, visual comfort may be difficult to accomplish, this is where a specialized tool comes in handy.

We prepared a list of amazing label-making software tools that you can rely on, so keep reading.

What are the best label making software tools I can use?

Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe is a professional business printing software that brings together a collection of 20+ desktop and mobile apps and services for photography, design, video, web, UX, and more.

Adobe Creative Cloud is often used by digital artists or those who use design software on a regular basis – mostly because of its cost, but also because of its depth.

It provides access to Spark, Dreamweaver, Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom, and other fantastic tools for creation.

Adobe Spark and Illustrator

Adobe Creative Cloud Express encourages you to be creative while making labels. You may create a label in  Adobe Creative Cloud Express Post and then scale it for various branding applications such as cards, flyers, brochures, or digital ads.

You can duplicate and resize designs to ensure uniformity across numerous materials. It’s free and easy to develop, store, and express your thoughts quickly, and you may add teammates, get permission, and publish your unique label.

Adobe Illustrator enables you to create and edit high-quality vector images that do not pixelate when resized. This ensures that your labels will be absolutely clear when printed.

The cloud features various pre-designed templates to best suit all kinds of business needs, and it supports all the popular paper stocks, including Avery papers.

Note that the software overall provides a quick cut, a copy/paste option that lets you copy images from other apps and paste them to its temples.

It boasts a vast palette of ready-made templates, and it allows you to add your clip’s art and logos. You can also create a background of your own and use one of its many supplied backgrounds.

You are in full control of the color blend so do not hesitate to create a professional-looking label with this tool.

You will benefit from the following best features:

  • Full suite with over 20 desktop and mobile apps
  • Extensive graphics tools
  • Dedicated templates for labels
  • Easy to include your brand elements
  • Seamless integration between all Adobe products

Adobe Creative Cloud

With Adobe Creative Cloud, you can create and design with a plethora of high-quality programs, as well as a growing variety of online services and handy mobile apps.
Free trial Visit website

Label LIVE

Struggling to get your labels printed? Label LIVE gives you the ease of use with flexible design and data import. 

Label LIVE can combine various bits and pieces from a spreadsheet and format them directly onto your label. You can add text, images, variables, barcodes, and more to create printed labels that attract customers and increase sales.

A good label can help your brand stand out from the crowd. Using the best label maker software for PC and Mac will save you time and help draw attention to your products.

Label LIVE takes your data and label layout capabilities to a new level. It eliminates the training required in competing software, without skimping on advanced features. 

Go ahead, delete the software that came with your printer. You likely won’t need it after using Label LIVE.

Label LIVE gives you the best without compromise. Explore and enjoy modern software that allows you to customize, update, save and share your creations effortlessly with just a few clicks.

Let’s have a look at some of the coolest Label LIVE features:

  • Use data from spreadsheets
  • Dynamically load images from your computer or the Internet
  • Batch print hundreds of labels without touching the app
  • Generate multi-label PDFs for sheets (Avery, U-LINE)
  • Real-time design updates with minimal clicks
  • Works equally well on Windows and Mac
  • If you can print a PDF to your printer then Label LIVE is compatible with it
  • Totally replaces clunky software that may have come with your printer

Label LIVE for Windows and Mac

Get the best label maker software that works with popular label sheets and label rolls!
Free trial Download Now

Canva

With a software license to Canva, you’ll get access to Design Cloud which features various extra clipart templates and backgrounds for labels.

The tool has a very modern interface, thousands of graphics, photo-editing tools, and all these features make it one of the best software for CD and DVD labeling.

There’s a label design for every requirement, from wedding invitations labels to wine labels and price tags. Alternatively, you may always select the specific custom proportions needed and create from scratch.

Simply upload your brand assets into the editor and drag them into your design to add components like existing logos or photos to your label, and moreover, you can print your labels directly from Canva.

With Canva Print, you may create your design using one of over 50,000 templates, then have it professionally printed and sent to your door in just a few clicks using eco-friendly packaging that contains no plastic or bubble wrap.

Printing with Canva also gives you the option of printing your creations quickly in the comfort of your own home.

All of your adjustments are immediately saved when you use Canva’s label maker, so feel free to go back and make as many changes as you need, anytime.

Canva offers you a tracklist manager for mix CDs and also access to its online media base – the Design Cloud.

The graphics are SVGs or scalable vector graphics. This means that they won’t pixelate or warp during resizing or editing.

Let’s review some of its core features:

  • Scalable vector graphics
  • Over 50,000 templates to use
  • CD and DVD labeling
  • Easily accessible cloud-based platform
  • Dedicated label maker tools

Canva

You must do one thing using Canva, and that is brainstorm. Bring your unique ideas and demonstrate your ingenuity while designing a label.
Free trial Visit website

CorelDraw

This is one of the best and most easy-to-use label maker software, and it features lots of wizards to help you make complex labels for all of your projects.

Note that you can create professional style labels in just a couple of minutes. This tool is created to help novice label creators to create professional-looking labels.

You just have to pick a wizard and then all you have to do is add logos, graphics, text messages, cartoon images, and so on. You’ll be able to customize it and get it printed via any laser or inkjet printer.

The key features of the tool include more than 50,000 clip art images, support for 13 barcode formats, over 600 exclusive label fonts, and more.

These capabilities include contrast adjustment, color balance, 3D, Transformation, rotation, Graphical Lines. You can add more effects to pictures, such as borders, and work with many layers and numerous pages.

Overall, CorelDraw has evolved into a versatile vector editing application, particularly for its drawing and layout creation capabilities, which are both simple and powerful.

Vectors are scalable, which implies that whatever you produce with vectors may be resized to a billboard scale if necessary, so more in-depth control over designing a label.

Take a look at some of its most important features:

  • Over 50,000 clip art images
  • Support for 13 barcode formats
  • More than 600 label fonts
  • Add effects, borders, elements and more
  • Multi-layer design features

CorelDraw

CorelDRAW is a vector-based program that is frequently used in branding and packaging design, thus it might be an excellent choice for label creation.
Free trial Visit website

Label Designer Plus Deluxe

Label Designer Plus Deluxe is also a very popular label-making software that will help you create customized labels very quickly.

You can use the tool to create some of the greatest CV/DVD labels, name tags, bottle labels, envelopes, letterheads, business cards, file folder labels, and so on.

Draw spirals, radials, arcs, and text of varying sizes. Change the font, size, color, style, shadow rotation, and blending parameters. For rich text on your label, combine text fonts, styles, and colors within a single text object.

Text can also be shown as a bar code, an auto-increment counter, or the current date and/or time.

You may print an unlimited number of labels beginning at any point on the page or specify particular places to print.

The interface is impeccable and clean, and it can offer you the opportunity to create great labels for your business.

Some of its most interesting features include the design wizard which allows you to create a custom-looking label from a vast range of templates in just a few minutes.

Up next, link your label to any of the built-in databases such as SQL, Access, Text, CSV, Dbase, and any other external database. You’ll benefit from top-quality customer support every time you need it.

Let’s see some of its core features:

  • Database link access
  • Auto-incremented counter
  • Very well organized UI
  • Quick label customization
  • Dedicated fonts, styles and colors

⇒ Get Label Designer Plus Deluxe

Label Design Studio

With the Label Design Studio, you can create more than just a label; you’ll be able to create your very own customized label in a few minutes, and you’ll have a vast palette of options of well-designed templates to choose from.

The tool is very versatile, and you really don’t need to be very experienced in order to learn to use it and to create fantastic labels.

It enables you to easily print labels from your home computer. If you need to print a large number of labels, the program has tiling options that allow you to put several labels on a single sheet of paper.

Labels may be saved as pictures and submitted to a professional printing location for commercial printing.

The tool boasts a broad range of label templates for all kinds of purposes, which come in various sizes, shapes, and designs.

It allows you to insert data from an Excel or an Access file and then it will get automatically inserted on your label.

This label creation toolkit will generate your labels with the imported data automatically. There will be no need for manual tasks, saving you time off work in the long term.

You can export more image file types including TIFF, BMP, JPG, PNG, and more. You have the option of adding various shapes such as squares, diamonds, and more.

Take a glance at a couple of its core features below:

  • Large database of templates available
  • Export your creation in multiple formats like TIFF, PNG, BMP, JPG and more
  • Allows you to include data from Excel or Access files
  • Simple, friendly user interface
  • Imports data automatically

⇒ Get Label Design Studio

Visual Labels

This label maker software offers various options to customize the labels, and it’s also very easy to use.

You’ll be able to create fabulous labels for CDs and DVDs, return address labels, folder labels, mailing address labels, and more.

For more visual effects, you can insert BMP, JPG, GIF, JPEG, EMF, and WMF files, as well as clipart. Add counter numbers that increase with each label printed – perfect for serial numbers.

This tool allows you to design a wide range of labels in any font, color, or orientation by using text, images, boxes, ovals, lines, counters, and patterns.

Visual Labels comes with a large collection of Avery label templates. Text may be created in circles or half circles. Just specify how many degrees the CircleText includes, its initial angle, whether it is inclined or mirrored, and its color.

You may use its many text and font options for creating original labels and to design them in any shape you want to and also in any colors, gradient looks, and line thicknesses.

After you created the label, you’ll get an instant print preview.

There is no limit to how many times you may print your design, although it is meant to print one or more sheets with copies of the same label, such as series of copies for tea bag labels.

Remember that Visual Labels is intended to operate with sheet-fed printers such as LaserJet, DeskJet, inkjets, and so on, but not with continuous feed dot-matrix printers.

Take a look at some of its best features:

  • Large collection of Avery label templates
  • Extensive file type compatibility
  • Data incrementation features
  • Point and click, simple usage
  • Design with a wide variety of shapes using any color, pattern, line thickness and line color

⇒ Get Visual Labels

Avery Design & Print

Avery Design & Print makes it easy to create minimalistic labels by providing online access that allows you to immediately design a ready-to-use label with no complicated features.

Simply select a template, personalize your item, and print it yourself. Even better, you can do it from any device, at any time, and from any location.

With over 3000+ label variations to select from, you may purchase preformed Avery labels in the precise number you want, with no minimum orders.

Custom sheet labels may be ordered online and are ideal for smaller projects or young enterprises just getting started that need to have printed their brand on the products.

Using the free templates and design tools, you can easily modify and purchase your labels by the sheet in minutes.

Whatever you’re looking for, it’s there: tiny labels, large labels, decorative labels, Avery logo stickers, Avery big labels, blank sticker labels, printable label stickers.

You may purchase custom roll labels online in a number of quality forms, sizes, and materials if you require a label on a rolling tape.

Online, you may easily design your roll labels using free templates and have them printed in high-quality materials, at WePrint.

It also provides premium features and finishes to help you get the most out of your trademark’s appearance, such as waterproof films and Ultrahold shipping labels for labeling products that may be exposed outdoors.

Then just print your labels by yourself or have Avery WePrint professionally print them for you. Check out the WePrint template galleries to find labels that you can personalize for your small company items and packaging.

Here are its most important features:

  • 3000+ label templates to select from
  • Cloud-based usage
  • Purchase label rolls straight from the app
  • Printing service available
  • Professional grade quality prints

⇒ Get Avery Design & Print

Whether you simply burn discs or run a small business, excellent label-making software will definitely add a personal touch to your projects.

After you finish browsing through these label-making tools, all you have to do is choose the one(s) that best suit your label-making needs.

And now that you know how to make the labels, you should also go through our list with the best label printing software to create stunning designs.

Have you worked with any of these apps, or do you have better ones? Let us know about it in the comments section below.

File Explorer is getting a speed boost on Windows 11

Posted on by Loredana Harsana

Microsoft has been working on a new feature that should make the search tool in File Explorer faster on Windows 11. 

The Redmond-based software giant is currently testing a new option and asked Windows Insider testers to help improve File Explorer’s performance on devices running the company’s latest operating system.

With the new Windows 11 Build 22526 update, it seems like Microsoft will fix the issues that came with previous releases and make File Explorer faster on their next-generation operating system. 

Has File Explorer been performing optimally?

Dealing with the contents of your PC, especially when you have a lot of files stored on it, is often easier said than done, especially if you don’t know exactly where to find what you are looking for. This is where File Explorer’s search tool comes into play as it makes it easier to find stuff on your device.

While searching your PC is easy with the tool, its performance may not be optimal as Microsoft is working on improving it in the next major update for Windows 11.

File Explorer to finally get a speed boost

The thing is that each time you run a search, Windows will re-index all the locations it had previously indexed. That makes sense since things like new files or system changes can happen without you knowing. 

This process however takes some time. So if you are looking for a specific file and your computer is under heavy workload or has a slow hard drive, then that can affect how long it takes to find your file.

The latest Windows 11 Preview Build 22526 now brings even more improvements to the table. From now on, File Explorer will be able to index more locations. This means that you will be able to find the files faster and the overall experience is going to be faster.

Fewer crashes from now on

As part of the update, Microsoft also introduced a new feature for File Explorer in Windows 11 that is aimed at improving the overall experience when you are using it and preventing your PC from slowing down. 

This is done by making File Explorer more responsive to your actions and reducing the number of crashes that you may experience while you use the search box.

