Microsoft’s Surface Duo 2 announced, now with upgraded camera, NFC, and more
The latest Surface Duo device has been announced, with no surprise in its name, the Surface Duo 2. The second iteration looks to address most issues that beset its predecessor, bringing NFC support, an improved camera as well as a fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button.
OneDrive for Business will soon make it easier to find files and access primary commands
There has been a lot of hype around Windows 11, and it seems users stand to benefit from an array of features when they make the switch. Recently, a lot of applications have been getting updates to fit in with Windows 11.
Now, the security features have also been beefed up to seal the deal. There have been a lot of bugs in the preview builds released, but that will be a thing of the past when you make the switch.
Let’s look into detail why Windows 11 will be the most secure OS than its previous counterparts.
1.TPM 2.0
TPM module structure
You may have probably heard about TPM 2.0 requirements and how Microsoft has made it a requirement for some applications if users want to use Windows 11.
It has become a bit controversial as some support the move while others are against it. Well, the reason behind that is security!
TPM chips have been around for a while, but they are only being taken seriously since recently. A TPM stores important credentials to authenticate users, software, and devices.
TPM 2.0 is therefore being used to secure the login process. The reason behind using TPM 2.0 and not TPM 1.2 is because it has better cryptographic algorithms and will prevent data breaches.
2. VBS
In Windows 11, Microsoft has incorporated Virtualization-based Security. The main aim of this feature is to protect security solutions by creating an isolated and secured segment in the system memory.
The isolation process targets information that is vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Although VBS is also available on Windows 10, it is not set by default. In Windows 11, it will be set by default and mitigate the risk, especially by admins who may fail or forget to set it.
3. HVCI
Hypervisor-protected Code Integrity is part of a VBS feature. Its work is to protect the isolated system memory created by VBS. It ensures the Windows kernel is not compromised. Many attackers heavily rely on kernel mode to gain access.
Although HVCI is part of Windows 10, it degrades its performance by using older CPUs. It is why Microsoft has come up with dedicated hardware specifically for HVCI and requires 8th gen or above AMD CPUs for Windows 11.
4. The UEFI Secure Boot
UEFI working process
By default, all Windows 11 devices come pre-installed with UEFI Secure Boot. This makes it more secure than Windows 10.
An important disclaimer is that if your windows security system or protocols were compromised before the boot, UEFI secure boot would be useless.
The catch to enjoying these security benefits is to get a new PC that supports all these requirements or one of the latest released Surface devices such as the Surface Laptop Studio.
Does your PC meet the requirements to run Windows 11? Let us know in the comments down below.
Microsoft has just released its second Halo Infinite multiplayer beta on Xbox consoles and PCs, providing gamers with a work-in-progress glimpse into its player-versus-player (PvP) action.
Given the fact that this is a technical preview means more hours with Halo Infinite before release, including the world-first hands-on with its expanded Big Team Battle mode.
This is excellent news for the die-hard fans of the series, who already expressed their uncontainable excitement throughout various social media platforms.
Still not convinced? Well, let’s dive right into it and maybe you will change your mind by the end of this article.
What can we expect from Halo Infinite beta?
This is an excellent chance to get more acquainted and begin mastering Microsoft’s upcoming shooter, before its December 8 release date.
However, this week’s flight returns bigger and better, bolstered with more multiplayer content than the previous July trials, and available to all Halo Insiders who registered on time.
Those who were successful in applying for the beta will score two weekends with Halo Infinite’s multiplayer, and for 343 Industries, that means larger player counts to test its online offerings.
Playtime is scheduled for September 24th through September 26th, with the first weekend being centered around its traditional four-versus-four Arena modes.
Big Team Battle, now upgraded with up to 24 player lobbies, arrives one week later, from October 1st to October 3rd.
Furthermore, Arena will also be available alongside Big Team Battle during the second weekend of testing.
The first Halo Infinite preview spotlighted its new Training Mode, featuring AI-controlled bots designed to emulate real-world players and sharpen your aim.
But while 343 Industries published a strict schedule of Halo Infinite beta times for matchmaking, its bots will remain playable throughout the three-day test windows.
As far as this game’s battle pass and new customization systems go, they will also return on this flight.
Can I already download the beta version?
This second Halo Infinite beta went live on September 23, as we mentioned above, although the team operates out of Washington, meaning it was September 24 for everyone in Europe and other eastern regions.
Good news! ? When the #HaloInfinite tech preview kicks off tonight, you *will* be able to access Training Mode, Weapon Drills, explore the Battle Pass, and customize your Spartan. https://t.co/SN8EeyYdaN
Keep in mind the team stated that late-breaking issues could derail this long-awaited rollout.
This already happened once, although the developers were able to resolve the issue quickly and roll back a previously announced delay.
Everything is good now, as the beta is currently rolling out to players worldwide, but be aware that some problems may potentially affect access to the game.
How much space does Halo Infinite beta take up?
Well, the first Halo Infinite technical preview had somewhere in between 11GB and 19GB, with Xbox Series X|S and PC boasting larger file sizes.
As for the second preview, it should be marginally larger at 20GB, likely due to the additional content in this flight.
Furthermore, we may also see an additional update for the Halo Infinite preview later this month, ahead of the second week of playtesting.
This update would precede the addition of Big Team Battle with various bug-fixing tweaks, not uncommon, given the work-in-progress nature of the project.
Remember that this early access for the beloved title is only available to Xbox Insiders. If aren’t one yet, you can join the others by going to the official page.
Are you a part of the Xbox Insider Program? If so, have you already downloaded and installed Halo Infinite? Tell us about your experience in the comments section below.
Windows 11 is finally here, but not everybody is eager to make the switch. There are several reasons to do this, but the biggest one is the hardware requirement.
The new version is more demanding than the previous ones, and some older computers might not be able to run it at all.
This is a major obstacle that will prevent many users from upgrading unless they buy new hardware beforehand.
Since this isn’t the best option for many, users are considering Windows 11 alternatives, and in today’s guide, we’re going to show you several great operating systems that you can use instead.
What are Windows 11 requirements?
Official Windows 11 requirements (Source: Microsoft)
Unlike the older versions, Windows 11 is more demanding on your hardware. Here’s a quick overview of the requirements:
Supported 1GHz dual-core CPU
4GB RAM
64GB storage
Secure Boot
TPM 2.0
The requirements look modest at the first glance, but many computers are failing to meet them and run Windows 11.
Why can’t some PCs run Windows 11?
The main reason is the CPU support, and to upgrade, you’ll need at least an Intel 8th Gen processor or Ryzen 2300X.
This leaves many PCs unable to upgrade to Windows 11. However, these are just the official recommendations, and you’ll still be able to install it on unsupported hardware.
However, if you choose to do so, you won’t be able to download updates, and Microsoft won’t guarantee your system’s stability and safety.
Another requirement that is causing compatibility issues is TPM. This is a security feature, and unless your PC supports it, you won’t be able to upgrade.
In case you don’t want to or can’t upgrade, you can remain on Windows 10 for the time being. Although the latest version looks better with its new interface, in terms of functionality, it’s pretty similar.
The biggest change besides the visual revamp is the support for Android apps, but you can also use them with Android emulator software.
However, you will miss out on certain gaming features, such as AutoHDR and DirectStorage, if you don’t install the latest version, so you should keep that in mind if you’re a gamer.
You’ll still be able to play your favorite games, even if you don’t upgrade, without any problems, just without these two features.
It’s also important that we mention the software support. Microsoft is planning to maintain Windows 10 until October 2025, so you can use it for few more years.
However, this might not apply to other developers, and some of them might slowly move away from older operating systems and focus exclusively on the latest one.
This shouldn’t worry you too much, but you might find that certain apps won’t run, especially as the end of official support draws near.
If you don’t plan to upgrade or your PC just can’t support the latest version, you can continue using the current one as an alternative.
You might miss a couple of gaming features and a new user interface, but that’s not a dealbreaker for most users, since the majority of applications will still work on Windows 10 without any issues.
For more information and direct comparison between the two operating systems, we suggest reading our Windows 10 vs Windows 11 guide.
macOS
Currently, the world’s second most used operating system is macOS, so it’s no wonder that it’s one of the best Windows alternatives out there.
The two have a lot of similarities, especially in the terms of the user interface, with both having rounded corners and a centered Taskbar that allows you to quickly access apps.
Widgets are a new addition in Windows 11, but they have been available on Mac for a while, so that’s one more feature that the two share.
We also have to mention security as one of the macOS highlights. The system has a dedicated chip for boot protection and credentials storing, similarly to TPM.
Apple also has a strict app policy, and only certified software is allowed to be downloaded from the Store, ensuring the maximum safety of its users.
Both systems offer integration with mobile platforms, with support for Android and iOS apps on Windows 11 and macOS respectively.
Although the two systems have many similarities, there’s one major difference between them. Apple’s devices can’t run executable or .exe files.
This means that you’re not able to use any of your favorite Windows applications unless the developers have made a version for Mac devices, but you can circumvent that if you dual boot Windows 11 and macOS.
Lastly, we have to talk about gaming, and Macs aren’t famous for being a reliable gaming platform. Even though you’ll be able to run some games, expect to encounter issues along the way.
macOS is a great alternative to Windows 11, however, you won’t be able to run most of your favorite Windows apps and games on it.
To make a switch, you’ll need to buy a Mac computer first, and this isn’t the best option for most users. We wrote in great detail about both operating systems, and you can read more in our Windows 11 vs macOS article.
In order to download macOS and install it on a Windows-based PC or otherwise, you will need to download it by using a device with macOS already installed. You can do so by accessing the App Store, downloading the OS, and then creating a bootable USB on your Windows 10 device.
One of the best alternatives for Windows is Linux for several reasons. The operating system is completely free, and you can run it on your existing computer.
There are tens of different versions to choose from, and each has a unique look and hardware requirements, meaning that you can run it on almost any configuration, even if it’s 10 years old.
In terms of visual appearance, there might be some similarities with certain distributions, but what’s unique with Linux is that it has a minimalistic design that looks great.
Security is one more major benefit, and since the platform has only a handful of threats, you can rest assured that your PC will be completely safe.
The operating system can’t run .exe files, which makes your computer protected from the vast majority of malware. However, this also means that you can’t run Windows applications at all.
Some developers optimize their software for multiple platforms, but in most cases, you’ll have to rely on one of many available alternatives.
Alternatively, you can use Wine for emulation or use virtual machine software, but be prepared to deal with some compatibility issues.
It’s also worth mentioning that Linux is somewhat more complex than other operating systems, so it might not be the best choice for less tech-savvy users.
For more information, we suggest reading our Windows 11 vs Linux guide to learn more about the differences between the two.
Chrome OS
Chrome OS started humbly but it has changed a lot during the years, and it shares a lot of visual similarities with Windows 11.
Both systems have rounded corners for open windows, a centered Taskbar, and a rather similar notification and Quick Settings panel.
Another shared feature is the ability to run Android apps, and in fact, Chrome OS had this option for a while, while Windows just got native support for them.
The main difference is that the two systems use completely different app stores, and one is powered by Google’s Play Store and the other by Amazon’s app store.
Many users aren’t happy with this decision because it means that Windows users will get access to a lot smaller library of apps, but that could be fixed with the sideloading support.
The main difference is the support for Win32 apps, and Chrome OS just isn’t compatible with them. This means that you won’t be able to run your favorite Windows software at all.
As a result, the operating system is a lot safer, thanks to the sandboxing support. Since malware usually comes in .exe format, you can rest assured that your device is perfectly secure at all times.
However, there’s extensive support for web apps and Android applications, and you can even run Linux software on some models, but that probably won’t be enough to make users switch.
You should also know that to use this operating system, you’ll need to purchase a Chromebook, and this probably isn’t the best option for most users.
To learn more about the differences between the two, be sure to visit our Windows 11 vs Chrome OS guide.
Is Windows 11 secure?
Yes, Windows 11 is the most secure release of Windows, and just like the previous versions, it comes with built-in protection.
If you need additional security, you can always install a Windows 11 compatible antivirus and use it instead of Windows Defender.
With the TPM requirement and boot protection, you can rest assured that your PC will remain safe from all malware that tries to run before your OS starts.
Can I dual boot Windows 11 with other operating systems?
Yes, you can easily use Windows 11 alongside other operating systems. This is perfect if you want to test the new operating system without giving up on your old one.
You should know that the Secure Boot feature won’t interfere with dual booting, since you don’t have to keep it enabled to use the latest version.
In case you don’t want to upgrade to Windows 11, these are some of the best alternatives that you could use.
All these operating systems can’t handle Win32 apps natively, so if you find it necessary to use them, it would be best to stick with your current version for the time being.
Are you planning to upgrade to Windows 11 or are you considering using one of the alternatives? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
It allows you to remove logos in three simple steps: upload the photo, use the Erase tool to outline and delete the logo.
This user-friendly tool is also effective for removing other objects or people from your images. It includes a Cutter tool for pasting details into other photos with edge smoothing for a seamless look.
A demo version is available, but the full product must be purchased for complete use.
Let’s go through its best features:
Friendly and simple interface
Easy to use, without the need for special guiding
Can eliminate any logo or other objects seamlessly
Contours smoothing
Improves the quality and the colors of your pictures
Photomontage
Share on Facebook and Twitter
inPixio Photo Studio Pro 12
Remove unwanted logos from any picture in just three steps and give your photos a new, fresh look.
Adobe Photoshop, the industry standard in photo editing, offers powerful tools for removing logos from images and videos while preserving quality.
Use the Object Selection tool to outline and select the logo, then the Spot Healing Brush Tool with the Sample All Layers option to paint over it.
For final cleanup, the Clone Stamp Tool smooths the edges. Photoshop is available as standalone software or via Adobe Creative Cloud, with a 7-day trial option.
Other key features of Photoshop include:
Plenty of versatile selection tools such as The Marquee Selection, Magic Wand Selection, and Lasso
Automatic color balance
A wide array of effects to turn your photos into masterpieces
Plenty of tools to create your own logos if you want to replace the one you removed
Wondershare Filmora is an easy-to-use tool for removing logos from videos.
The program includes straightforward tools for eliminating or blurring logos, and it’s user-friendly, even for beginners.
While Filmora excels at video editing and can enhance your recordings, it’s not suitable for photo editing.
Here are the best features that are included in the program:
Crop, trim, cut, combine and split images with just a few clicks
There are various filters and visual effects that you’ll be able to use to touch up your videos
Save the edited video to any popular format
Remove the watermarks by cropping the video or blurring the logo
Replace the logo with one of your ones if you want to
AviDemux – free logo remover for images and videos
AviDemux is a popular, free video editor that combines video editing and conversion in one software. It supports logo removal from videos and images across all platforms.
The program includes filters like the MPlayer DeLogo, which allows you to select and surround the logo for removal.
Simply adjust the settings, click OK, and save your file without the logo. AviDemux is entirely free with no account creation or ads required.
Take a look at the most impressive features of AviDemux:
Designed for simple cutting, filtering, and encoding tasks
Supports many file types such as AVI, DVD compatible MPEG files, ASF and MP4 using a variety of codecs
The tasks are able to be automated using projects and powerful scripting capabilities
Apowersoft Online Video Watermark Remover is an excellent tool for removing logos from videos.
Available as both an online tool and a lightweight Windows app, it supports a wide range of formats, including MP4, MKV, and AVI.
Simply upload your video, select the logo area, and the tool will handle the rest. It’s user-friendly with a helpful tutorial, though it has limitations, such as processing only two files simultaneously and a maximum output of 4K resolution.
Let’s see some of its most important features:
You can remove any unwanted objects from video in one go
No downloads are needed. You can use it exclusively online
The videos will be deleted permanently from the server
Dedicated separate tool for removing watermarks and logos from photos
Remove Watermark Pro effectively cleans images by removing unwanted elements using advanced blending techniques.
Ideal for eliminating watermarks or timestamps from beautiful pictures, this software offers an almost one-click solution.
Simply highlight the unwanted area and click the Remove button to restore the background. While the interface may look outdated, it is user-friendly and requires no professional skills.
Check out the most impressive features and functionalities packed in this software:
It comes with a mixture of tools such as a rectangular area, a freehand selection, and a specific color selection
After you select that area where the logo is placed, you can let the program do the rest
HitPaw Watermark Remover is one of the easiest tools for removing unwanted items from photos and videos.
With a video editor-like interface, it uses advanced algorithms to automatically detect and eliminate watermarks, regardless of size or complexity.
Simply upload your content, make edits, preview the result, and save your work. HitPaw supports various formats including MP4, AVI, and MKV, and offers a free trial to test it out.
Here are some of the software’s main features:
Remove watermarks from videos and images
Preview the effects before exporting
Fully-functioning free trial
Powerful removing modes for video and image watermarks
Open your image in any photo editor you have. We used Microsoft Paint because it’s readily availabele in Windows.
Now click on the rectangle select tool.
Next, select the image, without getting the logo from the bottom.
The only thing left is to click the Crop function.
Usually, logos are placed in the corners of images so you can get rid of them by simply cropping the image and leaving out the logo.
Of course, you will get a smaller image in the process so it’s recommended to use some of the tools from our list but if you don’t mind the lost pixels, it’s a lot easier.
All these logo-removing programs that we’ve listed above come with great sets of features, and after you check them out in detail, we’re sure that you’ll find the best option for your needs.
If you managed to clear your image from logos, you might be also interested in how to erase photo backgrounds using the best online tools.
Have you tried any of the software from our list? Tell us about your experience in a comment below.
Although busy with perfecting the new operating system, Microsoft still finds time to tweak and redesign some of its trademark applications.
There has been talking of the tech company bringing an impressive design to its Office suite for quite some time now, and it seems like it’s finally happening.
As a matter of fact, Microsoft has started teasing this change since last year, leaving users wondering if and when this will become reality.
The Redmond-based tech giant gave us hints that point to the revamping of more than just the Office suite, but we will focus on this at a later point.
What can you expect from the new Microsoft Office?
A more fluent design to the Office suite
Recent information is pointing to the fact that this long-awaited change is about to pass the threshold between project and tangible product.
One of the most noticeable changes that the Office Suite has been subjected to is the refreshed UI, which looks much modern than Windows 10.
This improved Fluent design, on which Microsoft has been working since 2017, brings this app into the Windows 11 era.
So, without further ado, know that the consumer version of Microsoft Office will release alongside Windows 11 on Oct. 5, 2021.
Still, users have been testing this new version since July, as a beta version was available for both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Microsoft is now planning to release its new Office UI to testers this week. The beta will be available for both Windows 10 and Windows 11 pic.twitter.com/5IQIQo23mP
This got everyone excited, but as usual, there are skeptical people who don’t believe that this change will impact the overall feel of the app that much.
Many of the users that heard about the revamp process are concerned about one major feature in particular, which is dark mode.
Know that the new version of Office will feature an improved dark mode feature, which can be activated just as you would do on the older version of the app.
What new features and changes is Microsoft introducing?
As explained by the Redmond tech company in their blog post, the classic ribbon interface has been replaced by a collapsible ribbon menu.
As we think about what that new experience means for hybrid work and learning, we have modernized the overall user interface, while still maintaining its familiar feel. We have worked to make the Start Menu more modern, and we’ve made it easier to find your apps and recommended documents.
Also, corners are also more rounded, and Office now syncs with the default system theme, including dark mode.
All of this is part of Microsoft’s plan to surpass their rivals, such as Apple, and really bring the OS and all its content to the future. And, as the company mentioned repeatedly, this is only the beginning.
The tech giant’s Fluent Design principles are also being applied across the Office desktop app suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Outlook, Access, Project, Publisher, as well as Visio.
The visual refresh is now available to 100 percent of Beta Channel users running Version 2108 Build 14301.20004 or later on Windows 11 or Windows 10.
Of course, users can still opt out of the visual refresh by clicking the megaphone icon in the top right corner to open the Coming Soon panel.
The above-mentioned panel is only available in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote and is not available in Access, Project, Publisher, or Visio.
Also, know that the visual refresh is synced between your Office apps, so if you turn it on in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, or OneNote, it’ll be available in Access, Project, Publisher, Visio, and Outlook.
How to install the new Office update?
First of all, in order to get the latest version, you need to have a Microsoft 365 Family or Microsoft 365 Personal subscription.
If you already have the most current version of the Office suite, you won’t have to pay any additional cost as you’ll be eligible to upgrade and get the latest features.
Now, even though updates are set to install automatically whenever there is one available, sometimes you need to update your app manually, so follow the steps below:
Open any Office app and create a new document.
Open the document and go toFile.
Select the Account option.
Click on Update Options > Update Now.
An You’re up to date! window will appear meaning Office installed the latest update available.
If you don’t have a subscription and you need to buy the latest version, you can choose to purchase a Microsoft 365 subscription from the official Microsoft website.
Microsoft game studio, The Initiative, announced on their official Twitter account today that Crystal Dynamics would be collaborating with them on their upcoming reinvention of the Perfect Dark video game franchise.
“We are partnering with Crystal Dynamics, the world class team behind character-driven games such as Tomb Raider, to bring this first-person spy thriller to a new generation,” the account posted earlier today. “The teams couldn’t pass up a chance to work together. We’re still early in development, but incredibly excited to use this unique opportunity to deliver on the vision for Perfect Dark!”
The official Crystal Dynamics account shared the announcement and stated “We couldn’t be more excited to join forces with The Initiative to bring Perfect Dark to a new generation of gamers! We thrive on reimagining epic heroes and can’t wait to realize this first-person spy thriller together. We’re thrilled to add Perfect Dark to our development efforts alongside Marvel’s Avengers and Tomb Raider.”
The new Perfect Dark video game was officially announced back in December during the The Game Awards. While no release date (or even release year) has been locked in yet, the game is confirmed to be coming to Microsoft’s new Xbox Series X and S consoles, not the last-gen Xbox One, and will be playable at launch for free for Xbox Game Pass subscribers.
The first Perfect Dark video game came out on the Nintendo 64 console in the year 2000. It’s considered by most to be the spiritual successor to the mega-popular GoldenEye 007 video game that came out a few years prior in 1997 due to its use of a similar game engine and focus on first-person spy action and intrigue.
