Page 863 • Windows Report

Seeing the driver error Code 32? Fix it in 4 simple steps

Posted on December 14, 2021September 26, 2025 by Matthew Adams

Driver error Code 32 is an issue that can arise for specific hardware devices.

Device Manager displays the error message for Code 32 within the General tab on device properties windows.

The full error message within the Device status box states:

A driver (service) for this device has been disabled. An alternate driver may be providing this functionality. (Code 32).

So, it’s obvious enough that this is a driver issue.

These are some of the potential resolutions for driver error Code 32.

How can I fix driver error Code 32?

1. Reinstall the driver

Right-click the Start button in Windows 10 and select Run.
Enter devmgmt.msc into Run’s box and click OK to open Device Manager.
Expand the hardware category that includes the device with error code 32.
Right-click the device to fix error code 32 for and select Uninstall device.
Select Delete the driver software for this device option on the window that opens.
Click the Uninstall button.
Thereafter, click the Action menu.
Select the Scan for hardware changes option to reinstall the device.

Scan for hardware changes option driver error code 32

2. Update your drivers

Open the Device Manager
Expand the category tree of the drivers you want to update
Right-click on them and select Update driver
Click on Search automatically for updated driver software
Reboot your PC after Windows installs the drivers

As this is a driver issue, updating the driver for the device is one of the more obvious resolutions. You can do it by following the above steps or by using an automatic third-party software that scans your PC, downloads and installs the latest drivers with just a few clicks.

That being said, you should consider the support from dedicated tools to improve your system performance fast. More so, you will repair corrupted drivers or errors once for all.

With this dedicated tool, you will automatically update PC drivers from its rich database with over 18 million drivers. You only have to select which drivers need to be updated and the rest is magic.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

3. Undo system changes with System Restore

Open the Run accessory in Windows.
Input rstrui in the Open box within Run, and then click the OK option.
Click Next on the System Restore window to continue.
Select the Show more restore points check box.
Choose a restore point that will roll Windows back to a date that predates the Code 32 error on your desktop or laptop. (If you’re not sure, select the restore point that goes the furthest back.)
Note: Software installed after a selected restore point gets deleted. Click Scan for affected programs to check what software will be uninstalled.
Click the Next option.
Select the Finish option to confirm.

4. Delete the UpperFilters and LowerFilters string values

Open Run’s window.
Enter Regedit in the blank box and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Open this registry path: Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ CurrentControlSet\Control\Class
Identify what GUID subkey class in the registry corresponds to the hardware device you need to fix error code 32 for on Microsoft’s System-Defined Device Setup Classes page.
Select the respective registry subkey.
Right-click UpperFilters and select Delete.
Right-click LowerFilters to select Delete.
Exit the Registry Editor.
Thereafter, click Restart on the Start menu.

Those are among the most probable fixes for the Code 32 error.

There might be other ways to fix Code 32, however, so feel free to share alternative resolutions you might know in the comments section below.

Fix: Adobe error code 110 [Document could not be saved]

Posted on December 14, 2021October 4, 2023 by Matthew Adams

Some Adobe Reader users have posted about a 110 error on the Adobe forums. Error code 110 arises for some users when they try to save a PDF in Adobe Reader. The full 110 error message states:

The document could not be saved. There was a problem reading this document. (110).

As a consequence, users can’t save changes to PDFs when that error arises.

How can I fix Adobe Reader’s error code 110?

1. Update Adobe Reader

First, try updating Adobe Reader. To do that, open the Adobe Reader window.
Click the Help menu.
Select the Check for Updates option.
If there are updates available, select to update Adobe Reader.
Then restart Adobe Reader.

2. Select Print to PDF to save the document

Some users have confirmed they’ve saved the documents the 110 error arises for by selecting to print to PDF.
- To do that, click the Print file button in Adobe Reader.
Select Microsoft Print to PDF in the Printer drop-down menu.
Click the Print button.
A Save Printed Output As the window will then open. Enter a new title for the PDF document in the text box.
Select a new folder to save the document .
Then click the Save button. Thereafter, the PDF document will also print.

3. Fix a corrupted PDF file

Error code 110 often arises for corrupted PDF files. Therefore, you can download the Stellar PDF Repair tool.

The process is straightforward. You select the file that gives you problems. Add it to Stellar. Click on the Repair button and wait for the process to end.

Then you can visualize a preview of the file and save the new repaired file.

You can then open the newly repaired file and see the contents correctly in Adobe Reader.

4. Save the PDF document with Nitro Pro

Some users have said saving their PDF files within Nitro Pro fixed error 110.

Open the Nitro Pro window.
Open the PDF file the 110 error arises for in Nitro Pro.
Click the File menu.
Select the Save As option.
Select PDF Document, and then save the file in a new folder.
Close Nitro Pro.
Then open the same PDF in Adobe Reader.
- Try saving it again in Adobe Reader.

5. Save the PDF file in Foxit

Alternatively, try saving the file error 110 that arises with Foxit Reader, which might get rid of some of the document properties that generate the issue in Adobe Reader.

Click the Free Foxit Reader Download button on Foxit’s webpage to download the installer. After installing the software, open the PDF document in Foxit.

Then click File and Save As to save the PDF to a selected folder.

Those are a few of the resolutions that users have fixed error 110 with. The error is usually due to corrupted file properties and font issues, which the above resolutions fix.

To know more about this amazing tool, check out our Adobe Reader Hub.

For more troubleshooting guides pertaining to Adobe products, check out our Adobe Fix page.

Warning: Formatting will erase all data on this disk [Fixed]

Posted on December 14, 2021October 4, 2023 by Madalina Dinita

Warning: Formatting will erase all data on this disk is an error message you’ll receive when you try to open a USB or hard drive that has been corrupted.

By default, Windows will prompt you to fix the issue by formatting the storage media, but this is not the only way to fix it.

Formatting will erase all data: How can I fix this error?

1. Use Windows built-in repair tool

Right-click on the drive you want to repair and choose Properties from the drop-down menu.
When the Properties window opens, go to the Tools tab.
Click on the Check button.
Click on Scan and Repair and wait till the operation is finished.
If you are prompted to repair your drive then click the repair button.

Windows comes with a built-in repair tool that automatically scans the drive and repairs the issues. Follow these steps to use the tool:

This is it. If in the end, the tool said it couldn’t find any errors, this means that it is unable to fix your issues and you should try another method.

2. Use the CHKDSK command

The only way to run this tool is through the Command Prompt with administrator privilege. Search for cmd in Start and then hit Ctrl + Shift + Enter. Say Yes when prompted by the User Account Control.
Run this command chkdsk [Drive Letter]: /f. Replace [Drive Letter] with the letter of the drive you want the tool to check and repair. If the disk is in use, this tool will automatically notify you and tell you if you want to schedule a check on the next computer restart. Say yes if prompted and restart your computer.
If the above command didn’t work, there’s a stronger command that removes bad sectors and tries to recover data. Run chkdsk [Drive Letter]: /R /X This will also unmount the drive if necessary before performing the check.

This command-line utility was created specifically to check for many common drive errors, as well as check its integrity.

If you face any issues while using Check Disk (chkdsk), be sure to read this article dedicated to what to do if the command gets stuck.

3. Use a repair tool to scan your drive

Since issues with storage devices are so common, there are companies that specifically create programs to solve them.

You may first check the website of the company that manufactured your storage media and see if they provide any repair tools or make no compromises from the start.

Alternatively, it is advised to use specialized tools capable of repairing your PC’s corrupted hard drive and resolving the specific errors.

By choosing PC repair software you get the opportunity to fix HDD errors without much effort on your part, and thus have access to your USB media files or drivers again.

If you require specialized software for this issue, it’s ideal to get the best PC repair toolkits out there that are proven to resolve system errors.

Give this solution a go by installing the most suitable tool for this error type and nail it effortlessly.

4. Format the drive and then use recovery programs

This is a non-conventional method, and you should only use it as a last resort. If you can’t access your drive or fix it in any way, then you don’t have a choice aside from formatting it.

The good news is that there is a lot of recovery programs that will help you salvage the deleted and lost data.

We’ve already compiled a list of the best recovery programs you can use. You should be aware that no matter how good these programs are they are never capable of regaining all your lost data.

Go on with this method only if you are OK with this.

You’ll often encounter the Warning: Formatting will erase all data on this disk error message when you insert a corrupted or non-functioning drive into your computer.

In this article, we looked at the ways you could try to repair your drive using a program or formatting and recovering the data if repairs didn’t work.

Tell us in the comments section about the ways you’ve dealt with this problem.

What to do if the hardware monitor driver failed to load

Posted on December 14, 2021October 3, 2025 by Matthew Adams

The “Failed to load hardware monitor driver” error message is one that pops up for some users when trying to install drivers from a DVD. When they insert the DVD, this error message pops up: “Failed to load hardware monitor driver: This program must run as administrator.”

Consequently, the users can’t install the drivers with DVD. Below are a few resolutions that might fix the “load hardware monitor driver” error message in Windows.

Steps to fix ‘Failed to load hardware monitor driver’ errors

Install the Driver Within an Admin Account
Turn Off Driver Signature Enforcement
Update the Graphics Card Driver
Install the Drivers Without the DVD

1. Install the Driver Within an Admin Account

Note that the error message states, “This program must run as administrator.” Thus, it might be worth trying to install the driver from an admin account if you’re not already. You can activate the built-in Windows admin account as follows.

Right-click the Start menu button and select Command Prompt (Admin).
Enter ‘net user administrator /active:yes’ in the Prompt, and press the Return key.

Close the Command Prompt.
Thereafter, restart Windows 10. Then you can select to log in to an Administrator account.

2. Turn Off Driver Signature Enforcement

It might be the case that Driver signature enforcement is blocking you from installing the drivers via DVD. Driver signature enforcement is supposed to block the installation of broken or corrupted drivers. However, it will also block drivers that aren’t digitally signed. This is how you can turn off driver signature enforcement.

Press the Windows key + X hotkey to open the menu shown directly below.

Select Command Prompt (Admin) to open the Prompt as an administrator.
Then enter ‘bcdedit.exe /set nointegritychecks on’ in the Command Prompt, and press the Return key. That will turn off the signature enforcement.

You can turn Driver signature enforcement back on by entering ‘bcdedit.exe /set nointegritychecks off’ in the Command Prompt.

3. Update the Graphics Card Driver

The “Failed to load hardware monitor driver” error can be due to an outdated graphics card driver. So updating the graphics card driver might fix the issue. There are a few ways you can update a graphics card driver. This is how you can manually update the driver.

First, you’ll need to note down Windows platform and graphics card details included on the DirectX window. Right-click the Start menu and select Run.
Enter ‘dxdiag’ in Run and click OK to open the window shown directly below.

Note down the OS details included on the System tab.
Then note down the manufacturer and graphics card model details on the Display tab.

Open your graphics card manufacturer’s website in a browser, which will probably be NVIDIA, AMD or Intel.
Then open the driver section of the website.
Next, select your graphics card model from the site’s menus or lists. You might also need to select your platform.

Then download the most update driver compatible with your platform.
Open the folder you saved the driver to.
Open the installer for the driver to install it.
If the driver is packaged within a ZIP file, you’ll need to extract the file by selecting Extract all in Explorer. Then open the driver file from the extracted folder.
Follow our further details for updating graphics card drivers.

4. Install the Drivers Without the DVD

So long as you have a net connection, you probably won’t need a DVD to install the required drivers. Most companies include downloadable drivers on their websites. Thus, even if the above resolutions don’t fix the “Failed to load hardware monitor driver” error, you can get the required drivers from the manufacturer’s website instead.

Alternatively, you can update system drivers with third-party software that will scan your system drivers and list those that need updating or replacing. With a simple click, the program will complete this action within minutes.

This software will offer comprehensive services regarding drivers’ operations on your system, and thus you can install or update any driver in no time.

Using its rich driver database, it provides millions of driver versions that can be used to optimize your device at its peak capacity.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

So it’s not that essential to fix the “Failed to load hardware monitor driver” error in Windows. However, reinstalling Windows, as outlined in this post, or a factory reset might also fix the issue. I would only suggest those fixes if you can’t get the required drivers from website sources.

Windows doesn’t have a network profile for this device [TECHNICIAN FIX]

Posted on December 14, 2021October 3, 2025 by Ivan Jenic

Many users reported an error while trying to connect to a device (mostly printers) over a network. The full error reads Windows doesn’t have a network profile for this device.

More often than not, fixing this error requires only a slight reconfiguration of the network settings. And in more grave cases, where there is actually a problem with your PC or the connected device, the built-in troubleshooter and updating drivers should resolve the issue.

How do I add the missing network profile in Windows 10?

1. Update Device Driver

Update Device Drivers from Device Manager

Open the ‘Run’ dialog box: click on Windows + R
In the box, type ‘devmgmt.msc‘ and then hit the Enter key to launch the Device Manager.
In the next window, locate and right click on the target device (like printer or USB).
On the list of options, select Properties.
On the ‘Properties‘ window, locate and click on the Update Driver (update the driver for this device) option.
Click on OK at the base of the display window.
Wait for the update to run.
Reboot PC.

Update Device Drivers using a professional tool

It’s important to keep your Windows OS updated and maximize its performance with the latest drivers. They have an important role and neglecting them can result in security loopholes or recurring Windows errors.

Instead of performing this action manually, you can save time by using trusted and professional third-party software that downloads and installs Windows drivers automatically.

Automated software will save you some time and hassle. Outbyte Driver Updater has a large and constantly updated driver database and it ensures to always find the best drivers versions for your hardware.

The software is very lightweight, so you can set it up to regularly keep your drivers in check and let it run in the background.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

2. Reset your network visibility

Wireless connection

On your desktop window, click on the ‘Windows’ icon to open the Start
In the menu, type ‘settings‘ in the designated search box.
On the list of options, select Settings.
Select Network & Internet.
Locate and, click on Wi-Fi.
On the list of available networks, select Advanced Options, to open your connection settings.
Locate the option Find devices and Content, and toggle to On.
Apply and exit ‘Settings’.
Restart PC.

Wired connection

On your desktop window, click on the ‘Windows’ icon to open the Start
In the menu, type ‘settings‘ in the designated search box.
On the list of options, select Settings.
Select Network & Internet.
Locate and click on Ethernet
Find and click on your Ethernet network.
Toggle from Public to Private.
Apply and exit ‘Settings’.
Restart PC.

3. Run Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

Click on the Start menu or hit the Windows key
In the box, type ‘troubleshooting‘ and click Enter.
On the list of options, select Troubleshoot.
Navigate to the Hardware and Devices option
Click on it and then run the troubleshooter.
Follow the prompt guidelines to finish up the process.
Restart PC.

Once this is successfully executed, check if the issue is resolved; otherwise, try the next solution.

4. Uninstall and reinstall the device driver

Open ‘Run’ dialog box: click Windows + R
Type in ‘devmgmt.msc‘ and press OK to launch the Device Manager.
Locate the affected device driver (printer, USB drive, speaker, etc.) and expand the option.
Right-click on the driver and select Uninstall on the list of options.
Navigate to the manufacturer’s website to download the latest drivers.
Follow the on-screen commands to complete the installation process.
Restart PC.

Brave ad notifications are not properly working on Windows 11

Posted on December 14, 2021October 4, 2023 by Alexandru Poloboc

Depending on what browser you use, we can all agree that we’re gonna run into some bugs and errors from time to time, and some are more dependable than others.

However, glitches do happen, and recently, some Brave users started complaining about a problem affecting ads.

We know that this isn’t a large-scale bug due to the fact that there still are many saying that they remain unaffected.

Ad notifications are not working for some Windows 11 users

A post made earlier today on the brave_browser Subreddit tells the story of a bug that apparently renders ads unfunctional on the above-mentioned browser, on a Windows 11 device.

Is there a problem with Brave and Windows 11?
byu/cborgue inbrave_browser

Although not many, some of the posts’ respondents confirmed to struggle with the same issue. The bad news is that simply restarting the browser unfortunately won’t do the trick.

The user that flagged this problem also describes going through the troubleshooting steps listed on the Brave official website, without any favorable result.

Furthermore, the bug doesn’t seem to be limited to web versions of the Brave application, as another user pointed out in a comment to the same post:

I had the same problem when I first started on my phone… I had to email Brave, took a couple of days but they ended up fixing some issues on their side. Now it works great and collects fast.

Apparently, the same type of problem, only this time for the mobile version of the software, got fixed after Brave customer support was contacted.

We’re not exactly sure if the same procedure has to be followed for the web version, but a fix patch will most likely become available soon after the company gets wind of these issues.

We will keep monitoring the situation and keep you informed on any developments.

Have you also experienced the same problem while using the Brave browser on Windows 11?

You can find Adobe’s Creative Cloud Express app on the Microsoft Store

Posted on December 14, 2021December 14, 2021 by Alexandru Poloboc

On the off-chance you weren’t already aware that this is happening, we can tell you that it’s most definitely happening.

Adobe and Microsoft are actually teaming up and helping armature creators, entrepreneurs and SMB’s get a head start in their branding careers with a new freemium Creative Cloud Express promotion.

