Page 960 • Windows Report

5 Best Video Repair Software to Unpixelate Videos

Posted on January 20, 2021March 21, 2024 by Radu Tyrsina

All kinds of issues can appear after you download your favorite videos that can ruin your whole day. Videos might freeze while they’re playing, they might be pixelated, they might break or not run at all.

There are all kinds of reasons for which a video can fail from faulty video codecs to corrupted formats, and these can be resolved with the help of video repairing tools.

Now many people know how to make a video less pixelated, but video repairing tools will take care of the damaged files, and mend corrupted videos easily to provide users hassle-free viewing experiences.

Here are 5 of the best software that can fix pixelated videos and many other related problems.

Make sure to check their features and functionalities before deciding which one is the best choice to enhance pixelated video.

What are the best video repair software to get rid of pixelation?

Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe is well-known for the top-quality products it delivers when it comes to imagery, both moving and stationary, and Adobe Premiere Pro is a testimony to that fact.

This industry-leading video editing software is designed for pretty much any type of video, for film, TV, and the web.

It features an abundance of creative tools, integration with other apps and services, and more.

Additionally, the power of Adobe Sensei helps you craft footage into polished films and videos, including the transformation of pixelated videos into high-quality movies.

The majority of Adobe Premiere Pro’s toolset is automated, and it intuitively manages to tell what you want from it.

This allows even those without advanced video editing skills to make use of it.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Integration with plenty of other Adobe products
Available on all platforms, from PC to mobile
Supports all major video formats
Familiar Adobe interface
Automated toolset
Frequent updates

Adobe Premiere Pro

Take pixelation out of your video projects with the industry-leading video editing software.

Free trialVisit website

Stellar Repair for Video

Pixelated videos are one thing, but when you have to edit a video that needs an entire hots of repairs and improvements, few tools come close to Stellar Repair for Video.

This user-friendly program is designed with the generic user in mind, having all of its tools organized in an intuitive manner.

Additionally, any type of repair you want to perform on a video is done through a wizard-like setup, where most of the time you just need to specify what you need, confirm, and move forward.

This software provides the option to choose multiple videos with the same or different file extensions and repairs them simultaneously.

You can repair the corruption in headers, frames, and data along with resolving sound issues in the video files.

Video processing speeds are quite high, and the only variable that can affect this is the size of the video and the number of operations you want to perform simultaneously.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Repair multiple videos simultaneously
Repairs severely corrupt video files using sample files
Preview repaired videos before saving
Fix severely corrupt and compressed videos
Repair videos recovered from corrupt storage media
Repair Standard Definition, Full HD as well as 4K resolution Video files

Stellar Repair for Video

Unleash the stellar power to effortlessly repair even severely corrupt videos!

Check priceVisit website

Wondershare Filmora (Video Editor)

Just as its name suggests, Wondershare Filmora is not a dedicated video repair software, but a powerful video editor with all the video editing tools you need.

But there’s more to it than just titles, effects, and transitions. This all-in-one video software allows you to instantly upload to social networks and burn to DVD for better video preservation.

Of course, there are some useful features to optimize videos for mobile devices or convert them in a variety of video formats to eliminate corruption or pixelation.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Robust video editing toolkit (split, crop, trim, rotate, set fade in & fade out, adjust duration, etc.)
Contrast, Saturation, Brightness, and Hue tools
Record videos with a webcam and microphone
Wide range of animation effects

Filmora Video Editor

Edit and enhance your videos with great ease and have fun while you’re at it!

Free trialVisit website

Kernel Video Repair

Kernel Video Repair is an expert in repairing corrupt video files for all commonly used video formats and more.

The tool is as versatile (seamlessly blending with all Windows versions including Vista and XP) as it is easy to use.

You just need to select the videos you want to repair (one ore multiple videos simultaneously) and click the Repair button.

Finally, choose the location to save the freshly repaired video and you’re all set.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Compatible with all Windows version including older ones
Repair single or multiple video files simultaneously
Support for a wide range of formats (MP4, MPEG, MOV, Mkv, 3gp, Avi, Asf, DivX, and more)
Supports repairing high-quality HD, 4k and Blue-ray videos
Restores original quality with 100% integrity
Simple and interactive user interface

⇒ Get Kernel Video Repair

VLC Media Player

VLC Media Player is one of the best apps available to play video and audio files.

Not many people know that this handy tool is also great for repairing damaged videos that come in various formats such as MP4, MOV, AVI, and QTRM.

So, it’s time to learn that VLC Media Player has the great ability to fix your videos if they are pixelated or have other types of problems.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

To fix damaged videos, you have to go to Tools and select Preferences from the drop-down menu.
After a window will open, click on Inputs/Codecs.
Scroll down to the location of Damaged or incomplete AVI file and see the drop-down called Always Fix.
After saving your preferences, you will be able to play the video without any errors.
The tool is compatible with Windows systems, and it’s completely free.
You can also add skins, extensions, and more.
There are no ads, spyware, or user tracking.

⇒ Get VLC Media Player

These are 5 of the best video repairing tools that will help you fix your pixelated and damaged videos.

No matter which one you decide to get, it will definitely provide a flawless viewing experience. So what’s it going to be? Share your thoughts with us via the comments section below.

Best Video Face Blurring Software for PC [2026]

Posted on January 20, 2021May 8, 2024 by Madalina Dinita

If you’re looking for a reliable video face blurring software to hide or protect the identity of the persons appearing in your videos, you’re in the right place.

With privacy concerns rapidly escalating, you may be obliged to censor the faces of the people who star in your videos, and what better way to achieve that than with using good-quality video face masking software?

In this article, we’ll list the best tools that you can use to quickly anonymize faces in videos ranging from free video face blurring software to paid suites.

What are the best face blurring tools for PC?

Adobe After Effects

At this point in time, it’s safe to state that Adobe After Effects is the best visual effects software in the world and you can also use it to blur people’s faces in videos.

Thanks to the motion tracking feature, you can easily obscure faces, logos, and other elements. You can apply a feathered mask to protect a person’s identity and then track that mask as it moves across the frames.

Here’s a quick guide to get you started with face blurring on After Effects:

Go to Insert, and then select add a Null Object.
Open the tracking panel and select both position and rotation to better track a person’s face.
Select your tracking points. Set the newly created Null Object as the target.
Go to Layer and add a new Adjustment layer in order to apply the blurring effect.
Go to Effects & Preset and type the word mosaic.
Drag the mosaic effect over the new adjustment layer.
In order to apply the mosaic effect only to people’s faces, enable the pen tool, and start clicking around the subject’s face to mask it.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Create stunning animation with special effects
Content-Aware Fil to easily remove objects from videos
12x faster performance on handling multi-channel EXR files
New GPU-accelerated display to view your designs
Seamless integration with Adobe apps and 300+ third-party tools

Adobe After Effects

Looking for a face blurring tool? Go pro with the industry-standard motion graphics and visual effects software.

Free trialVisit website

Adobe Premiere Pro

Industry-leading Premiere Pro is unparalleled when it comes to video editing. Face blurring is just one of the many things you can achieve with it and the results will undoubtedly be over the top.

This versatile video editor will match any device, any platform, and any format allowing you to craft footage in any shape and resolution, from 8K to VR even on mobile workstations.

With seamless integrations you can get even more out of Premiere Pro without ever leaving your timeline. From Adobe Creative Cloud apps to hundreds of third-party extensions, you have it all at your fingertips.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Integrated lightweight proxy workflows and native file support
Compatible with all file formats, devices, and operating systems
Seamless integration with other apps and services
Intelligent reframing to automatically reformat your videos and optimize footage
Selective color grading with Lumetri Color tools
Essential Sound Panel to manage tracks
Immersive toolkit for VR 180 editing
Comprehensive and interactive in-app tutorials

Adobe Premiere Pro

Take your projects to the next level with the industry-leading video editing software.

Free trialVisit website

Movavi Video Editor

Movavi is an interesting video editor that also has a face blurring feature. If you need a tool to hide people’s faces or hide confidential information, the Movavi Video Editor can help you.

Using this feature is very easy and intuitive. After you install Movavi Video Editor, open it and import the video that you want to edit by clicking Add Media Files.

Here’s a quick guide to get you started with face blurring on Movavi:

To blur people’s faces, go to Filters and select Blur. You can choose to blur an entire video or just a face.
There is a series of different blur filters that you can use. To add your preferred blur effect, drag its icon to the video on the Timeline.
You can even tweak the blur effect intensity from mild blur to intense blur.
Moreover, you can also add an artistic touch to your blurring and choose various blurring shapes, such as hearts, diamonds, and more.
Once satisfied with the result, you can export your creation by hitting the Export button.

Movavi Video Editor

Get started on video editing with this user-friendly, intuitive software.

Download Visit website

Wondershare Filmora Video Editor

Wondershare Filmora is a great video editing software that also supports face blurring.

If you want to post a video online, but you don’t want others to see your face appear in the respective video, you can simply blur your face.

This tool features a face-off function that lets you blur out faces in less than one minute.

This feature automatically tracks the position and rotation of the face in your video to prevent awkward situations where blurred faces become visible for a split of a second.

Another interesting feature is the one that allows you to replace people’s faces with hilarious masks or funny faces.

⇒ Get Filmora Video Editor free

Corel VideoStudio

The new Corel VideoStudio Pro delivers all the tools you will ever need to create stunning videos with hyperrealistic effects while enjoying an optimized performance.

This award-winning video editing software combines the ease of use with next-generation editing features to satisfy all skill levels.

Packed with preset templates to get you started on face blurring or any other project you envision, 1500+ filters and effects, and a plethora of editing features, VideoStudio is the perfect choice for you.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

Streamlined editing for accelerated workflows and performance
Smart slideshow and optimized 4k display
Enhanced video masking, blending modes and premium effects
HD, 4K & 360 video editing
Extensive animation toolkit
Color and Lens correction plus Chroma key/Green screen

⇒ Get Corel VideoStudio Pro

This brings us to the end of our list. Test all the face blurring software solutions listed above and keep the one that best suits your needs.

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

Best Catalogue Design Software of 2026

Posted on January 20, 2021January 8, 2024 by Radu Tyrsina

All businesses need an interactive catalog these days.

If your organization delivers the interactive catalog to customers or if you decide to publish it online, this will definitely help you introduce your products more comprehensively and widely as well.

This is one of the most effective ways to promote your business in less time and with lower costs. Check out the seven options that we gathered for you in order to help you make an easier choice.

What are the best catalog creation tools for Windows PCs?

Adobe InDesign (suggested)

If you want desktop publishing software that can handle pretty much anything, you should definitely try out Adobe InDesign.

This program is perfectly capable of creating not only catalogs but also s posters, flyers, brochures, magazines, newspapers, presentations, books, and eBooks.

The conversion process is also quite simple, as all you need is a bit of text and some images, and Adobe InDesign’s simplistic UI will almost do the rest for you.

What’s great about this tool is that it perfectly integrates with other programs from the Adobe family. This makes importing content from Illustrator or Photoshop a piece of cake.

Here are some of the things that you should expect from Adobe InDesign:

PDF accessibility enhancements
Offers support for endnotes
HTML Export
Can support various object styles
Full support for text management in Creative Cloud Libraries

Adobe InDesign

Create the coolest looking catalogs, posters, flyers, and much more easily with Adobe InDesign

Check priceVisit website

Flipbuilder

Most businesses choose to create their catalogs in simple PDF files that you can download, or even worse, ar a text document.

While there’s nothing wrong with the format, it has become rather mundane, and it definitely doesn’t help your brand stand out at all.

However, this all changes with Flipbuilder, as it will help you easily convert static PDF magazines, brochures, and catalogs into interactive, media-rich eBooks.

In addition to that, you can easily view, edit and share them on the Internet, social media websites, and even mobile platforms.

The conversion process is extremely simple, and the end result is positively amazing. There is no loss in image or text quality, but handling your catalog becomes a lot more interesting.

Just click on the edge of the screen or swipe with your finger and it will turn to the next page with a great 3D page-flip effect.

Additionally, your catalogs can now include built-in videos, audio, or hyperlinks to other websites as well.

Features:

Create life-like page-flipping eBooks with ease
Enrich your publication with video, audio, links, etc
Abundant pre-design templates and backgrounds
Mobile friendly – reach your audiences on all devices
Interactive reading – engage readers immediately
Upload online and embed into your website

Flip Builder

Convert plain PDF brochures, magazines, and catalogs into media-rich and interesting looking eBooks with Flip Builder

Check priceVisit website

Flip PDF

You can use Flip PDF in order to engage your audience with interactive media and get the best appearance.

Check out what are the most significant features that you will be able to enjoy if you decide to get Flip PDF:

This tool offers an amazing selection of themes, templates, scenes, and backgrounds.
You will get support for interactive elements such as links and also rich media.
Flip Pdf offers HTML and Flash output, and the possibility to share online and offline as well.
You can embed the catalog into your website if you want to.
You will be able to customize an excellent appearance for your catalog, and you’ll be able to inject life into your digital content with videos, sound, image slideshows and more.

Flip PDF is a professional but at the same time an easy-to-use digital catalog maker.

It will make sure that all users have the ability to design their own interactive catalog that will eventually captivate customers to read.

Flip PDF

Create catalogs in any shape or form and engage the public with interactive media using Flip PDF.

Check priceView website

MyBusinessCatalog

MyBusinessCatalog is a great software for creating product catalogs. Whenever your customers need a catalog to check out your products, this tool will turn out to be your best friend.

Using MyBusinessCatalog will spare you from asking for help from experts who usually turn out costly beyond imagination.

Take a look at the features that you will be able to enjoy if you do decide to use this tool:

MyBusinessCatalog comes with various options that will allow the customization of your catalog according to your preferences.
You will be able to easily create catalogs from just a simple database.
This tool provides a user-friendly interface that allows you to create your catalogs effortlessly.
MyBusinessCatalog enables you also to create links automatically that will send your potential customers straight to the product’s webpage.
You will also get the chance to easily create various designs such as catalogs with and without prices and catalogs without the business’ information in case you want to send them to your resellers.
One of the best things about this software is that it updates the catalogs automatically. All you will have to do is to update the Excel spreadsheet every now and then without having to go through the hassle of redesigning your manual every time you want to change something.

Overall, using MyBusinessCatalog, your products will be as attractive as possible, and your customers will enjoy the best presentations.

You can take a look at the complete set of features that are packed into the software by heading over to the official website and give it a try.

MyBusinessCatalog

MyBusinessCatalog will help you create awesome and interesting catalogs with ease for your customers

Check priceVisit website

iPaper

With the help of iPaper, you will be able to drive sales, get leads and you can do all this with online flipbooks.

Check out what to expect when you’re using iPaper:

You will be able to turn your catalogs into engaging online flipbook to increase your sales and generate great leads.
With iPaper, you can enable shopping straight from your online catalogs for instance.
You can turn your online catalogs into effective sales and conversion tools.
Using iPaper, you can engage your readers to stay longer and also get in touch without interruptions during their flipbook experience.
You will also be able to bridge the gap between your offline and online channels.
With iPaper, you will get the chance to turn your print catalogs into useful marketing tools.

⇒ Get iPaper

Clever Cat Catalog Creator

Creating a catalog using a traditional page layout is an approach that can take days or even longer. It has never been easier to create a flipbook product catalog.

Catalog Creator teamed with Yumpu and managed to create a simple way to create a Flipbook. Check out the best features that are included in Catalog Cat:

This tool can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars in production.
It’s straightforward to learn using this software even for beginners.
You will be able to update the data in CleverCat directly and also to make changes in the original spreadsheet.
The template designer is a great feature that you will be able to enjoy.
Each product can have up to two photos, 20 customizable data fields, 20 labels and fonts from your computer.

⇒ Get CleverCat

Catalog Machine

If you’re looking for a tool to create catalogs on your PC, perhaps you want to consider Catalog Machine.

This tool allows you to create catalogs online, and you can easily create both PDF and online catalogs.

The tool is incredibly simple to use, and even if you don’t have much experience with design, you should be able to figure out the basics without any problems.

It’s worth mentioning that this tool is quite fast, and thanks to SSL encryption, your data will remain completely safe.

Of course, the backup feature is available, so if any problem occurs, there should be a backup of your catalog available at any time.

Since this is an online service, it fully supports collaboration, so you can easily work with multiple team members on a single project.

As for customization, you’ll have full creative control over the product data and images, and you can even import your products from online stores and CSV files.

Of course, all data is available for change, and you can easily change product descriptions or any other product information.