The last time File Explorer got an update was add-ons on PowerToys to extend its capabilities but now with the speed boost, users will finally get some reprieve.

Other fixes

  • Issues with the context menu in File Explorer are currently being addressed.
  • Opening the right-click menu should be slightly faster eventhough still buggy.
  • A new group policy that will turn off Office.com and Explorer integration has been added. Disabling it will exclude files from Office.com and connection requests by Explorer to Office will be stopped. The change will also extend to the Start Menu preventing the display of online Office documents.

What do you think of the new File Explorer updates? Leave us a comment down below.

6 Best Label Printing Software & Solutions [2026]

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Labels are a great way of neatly arranging and organizing your stuff, be it CDs, DVDs, books, or other materials.

But most people still use a felt or marker pen to write on their products, which can be a daunting task if you have a lot of things to catalog.

This is why label printing software comes highly recommended for the job. Not only that they take away the hassle of manual labor, but also save you time and reduce the stress on your part.

There are downsides to selecting the wrong software, especially in commercial or industrial settings, so you need to get the right one.

How to choose the right software for your needs?

Of course, the needs are totally different for individual and industrial usage and that’s what you need to decide first.

If you just want to label the pickle jars for winter, you need a small tool with a few cute templates to impress your loved ones.

However, if you’re doing that for a new line of products and the label will be featured on thousands of items, you’re looking for a dedicated graphics design tool.

We checked out the best label printing software and we covered all the needs you might have so here are our top picks.

What is the best program to make labels?

Adobe Creative Cloud Express

Whenever it comes to graphic design, there is no way you can go wrong when choosing an Adobe product.

Of course, they have specialized their products into a variety of branches, and if you are looking for something to design a logo, then Adobe Creative Cloud Express is what you need.

In terms of how easy it is to use, then the only way it could be any easier is if the subscription would come with a graphics designer included to do the projects for you.

In fact, it is branded and advertised as a design tool for non-designers, since many of the features are made to be automatic, and guess what you were trying to do.

As for diversity, it doesn’t matter what you are trying to create a logo for since the template menu is incredibly diverse, and you can even use one as a starter and modify it from there.

More so, the supported image design and the integration with other Adobe products make this an incredibly great tool especially for those that need to create elaborate projects that would require the entire Adobe Creative Suite.

Let’s look at a couple of its best features:

  • Seamless integration with other Adobe software
  • Advanced graphic design features
  • Extensive library of templates
  • Easy label customization
  • Free to try

Adobe Creative Cloud Express

Lightweight and highly resourceful, Creative Cloud Express will provide all the tools you need to create stunning labels.
Free trial Visit website

Canva

label printing software

If you are looking for simplicity in your design and the design process itself, then you will need a tool like Canva.

It sports all the features you could expect from a logo-oriented graphics design tool, without cluttering the UI with too many tools you may not know anything about.

Additionally, it has plenty of templates to choose from, so your creative powers will not feel restricted in any way due to the lack of resources.

As for the final results, the designs are always clean with a tendency to be simplistic, although more bold designs are possible with the right combinations of fonts, colors, templates, and images.

You won’t need any experience using such software either since it is especially targeted to the wider masses that want to create casual logos, like the ones you may see on products marketed on Facebook or Twitter.

One great selling point about this app is that it is very friendly on older systems, despite the reputation that graphics design tools have.

This will allow even those that don’t have gaming rigs or workstations to do casual design from their home laptop.

Take a look at Canva’s best features:

  • Extensive library of free designs and graphic elements
  • Cloud-based platform
  • Free to use
  • Drag-and-drop functionality
  • Can be used online or as downloadable software

Canva

Create beautiful designs that are also print-ready and impress the audience with your labels!
Free trial Visit website

Label LIVE

If you like your products neatly organized and looking sharp, you cannot go wrong with the best label printing software.

Label LIVE keeps clutter and chaos out of your way so that you can design and design and print labels in minutes.

With extensive support for all popular label printer brands and models, ranging from thermal to color, and both laser and inkjet printers, Label LIVE is just what you need to create show-stopping labels that will attract the right kind of audience.

Label LIVE’s flexible and time-saving features allow you to create and edit your labels, import spreadsheet data, add barcodes, and save templates to share with your organization.

Let’s have a look at some of the best features of Label LIVE:

  • Include all types of barcodes, text, and variables to keep your labeling consistent
  • Print labels with data imported from Excel, CSV and Apple Numbers spreadsheet files
  • Create and store label templates for every occasion
  • Comprehensive design features: text, images, shapes, barcodes, QR, etc. with real-time design updates
  • Easy to navigate and setup with no-driver installation!

Label LIVE for Windows and Mac

Label printing software that integrates spreadsheet data!
Free trial Download Now

Disketch Disc Label

label printing software

A very efficient program for creating and printing labels is Disketch Disc Label software from NCH.

This tool allows you to create professional labels and covers with ease and speed. Choose from the provided templates and personalize labels with your own photos and artwork.

Label printing also gives you the chance to print on sticky labels, or directly onto printable discs. If you do not have a printer at hand, you can export files to send to a print shop nearby.

You can manually adjust the printing position on a page before printing which is pretty cool for last-minute retouch manipulations.

You will benefit from these important features:

  • Label images and text are easy to arrange and format
  • Place text and images on layers
  • A rich selection of text styles
  • Format, resize, and align your text with ease
  • Free templates and personalized designs

Disketch Disc Label

Format and arrange label images and text with great ease to achieve those show-stopping results you always wanted!
Free trial Visit website

CorelDraw

label printing software

The most powerful graphics design suite is unsurprisingly great for creating labels among other things.

CorelDRAW provides all the tools, guides, and inspirational content you could want in order to get your creativity going.

From gorgeous typography and special fonts to cutting-edge, performance-oriented editing tools – everything is right there, at your fingertips, and neatly organized in an intuitive interface.

Of course, everything is in place and easily accessible – after all, this software is best known for its focus on collaboration and productivity. To sum it up, CorelDraw will help you get your labels done – beautifully and fast.

And you can create labels from scratch or based on a template – the assets library is more than generous for your convenience.

Take a look at a few of its best features:

  • Professional-level design tools
  • Excellent graphics features
  • Extensive templates library
  • Very well organized UI
  • Access to a large pool of fonts

CorelDRAW

CorelDRAW

Create inspirational content and one-of-a-kind labels quickly and easily, with this collaborative and professional vector illustrator!
Free trialVisit website

BarTender

label printing software

At your service! This label printing software takes away the hassle and time loss that comes from having to create labels one by one using your own handwriting.

You can create and automate labels, RFID, plastic cards and so much more as this software encodes the labels quickly and correctly, then prints them consistently, and accurately.

This has helped so many organizations and individuals increase their efficiency, reduce costs and errors, plus meet regulatory requirements all in one go.

These intelligent templates help companies produce a large variety of label designs without having to create and keep separate files in the system.

You can also password protect layers (to prevent unauthorized access or edits) and share global data fields like serial numbers – pretty intuitive!

This label printing software features over 400 preformatted and ready-to-use components with over 60 symbologies, RFID support, advanced design, and printing, as well as the best technical support around the world.

Let’s review some of its most important features:

  • Create and automate labels
  • RFID and plastic cards design features
  • Great library of templates
  • Password protection available
  • Advanced design features

⇒ Get BarTender

Now you know what are the best label printing software tools you can use for your business or personal needs.

Although it might seem a bit less important, the label of the product can differentiate it from the competitor’s, offer precious information, and attract buyers so it’s a key element.

That’s why it should be easily readable, eye-catching, with a design that actually accentuates your brand and your message.

If you need more inspiration, you should also read our best label maker software for PC list for a lot of alternatives.

Feel free to share your favorite, or what we may have left out that’s still good to use, by reaching for the comments section below.

4 Best Video Editing Software for Beginners [Easy-to-Use]

Posted on by Keelan Balderson

Content creation is a popular and accessible hobby, and individuals have access to countless video editing software that will help them pursue it.

Nowadays, people love to capture every moment of their lives either by taking photos or recording themselves with video recording software.

While a large selection to choose from can be great, it can also be quite daunting, especially for those who have no experience in editing videos.

So, to help you in that regard, we’ve selected four Windows 10 video editing software tools that reign supreme in terms of functionality, features, and convenience.

The editing software you choose will most likely depend on your budget, how serious you are about editing, and the equipment you use.

How hard is to learn how to edit videos?

Many people see editing videos as some kind of science that is difficult to learn. The truth is that, with enough patience and interest, anyone can do it.

Besides, it really depends on what you mean by editing, since it covers a wide spectrum. Cropping and cutting a video? That’s really easy. It takes you minutes to do it. Creating detailed effects and transitions? That’s something else.

That being said, there are plenty of tutorials and videos on the Internet that will teach you the ropes. Remember, practice makes perfect. We even have an article about editing videos in 4K that will show you how it’s done.

The level of difficulty and the learning curve also depends on the software you’re using since some of them are easier to learn or offer more guiding steps to the user.

For example, a person with almost no background knowledge will have difficulty learning to use Photoshop, because the tool was created for more advanced users.

What are the best video editing tools for beginners?

Adobe Premiere Elements

Adobe Premiere Elements is one of the most beloved video editing and video stabilization software on the market for nonprofessional consumers.

This is a great tool that allows you to create dynamic collages with your pictures and videos. With this software, you can easily add any song to your videos.

Movie magic is at your fingertips, and the creative possibilities are endless. Create, edit, organize, and share your work with the world.

Powerful AI will create beautiful collages, slideshows, or will add effects to your videos automatically. All of these are possible thanks to Adobe Sensei AI Technology.

The automation doesn’t just stop there. Intelligent editing will help you make precise selections, see effects in real-time, and improve grainy videos.

Adobe Premiere Elements has the face detection feature, and it allows you to center your videos around specific people. Thanks to the tagging system you can even sort videos by places, events, and albums in order to access them quickly.

Regarding the text, you can add videos inside it. This great software has the ability of color adjustment and playback control, so you can easily speed up your videos or create slow-motion effects.

After you’re done editing your videos, you can easily burn them to a DVD or upload them directly to YouTube, Facebook, Vimeo, or your own website.

Here are some of the software’s best features:

  • Intelligent editing
  • Automation
  • Step-by-step guides
  • Create & share
  • Smart tags to find videos
  • Automatic catalog structure backup

Adobe Premiere Elements

Adobe Premiere Elements is a great video editing software tool with intuitive features for beginners.
Free trial Visit website

Cyberlink PowerDVD 21

Cyberlink PowerDVD 21 software makes it easy for novices to learn video editing basics. It will teach you how to become a pro through unobtrusive and entertaining methods.

Part of the reason why this program is so easy for beginners is its unique ability to create express projects. In a way, you can see Express projects as an automatic editor.

In other words, all you have to do to create a professional-level video is to open the Express Project option, then import your videos.

After you import your videos and move them to the specific order you want them in, the software will do the rest.

Once the video is finished rendering, you have the option to directly upload the video to popular social media and video websites such as Facebook, YouTube, Daily Motion, etc.

Another special feature found in the Cyberlink software is its complete 360-degree editing capabilities. More and more videos are filmed in 360 degrees and now Cyberlink has the ability to edit these types of videos.

For 360-degree videos, you also have a wide range of tools you can use for transitions, animations, and more.

Most video editors only support videos with 60 frames per second or less. However, the PowerDVD 21 can import and edit videos up to 240 FPS.

Thus, slow-motion footage from GoPro, sports cameras, etc can be edited with no trouble.

This video editor also supports the ultra-high-definition 4k format. Other leading formats compatible with PowerDVD are XAVC-S, H.265, AVCHD, and 3D.

Audio and color editing is essential for any successful, attractive film. Thankfully, users of PowerDVD have access to both AudioDirector and Color Director.

As their names suggest, you will be able to fine-tune your audio and color to perfectly complement your videos.

Here are some of its core features:

  • All major formats supported
  • Hi-Res audio support
  • See YouTube like never before
  • Save time finding your last location
  • Listen anywhere
Cyberlink PowerDVD 21 Ultra

Cyberlink PowerDVD 21 Ultra

Compact, packed with features, and optimized for speed, PowerDVD 20 Ultra gives you everything you need.
Check price Visit website

Vegas Movie Studio 2022

Vegas Movie Studio 2022 is a great video editing software that supports a wide range of features, including video stabilization.

This tool is perfect for both basic and advanced users due to its simple and advanced editing modes. It allows 3D editing and has 4K resolution, which should be more than enough for most users.

Note that it also packs video stabilization features and advanced audio editing, so you can have full control over the audio effects.

The tool supports a wide range of file formats: you can burn your videos right to DVD or Blu-ray discs. If you want, you can preview your DVD movie and see how its menus work in action.

Import recorded media on any device by simply using drag and drop and benefit from convenient templates that work in a variety of situations.

Vegas Movie Studio will create an elegant, unified workflow. You can even create your own soundtracks, 2D or 3D animations.

The software gives you everything you need to start telling a story in the most unique and powerful way and share it with friends, family, or the rest of the world.

What are you waiting for? Capture what’s important to you and tell a memorable story through the edited footage.