Thus, Adobe is providing a Creative Cloud Express app that is a free, web and mobile-based experience for creators and small to medium-sized businesses to leverage quick branding or marketing templates.

Get the Adobe Creative Cloud Express for free on the Store

The Redmond-based tech giant is also promoting this new software via the Microsoft Store, giving customers a quick and safe way to grab the app and get started.

Adobe’s Creative Cloud Express provides over 22,000 templates, access to tools such as animations, videos, PDF converters, Photoshop effects, Adobe’s stock collection of fonts, photos, icons, backgrounds, and more.

Creative Cloud Express offers access to literally millions of photos, fonts, templates, graphics, and other assets that give you a head start on any project. Finding what you need is easy through intuitive, intelligent search. And our assets are easy to remix. If you find a graphic you love, you can swap in your own image and Creative Cloud Express will automatically apply all the filters and effects from the original graphic.

If you opt for a Creative Cloud Express membership, you unlock more templates, access to the entire royalty-free Adobe Stock photo collection, effects, and fonts.

In addition to all that, you will also receive plus premium features like Apply Brand, Customize Cutout, and Resize.

Your paid membership includes the premium versions of apps such as Adobe Creative Cloud Express on the web and mobile (iOS and Android), Adobe Premiere Rush on desktop and mobile (iOS and Android), Adobe Photoshop Express on mobile (iOS, Android), and Adobe Spark Video on mobile (iOS).

And if you already have an Adobe CC account or work with Adobe files, the Creative Cloud Express is just another cross-platform tool to help armatures and semiprofessionals create quick and easy content on the fly.

The app can be downloaded from the Microsoft Store, Apple App Store, Google Play, and the web for free.

However, for $9.99 or $99/year, you can unlock 175 million Adobe Stock photos, 20,000 Adobe Stock fonts, and extended access to a handful of other Adobe suite applications.

Also, if you own a new Surface device, the addition of access to Adobe Creative Cloud Express is yet another bonus that comes bundled with the trial 3-month subscription to Adobe’s Creative Cloud suite.

Microsoft Surface Adaptive Kit Review: Surprisingly thoughtful

Posted on December 14, 2021 by Kareem Anderson

Starting at $14.99

Microsoft continues its push for inclusiveness with a new accessibility package in the Surface Adaptive Kit and the company’s least expensive Surface branded product proves to be it most thoughtful one.

Windows has long offered varying degrees of accessibility features built into the software such as contrast adjustments, text cursors, magnifiers, color filters, narrators, captions, sticky keyboard settings and more.

However, in 2018 the company presented its first piece of dedicated hardware with its Xbox Adaptive Controller to help gamers of all types and concerns access the same sort of experiences across the board.

In another collaborative effort between Microsoft and those living with disabilities, the company’s produced its new Surface Adaptive Kit.

Announced back in September 2021, the Surface Adaptive Kit went on sale officially last week and we got our hands on a kit to review, and while no one here at OnMSFT deals with any significant disabilities, we’ll do our best to review what’s in the box.

What’s in the Box

The $14.99 box of stickers and port tags is the least expensive Surface branded product Microsoft offers but is still presented in the same fit and finish as any other Surface device or service.

The Surface Adaptive Kit package is minimal in appearance, with a single off-white cardboard box that’s about 4 1/2-inches wide by 1-inch tall and wrapped by colorful itemized breakdown flap.

Inside the box are four cards that hold the various stickers, attachments and tags and each are divided by design, intent and function.

The first card comes with a total of sixteen raised stickers of X’s, O’s, dashes and dots all with corresponding colors in gray, orange, blue and light green themes. The raised stickers offer additional tactile feedback for users who may have vision impairments, allowing them to identify often or rarely used buttons on the keyboard deck or areas around a device.

A second card comes with an all-white motif of raised stickers which function similarly to the stickers with color. Instead of X’s there are diagonal dashes and greater than – lesser than iconography displayed as well as applicator to help place the stickers evenly across surfaces.

A third card houses port tags that are similar in color to the stickers from the first card, orange, blue, gray, light green and yellow. There are corresponding square tags that match in raised patterns and colors to match the port tags which are designed to wrap or stick to connecting peripherals.

The last card has two stickers designed to help with opening devices such as laptop lids or Surface Pro kickstands. These stickers can be paired with lanyards, wristbands, and stings to help one-handed users pull open laptop lids or tablet kickstands.

During Microsoft’s presentation of the Adaptive Kit, the looped attachments for aid in opening lids and kickstands was among the stand out experiences for the entire event.

While the Surface Adaptive Kit is designed for those who have accessibility concerns with their tech, the product can be used in very similar fashion for everyone else. The raised stickers are great for people with muscle memory of their keyboard but still need a little assistance in the dark or accidently bump the wrong keys during long typing sessions.

For additional use cases with the Surface Adaptive Kit Microsoft provides a support site equipped with a Table of Contents, How To’s, examples and product details.

The looped lid and kickstand sticker is perhaps my favorite experiences because prior to it, I always had to run my fingers along the sides to find the divot between the lid and Surface Pro body to prop the thing open.

Now I can open the Surface Pro from in any orientation without having to massage the device beforehand.

The Surface Adaptive Kit initially rolled out last week to US only Microsoft Store online but as of December 14th, is available internationally.

9 Best Disk Management Software [2026 List]

Posted on December 14, 2021August 16, 2024 by Ivan Jenic

Disk management is one of the most underrated actions in Windows. Most Windows users don’t even pay attention to maintaining their hard drives.

This is not a good idea because keeping your partitions in top shape is very important.

To help people understand disk management better and hopefully convince more users to perform this action, we’ve prepared a list of the best disk managers for Windows.

So, we advise you to review this article carefully and pick the best solution. As a result, your partitions will always be healthy, and you won’t face the risk of potential data loss.

You can quickly check our top picks in the table below.

Product	OS	Rating	Link
AOMEI Partition Assistant	Windows XP/ Windows Vista/ Windows 7 Windows 8/ Windows 8.1/ Windows 10 Windows 11/ Windows Server 2011-2022	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	➡️Get The Deal
Acronis Disk Director	Windows XP/ Windows Vista/ Windows 7 Windows 8/ Windows 8.1/ Windows 10 Windows 11/ Windows Server 2011-2022	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	➡️Get The Deal
Paragon Partition Manager	Windows 7 / Windows 8/ Windows 8.1 / Windows 10 / Windows 11/ Windows Server 2011-2022	⭐⭐⭐⭐	➡️Get The Deal
MiniTool Partition Wizard	Windows 7 / Windows 8/ Windows 8.1 / Windows 10 / Windows 11/ Windows Server 2011-2022	⭐⭐⭐⭐	➡️Get The Deal
EaseUS Partition Master Free	Windows 7 / Windows 8/ Windows 8.1 / Windows 10 / Windows 11/ Windows Server 2011-2022	⭐⭐⭐	➡️Get The Deal

Which are the best disk managers for Windows?

AOMEI Partition Assistant – Specific partition migration

AOMEI Partition Assistant is a useful disk management software for Microsoft’s operating system.

It contains all the regular disk management features, including resizing, merging, splitting, moving, or extending partitions.

Using AOMEI, you can create a bootable drive or CD with data from your partitions.

The tool contains some conversion features, like converting disks from GPT to MBR and reverse.

Additionally, one of the most valuable features of this program is the ability to migrate a specific partition to another drive.

This software is a safe solution that will allow you to format your partitions into a different file system, such as NTFS, exFAT, Ext 4, Ext3, Ext2, or FAT32.

On top of that, it also lets you merge partitions together without any loss of data. This feature can be helpful if you need to store large files and don’t have the space for them on one partition.

Other key features include:

4k Alignment partition
Can create Windows bootable USB drives
Integrates to Windows Recovery Environment

AOMEI partition assistant has licensed software with several versions available. One license can be used on two computers. It offers packages that cover Windows servers as well.

AOMEI Partition Assistant

Try this awesome all-in-one partition assistant to manage and optimize your system with just a few clicks.

Check price Visit website

Acronis Disk Director – Simple yet powerful

Acronis Disk Director is a simple yet very powerful disk management software. It was built with one thing in mind and that is to fix and protect the disk.

This can easily help you alter, add, and merge partitions, both for the internal drive but also on external devices.

It is a very easy-to-use software that can handle even volumes with multiple operating systems. Due to its comprehensive tools, you can organize your hard disk configuration for the best performance, all that while still keeping your data safe.

Acronis Disk Director can be used with a large number of format files, such as FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, Exts, Ext3, Reiser 3, Linux, SWAP.

Being such a complete disk manager, it is only natural that this software also offer backup and restore functions.

Some of the more important features of Acronis Disk Director:

UEFI PC Support
Flexible disk and volume management
Dynamic Disk Support
Edit Mirrored Volumes
Convert basic disks and Dynamic Disks
Convert MBR disks to GPT
Clone Disks

Acronis Disk Manager

Try out this straightforward and easy-to-use disk manager.

Check price Visit Website

Paragon Partition Manager – Clean interface

Paragon Partition Manager is a component of Paragon Hard Disk Manager. It’s one way for the developer to offer you precisely the tool you need instead of buying the whole software.

Its functionality, as you can imagine, is to help you create, resize, copy, or delete partitions.

The program has a very clean, intuitive user interface so that anyone can get around the action buttons and features.

The partition manager also comes with one handy feature called Automatic partition alignment, which automatically aligns partitions to boost the performance of the storage device.

Additionally, you can assign unallocated space to another partition, for more practical use of the disk space.

This software lets you fully customize your partition. You can pick the exact size and also change the label of your partitions and drives.

Other key features include:

Covert MBR disk to GPT
Support to migrate OS
Data wiping
Virtual disk support

This is licensed software. If you are not sure about it, you can try it for free as it provides a 30-day trial.

Paragon Partition Manager

Securely convert or partition your physical and virtual drives with just a few clicks.

Check price Visit website

MiniTool Partition Wizard – Suitable for all users

Mini Tool Partition Wizard is another feature-rich partition manager, that’s pretty suitable for users.

It has a clean, well-designed user interface, and is perfect to create, resize, delete, move, format partitions, and more.

The Data Protection Mode keeps your files safe while editing partitions, so you don’t have to worry about losing a single file.

The tool supports all major disk types, including SATA, SCSI, IDE, and all USB external drives.

It can also serve as a recovery software because it completely recovers data from previously created partitions.

The software lets you create new partitions in just a few steps. You can also use it to delete and format your drives. The format option can help you open inaccessible hard drives and convert RAW to NTSF.

Minitool includes a merging option that lets you create a larger partition by combining two existing ones. This can help with low disk space, thus improving the performance of your device.

For those of you who want to resell your device, the Wipe Disk/Partition feature comes in handy. It can completely delete all data without any possibility of recovery.

Other key features include:

Change drive leter
Set partitions to active/inactive
Hide partitions
Recover lost/deleted partitions

MiniToll partition Wizard has a free version and several pro versions that require an annual subscription.

MiniTool Partition Wizard

Organize your resources with error-free tools that let you create, manage, change, and recover partitions.

Free trial Visit website

EaseUS Partition Master Free – Partition recall protection

EaseUS is one of the most respectable software companies that develop various utilities for Windows. Their Partition Master software is one of the best disk management tools for Windows you can find.

It features all you need to keep your partitions in top shape.

With EaseUS, you can create, format, explore, delete, and convert partitions. Additionally, it allows you to move, resize, and hide/unhide existing partitions without losing your data.

EaseUS supports hard drives with up to 4TB of space, so you can use it to manage basically any partition. It also has the ability to move the OS to SSD, which is an extremely useful feature.

The resize option lets you set the exact amounts you want your partition to have, or you can use visual support and slide partition left and right until you are happy with the result.

Similar to other recommendations on this list, EaseUS comes with a merge partitions feature. This will combine two already existing partitions without losing any data. It can help with low disk space problems.

Another optimization feature provided by this app is the Migrate OS feature. This will let you migrate your operating system to an SSD to improve response rates.

EaseUS has a recovery tool that scans for lost partitions or files within your disk or unallocated space.

Other key features include:

Partition Recall protection
Manage dynamic volume
Clone partitions

EaseUS has a free trial version and a premium, subscription-based version.

EaseUS Partition Master

Manage your disks with secure features that let you recover, merge, format, and create new partitions.

Free trial Visit website

SMART Monitoring Tools – Lightweight app

If you’re a fan of command-line tools, SMART Monitoring Tools is the right disk-monitoring program for you.

This tool developed by SourceForge will give you everything you need to know about your disk‘s SMART status, simply by entering one command into the command line.

To make the program show you the SMART status, just enter the smartctl -a sda (or sdb, sdc, or the like) command.

As the program is only textual, it might seem confusing in some cases, so we don’t recommend it to beginners, unfamiliar with this user interface.

If the utility detects problems with your drive, it will print log messages or send alert emails in real time so you can immediately take action.

S.M.A.R.T. has a scheduling feature to set up a driver testing routine.

Other key features include:

Compatible with multiple operating systems
Very fast response rates
Lightweight

This software is available for free. You can support its development by donating.

⇒ Get SMART Monitoring Tools

Active Partition Manager – Straightforward tool

Active Partition Manager is a straightforward tool that lets you delete, format, change, or create partitions.

It is very effective and practical since changes to partitions don’t require reboots. This way, managing your partitions is quicker than you’d imagine.

Using the solid format features you can format FAT and NTFS, or flash memory to NTFS.

The ability to edit dit partition tables directly at the HEX level is one interesting feature that could appeal to more advanced users.

⇒ Get Active Partition Manager

GParted Disk Partition – Multiple formats support

GParted Disk Partition can resize, delete, move, create, copy, explore, format, convert, hide, and unhide partitions with minimal effort. This tool is considered a GNOME editor, so it’s free to all users.

GParted Disk Partition supports a great variety of formats, not just for Windows, but for other operating systems: NTFS, FAT, ext2, ext3, or ext4.

Like some other tools from this list, GParted Disk Partition also features the data recovery option, allowing you to retrieve data from lost partitions.

⇒ Get GParted Disk Partition

Windows 10’s Disk Management Tool – Basic disk management

If you don’t like third-party solutions, Windows 10 has its own disk management feature that you can use to manage your partitions easily.

It’s not as powerful as the third-party programs recommended above, but if you don’t need to perform any complex operations, it gets the job done very well.

Shrinking, adding, deleting, and renaming partitions with this tool won’t be a problem. Additionally, you can safely use this tool to initialize a new hard disk, in case the system doesn’t show it by default.

To access Windows’ Disk Management Tool, go to Search, type disk management, and click on Create and format hard disk partitions.

Bonus: Defragging tools

Another type of disk management tool are defragging tools. Read more about the best defragging tools for Windows 10. At times, you cannot shrink volume with unmovable files so this option should suffice.

We also recommend reading our guide on how to convert a RAW to NTFS drive without formatting because it may provide useful information. You can also use these tools if you can’t access the GPT protected partition on your PC to convert it to MBR.

You may also be interested in our guide on how to access Disk Management in Windows 7.

That should be it for our top picks for disk management in Windows. Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite disk management tool? Tell us in the comments below!

Surface Duo gets a big Microsoft Launcher update, some UI elements now visually on par with Duo 2

Posted on December 14, 2021 by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft might have just backed off its plans to deliver Microsoft launcher updates via monthly security updates on the Surface Duo and Duo 2. Spotted by Windows Central, Microsoft Launcher on the original Surface Duo has just gotten a big update, bringing it visually up to par with the new Surface Duo 2.

Now up to version 6.211102.0.1017440, this new Microsoft Launcher version brings over some of the visual designs from the Surface Duo 2 over to the Surface Duo 1. That includes a new app draw, which now has more rounded corners and a grab bar on the top. Even the Your Feed has been updated, with more transparency, and rounded effects to match what’s seen in Windows 11. Microsoft’s official changelog is below.

Launcher’s feed and overall design were updated.

The News feed experience was enhanced.

The toggle between work and personal apps was improved.

Additional filters are now available to improve searching.

Other known bugs were fixed, and improvements were made.

Surface Duo 2 owners also got this same update, but it apparently does not bring any big changes. It’s great to see these changes come to the original Surface Duo, despite the original alarm of launcher updates only coming with software releases. This is all apparently because Microsoft faced a blocking bug and internal software issue, which has since been fixed. We still are awaiting Android 11 on the Duo, however, which was promised by the end of the year. But with less than 15 days left in 2021, Microsoft is now pushing it close but there could be hope on the horizon after today’s Launcher update.

Get the December Patch Tuesday updates today

Posted on December 14, 2021December 14, 2021 by Teodor Nechita

December is now here, and with it comes the last round of Patch Tuesday updates called the December Patch Tuesday updates.

As with all the other Patch Tuesday updates of previous months, these bring a host of changes, fix and improvements to all supported versions of the Windows OS.

What can we expect from this month’s Patch Tuesday?

It’s safe to say that we can expect a similar light set of CVEs addressed this month in the set of Windows 10/11, legacy, and ESU-supported operating systems, as we did the month before.

There were two zero-day and four publicly disclosed vulnerabilities last month, so be on the lookout for any new ones coming out this December.