It’s worth mentioning that you can easily design your own templates from scratch or you can use one of many available predefined layouts for catalog pages.

Overall, Catalog Machine is a solid catalog maker, especially if you’re looking for a simple but powerful catalog maker tool.

Overview:

Simple and fast to use
Collaboration support
Ability to import products from e-stores and CSV files
Ability to create PDF & HTML catalogs
Number of available templates to choose from

⇒ Get Catalog Machine

FlipHTML5

This is another awesome digital publishing solution that allows you to create amazing catalogs for your business.

Check out the most exciting features that are included in FlipHTML5:

FlipHTML5 is a great tool when it comes to catalog creating and publishing.
Using this tool you will be able to create amazing interactive content.
This is one of the leading free catalog creators that you can find online these days.
FlipHTML5 allows you to add prices and links for your products.
You will also be able to add an About Us in the reading interface of your company.
This tool can help you get to know your customers better using the Google Analytics Integration.
You will be able to track readers and their behaviors in order to adjust your marketing strategy the best possible way.

⇒ Get FlipHTML5 now

These are currently the best programs for creating catalogs that you can find on the market.

After checking out their features you will be able to make an informed decision and choose the best software for your needs.

Make sure to leave any feedback regarding the subject in the comment section below.

Star Wars: Squadrons’ latest update is now live on Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Windows

Posted on January 19, 2021 by Radu Tyrsina

The latest update for the Star Wars: Squadrons video game is now live on both the Xbox One and Xbox Series X family of consoles and Windows PCs.

While this update doesn’t add any free content such those seen in the recent The Mandalorian and Star Wars: The High Republic updates, it does fix a variety of bugs.

Here’s the full release notes for the 4.2 update:

General

Fixed an issue where aim assist would not function as intended when firing lasers at a player who is drifting.

Custom Games

Fixed an issue where music would overlap for a spectator in Custom Games

Fixed an issue where the Flagship’s health and shields would not display correctly on the tactical map.

Social

Fixed an issue where text chat could stop functioning when using a controller.

Starfighters & Components

The TIE defender’s Concussion Missile cooldown has been increased from 2.3 seconds to 6 seconds.

It’s unclear if future updates to Squadrons will add any new content as the Star Wars game was never intended to have live service support like Star Wars Battlefront II which received massive content update for years post launch. It could get some more minor cosmetic additions along the lines of the small Mandalorian and High Republic updates but, while the former was met with a lot of positivity from the fandom, the content in the latter didn’t seem to excite anyone. At least as far as the Squadrons playerbase on Twitter and Facebook is concerned.

What do you think we’ll see in future Star Wars: Squadrons updates? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below and then follow us on Pinterest and Twitter for more Xbox gaming news.

Download
QR-Code

STAR WARS™: Squadrons

Developer:
Electronic Arts

Price:
Free

FIX: PureVPN not working with Netflix [7+ tested methods]

Posted on January 19, 2021September 11, 2025 by Vlad Constantinescu

If you discover that PureVPN is not working with Netflix any longer, you might need to step in.

Usually, if your VPN is suddenly not working with Netflix, it might be a temporary issue, which should resolve by itself in a short while.

However, you might also experience this problem if you recently made any changes to your system or VPN configuration.

We won’t assume anything, so we’ll just walk you through some methods you can use to restore PureVPN’s ability to work with Netflix.

How can I fix PureVPN not working with Netflix?

Switch to another server

If you notice PureVPN is not working with Netflix, the first thing you should always do is try another server.

There are various reasons why a VPN server can suddenly decide to drop everything (or, in your case, Netflix) and take a break.

One of the most common causes for this happening is the server becomes overloaded.

Thanks to modern technology, VPN services provide us with multiple servers we can switch between if we notice something amiss.

With that in mind, disconnect from the troublesome PureVPN server and just pick another one.

Before you skip to the next fix, we remind you that you must connect to a US server if you want to watch US Netflix. The same goes for other regions.

Change the VPN protocol

It’s not a secret that different protocols work in different ways.

So it shouldn’t surprise you to find out that changing your PureVPN protocol can make it work (better) with Netflix.

Here’s how to do it:

Launch PureVPN
Open its Preferences window
Navigate to the App Settings section
Open the Selected Protocol dropdown menu
Select another protocol from the list

By default, PureVPN is set to automatic, which may sound great, but sometimes automatic settings just don’t cut it.

We suggest trying OpenVPN (UDP) since UDP is more appropriate (faster) for streaming multimedia content.

However, if you notice that this one doesn’t work either, feel free to try all of them.

More so, note that PureVPN offers multiple usage modes:

Stream
Internet Freedom
Security/Privacy
File-Sharing
Dedicated IP

Make sure to select the Stream VPN mode, as it’s less likely to cause any trouble with Netflix.

Clear browser/app cached data

Click Chrome’s More button (three dots, vertically stacked)
Select the Settings option from the menu
Scroll down until you reach the Privacy and security section
Click the Clear browsing data button
Make sure you select cookies, as well as cached images and files
Click the Clear data button
Restart Chrome
Connect to an appropriate PureVPN server
Go to Netflix
Check if PureVPN is still not working with Netflix

Keep in mind that the instructions above are only available for Chrome browsers.

But don’t worry, other browsers have similar settings, so you’ll have no trouble clearing data on Firefox or Opera, for instance.

If you’re using the Windows 10 Netflix app, things are even simpler; you just need to reinstall the app.

During the uninstallation process, Windows 10 automatically clears any cached app data.

Reinstalling it lets you start fresh, which could make PureVPN work again with Netflix.

Log in to Netflix without a VPN

Sometimes Netflix may not be able to process login requests coming from VPN users, which can make it seem that your VPN doesn’t work with Netflix.

If that’s the case, the resolution is quite simple; you just have to log in without using a VPN.

Log out of your Netflix account
Disconnect from the PureVPN server
Log back in to your Netflix account
Reconnect to a PureVPN server

After logging back in to your Netflix account, you can safely reconnect to your VPN and Netflix should now work just fine for you.

If it still doesn’t work, make sure to clear your browser cache and try again. We’ve described the procedure in the method above.

Use public DNS/flush your DNS

Many users noticed that their ISP-assigned DNS may be somewhat limiting, so they turned to free alternatives.

A restricted DNS server address could even stand between PureVPN and Netflix, causing various connectivity issues.

Google Public DNS is a free alternative to your ISP’s DNS, and it’s quite easy to use, too.

Right-click your Start Menu
Select Network Connections
Click the Change adapter options button
Right-click your default Internet connection
Select Properties from the context menu
Highlight Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)
Click the Properties button
Toggle the Use the following DNS server addresses radio button
Type 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 in the Preferred, respectively Alternate fields
Click OK to confirm your settings
Close the Properties window

Although you should already be seeing some improvement, you could also get rid of old DNS data that may interfere with your connection.

Here’s how to do this on a Windows 10 PC:

Launch Command Prompt with administrator rights
Type the following commands, one by one, each followed by the Enter key:
- ipconfig /flushdns
- ipconfig /registerdns
- ipconfig /release
- ipconfig /renew
- netsh winsock reset
Restart your PC

When your PC finishes its boot sequence, you can connect to PureVPN and check if Netflix is working as it should.

If the issue was caused by using a restricted DNS or cached DNS data build-ups, everything should run smooth from this point onward.

Remember that you may still need to flush your DNS from time to time, so you might want to bookmark this guide for later use.

Check security software

Security software on your PC such as firewalls and antivirus utilities can make PureVPN stop working with Netflix.

To prevent that from happening, make sure that your firewall doesn’t block PureVPN in any way.

Check connection rules and make sure PureVPN has the appropriate amount of privileges.

Now check your antivirus for the same restrictions. If you find any, you might want to remove it, lest you prefer this PureVPN not working with Netflix situation.

Use another VPN

Purchase another premium VPN subscription (we recommend PIA)
Download the VPN installer on your PC
Install the VPN client
Launch the VPN client
Log in to your account
Connect to an appropriate server (e.g. US servers for US Netflix)
Enjoy streaming your favorite content on Netflix

Private Internet Access is a great VPN service brought to you by Kape Technologies that can unblock Netflix for you in a jiffy.

It comes with a series of top-notch privacy/security features meant to keep your online identity safe while you’re browsing the Internet.

Thanks to its huge network that counts over 22,000 servers, it’s easier than ever to switch servers in case your current one doesn’t work.

Check out PIA’s key features:

Zero-logging policy
Can unblock Netflix and other geoblocked services
Military-grade encryption
Over 22,000 servers all over the world
Built-in VPN kill switch
PIA MACE feature that blocks ads and malware domains
Private DNS on all servers
P2P support on all servers

Private Internet Access

Looking for a VPN that works with Netflix? Why not try PIA?

Check priceBuy it now

Conclusion

To sum it up, if you notice that PureVPN is not working with Netflix anymore, there are many things you could do about it.

Our recommendation is that you try all the methods we described in our guide and avoid skipping either one of them.

The ones you skip may be the very ones that get you out of this sticky situation.

What is Microsoft Blend?

Posted on January 19, 2021October 4, 2023 by Teodor Nechita

Microsoft Blend for Visual Studio, also known as Microsoft Blend is an application program that developers use to design user interfaces for programs such as WPF, Silverlight and Web applications

This product is developed and sold by Microsoft, and back when the Microsoft Expression Studio suite was still available, it was an integral part of it.

From an overall view, Microsoft Blend for Visual Studio is yet another way for Microsoft to encourage developers to create more and more programs, expanding their resources in a versatile manner.

What is Microsoft Blend?

Down to its very core, Microsoft Blend for Visual Studio is an interactive, WYSIWYG front-end for designing XAML-based interfaces for Windows Presentation Foundation, Silverlight and UWP applications.

It helps you design XAML-based Windows and Web applications. It comes with the same basic XAML design experience as Visual Studio while adding visual designers for advanced tasks such as animations.

Ever since Microsoft Expression Studio suite was discontinued, Microsoft Blend for Visual Studio has become a part of the Visual Studio suite.

Because of this, it is released on an almost yearly basis alongside Visual Studio, and it is constantly upgraded.

How do I use Microsoft Blend?

The tool panel:

The UI for Microsoft Blend is pretty simple, featuring a versatile toolbar-based design that you want in all your designing programs.

You can access the tool panel on the left side of the XAML design, when your .xaml file is open. This feature has a user-friendly interface and is meant to help you create and modify objects.

All you have to do is select a favorite tool and use your mouse to draw on the artboard. You also have the possibility to choose different shapes like an ellipse or a line by right clicking on the tool.

With a variety of tools like the Selection tool that allow you select certain objects and path segments, the Brush that can help you add a gradient effect or modify the type of brush you’re using.

Brush Tool

You can let your creativity run wild with the Brush tool. It allows to completely change the appearance of an object, make a special set of brushes in order to enhance your creation.

You can design your own tile brush starting from an image brush or a drawing brush in order to make captivating and original digital drawings.

Another way of developing a unique brush is to basically take a control button as an original pattern .

Create and apply templates or styles

One of the most exciting features of this software is that it gives you the possibility to create a template or a style even if your are not a professional illustrator.

In order o do this you can either choose to convert an object on your artboard or make your template design from a preexisting control.

Applying your templates is pretty easy, just access the Objects and Timeline Window go to Edit Template and simply click Apply Resource.

The Resources are basically objects, for example a color that you created, that you can reuse later on in other graphic design projects.

Another fun and interesting feature is the Visual States tool that allows you to create a button a change its appearance based on its state. When a user clicks on a button it can change its color.

Object Tool

Create your layout panels texts and controls with the Object tool. Thanks to this feature you can draw a variety of shapes to make your content engaging.

In order to create a new UI and program its behavior, you will need two main windows in Microsoft Blend. These are the Assets and the Objects and Timeline windows.

The Assets window

If you know how to use Visual Studio, then you will find Microsoft Blend’s Assets window to be extremely familiar. Alongside the controls, you’ll find everything you need for your artboard in the Assets window.

These include pretty much all the tools from styles and media, to behaviors and effects.

The Objects and Timeline window

Once you add all UI elements and effects, you can organize and program their behavior through this window.

The interface for this window is similar to that of a video editing tool, where you set behaviors and actions within a timeline.

With this feature you can manage your storyboard close it or delete it. You can view the timeline by selecting the Timeline composition area on the right.

No matter how useful an application is, it will never have the success you

expect of it if it doesn’t look in a way that will attract your users. If you don’t have the skills to make the UI look attractive, you can at least make it look simple.

All things considered, a tool like Microsoft Blend is a must-have for independent and professional developers alike.

Do you use Microsoft Blend for designing your application‘s UI? Let us know in the comment section below.

Age of Empires 3 Not Working on Windows 10: How to Fix

Posted on January 19, 2021October 4, 2023 by Ivan Jenic

Age of Empires 3 is a popular real time strategy game released in 2005, so it’s not necessarily uncommon to find problems with this old but popular game on Windows 10.

If you’re a Windows 10 user, and you’re having issues with Age of Empires 3, you might want to take a closer look at our solutions, so keep reading.

What to do if Age of Empires 3 is not working on Windows 10?

1. Run the game in compatibility mode

Right-click Age of Empires 3 shortcut, and choose Properties.
Go to the Compatibility tab.
Check Run this program in compatibility mode, and select the operating system from the list.
Click Apply, then OK.

This is a pretty straightforward solution, just run the game in Windows 10 compatibility mode by following the above steps to solve the problem.

2. Install the latest version of DirectX

Windows 10 users have reported getting The program can’t start because d3dx9_25.dll is missing from your computer error message when trying to run Age of Empires 3.

Try reinstalling the program to fix this problem. This error is caused if DirectX file is corrupted or not copied properly, so in order to fix it you need to download and install the latest version of DirectX.

In addition, you can also insert the game disc, and go to DirectX9 folder and copy the d3dx9_25.dll file from there to your game directory.

Also, check out possible fixes for Age of Empires 2, in case you’re having issues with it on Windows 10, as well.

3. Update Windows

Make sure that you’re running the latest Windows OS updates on your machine.

Microsoft constantly rolls out Windows updates in order to improve the system’s stability and fix various issues, including game bugs or game compatibility problems.

Keep in mind that running outdated Windows versions may cause various technical issues preventing you from enjoying a smooth gaming experience.

To access the Windows Update section, you can simply type “update” in the search box. Then go to Windows Update, check for updates and install the available updates.

Your Windows Search box is missing? Get it back right now with the help of this handy guide.

Having trouble updating your Windows? Check out this guide!

4. Remove temporary files and folders

1. Go to Start, and type Disk Cleanup, and launch the tool.

2. Select the disk that you want to clean.

3. Select Clean up system files.

Disk Cleanup is the simplest and quickest manner to delete temporary files and folders.

When you use your computer or browse the Internet, your machine accumulates various unnecessary files, the so-called junk files.

They may affect your PC’s speed, trigger various error codes, prevent apps, programs and games from running, etc.

It’s important to regularly clean your temporary files on the disk where you installed the OS.

5. Clean boot your PC

Type System Configuration in the search box, and hit Enter.
On the Services tab, select the Hide all Microsoft services check box, and click Disable all.
Navigate to the Startup tab, and click on Open Task Manager.
Go to the Startup tab, and select all items in Task Manager.
Click Disable, and close the Task Manager.
On the Startup tab of the System Configuration dialog box, click OK and restart your PC.
Launch the game again and check if the problem persists.

By clean booting your PC, you use a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This eliminates software conflicts that may occur when you launch Age of Empires 3.

6. Update your game client

If you use a third-party game client on your Windows 10 computer, update it as well. Running outdated game client versions may trigger a variety of issues that will limit your gaming experience.

So, make sure to cross this possible cause off your list by installing the latest game client updates.

In case you’re not running the original version of the game, you should know that there’s a great deal currently going on at Amazon to get Age of Empires 3 at a seriously discounted price.

Well, we hope that these quick solutions helped you fix the problem, and you can now enjoy smooth Age of Empires 3 gaming sessions.

If you have any other questions, post them in the comments section below, and we’ll continue the talk there.

How can I tell if Windows Update is stuck?

Posted on January 19, 2021September 10, 2024 by Vladimir Popescu

If you’ve ever asked yourself the question: How can I tell if Windows Update is stuck?, then you came to the right place. This issue is more common than you might think.

Because Windows 10 updates the services constantly, in some cases, it might happen that the installer got stuck at a certain percentage of the download or installation process.

This can cause a lot of anger, and some people even ended up having to reinstall their operating system again, as they stopped the process forcibly, while it was still working.