Later in 2000, the original title was followed by a Perfect Dark video game on Nintendo’s Game Boy Color while a proper sequel, Perfect Dark Zero, eventually came to Microsoft’s Xbox 360 in 2005. A remaster of the original Nintendo 64 game was developed for the Xbox 360 in 2010.
Curiously, all of the Perfect Dark video games are set very near our current present. The original game’s story was set in 2023, the Game Boy Color game in 2022, and the Xbox 360 sequel in 2020.
It’s unclear what exact year the upcoming Perfect Dark game’s story is set in but it would be interesting if it launched in 2023 to tie-in with the original game’s setting.
For a business to be successful and thrive, it is important that your customer service is of the highest quality offering effective solutions to complaints and using customer feedback to make the service better.
After all, a happy customer is not only a repeat customer but also an effective brand ambassador for your business. And did I tell you that you don’t need to pay a penny to this ambassador for product promotion? But, you know that already.
As a business owner, you can do many things to improve customer service. One of them is the use of Tele Customer service which is among the preferred medium for customer relations and service.
But, how do you make sure that the customer service representatives are offering satisfactory solutions to your customers?
The solution is simple, and major businesses are using it for a long time now. Companies use inbound and outbound call recording and agent monitoring to provide effective solutions to the customer.
Most of the call centers use call recording software to record the conversation for quality control purposes. Going back and forth with the feedback enables the businesses to not only monitor the delivery of information by the staff but also make sure that the customers are treated right to ensure customer retention.
The same can also be used to improve your service or product based on feedback and to train employees based on past interactions.
In this article, we will be looking at the best call center recording software that is easy to implement and use. It will also help you to understand the customer requirement in a better way resulting in better sales and reputation.
Cloudtalk is a full-service call center solution for businesses of all types and sizes. The voice features provided by this service are really extensive so that you can offer great support to your customers.
You can set up CloudTalk to automatically record all your calls. Each recording is saved to the client’s contact details, as well as call history and call statistics. You can easily reaccess them from any browser since the service is cloud-based.
As long as the recording feature is enabled, you can also gain access to real-time calls and listen to them as they take place.
The software also provides call queuing assistance with customized messages and agent availability information.
It has a lot of integrations with popular work management apps and other productivity software. You can use it, for example, along with Zendesk, Freshdesk, Google Contacts, or Slack.
Other key features of CloudTalk include:
Voicemail support
Number porting
International support for numbers from over 140 countries
SMS/Text messages support
Conference call feature
Call transfer feature to easily transfer callers over to other agents, when necessary
Blacklist
CloudTalk
Provide top-quality call center services, make conference calls, get voicemail support and record them all with CloudTalk.
NCH Express Talk VoIP Softphone is a call recording software that allows you to make VoIP calls from your computer and record inbound and outbound calls.
The NCH VRS call recorder is a telephone line recorder that requires call recording adapters and a professional multi-line telephone board to record calls and maintain the logs.
The VoIP-based calling software doesn’t have hardware requirements because the VoIP calls are made over the network and not telephone lines.
Express Talk VoIP Softphone software works with a majority of VoIP service providers and office PBX. It comes with conferencing, call recording, and voice command features.
Using Express Talk is as easy as it can get. The user interface is simple with all the controls on the main window with the Phone Book and Invite options on top.
A small screen below the dialer shows the recently made call logs with time and SIP number. Essential functions like Hold, Transfer, Conference, Intercom, Record, Mute and Do Not Disturb are all available on the main window saving you the hassle of filtering through the menu to find each option.
Other key features include:
Make VoIP and video calls between computers
Microsoft address book integration
File compression feature
Echo cancellation
Noise reduction and comfort noise features
NCH Express Talk VoIP Softphone
Use NCH Express Talk to record calls and to improve the quality of your generated audio files.
Bitrix 24 is a free CRM with call recording capability. The free plan is 100% free with up to 12 users and 5 GB of online storage to save call logs. You can also listen to over 300 recorded conversations a month along with a call-to-call option for incoming calls.
Bitrix24 can record both incoming and outbound calls. The calls can be forwarded to your phone number and recorded by yourself. To comply with the local law, the software adds a pre-recorded ” this call is being monitored” voice message for every inbound call which can be turned on and off.
Bitrix24 is compatible with Windows and Mac computers, smartphones, VoIP and SIP phone sets, softphones, and other services. The CRM also offers queue settings, automatic lead creation for unanswered calls, call pause and hold, voice mail, and recording options.
Bitrix24 allows you to rent phone numbers in 43 different countries that can be used as toll-free numbers for customer service. The software is compatible with PBX solutions like Asterisk, FreePBX and 3CX, etc. But the users need a SIP Connector to use the feature.
The CRM screen allows you to access leads, deals, invoices, activities, contacts, and quotes sections from one place.
Being a CRM, Bitrix24 allows you to create calendar and schedule events, add a product catalog, generate quotes and invoices and currency conversion, etc.
Take a look at other key features:
Task automation
CRM document builder
Expense tracking
Appointment scheduling
Bitrix24
Record all your calls and easily reaccess them from any device!
TalkRoute is an excellent program for call-center recordings because not only it has improved call features but text and video as well.
You can record all of your incoming and outgoing business calls to make sure that all voice communications are well-handled.
TalkRoute offers unlimited recording storage with which you can access a recording whether it is from today or many years ago, meaning you can review recordings whenever you need to.
Over and above that, you can grant permissions to your colleagues that allow them to access only the recordings for the business numbers you need them to see.
The call recording permissions feature for all phone numbers incorporates the power to totally disable access, permit view only, and supply full access to review, manage, and delete recordings.
Here are other key features of TalkRoute:
Live call transfer
Desktop and mobile compatibility
Call forwarding
Call menus
TalkRoute
Record incoming and outgoing calls with ease and grant customized permissions with the TalkRoute software.
VRS Call Recording System from NCH Software can be used to log recordings from multiple phone lines, call center recording for quality control, and remote monitoring of call agents. If you are looking for a no-nonsense call recording tool that can be directly implemented on your system, VRS can be a good choice.
The pricing structure is pretty straightforward. The basic version of VRS starts with a standard price for one channel and goes up for the enterprise edition.
Other VRS plans offer licenses for radio station continuous recordings for single and multiple stations.
VRS is a professional call recording software that allows you to record telephone conversations on multiple lines simultaneously making it ideal for call center and business phone line recording.
With support for up to 64 VoIP and PSTN phone lines through direct or PBN extension, VRS will automatically configure all the extensions for recording when used with Axon Virtual PBX.
Your employees can turn on or off the recording on individual systems independently using VRS remote control.
Other key features offered by VRS software include:
Vonage Call Recording helps you track office-wide calls in a safe and efficient manner. You can track your customer support center and give advice or directions based on performance.
Recordings can be checked in the Admin Portal for playback, downloading, and even forwarding by email.
Each extension has full control over its recordings management on the User Portal with On-Demand Call Recording.
Call logs can be searched by extension or client id on the Vonage Cloud and you can also add a custom notification on-call recording for legal purposes.
Delacon call recording is a web-based call center recording solution that allows you to record inbound and outbound calls. Apart from call recording, Delacon also offers other services one of which is call tracking.
This program stores all the recording files in its server for three months and the calls are recorded and saved in a .wav format that can be easily played on any compatible computer.
The recorded calls can be accessed using the web-based portal with a customer login ID. You can download the call recording to your computer to be stored on an external hard drive or burn it onto a CD.
For security and safety purposes, Delacon uses a tier 1 data center which is ISO27001 certified with physical and top-notch network security deployed to keep it safe and secure.
The inbound call recording software can be used with the app’s call tracking solution as well which includes a dynamic call tracking number.
Other key features of Delacon you might want to know:
CallView 360 is a call recording and tracking software by Dial800 that is mainly used to understand inbound and outbound call patterns. Apart from recording calls to improve customer service, it can also help you to analyze the effectiveness of the campaign.
The custom algorithms and analytical tools help you to record and track incoming calls providing well-organized highly understandable data to make informed sales and marketing decisions.
The Callview 360 dashboard allows you to measure all media performance by offering automatic alerts and updates that are sent to you in multiple formats.
The call tracking and recording feature combined with the data analytics feature allows you to not only use the recorded calls for customer satisfaction, legal, and staff training purposes but also utilize it to conduct consumer research to understand the targeted audience at a lower cost.
CallView 360 is the ultimate solution for businesses looking for call recording, tracking, and analytics features in a single software.
As you can see, call recording has many advantages. From improving customer service to conducting marketing research, call recording and related data can help you take your business forward.
However, make sure that you are aware of the call recording laws in your country. Some countries require the companies to strictly inform the user if the calls are being recorded even for quality control through automated messages before the call is diverted to the customer representatives or by customer representatives by themselves.
Some of the call recording software in our recommendation also offers regulatory compliance features in multiple countries so that you always act in accordance with the local law.
These are our recommendations for the best call center recording software. If you still have difficulty deciding the best software according to your requirement, use the trial plan available with this software to make a sound decision.
If you need more assistance with your business, you may want to try a CRM system. It lets you integrate multiple parts of your business into a manageable system.
For other business-related software tips and recommendations, check our Business Hub.
Data loss is a very common occurrence these days, but if you’re on Windows 10, today we’re going to show you the best data recovery software that can save your files.
What is the best data recovery software for Windows 10?
Stellar Data Recovery is one of the leading software in the data recovery industry. It is a program that is specially designed for Windows, and it is widely supported on various Windows OS, from Windows 10 to Windows XP.
In terms of reliability, ease of use, and Windows compatibility, Stellar Recovery conveniently stands out as one of the best Windows 10 data recovery software in the market.
This software is optimized to run all forms of data recovery. Specifically, it can be employed to recover lost partitions and files on hard drives, USB drives, and memory cards among others.
Furthermore, it supports virtually all file platforms, including NTFS, FAT, FAT16, FAT32 EXT, ExFAT, and others.
Key features of Stellar Data Recovery include a dual scan option (deep and quick scans), cross-platform support (file systems), target-specific recovery, 1GB recovery capacity, and more.
It also creates Bootable USB Data Recovery Media for crashed systems and facilitates data recovery from BitLocker encrypted storage devices.
Other worth mentioning facts about Stellar are functionalities to recover data from all Windows devices like USB media, burnt CD/DVD, or files such as MS Office documents.
Stellar Data Recovery
The best file recovery tool on the market is now available at a discount price for a limited time only.
Yet another entry on our list that perfectly balances out ease-of-use, efficiency, and a lightweight feel to it. Kernel Data Recovery offers a wide variety of recovery tools that anyone can use.
Fortunately, it doesn’t sacrifice accessibility for efficiency since it can still recover inaccessible data from corrupt FAT16, FAT32, NTFS, and NTFS5 partitions of Windows systems.
Additionally, it supports recovery from removable drives, such as USB, IDE, EIDE, SCSI, SATA, PEN, or ZIP drives.
Here are some of the perks of using Kernel Data Recovery:
Great for recovering all kinds of files
You can try it before you buy it
Lightweight and efficient
Easy-to-use
This solution also holds a full range of services to recover your lost data in minutes, such as files filter for multiple data recovery, empty recycle bin recovery, video repairing, or removable drive recovery.
In conclusion, using this data recovery tool helps you to stay protected against lastingly file loss, supporting critical conditions regarding lost files on Windows, Mac, iPod, or UNIX.
Kernel Data Recovery
Easily recover any deleted files and folders with the help of this user-friendly recovery tool.
Recoverit from Wondershare is another top-rated recovery tool, which is highly suitable for recovering all forms of lost or deleted data from Windows 10.
The software is cross-compatible with both Windows and Mac OS. For Windows users, it is supported on all Windows OS between Windows XP and Windows 10.
Recoverit can identify and recover up to 1000 file formats, including documents, audio, videos, messages (emails), photos, and so on.
Furthermore, aside from internal file recovery, Recoverit is able to recover deleted or lost files from external hard drives, USB drives, RAID, Micro SD cards, digital cameras, and even smartphones among others.
Other notable features of Recoverit include fast recovery speed, Multi-system file support (FAT, exFAT, NTFS/NTFS5, ReFS, HFS+, and others), deep/quick scan option, and WinPE Bootable media tech support.
Recoverit is widely regarded as a free Windows 10 data recovery software. However, it is also available in premium editions, which offer more advanced features (including unlimited recovery storage).
It’s worth mentioning that software like this is capable of video recovery, so you can rejoice in your lost HD, 4K, or 8K videos.
Recoverit
Let Recoverit identify and recover all forms of lost or deleted data without any effort.
Disk Drill is another top Windows 10 data recovery software. It is an advanced recovery tool, which is capable of recovering data from internal and external storage media, including hard disks, SD cards, flash drives, media players, and so on.
The program is compatible with all Windows versions between Windows Vista and Windows 10. There is also a separate version for Mac OS users.
Disk Drill supports multiple file platforms; hence, there is an avenue to recover every type of file. Basically, it is compatible with prominent file platforms like NTFS, HSF+, EXT, EXFAT, FAT32, and so on.
So, irrespective of the format(s) of your lost files, you can easily recover them, without hassle. In other words, Disk Drill is able to identify and recover over 300 different types of video, music, document, or application files.
Like most prominent recovery tools, Disk Drill scans for lost/damaged/corrupt files (upon command) and swiftly locates the recoverable ones.
There is, however, limited recovery storage available, with a capacity of 500MB. Other key features of Disk Drill include customizable scan options, multi-platform file support, and flexible recovery storage (mobile and fixed.
Disk Drill offers three pricing editions – Basic, Pro, and Enterprise. Do note that the basic (most popular) version is offered for free.
Disk Drill
Advanced recovery tool that is capable of recovering data from both internal and external storage media.
DoYourData Recovery Pro is the most powerful data recovery software tool that you can find for the task. There’s no wonder that it is appreciated by users worldwide for its simple design and efficiency.
That’s what this tool actually brings to the table: quick recovery of deleted, formatted, or inaccessible data from computers, laptops, digital, or other storage media.
And if you cannot find all lost files after a quick scan, rest assured that clicking Advanced Recovery will turn things in your favor once again. It will deeply scan the hard drive and identify all recoverable files with ease.
DoYourData Recovery Pro key features that you are about to enjoy:
Full Windows 10 data recovery solution
Easy-to-use interface
Supports both quick scan and deep scan
Recovers lost files from deleted or lost partition
Efficiency even after erasing the recycle bin
Additionally, this software is capable of disk cloning of the HDD and SDD, powerful data erasure, Mac360 cleaning feature, and more.
Prosoft Data Rescue 5 is the ingenious production of Prosoft Engineering Inc. – a leading digital firm located in the US.
This recovery software is specially designed for modern Windows PCs (and Macbooks), with support for Windows 10/8/7. It can be used to recover more than 100 different types of files.
Prosoft Data Rescue 5 is designed to, not only recover lost files on Windows computers but also recover deleted or corrupted files from external storage devices like Flash drives, SD cards, CF cards, and others.
Recovery of files, with this software, is in three basic steps – File scanning, recovery preview, and actual recovery.
Some of the core features of this Windows 10 data recovery software include an Optimized scan engine, File Recovery preview, Time machine compatibility, and Unlimited search fields (advanced file search).
More so, you can make the most of it using unlimited drive recoveries, secure drive erasing, and a professionally-looking interface. It’s possible as well to run a fast scan before the recovering data process.
Yes, reputable tools are read-only during scans, so they do not modify the source drive.
Can I recover files after emptying the Recycle Bin?
Often yes. Stop using the drive immediately and run a scan to avoid overwriting the deleted data.
Can it recover from a formatted or corrupted drive?
Many tools can find lost partitions and reconstruct file tables. Results vary based on how the drive was formatted and subsequent use.
Data loss is increasingly common today, whether from accidental deletion, system crashes, file corruption, or hardware failure. Even careful users can lose important documents, photos, or videos without warning.
If you’re not a fan of third-party or expensive solutions, we also have a great guide on how to use Windows File Recovery that will help you achieve similar results.
Microsoft has announced that it’s improving the Read Aloud feature in Word and Outlook for Windows by bringing more natural-sounding voices. The new Read Aloud voices are already live for Office Insiders in the Microsoft Word desktop app, and it should make it easier for users to author and review documents.
“Some of you shared that you felt that the original voices sounded too robotic, and you were looking for more natural-sounding reading voices, like the ones we offer for the Read Aloud feature in Microsoft Edge. In response to this feedback, we’re happy to add these new and improved options,” the Office Insider team explained.
To use this feature in Word, open the document and click on the location where you want to begin listening. Select the Review tab and then choose the Read Aloud option. Users will be able to choose from one of the natural-sounding voices in 64 different languages.
As of this writing, the improved Read-Aloud experience is only available in Word for Windows, and it should help to make content accessible for visually impaired people. The rollout of this feature has been temporarily paused in Outlook, but Microsoft says it’s working on expanding it again soon.
Yes, Microsoft did it again. And before you go thinking about anything else, we are actually talking about the new Insider preview build that just got released for the Dev channel.
Windows 11 Build 22463 is yet another update from the Nickel, active development branch, and it comes with minor bug fixes.
Redmond officials have reconfirmed that it may be a little while before new features start appearing in these builds.
Icons on your taskbar will no longer appear as missaligned
This particular update is called The patch Windows 11 Insider Preview 22463.1000 (rs_prerelease) and it can be downloaded on PCs with the supported hardware and also TPM module.
If you’re using a virtual machine, you need to enable encryption, add a TPM module, and enable secure boot to run this or upcoming builds.
Build 22463.1000 is not linked to any specific feature updates, so the changes you see here may or may not ship in the next year’s feature update.
However, Microsoft warned testers that they could soon be encountering a lot more issues as the development of the next feature update advances.
Changes and improvements
The issue impacting the Taskbar where icons appeared misaligned and/or cut off is FIXED in this build!
Insider PCs that are Mobile Device Managed (MDM) will not receive this build. There is an issue in this build that prevents PCs from successfully updating to this build. We hope to have this fixed in the next flight.
Microsoft PowerToys is now available in the Microsoft Store in Windows 11!
When you have a file or folder selected in File Explorer, you can now use CTRL + Shift + C to copy the path to your clipboard.
Rounded the corners of the pop-ups shown when clicking “identify displays” in Display Settings.
Made some small adjustments to the contrast theme colors based on feedback, including making hyperlinks a little more distinct on hover when using the desert theme.
Added an icon next to the volume slider in Quick Settings to help make the option for managing audio endpoints more discoverable.
Updated the Windows Ease of Access folder in Start’s All apps list to now simply be called Accessibility.
Added an option to Focus Assist settings so you can choose whether or not you would like Focus Assist to be automatically enabled for the first hour after a Windows feature update.
Fixes
[Start]
System now shows up again as an option when right-clicking on the Start button (WIN + X).
Fixed an issue that was causing Narrator to not be able to focus on the headers in Start sometimes with touch.
Mitigated an issue where when a large number of apps were installed, the Start menu might get stuck with no app icons showing (only app name) after a DPI change. This change is also believed to help improve Start launch reliability on secondary monitors in mixed DPI scenarios.
If the accessibility option “Always show scrollbars” is enabled, switching to the All apps list will no longer cause the scrollbar to escape the window boundaries during the transition animation.
Pressing the down arrow after opening Start will now navigate into the pinned apps section instead of jumping to your username.
[Taskbar]
Icons on the Taskbar are properly aligned and centered again apps should no longer get cut off by the “show hidden icons” button when too many apps are open.
The Taskbar previews text will now follow the Accessibility setting to increase text size.
Adjusted the notification count badge for notification center to fix an issue where some of the numbers weren’t centered in the circle.
Fixed an issue where the Chat flyout wouldn’t light dismiss the first time it was opened.
Improved explorer.exe reliability when the Taskbar spanned multiple monitors.
[Search]
Opening Search on secondary monitors works now.
[File Explorer]
Mitigated an issue that could cause File Explorer to hang when doing a search.
Pressing F1 in File Explorer will now open a search for Windows 11 help and not Windows 10.
Made a change to address an issue where items under View, Sort by, and Group by submenus in the context menu weren’t displaying a mark to show they were selected.
[Input]
Fixed an issue resulting in the mouse pointer position in WDAG being incorrect when the monitor was in portrait mode.
Text predictions (both for the touch keyboard, and hardware keyboard) should be working again now in this flight for English and certain other languages where it was broken.
Addressed an issue when using the previous version of the Korean IME where when typing quickly in certain apps the Shift Key Up event wouldn’t be received by the app.
Fixed an issue that was making the touch keyboard key borders look blurry in certain cases.
Mitigated an issue where the touch keyboard would crash in certain cases when switching dock mode while the voice typing UI was visible.
[Settings]
Removed duplicate Nearby Sharing entry in Focus Assist priority list.
Fixed an issue that was causing a repeated prompt to reset to default settings when “Automatically optimize new drives” was unselected in Optimize Drives.
If you press WIN + P the current projection mode will now have initial keyboard focus instead of always the first in the list.
[Windowing]
Trying to switch Desktops (for example, using the keyboard shortcuts) when there is only one should no longer steal foreground focus.
Addressed an issue where the snap layouts flyout would start flashing when invoked in certain places on the screen.
Move To option when right clicking a window thumbnail in Task View is now aligned with the other context menu entries.
[Windows Sandbox]
Windows Sandbox should now launch in this build. In previous Dev Channel builds, Windows Sandbox would not launch in some circumstances.
[Windows Subsystem for Linx (WSL) & Hyper-V]
We have fixed the issue causing both WSL2 and Hyper-V to not work on ARM64 PCs such as the Surface Pro X in previous Dev Channel builds.
[Other]
Fixed an issue that caused some PCs to bug check with DRIVER_PNP_WATCHDOG error when attempting to update to a recent build.
Fixed an issue that caused some Surface Pro X’s to bug check with a WHEA_UNCORRECTABLE_ERROR.
Fixed an issue where the Autorun registry entry for Command Prompt would not work if /k was used.
Did some work to address an issue where not being able to parse a certain firewall rule would result in all rules following that one not being migrated on upgrade.
Addressed an issue where the Quick Assist window could be small and not possible to resize.
Fixed an issue for some users where if the sign in button in Quick Assist was clicked, it would open a blank browser window and they wouldn’t be able to proceed to sign in.
Mitigated an issue with certain menus / context menus that was causing a visual glitch with the shadow on first launch.