Some of the most interesting vulnerabilities resolved via the November 2021 release, all deemed as important, are:

CVE-2021-42321: (CVSS:3.1 8.8 / 7.7). Under active exploit, this vulnerability impacts Microsoft Exchange Server and due to improper validation of cmdlet arguments, can lead to RCE. However, attackers must be authenticated.
CVE-2021-42292: (CVSS:3.1 7.8 / 7.0). Also detected as exploited in the wild, this vulnerability was found in Microsoft Excel and can be used to circumvent security controls. Microsoft says that the Preview Pane is not an attack vector. No patch is currently available for Microsoft Office 2019 for Mac or Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2021.
CVE-2021-43209: (CVSS:3.1 7.8 / 6.8). A 3D Viewer vulnerability made public, this bug can be exploited locally to trigger RCE.
CVE-2021-43208: (CVSS:3.1 7.8 / 6.8). Another known issue, this 3D Viewer security flaw can also be weaponized by a local attacker for code execution purposes.
CVE-2021-38631: (CVSS:3.0 4.4 / 3.9). Also made public, this security flaw, found in the Windows Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), can be used for information disclosure.
CVE-2021-41371: (CVSS:3.1 4.4 / 3.9). Finally, this RDP vulnerability, known before patching was available, can also be exploited locally to force an information leak.

This is a relatively low number of vulnerabilities resolved during the month of November, comparing this release with those of previous years.

The tech giant addressed a large number of CVEs last month and it’s safe to say that we can expect that number to remain high.

And since we already received our first Windows 11 update in October, it will be interesting to see how closely the new one, if there will be any, reflects what is being addressed in Windows 10 as well.

With the last big push before the holidays, we can expect major updates for all the operating systems and applications, including the ESUs.

All in all, there’s no news yet as to what The December Patch Tuesday updates might bring yet until the updates hit live later this day.

This will happen at around 10 AM PST, so make sure you are ready for when the update notifications hit your area.

Keep in mind that the Patch Tuesday updates are extremely important from a security standpoint, so if you aren’t employing the use of a third-party antivirus tool, you might as well update your PC every chance you get as soon as the update becomes available.

What are your expectations for the last round of Patch Tuesday updates of the year? Let us know by leaving us your feedback in the comments section below.

Fix: Windows Encountered a Problem Installing the Driver

Posted on December 14, 2021April 10, 2024 by Vlad Turiceanu

Driver installation and updates are important for the smooth running of a PC. Unfortunately, some users report a Windows encountered a problem installing the driver for Windows 10 device error when trying to do the needful.

This error usually means that there is an error with the installation package, but it can be easily solved in just a few steps.

Why am I getting Windows encountered a problem installing the drivers for your device error?

Outdated PC: If you are getting Windows encountered a problem installing the drivers for your device error with code 10, it could be due to several factors. including an outdated operating system. You need to update your PC to fix to get rid of the error message.
Hardware issues: Another factor that can cause this problem is problems with the hardware whose driver you are trying to install. In this case, you need to run the hardware troubleshooter.

How can I fix Windows encountered a problem installing the drivers for your device error?

1. Run the troubleshooter

Click the Start button, type control panel, and select the app from the results.
In the Hardware and Sound section, click on View devices and printers.
In the Device section, right-click the device with the problem and choose Troubleshoot.
Wait for the process to complete.
Now, press the Windows key, type cmd, and select Run as administrator under Command Prompt.
Type the command below and hit Enter to run the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter: msdt.exe -id DeviceDiagnostic
Finally, restart your PC after the process is finished.

If Windows encounters a problem installing the driver software for your device on your Qualcomm driver, you need to troubleshoot your device.

You should start troubleshooting the affected device before running the general Hardware and Devices troubleshooter.

2. Install the driver manually

Right-click on the Start button and select Device Manager from the list.
Expand the component sections, right-click on the problematic driver, and select Properties.
Next, go to the Driver tab and click on the Update Driver button.
Choose the Browse my computer for drivers option in the new window.
Now, click the Browse button, navigate to the path where you have the driver, and click OK.
Finally, if you don’t have the driver downloaded, type the path below and press Enter: C:\Windows\WinSxS

In some cases, you might be getting Windows encountered a problem installing the drivers for your device on Nvidia Geforce GT 710 because of the installation mode.

To get past the error, you need to download the driver from the official source and install it manually.

If you’re still facing issues, particularly with the message An exception occurred in the driver: Could not find driver (Docker), find more troubleshooting methods in our detailed guide.

3. Change the permission for TrustedInstaller

Press the Windows + E key and double-click on the Windows C drive.
In the Windows folder, locate System32 and click on Properties.
Next, in the Security tab, click on Edit.
Under TrustedInstaller, check the box next to Full Control, then hit Apply and OK.

Sometimes, Windows encountered a problem installing the driver might be due to a lack of permission to carry out the operation. You need to grant full control to TrustedInstaller to solve the problem.

4. Update your PC

Press the Windows key + I and select Update & Security.
Click the Check for updates button.
Finally, download and install any available updates.

Windows updates sometimes include important driver updates. While these updates are installed automatically, you can sometimes miss out on them.

In this case, you need to update your PC manually.

5. Perform a malware scan

Press the Windows key, type virus, and select Virus & threat protection.
Click Scan options.
Now, select the Full Scan option and click Scan now.

If you still can’t get rid of Windows encountered a problem installing the driver error message after applying the fixes above, there might be a virus on your PC preventing the installation.

To fix this, you need to perform a full malware scan.

While Windows Defender scans your PC well, we recommend using a dedicated antivirus in ESET NOD32.

This top-notch software performs a deep scan and eliminates even the most hidden malware on your PC.

That’s about it. These are our recommendations for solving the Windows encountered a problem installing the driver error message when installing or updating drivers.

If you’ve switched to Windows 11 already, learn what to do if Windows 11 is not recognizing your USB device.

We hope at least one of these solutions helped you install the drivers on your computer. If you have any additional comments or suggestions, just let us know in the comments below.

Get Bank of America Windows 10/11 app to track transations

Posted on December 14, 2021October 4, 2023 by Radu Tyrsina

Bank of America is one of the biggest banks in the United States, and in order to remain accessible to a wide array of users, it has specialized apps for multiple platforms.

Note that the Bank of America app is one of the first universal applications available for Windows 10, and while the application was useful, it’s no longer available on Microsoft Store.

This is unfortunate because the app was quite useful, but you can still use Bank of America services on your PC, even without the app.

In today’s guide, we’re going to show you the best ways to use these banking services on your Windows 10 computer, without the app.

Is the Bank of America Windows 10 app still available?

No, the app isn’t available for Windows 10 since 2018. According to the Bank of America personnel, they are focused on delivering the best mobile experience to the mobile platform.

Universal apps aren’t that popular, and since Windows doesn’t have a mobile platform anymore, developing an app for a small user base simply isn’t profitable.

What features that Bank of America app had?

Inside the Bank of America you had the following abilities:

Make mobile check deposit to your Bank of America account
Send money from your account by email or mobile
Find BankAmeriDeals
Receive alerts within the Bank of America app and live tile updates about important financial operations
Check your Bank of America account balance
Pay different bills
Locate Bank of America ATMs and banking centers

How can I use Back of America services on my PC?

1. Use the web app

Visit the Bank of America online banking page.
Enter your Online ID and Passcode to sign in.
After signing in, all the feature from the app will be available to you in your browser.

Although this feature can work in any web browser, we suggest using one of the best browsers for online banking to ensure that all your transactions are safe.

2. Use the iOS app

Visit the Bank of America page on App Store.
Download the app.
Once the app is downloaded, sign in with your credentials and you’re good to go.

3. Use the Android app

Visit the Bank of America page on Play Store.
Download the app.
After it’s downloaded and installed, run it.
Login with your credentials and you’re good to go.

Is the Bank of America web app safe to use?

Yes, the Bank of America web app is perfectly safe to use, since it offers two-factor authentication, so you don’t have to worry too much about hackers stealing your login data.

However, it’s always a good idea to ensure that your PC is free from malware before making any online transactions.

Which is better, a Bank of America mobile app or a web app?

It all depends on what you prefer to use, and both have the same features. We found that the web version is more convenient, especially if you’re multitasking.

You’ll soon be able to install Android apps on Windows 11, so you could give a Bank of America a try and see how it works.

Even though the Bank of America app for Windows 10 isn’t available anymore, it doesn’t mean that you can’t take advantage of its services on your PC.

The best method to use it would be to use the web app, but be sure to install a reliable antivirus for online banking to ensure that your transactions are perfectly safe.

What method are you using to access Bank of America? Let us know in the comments section below.

Dell’s Concept Luna is a unique prototype for a truly sustainable laptop

Posted on December 14, 2021 by Radu Tyrsina

Dell is finding a new way to address the climate crisis, resource constraints, and to help reduce its carbon footprint. Building on previous commitments, the company is now revealing Concept Luna, a proof-of-concept prototype developed in collaboration with Intel for a truly sustainable laptop.

Project Luna is unlike any existing laptop on the market. It takes some new design ideas and makes components more accessible, replaceable, and reusable. This should help reduce resource use and keep more circular materials (used in manufacturing) in the economy. Dell says the device was built to test what could be possible, but not to be manufactured and sold. Yet if the device were to be released, it’s expected to see a 50% reduction in overall product carbon footprint.

There’s a couple of things that make Concept Luna a sustainable laptop that can reduce Dell’s carbon footprint. The first of those is a shrunk-down motherboard size, which is now 75% smaller, and with 20% less component count. In addition, there’s a relocated motherboard, which is in the top cover, so it could be in a larger surface area, and away from the battery charging unit in the base. Dell even has reduced the battery size, which, with the relocated motherboard helps with cooling and even the elimination of the fan. Other key points are below, with the biggest one being the future vision for reuse, repair, and recreate.”

The number of screws have been reduced by 10x, with only four needed to access internal components

The palm rest assembily is designed for repair and reuse

The deep cell battery provides a long charge

A new bio-based printed circuit board is made with flax fiber in the base and water soluable polymer as the glue

Dell has been a champion for sustainability, and in the past year has introduced many new initiatives. The company has previously introduced closed-loop aluminum to its products from old hard drives. It also has used bioplastics made from tree waste in the paper-making process and has scaled the use of reclaimed carbon fiber to 1.2 million pounds. More information is available over on the company’s website.

Windows Telegram app updates with enhanced privacy settings

Posted on December 14, 2021 by Radu Tyrsina

The privacy-focused communication app, Telegram, updated on most of its major supported platforms this week and added even more security settings to help creators control how their content is seen and shared.

Creators will now be able to limit how group content is saved or forwarded while new bulk-delete options have been added for one-on-on chats. A variety of new admin features have also been added.

“With this update, we’re helping creators protect the content they publish on Telegram and ensure that it is available only for their intended audience,” an official Telegram blog post explains. “Group and Channel owners who want to keep their content members-only can restrict message forwarding from their chat, which also prevents screenshots and limits the ability to save media from posts.”

Here’s the full release notes for the Telegram Windows app update:

PROTECTED CONTENT, DELETE BY DATE, ANONYMOUS POSTING AND MORE

Content creators can restrict the ability to save media and forward messages from their groups and channels.

Clear messages in one-on-one chats from a specific day or date range.

Comment as one of your channels in public groups and channel comments.

When you request to join a community and its admin or bot-admin contacts you with a message, you will see which chat they are from at the top of the chat.

Bot-admins can now ask users to complete tasks before they are allowed to join – like accepting community rules, passing a test, or making a donation to the content creators.

Telegram started out as a privacy-focuses text messaging app but has since evolved into a comprehensive communications platform with full support for voice and video calls, groups, public feeds, and even livestreaming.

Get more app updates by following us on Twitter, Pinterest, and Facebook.

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Google Workspace takes a shot at Microsoft 365 with a new update

Posted on December 13, 2021 by Don Sharpe

Google is creating synergies between its productivity and collaboration apps. In a new blog post, Google says that its users will soon be able to launch into various applications within Chat.

Microsoft has been working tirelessly over the past year to improve and enhance its Teams app by introducing new features such as custom backgrounds.

Since Google Workspace was declared free a few months back, this news is a breath of fresh air to users and can only wait to see what’s in store in the coming months.

First come to Android

Android users will be the first to receive the update as rollout begins in the coming weeks but iOS users will get it from 2022.

“While you’re having a conversation in Google Chat, you can now more easily take actions in other Google Workspace products. The options vary by context, and can include Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, Photos and Calendar. This will make it easier to take action across Google Workspace and enable a faster and more seamless workflow”

Google Workspace update

Google launched G Suite in 2006, competing directly with Microsoft in the office software market, at the time going head to head with Microsoft 365 suite, that comprises of Word, PowerPoint, Excel etc.

Microsoft’s strength is its tight integration between apps and services, which expands to Windows operating system that most business devices operate on. Google’s strength is its cloud-based model. And although Google has taken the lead in the cloud-based market, individual G Suite apps have since become much more isolated–and difficult to work with.

Last year, Google rebranded with an aim of creating a more deeply integrated user experience. This was to be done by improving interoperability between the various apps.

The latest Workspace update is a great step towards achieving this goal but it is still far from achieving interoperability between apps.

For example, in June Google announced integrations between Chat and Calendar, to help users connect with co-workers before or after a meeting. This was shortly followed by a separate integration that allowed sharing of documents and messages with the attendees within the calendar marker.

Meanwhile, at its Cloud Next event, Google announced its plans to pour a significant investment in the Workspace Marketplace with an aim of creating ways to expand the functionality of its services.

It will also lessen the workload by reducing the number of apps that workers are required to juggle simultaneously.

At the moment, the updates may not look like much but each plays a major role in enhancing the user experience and making the Google Workspace become more coherent.

What do you think of the new Google Workspace updates? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Microsoft provides fixes for the Windows 11 memory leak and addresses the performance bugs

Posted on December 13, 2021 by Don Sharpe

In a recent update, Microsoft has acknowledged several bugs. One of these bugs causes Windows 11 memory leak, a problem with File Explorer, and hard disk performance issues.

However, Microsoft claims that the most recent update (KB5007262) fixes these bugs. You may recall that Windows 11 user experience has been plagued with a few issues since its release.

Just a few days ago, the Windows App had been crashing but has since been resolved. Now, with the numerous bugs, an update has been released to address these issues.

Memory leak issues

Windows 11 memory leak problems occur when switching between different edit clients. The new update now addresses a memory leak in ctfmon.exe.

File explorer issues

Apps had an issue providing shortcut menu items in File Explorer and desktop context menus. This happened when apps were using the Directory or Directory\Background registration but this issue has since been addressed.
The shortcut menus for File Explorer and desktop had display issues and occurs when choosing a single click to open. This has now been fixed.
There was an issue with File Explorer that caused it o stop working once it was closed. This issue has now been addressed.
There was an issue with renaming a file after mounting NFS share. The issue often occurs when using File Explorer. However, the issue does not occur when renaming using the command line but has now been fixed.

Hard disk performance issues

Microsoft has addressed a performance issue involving all storage devices (including NVMe and SSD drives) on Windows 11. The issue is triggered when performing write operations on any drive set up to use the NTFS file system’s USN journaling attribute, but only when the drive being written to is the Windows C: partition.

Have you experienced any of the memory leak and hard drive performance issues on Windows 11? Let us know in the comment section below.

Repair technicians can now buy official Surface repair tools from iFixit thanks to new Microsoft partnership

Posted on December 13, 2021 by Radu Tyrsina

In a move that could make Surface devices easier to fix, repair group iFixit has announced that authorized parties can now purchase Microsoft service tools for Surface devices directly from iFixit.com. Though it is not really directed at consumers and tinkerers, this should help repair technicians service Surface devices a lot faster.

Under this new partnership, iFixit Pro independent repairers, Microsoft Authorized Service Providers, Microsoft Experience Centers, and Microsoft Commercial customers will be able to buy Microsoft service tools for Surface devices from iFixit. There are currently three tools, weights, and accessories available under the program, of which all were designed by Microsoft.

Manufactured by iFixit, the tools should help in the removal of glues and adhesives, which the group says is ” one of the most challenging aspects of repairing the Surface line.”

Authorized parties can now buy a Surface Display Bonding Frame for Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ or the Surface Pro 8 or Pro X. There’s also a Surface Battery Cover, which is to ensure that no accidental contact is made with the motherboard or other sensitive components. This works with the Laptop 3, Laptop 4 13-inch and 15-inch, as well as the Laptop Go, SE, and Laptop Studio. Finally, there’s the Surface Display Debonding Tool, which is used to separate the screen. It works with the Pro 7+, the Pro 8, and Pro X.

iFixit has long been critical of Microsoft, famously calling the original Surface Laptop a “glued-filled monstrosity,” It is good to see the two companies partner up like this, even if it’s not for those who want to repair their own devices, this is a small step forward in right to repair. In the long run, it should help reduce the downtime a consumer or business faces when they send in a Surface device for repair. As for repair guides and reliability scores, iFixit says that this will not affect its editorialized content.