In today’s article we will explore the most common circumstances in which you might find yourself in. We will also discuss the best way to make sure that your Windows update is stuck or not, so keep reading.

What can I do if Windows 10 Update is stuck?

1. Check if the process is really stuck

In some cases, the update process inside Windows 10 will be slower than in other cases.

For this reason, drawing the conclusion that the process might be stuck will vary depending on your patience, internet speed, and CPU speed as well.

To make sure that you’re not stopping your update process while it’s still running, it is recommended that you wait 2-3 hours before reacting.

If after 2-3 hours the bar doesn’t advance at all, then you can safely assume the update process has stopped.

2. Verify if your PC’s CPU and RAM are being used

Press the Ctrl+ Shift+ Esc buttons to open the Task Manager.
Press More details inside the window.
Select the Performance tab, and check activity of CPU, Memory, Disk, and Internet connection.
In the case that you see a lot of activity, it means that the update process is not stuck.
If you can see little to no activity, that means the update process could be stuck, and you need to restart your PC.

In this article we discussed how can you tell if Windows Update is stuck, or if its just taking longer than expected.

Using these methods will surely provide you with the required information to make an informed decision about your next step.

Now that you know how to tell if Windows Update is stuck, we have a great article on what to do if Windows Update is pending install, so don’t miss it.

We would love to know if this guide answered your question. Please feel free to let us know by using the comment section found below.

Microsoft Lists introduces Rules to help users keep track of changes in their lists

Posted on January 19, 2021 by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft Lists now supports a new “Rules” feature that makes it easier to notify people when something changes in their lists. Last week, Microsoft Senior PM Chakkaradeep Chandran announced on Twitter that the feature is now rolling out to Targeted release customers.

#MicrosoftLists Rules feature – that helps users automate tasks such as send someone a notification when data changes in the list – is now rolling out to First Release or Targeted Release tenants! Let us know what you think! pic.twitter.com/u50WhdKcid

— ????Chakkaradeep (@chakkaradeep) January 14, 2021

With this update, SharePoint users will now be able to create and manage if/then rules to set reminders and send notifications about changes in Microsoft Lists. Once a rule is set up, Microsoft 365 will automatically send these notifications emails to one or more users in an organization.

To get started with Rules in Microsoft Lists, select the “Automate” option, then click “Create a rule” in the list command bar near the top of the page. The feature will be available to all list users in Microsoft Lists and SharePoint. Keep in mind that users with edit permissions on the list will only be able to create and manage a maximum of 15 rules per list.

In a follow-up tweet, Chandran confirmed that the company is also working to add a native Teams integration, which will allow Lists users to send notifications to a Teams Channel. In case you missed it, Microsoft Lists also added support for undo and redo commands earlier this month.

Fix: Kast audio not working [Windows & Mac]

Posted on January 19, 2021October 4, 2023 by Tashreef Shareef

Kast is a popular live streaming hangout service that allows you to share videos, movies, live content, and games with friends in private or public watch parties.

However, several users have reported issues during watch parties due to the Kast audio not working bug.

According to Kast, the problem can occur due to incompatible microphones and headsets that do not work with streaming computer audio on Kast.

This problem can also occur if you have selected a different audio source for streaming.

In this article, we have listed a few troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the Kast audio not working issue on Windows and Mac computers.

How do I fix the sound on my Kast?

1. Check your computer audio

To fix the Kast no audio input issue, make sure that you have Computer Audio selected as your input.

Also, check if your microphone icon is enabled on the party screen. You may also want to confirm the same with other members if they are facing the issue.

Check your audio device compatibility

According to Kast, some headphones with a USB connection may not work well with the app.

Try changing your headset or using a speaker to fix any problem triggered due to incompatible USB hardware.

2. Enable Stereo Mix in Windows 10

Expand the system tray, right-click on Kast, and select Exit. You can also kill any Kast process from the Task Manager.
Next, right-click on the Speaker icon in the taskbar and select Open Sound Settings.
Under the Master Volume section, click on Manager sound devices.
Scroll down and click the Stereo Mix option.
Click the Enable button to enable Stereo Mix.
Launch Kast and open its audio settings.
Click the drop-down menu and then select the Stereo Mix option.
Host a watch party and check if the audio is working.

Using the Stereo Mix feature, you can record the stream output. Kast audio may require you to enable this option and select it as the Audio source to transmit audio.

Enable Stereo Mix to see if that helps you resolve the Kast no audio from video problem.

3. Change the output device

Close Kast and exit the app from the system tray. Also, close any Kast related processes running in the background from Task Manager.
Right-click on the speaker icon in the Taskbar and select open Sound Settings.
Under the Output section, click the drop-down menu and select Speakers/ Headphone.
Close the settings window, launch Kast, and check if the Kast no audio when streaming issue is fixed.

You may encounter audio related issues if the audio output on your system is set to Speakers. Change the output option to speakers and headphones to fix the problem.

4. Use third-party audio software

Download and install VoiceMeeter Banana.
Run the installer and follow on-screen instructions to install the software.
Launch VoiceMeter, and click the A1 button.
Select WDM listening device from the drop-down. If it does not work, then try the MME version. Make sure your input and output of both the devices are either WDM or MME.
Next, click the Select Input Device under Hardware Input 1 in the upper left corner.
Select your WDM input device from the drop-down.
Make sure to set VoiceMeter VAIO as your 1st virtual input.
Next, right-click on the speaker icon in the taskbar and select Open Sound Settings.
Click the drop-down menu under Speakers and select VoiceMeter as the Output device.
In the Kast app, change the audio input to Computer’s audio.

5. Use Kast Web app (Mac)

Getting your Mac to stream audio can be a bit tricky process. Kast seems to acknowledge this issue on their support guide as well.

As a workaround, Kast recommends using the web version of the app. Visit the Kast Web App and login with your credentials. Start a watch party and see if that resolves the Kast audio not working on Mac issue.

The web version has exclusive tab audio for Chrome tabs in addition to the standard audio options on Windows and Mac computers.

This allows you to share the audio from Mac more easily than from the desktop app. However, do note that when using Kast Web on your Mac, you will not be able to stream audio when sharing a browser tab.

The Kast audio not working issue can occur on your Windows and Mac system.

Check your audio input and output settings to see if that helps. If not, you can use third-party audio software like VoiceMeter to fix the problem.

Microsoft Teams to improve Search suggestions with new “Top Hits” section

Posted on January 19, 2021 by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft is planning to improve the search function in its Teams collaboration platform by adding a new “Top Hits” section. Indeed, the improved search functionality will help users discover relevant files and other items they might be looking for. The Microsoft 365 roadmap indicates that the feature would hit general availability in March.

The “Top Hits” section, powered by Microsoft Search, should significantly speed up the search process in Teams by showing top hits in the results. For instance, if a user searches for the term “deadline,” Microsoft Teams will intelligently scan other users, chat messages, and shared files to quickly displaying the most relevant suggestions at the top of the search results.

The company says that this feature will improve discovery and reduce search times for Teams users. It could be particularly useful when users need to go through the entire search suggestions to find relevant files with similar names.

In addition to Top Hits, the company is also working on a redesigned search results page that should provide better context and faster results. The new search results page in Teams is expected to launch in June, though that date is subject to change. Do you think these changes will help you to be more productive? Sound off in the comments section.

Photoshop error Not a PNG file [TECHNICIAN FIX]

Posted on January 19, 2021October 4, 2023 by Tashreef Shareef

Adobe Photoshop is an industry standard when it comes to image editing and manipulation software for the Windows platform. Photoshop supports all the image formats from jpg to png.

However, some users have reported that they are not unable to work with any images due to a Not a PNG file error. If the user clicks on OK, the image doesn’t load into the Work area.

This is a common error and we have compiled a list of possible fixes to resolve it on a Windows computer.

Why Photoshop won’t open PNG files?

1. Update Photoshop

Photoshop constantly gets updated with new features and better compatibility, so you will need to update it to the latest version in order to take advantage of these new features.

Adobe Photoshop is the most recognized image editor in the world, and to maintain its spot at the top, Adobe is constantly adding new features to it. Here are some examples of the latest features to look forward to if you update Adobe Photoshop to the latest version:

Support for mobile devices
Enhanced Content-Aware Fill
Improved Lens blur with the new GPU-based algorithm
Faster image processing

2. Check and Change the File Extension

Navigate to the folder where the problematic image is saved.
Right-click on the image and select open with Notepad.
Check what the first character says. If it says ÿØÿá it means it is a jpg image. If it says ‰PNG it means it is a PNG image.
Now if it says ÿØÿá it means you need to change the image extension to jpg.
Open, File Explorer. Make sure the File Name Extensions box is checked.
Right-click on the image and select Rename. Now change the file extension from png to jpg.
Now try to open the file in the Photoshop to see if the error is resolved.

This is a simple solution but it can help you to determine the cause of the Not a png file error in Photoshop.

3. Resave the image as PNG

Navigate to the folder where the PNG image is saved.
Right-click on the image and open with Paint.
In the Paint app, click on File > Save As.
Save the image as a png file.
Now try to open the image in Photoshop and check for any improvements.

Although this is a workaround, it will ensure that your file is saved as a PNG and by using it you should circumvent the Not a png file error in Adobe Photoshop.

4. Disable Use of Graphic Processor

adobe photoshop disable graphics processor

Launch Photoshop.
Go to Edit >Preferences >Performance
In the Performance tab, uncheck Use Graphics Processor
Quit and relaunch Photoshop
Drag and drop the problematic image onto the Workarea and check if the PNG file error is resolved

You may need to use Graphic Processor for other 3D-related tasks, but several users reported that by disabling this feature they fixed the Not a png file Photoshop error.

5. Reset Photoshop Preferences

Launch Photoshop
Click on Edit > Preferences
In the General tab, click on Reset Preferences on Quit
Quit Photoshop and reboot the computer.
Launch Photoshop and try to access the image that was giving the error to see if resetting the preferences resolve the error.

Adobe Photoshop Not a png file error will prevent you from working with PNG files, but hopefully, you managed to fix it after reading this guide.

Xbox Canada teases players with a one-of-a-kind denim Xbox controller

Posted on January 19, 2021 by Radu Tyrsina

The Xbox Canada Twitter account caused a bit of a storm on social media the other day when it shared a photo of what looked like a denim cover for an Xbox video game controller.

The controller design proved pretty popular with gamers in numerous regions. You can check it out below.

The "Canadian tuxedo" is now a 3-piece suit.
????????????????
This Canadian Tuxedo controller is one-of-a-kind, but let us know what your dream Canadian-themed controller would be. We might just make it… pic.twitter.com/yx6wFWQ5xB

— Xbox Canada (@XboxCanada) January 15, 2021

While the tweet does state that the denim Xbox controller is a “one-of-a-kind” product and is unlikely to be mass-produced and sold to the everyday consumer, it also asks Twitter users to share what kind of Canada-themed Xbox controllers they would like to see and implies that some of the coolest or most-popular ideas may in fact be made in the future.

Of course, if enough people tell Xbox Canada that the denim controller cover is in fact a good idea, they might release it after all but we’ll have to wait and see.

The Xbox Australia and New Zealand Twitter account has also been rather creative recently and is currently giving away Xbox merch inspired by the new Xbox Series X and S consoles.

Have you seen any cool Xbox merch lately? Have you bought anything from the Xbox Gear online store now that it ships internationally? Share your thoughts with the community in the comments below and then follow us on Twitter for more Xbox gaming news.

How to access Windows 10 without a Microsoft account

Posted on January 19, 2021October 4, 2023 by Andrew Wafer

Installing Windows 10 is not hard as you only have to complete the default installation wizard and to follow the on-screen prompts which will easily guide you through the flashing process.

After Windows 8 was introduced, Microsoft also released Windows Store, which implies in using a Live Microsoft account in order to access and download apps.

This is similar with what we have on Android or on iOS where when you first start using a new Android or iOS powered device you have to sign in with your account in order to access Google Play or Apps Store.

Thus, when installing Windows 10 you will be prompted with the following message “Sign in to your Microsoft Account”.

But, what should you do if you don’t want to use your personal Live Microsoft account when installing a new OS?

Let’s say that you just want to perform a clean install for a friend, at work or in any other circumstance where using your Microsoft account isn’t recommended.

In that matter you should take a look over the guidelines below in which we’ll explain how to install windows 10 without Microsoft account.

How can I set up Windows 10 without using a Live Microsoft Account

Create a local user account

person using a computer windows 10 without microsoft account

By following the installation wizard, at some point you will be prompted with the Microsoft authentication sequence.
At that point, from the main window choose Create a new account (located at the bottom left side of the same window).
You will be taken to the registration page from where you need to choose sign in without a Microsoft account (also located at the bottom left side of the window).
Up next create your local account by following the on screen prompts.
Do note that there might be added some restrictions as you will not have full access to Windows Store and to other in built features while using a local account (you can switch to your Live Microsoft account afterwards though).

Another thing you might do in order to skip the registration sequence will be to temporarily disable (during the installation or update process) your Internet connection.

Of course you will be then prompted to sign is with your Microsoft account as soon as the internet connection is being established, but still this is a trick that you might use.

So, that’s how you can create a local account when installing Windows 10 for being able to apply the OS without using the Live Microsoft Account.

On the other hand, if you want to set up windows 10 with Microsoft account, be sure to enter your Microsoft account credentials during the setup.

If you have something to share with us, don’t hesitate and use the comments field from below in that matter.

Microsoft is giving gamers in Australia & New Zealand a chance to win Xbox Series X and S merch

Posted on January 19, 2021 by Radu Tyrsina

The Australian and New Zealand wings of Microsoft’s Xbox department are currently holding a special competition for local gamers celebrating summer and the ability to play Xbox video games outside due to the recently launched Xbox Cloud Gaming service.

This prize is a Summer of Xbox: Let’s Play Kit which includes an Xbox Series X and S-branded backpack, hat, and towel in addition to a can of V Energy Drink and a can of Pringles. 50 Let’s Play Kits are up for grabs and all participants need to do is reply to the below tweet and explain how they “plan to be gaming everywhere this Summer!”

We've got 50 reasons to celebrate the Summer of Xbox! ????️

Win your very own Summer of Xbox: Let's Play Kit just by telling us how you plan to be gaming everywhere this Summer!

T&Cs: https://t.co/1APDlUdxy5 pic.twitter.com/r7yWFzlNsL

— Xbox ANZ (@XboxANZ) January 17, 2021

The Xbox Australia and New Zealand teams have a history of holding fun competitions such as this with genuinely cool Xbox prizes like the recent Xbox skateboard, the famous Xbox Onesie, and the Xbox controller floaty.

Are you planning on entering this competition on Twitter? While you’re there, give us a follow and stay tuned for more Xbox gaming news.

How to play Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone on Windows 10

Posted on January 18, 2021October 4, 2023 by Tashreef Shareef

Released in 2001 on PC, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone is a popular adventure video game with platform elements published by EA.

However, due to the copy-right protection feature in the game, users are unable to play Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone on Windows 10.

Users can successfully install the game using the game disc. However, when launching the game, nothing happens. This usually happens due to the copy-right protection driver not working on your PC.

Still wondering whether you can play Harry Potter and Sorcerers’ Stone on Windows 10 PC? Yes, it is possible. You can play many old games on Windows 10 using third-party tools like GoG.

In this article, we explore a few workarounds to play this popular Harry Potter game on your Windows 10 PC.

How do I play Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone on W10?

1. Run the game in compatibility mode

Play Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone on Windows 10

Locate and right-click on the Harry Potter and Sorcerer’s Stone game shortcut.
Select Properties.
Open the Compatibility tab.
Check Run this program in compatibility mode box under the Compatibility Mode section.
Choose Windows XP Service Pack 3 from the OS list.
Click Apply, and OK to save the changes.
Once the changes are saved, double-click on the game shortcut to see if it works.

Windows 10 comes with a built-in compatibility mode that allows you to run apps made for an older version of Windows on the newer version of Windows.

If the issue persists, check if you have a secdrv.sys in the game‘s folder. You can also check the properties of the games‘ .exe file for more information.

With Starforce, Macrovision and Securom are some of the protection drivers rejected by Windows 10. This problem usually occurs if you are trying to install the game from a CD.