Mitigated a race condition that was causing certain PCs to sometimes bugcheck with INTERNAL_POWER_ERROR when resuming from hibernation.
Fixed an issue that was making some PCs unable to progress past the boot screen when upgrading to 224xx builds with certain SSDs attached.
NOTE
Some fixes noted here in Insider Preview builds from the active development branch may make their way into the servicing updates for the released version of Windows 11 after general availability on October 5th.
Known issues
[General]
Insider PCs that are Mobile Device Managed (MDM) will not receive this build. There is an issue in this build that prevents PCs from successfully updating to this build. We hope to have this fixed in the next flight.
Users updating from Builds 22000.xxx, or earlier, to newer Dev Channel builds using the latest Dev Channel ISO, may receive the following warning message: “The build you are trying to install is Flight Signed. To continue installing, enable flight signing.” If you receive this message, press the Enable button, reboot the PC, and retry the update.
[Start]
In some cases, you might be unable to enter text when using Search from Start or the Taskbar. If you experience the issue, press WIN + R on the keyboard to launch the Run dialog box, then close it.
[Taskbar]
The Taskbar will sometimes flicker when switching input methods.
[Search]
After clicking the Search icon on the Taskbar, the Search panel may not open. If this occurs, restart the “Windows Explorer” process, and open the search panel again.
Search panel might appear as black and not display any content below the search box.
[File Explorer]
If you right click files in OneDrive locations in File Explorer, the context menu will unexpectedly dismiss when you hover over entries that open sub-menus, such as “Open with.”
Double clicking a network folder to open it will pin it to Quick Access instead of opening it. To open a network folder until we release a build with a fix, please right-click the folder and select “Open” from the context menu.
[Widgets]
The widgets board may appear empty. To work around the issue, you can sign out and then sign back in again.
Widgets may be displayed in the wrong size on external monitors. If you encounter this, you can launch the widgets via touch or WIN + W shortcut on your actual PC display first and then launch on your secondary monitors.
[Microsoft Store]
Developers continue to work to improve search relevance in the Store.
PowerToys is now available on the Store
Exciting news for everyone! Microsoft’s PowerToys is now available in the Store in Windows 11. So hurry and take advantage of advanced functionalities to maximize your productivity today.
As a reminder, Store now accepts Win32 applications and all the great open-source projects that are part of the company’s ecosystems.
US giant Microsoft announced an improved operating system with exciting features to enhance your virtual experience – Windows 11.
Don’t panic, it hasn’t been officially released yet, but it is about to. Until then, you just need to check that your PC meets the minimum requirements to get a free upgrade.
Aside from the plethora of new features and functionalities, one thing is certain: Skype has been replaced by Microsoft Teams.
This video-calling app has become widely used and loved in the pandemic period of 2020 and will be integrated into Windows 11 as a default app. At the same time, Skype will lose this feature.
Therefore, we are left with just one question: Is Skype for personal use going away? There are already many rumors among experts, but we have no reason to worry, for now.
Why should I use Skype in Windows 11?
If you’re unfamiliar with what Skype does, remember that it is an instant messaging app, that can also be used for voice calls and video chats. Over time, it has become significantly important for both personal and business communication.
It allows you to connect and communicate with other users, regardless of the region or part of the world you’re in.
Many programs can do the same. However, Skype has been available for quite a while and the level of clarity and effectiveness it provides is exceptional.
Millions and millions of people already signed up and are using it for their daily activity, and we’re going to prove it at the end of this article. Thus, make sure you read it completely.
How can I enable Skype in Windows 11?
Microsoft’s acquisition of Skype last decade was a big hit in the tech market, and it was certainly worth every penny. Proof of this is the fact that the users who have remained loyal to this service are wondering what happens to it next.
Last year’s difficult period has given room for Zoom or Google Meet and Microsoft to review their products.
Thus, users have preferred to use and enjoy some interesting Teams features, already registering 145 million daily active users in April, which can only be a great success.
Microsoft isn’t killing Skype, it’s just making room for its little brother Teams to shine on the scene. But breathe a sigh of relief, you can download Skype for free whenever you want, after upgrading to Windows 11.
This can be seen as a barrier that the US giant puts in the way of users who prefer to ignore the default Teams in the centrally aligned taskbar and use Skype instead.
Let’s not forget that Teams is there for you. It comes as part of the standard package and, on top of that, it provides you with a host of features designed to simplify your communication with others.
The current difficult period also brings good things. Thus, we have to consider that videoconferencing tools have grown significantly in popularity and operating systems are keeping up with them.
This applies to the well-known Skype, which you’ll also be able to access in the new Windows 11. However, it will require more effort now that it’s not integrated by default into the operating system.
Things are no different for Teams, the default communication platform of Microsoft’s new operating system. As always, it’s your personal experience and satisfaction that comes first at the end of the day.
What is the Skype usage worldwide?
Let us show you some relevant statistics on Skype usage. In the picture below, you’ll find the number of estimated Skype users registered worldwide from 2009 to 2024.
As you can see, while in 2009 the number of Skype users was 0.4 billion, now, in 2021, the results show an increase of more than four times higher.
According to the related study, by 2024 the number of users will grow from 1.67 billion to 2.27 billion. Also, consider that it’s just a forecast, so the results might be even larger.
Skype usage is constantly increasing and this is just because people trust this app. There is no doubt that, over time, producers have done an excellent job when it comes to the app’s functionality.
Now that you’re aware of what Skype implies on Windows 11, it’s up to you if it is a reliable option for your daily activity.
Also, keep in mind that Skype finally gets Together Mode in one-on-one calls from Teams. Thus, even if some users now use Teams as their main communication tool, Microsoft didn’t give up on Skype.
We hope the information on how to enable Skype on Microsoft’s new operating system has been helpful. For more suggestions or questions, you should access the comments section below.
Trying to install it on a Windows 10 device would yield absolutely no results because you can’t even do it in the first place.
However, this store listing also contains some details that most users interested in this field will find interesting.
First, the minimum requirements have been listed as Windows 10 version 22000.0 or greater, which is the same branch as what we have on the Beta Channel currently.
Microsoft has shared several advantages of installing the Store version of WSL, such as faster updates, better error printing, WSLg and WSL packed in a single package, and the ability to opt-in for systemd support, among many other things.
Some of the other improvements introduced by backporting the Microsoft Store version of WSL to Windows 10 and making it the default experience on both OSes also include:
wsl.exe –install will now automatically install the Store version of WSL, and will no longer enable the Windows Subsystem for Linux optional component, or install the WSL kernel or WSLg MSI packages as they are no longer needed (The Virtual machine platform optional component will still be enabled, and by default Ubuntu will still be installed).
wsl.exe –install` also now includes:–inbox Installs WSL using the optional Windows component instead of using the Microsoft Store
–enable-wsl1 Enables WSL 1 support during the install of the Microsoft Store version by also enabling the Windows Subsystem for Linux optional component
–no-distribution Do not install a distribution when installing WSL
–no-launch Do not automatically launch the distro after install
–web-download Download the most recent version of WSL from the internet instead of the Microsoft Store.
wsl.exe –update will now check for and apply updates for the WSL MSIX package from the Microsoft Store, rather than updating the WSL kernel MSI
When running WSL using the Windows optional component version, once a week we will show a message on start up indicating that you can upgrade to the Store version by running wsl –update.
There is a known issue in the Microsoft Store release though, and that is the fact that WSL may fail to start if you are running in a session 0 session.
For the time being, this new experience of WSL is available to seekers only, but it will be rolled out automatically to everyone by mid-December 2022.
If you didn’t know, the seeker process involves checking for Windows updates and then installing KB5020030 if you’re on Windows 10, or KB5019157 if you’re on Windows 11.
Know that you can then run the wsl –install (new users) or wsl –update (existing users) commands to get the Microsoft Store version of WSL.
Or, you could just go ahead and manually install the latest release from GitHub.
Just keep in mind that if you’re running a WSL 1 distro, you still need to manually install the Windows Subsystem for Linux optional component.
Also, the built-in Windows version of WSL will only receive critical bug fixes moving forward, new features will be exclusive to the Microsoft Store version.
What else should I know about WSL?
Even more important is the fact that it lists Xbox One as a supported OS too, something that has not been hinted at by the Redmond-based tech company before.
Supported architectures include ARM64 and x64 while the minimum amount of RAM required is 8GB. The recommended specifications are the same apart from RAM requirements, which have been bumped up to 16GB.
And while Redmond officials have not revealed further details about Android app support yet, we do know that the tech company is partnering with Amazon and will deliver Android apps via the Amazon App Store.
Via this new update, users will be able to download and install apps such as TikTok, Pinterest, Kindle, and others.
Furthermore, these will act like Windows apps allowing users to pin them to the taskbar, snap with other apps, resize, and lots more.
It’s important to note that none of the details, especially support for Xbox consoles, mentioned in the Microsoft Store listing have been confirmed by the Redmond tech giant itself so it’s highly likely that they will change over time.
So we’re just going to have to wait and see what will happen in the coming months. Remember that Windows 11 is scheduled for rollout starting on the 5th of October.
Remember that you can download Windows Subsystem for Linux from the Microsoft Store whenever you want or choose.
Most likely, the native Android support will come to users in early 2022. Are you excited about having this feature on your device? Let us know in the comments section below.
Microsoft had a much-anticipated Surface event yesterday when the company officially unveiled the Surface Go 3, a new Surface Laptop Studio, and the Surface Pro 8. Since the launch of the first Intel-based Surface Pro back in 2013, the 2-in-1 PCs have remained the most popular Surface devices and the Surface Pro 8 represents quite a big upgrade.
Dave Mitchell, General Manager in the Surface Program Management team gave an in-depth tour of the new tablet in a video published on the Microsoft Mechanics YouTube channel yesterday. The first thing you can see when you look at the Surface Pro 8 is that it has adopted the Surface Pro X design with its thinner bezels, and the redesigned Surface Pro Keyboard also comes with a pen storage emplacement to wirelessly charge the new Surface Slim Pen 2. However, what happened under the hood is probably what’s most interesting about the Surface Pro 8
Mitchell explains in the video that Microsoft has completely redesigned the internals of the Surface Pro 8 as well as the metal body that now uses recycled aluminum instead of magnesium. If the microSD port is gone, Microsoft has added two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports as well as a removable SSD that’s located under the kickstand, right alongside the Nano SIM tray for LTE variants of the Surface Pro 8.
The larger 13-inch PixelSense Flow touch display also works in conjunction with a new ambient color sensor that can adjust lighting intensity from 2 to 450 nits. This new display also supports Dolby Vision and up to 120Hz refresh rates, making ink latency almost imperceptible.
Below the display, the Surface Pro 8’s new design supports 11th Gen Intel Core processors with up to 23-watt TDP, and there’s a new carbon composite thermal dissipation system to keep the tablet cool in all circumstances The battery capacity has also been increased to 50.4 watt hours, and Microsoft promises up to 16 hours of typical device usage.
The Surface Pro 8 is already available for pre-order on the Microsoft Store, and it will start shipping on October 5. The base model with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and 128GB of storage is priced at $1,099, and the most expensive configuration with an Intel Core i7 processor, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage will cost you $2,599. The Surface Pro 8 for Business, which isn’t available for pre-order yet will also offer optional LTE as well as the choice between Windows 11 Pro and Windows 10 Pro.
Microsoft introduced Breakout Rooms in Teams meetings back in December 2020, allowing organizers to split meetings into different groups. The company has released some updates to improve the Breakout Rooms experience in Teams, and these enhancements are rolling out to public preview users.
First off, Microsoft Teams has added a new setting that allows meetings organizers to assign the manager role to specific presenters. Once assigned, Breakout Rooms managers will be able to assign/re-assign users to rooms, make announcements, set timers, join open rooms, and customize other settings. There is also the ability to add/delete, open/close, and recreate Breakout Rooms.
It is important to note that only in-tenant users/presenters can manage rooms, and this capability is not yet available for external users. While organizers can assign the manager role to up to 10 presenters, but only one presenter can manage rooms at a time.
Additionally, Microsoft has also released a couple of new features to help organizers manage and assign participants. The latest update brings the ability to configure pre-meeting settings for Breakout Rooms.
Microsoft says that organizers of private and channel meetings can now perform various Breakout Rooms configurations before a meeting starts, and the list includes:
Bulk creating / deleting rooms
Adding / deleting / renaming individual rooms
Configuring meeting options for each room
Adjusting settings for breakout rooms session (timer, selecting breakout rooms managers and more)
Pre-assigning participants via both manual and automatic assignment options
Selecting breakout rooms managers (only explicitly invited presenters are available for assignment as breakout rooms managers)
These new Breakout Rooms improvements are now available in the desktop version of Microsoft Teams for users enrolled in the public preview. The Microsoft 365 roadmap suggests that these features should begin rolling out to the general public next month.
It would seem that Microsoft users continue having woes when it comes to email-related issues. Just the other day, a bug was reported that had invaded Outlook. Then comes the latest invasion.
According to security researchers, the design flaw is in the Microsoft Exchange Email server which provides a leeway for attackers to harvest Windows domain and app credentials from users.
Protocol
Amit Serper of AVP discovered the bug and after close investigation, it has been found to reside in the Microsoft Autodiscover protocol which is a feature that allows Automatic email server discovery and provides credentials for proper configuration.
The protocol is considered to be crucial and gives admins access in ensuring clients use proper SMTP, LDAP, IMAP and WebDAV among other settings.
Back-off mechanism is the cause
Serper affirms that the back-off mechanism is the cause of the leak as it is always attempting to resolve the autodiscover part of the domain. It always fails making the autodiscover url that is automatically created reach the owner of the domain.
All captured credentials came with no encryption whatsoever in HTTP form. Serper advises users to use more secure forms of authentication such as NTLM and Oauth.
Microsoft is investigating the issue and will revert in due course.
What do you make of the latest bugs dominating emails? Are there ways you are protecting yourself from such vulnerabilities? Share with us in the comment section below.
The Redmond-based tech giant just held its Surface-themed event which was scheduled to take place September 22nd at 11 AM ET.
Microsoft officials revealed that Windows 11 would be available on new and existing devices starting October 5, and this event was a good opportunity for the company to reveal some new Surface models.
This is excellent news for people who are in the market for some new devices but aren’t quite pleased with the current ones available.
Microsoft Surface Live Event
The rumored Surface Duo 2 and Surface Go 3 are confirmed
In a teaser photo for this specific event, we can see a Surface tablet with its familiar kickstand and detachable keyboard, so many thought that we might see a new Surface Pro 8 today. That’s now a reality, as many of the leaked devices were confirmed by Panos Panay at the live event.
Starting with the most affordable Surface device, the Surface Go, which gets a rework for this year. The new 2-in-1 keeps its entry-level price, with a significant bump in specs along with a few minor visual changes. Of course, Surface Go 3 is now fully compatible with Windows 11 and takes advantage of all of its perks.
Surface Go 3
Another device that made a lot of waves last year, the Surface Duo, is now getting a new set of features tailored specifically for productivity. This new device is called the Surface Duo 2 and it’s a significant improvement over its predecessor.
Surface Duo 2
With a new set of cameras that include wide, ultrawide, and telephoto sensors, the new Duo is a lot easier to use as a daily driver for everyone. There are also two new 120Hz screens that make the experience a lot more fluid. When it comes to productivity, the new hinge brings the two screens closer together, making the transition between them seamless.
Surface Duo 2
As for the processing power, the new Snapdragon 888 is the safe bet that will keep the Duo 2 at the top, alongside other premium devices. Of course, Panos Panay also explained the seamless interaction of the Surface Duo 2 with Windows 11 and all the optimizations that make this a great experience.
The latest Gorilla Glass, a newly designed and improved hinge, and specifically tailored apps make Microsoft’s latest mobile device a productivity tool that’s worth considering.
Surface Pro 8 is not the most powerful device in the lineup
In the past, we were used to the Pro devices being the most powerful. Although the Redmond giant announced the new and improved Surface Pro 8 (thus confirming the leaks), it seems that a new device is ready to take its place as the new productivity champ.
Surface Pro 8
While it still packs a 13-inch PixelSense display with 120Hz refresh rate, 11th Gen Intel® Core™ processor, Windows 11, and up to 32GB1 RAM, the Pro 8 is no more the king of the bunch.
With the purpose of combining the power of their Studio lineup with the portability of a laptop, Microsoft announced one of the most interesting devices of this year, the Surface Laptop Studio.
Surface Laptop Studio
This is a brand new device with a 14.4-inch touch display and a 120Hz refresh rate build to mimic a 15-inch screen in a 13-inch chassis. It supports the new Surface Slim Pen 2 and it has the 11th Gen Intel® Core™ H Series processor, Windows 11, and up to 32GB RAM.
Other specs include Two USB 4.0 with Thunderbolt™ 4 ports, a dedicated charging port, integrated Surface Slim Pen 2* storage and charging, and fast, reliable Wi-Fi 6.
The Studio part comes into place when switching the display from the laptop mode into the studio mode or even into the tablet mode.
Surface Slim Pen 2 on the Surface Studio Laptop
Microsoft claims up to 19 hours of battery life based on typical Surface device usage, and if it can deliver at least 70%-80% of that, then this device will truly be a powerhouse.
What do you think of Microsoft’s latest devices? We’re very excited about the Surface Laptop Studio and the new Surface Slim Pen 2, but leave us your thoughts in the comments section below and we’ll continue the talk there.
A mosaic is an image created with smaller pieces of material, with photo mosaics formed exactly how you think: with a collection of small photographs merged together with software.
Although some image-editing applications include photo mosaic options, there are also photograph mosaic software for Windows, which enables you to set up mosaics with your own images or pictures included with the program.
Below is a list of is some of the best freeware and proprietary mosaic creation software for Windows.
What is the best photo mosaic maker software for PC?
Adobe Photoshop is a feature-rich image and photo editingsoftware that you can use to add any effects you want to your photos.
Speaking of image manipulation, if you want to add mosaic-like effects to your photos, Photoshop is without any shadow of a doubt the best software to get the job done.
You’ll definitely enjoy the wide library of modern intuitive presets with plenty of patterns, layers, and shapes to choose from.
The precise Object Selection tool will help you to edit your creations faster and precisely.
Creating a photo mosaic in Photoshop is easy even though you are not a professional graphic designer. All you need to do is make a grid of tile images.
Then you just go to the Image menu, access Adjustments, then click on the Desaturate command to desaturate the grid. Now, it’s time to superimpose your main image on the grid you just desaturated.
This will create a nice photo mosaic that you can then further edit, playing with opacity settings and other such options to get more vibrant and distinctive colors.
Adobe Photoshop
Enter into a world where you can take your imagination to incredible heights with this excellent software!
Fotor Mosaic is the best way to create images in artistic mosaic formats for free. With this tool, you can become an abstract artist overnight, or just edit your photo in a special and surprising style
If you need an editing program specialized in mosaic arts, this software is designed for such needs. In other words, you can edit the images through pixelation effects to give the much desired mosaic look.
Broadly, this tool is a complete image editor and not only for mosaic editing. It also includes other features such as photo enhancement, crop, color splash, photo frames, AI effects, and more.
Another awesome capability is that you can edit the mosaic picture with other cool effects, and all that in your browser for free.
Besides all that, you can use the mosaic format for artistic differentiated outcomes, also converting any picture with pixel effect into your modern art.
Fotor Mosaic
Get Fotor Mosaic to enjoy countless effects, and create mosaic art even Picasso would approve.
Mosaic Creator is full of options and tools for generating mosaics. This proprietary software has no freeware version but does have a 30-day trial package.
The program has a $29 Lite and $99 Professional version that has no output file limit and includes a pattern editor with which you can create mosaic patterns.
This is software primarily used for setting up photographic mosaics with an unlimited number of image cells and, with the Professional version, an unlimited output file size.
Mosaic Creator has more photo mosaic options than most alternatives and also includes a wizard that enables you to set up image montages in a few steps.
However, you can also convert images to ceramic, quilt, glass or stone tile mosaics with the program.
In addition, the software enables you to set up video mosaics from frame sequences and text mosaics. You can show off your final mosaics in web galleries set up with the software’s thumbnail wizard.
Mosaic Creator
Give your favorite photos a whole new wonderful meaning with this amazing tool!
AndreaMosaic is perhaps the best freeware mosaic creation software for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
This excellent tool is a photo mosaic maker free for download in Windows 10. There’s also a portable version you can run from USB sticks.
You can also choose also a Bonus Pack and a $35 Professional version of AndreaMosaic that has a larger 100 GB mosaic size along with a maximum tile and image count of 500,000.
AndreaMosaic has a clean and intuitive UI that includes a variety of options to configure output with.
For example, the software has nine size and tile parameter options with which you can adjust the mosaic’s resolution, tile size, pattern, image colors, and more besides.
The program also has tile variant settings you can rotate, mirror, and flip tiles with. This software even enables you to set up mosaics from videos by extracting image frames from the clips.
You can download an image collection pack from the AndreaMosaic site that includes 500 images to set up a mosaic with if you don’t have enough of your own photos.
Mosaikify is mosaic creation software with freeware and proprietary versions. This is a photo mosaic software free to download in full version
Mosaikify Plus retails at €20 on the software’s website and generates large mosaics that can include up to 5,000 images, a greater choice of layouts, and more color gradient background options.
This software creates real photo mosaics without overlaying semi-transparent versions of original pictures.
As such, the image tiles in Mosaikify mosaics are clearer than those generated with alternative programs. The software includes a variety of dimension settings to set mosaics up with.
It includes configuration options with which users can adjust tile variation, shape, layout, and mosaic contrast. In addition, you also can select the colors and direction of the mosaic’s fade background.
Mazaika is another heavyweight mosaic creator that companies use to design photo mosaics for posters.
This proprietary software retails for $49.95 and is compatible with Windows from Vista up, but you can run version 3.8 in earlier Windows operating systems, too.
Mazaika is also compatible with macOS and Linux.
What sets Mazaika apart from alternatives is users can manually adjust each tile within mosaics, enabling them to replace one image tile in the mosaic with another photo.
Furthermore, the program includes image-editing options to adjust tile’s colors, picture sharpness, contrast, and even resize them if required.