Facing pressure, Microsoft has long shown interest in this area, and, in October, said a third-party organization would study the environmental and social impacts of increasing consumers’ options to repair their devices. It even has made the SSD’s replaceable in the new Laptop Studio, Pro 8, and Laptop 4, and the education-focused Laptop SE uses standard screws for service. Rival Apple, meanwhile, recently announced it was making it easy to fix iPhones at home.

Fix: ‘Device in use’ error causes no sound in Windows 10/11

Posted on December 13, 2021September 19, 2025 by Ivan Jenic

It looks like audio-related issues are some of the biggest problems in Windows 10. And one of the most common problems is the “Device in use” error.

According to Microsoft, this error is quite common in new Insider builds, but you could also face it in the stable versions. There’s still no official workaround, however. So, while the development team is investigating the issue, we’re going to try and fix the issue on our own.

How to fix “Device in use” error in Windows 10

Use the Audio Troubleshooter
Restart the Audio service
Update the USB drivers
Roll back the USB driver

1. Use the Audio Troubleshooter

The first thing we’re going to try is also the simplest one. We’ll let Windows 10’s own troubleshooting tool try and solve the issue for us. As this tool can be used for dealing with all sorts of issues, it will probably be helpful with the “Device in use” error, as well.

Here’s how to run Windows 10’s built-in troubleshooting tool:

Open the Settings app and go to Update & Security section.
Select Troubleshoot from the menu on the left.
Select Playing Audio from the right pane and click Run the troubleshooter.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the troubleshooter.

2. Restart the Audio service

According to Microsoft, restarting the Audio service is probably the most effective solution to this problem. So, that’s exactly what we’re going to do now.

To restart the Audio service in Windows 10, do the following:

Go to Search, type services.msc, and open Services
Find Windows Audio from the list of services
Right-click it, and choose Restart
Wait for the service to restart

3. Update the USB drivers

The “Device in use” error can also be caused by an inappropriate or outdated audio driver that’s installed on your computer. So, the next thing we’re going to try is updating your audio drivers. If you’re not sure how to do that, follow these instructions:

Right-click the Start and select Device Manager.
Navigate to Universal Serial Bus controllers and expand this section.
Right-click your graphics device and open Properties.
Select the Details tab.
From the drop-down menu, open HardwareIds.
Copy the first row and paste it into your browser’s address bar.
The search results should show you the exact drivers you’ll need to install.

3.1 Update drivers automatically

Searching for drivers on your own can be time-consuming. So, we advise you to use a tool that will do this for you automatically.

Using an automatic driver updater will certainly save you from the hassle of searching for drivers manually, and it will always keep your system up to date with the latest drivers.

We recommend you give Outbyte Driver Updater a try because it is very easy to use, lightweight, and is proven to always find the corresponding driver version for your software.

On top of that, you can use it to have a fully automated driver management system. It uses up very few resources, so you can let it run in the background and regularly check on your drivers and update them when necessary.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

4. Roll back the USB driver

On the other hand, maybe you installed a faulty driver, and that’s what’s causing the “Device in use” error. If you suspect that might be the case, go on and roll back your current audio driver. And here’s how to do that:

Right-click Start and open Device Manager.
Navigate to Sound, video, and game controllers.
Right-click your audio device and open Properties.
Open Driver tab.
Click Roll Back Driver.
Wait until the procedure finishes and restart your PC.

Now, check if you can hear audio from your computer. If Microsoft’s advice were correct, your problem should be fixed now. However, if the problem still persists, you should our article about audio issues in Windows 10, for even more solutions.

If you’ve tried everything we told you in this article, let us know about your results in the comments. Also, if you know about some workaround that we didn’t list here, please don’t hesitate to write it down below.

FULL FIX: Irql_unexpected_value error on Windows 10/11

Posted on December 13, 2021September 30, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

IRQL_UNEXPECTED_VALUE is a Blue Screen of Death error, and just like many other BSOD errors, this one will restart your PC in order to prevent damage.

Since these errors can be problematic, today we’re going to show you how to fix this error on Windows 10.

Irql_unexpected_value is a BSOD error, and like other blue screen errors, it will force your PC to crash and restart.

This can be a big problem for many users, and speaking of problems, users reported the following issues:

Irql unexpected value Windows 10 WiFi – Many users reported that this issue was caused by their WiFi adapter. If that’s the case, you might want to consider updating your wireless adapter drivers and check if that helps. If the issue still persists, your wireless adapter might be faulty.
Irql unexpected value when connecting to Internet – According to users, sometimes this error message occurs when connecting to the Internet. This is most likely an issue with your network adapter, so it’s advised to reinstall its drivers.
Irql unexpected value Netgear – Sometimes this error message can appear while using a Netgear adapter on your PC. If the issue persists even after updating your drivers, it’s advised to replace your network adapter.
Irql_unexpected_value Windows 8.1 – This error can appear on every version of Windows, and many users reported it on Windows 8.1 and 7. Even if you don’t use Windows 10, you can apply our solutions to the older versions of Windows as well.
Irql_unexpected_value ndis.sys – Sometimes you’ll get a name of the file that is responsible for this error. If that happens, you need to do a bit of research on your own and find an application or a driver that this file is related to.
Irql unexpected value blue screen – This is a blue screen error and it will force you to restart your PC whenever it appears. However, you should be able to fix the problem by using the solutions from our article.

How can I fix the IRQL_UNEXPECTED_VALUE BSOD error?

1. Update Windows 10

Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
When Settings app opens, navigate to the Update & Security section.
Now click Check for updates.

Windows will now check for available updates. If any updates are available, they will be downloaded automatically in the background.

After the updates are downloaded, they will be installed as soon as you restart your PC. Once your system is up to date, check if this problem still occurs.

Many issues can appear if your Windows 10 is out of date, and one of those issues is the IRQL_UNEXPECTED_VALUE Blue Screen of Death error.

Windows 10 has some minor problems with certain hardware and software, and those minor problems can sometimes lead to system crashes and BSOD errors.

If you want to make your PC stable and error-free it’s important that you download the latest updates by using Windows Update.

Many of these updates bring new features, but more importantly, these updates also address both hardware and software issues, and by installing the latest updates you’ll minimize the risk of BSOD errors.

To make the updating process more streamlined, Windows 10 usually downloads the missing updates automatically in the background, but sometimes you might miss an important update due to bugs.

2. Update your drivers

Press the Windows Key + X, and select Device Manager from the list.
When Device Manager opens locate the device that you wish to update, right click it and choose Update driver.
Select Search automatically for updated driver software. Windows 10 will now download and install the required drivers.
Repeat these steps for all devices that you wish to update.

Drivers are important for system stability, and if your drivers are out of date, or just not compatible with Windows 10, you can experience a BSOD error such as IRQL_UNEXPECTED_VALUE.

To fix these types of errors it’s advised that you update your drivers, and you can do that right from Device Manager by following the above steps.

Although using Device Manager to update your drivers is fairly simple, many users are advising to update drivers manually.

According to them, Device Manager doesn’t always download the latest drivers, therefore it’s better that you download the drivers manually.

To update the necessary drivers, you just need to visit your hardware manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your device.

It’s worth mentioning that many users had problems with their network adapters, most notably Atheros, Netgear, and TP-Link.

But they managed to fix this BSOD error by downloading the latest drivers for their network adapter.

Keeping your drivers up to date is crucial for system stability, and if you want to update all drivers on your Windows 10 PC, we suggest that you use third-party software that will do that automatically.

Downloading drivers manually is a process that carries the risk of getting the wrong driver installed, which may lead to serious malfunctions.

The safer and easier way to update drivers on a Windows computer is by using an automatic tool. We strongly recommend you use software with the ability to update, fix, and find missing drivers.

This tool is very lightweight, so you should have no issues if you let it run in the background as you take care of other tasks. You can set it up to regularly keep your drivers in check and never worry about them again.

Outbyte Driver Updater is easy to use and quick. It has a large and constantly updated driver database. It automatically finds the driver version you need, so you won’t have to look it up yourself.

The process is almost fully automated and completely safe, so we highly suggest you give it a try.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

3. Remove antivirus software

Blue Screen of Death errors can be caused by certain software, such as your antivirus for example.

According to users, IRQL_UNEXPECTED_VALUE error can be caused by third-party antivirus programs, and in order to fix this error, you need to remove all third-party antivirus software.

Uninstalling a certain antivirus might not fix the problem, therefore it’s recommended to use a dedicated removal tool in order to delete any files left by your antivirus programs.

If your antivirus was the problem, it’s highly recommended to switch to a different antivirus solution.

This tool offers great security and is fully compatible with Windows 10, so you won’t experience BSOD errors when using it.

4. Perform a Clean Boot

Press Windows Key + R and enter msconfig. Press Enter or click OK.
When System Configuration window opens choose Selective startup and uncheck Load startup items.
Go to Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services and click the Disable all button.
Go to Startup tab and click Open Task Manager.
Right click each item on the list and choose Disable from the menu.
After you disable all startup items close Task Manager, go back to System Configuration window and click Apply and OK.

After you restart your PC check if everything works properly. If the IRQL_UNEXPECTED_VALUE error doesn’t appear it means that it was caused by one of the disabled applications or services.

To find the problematic application now you need to repeat the same steps and enable applications and services one by one until you find the one that is causing you this error.

As we already mentioned, Blue Screen of Death errors can be caused by installed software, and in order to fix this problem, you need to find the problematic software and remove it.

5. Remove the problematic applications

Third-party applications are useful, but some applications might not be fully compatible with the version of Windows you’re using.

Many users reported issues with Intel Online Connect Access, and in order to fix this problem, it’s advised to remove this application from your PC.

Keep in mind that uninstalling the problematic application might not be always enough, so it’s recommended to remove all files and registry entries associated with this application.

Doing this manually can be a long and tedious process, even for advanced users, so it’s always better to do that automatically with specialized software.

If you’re looking for a tool that can completely remove any application from your PC, you might want to consider using uninstaller software.

These tools are specially designed to remove any leftover files and registry entries along with the application you’re trying to remove.

By doing so, you can remove any application from your PC and ensure that any leftover files don’t interfere with your system in the future.

Leftover files can prevent you from reinstalling the app because the installer system may wrongfully detect that the app is already on your system. They also take up memory space for no reason.

Another benefit of dedicated uninstallers is that they can remove malicious and stubborn apps. If you ever encountered these, you know how difficult it is to get them removed with the built-in Windows utilities.

6. Reset Windows 10

Restart your computer during the boot in order to start Automatic Repair.
Choose Troubleshoot > Reset this PC > Remove everything. Insert Windows 10 installation media if you’re asked to.
Select Only the drive where Windows is installed > Just remove my files and click the Reset button.
Follow the instructions to complete the reset process.

If this error is caused by software, you can fix it by performing a Windows 10 reset.

To perform a Windows 10 reset you’ll need a Windows 10 installation media, so be sure to create one by using Media Creation Tool.

We have to mention that this procedure is similar to clean install, therefore it’s highly recommended that you back up your important files from your C partition.

7. Check your hardware

If Windows 10 reset didn’t fix the IRQL_UNEXPECTED_VALUE error it means that a certain hardware issue is causing it.

These errors are usually caused by faulty RAM, so be sure to check your RAM modules.

In addition to RAM, almost any other hardware component can cause this error, so you might have to perform a detailed hardware inspection.

IRQL_UNEXPECTED_VALUE BSOD error can cause some problems, but this error is usually resolved by updating the outdated drivers or by finding and removing the faulty hardware.

We hope that these recommendations from our list were helpful. For more suggestions, please access the comments section below.

FIX: The application needs to be restored in Kaspersky

Posted on December 13, 2021October 4, 2023 by Madalina Dinita

The application needs to be restored. Run the Setup Wizard to restore is a popup that can be displayed on your computer screen at boot and continues to appear while the system is running.

In this scenario, the Kaspersky application encounters a failure while running and you know for sure that the protection does not work at all or works incorrectly.

To get things on track and make your antivirus serve its purpose, don’t hesitate to follow the most effective solutions that are given below.

How can I fix The application needs to be restored Kaspersky error?

1. Select the Repair option from Control Panel

In the search box on the taskbar, type Control Panel.
Select it from the results.
Select Programs.
Click the Programs and Features option.
Right-click the Kaspersky program you want to fix and select Repair.
Then, simply follow the directions on the screen.

When seeing this Kaspersky error message, you should first try to repair the antivirus software. If you don’t see the Repair option, select Change or Modify for similar results, depending on the version you’re using. Finally, confirm that the issue has been fixed.

2. Restore the application

At first, run the setup.exe file from the application installation package.
This opens the welcome window of the install package.
Click the Kaspersky Security for Microsoft Exchange Servers link to open the welcome screen of the Setup Wizard.
Hit Next.
In the Modify, Repair or Remove the application window, it’s time to click the Restore button.
This opens the Restore application window with information about the process.
When the restore is completed, the Setup Wizard displays a notification. You may now click the Finish button.

You can also try to restore the application using the Setup Wizard. The Restore button often does wonders.

3. Remove and reinstall Kaspersky application

Open the Run command box by simultaneously pressing the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut.
Type Appwiz.cpl and then click OK. It will open the Programs and Features window.
Select the Kaspersky antivirus software file from the program list.
Then, click the Uninstall/Change button at the top of the screen.
Don’t forget to select License information.
Click the OK button to begin the Kaspersky antivirus removal procedure.
Download the Kaspersky installation package from its official website.
Run the installer.
Wait until the searching for a newer version of the application has been completed, or click Skip.
Carefully read the End User License Agreement and click Continue if you agree to the terms.
Click Install.
Wait for the installation to complete. Make sure the recommended settings are enabled and click Apply.
You may now click Finish.

Alternatively, we recommend using a third-party uninstaller that performs this procedure in a complete way, removing every unnecessary file left behind by the app.

If you encountered difficulties with the previous procedure, note that restoration of the Kaspersky software is not possible if its configuration files are damaged. In this case, removing and reinstalling the application is recommended.

We get your worries regarding this procedure, but if the currently installed Kaspersky product is legally activated on your computer, you don’t need the activation code to reinstall it. Just follow the above steps with the hope of an error-free immediate result.

We hope you found this guide useful. Don’t hesitate to share your valuable suggestions and feedback in the comments section below.

Color calibration keeps resetting in Windows 10/11 [FIX]

Posted on December 13, 2021September 20, 2025 by Tashreef Shareef

Windows 10 comes with a built-in color calibration feature to help you calibrate your display to your preference. However, at times the color calibration may stop saving the changes and start resetting.

The color calibration keeps resetting issue occurs after restarting the computer or waking up from Sleep Mode. According to some user reports, this issue can occur due to several reasons, including corrupted GPU or display driver and issues with Windows 10 features.

If you are also troubled by the color calibration keeps resetting in Windows 10 issue, here is how you can fix it by following a few quick steps.

How do I fix the color calibration keeps resetting in Windows 10 problem?

1. Use a driver updater tool

Outbyte Driver Updater is a premium driver update utility that you can use to update all your driver with one click and enjoy better gaming and general performance.

It comes with a huge database of drivers for almost everything that is connected to your Windows computer. It can also create drivers backups before making changes so that you can roll back to the earlier version if something goes wrong.

Upon installation, Outbyte Driver Updater will scan your PC for missing and outdated device drivers. Select the display driver from the list of options to fix the Color calibration that keeps resetting in Windows 10 issue.

More so, you can handle all drivers easily and install, update or fix the corrupted ones to improve your PC.

Key features of Outbyte Driver Updater:

A huge database of Windows drivers
One-click scan and update of all drivers
Built-in backup and recovery option
Download manager to see the download progress

Therefore, to manage all your drivers correctly and install the right versions for your system you can use this proficient driver manager anytime your need.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

2. Install display driver in compatibility mode

Download the latest version of the display driver from the manufacturer’s website and save it on your local disk.
Right-click on the setup file and select Properties.
Open the Compatibility tab from the properties window.
Under Compatibility mode, check “Run this program in compatibility mode for“.
Click the drop-down menu and select the latest version of Windows.
Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
Run the setup file and proceed with the installation.

3. Disable F.lux and Night Light

If you are using a third-party tool like F.lux to automatically adjust the display temperature depending on the time you are using the system, the chances are that it is also meddling with your display’s color calibration setting and resetting it after every restart.

To fix the issue, try disabling F.lux on your system and check for any improvements.

Windows 10 also comes with a built-in Night Light tool that works like F.lux. You can disable Night Light by clicking on the Action Center. You can also turn off Night Light from the Display settings.

4. Install older version of graphic card driver

Download and install Display Driver Uninstaller.
Run the installer.
Select the Device Type as GPU.
Next, select your display driver maker (NVIDIA, Intel, AMD).
Click on Clean and restart to uninstall the driver.
After uninstalling the driver, download an older version of the display driver from the official website.

Reinstalling the older version of the graphics driver can fix the issue if the problem started to occur after installing the driver’s new version. However, if the issue persists, try disabling the Calibration Loader from Task Scheduler.

5. Disable Calibration Loader settings

Press the Windows key and type Task Scheduler.
Navigate to the following location:
MicrosoftWindowsWindowsColorSystem
Right-click on Calibration Loader and select Properties.
Open the Triggers tab.
Select At Log on and click on Edit.
Uncheck the Enabled option and click OK.
Select On connection to user session and click on Edit.
Uncheck the Enabled option and click OK to save the changes.
Close Task Scheduler.
Set color profile once again and reboot the computer to see if the color calibration resetting problem persists.