Let’s have a look at the software’s main features:

  • Frame-precise keyframes
  • Full track handling
  • Multicam editing supporting up to 4 cameras
  • Find and close gaps
  • Real-time preview

Vegas Movie Studio 2022

Vegas Movie Studio 2022 is a professional video editing software with support video stabilization and many other advanced features.
Check price Visit website

AVS Video Editor

One other multimedia product that is great for beginners with no previous background knowledge comes from AVS4YOU, precisely their Video Editor.

It’s included in the bundle and offers basic and professional-level editing tools, depending on your needs. Cutting, trimming, joining videos, and adding all kinds of effects has never been easier.

Process videos in any resolution: HD, Full HD, 2K Quad HD, 4K Ultra HD, and DCI 4K. Open, modify, and save video using popular codeсs H.264, H.265 (reading only), MPEG-4, etc.

The integrated video cache technology will speed up the process of editing HD videos. All you have to do is record the video, open the tool, and make it look professional.

By buying the AVS4YOU Multimedia Suite, you get access to editing, remaking, and converting tools that come with all the necessary features to create everything just the way you want it.

AVS Video ReMaker lets you cut or delete unwanted parts of a clip, or change the scene sequence. You can edit AVCHD, MOD, MTS/M2TS, TOD, etc. video files recorded with camcorders and video cameras.

With the video converter, you can convert your files into any other popular data format. This is useful when you’re planning to import the end result to a specific device.

Additionally, you can transfer videos from camcorders or video cameras to your PC, or create your own DVDs.

Here are some of the product’s core features:

  • Cut, split, and join as many videos as you want
  • Fix shaky footage with video stabilisation
  • Chroma key will change your background
  • Make vivid slideshows
  • Process HD video resolutions
  • Edit and save videos in all major formats
  • Hardware acceleration for faster processing

AVS Video Editor

Create awesome content and let your imagination loose thanks to AVS Video Editor, the ultimate multimedia editing family bundle.
Check price Visit website

5 best video editing tips for beginners

Just like in any other hobby or job, there are some tips and tricks recommended for beginners:

➡ Get a beefy PC: Using a powerful computer will make rendering videos faster and better, so upgrade your rig if the current one is old.

➡ Practice the 3-2-1 rule: In case you didn’t know, the 3-2-1 rule is used by woodworkers, and it implies measuring twice and cutting once. Be precautious and patient with your work.

When it comes to video editing, the rule is applied when backing your data. Precisely, it encourages you to save the files in different places.

As expected, there are other methods of data backup. This article dedicated to backing up data in Windows 10 contains all the information you need.

➡ Remember your creative goal: Never edit aimlessly. Always keep your story and goal in mind. This will help you remain focused and become happy with the end result.

➡ Take advantage of keyboard shortcuts: Perhaps you are not used to keyboard shortcuts, but they do make your life easier. It takes a while to get used to them, but afterward, you’ll be thankful.

➡ Use color correction: Color is a central visual element, and should not be overnighted, that’s why you should always use color correction and color grading.

This Windows 10 video editing software is ideal for everyone, regardless of whether you are a hobbyist, aspiring filmmaker, or simply a curious person.

We also suggest using an app from this list including the best video optimizer software. These tools will optimize the size and provide video formats for different purposes.

As you can see, we want you to have the best products and recommendations available at the moment. So, which video editing software have you decided on? Let us know in the comments below.

5 Best Video Editors With Special Effects for Windows 10 & 11

Posted on by Claudiu Andone

Video editing can be complicated and when it comes to special effects, Hollywood studios have whole armies of people handling that particular aspect.

However, with AI and advanced technologies, that power has gradually been transferred to us through dedicated software that allows us to apply them with a click of the mouse.

Of course, you can’t expect Michael Bay level results right away, but you will certainly transform your videos into masterpieces.

That’s why we have created a selection of the best video editors with special effects that will help you make a difference.

What should you look for in a good video editor with special effects?

The first step is to determine whether you’re a pro editor or just a beginner because video editor software has different levels of complexity.

As you might expect, that will also influence the price of the tool so if you’re looking for a basic editor with simple transitional effects, you will find plenty of budget-friendly alternatives.

However, if you’re a pro working in a video production studio or you want to get there soon, you need a professional tool that is used in that environment.

We thought of all possible budgets and levels of knowledge when we collected for you the best video editor with special effects.

What are the best video editors with special effects?

Adobe After Effects – Data-based animation

adobe after effects cartoonizer

Adobe After Effects is a visual effects software tool you can use in many post-production scenarios, ranging from television production, video games, or even the movie industry.

So, it’s specialized in special effects, and it works perfectly with Adobe Premiere Pro to produce a studio-level quality video from start to finish.

However, it’s mostly dedicated to professionals so it will be pretty complicated to master if you’re a beginner.

But once you start to become friends, this tool will help you have limitless possibilities, from animating a character or removing an object from the screen completely to generating complicated effects like rain or snow.

The toolset for this software is really impressive, including all the professional-level features you may expect for unlimited creativity.

Most such pro tools are very pricy and After Effects is not an exception, but you can still test it for a full 7 days for free which is great.

Here are some of the main features of Adobe After Effects:

  • Data-Based Animation
  • Lifelike Virtual Reality Videos
  • Virtual Reality Video Composition Editor
  • Full compatibility with other products from the Adobe family
  • Can be tested freely for 7 days

Adobe After Effects

Complete your professional video production with a set of full-blown Hollywood special effects.
Free trial Visit Website

Adobe Premiere Pro – Motion tracking support

Adobe Premiere Pro is one of the best video editors on the market right now, and as the name suggests, it’s dedicated to professional editors.

If you also get Adobe After Effects, this duo can perform seamlessly in any studio for any kind of video production.

However, Premiere Pro doesn’t lack special effects on its own. In fact, you will find a lot of plug-ins for creating realistic effects like snow, fire, rain, and more.

And if you add the green-screen background you’re up for an editing and post-production job with professional-level results.

This tool is also great for creating 4K, 8K, and VR 180 videos from start to end and it comes with native support for H264, HEVC, and ProRes including ProRes HDR formats.

All in all, if you need a pro video editor with advanced image processing and special effects like the ones you see in sci-fi movies, Premiere Pro is what you’re looking for.

Let’s see what are the most important features of Adobe Premiere Pro:

  • Excellent Adobe After Effects integration
  • Motion Tracking support
  • Extensive collection of online learning and training resources
  • Excellent toolset
  • Support for 4K, 8K, and VR videos

Adobe Premiere Pro

Get one of the best studio-level video editors with great special effects for start-to-end production.
Free trial Visit Website

Autodesk Maya – Intuitive modeling tools

Interface Autodesk Maya

First of all, Autodesk Maya is not your run-of-the-mill video editor but a fully-fledged environment that was specifically designed for video creation.

And yes, it’s designed especially for pros so if you’re just starting the journey into video creation, editing, or special effects, you can stay away from this one.

However, the plethora of menus, tools, and features included in this powerful software are very well-placed and handy for any video production purposes.

One of the most important features of Maya is the integrated programming language called MEL that allows you to create your own scripts or download some already created by other users.

So, unlike other professional video production software, with Maya, you can actually create your own effects to implement them in your productions.

The software also has an integrated renderer called Arnold that can be used to review the scenes you created in real-time and how they changed by the effects you apply.

Take a look at its most notable features:

  • Complex effects from explosions to cloth simulation
  • Create 3D animation sequences
  • MASH nodes — curve, world, placer, etc.
  • Shape 3D objects and scenes with intuitive modeling tools
  • Brush-based grooming tools – XGen

Autodesk Maya

Create your own special effects and animations with this video production powerhouse.
Free trial Visit Website

Wondershare FilmoraPro – Customizable animations

Wondershare FilmoraPro is a friendly video editor that even beginners can use to apply a lot of special effects and video enhancements.

In fact, you get plenty of features like easy-to-use motion tracking, animation editing, and more to make your videos really spark.

And the drag-and-drop way of using the elements and clips is making it all seem like you’re playing and having fun along the way.

Most of all, FilmoraPro doesn’t require a lot of resources like the professional tools mentioned above. It works just fine even on a Windows 8 PC with as little as 4 GB of RAM.

So, whether you just create a family video from the last trip or you’re working on a commercial for social media, this tool will deliver all the tools necessary, including filters, color correction, and a lot more.

More importantly, you get to use it on a free trial basis during which you’ll only be able to download your videos with a watermark.

Let’s see some of its best features:

  • Multi-track capability
  • Built-in library of special effects, transitions, elements, objects, filters, and more
  • Friendly and easy-to-use interface
  • Available as a free trial
  • Customizable animations available

Wondershare FilmoraPro

Spice up your videos with incredible special effects and filters that will wow everyone.
Free trial Visit Website

NUKE – Huge library of filters

Designed by FOUNDRY, NUKE brings special effects integration to a whole new level by using machine learning tools.

It’s a professional tool that allows artists to create and apply their own high-quality sequence-specific special effects.

What is mind-boggling is that you can actually train neural networks to complete tasks using a node called CopyCat and then apply it to other areas of a sequence.

This includes filters and tools like removing motion blur, beauty work, upres, matte generation, and a lot more.

And if that’s not amazing enough, NUKE comes with 3D environments that allow you to render complex scenes into real environments that can replace whole sets.

With over 200 creative nodes, this software offers everything you need for digital compositing, including keyers, rotoscopes, color correction, vector paint tools, and more.

Review some of its best features below:

  • Over 200 creative nodes
  • Machine learning tools
  • Can replace whole sets by using 2D footage
  • Huge library of filters and special effects
  • Free trial available

⇒ Get NUKE

What are the types of special effects used in movies?

Nowadays, unless you’re a specialist, it’s hard to detect special effects from actual footage because of the advancements in computer and software technology.

However, we can discern some of the top types of special effects used very often in today’s cinematography.

➡ CGI (Computer Generated Graphics)

CGI is the norm today, and it’s used in the majority of commercials and movies you see now on the screen.

With some of the tools included on our list, you can replace just about any and all other elements, special effects, and objects on footage or simply create videos on the spot.

However, CGI technology ranges from a simple rain effect that can look more or less natural to a full-blown fight between some Transformer robots

Obviously, the prices of the tools will also vary from only a few dollars to thousands just for renting software.

➡ Animation

Although animation is included in the CGI department, you can also animate everything ranging from elements in a photo to a computer-generated character.

Animation in Filmora

This is also an effect that you will find in most production nowadays and it’s easy to create with all the editors from our top, in a diverse complexity.

➡ Stop motion

The Stop motion technique is probably one of the most time-consuming special effects to create animations, but the patience will pay off in the end.

It’s hard because it implies the use of real figurines and objects that have to be moved individually for every shot.

And after all the shots have been taken, you need to merge them, frame by frame with audio, sets, and all the environmental elements.

The special effect is mainly used in cartoons and all the software we presented in this article will help you join the shots and reach great results.

This concludes our article with the best video editors with special effects you can use on Windows 10 and 11 and we hope that you already made your decision on one product.

If you’re in a rush and you want to create a video fast, you should also look at our list including the best online video editors without watermark, and take your pick.

Have you worked with any video editors from our list? Tell us all about your experience in the comments section below.

FIX: Outlook error 0x8004210B on Windows 10/11

Posted on by Matthew Adams

Outlook error 0x8004210B can arise when users try to send emails with that application. It typically arises for users utilizing Outlook as a client application for webmail, such as Gmail.

Many users choose Outlook for its ease of use and also the fact that it enables access to multiple email accounts from one central UI.

The good news is that the issue is minor and there are several easy tricks you can try to fix it.

The error message states:

Sending reported error (0x8004210B): The operation timed out waiting for a response from the sending (SMTP) server.

As a result, Outlook doesn’t send emails, so let’s see how you can fix that.

How do I fix Outlook error 0x8004210B?

1. Set up a new Outlook account

  1. To set up a new Outlook account, press the Windows key + R.
  2. Input Control Panel in Run, and press the Enter key.
  3. Click Mail in the Control Panel.
    Mail Setup window Outlook Error 0x8004210B on Windows
  4. Click the Email Accounts button.
  5. Click New to open an Add Account window.
    Account Settings window Outlook Error 0x8004210B on Windows
  6. Fill out the email account details in that window.
  7. Press the Next button.
  8. Return to the Email tab on the Account Settings window.
  9. Select the old email account, and click Remove to erase it.
  10. Select the new account on the Email tab. Then select the Set as Default option.

Error 0x8004210B can be due to a corrupted Outlook account. Apply the above steps in that regard.

2. Repair a corrupted Outlook profile

Alternatively, you could try repairing a corrupted Outlook profile. You can do that from the Accounts Settings window. We covered more in the quick guide that provides further details for fixing corrupted Outlook accounts.

3. Check Outlook’s email settings

  1. Some users might need to configure Outlook’s email settings to fix error 0x8004210B as follows. First, click Account Settings on Outlook’s File tab.
    Account Settings button Outlook Error 0x8004210B on Windows
  2. Click Account Settings on the menu that opens.
  3. Double-click the Outlook account the issue arises for on the Email tab.
  4. Click the More Settings button to open Internet Email Settings.
  5. Select the Outgoing Server tab.
    Outgoing Server tab Outlook Error 0x8004210B on Windows
  6. Select the My outgoing server (SMTP) requires authentication checkbox if it’s not selected.
  7. Select the Use the same settings as my incoming mail server option.
  8. Click the Advanced tab.
    Advanced tab Outlook Error 0x8004210B on Windows
  9. Change the Outgoing server port value to 587.
  10. Click the OK button to exit.

