Massive July Twitter hack aided by stolen VPN credentials

Posted on by Vlad Constantinescu

Reportedly, the infamous Twitter hack that took place in July was made possible with the help of stolen VPN credentials. Reportedly, the perpetrators targeted a few Twitter employees with a phishing attack.

The attackers created a page that was identical to the genuine VPN login page that home working Twitter employees used to connect to the work systems. After successfully retrieving the employees’ VPN credentials, the hackers used them to connect to the Twitter network.

Twitter’s security took a serious blow

What happened during the Twitter hack in July?

The notorious Twitter hack that occurred earlier this year in July targeted approximately 130 high-profile Twitter accounts, including those of Elon Musk, Joe Biden, Apple, Barack Obama, and Jeff Bezos.

The hackers managed to steal VPN credentials from Twitter remote working employees and use them to infiltrate the Twitter network.

Once in, they started to post on verified accounts, suggesting that donations worth $1,000 in Bitcoin transferred to specific wallet addresses would be doubled in a 30-minute timeframe. Needless to say, some of the followers got scammed.

microsoft edge phishing protection results

Despite Twitter‘s repeated attempts to remove the malicious messages, many more would appear on several other accounts. Reportedly, the attack managed to rake nothing short of $118,000 in Bitcoin.

Cybersecurity, a real reason for concern

Given the current situation and the steadily increasing number of work-from-home employees, companies might need to consider enforcing even stricter policies regarding permissions and privileges.

Business VPNs open previously unavailable opportunities to hackers, which are getting more dangerous by the day. Without proper cybersecurity awareness, just about anyone could fall for hackers’ increasingly creative schemes.

Do you believe remote working without proper training can turn big companies into easy targets for hackers? Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

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FIX: Function address caused a protection fault error

Posted on by Matthew Adams

Some MS Office users have discussed a Function address caused a protection fault error on software forums.

This is a printer error that arises when they try to print from within MS Office. The error can arise on the Windows 10, 8, and 7 platforms.

Luckily, there are some confirmed fixes for the mentioned error.

How can I fix the function address protection fault error?

1. Update the printer driver

Outbyte Driver Updater automatically update drivers
  1. To update the printer driver, download Outbyte Driver Updater.
  2. The tool will download for free.
  3. Install the software following the setup wizard.
  4. Launch Outbyte Driver Updater and it will start scanning automatically.
  5. You’ll get a list of outdated or faulty drivers that need replacing. If there are any printer drivers listed, update them on the spot.

You can rest assured that Outbyte Driver Updater will only recommend new compatible software for your device.

Outbyte Driver Updater

Outbyte Driver Updater

Tired of vague printer errors? Make sure your printer driver is up to date and tick one possible cause off the list.
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2. Change the default printer

  1. Press the Windows key + R hotkey.
  2. Enter control /name Microsoft.DevicesAndPrinters in the Run box, and click OK.
    Devices and Printers printer properties function address caused a protection fault error
  3. Right-click the printer you need and select Set as default printer.
    Set as default printer printer properties function address caused a protection fault error
  4. It might also be a good idea to deselect the Allow Windows to manage my default printer option in Windows 10:
    • Open Run.
    • Input ms-settings:printers in the Run box, and press the Enter key.
    • Deselect the Allow Windows to manage my default printer option if applicable. Allow Windows to manage my default printer option printer properties function address caused a protection fault error
  5. Then open the MS Office application, and try to print a document.

3. Roll Windows back to a System Restore point

  1. Open Run’s window.
  2. Input rstrui in the text box and click OK to open System Restore.
  3. Press the Next button to open a list of restore points.
  4. Select the Show more restore points checkbox.System Restore utility printer properties function address caused a protection fault error
  5. Select a restore point that will roll Windows back to a time when MS Office didn’t return the error. (If in doubt, just select the earliest restore point you can).
  6. Restoring Windows to a previous date will remove software installed after the selected day.
    • To check what software gets removed for a restore point, click the Scan for affected programs button.System Restore software removal list printer properties function address caused a protection fault error
  7. Click Close to exit the Scan for affected programs window.
  8. Click the Next and Finish options to roll back Windows to the restore point selected.
  9. Restart Windows.

If the error is caused by corrupted system files, a System Restore could fix it by rolling the platform back to an earlier time.

By following these steps you will fix the Function address caused a protection fault error and resume printing from MS Office.

If you have fixed the same issue with an alternative resolution, feel free to share it in the comments section below.

[wl_navigator]

Overwolf Not Recording [Easy Fix]

Posted on by Matthew Adams

Overwolf is software that provides users with various apps and enhancements for their games. A lot of users utilize Overwolf recording apps, such as Replay HUD, to record gaming clips.

However, those recording apps might not always record games as players expect. Overwolf users can’t get any recorded output when recording error messages pop up.

Here are a few troubleshooting tips for fixing Overwolf recording error messages.

How can I fix Overwolf recording errors?

1. Update graphics and sound drivers

Some users might need to update their graphics and sound card drivers to fix Overwolf recording issues. That’s might be your case as well.

The most straightforward way to update drivers is to use a specialized driver updating software. You just need to download and install it.

Upon installation, the tool will automatically scan your PC for missing and out-of-date device drivers.

2. Check the minimum system requirements

First, check that the laptop or desktop meets the minimum system requirements for Overwolf recording. Users will need PCs with at least four GB RAM.

NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards that support NVENC or AMF beta encoders are another requirement. Furthermore, an Intel i3 processor that supports Intel QuickSync is the minimum CPU required for Overwolf recording.

Users can upgrade desktops that don’t meet the minimum system requirements for Overwolf recording. Add a new graphics card that supports NVENC or AMF encoding to the desktop.

In addition, desktop users can expand their RAM with new RAM modules.

3. Check that Overwolf supports the game

Recording will only work for games that Overwolf supports. So, check that Overwolf supports the game you’re trying to record.

Users can check what the supported games are at the Overwolf Supported Games page.

Overwolf's supported games page overwolf not recording

4. Check that the Replay HUD app is enabled

Some users might need to enable their Overwolf recording apps to record with them. To enable the Replay HUD, open the Replay HUD app to adjust its settings.

Then, simply toggle the Replay HUD and Auto launch Replay HUD settings on if they’re off.

Replay HUD options overwolf not recording

5. Select Lower Video Settings

  1. If the Selected video settings are too high error message pops up, try reducing the Overwolf recording settings by clicking the arrow beside the wolf head button at the top left of the Overwolf window.
  2. Then, just click Settings on the menu.
  3. Click Capture on the Settings window.
  4. Select a lower resolution setting.
  5. Then select a lower frame rate option.
  6. In addition, check that the right graphics card codec is selected in the Codec drop-down menu. For example, users with NVIDIA graphics cards should select the NVIDIA NVENC option.

6. Reinstall Overwolf

  1. Reinstalling Overwolf might also fix some of the software’s recording errors. To open the Windows uninstaller, launch Run with its Windows key + R hotkey.
  2. Enter appwiz.cpl in Run and click OK.
  3. Select the Overwolf software.
  4. Then click the Uninstall button.
  5. Select the Yes option to confirm and remove the software.
  6. Before reinstalling Overwolf, restart the desktop or laptop.
  7. Thereafter, click Download on Overwolf’s Softpedia page to add the latest software version to Windows.

The above resolutions might fix Overwolf recording errors for some users. If necessary, you can also get further fixes by contacting Overwolf support at its contact page.

Microsoft’s new Edge browser officially lands on Linux in preview, now runs on all the major platforms

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

After a tease earlier this year at Ignite 2020, Microsoft is officially rolling out Microsoft Edge Dev to Linux. This marks a big moment for the web browser, as, with Linux included, it now runs on all the major desktop and mobile platforms, including Windows, Android, iOS, and MacOS.

This initial Edge Dev release on Linux will support the Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, and openSUSE distributions. According to Microsoft, this Linux release is also designed for web developers. The company wants to provide the same web platform and developers tools as macOS or Windows, but on Linux. This is so that developers can “can build and test in the preferred environment and be confident in the experience customers will have on other devices.”

As a result, this version of Edge on Linux lacks some consumer features. The initial release doesn’t support signing into Edge via a Microsoft Account or an Azure Active Directory Account. It also doesn’t support the syncing of favorites or settings. Microsoft says this will be coming in a later preview.

Just like on Windows, Edge Dev on Linux will get weekly builds. You can install Edge today on Linux by going to the Edge Insider website and downloading a .deb or .rpm package. Of course, you also can download the packages manually too via the terminal after setting up Microsoft’s repository, as Microsoft explains step by step, here.

In other news, if you’re running Edge Dev on Windows 10 and the other desktop platforms, you’ll see a new build today, too. Coming in at version 88.0.673.0, this week’s release adds a few things. New is the ability to take a screenshot of a webpage and add ink to it. New is extra error information to tabs when they crash due to sandbox conflict. There are also some new management policies, too. You can learn more about everything that’s changed here, at Microsoft.

Google’s antitrust complaint response compares itself to Microsoft’s Bing

Posted on by Kareem Anderson

While the US Department of Justice may be expediting its antitrust case against Google based on a dubiously applied timeline, Google’s latest defense can arguably be viewed as just as questionable.

The US Justice Department, led by handpicked Trump appointee William Barr, has formally brought its antitrust case against Google and today the defendant offered a rebuttal via its public policy blog.

Today’s lawsuit by the Department of Justice is deeply flawed. People use Google because they choose to, not because they’re forced to, or because they can’t find alternatives.

This lawsuit would do nothing to help consumers. To the contrary, it would artificially prop up lower-quality search alternatives, raise phone prices, and make it harder for people to get the search services they want to use.

As predicted, Google dismisses the complaint by referencing that it’s business as usual for not only itself but every other business in the industry. In an effort to defend its current business model Google pairs its own service funnel against other known quantities in the industry such as Apple, Samsung, and Microsoft.

While Google points to its prominent search engine status on the iPhone as a measure of its competitive industry standing, the company takes more of a shot at Microsoft’s Windows business and the pre-bundled Edge explorer and default Bing search engine.

Google doesn’t come preloaded on Windows devices. Microsoft preloads its Edge browser on Windows devices, where Bing is the default search engine.

Edge Default Search 022x With Bing Twitter.max 1000x1000Google pointing out the Bing and Windows 10 relationship is a valid observation by Google, it’s only a cursory evaluation that the company doesn’t explain or delve into regarding concessions already made by Microsoft which have brought the company to where it is today with service bundling. The EU recently flagged Microsoft’s browser ballot option again, relitigating its 2004 ruling and fined the company $731 million for failing to fully comply with its previously ruled decision.

As Google was promptly tossing other businesses under the bus as part of its defense, the company managed to steamroll Firefox as an example of its “superior” alternative services that people are “choosing” to engage with versus being forced to as the DoJ partially claims.

The data shows that people choose their preferred service: take Mozilla’s Firefox browser as an example. It’s funded almost entirely by revenue from search promotional agreements. When Yahoo! paid to be the default search engine in Firefox, most Americans promptly switched their search engine to their first choice—Google. (Mozilla later chose Google to be its default search provider, citing an “effort to provide quality search” and its “focus on user experience.”)

Google sums up its argument by pointing to the trivially easy ways people could avoid its services but opt not to. What Google fails to disclose in this public rebuttal is its Android licensing lock-in and its zero-cost entry to competitor industries by leveraging its extremely profitable Search business. Google claims to stand by its promise to “remain absolutely focused on delivering the free services that help Americans every day. Because that’s what matters most.”

Debug File Was Created Automatically: How to Delete it

Posted on by Sinziana Mihalache

Many reported that debug file was created automatically on their PC. The file is usually created by your browser, and many are wondering how to remove it.

While this file isn’t harmful, it can be used to diagnose issues if Google Chrome is not opening. However, it’s not that useful if your browser is working properly, so let’s see how we can get rid of it for good.

What is debug log file?

  • This is a log file associated with your Chromium browser.
  • It provides useful debug information that allow you to troubleshoot various issues.
  • Using it you can view when errors in your browser occurred and what process caused them.

You can troubleshoot browser problems with a debug log file, but you can also record detailed network activity using a HAR file, which helps you understand how each page loads and where errors occur.

What do I do if debug file was created automatically?

Manually delete the Crashpad directory

  1. In the Windows search bar, paste the following path and click on it from the results: %LocalAppData%\Google\Chrome\User Data
  2. Find a folder called Crashpad.
  3. Right-click the folder and select Delete.

This sounds like a minor glitch, and we’re certain that Chromium developers will fix this issue in the upcoming release.