The Color calibration keeps resetting in Windows 10 issue can occur due to display driver issues.

Try reinstalling the graphics driver to fix the problem. If the issue persists, modify the Calibration Loader settings using the Task Scheduler.

How to Fix Mafia 2 Crashing, Not Launching Issues

Posted on December 13, 2021August 10, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

Mafia 2 is a worthy successor to the original game, but according to users, it seems that certain issues are frequent on Windows 10. Among these, many have mentioned game crashes or black screens, freezing, and low FPS. Sometimes, users can’t even launch the game.

How can I fix Mafia 2 problems on Windows 10?

Fix Mafia 2 crashes / not starting

1. Make sure the drivers are up to date

Sometimes Mafia 2 can crash if certain components are out of date. To avoid any potential issues, make sure your drivers, PhysX, and Visual C++ Redistributables are up to date before running Mafia 2.

All your drivers need to be updated, but doing it manually is very annoying, so we recommend you download Outbyte Driver Updater to do it automatically.

With Outbyte Driver Updater, you will surely get just the right drivers for your system, with only a few clicks. No need to worry about choosing or finding the right software. This tool does everything for you.

Plus, using the program you avoid any critical changes that may cause functional troubles on your PC while updating old drivers.

2. Uninstall PhysX

Go to the following location: Program Files/Steam/steamapps/Common/mafia ii/3rd
Locate PhysX_9.10.0513_SystemSoftware.msi and run it.
Choose the Uninstall option.
After the process is completed, restart your computer and try running the game again.

Few users reported that reinstalling PhysX has fixed the issue for them, so if you want to use PhysX, try reinstalling it.

If you’re reluctant to completely uninstall this file, it’s advised that you at least disable it. To do this, just start the game, go to Video options, and turn off PhysX from the menu.

3. Run Mafia 2 in compatibility mode/use compatibility troubleshooter

Locate Mafia 2 shortcut, or Mafia 2 .exe file and right-click it. Choose Properties from the menu.
Navigate to the Compatibility tab, and check Run this program in compatibility mode for and choose one of the previous versions of Windows, for example, Windows 7.
Click Apply and OK.
Try running the game again.

To run compatibility troubleshooter, follow these steps:

Find Mafia 2 shortcut and right-click it. Choose Properties and go to the Compatibility tab.
Click Run compatibility troubleshooter button.
Wait for the process to finish.
Click on Try recommended settings.
Click Test the program button.

4. Remove overclock settings

Overclocking your hardware can improve your performance, but at the same time, it can cause certain games, such as Mafia 2 to crash.

If any of your hardware is overclocked, make sure to remove any existing clock settings and try to run the game again.

5. Disable Steam Overlay

Start Steam and go to your game Library.
Locate Mafia 2 and right-click it. Choose Properties.
In the General tab, make sure that Enable the Steam Overlay while in-game is not checked.
Save changes and start the game.

After disabling Steam Overlay you won’t be able to see any Steam notifications, such as messages and achievements, but crashing issues should be resolved.

If Steam Overlay doesn’t work in other games, check out this article to solve the issue easily.

6. Turn off anti-aliasing

In some cases, the cause for Mafia 2 crashes can be the anti-aliasing option.

So if Mafia 2 is crashing on your computer, make sure that you disable this option from the settings menu.

7. Add Mafia 2 to the list of exceptions

Mafia 2 can sometimes crash if it’s not added to the list of exclusions in your firewall or antivirus software.

To check if your firewall is blocking the game, follow the simple steps in this guide.

Additionally, before launching Mafia 2, make sure that the following folders are added to the list of exceptions in your antivirus software:

C:Program Files (x86)Steamsteamappscommonmafia ii
C:UsersUsernameAppDataLocal2K GamesMafia II

At the same time, it is recommended to switch to a better antivirus that can provide real help for your game. Hence, take action and choose one from the best antivirus software for gaming PCs.

Users reported that Mafia 2 crashes can be caused by third-party applications running in the background.

Certain applications, such as Gigabyte OC Guru, Fraps, Mumble, and Xfire can cause Mafia 2 to crash, so if you’re using any of these applications, make sure to disable them before running Mafia 2.

8. Delete videoconfig.cfg

Press Windows Key + R and enter %localappdata%. Press Enter or click OK.
When the AppdataLocal folder opens, navigate to 2K GamesMafia IISaves
Locate videoconfig.cfg and delete it.
After you’ve deleted videoconfig.cfg, run the game again.

We have to point out that you’ll need to repeat this solution every time before you start the game if the problem returns.

9. Run the game as administrator

Find Mafia 2 shortcut or .exe file and right-click it.
Choose Run as administrator from the menu.

Few users reported that their problem was resolved after launching the game like this, so make sure that you try that as well.

10. Verify the game cache

Start Steam and go to your game Library.
Locate Mafia 2, right-click it, and choose Properties.
Navigate to Local Files tab and click Verify Integrity of Game Cache button.
Wait for the process to complete.
When the verification process ends, try running the game again.

11. Reinstall the game

If Mafia 2 won’t start one of the last options is to completely uninstall the game and install it again.

In addition to reinstalling the game, it’s also advised to update your graphics card drivers to the latest version.

12. Change videoconfig values

Go to this location C:\Users\\UserName\AppData\Local\2K Games\Mafia II\Saves
Locate the videoconfig file and open it with Notepad.
Change all #1 to #0. For example, when you open videoconfig you might see something like this (keep in mind that you’ll probably get different values):
0 0 1680 1051 1 0 0 0
Now just change #1 to #0 like this:
0 0 0680 0050 0 0 0 0
Save changes and start the game again.

Fix Mafia 2 black screen

1. Edit videoconfig file

Navigate to this location: C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Local\2K Games\Mafia II\Saves
Here, open videoconfig with Notepad.
Change the video resolution setting to your native desktop resolution, save changes, and try running the game again.

If you want to create custom resolutions, this guide will certainly help you do it with ease.

2. Connect your PC to another monitor or TV

Sometimes you’ll experience black screen issues while starting Mafia 2 if your display doesn’t support the set resolution, so you’ll have to connect your PC to a different monitor or a TV.

After you’ve connected a different monitor or a TV, start Mafia 2, change the game resolution to 1024×768, or something similar.

Save changes and turn off your computer. Connect your old monitor once again, and try to start the game.

Fix Mafia 2 low FPS

1. Delete certain files from the Cloth folder

Open Mafia 2 installation directory.
Locate Edit/APEX/CLOTH folder.
Create a backup of the Cloth folder on your Desktop.
Open the CLOTH folder and delete all files except those starting with VITO. In addition, don’t delete m2skeleton and ClothRemapTable files.

After you’ve deleted these files, the dynamic clothing effect will only work on your character thus increasing your fps.

2. Delete the Effects directory

Open Mafia 2 installation directory.
Go to Edit/APEX/Effects directory.
Make a copy of the Effects folder and save it on your Desktop.
Delete Effects folder from Edit/APEX directory.

By removing this folder you’ll disable most of the particle effects in the game and drastically improve performance.

Fix Mafia 2 freezing

1. Run the game in windowed mode

If Mafia 2 is freezing on your PC, try to run the game in windowed mode. To do that just run the game, go to the options menu, open graphics settings, and set the game to run in windowed mode.

2. Reinstall the game

Also, it’s well-advised to reinstall the game if the occurring issues keep reappearing, just like the freezing.

Reinstalling the game includes clearing all the remaining files and registry inputs, so it’s advised to run CCleaner. This ensures a complete uninstall process so that unnecessary files from the removed app don’t interfere later with the fresh install.

⇒ Get CCleaner

Here’s how to reinstall Mafia 2 in a few simple steps:

Open Steam.
Choose Library.
Locate Mafia 2, right-click on it and choose Uninstall.
Open CCleaner and run the PC cleaning feature, then the registry cleaning one to remove the remaining files and registry entries.
Open Steam again and navigate to Library.
Download Mafia 2 and install it again.

3. Meet the system requirements

Another thing worth paying attention to is the imposed system requirements. This game is quite demanding, and, in order for it to work, you’ll need to have a capable configuration in order to run it. Here are the minimum and recommended system requirements:

Minimum Requirements

CPU: Pentium D 3GHz or AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ (Dual core) or higher
RAM: 1.5 GB
OS: Microsoft Windows XP (SP2 or later) / Windows Vista / Windows 7
VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GeForce 8600 / ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro or better
SOUND CARD: Yes
FREE DISK SPACE: 8 GB

Recommended configuration

CPU SPEED: 2.4 GHz Quad Core processor
RAM: 2 GB
OS: Microsoft Windows XP (SP2 or later) / Windows Vista / Windows 7
VIDEO CARD: NVIDIA GeForce 9800 GTX / ATI Radeon HD 3870 or better
SOUND CARD: Yes
FREE DISK SPACE: 10 GB

Fix Mafia 2 graphics problem

1. Update 3D Vision drivers

Sometimes you might get unreadable text and black textures if you’re playing Mafia 2 using 3D vision. To fix this issue we strongly advise you to download and install the latest 3D vision drivers.

You can safely use Outbyte Driver Updater, the same tool we recommended in this article’s very first solution.

2. Check your graphics card temperature

In certain cases, you might see black lines while playing Mafia 2, and if that’s the case, you should check your graphics card temperature.

If your graphics card is overheating, you might want to install additional cooling or switch your graphics card.

These are some of the most common issues that many PC gamers had with Mafia 2. If you’re having any of these issues, feel free to try any of our solutions.

If you have any more questions, drop them in the comments sections below.

Duplicate Screen not Working: 7 Solutions to Force it

Posted on December 13, 2021September 23, 2025 by Milan Stanojevic

PCs can be used for presentations using the projector duplicate feature. However, the option is faulty sometimes. For example, a few Windows 10 users have complained that the duplicated screen is not working during projection.

Sometimes, the HDMI connection might be the problem because the built-in graphics interfere with your system.

That being said, please find below a list of causes and solutions that should help you restore the projector duplicate feature on your device.

Why is the duplicate display not working?

From complaints and observations, we realize that any of the following factors could be responsible for the duplicate screen not working:

Outdated display driver – This will be the primary factor for most users. If the driver is outdated, they may run into this problem.
Incorrect display settings – Something as minor as a misconfigured setting could also trigger the problem.
Faulty projector hardware – Chances are that the problem is a sign of an underlying fault on the projector itself. In most cases, you may need a replacement of one of the parts.
Faulty or loose connections – If you have cables connecting your devices, chances are that they may be loose or bad. Either situation may trigger the problem.

What can I do if the duplicate screen is not working?

Before going through the suggested solutions, we recommend checking your cables and ensuring they are properly connected at all ends. The aim is to eliminate the problem if loose cables and connections cause it.

Also, as an alternative to save you troubleshooting, use a cable splitter. A splitter cable has two ends. One end goes to your monitor, while the other goes to your projector, TV, or second monitor.

After connecting both displays, the same signal will be sent to both simultaneously, so you’ll duplicate your display automatically.

If you want a reliable and cost-efficient solution, we recommend you try the TB VGA Splitter Cable Converter. The tool sends an identical VGA signal to 2 separate VGA displays, allowing users to view the same image on two monitors.

Update your drivers
Make sure that both monitors are using the same resolution
Disable the built-in graphics
Use Hardware and Device Troubleshooter
Perform an SFC and DISM scan
Install the latest updates
Perform a System Restore

1. Update your drivers

Press Windows + R, type devmgmt.msc, and hit Enter.
Expand Display adapters, right-click on your graphics card, and hit Update driver.
Click Search automatically for drivers.

Also, users mentioned that the DisplayLink port replicator driver was outdated, which caused this issue to appear. To fix this problem, you need to ensure that all your drivers are up to date. Visit your laptop manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers for your model.

If downloading drivers manually seems tedious or you don’t know how to do it properly, you can always use tools such as Outbyte Driver Updater.

Using this tool, you’ll update all your drivers automatically with just a few clicks.

Besides, you’ll get recommendations for only the compatible drivers for your device. Needless to say that this is the safest and quickest solution to fulfill this job.

Outbyte Driver Updater

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2. Make sure that both monitors are using the exact resolution

Right-click your desktop and select Display settings.
Click the dropdown under Change the size of text, apps, and other items, and select the recommended resolution. Do the same for the Resolution option.
Repeat the process for the second monitor and make sure the resolutions are the same.

If you can’t use the duplicate projector feature on your PC, perhaps the problem is your display resolution.

Several users suggest that both monitors must use the exact resolution to duplicate your screen.

Once both monitors are set to use the same resolution, the issue should be resolved, and you can duplicate your screen without problems.

3. Disable the built-in graphics

Press Windows Key + X to open Win + X menu. Choose Device Manager from the list.
Locate your built-in graphics card, right-click it, and choose Disable device from the menu.
When the confirmation dialog appears, click Yes.

Check if the duplicate projector feature works properly now.

Many laptops and some PCs have built-in graphics available. However, according to users, Intel integrated graphics can sometimes cause problems with the duplicate projector feature on your PC and prevent you from using it.

4. Use Hardware and Device Troubleshooter

Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
Head over to the Update & Security section.
Choose Troubleshoot from the menu on the left, then in the right pane, select Hardware and Devices, and click Run the troubleshooter.

Once the troubleshooting process is finished, check if the problem is still there.

5. Perform an SFC and DISM scan

Start Command Prompt (Admin) with administrative privileges by pressing Windows Key + X.
When Command Prompt opens, type the script below and hit Enter.
sfc /scannow
The SFC scan will now start. The process takes 15-20 minutes, so don’t interrupt it.

Once the SFC scan is completed, check for the problem.

We also have a guide on what to do if the sfc/scannow stops out of the blue.

If the duplicate projector is still unusable, try running a DISM scan. To do that, follow these steps:

Launch Command Prompt as an administrator.
Enter the following command and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
DISM scan will now start. The scan usually takes about 20 minutes or more, so don’t interrupt it.

Once the DISM scan is finished, check for the problem. If you couldn’t run an SFC scan earlier, try to run it now and check if that solves your problem.

This solution is helpful if file corruption is causing the error. After all, the OS installation often gets corrupted for various reasons.

6. Install the latest updates

Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
Head over to the Update & Security section.
In the right pane, click the Check for updates button.

Windows will now check for available updates and download them automatically in the background.

After downloading the updates, they will be installed as soon as you restart your PC. Once your system is updated, check if the problem is still there.

7. Perform a System Restore

Press Windows Key + R, type rstrui, and hit Enter.
Click Next.
Choose a restore point and hit Next.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.

Remember that a System Restore will work only if this problem started appearing recently.

The projector duplicate is a useful feature, but sometimes issues like the duplicate screen not working can appear. However, we hope you’ll solve the problem using one of our solutions.

We’d like to hear which solution helped, so feel free to use the comments below.

Here’s how to fix Surface Book 2 CPU throttle issues for good

Posted on December 13, 2021March 27, 2024 by Ivan Jenic

Surface Book 2 is undoubtedly one of the best hybrid tablet devices on the market, but many users reported Surface Book 2 CPU throttle issues. This issue will negatively impact your performance, but there’s a way to fix it.

How can I fix Surface Book 2 gaming throttling?

Run the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit
Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool
Run the error checking tool
Adjust power mode to a less CPU intensive setting
Start Surface Book 2 in Safe Mode

Also, before getting into the remedial measures, the one thing that you will do good to know is that the one prime reason that causes CPU throttling in the Surface Book 2 is the increase in external temperature conditions.

If you’re using Surface Book 2 in a high-temperature environment, the built-in software will initiate CPU throttling to prevent the device from getting too hot. In that case, you might also consider moving the Surface Book 2 to a colder environment.

1. Run the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit

If you’re having Surface Book 2 CPU throttle issues, download and run the Surface Diagnostic Toolkit. It’s a specialized software designed to identify and remedy most issues with Surface devices including the Surface Book 2.

According to Microsoft, it can take just about 15 mins for the tool to identify and repair most problems though it can also take longer depending on the complexity of the problem at hand. The repair time also depends on Internet speed. The toolkit will also download and install all the latest updates that might be relevant to your device.

2. Run the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool

Issues with the memory might also be another reason for your Surface Book 2 to get heated up. Running the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool will help identify and fix such issues to ensure the memory on your Surface Book 2 is working just fine. Here are the steps.

Type memory in the Cortana search box.
From the search results shown, select Windows Memory Diagnostic.
In the Windows Memory Diagnostic, select Restart now and check for problems (recommended).
Your Surface Book 2 will restart and initiate the test process.
The test will run in the background and will display the status on the display.
Windows will restart automatically after the test is over.

3. Run the error checking tool

Errors in the hard drive can be another possible cause for your Surface Book 2 to get heated up. Run the Error Checking Tool to ensure all errors, if any, on your device hard disk is isolated and fixed.

Open File Explorer.
Select This PC from the options on the left.
Open Local Disk (C:).
Right-click on Windows and select Properties.
In the Properties window, select the Tools tab.
Under Error checking, select Check for the process to begin.