Mozaika supports a wide variety of image formats and enables users to set up mosaics with an unlimited number of photos, resolution, and output size.
Another good thing about the program is its batch processing option that generates multiple mosaics at once.
Mosaizer XV is freeware mosaic creation software for non-commercial users compatible with Windows platforms from XP and on.
However, after its grace period, some of the software’s professional tools and options are locked. The full, unrestricted version is available at €19.
There’s also a Mosaizer Lite package, which the publisher claims to be the world’s fastest mosaic creation software.
Mosaizer has a straightforward UI design and includes numerous options to set up mosaics when organized with Pattern, Colors, Specials, Quality, and Mask tools.
With the Mask tool, users can configure the transparency, shape, and positions of mosaic tiles. Or you can select rectangular, spiral, hexagonal, or circular pattern options for the mosaics.
Users can also apply colorize and blending effects to mosaics.
Another good thing about the software is that includes its own images for you to set up photo mosaics with.
Furthermore, Mosaizer also has a video mosaic generator with which you can set up video mosaics based on the number of frames.
Mosaic software is a great way to combine larger photograph collections, to set stunning photo mosaics in all manner of creative ways.
Mosaizer, Mazaika, Mosaic Creator, Mosaikify, and AndreaMosaic are some of the best programs for Windows 10 and we sure hope you’ll have fun using them.
We’d like to hear more from you on this matter so please feel free to drop us a comment in the section below.
In the past, if you wanted to share information with a group of people, or start an ad campaign, you would have to do it the old school way.
You could buy some ad space in a newspaper, or print and giving away flyers. Fortunately, today we have other options available.
Whether you want to let your friends and family know how things are lately, or if you own a company and need to send bulk emails with promotions, having a reliable email client installed on your PC is a must.
There are two ways of creating an efficient email campaign for your products. You could use an email client software to create a template, and then manually add every email address from your address book into the BCC field, or, a more efficient way would be to use specialized email marketing software.
In the case of using the BCC field to add recipients manually, some applications are limited to a specific number, for example in Gmail, you can only add up to 100 recipients.
Using the second option – specialized software– allows you not to worry about any recipient limits at all, and the advantage is that you can easily create great-looking emails and share them with thousands of people in one click.
In this article, we will explore some of the best email client software options that can send marketing emails through both of the ways presented above.
Which is the best email software to create amazing newsletters?
The Sendinblue email client can help you launch your first email newsletter, whether you’re building your first email list or delivering personalized emails to a particular range of client bases.
Its automated workflow builder enables you to create campaigns that are triggered by clicks, opens, and even page views.
The Sendinblue platform provides basic dynamic customization for email content and subject lines, as well as attribute criteria for sophisticated personalization.
When you join up for a free Sendinblue account, you receive full access to 60+ well-designed and completely responsive email templates.
If you want greater control, you could also use the WYSIWYG HTML Email Editor to directly code your email.
Before sending, you may preview the email using your smartphone or email client, as well as examine the HTML code or plain text email.
If you’re a starter, look for simple drag-and-drop editors that eliminate the need for you to code your emails. SendinBlue is an excellent option in this regard.
The premium subscription included multi-user access, chat options, marketing automation, landing pages, Facebook advertisements, and all of the plan’s main features. The business package offers customization based on your needs.
All in one, the Sendinblue platform is a top email marketing platform with online support and assistance.
A partnership marketing solution with smart and intuitive features that allows you to create call-to-action email newsletters.
GetResponse was originally a simplistic email marketing tool.
On this day. The platform sits on top of email marketing platforms, allowing you to establish landing sites, webinars, and handle all of your marketing automation needs.
The email automation process is essential because it allows you to graphically plan each phase of your campaign.
They also provide ready-made templates for funnels and email marketing, as well as an app called Social Advertisements Creator that assists you in creating content for social media ads.
The email builder in GetResponse is simple to use and allows users to create emails that are already optimized for different devices, ensuring that campaigns reach as many people as possible.
Thanks to clever automation, leads may be turned into purchasing customers, and seminars are also offered so that email marketing newcomers can be armed with ideas and tools for efficient campaign presentation.
Consider GetResponse for complete, low-cost solutions that boost performance, enhance conversions, and, ultimately, generate more sales.
GetResponse
Choose GetResponse for comprehensive, low-cost solutions that boost performance, enhance conversions, and ultimately, drive more sales.
MailChimp started out as an attempt to make email sending a bit less dull than it has to be. And it managed to do that.
But in time, this software evolved into an incredibly powerful suite of tools that cover all aspects of email newsletter creation and automated marketing capabilities.
In order to start using MailChimp, you just need to download it, make an account, and then import your contacts lists from any email provider you use.
After the import is done, you can choose from a wide range of email templates designed specifically to fit email marketing campaigns.
You also have the freedom to edit them in any way you want, drag and drop images inside, change fonts and tables, etc.
Before sending the emails out, you can also use the Inbox Preview option, which allows you to see an example of how your email will look in different email apps.
This way you can make sure that every customer will get a professional-looking email that represents your company fully.
If you don’t already have a customer base, and you would like to get one, MailChimp offers you a great-looking landing page that helps you build a great-looking website to host your newsletter, or just create and share an online form that people can use to sign up.
The automation tools found in MailChimp also allow you to automate the sending of a lot of types of emails – welcome messages, shopping cart reminders, birthday emails, etc.
You can also schedule the bulk sending of emails, adapted to the time-zone of your clients.
One of the most useful features found in MailChimp is the ability to generate detailed reports for each of your campaigns.
This way you can easily understand what strategy worked best, and how to adapt so you get even better results.
MailChimp versions
The Free version of MailChimp allows you to get your business started, offering you a great array of tools that cover the basic needs of every email marketing campaign:
Supports up to 2000 subscribers
Can send up to 12.000 emails per month
Supports multi-user accounts
Can create email campaigns and landing pages
Marketing automation options
Can recommend products based on your experience
Automation options based on the data you collected
Can create basic reports
The paid versions of MailChimp contain all the features found in the Free edition and adds a wide range of other useful features. For both the Grow and Pro version, you get unlimited subscribers and an unlimited number of emails per month.
For a more professional look, you can also remove the MailChimp footer, which allows you access to premium support, and also unlocks the ability to send emails by Time Zone, advanced segmentation, and comparative reports.
If you want to see a full list of all the features found in MailChimp for each version, you can visit the official pricing page.
ActiveCampaign is a very powerful email newsletter app and also has built-in CRM (Customer Relationship Management) features as well.
The wide range of features contained in this software covers all your email marketing needs, helps you gather information from your customers to market to them more efficiently, and also gives you incredible customization options.
There are a wide range of features found in this software. Besides the email marketing tools, you can also send instant messages – so you can reach your audience no matter where you find them online, and use sales CRM with automation – allows you to automate the lead prioritization process.
We will now focus on the most important aspects of this software, in this case, being the ability to cover all your email marketing needs, without having to use any third-party software.
Here is a more detailed overview of the email marketing features found in ActiveCampaign:
1. Email Marketing
Email Segmentation – personalize the way you interact with your clients through email by changing the way the email looks, and its content. This increases the engagement of your leads or clients.
Subscription Forms – as soon as the possible client subscribes, you can collect information from their profile and follow up on that information instantly
Dynamic Content – you can modify the text, images in an email to fit perfectly with the group of people you’re trying to reach
Split Testing – allows you to gather information regarding your contact’s engagement with your emails, clicked links, etc.
2. Marketing Automation
Site Tracking – this feature gives you valuable information relating to what products or services your contacts are interested in. This, of course, gives you the power to adapt your newsletters to the gathered information, and to convert more customers to leads
Event Tracking – gathers information about what your customers are doing in your application, or on your website
Automation Goals – set automated responses based on what actions your customer takes
Automation Map – allows you to see the efficacy of your automation process in all departments
Attribution – gives you important information relating to what is the most important changes you need to apply for better results – SEO, PPC, Facebook Ads, etc.
Split Action – this feature allows you to adapt your already created automation lists to suit other customers, without needing to start from scratch every time.
ActiveCampaign versions
The Lite version of ActiveCampaign gives you access to a fully-featured email editor that allows you to create incredible-looking newsletters. This software is built around the idea that it is far more efficient to adapt your newsletters to your contacts list, and not the other way around.
This helps you create meaningful marketing campaigns that are personalized to the preferences of your clients.
ActiveCampaign Lite also comes with marketing automation features, to allow you to save time and be more efficient.
The paid versions of ActiveCampaign contain all the features found in the Lite version and also add the CRM module, sales automation, and the ability to get scores from your contacts and leads.
MailUp is a more lightweight alternative to the email marketing software options we presented above, but still has an incredible array of useful features.
You can use this software to send newsletters, automated messages conditioned by custom elements, and even create blog digests.
To be sure that a marketing campaign is efficient, it has to cover other areas of engagement other than email.
That’s why, with MailUp you can also send receipts, and SMS messages, and social network updates, all from one simple and easily understandable user interface.
Even though there are quite a few options available for marketing your products online by using MailUp, the most important is still the email marketing options.
One of the best features found in MailUp is the fact that you can customize the way your emails look to the finest detail by using the drag-and-drop editor.
MailUp versions
MailUp Web Edition offers you an unlimited number of subscribers, allows you to create 1 list, can create 3 email and SMS triggers, and allows you to connect 3 social accounts.
This version also contains predesigned email templates, a drag and drop editor, and unlimited data storage.
The paid versions of this app, contain all the features found in the Web edition, with other great additions. Here are some of them:
MailUp Pro
Can create 10 ore more lists
Up to 100 email and SMS triggers
Can generate up to 12 advanced reports
SMTP+
Custom domain and full white-labeling
Priority support
MailUp Enterprise
Can create an unlimited number of lists
Unlimited number of triggers
Unlimited number of social accounts connected
Can generate up to 24 advanced reports
Offers great attachments support
Data restoring capabilities
If you want to see a full list of all the features compared to the version of MailUp they are found in, you can visit the official pricing page.
Sales numbers are based on several factors, among which we can mention the quality of your products and services, and just how visible you are to the general public.
If you already have your product on point and would like to improve the latter, then you could definitely make use of an easy-to-use platform for e-commerce email marketing, SMS, and automation like Omnisend.
Omnisend is a bit of a different entry on our list since it is the most newsletter-focused service among the entries, but it isn’t exactly an email client per-se either.
The core aspect of this tool is that it includes automation upon automation that heavily focuses on cart abandonment, welcome series, transactional emails, and more.
However, the reason why Omnisend made it to this list is that it has tools that let you better target your potential buyers based on shopping behavior, and this in turn translates into better-personalized newsletters.
Lastly, Omnisend allows you to pre pretty much on all communications channels thanks to its ability to include SMS messages along with your emails, so you can get to your audience even when they’re offline.
The program is available in multiple pricing plans, among which we’d also like to mention the free one that gives you support for up to 15.000 monthly emails via email campaigns, sign-up forms, boxes, pop-ups, and reports.
In this article, we explored some of the best email clients that allow you to create beautiful-looking email marketing campaigns.
No matter if you want to use your normal email account to send bulk emails, or you feel that you need specific professional-level tools, this article covers your needs.
In the first part of the article, we explored mail clients that can send bulk messages easily but do not have any other marketing tools. In the second part of this article, we explored some of the more capable email clients with specific marketing campaign features.
We would love to know what option you chose and how did it work out for your email campaigns. Please feel free to let us know in the comment section below.
FTP and SFTP have made file transfer considerably easier than ever before. The two transfer protocols are the standard Internet file transfer media today.
And recently, a set of automated software was developed to enhance further file transfer, and network security and ultimately automate the entire process.
What is FTP?
FTP is an acronym for File Transfer Protocol, which is the basic protocol that is used for transferring files on the internet, between remote servers/computers. This protocol allows users to protect their connections with unique user IDs and passwords. And they can also access files, directly from the internet in anonymous mode.
There are different types of FTP, including FTP servers, FTP sites, FTP email, FTP explorers, and more importantly, FTP software/client/application. Each type of FTP facilitates file transfer, retrieval, and uploads in its own unique way.
Can FTP be automated?
FTP applications are computer software that can access FTP servers and upload, retrieve and/or transfer files with unparalleled convenience. Interestingly, some of this software is automated; having the capability to execute transfer between remote computers via the internet automatically.
In this guide, we will be looking at some of the best automated FTP services, as well as top automated SFTP tools.
Wing FTP server made it to the top of our list because it is a very complete software and it comes with a great free trial policy. After your trial is done you can still use the software for non-comercial use.
Not only that, but this software is packed with utility, you can handle almost anything with it FTP, FTPS, SFTP, and HTTP/S web-based client.
Wing FTP server also comes with iOS and Android apps, meaning you can remotely manage file transfers.
This software also comes with an excellent event manager and automation tool that can run LAU scripts, send email notifications, and run 3rd party programs.
When it comes to security Wing FTP server also shines. It comes with password policies, IP-based Access, two-factor authentication, anti-hammering, and HTTP to HTTPS redirect.
All this can be administrated with just a web browser and it offers support for 15 languages.
Check some more key features of Wing FTP server:
IPv6 Support
SFV Checker
Cross-Platform
Database & LDAP
Audit & Report
Lua API
High Availability Cluster
Wing FTP Server
Easily manage FTP and SFTP transfers, even remotely, with this amazing software.
FlashFXP is a renowned automated SFTP software for Windows computers. It is equipped with adequate security and system-optimizing features, which are needed to secure and automate all file uploads, downloads, and transfers. Supported Windows versions ranging from Windows 8.1 up to Windows XP SP3.
In addition, FlashFXP hosts a set of industry-class automation features that facilitate the seamless transfer/sharing of files between secure remote servers or Windows computers. Also, the software is fairly easy to use, as transferring files is as simple as “dragging a file from one location (computer) and dropping it in another location”.
FlashFXP offers a 30-day free trial to its users, to afford them the opportunity of testing the suitability and durability of the software before committing funds to purchase a license. By the way, FlashFXP offers two major licenses – Personal and Commercial or Business licenses.
This program offers advanced features to help you easily transfer files on other ends without obstacles. Hence you can transfer any information you need to your co-workers using this strong FTP tool.
Some of the main security, automation, and connectivity features of FlashFXP include:
Automatic transfer resume
Automatic upload
Proxy server (SOCKS 4 & 5/HTTP)
Bi-modal transfer (active & passive)
Remote file editing
SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP)
Automatic ASCII selection, site-to-site transfer, and recursive file permission
Speed limiting (adjustable), file highlighting, folder caching, file management, and more.
FlashFXP
Need the best-suited automated tool for your file sharing? Get FlashFXP for free and experience highly secure transfers.
SmartFTP is another top-rated automated FTP software specially designed to facilitate file transfer between Windows computers via the Internet. The software supports various Windows versions, ranging from Windows XP to Windows 10.
Besides, SmartFTP is primarily built to provide adequate security/encryption, to ensure files are not tampered with, in any way, during transfer. Also, the software hosts a set of “enhancement” features, which ensure that files are transferred without any form of hassle. This is achieved, basically, by automating certain aspects of the transfer process.
SmartFTP offers different versions for download (Version 5/8/9), depending on your Windows version. Hence the available versions of this tool can run on Windows 11, 10, or older versions like Windows 8, 7.
Hence this program offers useful features plus great support regarding FTP service for users who need to perform such tasks in everyday life.
Some of the key features of SmartFTP include:
Proxy Servers and firewall (HTTP, SOCK S5, etc.)
Remote editing, file synchronization, and Backup
Transfer queue/scheduling
Universal Plug & Play support
NAT firewall, custom commands, URL watcher, and advanced GUI
Industry-standard compliance (FIPS 140-2, 186-4, and HIPAA 5010)
Integrations with Google Drive, One Drive, and many more.
WS_FTP is one of the leading FTP client software in the market, with over 40 million users across the globe. This automated FTP software is primarily designed to provide adequate security to FTP-initiated transfers.
However, its functionality extends beyond this, as it can also streamline connectivity and automate transfer.
The software is fairly easy to use, with respect to its highly intuitive interface and customizable display. Also, it hosts the best obtainable encryption/authentication protocol in the industry, which offers formidable protection against any form of hacks or file loss during transfer.
WS_FTP automated SFTP software offers a one-month free trial to new users. After the one-month trial period, users can subscribe to one of the paid plans on offer.
Therefore such practical software is also utilized by IT teams for transferring files and assuring that critical data remains encrypted for better security.
Basic features of WS_FTP include:
AES 256-bit encryption protocol
Google Integrations
OpenPGP file encryption, and FIPS 140-2 cryptography
File backup, synchronization, and compression
Transfer scheduling
GDPR Compliance
Multiple licensing
Proxy server
WS_FTP
Try WS_FTP software to control your SFTP file transfers, while providing advanced encryption and powerful admin options.
FileZilla, in terms of affordability, is the best free automated FTP software in the market. It is a versatile FTP solution that can be employed to optimize file transfer across different computers (Windows, Mac, and others).
Besides, FileZilla hosts a dedicated open-source server, known as “FileZilla Server”, from where files can be downloaded easily. Also, it is flexibly built to integrate seamlessly with popular cloud storage services like Dropbox, MS OneDrive, Google Cloud, Google Drive, and more.
Lastly, FileZilla is an open-source free automated FTP software; hence, its license is offered free of charge, under GNU General Public License (GPL).
Other worth mentioning aspects involves an intuitive and easy UI or support for multiple devices like Windows, Linux, and Mac.
Notable security and automation features of FileZilla include:
User-friendly GUI and multilingual support
Cross-platform compatibility
Synched directory
Remote file editing & searching
File filters, and adjustable speed limits
SSL/TLS support, auto-resume, proxy support, site manager, transfer queue, and more.
CompleteFTP is a durable FTP client software for Windows, which offers free services to its users. It hosts one of the most intuitive platforms, obtainable in the industry. Hence, file sharing, uploads, and download operations require only basic tech skills to execute effectively.
This automated FTP software is packed with different sets of powerful protocol/security, integration, administration, and automation features, which make the software a truly “complete” FTP solution.
CompleteFTP is proprietary licensed software with four major editions – Free, Standard, Professional, and Enterprise. While the Free edition offers free licenses, other editions require paid user licenses.
Therefore you should use this program to provide effective file transfer between computers. Also, you can try it for 30 days before making your final decision.
Some of the key features of CompleteFTP include:
Unlimited automatic users
File permission
Virtual file system
Multi-protocol gateway
Custom commands
Industry-class cryptography
Auto-banning, activity audit, SSL generator, performance charts, remote admin, Zip file compression, process triggers, and more.
Sysax is a specially designed automated FTP software that comes with an inbuilt automation wizard, which facilitates seamless transfer/sharing of files between remote computers. It supports a wide range of transfer protocols, including FTP, SFTP, SSL/TLS, and more.
This program guarantees faster file transfer services and simplifies the tiring process of manually transferring data.
Plus, this software is available for Windows Vista after testing the reliability and security of this operating system. It also allows choosing from the Windows servers 2008 and 2012.
Thus, many satisfied users recommended this software as a secure FTP service with great maintenance support over time.
Some of the key features of Sysax’s automated FTP software include:
Status monitoring
Task (transfer) scheduler
FTP scripting (automation wizard)
Comprehensive logs
Email notifications
File compressor, SSL certificate, admin support, and more.
SFTP stands for SSH File Transfer Protocol or more explicitly, Secure File Transfer Protocol. It is like an advanced version of FTP, which provides adequate security, by default, during file transfer. SFTP operates in a similar manner to FTP, with the only difference being that – SFTP works on a secure connection.
Unlike FTP, which is relatively insecure, SFTP uses SSH authentication to secure every connection, thereby giving little room for hacks. Hence, it is the preferred choice of most internet/computer users, for transferring files remotely.
Like FTP, SFTP also has designated computer applications, which facilitate file transfer on a secure network. Many of these applications are automated, enabling you to transfer files across remote IPs seamlessly.
Let us review some of the best automated SFTP software in the market.
With Auto FTP Manager it’s pretty easy to schedule and automate your file transfers. You can move files between any combination of FTP servers, and folders on your PC, Android mobile devices, and more.
It comes with a simple wizard that helps you create Action Rules to define what files and folders are to be transferred.
Automated Transfer Profiles can upload or download single files, entire folders, or synchronize two directories.
And there is also advanced filtering of the files based on the file type, name, size, or modification date.
If something happened during the transfer, you could generate a transfer report when the transfer is completed to see which files were skipped, failed, or were subject to a conflict resolution.
Here are some of its key features:
Easily backup or synchronize your sites through fully automated transfers
Move the files between PC to FTP server, PC to PC, FTP server to FTP server, and more
Automatically detect ASCII or Binary transfer mode
Automatically transfer files based on their name, modification date, size, or file type
Detect the time zone on the FTP server to preserve the modification date of the transferred file
Core FTP is one of the most used automated SFTP software for Windows. It offers some of the best obtainable security and automation features in the industry. These features ensure that files are securely shared/transferred (via the internet) between remote computers.
Like most SFTP solutions, Core FTP supports all major transfer protocols, including SFTP, FTP, SSL/TLS, and more. Its powerful set of encryption/security features ensures that the integrity of every file (in transit) is not compromised, in any way.
Core FTP is available in two licensed editions: Free and Core FTP Pro. The free “LE” edition is offered for free, while the Pro edition is available by quote (custom pricing).
Thus, it provides reliable and trustful support to transfer files through FTP servers, also helping to update and maintain your website via FTP.
Basic features of Core FTP include:
Transfer scheduling
Zip support (file compression) and on-the-fly compression (MoDE-Z)
Auto S/Key support
Secure SFTP,
Transfer start/stop/resume and Auto retry (of failed file transfer)
WinSCP is an open-source SFTP client software from Microsoft. And it is specifically designed for Microsoft’s Windows computers. Essentially, WinSCP is the ultimate tool for securely transferring files on Windows computers (via IP paths).
WinSCP is one of the computer programs under GNU General Public License terms; hence, it offers free services/licenses to its users.
It’s worth mentioning the software has a new version with new enhancements like improved SFTP support for VMS servers, stream interface in .NET assembly, or compatibility with Google Cloud Storage.
Therefore you can benefit from comprehensive features using this resourceful tool, capable of efficient file management. Also, the graphical UI provides simple transfer management to use.