4. Delete stuck emails

  1. To fix that, click Outlook’s Send/Receive tab.
  2. Click the Work Offline option.
    Work Offline option Outlook Error 0x8004210B on Windows
  3. Click Sent Items on the left of Outlook.
  4. Right-click emails with attachments there and select the Delete option.
  5. Click Work Offline again to restore Outlook’s connected status.
  6. If you can then send emails again, you’ll still need to fix the attachment to send it.
    • Try fixing the attachment by changing its file format to a supported one or compressing it to reduce file size.

In more recent Outlook versions, error 0x8004210B can arise due to stuck emails with unsupported attachments. Apply the above steps to correct that easily.

5. Uninstall antivirus software

  1. To uninstall antivirus software, right-click your Start menu button and select Run.
  2. Enter appwiz.cpl in the Run accessory, and press the OK button.
    Programs and Features applet Outlook Error 0x8004210B on Windows
  3. Select the antivirus utility in the Programs and Features applet.
  4. Click the Uninstall option, and select Yes to provide further confirmation.
  5. Go through the uninstaller wizard that opens.

McAfee, Kaspersky, and other antivirus software might be blocking Outlook from the email server. Uninstalling the software as outlined above might leave some residual files behind.

You can uninstall some antivirus software with more specific and thorough uninstaller utilities provided by their publishers. So, check if there’s a specific uninstall utility for your antivirus package.

6. Use a different email client

You clearly experience severe problems with your actual email client, so take into consideration the option to try out a different email client.

With countless free color themes to match precisely your style and a minimalist, lightweight design, rest assured that you can’t go wrong when choosing Mailbird.

In fact, it isn’t about simply avoiding the error 0x8004210B. Mailbird also integrates perfectly with other applications that you use daily – Dropbox, Twitter, Evernote, Facebook – you name them.

⇒ Get Mailbird

If the above resolutions don’t resolve error 0x8004210B for you, you might need to contact your ISP for further support.

The Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant for Outlook might also provide a fix for the issue. Click Download on the Microsoft Support and Recovery Assistant page to try that utility out.

Need a better email client? If so, just check out these email clients that support multiple accounts.

If you’re not ready for such a change, we also have a Troubleshooting Outlook Hub waiting for you.

Let us know which of our methods helped you with your Outlook issue. Do so by leaving us a message in the comments section below.

Posted in Fix

FIX: AVG installation failed on Windows 10/11

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Antivirus is one of the most important software that you have on your PC. Tools such as AVG are designed to protect you from malicious programs, so it’s always a good idea to have an antivirus installed.

Installation problems can always occur, and today we’re going to show you how to fix AVG install error on Windows 10 and 11.

How do I reinstall my AVG?

Fix – AVG install error

If you can’t install AVG due to installation errors, you might want to consider using Ninite.

Ninite is a special service that lets you install the most popular programs with just a single installation.

Ninite supports a wide range of applications, and by using it, you’ll skip many installation dialogs and unnecessary bundled apps.

To install AVG using Ninite, simply go to Ninite’s website, check AVG, and download it. After that, run the setup file and wait while AVG is installed.

Fix: AVG install error 0xc0070643

1. Use a third-party uninstaller

While installing AVG antivirus you can sometimes install AVG PC Tuneup as well, since two applications are often bundled.

If you have AVG install error 0xc0070643, you need to remove AVG PC Tuneup tools from your PC.

To complete the uninstall process, you need to make sure all software leftovers and stubborn apps are removed from your PC. The easiest way to do this is with the help of uninstaller software.

2. Repair your registry

Users reported that error 0xc0070643 can appear due to problems with your registry. It seems that there are certain registry permission problems that prevent you from installing AVG.

To fix this problem, you need to download and install a third-party registry cleaner and DLL fixer on your PC. After problems with the registry are resolved, restart your PC and try to install AVG again.

3. Use the AVG Remover tool

If you get installation error 0xc0070643, one of the ways to fix it is to run AVG Remover tool. During the installation process, some AVG files will be stored on your PC.

Those files can interfere with future attempts to install AVG, therefore it’s crucial to remove those files.

To do that, you need to download AVG Remover. Run the tool and wait until it removes the previous installation of AVG.

After the tool removes AVG installation, restart your PC and check if the problem is resolved.

Some users are also suggesting to shut down your PC after you use this tool and turn it back on again, so you might want to try that as well.

Download AVG Reset Access tool

Users are also suggesting downloading AVG Reset Access tool. After downloading the tool, run it and check if the problem is resolved.

Another tool that users are recommending is the AVG BFE Fix tool. Simply download AVG BFE Fix, run it and it should fix the problem.

After using all three tools, AVG install error 0xc0070643 should be resolved. We have to mention that few users reported that this method didn’t work for them.

According to them, the AVG Remover tool didn’t fix the problem, and they were still getting 0xc0070643 description: event exec_finished error while trying to install AVG.

To fix this problem, you need to run AVG Remover from Safe Mode. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Start Menu and click the Power button.
  2. Hold the Shift key on your keyboard and choose the Restart option from the menu.
  3. Now you’ll see three options available. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup settings and click the Restart button.
  4. When your PC restarts, you’ll see a list of options available. Choose Safe Mode with Networking by pressing F5 on your keyboard.

Once the Safe Mode starts, all third-party applications and drivers will be disabled, so there’s nothing that will interfere with the AVG Removal tool.

Simply run the tool and follow the instructions on the screen to remove AVG. After doing that, restart your PC and try to install AVG once again.

4. Download and install the offline version of AVG

If you can’t install AVG antivirus due to error 0xc0070643, you might want to try using the offline installation.

AVG, just like many other programs, uses an online installation that downloads the necessary files as you install the application.

This makes downloading AVG a bit faster since the setup file is only a few MB in size, but this method has its flaws.

If there’s any problem with your Internet connection or with AVG’s servers, your installation might fail, and you’ll get error 0xc0070643.

To avoid this problem, it’s recommended that you try using an offline installer.

This installer is significantly larger in size, and it will take you a couple of minutes more to download the setup file, but you should be able to avoid this error completely by using this method.

You can download the offline installation from AVG’s website or from a reliable third-party source.

Keep in mind that offline installation might be hidden in AVG’s download section, so you’ll need to look carefully for it.

5. Remove AVG entries from the registry

According to users, they were unable to install AVG due to problems in their registry.

Apparently, there are some AVG instances in their registry that can prevent AVG from installing, and in order to fix that, you need to remove those instances manually.

Changing your registry can lead to system instability if you’re not careful, therefore we strongly suggest that you export your registry and use that file as a backup in case anything goes wrong.

To fix AVG install error 0xc0070643, do the following:

1. Press Windows Key + R and enter regedit. Press Enter or click OK.
avg-install-error-regedit-1

2. Registry Editor will now start. In the left pane, navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREAVG

3. Right-click AVG and choose Delete from the menu.
avg-install-error-regedit-2

4. Close Registry Editor.

After closing Registry Editor, try to install AVG again and check if the problem is resolved.

6. Check your permissions

Sometimes error 0xc0070643 can occur if you don’t have the necessary permissions to access the installation folder.

In order to install AVG, SYSTEM needs to have certain privileges. To do that, follow these steps:

  1. Locate the AVG installation directory, right-click it and choose Properties.
  2. Go to the Security tab click Edit button.
    avg-install-error-security-1
  3. Select SYSTEM from the list, and make sure that Full control option in Allow column is checked.
    avg-install-error-security-2
  4. Click Apply and OK to save changes.

If this process seems a bit complicated to you, you can use the AVG Reset Access tool to change permission settings with just a few clicks.

7. Disable all other antivirus/firewall tools

Antivirus tools are necessary if you want to keep your PC protected from malicious users, but it’s usually a bad practice to have multiple antivirus tools or firewalls installed.

Different security tools can sometimes interfere with each other, and in some cases, security tools can even prevent you from installing AVG antivirus.

According to users, AVG install error 0xc0070643 is caused by other antivirus tools, so before you try to install AVG, be sure to disable or uninstall other third-party antivirus or firewall tools.

Users reported that the Comodo firewall was interfering with AVG installation, but keep in mind that almost any third-party tool can cause this problem to appear.

8. Make sure that you have the necessary files

According to users, they were unable to install AVG due to 0xc0070643 description: event exec_finished error message.

This error is caused by missing files related to Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2012 Update 4.

To fix the problem, make sure that you download the necessary files and install them.

Users reported that Visual C++ Redistributable for Visual Studio 2012 Update 4 was causing the problem on their system, but you might have to download a different version for your PC.

All the necessary files are available for download from Microsoft’s website.

9. Make sure that you have enough space on your C drive

Few users reported 0xc0070643 description: event exec_finished error message while installing AVG antivirus, and according to them, this message was caused by the lack of hard drive space.

Users reported that the installation error was resolved after freeing some space on their C drive.

Apparently, you need to have more than 4GB of free storage space on your C drive before you can install AVG on your PC.

We have to mention that AVG doesn’t take 4GB of storage space, but it requires this space to be available on your C drive in order to work properly.

10. Change Antivirus

In case you’ve tried out all of the solutions, yet nothing seemed to help, there’s always the option of changing AVG Antivirus with an entirely new antivirus tool. Before you switch to a different security suite, follow our detailed guide to uninstall AVG Antivirus safely so you avoid leftover files and software conflicts.

That being said, know that the market is full of such tools, some of which offer a free version, or even a free trial with full capabilities for you to test out.

TotalAV is among our top recommendations because it offers real-time protection on all fronts while being lightweight. It is easy to use and has one of the highest detection rates, plus it offers tons of useful features such as online payment support, parental controls, and webcam protection.

Fix – AVG install error 0xC007277B

Run setup as administrator

Users reported AVG installation error 0xC007277B, and according to them, you can easily fix this and some other installation errors simply by running AVG setup as administrator.

Running a setup as an administrator is quite simple and in order to do it simply right-click the AVG setup file and choose the Run as administrator option from the menu.

After doing that, the installation should start with administrator privileges and you won’t have any problems with it.

Fix – AVG install error 0x80070091

Solution: Remove AVG installation directories

If you can’t install AVG due to install error 0x80070091, you need to remove AVG installation files. To do that, delete the following folders:

C:Program FilesAVG

C:Program Files(x86)AVG

Instead of removing these folders manually, you might want to use the AVG Remover tool that will scan your PC and remove most AVG-related files from it.

Fix – AVG install error 0x6001f916, 0xe001f90b, 0x6001f90b or 0xe001f916

Restart your PC

If encounter 0x6001f916, 0xe001f90b, 0x6001f90b or 0xe001f916 error during AVG installation, it means that you need to restart your PC to complete it.

After restarting your PC, the installation will be completed and AVG antivirus will be installed to your PC.

Fix – AVG install error 0xe001d026 or 0xc00700652

Disable any additional installations

Install error 0xe001d026 or 0xc00700652 appears if you have another installation running in the background.

To install AVG properly, you need to be sure that there are no additional installations running in the background.

Almost any installation can cause any of these errors to appear, so be sure that nothing is updating or installing in the background before you try to install AVG.

Fix – AVG install error 0xe001f915

Start AVG installation again

Several users reported error 0xe001f915 while installing AVG. This error code usually appears if the installation is stopped by a user or another application.

This error can also appear if a certain component of AVG installation is stopped. This isn’t a serious error, and in order to fix this problem, you just need to restart the AVG installation.

Fix – AVG install error 0xe001d028

Remove problematic software

If you encounter error 0xe001d028 while installing AVG antivirus, it means that you have one or more applications that are in conflict with AVG.

Usually, those are antivirus or firewall applications, and if you have any additional third-party security software installed, we advise you to remove it before installing AVG.

Keep in mind that other third-party applications can interfere with AVG installation and cause 0xe001d028 error to appear.

AVG has a list of problematic applications and this list includes the following:

  • Ashampoo Firewall FREE
  • Better File Rename
  • BeTwin VS
  • TotalAV 4
  • Lock Folder XP
  • Malwarebytes’ Anti-Malware
  • PC MACLAN
  • PC Tools Antivirus
  • Sunbelt Personal Firewall
  • System Protect
  • Webroot Spy Sweeper

This is the list of problematic applications that don’t work with AVG antivirus according to AVG, but there might be also a few other applications that aren’t included in the list.

If you have any of these problematic applications on your PC, you can try updating them and check if that fixes the problem.

If the issue still persists, you need to uninstall these applications and try to install AVG again.

Fix – AVG install error 0xe0060006

Use the AVG Remover tool

Error 0xe0060006 or 0xE0018D06 usually appears if AVG installation is failing, which means that there’s a problem with AVG installation file.

To fix this problem, you need to run the AVG Remover tool and remove your current AVG installation. After that, try to install AVG again.

AVG is a great antivirus tool, but as you can see, there can be some issues while installing AVG. If you encounter any AVG install errors, be sure to try some of our solutions.