2. Install the game with a patch

Before we proceed with how to use the patch, make sure you have the original disc and a valid serial number of the game.
Insert the disc and install the game.
Make sure to create a game shortcut on your desktop.
Once you have installed the game, don’t run it.
If a shortcut is not placed automatically, go to the game installation folder, right-click on the exe file and select Create a Shortcut.
Download these patched files to your computer:
New Patch
Old patch
Extract the downloaded files into the game’s folder.
To find the game’s folder, right-click on the shortcut, and click Open File Location.
Once all the files are extracted, run the game from the shortcut on your desktop.

The first start may take a while. If it asks which 3D device to use, choose Direct3D Support.

If you get into a black screen, one of our readers suggested to run HP.exe from the new patch in compatibility mode for Windows XP Service Pack 3.

Once the game is loaded, go to Options and change the resolution to 1024 x 768 and the color depth to 32-bit.

To increase the game resolution, you need to edit the games‘ ini file. However, editing the file can make the game crash.

Harry Potter and Sorcerer’s Stone is a popular action-adventure game based on the popular Harry Potter series and novel.

Did our solutions help you solve the problem? Leave us your answer or maybe other suggestions for solving it in the comment section below.

FIX: Calculating the time required to copy the files error

Posted on January 18, 2021March 27, 2024 by Aleksandar Ognjanovic

Copying files from one partition to another or from external media to your local storage should be so easy like a walk in a park. However, even the simplest of all operations can, occasionally, prove to be challenging.

That’s wany Windows 10 users reported that the Calculating the time required to copy the files error on their screen takes ages to finish, or it won’t finish at all.

Therefore, they’re forced to unplug media or restart the PC since the operation can’t be canceled. In order to fix this or at least find a workaround, we recommend checking the steps we enlisted below.

What to do if the screen is stuck on calculating the time required to copy files?

1. Wait for some time

A lot of users identify Windows time calculation as part of the copying process. Thus, they concur that this operation slows down the copying process and want to disable it.

That’s not the case, and you can’t disable it. This is just a standard calculation, and it’s approximate, not precise. What indeed slows down the calculating time to copy files is the copying itself.

For example, extra-large chunks of data, a lot of files in a different format, or the overall read and write speeds of the medium are the ones that make the system take a lot of time while copying.

When the File Explorer is stuck in the Calculating the time required to copy the files error screen, and it takes more than usual, just wait it out. Of course, don’t wait for hours as that won’t lead anywhere.

Also, try making some changes. Don’t just copy-paste the folder with 100 GB of raw data. Split it up in, say, 10 GB chunks. In addition, consider the number of files.

If you count files in tens of thousands, it’ll certainly take more than copying a few files which equal in size.

Regarding external storage, try changing the USB port. If you’re transferring files from/to your phone, avoid MTP protocol and stick with Mass Storage.

In addition, try using Wi-Fi to transfer your files. There are a lot of programs/apps available that allow wireless transfer. If you’re copying files from a DVD/CD, make sure that the disk and ROM are in a good state.

If you’re past that, but the issue is persistent and Explorer takes ages to calculate the data, make sure to continue with the steps provided below.

2. Check storage for errors

windows 10 error the current active partition is compressed

Type cmd in the Windows Search bar.
Right-click on Command Prompt, and run it as an administrator.
In the command line, type the following command and press Enter:
- chkdsk c: /r
If your system partition isn’t C, replace c: with an alternative letter assigned to your system partition.
Restart your PC, and try copying files again.

Now, the aforementioned steps should help you speed up the copying process substantially, but the prerequisite condition is fully functional storage.

If your internal/external HDD or USB is damaged or corrupted, the calculation and processing files will take a lot more time than needed.

In the worst-case scenario, you won’t be able to manipulate files at all. This is a clear sign of the upcoming HDD failure, and we recommend backing up your data as soon as possible.

But, what we don’t want is to rush to conclusions. Instead of that, you have various ways to check the storage for errors.

There are a lot of tools for doing so – some of the built-in utilities in Windows 10 and other third-party solutions.

3. Disable your antivirus temporarily

Even though Windows 10 comes with the fairly competitive Windows Defender, the majority of Windows users still place their trust in third-party antimalware solutions. And rightfully so.

However, certain third-party antivirus suits don’t work well with Windows 10. They are, arguably, better than their peers in many regards.

They can slow down the system and affect the performance of the simplest of operations – this includes copying.

Namely, the real-time protection of certain antivirus solutions will try to scan the files while they’re being transferred.

And if you already have issues with the lackluster hardware or system bugs, that’s certainly something you don’t need.

So, we recommend disabling the antivirus for the remainder of the data transfer. Once you copied everything, you can perform a localized scan to check for the virus presence.

After the operation is completed, consider switching to more dependable antivirus software that will not interfere with your Windows 10 system.

4. Use alternatives

There are a lot of different third-party File Transfer tools which might just work. The majority of those (if not all) are free to use and rather simple to handle.

FastCopy – fast multi-thread copying tool, not the best design, though.
Copy Handler – fast and well-designed, lacks data verifier.

Finally, if you’re repeatedly unable to go past the Calculating the time required to copy the files error screen, but you can confirm that the storage media is healthy, maybe the Explorer is the problem.

We hope one of the above solutions helped you solve the annoying error. In case you have an alternative solution or questions regarding the enlisted ones, feel free to tell us in the comments section below.

Windows XP Optimizer: 5 Best to Use in 2026

Posted on January 18, 2021May 28, 2025 by Matthew Adams

Windows XP still has a solid user base, but fewer tools support it as it ages. That means fewer PC optimizers work well on XP compared to newer Windows versions.

The best optimization software for XP helps boost startup times, speed up processing, and fix system errors. Here are five top all-in-one options to improve your XP PC’s performance.

What are the best system optimization tools for Windows XP?

Fortect – Best Overall

If you are using Windows XP, then you probably don’t get much support from the optimization programs available on the market.

Fortect is a universal system optimization and repair tool whose main function is to repair and rebuild Windows. This program can be used from Windows XP up to and including Windows 10.

Fortect offers great tools to solve most of the worst things that can happen to your system. It not only detects the issue withing the system but it replaces the broken or missing files with original ones from it’s own vast library.

Even tough it can’t operate with 3rd party programs, Fortect it’s still a great tool due to features like, it’s ability to identify broken hardware which may cause the dreaded blue screen of death.

Also in case you were to late to protect your system, with this software it’s really easy to turn that around and restore your system to it’s pre infected state.

Since this amazing software is as lightweight as possible, it runs without problems even on older PCs.

Main features:

repairs damaged DLL’s
identifies broken hardware in case of the Blue Screen of Death
restores system to pre infected state in case of viruses
operating system recovery

Fortect

Lightweight optimization, repair and diagnosis tool that runs even on older systems.

Free Trial Download now

System Mechanic Ultimate Defense – Real-time registry repair

Iolo System Mechanic Professional has had rave reviews, but that doesn’t run on Windows XP. However, Iolo still provides a customized System Mechanic Classic version specifically designed for Windows XP and Vista.

SMC is comparable to System Mechanic 15.5 as it includes the same tools within that version. As mentioned, System Mechanic Classic is much the same as the 15.5 version, which is also compatible with XP.

It includes the Overview tab on its dashboard that provides system status details and fixes detected issues with its Repair Now button.

You can give Windows XP a quick boost with System Mechanic’s LiveBoost tab that frees up system resources.

System Mechanic Classic is a great repair toolkit thanks to its ActiveCare which provides real-time hard drive and registry repair.

The Classic version also includes an enhanced registry tuner, program accelerator, SSD accelerator, and net booster.

System Mechanic Ultimate Defense

Enhance your Windows XP PC with this excellent repair tool.

Free Trial Download now

AVG PC TuneUP – Highly rated program

AVG PC TuneUp is a highly rated system optimizer that’s compatible with XP SP3 and other Windows platforms along with OSX 10.8 Mountain Lion.

AVG PC TuneUp is an all-in-one system optimizer that can speed up Windows, fix crashes, boost laptop batteries and free up more HDD storage space.

The software provides 1-Click Maintenance, which users can schedule, that cleans the registry, cleans up browser files, cleans the system cache, optimizes the system startup and shutdown, defrags the hard drive and erases invalid shortcuts.

Users can also check for third-party software updates, restore deleted files, delete file duplicates, adjust Windows settings, check for disk errors and uninstall unused software with AVG PC TuneUp.

There are about 17 optimization tools in AVG PC TuneUp, which is more than most system optimizers include. Another great thing about AVG PC TuneUp is its turbo and economy modes.

The software’s Turbo Mode gives Windows a quick speed boost by postponing scheduled maintenance, minimizing visual effects and turning off background services to optimize system resources.

The Economy Mode reduces energy consumption to extend laptop battery duration. The publisher claims that AVG PC TuneUp can extend laptop battery duration by 108%.

AVG TuneUP

Tune up your computer and let AVG handle the situation.

Free Trial Visit Website

Glary Utilities Pro 5 – Restore deleted files

Glarysoft claims that Glary Utilities Pro 5 can make Windows 800% faster. You can run the software on Windows platforms from XP to 10.

However, you can also utilize a freeware version, which includes most of the tools in Glary Utilities Pro 5.

The main difference between the versions is that GUP 5 is for commercial use and enables users to schedule 1-click Maintenance and Web Update.

Whether Glary Utilities Pro 5 makes Windows 800% faster might be debatable. However, the software undoubtedly boosts system performance more than most of the alternatives.

It incorporates more than 20 system maintenance utilities, which include a disk cleaner, disk defragmenter, registry fixer, uninstall manager, startup manager, file shredder, RAM optimizer, shortcut fixer, and more besides.

The software’s file management tools enable users to split files and restore deleted files. Glary Utilities even packs in a malware scanner.

So Glary Utilities Pro is one of the most comprehensive optimization software for Windows.

Glary Utilities Pro 5

Get Glary Utilities and optimize your system within minutes.

Free Trial Visit Website

Norton Utilities – 1-Click Optimization

Norton Utilities can deliver a genuine speed enhancement for Windows XP. It is one of the few system optimizers that supports 32-bit Windows XP (Service Pack 3), but you can’t utilize it on 64-bit XP platforms.

Norton Utilities includes most of the essential system optimization tools, and those utilities give Windows a notable boost.

The software includes a registry cleaner, disk defragger, startup manager, file recovery, file shredder, duplicate file finder, repair drives, and uninstaller tools.

The best thing about Norton Utilities is its new System Dashboard that tells you if your system is in good shape or not and includes a 1-Click Optimization option.

NU provides recommended actions that make some system maintenance suggestions, and it also includes a Disk Doctor that can fix error messages.

The software’s disk-cleaning options are a little limited, but NU is still a system optimizer worth noting.

Norton Utilities

Boost your XP’s speed with Norton Utilities now!

Check price Visit website

Wrapping up

Keeping your Windows XP system secure and running smoothly takes more than just antivirus software. Along with choosing the best antivirus software for Windows XP SP2, it’s important to use a reliable browser optimized for Windows XP to ensure safe and fast internet access.

Pairing your antivirus with quality antimalware tools for Windows XP adds an extra layer of protection against emerging threats. For better privacy online, consider using a VPN client designed for Windows XP.

And to keep your PC in top shape, the right system optimization software for Windows XP can boost performance and fix errors. Together, these tools create a stronger, safer XP experience tailored to the challenges of an older operating system.

How to turn DDC/CI: on or off [Gaming guide]

Posted on January 18, 2021September 18, 2024 by Tashreef Shareef

Here’s how to turn DDC/CI on or off on a gaming monitor. Enabling this feature allows better communication between your monitor and PC. You can adjust brightness easier and enhance visuals.

Let’s get right to it:

How do I turn DDC/CI on or off

How to enable Display Data Channel/ Command Interface

Note: Below guide is for BENQ monitors. However, this should also work if you are using HP, Lenovo, Dell, or any other monitor.

Press any of the physical control buttons on your monitor. You can find the control buttons, usually at the bottom of the display panel on the right side. In some monitors, the buttons are located at the back of the panel.
When the context menu appears, press the appropriate button to open the Menu.
Use the physical button to scroll down and select System.
Use the forward navigation button and highlight the DDC/CI option.
Next, use the forward navigation button and highlight ON.
Press the OK/Check button to turn on DDC/CI and save the changes.

That’s it. You have successfully enabled the DDC/CI option on your computer.

However, If you have a multiple monitor setup where the monitors are from a different manufacturer, you can use a third-party tool like ClickMonitorDDC to manage DDC/CI settings.

How to disable Display Data Channel/ Command Interface

Press any physical control button on your monitor.
Press the appropriate button to open the Menu.
Use the navigation button to scroll down and select System.
Press the forward navigation button and then scroll down to the DDC/CI option.
Press the forward navigation button and then select OFF to disable it.
Next, press the OK/Check button to save the changes.

Now you have all the information you need to turn DDC/CI on and off. This handy feature lets your monitor and computer work together for easy adjustments like brightness.

Most monitors come with it enabled, but if it’s ever turned off, you can quickly switch it back on in your settings.

Best VPNs for Windows Vista That Still Work in 2022 [Free]

Posted on January 18, 2021September 18, 2025 by Elena Constantinescu

Microsoft ended support for Windows Vista on April 11, 2017, and most VPN services followed the course.

It meant that PC users could no longer use their favorite VPN apps unless they upgraded to a newer Windows edition.

But finding a VPN that works with Windows Vista can be challenging but not impossible.

However, a limited number of VPN companies continue to support Windows Vista today, despite that most businesses focus on VPN solutions for Windows 10 and Windows 11.

If you’re a Vista user, you know that you’re exposed to security risks. But you can get equipped with a reliable VPN to secure your connections and protect your online privacy.

Why use a third-party VPN for Windows Vista?

It is possible for any Windows Vista user to connect to a VPN software that is compatible with this Windows version. Hence, this is why you would need a 3rd party VPN on your device:

It protects your network connection with other IP addresses
Hides the personal data used on different websites
Unblocks restricted content from other regions

With that said, we handpicked and tested the best VPN app for Windows Vista which still works today. We’re also guiding you through every step of the installation process.

What’s the best VPN for Vista that actually works?

1. CyberGhost VPN – Winner VPN for Windows Vista

CyberGhost should be your first pick for Windows Vista operating system as it offers comprehensive VPN safety online.

This VPN software can be installed on multiple devices and delivers the fastest connection speed, having thousands of servers in many countries worldwide.

You will benefit as well from robust encryption for personal data stored online, protocols like OpenVPN for Windows Vista connection, or dedicated IP addresses for responsible digital navigation.

It’s worth noting that CyberGhost offers a free trial period for you to test drive the software and protect your PC. So, you have 45 days trial period with a money-back guarantee.

Key features of CyberGhost:

VPN protocols for high-speed connection
Fast server locations in 94 regions
Unlock streaming content restrictions
Public Wi-Fi high security

CyberGhost VPN

Utilize this most-valued VPN on Windows Vista to entirely shield your device.

Free trial Visit website

2. Windscribe

Windscribe is one of the best free VPN for Windows Vista

Made by Windscribe Limited, Windscribe is an ideal free VPN for Windows Vista. It’s one of the few services that are actually good and offer a free version (no credit card, only email address).

The only downside is that only the Windscribe old version works with Vista, so you can’t benefit from the latest features and improvements. Windscribe also offers a VPN for Windows XP.

Windscribe comes with its own firewall, secure hotspot, and split tunneling. It can unblock the Netflix US and UK libraries using Windflix. Furthermore, the Vista VPN app supports torrenting.

What else you need to know:

OpenVPN, IKEv2, SOCKS, AES-256, port forwarding
Servers in 110 cities across 63 countries
No identifying logs

Does Windows Vista have a VPN?

Yes, Windows Vista OS has an included VPN. You can thus perform a manual configuration to connect a VPN on your computer.

In any case, this process concerns some know-how regarding network settings and it’s more secure to use professional VPN software.

How to install CyberGhost VPN on Windows Vista

Get a VPN account for CyberGhost.
Download CyberGhost VPN software.
Save and open the installation file.
If UAC asks for permission to run the tool, allow it
Follow the setup process to complete the installation.
Launch the VPN interface once the setup is finished.

Conclusion

It’s not easy to find a VPN for Windows Vista that works since most businesses currently offer VPN apps for Windows 7 and newer.

But you can’t go wrong with CyberGhost VPN, especially if you’re a casual user. Besides, it offers a free trial version to use a VPN on Vista.

It’s definitely more convenient than going through OpenVPN manual configuration mode, which requires advanced skills.

And, if you’re not ready to upgrade to Windows 10, you can check out the best VPN apps for Windows 8 and 8.1.