In case you’re having issues with Chrome, you might want to check our Failed to load response data error guide.

We hope that the trick mentioned above helped to get rid of the debug.log file. Your feedback is welcome, so be sure to use the comments sections below.

FIX: ETD Control Center not responding error in Windows

Posted on by Matthew Adams

The ETD Control Center is a Microelectronics program that’s required for ELAN Smart-Pads.

The ELAN Smart-Pads are touchpads that some laptops include just below their Space keys. The touchpads enable users to move the mouse cursor with their fingers.

However, few users ever utilize touchpads as alternatives to mice on their laptops. Thus, the ETD Control Center is a somewhat superfluous program.

Some users have also posted on the Microsoft forum about an ETD Control Center not responding error that arises in Windows. Those users spot an ETD icon on their taskbars that displays a not responding error when they click it.

If that is your case as well, this is how to fix the ETD not responding error.

How can I fix ETD Control Center’s not responding error?

1. Update the touchpad driver

Users who actually prefer to keep the ETD Control Center in system startup should try fixing the ETD error by updating the touchpad’s driver.

On this note, we recommend using Outbyte Driver Updater. You can easily download and install the tool by visiting the webpage (as shown below).

Outbyte Driver Updater automatically update drivers

Upon launch, Outbyte Driver Updater will automatically scan your device and return a list of outdated drivers, plus all the compatible fresh software it can find in its huge database.

From there, you’ll have the option to update either only the touchpad driver or all essential drivers.

Moreover, the process of updating your drivers is pretty plain and does not require any expertise. You only have to select the drivers you need to update and let the software find the latest versions.

After you install the drivers individually or at once, the system will also be optimized and run at maximum capacity.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

2. Remove ETD Control Center from the system startup

  1. Press the Windows key + X hotkey and select Task Manager.The Win + X menu ETD Control Center
  2. Click the Start-up tab.The Start-up tab ETD Control Center
  3. Then select the ETD Control Center, and press the Disable button.
  4. Optional: You can click Enable to re-enable ETD Control Center in the system startup if you ever need the touchpad.

This solution applies if you rarely use the touchpad (which is the case with the majority of users).

On the other side, if you know that you’ll never use it, you can uninstall the problematic program completely, as shown in the following solution.

3. Uninstall the ETD Control Center

  1.  First, press the Windows key + R keyboard shortcut to open the Run accessory.
  2. Input appwiz.cpl in Run and click OK.The Windows uninstaller ETD Control Center
  3. Then select ETD Control Center in Programs and Features.
  4. Click the Uninstall button, and select the Yes option to provide further confirmation.

4. Uninstall ASUS Smart Gesture

The ETD not responding error can also be due to the ASUS Smart Gesture driver.

ASUS SG is for more precise touchpad gestures, but it’s hardly essential to keep. So you can uninstall the app much the same as the ETD Control Center as outlined above.

Alternatively, try repairing ASUS Smart Gesture by selecting the Repair option for it after clicking Uninstall/Change in the Programs and Features Control Panel applet.

Uninstall/Change option ETD Control Center

The above resolutions should fix the ETD not responding error in Windows 10.

Overall, it’s a relatively straightforward issue to fix, but you can drop us a line using the comments section in case you didn’t manage to do it.

FIX: Radio switch device has a driver problem error

Posted on by Vlad Turiceanu

Finding out that some of your operating system devices, such as sound or Wi-Fi are not working properly can be really frustrating. Especially if there is no indication of what happened.

Users are getting the message that the radio switch device has a driver problem error without any additional suggestions on what to do next.

Solving this error sounds like a tedious process but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Today we’re going to show you how to fix the radio switch device driver problem in Windows 10, with just a few easy steps.

How can I fix the Radio switch device driver error?

1. Use a dedicated tool

In most cases, in order to fix this issue, you simply need to update the drivers. In order to do that you can either download them manually or use a dedicated tool.

In using a dedicated tool you will avoid causing some irreversible damage to your device, caused by downloading the wrong driver for your hardware.

There are many tools out there that you can use in order to automatically update your drivers. We have tested them all and we would like to recommend that you use Outbyte Driver Updater.

All you need to do is download and install din software on your device. Once the drivers are up to date, the issue should be permanently solved.

Simply run the tool, allow it to scan your device, and let it download and update all the drivers for you.

Outbyte Driver Updater is portable, reliable, and very easy to use. It has an intuitive interface and the scanning process usually lasts a few minutes.

You don’t need to have extensive knowledge or experience with updating the drivers in order to use this tool. It really simplifies the process to the maximum.

Afterward, once the system scan is completed, Outbyte Driver Uppdater will compare all the drivers with its built-in database and make sure to fix the ones that are broken or corrupted.

The tool will help you avoid any driver-related issues in the future. You can set it to automatically scan and fix your drivers on a regular basis. Due to its light footprint, you can let it run in the background with no worries.

All in all, this amazing tool is the perfect one to use for updating your drivers fast and error-free.

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

2. Reinstall the drivers

  1. Right-click on the Start button and open Device Manager.
  2. Next, navigate to Network adapters.Network Adapter inside Device Manager
  3. Right-click on the Wireless LAN driver and Uninstall device.
  4. Connect the LAN cable to a router or modem.
  5. Install the driver again and restart your device.

3. Check the BIOS settings

  1. Press Windows key + I to open Settings.
  2. Next, open Update & security.
  3. From the left pane, choose Recovery.
  4. Go to Advanced Startup and click on Restart now.
  5. Next, choose Troubleshoot and select Advanced options.
  6. Choose UEFI Firmware Settings and then Restart.

Now, your PC should boot into BIOS and, from there, you should be able to solve the issue completely.

With this last step, we will conclude our list of suggestions.

In case you have some questions or additional recommendations regarding the radio switch device, make sure to post them in the comments section below.

In our Wi-Fi section, you can find even more in-depth articles and guides written by our tech experts.

Make sure to bookmark our dedicated Errors Hub and learn about the easiest solutions to the most common Windows 10 errors.

No audio after video conversion with VLC [Fixed]

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

VLC is a great multimedia player, but many users don’t know that VLC also has a video conversion feature available. The video conversion feature offers basic features, but it usually gets the job done.

Many users reported that there’s no audio after video conversion in VLC and this can be a problem. However, there are several ways to fix this issue, and today we’re going to show you how to do it.

What can I do if there’s no audio after video conversion in VLC?

1. Change the sample rate in VLC

  1. Open the video that you want to convert to VLC.
  2. Now press Ctrl + J or go to Tools, and click on Codec information.
  3. Check the sample rate. In our example it’s 48000Hz.
    same rate no audio after video conversion vlc
  4. Go to Media and click on Convert / Save.
    convert video no audio after video conversion vlc
  5. Add the file that you want to convert, the same one from Step 1.
  6. Now click on the Convert / Save button.
    convert/save button no audio after video conversion vlc
  7. Click the wrench icon.
    wrench icon no audio after video conversion vlc
  8. Navigate to the Audio codec tab and set the Sample Rate to the value from Step 3. In our case, it’s 48000Hz.
    audio codec tab no audio after video conversion vlc
  9. Save changes and try to convert your video again.

Few users reported that they fixed the problem simply by using MPEG 4 Audio codec. To do that, follow steps 5-8, and in the Audio codec section, set it to MPEG 4 Audio.

mp4 audio codec no audio after video conversion vlc

2. Modify strict standard compliance value

  1. In VLC, go to Tools, and click on Preferences (Ctrl + P).
  2. In the Show settings field select All.
    all settings no audio after video conversion vlc
  3. In the search field in the top type strict and select FFmpeg. In the right pane, set the Strict standard compliance to -2 and save changes.
    ffmpeg settings no audio after video conversion vlc
  4. Now try to convert the video again.

3. Use video repair software

Stellar Video Repair software is designed to fix videos that got corrupted during recording, transferring or editing, but it also works with videos that got damaged during the conversion process.

The software works with a wide array of storage devices, including SD cards, flash drives, HDDs, but it can also recover media from camcorders, drones, DSLR cameras, phones, and other devices.

Regarding the supported video types, Stellar Video Repair works with 4K, 8K, 12K, HD, UHD, Full HD, 360, VR, and other video types. Regarding the supported formats, about 15 most popular video formats are supported.

The software can fix various issues, including choppy or blurry videos, and it can even repair multiple videos simultaneously. Of course, you can preview repaired videos before you save them.

Stellar Video Repair offers great features, and if you’re having any issues with video files, this will be the right tool for the job.

⇒ Get Stellar Video Repair

No audio after video conversion in VLC can be a problem, but we hope that you managed to fix this issue by using the solutions from this article.

Are you interested in more thorough information on the VLC player? Check out our dedicated VLC article.

Having problems with more applications? Be sure to check out PC Software Hub for more articles like this one.

Halo: MCC to get 120 FPS support on Xbox Series X/S, other next-gen upgrades with November 17 patch

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft may have delayed Halo: Infinite to next year, but the company will still have a next-gen Halo experience for the launch of its Xbox Series X and Series S consoles next month. That’s right, Halo: The Master Chief Collection will get a new patch on November 17 that will bring next-gen upgrades for all titles in the anthology released on Xbox One six years ago.

A tweet from the official Halo Twitter account earlier today mentioned 120 FPS support for the Campaign and Multiplayer modes, split-screen improvements for all games and up to 4K graphics on the Xbox Series X. Xbox marketing chief Aaron Greenberg also confirmed the addition of adjustable Field of View sliders, a feature currently exclusive to the PC version of Halo: MCC.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection was originally released back in November 2014 on Xbox One, and it took years for developer 343 Industries to finally fix the matchmaking issues that plagued the different titles since launch. All Halo games in the collection are already enhanced for the Xbox One X with support for 4K at 60 FPS, but the ability to play both the campaigns and multiplayer modes at 120 FPS on Series X|S consoles (on compatible TVs/gaming monitors) is very exciting.

Last week, Microsoft shared a list of 30 games that will be optimized for the Xbox Series X|S at launch, including existing games like Gears 5, Borderlands 3, Forza Horizon 4, as well as new games such as Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, DIRT 5, Gears Tactics, and Watch Dogs: Legion. Despite the glaring absence of Halo: Infinite, Microsoft claims to have “the largest launch lineup in Xbox history,” and adding Halo: MCC to the list of Xbox Series X|S enhanced titles is definitely great news for Halo fans.

Microsoft to be technology partner for 2021’s all-digital CES

Posted on by Kareem Anderson

As with most in-person events in 2020, The Consumer Technology Association (CTA) alongside Microsoft is announcing an effort to take the Consumer Electronics Expo digital.

According to the Official Microsoft Blog, Microsoft and the CTA are partnering to transition CES into its first-ever, all-digital event scheduled for January 11 through 14, 2020.

It is an extreme honor for Microsoft to be selected as CTA’s technology partner for CES, the world’s most influential technology event. It won’t surprise you to hear we’re bringing Microsoft Cloud solutions, including Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Teams and Microsoft Power Platform, together with partner solutions to create the technology platform for the all-digital event that will bring together the entire global tech community and be the CES 2021 experience.

For now, the details of how Microsoft plans to implement its digital-first strategy to help CES 2021 are vague.  However, having already produced a dozen major digital company events, hosting fan and user engagement for the NBA finals, and the current NFL season as well as several events for iHeartMedia, the company has more than enough experience and scale to leverage for CES 2021.

New Meeting pre-join experience is now rolling out in Microsoft Teams

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft has started the rollout of the new pre-join experience that makes it easier for users to configure their environment before entering a Teams meeting. According to the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, the updated experience for Teams is gradually rolling out to the Teams desktop client on Windows.

Announced in August, the new Microsoft Teams meeting pre-join experience features a more modern look, and it provides useful, clear, and easy to follow instructions. The updated pre-join screen offers easier discovery for video/audio and device selection configurations for the meeting. Most importantly, users will now be able to select their background filter before they enter a Teams meeting.


Needless to say, this improved UI has been designed to unify settings and streamline the experience based on user feedback. It should help meeting participants ensure that their audio and video work properly when a meeting is in full flow. The feature is expected to be generally available by the end of November 2020.

USB Mass Storage Device has a driver problem

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

We use USB drives to transfer files all the time, but sometimes issues with USB storage can occur. Many users reported USB Mass Storage has a driver problem error, and this can prevent you from transferring files.

Fixing this problem is relatively simple, and in today’s article, we’re going to show you the best methods that you can use to get your USB storage device working again.

How can I fix USB Mass Storage has a driver problem error?