Microsoft launches Matte Black Surface Go 3 and Surface Pro 8 with LTE

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft’s Surface Go 3, the company’s most affordable Windows 11 tablet is now available in a new Matte Black finish. You can pre-order this new black Surface Go 3 on the US Microsoft Store today, and it starts at $549 for the model with an Intel Pentium 6500Y processor, 9GB of RAM, and a 128GB SSD.

If you prefer to get the Matte Black Surface Go 3 with the more powerful Intel Core i3 processor, the WiFi-only model will cost you $629.99 and the version with an LTE modem is priced at $729.99. As usual, the Surface Go Type Cover and Surface Pen are sold separately.

In addition to this new Matte Black Surface Go 3, Microsoft has also started offering a new Surface Pro 8 with LTE for business customers (via Windows Central). This new LTE model starts at $1,349.99 for the version with an Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage. The most expensive model is priced at $1,849.99 and it comes with an Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and 256 GB of storage.

This new Surface Pro 8 LTE is currently only available in the classic Platinum finish, and it’s not clear yet if it will remain exclusive to the Microsoft Store for Business. Anyway, both the Surface Go 3 and the Surface Pro 8 are now available with an LTE modem, and this is great news for consumers interested in using the Windows 11 tablets on the go.

How to Disable the Unsafe WiFi Network Popup on Bitdefender

Posted on by Kazim Ali Alvi

Security and privacy over the network are of prime concern. And, that’s why we rely on a good third-party antivirus. But, the BitDefender incessantly spams users with an Unsafe Wi-Fi network notification even on home networks and most are looking for ways to disable it.

Though the notification means no harm and is actually there to help protect the system from malware attacks and ensure security over the network, encountering it over home networks seems to annoy many.

Also, since the notification further promotes their VPN as a way to solve the problem, it further adds to the exasperation.

In the following sections, we will tell you why the notification pops up and will walk you through the steps to disable the Unsafe Wi-Fi network notification in Windows 11.

Why do I see the unsafe Wi-Fi network notification from BitDefender in Windows 11?

When BitDefender identifies a network with weak security, you will receive an Unsafe Wi-Fi network notification. Now, the question is which networks fall into the category and why is your network found to be unsafe?

Generally, it’s the password that’s the culprit. BitDefender categories passwords with both upper and lower case letters, and numbers as a strong password. This basically means that Hello1 is a safe password while alskdjfhg is not. Though it doesn’t make much sense, that’s how it works.

So, you have two options to disable the unsafe Wi-Fi network notifications. Either choose a password that matches the requirements of BitDefender or follow the steps listed below without the need to change your password.

How can I disable the unsafe Wi-Fi network notification in Windows 11?

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter BitDefender in the text field at the top, and click on the relevant search result that appears.Launch BitDefender to disable unsafe wi-fi network (notification)
  2. Click on the Protection tab in the navigation pane on the left.Protection tab to disable unsafe wi-fi network (notification)
  3. Click on Open under the Vulnerability option.Vulnerability
  4. Next, navigate to the Settings tab from the top.Change settings to disable unsafe wi-fi network (notification)
  5. Disable the toggle for Wi-Fi Security Advisor.Disable Wi-Fi Security Advisor to disable unsafe wi-fi network (notification)

That’s it! The unsafe Wi-Fi network notification has now been disabled and you wouldn’t be receiving any from BitDefender from now on.

How can I set my Wi-Fi as Home/Office network in BitDefender?

  1. Launch the BitDefender app and select the Protection tab from the left.Protection tab
  2. Click on Settings under the Firewall option.Firewall settings
  3. Navigate to the Network Adapters tab.Network adapters
  4. Click on the Wi-Fi dropdown menu and select Home/Office from the list of options that appear.Click on Wi-Fi dropdown menu

The connected Wi-Fi will now be configured as the Home/Office network. Changing the Wi-Fi type is also known to disable the Unsafe Wi-Fi network notifications in Windows. So, if the method listed in the previous section didn’t work, this one certainly would.

That’s all there is to disabling the Unsafe Wi-Fi network notification from BitDefender in Windows 11. Once done, you will no longer be receiving a notification for networks with passwords that don’t adhere to BitDefender’s requirements.

Just ensure the one you switch to is fast and stable as your Bitdefender product files may fail to download.

In case your Wi-Fi uses an older security standard, learn how you can change it. Though the article is for Windows 10, it works perfectly well on the latest iteration as well.

Tell us your experience of BitDefender in the comments section below.

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

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

The Twitter web experience and Windows app for computers and tablets running Windows 10 and Windows 11 updated with a variety of new features and functionality over the past month or so.

Among the more noteworthy changes include 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.

Here’s the full release notes of new Twitter feature additions and updates:

New

  • Communities: We’ve been working on a number of things to help you manage and personalize your Communities. Community admins are now able to edit themes, banners, rules, and whether the Community is open or invite-only. More coming soon, keep up with everything with @HiCommunities.
  • DMs: There’s been a lot of work done to improve the scrolling experience within DMs. Scrolling through historical content should now feel much smoother, and the conversation will consistently stay pinned to the bottom when it needs to.
  • Spaces: Currently available to a limited number of hosts, we’re working to bring playback of recorded Spaces to Twitter.com. Learn more here, and keep up with all things Spaces with @TwitterSpaces.
  • Super Follows: The ability to compose exclusive Tweets for your Super Followers is now available to all creators on Twitter.com.
  • Twitter Blue:  We’re exploring ways to take the Twitter experience to the next level. Now launched in select countries, Twitter Blue is an opt-in, monthly paid subscription giving you access to exclusive features to help you customize your Twitter experience. Along with sign-up and subscription management, we’re starting with a set of features including undo Tweet, top articles, reader mode, ad-free articles, and Bookmark folders. Learn more and stay up to date with @TwitterBlue.
  • Tweets: When new Tweets come in on timelines they’ll be grouped behind a new Tweets bar. This helps maintain your position while scrolling, and allows you to view new content when you’re ready.
  • Tweets: The Tweet composer on web now supports the ability to add a location to your Tweets if location services are enabled in your browser.

Updated

  • Accessibility: Improved accessibility role coverage for all modal views by default. This should improve usage generally for screen readers.
  • Accessibility: We’ve added badges to a number of different types of media for calling out when there is alt text applied.
  • Misinformation Labels: We’ve updated the look and feel of our misinformation labels to provide additional context and signal for associated Tweets.
  • Video: The player will now more gracefully handle requests to adjust the seek position, especially on longer videos. This should result in fewer dropped requests when seeking rapidly, or on slower network conditions.
  • Spaces: You can now report a Space from the preview screen instead of needing to join the Space to report. Reporting a Space will also display a toast to confirm the report.
  • Super Follows: Tweets and replies which are classified as exclusive will now show the proper context within the composer.
  • Tweets: Quote Tweets which contain media with sensitive content warnings will now render as links instead of showing a content preview.

Fixed

  • Accessibility: The password visibility button in the password input field is now properly accessible when tabbing.
  • Accessibility: Improved accessibility labeling and roles for dialog popups which capture focus, such as the alt text badge.
  • Accessibility: We’ve made improvements to handling when avatars should be focusable and when they shouldn’t be.
  • Carousels: Prevent flickering from content resizing when rapidly scrolling through carousels.
  • Composer: The modal composer will now prompt you to save or discard your draft if you’ve made changes, and are exiting the flow from within an inner modal such as the GIF picker or scheduler.
  • Composer: Creating a Tweet thread with a poll will no longer cause an error when adding additional Tweets in the same session.
  • DMs: Fixed cases where messages with long strings such as URLs would cause DMs to exceed the conversation screen width instead of wrapping.
  • DMs: The size of the DM composer button has been changed for mobile devices.
  • DMs: The scroller in the DM conversation window will no longer inappropriately snap you to the bottom when there’s no typing indicator.
  • DMs: When making multiple updates to a conversation group’s avatar, only the most recent update will render within the conversation.
  • Log In: We’ve improved the experience when logging in across mobile and web applications.
  • Log In: Prevent issues with the password input moving outside the viewport on mobile devices.
  • Multi-Account: Resolved instances where adding a new account would put you in a state where your previous account was incorrectly shown as logged-in.
  • Scrollbars: Fixed issues in a number of places where scrollbars were rendering under section headers.
  • Search: Attempting to search for the same query again using the enter key on the search results screen will now query again.
  • Search: The search filters screen will no longer redirect to the Explore page when there’s no query present.
  • Spaces: Prevent instances where the Spaces dock contents would move and flicker unexpectedly.
  • Super Follows: When composing exclusive Tweets, the save draft prompt will no longer be shown as they cannot be saved.
  • Super Follows: Scheduling controls have been disabled for exclusive Tweets as they are not currently supported.
  • Third-Party Sign On: The enter key will now properly submit the request to sign in. Additionally, the account name field should automatically fill with suggestions as expected.
  • Tweets: Tweets sent with the undo Tweet option enabled will no longer stick to the top of the timeline in certain scenarios.
  • Tweets: The new Tweets bar will no longer be shown when you’re already at the top of the timeline.
  • Tweets: Clicking the currently active tab will reveal any Tweets that are currently behind the new Tweets bar.
  • Tweets: Muting or blocking accounts will now properly remove any associated Tweets from the new Tweets bar.
  • Tweets: Corrected issues when there are pending Tweets yet to be sent, and you change accounts.
  • Tweets: Educational banners will now consistently render on the Tweet detail screen.
  • Typeahead: Fixed instances where the typeahead dropdown would be visually cut off on Android devices.
  • Verification: Progressing through the account verification process without an email address will no longer leave you in an unrecoverable state.
  • Video: Resolved instances where captions were unavailable for certain videos.

An app update isn’t required to view the above changes though some features and functionality may be restricted to certain regions as they’re tested.

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Microsoft will soon release its latest device, the black Surface Go 3

Posted on by Don Sharpe

In October 2012, Microsoft launched its first Surface tablet running Windows RT. The company is celebrating its 10th anniversary in a matter of months.

The Surface Go 3

It appears that the company is getting ready to launch a new product line. The Surface Go 3, as seen in leaked images, appears to have the same hardware as the existing model, except for its color.

Although a Microsoft listing is yet to be availed, and Amazon Germany listing has surfaced, and it indicates that the new Surface device will be available in stores on January 11. 

LTE version

Microsoft is working on an LTE version of its Surface Go, so it’s likely that the black model of that device will be announced alongside it.

However, Microsoft has not yet officially confirmed the existence of the black hardware. We’ve heard from sources familiar with the matter that Microsoft is gearing up to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of its Surface lineup.

The Microsoft Surface Go 3 could be the first step in this direction if Microsoft refreshes the device this year.

What thrills you most about the release of the Surface Go 3? Share your thoughts with us in the comment section below.

Windows 11 Floppy Disk: It is Still Supported?

Posted on by Claudiu Andone

You would think that with all the new Secure Boot and TPM 2.0 requirements of Windows 11, Microsoft is moving its OS to a new era.

That might be perfectly true but as a user on Reddit recently showed us, the Redmond giant is not abandoning the obsolete technology.

We’re talking about the old 5.25-inch Floppy Disk Drives and their media and some of the commenters from the aforementioned post say that they still got some data on the soft disks.

In fact, we have a great guide on how to Use a Floppy Disk on Windows 10. You will find it useful on Windows 11 too because the indications are very similar.

Quick info about the Floppy Disk Drive

The first floppy disks, invented and made by IBM, had a disk diameter of 8 inches. In 1976, Shugart Associates introduced the 5.25-inch FDD.

After IBM introduced the 3.5-inch FDD, it became the most popular data storage and transfer in the first years of the 21st century. 

It’s no surprise that 3.5-inch floppy disks can still be used with a Floppy Disk Drive but we wouldn’t expect that the 5.25-inch one would still be supported.

That’s because the old disks are obviously not manufactured anymore and those who are still catching dust in some collector’s stashes are probably demagnetized by now.

Still, as this finding clearly suggests, some users continue to use older equipment to read or transfer data from floppy disks.

The 5.25″ Floppy Disk drive still works in Windows 11

In the YouTube clip posted by the Reddit user, he clearly shows how he inserts the disk onto the Floppy drive and can access a photo stored on it.

Not only that File Explorer from Windows 11 is able to recognize the drive, but it also accesses the data pretty quickly.

However, it’s only an image with a few Kb of data so there is no real surprise there. A real challenge would be to see an early Windows kit installed with the help of those soft disks.

If you’re interested in exploring this idea even more, find out what other useful features W11 has in store for you.

What do you think about this amazing stunt? Tell us all about it in the comments section below.

3 Best Antivirus for NAS Storage to Safeguard Sensitive Data

Posted on by Sonia Martin

The world is digitizing at a head-spinning pace and a couple of dusty drawers or shelves no longer qualify as reliable storage alternatives.

Instead, modern storage systems such as NAS devices and Cloud solutions accommodate our most sensitive files and data. Thus, deploying an antivirus for NAS storage makes perfect sense to security-mindful and privacy-conscious users.

Needless to say that NAS devices are far more secure than a paper file and they boast all kinds of defensive mechanisms from encryption services to backup solutions, firewalls, DDoS protection, and so on.

But the very nature of the information they house makes them a particularly enticing prize for profit-hungry hackers prowling for new targets to exploit.