This automated SFTP software incorporates the following key features:
Task automation & scripting
Remote commands
Admin restrictions
XML logging, timestamps, file encryption
Intuitive GUI, text editor (integrated, background transfer
Amazon S3 protocol, transfer resume, file encryption, transfer queue, file masking, master password, caching, and more
JaSFTP is the designated SFTP software for Windows computers. It is built to ease the file transfer process, as it has the capacity to run thousands of file transfers. Hence, Windows users can easily run transfer, schedule backup, and/or synchronize folders with unparalleled convenience.
In addition, JaSFTP hosts a versatile set of features; on one hand, secures files during transfer, and on the other, automate the entire file-sharing/upload/download process. With this, you can securely move files about (across several computers) in hands-free mode, while running other operations.
Moreover, the facile user interface supports transfer actions, aiming to create tasks that can be scheduled and performed automatically.
Hence, it can automate file rename by scheduling SFTP processes between the PC and servers based on day or month if needed.
Coming to an end, among all the practical features, this software delivers automated support to anything related to managing file transfer operations.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and Secure/SSH File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) constitute the standard methods of remotely transferring files across servers via the Internet.
With the recent development of special automation tools, both transfer protocols have been greatly enhanced, with file transfers now fully (or, in some cases, partially) automated.
In this article, we have listed five of the best automated FTP software, as well as an equal number of automated SFTP software. So, if you are looking for durable FTP/SFTP client software, the above-outlined tools are the best you can get.
Virtual desktop software enables users to open programs on multiple desktops. Instead of opening and squeezing all your applications in the taskbar, you can create virtual desktops and place them there instead. As a result, you can organize your desktop better by eliminating clutter.
Microsoft integrated virtual desktop functionality into Windows 10. To access it, press the Task View button on the taskbar. You might think that Windows 10 users don’t really need extra third-party virtual desktop software.
However, the built-in Task View is fairly basic and has limited options. For example, you can’t add individual wallpapers to virtual desktops or customize their hotkeys. In this case, you can turn to third-party solutions.
Which is the best virtual desktop software for PC?
V2 Cloud is a handy solution regarding web virtual desktops for your PC. This particular software is tailor-made for your needs to manage your work efficiently.
The software addresses especially the business sphere, offering users superior management services through VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure).
If you own a business and need support to streamline your workflow, you can do this through a virtual desktop interface that offers stability and cloud-based Windows options. For instance, high-security and multi-user virtual desktops will surely offer effective results for your business needs.
Thanks to this software, you can improve many aspects of your business. For example, your employees can work safely remotely, old computers do not need expensive repairs to access the desktop, and your work is protected in case of a natural disaster
This service also provides increased security, productivity, and reduced IT costs specific to businesses. Moreover, your data is completely protected by data centers and 24/7 support.
To conclude here, this solution perfectly covers management and multi-functional tasks. Whether you are an entrepreneur, IT manager, or an employee, V2 Cloud is a productive software for independent and cloud-related activities.
V2 Cloud
Choose V2 Cloud for an integrated virtual desktop solution for your business needs.
Parallels RAS (Remote Application Server) is a smart solution to work from home that provides access to desktops and applications from any device.
This software lets you create and manage your desktop, applications, and whole workspace in the cloud. Centralize, personalize, and use all the necessary apps to make working from home efficient.
Virtual desktops allow you to work from anywhere in the world. Easily access your most important applications locally or from a web client.
Enhance security with multi-factor authentication, centralized file storage, and granular policies. Parallels also uses leading encryption protocols to help organizations meet data compliance policies such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR.
Additionally, Parallels allows you to monitor daily user activity from your network infrastructure. Get a great overview by turning the raw data into custom visual reports that display traffic and resource utilization.
Parallels is ready to use right out of the box. It’s easy to deploy and maintain, designed to reduce IT workload, eliminate a lot of configuration wizards, and comes with great tools to easily deliver desktops, apps, and data to any device.
This software is an all-in-one remote work solution. Intuitive, easy to use right out of the box, no complicated steps required. Parallels saves your IT department time and reduces overhead costs.
Parallels also offer great integrations with Microsoft Azure, AVD, and AWS to give users easy access to all the tools they use.
Parallels RAS
Simple and secure hybrid work solution which provides access to any apps or desktops from all devices.,
Kamatera Express is a program that offers fast and reliable cloud infrastructure services.
With this software, you have multiple possibilities when choosing your cloud-service options. You have valuable features, like the fastest processor for your server or dedicated CPU and RAM resources.
In terms of performance and loading speed, the solution is 100% reliable. You can run the program on Windows and Linux, choosing the servers you need. At the same time, the technical support is completely covered by the 13 data centers on 4 different continents.
The benefits you can enjoy using this service are integrated, including mainly web apps and remote desktop servers, fast 40Gbit networking between servers, SSD storage for databases, and more to go.
Therefore, this tool is perfect for creating your own virtual desktop in the most professional way possible. Also, you can customize your server for cloud services.
Kamatera
Get Kamatera Express for free and customize your own servers based on the necessities!
If you are wondering what is the best virtual desktop, it’s Shells. A simple and cost-effective solution that has quickly become one of the top choices in the World. Within five minutes from now, you can have your Shells virtual desktop running Windows.
In simple terms, Shells is for regular PC users what Stadia is for gaming, only cheaper and much more versatile since this service can bring the power of Windows even to an iPad as you can access it from any device with a web browser or even from their desktop and mobile applications.
In fact, you can access your Shells on multiple devices, from a smart TV to your smartphone, or even use it on an older PC to make it run like a new computer. Shells’ virtual machines are future-proof and run on 500 Mbps bandwidth on servers strategically placed in data centers around the World.
Besides, you don’t have to worry about data syncing, security, or issues like power shortages, since all of these things are taken care of by Shells in the cloud, thus being safe and accessible at all times.
You can basically access your Shells virtual desktop on your PC while at work and tweak some more on your phone while you’re on your way home. All without losing track of where you were along the way.
Regardless of your device, Shells is the top virtual desktop software for Windows 10 and other iterations and offers the best option to access your own Windows virtual desktop from anywhere, anytime.
Shells
Regardless of what device you have in your hand, Shells will turn it into your very own cloud PC!
Dexpot is the best virtual desktopsoftware for free, given it’s for personal use. However, you have to buy a license for commercial usage.
Dexpot enables users to set up 20 virtual desktops within Windows. The best thing about this software is that you can customize those desktops by giving them their own separate wallpapers, screensavers, hotkeys, and custom resolutions.
You can even distribute icons so that each desktop has unique software and file shortcuts. The customization is well beyond what you can do in Windows 10’s Task View.
Dexpot also includes numerous extra plug-ins, such as MouseEvents, Taskbar Pager, Dexcube, and Wallpaper Clock. My favorite is Dexcube which activates a 3D-rotating cube effect when switching virtual desktops.
The Desktop Slideshow plug-in automatically switches between the virtual desktops much the same as a slideshow. There are also a few experimental plug-ins you can add to Dexpot, including Gadgets that add sidebar gadgets to the virtual desktops.
Though Dexpot’s official website does not reflect Windows 10 and Windows 11 as supported operating systems, we confirmed that it works with the two iterations.
VirtuaWin is virtual desktop software that hogs minimal system resources and has a good number of configuration options.
The program works with all Windows platforms from Windows ME up, and there’s also a portable version of the program. This is open-source software you can add to your desktop.
VirtuaWin is primarily a system tray app with which you can switch between virtual desktops and select other options from its menu.
However, its setup window still includes a diverse range of configuration options with which you can customize the virtual desktop titles, layouts, hotkeys, mouse actions, and more.
One of the best things about VirtuaWin is that it supports up to 20 virtual desktops with minimal resource usage. You can enhance its functionality with modules, which are similar to plug-ins.
The software’s website includes a variety of extra modules you can add to the VirtuaWin modules directory.
For example, VMPreview provides a preview of the virtual desktops in a window or full-screen mode; and KvasdoPager adds a virtual desktop pager to the taskbar similar to the Gnome pager in Linux.
Virtual Dimension is an open-source virtual desktop software solution for Windows, which has a unique preview window. It’s compatible with most Windows platforms and might even run on Win 95.
With this software program, you can set up more than 20 virtual desktops. As mentioned, Virtual Dimension’s preview window is perhaps the most novel addition to the software that shows you the applications open within each virtual desktop.
That enables users to drag and drop icons to move the software windows from one desktop to another. In addition, the preview window also enables users to add transparency to windows and pin them, so they also remain on top.
Virtual Dimension’s Settings window includes various configuration options. From there, you can set up custom global hotkeys for the virtual desktops, add alternative wallpapers to them, customize their titles, and configure the software’s more general keyboard shortcuts.
Furthermore, the software includes an OSD (On Screen Display) option that displays the titles of activated virtual desktops. So Virtual Dimension has a decent selection of customization settings for virtual desktops.
This is virtualization software that’s both free and open-source, developed by Oracle Corporation. With VirtualBox, you can create and run multiple virtual machines on your computer. It’s compatible with various platforms, such as Windows, macOS, Linux, and Solaris.
Developers, testers, and tech enthusiasts find VirtualBox a popular tool for running multiple operating systems on a single physical machine. It serves various purposes, including software testing, development, and learning new systems.
VirtualBox is a user-friendly open-source software that is constantly updated and enhanced by the community. While it is generally easy to use, it may require some initial configuration and setup to ensure optimal performance for specific use cases.
However, VirtualBox may not be the best choice for running production workloads that require a lot of resources. In these situations, it’s generally recommended to use enterprise-grade virtualization solutions such as VMware vSphere or Microsoft Hyper-V.
VMware Workstation is a robust virtualization platform for PCs. With this virtual desktop software, you can effortlessly create and operate multiple virtual machines on your computer.
With VMware Workstation, you can effortlessly create self-contained virtual environments on your computer. This allows you to install and operate diverse operating systems and applications.
The software offers a variety of features, such as virtual networking, snapshot functionality, and support for different operating systems as guest machines.
VMware Workstation allows users to allocate system resources, such as CPU, memory, and storage, to each virtual machine. This provides greater control over the performance and configuration of virtual environments.
Additionally, the software offers convenient features like drag-and-drop file sharing between the host and guest operating systems, seamless integration with the host system’s hardware, and the ability to run virtual machines in the background.
Those are some of Windows’s best virtual desktop manager software that transforms multitasking. With those programs, you can add virtual desktops to Windows platforms that don’t include Task View.
Those third-party programs also have much more extensive customization options for virtual desktops than Windows 10’s Task View.
Over the years, Disney cartoons have gained a cult status. The cartoons are classics that are still loved and enjoyed by all ages, to date.
The credit entirely goes to the cartoon-making team and of course the software programs they use. So, what kind of animation software does Disney use?
The Disney franchise is known to use different programs with some proprietary changes, and some of their own proprietary applications.
In fact, they have also designed some of their own extensions and plugins that are open-source. There was a time when cartoons were hand-drawn, arranged in order, and flickered while recording.
While technology has indeed simplified the entire process, the hard work still goes in.
Here’s a list of the programs for those who are wondering what kind of animation software does Disney use.
Some users have also searched for the following:
what animation software does Disney use
what does Disney use to animate
Animation software Disney uses to create memorable character
Adobe Animation is available as part of the Adobe Creative Cloud and it’s an excellent tool for both beginner and more experienced animators.
You can use Adobe Animation to create TV and game animations or content for your YouTube channel. Educators and teachers can use this tool to create eLearning content and draw their students’ attention.
You can also use the built-in Adobe Fresco brushes to create really expressive characters and make them talk, blink, and walk naturally.
Users can draw new animation frames on previous frames for more fluid animation thanks to the Onion Skinning feature.
The Layer parenting feature makes rigging and moving your characters much simpler and easier compared to other animation software.
Adobe Animate lets you save your animated videos in any format you want. In this manner, your creations will display properly on any type of screen.
Adobe Animate
Create the coolest-looking and detailed animations using Adobe Animate and its awesome features.
Autodesk Maya is one of the most popular software used by Disney to create animation and lower resolution models based on the Zbrush models.
From 3D animation modeling or simulation to rendering software, it comes with a set of built-in, dynamic tools. It makes creating animation a breeze with innovative features like Time Editor.
Users can also view scene modifications in real-time that include camera, lighting, and materials, using Arnold RenderView. The software helps create complex systematic animations and effects with specified objects.
Besides, users can also create and edit UVs collaboratively using the UV toolset. This offers the same kind of modeling process of Maya.
What’s more? Faster animation playback helps the designers evaluate the animation directly in the viewport.
The software is increasingly intuitive, while the new features like the Butterworth and Key Reducer help improve the animation curves.
Autodesk Maya
With this acclaimed software, you can build real-life figures with stunning effects and animations for your unique cartoons.
Disney uses ZBrush for modeling and sculpting of their cartoon characters. It’s a unique and creative software that offers some really dynamic new features to help users create all new dimensions.
The program helps users to customize brushes to shape, texture, and paint virtual-clay in real-time.
The new feature called the NPR system helps users create 3D designs in a completely new manner. Using this feature, users can give a final touch to the hand-designed 2D style, while taking the designs to the comic book.
The option to insert overlaying textures, add a decorative printed form, or drawing a dark outline around the 3D model are some of its other significant features.
In addition, it also offers the option to implement different types of integrated pre-sets for artists. With the help of the Spotlights feature, the artists get an opportunity to arrange color details of any texture on a sculpted exterior in the form of PolyPaint.
Using Snapshot3D, users can transform any gray-scale image into a 3D prototype. The prototype created can be used as a groundwork for sculpting characters.
ZRemesher is an automatic retopology toolkit that helps maintain creased edges while automatically tracking sharp surface angles.
The new folder System, on the other hand, accelerates your productivity with functions like the move, rotate, delete, scale, duplicate, and more.
Universal camera, Intersection Masker, or the ZColor, are some of its other advanced features.
Houdini is a completely procedural software that’s used by Disney, especially for effects. It is designed from the basics to be a procedural system that enables the designers to work with complete freedom.
Moreover, it also builds different iterations and shares processes with co-workers, swiftly.
It offers flexibility with its node-based process that helps users save each action in a node. The nodes are then connected in networks creating a method that can be adjusted to improve the results.
These outcomes are again repeated to build similar yet exclusive results. It’s a responsive software that comes loaded with several viewports and built-in tools allowing related viewport communications for the artists.
Besides, it offers a perfect setup for designing refined particles and powerful simulations leading to amazing visual effects. It also lets you build tools that can be used repeatedly throughout a project’s term.
Powerful asset-building tools and the option to create shots and multiple iterations are some of its other major features.
Disney is also known to be using Presto which is a proprietary software designed and used internally by Pixar.
Presto is the animation software that’s developed in association with Maya, along with a library of real-time rendering tools and also modeling tools.
Presto is basically in charge of all that includes animation, scene layout, rigging, and more.
The software is one of Disney’s other proprietary software programs that they use for final rendering, and for final compositing they use Foundry Nuke.
While this answers your question: what kind of animation software does Disney use, there’s still a lot unknown about the animation giant.
For biggies like Disney, it’s natural that there are a lot of things that are not made public. Till the time we know more, we keep enjoying the classic characters.
Windows has its very own Snipping Tool with which you can capture screenshots. However, the default Snipping Tool has relatively little options for capturing and editing the final output. In fact, you’ll probably need to use an image editor to annotate and enhance snapshots captured with the Snipping Tool.
There are plenty of better third-party software packages you can capture snapshots with. These are a few of the best third-party screenshot utilities for Windows.
Ashampoo Snap 12 is a full feature capture software with advanced features for screenshots, screen recording, and even webcam recording.
The snipping feature is built in such a way that you don’t need to use any additional software to work with your captures. It has editing features such as text annotations, a drawing feature, crop & resize, and many more.
The software also includes photography editing features as contrast, color, exposure adjustments and more. When it comes to quality, the software has the potential to deliver content with 4K resolutions, this is good news especially if you plan on taking shots of video games.
Ashampoo Snap 12 can also be used to record videos and supports post-production with an integrated video-editing toolset. You can add transitions, background sounds, frames, and other effects within just a few clicks.
Other key features include:
Cross-platform sharing options
Real-time annotations for video recordings
Compatible with multi-display environements
Can generate GIFs from videos
Ashampoo Snap 12 has a licensed version and a free trial version. It is available in multiple languages and works on Windows 10 and Windows 8 PCs.
Ashampoo Snap 12
Capture, edit, and share high-quality images with this comprehensive tool.
Snagit is both screen capture and video-recording utility for Windows 10/8/7 and Mac OS X pc. It probably has a wider variety of capture options than any of the alternative screenshot utilities.
The software can create different types of media files and export your work into multiple formats. You can even use it to save web pages as PDFs.
Snagit also has different options for the capture feature. They are called profiles and you can use them to create fullscreen shots, all-in-one modes, freehand selection shots, and more.
If you need more options, you can integrate more custom capture settings that you can set up or download from this page.
You can also capture screenshots from videos and games with Snagit as it supports high quality picture resolutions.
The software includes an editor for you to annotate and add extra effects to captured snapshots. Snagit’s editor has text, highlighter, and arrow annotation options.
Moreover, you can select blur, crop, border, and shadow editing options. The Snagit website includes extra stamp packs for the software.
Other key features include:
Lets you create video tutorials with multiple pictures and voice over options
Pre-made templates
Lets you create GIFs
The software is packed with options and tools for screen capture, but it’s not freeware. You can try it out for free through a 15-day trial.
Snagit
Take screenshots and record videos with this awsome all-in-one tool!
PicPick is your Swiss Army Knife for taking snapshots in Windows. It includes several screens capturing options, which are three more than the standard Windows 10 snipping tool has.
You can select Full-screen, Active Window, Scrolling Window, Fixed Region, FreeHand, and Region options among others. Each screen capture option has customizable hotkeys.
PicPick also has an image editor that is comparable to Paint but with some extra options.
The editor has the same ribbon-style menu UI as Paint. It also has similar crop, drawing, shape, and rotates options plus grayscale, watermark, mosaic, hue, and saturation editing tools.
PicPick has annotation features such as image highlights, text insertion, arrows, and shapes so you can add any necessary information without needing to use any other software.
Other key features of PicPick include:
Customizable hotkeys
Image quality selector
Color picker
Zoom in feature
When you’ve finished editing the images, you can then select to save them to Google Drive, SkyDrive or Dropbox cloud storage.
PicPick
Take snapshots in Windows and customize them with this intuitive software!
Screenpresso is a lightweight desktop capture software that takes screenshots and video recordings of your screen.
It’s another full-package type of tool that comes with built-in editing features. You can easily add arrows, text content, crop & resize your captures, highlight important areas, and more.
Screenpresso stores all your captures so you can always come back and retouch them whenever you have time. It has its own cloud database where you can share your content and see what others create.
This software is great if you want to use screen captures for guides and tutorials because it comes with a built-in guide generator and offers multiple types of annotations such as text boxes, comments, highlights, or arrows.
Moreover, you can use this tool to create full user manuals because it comes with a PDF document generator. This allows you to integrate your screenshots into a document and insert as much text information as you feel necessary.
This software is greatly appreciated by users because it offers top-quality features at a lower price than other similar products. It is proven to be helpful even for creating certain academic papers.
Other key features include:
Google Drive integration
Publishing assistance for Evernote, Google Drive, Facebook, and more
Capture labels and custom folders
Very simple UI
Screenpresso is compatible with all Windows versions. It has a free, limited version and two licensed-based versions. The paid versions are one-time purchases and they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Screenpresso
Capture high-quality screenshots and use the editor to transform them into valuable instructional materials.
Screenshot Captor is a highly rated freeware screen capture utility for Windows platforms from XP up. You can add this program to Windows by clicking Download v4.16.1on this page.
Click the Get Free License key and sign up on the software’s forum to acquire the license key needed to run the program. There’s also a portable version you can download by clicking the portable zip hyperlink on the home page.
This program’s UI consists of a toolbar from which you can select various capture options. Screenshot Captor has all the more standard capturing options such as Active Window, Region,Desktop and Windows Object plus a great Scrolling Capture tool.
This software also enables users to capture images with their webcams and import pictures with scanners.
Screenshot Captor has a great editor for snapshots that eclipses most of the others. With its editor, you can add shadows, text boxes, freehand painting, blur, glow, and borders to images.
Other key features include:
Integrated email upload tools
Scanner image correction tools
Intelligently autonames files
Comments feature
Multi screen compatibility
The software also has its own clip art gallery that you can use to make your screenshots more fun and engaging.
ShareX is another good option when it comes to screenshot tools. It’s open-source software that you can add to your Windows PC by pressing the Download button on this home page.
This isn’t just a screen captureprogram as it also includes video-recording options. ShareX is undoubtedly one of the best freely available screenshot capture utilities that enables you to capture snapshots in several ways and has extra editing options and tools for them.
ShareX’s main capture modes are Fullscreen, Window, Region, Polygon, Freehand, Webpage capture, and Scrolling capture. These are great for creating captures for pretty much any purpose.
You can also further configure the Region mode to capture screenshots with alternative shapes such as rectangle, triangle, diamond and circle. In addition, ShareX has customizable hotkeys for each screen capture mode.
ShareX has fairly extensive post-capturing options for snapshots. Using its basic editor, you can add text, arrows, highlights and borders to images.
The Image effects editor enables you to apply filters to pictures, add watermarks and select gamma, hue, sepia, black and white, colorize and saturation adjustment settings.
Other key features include:
Very lightweight
Customizable workflows
Printing options
Drag and drop upload
So ShareX might even come in handy for editing images that aren’t screenshots.
This is a reliable tool with a quick setup that you can use o record videos in Windows and take screenshots.
FastStone Capture is license-based, but it also has a 30-day trial version. There’s also a portable version of FastStone Capture that users can add to USB drives.
This program’s UI is based on a toolbar from which you can quickly select the primary screenshot capture modes. Their users can select the active window, freehand region, fixed region, full screen and scrolling window options.
The scrolling window option is especially handy as it automatically scrolls through windows and captures screenshots that are then merged together.
Another good thing about this program is that you can then copy the output directly to Web, email, Word, Excel, Clipboard, and other applications. It also supports numerous image file formats such as PNG, JPEG, GIF, BMP, and TIFF.