1. Use a dedicated driver updater program

This error is usually caused by outdated or corrupted drivers, and this is where a dedicated tool can be helpful. The software is will perform a quick scan and give you a list of all drivers that are out of date.

To fix the driver issues, you just need to select the drivers that you want to update, and the latest version of the drivers will be downloaded automatically.

2. Reinstall the driver

  1. Press Windows Key + X and select Device Manager from the list.
    device manager usb mass storage has a driver problem
  2. Click on View and check Show hidden devices.
    show hidden devices usb mass storage has a driver problem
  3. Now go to the Universal Serial Bus controllers section and expand it.
  4. Right-click USB Mass Storage Device and choose the Uninstall device.
    uninstall device usb mass storage has a driver problem
  5. When the confirmation dialog appears, click on Uninstall.
    USB mass storage device uninstall usb mass storage has a driver problem
  6. Do this for all USB Mass Storage Device entries on the list.
  7. After removing the driver, restart your PC.

After your PC restarts, the removed driver will be installed automatically and the USB Mass Storage has a driver problem error should be fixed.

3. Check your registry

  1. Press Windows Key + R and enter regedit. Press Enter or click OK.
    regedit run window usb mass storage has a driver problem
  2. Navigate to the following path in the left pane:
    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\UsbStor
  3. Locate the Start value in the right pane. If it’s not set to 3, make sure to change it to 3.
    registry editor usb mass storage has a driver problem

4. Change power settings

  1. Open the Device Manager.
  2. Expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers section and double click on USB Root Hub.
    USB root hub usb mass storage has a driver problem
  3. Navigate to the Power Management tab and uncheck Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.
    power management settings usb mass storage has a driver problem
  4. Click OK to save changes.

USB Mass Storage has a driver problem message will prevent you from using USB storage devices, but you should be able to fix this problem by reinstalling or updating your drivers.

Fix: Logitech G930 Headset Driver Problems [Windows 10/11]

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

If you enjoy multimedia, it’s important to use a quality headset, and Logitech G930 is one such headset. However, many users reported various Logitech G930 driver problems on their PC.

Driver problems can prevent your headset from working properly, but there’s a way to fix that, and in today’s article we’re going to show you how to do it.

How can I fix Logitech G930 driver problems?

1. Use Outbyte Driver Updater

If you’re having driver problems, the fastest and simplest way to fix them is to use Outbyte Driver Updater software. The software is incredibly simple to use, and it will scan your PC for outdated drivers.

Once the scan is finished, you’ll see a list of all outdated drivers, and you can choose which drivers you want to update, or you can update all drivers at the same time.

The update process is fully automated, and the required drivers will be downloaded automatically, but if you want, you can monitor the download progress.

Other useful features:

  • Ability to quickly detect outdated drivers
  • Online database of over 18 million driver files
  • Download manager
  • Driver backups
  • Driver update/scan scheduling

⇒ Get Outbyte Driver Updater

2. Try connecting the device to another USB port

  1. Disconnect the headset.
  2. Now connect it to a different port.
  3. Repeat the previous steps until you find the port that works.

Users reported that using the front ports on their PC fixed the problems, so you might want to try that. Keep in mind that this is just a workaround, and it might not be a permanent solution.

3. Reinstall your drivers

  1. Press Windows Key + X and select Device Manager.
    device manager logitech g930 driver problems
  2. Locate the Logitech headset on the list, right-click it, and choose Uninstall device.
    uninstall device logitech g930 driver problems
  3. When the confirmation dialog appears, click on Uninstall. If available, be sure to check the option to remove driver software as well.
    uninstall device confirmation
  4. After the software is removed, restart your PC and install the driver again.

Some users reported that installing the older driver version such as version 8.45 or even 8.35. You might have to experiment with several different versions until you find the one that works for you.

Note: Few users reported that they fixed the problem by removing Universal Serial Bus controller driver or by reinstalling Realtek Audio drivers.

Even if you don’t use Realtek Audio, you can try reinstalling audio drivers and see if that solves the problem.

4. Remove Logitech Gaming Software

  1. Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app and go to the Apps section.
    settings apps logitech g930 driver problems
  2. Select Logitech Gaming software and click on Uninstall.
    uninstall software logitech g930 driver problems

After uninstalling the Logitech software, the issue should be resolved. Keep in mind that certain features might not be available after you uninstall the software.

Logitech G930 driver problems can affect your multimedia experience, but you should be able to fix them by updating your drivers or by reinstalling them.

Microsoft’s Xbox app updates on iOS and Android with remote play and a fresh new look

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

The newly revamped Xbox app is now available on both Android and iOS smartphones and tablets after the rollout of the latest app update this week.

The new Xbox app features a completely new design that better matches the current Xbox One and Xbox Series X console UI and is generally much more visual than the previous version. The main attraction with this update is the addition of the ability to stream gameplay footage from an Xbox console on the same Wi-Fi network, essentially turning any smartphone or tablet into a second screen.

The app’s icon has also been updated with a softer shade of green.

Here’s the full release notes:

All new!

  • Set up new consoles and queue games
  • Play remotely from your console
  • View and share game clips & screenshots
  • Party chat with friends across devices

Have a look around the new app. More awesomeness is on the way!

Do you like the look and functionality of the new Xbox app? Let us know why (or why not!) in the comments below and then follow us on Twitter and Pinterest for more Xbox news.

‎Xbox
‎Xbox
Download
QR-Code

‎Xbox
Developer:
Microsoft Corporation
Price:
Free


Xbox
Xbox
Download
QR-Code

Xbox
Developer:
Microsoft Corporation
Price:
Free

Fix: Windscribe slow speed / slowing internet [Best solutions]

Posted on by Vlad Constantinescu

Windscribe is an excellent VPN service that’s gained a lot of traction, probably thanks to its generous free version. We all enjoy a good bargain, and Windscribe doesn’t cease to deliver, giving that its free version is still alive and kicking.

However, some users have reported excessive slowdowns of their Internet connection when using Windscribe. The worst part is that this slowdown apparently affects premium users as well as ones who enjoy Windscribe without paying a dime.

Does Windscribe slow down computers?

Naturally, any additional process running on your PC slows it down, albeit some of them do so by very little.

Windscribe is actually one of those programs that don’t take a huge chunk out of your PC’s performance while running.

Does Windscribe slow down your Internet speed?

Windscribe

It’s in every (trustworthy) VPN’s quintessence to protect your Internet connection by any means. Most VPNs, including Windscribe, do so by encrypting your traffic before passing it through its secure tunnel.

If you want to find out more about how VPNs affect Internet speed, check out our guide.

This, in turn, can slow down your Internet connection, but it shouldn’t be too noticeable.

As we’ve previously explained in greater detail, factors that may weigh in to slow down your Internet include encryption, distance, VPN server quality bandwidth limitation, and the number of servers.

However, your VPN is rarely the only thing that’s bringing your Internet speed close to a halt.

How to fix Windscribe slow speed

1. Run a speed test

First and foremost, it’s very important to know what you’re dealing with. If you have a lightning-fast connection and Windscribe seems to slow it down greatly, run a speed test, and see how much slower it gets.

Having a 50 Mbps connection that gets slower with ~ 10 Mbps (while using nearby servers) is perfectly fine. You can probably notice this amount of slowdown while using other services, as well.

Naturally, selecting a server that’s located at a greater distance will increase the slowdown percentage even further.

2. Choose a different protocol

Windscribe has a wide selection of protocols, so if one of them seems to be kind of slow, just switch to another one. For instance, if you’re using OpenVPN, you may want to give IKEv2 a try, as well.

Furthermore, if your ISP/network is restrictive, your connection may be throttled. Therefore, you may want to try changing to various other ports, and even enable give the Stealth protocol a shot.

The Stealth protocol disguises VPN traffic as regular traffic, thus reducing the chances of your ISP detecting and actively limiting your VPN connections.

3. Configure your router properly

Check your router’s configuration page for anything resembling VPN pass-through. If you see this setting, make sure it’s enabled to circumvent any hardware limitations on your side.

Also, if you have a router firewall, make sure it doesn’t block or restrict any of the ports you’re using with Windscribe.

4. Choose another server

Due to VPN server congestion or distance, you may experience speed loss. Luckily for you, both of these issues can be easily solved in the same manner.

All you have to do is disconnect from the Windscribe VPN server you were using and connect to another one. If you can choose one that’s even closer to you it might get even better.

It’s widely known that distance plays a great part when it comes to connection speed. Thus, it goes without saying that servers that are far away will tend to be much slower than the ones nearby.

5. Check your security software

Certain antivirus/antimalware/firewall software on your PC could have a negative impact on your Internet connection speed, especially if you’re using a VPN such as Windscribe.

Try pausing your security software for a short while, run a speed test and check if there’s any improvement. If that doesn’t work, try quitting the programs altogether, and try again.

It’s worth mentioning that you should check if your firewall software doesn’t have any rules for blocking traffic on ports that Windscribe is using, or even restricting the app itself from communicating with the Internet efficiently.

Final thoughts on fixing Windscribe’s slow speed

All things considered, if you notice that Windscribe slows your Internet connection more than it should, you may want to try our suggested fixes. Most of the time, a simple server switch can work wonders.

However, you should know and understand that any VPN other than Windscribe can slow down your Internet speed, as well.

Last, but not least, make sure your non-VPN connection is in top-notch shape before attempting any VPN-related fixes.

SATA SSD not listed as boot option [Quick Fix]

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Having an SSD is a great way to improve your PC performance and reduce the boot time, but what if SSD is not listed in boot options?

This can be a problem and prevent you from using your SSD as a boot device. Fortunately, there’s a way to fix this problem, and in today’s article, we’re going to show you how to do it properly.

What can I do if SATA SSD is not listed as boot options?

1. Check your BIOS settings

  1. Enter BIOS. Keep in mind that different devices use different shortcuts for accessing BIOS.
  2. Enable the CSM option.
  3. Now set the SATA mode to AHCI.

After doing that, you should be able to see your SSD in the boot options. To see how to locate and change these settings, be sure to check your motherboard manual.

2. Try starting the system with only SSD connected

  1. Disconnect your computer case from the power outlet and open it.
  2. Now disconnect all drives except your SSD.
  3. Try to boot again.
  4. If your system boots, connect other drives and check if the problem is resolved.

Keep in mind that this solution might void your warranty if your computer is prebuilt.

Note: Some users reported that connecting the SSD to the SATA port 0 and hard drive to the SATA port 1 fixed the problem for them, so be sure to try that as well.

Also, make sure that your SSD drive is tightly connected to both data and power cable.

3. Use a third-party software

If your SATA SSD is not listed in boot options, it’s possible that you didn’t clone your disk properly. To avoid these types of issues, it’s advised to use reliable backup software such as AOMEI Backupper.

The software offers system backup, so it will be able to create an identical system backup and move it to your SSD. Of course, you’re not limited just to system backup, and you can back up both disks or partitions.

AOMEI Backupper also supports file sync and file backup, and you can even schedule backups or create event-triggered backups. Of course, incremental and differential backups are available as well.

The application has a hot backup feature, so you can create backups in the background without disrupting your other tasks.

Overall, AOMEI Backupper is great software if you need to clone your operating system to a new SSD drive, so be sure to try it out.

Other great features:

  • Ability to store backups on external storage, optical disks, NAS, or the cloud
  • Command-line support
  • Selective file restore from image files
  • Flexible disk cloning
  • Bootable rescue media

⇒ Get AOMEI Backupper

4. Upgrade or reinstall your BIOS

  1. Download the latest version of BIOS for your motherboard.
  2. Now upgrade to a new version of BIOS.
  3. After upgrading to a new version of BIOS, check if the problem is still there.

Note: BIOS upgrade is an advanced procedure, and if you fail to upgrade BIOS, you might cause permanent damage to your motherboard.

To ensure that the BIOS upgrade is performed properly, download the correct version of BIOS and follow the instructions from your motherboard manual carefully.

In some instances, users reported that reinstalling their BIOS fixed the problem, so if you’re an advanced user and you know how to do that properly, you might want to consider it.

If your SATA SSD is not listed as a boot option, the problem might be your settings, but we hope that this article helped you fix this problem for good.

Xbox app not getting party invites / notifications issues

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Xbox app is a great addition to Windows 10 that allows you to stay connected with the Xbox community while you’re on your PC.

Sadly, many Windows 10 users reported that Xbox app is not getting party invites, and this can be a problem. Today we’re going to show you how to fix this issue once and for all.