Microsoft clarifies its practices for voice data collection

Posted on January 18, 2021 by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft has started rolling out some important updates to give users more control over how their voice data is used to improve its speech recognition technology. The new setting will allow users to choose if the company can use their voice recordings to enhance the performance of its voice-enabled products and services.

Microsoft’s data collection practices came under the radar back in 2019. A report revealed that the company was using human contractors to listen to voice conversations done with Cortana and Skype Translator. Last year, the software giant officially acknowledged it on its privacy policy and product support pages and stopped storing voice clips processed by its speech recognition technologies over privacy concerns.

The latest announcement comes in response to these privacy concerns about the use of audio content. From now on, the software giant will no longer force users to share voice clips, and it will roll out a new update for various products and services that use the speech recognition technology. The list includes Microsoft Translator, Windows, Skype voice translation, HoloLens, Cortana, SwiftKey, and Mixed Reality.

In the blog post, the company now explains that it’s introducing an opt-in program for customers to submit voice recordings to improve the performance of its services. If people choose to opt-in, the human contractors and Microsoft employees may transcribe the voice content, and it will be retained for up to two years. Those customers who don’t want to participate in this program will still be able to use the company’s services.

“While Microsoft employees and contractors will only listen to voice clips with user permission, the company may continue to access information associated with user voice activity, such as the transcriptions automatically generated during user interactions with speech recognition AI. The details of how that works are described in the terms of use for individual Microsoft products and services, the company said,” the blog post reads.

Microsoft noted that personal data and personal identifiers (including email addresses, telephone numbers, and social security numbers) will be removed from voice clips before processing them. The company added that human contractors don’t use audio data collected from certain enterprise-focused speech recognition features.

Hands-on with the newly redesigned Microsoft Teams public preview: A cleaner dark mode, and more

Posted on January 18, 2021 by Radu Tyrsina

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Since its introduction in 2017, Microsoft Teams hasn’t really seen a lot of visual or design changes. The app has largely kept the same look, with gray and purple-colored sidebars, and a purple title bar.

Towards the end of 2020, though, Microsoft announced some changes for Teams, including new Fluent icons and subtle color changes. It recently became possible to try out some of these changes in public preview, which is exactly what we did. Here’s a hands-on look at the experience, and some of the changes you’ll notice when it rolls out to you.

How to try the new Teams design

Before jumping into anything, we’ll explain how you can try out this new design for yourself. You’ll need to enroll your Teams app in the public preview program to proceed. To do so, select your profile picture at the top, then choose about, and then Public preview. You’ll then see a notice which will alert you to switching to a public preview. You might be signed out, and will be required to sign back in. If at any time you want to switch back to the old teams, you can follow these steps in reverse.

The biggest change is dark mode

Teams Old Design 1

New Teams Design

One of the biggest changes in this public-preview version of Microsoft Teams is the dark mode. Unlike before, the dark mode in this Teams version is now more representative of the experience of Windows 10 apps. It’s a lot cleaner than what we’ve seen before.

Overall, this new Teams look drops out a lot of the purple shades that have been present in the current non-preview version of the app. The title bar is now all black, as is the search bar. Microsoft also dropped out the gray shadows in the sidebar, too, changing it over to a pure black color. The white text from messages, as well as icons now stand out more in the improved dark mode.

See the changes for yourself in the slider above! The first slider is the original version of Teams. The second is the current public preview version of Teams. Let us know what you think in the comments.

The regular light theme looks different, too

Teams New Design 2

Teams Light Mode 1

If you’re not a fan of dark mode, then you should be happy to know that the standard light theme in the public preview version of Teams looks a bit different, too. Just like the dark mode, Microsoft has made changes to the title bar as well as the sidebar in Teams, all designed to be easier on your eyes.

Generally speaking, there’s a couple of visual tweaks. You’ll see a lot more of Fluent Design aspects. Teams now has more of an acylic look to it, though not as much as other stock Windows 10 apps. What that means is that instead of being all white, UI elements in Teams is rather a lighter gray color.

While the public preview version of the standard light mode theme in Teams still preserves the purple title bar, you should now notice that the sidebar has lost its purple in favor of that lighter gray. The icons in the sidebar also have a more subtle gray-black look, complete with drop-shadows, helping them stand out more.

Overall, it’s a great look for readability in the sidebar. Chats, calls, and channels are now much easier on the eyes.

Other changes on the way

As we noted when we reported on the news, this is just the start of what is to come in Teams. It’s just a new coat of paint for now, but Microsoft is also planning to roll out new icons, too. The new icons in Teams will be rounded, to match Microsoft’s new Microsoft 365 icons, and what we’ve seen in the leaked Windows 10X build. So, what do you think? Do you like this new look? Let us know in the comments below.

Windows 7 Optimizer: Best Tools to Use in 2023

Posted on January 18, 2021October 26, 2025 by Ivan Jenic

Has your Windows 7 PC become slower, reduced in performance, and declined in efficiency? Do not panic! This post is meant for you.

Sometimes, due to reasons like invalid registry entries, malware, fragmented hard disk, loads of running startup/background apps, and more; your Windows 7 computer may perform slowly.

However, the only way to fix these problems is by performing system optimization so as to maintain your PC for continued usage.

Meanwhile, Windows built-in system maintenance tools are numerous but you may consider using third-party optimization software to supercharge your Windows 7 PC.

What’s the best optimization software for Windows 7 PCs?

Fortect – Best optimization overall

Fortect is an all-in-one PC optimization utility that takes care of everything. From junk files to registry entries, damaged system files, and browser cleanup, it can do it all in just a few clicks.

Despite being a new product, Fortect supports all Windows versions, including Windows 7. Using it will be no hassle even on older machines, thanks to its light file size.

Fortect uses a quick but thorough scanner to detect any issues with your PC.

It displays a report of everything that needs improvement. You can select if you want to fix all issues or take care of specific ones.

The utility is able to optimize your registry, detect stability issues that cause your PC to freeze, remove malware or malware traces, and take care of useless junk that takes up memory space.

Other key features of Fortect include:

Monitors downloads and installs for viruses & threats
Cleans your browser
Fixes BSOD
Restores damaged Windows files

All in all, Fortect is a great utility that will help you keep your entire system in check. Once you install it, it will perform a preliminary scan to detect the current issues with your PC, then help you quickly fix them.

Fortect

Make the most out of your Windows 7 PC with this simple but powerful optimization utility.

Free trial Download now

CCleaner – Most used cleanup tool

With more than two billion downloads, CCleaner is an award-winning optimization software ideal for Windows 7 users.

CCleaner is an uninstallation and Registry cleanup software for your PC.

You may have to download, install, and use CCleaner to optimize your PC performance. It can delete files and modify or clean the Registry of your OS.

The software has a free version for budget users, as well as premium options, such as Professional and Professional Plus, which come with extra useful features.

CCleaner can help you keep your system clean and organize with its built-in registry cleaner and program uninstaller utilities. Easily remove unnecessary clutter for maximum optimization.

Some CCleaner key features include:

Startup monitoring
Duplicate finder
Disk analyzer
System restore
Browser plugins cleaner
Drive wiper
File shredder
Cookies/cache cleaner
Cleaner scheduler

Moreover, you can use it to delete your browsing data and also remove your internet activity, which is useful when using the internet in public places.

IObit Advanced SystemCare – Efficient system cleaning

IObit Advanced SystemCare is one of the best optimization software tools on the current market.

You can use the scanner to check for traces of junk files, startup items, incorrect registry entries, and spyware threats.

As its name suggests, your PC is being handled with care to ensure it is up and running.

The IObit Advanced System Care has a specialized AI that will scan your computer for any problems and malfunctions, then fix them for you.

Startup Optimizer improves startup components in Windows to improve boot speed. This allows you to manage your startup items, services, scheduled tasks, and browser startups.

Other key features of IObit Advanced SystemCare include:

Basic System Clean, Fix, and Optimization
Ultimate System Tuneup for Top Performance
Up to 300% Internet Speedup with Internet Booster
Capture intruders automatically with FaceID
Auto RAM Clean with Real-time Optimization
Hard Disk optimization
Fix System Weakness to Prevent Hacking with 1-click
Remove Infections and Protect against Various Threats
Auto Online Privacy Trace Clean with Browser Anti-Tracking
Redesigned Performance Monitor Monitors and Boosts Your PC
Up to 200% Quicker PC Startup

In addition, Advanced System Care can clean your saved passwords, keeping you and your precious data safe.

Lastly, the software also comes with an Internet Booster, a feature that can boost your internet speed.

Ashampoo WinOptimizer – Fastest cleaner technology

Ashampoo WinOptimizer is user-friendly optimization software for Windows 7 PC. The program can significantly improve your PC boot time up to 50x.

In addition, Ashampoo WinOptimizer can increase your overall system performance on an OS that has been utilized for a while.

The software also allows you to eliminate any browsing traces, which is useful when browsing the internet in public places.

Game Booster is also a fantastic addition. It stops non-essential background processes while your game is running to give your game a boost and resumes them when you’re through playing so you can go back to work.

When you quit your browser or application, this totally automated broom sweeps everything that doesn’t belong off your disks, such as temporary files.

Ashampoo WinOptimizer’s also allows you to encrypt and recover data with ease.

Key features of Ashampoo WinOptimizer 15 include:

Registry cleaner
Drive cleaner
Startup Tuner
Task scheduler
Internet cleaner tools
Icon saver
File Encrypter
File Splitter and many more

Thanks to increased accessible RAM, you may reclaim system resources and enjoy speedier startup times and a smoother overall Windows experience.

Moreover, the program has built-in AntiSpy features that will protect your PC from spyware, adware, and bloatware.

System Mechanic Ultimate Defense – All-around optimization

System Mechanic Ultimate Defense is one of the best optimization programs for Windows 7. This program has an appealing GUI which initiates the software’s tools and options.

The software improves your PC performance by defragging your hard drive, tweaking your CPU and GPU performance, and adjusting your RAM usage.

Its main advantages are its comprehensive system scan and real-time performance increase features, which work well combined with the Malware Remover, Privacy Guardian, and ByePass password manager.

In addition, if you buy the software’s license, you can install it on as many computers as you’d like for no additional charges, and you also get a system status overview indicating issues that need to be fixed.

Some key features of System Mechanic Ultimate Defense include:

Registry cleaner
Junk files/temporary files removal
Hard drive defragmenter
Cleanup tool
Registry cleaner
Startup manager
Ram optimizer
Internet connections tweaker

Overall, System Mechanic Ultimate Defense is a fantastic option for power applications.

Iolo System Mechanic Ultimate Defense

Iolo System Mechanic helps you optimize your PC, improve computer speed, and fix crashes. Don’t hesitate to try it out!

Free Trial Visit Website

Glary Utilities 5 – Intuitive UI

Glary Utilities 5 is an easy-to-use optimization software. The program’s interface is packed with appealing visuals and is also highly customizable.

The toolkit includes over 20 system programs to boost computer speed and examines and analyzes PC problems.

You can run a custom 1-click maintenance scan utilizing several system tools within the program. Glary Utilities 5 comprises several optimization tools for your Windows 7 PC.

Glary packs a plethora of features in a single software, allowing you to remove junk and bloatware, uninstall useless and leftover programs, as well as improve privacy and security.

Some great tools included within Glary Utilities 5 are:

Registry cleaner
Disk cleaner
Disk defrag
Startup manager
Uninstall manager
Ram optimizer
File management tools, and other optimization tools

Glary Utilities also provides a toolbox with a File Shredder and an Open Space Wiper for wiping just free space. You can rewrite the data in one to ten cycles.

Glary Utilities 5

Make sure your device works at full capacity with easy-to-use computer management tools.

Check Price Visit Website

Tweaking Windows Repair – Reliable optimizing tools

The next entry on our list is a software utility that may look like it was created specifically for graphics, but we assure you that if you also own a Windows 10 PC, it will handle that just as well.

Whichever OS you are running, problems will always persist, be it from registries, DLL, bad RAM, high CPU use, and more.

That is precisely when a reliable software tool like Tweaking Windows Repair is recommended since it can easily handle all of the above and more.

Besides, the program is available in both a free and a Pro version, with the Pro version having a much wider toolset that caters to both beginner and advanced users.

Other key features of Tweaking Windows Repair include:

Fixes Windwos Firewall problems
Browser cleanup and optimization
Registry backups

Whichever the case, if you’re running Windows 7 because your hardware is old, or if you just love the old OS, Tweaking Windows Repair is something you should definitely have.

⇒ Get Tweaking Windows Repair

In conclusion, any of these software tools is what you need for your Windows 7 PC optimization.

Do share with us your experience in using any of the software we mentioned above. Let us know by commenting below.

5 Best Encrypted Messaging Software

Posted on January 18, 2021November 13, 2024 by Radu Tyrsina

Millions of people exchange messages every day throughout the world, but how many of them really know what truly happens to their messages once they send them? Will these be intercepted by third-parties?

The unfortunate truth is that we do live in a world and age in which data logging and Internet surveillance are happening.

End-to-end encryption is the solution because it involves the fact that the service provider does not keep copies of the messages that you send from their server and only people with whom you are communicating can access them.

Thankfully, there has been a rise in the area of secure messaging apps, and we gathered five of the best open-source privacy software that will make sure to keep your messaging a safe and intimate process.

Check out their sets of features and choose the best program for your needs. The software is equally useful if you were looking for a secure messaging software.

What is the best encrypted messaging app?

Signal

Signal is a mobile application created by Open Whisper Systems. This is one of the few apps in the world to claim an endorsement from Edward Snowden.

Signal has made itself a secure place among the safest messaging applications for mobile users, as well as desktop users.

The software is based on the end-to-end encryption in order to secure the messages you share with other users. This app is free and extremely easy to use, and the best thing about it is that it’s open-source.

This means that the experts can easily inspect the application’s code for potential security flaws. One of the greatest things about this app is that the messaged can self-destruct after you set the desired amount of time.

While using Signal, you will be able to send high-quality group, text, video, voice, document and picture messages all over the world without the hassle of MMS or SMS fees.

You can also get the chance to make crystal clear voice and video calls to the people who live across your street but also across the ocean.

The messages and calls you’ll make via Signal are end-to-end encrypted and engineered in such a way to keep your communication safe.

One the best security features is that the platform itself cannot read your messages, and it cannot see your calls either. You will also be able to keep your chat clean with messages that you can set to disappear.

To use Signal, you will not require any PIN codes or other login credentials.

⇒ Get Signal

Wire

Wire is another app for secure messaging, and it was developed by Wire Swiss GmbH. Using this app, you will be able to exchange end-to-end encrypted instant messages and also make voice and video calls.

This is another fantastic free and open-source app, enabling all users to check out the security by auditing its code.

One of the most awesome characteristics is that Wire combines strong encryption with a robust feature set. You will be able to add and remove people as a team administrator and access and remove the history.

You will get to use unlimited group chats with 128 people, and you can also delete messages for everyone. The app allows you to make crystal clear voice calls and group call with up to ten people.

The video calls are encrypted as well, making sure you stay safe at all times. Wire allows you to share your files securely and all the file types are supported.

You can share your screen with up to ten people, and this makes the app ideal for collaboration. Your files and chats can also be synced between your devices, and the app is available on all essential platforms.

Wire lets you enjoy rich conversations by using emojis, GIFs, embedded videos and more. The messages will self-destruct when the timer runs out, and this means that the app is just perfect for sharing sensitive data.

⇒ Get Wire

Ricochet

Ricochet can also become your sidekick regarding safe messaging because it makes safety and intimacy its priorities. The app uses the Tor network in order to reach your contacts without relying on messaging servers.

The app will create a hidden service that will keep your IP secure. The app comes with a different approach to instant messaging that doesn’t trust anyone to protect the users’ privacy.

While using Ricochet, no one will ever know who you are, who you talk to and what you are saying. You’ll be able to share anything you want without disclosing your location and identity to third parties.

There will be no servers in the middle to monitor your activity, censor or hack. You can see when your contacts are online and send them messages safely.

The list of contacts will only be known by your computer, and it’s never exposed to network traffic monitoring.

On the app’s official website, we are noticed of the fact that Ricochet is still an experiment and as we all know security and anonymity and slippery topics so we should carefully evaluate the risks and exposure that come with any software.

⇒ Get Ricochet

Viber

Viber is a free open-source software that aims at allowing its users to securely chat with their buddies in privacy. This is what everyone wants these days, and Viber delivers it sucessfully.

The advanced security features make this app stand out among others, especially thanks to the encryption keys that exist only on your own personal device.