The FastStone Editor has a good number of options and tools. Aside from more standard options such as crop, resize, rotate and color adjustment, you can also apply Sketch, Oil Painting, Blur, Blackand White and Sepia filter effects to images. Users can also select options to convert snapshots to PDF format or merge them together.
Those are some of the best screen capture software for Windows 10 and other platforms. They have lots more screen capture options than the standard Snipping Tool which sometimes comes with a yellow border around your screen. A few of them can also come in handy for recording screencasts.
In addition, they also have their own built-in editors so that you can further annotate snapshots and enhance them with extra filter effects. So they’re lots better than the Snipping Tool in Windows.
While budgeting can be a tedious and challenging experience, it needn’t be anymore with personal budgeting tools that can take the tedium out of the process.
These best personal expense tracking software not only shows you where your hard-earned cash disappears but also helps create and stick to a plan. Ultimately, these tools are all about making sense of your money.
A good spending tracker tool will help you answer questions like how much you have or owe, whether or not you spend wisely, and what investments you need to make.
We checked out the best expense tracker for PC devices that you can use. Some are free, others premium tools, but you’ll find those that connect to your bank account so you can pull and organize transaction data.
This is the best software you can use to track your spending. With over 1 million users, Empower, which offers free financial tools, makes it easy to manage your entire financial life in one platform.
The tool allows you to connect your accounts to the dashboard so you can see both your spending and net worth, and even plan your future or meet an advisor to discuss your investing strategy.
The Fee Analyzer helps you spot such hidden fees in your accounts and funds, which, over time helps you control your spending and finances. Other tools include interactive cash flow tools that ensure you don’t spend more than you earn.
Unlike most other software for tracking expenditure, it does not let you create your own categories for your budget, so you’re stuck with whatever the software provides.
Otherwise, you can create many charts for spending and savings, plus compare your budget either weekly or monthly.
Once you register for Empower, you can access its powerful tools freely, plus the awesome dashboard, and easily manage your entire financial life in one place so you can reach your goals much faster and develop your long-term financial strategy.
Empower
Manage your finances efficiently and control your spending habits with this compact software!
Financial control and money tracking are simple words, but mean a lot for economic-responsible people. With Moneyspire software,you can take good care of your income right away.
Managing your finances can be a time-consuming task, both personally and as a business. So, thanks to expense tracking functionality, you can track and manage financial resources without too much effort and efficiently for your budget.
This simple yet resourceful tool can help you with almost anything, from tracking the upcoming expenses to reminding you to pay the bills.
You can have valuable features choosing this software, including unlimited bank accounts in one place, budgets and reports, cloud synchronization, track of payees, and so on. Moreover, you can download it for free, and select the personal plan for all your devices at home.
The best part at Moneyspire is that you can customize it how you prefer. Having interactive reports or detailed balances for your account can give you freedom regarding all your financial activity.
Moneyspire
Manage your finances in the most productive way. Try this ideal expense management software without hesitation!
If you want to manage your spending, QuickBooks might just be the perfect tool. This service provides you with cloud accounting, so you can easily manage your finances from any PC or smartphone.
The application supports expanse tracking, so you can keep a close eye on the smallest expenses.
If you’re running a business, you’ll be pleased to hear that QuickBooks supports invoicing, so you can easily create and send invoices. The software also supports accounting reports, allowing you to easily see how your business is performing.
QuickBooks has cash flow management support, so you can easily enter your bills and pay them. In addition, you can schedule recurring payments so you don’t miss them.
The service also has an automatic backup, so all your sensitive data will be backed up and secured. It’s worth mentioning that QuickBooks uses 128-bit SSL encryption, therefore your data will be completely protected from third parties.
Overall, QuickBooks is a great service if you want to manage your spending, and it’s available on all major platforms, so be sure to try it out.
QuickBooks
Track expenses and check profitability quickly and easily with the very best accounting software!
As the name itself hints, TurboTax is a software that specializes in tax calculation and tax deduction. Although it’s not a dedicated bookkeeping app such as Mint, for instance, you will definitely get to enjoy its advantages in budget tracking once you start using it.
Using Turbotax is effective for tax deductions and maximizing your refunds, thus it saves you money. But there is a catch (a constructive one, we dare say): you have to be very organized about your receipts in order to make tax time easier.
Keeping this in mind, you can easily work with accounting software to track and categorize your spending and when the time comes, simply allow the TurboTax to take over.
There is no complicated migration process involved either since the tool is designed to perfectly blend with third-party financing apps such as QuickBooks, ProConnect, and Mint.
Turbotax
Save your receipts, then let Turbotax track your expenses and save you money!
Quicken is a reliable and infamous personal finance software that monitors all your expenses in a single dashboard.
With 20+ million customers and 40 years of experience, this financial service is exactly what you need to increase your savings and improve money management.
You can use this all-in-one app to keep track of any spending, taxes, or income that you need to manage and distribute. There are customizable dashboards for creating 1-year budgets or simply managing your salary.
Not only that, you can have financial security due to bill or tax categories for better income management.
Lastly, Quicken is the most suitable tool for projecting your budget and organizing future investments or retirement plans.
Quicken
See all your expenses in one glance with this trusted finance manager.
This software uses a calendar-based personal finance management approach designed for real life. You can add past, future, or recurring transactions and categorize them, whether on mobile or through a web interface.
Dollarbird lets you view your expenses and income, see where your money goes, and be smarter about your finances. The balances are automatically calculated for each day, month, or year, so you can understand your financial situation easily.
You can also share calendars with your partner, family, or team to track spending and manage finances together while staying up-to-date with common money issues.
This software is as simple as they get and you can use it on the go at the touch of a button.
Simply add your income plus expenses which will then be labeled and rearranged to display your balance on a simple timeline.
You don’t need folders, savings categories, graphs, or other complicated stuff, it’s an easy interface that displays the numbers as they are.
If you’re in need of a fast, nimble, feature-rich, and stress-free app, then Fudget is your best choice.
With its one-tap adding and editing features, simple list creation to keep track of balances, and choice of currency symbols, you can use it monthly or weekly, however, you like.
The acronym simply stands for You Need A Budget – don’t we all?
This software keeps your personal budget with you all the time and lets you quickly refer to your accounts, and budget categories, and also add transactions or modifications to your budget on the fly.
The app also syncs with your devices like smartphones, tablets, and even your computer so you can stay updated on your spending. The web version has a variety of educational tools to help you be financially disciplined.
It’s also easy to use as it doesn’t have complicated features, plus you can sign up for classes online if you need further assistance as the app’s accountability partner helps you stay focused and not stray from your budget.
This software, by Intuit (makers of QuickBooks) helps you track your spending (income and expenditure) plus your overall financial status. You can sign up for free to join Mint and use it to track and manage your financials all from one single screen.
It also gives you advice and tips so you can know your investment style with the right tools, and lets you connect with your bank and other lenders while sending you alerts when your monthly bills are due for payment, on an easy-to-understand and navigate dashboard.
Once you sign up and sync your bank account, you’re only seconds away from financial freedom.
It is also secure as it uses VeriSign to scan and ensure protection for sensitive data transfer, its multi-factor authentication helps protect access to your account using a 4-digit code that only you can use instead of just a login and password.
Paraphrasing is a method of rewriting another person’s words or ideas in your own words. This technique is used by almost all writers while covering a topic that an online publication has already covered.
If you are facing difficulty paraphrasing a text effectively, you may need to pay more attention to the original passage. Rereading the original passage can help you to understand the context of the text fully.
Once you have a clear idea about the topic, you can quickly write the author’s idea in your own words.
This comes in handy if you are a content creator or have a blog that requires you to publish content consistently. To keep it fresh for the returning visitors.
However, failing to paraphrase the original text properly can lead to plagiarism in the case of your generic articles. Needless to say, paraphrasing only applies to generic articles and not research materials, as you will need to cite the sources to credit the original author. You can also use plagiarism checker software to see if text passes some filtres.
On the other hand, for some writers, paraphrasing is also a way to enhance their articles by using correct English idioms and synonyms to complete sentence fragments.
Irrespective of the case, you can take the help of software solutions that paraphrase sentences in one click to polish the article until it’s just perfect.
In this article, we take a look at the best software that paraphrases sentences and allows you to spice up your text with new variations for your next article.
Write with ease with these tools that paraphrase sentences
Grammarly is mainly an online spell and grammar correction tool that can help you to find all the errors in your text or article. It is available in both the free and premium versions.
The free version offers critical grammar and spelling checks online. The premium users also get access to the native desktop app for Windows macOS, integration with Microsoft Office suite (Windows only), and access to your personal editor via grammerly.com.
Other features offered by Grammarly include a plagiarism checker, access to the saved documents across the device, see definitions and synonyms via double click, the ability to add words to your personal dictionary, see an explanation of grammar rules, and get performance stats via email.
After writing an article or while writing it, Grammarly will propose using synonyms or alternate text to improve the meaning of the text. It will also suggest you rephrase the whole sentence and highlight sentences with fragmentation if needed.
All the written documents are saved in the cloud and can be accessed from any device. The editor also shows other information such as word count, readability score, speak and read the time.
Grammarly is an excellent tool for day-to-day writers. However, it is not free from flaws. At times the tool can suggest synonyms that can totally change the context of the text or fail to catch spelling mistakes if you directly copy-paste the article from a text editor to Grammarly.
It also fails to retain the rich text formats (if used). These issues mostly occur if you are into technical writing, though.
Grammarly
Write efficiently with no grammar or spelling errors using this all-in-one tool for all types of devices!
QuillBot is a sentence rephrasing software that allows you to rephrase sentences from your text with a single click. QuillBot comes in both free and premium versions, and some features are restricted to only the registered users.
Using the service is easy. Simply copy and paste the text you want to rephrase and click on Quill It to start. By default, QuillBot uses the Standard mode to rephrase the sentence which maintains the balance between changing text and keeping meaning.
Quillbot offers a Google Chrome extension that can help you check and rephrase what you write within the browser. It also has Microsoft Word and Google Docs add-ons.
The word flipper features generate synonyms for specific words and can turn your text around in different ways until you are fully satisfied with the results.
You can also use Grammar and Creative mode for more options. There are two more modes, Concision and Suggestion which prioritizes sentence length and changing text above everything. However, these features are only available for premium users.
QuillBot
Rephrase sentences and improve your texts with this versatile software!
SpinRewriter stands out because its machine-learning algorithm focuses on the whole text. This means that it can give you very natural-sounding alternatives by understanding the precise meaning a word has in context.
It has an evergrowing synonym database that ensures the delivery of accurate final content. You also get various settings for the words and phrases used.
This tool follows a three-step process for rephrasing. You just need to insert your text, press rewrite, approve the changes made, and you’re done.
SpinRewriter can also read and rephrase certain sections of your text, or apply specific settings at different text levels. You can select if you want to rewrite on a sentence level, paragraph level, change the structure of phrases, or automatically add new paragraphs and summaries.
You can use as many synonyms as possible or select an option that makes the text readable and uses just a few synonyms. Consider the general tone you want to use and configure SpinRewriter accordingly.
This app is also big on time-saving. It can rewrite more articles at the same time. You need to make sure that all your articles are inserted, select the Rewrite Multiple Articles module, then review the generated text.
Other key features of SpinRewriter include:
WordPress plugin
Multiple integrations
Mobile app
Support for teamwork
Offers in-app guides
This tool is subscription-based, with various plans available. You can try each plan for free for 5 days.
Spin Rewriter
Generate natural-sounding content aided by advanced machine-learning rephrase suggestions.
Ginger Sentence Rephraser is a premium rephrasing software for Windows computers that helps you to write better by suggesting synonyms, idioms, and phrases to spice up your text.
Ginger Sentence Rephraser is not just a sentence rephrase tool. It also offers the ability to proofread, translate text, and text-to-speech support.
The software also works with Desktop, Microsoft Office Suite, Web browsers like Chrome and Safari as well as a mobile platform, including Android and iOS.
Using the software is easy. The installation requires you to download the software online and register an account. A voice-based wizard will walk you through all the steps and features for the first time.
You can start typing your text in the Ginger Sentence Rephraser editor. You can select a sentence or full text and click on Rephrase button to find a better word to replace the original text.
Clicking on the Speaker icon will activate the Text-to-speech feature which is only available with the premium plan.
Ginger Sentence Rephraser offers a translator with support for over 60 languages. Another interesting feature provided by the tool is a built-in dictionary. Using the Define feature, you can find the meaning of any word by performing a simple search. Furthermore, you can find the synonyms for those words as well as learn to pronounce them using the text-to-speech feature.
Other features offered by the tools include the ability to add any words to the Favorite tab, add a personal dictionary and phrase of the day where the software shows a couple of phrases like Blaze a Trail or Face the Music randomly to improve your vocabulary.
Ginger Sentence Rephraser is more than just a sentence rephrase tool as it offers a lot of features that you as a writer you would need without having to refer to the dictionary or Google all the time.
Ginger Sentence Rephraser
Improve your vocabulary and write flawless documents with Ginger Sentence Rephraser!
The Best Spinner 4 is another great option that aims to emulate human-written text. It is also very useful if you want to generate content for multiple media platforms.
It can cover pretty much any type of text, having a massive and constantly updated thesaurus. The Best Spinner team constantly works on adding new synonyms, while allowing users to add words. All entries are reviewed before being added.
This tool can give you spin suggestions like Grammarly, but it can also generate automatic full rewrites of your text.
Combine that with the side-by-side text comparison feature, and you get to quickly review the changes made while keeping an eye on the original text.
The app also can help you with translating text from English to other 14 different languages. This function is very useful if you write for multiple audiences and can be highly accurate. However, for the best, natural results, you will need to carefully review the text, especially in terms of sentence structure.
One of the greatest features TBS provides is the text to speech functionality. It can generate natural-sounding audio files of your text. This is great if you want to use your content across multiple media platforms such as blogs and podcasts.
Other key features of The Best Spinner 4 include:
Unlimited spinning
Can generate multiple auto rewrite versions simultaneosly
Integrated publishing tools
Stores favorite synonyms
Spelling and grammar check
The Best Spinner is subscription-based, with yearly charges. You can pick from 3 different plans.
Our last suggestion is CoderDuck’s Paraphrasing Tool. This is a completely free in-browser tool for quick text spins.
It is a good place to start, but it is not as accurate and resourceful as other options on our list. On the other hand, it is completely free and ready to use with no signup or registration needed.
You can use this tool to rephrase text in bulk, and then carefully review the generated result. It is very fast, you just need to insert your content into a textbox on their homepage.
The Rephrasing Tool takes some precautions against plagiarism, promising an originality rate of over 90%.
It can be used to spin text from multiple languages, including English, Turkish, Dutch, French, Spanish, German, and Indonesian.
Other key features of CoderDuck’s Rephrasing Tool include:
Compatible with different article types and layouts
Works smoothly as long as your connection is good
Completely free, no additional charges for any feature included
Coderduck provides a series of free SEO tools that can come in handy when building your online presence. These include a Related Keywords Finder, a Mobile-Friendly Test, an Article Generator tool, and many more.
Paraphrasing Tool AI is one of the fastest ways of rephrasing your documents and the rewrite tool is free.
All you need to do is to paste your text in the left pane and hit the Rephrase button and in a few seconds, you get the result with highlights on the improvements.
Of course, you can go deeper than that by selecting a different tone of voice but for that, you will have to opt for a paid subscription. By default, the tool is set to a more human-like approach.
You may also upload full documents from your computer and even audio files to extract the text from them.
Other options include hitting the record button from the web app to use the speech-to-text feature or clicking the photo icon to extract text from your scanned images.
You may also use a plagiarism checker, a summarization tool or to open the result in an editor.
However, returning to paraphrasing, you can use up to 20.000 characters for free which is pretty much compared to other free tools.
All the software listed in this article can help you to rephrase sentences to create a unique piece of content.
However, it is important to understand that Rephrasing software are not humans and with all the advancement in AI, these tools are still prone to error when rephrasing a large number of sentences.
To make sure the rephrasing is done right, always proofread the text after the rephrasing process is over. Also, make sure to check for any plagiarism traces in the text using a free or built-in plagiarism checker tool to avoid any copyright issues.
Submitting work full of grammatical and syntax errors is no longer acceptable. Not when you have a plethora of both online and offline grammar checkers for Windows 10 available at your fingertips.
But there’s no need to be that hard on yourself. Even native speakers often fall prey to this. Now, being able to express yourself clearly is considered an emblem of education and intelligence.
Though there is no shortcut for being an expert in grammar, you can use good grammar check software for PC to remove the elements of ambiguity in your content.
If you have some basic to moderate writing skills, all you’ll need is a top-notch grammar checker for Windows 10 and 11. This tool will polish your work and render it free of syntax, punctuation, and spelling errors.
In this article, we will introduce you to the top grammar software for Windows. Here we go!
Grammarly is an award-winning grammar checker for windows 10 that comes both as a desktop app or online for you to access directly in your browser. The best part is that it’s available free of charge.
As one of the best grammar check software for PC, Grammarly is obviously the most widely used tool in the world. It is available as a Google Chrome extension and it can detect grammar mistakes, spelling errors and wrong sentence constructions.
Want more? It can even check for plagiarism. Once you install the Chrome extension, it automatically checks for errors anywhere, be it on Facebook, Twitter, email, and even your chat messages.
Grammarly is the most powerful tool you can use to check for errors in your typed work. Experts say that it catches up to ten times more mistakes than your word processor.
In addition to the common grammar mistakes, Grammarly also detects and corrects preposition errors, irregular verb conjugations, improper usage of nouns, and misused words.
Grammarly
Keep your work neat and error-free with the most powerful grammar checker tool!
QuillBot identifies as a rephrasing tool with plentiful features that allow you to personalize your projects. With idioms, synonyms, and antonyms, it’s more like an assistant for your writing style, both in free and premium versions.
Accessible as an extension in Google Chrome, Google Docs, and Microsoft Word, QuillBot operates as a makeover thesaurus for you to write a fast and accurate topic.
Shaping different ways of models with a large vocabulary, and with grammar checks embodied, QuillBot is appreciated by students, professional writers, and business people who wish to acquire more efficacious content.
For stylish and creative projects, its plentiful features take the first place for paraphrasing. Key sentences are saved with a summarizer, its accuracy with grammar cannot be unstated, and the interface is pretty easy to explore.
Quillbot
Quillbot is an AI-based paraphrasing, summarizing, and new grammar checking tool that can absorb and rework your words.
Ginger is another excellent online tool that you can use to check for errors in a typed document. It is available in both free and paid versions and it comes with many advanced features that can help you improve your grammar.
For instance, there is a sentence rephrase that can help you write clearer sentences. Other features include a spell checker, singular-plural errors correction, misused word correction, and a personal trainer.
There is even a dictionary included helping you expand your vocabulary and learn definitions of new words as you use them. Furthermore, you can translate your text into 50 different languages and listen to it read back to you to ensure it sounds right.
Ginger Grammar
Improve your vocabulary and grammar skills with a faultless instrument!
Just as writing does not boil down to grammar alone, ProWritingAid is more than an offline grammar checker for Windows 10.
In fact, to use their own words, it’s a writing mentor whose expertise stretches beyond punctuation, conjugation, or syntax. This unique grammar checker for Windows 10 will improve your style of writing too.
By thoroughly analyzing consistency, readability, tone, context adaptation, and much more, your trusted writing partner will transform the way in which you create content. For the better.
One more thing about this nifty grammar check software for PC: it’s privacy-focused to the core and it spares no efforts to protect your personal data as well as your work.
ProWritingAid
Have your own AI writing mentor with this proficient sidekick.
Dragon by Nuance is nowhere near a conventional grammar check software for PC. In fact, it’s a worldwide-cherished speech recognition solution allowing you to dictate your content to a machine rather than typing it yourself.
Needless to say that this awesome speech-to-text conversion process requires a thorough style, grammar, and syntax verification just as any other piece of content.
This is what actually makes Dragon unique. Highly focused on productivity, this software will type every word correctly even if you’re using industry-specific terminology. You can further personalize it and boost its capacities by importing your own vocabulary and Dragon will put its AI to work in order to fill in the gaps.
Another big plus is its cross-platform compatibility, making it not only the perfect offline grammar checker for Windows 10, but also for mobile devices. Plus, you can sync all your work across devices to save even more time. Clever, right?
Dragon
Convert your voice into flawless texts and sync devices to save your work.
Paper Rater is another excellent proofreading tool that checks grammar, spelling, and word voice while giving you access to a Vocabulary Builder Tool. While it is available in free and paid versions, this grammar checker for Windows 10 doesn’t have browser extensions.
This means you won’t be able to download it. Another downside is that its plagiarism checker tool is only available in the paid version.
Content is checked based on different education levels such as college, graduate, doctoral level and also based on article type. Apart from checking for errors, Paper Rater also shows the overall writing score so you can assess your writing skills.
Slick Write understands that Readability Score is one of the metrics that Google uses to filter search results. It may not have powerful tools like Grammarly, but it does improve the readability of your content, and it does it well.
This grammar checker for Windows 10 has advanced features for checking the Automated Readability Index, Passive Voice Index, average paragraph length, and estimated reading time.
If you want a handy tool for checking the common grammar errors while optimizing your content for higher rankings, then Slick Write is a good choice.
While most people are used to Grammarly being the supreme grammar check software for PC, the truth is that the web is fully packed with both online and offline grammar checkers for windows 10. Some with unique capacities that you will find nowhere else.
So why not explore more grammar checkers for Windows 10 that can help optimize your content? While this list is by no means exhaustive, it does contain the most highly-rated grammar checker tools in the market today.
Using VMs has become a full-blown habit for many of us, and the news that we could actually run this future major software with their help was music to our ears.
However, we thought that you should also know that the upcoming OS is no longer compatible with the popular Oracle VirtualBox virtualization platform after Microsoft changed its hardware requirement policies for virtual machines.
Of course, we can all remember that, when Redmond officials first announced Windows 11, they stated that the system requirements threshold for installing the operating system has somewhat changed.
And even though many people thoughts that it’s just a matter of time before Microsoft caves, due to immense backlash, nothing has changed.
Both Dev and Beta Channel preview builds of Windows 11 will run in VMs using a variety of virtualization products if the hardware requirements are met. I cannot speak to specifics around what other virtualization products support.