Fix Xbox Windows 10 app not getting party invites

How do I accept a party invite on the Xbox app?

xbox party xbox windows 10 app not getting party invites
  1. Once the party invitation is sent, you’ll get a notification in the Action Center.
  2. Now select the notification and choose the option to join the party.

This is the only way to accept party invites, but if your Xbox app is not getting party invites, we have a couple of solutions that might help you fix this problem.

1. Reset the Xbox app

  1. Press Windows Key + I to open the Settings app.
  2. Go to the Apps section.
    apps settings app xbox windows 10 app not getting party invites
  3. Locate the Xbox app on the list and click on Advanced options.
    advanced option xbox windows 10 app not getting party invites
  4. Scroll down and click the Reset button.
    reset app xbox windows 10 app not getting party invites

This is a simple solution, but many users reported that it helped them fix the problem with Xbox app notifications not working on Windows 10.

2. Make sure that your notifications are enabled

  1. Open the Settings app and go to the System section.
  2. Select Notifications & actions, and enable Get notifications from apps and other senders.
    get notifications from apps and other senders xbox windows 10 app not getting party invites
  3. You can also check the list of individual apps and make sure that the Xbox app is allowed to send you notifications.

After doing that, the issue with Xbox app not getting party invites should be fixed.

3. Use Xbox app in windowed mode

xbox app windowed xbox windows 10 app not getting party invites
  1. Start the game you want to run in Xbox app.
  2. Now move your mouse to the top of the screen.
  3. A menu will appear. Click the diagonal arrows button.

The app will now switch to windowed mode and the issue should be resolved. Keep in mind that this is just a workaround, but it has worked for some users.

4. Disable and uninstall Game Bar

  1. Open the Settings app and go to the Gaming section.
  2. Disable the Game Bar.
    disable game bar xbox windows 10 app not getting party invites
  3. Now press Windows Key + X and choose PowerShell (Admin) from the list.
    powershell win + x menu xbox windows 10 app not getting party invites
  4. Run the following command:
    get-appxpackage *gamingoverlay* | remove-appxpackage
  5. Open the Xbox Companion App.
  6. Go to Settings > Notifications and enable Party & game invitations.
    enable party invitations xbox windows 10 app not getting party invites

Keep in mind that Powershell is an advanced tool, so it wouldn’t be a bad idea to create a backup before removing built-in components such as Game Bar from your system.

This isn’t the only problem that you can encounter, and we wrote about Xbox app 0x89231806 in our latest article, so don’t miss it.

If Xbox app notifications aren’t working, make sure that your notifications are enabled. If that doesn’t help, try resetting the Xbox app or use our other solutions.

FIX: Windows 10 Error c1900101-4000d When Upgrade Fails

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Some common blockers that prevent Windows 10 setups from working or installing properly include processors, incompatible BIOS, HDD controllers, and booting from VHD or from Windows to go.

Another blocker can be the running user in audit mode, running an upstaged build or host build is staged, or the availability of a NIC card.

One of these problems is the Windows 10 fails c1900101-4000d error, which happens when your installer is unable to pick up the installation files while performing an upgrade on your PC.

This error has the 4000s suffix which almost always means faulty drivers, but some reports show a USB drive could also cause the error.

Some of the drivers that are associated with Windows 10 failing c1900101-4000d error are NVIDIA driver and antivirus and security-related software.

How can I fix the c1900101-4000d error?

1. Disable the antivirus software

Sometimes having multiple firewalls, antivirus or malware programs, may at times prevent you from performing certain tasks or running processes on your PC.

If this is the cause of the issue, turn either of the three off temporarily and then try to log in again.

Ensure you turn these programs back on immediately after you’re done to prevent hackers, viruses, and worms from damaging your system.

Try to use an alternative security solution that won’t cause any errors in your system. Many Windows 10/11 compatible antiviruses are proven to be very stable and provide top-level protection.

We recommend you use a security tool with a strong privacy policy, a powerful firewall, and a good threat database. On top of that, make sure to get an antivirus with low CPU usage.

The background programs that start with Windows operating system could cause the Windows 10 fails c1900101-4000d error by preventing a successful installation.

You can best utilize Windows 10 cleanup software. These tools can remove junk files, but they also offer a plethora of other features.

2. Run the troubleshooter

  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Head over to Updates & Security and select Troubleshoot. 
  3. Scroll to Additional Troubleshooters and click on Windows Store Apps.
  4. Click Run the Troubleshooter. Follow the on-screen instructions and let the process finish.
  5. Restart your PC.

The Windows Update troubleshooter automatically detects, and fixes most incorrect settings on your PC that brings the message there were some problems installing updates, but we’ll try again later.

The Windows 10 fails c1900101-4000d error usually occurs when your installer isn’t able to pick the installation files while upgrading.

So running the built-in troubleshooter resolves any issues that prevent you from updating your OS.

3. Perform a clean boot

  1. Press the Windows key + R, type msconfig, and click OK.
  2. Go to the System Configuration dialog box, and select the Services tab.
  3. Check the Hide all Microsoft services box.
  4. Click on Disable all.
  5. Select the Startup tab, and click on Open Task Manager.
  6. You will see a list of startup items relevant to your PC. Select each and click Disable.
  7. Close Task Manager after you are done with each startup item, and click OK.
  8. Restart your PC.

A clean boot eliminates any software conflicts that may be causing the Windows 10 fails c1900101-4000d problem.

These conflicts can be caused by applications and services that start up and run in the background whenever you start Windows normally.

You will have a clean boot environment after following these steps.

4. Disconnect multiple hard disks and any devices attached

Sometimes hardware may interfere with the normal Windows boot and installation process as Windows tries to detect and install them.

In this case, unplug all devices connected to your computers such as a printer, scanner, digital camera, USB device, CD/DVD, mp3 player, media card reader, and any other external devices you have plugged in.

Keep only your mouse, monitor, and keyboard (if using a PC). Disconnect multiple disks installed on your computer except for the target hard disk in which you will install Windows 10 OS.

If you have RAID configuration, disable the controller, and other devices attached as they confuse the Windows 10 setup.

Once you do this, unplug the computer from the power outlet on the wall, remove the laptop battery, hold the power button down for 10-15 seconds, then plug back the power outlet and restart.

5. Use Command Prompt (Admin)

  • Press the Windows key + R, type cmd, and hit enter.
  • Right-click on Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
  • Type the following command, and press Enter: rundll32.exe pnpclean.dll.RUNDLL_PnpClean /DRIVERS /MAXCLEAN
  • Exit Command Prompt, and restart your PC.

Power down your PC, and wait for about 10 minutes then start it again. The setup will automatically restore the previous Windows 10 build or previous Windows version on your PC.

6. Remove or reduce RAM

Sometimes, Windows 10 fails c1900101-4000d error can be caused by bad memory modules which in turn affect Windows 10 installation.

In this case, you can try and remove or reduce the RAM installed on your computer to a single stick.

7. Create new user profile

  1. Hold the Windows Key + S.
  2. Type Settings in the search box, and click on it.
  3. Go to Accounts, and select Family and other users.
  4. Click on Add someone else to this PC.
  5. Fill in the form with the username and password. Your new user account will be created.
  6. Click on Change account type.
  7. Click the drop down arrow, and choose Administrator to set the account to administrator level.
  8. Restart your PC.
  9. Login to the new account you just created.

If the issue goes away, then it may mean your other user profile is corrupted.

You can try the following in case of a corrupted user profile:

  1. On your new account, use it to downgrade your usual account.
  2. Click Apply or Ok.
  3. Raise back your old account to its default admin level.
  4. Rinse and repeat a few times as this will help to remove any corruption.
  5. Leave your account on as Administrator.

You can create a new user profile then change settings to administrator privileges.

Check whether Windows 10 fails c1900101-4000d error goes away when using the newly created account. If it does, then you can either fix the old user account or migrate to the new account.

Did any of the above solutions fix the Windows 10 fails c1900101-4000d error on your PC? Share with us in the comments section below.

Check out our Windows 10 Hub for the latest news and updates from our trustworthy tech experts.

Take a look at our Fix section for complete guides on troubleshooting tech issues.

Don’t install KB4579311 to avoid PC crash, freeze & more

Posted on by Sinziana Mihalache

Almost a week ago, Microsoft pushed the Patch Tuesday cumulative updates that were supposed to fix various issues known in several Windows OS versions.

As known, Windows 10 updates, although necessary, tend to cause several issues, however, users certainly didn’t expect the multitude of errors they experienced after installing update KB4579311 (applied to version 2004).

KB4579311 caused more issues than it should have fixed

During the weekend, the cries for help during or after installing this update kept rising.

The most common problem is that the cumulative update won’t install and the process displays common error codes such as 0x800f0802, 0x800f0988 or 0x800f0922.

On the other hand, if the update managed to install successfully, it led to even more trouble. As a result, some systems kept crashing, while with others, hardware drivers, apps, or programs stopped working.

Here are some of the complaints extracted from both the Microsoft community and Reddit:

This morning I got some windows updates KB4579311. I don’t know if the update is the reason, but suddenly my Windows says that it isn’t activated anymore.

I’ve been having an issue with Windows Update KB4579311. When it gets installed it causes the Explorer to crash repeatedly until it eventually logs me in, at which point I can use it as normal. BUT, the crashing increases time it takes to log in and load everything up.

KB4579311 locked up my taskbar, made my CPU incapable of passing 20-ish percent, crashed my SSD from amount of read-write, took 3 hours to uninstall, and cost me time of reinstalling most of my applications from corrupting all of it with the crashed SSD.

How do I fix issues caused by update KB4579311?

The short answer is that there’s no clear fix, unfortunately. At least for now. Moreover, since this is a critical update, Microsoft will install it automatically on any compatible device.

The good news is that Microsoft is expected to take action soon, with all the clamor around this update.

The bad new is that, for now, one can only turn to workarounds.

A user specifically asked for a clear fix, not a workaround, and it’s understandable, considering that this always happens with cumulative updates as somebody pointed out on the forums.

In this particular case, the solutions the following:

  1. In the Settings menu, got to Update & Security.
  2. Choose Windows Update, the Pause update for 7 days.pause update for 7 days
  3. Then, open Control Panel.
  4. Go to Programs and Features and View Installed Updates.
  5. Right-click on KB4579311 and choose Uninstall.unistall kB4579311

Another workaround is to perform a System Restore, choosing a restore point at a date prior to the installation of KB4579311.

Hopefully, you won’t have to go to the latter solution and that the former is enough, until Microsoft pushed a fix to the problematic cumulative update.

Let use know how you managed to solve the issue, in case your device also started to behave erratically after installing the mentioned update.

[wl_navigator]

New redirect virus is pushing Bing to Microsoft Edge users

Posted on by Loredana Harsana

Users describe encountering a similar situation in the past few days – their Microsoft Edge browser tries to redirect them to Bing.

They see messages such as Connecting to, Processing request or Waiting for in the browser status bar. Instead of blaming the browser itself, users should take into consideration the following scenario.

It is perfectly normal for a site to redirect a browser to another location. However, if your web browser is constantly redirected to Bing, then you are most likely infected with some sort of a browser redirect virus.

For security reasons, you should better act fast and rid of this browser hijacker virus. The purpose of this redirect to Bing is obvious; here’s what one user said:

It sounds like you have a redirect virus that gets money by making you use Bing.

How to remove redirect virus?

Vipre Antivirus

Web browser redirects are typically caused by adware programs, browser extensions, addons, as well as various types of malware.

These unwanted programs are either installed manually or come bundled with free programs that you happen to download from the Internet.

To terminate such programs that may redirect you to Bing from Microsoft Edge, you should give a try to Vipre Antivirus.

This award-winning security tool will search your computer for active malware infections and attempt to terminate them so that they won’t interfere with your browsing activities any longer.

If you deal with a stubborn malware that intends to stay, do note that Vipre is known for more than just malware scanning and removal.

This antivirus includes real-time threat intelligence and free customer support for malware remediation into the package as well.

Vipre Antivirus Plus

Vipre Antivirus Plus

In addition to making your forget all about your browser redirect virus, Vipre includes free support and it's simple to use!
Free trial Visit website

Moreover, since you’re using Microsoft Edge, another quick solution involves returning to the original settings. Do so instead of letting the malware developers receive huge commissions.

Have the above tips worked for you? Don’t hesitate to share your experience of constantly being redirected to Bing in the comments area below.

[wl_navigator]

Watch Dogs source code might get leaked 3 weeks before release

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

Gaming giant Ubisoft is just 3 weeks away from the official launch of their latest big hit: Watch Dogs: Legion.