And let’s not forget they are physical devices after all, prone to hardware malfunction and failure, manual tampering, and many other risks.

Now, we are not trying to diminish NAS devices’ security enhancements, but merely to emphasize that there is no such thing as too much protection when it comes to cyber threats.

So, just how secure is a NAS? Is NAS safe from hackers? Let’s find out together.

Can NAS be hacked?

Unpatched IoT gadgets are high-profile targets in regard to the valuable information they hold and NAS devices make no exception, regardless of the brand.

Take, for instance, the QNAP NAS. It has a long record of ransomware-based attacks exploiting vulnerabilities in outdated firmware, unsecured ports, and so on. Needless to say, it is essential to secure these devices using a reliable antivirus tool specifically designed for QNAP.

While we’re at it, you can also have a look at these best QNAP NAS backup software programs just to be on the safe side. After all, not putting all eggs in the same basket has proved effective so far in the most diverse of scenarios.

Sinology, for instance, another immensely popular NAS provider has known its fair share of large-scale attacks based on weak credentials combinations. And the list could go on and on.

Since there are threats that do not aim to leverage specific vulnerabilities, your device would benefit from a network-wide security solution, capable to repel diverse attacks, from phishing to ransomware, malware infections, and so on.

The best way to add another layer of security is by deploying a good antivirus for Network Attached Storage.

Does NAS need antivirus?

Most hackers cannot be bothered with such sophisticated methods. The truth is, the most common way to compromise a NAS is by a brute-force attack.

Sticking to sensitive security policies such as strengthening your passwords, using encryption tools, multi-factor authentification, or not opening too many ports or connections is always a good idea.

But is it enough to keep your data safe? As you can see, the dangers lurking on the Web are far greater than a few random hackers targeting individual gadgets.

Thus, we suggest you use antivirus tools to prevent and remove malicious threats and maintain your data safe all the time.

Can you install antivirus on NAS?

You can and by all means, you should. There are a handful of security programs specifically designed with storage protection in mind.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s see how he chose the best antivirus for NAS storage in the first place. Our experienced testers thoroughly scanned the market and compiled this selection of top antivirus solutions for storage devices.

They highlighted that cross-platform compatibility and high scalability are key factors when choosing a security software to safeguard the digital assets stored on a NAS.

As you probably know, not all NAS devices run on the same OS. Some popular alternatives such as QNAP gadgets run on different Linux-based distributions, while others rely on the good old Windows.

If you’re a home user, scalability will not be essential for you since a NAS already delivers plenty of storage space for your files, photos, videos, and so on.

However, things are entirely different when entering the enterprise segment and our guess is, you’d want a solution that is able to grow along with your workforce and secure your thriving corporate data.

As always, personal expectations and habits will shift the balance in one direction or another, but we can all agree that airtight security and good performance are not areas on which you’d want to compromise. So, here goes.

Tip icon Tip
Here are the criteria on which we focused in order to pick the best antivirus for NAS storage:

➡ High scalability and wide compatibility (support for multiple NAS vendors)
➡ Encryption and credentials’ protection modules
➡ Network security tools (exploit-blocking capabilities, Wi-Fi weaknesses identification, firewalls)
➡ Powerful sanitization modules and device protection
➡ Performance optimization features and low CPU consumption rates
➡ Effective threats identification with proactive measures as well as instant reaction capacity
➡ Multi-layered defense to stop diverse, polymorphic, or hidden nuisance of all kinds
➡ Sensitive data protection, anti-hacking, and backup utilities
➡ Automatic updates of virus signatures to keep emergent threats contained

What is the best antivirus for Network Attached Storage?

Bitdefender GravityZone Security for Storage

  • High availability with no downtimes
  • Unlimited scalability and compatibility
  • Multi-layered defense for shared storage systems
  • Effective and centralized management via a unified console
  • Easy deployment with no impact on NAS performance
  • No major inconvenients noticed by our QA team.
imageFree trial

Since scalability and compatibility ranked so highly on our criteria list, why not start there?

Bitdefender’s Security boasts unlimited scalability, allowing you to expand the number of scans as you add more servers and NAS devices into the mix.

The advantage is self-explanatory. You get to enjoy complete peace of mind thanks to an evolutive security solution that will grow along with your data.

Through continuous protection and the highest degree of availability, you can rest assured that no single point at the system or client level will ever be exposed.

Compatibility is at the heart of this best antivirus for NAS storage. Thus, it delivers impeccable defense for ICAP protocols, Citrix ShareFile, and Nutanix Files and it supports a plethora of NAS models from just as many vendors.

Heavy names such as Oracle, HPE, Dell, EMC, Hitachi, or IBM only account for a handful of examples.

Bitdefender’s modular architecture makes it easy to adapt to complex and heterogeneous multi-vendor NAS infrastructures from the same deployment while still keeping protection management as easy as a breeze.

This antivirus for Network Attached Storage relies on the central GravityZone console that allows for a unified management system, as easy to deploy as it is highly customizable.

You get access to the right amount of tools that enable you to tailor security as per your needs and it isn’t much you cannot do.

From defining global policies to setting up exclusions, and default actions, and creating real-time alerts along with comprehensive reports, you get to control security from endpoint to endpoint with granular precision.

When it comes to protection mechanisms, we were pleased to observe that this antivirus for NAS storage combines the most advanced techniques in the industry.

This includes virus signatures, cloud-based lookup, behavioral analysis as well as machine learning in order to deliver multiple layers of in-depth defense for all your shared storage systems and files.

From widespread infections to infamous zero-day attacks and other prolific cyber threats, Bitdefender can eradicate everything thanks to its unmatched, award-winning security that does not hurt your NAS device’s performance in any way.

Kaspersky Security for Storage

  • Performance optimization tools and minimal impact on performance
  • Easy deployment and centralized remote management
  • Flexible scanning options
  • Highly customizable reporting and privilege allocation
  • Effective protection against diverse threats
  • The product is business-only and does not make a good match for home usage.
imageFree trial

Kaspersky is one resourceful vendor that does not fail to reinvent itself in order to stay fresh and deliver crisp security solutions that perfectly adapt to the shifting digital environment.

Flexibility is quintessential for their business and they manage to stay flexible through modular architecture defense solutions that can easily accommodate a bevy of infrastructures and platforms.

Kaspersky’s Network Attached Storage Security supports all major protocols such as ICAP and RPC-based storage systems as well as most major NAS manufacturers including Hitachi, Dell, Oracle, EMC, and more.

Its versatility goes beyond wide compatibility and it reflects all the way down to scanning and reporting levels.

Thus, you can specify with granular precision the type of files you want to include in your scans, those that need to be removed from this process, as well as the depth of anti-virus and anti-malware defense.

Reporting is just as versatile and you can search through large-volume logs, include visual elements into your reports such as graphs and diagrams to make information more digestible, and use filters to customize your data as per your needs.

A complex notification system is available no further than a click away and you can set differentiated privilege levels for each server admin individually for better management.

Speaking of management, you can rely on a dedicated console that allows for a simplified overview of all your operations, notifications, and updates.

Remotely or directly, you name it, Kaspersky delivers it, thus allowing you to keep an eye on each NAS equipment from a centralized location.

All this flexibility wouldn’t make a lot of difference if it weren’t for the integrated performance optimization-focused tools that aim to secure your network without overcharging your servers.

This antivirus for NAS storage boasts a minimal impact on performance.

Through small-sized update files, modular scanning options, and performance-boosting settings, Kaspersky will keep your infrastructure safe without slowing you down.

Similar to Bitdefender’s security solution for storage systems, this program is highly scalable and it will adapt to your increasing data and workload with no hassle and no special requirements or additional deployments.

McAfee VirusScan Enterprise for Storage

  • Convenient multi-scanner configurations
  • Real-time, always-on protection
  • High availability to ensure business continuity
  • Multivendor support and wide compatibility
  • McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator for unified management
  • Setup requires specialized IT knowledge and can be a bit challenging.
imageFree trial

This antivirus for NAS storage may not be the simplest tool to deploy, but it does simplify security once you have it in place.

Thanks to the McAfee ePolicy Orchestrator, you will be able to supervise all security-related actions and decisions from a centralized console with complete management tools including policies and reporting setup.

Thus, you not only streamline administration but also simplify your environment by protecting your entire infrastructure with a single, comprehensive security program that covers NAS devices from multiple vendors, running on multiple operating systems and platforms.

This antivirus for Network Attached Storage will keep a close eye on all your storage environments and instantly alert you in case of virus detection by email, SMS, or SNMP.

Speaking about virus detection rates, McAfee has another trick up its sleeve.

It’s the powerful combination of generic virus identification and state-of-the-art heuristics analysis that allows for instant reaction and blocking of viruses, malware, and other deceitful threats that can hide in ZIP archives stored on your NAS devices.

Think of it as an antivirus with boot scan capabilities that can remove hidden malware from boot sectors, but with additional protective capacities that extend to your entire environment and network.

Its real-time defense can even detect PUPs and you can tweak its multi-scanner configuration in the most convenient way to perfectly suit your infrastructure and needs.

How do I protect my NAS?

How do I protect my NAS?

A sain routine implies sticking to some basic cybersecurity guidelines and this includes credentials and overall network protection. Start by changing the default passwords and go for strong credentials that won’t be easily compromised by brute-force attacks.

Speaking about password policy, it’s best to use multiple factors authentification in order to make sure your data is beyond hackers’ grasp.

Since staying off the grid defeats the purpose of owning a NAS – as in Network Attached Storage – you should secure your connection and network the best you can.

This implies using a traffic encryption tool, deploying a firewall, activating SSL certificates on your NAS to enable HTTPS connection, and securing ports.

Security often calls for tough choices. Thus, some settings may need to be activated, while others (generally the ones you do not use) simply have to go in order to leave as few exploitable loops as possible.

As always, outdated firmware is a recipe for disaster, so make sure your download and install all updates as soon as they become available in order to pump those security patches into your NAS.

Finally, it’s smart to combine NAS storage with performant antivirus software to keep out malware in the first place and you have a solid selection to help you out right here.

Don’t forget to use strong encryption as well as backup services to secure your valuable data against ransomware.

Don’t know where to start? Have a look at these best NAS devices with cloud backup access and set your storage on a safe path today!

Microsoft tears open the Surface Laptop SE and highlights how repairable it is

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft is highlighting how easy it is to repair the new Surface Laptop SE. The company published an iFixit style teardown video, showing how the entire education-focused device can come apart with minimum tools.

The roughly 8-minute long video begins with the simple step of unscrewing the Torx screws at the bottom of the device. After that, the disassembly continues by prying up the keyboard deck with a spudger tool. This gives access to removing the keyboard deck entirely by detaching just two cables. Other points in the video include steps to remove the display itself, as well as the motherboard, the battery, and the speakers. Microsoft highlights the modularity of the device, and how there’s no adhesive.

Despite the Microsoft video, it is important to note that the Laptop SE isn’t fully modular. The CPU, RAM, and storage are soldered to the motherboard and are non-upgradable. It’s also not a consumer device, but rather one designed for education users. It’s for these users where repairs can be lengthy, but with the Laptop SE being more self-repairable, it reduces the time needed to be spent out of service. We’re hoping the lessons learned from Laptop SE can also come over to the main Surface lineup one day.

SQL Server 2019 Download for Windows 11 [64 bit Version]

Posted on by Cesar Cadenas

Microsoft SQL Server is a database management system whose main purpose is to store and retrieve data that are requested by other apps, whether it’s on the same computer or one across the network. Microsoft has created multiple editions of SQL Server, each of which is aimed at different audiences and workloads.

The different versions of SQL Server can range from single-computer applications to large internet-centric ones with tons of concurrent users. SQL Servers are important for people running businesses and organizations that undoubtedly have an internet presence

You may be happy to know that there is a free version of SQL Server: the Express version. It’s the most scaled-down version but does include no limitations on the number of databases or users supported, plus a core database engine. However, Express only allows one processor to be used, a single GB of memory, and 10 GB for database storage.

Other versions include the Web Edition for low-TCO web hosting, the Standard edition which has some stand-alone services not available on Express, and the Enterprise which can manage databases as large as 524 petabytes.

Is Microsoft SQL Server a must-have service?

Honestly, unless you’re a developer of some kind that writes applications that work with databases, you don’t need SQL Server. It has a very specific certain of circumstances that it will be used in. It’s not something that you typically install on a workstation.

Instead, SQL Server is installed on a server or computer that is shared by dozens, maybe even hundreds of users on a large-scale application. You may typically find Reddit threads or forum posts asking about the service and when it’ll be available. Well, as it turns out, SQL Server recently became available on Windows 11.

Right now, the latest version supported is SQL Server 2019 and this guide will show you how to download and install SQL Server.

It’s helpful to know how to do it correctly if you ever decide to try out the software and you’re a fledgling developer.

And if any of your .MDF files gets corrupted, we have a guide on how to repair an SQL database and retrieve your data quickly.

How do I install SQL Server 2019?