Seeing how the enterprise and software developers commonly use virtual machines to test new operating systems, the tech giant said that Windows 11 would not check for compatible hardware when installed or upgraded.
Microsoft recognizes that the user experience when running the Windows 11 in virtualized environments may vary from the experience when running non-virtualized. So, while Microsoft recommends that all virtualized instances of the Windows 11 follow the same minimum hardware requirements as described in Section 1.2, Windows 11 does not apply the hardware-compliance check for virtualized instances either during setup or upgrade.
However, it seems that there has been a change of heart, and developers are now enforcing these infamous system requirements on virtual machines (VMs), without any prior warning.
This build includes a change that aligns the enforcement of the Windows 11 system requirements on Virtual Machines (VMs) to be the same as it is for physical PCs. Previously created VMs running Insider Preview builds may not update to the latest preview builds.
In Hyper-V, VMs need to be created as a Generation 2 VM. Running Windows 11 in VMs in other virtualization products from vendors such as VMware and Oracle will continue to work as long as the hardware requirements are met.
If Insiders attempt to update their Windows 11 builds running on virtual machines that do not have TPM support or use a small system disk now, they’ll be in for quite a surprise.
We know that you were probably wondering about VMWare Workstation, Hyper-V, Parallels, and QEMU users. Long story short, this will not be a problem as long as they support TPM passthrough and Secure Boot.
Keep in mind that Oracle VirtualBox does not currently support these features, causing Microsoft’s new policy change to effectively make it so you cannot use this OS.
All is not lost, according to Oracle developers
Given the fact that Oracle VirtualBox devs dropped the ball on TPM support, they are now working on a passthrough driver that will allow a host’s TPM to pass through to the Windows 11 guest.
Upon completion, a Windows 11 device will see a host’s Trusted Platform Module and should allow Windows 11 upgrades and installations to continue.
Different than VMware, which creates a virtual TPM, VirtualBox’s new driver will require you to have a TPM 2.0 processor for this feature to work.
But, given that the driver is still in its early stages, it is unclear if it will be available when Windows 11 is officially released on October 5th.
VirtualBox is a very popular virtualization platform, due to it being free and easy to use, so this lack of support will surely affect many people who wish to continue testing or get started with the operating system.
Just a bit ago, Microsoft took the wraps off its flagship Surface Pro line as it introduced its eighth generation.
Many Surface fans have anticipated some drastic changes for Microsoft’s aging design language following the unveiling of the Surface Pro X which proved Microsoft could iterate and bring some well-liked design changes to the Pro’s detachable form.
However, Microsoft held fast and kept the Surface Pro 7, which launched alongside the Surface Pro X, mostly unchanged from its historic Pro 4 design.
Now, it seems the company has threaded the needle between making a Surface Pro X clone and bringing some meaningful upgrades to its famed 2-in-1 that include, new screen tech, port upgrades, and SSD accessibility.
Here are the details:
Surface Pro 8 is over 2 times faster than Surface Pro 7. Delivering over 40% higher sustained CPU performance and 74% faster graphics sustained performance,
2 Thunderbolt™ 4 ports. Support for multiple 4K monitors, keep large creative files on hand with an external
hard drive or create a dream gaming setup with an external GPU.2
11% larger, 10.8% higher resolution, 12.5% brighter, individually calibrated and virtually edge-to-edge, high-resolution 13”
PixelSense™ Flow touch display. Now with up to 120Hz refresh rate (60hz default) for an even
smoother pen experience and more responsive touch.
Full HD cameras with improved low-light performance and consistent brightness across different lighting conditions, Studio Mics, and optimized speakers for
crystal-clear sound delivers an even better video calling experience. HD rear-facing camera with support for 4K video.
The most advanced digital pen experience on a Pro. Unlock new experiences with Surface Slim
Pen. Tactile signals is a new digital pen experience that uses the built-in haptic motor in Surface Slim Pen 2 to give you the same feeling you get with pen on paper when notetaking and drawing. Surface Pro 8 with Surface Pen 2 has greater precision and lower latency when inking compared to Surface Slim Pen. Always charged, ready, and securely stored in Surface Pro Signature Keyboard.
Surface Pro 8
Processor
Consumer:
Quad-core 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7 Processor
Quad-core 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1185G7 Processor
Designed on the Intel® Evo™ platform
Commercial:
Dual-core 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-1115G4 Processor (Wi-Fi)
Quad-core 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1145G7 Processor (Wi-Fi or LTE3)
Quad-core 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-1185G7 Processor (Wi-Fi or LTE3)
Designed on the Intel® Evo™ platform (i5 and i7 processors only)
Windows Hello face authentication camera (front-facing)
5.0MP front-facing camera with 1080p full HD video
10.0MP rear-facing autofocus camera with 1080p HD and 4k video
Memory
8GB/16GB/32GB LPDDDR4x RAM
Dimensions
Dimensions: 11.3” x 8.2” x 0.37”
Weight: 1.96 lbs (891g)
Audio
Dual far-field Studio Mics
2W stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos®6
Dolby Vision® support6
Battery
Up to 16 hours of battery life4
Charge your Surface Pro 8 to 80% in just over an hour5
Color
Mechanical features: anodized aluminum body, kickstand with full-friction
multi-position hinge to 165 degrees, magnetic attach for keyboard fold
stability
Colors: Platinum, Graphite
Ports/Slots
2 x USB-C® with USB 4.0/Thunderbolt™ 4
3.5mm headphone jack
1 x Surface Connect port
Surface Type Cover port
Compatible with Surface Dial off-screen interaction2
What’s in the box
Surface Pro 8
Power Supply
Quick Start Guide
Safety and warranty documents
The Surface Pro 8 upgrade has been a long time coming for the company as competitors such as HP, Dell, Lenovo, and Apple begin to encroach on its perceived detachable dominance.
The Surface Pro 8 will start shipping on October 5 in the US, and the base model starts at $1,099. For consumers and commercial customers alike, today’s announcement should go a long way in keeping Microsoft’s flagship computer front-and-center of buying decisions this Fall and holiday season.
Does today’s upgrade put you in a purchase column for a new Surface Pro? Don’t forget to check out all our Surface Event 2021 coverage here at OnMSFT.com!
Life is Strange: True Colors is the latest narrative adventure in this series about people with special powers making their way through everyday life. The series is known for its powerful characters and how effective they are at drawing out player emotions, and this time that’s the entire focus of the game.
After control over time in the first game and telekinesis in the second title, we now play as Alex Chen, who has the power to read people’s emotions. But if you’d ask her, it’s more like a curse.
Before you read on, I want to state that this will be a spoiler-free review. The single most important aspect of the game is the story and how it affects the people in it, so I won’t take away from your enjoyment by spoiling any major story beats.
A blessing or a curse?
I have a cyan-aura… *Leaves*
In Life Is Strange: True Colors, we play Alex Chen, a young woman who’s finally reunited with her brother after spending years in orphanages and foster families. The siblings lost track of each other after the tragic events with their parents and now that her older brother Gabe has finally found her, he asks her to come live with him in Haven Springs, Colorado.
What Gabe doesn’t yet know, however, is that Alex has developed the ability to read people’s auras, and in extreme cases, even their thoughts. And whether she wants to or not, this sets in motion some major events.
At the start of the game, it becomes clear that Alex hasn’t yet mastered her power and is afraid of it. When someone gets really angry, she gets equally furious and this hasn’t exactly made her life easy.
A helping hand
I had this joke about amnesia… but I forgot it.
The longer she spends in Haven though, the more at ease Alex becomes with the townspeople and she starts to realize her powers can be used for good. What’s interesting is that not all of these are required to finish the story, but if you’re a people-pleaser like me, you won’t be able to turn down the opportunity to help make someone else’s day better.
(In fact, it seems to be a recurring theme in recent games, with both Lake and Haven Park going for the feel-good approach)
When Alex really syncs with a persons’ emotions, she can start reading into objects that mean a lot to them as well. A great example of this is when she meets the flower shop owner from the image above, who’s struggling with dementia, and tries to help her retrace her steps through the object in the area, so she can remember the important task she had to do.
Must resist the urge to push…
What’s really neat is that you can often read people’s emotions before entering into a conversation with them and this can give you extra dialogue options or help you decide what to say to them.
There are a lot of semi-funny interactions here, most of them optional and all exemplary at making the little mountain town feel like a true community.
Home is where my people are
“Know that feel bro”
While the story itself is indeed interesting, I have to admit that it plays second fiddle to the first-class characters in the game.
There is a whole cast of characters here that each has a considerable amount of depth. You learn about their past, their backstories, and how your presence in Haven has affected their lives.
Normally you can only hear what people have to say, and even in games and movies, you can tell that they are holding back their true emotions. But Life Is Strange: True Colors really plays into this and gives you a deeper understanding of what people are really going through.
That may not seem fair, and always gives you an advantage in any conversation. If you play your cards right, there is even a choice to be made for a romantic love interest…
Lesbian rock chick or flannel-wearing park ranger, make your pick
What really helps bring this home is how simply fantastic the facial animations are in True Colors. You can tell the game runs on a new engine and they’ve done wonders with the facial rigging.
When a character laughed, I laughed, when they were sad, I was sad… I’ve been on the brink of all-out crying more times than I care to admit because of the game and that’s a truly magical thing to achieve.
But while a lot of the cast was endearing, none were more so than Alex herself. She really steals the show in her own game and comes across as a strong and likable, yet vulnerable person.
— BloodyGoodReviews™ | Pirate PR ?☠️ (@BloodyGoodRev) September 12, 2021
Possibly one of the best protagonists ever
I’m as surprised as you are, but Alex Chen may be my favorite female lead in a game since… well, ever. She’s strong, she’s opinionated and the way she deals with what happens to her is inspiring.
There’s something about the way she wants to help people around her that I can really connect with as a person and as a player, you just want things to go her way and you’re rooting for her to get the happy ending she deserves.
look at her, such a cutie patootie
She’s attractive, has a great personality, and has a fantastic voice actress that really makes her a credible character. Add some mysterious powers into the mix and you’ve got the workings of a very interesting urban superhero.
And let’s not forget about her awesome fashion sense. I know being superficial like that and forming an opinion about someone’s looks isn’t always appreciated, but this girl’s got style! And yes, you can even change her outfit in every chapter:
She may be a superhero, but she doesn’t have any cape abilities.
While we’re on the topic of aesthetics, let’s dive into the visual appeal of the game. I’ve already mentioned the impressive facial animations and characters design, but what else is cooking under the hood?
Visual issues and bugs
Raise your hand if you expected to see this screenshot in a Life Is Strange game. No? Anyone?
Life is Strange: True Colors finally uses a new game engine to showcase some of its capabilities on next-gen consoles, but it’s a game that’s also playable on the Xbox One, PS4, and Nintendo Switch, and I can’t help but think it’s been held back a little by those platforms.
The game looks great most of the time in screenshots, but while playing it on the Xbox Series X, I still noticed a considerable amount of texture pop-in, and for some unknown reason: green inexplicable flashes at the edges of the screen.
At the end of the game, there are a few scenes where we switch locations and it visually flashes those environments for a second before actually loading them. I even noticed a T-pose once and can’t help but think the game could’ve used a final pass-over before going live.
Other issues I’ve encountered: Voice lines repeating themselves, characters getting stuck, and running in place. It’s immersion-breaking and not really something I’d expect from a title of this price and quality.
*Reader Raises hand*
Yes?
*Aren’t you going to talk about the out-of-place screenshot above?*
Ah yes, about that…
It does a few very interesting things
Life is Final Fantasy?
I absolutely adore Life Is Strange: True Colors for going the extra mile and including a chapter full of RPG gameplay. The entire town of Haven Springs participates in a LARP (Live Action Role Play) and it’s freaking amazing!
While you can talk your way out of half of the battles and the attacks aren’t really that impressive, it fits so well into the game and it’s heartwarming to see all the townspeople work together to make a young kid’s day.
Next to this welcome surprise, you can also play a game of Arkanoid or play some foosball against Steph. I’m always excited when games include other stuff to do outside of their main gameplay and Life is Strange did not disappoint in this department.
A stellar soundtrack to chill out to
Music has always played a big role in the Life Is Strange series, after all, it’s one of the methods people use to cope with difficult situations, and that’s no exception here. There’s a fantastic mix of well-known songs like Dido’s Thank You or Kings of Leon’s Don’t matter but also some lesser-known indies that get a turn in the spotlight.
— BloodyGoodReviews™ | Pirate PR ?☠️ (@BloodyGoodRev) September 16, 2021
This did raise an interesting discussion on Twitter with multiple streamers laughing at the music-less air-guitar sessions because the game’s streamer mode opts to go in full-on mute when a licensed track is playing. But that’s a topic for a different article entirely…
Achievements and completion
How long does it take to beat Life Is Strange: True colors? This depends on how much time you spend talking to people and looking around town for things to interact with, but my first run was around 10 hours.
If you’re going for 100% completion/1000G: Most of the achievements require you to find memories attached to objects, so you’ll have to pay close attention in each chapter and see if you can spot them.
The good news is; you won’t have to replay the entire game to get the missing achievements. After beating the game you can reload each chapter and even specific scenes and it shows you in which scene you’ve missed memories. Also, any cutscene you’ve seen before can be skipped with a press of the RB button so it shouldn’t take long to grab the missing ones.
I like it when developers respect players’ time
Fair warning though: the save-file system is very unreliable. Even when you see the saving icon, there is a big chance it will set you back a few cutscenes when loading the file and when I was hunting for achievements it stubbornly refused to track one of them until I decided to beat the entire chapter from scratch.
Final thoughts on Life Is Strange: True Colors
Pros
An amazing cast of characters with convincing emotions
Reading people's emotions makes for a very interesting superpower
Fantastic soundtrack and superb voice acting
Cons
Unreliable save-files
Some minor bugs here and there
Main story is somewhat lacking compared to the characters in it
Final Score: 4.5/5
Life Is Strange: True Colors is the best entry in the series yet. With a loveable main protagonist, an interesting superpower, and a simply fantastic cast of characters that will win over your heart during its 10-hour runtime, it will leave you wanting for more.
Sure the main story ends on a somewhat disappointing note, but the people I’ve met will be with me for some time to come and Alex Chen especially will be mentioned for years to come when people ask me about my favorite videogame characters, and that’s an incredible achievement. I can’t wait for the DLC where we’ll focus on Steph’s side of the story.
There is an increased number of ransomware attacks on company websites all over the world and nobody needs to tell you how important is to keep your sensitive information safe.
What are ransomware attacks? Wrongdoers will use specialized techniques and tools to get into the PCs and devices within your business network and encrypt your data.
Then, they will ask for money to restore your data, probably threatening to delete them if you don’t comply.
That is why you need to back up your sensitive data and protect them at all costs to avoid and counter any suck possible outcome.
How to choose the best anti-ransomware protection for your business?
First, you need to identify the need for a good defense for your business in terms of security but also for compliance with your industry regulations.
We outlined three main directions to go for when dealing with these kinds of ransomware and malware attacks in general.
➡ Get the best antivirus for business
The antivirus is the first line of defense to counter the attacks so you should give it the proper attention and get the best for your particular needs.
And because it’s important to personalize the solution to your business, it’s important to get as much information as possible on the product you want to buy.
Click the Help me choose button to customize the offer to your needs
For instance, Avast next-gen antivirus welcomes you with a complete array of options and comes with a Help me choose feature that helps you customize the product.
➡ Automatize your patch management
A very common problem for businesses all over the world is the patch management system. Applying patches to the whole network is extremely important for security.
Unpatched systems become vulnerable spots in the network and once the attackers are in, they can infect the whole system.
Manage and apply patches from a single central desktop
Avast Business Hub can be outfitted with a Patch Management tool that allows the system administrators to detect and patch all the machines from a single dashboard.
➡ Ensure safe cloud backup
Sales, management, and clients’ data can be compromised after a ransom attack. And if the wrongdoers manage to get past your defense system, you need to have a backup.
The golden rule is to have a three-system backup set up. That means having outside backup on physical media, digital backup on a system outside your business network, and cloud backup.
When it comes to the third option, Avast Business Hub is already cloud-based and it can automatically perform regular backups from all the devices on your business network.
How can I protect my business with Avast Business Hub?
1. Use Avast Business Antivirus
As we’ve mentioned above, the antivirus is the first line of defense against attacks so it must be a powerful solution with proactive functions.
Avast Business Antivirus not only detects and removes malware but also prevents attacks so that your network-connected devices are fully protected online.
Although you have the option to customize it to your present needs, this solution is fully scalable so it will grow together with your business to cover all your endpoints when you expand the network.
You also need a fast and simple to use product and this tool is very easy to implement and update so it can maximize the workflow and productivity of your IT department.
One of its most important features is the Behavior Shield that monitors all software installed on all devices to observe any uncharacteristic changes and stops any possible harmful activity.
Other great features include the File Shield and Mail Shield that scan the downloaded or opened files and the incoming and outgoing emails for malware.
There are three versions that you can opt for. The other two are Avast Business Antivirus Pro and Pro Plus
The Pro Plus version comes with a few more important features like Data Shredder, Browser Cleaner, Webcam Shield, Password Protection, and SecureLine VPN.
Here’s how you can download and use Avast Business Antivirus:
First, you will need to create a business account on Avast’s dedicated Business Hub webpage and you will be brought into your online dashboard where you will also get the installer.
After you install Avast Antivirus, open the app and under the Protection option from the left, you will see all the antivirus actions like scanning, controlling the Core Shields, the Quarantine, Wi-Fi Inspector, Firewall and Sandbox.
If you click on the Privacy option from the left pane, you will be able to control the Password Protection tool, the Webcam Shield and the Data Shredder. However, these options are only available in the Pro Plus version so if you need them, choose the right product.
As you can see, it’s very simple to implement and use Avast Business Antivirus and the Pro Plus additions are worth every penny if you need them for your business.
There is also the option to get the Avast Windows Server Antivirus that will also help you protect the main core of your network.
2. Use Avast Patch Management
Microsoft issues constant patches for the system but what about third-party apps that you install on your endpoints?
Updating and patching them is paramount for the security of your devices as outdated software can contain loopholes that can be easily exploited by attackers.
Avast Patch Management not only helps admins patch the third-party apps remotely but also provides an automated process that will save a lot of effort.
This way, you can distribute the tested patches to thousands of machines in minutes, with a very low impact on your network.
The Avast Patch Management app offers support for Windows but also from thousands of other products like iTunes, Oracle, Adobe Flash and Reader, Java, and many more.
And the IT team can do that from a single dashboard from anywhere to all the devices, wherever they are, even if they are behind a firewall or in a sleep mode.
That’s because the Avast Business Hub is a cloud-based platform accessible on many platforms with a simple Internet connection.
Let us go through a quick guide on how to get the Avast Patch Management tool and use it.
Log into your Business Hub account that you created earlier.
From your dashboard click on Account from the left pane, then select the Subscriptions tab and select the Start trial or Buy now buttons from the Patch Management option.
To install Patch Management on your endpoints, click on Devices from the left pane and select the Install button under the Patch category.
Now click on Install & Enable to confirm the choice. Installing will take a bit of time because the Patch Management will scan all the devices for patches.
Next, go to the Patches option, then senect the Pending third-party patches.
Click the boxes for the patches you want to install or click on the Patch name box to select all and select the Install button for the individual patches or the Install all button. Of course, you can first select the machine you want to update the patches for from the Devices option.
If the device is offline, the patching process will begin after they become available. The process will also take some time, depending on the number of devices and the number and complexity of the patches. You will see the ongoing process in the Installing patch frame on top.
You probably noticed that the process is extremely simple, and it can be easily applied to all the devices in your network.
3. Use Avast Cloud Backup
First of all, a cloud backup is an excellent method for protecting your data and with the increasing number of ransomware, it has become a must.
With Avast Cloud Backup, you will be able to do just that, to backup your most important data from anywhere. Your files, folder, server, and even accounting files or QuickBooks will be safe.
And the best of all is that with one backup plan you will protect as many devices as you want and keep the data for unlimited time.
After you’ve installed the Cloud Backup for your devices, if something goes wrong with any of the systems, you can perform a recovery from anywhere using the Business Hub.
As security cannot be a trade-off, you will be happy to know that all the files you are backing up on the cloud are encrypted during the transfer and in the cloud.
Here’s our quick guide on how to install Cloud Backup on your devices and use it.
Log into your Avast Business Hub account.
Click on Account from the left pane, then select the Subscriptions tab and select the Start trial or Buy now buttons from the Cloud Backup option.
Now select Devices and click on the Install button from the CB category.
Click on Install & Enable to confirm.
Select the three vertical dots from a device, hover over the Cloud Backup option and select Back up now.
You can do the same for all the devices if you access the More option from the upper panel, select Cloud Backup and then click on the Back up now option.
The devices will begin to backup silently in the background, without interfering with your other work so it’s no need to supervise the operation.
How can I scan the network and add devices quicker?
With Avast Business hub, it’s all about adding the devices from your network. You can add them one by one but the process can be more time-consuming.
If all your devices are in your local network, the process becomes a lot more simple and quick.
Click on Devices from the left pane and select the Network Discovery tab.
Now click the Scan button and wait for the network devices to be discovered.
The devices will start appearing in the lower pane. In our example we don’t have many but for you, this will be different.
Once the scan is completed, you can click the Install security services button to install all the tools we wrote about above.
We hope that our guide helped you find out how you can protect your business against ransomware and other malicious attacks by using the Avast Business Hub and tools.
Keep in mind that for a better defense, you will need three important components: antivirus, backup, and patch solutions.
Of course, there are many other solutions that can solve the three components individually but having all of them in a single place under one dashboard makes it all a lot more simple.
Avast Business Hub
Entirely protect every piece of data within your business using this all-in-one cloud security platform.
Computers and laptops are a staple in today’s digitalized world. They are necessary for work, school, and even during our own free time.
We store sensitive data on our PCs, and we can’t afford for it to get lost or their system to get compromised.
Unfortunately, Windows errors are quite frequent, and many can lead to serious problems with the operating system or the PC’s components.
One of them is called the BCD (also known as Boot Configuration Data). As its name suggests, the problem will prevent the system from booting.