However, this launch may now be in peril due to unexpected events, to the point where the game may be canceled altogether.

Ubisoft and Crytek have been the victims of ransomware attacks

According to a Twitter post, a ransomware group called Egregor have leaked data on the dark web, claiming that it was stolen from Ubisoft and Crytek’s internal networks.

Apparently, the data was posted on Egregor’s portal on Tuesday, October 13 making it up for grabs by anyone.

Unfortunately, there is no further information regarding how they got hold of the data, nor on how Ubisoft or Crytek have reacted to the claim.

The data posted on Tuesday was not integral, and the ransomware group threatened to release even more of it if their demands were not met.

The ransomware group targeted the latest Watchdogs game

Egregor posted files that suggested that they were in possession of data from one of the company’s Watch Dogs games.

In fact, the group claimed the files were from Watch Dogs: Legion, although it was impossible to verify whether the files were from it, or from an older title.

Neither Ubisoft nor Crytek reported any incidents or data leaks, so players are now hoping that the launch of Watchdogs: Legion will not be delayed, or even canceled.

Do you think the launch of Watch Dogs: Legion is in danger? Lets us know what you think of this situation by leaving us a message in the comments section below.

[wl_navigator]

 

FIX: Dropbox unexpectedly quit [Windows 10/11 Guide]

Posted on by Madalina Dinita

Millions of users rely on Dropbox to store, access, and share their documents. This cloud storage service allows users to create a dedicated folder on their computers.

As expected, this will be synchronized so that they can access the same content irrespective of the device they use. Dropbox is a complex service, and sometimes it’s affected by various technical issues.

One of the most frequent bugs causes Dropbox to immediately close when users launch it. The Dropbox folder disappears from the screen, preventing files from syncing.

If you’re experiencing Dropbox crashes in Windows 10, follow the steps listed below to solve this problem. But before that, here are some more potential issues.

What can I do if the Dropbox app crashes as soon as it opens?

  1. Disable your antivirus/add Dropbox to the exception list
  2. Uninstall and then reinstall Dropbox
  3. Use an error-free alternative – Zoolz
  4. Install Dropbox from the Administrator account
  5. Try installing Dropbox from the Microsoft Store
  6. Check your firewall and add Dropbox to the exception list
  7. Disable your antivirus
  8. Run the App Troubleshooter
  9. Uninstall the latest update

1. Disable your antivirus/add Dropbox to the exception list

Vipre

If Dropbox keeps crashing, maybe your antivirus simply blocks it. To prevent that, you should find your way into Settings and add Dropbox to the list of exceptions.

Another option that we strongly recommend is to change your antivirus. Long story short, Vipre is the least intrusive solution that you can currently find and it brings much more to the table.

Well, it includes some useful bonus features not found in similar antivirus choices, including anti-threat protection and free, full-scale tech support.

It always comes a time when extra help for getting rid of a particularly stubborn piece of malware is required. In such cases, you’ll feel happier than ever for choosing Vipre over any other solution.

Vipre Antivirus Plus

Vipre Antivirus Plus

In addition to making your forget all about Dropbox crashing issue, Vipre includes free support and award-winning protection!
Free trial Visit website

2. Uninstall and then reinstall Dropbox

uninstall and then reinstall Dropbox
  1. Go to Programs and Features > select Dropbox.
  2. Click Uninstall > restart your computer.
  3. Delete the Dropbox metadata folder:
    • Open a Windows File Explorer.
    • Type %LOCALAPPDATA% into the address bar.
    • Delete the folder Dropbox from the results.
    • If you cannot find a Dropbox folder inside %LOCALAPPDATA%, go to %APPDATA% instead, and delete the Dropbox folder there.
  4. Go to Dropbox’s website to install the app again.
  5. Apply any Selective Sync settings valid prior to the reinstall > wait until Dropbox reindexes your files.

3. Use an error-free alternative – Zoolz

use Zoolz

When you lack the time to go through all these troubleshooting steps, let us tell you more about an approach that can move things along.

Dropbox was your initial choice, that’s true. However, this doesn’t mean that you cannot give a try to an error-free alternative such as Zoolz.

You’re about to enjoy quite a few major advantages: no speed or size limits placed on uploads and downloads, ultra-secure AWS infrastructure, as well as multi-faceted backup.

Moreover, it’s known to have a minimum performance impact on end-user, so you’ll continue your daily activities and never worry about Zoolz crashing or interfering with your system in any way. 

Zoolz

Zoolz

If you’re tired of Dropbox crashing issues, try out Zoolz. This tool truly is user-friendly and error-free!
$14.99/mo. Visit website

4. Update the Windows OS

try to update the Windows OS

Although the current state of your operating system probably has nothing to do with Dropbox, you never know with Windows updates.

So, before proceeding to other solutions, make sure your operating system is up to date.

Not just because of Dropbox, but keeping Windows up to date is highly recommended for security and compatibility reasons.

Having trouble updating your Windows? Check out this guide that will help you solve them in no time.

5. Install Dropbox from the Administrator account

install Dropbox from Administrator account

Make sure that the Windows account you install Dropbox on is an Administrator account. Some users also report that after they add a password to their Windows account, Dropbox stops crashing.

Apparently, the Dropbox crashes can also be caused by permission issues.

6. Try installing Dropbox from the Microsoft Store

You probably prefer the regular, win32 version of Dropbox, but there’s also a UWP version, and it’s quite good. Additionally, UWP apps (should) work better in Windows 10, so you really have nothing to lose.

Just head over to the Microsoft Store, download and install the UWP version of Dropbox, and see if you have more luck with this app.

7. Check your firewall and add Dropbox to the exception list

check your firewall
  1. Go to Search, type firewall, and open Windows Defender Firewall. 
  2. Go to Allow an app or feature through Windows Defender Firewall. 
  3. Scroll down through the list of apps, and find Dropbox.
  4. Make sure to check both Private and Public.
  5. Save the changes and restart your computer.

Since Dropbox is not a first-party program, there’s a chance Windows Firewall will block it.

If that’s the case, you don’t really need to fully disable the firewall to make Dropbox working. You can just add it to the exceptions list by using the above steps.

8. Run the App Troubleshooter

App Troubleshooter
  1. Go to Settings.
  2. Navigate to Updates & Security > Troubleshoot.
  3. Click Windows Store Apps and choose Run the troubleshooter.
  4. Wait for the troubleshooter to finish the process.
  5. Restart your PC.

If you’re having problems with the UWP version of the app, you should run the built-in app troubleshooter to potentially resolve the problems.

If you’re having trouble opening the Settings app, just check out this detailed guide to solve the issue.

If the Troubleshooter stops before completing the process, fix it with the help of this complete guide.

9. Uninstall the latest update

uninstall the latest update
  1. Go to Settings > Updates & Security > Windows Update.
  2. Go to Update history > Uninstall updates.
  3. Now, find the latest update installed on your computer (you can sort updates by date), right-click it, and go to Uninstall.
  4. Restart your computer.

As we said above, you never know with Windows updates. So, it’s also possible for a Windows update to disrupt your system, and break some apps or programs.

If installing the latest updates didn’t get the job done (or even made the problem worse), let’s flip the philosophy and uninstall the latest Windows update. Use the above steps in that regard.

Do note that Dropbox issues may take various forms. To be more precise, users often complain about:

  • Dropbox keeps crashing – If Dropbox crashes, it’ll usually give you an error message. So, use that message to determine how to resolve the problem.
  • Dropbox keeps indexing – It’s also common for Dropbox to get stuck indexing. If that’s what bothers you, apply the solutions from this article.
  • Dropbox not connecting – If you have problems connecting Dropbox to the internet, make sure everything’s alright with your internet connection. If everything’s fine, move on to the solutions listed below.
  • Dropbox not syncing – The same applies to sync problems with Dropbox.

These above solutions should help you to fix Dropbox’s annoying crashes. If you’ve come across other workarounds to fix this problem, list the troubleshooting steps in the comments section below.

[wl_navigator]

[Updated] Some Windows 10 users are seeing the Office PWAs being automatically installed on their PCs

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

After previous reports revealed that Microsoft was apparently pushing the installation of Office PWAs to the PCs of some Windows Insiders, it appears that the company has also been doing the same with some non-Insider Windows 10 users. This weekend Sean Hollister from The Verge wrote a post to complain about the forced installation after seeing the Office PWAs appear on his Windows 10 PC after a forced reboot.

Here’s Hollister recap of the events that led him to write a probably justified rant:

I stepped away from my computer for dinner, halfway through writing a story for The Verge. When I got back, I couldn’t believe my eyes.

Windows 10 had restarted my computer without permission yet again — to install yet another forced OS update onto my solid state drive.

The craziest part: When my machine finished rebooting, it now contained the exact thing I’d been writing about before I was rudely interrupted. Microsoft had installed unsolicited, unwanted web app versions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook onto my computer.

Hollister also pointed out that “Microsoft Office apps have magically appeared in my Start Menu, even though I’ve never once installed Office on this computer?” It’s not exactly clear why Microsoft started this experiment that seems to be pissing off Windows 10 users, and we also don’t know if many non-Insiders have been affected. On our end, we have yet to see these Office PWAs being pushed on our PCs.

This is a pretty strange situation, and Microsoft has yet to comment on the matter. “I’ve asked Microsoft several times for a response on what’s going on over the past two days and have received no information from the company,” Mary Jo Foley from ZDNet wrote on Friday, October 16. Fortunately, these Office PWAs can be uninstalled quite easily, but let us know in the comments if you’ve recently seen appear on your PC without your consent.

Update 10:10AM PT: ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley heard from sources that Microsoft is about to stop forcing the installation of Office PWAs to Windows 10 users, which could be the result of a bug linked to the rollout of the new Chromium-based Edge. It’s not new that Microsoft has been pinning Office web apps shortcuts to the Start Menu on Windows 10 PCs where Office isn’t installed, but clicking these links used to open the Office web apps in the legacy Edge browser. With the transition to the new Chromium-based Edge, which can now “install” any website as an app, it seems that these pinned Office apps shortcuts have been transformed into installed Edge apps. “My contacts say that Microsoft plan to hold any further rollout of the migration while they figure out how to stop it from forcibly installing Office PWAs on Windows 10 users,” Foley wrote.

Apex Legends Crashes with No Error Message? Fix It Now

Posted on by Matthew Adams

Apex Legends is the latest battle royale blockbuster for Windows that EA and Respawn released on Origin.

However, some Apex players have stated that the game crashes with some regularity since Respawn launched it in February 2019. One player stated:

I am writing this because I am one of the people who would very much enjoy and love your new game APEX LEGENDS; however, currently I am not enjoying your game because it keeps crashing non-stop WITH NO ERROR and not because I have a crappy PC.

Thus, Apex Legends crashes with some regularity for some players without any error message. So, there are no clues for potential resolutions within an error message. Nor has EA provided official resolutions or an update that fixes the Apex Legends crashing.

However, some players have still discovered some resolutions for fixing Apex. These are some of the resolutions that might fix Apex crashing.

How do I fix Apex Legends crashes without errors?

  1. Update graphics card driver
  2. Repair Apex Legend game files
  3. Update Apex Legends in Origin
  4. Reinstall the Origin game client
  5. Repair the Easy Anti-Cheat service
  6. Place a restriction on the game’s frame rate
  7. Clean Boot Windows

1. Update Graphics Card Driver

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Users should make sure that they have the most updated graphics card drivers for the GPUs, and this can easily be done if they have Outbyte Driver Updater.

This lightweight utility is extremely efficient, identifying all drivers on your PC that are either old, broken, or missing entirely.

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It will then proceed to download the latest ones and install them on your PC with you only having to select which to fix or not.

Outbyte Driver Updater doesn’t just fix GPU drivers, it also handles drivers from peripherals as well, any device you have connected to your PC will have the latest drivers as well.

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2. Repair Apex Legend game files

Apex’s crashing might be due to corrupted game files. So, try repairing the game’s files.

Players can do that in Origin by clicking My Game Library to open the library. Then right-click the Apex Legends game and select the Repair option.

3. Update Apex Legends in Origin

Some players have confirmed that updating Apex fixes the game. Players can do that by clicking My Game Library on the left of the Origin window.

Right-click Apex Legends and select the Update Game option.