Alternatively, we recommend using a third-party tool that can scan your PC for errors and repair them automatically.

This type of program can increase the performance of your CPU and keep it in a stable condition, as it has features specifically designed to fix such errors and optimize your OS by repairing or replacing damaged files.

4. Adjust power mode to a less CPU intensive setting

Keeping the slider in the Best performance setting will naturally be more taxing for the CPU and lead to Surface Book 2 CPU throttle issues. To prevent this, switch to a different power plan.

To adjust the power setting, simply click on the battery icon and slide the switch away from the rightmost position. Ideally, place it on the Recommended position for best performance and battery life.

5. Start Surface Book 2 in Safe Mode

Starting your Surface Book 2 in Safe Mode means it’s going to run only the most basic set files and drivers. This can sometimes help you find the cause for CPU throttling. If your Surface Book 2 isn’t getting overheated in Safe Mode, you know that basic files and drivers are not at fault.

You can then proceed with checking other files and applications and see if those are causing overheating issues.

Here is how to start Surface Book 2 in Safe Mode.

Type msconfig in the Cortana search box.
The search will yield System Configuration. Right-click on System Configuration and select Run as administrator.
In the System Configuration window, select the Boot tab.
Under Boot options, check the Safe Boot check box.
Click on OK.
Your PC will restart in Safe Mode.

So, there you have it, these are just a couple of solutions that can help with Surface Book 2 CPU throttle.

BT Unable to Connect to This Network: 3 Easy Fixes to Use

Posted on December 13, 2021September 27, 2025 by Ivan Jenic

A few users have complained of the error BT unable to connect to this network. If you belong to this category, we will explore the problem and offer some solutions in this guide.

We also hope to help you prevent feature occurrences, so we will start by investigating some of the most common causes. You may also take a closer look at some of the best network repair tools to fix issues on Windows 10.

Why can’t I connect to my BT Wi-fi?

With most cases of this problem, we figure the most common triggers are the following:

Router settings – This one can be handled with a few tweaks. Once the router settings are off, you should encounter various issues using the BT Home Hub.
Drivers – This would be a case of outdated or corrupted drivers for most users. Since drivers play a vital role in linking hardware to software, they must be constantly updated.
Password issues – From our findings, this may be one of the more common factors. Users may have input the wrong passwords or lost their original credentials.
Range – Many wireless devices have a limit, so you are likely trying to connect from outside the range.
Network congestion – Chances are that there are too many devices already connected. If that is the case, it will be impossible to add additional devices.

Regardless of what triggers the problem, you should find a resolution using the solutions we propose below.

How can I fix BT unable to connect to this network error?

1. Factory reset the BT Home Hub router

Locate the Reset button at the back of your BT Home Hub router.
Press and hold this button for about 20 seconds. When the light goes off, the BT Hub restarts.
After a few moments, the central light will change to blue while the Broadband light turns off.
Use the router’s Smart Setup feature to set up the BT Hub again.
Once the setup is complete, you are all set!

If you cannot connect to a BT Hub, check if the problem is associated with your PC or the router. To do this, try to connect the PC via an Ethernet cable. If you cannot connect, the problem is probably associated with the BT Hub. In this case, you can reset the router to default.

If the problem is unrelated to BT Hub, resetting it might not resolve it. In this case, you can try the next solution: fixing your PC’s Wi-Fi setup rather than the router itself.

2. Install Wi-Fi drivers in Compatibility mode

Go to your laptop manufacturer’s website and download the latest drivers. We use HP in this example.
Click on your device type, enter the serial number, or click Let HP detect your product.
Click on your detected product.
Select your OS and OS version, then click Submit.
Click on Detect my drivers.
Click the Download button to download any driver you want.
After the download, right-click on the driver’s setup file, and select Properties from the list of options.
Navigate to the Compatibility tab, locate and check the Run this program in compatibility mode for and select Windows 8.1 or older.
Save changes and run the setup.

You can also update your drivers by using third-party applications that will update all your drivers automatically with just a couple of clicks.

With the help of this tool, you will thoroughly remove the risks of installing mismatched driver versions. They have solid driver databases and will always find the perfect version for your hardware.

We recommend you try Outbyte Driver Updater because it is easy to use and lightweight. Just let it scan your PC; it will inform you about all your outdated or damaged drivers.

Upon your approval, it will install and fix your drivers. On top of that, you can set it up to regularly scan and fix your drivers so you won’t have to worry about them in the future.

Once done, check if the problem is resolved by enabling your Wi-Fi and reconnecting it to the BT Home Hub. If you cannot connect, you can try the next solution.

Outbyte Driver Updater

A fast solution you can use to scan your PC for outdated drivers and find the latest updates.

Free Trial Download now

3. Run network/Wi-Fi Troubleshooter

Press Windows + I to open Settings.
Locate and select Update & Security.
In the left pane, click on Troubleshoot, click Network Adapter, and select Run the troubleshooter.
Exit and restart the PC.

When this problem occurs, the cause might be related to your PC’s Wi-Fi/network connectivity. If so, you can run the Network troubleshooter to fix the error.

Once this is done, check if the issue is resolved. If not, you might have to contact the Microsoft support team or BT Hub’s technical support team.

In this post, we have described three solutions you can use if your PC cannot connect to the BT Hub. Be sure to try all solutions, and let us know in the comments section if you found them helpful.

The modified permissions cannot be saved error in Outlook

Posted on December 13, 2021October 4, 2023 by Teodor Nechita

Microsoft Outlook is a part of the much larger Microsoft Office Suite and acts as the de facto email client.

The problem is that some users have been reporting problems with Outlook.

I’m trying to edit the permissions on a shared calendar to give “delegate” permission to the calendar, and to remove an old entry from the list of users. Neither change will save, I get an error that says “modified permissions could not be saved”.

Unfortunately, this isn’t a circumstantial problem, as others are having similar issues revolving around Outlook not saving permissions.

I have a user that has 2 names in his delegates list that are terminated users no longer in the address book. When he tries to remove these users and save delegate changes in Outlook, he gets the error “The modified permissions cannot be saved”.

Microsoft moderators were quick to respond and came up with a solution

How can I get my Outlook to save modified permissions?

This step revolves around your granting, applying, and then removing Delegate access.

This action will then force a re-write of the Access Control Lists at the mailbox level, which will then propagate to the folders.

1. Use Outlook’s settings

Open Outlook
Go to File
Select Account Settings
Click on Delegate Access
Click Add, and then click a random user from the global address list field
Go to the Permissions page
Click OK
Choose Apply
Click OK again
Go back to the File tab
Click Account Settings
Golick Delegate Access
Remove the user that you added in step 5

outlook the modified permissions cannot be saved delegate access

2. Use the Registry Editor

These same steps can be achieved in a different method as well:

Press Windows + R
Type in regedit.exe, and then click OK
Locate and then click the following key in the registry:

HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftExchangeExchange Provider
You may have to create the registry path.

Go to the Edit menu
Click Add Value, and then add the following registry value:
- Value name: DS Server
- Data type: REG_SZ (string)
- Value data: FQDN of the global catalog server
Open Outlook
Go to File
Select Account Settings
Click on Delegate Access
Click Add, and then click a random user from the global address list field
Go to the Permissions page
Click OK
Select Apply
Click OK again
Go back to the File tab
Click Account Settings
Go to Delegate Access
Remove the user that you added in step 5

3. Use third-party email client software

Another solution would be to use a third-party email client service to make the changes you want. Outlook supports IMAP, an internet protocol that allows users to access their email messages from several different devices, using third-party software.

Adjusting to a new service should not be very difficult. There are many alternative email clients with productivity features similar to those you find in Outlook.

On top of that, most modern email clients allow you to access multiple accounts from one unified inbox. This will make it easier to navigate throughout your messages and save you some time.

Many options on the market include translation features, spellcheckers, advanced contact lists options, and more.

Just make sure to get an email client with powerful encryption and a straightforward privacy policy.

By following one of these solutions, you should be able to get rid of any Microsoft Outlook delegate issues.

Do you know any other solution to this problem? Let us know in the comments section below.

FIX: Wdsutil.dll is missing in Windows 10/11, 7

Posted on December 13, 2021October 7, 2025 by Madalina Dinita

The wdsutil.dll is missing error is a common Windows error that can cause various system issues such as slow boot up sequences, computer freezing issues, shutdown issues, and installation fails.

These .dll errors should be fixed as soon as possible because they affect many system areas. Their main role is to allow multiple software programs to share the same functionality.

Wdsutil.dll is missing error can prevent you from running certain applications, and speaking of this error, here are some similar issues that users reported:

The program can’t start because wdsutil dll is missing from your computer – This issue can appear if your Windows installation is damaged, but you should be able to fix the problem simply by running SFC or DISM scan on your PC.
Wdsutil.dll missing Windows 7, 8.1, 10 – This problem can appear on almost any version of Windows, but even if you don’t use Windows 10, you should be able to apply most of our solutions.
Wdsutil dll missing error code 0x7e, 0xc1 – Sometimes this message can be followed by a certain error code. To fix that issue, it’s advised that you update all your drivers and check if that helps.
Wdsutil.dll failed to load – If you keep getting this error message, you might be able to fix it simply by performing an in-place upgrade.

What can I do if the wdsutil.dll is missing?

1. Run the SFC scan command

Press the Windows Key + X, and select Command Prompt (Admin).
Type the following command, and press Enter: sfc /scannow
Wait until the command is completed.

Problems with wdsutil.dll can sometimes occur if your system files are corrupted. However, you might be able to fix this problem simply by performing an SFC scan.

If the SFC scan didn’t fix the problem, or if you can’t run SFC at all, you might have to use DISM scan instead. To do that, just follow these steps:

Start Command Prompt as administrator.
Type the following command, and press Enter: DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
DISM scan will now start. The scan can take about 30 minutes, so be sure not to interfere with it.

Once the scan is finished, check if the problem is still there. If the issue is still present, we recommend trying a 3rd party solution.

2. Use a DLL Fixer

Another method to fix this system error is by getting the best support from a dedicated third-party solution. That way, you can adjust your system rapidly using automated DLL fixing services.

Hence, these types of software can provide robust PC repairing tools and surely fix this kind of issue on your Windows 10 or 7.

3. Manually register wdsutil.dll

Press the Windows Key + X, and select Command Prompt (Admin) or PowerShell (Admin).
Type the following command to unregister the file, and hit Enter: regsvr32 /u wdsutil.dll
Type the following command to register back your file, and hit Enter: regsvr32 /i wdsutil.dll
Close the Command Prompt windows, and restart the program associated with the wdsutil.dll error.

According to users, sometimes you might getwdsutil.dll is missing message because the file isn’t properly registered.

However, you can fix that problem on your own simply by running a couple of commands in Command Prompt.

4. Update your computer drivers

Press the Windows Key + X, and choose Device Manager.
Expand the driver category associated with the wdsutil.dll error, right-click it, and select Update driver.
Select the Search automatically for updated driver software option.
Restart the program associated with the wdsutil.dll error.

According to some users, sometimes the wdsutil.dll is missing message can appear due to outdated drivers.

Alternatively, you can download the drivers right from the manufacturer’s website. This might be a tedious task, especially if you need to update drivers for several devices.

In addition, you can update drivers automatically on your PC with a few clicks using dedicated software for driver installation. So this issue can be resolved fast and it is best suited for lightweight tools like Outbyte Driver Updater.

5. Run a full system scan

It is possible that this wdsutil.dll error is caused by a malware program running on your computer.

Run a full system scan using your antivirus, using one of these anti-hacking tools to literally sweep all malware from your PC.

If you want to ensure that your PC is properly protected from malware, it’s always a good idea to use good third-party antivirus software.

You can thus choose an antivirus solution to scan your system and find the potential malware. To do so, it’s more beneficial to pick from the best lifetime license antivirus tools.

6. Perform a system restore

Press the Windows Key + S, and type system restore.
Choose Create a restore point option from the menu.
When the System Properties window opens, select System Restore.
System Restore window will now appear. Click Next.
If available, check the Show more restore points option.
Select the desired restore point, and click Next.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration process.

If wdsutil.dll is missing error started appearing recently, you might be able to fix it by performing a System Restore. This is an extremely useful feature since it allows you to easily fix many problems.

7. Perform an in-place upgrade

Download and run Media Creation Tool.
When it starts, select Upgrade this PC now.
Wait while the setup prepares the necessary files.
Select Download and install updates (recommended), and click Next.
Wait while the updates are downloaded.
Follow the on-screen instructions until you reach the Ready to install screen.
Click Change what to keep.
Select the Keep personal files and apps option, and click Next.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup. Once your system is reinstalled, the issue should be completely resolved.

If other solutions didn’t fix the wdsutil.dll is missing message, you might be able to fix the problem by performing an in-place upgrade.

If you’re not familiar, an in-place upgrade will reinstall Windows and upgrade it to the latest version while keeping all your files intact.

8. Redownload the ISO image

Sometimes this problem can occur while trying to install Windows 10. If this happens, it’s possible that your ISO image is damaged.

To fix this problem, you’ll need to download the ISO image again and try to install Windows 10 once again.

9. Run the setup from the ISO file

Several users reported wdsutil.dll is missing error while trying to create a bootable flash drive. However, you can circumvent this problem by downloading and mounting the ISO image.

After doing that, just run the setup.exe file from the mounted image and follow the instructions on the screen.

Missing wdsutil.dll file can cause many issues on your PC and prevent applications from running. Although this can be a big problem, we hope that you managed to fix it using one of our solutions.

10. Use a Registry cleaner

A registry cleaning tool can fix the wdsutil.dll registry entries that might be causing the error. You can use one of the following registry cleaners listed in our article 10 best Registry Cleaners for Windows 10.

Leave us your opinion about these solutions in the comments section below.

FIX: This website is not properly configured

Posted on December 13, 2021September 9, 2025 by Madalina Dinita

Anyone who has ever tried accessing a website either as the site owner, or a visitor and got an error message stating that ‘This website is not properly configured‘ will be pleased with the details here.

In most cases, everything appears to be rightly configured but whenever an attempt to access that particular site is made, this error shows up.

Not to worry, this article addresses this issue from two points of view and then provides helpful tips to get the problem resolved.

This error message could show up for several reasons, and to address it, a walk-through approach is needed. The suggested approach can be put to use by site owners, administrators, and to a certain extent by visitors.

For site owners experiencing this error, these are the things you should be looking out for:

The website and its contents may have been deleted or disabled
A temporary domain name is still configured for use, and the user is trying to access the site using the proper address
The Domain’s DNS is pointing to a stale Internet Protocol address, despite the fact that the IP address of the website has changed
The user is attempting to access the site using a secure address (https://thewebsite), but a Transport Security Layer (TSL) or Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificate has not been installed for the website.
All directories and files associated with the website have been deleted.

How do I fix the website is not configured properly error?

1. Try a different browser

If you come to the conclusion that the issue is not server-sided but client-sided, then maybe you should try a different browser instead.

We recommend you try Opera One because it is lighting-fast, has an enormous library of extensions, and you can customize the overall look of the browser in however way you see fit.

More so, it is very stable, and this is because of the Chromium engine it is built from, allowing for updates to flow in constantly.

It is also very secure, thanks to the built-in ad-blocker and VPN, so malware and spyware will surely no longer be the cause of future issues. Plus, it also has a built-in AI.

⇒ Get Opera One

2. Clear browser caches and cookies

Getting rid of browser cookies, caches, and history in Advanced Browser Options will do a great deal of help in resolving this website is not properly configured error.

To clear browser’s caches and cookies, Windows users could use extensions (add-ons) or developer tools.

Using the developer tools is an efficient method to clear cookies and caches but using extensions can make the process a lot easier.

Extensions are available for browsers like Chrome and Firefox. Unfortunately, Internet Explorer does not have add-ons that clear caches and cookies; hence, the Developer tools are used.

To make use of IE developer tools on windows, follow these steps:

Click Settings at the top right corner and select F12 developer tools.
Alternatively, click F12 on your keyboard
Now, hold Ctrl key + D, and the cache should be cleared

If all of this seems too complicated and you don’t want to delete the wrong data by mistake, you should go for a dedicated PC cleaner.

Dedicated memory cleaner software will scan your browser and find any unnecessary temporary files, cache, and cookies. It will let you know what can be removed.

Upon your approval, it will safely erase all this data, allowing your browser to run smoother and with fewer errors.

PC cleaners can also help you with leftover files in your PC, scan and fix your registry, and other similar procedures that can help you maintain your PC and help it run at its full potential.

3. Check browser configurations

An important step is to ascertain the state of your browser (IE, UC browser, Mozilla, Chrome, Safari) and fix it appropriately.

Reset your internet setting to default, and try revisiting the website, the error should now be resolved. Check proxy settings and ensure that it is set to detect proxy settings automatically.

4. Try accessing the website Incognito or InPrivate

Opening the site Incognito or InPrivate should also fix “this website is not configured” error. To visit a site Incognito using Chrome browser:

Click Customize and control google chrome (three pins) at the top right corner. Alternatively, hold Ctrl+Shift+N

Then Select New Incognito window
Type in the website’s address, pressEnter, and you should be good to go

For other browsers, you will find Incognito or InPrivate in the advanced menu dropdown.