This means that the personal information you share is fully protected and not even the provider has access to it. You can even exchange secret keys with your contacts, just to make sure of their identity.

In addition you can edit or delete seen messages so it’s never tool late to change your mind when it comes to getting your point across, a feature that works even in group chats.

Erase any traces of the messages you sent with the self-destructive feature that allows you to set a certain timer for your messages before they disappear.

Some other fun perk are the customizable gifs and stickers that keep the communication process fun and dinamic.

⇒ Get Viber

Kontalk

This is another innovative way of messaging that comes for free, and it’s also open-source. The software makes sure to maintain your privacy and intimacy.

Kontalk assures users that both client-to-server and server-to-server channels are fully encrypted, so the risks for your data to leak is almost zero.

You will definitely be safe with end-to-end encryption and servers will never be able to decrypt your data. The app is run by the community for the community as you can see on its official website.

Kontalk is run by a community of volunteers who are splitting the costs among them and offering their servers. All the software that is used in the app’s network, both the client and the server is entirely open-source, and Github hosts it.

The app uses your phone number to identify yourself among the contacts without the hassle of remembering the user IDs and usernames.

⇒ Get Kontalk

All of these free open-source applications are guaranteed to allow you to maintain your intimacy and safety while chatting online. The y come in handy when apps like Telegram are not working on your PC.

They all come with extended and unique sets of features, so the best thing that you can do is head over to their official websites and check out their in-depth functionalities and advantages in order to be able to make an informed decision and the best one for your safety and messaging needs.

We’d like to hear more from you on this subject so feel free to drop us a comment in the dedicated section below.

Windows Update Cannot Currently Check for Updates

Posted on January 18, 2021March 27, 2024 by Milan Stanojevic

If you get the Windows update can’t check for updates because settings on this PC are controlled by administrator message, it is usually because you don’t have the necessary privileges to perform a Windows Update.

Although this seems like a big problem, you should be able to fix it using one of our solutions.

Sometimes, Windows Update won’t be able to download certain updates. This can happen for various reasons, and speaking of issues, here are some common problems that users reported:

Windows Update cannot currently check for updates because the service is not running – This problem can occur if the necessary services aren’t running, but you can enable them right from the Services window.
Windows Update administrator permission – This issue can sometimes appear due to your group policy settings, but you can modify the settings to fix the problem.
Windows Update cannot currently check for updates because you must first restart – Sometimes, this problem can appear if there’s an issue with Windows Update components. Restart these components and check if that solves the issue.

How to fix Windows Update cannot currently check for updates?

1. Use PC repair third-party software

Specialized repair tools are able to fix important files that are required for your system to run. They replace any missing data, such as indispensable Windows files and any corrupted ones.

Installing one of these tools will repair your Windows to stop giving you errors while updating.

2. Make changes to the Group Policy

Press Windows Key + R and enter gpedit.msc. Now press Enter or click OK.
In the left pane, navigate to the following paths: Computer ConfigurationAdminstrative TemplatesWindowsComponetsWindows Update User ConfigurationAdminstrative TemplatesWindows ComponetsWindows Update
make sure that non-administrators can access them.
After making the changes, close the Group Policy editor.

According to users, sometimes your settings can interfere with Windows Update and cause Windows Update cannot currently check for updates.

To fix the problem, it’s advised to change your group policy settings. This is quite simple, and you can do it by following the steps above.

If everything is in order, you can download updates once again.

NOTE

Several users claim that they fixed the problem simply by settings certain services to Not Configured. To do that, follow these steps:

Open Group Policy Editor.
In the left pane, go to: Computer ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesWindows ComponentsWindows Update
In the right pane, make sure that all policies are set to Not configured. If a certain policy isn’t set to Not configured, simply double-click it and change its state. Do so for all available policies.
In the left pane, navigate to: Computer ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesSystemInternet Communication ManagementInternet Communication settings
In the right pane, locate Turn off access to all Windows Update features and make sure that it’s set to Not configured.
Now go back to the same path from Step 2. In the right pane, double-click Configure Automatic Updates.
Choose Enabled from the menu. Now set Configure automatic updating to 5 – Allow local admin to choose setting and click Apply and OK. Several users reported that you can also keep this policy Not Configured, so you can skip this step if you want.
Lastly, check Remove access to use all Windows Update features policy, and make sure that it’s set to Not configured. If not, change it accordingly.

After doing that, the problem with Windows Update should be completely resolved and everything will start working again.

3. Modify your registry

Press Windows Key + R and enter regedit. Now press Enter or click OK.
In the left pane, navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREPoliciesMicrosoftWindowsWindowsUpdate key
Right-click the Windows Update key and choose Export.
Enter the desired file name, choose a save location, and click the Save button.
After doing that, right-click the Windows Update key and choose Delete. Click Yes to confirm.

After removing this key, try to run Windows Update once again and check if the problem is still there.

Sometimes this problem can occur due to your registry and its settings.

If you’re getting Windows Update cannot currently check for updates messages, you might be able to solve this problem simply by removing a single key from your registry.

If any new issues occur after removing the Windows Update key, be sure to run the file that you created in Step 4 to restore your registry to the original state.

NOTE

Users also reported that you might be able to fix this problem simply by modifying a single DWORD. To do that, just follow these steps:

Open Registry Editor.
In the left pane, navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer
If you see NoWindowsUpdate value in the right pane, set it to 0.

After doing that, you should be able to perform Windows Update once again.

4. Check if the necessary services are running

Press Windows Key + R and enter services.msc. Now press Enter or click OK.
When the Services window opens, you need to locate Background Intelligent Transfer Service and double-click it to open its properties.
When the Properties window opens, click the Start button to start the service. Now click Apply and OK to save changes.
Now locate Windows Update service and make sure that it’s running.

After both of these services are running, check if the problem with Windows Update is still there.

In order for Windows Update to work, you need to have certain services enabled.

If you’re getting Windows Update cannot currently check for updates error, it’s advised to check your services and make sure that the required services are working properly.

5. Run Windows Update troubleshooter

Open the Settings app. To do that quickly, you just have to press Windows Key + I shortcut.
The Settings app will now appear. Go to the Update & Security section.
Pick Troubleshoot from the menu on the left. Now you just have to select Windows Update from the list and click the Run the troubleshooter button.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete the troubleshooter.

After the troubleshooter is finished, check if the problem is still there. This isn’t the most reliable solution, but several users claim that it works, so be sure to try it out.

According to users, if you’re getting Windows Update cannot currently check for updates error, you might be able to fix the problem simply by running a Windows Update troubleshooter.

Windows comes with various built-in troubleshooters that can fix various issues, and if you have problems with Windows Update, you can fix them easily.

Running the troubleshooter can help you fix other issues like Windows Update error code 0xd000034; read this guide to learn more.

6. Reset Windows Update components

Open Command Prompt as administrator. You can do that by pressing Windows Key + X and choosing Command Prompt (Admin). You can also use PowerShell (Admin) as an alternative.
When Command Prompt opens, run the following commands:

net stop wuauserv

net stop cryptSvc

net stop bits

net stop msiserver

Ren C:WindowsSoftwareDistribution SoftwareDistribution.old

Ren C:WindowsSystem32catroot2 Catroot2.old

net start wuauserv

net start cryptSvc

net start bits

net start msiserver

After running these commands, the problem with Windows Update should be resolved.

Another cause for Windows Update cannot currently check for updates error can be Windows Update components.

Sometimes certain files or services can interfere with Windows Update and that can cause this problem to appear.

Running all these commands manually can be a bit tedious, but you can always create Windows Update Reset script and run all these commands automatically.

7. Create a new administrator account

Open the Settings app and go to the Accounts section.
Select Family & other people from the left pane. Click Add someone else to this PC button.
Pick I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
Now choose Add a user without a Microsoft account.
Enter the desired username and click Next.

According to users, sometimes Windows Update cannot currently check for updates message can appear if you don’t have the administrative privileges.

However, you should be able to fix that by creating a new administrative account. You can do that by following the steps above.

Now you’ll have a new account ready. However, this account doesn’t have administrative privileges, but we can change that by doing the following:

Go to Settings app > Accounts > Family & other people.
Locate the account you want to change, select it, and choose the Change account type.
Set Account type to Administrator and click OK.

After creating a new user account, switch to it and check if the problem is still there.

Windows Update cannot currently check for updates messages can be problematic, but we hope you managed to solve this problem using one of our solutions.

Make sure you give us any kind of feedback regarding the subject in the comment section below.

Fix: Computer is Not Authorized to Run iTunes

Posted on January 18, 2021January 19, 2024 by Matthew Adams

To play and sync media content in the iTunes media player, you need to authorize a Windows desktop or laptop for an Apple ID.

Some iTunes users have stated that computer not authorized error messages pop up when playing or syncing media content with the media player.

Those error messages pop up for some users even when they’ve already authorized an Apple ID with the Authorize This Computer option on the Store menu. Consequently, they can’t play or sync selected music or video in iTunes.

How do I fix iTunes saying computer is not authorized when it is?

1. Log out of iTunes

To log out, open the media player’s library, click Account, and select the Sign Out option.
Then click Account > Sign In, and enter your Apple ID to log back in.

If iTunes says that your computer is not authorized, but it actually is, the cause of the problem might be a glitch easily fixed by logging out and logging in to iTunes again.

2. Check what user account purchased the media file

Open the iTunes media player.
Select the music (or other media content) you need to check the Apple ID in the Library.
Click Edit and select Get Info on the menu.
Then click the File tab, including the Apple ID for the person who obtained the media content to the purchase right. That’s the Apple ID you need to sign in for and authorize your desktop or laptop to play the music with.

Note that iTunes might request authorization when you select to play DRM media files that weren’t purchased with the Apple ID you’re signed in with.

Thus, somebody else who also utilizes iTunes on the same laptop or desktop might have purchased media content with a different Apple ID than the one you’re logged in with.

Or you might have downloaded DRM media content with another ID yourself. If so, you must sign in with the account ID that the music was purchased with to play it.

3. Deauthorize computers linked with iTunes

First, open iTunes and sign in with your Apple ID if required.
Click Account and select View My Account on the menu.
Input your password and press Enter to open an Account info page. There you can scroll to Apple ID Summary that tells you how many computers you’ve authorized to play media content.
Press the Deauthorize All button on the right of the summary.
Then restart the iTunes media player.
Click Account and Account Authorizations to expand a submenu.
Select the Account Authorization option to authorize the PC for Apple ID.

You can only authorize a maximum of five PCs for your Apple ID. Thus, you can’t authorize a computer if you’ve already authorized the maximum number of PCs for your iTunes account.

As such, reauthorizing desktops or laptops for an Apple ID might fix the computer not authorized message in iTunes.

4. Reinstall iTunes

Some users have also stated that they’ve fixed computer not authorized error messages by reinstalling iTunes.

You can manually reinstall iTunes like any other app, but if you want to remove it completely, we suggest using IObit Uninstaller.

This application is designed for software removal, and it will completely uninstall any software you want to remove, including all associated files and registry entries.

IObit Uninstaller is simple to use, and it offers in-depth removal, unlike the regular uninstall process in Windows, so you should check it out.

Other great features:

In-depth software removal
Can remove stubborn applications
Can remove Windows 10 Universal apps
Automatic system monitoring
Automatic leftover file removal

IObit Uninstaller

To remove any application along with all of its associated files, be sure to use IObit Uninstaller.

Check priceVisit website

5. Delete the SC Info folder

Press the File Explorer button on the taskbar.
Then click the View tab shown in the snapshot directly below.
Click the Options button to select Change folder and search options.
Select the View tab on the Folder Options window that opens.
Select the Show hidden files, folders and drives option.
Click the Apply button, and select OK to close the window.
Enter this path in File Explorer’s folder path bar: C:ProgramDataApple ComputeriTunes
Select the SD Info folder there, and press the Delete button.
Then restart the Windows OS.
After that, you’ll need to authorize the computer for your Apple ID again, as you erased the SD Info folder.

The iTunes computer not authorized error can be to due to a corrupted SD Info folder. Thus, deleting that folder can potentially fix the issue as iTunes will recreate SD Info.

6. Reset User Account Controls

Resetting the User Account Controls in Windows might also fix some iTunes authorization issues. To do that in Windows 10, right-click the Start button and select Run.
Then enter UserAccountControlSettingsin Run and press Return.
Move the bar slider to Never notify.
Press the OK button.
Click Yes to confirm.
After that, restart your desktop or laptop and open the User Account Control Settings window.
Drag the slider up the bar to turn UAC back on. You can also leave the UAC off if you wish.
Click the OK button.

If iTunes says that your computer is not authorized, but it is, adjusting User Account Control settings might be able to help you.

These are a few fixes that will probably resolve most iTunes computer not authorized error messages. If you encounter any issues with iTunes, it probably concerns the distnoted.exe file, so check for any errors.

Note that most of the above resolutions might also fix unauthorized issues for the Apple Mac iTunes software and its Windows counterpart.

FIX: Your Microsoft Account requires attention

Posted on January 18, 2021October 4, 2023 by Ivan Jenic

The Windows Insider program is a great way of previewing and testing new features in Windows 10 before they make it to the final version. It’s also a great way of contributing to Microsoft‘s efforts to make Windows 10 bug-free.

But there is a compromise to be made when using Windows 10 Insider Preview build – they do contain bugs.

One bug has frustrated a lot of Windows Insiders and that is the Your Microsoft Account requires attention to get insider builds error when trying to download newer Insider builds.

Below we list a couple of fixes that have worked for the majority on Windows Insider users who faced this problem in the past.

How do I fix Microsoft Account requires attention?

1. Use a Microsoft account

Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
When the Settings app opens, navigate to the Accounts section.
You should now see your account. Click the Sign in with a Microsoft account instead option.
Enter your email and password or security code.

After doing that, your account will be converted to the Microsoft account and you should be able to receive new Insider builds.

2. Re-enter your Microsoft account

Open the Settings app and go to the Accounts section.
Select Sign in with a local account instead.
Enter your current password and click Next.
Now enter the desired user name and password that you want to use and click Next.
Now click Sign out and finish.

After doing that, your Microsoft account will be converted to the local account. Now you just have to convert your local account back to the Microsoft account and Your Windows insider account requires attention error should be resolved.

3. Rejoin the Insider program

Access Windows Insider website click on the Get Started button.
Provide your Microsoft account details if it doesn’t log you in automatically.
When you see the Welcome to the program, Insiderscreen, close your browser.
Reboot your machine and check if the error has disappeared.

Several users reported that they fixed the problem simply by logging in to the insider.windows.com and accepting the license agreement. After doing that, users were able to get the latest Insider builds.

4. Remove all trusted devices

Sometimes Your Microsoft Account requires attention to get insider builds message can appear if there’s an issue with trusted devices. To fix this problem, you just have to remove the trusted devices for your account.

All you need to do is visit Microsoft account and then go to the Devices section and remove all trusted devices.

After doing that, check if the problem is still there. This issue is usually caused by a temporary glitch, but you should be able to solve it with this solution.

5. Create a new account and convert it to Microsoft account

Open the Settings app and go to the Accounts section.
Choose Family & other people from the let menu and click the Add someone else to this PC button.
Select I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
Now choose Add a user without a Microsoft account.
Enter the desired username and click Next.

After doing that, you’ll have a new local account ready. Now just convert it to Microsoft account and the problem with Insiders build should be resolved.

Before you start the process, make sure that you don’t have any Microsoft accounts on your PC. If you’re using a Microsoft account, convert it to the local account.

6. Modify your registry

Press Windows Key + R and type regedit. Click OK or press Enter to proceed.
In the left pane, navigate to: ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESOFTWAREMicrosoftWindowsSelfHostApplicability
In the right pane, locate the EnablePreviewBuilds value, double-click it and set it to 1. If this value isn’t available, be sure to create it and change it accordingly.

After making these changes to your registry, you should be able to receive Insider builds once again without any problems.

Some users are also suggesting editing the contents of the FlightingOwnerGUID value. You can locate this value in the same location that we mentioned in Step 2.

After you find it, double-click it, and remove all entries from its Value Data field. Now click OK to save changes. After doing that, check if the problem is still there.

Modifying the registry can be potentially dangerous, so we advise you to use extra caution and follow our instructions carefully.

7. Delete the multiple version of the same PC

Sometimes you might have multiple PCs assigned to your Microsoft account and that can lead to Your Microsoft account requires attention to get insider preview builds message.

However, you can easily fix this problem by removing additional PCs from the list.