4. Reinstall the Origin game client

  1. Right-click the Start button to select and open Run.
  2. Input appwiz.cpl within Run’s Open text box, and select the OK option.
    Apex Legends crashes programs and features
  3. Select Origin and click Uninstall.
  4. Select the Yes option to provide further confirmation.
  5. Restart the desktop or laptop after uninstalling Origin.
  6. Open the Get the latest version of Origin page in a browser.
    download origin apex legends crashes
  7. Then click the Download button for Windows.
  8. Install Origin with the downloaded setup wizard.

Reinstalling the Origin client software will ensure that players have the very latest version of the software. Origin games will likely run better with the latest version of the client software installed.

5. Repair the Easy Anti-Cheat service

  1. First, open the Apex Legends game folder.
  2. Next, open the Easy Anti-Cheat subfolder.
  3. Then right-click Easy Anti-Cheat and select Run as administrator.
  4. Press the Repair Service button on Easy Anti-Cheat setup window.
  5. Thereafter, press the Finish button.

Apex crashing can also be due to the Easy Anti-Cheat service. So, repairing Easy Anti-Cheat is a potential fix. 

6. Place a Restriction on the game’s frame rate

  1. Open Origin.
  2. Click My Game Library to open the game library.
  3. Right-click Apex Legends and select Game Properties.
  4. Select the Advanced Launch Options tab.
  5. Then input +fps_max 100 in the Command line arguments text box.
  6. Press the Save button.

Some users have said that they’ve fixed Apex by establishing a max 100 frame rate for the game.

7. Clean Boot Windows

  1. Open the Run accessory.
  2. Input msconfig in Run and click OK to open the System Configuration window.
    system configuration window Apex Legends crashes
  3. Select Selective startup on the General tab.
  4. Select the Load system services and Use original boot configuration settings.
  5. Uncheck the Load startup items check box.
  6. Then select the Services tab shown directly below.
    system configuration services Apex Legends crashes no error
  7. Select the Hide all Microsoft services first, which will exclude more essential services from the list.
  8. Then select the Disable all option.
    system configuration restart Apex Legends crashes
  9. Select the Apply option.
  10. Press the OK button to exit system configuration.
  11. Select the Restart option on the dialog box window that opens.

Clean-booting Windows will ensure that there are no potential software conflicts with antivirus utilities and other programs by removing third-party programs and services from the startup. So, a clean boot might also make some difference. 

If Apex doesn’t crash after the clean boot, players will need to figure out what the conflicting software is (most probably antivirus utilities). Then they can restore all the other software in the system startup via Task Manager.

The resolutions above might fix Apex crashing for some players. However, they aren’t guaranteed to fix Apex Legends for all players. Hopefully, EA will release some update patches soon that will resolve some of the game’s bugs.

For further guidance on resolving specific issues like memory problems in Apex Legends, our detailed guide on troubleshooting memory problems in Apex Legends can provide you with more targeted solutions.

FIX: This device cannot find enough free resources to use (code 12)

Posted on by Matthew Adams

The This device cannot find enough free that it can use (code12) error is one that devices’ properties windows display within a Device status box.

That error is a hardware conflict that arises when two devices are assigned the same I/O port. When that error occurs for a device, the device doesn’t work.

For example, users can’t connect to the internet when the code 12 errors occur for network adapters. Here are a few resolutions that might fix the code 12 issue in Windows.

How do I fix the Not enough free resources: Error code 12 error?

  1. Reinstall the Device Driver
  2. Update the Device Driver via Device Manager
  3. Open the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter
  4. Check Hidden Devices
  5. Select the Network Reset option
  6. Roll back Windows to a Restore Point

1. Reinstall the Device Driver

  1. Press the Windows key + X hotkey and select Device Manager on the menu.
  2. Then right-click the device that displays the code 12 error, which Device Manager highlights with a yellow exclamation mark.
  3. Select Uninstall device on the right-click context menu that opens.
  4. Select the Delete the driver software for this device check box on the dialog box window that opens.
  5. Then press the Uninstall button.
  6. Next, reboot the Windows OS.

Windows might automatically reinstall the device driver after rebooting. However, just to make sure, run a scan with Outbyte Driver Updater.

It is much faster and much more reliable than the method used above primarily because it will guarantee the right drivers are installed, and that they are the latest available version supported by your hardware.

Additionally, it will also fix the drivers that you already have but which are faulty, as well as drivers that are missing altogether from your PC.

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2. Update the device driver via Device Manager

Some users have stated on forums that they’ve fixed code 12 by updating the driver for the required device.

To do that, right-click the device with the yellow exclamation mark listed in the Device Manager window and select Update driver.

Then select the Search automatically for updated driver software option shown directly below. Restart Windows after updating the driver.

3. Open the Hardware and Devices Troubleshooter

  1. Open the Cortana app by pressing the Type here to search button on the taskbar.
  2. Enter the keyword troubleshoot in the search box and select Troubleshoot to open the window shown directly below.
  3. Select the listed Hardware and Devices troubleshooter as below.
  4. You can press its Run the troubleshooter button to open the window in the image directly below. The troubleshooter might then provide further resolutions.
  5. You can open the Hardware and Devices troubleshooter in other Windows platforms by clicking Troubleshooting > Hardware and Sound within the Control Panel. Then you can select Hardware and Devices to open its window.

The Hardware and Devices troubleshooter could come in handy for fixing code 12. As code 12 is a hardware issue, that troubleshooter might provide a resolution for it.

4. Check Hidden Devices

As the code 12 error is usually a hardware conflict, disabling the conflicting device might also resolve the error.

The code 12 error message even states:

If you want to use this device, you will need to disable one of other devices on this system.

You might find a conflicting device by clicking View and Show hidden devices in Device Manager.

Then Device Manager will show you all devices when you expand their categories. If one of the hidden devices includes an exclamation mark, right-click it and select Disable.

5. Select the Network Reset Option

  1. Open the Cortana app by pressing its Type here to search the taskbar button.
  2. Enter the keyword ‘network’ in the search box to find Network status.
  3. Select to open the Network status window below.
  4. Click Network reset to open further options.
  5. Press the Reset now button.

This code 12 resolution is more specifically for network adapters. Resetting network settings might fix the code 12 error for network adapters.

6. Roll Back Windows to a Restore Point

  1. Open the Run accessory with its Windows + R hotkey.
  2. Then input rstrui in Run’s Open text box and click OK to open System Restore.
  3. Click the Next button.
  4. Select the Show more restore points option to expand the list of dates.
  5. Select a restore point that predates Windows Update restore points.
  6. You can check what software gets removed for a restore point by pressing the Scan for affected changes button.
  7. To confirm your selected restore point, press the Next and Finish buttons.

Some users have confirmed that the code 12 error occurs after a Windows update. So the code 12 issue might be due to a recent update.

You can remove recent updates for Windows with the System Restore tool. The only exception is for major updates such as Patch Tuesday Updates, which you can’t roll back with System Restore.

Those are some of the resolutions that have fixed the code 12 error for some users. If you have another fix the code 12 issue, feel free to share it below.

Failed to Initialize SmartAudio: 7 Ways to fix Audio Error

Posted on by Matthew Adams

The Failed to initialize SmartAudio error message pops up during Windows startup that pertains to the Conexant High Definition Audio software.

Conexant High Definition Audio comes preinstalled with most modern laptops and desktops. Unfortunately, some users lose sound when that error message pops up. In this guide, we will show you how to fix this error effortlessly.

Why does the Smart Audio error appear?

Listed below are some of the reasons for the failed to initialize SmartAudio error:

  • Outdated drivers: One of the major causes of the Conexant SmartAudio failing to initialize in Windows 10 error is an outdated driver. Updating the driver to the latest version should solve the problem.
  • Issues with other audio devices: If you have more than one audio device on your PC, they might interfere with the Conexant software. It would be best if you disabled the other devices to solve this problem.

How can I fix Failed to initialize SmartAudio error?

1. Update the Conexant driver

  1. Press the Windows key + X and select Device Manager.
    device manager failed to initialize smartaudio
  2. Double-click the Sound, video, and game controllers option to expand it and right-click the Conexant device.
  3. Now, select the Update driver option.
    update driver
  4. Finally, select Search automatically for drivers and install the available updates.
    search auto

Some users have stated on forums that updating the Conexant SmartAudio HD driver has fixed the Failed to initialize SmartAudio error for them.

As Conexant does not provide drivers on its website, it’s probably better to update the drivers with the Windows driver updater.

To make things easier, we strongly recommend Outbyte Driver Updater for that job because it will do that automatically in only a few seconds and clicks.

Outbyte Driver Updater will automatically scan for and list outdated drivers after you download and install it.

Then you can press the Update All button to update the drivers. Alternatively, click the box from the left of the Conexant audio driver and press the Update button from the right.

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2. Open the Playing Audio troubleshooter

  1. Press the Windows key + I and select the Update & Security option.
    update and failed to initialize smartaudio
  2. Select Troubleshoot in the left pane and click on Additional troubleshooters.
    troubleshoot
  3. Now, choose Playing Audio and click the Run the troubleshooter button.
    run trouble

Windows 10 includes a Playing Audio troubleshooter that can fix numerous audio issues. As such, that might provide a fix for the failed to initialize SmartAudio error message.

3. Disable all other audio device drivers

  1. Launch the Device Manager and expand the Sound, video, and game controllers option.
  2. Right-click all the audio devices listed there, except Conexant SmartAudio HD, and select Disable device.
    disable device failed to initialize smartaudio
  3. Now, click the Yes button.
    yes
  4. Finally, restart your PC.

4. Remove Conexant SmartAudio HD from the Windows startup

  1. Suppose Conexant SmartAudio HD is not your default audio driver and manager. Please remove it from the Windows startup.
  2. Press the Windows key + X and select Task Manager.
    task manager
  3. Now, select the Startup tab.
  4. Next, right-click the Conexant SmartAudio HD and choose Disable.
    disable startup
  5. Finally, restart your PC.

If you are getting the failed to initialize SmartAudio, the application will now exit error; it might be because the device is initialized correctly on startup. Disabling the app in Task Manager should do the trick.

5. Disable Audio Enhancements for the Conexant Audio Device

  1. Right-click the speaker system tray icon and select Playback devices.
  2. Right-click the Conexant audio device listed on the Playback tab and select Properties.
  3. Now, select the Enhancements tab.
  4. Select the Disable all enhancements (or Disable all sound effects) option.
    disable all
  5. Press the Apply button, followed by OK.

If you are facing the failed to initialize SmartAudio error, it might be because of the audio enhancement features. The solution to this is to disable all audio enhancements.

6. Reinstalling Conexant Audio software and driver

  1. Launch the Device Manager and expand the Sound, video, and game controllers option.
  2. Right-click the Conexant SmartAudio device and choose Uninstall device.
    uninstall device
  3. Now, check the box for Delete the driver software for this device and click the Uninstall button to confirm the action.
    uninstall button
  4. Next, press the Windows key + R, type appwiz.cpl, and click OK.
    appwiz failed to initialize smartaudio
  5. Right-click the Conexant SmartAudio HD software, select Uninstall, and follow the onscreen instructions to complete the process.
    uninstall
  6. Finally, you can now download the latest version of the software from official sources.

7. Perform a clean boot

  1. Press the Windows key + R, type msconfig, and click OK.
    msconfig
  2. Select Services, check the Hide all Microsoft services box, and click the Disable all button.
    services failed to initialize smartaudio
  3. Now, click the Startup tab and select Open Task Manager.
    startup failed to initialize smartaudio
  4. Right-click each of the apps there and select Disable.
    disable
  5. Next, go back to the System Configuration window and click Apply, followed by OK.
    apply ok
  6. Finally, restart your PC.

Once your PC restarts, check if the Failed to initialize SmartAudio error message is still there. If it doesn’t appear, it means that one of the disabled applications or processes was causing the problem.

In this case, you must keep the service or app disabled to prevent the error message.

Those resolutions will probably resolve the Failed to initialize SmartAudio error message. Aside from those resolutions, rolling Windows back to a restore point with System Restore or restarting the audio service might also fix the issue.

Feel free to let us know the solution that helped you solve the problem in the comments below.

Windows 10 news recap: PC shipments grew 11% thanks to pandemic, Xbox Game Bar gains Resources widget, and more

Posted on 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.

Windows 10 Xbox Game Bar gets new Resources widget

The Xbox Game Bar on Windows 10 has received a new update that adds a new Resources widget. It acts as a useful alternative to Task Manager, allowing you to see how your PCs resources are being used, helping you see what could be bogging your system down.

Xbox Game Bar Performance Widget

PC shipments grew some 11% last quarter, thanks to the pandemic

In the last quarter, PC shipments have grown by 11%. PC shipments have generally been declining for the past decade, but it appears the pandemic has helped cause some growth for the sector, as more people work from home and need their own devices, as well as children learning remotely.