5. The IE Developer Tools Option

Resolve DNS Problems
Troubleshoot and Configure your DNS servers.

In general, DNS issues are known to be the logical initiators of “this website is not configured” error.

These DNS problems could come as any of these:

1. A stale DNS resource record in your local machine
2. A stale DNS resource record in your Internet Service Provider’s Server.

Fix a DNS resource issue in your local machine

If the stale record is on your local machine, flushing your local DNS cache will just fix the error.

After clearing your local DNS cache, your computer will then request for a new value from your Internet Service Provider’s DNS server the next time you attempt to access the internet or the particular website.

To flush your local DNS cache, follow these steps:

For Windows users– Windows 7

1. PressWinKey + R to bring up Windows Run dialog box
2. Type cmd into the dialog box and press Enter to open Command Prompt
3. In the cmd window, type ipconfig/flushdns and press Enter

For Windows users– Windows 8, 8.1, 10:

1. Press WinKey + Q, and type cmd
2. Right-click on Command Prompt and choose Run as Administrator
3. Type ipconfig/flushdns in the Command Prompt Window and press Enter

You can also use the following commands in addition to ipconfig/flushdns:

ipconfig/registerdns
ipconfig/release
ipconfig/renew

NOTE

Ensure that the terminal in use is connected to a network before initiating these commands.

This is the message that will be seen with the success of the command prompt: “Successfully flushed the DNS Resolver Cache.”

Resolve A stale DNS resource record in your Internet Service Provider’s Server

Now, if the stale DNS record is in your ISP’s DNS servers instead, mere flushing your DNS cache will do no help. Try these fixes instead:

1. Try using an alternative DNS server
2. Wait for the ISP’s cache to expire after 24 hours

Having tried the above tips and suggestions, this website is not properly configured error should be gone, and the site should now be accessible.

However, domain owners experiencing this issue can leave a ticket with their hosting service provider if the problem persists.

FIX: Windows Media Player cannot open WAV/MP3/MP4/AVI/MKV

Posted on December 13, 2021July 5, 2024 by Matthew Adams

Although Windows Media Player is becoming increasingly outdated, quite a few users still utilize it for playing videos and audio.

However, the reality struck when users see that Windows Media Player cannot open WAV, MP3, MP4, AVI, MPG, MKV, and MOV videos and music for some users even though the software supports those file formats.

Why can’t I play video/audio files on Windows Media Player?

1. Switch to a different video player

While Windows Media Player is still a solid video player and it does come preinstalled with the Windows OS, it lacks many of the tools and features that third-party video players have. That’s why you may need to change your media player.

For instance, some of the best universal video players for PC come with more advanced libraries that let you create and manage your media files into easy-to-find collections and folders.

Some alternatives may even support more media formats and even recover and replay damaged files.

The good news is that when it comes to user experience, alternative players are generally just as straightforward.

Among other additional features that most third-party software offers we have to mention subtitle libraries, advanced audio settings, and support for 4K, 5K, and even 8K resolutions.

2. Fix corrupted video files

Sometimes the reason behind a video not being played back is not the video player, but the file itself. As such, if you notice that multiple video players don’t work on it, then maybe you should consider performing a video file repair.

There are several ways to fix corrupt files in Windows 10. You can use the SFC or the DISM tools, replace the files yourself, or use the system restore.

These will most likely help you solve the issue, but they are quite time-consuming and require minimal computer knowledge.

If you want to make sure that you safely fix your corrupt files and do not create any additional risks, we recommend you use dedicated video file repair tools.

They are easy to use and support multiple formats. In just a few steps, you will be able to recover and replay your media files.

3. Open the Video Playback Troubleshooter

Open Windows 10’s search utility with the Windows key + S hotkey.
Input troubleshoot as the search keyword, and select Troubleshoot settings to open Settings as shown directly below.
Select Video Playback and click Run the troubleshooter to open its window below.
Users can then select three alternative troubleshooting options.
As the first two options seemingly do not exactly pertain to Windows Media Player not playing video files, click I want to continue with this troubleshooter to initiate it.

First, check out Windows 10’s Video Playback troubleshooter, which might come in handy for fixing Windows Media Player’s video playback.

4. Install the K-Lite Codec Pack

Windows Media Player still needs a K-Lite Codec pack to ensure it plays even all of its supported file formats ok.

To install K-Lite, click Mirror 1 or Mirror 2 on the Download K-Lite Codec Mega page. After downloading it, click K-Lite_Codec to open the pack’s installer.

Then users can go through the setup wizard to install the codec.

5. Reinstall Windows Media Player

To reinstall WMP, open the Run accessory by pressing the Windows key + R hotkey.
Then users can open the uninstaller window by entering appwiz.cpl in Run and clicking OK.
Next, click Turn Windows features on or off to open the window shown directly below.
Double-click Media Features to expand it.
Deselect the Windows Media Player checkbox.
Click OK to uninstall WMP.
Restart Windows after uninstalling the media player.
Open the Windows Features window again.
Then select the Windows Media Player checkbox.
Click OK to reinstall the software.

Reinstalling Windows Media Player might resolve playback issues for both video and music.

By following these steps, you should be able to watch movies again, but whether this is with the Windows Media Player is entirely up to you.

Let us know which solution helped you most by leaving us a reply in the comments section below.

FIX: Microsoft Photos crashes when printing

Posted on December 13, 2021October 4, 2023 by Matthew Adams

Photos is Windows 10’s default image viewer that users utilize to browse images libraries and print pictures. However, some users have stated that Photos crash when they try to print with that app.

The app closes a few seconds after those users select to print. These are some of the resolutions that might fix a Photos app that crashes when users select its Print option.

How can I fix Windows 10 Photo app crashes?

Use a third-party alternative to Windows 10 Photos
Select the Repair option for Photos
Reset Photos
Reinstall Photos
Restore Photos’ default libraries
Reregister the Photos App
Print images From Windows Photo Viewer

1. Use a third-party alternative to Microsoft Photos

If you can view photos with Microsoft Photos without any issue, but get the crash when you try to print them through it, then your only solution is to use another program through which you give the Print command.

Since you’ll not be working just with common file formats like JPG and GMP, you’ll need a tool that can handle pretty much any type of image file.

There are many third-party photo software that integrate slideshow and view features, as well as some editing and printing tools.

You will for sure be able to find a good photo printing software that will offer exactly what you need.

Dedicated tools offer support for printing in bulk, adjusting file size to perfectly fit the frame, and printing extra-large posters and banners.

2. Select the Repair option for Photos

Open Cortana’s search utility with the Windows key + Q keyboard shortcut.
Input apps within the search box.
Click Apps & features to open Settings as in the snapshot directly below.
Select the Microsoft Photos app and click Advanced options.
Click the Repair button to fix the app.

Photos users can select a Repair option that will fix corrupted files for that app. That’s certainly an option worth noting for fixing the Photo print crash.

3. Reset Photos

Click on the Start menu.
Type Apps & features.
Select the app that you want to reset.
Click on Advanced options underneath the app.
Then click the Reset button.
Confirm your request and that’s it.

Some Photos users have confirmed that resetting the app’s data can fix the printing crash. Users can do that by following the aforementioned steps.

4. Reinstall Photos

Open Cortana’s search box.
Input Powershell in the search box.
Then right-click PowerShell and select Run as administrator.
- Click Yes if a dialog box window opens.
Enter Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft.Windows.Photos* | Remove-AppxPackage in PowerShell to uninstall Photos.
Restart the desktop or laptop before reinstalling Photos.
Then click Get (or Install) on the Microsoft Photos page to reinstall the app.

If the above resolutions don’t fix Photos’ print crashes, try reinstalling the app. However, users can’t reinstall built-in Windows apps in the same way as third-party UWP apps.

5. Restore Microsoft Photos default libraries

Open File Explorer with the Windows key + E hotkey.
Click Libraries on the left of File Explorer.
Right-click Pictures and select Properties to open the window shown directly below.
Press the Restore Defaults button on that window.
Select the Apply option, and click OK to close the window.

Photos crashes can often be due to its Picture library source. Thus, restoring Photos’ picture library to its default settings often fixes the app crashing. Users can restore Photos’ default source by following the steps above.

6. Reregister the Photos App

Reregistering Photos will reregister the app with its user account.
- To do that, press the Windows key + X hotkey.
Select Command Prompt (Admin) to open an elevated Prompt window.
Input this line in the Command Prompt, and press the Return keyboard key:
- PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "& {$manifest = (Get-AppxPackage *Photos*).InstallLocation + 'AppxManifest.xml' ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest}"
Restart Windows after reregistering Photos.

7. Print images from Windows Photo Viewer

First, open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E hotkey.
Open the folder that includes the image.
Right-click the image to print and select Open with to open the context menu submenu shown directly below.
Users can select Windows Photo Viewer to open images with that software.
Then click Print to print from WPV.

Windows Photo Viewer is the default image viewer in earlier Windows platforms.

Users who have upgraded to Windows 10 from Win 7 can still open images within WPV instead of Photos and print them from there. Follow the guidelines below to open and print an image with WPV.

Those users who haven’t upgraded from an earlier platform to Windows 10 can also open and print images with WPV. However, users need to edit the registry to restore WMP in Win 10.

Some of the above fixes might fix a Photos app that crashes when printing. Remember, however, that there are also plenty of alternative third-party image viewer software users can print pictures from instead.

IrfanView, XnView, and Fastone Image Viewer are three of the best alternative image viewer software. Make sure to leave us some feedback in the comment section below.

FIX: Flash drive files become shortcuts

Posted on December 13, 2021October 4, 2023 by Aleksandar Ognjanovic

USB flash drives overtook CDs and DVDs a long time ago. They offer great reading and writing speeds, are quite compact, and these days you can find them in large sizes.

But, there’s that one small advantage which disks have and that’s the fact USB drives are quite susceptible to malicious threats.

One distinctive virus will hide all files you stored on your USB flash drive and add their shortcuts only.

This seems scary, as the first guess is that your data is gone. It isn’t. We’ll show you how to retrieve it below.

How do I retrieve USB files from their shortcuts?

1. Scan for malware

As mentioned, the problem might be caused by corrupted data on the USB stick.

You can use any given third-party tool to scan for malware, but make sure it has the latest virus database.

A quick scan won’t be enough, so make sure to run a deep scan to make sure each and every file on your device is verified.

We recommend you get antivirus software with multiple layers of protection because these are proven to offer the best security for your device.

Also, make sure to use a security tool with a strong firewall and a good privacy policy. You will find good options that check all these boxes and come at really good prices or even for free.

2. Use Command Prompt

Do not plug in the affected USB until all preparations are made and, obviously, don’t format it yet, either.
Then, enable the hidden files.
Download and extract Autorun Exterminator.
Run the tool and plug in your USB flash drive. (The utility will remove all autorun.ini files and protect you from possible malware spread.)
Now, right-click on Start and open Command Prompt (Admin).
Copy-paste the following command in the command line and press Enter (don’t forget to replace f with your USB flash drive letter):
- attrib -h -r -s /s /d f:*.*
After you run this command, you should be able to see all hidden files on the USB.

3. Use the USB Fix tool

Another way to remove a possible virus infection on the USB is to use a nifty third-party antimalware tool, this time dedicated only to this type of devices.

It’s possible that classic antivirus tools don’t detect specific malware that attacks external storage, hides all data, and creates shortcuts for all files instead.

This software we recommend is called UsbFix and it specializes in resolving virus-caused issues like the one we’re addressing here.

Follow these steps to use UsbFix and resolve the problem:

Download UsbFix. (If your antivirus blocks it, disable antivirus temporarily.)
Plug in your USB flash drive but don’t open it.
Run the UsbFix.exe.
Click on Deletion and wait until the tool finishes.
Open your USB flash drive and, hopefully, your files will be there, untouched.

4. Format your USB drive

Plug in your drive and backup all files.
Right-click on the USB flash drive and choose Format from the contextual menu.
Select Quick format and select Fat32 as the drive format.
Wait until the device is formatted and voila, you can use it again without problems.

This means that you’ll have to start from scratch with copying files on the stick, but at least you now know that it is a clean device.

Take a look at this article, as well, where we explain what to do if the files on your USB disappear.

With that said, we can conclude this article. Hopefully, these steps were helpful and you’re finally able to retrieve your files while cleaning the malicious threat in the process.

Make sure to tell us in the comments whether the above-mentioned steps helped you or not.

FIX: Oleaut32.dll Could Not Be Opened

Posted on December 13, 2021March 27, 2024 by Vlad Turiceanu

The oleaut32.dll could not be opened error usually comes up immediately after you double-click or run some installation files.

This oleaut32.dll crash is usually a pointer that either the application is not compatible with your system or you lack sufficient privileges to install it.

If you ever wondered what is the use of oleaut32.dll, you should know that this is a type of file that contains a library of functions and information that are responsible for the optimum function of your PC.

In this guide, you will learn the steps for troubleshooting that oleaut32.dll cannot be opened issue.

First, make sure that you can log in to Windows as an Administrator, to be able to make use of the solutions presented here.

How can I fix oleaut32.dll could not be opened in Windows 10?

1. Verify troubleshoot compatibility

Press the Windows key and search for oleaut32.
Right-click on the file and hit Open file location.
- It should be located in the following folder: C:WindowsSystem32
Right-click on the installation shortcut and hit Properties.
- This opens the Properties window.
Here, click on the Compatibility tab to switch to it.
The next step in fixing the oleaut32.dll error is to let Windows troubleshoot the program compatibility automatically, click Run compatibility troubleshooter and let Windows do its magic.
After the process initializes for a couple of seconds, the system will recommend settings to fix the oleaut32.dll could not be opened issue.
- Hit Try recommended settings.
Finally, on the next screen, hit Test the program and see if the application still throws the oleaut32.dll could not be opened error.
- If oleaut32.dll crashes, then you proceed to troubleshoot it manually.

2. Use third-party tools to repair your DLLs

Highly professional tools are built on advanced technology to recover damaged files, remove undetected malware resulting from previous virus infections, and fix oleaut32.dll access denied errors.

They can help you remove disk space, in addition to fixing registry errors or preventing your PC from crashing or freezing. This means that you won’t have to worry about the blue screen of death and Windows 10 file-related issues.

Third-party tools can detect and fix stability issues and also tweak your settings to repair and maintain your hardware.

They can also fix damaged system files and clean your PC which can significantly improve the PC’s performance.

3. Troubleshoot compatibility manually

Press the Windows key and search for oleaut32.
Right-click on the file and hit Open file location.
- It should be located in the folder: C:WindowsSystem32
Right-click on the executable file and select Properties.
Next, in Properties, navigate to the Compatibility tab.
On the Compatibility tab, check the box beside Run this program in compatibility mode for:
If this program ran correctly on an earlier version of Windows, select it from the dropdown menu below Run this program in compatibility mode for: and hit Apply.
Otherwise, select Windows 8 and click on Apply.
Run the program now. If it still shows the oleaut32.dll could not be opened error, return to Step 5 and select a different Windows version.
Do this until you can run the application without any errors.

We also recommend you to manually troubleshoot compatibility, this way the is less likely to encounter an error that would imped the actual process.

Hopefully, you have learned what to do when you get the oleaut32.dll could not be opened error. When you are finally able to solve the oleaut32.dll crash issue, your application will install and run.

We’d like to hear more from you on this matter, so drop us a comment in the section below.

How to fix low FPS on game startup

Posted on December 13, 2021September 15, 2025 by Matthew Adams

The FPS (frames per second) rate can have a big impact on games’ gameplay when it drops. FPS rates aren’t always consistent as some Windows users have found that their frame rates are somewhat lower when they start games up.

The frame rates might drop to 10-20 FPS on some games’ startup menus. These are a few resolutions that might fix low FPS frame rates on game startups.

How do I fix low FPS in games on startup?

Update or reinstall the Graphics Card Driver

You can open Device Manager by pressing the Win key + X hotkey.
Select Device Manager on the menu to open its window below.

Click Display adapters and then right-click the listed video card to open its context menu.
Select Properties to open the window shown directly below.

Click the Driver tab to open further options.

The driver date on that tab tells you when it was last updated.
Press the Update Driver button on that tab if the driver hasn’t had any recent update.
Then you can select a Search automatically for updated driver software option to find a more updated driver.
Uninstall Device is an alternative option you can select on the Driver tab.
Press that button to uninstall a driver that might be corrupted.
Windows will automatically reinstall the driver when you restart the OS.

Automatically update drivers (third-party tool suggested)

We also strongly recommend Outbyte Driver Updater. Follow this easy 3 steps guide to safely update your drivers:

Download and install Outbyte Driver Updater
Launch Outbyte Driver Updater
Wait for Outbyte Driver Updater to detect all of your faulty drivers
Outbyte Driver Updater will now show you all of the drivers that have issues, and you just need to select the ones you’d liked fixed.
Wait for Outbyte Driver Updater to download and install the newest drivers
Restart your PC for the changes to take effect

Outbyte Driver Updater is among our top recommendations when it comes to this type of software because it is easy to use, lightweight and error-free.