1. Installing SQL Server Express

  1. In a web browser, search for the official Microsoft SQL Server page.
  2. In this page scroll down until you find the free specialized editions.
  3. Under Express, click Download now.
  4. A small window may appear. Select Save File.
  5. After downloading, locate the SQL Server Express installation file and double click it.
  6. If the computer asks if you want to make changes, select Yes.
  7. The Setup wizard for Express appears. For this installation, the guide will choose Basic, but you have the opportunity to create a customized rendition or download the media to install later.
  8. Click Accept at the License Terms.
  9. Click Browse to choose where you want the software to go. Otherwise, click Install.
  10. Give the installation some time to finish.
  11. After installing, click Connect Now.
  12. The Command Prompt will appear stating that you have successfully connected your SQL Server app.
  13. After installing the Express edition, click Install SSMS.

2. Installing SQL Server 2021 Developer Edition

  1. In the Microsoft SQL Server page, select Download now under Developer.
  2. A small window may appear. Select Save File.
  3. After downloading, locate the SQL Server Developer file and double click it.
  4. If the computer asks if you want to make changes, select Yes.
  5. The Setup wizard for Developer appears. For this installation, the guide will choose Basic, but you have the opportunity to create a customized rendition or simple download media to install later.
  6. Click Accept at the License Terms.
  7. Click Browse to choose where you want the software to go. Otherwise, click Install.
  8. Give the installation some time.
  9. After installing, click Connect Now.
  10. The Command Prompt will appear stating that you have successfully connected your SQL Server app.
  11. After installing the Developer edition, click Install SSMS.

3. Installing SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS)

  1. Clicking Install SSMS will take you to the SQL Server Management Studio download page.
  2. Click on the SSMS download hyperlink to start installation.
  3. A small window may appear. Click Save File.
  4. Locate the SSMS installation file and double-click it.
  5. If the computer asks you to make changes, click Yes.
  6. The SSMS installation wizard appears. You can change the file’s location by clicking Change.
  7. Then, click Install.
  8. Give the installation process some time.
  9. Once SSMS has finished installing, click Close.
  10. Now you will have to connect to your server.
  11. Start by opening the search bar.
  12. In the search bar, type in SSMS to bring up the SQL Server Management Studio App.
  13. Click the first entry you see to open the app.
  14. When the SSMS app open, you will be given the opportunity to authenticate your connection to the server.
  15. In the Server type drop-down menu, you can select what type of server you’re trying to connect to.
  16. Then add the Server name.
  17. Next select how you to authenticate your credentials. In this case, Basic Authentication will be chosen.
  18. Add your user name and password.
  19. Then click Connect to establish a connection between you and the server.
  20. Once you’ve been successfully authenticated, the Object Explorer on the left will be filled with database entries and other SQL objects.
  21. If you want to connect to another server, click on File in the top left corner.
  22. In this new drop-down menu, click Connect Object Explorer. The previously seen authentication window will appear.

In some cases, you may also need to install additional connectivity components. One of the most widely used is the ODBC Driver 17 for SQL Server, which allows applications to connect to SQL Server through the ODBC interface. This is especially useful if you plan to integrate SQL Server with external apps or reporting tools.

Are there other helpful apps or software that developers should download?

A useful software addition that comes highly recommended is QT TabBar. It changes the way File Explorer looks on Windows 11 and enables multiple tabs to open for a single window. It’s useful for giving the ability to jump between different windows without needing to have multiple instances open.

The main problem with having multiple windows open is that it soon becomes taxing on the computer’s CPU, which in turn causes performance issues and severe slowdown.

Plus, it can be annoying having to jump from window to window. Save yourself a lot of problems and download QT TabBar.

It may also interest you to know that Windows 11 may soon receive support for more widgets, although details are a little vague right now.

It is known that the OS’ third-party widget features will require a new version of the Windows Web Experience Pack.

There’s also a new software tool coming from GitHub called WSA PacMan that allows you to sideload Android apps in Windows 11. It’s easy to download and easy to use without needing to contend with ADB commands.

Hands on with Windows 11 SE on the Surface Laptop SE: feels a lot like EdgeOS

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft is known for “special” editions of Windows. There’s Windows 10 in S mode and Windows 11 in S-mode, and recently, the company announced Windows 11 SE. This cloud-first Windows edition is uniquely designed for education customers, and only comes pre-installed on low-cost devices like the Surface Laptop SE.

It’s not a version of Windows that you can “buy” and install on your own, but it does offer the power and reliability of Windows 11, with a couple of key changes. Also, it’s intended to help make IT administrators’ lives easier so that they can provision Windows 11 SE devices for schools in a few simple steps with Microsoft Intune for Education.

I recently purchased a Surface Laptop SE which comes with the new OS, and here are my thoughts on why I think it’s a version of Windows that feels like “Microsoft EdgeOS.”

A few notes

Though education is the intended audience, Microsoft isn’t limiting who can buy devices with Windows 11 SE. You can’t find these devices through Microsoft’s own consumer store, but you can buy Windows 11 SE devices through Microsoft’s partners, which is how I got my Surface Laptop SE.

Going this route as a consumer means that Windows 11 SE will behave differently. The OS is designed for education customers and not the average consumer or for personal use. These customers use cloud-based tools like Microsoft Intune to provision Windows 11 SE devices for students. It’s through that provisioning that admins can load select Microsoft approved Win32 and Microsoft Store apps for students to use.

Without Intune, though, the experience on Windows 11 SE is limited to the pre-installed apps like Edge, Office, Flipgrid, and Minecraft for Education. There are also select system apps like Groove, Photos, Paint, Calculator, News, and To Do.

Though Windows 11 SE supports Microsoft-approved Win32 Microsoft Store apps, you can’t install these apps on your own through Windows 11 SE itself. There’s no Microsoft Store app, either. Intune is how everything is done. You can see how it compares to other Windows editions above.

Yet signing into a Windows 11 SE device without Intune and with just a Microsoft Account will work just fine, but the experience will be limited. With no Intune, you’ll face app and management issues. Microsoft even warns that if you use a Windows 11 SE device for personal use, it might be “too restrictive.” Yet, it’s those restrictions that make Windows 11 SE unique from the Microsoft fan’s and consumer’s point of view.

No Widgets

First off, one of the big changes in Windows 11 SE that applies to all users (using Intune or not) is the omission of Widgets. This is one of the signature features in Windows 11, and it gives quick access to news, weather, and other content. Yet in Windows 11 SE, Microsoft removed it for education users for a more distraction-free environment. Pressing Windows Key + W does nothing and the Taskbar doesn’t have the icon either. Even the Taskbar settings lack the Widgets setting.

File Explorer behavior

File Explorer in Windows 11 SE behaves very differently from Windows 11’s. Instead of opening in a windowed mode, it opens full screen by default. This lets you see more on your screen, with minimum distraction. All apps respect the behavior, too, and will load full screen by default. It makes sense for students, as it can help with focus.

Changes to Snap layouts

Windows 11’s other signature feature is Snap layouts. With the feature, you can stack your windows in six different ways for better productivity. In Windows 11 SE, though, Snap Layouts are limited to just two side-by-side options. This reduces the complexity for students, to again help with focus. Note that even on larger monitors, Snap Layouts are limited to just two layouts. Resolution size does not impact the Snap layout limit, and it looks to be baked into Windows 11 SE itself.

Other system limits

Focused on education, Windows 11 SE locks the end-user out of some features in Windows 11. We already mentioned the lack of the Microsoft Store, and installing Win32 apps, but there’s more. As an example, you can’t get into Command Prompt (though the app is installed.) There’s also no Windows PowerShell installed. In addition, you can’t even get into the classic Control Panel. It’s listed, but clicking it will lead to an error message.

Unlike Windows 10 and Windows 11 in S-mode, Windows 11 SE systems also can’t “upgrade” to standard Windows 11 Pro or Home. In one FAQ, Microsoft says there is no way to switch to a different version of Windows from Windows 11 SE.

Yet, it also indicates that should you like to use a Windows 11 SE device for personal use, you can purchase a license of the Windows version you like, erase all data, with the caveat of there being no way back to Windows 11 SE.

And about those app limits. While IT admins can load Win32, UWP, and Microsoft Store apps to Windows 11 SE devices with Intune, there are some limits. There are only 6 approved types of apps for Windows 11 SE.

  • Content Filtering apps
  • Test Taking solutions
  • Assistive technologies
  • Classroom communication apps
  • Essential diagnostics, management, and
  • supportability apps

Any apps that fall outside of those parameters can not be installed on Windows 11 SE. Microsoft says that Windows 11 SE supports a curated set of apps that are chosen based on feedback from educators and IT admins, and is open to supporting new apps by request.

Versus Windows 10 in S mode and Windows in S mode

Windows 10 In S Mode 2

So how does Windows 11 SE stack up against S-mode Windows versions? Well, as we said so far, Windows 11 SE has a more simplified user interface, there’s no Microsoft Store, and there’s no way to switch to regular Windows 11. Microsoft also indicates that Windows 11 SE has built-in enhancements to optimize performance on low-end hardware. It says that Windows 11 SE is cloud-first, so it requires less memory and uses a smaller footprint than traditional Windows Pro, so it can perform faster, Another key fact? Windows 11 SE is optimized for institutional use, but Windows 10 in S mode was also available to consumers.

Cloud-first and Edge-first

All that explained, Windows 11 SE (in the way I used it) feels like a Microsoft take on the original version of Chrome OS (which was essentially just a web browser.) So far, in my time with my Surface Laptop SE, it’s been a cloud-first device. Files saved locally (when offline) sync up to OneDrive once connected.

In addition, Edge is the way to go on the Laptop SE as without any way to access to installing Chrome via Intune, it’s the key to the web. Oh, and speaking of the web, Edge even lets me create PWAs, too. Instagram, Twitter, are just a few examples of what I’ve created and used.

I definitely won’t be editing videos on the Laptop SE, but it feels like a no-nonsense laptop where you can just get work done, with little distraction. Performance has been great on my higher-end model, especially for web browsing. I’ll be planning a hands-on video in a few days, and also will be talking about the Laptop SE on the next OnPodcast, so be sure to stay tuned for more!

How to leave a team in Microsoft Teams

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

So you’re looking to leave a Teams meeting?  A handy tool for remote collaboration, Microsoft Teams has become a lifesaver for online professional communications, especially since the Covid-19 pandemic first hit the world.

Of the many features that Teams comes packed with, the most important—and one which acts as a fulcrum for all others— is the one of creating specific teams. In some cases, however, leaving a team is often something you’ve might have to do. Maybe you were added to the wrong Team. Or perhaps you’re now done with the project and, therefore, don’t need to be the part of the team anymore. Whatever your specific reason, in this article, we’ve covered the exact steps you need to follow for leaving a specific Team. Let’s get started.

How to Leave a Team in Microsoft Teams

Be it the desktop app or the Teams version on android, leaving a team in your Teams app is a simple affair. Simply follow the steps below, and you too can leave a team easily.

Leaving a team in the Teams desktop app

Here’s how you can leave a team in the Teams desktop app:

  1. Click on the Teams option from the left panel.
  2. From the list of Teams, choose the one you’d like to leave now.
  3. Click on the three dots for a specific team and select Leave the team.

leaving a team on teams app

You’ll then get a confirmation dialog box. Click on Leave the team, and you’ll be successfully exit that specific team.

How to leave a team in the Teams mobile app

To leave a team in the Teams Android app, first you’ve to navigate to the Teams navigation tab.

From the available list of teams, click on the options menu (three dots) of the specific team you’d like to leave and select Leave team.

You’ll then be asked for a confirmation again. Click on OK to leave the team.

Wrapping it up

And that’s all about leaving a team in Microsoft Teams app, folks. Whatever your reason for leaving a team, if you follow the above listed methods you’ll be able to do so successfully.

Fix: Windows Filtering Platform Has Blocked a Packet

Posted on by Kazim Ali Alvi

Windows 11, the latest iteration in the series from Microsoft, is said to be the most advanced and user-oriented. However, encountering errors remains as common, if not more than the previous version. In this article, we will be taking up the Windows Filtering Platform has blocked a connection problem.

The error arises when certain packets or connections are blocked by the Base Filtering Engine. Though the problem may seem intricate to most users, its solutions are rather simple and have been listed out in the following sections.

For those encountering the error in Windows 11, it’s likely that the upgrade didn’t go through successfully and there’s some kind of misrecognition in Windows Firewall.

But, before we head to the fixes, it’s imperative that you understand the role of the Windows Filtering Platform and its main features.

How does the Windows Filtering Platform help developers?

Windows Filtering Platform, a set of system services and API (Application Programming Interface) allows developers to create network filtering applications. It was first introduced in Windows Vista and has been a part of the Windows ecosystem ever since.

It can also be used to build independent firewalls, antivirus, amongst other network-related applications. With this, an application can access and modify packets while these are being processed.

The three main features of the Windows Filtering Platform are as follows:

  • Base Filter Engine
  • Generic Filter Engine
  • Callout Modules

Now that you are fairly acquainted with the concept, let’s head to the most effective fixes for the Windows Filtering Platform has blocked a connection problem in Windows 11.

How can I fix the Windows Filtering Platform has blocked a connection error in Windows 11?