To fix this problem, simply go to your MS account web page and check if you have multiple PC entries. Users reported 4 different PCs on the list, each with a different version of the Insider build.

After removing all older entries from the list, the issue was resolved and everything started working again.

Your Microsoft Account requires attention to get insider builds error can cause many issues, but we hope that you solved this problem after using one of our solutions.

We’d like to hear more from you on this matter so share your opinion with us in the comment section below.

An update to Adobe Flash Player is available message [FIX]

Posted on January 18, 2021October 26, 2025 by Vladimir Popescu

If you noticed a pop-up message saying An update to Adobe Flash Player is available, and you’re not sure if it’s legit or not, you’re not the only one. A great number of users have reported encountering this message.

At first glance, this pop-up seems to be an official Adobe update notice, but not all these pop-ups are what they seem to be.

Because Adobe Flash Player used to be one of the most popular web plug-ins, so people that develop malware are sometimes using this platform as a disguise.

They can send very similar-looking pop-ups to users’ PCs, and once a link is clicked, different types of malware can be installed on the computer.

In today’s day and age, malware attacks on personal PCs have reached an all-time high and this is clearly a case that requires your attention because Adobe pulled their support for the Flash Player from December 31st, 2020.

That means that you can completely exclude the possibility of a legitimate message from Adobe and be on alert because there have also been other attempts from wrongdoers to install malware by using Adobe Flash.

For these reasons, in today’s article, we will discuss some of the best ways to make sure that the Adobe Flash Player update pop-up on your screen is not trying to steal your information. Read on to find out more details.

What to do if An update to Adobe Flash Player message appears?

Adobe will not send any more update notifications to users since the software was discontinued.

However, it is very important to understand some of the differences between the original Adobe installer notice, and other third-party entities who are trying to gain access to your PC.

Here are some of the best markers of a false update pop-up:

The installer package is distributed as a ZIP file (and not with the original Adobe format – a DMG image).
How it looks – if the installer package is presented to you as a generic orange installer without having the Adobe icons and formats, the text contains typos, or interface elements that are not aligned, etc.
If the pop-up appears on your screen while browsing the Internet.

Note: Because of the skills that malware developers have gained in time, they can now create perfect replicas of the installer. In order to make absolutely sure that your computer will not be hacked, read the next section carefully.

What to do if you see a pop-up that doesn’t seem to be original?

The best way to deal with a situation like this is to always be skeptical of any automatic updates pop-ups that appear on your screen.

If you see a pop-up like the one mentioned above appear, the safest way to deal with the situation is to visit the official Adobe website (or other original software developers) and download the updated version yourself.

Doing this allows you peace of mind that the download you performed is coming from the original creators and not some other third-party malware creators who imitate the installer.

Try using a browser that supports Flash

As we mentioned before, Adobe pulled the plug on its Flash Player so it won’t receive any more updates. However, if you still have Flash content on your PC, you can still open it by using the Opera One browser.

This excellent software not only is fast and well adjusted to Windows 10, but it also offers a built-in VPN, Ad blocker and AI. And they are completely free, like the browser itself.

Even though Opera One doesn’t come anymore with Flash Player support, you can still enable it in the browser and access websites that still use Flash support.

You should first allow the Flash web plugin to run in the Opera One browser. With lots of integrated apps, this browser will surely support such playing content.

On the other hand, you must be aware that very few websites still use Flash support for various content online. According to the Opera forum, the users managed to activate Flash support in the Opera GX browser.

Opera One

Opera One still offers native support for Flash content but it’s also a fast and reliable free browser.

Free Download Visit website

In this article we explored some of the most common differences between original software update pop-ups and fake ones, and also discussed a fail-safe method to deal with this situation.

Before you go, don’t miss our guide that explores if it’s still possible to download Adobe Flash Player for Windows 10.

Please let us know if this guide helped you by using the comment section below.

How to update BIOS on Lenovo [Safe guide]

Posted on January 16, 2021October 4, 2023 by Tashreef Shareef

BIOS ( Basic Input Output System), is a small piece of code contained on a chip on your system board. BIOS works like a bridge between your system hardware and the operating system during the boot process.

Similar to other laptops, Lenovo laptops also come equipped with BIOS that allows you to change boot process order and different hardware settings.

Updating your motherboard’s BIOS can help in many ways. The update can bring new features and functionalities, support new CPUs, fix bugs, and refresh a corrupted UEFI environment.

This article explores a few ways to update BIOS on Lenovo laptops and desktops with ease.

How do I update BIOS on Lenovo laptops and desktops?

1. Update BIOS through Windows executable file

Open your Internet browser and go to Lenovo Support.
Type your product name, serial number, or machine type into the search box and then select your computer model from the drop-down list. Make sure that you have chosen the correct system.
Open the Drivers and software tab to bring up a list of drivers available for your system.
Click the drop-down menu labeled Operating System and select your OS.
Click the Components drop-down menu and select the BIOS/UEFI from the list. It will display a list of BIOS files available for download.
Click the Download button beside the more recent update and download BIOS to your computer.
Right-click on the downloaded BIOS file and select Run as Administrator.
When self-extracting windows appear, click the Install button.
Click the Flash BIOS button. Make sure you have connected to a reliable power source.
Click the OK button and the BIOS flashing program will run automatically.

Note: When the BIOS is successfully updated, the system will reboot automatically.

Updating Lenovo BIOS running Windows 10 using the executable file is easy.

However, at times this method can fail. You can check out alternative ways to update BIOS in the next set of steps.

2. Update BIOS using Lenovo System Update

Note: make sure to run a Windows update and install the pending updates before running System Update on a Lenovo system.

Launch your web browser and go to the Lenovo Support page.
Type your product name or serial number and select your system from the drop-down list.
Click the Drivers and Software tab from the left pane. This will display the list of update available for your system.
Scroll down and locate System Update.
Click the down arrow icon to download System Update.
Run the System update installer and follow the instructions during install until the update is fully installed.
Once the installation process is over, you can delete the System Update file safely.

3. Update BIOS through Lenovo Vantage

Launch the Lenovo Vantage app on your system. If you don’t have the app installed, download it from the Lenovo website here.
Under the Device option, click on the System Update option. If you don’t see the option, toggle the menu button, and select System Update.
Click the Check for Update button to see any pending updates available for your system.
Once the scan is complete, scroll down and locate the BIOS update.
Press the Install Selected Updates button.
Click OK to reboot the computer and install the update.
Lenovo Vantage will download the update and initiate the installation process.
Select the update BIOS option on the Flash Update Utility.
Once done, you will be prompted to reboot the computer. Click on Reboot and then follow on-screen instructions.

The Lenovo Vantage is a handy tool. Apart from allowing you to download and install a system update, the app helps you get most of your device.

You can also tweak battery optimization, fast charge, always charge from USB and check your system’s health using the app.

Is it safe to Update BIOS?

There are some risks involved in updating the BIOS and requires the user to take extra precaution when updating the BIOS.

System manufacturers offer dedicated tools to update system BIOS. Make sure to use the recommended tool to update your BIOS.

In most cases, you may not need to update your BIOS regularly. However, in case some system functionalities stop working, you can use the methods listed in this article to update your BIOS.

There you have it—three ways to update BIOS on your Lenovo laptop and desktop.

Whether you want to update Lenovo BIOS for Linux or Windows, it is important to do it right. Make sure to follow the steps in this article carefully to update your Lenovo BIOS for laptops and desktops.

S/MIME control isn’t available error [Solved]

Posted on January 16, 2021October 4, 2023 by Tashreef Shareef

If you are using Outlook Web Access (OWA) in Internet Explorer, you may encounter the S/MIME control isn’t available error. Due to the issues, users are unable to open email or download attachments.

The error seems to be occurring on systems that don’t have S/MIME installed. However, in some instances, the error can also occur due to incorrect configuration of Internet Explore or permissions issues.

If you are also bugged by this error, here are a few troubleshooting steps to help you resolve the S/MIME control isn’t available error in Windows 10, 8 and 7 running systems.

How do I make S/MIME control available?

1. Add your OWA in Trusted Sites

Launch Internet Explorer. You can search in the Start menu to find and launch the app.
In Internet Explorer, click the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
In the Internet Options window, open the Security tab.
Select Trusted Sites and then click the Sites button.
Paste the link to your OWA page and click the Add button.
Next, uncheck Require service verification (https:) for all sites in this zone’ box.
Click Close and go back to the Internet Explorer home page.
Click the Gear icon and select Compatibility View Settings.
Enter the same OWA page link in the Add this website field and click the Add button.
Leave other settings as it is and click the Close button.
Try to download the attachment or access the email to see if the error is resolved.

Adding your OWA page into Trusted Sites and Compatibility View seem to have fixed the error for many users. Make sure to add the OWA pages into both Trusted Sites and Compatibility View to resolve the issue.

2. Run Internet Explorer as Administrator

Type Internet Explorer in search.
Right-click on Internet Explorer from the search result and select Run as Administrator.
Try to access your email and check if the S/MIME control isn’t available error is resolved. If the error is resolved, change the Internet Explorer property to run the app as administrator always.
Open File Explorer and navigate to the following location:
C:UsersTashreefAppDataRoamingMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuProgramsAccessories
Right-click on Internet Explorer shortcut and select Properties.
Click the Advanced button.
Check the Run as an Administrator box.
Click OK to save the changes.

Next time you run Internet Explorer, it should launch with administrative privileges. Sometimes the app may require the user to have administrative permission over the browser.

3. Install S/MIME

Open your OWA client and sign in with your credentials.
Click the Options button on the top right side of the screen.
Select See All options from the context menu.
In the Options window, click on Settings.
Click the S/MIME tab from the menu.
Click on the hyperlink Download the S/MIME control to download the package.
Once the download is completed, run the download file.
Follow on-screen instructions to install S/MIME.
Once installed, refresh the browser, and you should see a pop-up message saying This website wants to run the following add-on.
Right-click on the message and choose Run Add-on on All Websites.
Click Run when an Internet Explorer Security Warning appears.

Note: You may need to reinstall S/MIME if the installation is broken due to a Windows update that may have reset settings. Follow the steps to install S/MIME and fix S/MIME control won’t install error.

4. Disable Encrypted Pages to Disk option

Launch Internet Explorer.
Click the Gear icon and select Internet Options.
In the Internet Options window, open the Advanced tab.
Scroll down to the Security section.
Uncheck the Do not save encrypted pages to disk option.
Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
Close Internet Options and restart Internet Explorer.
After the restart, check if the error S/MIME control isn’t available is resolved.

How do I enable S/MIME in Chrome?

Press the Windows key + R.
Type regedit and click OK to open Registry Editor.
In Registry Editor navigate to the following location:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwarePoliciesGoogleChromeExtensionInstallForcelist
Right-click anywhere on the right pane and select New and choose String Value.
Enter 1 for the value name and make sure the value type is REG_SZ.
Right-click on the newly created value and select Modify.
In the Data field, enter the following data depending on your Office application:
Office 365:
maafgiompdekodanheihhgilkjchcakm;https://outlook.office.com/owa/SmimeCrxUpdate.ashx
Exchange On-Premises:
maafgiompdekodanheihhgilkjchcakm;https://<your owa url>/owa/SmimeCrxUpdate.ashx
Make the necessary changes in the above value like adding your OWA URL and click OK to save the changes.
Close Registry Editor and restart your Chrome browser.
After the restart, you will see the Outlook icon next to the address bar indicating that the extension is enabled.
Next, you need to install S/MIME control for the extension to work properly. For Office 365 you can download the S/MIME control from here.
Run the downloaded file to install the control.
Restart the browser to configure additional S/MIME settings in Outlook on the web.

The S/MIME control isn’t available error when accessing email or attachments can occur due to several reasons. Follow all the steps in this article one by one to fix the error.

Windows 10 news recap: Apple testing Podcasts and Apple Music app for Windows 10, Windows 10X build leaks, and more

Posted on January 16, 2021 by Radu Tyrsina

Welcome back to our Windows 10 news recap, where we go over the top stories of the past week in the world of Microsoft’s flagship operating system.

Apple is reportedly testing new Music and Podcasts app for Microsoft platforms in private beta

A new report suggests that Apple is testing apps for Apple Music and its Podcasts service, currently in private beta, for Windows 10 and/or Xbox consoles.

Microsoft to fix critical NTFS vulnerability on Windows 10 PCs

A critical NTFS vulnerability can cause users’ hard drives to be corrupted. Now, Microsoft is working on a fix for the flaw. The flaw can be exploited by simply opening a HTML file, a Windows shortcut, or even by extracting a zip folder.

This problem seems to be introduced around the time of Windows 10 1803. Prior versions of Windows do not appear to be affected.
I'll give Microsoft a shot at addressing this before disclosing what the value of <specialdir> is.
Though I question how such things get prioritized…

— Will Dormann (@wdormann) January 9, 2021

Windows 10X build “leaks,” providing what could be a near-final look at the single-screen version of the OS

A more recent build of the upcoming Windows 10X operating system has leaked, which shows what could show a near-final look of what Windows 10 X could be, though features could come and go, and this is in no way what the final version will necessarily be.

Those animations though! Wish regular Windows 10 would get these. So clean, so fluent, so modern. Amazing to see this! The ways the icon bounce! The window animation! pic.twitter.com/cnD9801Ydy

— Arif Bacchus (@abacjourn) January 14, 2021

Windows 10 “Sun Valley” update may introduce floating Start Menu and other UI changes

With a Windows 10 redesign expected on the horizon, codenamed “Sun Valley”, we’re starting to get a glimpse of what the redesign could bring to Windows 10. New mockups show that there could be a floating Start Menu, along with Snap assist improvements, and more.

That’s it for this week. We’ll be back next week with more Windows 10 news.

NVIDIA GeForce driver error code 0x0003 [Fixed]

Posted on January 16, 2021September 19, 2025 by Tashreef Shareef

NVIDIA GeForce Experience is a handy utility for NVIDIA GPU users. However, at times this software utility can run into problems and trigger an error. One such error is NVIDIA GeForce driver error code 0x0003.

The full error reads:

Something went wrong. Try rebooting your PC and then launch GeForce Experience. Error Code: 0x0003

A quick search result will return multiple reasons for this error. Some of the usual suspects are permission issues, disabled NVIDIA services, corrupted NVIDIA drivers, and your network adapter issues.

In some cases, the error presented to you by Nvidia GeForce will be a little different than in the case presented in this guide. Check out how to fix the error code 0x0001.

In this article, we have listed a few troubleshooting steps to help you fix the NVIDIA GeForce driver error code 0x0003 on your Windows 10 system.

How do I fix the NVIDIA GeForce driver error code 0x0003?

1. Update Graphics drivers with Outbyte Driver Updater

Outbyte Driver Updater automatically update drivers

The error try rebooting your pc and then launch GeForce Experience 0x0003 can occur due to corrupted drivers. Update Nvidia GPU with Outbyte Driver Updater to see if that resolves the error.

Outbyte Driver Updater is a premium Windows utility to update system drivers with one click. It features a massive database of over 18 million driver files. You can update individual drivers or all the drivers in batches after the scan.

For backup and automatic updates, Outbyte Driver Updater comes with a backup manager and update scheduler. It will create a backup and save the existing drivers in case you need to restore the drivers.

Key features of Outbyte Driver Updater:

One-click updates of graphics and other system drivers
Lightning-fast scans
Download manager
Driver backup and schedule manager

Outbyte Driver Updater

Resolve the NVIDIA GeForce driver error code 0x0003 easily by using this powerful software today.

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2. Allow Nvidia Telemetry services to interact with desktop

Press the Windows key + R to open Run.
Type services.msc and click OK to open Services.
In the Services window, scroll down and locate Nvidia Telemetry Container.
Right-click on the service and select Properties.
In the Properties window, open the Log On tab.
Check Allow services to interact with desktop box.
Click Apply and OK to save the changes.
Go back to the Services window and locate the following services:
Nvidia Display service Nvidia Local System Container Nvidia Network Service Container
Repeat the steps to enable the Allow service to interact with desktop option for all the services listed.
Once all the services are enabled, try accessing NVIDIA GeForce Experience and check if the error is resolved.

Nvidia Telemetry services are required to run the software without any issues. Allowing the service to interact with desktop seems to have resolved the issue for many users. If the error persists, apply other fixes.

3. Reset the network adapter

Press the Windows key, and type cmd in the search.
Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
In the Command Prompt window, type the following command to reset network adapter:
netsh Winsock reset
Wait for the command to complete.
Once the command is processed, restart your computer and check for any improvements.