Computers Sales Cropped

Microsoft’s Surface Laptop Go, updated Surface Pro X, and new PC accessories are now available

This week has seen Microsoft begin shipping a couple new devices and a range of accessories. The Surface Laptop Go began shipping, along with the updated Surface Pro X. But a number of accessories, including a new keyboard, mouse, number pad, and a 4K wireless adaptor. You can see all of the new devices and peripherals here.

Surface Laptop Go Sandstone Cropped

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

Microsoft news recap: Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 warranty extended, Microsoft targets “largest botnet in the world”, and more

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft news recap is a weekly feature highlighting the top Microsoft news stories of the past week. Sit back, grab some coffee, and enjoy the read!

Microsoft extends Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 warranty to one year due to reliability issues

Due to issues with reliability, with Microsoft themselves admitting they’ve seen a small percentage of users experience technical problems with it, Microsoft has extended the warranty from 90 days to 1 year, giving that extra peace of mind.

Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller

Microsoft’s revenue sharing deal with GameStop could help drive Xbox Series consoles this generation

This week it was reported that Microsoft has a revenue sharing deal with GameStop, which could allow GameStop to receive a cut of all digital sales made on any Xbox Series consoles they sell, providing an extra incentive for the retailer to push Xbox consoles. It’s seen that this could help drive more sales of the console in this upcoming generation.

https://twitter.com/DOMOCAPITAL/status/1316173476777136128?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1316173476777136128%7Ctwgr%5Eshare_3%2Ccontainerclick_1&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.onmsft.com%2Fnews%2Fmicrosofts-revenue-sharing-deal-with-gamestop-could-help-drive-xbox-series-consoles-this-generation

Microsoft Teams Meetings Notes now support up to 100 participants

A number of improvements have been made to the Meetings Notes feature in Microsoft Teams. it now supports up to 100 participants. In addition, anyone who arrives after the scheduled meeting time can now request access to the meeting notes, so that they don’t miss out.

Microsoft Teams Meeting Notes

Microsoft goes after “largest botnet in the world,” citing trademark law

Microsoft has been granted permission to disrupt one of the world’s largest botnets, making use of copyright claims as a result of malware using Microsoft’s own code. It has also been granted the right to cease internet addresses from 8 hosting providers. The botnet aimed to disrupt the US election by locking up voter registration systems.

Electronic Voting Booth Cropped
The new “voting booths” where you fill out your scantron sheet. Not very private, and not nearly as cool as the old lever machines.

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

How to fix 7-Zip CRC failed error [Quick & Easy Guide]

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Countless users describe that they’ve received a 7-Zip CRC failed error when attempting to extract a ZIP archive that may or may not contain large files.

It’s difficult to establish a pattern and identify the culprit from the start. There are times when the application ceases to function properly or when you experience a sudden interruption while downloading the files.

As you already know, the 7-Zip files become inaccessible after the CRC error, so it’s only natural to look for quick ways to solve it.

Luckily, there are a few easy methods to follow in order to achieve your goal. Just follow the procedures detailed below and you should be able to continue your download in no time.

How can I fix the 7-Zip CRC failed error?

1. Try out a different file compression tool

The malfunctioning of the 7-Zip application itself is the most common cause of CRC errors. Instead of wasting your time with repair tools that could supposedly unzip or rewrite the archive, use WinZip from the very start.

It is very simple to forget all about these issues with the help of an alternative file compression software like this one.

With WinZip you can unzip all major file formats – that’s confirmed already by users worldwide. So, before thinking that the contents of the archive under discussion are altered for good, install this tool.

You’re also about to take advantage of banking-level encryption, intuitive Background Tools, not to mention that you’ll be able to organize your photos in the cloud.

With this being said, using such an archive option will sure deliver great support and keep you away from errors when you extract your files.

⇒ Get WinZip

2. Use a powerful virus scan and malware removal

The file integrity of your archive’s contents is also of main interest in this case. Corruption cases caused by viruses and malware are nothing out of the ordinary, so this should be your next step.

We’re referring to a deep scan of your system. However, make sure that you use an appropriate antivirus for this task.

For example, using reliable antivirus tools will protect you against malware, ransomware, malicious websites, countless online threats, and remove them with extreme ease.

After all, it’s essential to make sure that your system is free from viruses before downloading any important archives on it.

Moreover, you should prioritize your digital security and use high detection antiviruses compatible with Windows 10.

3. Make sure that you use the latest 7-ZIP version

If you’re determined to solve the 7-ZIP CRC failed error, double-check that you currently use the latest version of the program.

As it usually happens, the newest versions give you access to new features and improve stability, not to mention the changes related to the size limit of your files.

4. Check if your Internet connection is unstable

As a quick reminder, wireless networks in busy places have way too many devices trying to connect to them at once.

Therefore, downloading the 7-Zip archive from a computer at your university may not be a wise choice. If you’re at home, however, also make sure that you don’t deal with an unstable wireless connection.

Looking for precise answers regarding your Internet speed? Count on us to find the best Internet speed testers for Windows 10.

In case of confirming an issue, a few useful tips include restarting the modem/router and keeping in mind that such networks have a limited range.

Moreover, you shouldn’t be too far away from the wireless base station if you want to get a strong enough signal to maintain a stable connection.

After all, it’s important not to interrupt the download process of 7-Zip archives from the Internet under any circumstances.

If you’ve carefully applied the troubleshooting tips above, the 7-Zip CRC failed error is most likely a thing of the past now.

In case you need further assistance, do tell us in the comments section below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

5 Open-Source File Archivers to Save some Disk Space

Posted on by Matthew Adams

You might have come across the ZIP or RAR archive formats that are widely used by developers to package their software.

If the software is packaged in a ZIP or RAR, you can extract these formats with file archivers.  You can also set up your own compressed file formats with those utilities to save some disk space.

A file archiver is a fairly essential bit of kit. Windows 10 File Explorer does include an Extract all option.

However, you can only decompress ZIPs with that button. So, Microsoft needs to enhance Windows’ limited file archive options.

These are some of the best open-source file archivers for Windows 10.

What are the best open-source file archivers to save disk space?

WinZip – Best open-source file archiver

Disclaimer: Although WinZip is not an open-source software tool, it can be used and tested over 30 days with full functionality, giving you plenty of time to test its features and decide whether it is worth it.

Our first recommendation would be WinZip – the most popular file encryption and compression tool.

This great software lets you easily share, compress, and backup files.

This software allows you to find, open, edit, move, and share the files stored on PCs, networks, or cloud services.

The tool can be fully integrated with Dropbox, G-Suite, or OneDrive.

Key features include:

  • Archive repair
  • Data Backup
  • File merging
  • File management
  • Cloud support

WinZip

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7-Zip – High-rated

7-Zip is one of the most highly-rated archive utilities for Windows. This doesn’t have an especially stylish UI, but it’s an effective tool for packing and unpacking file archives.

This software can decompress a variety of compressed files such as ZIP, RAR, AR, VHD, Z, ISO, MBR, LZMA, UDF, VDI, NTFS, CAB, and more.

It can also compress several archive formats including its very own 7z format that splits files into multiple archives.

The software has a compression ratio of 2 – 10% for the GZIP and ZIP formats. Another advantage of this utility is that it integrates with File Explorer so you can select 7-Zip options from folder context menus.

In addition, it also provides AES-256 encryption so you can add passwords to ZIP and 7z archive formats.

Other features are:

  • Integration with Windows Shell
  • Powerful File Manager
  • Powerful command line version
  • Plugin for FAR Manager
  • Localizations for 87 languages

⇒ Get 7-Zip

PeaZip – Engaging user interface

PeaZip is another of the best open-source archive utilities that’s compatible with the 32/64-bit Windows and Linux platforms and also has a portable version.

This is a utility that works with more than 150 archive formats, and it provides full read/write support for ZIP, WIM, GZ, 7z, UPX, TAR, Bz2, and PeaZip’s PEA format.

This tool has a slightly more engaging UI design than 7-Zip, and it also adds some handy extra options and shortcuts to File Explorer’s context menu.

The software also provides encryption options for its users so that you can encode archives with the password manager. Another good thing about this utility is that you can repair damaged archives with it.

Other PeaZip comprehensive features are:

  • Novice-friendly
  • Operating PeaZip is as easy as dragging files
  • Decompression mode
  • Well-labeled buttons and simple functions
  • PeaZip allows applying powerful multiple search filters to archive

⇒ Get Peazip

B1 Free Archiver – Multiplatform compression tool

B1 Free Archiver is a multiplatform compression utility for Windows, Android, Mac, and Linux that has had glowing reviews.

This software enables you to open all the main archive formats such as ZIP, 7z, GZIP, TAR, ISO, RAR, CAB, and its own B1 archive file.

However, its archive creation is limited to only the B1 and ZIP formats. It gives you various compression modes, and users can also split and encrypt archives.

Here are some of the most notable features:

  • Smooth and intuitive GUI
  • Drag-and-drop option
  • Safe and secure
  • Version for Android
  • Integrity check

⇒ Get B1 Free Archiver

FreeArc – Great speed and efficiency

FreeArc is an open-source file archiver that offers faster compression than notable alternatives such as 7-Zip.

The program offers compression support for the main archive formats such as ZIP, RAR, and 7z as well as ARC.

FreeArc boasts greater speed and efficiency for file extraction and compression than alternative utilities.

Other features are:

  • Can list/extract archives directly from the Internet
  • Archive protection and recovery
  • Ability to create SFX (self-extracted) archives and installers
  • Capacity to test archive before and after any operation
  • Can select files by size, time/age, and name

⇒ Get FreeArc

These are five great open-source file archivers for Windows 10 and other platforms. With the utilities, you can extract or compress files with a variety of archive formats, fix archives, and encrypt compressed files.

You might also be interested in our guide on how to combine RAR files and save more space.

We would love to know what software option you chose from the list presented here. You can easily let us know by using the comments section below.

6 best anti-spam software for your Exchange email server

Posted on by Milan Stanojevic

Spamming is the act of sending unsolicited messages via electronic messaging systems. This type of unwanted email consumes your corporate email bandwidth but can also affect in a negative way employee productivity.

For these reasons. it is very important that companies use good anti-spam software on their email servers.

Once installed on your mail servers, anti-spam software will block all spam emails based on different criteria – sender’s email address, subject line, the message in the body, type of attachments in the email, etc.

Over time, spamming has evolved and it’s no longer just about annoying emails, now spam poses real security threats. Emails can be used as gateways or entry points for malware.

For this reason, reliable good anti-spam software solutions will offer protection against email-borne malware as well.

In this article, we will explore the best anti-spam software to use on email servers.

How do I stop spam emails in Microsoft Exchange?

Bitdefender GravityZone Security

BitDefender GravityZone - Exchange

This application provides top-rated antispam and antimalware for mail servers and ensures a secure messaging and collaboration environment with a low impact on resource consumption.

GravityZone Security from BitDefender employs multi-layer protection against any kind of spam or phishing attack through email messages.

It is based on BitDefender’s Global Protective Network and offers you real-time protection for your PC.

The multi-layered protection from Bitdefender has antispam, anti-phishing, antivirus, and anti-malware capabilities with behavioral analysis included. It can also filter traffic including attachments.

One of the best features of GravityZone is the top of the range heuristic antispam filter, called APM (Advanced Pattern Matching).

APM is a filter based on artificial neural networks and is trained on large volumes of spam messages.

During this training, APM learns how to recognize new spam by comparing the subtle similarities with the examples from the Bitdefender Antispam Lab.

Another very important feature of GravityZone is the Real-Time Data Analysis (RTDA) option that employs a Global protective Network security cloud to detect spam messages even before you have opened the email.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • Secure messaging and collaboration environments for both external and internal threats
  • Protects physical and virtual mail servers
  • Centralized management and reporting
  • On-demand Antimalware scanning
  • Integration with Active Directory, VMware vCenter, Citrix XenServer
Bitdefender Gravity Zone

Bitdefender Gravity Zone

A complete cybersecurity solution to take care of your business end-to-end. Bitdefender only delivers the best results!
Check price Visit website

Vipre Endpoint Protection

VIPRE delivers the ultimate protection for your endpoints against the most sophisticated threats. And it does so by combining real-time behavioral analysis techniques with machine learning.