It completely removes the major risks that come with installing an unfitting driver version. Its database is always expanding at it is able to detect what type of hardware you have and install the perfect match.

The software can keep your drivers updated in the long run. Just set it up to regularly scan your PC and it will install and fix your drivers whenever it is necesseray.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

Launch games with Game Booster software

Dodgy or outdated graphics card drivers can certainly have an impact on frame rates. Windows Update usually automatically updates graphics card drivers so you shouldn’t need to.

However, anybody who has switched the update service off should check for graphics card updates.

Alternatively, you can fix a corrupted graphics card driver by reinstalling it. Device Manager is the window to open for updating or reinstalling drivers.

Use the Alt + Tab Hotkey

This is a basic, but effective, fix for raising the FPS rate during a game’s startup. When you launch a game, press the Alt + Tab hotkey to return to the Windows desktop.

That opens the Alt + Tab switcher with which you can reopen the game. When you return to the game, its FPS frame rate will usually jump up.

Check for New Updates

Developers release updates to fix issues in their latest games. Some updates might fix known FPS issues. For example, SEGA released an update to fix a frame rate bug in Vanquish.

Check the games’ official websites for new updates from which you can then download and install patches.

Background software and processes always reduce system resources for games. Whether your games have low FPS rates or not, you should always free up RAM before launching them to ensure they run smoothly and reduce potential system conflicts.

There are a few game booster, or launcher, software that automatically optimize Windows when you launch a game.

Razer Cortex: Boost is a renowned freeware game launcher for Windows 10/8/7, and some Razer users have stated that it dramatically boosts FPS rates.

One of the best things about the software is its Game-Boosting mode that automatically closes superfluous background processes when you open a game from Cortex’s library, the Start menu, Steam, Origin or a desktop shortcut.

Furthermore, the software also includes a FPS counter and stats tools.

Those fixes might boost your games’ startup FPS rates and ensure they stay consistent with the average frame rate. For some more general tips to increase frame rates, check out this Windows Report article.

For more articles that will help you with your PC, check out our dedicated Troubleshooting section.

Your inner gamer might also like to read what we’ve covered in our extensive Gaming section.

The wait operation timed out [FIX]

Posted on December 13, 2021October 4, 2023 by Milan Stanojevic

System errors such as WAIT_TIMEOUT can appear on any PC regardless of the version of Windows you’re running.

This error is usually followed by The wait operation timed out message, and today we’re going to show you how to fix it on Windows 10.

How can I fix the WAIT_TIMEOUT error?

1. Temporarily disable your antivirus software

Antivirus software is important, but sometimes certain antivirus tools can interfere with Windows and cause this problem to appear. Several users reported that this issue was caused by Avast and its Safe Zone feature.

In some cases, certain antivirus settings can cause this problem to occur. To fix the issue, you need to open your antivirus and disable certain settings.

This is an advanced process, so it might require some knowledge regarding antivirus security.

If you’re having this problem on your PC, you might be able to fix it by temporarily disabling your antivirus software. If that doesn’t solve the issue, you might want to uninstall your security software and check if that helps.

Keep in mind that many antivirus tools tend to leave certain files and registry entries even after you remove them. These files can also cause problems, so it’s important to use a dedicated removal tool for your antivirus.

Many companies offer these tools for their software, so be sure to download and use one for your antivirus. If removing the antivirus fixes the issue, you might want to try updating your antivirus to the latest version.

Alternatively, you can switch to different antivirus software and check if that solves the problem. Some antiviruses are more stable and don’t interfere with any other process or app on your system.

We recommend you look into the best antivirus software for your Windows PC and pick one which offers a plan that is suitable for your specific security needs.

Just make sure to look for a strong firewall as well as multilayered protection. Most modern-day antivirus come with these features to ensure protection against multiple types of threats including ransomware, malware, rootkits, and spyware.

2. Restart your PC

This is a minor error and in some cases, you can fix it just by restarting your PC. After your PC restarts, check if the problem still appears. Several users reported that you need to restart your PC several times before this error is fixed, so be sure to try that.

Even though this simple solution can fix your problem, you need to keep in mind that this is just a workaround, so it’s rather likely that the problem will appear again.

3. Start the application manually and then run the desired file

Several users reported this problem while trying to open multimedia files. According to them, they are getting The wait operation timed out message, but you can fix that problem with this simple workaround.

To avoid the error message, first, you need to start your multimedia player. After doing that, navigate to the desired multimedia file and open it. If everything is in order, the playback should start without any issues.

Keep in mind that this is just a workaround, so you’ll have to repeat it every time you experience this problem.

4. Try to open the file again

If you’re getting this error while trying to open images, you might want to try waiting for a few moments. Sometimes there are certain glitches that can occur randomly, and this is one of those glitches.

Simply wait for a few moments and try to access the file again. If the issue still persists, proceed to the next solution.

5. Restart Explorer

5.1 Close the Windows Explorer process in Task Manager

Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.
Navigate to the Processes tab. Select Windows Explorer from the list and click the Restart button.
Windows Explorer will now restart.

5.2 Stop the explorer process and start it again

Start Task Manager.
Go to Details tab, select explorer.exe, and click the End task button.
After ending this process, click File and select Run new task.
Enter explorer in the input field and click OK or press Enter to start it.
Once the explorer process restarts, check if the problem is resolved.

Several users reported that restarting Windows Explorer fixed the problem for them, so be sure to try that. Keep in mind that this is just a workaround, so you’ll have to repeat it if the problem appears again.

6. Run DiagPackage.diagpkg

Navigate to: C:WindowsdiagnosticssystemWindowsUpdate
Locate DiagPackage.diagpkg and run it.
Once the application opens, follow the instructions on the screen to scan your PC.

After the scan is complete, problems with Windows Update should be fixed along with the The wait operation timed out message.

According to users, this error can occur due to problems with Windows Update. To fix the issue, you need to run a special tool to scan your system and fix the problems with Windows updates.

7. Check for applications running in the background

This error can occur if certain applications are running in the background. This error usually occurs when trying to play multimedia files.

Sometimes your multimedia app might be running in the background, and that can cause this problem to occur. To fix the issue, you need to open Task Manager and check if your multimedia player is running.

Be sure to check both Processes and Details tab. If the multimedia app is running, end its process and try to open the multimedia file again.

This is just a workaround, and if this solution works for you, you’ll have to repeat it every time this issue occurs.

8. Restart the BITS Service

Press Windows Key + R and enter services.msc. Press Enter or click OK.
Locate Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS), right click it and choose Stop from the menu.
Right-click the service again and choose Start.

After restarting the service, check if the problem is resolved.

Sometimes specific service can cause this and other errors to appear. According to users, it seems that this error is caused by BITS service, but you can fix it by restarting the aforementioned service.

9. Enter Safe Mode

Open the Start Menu and click the Power button. Press and hold the Shift key on the keyboard and click on Restart.
Choose Troubleshoot, then select Advanced options, click on Startup Settings and click the Restart button.
After restart, select Enable Safe Mode with Networking by pressing the F5 key on the keyboard.
Once you enter Safe Mode, check if the problem appears. If everything is in order, restart your PC and start Windows normally.

According to users, to fix this issue you just have to enter Safe Mode and Windows will fix the problem automatically. As you can see, this is a simple solution so be sure to try it out.

10. Perform a System Restore

Press Windows Key + S and enter create a restore point and select the feature from the menu.
Click on the System Restore button.
Click on Next (if available, check the Show more restore points option, select the desired restore point and click on Next).
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the restoration process.

If this problem started appearing recently on your PC, you might be able to fix it by using System Restore. This is a useful feature that allows you to restore your PC and fix many errors.

11. Create a new user account

Open the Settings app and go to the Accounts section.
Select Family & other people from the left pane and in the right pane click on Add someone else to this PC.
Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
Click on Add a user without a Microsoft account.
Enter the desired username and click on Next.

After you create a new user account, switch to it and check if the problem is resolved. If the issue doesn’t appear on a new account, you’ll have to transfer your personal files to it and continue using it as your main account.

12. Change Task Scheduler and MEMS_schaedule settings

12.1 Change Task Scheduler

Press Windows Key + S and enter task scheduler. Choose Task Scheduler from the list.
When Task Scheduler opens, navigate to Task Scheduler Library and find MEMS_Schedule. Right click it and choose Disable from the menu.

12.2 Change the properties of the MEMS_Schedule

Locate MEMS_Schedule, right click it and choose Properties from the menu.
Set Configure for to Windows 10 and click OK to save changes.

According to users, this solution works on Acer laptops, but even if you don’t use an Acer device feel free to try it out.

It seems that The wait operation timed out message appears every time they start their PC. This can be somewhat annoying, but you can fix the problem by making a few changes in Task Scheduler.

13. Reset Windows 10

Open the Start Menu, click the Power button, press and hold the Shift key and click on Restart.
Click on Troubleshoot, then click on Reset this PC and select Remove everything.
If you’re asked to insert Windows 10 installation media, be sure to do so.
Select your version of Windows and choose Only the drive where Windows is installed and click on Just remove my files.
Review the changes that reset will make and click the Reset button to start.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the process.

Note: This is a drastic solution and it will remove all files from your system drive, so be sure to create a backup. In addition to creating a backup, you might also need a Windows 10 installation media.

To create an installation media you can use Media Creation Tool.

After the process is finished, you’ll have a clean installation of Windows 10 and the problem should be resolved.

The wait operation timed out message and WAIT_TIMEOUT error can prevent you from running certain applications. This isn’t a serious error and you should be able to fix it by using one of our solutions.

Our Windows 10 section is full of interesting and helpful information about the OS.

For any other PC issues, you will definitely find a solution in our Troubleshooting Hub.

If you have any additions or suggestions, leave us a line in the comments section below.

Halo: Infinite game review | Finish the fight

Posted on December 13, 2021October 4, 2023 by Mick Fraser

It’s hard to believe that it has been 6 whole years since Halo 5: Guardians. It’s such a prevalent property, with so many spin-offs, re-releases, and extended universe media that rarely a month goes by without someone talking about Microsoft’s flagship franchise. With the release of Halo: Infinite, 343 Studios are aiming to return Halo to its roots while somehow simultaneously bringing the series forward into the modern era. And by the Prophets, they’ve very nearly done it.

Looking back now, Halo 5: Guardians was a little hit and miss. The introduction of Spartan Locke as a secondary playable character was almost as controversial a decision as making us play as the Arbiter in Halo 2. Not because Locke isn’t a great character or integral to the franchise, but because he’s not the Master Chief, arguably one of gaming’s most popular and enduring heroes.

And the horse you rode in on

What Guardians did with its story didn’t please everyone either. The gaps between Halo 4 and 5 were bridged to varying degrees of success and failure by side content; novels, short films, web series, etc. For those who had never indulged in the extended universe, it was borderline confusing and a little frustrating. Infinite does its best to rectify that, telling a story that feels connected to the broader universe but which can largely stand-alone.

We wouldn’t go so far as to say that prior knowledge isn’t required, but the story told here feels clear, concise, and purposeful for the most part. It begins with our heroic Spartan getting his heavily-armored butt kicked up and down a UNSC ship named the Infinite by a hulking Brute war-leader known as Atriox. He leads the Banished at this point, a grab-bag of ex-Covenant war-bands made up of almost all the franchise’s previous enemy races.

Displeased with the Covenant and intended to unearth the secrets and lethal potential of a new Halo installation, the Banished are laying waste to multiple systems at the behest of an overbearing, almost deified puppetmaster known as the Harbinger. Picked up by a stranded UNSC soldier who has been drifting in space for years, the Master Chief seeks out a new AI companion and heads off on a quest to find Cortana, wresting the new installation from the Banished, and maybe, just maybe, finish the fight.

Flawless cowboy

What follows is a campaign that can only be called “sublime”. This is Halo at its finest, and a stark reminder of exactly why this franchise is so highly regarded. It’s the best campaign since Reach, and in fact surpasses it, delivering an almost perfectly paced mix of open-world exploration and do-or-die bombast.

Once you set down on the Ring, you’re presented with a large map filled with enemy-controlled FOBs (Forward Operating Bases). Eradicating the resident Banished places them under UNSC control, and allows the various scattered marines you find to hold them, providing fast travel points and highlighting areas of interest in the immediate area.

You can of course simply follow the critical path by heading to the yellow objective each time, but you’d be missing out on so much more. There are squads of marines that need assistance, Banished strongholds to take down, collectibles to find everywhere. From cosmetics for your multiplayer character to Halo’s legendary Skulls (modifiers that change critical elements of the gameplay), audio logs, and high-value targets, every area is a smorgasbord of things to find and do.

Full contact safari

And yet, it never feels bloated. It never feels like you’re doing things for the sake of doing them. Everything earns you Valor, which can be used at FOBs to call in vehicles, weapons, and support, while simply exploring the map is its own reward. It’s stunning on PC or console, but play this game on something powerful and it will absolutely sing.

The skyboxes are phenomenal, the iconic ring stretching off into the heavens, with that sense of a paradise under siege as prevalent here as it ever was in a Halo game. The draw-distance is impressive, and you’ll track enemy patrols through pine forests and over craggy mountains, on-foot, or in one of the various vehicles you can find. Once you get the hang of them of course. Old hats may be right at home with the Warthog’s now-legendary physics model, while newcomers might wonder what on Earth is going on when a random rock sends them barrel-rolling into the air.

As you progress you will come across the bodies of less-fortunate Spartans, all of whom offer some form of upgrade or another for the Master Chief’s Mjolnir battle armor. While it’s great to have a deployable energy shield and a mobile threat detector, all the other toys pale in comparison to the one you start with.

IWHBYD

The Grappleshot is a hook and chain that can either propel you across gaps, up sheer rock faces or can grab and drag things to you from exploding crates to dropped weapons. Offensively it can help you close the distance to enemies, or hijack Banished vehicles that are giving you trouble.

While it was occasionally swapped out for the shield or thruster dodge during indoor sections in tighter spaces, outside it was the only ability worth using to the point that it probably should have just been an intrinsic part of the arsenal in Infinite. It’s just so much fun and actually elevates an already stellar campaign to new heights.

If there’s a complaint to be made it’s that for a super-soldier, the Master Chief can’t weather many hits. Although that’s probably deliberate here because there’s such a vast spread of weapons, abilities, and upgrades that by the midway point you’ll be starting to feel a little godlike. The story is also a little creaky after the solid first few acts.

Finish the fight

There are a lot of enemy leaders and objectives for the Master Chief and his little group to contend with, and it can become a little difficult to follow exactly who you’re trying to sabotage with each strategic location you obliterate. But this is a minor complaint leveled against something so superbly crafted.

Outside of the campaign, there is of course the multiplayer, which has been available free on Gamepass for several weeks. Once again, 343 Studios have created a fantastic multiplayer element, combining their superlative map design with new mechanics like the Grappleshot, and new weapons like the Mangler and Skewer.

It is, however, built on a Battle Pass system which still has some kinks to work out. Progression is simply not even and smooth enough to feel fully rewarding, and the Challenge system leaves a lot to be desired when it requires you to complete certain challenges that you can’t access for whatever reason. Based on specific modes and objectives, these Challenges can be swapped out with tokens that you’ll need to buy in the cash shop, which isn’t a great design choice.

That being said, Halo: Infinite’s boots-on-the-ground multiplayer element is still as tightly-designed and eminently playable as it has ever been. It does far more than simply give the game legs beyond the campaign, offering a side that will continue to grow and evolve for years to come.

Achievements & Completion

Being a console game primarily, Halo: Infinite comes with a full suite of achievements to unlock, the majority of which can be completed simply by playing the campaign. It behooves you to explore every nook and cranny, and use the Chief’s pulse scanner to check the area regularly for hidden collectibles and secrets.

Halo: Infinite is a massive game compared to previous entries though, and will require well upwards of 20 hours to complete if you want to seek out all the secrets. It also has Halo’s trademark replayability, with compact story missions begging to be replayed on higher difficulties just for the sheer fun of it.

Final Thoughts on Halo: Infinite

Pros: Superb campaign; Great multiplayer element; Looks incredible; Shooting feels sublime

Cons: Battle Pass system isn't great; Story doesn't always feel focused

Final Score: 4.5/5

In a year that has seen some other high-profile franchises struggle to stick the landing, it’s impressive to see a title like Halo: Infinite come along and bowl the competition over so confidently and completely. Not only do 343 nail the world-building and character development, but the shooting is as good as it has ever felt. Mechanically speaking, if ever a shooter could finally come along and feel not just on par with, but in some areas better than, Destiny 2, then it’s almost poetic that this is the game to do it.

Simply put, Halo: Infinite is exactly the game it needed to be: an epic, sweeping installment to one of gaming’s most adored franchises that not only celebrates its own history but sets out its stall for the future, as well. While the story has its ups and downs and there are some kinks to work out in the Battle Pass system, Halo: Infinite remains one of 2021’s finest games – and the very best Halo campaign to date.

Halo: Infinite is available on PC and the Xbox family of consoles for $59.99, or free via Xbox and PC Gamepass.

*Disclaimer: This is a review of the PC version of Halo: Infinite. Console version was also tested. The game was downloaded via Gamepass on day one.