1. Disable the Firewall

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu. Enter Windows Defender Firewall in the text field at top and click on the relevant search result that appears.Launch Windows Defender Firewall to fix windows filtering platform has blocked a connection
  2. Next, click on Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off from the list of options on the left.Turn Windows Defender Firewall on or off
  3. Tick the checkboxes for Turn off Windows Defender Firewall (not recommended) under both Private network settings and Public network settings, and click on OK at the bottom to save the changes.Disable firewall to fix windows filtering platform has blocked a connection

After making the changes, restart the system and check if the Windows Filtering Platform has blocked a connection problem is eliminated in Windows 11. If not, head to the fix listed next.

2. Run DISM tool

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu. Enter Windows Terminal in the text field at the top, right-click on the relevant search result and select Run as administrator from the context menu.Launch elevated Windows Terminal to fix windows filtering platform has blocked a connection
  2. Click Yes on the UAC (User Account Control) prompt that pops up.Yes
  3. Click on the downward-facing arrow at the top and select Command Prompt from the list of options. Alternatively, you can hit the Ctrl + Shift + 2 to launch Command Prompt in a new tab in Windows Terminal.Open Command Prompt tab
  4. Next, paste the following command and hit Enter to execute it:DISM/Online /Cleanup-image /ScanhealthExecute DISM to fix windows filtering platform has blocked a connection
  5. Finally, execute the following command:DISM/Online /Cleanup-image /RestorehealthRun DISM to eliminate windows filtering platform has blocked a connection problem

3. Perform a quick SFC scan

  1. Press Windows + R to launch the Run command. Enter wt in the text field, press and hold the Ctrl + Shift keys, and then either click on OK or hit Enter to launch an elevated Windows Terminal.Open elevated Windows Terminal from Run command
  2. Click Yes on the UAC (User Account Control) prompt.Click Yes
  3. Click on the downward arrow and select Command Prompt from the menu that appears.Launch Command Prompt tab to fix windows filtering platform has blocked a connection
  4. Next, type/paste the following command and hit Enter to run the SFC scan:sfc /scannowRun SFC scan to fix windows filtering platform has blocked a connection

The SFC (System File Checker) scan is used to identify corrupt system files, and if any are found, replace them with their cached copy stored on the system. So, if it’s the corrupt system files that are causing the Windows Filtering Platform has blocked a connection problem in Windows 11, running the SFC scan should fix it.

After executing the command, wait for the scan to complete, then restart the computer and check if the problem is eliminated. If the issue still persists, you can try using a third-party repair app that has more advanced features.

4. Restart Windows Security Center

  1. Press Windows + R to launch the Run command. Enter services.msc in the text field, and either click on OK or hit Enter to launch the Services app.Launch Services
  2. Locate and double-click on the Windows Defender Firewall service.Windows Defender Firewall
  3. Check if the Service status reads Running.Check service status
  4. If not, click on the Start button under Service status to run the service.Start Windows Defender Firewall service to fix windows filtering platform has blocked a connection
  5. Next, press Windows + S to launch the Search menu. Enter Windows Terminal in the text field, right-click on the relevant search result that appears, and select Run as administrator from the context menu.Launch elevated Windows Terminal to fix windows filtering platform has blocked a connection
  6. Click Yes on the UAC (User Account Control) prompt that appears.Click Yes
  7. Next, execute the following command and then restart the PC:reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender" /v "DisableAntiSpyware" /d 1 /t REG_DWORD /fExecute command to fix windows filtering platform has blocked a connection
  8. After the computer restarts, paste the following command and hit Enter:reg add "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender" /v "DisableAntiSpyware" /d 0 /t REG_DWORD /fExecute the following command to fix windows filtering platform has blocked a connection

Once done, again restart the computer and check if the Windows Filtering Platform has blocked a connection problem is fixed in Windows 11.

5. Disable your antivirus

Note icon NOTE
We have listed the steps to disable the built-in Windows Security app. In case you are using a third-party antivirus, check its settings or head to the FAQ section on the manufacturer’s website for the steps to disable it.
  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu. Enter Windows Security in the text field at the top, and then click on the relevant search result that appears.Launch Windows Security
  2. Click on Virus & threat protection.Virus & threat protection
  3. Click on Manage settings under Virus & threat protection settings.Manage settings
  4. Next, click on the toggle under Real-time protection to disable the antivirus.Disable real time protection to fix windows filtering platform has blocked a connection
  5. Lastly, click Yes on the UAC (User Account Control) prompt that pops up.Confirm change

Oftentimes, the antivirus is known to conflict with the network settings and lead to a bunch of errors. This the generally the case with third-party antiviruses but the built-in Windows Security is also sometimes found to be the culprit.

Hence if the above fixes haven’t worked, you can try disabling the antivirus and check if the Windows Filtering Platform has blocked a connection problem is eliminated in Windows 11.

In case the error persists, uninstall the third-party antivirus app and verify if that changes the situation. Also, check out our curated list of the best antivirus software for Windows 11.

6. Create a new local account

In many cases, it was a corruption in the user account that led to the Windows Filtering Platform has blocked a connection problem. If that’s the case, and the above methods have fixed it, you can create a new local account on your Windows 11 PC.

While there is a lot of debate around whether you should go for a Microsoft account or a Local one, the latter should be a better choice here since it’s not linked to any servers and can be used independently on the device.

Once you have created a new local account, the error should not be present in the Event Viewer anymore.

Which is better, Windows 11 or Windows 10?

With Windows 11 finally launched, most have been nothing but excited to get their hands on the latest iteration. But, a lot of users have been skeptical of the upgrade owing to various factors.Windows 11 and WIndows 11 comparison

The primary reason is that they are accustomed to Windows 10 and it will take some time to get familiar with the new OS. But, that’s not a good enough reason since Windows 11 offers both a slightly better user interface along with a bunch of other features and security enhancements, meant to improve your experience.

If you too are confused between the two, go through our guide where we compare Windows 11 and Windows 10.

That’s all there is to the Windows Filtering Platform has blocked a connection problem in Windows 11 along with the most relevant fixes for it.

In case the methods listed above do not eliminate the Windows Filtering Platform has blocked a packet error, you can either perform a system restore or reset Windows 11 to its factory settings.

Tell us which fix worked and your thoughts on the whole Windows 11 vs Windows 10 debate in the comments section below.

Dolby Atmos Not Working in Windows 11? Here’s How to Turn It On

Posted on by Kazim Ali Alvi

Follow the steps below to quickly enable Dolby Atmos and fix common issues on Windows 11. This guide will help you restore immersive sound and get the most out of your audio experience.

What do I do if Dolby Atmos is not working in Windows 11?

1. Run the built-in audio troubleshooter

  1. Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app and then click on Troubleshoot on the right in the System tab.
    Troubleshoot to fix windows 11 dolby atmos not working
  2. Next, click on Other troubleshooters.
    Other troubleshooters
  3. Locate and click on the Run button next to the Playing Audio troubleshooter.
    Run Playing Audio troubleshooter to fix windows 11 dolby atmos not working
  4. Wait for the troubleshooter to detect the problem and follow the on-screen instructions to fix the error.

Whenever dealing with an error in Windows, it’s recommended that you first run the relevant built-in troubleshooter for it, if one exists. These are known to fix a plethora of problems with minimal effort from your end.

2. Update Windows 11

  1. Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app, and then select Windows Update tab from the navigation pane on the left.
    Windows Update
  2. Click on Check for updates to scan for any available newer versions of the OS.
    Check for updates to fix windows 11 dolby atmos not working
  3. If any are available, download and install them to your system, since running an older version of the OS is known to cause problems with the functioning.

3. Update the sound driver

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter Device Manager in the text field at the top, and then click on the relevant search result that appears.
    Launch Device Manager to fix windows 11 dolby atmos not working
  2. Locate and double-click on the Sound, video, and game controllers entry.
    Sound, video, and game controllers
  3. Now, right-click on the devices listed under it one at a time, and then select Update Driver from the context menu.
    Update sound driver to fix windows 11 dolby atmos not working
  4. Select Search automatically for driver from the two options in the Update Drivers window.
    Search automatically for drivers

Windows will now automatically look for the best available driver on the system and install it for the device. The major drawback here is that only the hard drive is scanned for updates and not the web servers or Windows Update.

In case the drivers were not updated using the Device Manager method listed above, you can check for a newer version in Windows Update or manually download and install them.

After updating the driver, check if Dolby Atmos starts working in Windows 11.

If that sounds like too much trouble, you can always go with a reliable third-party app for the job. There are a bunch of these out there, but we recommend using Outbyte Driver Updater, a dedicated tool that scans all available sources for updates and keeps the installed drivers up-to-date.

4. Reinstall the sound driver

  1. Right-click on the Start icon or press Windows + X to launch the Quick Access/Power User menu, and then select Device Manager from the list of options.
    Device Manager
  2. Next, click on the carat icon before the Sound, video and game controllers entry to expand and view the devices under it.
    Sound, video, and game controllers to fix windows 11 dolby atmos not working
  3. Now, look for a warning icon (exclaimation mark in a yellow triangle) next to any of the devices, right-click on it, and then select Uninstall device from the context menu.
    Uninstall device
  4. Tick the checkbox for Attempt to remove the driver for this device and then click on Uninstall.
    Reinstall driver to fix windows 11 dolby atmos not working
  5. After uninstalling the malfunctioning device, restart the computer.

When you restart the computer, Windows will automatically install a fresh driver to replace the corrupt one that was previously installed. Once done, check if the Dolby Atmos not working issue in Windows 11 is eliminated.

5. Roll back driver update

  1. Press Windows + R to launch the Run command, type devmgmt.msc in the text field, and then either click on OK or hit Enter to launch the Device Manager.
    launch Device Manager
  2. Double-click on the Sound, video and game controller entry.
    Sounds, video and game controller
  3. Right-click on each of the devices listed here one at a time, and then select Properties from the context menu.
    Device properties
  4. Navigate to the Driver tab, and then click on the Roll Back Driver button.
    Roll back driver to fix windows 11 dolby atmos not working
  5. Next, select a reason for uninstalling the update and then click on Yes to proceed.
    Choose a reason to uninstall to fix windows 11 dolby atmos not working

If Dolby Atmos stopped working after updating the sounds drivers in Windows 11, it’s time you roll back the driver update. Doing this will reinstall the previous driver, and in all likelihood fix the issue.

6. Enable exclusive mode

  1. Press Windows + S to launch the Search menu, enter Change System Sounds in the text field at the top, and then click on the relevant search result that appears.
    Change system sounds to fix windows 11 dolby atmos not working
  2. Next, navigate to the Playback tab from the top.
    Playback tab
  3. Right-click on the default playback device and select Properties from the context menu.
    Properties
  4. Go to the Spatial sound tab, click on the Spatial sound format dropdown menu and then select Dolby Atmos for headphones from the list of options.
    Dolby Atmos for headphones to fix windows 11 dolby atmos not working
  5. Next, navigate to the Advanced tab, tick both the checkboxes under Exclusive Mode, and then click on OK at the bottom to save the changes.
    Give exlusive mode permissions to fix windows 11 dolby atmos not working

You can also follow this complete guide on how to enable Dolby Atmos on Windows 11 to make sure your spatial sound settings are configured correctly.

7. Reset the Dolby Access app

  1. Press Windows + I to launch the Settings app and then select Apps from the list of tabs in the navigation pane on the left.
    Apps tab
  2. Click on Apps & features on the right.
    Apps & features
  3. Locate the Dolby Access app, click on the ellipsis next to it, and then select Advanced options from the menu.
    Advanced options to fix windows 11 dolby atmos not working
  4. Click on the Reset button.
    Reset to fix windows 11 dolby atmos not working
  5. Again, click on Reset in the prompt that pops up.
    Confirm reset

Wait for the reset process to complete and then check if the Dolby Atmos not working issue in Windows 11 is eliminated.

Why is Dolby Atmos not working in Windows 11?

There could be a bunch of reasons behind Dolby Atmos not working on your Windows 11 system, but more often than not, it’s the drivers that are the culprit. It could both be a case of outdated or corrupt drivers, along with issues in the current version.

Apart from that, it could be a problem with the OS, misconfigured settings, or the Dolby Access app itself. Whatever be the case, we have listed the relevant fixes for each to get things back up and running in no time.

If you are able to identify the problem, say a corrupt driver, directly head to the relevant method and execute it. Otherwise, you can follow the steps in the listed sequence for quick and effective troubleshooting.

How can I install Dolby Atmos in Windows 11?

You can easily install the Dolby Atmos app from the Microsoft Store, spend a few minutes setting it up and enjoy the surround system technology as it’s meant to be. Though, make sure your system is compatible with it or you have external hardware that is.

In case you have none, there’s always the option to use the built-in feature for surround sound on your headphones with the Dolby Atmos app. This doesn’t require specialized hardware and will work with any set of headphones or earbuds.

These are all the ways you can eliminate issues that are preventing Dolby Atmos from working in Windows 11 and experience total sound immersion just the ways it is in movie theaters.

For more details, check out our guides on how to install Dolby Atmos on Windows 11 and which browsers support Dolby Atmos.

If case you are facing trouble with Dolby Atmos in Windows 10, check our dedicated guide to fix the issue.

Tell us which fix worked along with your experience of Dolby Atmos in Windows 11, in the comments section below.