This modern endpoint solution will take care of your entire infrastructure, servers included, and ensure your organization is up and running as expected.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • Multi-layer protection to secure your files, apps, servers, and network
  • Comprehensive reports and dashboards to monitor the endpoint environment status at all times
  • Centralized management for all your assets
  • Modern interface with cross-platform compatibility
  • Powerful protection against all kinds of known and emerging threats
VIPRE Endpoint Protection

VIPRE Endpoint Protection

Why settle for less when you can get the ultimate protection? Activate the most powerful endpoint security solution from VIPRE!
Free trial Visit website

EuropeanMX

EuropeanMX - Exchange

EuropeanMX has the ability to protect your company’s network by blocking 99.98% of all spam and virus emails before they have access to your network.

This software also works outbound in order to protect your reputation and clients.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • Encrypted cloud storage to easily archive all your emails according to international law regulations (GDPdU, Sarbanes Oxley, SEC-Rules).
  • Reliable spam filters to increase productivity and long-term savings of both time and money
  • Self-adaptive and high-performance database (to store spam and malware in the program’s quarantine box without interfering with the emails)
  • Mailbox protection against spam, viruses, phishing, info harvesting, and other malware attacks for botnets and spammers
  • It protects your IP ranges before getting blacklisted (automatically lock hijacked accounts, block outgoing spam, and lets you know about any suspicious activity)
  • Backup service for your emails 
  • Block outgoing spam messages (no matter if they come from a careless employee or from intentional attacks)

⇒ Download EuropeanMX

Value privacy much? Check out these top email privacy software to use today!

Exclaimer Anti Spam

ExclaimerAntiSpam - Exchange

Exclaimer AntiSpam uses the Recurrent Pattern Detection engine from CYREN to compare every email you receive to the global spam traffic trends.

It’s syntax analysis and word filtering features can identify a spam email by comparing it’s ‘fingerprints’ to millions of other similar emails sent across the globe.

The RPD engine can easily identify spam even in situations in which spambots randomize portions of the email message or paste grammatically correct content inside the email.

Exclaimer analyzes spam emails sent across the globe and compares them to the emails in your inbox.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • Pro-business anti-spam
  • Real-time protection
  • No extra hardware
  • All-in-one console
  • Free Exclaimer support
  • Simple set-up
  • Plus Exchange Integration
  • Auto-whitelist for people you’ve already emailed
  • Simple anti-spam administration

⇒ Download Exclaimer Anti Spam

GFI Mail Essentials

GFI Mail Essentials - Exchange

GFI Mail Essentials is another very capable option of anti-spam protection for your email. This program provides anti-spam and email security for your mail servers keeping your network secure and block any spam.

GFI MailEssentials features advanced malware protection that enables IT admins to secure their email infrastructure from the new breed of malware that creates different variants of itself to avoid detection.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • Powerful and effective business spam filtering
  • Up to five antivirus engines
  • Scan for email-based exploits and malicious executables
  • You can install it on different serves and synchronizes the configuration across the entire network
  • Blocks phishing and spyware emails before reaching users inbox
  • Configure user-based or group-based rules
  • POP3 downloader, company-wide disclaimers, list server, email monitoring
  • Spam and malware protection
  • Web-based console with integrated reporting

⇒ Download GFI Mail Essentials

Check out these best email extractor tools to collect email addresses from the Internet.

MX GuardDog

MxGuardDog - Exchange

Another good software option that can protect your email servers is MX GuardDog. It has the ability to stop spam in the cloud before it reaches your Exchange Server.

MxGuardDog scans your email for spam, phishing attacks, malware, and viruses. All the emails that are suspicious will be moved to secure quarantine on their network.

You will receive a quarantine report containing recently stopped messages and details about it, so you can easily decide if you want to see or lock up the attachments.

Let’s quickly look at its key features:

  • Quick setup with no changes needed to your Exchange infrastructure
  • Strong encryption using Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Perfect Forward Security (PFS)
  • LDAP Sync – easily syncs any changes regarding users on your Exchange server
  • 100% transparent quarantine reports
  • AD & cPanel syncing
  • Outage protect – 168 hour spooling – stores your emails even if your server is unavailable
  • SLA Quarantine Reports
  • Geographic redundancy
  • No Contract Lock

⇒ Download MX GuardDog

In this article, we listed some of the best tools the market has to offer for protecting your Exchange server from spam, phishing, malware, viruses, and other threats.

The long-range features in the software options presented in this guide will surely allow you to run your business or home server without spam problems.

Let us know what you chose from this list by reaching for the comments section below.

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How to restore deleted Kik messages & pictures on Android

Posted on by Tashreef Shareef

Kik Messenger is a popular instant messaging app for Android devices. Unlike other popular instant messaging apps like WhatsApp, Kik does not offer backup and restore chats feature to its users. However, at times you may want to restore deleted Kik messages and pictures on Android.

Kik, by default, does not offer any way to backup and restore Kik messages. However, there a few workarounds that you can try to recover the deleted Kik message.

In this article, we show you how to restore deleted Kik messages & pictures on Android devices.

How do I recover my deleted Kik Messages & photos?

1. Recover deleted messages with AnyMp4 Data Recovery

restore deleted Kik messages
AnyMP4 Android Data Recovery is a popular Android data recovery software. It helps you recover deleted and lost Android files, including Kik photos.

AnyMP4 Android Data Recovery can recover all kinds of data, including contacts, text messages, WhatsApp & Attachment, call history, photos, music, videos, notes, and documents.

To recover your Kik messages, launch AnyMP4 Android Data Recovery, connect your Android device to your PC, and perform a scan. Preview the files that you want to restore and then proceed to restore the selected data.

  • Recover lost contacts, messages, attachments, and calls logs.
  • Enables you to recover data from broken devices.
  • Backup photos, music, video, and documents from your Android phone.
  • Supports all versions of Android and smartphones.

Quick Tip: Backup Kik messages with backup apps

restore deleted Kik messages
Apps like AnyMP4 Android Data Recovery comes with backup and recovery features. Launch the app and check if you can backup Kik messages. You can also use the recovery apps to back up media files, contacts, and documents and then restore them with one click as well.

AnyMp4 Android Data Recovery

AnyMp4 Android Data Recovery

Easily recover deleted Kik messages on Android by using this powerful software today!
Free trial Visit website

2. Recover lost Kik chat from Android backup

restore deleted Kik messages

  1. Open the Settings option on your Android device.
  2. Scroll down and tap on Account. Login with the credentials if required.
  3. Select the Backup and Restore option.
  4. Tap on the Restore option.
  5. Find any Kik messenger backup and proceed to restore.

All the Android devices have a built-in backup and restore option that you can use to restore backups. Since Kik does not offer any built-in option to backup chats, so you can only hope to find some media files, if any.

How to Backup Kik messages

restore deleted Kik messages
Since Kik doesn’t have a default backup option, you must create a backup of any important messages that you want to preserve by yourself. Here’s what you can do to

If you are an Android user, try taking a screenshot of any important message and save it to the gallery. Open Kik and then open the chat room of which you want to take a screenshot.

Use the built-in screen capturing option to grab a few quick screenshots. Most of the Android phones use the Power and Volume button combination to save a screenshot.

Unlike other instant messaging apps, Kik does not provide an option to backup chat history and media. Your only option is to try third-party recovery apps or check for any backups in the Android settings.

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Microsoft will soon allow meeting organizers to mute chat during Teams meetings

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

Microsoft is working on a new feature, which will give meeting organizers the ability to turn off the chat functionality during Teams meetings. This feature is in development and coming in November, according to the Microsoft 365 roadmap.

As a reminder, the feature builds on the already popular “Hard Mute” feature in Teams. It allows the meeting organizers to mute audio from all attendees. The company has listened to the feedback from its users to implement the new Meeting chat moderation settings.

The Meeting option has been designed to enable the meeting organizers to manage participants’ ability to chat before, during, and after a Teams meeting. Once the change starts rolling out, the organizer of the meeting will be able to set the “Allow meeting chat” setting within the Meeting options to On, Off, or during the meeting only.

In the remote-work era, Teams meeting conversation can get quite “noisy” in large meetings. As the session continues, a couple of important points may generate a lot of discussions. Indeed, Microsoft wants to address this issue by updating the Meeting options. This feature comes in extremely handy for the organizers to concentrate on the work at hand without being distracted by messages from their team.

How do you think the new meeting option will impact your work? Let us know in the comments down below.

Windows 10 Xbox Game Bar gets new Resources widget

Posted on by Radu Tyrsina

A new update for the Windows 10 Xbox Game Bar is introducing a new Resources widget that let PC gamers see at a glance which apps are using too many resources. This is a handy alternative to Task Manager for closing apps certain apps, and this Resources widget includes a two-columns compact view displaying an “Impact level” for every background apps, as well as a more detailed view displaying CPU, GPU, RAM, and disk usage for each app.

In addition to this new Resources widget, this latest Game Bar Update adds a new GPU usage indicator to the Performance widget, and the Settings section will also tell you if your PC supports Microsoft’s new DirectX12 Ultimate API. You can find the full release notes below:

  • The new Resources Widget helps you identify and manage which apps are using system resources like CPU, GPU, RAM, and Disk. At a glance, or digging into the details, be sure you’re making the most of your system without leaving the game.
  • DirectX 12 Ultimate enables the latest cutting edge graphics features, and you check the Gaming features Hub within Game Bar settings to make sure you’re ready for the future.
  • The Performance widget now includes GPU Memory usage monitoring
  • It’s now easier to see what you’re recording using the Capture widget, which will now show the current target app.

Microsoft’s Xbox Game Bar overlay recently gained a third-party widget store which already includes widgets from Razer, Intel, XSplit. It also remains a neat tool for taking game captures, controlling audio devices, and chat with friends on Xbox Live, and it’s great to see Microsoft adding new features at a regular pace.

Your WinZip free trial has expired? Try these solutions

Posted on by Teodor Nechita

The problem with most good high-quality software is that you rarely ever find it for free, and even if you do, it’s probably open-source and very unstable because of the wide variety of contributors.

WinZip also falls under the category of high-quality software, and one testament to that is that you do indeed have to pay for it.

Fortunately enough, the software can be used over a period of  30 days for free, during which you have plenty of time to test out its functionality.

However, that begs the question: What should you do after the WinZip trial ends?

Since WinZip is so widely used around the world and pretty much everyone started off with the trial first, we decided to create this step-by-step guide to show you what you can do after WinZip’s trial expires.

What do I do if my WinZip trial has expired?

1. Try an alternative to WinZip

Depending on what exactly you were looking for when you first started off using WinZip, there are several alternative tools that you can choose from.

If you were using WinZip for compressing and decompressing data, we recommend you try one of the following:

  • WinRAR
  • 7-Zip
  • NXPower Lite Desktop

For more similar products, check out this article for a list of the best file compression tools on the market.

If you were using WinZip for encrypting data, we recommend you try one of the following:

  • File Lock Pro
  • File Lock Lite
  • Privacy Drive

For more similar products, check out this article for a list of the best file encryption tools on the market.

If you were using WinZip for data backup, we recommend you also give one of the following a try:

  • Stellar Data Recovery
  • Acronis True Image
  • Paragon Backup & Recovery Advanced

2. Purchase the full version of WinZip

The main reason why you applied for the 30-day WinZip trial is because of the incredible toolset that the program has.

However, you’ve probably tested that out yourself since you did have 30 days at your disposal, but did you manage to discover the full extent of WinZip’s capabilities?

Many users probably remember WinZip’s first iterations when it was just a simple archiving tool similar to WinRAR or 7-Zip.

This is no longer the case since now WinZip is much more than that:

  • It has expanded its list of supported file formats to include almost all user-grade compression formats, including one that is proprietary to WinZip.
  • More so, it now also includes banking-level encryption, allowing you to both compress and protect your data from unauthorized access.
  • The list of protective features also includes data backup capabilities, allowing you to create copies of even the largest files or folders.
  • The program now also features cloud service integration with some of the most popular cloud clients out there, including Google Drive and OneDrive.
  • Lastly, you can also use WinZip to organize your files better, since it has all the tools of a basic file manager as well.

With so many tools that you probably haven’t thought about using yet, continuing to use WinZip does indeed seem like the best course of action.

Those who prefer not to continue with the paid version can easily remove the program from their system. Learn how to uninstall WinZip completely on Windows 11 with our quick step-by-step guide.

For a complete list of the best data backup software available, as well as a description of each one’s pros and cons, check out the step-by-step guide.

Now you know what can be done after WinZip’s trial has expired, and it should be easier for you to make a decision based on the facts stated.

Let us know what solution did you choose by leaving us a message in the comments section below.

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