The GeForce error code 0x0003 can occur due to network issues. In that case, you can reset network adapter to fix network problems on your Windows 10 computer. If these steps didn’t fix the problem, try reinstalling the graphics driver manually.

4. Reinstall graphics drivers manually

Press the Windows key + R to open Run.
Type control and click OK to open the Control Panel.
Go to Programs and click Programs and Features.
Locate all the programs and installations associated with Nvidia.
Right-click on one of the Nvidia GPU related app and click on Uninstall. Click Yes when prompted by UAC.
Repeat the steps and uninstall the Nvidia related apps and GPU drivers.
Once uninstalled, restart your computer.
After the restart, go to the Nvidia download center.
Select your graphics card model, series, and operation system version and language. Download the latest drivers available for your GPU.
Run the installer and follow on-screen instructions to install the software and update the drivers.
Make sure to restart your PC once the updates are installed.

Reinstalling Nvidia graphics drivers manually can fix many issues that may cause the GeForce Experience software to stop working.

If manually updating the driver, did not resolve the issue, try reinstalling Nvidia GeForce Experience and other software to see if that helps you resolve the Nvidia GeForce driver error code 0x0003.

The NVIDIA GeForce driver error code 0x0003 is usually triggered due to the Nvidia Telemetry services not running.

If starting the services did not help, try reinstalling the software. You may also try creating a new user account to fix the problem.

Netflix Error Code Tvq-st-131 [Complete Fix]

Posted on January 16, 2021March 19, 2024 by Vlad Turiceanu

As one of the most popular apps for streaming movies, Netflix has gained a lot of enthusiastic users since it has been launched.

Unfortunately, as with many other popular apps, Netflix is not without problems or errors. Whenever users try to connect to the Netflix app, they get the error code tvq-st-131 without even passing through the initial login page.

In this article, we will explore what are some steps you can take to solve this error code when trying to play Netflix.

How can I fix the Netflix error code tvq-st-131?

1. Check your network

Because many types of networks can have limited speed and be slow, especially if many people are using them, it’s important to make this verification.

If you use a phone device to connect to the Internet or a satellite Internet connection, try using a different network and see if this solves the problem.

Otherwise, if you are using public Wi-Fi at your hotel or a public place, make sure to check that Netflix is allowed. It is not uncommon for these networks to block streaming video on purpose.

2. Restart your home network

Turn off your device.
Next, unplug both the modem and the router. Make sure to wait 30 seconds.
Plug in your modem and check for the indicator lights to start blinking.
Reconnect your router, and proceed as above.
Connect your device again and try playing Netflix.

3. Improve your Wi-Fi signal

It is suggested that you move your router to a new location to try to improve signal strength. Usually, when the router is placed in a central location, there is better reception.

Moreover, make sure that your router is placed a considerable distance from cordless phones or microwaves, as wireless interference from these devices can create issues when trying to connect over Wi-Fi.

It’s also indicated to place your Wi-Fi elevated from the floor. If you place it on top of a bookshelf or a desk, you will probably see some improved reception.

4. Restore your default connection settings

If you’ve made some custom settings on your streaming service, it is recommended that you restore your internet provider’s default setting.

If you are connected using a VPN, disable it and connect directly to your home internet. Likewise, if you have changed the DNS settings, reset the device.

Once you have checked all the above, try opening Netflix again and checking if the error is still there.

We hope that one of our solutions helped you fix the error code tvq-st-131 and that your Netflix app is working perfectly now. We also have a guide on fixing aip-703 error on Netflix for Chromecast and TV, so don’t miss it.

If you have additional suggestions or recommendations, please leave us a message in the comments section below.

No sound on Nvidia GameStream? Here’s the fix

Posted on January 15, 2021March 27, 2024 by Milan Stanojevic

Every player dreads the lack of audio while playing. Without sounds, the gaming experience is not complete.

Unfortunately, Nvidia GameStream is affected by such an issue. The error is with GameStream, as users reported that YouTube and other media channels are working properly.

Nevertheless, the issue has a quick a few quick solutions. Today we will show you what to do to have sound again in GameStream, so keep reading.

Quick Tip:

Not having sound on Nvidia GameStream ruins the gaming experience for many players. Make sure you don’t have an overall issue with your sound.

If this is the case, we recommend you use a lightweight and simple repair tool, that can increase your PC’s performance!

How do I fix NVIDIA GameStream no sound issue?

1. Change a few settings in GameStream

Open Playback Devices (with the option Show Disabled Devices checked off, but the one Show disconnected unchecked).
When you enable any game stream, very briefly a new one would pop up and disappear. Try a few times to click Enable during that brief window.
Right-click Set as default, disconnect GameStream and connect it again.

2. Update GeForce Experience

This issue often appears when GeForce Experience is outdated. Don’t forget to update it to avoid this error.

While you’re at it, update the sound driver as well. You can do this easily with one of these driver updating tools from our fresh list.

Also, remember to update your drivers as often as possible to avoid similar issues.

3. Disable your antivirus

Several users reported that this problem is related to the antivirus. Disable your antivirus while playing. You can enable it back after you’re done.

Keep in mind that this is only a workaround. This issue should not appear if you have antivirus.

Also, you can try another tool to protect your computer from cyberattacks. You can try one of these antivirus tools from our new list.

If this error is specific for GameStream, try our methods above. Twitch some options in Playback Devices to solve the issue. You can disable your antivirus as well.

However, this will leave your PC vulnerable. If this works, consider installing another antivirus.

Did our article help you solve this problem? Do let us know in the comments section below!

Remove Scan drive for errors notification in Windows 10

Posted on January 15, 2021March 27, 2024 by Madalina Dinita

Nothing is scary as receiving the warning that you should scan the drive for errors in the midst of using your PC or when rebooting.

First, your PC may completely refuse to boot meaning you will have to spend time troubleshooting the PC instead of working.

Even worse, your hard drive stores important data whose loss can be devastating to your organization.

Of course, one of the most important system maintenance routines for perfect hard disk health is running a disk check regularly.

Strangely, even disks that have all along seemed to be in the best condition are not spared and may suddenly display the irritating scan drive for errors in Windows 10 notification.

Well, despite its stubbornness, this is a solvable problem and I will show you how shortly. But just before that, let’s look at its likely triggers.

Potential causes of the scan drive for errors issue

Natural wear and tear: During the course of using your PC, the hard drive may suffer mechanical damage or get logical errors. Such incidences may lead to a corrupted file system, bad or irregular sectors, or a complete disk breakdown meaning there is a risk of data loss.
Shutting down a PC improperly: Moreover, you may notice the error notification when booting if you had previously shut down your system improperly.
Installation of new programs: You may experience the error when restarting after installing a particular program/game.
Other boot-related challenges: Additionally, you could receive the notification to scan drive for errors in case your PC encounters other boot-related problems, for example, a virus attack.

How do I remove the scan drive for errors notification?

1. Use the GUI error checking tool

Click the File Explorer icon on the taskbar (as shown). The explorer opens up.
Locate the disk you would like to scan for errors from the left menu, and right-click it.
Choose Properties.
Click Tools, then select Check.
Choose Scan drive.

Type your administrator password and provide confirmation if you’re prompted. It is advisable that you can run the scan for each drive (if you have multiple drives) to be on the safe side.

Just right-click on each in turns.

2. Perform chkdsk in Command Prompt

Click Start, and type cmd in the search dialogue box.
Right-click Command Prompt, and choose Run as administrator.
In the command line type chkdsk /x: (x is the drive letter), and press Enter.
Press Y if you’re prompted to check your disk during the next restart.
Restart your PC.

Compared to the GUI option, the cmd process offers more advanced options when scanning your drives for errors.

The error scanning operation also tries to repair any bad sectors meaning you might lose data during the scan/repair process.

Subsequently, always backup your data before running it to avoid suffering a costly data loss.

3. Boot your PC from Windows installation media

Insert your Windows installation DVD or USB Recovery Disc/ System Repair Disc in the relevant drive.
Force your PC to shut down by long-pressing the power button.
Now power on your PC, and press any key to boot from CD or DVD.
Select your keyboard layout, time and language, and click Next.
Press R or click Repair your computer.
Choose Troubleshoot from the Choose an option window.
Click Command Prompt.
Type chkdsk c: /f/r then press Enter (c is the drive letter).

What to do if the Windows 10 scanning and drive repairing error hangs

Insert your Windows 10 Installation disc.
Restart the PC.
To boot from the CD or DVD, press any keyboard key.
Choose your keyboard layout, time and language, and click Next
Select Repair your computer.
Click on Troubleshoot.
Click on the Advanced options, and select Command Prompt.
Type the command sfc /scannow and press Enter.

Sometimes Windows 10 seemingly freezes before completing the process of scanning and repairing drive errors.

When this happens, the procedure of repairing drive C: becomes stuck at a certain percentage for hours on end.

In such cases, you can first try the system file checker (SFC). This may help as it also scans and restores any corruption in system files that could be causing the freeze.

You can retry the scan after your computer completes the sfc tests.

You may even be forced to reinstall Windows 10 if the freeze doesn’t go away even after implementing the above suggestions.

What to do if your disk is found to have errors

If at the end the tool finds errors, the system will request you to restart right away to allow it to fix the errors.

There is also the alternative to schedule the restart to later. We would recommend that you reboot right away.

Once in a while, Windows 10 persists in telling you to scan the drive for errors even after you have restarted. Well, this could mean several things with each calling for a different action.

Here are some probabilities and suggested fixes:

Your disk has been affected by a vicious malware attack: Try to scan your PC with an updated antivirus.
There’s a problem with Windows update: Try to download and install the latest updates.

4. Perform a regular disk check using a third-party app

In order to maintain the good health of your hard drive, you need to perform a regular disk check.

We recommend you use a universal system optimizer that can fix both system and application crashes. With this kind of tool, you’ll benefit from automatic error repair, since this software is completely automated.

We hope that our solutions helped you to solve the scan drive for errors in Windows 10 notification. If you have any other solution suggestions or questions, you can write to us in the comment section below.

FIX: Adobe Creative Cloud Issues on Windows 10/11

Posted on January 15, 2021October 4, 2023 by Ivan Jenic

Adobe software is used by millions of users, and it’s also expensive software. It’s common to be concerned if you have issues with Adobe Creative Cloud products on Windows 10.

Users report that after installing Adobe Creative Cloud, multi-core applications such as Photoshop, for example, don’t load, or load but don’t work well.

As you can imagine, this is a big problem especially if you’re using Adobe software professionally.

If you’re having these issues there’s no need to worry, because we have a few solutions that can help you. The steps below will help you fix Adobe Creative Cloud issues with ease, so keep reading.

How can I fix the Adobe Creative Cloud issues?

1. Update your Creative Cloud desktop app to the latest version

Press the Windows Key.
Open the Adobe Creative Cloud app.
Select the Account icon on the upper-right corner
Then select the Apps tab.
Afterward, do the following:
- Turn on Auto-update if you want to update all apps.
- Turn on only the specific apps you wish to update, then click Done.

Whenever you have to fix Adobe Creative Cloud issues, the first thing to do is to update the app to the latest version. Adobe is constantly putting out bug fixes and most issues are solved when the new version comes out.

Of course, this is not exclusive to Adobe, as all the software you run should be up to date to ensure maximum protection against security vulnerabilities.

Moreover, you get access to the latest features and apps that Adobe has to offer.

Here’s what you get when you download Adobe Creative Cloud:

Photoshop – arguably the best photo editing software available
Premiere Pro – the industry standard for video editing, used from YouTube to Hollywood
Illustrator – the tool for creating vector graphics that can be scaled to any size without losing quality
InDesign – for when you want to create beautiful posters, flyers and magazines intended for printing
Over 20 tools which can be used across platforms and on multiple devices, including mobile

You can delete the Creative Cloud desktop app and reinstall it via Adobe’s official website in some situations, such as a corrupted Creative Cloud desktop app or difficulty installing some Creative Cloud apps.

Before you start the uninstaller, make sure that all of your files are already synced. It’s possible that files that aren’t linked to your Creative Cloud account will be lost.

2. Make sure that your Windows 10 is up to date

Press the Windows Key.
Go to Settings.
Select Update and Security.
Choose Windows Update.
Then, select Check for updates.
Allow Windows to check for any new versions.
If it does find updates to install, follow the instructions.

Users confirm that issues with Adobe Creative Cloud are usually resolved after updating Windows 10 to the latest version.

If Adobe Creative Cloud is not working, Microsoft is aware of this issue, and it’s working hard to fix any incompatibility issues that you might have with Adobe software, so the first step is to update your Windows 10 to the latest version.

3. Download Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable

If your application still cannot start, you might need to reinstall Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable. Adobe applications rely heavily on Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, so you will have to install it.

According to Microsoft, Adobe applications require the latest version of Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable, and you can download it from Microsoft’s website for free.

Just make sure that you download and install both x86 and x64 versions if you’re using a 64-bit operating system.

Just remember to restart your PC after you’ve installed Visual Studio Redistributable, so the changes can be applied.

4. Delete the OOBE folder

In the Search bar type Control Panel, and click on the result.
Go to Appearance and Personalization.
Under File Explorer Options, click on Show hidden files and folders.
Check Show hidden files, folders, and drives, and then click Apply.

Now you need to delete the contents of the OOBE folder:

Close Creative Cloud desktop app.
Go to the following path: C:>Users>[user folder]>AppData>Local>Adobe>OOBE
Delete all the files in the OOBE folder.
Restart your PC, and then the Creative Cloud app.

Because the content in the OOBE folder will be rebuilt, you will have to wait a little longer than usual for the app to load. Don’t panic, just leave the app to do its thing for a few minutes.

This will fix any Adobe Creative Cloud issues you might have encountered.

As you can see, fixing these issues is relatively easy. You just need to keep your Windows 10 up to date, your app up to date, and to have Visual Studio installed.

If you have any more questions or concerns about the Adobe Creative Cloud, feel free to share them in the comments section below.

What are the best video repair software to get rid of pixelation?

Adobe Premiere Pro

Stellar Repair for Video

Filmora Video Editor

What are the best face blurring tools for PC?

Adobe After Effects

Adobe Premiere Pro

Movavi Video Editor

What are the best catalog creation tools for Windows PCs?

Adobe InDesign

Flip Builder

Flip PDF

MyBusinessCatalog

How can I fix PureVPN not working with Netflix?

Switch to another server

Change the VPN protocol

Clear browser/app cached data

Log in to Netflix without a VPN

Use public DNS/flush your DNS

Check security software

Use another VPN

Private Internet Access

Other solutions

Conclusion

What is Microsoft Blend?

How do I use Microsoft Blend?

What to do if Age of Empires 3 is not working on Windows 10?

1. Run the game in compatibility mode

2. Install the latest version of DirectX

3. Update Windows

4. Remove temporary files and folders

5. Clean boot your PC

6. Update your game client

What can I do if Windows 10 Update is stuck?

1. Check if the process is really stuck

2. Verify if your PC’s CPU and RAM are being used

How do I fix the sound on my Kast?

1. Check your computer audio

2. Enable Stereo Mix in Windows 10

3. Change the output device

4. Use third-party audio software

5. Use Kast Web app (Mac)

Why Photoshop won’t open PNG files?

1. Update Photoshop

2. Check and Change the File Extension

3. Resave the image as PNG

4. Disable Use of Graphic Processor

5. Reset Photoshop Preferences

How can I set up Windows 10 without using a Live Microsoft Account

Create a local user account

How do I play Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone on W10?

1. Run the game in compatibility mode

2. Install the game with a patch

What to do if the screen is stuck on calculating the time required to copy files?

1. Wait for some time

2. Check storage for errors

3. Disable your antivirus temporarily

4. Use alternatives

What are the best system optimization tools for Windows XP?

Fortect – Best Overall

Fortect

System Mechanic Ultimate Defense – Real-time registry repair

System Mechanic Ultimate Defense

AVG PC TuneUP – Highly rated program

AVG TuneUP

Glary Utilities Pro 5 – Restore deleted files

Glary Utilities Pro 5

Norton Utilities – 1-Click Optimization

Norton Utilities

Wrapping up

How do I turn DDC/CI on or off

How to enable Display Data Channel/ Command Interface

How to disable Display Data Channel/ Command Interface

Why use a third-party VPN for Windows Vista?

What’s the best VPN for Vista that actually works?

1. CyberGhost VPN – Winner VPN for Windows Vista

CyberGhost VPN

2. Windscribe

Does Windows Vista have a VPN?

How to install CyberGhost VPN on Windows Vista