Seeing messages like BOOTMGR is missing or similar during the booting process indicates that there is a problem with the BCD that needs to be solved immediately.
Rebuilding the corrupted Boot Configuration Data isn’t the hardest of tasks if you know where to look. If the BCD is missing or got corrupted, your PC won’t boot into the system.
Why does the corrupted BCD error occur?
This error can happen for various reasons, but it mostly points towards an installation problem (where you’ve probably deleted the BCD) or the possible failure of an HDD drive.
If the latter is the problem, rebuilding BCD won’t do you too much. However, if it occurred due to a software error, or because the data bugged out while it was being read by the PC, rebuilding BCD is the sure fix.
Another cause could be hardware. The data can get corrupt when you change one of your PCs components. These are not all of them. There are many other BSOD causes out there.
Plug in thecompatible USB flash drive with at least 16GB of free storage space.
RunMedia Creation Tool and accept the License Terms.
Select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC.
Choose the preferred language, architecture, and edition and click Next.
Choose a USB flash drive and click Next.
Wait until everything is done.
Now, before we move to the rebuilding procedure, let’s prepare all the things you’ll need to fix the BCD in Windows 10. The first thing is a bootable installation drive, which you can create with ease by using Media Creation Tool.
Insert the USB boot media in one of the available ports.
Press the Windows key, right-click on the Power button, and click Restart.
Depending on your motherboard’s manufacturer, you will see a message about pressing a certain key during the initial boot of the system. Press it until you enter the BIOS.
Select the Boot tab.
Then, select Hard Disk Drives.
Next, choose 1st Driver and hit Enter.
Select your USB from the list that appeared on the screen.
Save the configuration changes and press OK.
1.3. Rebuild BCD
With your USB flash drive connected to the PC, press the Windowskey, and select the Power button.
While holding Shift, click Restart.
You can also restart it by pressing the physical button if you have one.
After the PC reboots, you’ll see the Choose an option.
Select Troubleshoot.
Then, choose Advanced options.
Next, select Command Prompt.
Now, type in the following command in the CMD window and press Enter: bootrec /rebuildbcd
Now, there are two things that can happen:
If you see this message: execute the following commands, pressing Enter after each one: attrib c:\boot\bcd -h -r -sren c:\boot\bcd bcd.oldbootrec /rebuildbcd
If you see this message instead, restart your computer:
2. Reset Windows
Press the Windows Key + Sand type in Recovery options.
In the following Window, select Get Started.
Choose Keep my files.
Next, wait for the process to complete.
3. Perform a System Restore
Press the Windows Key + Sand type in System Restore, then click on Open.
Is the BCD a type of BSOD error?
Yes, it is. Since it technically causes the device to crash before it starts, it is a type of blue screen error. As such, it should be considered problematic and fixed as soon as possible.
Additionally, a BSOD that is tied to the system startup will create a never-ending loop of crashing where your system crashes, tries to restart, and crashes again.
The BCD error could also make the booting process take too long. You will have to wait minutes instead of seconds, just to enter the Windows Startup.
How can I prevent such errors from occuring?
In order to prevent BSOD errors from occurring, one has to keep his system clean and sheltered from malicious software that can corrupt the data.
Run regular full scans of your OS to make sure it hasn’t been infected by viruses. Here’s how you can do that:
Press the Windows Key and select Settings.
Select Update & Settings.
Then, click on Windows Defender and select Open Windows Defender.
Next, from the Scan Options, choose Full, then Scan now.
Now, let the scranning process complete.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to remedy this problem. Simply follow them thoroughly and make sure to enter the correct lines in the CMD window and everything will end up fine.
Obviously, things change all the time, and Microsoft keeps coming up with new updates that introduce new systems, so if you think there is another way to fix this issue, don’t hesitate to tell us.
Use the comment section below to share your experience with these methods and point out which one solved the problem.
NACON launched the MG-X in Europe today, its first official Xbox controller designed for mobile gaming and perfect for use with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. If you’ve been cursing at the lack of screen space when you’re gaming on mobile and your fingers keep getting in the way, this may be the device for you.
Xbox has been aiming at the mobile market for quite some time, with many of its Xbox Game Pass titles playable on mobile devices, albeit with either a Bluetooth-connected Xbox controller or on-screen touch controls.
The MG-X offers the same features as the official Xbox game controllers and aims to deliver a comfortable, handheld-style gaming experience for Android smartphones. The smartphone connects to the controller wirelessly through Bluetooth 4.2, while the MG-X itself is powered by a rechargeable battery that provides up to 20 hours of gaming. So no need to fear the device using up your precious mobile phone battery.
What does it offer?
Universally compatible: Works with all Android smartphones that have Android 6 or better and can support phones up to 6.7 inches (152.4 mm) through its extending shape. This means some devices like the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra or the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra will not fit. So keep this in mind.
Comfortable to hold: The grips are textured, allowing for an ergonomic sensation, while the anti-slip surface keeps the phone in place.
Feels like playing with an Xbox controller: It has the same button layout as an Xbox One or Xbox Series controller, which will make it feel instantly recognizable for Xbox gamers.
Pocket-sized: the MG-X can close to a smaller form format when not in use, making it easy to pack in a bag and whip out for some on-the-go gaming.
Wireless connection: Easily connect your smartphone to the device through Bluetooth 4.2
Long-lasting battery: The MG-X has a built-in rechargeable battery with USB-C input (charging cable included). There is a LED indicator showing you the battery status.
With Xbox’s mobile-supported catalog ever increasing, more and more games are choosing to game on the go. Thanks to the cloud-based savefile, you can pick up where you left off from your console gaming session and this controller will make the transition feel even smoother.
The MG-X is perfect for gamers that want to keep playing their favorite games while on the move, like on the bus or on the train without feeling like a totally different experience.
Windows 11 is finally here! Microsoft released the first Windows 11 builds for those enrolled in the Insiders Program and plans to release it to the general public on October 5.
The operating system is going to overhaul the user interface, bring new features, and get rid of things Microsoft deemed obsolete.
Given these things, it comes as no surprise the fact that it is already so popular.
Should I upgrade to Windows 11?
Windows 10 has its perks and has grown to be a great OS. We’re sure many of you aren’t quite convinced about moving on from it yet.
One thing is for sure: if you plan to play games on Windows 11, you have to upgrade to it, thanks to the new game-oriented features that will boost performance and shorten load times.
Leaving gamers aside, upgrading would still be the logical thing to do. Windows 10 will keep being supported for a while after its successor is released, but not forever.
Microsoft will shift all of its efforts and resources into building upon its newest operating system and keeping it updated.
Therefore, sooner or later, after Windows 10 will officially stop being supported, there will be no other choice left if you want to keep your data safe.
How much will Windows 11 cost?
1. For Windows 10 users
If you remember, back when Windows 10 was released, users who owned the previous one, Windows 8, were offered a free upgrade to it.
Since the news was received with such warmth and everyone was pleased that they didn’t have to buy the Windows again, Microsoft decided to keep the trend.
Therefore, people who currently own Windows 10 will receive a free upgrade offer to Windows 11 when the company officially releases the final build.
Keep in mind that the free upgrade won’t be offered to everyone right away, and will instead be rolled out to all of those who are eligible during a period of time.
The upgrade will also be optional, allowing users to choose between keeping Windows 10 or upgrading it. More so, those who chose to do it can roll back to the previous OS if they wish.
For now, you can test out the new operating system if you’re a part of the Windows Insiders Program. Microsoft releases weekly builds to the public for testing and feedback.
Eligibility
Although Windows 11 comes as a free upgrade for those who already own Windows 10, you have to take into account the fact that the system requirements have changed.
Perhaps your device runs Windows 10 perfectly as it is, but that’s not guaranteed for its successor. To give you a better idea of what was changed, here’s a list of the official system requirements:
A dual-core processor of at least 1GHz and 64-bit
At least 4GB of RAM
Over 64GB of storage
9-inch display or more
A resolution of at least 1366×768 pixels
UEFI, Secure Boot & TPM 2.0 compatible
As you can see, Windows 11 requires a 64-bit processor. This implies that the operating system doesn’t have a 32-bit version.
This should not be a concern since the demand for 32-bit processors has changed over the years. Today, most laptops and pre-built PC’s come with 64-bit processors.
Another major aspect is the storage space required for Windows 11, which increased tremendously to 64GB, up from the previous 16GB.
This will most likely affect laptops with low storage options, pushing manufacturers to build ones with more than 128GB or 256GB of storage.
Earlier, Microsoft was telling everybody to check their PC compatibility with Windows 11 through the PC Health Check app.
Unfortunately, the software was problematic, so the company ended up postponing its release until they fix the issue.
If you’re still unsure that you can run the new operating system, know that you can use a specialized tool to check it automatically for you. Here’s a detailed article about Checkit.
What’s new in this OS?
As we mentioned before, the new operating system features lots of changes, including a brand new user interface design, build from scratch.
The UI has been simplified and made to look better, using smooth corners and creating a clean, fluid space for working and spending your free time.
Additionally, Windows 11 features an overhauled Microsoft Store, Microsoft Edge, and Xbox App. Obviously, there is more to it than just a few things we mentioned.
Windows 7 remains the most beloved operating system created by Microsoft, especially while comparing it to its successor’s failed shipping filled with bugs, bloatware, and more.
Lots of users stayed faithful to the older OS, deciding not to upgrade until Microsoft releases the next operating system.
The exact users vary from user to user, but no matter the case, almost 65% of them did not upgrade to Windows 10 and decided to wait instead.
Even more so, 51% of those who are willing to upgrade to Windows 11 will also upgrade their PC, not a laptop or other portable device.
Windows 7 is mostly used by enterprises. If Windows 11 is as successful as it looks, it’s the perfect chance for businesses to finally upgrade.
You can find all of this information and more in our survey, in which we asked a huge amount of users about their opinion on the new operating system.
Previously, Windows 7 or 8 users were offered free upgrades to Windows 10 when it was released, which made people question whether or not they will also receive an upgrade to Windows 11.
Fortunately, they will! And it’s free as well, but with a twist. Users will have to do a clean install or reinstall their OS before being eligible for an upgrade.
Don’t worry about losing your important files, media, and documents. You can always save everything on external storage and copy them later.
NOTE
Keep in mind that, while the free upgrade option does not have an end date, the servers for the service will be up for only one year after the release.
3. What about those who switch to Windows?
We found out that Microsoft will offer free upgrades to those who already have Windows installed on their device.
What will happen to those who are planning to switch from another operating system such as ChromeOS, macOS, or Linux?
Are you a ChromeOS user wondering if it’s worth switching? We wrote an article about the two operating systems, carefully comparing their features, performance, and other aspects.
You can buy Windows 10 and upgrading it is as you would normally do if you already had it installed into your device.
As for the exact price of the new operating system, we still don’t know yet. You should expect similar prices to its predecessor, but slightly higher.
We’ll surely find out at a later date, so stay tuned for updates and new information. We’ll keep an eye for any news.
Windows 11 will have 1 major update per year
Microsoft learned from its previous mistakes during the Windows 10 years. The company tried to give the previous OS two major annual updates.
This backfired because they ended up not having enough time to fully polish the features and changes, ending up with major glitches and problems.
For Windows 11, the company is planning to come back to the normal schedule of 1 content update per year. This will give them enough time to make sure they release fully operational builds to the public.
The price will vary
When we talk about prices, we should always keep in mind that salaries and overall product price points differ from a state to another.
Therefore, even if we had a price point, and Windows 11 was officially released by now, every country would increase the retail price of the product according to their taxes, etc.
We’ll keep an eye on this and return with fresh details in the near future.
Since the debut of Windows 10 in 2015, Microsoft has been constantly concerned with improving the user experience and gradually adding updates, features, and apps.
The company has now decided to take the next step and go to the next level, developing a new operating system that it is preparing for release later this year.
With the release of Windows 11, some of the apps we’ve become familiar with will disappear and be replaced by others. One of these apps is, of course, the veteran Skype.
But there’s no room for gloom in the middle because Microsoft Teams will become the new star of the system and allow you to quickly get in touch when needed.
This cross-platform communication tool will be integrated directly into the system, while Skype will only be accessible in the Microsoft Store.
And the obvious question for all is whether users will prefer Microsoft Teams over Skype in the new operating system.
Microsoft Teams vs. Skype for Business in Windows 11
Audio and video calls
If you’re having network problems because you’re not getting enough bandwidth to make a decent audio or video call, then Microsoft Teams is your ally.
Teams require only 1.2 Mbps to enjoy a high-quality audio or video experience with anyone inside or outside your organization.
This app supports users by enabling them to meet in teams of 10 to 10,000 people, no matter how many places they are in.
Skype is used by small companies with up to 20 employees. The app is free, except if you want to buy credit to make calls to mobile networks.
This business app offers video conferencing calls that can support up to 250 people, provides enterprise-level security, and allows you to manage employee accounts.
Chat feature
One of the major differences between the two apps lies in the features of the chat function. Teams have a big advantage over Skype in this matter.
By using Teams, users can access each private chat or group chat, and view its history at any time.
Conversations remain available to you regardless of when you were added to the chat, except for those conversations that have been deleted individually, and for which nothing can be done anyway.
The situation with Skype is slightly different, but not to be blamed, although let’s not forget that this is one of the great of conferencing platforms.
Chats don’t save to your history once you close the window, but of course, it does give you the ability to add different contacts to a group chat.
There is, however, a method by which you can save chat conversations, but you have to use Outlook as your default email.
File transfer
Microsoft Teams offers the ability for users to transfer files even when offline. You can send various files, from GIFs to memes to important documents.
With Skype, you can only transfer files if you are online, as it does not offer offline service. Of course, you can set both file size limits and the type of files you want to send.
Guest access
Another significant advantage of Microsoft Teams over its big brother Skype is that a guest in Teams can create a channel or participate in a private chat, transfer a file, post, edit, and delete messages.
Whereas in Skype, guests have to install the Skype app to join a meeting if they don’t have a Skype account already. They receive the invitation via email or calendar.
Other significant differences
One of the major differences that every user will notice when accessing the new OS will be that the Start menu will move to the center of the screen.
This change has a double impact, both visually and functionally, as frequently accessed programs and documents, including Microsoft Teams, will be located there.
So the Teams app comes integrated directly on the Taskbar, giving you the ability to start chatting, share documents, or calling just a click away.
The new interface is much more interactive, allowing users to initiate calls or invite other users with a simple press of the Meet button.
It’s also worth mentioning that other users can access Meet regardless of whether they’re using a PC, Android, or iOS device, and don’t necessarily need to have a Microsoft account.
Microsoft Teams is also likely to become more preferred because of the ability to send SMS messages to Android and iOS while allowing multiple accounts to be used.
The Chat app will replace the Meet Now feature in the already current version of Windows 10 you’ll find by default in the taskbar.
This new vision will forcibly replace the much-used Skype. But Microsoft isn’t giving up on Skype, it’s just making room for its little brother Teams.
It’s good to know that users can still download Skype for free whenever they want after upgrading to Windows 11.
Even though the push to put Teams ahead of Skype may be seen as a barrier Microsoft is putting in the way of users, they have a choice of which service they want to use.
Skype is the big brother you rely on and have always known how to provide you with the necessary help, but Teams is closer to you and comes to your rescue faster.
It’s a decision worth considering, especially as the pandemic has made videoconferencing tools even more popular than before, with users having no other way of interacting, at least in business.
Is Microsoft Teams better than Skype?
Skype has earned its reputation of the time by providing enough video chat and voice calls between mobile devices, PCs, tablets, smartwatches, and Xbox One consoles to keep them happy.
Nobody can reduce its value, and we are not talking about the material value as a company, but the value of efficiency in the communications market.
Microsoft has been forced to invest in all aspects of developing a new operating system, and it is taking all the risks, both in terms of new features and giving up on others.
As stated by Microsoft, Teams is more than simply a unified communication platform; it is also a collaboration tool, a window into other apps and services, and an App Hub.
This means that Teams is a single pane of glass for individuals to interact, collaborate, and eventually work and that Skype may be integrated within.
In this scenario, we believe the Microsoft Team will emerge victorious since Skype for Business announced the end of product development and support in 2019. While there is no official end date, as a consequence, the Skype for Business client is now in the process of fading out.
Luckily, there is still Microsoft Teams premium, and users can experience all its features for free by signing up for the Teams Exploratory version.
So it’s not just that you need to upgrade your operating system to take advantage of the new Teams. You need to make sure you meet the system requirements and specifications.
The news of Windows 11‘s launch has got a lot of users on edge, some curious about the new features, others worried about the incompatibility of their PCs with the new upgrade.
Either way, the new operating system is certainly a breath of fresh air in the OS world, which is not holding back on developing applications and streamlining processes to improve our PC experience.
The first question Windows fans asked as soon as they heard about the new OS was whether it would be free or cost extra, and the release came quickly right out of the preview: the new Windows 11 will be free.
All you have to do is meet the minimum system requirements to enjoy the new operating system from Microsoft and its innovative features.
Many users are wondering what will happen to the current version of Windows 10. Will it be supported by Microsoft anymore? And if so, for how long?
For now, there’s nothing to worry about, as Windows 10 will be with us for a while, until about October 2025, after almost a decade of running and constant upgrades.
Regarding the new Windows 11, it’s worth mentioning for those who own older single-core CPUs that the new OS no longer offers 32-bit support. You will therefore need at least 4GB RAM and 64GB storage.
And the pièce de résistance that seems to have all users confused is the TPM 2.0 requirement, which isn’t impossible but requires a pre-check of your PC to know where you stand and what you have next.
What will happen to my files after upgrading to Windows 11?
Current users are also wondering whether Microsoft will force them to make the switch and upgrade their computers to the new operating system, whether they necessarily want to or not.
Well, this time the company no longer has the policy of forcing you to switch to the new changes they’ve imposed, especially after the experience of Windows 10 version 1809 deleting some user files.
The files stored on your PC should be unaffected by the upgrade to Windows 11, but it is always a good idea to create a backup just in case.
This applies even more as the Windows 11 released until this date are Insider previews, so bugs are to be expected.
Will the Windows 11 upgrade be mandatory?
So, Windows 11 will be a free and optional OS to install. If you want to stick with the old version, you can rest easy and even enjoy another upgrade until October 2025.
After that, it’s up to you what security choices you make to protect your system because Microsoft is ending support and won’t be releasing any more security patches for Windows 10.
It won’t become mandatory to take the step into a new Windows world, but it will become a necessity, which is also recommended for your PC security.
If you want to test Windows 11, you can do so right away, as Microsoft has made the Windows Insider program available to allow you to do so.
Are you a Windows 10 user and want to test Windows 11? Very well, you can do it online and your files and apps will not be deleted. Your license also remains intact, so no need to worry.
First, you need to sign up for the Windows Insider program through your Microsoft account and download the Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 22000.51 update on your Windows 10 PC.
Once the update is complete, you can enjoy the new features and design of Windows 11, and all your programs, files, and license will remain intact on the new OS.
Your opinion is very important to us, so if you have more suggestions or questions about the new Windows 11, feel free to access the comments section below.
Windows 11 comes up with some new great capabilities. However, you should know that Microsoft removed some of the well-known Windows 10 features and apps from the latest OS.
3D Viewer is just one example of that and we know some of you truly need to get it back.
This app can be your main support to push the boundaries of reality, capturing it all with a video or photo to share.
Is 3D Viewer free for Windows users?
Being an in-built app, you should know that 3D Viewer is 100% free for every Windows user. As we mentioned above, it can be downloaded from Microsoft Store, without any required cost.
Also, note that it can be used without any restrictions on both your home and work computers. However, using 3D Viewer is closely related to your OS license.
Terms to enable 3D Viewer on Windows 11
When it comes to the 3D Viewer license, you’ll first have to check how you obtained the Windows software.
This can be a license agreement between you and the device manufacturer or software installer or between you and Microsoft Corporation.
Thus, the terms for enabling and using Windows 11 3D Viewer depend on the OS’s license. For more other information regarding Microsoft License Terms, you can have a look at their official online guide.
This article will show you some of the best options that will definitely help you quickly enable 3D Viewer in Windows 11.
How can I enable 3D Viewer in Windows 11 with ease?
Follow the on-screen instructions to install the app.
The easiest method to enable 3D Viewer in Windows 11 is by downloading it from the Microsoft Store. Also, note that if you follow the above steps, you can get it for free.
2. Try Command Prompt
Click the Start button and type cmd, then select to Run it as administrator.
Type the following command, then press on Enter: PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "& {$manifest = (Get-AppxPackage *Microsoft3DViewer*).InstallLocation + '\AppxManifest.xml' ; Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register $manifest}
3. Check for OS updates
Click the Start button, then go toSettings.
Select Windows Update.
Click on Check for updates.
Note that after enabling 3D Viewer, you’ll have to constantly keep it up to date. The simplest method you can perform is updating your operating system.
You should also consider that it is important to ensure your PC has enough free storage space to install updates.
Moreover, checking if your hardware is still supported by your Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) is also a useful recommendation.
4. Reset 3D Viewer
Click the Start button.
Type 3D Viewer, then click on it.
Right-click on it, then select App settings.
Click on Restart.
How can I get support in using 3D Viewer in Windows 11?
To find all about how to use this app, after you enabled 3D Viewer on your operating system, you can also access the Microsoft Store support website.
All you have to do is go to the same official page, scroll down, and select 3D Viewer support.
You’ll be automatically redirected to log in to your mail, then a pop-up window will appear, where you’ll need to describe your necessities.
Note that Microsoft will automatically fill the consignee e-mail address, so you’ll only have to set the subject and the content. Do not hesitate to attach screenshots if needed.
As always, we’ve selected only the most efficient procedures, that will surely help you. For more information about the newest Microsoft OS, keep an eye on us.
And if you happen to have any other additional questions, don’t hesitate to leave a comment in the section below.
![7 Best Video Logo Remover to Use in 2026 [Photo & Video]](https://windowsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Best-watermark-removal-software.jpg)
![11 Best Automated FTP & SFTP Software [Free/Paid]](https://windowsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Best-Automated-FTP-Software.jpg)
![Best Snipping Tool for Windows 10 [Out of 15 Tested in 2026]](https://windowsreport.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Best-snipping-tools-for-Windows-users.jpg)
